Regression Equation Modeling Research Articles

Multivariate Analysis of Root Architecture, Morpho-Physiological, and Biochemical Traits Reveals Higher Nitrogen Use Efficiency Heterosis in Maize Hybrids During Early Vegetative Growth

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a globally significant crop with high economic and nutritional importance. Its productivity, however, relies heavily on nitrogen (N) inputs, often resulting in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Enhancing NUE necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms driving N uptake and utilization. The study evaluated the NUE heterosis of 7 inbred lines and their 12 hybrids under low and high N conditions during early vegetative growth. Significant genotypic variations across traits were analyzed using analysis of variance, principal component analysis, correlation, regression, and structural equation modeling. The key contributors to genetic variation included shoot dry weight, N accumulation, and NUE. Hybrids demonstrated enhanced root architecture, superior enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS), and improved morphological traits, photosynthetic efficiency, and N accumulation, resulting in greater biomass production, N accumulation, and NUE compared to inbred lines. Among hybrids, Zheng58 × PH4CV exhibited the highest NUE, driven by efficient N uptake, robust enzymatic activity, and substantial N accumulation. Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) correlated strongly with root traits such as activity (r = 0.80 ***), length (r = 0.73 ***), surface area (r = 0.67 ***), GS activity (r = 0.84 ***), and dry weight (r = 0.92). Similarly, nitrogen utilization efficiency (NutE) was positively correlated with shoot NR activity (r = 0.90 ***), shoot GS activity (r = 0.56 ***), leaf area (r = 0.73 ***), shoot dry weight (r = 0.82 ***), and shoot N accumulation (r = 0.55 ***), particularly under high N conditions. Based on key traits such as shoot dry weight, N accumulation, and NUE, hybrids Zheng58 × PH4CV, 444 × PH4CV, 444 × MO17, and B73 × MO17 emerged as N-efficient genotypes, confirmed by contrasting root systems, enhanced N metabolism, and superior NUE. These findings reveal the pivotal roles of root architecture and N metabolism in optimizing NUE, emphasizing the biochemical and physiological traits crucial for developing highly N-efficient maize hybrids.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards multiple myeloma among medical staff in Enshi Region

A study in the Enshi Region between Sept-Nov 2023 assessed medical staff’s knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding multiple myeloma. The disease significantly impacts physical health, quality of life, and mental well-being. Medical professionals play crucial roles in its prevention and treatment. Analysis used Pearson’s correlation, logistic regression, and structural equation model (SEM). A total of 229 valid questionnaires were collected, with 68.6% of female participants, and 42.4% aged 31–40 years. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 36.27 ± 4.97 (range: 25–53), 42.40 ± 5.78 (range: 30–56), and 29.71 ± 6.41 (range: 7–35), respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed significantly positive correlation between knowledge and attitude. Moreover, in both univariate and multivariate analysis, knowledge showed positive association with attitude. Several demographic factors independently associated with KAP scores were identified, including education level, age, occupation type, and frequency of academic conferences or medical education activities per year. SEM further indicated direct association between attitude and practice (β = 0.320, 95%CI: 0.189–0.452, P < 0.001). In the Enshi Region, medical staff displayed moderate knowledge, neutral attitudes, and proactive practices towards multiple myeloma. Moreover, significant positive association was found between knowledge and attitude. These discoveries provided valuable perspectives to the development of healthcare interventions and educational initiatives for improving medical staff’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Balancing duty and family: the effects of support systems on women in law enforcement

ABSTRACT Childcare resources and parental support remain a concern for many women police officers, who oftentimes become disparately impacted in the workplace due to their identity as a parent. Unpacking how resources and support might directly and indirectly impact commitment to the organization therefore becomes quite important, particularly in light of the retention crisis being faced by agencies across the country. This mixed-methods study employs: (1) ordinary least squares regression and structural equation modeling, in addition to (2) inductive content analysis in order to explore the relationship between organizational commitment, parental support, and social support. Results indicate that parental support and social support have significant positive direct and indirect effects on organizational commitment. Qualitative findings further contextualize that challenges related to scheduling and promotion, breastfeeding, and differential expectations between mothers and fathers are prominent. Potential avenues for improvement in these areas are explored.

Mediating roles of weight stigma and physical activity avoidance in the associations between severity of gaming disorder and levels of physical activity among young adults.

