Package Research Articles

Outstanding Beauty: Study of Publicity Translation and Cultural Diplomatic Value in the Internationalization of Domestic Cosmetic Brands

This study delves into the translation strategies employed in the export process of Chinese-style cosmetics, with a primary focus on how these strategies facilitate cultural communication. Emphasis is placed on ensuring accurate and culturally adaptive translation of product packaging, which plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining brand cultural identity in international markets. In particular, the proposal of naming lipstick shades after literary works—linking both Chinese and Western literary traditions—demonstrates a novel approach to fostering cross-cultural exchange through product exports. Additionally, marketing strategies are explored, showcasing how this differentiation not only enhances cultural relevance but also strengthens consumer emotional connections. Case studies of TIMAGE and Proya serve to evaluate brand performance in cross-cultural communication, offering valuable insights for the international promotion of Chinese-style cosmetics. The findings of this study suggest innovative directions for combining translation and marketing strategies to further cultural exchange and brand growth globally.

Internal Integrated Temperature Sensor for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries represent a significant component of the field of energy storage, with a diverse range of applications in consumer electronics, portable devices, and numerous other fields. In view of the growing concerns about the safety of batteries, it is of the utmost importance to develop a sensor that is capable of accurately monitoring the internal temperature of lithium-ion batteries. External sensors are subject to the necessity for additional space and ancillary equipment. Moreover, external sensors cannot accurately measure internal battery temperature due to packaging material interference, causing a temperature discrepancy between the interior and surface. Consequently, this study presents an integrated temperature sensor within the battery, based on PT1000 resistance temperature detector (RTD). The sensor is integrated with the anode via a flexible printed circuit (FPC), simplifying the assembly process. The PT1000 RTD microsensor’s temperature is linearly related to resistance (R = 3.71T + 1003.86). It measures about 15 °C temperature difference inside/outside the battery. On short-circuit, the battery’s internal temperature rises to 27 °C in 10 s and 32 °C in 20 s, measured by the sensor. A battery with the PT1000 sensor retains 89.8% capacity under 2 C, similar to the normal battery. Furthermore, a PT1000 temperature array sensor was designed and employed to enable precise monitoring and localization of internal temperature variations.

Occurrence and migration of synthetic phenolic antioxidants in food packaging materials: Effects of plastic types and storage temperature.

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) are widely used in food packaging materials to extend product shelf life. Not much attention has been paid to high molecular weight SPAs (HMW SPAs) so far, despite their potential health risks. In this study, we first analyzed the concentrations of ten HMW SPAs in food plastic packaging materials (including 6 plastic categories, n=116). The total concentrations of HMW SPAs (∑SPAs) ranged from 0.0844 to 894mg/kg, with a geometric mean of 71.7mg/kg. The predominant HMW SPAs included AO1010 (accounting for 71.8% of total concentrations of HMW SPAs), AO1076 (21.4%), and AO3114 (3.14%), with AO1010 detected in all samples. Higher concentrations were notably found in polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials. Migration tests revealed that HMW SPAs could readily transfer into food simulants, with PP exhibiting the lowest migration levels. Migration of SPAs into fatty foods was pronounced, increasing with temperature (temperature gradients: 4°C, 25°C, and 60°C). In the 95% ethanol food simulants, the maximum migration amounts of AO1076 in PE (7.05mg/kg at 25°C) and PET (9.79mg/kg at 25°C; 10.8mg/kg at 60°C) surpassed the specific migration limit (SML) set by the national standards, posing potential food safety risks. This was the first report on the presence and migration patterns of ten HMW SPAs in food plastic packaging materials, providing crucial insights into food packaging material safety.

Sustainable Fruit Preservation Using Algae-Based Bioactive Coatings on Textile Packaging

This study explores the potential of using natural textile packaging infused with algae-based coatings as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging for extending fruit shelf life. Traditional plastic packaging is known to release harmful chemicals into both food and the environment, which underscores the need for safer, more sustainable alternatives. This study investigates algae from three distinct groups—green, red, and brown algae—renowned for their rich bioactive compounds that exhibit natural preservative properties. Algae powders were prepared via immersion in purified water, boiling, and mixing with gum arabic to form a gelatinous coating solution. The algae coating was applied to knitted fabric, which was then crafted into bags for storing fruits such as tomatoes and apples. Over 21 days, the texture, weight loss, and juice content of the fruits stored in algae-coated bags were monitored and compared to those stored in uncoated packaging. The results showed that fruits in algae-coated packaging demonstrated significantly less weight loss and retained better texture. In terms of weight, the combination of red, green, and brown algae-coated packaging demonstrated the lowest reduction in weight for tomatoes (4.2%) and apples (3.8%) after 21 days, outperforming uncoated packaging, which exhibited reductions of 11.2% and 10.8%, respectively. These findings support the potential of algae-coated textile packaging to reduce reliance on conventional plastics while maintaining fruit quality during storage.

