This paper presents the challenges faced by the retailers during the adoption of smart packaging in food packaging industry. The paper introduces three largest food retailers in Sweden, and the problems they faced during the introduction of the adoption of smart packaging technologies packaging. Introduction- The authors present the paper with complete background of the food packaging industry in general, as well as each types of smart packaging techniques. In addition, the paper introduces the adoption process for the smart packaging. The research question of this paper is: What are the hinders of adopting smart packaging technology in food packaging industry and why? • What challenges do they face during the adoption process? • What are the hinders in this adoption process? • What are the new hinders in this adoption process? Purpose- The main purpose of this paper is to find the challenges that occur during the adoption of smart packaging in food packaging industry faced by the retailers. Knowing the basic knowledge of the food packaging industry and giving importance to the challenges may lead to achieve our aim. Methodology- This research paper uses the research onion model as a methodology to analyse the gathered data. The authors performed interviews with retailers and end-users of food packaging industry to analyse their challenges during the adoption of smart packaging. The collected data are further discussed in the analysis and discussion part. Conclusion- This paper concludes the adoption in the new technology and concentrates on how each retailer has their own perspective to see the quality and use it to overcome the adoption process. This paper describes the common and unique challenges faced by the retailers during the adoption process. The main common challenges faced by all the retailers in common was to create awareness and to make end-user understand the adoption process but also the benefits of adoption. The most important challenges faced by the retailers of ICA is they consider that adopting to new technology in smart packaging is a challenge for them, because they must create an understanding about the new technology to the end-users which requires a lot of time for the adoption process. According to Coop the open to new smart packaging technologies because since they use only localize products and resources, the overall cost of the product increases which again becomes a barrier for end-user adoption. The interviewee from Willys state that they offer affordable smart packaging technologies without creating barrier for customer adoption, at the same time they are not willing to adopt new technologies without testing its feasibility with the customers. Omar, Uma Thesis in Industrial Innovation Management (IN7001) iii Limitation- The aim of this study is focused on only one element of smart packaging i.e. “Adoption”. Moreover, this study is limited to adoption of smart packaging done in three companies (Coop, Willys & ICA Maxi) in the retail sector in Halmstad, Sweden. This study is conducted from the retailer perspective, by analysing the challenges faced by the retailers during the adoption process.

A prevenção de resíduos, enquanto estratégia ambiental, tem sido aplicada com sucesso em várias indústrias. Porém, sua aplicação durante a fase de desenvolvimento dos produtos ainda é pouco explorada. A prevenção de resíduos é mais efetiva quando incorporada ao projeto do produto, pois possibilita uma análise dos impactos durante todo o seu ciclo de vida. Os resíduos de embalagens são particularmente preocupantes, pelos materiais utilizados e pelo volume que ocupam nos aterros sanitários. A análise das potencialidades da prevenção de resíduos de embalagens justifica-se pelas características destes resíduos quanto a degradabilidade e volume, e também pela vida reduzida associada às embalagens. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar uma análise das potencialidade da prevenção de resíduos de embalagens com abordagem sobre o seu consumo e seu projeto, através da introdução de considerações ambientais no desenvolvimento de embalagens. Para isso, buscou-se um referencial que permitisse entender os mecanismos do modelo de produção e consumo, as tendências de consumo, o comportamento dos consumidores e sua importância na modificação dos projetos de embalagens. No desenvolvimento de embalagens foram identificadas as alternativas quanto às considerações ambientais durante a fase de projeto. Finalmente, realizou-se uma confrontação entre as possibilidades identificadas e a atual aplicação no mercado nacional e um apontamento das oportunidades não exploradas. Com isso, buscou-se não somente apresentar um panorama sobre a situação brasileira quanto ao desenvolvimento de embalagens com vistas a prevenção de resíduos, como também contribuir para que esta seja realmente implementada. Explorou-se também as características e tendências da legislação ambiental referentes aos resíduos sólidos, tendo em vista ter a legislação papel fundamental na prevenção de resíduos. Várias alternativas de estratégias de projeto de embalagens com considerações ambientais foram identificadas: redução da quantidade de material por embalagem ou número de embalagens, projetar a forma da embalagem visando a facilitar seu transporte, projetar produtos de uso coletivo e compartilhado, produtos concentrados ou desidratados, redução das dimensões físicas dos produtos, projetar produtos mais duráveis e reutilizáveis [redução do uso de recursos - materiais e energia]; priorizar recursos vindos de fontes renováveis, usar materiais biodegradáveis, eliminar o uso de constituintes tóxicos, como metais pesados dos corantes, usar material reciclado [escolha de recursos de baixo impacto ambiental]; projetar para reuso [extensão da vida do produto]; projetar para reciclagem [extensão da vida do material]. Estas alternativas ainda são pouco utilizadas no desenvolvimento de embalagens nacionais. Quanto aos consumidores brasileiros, estes demonstram um baixo nível de priorização e informação quanto às questões ambientais, o que compromete a motivação para o consumo mais consciente. Com relação à legislação brasileira, inexiste uma lei que oriente, em nível nacional, quanto à gestão de resíduos sólidos, uma política nacional de resíduos sólidos, o que compromete a gestão dos resíduos com enfoque na prevenção, embora a tendência dos projetos analisados, com vista à instituição de política de resíduos, é sobre a prevenção de resíduos e a co-responsabilização do setor produtivo pelos resíduos pós-consumo. / Waste prevention as an environmental strategy has been applied with success in many fabrication plants. However, its application at the product design stage remains underexploited. Waste prevention is more effective when incorporated in the product design, since this allows for an impact analysis throughout the product life cycle. Packaging related waste is particularly worrying due to the materials used and the volume they occupy at landfill sites. The analysis of waste prevention potentialities is justified by the degradability and volume characteristics of waste, and also by the short life of packaging. The purpose of this research has been to perform an analysis of potentialities of packaging waste prevention, focusing on packaging consumption and design, by introducing environmental concerns in packaging development. To that end, we have sought a referential that allowed us to understand the production and consumption model, consumption trends, consumer behaviour and its importance in packaging design. In the packaging development, alternatives have been identified relating to environmental considerations at the design stage. Finally, we have confronted the identified possibilities with their current application in Brazil, which highlighted unexploited opportunities. We have attempted to present not only an overview of the brazilian situation in what concerns the design of packaging with a view to waste prevention, but also a contribution so that such strategies can be actually implemented. We have also explored the characteristics and trends of environmental laws concerning solid waste, given the fundamental role of legislation in waste prevention. Several alternative packaging design strategies with environmental concerns have been identified: reduction in the amount of packaging material or reduction in the number of packages; design of packaging shape for easier transportation; design of products for collective and shared use; concentrated or dehydrated products; product size reduction; product design for durability and reusability [reduction in resource consumption - materials and energy]; prioritizing renewable resources; use of biodegradable materials; eliminating the use of toxic materials such as heavy metals in colouring pigments; use of recycled materials [choosing low environmental impact resources]; design for reuse [extending the product lifespan]; design for recycling [extending the lifespan of materials]. These alternatives are still not common in brazilian packaging design. Brazilian consumers, on the other hand, still have a low level of prioritization and information about environmental questions, which compromises motivation for more conscious consumption. There is not a brazilian law or policy for ruling solid waste management on a nationwide level, which compromises the management of waste focusing on prevention, although there is a trend in the analyzed projects towards waste prevention and co-responsibilization of the productive sectors for post-consumption waste.

Aliado ao fato dos biomateriais ainda serem pouco explorados pelas indústrias alimentícias, este trabalho propôs o desenvolvimento de embalagens que sejam, além de biodegradáveis, também ativas através do uso de um agente antimicrobiano natural capaz de inibir a proliferação de fungos correntes em produtos de panificação (Penicillium commune e Eurotium amstelodami). Primeiramente, filmes biodegradáveis a base de fécula de mandioca foram elaborados pela técnica de casting, usando açúcares e glicerol como plastificantes. O aumento do conteúdo de glicerol causou diminuição da resistência máxima à tração e elevação dos valores de propriedades de barreira. Numa segunda etapa do trabalho, a introdução de nanopartículas de argila esmectita influenciou positivamente as propriedades de barreira dos filmes, devido à diminuição observada nos valores de permeabilidade ao vapor de água e coeficiente de permeabilidade ao oxigênio. Nesta fase, a variação do conteúdo de glicerol também afetou significativamente as propriedades mecânicas e de barreira dos filmes biodegradáveis. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas dos óleos essenciais de cravo e de canela contra os fungos estudados foram definidas e o óleo essencial de canela foi selecionado, para ser incorporado aos filmes biodegradáveis, em três conteúdos distintos, pois foi o composto que mostrou uma inibição mais eficiente. A atividade antimicrobiana dos filmes biodegradáveis com incorporação de óleo essencial de canela foi testada sobre os micro-organismos escolhidos através de testes de difusão em halo, cujos resultados foram suficientes para demonstrar o potencial ativo da embalagem desenvolvida. Como método alternativo de incorporação do agente antimicrobiano, gás carbônico (CO2) em estado supercrítico foi utilizado como solvente. Os resultados obtidos foram promissores, uma vez que se observou incorporação de agente antimicrobiano dentro da matriz polimérica em quantidade suficiente para inibir a proliferação dos fungos testados. / This work concerned the development of biodegradable and active packaging based on cassava starch and natural antimicrobial agents that efficiently inhibit growth of fungi commonly found in bread products (Penicillium commune and Eurotium amstelodami). Biodegradable films were prepared by the casting technique, using sugars and glycerol as plasticizers. An increase in glycerol content caused a decrease in tensile strength and an elevation on barrier properties results. In a second phase of the work, incorporation of nanoclays diminished water vapor and oxygen permeability thus improving film packaging properties. Two antimicrobial agents were tested (cinnamon and clove essential oils) and cinnamon essential oil was chosen to be incorporated in biodegradable films based on cassava starch because it was more efficient against Penicillium commune and Eurotium amstelodami. Antimicrobial activity of biodegradable films with cinnamon essential oil was evaluated by means of a halo diffusion test in which an inhibition zone around a sample of the biodegradable and active film was analysed. As alternative method of antimicrobial agent incorporation, carbon dioxide (CO2) in supercritical state was used as solvent. Promising results were obtained since the amount of antimicrobial agent incorporated inside the polymeric matrix was sufficient to inhibit proliferation of fungi.

The non-structural protein 15 (NSP15) locus in Lineage A β-coronaviruses has two important functions during replication. The encoded endoribonuclease is conserved among coronaviruses. The function of the nsp15 protein is still not fully understood, but recent evidence suggests it may be involved in both replication and inhibiting viral sensing of double stranded RNA. In Lineage A β-coronaviruses, the RNA locus contains an inserted packaging signal (P/S). The P/S is essential for selectively packaging viral genomic RNA. While the P/S is required for selective packaging, it is not required for nsp15 protein function or viral replication. Utilizing this region, I studied the interactions of nsp15 protein during infection. Additionally, I studied the effect of selective packaging on virulence. Coronaviruses encode 16 nonstructural proteins in two open reading frames. These proteins are responsible for forming the replication/ transcription complex (RTC) and creating an environment conducive to viral replication. The RTC is an intricate complex of viral and host proteins with a largely unknown composition. While almost all nsps studied to date localize to sites of replication, the interactions between these proteins are not fully understood. In Chapter II, I describe studies of the interactions and localization of Nsp15 by creating an in situ hemagglutinin epitope tag. I found that mouse hepatitis virus nsp15 could tolerate an in situ tag when placed into the P/S (MHVNsp15-HA). MHVNsp15-HA had wild-type like replication in vitro. Nsp15 was localized to sites of replication throughout infection, with no localization to sites of assembly. Finally, nsp15 interacted with the RNA dependent RNA polymerase and putative primase during infection. These data demonstrate that nsp15 is a member of the RTC. During coronavirus replication two species of viral RNA are present, genomic RNA (gRNA) and sub-genomic RNA (sgRNA). These RNAs are co-terminal on both their 5’ and 3’ ends, containing the leader sequence and 3’ UTR/ polyA respectively. Even with these similarities, coronaviruses are adept at selectively packaging gRNA over sgRNA. This selective packaging is determined by the P/S, a 95 base pair stem-loop structure in the nsp15 locus. This RNA motif is sufficient for packaging of nonviral RNAs and has been shown to interact with the M protein from MHV. Moreover, when this RNA motif is deleted from MHV, (MHVPS-) selective packaging is lost during infection as sgRNAs become a large percentage of packaged viral RNA. In chapter IV I determined the effect of selective packaging on pathogenicity in vivo. Immunocompetent mice infected with MHVPS- had significantly better outcomes compared to MHV wild-type (MHVWT) infected mice. Peak viral loads were decreased in MHVPS- compared to MHVWT. Strikingly I found MHVPS- infected bone marrow derived macrophages had significant increases in type-I interferons (IFNs) and pathogenesis of MHVPS- was restored in mice deficient in IFN signaling. These data indicate that the P/S of MHV is an uncharacterized MHV virulence factor, which acts by preventing an increased IFN response during infection. In MHV, the nsp15 locus is translated into a functional protein and contains functional cis acting RNA elements both of which play a role in MHV replication. This work provides understanding of nsp15 localization and interactions which educate our understanding of the function of this conserved endoribonuclease. Additionally, this work demonstrates a unique function for the P/S not previously described. This work informs future studies of nsp15 protein function and the function of selective packaging during coronavirus infection.

This study adapted the theory of planned behavior to investigate the relationship between purchase intention and purchasing behavior toward environmentally-friendly grocery packaging. This quantitative study collected 487 useable responses on the Amazon Mturk platform targeting a population of US consumers over 18 years old who purchase groceries. Using the collected data, a correlation and regression analysis was conducted. The socio-demographic variables were used as moderators to investigate the relationship between purchasing intention and actual behavior. The study's results suggest that a consumer's subjective norms substantially stimulate environmentally friendly grocery packaging purchase intentions, which further has or leads to the most decisive influence on actual behavior. Second, we discovered that purchase intention and perceived behavioral control are likely working in conjunction to help bridge the intention-behavior gap in environmentally friendly consumption. Third, this study supplied a fresh perspective on socio-demographics' role in environmentally friendly consumption, confirming that predominantly younger, unmarried consumers are likelier to act upon their intentions by purchasing environmentally friendly grocery packaging. Furthermore, conclusions from this study uncover the primary influences of consumer purchase intention and behavior towards environmentally-friendly grocery packaging. Lastly, but not less important, this study identifies the barriers to environmentally friendly consumption's intention and behavior gap. Results can also give government agencies and brands a clearer perspective to make consumers more knowledgeable on environmentally friendly packaging consumption.

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Underfill material is a special colloidal dispersion system with silicon dioxide particles in the organic liquid. It is used to improve the reliability of integrated circuits (IC) packaging in the microelectronics. In order to successfully synthesize the nanocomposite underfill meeting the requirements of the chip package, it is necessary to have a fundamental understanding about the particle stability in the non-aqueous liquid and the relationship between materials properties and interphase structure in the composite. The results of this thesis contribute to the knowledge of colloidal dispersion of nanoparticles in organic liquid by systematically investigating the effects of particle size, particle surface chemistry and surface tension, and liquid medium polarity upon the rheological and thermal mechanical properties of underfill materials. The relaxation and dielectric properties studies indicate that the polymer molecular chain motion and polarization in the interphase region can strongly influence the material properties of nanocomposite, and so a good interaction between particle and polymer matrix is key. With this study, a potential nanocomposite underfill can be synthesized with low viscosity, low thermal expansion, and high glass transition temperature. The excellent transmittance of nanoparticles leads to further investigation of their ability as reinforcing filler in the photo-curable polymer.

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka vilka förpackningsrelaterade attribut som utgör en tilltalande vitaminförpackning. Metod: Studien lutar sig på en kvalitativ metod och för att få fram material som svarar på syftet har intervjuer med åtta stycken respondenter genomförts. Slutsats: De slutsatser som dragits är att mellanstora rundade förpackningar medskruv/”plopp”-lock föredras samt att blått och grönt är attraktiva färger för vitaminförpackningar. Tydlig, både innehålls- och utformningsmässig, information är även av stor vikt. / Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate which packaging attributesthat make an appealing vitamin package Method: The study uses a qualitative method and eight in-depth interviews withconsumers have been made in order to gain knowledge about the subject. Conclusion: The conclusions that have been made are that rounded medium sizedpackages with screw cap or “plop-lids” are preferred and that the colours blue andgreen are attractive when it comes to vitamin packages. Distinct informationpresented in a clear manner is also important.

M. Tech. Agriculture. / Aims of this study was to select a suitable modified atmosphere packaging that retained the overall quality and bioactive compounds of the traditional leafy vegetables during storage. In this study, three types of biorientated polypropylene packaging namely BOPP04, BOPP05 and BOPP06 with different perforations were tested on retention of quality parameters (weight loss, leaf yellowing, colour L*, C*, h&#x00BA%x;), decay, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bioactive compounds (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds), antioxidant scavenging activity, and sensory properties at 10 &#x00BA%x;C at 2 day intervals up to 14 days.Films without perforation, with macro perforation and unpacked leaves were included for comparison.