There are limited data regarding associations between gaming disorder and physical activity (PA). The present study investigated the direct association between these two variables and assessed the potentially mediating roles of PA avoidance and two types of weight stigma (i.e., internalized weight stigma and perceived weight stigma) in the association. An online cross-sectional survey that assessed PA avoidance, two types of weight stigma, and PA level was completed in late 2023 by 884 Taiwanese young adults aged between 20 and 40 years (63.9% females). Multinomial logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to assess the associations between variables and perform the mediation analysis. Cognitive behavioral symptoms and negative consequences related to gaming disorder were more common among participants with lower PA than those with moderate to high PA. Individuals at risk of gaming disorder exhibited higher level of PA avoidance, internalized weight stigma, and perceived weight stigma. The SEM found a direct association between gaming disorder and PA, which was negatively mediated by PA avoidance. However, this direct effect was not present when the association was negatively mediated by serial mediations of weight stigma and PA avoidance. Higher gaming disorder was associated with higher levels of PA, but this association may not be present when taking into account the mediation effect of weight stigma and PA avoidance. The findings suggest complex relationships and further research is needed to examine individual differences and relationships among clinical groups.

Performance and Organizational Adaptation Improvement of Private Course and Training Institutions

Interactions among culture, commitment, and organizational adaptation play a significant role in non-formal educational organizations, such as private courses and training institutions. These factors are crucial for maintaining and enhancing organizational performance. This research examines the organizational dynamics within private course and training institutions in Indonesia, focusing on how strategic management and work engagement directly contribute to organizational success and adaptability. By integrating quantitative assessments with a comprehensive theoretical framework, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the factors driving the successful adaptation of private course and training institutions in Indonesia amidst increasing global competition and technological advancements. Through this exploration, the research seeks to offer strategic insights and best practices for non-formal educational organizations in similar contexts. This research surveyed approximately 500 staff members from various Private Course and Training Institutions (PCTIs) across Indonesia, selected through systematic sampling from an estimated population of 576 to 960 individuals working in 192 PCTIs. A structured questionnaire, consisting of both closed and open-ended questions, was used to collect quantitative data regarding their perceptions of key organizational factors. The analysis techniques employed included multiple regression, path analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships between variables and understand organizational dynamics within these institutions. The results indicate several significant direct impacts among the variables. Work Engagement (X6) demonstrates a strong and statistically significant impact on Organizational Adaptation (Y3) with a path coefficient of 0.470 (p &lt; 0.001), indicating a substantial direct effect. Organizational Learning (X4) also shows a significant impact on Work Engagement (X6) with a high coefficient of 0.660 (p &lt; 0.001), and on Organizational Adaptation (Y3) with a coefficient of 0.228 (p = 0.014). Knowledge Transfer (X5) has a considerable direct impact on Organizational Adaptation (Y3) and Performance (Y1 and Y2) with coefficients ranging from 0.078 to 0.119, all of which are statistically significant. Conversely, the impact of Organizational Culture (X3) on Organizational Adaptation (Y3) is very weak and not significant (coefficient = 0.010, p = 0.651).

Artificial intelligence in financial auditing: improving efficiency and addressing ethical and regulatory challenges

Artificial Intelligence has been increasingly reshaping the face of financial auditing for improved efficiency and effectiveness in fraud detection, serving also to strengthen stakeholder trust. This study examines the impact of adopting AI on audit practices, in terms of effectiveness in improving efficiency, fraud detection, ethical challenges, regulatory barriers, and stakeholder trust. In this paper, 460 professional auditors, accountants, and organizational stakeholders have been analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and structural equation modeling. The results indicate that AI has a positive influence on efficiency, value creation, and fraud detection ability, while positively influencing stakeholder trust in organizations. However, ethical concerns from algorithmic bias to a lack of transparency and regulatory risks associated with compliance through data protection laws are also significant barriers. It thus concludes that AI has a enormous potential in revolutionizing auditing practices, and that addressing these barriers through training, transparent AI models, ethical safeguards, and supportive regulatory frameworks is also very important for its widespread adoption. Recommendations and future research avenues are presented to guide the responsible integration of AI into the auditing profession.

Internet use and attitude toward aging among Chinese older adults: the mediating role of health.

