基于气体浓度定量的嗅觉刺激器优化设计

现有的基于磁共振测量的嗅觉刺激器，通过调节嗅剂液体浓度的方法可以实现不同浓度的嗅觉刺激，但随着实验进行，受到嗅剂挥发以及实验环境（温度、湿度、气流量）变化的影响，很难确保输送至鼻腔的嗅剂气体浓度的稳定性，进而影响实验结果的准确性．本研究对本实验室前期开发的嗅觉刺激装置进行改进，实现了气体浓度精确定量．改进后的嗅觉刺激器主要分为三个部分：控制系统、反馈系统和气路系统．控制系统主要实现气路系统的送气控制和嗅剂气体浓度调节；反馈系统则负责对气体浓度进行测量；气路系统则在原有基础上添加活性炭装置，降低无关因素干扰．装置改进之后，不同气路切换时间为75.2 ms，比原装置减少了1 s，有效提高刺激精度．实验结果显示，气体浓度调节前，300 s内乙醇、吡啶、乙酸戊酯嗅剂气体浓度分别下降6.7%、71.4%、79.2%，嗅剂气体浓度短时间内发生较大改变．加入气体浓度调节功能后，当气体浓度下降至目标浓度的90%时，可通过调节气泵电压改变嗅剂气流与空气气流比例，从而调节嗅剂气体浓度至目标值，其中吡啶、乙酸戊酯用时13 s．     

一种用于fMRI的嗅觉刺激装置设计与验证

为了实现任务态f MRI的嗅觉刺激装置的设计和功能验证.满足嗅觉f MRI实验的自动化刺激要求.首先,针对嗅觉刺激和人体嗅觉感受的特点,结合使用环境的要求,总结嗅觉f MRI的实验设计方法,归纳出用于f MRI的嗅觉刺激装置的具体需求.将刺激装置分为气路系统和控制系统、气路系统采用洁净空气通过气味溶液产生相应的气味气体,通过多支路切换达到输出不同气味的目的;控制系统采用虚拟仪器方案,其软件基于Lab VIEW平台编程,提供可输入刺激序列的人机界面,并根据要求控制电磁阀切换不同气路.然后,使用该刺激装置对单个被试进行嗅觉刺激并成像,刺激气体采用乙酸异戊酯和吡啶,实验为组块设计,使用Siemens 3.0 T MRI仪器EPI序列进行扫描,数据处理采用基于Matlab软件的SPM8和Mars Ba R工具包.选取眶额叶和岛叶中的脑激活团簇作为感兴趣区域(ROI)进行分析,激活信号在时间上的强度变化与刺激序列变化基本一致,吡啶组块的激活信号强度大于乙酸异戊酯组块激活强度,且其强度变化比乙酸异戊酯组块更符合刺激序列.ROI分析证明刺激装置基本满足嗅觉f MRI实验需要,具有较强的可用性.此外,在相同的刺激时间和间隔时间下,人脑同一区域对不同刺激气味的激活反应可能不同.     

规则结构多孔填料塔两相流动特性实验研究

本文以空气和水为工质,对规则结构多孔填料塔的气-液逆向流动特性进行了可视化实验,研究了填料塔内气一液两相流动规律.实验结果表明:当液体流量一定时,随着气体流量的增加,压力损失增大;当气体流量一定时,随着液体流量的增加,气相压力损失增加.根据实验结果提出了采用水力雷诺数、韦伯数和无量纲流动参数的填料塔内气-液两相流动阻力系数实验关联式.     

顶置渗透廊土壤强制通风下气液两相流动实验

本文搭建了带顶置渗透廊及强制通风条件下土壤内气液两相流动的可视化实验系统,对气、液在土壤中的流动特性进行了实验研究,测量了不同条件下土壤内的液体流量、液体饱和度等参数。实验结果显示:土壤的结构在多次通水通气后而逐渐趋于稳定,液体流量在通气后会有所降低,而液体饱和度分布则由于受气体流动阻力的影响而变化趋势较为缓慢。     

冷却水流量对CO2空气源热泵气体冷却器换热性能影响的实验研究

以CO_2为工质,对空气源热泵热水器矩形螺旋套管气体冷却器的换热特性进行实验研究,搭建了空气源热泵热水器实验台,测试分析冷却水流量的变化对冷却水进出口温差、CO_2进出口压力与温度、CO_2质量流量、气体冷却器总换热量、总传热系数及热泵系统COP等参数的影响,探究其对气体冷却器换热性能的变化规律。结果表明:随着冷却水流量的增加,冷却水进出口温差、CO_2进出口压力和温度均呈下降趋势,CO_2质量流量则呈上升趋势;气体冷却器的总换热量增加49.70%,总传热系数增加57.55%,COP增加73.41%,增幅较大;而气体冷却器换热效能系数仅增加1.77%,变化趋势不明显。     

空气密度与气体普适常量测量实验的改进

对测量空气密度和气体普适常量实验装置进行改进,用圆柱形有机玻璃密度瓶代替玻璃密度瓶,用高精度指针式真空表代替热偶真空规式真空计,利用橡胶管和密度瓶接口处的缓慢增气特性来改变空气压强,用电子物理天平称量气体质量,改进后的装置较适合学生实验.     

