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Strombidinopsis species were collected from theGulf of Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Maine, and Barents Sea. Six strains were conservatively placed in six species: Strombidinopsis chilorhax sp. nov.; Strombidinopsis batos sp. nov.; Strombidinopsis sphaira sp. nov.;Strombidinopsis cercionis sp. nov.;Strombidinopsis acuminatum Fauré-Fremiet, 1924; and Strombidinopsis spiniferum (Leegaard, 1915) comb. nov. Based on the characters of these species, the diagnosis of the genus Strombidinopsis was revised.

Frequency scanning is a unique feature of periodic leaky-wave antennas (P-LWAs), according to which the main beam scans space upon frequency control. However, one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional P-LWAs are capable of scanning space only in a single plane, with a fan beam and a pencil beam, respectively. Here, we explore the possibility of achieving full-space frequency-scanning coverage with 2D P-LWA leveraging multiple space harmonics. Furthermore, we propose a design of 2D P-LWAs with series feeding network, which has 4 ports and capable of covering the full-space. Finally, the results are discussed and plotted based on analytical dispersion diagrams and array factor theory.

Abstract Freeze-thaw cycles are a major cause for destabilizing pavements in cold regions. Among countermeasures for freeze-thaw damages, use of geocells to reinforce pavement bases is an effective solution in practice. However, as opposed to widespread applications, research concerning freeze-thaw behavior of geocell-reinforced bases is limited, probably due to a lack of proper devices for conducting experimental tests. This paper presents a new model-test device capable of performing both freeze-thaw tests and plate loading tests on geocell-reinforced soils. A thermodynamic numerical model was developed to assist with the design of freeze-thaw component of the device, while the design of plate loading component was developed by referring to features of existing devices. Eleven tests were run on geocell-reinforced and unreinforced sands to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed device. The test results showed the device successfully provided vertical heat transfer in sands during freeze and thaw. After five freeze-thaw cycles, geocells reduced peak frost heave and thaw settlement of sands by 18% and 34%, respectively, and increased the stiffness and bearing capacity by 40% and 253%, respectively. It was found a temperature drop occurred at the interface between cooling plate and sands, which was due to the existence of thermal contact resistance.

Abstract A simple geometry is used to compare several of the available Monte Carlo software codes for radiation transport. EGSnrc, Geant4 and MCNP5 are all used to calculate the photon fluence produced from electrons incident on a copper target. Four energies for the isotropic point source are chosen to simulate the average and maximum emission energies of 32 P and 90 Y: (0.7, 1.71) MeV and (0.93, 2.28) MeV, respectively. The energy deposition in the copper target, the electron current at the target and the computational efficiency are also calculated. EGSnrc is found to be the only self-consistent code when comparing results calculated using the default transport parameters of the condensed history mode with those calculated in the single scattering mode.

Security is an interesting area, one in which we may well be guilty of misunderstanding the very people we are working for whilst trying to protect them. It is often said that people (users) are a weak link in the security chain. This may be true, but there are nuances. In this chapter, the authors discuss some of the work they have done and are doing to help users understand their information and device security and make informed, guided, and responsible decisions. This includes Device Comfort, Annoying Technologies, and Ten Commandments for designers and implementers of security and trust systems. This work is exploratory and unfinished (it should in fact never be finished), and this chapter presents a step along the way to better security users.

This article examines aspects related to the dystopic consumption and production of the musical and performance art form known as black metal. Steeped in anti-Christian motifs, surrounded by a history of violence and brutal imagery, black metal is an extreme metal art form that has been growing steadily in popularity throughout Europe, South America, and the United States. We first examine black metal culture through the eyes of both artists and consumers, using mixed qualitative methodologies. Thereafter, we derive specific theoretical interpretations from the black metal subculture that are predicated on the emerging themes of signification, identity transformation, xenophobia, and a reconstructed mythology that all point to what we present as a dystopian consumption model. The model demonstrates how dystopia, in context, is at the heart of the symbiotic relationship between consumers and producers and is encapsulated by a specific set of processes and overarching conditions. Implications and relationships to utopian models are discussed.

A synthesizer for building complex logic blocks for either pipelined or Domino/NORA dynamic logic is discussed. The block is built by programming a ROM, built from a binary tree of n-channel transistors, followed by a simple minimization procedure using only two graph minimization rules. This is in contrast to the usual techniques, which map minimized Boolean functions directly to transistor configurations. Merged trees have been successfully fabricated, up to six high, and these complex blocks are shown to have advantages in pipelined arrays for high-performance (DSP) arithmetic The synthesizer produces the trees directly from arithmetic specifications; the trees can be scaled, within the synthesizer, using closed-form approximate discharge formulas. >

Abstract Background Fibrosis regression has been associated with nucleoside analogue (NA) treatment in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Although non-invasive fibrosis markers have been evaluated in CHB, their utility for monitoring on-treatment histologic regression has not been evaluated. Aims To characterize improvements in disease severity and the utility of non-invasive biomarkers in CHB NA treated patients. Methods Histology, labs, AST-to-platelet ratio index, and Fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) from treatment-naive CHB patients were evaluated at baseline and longitudinally. Relative change from baseline to various time points during treatment were evaluated. Correlative analysis of APRI and Fib-4 with histology was performed longitudinally. Results 80 CHB patients (84% male, median age 45 (IQR 32, 54)) with histology up to 17 years (median 6(IQR 3.9, 8.0)) years were studied. Median baseline Ishak fibrosis was 3 (IQR 2, 4), histologic activity index (HAI) inflammation was 9 (IQR 7, 11), and AUROC of fibrosis markers for detecting cirrhosis (Ishak ≥ 5) was >0.64. HAI improved at a rate of 54% during year 1 and 37% in year 2, both greater than in the remaining follow-up periods. Within the first year, fibrosis improved by 35%, greater than all other time periods. Non-invasive biomarkers began to correlate with histology beyond 4 years (APRI: 4–6 years: r = 0.33, p = 0.03; ≥6 years: r = 0.41, p = 0.009; Fib-4: ≥6 years: r = 0.35, p = 0.03). Conclusion Early dynamic changes in histology occur in CHB patients on NA followed by linear improvements. Non-invasive fibrosis biomarkers do not capture these dynamic changes and may demonstrate clinical utility beyond 4 years of treatment.

Second-generation antipsychotics are commonly associated with metabolic complications. These medications are being used more frequently for the treatment of mental health disorders in children, which has stimulated the need for creating formal guidelines on monitoring their safety and effectiveness. Previous guidelines have been developed for monitoring metabolic and neurological complications. To assist practitioners who perform these monitoring procedures, a complementary set of treatment recommendations have been created for situations in which abnormal measurements or results are encountered.To create evidence-based recommendations to assist in managing metabolic complications in children being treated with second-generation antipsychotics.A systematic review of the literature on metabolic complications of second-generation antipsychotic medications in children was conducted. Members of the consensus group evaluated the information gathered from the systematic review of the literature and used a nominal group process to reach a consensus on treatment recommendations. Wherever possible, references were made to existing guidelines on the evaluation and treatment of metabolic abnormalities in children.Evidence-based recommendations are presented to assist in managing metabolic complications including weight gain; increased waist circumference; elevation in prolactin, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels; abnormal liver function tests; and abnormal thyroid studies.The use of second-generation antipsychotics requires proper monitoring procedures. The present treatment guideline provides guidance to clinicians on the clinical management of metabolic complications if they occur.