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Introduction: Leather has been a significant source of chromium (Cr) allergy in Denmark since the 1990s. More recently, cobalt (Co) allergy has been identified in leather as a source of allergic contact dermatitis. Objectives: To measure Cr and Co levels in Danish leather goods. Methods: A total of 87 leather samples were collected, all tanned in Europe. Handheld X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) device was used to screen for the presence of Cr and Co. The 20 leather samples with the highest concentrations of Co and Co were tested using International Organization for Standardization (ISO)‐standards. Results: XRF analysis showed Cr in 78/87 (83.9%) samples and Co in 52/87 (59.7%), with average concentrations of 41 mg/kg (range: 0.0–77 mg/kg) and 0.22 mg/kg (range: 0.0–2.9 mg/kg), respectively. ISO 10195 and 17 075–1 testing identified Cr (VI) in 7 out of 20 samples (1.4; 0.3–4.2 mg/kg), while ISO 17072‐1 detected Co in 6 of 20 samples, averaging 3.95 mg/kg (range: 0.22–7.9 mg/kg). Conclusion: Most leather samples contained Cr, which was expected, while Cr (VI) was detectable in seven out of twenty tested samples but only detected in one product above the regulatory limit of 3 mg/kg. A potentially significant concentration was found for Co. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the impact of cultural symbols on marketing by using survey data from the China's Duan ink stone industry. The empirical regression results show that cultural symbols have a significant positive impact on marketing. In heterogeneity analysis, group characteristics of producers, such as education level and years of experience, can also influence the relationship between cultural symbols and marketing. We also utilize the conditional mixed process (CMP) method and instrumental variables (IV) to address the endogeneity of the model. The contribution of our study is that we provide a new research perspective to study the role of cultural symbols in marketing from the production side and provide new data and industry samples for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsustainable wildlife consumption and illegal wildlife trade (IWT) threaten biodiversity worldwide. Although publicly accessible data sets are increasingly used to generate insights into IWT, little is known about their potential bias. We compared three typical and temporally corresponding data sets (4204 court verdicts, 926 seizure news reports, and 219 bird market surveys) on traded birds native to China and evaluated their possible species biases. Specifically, we evaluated bias and completeness of sampling for species richness, phylogeny, conservation status, spatial distribution, and life‐history characteristics among the three data sets when determining patterns of illegal trade. Court verdicts contained the largest species richness. In bird market surveys and seizure news reports, phylogenetic clustering was greater than that in court verdicts, where songbird species (i.e., Passeriformes) were detected in higher proportions in market surveys. The seizure news data set contained the highest proportion of species of high conservation priority but the lowest species coverage. Across the country, all data sets consistently reported relatively high species richness in south and southwest regions, but markets revealed a northern geographic bias. The species composition in court verdicts and markets also exhibited distinct geographical patterns. There was significant ecological trait bias when we modeled whether a bird species is traded in the market. Our regression model suggested that species with small body masses, large geographical ranges, and a preference for anthropogenic habitats and those that are not nationally protected were more likely to be traded illegally. The species biases we found emphasize the need to know the constraints of each data set so that they can optimally inform strategies to combat IWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has resulted in rapid poleward shifts in the geographical distributions of many tropical fish species. This study conducted daily market surveys from 2008 to 2013 to investigate catch trends of seven commercially important grouper species in the temperate Goto Islands, Japan. Our results revealed that the catch numbers of tropical grouper species increased rapidly by an average of 5.9-fold (12.3-fold at maximum) within six years, whereas the temperate and subtropical species did not exhibit substantial changes. Based on the findings of several previous studies, the rapid increase in the number of tropical groupers in temperate waters was most likely caused by the successful settlement of larvae transported from tropical waters. Large-scale ocean currents may facilitate larval transport from tropical waters because the Goto Islands face the Tsushima Warm Current, which branches from the Kuroshio Current. Meanwhile, the transition processes of size distribution in tropical groupers suggest a possible hypothesis that adults migrating from tropical waters first settle in temperate waters and then enhance their populations by reproduction. Further studies are required to determine how tropical grouper species settle and how their populations increase in temperate waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the prevailing subjective pricing paradigms for high-rise apartments in India, this paper advocates for a paradigm shift toward thermal comfort–based differential pricing, recognizing its pivotal role in influencing residents' well-being in hot and humid climates and energy savings. Understanding the correlation between thermal comfort, floor level, and orientation can lead to implementing such pricing strategies. Three models are proposed through market surveys and simulations, incorporating thermal comfort and other existing market preferences using Hedonic regression and two models using the analytic hierarchy process. The comparison reveals that Model 1, based on buyers' preferences, yields a 0.72% mean improvement in the total sale price, Model 2, focused on thermal comfort, sees a mean increase of 0.86%, and Model 3, incorporating both thermal comfort and buyer preferences, results in a mean increase of 2.22%. The study emphasizes the significance of a multicriteria-based pricing model for high-rise apartments with thermal comfort as the focus, highlighting its flexibility to accommodate diverse criteria and determine suitable differential prices by adjusting percentage priorities based on specific requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite considerable research globally on postharvest diseases of mango, virtually no work has been done to determine the occurrence of these diseases and their causal agents in Fiji. This study is the first major field and market survey of postharvest diseases of mango in Fiji. For the field survey, fruits from five local mango cultivars were harvested at each of five locations. Fruits from five imported cultivars were also harvested from one location in Nadi. For the market survey, vendors were selected at five municipal markets for fruit collection, along with ten roadside stalls. For field and market surveys, fruits were incubated at 23°C and assessed for postharvest disease (incidence and severity of body rots and stem end rots) when ripe. Isolations were made from disease lesions and fungal cultures were identified using multilocus sequence typing. High incidences of body and stem end rots were recorded across all surveys. In the field survey of local cultivars, 'Salusalu' fruits were found to have the lowest severity of body rot and stem end rot on average, while for imported cultivars, 'Nam Doc Mai' had the lowest average severity of these diseases. The market survey showed that 'Salusalu' had a lower incidence of anthracnose on the body of fruit compared to all other cultivars, although it did have a surprisingly high incidence of stem end rot at some localities. Fungal isolates from anthracnose lesions in the field and market surveys were identified as Colletotrichum asianum, C. simmondsii and C. fructicola. C. asianum was the predominant species associated with anthracnose symptoms, accounting for 97% of isolations. Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum parvum were the predominant species found in association with mango stem end rot symptoms. Other species isolated from mango stem end rot in lesser numbers included L. brasiliensis, N. umdonicola and N. kwambonambiense. All of these fungi represent new reports for Fiji. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey of post-harvest diseases of apple in Himachal Pradesh conducted during July to September 2021, fourteen different types of rots were observed. Among these, Penicillium expansum (blue mould) was most destructive with exclusive incidence of 43.8%. Surveys of different markets/stores of Himachal Pradesh revealed that the total losses due to apple decay at various locations varied from 7.80 to 21.93%. Ten important commercial varieties of apple were screened for their comparative susceptibility against fruit decay. Tydeman's Early Worcester was found to be most tolerant to all the rot causing fungi with mean per cent rotting of 23.26%.Cow urine was found most effective in providing 79.21% growth inhibition of test fungi under study. The next best bio-products were Emblica officinalis (amla), Melia azadirach (darek) and Dodonaea viscose (mehandu) with per cent growth inhibition of 75.66, 73.59 and 68.48%, respectively. Under in vitro conditions, mancozeb (0.1%) was the most effective fungicide providing 84.83% growth inhibition. The efficacy of mancozeb as dip treatment at 0.1% concentration was judged to be significantly superior followed by 0.05% carbendazim with per cent control of 95.97 and 92.35%, respectively. Preharvest spray of mancozeb (0.3%) was highly effective in checking all the test fungi under different type of storage for 2 months. 1-methyl cyclopropene (MCP) fumigation of apple fruits immediately after harvesting for 12 hours was most effective in checking the test fungi under study providing 89.60% control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-oriented policing has been a mainstay of policing over the past quarter century. In March 2019, the municipality of Coatepeque in Guatemala, with the assistance of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, implemented a new community policing plan called Vivir y Prosperar in the Meta Mercado. Vivir y Prosperar was designed to improve security, reduce crime, and promote economic prosperity. This study utilises the pre-test, baseline and 6-months post-test, endline survey data of market vendors in the Meta Mercado to assess whether Vivir y Prosperar reduced fear of crime and increased someone's willingness to report crime to police as tenets of community policing would anticipate. Results show that Vivir and Prosperar did not directly contribute to a decrease in fear of crime or improve one's willingness to report crimes to the police. However, improving personal victimisation experiences, bribery payments, and other factors may indirectly promote a reduction in fear of crime and increase the willingness to report a crime among market vendors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The very large demand for songbirds in Indonesia undermines the efforts of the Government of Indonesia to regulate and control harvest and trade. As more species become increasingly rare, new species are sought after and included in the trade to supply demand from hobbyists, traders and songbird competition participants. One such group of species is the butcherbirds. Four species of butcherbirds are native to Indonesia and prior to 2016 these birds were hardly found in trade. Since then, the trade has grown rapidly and during 57 surveys of bird markets in 12 cities on Java, Bali and Lombok, we recorded 235 butcherbirds. We found 43 advertisements online offering butcherbirds for sale. The highest numbers were recorded in the easternmost cities we surveyed (Mataram, 11.5 birds/survey; Denpasar 9.0 birds/survey) and we recorded higher numbers of butcherbirds for sale nearer to their natural distribution range. Compared to other species, butcherbirds command high prices (hooded butcherbird: US$185; black butcherbird: US$122). Despite the authorities attempting to regulate the exploitation of butcherbirds with annual harvest and trade quotas (set at zero for 2022), the trade evidently is challenging to control and may pose a threat to the conservation of these species in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the soil nutrient content are required to calculate fertilizer rate recommendations. The soil laboratory determines these soil properties, yet the measurement is time-consuming and costly. Meanwhile, portable devices to assess the soil nutrient content in real-time are limited. However, a proprietary and low-cost NPK sensor is available and commonly used in IoT for agriculture. This study aimed to assemble and test a portable, NPK sensor-based device in irrigated and rainfed paddy soils from Java, Indonesia. The device development followed a prototyping approach. The device building included market surveys and opted for an inexpensive, light, and compact soil sensor, power storage, monitor, and wire connectors. Arduino programming language was used to write scripts for data display and sub-device communication. The result is a real-time, portable soil nutrient detector that measures the soil temperature, moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, and N, P, and K contents. Field tests show that the device is sensitive to soil properties and location. The portable soil nutrient detector may be an alternative tool for the real-time measurement of soil nutrients in paddy fields in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a nationally representative dataset extracted from the Jordanian Labor Market Panel Survey (JLMPS) for the two years 2010 and 2016, we apply both the standard Oaxaca–Blinder and quantile decomposition approaches to provide a more comprehensive distributional analysis of the native-immigrant wage differentials in Jordan over the period 2010–2016. By assessing the contribution of a rich set of labor market characteristics to the distributional wage differentials between the two groups and examining the extent to which such differentials reflect marginalization and discrimination against non-natives in Jordan, we find some interesting results that may hold significant policy implications for policymakers and labor market participants. These results reveal an increase in the mean native-immigrant wage gap over time and a relative intensification, throughout the wage distribution, of discrimination against immigrants among middle-wage workers. Compositional differences, primarily in education, between the two groups explain most of the observed wage gap over the period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Limited information is available on the occurrence, conservation and management of Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) on Bali and Lombok, Indonesia. Some have even questioned their presence here. Aims: We present an overview of the current knowledge of pangolins on Bali and Lombok. Methods: Information was drawn from camera traps (2023), animal market surveys (1994–2024), and review of occurrence data (museum specimens, iNaturalist, literature), rescues and releases, and seizure data. Key results: We document the presence of wild pangolins from 11 sites in Bali (1994–2023) and 5 sites in Lombok (1939–2022). We document 8 rescues from Bali (2015–2023) but none from Lombok; there have been 11 releases of single pangolins in the forest near the Luhur Besi Kalung temple in Bali (2016–2023). We did not record, or find any records of, pangolins offered for sale in four animal markets in Bali (1994–2024) and Lombok (2018–2024), but there was one seizure of 15 live pangolins in Bali in 2009, and, unusually, limited evidence of trade from Lombok and Bali. Conclusions: There is a paucity of data of pangolins on Lombok, and on Bali the species appears to occur scattered throughout the island, with much of the contemporary information being derived from accidental encounters or rescues and active management of pangolins is largely absent. Implications: Compared to other parts of Indonesia, the conservation status of Sunda pangolins on Bali and Lombok is less bleak, and despite their small size, these two islands on the easternmost edge of the species' range may hold important populations. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal globally and are the poster child of the illegal wildlife trade. We focused on the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok and found Sunda pangolins to be uncommon but widespread, with little evidence of trade. Although small, these two islands on the easternmost edge of the species distribution may turn out to be strongholds for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of rapid and unpredictable climate change means we must urgently transition human lifestyles into a restoration economy, with a focus on restorative development instead of new development or conservation of old modes. To support that project, marketing educators must rethink their discipline and their responsibilities, challenging legacy marketing teaching and 'business as usual'. To assess current practice, a global survey of 200 marketing faculty identified three clusters by climate consciousness: Engaged, Conflicted, and Traditionalist. Analysis of open-ended comments identified three themes: Felt need for change, Barriers to change, and Action to take. Building on these findings, we identify anti- and pro-restoration mechanisms in our disciplinary practice at societal, university, and individual level. We present those mechanisms in a new framework highlighting the discourses that reinforce and challenge engagement and agnosis. Agnosis is a socio-cultural and psychological phenomenon underlying the current collective failure to engage with climate change. We challenge colleagues to confront agnosis and offer individual, disciplinary, and institutional actions that support transition to net-zero carbon marketing logic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objective of the study was to analyze and compare the benefits of using online advertising compared to offline advertising. The aim was to understand the advantages that online advertising offered in terms of reach, interactivity, return on investment and other key factors. A comprehensive analysis of case studies, market data and current trends in online and offline advertising was carried out. Analytical tools were used to evaluate the performance of advertising campaigns in both media, as well as surveys and interviews with marketing professionals to obtain qualitative insights. The study spanned a 12-month period, with data collection from baseline to completion of the analysis. A period was selected that would allow capturing seasonal changes and trends throughout the year. The study was applied in the field of advertising and marketing, with a special focus on companies seeking to promote products or services. Case studies from different sectors were considered to obtain a broad vision applicable to various industries. The research was carried out in various markets and regions to ensure a global representation of trends. Particular attention was paid to online marketplaces such as social media platforms, search engines and specialized websites. In addition, traditional offline media, such as television, radio and print media, were considered. At the end of the study, strong conclusions were drawn about the relative benefits of online advertising compared to offline advertising. Practical recommendations were provided for businesses seeking to maximize their advertising reach and effectiveness. Emerging trends and areas of opportunity in the advertising field were highlighted, with the aim of guiding future strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human needs and the consumer behaviour are in a permanent transformation and having more sustainable and healthy food becomes a priority. The consumer behaviour follows the trends of the population needs. Eco-food consumption is increasing, as a result of agricultural, nutritional and food production policies. The producers in the eco-food branch should focus on quality that meets the consumers' demands. This study is focused on eco-food products analysis from the new consumption behaviour and sustainability point of view. The main purpose is to analyse the attributes perceived by consumers and their interest related to viability and sustainability of the ecofood, in association with expected benefits. The methods used for research are the market survey and focus group, alongside the incursion in the literature related to eco-food consumption behaviour. The research area is delimited on Iași County population, only for the eco-food products consumers. The results indicate a growing interest for the eco-food consumption, especially among middle-aged people, interested in better quality of life, personal and family health, and a sustainable new lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of extensive digital transformation, all business areas are experiencing disruptive changes, and the marketing research industry is no exception. With research agencies increasingly depending on online panellists from commercial research panels, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of panel participants and their potential impact on the quality of collected data. The present study explores the role of participants' personality traits on the quality of data collected via online consumer panels. A quantitative study examined Big Five personality characteristics and social desirability of the responses in the context of online panel participation. The study results indicate that self-selected panel participants tend to be more extroverted and have lower conscientiousness scores than non-participants. Participants with higher openness and lower conscientiousness scores also tend to provide more socially desirable responses. The findings implicate that participants with specific personality traits might be overrepresented in commercial online panels and are more likely to provide socially desirable responses, impacting data quality and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) serves as both a medicinal and edible substance and finds widespread use in various industries. There are often two kinds of medicinalmaterials in the market: Zhizi and Shuizhizi. Typically, Zhizi with small, round fruit is used for medicinal purposes, while Shuizhizi, characterized by large, elongated fruit, is employed for dyeing. Market surveys have revealed a diverse range of Zhizi types, and modern research indicates that Shuizhizi contains rich chemical components and pharmacological activities. In this study, we collected 25 batches of Zhizi and Shuizhizi samples, categorizing them based on appearance into obovate and round fruits, with seven length grades (A-G). Using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQMS/ MS) method, we simultaneously quantified 13 main chemical components in fruits of Gardenia species. In addition, we compared the weight percentage of the pericarp, flesh, and seeds parts of samples with different traits, and quantified 13 chemical components in different parts. Results indicated that, aside from a few instances of overlapping fruit size ranges, Shuizhizi generally exhibits larger and longer dimensions than Zhizi. The weight proportion of the Shuizhizi pericarp is often higher than that of the Zhizi pericarp. Quantitative results highlighted significant differences in the chemical component content between Zhizi and Shuizhizi, with Shuizhizi generally containing higher levels of iridoids. The PCA and OPLS-DA analysis distinctly divided Shuizhizi and Zhizi, among which three iridoids, two organic acids, and one flavonoid made significant contributions to their classification. Cluster heatmap analysis also demonstrated complete separation between Zhizi and Shuizhizi, with clear distinctions among Zhizi samples from different origins. The distribution of the 13 chemical components in different Zhizi and Shuizhizi parts remained consistent, with iridoids and pigments concentrated in the seeds and flesh, and two organic acids and one flavonoid enriched in the pericarp. In summary, this study contributes valuable insights for classifying Zhizi and offers guidance on the rational use of Shuizhizi and the different parts of Zhizi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccination is considered a primary preventive measure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Several types of COVID-19 vaccines were developed, among them the mRNA-based vaccine and the inactivated virus vaccine. Different COVID-19 vaccines have different purchase price and require different logistics system, which translate into different estimated vaccination costs. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the cost of COVID-19 vaccination using the mRNA-based vaccine compared to the inactivated virus vaccine to assist future decision-making related to COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: Direct costs for per-dose vaccination for both vaccines were estimated from the health provider's perspective using the microcosting approach. Vaccination pathways were constructed for both the mRNA-based and the inactivated virus vaccine based on activities involving the acquisition, transportation, storage, and vaccine injection processes. Cost value was obtained from purchase documents, asset records, and market surveys. Results: The estimated costs for COVID-19 vaccination were RM 69.71 per dose for the mRNA-based vaccine and RM 91.68 per dose for the inactivated virus vaccine. The difference in estimated vaccination costs was mainly driven by the difference in the vaccine purchase costs which was higher for the inactivated virus vaccine. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination using the mRNA-based vaccine incur was estimated to incur lower total costs to the health provider compared to the inactivated virus vaccine during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: This study explores the use of online toxic communication and how it impacts perceptions of DEI in the accounting academic community. During a recent job market season, we observed the use of toxic communication, including racism, sexism, and hate speech, in the form of anonymous posts made to two online job market forums. Using qualitative methods, including analysis of the online forums and a survey of job market participants, we find that forum language implies that unqualified candidates receive preferential treatment in the job market based on their race or gender, often referring to these individuals as "diversity hires." Forum language also states that candidates from historically marginalized communities face discrimination in this process. Importantly, we find that toxic communication negatively impacts candidates' views of DEI within the accounting academy. Overall, this study serves as a call to action to leadership to identify and denounce toxic communication within our community. JEL Classifications: M40; M49. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Indiscriminate use of harmful synthetic preservatives to extend the shelf life of fish needs to be avoided. The objective of the present work was to study the qualitative and quantitative properties and bioactive properties of black tea powder found in local markets of Maharashtra. Methods: Low-value tea powder was selected through market survey and proximate analysis, total phenolic (Folin-Ciocalteau) and qualitative analysis (Agilent LC-MS system) for phenolic compounds including antioxidant properties was carried out using standard methods. Result: The results for proximate content were protein (21.15%), lipids (1.3%), total ash (9.91%), crude fibre (18.35%) and moisture (3.3%). While total phenolic content was 220.02 mg GAE/g dry tea powder. Total 12 different bioactive compounds were identified by HR-LCMS. The antioxidant properties were DPPH (88.84%), ABTS (74.94%), FRAP (1398.24 µ mol Trolox/gram dry tea powder) and metal chelating activity (25.13%). Based on the findings of this preliminary study it is opined that, black tea powder can act as a promising source of low-cost tea polyphenols for incorporation as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent for fish meat value addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPF), as proposed by the Nova food classification system, are linked to the development of obesity and several non-communicable chronic diseases and deaths from all causes. The Nova-UPF screener developed in Brazil is a simple and quick tool to assess and monitor the consumption of these food products. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate, against the 24-hour dietary recall, this short food-based screener to assess UPF consumption in the Senegalese context. Methods: The tool adaptation was undertaken using DELPHI methodology with national experts and data from a food market survey. Following the adaptation, sub-categories were renamed, restructured and new ones introduced. The validation study was conducted in the urban area of Dakar in a convenience sample of 301 adults, using as a reference the dietary share of UPF on the day prior to the survey, expressed as a percentage of total energy intake obtained via 24-hour recall. Association between the Nova-UPF score and the dietary share of UPF was evaluated using linear regression models. The Pabak index was used to assess the agreement in participants' classification according to quintiles of Nova-UPF score and quintiles of the dietary share of UPF. Results: The results show a linear and positive association (p-value < 0.001) between intervals of the Nova-UPF score and the average dietary share of UPF. There was a near perfect agreement in the distribution of individuals according to score's quintiles and UPF dietary share quintiles (Pabak index = 0.84). Conclusion: The study concluded that the score provided by the Nova-UPF screener adapted to the Senegalese context is a valid estimate of UPF consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human consumption of fish meat is very heterogeneous, differing from one part of the world to another, from one country to another, from one region to another and is influenced by many factors. In terms of the level of importance of fish consumption globally, the main factor that ranks it among the top important foods is the high amount of protein it provides. In this survey, a series of 22 questions were addressed to people aged between 18 and 76+ summing 1017 respondents. This study reflects consumer perception on aquaculture goods and services in Romania. Respondents purchase fisheries and aquaculture products mostly from supermarkets, consider fish organoleptic properties to be very important, but also, they observe the poor supply of Romanian aquaculture products on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media platforms are suspected to derive hefty profits from youth users who may be vulnerable to negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Platforms, however, are not required to make these data publicly available, which may limit the abilities of researchers and policymakers to adequately investigate and regulate platform practices. This study aimed to estimate the number of U.S.-based child (0–12 years old) and adolescent (13–17 years old) users and the annual advertising revenue generated from youth across six major platforms. Data were drawn from public survey and market research sources conducted in 2021 and 2022. A simulation analysis was conducted to derive estimates of the number of users and the annual advertising revenue per age group and overall (ages 0–17 years) for 2022. The findings reveal that, across six major social media platforms, the 2022 annual advertising revenue from youth users ages 0–17 years is nearly $11 billion. Approximately 30–40% of the advertising revenue generated from three social media platforms is attributable to young people. Our findings highlight the need for greater transparency from social media platforms as well as regulation of potentially harmful advertising practices that may exploit vulnerable child and adolescent social media users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: People with acquired brain injury (ABI) may experience behaviours of concern that require therapy services, including behaviour support. In Australia, the implementation of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and development of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, has led to significant changes to behaviour support workforce processes, and the way behaviour support is funded, regulated and delivered to people with ABI who are Scheme participants. The aim of this study was to explore the current and future provider market of professionals providing behaviour supports to Scheme participants who experience ABI. Method: An anonymous survey was designed and distributed via social media channels, an email listserv and professional association newsletters to professionals working within the NDIS in Australia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: One hundred and two surveys responses were analysed. A majority of professionals had an average understanding of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission rules and policies on behaviour support. Responses to current and future registration as an NDIS Practitioner indicated the workforce gap could increase by between 17 and 26%. Respondents also raised concerns about the lack of training and experience of allied health professional students and graduates in addressing behaviours of concern. Responses to the open-ended question highlighted additional issues in the provision of behaviour support within the NDIS. Conclusions: This research highlighted the need for an NDIS behaviour support workforce strategy and supply-side market intervention to ensure a viable and sustainable workforce for people with ABI who need behaviour support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes an interview with Mohammadi Akhabach, the managing partner of "Deutsche Seniorenwerbung" (German Senior Advertising). Akhabach explains how senior marketing works and how the needs and goals of customers are determined. Seniors are divided into different age groups, and typical industries that use their services are dietary supplement manufacturers, financial providers, travel agencies, and clothing manufacturers. Seniors do not want to be perceived as seniors and use various media to reach their target audience. Medical advancements allow the older generation to feel vital and healthy for longer, and sociodemographic trends show that after 2030, half of the German population will be over 50. The digital transformation has also led to increased use of new media among seniors. To better understand the needs of this target group, the company conducts market research and surveys seniors about their interests. It is important to take seniors seriously and address them respectfully in order to gain their trust. [Extracted from the article]

Innovation is a key factor for product development. Identifying innovative opportunities is the first step in innovative product design. Traditional methods of identifying innovative opportunities, such as market surveys and brainstorming, are limited by product users' and designers' experiences and lack systematic approaches to generate breakthrough innovations. This paper proposes a method to identify innovative opportunities based on product scenario evolution. The method models a product scenario based on product scenario elements, states, and behaviors. A Type II hierarchical function model is constructed based on the transformation and abstraction hierarchy of the product function model to identify target elements for the scenario evolution. Based on the theory of basic element extension and needs evolution characteristics, the method of extending target scenario elements is proposed. Based on the new scenario element sets and their impact, diffusion, identification, and evaluation methods are proposed for innovation opportunities. Potential opportunities are explored for product innovation from a scenario evolutionary perspective, which updates knowledge and technology reserves and finds new market opportunities for industries. The feasibility and effectiveness of the method are verified using the innovative design of a polyethylene (PE) pipeline hot-melt welding machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is well‐established in the literature that unemployment is a labour market insertion problem in the Middle East and North Africa, the dynamics driving unemployment remain poorly understood. Using data from the Labor Market Panel Surveys in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, we offer insights into youth unemployment by studying flows into and out of unemployment. Female youth and Tunisian youth of both genders are particularly likely to experience long periods of unemployment. Educated youth from higher socioeconomic status backgrounds are more likely to experience unemployment, but there is not a strong relationship between background and unemployment duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botnets account for a substantial portion of cybercrime. Botmasters utilize darkweb marketplaces to promote and provide their services, which can vary from renting or buying a botnet (or parts of it) to hiring services (e.g., distributed denial of service attacks). At the same time, botnet takedown attempts have proven to be challenging, demanding a combination of technical and legal methods, and often requiring the collaboration of a plethora of entities with varying jurisdictions. In this article, we map the elements associated with the business aspect of botnets and utilize them to develop adaptations of two widely used business models. Furthermore, we analyze the 28 most notable botnet takedown operations carried out from 2008 to 2021, in regard to the methods employed, and illustrate the correlation between these methods and the segments of our adapted business models. Our analysis suggests that the botnet takedown methods have been mainly focused on the technical side, but not on the botnet economic components. We aim to shed light on new takedown vectors and incentivize takedown actors to expand their efforts to methods oriented more toward the business side of botnets, which could contribute toward eliminating some of the challenges that surround takedown operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although there is a wide use of wild edible plants (WEPs) in Ethiopia, very little work has so far been done, particularly, in the Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia, to properly document the associated knowledge. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to document knowledge and analyze data related to the use of wild edible and nutraceutical plants in Raya-Azebo District of Tigray Region. The district was prioritized for the study to avoid the further loss of local knowledge and discontinuation of the associated practices because of the depletion of wild edible plants in the area mainly due to agricultural expansion and largely by private investors. Methods: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical study was carried out in the study District to collect data through individual interviews held with purposively selected informants, observation, market surveys, and ranking exercises. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyze and summarize the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results: The study documented 59 WEPs, the majority of which (57.63%) were sought for their fruits. Most of the WEPs (49 species) were consumed in the autumn, locally called qewei, which includes the months of September, October, and November. Ziziphus spina-christi L. Desf., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller were the most preferred WEPs. Both interviews and local market surveys revealed the marketability of Opuntia ficus-indica, Ziziphus spina-christi, Ficus vasta Forssk., Ficus sur Forssk., and Balanites aegyptiaca. Of the total WEPs, 21 were reported to have medicinal (nutraceutical) values, of which Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia etbaica scored the highest rank order priority (ROP) values for their uses to treat anthrax and skin infections, respectively. Conclusions: The current investigation demonstrated the wide use of WEPs in the district. In future nutritional composition analysis studies, priority should be given to the most popular WEPs, and nutraceutical plants with the highest ROP values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue lotus, also known as Nymphaea caerulea (Nymphaeaceae), is a water lily found globally in lakes and rivers. With its long history of use in Egyptian culture, blue lotus has been associated with spiritual rituals and health benefits. Nowadays, blue lotus is still consumed as a tea or tincture to induce relaxation and heightened spiritual awareness. In this study, six authentic N. caerulea extracts from trusted sources and eleven commercial products were analyzed using gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Authentic blue lotus extracts were produced in industrial settings. Overall, the extracts were a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic alcohols, fatty acids, phenyl derivatives, diterpenoids, phytosterols, and stigmastanes. Apomorphine and nuciferine, which are responsible for psychoactive effects of the blue lotus flower, were virtually absent from the authentic blue lotus extract. Although blue lotus has a long history of use, the safety data on the plant and its extracts is limited; however, together with the analytical data, the available information does not indicate major safety concerns for the topical application of authentic blue lotus flower concrete or absolute when diluted as a fragrance ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart home manufacturers widely produce Wireless Lamp Socket and Power Plug devices, which offer various features ranging from basic on/off control to more complex functionalities such as monitoring energy consumption, power losses, and harmonics. However, these devices tend to be expensive, as indicated by market surveys. To address this issue, the current study aimed to develop low-cost wireless control nodes for smart homes that operate using relays. The two nodes consisted of lamp socket and power plug built with lowcost electronic components, including a Wi-Fi built-in Microcontroller ESP8266 (Wemos D1 mini model) as the backbone to create ESP-Mesh wireless network and to provide control ports for high/low logic, a relay module, an AC-to-DC converter module, and terminals (E27 screw for lamp socket node and C-type plug for the power plug node). This paper primarily focuses on the hardware aspects. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the nodes, the following tests are conducted: (1) product demonstration to assess the product functions, (2) power measurement in idle and active conditions, (3) ESP-Mesh connection testing, and (4) RSSI measurement. Functional testing is done using a smartphone with the UPISmartHome version 2.0 Android application, which successfully controlled the nodes wirelessly. In idle conditions, power plug and lamp socket nodes consume 426.36 mWatt and 418.275 mWatt of power, respectively. Further, in active conditions, power plug and lamp socket nodes consume 435.704 mWatt and 440.583 mWatt of power, respectively. RSSI testing results show that both nodes can be controlled within an optimal range of 60 meters (with reference to RSSI below -85 dBm) without the Internet, utilizing the ESP-Mesh feature of ESP8266. This range is deemed reasonable for smart homes of 21, 36, or 45 square meters. Both nodes could be controlled under the ESP-Mesh network that gets build. We also present the comparison with other products of competitors in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of deep learning (DL) algorithms has improved the performance of vision-based space applications in recent years. However, generating large amounts of annotated data for training these DL algorithms has proven challenging. While synthetically generated images can be used, the DL models trained on synthetic data are often susceptible to performance degradation when tested in real-world environments. In this context, the Interdisciplinary Center of Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg has developed the "SnT Zero-G Lab," for training and validating vision-based space algorithms in conditions emulating real-world space environments. An important aspect of the SnT Zero-G Lab development was the equipment selection. From the lessons learned during the lab development, this article presents a systematic approach combining market survey and experimental analyses for equipment selection. In particular, the article focuses on the image acquisition equipment in a space lab: background materials, cameras, and illumination lamps. The results from the experiment analyses show that the market survey complimented by experimental analyses is required for effective equipment selection in a space lab development project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]