Physicochemical Properties of Carbon Fiber Formulated from Melt-Spun Raw Asphaltene.

One of the challenges in carbon fiber production centers around the high cost of raw materials required for fiber precursors or complex production processes involving multiple steps. This research paper delves into the utilization of asphaltene sourced from Alberta oil sands as an alternative precursor material that is low cost for carbon fiber production. We investigated the carbon fiber production process using a blend of different asphaltene types via melt-spinning technology.

Symptomatic Progression, Recurrence, and Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Intracranial Epidermoid Cysts.

Background And Objectives: Intracranial epidermoid cysts are rare, slow-growing but highly recurrent tumors with incompletely understood symptoms, progression, complications, and outcomes. The aim of the study was to characterize the symptomatology, surgical management, and long-term outcomes of these tumors.

Methods: This single-center retrospective analysis identified patients with pathologically confirmed intracranial epidermoid cysts from 1989 to 2023.

IFN-γ-producing T1 cells and dysfunctional regulatory T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease.

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive salivary and lacrimal gland dysfunction, inflammation, and destruction, as well as extraglandular manifestations. SjD is associated with autoreactive B and T cells, but its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. Abnormalities in regulatory T (T) cells occur in several autoimmune diseases, but their role in SjD is ambiguous.

Routine machine quality assurance tests for a self-shielded gyroscopic radiosurgery system.

Purpose: This report describes routine machine quality assurance (QA) (daily, monthly, and annual QA) tests for the Zap-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery platform.

Methods: Following the recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group (AAPM TG)-142 and Medical Physics Practice guideline (MPPG) 8.b, routine machine QA tests for the Zap-X system were implemented.

Complications: skull base and cerebrovascular.

Neurosurgical complications are a rich source for learning, but they are grossly underutilized for the purpose of surgeon education. Details of the complications, which make them all the more powerful as teaching tools, are restricted to morbidity and mortality conferences behind closed doors, and open discussions of the topic are blurred by hypotheticals in order to shield the presenters from medicolegal risks. In this issue of Neurosurgical Focus, 9 neurosurgeons were invited to present complications they encountered along with the details and specific lessons they learned.