Commercial Benefits Research Articles

Easter eggs: Signaling quality via intrinsic motivation

AbstractEaster eggs are initially hidden elements of a consumer experience that have little direct commercial benefit for the brand. While Easter eggs may have been present in video games and software since the 1970s, they are now found in more and more consumer products such as cars, fashion, and fast food. This work explores the possible motivations for brands to include Easter eggs in their experiences by testing their effects on consumers during the post-purchase experience. It is found that Easter eggs serve as a new type of quality signal and positively affect perceived quality. The positive effect of Easter eggs on perceived product quality appears to be mediated by increased perceived intrinsic motivation of the brand’s employees. One study on Amazon.com reviews data on video games, and three online experiments on fashion, candy, and cars lend support to these hypotheses.

The Primacy of Commercial Gain over Ideology in Wars and Armed Conflicts

The paper provides a brief analysis of the causes and reasons for military conflicts and wars in the past and present and makes a forecast for the future. By comparing ideological differences and commercial goals, the author concludes that economic priorities are the primary causes of military conflicts and wars. Analyzing historical examples, the author shows that economic priorities have always been the main reasons for unleashing military actions. The main objectives that the aggressor solved by unleashing war were: expansion of the territory of its habitat; plundering of the defeated; transformation of the defeated population into slaves (cheap labor). These priorities, in the author’s opinion, are the main ones in all wars and armed conflicts in history. Similar tasks are currently being solved by the industrial and banking oligarchs of the United States and the United West in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Other goals and objectives of wars and armed conflicts are secondary and can be realized as additional ones. In this regard, the question of the primary and secondary objectives of commercial benefit and ideology is resolved in favor of commercial benefit. In the paper, on the basis of scientific and research works of the author, it is concluded that the current situation in the world is a well thought out and carefully calculated by the financial oligarchs of the United States and the united West, when a commercial project and its realization should bring them substantial profits, and the population of the planet Earth — destruction, grief and suffering.

Experimental Investigation and Statistical Analysis of Recycled Asphalt Pavement Mixtures Incorporating Nanomaterials

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) materials are used as substitutes for new materials in asphalt pavement construction, leveraging the engineering and commercial benefits of the aged binders and aggregate matrixes in RAP. These asphalt mixtures impart significant variations in volumetric properties and asphalt mixture characteristics. The current study investigates the Marshall properties, moisture susceptibility, and rutting behavior of 24 recycled asphalt mixtures developed with nanosilica and nanoclay. RAP material percent, nanomaterial content, binder grade, and extra binder were considered the factors influencing asphalt mixture performance. The above factors were analyzed using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to predict the Marshall and volumetric properties. Also, this investigation covers the moisture susceptibility and rut characteristics of recycled nanomaterial-modified Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) mixes developed with Viscosity Grade 30 (VG-30) and Polymer-Modified Bitumen-40 (PMB-40). The chemical additive Zycotherm was used to develop WMA mixes. The test results indicate that adding RAP material at higher percentages and modifying the binder with nanomaterials affected moisture susceptibility with reduced moisture damage. Recycled nanosilica-modified HMA mixes developed with PMB-40 at higher RAP percentages reported higher tensile strength ratio (TSR) values in contrast with VG-30 mixes, indicating their greater susceptibility toward moisture-induced damage. The rutting potential of all of the recycled asphalt mixture combinations was enhanced by densely packed aggregate structures optimized with nanomaterials, total binder content, and RAP materials developed using the Marshall method. Overall, the nanosilica-modified recycled asphalt mixes developed with PMB40 at higher RAP percentages showed better performance in terms of strength and durability.

Does disclosing commercial intention benefit brands? Mediating role of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity in influencer hidden advertising

PurposeDespite sponsorship disclosure regulations, many influencers circumvent regulations by posting hidden advertising in covert formats. However, the impact of influencer hidden advertising sponsorship disclosure (IHASD) on brand attitudes is complex and contradictory. To understand the influence mechanism clearly, we introduced the operational transparency framework and investigated the mediating effects of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity as well as the relationship between them. The conditions under which the mediation effect occurs were also analyzed.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted three experimental studies. Studies 1 and 2 examined the influence mechanism of sponsorship disclosure (present vs absent) and sponsorship disclosure prominence (explicit vs implicit) of influencer hidden advertising on brand attitudes (i.e. the mediating effect of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity). Study 3 explored the moderating effect of consumers’ thinking styles.FindingsThe results revealed that sponsorship disclosure and sponsorship disclosure prominence of influencer hidden advertising weakened brand attitudes through perceived manipulative intent while enhancing brand attitudes through perceived authenticity. Perceived authenticity and perceived manipulative intent played a bidirectional chain mediating role. When consumers’ thinking style was experiential, the negative mediating effect of perceived manipulative intent was alleviated and the positive mediating effect of perceived authenticity was enhanced; this effect, though, was the opposite when consumers’ thinking style was rational.Originality/valueThis research contributes to influencer sponsorship disclosure literature through providing an enhanced comprehensive, in-depth theoretical explanation of the competing mechanisms of sponsorship disclosure effects.

Natural biocide-assisted ultrasonic disinfection of wastewater effluent following a response surface methodology approach

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in wastewater poses a significant threat to public health and the environment, necessitating more effective and sustainable disinfection methods. Ozonation and chlorination frequently fall short of eliminating these bacteria and can create toxic byproducts. This study introduces a novel disinfection strategy that combines ultrasonication with tea tree oil to target MDR bacteria in residential wastewater treatment systems, aiming to provide an eco-friendly, efficient, and scalable solution. The method harnesses tea tree oil's natural biocidal properties alongside the physical effects of ultrasonication, particularly acoustic cavitation, to enhance bacterial inactivation. Temperature, biocide dosage, and ultrasonication power were the three main factors that were optimized using response surface methodology. The system achieved a 2.2–2.4 log CFU/mL reduction of total bacteria in secondary effluent within 30 min and complete disinfection of modified effluent inoculated with high-strength MDR bacteria (6-log CFU/mL) in 50 min. Optimal conditions were 698.4 Watt power, 1.234 µl/mL tea tree oil, and 20.64 °C. Nucleic acid release and respiratory chain dehydrogenase inhibition indicated bacterial cell membrane rupture. Regrowth tests showed long-term effectiveness, with no bacterial colonies after three days. Using a natural biocide, the hybrid technique reduces operational costs and time, thus having commercial and environmental benefits. The capacity to remove MDR bacteria makes it an attractive contender for large-scale wastewater treatment.

Seed pretreatment using design of engineering approach for regulating <em>Humulus lupulus</em> seed germination in different media

Humulus lupulus, a plant of commercial benefit, has been widely explored for its therapeutic applications. Plant propagation via seeds is one of the major challenges due to seed dormancy and low germination. The physical dormancy of the seed caused by a hard seed coat makes seeds impervious to water. Different types of methods have been reported to break the seed dormancy. The present study emphasizes the optimized chemical method of seed pretreatment for regulating the germination efficiency in three different media namely, Murashige and Skoog (MS), Hoagland’s media and Leafy 200®. The study explores the interaction between two variables viz., acid treatment time and concentration of sulphuric acid, on germination of Humulus lupulus seeds using the Design of Experiment (DOE) approach. The results showed a higher germination rate in MS media and Leafy200® media (100%) seed germination percentage with respect to Hoagland’s media. The result demonstrates the synergistic role of seed pretreatment and media on the seed germination efficiency. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the seeds pretreated with acid revealed small perforations on the seed coat ranging between 5-15 µm. Furthermore, the elemental analysis of the seed coat surface by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) revealed a substantial decrease in carbon and oxygen (%) and the presence of calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. The results indicate the acid hydrolysis of organic constituents on the seed surface enabling changes in seed porosity. Additionally, factors such as pretreatment and media play a pivotal role in regulating seed germination.

Research on the Development Strategy of Integrated Seed Sales Industry

The seed sales industry has achieved rapid development with mankind entering the Internet era. In recent years, the seed sales industry has developed rapidly, and competition within the industry has continued to intensify. In order to achieve commercial benefits, there are many irregularities in the industry chain. Currently, solving various irregularities in industrial development and achieving industry breakthroughs are urgent problems to be solved. This study proposes an industrial development strategy for the integration of seed sales, which involves the use and combination of information system technology and comprehensive sales platforms to achieve the integration of seed research and development, production, sales, transportation, and after-sales services, as well as value co creation throughout the seed sales industry chain, promoting high-quality and sustainable development of the industry.

The impact of AR online shopping experience on customer purchase intention: An empirical study based on the TAM model.

Augmented Reality (AR) offers a rich business format, convenient applications, great industrial potential, and strong commercial benefits. The integration of AR technology with online shopping has brought tremendous changes to e-commerce. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a mature model for assessing consumer acceptance of new technologies, and applying it to evaluate the impact of AR online shopping experiences on consumer purchase intention is an urgently needed area of research. Firstly, the typical applications of AR in online shopping were reviewed, and the connotations and experiences of AR online shopping were summarized. Secondly, using the five types of AR online shopping experiences as antecedent variables, and perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness as intermediate variables, a theoretical model was constructed to explore the impact of AR online shopping experiences on customer purchase intentions, followed by an empirical study. Finally, suggestions were proposed for optimizing the online shopping experience to enhance purchase intentions. The article expands the application scenarios of the Technology Acceptance Model and enriches the theory of consumer behavior in Metaverse e-commerce.

Sustainable conversion of agricultural waste into solid fuel (Charcoal) via gasification and pyrolysis treatment

Managing agricultural waste by burning it in the fields is a straightforward method, but leads to significant pollution. One promising alternative is to convert agricultural waste into solid fuel, such as charcoal, to support renewable energy from biomass. The quality of barbecue charcoal depends upon selecting suitable materials and employing heating methods to ensure efficient transformation. This research aims to study the charcoal conversion process from agricultural waste using two types of kilns: 1) direct heating (gasification kiln: GK) and 2) indirect heating (pyrolysis kiln: PK) designed to recirculate syngas from wood as fuel for the pyrolysis process. The study tested three types of agricultural waste materials, including coconut shells (CS), cassava rhizome (CR), and acacia wood (AW), to examine the differences in charcoal produced by the two heating methods. The tests revealed that the maximum temperatures inside the kilns were 792.45 ± 127.18 °C, 907.67 ± 37.3 °C, and 980.07 ± 110.56 °C for the GK, and 921.88 ± 57.84 °C, 801.93 ± 10.16 °C, and 937.82 ± 95.85 °C for the PK. The charcoal from the PK exhibited higher calorific values than the GK, with 7474.68 ± 36.62, 6429.04 ± 72.22, and 7268.33 ± 52.86 calories per gram. The charcoal yield was also higher in the PK, at 31.29 ± 4.39, 34.33 ± 3.39, and 17.58 ± 2.09 percent for coconut shells charcoal (CSC), cassava rhizome charcoal (CRC), and acacia wood charcoal (AWC), respectively. However, the PK required more fuel and longer ignition times. The resulting charcoal from the slow pyrolysis process in the PK is suitable as barbecue fuel due to its size, which is similar to the original material. In contrast, the charcoal from the GK, which tends to shrink or break into smaller pieces, is more suitable for grinding into briquettes. This study provides a guideline for producing high-quality barbecue charcoal, offering commercial benefits including the gasification and pyrolysis processes that improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollution by producing high-quality gas for fuel, unlike traditional kilns that emit a large amount of CO during the conversion of wood to charcoal and enabling the selection of appropriate raw materials for different heating methods to maximise the utility of the products. This approach adds value to agricultural raw materials and helps effectively manage agricultural waste (zero waste) for further utilisation and development.

Exergy Analysis of Integrated Methanol and Dimethyl-Ether Co-production Towards Net Zero Waste Emission

AbstractThe energy sector, currently dominated by fossil fuels, significantly contributes to carbon emissions and climate impacts. This study addresses the urgent need for renewable energy resources and promotes the utilization of waste from Malaysia’s palm oil industry. It proposes upgrading conventional palm oil mills to integrated mills to produce valuable biofuels such as methanol (MET) or dimethyl ether (DME). Using Aspen Plus V11 for simulation, mass and energy balances were provided for feasibility analysis, including techno-economic, exergy, and carbon analysis. The integrated process demonstrated 10 to 15% higher exergetic efficiency than conventional mills, enhancing the renewability index by 40% and reducing carbon emissions to 0.50 tonne CO2 per tonne of palm oil. The integrated mills, operating at 61–64% exergetic efficiency, achieve a 28% reduction in exergy destruction when palm wastes are recovered and transformed into biofuels. Despite an 87% increase in non-renewable exergy consumption due to additional operating requirements, the overall renewability index remains high (around 0.9), demonstrating the commercial viability and environmental benefits of this approach. Overall, this study lays the foundation for integrated palm oil mill operation by utilizing palm waste to achieve net zero waste emissions, which is a positive outlook.

What Factors Revitalize the Street Vitality of Old Cities? A Case Study in Nanjing, China

Urban street vitality has been a perennial focus within the domain of urban planning. This study examined spatial patterns of street vitality in the old city of Nanjing during working days and weekends using real-time user datasets (RTUDs). A spatial autoregressive model (SAM) and a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model were employed to quantitatively assess the impact of various factors on street vitality and their spatial heterogeneity. This study revealed the following: (1) the distribution of street vitality in the old city of Nanjing exhibited a structure centered around Xinjiekou, with greater regularity and predictability in street vitality on working days than on weekends; (2) eight variables, such as traffic location, road density, and functional density, are positively associated with street vitality, whereas the green view index is negatively associated with street vitality, and commercial location benefits street vitality at weekends but detracts from street vitality on working days; and (3) the influence of variables such as traffic location and functional density on street vitality is contingent on their spatial position. Based on these results, this study provides new strategies to enhance the street vitality of old cities.

The carnivalesque celebration of a slack laborer icon on a talent show: Civic engagement, commercialization, and political control

In Produce Camp 2021, an online Chinese talent show, an underdog named Lelush rose to fame as a slack laborer icon. This study investigated this case through a critical discourse analysis incorporating media events theory, the concept of carnival, aesthetic public sphere theory, and the concept of structures of feeling. It was revealed that the audience related to Lelush's slackness on carnivalesque social media, indirectly addressing work oppression and social stratification in an aesthetic public sphere. However, the audience's ambiguities, where they also objectified Lelush, somewhat diminished the aesthetic discussions’ critical potential. This contradiction suggested a new structure of feeling associated with rapid social changes in China. Besides, this study demonstrated that although the audience discourse appeared challenging, it was harnessed by the producer for commercial benefit. Meanwhile, as the audience's critical discourse did not directly threaten the political legitimacy, the Party-State allowed it for political and economic purposes.

Paradoxical founders’ identity and its impact on social venture performance

PurposeThis study explores the structure of founders’ hybrid personal identities and their relationship to social venture performance. The authors hypothesize that founders experience the tension between the social and commercial goals of their venture as a paradox rooted in their personal values.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed 112 social enterprise founders in Chile and used structural equation modeling to test hypotheses about the relationship between self-transcendent values (i.e. promotion of others’ welfare and care for nature) and self-enhancement values (i.e. pursuing own interests and power over others) on a multidimensional scale of social venture performance.FindingsSelf-transcendence and self-enhancement are distinct yet interrelated values that coexist within social venture founders (i.e. they constitute a paradox). Self-transcendence values negatively moderate the positive relationship between self-enhancement values and social venture performance.Practical implicationsMere benevolence is insufficient for effective social venturing; success depends on the founder’s self-enhancement values or their “drive” to succeed. Founder values can thus inform organizational design choices (e.g. tasks, team composition, structures and processes) and guide public and private investment decisions.Originality/valueThis research empirically assesses the structure of hybrid personal identities, uncovering how the concurrent action of self-transcendence and self-enhancement values influences social venture performance. The authors challenge the belief that balancing social and commercial goals benefits social venture performance. Best-performing ventures are those whose founder’s exhibit high self-enhancement and low self-transcendence values.

Economic evaluation of reopening a dormant tree improvement programme: a case study with Scots pine in Scotland

Abstract The deployment of improved forest reproductive material (FRM) selected to yield greater timber volume and quality than unimproved material could help to maintain productive, sustainable, and resilient forests and increase resistance to abiotic and biotic threats under extreme climate change events. In Scotland, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a productive species that aligns with these objectives. However, confidence in Scots pine has been low in recent years due to damage caused by the needle blight Dothistroma septosporum. Recent provenance/progeny trials using native Scots pine material from the Caledonian pine woods indicate a favourable genetic correlation between growth and resistance to D. septosporum, suggesting that simultaneous improvements are possible. The Scots pine breeding programme in Scotland was closed in 2002. Here, we present an economic case for reopening the breeding programme to further improve Scots pine FRM. Specifically, we evaluate the costs and potential benefits of supporting a new programme. We conduct an analysis using three improvement scenarios using a Faustmann formula (amended with thinnings) to maximize the land expectation value. Our results indicate that further improvement of Scots pine FRM would be cost-effective, outperforming the current Scots pine timber production and financial outcomes. The analysis shows that the Central scenario’s land expectation value rises by £883 ha−1 compared to the baseline of £79 ha−1, assuming a 3.5% interest rate. We employed both annuity calculations and a break-even analysis to show improved FRM could maintain a breeding programme investment of £3.5 million per year over a 30-year period with a break-even cost threshold increase of ~52% for purchasing improved planting materials from £0.33 to £0.50 per seedling. In conclusion, the study provides economic evidence of the commercial benefits for reopening the Scots pine breeding programme to increase timber production and financial returns.

Economic burden of cardiorespiratory hospitalizations associated with respiratory syncytial virus among United States adults in 2017–2019

ABSTRACT Morbidity and mortality caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults and those with underlying health conditions can be potentially alleviated through vaccination. To assist vaccine policy decision-makers and payers, we estimated the annual economic burden of RSV-associated cardiorespiratory hospitalizations among insured US adults aged ≥18 y in the Merative MarketScan claims database from September through August of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the number of RSV-associated cardiorespiratory hospitalizations using MarketScan-identified cardiorespiratory diagnosis codes in the presence or absence of RSV circulation per weekly laboratory test positivity percentages from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This number was multiplied by mean cardiorespiratory hospitalization costs to estimate total costs for RSV-associated cardiorespiratory hospitalizations. Number and cost for International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-coded RSV hospitalizations were quantified from MarketScan. In 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively, 18,515,878 and 16,462,120 adults with commercial or Medicare supplemental benefits were assessed. In 2017–2018, 301,248 cardiorespiratory hospitalizations were observed; 0.32% had RSV-specific ICD codes, costing $44,916,324, and 5.52% were RSV-associated cardiorespiratory hospitalizations, costing $734,078,602 (95% CI: $460,826,580–$1,103,358,799). In 2018–2019, 215,525 cardiorespiratory hospitalizations were observed; 0.34% had RSV-specific ICD codes, costing $33,053,105, and 3.14% were RSV-associated cardiorespiratory hospitalizations, costing $287,549,472 (95% CI: $173,377,778–$421,884,259). RSV contributes to substantial economic burden of cardiorespiratory hospitalizations among US adults. Modeling excess risk using viral positivity data provides a comprehensive estimation of RSV hospitalization burden and associated costs, compared with relying on ICD diagnosis codes alone.

An in-depth study of the oxidative liquefaction process for polymeric waste reduction and chemical production from wind turbine blades and personal protective equipment used in the medical field

An in-depth study of the oxidative liquefaction process has been provided to degrade the polymeric waste from personal protective equipment (PPEs) and wind turbine blades (WTBs). Thermogravimetric investigations demonstrate that WTBs have three prominent peaks throughout the degradation, whereas PPEs display solitary peak features. Experiments are carried out employing specific experimental design approaches, namely the Central Composite Face-Centered Plan (CCF) for WTBs and the Central Composition Design with Fractional Factorial Design for PPEs in a batch-type reactor at temperature ranges of 250–350 °C, pressures of 20–40 bar, residence times of 30–90 min, H2O2 concentrations of 15–45 %, and waste/liquid ratios of 5–25 % for WTBs. These values were 200–300 °C, 30 bar, 45 min, 30–60 % and 5–7 % for PPE. A detailed comparison has been provided in the context of total polymer degradation (TPD) for PPE and WTBs. Liquid products from both types of wastes after the oxidative liquefaction process are subjected to gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to identify the existence of oxygenated chemical compounds (OCCs). For WTBs, TPD was 20–49 % and this value was 55–96 % for PPE while the OCC yield for WTBs (36.31 g/kg - 210.59 g/kg) and PPEs (39.93 g/kg - 212.66 g/kg) was also calculated. Detailed optimization of experimental plans was carried out by performing the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and optimization goals were maximum TPD and OCCs yields against the minimum energy consumption, though a considerable amount of complex polymer waste can be reduced and high concentrations of OCC can be achieved, which could be applied for commercial and environmental benefits.

Development of Value-added Ready-to-serve Beverage Based on Garcinia pedunculata: A Super Fruit

Garcinia pedunculata is an indigenous plant and a seasonal fruit of Assam, North-east India with therapeutic potential. The aim of the present study was to develop a value-added RTS beverage to derive optimum commercial benefit to the local growers of Assam. The study was conducted with the following objectives- to develop and standardize RTS beverage from Garcinia pedunculata, to evaluate its organoleptic acceptability, to analyze its nutritional composition and shelf-life stability. Three variations of garcinia RTS beverages were formulated in the study viz., R1, R2 and R3 along with a control (C) and in each variant, different flavours such as chilli powder, jeera powder and ajwain powder were added. Using the standard 9-point hedonic scale, the RTS beverages were evaluated for their acceptability by 30 semi-trained panelists considering their sensory attributes. Also, the nutritional profiles were assessed and shelf-life estimation was done. The results revealed that garcinia RTS (R2 formulation) had maximum sensory attributes which was selected for further analysis and storage study. The TSS and pH value was recorded as 10 and 1.68 respectively which increased during storage. R2 reported a total sugar content of 24.68 g/100 g, Fe- 3.60 mg/100 g, K- 256.56 mg/100 g and vitamin C- 24.65 mg/100 g. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in R2 was reported to be 161.20 mg GAE/100 g and 312.86 mg CE/100 g respectively. DPPH and FRAP assay recorded the values of 59.31 (%inhibition) and 4.13 µmol Fe (II/g) respectively in R2. The shelf-life studies indicated no visible microbial growth but presence of colony formation was recorded. Thus, RTS beverage prepared from Garcinia pedunculata is highly nutritious and can be commercialized as micronutrient enriched value added drink, thereby making it available throughout the season, which shall further help in sustainable economic status of the local growers.

Evaluation and selection of sustainable hydrogen production technologies with unknown expert weights based on extended MARCOS under hybrid information

The selection of sustainable hydrogen production technologies (HPT) is a paradigm transformation for industrial enterprises to pursue commercial benefits and environmental performance, which has increasingly attracted the attention in academic circles. Therefore, the chief orientation of this research is to construct a novel sustainability-oriented decision-support framework for hydrogen production system. Firstly, an approach is developed to determine expert weights under each criteria in a linguistic environment. Secondly, the Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Composite Solution (MARCOS) method is extended to prioritize sustainable HPT under hybrid information (HMARCOS). Finally, a case study of 5 typical HPT regarding 15 sustainability indicators is conducted. The results display the biomass gasification has the highest sustainability priority for hydrogen production compared with wind turbine electrolysis, photovoltaic electrolysis, steam methane reforming and coal gasification. Furthermore, the reliability and availability of the integrated framework is demonstrated by the comparisons with other approaches.

Dried nanocellulose/xanthan as reinforcing fillers in thermoplastic starch

Nanocellulose fibres are known to enhance the mechanical properties of biopolymers when added as a filler. Nanocellulose irreversibly agglomerates upon drying and is therefore sold as an aqueous gel or suspension, increasing shipping cost and limiting application. This work studied the utility of xanthan gum as a dispersant aid for dried nanocellulose fibres. At levels as low as 15% xanthan gum addition, based on the mass of nanocellulose, prior to drying, agglomeration was significantly decreased. Mild shear rates could disperse the dried nanocellulose to a similar degree as ultrasonication when xanthan gum was present. Several complementary techniques, such as rheology, turbidimetry, and SEM- and TEM-imaging, proved that the native nanocellulose properties could be recovered after drying. Xanthan gum and nanocellulose, when incorporated into thermoplastic starch, showed a synergistic effect regarding the increase in tensile strength of the resultant biopolymer film. The addition of previously dried nanocellulose/xanthan, in a 4:1 ratio, to thermoplastic starch at a starch-cellulose ratio of 20:1, increased the tensile strength from 5.4 to 23.0 MPa. The ability to produce a dispersible and dry nanocellulose product that retains its properties has clear commercial benefits.

Greened shopping spaces and pedestrian shopping interactions: the case of Christchurch

Greened shopping spaces and pedestrian shopping interactions: the case of Christchurch