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.

Effects of variability in the pozzolanic properties of rice husk ash (rha) on the compressive strength of concrete

Abstract: Rice husk ash (RHA) is an agro waste and a natural pozzolana which is rich in silica and found in abundance globally. This research considered the pozzolanic properties of RHA from Seven different sources in Nigeria (Ogoja, Abakaliki, Adani, Adikpo, Obubra, Makurdi and Vandikya). It is discovered that the elemental chemical composition of this natural pozzolan varies based on their location. Samples from Ogoja were found to have the highest pozzolanic properties followed by Abakaliki, Adani, Adikpo, Obubra, Makurdi and Vandikya. Their silica content was found to be84.55%, 76.3%, 70.12%, 70.11%, 64.67%, 55.55%, and 48.4% respectively. Four out of the seven samples with the highest pozzolanic values were used as partial replacements for ordinary Portland cement at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% replacement levels. Concrete mix ratio of 1:1.5:3 was adopted and the compressive strength values at 28 days were found to be in the range of 37-42N/mm 2 at 5%RHA, 35-39.5N/mm 2 at 10%RHA, 30-34.5N/mm 2 at 15%RHA, 27-29N/mm 2 at 20%RHA, 22-25.6N/mm 2 at 25% RHA and 21-24N/mm 2 at 30% RHA compared to the controlled sample with a strength value of 42.64N/mm 2 . http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i4.1

Health Care Expenditure in Nigeria: Does the Level of Government Spending Really Matter?

Abstract: The study seeks to examine the relation ship between levels of government health care expenditure and health status in Nigeria. The paper utilized several estimation techniques (Cobb–Douglas production function, Semi-logarithmic function, exponential and semi-logarithmic function) using data from 1980-2003. The result of the research reveal that life expectancy and literacy rate were negatively correlated with health care expenditure both in the short and long-run, income elasticity of health care expenditure was below low unity both in the short-run and long-run. The study concluded that health is a necessary good in Nigeria. In other to improve the health status of the population the Government needs to increase funding for health, reduce the inequality in the budgetary distribution of health expenditure and fast track the implementation of the Primary Health Care bill.

Impact force of melon seeds during shelling.

Abstract: Melon seeds are shelled in a rotating impeller – a type of machine to obtain the cotyledons . The seeds exit the impeller and impact a cylindrical ring shelling the seeds. Because of the impact force, some of the seeds are broken, which would deteriorate in storage and make low er market value. An analytical method was used to determine the factors affecting the impact force on the ring. Experimental compression tests were carried out to determine the static force for break ing melon seeds. Some seeds were also shelled with an experimental shelling machine and the number of broken seeds was counted. A nalysis results showed that the factors affecting the impact force were impeller speed, seed cross-section area at impact and mass ratio. The mean force s for break ing melon seeds were 13.14×10 -3 N , 19.62×10 -3 N and 19.55×10 -3 N for orientations of breadth wise , lengthwise with tip up and lengthwise with tip down respectively. Keywords: i mpact force, melon seed s , shelling, analysis Citation: Okokon F. B., E. Ekpenyong, C. Nwaukwa, N. Akpan , and F. I. Abam. Impact f orce of m elon s eeds d uring s helling . Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 182 - 188 .

Sarima Modelling of Passenger Flow at Cross Line Limited, Nigeria

Abstract: For a developing country like Nigeria, the main issue in transportation is the problem of logistic resulting in large crowed of stranded passengers in motor packs and bus terminals. This problem is as a result of depending too much on conventional wisdom, instead of tested scientific and empirical methods in planning for the future. An example is the case of Cross line Limited, a transport company owned by the Cross river state government in Nigeria. Cross Line Limited has logistic problems due to factors mentioned above and has resulted to passenger frustrations in most of its forty one approved routes. These routes effectively cover all parts of cross River State and all state capitals as well as Abuja, the Nation's Capital. Therefore the effects of poor logistic in the socioeconomic development of Cross River State can better be imagined. The thrust of this work is therefore to determining appropriate SARIMA model that can adequately predict passenger traffic as an empirical tool for logistic planning. We collected passenger data from Cross Line Limited and used the visualization tools of ACF and PACF complemented by model selection criterion of AIC and BIC to identify SARIMA (1, 1, 0)*(1, 0, 1) as an appropriate model for predicting future volume of passenger traffic. Forecast generated using this model captured the major characteristic of the original data. If adopted and properly used, this model will help Cross Line management in logistic planning for the future and hence help in decongesting passengers in motor packs and bus terminals.

Performance of motor associated behavioural tests following chronic nicotine administration.

Abstract: Background : Nicotine has shown potential therapeutic value for neurodegenerative diseases though concerns exist that it may induce behavioural deficits. Purpose : The present study investigated the effect of chronic nicotine administration on overall motor functions and coordination. Methods : Forty adult female and male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into 4 groups. Treated groups were administered nicotine via subcutaneous injections at doses of 0.25, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Control groups received normal saline. All animals were monitored for the first few minutes after each injection for any observed immediate effect of drug administration. Motor associated behavioural tests performed include; open field test; string test for grip strength and limb impairment, movement initiation and step test. Results : Nicotine induced muscular convulsions within the first 1-5 minutes following daily subcutaneous injections, throughout the period of administration. This was observed to be more severe in females. Nicotine did not produce major alterations in overall motor functions and coordination in both females and males. Conclusion : The present study shows chronic nicotine treatment produces muscular convulsion but no major deficit in overall motor function and coordination; and that any observed alterations may just be transient effects. Competing Interests: None; Source of Funding: None; Received Date : 25 February 2014; Revised Date : 14 March 2014; Accepted Date : 17 April 2014 doi : 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.210203