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Hereditary factor XI (FXI) deficiency is characterized as an autosomal mild to moderate coagulopathy in humans and domestic animals. Coagulation testing revealed FXI deficiency in a core family of Maine Coon cats (MCCs) in the United States. Factor XI-deficient MCCs were homozygous for a guanine to adenine transition resulting in a methionine substitution for the highly conserved valine-516 in the FXI catalytic domain. Immunoblots detected FXI of normal size and quantity in plasmas of MCCs homozygous for V516M. Some FXI-deficient MCCs experienced excessive post-operative/traumatic bleeding. Screening of 263 MCCs in Europe revealed a mutant allele frequency of 0.232 (23.2%). However, V516M was not found among 100 cats of other breeds. Recombinant feline FXI-M516 (fFXI-M516) expressed ~4% of the activity of wild-type fFXI-V516 in plasma clotting assays. Furthermore, fFXIa-M516 cleaved the chromogenic substrate S-2366 with ~4.3-fold lower catalytic efficacy (kcat/Km) than fFXIa-V516, supporting a conformational alteration of the protease active site. The rate of FIX activation by fFXIa-M516 was reduced >3-fold compared with fFXIa-V516. The common missense variant FXI-V516M causes a cross-reactive material positive FXI deficiency in MCCs that is associated with mild-moderate bleeding tendencies. Given the prevalence of the variant in MCCs, genotyping is recommended prior to invasive procedures or breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black male students with dyslexia not proffered suitable accommodations may have their futures severely impacted by institutional barriers. Inappropriate interventions often lead to educational hardships despite students having educational prowess to achieve scholastically. This article addresses how school counselors, driven by the components of the American School Counselor Association's ASCA National Model and ASCA Ethical Standards, can serve as advocates for Black males with dyslexia by championing evidence-based multitiered systems of support designed to provide ethically sound assessments and placements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supervision is considered a critical component in the development of mental health professionals. Thus, to ensure ethical services are provided to clients, supervisors should integrate multicultural perspectives within supervision. Multicultural and social justice principles, although present in the literature, have not been successfully incorporated into previous process and developmental models as viable enhancers to practitioner growth. The multicultural integrated supervision model presented in this article provides supervisees, supervisors, and counselor educators with methods that elicit deeper appreciation for culturally appropriate relationships and interactions. La supervisión se considera un componente crítico de la capacitación de profesionales en la salud mental. Por lo tanto, para garantizar que se proporcionan servicios éticos a los clientes, los supervisores deberían integrar perspectivas multiculturales en la supervisión. Los principios multiculturales y de justicia social, aunque se encuentran en la literatura, no se han incorporado con éxito en los modelos anteriores de procesos y desarrollo como potenciadores viables del crecimiento profesional de los consejeros. El modelo de supervisión multicultural integrada que se presenta en este artículo proporciona a los supervisados, supervisores y educadores de consejeros unos métodos que suscitan una apreciación más profunda por las relaciones e interacciones culturalmente apropiadas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposes a semiquantative measure of the difference between two density distributions. Use of the natural orbitals of an accurate electron density; Reduction of the difference between the two density distributions; Obtaining of the orbital-based density difference index (DDI).

The California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulations were recently re-adopted (2015) with numerous revisions to the 2009 LCFS. Many aspects of the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) approach to modeling indirect land use change (ILUC) emissions have changed, including significant updates to the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) agro-economic model and use of a new emission factor (EF) database derived from the Agro-Economic Zone Emission Factor (AEZ-EF) model. These revisions have resulted in significantly reduced Carbon Intensity (CI) values for many biofuel pathways, making them more attractive to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. The objective of this work was to investigate the most significant changes made to CARB's approach of modeling ILUC, the reasons for these changes, and their impacts on calculated CI values of biofuels. In this effort, land use change (LUC) estimates from GTAP and the AEZ-EF emission factors (EF) were compared to previous values. A new subset of land type, referred to as "cropland-pasture" has been incorporated into the GTAP-BIO model, and now constitutes the bulk of LUC for corn ethanol, soy biodiesel and sugarcane ethanol. However, since EFs of cropland-pasture are not well established, the AEZ-EF model simply applies an EF that is equivalent to 50% of the EF for conversion of pasture to cropland for the same AEZ region. In addition, differences in carbon accounting between perennial crops and annual crops contribute significantly to large reductions in sugarcane CI. These influential assumptions require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address issues of energy security and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, substantial amounts of corn-derived ethanol are used in U.S. gasoline. Currently, ethanol comprises 10% of the U.S. gasoline pool (E10), but there is interest in increasing this – possibly doubling the amount currently used. Production of corn ethanol raises several concerns with respect to environmental and ecological impacts. This paper reviews the available literature regarding the impacts on water, soil, and air quality. A companion paper addresses issues of biodiversity, ecosystems, land use change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and sustainability. We emphasize recent information appearing since comprehensive reports on this topic were issued by the U.S. EPA and NRC/NAS in 2011. The principal environmental concerns arise from the intensive agricultural activities associated with corn cropping. Nutrient runoff contributes to eutrophication, algal growth, and hypoxia in downstream water bodies; in addition to elevated nitrate