Rationale of a Cross Sectional Descriptive Study on Knowledge and Practices of Healthcare Providers on Postpartum Hemorrhage Management in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Healthcare Providers’ knowledge and practice of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) management are essential to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. PPH is a public health problem due to the high maternal mortality (MM) associated with it worldwide (25%). Improving the quality of PPH management is a major challenge in low-income countries where, despite the progress made in its management, PPH remains a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective: We will evaluate the level of knowledge and practices of providers in the PPH management in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: This study will be descriptive and cross-sectional. The minimum sample size will be 86. Our study population will consist of delivery room care providers. Results will be reported as percentage proportion and mean plus or minus standard deviation. Comparisons of means between groups will be made using Student’s t-test and Pearson’s chi-square test. The test will be statistically significant for a p value 0.05. Data will be collected and processed anonymously and confidentially. Conclusion: Improving quality of care must be a priority in obstetrics. This evaluation requires us to determine the level of knowledge and practices of providers in the PPH management in Kinshasa.

Current state and influencing factors in airbag management among emergency department nurses:A multicenter study

BACKGROUND The emergency department(ED)plays a critical role in establishing artificial airways and implementing mechanical ventilation.Managing airbags in the ED presents a prime opportunity to mitigate the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.Nonetheless,existing research has largely overlooked the understanding,beliefs,and practical dimensions of airway airbag management among ED nurses,with a predominant focus on intensive care unit nurses.AIM To investigate the current status of ED nurses'knowledge,beliefs,and practical behaviors in airway airbag management and their influencing factors.METHODS A survey was conducted from July 10th to August 10th,2023,using convenience sampling on 520 ED nurses from 15 tertiary hospitals and 5 sary hospitals in Shanghai.Pathway analysis was utilized to analyze the influencing factors.RESULTS The scores for ED nurses'airway airbag management knowledge were 60.26±23.00,belief was 88.65±13.36,and behavior was 75.10±19.84.The main influencing factors of airbag management knowledge included participation in specialized nurse or mechanical ventilation training,department,and work experience in the department.Influencing factors of airbag management belief comprised knowledge,department,and participation in specialized nurse or mechanical ventilation training.Primary influencing factors of airbag management behavior included knowledge,belief,department,participation in specialized nurse or mechanical ventilation training,and professional title.The belief in airbag management among ED nurses acted as a partial mediator between knowledge and behavior,with a total effect value of 0.513,and an indirect effect of 0.085,constituting 16.6%of the total effect.CONCLUSION ED nurses exhibit a positive attitude toward airbag management with relatively standardized practices,yet there remains room for improvement in their knowledge levels.Nursing managers should implement interventions tailored to the characteristics of ED nurses'airbag management knowledge,beliefs,and practices to enhance their airbag management proficiency.

Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Farmgate Area of Dhaka North City Corporation

This investigation is focused on conducting a thorough analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM). MSWM encompasses a range of interdisciplinary measures that govern the various stages involved in managing unwanted or non-utilizable solid materials, commonly known as rubbish, trash, junk, refuse, and garbage. These stages include generation, storage, collection, recycling, transportation, handling, disposal, and monitoring. The waste materials mentioned in this context exhibit a wide range of items, such as organic waste from food and vegetables, paper, plastic, polyethylene, iron, tin cans, deceased animals, byproducts from demolition activities, manure, and various other discarded materials. This study aims to provide insights into the possibilities of enhancing solid waste management in the Farmgate area of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). To accomplish this objective, the research examines the conventional waste management methods employed in this area. It conducts extensive field surveys, collecting valuable data through interviews with local residents and key individuals involved in waste management, such as waste collectors, dealers, intermediate dealers, recyclers, and shopkeepers. The results indicate that significant amounts of distinct waste categories are produced daily. These include food and vegetable waste, which amount to 52.1 tons/day;polythene and plastic, which total 4.5 tons/day;metal and tin-can waste, which amounts to 1.4 tons/day;and paper waste, which totals 5.9 tons/day. This study highlights the significance of promoting environmental consciousness to effectively shape the attitudes of urban residents toward waste disposal and management. It emphasizes the need for collaboration between authorities and researchers to improve the current waste management system.

