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.

Qualitative phytochemical and GC-MS analysis of fermented castor seed (Ogiri Igbo)

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemicals present in fermented castor seed (ogiri Igbo). 1kg of castor seed was dehulled and cleaned after which seeds were wrapped in banana leaves and boiled for 6-8 h. The boiled seeds which were still wrapped in the leaves were left to ferment for 4-6 days. Later, the seeds were mixed with ash from oil palm bunch and ground into paste. Subsequently, the condiment (ogiri Igbo) formed was wrapped in leaves in small portions.Phytochemical and GC-MS analysis were performed on the condiment using standard methods. Phytochemicals investigated were tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, phlobactannins, phenols, proteins, reducing sugars and anthraquinones. While steroids, reducing sugars and anthraquinones were absent in the condiment, flavonoids, phlobactannins, and alkaloids were present in abundance (++), the least abundant being the terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and phenols (+) and the most abundant phytochemicals reportedly present in the condiment were saponins and proteins. GC-MS analysis performed on the fermented castor seed (ogiri Igbo) showed that forty eight compounds were present in the said condiment and while the most abundant compound reported was 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-methyl ester (17.43%), the least abundant was 2-t-Butyl-3,6-dimethyl pyrazine (0.35%). In conclusion, although some of the relevant phytochemicals may have been lost to fermentation, the condiment still retains some health aiding phytoconstituents in appreciable amounts.

Enhanced capability and competitive advantage of bottled water manufacturing companies in rivers state, nigeria

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between enhanced capability and competitive advantage of bottled water manufacturing companies in Rivers State, Nigeria. Enhanced capability was conceptualized as the independent variable while service quality, innovativeness and market focus were used as measures of the competitive advantage. The study was anchored on system theory and resource-based theory. In pursuance to the objectives of the study, the cross-sectional survey method was adopted. The study population consisted of 51 managerial staff drawn from 15 bottled water manufacturing companies in Rivers State, Nigeria. The research instrument was tested for validity and reliability with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the bivariate correlation at two-tailed 95% confidence interval with the aid of SPSS version 23. The study revealed that enhanced capability has positive and significant effects that translate to competitive advantage. It was recommended that management should promote policies on enhanced capability with a view to improving service quality, innovativeness and market focus in organization. Keywords: Enhanced Capability, Competitive Advantage, Service Quality, Innovativeness, Market Focus CITATION: Harry, O. F., & Ejo-Orusa H. (2020). Enhanced capability and competitive advantage of bottled water manufacturing companies in Rivers State, Nigeria. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7(1), 171 – 179.

Political skills and career success of deposit money banks in port harcourt, nigeria

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between political skills and career success of Deposit Money Bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The study adopted the cross-sectional research survey. Primary data was generated through structure self-administered questionnaire. The study focused on middle, lower management and their support staff of the eighteen (18) Deposit Money Banks in Port Harcourt. The population was one thousand, one hundred (1,100). A sample size of 293 was determined using Taro Yamen’s formula. The reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Statistics. The result showed that there is a significant relationship between political skills and career success of Deposit Money Bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The study therefore recommended that the management of Deposit Money Banks should sharpen their political skills as it makes it easier to achieve better results. Keywords: Political Skills, Career Success, Job Status, Career Satisfaction CITATION: Okoh, E., Nwaeke, L., & Okpara, E. N. (2019). Political skills and career success of deposit money banks in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (4), 1538 – 1548.

Characterisation of Saw Dust Ash – Quarry Dust Bituminous Concrete

Abstract: This study evaluates usefulness of Quarry Dust and Saw Dust Ashas mineral fillers in a bituminous concrete in order to reduce cost and encourage reuse of waste materials in the environment. Bituminous concrete blends were generated with 4% Quarry Dust and 4% Saw Dust Ash replacements of aggregates. The binder contents were 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 5% for a 60/70 penetration grade bituminous binder. Briquette specimens were formed using the five different bituminous concrete blends. Standard laboratory experiments were conducted on the aggregates, Quarry Dust, Saw Dust Ash, bituminous binder and bituminous concrete specimens based on the relevant codes and standards. The Marshall method was used for the bituminous concrete design procedure. The optimum binder content was found to be 4.88% using the standard Marshall curves. At optimum binder content, using 4% design air void for medium traffic and maximum aggregate of 10mm, the Stability, Flow, VMA and VFA were 8.15kN, 8.28(0.25mm), 15.22% and 74.2% respectively. These were found to have passed the Asphalt Institute design criteria.

Building a Decision Support System for Crude Oil Price Prediction using Bayesian Networks

Abstract: Decision Support Systems are computer based systems that are aimed at assisting decision-makers in taking productive, agile, innovative and reputable decisions. This work presents a Decision Support System using Bayesian Network to predict crude oil price .Bayesian Network technology and its application in predicting crude oil price is presented. Price data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria was classed into High and Low cases to denote the upward and downward price movement in which information was revealed. The input data were used in this model to train the network and to validate its generalization ability in other to deliver the best prediction forecast. A linguistic prediction model which utilized the Bayesian Network whose aim was to integrate linguistic information into a quantitative prediction model was established. The results obtained from the linguistic model demonstrate that linguistic information adds value to oil price prediction.