pollutant levels in drinking water sources. Water requirements of corn ethanol vary by over 2-orders of magnitude among corn-growing states, depending upon the amount of irrigation used. Significant increases in corn production would likely involve expansion into areas requiring more intensive irrigation. Expansion into Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands raises concerns about increased erosion, deterioration of soil quality, loss of biodiversity, and reduction of ecosystem services. Largely because of energy-intensive agricultural activities (including fertilizer production), upstream emissions of most air pollutants of concern are considerably higher for corn ethanol compared to gasoline. Current fuel ethanol levels do not provide any benefit with respect to ground level ozone, and this is unlikely to change with use of E20. However, externalities associated with life-cycle emissions (such as eutrophication, acidification, health effects, etc.) are greater – and more costly – for corn ethanol compared to gasoline. Such externalities are expected to worsen in moving from E10 to E20 fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address issues of energy security and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, substantial amounts of corn-derived ethanol are being used in U.S. gasoline. Currently, ethanol comprises 10% of the U.S. gasoline pool (E10), but there is interest in increasing this – possibly doubling the amount currently used. Production of corn ethanol raises several concerns with respect to environmental and ecological impacts. This paper reviews the available literature regarding impacts on biodiversity, land use change (LUC), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and overall sustainability. A companion paper addresses impacts on water, soil, and air quality. We emphasize recent information appearing since comprehensive reports on these topics were issued by the U.S. EPA and NRC/NAS in 2011. The principal environmental and ecological concerns arise from the intensive agricultural activities associated with corn cropping. Expansion of these activities promotes regional mono-culture, which is accompanied by reduced plant and animal biodiversity, and diminished ecosystem functions and services. Extensification of corn cropping into Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands is occurring, which raises concerns about erosion, nutrient runoff, and other adverse environmental impacts. Estimating the impacts of increased ethanol on GHG emissions requires sophisticated life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling approaches to account for emissions resulting from land use change (LUC). Although considerable uncertainty remains, recent regulatory modeling by EPA and CARB estimate modest GHG reductions of about 20% from corn ethanol as compared to gasoline. Being a major commodity in global food/feed markets, displacing large amounts of corn to produce ethanol strengthens demand and increases prices. To date, these effects have been small, but there are growing concerns about increased use of staple food products to produce fuels within the context of an expanding global population that faces severe calorie shortages. Tradeoffs regarding environmental, ecological, and social impacts raise questions about the overall sustainability of such an approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has become an accepted means of converting a wide variety of lignocellulosic feedstocks into solid hydrochars, which have improved physical and chemical properties compared to raw biomass. To date, HTC applications have involved batch or semi-continuous process systems, which has limited their economic viability. The work presented here describes a fully-continuous HTC process, made possible by use of a specially modified twin-screw extruder (TSE). The reaction time within this fast HTC (FHTC) reactor system is very short (20–30 sec) as compared to a typical batch reactor. Therefore, the concept of reaction ‘severity factor’ is used when comparing the FHTC products with those produced in other reactor systems. While solid hydrochar produced in the FHTC system has different physical properties than hydrochar from batch reactor systems, these materials exhibit similar energy densification and pelletization behavior, when produced under comparable severity conditions. However, total hydrochar yields are considerably higher from the FHTC reactor compared to batch reactor systems. This is a consequence of the de-pressurization process in the FHTC system, whereby most water-soluble organic products are retained in the hydrochar, rather than exiting the process in a separate aqueous product stream. FHTC treatment of loblolly pine at a severity factor of 5.3 (290 °C) produced a hydrochar yield of nearly 85% (based on dry feedstock mass). Condensation of the flashed vapor products provided a relatively clean water stream, containing only 1.2% organics – primarily furfural and acetic acid. Recovery of these organics and recycling of the condensed water would further improve the cost-effectiveness of FHTC operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African Americans reportedly have a greater severity of untreated mental health disorders than any other known racial group. History purports that African Americans are more likely to rely on the elders of their churches and their own spiritual beliefs, rather than seek support from mental health professionals. Due to past and present experiences with institutionalized racism in America, Black church leadership and their members have been apprehensive to collaborate with mental health agencies. This article explores how clergy of Black churches and leaders in mental health agencies may collaborate to provide culturally sensitive services for African Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw biomass washing prior to pyrolysis treatment has been employed to mitigate the ash-related problems encountered during resultant biochar combustion. However, wide-spread application of this approach is limited by high energy consumption and low washing efficiency. In the present study, the biochar washing instead of raw biomass washing was attempted to overcome aforementioned problems, and fuel qualities of washed biochars were investigated for the first time. The results showed that major ash forming metals can be efficiently removed by all tested washing agents (de-ionized water (DW), acetic acid (AA) and citric acid (CA)), especially for acid washing agents AA and CA. As a consequence, the ash content of the biochars decreased, and the slagging and fouling issues were dramatically mitigated. Due to