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.

The quality and sensory attributes of cookies supplemented with fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) seed flour

Abstract: Summary Replacing wheatflour (WHF) with defatted fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) seed flour (FPF) at levels of 0–25% was investigated for its effect on chemical, physical, sensory and nutritional properties of cookies (biscuits). Protein quality was evaluated by using weanling albino rats fed a diet of cookies, which were formulated to supply 10% protein, with a casein diet as a control. Up to 15% substitution of WHF with FPF produced acceptable cookies with spread ratio, hardness, colour and flavour similar to the control (100% WHF) cookies. Use of higher levels (20–25%), however, resulted in reduction in these quality attributes. When WHF was replaced with 15% FPF, there was an increase of 84.6% in crude protein, 62.9% in calcium, 131.0% in potassium and 61.6% in phosphorus contents of composite cookies. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the values obtained for protein efficiency ratio, net protein ratio and true digestibility of cookie diets containing 15–20% FPF, and casein when fed to rats.

The Effect of Taxes on Dividend Policy of Banks in Nigeria

Abstract: The study explores the impact of taxes on the dividend policy particularly in banks in Nigeria. The study was set out to examine the relationship of profit, dividend and taxes especially in the banking sector. The research underscores the theoretical assumptions of the MM such as impairment of capital, the desire to send favourable signals to investors, the desire to conform to the industry's dividend payout among factors influencing dividend policy of banks. The analyses of the study show a significant correlation between taxes and dividend structure of the banks and also suggest that profit is a major variable in the formation of dividend policy of the organisations. This is supported by the hypothesis, which showed significant effect of profit on dividend and a positive correlation between profit, tax and dividend. The finding corroborates the postulations of some financial theorists and recommends capital gains in lieu of dividend for high taxpayers and that an adoption of a dividend policy by banks particularly in Nigeria should be strictly considered based on the unique circumstances of the bank and not necessarily based on age long traditional factors often formulated by academics.

Radiative and Free Convective Effects of a MHD Flow Through a Porous Medium Between Infinite Parallel Plates with Time-dependent Suction

Abstract: The problem of magnetohydrodynamic free-convection flow, with radiative heat transfer in porour media subject to time-dependent suction of an incompressible and optically transparent medium has been solved making fairly realistic assumption. For a small-time-dependent perturbation of the fluid velocity and temperatures, the nonlinear problem is tackled by asymptotic approximation, giving solutions for steady-flow on which a first-order transient component is superimposed. The effect of heat radiation and free convection on the flow of the fluid is demonstrated analytically and quantitatively. The flow field is seen to be affected mainly by radiation and convection parameters, in addition to the porosity and magnetic factors.

Effects of cooking, germination and fermentation on the chemical composition of Nigerian Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Abstract: The effects of cooking, germination, and fermentation on the chemical composition of cowpea were studied. There were noticeable trends in the protein, carbohydrate and crude fiber as a result of the different treatments. Both the germinated and fermented samples contained more ether extractable lipids than the raw and cooked samples. Untreated raw cowpea contained 5.9 mg/g phytic acid, 1.66 mg/g phytate phosphorus, 3.3 mg/g total phosphorus, 56.8 mg/g total sugar, and no reducing sugar. Cooking the dry beans at 100°C for 1 1/2 hours had little effect on the phytic acid and phytate phosphorus. There were, however, significant decreases in total phosphorus and sugars of the cooked beans. After germination for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, there was a significant decrease in phytic acid and total sugar and increase in total phosphorus and reducing sugar. Similar results were also obtained when the dry beans was fermented for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively.