Search Results (131)

In the digital era, understanding the intention to use generative AI is critical, as it enhances productivity, transforms workflows, and enables humans to focus on higher-value tasks. Drawing upon the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT), this research integrates perceived AI literacy into the AI acceptance–avoidance framework as a central variable. This study gathered 583 valid survey responses from China and validated its model using a dual-phase, combined method that integrates structural equation modeling and artificial neural networks. Research findings indicate that the model explains 51.6% of the variance in generative AI usage intention. Except for social influence, all variables within the extended framework significantly impact the usage intention, with perceived AI literacy being the strongest predictor (β = 0.33, p < 0.001). Additionally, perceived AI literacy mitigates the adverse effect of perceived threats on the intention to use AI. Practical implications suggest that enterprises adopt a tiered strategy, as follows: maximize perceived benefits by integrating AI skills into reward systems and providing task-automation training; minimize perceived costs through dedicated technical support and transparent risk mitigation plans; and cultivate AI literacy via progressive learning paths, advancing from data analysis to innovation. Full article

An iterative fractional Doppler shift and channel joint estimation algorithm is proposed for orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) satellite communication systems. In the algorithm, we search the strongest path and estimate its fractional Doppler offset, and compensate the Doppler shift to the nearest integer to estimate the coefficient of the path. Then signal of the path and its inter-Doppler interference are reconstructed and canceled from the received data with these two estimated parameters. The estimation and cancel process are iteratively conducted until the strongest path in the remained paths is less than the predetermined threshold. The channel information can be reconstructed by the estimated parameters of the paths. The normalized mean squared error (NMSE) of the proposed channel estimation algorithm is less than 1/5 of the available algorithms at a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) region, and its BER has about 4dB SNR gain compared with those of the available algorithms when the bit error rate (BER) is ${10}^{-3}$. Full article

Perca schrenkii populations are experiencing significant declines, yet comprehensive morphological studies are still lacking. Understanding the relationship between morphological traits and body weight is crucial for conservation and breeding programs. We analyzed 13 morphological traits in 100 P. schrenkii specimens from Hamsigou Reservoir using correlation analysis, path analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). Body weight exhibited the highest variability (CV = 39.76%). Strong correlations were observed between body weight and body length (R = 0.942), total length, and body width. A four-variable regression model explained 94.1% of body weight variation, with body length showing the strongest direct effect (path coefficient = 0.623). The first three principal components accounted for 76.687% of the total variance. Our findings demonstrate that BL, BW, BD, and ES can effectively predict body weight, providing valuable insights for the conservation and selective breeding of P. schrenkii. Full article

This paper introduces a framework of hypercompositional algebra on fuzzy graphs by defining and analyzing fuzzy path-based hyperoperations. Building on the notion of strongest strong paths (paths that are both strength-optimal and composed exclusively of strong edges, where each edge achieves maximum connection strength between its endpoints), we define two operations: a vertex-based fuzzy path hyperoperation and an edge-based variant. These operations generalize classical graph hyperoperations to the fuzzy setting while maintaining compatibility with the underlying topology. We prove that the vertex fuzzy path hyperoperation is associative, forming a fuzzy hypersemigroup, and establish additional properties such as reflexivity and monotonicity with respect to $\alpha$-cuts. Structural features such as fuzzy strong cut vertices and edges are examined, and a fuzzy distance function is introduced to quantify directional connectivity strength. We define an equivalence relation based on mutual full-strength reachability and construct a quotient fuzzy graph that reflects maximal closed substructures under the vertex fuzzy path hyperoperation. Applications are discussed in domains such as trust networks, biological systems, and uncertainty-aware communications. This work aims to lay the algebraic foundations for further exploration of fuzzy hyperstructures that support modeling, analysis, and decision-making in systems governed by partial and asymmetric relationships. Full article