An Overview of Quality Management of Therapeutic Vaccines in Clinical Trials in China

Objective To provide suggestions and a reference for improving the quality management system of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines and promoting the development of therapeutic vaccines in China.Methods Literature research,case study and comparative study were used to analyze the quality management system of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines.Results and Conclusion From the perspective of the sponsor,investigators and the thirdparty technical service company,the problems such as the low efficiency of clinical trial sample preparation and the lax implementation of the protocol by hospital departments in the quality management of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines in China were found.Then,the optimization plan for the quality management of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines is proposed,including optimizing the preparation process of therapeutic vaccines and strengthening the training of hospital department personnel.

Reductions in non-point source pollution through different management practices for an agricultural watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Non-point source water pollution generated by agricultural production is considered a major environmental issue in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area （TGRA） of China. The Annualised Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution （AnnAGNPS） model was selected to assess the impact of the application of various management treats, including seven crops, five fertilizer levels and three-group management practice scenarios, on water quality from Heigou River Watershed in TGRA. The scenario subsets include conservation tillage practice （CTP）, conservation reserve program （CRP） and conversion of cropland into forestland program （CCFP）. Results indicated that tea can not be replaced by other crops because comparatively tea resulted in a higher sediment yield. CTP with no-tillage was more effective to reduce sediment yield, but could increased nutrient loss. CRP reduced sediment yield significantly, but slightly benefited on nutrient loss. CCFP reduced not only sediment yield but also the nutrient loss significantly. The conversion of cropland with a slope greater than 10° into forestland was found to be the best scenario as the sediment yield export is less than 5 tons/ha and nutrient loss is within the permissible limit.

Effects of cotton field management practices on soil CO2 emission and C balance in an arid region of Northwest China

Changes in both soil organic C storage and soil respiration in farmland ecosystems may affect atmospheric CO2 concentration and global C cycle. The objective of this field experiment was to study the effects of three crop field management practices on soil CO2 emission and C balance in a cotton field in an arid region of Northwest China. The three management practices were irrigation methods（drip and flood）, stubble managements（stubble-incorporated and stubble-removed） and fertilizer amendments（no fertilizer（CK）, chicken manure（OM）, inorganic N, P and K fertilizer（NPK）, and inorganic fertilizer plus chicken manure（NPK＋OM））. The results showed that within the C pool range, soil CO2 emission during the whole growing season was higher in the drip irrigation treatment than in the corresponding flood irrigation treatment, while soil organic C concentration was larger in the flood irrigation treatment than in the corresponding drip irrigation treatment. Furthermore, soil CO2 emission and organic C concentration were all higher in the stubble-incorporated treatment than in the corresponding stubble-removed treatment, and larger in the NPK＋OM treatment than in the other three fertilizer amendments within the C pool range. The combination of flood irrigation, stubble incorporation and application of either NPK＋OM or OM increased soil organic C concentration in the 0-60 cm soil depth. Calculation of net ecosystem productivity（NEP） under different management practices indicated that the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation and NPK＋OM increased the size of the C pool most, followed by the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation and NPK. In conclusion, management practices have significant impacts on soil CO2 emission, organic C concentration and C balance in cotton fields. Consequently, appropriate management practices, such as the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation, and either NPK＋OM or NPK could increase soil C storage in cotton fields of Northwest China.

Effects of Land Management Practices on Soil Water in Southwestern Mountainous Area, China

The effects of selected land management practices （cross-sloping tillage, ridge culture, organic manure, and straw mulch） on soil water conservation in a southwestern mountainous area, China, were studied during November 2002 to November 2004. The experimental field is divided into three parts based on soil layer depths, 0-60 cm （part Ⅰ）, 0-40 cm （part Ⅱ）, and 0- 20 cm （part Ⅲ）, and they all had the same slope azimuth （SE）, slope （10°）, and slope type （linear）. The experimental plots were subjected to the following treatments： cross-sloping tillage （CST）; cross-sloping tillage with organic manure （CST/ OM）; cross-sloping tillage with straw mulch （CST/SM）; contour ridge culture （CRC）; contour ridge culture with organic manure （CRC/OM）; and contour ridge culture with straw mulch （CRC/SM）, to identify the effects of management practices on soil water. Water contents were determined for soil samples collected, using a 2.2 cm diameter manual probe. Soil water was monitored once every five days from Nov. 20, 2002 to Nov. 20, 2004. The results indicated that, in the study stages, an integration of rainfall, evaporative losses, and crop transcription controlled the basic tendencies of profile （mean） soil water, while land management practices, to a certain extent, only modified its amount, distribution, and routing. Moreover, these modifications also mainly focused on the first 20 cm depth of topsoil layer. When each management practice was compared with control treatment, season changes of profile （mean） soil water were pronounced, while interannual changes among them were not significant. More comparisons indicated that, in the study stages, contour ridge culture had better effects than cross-sloping tillage. And under the same tillage, the combination of organic manure could achieve more than straw mulch. These management practices should be recommended considering the effectiveness of soil and water management techniques in the southwestern mountainous area, China.

Management Practices and Production Constraints of Indigenous Somali Cattle Breed in Shabelle Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Shabelle zone of Somali Regional State to assess management practices and production constraints of indigenous Somali Cattle. A total of 200 household heads were selected from four cattle potential districts;Dhanan, Ber’ano, Godey & Adadle. The relevant information was collected through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informants interview, and personal observations. Majority of the respondents were illiterate. The average cattle holding size was 8.97 heads/household and cattle were mainly kept for milk production. The major feed resources in the study area were natural pasture and crop residue, and communal grazing was the most important feeding system in the area. Feed shortage was a problem hindering cattle production in the study area during dry season mainly January up to March. Animals traveled long distances to watering points (>5 km) during dry season, while in wet season, animals were watered in nearby water sources. Cattle housing was open kraal fenced with the thorned plenty acacia trees and calves were housed separately from other cattle. Breeding in the study area was uncontrolled and was bred with their own or neighbors’ bull. Age at first mating, age at first calving and calving interval were 3.25 years, 4.05 years and 16.56 months, respectively. The daily milk yield and lactation length were 2.22 liters and 8.07 months, respectively. The production and reproduction performance of Somali cattle was relatively higher than other local breeds in the country mainly in terms of milk yield and fertility potential under the existing environmental conditions. The major constraints of cattle production were feed shortage, disease, water scarcity, lack of veterinary services, marketing problem and predator. Among those constraints, inadequate supply of quality feed, diseases and water shortage were the main reasons for low productivity of cattle and are the major factors limiting productivity. Therefore, to sustain the production system in the study areas, it is recommended to improve the current condition of communal rangelands through management of degraded areas by awareness creation on the value of these common resources and development of rules and regulation to sustain the existing resource and implement over the utilization of communal/pastoral rangeland management systems to reduce constraints such as shortage of feed, drought and grazing land deterioration which perpetuated through time due to land-use changes and seasonal fluctuation).

Assessment of Domestic Wastewater Management Practices in the Communal District I of Maradi City, Niger Republic

Wastewater treatment is a problem with much acuity in the city of Maradi in general, and particularly in the Communal District I of Maradi. It is for this reason that the present study was conducted which deals with wastewater sanitation. The main objective of this study conducted through a survey is to investigate in the domestic wastewater sanitation in the Communal District I of Maradi city. Specifically, the study aims to estimate the amount of wastewater produced by households and to analyze the sanitation system at household and at district levels. The wastewater management practices in this district were assessed through a descriptive cross sectional study in which a total of 129 households were selected by sample distribution technique in the district neighborhoods and studied using interviewer and administered questionnaires at communal and household levels. The results of the study showed that the amount of domestic wastewater generated is quite large, about 32.27 m3 per person per day, and this comes from several sources including showers, laundry, dishwashing and income generating activities. The results also revealed that the unhealthy state of the Communal District I of Maradi is related to the absence of a wastewater treatment system, the methods and practices used in its management, and the population is also largely responsible for this unhealthy state and not willing to participate to a sanitation project.

Integrated agronomic practices management improved grain formation and regulated endogenous hormone balance in summer maize (Zea mays L.)

Compared with single agronomic practices management during grain formation, knowledge about integrated agronomic practices management on grain-filling characteristics and physiological function of endogenous hormones was limited. In order to clarify this issue, two field experiments, integrated agronomic practices management(IAPM), T1(local conventional cultivation practices), T2(an optimized combination of cropping systems and fertilizer treatment), T3(treatment based on high-yield studies), and T4(further optimized combination of cropping systems and fertilizer treatment), and nitrogen rate testing(NAT)(four nitrogen rates, 0, 129.0, 184.5, and 300.0 kg N ha–1) were performed with summer maize hybrid Zhengdan 958(ZD958). Results showed that with increased nitrogen rate, the endogenous hormone balance was promoted and the grain-filling characteristics were improved sufficiently to resulting in a significant increase in grain yield. However, the grain-filling characteristics deteriorated and yield was reduced with excessive nitrogen fertilization. However, IAPM could promote hormone balance and improve grain filling characteristic. The indole-3-acetic acid(IAA), zeatin riboside(ZR), and gibberellin(GA3) contents under T2 and T4 treatments were higher and the abscisic acid(ABA) content was lower, and the ZR and GA3 contents under T3 were higher than those under T1. Those resulted in the maximum grain-filling rate(Wmax) and the active grain-filling period(P) under T2, T3 and T4 were significantly increased than those under T1, and hence promoted kernel weight and grain yield. So IAPM promoted hormone balance by improving tillage model, optimizing fertilizer rate and fertilization period, appropriately increasing planting density and delaying harvest, which promoted grain filling rate and lengthened active grain-filling period, finally increased grain yield.

Optimal agronomical practices package for wheat modelized cultivation management in Beijing area

Based on the principles of system engineering,economics theory and local conditionof production,studies carried out by taking“quadratic-regression-orthogonal-rotational” and ran-domized complete block designs to determine the Optimal Agronomical Practices Package（OAPP）for Wheat Modelized Cultivation Management（WMCM）by system decision-makinganalysis.The OAPP was expected to meet various goals of different levels of yield and economicbenefit of middle and high fertility land in Beijing area.Taking cultivar JINGDONG-1（"JD-1"）asan example,the OAPP for grain yield≥6750 kg/ha and net benefit≥360 US （?）/ha was consist-ed as follows:density=195 plants/m2;spring irrigation times=4（stem elongation,booting,flowering,and 20 days after anthesis）;fertilization=150-188 kg N/ha,113-128 kg P2O5/ha.

Preference and adoption of Farmer Field School (FFS) Prosopis juliflora management practices: Experiences in Baringo District, Kenya

This research was carried out to evaluate the preference and adoption of harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning practices for controlling the spread ofProsopisjuliflora （prosopis） within Marigat Division of the Baringo District, Kenya. A survey methodology was employed using a random sample of 25 Farmer Field School （FFS） members and 5 non=FFS members from each of the five locations of Marigat Division. In total, 100 FFS members and 25 non-FFS members participated in the study; addi- tional supplementary data were collected from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute （KEFRI）, a major facilitator and trainer of the identified FFS activities and practices in the study area since 2004. More than 80% of the local community never undertook any form of prosopis management practice; however, this changed after FFS training, indicating an acquisition and retention of knowledge which probably diffused to the non-FFS counterparts, through either formal or informal ways. Harvesting was the most preferred （100%） and stump burning the least preferred （46%） practice of managing the spread of prosopis. The success and preference of any prosopis management practice was attributed to wood and non-wood benefits derived from prosopis and growing of animal fodder and food crops on rehabilitated land. More than 80% of respondents attributed ineffectiveness of any prosopis management practice to coppicing and viable seed banks of the tree, while 50% highlighted a lack of consistency and integration in carrying out manage- ment practices. The reported negative attitude towards prosopis changed after training with none of the view to eradicate it. Labor intensity and frequent regeneration of seedlings were identified as the major challenges faced during the implementation of proso- pis management practices. In conclusion, the study shows that harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning realized through consistent holistic integration contribute to containing the spread of prosopis trees in Baringo, Kenya.

Assessment of System of Rice Intensification(SRI) and Conventional Practices under Organic and Inorganic Management in Japan

The system of rice intensification(SRI) is a production system that involves the adoption of certain changes in management practices for rice cultivation that create a better growing environment for the crop.This system was compared with conventional practices and assessed under organic and inorganic management.SRI practices showed significant response in root number,number of effective tillers per hill,days to flowering and harvest index.In addition,SRI was found effective in minimizing pest and disease incidence,shortening the crop cycle,and improving plant stand.Grain yield was not different from conventional method.Except for harvest index and plant lodging percentage,there were no significant effects from management treatments.Synergistic responses were noted when SRI practices were combined with organic management for plant height,number of effective tillers per hill,days to flowering and to maturity.The improved panicle characteristics,lower plant lodging percentage and higher harvest index that ultimately led to comparable grain yields.Net returns increased approximately 1.5 times for SRI-organic management regardless of the added labor requirements for weed control.However,comparatively higher grain yield from conventional-inorganic methods underscore the need for further investigations in defining what constitutes an optimum set of practices for an SRI-organic system specifically addressing grain yield and weed management.

Assessment of Waste Management Practices among Residents of Owerri Municipal Imo State Nigeria

Poor waste management has been a major problem to human existence and it affects both rural and urban areas. Various methods of waste disposal exist and this study assessed the waste man-agement practices among residents of Owerri Municipal, Imo state, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross sectional study in which a total of 282 residents of Owerri Municipal were selected by multistage sampling technique and studied using self and interviewer administered questionnaires. The results showed that 90% of respondents were aware of waste management while 97.5% had posi-tive attitude towards it. The major types of waste generated from households were food residues (97.1%) and vegetable products (95.4%). Also poor waste management practices among residents include open dumping, practiced by 66.3% of the residents and burning as practiced by 62.4% of respondents. The commonest means of waste transport to final disposal site was by wheel barrow. Gender and educational status of respondents significantly influenced their knowledge, attitude and practice of waste management (p < 0.05). Good waste management is pivotal to sustainable healthy living conditions in any environment. The residents of Owerri need health education, reg-ular supply of refuse collection facilities and designated final dump sites. These will encourage strict adherence to proper and appropriate waste management practices among them.

Environmental Sanitation Practices: A Case Study of Solid Waste Management in Semi-Urban Communities in Orlu, Imo State Nigeria

Background: Environmental sanitation is a fundamental process that is a key public health intervention which is essential for social, economic and overall health development of communities. Objective: To determine Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Environmental Sanitation in Semi-Urban Communities in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design using a multistage random sampling technique to select 426 participants from households and business premises in semi-urban communities in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Data was collected using a pretested, semi structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were done with frequencies and summary statistics to assess the respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practices of environmental sanitation. Results: The results revealed that the mean age of the respondents’ was 37.0 ± 2.2 with a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Despite high awareness about environmental sanitation (95.0%) reported among the respondents, proportion of them with good knowledge about environmental sanitation (22.9%), attitude (38.6%) and practice (20.8%) towards environmental sanitation was low. The mean quantity of waste generated per week per household or business premise was 14.1 ± 0.94 kg with a majority of the respondents (80.0%), not separating their waste before disposal. The commonest solid waste component generated was organic/perishable materials (74.8%) and the commonest disposal practice reported was open dumping (49.8%). Conclusion: A lot of attention is still required in the development of basic sanitation infrastructure and also, in the promotion of strategies or interventions that influence behavioural change towards environmental sanitation especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

Self-Care Management Practices of Diabetic Patients Type 2 in Saudi Arabia

Background & Aim: Patients’ self-care management practice in diabetes is considered a critical element to keep diabetes under control and the disease management is usually conducted by the patients themselves and/or their families. The main aim of this study is to assess the level of self-care management practices of diabetic patients type 2 in Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized in the Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh on a convenience sampling method consisted of 377 diabetic patients type 2. The researcher used a self-administered questionnaire (Summery of Diabetes Self-care Activities) which was adopted from Toobert et al. (2000). Results: The study results revealed that the level of self-care management practices among patients with type 2 DM is not satisfactory, except in the medication domain. Conclusion & Recommendations: Policymakers should revise the education strategy for diabetic patients and develop health education campaigns that focus on the patient’s family as well as the individual with type-2 DM.

Management Practices, Utilization and Challenges of Donkey in Godey Town, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Godey town of Shebelle zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess management practices, utilization, and challenges of donkey. A total of 200 households who own working donkeys were selected purposely for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, key informants interviews, focus group discussions with communities who own donkeys and personal observations. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents were illiterate which might be associated with poor education access in the area. The study further revealed that 92% of working donkeys were involved in drought work, whereas 18% were used for pack work. The common feed resources for donkeys were feeds obtained from natural pasture, green maize leaves, hay, household wastes and grain supplements. Pipe water, river water, and pond water were the main water sources for working donkeys in the study area. About 91% of households kept their donkeys in an open backyard, while 9% of them kept them in a separate shed built adjacent to or a short distance away from the family home. Donkeys provide cart services in the study area, transporting various items weighing more than 300 kg in order to obtain a high benefit in a short period of time and are more than six days per week. Working donkeys in the current study area had a life span of fewer than 6 years, 7 - 10 years, and more than 10 years, with 18.5%, 75.5%, and 6%, respectively. The most important constraints that affect donkey production and utilization in the study area were a lack of feed, health problems (sickness, wounds, etc.), overloading and overworking, poor road and harnessing problems, and poor attitude/lack of awareness. As a result, in order to enhance working donkey management concerns, area-based development interventions that can overcome current constraints should be employed.

Comparison of Net Global Warming Potential and Greenhouse Gas Intensity Affected by Management Practices in Two Dryland Cropping Sites

Little is known about the effect of management practices on net global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) that account for all sources and sinks of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dryland cropping systems. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a combination of tillage, cropping system, and N fertilization on GWP and GHGI under dryland cropping systems with various soil and climatic conditions from 2008 to 2011 in western North Dakota and eastern Montana, USA. Treatments in western North Dakota with sandy loam soil and 373 mm annual precipitation were conventional till malt barley (Hordeum vulgarie L.) with 67 kg N ha-1 (CTB/N1), conventional till malt barley with 0 kg N ha-1 (CTB/N0), no-till malt barley-pea (Pisum sativum L.) with 67 kg N ha-1 (NTB-P/N1), no-till malt barley with 67 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N1), and no-till malt barley with 0 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N0). In eastern Montana with loam soil and 350 mm annual precipitation, treatments were conventional till malt barley-fallow with 80 kg N ha-1 (CTB-F/N1), conventional till malt barley-fallow with 0 kg N ha-1 (CTB-F/N0), no-till malt barley-pea with 80 kg N ha-1 (NTB-P/N1), no-till malt barley with 80 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N1), and no-till malt barley with 0 kg N ha-1 (NTB/N0). Carbon dioxide sink as soil C sequestration rate at the 0 - 10 cm depth was greater in NTB-P/N1 and NTB/N1 than the other treatments at both sites and greater in eastern Montana than western North Dakota. Carbon dioxide sources were greater with N fertilization than without and greater with conventional till than no-till. Soil total annual N2O and CH4 fluxes varied among treatments, years, and locations. Net GWP and GHGI were lower in NTB-P/N1 than the other treatments in western North Dakota and lower in NTB-P/N1 and NTB/N1 than the other treatments in eastern Montana. Net GWP across similar treatments was lower in eastern Montana than western North Dakota, but GHGI was similar. Annualized crop yield was greater in the treatments with N fertilization than without. Because of greater grain yield but lower GWP and GHGI, no-till malt barley-pea rotation with adequate N fertilization can be used as a robust management practice to mitigate net GHG emissions while sustaining dryland crop yields, regardless of soil and climatic conditions. Loam soil reduced GWP and crop yields compared with sandy loam soil.

Cattle Production Management Practices Predisposing Animals to the Incidences of Reproductive Failures in Small Scale Farming

Preparing for an effective animal reproduction requires proper management practices before parturition.This study aimed to identify cattle production management practices that predispose cows to the incidences of reproductive conditions in small scale farming.One hundred and thirty-five(135)structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the farmers following reported cases of dystocia,downer cow syndrome,retained placenta,vaginal prolapse and abortion in cows at the North West University animal hospital.The data included information such as cow age,parity,breed,number of incidence of the conditions,feeding system,feed type,whether or not the animals were supplemented,supplement type,condition experienced by the cow,vaccination status,cow’s Brucellosis status and access to veterinary services were also assessed.The data were analyzed in Statistical Product and Service Solutions(SPSS)version 25 using descriptive statistics,Chi square and Stage-Two Cluster analysis.The results showed that the factors significantly related(p<0.05)to the incidences of reproductive conditions were cow breed,parity,feeding system,whether the farmer has heard about Brucellosis and the frequency of getting animals checked by a veterinarian.The study found that in communal areas,herds with Afrikaner breeds,when farmers have not heard about Brucellosis,when cows are the first parity,while they are in free ranging method of feeding and with an annual veterinary check-up mostly experience abortions.Implementation of management strategies for the improvements of farming methods in communal farming is necessary to change the state of livestock agriculture through the reduction of reproductive failures in small scale farmer.

Effects of Management Practices on Agronomic Parameters in Cocoa Agroecosystems at Peripheral Zone of Ebo Forest Reserve, Littoral Region, Cameroon

The study was carried out to assess the effect of management practices on agronomic parameters of cocoa agroecosystems in the peripheral zone of Ebo Forest Reserve. Purposive random sampling was conducted to establish experimental plots on the farms of willing farmers. Demonstration plots were established and agronomic parameters were monitored for “farmers’ practice (FP) and integrated crop pest and disease management (ICPM) practice” using indicators of Cocoa agro-ecosystem analysis (AESA). The FP and ICPM treatments were replicated in ten sites. From AESA records of agronomic parameters, the “observe, learn, decide and act” (OLDA) model was implemented in the ICPM treatments only. The effects of management practices were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means compared using Turkey’s T-test at 5% probability. Results of ANOVA between the two Management practices showed that over 50% of the response variables were statistically significant. Means separated through GLM ANOVA with Tukey pairwise comparisons at α = 0.05 showed that 14 (53.8%) out of 26 response variables monitored were statistically significant between the two management practices. Pruning, shade management, phytosanitary harvest, rational use of pesticides, farm sanitation, pod harvesting, breaking, fermentation of beans and drying were regular in the ICPM treatment and time-bound in the FP treatment. The average total production varied from 385.83 kg/ha in FP treatment to 572.8 kg/ha in the ICPM treatment, still below the average standard of 1000 kg/ha. The OLDA model applied in ICPM treatment following AESA is a relevant tool to enhance sustainability in the management of cocoa agroecosystems. Farmers should be sensitized and trained on appropriate farm management techniques and enhance access to extension services as well as make available improved and grafted planting materials to ensure appropriate productivity levels.