This research seeks to explore the relationship between Internet use and attitudes toward aging among older adults in China, with a particular emphasis on the mediating role of health in this correlation. A national survey of 10,858 Chinese adults aged 60 and above was conducted, employing multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling to analyze the impact of Internet use on aging attitudes with health as a mediator. The research found a significant positive association between Internet use and positive aging attitudes (β = -1.420, p < 0.001). Health indicators-self-rated, physical, and mental health-were identified as key moderators, with healthier adults benefiting more from Internet use. This research reveals a positive association between Internet use and attitudes toward aging among older adults in China. These findings hold substantial implications for encouraging active and healthy aging in the digital era, underscoring the value of advocating for digital engagement among seniors as a means to improve their quality of life.

Culturally responsive teaching in higher education: the effects of personality and personal meaning profiles of academics on culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy / La enseñanza culturalmente receptiva en la Educación Superior: los efectos de la de personalidad y de los perfiles de significado personal de los académicos en la autoeficacia en educación culturalmente receptiva

In this study, we aimed to examine the factors affecting the culturally responsive teaching competencies of academics and tested whether the personality traits and personal meaning profiles of the academics had significant effects on culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy. Data were obtained from 1,883 academics by using the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale, Ten-Item Personality Inventory and Personal Meaning Profile Scale — Short Form. Correlation, regression and structural equation modelling analyses were run to analyse the data. We found that culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy is low. In terms of personal meaning profiles, ‘openness to experience’, ‘agreeableness’ personality traits and ‘self-transcendence’ and ‘fair treatment’ had a significant effect on culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy while ‘religion’ and ‘self-acceptance’ were found to have no effect. Based on the findings, we made various suggestions for academics to participate in training on culture-sensitive teaching pedagogy to be more sensitive to different cultures.

Exploring the determinants to accept dementia screening among patients at high risk of dementia based on the theory of planned behavior: A cross-sectional study.

Dementia represents a major public health challenge. Despite numerous initiatives promoting screening for early cognitive impairment to help prevent or delay its onset, participation remains limited. Moreover, there is limited evidence regarding screening intentions and predictors among populations at high risk of dementia. This study used the theory of planned behavior to identify modifiable factors associated with screening participation. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 16, 2021, to April 2, 2022, and involved 439 individuals at high risk of dementia selected using convenience sampling from two major regional communities in Guangzhou, China. A validated custom questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior was used for data collection, and logistic regression and structural equation modeling were applied to identify related predictors. Overall, 62 % of the participants expressed willingness to undergo dementia screening. Behavioral intention was primarily associated with Perceived behavioral control (PBC, path coefficient = 0.36), Subjective norm (path coefficient = 0.16), and Attitude (path coefficient = 0.13). Additionally, PBC was associated with a positive attitude toward dementia screening (path coefficient = 0.39). PBC, subjective norm, and attitudes are associated with dementia screening willingness among high-risk groups. Healthcare professionals and policymakers should focus on enhancing favorable attitudes toward screening, increasing familial encouragement, and reducing perceived barriers to developing effective prevention or intervention strategies.

Structural Equation Modelling of Retinopathy of Prematurity Treatment Integrating Both Physical and Clinical Effects.

Background: We sought to develop a structural equation model (SEM) identifying physical and clinical risk factors associated with treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: This retrospective, observational, case-control study included 314 infants screened for ROP between April 2004 and July 2024. A bivariate binary logistic regression model, decision tree, and structural equation model (SEM) were employed to develop a more general model for ROP requiring treatment. Results: In the SEM, the factors significantly associated with ROP treatment included the retinal avascular area according to disk diameter (DD) (p < 0.001), weekly vascularisation rate (DD/w) (p < 0.001), and duration of intubation (days) (p < 0.001). In addition, the following significant associations were identified in both the bivariate analysis and the SEM: lower gestational age (p < 0.001) and birth weight (p <0.001) were associated with greater retinal avascular area; low postnatal weight gain (p < 0.027) was associated with a slow rate of retinal vascularisation; sepsis (p < 0.001), ductus arteriosus (p < 0.001), and the need for transfusion (p < 0.001) were associated with longer intubation mechanical ventilation (IMV). Conclusions: Lower gestational age, lower birth weight, sepsis, ductus arteriosus, transfusion, and lower weight gain increase the risk of requiring ROP treatment. In the SEM, this association is represented through three intermediate physical endogenous variables, namely, the greater temporal avascular area of the retina, the lower postnatal vascularisation rate, and the greater duration of IMV.

