Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Coastal Community Response to Sea Level Rise on the Delmarva Peninsula

AN EVALUATION OF COASTAL COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO SEA LEVEL RISE ON THE DELMARVA PENINSULA Timothy H. Villanueva A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Commonwealth University. Thesis Chair: Meghan Z. Gough, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Urban Studies & Regional Planning The purpose of this project is to evaluate the response of coastal community comprehensive plans to the threats posed by sea level rise. The communities evaluated are Chincoteague, VA, Ocean City, MD, and Rehoboth Beach, DE. The results of the evaluations illustrate to what extent these communities are prepared to deal with sea level rise and provide a basis for recommendations to improve plan quality. The level of community risk and the components of the individual comprehensive plans are evaluated using new models created for this project. Risk level is measured using computer disaster simulations, topographic and demographic data. The plan evaluation criteria include standard plan quality benchmarks and hazard mitigation and adaptation elements suggested by numerous agencies and resources. The plan evaluations range in quality from “poor” to “excellent”. These evaluations will be used to create policy strategies and recommendations for addressing the threat of sea level rise. Table of
Building bridges: the contribution of traditional knowledge into ecosystem management and practices in Fiji

Developing nations such as Fiji are grappling with how they can utilise their environmental resources to improve local living conditions while protecting the integrity of ecological systems. Different development approaches are adopted but in these areas, the environment is altered and polluted as a result of sustained human activities. The situation is challenging, as environmental resources have to be maintained to provide the services that are critical for sustainable development. In recent years the value and relevance of traditional knowledge has been acknowledged as people realised that such knowledge and wisdom have allowed people to live in their specific surroundings throughout history. This realisation has made people appreciate and acknowledge the value of traditional knowledge to ecosystem management. In this paper, the focus is to highlight some of the instances where people today can take advantage of traditional knowledge and incorporate it into science-based contemporary resource use strategies and methods. In this manner, bridges built to link traditional knowledge and science can contribute substantially to the attainment of sustainable development in some of the most important habitats and ecosystems occupied by traditional communities throughout the world. The Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) currently undertaken in different parts of the world is a valuable opportunity to document the influence of humans on the ecological systems and vice versa. The MA will provide useful new and specific examples from throughout the world to demonstrate the close relations between traditional societies and their environmental resources and the lessons that can be learnt from their experiences.
Statins in Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Simple Summary Retrospective studies of common malignancies such as head and neck cancer often report lower incidence and/or better outcomes for patients incidentally treated with statins, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors commonly prescribed to reduce blood cholesterol and related cardiovascular risks. Lipophilic statins have been proposed to both sensitize to therapy and spare normal tissue, suggesting particular benefits in head and neck cancer, where treatment often incurs major toxicities. While roles for statins in prevention remain controversial, rigorous laboratory studies have confirmed the direct effects of statins on cells and tumors that enhance response to chemotherapy, radiation, targeted agents and immunotherapy. This review surveys the literature on mechanisms of action and features of tumors that may mediate the benefits of statins during and following treatment for head and neck cancer. Statins may have their greatest impact on radiotherapy, suggesting prospective studies of prolonged treatment in selected patients toward the long-term goal of treatment de-intensification. Abstract Statins, a class of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors best known for their cholesterol-reducing and cardiovascular protective activity, have also demonstrated promise in cancer prevention and treatment. This review focuses on their potential applications in head and neck cancer (HNC), a common malignancy for which established treatment often fails despite incurring debilitating adverse effects. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that statins may enhance HNC sensitivity to radiation and other conventional therapies while protecting normal tissue, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined, likely involving both cholesterol-dependent and -independent effects on diverse cancer-related pathways. This review brings together recent discoveries concerning the anticancer activity of statins relevant to HNC, highlighting their anti-inflammatory activity and impacts on DNA-damage response. We also explore molecular targets and mechanisms and discuss the potential to integrate statins into conventional HNC treatment regimens to improve patient outcomes.
Varietal responses of root characteristics to low nitrogen application explain the differing nitrogen uptake and grain yield in two rice varieties

