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Keeping in consideration the expected need of node densification of heterogeneous cellular networks in near future, it is imperative that more accurate path loss models be used when analyzing heterogeneous cellular networks performance in terms of user equipment association probability, coverage probability and spectral efficiency. In this paper, we have derived the generalized user equipment association probabilitiesâ expressions of a two-tier Dense Heterogeneous Cellular Network incorporating Downlink Uplink Decoupled technique using multi-slope path loss model, which incorporates the effect of physical environment on the path loss based on separation between transmitter and receiver. For analyzing network performance, we have considered dual-slope and tri-slope path loss models as special cases. The derived analytical expressions have been validated through network simulations and found in good agreement. The results have also been compared with conventional single-slope path loss model and it has been found that the decoupled uplink downlink association probability is higher when incorporating multi-slope path loss model as compared to single-slope path loss model.

Purpose: The importance of the affective domain in holistic human development, in particular empathy, is an increasing concern today especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to investigate the attitudes of school students toward competencies associated with human consciousness; (2) to validate the psychometric properties of the model of Malaysian school students' empathy, and (3) to examine the influence of school students' self-efficacy, emotion regulation, sense of belonging and problem-solving on their empathy. Methodology: Using a quantitative survey approach, data were collected from 911 students drawn from 10 schools throughout Malaysia using a four-point Likert scale instrument. The study employed variance-based SEM by using Smart-PLS to achieve the objectives. First, the measurement model was employed to test the psychometric properties (such as convergent validity, divergent validity, and reliability) for all constructs. Second, the structural model was conducted to test the direct and indirect hypothesized relationship. Results: The measurement model provided evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the study constructs. The hypothesized structural model exhibited that three out of the four constructs, i.e., emotion regulation, sense of belonging and problem-solving have a direct influence on Malaysian school students' empathy. Furthermore, emotion regulation showed a mediating role in the relationship between the exogenous variables (sense of belonging and problem-solving) and students' empathy. The model explained 58.6 percent of the variance in the Malaysian school students' empathy. Significance: This study is a pioneering work in Malaysia. With the identification of the factors that influence Malaysian school students' empathy, i.e., students' emotion regulation, sense of belonging and problem-solving, more effective support and interventions can be provided by teachers and the Ministry of Education to help in enhancing school students' empathy.

Maize (Zea mays L.), a vital cereal crop, faces challenges from rising global temperatures. As a C4 plant, maize is highly heat sensitive, which disrupts photosynthesis and reduces growth and productivity. High temperatures during the reproductive phase delay silk emergence and dry pollen, decreasing seed production and yield. Developing heat-tolerant maize varieties is essential. Tolerance can be viable by utilizing genetic diversity in breeding programs. This study evaluated 156 inbred lines for high-temperature stress tolerance, selecting 56 promising lines. Their screening continued under field and screen house conditions. High-temperature stress significantly affected maize growth and reproductive stages, increasing the anthesis-silking interval and reducing flowering synchronization. Principal component analysis identified inbred lines PBG1(X), PBG2(X), PBG3(X), PBG4(X), PBG5(X), PBG7(X), 6200(X), 6201(X), 6205(X), and 6202(X) as the best performers under stress, while 6159(X), 6179(X), 6180(X), 6193(X), and 6199(X) performed poorly. Traits, such as cob diameter, days to silking, grains per cob, 100-grain weight, and leaf area, showed positive correlations with the anthesis-silking interval. Inversely, pollen production potential had a negative correlation, while the days to tasseling positively correlated with grain yield. These findings are crucial for developing heatresilient maize varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual training in Interventional Cardiology (IC) with other cardiac subspecialties such as Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology (AHFTC) and Critical Care Cardiology (CCC) is becoming a pathway for trainees to acquire a needed skill set to deliver comprehensive care for increasingly complex patients in the intensive care unit and catheterization laboratory settings. The makeup of these training pathways varies depending on several factors, with the resultant role of the specialist reflecting this reality. Herein, we review the merits to combined fellowship training for the Interventional Cardiologist, the ideal structure of programs to facilitate this, and how the faculty position for such a unique specialist can enhance a program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) aims to inject oxygen (16O) ions in the next run into its experiments. This include the anticipated one-day physics run focusing on O + O collisions at center-of-mass energy s NN = 7 TeV. In this study, we have used recently developed version of the EPOS (EPOS4) to study the production of identified particles ( π ± , K ± and p (p ¯) ) in O + O collisions at s NN = 7 TeV. Predictions of transverse momentum ( p T ) spectra, ⟨ p T ⟩ , integrated yield ( d N / d y ) for different centrality classes are studied. To provide insight into the collective nature of the produced particles, we look into the p T -differential particle ratios ( K / π and p / π ) and p T -integrated particle ratios to ( π + + π - ) as a function of charge particle multiplicity. The shape of the charge particle multiplicity ( d N ch / d η ) and mean transverse momentum ( ⟨ p T ⟩ ) is well described by EPOS4. The predictions for the ratios of K / π and p / π from EPOS4 exhibit a systematic overestimation compared to the trends observed in p + p , p + P b and P b + P b systems as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. Interestingly, the O + O results of p T -integrated particle ratios shows a clear final state multiplicity overlap with p + p , p + P b and P b + P b collisions. EPOS4 does not only mimics signs of collectivity, but embeds collective expansion by construction, since it relies on relativistic hydrodynamics to model the evolution of the so-called core and is one of the suitable candidates to study ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Furthermore, the foreseen data from O + O collisions at the LHC, when available, will help to better understand the heavy-ion-like behavior in small systems as well as help to put possible constraints on the model parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we studied the impact of environmental constituents such as oxygen (O2) and moisture on halide double perovskite (HDP) films. The transport measurements indicate that an increment in O2 concentration enhances the resistivity of a Cs2AgBiBr6 film by two orders of magnitude. The adsorption of O2 on the film's surface helps in passivation of defects (∼50% reduction in defect density on O2 exposure), which inhibits ion migration and results in an increased resistivity of the film. The process of adsorption and desorption of O2 on the film surface is found to be fully reversible. In contrast, the resistivity of double perovskite films decreases by an order of magnitude in the presence of moisture. This is attributed to the generation of free protons as a result of the dissociation of water molecules at the films' surface, hence exhibiting an increase in current under external bias. The HDP films possess high resistivity (for T < 100 °C) due to the desorption of physisorbed water layers from the surface, which gradually decreases with an increase in the operating temperature. This work demonstrates that O2 and moisture are a good combination for defect passivation in any HDPs, in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc deficiency prevails in one-third of the world’s population, which is mainly due to the intake of cereals grown on zinc-deficient soils. Biofortification is a top priority among different solutions to this condition and is an agricultural intervention suitable for farmers and consumers due to accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a short-duration and high-yielding crop that can grow in two seasons per annum and is the most suitable cereal for biofortification. The present study investigated 150 genetically diverse maize inbred lines for grain-zinc contents, yield, and yield-contributing traits, employing an augmented field design. Significant genotypic diversity was prominent for the studied traits. The first four components of the principal component analysis (PCA) depicted an Eigen value of more than one, which explained 73.5% of the total variability. Among inbred lines, E102, E38, E92, E52, E91, E1, E93, E54, E28, E25, E72, E30, and E90 showed higher grain-zinc contents and average grain yields per plant in the PCA-based study. The grain-zinc contents were less than the desired level (33 mg kg-1 ) notified by HarvestPlus. Creating significant genetic diversity and exploiting its existing level for heterotic performance is a prerequisite to achieve the desired level of grain-zinc contents and yield. Correlation studies revealed a significant positive association of average grain yield per plant with the ear length, the number of grains per row, the number of rows per cob, and 1000-grain weight. Selection of inbred lines based on the standards of positive association with grain yield per plant could improve total yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, the cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) family of proteins is encoded by 16 genes presented in seven different classes. GSTs exhibit remarkable structural similarity with some overlapping functionalities. As a primary function, GSTs play a putative role in Phase II metabolism by protecting living cells against a wide variety of toxic molecules by conjugating them with the tripeptide glutathione. This conjugation reaction is extended to forming redox sensitive post-translational modifications on proteins: S-glutathionylation. Apart from these catalytic functions, specific GSTs are involved in the regulation of stress-induced signaling pathways that govern cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recently, studies on the effects of GST genetic polymorphisms on COVID-19 disease development revealed that the individuals with higher numbers of risk-associated genotypes showed higher risk of COVID-19 prevalence and severity. Furthermore, overexpression of GSTs in many tumors is frequently associated with drug resistance phenotypes. These functional properties make these proteins promising targets for therapeutics, and a number of GST inhibitors have progressed in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.