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Eutrophication and the associated algal blooms is a pervasive problem affecting global health, aquaculture, agriculture, water-related industries, and freshwater ecosystems. Spring algal blooms (SABs), which are less common than summer blooms, occur during a time that is thought to be less advantageous due to mild winds, little precipitation, and a relatively small amount of NPS pollutants being transported. Thus, It is pertinent to understand further the factors influencing SABs directly and/or indirectly for improved management. Consequently, Partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to measure the direct and indirect effects of nutrients, lake hydrodynamics (Lake HD), meteorological elements (ME), stratification, Lake Bio-Optics, and Bottom Sediment-Water interaction (BSWI) in Gaoyang Lake of the Three Gorges Reservoir which is characterized by SABs. Based on our findings, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) together slightly outperformed TP alone in explaining variations in chlorophyll a (chl-a), but the difference was not statistically significant. Thus the parsimonous PLS-SEM model with TP was chosen, and it explained 66.8%, 54.0%, 21.4%, and 59.7% variation in stratification, Lake Bio-Optics, nutrients, and chl-a, respectively. Surprisingly, ME and Lake Bio-Optics had a negative total effect on chl-a during the study. The magnitude of factors influencing SAB occurrence was of the order Lake Hydrodynamics > nutrients > Bottom Sediments-Water Interphase > Lake Bio-Optics > Meteorological Elements > Stratification. This study successfully decoupled and quantified several latent variables' complex simultaneous causal effects on chl-a., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest ☒ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Negative birth experiences are common. It is yet unclear which women may be most at risk already before pregnancy. Childhood trauma and non-autonoumous/unresolved attachment state of mind may affect how women experience giving birth. This study used longitudinal data to test childhood trauma and attachment state of mind as predictors of birth experience in at-risk sample of primipara women ( N  = 193). The Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire and the Adult Attachment interview were administered during pregnancy, and women reported about their birth experience three months postpartum. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling was applied to answer the research questions. Childhood physical neglect and parental substance abuse were predictive of a more negative birth experience, while attachment state of mind was not associated with how women experienced giving birth. Cross-validation suggests that these findings may be considered externally valid. Further research using validated measures on birth experience are needed.

Urban streams play a crucial role in water network connectivity, drainage and urban landscaping, and receive abundant allochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM), which is derived from nature and human activities. However, the influence of diverse land use types on the spatiotemporal distribution and characteristics of DOM in typical urban streams is still not fully understood. Therefore, the water sample collection and data analysis campaign were carried out in Wuhan in summer and winter. By using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model, two humic-like substances and one protein-like component were eventually identified, and the specific DOM charcteristics of urban streams in industrial area illustrated the impact of allochthonous DOM caused by anthropogenic activities on their properties. The characteristics of DOM presents spatiotemporal distribution differences, and the fluorescence intensity of DOM in summer was significantly higher than that in winter, mainly due to the variation of allochthonous input from precipitation and runoff. Significant differences of the DOM concentration and composition in urban streams under different vegetation coverage were found, indicating that extreme human disturbance and high vegetation coverage can both greatly change DOM characteristics in urban streams. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed an indirect driving effect of land use on DOM, and the influence was considerably stronger in summer. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis showed that land use can directly affect DOM content of urban streams (-0.147), with anthropogenic land use playing a positive role and natural land use the reverse, and indirectly change DOM concentration by influencing DOM origin (0.128), nutrients (0.022) and heavy metals (0.021). Moreover, human social and economic structure in anthropogenic land use can affect DOM components and sources of urban streams. This study revealed the driving mechanism of land use impact on DOM characteristics and improve our understanding of DOM geochemical cycling in urban streams., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The metaverse, an immersive virtual environment enabling users to engage with digital experiences, has the potential to revolutionize education. However, research pertaining to this area is still in its early stages. This study investigates the variables that influence the acceptance of educational metaverses and the intention to use them. It also presents an expanded model called the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Metaverse Technology (UTAUMT) to provide guidance to educators and decision-makers. The study involved 253 Vietnamese teachers and students who had experience with metaverse, selected through purposive sampling. The UTAUMT provides a comprehensive framework that encompasses various factors, including metaverse performance expectancy (MPE), metaverse effort expectancy (MEE), metaverse social influence (MSI), metaverse hedonic motivation (MHM), metaverse price value (MPC), metaverse self-efficacy (MSE), and metaverse facilitating conditions (MFC). These factors were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The findings indicate that MEE, MSI, MFC, MSE, and MBI have a considerable impact on the educational metaverse MUB. The extended UTAUMT model makes a theoretical contribution by including metaverse-specific elements into the technology acceptance framework. The managerial implications focus on the integration of the metaverse, training of users, and providing support to enhance the adoption rate. This study explores the elements that contribute to the adoption of metaverse technology in education and contributes to the existing literature on the acceptance of metaverse technology., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© 2024 The Authors.)

In complementing our existing knowledge of blockchain technology adoption in the construction industry, this research investigated how the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) applies to adopting blockchain technology among Saudi Arabian Construction companies. This study utilized cross-sectional data collection, causal research design, a quantitative research approach, and a simple random sampling technique to collect data from 248 Saudi Arabian construction companies. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to analyze the data. The results showed that attitude toward adopting Blockchain (ATT) and perceived ease of use (PEU) are good predictors of behavioural intention to adopt Blockchain. The findings showed that when construction companies perceive the ease of use of Blockchain, they intend to adopt the technology. Attitude toward adopting Blockchain, directly and indirectly, influences behavioural intention to adopt the Technology. However, top management support only directly leads to intention once the companies perceive the usefulness of blockchain technology. This paper complements the existing literature on adopting Blockchain in the Saudi Arabian construction industry. The study provides insight into the influence of top management support, attitude toward adoption, and perceived ease of use in the blockchain adoption process., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Waeal J.Obidallah reports financial support was provided by Deanship of Scientific Research, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Saudi Arabia. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been developing rapidly and has had a broad impact on the food industry, with food produced from AI-generated recipes already appearing to actually go on sale. However, people's trust and willingness to purchase AI food are still unclear. This study builds an integrated theoretical model based on cognitive trust and affective trust, taking into account consumers' quality value orientations, social norms, and perceived risks of AI food, with the aim of predicting and exploring consumers' trust and acceptance of AI food. This study utilized the questionnaire method and 315 questionnaires were collected. The results of structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) indicated that food quality orientation, subjective norms, perceived trust, and affective trust all had a significant positive effect on consumers' purchase intentions. Perceived risk had a negative effect on affective trust and consequently on consumers' purchase intention, but the effect on cognitive trust was not significant. The results also suggest that cognitive trust is the basis of affective trust and that consumer trust and acceptance of AI food can be enhanced by augmenting two antecedents of cognitive trust (food quality orientation and subjective norms). Possible practical implications and insights from the current findings are discussed.

