Expected Product Quality Research Articles

Human vs. AI: The battle for authenticity in fashion design and consumer response

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) empowers the AI design process. Then, how do consumers respond to AI-designed fashion products? Building on schema theory, this research investigated the extent to which AI-designed clothing is perceived as authentic through three online experiments. Study 1 (n = 121) and Study 2 (n = 161) showed consumers generally respond more favorably to human-designed (vs. AI-designed) clothing, which is driven by perceived authenticity and expected product quality. Study 3 (n = 156) confirmed that negative responses toward AI-designed clothing can be mitigated when consumers have the option to provide input to customize the design because it enhances perceived authenticity. Study findings offer a theoretical understanding of how and why consumers respond to AI-designed products and practical guidelines for retailers.

WorldCereal: a dynamic open-source system for global-scale, seasonal, and reproducible crop and irrigation mapping

Abstract. The challenge of global food security in the face of population growth, conflict, and climate change requires a comprehensive understanding of cropped areas, irrigation practices, and the distribution of major commodity crops like maize and wheat. However, such understanding should preferably be updated at seasonal intervals for each agricultural system rather than relying on a single annual assessment. Here we present the European Space Agency-funded WorldCereal system, a global, seasonal, and reproducible crop and irrigation mapping system that addresses existing limitations in current global-scale crop and irrigation mapping. WorldCereal generates a range of global products, including temporary crop extent, seasonal maize and cereal maps, seasonal irrigation maps, seasonal active cropland maps, and model confidence layers providing insights into expected product quality. The WorldCereal product suite for the year 2021 presented here serves as a global demonstration of the dynamic open-source WorldCereal system. Validation of the products was done based on best available reference data per product. A global statistical validation for the temporary crop extent product resulted in user's and producer's accuracies of 88.5 % and 92.1 %, respectively. For crop type, a verification was performed against a newly collected street view dataset (overall agreement 82.5 %) and a limited number of publicly available in situ datasets (reaching minimum agreement of 80 %). Finally, global irrigated-area estimates were derived from available maps and statistical datasets, revealing the conservative nature of the WorldCereal irrigation product. The WorldCereal system provides a vital tool for policymakers, international organizations, and researchers to better understand global crop and irrigation patterns and to inform decision-making related to food security and sustainable agriculture. Our findings highlight the need for continued community efforts such as additional reference data collection to support further development and to push the boundaries for global agricultural mapping from space. The global products are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7875104 (Van Tricht et al., 2023).

Persepsi Sistem E-Business terhadap Jual Beli Online Shopee pada Mahasiswa:

This study describes how the effect of the e-business system on Shopee online shopping transactions on students (Study on Febi Students, Islamic Banking Department, UIN North Sumatra). This study aims to determine how satisfied the Shopee online transaction is for Febi students majoring in Islamic Banking. The focal point in the discussion of this research is the description, price, level of service, and experience gained from both the seller and the courier of goods. This research was conducted using a qualitative descriptive method on students using Online Shopee and using a research theory in the form of Constructive Perception Theory. The results based on the research stated that there were students' perceptions of: (1) Overview; the expected product quality 4 students were not satisfied because the quality of the goods ordered was not in line with what they saw on Shopee and 13 students were satisfied with the expected product quality. (2) Price, from the quality of the product students are satisfied with the price, students are satisfied and do not feel burdened by the prices listed at Shopee. (3) the quality of service, 5 students were relatively satisfied with the service of employees/employees, and 5 students were not satisfied because the behavior and delivery program were less practical and subtle. (4) During service, students are satisfied with the delivery of goods, because they do not wait too long or it can be said that they are on time.
 Keywords: Perception, E-business, Online Shopping, Shopee

Generation and evaluation of input values for computational analysis of transport processes within tissue cultures.

