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Asthma can impact children’s quality of life. It is unclear how asthma is associated with the developmental health (i.e. a broad range of skills and abilities associated with growth and development) of young children at school entry. The goals of this cross-sectional, population-level study were to: (1) investigate the association between teacher-reported asthma and children’s concurrent indicators of developmental health (developmental vulnerability); and (2) explore whether school absences and functional impairments modified this association.Participants were a Canadian population-based sample of 564 582 kindergarten children (Mage = 5.71 years, SD = 0.32, 51.3 % male) with data on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) collected between 2010 and 2015. Adjusted binary logistic regressions were conducted to address the objectives. From the sample, 958 (0.2 %) children were identified as having a diagnosis of asthma. These children were absent on average 9.4 days and 53.5 % had functional impairments (vs. 6.7 days absent and 15.9 % with functional impairments in children without asthma). After controlling for demographic characteristics, children with asthma had between 1.51 and 2.42 higher odds of being developmentally vulnerable. Only the presence of functional impairments modified this relationship and only for physical health and well-being. In this large, population-based sample of Canadian kindergarten children, few teachers reported knowledge of their students’ asthma diagnosis. Among teacher-reported cases, asthma was a risk factor for developmental vulnerability in the domain of physical health and well-being only. Functional impairments may therefore be more detrimental for child development at school entry than asthma alone.

Implication Statement: The bone marrow aspirate and biopsy procedure are fundamental to the diagnosis of many hematologic pathologies. We describe a hands-on, anatomy-based workshop that allows learners to practice bone marrow procedures on cadavers. Notably, participants learned how to perform sternal aspirates: a procedure rarely performed in real-life practice. Learners valued the experience and described increased comfort with the procedure after the workshop. This workshop provides a valuable opportunity for trainees to learn a procedural skill in a safe, high fidelity environment. Given its hands-on nature, residency training programs could also adapt it for direct observation and trainee assessment.

Developing countries generally exhibit low ‘saving’ (flow concept) and ‘savings’ (stock concept) rates. The factors underlying household positive or negative saving behaviours in developed and developing countries are not new in the macroeconomic literature. Whereas some determinants are theoretically generic, others are country- or community-specific and worth investigating. In this study, the determinants of household saving behaviour are examined. We obtain the results using primary data from a household survey and a logit econometric model with its associated average marginal effects. Our evidence shows that household income, level of education completed, employment status, and households with launching children (or transitioning older adults) are primary drivers of household saving behaviour in Ghana. Further heterogeneous analysis shows that saving behaviour does not statistically differ by gender but by poverty headcount. In line with the findings of this study, relevant policy prescriptions are discussed.

Abstract Background In addition to the other uses for macroalgae, since the 1970s, there has been interest in using macroalgae as a source of biofuels, due to the high rates of productivity and intrinsic advantages over other biofuel crops such as not requiring land use or significant freshwater input. A wide range of conversion processes exist but anaerobic digestion was one of the first demonstrated and is still a widely proposed conversion pathway. To be economically viable and scalable within Europe, the industry will need to be based on a small number of fast growing, high-yielding European macroalgae species. There is a wide body of scientific work on the conversion of seaweeds to biofuel via anaerobic digestion. Main text These studies demonstrate that the efficiency of this conversion pathway is highly variable between species, processing techniques, composition and digestor conditions. In this paper, we review this body of work specifically linking it to candidate species for European macroalgae bio-energy cultivation with the aim to promote the future development of the European macroalgal cultivation sector and allow for a better alignment with the requirements for biofuel production from macroalgae. Conclusions Overall, anaerobic digestion of seaweed offers opportunities for large-scale energy production which avoids some of the issues that have faced previous generations of biofuels, but there are a number of key challenges to overcome to ensure wider adoption and economic viability. (1) Optimising the biomass production to ensure an economic and uniform feedstock with the composition optimised to increase desirable characteristics such as sugar content and the carbon and nitrogen ratio and to reduce inhibitory factors such as halogenated secondary metabolites, sulphur and heavy metals. (2) Improving conversion rates through co-digestion, pre-treatments and tailored microbial communities, using scalable and economically feasible technology. (3) Developing tailored microbial communities capable of utilising the diverse polysaccharides in seaweed feedstock and being tolerant of the saline conditions associated with them. Addressing these issues will deliver significant benefits towards the development of a bio-energy industry based on the anaerobic digestion of cultured seaweeds.

