The cognitive theories of Maturana and Varela

Maturana and Varela developed the concept of autopoiesis to explain the phenomena of living organisms. They went further and postulated theories concerning the nervous system and the development of cognition. These theories have radical conclusions concerning human thought, language, and social activity. This paper aims to introduce these ideas and to explore the main implications. It also discusses the application of these cognitive theories in three separate domains-computer systems design, family therapy, and the Law.     

The role of the autonomic nervous system in mediating pancreatic endocrine responses to arginine in the calf

Summary The release of insulin which occurred in response to arginine, in the conscious calf, differed from that which occurs in response to glucose in that it was not significantly affected by either adrenergic or muscarinic blocking agents. Release of pancreatic glucagon was reduced by pretreatment with phentolamine.This work was supported by the British Diabetic Association. It is a particular pleasure to acknowledge the skilled assistance provided by Messrs P. M. M. Bircham and G. P. McGregor.     

东方簇盾吸虫神经系统的研究

应用乙酰胆碱酯酶定位方法对东方簇盾吸虫(Lophotaspis orientalis Faust and Tang,1936)成虫的神经系统进行了研究.成虫的神经系统十分复杂,包括中枢神经结、脑神经联合、纵行的神经干、横向的神经连合.中枢神经结位于咽前部两侧,有1粗大的脑神经联合连接.在脑神经联合的下方有1个小的环形的结构.中枢神经结向前发出1对前背神经干和1对前侧神经干,这2对神经干向前的分支汇入围口腔的神经环.中枢神经结向后发出1对后背神经干和1对后腹神经干.后背神经干之间有横向的神经相连,在体末端与后腹神经干相汇合.后腹神经干最为粗大,并在虫体末端汇合,它在腹盘处有2对分支进入腹盘,前1对与腹盘边缘神经相连,后1对贯穿腹盘,其分支构成腹吸盘内复杂的神经网.腹吸盘的指状突起内也有神经分支.     

用于过程控制的神经网络自适应控制方法

本文从人工神经网络中较常用的ＢＰ（Ｂａｃｋ－ｐｒｏｐａｇａｔｉｏｎ）算法入手，针对其存在的学习（训练）速度过慢和易陷入误差局部最小的问题，对其算法进行了改进，提出了一种新的可变学习速率（η）的方法．在此基础上，针对常规自适应控制器难于实现且精度较差的问题，把人工神经网络控制器（ＮＮｃｏｎｔｒｏｌｅｒ）应用于自适应控制系统中．计算机仿真证明了改进是有效的．     

神经网络在非线性系统参数辨识中应用

要对非线性系统进行控制，必须掌握其模型．介绍一种辨识非线性系统模型的方法，该方法利用多层神经网络可以逼近任何非线性函数这一理论，提出针对非线性系统构造神经网络模型，并给出一种实用的BP算法．最后通过仿真实验，证明该方法切实可行．     

蓝斑背肛海兔神经连索外表层超微量多肽组成的研究

蓝斑背肛海兔(NotarcusleachiicirrosusStimpson,NLCS)中枢神经系统缺少腹神经节.选用基质辅助激光解吸电离化飞行时间(Matrix assistedlaserdesorptionionization/timeofflight,MALDI TOF)质谱技术研究NLCS中枢神经系统连索外表层的超微量的多肽组成和分布时,发现该连索外表层含有丰富的酸性多肽(Aicdicpeptide,AP)的酶解片段和其他多肽组分.不同NLCS个体的中枢神经连索外表层多肽分布与组分有些差异,推测这些神经多肽可能参与中枢神经系统的信息传导和行为的可塑性.在不同的神经连索之间发现相同一级结构和聚合体的多肽组成,认为这些组份以不同的形式分泌到神经节或连索外表层参与信息传导活动,起到相似或相同的生理功能.     

Programmed cell death in developing human fetal CNS

The spatial and temporal distributions of programmed cell death (PCD) in developing central nervous system (CNS) of human fetuses ranging from 12 to 39 weeks of gestation were investigated using techniques of flow cytometry and terminal transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The results showed that PCD did occur in every representative brain region of all fetuses examined in different stages. It was found that there were two peaks of PCD appearing at the 12th and 39th weeks respectively, which suggested that the first peak of apoptosis may be involved in the selective elimination of neurons overproduced during the early development and the second may play an important role in establishing the correct neuronal circuitry.     

神经系统中的缝隙连接及通讯调节

缝隙连接(gap junction,GJ)是细胞之间进行通讯的直接通道．中枢神经系统中广泛存在这种结构．一些小分子代谢产物和第二信使分子(Ca^ ,IP3,cAMP和ATP)能扩散通过这一结构,这种信使分子的交换为神经细胞提供了短距离和长距离的信息通讯．神经细胞之间的缝隙连接也为神经细胞的同步化活动提供了物质基础．神经细胞之间的GJ通讯受多巴胺、去甲肾上腺素、5-HT和NO等多种物质的调节．     

Collagens in the developing and diseased nervous system

Collagens are extracellular proteins characterized by a structure in triple helices. There are 28 collagen types which differ in size, structure and function. Their architectural and functional roles in connective tissues have been widely assessed. In the nervous system, collagens are rare in the vicinity of the neuronal soma, occupying mostly a “marginal” position, such as the meninges, the basement membranes and the sensory end organs. In neural development, however, where various ECM molecules are known to be determinant, recent studies indicate that collagens are no exception, participating in axonal guidance, synaptogenesis and Schwann cell differentiation. Insights on collagens function in the brain have also been derived from neural pathophysiological conditions. This review summarizes the significant advances which underscore the function and importance of collagens in the nervous system. Received 09 September 2008; received after revision 24 October 2008; accepted 28 October 2008     

"神经系统疾病的基础与临床"讨论课教学实践

神经系统是人体解剖学课程中最复杂的系统,为帮助学生正确理解和运用神经系统的解剖学知识,特开设"神经系统疾病的基础与临床"讨论课.介绍课程的开设方法,存在的优点及不足,提出讨论课对学生学习能力、思维能力及临床诊治水平的提高有着不可替代的作用,值得在一定范围内积极推广.