Search Results (154)

Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) mimics the brain’s intrinsic information-processing mechanisms by translating neural oscillations into actionable commands. In motor imagery (MI) BCI, imagined movements evoke characteristic patterns over the sensorimotor cortex, forming a biomimetic channel through which internal motor intentions are decoded. However, this biomimetic interaction is highly vulnerable to signal degradation, particularly in mobile or low-resource environments where low sampling frequencies obscure these MI-related oscillations. To address this limitation, we propose a robust MI classification framework that integrates spatial, spectral, and temporal dynamics through a filter bank common spatial pattern with time segmentation (FBCSP-TS). This framework classifies motor imagery tasks into four classes (left hand, right hand, foot, and tongue), segments EEG signals into overlapping time domains, and extracts frequency-specific spatial features across multiple subbands. Segment-level predictions are combined via soft voting, reflecting the brain’s distributed integration of information and enhancing resilience to transient noise and localized artifacts. Experiments performed on BCI Competition IV datasets 2a (250 Hz) and 1 (100 Hz) demonstrate that FBCSP-TS outperforms CSP and FBCSP. A paired t-test confirms that accuracy at 110 Hz is not significantly different from that at 250 Hz (p < 0.05), supporting the robustness of the proposed framework. Optimal temporal parameters (window length = 3.5 s, moving length = 0.5 s) further stabilize transient-signal capture and improve SNR. External validation yielded a mean accuracy of 0.809 ± 0.092 and Cohen’s kappa of 0.619 ± 0.184, confirming strong generalizability. By preserving MI-relevant neural patterns under degraded conditions, this framework advances practical, biomimetic BCI suitable for wearable and real-world deployment. Full article

Understanding spatial characteristics of urban building systems is critical for unraveling urban building stock growth patterns, addressing housing vacancy challenges, and advancing urban carbon neutrality. However, existing research on built environment stocks and housing vacancy spatial distribution remains limited, particularly in underdeveloped cross-river cities—where rapid urbanization often prioritizes scale expansion over demand matching, leading to unresolved issues of resource waste and environmental pressure. This study integrated material stocks analysis (MSA) and geographical information system (GIS) to uncover the spatial patterns of urban building material stocks and housing vacancy at a high spatial resolution for Nanchang, China—a typical underdeveloped cross-river city facing the “scale expansion trap” in its urbanization across the Ganjiang River. Results show that (1) Nanchang’s building stock exhibits a “butterfly-shaped” spatial pattern centered on the Ganjiang River, with simultaneous horizontal expansion (40-fold urban area growth since 1949) and vertical growth (super high-rises in new west-bank districts), reflecting aggressive cross-river scale expansion; (2) the total building material stock reached 1034 Mt (204 t/cap) in 2021, with over 85% accumulated post-2000—coinciding with large-scale cross-river development. Vacant buildings locked in 405 Mt of materials (39.17%), which is a direct consequence of the “scale expansion trap” where construction outpaced actual demand; (3) total embodied carbon emissions from building materials amounted to 264 Mt, with 104 Mt (39.39%) attributed to vacant stocks. This “vacant carbon lock-in” stems from mismatched urban construction and actual demand in the process of cross-river scale expansion; (4) spatially, high-value clusters of material stocks and carbon emissions overlapped at two cores (old town and Honggutan CBD), while housing vacancy rates were significantly higher in the urban periphery and Ganjiang’s west bank—the primary areas of cross-river scale expansion—than in the old town and east bank. These findings empirically demonstrate how the “scale expansion trap” in cross-river urbanization drives building stock vacancy and carbon lock-in. These findings also offer data-driven strategies for optimizing urban resource allocation, reducing housing vacancy, and promoting low-carbon transitions, especially for other underdeveloped cross-river cities globally. Full article

Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of sugarcane germplasm banks is essential for generating progenies with maximum variability. In this study, 350 accessions from the EEAOC germplasm bank were genotyped using DArT-seq markers. Genetic diversity, population structure, and variability were assessed through Bayesian analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Additionally, different sizes of core collections were evaluated. After filtering, 74,969 high-quality SNPs were retained, and two outlier genotypes were excluded. The mean observed heterozygosity (HO) was 0.28, while the mean expected heterozygosity (HE) was 0.3. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0 to 0.38 (mean 0.22), and the mean discrimination power (Dj) was 0.28. Structure and PCoA analyses consistently revealed three genetic clusters. AMOVA indicated that most of the genetic variation was found within subpopulations, while 10.25% was attributable to differences among them (p < 0.0001), where ΦFST suggested moderate genetic differentiation. Core collection analysis showed that a subset of 35 genotypes (10%) captured nearly 96% of the total genetic diversity, while a 30% core captured over 98%. These results provide valuable information for the effective management and utilization of sugarcane genetic resources and support the design of breeding strategies to develop superior cultivars. Full article