Abstract The 9th Cardiovascular Outcome Trial (CVOT) Summit: Congress on Cardiovascular, Kidney, and Metabolic Outcomes was held virtually on November 30-December 1, 2023. This reference congress served as a platform for in-depth discussions and exchange on recently completed outcomes trials including dapagliflozin (DAPA-MI), semaglutide (SELECT and STEP-HFpEF) and bempedoic acid (CLEAR Outcomes), and the advances they represent in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), improving metabolic outcomes, and treating obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). A broad audience of endocrinologists, diabetologists, cardiologists, nephrologists and primary care physicians participated in online discussions on guideline updates for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetes, heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD); advances in the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its comorbidities; advances in the management of CKD with SGLT2 inhibitors and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (nsMRAs); and advances in the treatment of obesity with GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists. The association of diabetes and obesity with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, MASH) and cancer and possible treatments for these complications were also explored. It is generally assumed that treatment of chronic diseases is equally effective for all patients. However, as discussed at the Summit, this assumption may not be true. Therefore, it is important to enroll patients from diverse racial and ethnic groups in clinical trials and to analyze patient-reported outcomes to assess treatment efficacy, and to develop innovative approaches to tailor medications to those who benefit most with minimal side effects. Other keys to a successful management of diabetes and comorbidities, including dementia, entail the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology and the implementation of appropriate patient-physician communication strategies. The 10th Cardiovascular Outcome Trial Summit will be held virtually on December 5–6, 2024 ( http://www.cvot.org ).

Abstract Background Formation of tissue-specific transcriptional programs underlies multicellular development, including dorsoventral (DV) patterning of the Drosophila embryo. This involves interactions between transcriptional enhancers and promoters in a chromatin context, but how the chromatin landscape influences transcription is not fully understood. Results Here we comprehensively resolve differential transcriptional and chromatin states during Drosophila DV patterning. We find that RNA Polymerase II pausing is established at DV promoters prior to zygotic genome activation (ZGA), that pausing persists irrespective of cell fate, but that release into productive elongation is tightly regulated and accompanied by tissue-specific P-TEFb recruitment. DV enhancers acquire distinct tissue-specific chromatin states through CBP-mediated histone acetylation that predict the transcriptional output of target genes, whereas promoter states are more tissue-invariant. Transcriptome-wide inference of burst kinetics in different cell types revealed that while DV genes are generally characterized by a high burst size, either burst size or frequency can differ between tissues. Conclusions The data suggest that pausing is established by pioneer transcription factors prior to ZGA and that release from pausing is imparted by enhancer chromatin state to regulate bursting in a tissue-specific manner in the early embryo. Our results uncover how developmental patterning is orchestrated by tissue-specific bursts of transcription from Pol II primed promoters in response to enhancer regulatory cues.

Abstract The Russian-Ukrainian War, ongoing since 2014, impacts an area containing Emerald Network environmental-protection sites created through the implementation of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. Here we explore the impact of this conflict on institutional links supporting environmental sustainability and conservation efforts. Using satellite data, we analyzed tree cover changes in the Luhansk region’s Emerald Network protected areas from 1996 to 2020. The results reveal that the implementation of Bern Convention conservation policies led to a shift from deforestation (−4% each) to reforestation (+8% and +10%) on both sides of the Emerald Network divided by the demarcation line in 2014. It also shows that despite the war, territories under Ukraine control after 2014 continued reforestation (+9%), while sites under Russian control experienced dramatic forest loss (−25%). These findings emphasize the significant consequences of warfare-induced separation of local institutions on conservation areas and underscore the positive impact of the Emerald Network establishment, both before and after the conflict’s onset.

