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.

Marketing in governance: leader‐managerial practices for efficiency in competency‐based administration and transformational marketing model

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine steps to be taken to educate, train, and achieve effective positive attitude and behavior modification of members and transformational managerial practices in corporate organizations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopted a descriptive methodology in describing leader‐managerial practices for efficiency in competency‐based administration and transformational marketing model.Findings – The paper finds that transactional managerial leadership focuses mainly on role clarification, and the initiation of structure, meeting the social needs of subordinates, and the distribution of rewards and punishment according to performance. But the new system of transformational managerial leadership accomplishes all these, and goes further, to adopt certain meta‐managerial orientations, which include individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and idealized influence, that enable such a transformationally conscientized leader...

Financial Management Modelling of the Performance of Nigerian Quoted Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Abstract: This article tests four regression models using the available data of Nigerian quoted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) between 1999-2003. It is conceptualised that sustained growth, adequate liquidity and requisite profitability in the SME sector is significantly related to their investment and financing decisions. The empirical results show a significantly inverse relationship between current ratio and the gross profit margin, holding the working capital gap constant. This portrays a 'financial management dilemma' as the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) endeavours to synchronise the conflicting objectives of liquidity and profitability. It is also shown that neither the total assets turnover nor the fixed assets turnover ratios is significant in determining the gross profit margin in Nigerian quoted SMEs. Moreover, a 1 per cent increase in the current ratio brings about a more than proportionate decrease in the debt-equity ratio and the debt-assets ratio. The quoted SMEs' current asset ratios are significantly sensitive to commercial banks' liquidity ratio, cash reserve requirements, and the loan-to-deposit ratio. Overall, our model results confirm that the SME sector in Nigeria is still limited by the liquidity-profitability dilemma, efficiency constraints, pecking order reversals, stringent monetary policy regimes and a risk-averse banking system.

The Effects of Collaborative Learning on Problem Solving Abilities among Senior Secondary School Physics Students in Simple Harmonic Motion

Abstract: The study investigated the effects of collaborative learning on problem solving abilities among senior secondary physics students in simple harmonic motion(SHM). The sample was made up of 112 physics teachers and 81 physics students drawn from two urban and one rural school. The research instruments employed for the study were Physics Teachers Questionnaire on Simple Harmonic Motion (PTQSHM) and Simple Harmonic Motion Achievement Test (SHMAT). Statistical data analysis tools utilized were the simple percentage, four point Likert-Scale of 2.50 criterion mark and t-test at 5% level of significance. The result of the findings showed that: mathematical calculations involved in SHM make students to shy away from the topic, students are motivated when they cooperatively solve problems in physics, there was significant difference in problem solving abilities among students taught using collaborative learning strategy and those taught with the conventional method, there is no significant difference between boys and girls in their problem solving abilities using the collaborative strategy. Based on the findings, It was recommended that teachers encourage group learning, group projects, tasks and assignments which facilitate collaborative learning and improves problem solving abilities among the students. Keywords: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), Problem Solving, collaborative learning.

Resource partitioning and dwarfism patterns between sympatric snakes in a micro-insular Mediterranean environment

Abstract: Islands provide an evolutionary window, where a simplified natural network combined with unusual environmental conditions promote selective processes that trigger rapid changes in biological constituents of a species. The Mediterranean island of Montecristo, Italy, provides such a situation with a reduced fauna and flora compared to the mainland. We measured body size (SVL) and recorded diet of the two snake species occurring on the island, the Asp Viper (Vipera aspis) and the Western Whip Snake (Hierophis viridiflavus), and compared these data with populations of conspecifics from the mainland. Compared to mainland populations, the three principal results are: (1) no obvious niche shift along the food or habitat axes between the two snake species; (2) significant body size shift (insular dwarfism) of the whip snake by 30 %, and ca. 10 % in the viper; and (3) arboreal ambushing in the viper to add an alternative diet (birds) compared to mainland populations (more mice) to compensate for the lack of suitable micro-mammals on Montecristo Island.

Studies on the production of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) tempe

Abstract: Bambara groundnut, an indigenous African legume, was subjected to fermentation by three strains of Rhizopus. One strain B. arrhizus could not ferment the substrate. Mycelial penetration and binding was good when strains NRRL 2710 ( R. oligosporus) and NRRL 1477 ( R. stolonifer) were used. Fermentation by both strains resulted in increases of pH, moisture, protein and fat while total carbohydrate decreased by 50%. Sensory evaluation showed that bambara groundnut tempes rated similar (p>0.5) in taste and texture and higher (p<0.05) in color and flavor than soybean tempe. Bambara groundnut would be an acceptable food product in the diet as a good protein supplement.