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.

Forms of Dishonesty Amongst Academic Staff and the Way Forward

Abstract: This study sets out to investigate the forms of academic dishonesty prevalent among academic staff and the reason for their prevalence. The study used academic staff in two tertiary institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted. Three research questions guided the study. A questionnaire was developed, face validated and used for data collection from a convenient sample of 105 academic staff. Findings show that collectionof money to change grades for students, inclusion of name in a published paper one did not contribute to, taking adjunct lectureship in more than one place at a time and covering up examination malpractice cases are some examples of the academic dishonesty exhibited by the teaching staff. Desperation for promotion, get rich quick mentality and corruption in the society, laxity in punishing “culprit” lecturers and pressure from students and their parents or guardians were cited as contributory factors to the prevalence of academic dishonesty amongst the teaching staff. Suggested strategies for curbing the menace include ethical re-orientation seminars for academic staff, proper supervision of academic staff by heads of departments and appropriate sanctioning of guilty lecturers. Key words: Academic dishonesty; Academic staff; Prevalence; Academic integrity; Moral value

Multiple filarial species microfilaraemia: a comparative study of areas with endemic and sporadic onchocerciasis.

Abstract: Background & objectives: The study was aimed at determining the pattern of co-occurrence of species of microfilaraemia between onchocerciasis endemic and sporadic populations. Methods: From every consenting person of one year and above, 50 μl of day and night blood samples were collected and processed respectively with Haemotoxylin and Giemsa as vital stains. Two skin snips (one each from the waist and the shoulder) were also taken from these individuals and processed. Results: Results showed single species microfilaraemia (86.4 and 82.3%), double species microfilaraemia (12.2 and 16.9%) and triple species microfilaraemia (1.4 and 0.7%) for endemic and sporadic populations respectively. All the species had single species microfilaraemia mostly, but Mansonella perstans and Loa loa showed greatest tendency towards double and triple species microfilaraemia. The prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemia among those positive for Onchocerca volvulus was significantly lower than the overall prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti. Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemia was most common among those who had L. loa microfilaraemia. Wuchereria bancrofti microfilarial intensity was higher among those with M. perstans microfilaraemia than among those positive for any of the other filarial species. Similarly, the intensity of M. perstans microfilaraemia among those positive for W. bancrofti exceeded the overall intensity of M. perstans. Conclusion: It is concluded that there was no definite pattern in mf densities discernible from co-occurrence infections either in the onchocerciasis endemic or sporadic population. There could be varied outcomes of onchocerciasis infection attributable to positive or negative regulatory effects of other pathogens harbored by the victims.

Alcohol-induced male infertility: Is sperm DNA fragmentation a causative?

Abstract: Background: There is a passionate desire for couples to own their own biological children. Unfortunately, infertility index has been increasing with about 50% attributed to male factor infertility. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been suggested as one of the causes of infertility in men; however, there have been controversies as regards its relationship with the successful management of infertility. Aim: This study is aimed at determining the impact of SDF on fertility potentials in a rat model. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats each. Groups A1(distilled water) and B1 (2 g/kg of 30% v/v ethanol) lasted for 4 weeks while Groups A2(control; distilled water) and B2 (2 g/kg of 30% v/v ethanol) lasted for 8 weeks. At the end of each treatment, the animals were introduced to female SD rats on the proestrous day of their cycle. The testis was harvested and tested for oxidative stress while the cauda epididymis was harvested to test for epididymal sperm Parameters and SDF. Results: The sperm count, sperm motility, and the number of fetuses sired by the animals that received alcohol decreased significantly (P Conclusion: Alcohol Increased oxidative stress and SDF altering the ability of spermatozoa to fertilize oocytes.

Determination of Aquifer Position Using Electric Geophysical Method

Abstract: Aquifer positions were determined by using Schlumberger electrode configuration to conduct Vertical Electrical Soundings in 67 communities within the study area. This study was carried out because of the presence of failed boreholes and manually dug wells in some of the Local Government Areas in the study area. More precis information relating to the exact location of aquifers is therefore needed for successful management of water resources in the area, in the face of dwindling availability of portable water, occasioned by failed boreholes and the need to carter for the increasing population of inhabitants of the area. Interpretation of data showed two to six geoelectric layers. Reflection coefficient and resistivity contrast values greater than 0.9 and 19 respectively, were obtained in some VES stations. Productive shallow and deep aquifer terrains were identified with depth of 60 m and 150 m respectively and resistivity range of 100.0-500.0 ?m for shallow aquifers and 1000-2500 ?m for deep aquifers, respectively. The lithologic materials for the aquifers were sand/sandstone and very coarsed grained sand/fractured basement, respectively. The above inference on lithology was constrained by borehole logs in the study area.