metal removal, the washed biochars exhibited improved combustion properties, especially for the biochars derived from agricultural biomass. In addition, noticeable decreases in nitrogen and sulfur contents were observed following washing treatment, suggesting the additional benefit of reducing emissions of nitrogen and sulfur pollutants during washed biochar combustion. Compared to raw biomass washing prior to pyrolysis, the significantly increased washing efficiency and fuel quality and decreased hydrophilicity of the biochars indicate that pyrolysis combined with subsequent biochar washing is more suitable to produce solid fuel biochars with high fuel quality from different source of waste biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African American men seek mental health services at significantly lower levels than do their White counterparts. The authors explore the role of mentoring for young African American men and discuss impediments to their success at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additionally, examples are presented of evidence-based interventions and recommendations for effectively working with African American men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for family counselors implementing crisis intervention and grief counseling in hospital trauma units continues to increase. Thus, this article provides a review of the nature of family counselors working with individuals and families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and medical trauma in hospitals. Specifically, the article presents (a) unique aspects of crisis intervention and grief services provided in hospital trauma units, (b) effective rapport building strategies for family counselors working with families in crisis from TBI, (c) multidisciplinary collaboration in hospitals, (d) diagnostic approaches and common mental health disorders following TBI, (e) ethical issues working in hospitals, (f) family-focused grief therapy and stages of grief interventions, and (g) implications with a case example of a family counselor working with a family affected by TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Compared to conventional diesel fuel, use of biodiesel is generally found to reduce emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM); but to increase oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. This paper reviews and summarizes relevant literature regarding the so-called “biodiesel NOx effect, and presents theories” to explain this effect. In modern diesel engines, several factors related to fuel composition and engine control strategies are important, though no single theory provides an adequate explanation of the biodiesel NOx effect under all conditions. There is evidence to suggest that effects on injection timing, ignition delay, adiabatic flame temperature, radiative heat loss, and other combustion phenomena all play some role. The biodiesel NOx effect can be mitigated by modifying engine control settings — particularly by retarding injection timing and increasing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The absolute magnitude of the biodiesel NOx effect appears to be reduced with modern engines, although there are cases where the percentage change is still substantial. Sophisticated after-treatment systems required to achieve the 2010 diesel engine emissions standards do not appear to be significantly affected by use of biodiesel. However, longer term study is warranted, as such systems have only been in commercial use for a short time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biodiesel is a renewable transportation fuel consisting of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), generally produced by transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats. In this review, the fatty acid (FA) profiles of 12 common biodiesel feedstocks were summarized. Considerable compositional variability exists across the range of feedstocks. For example, coconut, palm and tallow contain high amounts of saturated FA; while corn, rapeseed, safflower, soy, and sunflower are dominated by unsaturated FA. Much less information is available regarding the FA profiles of algal lipids that could serve as biodiesel feedstocks. However, some algal species contain considerably higher levels of poly-unsaturated FA than is typically found in vegetable oils. Differences in chemical and physical properties among biodiesel fuels can be explained largely by the fuels’ FA profiles. Two features that are especially influential are the size distribution and the degree of unsaturation within the FA structures. For the 12 biodiesel types reviewed here, it was shown that several fuel properties – including viscosity, specific gravity, cetane number, iodine value, and low temperature performance metrics – are highly correlated with the average unsaturation of the FAME profiles. Due to opposing effects of certain FAME structural features, it is not possible to define a single composition that is optimum with respect to all important fuel properties. However, to ensure satisfactory in-use performance with respect to low temperature operability and oxidative stability, biodiesel should contain relatively low concentrations of both long-chain saturated FAME and poly-unsaturated FAME. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aggression in adolescents is harmful and emotionally devastating to youth and surrounding communities. This article integrates martial arts and therapeutic principles into a culturally sensitive model that cultivates change in the aggressive behaviors of disenfranchised adolescents. The art form of Capoeira is proposed for promoting positive behavioral change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic algae found in fresh and marine water. Each cell is surrounded by an outer shell called a frustule that is composed of highly structured amorphous silica. Diatoms are able to transform silicic acid into these sturdy intricate structures at ambient temperatures and pressures, whereas the chemical synthesis of silica-based materials typically requires extremes of temperature and pH. Cationic polypeptides, termed silica affinity proteins (or silaffins), recently identified from dissolved frustules of specific species of diatoms, are clearly involved and have been shown to initiate the formation of silica in solution. The relationship between the local environment of catalytic sites on these peptides, which can be influenced by the amino acid sequence and the extent of aggregation, and the structure of the silica is not understood. Moreover, the activity of these peptides in promoting silicification at lipid membranes has not yet been