Enhancing Kurdistan's manufacturing companies' sustainable waste management: A norm activation approach to green accounting, CSR, and environmental auditing oversight.

The significance of accurate energy production prediction cannot be overstated, especially in the context of achieving carbon neutrality and balancing traditional and clean energy sources. Unlike conventional models with simplified assumptions or limited data inputs hindering energy usage optimization, waste reduction and efficient resource allocation, we introduced a novel structural equation modelling approach to eight manufacturing industries' sustainable waste management practices (SWMPs) in Iraq. This comprehensive analysis, conducted with Smart PLS software on 375 responses aims to enhance energy production predictions' accuracy and support sustainability goals contribute to achieving carbon neutrality goals and promote a balanced energy mix that supports sustainability and environmental stewardship. The findings reveal noteworthy insights: notably, chemical manufacturing companies exhibit a substantial advantage from green accounting practices, witnessing a 78.1 % and 45.8 % improvement in environmental auditing oversight and SWMPs, respectively, compared to other manufacturing sectors. Compared to conventional grey models, our model demonstrates that a 1-unit improvement in CSR enhances environmental auditing oversight effectiveness by 33.4 % and sustainable waste management by 56.9 % across industries. By leveraging these data-driven insights and innovative approaches, we can drive positive change towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future, collectively contributing to a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy ecosystem that benefits societies, economies, and the environment. The heightened accuracy of energy production prediction facilitated by our novel model empowers stakeholders at regional and global levels to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, support policy development, achieve sustainability goals, formulate effective policies and foster collaboration.

Life cycle assessment for the land application of food processing wash-water and solid residuals.

A life cycle assessment (LCA) study was completed to understand the environmental impacts associated with the land application of wastes produced from rural food-processing operations for final disposal. The system boundaries for the two comprised scenarios included the storage of the produced non-agriculture source material (NASM), transportation to an applicable location, land application of the NASM, and the impacts of the final emissions to the soil and groundwater for a full year. The Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemicals and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) v2.1 was selected as the impact assessment method. Furthermore, SimaPro 8.0.4.26 was the LCA model version that was used with all the databases included. Overall, the LCA study showed that the most significant environmental impacts associated with the disposal process resulted from carcinogenic and eutrophication emissions. The component that contributed the most to carcinogenic impacts was found to be from the material required to create the concrete storage tank. Additionally, eutrophication was identified to be a potential significant impact, if proper setback requirements are not followed for the NASM material. Results of the study look to inform stakeholders about the benefits and risks encountered from NASM disposal. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Life cycle assessment was completed on a representative NASM disposal system using land application. Concrete tank used for storage of NASM had the most significant impact in carcinogenic emissions. Eutrophication impacts were the second most significant impact behind carcinogenic emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the Indian agriculture sector and mitigation by best management practices and smart farming technologies-a review.

The growing demand for agricultural products, driven by the Green Revolution, has led to a significant increase in food production. However, the demand is surpassing production, making food security a major concern, especially under climatic variation. The Indian agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to extreme rainfall, drought, pests, and diseases in the present climate change scenario. Nonetheless, the key agriculture sub-sectors such as livestock, rice cultivation, and biomass burning also significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a driver of global climate change. Agriculture activities alone account for 10-12% of global GHG emissions. India is an agrarian economy and a hub for global food production, which is met by intensive agricultural inputs leading to the deterioration of natural resources. It further contributes to 14% of the country's total GHG emissions. Identifying the drivers and best mitigation strategies in the sector is thus crucial for rigorous GHG mitigation. Therefore, this review aims to identify and expound the key drivers of GHG emissions in Indian agriculture and present the best strategies available in the existing literature. This will help the scientific community, policymakers, and stakeholders to evaluate the current agricultural practices and uphold the best approach available. We also discussed the socio-economic, and environmental implications to understand the impacts that may arise from intensive agriculture. Finally, we examined the current national climate policies, areas for further research, and policy amendments to help bridge the knowledge gap among researchers, policymakers, and the public in the national interest toward GHG reduction goals.

