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.

Influence of Gender on Some Red Cell Indices, L-Arginine and D-dimer in Malaria Parasite Severity amongst Children Resident in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of gender on malaria parasite severity in children resident in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria, between the month of March and August 2020. Methodology: A total of 822 pediatrics (0-16 years), were randomly selected for this study after due parental consent. 5ml of venous blood was collected from each subject: 1ml was dispensed into paediatric EDTA (for haematologic and parasite density) and 4 ml into sodium citrate bottle for L-arginine assay by ELISA-method, while Full blood count was determined using haematological auto-analyser, Mindray BC-6800. Malaria density was determined by microscopic method using thick and thin Giemsa stained blood smears. Level of significance was set at P<0.05. Original Research Article Akwuebu et al.; IJTDH, 42(4): 46-53, 2021; Article no.IJTDH.67258 47 Results: There was a significant decrease (p<.05) in the mean (41.04±3.80%) neutrophil count in female subject with complicated malaria compared with the control (42.81±0.98%) as against a significant decrease in mean (37.71±0.96%) neutrophil count of female subject with uncomplicated malaria. A significant decrease in neutrophil (28.05±3.37%) of male subjects with complicated malaria and uncomplicated malaria (36.10±0.79%) was seen when compared to control (44.32±0.88%). Again, a significant decrease (p<.05) in eosinophil count of female with complicated malaria (3.32±0.74%) was seen when compared with the control subject (3.81±0.19%) and no significant difference was seen in female subjects with uncomplicated malaria (3.62±0.19%) when compared with the control. A significant increase in eosinophil was seen in male subjects with complicated malaria (4.47±0.66%) and uncomplicated malaria (4.52±0.16%) when compared with the control (3.88±0.17%). There was observed a significant difference (p<.001) in the mean Larginine values of female subjects with complicated (39.22±9.57pg/ml) and uncomplicated (65.13±2.41 pg/ml) malaria compared with the control (42.85±2.48 pg/ml). However, no significant difference was seen in male subjects with complicated (33.21±8.49) and uncomplicated (45.51±2.00 pg/ml) malaria when compared with control (47.97±2.21 pg/ml). Also, a significant difference (p<0.0019) was seen between the mean D2D values of female subjects with complicated (6436.64±568.94 pg/ml) and uncomplicated (2824.55±143.46 pg/ml) malaria among the study subjects as against the control (1866.39±147.35 pg/ml). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed a trend between gender and malaria type did not significantly change haematological parameters with the exception of the immune cells such as NEU, LYM, and EOS. However, a significant increase in L-arginine among female subjects was seen indicating a faster rate of malaria clearance.

Morality and employee engagement in organizations

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between morality and employee engagement in an organization. The approach adopted is theoretical as it assesses based on extant literature. The result of the study revealed that sound empirical conduct or moral behavior at work improves employee engagement and brings about organizational growth. Also, an improvement in workplace morals and ethical behavior improves employee engagement. Therefore, for the firm to upscale productivity, the organization should drive engagement through an objective ethical and moral behavior at work. It is recommended that management of organizations should have sound morals and ethical behavior, this will improve engagement. Again, organizations should put in place robust corporate governance system, this will guide workplace behavior and morals

Applications of GNSS in West Africa

Abstract: The applications of GNSS in West Africa are enhanced by the objectives of the African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) which is to establish an unified reference frame through the use of Space Geodesy Techniques, GNSS in particular, to tie various national and regional reference networks of Africa. The use of (INSS in West Africa, currently involving mostly the Global Positioning System (GPS) is for any operation that requires determination of accurate positions such as in the Oil/Gas and Solid Mineral Industry (Land and Deep Offshore exploration, prospecting/production, geohazard survey, pipelines laying/maintence, boundary demarcation, transportation, etc), mapping for socio-economic development, political/administrative boundary demarcation, geodynamics and natural hazard studies, commercial Air and Sea Transportation, the TV and Telecommunication industry, etc. The effective applications of GNSS listed herein demand determination of unified accurate datum transformation which AFREF seeks to establish for each African nation and the entire Africa. The 1st author's determination of 7 Parameters geodetic Datum Transformation in Southern Nigeria for The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) the accuracy analysis are discussed.

Survey of Technologies Used in Cassava Processing in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to survey the technologies used in cassava processing in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Specifically, the study was proposed to determine the technologies used in harvesting, peeling, grinding, extracting water, sifting and frying crushed cassava tubers into Garri. A structured questionnaire titled “Survey of technologies used in cassava processing in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State (STUCP)”.was administered to one hundred-fifty farmers in ten villages in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Data was analyzed with the use of pictorial view of the technology used in cassava processing and Statistical package for social science was used in determining the frequency, percentage and mean. The findings revealed that more need to be done in terms of the technology used in harvesting, peeling, grinding, extracting water, sifting and frying crushed cassava tubers into Garri. One of the recommendations was that technology used in cassava processing should be improved in order to boost garri production in Rivers State.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of a Semi-Aquatic Reptile Community in Caspian Reed Bed Ecosystems

Abstract: Reed bed ecosystems are crucial for the survival of complex animal communities in Europe and Western Asia, but have been subjected to considerable decline, especially in beds in eutrophic shallow lakes, throughout Europe during the last decades. In Western Asia, however, these ecosystems are still wide and ecologically intact, and support highly biodiverse communities of species, including some highly threatened taxa. Here, we studied the spatio-temporal community dynamics of semi-aquatic reptiles in a wide reed bed biotope in Azerbaijan, and present conservation considerations for its optimal management for the survival of the authochtonous reptile species. Three reptile species (two snakes, Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata, and one turtle Emys orbicularis persica) were found in the study area. Activity intensity was not even throughout the years, and was significantly more related to ambient temperatures in 2016 than in 2017. Interestingly, amphipod abundance was also significantly different between years, and correlated well with the differences in activity patterns observed in a turtle species. There were complex spatio-temporal patterns exhibited by the reptile species at the study area, with an excess of reptile individuals in the high density reed bed habitat during summertime whereas there was an excess of individuals in the open reed bed habitat in spring and autumn. This evidence suggests that there should be seasonal interhabitat movements of reptiles at the study area, and that the reed beds are not perceived as a homogeneous habitat by reptiles. Several hypotheses are presented to explain these unexpected spatio-temporal patterns by reptiles in reed beds. Our study clearly shows that, in order to enhance the conservation of reptiles, it is important to keep a mosaic of areas with dense reed stands (high density of young stems) and of open reed stands (lower density of older stems), thus increasing habitat heterogeneity and favouring small-scale ecological key-structures.