clarified. In this work, we developed a model system to address some of these questions. We studied peptide adsorption to Langmuir monolayers and subsequent silicification using X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. The results demonstrate the lipid affinity of the parent sequence of a silaffin peptide and show that the membrane-bound peptide promotes the formation of an interfacial nanoscale layer of amorphous silica at the lipid−water interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biofuels are of rapidly growing interest for reasons of energy security, diversity, and sustainability – as well as for greenhouse gas mitigation. In recent years, the U.S. has enacted regulations – and adopted aggressive goals – to encourage increased usage of biofuels. Individual States (especially California) have taken even stronger positions with respect to biofuels. Initial efforts have focused mainly on ethanol, produced via fermentation of sugars from grains (especially corn). Today''s R&D focus is on “2nd Generation Biofuels” that are produced from a variety of biomass feedstocks utilizing a wide range of conversion technologies. This paper summarizes policy and regulatory drivers for biofuels in the U.S., describes usage trends and projections, and highlights major R&D efforts to promote development and commercialization of 2nd Generation Biofuels. R&D is being conducted in many areas, including biomass resource assessment, development of new biomass feedstocks, improved conversion technologies, and integration of systems. Other important considerations include fuel quality and specifications, as well as requirements for blending, distribution, and storage. Considerable R&D, policy, and regulatory efforts are also focused on the energy and environmental consequences of biofuels. This includes not only direct emissions associated with vehicular uses, but also the fuels'' life-cycle impacts with respect to total energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and multi-media effects. Due to the wide diversity of biomass feedstocks, conversion technologies, and systems integration approaches, the life-cycle impacts of biofuels can vary widely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

AbstractIn temperate plant communities, seed size is often inversely related to seed longevity at the species level. We tested if the inverse relationship between seed size and seed longevity holds among individuals within populations of Ambrosia trifidaL. (Asteraceae), a summer annual agricultural weed in the eastern United States Corn Belt that typically emerges in two successive flushes: one before 1 May and one after 1 May. The effects of maternal phenotype on seed morphology, seed weight, late emergence (emergence after 1 May) and seed-bank persistence were determined in two 1-year experiments. All seeds were collected from individuals at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Sixty seeds per collection were used in the analysis. Despite fluctuating environmental conditions during seed development, seed weight within maternal families remained constant for different maturation times. Differences among families constituted 69% of total variation in seed weight, whereas differences within maternal families composed 31% of the variation in seed weight. Percentage late emergence and percentage seed-bank persistence varied among maternal families. In four maternal families, either 0% or 100% of seedlings emerged after 1 May, but a majority of other maternal families produced seedlings both before and after 1 May. Seed-bank persistence rates ranged from 1 to 51% among maternal families. Percentage late emergence and percentage seed-bank persistence were inversely related to maternal-family mean seed weight in 2006, but not in 2005. These results suggest that the inverse relationship between seed size and seed longevity occurs among individuals of a population, but is affected by the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the efficacy of a 12-week, Web-based peer supervision group in increasing school counselor trainees' collective self-esteem (i.e., positive feelings in identifying as a school counselor) and written case conceptualization ability. Results suggested that school counselor trainees who participated in a Web-based peer supervision group reported significantly higher collective self-esteem and case conceptualization skills than did their counterparts who did not participate in Web-based peer supervision. Implications of the findings for counselors in training and practicing school counselors are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the literature, humor is a critical tool to enhance the counseling process because it can reduce stress, build rapport, and aid in the increase of the client's self-efficacy. In recent years, the critical nature of using humor appropriately from a cultural perspective has been explored. In this article, the authors further explore the cultural foundations, purpose, effectiveness, and implications of using humor when counseling African American college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examined the relationship between collective self-esteem (i.e., the extent to which school counselors possess favorable perceptions of their professional or social group) and professional burnout in a sample of 533 school counselors. They also explored whether there were significant differences in professional burnout in school counselors by sex, geographic location of work setting, and number of years employed as a school counselor. Results indicated that higher collective self-esteem generally was associated with lower professional burnout. Moreover, the authors found that school counselors working in urban school environments reported significantly higher levels of burnout than did their peers working in other types of school environments. Furthermore, school counselors who had been employed in their roles for 20 years or longer reported higher levels of burnout than did their counterparts working fewer than 10 years. Implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicultural education is a philosophical concept and an educational process. It is a concept built upon the philosophical ideals of freedom, justice, equality, equity, and human dignity contained in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. It recognizes, however, that equality and equity are not the same thing; that is, equal access does not necessarily guarantee fairness. Multicultural issues are marginalized in most school counseling textbooks and in applied practice. To have a long-term effect, multiculturalism efforts need strong leadership.