White bass (Morone chrysops) are a popular sportfish throughout the southern United States, and one parent of the commercially-successful hybrid striped bass (M. chrysops ♂ x M. saxatilis ♀). Currently, white bass are cultured using diets formulated for other carnivorous fish, such as largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) or hybrid striped bass and contain a significant percentage of marine fish meal. Since there are no studies regarding the utilization of alternative proteins in this species, we evaluated the global gene expression of white bass fed diets in which fish meal was partially or totally replaced by various combinations of soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, canola meal, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, or a commercial protein blend (Pro-Cision™). Six isonitrogenous (40% protein), isolipidic (11%), and isocaloric (17.1 kJ/g) diets were formulated to meet the known nutrient and energy requirements of largemouth bass and hybrid striped bass using nutrient availability data for most of the dietary ingredients. One of the test diets consisted exclusively of plant protein sources. Juvenile white bass (40.2 g initial weight) were stocked into a flow-through aquaculture system (three tanks/diet; 10 fish/tank) and fed the test diets twice daily to satiation for 60 days. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses revealed significant differentially expressed genes between all test diets when compared to fish meal control. A total of 1,260 differentially expressed genes were identified, with major ontology relating to cell cycle and metabolic processes as well as immune gene functions. This data will be useful as a resource for future refinements to moronid diet formulation, as marine fish meal becomes limiting and plant ingredients are increasingly added as a reliable protein source.

Using quantitative imaging and monitoring transcription in living embryos, Bellec et al., provide evidence that the pioneer factor GAF acts as a stable mitotic bookmarker during early Drosophila development.

In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to explain changes in the ratios of married persons, adulterers, and divorcees. A formula for predicting the percentage of couples in the country using the inversion transformation was formulated using the equations expressing the proportions of adulterers and divorcees. The qualitative study revealed two threshold conditions: the basic reproductive numbers for a divorcee (RoY) and an adulterer (RoZ) in a married context. Based on these threshold conditions, it was found that, on average, a divorcee persuades a spouse to dissolve their marriage every year. However, we found that a significant fraction of couples were either divorcing or committing adultery, as shown by the instability of the divorce-adultery equilibrium point. Every month, a couple will occasionally spend 5 or 6 days apart sleeping outside of their union. The results of the sensitivity analysis revealed that the main cause of the country’s growing divorce problem is the rate at which spouses end their relationships while being influenced by others. On the other hand, the prevalence of adultery in the nation is largely influenced by the rate at which an adulterer divorces their spouse.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) harbours aberrant epigenetic features, including DNA methylation. In this study we delineate pathways and networks altered by DNA methylation and associated with HGSOC initiation and progression to a platinum-resistant state. By including tumours from patients who had been treated with the hypomethylating agent (HMA) guadecitabine, we also addressed the role of HMAs in treatment of HGSOC. Tumours from patients with primary (platinum-naïve) HGSOC (n = 20) were compared to patients with recurrent platinum-resistant HGSOC and enrolled in a recently completed clinical trial (NCT01696032). Human ovarian surface epithelial cells (HOSE; n = 5 samples) served as normal controls. Genome-wide methylation profiles were determined. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression levels were examined by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinical outcomes. Cancer-related and tumorigenesis networks were enriched among differentially methylated genes (DMGs) in primary OC vs. HOSE. When comparing platinum-resistant and primary tumours, 452 CpG island (CGI)-containing gene promoters acquired DNA methylation; of those loci, decreased (P

Decoloniality theory, with its signature concepts coloniality of power and coloniality of knowledge, initially emerged in Latin America. It has been developed further in southern Africa, where it now has significant influence in some universities. Decoloniality theory has to be distinguished from the broader endeavour of intellectual decolonization. The latter includes all intellectual efforts to free theory and ideology from distorting bias which is the effect of colonial or neocolonial power relations. Intellectual decolonization in this broader sense (e.g., in the writings of Anthony Appiah and Kwasi Wiredu) is truth-oriented: it aims to expose incorrect claims which are the result of bias, replacing them with correct theoretical conclusions. By contrast, contemporary decoloniality theory (e.g., in the writings of Walter Mignolo and Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni) embraces several contentious metaphysical ideas, among which is rejection of the very possibility of universal truth. When decoloniality theory first emerged (in Aníbal Quijano’s innovative writings) out of the discipline of political economy, however, it exemplified the broader, truth-oriented sense of intellectual decolonization. Quijano, and later Ramón Grosfoguel, were concerned to expose several false theoretical claims in social science which are a legacy of Eurocentric bias. Here I argue that tracing the steps by which contemporary decoloniality theory developed from this starting point can reveal some of its principal shortcomings. I seek to show that several of the distinctive metaphysical ideas in contemporary decoloniality theory are founded on drastically undermotivated, hyperphilosophising inferences from empirical premises. Even considered purely on its own terms, I argue, contemporary decoloniality theory exhibits a number of weaknesses and contradictions.