The focus of this research is to investigate the factors that influence employee voice behaviour by examining the integration of high-performance work systems, stewardship climate, and trust in supervisor. Drawing on social exchange theory and leader-member exchange, this study investigates the positive relationship between trust in supervisor, high-performance work systems, stewardship climate and employee voice. Data were collected in three stages from 376 Nigerian telecommunications customer-contact employees. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the dataset. The findings indicate that high-performance work systems have a favourable association with employee voice, while stewardship climate has an adverse correlation with employee voice. Moreover, trust in supervisor is found to mediate and enhance the favourable relationship between high-performance work systems, stewardship climate, and employee voice. The relevance of this study to service industries, management research, and its practical implications is discussed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Background: Equitable access to healthcare for rural, tribal, and underprivileged people has been an emerging area of interest for researchers, academicians, and policymakers worldwide. Improving equitable access to healthcare requires innovative interventions. This calls for clarifying which operational model of a service innovation needs to be strengthened to achieve transformative change and bring sustainability to public health interventions. The current study aimed to identify the components of an operational model of mobile medical units (MMUs) as an innovative intervention to provide equitable access to healthcare., Methods: The study empirically examined the impact of scalability, affordability, replicability (SAR), and immunization performance on the sustainability of MMUs to develop a framework for primary healthcare in the future. Data were collected via a survey answered by 207 healthcare professionals from six states in India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted to empirically determine the interrelationships among various constructs., Results: The standardized path coefficients revealed that three factors (SAR) significantly influenced immunization performance as independent variables. Comparing the three hypothesized relationships demonstrates that replicability has the most substantial impact, followed by scalability and affordability. Immunization performance was found to have a significant direct effect on sustainability. For evaluating sustainability, MMUs constitute an essential component and an enabler of a sustainable healthcare system and universal health coverage., Conclusion: This study equips policymakers and public health professionals with the critical components of the MMU operational model leading toward sustainability. The research framework provides reliable grounds for examining the impact of scalability, affordability, and replicability on immunization coverage as the primary public healthcare outcome., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study determines that morbidity presents a mediating impact between intimate partner violence against women and labor productivity in terms of absenteeism and presenteeism. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used on a nationwide representative sample of 357 female owners of micro-firms in Peru. The resulting data reveals that morbidity is a mediating variable between intimate partner violence against women and absenteeism (β = 0.213; p  < .001), as well as between intimate partner violence against women and presenteeism (β = 0.336; p  < .001). This finding allows us to understand how such intimate partner violence against women negatively affects the workplace productivity in the context of a micro-enterprise, a key element in many economies across the world.

The data presented in this article is based on a questionnaire survey regarding e-commerce and business digitalization of SMEs in Mexico answered by the CEOs of the companies. A valid sample of 4121 Mexican SMEs was collected covering many industries, such as primary sector, extractive industries, manufacturing industries, energy, water, recycling, construction, trade, services, and others. The data includes information about the implementation of e-commerce, business digitalization, operational efficiency, corporate performance, and other demographic indicators of the sampling firms. The link between e-commerce and corporate performance is still underexplored in SMEs, even more so between companies from Latin America, being Mexico a perfect example to explore how different SMEs adapt and thrive due to the rapid growth of their e-commerce and the diversity of their business sectors (Santos-Jaén et al., 2023 [2]). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Smart PLS. The data are useful as the data can be reproduced, reused and reanalyzed paying special attention to group-specific effects. This data article also opens up better research opportunities going forward through collaboration with other researchers., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The demand for Industrial Engineers across the globe is significantly increasing and professional certifications give advantage in the job marketplace. The Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE) - Industrial Engineering Certification Board facilitates the conferment of the Certified Industrial Engineer (CIE) in the Philippines. The goal of this study was to determine the factors affecting the intention IEs in the Philippines to take the CIE examination using an integration of the Perceived Value Theory and the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior. The research data were collected through an online distributed survey questionnaire to 690 graduating students and graduates from private and public universities across the Philippines. Employing a variance-based partial least squares structural equation modeling, the different significant variables and factors were assessed holistically. It was seen that attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and understanding of the CIE examination have significant positive effects to intent to take the CIE examination and becoming a CIE. The perceived benefits and positive emotions brought by becoming a CIE significantly affects the attitude and behavior. This study also confirmed that the higher the perceived return on investment, the more the IEs will take the CIE examination. Moreover, demographic characteristics were identified to correlate and are significant among different variables. As a reflection, the findings and the integrated framework can be utilized in future studies related to development, career pathing, lifelong learning, and other related professional education., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report there are no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The group product-harm crisis has much greater and longer negative impact, and its governance has become an important issue. To address this issue, this study proposed a new construct: industry governance. On the basis of clarifying the dimensions and measurements of industry governance, this study constructed a reflective-formative hierarchical model and collected data through a questionnaire. Utilizing convenience sampling, 329 valid samples at the University in Wuhan, China collected by survey were used to verify the hypotheses. With the help of Smart PLS 3.0, this study finds that the industry governance has a significant and positive impact on consumer's trust (enterprise trust, industry trust and government trust) after the group product-harm crisis. Industry governance plays an important role in the governance of group product-harm crisis. This study is the first time to explore the structure and measurement of industry governance, and verifies the impact of industry governance on group product-harm crisis, which enriches governance theory, and perfects product-harm crisis theory, providing a new direction and guidance for managers to better manage product-harm crisis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a positive relationship between full-range leadership and employees' effort, efficiency, and satisfaction. A questionnaire was administered to 577 executives from Colombian companies, and the data was analyzed using a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The results show that both transformational and transactional leadership have a direct and significant impact on extra effort, effectiveness, and satisfaction, with transformational leadership having the greatest impact on these factors. Conversely, passive-avoidant leadership has negative effects on these three constructs. This study validates the effectiveness of the MLQ 5X in a South American country, a geographical region where such studies are in their early stages. Finally, the whole range of leadership styles-transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant-is looked at. These styles are seen as second-order constructs that challenge latent multidimensional models as they emerge., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Garzón-Lasso, Serrano-Malebrán, Arenas-Arango and Molina.)