Exploring the Role of Lecturers' Psychological Readiness, Teaching Expertise, and Perceptions in Advancing Digital Literacy Integration in Higher Education

Exploring the Integration of Digital Literacy (DL) in Higher Education (PT) is a complex and continuously developing relationship. This research aims to identify barriers and factors for effective integration and assess their impact on learning. This research uses mixed methods to measure 93 lecturers from various academic backgrounds, and teaching experiences to reveal the multifaceted dynamics of DL integration by examining experiences, perceptions, and institutional factors that influence lecturers. Correlation findings reveal distinct relationships, while regression and structural equation modeling highlight the explanatory power of selected predictors. The findings of this research have practical implications for lecturers, administrators, and policymakers in higher education. Additionally, this research contributes to the scholarly discourse by capturing diverse narratives surrounding the integration of DL in HE. This increased understanding of research opens up opportunities for future research in the form of further investigation into the specific dynamics of peer influence and the impact of institutional policies. In conclusion, higher education institutions adapt to the digital era's demands, and collective research and practice efforts can form an inclusive and adaptive education system.

Structural equation modeling of dietary patterns and association with vitamin D levels in children aged 9-16 years in Guangzhou, China.

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency represent critical public health concerns on a global scale. Due to the increase in indoor activities, the role of dietary intake of vitamin D has become increasingly prominent. However, previous studies have focused solely on a single food item. This study aimed to identify dietary patterns among school-aged children in rural areas of Guangzhou, China, and to explore their association with vitamin D levels. A total of 2,346 children aged 6-17 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, lifestyle, and dietary data were collected through structured questionnaires. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis, while linear regression and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the relationship between these patterns and vitamin D levels. Three distinct dietary patterns emerged: a fruits and vegetables pattern, high-protein pattern, and snack pattern. Analysis revealed that a higher adherence to the fruits and vegetables dietary pattern was associated with lower vitamin D levels. Conversely, among girls, a stronger preference for the high-protein dietary pattern was positively correlated with higher vitamin D levels. The fruits and vegetables pattern emerged as a risk factor for inadequate internal vitamin D levels. In girls, the high-protein pattern functioned as a protective factor. These findings offer valuable insights and policy recommendations for enhancing the health status of children in rural communities.

The Mediation of Financial Behavior to Financial Literacy and Spending Habits of Gen Z: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

The study aims to explain the relationship of financial literacy with spending habits and behavior. Financial behavior is a mediator of Generation Z. Financial literacy is a very important dimension in making financial decisions, and this research highlighted the direct and indirect impacts that financial literacy exerts on spending behavior. Data is collected from 317 respondents using a structured questionnaire measuring financial literacy, financial behavior, and spending behavior. Correlation, regression, mediation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling have been used in evaluating these relationships. Financial literacy directly reflects a strong relationship with spending behavior, and its coefficient is 1.167. Financial behavior, therefore, exercises a strong mediation effect on this relationship with a mediation coefficient of 0.797, thus indicating that financial behavior is an essential tool in successfully translating financial knowledge into responsible spending. From these findings, greater financial literacy and responsible financial behavior may increase the aggregate financial efficacy of Generation Z. Although the current study heavily focuses on the fact that financial literacy and behavior are highly associated with financial well-being, it shows that targeted financial literacy education programs on either behavior or financial literacy enhance healthier spending behavior. The scope of future studies involves considering the role of income and personality characteristics as well as an elongation of the time horizon to uncover the impact of financial literacy on shifts in the individual's financial well-being.

Correlation of Board Compensation and Non-performing Loans of Commercial Banks in Western Uganda

Commercial banks across the globe are significantly impacted by Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in terms of their profitability, liquidity, and potential insolvency. The presence of persistent NPLs undermines the lending capacity of financial institutions, resulting in a destabilization of finance and halting economic growth. While research has focused on the reasons behind NPLs, scant studies have revealed just how board remuneration functions, particularly in developing markets like Uganda. The issue. To address the gap, this study examines the connection between NPLs and board remuneration in commercial banks, focusing on two sub-constructs: Diversity and Expertise (BD) or Independence and Objectivity (BRb). In this study, descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational research designs were used using mixed-methods approaches. Using Slovin's formula and stratified, purposive, and random sampling methods, data was collected from 232 respondents out of a population of approximately 550. To gather the essential information, they conducted systematic questions and interviews, with a pilot study to verify its validity and reliability. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were employed for quantitative analysis, while qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis using Nvivo software. Board independence and objectivity (BRb) were found to be more effective in reducing NPLs than diversity and expertise (BD) (path coefficient = 0.168). The SEM framework was deemed robust by its model fit indices, which were SRMR (0.08) and NFI (&gt;0.90). Such findings also highlight the importance of making independent, unbiased decisions about credit risk reduction. The investigation into the relationship between board remuneration and NPLs in Uganda's banking sector is the first to provide fresh insights into governance factors in a new market. The outcomes offer practical recommendations for financial institutions and policymakers to create efficient compensation structures and governance mechanisms that can improve financial stability.

The Role of Student Organizational Involvement in Shaping Digital Entrepreneurial Intentions

Purpose: The study investigates the role that involvement of students in university organizations plays concerning digital entrepreneurial intention among the university students during the digital economy era. The study seeks to understand organizational participation in shaping entrepreneurial skills and mindset among the students. Method: The study design is quantitative in nature. The research sampled 69 computer science students. Analysis uses the TPB, utilizing regression and structural equation modeling to quantify the relationship of student organizational involvement with factors like attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy, added factors namely innovativeness and digital entrepreneurial education. Findings: Results showed that while self-efficacy and student organizational involvement proved to be significant predictors of digital entrepreneurial intention, attitudes, innovativeness, and subjective norms were not. That could suggest a process of developing digital entrepreneurial intentions, which may place more importance on the confidence in one's abilities and active participation in organizations rather than general attitudes or social pressures from the outside.  Originality: Unique in its focus on the nexus between student organizational involvement and digital entrepreneurship, this study offers new insights into how universities can foster digital entrepreneurial intentions by enhancing the students' self-efficacy and fostering active engagement in student organizations.

The relationship between organizational trust and voice behavior among neonatal intensive care unit nurses in tertiary A hospitals in Sichuan Province: the mediating role of career resilience.

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses face immense pressure, yet research on their voice behavior and the motivational mechanisms behind it is limited. Specifically, the impact of organizational trust and career resilience on this behavior has not been thoroughly explored. This study aims to examine the relationship between organizational trust and voice behavior in NICU nurses, with career resilience acting as a mediating factor, providing empirical evidence for nursing management. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2023, involving 422 neonatal nurses from tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, a voice behavior scale, an organizational trust scale, and a career resilience scale. Hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to analyze the relationships among the variables. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that organizational trust (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and career resilience (β = 0.45, p < 0.001) significantly predicted voice behavior. Mediation analysis using structural equation modeling confirmed that career resilience mediated the relationship between organizational trust and voice behavior, with a mediation effect of 0.340, accounting for 44.8% of the total effect. The structural model demonstrated good fit indices (CFI = 0.962, RMSEA = 0.045), indicating the robustness of the proposed model. Organizational trust significantly influences NICU nurses' voice behavior, with career resilience playing a critical mediating role. Enhancing organizational trust and fostering career resilience among NICU nurses can improve their willingness to engage in voice behavior, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes. Nursing managers should foster a trusting and supportive work environment to improve nurses' job satisfaction and organizational commitment. This can be achieved by enhancing psychological empowerment and promoting positive interactions between nurses, the organization, and leadership. Such an environment helps reduce burnout and strengthens career resilience. Increased resilience enables nurses to better manage clinical pressures and challenges, elevating their career expectations and enhancing their willingness to engage in work. This, in turn, promotes innovation, active participation, and improved voice behavior, ultimately contributing to organizational success.