This article focuses on systemic conceptualizations that attempt to explicate why academic achievement may be challenging for some urban African American high school students. In addition, the author delineates the important roles that high school counselors can play in ensuring urban African American high school students' academic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concerns of newly arrived immigrant students in the U.S. include the need for English language acquisition, the lack of social support networks and of social acceptance, racial labeling and categorization, acquiring new learning styles, post-traumatic stress syndrome, different cultural scripts and the typical development issues that all students face. The author also discusses implications for school counselors and how school counselors can address the concerns of newly arrived immigrant students at the national, state and district or local levels.

The electron spin resonance of γ-irradiated single crystals of N α -Acetyl-L Histidine Monohydrate, C 8 H 11 N 3 O 3  · H 2 O has been observed and analysed for different orientations of the crystal in the magnetic field. The crystals have been investigated between 100 and 400 K. The spectra were found to be temperature independent and the radiation damage centres are attributed to R 1 &sbnd;NH (σ radical), R 2 &sbnd;NĊH (π radical) and C 2 H 2 ĊH 2 . The g and hyperfine coupling constants were found to be almost isotropic with an average g  = 2.0045, a N  = 10 G, a H  = 130 G for R&sbnd;N H and g  = 2.0042, a H  = 90 G, a N  = 10 G for R 2 &sbnd;NĊ H and g = 2.0047, a H α  = 30 G, a H β  = 10 G for C 2 H 2 ĊH 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factor XII (FXII), the zymogen of the protease FXIIa, contributes to pathologic processes such as bradykinin-dependent angioedema and thrombosis through its capacity to convert the homologs prekallikrein and factor XI to the proteases plasma kallikrein and factor XIa. FXII activation and FXIIa activity are enhanced when the protein binds to a surface. Here, we review recent work on the structure and enzymology of FXII with an emphasis on how they relate to pathology. FXII is a homolog of pro-hepatocyte growth factor activator (pro-HGFA). We prepared a panel of FXII molecules in which individual domains were replaced with corresponding pro-HGFA domains and tested them in FXII activation and activity assays. When in fluid phase (not surface bound), FXII and prekallikrein undergo reciprocal activation. The FXII heavy chain restricts reciprocal activation, setting limits on the rate of this process. Pro-HGFA replacements for the FXII fibronectin type 2 or kringle domains markedly accelerate reciprocal activation, indicating disruption of the normal regulatory function of the heavy chain. Surface binding also enhances FXII activation and activity. This effect is lost if the FXII first epidermal growth factor (EGF1) domain is replaced with pro-HGFA EGF1. These results suggest that FXII circulates in blood in a "closed" form that is resistant to activation. Intramolecular interactions involving the fibronectin type 2 and kringle domains maintain the closed form. FXII binding to a surface through the EGF1 domain disrupts these interactions, resulting in an open conformation that facilitates FXII activation. These observations have implications for understanding FXII contributions to diseases such as hereditary angioedema and surface-triggered thrombosis, and for developing treatments for thrombo-inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 1940s, an unusual form of air pollution was experienced in the Los Angeles (LA) area of Southern California. Referred to as LA smog, this pollution differed from previously known air pollution with respect to its temporal patterns (daytime formation and nighttime dissipation), eye irritation, high oxidant levels, and plant damage. Early laboratory and field experimentation discovered the photochemical origins of LA smog. Though mechanistic understanding was incomplete, it was determined that hydrocarbon (HC) compounds in the atmosphere participate in smog formation, enabling build-up of higher ozone concentrations than would otherwise occur. It being a significant source, there was great interest in characterizing and controlling HC emissions from motor vehicles. Considerable work was done in the 1940s and 1950s to understand how emissions varied with vehicle operating conditions and deterioration of engine components. During this time, procedures were developed (and improved) to sample and quantify vehicle emissions. Besides exhaust, HC emissions from crankcase blowby, carburetor evaporation, and fuel tank losses were measured and characterized. Initial versions of both catalytic and non-catalytic exhaust after-treatment systems were developed. The knowledge gained from this pre-1960 work laid the foundation for many advancements that reduced vehicle emissions and improved air quality during subsequent decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which uses terbium luminescence spectroscopy to examine ligand binding in divalent cation displacement from the alpha2beta1 integrin I domain. Characterization of integrins; Examination of the expression and cloning of integrin alpha2 I domain with proteins; Binding of alpha2 I integrin domain to type I collagen; Methodology of the study; Results of the study.

