Search Results (436)

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology becomes increasingly widespread in organizations, its impact on individual employees’ psychology and behavior has garnered growing attention. Existing research primarily focuses on AI’s effects on organizational performance and job design, with limited exploration of its mechanisms influencing individual employees, particularly in the critical area of risk-taking behavior, which is essential to organizational innovation. This research develops a moderated mediation model grounded in social cognitive theory (SCT) to explore how AI usage affects the willingness to take risks. A three-wave longitudinal study collected and statistically analyzed data from 442 participants. The findings reveal that (1) AI usage significantly enhances employees’ willingness to take risks; (2) self-efficacy serves as a partial mediator in the connection between AI usage and the willingness to take risks; and (3) learning goal orientation moderates both the relationship between AI usage and self-efficacy, as well as the mediating effect. This research enhances our understanding of AI’s impact on organizational behavior and provides valuable insights for human resource management in the AI era. Full article

This study explored gender-specific nuances in the applicability of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to predict physical activity behavior. This study aimed to determine whether similar or different prediction patterns emerge for men and women, particularly emphasizing the tenability of the SCT model’s theoretical assumptions across gender. Six hundred fifty-four participants (58.1% women, 41.1% men) completed two validated questionnaires at separate time points (t1 = social cognitive and demographic variables; t2 = physical activity behavior). We employed a multigroup Structural Equation Model (SEM) to examine the validity of the theoretical assumptions and the influence of gender. The results suggest that SCT’s theoretical assumptions hold true for men and women, indicated by a highly satisfactory fit of the SEM despite the variance explained being small (R²_women = 11.9%, R²_men = 7.3%). However, the importance of the specific theoretical paths and the underlying mechanisms of action might differ between genders, and the interplay of the social and cognitive variables to predict physical activity may vary significantly for men and women. The use of SCT can be recommended for explaining and predicting physical activity behavior, although gender-specific differences in the underlying theoretical relationships should be taken into consideration when designing interventions or when being used to explain physical activity behavior. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is of great interest in children and adolescents. Due to the limited availability of cardiopulmonary exercise testing, simple and reliable alternatives are needed. A stair climbing test (SCT) for the assessment of CRF developed at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology of the LMU University Hospital in Munich showed a strong correlation with VO₂max. The aim of this study is to prove its feasibility in a non-clinical setting and to analyse its results in a larger study population. Methods: During the “Hand aufs Herz” study, a comprehensive cardiovascular examination was carried out on 922 pupils and siblings (13.2 ± 7.8 years) at a high school in Bavaria. The SCT was performed to evaluate CRF: participants had to run up and down a total of four floors (14.8 m) as quickly as possible without skipping steps or holding on to the banister. Absolute time has been normalized over the standard height of 12 m to allow comparisons with different settings. An SCT Index was calculated to adjust results to the different weights of participants and the exact height of the staircase. Results: The SCT proved to be easily feasible and safe in non-clinical contexts. Out of 922 participants, 13 (1.4%) were not able to perform the test, and 3 (0.3%) had to interrupt it following fatigue or stumbling. A total of 827 participants aged from 9 to 17 years (13.1 ± 2.1 years, 45.8% girls) had a mean absolute SCT time of 53.4 ± 6.2 s and 43.3 ± 5.1 s when normalized over 12 m. Conclusions: The SCT represents a simple, cost- and time-saving test that allows a rapid and solid assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents. We could demonstrate that it is safe and feasible in non-clinical contexts. Its short duration and universal applicability are valuable advantages that could facilitate the establishment of a repetitive cardiovascular screening in the pediatric population, particularly in outpatient departments or settings with low-resource systems. Full article

