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.

Nollywood and Churches’ Oriental Fantasies: Its Impact on Art Reception, Patronage and Expression in Contemporary Nigeria

Abstract: The visual arts still suffer low reception and patronage in contemporary Nigeria as a result of an ongoing oriental stereotypical representation in Nollywood, the media and churches. This paper interrogates this problematic to address the subtle subversion of the arts that continues to grossly impede its development. Adopting the analytical tools of Content Analysis, this paper traces the origin of anti-art propagandism to missionary and colonial activities in Nigeria and establish its continues adverse propagation in Nollywood and modern churches. Findings from this paper conclude that the portrayal of visual arts in Nigerian movies as the instrument of dark practices and the further condemnation of the arts in churches as symbols of heathenism is responsible for the disdain towards the arts in contemporary Nigeria and responsible for its poor reception and patronage. The research contends, therefore, that both the media, Nollywood and churches must rethink their oriental fantasies about the arts because until that happens the anti-art culture inscribed in the consciousness of many Nigerians will continue to impede artistic progress and visual/aesthetic illiteracy.

Ameliorative Effect of Administering Avocado (Persea americana) Leaf Extract on Lead Acetate Toxicity in the Brain-cerebellum of Albino Rats

Abstract: Aim: To investigate whether the aqueous extract of avocado leaves can be used in alternative medicine for the remediation or treatment of lead poisoning in the brain. Study Design: Pure Experiment, using animal models. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria; between January 2019 and June 2019. Methodology: Twenty albino Wistar rats including both male and female, and weighing around 155 g were randomly assigned to four groups (designated as A,B,C and D), with each group consisting of five animals. While group A served as the control, group B was administered a daily dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of avocado leaf extract, group C received 150 mg/kg body weight per day of lead acetate, and group D was given 150 mg/kg body weight per day of lead acetate and immediately followed with 500 mg/kg body weight/day of the avocado leaf extract. Treatments were given once daily through the oral route using a syringe with attached micropipette tube for 15 days, while the animals had access to water and chow ad libitum. The rats were euthanized on the 16 th day by cervical dislocation and the cranial cavity was carefully exposed in order to dissect the brain and to obtain tissue samples from the cerebellum, which were then prepared for microscopic examination using routine histological techniques, with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. Original Research Article Isaac; JOCAMR, 10(4): 29-37, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.58817 30 Results: The findings showed the extract to be ameliorative by reducing histomorphological distortions of lead acetate toxicity in the brain, and thus caused moderate regeneration of the cerebellar tissue. Conclusion: The outcome of this research therefore indicates that the avocado leaf extract has medicinal potentials and could serve as an herbal remedy in the alternative treatment of lead

Distribution and status of the African forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus in south-eastern Nigeria

Abstract: Although not categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List, the African forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus is declining across its range. In Nigeria its distribution, abundance and status are virtually unknown. We conducted interviews with experienced hunters, and field surveys (linear and recce transects), to study the buffalo's distribution and ecology in the montane forests of Cross River State. General linear modelling indicated that the number of individuals varied significantly across survey areas and habitat types but not with the survey period, and there was no study area × study period interaction. Buffalo were found most commonly in mature and secondary forests. Given the species’ scattered distribution, fragmentation of its habitat, and the relatively low numbers observed, Nigerian populations require a separate, regional categorization on the IUCN Red List.

Cadmium uptake by the green alga Chlorella emersonii

Abstract: Investigations were carried out on the uptake of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) by the green alga Chlorella emersonii with the aid of an ion selective electrode. Cadmium uptake by Chlorella was very rapid with 70% of total uptake occurring during the first 10 seconds. Uptake of cadmium by Chlorella showed a direct relationship to the amount of metal present, suggesting ‘equilibrium conditions' being responsible for the amount of metal removed from solution rather than just number of binding sites available. Absence of metabolic involvement in the uptake process was observed as there was no difference on final uptake of cadmium whether cells were alive or dead. It is concluded that living or dead Chlorella biomass has a high biosorption potential for cadmium, and its rapid uptake makes it an attractive candidate in the current proposed application of biosorption technology for industrial waste treatment. KEY WORDS: Cadmium uptake, alga Chlorella, industrial waste treatment, biosorption technology, cell biomass. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Sciences Vol.10(2) 2004: 257-262