Package Size Research Articles

Sustainable Foods: Consumer Opinions and Behaviour towards Organic Fruits in Poland

By producing high quality food with a low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in developing sustainable food systems. Over time, consumer interest in organic food is systematically growing, which results in a generally positive attitude towards organic products. Many studies that are devoted to analysing organic food consumers’ behaviour aim to generalise the studied trends to the population of a given country or region. Given the varying rates of organic market development between countries, there is a need for more narrowly focused research, which could more profoundly facilitate local development of organic market. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of Polish consumers about organic fruit and to identify the socioeconomic and sociodemographic determinants of the propensity to choose and purchase organic fruit. Respondents were recruited via a market research agency using a consumer access panel. To collect responses, a formal, structured questionnaire was developed and distributed using the CAWI method. The general acceptance of price increases for organic apples amounts to less than around 30% (89% of responses). The effect of income and package size tend to interact with regard to the purchase preference of apples (p < 0.001). The highest frequency of organic fruit purchases were indicated for physical stores, in particular supermarkets (5.35 times/month, 95%CI). A relationship between willingness to consume organic fruits and the self-described economic situation (p = 0.005), as well as true household income (p = 0.007), has been shown. A relationship between the frequency of organic fruit purchases and the number of household members (p = 0.006), as well as number of household members under the age of 18 (p = 0.011), has also been shown. Marketing techniques for organic products should emphasize family welfare and be directed at younger consumers, especially at retail outlets where customers are most likely to buy them, namely physical supermarkets, local grocery stores and discount stores.

Mathematical Modeling of SOIC Package Dynamics in Dielectric Fluids during High-Voltage Insulation Testing

The efficient testing and validation of the high-voltage (HV) insulation of small-outline integrated circuit (SOIC) packages presents numerous challenges when trying to achieve faster and more accurate processes. The complex behavior these packages when submerged in diverse physical media with varying densities requires a detailed analysis to understand the factors influencing their behavior. We propose a systematic and scalable mathematical model based on trapezoidal motion patterns and a deterministic analysis of hydrodynamic forces to predict SOIC package misalignment during automated high-voltage testing in a dielectric fluid. Our model incorporates factors known to cause misalignment during the maneuvering of packages, such as surface tension forces, sloshing, cavity formation, surface waves, and bubbles during the insertion, extraction, and displacement of devices while optimizing test speed for minimum testing time. Our model was validated via a full-factorial statistical experiment for different SOIC package sizes on a pick-and-place (PNP) machine with preprogrammed software and a zero-insertion force socket immersed in different dielectric fluids under controlled thermal conditions. Results indicate the model achieves 99.64% reliability with a margin of error of less than 4.78%. Our research deepens the knowledge and understanding of the physical and hydrodynamic factors that impact the automated testing processes of high-voltage insulator SOIC packages of different sizes for different dielectric fluids. It enables improved testing times and higher reliability than traditional trial-and-error methods for high-voltage SOIC packages, leading to more efficient and accurate processes in the electronics industry.

Evaluating compliance with local and International Food Labelling Standards in urban Tanzania: a cross-sectional study of pre-packaged snacks in Dar Es Salaam

BackgroundUrbanization influences food culture, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where there is an increasing consumption of processed and pre-packaged foods. This shift is contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases. Food labelling standards are crucial for regulating manufacturing practices and helping consumers make healthy food choices. We aimed to assess the compliance of local and imported pre-packaged snacks with Tanzanian and international labelling standards in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 snack products. A checklist based on Tanzanian and Codex labelling standards was used to evaluate adherence. We also examined factors influencing adherence, such as product origin, price, category, purchase location, and package size.ResultsThe majority of the snacks demonstrated partial adherence to Tanzania (n = 97; 54%) and International (Codex) (n = 120; 67%) labelling standards. Imported products showed significantly better adherence to both Tanzanian (n = 46; 53%) and international (n = 42; 48%) standards. Notably, more than half (n = 110; 66.7%) of the products used English for labelling, and infrequently (n = 74; 41.4%) used the recommended World Health Organization Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling. Product category, origin, and package size were significantly associated with higher levels of international standard adherence (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe inadequate adherence to mandatory labelling standards and the scarce use of Swahili and FoPL highlight the need to strengthen labelling practices and potential challenges faced by consumers in understanding nutritional information. Thus, strengthening and emphasizing good labelling practices are urgently needed as we seek to address diet-related noncommunicable diseases.