Antioxidant Particleboards Produced from Forest By-Products with Application in the Food Packaging Industry

The food packaging industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, with a large contribution to environmental concerns due to the extensive use of fossil-derived materials. Combining wood-based materials, such as particleboards, with bio-adhesives may offer a great opportunity to develop sustainable packaging solutions with active antioxidant properties. In the present work, a phenolic extract of poplar bark was produced and bio-adhesives were formulated using citric acid as a cross-linker. The impact of citric acid content on the chemical and bonding properties of bio-adhesives was evaluated. Additionally, the impact of the temperature of curing on their antioxidant capacity was also accessed. The bio-adhesives were applied in the production of particleboards, using poplar veneer particles as raw material. The composite materials exhibit high mechanical resistance, fulfilling the requirement of PB type P1, with remarkable antioxidant activity, opening a possibility to be employed in an active packaging solution.

Face consciousness: the impact of gift packaging shape on consumer perception

Purpose This study aims to shed new light on the effect of gift packaging shape, specifically the distinction between horizontal and vertical orientations, on the face consciousness of both gift givers and recipients. The underlying mechanism of the main effect is examined, focusing on the perception of social status symbols. In addition, downstream outcome variables were included in the study to explore the effects of gift package shape on willingness to buy (WTB) and word-of-mouth (WOM) in the giver and receiver contexts, respectively. Furthermore, these effects were repeatedly verified in both China and the USA, revealing the significance of cultural differences. The study also investigated the moderating effects of an individual’s power state (low or high power) on the giver’s face consciousness. Design/methodology/approach Six studies were conducted to address the research objectives. Study 1 compared the gift givers’ face consciousness of a gift when presented with vertical package shapes versus horizontal. Subsequently, Study 2 investigated whether consumers’ perception of social status symbols mediates the effect of gift package shape on gift givers’ face consciousness. Study 3a expanded the conceptual model to include the downstream outcome variable of WTB in the context of gift-giving. Study 3b was validated with American participants, revealing the influence of cultural background differences on face consciousness. Study 4 introduced a gift-receiving context to investigate the chain-mediated effects of gift package shapes on consumer WOM. Lastly, Study 5 critically examined the boundary effect of personal power states on the interaction between the gift givers’ face consciousness and WTB. Findings The results indicate that gift givers and recipients attribute higher face consciousness to gifts with vertical package shapes compared to horizontal ones. In addition, consumers’ perception of gifts as status symbols was the underlying mechanism driving the impact of gift packaging shape on face consciousness. Furthermore, the face consciousness for gift packages of vertical shape was enhanced when people were in lower-power states as opposed to higher-power states, subsequently leading to an increase in the WTB. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to an online virtual brand study; future field studies could be conducted to enhance the authenticity of the participants’ gift-giving experience and the overall external validity of the studies. In addition, gender-based stereotypes and the relationship between the giver and the receiver (transactional or intimate) may also influence the relationship between gift package shapes and face consciousness. Practical implications The practical implications of this research focus on three points. First, gift brand managers should strategically employ vertical package shapes to signal high-end attributes and evoke face consciousness among consumers, aligning with the psychology of both givers and recipients. Second, managers must consider consumers’ power states in gift-giving scenarios, tailoring packaging recommendations to the dynamics between givers and recipients to maximize market share. Last, cultural differences in face consciousness, particularly between Asian and Western cultures, necessitate that managers adapt packaging designs to respect and enhance the social status of both givers and recipients in culturally sensitive ways. These findings underscore the importance of understanding and integrating consumer psychology, power dynamics, and cultural nuances into gift packaging strategies to boost market share. Originality/value The research contributes to understanding the impact of gift packaging shape on the perception of face consciousness among both gift givers and recipients. It highlights the mediating role of social status symbols and extends its scope by examining downstream effects such as WTB and WOM. It explores individual power states as a moderating factor, revealing how personal dynamics influence perceptions of face-saving consciousness. Also, the cross-cultural validation of these effects in China and the USA underscores the importance of considering cultural differences.

