Fabrication and aero dynamic levitation of chalcogenide glass spheres

Spheres of gallium-lanthanum sulphide (GLS) and gallium lanthanum sulphite (GLSO) have been produced by laser irradiation on a copper hearth. Although similar fabrication techniques have been applied to oxide glasses, the technique has been overlooked for the production of chalcogenide glasses due to the perceived problem of the volatility of the chalcogens. In this work, glass microspheres of GLS/GLSO have been fabricated by laser irradiation of micron size irregular shaped glass particles on a Cu plate. In this material we found that evaporation of sulphur was not substantial as it appears to be more strongly chemically bound [1]. In addition to this method we have also established that it is possible to form larger spheres (mm diameter) of GLSO by aerodynamic levitation and laser heating using a CO2 laser (10.6 µm wavelength). Our studies involve overheating and supercooling of liquids and melts, outgassing analysis, high temperature resistivity measurements, and crystallization/structural studies [1-3]. In both fabrication methods the glasses could be melted and re-vitrified with low sulphur mass loss. We conclude that the production of glass spheres by laser irradiation[4] from irregular shaped starting material on a substrate using the wetting principle has substantial benefits for making microspheres and nanospheres

Postchemoembolisation syndrome – tumour necrosis or hepatocyte injury?

Transarterial chemoembolisation of liver tumours is typically followed by elevated body temperature and liver transaminase enzymes. This has often been considered to indicate successful embolisation. The present study questions whether this syndrome reflects damage to tumour cells or to the normal hepatic tissue. The responses to 256 embolisations undertaken in 145 patients subdivided into those with hepatocyte-derived (primary hepatocellular carcinoma) and nonhepatocyte-derived tumours (secondary metastases) were analysed to assess the relative effects of tumour necrosis and damage to normal hepatocytes in each group. Cytolysis, measured by elevated alanine aminotransferase, was detected in 85% of patients, and there was no difference in the abnormalities in liver function tests measured between the two groups. Furthermore, cytolysis was associated with a higher rate of postprocedure symptoms and side effects, and elevated temperature was associated with a worse survival on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that there was no benefit in terms of survival from having elevated temperature or cytolysis following embolisation. Cytolysis after chemoembolisation is probably due to damage to normal hepatocytes. Temperature changes may reflect tumour necrosis or necrosis of the healthy tissue. There is no evidence that either a postchemoembolisation fever or cytolysis is associated with an enhanced tumour response or improved long-term survival in patients with primary or secondary liver cancer

Music and Sound in Virtual/Augmented Realities—Questions, Challenges and Approaches

The mid-to-late 2010s saw a renewed interest in virtual reality technologies with the release of a wide selection of consumer VR headsets and glasses, and the increased power of smartphones to provide augmented reality experiences. While research on sound and music in these technologies has started to gather pace, practice and research continue to grapple with significant creative and practical questions. In addition, such discussions have tended to be limited within disciplinary or professional silos. The roundtable presented here was an effort to begin conversations across a variety of fields of research and practice. We shared perspectives and exchanged views informed by different disciplinary traditions and experiences. We also sought to identify key questions and issues regarding music and sound in VR/AR. Three main themes are presented here: 1) Spaces and musical performances, 2) Realities and realism, and 3) Movement, orientation, and disorientation

Secondary medulla oblongata involvement following middle cervical spinal cord injury associated with latent traumatic instability in a patient with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Study design: A case report. Objectives: To report a rare case of extension of edema and hemorrhage from initial C4–5 spinal injury to the medulla oblongata. Setting: Center for Spinal Disorders and Injuries, Bibai Rosai Hospital, Japan. Methods: A 68-year-old man with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) had sustained tetraplegia after tumbling over a stone. Initially, the patient was diagnosed with an acute C4–5 spinal cord injury without radiological abnormalities and was treated conservatively. At 7 h after the injury, the patient had an ascending neurological deficit, which required respiratory assistance. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a marked swelling of the spinal cord above C4–5 extending to the medulla oblongata. Results: Retrospective radiological assessment revealed that the spine was unstable at the injury level because of discontinuities in both anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments. There was also signal intensity change within the retropharyngeal space at the C4–5 intervertebral disc. This injured segment was highly vulnerable to post-injury dynamic stenosis and easily sustained secondary neural damage. Conclusions: This case report emphasizes a careful radiological assessment of latent structural instability in patients with OPLL in order to detect and prevent deteriorative change in the spinal cord

Music and Sound in Virtual/Augmented Realities-Questions, Challenges and Approaches A Multidisciplinary Roundtable

The mid-to-late 2010s saw a renewed interest in virtual reality technologies with the release of a wide selection of consumer VR headsets and glasses, and the increased power of smartphones to provide augmented reality experiences. While research on sound and music in these technologies has started to gather pace, practice and research continue to grapple with significant creative and practical questions. In addition, such discussions have tended to be limited within disciplinary or professional silos. The roundtable presented here was an effort to begin conversations across a variety of fields of research and practice. We shared perspectives and exchanged views informed by different disciplinary traditions and experiences. We also sought to identify key questions and issues regarding music and sound in VR/AR. Three main themes are presented here: 1) Spaces and musical performances, 2) Realities and realism, and 3) Movement, orientation, and disorientation. © 2021 Voices, Combat, and Music. All Rights Reserved