Individual willingness to pay (WTP) for green energy plays a vital role in mitigating climate change. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), which emphasizes the dynamic interaction among individual cognition, behavior and the environment, this study develops a theoretical model to identify factors influencing green energy WTP. The study is based on 585 valid questionnaire responses from urban areas in China and uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to reveal the linear causal path. Meanwhile, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is utilized to identify the combined paths of multiple conditions leading to a high WTP, making up for the limitations of SEM in explaining complex mechanisms. The SEM analysis shows that social trust, social networks, and social norms have a significant positive impact on individual green energy WTP. And this influence is further transmitted through the mediating role of environmental self-efficacy and expectations of environmental outcomes. The FsQCA results identified three combined paths of social capital and environmental cognitive conditions, including the Network–Norm path, the Network–efficacy path and the Network–Outcome path, all of which can achieve a high level of green energy WTP. Among them, the social networks are a core condition in every path and a key element for enhancing the high green energy WTP. This study promotes the expansion of SCT, from emphasizing the linear role of individual cognition to focusing on the configuration interaction between social structure and psychological cognition, provides empirical evidence for formulating differentiated social intervention strategies and environmental education policies, and contributes to sustainable development and the green energy transition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although MRI with fat-suppression sequences is the gold standard for diagnosis of bone marrow edema (BME), Dual-Layer Spectral CT (DL-SCT) with electron density (ED) provides a viable alternative, particularly in situations where an MRI is not accessible. Using MRI as the reference standard, this study analyzed how DL-SCT with ED reconstructions may be a valid alternative in the detection of BME. Methods: This retrospective study included 28 patients with a suspected diagnosis of BME via MRI conducted between March and September 2024. Patients underwent DL-SCT using ED reconstructions obtained through IntelliSpace software v. 12.1. Images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists and one young radiologist in a blinded way, giving a grade from 0 to 3 to classify BME (0 absence; 1 mild; 2 moderate; 3 severe). To reduce the recall bias effect, the order of image evaluations was set differently for each reader. p-Values were considered significant when <0.05. Fleiss’ Kappa was used to assess inter-rater reliability: agreement was considered poor for k < 0; slight for k 0.01–0.20; fair for 0.21–0.40; moderate for 0.41–0.60; substantial for 0.61–0.80; and almost perfect for 0.81–1.00. Results: All the readers detected the presence or absence of BME using DL-SCT. Inter-rater reliability for grade 0 resulted in 1 (p-value < 0.001); for grade 1: 0.21 (p-value < 0.001); for grade 2: 0.197 (p-value < 0.001); and for grade 3: 0.515 (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions: ED reconstructions allowed the identification of BME presence or absence in all analyzed cases, thus suggesting DL-SCT as a potentially effective method for its detection. Full article

This paper presents a practical framework for the design and real-time implementation of a Power Management System (PMS) for microgrids based on Supervisory Control Theory (SCT) for discrete-event systems. A detailed step-by-step methodology is provided, which covers the entire process from defining discrete events, modeling microgrid components, synthesizing supervisory controllers, and realizing them in MATLAB (R2024b) Stateflow. This methodology is applied to a case study, where a decentralized supervisor controller is designed for a microgrid containing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a generator set (Genset), a wind and a solar generation system, critical loads, and noncritical loads. Unlike previous works based on SCT, the proposed PMS addresses the following functionalities: $\left(i\right)$ grid-connected and islanded operation; $\left(ii\right)$ peak shaving; $\left(iii\right)$ voltage support; $\left(iv\right)$ load shedding. Finally, a CHIL testing is employed to validate the synthesized SCT-based PMS. Full article

Supervisory control theory (SCT), based on Petri nets, offers a robust framework for modeling and controlling discrete-event systems but faces significant challenges in scalability, expressiveness, and practical implementation. This paper introduces General-purpose Petri Net Simulator and Real-Time Controller (GPenSIM), a MATLAB version 24.1.0.2689473 (R2024a) Update 6-based modular Petri net framework, as a novel solution to these limitations. GPenSIM leverages modular decomposition to mitigate state-space explosion, enabling parallel execution of weakly coupled Petri modules on multi-core systems. Its programmable interfaces (pre-processors and post-processors) extend classical Petri nets’ expressiveness by enforcing nonlinear, temporal, and conditional constraints through custom MATLAB scripts, addressing the rigidity of traditional linear constraints. Furthermore, the integration of GPenSIM with MATLAB facilitates real-time control synthesis, performance optimization, and seamless interaction with external hardware and software, bridging the gap between theoretical models and industrial applications. Empirical studies demonstrate the efficacy of GPenSIM in reconfigurable manufacturing systems, where it reduced downtime by 30%, and in distributed control scenarios, where decentralized modules minimized synchronization delays. Grounded in systems theory principles of interconnectedness, GPenSIM emphasizes dynamic relationships between components, offering a scalable, adaptable, and practical tool for supervisory control. This work highlights the potential of GPenSIM to overcome longstanding limitations in SCT, providing a versatile platform for both academic research and industrial deployment. Full article