Techniques for tissue culture have seen significant advances during the last decades and novel 3D cell culture systems have become available. To control their high complexity, experimental techniques and their Digital Twins (modelling and computational tools) are combined to link different variables to process conditions and critical process parameters. This allows a rapid evaluation of the expected product quality. However, the use of mathematical simulation and Digital Twins is critically dependent on the precise description of the problem and correct input parameters. Errors here can lead to dramatically wrong conclusions. The intention of this review is to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art and remaining challenges with respect to generating input values for computational analysis of mass and momentum transport processes within tissue cultures. It gives an overview on relevant aspects of transport processes in tissue cultures as well as modelling and computational tools to tackle these problems. Further focus is on techniques used for the determination of cell-specific parameters and characterization of culture systems, including sensors for on-line determination of relevant parameters. In conclusion, tissue culture techniques are well-established, and modelling tools are technically mature. New sensor technologies are on the way, especially for organ chips. The greatest remaining challenge seems to be the proper addressing and handling of input parameters required for mathematical models. Following Good Modelling Practice approaches when setting up and validating computational models is, therefore, essential to get to better estimations of the interesting complex processes inside organotypic tissue cultures in the future.

The risk assessment of the combined medicine in the capsule dosage form at the pharmaceutical development stage

Aim. To determine the potential risk factors associated with the critical quality indicators of the combined medicine “Neuronucleos” in the capsule dosage form for the treatment of polyneuropathies using the general risk assessment methodology while planning the drug quality at the stage of pharmaceutical development (PD). Materials and methods. The series of the combined medicine “Neuronucleos” in the capsule dosage form, critical indicators of the drug quality, the flowchart of the drug production, critical control points of the drug manufacturing process were developed. The method of causality was used. The quantitative assessment of risk factors was carriedout using the FMECA methodology. Results and discussion. The main objective of this study was to apply the Quality-by-Design (QbD) approach to PD of the combined medicine in the capsule dosage form based on uridine-5 monophosphate disodium salt (UMP), cytidine-5-monophosphate disodium salt (CMF), vitamin B6, thioctic acid and magnesium lactate dihydrate. For better patient compliance and the product quality, a target quality profile as a base for PD planning, as well as critical quality attributes (CQA) related to the product safety and efficacy were determined. The criticality of each CQA was assessed using a special scale. It was shown that “Quantitative content”, “Uniformity of dosage units”, “Dissolution”, “Impurities” were defined as the most CQA due to the minimum amount of UMF and CMF in the capsule and the possibility of their decomposition and increase in the quantity of impurities. The critical attributes of materials (CMA) were identified, and the characteristics required to control them were determined in order to ensure the expected product quality. The primary assessment of the quality indicator risks of the active ingredients was performed. It was found that the particle size affected the homogeneity, the quantitative content of API and dissolution in FPP, and it was shown that the solubility of active substances had a high risk when performing the “Dissolution” test. To determine the potential factors with a significant impact on the drug quality the maximum number of factors was found, and the Ishikawa diagram was constructed. The risk factors associated with the quality and compatibility of active substances and excipients, the quality of primary packaging, production conditions, the drug quality control and the technological process were identified. These factors are the causes of risk and can lead to a situation with negative consequences for the quality of a medicinal product. The FMECA process assessment allowed us to determine the impact of the manufacturing process on the CQA. Conclusions. At the stage of PD for the combined medicine in the capsule dosage form the potential critical indicators of the drug quality have been determined. The critical parameters of the quality of the initial components and the properties of the product have been assessed; the most probable risks for the drug quality have been identified, analyzed and assessed. Further research is advisable to focus on studying the effect of process parameters on critical parameters of the product quality and assessing risks for quality and creating a validation plan and its implementation.

A Reference Framework to Combine Model-Based Design and AR to Improve Social Sustainability

Product and process digitalization is pervading numerous areas in the industry to improve quality and reduce costs. In particular, digital models enable virtual simulations to predict product and process performances, as well as to generate digital contents to improve the general workflow. Digital models can also contain additional contents (e.g., model-based design (MBD)) to provide online and on-time information about process operations and management, as well as to support operator activities. The recent developments in augmented reality (AR) offer new specific interfaces to promote the great diffusion of digital contents into industrial processes, thanks to flexible and robust applications, as well as cost-effective devices. However, the impact of AR applications on sustainability is still poorly explored in research. In this direction, this paper proposed an innovative approach to exploit MBD and introduce AR interfaces in the industry to support human intensive processes. Indeed, in those processes, the human contribution is still crucial to guaranteeing the expected product quality (e.g., quality inspection). The paper also analyzed how this new concept can benefit sustainability and define a set of metrics to assess the positive impact on sustainability, focusing on social aspects.