Autonomous Vehicles: Evolution of Artificial Intelligence and the Current Industry Landscape

The advent of autonomous vehicles has heralded a transformative era in transportation, reshaping the landscape of mobility through cutting-edge technologies. Central to this evolution is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), propelling vehicles into realms of unprecedented autonomy. Commencing with an overview of the current industry landscape with respect to Operational Design Domain (ODD), this paper delves into the fundamental role of AI in shaping the autonomous decision-making capabilities of vehicles. It elucidates the steps involved in the AI-powered development life cycle in vehicles, addressing various challenges such as safety, security, privacy, and ethical considerations in AI-driven software development for autonomous vehicles. The study presents statistical insights into the usage and types of AI algorithms over the years, showcasing the evolving research landscape within the automotive industry. Furthermore, the paper highlights the pivotal role of parameters in refining algorithms for both trucks and cars, facilitating vehicles to adapt, learn, and improve performance over time. It concludes by outlining different levels of autonomy, elucidating the nuanced usage of AI algorithms, and discussing the automation of key tasks and the software package size at each level. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the current industry landscape, focusing on several critical aspects.

Synergistic design of mechanical properties between implantable sensor and concrete based on three-dimensional refined numerical model

With the ongoing advancement in the construction and development of intelligent infrastructures, there has been a significant integration of sensors within structures. Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement, being a predominant form of transportation infrastructures, necessitates comprehensive analysis due to its critical role. Given that flexural strength is a paramount design criterion for PCC pavements, concrete beams are selected as the primary focus for this study. Initially, a sophisticated three-dimensional numerical model is constructed. This model intricately incorporates the concepts of concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) and the cohesive zone model (CZM) to examine the interaction between the sensor and the concrete beam. The veracity of the numerical model is rigorously validated through methodical three-point bending tests, ensuring its reliability and accuracy. Subsequently, an innovative method for the synergistic design and assessment of the mechanical properties of the implantable sensor in conjunction with the concrete component is introduced. This methodology is underpinned by a novel synergistic performance index system. The system is stratified into different layers, with synergy degree as the target layer, and bearing performance, deformation coordination, and damage control as the criterion layer. In the final phase of the research, the study delves into the impacts of various factors such as size parameters, packaging materials, and positioning of the sensor on its synergistic performance with the concrete. The insights derived from this research are poised to offer valuable guidance for the integrated synergistic design of sensors. This is envisioned to facilitate optimal integration, ensuring long-term and precise monitoring of concrete structures, thereby contributing significantly to the field of intelligent infrastructure construction and maintenance.

New drugs for horses and production animals in 2023

In 2023, no new active pharmaceutical ingredients were released on the German market for horses and food-producing animals. Two established veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients became available for additional species: The phosphorus compound butafosfan was also approved for horses, dogs, and cats and the mineral sodium chloride as an isotonic sodium chloride solution was also approved for rabbits and guinea pigs. In addition, for small animals, there were new releases of an agent (pergolidmesilate) in a novel pharmaceutical formulation and a lower content of the active ingredient, one drug (fluralaner) in a smaller package size as well as one drug (oxalic acid dehydrate) with a new route of administration. Furthermore, one combination of active ingredients (diprophylline+heptaminol) is available on the market for horses and food producing animals again.

