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The formation of informal settlements is increasing rapidly, especially in some developing economies such as the Port Harcourt Municipality in Nigeria. These settlements are vulnerable to several urban challenges from natural and anthropogenic disasters, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The landscape of Port Harcourt Municipality is inundated with the proliferation of informal urban settlements especially around its southern fringes, which has engendered these settlements to become vulnerable to the vagaries of any occurring disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study attempts to unfold residents' lived experiences in these informal settlements to get the narratives of their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of forty-one (41) informal settlements were identified, out of which three (3) of those settlements (Okrika, Nembe and Ibadan) were selected purposively due to ease of accessibility, safety and spread around the municipality. The study adopted the qualitative approach by applying semi-structured interviews with key informants in these selected informal settlements. A total of nine (9) key informants were selected, with three (3) comprising the head of the community development committee (CDC), Youth and Women representatives from each settlement were interviewed. In addition, photographs of these selected informal settlements were taken to depict the characteristics of those settlements. Content analysis was used to analyse the outcome of the interviews. Some key findings include poor orientation of residents regarding disease spread, no effective urban renewal scheme to improve residents' quality of life, no proper planning of those settlements and residents were not included in the planning of those settlements. This study recommends proper enlightenment of residents regarding the management of disease spread. The provision of sustainable measures that will build resilience and adaptive capacities for the dwellers and continuous urban renewal schemes to ensure the provision of basic social infrastructure that would improve the residents' quality of life. However, the study concludes that the identification and characterisation of informal settlements will provide a better understanding and knowledge of the settlements as a resource to improve the social and economic conditions of the dwellers, distribution of infrastructural facilities and services, and wealth, thereby enhancing the quality of life and wellbeing of the residents and the general urban affairs as this will equally present opportunities for proper urban planning and management.

In recent times the consequences of flooding on farmlands have been majorly attributed to climate change which has contributed to the distortions in the social and economic activities in Rivers State, Nigeria. This study aims to identify adaptive mitigative measures to manage the social and economic impact of farmlands flooding in selected communities in Etche Local Government Area in Rivers State. The objectives include the identification of the significant causes of farmland flooding in the study area, determining the social and economic impacts of farmland flooding in the study area, and identify mitigation measures put in place to combat farmland flooding in the study area. The study adopted the Mixed Methods Research approach using a concurrent triangulation research design. The data sources include questionnaire administration (using a 5-scale Likert Scale), key informant in-depth interviews, personal observation, photographs, and published materials from institutions. A total of 146 questionnaires were administered across these selected communities, including Nihi, Isu and Umuechem. A purposive sampling technique was deployed, and a total of 96 questionnaires were retrieved and validated for analysis. Some of the leading causes of farmland flooding include the blockage of storm-water channels, overgrazing and bush burning, overpopulation due to increased development (structures), heavy rainfall and drainage failure. The study further revealed that the social and economic impacts on farmland, communities and inhabitants are depression, stress, anger, and social vices. Other effects include loss of farmland and produce, increase in goods and services, loss of livelihood system, loss of income and damage to properties. The anticipated mitigative measures by respondents are a collaboration of stakeholders (farmers, communities, and government agencies), warning signals, reconstruction of failed drainages, quick responses, and adequate relief materials. In addition, the study recommended proper education and enlightenment of the vulnerable population on how to avoid the negative consequences of flood disasters. vulnerable people should prepare for any eventuality, real-time data on flood vulnerability mapping of the study area to enable the government, government agencies like the (NIMET) and the vulnerable population to know the extent of flooding and duration of every flooding episode. Furthermore, effective Spatial planning of those vulnerable communities to reduce the negative consequences of flood disaster and afforestation should be encouraged to mitigate adverse impacts of the flood.

The apparent disconnect of different modes of transport in the Port Harcourt metropolis is causing difficulty in urban mobility among commuters. The study has assessed the integration of road and water transport systems to build a sustainable urban environment in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to identify the road and water infrastructure transport systems in Port Harcourt metropolis and their state of functionality, identify and examine the disconnect existing in the street and water transportation in the study area, identify the challenges facing the integration of road and water transportation in the study, and provide physical planning strategy to achieving the integration of road and water transport systems in the study area. The study adopted a Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach using a concurrent triangulation research design to obtain the relevant data and information that addressed the study aim and objectives of the study. In addition, the study employed purposive and simple random sampling techniques, including the key informant method. A total of four hundred (400) commuters, fifty (50) each, were interviewed from six (6) major road corridors and two (2) jetties in Port Harcourt City (Aggrey, Trans-Amadi and Olu-Obasanjo Roads) and Obio/Akpor (Akpajo-Elelenwo-Oil Mill, NTA and Agip Roads) and two (2) jetties: Port Harcourt City (Bille/Bonny/Nembe Jetty) and Obio/Akpor (Feltaco Jetty). Some Key informants from the transport sector like the Rivers State Ministry of Transport (RSMT) staff Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning (RSMUDPP). Others are staff of the Rivers State Transport Company (RTC), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Rivers State Marine Transport Company, waterways transport operators, and Town Planners were among those interviewed. The study found potential for integrating road and water transport systems in the study area, and some of the infrastructures are obsolete and lack maintenance, thereby impeding interconnectivity and interlinkage between both systems. The study also revealed that government unwillingness to harness and develop the potential poor urban planning and management, and poor urban governance contribute to the disconnect of the road and water transport systems observed, affecting the quality of life and well-being of residents and poor urban sustainability. Thus, to improve the potentials and challenges identified, the study suggested that the government should develop an integrated transportation policy framework to enhance the integration of road and water transport systems. The government should upgrade and rehabilitate roads and water transportation infrastructure to improve intermodal connectivity and linkages for efficiency and effectiveness in the study area. The Public-Private Partnership approach should be developed and adopted in the planning and management of the transport sector in the study area; develop all waterways within the study area through canalisation and channelisation, and the government should adopt sound governance principles to involve all stakeholders of the transport sector.

Participatory planning is a holistic paradigm entrenched in most advanced democracies to manage community planning where communities are critical stakeholders, co-owners and net beneficiaries of the planning scheme. However, the narrative is different in Rivers State and, by extension Nigeria due to the existing social disconnect and trust deficit between the proponents and beneficiaries of the planning scheme. Most times, the proponents are the government, MDAs, oil and gas multinationals, private investors, and the beneficiaries (host communities). This paper reviews the extant Urban and Regional Planning Laws- Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law NURPL Decree 88 of 1992 now CAP N138 LFN 2004 and the Rivers State Physical Planning and Development Law No. 6 of 2003 are operational in Nigeria and Rivers State. However, findings from the review indicate no section or provision in these planning laws and regulations where participatory planning is considered part of the laws. Thus, making participatory planning very difficult to achieve in Rivers State and Nigeria. Therefore, the review recommends that all extant Planning laws be amended with Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation added as sections of these planning laws. The review further generated a new framework to achieve effective participatory planning such that when included in the extant laws. This framework, if adopted, would enhance holistic, participatory planning in most communities because the community members are co-owners and critical stakeholders in the entire planning project.

