Macroscopic quantum tunneling of two coupled particles in the presence of a transverse magnetic field

Two coupled particles of identical masses but opposite charges, with a constant transverse external magnetic field and an external potential, interacting with a bath of harmonic oscillators are studied. We show that the problem cannot be mapped to a one-dimensional problem like the one in Ref. \cite{pa}, it strictly remains two-dimensional. We calculate the effective action both for the case of linear coupling to the bath and without a linear coupling using imaginary time path integral at finite temperature. At zero temperature we use Leggett's prescription to derive the effective action. In the limit of zero magnetic field we recover a two dimensional version of the result derived in Ref. \cite{em1} for the case of two identical particles. We find that in the limit of strong dissipation, the effective action reduces to a two dimensional version of the Caldeira-Leggett form in terms of the reduced mass and the magnetic field. The case of Ohmic dissipation with the motion of the two particles damped by the Ohmic frictional constant $\eta$ is studied in detail.Comment: 7 page

Functional Impacts of Adult Literacy Programme on Rural Women

This study assessed the functional impacts of adult literacy programme among rural women participants in Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study was made up of 115 adult instructors and 2,408 adult learners giving a total of 2,623. The sample consisted of all the 115 adult instructors and 200 rural women enrolled in adult literacy programme, giving a total sample size of 315. The sample was drawn using simple random sampling method. Data were collected using researcher-designed questionnaire made up of nineteen items. Four-point scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree was used to rate the responses of the respondents. Mean was used for data analysis. A mean of 2.50 and above was accepted while any mean less than 2.5 rejected. Two experts in adult education and one expert in measurement and evaluation evaluated the instrument. Reliability of the instrument was ascertained using test-retest method. Using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, a correlation coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. The study revealed among other things, that adult literacy programme in Ishielu L.G.A. of Ebonyi State has functional impacts on the lives of the rural women in the following areas: family life, trades and community development roles. It was recommended that adult education organizers should carry out periodic assessment of the needs of rural women and plan their programmes accordingly. Keywords: Functional, adult literacy, programme, rural, wome

EFFECTS OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF TOPICS AND THE INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES ON STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

This study investigated the effects of prior knowledge of topics with their instructional objectives on senior secondary school class two (SS II) students. The study was carried out in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The design of the study is quasi experimental of pretest-posttest of non-equivalent control group. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 6053 Senior Secondary School class 2 (SS II) Students in thirty nine Co-educational Secondary Schools in Abakaliki Education Zone. Simple random Sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 120 SS II Students that offer literature-in-English in four Co-educational Secondary Schools in the Zone. Two of the schools formed the treatment group, while two formed the control group. Instrument for data collection was a researcher made literature-in-English Achievement Test (LAT). Data were collected from pretest and posttest. The data collected were analyzed using statistical mean, standard deviation, and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The result of the study revealed that the treatment group taught Literature-in-English with prior knowledge topics and instructional objectives performed better than the control group taught Literature-in-English without prior knowledge of topics to be taught with their instructional objectives. The result also revealed that the performance of the students according to gender indicated that males performed better than females amongst the treatment group. However the mean achievement difference between the males and the females was not statistically significant. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that Literature-in-English teachers should give their students topics to be learnt and this instructional objectives prior to instruction and secondly, that authors of texts in Literature-in-English should state the instructional objectives of each chapter or topic in their books

Strategies for Improving Adult Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

The study was carried out to examine the strategies that can be employed to improve adult education programme for sustainable human development. It is a descriptive survey carried out in all adult education centres in Afikpo Local Government Area (L.G.A) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. All the two hundred and twenty adult education instructors in all the centres formed the population of the study. There was no sampling since the entire population was used for the study. Data was collected using researcher-made questionnaire titled strategies for improving adult education questionnaire (SIAEQ). The instrument consist of twenty-two items and was subjected to both face and content validation using two experts in adult education and one expert in measurement and evaluation all in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Reliability test on the instrument was carried out through test-retest method. Using Pearson product moment method reliability coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. Three research questions guided the study. Some of the results obtained include: that to improve adult education programme, the quality of adult education instructors have to be improved through workshops, seminars, conferences, in-service training, incentives, and proper supervision; adequate infrastructures, facilities; instructional materials and resources needed in adult education centres should be provided. It was recommended that in-service training should be periodically organized for adult education instructors, and that necessary facilities should be adequately provided in adult education centres

Repositioning Adult Education Curriculum through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Peace Education for National Development in Nigeria

This study deals on repositioning adult education curriculum for national development. It was a survey carried out in Abakaliki urban, the capital city of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Thirty adult instructors and 138 adult learners formed the sample of the study. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 20 items was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained through test-retest method, and using Pearson Moment correlation coefficient, a reliability coefficient of 0.84 was obtained. Mean and t-test statistics were employed to analyze the data in order to answer the research questions and test the two null hypotheses. The alpha level for test of hypotheses was set at 0.05. Results showed that inclusion of ICT into adult education curriculum will help the adult learners among others to become independent learners; acquire entrepreneurship skills; obtain information literacy; help improve the jobs and careers of the adult learners, and motivate adult learners for life-long learning. The results also showed that inclusion of peace education in the curriculum of adult education in Nigeria will go a long way to conscientize, sensitize and educate the adult learners to maintain peace in their communities and the country at large. It was therefore recommended that ICT and peace education be included in the adult education curriculum in Nigeria. Keywords: Adult education curriculum, ICT, peace education, national developmen