Use of Hybrid Flame Retardants in Chemically Foamed rPET Blends

The foamed structure of recycled polyethylene-terephthalate (rPET) is a promising solution for industrial applications; however, the remedy for its inherent melt-dripping property is still a challenging topic. In our research, we were able to improve the flame retardancy of the endothermic–exothermic hybrid rPET foam by adding a different mixture of flame retardants to the formula. Three different kinds of halogen-free flame retardant agents were used: ammonium polyphosphate-based Exolit AP 422 (AP), organic aluminum phosphate in the form of Exolit OP 1240 (OP), and Budit 342 containing melamine polyphosphate (MPP). The hybrid flame retardant mixture, by combining the swelling and charring mechanism, increased the flame retardancy of the samples. The sample made with 15 phr OP and 5 phr MPP displayed outstanding performance, where five samples were capable of self-extinguishing in 5 s, while only slightly decreasing the tensile and flexural strength properties and simultaneously increasing the Young and flexural modulus compared to the reference sample. The addition of MPP reduced the porosity in many cases, while preventing cell coalescence. Our results prove that the hybrid flame retardant agent frameworks efficiently increase the flame retardancy of rPET foams, facilitating their application in industrial sectors such as the aerospace, packaging, renewable energy, and automotive industries to realize sustainability goals. The utilization of halogen-free flame retardants is beneficial for better air quality, reducing toxic gas and smoke emissions.

Dually Modified Starch‐Based Coating for Improving Barrier and Mechanical Performances of Paper Toward Food Packaging

ABSTRACTPaper is a promising packaging material, while raw paper always presents poor barrier and mechanical performances. Developing high‐performance coating is an effective strategy to expand its applications. In this paper, a biobased high‐performance coating was developed via dual modifications on starch. Specifically, starch was first modified using polyethylenimine (PEI), and then grafted using the hydrophobic methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The finally obtained dually modified starch (PM‐St) enabled paper to display favorable barrier properties, including excellent water resistance (static contact angle of ~128°) and oil‐proof performance (oil‐proof grade > 7). Furthermore, the coated paper also exhibited obviously enhanced mechanical performances, including improved tensile index of 46.88% and improved burst index of 81.69% for coated paper. In conclusion, this biobased coating has the potential for application in paper coating toward food packaging and thus reduces the use of plastic materials.

Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite Film: An Efficient Visible Light-Responsive Photocatalyst and Antimicrobial Agent

Biopolymer-based nanocomposite film is an efficient material for addressing the increasing levels of pollutants in the environment and also for the production of antimicrobial packing material due to its good film-forming properties, biodegradability, and minimal environmental impact. In particular, chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/g-C3N4 (CS/PVA/g-C3N4) nanocomposite films with different weight percentages of PVA were prepared using simple methodologies and characterized using XRD, TGA, FT-IR, DSC, FE-SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping analysis. The XRD and FT-IR results validated the nanocomposite film formation. The FE-SEM images showed the smooth surface of the composite films without any wrinkles; the smoothness of the film increased with increases in the PVA loading, and the surface morphologies of the films were largely unchanged. The EDX and elemental mapping analysis validated the presence and uniform dispersion of g-C3N4 within the nanocomposite film. The photocatalytic activity of the CS/PVA/g-C3N4 composite films was assessed by the degradation of rhodamine B dye (RhB) and acetophenone under direct sunlight irradiation. The CS/PVA/g-C3N4 nanocomposite films exhibited superior degradation efficiency toward the RhB dye and acetophenone compared to the bare polymeric film and the g-C3N4 material. The order of degradation for the RhB dye and acetophenone was CS/PVA (1.0) g-C3N4 (95.34%, 33.33%) > CS/PVA (1.5) g-C3N4 (93.18%, 31.31%) > CS/PVA (0.5) g-C3N4 (93.02%, 29.29%) > CS/PVA (90.69%, 26.26%) > g-C3N4 (87.56%, 24%), respectively. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite films was tested against E. coli, Pseudomonas sps., Klesiella sps., and Enterococcus sps., and the CS/PVA (1.5)/g-C3N4 nanocomposite film offered better antimicrobial properties than the other composite films and bare materials. In conclusion, these biopolymer-based nanocomposites are highly efficient and provide a promising path for the development of various biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites for environmental remediation and antibacterial packing applications.