Financial literacy, defined as the set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable individuals to make informed economic decisions and manage resources efficiently, is fundamental for social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities. This study, through a systematic review of the scientific literature using the PRISMA methodology, selected 120 primary studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and presented a low risk of bias. These studies examined aspects related to financial literacy programs, the populations benefited, their effects, the challenges encountered, and the lessons that can guide the replication of these initiatives. The results show that the most frequent programs include training in basic financial concepts—savings, budgeting, access to banking services and microfinance—as well as workshops, seminars, and group training sessions. The populations most benefited were rural communities and women, although informal workers, migrants, and refugees could also significantly improve their financial inclusion and economic resilience. Among the positive effects, improvements were observed in income and expense management, increased savings, investment planning, preparation for emergencies and retirement, and the strengthening of economic empowerment and the sustainability of microenterprises and small enterprises. These findings highlight the importance of implementing financial literacy programs adapted to specific contexts to promote inclusion and economic well-being. Full article

In-Lieu Fee programs are an important mechanism for compensatory mitigation in the United States and received wide-spread standardization after the regulatory mitigation rule change of 2008. On public lands, they are especially important for pooling funds from numerous small-scale impacts that might otherwise go unmitigated. This study examines the use cases of fee program credits on public lands since 2008. Using data from the Regulatory In-Lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System, I analyzed eleven active In-Lieu Fee programs approved post-2008 across 78 service areas, encompassing 1043 credit transactions. Transactions were categorized by credit amount, proportion, target ecosystems, and impact designations. The analysis highlights the influence of residential and commercial development, alongside resource extraction, as major contributors to fee program transactions, underscoring the program’s role in mitigating various development pressures. Residential, commercial, and government projects frequently co-occur within service areas, which can support policy planning to anticipate potential cumulative impacts and expected future impacts and credit demands. Furthermore, my analysis shows that impacts from resource extraction require proportionally larger offsets than those from residential or recreational activities. The findings suggest that programs on public lands can fill a niche distinct from mitigation banks, as they address a multitude of impacts while further allowing for the pooling of resources and funds from small-scale impacts, while the use of advance credits remains contentious for achieving no net loss. Full article

This study examines the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on corporate performance in China’s manufacturing sector, incorporating trade credit financing as a mediator and environmental information disclosure quality as a moderator. Using unbalanced panel data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms between 2011 and 2023 and employing two-way fixed effects models, we provide robust empirical evidence that superior ESG performance directly enhances corporate performance by reducing information asymmetry, strengthening corporate reputation, and lowering capital costs. Furthermore, we identify a key mediating mechanism: strong ESG practices improve access to trade credit financing—an efficient non-bank funding alternative—which alleviates financing constraints, optimizes resource allocation, and amplifies operational and financial outcomes. In a notable departure from conventional expectations, we find that high-quality information disclosure negatively moderates these relationships. Excessive disclosure induces signal overload and adverse selection, raising financing costs and external scrutiny that ultimately diminish the marginal benefits of ESG investments. Cross-sectional analyses reveal that these effects are particularly pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, non-heavy-polluting industries, and firms located in eastern regions, highlighting the contextual boundaries of ESG efficacy. Our contributions are twofold: we theoretically advance the ESG-finance literature by unveiling trade credit as a transmission channel and revealing the unintended consequences of disclosure overload, and we offer practical guidance for firms seeking to optimize ESG disclosure strategies and for policymakers aiming to design targeted sustainable transition policies. Full article

