Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (110)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = bell non-locality

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
35 pages, 714 KB  
Article
Quantitative Assessment and Verification of Quantum Neural Network Security Based on Violations of the Bell Inequality
by Yulu Zhang
Entropy 2026, 28(8), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28080860 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 325
Abstract
In response to the current research landscape, which lacks unified quantitative standards and a reproducible verification framework for assessing the security of quantum neural networks (QNNs), this paper proposes a quantitative evaluation system and verification scheme for QNN security based on the violation [...] Read more.
In response to the current research landscape, which lacks unified quantitative standards and a reproducible verification framework for assessing the security of quantum neural networks (QNNs), this paper proposes a quantitative evaluation system and verification scheme for QNN security based on the violation characteristics of CHSH-type Bell inequalities. This method treats quantum entanglement as the core element of intrinsic security and establishes a controlled-variable controlled experiment involving purely classical models, non-entangled QNNs, weakly entangled QNNs, and strongly entangled QNNs. Numerical simulations were conducted using the Iris dataset; the presence of quantum entanglement was determined using the CHSH statistic, and a quantitative metric system centered on the normalized CHSH observation metric Q was constructed. Based on the theoretical limits of Bell’s inequalities, a normalization derivation was performed to establish the theoretical constraint interval of 0Q1; the threshold values of 0.3 and 0.7 obtained from the simulations are applicable only to the experimental scenarios described in this paper and serve solely as a reference for grouping data within the experiment; they do not possess universal validity for determination. Simulation results show that the CHSH values for the weakly and strongly entangled QNN experimental groups can reach 2.8284, significantly exceeding the theoretical limits of classical locality. These values correspond to an observation metric of Q=0.9838 and a privacy protection strength of P=0.8854, with the security level rated as high. The CHSH values of the non-entangled QNN and the purely classical model do not exceed the classical threshold of 2; they exhibit no quantum nonlocality or quantum advantage, and their security level is rated as low. This paper advances the security evaluation of QNNs from qualitative, empirical judgments to verifiable quantitative classification, providing a theoretical basis and evaluation framework for the practical application of quantum neural networks in highly security-sensitive scenarios such as privacy-preserving computing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Information Security)
Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 462 KB  
Article
Structural Entanglement from Interaction-Induced Fixed Points
by Yukio-Pegio Gunji and Andrei Khrennikov
Entropy 2026, 28(7), 757; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28070757 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 767
Abstract
We introduce a lattice-theoretic framework for composite information systems in which tensor-like composition and entanglement are defined without presupposing Hilbert spaces or quantum states. Starting from approximation operators induced by indiscernibility relations, we construct composite systems via interaction-dependent closure operators and characterize their [...] Read more.
We introduce a lattice-theoretic framework for composite information systems in which tensor-like composition and entanglement are defined without presupposing Hilbert spaces or quantum states. Starting from approximation operators induced by indiscernibility relations, we construct composite systems via interaction-dependent closure operators and characterize their fixed-point lattices. Entanglement is defined structurally as the impossibility of generating a fixed point of the composite system from local fixed points alone. This notion does not rely on non-distributive logic a priori and remains meaningful even when local lattices are Boolean. Non-distributive and orthomodular structures arise only under additional conditions and are treated as emergent properties rather than assumptions. The proposed framework generalizes the concept of entanglement as a property of composition and interaction, providing a unified information-theoretic perspective on non-separability beyond standard quantum-mechanical formalisms. By mapping quantum states to correlation patterns via row-set tensor products, we demonstrate that standard quantum entanglement can be understood as a stabilized structural constraint. In this context, maximally entangled states, such as Bell states, correspond to diagonal constraint sets that are non-generable from local components, confirming that the structural core of entanglement exists independently of linear or probabilistic interpretations. Beyond quantum mechanics, the framework admits a natural interpretation in terms of relational databases, where entanglement corresponds to irreducible global relations stabilized by interaction-induced fixed points. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

5 pages, 231 KB  
Comment
A Collective Comment on Sanctuary, B. “Spin Helicity and the Disproof of Bell’s Theorem” and Sanctuary’s Bivector Spin Framework (2023–2025)
by Anton Lorenz Vrba
Quantum Rep. 2026, 8(2), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum8020056 - 22 Jun 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 317
Abstract
This comment examines the mathematical framework developed by Bryan Sanctuary across a series of papers and preprints (2023–2025) concerning bivector and quaternion representations of spin and claims regarding Bell correlations. We focus on the internal algebraic structure, the treatment of measurement correlations, and [...] Read more.
This comment examines the mathematical framework developed by Bryan Sanctuary across a series of papers and preprints (2023–2025) concerning bivector and quaternion representations of spin and claims regarding Bell correlations. We focus on the internal algebraic structure, the treatment of measurement correlations, and the use of linear combinations of projections from a single global bivector. We find that the framework is internally consistent, preserves positivity of expectation values, and produces correlations resembling the quantum correlation a·b. These correlations are generated using a shared global algebraic object rather than from ±1-valued random variables satisfying the locality and factorization hypotheses of Bell’s non-existence theorem. Consequently, the results are best understood as describing a non-trivial classical geometric framework that lies outside the scope of Bell’s theorem, rather than as a contradiction of it. The analysis is restricted to mathematical and probabilistic considerations, without reference to physical or experimental interpretations. Full article
28 pages, 3102 KB  
Article
Uniqueness and CN–Bell Spectral Reconstruction of Three Time-Dependent Coefficients in a Parabolic Inverse Problem with Quadratic Spatial Diffusivity
by Mousa J. Huntul
Mathematics 2026, 14(11), 1970; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14111970 - 3 Jun 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 515
Abstract
The inverse problem under consideration concerns a one-dimensional parabolic equation whose thermal diffusivity takes the quadratic-in-space form as(τ)κ2+bs(τ)κ+cs(τ). The unknowns are three time-dependent [...] Read more.
The inverse problem under consideration concerns a one-dimensional parabolic equation whose thermal diffusivity takes the quadratic-in-space form as(τ)κ2+bs(τ)κ+cs(τ). The unknowns are three time-dependent coefficients as(τ),bs(τ),cs(τ) together with the temperature field T(κ,τ). The direct problem supplies initial data, Neumann boundary conditions, and three over-determination conditions: two boundary temperatures and the spatial integral of T. We prove two theorems. The first theorem establishes the local-in-time existence of a solution under explicit regularity and sign conditions on the given data ξ,νk,δ,θ and compatibility at τ=0. The second theorem guarantees the uniqueness of this solution. Despite uniqueness, the inverse reconstruction remains ill-posed: small perturbations in the over-specified data can cause large deviations in the recovered coefficients. For the forward model, we implement two numerical schemes: (i) a Crank–Nicolson finite difference methodology (CN-FDM) on a uniform grid and (ii) a semi-discretized Crank–Nicolson approach combined with Bell spectral collocation in space (CN–Bell). The inverse step minimizes a Tikhonov-regularized least-squares functional using MATLAB’s (R2026a) lsqnonlin. Two numerical examples (smooth and non-smooth), tested with both exact synthetic data and artificially added noise, demonstrate stable and accurate coefficient reconstructions. The framework applies directly to heat conduction and porous media flow where diffusivity varies quadratically in space. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 654 KB  
Article
Magnetic Control of Quantum Correlations in a Two-Qubit Spin System Under Dephasing
by Smail Bougouffa and Kamal Berrada
Mathematics 2026, 14(11), 1910; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14111910 - 31 May 2026
Viewed by 354
Abstract
We investigate the time evolution of bipartite quantum correlations in the ground-state hyperfine manifold of the hydrogen atom subjected to an external magnetic field and independent Markovian dephasing. Treating the electron–proton spin pair as an effective two-qubit system, we derive the exact solution [...] Read more.