一种用于fMRI的温度觉刺激装置的设计与验证

介绍了一种用于功能磁共振成像(f MRI)的温度觉刺激装置的设计与验证,该装置能够用于f MRI温度觉的脑功能研究,满足温度觉f MRI实验的自动化刺激要求.整个刺激装置设计了以微控制器为核心的控制电路,通过数据采集卡能够与上位机Lab VIEW软件进行数据通讯,并将获取的数据通过特定的串口协议传递给数字PID温控模块,实现对刺激端温度的精确调控.最后,使用该刺激装置对多名被试进行了温度觉的脑功能实验,实验结果验证了该设计的可行性.     

柠檬醛长时程嗅觉吸入的脑功能活动MEMRI研究

本文使用设计的嗅觉吸入装置使大鼠吸入挥发性柠檬醛或无气味空气，之后使用锰增强磁共振成像（MEMRI）的方法，观察长时程（24 h）吸入柠檬醛之后，大鼠脑功能活动变化情况．基于体素分析和感兴趣区（ROI）分析结果显示，与对照组相比，长时程吸入柠檬醛组大鼠伏隔核中心部（AcbC）、嗅小球层（GL）等脑区功能活动增强；而该组大鼠视皮层（VC）、听觉皮层（AC）、压后皮层（RSC）等脑区锰累积显著减少．且长时程吸入柠檬醛之后，大鼠脑区GL与关联的脑区功能相关性显著增强．从而表明MEMRI可用于长时程嗅觉吸入刺激的脑功能研究，并极具应用前景．     

基于低温液氮吸附的控制系统设计与实现

在低温精馏实验中原料气的纯化必不可少.针对不同的气体纯化方法结合具体的工艺要求,建立了一套低温液氮吸附装置用于除去杂质气体.根据低温液氮吸附工艺过程,提出一种基于PLC的自动控制方法并建立控制系统应用于实验装置.该控制系统包括常规信号采集、多个PID控制、Modbus TCP通讯等,实现了数据处理、参数设定、数据显示与存储等功能.经过长期实验运行表明,低温液氮吸附控制系统运行稳定可靠,操作界面友好简单、便于维护,可移植性强.     

双层并联叠置烟气余热回收装置流动特性研究

针对大型燃气热电厂的余热回收工程,设计了一种双层并联叠置烟气余热回收装置,搭建了1:5缩比模型样机,用空气模拟烟气进行了冷态实验并进行了数值分析,获得了上下层空气的流量分配特性、填料层出口空气流速的均匀性和空气的流动阻力特性,可为大型烟气余热回收装置的设计提供参考。     

人脑初级视皮层内事件相关型视觉刺激fMRI BOLD响应特性初步研究

基于脑血氧水平依赖(BOLD)对比的功能磁共振成像（fMRI）方法是研究脑功能活动的一种重要的无损伤探测手段，BOLD的机制及它与脑神经活动关系一直是国际上十分活跃的研究领域，尤其是在实验研究方面. 视觉刺激所引起的脑的初级视皮层(V1) 的BOLD响应的时间特性已有较多的研究，但是在这些研究中，有的结论认为BOLD对视觉刺激的响应是线性的，有的结论却是相反的. 我们采用事件关联型核磁共振功能成像（ER-fMRI）方法，研究不同的短暂视觉刺激持续时间下的BOLD响应，得到了视觉刺激下的脑激活图. 同时找出了视觉刺激时间分别是1、2、3、4、5和6 s的V1区的BOLD响应曲线，并初步显示出BOLD响应与刺激持续时间的线性关系.     

Activation of SC during electrical stimulation of LGN: retinal antidromic stimulation or corticocollicular activation?

We have recently used combined electrostimulation, neurophysiology, microinjection and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the cortical activity patterns elicited during stimulation of cortical afferents in monkeys. We found that stimulation of a site in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) increases the fMRI signal in the regions of primary visual cortex receiving input from that site, but suppresses it in the retinotopically matched regions of extrastriate cortex. Intracortical injection experiments showed that such suppression is due to synaptic inhibition. During these experiments, we have consistently observed activation of superior colliculus (SC) following LGN stimulation. Since LGN does not directly project to SC, the current study investigated the origin of SC activation. By examining experimental manipulations inactivating the primary visual cortex, we present here evidence that the robust SC activation, which follows the stimulation of LGN, is due to the activation of corticocollicular pathway.     

Evaluation of a magnetic resonance-compatible dentoalveolar tactile stimulus device

Background  

Few methods exist to study central nervous system processes following dentoalveolar tactile stimulation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), likely due to inherent technical difficulties. Our primary goal was to develop and perform feasibility testing of a novel device capable of delivering valid and reliable dentoalveolar stimuli at dental chair-side and during MRI. Details of a device designed to deliver dentoalveolar dynamic pressure stimuli are described. Device testing took place in three settings: a) laboratory testing to assess range of stimulus force intensities, b) dental chair-side to assess reliability, validity and discriminant ability in force-pain relationship; and c) MRI to evaluate magnetic compatibility and ability to evoke brain activation in painfree subjects similar to those described in the literature.     