Marketing Research Consumer Preferences for the Analog Meat Product Development

Nowadays, in order to ensure high product competitiveness, manufacturers must not only ensure that they meet the regulatory and technical documentation requirements, but also develop conceptual ideas and solutions that consider account consumer wishes, anticipate and quickly react to changes in product quality requirements. One of the latest modern trends is the production and consumption shift from animal protein to the prospective use of its plant and alternative sources. The article presents the study results of consumer preferences for the analogue meat products development: at the first stage, the authors determined the target consumer portrait; at the second stage, they studied consumer quality requirements for the analogue meat semi-finished products. According to the marketing research analysis results, the following indicators play a major role in setting the objectives for the expected product quality: acceptable price, product composition (all-natural ingredients), its usefulness and safety. Many respondents in the survey note that in grocery stores that do not specialize in food from vegetable raw materials, there is quite a small selection of vegetable semi-finished products. Its assortment consisted mainly of dumplings, pancakes and vegetable semi-finished products in the form of mixtures for preparing side dishes or vegetable cutlets. However, if there are analogue meat products in the store, the majority of respondents considers the possibility of purchasing it.

Consumer purchase intention of remanufactured EEE products – A study on robotic lawn mowers in Sweden

The lack of consumer acceptance of remanufactured products prevents the transition to a circular economy. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of importance of influencing factors to the consumer's purchase intention of a remanufactured robotic lawn mower. The results indicated that the consumer's purchase intention can be measured as a function of attitude, social pressure and the availability of remanufactured products, among which attitude had the highest effect on the purchase intention. The attitude was significantly predicted by the expected product quality, perceived risk and price advantages, among which expected product quality has the highest effect.

Alternativa de financiación basada en titularización para la producción de plátano en el Urabá antioqueño

Los procesos de globalización a los que se enfrenta el sector agropecuario en Colombia conllevan una etapa de reestructuración para ser más competitivos y llegar a nuevos mercados, dado que los consumidores hoy en día son cada vez más informados y exigentes en cuanto a la calidad esperada de los productos. Esto lleva a que las empresas sean más eficientes e innovadores en los procesos de producción y comercialización, así como en la diversificación de sus portafolios de productos y mercados. Sin lugar a duda, éste es uno de los mayores desafíos enfrentados por el sector agro en Colombia y para ello se requiere un incremento de las tasas actuales de inversión, favoreciendo el impulso tecnológico y ofreciendo atención prioritaria a la búsqueda y adopción de nuevas alternativas de financiación. En este artículo se resalta el potencial de Colombia en la producción de plátano y se hace énfasis en la necesidad de contar con mecanismos innovadores de financiación para afrontar los problemas actuales de escasez de recursos económicos. Para ello se propone la financiación de productores de plátano a través de la Titularización, con el fin de fortalecer la competitividad del sector y poder aumentar su participación en las exportaciones colombianas.

Potential Strategies to Prepare a Unique RFQ – The Indian Valve Sourcing and Expediting Series

Observation and documentation is an integral part of any sourcing and expediting activity. Every Sourcing manager, sourcing engineer, sourcing expeditor, sourcing coordinator must be well aware of the documentation process and what to do and what not to do. Whenever a sourcing office initiates a procurement process, it does so through requests. If a sourcing office wants to compare competitive offers, then it can mass manage through sending Request for Quotation (RFQ). The sourcing office will send a request listing the technical specification and the expected terms and conditions to competitive suppliers and gets back quotations in return. Though the process of generating an RFQ and converting it into a successful Purchase Order (PO) is simple, it has to be done systematically, to avoid chaos in document management. When this process is effectively managed, mass management of quotation and comparison becomes easier and the sourcing office will be able to make decisions in a systematic manner. However, sourcing offices adhere to the procurement policies of their Parent Organization and hence the objective of any valve sourcing office in India has to be two fold. One, to negotiate contract terms, such that the expected product quality is achieved within the prescribed financial quota. Second, the sourcing office will have to follow the norms and guidelines provided by the parent organization. Hence, it is the duty of the Regional Sourcing Manager to perfectly compose an RFQ, such that the RFQ remains comprehensive. This article rides through the basic RFQ architecture and provides guidelines to compose an attractive RFQ without compromising on the procurement policies of the Parent Organization.

The majority premium: Competence inferences derived from majority consumption

Observers infer consumers' values and personality from their consumption behaviors. Recent literature highlights the benefits of minority consumption, typically by comparing several qualitatively different options. In seven studies (total N = 1555; one pre-registered), the current research instead compares inferences derived from the acquisition of the same products, framed as either bought by a numerical minority or a numerical majority, which eliminates any potentially different associations of the majority and minority options. Majority consumers (i.e., who purchase products bought by a large majority) are perceived as more competent - but not warmer - than minority consumers. This positive effect of majority consumption on purchasers' perceived competence is mediated by expected product quality, such that the majority options appear to be of higher quality than minority options, which prompts the more favorable competence inferences about buyers. This effect persists for functional products, but not for hedonic products. The data and materials for all studies are available at osf.io/u6zmn/.

Data Service Platform for Sentinel-2 Surface Reflectance and Value-Added Products: System Use and Examples

This technical note presents the first Sentinel-2 data service platform for obtaining atmospherically-corrected images and generating the corresponding value-added products for any land surface on Earth. Using the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Sen2Cor algorithm, the platform processes ESA’s Level-1C top-of-atmosphere reflectance to atmospherically-corrected bottom-of-atmosphere (BoA) reflectance (Level-2A). The processing runs on-demand, with a global coverage, on the Earth Observation Data Centre (EODC), which is a public-private collaborative IT infrastructure in Vienna (Austria) for archiving, processing, and distributing Earth observation (EO) data. Using the data service platform, users can submit processing requests and access the results via a user-friendly web page or using a dedicated application programming interface (API). Building on the processed Level-2A data, the platform also creates value-added products with a particular focus on agricultural vegetation monitoring, such as leaf area index (LAI) and broadband hemispherical-directional reflectance factor (HDRF). An analysis of the performance of the data service platform, along with processing capacity, is presented. Some preliminary consistency checks of the algorithm implementation are included to demonstrate the expected product quality. In particular, Sentinel-2 data were compared to atmospherically-corrected Landsat-8 data for six test sites achieving a R2 = 0.90 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 0.031. LAI was validated for one test site using ground estimations. Results show a very good agreement (R2 = 0.83) and a RMSE of 0.32 m2/m2 (12% of mean value).

Effect of Fiber Information on Consumer's Expectation and Liking of Wheat Bran Enriched Pasta

AbstractThe need to promote a diet rich in wholegrain has been recognized as an important task in nutrition education. Despite this, the intake of fiber in Western countries is below the recommended 25 g per day. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of wheat bran addition on the sensory quality of durum wheat spaghetti and to evaluate the effect of fiber information on consumer's acceptability and expectation. Information about fiber content had a positive impact on consumer's expected product quality but only for bran addition equal or higher than 20%. Consumers completely assimilated their liking in the direction of expectations for spaghetti with 20 and 25% of bran addition. Assimilation was incomplete for the 30% added sample indicating that the health benefit of eating fiber did not compensate the decrease in liking. The effect of information varied according to consumers’ frequency consumption of bran‐enriched pasta. Non‐users showed a negative disconfirmation starting with a 20% bran addition, whereas for low‐ and high‐users disconfirmation occurred at a higher bran addition. A complete assimilation effect was seen only for non‐users, indicating that fiber information had an impact only for those consumers who actually do not consume wholegrain pasta.Practical ApplicationsConsumer‐led product development requires having a detailed understanding of what the consumer expects from a product. The findings of the present study provide information about the hedonic expectation and liking of pasta with high wheat bran content. Establishing the right balance between the expected health benefit of eating fiber and perceived product liking might be useful to food developers to increase fiber content in pasta formulations without sacrificing sensory attributes and pleasure.

Effects of Amount of Batter in Baking Cup on Muffin Quality

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of amount of batter in paper baking cup on the quality characteristics of three different muffin samples. Volume index, volume and muffin yield values increased with the increase in batter amount in baking cup, whereas upside shrinkage value and weight loss values decreased linearly. Moreover, batter weight affected the scores of sensory properties of different muffin samples. Muffins prepared with 70 g of batter gave the highest scores for appearance, crumb grain, and overall acceptability. It was found that putting optimum amount of batter in baking cup was critical to obtain expected product quality characteristics. None of the muffins prepared by using 50, 60, 65, 80 g of batter were acceptable in terms of their quality. In conclusion, muffins were satisfactorily improved in terms of physical, structural, physicochemical, and sensory properties by using 70 or 75 g of batter weight for the baking cup used in the study.

Optimization design method of product general tolerance system

A product manufacturing process starts from parts processing, then assembles parts into components, and forms the product finally. To obtain an expected product quality, the quality characteristics in the part level, component level, and product level must be controlled, and the deviations between their actual and target values are required to keep in specified tolerances. All these tolerances form a product tolerance system, and the quality characteristics of product levels contain the geometric and the non-geometric parameters, which are interrelated and form a complex system. General tolerance is the total amount the actual parameters are permitted to vary, which not only include the geometric parameters in machining, but also includes physical, chemical, electrical, and other parameters. What most concerns the product users is whether product quality characteristics meet their requirements, rather than a component quality characteristic or part quality characteristic, and the product quality characteristics are generally not only geometric quantities but also include many non-geometric quantities. The product tolerance system optimization design from part level to product level cannot be achieved, as it includes geometric and non-geometric quantities. In this paper, a product tolerance system model is developed on the basis of determining the quality characteristics of product levels, and the information of the product levels quality characteristics is excavated from data recorded in the product testing process using data mining methods through the support vector nonlinear regression relational model between parts quality characteristics deviations and product quality characteristics deviations. Then, the product manufacturing cost model is set up, which includes the machining dimensional tolerances and non-geometric tolerances, and the product tolerance system optimization model is developed by minimizing the product manufacturing costs as the objective function and the quality characteristics tolerances of product levels as constraint conditions. Finally, a micro-motor product is used as an example to optimize its tolerance system, and its manufacturing costs are decreased by 13.14 %. The results show that the developed method is effective and provides a new way for the product tolerance system optimization.

Cheap-Talk Advertising and Misrepresentation in Vertically Differentiated Markets

I consider a cheap-talk model in which a firm has a chance to communicate its product quality to consumers. The model describes how advertising can be both informative to consumers and profitable for the firm through its content in a vertically differentiated market. I find that advertising content may be effective in inducing search even if incentives for misrepresentation exist. In particular, a firm with an undesirable (low-quality) product is able to attract consumers who would have not incurred a search cost had they known its true quality. In this case, a semiseparating equilibrium occurs where the lowest firm types pool upward in order to increase the expected product quality while simultaneously signaling that the product is affordable. Although consumers always benefit from truth in advertising, total welfare may decrease if an undesirable firm is required to reveal its type. Finally, I show that the extent to which misrepresentation can take place increases with the cost of advertising coverage.

An application of enterprise systems in quality management of products

Safety is arguably the primary concern for consumer products. Popular quality management methods such as Total Quality Management provide enterprises with the vital tools to ensure the expected product quality in production. However, the safety of a consumer product also rely on numerous factors involved in its life cycle, and some of which are difficult to control. It is challenging to acquire and integrate the information from all of the sources involved in the supply chain to assess the risk level of a product. A few of information systems have been reported for product risk management in the developed countries and regions such as Japan and Europe; however, those systems are not universally applicable, in particular in developing countries, since the safety standards as well as other important factors involved in the deployment of products vary from country to country. The use of enterprise systems (ES) has become increasingly popular in both manufacturing and service industries. An ES, especially its QMS (Quality Management System), can be a promising solution to this problem. This paper discusses the application of QMS in ES and presents an application in risk assessment of consumer products.

A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF EGG AND EGG REPLACERS ON THE PRODUCT QUALITY OF MUFFINS

ABSTRACTFive muffin formulations, liquid whole egg, dry whole egg, and three commercial egg replacers, which partially replaced egg in the formulations, were evaluated to determine differences in product qualities caused by egg and egg replacers. The products were prepared following the same procedure and other ingredient compositions, except for egg or egg replacer used in the formulation. Physical product characteristics and sensory properties of the samples were evaluated. It was found that egg, as an ingredient in the muffin formulation, is critical to obtain expected product quality characteristics. None of the commercial egg replacers produced acceptable quality muffins at 100% replacement. Partial replacement of egg with commercial egg replacers changed product characteristics altering moisture retention, bulk volume, color, texture and flavor. Some of these differences, however, were not readily detected by the sensory panelists.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis study comprehensively evaluated the effects of egg and egg replacers on final product quality, when used in pilot‐scale muffin production. An array of tests were conducted on samples prepared according to respective ingredient manufacturers' recommendations – partially replacing egg with commercial egg replacers – to objectively evaluate the differences in quality and sensory attributes. The functionalities of each ingredient (egg replacer) in muffin formulations were interpreted based on the results obtained. The observations and results of this study would be important in selecting appropriate ingredients for muffin formulations to obtain desired product qualities.

Acrylamide formation in fried potato products – Present and future, a critical review on mitigation strategies

Acrylamide is proven to be carcinogenic in rodents and a ‘probable’ human carcinogen, with increasing evidence of positive associations with human cancers. Thus, authorities and industry urge to find solutions for acrylamide formation, while no legal limits have yet been established for this contaminant in foods. Most of the acrylamide dietary exposure results from potato products, coffee, bakery products and chocolate. Acrylamide is formed in potato products during industrial processing, retail, catering and home preparation. This review summarizes the research to date on acrylamide levels, mechanisms of formation, assessment of acrylamide intake and health risk, and possible mitigation strategies from farm to fork in fried potato products. Furthermore, relevant issues regarding the implementation of mitigation strategies on an industrial scale are discussed and evolution of risk management summarized. In conclusion, ‘lab scale studies’ in acrylamide mitigation research should be interpreted with utmost care. This leads to the pertinent question “What is the next step to reduce acrylamide exposure while maintaining the expected product quality for the consumer?”

EFFECTS OF EGG AND EGG REPLACERS ON YELLOW CAKE PRODUCT QUALITY

Five yellow cake formulations, prepared with liquid whole egg, dry whole egg and three commercial egg replacers (soy/wheat, whey protein and fiber/gum-based), were evaluated to determine differences in end-product qualities influenced by the differences in ingredient compositions. The products were prepared following the same procedure and other ingredient compositions, except for the egg or egg replacer used in the formulation. The physical product characteristics and sensory properties of the end products were evaluated. It was found that egg, as an ingredient in the yellow cake formulation, is critical to obtain expected product quality characteristics. Partial replacement of egg with commercial egg replacers changed product characteristics, altering moisture retention, bulk density, color, texture and flavor. Some of these changes, however, were not readily detected in sensory analysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study comprehensively evaluated the functionalities of egg and egg replacers in ingredient formulations of yellow cake. The tests were conducted on samples prepared according to ingredient manufacturers' recommendations, to objectively evaluate the differences, if any. The functionalities of each ingredient (egg replacer) in yellow cake formulations were interpreted based on the results obtained. The results of this study would be useful in selecting appropriate ingredients for cake formulations to obtain desired product qualities. The manuscript also highlights the advantages and drawbacks of using egg replacers in yellow cake formulations.