This study examines the peer effects of bank digital transformation facilitated by shareholder networks and explores the underlying mechanisms. A time-varying network is constructed based on common shareholder connections among banks, and a corresponding measure is developed to quantify peer effects in digital transformation. Using the Peking University digital transformation index together with ownership and financial data from CSMAR, an empirical analysis is performed on a panel of 114 Chinese commercial banks from 2010 to 2021 to evaluate these effects. Fixed-effects estimations indicate that bank digital transformation is significantly affected by peer effects transmitted through common shareholder connections, with a one-unit increase in peers’ digitalization index associated with a 0.151-unit rise in the focal bank’s index. These findings remain robust and economically meaningful across alternative specifications, including system GMM, IV/2SLS designs, and different ownership thresholds. Further analyses indicate that the peer effects operate through mechanisms such as intensified competition, enhanced information sharing, and pooled resources. However, such peer influence also exacerbates disparities in digital progress across the industry, reflecting a Matthew Effect in which leading banks consolidate their advantages. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the peer effects are more pronounced among banks with larger workforces, more diversified operations, and higher ownership concentration. The findings of this study provide insights into how financial institutions can leverage technological innovations through network-based channels, offering practical implications for promoting industry-wide transformation in the digital economy era. Full article

In light of a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world, the need for employee adaptability is a critical capacity to navigate challenges and facilitate employees thriving in organizations. One important capacity, systems intelligence, captures employees’ ability to think, adapt and act effectively in interactions with systems. In a three-wave longitudinal study, we examine the relationship between systems intelligence (SI), job crafting (JC), and job performance (JP) over time. We employ the job demands-resources model to demonstrate that SI increases JP, hypothesizing that job resources, as manifested in JC, act as mediator between personal resources (SI) and JP. Data were collected from employees in Pakistan working across the banking, telecommunications, information technology, and engineering sectors. In the first wave, 303 participants completed the survey using validated self-report measures, followed by 212 in the second wave, and 99 in the third wave, each two months apart. Our findings show that systems intelligence at Time 1 was positively related to job performance at Time 3 but not Time 2. We found no significant association of SI at Time 1 with JC at Time 2 or Time 3. JC at Time 2 did not mediate the effects of SI at Time 1 on JP at Time 3. However, JC (T1 & T2) had a significant positive effect on JP (T2 & T3). Overall, our findings suggest that the pathways from systems intelligence and job crafting to job performance are independent. This dual pathway to performance has important theoretical implications as well as practical implications for organizations. Organizations can improve team and individual productivity by fostering systems intelligence and promoting job crafting behaviours. This research directs the attention of leaders and HR functions to the value of tailored interventions in developing these abilities and achieving long-term success and adaptive performance in the workforce. Full article

Background: Despite more than 25 years of intensive effort following the landmark “To Err Is Human” report, conventional top-down medical error prevention strategies, grounded in the Safety-I paradigm, have largely failed to reduce patient harm. This persistent shortcoming underscores the need for a new prevention model. The medical literature contains an extensive yet systematically underutilized body of physician-generated experiential knowledge on “clinical pitfalls”—specific high-risk scenarios in which errors are likely to occur. This resource presents an opportunity for a novel, physician-driven approach to medical error prevention. The present paper proposes and evaluates such a model, grounded in the principles of Safety-II and translational medicine. Methods: The methodology involved a three-part conceptual analysis: (1) a critical review of the literature assessing the effectiveness of established error prevention strategies, (2) a quantitative bibliometric analysis of the PubMed database to determine the volume and temporal trends of publications on “clinical pitfalls”, and (3) a conceptual synthesis to design a novel physician-driven error prevention model. Each method is described in detail at the beginning of its respective section. Results: The literature review confirms the limited effectiveness of existing top-down safety initiatives, particularly in complex domains such as diagnosis and treatment. The bibliometric analysis identified more than 43,000 publications containing the keyword “pitfall,” with a sustained and significant upward trend in annual publications over the past three decades. The conceptual synthesis demonstrates that a physician-driven system—centered on a “Pitfall Bank”—addresses core weaknesses of current strategies, including unreliable data, heterogeneous knowledge, and cognitive biases. Structured as a circular translational mechanism, the proposed system facilitates a continuous cycle of practice-based problem identification and science-informed solution implementation. Conclusions: A physician-driven prevention system, architected as a translational engine, offers a promising and sustainable strategy to overcome the current impasse in medical error reduction and create a more resilient and adaptive healthcare system. Full article