Rice root characteristics are tightly associated with high-efficient nitrogen uptake. To understand the relationship of root plastic responses with nitrogen uptake when reducing nitrogen application for green rice production, a hydroponic experiment and a soil pot experiment were conducted under high (HN) and low (LN) nitrogen applications, using two rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties, NK57 and YD6, three nitrogen absorption traits (total nitrogen accumulation, net NH4 + influx on root surface, nitrogen uptake via apoplasmic pathway) and root characteristics were investigated. In comparison with HN, LN significantly reduced nitrogen absorption and grain yield in both varieties. Concomitantly, there was a decrease in total root length, root surface area, root number, root volume, and root cortical area under LN, while single root length, root aerenchyma area, and root lignin content increased. The expression of OsAMT1;1 and OsAMT1;2 down-regulated in both varieties. The findings revealed that YD6 had smaller reduction degree for the three nitrogen absorption traits and grain yield, accompanied by smaller reduction degree in total root length, root surface area, root cortical area, and expression of the two genes under LN. These root characteristics were significantly and positively correlated with the three nitrogen absorption traits and grain yield, especially under LN. These results indicate that a large root system, lower reduction degree in several root characters, and high expression of OsAMT genes in YD6 explains its high nitrogen accumulation and grain yield under reduced nitrogen application. The study may provide rationale for developing varieties with low nitrogen fertilizer requirements for enabling green rice production.
Aroma precursors of Grignolino grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) and their modulation by vintage in a climate change scenario

Current climatic conditions may cause significant changes in grapevine phenology and maturity dynamics linked often with changes to ecoclimatic indicators. The influence exerted by different meteorological conditions during four consecutive years on the aromatic potential of Grignolino grapes was investigated for the first time. The samples were collected from three vineyards characterized by different microclimatic conditions mainly related to the vineyard exposure and by a different age of the plants. Important differences as far as temperature and rainfall patterns are concerned during ripening were observed among the 4 years. Grape responses to abiotic stress, with particular emphasis on aromatic precursors, were evaluated using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results highlighted significant differences among the vintages for each vineyard in terms of the berry weight and the aromatic precursor concentration. For the grapes of the younger-vine vineyard, the content of aroma compounds showed a different variability among the vintages if compared to the old-vine vineyards. Optimal conditions in terms of temperature and rainfall during the green phase followed by a warm and dry post-veraison period until harvest favored all classes of compounds especially terpenoids mainly in the grapes of the old vines. High-temperature (>30°C) and low-rainfall pattern before veraison led to high benzenoid contents and increased differences among vineyards such as berry weight, whereas cooler conditions favored the terpenoid levels in grapes from southeast-oriented vineyards. In a hilly environment, lack of rainfall and high temperature that lately characterize the second part of berry development seem to favor the grape quality of Grignolino, a cultivar of medium-late ripening, by limiting the differences on bunch ripening, allowing a greater accumulation of secondary metabolites but maintaining at the same time an optimum balance sugar/acidity.
Morphological leaf adaptations in tomato grown in warm retractable-roof bio-space

Microclimatic conditions and indeterminate tomato leaf morphology of two bio-spaces were analyzed: retractable- roof greenhouse and shade-house in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, during the period 2009 - 2010. The results show that, the retractable-roof greenhouse generates more favorable conditions for photosynthesis, as a result of lower thermal fluctuation within this bio-space, compared with the environment imposed by the shade-house. Extreme temperatures (maximum and minimum) into the retractable- roof greenhouse remained in a range significantly smaller and therefore more favorable for the production and reproductive stability of tomato in the warm weather of Culiacan, compared to shade-houses. This was corroborated by the magnitude of leaf morphological variables analyzed and the differences detected between leaflets developed in both cases. The values of leaf area index, leaf thickness, length of palisade parenchyma and presence of double palisade parenchyma observed in plants grown under retractable-roof made of glass were significantly higher than the values observed in the shade-house. The results suggested that higher tomato yields recently reported retractable-roof greenhouse in warm climates are due in
Mechanical and Structural Characterization of Laser-Cladded Medium-Entropy FeNiCr-B4C Coatings

Equiatomic medium-entropy alloy (MEA) FeNiCr-B4C (0, 1, and 3 wt.% B4C) coatings were deposited onto an AISI 1040 steel substrate using pulsed laser cladding. Based on an SEM microstructural analysis, it was found that the cross-sections of all the obtained specimens were characterized by an average coating thickness of 400 ± 20 μm, a sufficiently narrow (100 ± 20 μm) “coating–substrate” transition zone, and the presence of a small number of defects, including cracks and pores. An XRD analysis showed that the formed coatings consisted of a single face-centered cubic (FCC) γ-phase and the space group Fm-3m, regardless of the B4C content. However, additional TEM analysis of the FeNiCr coating with 3 wt. % B4C revealed a two-phase FCC structure consisting of grains (FCC-1 phase, Fm-3m) up to 1 µm in size and banded interlayers (FCC-2 phase, Fm-3m) between the grains. The grains were clean with a low density of dislocations. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of B4C carbides inside the FeNiCr (1 and 3 wt.% B4C) coatings, as evidenced by detected peaks corresponding to amorphous carbon and peaks indicating the stretching of C-B-C chains. The mechanical characterization of the FeNiCr-B4C coatings specified that additions of 1 and 3 wt. % B4C resulted in a notable increase in microhardness of 16% and 38%, respectively, with a slight decrease in ductility of 4% and 10%, respectively, compared to the B4C-free FeNiCr coating. Thus, the B4C addition can be considered a promising method for strengthening laser-cladded MEA FeNiCr-B4C coatings.
Primary Metabolite Screening Shows Significant Differences between Embryogenic and Non-Embryogenic Callus of Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.)