Wetlands globally contribute to valuable ecosystem services to both natural species habitat and human tourist attractions in any location including those found in Port Harcourt Municipality. Wetlands are also beneficial and significant serving as breeding regions for wildlife and safe spaces for sea creatures, support a diversity of species and provide some climate restraining components, characteristic of any natural habitat. This study highlights some resilient responses residents put up in the aftermath of wetland reclamation and conversion in neighbourhoods. The study aims to ascertain the environmental and physical challenges of wetland loss on the wetland dwellers and subsequently identify resilient paradigms adopted to cope with such associated stress. Forty-one wetland settlements were identified within the Port Harcourt municipality and three out of those settlements were chosen purposively. A total of 293 questionnaires were distributed and SPSS was used to analyse the data. ERDAS Imagine 2014 version was used to show spatial changes between the years 1986 to 2000, and 2000 to 2016. The study shows that from 1986 to 2000, Port Harcourt municipality lost a total of 1,255,500m2. This translates to a 5% loss with an average rate of 89,678.57m2 per annum. Between 2000 and 2016, the rate of loss was 108,956.25m2 per annum, and approximately 7.69% of wetlands totalling 1,743,300m2 were lost to urbanisation and other activities. The result indicates that some of the challenges of wetland loss include flooding, poor refuse disposal system, and unplanned settlements. Indigenous knowledge, social capital and symbolic power are some of the resilient responses displayed by the vulnerable population to build resilience capacities. The study recommends periodic mapping of all wetlands and an effective development control framework to monitor incursions into existing wetlands.

Climate change-related disasters have in recent years become a global phenomenon with catastrophic consequences. Africa has had most of the consequences of climate change related disasters, resulting in monumental urban and rural flooding, widespread casualties, displacements, loss of property and sources of livelihood. Given the long-term implications of climate change, it is critically important to understand how vulnerable communities respond to the menace occasioned by flooding. The impact of the flooding is felt more in low-lying communities situated along the coastal fringes leaving inherently vulnerable communities to the vagaries of flooding. However, despite of their vulnerability to flooding disasters, some people displayed resilience capacities more than others because of their apparent access to resources and power within and outside their localities. The study investigated the issue, through the application of the qualitative approach that drew the Bourdieusian theory of practice, deploying the analytical concepts of fields, habitus and species of capital to gather useful information from relevant focus groups to understand how various forms of power was employed to capture resources that enhanced resilience capacities in the seasonal flood prone Orashi region of Rivers State of Nigeria. Following the outcome of the analysis of the information gathered from the focus group and a review of relevant literature, it was revealed that most of the vulnerable population displayed some ingrained disposition and the deployment of indigenous knowledge and social capital for adaptation to survive flood disasters. It is therefore concluded that dynamics of power is a key factor in the resilience capacities of the population of the study.

Urban Heat Island (UHI) has become a global recurring phenomenon in most urban centres. Obio/Akpor Local Government Area has had a fair share of this phenomenon owing to its thriving trend in both planned and unplanned urbanisations. The study looks at the impact of UHI in selected communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government in five epochs of 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020. Parts of the objectives include identifying the UHI in these communities in the Local Government Area, modelling of UHI in selected communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and determining the trend in UHI using Epoch data of Urban Surface Temperature from LANDSAT thermal imageries Figure 1. The study adopted Thermal Infrared Remote (TIR) Sensing and Geospatial Information System (GIS) Techniques using LANDSAT TM, LANDSAT ETM and LANDSAT OLI sensors to acquire Urban Surface temperature data emitted by objects in the study area and store the information as a digital number (DN) thermal band (B6, B61 and B10) as well as secondary data acquired from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). Urban Surface Temperature was obtained through the following processes: Acquisition of Urban Surface Temperature value of the study area in form of DN, the conversion of DN to Spectral radiance using the Spectral radiance equation. The data were processed, analysed, and modelled using ESRI’s ArcGIS 10.1. The results revealed that in 2000, the Average Urban Temperature of the study area was 23.480°C, the value increase to 27.647°C in 2005 with a difference of 4.167°C. The temperature of 2005 increased to 31.598°C in 2010 with a difference in temperature of 3.951°C. Accordingly, the temperature of 2010 increased to 33.054°C in 2015 with a temperature difference of 1.456°C and temperature of 2015 increased to 33.070°C with a difference of 0.016°C. The analysis shows an increasing trend of 40% in the Urban Surface Temperature in the study area in the various years under investigation. The study recommends that development should be extended to other Local Government Areas in the state to reduce rural-urban migration to Obio/Akpor Local Government. Tree planting should be encouraged as a way of mitigating the effect of air pollution, heatwaves and harmful gases emitted into the environment by combust engines and gas flaring, the use of combustion engines be replaced by electric cars to reduce the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted ti environment. Policymakers to restrict unplanned urban growth and to increase tree planting in the built-up areas.

Revive capsule, also called Kedi Revive capsule is a polyherbal formulation manufactured by Kedi healthcare company limited in Hong Kong, China. The drug is widely used around the globe, especially in Africa and Asia for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or enhancement of libido in men. Each capsule contains 400 mg of the constituent herbs including 80 mg of herb Epimedii, 80mg of Radix ginseng, 40 mg of Cordyceps militaris, 80mg of Tribulus terrestris, 80mg of Radix polygoni multiflori, and 40 mg of Eucommia ulmoides, with its effects exerted four hours after administration via the oral route. The adult man dosage is two capsules (800 mg) to be taken once daily for at least 28 days (before significant improvements may be observed when used to treat erectile dysfunction). Phytochemical analysis of the drug reported the presence of flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, polyphenols, alkaloids and quinones. Due to its speculated use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction or enhancement of libido, it may be referred to as an herbal phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, that acts by selectively inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type-5, and thus enhancing increased arterial blood flow into the penis, which results in penile erection; however, the mechanism of action of this drug may be attributed to the contained phytochemicals. Additionally, due to its increased use, it is highly recommended that further studies be conducted on this drug to ascertain its effects on some biochemical components and vital organs of the body.

The study aimed to assess the dynamics of land use changes in the urban environment of Yenagoa City, Nigeria as to understand the changes, consequences and ameliorate the changes. Objectives of the study are to determine land use changes that are evident in the study between 1996 to 2020; identify and assess the causes and dynamics of the land use changes that are evident in the study area; ddetermine the consequences of land use changes in the urban environment of the study area; and provide physical planning measures to monitor, control and manage land use changes in Yenagoa City to promote the sustainable urban environment. The study employed a Mixed Methods Research approach of concurrent triangulation and longitudinal research designs for the collection and analyses of data in the study. The study also employed remote sensing technique, Geographic Information Systems, and time series analysis techniques to collect and analyse data for the study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed for the collection of data. A total of 9 communities were chosen and sampled and 396 respondents (households) were determined and interviewed as sample size using the Taro Yamane formula. Key informants from government agencies and professionals were interviewed using their responses as themes and concepts for content analysis. The study revealed that there are significant land-use changes such as water bodies, vegetation, and built-up areas between 1996-2020. The study also identified population increases and the demand for land for urban development. The study also identified the dynamics that have caused these changes including an increase in the household size, nearness to the workplace, improve security, cheap rent, increase in migrants, employment opportunities and lack of implementation of the development plan. The consequences identified by the study include constant changes in water bodies, vegetation and built-up areas, the prevalence of flooding, encroachment to marginal lands, slum and squatter development, constant pollution, and modification of the social environment. The study recommends that; to achieve a sustainable urban development including the Yenagoa Master Plan of 2004 should be reviewed and implemented guide, control and manage urban land-use changes, the establishment of an urban land-use framework that will foster synergy of all physical planning agencies and institutions, planning and re-planning of new neighbourhoods and existing communities, continuous urban studies of land-use and environment management and encourage citizen education and participation in environmental management in the city.

The housing stock in Port Harcourt municipality has over the years experienced incremental deterioration from neglect to change of use, paucity of funds and sometimes misappropriation of resources. The study assessed existing housing stock within Port Harcourt municipality with the objective to ascertain the physical condition of the housing stock in some planned and unplanned neighbourhoods in Orije layout-Orominike (D/Line), Port Harcourt Township and Diobu (Mile1 and Mile 2) and some waterfront settlements. Twenty-five (25) communities were identified from the entire study area. Some indicators such as habitable space, physical condition, availability of basic social infrastructure and services and environmental quality of the housing unit were measured. The sample was drawn purposively as 4 distinct neighbourhoods were studied. A multi-stage sampling technique was deployed, Taro Yamane formula was applied to determine the sample size of 156, as the number of questionnaires to be administered and stratified simple random sampling technique was employed to select respondents with household 5 persons per household of which 148 questionnaires were retrieved. Data from the field were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), aimed at comparing the nature of substandard housing found across the neighbourhoods studied. The result indicates that the housing stock in the indigenous enclaves within the Diobu neighbourhood has a high occupancy ratio and lacked basic public utilities and services in addition to houses being constructed with substandard materials. Residents often experience periodic flooding after rainfalls. The study recommends that to further improve the standard of housing conditions in line with the global UN standards, the provision of basic social infrastructural services alongside periodic and consistent urban renewal processes should be constantly carried out to reduce the housing deficit within the municipality.

Immunization status as an outcome measure of vaccination is very critical in the prevention and control of vaccinepreventable diseases. Irrespective of several improvements in child survival strategies for over 3 decades, ARI still ranks among diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and measles responsible for majority of deaths among infants and young children in Nigeria and other developing countries. Immunity is a mechanism and process of the body system for preventing diseases by way of innate and adaptive/acquired means. This review paper, aimed at taking a critical look at how pattern of uptake of vaccination among infants according to the National Immunization Schedules under the classification of partial, complete and non-immunization status influence risk of ARI among infants. In view of this, a review of the essential literature was conducted to establish relevant concepts and evidences. It has been revealed from survey that, only 21% children had received all age-appropriate vaccinations and that 19% of children in Nigeria have not received any vaccinations. In addition, among several other studies, it was equally revealed that the Risk of ARI was higher among infants with none immunization (none and some uptake of vaccines per age) status with statistical significance (OR=1.97≈ 2, (p

This study adopted a correlational investigation to examine the relationship between Cost Management and Supply Chain Performance of food and Beverages firms in Port Harcourt. The population for this study consists of seventeen (17) food and beverages firms in Port Harcourt. The researcher conducted a census study due to the small size of the population. However, a total of Eighty Five (85) top managerial staff of the firms constituted the respondents for the study. Furthermore, Eighty five (85) copies of the questionnaire were administered to the top managers of each of the 17 food and beverages companies while seventy (70) copies were retrieved and used for the study. The respondent’s demographics were analyzed by employing the measures of central tendencies and measures of dispersions. Correspondingly, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used in testing the study hypotheses in other to ascertain the relationship between the predictor variable (Cost Management) and the criterion variable (Supply Chain Performance).The result of the analysis revealed that Cost Management significantly influenced Supply Chain Performance of food and Beverages firms in Port Harcourt. Hence, the authors concluded that Cost Management significantly affect Supply Chain Performance and therefore recommended that the management of food and Beverages firms in Port Harcourt should adopt appropriate cost management strategies in other to increase their level of supply chain performance.

Recently, there has been a notably increased use of microwave energy for heating and processing foods particularly in catering services and in our homes owing to its speed, convenience and efficiency compared to the traditional heating method. Due to the availability and affordability of plastic containers, they are mostly used to contain foods for preheating in a microwave. However, these plastics pose great risk on humans’ health if they get scratched or heated, and leach out chemicals into the contained foods. Also, the microwave energy has been speculated to have posed risks to the health of humans considering the electromagnetic radiations it emits. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of ingested foods preheated (with microwave) in plastic containers on the reproductive profile of male albino rats. A total of twenty-four (24) male albino rats weighing between 120 to 200 g were used for this study. The rats were divided into three (3) groups (group I, II and III) of eight (8) rats per group. The rats were fed ad libitum with porridge beans and jellof rice with meat and fish daily for 40 days. The foods ingested by group I rats were not preheated in a microwave; the foods ingested by group II rats were put in ceramics and preheated in a microwave for 2 minutes daily; while the foods ingested by group III rats were put in plastic containers (not labeled as ‘‘microwave safe’’) and preheated in a microwave daily for 2 minutes. After an overnight fast, the rats were anaesthetized using chloroform, and blood samples obtained (via cardiac puncture) were used to analyze serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone using the ELISA method. The epididymis was also excised and immediately macerated to obtain semen, which was used for semen analysis. The results obtained showed a significantly decreased (p

Port Harcourt municipality as a developing city has over the years been inundated with rapid urbanisation and continuous city expansion. This development has led to an increasing demand for more land to cope with such pace of transformation. Land as a natural resource is finite, yet the demand for more land is unlimited. Based on this increasing demand for land for infrastructural, commercial, residential, institutional and industrial services, government, individuals and communities alike have resort to the reclamation and conversion of available wetlands within the Port Harcourt municipality. This study sets out to identify the boom, the blunder and the brunt of wetlands reclamation and conversion within Port Harcourt Municipality; with specific objectives to ascertain the nature of spatial expansion within the wetland areas in Port Harcourt municipality; identify the extent to which urban growth has affected land use in the wetland areas within Port Harcourt municipality; and to establish the boom, blunder and the brunt of wetland depletion and conversion for urban land uses within the Port Harcourt municipality. The study adopts a quasi-experimental research design, it involves the gathering of retrospective data from various sources without the manipulation of the data sources. Sampling technique was multi-stage; listing of all forty-one wetland settlements; three settlements were purposively selected for ease of access and growing insecurity. Satellite images of the study sites were obtained from Google earth, delineated and gridlines were superimposed on the images. A time series analysis using ERDAS imagine 2014 version, was used to show spatial changes between the years 1986 to 2000, and 2000 to 2016, a time period spanning thirty years. The study indicates that from 1986 to 2000, Port Harcourt municipality lost a total of 1,255,500 m2, this translates to a 5% loss. This loss occurs at an average rate of 89,678.57m2 per annum. From 2000 to 2016, the rate of loss was 108,956.25m2 per annum, and approximately 7.69% of wetlands totalling 1,743,300m2 was lost to urbanisation. Improved urban services, economic prosperity, increased revenue represents some of the boom. Unnecessary incursion into the wetlands by groups, depletion of habitat for flora and fauna species, development of unplanned settlements is some of the blunders and declining urban quality of life, massive urban flooding, pressure on existing urban services, depletion of the already lean state resources are the brunt. Some recommendations include; conduct periodic geospatial mapping of wetlands to enable the listing of identified wetlands and identify existing species of flora and fauna for conservation, tourism development and preservation; there should be a strengthened development control framework to guide and encourage professionally trained and equipped manpower to manage wetlands and ensure acceptable best practices.

