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.

Financial Intermediation: A Philosophical Approach

Abstract: Philosophy of finance is an emerging field that tackles issues at the intersection of finance and many branches of philosophy such as ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of science, and epistemology. But in this paper emphasis was placed on the philosophy of financial intermediation with special focus on deciphering the process of financial intermediation, why financial intermediaries exist and the theories of financial intermediation. It demonstrated how the main functions of financial intermediaries such reduction of transaction cost, information asymmetry, liquidity provision and delegated monitoring among others have aided in understanding how financial intermediation affect the economy.

Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activity of Irvingiagabonensis (Bush mango) Seed Sample

Abstract: Phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of Irvingia gabonensis (Bush mango) seed sample were evaluated. Dried milled seeds of I.gabonensis popularly known as “ogbono” passed through phytochemical screening, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and antioxidant studies. Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and reducing sugars were among the phytochemicals found present after screening. About 20 constituents were revealed by the GC-MS analysis out of which 1,3-O-Benzylidine glyceryl-2-myristate had the highest molecular weight, 2-Undecanone had the highest peak area of 45.39% whereas 3-Dibenzofuranamine had the highest retention time. Some of these constituents could have one or two applications in medicinal, food or cosmetic industries. I.gabonensis seeds showed better antioxidant activity against the Original Research Article Sunday et al.; AJBGMB, 7(4): 25-34, 2021; Article no.AJBGMB.63380 26 control at concentrations considered in this study. Some of these constituents as well could be behind the observed antioxidant activity. This study has evaluated the phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of I.gabonensis (Bush mango) seed sample.

Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Capacities of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach) Extracts

Abstract: Medicinal plants are valuable natural sources for the development of potentially safe drugs. The biological activities associated with these plants are due to the presence of certain phytochemicals that act individually or synergistically. Thus, this study examined the phytochemical components, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, ethylacetate and methanolic extracts of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach). Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical assays of P. purpureum showed the presence of alkaloids (0.004%), saponins (0.002%), flavonoids (0.021%), steroids, terpenoids and glycosides (0.008%). Methanol, n-hexane and ethylacetate extracts of P. purpureum were examined for antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion method. Six microbial strains were exposed to six different concentrations of each extracts; 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml. The three extracts demonstrated varied concentration-dependent antimicrobial activities against the test organisms. The methanolic extract showed antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus and antifungal activity against T. mentagrophyte and A. niger. Among all extracts, the methanolic extract of P. purpureum exhibited relatively strong antifungal activity against A. niger (10.3±0.12 mm) when compared to the standard antifungal agent, fluconazole (13.9±0.12 mm). Furthermore, antioxidant activities were spectrophotometrically studied using vitamin C as standard; methanol and ethylacetate extracts Original Research Article Jack et al.; CSIJ, 29(4): 1-14, 2020; Article no.CSIJ.55961 2 of P. purpureum showed pronounced scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); and had a potent reductive ability on ferric ion and phosphomolybdate. However, only the non-polar extract of P. purpureum showed a non-significant correlation and significant differences when compared to vitamin C. Antioxidant activities of the plant extracts were observed in the order of methanol >ethylacetate> n-hexane extracts. The results showed that P. purpureum contains phytochemicals that significantly contributed to the observed antimicrobial and antioxidant abilities of the plant and could be used as a potential source for the development of novel therapeutic drugs.

Socio-demographic characteristics of adults screened for human immunodeficiency virus infection in Ahoada-East local government area in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the pathogen responsible for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the most significant emerging infectious disease is causing health, social, and developmental problems to mankind. Aims, Setting and Design: This is a cross-sectional study to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of adults screened for HIV infection in Ahoada Community in Rivers State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: HIV antibodies were detected using Determine (Abbott Laboratories, Japan), Start-Pak (Chembio Diagnostics, USA) and SD Bioline HIV-1/2 kits (Standard Diagnostics, Korea). All test procedures were carried out according to the manufacturers' instructions. Subjects included 152) consecutively recruited adults consisting of 955 females and 566 males aged 18-54 years with a mean age of 36.25΁7.02 years. Statistical Analysis: Data were entered and analyzed using statistical package SPSS version 9. A P -value ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant in all statistical comparisms. Results and Conclusion: Out of a total of 1521 persons screened for HIV infection, 162 persons tested positive for HIV (10.6%). HIV infection was higher among females (10.9%) compared to males (10.1%) and in the 25-34 and 45-60 years age groups (11.1%) ( P = 0.08). HIV-1 was the predominant subtype (74%) compared to 26% for dual HIV-1 and 2. This study indicates the urgent need for both government and non-governmental organizations to intensify awareness campaign programme to reduce the spread of the HIV infection in the area with emphasis on behavioral change and economic empowerment of the people as well as provision of universal access to antiretroviral therapy for those with HIV infection.

The mass media and african elections

Abstract: Using Nigeria as a setting, this paper examines how media’s reportorial mistakes impact African electoral processes. Eight newspaper textual exemplars were theoretically sampled and presented in a titled Text Box. The texts were subjected to analysis by means of the analytical resources that brim in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Discussion drew on reactions from the reporters who wrote the analysed textual exemplars. Discussion also drew on comments about the 2013 Zimbabwe elections. Results are that questionable communication models tease African media into inaccuracies; and such inaccuracies are found as conniving at electoral abuses in Africa. Conclusion is that until the media snap out of their debilitating ineptitude, electoral outcomes in Africa will continue to be out of synch with the will of the electorates