Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Comparative Modelling of Price Volatility in Nigerian Crude Oil Markets Using Symmetric and Asymmetric GARCH Models

Abstract: DOI: 10.9734/ARJOM/2021/v17i330282 Editor(s): (1) Prof. Megan M. Khoshyaran, Economics Traffic Clinic ETC, France. (2) Danilo Costarelli, University of Perugia, Italy. (3) Dr. Nikolaos D. Bagis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Reviewers: (1) Siwapong Dheera-aumpon, Kasetsart University, Thailand. (2) Pavel Levin, St. John’s University, USA. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/68132

Tolerance of Some Soil Fungi to the Content of Deep Cycle Battery and Their Bioremediation Potential

Abstract: Aims: The purpose of this study was to isolate and screen soil fungi that are able to tolerate the contents of spent deep cycle battery (inverter), and to test for their bioremediation potential. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University, between June 2019 and February 2020. Methodology: Soil samples were collected from a mechanic village while spent inverter batteries were obtained from a waste vendor. The battery was forced open to extract its contents of the battery. Using standard microbiological techniques, fungi were enumerated and characterized. Stock solution of the battery content was prepared by dissolving the inverter battery content in sterile deionized water. This stock solution was used to carry out the screening test on the fungal isolates to ascertain the fungi that can tolerate the contents of the spent battery. Results: Total heterotrophic fungal counts for the polluted and unpolluted soil were 6.0 x 10 cfu/g and 7.5 x 10 4 cfu/g respectively. The fungal isolates identified from the polluted soil samples were members of the genera Rhizopus, Mucor, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida, while, the isolates identified from the unpolluted soil sample includes: Candida sp, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor sp, Yeast, Fusarium sp and Aspergillus sp. After Original Research Article Douglas et al.; SAJRM, 8(1): 34-46, 2020; Article no.SAJRM.62224 35 the screening, total heterotrophic fungal counts for the soil ranged from 1.0 x 10cfu/g to 9.5 x 10 2 cfu/g. Two fungi of the genera: Rhizopus and Mucor had the highest counts during 72 hours of incubation for the screening test. The results obtained from this study indicated that species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida were the most inhibited by the contents of the spent battery while Rhizopus and Mucor spp were more tolerant to the contents of the inverter. Rhizopus and Mucor spp were therefore, adopted in the bioremediation of soil contaminated with contents from the battery. It was observed that Rhizopus and Mucor spp in a consortium had the highest percentage of heavy metal removal (or uptake) in the following order: Cadmium (66.66%) > Lead (38.15%) > Zinc (26.83%) > Nickel (20.83). Conclusion: These organisms can be used in the bioremediation of soil polluted with metals from spent deep cycle batteries.

Hire Purchase Strategy of Physical Capital Investment and Financial Performance of Construction Companies: Illustrating from the Nigerian Stock Exchange

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to identify the influence of hire purchase strategy of physical capital investment on financial performance of construction companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Data were obtained through questionnaire. Analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation. Empirical results indicate that there exist a statistically significant negative association between hire purchase strategy of investing in physical capital and financial performance of construction companies. It was concluded that considering the complexities in service delivery, application of hire purchase as a physical capital investment option, may not provide the quantum of capital assets needed to satisfy expectations of customers.

Liquefaction potentials of a sandy substratum in the south-eastern lower Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract: Most of the materials that constitute the uppermost formation (Benin Formation) of the lower Niger Delta in South-Eastern Nigeria are sands, shales and clays that occur at various depths within the formation. These subsurface materials have served as bearing media for both shallow and deep foundation structures.

Nutrient Composition and Sensory Properties of Wheat Bread Substituted with Defatted and Undefatted Cashew Kernel (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) Flours

Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the nutrient composition and sensory properties of wheat flour bread substituted with defatted and undefatted cashew kernel flours. Cashew kernel was processed into flour and thereafter divided into two portions. One portion was left undefatted while the other portion was defatted using a hydraulic press. Bread was prepared from the blends of wheat and defatted/undefatted cashew kernel flours using 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, of wheat flour to defatted cashew kernel flour (DCF) and wheat flour to undefatted cashew kernel flour (UCF), and 100% wheat flour as control. Bread samples were subjected to sensory evaluation within 30 minutes of production. Proximate analysis and amino acid profile of the bread samples were carried out using standard methods. Result of the proximate analysis of the bread samples revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in ash (1.05-2.19%), protein (8.46-34.22%) and crude fibre (1.85-6.20%) with a corresponding decrease in moisture (11.05-21.28%) and carbohydrate contents (57.21-36.37%) as substitution of wheat flour with DCF and UCF increased. Amino acid Original Research Article Emelike et al.; EJNFS, 12(12): 28-39, 2020; Article no.EJNFS.64066 29 analysis revealed that wheat/DCF composite breads were significantly (p<0.05) higher in lysine (7.00 g/100 g), phenyl alanine (3.99 g/100 g), tryptophan (0.89 g/100 g), valine (4.33 g/100 g) and methionine (1.47g/100 g) than the wheat/UCF composite bread. Similarly, wheat/DCF composite breads were significantly (p<0.05) higher in proline (3.45 g/100 g), arginine (5.68 g/100 g), tyrosine (3.78 g/100 g), alanine (4.25 g/100 g), glutamic acid (11.81 g/100 g), glycine (3.06 g/100 g), serine (4.00 g/100 g) and aspartic acid (7.32 g/100 g) indicating higher protein quality in the wheat/DCF composite breads than in wheat/UCF composite breads. Bread samples substituted with 10% UCF and 20% DCF compared favourably with the control wheat flour bread for taste, crust, colour and general acceptability. Therefore, it is recommended to use a level of substitution of 10% UCF and 20% DCF for the production of bread of adequate nutritional and sensorial qualities.