Cold Chain Monitoring Research Articles

Optimizing the Agricultural Supply Chain Through the Internet + Model: Enhancing Efficiency with a Case Study of TikTok

This study uses the TikTok platform as a case study to explore the application of the Internet+ model in the agricultural supply chain and analyses the impact of Internet+ model on improving supply chain efficiency and reducing costs. With the development of science and technology, Internet+ has become an important trend in modern industry, which deeply integrates traditional agriculture with information technology and promotes the innovation and efficiency of supply chain management. This study not only discusses the practical application of the Internet + model in agriculture but also proposes to solve the bottlenecks in the traditional agricultural supply chain using logistics informatization, intelligent scheduling system, cold chain monitoring and intelligent warehouse management. Through case studies, the effectiveness of Internet technology in optimizing the supply chain, improving the circulation efficiency of agricultural products and reducing costs are verified, providing theoretical and case study support for promoting the development of agricultural modernization.

COVID-19 vaccine wastage in private and public healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, COVID-19 vaccinations commenced in May 2021. This study investigated the extent and reasons for COVID-19 vaccine (C19V) wastage in KZN and strategies undertaken to mitigate loss. This two-phase multicenter study was conducted at private and public healthcare facilities from May 2021 to July 2022. KZN reported 2% Pfizer and 1% Janssen C19V wasted, mainly due to expiry. C19V waste-minimization strategies reported by 100% public and private sector vaccination leads included cold chain monitoring, designated trained staff and the use of stock-management systems. The WHO's risk-mitigation factors should be implemented continuously to minimize vaccine wastage.

Blockchain-Based Cold Chain Traceability with NR-PBFT and IoV-IMS for Marine Fishery Vessels

Due to limited communication, computing resources, and unstable environments, traditional cold chain traceability systems are difficult to apply directly to marine cold chain traceability scenarios. Motivated by these challenges, we construct an improved blockchain-based cold chain traceability system for marine fishery vessels. Firstly, an Internet of Vessels system based on the Iridium Satellites (IoV-IMS) is proposed for marine cold chain monitoring. Aiming at the problems of low throughput, long transaction latency, and high communication overhead in traditional cold chain traceability systems, based on the Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) consensus algorithm, a Node-grouped and Reputation-evaluated PBFT (NR-PBFT) is proposed to improve the reliability and robustness of blockchain system. In NR-PBFT, an improved node grouping scheme is designed, which introduces a consistent hashing algorithm to divide nodes into consensus and candidate sets, reducing the number of nodes participating in the consensus process, to lower communication overhead and transaction latency. Then, a reputation evaluation model is proposed to improve the node selection mechanism of NR-PBFT. It enhances the enthusiasm of nodes to participate in consensus, which considers the distance between fishery vessels, data size, and refrigeration temperature factors of nodes to increase throughput. Finally, we carried out experiments on marine fishery vessels, and the effectiveness of the cold chain traceability system and NR-PBFT were verified. Compared with PBFT, the transaction latency of NR-PBFT shortened by 81.92%, the throughput increased by 84.21%, and the communication overhead decreased by 89.4%.

Green synthesis of a thermo/photochromic doped cellulose polymer: a biocompatible film for potential application in cold chain visual tracking

A novel photochromic compound has been embedded in a biocompatible cellulose film, creating a composite material that functions as a reusable colorimetric sensor with potential applications in cold chain monitoring.

전 주기 실시간 모니터링 시스템 구축에 관한 바이오의약품 운송 사례 연구

The cold chain monitoring market is drawing attention as regulations on drug transport are strengthened to maintain biopharmaceutical quality. The comprehensive temperature excursion management for biopharmaceutical distribution is inevitable in order to maintain the effectiveness and efficacy of them. For this reason, it is emphasized to establish the cold chain monitoring over the entire period, which is delivered from the place of origin to the customer. Immucell LC was selected as the subject of this research on the real-time monitoring system. The delivery processes of Immuncell LC can be divided into the process of manufacturing biologic agent from the blood culture of patient and the process of delivering it to the patient. This study aims to analyze the real case which is applied real-time monitoring system through the entire processes. In conclusion, it suggested the implications for improving work productivity, product stability and logistics management by analyzing transportation resources(packing materials, vehicles, carriers, temperature logger), logistics information systems, transportation procedures.