Does commercialization lead to more intensive management strategies? Decision-making for the utilization of non-timber forest products in a Nahua area of the Sierra Negra, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) provides income for rural indigenous households. The integration of NTFPs into formal markets tends to intensify management practices to ensure production and monetary benefits. However, more research is needed to understand the motivations for managing of commercialized species. We examine the influence of social, ecological, and economic factors on traditional management and how they drive the adoption of more or less intensive practices for subsistence and commercially traded NTFPs. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Nahua community of Ixtacxochitla, in the Sierra Negra of central Mexico, where we conducted free lists and semi-structured interviews in 32% of the 88 households to assess socio-ecological variables related to management practices. In addition, we interviewed local traders to assess commercial variables used in a cost-benefit model to calculate the net annual income of commercialized species. Non-metric multidimensional scaling was used to analyze relationships between socio-ecological variables and management practices. We also explored the relationship between management and commercial factors using principal component analysis. RESULTS: We recorded 64 plant and mushroom species of NTFPs used for medicinal, ornamental, ceremonial, and edible purposes, 36 of which are commercialized in the municipal market of Coyomeapan. The commercialized species generated an average annual net income of MXN 67,526 (USD 3924) per family, with five species contributing the most. Species both used for both subsistence and commercialization were managed through incipient in situ gathering, tolerance in ex situ anthropogenic areas, and intensive protection and propagation efforts in ex situ environments. Even the five species with the highest commercial returns were managed across this gradient of practices. Key factors influencing the adoption of more intensive species management practices were feasibility of management, type of species use, ecological abundance, frequency of consumption, and cultural importance. CONCLUSIONS: The intensification of NTFPs management is not solely driven by the commercial value of the products or the level of income generated. Instead, the interaction between socio-ecological and economic factors determines the extent of management practices. The main constraint to the implementation of intensive practices has been the inability to manage species outside their natural habitats, despite their cultural significance and frequent consumption. Understanding the factors involved in the harvesting of NTFPs can serve as the basis for future research aimed at analyzing the conditions for successful and sustainable NTFPs commercialization.

Can the best management practices resist the combined effects of climate and land-use changes on non-point source pollution control?

Climate and land-use changes have an overlying impact on non-point source (NPS) pollution in river basins. However, the control effect of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for NPS pollution is not yet clear under future scenarios. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was coupled with the entropy-weighted method, global climate patterns and land-use data to explore the dynamic variations in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads in the Jing River Basin during the baseline (2000-2020) and future periods (2021-2065), evaluate the pollution reduction effectiveness of individual and combined BMPs, and propose practical BMP configurations. Results indicate that a future trend of urban land expansion, particularly in the economic scenario (LU_SSP585), leads to weakened environmental ecosystems, while the sustainable scenario (LU_SSP126) exhibits more balanced land development. The MIROC-ES2L model demonstrates higher Taylor skill scores, forecasted significant increases in precipitation, maximum, and minimum temperatures under the SSP585 scenario. Spatial heterogeneity in TN and TP loads is notable, showing an upward trajectory in the future. The interaction between land-use and climate change has complex effects on TN and TP loads, with land-use-induced TN changes being relatively small (4.6 %) and TP changes substantial (24.3 %). The spatial distribution, under overlying effects, leans towards the influence of climate change, emphasizing its dominant role in TN and TP load variations. Distinct differences exist in the reduction of NPS pollution loads among different BMPs, with combined BMPs demonstrating superior effectiveness. The environmental-cost effectiveness trends of BMPs remain consistent across various future scenarios. RG (Return agricultural land to grass), RG + TT (Terracing), and RG + FR10 (Fertilizer reduction: 10 %) + GW (Grassed waterway) + FS (Filter strip) + TT emerge as the most effective single, double, and multiple BMP combinations, respectively. The results offer valuable insights for preventing and mitigating future NPS pollution risks, optimizing land-use layouts, and enhancing watershed management decisions.

Balancing the equation: assessing the impact of management practices on staff and faculty wellbeing in Chinese higher education institutions.