The tung tree, a crucial woody oil plant, serves as a premium raw material for eco-friendly coating production, yet its short lifespan (typically under 20 years) and lack of asexual reproduction have led to resource losses. This study surveyed wild tung trees in the Hunan–Guizhou region, focusing on older and high-fruit-yielding specimens. After two years of investigation, selected individuals were conserved in the Wugang Tung Tree Germplasm Resource Bank to provide high-quality materials for breeding superior varieties. Comparative analysis of fruit yield and commercial traits from 60 wild trees identified 12 superior individuals for secondary selection, with notable trait variations observed. Using the entropy weight-TOPSIS method, superior individual FT01 exhibited the highest relative closeness (C = 0.6836), indicating optimal overall traits, while FT01, XY12, JX01, WG25, and WG31 (all with C > 0.50) demonstrated good overall performance. Genetic diversity analysis of these 12 individuals, employing 14 SSR primers, revealed 33 alleles (average 2.2142 per primer), Shannon’s information index values ranging from 0.1973 to 0.9723 (average 0.5325), and polymorphism information content between 0.1486 and 0.5833 (average 0.3981), indicating high genetic diversity. UPGMA clustering divided the superior trees into five groups, with FT01, WG25, JX01, and XY12 in separate groups, all exhibiting high yield and large fruit size, consistent with TOPSIS results. Consequently, FT01, XY12, JX01, WG25, and WG31, with the highest comprehensive evaluation scores and richest genetic diversity, are prioritized as candidate materials for new variety selection and breeding. Full article

Germplasm resources embody the genetic diversity of plants and form the foundation for breeding and the ongoing improvement of elite cultivars. The establishment of germplasm banks, along with their systematic evaluation, constitutes a critical step toward the conservation, sustainable use, and innovative utilization of these resources. Liriodendron, a rare and endangered tree genus with species distributed in both East Asia and North America, holds considerable ecological, ornamental, and economic significance. However, a standardized evaluation system for Liriodendron germplasm remains unavailable. In this study, 297 Liriodendron germplasm accessions were comprehensively evaluated using 34 phenotypic traits and whole-genome resequencing data. Substantial variation was observed in most phenotypic traits, with significant correlations identified among several characteristics. Cluster analysis based on phenotypic data grouped the accessions into three distinct clusters, each exhibiting unique distribution patterns. This classification was further supported by principal component analysis (PCA), which effectively captured the underlying variation among accessions. These phenotypic groupings demonstrated high consistency with subsequent population structure analysis based on SNP markers (K = 3). Notably, several key traits exhibited significant divergence (p < 0.05) among distinct genetic clusters, thereby validating the coordinated association between phenotypic variation and molecular markers. Genetic diversity and population structure were assessed using 4204 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained through stringent filtering. The results indicated that the Liriodendron sino-americanum displayed the highest genetic diversity, with an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.18 and a polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.14. In addition, both hierarchical clustering and PCA revealed clear population differentiation among the accessions. Association analysis between three phenotypic traits (DBH, annual height increment, and branch number) and SNPs identified 25 highly significant SNP loci (p < 0.01). Of particular interest, the branch number-associated locus SNP_17_69375264 (p = 1.03 × 10⁻⁵) demonstrated the strongest association, highlighting distinct genetic regulation patterns among different growth traits. A minimal set of 13 core SNP markers was subsequently used to construct unique DNA fingerprints for all 297 accessions. In conclusion, this study systematically characterized phenotypic traits in Liriodendron, identified high-quality and core SNPs, and established correlations between key phenotypic and molecular markers. These achievements enabled differential analysis and genetic diversity assessment of Liriodendron germplasm, along with the construction of DNA fingerprint profiles. The results provide crucial theoretical basis and technical support for germplasm conservation, accurate identification, and utilization of Liriodendron resources, while offering significant practical value for variety selection, reproduction and commercial applications of this species. Full article

