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.

Critical Challenges to Small-scale Rural Business Firms: A Case Study of Poultry Farm Enterprise in Ido LGA, Oyo State:

Abstract: This study examined critical challenges of small‐scale poultry enterprise in Ido local government area of Oyo State. The primary data used for the analysis was generated through the use of personal interview, structured questionnaire and farm enterprises records. A random sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents. Descriptive statistics and frontier model were used to determine the gross margin as well as the efficiency level; the data were further subjected to double log OLS analysis which was adopted for the study. The study revealed that raw materials, capital and basic infrastructure such as electricity, water and road are major requirement for effective poultry business in the study area and it ranked first position having 19.1 per cent. The result also revealed that the dominant age limit of the respondents in the study area of the broilers and layers enterprises were between 31‐40 with 50 per cent and 43.3 per cent respectively. The analysis on the frontier gross margin function model for broiler and layers enterprise was not significant; therefore result from OLS double log analysis was adopted for the study. The analysis in layers enterprise revealed that cost of transportation, cost of point of lay, cost of medication and cost of energy for brooding were positively related to the gross margin of the farmers, only medication and amount of money spent on energy were statistically significant at 5 per cent while cost feeding and money spent on labour had negative relationship and cost feeding was significant at 5 per cent. Small scale poultry farmers should increase quantity and quality of feed for the birds. Government should assist small scale poultry farmers by giving subsidising cost of feeding, medication as well as development of farm roads in the study area. * Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria. E‐mail: ebimec2k4 @yahoo.com ** Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. E‐mail dataekine@ yahoo.co.uk Asia‐Pacific Journal of Rural Development Vol. XIX, No.2, December 2009

Impact of Coenzyme Q10 on Hormonal Profile in Male Sprague-Dawley Rat Exposed to Sub-Chronic Concentrations of Cypermethrin

Abstract: Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of Coenzyme Q10 on hormonal profile in male Sprague-Dawley rat exposed to sub-chronic concentrations of Cypermethrin. Experimental Design: A completely randomized experimental design using standard methods for analysis. Hormonal assay was carried out by Microplate Enzyme Immunoassay using their respective test kits. Including AccuBindTM Microplate EIA Test system from Monobind Inc. Lake Forest CA 92630 USA while statistical analysis was carried out using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); where significant differences were found, Pair-wise comparisons conducted with Tukey test using SPSS 20 software. Location and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Biology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. GPS 4o48ʹ14ʹʹ N 6o59ʹ12ʹʹ E. The study lasted for 28days. Methodology: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups, A-E(n=6/group).Group A was given cool clean water and standard rat pellet ad libitum. Group B,C and D were administered Cypermethrin @ 10mg/kg/bw,20mg/kg/bw,30mg/kg/bw respectively along with 10mg/kg/bw of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Group E received 30mg/kg/bw of cypermethrin only without Coenzyme Q10. All animals were allowed access to cool clean water and standard rat pellet ad libitum. Bodyweight of the animals were taken twice a week and recorded in grams. Twenty-four hours before the animals were euthanized with ethyl ether inhalation, feed was withdrawn from the animals. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00am into plain sample tubes according to the approved protocol of blood collection techniques. Analysis for the quantitative determination of all androgens was by Microplate Enzyme Immunoassay using the AccuBindTM Microplate EIA Test system from Monobind Inc. Lake Forest CA 92630 USA and expressed as their respective units. The animals were latter dissected and the vital organs harvested and weighed. The values were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software 20. Results: Results showed that there was no significant difference between the bodyweight and organ weight of animals in the treatment group compared with the control. Also, treatment with Cypermethrin only in group E, reduced the level of all the androgens considered in exposed animals. However, with concurrent administration of coenzyme Q10, the production of all androgens especially the production of Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone and Progesterone in groups B,C,D and Estrogen in group B were significantly (P=.05) increased to values higher than the control. Conclusion: This elevation indicates the role of Coenzyme Q10 as an effective antioxidant to boost hormonal level production especially the level of androgens.

Comparative Study of the Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Spondias mombin Leaves and Curcuma longa Rhizomes on Serum Lipid Profile and Electrolytes in Alloxan Induced Diabetes in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract: Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; the possible uses of Spondias mombin and Curcuma longa rhizomes for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders have become prevalent in our environment. Aim: The present study attempts a Comparative assessment of the effects of methanolic extracts of Spondias mombin leaves and Curcuma longa rhizomes on serum lipid profile and electrolytes in alloxan induced diabetes in male wistar rats. Original Research Article Friday et al.; AJARR, 8(3): 1-9, 2020; Article no.AJARR.54188 2 Methodology: 90 male wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 groups of 10 rats each. Diabetes was induced intraperitonially using alloxan at 200 mg/kg-bw. The different rat Groups were treated with extracts and glibenclamide orally for 42 days as follows: Group 1: untreated non diabetic; Group 2: untreated diabetic; Group 3: diabetic + low dose Spondias mombin; Group 4: diabetic + high dose Spondias mombin; Group 5: diabetic + low dose Curcuma longa; Group 6: diabetic + high dose Curcuma longa; Group 7: diabetic + low dose combined Spondias mombin and Curcuma longa; Group 8: diabetic + high dose combined Spondias mombin and Curcuma longa; and Group 9; diabetic + glibenclamide. Blood was collected on day 43 by cardiac puncture for determination of serum lipid profile and electrolytes. Results: Compared to Group 2, total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and electrolytes were significantly reduced while high density lipoprotein was significantly increased in all treated Groups (p<0.05). Compared to Groups 3 to 6, Groups 7 and 8 rats showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein as well as electrolytes (p<0.05): however, high density lipoprotein was significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Spondias mombin showed better hypolipidemic effects compared to Curcuma longa. However, results show that combined treatment with both extracts had better hypolipidemic effects than administration of individual extracts. Further research is recommended to evaluate the possible mechanism of action of these extract.

Effects of Blanching, Soaking, and Cooking on the HCN Yields, Nitrogen, Ash, and Minerals of Lima Beans (Phaseolus lunatus)

Abstract: Blanching, soaking, and cooking two cultivars of lima bean reduced the HCN concentrations to a safe level. Beans soaked for 12 hr had lower HCN levels than those soaked for 6 hr. Traditional processing was also effective in reducing the HCN concentration in the beans. The treatment of the beans also resulted in a reduction in ash, and the concentration of some minerals.

Effect of Problem-solving Teaching Technique on Students’ Stoichiometry Academic Performance in Senior Secondary School Chemistry in Nigeria

Abstract: Aims: This study addressed the effect of problem-solving technique on students’ academic performance in stoichiometry in Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria. Study Design: Quasi-experimental design specifically pre-test post-test control groups non-randomized design was adopted. Place and Duration of Study: Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State located at the South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria and lasted for four weeks. Methodology: The population comprised of 520 senior secondary 2 chemistry students from private and public schools. 105 SS2 chemistry students representing 61 males and 44 females from intact classes of selected schools formed the sample. The instrument was Stoichiometry Achievement Test developed by the researcher and reliability coefficient calculated to be 0.79. Three research questions and three hypotheses were used in the study. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance at .05 level of significance. Results: Findings of the study revealed a significant difference in performance between students taught stoichiometry using problem-solving technique (experimental) and those taught using conventional lecture method (control). Students exposed to problem-solving technique obtained higher score in performance test than those in conventional lecture method. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in students’ performance based on gender (male and female) and school type (private and public). Conclusion: The study therefore, concludes that problem-solving technique is more effective and enhance students understanding than traditional lecture method. The study recommended that chemistry teachers should incorporate problem-solving in teaching stoichiometry and related concepts and present curriculum should be reviewed to recommend problem-solving technique.