Introduction: The intersection of work-family dynamics and job contentment has become a pivotal area of investigation within the higher education landscape, drawing scholarly attention, especially in the Chinese context. This study delves into the intricate relationship between work-family culture and job satisfaction, with a particular spotlight on the mediating influence of perceptions of organizational fairness. The impetus behind this emphasis lies in the burgeoning acknowledgment of organizational justice as a pivotal force shaping employee attitudes and conduct within academic establishments. Method: This research was conducted using two distinct groups. The first group consisted of 1,075 faculty members at Chinese universities, while the second group comprised 972 administrative and technical employees at these institutions. Results: The mediational analyses provided in this study offer an enhanced comprehension of the intricate relationships under discussion. Significantly, the findings reveal that Work-Family Culture plays a crucial predictive role in influencing perceptions of Organizational Justice among both faculty and administrative staff. More importantly, the study uncovers that Work-Family Culture indirectly affects Job Satisfaction through its impact on Organizational Justice. Discussion: This insight underscores the importance of harmonious work-family interactions as a determinant of job-related attitudes and satisfaction levels.

Causal inference approaches reveal both positive and negative unintended effects of agricultural and urban management practices on instream biological condition.

Agricultural and urban management practices (MPs) are primarily designed and implemented to reduce nutrient and sediment concentrations in streams. However, there is growing interest in determining if MPs produce any unintended positive effects, or co-benefits, to instream biological and habitat conditions. Identifying co-benefits is challenging though because of confounding variables (i.e., those that affect both where MPs are applied and stream biota), which can be accounted for in novel causal inference approaches. Here, we used two causal inference approaches, propensity score matching (PSM) and Bayesian network learning (BNL), to identify potential MP co-benefits in the Chesapeake Bay watershed portion of Maryland, USA. Specifically, we examined how MPs may modify instream conditions that impact fish and macroinvertebrate indices of biotic integrity (IBI) and functional and taxonomic endpoints. We found evidence of positive unintended effects of MPs for both benthic macroinvertebrates and fish indicated by higher IBI scores and specific endpoints like the number of scraper macroinvertebrate taxa and lithophilic spawning fish taxa in a subset of regions. However, our results also suggest MPs have negative unintended effects, especially on sensitive benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and key instream habitat and water quality metrics like specific conductivity. Overall, our results suggest MPs offer co-benefits in some regions and catchments with largely degraded conditions but can have negative unintended effects in some regions, especially in catchments with good biological conditions. We suggest the number and types of MPs drove these mixed results and highlight carefully designed MP implementation that incorporates instream biological data at the catchment scale could facilitate co-benefits to instream biological conditions. Our study underscores the need for more research on identifying effects of individual MP types on instream biological and habitat conditions.

Comparative assessment of soil quality dynamics using SQI modelling approach: a study in rice bowl of West Bengal, India.

The study attempted to evaluate the agricultural soil quality using the Soil Quality Index (SQI) model in two Community Development Blocks, Ausgram-II and Memari-II of Purba Bardhaman District. Total 104 soil samples were collected (0-20 cm depth) from each Block to analyse 13 parameters (bulk density, soil porosity, soil aggregate stability, water holding capacity, infiltration rate, available nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium, soil pH, soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, soil respiration and microbial biomass carbon) in this study. The Integrated Quality Index (IQI) was applied using the weighted additive approach and non-linear scoring technique to retain the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified that SAS, BD, available K, pH, available N, and available P were the key contributing parameters to SQI in Ausgram-II. In contrast, WHC, SR, available N, pH, and SAS contributed the most to SQI in Memari-II. Results revealed that Ausgram-II (0.97) is notably higher SQI than Memari-II (0.69). In Ausgram-II, 99.72% of agricultural lands showed very high SQI (Grade I), whereas, in Memari-II, 49.95% of lands exhibited a moderate SQI (Grade III) and 49.90% showed a high SQI (Grade II). Sustainable Yield Index (SYI), Sensitivity Index (SI) and Efficiency Ratio (ER) were used to validate the SQIs. A positive correlation was observed between SQI and paddy ( R2 = 0.82 & 0.72) and potato yield (R2 = 0.71 & 0.78) in Ausgram-II and Memari-II Block, respectively. This study could evaluate the agricultural soil quality and provide insights for decision-making in fertiliser management practices to promote agricultural sustainability.

The Easiest Becomes the Rule: Beliefs, Knowledge and Attitudes of Equine Practitioners and Enthusiasts Regarding Horse Welfare.