Water is a basic and necessary requirement for the existence of animals and plants, yet it is limited in supply in several parts of the world. Surges in human population and demand for water for different purposes such as agricultural, domestic and industrial usages are the major factors leading to water scarcity. Nigeria and the study area are blessed with abundant water resources including surface and groundwater, yet there is a palpable lack of adequate and safe potable water. Consequently, the populace resorts to private sources of water supply which has its negative externalities even though the effort seems laudable. Based on the above, the study examined the proliferation of private water supply, its challenges and socio-economic implications in Obio /Akpor local government area. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey, and data were collected with the use of both closed and open-ended questionnaire. It also involved the collection of the private borehole points with the use of a handheld global positioning system (GPS). Data were analyzed using the descriptive method of analysis and data presented in charts and tables. The result of the study showed that there were no specific distances maintained between borehole points, a good number of borehole locations were clustered in some parts of the study area. Also, distances between soakaway pits and borehole points were inadequate in some communities. Based on the prevalent minimum wage in the study area, both households that operate boreholes and those that buy water spent more. Some of the socio-economic implications of private provision of water supply include too much spending on water, creation of livelihoods for water vendors and vulnerability to waterborne disease such as typhoid since there is no minimum standard for borehole drilling and distance in the study area. The study recommended that the government should develop a private borehole drilling standard that would include the minimum distance that must be maintained between two boreholes on vertical and horizontal lines. Also, the activities of the private water vendors should be regulated, and operating license obtained before operating commercial boreholes. The study concluded thus, there should be a synergy between the private and public sector to ensure safe and affordable water supply since their activities cannot be undermined.

This research was to evaluate the quality of life of the urban dwellers in Yenagoa, Amarata and Ekeki cities to ascertain if there is a decline in the quality of life residents in those selected neighbourhoods with a view to highlight such causal factors. The study adopted the Passive-Observational survey design such that the research respondents were observed in-situ without experimental manipulation. The research population was purposively drawn, and data was drawn from primary and secondary sources. Objective and subjective dimensions of quality of life were viewed in the form of physical, social and economic domains were assessed with emphasis on the type of housing, recreational preferences and employment status of respondents. Findings indicate that the quality of life of residents in Yenagoa, Amarata and Ekeki has progressively declined from when Yenagoa was a local government headquarters to becoming a capital city of an oil and gas producing state. As evident, the predominant housing type is rooming housing that does not befit its status, with limited recreational space and a phenomenal 45% unemployment rate. Findings further depict a bleak and rapidly declining quality of life of residents. The study recommends that there should be deliberate government intervention to improve housing conditions, provision of adequate functional recreational facilities that would enhance social interaction and physical wellbeing. There should be deliberate government policy with the requisite framework to stimulate industrial growth to reduce the phenomenal unemployment were recommended.

Floods are generally seen as natural occurrences with other underlying causal factors. These factors are both natural and anthropogenic in nature and often induce or exacerbate flood episodes in the environment. As it were, while some of these factors stem from natural ecological cycles, others are engendered by accumulated anthropogenic actions or inactions. This study aims to examine three independent documents comprising of two technical reports commissioned by the Bayelsa State government in Yenagoa and contiguous neighborhoods and narratives from a PhD flood research with a view to understanding the nature and dynamics of anthropogenic actions causing flooding in Bayelsa State. The objectives include; a systematic review of the government commissioned technical reports on floods in Yenagoa and other related documents; identify and highlight both natural and anthropogenic causes of flooding in the study area; recommend an appropriate course of action. The study adopted direct personal observation, photography and secondary data analysis to obtain data. Findings from the combination of these documents highlight some of the deliberate human actions and/or inactions taken by both Government and private developers regarding incidents of flooding within the Yenagoa Metropolis. Based on the document’s review, three key anthropogenic actions were identified; building construction and other physical development activities, waste management and drainage systems and public infrastructure development. Specific recommendations such as the adoption of a holistic approach towards harmonized flood data management framework, effective implementation of such policies to tackle these identified challenges, undertake EIA, hydrologic and hydrographic studies, as well as base line studies before embarking on any developmental projects, desilting of clogged drainage culverts and proper alignment of road projects to reduce incursion and subsequent impediment of free flow of runoffs were made.

Building resilience capacities to survive flood disasters in vulnerable communities in the global south encompasses techniques that are unique to such communities. These strands of unique techniques are embedded in their indigenous knowledge as a people and revealed through the actions they display during such times of disaster. Data was obtained from four communities in the Orashi region in the aftermath of the 2012 floods in Nigeria, to investigate the techniques and actions adopted to help build local resilience capacity amongst vulnerable communities there. Interviews and focus groups were the primary means of data collection and analysis was done qualitatively. The findings revealed five key attributes the communities possessed that enabled them build their resilience capacity to cope with the flood disaster.

Evolution is one area on Biology learning that has the most contravention and misconception for many students in various educational regions globally, including Indonesia. This study aimed to identify student's acceptance of the evolutionary theory. The study was conducted using a mixed-method, in which the results of descriptive research were followed by correlational research on the variables studied. Data were collected by using questionnaire and rubric of Measure of Acceptance of The Theory of Evolution (MATE). The results showed that the average MATE score was 65.05, in which the students tended to have a moderate level of the acceptance of the evolutionary theory. The result showed that sex and religious background correlated with students' acceptance of the evolutionary theory, with a contribution of 49.9%. Thus, these results suggest that evolution is a crucial aspect to be considered in teaching evolution, and there must be an effort to overcome the differences in the acceptance of evolutionary theory in students with different gender and educational backgrounds. Three other factors influence student acceptance of the theory of evolution, namely students' misconceptions, beliefs, and understanding of the nature of science. Therefore, identification of students' prior knowledge is needed to determine the factors that influence students' acceptance in a context.

Background: Pregnancy is a physiological condition in which the uterus of a woman carries at least one embryo for about 38 weeks, from conception to delivery; during this period, several physiological changes in biochemical and haematological functions occur. Knowledge of these changes however, may be helpful in providing effective care for pregnant women; hence this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of gestational periods on lipid profile, plasma glucose and chromium levels of apparently healthy pregnant women in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 200 apparently healthy women were used for the study; 150 of them were pregnant (50 in the first trimester, 50 in the second trimester, and 50 in the third trimester), and the remaining 50 women were not pregnant. They were divided into four (4) groups; group I (control group) consists of 50 non-pregnant women, group II consists of 50 pregnant women in their first trimester, group III consists of 50 pregnant women in their second trimester, while group IV consists of 50 pregnant women in their third trimester. About 8 ml of fasting venous blood was collected from the antecubital fossa of each subject; 3 ml was dispensed into a fluoride oxalate anticoagulant bottle for the determination of plasma glucose concentration. The remaining 5 ml was dispensed into a lithium heparin-anticoagulant bottle for the determination of chromium and lipid profile. The data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey multiple comparison test.Results: The results showed a significant decrease (p

Consumption of foods, water, vegetables, fruits, undercooked/ground/raw meat, unpasteurized milk or milk products contaminated with the bacterium strain Escherichia coli 0157:H7 has become a serious public health concern. This strain naturally inhabits the digestive tract of healthy cattle, and is released into the environment through the faeces of the animal. This strain cause haemorrhagic enterocolitis or gastroenteritis, and then haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a disorder characterised by haemolytic anaemia, low platelet count and acute kidney failure, and this disorder is a consequence of the production and action of Shiga-like toxin produced mainly by this bacterial strain (accounting for 90 percent of all cases), and occurs mainly in children less than five (5) years of age, but also occurs in the elderly. After infection with this bacterial strain, the disorder begins with intestinal perforation and ulceration leading to bloody diarrhoea, and consequently acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. In conjunction with clinical manifestations, several laboratory investigations (haematological, biochemical and microbiological assays) are implicated in the diagnosis of HUS. There is currently no specific treatment for HUS; however, supportive care (such as treatment of hypertension, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, haemodialysis, blood transfusion, etc) happens to be the only ameliorative measure for this disorder.

Heavy metals gain entry into biological systems mainly via inhalation and ingestion, and also via radiation or radio-therapeutic measures. The accumulation of these heavy metals in biological systems overtime may cause several deleterious health challenges such as liver, kidney and brain damages amongst others. Intoxication with heavy metals may either be acute or chronic, and because the kidney has the ability to reabsorb and accumulate divalent metals, it happens to be the primary target organ for heavy metal toxicity, inducing renal damage. The extent of this damage depends on the dose, nature, route and duration of exposure to the metal. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a permanent loss of nephrons accompanied by an eventual decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR); this (to a greater extent) maybe due to heavy metal intoxication and the renal reabsorption of these heavy metals. Although 70 percent of the heavy metals are reabsorbed in the proximal tubule, all segments of the nephrons are involved in the reabsorption of these metals, where several transporters such as the Divalent Metal Transporter (DMT)-1, Na+/amino acid co-transporter, Zinc Transporter (ZnT)-1 and stretch-activated cation channels (SAC) facilitate the reabsorption. In the nephrons of each kidney, heavy metals are primarily reabsorbed via the apical membrane and accumulate at the basolateral membrane; these heavy metals do not readily exit the basolateral membrane, which overtime may result in chronic inflammation of the nephrons, fibrosis and kidney failure. However, the loss of nephrons and decline in GFR in CKD are compensated by certain changes (glomerular and cellular, enhanced renal blood flow, enhanced single nephron glomerular filtration rate and tubular hypertrophy) in the remaining functional nephrons. These changes help to deliver solutes to the remaining functional nephrons for uptake by the epithelial cells of the renal tubules. Also, because the luminal and basolateral surfaces of tubular epithelial cells of the remaining healthy nephrons are also potentially exposed to higher levels of metabolic wastes, xenobiotics, heavy metals and other nephrotoxicants, renal injury, tubular or glomerulosclerosis, and death of these nephrons occur. These compensatory changes become insufficient once about 75 percent of the nephrons are no longer functional and incapable of maintaining homeostasis and renal function. This results in the accumulation of metabolic wastes in the blood, and induction of metabolic disturbances and/or organ intoxication.

Access to healthcare is complex and varies across countries, regions, communities and individuals. The study aimed to assess the socioeconomic effects on household access to Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities in selected riverine communities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Objectives of the study are to characterise the socioeconomic condition of households in the study area; determine the spatial distribution of PHC facilities in the study area, identify the effects of the socioeconomic conditions of households to access to PHC facilities in the selected riverine communities in the study area, and suggest appropriate policy measures to improve households access to PHC facilities and services in the study area. The study employed Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach and sequential explanatory research design for data collection and analyses. The study employed simple random and purposive sampling techniques. A total of 400 respondents (households) were interviewed including key informants (government agencies and professionals) and Geographic Information System (GIS) was used for map analysis to show spatial distribution of PHC facilities in the study area. However, 328 questionnaires were considered valid for analysis of data. The study revealed, most of the households’ occupations are fishing, artisan and petty trading characterising low socioeconomic status. The study found PHC facilities are not evenly spatially distributed in the study area which has made households to use various available transport modes to access the facilities since the area is separated by creeks, rivers and sea. This has made travel time, distance and cost economically unfavourable to households in term of accessibility since they are relatively poor economically. The study has suggested the following recommendations including improvement of the socioeconomic status of households through education and vocational training programmes that will provide better employment opportunities, government should provide Mobile Healthcare programmes and services through water vessels and ambulances to reach remoted communities, proper study should be carried out to ascertain the population and their characteristics before locating PHC facilities for optimum utilisation, Smart Healthcare Services (SHCS) should be provided through Tele-Healthcare facilities to overcome distance and time, and government should collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and multinational to provide Mobile Healthcare services in riverine communities to reduce challenges of accessibility and cost on households.

Port Harcourt municipality has a variety of wetlands that contribute valuable ecosystem services to people, the natural species habitat, and tourist attraction. Wetlands are nourishing and important breeding zones for wildlife and provide protection and safe spaces for sea creatures. Typical of any natural habitat, wetlands are significant in supporting species diversity in addition to providing some climate restraining component. This study aimed at highlighting the price residents and government alike pay for the reclamation and conversion of wetlands. Achieving this was to ascertain the physical environmental challenges experienced by wetland dwellers within Port Harcourt municipality and proffer appropriate mitigation measures associated with the challenges of urbanization and wetland conversion. Three (3) settlements were purposively chosen out of the 41 identified wetland settlements in Port Harcourt municipality. A total of 293 questionnaires were distributed and SPSS was used to analyze the data. Also, satellite imageries of the study areas were obtained from Google earth, delineated. ERDAS imagine 2014 version was used to show spatial changes between the years 1986 to 2000, and 2000 to 2016. The study shows that from 1986 to 2000, Port Harcourt municipality lost a total of 1,255,500m2. This translates to a 5% loss with an average rate of 89,678.57m2 per annum. Between 2000 and 2016, the rate of loss was 108,956.25m2 per annum, and approximately 7.69% of wetlands totaling 1,743,300m2 were lost to urbanization. The result indicates that some of the prices associated with physical environmental challenges include flooding, poor sanitary condition; poor refuse disposal system, and unplanned settlements leading to a decline in the urban quality of life. Also, some mitigation measures include the provision of affordable land, rehabilitation of failed drainage system. The study recommends periodic mapping of all wetlands and an effective development control framework to monitor incursions into existing wetlands.

Birth weight is known as a predictor of infant’s survival and physical and mental growth in the future. Reduced immunosufficiency and impaired lung function are the two major mechanisms linking birth weight to acute lower respiratory infection. The aim was to determine the existence and the pattern of relationship between risk of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) among infants and birth weight. The study design was population-based case-control study of 1,100 randomly selected infants from 12 communities in 6 Local Government Areas of the 3 senatorial districts of Rivers State. The subjects were selected using a multistage random sampling technique down to the community level. The features of the subjects were represented using descriptive methods were as bivariate logistics regression at the 5% level of significance was used to test the disparities in ARI between normal birth weight and low birth weight infants. Measures of size effect of ARI on birth weight differences were interpreted using Odds Ratio (OR). More cases of ARI (19.4%) occurred among infants of low birth weight in urban communities than rural communities (10.0%). In overall, infants having low birth weight status, had a higher frequency (15.6%) in the occurrence of ARI than those with normal birth weight (6.3%). Among infants of low birth weight (

In this study, the concentrations of urea were assayed in both blood and saliva of 130 haemodialysis patients; before haemodialyis(pre-haemodialysis) and after haemodialysis (post haemodialysis); and 60 healthy individuals who made up the control group. The method used for urea assay was urease method. The mean±SD concentrations of salivary urea in pre and post haemodialysis patients, as well as control group, were 17±0.6 mmol/l, 9.1±0.5 mmol/l and 4.0±0.3 mmol/l respectively. The mean±SD concentrations of blood urea in pre and post haemodialysis patients, as well as control group, were 21.6±0.5 mmol/l, 9.1±0.4 mmol/l and 4.2±0.2 mmol/l respectively. The correlation coefficient between blood and salivary urea in pre-haemodialysis patients is 78.8% while that for post haemodialysis patients is 60.6% and for the control group is 90%. The ANOVA results of salivary urea in the three groups (pre, post and control) showed a significant difference with P-value ˂0.05. The ANOVA results of blood urea in the three groups (pre, post and control) showed a significant difference with P-value ˂0.05. From the various results obtained, saliva can serve as a diagnostic biofluid for renal disease especially with the salivary urea as the biomarker. Also, the salivary renal biomarker (urea) responds to changes in concentrations after therapeutic consideration. This study is in consonance with other literature that saliva is a diagnostic fluid for kidney disease; however, there is a need to carry out more research works to continually unveil the diagnostic potential of saliva in kidney disease.

History of upper respiratory tract infection in the mother or siblings was associated with higher risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection in cases. Most upper respiratory tract infections were caused by viral pathogens and likely to occur in many members of the family. The study aimed to determine the existence and pattern of relationship between risk of acute respiratory infection (ARI) among infants and exposure to pre-existing maternal/caregiver acute respiratory tract infection. The study was designed as a community-based Nested case-control study of 1100 infants randomly selected from 12 communities out of 6 Local Government Areas of the 3 senatorial districts of Rivers State. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting the subjects up to the community level. Descriptive method was used to represent the characteristics of the subjects and the differences in ARI between exposed and unexposed infants were tested in a bivariate logistics regression at 5% level of significance. Odds ratio (OR) was used to interpret the size effect measures of ARI on exposure to pre-existing maternal/caregiver ARI differences. A total of 275 Cases of ARI and 825 controls were included in the study. Among exposed infants (N = 104), ARI cases were found to be higher n = 80 (76.9%) than in control n = 24 (23.1%). Whereas, among unexposed infants N = 991, ARI cases were found to be lower n = 195 (19.7%) than in control n = 796 (80.3%). For the exposed infants, the odds for ARI were 13.5 times significantly higher compared to those of their unexposed counterparts (OR-Unadjusted = 13.52, (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = 0.047 - 0.121)). The findings will widen the horizon in the etiological consideration of ARI among infants vis-a-vis exposure potential to pre-existing maternal/caregiver ARI via nursing care. Therefore, community-based sensitization programme on barrier nursing care techniques and personal hygiene practices should be on focus.

Background: Revive capsule is a polyherbal formulation commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction or enhance libido in men. Some of the individual herbs used in the formulation of this drug have been known scientifically to affect various biochemical components of the human body; hence this study was aimed at evaluating the reproductive profile in male albino rats following varied duration of administration with Revive capsule. Methods: A total of 42 male albino rats were used for the study, and were divided into six (6) groups of seven (7) rats each. They were allowed to acclimatize for two (2) weeks by maintaining 12-hour light and dark cycles daily, with access to standard feed and water ad libitum. Group A (negative control) rats were administered with distilled water once daily, while groups B, C, D, E and F were administered once daily with 72 mg/kg of Revive capsule for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. The rat dose administered was extrapolated from the human dose using the formula by Paget and Barnes. At the end of each treatment week, the rats were allowed to fast overnight, followed by their anaesthetization using chloroform, and blood sample collection via jugular vein puncture. Also, the testes were excised; the epididymis were also excised from the testes and used immediately for semen analysis, while the epididymis-free testes were examined histologically. Rat-specific test kits with ELISA method were used to analyze serum LH, FSH and testosterone.Results: The results showed a significant increase (p

Rivers generally have been source of livelihood for several persons in both developed and developing countries, and the rivers have been exploited without recourse to the consequences of this action by those involved. The aim of this research is to assess the social and economic consequences of sand mining on communities along the Victory River. The objectives are to: examine residents’ perception, identify the impacts of sand mining in their domain and propose mitigation measures for moderate and major negative impacts and enhancement measures for positive impacts of sand mining. Hazards and effects management process (HEMP) was used identify the impacts of sand mining on the communities and propose mitigation measures for moderate and major negative impacts and enhancement measures for positive ones. The study adopted multistage sampling technique by identifying all the communities along the Victory River and purposively four (4) communities were selected for the study. Mixed methods were used to collect data with one-hundred and twenty-three (123) structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. The study found that continuous river sand mining had altered the river courses and increased the width and depth of the Victory River. Livelihood chain of the people have been distorted leading to diminished purchasing power, increased poverty level and other associated social vices. There were also identified socio-economic benefits like employment and revenue generation for the communities. The study recommends that: river channel cross sections should be benchmarked using aerial photographs and periodic hydrographic survey, effective social management plan and enhancement measures be taken, enforcement of relevant laws to control the activities of sand miners and their host communities alike.

