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.

Effect of Concept Mapping in Teachng of Physics in Senior Secondary Schools in Portharcourt Local Government Area Rivers State

Abstract: The study examined the effect of concept mapping in the teaching of physic in senior secondary school in port Harcourt local government area Rivers state. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of concept mapping on the teaching of physics. The study also found the difference in the academic achievement of students taught physics with concept mapping and conventional teaching method. Eighty-four SS3 physics students were used for the study. Forty-three 43 comprised of the experimental group and fortyone in the control group. The study adopted pre-test post test quasi experimental design. The instrument used for the study was Physics achievement test (PAT).The instrument contained 25 multiple choice questions, in which each of the questions 2 marks. The instrument was validated by two experts in the department of science education in Rivers State University. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to ascertain the instrument’s level of reliability, which resulted to r value of 0.62. findings of the study shows that students taught Physics with concept mapping significantly better than those taught with conventional method. Also the study found that there was no significant difference between male and female students taught Physics with concept mapping. The study recommended that teachers should imbibe concept mapping method in the teaching of Physics so as to enhance students’ comprehension, identification of relationships that exits between concepts and creativity.

Need For Information Management as a Strategy for Development of Rural Rivers State, Southern Nigeria

Abstract: KEYWORDS Effective. Dissemination. Rural People. Development. Educational Opportunities. Job ABSTRACT The study focused on the need for proper information management as a strategy for the development of rural areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The areas of the study included Ogba/Egbema- Ndoni, Eleme and Ikwerre local districts in Rivers State, Nigeria. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select communities from the three local government areas. They were selected based on ward allocation. A total of fifty (50) questionnaires were distributed to respondents. Percentages, frequency and mean scores were utilized for data analysis. The study identified seven profound effects of proper information management for the development of the study areas. They were: increase in job and educational opportunities (3.20), modernization and development of the community (2.70), high level of education and literacy rate (3.6), low morbidity and infant/material rate (3.20), improved hygiene/sanitation condition (4.10), improved standard of living (3.40) and improved economic standard and capacity utilization (3.0). Furthermore, the study found that there was no office for the management of information dissemination in the study areas. Also, there was no monitoring and feedback mechanism in the local government councils. It was then recommended that appropriate information structure and the offices of information officer and community liaison officer be established for effective liaison in information management and dissemination to enhance rural development in Nigeria.

Relationship between Road Traffic Accidents and Visual Status of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers in an Urban Area of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract: Aim: To determine the relationship between visual status of commercial motor vehicle drivers and road traffic accidents (RTA) in an urban area of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred commercial vehicle drivers in the 10 major motor parks of Port Harcourt LGA were interviewed and examined in this study. A structured questionnaire on demographic characteristics, driving and ocular history was administered. Ocular examination included visual acuity, refraction, visual field, tonometry, colour vision test and ophthalmoscopy. The data collected was entered into computer using EPI-INFO statistical software for analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from relevant authorities. Results: Seven drivers (1.8%) out of 400 drivers examined were visually impaired. There were 14 cases (3.5%) of monocular blindness. Eighteen (4.5%) were colour blind (p>0.05) while 16 (4%) had visual field defects (p>0.05). One hundred and eighty two (45.5%) drivers had been involved in RTA, out of which 2 drivers (1.1%) were visually impaired (p>0.05). Cataract found in 37 cases was the leading cause of visual impairment (42.8%). Other common ocular problems were pterygium (26.7%), presbyopia (22.9%), glaucoma (11.5%), and refractive error (8.4%).There was no statistical significant association between the ocular findings and RTA Conclusion: Only a few of those involved in RTA were actually visually impaired. Therefore, other factors may have been responsible for the majority of the cases of the RTAs in this study necessitating the need for more research.

Response of Soil Microorganisms to Oilfield Wastewater

Abstract: Environmental pollution resulting from oil exploitation and exploration has impacted negatively on the biodiversity of the affected areas. Therefore, this study investigated the response of soil microorganisms to oilfield wastewater. The oilfield wastewater and soil samples were collected from an onshore oil producing platform fortnightly for a period of three months and microbiological analyses were performed using standard methods. Soil around pond average counts for THB and HUB (Log10 CFU/g) were 7.32 to 7.35 and 4.16 to 4.22 respectively. Soil 80 m away from pond average range for THB and HUB were 7.38 to 7.40 and 3.32 to 3.34 respectively. For TF and HUF, Soil around the pond mean recorded 4.65 to 4.85 and 4.12 to 4.16 (Log10 CFU/g) respectively. Mean monthly counts for soil 80m away TF and HUF (Log10 CFU/g) were 5.03 to 5.05 and 3.26 to 3.34 respectively. Soil around the pond recorded lower total heterotrophic bacteria count and total fungi count but higher hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and hydrocarbon utilizing fungi than soil 80 m away. There was significant difference (P<0.05) between the THB and HUB in the various samples. For the fungi count there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between TF and HUF in all the samples except in sample obtained from soil 80 m away from pond. Bacteria species isolated from the study include: Bacillus, Aeromonas, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Chryseomonas, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella. Apart from Aeromonas and Chryseomonas the rest of the isolate were identified also as hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. While fungi species isolated includes: Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Geotricum, Trichoderma, Fusarium and Penicillium. Hydrocarbon utilizing fungi that occurred includes: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The response of these microorganisms in the oil polluted environment suggests that the isolated bacteria and fungi could utilize the oil as energy and carbon source and could be effective in the cleanup of the polluted sites.