Tamarillo is a solanaceous tree that has been extensively studied in terms of in vitro clonal propagation, namely somatic embryogenesis. In this work, a protocol of indirect somatic embryogenesis was applied to obtain embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus from leaf segments. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to analyze the primary metabolome of these distinct calli to elucidate possible differentiation mechanisms from the common genetic background callus. Standard multivariate analysis methods were then applied, and were complemented by univariate statistical methods to identify differentially expressed primary metabolites and related metabolic pathways. The results showed carbohydrate and lipid metabolism to be the most relevant in all the calli assayed, with most discriminant metabolites being fructose, glucose and to a lesser extent choline. The glycolytic rate was higher in embryogenic calli, which shows, overall, a higher rate of sugar catabolism and a different profile of phospholipids with a choline/ethanolamine analysis. In general, our results show that a distinct primary metabolome between embryogenic and non-embryogenic calli occurs and that intracellular levels of fructose and sucrose and the glucose to sucrose ratio seem to be good candidates as biochemical biomarkers of embryogenic competence.
What we know about grief intervention: a bibliometric analysis

Background Grief is a natural and individualized response to different losses, but if grief persists or becomes pathological, professional interventions are required. Grief and corresponding interventions have received increasing attention, as the related concepts have been incorporated into the DSM-5 and ICD-11. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to explore the developments in the field of grief intervention research. Methods Articles on grief interventions were systematically searched and screened from the Web of Science Core Collection. The retrieved data were analyzed and visualized using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software for journals, authors, institutions, countries, references, and keywords. Results A total of 9,754 articles were included. The number of articles on grief interventions has increased significantly each year since 1990. Death Studies was the journal that published the most articles in this field. We identified 25,140 authors contributed to this research area and these authors were from 123 countries and 6,630 institutions. Boelen PA secured the first position in article production, Columbia University emerged as the most productive affiliation and the United States was the foremost leading in grief intervention research. The prevalent keywords utilized in this field comprised bereavement, grief, death, depression, and palliative care. Conclusion The quantity of publications regarding grief interventions is increasing. Although most prior studies have focused on mortality, grief, and health, emerging themes such as COVID-19, grief among workers, and disfranchised grief have drawn increasing attention in recent years. Future studies may focus on investigating the complexities and challenges of grief, including its underlying mechanisms and impact on mental well-being.
Living on the edge: Rethinking Pueblo Period: (AD 700 - AD 1225) indigenous settlement patterns within Grand Canyon National Park, northern Arizona

OF DISSERTATION LIVING ON THE EDGE: RETHINKING PUEBLO PERIOD: (AD 700 – AD 1225) INDIGENOUS SETTLEMENT PATTERNS WITHIN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, NOTHERN ARIZONA This dissertation challenges traditional interpretations that indigenous groups who settled the Grand Canyon during the Pueblo Period (AD 700 -1225) relied heavily on maize to meet their subsistence needs. Instead they are viewed as dynamic ecosystem engineers who employed fire and natural plant succession to engage in a wild plant subsistence strategy that was supplemented to varying degrees by maize. By examining the relationship between archaeological sites and the natural environment throughout the Canyon, new settlement pattern models were developed. These models attempt to account for the spatial distribution of Virgin people, as represented by Virgin Gray Ware ceramics, Kayenta as represented by Tusayan Gray Ware ceramics, and the Cohonina as represented by San Francisco Mountain Gray Ware ceramics, through an examination of the relationships of sites to various aspects of the natural environment (biotic communities, soils, physical geography, and hydrology). Inferences constructed from the results of geographic information system analyses of the Park’s legacy site data, indicate that Virgin groups were the first to arrive at the Canyon, around AD 700 and leaving around AD 1200. They practiced a split subsistence strategy, which included seasonal movements between maize agricultural areas in the western Inner Canyon and wild resource production areas in the pinyon-juniper forests on the western North Rim plateaus. The Kayenta occupied the North Rim, South Rim and Inner Canyon, throughout the entire Pueblo Period. Their subsistence system relied heavily on wild resource production on both rims supplemented by low-level maize agriculture practiced seasonally on the wide deltas in the eastern Inner Canyon. The Cohonina were the last to arrive and the first to leave, as they occupied the Canyon for about 300 years from AD 800–1100. They were the most prolific maize farmers, practicing it in the Inner Canyon near the mouth of Havasu Creek, but still seasonally exploiting wild resource on the western South Rim. Based on my interpretations, use of the Canyon from AD 700-1225, is viewed as a dynamic interplay between indigenous groups and their environment. As they settled into the Canyon and managed the diverse ecology to meet their subsistence needs.
Polar 55C: an upgraded instrument for polarimetric radar research

The radar meteorology group of the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC), the former Insti- tute of Atmospheric Physics of the Italian National Council of the Research (CNR) employs the POLAR 55C radar sys- tem in the field of meteorological and hydrological applica- tion of radar polarimetry. The system is a coherent C-band Doppler dual polarization radar, which has been continu- ously upgraded through an evolution process so that the radar can be used for state of the art research in radar meteorology. The system operated in the Montagnana site, near Florence, Italy, for the Arno Project and MAP campaigns for radar rainfall estimation. During 2001, the system was moved from Montagnana to the Tor Vergata Research area of CNR, located 20 km South-East of downtown Rome and installed on the roof of the tower of the ISAC building. The system has been completely overhauled, both in microwave and me- chanical sub systems. Above all, the radar is now equipped with a new digital receiver, as part of a new Radar Signal Pro- cessor, and new software for system operation control, data handling and displaying. From the current site, the POLAR 55C can monitor precipitation over the farthest part of the Tevere basin, the urban area of Rome, and the central Ap- pennines. The paper illustrates the main features presently available in the POLAR 55C radar system, with particular emphasis to the most recent upgrades and their evaluation in the context of polarimetric radar research. Improvement in system performance is presented with examples of radar ob- servations.
Multiple Vaccines and Strategies for Pandemic Preparedness of Avian Influenza Virus

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) are a continuous cause of concern due to their pandemic potential and devasting effects on poultry, birds, and human health. The low pathogenic avian influenza virus has the potential to evolve into a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, resulting in its rapid spread and significant outbreaks in poultry. Over the years, a wide array of traditional and novel strategies has been implemented to prevent the transmission of AIV in poultry. Mass vaccination is still an economical and effective approach to establish immune protection against clinical virus infection. At present, some AIV vaccines have been licensed for large-scale production and use in the poultry industry; however, other new types of AIV vaccines are currently under research and development. In this review, we assess the recent progress surrounding the various types of AIV vaccines, which are based on the classical and next-generation platforms. Additionally, the delivery systems for nucleic acid vaccines are discussed, since these vaccines have attracted significant attention following their significant role in the fight against COVID-19. We also provide a general introduction to the dendritic targeting strategy, which can be used to enhance the immune efficiency of AIV vaccines. This review may be beneficial for the avian influenza research community, providing ideas for the design and development of new AIV vaccines.
Industrial Energy Use and Improvement Potential

This thesis aims to examine energy demand within UK industry and assess the improvement potential available through efficiency measures. The techniques employed throughout the work have been mainly engineering based, drawing on thermodynamics. Alongside this approach, an assessment of drivers and barriers to the technical potential was undertaken. Data availability was a key challenge in the current work. The variety in energy uses meant the use of publically available datasets was limited. A database was constructed utilising site level emissions data, and employed a subsector disaggregation that facilitated energy analysis. The database was used for an analysis of waste heat recovery options. Opportunities were identified in low temperature recovery, heat-to-power technology, and the transport of heat. Each of these options would require further research and support to be fully realised. It was found that splitting the industrial sector into an energy-intensive and nonenergy-intensive subsector, where the grouping was based on the drivers to energy efficiency, allowed generalisations to be made regarding future improvement potential. Based on analysis of past trends, it was found that the energy-intensive subsector has limited potential for further efficiency gains through currently used processes. To make significant improvements radical changes in current processes will be required. A study of the energy-intensive Cement subsector concurred with these findings. Future efficiency improvements in this subsector are likely limited without a shift to alternative cement production. The non-energy-intensive subsector was thought to have relatively greater improvement potential through existing processes. The analysis of these processes is limited by lack of data however. An analysis of the non-energy-intensive Food and drink subsector therefore focussed on improvements in supplying low temperature heat, rather than the efficiency of specific processes. Opportunities through improving steam systems, increasing combined heat-and-power use, and the adoption of heat pumps were found to offer similar improvement potentials.