Internet of Things (IoT) in Supply Chain Management: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has ushered in a transformative era in supply chain management, revolutionizing the way organizations monitor, analyze, and optimize their operations. This comprehensive survey paper explores the multifaceted landscape of IoT applications in supply chain management, shedding light on the challenges, opportunities, and best practices that define this technological paradigm shift. The paper delves into the fundamental principles of IoT, elucidating how sensor-laden devices, real-time data streams, and advanced analytics empower organizations with unprecedented visibility and control across their supply chains. It systematically examines IoT applications in key supply chain domains, including inventory management, asset tracking, cold chain monitoring, predictive maintenance, route optimization, and waste reduction. Each application is scrutinized for its role in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, ensuring product quality, and advancing sustainability. Furthermore, this paper addresses the challenges inherent in implementing IoT within supply chains, such as data security, interoperability, scalability, and regulatory compliance. It underscores the importance of change management and workforce development in harnessing the full potential of IoT and presents a roadmap for best practices to overcome these obstacles. The paper culminates in a forward-looking exploration of future trends and innovations in the IoT-driven supply chain landscape. By offering a comprehensive overview of IoT's role in supply chain management, this paper equips practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers with a holistic understanding of the transformative power of IoT, empowering them to navigate the complexities, seize opportunities, and implement best practices that will define the future of supply chain management.

Solution roadmap to reduce food loss along your postharvest supply chain from farm to retail

Fresh fruits and vegetables typically have a limited shelf life due to their high moisture content and perishable nature. Notably, long global import and export supply chains can lead to an increased risk of food loss. The main underlying drivers for such food loss are air temperature, relative humidity, but also ripening gases influenced by the product's postharvest physiology. These factors can lead to quality variation, over-ripening, or microbial decay. Other factors that can cause food loss include supply chain procedures, such as the lack of transparency (i.e., no cold chain or quality monitoring) or unfavorable product inventory management. Optimizing supply chains to minimize postharvest food loss is challenging, as a multitude of individual measures can be taken. A reason is that available strategies work on different food loss drivers, which vary between products and supply chains. Stakeholders, therefore, often do not know where to start and need to invest time to get acquainted with the multitude of possible measures. Here we synthesized a comprehensive collection of 30 + measures for shelf-life prolongation of fresh fruit and vegetables across the food supply chain. This experience-based roadmap was constructed based on our close collaboration with different cold chain stakeholders. The presented 30 + solutions address inefficiencies during storage, packaging, or transport processes by distinguishing hygrothermal food loss drivers. Examples are (1) the adaption of an optimal storage temperature to prevent decay but also chilling injuries; (2) improved packaging ventilation to ensure cooling efficiency and appropriate humidity conditions around the products; or (3) product-related solutions, for instance, by maintaining specific storage or packaging gas composition, acting on the commodities' unique physiology to prolong its shelf life. Furthermore, we included measures for supply chain monitoring. The easy-to-use solution roadmap can be used by fresh produce suppliers, distributors, retailers, supply-chain engineers and researchers to grasp the multitude of available measures, and thereby accelerating these stakeholders' decision-making and actions and eventually combat postharvest losses.

Assessment of medicines cold chain storage conformity with the requirements of the World Health Organization in health facilities of the Eastern Province of Rwanda

BackgroundDespite the prominent evidence of cold chain monitoring in the health system to reduce wastage and maintain product potency, there are still inefficiencies in the storage and transportation of cold chain products. This study assessed medicine cold chain storage conformity in health facilities in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.MethodsA cross-sectional and prospective with quantitative and qualitative approaches study was approved, and 44 health facilities (public, faith-based and private) were selected using both convenience, stratified, and purposive sampling techniques. Temperature data loggers were mounted in refrigerators to measure the Mean Kinetic Temperature (MKT).ResultsThe overall performance of cold chain storage conformity of refrigerators assessed was 54 (73.0%). The conformity found in refrigerators of pharmacy stock in public health facilities was 22 (56.0%), in vaccination program was 25 (100.0%), and in private retail pharmacies was 7 (70.0%). The MKT measured fit the required cold chain storage at this rate. Most refrigerators used in pharmacy stock (27.0%) were aged between 8 and 10 years, while those used in vaccination programs were less than 4 years. Regular calibration of refrigerator and temperature monitoring device (TMD) was 39.0% and 24.0%, respectively. Most respondents, 44 (80.0%), knew the proper cold chain storage. However, few identified the impact of storing cold chain products with vaccines at 16 (29.1%). The transportation of cold chain products from two central medical stores assessed showed inefficiencies as only one of them uses temperature data loggers during transportations of the products mentioned above.ConclusionsThe medicines cold chain storage conformity investigated in seven districts of the Eastern Province in Rwanda was better than reported previously in other LMICs. However, cold chain storage for pharmacy stock often did not meet the requirements. The observed drawback represented a serious risk to public health. Calibrating cold chain equipment, regular maintenance, and commissioning new cold chain equipment should be done to improve cold chain storage.