Well Intervention operations are carried out to improve production performance of a declining well, restore production to a well that quit, or improve well integrity, among other reasons. Well bore clean out and stimulation are two of the common well intervention operations done on producing oil and gas wells to improve performance. Well AA, a major oil and gas producer started to decline after three years of production, therefore a well bore clean out and stimulation exercise was designed to improve performance of the well. The first Intervention operation was planned after various crude sample and precipitate analysis reports showed organic deposits (wax and asphaltenes) in the well. Slickline drift also indicated a restriction in the tubing. The treatment recipe for the well intervention was designed based on laboratory test carried out on the crude and precipitate sample that showed an 85% dissolution of the organic deposits in Xylene and 55% dissolution in Solution Z (a mixture of Xylene and HCL). The 85% dissolution was considered adequate to ensure a complete wellbore clean out, with Solution Z planned as the contingent treatment recipe for any solid deposits not dissolved by Xylene. Contingent on the successful wellbore clean out, a matrix stimulation was to be done using an Acid preflush and Regular clay acid as the main treatment. But this operation failed because instead of resulting in an increase in production, the well couldn't produce to surface and had to be shut-in. This paper will review the problems encountered from the unsuccessful intervention of well AA because of the lack of a detailed recipe design to find the best treatment to dissolve organic deposits in the well and precipitates, as well as residues formed from the reaction between organic solids and inorganic acids. In addition, this paper will present the detailed work that went into designing the right treatment recipe for well AA that resulted in successfully reviving the well after the initial failed intervention operation to become a prolific producer of over 1500 stock tank barrels of oil per day.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence in prenatal clinic indicates that the gap in HIV prevalence between sub-regions of Africa is not reducing but widening. No evidence suggests that pregnancy accelerate the progression of HIV infection to AIDS in women, but pregnancy in HIV infected mothers are more likely to result in prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and prenatal death. The aim was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women attending a rural primary health center for care. The study was designed as cross-sectional survey and case series using 80 pregnant women, randomly selected among those attending Antenatal care in a primary health center in Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria. Descriptive method was used to represent the characteristics of the subjects and the differences in HIV infection among subjects analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The findings showed that out of 80 subjects studied; (14%) were HIV positive, (86%) were HIV negative; knowledge of risk factors identified were unprotected sex with sex partner/s (39%); existence of other sexually transmitted infection (33%); sharing of sharp instrument (17%); transfusion of unscreened blood (11%). Conclusion, the majority of the women had good knowledge of awareness on HIV infection and control using medication; which is a sound basis for the epidemiology, outcome, and effectiveness in prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in such a rural setting, considering socio-demographic factors. Awareness creation on risk factors of HIV/AIDS, lifestyle changes and adherence

This is a review paper that brings to focus, concepts of Community Health Practice that connect Community Health Practitioners’ Roles to National development in view of its composite index improvement measure of social welfare services provision among others for the citizens of a country over time, with particular emphasis on medical care component of such index aimed at reduction in diseases and poverty in the population. The objective of the review work is to determine the extent to which Community Health Practice, particularly by Community Health Practitioners is capable of ensuring National Development in democratic governance or otherwise, in the context of our country, Nigeria. The methodology applied was traditional review of published literatures concerning the subject and findings of operational research of programme implemented by Community Health Practitioners at the Primary Health Care facilities and household level in the communities. This paper emphasizes on Primary Health Care services delivery contribution to National Development, since it is the level where Community Health Practitioners are mainly commissioned to render their services. Home-Based Care Strategy for Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health piloted in three (3) local government areas (Ahoada West, Etche and Oyigbo) in Rivers State, Nigeria, in 2012 and implemented by Community Health Practitioners, aimed at reducing maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality by 20% by 2015 in line with the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, had been shown to achieve an average of 26% improvement in utilization of maternal and newborn health services, an average of 27% overall reduction in maternal malnutrition status, an average of 14% overall improvement in under 5 years malnutrition status among others in 2013 on comparing with baseline indicators. Nigeria also attained 80% coverage in routine immunization in most vaccine preventable diseases except Tetanus Toxiod (TT) 2 (54%) in 2013 to achieve herd immunity of the community to prevent transmission of disease pathogen to cause a disease. Community Health Practitioners are the frontline Primary Health Care Professionals charged with the responsibility of implementation of immunization programmes in Nigeria and therefore contributing significantly to the prevention and control of targeted vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria Health System. Our findings on factors militating against Community Health Practitioners’ Roles in National Development as elicited in this paper may form basis for empirical studies to determine the level of significance of each of these factors. In conclusion, it is when the Community Health parameters are adequately addressed that we can ensure sustainable National Development and we can say we have succeeded in our various strategic agenda of government at whatever level that makes up the complex whole. This brings to fore, the importance of the roles of Community Health Practitioners in health care delivery to National Development in the context of our country, Nigeria.

Background and Aim: Fish plays a crucial role in human nutrition and food supply across the globe, particularly among the poor segment of the society. Food fish currently represents the major source of animal protein needed for growth and development, especially among the children and women who are more vulnerable to malnutrition in developing countries. The importance of food to an individual and society cannot be over emphasized, as food is a basic necessity of life and sufficient intake of quality food is imperative for people to live a strong, vibrant and productive life. Considering the importance of fish food, this study therefore assessed the contribution of brackish water fish farming to stable fish supply and food security in coastal communities of Rivers State.

Community participation has been identified as effective driver of rural development in emerging economies while community development committees (CDCs) are key players in implementing rural development programmes in communities. The study aims at assessing the level of participation of communities and community development committees in the provision of public infrastructure in selected communities of Abua/Odual Local Government Area in Rivers. The objectives are to: identify existing mechanism for public participation in rural development process; ascertain the nature and extent of participation in rural development, ascertain the participation level of Community Development Committee (CDC) in implementation of development projects. A cross-sectional study that engaged multistage sampling technique was adopted. Primary and secondary data were collected, analysed and represented with charts, percentages and tables. One hundred (100) respondents were purposively drawn from Otari, Odaga and Omalem communities and stratified sampling was applied to administer questionnaire, only heads of households and members of community development committees formed the respondents. The study found out among other things; that the community development committees (CDCs) in the respective communities were effective in the dissemination of information with respect to projects embarked upon by the government to encourage community participation; there is a dearth of information and lack of synergy between the government agencies charged with the responsibility of planning and implementing rural development policies and the beneficiaries of such development; no Local Planning Authorities at the local government areas. The study recommended that members of the CDCs should form part members of planning and implementation committees in their respective communities, immediate establishment of local planning authorities.

Tesis de Maestría (Magíster en Pedagogía). Universidad Católica de Manizales. Facultad de Educación, 2020 Este trabajo es una evidencia de las transformaciones que hemos sufrido, luego de ser conmovidas por los diferentes espacios de análisis, debates y finalmente reflexiones grupales e individuales, propiciadas en cada seminario de la Maestría en Pedagogía de la Universidad Católica de Manizales y que constituyen verdaderos retos a quienes deciden embarcarse, levar ancla y zarpar para navegar en el amplio mar de las incertidumbres entre las que se desarrolla una travesía, que en este caso deriva a través de las profundidades, corrientes, meandros y superficies de las Epistemologías Pedagógicas Alternativas, su incidencia en la educación y la gestión de formación educativa, que hace posible viajar con la intención de aprender a ver el mundo con nuevos ojos.

Statement of the problem: Gender had a much wider influence on disease than is usually acknowledged. More so, relative contributions of social and biological factors had not been clearly delineated for many diseases. Higher mortality rates are usually observed in male infants with lower acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and pneumonia particularly during the first month of life than the female infants due to immature lungs in males. The rate declines between 6 and 12 months after birth. The study aims to determine the existence and pattern of relationship between risk of ARI and gender. Methodology and theoretical orientation: The study was designed as a community based retrospective casecontrol study of 1,100 infants randomly selected from 12 communities out of 6 Local Government Areas of the 3 senatorial districts of Rivers State. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting the subjects up to the community level. Descriptive method was used to represent the characteristics of the subjects and the differences in ARI between male and female infants were tested in a bivariate logistics regression at 5% level of significance. Odds ratio (OR) were used to interpret the size effect measures of ARI on gender differences. Findings: A total of 275 Cases of ARI and 825 controls were included in the study. The ARI cases were found to be slightly higher in Female infants (27.8%) than in the Male infants (22.4%). For the Female infants, the odds for ARI were 1.3 times significantly higher compared to those of their Male counterparts (OR=1.32, p=0.048, 95% CI=1.003-1.735). Conclusion and significance: Understanding such differences between Male and Female infants will enhance the knowledge about the epidemiology, outcome and effectiveness in prevention and control of ARIs. Recommendation: Awareness creation on gender differences in susceptibility to acute-respiratory infection among infants requires sustainable attention.

This research investigated whether or not auditing is useful to the strategy evaluation and control process in Nigerian business organizations. In sourcing for data, we used structured questionnaire as well as personal interviews. The data collected were analyzed using the simple percentage and frequency distribution. We found that effective internal audit helps in the strategy evaluation and control process in the organizations we studied. Our conclusion is that, the effective performance of internal audit is crucial for management to be able to evaluate and control strategy in modern organization. SOPHIA: An African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 109-117

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:02:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-04-28 The seasonal climate drivers of the carbon cycle in tropical forests remain poorly known, although these forests account for more carbon assimilation and storage than any other terrestrial ecosystem. Based on a unique combination of seasonal pan-tropical data sets from 89 experimental sites (68 include aboveground wood productivity measurements and 35 litter productivity measurements), their associated canopy photosynthetic capacity (enhanced vegetation index, EVI) and climate, we ask how carbon assimilation and aboveground allocation are related to climate seasonality in tropical forests and how they interact in the seasonal carbon cycle. We found that canopy photosynthetic capacity seasonality responds positively to precipitation when rainfall is < 2000ĝ€-mmĝ€-yrĝ'1 (water-limited forests) and to radiation otherwise (light-limited forests). On the other hand, independent of climate limitations, wood productivity and litterfall are driven by seasonal variation in precipitation and evapotranspiration, respectively. Consequently, light-limited forests present an asynchronism between canopy photosynthetic capacity and wood productivity. First-order control by precipitation likely indicates a decrease in tropical forest productivity in a drier climate in water-limited forest, and in current light-limited forest with future rainfall < 2000ĝ€-mmĝ€-yrĝ'1. Author(s) 2016. Remote Sensing Division National Institute for Space Research - INPE São José Dos Campos CIRAD UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane INRA UMR EEF 1137 INRA UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane Department of Biology University of Antwerp National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters - CEMADEN São José Dos Campos School of Geography University of Leeds Institute of Botany University of Hohenheim Laboratory for Wood Biology and Xylarium Royal Museum for Central Africa Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências de Florestas Tropicais Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Embrapa Florestas Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Institute of Geography University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing Wageningen University Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza Laboratóio de Botânica e Ecologia Vegetal Universidade Federal Do Acre Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (IPE-CSIC) Instituto Boliviano de Investigacion Forestal (IBIF) Santa Cruz de la Sierra Centro de Energia Nuclear Na Agricultura Laboratóio de Ecologia Isotópica Universidade de SÃo Paulo Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal Do Paraná Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF) Programa de Pós-Graduação Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais Universidade Federal Do Acre Departamento de Ecologia Do Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo (USP) UMR 5174 Laboratoire Evolution et DiversitéBiologique CNRS and UniversitéPaul Sabatier Biological Sciences Department University of Zambia Department of Biology University of Missouri-St. Louis Coordenação de Pesquisas em Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal Do Paraná Centro de Ciêcias Biológicas e da Natureza Laboratório de Botânica e Ecologia Vegetal Universidade Federal Do Acre Prefeitura Municipal de Rio Branco Département Hommes Natures Sociétés Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) et UMR 208 Patrimoines Locaux et Gouvernance, Cedex 05 Dept. Forest and Wood Science University of Stellenbosch Meisterschule Ebern für das Schreinerhandwerk Floresta Estadual de Assis Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI), P.O. Box Departamento de Ciências Florestais Universidade de São Paulo Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Departamento de Engenharia Florestal - DEF Universidade Estadual Do Centro-Oeste Departamento de Ciências Florestais Centro de Ciências Rurais Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Departamento de Botânica Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegeta Universidade de Brasília Instituto de Ciências Biológicas World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box Coordenação de Pesquisa em Ecologia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, C.P. 478 Departement of Land Resource Management Northern Territory Government Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Department of Biological Sciences Mount Holyoke College Department of Earth System Science Stanford University Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Department of Plant Ecology Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences University of Göttingen Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC Tropical Peat Research Institute Biological Research Division Malaysian Palm Oil Board Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Ciências Biologicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Division of Science and Environmental Policy California State University Monterey Bay Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal de Sergipe Programa Forestal Colegio de Postgraduados Department of Geosciences and Geography University of Helsinki School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford Departamento de Solos e Engenharia Agrícola Universidade Federal Do Paraná Laboratoria de Dendrochronologia y Anatomia de Maderas Espinoza Universidad Nacional de Loja Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Center for Forest Disturbance Science USDA Forest Service Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University Institut Français de Pondicherry UMR AMAP (BotAnique et BioinforMatique de l'Architecture des Plantes) IRD Tree Ring and Environmental History Laboratory Instituto Argentino de Nivología Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales - CONICET Department of Earth and Environment Southeast Environmental Research Center Florida International University Departamento de Biologia Aplicada FCAV Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP UR BandSEF (Biens et Services des Écosystèmes Forestiers Tropicaux) CIRAD School of Geosciences University of Edinburgh CarboForExpert HJ Andrews Experimental Forest Oregon State University Ibama PRONAT - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recurso Naturais Universidade Federal de Roraima - UFRR School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Departamento de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal Do Amapá Embrapa Cocais Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Instituto Boliviano de Investigacion Forestal (IBIF) Universidad Autonoma Gabriel René Moreno Department of Forest Vegetation Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais (NEPAM) Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Embrapa Roraima Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Crop Production Systems in the Tropics Georg-August-Universit Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Centro de Educação Superior Norte Universidade Federal de Santa Maria College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Departamento de Biologia Aplicada FCAV Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP