Cross River University of Technology

This study was carried out to examine the effect of ChatGPT AI and academic outcomes of year 3 English Education students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria in Lexicology. Three research questions and three hypotheses were developed to accomplish this goal. The study used a quasi-experimental non-randomized pre-test and post-test control group design. The population consisted of 325 English Education students in the Department of Arts Education, Faculty of Education, for the 2024/2025 academic session. The Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 295 respondents, 148 of whom were in the experimental group and 147 in the control group. The Lexicology Performance Test (LPT) was developed and utilized to gather data. The Split-Half Method produced a reliability coefficient of 0.76. The study employed Mean and Standard Deviation to address the research questions and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to test the hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance with F-value of 3.84. The findings indicated that ChatGPT significantly improved students' academic performance, retention and cognitive capacity in Lexicology. The study's findings therefore showed the potential of the application of ChatGPT in boosting learning outcomes in Lexicology. The study conclusively demonstrated that integrating ChatGPT AI into Lexicology instruction significantly enhanced the academic performance, retention, and cognitive abilities of year 3 English Education students. It was recommended that universities should encourage academic staff training on the use of 21st century technology strategies such as ChatGPT to improve students learning outcomes.

General Background This study examines the geochemical behavior of granitic rocks in the Shintaku area, a region within the Nigerian Basement Complex where magmatic evolution remains debated due to limited integrated structural–geochemical data. Specific Background Earlier works suggest that Pan-African tectonism produced heterogeneous magmas in southwest Lokoja, yet the mechanisms generating the acidic and intermediate intrusive rocks in this locality are still insufficiently constrained. Knowledge Gap Despite numerous metamorphic studies, the petrogenesis and geochemical pathways of the granitic bodies in southeastern Lokoja have not been comprehensively analyzed using modern analytical techniques. Aims This research investigates magma sources, fractionation trends, and alumina saturation indices to reconstruct the magmatic evolution of the Shintaku granites. Results Major element compositions show enrichment in SiO2, Al2O3, and alkalis, with smooth Harker trends implying fractional crystallization, while rough trends indicate partial melting and magma mixing. The coexistence of metaluminous and peraluminous signatures, along with subalkaline affinities, supports heterogeneous mantle–crust melt interaction. Novelty This study provides the first integrated petrographic and geochemical characterization of the Shintaku granites using XRF, SEM, and LA-ICP-MS datasets. Implications Findings refine the petrogenetic model of southeastern Lokoja and offer a stronger basis for assessing mineralization potential and regional tectonomagmatic evolution.Highlight : Highlights major compositional variations that reflect the influence of magma fractionation. Emphasizes evidence of partial melting and magma mixing as drivers of magma heterogeneity. Confirms the S-type granitoid character linked to peraluminous supracrustal sources. Keywords : Granitic Rocks, Magmatic Fractionation, Fractional Crystallization, Partial Melting, Magma Mixing

Abstract: The physicochemical properties of the premium motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were determined to ascertain with each other and their compliance with American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standards and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The properties studied for NNPC and Zone 4 oil depots results obtained were respectively as follows: density 0.7445, 0.7425, Research octane number 91.8, 93.1, ethanol content was absent for both petroleum depots samples, distillation test at the initial boiling point is 34, 30, at the final boiling point were 181, 181 for both NNPC and zone 4 depots samples, benzene content were 1.0, 0.9, Sulfur content test 0.0275, 0.0215 and Reid Vapour pressure 49.5, 49.0, the study revealed that the PMS quality was within the ASTM and NMDPRA requirements for both NNPC and zone 4 depots and has positive effect on motor engines. AGO samples from two different depots (NNPC and Hudson) was analyzed. The parameters analyzed and the results obtained as follows; density test 0.8530 and 0.8404, flash point 69, 70, distillation at the initial boiling point 127, 80 for NNPC and Hudson oil depots, diesel Index 38.2, 42.8, cetane number 37.9, 46.2, kinematic viscosity 3.324, 3.144, sulfur content 0.0740, 0.0475, Acidity were all within the ASTM and NMDPRA specifications for PMS for both NNPC and Hudson depots. Hudson depot cetane number analyzed was in compliance with the regulatory authority standards while NNPC depot cetane number, and carbon residue were off specifications. There was deviation in the diesel index number and carbon residue, distillation test for both NNPC and Hudson oil depots for AGO samples will have adverse effect on motor engine. Based on the research studied, the AGO might have been poorly refined or adulterated and could constitute problems to automobile engines if utilized. It is imperative that regular quality tests be conducted randomly to check depots petroleum products compliance with the required standards.

Thin rectangular plates are widely used in civil, mechanical, and aeronautical engineering, where accurate prediction of buckling behaviour is critical for structural reliability. While most classical analyses focus on small-deflection conditions, such approaches neglect the nonlinear effects induced by large out-of-plane displacements. This study aims to apply the new general mathematical model for biaxial buckling of a thin isotropic plate with large deflection to formulate new specific equations for six plate boundary conditions. The nonlinear buckling behaviour is investigated for plates with boundary conditions CCCC (clamped - clamped - clamped - clamped), CSSS (clamped - simply supported - simply supported - simply supported), CSCS (clamped - simply supported - clamped - simply supported), CCSS (clamped - clamped - simply supported - simply supported), CCCS (clamped - clamped - clamped - simply supported) and SSSS (simply supported all-round)) subjected to biaxial compressive loads. The new specific equations of this work allow for the evaluation of buckling load coefficients across varying aspect ratios, biaxial buckling ratios (n), and deflection-to-thickness ratios (w/t). The results obtained reveal that the biaxial buckling load coefficient (and load) decreases with increasing ‘n’ but increases with an increase in w/t. This highlights the combined influence of loading distribution and geometric nonlinearity. Deducing from the new biaxial equations for the uniaxial loading case for the purpose of comparison in square plates, the large-deflection buckling coefficients compared showed negligible deviation (~0%) from prior works, validating the proposed equations’ accuracy. Comparative analysis on values of buckling and postbuckling loads of CCCS plates against existing work under biaxial loading shows percentage differences between 0% and 5.56%, with the present results consistently upper bound but within acceptable engineering tolerances. The further comparison of biaxial buckling and post-buckling load coefficients of Sthe SSS plate with existing works has also shown the adequacy of this new model. The findings demonstrate that the proposed linear and nonlinear buckling equations not only align with established studies but also offer enhanced predictive capability for large deflection analysis of thin isotropic rectangular plates.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common clinical digestive disorder with a complex pathological mechanism. Traditional understanding of its mechanisms primarily focuses on factors such as lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, impaired esophageal clearance, delayed gastric emptying, and abnormal gastric acid secretion. In recent years, the introduction of the brain-gut axis (BGA) theory has provided a new perspective for the systematic understanding of GERD’s pathogenesis. However, there remains a significant lack of understanding regarding the specific mechanisms of BGA in GERD, particularly in terms of the interactions between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, and how they influence the symptoms and progression of gastroesophageal reflux. This paper aims to review the abnormal mechanisms of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems in GERD based on the BGA theory, clarify the relationships between these systems in the development of GERD, and explore the current gaps in knowledge and future research directions. Studies have shown that GERD patients often present with neurological abnormalities such as central nervous system hypersensitivity, autonomic nervous imbalance, and enteric nervous system remodeling. Additionally, activation of the HPA axis and prolonged elevation of cortisol exacerbate esophageal injury, while local and systemic immune inflammation further induces visceral hypersensitivity, creating a stress-induced “neuroimmune loop”. Based on the BGA mechanism, future individualized treatments for GERD, which integrate the regulation of central nervous function, endocrine levels, and the immune microenvironment, may provide new strategies and clinical interventions, leading to breakthroughs in relevant therapies.

This study presents a high-resolution, in-situ analysis of the monthly performance of a domestic polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) module operating within Calabar’s humid monsoon climate, translating empirical field observations into practical design thresholds for residential applications and system installers. Using a digital plane-of-array solar irradiance meter in conjunction with an intelligent MPPT tracker, voltage, current, and power were monitored at 30-minute intervals between 06:00 and 18:00 from July to September. The analysis reveals a stable voltage plateau once plane-of-array solar irradiance exceeds approximately 200 W m⁻², corresponding to near-standard test condition (STC) voltages across all months. In contrast, achieving manufacturer-rated current during August–September would require irradiance levels exceeding 1000 W m⁻², which are seldom observed under real outdoor conditions. July exhibited the highest output current and power, while September recorded the lowest, despite August having the fewest sunshine hours. Notably, output power remained approximately uniform across the 0–450 W m⁻² irradiance range, irrespective of month. At irradiance levels above approximately 400 W m⁻², conversion efficiency follows the order July > August > September, with the module’s rated maximum power appearing unattainable in September under the observed operating conditions. Significance/Novelty: (i) Provides location-specific, month-resolved operating thresholds (≥200 W m⁻² for voltage stability; >1000 W m⁻² required to approach rated current in wetter months), bridging the gap between laboratory specifications and real-world tropical performance; (ii) identifies counterintuitive seasonal behavior, wherein greater sunshine duration does not necessarily yield higher output, thereby informing climate-responsive sizing of storage and inverter systems; and (iii) establishes actionable heuristics—uniform power response under low-to-moderate irradiance and month-dependent efficiency—that reduce performance uncertainty, mitigate premature system abandonment, and promote reliable PV deployment for energy access and net-zero transitions in southern Nigeria.

Facial cosmetics beautify, but combined usage may expose users to harmful heavy metals. This study evaluates that toxic risk. A survey involving 300 female participants was conducted to identify the most commonly used cosmetic brands—Brands A, B, C, and D. A total of 576 cosmetic samples, including foundations, face powders, lipsticks, and eye pencils, were purchased bimonthly over six months. Samples were prepared through acid digestion and analyzed for metal content using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Health risk assessment was conducted using systemic exposure dosage (SED), margin of safety (MoS), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) models. Metals concentrations (mg/kg) across all brands were in the following ranges: lead (0.066-0.789), cadmium (0.093-0.787), chromium (0.049-0.543), cobalt (0.048-0.902), nickel (0.033-0.704), and iron (0.021-0.641). Metal concentrations varied significantly across brands and product types (ANOVA, p≤0.05). Nickel and cadmium levels in most products exceeded WHO and Health Canada limits. The SED values revealed that Co, Cd, and Pb posed the highest risks, particularly in Brand A and Brand C products. MoS calculations indicated that Cd and Co posed significant safety concerns. HQ values confirmed that Cd and Co exceeded the non-carcinogenic risk threshold. The HI values were above unity, suggesting cumulative health risks. LCR values for Cd, Ni, and Cr were above the acceptable risk range, indicating potential cancer risks. The study concludes that prolonged use of studied cosmetics poses both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. Routine screening of cosmetic products to ensure compliance with safety standards is strongly recommended.