Nurses’ preferences regarding MenACWY conjugate vaccines attributes: a discrete choice experiment in Spain

ObjectivesImmunisation against preventable diseases as meningitis is crucial from a public health perspective to face challenges posed by these infections. Nurses hold a great responsibility for these programs, which highlights the importance of understanding their preferences and needs to improve the success of campaigns. This study aimed to investigate nurses' preferences regarding Meningococcus A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY) conjugate vaccines commercialised in Spain. Study designA national-level discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted. MethodsA literature review and a focus group informed the DCE design. Six attributes were included: pharmaceutical form, coadministration evidence, shelf-life, package contents, single-doses per package, and package volume. Conditional logit models quantified preferences and relative importance (RI). ResultsThirty experienced primary care nurses participated in this study. Evidence of coadministration with other vaccines was the most important attribute (RI = 43.78%), followed by package size (RI = 22.17%), pharmaceutical form (RI = 19.07%), and package content (RI = 11.80%). There was a preference for evidence of coadministration with routine vaccines (odds ratio [OR] = 2.579, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 2.210–3.002), smaller volumes (OR = 1.494, 95%CI = 1.264–1.767), liquid formulations (OR = 1.283, 95%CI = 1.108–1.486) and package contents including only vial/s (OR = 1.283, 95%CI = 1.108–1.486). No statistical evidence was found for the remaining attributes. ConclusionsEvidence of coadministration with routine vaccines, easy-to-store packages, and fully liquid formulations were drivers of nurses’ preferences regarding MenACWY conjugate vaccines. These findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers to optimize current campaigns.

A modified Qian-Liu constitutive model based on advanced packaging underfill materials

—The high integration and multifunctionality of microsystem packaging have led to a gradual reduction in packaging size, bringing changes in materials, structures, and processes. This has resulted in numerous issues related to structural reliability and signal integrity. To address the problems of stress concentration during chip packaging, underfill materials are typically introduced beneath the chip. Therefore, the appropriate underfill selection significantly impacts chip reliability. In this work, a modified Qian-Liu constitutive model is proposed to describe the viscoplastic deformation of underfill. The new model accurately predicted the overall trend of stress-strain behavior for the temperature range from 298K to 398K and the strain rate range from 0.0001s−1 to 0.00ls-1. Constitutive parameters of the underfill over a wide temperature range based on the modified Qian-Liu model were obtained. A comparison between the experiment and simulation verified that the modified Qian-Liu model reasonably simulated the viscoplastic stress-strain relationships for underfill materials.

Optimizing household food waste: The impact of meal planning, package sizes, and performance indicators

A key reason for the occurrence of household food waste is poor meal planning, which is partly due to inappropriate discrete package sizes at supply level and lack of accounting for unused food at consumer level. Diet modeling has proven to be effective for solving food planning problems. As far as we know, discrete package sizes have not been incorporated in a dietary meal planning model before. The mathematical programming based model formulated in this article proposes meal plans and shopping lists by selecting combinations of recipes based on available retail package sizes such that food waste, costs, GHGE, and nutritional value are optimized. It generates healthy, affordable meal plans with no waste. Moreover, not only food weight but also GHGE should be considered as performance indicator for food waste. This study shows how careful weekly meal planning can help reducing household waste and the carbon footprint of diets.

Evaluation of Bruising Susceptibility and Response of Pears under Impact Loading through Finite Element Analysis

Mechanical damage and bruising of fruit is a critical problem in the food industry. Minimizing brusing and damage can be achieved by designing energy-absorbing structures and packaging systems in order to ensure the long-term quality of fresh produce. The aim of this study is to investigate the response and bruise susceptibility of pears under impact loading conditions through finite element analysis (FEA) methods. In this paper, three impact heights (0.25 m, 0.5 m, and 1.0 m), four impact material surfaces (poplar wood, rubber, cardboard, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic), two packaging sizes (standard 0.22″ and sandwich lattice 2.1″), and three impact design structures (rigid, corrugated, and honeycomb) are considered. Based on mesh sensitivity analysis, a mesh element of 1.5 mm was adopted for all simulations, assuring the accuracy of results and considering the trade-off between mesh size and computational time. The response surface analysis approach was utilized in order to develop predictive empirical models related to pear bruising. Results revealed that the rubber-based impact platform yielded minimal bruise susceptibility at all heights, while standard-sized corrugated cardboard performed best at a height of 0.25 m. Furthermore, single, double, and triple layers of packaging cardboard were tested. We observed that adding a second soft layer of corrugated cardboard reduced the stress on the pear by around 33%. However, adding a third layer only reduced stress by 5%. The 3D-printed honeycomb ABS has potential as protective packaging but would require further investigations and parameter optimization. Stacking multiple layers of cardboard on top of each other is a cost-effective solution that could improve damping and, therefore, ensure good quality and increase the shelf life of the fresh produce. This study will help decision-makers select the optimal energy-absorbing material for cushioning and packaging designs in order to improve the handling and post-harvesting logistics of fresh produce.