Inadequate management conditions can impair the welfare of captive-bred horses. Understanding individuals' viewpoints and the factors influencing their decisions about adopting or avoiding certain practices may provide insights into their motivations and decision-making processes. This is particularly relevant in the equestrian community, where equine practitioners and enthusiasts often engage in harmful practices. We explored the beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes of equine practitioners and enthusiasts about horse welfare and the barriers that prevent them from employing better management practices that are essential to promoting horses' welfare. The study consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in person with 31 individuals directly involved in the equestrian environment in Brazil. Responses were analyzed through thematic analysis with a data-driven deductive approach. Participants' beliefs, knowledge and attitudes to horse welfare were divided into three themes. The first theme, "Let the horse be a horse", captured participants' perceptions about how physical and mental aspects related to the nature and welfare of horses. The second theme, "Everyone does it like that", includes the social norms that influence decisions about the practices that impact on the welfare of the horses. The third theme, "Beyond utopia: how and why horses are managed the way they are", covered barriers that participants perceived as impediments to the use of best practices for the welfare of horses. While participants demonstrated awareness of welfare issues and acknowledged factors that negatively impact horses, there was a notable discrepancy between this knowledge and the implementation of improved management practices. This could be explained by several perceived barriers to implementing management practices that could enhance horse welfare, including lack of financial resources, limited physical space, shortage of qualified labor, time constraints, inadequate tools, and insufficient knowledge. Additionally, we identified deeply rooted social norms within the equestrian community and culturally established practices that limit approaches to horse welfare. Participants underscored the influence of these norms and different interpretations of "letting the horse be a horse" based on the horse's value and purpose. Concerning low-value horses, the primary justifications for stall housing and concentrated feeding were linked to elevated costs involved in spatial demands and labor; in contrast, for high-value horses used in performance and aesthetics, the arguments shifted to potential benefits to the horses' well-being. From an ethical perspective, ideally, individuals should refrain from owning horses if they cannot ensure the animals' welfare. Additionally, if the equestrian community neglects public attitudes towards animal welfare, it risks eroding its social license.

Cover crop inclusion and residue retention improves soybean production and physiology in drought conditions.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) planting has increased in central and western North Dakota despite frequent drought occurrences that limit productivity. Soybean plants need high photosynthetic and transpiration rates to be productive, but they also need high water use efficiency when water is limited. Crop residues and cover crops in crop rotations may improve soybean drought tolerance in northern Great Plains. We aimed to examine how a management practice that included cover crops and residue retention impacts agronomic, ecosystem water and carbon dioxide flux, and canopy-scale physiological attributes of soybeans in the northern Great Plains under drought conditions. The experiment consisted of two soybean fields over two years with business-as-usual (no-cover crops and spring wheat residue removal) and aspirational management (cover crops and spring wheat residue retention) during a drought year. We compared yield; aboveground biomass; green chromatic coordinates, and CO2 and H2O fluxes from eddy covariance, Phenocam images, and ancillary micrometeorological measurements. These measurements were used to derive ecosystem-scale physical, and physiological attributes with the 'big leaf' framework to diagnose underlying processes. Soybean yields were 29 % higher under drought conditions in the field managed in a system that included cover crops and residue retention. This yield increase was associated with a 5 day increase in the green-chromatic-coordinate defined maturity phenophase, increasing agronomic and intrinsic water use efficiency by 27 % and 33 %, respectively, increasing water uptake, and increasing the rubisco-limited photosynthetic capacity (Vcmax25) by 42 %. The inclusion of cover crops and residue retention into a cropping system improved soybean productivity because of differences in water use, phenology timing, and photosynthetic capacity. These results suggest that farmers can improve soybean productivity and yield stability by incorporating cover crops and residue retention into their management suite because these practices to facilitate more aggressive water uptake.

Assessment of veterinary pharmaceutical warehouse management practices and its associated challenges in four selected zones and Bahir Dar city of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia.

