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The increasing trend of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens in aquaculture makes it is imperative to find control measures for AMR pathogens causing high economic losses in aquaculture. In the present study, a multidrug resistance (MDR) Aeromonas hydrophila bacterium was isolated from kidney samples of diseased carp originating from a fish farm in Awankot, Rupnagar, Punjab, India. Moribund-infected fish exhibited large irregular hemorrhages on the external body surfaces, exophthalmia and fin-rot-like lesions. Phenotypic characterization using Rimler-Shotts (RS) media showed characteristic yellow color colonies and beta hemolysis on sheep blood agar. Genotyping using species-specific primers for the rpoB and gyrB genes characterized the isolate as A. hydrophila. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index analysis showed that the isolated A. hydrophila had an MAR score of 0.29 signifying its resistance to more than three antibiotics, which underscores the need of finding treatment methods for MDR A. hydrophila isolates causing disease in aquaculture. Bacteriophages are considered a better eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics because of their inherent properties of not causing drug residues and resistance. Of the 13 phages tested, the Aeromonas veronii phage designated as AVP3, initially isolated against Aeromonas veronii, showed lytic activity against the MDR A. hydrophila isolated from diseased carp in this study. In addition, it also showed the lytic activity against Aeromonas spp. And A. caviae indicating that it had lytic properties against a wide host range within the Aeromonas species. This finding points to the potential efficacy of bacteriophages in mitigating pathogenic infections in aquaculture.

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INTRODUCTION: Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) are widespread multidrug-resistant zoonotic bacteria that threaten animal production, food safety and antimicrobial therapy worldwide including Malaysia. Poultry has been reported as one of the pathways for human exposure to ESBL-EC. There has been little research on the occurrence of ESBL-EC within the Malaysian poultry food chain. Hence, the objectives of the study were to determine the occurrence of ESBL-EC in chickens and to identify the potential risk factors associated with their occurrence in poultry farms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 samples, consisting of 240 cloacal swabs from chickens and 160 from poultry farms environments in eight districts in Selangor, Malaysia using culture and disk combination methods and multiple polymerase chain reaction assays. In the determination of possible factors associated with the presence of ESBL-EC at poultry farms, a questionnaire was used to obtain the information and data. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated the wide distribution of ESBL-EC in all the farms with an overall occurrence of 37.2%. Farms in Gombak, Klang and Hulu Selangor had the highest occurrence rates at 62%, 50% and 50%, respectively, followed by farms in Petaling 38%, Sepang at 34%, Kuala Langat at 26% and Kuala Selangor at 24%, and the lowest was in Hulu Langat 14%. Among the study samples, chickens had the highest occurrence rate at 45.4%, followed by chicken house floors at 40% and flies at 30%, while feed and water samples at 17.5% and 12.5%, respectively. The present study indicated the high occurrence and wide dissemination of ESBL-EC in chickens and poultry farms environment. The ESBL-EC occurrence was associated with several factors including imprudent use of antibiotics, poor husbandry, management and biosecurity practices at the farms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed the presence and spread of ESBL EC among chickens in the farms and their environment; this may lead to being spread to outside of farm environment by flies, vermins, flying birds, litter and farm wastes and possibly to humans upon contact with the contaminated environment and by poultry meat. Thus, the findings of the study can assist to serve as a piece of useful information to veterinary authority in designing evidence-based mitigation strategies for the control of ESBL-EC in poultry farms.

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The "Precoce MS" program, established by the Brazilian government in Mato Grosso do Sul in 2017, aims to encourage beef producers to harvest animals at younger ages to enhance carcass quality. About 40% of the beef produced in the state now comes from this program, which offers tax refunds ranging from 49% to 67% based on carcass classification and production system. Despite the program success, with participants delivering younger animals (with a maximum of 4 incisors), there remains significant variability in carcass quality. This paper investigates management practices and environmental factors affecting farm performance regarding carcass quality. Data from all animals harvested between the beginning of 2017 and the end of 2018 were analyzed, totaling 1,107 million animals from 1,470 farms. Farm performance was assessed based on the percentage of animals achieving grades "AAA" and "AA." Each batch of harvested cattle from each farm was categorized into two groups: high farm performance (HFP, with more than 50% of animals classified as "AAA" or "AA") and low farm performance (LFP, with less than 50% classified as such). A predictive logistic model was developed to forecast farm performance (FP) using 14 continuous and 15 discrete pre-selected variables. The most effective model, obtained through backward stepwise variable selection, had an R 2 of 0.18, accuracy of 71.5%, and AUC of 0.715. Key predictors included animal category, production system type, carcass weight, individual identification, traceability system, presence of a feed plant, location, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the 12-mo average before harvest. Developing predictive models of carcass quality by integrating data from commercial farms with other sources of information (animal, production system, and environment) can improve our understanding of production systems, optimize resource allocation, and advance sustainable animal production. Additionally, they offer valuable insights for designing and implementing better sectorial, social, and environmental policies by public administrations, not only in Brazil but also in other tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

