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.

Tractor services challenges and current demand trends by smallholder farmers in nigeria

Abstract: Many smallholder farmers, particularly those in developing countries do not practice mechanisation such as the use of tractor due to some plethora of issues among which include: lack of demand, problematic supply model and failed mechanisation programmes. Based on the problems associated with smallholder mechanisation and the roles lack of demand played in past mechanisation programmes, this research investigated the characteristics and the challenges of tractor service providers, as well as the analyses of the current demand trends by the sampled smallholder farmers for tractor services, while forecasting the future demand in Delta and Benue States of Nigeria. The study employed a snowball sampling technique to collect field survey data from 20 private tractor service providers (SMEs) and 6 government tractor service providers in four local government areas of Delta and Benue States. Descriptive statistics, weighted mean score and trend analyses were used to interpret the result. The study finds that tractor services provide employment for rural dweller, particularly male; use less of household labour and the majority of those involved own only a tractor. Among the different challenges such as the inability of smallholders to pay a high price, long distance to get mechanic, and the high cost of maintenance/high cost of the spare part; too few qualified tractor mechanics is ranked the most severe challenge. While both SMEs and government tractor service providers face some common challenges, poor maintenance and corruption predominates government tractor services. There has been a constant increase in the demand for tractor services by the smallholder farmers from 2013 to 2016 and the demand is forecast to continue. Based on the different challenges associated with the provision of tractor services to the smallholder, it was suggested that the government should support market driver tractor service provision

Effect of variety on the heat transfer coefficient during drying of fermented ground cassava

Abstract: Summary The effect of variety on the heat transfer coefficient of four cassava cultivars (TMS 30555, TMS 30572, NR 8082 and one Native type) was investigated. The cultivars were dried at an air temperature of 142 °C, air velocity of 1.397 m/s−1 and relative humidity of 55%. The heat transfer coefficient obtained varied from 0.0622 to 0.0725 kJ kg s °C. The heat transfer coefficient varied for some cultivars, while some cultivars had close heat transfer coefficient. NR 8082 had the lowest heat transfer coefficient while TMS 30555 had the highest heat transfer coefficient. The cultivars with high heat transfer coefficient were found to have low bulk density, smaller particle diameter, high drying rate, low specific heat capacity and high carbohydrate fat and protein contents than other cultivars.

Alteration of glucose-6-phosphatase activity and regenerative, and total DNA concentrations in regenerating and normal rat liver of aqueous extracts of two Nigerian plants.

Abstract: The effect(s) of an intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of aqueous extracts of two Nigerian medicinal plants, Garcina cola and Vermonia amygdalina on the level of glucose-6-phosphatase activity, total protein content and regenerative and total DNA concentrations, was determined in liver homogenates of partially-hepatectomized and normal albino rat liver. The established control curves for the DNA and microsome syntheses rates after partial hepatectomy showed two waves of synthetic activity; the first occurring at 24 hrs., and the second at 32 hrs as judged by total regenerative DNA concentration and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Garcina cola significantly inhibited the first wave of microsome and DNA syntheses by 31% and 24% respectively in a dose-related manner. However, the degree of inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase activity by Garcina cola was substantially reduced in normal rat liver when administered simultaneously with carbon tetrachloride. Dilute and concentrated extracts of Vermonia amygdalina, on the other hand, elevated the levels of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in normal rat liver by 44% and 54%, respectively over the controls. Total DNA concentration was similarly increased, though to a lesser degree. The implication of these results are discussed in relation to the structural similarity of the furocoumarins contained in these plants to AFB1, and their likely modes of action.

Effectiveness of Imagination Stretch Teaching Strategy in Correcting Misconceptions of Students about Particulate Nature of Matter

Abstract: This research was carried out to determine the effectiveness of imagination stretch teaching strategy in correcting misconceptions of students about the particulate nature of matter in Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State. Quasi-experimental design pretestposttest control group was adopted using ninety-two (92) Secondary School 3 Chemistry Students from intact class as the sample. A four-tier misconception diagnostic test tagged “Particulate Nature of Matter Misconception Diagnostic Test” developed by the researcher was the instrument used for diagnosis of students’ misconception on the particulate nature of matter. The reliability coefficient of 0.76 of the instrument was established using alpha Cronbach method. Mean, percentages, standard deviation and ANOVA were statistical tools used for data analysis and hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Wrong answers by approximately 20% or above were considered as misconceptions. From the results, it was discovered that imagination stretch teaching strategy caused a significant reduction in students’ misconceptions about the particulate nature of matter. There was a significant difference in mean score of students’ misconceptions about the particulate nature of matter for the experimental Original Research Article Alamina and Etokeren; JESBS, 27(1): 1-11, 2018; Article no.JESBS.43063 2 and control groups confirming the effectiveness of imagination stretch teaching strategy in correcting students’ misconceptions. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers should adopt conceptual change instructional strategy in teaching abstract chemistry concepts to foster students’ understanding and motivate them to the study chemistry as a subject.

Comparative Study of Chemical Composition of Three Different Eggplant Fruit Species

Abstract: Chemical composition of three different eggplant fruit species was studied using standard methods. Solanum aethiopicum, Solanum melongena and Solanum macrocarpon fruit species were used as samples. Results obtained showed high moisture, phytate and oxalate contents in the investigated fruit species. Vitamin concentrations of the investigated fruits ranged from high to low. One or two of the investigated fruits possessed a higher amount of the chemical compounds than others. This study has shown the comparative study of the chemical composition of three different eggplant fruit species.