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This paper examines the creation of the Multi-User Cell Arena (MUCA), a novel 3d data visualization work emphasizing virtual colocation via customizable VR avatars. The work explores the utility of building collaborative virtual-reality spaces using consumer VR hardware and the importance of virtual user embodiment. The workflow from raw microbiological scan data to VR representation is documented, noting the unique design challenges of multi-user spaces. Related works in the field are compared, and the limitations of the mesh-cache shell workflow are discussed along with possible future improvements to the multi-user avatar system.

Exhibition: Why are we both attracted and repulsed by Blood? During our curatorial journey, we quickly discovered that blood is polarising. While it is crucial to keeping us alive – filling seven percent of our body – blood still commonly makes us feel uncomfortable. It is this fascinating positive/negative dichotomy that is fundamental to the narrative we explored. Blood is a powerful cultural symbol of positive and negative associations, one that represents life and death, health and sickness, and attraction and repulsion. STROKE: OCCLUSION AND FLOW Artist John McGhee 3D Virtual Reality Experience - Oculus Rift Headset This series of virtual reality experiences focus on immersing the user in actual clinical stroke data. The imagery displayed on the Oculus Rift headset is a direct visualisation of 3D clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography CT data. The datasets were acquired from stroke survivors with a history of cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol. When wearing the headset, users are able to move along the arteries in the brain by means of a video game controller. They can follow the path of the red blood cells from the aorta to the site of the stroke. In this series, three of the most common types of stroke were visualised, including ischaemic strokes caused by vessel occlusion, thromboembolism, and a haemorrhagic stroke caused by aneurysm rupture. McGhee has created visual imagery drawn from the cinematic, directly influenced by the feature film ‘Fantastic Voyage’. The aesthetic experience uses 3D computer generated imagery (CGI) atmospherics and augmented components such as arterial plaque on the blood vessel walls and red blood cells. All of these visual features increase the feeling of embodiment.

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Murine intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) have been shown to contain subsets of alpha/beta TCR+ and gamma/delta TCR+ T cells that spontaneously produce cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-5. We have now determined the nature and cell cycle stage of these cytokine-producing T lymphocytes in EIL by using IFN-gamma- and IL-5-specific ELISPOT assay, cytokine-specific mRNA-cDNA dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry (FACS) for DNA analysis. When CD3+ T cells from IEL of normal C3H/HeN mice were separated into low and high density fractions by discontinuous Percoll gradients, IFN-gamma and IL-5 spot-forming cells were only found in the former population. Analysis of mRNA for these cytokines by both IFN-gamma- and IL-5-specific dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction revealed that higher levels of message for IFN-gamma and IL-5 were also seen in the low density fraction. However, cell cycle analysis of these two fractions by FACS using propidium iodide showed a similar pattern of cell cycle stages in both low and high density populations (G0 + G1 approximately 96 to 98% and S/G2 + M approximately 2 to 4%). Finally, mRNA from gamma/delta TCR+ and alpha/beta TCR+ T cells in both low and high density fractions of IEL were analyzed for IFN-gamma and IL-5 message by polymerase chain reaction. After 35 cycles of amplification, both gamma/delta TCR+ and alpha/beta TCR+ T cells in the low density fraction expressed higher levels of message for these two cytokines when compared with the high density population. These results have now shown that both gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR+ IEL can be separated into low and high density subsets and both fractions possess a similar stage of cell cycle. However, only the low density cells (in G1 phase) of both gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR types possess increased cytokine-specific mRNA and produce the cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-5. Our results suggest that alpha/beta TCR+ and gamma/delta

This thesis presents a strategy for reducing jet lag induced performance degradations by resetting rhythms during prolonged rapid transmeridian flight is studied. Thirty-four aircrew member passengers on a C-141 flight were given temazepam or placebo during the flight from Oklahoma to Saudi Arabia for induction of sleep in a period compatible with sleep cycle at the destination, but 'out-of-sync' with previous patterns set at home station, Mental performance and circadian rhythm patterns were tested per-flight, inflight and post-flight by several measurements including a computerized performance battery. The results indicated that in the temazepam group performance was improved to near baseline levels. The restorative power of temazepam induced sleep during a period of partial sleep deprivation and temazepam's ability to reset circadian rhythms prior to arrival in the new time zone were demonstrated. Index words: Restoril, Jet Lag, Transmeridian Flight.