Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Knowledge-Based Multi-Scale Adaptive Classification Approach for Mobile Laser Scanning Point Clouds in Urban Scenes

With the quick development of mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems, point clouds are frequently applied for various large-scale outdoor scenes. It is fundamental to quickly and accurately classify objects of mobile laser scanning (MLS) point clouds in such urban scene applications. However, an important problem is the need for massive training samples in object classification. High computational cost is also a common challenge. To overcome them, a knowledge-based multi-scale adaptive classification approach (KMAC) is proposed in the paper. The method consisting of four layers derives from a normal neural network framework, the operation in part layers differ. As the scale difference of various objects in natural environment, 3D multi-scale spatial local relation of objects is explored with inspiration by the idea of convolution. Two types of distinguishable features of actual objects are explored to describe 3D point clouds by a 2D vector representation. Then, human knowledge is used to directly build an end-to-end match between these feature descriptions in 2D and 3D point clouds of actual objects. Point clouds which are adjacent with the same feature representation would be intentionally integrated into multiple adaptive regions. The adaptive integration solves scale difference of various objects. The direct match by knowledge exactly plays the role of training samples. Qualitative and quantitative experimental results on three data-sets finally show the proposed approach is promising to efficiently classify unlabeled objects in urban scenes.
Photochemical evolution of submicron aerosol chemical composition in the Tokyo megacity region in summer

[1] We investigate the chemical transformation of submicron aerosol in the Tokyo megacity region in summer. An Aerodyne quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) was deployed both at an urban site in Tokyo (35°39′N, 139°40′E) and a suburban site (downwind site) in Saitama (36°05′N, 139°33′E) in the summer of 2004. The temporal evolution of size-resolved chemical compositions of submicron (PM1) aerosols during photochemical smog episodes are investigated using the photochemical age derived from the combination of alkyl nitrate-to-hydrocarbon ratio and NOz/NOy ratio (where NOz is defined as the total reactive nitrogen oxides (NOy) excluding nitrogen oxides (NOx)). The photochemical age observed at the downwind site was about 12 h in most aged air. Organic aerosols (OA) and sulfate (SO42−) were major constituents of PM1 aerosols (40–50% and 20–30%, respectively) at both sites during the observation period and their fractions showed no large variation with the NOz/NOy ratio. Mass ratios of OA and SO42− to black carbon (BC) largely increased with the NOz/NOy ratio (by factors of ∼3 and ∼2, respectively), indicating the significance of secondary formation of these compounds in controlling PM1 mass concentrations. We also investigate the photochemical evolution of OA mass spectra observed by the AMS. The mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) peaks of organic compounds relative to BC mass generally showed an increase with the NOz/NOy ratio. These increasing trends vary significantly for different m/z peaks, suggesting the complexity of the temporal evolution of organic functional groups. The m/z 44 and 45 peaks, which are good markers of carboxylic groups in organic particles, showed larger increases than any other m/z peaks, suggesting an efficient formation of carboxylic functional groups on a timescale of hours during the measurement period.
A 4-Decade-Tunable High-Selectivity Gm-C Bandpass Filter for Simultaneous Multi-Sine Bioimpedance Analysis

A bandpass filter (BPF), with high quality factor (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${Q}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and wide tuning range of the centre frequency (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), for signal separation in simultaneous multi-sine bioimpedance analysis, is presented. The cell follows the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$G_{m}-{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> approach, where a multiple-output transconductor has been incorporated, for the sake of compactness, and a fully-differential structure has been selected, to enhance the general performance of the solution. The linearized transconductors (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$G_{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) are based on a double asymmetric differential pair and the integrated capacitors (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) are implemented in such a way that the required transfer function for the differential-mode signal is achieved and the stability of the common-mode component is granted. The BPF has been designed and fabricated in 180 nm CMOS technology to operate with a 1.8-V supply and feature a nominal gain at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 0 dB and a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${Q}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> equal to 20, whereas <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is programmed by modifying the biasing current of the transconductors. Experimental results, measured on 8 samples of the silicon prototype, show that the BPF centre frequency can be continuously swept from 102 Hz to 2.06 MHz with a supply current ranging between 981 nA and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$686~\mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Besides, the maximum output voltage range of the filter, determined according to the–40 dB THD criterion, varies between around 31.5 mV and 64 mV within the frequency range indicated, thus leading to a dynamic range between 42.3 dB and 48.6 dB, which illustrates its suitability for the target application.
The inheritance of energy and the evolution of unsustainability