In response to growing concerns about overtourism and the need for sustainable heritage tourism, this study investigates how external environmental stimuli affect tourists’ perceived value and behavioral intentions in historic urban environments. Using the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) model as the theoretical framework, and based on 275 valid questionnaires collected from five major sites in the Historic Center of Macau, this study explores the direct and indirect relationships among four types of environmental stimuli (physical factors, social activities, environmental atmosphere, and information and services), perceived value, and behavioral intentions. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) indicate that all four stimuli significantly influence perceived value and behavioral intentions. Among them, physical factors exert the strongest influence on perceived value (β = 0.291, p < 0.001), while social activities are the most influential predictor of behavioral intentions (β = 0.225, p < 0.01). Perceived value plays a significant mediating role in all relationships, with the largest mediation effect found in the path from physical factors to behavioral intentions (27.99%), followed by environmental atmosphere (24.80%), information and services (22.62%), and social activities (11.66%). These findings validate the applicability of the SOR model in heritage tourism contexts and highlight the central role of perceived value in shaping tourist behavior. Theoretically, this study advances our understanding of how multidimensional environmental stimuli contribute to value-based decision-making in tourism. Practically, it provides actionable insights for urban planners and heritage managers to design environments that promote deeper engagement and foster sustainable tourist behavior in high-density historic destinations like Macau. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed intensive care unit (ICU) nurses under intense psychological pressure, increasing emotional and psychological stress. Two constructs—difficulties in emotion regulation and psychological inflexibility (i.e., low contact with the present moment and a lack of committed action based on personal values)—have been associated with increased perceived stress levels but remain underexplored in this population. Aims: This study investigated whether psychological inflexibility mediates the relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and perceived stress in ICU nurses. It also examined whether years of ICU work experience moderate the direct relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and perceived stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 ICU nurses (65.2% women; 34.8% men; mean age = 40.25 years ± 11.36) from Italian public hospitals. The participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and the Perceived Stress Scale. A moderated mediation model was tested to examine whether psychological inflexibility mediates the relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and perceived stress and whether years of ICU work experience moderate the path between these variables. Results: Higher difficulties in emotion regulation predicted greater psychological inflexibility, which, in turn, predicted higher perceived stress. Psychological inflexibility fully mediated the relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and perceived stress. Additionally, years of ICU work experience significantly moderated the direct link between emotion regulation difficulties and perceived stress. This relationship was strongest for nurses with 1–15 years of ICU experience. The model explained 33% of the variance in perceived stress. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of the novel construct of psychological inflexibility in the context of healthcare professionals and its role in shaping perceived stress. Addressing psychological inflexibility through targeted interventions may help mitigate stress and promote well-being among ICU nurses. Full article

In China, the silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is one of the most popular marine edible fish. To analyze the genetic characteristics of P. argenteus across three generations and evaluate whether continued progress can be made in body weight and growth traits, growth traits of the third-generation P. argenteus breeding and control groups were measured at 60, 90, and 120 days post-hatch. Using Pearson correlation and path analysis, we found a strong correlation between the growth characteristics of the third-generation P. argenteus and its body weight, with fork length and body length showing the strongest associations. Body weight, body length, and fork length all showed high levels of realized heritability at 120 days, with respective values of 0.55, 0.57, and 0.56. The genetic gain for body weight in the breeding groups over the three periods was 29.70 ± 0.58% (2.43 ± 1.17 g), which was significantly higher than the genetic gain for body length (8.90 ± 3.91%, 0.56 ± 0.29 cm) and fork length (8.08 ± 3.69%, 0.57 ± 0.33 cm). At harvest on day 120, the breeding group was 33.93% greater than the control group in terms of body weight. These results indicated that through mass selection, improvements were made to body weight of P. argenteus, leading to an enhancement in its growth performance. In the meantime, there was roughly equal genetic gain for body length, body weight, and fork length. These experiments showed that mass selection can effectively increase P. argenteus body weight, which will improve the species’ growth performance. These findings suggest that substantial genetic improvements can be achieved through mass selection for body weight, providing strong support for the ongoing P. argenteus selective breeding program. Full article

Women entrepreneurs in small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging countries play an essential role in the economy of developing countries such as Indonesia. Drawing on the resource-based view and entrepreneurship effectuation theory, this study examines how women’s entrepreneurial effectuation (WEE) modeled as a higher-order construct (HOC) comprising its four dimensions (LOCs)—namely, flexibility, experimentation, affordable loss, and pre-commitment—can influence employee performance (EMPRF) mediated by structural (STREM) and psychological empowerment (PSYEM). Using a disjointed two-stage PLS-SEM approach with data from 218 female SME employees, our results confirm that flexibility is the most salient effectuation dimension. WEE strongly predicts both STREM and PSYEM but shows no direct impact on EMPRF, highlighting that effectuation must be activated via empowerment mechanisms. PSYEM emerges as the strongest mediator of WEE on EMPRF, with STREM also contributing significantly and being amplified by gender equality practices; market orientation, by contrast, fails to moderate any paths. Theoretically, these findings enrich resource-based view (RBV) theory by integrating entrepreneurial effectuation dimensions and empowerment as human resource capabilities that generate inimitable performance gains. Practically, they suggest that women-led SMEs should integrate effectuation heuristics with targeted empowerment programs to realize the full potential of their human capital. Full article

