21,878 research outputs found
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
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