Abstract Across contemporary and historical human groups, there is variation in how cultures interact with the environment and this variation is inherited through culture. Some human-environment relationships maximize group fitness relative to other relationships. Thus, there is heritable, fitness-associated variation in human-environment interactions and so human-environment interactions may be understood to be an evolved trait. However, one fitness-maximizing human-environment relationship could be unsustainable resource extraction. Anthroecological theory proposes that human cultures and genotypes have been selected for unsustainability, although several mechanisms have been proposed for how this selection may have worked. Here, I extend anthroecological theory and argue that energy inheritances are critical to understanding the evolution of human unsustainability and the human-environment relationship. I develop an agent-based model to illustrate the hypotheses and find that the ability to pass energy to successive generations has impacts on sustainability. Simulations in which energy cannot be passed to subsequent generations are more stable and sustainable than those that can pass energy to offspring, but simulations in which energy cannot be inherited evolve higher reproductive rates than those with energy inheritance. A significant loss of diversity occurs in the simulations and I tentatively compare this loss to the cultural hegemony associated with historic colonization.
Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair Comparative Study Between the Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair Comparative Study Between the Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal (TAPP) and Stoppa Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal (TAPP) and Stoppa Approaches Approaches

Background : A special entity among inguinal hernias is represented by bilateral hernia. The optimal surgical approach must be selected individually for the patient, taking into account the patient age, hernia size, primary or recurrent status, type of anesthesia, occupation, and patient activities. Aim : To evaluate and compare bilateral-inguinal-hernia in management STOPPA & laparoscopic (TAPP) approaches. Patients and methods : Thirty (30) patients presented in the outpatient clinics complaining of bilateral inguinal hernia were randomly divide; Group I 15 patients for TAPP repair and Group II 15 patients for STOPPA repair which was done at Al-Azhar University Hospitals and Shebin El-Koum Teaching Hospital over a period from February 2021 to October 2022. Results : Our results revealed that; nonsigni ﬁ cant difference between both groups as regarding age, postoperative complications; hospital stay, no wound infection with TAPP, while there were one case of wound infection with STOPPA, postoperative recurrence and one case recurrence with TAPP. TAPP technique takes shorter duration than STOPPA technique. Conclusion : TAPP approaches were observed that low of surgical trauma with better outcomes in comparison to STOPPA approach with high complication rate and high incidence of surgical trauma.
A Comparative Study of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Versus Conservative Treatment

Background The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common injury with an incidence of 68.6 in 100,000 patients per year. Despite extensive research on ACL rupture, there are insufficient high-quality studies to determine clear treatment strategies for adults lacking the ACL. This study aims to examine the functional differences between surgical and conservative treatment based on the quality of the surgical process. Methodology In this prospective, comparative study, a total of 136 patients aged between 18 and 35 years were enrolled per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using the lottery system, patients were divided into the following two groups: group A (n = 71) and group B (n = 65). Group A was treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation, whereas group B was treated conservatively (rehabilitation). Patient data, including age, sex, body mass index, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner Activity Level (TAL) score, and complications were recorded and compared. Results The demographic data were comparable, where males had dominancy in both groups. The mean IKDC and KOOS scores were higher in group A at all follow-ups compared to group B. The scores gradually increased at every follow-up till six months. At the final follow-up, the IKDC and KOOS scores were higher in group A than in group B, and a significant difference was observed among both groups. The TAL score also gradually increased at every follow-up till 6 months. At the final follow-up, the TAL score was higher in group A than in group B, with a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0032). Complications in both groups were comparable. Conclusions This study showed that both the conservatively treated group and the rebuilt group had identical outcomes, with the exception of the conservative group having greater objectively quantifiable instability. However, at the final follow-up, patients reported feeling just as satisfied with their knee without surgery, demonstrating no subjective difference in activity levels or functional outcomes. Therefore, non-athletes with an ACL-insufficient knee should still choose conservative treatment.
Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology

This study aimed to determine whether the 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) is suitable for measuring non-psychedelic mystical experiences or whether a subset of questions from the 43-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ43) is more appropriate. Participants ( N = 136) completed an online survey about their non-psychedelic mystical experience, which included the MEQ43 and its subset of items that make up the MEQ30. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the MEQ30 was not a good fit for the present study’s non-psychedelic sample. Exploratory Factor Analysis of the MEQ43 suggested that an alternative set of items and corresponding factors may be more appropriate. In the new four-factor instrument (MEQ25), 25 items account for all MEQ43 factors. The new factors are Sacred Unity, Noetic Quality, Time-Space Transcendence, and Ineffable and Paradoxical. The new scale demonstrated excellent internal reliability (α = .93) and strong convergent validity with the M-Scale. The new scale is unique because it has a separate factor for noetic quality, which is considered a salient and therapeutic aspect of mystical experience. Furthermore, the refined time-space subscale better reflects the theory and subjective experience of non-psychedelic mystical experiences.
The stress-buffering role of friendships in young people with childhood threat experiences: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT Background: High-quality friendships have a positive impact on the mental health of young people with childhood adversity (CA). Social stress buffering, the phenomenon of a social partner attenuating acute stress responses, is a potential yet unexplored mechanism that may underlie this relationship. Objective: This study examined whether perceived friendship quality was related to better mental health and lower neural stress response in young people with CA. Method: A total of N = 102 young people (aged 16–26) with low to moderate CA were included in the study. We first investigated associations between friendship quality, mental health, and CA. In a representative subset (n = 62), we assessed neural stress responses using the Montreal Imaging Stress Task. In our sample, CA was best described along two dimensions resembling threat or deprivation like experiences. Hence, we investigated both cumulative and dimensional effects of CA. Results: We found no support for social thinning after CA, meaning that the severity of CA (cumulative or dimensional) did not differentially impact friendship quality. High-quality friendships, on the other hand, were strongly associated with better mental health. Furthermore, acute stress increased state anxiety and enhanced neural activity in five frontolimbic brain regions, including the left hippocampus. We found weak support that threat experiences interacted with friendship quality to predict left hippocampal reactivity to stress. However, this effect did not survive multiple comparison correction. Conclusion: The absence of social thinning in our sample may suggest that the risk of developing impoverished social networks is low for rather well-functioning young people with low to moderate CA. Regardless, our findings align with prior research, consistently showing a strong association between high-quality friendships and better mental health in young people with CA. Future research is needed to examine whether friendships aid neural stress responses in young people with childhood threat experiences. HIGHLIGHTS Young people with childhood adversity underwent acute stress induction, eliciting frontolimbic reactivity. High-quality friendships were strongly associated with better mental health. Weak support for friendship stress buffering did not survive multiple comparison correction.
The Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metal Retention Capability of Black Liquor Lignin-Based Biochars

Due to its high carbon content, lignin, particularly for lignin-containing solid waste, is considered an excellent raw material for the preparation of carbon materials like biochar. To produce high-quality lignin-based biochar (LGBCs), lignin extracted from black liquor was employed to prepare biochar at various pyrolysis temperatures (300~600 °C). The physicochemical properties of LGBCs were assessed using scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the adsorption capability and potential mechanism of LGBCs in removing Cd(II) were investigated as well. The results indicate that LGBCs produced at higher pyrolysis temperatures exhibit rougher surfaces and more developed pore structures, which facilitate the exposure of numerous active adsorption sites. The adsorption of Cd(II) by LGBCs generally follows the order of LG-300C < LG-400C < LG-500C < LG-600C. According to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of LG-600C for Cd(II) is calculated to be 18.54 mg/g. Adsorption mechanism analysis reveals that the complexation interaction, dependent on the surface functional groups, plays a crucial role in the adsorption of Cd(II) by LGBCs prepared at higher pyrolysis temperatures. This study demonstrates that, by controlling the pyrolysis temperature during biochar preparation, high-quality lignin-based biochar can be readily obtained.
There Are no Major Age Effects for UX Aspects of Voice User Interfaces Using the Kano Categorization

: Voice user interface (VUI) evaluation often focuses on user experience (UX) quality measurement of UX aspects for VUIs. However, it is crucial to differ among these UX aspects concerning their relevance to specific target groups, like different usage contexts, or user characteristics such as age. Therefore, we identified potential age-specific characteristics and determine their nature, if any. We applied the Kano model using an age-segmentation to categorize these 32 UX aspects based on VUI user data ( N = 384). Our findings reveal that UX aspects of VUIs are broadly consistent across all age groups, and VUI developers and researchers should consider the important ones. Some age effects are visible and could impact the success of VUIs.
COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS FOR ESTIMATION OF POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Evapotranspiration can be estimated with different available methods. The aim of this research study to compare and evaluate the originally measured potential evapotranspiration from Class A pan with the Hargreaves equation, the Penman equation, the Penman-Montheith equation, and the FAO56 Penman-Monteith equation. The evaporation rate from pan recorded greater than stated methods. For each evapotranspiration method, results were compared against mean monthly potential evapotranspiration (PET) from Pan data according to FAO (ETo=Kpan×Epan), from daily measured recorded data of the twenty-five years (1984-2008). On the basis of statistical analysis between the pan data and the FAO56- Penman-Monteith method are not considered to be very significant ( =0.98) at 95% confidence and prediction intervals. All methods required accurate weather data for precise results, for the purpose of this study the past twenty five years data were analyzed and used including maximum and minimum air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, sunshine duration and rainfall. Based on linear regression analysis results the FAO56 PMM ranked first ( =0.98) followed by Hergreaves method ( =0.96), Penman-Monteith method ( =0.94) and Penman method ( =0.93). Obviously, using FAO56 Penman Monteith method with precise climatic variables for ET 2 R
Activity-and pharmacology-dependent modulation of adult neurogenesis in relation to Alzheimer’s disease

