Ekiti State University

About: Ekiti State University is a education organization based out in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Government. The organization has 1879 authors who have published 2103 publications receiving 15210 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Ado Ekiti.

Recent trend in the physical and chemical modification of starches from different botanical sources: A review

Abstract: Starch is, after cellulose, the most abundant organic compound in nature. Modification of starch is carried out to enhance the positive attributes and to eliminate the shortcomings of the native starches. Various methods have been developed to produce a range of modified starches with a variety of characteristics and applications. Physically modified starches are simple and inexpensive because they can be produced without chemicals or even biological agents. In contrast, chemical modification is possible due to ubiquitous hydroxyl groups in starches that have been exploited for over a century, principally in the preparation of starch esters and ethers, but also in more subtle alterations, e.g., in order to tune the structure of starches for specific applications. All these techniques tend to alter the highly flexible starch polymer with changed physicochemical properties and modified structural attributes of high technological value for the food and non-food industries. Modification of starch is an ever evolving industry with numerous possibilities to generate novel starches which includes new functional and value added properties as demanded by the industry. This review aims to summarize the latest developments and recent knowledge regarding physically and chemically modified starches. This paper covers physical modification methods (pre-gelatinization, hydrothermal, and non-thermal processes), some chemical modifications and a combination of both.

Delineation of groundwater potential zones in the crystalline basement terrain of SW-Nigeria: an integrated GIS and remote sensing approach

Abstract: Due to complex and erratic nature of groundwater occurrences in crystalline basement terrains, groundwater development in form of boreholes/wells without the necessary pre-drilling hydrogeological investigations usually results in failure. Therefore, there is the need for adequate characterization of aquifers and delineation of groundwater potential zones in such crystalline basement setting. This study employed the integration of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) techniques to delineate groundwater potential zones in crystalline basement terrain of SW-Nigeria and validation of the result with existing borehole/well yield data. The study approach involved integration of nine different thematic layers (geology, rainfall geomorphology, soil, drainage density, lineament density, landuse, slope and drainage proximity) based on weights assignment and normalization with respect to the relative contribution of the different themes to groundwater occurrence using Saaty’s analytic hierarchy approach. Following weigh normalization and ranking, the thematic maps were integrated using ArcGIS 10.0 software to generate the overall groundwater potential map for the study area. The result revealed that the study area can be categorized into three different groundwater potential zones: high, medium and low. Greater portion of the study area (84,121.8 km2) representing about 78 % of the total area, fall within the medium groundwater potential zone which are generally underlain by medium-porphyritic granite, biotite-hornblende granite and granite gneiss bedrock settings. About 18,239.7 km2 (17 %) fall under high groundwater potential zone which are characterized by weathered/fractured quartzite, quartz-schist, amphibolite schist and phyllite bedrock settings. However, areas of low groundwater potentials constitute only 3 % (3,416.54 km2) of the total study area and are mostly underlain by migmatite, banded and augen gneiss bedrock settings. Subsequent validation with boreholes/well yield data revealed a good correlation with respect to the observed groundwater potential zonation. Wells/boreholes with yields greater than >150 m3/day are generally characteristic of areas with high groundwater potential while those with yields of 75–150 and <75 m3/day are typical of areas with medium and low groundwater potentials, respectively. The validation clearly highlights the efficacy of the integrated MCDA, RS and GIS methods employed in this study as useful modern approach for proper groundwater resources evaluation; providing quick prospective guides for groundwater exploration and exploitation in such crystalline basement settings.

Validity and Reliability Issues in Educational Research

Abstract: This paper discussed validity and reliability issues in educational research. It was suggested that validity and reliabilitycan be applied to both quantitative and qualitative educational research and that threats to educational research can beattenuated by paying attention to validity and reliability throughout the research.