Entanglement and Collective Quantum Operations

We show how shared entanglement, together with classical communication and local quantum operations, can be used to perform an arbitrary collective quantum operation upon N spatially-separated qubits. A simple teleportation-based protocol for achieving this, which requires 2(N-1) ebits of shared, bipartite entanglement and 4(N-1) classical bits, is proposed. In terms of the total required entanglement, this protocol is shown to be optimal for even N in both the asymptotic limit and for `one-shot' applications

"Challenge Current Practice and Assumptions! Make waves!!” : What Works Scotland Collaborative Learning Event 23 & 24 February 2016 Queens Hotel, Perth

No abstract available

Interpretation of Late Cretaceous Volcanic Mounds and Surrounding Gulfian Series Formations Using 3D Seismic Data in Zavala County, Texas

The Late Cretaceous Gulfian series is a prominent and important series across the State of Texas that has been extensively studied since the nineteenth century. It is composed of series of southeast-dipping shelf carbonates and clastics deposited on the northwest margin of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. In south Texas, the Gulfian series was deposited in the Rio Grande Embayment and Maverick Basin and is comprised of the Eagle Ford Group, Austin Group, Anacacho Limestone, San Miguel Formation, Olmos Formation, and Escondido Formation that crop out and continue basinward in the subsurface. Late Cretaceous volcanism formed volcanic mounds composed of altered palagonite tuff that are clustered into two fields, including the Uvalde Field centered in Zavala County. Using the Pedernales 3D seismic survey, located in east-central Zavala County, several volcanic mounds were identified and mapped without the use of well log data by identifying structures and characteristics associated with the volcanic mounds. Isolating these mounds through mapping enabled the mapping of the tops surrounding Gulfian formations, Lower Eagle Ford, Upper Eagle Ford, Austin, Anacacho, and San Miguel, for which time-structure, amplitude, similarity/coherency attribute, and isochron maps were generated. By using 3D seismic data, the volcanic mounds and their relation to surrounding rocks can be better interpreted

Sexuality and the asylum process: the perspectives of lesbians seeking asylum in the UK

The 1951 Refugee Convention aims to provide international legal protection to all asylum seekers. Individuals making asylum claims based on persecution which relates to their sexual orientation however are not explicitly represented in Article 1A (2) of the Convention. As a consequence, cases based on sexual orientation are usually argued under the ‘membership of a particular social group’ category, a classification which has long remained the most contested of the Refugee Convention grounds for granting asylum. This thesis focuses on the experiences of lesbian women as they navigate the UK asylum process. The research explores how sexuality is constructed and performed as women seek asylum as well as how this impacts upon their social and sexual identity. A theoretical framework for the study is principally (though not exclusively) drawn from the works of Judith Butler (1990, 2004, 2006) and Michel Foucault (1978, 1979), as well as Ken Plummer’s (1995) ‘telling sexual stories’. The research draws upon in-depth, repeat interviews with eleven lesbian asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. These women all reported to have experienced physical and sexual violence in their home countries as a consequence of their homosexuality and all had sought international protection in the UK on the basis of their sexuality. The analysis presented in this thesis reveals that the experience of going through the UK asylum process was, for the women in this study, an emotionally challenging and confusing experience. As a consequence of women’s traumatic experiences in their home countries, they were often over familiar with secrecy which added to the difficulties of self-identifying as a lesbian in the UK. The legal requirement to evidence and ‘prove’ one’s sexual orientation was considered problematic and frequently left women feeling compelled to ‘perform’ their sexual identity in order to be believed as a credible lesbian. In addition the analysis presented demonstrates that the requirement to share intimate narratives on demand and in an open and public way had a range of significant implications on women themselves. This included how women felt that their sexuality was persistently judged and the devastating impact of not being believed. This thesis also shows how navigating complex legal procedures impacts upon women’s social and sexual identity. The study demonstrates that living in limbo, without permanency and stability exacerbated women’s experiences of social isolation and rejection and left them occupying a distinct social space, excluded from British, asylum seeking and migrant groups. Despite these struggles however, the data presented in the thesis also reveals women’s ability to recognise, fight and campaign for their legal citizenship and to enjoy the freedom to express their sexual identity and sexual self-esteem. The desire to create a safe space, to understand their sexuality and to re-construct a sense of belonging was paramount as women fought for their sexual entitlements