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy derived from parafollicular C-cells, with calcitonin (Ct) as its key biomarker. While basal Ct (bCt) levels above 100 pg/mL strongly suggest MTC, intermediate elevations (10–100 pg/mL) may reflect C-cell hyperplasia (CCH) or other benign conditions, making diagnostics challenging. Although calcium stimulation testing enhances sensitivity, the optimal cut-off values and comparative efficacy of calcium gluconate (CG) versus calcium chloride (CC) remain insufficiently researched. Methods: Data on 176 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2009 and 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. BCt values ranged from 10 to 100 pg/mL, and stimulated Ct (sCt) values were above 100 pg/mL. CG was used from 2009 to 2019, and CC was used from 2020 to 2025. Definitive pathohistological findings divided patients into those with MTC, CCH, or no C-cell pathology. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified optimal Ct thresholds for predicting MTC for each stimulatory agent. Results: Of the 176 patients, 36 (20.5%) had confirmed MTC. A bCt threshold of 31.1 pg/mL yielded 69.4% sensitivity and 87.1% specificity. For sCt, optimal cut-offs were 810.8 pg/mL for CG and 1076 pg/mL for CC. Lower thresholds (388.4 pg/mL for CG and 431.5 pg/mL for CC) improved sensitivity (≥76.9%) and negative predictive value (>91%). Conclusions: Calcium stimulation testing improves MTC detection in patients with moderate bCt elevation. Although CG showed marginally better diagnostic performance, CC remains a practical and reliable alternative, especially when higher cut-off values are considered. Early surgical intervention should be considered when sensitivity-driven thresholds are met. Full article

Spectral computed tomography (SCT) enables material decomposition, artifact reduction, and contrast enhancement, leveraging symmetry principles across its technical framework to enhance material differentiation and image quality. However, its nonlinear data acquisition process involving noise and scatter leads to a highly ill-posed inverse problem. To address this, we propose a dual-domain iterative reconstruction network that combines joint learning reconstruction with physical process modeling, which also uses the symmetric complementary properties of the two domains for optimization. A dedicated physical module models the SCT forward process to ensure stability and accuracy, while a residual-to-residual strategy reduces the computational burden of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR). Our method, which won the AAPM DL-Spectral CT Challenge, achieves high-accuracy material decomposition. Extensive evaluations also demonstrate its robustness under varying noise levels, confirming the method’s generalizability. This integrated approach effectively combines the strengths of physical modeling, MBIR, and deep learning. Full article

Background/Objectives: In contemporary nursing education, clinical competence and psychological resilience are both essential; however, they are often treated as separate outcomes. Clinical placements are a central component of nursing education, and often expose students to high levels of stress, emotional challenges, and complex clinical demands. Building both clinical competence and psychological resilience during this phase is crucial to preparing students for the realities of professional practice. This narrative review, grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory (SCT), explores how educator behaviors, teaching strategies, and learning environments interact to influence both domains in undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for peer-reviewed articles published between 1 January 2000 and 2 May 2025. Relevant studies were thematically analyzed and were guided by Bandura’s SCT constructs, including observational learning, self-efficacy, and reciprocal determinism. No formal study appraisal was conducted due to the narrative nature of the review. Findings: Nineteen studies were included in the review. The findings highlight that reflective practices, structured feedback, peer learning, and strategies to build self-efficacy are central to building resilience and competence. Supportive educator behaviors such as mentoring, emotional support, and professional role modeling, were strongly associated with increased student confidence, emotional regulation, and adaptability. Psychologically safe clinical learning environments further enhanced self-efficacy and active engagement. In contrast, unsupportive or inconsistent environments were linked to student stress, disengagement, and reduced performance. Conclusions: This review highlights the need to move beyond traditional competency-based models toward an integrated approach that equally values psychological preparedness and resilience. Findings suggest a shift toward emotionally and socially integrated clinical education. Full article

This study aimed to determine whether the fetuses experienced hypoxic distress or intra-partum death due to compromised oxygen supply by quantitatively analyzing the lung structures of deceased captive South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis, SCT) cubs. Furthermore, it investigated the etiology and mechanisms of asphyxia in the deceased cubs and explored potential factors contributing to the high mortality rate of SCT cubs. The research focused on three deceased SCT cubs, using three deceased neonatal Amur Tigers (P. t. altaica, AT) with no inbreeding background as controls. Histological analysis of the cubs’ lungs was conducted using hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and special staining techniques. The possible causes of death in SCT cubs were evaluated by comparing pulmonary pathological changes and morphological parameters, including alveolar space (P(ASP)) values, mean alveolar linear intercept (L_m), and mean thickness of alveolar septa (Tas). Our research reveals that hypoxia is one of the most significant factors contributing to the mortality of tiger cubs. Additionally, we hypothesize that inbreeding depression may lead to abnormal lung development (e.g., thickening of lung tissue) in SCT cubs. This study lays the foundation for comprehensive investigations into the mortality of highly inbred SCT cubs. Full article

