Rivers State University

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD), the difference in body size between males and females, is shaped by sexual and natural selection and often varies across populations due to environmental factors. We investigated SSD in the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) across three adjacent oak-forested landscapes in northern Latium, Italy. The three forest sites differ in their size, tree maturity, and landscape composition: Macchia Grande di Manziana (MANZ) is a mature, well-preserved forest with large oak-dominated trees; Montevirginio (MONT) is a mosaic of younger coppice forests and oak tree hedgerows due to periodic cutting; and Oriolo Romano (ORIO) consists of small hedgerows along rural paths, with a landscape similar to MONT but with less forested coverage. We assessed elytra and mandible length differences between sexes, interannual variability , and determined whether these variables correlated with tree size. Males consistently had longer elytra than females, with the degree of SSD varying significantly among the sites and years. The largest SSD was observed in MANZ while more moderate SSD occurred in MONT and ORIO. Male mandible length, a key sexually selected trait, was significantly larger in MANZ, with a strong positive correlation with tree size. Male elytra was also related to tree size. These findings highlight the influence of habitat quality, particularly tree size, in shaping SSD and sexually selected traits. Larger trees likely provide better larval habitats, fostering better growth. This study underscores the critical importance of conserving mature forests with larger trees to maintain stag beetle populations and preserve their natural morphological diversity. Future research should investigate additional ecological and genetic factors affecting SSD variation.

This chapter discusses automation in healthcare delivery services, including the use of artificial intelligence-driven healthcare solutions. Artificial intelligence and other underlying technological tools have evolved to provide more effective and efficient digital solutions in healthcare, such as virtual health assistants, which simulate human conversations and provide personalized responses based on user input. Similarly, we discussed AI-powered Virtual Health Assistants and how they are intended to assist healthcare professionals and patients in performing tasks such as accessing electronic health records, monitoring health conditions, delivering cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety and depression, and so on. The fundamentals of virtual health assistants, their capabilities, the shift from virtual consultation to AI-enabled virtual health assistants, and the benefits and drawbacks of providing healthcare services were also examined.

The need for high-order accurate and efficient numerical methods cannot be overemphasized. This article proposes such a method for initial value problems of ordinary differential equations by suggesting a fourth-order accurate algorithm with detailed theoretical analysis and numerical verification. First, the differential problem is converted to an integral equation. Then, numerical quadrature rule is used to transform the result to a fully discrete problem. The implicitness of the discrete problem necessitates the formulation of an explicit predictor which results to a four-step predictor-corrector method. Truncation error analysis is used to prove consistency; stability is also established with respect to perturbation in the initial data. Then, a new discrete Gronwall inequality is proposed, and used, to present a rigorous convergence analysis, establishing the fourth-order accuracy of the method. Seven numerical experiments are conducted and used to demonstrate that the method (i) is fourth-order accurate as theoretically proved, (ii) is very much more computationally efficient than the Runge-Kutta method, and (iii) is more competitive, in terms of accuracy, than the Hamming method. Therefore, the method achieves the desired objective of being very high-order accurate and efficient at the same time.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly affected global health, emphasizing the need to assess specific populations such as university students to better understand the prevalence of the infection and its determinants. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of COVID-19 among biomedical science students at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 students from March to August 2022. Data collection was performed using interviewer-administered questionnaires while COVID-19 infection was screened using the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, with statistical significance set at P ≤ .05. Results: The prevalence of COVID-19 was 11.4% (95% CI: 7.8–16.2). Significant associations were observed between COVID-19 prevalence and facemask use, handwashing practices, use of sanitizers, and nature of accommodation. However, in the multivariable analysis, only noncompliance with facemask use was identified as a significant independent predictor of COVID-19 infection (aOR = 4.350, 95% CI: 1.379–14.13, P = .0124). Conclusion: The study highlights a concerning prevalence of COVID-19 among biomedical science students. Tailored public health strategies are essential, emphasizing compliance with preventive measures as a means to mitigate COVID-19 transmission within this crucial demographic.