Influencing factors of blended learning in private universities: An empirical study based on structural model

With the continuous development and rapid progress of Internet technology, the technology of “Internet +” has been widely used in almost all walks of life, including education. The new learning mode of “Internet + education” is changing learners’ learning habits, and this learning mode has become a hot issue that scholars pay attention to. Although there is much research on blended learning, the research on the influencing factors of blended learning in Chinese private colleges and universities is limited. In this paper, the questionnaire was designed based on the theory of planning behavior and the technical acceptance model theory, and distribute these questionnaires to undergraduates at Harbin Cambridge University, a private university in China, and 162 valid questionnaires were collected. Analysis was performed by multiple linear regression and structural equation model method. It is found that college students’ blended learning effect is positively correlated with perceived usefulness, interactive behavior, and learning acceptance, while perceived ease of use and learning atmosphere have no significant influence on the learning effect. This study further found that perceived usefulness and interactive behavior can influence the effect of blended learning through the mediating effect of learning acceptance. The results of this study provide a new idea for the study of blended learning; that is, students will know how to improve the effectiveness of blended learning, and also provide a valuable reference for teachers to solve the problem of how to improve the quality and effectiveness of blended classroom teaching.

扒齿输送带式荞麦捡拾装置的设计与试验研究

To address the high rate of grain loss in the two-stage harvest of buckwheat, a pickup-tooth conveyor belt type buckwheat pickup device was developed to mitigate the grain loss in the buckwheat pickup process. The critical components of the pickup mechanism and conveyor mechanism were designed, and the essential parameters were determined. The operational efficiency of pickup-tooth conveyor belt type buckwheat pickup device was verified through field orthogonal test. The field test results indicate that the loss rate is most significantly affected by the speed of the pickup device, followed by the tilt angle of the pickup-tooth. The forward speed of the machine exerts minimal influence. After the multi-objective parameters of the regression equation model were optimized, the optimal parameters of the factors were obtained: the forward speed of the machine of 0.8 m/s, the pickup speed of 1.1 m/s, as well as the pickup-tooth tilt angle of 0°, Under the above condition, the loss rate of buckwheat grain reached 6.92%.

Application of Theoretical Model for Leisure Practices Based on Constraints-Attitudes and Factors Associated with the Positive Perception of Wellbeing

This study aimed to assess factors associated with a positive perception of wellbeing by applying the leisure constraints and attitudes model. 992 industrial workers of both sexes living in Brazil, participated in the study. Variables were divided into three axes, as follows: leisure, sociodemographic, and work variables. Subjective wellbeing was measured using the Personal Wellbeing Index. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, such as Poisson regression and structural equation modeling. Workers under Ideal conditions for leisure activities had a higher prevalence of positive perception of wellbeing. Regression analyses revealed that the following factors were associated with a positive perception of wellbeing: high socioeconomic level, leisure satisfaction, Ideal conditions for practising leisure activities, and work satisfaction. Structural equation models confirmed the causal relationship between variables, with good fit indices. Institutional policies aimed at improving perception of wellbeing should prioritize worker satisfaction and promote favorable conditions for the practice of leisure activities.

Study on the Response of Net Primary Productivity to Vegetation Phenology and Its Influencing Factors in Karst Ecologically Fragile Regions

Net primary productivity (NPP) is a crucial indicator of ecosystem function and sustainability. Quantifying the response of NPP to phenological dynamics is essential for understanding the impact of climate change on ecosystem processes. In this study, vegetation phenology data for Guizhou Province were extracted from the MCD12Q2 dataset, and NPP was estimated using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) combined with meteorological data. Linear regression, trend analysis, and structural equation modeling were employed to clarify the spatiotemporal patterns of NPP and phenology as a basis for exploring the role of climatic factors in the NPP’s response to phenological changes. The results indicate that 72.15% of Guizhou Province shows an increasing trend in vegetation NPP (slope = 5.0981, p = 0.002). The start of the growing season (measured as SOS) tends to advance (slope = −0.4004, p = 0.0528), while the end of the growing season (measured as EOS) tends to delay (slope = 0.2747, p = 0.1011), resulting in an overall extension of the increasing length of the season (LOS) (slope = 0.64549, p = 0.0065). The spatiotemporal patterns of SOS, EOS, LOS, and NPP varied with elevation changes. For every 500 m increase in altitude, NPP decreased by 25.3 gC/m2, SOS was delayed by 7.1 days, EOS advanced by 1.25 days, and LOS decreased by 8.36 days. These findings suggest that the response of NPP to phenological changes is primarily controlled by local climatic and topographical conditions. Additionally, the indirect effects of climate on NPP through phenological changes were more significant than the direct effects. Climatic factors play varying roles in the NPP response to phenological dynamics, highlighting the profound influence of climate in regulating the mechanisms by which NPP responds to phenological changes.