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.

University training of entomologists, especially taxonomists in tropical Africa

Abstract: University training of entomologists, especially taxonomists in tropical Africa is examined. It is concluded that generally the education of entomologists in the subregion is very poor. Teachers with correct training and orientation are either lacking or when available do not receive the necessary incentives for effective teaching. Supporting facilities for academic work are either missing or where present have deteriorated to the extent of being almost useless. The situation is thought unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future. It has been suggested that international institutions in Africa concerned with the proper progress and development of Insect Science should take steps to organize a comprehensive master’s degree programme in entomology along the Rivers State University of Science and Technology curriculum pattern. Alternatively, the duration of the Ph.D. course work may be increased to 9 months as suggested in the paper. This should help to produce at least some educated entomologists and hopefully some taxonomists for the continent.

The influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on the volumetric properties of ethylene glycol and triethylene glycol at 298.15 k.

Abstract: Density measurements of binary mixtures of ethylene glycol and triethylene glycol as well as solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the binary mixtures at various temperatures and concentrations of CTAB have been carried out. The density data have been used to calculate the excess molar volumes V E of the binary mixtures with and without CTAB. The V E values are negative at all compositions of ethylene glycol except at 0.9. The magnitude of the negative V E values was observed to decrease with increasing temperature and concentration of CTAB.These results have been discussed in terms of chemical and physical factors as well as structural changes in the mixed solvents.

A Mechanistic Approach to Subsea Gas Pipeline Capacity Utilization – Case Study

Abstract: One of the biggest challenges after the initial gas field discovery lies in the transportation. The natural gas supply is constructed in such a way that transportation remains an integral part of the gas utilization system. This is because the operator has to understand the mechanism behind transporting from the well to the wellhead; from the wellhead to the topside while efficiently avoiding hydrate formation; from the topside to the processing facilities and from the processing facilities to the delivery point for the final consumers. This paper was structured to address subsea gas pipeline flow assurance issues relating to the initiation of hydrate and internal corrosion. Through experience and extensive literature studies, an Optimization Systematic Model was developed. This model is procedural in nature, incorporating both risk analysis and predictive models. The model was further used to investigate the susceptibility of the case study, Inter-western African Gas Pan Pipeline (IAGPP), to hydrate and internal corrosion. The results of the case study confirmed that the model is helpful in that it can bring flow assurance issues to management focus. This research suggested a new derived equation – the Thermo-Mechanistic Model (T-MM), used to explain PIPESIM simulation results and the optimization options. The T-MM can be used to understand the behavior of gas enthalpy to variations in gas pipeline flowrate. In general, there is a need to keep gas pipeline capacity optimization in focus; to proactively avert cases of hydrate and internal corrosion by using the model developed. Learning from the IAGPP case study also shows that there is the need to accurately assess gas availability for transmission.

Evaluation of Protective Properties of Elaeis oleifera Fruit Extract on Renal Parameters of Dichlorvos-Induced Nephrotoxocity in Albino Rats

Abstract: Aim: Evaluate the protective effects of palm oil on renal parameters after dichlorvos toxicity in albino rats. Study Design and Methodology: The study consisted of 3 phases: The acute study which lasted for 24 hours, the sub-acute study which lasted for 14 days and the sub chronic study which lasted for 30 days. The design and treatment pattern is shown below. Phase 1: Acute Study. Group 1: No DDVP, No palm oil for 24 hours (Negative control), Group 2: 30 mg/kg of DDVP without palm oil (positive control), Group 3: 30 mg/kg of DDVP and 100 mg/kg palm oil for 24 hours (treatment group). Phase 2: Sub-Acute (14 days) Study. Group 4: No DDVP, No palm oil for 14 days (Negative control), Group 5: 10 mg/kg of DDVP without palm oil daily for 14 days (positive control), Group 6: 10 mg/kg of DDVP and 100 mg/kg of palm oil daily for 14 days (positive control). Phase 3: Sub-Chronic (30 days) Study. Group 7: No DDVP, No palm oil for 30 days (Negative control), Group 8: 10 mg/kg of DDVP without palm oil daily for 30 days (positive control), Group 9: 10 mg/kg Original Research Article Nwachuku et al.; JAMPS, 22(6): 1-13, 2020; Article no.JAMPS.58295 2 of DDVP and 100 mg/kg palm oil daily for 30 days (treatment group). All administration was done orally. After the period of treatments, the rats were sacrificed after 18 hours of fast. Whole blood samples (5 mls) were collected into lithium heparin bottle and spun at 3500 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain plasma samples. Samples obtained were used for the determination of Na, K, HCO3, urea, and creatinine while renal tissues obtained were used for histopathological examinations. Results: Significantly higher values were seen in urea in the dichlorvos treated rats over a period of 24 hours, 14 days, and 30 days as compared to rats co-treated with palm oil and the control. Creatinine indicated significantly higher over a period of 24 hours while non-significant increases were observed in the dichlorvos treated rats over a period of 14 days and 30 days. More so, significantly higher values were seen in potassium in the dichlorvos treated rats over a period of 24 hours and 14 days, while significantly higher values in potassium were seen after period of 30 days as compared to rats co-treated with palm oil and the control. Sodium and chloride did not indicate significant difference over the period of 24 hours, 14 days, and 30 days. Histological examination of the renal tissue indicated structural distortions dichlorvos treated rats over a period of 24 hours, 14 days and 30 days while significant improvements in the structural integrity of the kidney were observed in rats co-treated with palm oil. Conclusion: Results obtained indicated that palm oil showed a protective effect in ameliorating the nephrotoxicity induced by dichlorvos as shown by the histological examination and decreased values of creatinine and urea as well as potassium in palm oil treated rats.

The Vacuum in Nigeria's Crude Oil Laws: An Inquiry into the Decommissioning of Onshore and Offshore Facilities

Abstract: Conventional wisdom requires that at the completion of crude oil production, the oil wells should be permanently plugged to protect the environment Although, crude oil production has been undertaken for decades in Nigeria, there is no evidence to show that any facility has been properly decommissioned In the United States, about three-quarter of the 50 states have plugging rules governing the procedures for plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells There is currently no official legal and institutional arrangement for proper decommissioning of oil and gas facilities in Nigeria It is this loophole that this article seeks to investigate with regards to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s legal and institutional policies on abandonment and decommissioning of oil and gas facilities It suggests that, there is currently a vacuum in the laws and that, the enactment of adequate legislation is urgently required