The ability of Geographic Information System (GIS) to organize, analyze, visualize and integrate spatial data has been at the top of its primary uses among professional industries. However, considering the extensive adoption of Information System (IS) throughout history for government organizations' or citizens' disaster response, the implementation of geographical elements is still minimal. Previous GIS models and framework studies, particularly in developing countries, were affected by pandemic pressure, competitiveness pressure, change management, and security factors. Thus, this study aims to develop a model for the successful adoption of GIS using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and De Lone and Mc Lean Information Success Model and analyze the applicability of the existing factors to enhance the performance of Public Sector Organizations (PSOs). From the study, a new conceptual framework was proposed to examine the effects of factors on GIS adoption that impact performance among PSOs from the perspective of Saudi Arabia. Quantitative methods were used to collect data through a questionnaire distributed to 350 respondents from PSO, and only 272 were found to be valid. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) validated the GIS model. The finding revealed that system quality, service quality, change management, competitiveness pressure, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and security factors significantly and positively affected GIS adoption. The study also showed that GIS adoption substantially affected PSO performance. The proposed model provides insight into how GIS adoption can eventually enhance performance among PSOs. In essence, the study contributes to the running of PSO and the decisions taken by policymakers., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Siti Norul Huda Sheikh Abdullah reports financial support was provided by Malaysia 10.13039/501100002385Ministry of Higher Education. Siti Norul Huda Sheikh Abdullah reports a relationship with Malaysia 10.13039/501100002385Ministry of Higher Education that includes: funding grants. Siti Norul Huda Sheikh Abdullah has patent pending to MyIPO. No conflict of interest. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: The link between public health spending (PHS) and population health outcomes (PHO) has been extensively studied. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the moderating effects of governance in this relationship are little known. Furthermore, studies have focused on mortality as the main health outcome. This study contributes to this literature by investigating the moderating role of governance in the relationship by simultaneously assessing three dimensions of governance (corruption control, government effectiveness and voice accountability) using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as a measure of outcomes., Methods: The study applies the two-stage moderation approach using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to panel data from 43 SSA nations from 2013 to 2019. The study also uses domestic general government health expenditure (DGGHE) as an independent variable and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) as the dependent variable in this relationship., Results: The analysis reveals that DGGHE affects DALY negatively and that governance improves the effect of DGGHE on DALY, with bigger improvements among countries with worse governance., Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that good governance is crucial to the effectiveness of PHS in SSA nations. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries should improve governance to improve population health., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Effectively incorporating technology into teaching and learning can be accomplished through the application of information and communication technology (ICT). Nonetheless, the extent to which ICT is employed in educational environments is heavily impacted by numerous factors. Teachers' ICT integration in China was investigated with the aim of identifying the specific factors that influence it. The research sample consists of 680 educators, and it highlights three primary elements that affect their adoption of ICT: attitudes, self-efficacy, and digital competence. Employing a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method, the results indicate that all three elements play a significant role in the effective integration of ICT by educators. The study also indicated the mediating effect of attitudes and digital competence. Furthermore, the research identified no substantial disparities in the factors based on sex or age, except for the correlation between self-efficacy and attitudes. By providing useful insights for the development of successful instructional designs that integrate ICT, this study contributed to the advancement and impact of educational technology., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important economic crops in the world. By controlling the transport and distribution of photosynthetic products between cells and organs, sugar transporters are widely involved in growth and development, environmental adaptation, and microbial interactions. The present study was carried out at the genome-wide level to systematically characterize sugar transporters. As a result, 50 MST , 3 SUT , and 29 SWEET genes were identified and classified. The expression pattern of sugar transporters in pepper was analyzed by transcriptomic data. The expression properties of sugar transporters were further explored in pepper varieties with significant differences in weight, shape, and pungency. It was shown that the pepper sugar transporter genes had obvious spatiotemporal specific expression characteristics and exhibited variety-specific expression preferences. We focus on analyzing candidate genes that may be involved in fruit development and expansion. We further explore the response of pepper sugar transporters to adversity stress using a structural equation model. Finally, we found that the MST , SUT , and SWEET families are collectively involved in balancing pepper resistance to abiotic stress by coordinating the expression strengths of different family members. Our study may contribute to the functional study of pepper sugar transporter genes and create the prospect of utilizing sugar transporter gene resources to improve pepper variety.

Aim: Prior research has indicated a connection between CD4 + T cells and the development of anxiety, but the specific CD4 + T cell subsets linked to anxiety disorders remain uncertain. Our study seeks to investigate the relationship between distinct CD4 + T cell subsets and anxiety, as well as to explore whether CD4 + T cell subsets mediate the effect of chronic psychological stress on anxiety., Methods: 56 eligible matched participants were recruited in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The diagnosis was made based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, respectively. The Life Events Scale (LES) evaluated the chronic stress level. CD4 + T cell subsets were characterized using multiparametric flow cytometry. To assess the impact of CD4 + T cells on the effect of chronic psychological stress on anxiety, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed., Results: We discovered fifteen notably distinct CD4 + T-cell subsets in anxiety disorder patients compared to healthy controls. Multiple linear regression analysis unveiled an association between anxiety severity and CD27 + CD45RA - Th cells, CD27 + CD28 + Tregs, and the total Life Events Scale (LES) score. The PLS-SEM analysis demonstrated that CD4 + T cell subsets and LES could explain 80.2% of the variance in anxiety. Furthermore, it was observed that CD27 + CD28 + Th/Treg cells acted as inverse mediators of the effects of LES on anxiety (P = 0.031)., Conclusions: Drug naïve anxiety disorder patients exhibited significant alterations in numerous CD4 + T-cell subsets. Specifically, the memory subset of CD27 + CD45RA - Th cells and the naïve subset of CD27 + CD28 + Treg cells were found to be independent factors associated with the severity of anxiety. Additionally, the CD27 + CD28 + Th and Treg cell subsets played a significant mediating role in the influence of long-term psychological stress on anxiety., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The aims of this study were to create a composite index to measure the overall players' physical performance in professional soccer matches and analyze the effect of individual playing time and positional differences on this composite index. A total of 830 official matches from LaLiga men's first division and Spanish Copa del Rey were analyzed, which resulted in 24,980 match observations collected from 1138 male players (forwards, n = 286; midfielders, n = 441; defenders, n = 411). The physical performance variables, which represent the locomotor demands, were collected using electronic performance tracking systems. A Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used to measure performance. The PLS-SEM output had three significant latent components, which explained 95% of the initial variability, that were related to the acceleration-specific performance (component 1), high-intensity running-related variables (component 2), and medium intensity actions variables (component 3). Also, a linear regression analysis was used to explore relationships between playing activity time (hours-X axis) and the composite index (10-point scale-Y axis), in which a strong and positive correlation was observed between individual playing time and the composite index (r = 0.76; p < 0.001; R 2  = 0.58). Also, significant positive correlations were observed in forwards (r = 0.85; p < 0.001; R 2  = 0.74), midfielders (r = 0.80; p < 0.001; R 2  = 0.64), and defenders (r = 0.67; p < 0.001; R 2  = 0.45). However, significant differences between playing positions with a small effect size (p < 0.05; eta-squared = 0.01) were found. From a practical perspective, this study may serve as a reference for sports performance practitioners to create a composite index that measures the overall players' physical performance. The instructions to create this index are available in the manuscript., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Enforcement of rules to increase farmers' involvement in participatory irrigation management (PIM) has been ineffective given the non-exclusivity nature of surface irrigation. In this study, we investigated the interrelationship of the social capital's role in higher participation in PIM and the effects towards farmers' efficiency using the case of rice farmers in Northern Thailand. We found that higher intention to participate in PIM collective activities is largely driven by the water user's social capital endowments. Farmers' efficiency level is positively associated with PIM participation and the condition of the collective irrigation management. Our findings suggest the importance of complementing current government efforts with policy interventions focusing on strengthening water user groups' social capital, such as improving group cohesion and their capacity for networking in compensating for various impediments faced by farmers., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

This research examines the link between social anxiety disorder (SAD), psychological distance (PD), and burnout using survey data from 463 software development workers who are currently working remotely. According to the results of the study, SAD was associated with higher PD, but, in contrast to what had been shown in earlier studies, this higher PD had no effect on the participants' reported levels of burnout. Both psychological safety and workplace attachment orientation (WAO) were tested for their moderating effects in this study. According to the study's findings, the link between SAD and PD was moderated by WAO but not by psychological safety. The findings of this study underscore the importance of conducting additional research on the challenges faced by people with social anxiety in the workplace and the steps that can be taken by employers to better accommodate them., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Khan, e-Habiba, Aziz, Sabeen, Zeeshan, Naz and Waseem.)