The application of agrochemicals such as organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) has several benefits in agriculture but also poses great risks to the environment and human well-being. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the concentrations, distribution pattern, relationships, potential risks and sources of OPPs in agricultural soils and vegetables from Delta Central District (DCD) of Nigeria to provide useful information for pollution history, establishment of pollution control measures and risk management. Fourteen OPPs were determined in the soil and vegetables using a gas chromatograph-mass selective detector (GC-MSD). The ∑14 OPPs concentrations varied from 5.29 to 419 ng g⁻¹ for soil and 0.69 to 130 ng g⁻¹ for vegetables. On average, pirimiphos methyl (23.8 ng g⁻¹) and diazinone (4.74 ng g⁻¹) were the dominant OPPs in soils and vegetables respectively. The cumulative ecological risk assessed using the toxicity-exposure-ratio (TER) and risk quotient (RQ) approaches revealed that there was a high risk of OPPs to soil organisms. The increasing order of OPPs toxicity to the soil organisms was chlorpyriphos < fenitrothion < diazinone < pirimiphos methyl while the cumulative human health risk suggested there was adverse non-carcinogenic risk for children but not for adults exposed to OPPs in these agricultural soils and vegetables.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba castellanii is an important opportunistic human protozoal pathogen that can cause both skin, ocular and brain infections. Recent studies have established that brews and solvent extract (SE) of green tea (Camellia sinensis) can inhibit the growth and encystation of A. castellanii. Here we characterized those growth and encystation inhibitions. Methods: Herein, we characterize of the morphological and chemical changes that occur in the trophozoites and the encysting stage of A. castellanii after exposure to C. sinensis SE and brew using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and fluorescence-based assays. Results: TEM showed ultrastructural changes in both A. castellanii stages. FTIR microspectroscopy revealed modifications of amide I and II band peaks in the C. sinensis-treated trophozoites, suggesting an inhibition of protein synthesis. Assessment of the nucleus integrity of trophozoites exposed to SE and brew revealed disruption of the nuclear membrane integrity, nuclear fragmentation, and chromatin degradation, and reduction in the quantity of DNA and RNA, indicating trophozoite death. These results are consistent with C. sinensis acting as a membrane-active anti-acanthamoebic, exhibiting amoebicidal activity against growing and encysting A. castellanii. This work underlines the importance of characterizing the effect of C. sinensis constituents, individually or in combinations, to clarify which ones are the primary components responsible for its action and the observed alterations in the structure and function of A. castellanii. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that exposure to C. sinensis SE or brew alters the synthesis of protein, DNA, RNA and disrupts the cell wall integrity.

Africa's unparalleled biodiversity and cultural heritage are closely tied to Indigenous Peoples (IP) and their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) systems, which offers vital insights into conservation and sustainability. This editorial highlights the active role of African IP in biodiversity conservation and food system resilience, emphasising the urgent need to forge equitable partnerships across knowledge systems rather than subordinating TEK to scientific knowledge (SK). TEK, embedded in centuries of observation and cultural practices, informs ecological processes and sustainable resource use. However, climate change, land dispossession and cultural erosion, among other drivers, threaten these knowledge systems and the communities that uphold them. A collaborative approach that respects Indigenous sovereignty can foster interdisciplinary conservation efforts. This aligns with ongoing efforts at the international scene, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which explicitly recognises the rights of IP, as well as those of other local communities in multiple conservation targets, including land rights, traditional knowledge and access to justice. The challenge remains: How can these international commitments translate into equitable, rights-based conservation on the ground? It is crucial to ensure that conservation policy and practice are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and uphold moral responsibility. Equally important is fostering shared interests between conservationists and IP by engaging in open dialogue about conflicts of interest and building trust with Indigenous communities. By integrating these principles, conservation and ecological sciences can move beyond theoretical commitments to genuine, participatory conservation efforts that respect and sustain IP's stewardship of nature.

Emergency response operations in the maritime sector rely on reliable and proactive systems. This applies to lifeboats for personnel evacuation during accidents. The successful launch of a lifeboat is critical to an effective emergency response at sea. Ensuring that all crew and passengers can safely leave the ship during emergencies is essential. The study focuses on the application of an integrated probabilistic tool for launching failure prediction of an Enclosed Davit-launched lifeboat. The Fault tree is used to build a structural relationship among failure causal factors. The fault tree is mapped to the Bayesian networks (BN) for the overall failure probability prediction. The BN is a machine learning tool that provides a robust method of reasoning, capturing dependencies among failure triggers under uncertainty. The research examined the operational mechanisms and identified potential failure causative factors during response operations. The study found harsh operating conditions, corrosion on the fall wire, a defective engine starter motor, and insufficient lubrication as the most critical factors affecting the enclosed Davit Launch Lifeboat's failure. The study offers a dynamic fault-based structure for managing lifeboat systems to prevent failure during emergencies. The proposed approach offers valuable insights into ensuring system reliability during emergency response operations in the maritime sector.

Offshore pipelines are exposed to a series of challenges due to the harsh nature of their operating environments. These challenges include but are not limited to fatigue, metrological conditions (action of environmental forces), slugging, corrosion, etc. This study considers corrosion affecting the inner section of offshore pipelines. Internal corrosion is the gradual reduction of pipe wall thickness due to the chemical reaction between the component of the fluid flowing through the pipe and the microstructure of the pipe. The study employed a computational-based empirical approach to predict system reliability. The approach was tested with an API XL X52 pipeline. A parametric study investigated the effects of CO2 and water content on pipeline reliability. Increasing the %mole composition of CO2 from 1 to 2.5 and 3.5% resulted in an increase in reliability from 33.39 to 38.73%, 13.95 to 16.43%, and 10.2 to 12.12%, respectively. Similarly, higher water content improved the reliability from 13.43 to 15.77% at 5% mole, 13.95 to 16.43% at 10% mole, and 14.48 to 17.08% at 15% mole. The study offers a safety-based integrity management tool for steel pipelines under corrosion defects.

This chapter studies the transformative integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Virtual Safety Engineering (VSE), a progression that markedly enhances hazard identification and risk control across various industries. By employing advanced technologies such as digital twins, machine learning, and real-time data analytics, VSE significantly surpasses traditional safety methodologies by providing more accurate, efficient, and dynamic risk management solutions. The chapter explores diverse applications, demonstrating how industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, nuclear energy, construction, and healthcare leverage AI-enhanced tools for safety management. This chapter highlights the capabilities of AI in optimizing safety protocols and discusses the integration of sophisticated simulation tools and software platforms that facilitate proactive safety measures. Through comprehensive examples, it illustrates the practical applications and effectiveness of AI-driven VSE in real-world scenarios, thereby underscoring its pivotal role in future safety management practices.

Manufacturing sites inherently involve significant risks due to complex machinery and high-risk operations. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive risk assessments to prevent accidents, protect workers, and ensure compliance with AS/NZS 4024.1–2019 standards and Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations. It identifies and evaluates critical hazards, including nip, shear, and crush risks, and provides targeted mitigation strategies to address these specific risks. Key measures include rectifying guarding deficiencies through reinstating bypassed guards, extending guards to cover hazardous zones, and integrating interlocking mechanisms. The study also evaluates the adequacy of these solutions, demonstrating their effectiveness in mitigating risks. Additionally, the role of engineering controls in physically restricting access to hazardous areas and the contribution of administrative controls to fostering compliance and awareness are emphasized. These recommendations bridge critical gaps, reflecting the ingenuity of the proposed solutions, significantly reducing machine-related risks, and enhancing workplace safety and operational compliance.

Aims Our study aimed to derive and validate a diet risk score for clinical use in Nigeria to screen for hypertension risk and evaluate its association against a panel of cardiovascular biomarkers. Methods The Nigerian dietary screening tool was used to collect dietary intake data from 151 participants visiting the River State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for routine medical care. Blood samples were collected from a subsample (n = 94) for biomarker assessment. Multiple logistic regression was used to derive the Nigerian diet risk score for hypertension. Internal validation of the Nigerian diet risk score for hypertension was performed using measures of discrimination and calibration. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate the biomarker‐mediated effects of the diet risk score for hypertension on hypertension. All statistical analyses were performed in R. Results Each one‐point increment in Nigerian diet risk score (on a scale of 0 to 30) was associated with a twofold increase in odds of hypertension (odds ratio: 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 3.58, p = 0.01), with the highest score associated with >18‐fold increased odds of hypertension, compared to lowest Nigerian diet risk score for hypertension. The score demonstrated good discrimination (area under the curve: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.00) with a high sensitivity (0.85) and specificity (0.94). Additionally, mediation analysis suggested that the association between Nigerian diet risk score for hypertension and blood pressure is partly explained by shared biological pathways that mediate cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL‐C, CRP and homocysteine levels. Conclusion The resulting Nigerian diet risk score for hypertension is a valuable tool for clinicians to identify individuals at risk of hypertension, and will advance community efforts in the prevention and management of hypertension in Nigeria.

