Impact of teacher’s personality on academic performance of biology students in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State

Recent results of Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) Biology shows a decline in achievement, even those who take the exams, scale through with mere passing grades with no distinction. This study is therefore an attempt to investigate learner's achievement in Biology with respect to teacher factors. The characteristics of the biology teacher (BT) under examination are subject mastery, skill set, attitude to work and degree of job satisfaction. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire administered to 312 respondents, consisting of 300 SSS students studying Biology and 12 BTs. The respondents were randomly selected from six (6) schools in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and a mean score of 2.50 was considered significant for the TF under consideration. Results indicate grand mean scores as follows: relationship between BTs’ subject mastery and learners’ performance (3.87>2.25), relationship between BTs' skill set and learners' performance (2.95>2.5); relationship between the biology teachers' attitude to work and learners' performance (2.87>2.5), relationship between BTs' job satisfaction and learners' academic performance (2.53>2.50). The results show that teacher personality factors such as subject mastery, skill set and attitude to work influence the performance of Biology students in Senior Secondary Schools in ONELGA, Rivers State

Effect of different rates and methods of benomyl and mancozeb application on delay in senescence and grain yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) under different cropping season

Field assessment of different rates and methods of three fungicide applications on delay in senescence (DS) and grain yield of cowpea during the early and late cropping season of 1999 respectively was conducted. The benomyl treatment applied via the combination of seed and foliar methods at the highest rate of 0.75 + 0.75kg a.i/ha gave the highest percentage delay in senescence (100%) as well as highest grain yield of (2.1 t/ha) which were significantly different (

DETERMINING THE INDIVIDUAL SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR IN HOUSING DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

One of the greatest challenge confronting both rural and urban residents in Nigeria is the need to provide adequate shelter. This study examined the individual significant contribution of the public and private sector in public-private partnerships (PPP) in housing contracts in Ogun State, Nigeria. A field survey was conducted in government ministries (public sector) and some selected professionals (private sector) within the study area. Information gathered from both primary and secondary data was used to determine the significant contribution of the public and private sector in housing delivery. Questionnaires were distributed through systematic sampling method to 58 respondents in both private and public sector participating in PPP housing production in the study area. Result showed that the significant contribution of the public sector in PPP housing provision in Nigeria is the provision of land while the private sector contributes significantly high percentage of finance, manpower and technical support. The study recommended that for successful implementation of PPP housing projects, all tiers of government must strive to complement the weaknesses of the public sector with the strengths of the private sector. Furthermore, since the private sector provides bulk of the finance for PPP housing projects, government should provide a more conducive economic environment to attract more private sector investors

Affordable housing issue: Experimental investigation on properties of eco-friendly lightweight concrete produced from incorporating periwinkle and palm kernel shells

In recent times, sustainable production of concrete is now considered a major issue due to continuous depletion of raw resources. Thus, this current study investigates the physical and strength performance of eco-friendly concrete produced with the combination of periwinkle (PWS) and palm kernel shells (PKS) used as an alternative for granite. Two mix ratios of 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 (cement: sand: granite) were considered with a 28-day target strength of 20 N/mm2 and 25 N/mm2, respectively. A total number of 144 cubes were produced with PWS and PKS was used as partial replacement for granite in the concrete mixes considered. Physical properties of the materials were determined, while the hardened concrete samples were tested for their density and compressive strength. Obtained results showed that both PWS and PKS are lightweight materials compare to granite, thus significantly influence the concrete density. The results revealed a decreasing trend in the strength development for the mixes. The compressive strength decreases as the combined content of PWS and PKS increases in the concrete mixes. However, concrete containing PWS and PKS produced from mix-ratio of 1:1.5:3 exhibited some comparable strength compare to the control. The results showed that PWS and PKS can be combined equally and used in the production of lightweight concrete at an optimum of 5%. This implies that low-cost lightweight concrete can be produced using a combination of palm kernel and periwinkle shells, thus helping to provide affordable housing and also preserving raw materials

Novel Mortar containing waste glass and clay brick powder for sustainable construction

Due to the increasing need for sustainability, the need for a cleaner environment and resources conservation has now become very important. This study investigates the possible utilization of waste glass powder combined with pulverized fired clay brick wastes as a partial replacement for Portland cement in the production of mortar. The fired clay bricks and glasses were sourced as waste materials and then crushed into powder form. It is then combined and used to partially substitute Portland cement in the mortar at replacement levels of 0, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50% using a mix ratio of 1:2.75 at 0.5 water-binder ratios. Physical, chemical and morphological characterization was carried out on the pulverized materials. Further, the compressive strength test was carried out on casted 100 mm cube samples after curing by immersion in water. Obtained results revealed the pozzolanic reactivity potential of the blended waste glass and fired clay brick powder due to their amorphousness and high silica content, while also exhibiting similar oxides compositions. Moreover, the obtained compressive strength results of the blended mortar depict improved strength especially at an optimum value of 15% cement substitute with the blended fired clay brick and glass powder compare to the control. It is therefore suggested that blended mix of waste glass and fired clay brick powder with cement can be used in mortar component instead of open disposal in a landfill