We investigate the time evolution of bipartite quantum correlations in the ground-state hyperfine manifold of the hydrogen atom subjected to an external magnetic field and independent Markovian dephasing. Treating the electron–proton spin pair as an effective two-qubit system, we derive the exact solution of the Lindblad master equation for an X-shaped initial state and quantify the dynamics using three complementary measures: entanglement of formation (through concurrence), quantum steering (through the CJWR inequality) and Bell nonlocality (through normalized CHSH violation). The dynamics are obtained within a unified open-system framework that combines hyperfine interaction, Zeeman splitting, and Markovian dissipation in a single analytically solvable Lindblad model, allowing a complete operator-level characterization of the correlation decay. This exact treatment provides a transparent link between the underlying spectral structure of the Hamiltonian and the observed hierarchy in the robustness of quantum correlations. Our results reveal that all three quantities exhibit damped oscillations whose frequency and decay rate are strongly tuned by the proton magnetic parameter through the Zeeman splitting. While entanglement decays relatively quickly, steering persists noticeably longer and Bell nonlocality proves to be the most fragile, confirming the expected hierarchy of quantum correlations under local dephasing. The external magnetic field emerges as a practical control knob that can extend the lifetime of these resources even in the presence of noise. These findings provide a clear physical picture of how hyperfine coupling, Zeeman effects, and environmental fluctuations jointly govern quantum coherence in atomic spin systems, with direct implications for spin-based quantum technologies and fundamental tests of nonlocality in realistic laboratory settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematics Methods in Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 404 KB  
Article
Ontic and Epistemic States in the Theory of Spacetime-Local Beables
by Nathan Argaman
Entropy 2026, 28(6), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28060584 - 24 May 2026
Viewed by 648
Abstract
Bell’s theorem rules out developing a locally causal theory to describe quantum phenomena. Many take this to imply that any model of quantum entanglement must employ variables (called beables by Bell) which follow nonlocal rules, even though signaling is local. The alternative is [...] Read more.
Bell’s theorem rules out developing a locally causal theory to describe quantum phenomena. Many take this to imply that any model of quantum entanglement must employ variables (called beables by Bell) which follow nonlocal rules, even though signaling is local. The alternative is to adopt an all-at-once (block universe) approach, with beables which may depend on both past and future inputs, even though signaling is causal. Within this lenient-causality approach (a.k.a. retrocausal), simple cases of entanglement have been successfully described by locally mediated stochastic toy models, i.e., toy models which are local in a sense which generalizes Bell’s local causality. Developing a widely applicable reformulation of quantum mechanics along these lines is a grand challenge. This work presents a general framework for such models and theories, and identifies the corresponding ontic and epistemic states. The epistemic state is closely analogous to the quantum state, yielding an explanation for the collapse of the wavefunction. In the case of the models of the framework, it is clear what the information is about. The expression for the empirically verifiable predictions of the models in terms of the ontic and epistemic states displays remarkable parallels to the Born rule. A toy-model example is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Foundations: 100 Years of Born’s Rule)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1527 KB  
Article
A Local Phase-Field Framework for Spin Entanglement Correlations
by Doron Kwiat
Quantum Rep. 2026, 8(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum8020047 - 15 May 2026
Viewed by 482
Abstract
We introduce a local phase-field framework for spin-entanglement correlations. In this framework, the relevant hidden variable is an internal scalar phase associated with each fermion and derived from two underlying real fields. The fields are assumed to evolve locally in ordinary spacetime. When [...] Read more.
We introduce a local phase-field framework for spin-entanglement correlations. In this framework, the relevant hidden variable is an internal scalar phase associated with each fermion and derived from two underlying real fields. The fields are assumed to evolve locally in ordinary spacetime. When a particle pair is produced at a common spacetime event, the pair acquires a shared phase-locking condition at creation; after separation, the two internal phases evolve independently and no nonlocal interaction is introduced. Spin measurements by Stern–Gerlach analyzers are modeled as local filtering operations. Each local response depends only on the internal phase carried by the particle and on the orientation of the local analyzer. The local response function A(α,λ) = cos(λ − 2α) is derived from the spinorial transformation law of the underlying real field pair and the projection geometry of the detector interaction; it is not a phenomenological ansatz. From these deterministic local responses we derive an analog correlator. The raw product moment of the continuous detector outputs evaluates to ⟨AB⟩ = −½ cos 2(α − β), which satisfies classical Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) bounds. After Pearson normalization—the operationally appropriate correlation measure for continuous analog detector outputs, justified by channel-contrast physics and scale invariance—the normalized correlator yields E(α,β) = −cos 2(α − β), matching the quantum singlet correlator in functional form. When this normalized correlator is inserted into the CHSH expression, it yields the numerical value 2√2. This result is a structural consequence of the reduced marginal variance of continuous response functions relative to the unit-variance dichotomic observables assumed in Bell’s derivation; it does not constitute a violation of Bell’s inequality. The model does not reproduce quantum singlet statistics at the level of binary detector outcomes, where the correlator takes a triangular rather than cosine form. The contribution is therefore ontological and conceptual rather than predictive. The framework preserves parameter independence and no-signaling throughout. It provides a concrete real-field ontology for spin correlations based on internal phase structure, and it demonstrates that the functional form of the quantum singlet correlation can be obtained from a strictly local deterministic description, provided that the detector responses are treated as continuous analog quantities and normalized accordingly. We compare the model with earlier phase-based approaches and discuss experimental configurations—including time-resolved and multi-stage Stern–Gerlach measurements—that could in principle probe the proposed internal-phase dynamics at the pre-registration level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Foundations and Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 321 KB  
Article
Breakdown of Bell Factorization from Non-Injective Effective Descriptions
by Jérôme Beau
Quantum Rep. 2026, 8(2), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum8020044 - 2 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 901
Abstract
Violations of Bell inequalities are commonly interpreted as evidence for nonlocal influences or as constraints on realist descriptions. We show that the failure of Bell-type factorizability arises naturally when observable outcomes are obtained through a non-injective mapping from an underlying configuration space. In [...] Read more.