Chitosan/clay materials derived from periwinkle shells and clay soil at a 50:50 ratio were prepared as adsorbents, characterized, and used for the adsorption of CO2 from flue gas at elevated temperatures (500°C - 5000°C) in a fixed bed column (1.5 m in length and 0.02 m in internal diameter). The flue gas, with a composition of Methane (0.003), Ethane (0.002), Hydrogen (0.05), CO2 (0.15), Water Vapor (0.02), and Nitrogen (0.76), at a pressure of 49 KPa, a temperature of 5000°C, and a flow rate of 75 L/min from the exhaust tank, entered the fixed bed column for the adsorption process, where the adsorbent had already been placed. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of halogen, alcohol, nitro, and amine compounds in the nanoparticles, indicating a strong affinity for CO2 particles in the flue gas. Additional analysis showed the presence of elements (Ca, Si, Al, and Sr) in significant compositions (0.470, 0.202, 0.186, and 0.092, respectively), suggesting that the adsorbent was resistant to high temperatures. X-ray diffraction analysis of the adsorbent identified Ca(OH)₂, CaCO₃, and TiO₂ with compositions of 0.78, 0.19, and 0.026, respectively, further confirming the strong affinity of the adsorbent for CO2. Surface morphology analysis revealed that the adsorbent’s surface was rough and contained a variety of pores or holes with different capacities, indicating that more CO2 was captured and accommodated within the surface. Thermal analysis using the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda method showed that the adsorbent could withstand high temperatures of up to 9000°C. At this temperature, the adsorbent accounted for only about 18% of the material that entered the fixed bed column for adsorption, but 100% of it could remain active within the temperature range of 0°C - 3000°C. The characterization of the adsorbent showed that a pore width of 5.283 nm, a pore diameter of 2.64 nm, a micropore surface area of 434.7 m²/g, a pore volume of 0.202 cc/g, and a porosity of 56.73% were the optimal values for the adsorbent. Finally, it was revealed that 95% of CO2 was adsorbed at optimal conditions within the temperature range of 500°C - 3500°C, time range of 0.5 - 5 hours, and bed height range of 1 - 6 cm.

Recent advancements in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have significantly advanced the goal of achieving a hepatitis C-free world. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized treatment, offering over 95% cure rates, shorter treatment durations, and fewer side effects. Pan-genotypic regimens, such as sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, have further simplified treatment by being effective across all HCV genotypes. Despite these advancements, substantial challenges persist globally. An estimated 50 million people are living with chronic HCV worldwide, yet many remain undiagnosed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where there is limited healthcare infrastructure. High treatment costs further restrict access to these life-saving therapies. Reinfection rates remain high among certain populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWIDs), and stigma continues to deter individuals from seeking testing and treatment. To advance HCV elimination, future efforts must prioritize universal screening, affordable treatment, improved diagnostic technologies, and intensified research into vaccine development. Strengthened global and local collaboration is essential to overcome these challenges and reduce the global HCV burden.

Whilst wetlands are vital ecosystems supporting natural cycles and biodiversity, intensive agricultural practices and land use have led to widespread degradation, particularly in tropical Africa. In Uganda’s ‘cattle corridor’, an agro-pastoral landscape stretching across 84 000 km ² , natural wetlands have been largely destroyed, and their degradation exacerbated by climate change. The Rufuuha wetland, located in southwestern Uganda, provides a study model to examine biodiversity across different habitat sectors: (i) intact, (ii) degraded, and (iii) restored areas. We studied the amphibian and reptile communities in Rufuuha wetland, which had been heavily degraded due to local community activities, such as agriculture and cattle grazing, before restoration efforts began in 2015. We found significant differences in species richness and diversity between the three areas. While species richness was similar across the areas, diversity and evenness were highest in the intact sector, followed by the restored and degraded areas. There was no support for the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, whereas evenness clearly detected changes in the community structure of herpetofauna along the habitat gradient that species richness did not. Amphibians were well-represented in the survey, showing clear patterns related to habitat quality, while reptile sampling was less comprehensive. Our study demonstrates that restoration efforts can positively impact biodiversity in Afrotropical wetlands. However, it is not yet clear whether the same biodiversity levels as in the intact areas can be reached also in the restored areas. Further studies, particularly on reptiles, are needed to better understand the full ecological impacts of habitat restoration in this region.

