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.

Assessment of Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous, Ethanolic and Methanolic Extracts of Morus mesozygia Linn. Stapf., Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was therefore to assess the antioxidant effects of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Morus mesozygia Linn. Stapf., Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Study Design: The study is an experimental case-controlled study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Biochemistry Research Laboratory, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, between June 2018-April 2019. Methodology: A total of 65 male albino rats that weighed between 150g to 200g were used for this research study. Three different extracted solvents; aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic leaves extracts were administered to different groups of the rats. The male albino rats for this study were induced with a single dose of 40mg/kg b.wt, intraperitoneally of streptozotocin in 0.1M of citrate buffer, pH 4.5. The diabetic male rats were those whose fasting blood glucose (FBG) were from 250 mg/dl or 13 mmol/L and above. Original Research Article Joshua et al.; JOCAMR, 10(3): 22-30, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.60518 23 Results: The results showed that there were significant increases in the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD,411.8±1.49) ng/ml, total antioxidant status (TAS,75.25±0.42) mU/ml, total oxidant status (TOS,353.51± 6.07) mU/ml activity, an oxidative stress index of 4.69±0.05 and a reduced concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA of 19.0± 1.49 mmol/L) when rats were treated with 400mg/kg of aqueous leaves of Morus mesozygia Linn. S., when compared with those of rats treated with 200mg/kg of aqueous leaf extracts of MMLS. Other methods of extractions (methanolic and ethanolic), also improved the antioxidant statuses of the diabetes induced and treated rats. Conclusion: Methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Morus mesozygia Linn. S ameliorated oxidative stress, in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, with the methanolic extract showing the most potent effect.

Effect of Gas Flare on Some Clinical Enzyme Biomarkers of Eleme Residents in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Gas flaring, an environmental harmful practice, is prevalent in Eleme and most communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Aim: This study explored the impact of gas flaring on some clinical enzyme biomarkers of Eleme residents who are constantly exposed to the flared gas. Study Design/Place of Study: Volunteer subjects were randomly selected from representative groups resident in Eleme, an oil and gas producing and refining area, for over 15 years, while similar volunteer subjects resident in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, a non-gas flaring community, served as the control. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from the subjects and analyzed for selected clinical enzyme biomarkers including Creatine kinase (CK), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) using standard enzyme activity and Randox test kit methods. Original Research Article Odinga et al.; IJBCRR, 29(8): 101-107, 2020; Article no.IJBCRR.59931 102 Results: Results obtained revealed that CK levels for female Eleme subjects increased by 61.20% when compare with the female control subjects. This increase was statistically significant (p<0.05). The CK levels for Eleme male subjects also increased by 37.36% compared to control. However, this increase was not statistically significant (p<0.05). LDH increased by 23.21% in the male subjects and 18.58% in the female subjects compared to control, while AST increased by 42.11% in the male subject and 11.32% in the female subjects compared to control. The results suggest that there could be impending damage to organs for which an increase in the biomarkers-Creatine kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Aspartate Aminotransferase suggest an ongoing pathologic process. Conclusion: These results therefore suggest that the continuous exposure to gas flare is causing an increase in some critical tissue and organ function enzyme biomarkers in blood. This may eventually affect the health status of the residents, increase the tendency of developing ill health and generally reduce their quality of life.

Stochastic Forecasting of Stock Prices in Nigeria: Application of Geometric Brownian Motion Model

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the study is to model and simulate the trends and behavioral patterns in The Nigerian Stock Market and hence predict the future stock prices within the Geometric Brownian Motion (GBM) framework. Methodology: The methodology involves a comparison of forecasted daily closing prices to actual prices in order to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model. Based on the model assumptions of the GBM with drift: continuity, normality and Markov tendency, the study investigated four years (2015 - 2018) of historical closing prices of ten stocks listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange. The sample for this study is based on the most continuously traded stocks. Findings: The results show that in the simulation there are some actual stock prices located outside trajectory realization that may be from GBM model. Thus, the model did not predict accurately the price behavior of some of the listed stocks. The predictive power of the model is declining towards the longer the evaluated time frame proven by the higher value of the mean absolute percentage error. The value of the MAPE is 50% and below for the one- to two-year holding periods, and above 50% for the three-year holding period. Unique Contribution to theory, Practice and Policy: The MAPE and directional prediction accuracy method provide support that over short periods the GBM model is accurate. Meaning that the GBM is a reasonable predictive model for one or two years, but for three years, therefore, it is an inaccurate predictor. It is recommended that the technical analyst whose primary motive is to make gain at the expense of other participants should identify high volatile portfolio in any holding period for effective prediction Investors with long-range holding position as investment strategy should concentrate more on low capitalized stocks rather than stocks with large market capitalization. This is a unique contribution to theory, practice and policy.

Onset of convection of a reacting fluid layer in a porous medium with temperature-dependent heat source

Abstract: This paper investigates the problem of double-diffusive convection in a horizontal layer filled with a reacting fluid with temperature-dependent internal heat source within the Darcy limit. The linear stability theory is applied for the onset of both stationary (monotonic) and oscillatory convection. The critical Rayleigh numbers for the onset of convection are determined in terms of the governing parameters. The results show that positive increments in the internal heat source parameter hasten the onset on both stationary and oscillatory convection.