The ecosystem services (ESs) of forests are the benefits that people derive from forest ecosystems. Their precise recognition is important for differentiating and determining the optimal principles of multifunctional forest management. The aim of this study is to identify some important ESs based on a site classification system at the lowest level—i.e., forest stands, at the forest owner level—as a tool for differentiated management. ESs were assessed within the Czech Republic and are expressed in units in accordance with the very sophisticated Forest Site Classification System. (1) Biomass production: The vertical differentiation of ecological conditions given by vegetation tiers, which reflect the influence of altitude, exposure, and climate, provides a basic overview of biomass production; the highest value is in the fourth vegetation tier, i.e., the Fageta abietis community. Forest stands are able to reach a stock of up to 900–1200 m³·ha⁻¹. The lowest production is found in the eighth vegetation tier, i.e., the Piceeta community, with a wood volume of 150–280 m³·ha⁻¹. (2) Soil conservation function: Geological bedrock, soil characteristics, and the geomorphological shape of the terrain determine which habitats serve a soil conservation function according to forest type sets. (3) The hydricity of the site, depending on the soil type, determines the hydric-water protection function of forest stands. Currently, protective forests occupy 53,629 ha in the Czech Republic; however, two subcategories of protective forests—exceptionally unfavorable locations and natural alpine spruce communities below the forest line—potentially account for 87,578 ha and 15,277 ha, respectively. Forests with an increased soil protection function—a subcategory of special-purpose forests—occupy 133,699 ha. The potential area of soil protection forests could be up to 188,997 ha. Water resource protection zones of the first degree—another subcategory of special-purpose forests—occupy 8092 ha, and there is potentially 289,973 ha of forests serving a water protection function (specifically, a water management function) in the Czech Republic. A separate subcategory of water protection with a bank protection function accounts for 80,529 ha. A completely new approach is presented for practical use by forest owners: based on the characteristics of the habitat, they can obtain information about the fulfillment of the habitat’s ecosystem services and, thus, have basic information for the determination of forest categories and the principles of differentiated management. Full article

Botanical gardens serve as vital centers for ex situ conservation, maintaining diverse plant species under controlled conditions. Terrestrial orchids, despite their wide diversity and distribution, often occur in small and declining populations, making their conservation increasingly urgent. This study aimed to examine the potential for establishing the first specialized orchidarium in Serbia, focusing on the native orchid species of the Fruška Gora region. A SWOT analysis, combined with site assessment data, was employed to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, informing the development of a functional zoning plan. The results indicate that such an orchidarium would offer a threefold benefit: strengthening ex situ conservation, advancing scientific research and environmental education, and promoting sustainable tourism. The proposed design consists of eight distinct zones, three of which reflect natural habitats of selected orchid species. The planned integration of a seed gene bank in the central zone, along with living plant collections and a nearby in vitro culture laboratory, establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of orchid genetic resources in the region, forming a foundation for future research and preservation. Full article

This study explores how the quality of information systems quality in management accounting (ISQMA) is associated with corporate sustainability (CS), focusing on the role of financial reporting accuracy and contextual enablers such as artificial intelligence (AI) and green corporate governance (GCG). Drawing on the Resource-Based View and Contingency Theory, the study investigates whether accurate financial data reporting (AFDR) functions as a mechanism through which ISQMA contributes to sustainability outcomes, and whether the presence of AI and GCG strengthens these associations. Empirical data were collected from 257 accounting and finance professionals working in Jordanian commercial banks, providing a robust setting where digital infrastructure and sustainability imperatives converge. The results reveal that ISQMA is positively associated with both AFDR and CS, with AFDR partially mediating this relationship. Moreover, AI and GCG were found to strengthen the relationships between ISQMA and AFDR, and between ISQMA and CS, respectively. These findings underscore that accurate, reliable financial reporting, and strong governance practices enhance the value of digital information systems in achieving corporate sustainability objectives. By integrating information quality, technological capabilities, and governance mechanisms, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of how banks can align their digital infrastructure with sustainable performance goals. The insights contribute to the growing discourse on digitally enabled sustainability and offer actionable implications for both practitioners and policymakers in emerging markets. Full article

The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) has been informative in selecting treatment choices for nicotine dependence and increasing treatment efficacy in Western settings; however, the clinical utility of the NMR among smokers in low-resource settings remains unclear. Prospective analysis was conducted using data from a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation among adults living with HIV, to examine the association between the NMR and response to smoking cessation treatment. NMR was assessed using bio-banked urine samples collected at baseline. Self-reported smoking at 6 months was verified using a urine cotinine test and exhaled breath carbon monoxide (CO). We found no associations between the NMR and smoking abstinence (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.45, 1.49; p = 0.53). No evidence of effect modification by treatment conditions was observed on the multiplicative scale (aRR = 1.17; 95% CI: 0.32, 4.30; p = 0.81) or additive scale (adjusted relative excess risk due to interaction (aRERI) = 0.10; 95% CI: −1.16, 1.36; p = 0.44). Our results suggest that the NMR may not be a viable approach for selecting smoking cessation treatment in this setting, given the minimal variability in our sample and racial/ethnic makeup of this population. Full article