Rivers State University

Freshwater turtles are essential components of aquatic ecosystems and face unprecedented pressures from habitat destruction, overexploitation, and hydrological alteration. Here, we combined 800 structured interviews with 163 field survey days across 14 provinces in northern Vietnam and Houa Phan Province, Laos (2019–2025), to assess spatial variation in freshwater turtle diversity and community structure. We also focused on the potential temporal shifts in the distribution of the almost extinct Rafetus swinhoei. The surveyed sites were assigned to three zones with different hydrological and habitat features (1 = Red River, 2 = Đà River, 3 = Chu River). A total of 233 verified records represented 11 species, including two non-native taxa (Chelydra serpentina and Trachemys scripta elegans). The assemblage was dominated by Pelodiscus sp. (60.9% of records) and Mauremys sinensis (28.3%), with an overall low diversity (H′ = 1.06). A Whittaker rank-abundance analysis revealed a steep decline in relative abundance after the species ranked 1 and 2, confirming high community unevenness. Zone 1 exhibited the highest Shannon–Wiener index. A Detrended Correspondence Analysis revealed that the three zones are characterised by ecologically distinct turtle assemblages. Chi-square analysis of R. swinhoei records accounting for effect sizes indicated significant spatial and temporal contraction, with recent sightings almost exclusively confined to the Đà River basin. Generalised linear models indicated that dam presence was the strongest predictor of turtle abundance, with zones containing dams exhibiting an estimated 2.57-fold higher total abundance. However, this apparently counterintuitive pattern was due only to Pelodiscus sp. and M. sinensis, two highly generalist species. All other factors showed no significant effect. Collectively, these findings suggest (i) that turtle assemblages are taxonomically distinct across the three zones and (ii) substantial declines in both diversity and distribution, particularly for large softshell species, throughout the whole region.

The study of convective heat and mass transfer in nanofluid flow over a stretching sheet, particularly under the combined influence of thermal and concentration gradients presents meaningful structures in the field of nanofluid dynamics. This research focuses on two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics boundary layer flow of a nanofluid over a stretching sheet in the presence of concentration-based internal heat, chemical reaction, Brownian motion and thermophoresis. The governing partial differential equation were transformed to dimensionless form using nondimensional variables and the resulting equations were solved using homotopy perturbation method. The effect of various physical parameters on velocity, temperature and nanoparticles concentration are discussed with the aid of graphs. It is observed that the increase in the Brownian motion parameter and concentration based internal heat increases the temperature distribution throughout the boundary layer. Increasing the chemical reaction significantly decreases the concentration level while increase in the magnetic field significantly reduces the fluid velocity. The results are compared with the existing literatures on various special cases to check the accuracy of the present study and are found to be in excellent agreement.

Aims: This study investigated the hormetic dose-response effects of n-hexane extract of Macadamia. integrifolia nuts haematological parameters in male Wistar rats. Study Design: Experimental, controlled, dose–response animal study. Place and Duration of Study: Animal house of the Department of Human Physiology, Rivers State University, Nigeria over a period of 28 days. Methods: Twenty-four (n=24) Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=6): control (vehicle only), low dose (250 mg/kg), moderate dose (500 mg/kg), and high dose (1000 mg/kg). The extract was administered orally for 28 days. The study was conducted in accordance with institutional ethical guidelines. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected for evaluation of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), RBC count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. Results: Low-dose administration produced significant reductions in erythrocyte parameters compared with control, including decreases in PCV (≈11% reduction), Hb (≈13% reduction), and RBC count (≈13% reduction). In contrast, higher doses produced progressive improvements in erythropoietic indices. At 1000 mg/kg, PCV increased by ≈11%, Hb by ≈12%, and RBC count by ≈11% relative to control, alongside increases in MCH and MCV. In addition, the low dose increased total WBC counts by approximately 32% compared with control, accompanied by elevations in neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. Conversely, the high dose reduced WBC counts by approximately 23% relative to control and normalized leukocyte differentials. Conclusions: n-Hexane extract of Macadamia integrifolia nuts exhibits a clear hormetic dose-response in haematological parameters. Low-dose exposure was associated with suppression of erythrocyte indices and increased leukocyte counts, whereas higher doses enhanced erythropoietic parameters and normalised immune cell profiles. These effects may be linked to phytochemical-mediated modulation of oxidative stress and stimulation of erythropoietic pathways, highlighting the importance of dose optimisation in nutraceutical and pharmacological applications.

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) is a staple food and an income-generating crop for many rural households, contributing to both nutritional and economic well-being. For female fluted pumpkin farmers, access to tailored agricultural extension services is crucial to improving their productivity and ensuring that they can contribute fully to agricultural development. This study evaluated the extension service needs of female fluted pumpkin farmers in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State. The study was conducted with 120 respondents employing a multistage sampling procedure involving three sampling techniques. The data collected from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the study. The socio-economic characteristics revealed that the majority of the farmers (42.5%) were between the ages of 35 and 44 years. Most of the farmers were married (79.2%) and lacked formal education, with 49.2% having no formal education and only 6.6% possessed tertiary education. For sources of agricultural information, the study found that only 16.7% of the respondents received their information from extension agents, reflecting an inadequate reach of formal agricultural extension services. The primary sources of information were local markets and traders (98.3%), peer farmers and neighbouring farms (95.8%), and farm input suppliers (82.5%). For the extension needs of the female fluted pumpkin farmers, access to credit was the most pressing need, with a mean value of 3.4. Other significant extension needs included training on pest and disease management (mean=3.0), developing and managing cooperatives (mean = 3.0), and strategies for coping with climate change (mean = 3.0). For constraints faced by the farmers, lack of funding was identified as the most significant challenge, with a mean score of 3.4, followed closely by the high cost of agricultural inputs (mean = 3.3) and poor road and transportation infrastructure (mean = 3.3). The analysis shows perfect positive correlation (Pearson correlation = 1.000) between the challenges female farmers face and their need for agricultural extension services, with significance level p=0.000. The study concludes that addressing the extension needs of the female pumpkin leaf farmers will alleviate the constraints they face. Recommendations are that the government should expand access to credit and financial facilities, strengthen agricultural extension services, enhance educational opportunities and promote climate-smart agriculture.

Addressing the continued destructive effects of floods on buildings and the built environment has been a more than a decade-old problem for the people of Bayelsa State, one of the geographical States in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Past empirical investigations in Bayelsa State have conducted independent studies to investigate the effectiveness of structural flood control measures and building-level adaptation measures. Although these studies were partially successful when used independently, they failed to answer the question of how the two strategies can be integrated to form a cohesive flood management framework that is distinct to Baylsa State. Regardless of these different efforts, buildings and built environment continue to experience high inundation depths, long flood duration, building damages and constant devastation by major floods in the State. The paper takes a model development framework, synthesis of previous empirical research on structural flood mitigation and building adaptation measures in Bayelsa State, to formulate an integrated flood mitigation and adaptation model (F-MAM-AB22). The proposed model was formed using the effective mitigation and adaptation practices, and the nature-based solutions reported in the literature were relevant. The F-MAM-AB22 model presents an effective decision-support model capable of increasing resilience to building damage, as well as minimizing the level of damage in comparison with the implementation of isolated strategies. The model provides a viable decision support tool to the policy makers, designers and other stakeholders who would like to realize flood resilient built environments in flood-prone areas in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta generally. Received: 16 January 2026 / Accepted: 28 February 2026 / Published: March 2026

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that can disrupt reproductive hormone balance and ovarian function in women, leading to menstrual irregularities and infertility. Azanza garckeana, an edible fruit used traditionally in Northern Nigeria, has demonstrated antidiabetic and bioactive properties, but its effects on female reproductive function remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of Azanza garckeana fruit (AGF) extract on reproductive hormone levels and ovarian histology in alloxan-induced diabetic female Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty adult female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 5): non-diabetic control, diabetic untreated, diabetic + AGF (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg), and diabetic + glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg). AGF and glibenclamide treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone were measured using ELISA kits. Ovarian tissues were collected for histological evaluation using standard hematoxylin and eosin staining. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 27.0). Results: Alloxan-induced diabetes significantly reduced FSH (0.33 ± 0.06 vs 0.69 ± 0.17 mIU/ml) and increased progesterone (35.16 ± 8.48 vs 16.62 ± 5.32 ng/ml) compared with controls (p < 0.05). AGF treatment at 250 and 500 mg/kg partially restored FSH (0.50 ± 0.10 and 0.49 ± 0.11 mIU/ml) and markedly increased LH (1.00 ± 0.17 and 1.19 ± 0.11 mIU/ml), while progesterone was normalised across all AGF doses (16.32–17.96 ng/ml). The highest AGF dose (1000 mg/kg) and glibenclamide produced FSH lower than control, with LH varying by treatment. Estradiol levels did not differ significantly between groups. Histology showed disrupted ovarian architecture in untreated diabetic rats, whereas AGF-treated groups, particularly 250 and 500 mg/kg, exhibited improved follicular integrity and reduced cellular degeneration. Conclusion: Azanza garckeana fruit extract mitigated diabetes-induced reproductive hormonal imbalances and preserved ovarian histology in female Wistar rats, highlighting its potential as a complementary intervention for reproductive dysfunction in diabetes.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare neoplasm of the lymphatic system, representing one of the most common cancers in young adults. It is characterised by a low number of malignant cells derived from B-lymphocytes and an extensive microenvironment. We used Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases with search descriptors; “Hodgkin* lymphoma“ and “Hodgkin* disease”. The common bibliometric indicators were applied. We retrieved a total of 18,304 articles within 2002 and 2022. The growth pattern showed a saturated pattern, with the linear and exponential plots coinciding. A small number of authors were responsible for the majority of the publications, with a transience index of 71.84%. The Bradford core consisted of 32 journals, with Leukemia and Lymphoma being at the top. The most productive institutions were resident in United States with the University of Texas MD Anderson Center at the helm. The United States was found to be the most productive country. Engert A. was the most productive author. Scientific production in Hodgkin lymphoma was found to be saturated with a high transience index. This study provides a reference for oncologists, epidemiologists, funders, policy decision makers, academics, and Hodgkin lymphoma researchers.

Dynamic positioning (DP) systems are essential to maritime operations, as they ensure precise station keeping. Yet human error remains a major contributor to DP incidents, often interacting with technical failures and environmental conditions. This study proposes an adaptive probabilistic framework to characterise human-error contributions to DP risk and support targeted mitigation. We compare integrated Bayesian network (BN)/fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Bayesian network (BN)/Dempster–Shafer (D-S) theory to model causal relationships, aggregate uncertain expert judgements, and prioritise risk factors. Historical incident narratives, accident reports, and expert elicitation inform the model to analyse failure propagation and quantify factor contributions. In a representative DP case application, insufficient training, operator fatigue, and reduced situational awareness—together with software anomalies and adverse environmental loads—emerge as dominant contributors; BN backward analysis corroborates their diagnostic relevance. The approach yields actionable insights for risk reduction, including tailored training programmes, strengthened safety protocols, and integration of real-time monitoring. It provides an auditable, updateable basis for scenario-based training, software/maintenance assurance, and environment-aware operating envelopes, and is readily extendable as new evidence becomes available. Overall, the framework offers practical value for improving safety, operational continuity, and system resilience in DP operations.