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.

Phenotypic Characterization of Two Snail Breeds Archachatina marginata (S) and Archachatina fulica (L) in Calabar, Cross River State

Abstract: Phenotypic qualities of two snail species commonly found in Calabar, Cross River State were studied. The snail species studied for comparing the differences and relationships between their phenotypic traits were Achachatina marginata(S) and Achatina fulica(L). A total of 100 snails were obtained and selected based on the presence of four whorls shells and used for the study. Parameters studied included body weight, body length, body width, shell mouth length and shell mouth width. Data collected were analyzed to obtain simple statistical values and phenotypic correlations between the two species. Data were also subjected to regression model for body weight predictions. Mean(X) body weights recorded were 135.250g and 137.554g for A. marginata and A. fulica, respectively. Only T-test results for body weight and shell mouth width were significantly(P<0.05) different; high, medium and low positive phenotypic correlations were observed between parameters measured. The highest positive, strong and closely related response(R=0.722) between width and body length was recorded by A. marginata. Results of this study could be harnessed for the characterization of snail species in Calabar for breeding purposes.

Investigating the effect of growth regulator, furolan on starch and protein contents in winter wheat cultivars

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of growth regulator, Furolan on the starch and proteins components of three varieties of winter wheat grains namely Bat’ko, Deya and Krasnodarskaya 99. The carbohydrate complex and general protein contents in the winter wheat were determined by standard methods of analysis. From the results obtained in the study, winter wheat grain of Bat’ko and Deya varieties contained more protein than Krasnodarskaya 99 variety, which meant the early-ripening variety of Bat’ko had less starch than the late-ripening varieties of Deya and Krasnodarskaya 99. Thus, protein accumulation prevailed over starch in the grains of the early-ripening varieties while in the late-ripening varieties the reverse was the case. This could be linked to the. observation made in the study that Furolan promoted more active accumulation of starch in Krasnodarskaya 99 (0.6 and 1.2 ± control for 2004 and 2005 respectively) and Deya (2.8 and 2.2 ± control 2004 and 2005 respectively) varieties while it increased the protein content in Bat’ko variety (2.4 and 1.2 ± control for 2004 and 2005 respectively) by enhancing the expressivity of its genetic system of attraction and net photosynthetic productivity.

Disaster Parasitology: A Novel Concept in Disaster Management

Abstract: Overtime parasitology has witnessed the sprouting of intra-disciplinary spurs aside its traditional branches; a situation that has advanced the rapid academic and professional development of the discipline. This article summons an intellectual beam on yet another intra-disciplinary spur birthed out of necessity to respond to emerging demands in global development issues. Owing to rising occurrences of natural disasters and current incessant spates of human-induced catastrophes, especially wars, all sublimating in a growing incidence of mass population displacement, new, multidisciplinary partnership is required to build capacity for appropriate response. Medical and health response constitute a major aspect of partnership in the broader concept of disaster management. Disaster parasitology, or crisis time parasitology, finds relevance in this context, where the need for pre-disaster surveillance, vector ecology assessment, transmission monitoring and evaluation, post-disaster risk assessment /evaluation, health impact assessment, laboratory diagnosis, health education, etc. is of essence. This discourse thus advocates the development and concentration of a new body of knowledge of parasitology that is applicable in disaster management.

Endemic mansonellosis in Emohua local government area, Nigeria: human parasitaemia and Culicoides biting patterns.

Abstract: Background & objectives: The study was aimed at elucidating the prevalence and intensity of Mansonella perstans microfilaraemia in the Emohua Local Government Area, Nigeria, and ascertaining the abundance, circadian, and the annual biting patterns of the Culicoides vector. Methods: Thick smear of 50 μl finger-prick blood stained with Giemsa was examined microscopically in a cross-sectional study. Vector landing collection on human bait was employed in a longitudinal study of the vector biting patterns, carried out between July 2005 and August 2006. Results: Of 1486 individuals examined, 11.2% of both males and females were positive for M. perstans microfilaraemia. Microfilaraemia appeared early in life. The overall geometric mean intensity among those with positive microfilaraemia was 117 mf/ml (121 mf/ml for males and 113 mf/ml for females). The differences in geometric mean intensity between different age groups were statistically significant (one-way analysis of variance; p <0.05), being highest in the oldest age group (266 mf/ml). A total of 1183 female Culicoides sp were caught from September 2005 to August 2006. The abundance of Culicoides sp was seasonal. The circadian biting activity had a broad peak between 0700 and 1200 hrs. The monthly biting rates ranged from zero bite per person per month in January 2006 to 1151 bites per person per month in June 2006. The annual biting rate was 7382 bites per person per year. Conclusion: Majority of those with positive microfilaraemia were poor socioeconomically, underscoring the need for health education and application of effective control measures against Culicoides biting midges in Emohua.

A path analytic model of socio-cultural indicators of in-school adolescents' response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices in Nigeria

Abstract: This study is a path modeling which examines the effect and magnitude of four socio-cultural indicators on adolescents response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices in Nigerian setting. Questionnaire data were generated from 316 fifth year students in 12 secondary schools in Cross River State Nigeria. Result of data analysis using path analyses procedures indicated that only three socio-cultural factors were effective in explaining adolescents response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices. Cultural indicators and sexuality attitudes had the most significant influence on adolescents response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices. In all 56.5% of the total effect of the variables was direct while 43.5% was indirect. The implications of the research findings are addressed. (authors)