Production Jelly Candy and Soap derived from marine seaweed for health branding and community empowerment in Mojokerto East Java

In this PKM program, our partner is residents in Mojokerto, Surabaya, East Java, Province. This community has generated the production of jelly candy and natural soap derived from marine seaweed. Seaweed processing has a very broad market potential due to the increasing demand and use of seaweed processing products, both in the fields of food, health, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or industry. Seaweed development with an industrial concept approach that starts from upstream, processing basic products into formulated products with a lot of derivative products, both food and non-food products. In food ingredients, seaweed can be formulated into jelly candy that is in great demand from children to adults. In pharmaceutical grade, it can be formulated into cosmetics such as natural soap. Based on interviews and observations in the field, there are 3 main focuses of the problems currently faced by partners, namely: 1) lack of knowledge about seaweed, 2) seaweed application for food and non-food and 3) the packaging of product. Some of the things planned by the PKM team are innovating seaweed to be jelly candy and natural soap. The purpose of this activity is to provide knowledge and understanding of the diversification of processed seaweed products for both food and non-food purposes, which is expected to provide benefits in terms of increasing the added value of seaweed, awareness of hand washing hygiene, empowering women and at the same time increasing community income. This activity was realized with an approach in the form of making a sustainable cooperation program until the end of PKM, creating a family atmosphere between the two and understanding that the problems experienced were a shared problem so that they could be solved together according to the level of responsibility to achieve the expected benefits, namely increased yields, production and productivity and competitiveness, independence and welfare of the community.

Understanding tourists' adoption of edible food packaging: the role of environmental awareness

PurposeEdible food packaging provides a solution to the solid waste problem caused by traditional packaging. However, tourists’ readiness to adopt this novel technology is unclear.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted to examine how motivated consumer innovativeness (CI), environmental awareness, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and attitudes influence tourists' purchase behaviors in the context of edible food packaging in the tourism industry. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 3.2.8.FindingsThe results of the structural equation analysis indicate that each sub-factor of motivated consumer innovativeness positively influences attitudes. Additionally, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and personal norms were found to significantly impact purchase intentions. Environmental awareness was found to moderate the relationships between (1) perceived behavioral control and purchase intention, (2) subjective norms and purchase intention and (3) attitude and purchase intention. These findings expand the applicability of the diffusion of innovation, planned behavior and environmental awareness theories, offering useful insights for foodservice professionals.Research limitations/implicationsThis study emphasizes key implications for the tourism and foodservice industries, as consumers with an innovative attitude and higher environmental awareness are more likely to adopt edible food packaging. Identifying these factors will help stakeholders establish effective strategies for waste reduction through innovative packaging solutions.Originality/valueThis research uniquely investigates tourists' adoption of edible food packaging by integrating theories of innovation diffusion, planned behavior and environmental awareness. It offers novel insights into how various psychological and social factors influence purchase behaviors within the tourism industry.

Empowering Community Entrepreneurship Through Salt-Based Mouthwash Production

In this PKM program, our partner is residents in Sedayulawas, Lamongan, East Java, Province. This community has generated the production mouthwash derived from salt. Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). Diversification of salt products with various derivative products is very possible for salt farmers to do as an effort to empower the economy of the Lamongan community as well as increase food security through the provision of quality salt and downstream technology to produce salt derivatives that have more value for example mouthwash. Mouthwash containing saltwater rinses work by increasing the pH- balance inside the mouth, creating a much more alkaline oral environment in which the bacteria are no longer able to thrive. Based on interviews and observations in the field, there are 3 main focuses of the problems currently faced by partners, namely: 1) lack of knowledge about downstreaming of salt products and their derivatives and 2) the packaging of product. Efforts to increase salt production and salt purification technology as well as alternative diversification of salt derivative products can be a model that can drive the economic sector of the community of salt farmers and women who boil salt so as to initiate the opening of new job opportunities and create superior salt products and derivative products, namely mouthwash in Lamongan Regency. This activity was realized with an approach in the form of making a sustainable cooperation program until the end of PKM, creating a family atmosphere between the two and understanding that the problems experienced were a shared problem so that they could be solved together according to the level of responsibility to achieve the expected benefits, namely increased yields, production and productivity and competitiveness, independence and welfare of the community.

