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.

Evaluation of Rhizosphere bacteria of Mangifera Indica (mango) and Terminalia Catappa (almond)

Abstract: Rhizoshere bacterial population and some physicochemical parameters of mango and almond plants, and a control soil was investigated. Mean data obtained for pH, electrical conductivity (μ$/cm), nitrate (ppm), and available phosphorus (ppm) were: 5.90, 0.29, 11.11, and 43.65 respectively for mango soil; 6.20, 0.37, 29.61 and 60.84 respectively for almond soil; 5.40, 0.43, 46.45 and 104.43 respectively for control soil. The data were within normal ranges that supported bacterial growth. Mango and almond rhizoshere soils were sandy loam, and control soil was loamy. Mean counts of heterotrophic bacteria (X105CFU G-1) were: 11.4 for mango soil, 13.8 for almond soil, and 20.8 for control soil. Control soil had highest bacterial counts when compared to counts of the two rhizoshere soils. Bacterial types isolated occurred in varying frequencies and included: Bacillus (25%), Corynebacterium (15%), Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Micrococcus (10%), Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Flavobacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Azomonas (5%). Bacillus occurred in all study soils, Corynebacterium occurred in mango and almond soils, Micrococcus occurred in mango and control soils, while the others occurred in one soil type only. This showed that rhizoshere soils supported the growth of different bacterial types.

Effect of Locally Formulated Watermelon and Moringa Syrup Booster on the Growth Performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis Fingerlings

Abstract: Aim: Evaluation of the effectiveness of formulated Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and Moringa oleifera booster on the growth performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis. Study Design: Data were subjected to statistical analysis using Duncan Multiple Range Statistics and interpretation was done using SPSS Version 22. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory at the Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Nigeria for a period of 12 weeks (3 months), between November, 2016 – March, 2017. Methodology: Total of 240 Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings with an initial mean weight (1.61±0.23 g) and length (5.13±0.26 cm) were acclimated for one week. After acclimation, the fishes were fed twice daily (9am and 6pm) with 10% of their body weight after coating 2 ml/1 kg of the commercial feed with their individual growth booster syrup and allowed to air-dry for about 20 minutes. Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings were scooped for the measurements exercise at one week interval after which they were returned to their various tanks. Results: The result of this study recorded the experimental diets with optimum growth and survivability. From the result, it was deduced that, Commercial feed coated with watermelon syrup booster recorded the best performance in the growth variables of mean weight (26.36 ±3.19 g), mean length (13.61±1.35 cm), mean weight gain (24.64±3.00 g), mean length gain (8.38±1.35 cm), relative weight gain (25.36±3.19) while Commercial feed coated with commercial syrup booster (CbCf) recorded the best performance in growth variables of Daily Growth Rate (15.15±0.55) and Specific Growth Rate (2.69±0.03%) against Moring growth booster and commercial feed (control). However, there was less mortality as the fishes in different treatment tanks survived above 90%. Conclusion: It could be summarized that Commercial feed coated with watermelon syrup booster (WbCf) had the best growth performance against the control groups although their values were not significantly impacted (p>0.05) when compared with other experimental diets.

Baseline iron status of apparently healthy children in Port Hacourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: Aim: Iron deficiency is one of the micronutrient disorder affecting mostly children in the developing countries. There is paucity of information on this subject in our locality. Aim: This study was aimed at assessing the baseline iron status of apparently healthy children aged 1-8 years in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria. Methods: Four biochemical iron indicators; serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS) and serum ferritin(SF), were used for the assessment. Standard colorimetric and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures were followed for the estimation of all variables. Results: The mean values of the parameters estimated were serum iron, 19.8 + 21.8 umol/l; TIBC, 62.9 + 46.0 umol/l, transferrin saturation, 29.2 + 18.5 %, serum ferritin, 50.6 + 62.3 nglml The mean values of all the parameters estimated in the under fives were found to be significantly lower than the values obtained in the five to 8 years group (P < 0.01). Similarly a sex related difference in the mean values was obtained in all variables except transferrin saturation. The prevalence of iron deficiency among the participants by single ferritin (<15 nglml) model was 13.75%. Combination of serum ferritin (< 15 nglml) and transferrin saturation (< 16%) gave a prevalence of 7.5%. Conclusion: We concluded that iron deficiency is more pronounced among children under five years of age and this finding in consistent with what obtains in the literature worldwide.

Cost effectiveness of quality management system in a reinforced concrete frame construction company

Abstract: The main purpose of this research is to determine cost effectiveness of implementing and maintaining quality management system using existing data from information filled in nonconformity report over a period of 4 years (2011 to 2014). The research uses a single case study research design to fulfill the objectives of the study. The data extracted from the annual account of the reinforced concrete frame construction company were analysed. The findings suggest that the company under study has implemented a quality management system within their organisation. The findings show that the cost of quality conformance increases from 2011 to 2014 except for 2013 which is lower than that of 2011 due reduced working months of the quality manager in that year. For the cost of quality non-conformance, the findings show that about 77% of the total value are not recovered by the company in 2012, while this is reduced to about 18% in 2014 due quality management system put in place by the company. It was also shown that the ratio of profit before tax (PBT) to turnover declined by 2.86% in 2012 and by 17.14% by 2013 while it declined by 10% in 2014 when compared to 2011. The study concluded that commitment of the company to quality management system has rubbed off the company of some revenues in the form of profit that would have accrued into the cover of the company. However, the implementation of the quality management system is paying off on its own right. The study recommended that one of the areas that researchers need to give proper attention is to conduct more studies on a number construction companies in order to create an industry norm.