RFID Technology for Food Industry 4.0: A Review of Solutions and Applications

The emerging fourth industrial revolution is revolutionizing the food industry, which has historically been plagued by food waste and contamination. Several internet-of-things (IoT) technologies have been proposed for optimizing processes and reducing costs while improving health conditions and safety in food consumption. Among them, radiofrequency identification (RFID) has been considered from the beginning a key instrument, especially in food logistics and management. Many contributions and case studies from academia and industry demonstrated the strategic role and the impact on existing and future paradigms of food. The literature analysis in the present work suggests a growing interest in RFID to implement optimization procedures for food management and control. This review describes RFID employment in three pillars of the Fourth Generation of the Food Industry (FI4.0): Logistics, Sensing, and Green RFID. The logistics one comprises the most mature applications for RFID, such as cold-chain monitoring or product tracking. Food sensing, instead, is currently the most attractive research area for both industry and academia, so researchers are focusing their attention on detecting physical and chemical parameters through direct and indirect sensing approaches. Furthermore, the ever-increasing amount of electronic waste motivated the research community to provide sustainable tags to establish Green RFID devices. According to this literature review, RFID can foster the fourth industrial revolution in food, especially considering the emerging synergy with artificial intelligence and biodegradable/resorbable materials.

Machine learning for temperature prediction in food pallet along a cold chain: Comparison between synthetic and experimental training dataset

Real-time prediction of product temperature is a challenge for cold chain monitoring. The use of machine learning methods, especially neural networks, has been suggested as a possible approach. However, their training requires a large amount of good quality data. We found that experimental data leads to better results (by 20–40% compared with synthetic data) but require material investment, while synthetic data generated from thermal model is plentiful but tends to cause overfitting and overestimation of prediction performance (up to 150%). Our study shows that increasing the amount of synthetic data only decreases the variance, but not the mean error. The best strategy is to improve the thermal model used. As for experimental data, it is more useful to find an optimal position of the sensor in the pallet than using ever increasing realistic scenarios. Overall, even with imperfect predictions, machine learning models are able to predict temperature in real time thus enabling to take preventive measures when needed. • Product temperature in a pallet is predicted with neural networks trained on experimental and synthetic data. • Neural networks trained using experimental data give better performance. • Increasing the size of the synthetic dataset helps reducing the model's variance. • Noise addition to the synthetic dataset did not improve the model's performance. • Realistic time temperature scenarios based from field studies are not required to train machine learning model.

Enhancing acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system towards polio eradication: reverse cold chain monitoring in Nigeria, 2017 to 2019.

IntroductionHighly sensitive acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is critical for detection of poliovirus circulation and documentation for polio-free certification. The reverse cold chain (RCC) is a system designed to maintain stool specimens in appropriate temperature for effective detection of poliovirus in the laboratory. We monitored the RCC of AFP surveillance in Nigeria to determine its effectiveness in maintaining viability of enterovirus.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to December 2019. We included AFP cases from 151 Local Government Areas and monitored RCC of paired stool specimens from collection to arrival at laboratories. The national guideline recommends RCC temperature of +2 to +8°C and a non-polio enterovirus (NPENT) detection rate of ≥10%. We analyzed data with Epi Info 7, and presented results as frequencies and proportions, using Chi-square statistic to test for difference in enterovirus isolation.ResultsOf the 1,042 tracked paired stool specimens, 1,038(99.6%) arrived at the laboratory within 72 hours of collection of second specimen, 824(79.1%) were maintained within recommended temperature range, and 271(26%) yielded enteroviruses: 200(73.8%) NPENT, 66(24.4%) Sabin, 3(1.1%) vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 and 2(0.7%) mixture of Sabin and NPENT. The NPENT and Sabin rates were 19.2% and 6.7% respectively. Twenty-five percent of 824 specimens maintained within recommended temperature range, compared with 29.8% of 218 specimens with temperature excursion yielded enteroviruses (P=0.175).Conclusionthe RCC of AFP surveillance system in the study area was optimal and effective in maintaining the viability of enteroviruses. It was unlikely that poliovirus transmission was missed during the intervention.

