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According to the journal published by the National Library of Medicine, “Pullulan fiber is a linear polymer that is made up of maltotriose units connected to each other by α-(1,6) glycosidic bonds, which gives pullulan the distinct physical properties to form transparent, strong, low-permeability, and water-soluble films” (Tong, Xiao, Lim, 2013). Pullulan is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be safe as it is derived naturally. The ingredients of pullulan consist of citric acid, thyme oil, and a compound produced bacterially called nisin. In the amount that is used to produce pullulan, the ingredients are deemed generally safe for human consumption. Compared to traditional plastic food wrappers, pullulan food coating does not contribute to environmental pollution. Since it is bio-degradable, it will dissolve in the soil after just 3 days as compared to normal plastic wrappers, which can take up to 450 years before it starts to break down. This is already a major advan...

Food wrappers are important in preserving and distributing many kinds of foods. They are commonly used to keep food fresh. One caveat to it is that it also produces plastic waste which poses a threat to our natural environment. It does so by contaminating our drinking water and soil.  “We’re seeing a tremendous acceleration in the demand for packaging alternatives as the unintended consequences of plastics become more visible, both locally and globally,” (Daly, 2019). Because of the new increasing demands for alternatives, researchers claimed to have developed a biodegradable and antimicrobial food coating made from pullulan fibers which aim to reduce food waste and foodborne illnesses from pollution. Researchers set the coating up against common foodborne pathogens such as E. coli and saw a reduction of bacterial and fungal populations, which helps the food to stay fresh. “You can package the avocado at the farm and extend the shelf life, and then you can wash the coating away,” (...

Dear Professor Brad Blackstone, My name is Hong Xian and I am a student in your Critical Thinking and Communicating module. After going through a few seminars with you, I have a rough idea of what to expect and I look forward to learning more from your lessons. I graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a diploma in Mechanical engineering with a minor in Business. My interest in engineering started ever since I could pick up and play the guitar. As my skills improved, I became more interested in learning more about my instrument. This interest eventually turned into a hobby. From basic maintenance to modifying and swapping out components in my own electric guitars. This act of modifying benefits greatly from technical knowledge that is found in engineering courses and so this is why made the choice. My greatest communication strength is active listening. I hate jumping to conclusions and forming opinions before knowing the full story. In general, if someone is telling me something that...

 "Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter." Gilbert Amelio, former President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp "A letter is pointless unless it's delivered." The leader is the one carving a path for the team to follow. He/She must ensure that everyone on the team is on the same page and understands the assignment. Getting his/her messages across to the whole team is absolutely vital to the success of the team. If the leader does not communicate well, he/she risks the team losing confidence in him/her which in turn can lead to them being dismissive.   If the leader does communicate well, the team will naturally become more motivated as they see and understand the goal set...