Recently, the interest around the Blockchain concept has grown faster and, as a consequence, several studies about the possibility of exploiting such technology in different application domains have ...been conducted. Most of these studies highlighted the benefits that the use of the blockchain could bring in those contexts where integrity and authenticity of the data are important, e.g., for reasons linked to regulations about consumers’ healthcare. In such cases, it would be important to collect data, coming in real-time through sensors, and then store them in the blockchain, so that they can become immutable and tamper-proof. In this paper, the design and development of a software framework that allows Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices to interact directly with an Ethereum-based blockchain are reported. The proposed solution represents an alternative way for integrating a wide category of IoT devices without relying on a centralized intermediary and third-party services. The main application scenario for which the project has been conceived regards food-chain traceability in the Industry 4.0 domain. Indeed, the designed system has been integrated into the depiction of a use case for monitoring the temperature of fish products within a warehouse and during the delivery process.
The recent archaeological excavation of the Butrint and Phoenice sites in south Albania allows to restart the zooarchaeological analysis. In these samples, the faunal remains have a high level of ...identification, and their taphonomic conditions show many cut marks. This preliminary zooarchaeological analysis of the Chaonia region show two very similar economies, where the breeding of the main domestic species is followed by a reasonable hunting activity. These preliminary considerations could be useful to environmental study of Epirote area, but also to improve the recovery protocol of these remains together with collaboration of the archaeologists.
ABSTRACT
Conservation agriculture principles applied to peanut can reduce soil erosion and production costs when cultivated in rotation with sugarcane. Still, the problem with soil compaction is the ...leading cause of skepticism about the efficacy of this practice. This research aimed to study the effect of three soil management strategies compared with conventional for peanut cv. IAC-OL3, cultivated in rotation with sugarcane using the MEIOSI (method of intercropping occurring simultaneously) system for agronomic practices with additional analysis on changes in soil physics properties. The trial was conducted in 2019-2020 in Planalto municipality (São Paulo, Brazil) under a green-harvested sugarcane field, using a randomized complete block experimental design. The trial consisted of four soil management treatments (conventional tillage, minimum tillage with chisel, strip-tillage, and no-tillage) with five replications. Although no differences were verified in soil bulk density and porosity among treatments, the highest values of soil penetration resistance were observed in no-tillage treatment for all evaluations (before planting, at the beginning of flowering, and before and after harvesting) in comparison with conventional tillage. The difference in soil penetration resistance among the treatments diminished from planting to the end of the cycle. Furthermore, low soil disturbance and maximum covering with straw significantly increased the available water capacity and reduced the incidence and severity of groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) on peanut plants. Consequently, both minimum-tillage and no-tillage have increased the pod yield on average by 695 and 991 kg ha
-1
more than strip-tillage and conventional tillage, respectively, without differences in terms of quality and pod losses.
This paper combines the documentation work of the Eneolithic stratigraphic and structural evidence of the site of Cava Gazzuoli, carried out by SAP archaeological company, and the master's thesis ...work of F. Barchiesi who subsequently studied the materials. In particular, the study refers to an extensive quarry complex located in the municipality of Modena, on the border with the municipality of Formigine (Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy). After the analysis of the pottery and lithic industry, we suggest that the site (most likely a settlement) belongs to an early phase of the Spilamberto Group (middle 4th-middle 3rd millennium BC), with clear references to the late Neolithic facies of Sant’Ilario.
Small-Scale Fishery (SSF) is recognized as one of the more sustainable among the activities currently exploiting marine renewable resources. This is mainly due to the use of fishing gears ...characterised by a low environmental impact and a high selectivity. However, there is still room for improvement when analysing the sustainability of SSF sector. Within this context, Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions – CO2 in particular – are one of the most relevant aspect to be considered. In particular, fuel consumption and its reduction represent the main issue when discussing sustainability, especially to cope with climate changes. In this paper, the first inventory of CO2 emissions from the SSF vessels in the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea (GSA17) has been compiled, based on data collected from SSF operators, validated by means of a geospatial-based method. Emission intensity estimates – 7.01 kg of CO2 emitted per kg of landing or 2.08 kg of CO2 emitted per € of landing – confirmed the lower values by SSF vessels in comparison with other fleet segments. Results are discussed in the light of the mitigation of GHG emissions for the SSF, considering the technological features of Adriatic SSF, fishers’ behaviour and an improved management of the fishery.
Abstract
Fishery discard survival depends on multiple conditions; caution is essential when survival study outputs are employed to support management decisions. The study presents a stepwise ...procedure, devised to estimate discard survival, that accounts for the variability characterizing commercial fishing practices. The procedure was applied to the first survival study performed onboard rapido trawlers targeting Solea solea in the Mediterranean Sea. Undersized specimens collected during sorting were assessed for vitality; some were retained for captive observation. The main drivers affecting discard survival at the time of catch sorting (immediate survival) were identified and used to outline four different operational conditions set (scenarios). Immediate survival in each scenario was subsequently modified by applying a hazard coefficient of survival after 5 days of captive observation in relation to each vitality class, thus obtaining relative survival estimates following discarding. Temperature and air exposure duration were found to exert a major effect on survival, with catch weight and seabed type being additional important factors. The relative survival rate showed an aggregate value of 22.9% (10.5–33.4%). Scenario approach can enhance our understanding of the stressors influencing discard survival. The outcomes are discussed to explore the potential applications of the procedure to the identification of mitigation strategies.
The paucity of investigations on the presence of artificial radionuclides and their bioaccumulation in Antarctic fauna is due to the erroneous belief that this area is pristine. We report evidence ...that significant levels of the artificial radionuclides Sr-90, Cs-137, Am-241 and plutonium isotopes can be found in sponges, bivalves, krill and demersal fish fauna of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea), sometimes with a seasonal pattern. Increasing concentrations of Cs-137 were detected in the bivalve Adamussium colbecki (Antarctic scallop) during austral summer months, as a result of major trophic activity and changes in metabolic rates. Bioconcentration factors for artificial radionuclides in different Antarctic species are presented and discussed in relation to their different trophic strategies. Unexpectedly high radiocesium bioconcentration factors determined in bivalves suggested the particular role played by filter feeding in bioaccumulation, particularly in summer when radionuclide bioavailability is enhanced. The feeding preference of the trematomiid fish Trematomus bernacchii for the scallop A. colbecki is confirmed, not only by fish gut content analyses, but also through radiometric results. Transuranics bioaccumulation by sensitive species allowed some interesting comparisons on the different plutonium contamination of the southern hemisphere with respect to the northern one.
Mattress recycling Griffiths, Tony; Coe, Charles; Fiori, Fabio ...
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Waste and resource management,
11/2013, Letnik:
166, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Mattresses, which are classed as bulky items, can enter the waste stream either by kerbside collection or by way of household waste recycling centres. They are of a composite construction, with a ...material panel over a steel spring assembly. The design is heavily influenced by type and manufacturer. An analysis of a range of mattresses entering a recycling facility was undertaken and key physical parameters were determined to assess type, size, mass and methods of construction. Of the mattresses entering the facility, 58% were classed as double size and the remaining 42% were single. It was found that the panels were attached to the spring assembly by staples and they were either unstitched, stitched together using a range of designs or joined using tufted buttons. Furthermore, 98% of the mattresses examined were of a simple open spring design. The average mass varied from 15 kg for single mattresses to 25 kg for doubles. The steel spring assembly accounted for about 45% of the total mass. Currently, recycling takes place in dedicated centres using manual or automated processes. The type of construction heavily influences the recycling route: stitched panels are sent to energy from waste plants, whereas unstitched material is sent for further processing due to its ease of separation. The calorific value of the panel material ranged from 18·55 to 23·78 MJ/kg, making them ideally suited to energy applications.
Qualsiasi riflessione sulle scelte insediative e sul sistema economico antico non può prescindere dalla conoscenza della geografia fisica della regione epirota e della sua evoluzione nel tempo. Il ...territorio ha una morfologia prevalentemente montuosa, con alti crinali che arrivano fino al mare creando una serie di approdi naturali, intervallati da strette aree vallive che favoriscono i collegamenti tra la costa e le regioni interne. Proprio l’interazione tra mare e terre emerse rappresentava un elemento di forte dinamismo nel paesaggio antico. È noto come le variazioni del livello relativo del mare e i cambiamenti del sistema idrografico incidano profondamente su topografia
Gender-based violence is widely recognized as a significant societal issue, necessitating a concerted effort to raise awareness about its manifestations and consequences. Serious games have been ...often used to address the topic, particularly among the younger population. On the other hand, the use of gamification (i.e., integrating game elements to enhance user engagement with the subject) to raise awareness of gender-based violence remains unexplored. To address this gap, we developed a gamified platform aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence and in particular of the role of gender stereotypes, in young adults. This paper presents the findings of our preliminary mixed-methods evaluation and a comparison between two versions of the platform: one employing cooperative gamification, and the other one based on an individual game modality. While the quantitative results indicate that the current platform may not be sufficient to have a positive effect in participants’ awareness of gender-based violence and attitudes toward bystander behavior, qualitative analyses yield crucial insights into participants’ positive evaluation of the cooperative mode. These analyses provide valuable information for future developments of the platform, and contribute to the exploration of gamification applied to sensitive topics.
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