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.

Exploitation Patterns of Anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) by Marine Artisanal Fisheries in Togo (West Africa)

Abstract: Pelagic fish, including sardines and anchovies (Order Clupeiformes), are the most common species taken by artisanal marine fisheries along the Togolese coast. We investigated fisher involvement as well as fish captures over a period of 10 years, particularly of the European anchovy ( Engraulis encrasicolus ). Our results indicate that 60% of fishers operated from the Lome fishing harbour, most fishers being Ghanaians working seasonally in Togo. 63.7% of all the fishers used canoes with outboards, a higher percentage compared to the previous decades. Seven fishing gear type were identified, with bottom gillnet and surface gillnet being the most commonly used. However, in the most important fishing camp in the country in terms of fish production (Lome fishing harbour), all fishers used shark nets. Overall, fisheries catches did not change significantly across years, but anchovy fishing effort and catch per unit of effort (CPUE) declined over the study period, suggesting some depletion of the species stocks on the Togolese coast and a demotivation of fishers.

Aspects of Polychaete Habitat Preferences in the Intertidal and Subtidal Zones of Bonny River, Nigeria

Abstract: Shoreline Intertidal and Midchannel–subtidal polychaete assemblages of the Bonny River in Nigeria were studied during the months of July, August, September and October 2013 to represent the wet season and December 2013, January 2014, February to March 2014 to represent the dry season. The study showed evidence of Polychaete differences in the species associations that occurred in the intertidal and subtidal habitats along stations on the Bonny River. The cluster analysis from a presence-absence model revealed two groups of Specialists and one group of Generalists. Within the Generalist category, the abundance model revealed three (3) sub-Generalist associations that indicated habitat preferences within stations. The study determined the presence of a generalistspecialist continuum between habitats from Bonny to Iwofe along the Bonny River. Based on the incidence model (presence-absence), the generalist-specialist associations coexisted in a non-linear pattern of habitat-preference between stations. Habitat preference among the Polychaete species was highest for Generalists only at Bonny station (58%). They coexisted with Specialists at Opudakiri (18%), Okrika (15%), Isaka (3%) and Iwofe (6%). For the Specialists, habitat preference between the intertidal and subtidal was interspersed between stations without a discernible pattern at Bonny (33%:13%), Opudakiri (38%:41%), Okrika (13%:21%), Isaka (16%:10%) and Iwofe (9%:0%). Altogether, fine differences in habitat preference were shown for the twenty-eight (28) Original Research Article Onwuteaka; CJAST, 26(3): 1-13, 2018; Article no.CJAST.39419 2 Generalists. Only two species of Generalists, namely Glycera tridactyla, and Notomastus aberans, had the highest distribution on the basis of their occurrence at five (5) of the intertidal and subtidal stations at Bonny, Opudakiri, Okrika, Isaka and Iwofe. Similar fine-tuned differences were inferred from preferences shown by the Specialists at the intertidal locations between stations. Three species, namely Neanthes sp., Nephthys assimilis and Sigambra tentaculata emerged as those with the highest overall distribution among the intertidal specialists having occurred in five stations from Bonny to Iwofe stations. In contrast, there was no wide overall habitat preference shown by any of the Polychaete species among the midchannel subtidal specialists. Only one species, Sabillides sp., had narrow occupancy in two stations at the mouth of Bonny River, namely Bonny and Opudakiri. As a result, the lines of evidence show that three ecologically relevant findings are plausible. Firstly the wide distribution of few specialists and generalist show they are neither transitional nor opportunistic. Secondly they indicate ecological fitness in inhabiting either the intertidal or subtidal irrespective of episodic changes to the sediment. Thirdly it is plausible that as in some Polychaete and Fish associations they provide biotic cues that may affect behavioral attributes of recruitment for transitional and opportunistic species. Future research priorities by ecologists can use the observed indicator associations and their resource requirements, to interpret changes in habitat preference as Polychaetes respond to man-made and natural environmental changes.