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Contamination of chicken with metals is on the increase, despite its known attendant health risks to human consumers. The study aimed to evaluate the concentration of some metals in various organs of chicken, their sources, and the health risks they pose to human consumers. Samples of liver, meat, gizzard, borehole water, soil, diets, and droppings were investigated for the presence of some metals (Cr, Co, Mn, Zn, Al, As, Cd, Ni, and Hg), and their sources using principal component analysis (PCA). In addition, health risk assessment was manually computed using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) parameters. Cr, Mn, Co, and Zn accumulated more in the liver, while Cd and Ni were only observed in the gizzard. The starter diet recorded higher levels of all the metals compared to the grower and finisher diets except for As. All the metals were detected in the poultry surrounding soil and the drinking water of the birds except for Hg. Furthermore, PCA implicated the soil, water, and diets of the birds as the sources of these metals. The THQ, HI, and CR due to the dietary intake of the gizzard indicate a risk of cancer in children and adults. There is a need to ensure that the identified sources of these metals (soil, water, and diets) are routinely monitored to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.

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Climate change and variability is affecting the production of maize, a staple food in Zimbabwe, leading to the advocacy for production of traditional grains (sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet) as complementary crops for food and nutrition security; mainly because of their drought tolerance. Adoption of traditional grains as a climate change adaptation strategy is, however, limited by lack of appropriate field mechanisation technologies, inter alia. The specific objective of this review was to examine the field mechanisation technologies being used in different farming systems across the globe for their appropriateness in smallholder traditional grain production systems in developing countries, using Zimbabwe as an example, and focusing on the prevailing technical, socio-economic and environmental factors which influence sustainable adoption. The review was conducted by searching ScienceDirect, Researchgate, JSTOR, Springer, AGORA and Google Scholar databases for mechanisation strategies, policies, machinery and equipment used in cereal production systems across the globe. The review revealed that the mechanisation of traditional grain production operations is lagging behind that of other cereals and that there is need to work on developing appropriate mechanisation systems for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Various farm power options were analysed and the use of two-wheel tractors under service-provision was identified as the most suitable option. Conservation agriculture-based direct seeders and use of mowers or bio-pesticides are the best-suited technologies for crop establishment and weed control, respectively. In terms of harvesting, no available equipment can be recommended for smallholder use as yet. Further research is required to optimize the practical application of mowers and bio-pesticides as well as develop scale-based direct seeders and harvesting equipment. Policy issues were identified and recommendations for improvement made. The findings of the current study can be adapted by other sub-Sahara Africa countries where farming systems, priorities and challenges are similar to that of Zimbabwe.

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AIM: This study aimed to screen and characterize colistin-resistant strains isolated from different livestock species in Algeria, including sheep, goats, and dromedaries. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 197 rectal and nasal swabs were screened for colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli. Twenty one isolates were selected, identified, and their antibiotic resistance was phenotypically and genotypically characterized. The majority (15/21) were affiliated to Escherichia coli, from which 4 strains isolated from sheep (n = 2) and goats (n = 2) and belonging to phylogroup A and ST10 and ST6396 lineages, respectively, carried the mcr-1 gene. The remaining isolates were identified as belonging to the following genera: Raoultella, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the presence of virulent and multiresistant Gram-negative bacilli in farm animals, increasing the risk of transmitting potentially fatal infections to humans.

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Bioaerosols, capable of transporting microorganisms, can impact human health and agriculture by spreading to nearby communities. Their transmissions are influenced by various factors, including weather conditions and human activities. However, the scarcity of detailed, taxon-specific data on bioaerosols' sizes limits our ability to assess risks associated with bioaerosols' generation and spread. This study examined the composition and size of bioaerosols at a livestock farm and a non-agricultural site, focusing on how bioaerosols evolve at different locations and meteorological conditions. The location had an impact on bioaerosol samples. We conducted 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to identify bacteria genera in bioaerosols. We observed consistently higher concentrations of bioaerosols across all sizes at the livestock farm, and samples from the livestock farm exhibited greater bacterial diversity, where we identified Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium as the most abundant species. The effects of rainfall on bioaerosol diversity are complex, suggesting a dynamic interplay between bioaerosol removal and generation. After rainfall, the bioaerosol fraction of particles larger than 2.5 µm increased by nearly 400 % compared to post-rain levels. Conversely, for bioaerosols below 1 µm size, the fraction decreased by 50 %. Furthermore, the sequencing results showed that precipitation differentially responded to the abundance of various genera in the bioaerosols. Moreover, even for the same genus, the response to precipitation varied depending on the size of the bioaerosols. Our research reveals how size, location, and environmental conditions influence bioaerosol dynamics, enhancing our understanding of bioaerosol formation and transmission.

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The objective of this study was to assess the health and welfare of 70 commercial broiler flocks (transport batches) in three distinct slaughterhouses based on various indicators including emaciation, dirty feathers (DFs), footpad dermatitis (FPD), hock burn (HB), breast burn (BB), breast blister, breast ulcer, ascites, septicemia/abnormal color, cellulitis, extensive traumatisms, dead on arrival (DoA) and condemnation rate. Assessment scales ranging from 0 (absence) to 2 (severe) were used for DFs, FPD, and HB, while a 0 (absence) to 1 (present) scale was applied to BB, breast blisters, and breast ulcers. The prevalence of total condemnation causes (emaciation, ascites, septicemia/abnormal color, cellulitis, and extensive traumatism) and DoA were recorded and presented in percentages. Three flocks presented condemnation rates higher than 4% and 11 flocks presented DoA rates higher than 0.5%. Twenty-one flocks achieved grade 1 (warning) for FPD and 14 achieved grade 2 for FPD (alarm). Extensive trauma was observed in 0.01% of the slaughtered animals, and no flock reached the threshold of 2%. Breast blisters and breast ulcers lesions were not observed in the studied flocks. The significant positive associations observed for the presence of severe footpad dermatitis (FPD2), severe hock burns (HB2), and breast burns (BB1) indicate simultaneous occurrences. Absences of hock burns (HB0) and breast burns (BB0) were also associated. Eleven houses that obtained the worst results for welfare indicators at slaughterhouses were audited. FPD, HB, DoA, and the condemnation rate were the most crucial indicators for identifying farms with inadequate welfare conditions. These indicators should be systematically integrated into the welfare monitoring of broilers in slaughterhouses. Audits conducted on farms detected some noncompliance with regulatory welfare standards and suggested improvements in environmental and structural conditions, as well as the reduction in stocking densities and improvements in the water systems.

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Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a significant health problem worldwide, including in Bangladesh, where chickens are an important protein source for human nutrition. One of the factors accelerating the development of antimicrobial resistance is the inappropriate use of antimicrobials on commercial chicken farms. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 140 commercial chicken farms in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh to investigate the association between antimicrobial use and resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. cultured from cloacal swabs of chickens and from the poultry shed environment. All E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to multiple antimicrobial classes, including those categorized as "Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials" for human medicine. Notably, resistance was observed in E. coli isolates from farms that did not use these antimicrobial classes in the current production cycle. For example, although quinolones were not used on 43.9% of E. coli positive farms, 95.7% of these farms had quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates. The results of the path analysis revealed that there was a "direct effect" of the frequency of antimicrobial usage on "high" resistance, with resistance increasing when antimicrobials were administered more frequently (ß = 0.28, p = 0.002). There was a "direct effect" of the purpose of antimicrobial use on "low" resistance, with resistance marginally decreasing when antimicrobials were administered solely for therapeutic use (ß = -0.17, p = 0.062), but increasing when they were used prophylactically. Overall, the study results could be used to educate farmers on better practices for antimicrobial administration, and to guide government agencies to update policies on antimicrobial use and resistance surveillance in the poultry sector of Bangladesh.

