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.

Pulsar Magnetohydrodynamic Winds

Abstract: The acceleration and collimation/decollimation of relativistic magnetocentrifugal winds are discussed concerning a cold plasma from a strongly magnetized, rapidly rotating neutron star in a steady axisymmetric state based on ideal magnetohydrodynamics. There exist unipolar inductors associated with the field line angular frequency, α, at the magnetospheric base surface, SB, with a huge potential difference between the poles and the equator, which drive electric current through the pulsar magnetosphere. Any “current line” must emanate from one terminal of the unipolar inductor and return to the other, converting the Poynting flux to the kinetic flux of the wind at finite distances. In a plausible field structure satisfying the transfield force-balance equation, the fast surface, SF, must exist somewhere between the subasymptotic and asymptotic domains, i.e., at the innermost point along each field line of the asymptotic domain of � 2 A /�

Size Dependence of Energy Required for Cassava Grating

Abstract: An investigation was conducted into the energy required for grating cassava tubers of varying sizes. The tuberous roots of cassava that naturally occur in lengths of between 15 and 100 cm were cut and separated into groups of five different sizes (343.2mm, 228.8mm, 171.6mm, 85.8mm and 42.9mm). Equal masses of 10kg of these size categories were respectively grated down to a particle size of 1.5mm, with a grating machine powered by a 5.4hp diesel engine. A tachometer was used to measure the speed of rotation of the engine during the operation, from where the power transmitted to the grater was computed. It was found that the size of the cassava affected the speed of the engine in an inverse proportionality relationship; and the reducing sizes resulted in reduced times and energies required for the operation. The experimental values were related to the already known laws of comminution, using Kick and Bond’s formulae. Models were formulated for the various relationships using Microsoft Chart Editor. It was discovered that, although the energy values estimated using the laws were higher than experimental values, the values obtained using Kick’s law were a better approximation. On the overall, this study showed that the smaller the size reduction ratio, by a reduction of the feed size of cassava before grating, the lesser the energy that would be expended during the grating operation.

A rapid survey of the arboreal termites in a university environment in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract: Termites inhabiting tree crops are pests which if neglected could result to agricultural loss. In a study to investigate the arboreal termites of planted trees in Rivers State University, 1050 trees were sampled between July and October 2017. The study area was categorised into 10 zones, and all trees were examined for the presence of nests and mud tubes. Samples of termites and tree cuttings were collected from infected trees for identification of termites and trees. Approximately 37.71% of the sampled trees had some termite infestation as arboreal nests or presence of mud tubes. The trees most affected were Mangifera indica, Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae), Polyalthia longifolia (Annonaceae), Pentaclethra macrophylla, Eucalyptus sp., Terminalia sp. and Persea americana (Lauraceae). The termites identified were Amitermes sp., Nasutitermes havilandi, Odontotermes sp., Microcerotermes sp., Glyptotermes sp. and Globitermes sp. The termites did not show preference for particular trees (p < 0.05). There was a significant association between the termite species and the nest type (p < 0.05); the observed difference between the species and nest sets arose by chance; in other words, they were not randomly distributed with respect to nest type. Termite-resistant crop trees were Psidium guajava and Cocos nucifera. With more than one in three infestation rates, there is the need for termite management. This basic knowledge of the termite species and distribution is vital for effective control measure as it indicates that there is need for control and management. Suggested management would require treatment of infested trees and control measures of all trees in the study area except P. guajava and C. nucifera.

White Cerebellum Sign - An Ominous Radiological Imaging Finding: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract: Diffuse hyperdensity of the infratentorial brain including thalamus, bainstem and cerebellum with relative hypodensity of the supratentorial brain seen on computed tomography images in severe head injury patients is the “white cerebellum sign.”

Information Communication Technologies in Agricultural Extension Delivery of Agricultural Transformation Agenda

Abstract: The study examined the role of information communication technologies in extension delivery of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of Nigeria. The objectives were to: examine the agricultural extension delivery of ATA; identify ICTs relevant in agricultural extension and application of ATA; examine roles of ICTs in extension of ATA and identify constraints to the use of ICTs in extension delivery. The study is a review research which was based on secondary data collected from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, related literatures and internet. The study identified roles of ICTs in extension in ATA to include bridging the information gap for rural farmers with respect to innovative practices; farmers' access to government policies; farmers' access to information about input availability, credit facilities and weather vagaries. Some of the constraints to the use of ICTs were identified to include, erratic and fluctuating power supply, poor finance, lack of internet access in the rural areas and high cost of ICTs hard and soft wares. It was recommended that for more impact of the ICTs application in agriculture to be felt by extension agents and farmers alike, government and private sector investors should carryout massive human capacity development of agricultural extension officers in the various ICT tools which are applicable in agricultural sector, carry out awareness creation and sensitization of rural farmers of the opportunities they have in the use of ICTs, include the use of video-conferencing among stakeholders for meetings to reduce distant travels.