Evaluation on monitoring effect of the electronic vaccine vial monitor label

The cold chain safety of vaccines is a global issue. The electronic vaccine vial monitor (eVVM) label can monitor the temperature of vaccines in real time and provide "early warning" prompts. In order to comprehensively evaluate the monitoring efficiency of eVVM, this study selected 75 eVVM labels and distributed them with a total of 600 vaccine vial monitor (VVM) labels of four different types in different experimental environment (2-8℃, -20℃ and 40℃), and used a temperature recorder as "gold standard". The results showed that the accuracy of the eVVM labels and VVM labels in high temperature environment was as same as that of the temperature recorder ( P = 0.195). The accuracy of low temperature anomalies report and high temperature anomalies report of eVVM labels was 100%, which was better than those reported by VVM labels. Therefore, eVVM labels have high monitoring accuracy, which is suitable not only for ordinary environments, but also for severe temperature environments. It should be helpful for the improvement of the efficiency and accuracy of cold chain monitoring.

Managerial and Operational Hindrances to Polio Eradication: A Case Study of Tehsil Katlang, Mardan, Pakistan

The study aims to analyse managerial and operational hindrances to polio eradication process in Tehsil Katlang, District Mardan using quantitative research method i.e. questionnaire and statistical analysis. A sample size of 200 respondents i.e. polio workers of health department, staff of WHO and UNICEF are selected through proportionate stratified random technique. Bi-variate analyses are conducted with the help of Chi-square test. The study results concludes a significant association between polio eradication process and maintenance of cold chain, lack of transportation facility to polio staff, accessibility with reference to locality, training opportunities of polio workers, lack of trained public health professionals, workers dissatisfaction from salaries, timely payment of NIDs remuneration, unnecessary bureaucratic interventions and influences in Expended Program on Immunisation (EPI), lack of proper evaluation of National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign and security threats to polio workers. Further, a non-significant association is ascertained between polio eradication and timely availability of vaccines to EPI workers, effects of load shedding on maintenance of cold chain and proper monitoring of NIDs campaign. The findings state that the program needs proper management process for cold chain and transportation facilities. Salaries of the workers need to be increased and NIDs remuneration needs to pay on time. Various training programs should be initiated for workers and shortage of staff should be removed. Security arrangements for polio workers may be enhanced.

Cold Chain Monitoring System for Vaccine using Iot

In this research work we intend to reduce the burden of human by using IoT tools. Also, the equipment failure scenario which results in products spoilage or any event related to product release must be communicated with the manufacturer end. It is also necessary to remotely accessing the status of a vaccine in the environment. This research work will be based on the IoT system. This checks the stability of product quality. To stimulate the proposed work an IoT based sensor platform is used. This research work portrayals cold chain monitoring in Pharmaceutical Drugs Industry.

Responsive, 3D Electronics Enabled by Liquid Crystal Elastomer Substrates

Traditional electronic devices are rigid, planar, and mechanically static. The combination of traditional electronic materials and responsive polymer substrates is of significant interest to provide opportunities to replace conventional electronic devices with stretchable, 3D, and responsive electronics. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are well suited to function as such dynamic substrates because of their large strain, reversible stimulus response that can be controlled through directed self-assembly of molecular order. Here, we discuss using LCEs as substrates for electronic devices that are flat during processing but then morph into controlled 3D structures. We design and demonstrate processes for a variety of electronic devices on LCEs including deformation-tolerant conducting traces and capacitors and cold temperature-responsive antennas. For example, patterning twisted nematic orientation within the substrate can be used to create helical electronic devices that stretch up to 100% with less than 2% change in resistance or capacitance. Moreover, we discuss self-morphing LCE antennas which can dynamically change the operating frequency from 2.7 GHz (room temperature) to 3.3 GHz (-65 °C). We envision applications for these 3D, responsive devices in wearable or implantable electronics and in cold-chain monitoring radio frequency identification sensors.

Research on Big Data Acquisition and Application of Cold Chain Logistics Based on Artificial Intelligence and Energy Internet of Things

In view of the information islands and energy consumption problems exposed in the big data of cold chain logistics, the research on the big data collection and application system of cold chain logistics based on artificial intelligence and energy Internet of Things is proposed, and the “four in one” cold chain is constructed. Logistics engineering management technology system, and use big data to analyze the national cold chain logistics data real-time early warning and monitoring platform, open up the logistics information chain, realize the system of logistics system energy consumption predictable, logistics information can be traced, realize cold chain logistics system and public service information Effective docking, realize data sharing and information sharing in the industry, rationalize resource allocation, and realize low-carbon green development of cold chain logistics.

Evolution of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Agricultural Cold Chain Monitoring: A Literature Review

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology providing considerable opportunities to improve quality control for perishable foods. Over the past decade, a significant improvement in RFID application has been observed in cold chain monitoring. The aim of this paper is to, first, demonstrate the role of RFID in improving the monitoring of the agricultural products cold chain. Particular focus is placed on the specifications of RFID and its advantages, which makes its application appealing in food temperature monitoring. Second, this paper aims to provide an overview of RFID developments in cold chain monitoring. For this purpose, we conduct a review of the literature throughout 2004-2018 citing the challenges of this technology’s practical implementation in temperature monitoring of perishables, and provide the solutions presented in the literature for each limitation. This survey would be beneficial for those involved in food distribution, as it offers approaches for overcoming the limitations of RFID, making its application more advantageous.

Temperature Data Analysis of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Hepatitis B Vaccine Cold Chain Monitoring in Northern Part of Thailand

Background Information: Vaccines are temperature-sensitive biological preparations, the proper range were cold chain period or 2-8 °C. The change of the temperature or cold chain breakdown might be effect to vaccines quality assurance.Aim: The temperature data of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Hepatitis B vaccine, DPT- HB vaccine in fiscal year 2011-2012 were analyzed and aimed to find the factor that effected to vaccine cold chain system.Method: Temperature data from health care units in 8 provinces collected by computerized data logger were analyzed by SPSS for window version 17.0 and Logtag analyzer program.Result: From 322 health care units, most of data was reported from Chiang Rai province and collected from Primary Care Unit; PCU in both fiscal year. The period of time for recording of the data logger were very fluctuates. The highest number of data was reported in October, 2011 and in February, 2012. DPT-HB vaccine temperature had lower than 2°C at 86.9%, higher than 8°C at 90.4% in 2011, and lower than 2°C at 78.5%, higher than 8°C at 92.5% in 2012. Type of health care unit did not effect to vaccine’s temperature monitor but seasonal had significant effect.Conclusion: Type of health care unit did not effect to vaccine’s temperature control. Seasonal had significant effect to vaccine’s temperature control. Based on the study results, adequate equipment, provide training and supervision about new and current computerize data logger were recommended to support to maximize the efficacy and effectiveness of vaccine and cold chain monitoring in health care unit.

Mini-review of application of IoT technology in monitoring agricultural products quality and safety

Internet of Things (IoT) technology has been identified as one of the emerging technologies in information technology (IT), which is widely used in all walks of life in the world. The key technologies of IoT technology, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless sensor network (WSN), sensors and global positioning system (GPS), had been widely used in farmland and greenhouse management, environmental monitoring, cold chain monitoring and tracking, and traceability, etc. As advancements in science and technology, IoT technology has been widely applied in agricultural products quality and safety, which brought a number of potential benefits for detecting agricultural products easier and automatically, improving the efficiency and speed of operations, decreasing the labor cost, promoting the agricultural products quality and safety. This paper intended to introduce the concept of IoT technology, the key technologies used at present and review the recent applications of IoT technology in monitoring agricultural products quality and safety in the whole industry chain, such as production, processing, circulation, sales and traceability. Challenges and trends of agricultural products quality and safety in the future were also discussed. Keywords: IoT, agricultural products, quality and safety, RFID, WSN, sensors, GPS DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181105.3092 Citation: Ping H, Wang J H, Ma Z H, Du Y F. Mini-review of application of IoT technology in monitoring agricultural products quality and safety. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(5): 35–45.

Assessment of Cold Chain System for Routine Immunization of Primary Health centres of the Bhojpur district of Bihar

Background: Immunization is an important among activity in the Public Health Services. The vaccines are highly temperature sensitive and vaccine potency once lost cannot be restored. A well-managed cold chain will increase the efficiency of immunization and reduce vaccine wastage. An assessment of cold chain system for vaccine storage was done in the all PHCs of the study area. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the cold chain practices, with particular reference to assessing the availability of cold chain equipment, vaccine storage practices, monitoring of cold chain in primary health centres (PHCs) of Bhojpur district. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at all the cold chain points of 14 PHCs of Bhojpur district during January to May 2015. A predesigned, pretested checklist was used by the trained investigators during their visits. The information was evaluated on the basis of important components related to the cold chain points. Results: All the PHCs had a dedicated cold chain room with sufficient number of cold chain equipment. Consolidated effective vaccine management score for cold chain points of 8 (57.1%) PHCs were average (60-79%). None of the PHCs have satisfactory score (? 80%). Vaccine storage practice and availability of complete RI micro-plan were found satisfactory at 12 (85.7%) PHCs. Maintenance of cold chain equipment were satisfactory at 10 (71%) PHCs. But, temperature monitoring. (5) (35.7%) and waste disposal related to routine immunization 3 (21.4%) PHCs were disappointing. Conclusion: The primary health centres had average performance related to the cold chain system, which is a matter of concern warranting for the cold chain monitoring. We recommend supportive supervision as the key measures in improvement of cold chain system.