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The use of antibiotics in agriculture and subsequent environmental pollution are associated with the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria including Escherichia coli. The aim of this study was to detect antimicrobial resistance, resistance genes and mobile genetic elements of 72 E. coli strains isolated from faeces of healthy farm animals. Disk diffusion test showed resistance to ampicillin (59.7%), tetracycline (48.6%), chloramphenicol (16.7%), cefoperazone and ceftriaxone (13.9%), cefepime and aztreonam (12.5%), norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin (8.3%), levofloxacin (6.9%), gentamicin and amikacin (2.8%) among the studied strains. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were detected by polymerase chain reaction: the prevalence of blaTEM was the highest (59.7% of all strains), followed by tetA (30.6%), blaCTX-M (11.1%), catA1 (9.7%), less than 5% strains contained blaSHV, cmlA, floR, qnrB, qnrS, tetM. 26.4% of E. coli strains had a MDR phenotype. MDR E. coli more often contained class 1 integrons, bacteriophages, conjugative F-like plasmids, than non-MDR strains. ARGs were successfully transferred from faecal E. coli strains into the E. coli Nissle 1917 N4i strain by conjugation. Conjugation frequencies varied from (1.0 ± 0.1) * 10-5 to (7.9 ± 2.6) * 10-4 per recipient. Monitoring mobile genetic elements of E. coli for antibiotic resistance is important for farm animal health, as well as for public health and food safety.

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Rearing of replacement heifers makes up a significant part of the total costs in dairy farming. Nevertheless, the average age at first calving for dairy heifers still stays well above 2 years in many countries. This study examined the economic and environmental impacts of increased heifer growth rates and reduced replacement rates on Norwegian dairy farms. The current average growth rate in Norway (baseline scenario) was compared to an accelerated growth rate scenario. Within each of the two growth rate scenarios, we compared three different cow replacement rates. A farm account survey dataset containing physical and economic data on 311 Norwegian farms was clustered into three farm groups: small, medium, and large. To model economic consequences, we used the whole-farm linear programming model ScotFarm. A life cycle analysis model was used to model the environmental impacts of the baseline scenario and an accelerated growth rate scenario on the three farm groups. Accelerated heifer growth rate had a positive effect (14-28%) on farm annual gross margin depending on farm size. While accelerated growth rate resulted in only minor reductions in total emissions at farm level compared to the baseline scenario, reduced replacement rate lowered total farm level emissions by up to 8%, and emissions per unit of output by up to 6%. We conclude that an accelerated heifer growth rate scenario could potentially increase farm gross margin by some 14-28% compared with a baseline growth rate scenario. Reducing the replacement rate would be more efficient to reduce farm-level greenhouse gas emissions.

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The accuracy of predictive microbial models used in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) relies on the relevancy of conditions influencing growth or inactivation. The continued use of log-linear models in studies remains widespread, despite evidence that they fail to accurately account for biphasic kinetics or include parameters to account for the effect of environmental conditions within the model equation. Although many experimental studies detail conditions of interest, studies that do not do so lead to uncertainty in QMRA modeling because the applicability of the predictive microbial models to the conditions in the risk scenarios is questionable or must be extrapolated. The current study systematically reviewed 65 articles that provided quantitative data and documented the conditions influencing the inactivation or growth of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in leafy greens. The conditions were identified and categorized as environmental, biological, chemical, and/or processing. Our study found that temperature (n = 37 studies) and sanitizing and washing procedures (n = 12 studies) were the most studied conditions in the farm-to-table continuum of leafy greens. In addition, relative humidity was also established to affect growth and inactivation in more than one stage in the continuum. This study proposes the evaluation of the interactive effects of multiple conditions in processing and storage stages from controlled experiments as they relate to the fate of STEC O157:H7 in leafy greens for future quantitative analysis.

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During the operational phase of offshore wind farms, the generation of low-frequency underwater noise has received widespread attention due to its potential adverse impact on fish health. This study conducted a field survey of underwater noise at offshore wind farms located in Shandong province, China. Subsequently, a small-scale experiment was conducted to study the stress on black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). The fish were exposed to noise with dominant frequency of 80 Hz, 125 Hz and 250 Hz. These frequencies are same with the frequencies from wind power noise (wpn) at the actual site. After a 40-day experimental period, transcriptome sequencing was conducted on brain, liver, and kidney tissues of black rockfish to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the response to noise stress originating from offshore wind farms. The results revealed that the 125 Hz group exhibited the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the noise-exposed and control check group (CK group), with a total of 797 in the brain, 1076 in the liver, and 2468 in the kidney. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that DEGs were significantly enriched in entries related to cellular processes, membrane components, binding, and metabolism. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that DEGs were enriched mainly in metabolism, immunity, apoptosis, signal transduction, and diseases. The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to underwater noise from offshore wind farms may induce metabolic imbalance, immune dysfunction, and an increased risk of myocardial diseases in black rockfish.