Introduction: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games have garnered widespread popularity as a form of recreational activity. The launch of League of Legends (LoL), a prominent MOBA game, has captivated the enthusiastic pursuit of gamers in the MOBA community. The surge in MOBA game fervor, coupled with the influence of personal emotions, can result in excessive engagement, ultimately leading to addiction., Objective: This study aimed to investigate the moderating effects of visceral perception, behavior, and reflection on game players' addiction within the framework of Leisure Theory (LT), Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT), and Emotional Design Theory (EDT)., Methods: A hypothesized theoretical model was developed and empirically evaluated based on 236 self-reported validated responses from MOBA gamers. SPSS (version 26) was employed for demographic analysis and game duration analysis. The measurement model and structural model analyses were conducted in two stages using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.1.0 to validate the nine theoretical hypotheses., Results: It has been observed that personal emotions significantly contributes to MOBA game addiction during gamers' leisure time or moments of gratification. Specifically, a noteworthy connection exists between two dimensions, namely gamers' behavior and reflection, demonstrating a positive correlation with gaming addiction. Without taking entertainment as a motivating factor, there is no significant relationship between gamers' leisure-time and visceral perception., Conclusion: This study enhances the theoretical model of gamers' behavioral motives in engaging with MOBA gaming and contributes to the expansion of research on game addiction theory. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights for emotional design in games and the design of mechanisms for preventing game addiction., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Huang, Xing and Song.)

In the era of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), automation and data analysis have undergone significant advancements, greatly impacting production management and operations management. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, cloud computing (CC), and big data, have played a crucial role in shaping Logistics 4.0 (L4.0) and improving the efficiency of the manufacturing supply chain (SC), ultimately contributing to sustainability goals. The present research investigates the role of I4.0 technologies within the framework of the extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB). The research explores various variables including subjective norms, attitude, perceived behavior control, leading to word-of-mouth, and purchase intention. By modeling these variables, the study aims to understand the influence of I4.0 technologies on L4.0 to establish a sustainable manufacturing SC. A questionnaire was administered to gather input from small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry. An empirical study along with partial least squares structural equation modeling (SEM), was conducted to analyze the data. The findings indicate that the use of I4.0 technology in L4.0 influences subjective norms, which subsequently influence attitudes and personal behavior control. This, in turn, leads to word-of-mouth and purchase intention. The results provide valuable insights for shippers and logistics service providers empowering them to enhance their performance and contribute to achieving sustainability objectives. Consequently, this study contributes to promoting sustainability in the manufacturing SC by stimulating the adoption of I4.0 technologies in L4.0., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Replanting broadleaved trees in monoculture conifer plantations has been shown to improve the ecological environment. However, not much is known about the distribution properties of soil phosphate-mobilizing bacteria (PMB) under different mixed plantings or how PMB affects biometabolism-driven phosphorus (P) bioavailability. The phoD and pqqC genes serve as molecular markers of PMB because they regulate the mobilization of organic (Po) and inorganic (Pi) P. Differences in soil bioavailable P concentration, phoD- and pqqC-harboring PMB communities, and their main regulators were analyzed using biologically-based P (BBP) and high-throughput sequencing approaches after combining coniferous trees (Pinus massoniana) and five individual broadleaved trees (Bretschneidera sinensis, Michelia maudiae, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Manglietia conifera, and Camellia oleifera). The findings revealed that the contents of litter P, soil organic carbon (SOC), available Pi (CaCl 2 -P), and labile Po (Enzyme-P) were significantly higher in conifer-broadleaf mixed plantations than those in the monospecific Pinus massoniana plantations (PM), especially in the mixed stands with the introduction of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Michelia maudiae, and Camellia oleifera. Conifer-broadleaf mixing had little effect on the abundance of phoD and pqqC genes but significantly altered species composition within the communities. Conifer-broadleaf mixing improved soil microbial habitat mainly by increasing the pH, increasing carbon source availability and nutrient content, decreasing exchangeable Fe 3+ and Al 3+ content, and decreasing the activation degrees of Fe and Al oxides in acidic soils. A small group of taxa (phoD: Bradyrhizobium, Tardiphaga, Nitratireductor, Mesorhizobium, Herbaspirillum, and Ralstonia; pqqC: Burkholderia, Variovorax, Bradyrhizobium, and Leptothrix) played a key role in the synthesis of P-related enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphomonoesterase, ALP) and in lowering the levels of mineral-occluded (HCl-P) and chelated (Citrate-P) Pi. Overall, our findings highlight that mixing conifers and broadleaves could change the PMB communities that produce ALP and dissolve Pi to make P more bioavailable., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Macro-algae is an umbrella term for seaweed, which is an important ingredient in many novel food products in New Zealand and other Australasian countries. While attitudes, consumption motivation, knowledge, and socio-demographic consumer profiles have been investigated in specific countries in the region, consumer behavior such as willingness to eat and factors driving this behavior have not yet been explored. Therefore, the present study fills this research gap in a New Zealand context and explores predictors of New Zealand consumers' willingness to eat macro-algae and their perceived trust towards the countries of origin of these products. The symbolic value of food, health importance, food safety concerns, and food fussiness were the factors under investigation. The work builds on an online questionnaire and a sample of 437 consumers mirroring the New Zealand population in terms of gender, age, and annual household income. Data were collected through an opt-in panel provider in November 2023. The data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and partial least square structural equation modeling. Results show that health importance and food fussiness tendencies are the strongest predictors of willingness to eat and trustworthiness of the two countries of origin. Best practice recommendations for marketing managers in New Zealand food retail are provided.

Background: Alcohol consumption among tribal male adolescents in India is a significant social concern. Tribal adolescents are particularly vulnerable and tend to lean toward alcohol addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce some necessary footsteps to reduce alcohol consumption. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the association of various latent factors with the alcohol-drinking behavior of tribal adolescents., Methods: The study collected data from 600 tribal adolescents from the Dooars region, with 241 of them reported consuming alcohol. The study aimed to confirm the theoretical development of hypotheses regarding peer pressure, parental discord, stress, attitude toward alcohol, and food insecurity as exogenous latent factors influencing the alcohol-drinking behavior of tribal adolescents. In this context, the study adopted both measurement and structural models using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)., Results: The findings revealed a significant path relationship between alcohol drinking behavior and various exogenous factors like peer pressure ( β  = 0.214, p  = .000), parental discord ( β  = 0.121, p  = .009), stress ( β  = 0.170, p  = .000), attitude toward alcohol ( β  = 0.110, p  = .004), and food insecurity ( β  = 0.510, p  = .000). This study developed a reflective measurement model, and the evaluation of reflective measurement models was conducted, assessing internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity, yielding satisfactory results., Conclusion: To tackle alcohol issues among tribal adolescents in the Dooars region, effective strategies should be employed. These include educating in schools, highlighting tribal role models, aiding peers with alcohol dependence, providing life skills training, and addressing parental discord and food insecurity through awareness campaigns, workshops, and better infrastructure.

