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.

Parental Awareness of Accidents Prevention Strategies towards the Physical Wellbeing of Preschool Children in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Abstract: This study aimed at assessing parental awareness of accidents prevention strategies towards the physical wellbeing of preschool children in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State. A quantitative survey design was used for the study. A non-proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 600 respondents who were parents with children between the ages of 1-6 years old in Port Harcourt local government area. A simple random sampling technique was also used to select 6 towns that participated in the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire and then analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences. Respondents from the study were aware to a high extent that disallowing faulty balconies/rails where little preschoolers are can prevent dangerous falls; living in houses with windows shield will protect preschoolers; disallowing faulty electrical outlets in the home can save preschoolers from accidents; and avoiding careless storage Original Research Article Amadi and Azunwena; AJPR, 5(1): 19-29, 2021; Article no.AJPR.64879 20 of sharp objects in the home can prevent cuts among preschoolers. They also showed high extent of awareness that teaching preschoolers the dangers of playing around fires; teaching parents the rudiments of safety for preschoolers; teaching preschoolers the dangers of playing with sharp objects, and teaching preschoolers the dangers of playing around pools can help prevent avoidable injuries. The result also showed high extent of awareness that avoiding wrong placing of kerosene stove or gas cylinders within the reach of preschoolers; avoiding smoking in the presence of children can reduce the risk of preschoolers attempting the act of smoking, and parents who are more careful in home arrangement and storage of objects can prevent accidents among preschoolers. This study therefore reveals adequate environmental consciousness by parents; adequate teaching on safety measures and effective behaviour management are significant strategies for home accident prevention among parents for the physical wellbeing of preschool children.

Impact of Industrial Activities on the Physico-chemistry and Mycoflora of the New Calabar River in Nigeria

Abstract: A total of 196 samples were collected at an oil-servicing company (station A) and a control station of the New Calabar River during a 7 months investigation. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters and mycoflora as to assess the impact of the company activities on the river. Generally, values of temperature, pH, BOD5, total organic carbon (TOC), chloride, sulphate, oil and grease were higher in station A than in the control. Analysis of variance using paired t-test showed significant difference in temperature, pH, transparency, DO, BOD5 and in total fungal count at P ≥ 0.01 and in TOC at P ≥ 0.05 between the stations. Heavy metal concentration for cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel and zinc were higher in station A which also showed a high tendency of eutrophication. Mean total fungal counts were up to x102.cfu/ml and the frequency of fungi isolated were Aspergillus (8.12%), Byssochlamys (1.98%), Candida (14.31%), Cephalosporium (6.73%), Cladosporium (6.09%), Fusarium (7.42%), Mucor (4.06%), Penicillum (9.99%), Rhizopus (8.07%), Saccharomyces (17.73%), Sporobolomyces (10.15%) and Trichoderma (5.35%). These fungal genera contain species that are potential pathogens. The high values of BOD5 and heavy metals and low values of DO and total fungal counts in station A is attributed to the activities of the oil servicing company.

Title: Pancreatic Morphology and Morphometric Analysis of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes in Albino Rats Treated with n-hexane Extract of Leptadenia hastata Leaves.

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is currently a major health problem and one of the most common endocrine diseases in the world especially in many developing countries. Treatment of diabetes have always included the administration of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents in conjunction with lifestyle modifications. These treatments offer effective glycemic control however present limitations. Hence, traditional anti-diabetic plants have become popular in the management of diabetes mellitus.Methodology: Diabetes mellitus was induced in 20 Wistar rats using a single injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) administered intraperitonially. The rats were divided into four groups (3-6) of 5 rats each. Rats in group 3-6 received olive oil, 100mg/kg of extract, 200mg/kg of extract and insulin (6IU/kg), respectively. 10 non-diabetic rats were grouped into 1 and 2. They received olive oil and 200mg/kg of extract, respectively for 28 days. At the end of the study, the pancreas were removed and it was subjected tissue preparation.Results: There was an improvement in the area of pancreatic islets in the groups treated with the extract and insulin. The islet cells in the diabetic group were atrophied with pyknotic and karyolitic cells. The mean number of pancreatic islets, pancreatic diameter and number of beta cells in the extract treated groups were significantly (P<0.05) increased when compared to the untreated diabetic rats.Conclusion: n-haxane extract of Leptadenia hastata was found to have anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic properties and was also shown to improve the number and size of pancreatic islets in treated animals.

Hassles and Panacea to Educational Researches in South- South Nigeria

Abstract: This study examined the problems affecting educational researches in South-South Nigeria. The research work was conducted at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state (UNIPORT); Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa state (NDU); and the University of Calabar, Cross Rivers state (UNICAL). Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study was 3000 which comprised of final year students and academic staff in the above mentioned institutions. A sample size of 600 was drawn from the population. Four research questions guided the study. A 30- item questionnaire was developed and administered. The study revealed governmental factors, tertiary institutional factors, and researchers’ factors affecting educational researches in South-South Nigeria. Recommendations were made such as: the various state governments should improve on the security condition in their respective regions; the managements of the South- South tertiary institutions should encourage lecturers to carry out researches by making funds available to them through Tertiary Education Trust (TET) fund; e-libraries should be introduced, etc.

Finite Difference Investigation of a Polluted Non-Isothermal Variable-Viscosity Porous Media Flow

Abstract: We extend previous studies of channel flows to porous media flows with combined effects ofboth heat and mass transfer. We consider a temperaturedependent viscosity fluid and a concentrationdependent diffusivity in an unsteady and pressuredriven nonisothermal Brinkman flow. This leads to the governing equations for velocity, concentration and temperature. By lagging nonlinear coefficients, in time, a convergent finite difference scheme is formulated. We adopt the method of manufactured solutions to verify the convergence and second order spatial accuracy of the scheme. The impact of the flow parameters on the flow fields are numerically investigated. The results show that increase in the Darcy number and temperature parameter both increase the velocity while the increase in the pollutant diffusion parameter decreases the pollutant concentration.