Percutaneous coronary intervention has become a fundamental diagnostic and treatment strategy in coronary artery disease. Much like any procedure, it is not without risk; in fact, a rare but life-threatening complication as a result of percutaneous coronary intervention is coronary artery perforations (CAP). The risk of CAPs correspondingly rises in relation to the difficulty of the procedure, location of lesion, and complexity of anatomy. It follows then that early recognition and instigation of an appropriate treatment strategy is key in reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with CAPs. The authors present eight case reports of varying difficulties, their analogous management, and a literature review of management approaches in treating CAPs in order to provide a review of management strategies and to highlight the importance of immediate recognition of a potentially fatal complication.

Abstract Background Evidence for the health benefits of urban green space tends to stem from small, short-term quasi-experimental or cross-sectional observational research, whilst evidence from intervention studies is sparse. The development of an urban greenway (9 km running along 3 rivers) in Northern Ireland provided the opportunity to conduct a natural experiment. This study investigated the public health impact of the urban greenway on a range of physical activity, health, wellbeing, social, and perceptions of the environment outcomes. Methods A repeated cross-sectional household survey of adult residents (aged ≥16 years) who lived ≤1-mile radius of the greenway (intervention sample) and > 1-mile radius of the greenway (control sample) was conducted pre (2010/2011) and 6-months post implementation (2016/2017). We assessed changes in outcomes pre- and post-intervention follow-up including physical activity behaviour (primary outcome measure: Global Physical Activity Questionnaire), quality of life, mental wellbeing, social capital and perceptions of the built environment. Linear regression was used to calculate the mean difference between post-intervention and baseline measures adjusting for age, season, education, car ownership and deprivation. Multi-level models were fitted using a random intercept at the super output area (smallest geographical unit) to account for clustering within areas. The analyses were stratified by distance from the greenway and deprivation. We assessed change in the social patterning of outcomes over time using an ordered logit to make model-based outcome predictions across strata. Results The mean ages of intervention samples were 50.3 (SD 18.9) years at baseline (n = 1037) and 51.7 (SD 19.1) years at follow-up (n = 968). Post-intervention, 65% (adjusted OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.00) of residents who lived closest to the greenway (i.e., ≤400 m) and 60% (adjusted OR, 0.64 95% CI 0.41 to 0.99) who lived furthest from the greenway (i.e.,≥1200 m) met the physical activity guidelines - 68% of the intervention sample met the physical activity guidelines before the intervention. Residents in the most deprived quintiles had a similar reduction in physical activity behaviour as residents in less deprived quintiles. Quality of life at follow-up compared to baseline declined and this decline was significantly less than in the control area (adjusted differences in mean EQ5D: -11.0 (95% CI − 14.5 to − 7.4); − 30.5 (95% CI − 37.9 to − 23.2). Significant change in mental wellbeing was not observed despite improvements in some indicators of social capital. Positive perceptions of the local environment in relation to its attractiveness, traffic and safety increased. Conclusions Our findings illustrate the major challenge of evaluating complex urban interventions and the difficulty of capturing and measuring the network of potential variables that influence or hinder meaningful outcomes. The results indicate at this stage no intervention effect for improvements in population-level physical activity behaviour or mental wellbeing. However, they show some modest improvements for secondary outcomes including positive perceptions of the environment and social capital constructs. The public health impact of urban greenways may take a longer period of time to be realised and there is a need to improve evaluation methodology that captures the complex systems nature of urban regeneration.

Traditionalism’s most influential contemporary revival, Dugin’s Eurasianism, is routinely characterised as being of the radical Right. The Decoloniality theory of Quijano, Mignolo and Ndlovu-Gatsheni, on the other hand, with its intellectual roots in Marxist dependency theory, presents itself as on the progressive Left. Yet, despite their different intellectual genealogies and drastically different reputations, both theoretical approaches have converged on a position with troubling practical consequences: epistemic ethnonationalism, the doctrine that which beliefs one should adopt and which concepts one should employ are determined by which ethnos/ethnie one belongs to. Both approaches deplore acceptance of Western beliefs and employment of Western concepts outside the West, both turn to existential phenomenology to ground their ethnorelativism, and both have influenced contemporary politics. I assess the theoretical underpinnings of both approaches, and argue that if neo-Traditionalism is to be classified as a Rightist body of thought, then Decoloniality theory ought also to be.