Recently, a study compared the effect size and statistical power of covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and path analysis using various types of composite scores (Deng, L., & Yuan, K.-H., Behavior Research Methods, 55, 1460-1479, 2023). This comparison uses nine empirical datasets to estimate eleven models. Based on the meta-comparison, that study concludes that path analysis via weighted composites yields "path coefficients with less relative errors, as reflected by greater effect size and statistical power" (ibidem, p. 1475). In our paper, we object to this central conclusion. We demonstrate that the justification these authors provided for comparing CB-SEM and path analysis via weighted composites is not well grounded. Similarly, we explain that their employed study design, i.e., a meta-comparison, is very limited in its ability to compare the effect size and power delivered across these methods. Finally, we replicated Deng and Yuan's (ibidem) meta-comparison and show that CB-SEM using the normal-distribution-based maximum likelihood estimator does not necessarily deliver smaller effect sizes than path analysis via composites if a different scaling method is employed for CB-SEM., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This investigation delves into the pervasive yet insufficiently examined phenomenon of "cyberloafing", characterized by employees engaging in non-work-related internet activities during office hours. Despite its frequent occurrence in contemporary work environments, the fundamental mechanisms underpinning cyberloafing remain largely uncharted. This study uses the conservation of resources theory and the cognitive-affective personality system framework to demystify the relationship between role stress and cyberloafing. We developed a dual-path model to assess the mediating roles of perceived insider status and emotional exhaustion. Employing SPSS and Smart PLS for data analysis, our research sampled 210 corporate employees. The findings reveal that role stress predicts perceived insider status and emotional exhaustion significantly. Notably, while perceived insider status negatively correlates with cyberloafing, emotional exhaustion shows a positive correlation. These factors mediate the relationship between role stress and cyberloafing, underscoring a multifaceted dynamic. Our results provide new theoretical insights into the mechanisms of employee counterproductive behavior, specifically in the context of cyberloafing, and broaden our understanding of its determinants. This study illuminates theoretical nuances and offers practical implications for managerial strategies and future scholarly inquiries into organizational behavior.

Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) has received particular attention with regards to the improvement of flesh meat quality. However, the effect of broad bean diet on structure, flavor and taste of flesh meat is unclear. In present study, E-nose, E-tongue, TPA, HS-SPME-GC-MS, and LC-MS were used to characterize the structure, flavor and taste of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fed with broad bean. Overall, broad bean significantly improved the texture of grass carp muscle, but reduced the overall taste and flavor. The 50 volatile compounds were detected using HS-SPME-GC-MS. The 252 differential metabolites were identified by LC-MS, of which 107 were up-regulated and 145 were down-regulated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis demonstrated this reduction in taste and flavor was associated with the metabolism of amino acids, lipids and nucleotides. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for improving meat quality and the functional applications of broad bean., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Under abiotic stress, plant root exudates can improve plant growth performance. However, studies on the effect of root exudates on the stress resistance of another plant are insufficient. In this study, root exudates (REs) were extracted from Suaeda glauca to explore their effect on alfalfa seedlings under salt stress. The results showed that the plant height and fresh weight of alfalfa significantly increased by 47.72% and 53.39% after 7 days of RE treatment at a 0.4% NaCl concentration. Under 1.2% salt stress, REs reduced the Malondialdehyde content in alfalfa by 30.14% and increased the activity of its antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) and the content of its osmotic regulators (soluble sugar and proline) by 60.68%, 52%, 45.67%, and 38.67%, respectively. Soil enzyme activity and the abundance of soil-beneficial bacteria were increased by REs. Spearman analysis showed that urease and neutral phosphatase were related to the richness of beneficial bacteria. Redundancy analysis confirmed that urease affected the composition of the soil bacterial community. The partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) revealed that REs had a direct positive effect on alfalfa growth under salt stress by regulating the plant's injury and antioxidant systems, and the soil bacterial community had an indirect positive effect on alfalfa growth through soil enzyme activity.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) increasingly know the benefits of improving resource efficiency and closing loops. These benefits include lowering material costs, establishing competitive advantages, and gaining access to new markets. As a consequence of implementing new regulations, manufacturing companies, particularly those in the automobile industry, are compelled to modify and change their business practices related to the circular economy (CE). More stringent the implementation of environmentally responsible policies and strengthening environmental regulations. CE is the most important factor in improving environmental conditions since it reduces waste and boosts output. This facet calls for the attention of fresh academics and policymakers with years of relevant expertise. Recent studies have investigated how green logistics management might improve a company's overall performance in terms of environmental responsibility. However, we believe that the connection between environmentally responsible companies is not a direct one but rather one that is mediated by the practices of circular economies. We investigate the direct and indirect effects of the environmentally responsible impact of proper logistics management on organizations' overall environmental performance via the application of circular economy practices. Our theoretical underpinnings are the resource-based viewpoint and the resource dependence theory. This research also investigates whether or not the traceability of the supply chain has a mitigating influence on the connections. We evaluated the hypotheses using the PLS-SEM method, drawing on the empirical data provided by 245 Chinese factories considered modest or medium size. The results demonstrate that the management of green logistics has a constructive effect on circular economy practices and businesses' sustainability performance. In addition, although it greatly impacts circular economy practice among SMEs, supply chain traceability does not attenuate the connection between eco-friendly supply chain management and environmental impact. Green logistics management in SMEs is linked to improved sustainability performance via the circular economy practice. To further verify the efficacy of the mediation, we also ran the sober test. Our results strengthen knowledge of circular economy, environmentally friendly logistics management practices, and sustainability performance while advancing natural resource-based planning and the resource dependence theory, which are the two approaches. Given the scarcity of information research analyzing the interplay between these factors, our results are very significant., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Patients' adherence to the prescribed therapy is influenced by several personal and social factors. However, existing studies have mostly focused on individual aspects. We took a holistic approach to develop a higher-level impact factor model., Patients and Methods: In this independent, non-interventional, cross-sectional and anonymous study design the pharmacist recruited patients who entered the pharmacy and handed in a prescription for a blood pressure medication. The patients received a paper questionnaire with a stamped return envelope to volunteer participation. A total of 476 patients in Germany who reported having at least high normal blood pressure according to the Global Hypertension Practice Guidelines were surveyed. In this study, each patient received an average of 2.49 antihypertensive prescriptions and 7.9% of all patients received a fixed-dose combination. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was performed for model analytics since it enables robust analysis of complex relationships., Results: Emotional attitude, behavioral control, and therapy satisfaction directly explained 65% of therapy adherence. The predictive power of the out-of-sample model for the Q 2 -statistic was significant. The patient's overall therapy satisfaction determined medication adherence. The medication scheme's complexity also influenced the adherence levels. Therapy satisfaction was significantly shaped by the complexity of the medication scheme, behavioral control, and emotional attitude. The results demonstrated the superior performance of fixed-dose combinations against combinations of mono-agents according to the adherence level. Additionally, patient-physician and patient-pharmacist relationships influenced behavioral control of medication therapy execution. According to the A14-scale to measure the level of adherence, 49.6% of patients were classified as adherent and the remainder as non-adherent., Conclusion: The results enable healthcare stakeholders to target attractive variables for intervention to achieve maximum effectiveness. Moreover, the proven predictive power of the model framework enables clinicians to make predictions about the adherence levels of their hypertensive patients., Competing Interests: The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Schäfer.)

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 affects the respiratory system and causes severe acute respiratory infections. Several cultures have influenced the use of home remedies to ease mild symptoms of COVID-19 sometimes alongside conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the usage of COVID-19 home remedies among the adult population in Brunei., Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study using an online survey and distributed nationwide. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics describing the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents, their experience with COVID-19 infection, consumption of general home remedies and COVID-19 home remedy, their practice of COVID-19 home remedy use, and their attitude towards the general use of home remedy. Sub-group analysis including Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test was computed for the variables in relation to the COVID-19 home remedy use and the perceived effectiveness of the types of home remedy. Multivariate analysis including Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to determine the correlations between the factors and outcomes measured. P-value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant., Results: There was a total of 864 eligible responses included in the study. The primary findings showed COVID-19 home remedy was used by 72.2% of the study participants. Most frequently used types of COVID-19 home remedy were cloves (37%), lemon (37%), and honey (23%). There was an infrequent usage of coconut (4.6%), eucalyptus oil (3.7%), habbatussauda (3.5%), traditional/ herbal cough syrup (2.4%), and turmeric (2.2%). The PLS-SEM demonstrated that 'Experience' appears to be a central endogenous variable that affects the decision on the use of COVID-19 home remedy. This relationship is mediated by 'Safety', 'Source', and 'Opinion' which have significant contributions to the outcome, accounting for 98.2% of the variance explained (R-square = 0.982)., Conclusions: The outcome of this study establishes the baseline prevalence of COVID-19 home remedy consumption among Bruneian residents and compared the previous study on Brunei's general use of traditional medicine. The present findings could help nurses and other healthcare professionals in Brunei understand the practice of Bruneian adults on the consumption of home remedies for COVID-19., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Social media's significance in higher education has increased due to its capacity to enhance participation, communication, teamwork, and information sharing. Important notifications, updates, and reminders can be promptly received by all members of the university community, assuring that information is shared with everyone. The objective of this study is to develop a model for a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system in higher education that is based on social media and intends to increase student satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability. It blends the idea of trust with Delone Mclean success model. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to evaluate the data that was gathered from 606 Jordanian private university students via an online survey. The findings demonstrated that user satisfaction affects social media usage and that system quality, information quality, service quality, and trust must all be considered to attain user satisfaction. This study examines how to create a CRM system based on social media in Jordanian universities. The study makes significant contribution to the development criteria for evaluating social media-based CRM systems in higher education institutions, and its broad conceptual model cloud be expanded and tested in future studies. This study is the first to investigate the use of social media to develop a CRM system for Jordanian universities. This is a novel study, and the work significantly create a set of criteria for evaluating social media-driven CRM systems in higher education. The study's expansive the model may serve as the base for more research in this field., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The grey water footprint (GWF) is an advanced index linking pollution load and water resources. However, the existing agriculture-related GWF was developed based on hydrological processes, which limits its role in watershed water pollution level (WPL) measurements. The main scope of this study is to calculate GWF and WPL based on runoff, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) observations in the Hujiashan Watershed of China's Yangtze River Basin. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to explore the impact pathways of environmental features on GWF and WPL. On this basis, propose measures for the management of this agricultural watershed. The results showed that the TN concentration had a V-shaped trend in 2008-2015, while the TP gradually decreased. The GWF calculations for the TN and TP were compatible with the temporal trends for the concentrations, which were higher in the wet season (0.45 m 3 /m 2 for TN, 0.10 m 3 /m 2 for TP) than in the dry season (0.11 m 3 /m 2 for TN, 0.02 m 3 /m 2 for TP) and increased from upstream to downstream. The WPLs of TN exceeded 2.0 in the midstream and downstream areas, whereas those for TP were inconspicuous. According to PLS-SEM, the GWF is primarily influenced by topographical variables and hydrological features, whereas the WPL is mainly controlled by hydrological features and landscape composition. Fertilizer reduction and efficiency measures should be implemented on farmland and appropriately reducing farming activities on slopes to relieve the GWF and WPL in the watershed., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The growing interest in the Management of Eco-Friendly Supply Chains warrants this study. Green supply chain management (GSCM) is an approach to supply chain management (SCM) that takes into account environmental factors. Therefore, GSCM is vital in shaping the cumulative environmental effect of businesses engaged in supply chain operations. In addition, GSCM may help improve the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. Manufacturing companies, particularly in developing nations like India, are trying to adjust essential procedures and supply chains because of the rising need to be ecologically sustainable. However, such efforts must be deployed strategically to be ecologically sustainable and economically successful. As a result, this study focuses on the relationship between green supply chain management and education that affect environmental sustainability and economic performance. As a further step toward more sustainable development, the mediating function of education is sustainable economic growth and environmental health. The data was collected by distributing a well-crafted questionnaire to manufacturing facilities in India. We employed PLS-SEM to analyze and interpret the data test hypotheses based on data from 415 replies. The findings point to cost and profit as the primary metrics of corporate success. Disposal of trash, usage of resources, and release of greenhouse gases are alternative measures of environmental sustainability. Distributed online links and in-person interviews with employees at companies throughout India who use GSCM procedures provided the basis for the study's primary data set. The data was gathered with the use of an organized survey form. The findings of tests conducted on the hypotheses were considered. According to this research, cost, profit, waste, resource, and GHG emission impacts vary depending on which GSCM techniques are implemented. Green supply chain management strategies significantly affect price, trash disposal, resource utilization, and GHG emissions. There was no discernible trend between GSCM methods and financial success. In addition to discussing the unique elements of sustainable supply chains and the limits of current research, this article also discusses how a company's bottom line will benefit monetarily from establishing a sustainable supply chain. This should inspire more study in this area. Our investigation revealed patterns and voids, and we used that information to outline a thorough plan for future GSCM studies. The research helps manufacturing company management improve their sustainable policies while providing policymakers with pointers., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Changes in the air temperature tend to indirectly affect soil erosion by influencing rainfall, vegetation growth, economic development, and agricultural activities. In this study, the partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was used to decouple the impacts of temperature change on soil erosion in Northeast China from 2001 to 2019, and the indirect effect of temperature change on the pathways of natural and socioeconomic factors was analyzed. The results showed that temperature increase in Northeast China caused an increase in soil erosion by increasing rainfall and promoting economic development. Under the pathway of natural factors, in spring, the promoting effect on soil erosion under the influence of temperature change on rainfall was greater than the inhibiting effect on soil erosion under by the influence of temperature change on vegetation. In summer, the opposite effect was observed. Under the pathway of natural factors, over time, the promoting effect of temperature increase on soil erosion increased by 22.7%. Under the pathway of socioeconomic factors, temperature change not only aggravated soil erosion by promoting economic development, but also indirectly increased investments in agriculture and water conservation by improving the economy, thus inhibiting soil erosion to a certain extent. Over time, the contribution of temperature change to soil erosion through socioeconomic pathway was reduced by 44.4%. When the pathway of natural factors is compared with that of socioeconomics factors, temperature change imposed a more notable effect on the change in soil erosion through the socioeconomic pathway, indicating that human activities are the driving factors with a greater effect on soil erosion. Based on this, reasonable human intervention is an important means to alleviate soil erosion aggravation caused by rising temperatures., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

As an inland dryland lake basin, the rivers and lakes within the Lake Bosten basin provide scarce but valuable water resources for a fragile environment and play a vital role in the development and sustainability of the local societies. Based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, combined with the geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technology, we used the index WI2019 to extract and analyze the water body area changes of the Bosten Lake basin from 2000 to 2021 when the threshold value is -0.25 and the slope mask is 8°. The driving factors of water body area changes were also analyzed using the partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The result shows that in the last 20 years, the area of water bodies in the Bosten Lake basin generally fluctuated during the dry, wet, and permanent seasons, with a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2015 and an increasing trend between 2015 and 2019 followed by a steadily decreasing trend afterward. The main driver of the change in wet season water bodies in the Bosten Lake basin is the climatic factors, with anthropogenic factors having a greater influence on the water body area of dry season and permanent season than that of wet season. Our study achieved an accurate and convenient extraction of water body area and drivers, providing up-to-date information to fully understand the spatial and temporal variation of surface water body area and its drivers in the basin, which can be used to effectively manage water resources., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

China has entered a period of synchronous development between digitalization and aging. Based on the data from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS), the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) and multi-group analysis were used to analyze the impact mechanism of digital capabilities and digital finance on the wealth of elderly households. The results indicate that digital capabilities and digital finance can improve the wealth level of households headed by the elderly through direct and indirect paths. The indirect effects of digital capabilities and digital finance on elderly household wealth are all exerted through the node of business and property income, and entrepreneurship/investment are mediating variables. Moreover, digital capabilities have a greater impact on the wealth of elderly households in the central and western China regions, while digital finance has a greater impact in the eastern China regions. In addition, there is no significant difference in the effect of digital capabilities on business and property income across regions, while digital finance has a larger effect in the eastern region. The above conclusions can provide theoretical and practical support for realizing active aging and common prosperity in different countries and regions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Owing to alterations in the environment and human activities, the quality of surface water is declining. Despite a substantial number of studies on the factors that impact water quality, there is still a need for a better understanding of the major causes of water quality degradation. This study fused multi-source data using partial least squares structural equation modeling to evaluate the effects of weather, soil composition, and geographical features on the water quality of the East Liao River (ELR), Jilin Province, China. The impacts of land-use practices on water quality at different buffer scales were analyzed. The most significant correlation between land use and water quality was observed at a distance of 4 km. The severity of water pollution was significantly influenced by soil type, with a path coefficient of 0.689 (p < 0.001). Conversely, landscape factors exhibited a notable adverse effect, indicated by a path coefficient of -0.608 (p < 0.001). Additionally, meteorological factors exhibited a significant impact, with a path coefficient of 0.463 (p < 0.001). The indirect effects of landscape elements on water quality were also examined. Water quality could be indirectly influenced by landscape through soil factors, as evidenced by a path coefficient of -0.572 (p < 0.01). In this study, new ideas for studying water quality drivers using multi-source data fusion are introduced. Managers can leverage the findings of this study to improve their decision-making and effectively address water quality issues in ELR located in Jilin Province, China., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the behavioral intention of Filipino older adults toward using telemedicine and the pivotal role of initial trust in influencing this intention. A cross-sectional method was employed, involving a questionnaire administered to 180 participants using convenience sampling. The structural model test results indicate that subjective norm, attitude, and notably, initial trust positively impact the behavioral intention to use telemedicine, whereas perceived behavioral control does not significantly affect intention. This underscores the significance of subjective norm and attitude in shaping behavioral intention, consistent with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), while the extended construct of initial trust played a crucial role in influencing the attitude and intention of older adults, highlighting its importance in technology adoption. The study aligns with the trend of increased telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for trust in sensitive healthcare contexts. Establishing initial trust is vital for successful telemedicine implementation among Filipino older adults, enhancing healthcare accessibility and well-being., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

In today's global business landscape, the concepts of green financing and green tax have become pivotal instruments for fostering environmentally responsible practices. The purpose of 20this study is to comprehensively assess how green financing and green tax collectively influence CSR through various dimensions, including employees, customers, and communities. This research employs a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, which allows for a rigorous analysis of the complex relationships between the variables involved. Data is collected through surveys, enabling a quantitative evaluation of the impacts and interdependencies. The results indicate that green financing has a positive and significant impact on CSR through customer (β = 0.609), employee (β = 0.522), and community (β = 0.509) dimensions. The results also show that green tax has a positive and significant impact on CSR through customer (β = 0.183), employee (β = 0.182), and community (β = 0.296) dimensions. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of how green financing and green tax practices correlate with CSR, both separately and collectively. The implications of this research extend to multiple stakeholders. For businesses, the results offer strategic insights into how environmentally conscious financial practices align with CSR objectives. Policymakers can draw upon the findings to craft effective regulatory frameworks that incentivize sustainable business behavior. Additionally, stakeholders gain valuable insights into how businesses can harmonize economic success with environmental stewardship, promoting engagement with socially responsible entities. This research marks a distinct contribution to the academic landscape by delving into the synergistic impact of green financing and green tax on CSR, particularly within the distinctive context of Bangladesh. In doing so, it successfully addresses a noticeable void within the existing literature, providing fresh insights into the intricate dynamics and opportunities confronting businesses in developing nations., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study is about the role of consumers' personal values (Self-enhancement, Openness to change, Self-transcendence, and Conservation) in consumers' interest towards meat alternatives. In addition, the underlying role of two social motives, status and group affiliation are analysed. A conceptual model with hypotheses was developed and validated, and the hypotheses were tested through PLS-SEM with data from four European countries (Finland, the UK, Germany, and Sweden, total N = 3600). The results show that self-focused personal values (Self-enhancement and Openness to change) are not associated with consumers' interest towards meat alternatives. The case is different with other-focused values. Self-transcendence had a positive connection to interest while Conservation had a negative relationship. Finally, the data suggest an underlying role of social motive status between Self-enhancement and interest and the same for group affiliation between Self-transcendence and Conservation and interest. Based on the results, strategies to support meat alternative adoption such as value activation through priming, cognition and emotion-driven marketing are proposed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to obtain health products and services from home. Similar to other e-commerce, medicines are bought online and delivered using a courier service., Objective: By being fully concerned to patient safety, this study aims to determine development strategies to increase intention in purchasing prescription drugs through e-pharmacy., Methods: Two stages of measurement are employed in this study, namely confirmatory factor analyis using PLS-SEM and pairwise comparison using AHP method. To discover consumer perception in using e-pharmacy, the basic model of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is employed with several extensions., Results: The results of PLS-SEM express that Trust has a major role as an intervening variable to enhance the indirect effect of Subjective Norms and Perceived Values on Purchase Intention. In general, PLS-SEM structural model is declared "fit" (GFI = 0.93 ≥ 0.90; RMSEA = 0.045 ≤ 0.08; SRMR = 0.033 ≤ 0.05). Measurement model test proves that all selected indicators are valid to represent their related constructs (Loading Factor ≥ 0.50), and all selected constructs are reliable to build the whole path model (CR ≥ 0.7; AVE ≥ 05). Meanwhile, the results of AHP indicate that strengthening government policies and regulations is prioritized to increase consumer intention of purchasing prescription drugs through e-pharmacy, followed by protection of user confidential data in the second place. Those two eigenvectors are 0.236 and 0.185 respectively., Conclusion: Future research is suggested to add perceived risk as latent variable in the study of consumer behavior for any high-risk products.