The Continuous Improvement Cultural Responsiveness Tools (CICRT) : creating more culturally responsive social workers

Social workers play a pivotal role in addressing equity and diversity within Australia using both culturally responsiveness skills and knowledge. This article describes a research project that resulted in the development of the Continuous Improvement Cultural Responsive Tools that can be used by social workers in their practice. This was a large project conducted over three years, which involved engagement and consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community social workers. The community engagement and consultation process included the provision of cultural governance and participation in interviews. The tools developed are linked to seven key domains (Ngurras) that aim to increase the skills, knowledge, and overall confidence of social work practitioners in their culturally responsive practice. This article discusses the tools that provide a clear structure to guide social workers' critical engagement in becoming more culturally responsive social workers and individuals when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. IMPLICATIONS Social work practices need to address the social injustices faced by Aboriginal Peoples by becoming more culturall responsive. The tools were developed to support social workers in their practice to self-assess their transformation in becoming culturally responsive social workers. Continuous improvement in collaborative and culturally responsive social work will improve services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Collaborative Action Retreat Report: Summary of Retreat Held in June 2015

No abstract available

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of an online e health application for the prevention of Generalised Anxiety Disorder

BACKGROUND Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder. Effective prevention in young adulthood has the potential to reduce the prevalence of the disorder, to reduce disability and lower the costs of the disorder to the community. The present trial (the WebGAD trial) aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based online prevention website for GAD. METHODS/DESIGN The principal clinical question under investigation is the effectiveness of an online GAD intervention (E-couch) using a community-based sample. We examine whether the effect of the intervention can be maximised by either human support, in the form of telephone calls, or by automated support through emails. The primary outcome will be a reduction in symptoms on the GAD-7 in the active arms relative to the non active intervention arms. DISCUSSION The WebGAD trial will be the first to evaluate the use of an internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program contrasted with a credible control condition for the prevention of GAD and the first formal RCT evaluation of a web-based program for GAD using community recruitment. In general, internet-based CBT programs have been shown to be effective for the treatment of other anxiety disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Phobia, Panic Disorder and stress in clinical trials; however there is no evidence for the use of internet CBT in the prevention of GAD. Given the severe shortage of therapists identified in Australia and overseas, and the low rates of treatment seeking in those with a mental illness, the successful implementation of this protocol has important practical outcomes. If found to be effective, WebGAD will provide those experiencing GAD with an easily accessible, free, evidence-based prevention tool which can be promoted and disseminated immediately

Integrating a Triple Bottom-Line Approach into the Management System: A Framework for Institutions and Businesses Alike

Organizations are increasingly considering a transition to a more sustainable management approach, primarily as a result of drivers related to operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and corporate reputation. Accordingly, organizations that are adapting to this trend are often gaining a competitive edge. Though research has linked industrial ecology to sustainable business, there is a void on the practical level that leaves businesses unequipped to implement this approach, now commonly known as triple bottom-line management. In response, this paper uses concepts of material flow analysis to create a multi-sectoral framework that guides organizations through the process of achieving a triple bottom-line management system. Specifically, the framework outlines a set of steps and considerations for comprehensive assessment, indicator development, measurement schemes, and reporting that are necessary to achieve an integrated result

The Effect of Symmetrical, Hand-held Load Carriage on Thoracic Rotation during Gait: An Observational Study