Violations of Bell inequalities are commonly interpreted as evidence for nonlocal influences or as constraints on realist descriptions. We show that the failure of Bell-type factorizability arises naturally when observable outcomes are obtained through a non-injective mapping from an underlying configuration space. In this setting, the standard factorization assumption can be viewed as an implicit requirement that observable variables admit a jointly factorizable completion at the underlying level. We demonstrate that this requirement need not hold when the mapping from underlying configurations to observables is many-to-one. The resulting breakdown of probabilistic factorization does not rely on superluminal dynamics or hidden causal influences, but follows from information loss under projection. Observable outcomes correspond to equivalence classes of underlying configurations, preventing the assignment of independent local variables. We illustrate this mechanism with an explicit toy model producing Bell–CHSH violations while preserving operational no-signalling and statistical independence of measurement settings. The model is not intended to reproduce quantum correlations quantitatively, and may exceed the Tsirelson bound; its role is to isolate the structural origin of the violation. This analysis does not contradict Bell’s theorem, but identifies a class of effective descriptions for which its factorizability assumption does not apply. The framework preserves locality at the underlying level, introduces no additional hidden-variable dynamics, and does not modify quantum mechanics. It clarifies how classical factorization is recovered in regimes where the effective mapping becomes approximately injective. In the operator language of quantum theory, the same mechanism admits a natural reformulation in terms of reduction to an effective observable subalgebra by a noncommutative conditional expectation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 440 KB  
Article
A Probability Model for the Bell Experiment
by Kees van Hee, Kees van Berkel and Jan de Graaf
Quantum Rep. 2026, 8(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum8010016 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 798
Abstract
The Bell inequality constrains the outcomes of measurements on pairs of distant entangled particles. The Bell contradiction states that the Bell inequality is inconsistent with the calculated outcomes of these quantum experiments. This contradiction led many to question the underlying assumptions, viz. so-called [...] Read more.
The Bell inequality constrains the outcomes of measurements on pairs of distant entangled particles. The Bell contradiction states that the Bell inequality is inconsistent with the calculated outcomes of these quantum experiments. This contradiction led many to question the underlying assumptions, viz. so-called realism and locality. The probability model underlying the Bell inequality is generally left implicit. We propose an explicit probability model for the CHSH version of the Bell experiment. This model has only two simultaneously observable detector settings per measurement, and therefore does not assume realism. The quantum expectation now becomes a conditional expectation, given the two detector settings. This probability model is in full agreement with both quantum mechanics and experiments. As a result, the model satisfies the Bell inequality; there are no so-called violations. We extend this model to include a hidden variable. This extended model is not Bell-separable. This non-separability implies that the model is non-deterministic or non-local (or both). Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 257 KB  
Article
Kolmogorovian Censorship, Predictive Incompleteness, and the Locality Loophole in Bell Experiments
by Philippe Grangier
Entropy 2026, 28(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28010080 - 10 Jan 2026
Viewed by 936
Abstract
We revisit the status of quantum probabilities in light of Kolmogorovian Censorship (KC) and the Contexts, Systems, and Modalities (CSM) framework, and we discuss KC-based ideas with respect to superdeterminism, counterfactuality, and predictive incompleteness. After briefly recalling the technical content of KC and [...] Read more.