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Klebsiella species commonly reside in dairy cattle guts and are consistently exposed to beta-lactam antibiotics, including ceftiofur, which are frequently used on the U.S. dairy farms. This may impose selection pressure and result in the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. However, information on the status and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. in the U.S. dairy farms is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and AMR profile of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. and the factors affecting their occurrence in dairy cattle farms. Rectal fecal samples (n = 508) and manure, feed, and water samples (n = 64) were collected from 14 dairy farms in Tennessee. Samples were directly plated on CHROMagar ESBL, and presumptive Klebsiella spp. were confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on the isolates against panels of 14 antimicrobial agents from 10 classes using minimum inhibitory concentration. Of 572 samples, 57 (10%) were positive for ESBL-Klebsiella spp. The fecal prevalence of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. was 7.2% (95% CI: 6.5-8.0). The herd-level fecal prevalence of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. was 35.7% (95% CI: 12.7-64.8). The fecal prevalence of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. was significantly higher in calves than in cows and higher in cows with higher parity (≥3) as compared to cows with low parity (P < 0.001). Most (96.5%, n = 57) ESBL-Klebsiella spp. were resistant to ceftriaxone. The highest level of acquired co-resistance to ceftriaxone in ESBL-Klebsiella spp. was to sulfisoxazole (66.7%; 38/57). About 19% of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. were multidrug resistant. The presence of ESBL-producing Klebsiella spp. in dairy cattle, feed, and water obtained from troughs could play a crucial epidemiological role in maintaining and spreading the bacteria on farms and serving as a point source of transmission. IMPORTANCE: We collected 572 samples from dairy farms, including rectal feces, manure, feed, and water. We isolated and identified extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-Klebsiella spp. and conducted an antimicrobial susceptibility test and analyzed different variables that may be associated with ESBL-Klebsiella spp. in dairy farms. The results of our study shed light on how ESBL-Klebsiella spp. are maintained through fecal-oral routes in dairy farms and possibly exit from the farm into the environment. We determine the prevalence of ESBL-Klebsiella spp. and their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, underscoring their potential as a vehicle for multiple resistance gene dissemination within dairy farm settings. We also collected data on variables affecting their occurrence and spread in dairy farms. These findings have significant implications in determining sources of community-acquired ESBL-Enterobacteriaceae infections and designing appropriate control measures to prevent their spread from food animal production systems to humans, animals, and environments.

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BACKGROUND: Head injuries are the most common cause of death in some motorized vehicles for which helmet use can significantly decrease the risk. Our objective was to determine rural adolescents' attitudes regarding helmets and their use while riding ATVs, motorcycles and dirt bikes. METHODS: A convenience sample of 2022 Iowa FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) Leadership Conference attendees were surveyed. After compilation, data were imported into the statistical program, R ( https://www.R-project.org/ ). Descriptive statistics, contingency table, logistic regression and non-parametric alternatives to ANOVA analyses were performed. RESULTS: 1331 adolescents (13-18 years) participated. One half lived on a farm, 21% lived in the country/not on a farm and 28% were from towns. Nearly two-thirds (65%) owned an ATV with 77% of all having ridden one in the past year. Farm residents had the highest ATV ownership (78%) and having ridden (80%) proportions, both p < 0.001. Overall, ownership and ridership for motorcycles (22% and 30%, respectively) and dirt bikes (29% and 39%, respectively) was significantly less than ATVs, all p < 0.001. Of ATV riders, those living on farms or in the country/not on a farm rode them more frequently than those from towns, p < 0.001. Higher percentages always/mostly wore helmets when riding dirt bikes (51%) and motorcycles (57%) relative to ATVs (21%), p < 0.001. Those from farms had lower proportions wearing helmets versus those living elsewhere for all vehicles. Helmet use importance ratings (1-10, 10 high) were not different for motorcycles (mean 8.6, median 10) and dirt bikes (mean 8.3, median 10), but much lower for ATVs (mean 6.1, median 6). Females, non-owners, and helmet law supporters all had higher helmet use importance ratings. Males, those from farms, and owners and riders of the vehicles all had lower proportions that supported helmet laws. Support for helmet laws was significantly lower for ATVs (30.7%) than dirt bikes (56.3%) or motorcycles (72.3%), both p < 0.001. Those whose families had strict ATV "No Helmet, No Riding" rules had much higher helmet use and helmet importance ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the safety culture surrounding helmet use is relatively poor among rural adolescents, especially on farms, and deserves targeted interventions.