White bass (Morone chrysops) is a popular sportfish throughout the southern United States, and one parent of the commercially successful hybrid striped bass (M. chrysops ♂ x M. saxatilis ♀; HSB). Commercial production of white bass does not currently exist in the U.S. due to a lack of information regarding nutritional requirements and cost-effective diets as well as high production costs. Currently, white bass are cultured using diets formulated for other carnivorous fish that contain a significant percentage of marine fish meal (FM). We evaluated growth, survival, and body composition of white bass fed diets in which FM was replaced by various protein ingredients including soybean meal (SBM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), a combination of SBM, canola meal, and soy protein concentrate, or a commercial protein blend (Pro-Cision™). Six isonitrogenous (40% protein), isolipidic (11%), and isocaloric (17.1 kJ/g) diets were formulated using nutrient availability data for most of the dietary ingredients. Fish (40.2 ± 1.83 g) were stocked into a flow-through (2 L/min) culture system (3 tanks/diet; 10 fish/tank) and fed the test diets twice daily (7 d/wk) to satiation for 60-d. Test diets that replaced FM with various percentages of SBM and PBM resulted in similar performance as fish fed the control diet containing 30% FM. Fish fed the all-plant diet or the diet in which the commercial blend replaced FM resulted in reduced growth performance. Diet performance rankings based on response measures along with differences in essential amino acids and feed intake provided some insight into differences in diet performance. White bass can be fed fish meal-free diets without significantly reducing growth; however, replacement of FM exclusively with plant protein or commercial protein blends may need further study to ensure sufficient intake and performance. Limiting amino acid balance will also need to be addressed in future FM replacement trials with white bass.

Nutrient supplementations are often added to aquaponic systems to optimize plant production, and black soldier fly larvae frass is a promising organic fertilizer. However, the mineral composition of the frass is substantially influenced by the initial substrate. In an 8-week study, sweetpotato slips were cultured at commercial stocking densities in an aquaponic system which received weekly additions of either BSFL frass made from high-nitrogen expired fish diets or low-nitrogen fruits/vegetables. The sweetpotato slips (≥8 nodes) were harvested weekly. Despite differences in the mineral composition between the frass types, the water quality as well as slip production/sugar content were unaffected by frass type. The results indicate that a wide array of substrates may be suitable for producing black soldier fly larvae frass as a fertilizer in aquaponic systems. Lastly, aquaponics is a viable system to commercially produce sweetpotato slips.

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) provides numerous health benefits relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns exist that PA levels may have decreased during the pandemic thus exacerbating health disparities. This study aims to determine changes in and locations for PA and reasons for decreased PA during the pandemic. Methods Reported percentage of changes in and locations for PA and reasons for decreased PA were examined in 3829 US adults who completed the 2020 SummerStyles survey. Results Overall, 30% reported less PA, and 50% reported no change or no activity during the pandemic; percentages varied across subgroups. Adults who were non-Hispanic Black (Black) or Hispanic (vs. non-Hispanic White, (White)) reported less PA. Fewer Black adults (vs. White) reported doing most PA in their neighborhood. Concern about exposure to the virus (39%) was the most common reason adults were less active. Conclusions In June 2020, nearly one-third of US adults reported decreased PA; 20% reported increased PA. Decreased activity was higher among Black and Hispanic compared to White adults; these two groups have experienced disproportionate COVID-19 impacts. Continued efforts are needed to ensure everyone has access to supports that allow them to participate in PA while still following guidance to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

This paper presents the first comparative study of emerging stock markets’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic with evidence from Ghana and Botswana. Using daily time-series data from March 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, the study estimates parametric, semi-parametric and non-parametric models, and provides evidence to support the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., the total number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths) on the stock market performances of Ghana and Botswana. Interestingly, the study shows that the impact of the pandemic on Ghana's stock market is quantitatively greater than the stock market of Botswana. The study calls for fiscal and monetary policies to help firms on the stock market to survive the shock. Going forward, measures aimed at building a robust stock market to withstand such external shocks are critical.

Snack bar was a solid rod-shaped food, made from a mixture of dry ingredients such as cereals, nuts, grains and fruits which can be consumed as a snack. Binder is needed in making a snack bar. Puree can be used as binder in making snack bar. The snack bar in this research was made from kepok plantain flour and ambon hijau banana puree. The purpose of this research was to obtain the best ratio of kepok plantain flour and ambon hijau banana puree in making snack bar with the best chemical and sensory characteristics. This research used a completely randomized design of one factor with four different formulations; kapok plantain flour and ambon hijau banana puree composite in the ratio of 50:50 (TP1), 40:60 (TP2), 30:70 (TP3) and 20:80 (TP4) mixed with other snack bar ingridients. Treatments with 4 replicat, which followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at level 5%. The result showed that the ratio of kepok plantain flour and ambon hijau banana puree significantly affected the parameters except fat content and protein content, while sensory assessment had a significantly effected except the parameters of color and density hedonic. Based on the results, the ratio of kepok banana flour : ambon hijau banana puree (40:60) was chosen as the best formula which had chemical characteristics of 25.55% moisture content, 1.33% ash content, 10.47% fat content, 1.47% protein content, crude fiber content 4.83%, and carbohydrate content of 56.35% and the panelists preferred hedonically with a description of yellowish brown, banana flavored, sweet taste and solid texture.

Since race categories do not pick out biologically significant divisions of humanity, their use can be misleading and offensive. Yet racialisation – society’s viewing and treating South Africans as though they comprised different races – has generated real societal groups which are significant from the perspectives of justice and identity. In the philosophy of race, these facts make for a conceptual conundrum. Is common-sense race thinking right that races, if they exist, are human groups differing in significant, inherent and heritable ways, in which case there are no races? Or has common-sense race thinking failed to grasp races’ socially constructed nature, and should we say races are the really existing groups generated by racialisation? The same facts confronted the Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM) – a mid-20th-century South African liberation movement – with an organisational and theoretical challenge. Given its uncompromising non-racialism, how could it justify a federal structure which effectively divided its membership into African, Coloured, and Indian sections? If this was not race-based division, what was it? A former NEUM member, Neville Alexander, provided the Unity Movement with the conceptual resources to answer this challenge. I argue that his major work, One Azania, One Nation, is also a contribution to the philosophy of race. Alexander first contends that social constructionists cannot, without equivocation, claim that common-sense thinking about race in one sense has created races in a quite different sense. He then shows that introducing a second concept, ‘colour-caste’, can preserve the insights of the constructionist approach. While races are unreal, colour-castes are real social identities which need to be overcome.

Abstract We study non-supersymmetric extremal black hole excitations of 4d N $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 supersymmetric string vacua arising from compactification on Calabi-Yau threefolds. The values of the (vector multiplet) moduli at the black hole horizon are governed by the attractor mechanism. This raises natural questions, such as “what is the distribution of attractor points on moduli space?” and “how many attractor black holes are there with horizon area up to a certain size?” We employ tools developed by Denef and Douglas [1] to answer these questions.

It is often assumed that consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for eco-labeled products in research settings is not because of a desire for environmental protection, but rather that they are socially compelled to make decisions that reflects favorably on them, limiting the validity of findings. Using a second-price Vickrey experimental auction, this study found higher WTP for an eco-labeled product than a comparable good, but that social desirability bias, measured by the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale, was not a significant predictor of WTP. Instead, environmental consciousness, environmental knowledge, education, and available information were stronger predictors of WTP for eco-labeled goods.

In the last two decades there has been obtained tremendous improvements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) especially in the sector of face/facial recognition (FR). Over the years, the world obtained remarkable progress in the technology that enhanced the face detection techniques use on common PCs and smartphones. Moreover, the steadily progress of programming languages, libraries, frameworks, and tools combined with the great passion of developers and researchers worldwide contribute substantially to open-source AI materials that produced machine learning (ML) algorithms available to any scholar with the will to build the software of tomorrow. The study aims to analyze the specialized literature starting from the first prototype delivered by Cambridge University until the most recent discoveries in FR. The purpose is to identify the most proficient algorithms, and the existing gap in the specialized literature. The research builds a FR application based on simplicity and efficiency of code that facilitates a person’s face detection using a real time photo and validate the access by querying a given database. The paper brings contribution to the field throughout the literature review analysis as well as by the customized code in Phyton, using ML with Principal Component Analysis (PCA), AdaBoost and MySQL for a myriad of application’s development in a variety of domains.