This article comments on the effect of the Empowerment Groups for Academic Success (EGAS) model on the behavior and academic achievement of urban African American girls. The model is supported by research which finds that group counseling is a much preferred intervention strategy for school-aged children than individual counseling. It becomes increasingly important for counselors to utilize other mechanisms that allow for the support of youth in their school environments. Group counseling is an intervention strategy that allows the school counselor to facilitate group processes whereby the students themselves do the work, not only helping themselves but other group members as well. However, the EGAS model lacks credible and objective data that could generalize its use to other school environments and with populations composed of different ethnic backgrounds and/or gender. Data that support the model's impact on the lives of African American women are necessary to market this tool to school counselors who work with various populations of students, particularly those who are identified as at risk. One of the reasons for the lack of support for school counselors may be the inadequate attention given to the need for accountability and the absence of valid and reliable data that demonstrate the impact of their work in the schools.

The radial moments of the electron density, 〈r[sup n]〉, have been calculated for N[sub 2] and H[sub 2]O at the quadratic configuration interaction (with singles and doubles) levels of theory by use of a variety of basis sets. An optimal basis set was chosen from the first set of calculations and then used with several conventional ab initio and density functional methods to compute the moments for a representative set of molecules: N[sub 2], CO, CH[sub 4], NH[sub 3], H[sub 2]O, HF, SiH[sub 4], PH[sub 3], H[sub 2]S, HCl, CH[sub 3]OH, and CH[sub 3]SH. The effects of solvation on the radial moments were also studied using the Onsager model and an extension of the Tomasi polarized continuum model. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with professors of Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center, Gaye Strathearn, Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture; Andrew C. Skinner, Professor of Ancient Scripture; and S. Kent Brown, Emeritus Professor of Ancient Scripture. Topics include Babylonian destruction of the Judahite cities of Jerusalem, Lachish, and Azekah; and powerful impressions stemming from the Jerusalem Center experiences have come from the insightful and caring students.

Graphic abstract Synthetic scheme for the formation pathway of metallic nickel nanoparticles supported on the hydrochar derived from lignin-rich precursory biomass. Highlights • Well-dispersed metallic nickel nanoparticles were fabricated on the hydrochar as catalysts. • The role of concentration of precursory nickel ions and calcination temperature were probed. • The average grain size of the metallic Ni NPs can be manipulated between 8 and 13 nm. • The catalysts exhibited enhanced catalytic activity for hydrogen production and tar reduction. Abstract The synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials, ideally produced via facile, inexpensive approaches, using sustainable resources as precursors, with modulated structures, morphologies and functionalities is still challenging for energy applications. This work developed a mild one-step hydrothermal synthesis route for the fabrication of highly dispersed metallic nickel nanoparticles on hydrothermal carbons derived from waste biomass. The roles of precursor nickel ion concentration and calcination temperature in modulating the morphology, location and crystalline size of the nickel nanoparticles as well as the metal-support interactions have been delineated. The average grain size of the metallic nickel nanocrystals on the resultant Ni 0.5 @HC Op nanocatalysts could be tuned to 8–13 nm by varying the preparation conditions. The catalytic abilities of the Ni-based nanocatalysts towards hydrogen-rich syngas production and tar reduction were then tested in a two-stage reactor system using sewage sludge as biomass feedstock. The catalytic tests showed that the Ni 0.5 @HC Op catalyst calcined at 700 °C was shown to have stronger metal-support interactions compared to other Ni-based nanocomposites, which provided better suppression of coke deposition and resistance of nickel agglomeration during the catalytic gasification process. This highly active catalyst promoted formation of hydrogen-rich syngas, with up to 109.2 g H 2 /kg sludge, and tar yields as low as 2.12 mg g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spatial patterns of trait variation across a species' range have implications for population success and evolutionary change potential, particularly in range‐expanding and weedy species that encounter distinct selective pressures at large and small spatial scales simultaneously. We investigated intraspecific trait variation in a common garden experiment with giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), a highly variable agricultural weed with an expanding geographic range and broad ecological amplitude. Our study included paired populations from agricultural and natural riparian habitats in each of seven regions ranging east to west from the core of the species' distribution in central Ohio to southeastern Minnesota, which is nearer the current invasion front. We observed trait variation across both large‐ and small‐scale putative selective gradients. At large scales, giant ragweed populations from the westernmost locations were nearly four times more fecund and had a nearly 50% increase in reproductive allocation compared to populations from the core. The degree of surface texture on fruits also declined from east to west. Greater fecundity in the west represents a putative trade‐off between fruit size and fruit number across the study region, although no such trade‐off was found across individual plants. This pattern may effectively result in greater propagule pressure closer to the invasion front. At smaller spatial scales, plants from agricultural populations emerged later and were smaller than plants from riparian populations. However, because plants from agricultural populations allocated more biomass to reproduction, total fecundity did not differ across habitats. Our emergence data are consistent with previous observations showing delayed emergence in agricultural compared to natural populations; thus evolutionary change may be predictable as giant ragweed continues spreading into agricultural fields throughout North America. These shifts in life‐history strategy apparently bear no fecundity cost, suggesting that giant ragweed's success can be attributed at least in part to its substantial adaptive potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural weeds may originate from wild populations, but the origination patterns and genetics underlying this transition remain largely unknown. Analysis of weedy‐wild paired populations from independent locations may provide evidence to identify key genetic variation contributing to this adaptive shift. We performed genetic variation and expression analyses on transcriptome data from 67 giant ragweed samples collected from different locations in Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota and found geographically separated weedy populations likely originated independently from their adjacent wild populations, but subsequent spreading of weedy populations also occurred locally. By using eight closely related weedy‐wild paired populations, we identified thousands of unique transcripts in weedy populations that reflect shared or specific functions corresponding, respectively, to both convergently evolved and population‐specific weediness processes. In addition, differential expression of specific groups of genes was detected between weedy and wild giant ragweed populations using gene expression diversity and gene co‐expression network analyses. Our study suggests an integrated route of weedy giant ragweed origination, consisting of independent origination combined with the subsequent spreading of certain weedy populations, and provides several lines of evidence to support the hypothesis that gene expression variability plays a key role in the evolution of weedy species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field studies were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to compare mulch treatments of shredded newspaper, a combination of shredded newspaper plus turfgrass clippings (NP + grass), hardwood bark chips, black polyethylene plastic, and bare soil on weeds, insects, soil moisture, and soil temperature in pumpkins. Newspaper mulch or black plastic reduced total weed biomass ≥90%, and woodchip or NP + grass mulch each reduced total weed biomass 78% compared with bare soil under high rainfall conditions in 2011. In 2012, under low rainfall, all mulches reduced weed biomass 97% or more compared with bare soil. In both years, all mulches resulted in higher squash bug infestations than bare soil. The woodchip, newspaper, and NP + grass mulches retained higher soil moistures than bare soil or black plastic over the course of each growing season, and the woodchip and NP + grass mulches caused greatest fluctuations in soil temperature. Pumpkin yields were abnormally low in 2011 and did not differ among treatments. In 2012, all mulches produced greater total marketable pumpkin fruit weights compared with bare soil, but only black plastic, newspaper, and NP + grassmulches resulted in greater total numbers of marketable pumpkins. Overall results indicate that shredded newspaper or NP + grass mulches may be useful for organic and/or small-scale urban crop producers as sustainable alternatives to black plastic mulch; however, their weed suppression efficacy may require higher application rates with increasing moisture conditions, and they may require greater squash bug control measures than under bare soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a discussion of encouraging behavior to support scholars to research on Book of Mormon, adapted from the book "Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 18/2 (2009)." The article Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS), diversification of contributors, and revaluations.

Microalgae have tremendous potential as a feedstock for production of liquid biofuels, particularly biodiesel fuel via transesterification of algal lipids. However, biodiesel production results in significant amounts of algal residues, or "lipid extracted algae" (LEA). Suitable utilization of the LEA residue will improve the economics of algal biodiesel. In the present study, we evaluate the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of whole and lipid extracted algal (Spirulina maxima) feedstocks in order to produce a solid biofuel (hydrochar) and value-added co-products in the aqueous phase. HTC experiments were performed using a 2-L Parr reactor (batch type) at 175-215 °C with a 30-min holding time. Solid, aqueous and gaseous products were analyzed using various laboratory methods to evaluate the mass and carbon balances, and investigate the existence of high value chemicals in the aqueous phase. The HTC method is effective in creating an energy dense, solid hydrochar from both whole algae and LEA at lower temperatures as compared to lignocellulosic feedstocks, and is effective at reducing the ash content in the resulting hydrochar. However, under the treatment temperatures investigated, less than 1% of the starting dry algae mass was recovered as an identified high-value chemical in the aqueous phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minority female counselor educators are faced with numerous challenges. This qualitative study revealed that for female minority counselor educators, these challenges continue to negatively affect their professional and personal experiences. It is through operational wellness practices and optimal balance and functioning that minority female counselor educators have often prevailed. Implications for minority female counselor educators, university administrators, and counselor educators from the majority population are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) has become one of the most persistent and problematic weeds to farmers and allergy sufferers in North America over the last decades. This study aims to identify and assess the scholarly literature using a bibliometric analysis approach. Based on bibliographic records retrieved from the Web of Science database, the study describes the periodic growth of literature, scientific fields and journals, author productivity and collaborations, institutions and countries, and topical focus and uses article citation analysis to identify the most influential works in this research field during the period of 1903 to 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The energy requirement for harvesting Tetraselmis sp. biomass was 0.49–4.65 MJ/kg. • Harvesting technique affected the microalgal biomass quality. • Microalgal biocrude yield and characteristic varied based on harvesting technique. • Excess Al in electrocoagulation and alum harvested biomass increased biocrude yield. • All microalgal biocrude samples had higher metal contents compared to petrocrude. Abstract A halo-tolerant Tetraselmis sp. was grown in a 100,000 L raceway pond in the Qatari desert environment. As the biomass density reached 0.679 g/L, after 7 days, five different harvesting methods (i.e., cross-flow filtration, electrocoagulation, and coagulation-flocculation by FeCl 3 , NaOH, and alum) were applied to harvest the biomass. Hydrothermal liquefaction, for all the harvested biomass, was conducted at 350 °C for 30 mins in 10 mL Swagelok unions. The biocrude yield from cross-flow processed biomass (i.e., control) was 50.8%. Biocrude yield from electrocoagulation and alum processed biomass were 62.7% and 60.4% respectively where aluminum could have a catalytic effect. Biocrude yield from FeCl 3 and NaOH processed biomass were 42.9% and 19.8% respectively. The total fraction of alkenes and alkanes was higher in the biocrude obtained from alum-harvested biomass, compared to other biocrude samples. However, the transition of metal species from biomass to biocrude was very low in all the biocrudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factor XI (FXI) is the zymogen of a plasma protease, factor XIa (FXIa), that contributes to thrombin generation during blood coagulation by proteolytic activation of several coagulation factors, most notably factor IX (FIX). FXI is a homolog of prekallikrein (PK), a component of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system. While sharing structural and functional features with PK, FXI has undergone adaptive changes that allow it to contribute to blood coagulation. Here we review current understanding of the biology and enzymology of FXI, with an emphasis on structural features of the protein as they relate to protease function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When blood is exposed to variety of artificial surfaces and biologic substances, the plasma proteins factor XII (FXII) and prekallikrein undergo reciprocal proteolytic conversion to the proteases αFXIIa and α-kallikrein by a process called contact activation. These enzymes contribute to host-defense responses including coagulation, inflammation, and fibrinolysis. The initiating event in contact activation is debated. To test the hypothesis that single-chain FXII expresses activity that could initiate contact activation, we prepared human FXII variants lacking the Arg353 cleavage site required for conversion to αFXIIa (FXII-R353A), or lacking the 3 known cleavage sites at Arg334, Arg343, and Arg353 (FXII-T, for "triple" mutant), and compared their properties to wild-type αFXIIa. In the absence of a surface, FXII-R353A and FXII-T activate prekallikrein and cleave the tripeptide S-2302, demonstrating proteolytic activity. The activity is several orders of magnitude weaker than that of αFXIIa. Polyphosphate, an inducer of contact activation, enhances PK activation by FXII-T, and facilitates FXII-T activation of FXII and FXI. In plasma, FXII-T and FXII-R353A, but not FXII lacking the active site serine residue (FXII-S544A), shortened the clotting time of FXII-deficient plasma and enhanced thrombin generation in a surface-dependent manner. The effect was not as strong as for wild-type FXII. Our results support a model for induction of contact activation in which activity intrinsic to single-chain FXII initiates αFXIIa and α-kallikrein formation on a surface. αFXIIa, with support from α-kallikrein, subsequently accelerates contact activation and is responsiblefor the full procoagulant activity of FXII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are widespread worldwide. Although weeds can result in several types of losses, essential information regarding weed seedling emergence and seed banks is lacking in these systems for integrated weed management planning. This study investigated the effects of different grazing intensities (no grazing and grazed swards maintained at 10-, 20-, 30- and 40-cm sward heights) on weed seedling emergence and seed banks in a winter cover crop during the 15th year of an ICLS experiment under no-tillage management in subtropical Southern Brazil. We hypothesized that low grazing intensities would reduce weed interference and weed seed banks size in an ICLS. We determined treatment effects on weed species richness, seed bank population density, and seedling emergence during winter and summer. Higher sward heights in the winter-grazed cover crop reduced the number of weed species, the density of emerged weed seedlings, and the weed seed bank size compared with the non-grazed control. With a sward grazing height of 10 cm, the seed bank contained an average of 3151 seeds m −2 , and the weed population densities during the summer and winter were 11.8 and 21.7 plants m −2 greater, respectively, compared with the sward grazing height of 40 cm. Fifteen years after adopting low grazing intensities (30- and 40-cm sward heights) in the ICLS, the size of the weed seed bank was reduced by 42.1% compared with the non-grazed treatment. Decreasing the grazing intensity reduced the number of weed species, the density of emerged weed seedlings, and the weed seed bank density; therefore, integrated weed management strategies should consider minimizing grazing intensities in an ICLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]