Background/Objectives: Integrating Artificial Intelligence Clinical Decision Support Systems (AI-CDSSs) into healthcare can improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize clinical workflows, and support evidence-based medical decision-making. However, the adoption of AI-CDSSs remains uneven, influenced by technological, organizational, and perceptual factors. This study, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, analyzes the determinants of AI-CDSS adoption among healthcare professionals through investigating the impacts of perceived benefits, technological costs, and social and institutional influence, as well as the transparency and control of algorithms, using an adapted Path Dependence-Augmented–Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. Methods: This research was conducted through a cross-sectional study, employing a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 440 healthcare professionals selected using a stratified sampling methodology. Data were collected via specialized platforms and analyzed using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships between variables and the impacts of key factors on the intention to adopt AI-CDSSs. Results: The findings highlight that the perceived benefits of AI-CDSSs are the strongest predictor of intention to adopt AI-CDSSs, while technology effort cost negatively impacts attitudes toward AI-CDSSs. Additionally, social and institutional influence fosters acceptance, whereas perceived control and transparency over AI enhance trust, reinforcing the necessity for explainable and clinician-supervised AI systems. Conclusions: This study confirms that the intention to adopt AI-CDSSs in healthcare depends on the perception of utility, technological accessibility, and system transparency. The creation of interpretable and adaptive AI architectures, along with training programs dedicated to healthcare professionals, represents measures enhancing the degree of acceptance. Full article

Stunting—defined by the World Health Organization as a height-for-age z-score < −2 SD—signals chronic undernutrition that impairs both physical and cognitive development. This study investigates how the three pillars of food security (availability, access, utilization) influence stunting prevention efforts in the Bondowoso Regency, East Java, Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey of 113 mothers of stunted children (0–59 months) was analysed with Structural Equation Modelling using Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM). The model reveals significant positive paths from food security pillars to composite stunting prevention behaviours (β = 0.18–0.86, p < 0.05), with availability emerging as the strongest predictor. These findings highlight food security as a lever for reducing the local stunting prevalence (local 32% vs. national 24.4%) and provide evidence for community-based nutrition programmes in similar agrarian districts. Strengthening food security is therefore essential to safeguarding child well-being in vulnerable Indonesian communities. Full article

Urban ecological resilience (UER) is vital for sustainable development, enabling cities to maintain stability in the face of environmental challenges. This study combined landscape pattern indices and spatial measurement methods, establishing a multi-scale linked “Resistance-Adaptation-Recovery (Res-Ad-Rec)” model chain to assess the UER of Xuzhou City, analyzed spatiotemporal changes using Moran’s I indices, and explored the influencing factors through the Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model. Finally, the research framework of “three-dimensional assessment, spatial diagnosis, and mechanism analysis” was constructed to achieve a multi-dimensional dynamic analysis. The results showed the following: (1) UER declined from 2008 to 2022, with low-value areas expanding from the city center and high-value areas near water bodies. (2) The spatial autocorrelation of UER was significant, with a rise in Global Moran’s I index and the strongest spatial agglomeration effect observed in 2022. High–high and low–low clustering were the main characteristics of local spatial autocorrelation. (3) Population density and nighttime lighting intensity were major factors influencing the spatial distribution of UER in Xuzhou City. The findings can provide a useful reference for similar resource transition cities to explore the path of sustainable development. Full article

The gas-sensitive performance and selectivity of gas sensors via different Sn-doped indium oxide (In₂O₃) films have been investigated. The response characteristics were significantly enhanced to methanol (CH₄O), ethanol (C₂H₆O), and acetone (C₃H₆O) with the increase in Sn content, while the response time and the recovery time became shorter. The sensor exhibited the strongest response to ethanol, followed by acetone and then methanol with all the ratios of In₂O₃ (90%, 85%, and 80%) and SnO₂ (10%, 15%, and 20%). The mechanism of Sn doping on the gas sensing selectivity was calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) method, which perfectly explained the experimental results. The sensors demonstrated high selectivity towards ethanol, even in the presence of interfering gases. In addition, the sensors showed effective detection of the target gas with 10 ppb and demonstrated good repeatability. This work systematically analyzed the priority selectivity of In₂O₃-based gas sensors, providing a new path for gas detection in multi-interference and complex environments. Full article

