Quantum phase transition induced by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya in the kagome antiferromagnet

We argue that the S=1/2 kagome antiferromagnet undergoes a quantum phase transition when the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya coupling is increased. For $D<D_c$ the system is in a moment-free phase and for $D>D_c$ the system develops antiferromagnetic long-range order. The quantum critical point is found to be $D_c \simeq 0.1J$ using exact diagonalizations and finite-size scaling. This suggests that the kagome compound ZnCu$_3(OH)$_6$Cl$_3$ may be in a quantum critical region controlled by this fixed point.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures; v2: add. data included, show that D=0.1J is at a quantum critical poin

Retaining Generation X\u27ers in a Baby Boomer Firm

I am going to introduce you to Generation X. Who are they? How do they view the world? What are some of their characteristics? And finally, how does one interact, work with, and retain them

Non-equilibrium chemistry and dust formation in AGB stars as probed by SiO line emission

We have performed high spatial resolution observations of SiO line emission for a sample of 11 AGB stars using the ATCA, VLA and SMA interferometers. Detailed radiative transfer modelling suggests that there are steep chemical gradients of SiO in their circumstellar envelopes. The emerging picture is one where the radial SiO abundance distribution starts at an initial high abundance, in the case of M-stars consistent with LTE chemistry, that drastically decreases at a radius of ~1E15 cm. This is consistent with a scenario where SiO freezes out onto dust grains. The region of the wind with low abundance is much more extended, typically ~1E16 cm, and limited by photodissociation. The surpisingly high SiO abundances found in carbon stars requires non-equilibrium chemical processes.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure. To be published in the proceedings of the conference "Why Galaxies Care about AGB Stars", held in Vienna, August 7-11, 2006; F. Kerschbaum, C. Charbonnel, B. Wing eds, ASP Conf.Ser. in pres

Exploiting automated technologies for reduction of rework in construction housing supply chain

Housing has been experiencing significant rework within the supply chain. Rework has afflicted both cost and schedule of projects due to the complex environment, intricate activities and highly fragmented nature of housing supply chain. Housing supply chain generate immense data and share information with different parties, which contribute to multitude of countless challenges. As a result of rework, productivity and workflow of information in construction supply chain has been affected with a catalogue of problems for the past few decades. Automation in construction supply chain with novel technological and analytical strategies has aspired industry to improve the productivity and change the trajectory of traditional, manual and analogue way of processing. The aim of this study is to explore possible opportunities of employing new technologies and challenges involved in utilising automated technologies for minimising rework in housing supply chain. The research methodology is based on a review of literature to investigate automated technologies to eliminate rework in housing supply chain. A conceptual framework is proposed to determine the suitability of various technologies to fully automate housing supply chain and facilitate the reduction of rework in construction housing supply chain. All rights are reserved for Diamond Congress Ltd., Budapest, Hungary, except the right of the authors to (re)publish their materials wherever they decide. This book is a working material for the Creative Construction Conference 201

Flipped Learning Model a Platform to Enhance Student Participation, Retention, and Employability.

This study aims to provide insight into how the flipped model of teaching and learning can enhance student participation, retention, and employability. The flipped classroom model is a pedagogical approach in which students are introduced to new content before class and use class time for discussion, problem-solving, and other activities. This study presents and examines the different types of flipped models and how they are applied in teaching and learning through a literature review. The paper also uses LSBU as a case study to understand the level of usage of the flipped model for teaching among lecturers in BEA. The literature review provides an in-depth understanding of the different approaches of flipped model application in teaching and learning generally. The study discusses the pedagogical context and some examples from class sessions in BEA. Preliminary findings show that the flipped classroom model positively impacts students' assessment, feedback, skills, and satisfaction and potentially impacts employability. The study proposes a process map encapsulating a model of the flipped model of teaching and learning that would enhance and increase student participation, retention, and employability

Improving affordable housing delivery through the reduction of rework in the supply chain

Housing has been experiencing inadequate of supply which exacerbated by strong growth in demand. Several factors have contributed to the shortage of affordable housing including lack of investment from public and private sectors, land and regulatory regime and economic fluctuations. As a result of rework, the cost of production also dented the supply of affordable housing. The aim of this study is to explore the causes of rework as an alternative approach to reduce the cost of production in affordable housing. A qualitative research approach based on semi-structured interviews with experts in housing construction industry is adopted to investigate the root causes and barriers to eliminating rework within the entire housing supply chain. Preliminary findings suggest that reduction of rework through improved managerial practices, effective communication and collaboration among contributors in housing supply chain with a support of automation can significantly reduce the cost of housing production

Development of Conceptual Motivational Framework to Improve Construction Labour Productivity in the U.K.

The theoretical study presents vital motivational factors influencing labour productivity and understanding the relationship between motivation, social compliance, and labour productivity for decision-making. Labour motivation is essential because the quality of labour performance depends upon motivation. Labour who put forth more effort makes a big difference in company productivity. The construction industry in the U.K. is to become Europe’s largest construction market by 2030. However, the trend of construction industry productivity in the U.K. has been low relative to other industries resulting in a skilled labour shortage, project delays, high construction costs, and low productivity growth as foreign migrants execute most projects. The U.K. serves as a security for the concerns of Middle Eastern and other war-torn countries, including the effects of the Ukraine war. It is the largest market for U.S.A. service exports, thus accepting more migrants. Therefore, demands for housing projects are ever-increasing, leading to a rise in construction projects that present opportunities for research to improve productivity through motivation by enhancing social compliance. The findings indicate that motivation mediates social compliance and labour productivity and that the essential way to motivate labour is by upholding social compliance. The present study conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify motivational factors influencing labour productivity. The findings developed a conceptual motivational framework that indicates a positive relationship between motivation, social compliance, and labour productivity. The next level is to test the framework on construction sites empirically through pragmatism philosophy with quantitative and qualitative approaches

On Measuring Condensate Fraction in Superconductors

An analysis of off-diagonal long-range order in superconductors shows that the spin-spin correlation function is significantly influenced by the order if the order parameter is anisotropic on a microscopic scale. Thus, magnetic neutron scattering can provide a direct measurement of the condensate fraction of a superconductor. It is also argued that recent measurements in high temperature superconductors come very close to achieving this goal.Comment: 4 pages, 1 eps figure, RevTex. A new possibility in the underdoped regime is added. Other corrections are mino