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.

Suitability of pupae of the stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lep., Pyralidae) of various ages for parasitism by Pediobius furus (Gahan) (Hym., Eulophidae)

Abstract: The influence of the age of host (Chilo partellus) pupae on parasitoid Pediobius furvus fecundity, developmental period, progeny production, and sex ratio is reported. The extent of parasitism was determined from the proportions of parasitoid emergence to host adults recorded. Host age was found to be an important factor in development of immature of P. furvus with greater emergence from younger hosts, and C. partellus pupae over 5-day-old being rejected by the gravid female parasitoid. The result showed that both acceptability and suitability of C. partellus pupae drop off after 2 days, and to zero after 4 days. However, the host ages that are accepted by the parasitoid appear to be fairly wide.

Strike Actions and Its Effects on Educational Management in Universities in Rivers State

Abstract: This work is on strike actions and its effects on educational management of Universities in Rivers State. It is a survey design. The study randomly selected seventy five (75) non-academic staff and sixty (60) academic staff from each population of the university which total one hundred and thirty five (135) respondents randomly and independently sampled. The data collected was gathered using structured questionnaire and oral interview and it was synthesized with the sample percentage (%) method. The data collected were analyzed and presented in tabular form. The result obtain showed that poor condition services, poor salaries and different salary structure and poor supply of welfare services for staff and students are the cause of strike action, closure of school frequency, etc, are the effect of strike actions. The measures to eradicate strike action in universities in Rivers State include proscription of trade unionism in tertiary institutions and ensuring managerial efficiency. It was therefore recommended that previous agreement on salaries, fringe benefit and other working conditions between labour and management government should be implemented as at when due.

Inhibitory Activity of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains from Akamu - A Nigerian Fermented Maize Food against Escherichia coli

Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum strains: NGL5 and NGL7 previously identified from akamu-a lactic acid bacteria fermented maize food using PCR sequencing analysis were evaluated for inhibitory activity against Eschericia coli NCTC 11560 in fermenting ground maize slurries at 22 and 30°C, and in porridges prepared from 24 h fermented slurries. The L. plantarum strains fermented ground maize slurries and produced significant levels of titratable acidity ≥5 g L-1 and low pH ≤3.63, displaying inhibitory activity against E. coli NCTC 11560. Inhibition was significantly (p≤0.05) greater at 30°C than at 22°C. At 30°C, E. coli was inhibited after 24 h in the co-inoculation assay (µ 5 g L-1. For safety of the product however fermentation has to be for at least 24 h at 30°C or more at 22°C.

Effects of Near-Surface Air Temperature on Sub-Surface Geothermal Gradient and Heat Flow in Bornu-Chad Basin, Nigeria

Abstract: A study of the effect of near-surface temperature on fields of subsurface geothermal gradient and heat flow has been carried out in the Bornu-Chad Basin, Nigeria, using corrected Bottom-Hole Temperatures (BHTc) lithologic-log data from 9 oil wells The geothermal gradient using only BHTs ranges from 159oCkm-1 to 382oCkm-1 with an average of 269+/-35oCkm-1, while that computed with mean annual temperature and BHTs ranges from 282oCkm-1 to 515oCkm-1with an average of 375+/-25oCkm-1 The geothermal gradient using the mean annual temperature and BHTs in the Bornu-Chad is higher than using only BHTs by 70oCkm-1 Heatflow ranges from a minimum of 61 mWm-2 to a maximum of 114mWm-2 with an average of 68+/-589mWm-2 The isotherm maps exhibit an increasing SW-NE trend An average heat flow of 68+/-59mWm-2 deduced from Bornu-Chad basin is normal for a continental passive margin with age of about 100My Geothermal gradient results show a distinct and direct relationship with near-surface conditions There are indications that surface heat flow is controlled by lithology, geothermal gradient and near-surface solar radiation conditions in the Bornu-Chad basin Consequently, it is recommended that the mean surface temperature be used in geothermal gradients and heatflows estimations The knowledge of geothermal properties is very important in the search for geothermal energy in the area of study

Effect of crude oil on the development of white mangrove seedlings (Avicennia germinans) in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract: Crude oil is a complex hydrogen whose introduction into the may be hazardous to aquatic and human life, and consequently a threat to natural resources. The severity of the impact of crude oil depends on a variety of factors, including characteristics of the oil itself, natural conditions, such as water temperature and weather, and the sensitivities of receiving or biota. Consequently, various types of biological resources such as mangrove seedlings have different sensitivities to oil spills. The long term persistence of oil in the environment may cause defoliation and possibly death. Recruitment of seedlings into the oiled area may also be affected. This study is designed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of crude oil (Bonny Light) on the growth performance of mangrove seedlings in a laboratory condition; monitoring critical plant growth attributes such as stem height and diameter, leaf length, width and numbers of leaves (leaf production), senescence and seedlings survival, for sixteen weeks. The study revealed that the mangrove seedlings responded differently in growth attributes with varying treatment. Evidence of crude oil effects were remarkably demonstrated between control and acute (Wilcoxon sign –rank t-test (1.0) > P (0.29)0.05 and chronic (Wilcoxon sign – rank, t-test (1.0) > p (0.47)0.05. The mangrove critical growth responses by mangrove seedlings as a result of the treatments were further explained by the cluster and correspondence analyses.