Cross River University of Technology

About: Cross River University of Technology is a education organization based out in Calabar, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Exergy. The organization has 465 authors who have published 507 publications receiving 2705 citations.

The effect of government policy on housing delivery in nigeria: a case study of port harcourt low income housing programme

Abstract: Housing is one of the most important needs of individuals next to food and clothing. Housing needs for low income earners has reached an alarming stage in Nigeria. On the supply side, numerous government policies have earlier aimed at disabling the massive shortage through numerous housing reform programmes. Despite these preceding efforts, housing remains an illusion to an average Nigerian. This research assessed the effect of government policy on housing delivery in Nigeria. The objectives were to determine housing needs of the low income group in Nigeria and to determine the impact of government policies on affordable housing provision to the low income group. Survey method was used to collect data from 44 respondents through the administration of questionnaires which was analyzed with statistical tools. The findings from the study shows that insufficient fund is closely related to other finance related factors identified as barriers to the accessibility of public housing by the low income group who are non-public servants. Such factors as high interest rate, low per capita income, lack of security of income, lack of collateral and high cost of public houses. The study suggest the creation of a viable secondary mortgage market, improvement of land registration and allocation, compassionate urban renewal programmes, cost saving house designs amongst others.

Education and Religious Intolerance in Nigeria: The Need for Essencism as a Philosophy

Abstract: Nigeria as a nation is plaque with several socio-political and economic problems and challenges. However, the major challenges facing the country since 2007 that tend to defy all logic and solution is that of insecurity posed by the Boko Haram insurgency. Boko Haram, which literarily means “Western Education is sin”, according to the local parlance, is deeply rooted in religious intolerance. Historically, religious intolerance dates back to the 1980s when the Maitasine sect emerged. This sect posed a serious threat to the unity of the country. Due to the massive killing by the Maitasine sect, the country became polarized along religious line. The government managed to contend the sect somehow, but the “mustard seed” of that religious crisis was deeply planted and watered, so, the seed has been germinating with diverse botanical names. A deep reflection on religious intolerance in Nigeria will reveal that the problem is deeply rooted in the north. And this is the part of the country where the illiteracy rate is the highest. Again,the north, which is predominantly Moslem see everything with the spectacle of religion. The north as a people does not have a culture that is different from religion. Indeed, everything to an average northerner who is a Moslem is viewed from Islamic religion. So, to them, there are no differences between culture, politics and religion. This knitted relationship between these basic social elements in the north makes it difficult to establish a distinction between the three. So, a disagreement in any aspect of these social elements is viewed as a disagreement of religious view or belief. This usually and perennially creates tension in the country especially in the north. To solve this problem therefore, there is the need for education to illuminate and liberate the minds of the masses in the north. This will like the Platonic “allegory of the cave” salvage and unchain the people from darkness and pole of illiteracy. Through education nourished with philosophy of Essencism, the paper contends that. Nigerians will be able to overcome the challenge of religious intolerance and sustain the basic principles of secularity, freedom of worship, and other fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution. It posits that it is only through philosophy of Essencism that Nigeria can achieve holistic development. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n2p303

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in South-South, Nigeria: A Review

Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus of the Hepadnaviridae family associated with infection of the liver, and a major public health problem globally. The virus preferentially infects the liver leading to hepatic complications such as hepatic carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. About two billion people globally have been estimated to be infected with hepatitis B virus and approximately 350-400 million others reportedly suffer from the chronic forms. An estimated two million of these carriers die each year as a result of complications. The mode of transmission of the disease is largely through unprotected sex, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), contaminated blood and blood products and use of contaminated sharp objects or instruments. Africa is a high endemic area with 7–26% prevalence rate of HBsAg. Nigeria has been placed among the group of countries Review Article Umego et al.; ISRR, 7(1): 1-17, 2018; Article no.ISRR.36989 2 endemic for HBV infection with about 18 million infected. In recent years, the rates of prevalence of HBV have been increasing within the South-South part of the country. Serological and molecular techniques are currently employed not only in the diagnosis of this infection but also to assess the prognosis of the disease, guide therapy and monitor treatment responses. Treatment is highly supportive and two major groups of antiviral treatment licensed for the treatment of chronic HBV infection are pegylated interferon alpha and nucleoside or nucleotide analogues. Interrupting early transmission is key to breaking the cycle of ongoing HBV infection. In addition to active vaccination, the implementation of blood safety strategies including quality-assured screening of all donated blood and components used for transfusion may prevent transmission of HBV to a significant level.

Effect of carbamate molluscicide on African giant land snail Limicolaria Aurora

Abstract: The effect of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500mg/ml of carbamate molluscicide on the behavioural and macroscopic changes of Limicolaria aurora were investigated in the laboratory using Carica papaya as bait for 120h. The data showed that 48h after dosing the organism with furadan, 60% mortality was recorded. Above 200mg/ml deters snails from feeding and becomes sub-lethal. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(1) 2005: 99-102

Bioprocess Optimization of Nutritional Parameters for Enhanced Anti-leukemic L-Asparaginase Production by Aspergillus candidus UCCM 00117: A Sequential Statistical Approach

Abstract: Sequential optimization of bioprocess nutritional conditions for production of glutaminase-near-free L-asparaginase by Aspergillus candidus UCCM 00117 was conducted under shake flask laboratory conditions. Catalytic and anti-cancer activities of the poly-peptide were evaluated using standard in vitro biochemical methods. Medium nutrients were selected by one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach while Plackett–Burman design (PBD) screened potential factors for optimization. Path of steepest ascent (PSA) and response surface methodology (RSM) of a Min-Run-Res V fractional factorial of a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were employed to optimize factor levels towards improved enzyme activity. A multi-objective approach using desirability function generated through predictor importance and weighted coefficient methodology was adopted for optimization. The approach set optimum bioprocess conditions as 49.55 g/L molasses, 64.98% corn steep liquor, 44.23 g/L asparagine, 1.73 g/L potassium, 0.055 g/L manganese and 0.043 g/L chromium (III) ions, at a composite desirability of 0.943 and an L-asparaginase activity of 5216.95U. The Sephadex-200 partially-purified polypeptide had a specific activity of 476.84 U/mg; 0.087U glutaminase activity, 36.46% yield and 20-fold protein purification. Anti-cancer activity potentials of the catalytic poly-peptide were dose-dependent with IC50 (µg/mL): 4.063 (HL-60), 13.75 (HCT-116), 15.83 (HeLa), 11.68 (MCF-7), 7.61 (HepG-2). The therapeutic enzyme exhibited 15-fold more cytotoxicity to myeloid leukemia cell line than to normal (HEK 238 T) cell. Optimum temperature and pH for activity were within physiological range. However, significant interactions between exposure time and levels of each of temperature and pH made interpretations of residual enzyme activities difficult. The manganese-dependent L-asparaginase from Aspergillu s candidus UCCM 00117 is recommended for further anticancer drug investigations.