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 Repeated Frying on Physical Properties of Cooking Oil obtained from Local Markets in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria.

Abstract: The viscosity, density and specific gravity of different brands of cooking oil samples locally sourced for in Makurdi have been measured with respect to change in temperature. The viscosity of the different brands of cooking oil was measured with the instrumentality of Brookfield Viscometer. The density and specific gravity were evaluated using the mass of the sampled oil obtained with the help of the density bottle. The result showed a pattern of rapid decrease in viscosity with increase in temperature for the oil samples, while density decrease is observed to be almost linear with increase in temperature for all samples. Amongst the sampled cooking oils, palm kernel showed the least viscosity of 8.6 Pascal-second when measured at 45.200C. This illustrates that palm kernel oil has a relatively low viscous nature at 45.200C as compared to other samples used in this work but cannot be recommended to be used as lubricants in vehicles in place of gasoline because they have very low viscous nature within temperatures far less than 100 0C.

Optimizing the Tensile Strength of Polystyrene Lightweight Concrete: A Panacea for Sustainable Housing Development in Developing Countries

Abstract: The use of polystyrene beads in concrete applications has been limited due to its perceived low strength properties. Tensile strength test is an important test that determines the vulnerability of concrete to tensile cracking due to the weight of the structural load. Water, sand, coarse aggregates, expanded polystyrene beads, and ordinary Portland cement are the materials used for this study. All the materials were batched according to their weight, except for polystyrene and coarse aggregates which were batched in volume after mixing them together. The polystyrene partial replacement level was considered at 12% of the coarse aggregate volume. The model equation adopted for this study was based on Scheffe’s {4, 2} simplex lattice design for both Pseudo component and component proportional models. The actual model was developed from the 28th day test result. The Mathlab and Minitab 16 software were used in this study to generate the actual mix ratios. The results obtained showed that both Pseudo component and component proportional models both produced an average split tensile strength of about 5.10N/mm2. This implied that the results of this study produced a split tensile strength result that varied between 18% - 19% of its compressive strength result. This showed that the materials and the mix ratios optimized in this study are suitable as building blocks for residential low rising buildings and as partition slaps for high rising buildings. The lightweight property makes it highly suitable for large scale application in high rising structures as internal partition slaps only.

Evaluation of Canthal Dimensions among Adults of Ejagham Ethnic Group in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract: Evaluation of Canthal dimensions can be employed in identification of the sex, age and ethnicity. It is also a vital part of craniofacial anthropometry. This study was aimed at obtaining normal values of canthal dimensions in adults of the Ejagham ethnic group in Cross River State of South-South Nigeria. A total of Five hundred subjects (250 males and 250 females) aged 18-45 years were recruited for this study. The subjects were measured for innercanthal distance (ICD) and outercanthal distance (OCD) with a nonstretchable plastic ruler and canthal index (CI) was obtained as the ratio of inner canthal distance and the outer canthal distance multiplied by 100. The results we obtained showed that Ejagham males and females had outer canthal distances of 11.42 cm and 11.23 cm, respectively, whereas inner canthal distances were 3.40cm for Ejagham males and 3.20 cm for the Ejagham females. More so, Mean canthal index for both males and females was 29.80 and 28.55, respectively. The data shows that all the canthal dimensions as well as the canthal index of Ejagham males were higher than that of Ejagham females (p<0.05) using t-Test. This study will be useful inbioanthropology, forensic medicine and in craniofacial surgery.

Application of Electro- Geophysical and laboratary methods in soil quality assessment for lowland rice production in Obubra local government area, cross river state

Abstract: Maintenance and monitoring of soil fertility is a key issue for sustainable lowland soil management. Vital ecosystem processes may be affected by management practices that change the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. This study used Electrical resistivity (ER) as a nondestructive nor non-invasive method to rapidly determine lowland soil properties in the field. The study explored the correlation between ER and lowland soil properties on twenty plots of rice paddies soil in Obubra. ER measurements were used to determine soil-sampling locations and samples were analyzed in the laboratory for pH, EC, organic matter content (OM), Total Nitrogen (TN), Available phosphorus, Ca, Mg, K, Al3, H, ECEC, BS, Mn, Fe, Sand, Silt, Clay, Bulk density (BD) and texture. Even though the magnitude of correlation was modest, we were able to assess variation in soil properties, having chemically analyzed the sample, which is confirmatory to ER results. The sampling design based on an ER survey allowed us to map basic soil properties with a small number of samples. The result showed that there is a strong positive correlation between Electrical Resistivity and soil properties as R2 = 0.775 and the Correlation between ER and individual soil properties are ECEC (0.69), Ca (0.66), Mg (0.64), clay (0.64), Zn (0.59), Bs (0.53), H (0.4) and Organic Matter (0.46), while Total Nitrogen (TN) (0.25), Available Phosphorus (AP) (0.39), Na (0.30), K (0.26), Al (0.30), Mn (0.30), Cu (0.04), Silt (0.08) and pH (-0.13), Mn (0.30), Cu (0.04), Silt (0.08) and BD (0.17) were weakly correlated with ER. Negative correlation existed between ER and pH (-0.13), EC (-0.06), Fe (-0.12) and sand (0.67). Juxtaposing the Electrical resistivity and statistical results with that of the analyzed samples, it is obvious from the ER sections that the soils are made up of sand, clay, and shale which are sources of the physicochemical parameters obtained from the laboratory analysis.

Spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis in cross river state, nigeria: a geographical information systems (gis) study

Abstract: Effective control efforts on Lymphatic filariasis (LF) are hindered by paucity of reliable data on spatial distribution of the disease. Aim: This study was aimed at mapping and describing the transmission pattern of lymphatic filariasis in order to identify high risk zones of infection in Cross River State (CRS), to guide intervention programmes. Method: An 8-year case record (2006-2013) of Lymphatic filariasis in the 18 local government areas (LGAs) of CRS was mapped using geographical information system, (GIS); employing the graduated colour map with natural break classification method. Thematic (LF incidence) maps generated in ArcView 3.1 were overlaid on vegetation and natural drainage maps of the state. Data on seasonal incidence were mapped through aggregation of attribute data (LF cases) by months. Data analysis was through thematic mapping and descriptive statistics. Results: Thematic maps displayed spatial variation in the distribution of LF in the state; showing Ogoja LGA with highest incidence (61.25%) of the 800 reported cases; Ikom, the lowest; 1(0.125%) and zero case in 7 LGAs. There were no visually remarkable patterns to suggest strong influence of vegetation and natural drainage on transmission. Greater proportion (82.12%) of cases was recorded in the dry season. Conclusion: The study has produced prevalence map of LF in the state, which could guide intervention programmes; and has also revealed paucity of data at the disposal of healthcare authorities, a situation that could hinder large scale intervention. Findings identify poor health-seeking behavior of the population and poor disease surveillance strategies in the state. Community health education, strengthening of public health apparatus and interventions through mass drug administration and integrated vector control, are recommended.