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.

Optimization of Electricity Supply to Onuiyi-Nsukka using Heuristic Technique for Shunt Capacitor Integration

Abstract: This research work has been done in a distribution network (33/11KV) which is the most essential part in electricity supply chain. The Nigeria electricity distribution companies are saddled with the responsibility of providing optimal and sustainable electricity supply to consumers while maintaining the required voltage profile at minimal power losses. They are being confronted with dearth of electricity supply to match the much needed energy demand. This research presents the application of heuristic technique to determine the optimal capacitor location and size on a distribution network for an improved voltage profile, power loss reduction and increased energy savings. Analysis and investigation were performed using Onuiyi-Nsukka distribution network as case study. The critical voltage buses on the feeder are improved with the placement of shunt capacitors with the aim of achieving a voltage profile within the statutory limit of p.u.The effects were noticed to be much in Bus (19) where voltage is 0.7186 p.u. which is about 24.4% deviation from the normal, bus (26) which is 0.786 p.u having 17.3% variation from the statutory limit and others. These results denote voltage deviations which causes damage to the system, and may lead to a possible system collapse if not optimized. The application of PSAT requested the use of heuristic technique with the integration of sized shunt capacitors. This reduced the network real power loss from 0.27MW to 0.12MW and the reactive power loss from 0.76Mvar to 0.13Mvar. The distribution network achieved an improved power quality. With this, electricity supply becomes reliable and sustainable for the electricity users.

Comparative Evaluation of Proximate Composition and Sensory Properties of Fruits and Vegetables from Open Market and Shopping Mall in Port Harcourt City

Abstract: The study evaluated the proximate composition and sensory properties of fruits (banana and tomatoes) and vegetables (Lettuce and cabbage) from an open market and a shopping mall to ascertain the effect of the two environments on the sample quality. Standard analytic procedures were used in sample analysis. Open market samples had moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate content of 76.56-92.96, 0.25-1.24, 0.03–0.91, 0.56–1.17, 2.20–3.34 and 1.17 – 14.13 % respectively, while values for shopping mall were 80.62-94.10, 0.16–0.29, 0.06–0.21, 0.40–0.86, 1.54–3.87 and 0.91–14.28 % respectively. The degree of likeness for the appearance, flavour (aroma/taste), texture (firmness/crunchiness) and overall acceptability of the samples from the open market ranged from 6.60 - 7.00, 4.90 - 6.35, 5.25 -5.95 and 5.80 - 6.10 respectively, and those of the shopping mall were 6.55–7.25, 4.70–6.65, 5.45–5.95 and 5.85–6.30 respectively. The environment had significant (P≤0.05) influence on the proximate composition and sensory properties of the fruits and the vegetables. Fruits and vegetables from the open market had significantly (P≤0.05) higher nutrient content. The environment of the shopping mall provided the low temperature which improved upon the moisture and sensory attributes of the samples as evidenced in higher degree of likeness of samples from the shopping mall. This revealed the importance of storage and sales of fruits and vegetables under chilled storage.

Studies on the Production and Consumer Acceptability of Eco-Friendly Household Cleaning Products from Locally Available Materials

Abstract: Household cleaning products are commonly used worldwide to enhance cleanliness and hygiene. Most household cleaning products marketed commercially today are very expensive, unaffordable and contain toxic and harmful chemicals. Some may even damage the cleaned surface through corrosion or abrasion. The aim of this study was to produce eco-friendly household cleaning products from locally available materials. The study was carried out in Omuku, Rivers State. The population was made up of all 182 housekeepers and working mothers across the five school of the Federal College (Technical) of Education and 15 hotels. The stratified random sampling technique was used to sample 102 working mothers and housekeepers. Household cleaning products such as liquid soap was produced from local materials such as orange, lemon, tangerine, coconut oil, and palm ash. Toilet cleaner was formulated from ginger and aloe vera extracts and activated carbon while floor wash was made from local gin, liquid wash, alcohol, lemon and sodium chloride. The products were subjected to sensory acceptability. A nine Point Hedonic Scale questionnaire was also constructed and administered to the respondents for data collection. Mean rating was used to analyze the research questions and sensory evaluation and Z-test was used to analyze the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that the locally produced household cleaners were acceptable in terms of quality. The respondents’ response differed with respect to the colour and the odour of locally made household cleaners especially the locally produced liquid soap. The study also revealed that the locally produced household cleaners differed from commercial ones only in terms of colour. The result therefore indicates the potentials of utilizing locally available materials for the production of non-toxic, natural and environmentally safe household cleaning products.

Paternal Contribution to Banana (Musa sapientum L.) & Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) Progenies & Progeny Ploidy Composition in a Polycross Mating System Using RAPD & Flow Cytometry

Abstract: Aims: A 4x – 2x polycross mating design of 4 tetraploid female parents was established to determine paternal contributions of 3 diploid male parents to resulting progenies, their ploidy composition and genetic diversity of synthetic hybrids. Study Design: The polycross mating design comprised 2 blocks having both maternal and paternal selections, with seed parents replicated at 12 plants per clone. Each crossing block had 31 plants of each of the three male parents. Original Research Article Wilson et al.; AJBGMB, 2(4): 1-14, 2019; Article no.AJBGMB.52611 2 Place and Duration of Study: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) High Rainfall Station, Onne (4o51’N, 7o03’E, 10 m above sea level), Rivers State, South-South Nigeria for a period of 24 months. Methodology: At maturity of maternal parents (TMPx 2796-5; TMPx 1658-4; TMPx 5511-2; and TMPx 7152-2), fruit bunches were harvested, ripened and the seeds extracted. Hard seeds obtained were germinated in vivo in seed trays and emerging seedlings transplanted to perforated nursery bags. At 12 weeks, DNA was extracted from candle leaf for RAPD analysis of 80 progenies and the 3 pollen parents. Ploidy status of progenies was determined using flow cytometry method. Results: There was significant unequal paternal contribution to Musa polycross progenies with 3 maternal parents; TMPx 2796-5, TMPx 5511-2, and TMPx 1658-4. Two of the 3 paternal parents had progenies with all 4 maternal parents while TMB2x 5105-1 did not have any progeny with TMPx 2796-5. Progenies exhibited 4 ploidy levels with frequency differing with each female parent: TMPx 7152-2 produced 100% 3x progeny; TMPx 5511-2, 63% 3x and 37% 2x; TMPx 2796-5, 91% 3x and 9% 2x and TMPx 1658-4, 82% 3x, 9% 2x, 6% 4x and 3% 5x. The 5x progeny was recorded in the first ratoon crop. The second ratoon crop had only triploids. Conclusion: The high frequency of 3x progenies from all maternal types in this study, suggests the effectiveness of the polycross mating design in Musa improvement.