This study constructs and validates a multidimensional online teaching competency model for K12 teachers through an integrated mixed-methods design. Combining behavioral event interviews (n = 38) with large-scale psychometric evaluation (n = 4378), we identified six hierarchically organized competency dimensions encompassing 29 measurable elements. The model differentiates between 12 discriminative competencies and 17 baseline competencies, further categorized into explicit (knowledge, technical, instructional, management) and implicit (achievement orientation, individual traits) dimensions. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses validated the model’s robust multidimensional structure (CFI = 0.923, TLI = 0.914, RMSEA = 0.042). Structural equation modeling revealed significant competency-performance linkages, with 10 of 12 hypothesized paths attaining statistical significance (p < 0.05). Management competencies emerged as the strongest predictor of both process (β = 0.37) and outcome performance (β = 0.29), followed by instructional competencies (β = 0.31 and 0.24 respectively). The model provides empirically grounded guidance for developing online teaching norms, competency-based teacher training programs, and performance evaluation systems. Full article

Groundwater plays a leading role in ecological environment protection in semi-arid regions. The Huangshui River Basin is located in the Tibetan Plateau and Loess Plateau transition zone of semi-arid areas. Its ecological environment is relatively fragile, and there is an urgent need for systematic study of the basin to develop a groundwater environment and realize the rational and efficient development of water resources. In this study, methodologically, we combined the following: 1. Field sampling (271 groundwater samples across the basin’s hydrogeological units); 2. Comprehensive laboratory analysis of major ions and physicochemical parameters; 3. Multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson correlation, descriptive statistics); 4. Geospatial techniques (ArcGIS kriging interpolation); 5. Hydrochemical modeling (Piper diagrams, Gibbs plots, PHREEQC simulations). Key findings reveal the following: 1. Groundwater is generally weakly alkaline (pH 6.94–8.91) with TDS ranging 155–10,387 mg/L; 2. Clear spatial trends: TDS and major ions (Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) increase along flow paths; 3. Water types evolve from Ca-HCO₃-dominant (upper reaches) to complex Ca-SO₄/Ca-Cl mixtures (lower reaches); 4. Water–rock interactions dominate hydrochemical evolution, with secondary cation exchange effects; 5. PHREEQC modeling identifies dominant carbonate dissolution (mean SIcalcite = −0.32) with localized evaporite influences (SIgypsum up to 0.12). By combining theoretical calculations and experimental results, this study reveals distinct hydrochemical patterns and evolution mechanisms. The groundwater transitions from Ca-HCO₃-type in upstream areas to complex Ca-SO₄/Cl mixtures downstream, driven primarily by dissolution of gypsum and carbonate minerals. Total dissolved solids increase dramatically along flow paths (155–10,387 mg/L), with Na⁺ and SO₄²⁻ showing the strongest correlation to mineralization (r > 0.9). Cation exchange processes and anthropogenic inputs further modify water chemistry in midstream regions. These findings establish a baseline for sustainable groundwater management in this ecologically vulnerable basin. Full article

This study investigates the sediment transport characteristics in the lower reservoir area of a pure pumped-storage power station (Pure-PSPS) to address the sediment abrasion issue under high sediment-laden conditions. By establishing a physical model and employing multivariate statistical analysis methods, we systematically reveal the multifactorial coupled influence mechanism of key parameters in the lower reservoir area on turbine sediment concentration (TSC), while developing a predictive TSC formula applicable to high-sediment Pure-PSPS based on sediment-carrying capacity theory and sediment mass conservation principles. The study indicates the following: (1) Under consistent basic parameters such as reservoir length, the decay rate of sediment concentration along the path from the reservoir inlet to the power station’s intake and outlet decreases to 30~80% under high inflow conditions, while under medium and low inflow conditions, the decay rate exceeds 80%. (2) The lower boundary of the median particle size adjustment range for suspended sediment gradually increases from 0.006 mm for 30- and 40-year flood recurrence intervals to 0.009 mm for an 80-year recurrence interval, and under the 80-year recurrence interval, the particle size fluctuation range converges to a high and narrow distribution of 0.009~0.011 mm. (3) The constructed linear regression model has an R² value of 0.8. The inflow sediment concentration (standardized coefficient β = 0.36) exhibits the strongest explanatory power for the dependent variable, followed by inflow discharge (β = 0.345) and the height difference between the intake/outlet and the silted bed surface (β = 0.319). (4) By optimizing the Adomian decomposition method, dimensional analysis, and multiple regression techniques, and based on sediment-carrying capacity theory and sediment mass conservation principles, this study derived and fitted a predictive formula for TSC in high-sediment-laden Pure-PSPS environments with favorable validation results. The research not only clarifies the interactive relationship between high-sediment-laden flow and turbine sediment concentration in Pure-PSPS but also fills the methodological gap in predicting operational conditions for pure pumped-storage power stations under extreme sediment scenarios. The established regular patterns provide a scientific foundation for the design and feasibility assessment of similar Pure-PSPS projects in sediment-rich rivers. Full article