The hippocampus is critical for learning and memory and heavily affected in dementia. The presence of stem cells in this structure has led to an increased interest in the phenomenon of adult neurogenesis and its role in hippocampal functioning. Not surprising, investigators of Alzheimer’s disease have also evaluated adult neurogenesis due to its responsiveness to hippocampal damage. Although causal relationships have not been established, many factors known to impact neurogenesis in the hippocampus, are implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Also, adult neurogenesis has been proposed to reflect a “neurogenic reserve” that may determine vulnerability to hippocampal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Since neurogenesis is modifiable, stimulation of this process, or the potential use of stem cells, recruited endogenously or implanted by transplantation, has been speculated as a possible treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. As the structural and molecular mechanisms governing adult neurogenesis are important for evaluating therapeutic strategies, we will here review collective literature findings and speculate about the future of this field with a focus on findings from Alzheimer’s mouse models. Continued research in this area and use of these models is critical for evaluating if neurogenesis based therapeutic strategies will indeed have the potential to aid those with degenerative conditions.
Effect of Metal Capping Layer in Achieving Record High p-Type SnO Thin Film Transistor Mobility

Recently p-type tin monoxide (SnO) thin film transistors (TFTs) have drawn significant interest for use in all-oxide CMOS circuits for back-end-of-line (BEOL) integration with Si and flexible electronics. However, most SnO TFTs demonstrated so far have a limited field effect mobility and poor ON– OFF current ratio. Here, we used a floating metal cap layer to create a bilayer TFT structure and boost the device’s effective mobility. We achieved a record high p-type SnO TFT mobility of 19.1 cm $^{{2}}\text{V}^{\text {-1}}\text{s}^{\text {-1}}$ using a Ni/Au capping layer to cover a portion of the active channel. By comparing the experiment and TCAD simulation, we explained the working mechanism of the SnO bilayer TFT. We also investigated the effect of layer thickness on TFT electrical performance. A thin SnO active layer is desired to minimize the vertical resistance in the ON-state and thereby increase the effective TFT mobility. Finally, by applying appropriate surface passivation we demonstrated an $\sim 8\times $ improvement in the ON– OFF current ratio of our SnO bilayer TFTs. By combining the use of a floating metal capping layer and surface passivation, we can significantly and simultaneously improve both the effective mobility and the ON– OFF current ratio of SnO TFTs. In addition, we showed that SnO bilayer TFTs exhibit more robust behavior to gate-bias stress compared to traditional SnO TFTs.
Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of sandstones in continental red beds at Valle de Huizachal, Tamaulipas, NE Mexico: Record of Early-Middle Jurassic arc volcanism and transition to crustal extension

Continental strata and volcanic rocks of the type Huizachal Group in Valle de Huizachal record arc magmatism and subsequent crustal extension prior to seafl oor spreading in the Gulf of Mexico. The older La Boca Formation consists of two informal members, a lower unit of siliciclastic and volcanic rocks discordantly overlain by a predominantly siliciclastic upper member. The younger La Joya Formation is an upwardfi ning, alluvial-braided fl uvial succession with a basal conglomerate. U-Pb detrital-zircon ages (n = 576) from six Huizachal Group sandstones (fi ve from La Boca and one from La Joya) consist of four groups indicating a mixed provenance: (1) Grenville grains (~1.3‐1.0 Ga) derived from Gondwana (Novillo Gneiss); (2) earlymiddle Paleozoic grains (430‐300 Ma) derived from peri-Gondwanan accreted rocks (Granjeno Schist); (3) Permo-Triassic grains (296‐222 Ma) derived from volcanic and plutonic rocks (West Pangaean arc) and/or turbidites (Guacamaya Formation); and (4) Early-Middle Jurassic grains (199‐ 164 Ma), locally derived from the Nazas arc. Groups 1‐3 increase in abundance upsection as a result of unroofi ng of Jurassic volcanic and sedimentary carapace from uplifted basement. The Huizachal Group records three stages in the pre-breakup history of Gondwana: (1) The lower member of La Boca Formation (maximum depositional age 184‐183 Ma; Pleinsbachian) indicates Nazas arc activity; (2) the upper member (maximum depositional age 167‐163 Ma; Bathonian‐Callovian) indicates continued arc magmatism as early crustal extension formed horsts that supplied basement grains to an incipient rift basin; and (3) the La Joya Formation represents late rift basin development and widespread exposure of fl anking basement rocks. Although our La Joya sample lacks a coherent age group of young grains, its single youngest grain age (164 ± 3 Ma; Callovian) is consistent with its stratigraphic position beneath inferred Oxfordian strata.