Background: Transformational leadership and organizational learning culture have become exciting topics to be explored over the last few decades. However, several previous studies have shown certain inconclusive findings regarding the link between transformational leadership and organizational learning culture., Objective: This study fills this gap by developing a clear model and aims to examine the extent of the impact of (1) transformational leadership on organizational learning culture and intrinsic work motivation, (2) intrinsic work motivation on organizational learning culture, (3) intrinsic work motivation in mediating and moderating the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational learning culture., Methods: The data of this study are collected from employees working at the community health center in Indonesia. A partial least squares (PLS) based structural equation modeling (SEM) technique is used to analyze the data by utilizing the SmartPLS 3.0 software package., Results: First, the results concluded that transformational leadership has a significant impact on organizational learning culture and intrinsic work motivation. Second, intrinsic work motivation has a significant impact on organizational learning culture. Third, intrinsic work motivation fully mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational learning culture. Also, intrinsic work motivation moderates these variables' relationships., Conclusion: The theoretical model of previous research on the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational learning culture with intrinsic work motivation as a mediator and moderator variable has yet to be fully developed both in public and private organizations, particularly in the health sector.

This study extends the foundations of the natural resource-based view (NRBV) by introducing a mediation-moderation framework by analyzing the influence of green intellectual capital (GIC) on both green innovation performance (GIP) and environmental performance (EP) while simultaneously considering the mediating role of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and the moderating influence of the green innovation climate (GICL). The data for this study was gathered from a sample of 575 participants employed within small and medium enterprises' (SMEs') manufacturing firms. This dataset was utilized to evaluate the proposed model; this study uses the PLS-SEM approach to comprehensively examine the complex interactions among these variables. This model adds to the theoretical understanding of NRBV and enhances its practical applicability. The findings of this study reveal a positive relationship between GIC, GAC, GIP, and EP within organizations. Furthermore, our investigation reveals a positive correlation between a GICL and the relationships involving GIC, GAC, GIP, and EP. Importantly, this research introduces a novel perspective by clarifying the complex relations among these variables and highlighting the positive correlation between a GICL and the relationships involving GIC, GAC, GIP, and EP. This novel approach enhances the theoretical understanding of NRBV and its practical applicability in fostering GIP and EP within manufacturing SMEs operating in Pakistan., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Aside from statutory requirements, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) hardly take into consideration reliable accounting systems. Therefore, poor and ineffective bookkeeping has contributed to the collapse of some SMEs. This paper examines the intervening role of owners' accounting skills in the relationship between bookkeeping practices and the performance of SMEs in the Ho Municipal Assembly of Ghana using a sample of 296 SMEs. In a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework, the Smart Partial Least Squares (Smart-PLS) software is employed to analyse the relationships between owners' accounting skills, bookkeeping practices, and the performance of SMEs. We find that bookkeeping practices and owners' accounting skills have significant positive effects on the performance of SMEs. Most importantly, we show the existence of a significant indirect relationship between bookkeeping practices and SME performance such that owners' accounting skills positively intervenes the relationship between bookkeeping practices and SME performance. Thus, in the presence of higher owners' accounting skills, the relationship between bookkeeping and the performance of SMEs is strengthened further. In a typical emerging economy context, while appropriate regulatory bodies, such as the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), in the Ghanaian context, and local revenue collection authorities could put forth measures like periodic compliance audits to ensure that registered SMEs are managed by skilled personnel, fostering them to meet basic requirements for keeping records and managing their accounts to improve their performance, it is worth acknowledging that the onus lies on SME managers to recognise the relevance of good recordkeeping and account management practices to ensure sustained business performance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

The distribution and dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water-diversion lakes are poorly understood. In this study, two comparative in situ investigations of ARG profiles targeting water diversion (DP) and non-diversion periods (NDP) were conducted in Luoma Lake, a vital transfer node for the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China. The results demonstrated significant spatiotemporal variations in ARG contamination and notable differences in the co-occurrence patterns of ARGs and bacterial communities between DP and NDP. Correlations among ARGs with the 16 S rRNA, and mobile genetic elements indicate that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and vertical gene transfer (VGT) in NDP, but only HGT in DP, were the primary mechanisms of ARG proliferation and spread, implying that water diversion could be an essential control of the transfer pattern of ARGs in a lake environment. The null model analysis indicated that stochastic processes, with predominant driver of ecological drift in the lake mainly drove the assembly of ARGs. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was developed to analyze the causal effects of the factors in shaping ARG dynamics and identify the major driving forces in the DP and NDP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Many soil and water conservation measures (SWCM) have been implemented in the Loess Plateau of China, and they have an impact on ecosystems all levels and involve complicated mechanisms. Previously, studies typically focused on a single factor's effect on diversity or productivity. With this background, the current investigation embarked on an extensive study, with vegetation survey conducted in the no measure plots (NM), vegetation measure plots (VM) and engineering measure plots (EM) in the Loess Plateau of China. We used structural equation models (SEM) to explain the mechanism by which SWCM affects plant productivity and diversity. VM have direct effects on plant diversity, and EM have direct effects on soil properties and community structure. The two measures also had indirect effects on plant functional traits and community structure. The results show that the changes in plant functional traits and community structure by SWCM decreased plant diversity, whereas the increase of productivity was primarily dominated by improvements in community structure, and we conclude that variability in plant diversity and productivity across different measures on the Loess Plateau was primarily due to the responses of different plants to variable soil properties and the community responses. It was also emphasized that vegetation measures were beneficial to the increase of biomass per plant, while engineering measures were more beneficial to the growth of dominant species. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for vegetation management and restoration after the application of different SWCM., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in behavioural changes in the way people consume food in Indonesia, because people tend to use online food delivery (OFD) services to order food after the pandemic. In line with this, application-based OFD service providers in Indonesia such as GoFood, GrabFood, ShopeeFood, and others are growing year after year, creating competition among OFD service providers. On the other hand, now that the COVID-19 pandemic condition has begun to improve, people may return to ordering food in the traditional manner, namely by visiting restaurants directly without using the OFD service application. As a result, it may jeopardize the stability of the OFD service business. As a result, the purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the satisfaction and intent of OFD service users in Indonesia to continue using OFD services in the future. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), Expectancy Confirmation Model (ECM), online review, online rating, and online tracking were all combined to do structural equation modeling (SEM) using the PLS-SEM approach. Data were gathered using an online poll of 325 respondents who have used OFD services. According to the findings of the structural model analysis, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, price-saving orientation, and confirmation all have a direct impact on the level of satisfaction of OFD service users. Meanwhile, performance expectancy, habit, online review, and satisfaction all influence the intention to continue using OFD services. The findings of this study can be used as a reference for OFD service providers as a service improvement strategy, as well as to expand the literature on consumer behaviour regarding OFD services and provide a foundation for future research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)