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.

Physicochemical, Sensory and Microbiological Quality of Table Wine Produced from Coconut water, Honey and Zobo

Abstract: Physicochemical, sensory and microbiological quality of table wine produced from coconut, water, honey and zobo. Coconut water was collected and mixed with Zobo at a ratio of 5:1 and with honey also at 5:1 ratio. The various mixtures were fermented with wine yeast at room temperature (28±2 °C) for 7 days to produce table wine. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the fat, protein, ash and Carbohydrate content of all the wine samples, including control (commercial red and white table wines). Total Acid and alcohol content ranged from 0.576–0.921% and 5.87-11.50%, respectively. Sugar content ranging from 11.00-12.00%, however, difference in sugar content of all the wine samples were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The specific gravity of the coconut wines was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the control (commercial red and white wine). Total yeast count (TYC) on the fresh wine after 7 days’ fermentation period ranging from 7.66 Log10 CFU/ml to 8.91 Log10CFU/ml, with sample CWHN (coconut water and honey wine without yeast) given significantly (P<0.05) higher value of 8.91 Log10CFU/ml. Total bacteria count (TBC) on the aged wine (after 21 days of storage) ranged from 5.145 Log10CFU/ml to 6.230 Log10CFU/ml with sample CWH (coconut water and honey) wine given significantly higher value of 6.23 Log10CFU/ml. The taste of sample CWZ compared favourably with those of the commercial red and white wines. Sample CWZ (coconut/zobo wine) received equal overall acceptability with the commercial table wines.

Long-term changes in the breeding period diet of Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) in Sicily, Italy

Abstract: Context Dietary analyses are essential to achieve a better understanding of animal ecology. In the case of endangered species, assessing dietary requirements is crucial to improve their management and conservation. The Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) has experienced a severe decline throughout its breeding range in Europe and, in Italy, fewer than 50 pairs remain, and only in Sicily. This species is subject to major threats, including changes in landscape composition and, consequently, prey availability, which is further aggravated by the occurrence of viral diseases in the case of rabbits. Aims To provide current data on the diet of the Bonelli’s eagle in Sicily during the breeding period and to examine dietary shifts with regard to previous studies conducted in the same study area. To discuss possible implications for conservation of the Italian population of this endangered species. Methods We used a combination of three methods, including pellet analysis, collection of prey remains, and imagery from camera-traps installed at nests, to examine the diet of 12 breeding pairs of Bonelli’s eagle from 2011 to 2017. We compared this information with data collected between 1993 and 1998 in the same study area. Key results In number, birds were the most frequently predated items (61.6%), followed by mammals (36.88%) and reptiles (1.52%). However, in terms of biomass, mammals were the main prey (65.71%), followed by birds (34.12%) and reptiles (0.17%). There was a decrease over the course of the current decade in the consumption of European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which was compensated for with an increase in both dietary diversity and breadth in bird consumption, a trend not observed in the earlier study in the same region. Conclusions Here, we provide an updated assessment of diet composition of Bonelli’s eagle during the breeding period. Interestingly, we found significant differences within the study period (2011–2017) in terms of frequency of occurrence, percentage of biomass, dietary diversity and dietary breadth in a species at risk. Furthermore, we found significant differences between the two study periods in both frequency and percentage of biomass, with significant changes in the consumption of lagomorphs and birds. Implications Our results indicated that shifts in the diet are linked to changes in prey abundance, which may be contributing to population declines in the Bonelli’s eagle population in Sicily. Overall, measures aimed at increasing main dietary prey should be promoted to favour occupation of new territories and enhance vital demographic parameters (i.e. breeding success and survival rate) of Bonelli’s eagle across the species range. This would be particularly important for small isolated populations such as the Sicilian one.

Stabilisation of niger delta fat clay with blend of binders for subgrade application - part 1

Abstract: Construction of roads on fine-grained soils without any form of stabilisation is a major problem all over the world. In this study, a fat clay having poor subgrade rating (A-7-6) was mixed with blends of sand, drill cuttings ash (DCA), lateralite, and Portland Cement (PC) to improve its plasticity, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and swell. The sand effected better particle grading of the clay and addition of PC increased its strength. Blends of DCA-PC and lateralite-PC effected friability, improved workability, and also increased the strength of the soil. Blends ratio: sand-PC (4:1); DCA-PC (1:1); and lateralite-PC (2:1) gave the best stabilising effect on the fat clay. The improvements noted were: plasticity index 20% after 24 hours and >10% after 96 hours, low swell (0.002 – 0.008%). Thus, this study revealed that the fat clay could be optimised for subgrade application using these stabilising additives. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.12

Soil Quality as Affected by Municipal Solid Waste Dumping

Abstract: This paper presents soil quality as affected by dumped municipal solid waste. Landfill leachate was collected from a hole dug 10 m away from the waste dump site for laboratory analysis. Soil samples were also collected from four trial pits in the dumpsites at the depth of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 m and at a distance of 10, 20, 30 m and the control 100 m away from the dumping site. The collected soil samples were subjected to physiochemical and geotechnical analysis. This includes particle size distribution, pH, EC, total organic carbon, total organic matter, extractable micronutrients and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cl and Ni), Attterberg limits, specific gravity and hydraulic conductivity. The physicochemical concentration was then compared with the maximum allowable concentrations of chemical constituents in uncontaminated soil. The Laboratory analysis shows high value of pH (8.51) DO (0.17 mg/l), COD (68mg/l), BOD5 (324 mg/l), Pb (0.31 mg/l) and Cd (0.06 mg/l) in the leachate sample. The physical properties of the soil near the dumpsite indicated that the soil belongs to sandy loam in texture. pH (6.3-8.32), Electrical conductivity (241-2018 s/cm), total organic carbon (0.24-2.16%) and total organic matter (0.41-3.73%) were higher near the vicinity of Original Research Article Nta et al.; ASRJ, 3(2): 1-11, 2020; Article no.ASRJ.55536 2 the dumpsite and decreased with increase in the depth and distance. Extractable micro nutrient and heavy metal concentration (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cl and Ni) were also found to be high near the dumpsite and decreased along the soil depth and distance from the dumping site. The variance in the geotechnical properties of soil revealed by the test results was impacted by the dumped municipal solid waste. These effects decrease with increase in depth. These findings will help in facilitating the invention and introduction of site specific technologies.

Leader attunement: a precursor to employee work involvement in the deposit money banks, port harcourt, nigeria

Abstract: The study examined the relationship between leader attunement and employee work involvement of the deposit money banks in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. To accomplish the purpose of this study a cross sectional survey method for social research was adopted, with a self-administered questionnaire as instruments of data collection. The population of the study was 3,978 employees drawn from the ten deposit money banks in Port Harcourt. A sample size of 381 respondents was calculated using Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. The research instrument was validated through supervisor's vetting and approval, while the reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of Crombach's Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using Spearman's Rank Order Correlation Coefficient and statistical software SPSS. The tests were carried out at a 95% confidence interval and a 0.05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that a positive and significant relationship exist between leader attunement and the employee work involvement of the deposit money banks in Port Harcourt. The study recommends that leader should exhibit attunement skill since there is no better and faster way to build trust than for leader to listen to employee. Consequently. The study posits that management of deposit banks in Port Harcourt should encourage training programmes for leaders. This will enhance their social awareness competence.