Delivering public sector efficiencies: The potential role of capability maturity models in construction

This paper is aimed at identifying the potential role of SPICE, especially SPICE level 3, to achieving the proposed UK public sector efficiencies. SPICE level 3 presents the process maturity framework to address the level III of the SPICE model. Building upon the developments of level II, SPICE 3 advocates establishment of a process improvement infrastructure to facilitate good practice sharing in construction organisations. The paper highlights the recommendations of Gershon reviews, in order to achieve the proposed UK public sector efficiencies. The potential benefits of SPICE level 3 is identified and further research in this regard is suggested

High-dimensional Bell test for a continuous variable state in phase space and its robustness to detection inefficiency

We propose a scheme for testing high-dimensional Bell inequalities in phase space. High-dimensional Bell inequalities can be recast into the forms of a phase-space version using quasiprobability functions with the complex-valued order parameter. We investigate their violations for two-mode squeezed states while increasing the dimension of measurement outcomes, and finally show the robustness of high-dimensional tests to detection inefficiency.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures; title and abstract changed, published versio

SPICE 3: Facilitating organisational process improvement through good practice sharing

This paper describes the latest iteration of the SPICE research. SPICE 3 explains the process maturity framework to address the level III of the SPICE model. Building upon the developments of level II, SPICE 3 advocates establishment of a process improvement infrastructure to facilitate good practice sharing in construction organisations. To achieve SPICE level III process maturity, organisations should posses four key processes and five process enablers. The model developed helped the case study organisations to identify their process strengths and also areas requiring improvement

Testing quantum nonlocality by generalized quasiprobability functions

We derive a Bell inequality based on a generalized quasiprobability function which is parameterized by one non-positive real value. Two types of known Bell inequalities formulated in terms of the Wigner and Q functions are included as limiting cases. We investigate violations of our Bell inequalities for single photon entangled states and two-mode squeezed vacuum states when varying the detector efficiency. We show that the Bell inequality for the Q function allows the lowest detection efficiency for violations of local realism.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Double-Well Potential : The WKB Approximation with Phase Loss and Anharmonicity Effect

We derive a general WKB energy splitting formula in a double-well potential by incorporating both phase loss and anharmonicity effect in the usual WKB approximation. A bare application of the phase loss approach to the usual WKB method gives better results only for large separation between two potential minima. In the range of substantial tunneling, however, the phase loss approach with anharmonicity effect considered leads to a great improvement on the accuracy of the WKB approximation.Comment: 14 pages, revtex, 1 figure, will appear at Phys. Rev.

Local structure of In_(0.5)Ga_(0.5)As from joint high-resolution and differential pair distribution function analysis

High resolution total and indium differential atomic pair distribution functions (PDFs) for In_(0.5)Ga_(0.5)As alloys have been obtained by high energy and anomalous x-ray diffraction experiments, respectively. The first peak in the total PDF is resolved as a doublet due to the presence of two distinct bond lengths, In-As and Ga-As. The In differential PDF, which involves only atomic pairs containing In, yields chemical specific information and helps ease the structure data interpretation. Both PDFs have been fit with structure models and the way in that the underlying cubic zinc-blende lattice of In_(0.5)Ga_(0.5)As semiconductor alloy distorts locally to accommodate the distinct In-As and Ga-As bond lengths present has been quantified.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figur