Preferences of healthcare providers in Switzerland for attributes of pediatric hexavalent vaccines: a discrete-choice experiment

Objective To understand the preferences of healthcare providers (HCPs) in Switzerland for pediatric hexavalent vaccine attributes. Methods A discrete-choice experiment included a series of choices between 2 hypothetical pediatric hexavalent vaccines with varying attributes: device type (including preparation time and risk of dosage errors), proportion of infants seroprotected against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) at 11–12 months (pre-booster), packaging size, years on the market, and the thermostability at room temperature. Odds ratios (ORs) and conditional relative attribute importance (CRAI) were calculated using random-parameters logit. Results HCPs (150 pediatricians and 40 nursing staff) in Switzerland were unlikely to choose a vaccine conferring 50% (OR 0.00; 95% CI 0.00–0.00) or 70% (OR 0.01; 95% CI 0.00–0.01) of infants with Hib seroprotection at 11-12 months (pre-booster) compared with a vaccine conferring 90% seroprotection. The odds of choosing a vaccine available on the market for more than 3 years were nearly 5 times the odds of choosing a vaccine available on the market for less than 1 year (OR 4.76; 95% CI 1.87–7.65). The odds of choosing a vaccine in a prefilled syringe were nearly 3 times the odds of choosing a reconstituted vaccine (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.39–4.15), and the odds of choosing a vaccine with a smaller package size were nearly 2 times the odds of choosing a vaccine with larger package size (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.23–2.55). HCPs were equally likely to choose vaccines that can stay at room temperature for 6 versus 3 days (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.73–1.42). According to CRAI, the most important attribute was Hib seroprotection, followed by years on the market, device type, and packaging size. Conclusion Hib seroprotection at 11–12 months was the most important hexavalent vaccine attribute to HCPs in this study.

Differences Between Farmers and Crop Protection Service Providers in the Use of Pesticides

EU-wide statistics on the use of pesticides in agriculture are available on the quantities placed on the market, but data on actual use in practice are limited. In this study, comparative data on pesticide use and resistance management were collected for a region with mixed agriculture (arable and animal husbandry) in Austria. Based on individual pesticide records of 30 farmers and 10 service providers who perform plant protection tasks for 30 farms, the average application rates of pesticides, the change of the active substance group as well as the shortfalls and exceedances of the maximum permissible application rate were compared. Most farmers and service providers usually make a well-considered change in the group of active substances to avoid the development of resistance. Exceedances and underdosing of authorised application rates were found for both groups of people, with farmers tending to deviate more often. The applications amounts were largely in compliance with the law, however, in 3.69% of the 2387 evaluated uses of pesticides, the authorised application rate was exceeded. This excess was found somewhat more frequently among farmers than service providers. The application rate excesses can be attributed to technical overruns due to differences between actually farmed and formally declared area, confusion caused by complex application instructions but also by intention. To avoid inadequate information on authorised application rates and to simplify information gathering, the development of databases and apps that take into account not only the indisputably essential aspect of correct registration, but especially the user and user-friendliness, would be of great benefit and value. Packaging sizes adapted to different requirements and farm sizes would also be advantageous. High priority should be given to the technical training of users and sales personnel. This can contribute to higher professionalism in the use of pesticides in terms of compliance and resistance management, but also to the reduction of pesticides.