Actinomycete-Derived Pigments: A Path Toward Sustainable Industrial Colorants

Pigment production has a substantial negative impact on the environment, since mining for natural pigments causes ecosystem degradation, while synthetic pigments, derived from petrochemicals, generate toxic by-products that accumulate and persist in aquatic systems due to their resistance to biodegradation. Despite these challenges, pigments remain essential across numerous industries, including the cosmetic, textile, food, automotive, paints and coatings, plastics, and packaging industries. In response to growing consumer demand for sustainable options, there is increasing interest in eco-friendly alternatives, particularly bio-based pigments derived from algae, fungi, and actinomycetes. This shift is largely driven by consumer demand for sustainable options. For bio-pigments, actinomycetes, particularly from the Streptomyces genus, have emerged as a promising green source, aligning with global sustainability goals due to their renewability and biodegradability. Scale-up of production and yield optimization challenges have been circumvented with the aid of biotechnology advancements, including genetic engineering and innovative fermentation and extraction methods, which have enhanced these bio-pigments’ viability and cost-competitiveness. Actinomycete-derived pigments have successfully transitioned from laboratory research to commercialization, showcasing their potential as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes. With the global pigment market valued at approximately USD 24.28 billion in 2023, which is projected to reach USD 36.58 billion by 2030, the economic potential for actinomycete pigments is extensive. This review explores the environmental advantages of actinomycete pigments, their role in modern industry, and the regulatory and commercialization challenges they face, highlighting the importance of these pigments as promising solutions to reduce our reliance on conventional toxic pigments. The successful commercialization of actinomycete pigments can drive an industry-wide transition to environmentally responsible alternatives, offering substantial benefits for human health, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Sustainable Environmental Analysis of Wooden Boxes for Fruit and Vegetable Packaging and Transport in Comparison with Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

This study analyses the environmental sustainability of using wooden boxes (WBs) compared to corrugated cardboard boxes (CCBs) for the transport of fruit and vegetable products, where the same box size between WB and CCB is assessed and compared. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) followed ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006 standards, using the ReCiPe 2016 MidPoint methodology. The following impact categories analysed for sustainability impact, evaluation and monitoring are included: global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity and abiotic resource depletion. The study covered all the stages of packaging life through cradle-to-grave analysis. The study results show that CCBs have a higher environmental impact across most categories despite being single-use packaging systems. The comparison between both packaging systems shows that WBs are a more sustainable alternative, with lower overall environmental impacts in fruit and vegetable packaging and transport. As a general conclusion, WBs have a lower overall environmental impact than CCBs, especially in the key impact criteria of global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, human non-carcinogenic toxicity, fossil resource depletion and water consumption. Due to that, the wooden box is a more sustainable material for fruit and vegetable packaging, logistics and transport than the corrugated cardboard box, considering the scope and destination analysed.

Native Cyclodextrin-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs): Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential Applications in Food Industry

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have become a highly usable system in various sectors because of their highly ordered structure and high porosity providing them with high storage capacity. However, their use is sometimes forbidden in the food industry due to the presence of some organic compounds which have undesirable effects. Cyclodextrins, which are considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA, comes as a very good alternative to previously used compounds for the development of the MOFs to be used in the food packaging industry, especially in the packaging sector. The cyclodextrin MOF does possess edible, biocompatible, as well as biodegradable characteristics and due to these reasons, they have gained attention from researchers in the food industry. In this review, we focus on the recent advancements in the field of CD MOFs. We have emphasized the synthesis of these MOFs through different techniques, formations of their inclusion complex with bioactive compounds, and their characterization. Finally, we discussed the use of CD MOFs as carriers for various highly volatile bioactive compounds and their ability to increase the solubility and stability of these bioactive compounds.

Association of fully branded, standardized packaging and limited flavor and brand descriptors of e-liquids with interest in trying products among youths in Great Britain.

Many vaping products feature bright colors and novel brand names and flavor descriptors, which may appeal to youth. We measured the strength of the associations between e-liquid packaging design (branded, white standardized or white standardized limiting brand and flavor descriptors) and perceived peer interest in trying the e-liquids among youth. A between-subjects online experiment. The Action on Smoking and Health Smokefree Great Britain (GB) Youth 2021 online survey. Participants included 1628 youth aged 11-18, 51.9% female, 71.8% socioeconomic status ABC1 (the three highest Market Research Society grades). Participants were randomized to view a set of three images of e-liquids from one of three packaging conditions: (1) fully branded (control), (2) white standardized with usual brand names and flavor descriptors or (3) white standardized with coded brand names and limited flavor descriptors. Participants were asked which e-liquid they thought people their age would be most interested in trying and could select a product, 'none of these', or 'do not know'. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to test associations between selecting 'none of these' ('no interest') versus any product ('interest') or 'do not know' and packaging condition. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, vaping status and smoking status. Compared with fully branded packaging (22.7%; reference category), youth had higher odds of reporting no perceived peer interest in trying e-liquids in standardized packs with brand codes and limited flavor descriptors [30.3%, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.53-2.79], but not standardized packs with usual descriptors (23.1%, AOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.89-1.65). Youth had higher odds of reporting no perceived peer interest in e-liquids in white standardized packs with brand codes and limited flavor descriptors (30.3%, AOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.29-2.16, P < 0.001) compared with standardized packs with usual descriptors (23.1%; reference category). Standardized e-liquid packaging that limits flavor and brand descriptors may reduce the youth appeal of e-liquids.