Vibrio alginolyticus, a common Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen of marine animals and humans, is known for its rapid growth in organic-matter-rich environments. However, it remains unclear how it incorporates metabolic pathways in response to diverse carbon and nitrogen sources and rapidly alters gene expression. Increasing evidence suggests that post-transcriptional regulation by RNA-binding proteins and small RNAs (sRNAs) plays a crucial role in bacterial adaptation and metabolism. CsrA (carbon storage regulator A), a conserved post-transcriptional regulator in Gammaproteobacteria, is poorly characterized in Vibrio species. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we found that CsrA alters the expression of 661 transcripts and 765 protein transcripts in V. alginolyticus, influencing key pathways including central carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism and transport, quorum sensing, and bacterial secretion systems. Through directed CsrA-RNA EMSAs, we identified several direct mRNA targets of CsrA, including gltB, gcvP, aceE, and tdh, as well as secretion system components (tagH, tssL, yopD, and sctC). Notably, CsrA also directly regulates rraA, a key modulator of ribonuclease activity, suggesting a broader role in RNA metabolism. Our findings establish CsrA as a global regulator in V. alginolyticus, expanding the known targets of CsrA and providing new insights into its regulatory roles. Full article

Tool breakage in CNC machining often leads to reduced productivity and increased maintenance costs. This study proposes a non-contact tool breakage detection method using spindle current signals captured by an SCT013 current sensor. The sensor easily attaches to the motor line without any hardware modification and provides real-time current signals for frequency domain analysis. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is employed to extract spectral features, particularly focusing on high-frequency energy spikes at the moment of breakage. A total of 20 experiments were conducted, and consistent spectral anomalies were observed. Additionally, deep learning models including ANN, DNN, and CNN were compared for automated detection performance. The results indicate that the proposed system can reliably detect tool breakage by identifying frequency domain anomalies that emerge within 1–3 s after the actual event, based on processed current signals. While the inference time of deep learning models ranges from 15 to 58 s, the detection mechanism captures the breakage characteristics early in the signal, enabling timely tool condition evaluation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Non-invasive spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) has expanded the therapeutic landscape of spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation, offering potential benefits beyond compensatory approaches to paralysis. Children with SCI are particularly susceptible to developing neuromuscular scoliosis due to trunk muscle paralysis and ongoing skeletal growth, making targeted interventions crucial. As demonstrated in adults and pediatrics with SCI, the ability of scTS to acutely and safely enable an upright posture and trunk control could be leveraged as a therapeutic adjunct. Activity-based locomotor training (AB-LT) alone significantly improves trunk control in children with SCIs; combining it with scTS may enhance outcomes. This pilot study evaluated the safety, feasibility, and cumulative effects of AB-LT combined with scTS on trunk control in children with SCI. Methods: Three children with SCI completed 19 to 64 sessions of combined AB-LT and scTS. Adverse effects were monitored session to session, and trunk control was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: Across 130 interventions in three participants, 88.5% of sessions were free from adverse effects. Reported adverse events included autonomic dysreflexia (5.4%), skin redness at electrode sites (4.6%), and headaches (1.5%). No significant impact of scTS on fatigue or central hemodynamic parameters was observed. Post-intervention, all participants demonstrated improved trunk control during quiet and perturbed sitting. Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence supporting the safety and feasibility of this combinatorial approach in pediatric SCI rehabilitation while emphasizing the importance of monitoring skin integrity and signs of autonomic dysreflexia. This intervention shows potential synergistic benefits, warranting further research to confirm efficacy and optimize therapeutic protocols. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically transformed behavioral science research. While many disciplines have been shown increasing attention in the existing literature, behavioral science uniquely revisits old questions to develop new theoretical perspectives for the post-COVID-19 era. Our systematic search of the literature allowed us to map 505 records that met our criteria, found across 102 papers; from these, we chose 11 articles published between 2021 and 2024. The focus of this review is on examining old questions while providing fresh insights into social, psychological, cognitive, healthcare, and human behavior. The findings emphasize the relevance of the TPB, the HBM, SCT, and the COM-B model, which effectively provide new theoretical insights into post-COVID-19 research. This study shows that theory-informed practices have been integrated into behavioral science research since the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical applications depend on these insights, which can inform evidence-based practice of planned behavior in healthcare policy, academic research, and community practice. Full article