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.

Discriminatory Customary Practices Against Women’s Rights: An Account Of Intervention Strategies By Southern African Developing States

Abstract: Discriminatory customary practices against the protection of gender rights still thrive in many Southern African developing states despite domestic and international legal regimes to prevent them. These practices were borne out of customary inclinations of the patriarchal social system in most African communities, which hold women and the girl-child in perpetual subordination to the male. In other words, the African customary systems wrongly perceive the male gender as being naturally superior to the female. More so, the loopholes in the executive and legislative efforts to combat human rights abuses as well as judicial pronouncements and governmental apathy in eradicating abuses against gender discrimination towards women in the Southern African developing states are apparent. Consequently, discriminatory customary practices continue to thrive despite legislative framework protecting gender rights in the states. The methodology adopted in this paper is a doctrinal approach, which places reliance on legal materials that are enacted and enforced by African Developing states. The article examines international and states laws, norms, institutions, international and national publications and other international legal instruments relating to gender discrimination. Most importantly, the central attention of this study focuses on the discriminatory customary practices against women in the Southern African Developing States. The current study finds that, despite identifiable discriminatory customary practices which are still practised and condoned as being the lifestyle and tradition of groups are criminalized and declared abhorrent by specific domestic legislation of nations, the human rights of the girl-child and women continue to be in chains and fetters. In conclusion, this article advocates increased advocacy, judicial activism and more proactive legislative action that protect women and the girl-child in the Southern African developing states.

Assessment of Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Zingiber officinale Rhizome in Testosterone Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rat Model

Abstract: Aims: To assess the antioxidant effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ginger rhizome in testosterone induced prostate hyperplasic male rats. Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The experimental aspect of this study was conducted at the animal house, Department of Pharmacology, University of Port Harcourt between April and September, 2019. Methodology: Sixty (60) adult albino male wistar rats were used for this study. They were divided into 12 groups of 5 rats each and fed with commercial rat diet and clean drinking water. Aqueous and ethanolic extractions of Ginger rhizome seed were prepared using the maceration method. BPH was induced in rats after they submitted to bilateral orchiectomy by daily injections of Original Research Article Obisike et al.; JOCAMR, 8(2): 1-12, 2019; Article no.JOCAMR.52835 2 testosterone propionate (TP) (4 mg/kg b.wt.sc). Rats were treated with 500 or 1500 mg/kg b.wt. of aqueous or ethanoI extracts of Zingiber officinale (Zo) rhizome, dutasteride or in combination. Administration of extracts was done by gavage. Plasma total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were analysed using sandwich ELISA Kits by Shanghai Korain Biotech Co., Ltd, China, while oxidative stress indices (OSI) were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0 of Windows Stat Pac and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that exogenous induction of BPH in rats significantly increased (p=0.000) plasma TOS and OSI while TAS and SOD activities were reduced. However, 500 and 1500 mg/kg b.wt. of Zo rhizome administered orally after exogenous induction of BPH had been established for 15 days, significantly decreased (p=0.000) TOS, OSI and significantly improved the activities of antioxidant parameters like SOD and TAS. Non-significantly increased mean TAS and SOD were seen in a combination of both extracts with dutasteride, possibly suggestive of synergistic interaction between the herbs and the drug. Simultaneous administration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Zo rhizome with TP for 30 days also showed antioxidant qualities, although the effects were statistically not better than values for treatments done when BPH was established before treatment. Ethanolic extracts of Zo rhizome produced better antioxidant effects compared to the aqueous extracts. Conclusion: From the findings, we conclude that Zo rhizome can ameliorate oxidative stress and therefore may be beneficial in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

IFRS Adoption in the EU and the Challenge of Nomenclature Evidence from the UK, France, and Germany

Abstract: Since the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the subsequent directive by the European Union (EU), all companies operating in the EU are required to report their consolidated financial statements in line with the IFRS. This study examines the consolidated financial statements of the top 170 listed companies in three major EU stock exchanges (UK, France and Germany) and uncovered a disparity in the use of common nomenclatures. The findings reveal that the inconsistencies in the application of terminologies such as statement of financial position instead of balance sheet and sequence of arrangement of assets in order of liquidity constitute the main differences for entities operating in the three countries. Such differences pose an imminent challenge in the comparability and interpretation of financial results.

Distribution and abundance of Temnoschoita Quadrimaculata Gly. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. in Ghana.

Abstract: The seasonal distribution and abundance of adult Temnoschoita quadrimaculata Gly., a pest of oil palm in Ghana was studied. The weevil occurred throughout the year with a peak of abundance from March to June. It preferred breeding in cut fronds which result from harvesting or pruning and was more abundant in 3–6 days old cut fronds.Adult weevils preferred the upper third portion in comparison to the lower and middle third portion of the palm tree. Their incidence and abundance in pruned plantations was statistically greater (P < 0.05) than in unpruned plantations. Older palm trees were relatively more susceptible to attack than younger ones. Adult weevils preferred feeding on the fresh frond tissues than on leaflets.