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BACKGROUND: Tractors and quad bikes pose a significant risk of fatal injuries among farmers, particularly affecting older farmers. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of machine related safety behaviors among older farmers in Irish farm settings. METHOD: Four focus groups were conducted via Zoom in February 2021. Nineteen Irish farmers from four farm types participated. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive, reflexive thematic analysis approach. The themes identified were then mapped to the COM-B (Capability-Opportunity-Motivation) model, providing a systematic theoretical basis for designing a future intervention to reduce machine-related accidents. RESULTS: The analysis identified five inductive themes that encompassed both barriers and facilitators in farm safety practices: (1) Capability to manage competing responsibilities; (2) Characteristics of the farm and its work environment; (3) Availability and affordability of resources; (4) Prevailing sociocultural opportunities; and (5) Perceived likelihood and cost-benefit analysis in safety decision-making. These themes captured the complex interplay of capability, opportunity, and motivation in farmers' decision-making processes. The study also revealed limitations in existing interventions, such as voluntary guidelines and educational methods, in effectively addressing these barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Farmers' abilities (capability), prevailing sociocultural factors, resource availability (opportunity), and their perceived consequences and benefits (motivation) affect how safely they work with machines. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive, theory-driven approaches that consider the interplay of capability, opportunity, and motivational factors that may support or impede machine safety. Understanding the challenges faced by Irish farmers highlights potential strategies for safety intervention, and these strategies should be co-designed with farmers and attentive to the local context. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study provides a template for understanding farmers' perspectives using the COM-B model. The findings can inform the development of theoretically informed intervention strategies based on the Behavior Change Wheel framework.

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The rapid growth of offshore wind farms (OWFs) is driven by concerns for energy security and climate change mitigation. However, their impact on marine environments remains poorly understood due to limited research. This study analyzes the effects of an OWF along China's Jiangsu Coast on seawater quality using data from different development phases. Results show the major pollutants were different across phases. Heavy metal pollution reached alert levels during construction compared to the safe levels observed in the pre-construction and operational phases, mainly due to increases in Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations. Eutrophication was mild throughout all periods but exhibited a continuous decrease, primarily attributed to reductions in PH and COD concentrations. As a result, the comprehensive pollution level during construction was increased, but it was improved to a clean level during the operational phase. Besides, significant variations were observed in the spatial distribution patterns of major pollutant indices across different scenarios. These changes may stem from a combination effect of land-based pollution, aquaculture, OWF-induced disturbances to atmosphere and hydrodynamics, OWF-related drain and leakage contamination, and marine management policies. Understanding these effects informs OWF optimization, rational wind resource utilization, and marine ecology protection.

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Since their discovery, the prolonged and widespread use of antibiotics in veterinary and agricultural production has led to numerous problems, particularly the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). In addition, other anthropogenic factors accelerate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and amplify their impact. In agricultural environments, animals, manure, and wastewater are the vectors of ARGs that facilitate their spread to the environment and humans via animal products, water, and other environmental pathways. Therefore, this review comprehensively analyzed the current status, removal methods, and future directions of ARGs on farms. This article 1) investigates the origins of ARGs on farms, the pathways and mechanisms of their spread to surrounding environments, and various strategies to mitigate their spread; 2) determines the multiple factors influencing the abundance of ARGs on farms, the pathways through which ARGs spread from farms to the environment, and the effects and mechanisms of non-antibiotic factors on the spread of ARGs; 3) explores methods for controlling ARGs in farm wastes; and 4) provides a comprehensive summary and integration of research across various fields, proposing that in modern smart farms, emerging technologies can be integrated through artificial intelligence to control or even eliminate ARGs. Moreover, challenges and future research directions for controlling ARGs on farms are suggested.