Inhomogeneous Quantum Walks

We study a natural construction of a general class of inhomogeneous quantum walks (namely walks whose transition probabilities depend on position). Within the class we analyze walks that are periodic in position and show that, depending on the period, such walks can be bounded or unbounded in time; in the latter case we analyze the asymptotic speed. We compare the construction to others in the existing literature. As an example we give a quantum version of a non-irreducible classical walk: the Polya Urn.Comment: 11 page

Testing the Structure of Multipartite Entanglement with Bell Inequalities

We show that the rich structure of multipartite entanglement can be tested following a device-independent approach. Specifically we present Bell inequalities for distinguishing between different types of multipartite entanglement, without placing any assumptions on the measurement devices used in the protocol, in contrast with usual entanglement witnesses. We first address the case of three qubits and present Bell inequalities that can be violated by W states but not by GHZ states, and vice versa. Next, we devise 'sub-correlation Bell inequalities' for any number of parties, which can provably not be violated by a broad class of multipartite entangled states (generalizations of GHZ states), but for which violations can be obtained for W states. Our results give insight into the nonlocality of W states. The simplicity and robustness of our tests make them appealing for experiments.Comment: 7 page

Accessing and sustaining private rental tenancies: critical life events, housing shocks and insurances

The private rental sector has grown significantly and is now home to more than 1.8 million Australian households. This growth has been linked to higher demand from households who are taking longer to save for a house deposit, as well as more strictly rationed public housing. Despite this growth the tenure remains insecure: weak regulation and investors’ pursuit of capital gains has led to more rapid turnover of properties, increasing problems of forced mobility for tenants. The project sought to understand the vulnerabilities of tenants in this context, discerning the effects of critical life events and housing shocks, and availability of private market insurance. It involved interviewing 76 low to moderate-income tenants living in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth about their housing experiences, as well as practitioners to identify emerging types of support for tenants. Two key groups of low to moderate-income tenants emerged: those who have experienced multiple types of adverse life events for whom there can be extreme difficulties in attaining leases and maintaining cash flow; and a new or previously unidentified group who require assistance to manage a key event or transition (e.g. recently arrived migrants). Tenants remarked on affordability as an issue which affects access to housing, dwelling quality and ability to keep up rental payments, and how non-housing related problems were exacerbated by being located in expensive sub-markets. Informal segments of the market enabled households to avoid use of real estate agents, but this opened some up to predatory landlords. Few households had market based insurances like income protection insurance, though such products were helpful for those that did. More common was use of credit to fund housing related needs in a crisis, or to draw on informal and familial networks for support. The latter was apparent for cultures where this was normative such as newly arrived immigrant groups. A deficit of housing literacy also undermined tenants’ capacity to competently navigate the private rental sector. Private renter households in need commonly access Commonwealth funded Rental Assistance (RA). However, this is inadequate when critical life events occur or insurances are exhausted. Governments might, through appropriate local services like medical, legal or migrant support centres, improve knowledge about the rental market, provide bond assistance or payments to meet temporary cash flow difficulties, and help broker households into private rental housing. They might also better regulate the sector to address poor housing standards and predatory landlords

Identifying assistance to sustain low to moderate income private rental tenancies

The private rental sector has grown significantly and is now home to more than 1.8 million Australian households. This growth has been linked to higher demand from households who are taking longer to save for a house deposit, as well as more strictly rationed public housing. Despite this growth, the tenure remains insecure: weak regulation and investors’ pursuit of capital gains has led to more rapid turnover of properties, increasing problems of forced mobility for tenants. The project sought to understand the vulnerabilities of tenants in this context, discerning the effects of critical life events and housing shocks. It involved interviewing 76 low to moderate-income tenants living in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth about their housing experiences, as well as interviewing practitioners to identify emerging types of support for tenants. Two key groups of low to moderate-income tenants emerged: those who have experienced multiple types of adverse life events for whom there can be extreme difficulties in attaining leases and maintaining cash flow; and a new or previously unidentified group who require assistance to manage a key event or transition (e.g. recently arrived migrants). A negative relationship exists between the number of critical life events experienced by low to moderate-income tenants, and the resources they have at hand to manage them. As the number of critical life events experienced rises, larger proportions of tenants require drastic action to raise emergency funds. They are more likely to require assistance from friends or family, less likely to have savings of any kind, and more likely to not be able to pay their rental costs on time. In Australia, Commonwealth funded Rental Assistance (RA) is a key support for private renter households in need. However, this study suggested RA is inadequate when critical life events occur or insurances are exhausted. Governments might, through appropriate local services like medical, legal or migrant support centres, improve knowledge about the rental market, provide bond assistance or payments to meet temporary cash flow difficulties, and help broker households into private rental housing. They might also better regulate the sector to address poor housing standards and predatory landlords

Alternative housing models for precariously housed older Australians

AHURI is a national independent research network with an expert not-for-profit research management company, AHURI Limited, at its centre. AHURI’s mission is to deliver high quality research that influences policy development and practice change to improve the housing and urban environments of all Australians. Using high quality, independent evidence and through active, managed engagement, AHURI works to inform the policies and practices of governments and the housing and urban development industries, and stimulate debate in the broader Australian community. AHURI undertakes evidence-based policy development on a range of priority policy topics that are of interest to our audience groups, including housing and labour markets, urban growth and renewal, planning and infrastructure development, housing supply and affordability, homelessness, economic productivity, and social cohesion and wellbeing

Aflibercept in clinical practice; visual acuity, injection numbers and adherence to treatment, for diabetic macular oedema in 21 UK hospitals over 3 years

Introduction: Randomised controlled trials provide evidence that a treatment works. Real world evidence is required to assess if proven treatments are effective in practice. Method: Retrospective data collection on patients given aflibercept for diabetic macular oedema over 3 years from 21 UK hospitals: visual acuity (VA); Index of multiple deprivation score (IMD); injection numbers; protocols used, compared as a cohort and between sites. Results: Complete data: 1742 patients (from 2196 eligible) at 1 year, 860 (from 1270) at 2, 305 (from 506) at 3 years. The median VA improved from 65 to 71, 70, 70 (ETDRS letters) at 1, 2 and 3 years with 6, 9 and 12 injections, respectively. Loss to follow-up: 10% 1 year, 28.8% at 3. Centres varied: baseline: mean age 61-71 years (p < 0.0001); mean IMD score 15-37 (p < 0.0001); mean VA 49-68 (p < 0.0001). Only four centres provided a loading course of five injections at monthly intervals and one 6. This did not alter VA outcome at 1 year. Higher IMD was associated with younger age (p = 0.0023) and worse VA at baseline (p < 0.0001) not total number of injections or change in VA. Lower starting VA, higher IMD and older age were associated with lower adherence (p = 0.0010). Conclusions: The data showed significant variation between treatment centres for starting age, VA and IMD which influenced adherence and chances of good VA. Once treatment was started IMD did not alter likelihood of improvement. Loading dose intensity did not alter outcome at one year