Event-related fMRI with painful electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve

Several functional brain imaging studies of pain using positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have shown that painful stimulation causes activation of different brain areas. The aim of the present study was to develop and implement painful stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, which can be applied with event-related paradigms by using MRI. Twelve healthy, right-handed volunteers were examined. Painful electrical stimulation of the first trigeminal branch was performed. In an event-related setting with a 1.5 T clinical scanner with EPI capability, the following fMRI parameters were used: 20 slices, 3 mm thickness, isotropic voxel, 306 measurements with 54 randomized events. Statistical postprocessing was performed with SPM99. Activation of the ipsi- and contralateral secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), and the contralateral insular cortex was observed as well as a contralateral thalamic activation (T=4.45, extension 15 voxels). Six of the 12 volunteers revealed also activation of the cingulate cortex. The investigation demonstrates that painful stimulation of the trigeminal nerve activates the contralateral insular cortex, SII, and thalamus, as well as the ipsilateral SII. In contrast to other studies, the cingulate cortex was only activated inconsistently.     

Neonatal auditory activation detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging

The objective of this study was to detect auditory cortical activation in non-sedated neonates employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Using echo-planar functional brain imaging, subjects were presented with a frequency-modulated pure tone; the BOLD signal response was mapped in 5 mm-thick slices running parallel to the superior temporal gyrus. Twenty healthy neonates (13 term, 7 preterm) at term and 4 adult control subjects. Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in response to auditory stimulus was detected in all 4 adults and in 14 of the 20 neonates. FMRI studies of adult subjects demonstrated increased signal in the superior temporal regions during auditory stimulation. In contrast, signal decreases were detected during auditory stimulation in 9 of 14 newborns with BOLD response. fMRI can be used to detect brain activation with auditory stimulation in human infants.     

Direct measurement of oxygen extraction with fMRI using 6% CO2 inhalation

The blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal is an indirect hemodynamic signal that is sensitive to cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Therefore, the BOLD signal amplitude and dynamics cannot be interpreted unambiguously without additional physiological measurements, and thus, there remains a need for a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal, which is more closely related to the underlying neuronal activity. In this study, we measured CBF with continuous arterial spin labeling, CBV with an exogenous contrast agent and BOLD combined with intracortical electrophysiological recording in the primary visual cortex of the anesthetized monkey. During inhalation of 6% CO2, it was observed that CBF and CBV are not further increased by a visual stimulus, although baseline CBF for 6% CO2 is below the maximal value of CBF. In contrast, the electrophysiological response to the stimulation was found to be preserved during hypercapnia. As a consequence, the simultaneously measured BOLD signal responds negatively to a visual stimulation for 6% CO2 inhalation in the same voxels responding positively during normocapnia. These observations suggest that the fMRI response to a sensory stimulus for 6% CO2 inhalation occurs in the absence of a hemodynamic response, and it therefore directly reflects oxygen extraction into the tissue.     

Percept-related activity in the human somatosensory system: functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

In this paper, we review blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies addressing the neural correlates of touch, thermosensation, pain and the mechanisms of their cognitive modulation in healthy human subjects. There is evidence that fMRI signal changes can be elicited in the parietal cortex by stimulation of single mechanoceptive afferent fibers at suprathreshold intensities for conscious perception. Positive linear relationships between the amplitude or the spatial extents of BOLD fMRI signal changes, stimulus intensity and the perceived touch or pain intensity have been described in different brain areas. Some recent fMRI studies addressed the role of cortical areas in somatosensory perception by comparing the time course of cortical activity evoked by different kinds of stimuli with the temporal features of touch, heat or pain perception. Moreover, parametric single-trial functional MRI designs have been adopted in order to disentangle subprocesses within the nociceptive system.

Available evidence suggest that studies that combine fMRI with psychophysical methods may provide a valuable approach for understanding complex perceptual mechanisms and top-down modulation of the somatosensory system by cognitive factors specifically related to selective attention and to anticipation. The brain networks underlying somatosensory perception are complex and highly distributed. A deeper understanding of perceptual-related brain mechanisms therefore requires new approaches suited to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of activation in different brain regions and their functional interaction.     

fMRI在经颅直流电刺激研究中的应用进展

经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）是一种新颖的神经系统疾病治疗手段,可非侵入性调控中枢神经活动.它具有安全、成本低、疗效显著等特点,因此在神经科学等领域被大量研究和应用.功能磁共振成像（fMRI）具备高时空分辨率的优势,近年来被广泛用于tDCS治疗效果的评估及其作用机制的研究.本文从临床研究与动物模型实验两方面总结fMRI技术应用于tDCS研究中的最新进展,并讨论其应用前景.