Ethnic and Gender Disparities in the Uptake of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States

Introduction: Little is known about ethnic and gender disparities for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures in the United States. Methods: We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2011–2014) to identify patients who underwent TAVR. We described the temporal trends in the uptake of TAVR procedures among various ethnicities and genders. Results: Our analysis identified 39,253 records; 20,497 (52.2%) were men and 18,756 (47.8%) were women. Among all TAVRs, 87.2% were Caucasians, 3.9% were African Americans (AA), 3.7% were Hispanics, and 5.2% were of other ethnicities. We found a significant rise in the trend of TAVRs in all groups: in Caucasian men (coefficient = 0.946, p \u3c 0.001), Caucasian women (coefficient = 0.985, p \u3c 0.001), AA men (coefficient = 0.940, p \u3c 0.001), AA women (coefficient = 0.864, p \u3c 0.001), Hispanic men (coefficient = 0.812, p = 0.001), Hispanic women (coefficient = 0.845, p \u3c 0.001). Hence, the uptrend was most significant among Caucasian women, and relatively least significant among Hispanic men. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to evaluate in-hospital mortality among different groups after adjusting for demographics and baseline characteristics. After multivariable regression for baseline characteristics overall, the in-hospital mortality per 100 TAVRs was highest among Hispanic men 5.5%, followed by Caucasian women 5.0%, Hispanic women 4.6%, AA women 3.7%, AA men 3.4%, and Caucasian men 3.38% (adjusted p value = 0.004). Conclusions: In this observational study, we demonstrated that there is evidence of ethnic and gender differences in the overall uptake and adjusted mortality of TAVRs in the United States

Conflicts and management styles in the Sri Lankan commercial building sector

The Sri Lankan commercial building industry is currently experiencing a construction boom after thirty years of civil war. Creating a dispute free environment through well conflict management is one of the main ways to keep the continuous demand and development of construction. However, the Sri Lankan construction sector is arranged in such a way that they directly approach the dispute resolution rather than avoiding the dispute initially through proper conflict management. The aim of this research is to understand the prevailing conflict management styles in Sri Lankan commercial building industry from the main stakeholders’ perspective. The dual concern theory is applied to this study as a theory foundation. Four cases are selected for this study with the intention of conducting meetings with three main stakeholders of each case who represented client, consultants and contractors respectively. The research findings reveal that compromising is the most common conflict management style used by the industry. Forcing style obtained the second place in the ranking whereas obliging and avoiding received third and fourth places. This study is conducted to provide a full picture of conflicts faced by the Sri Lankan commercial building industry and their proper management so that the future projects will use this information to diminish the destructive effects of conflict situations and provide a real value for money. Key Words: Conflict Management; Dual Concern Theory; Commercial Building Sector; Sri Lank

Fusarium and Sarocladium Species Associated with Rice Sheath Rot Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sarocladium and Fusarium species are commonly identified as causal agents of rice sheath rot disease worldwide. However, limited knowledge exists about their genetic, pathogenic, and toxigenic diversity in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, where an increasing incidence of this disease has been observed. In this study, seventy fungal isolates were obtained from rice plants displaying disease symptoms in rice research programs and farmer fields in Mali, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Thus, an extensive comparative analysis was conducted to assess their genetic, pathogenic, and toxigenic diversity. The Fusarium spp. were characterized using the translation elongation factor (EF-1a) region, while a concatenation of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and Actin-encoding regions were used to resolve Sarocladium species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four Fusarium species complexes. The dominant complex in Nigeria was the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC), comprising F. hainanense, F. sulawesiense, F. pernambucatum, and F. tanahbumbuense, while F. incarnatum was found in Rwanda. The Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) was predominant in Rwanda and Mali, with species such as F. andiyazi, F. madaense, and F. casha in Rwanda and F. annulatum and F. nygamai in Mali. F. marum was found in Nigeria. Furthermore, Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) members, F. callistephi and F. triseptatum, were found in Rwanda and Mali, respectively. Two isolates of F. acasiae-mearnsii, belonging to the Fusarium sambucinum species complex (FSAMSC), were obtained in Rwanda. Isolates of Sarocladium, which were previously classified into three phylogenetic groups, were resolved into three species, which are attenuatum, oryzae, and sparsum. S. attenuatum was dominant in Rwanda, while S. oryzae and S. sparsum were found in Nigeria. Also, the susceptibility of FARO44, a rice cultivar released by Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice), was tested against isolates from the four Fusarium species complexes and the three Sarocladium species. All isolates evaluated could induce typical sheath rot symptoms, albeit with varying disease development levels. In addition, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine variation in the in vitro mycotoxins of the Fusarium species. Regional differences were observed in the in vitro mycotoxins profiling. Out of the forty-six isolates tested, nineteen were able to produce one to four mycotoxins. Notably, very high zearalenone (ZEN) production was specific to the two F. hainanense isolates from Ibadan, Nigeria, while Fusarium nygamai isolates from Mali produced high amounts of fumonisins. To the best of our knowledge, it seems that this study is the first to elucidate the genetic, pathogenic, and toxigenic diversity of Fusarium species associated with the rice sheath rot disease complex in selected countries in SSA