Cholera remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with recurrent outbreaks exacerbated by inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, as well as conflict and displacement. This review examines cholera outbreaks in Nigeria from 2010 to 2024, analyzing epidemiological trends, contributing factors, and public health responses. Seasonal peaks during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding have consistently facilitated Vibrio cholerae transmission, with Northern regions disproportionately affected due to poor infrastructure and ongoing conflicts. Displacement into overcrowded camps has heightened vulnerability, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as Borno and Adamawa. The outbreaks have exhibited multiple epidemic waves within single periods, reflecting persistent transmission dynamics. Recent outbreaks have seen higher incidence rates among children under the age of five and vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Public health responses have focused on improving surveillance, case management, and WASH infrastructure, with coordinated efforts from national and international agencies. Vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk areas, have proven effective in controlling outbreaks. However, challenges remain, including inadequate healthcare capacity, vaccine stockouts, and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Vibrio cholerae strains (serogroup O1) resistant to antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, ampicillin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, complicating treatment efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained Nigeria's healthcare system, underscoring the need for an integrated health system to be strengthened to manage concurrent public health crises. This review emphasizes the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to cholera prevention and control, addressing underlying social determinants and ensuring sustained investments in public health infrastructure to mitigate future outbreaks.

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is valued in tropical and subtropical regions for its nutraceutical and medicinal properties. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of unripe papaya fruit against microbial isolates. Extracts were obtained via maceration, and their antimicrobial activities were assessed using agar dilution and agar well diffusion techniques. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to identify bioactive compounds in the extracts. The extracts were tested against Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Both extracts demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, with the aqueous extract showing the highest efficacy. However, S. aureus was resistant to the ethanol extract, while S. typhi was resistant to the aqueous extract. The optimal concentration for inhibition was 200 mg/mL for both extracts. The aqueous extract exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 12.5 mg/mL against S. aureus, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans. The ethanol extract had MICs of 50 mg/mL for B. subtilis, 25 mg/mL for S. typhi, and 12.5 mg/mL for K. pneumoniae and C. albicans. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and dihydroxyphenylglycol, contributing to the extracts' antimicrobial properties. These findings support the traditional use of C. papaya as a natural antimicrobial agent and highlight its potential as a complementary treatment for antimicrobial-resistant infections. Further studies on its pharmacodynamics are recommended.

Background: HIV/AIDS remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric age group including the neonatal age. Materials and Methods: A prospective study carried out from January 5th 2021 to 4th December, 2023 in the neonatal unit of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Results: Of 1412 neonates admitted, 48 were HIV exposed with prevalence rate of 3.4%, M:F ratio of 1:1.2 and mean birth weight of 2.82 ± 0.93kg. Most mothers were >30years, 31(64.6%) with secondary level of education 28(58.3%). Majority commenced antenatal care in the 1st trimester 26(54.7%) and delivered via emergency Caesarean section 24(50.0%). Most maternal HIV status was known before index pregnancy 28(58.2%) and commenced HAART 29(67.4%). Most baby’s feeding option was exclusive breast feeding (75.0%) while mixed feeding was 6.3%. Nevirapine was given to 31(64.6%) infants and nevirapine/zidovudine to 17(35.4%). The commonest morbidities were probable neonatal sepsis 27(58.7%), hypoglycaemia 13(28.3%), neonatal jaundice 9(19.6%) and perinatal asphyxia 9(19.6%). There was mortality rate of 4.2% with HIV seropositivity rate at 6-8 weeks being 10.9%. Mothers’ level of education and occupation were significantly associated with HIV seropositivity rate (P=0.041, 0.049) whereas the pattern of morbidity had no significant association with the infants seropositivity rate. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV exposed infants admitted was 3.4% with M:F ratio of 1:1.2. The commonest morbidities were probable neonatal sepsis, hypoglycaemia, neonatal jaundice and perinatal asphyxia. There was a mortality rate of 4.2% with high infants seropositivity rate of 10.9%. This therefore calls for an intensification of the PMTCT program. Keywords: HIV exposed infants; Prevalence; Morbidity; Outcome