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.

Governance and Gross Domestic Investment in Developing Economies: Issues in Exchange Rate Instability in Nigeria

Abstract: This paper examines governance, pubic policy and exchange rates instability in relation to gross domestic investment in developing economies with Nigeria as a focus. The technique adopted was the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) methodology by the use of time series data on exchange rate instability, gross domestic product, gross domestic investment, interest rate, exchange rate and inflation. The instability of exchange rate is measured by three years moving average of standard deviation of real exchange rate. The paper maintains that good governance should encourage stable exchange rate in an economy as well as desire private sector investment especially in the current global economic environment. It is further advocated that the best regime of governance and public policy is the one that stabilizes macroeconomic performance in terms of reducing instability in output, consumption, domestic price and other key macroeconomic variables. Government that does not recognize and/or maintain stability in the exchange rate, it is argued, renders governance a mirage capable of strangulating investment and economic fortunes of the state.

Medicinal Potentials of Ocimum gratissimum Linn Leaf Extract against Lead Acetate Disruptions in Rat Hippocampus and Electrolyte Concentration

Abstract: The present study determined the effect of Ocimum gratissimun Linn. leaves aqueous extract on lead-acetate alterations in the hippocampus and serum biochemical concentration of sodium (Na and potassium (K +) ions in animal models. Twenty male and female albino rats weighing around 155 g were randomly distributed to four groups, (n=5 each). Group A served as control, B received 500 mg/kg body weight of O. gratissimum leaf extract, C was administered 150 mg/kg of lead acetate, and group D was given both lead acetate and the named leaf extract at doses of 150 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. Treatments were given once daily via gavage and lasted 15 days while the animals had access to feed and water ad libitum. The rats were euthanized on the 16 th day by cervical dislocation; the cranial cavity was carefully exposed and the brain dissected to excise tissue specimens from the hippocampus for histological studies. Blood samples were also collected through cardiac puncture and then centrifuged to obtain serum used for the biochemical parameter. The one-way Analysis of Variance was the statistical tool used to evaluate the differences in concentration of the electrolytes, and data was expressed as means ± SD, while P< 0.05 was taken as a significant value. The results showed the extract to have a mitigating effect by alleviating leadacetate induced histopathological distortions of the hippocampal pyramidal neurons and by Original Research Article Isaac; JAMPS, 23(3): 18-26, 2021; Article no.JAMPS.62000 19 counteracting the neurochemical alterations in brain electrolyte ion. The findings of this research therefore indicate that the leaf aqueous extract of O. gratissimum has anti-toxic properties and may therefore be explored by pharmaceuticals in search of alternative treatment for lead poisoning.

RESPONSE OF MAIZE (Zea mays) TO A LOAMY SAND AMMENDED WITH RICE HUSK AT OBUDU, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract: The scarcity or non-availability of inorganic fertilizer in the third world is a great impediment to achieving increased production of maize today. An alternative to this is to increase soil fertility with readily available and affordable materials. This study was conducted using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the following rates of rice husk to boost soil fertility for improved maize production 0 tha -1 (T 1 ), 16.7tha -1 , (T 2 ), 33.3 tha -1 (T 3 ), 50.0 tha -1 (T 4 ), 66.7tha -1 (T 5 ). From result obtained for grain yield for the two years, T 4 gave optimum yield. In 1999 treatments T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were not significantly different from each other while in 2000, treatments T 2 and T 3 were significantly different (P 1 . Plant heights obtained at three weeks after planting in 1999 showed that T 3 , T 4 and T 5 were significantly different (p 2 and T 1 . The results were the same for treatments T 3 , T 4 and T 5 at five weeks after planting while treatments T 1 and T 2 had the same effect. At 7 weeks after planting treatments T 4 and T 5 had the same effect, but were the best followed by treatment T 3 , T 2 and T 1 in that order. However, in 2000, treatments T 3 , T 4 and T 5 were the best followed by treatment T 1 and T 2 . For cob length, the results were not too distinct while treatment effect on cob girth was not significant. KEY WORDS: Rice husk, organic fertilizer, soil fertility, tropical soil Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 110-112

Anthropometric analysis of the nose of the Ejagham ethnic group in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract: Introduction: The normal nose morphology varies in shape and size as a result of ethnic, gender, and environmental influences therefore nasal anthropometry can be employed in classifying the race and sex of the individual whose identity is unknown. This study is aimed at deriving normal standard values for the following nasal anthropometric parameters: Nose height (NH), Nose width (NW), Nose length (NL), and Nasal index (NI) across age and sex for the Ejagham ethnic group in Cross River state of South-Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred subjects (50 males and 50 females) aged 21-45 years were recruited for this study, they were further divided into five age sub-groups (21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, and 41-45 years) to observe the variation of each parameter with advancing age and sexual dimorphism. Results: Sexual dimorphism was noted ( P P 85. Conclusion: This study clearly confirms that anthropometric variation exists based on sex. These measurements in healthy subjects are useful for dysmorphologist in the early identification of some dysmorphic syndromes like cleft-lip associated with nose disorders. The data generated can also provide useful information to the rhinoplastic surgeon especially when nasal reconstruction is sort for by an individual who desire to change his nasal morphology to that of the Ejagham ethnic group of Cross River State.

Endo-Parasites of Apparently Healthy Wild Birds in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract: Aims: Wildbirds interaction with poultry increases the likelihood of exchange of parasites between wild birds and poultry highlighting the need to understand wild bird endoparasites to reduce cross-infection at the wild bird-poultry interface. This study investigates the prevalence and diversity of endoparasites among wild birds in Kaduna State to provide baseline data on the wild birds' endoparasites which could be a source of infection to poultry. Study Design: Wild birds in live wild bird markets, free-flying wild birds and semi-domesticated birds were the samples for endoparasites. Place and Duration of Study: Birds were sampled in Kaduna State, Nigeria and the samples were analyzed at the helminthology laboratory of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between April 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: Wild birds faecal samples were examined for endoparasites by the simple flotation method. Results: Of the 357 birds sampled, 36.4% were infected with at least one species of endoparasite. Charadriidae (7.1%) and Meleagris gallopavo (23.5%) had the lowest family and species prevalence respectively. Free flying, live poultry markets (LPM) and live wild bird markets (LWBM) birds had a prevalence of 39.1%, 37.2% and 34% respectively. The endoparasites identified were coccidia (30.5%), Ascaridia (5.9%), nematode larvae (0.8%), Capillaria (0.6%); Syngamus, Raillietinia and Trichuris (0.3% for each). There was a significant difference between the prevalence (p = 0.00), mean intensities (p = 0.00) and abundance (p = 0.01) of coccidia and Ascaridia. The prevalence of multiple infections was 2.0% representing 5.4% of infected birds. The study is first to report in Kaduna State, Nigeria of Trichuris in Anas platyrhynchos and Raillietina in Laniarius barbarous. Conclusion: Wild birds in Kaduna State, Nigeria harbours endoparasites of economic significance to poultry and there is the need for more study of these wild birds’ endoparasites at the wild bird–poultry interface.