Influence of strain and production cycle on egg quality traits of two Nigerian indigenous chicken strains

Abstract: Records obtained from purebred normal feather and naked neck Nigerian indigenous chicken strains were used to assess the influence of strain and production cycle on external and internal egg quality traits. The assessment commenced from first lay to 120 days of lay, classified into four production cycles (PC): PC1 (1-30 days of lays), PC2 (31-60 days of lays), PC3 (61-90 days of lays), and PC4 (91-120 days of lays). Mean egg weight, length and breadth were 4.34% heavier, 2.10% longer and 1.72% wider in the normal feather than in the naked neck (p<0.05). No disparity due to strain effect was found in egg shape index. Eggshells from the two strains had similar weight but varied in thickness with shells from the naked neck being 0.02mm thicker than those from the normal feather (p<0.05). Eggs from the normal feather were 7.13, 5.76, 5.00, 7.10 and 8.11% superior in albumen weight, yolk height, albumen height, yolk index, and albumen index, respectively compared to its naked neck counterpart (p<0.05). Production cycle significantly influenced all external egg quality studied. An increase of 16.21% in egg weight was obtained by PC4. Egg length and breadth increased consistently with each subsequent PC (p<0.05) whereas egg shape index decreased with PC (p<0.05). Higher values were recorded for yolk weight, yolk and albumen length and width in each subsequent production cycle. Haugh unit, yolk and albumen height had best values at PC2. Our findings indicate that strain type and production cycle highly influenced egg quality traits of Nigerian indigenous chickens with the normal feather showing superiority. Furthermore, the best internal quality was obtained at PC2 (31-60 days of lay). Our findings could be useful in choosing selection criterion traits in breeding plans for the development of different layer lines of normal feather and naked neck.

Mentoring and organizational effectiveness of government agencies in rivers state

Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between mentoring and organizational effectiveness. The study was premised within the context of 7 government agencies in Rivers State, from which data was generated using structured questionnaire from 46 participants. The relationship between mentoring and organizational effectiveness was tested using the Spearman’s rank order correlation at a 95% confidence interval; thus a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that at P < 0.05 for all hypotheses, all null hypotheses were rejected as the results showed that mentoring significantly correlates with organizational effectiveness measures – adaptability, goal attainment and service delivery. As such, it was concluded that the practice of mentoring within the examined agencies significantly enhances and contributes towards organizational effectiveness, thus enhancing outcomes of adaptability, goal attainment and service delivery. The study recommended that mentoring and the correspondence between supervisors and workers should be supported through the adoption of a strong framework which supports and encourages such relationships. This would provide a sense of recognition and importance to the workers and as such stimulate their desire to be more effective and useful to the organization. Keywords: Mentoring, Goal Attainment, Service Delivery, Adaptability CITATION: Akpebe, E. R., & Baridam, L. (2020). Mentoring and organizational effectiveness of government agencies in Rivers State. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7(1), 594 – 600.

Update on COVID-19 Infection and Ivermectin Treatment

Abstract: Coronaviruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause disease in mammals and birds. COVID-19 infection is caused by a single stranded RNA virus called SARS-CoV-2 that is similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The aim of this review is to identify how COVID-19 infects man, the preventive approach and treatment possibility with ivermectin drug. The possible main source of transmission is thought to be a close contact with infected person or animal and respiratory droplets while the mucous membrane; conjunctiva, mouth, nasal cavity, and throat are the main routes of transmission. The virus enters the human through the ACE2 receptor which are found in the mucous membrane. This is an important step for coronavirus infection establishment. To stay safe from coronavirus, physical distancing, wearing of face mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning/washing your hands, the use Review Article Eedee and Roseline; IJPR, 7(1): 9-16, 2021; Article no.IJPR.66084 10 of hand sanitizers and coughing into a bent elbow are precautionary measures to avoid contracting the infection. Ivemectin blocks the initiation of the binding of the viral protein to the cytoplasmic receptor (imp α/β). The inhibitory role of ivemectin prevents further increase in the viral load. Ivermectin drug could be a remarkable medical breakthrough for the lasting treatment of the infection; however, more clinical trials are suggested in this area.