Reliable Solder Columns to Replace Solder Balls in Large 2.5D Heterogeneous Packages

Solder balls are well suited for interconnecting normal sized ball grid array (BGA) components to printed circuit boards (PCB). However, solder balls are prone to cracking (failure) caused by excessive stresses inherently found in advanced packaging such as large-sized heterogeneous 2.5D packages where multiple dies are placed side-by-side. The growth trend is to make larger and larger BGA processors exceeding 60x60mm in size for AI and data centers. A plethora of new processor substrate and interposer designs are coming on line such as Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrates (CoWoS). For that reason, more instances of solder ball delamination and cracking on large-sized BGA packages are probable. Solder columns were produced more than 50 years ago to reduce cracking in large ceramic packages, especially for use in harsh environments found in aerospace and defense applications. However, such legacy solder column technology is limited to Tin-Lead (SnPb) alloys. The challenge is to make Lead Free solder columns that satisfy demand for RoHS compliance, while still providing adequate stress relief (compliancy) for extending the operational life of large sized heterogeneous 2.5D processors for mission critical applications. This paper describes our ongoing work to innovate non-collapsible, compliant Lead-Free Braided Copper Solder Columns to reduce strain caused by the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) mismatch between large BGA packages and FR4 PCBs. A braid, consisting of 16 fine copper alloy wires, serves as an exoskeleton sleeve around a solder column to provide mechanical support as well as compliancy. This novel solder column technology supports market trends to scale up the size of chip packaging while maintaining reliability. Our focus was to quickly characterize Lead-Free solder column core materials and braiding alloys by employing “Fail-Fast” destructive accelerated mechanical bend testing in our lab. Since there is an ongoing interest in Tin-Lead alloys, this paper also discusses data on Tin-Lead alloys for comparative purposes.

Wafer Level Chip Size Package Integration of an Aero-acoustic MEMS Microphone into a Thin and Flexible Substrate

This publication describes a novel combination of a chip-scale-package-approach for micro-electromechanical systems with flush surface chip embedding in thermal Polyurethane. The concept enables the fabrication of thin and flexible substrates in which sensor chips with fragile membranes are integrated. The presented sensor array can be used for applications like sound source localization in streams of passenger airplanes whilst test-flights.

Development of Dicing Die Attach Film (DDAF) for Small Dies

In recent years, the demand for ever smaller dies including Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) and sensors is dramatically increasing. Technologies such as automated driving technology are taking off and market pressures to reduce package size and increase the performance in mobile devices are increasing. DDAF increasingly is being utilized in these applications to bond dies to substrates and other dies. DDAF can be used both in the dicing and the die bonding process replacing the need for two separate materials to dice and bond dies. It is composed of DAF (Die Attach Film) and base material, and the DAF layer is what bonds small dies to substrates and other dies. Conventional DDAF however is susceptible to Transfer Failure (TF) with smaller die sizes. It is a failure mode in which the DAF layer peels off from the backside of the die during the die picking up (PU) process. There are multiple root causes for this issue; small dies have small DAF attachment area and smooth die backsides for increased die strength results in an inability of the DAF to anchor itself to the die. However, package reliability was decreased due to the material’s inability to embed itself on to the substrate. Effect factors for suppression of TF with high substrate embedding were explored. To explore these factors a right-angle tear strength method was implemented. Upon analysis of the data a new parameter for the suppression of TF was discovered. This parameter showed a strong correlation to TF. A new DDAF was developed that mitigates TF during PU proess.

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN AGROINDUSTRI SARI COCO DI KOTA PEKANBARU

One of the agro-industrial activities carried out in Pekanbaru is the nata de coco agro-industry. Nata de coco is made from coconut water waste which can be a form of fresh drink that resembles jelly or jelly. This study aims to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Sari Coco agro-industry and formulate a development strategy for Sari Coco agro-industry in Pekanbaru City. This research was conducted in Sari Coco agro-industry in Rumbai Sub-district, Pekanbaru City. Descriptive analysis was conducted to analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Sari Coco agro-industry. To formulate the development strategy of Sari Coco agro-industry in Pekanbaru City, SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) and AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) were used. The strengths of Sari Coco agro-industry are MUI Halal certified, having regular customers, cheaper product prices and being able to compete with similar production, as well as diverse flavours and shapes. The priority strategies for the development of Sari Coco agro-industry in Pekanbaru City are maintaining competitive product prices, utilising technology to attract customers, improving product marketing, utilising technological advances, innovating packaging sizes and taking advantage of market opportunities.

