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.

Storage Stability of Probiotic Soy Yoghurts with Enzyme Hydrolyzed African Breadfruit and Rice Additives

Abstract: Aims: This study investigated the effect of culture type and storage time on pH, titratable acidity (%Lactic acid), viscosity and syneresis, probiotic viability and sensory properties of probiotic soy yoghurts with enzyme hydrolyzed African bread fruit (HABF) and rice syrup. Methodology: Three sets of Soy-HABF Yoghurt were formulated by supplementing soymilk with 4% HABF and the addition of enzyme hydrolyzed rice syrup. The formulations were inoculated separately with Bifidiobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophillus as monoand co-cultures and fermented at 42 °C for 8 h. Using standard methods, the samples were analyzed after fermentation representing day 1 and on the 5 th , 10 th , 15 th and 20 th days of storage at 40 C. Results: Culture type and the storage time had significant (P≤0.05) effect on physicochemical, probiotic count and sensory properties of the probiotic soy-HABF yoghurt. pH decreased Original Research Article Barber et al.; EJNFS, 13(2): 110-121, 2021; Article no.EJNFS.65361 111 significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with storage time from 4.36 4.06, 4.30 – 3.97 and 4.35 4.26 for B, L and BL (B. bifidum, L. acidophilus and the co-culture of B. bifidum, and L. acidophilus fermented samples). L. acidophilus had highest pH decrease. Titratable acidity, viscosity and syneresis index increased significantly (P≤0.05) with increase in storage time. Probiotic counts varied from 7.726.54 and 8.56 – 7.70 Log CFU/ml for B. bifidum and L. acidophilus respectively in the mono-culture samples B and L and from 7.66 – 5.65 and 7.90 – 6.57 Log CFU/ml for B.bifidum and L. acidophilus in sample BL. Assessors’ degree of likeness for the aroma, appearance, taste and texture of the probiotic soy-HABF yoghurt varied from neither like nor dislike to moderate likeness. The overall acceptability indicated that the L. acidophilus fermented product (sample L) was more acceptable to the assessors within the first 5 days of storage. Conclusion: This study have shown that B.bifidum and L.acidophillus retained a viability of > log 6 within 15 days of storage. The physicochemical and sensory characteristics of soy/HABF yoghurt were also at optimum within the first 5 days at 40 C.

The Niger Delta crisis and advocacy for peace by the Nigerian press: A content analysis of three Nigerian newspapers

Abstract: The Niger Delta region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been embroiled in a protracted crisis over a decade now. The crisis is hinged on infrastructural deprivation of the people of the region by the Federal Government of Nigeria. As a result of the crisis, oil output dropped to 1.4mbpd as against 2.3mbpd in 2006 with the people of the region suffering untold socio-economic hardship. It is expected that the press could drive for peace through advocacy. To this end, therefore, this study set out to examine the editorial, advertorial and features content of three Nigerian newspapers The Guardian , The Punch and the Niger Delta Standard – with a view to finding out if content was directed towards advocacy for peace in the region. The period of study was July 2008 to June 2009. Measurement of news space was done in centimeters. Analysis revealed that advocacy for peace in the Niger Delta by the newspapers studied was abysmally shrift. Analysis further revealed that the newspapers reported more of the macabre and drama of the crisis than advocacy for peace in the region. It was therefore recommended that Nigerian newspapers should embrace the ideology of advocacy and use its kit to point out problems and solutions in the socio-political milieu. Key words : Advertorial, Crisis, Editorial, Media advocacy, Niger Delta, Nigerian Press

Inter-seasonal and inter-habitat variations in the diet of the African fire skink, Lygosoma fernandi, from southern Nigeria

Abstract: The inter-habitat and inter-seasonal variations in the taxonomic diet composition of the African fire skink, Lygosoma fernandi, one of the largest Scincidae of the Afrotropical regions, were studied by analysis of excrements collected from live individuals that were captured in some areas of the Niger Delta region, southern Nigeria. 22 prey types, mostly arthropods, were found in the diet of this species, with significant differences in prey composition between seasons. Isopoda and Coleoptera dominated in the dietary samples, with very few prey types exclusive of one habitat type and/or season (e.g. Formicidae in dry forest in both seasons and lizards in swamp forest in wet season). Overall, no difference between forest types and seasons was found as for diversity and evenness indices except for that prey diversity was higher in feces collected in the dry forest in dry season, whereas dominance and evenness did not show any significant variation across forest types.

Conflict management strategies and industrial harmony: a theoretical review of rivers state university, port harcourt

Abstract: Conflict is a necessary aspect of organizational life. Its presence at the workplace infuses innovation and creative mindset in people through diversity of constructive opinions and criticisms. Although some theories support its encouragement while others condemns it. Given today’s new business order which promote and advocates collective participation in decision making, the need for constructive conflict becomes even more than necessary. It was in regard that this study theoretically reviewed the contributory influence of conflict management strategies as a precursor for enthronement of industrial harmony in contemporary workplaces with emphasis on Rivers State University. The study reviewed extant literature on the meaning and nature of all the study variables of study and discovered that no organization irrespective of the kind of business or industry they are in can progress effectively without giving room for constructive conflict to thrive while managing the destructive aspects using appropriate strategies such as compromise, collaboration and accommodation where necessary. Therefore we concluded when an organization promotes constructive conflict, it fosters innovation and creativity through diversity of opinions. On the other hand, when dysfunctional conflict is properly managed, it promotes industrial harmony among the members of the organization and also serves as bedrock of a successful entrepreneurial venture. Finally, we recommend that: that Management of tertiary institutions should try as much as possible to discourage destructive conflict while promoting constructive conflict. That in the event of any conflict situation, management should be responsive enough to arrest it objectively with appropriate strategies such as compromise, collaboration and accommodation to avoid turning the organization to a breeding ground for various deviant workplace behavior like sabotage, strike and alienations as result of disharmony. Key word: Conflict, theories, management, strategies, industrial harmony, Rivers State University CITATION: Wobodo, C. C. (2019). Conflict management strategies and industrial harmony: A theoretical review of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (2), 981 –994.

Evaluation of Antioxidants Supplementation on Renal, Hepatic and Cardiac Function Markers in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus Wister Rats

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate antioxidants supplementation (selenium and vitamin E) on renal, hepatic and cardiac function markers in alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in Wister rats. Study Design: Rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups with each group consisting of 5 rats. The treatment pattern involved the induction of hyperglycaemia in the rats followed by oral administration of selenium and vitamin E supplements singularly and in combination. The groups are as follow: Group A: Alloxan induced diabetic Rats treated with selenium (0.02 mg/kg) for 35 days. Group B: Alloxan induced diabetic Rats treated with Vitamin E (70.0 mg/kg) for 35 days. Original Research Article Ben-Chioma et al.; JOCAMR, 9(3): 23-39, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56326 24 Group C: Alloxan induced diabetic Ratstreated with both Selenium and Vitamin E (0.02 mg/kg + 70.0 mg/kg) for a period of 35 days. Group D: Alloxan induced diabetic Rats without any treatment (Positive control) for 35 days. Group E: Rats in this group were fed normally for 35 days without induction and treatment (Negative control). Place and Duration of the Study Area: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria over a period of 9 months (January, 2019 – September, 2019). Methodology: After the inducement of hyperglycaemia in the rats (Group A – D) with a single dose intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 140mg/kg body weight of alloxan hydrate, treatment with the antioxidants (selenium and Vitamin E) was performed for 35 days. At the end of 35 days, the animals were allowed to fast for 18 hours and sacrificed. Plasma specimen collected was used for the assay of Na, K, HCO3, urea, creatinine, cardiac troponin I, LDH, AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, protein, albumin globulin and MDA while renal, hepatic and cardiac tissues collected were used for histological investigations. Results: Significantly lower values were seen in Na + , K + , HCO3 and conjugated bilirubin in the diabetic rats without antioxidants supplementation (group D) when compared to diabetic rats with antioxidants supplementation of selenium and vitamin E (group A, B & C) and non-diabetic control group (group E). There were no significant differences seen when Group A, B, C and E were compared among one another. Also, significantly higher values were seen in AST, ALT, ALP, Unconjugated bilirubin, urea, creatinine, cardiac troponin I and MDA in the diabetic rats without antioxidants supplementation (group D) when compared with diabetic rats treated with antioxidants supplements of selenium and vitamin E (group A, B & C) and non-diabetic control group (group E). However, no significant differences were seen in LDH, total protein, albumin, globulin and total bilirubin at P=.05. Histological findings in the kidneys, liver and cardiac tissues of the rats treated with antioxidants supplement showed recovery tendencies compared to diabetic rats without antioxidant supplementation. Conclusion: Results obtained suggest that the use of selenium or vitamin E singularly or in combination has ameliorative effect on cardiac, renal and hepatic function markers in alloxaninduced diabetic rats. However, the combination of selenium and vitamin E had no synergistic advantage over the use of selenium or vitamin E alone.