Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Targeting strategy for technological acquisition in the Sub-Saharan oil exporting states of Africa: The Nigerian experience

Abstract: During the last two decades, economic development has been slow in most of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank, 1981). In the middle of the 1970s when the world economy experienced inflation and recession, no where did the crises hit with greater impact than in Sub-Saharan Africa. This region shows slow overall economic growth, sluggish agricultural performance, rapid rates of population increase, and a balance of payment crises. Between 1960 and 1979, per capita income in 19 countries grew by less than 1% per annum. During the last decade 15 countries recorded a negative rate of income growth per capita (World Bank, 1981).

An overview of skin disorders in under-fives over a ten-year period in a tertiary institution in South: South, Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Skin disorders can be a significant cause of distress to both children and their care-givers. The scope of prevalent skin disorders differ from one country to the other. Therefore an insight into the occurrence, patterns and distribution of skin disorders in a target group will be beneficial to inform care and provide support that is relevant to that target population. The aim of this study is to determine the skin problems prevalent amongst children that are five years and below managed at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Alakahia, Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional study of children five years and below that visited the dermatology outpatient clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Alakahia between the period of January 2006 and December 2015. Results: There was equal ratio of male to female patients with slight female preponderance. The eleven most common lesions were papular urticaria, atopic dermatitis, scabies, warts, vitiligo, molluscum contagiosum, tinea corporis, impetigo, seborrhoeic dermatitis, pityriasis rosea and tinea capitis. Conclusions: Skin disorders are common among children under five years. Allergic skin disorders, bacterial, viral and fungal skin infections, skin infestation (scabies) and pigmentary disorders (vitiligo) are major skin manifestations in this study.

Parasitism of Descampsina sesamiae (Mensil) on Sesamia species in sugar-cane in Southern Ghana

Abstract: Observation on natural enemies of the stem-borer complex on sugar-cane in southern Ghana indicated that Descampsina sesamiae Mensil (Diptera:Tachinidae) is the most important larval parasite of Sesamia species. The relative abundance of this tachinid parasite appeared to vary with the rainfall pattern throughout the year and with the phenology of the sugar-cane plant. The rate of parasitism was found to be higher in the outgrowers fields than in the sugar estate's fields. Differences in cultural practices used as well as the type of vegetation bordering the sugar-cane fields, were believed to be responsible for the difference in the rate of parasitism of D. sesamiae on Sesamia species.

Enhanced Biodegradation of Degreaser Using Pseudomonas and Bacillus Species in Fresh Water Ecosystem

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study is to enhance the biodegradation of degreasers used in upstream sectors of Nigeria Petroleum Industry using bio-augmenting organisms such as: Pseudomonas and Bacillus species in freshwater Ecosystem. Study Design: This study employs experimental designs, Randomized Block Design treatment set up, statistical analysis of data and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: Freshwater sample for this research was collected from Asarama Andoni, in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study lasted for six months. Methodology: The experimental set-up was carried in 500 ml conical flask with two species of bacteria, two types of degreaser and fresh water sample giving a total of 8 set-up including controls. The Pseudomonas and Bacillus species used in this study were isolated from the freshwater ecosystem and identified using standard microbiological methods. The bioremediation potential of the respective test organisms were monitored at ambient temperature 28±0.2°C for 28 days at a constant interval of 7 days using the following Physiochemical parameter; Total dissolved Solid, Hydrogen concentrations ions and Total Hydrocarbon Content. While the following Microbiological parameters; Total heterotrophic Bacteria, Total Heterotrophic Fungi, Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacteria, and Hydrocarbon Utilizing Fungi were monitored. Results: The percentage of degradability of the respective set-ups ranged from Control (Rigwash) (3.29%) < Pseudomonas sp. + Rigwash (27.56%) < Pseudomonas + Bacillus + Rigwash< (31.57%), Bacillus sp.+ Rigwash (37.57%) Control 2 (Aquabreak) (9.45%) < Pseudomonas sp.+ Aquabreak (26.77%) < Pseudomonas + Bacillus + Aquabreak (31.32%)< Bacillus sp.+ Aquabreak (32.46%). Overall evaluation revealed that Bacillus sp. had a higher biodegradation potential on both degreaser (Rigwash and Aquabreak) in freshwater than Pseudomonas sp. Five species of bacteria: Escherichia coli, Micrococcus, Citrobacter, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas species and four fungal species: Penicillium, Mucor, Aspergillus and Rhizopus species were isolated and identified as hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi organisms respectively. Conclusion: The results revealed that Bacillus species have more degradability potential than Pseudomonas species for both Aquabreak and Rigwash. These results also indicated the low biodegradation potential of Rigwash in fresh Ecosystem.