Advancements in Superhydrophobic Paper-Based Materials: A Comprehensive Review of Modification Methods and Applications

Superhydrophobic paper-based functional materials have emerged as a sustainable solution with a wide range of applications due to their unique water-repelling properties. Inspired by natural examples like the lotus leaf, these materials combine low surface energy with micro/nanostructures to create air pockets that maintain a high contact angle. This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in the development of superhydrophobic paper-based materials, focusing on methodologies for modification, underlying mechanisms, and performance in various applications. The paper-based materials, leveraging their porous structure and flexibility, are modified to achieve superhydrophobicity, which broadens their application in oil–water separation, anti-corrosion, and self-cleaning. The review describes the use of these superhydrophobic paper-based materials in diagnostics, environmental management, energy generation, food testing, and smart packaging. It also discusses various superhydrophobic modification techniques, including surface chemical modification, coating technology, physical composite technology, laser etching, and other innovative methods. The applications and development prospects of these materials are explored, emphasizing their potential in self-cleaning materials, oil–water separation, droplet manipulation, and paper-based sensors for wearable electronics and environmental monitoring.

The Influence of Recycled Packaging for Food Products on Consumer Behavior

ABSTRACTExtensive efforts by both government and private sectors to make the use of recycled packaging in food products more prevalent have not always been successful, partly due to a limited understanding of consumers' complex perceptions towards this practice. In this research, we explore whether recycled food product packaging enhances the appeal of food products, as well as the boundary condition and underlying mechanism of this effect. Using three experimental studies, we find that marketing efforts highlighting the use of recycled packaging can be beneficial, but only for utilitarian food products, not for hedonic ones. We also identify the warm‐glow effect as a key mediating mechanism. This study uniquely contributes to the literature by not only examining the differential effects of recycled packaging but also identifying the warm‐glow effect as a key mediating mechanism. Our findings contribute a more nuanced perspective to the literature on sustainable consumption and provide practical implications for enhancing the effectiveness of recycled food product packaging.

Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel Particles as Nasal Packing Materials After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis

After endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), nasal packing is often used to stop bleeding and promote wound healing. Because maintaining a moist environment is important to enhance wound healing, hydrogel-based wound dressings are effective to promote wound healing. Chitosan is used in the medical field because of its high hemostatic and wound healing properties. We developed a pH-neutral and non-toxic chitosan hydrogel, which was difficult to achieve using conventional methods. In this study, we show in animal experiments that the chitosan hydrogel (hydrogel particles) had higher wound healing properties than a commercially available solid wound dressing (dry state) composed of the same polymer. Additionally, we applied the injectable chitosan hydrogel particles as nasal packing materials to patients with bilateral chronic sinusitis undergoing ESS in a pilot clinical study. Concerning symptom scores, though the results narrowly missed statistical differences (p &lt; 0.05), the average scores of our chitosan hydrogel were superior to those of a commercially available wound dressing (especially p = 0.09 for nasal bleeding). These findings suggest that the injectable chitosan hydrogel could be a viable option as a packing material following ESS.

Spectral Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Simplification

Non-diffuse materials (e.g., metallic inks, varnishes, and paints) are widely used in real-world applications. Accurate spectral rendering relies on the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). Current methods of capturing the BRDFs have proven to be onerous in accomplishing quick turnaround time, from conception and design to production. We propose a multi-layer perceptron for compact spectral material representations, with 31 wavelengths for four real-world packaging materials. Our neural-based scenario reduces measurement requirements while maintaining significant saliency. Unlike tristimulus BRDF acquisition, this spectral approach has not, to our knowledge, been previously explored with neural networks. We demonstrate compelling results for diffuse, glossy, and goniochromatic materials.