We revisit the status of quantum probabilities in light of Kolmogorovian Censorship (KC) and the Contexts, Systems, and Modalities (CSM) framework, and we discuss KC-based ideas with respect to superdeterminism, counterfactuality, and predictive incompleteness. After briefly recalling the technical content of KC and its scope, we show that KC correctly identifies that probabilities are classical within a fixed measurement context but does not by itself remove the conceptual tension that motivates nonlocal or conspiratorial explanations of Bell inequality violations. We argue that predictive incompleteness—the view that the quantum state is operationally incomplete until the measurement context is specified—provides a simple, minimal, and explanatory framework that preserves relativistic locality while matching experimental practice. Finally we clarify logical relations among these positions, highlight the assumptions behind them, and justify the move from Kolmogorov’s to Gleason’s framework for quantum probabilities. Full article
21 pages, 1271 KB  
Article
Bell Nonlocality and EPR Steering Decay in Dephasing Hyperfine Spins
by Kamal Berrada and Smail Bougouffa
Axioms 2025, 14(12), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms14120908 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 742
Abstract
This work presents a comprehensive study of quantum correlations and their degradation under environmental dephasing within the atomic hydrogen system. By analyzing the magnetic coupling between the electron and proton spins in the 1s hyperfine state, we elucidate how coherent spin interactions [...] Read more.
This work presents a comprehensive study of quantum correlations and their degradation under environmental dephasing within the atomic hydrogen system. By analyzing the magnetic coupling between the electron and proton spins in the 1s hyperfine state, we elucidate how coherent spin interactions generate entangled states and govern their temporal evolution. The investigation focuses on three key measures of quantum correlations—Bell nonlocality, Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) steering, and quantum purity—each reflecting a different level within the hierarchy of nonclassical correlations. Analytical formulations and numerical simulations reveal that, in the absence of decay, all quantities remain steady, indicating the preservation of coherence. When dephasing is introduced, each measure decays exponentially toward a stationary lower bound, with Bell nonlocality identified as the most fragile, followed by steering and purity. A three-dimensional analysis of Werner states under dephasing further establishes the critical purity thresholds required for Bell inequality violations. The results highlight the interdependence between magnetic coupling, decoherence, and initial entanglement, providing a unified framework for understanding correlation dynamics in open quantum systems. These findings have direct implications for the development of noise-resilient quantum information protocols and spin-based quantum technologies, where preserving nonlocal correlations is essential for reliable quantum operations. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

39 pages, 4176 KB  
Review
Advances of Quantum Key Distribution and Network Nonlocality
by Minming Geng
Entropy 2025, 27(9), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27090950 - 13 Sep 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5905
Abstract
In recent years, quantum network technology has been rapidly developing, with new theories, solutions, and protocols constantly emerging. The breakthrough experiments and achievements are impressive, such as the construction and operation of ultra-long-distance and multi-user quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, the proposal, verification, [...] Read more.
In recent years, quantum network technology has been rapidly developing, with new theories, solutions, and protocols constantly emerging. The breakthrough experiments and achievements are impressive, such as the construction and operation of ultra-long-distance and multi-user quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, the proposal, verification, and experimental demonstration of new network nonlocality characteristics, etc. The results of recent research on QKD and network nonlocality are summarized and analyzed in this paper, including CV-MDI-QKD (continuous-variable measurement-device-independent QKD), TF-QKD (twin-field QKD), AMDI-QKD (asynchronous MDI-QKD), the generalization, sharing, and certification of network nonlocality, as well as the main achievements and related research tools of full network nonlocality and genuine network nonlocality, aiming to identify the current status and future development paths of the QKD and network nonlocality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlocality and Entanglement in Quantum Networks)
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 1575 KB  
Article
Entropy Accumulation Under Post-Quantum Cryptographic Assumptions
by Ilya Merkulov and Rotem Arnon
Entropy 2025, 27(8), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27080772 - 22 Jul 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2146
Abstract
In device-independent (DI) quantum protocols, security statements are agnostic to the internal workings of the quantum devices—they rely solely on classical interactions with the devices and specific assumptions. Traditionally, such protocols are set in a non-local scenario, where two non-communicating devices exhibit Bell [...] Read more.
