Blockchain Application to the SMEs in the Food Industry

The agri-food sector is the highest application of blockchain technology to track and trace components and raw material along the supply chain. Blockchain presents many potential advantages; however, small and medium enterprises often lack the means and knowledge to exploit this technology fully. This chapter presents a case study of blockchain application, namely Trusty, a platform for the notarization of fully traceable information on blockchain in the agri-food sector. Thanks to its limited up-front implementation costs and its modularity, it seems particularly suitable for use by SMEs. The authors' goal is to identify some useful issues for practitioners and inspiration for future research for academics. The most relevant topics that will be placed are (1) needs and expectations of SMEs in the agri-food sector towards the blockchain, (2) difficulties of introducing blockchain into SMEs, (3) the agnostic approach to blockchain, (4) the different value of notarized information for B2B and B2C companies, and (5) limits of some blockchains compared to others.

EXPRESS: Degree of Learning and Linear Forgetting

The aim of this study was to assess whether the degree of learning influences the observation of memory retention and forgetting that follows a linear pattern. According to our Retention Accuracy from Fragmented Traces (RAFT) model, one factor that should increase the likelihood of this is when there is greater learning of the material. Higher levels of learning should increase the number of trace components, making it more likely that reconstruction or partial retrieval can lead to an accurate response on a memory test. Here we report three new experiments, as well as re-analyses of existing data in the literature, to show that increasing the level of learning increases the likelihood of observing linear forgetting. For Experiment 1, people learned materials to different levels. This learning involved cued recall testing during memorization. Linear forgetting was observed with increased learning. For Experiment 2, learning did not involve cued recall testing. Linear forgetting was not observed. Although our aim was not to test theories of retrieval practice, for Experiment 3 we showed that when people engage in this, the pattern of retention and forgetting becomes more linear. Overall, these data are consistent with the RAFT theory and support mechanisms that it suggests can lead to the observation of linear forgetting.

Impact of Heavy Metals Consumption on Human Health: A Literature Review

While some heavy metals are essential trace components, many are bio toxic in human biochemistry. As a result, a full grasp of underlying systems is required. For supporting life and minimizing environmental damage, we must grasp their sources, liquidation techniques, chemical modifications, and deposition patterns These metals are discharged into the environment by both natural and human activity, including mining, industrial operations, and vehicular emissions. Soils and groundwater are contaminated when they leak into subsurface fluids and eventually into the aquifer. The world's commerce and coordinating systems frequently generate environmental toxicity and poisoning. Swallowed, they generate bio toxic compounds, lose structural integrity, and block bio reactions. This study's goal is to learn more about heavy metals and their bio toxic effects on humans.

The genesis of a climate archive: snow pack studies at four polar sites

<p>Understanding the deposition history and signal formation in ice cores from polar ice sheets is fundamental for the interpretation of paleoclimate reconstruction based on climate proxies. Polar surface snow responds to environmental changes on a seasonal time scale by snow metamorphism, displayed in the snow microstructure and archived in the snowpack. However, the seasonality of snow metamorphism and its link to the deposited signal in isotopes and impurity load is poorly known.</p><p>Here, we apply core-scale microfocus X-ray computer tomography to continuously measure snow microstructure of four snow cores from Greenlandic (Renland ice cap-drill site (2m), EASTGRIP drill site (5m)) and Antarctic sites (EDML-drill site (3m), COFI7/Plateau station (4m)) covering a wide range of annual temperatures from -18°C down to -56°C. In our multi-parameter approach we compare the derived microstructural properties on the mm- to cm-scale to discretely measured trace components and stable water isotopes, commonly used as climate proxies. We will show how ice and pore intercepts, the geometrical anisotropy, specific surface area, crusts anomalies and small-scale density distributions are represented under different climate conditions. Their profiles will be discussed in the context of snow metamorphism and deposition history using trace components and isotopes as additional constraints on timing.</p>

Assessment of Trace Elements and Human Health Risk Present in Wines Obtained in the Region of Dealurile Munteniei and Dealurile Moldovei Vineyards

The primary objectives of this research were to determine the concentration of some inorganic trace components, to evaluate the concentration levels of these in Romanian wines by daily consumption of wine and the health risk of inorganic trace components intake at these rates form Romanian wine. The results indicated that the concentration levels of inorganic components in red wine decreased in the order Zn>Mn>Cr>Cu>Ni>Pb>Co>Cd, in case of white wine decreased in the order Zn>Mn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>Co>Cd. Based on a 60-kilogram adult person, and moderate consumption of 200 milliliters of wine/day, the estimated daily intake of these inorganic components from wines was well below the daily allowance. The target hazard quotient suggests that the exposed humans would not experience significant health risks when ingesting these individual elements from daily consumption of 200 milliliters of Romanian wines/day.