A pharmaceutical warehouse is part of the pharmaceutical supply chain and is essential to maintaining the quality and efficacy of veterinary pharmaceuticals for successful animal health service delivery. However, poor storage conditions, improper handling, and inappropriate use and disposal constitute challenges for veterinary supplies in animal health services. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the existing practices and challenges in warehouse management in government veterinary clinics and private veterinary drug wholesalers in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 37 veterinary health facilities in four selected zones (south Gondar, west Gondar, central Gondar, and west Gojam zones) and Bahir Dar administrative city. Zones were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, pre-defined and tested observational checklists, and semi-structured interview guides. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, while qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach. The study revealed the presence of poor stock management practices, such as the absence of standard operating procedures for warehouse activities in ~59.5% of facilities surveyed. In none of the surveyed facilities, bin cards and system software utilization were satisfactory. The absence of disposal guidelines was detected in 83.8% of the facilities, and the practice of timely disposal of expired drugs was not satisfactory. Compared to the government veterinary clinics, private veterinary drug wholesalers had better storage practices (86.25%) following theoretical recommendations. The storage conditions in government clinics were rated poor at 48.3% (>80%, which is the limit to the acceptable rate for good storage conditions). The challenges of inadequate infrastructure, a lack of qualified staff, problems with the availability and affordability of pharmaceutical products, insufficient regulatory practice, and budget constraints were identified. A holistic approach involving related stakeholders should be followed to improve the existing challenges and the sector's efficiency.

When Infections Are Found: A Qualitative Study Characterizing Best Management Practices for Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection and Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Performance Monitoring and Feedback.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant patient safety problem that can lead to illness and death, despite the implementation of clinical bundles to prevent HAIs. Management practices can support HAI prevention, but their role in HAI performance monitoring and feedback is not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we previously conducted semi-structured interviews with staff at 18 hospitals to examine the role of management practices around the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify themes related to HAI performance monitoring and feedback. The current analysis focuses on 10 higher-performing hospitals that were successful in preventing CLABSIs and CAUTIs. These institutions had robust practices including timely event analysis, leadership engagement, and multidisciplinary participation in HAI reviews. Across these sites, we found common goals including investigating HAIs without blame and identifying opportunities for improvement. Management practices such as timely analysis of HAIs, collaboration between facility leadership and multidisciplinary team members, and a focus on identifying the failure of a procedure or protocol, rather than the failure of staff members, are all approaches that can support infection prevention efforts. These management practices may be especially important as hospitals attempt to address increases in CLABSI and CAUTI rates that may have occurred during the coronavirus pandemic.

The role of innovative human resource management practices, organizational support and knowledge worker effort in counteracting job burnout in the Polish business services sector.

OBJECTIVES: This study focuses on analyzing the impact of innovative human resource management practices (IHRMP) on knowledge worker burnout, and how organizational support and employee effort help explain this relationship in the context of the business services sector. To explore the problem, investigated whether IHRMP have a significant negative impact on employee burnout, and organizational support and employee effort mediate the negative impact of IHRMP on employee burnout. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was conducted, collected using the computer assisted web interview method on 1000 knowledge workers employed at business services sector (BSS) organizations in Poland. The quantitative results obtained were analyzed using AMOS software to test the main statistical relationships and through structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The study outlines direct and indirect mechanisms to counteract perceived burnout among knowledge workers. The article contributes to the understanding of how IHRMP reduce burnout among knowledge workers and highlights the central importance of organizational support and employee effort as mediating factors against burnout in the context of high-skill, high-intensity work. CONCLUSIONS: The expected results in terms of application provide a proposal of measures for managers' consideration that can be implemented in the organization with a view to counteracting the incidence of burnout among BSS employees. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(2):220-33.

Response of soil organic carbon to straw return in farmland soil in China: A meta-analysis.

Straw return is an effective measure to promote sustainable agriculture by significantly improving soil fertility. At present, few studies have been conducted on the most effective carbon enhancing management measures for various crops. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis using data collected from 184 literature sources, comprising 3297 data sets to analyze the carbon increase effects of straw returning in three main crops (rice, maize, and wheat) in China and to explore the influence mechanism of natural factors, soil properties, straw return measures, and cropping systems on the carbon enhancement effect. The study showed that straw return significantly increased soil organic carbon and the rate of increase was higher for wheat at 15.88% (14.74%-17.03%) than for rice at 12.7% (11.5%-13.91%) and maize at 12.42% (11.42%-13.42%), with varying degrees of improvement in other soil physicochemical properties. Natural factors have the greatest impact on the carbon increasing effect of rice fields, reaching 28.8%, especially at temperature between 10 °C and 15 °C, less than 800 mm precipitation, low latitude, and short frost-free period. Maize and wheat are most affected by soil properties, reaching 41% and 34.5% respectively. Furthermore, field management practices also play a pivotal role, organic carbon increasing obviously was observed when the C/N ratio of exogenous nutrients is bigger than 20 with the low initial organic matter. Shallow tillage and less than 7.5 t hm-2 straw returning with 3-10 years to the field are ideal for rice and maize. Crop rotation, especially in drylands, increased soil organic carbon more significantly than continuous. The results of our analysis can provide valuable insights into the effect of straw return on carbon increase. In the future, the soil carbon can be improved by adopting rational cropping patterns and straw return measures with taking into account climate and soil characteristics for different crops.

Comparative Evaluation of Quality Management Practices in the Public and Private Hospitals in Visakhapatnam District: An Original Research.

Background: In the Visakhapatnam District, this study compares the quality management procedures used by public and private hospitals. Knowing how these practices are similar and different from one another can help inform policy decisions and improve the quality of health care. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and 100 hospitals from both public (50 hospitals) and private (50 hospitals) were included in the sample size. A standardized questionnaire that evaluated different aspects of quality management practices was used to gather the data. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were used in the quantitative analysis. Results: Significant variations in quality management procedures between public and private hospitals were found. In terms of patient happiness, service responsiveness, and technological use, private hospitals scored better. Regarding accessibility, cost, and equity of healthcare services, public hospitals fared better. Conclusion: The report emphasizes the necessity of focused initiatives to improve quality management procedures in both public and commercial institutions. Collaboration between the two sectors can make it easier to deploy evidence-based tactics and share best practices to raise overall healthcare quality in the Visakhapatnam area.

Upcycling fruit waste into microalgae biotechnology: Perspective views and way forward.

Fruit and vegetable wastes are linked to the depletion of natural resources and can pose serious health and environmental risks (e.g. eutrophication, water and soil pollution, and GHG emissions) if improperly managed. Current waste management practices often fail to recover high-value compounds from fruit wastes. Among emerging valorization methods, the utilization of fruit wastes as a feedstock for microalgal biorefineries is a promising approach for achieving net zero waste and sustainable development goals. This is due to the ability of microalgae to efficiently sequester carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, utilize nutrients in wastewater, grow in facilities located on non-arable land, and produce several commercially valuable compounds with applications in food, biofuels, bioplastics, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutics, and various other industries. However, the application of microalgal biotechnology towards upcycling fruit wastes has yet to be implemented on the industrial scale due to several economic, technical, operational, and regulatory challenges. Here, we identify sources of fruit waste along the food supply chain, evaluate current and emerging fruit waste management practices, describe value-added compounds in fruit wastes, and review current methods of microalgal cultivation using fruit wastes as a fermentation medium. We also propose some novel strategies for the practical implementation of industrial microalgal biorefineries for upcycling fruit waste in the future.

Sustainable shrimp farming in Sri Lanka; Utilization of BMPs and antibiotics use.

Objective: In the context of the fast-expanding shrimp farming industry in Sri Lanka, this study aimed to evaluate the distribution and understanding of BMPs, examine the relationship between BMPs and disease outbreaks, and analyze the current antibiotic usage trends through a fact-finding survey. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 131 shrimp farms located in Puttalam District in North Western Province, where shrimp farming is thriving in Sri Lanka. The survey was conducted from September to October 2021. In addition, in August 2022 and August 2023, interviews were conducted with shrimp farms in Puttalam district and Batticaloa district, shrimp hatcheries, and export companies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Probit, and Tobit regression analysis. Results: The item-count technique revealed a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the use of antibiotics without consulting experts, signifying inappropriate use. No aquaculture farmer reported being unaware of BMPs, and among the 45 farmers who attended a BMPs seminar, 30 claimed to possess a good understanding of BMPs. Probit and Tobit regression results revealed that the rate of understanding of BMPs, education level, and obtaining information on the sanitation management of shrimp farming from extension and guidance organizations were inversely associated with both disease incidence in shrimp farming and shrimp discards. Conclusion: Although the use of antibiotics is prohibited in BMPs, the analysis results suggest inappropriate use of antibiotics. The findings indicate that enhanced BMP understanding can reduce disease incidence and shrimp discards, emphasizing the need for incentives to promote BMP adoption and reduce the necessity for antibiotics.

Two-stage channels can enhance local biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

Field drainage causes habitat loss, alters natural flow regimes, and impairs water quality. Still, drainage ditches often are last remnants of aquatic and wetland habitats in agricultural landscapes and as such, can be important for local biodiversity. Two-stage channels are considered as a greener choice for conventional ditches, as they are constructed to mimic the structure of natural lowland streams providing a channel for drainage water and mechanisms to decrease diffuse loading. Two-stage channels could also benefit local biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but existing information on their ecological benefits is scarce and incomplete. We collected environmental and biological data from six agricultural stream systems in Finland each with consequent sections of a conventional ditch and a two-stage channel to study the potential of two-stage channels to enhance aquatic and riparian biodiversity and ecological functions. Biological data included samples of stream invertebrates, diatoms and plants and riparian beetles and plants. Overall, both section types were highly dominated by few core taxa for most of the studied organism groups. Riparian plant and invertebrate communities seemed to benefit from the two-stage channel structure with adjacent floodplains and drier ditch banks. In addition, two-stage channel sections had higher aquatic plant diversity, algal productivity, and decomposition rate, but lower stream invertebrate and diatom diversity. Two-stage channel construction did not diversify the structure of stream channels which is likely one explanation for the lack of positive effects on benthic diversity. However, both section types harbored unique taxa found only in one of the two types in all studied organism groups resulting in higher local gamma diversity. Thus, two-stage channels enhanced local biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Improvements especially in aquatic biodiversity might be achieved by increasing the heterogeneity of in-stream habitat structure and with further efforts to decrease nutrient and sediment loads.

Ontario dairy producers' and veterinarians' perspectives: barriers to biosecurity implementation.

Implementing biosecurity protocols is necessary to reduce the spread of disease on dairy farms. In Ontario, biosecurity implementation is variable among farms and barriers to biosecurity are unknown. Thirty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted between July 2022 and January 2023 with dairy producers (n = 17) and veterinarians (n = 18). Participants also completed a demographic survey. Thematic analysis was performed with constructivist and grounded theory paradigms. Thematic coding was done inductively using NVivo software. Dairy producers' understanding of the definition of biosecurity varied, with all understanding that it was to prevent the spread of disease. Furthermore, the most common perception was that biosecurity prevented the spread of disease onto the farm. Both veterinarians and producers stated that closed herds were one of the most important biosecurity protocols. Barriers to biosecurity implementation included a lack of resources, internal and external business influencers, individual perceptions of biosecurity, and a lack of industry initiative. Understanding the barriers producers face provides veterinarians with the chance to tailor their communication to ensure barriers are reduced, or for other industry members to reduce the barriers.

Self-Care Practices and the Associated Socio-Demographic Variables of Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2dm) in Southeast, Nigeria.

Objective: The study was aimed at assessing the self-care practices and the associated socio-demographic variables of persons with T2DM in South East, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 382 persons with T2DM proportionately selected from 4 tertiary health institutions in South Eastern, Nigeria. Data was collected using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) and a researcher-developed questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to persons with T2DM who attended a diabetic outpatient clinic. Data collected was analyzed in frequency percentage. Responses on SDSCA were ranked and rated as poor, moderate, and good self-care behavior. The level of significance was placed at P < .05. Result: The majority of the participants were within the age groups of 40 to 59 (46.9%) and 60 and above (46.9%); the majority (74.6%) were married while a good proportion were traders (59.7%). Also, the majority of participants (81.2%) were on oral hypoglycemic agents. Findings further showed that a good proportion (51.3% and 89.8%) of study participants had good self-care behavior in diet and medication domains respectively. Whereas the proportion of participants with poor self-care behavior was very high in foot care (75.1%) and fairly high in both self-blood sugar testing (37.7%) and exercise (37.2%) domains. Only 7.9% practiced 3-monthly laboratory blood glucose testing while 16.5% went for eye checks every 6 months. Conclusion: Individuals with diabetes mellitus have poor self-management behavior in most domains of the self-management practice. Age, gender, marital status, educational level, and occupation significantly influenced self-management practices. Hence nurses and health educators should take diabetes self-management education very seriously to help diabetes sufferers improve their self-management behavior.