Influence of Packaging Materials and Size on Shelf Life and Quality of White Button Mushroom during Storage

Background: Because of porous fruit body, high moisture content and extremely high respiration rate, the postharvest shelf life of button mushroom is a bottleneck in the mushroom industry as very high losses are recorded during transportation and marketing if the produce is not handled properly. Methods: NBS-5 strain of white button mushroom was treated with 0.05% potassium meta-bisulphite (KMS) followed by packing in 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 g capacity polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) bags of 150 gauge along with 0.01% vents. Dipping in water and packing in 200 g capacity bags was used as control. The packed mushrooms were stored at ambient (24-25°C and 58-62% RH) and low (4-6°C and 80-82% RH) temperature. Result: A significant increase in PLW (%) was recorded in all the treatments both at ambient and low temperature during storage but the increase was faster at room than refrigerated conditions. The white button mushroom in PE had a shelf-life of 7 and 16 days whereas it was 3 and 7 days, respectively, at ambient and low temperature storage conditions in control. A significant reduction in protein, sugars and phenols was recorded whereas polyphenol oxidase (PPO) increased notably during storage. Pack sizes of 200 and 400 g had an edge over 600, 800 and 1000 g with higher shelf-life at both storage conditions. PE packing was found comparatively better for extension of shelf-life compared to PP. The overall acceptability of button mushroom was also found better in 200 g and 400 g packing. The study revealed that the postharvest shelf-life of white button mushroom var. NBS-5 can be extended up to 16 days by packing in 200 and 400 g packs of PE stored at low temperature after pre-treatment of KMS.

Consumer’s Price Sensitivity and Shrinkflation Strategy as A Trailblazer of Chocolate Market

The chocolate industry is a multifaceted and constantly evolving landscape in which price sensitivity and shrinkflation are paramount in determining sales and profitability. This article sheds light on how changes are marked and prices are adjusted to cater to the discerning tastes of modern-day consumers. Examining new pricing strategies, product innovation, and branding gives an in-depth analysis of recent trends shaping this exciting industry. Therefore chocolate manufacturers need to consider the impact of marking changes on the market and consumer behaviour. The sample size of the study is 100, out of which 4 questionnaires are incomplete. Hence, the sample size of the study is 96, and the sample units are the consumers of chocolates in Kerala. the sample is large and widespread, a purposive sampling method is adopted. In this study, ANOVA, Multiple comparisons, and Chi–square tests are applied and tested. Shrinkflation marketing is one of the untouched areas by the researchers. It is vital to understand the way consumers behave on price sensitivity and do they accept package downsizing. This research aims to uncover how packaging and portion size alterations impact consumer behavior and preferences, to provide a deeper understanding of consumer psychology, which can have a big impact on how consumers perceive value. The effect of marking modifications on the market and customer behaviour must therefore be taken into account by chocolate manufacturers.

Effect of Size Reduction and Packaging Materials on Storage Stability of Dried Stevia under Ambient Conditions

Effect of Size Reduction and Packaging Materials on Storage Stability of Dried Stevia under Ambient Conditions

Research on Demographic Segmentation and Marketing Strategies for Young PeopleBased on the Case Study of Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has always been passionate about effectively reaching and engaging more customers. As one of the worlds largest producers of non-alcoholic drinks, Coca-Colas robust, innovative, and transformative demographic segmentation and marketing strategy are the primary factors that have contributed to the companys business success with young people and helped it grow sustainably across the globe and around the clock. Coca-Cola always keeps improving to meet the needs of everyone in the world. Although the demographic segmentation by age, affordability, and gender is already specific, clear, and direct, certain actions must be taken to address the new concerns of todays teenagers healthy lifestyle change and sugar-free tendency based on the marketing strategy of product, pricing, and promotion, including its vintage bottle, classic font, specialized logo, localized positioning, and social media. Coca-Cola should also make more efforts to create new solutions, for example, availability of sugar-free products, communication with customers, product placement, and package size reduction, to meet the rising challenges of the changing beliefs of youngsters globally.