In device-independent (DI) quantum protocols, security statements are agnostic to the internal workings of the quantum devices—they rely solely on classical interactions with the devices and specific assumptions. Traditionally, such protocols are set in a non-local scenario, where two non-communicating devices exhibit Bell inequality violations. Recently, a new class of DI protocols has emerged that requires only a single device. In this setting, the assumption of no communication is replaced by a computational one: the device cannot solve certain post-quantum cryptographic problems. Protocols developed in this single-device computational setting—such as for randomness certification—have relied on ad hoc techniques, making their guarantees difficult to compare and generalize. In this work, we introduce a modular proof framework inspired by techniques from the non-local DI literature. Our approach combines tools from quantum information theory, including entropic uncertainty relations and the entropy accumulation theorem, to yield both conceptual clarity and quantitative security guarantees. This framework provides a foundation for systematically analyzing DI protocols in the single-device setting under computational assumptions. It enables the design and security proof of future protocols for DI randomness generation, expansion, amplification, and key distribution, grounded in post-quantum cryptographic hardness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Quantum Information)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 468 KB  
Article
Contextual Hidden Fields Preclude the Derivation of Bell-Type Inequalities
by Álvaro G. López
Quantum Rep. 2025, 7(3), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum7030029 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1590
Abstract
We show that loophole-free Bell-type no-go theorems cannot be derived in theories involving local hidden fields. At the time of measurement, a contextuality loophole appears because each particle’s electromagnetic field interacts with the field of its respective apparatus, preventing the expression of the [...] Read more.
We show that loophole-free Bell-type no-go theorems cannot be derived in theories involving local hidden fields. At the time of measurement, a contextuality loophole appears because each particle’s electromagnetic field interacts with the field of its respective apparatus, preventing the expression of the probability density as a function independent of the orientation of the measuring devices. Then, we use the dynamical evolution of the probability distribution to show that the spin-correlation integral cannot be expressed in terms of initial Cauchy data restricted to the particles. A measurement independence loophole ensues, which prevents the usage of the non-contextual correlation integrals required to demonstrate the CHSH-Bell inequality. We propose that correlated fields are the missing hidden variable triggering the coupled nonlinear oscillations of the particles, which bring about the synchronicities observed in the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm (EPRB) experiment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1664 KB  
Article
Environmental and Food Safety Assessment of Pre-Harvest Activities in Local Small-Scale Fruit and Vegetable Farms in Northwest Portugal: Hazard Identification and Compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
by Ariana Macieira, Virgínia Cruz Fernandes, Teresa R. S. Brandão, Cristina Delerue-Matos and Paula Teixeira
Foods 2025, 14(12), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14122129 - 18 Jun 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2691
Abstract
The popularity of small-scale and local fruit and vegetable production has increased in recent years due to perceived economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, these operations face contamination risks that both consumers and small-scale producers may underestimate. The present study aimed to assess [...] Read more.
The popularity of small-scale and local fruit and vegetable production has increased in recent years due to perceived economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, these operations face contamination risks that both consumers and small-scale producers may underestimate. The present study aimed to assess the microbiological and chemical hazards on fruit, vegetables, soil, and water samples from small-scale farms in north-western Portugal during pre-harvest activities. Additionally, the study investigated farmers’ non-compliance with food safety regulations and good agricultural practices (GAPs), exploring how their behaviour might contribute to the identified hazards. A before-and-after analysis of non-compliant behaviours was conducted to determine the impact of training on improving food safety practices. The analysis identified the presence of pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, flame retardant residues, nitrates, and heavy metals. Lead (Pb) concentrations exceeded EU limits in organic carrots from one producer (0.156 ± 0.043 mg/kg) and in chard from another (0.450 ± 0.126 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) levels were also above regulatory thresholds in bell peppers (0.023 ± 0.009 mg/kg) and organic tomatoes (0.026 ± 0.015 mg/kg) from two different producers. Elevated levels of heavy metals were detected in irrigation water from two sites, with zinc (Zn) at 0.2503 ± 0.0075 mg/L and Pb at 0.0218 ± 0.0073 mg/L. Among food samples, the most prevalent microorganisms were Pseudomonas spp. (88.2%), Bacillus cereus (76.5%), and aerobic mesophilic bacteria (100%). Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), particularly tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), were detected in all food and soil samples. Some EU-banned pesticides were detected in food and soil samples, but at levels below the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Chlorpyrifos (35.3%) and p,p’-DDD (23.5%) were the most detected pesticides in food samples. After the training, GAP behaviour improved, particularly that related to hygiene. However, issues related to record-keeping and soil and water analyses persisted, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving full compliance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Challenges in the Management of Food Safety and Authenticity)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop