Quantum particle displacement by a moving localized potential trap

We describe the dynamics of a bound state of an attractive $\delta$-well under displacement of the potential. Exact analytical results are presented for the suddenly moved potential. Since this is a quantum system, only a fraction of the initially confined wavefunction remains confined to the moving potential. However, it is shown that besides the probability to remain confined to the moving barrier and the probability to remain in the initial position, there is also a certain probability for the particle to move at double speed. A quasi-classical interpretation for this effect is suggested. The temporal and spectral dynamics of each one of the scenarios is investigated.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Analysis of Patterns of Encroachment on Flood Vulnerable Areas by Settlements around River Kaduna, Kaduna South LGA, Nigeria

This study assessed the patterns of encroachment of settlements on flood vulnerable areas of river Kaduna. The ENVI version 4.7 software aided the import of images one after the other in a Geo-tiff format. Proximity analysis was then applied to discover relationships. The river Kaduna was buffered using the multi-ring method and various settlements were overlaid on the buffer ring to determine settlements at risk. Change computation was made between 1990 and 2010 with the ENVI.4.7 version basic tools. Since image is classified, the detection statistic was used where the equivalent classes were defined and the needed pair was added. This provided the change detection statisticoutput. Results show the rate of change of the flood vulnerability and other land use/land cover classes of the study area. Also, since settlements can be observed within the very high risk zones to the left or right of the river, this suggests that the area has a very high risk of flood as corroborated by the GIS results. In events of flooding, the blue zone may be used as a staging area for rescue operations within the area. Keywords: Flooding, floodplains, remote sensing, GIS, river Kaduna

Chinese Globalisation Strategy, Her Recent Global Business Dominance: A Lesson for Nigeria

The study made a comparative analysis of the Nigerian economy and China on globalization. The need to empirically compare Nigeria and China with regard to China’s recent global business dominance formed the central objective of this study.  Data spanning over 23 years (1990-2012) sourced from World Bank were utilized.  The data were purged of spurious relationship by conducting test for stationarity. Ordinary Least Square was employed to analyze the data. The result revealed that China is benefiting from globalization based on China’s strategies in its globalization effort which yielded positive results. Nigeria on the other hand had hurriedly embraced globalization with a mono cultural primary product whose price is very volatile. The study therefore recommends that Nigeria should emulate the Chinese path of gradual market reforms, characterized by cumulative causation where each reform should lead to the next. Furthermore, it recommends that over emphasis on market economy- privatization, liberalization and commercialization is strategic but government presence in planning and development is valuable as seen in China’s experience. Heavy infrastructure and sustained development attract local and foreign investors and government should create incentives to encourage local production and export. Key words: Chinese Globalisation Strategy, Global Business, Dominance

Effects of Cooperative Learning and Contingency Contracting on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Pupils With Learning Disabilities in Mathematics in Owerri, Nigeria

The study adopted pretest-posttest, control group quasi-experimental design with a 3x2x2 factorial matrix. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select ninety participants from three randomly selected public primary schools in the three local governments in Owerri. The participants were randomly assigned to treatments and control groups. Participants in the two treatment groups were exposed to eight weeks of cooperative learning strategy and contingency contracting technique. Two instruments used were: Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale (α= 0.93) and Woodcock-Johnson III Mathematics Fluency Achievement Tests Scale (α= 0.84). Two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using Analysis of Covariance. There is a significant main effect of treatment on ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics (F (2, 78) = 127.29, p<0.05). Cooperative learning strategy was more effective in improving Mathematics competence skills ( = 96.6) of ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics than contingency contracting technique. Furthermore, there is no significant interaction effect of treatment, age and gender on ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics in the study. Therefore, the findings of the study suggest that teachers should endevour to use appropriate teaching methods, cooperative learning strategy and contingency contracting technique to reinforce positive attitude to teaching-learning situations among ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics.

Salivary Secretion and Composition in Malaria: A Case-control Study

Summary: No previous studies have documented changes in salivary secretion in patients with malaria. This study aimed to compare salivary secretion and composition in malaria positive and malaria negative individuals. Ninety participants composed of 40 malaria parasite positive and 50 malaria parasite negative individuals (age and gender matched) were included. Malaria diagnosis was achieved by microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin film of blood smears. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess presence or absence of oral symptoms in the malaria parasite positive individuals. Whole saliva samples were collected and analyzed for flow rate, pH, total protein and concentrations of electrolytes (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, PO42- and HCO32-). Data were analysed using Independent-Samples t-test and Spearman’s correlation test. The salivary flow rate was significantly reduced in malaria parasite positive individuals (P = 0.001). Oral symptoms were present in 82.5% of the malaria parasite positive individuals. There was no significant difference in the salivary pH, total protein and electrolyte ion concentrations between the two groups. Also, Spearman’s correlation test showed no significant relationship between the presence of oral symptom and the salivary parameters. Salivary flow rates are reduced in the individuals with malaria. However, presence of oral symptoms in these individuals may not be attributed to the reduced salivary flow rate. Further studies are needed to validate our findings and elucidate mechanisms involved.Keywords: Saliva, Malaria, Salivary flow rate, Salivary electrolytes, Salivary pH, Salivary total protein

Implications of Geographic Information System in Mapping Solid Waste Collection Points in New Owerri, Imo State

The unsanitary condition in which solid waste is temporarily dumped and disposed of has generated environmental concern through pollutions and health hazards. This calls for a need to map out suitable collection points and disposal point for effective and efficient management of solid waste to promote hygienic environment. Therefore, GIS offers solution in this regard as a decision support system for most suitable site selection. Consequently, different layers (roads, stream and land use) were created to serve the purpose of manipulation and analyses to procure most suitable site for collection point of solid waste generated in New Owerri, Imo State using Arc view 3.2a software

Application of extracts from the poisonous plant, Nerium Oleander L., as a wood preservative

The antifungal properties of poisonous plant extracts from oleanders (Nerium oleander L.) were determined when used as a wood preservative. The extract was prepared from oleanders leaves andflowers in 96% ethyl alcohol. The wood blocks of Turkish oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were impregnated with the extracts. The abilities of the extract to suppressattack by Postia placenta (Fr.) (brown rot) and Trametes versicolor (L: Fr.) Quel. (a white-rot) was investigated. Treated blocks were exposed to P. placenta and T. versicolor attacks for 12 weeks by following the soil-block method. While untreated wood specimens have weight loss ranging between 27.37 and 30.66% for P. placenta and 8.64 and 24.06% for T. versicolor, the wood treated with theextracts is of weight loss between 5.54 and 10.98% for P. placenta, and between 5.02 and 28.25% for T. versicolor. The lowest weight loss was found to be for beech wood (5.02%) impregnated with the extractof oleander at a concentration level of 0.25% against T. versicolor. While the highest weight loss was also on the beech wood (28.25%) treated with the same extract at the level of 0.50% concentrationagainst T. versicolor. In conclusion, the extracts could be used as effective wood preservative