Title: The Effect of Symmetrical, Hand-held Load Carriage on Thoracic Rotation during Gait: An Observational Study Authors: Danny J. McMillian, PT, DSc, OCS, CSCS ; Robert C. Bennett, SPT ; Claire E. Tenenbaum, SPT ; Daniel C. Winnwalker, SPT Affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, University of Puget Sound Purpose: During unloaded ambulation arm, trunk and leg motion produces reciprocal, anti-phase rotation between the pelvis and thoracic spine. Anti-phase rotation allows for efficient, stable gait patterns and promotes balanced segmental forces. Research demonstrates that several common factors cause in-phase thoracic spine and pelvic rotation resulting in decreased gait efficiency. Factors include load carriage, slow gait velocity, and locomotor pathologies that promote protective spinal stabilization such as low back pain and pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Since painful spinal and pelvic conditions are frequently treated with physical therapy interventions that promote stabilization, clinicians should be cognizant of the degree to which such exercises may alter normal gait mechanics.A previous, as yet unpublished study from our lab has shown that gait mechanics transition from anti-phase to in-phase rotation with as little as 5% of an individual’s body weight carried as a asymmetrical hand-held load. The purpose of the current study was to establish if altered gait kinematics, specifically thoracic spinal rotation relative to the pelvis, occurs with symmetrical hand-held loads. Subjects: Adult volunteers, 18-30 years old, with no gait or health complications. Materials & Methods: Each subject walked at a cadence of 100 beats per minute for a distance of 48 feet and repeated seven different conditions three times in randomized order. The conditions were: 1) no load, 2) holding an empty canvas bag in each hand, 3) holding 2% of body weight (BW), 4) holding 4% BW, 5) holding 6% BW, 6) holding 8% BW, and 7) holding 10% BW. Each percentage of BW was carried bilaterally and subjects were blinded to conditions 2-7. Ten Bonita cameras recorded each condition at 120 hertz, and gait kinematics were analyzed with VICON Nexus 1.8.4 motion analysis system. In order to compare the average thoracic rotation relative to the pelvis for each condition a repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment was performed with alpha value p\u3c0.05. Results: Compared to condition 1 (unloaded walking), condition 2-7 demonstrated significant decrease in rotational angles of the thoracic spine relative to the pelvis (p\u3c0.001). Furthermore, condition 2 demonstrated a significant decrease in thoracic rotation as compared to conditions 5 (p\u3c0.004) and 7 (p\u3c0.034). Conclusion: Thoracic spine rotation decreases when walking with unloaded bags in each hand. Diminished rotation was likely due to decreasing arm swing. Consistent with the effects of muscular stabilization, increased load generally decreased rotation further. Clinical Relevance: This information is clinically applicable when working with individuals who have some degree of in-phase gait kinematics and need rehabilitation in order to return to activities that necessitate gait with hand-held loads. In these cases, clinicians should consider first reestablishing optimal transverse plane kinematics, then incorporating only the minimally necessary amount of hand-held load

Using online consultations to facilitate health and social care delivery during COVID-19: an interview study of care home staff

Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, UK care homes rapidly adopted videoconferencing to communicate with health and social care colleagues. Studies show that health and social care professionals adapted well to online consultations. Less well known are the views of care home staff on using online consultations and how it impacted their workload and responsibilities. Objective: To explore the experience of using videoconferencing for consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of care home staff. Method: Online interviews with care home staff [n = 13] who had facilitated videoconferencing between residents and health and social care professionals. Data were collected from June to October 2021 and analysed thematically. Findings: Experiences varied but key facilitators were having the infrastructure, training, and support for staff. Barriers were concerns about the benefits and suitability for use with older people living with dementia and/or frailty. Care home staff discussed new ways of working and undertaking new tasks. Consequently, staff developed new skills and confidence in using the technology. However, considerable time was needed to schedule, prepare, and facilitate consultations. Videoconferencing had the potential to support staff and strengthen working relationships with external professionals. Limitations: This is a small study with 13 participants from 11 care homes. It complements professional accounts of videoconferencing privileging the care home view. Implications: Fewer face-to-face meetings are anticipated to discuss residents’ care with visiting professionals. We need to address care home IT infrastructure and implicit expectations that care home staff can assimilate these changes amidst staffing shortages. A better understanding is needed about how to support care home staff in these roles, how this changes interdisciplinary working, and effects on residents’ care