The magnetic structure of Gd_2Ti_2O_7

We attempt to solve the magnetic structure of the gadolinium analogue of `spin-ice', using a mixture of experimental and theoretical assumptions. The eventual predictions are essentially consistent with both the Mossbauer and neutron measurements but are unrelated to previous proposals. We find two possible distinct states, one of which is coplanar and the other is fully three-dimensional. We predict that close to the initial transition the preferred state is coplanar but that at the lowest temperature the ground-state becomes fully three-dimensional. Unfortunately the energetics are consequently complicated. There is a dominant nearest-neighbour Heisenberg interaction but then a compromise solution for lifting the final degeneracy resulting from a competition between longer-range Heisenberg interactions and direct dipolar interactions on similar energy scales.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figure

National underground assets and subsurface data : review of use case applications. Iceberg Industry Group workshop

The Iceberg Industry Group represents over 130 organisations who are committed to the improvement of the capture and sharing of information that relates to the subsurface. The open community was formed following the publication of research (Project Iceberg, 2018) into a framework to address shortfalls in subsurface data. The research also informed subsequent programmes, most notably the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) pilot projects delivered by the Greater London Authority and the Ordnance Survey, funded by the Geospatial Commission (2019). NUAR currently focuses on the development of an underground utility asset register for strike avoidance, with the benefits aligned to Health and Safety related outcomes and planning efficiencies. Working in partnership with the Geospatial Commission (GC), the Iceberg Industry Group delivered a workshop (Nov 2019) looking at additional applications and benefits, (over-and-above strike avoidance), that may be realised by the creation of an underground asset register and better subsurface data use. The workshop was facilitated by British Geological Survey and Ordnance Survey. This report presents a summary of the workshop and its findings

Determination of the financial impact of machine downtime on the Australia Post large letters sorting process

Machine downtime, whether planned or unplanned, is intuitively costly to manufacturing organisations, however is often very difficult to quantify. Costing processes are rarely undertaken within manufacturing organisations. It has previously been estimated that 80% of industrial facilities were unable to accurately cost downtime, with many facilities underestimating the total cost by a factor of 200-300% (Crumrine and Post 2006). It was also acknowledged that the lack of practical guides has hindered costing procedures of any nature being implemented more readily (Dale and Plunkett 1995). Models that did exist rarely considered more than a subset of the costs identified\ud elsewhere, leading to overly conservative estimations. In addition, because cost definitions are not consistent, methodologies for evaluating and quantifying individual costs have not previously been adequately defined. The work outlined in this paper has aimed to develop the first comprehensive methodology for determining the cost of downtime, with particular application to the Australia Post's automated mail processing machines. The method presented may be applied to any manufacturing environment which would benefit from a more complete understanding of the magnitude of the cost of machine or process downtime

OptimalMe Intervention for Healthy Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Lifestyles: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Implementation Effectiveness Feasibility Trial

BackgroundReproductive-aged women are a high-risk population group for accelerated weight gain and obesity development, with pregnancy recognized as a critical contributory life-phase. Healthy lifestyle interventions during the antenatal period improve maternal and infant health outcomes, yet translation and implementation of such interventions into real-world health care settings remains limited. ObjectiveWe aim to generate key implementation learnings to inform the feasibility of future scale up and determine the effectiveness of intervention delivery methods on engagement, experience, acceptability, knowledge, risk perception, health literacy, and modifiable weight-related health behaviors in women during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. MethodsThis randomized hybrid implementation effectiveness study will evaluate the penetration, reach, feasibility, acceptability, adoption, and fidelity of a healthy lifestyle intervention (OptimalMe) implemented into, and in partnership with, private health care. Individual health outcomes associated with implementation delivery mode, including knowledge, risk perception, health literacy, self-management, and health behaviors, are secondary outcomes. A total of 300 women aged 18 to 44 years, who are not pregnant but wish to conceive within the next 12 months, and with access to the internet will be recruited. All participants will receive the same digital lifestyle intervention, OptimalMe, which is supported by health coaching and text messages during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. We will use a parallel 2-arm design to compare telephone with videoconference remote delivery methods for health coaching. Methods are theoretically underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and outcomes based on the Reach, Engagement, Adaptation, Implementation and Maintenance framework. ResultsThe study was approved on August 16, 2019 and has been registered. Recruitment commenced in July 2020, and data collection is ongoing. Results are expected to be published in 2022. ConclusionsThe study’s design aligns with best practice implementation research. Results will inform translation of evidence from randomized controlled trials on healthy lifestyle interventions into practice targeting women across preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. Learnings will target consumers, program facilitators, health professionals, services, and policy makers to inform future scale up to ultimately benefit the health of women across these life-phases. Trial RegistrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12620001053910; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378243&isReview=true International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/3362

OptimalMe Program: A Mixed Method Investigation into the Engagement and Acceptability of a Preconception Digital Health Lifestyle Intervention with Individual Coaching for Women’s Health and Behaviour Change

Preconception interventions, specifically addressing general health, lifestyle behaviours and weight management, are limited despite their importance in optimising women’s health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the engagement and acceptability of OptimalMe, a digital preconception intervention. Participants, (n = 298) Australian women aged 18–44 with private health insurance planning to conceive within 12 months, received a standardised intervention, including access to a digital healthy lifestyle platform (educational materials, behaviour change activities, and self-monitoring resources), ongoing text messaging, and remotely delivered health coaching (two appointments) with randomised delivery methods (telephone/videoconference). Engagement and acceptability were assessed through mixed method analyses. The results show that 76.2% attended both coaching sessions, with similar participation rates for telehealth (75.2%) and videoconferencing (77.2%) (p = 0.469). All participants logged into the digital platform, with 90.6% accessing educational materials and 91.3% using behaviour change tools. Digital platform engagement declined over time, suggesting potential benefits from additional health coaching support for ongoing participation. The post-intervention evaluation (n = 217 participants) demonstrated that approximately 90% found the digital module engaging, meeting information needs, would recommend the program, and were satisfied with the support. OptimalMe demonstrated positive acceptability and engagement; however, further research is warranted to explore strategies for sustaining engagement with the digital interventions