Application‐specific integrated filters for color‐sequential microdisplay‐based projection applications

Abstract— Application‐specific integrated filters (ASIFs), based on a unique holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (H‐PDLC) material system offering high efficiency, fast switching, and low switching voltage, are being developed for microdisplay‐based projection applications. The basic properties and key benefits of ASIFs in projection displays are reviewed.     

Efficient bidding strategies for Cliff-Edge problems

In this paper, we propose an efficient agent for competing in Cliff-Edge (CE) and simultaneous Cliff-Edge (SCE) situations. In CE interactions, which include common interactions such as sealed-bid auctions, dynamic pricing and the ultimatum game (UG), the probability of success decreases monotonically as the reward for success increases. This trade-off exists also in SCE interactions, which include simultaneous auctions and various multi-player ultimatum games, where the agent has to decide about more than one offer or bid simultaneously. Our agent competes repeatedly in one-shot interactions, each time against different human opponents. The agent learns the general pattern of the population’s behavior, and its performance is evaluated based on all of the interactions in which it participates. We propose a generic approach which may help the agent compete against unknown opponents in different environments where CE and SCE interactions exist, where the agent has a relatively large number of alternatives and where its achievements in the first several dozen interactions are important. The underlying mechanism we propose for CE interactions is a new meta-algorithm, deviated virtual learning (DVL), which extends existing methods to efficiently cope with environments comprising a large number of alternative decisions at each decision point. Another competitive approach is the Bayesian approach, which learns the opponents’ statistical distribution, given prior knowledge about the type of distribution. For the SCE, we propose the simultaneous deviated virtual reinforcement learning algorithm (SDVRL), the segmentation meta-algorithm as a method for extending different basic algorithms, and a heuristic called fixed success probabilities (FSP). Experiments comparing the performance of the proposed algorithms with algorithms taken from the literature, as well as other intuitive meta-algorithms, reveal superiority of the proposed algorithms in average payoff and stability as well as in accuracy in converging to the optimal action, both in CE and SCE problems.     

Training psychologists to become competent suicide assessment interviewers: Commentary on Rosenberg's (1999) suicide prevention training model.

Comments on the article by J. I. Rosenberg (see record 1999-00560-013) in which she describes a suicide assessment and intervention training model, sequenced with respect to expertise and cognitive psychology principles. The present authors clarify and expand on Rosenberg's coverage of this critical topic, addressing training, ethical, and legal issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identifying international assignees at risk for premature departure: The interactive effect of outcome favorability and procedural fairness.

Two studies examined factors that predict expatriate managers' tendencies to think seriously about departing prematurely from their international assignments. Previous research (conducted outside of the expatriate context) has shown that individuals' willingness to stay with or leave their positions is an interactive function of outcome favorability and procedural fairness. A conceptually analogous interaction effect was found in the present studies. Whereas expatriates more seriously thought of departing prematurely when they perceived the non-work-related outcomes of their overseas assignments to be less favorable, this tendency was much less pronounced when procedural fairness was relatively high. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, as are limitations of the studies and suggestions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Residents' Experiences in Condominiums: A Case Study of Australian Apartment Living

This research examines issues facing resident owners purchasing and living in condominiums in a major Australian tourist destination. The authors argue that the trend towards urban consolidation presents challenges for purchasers who buy ‘off the plan’ with the intention of self-occupation of apartments. Using a qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews of residents, the study identifies four main areas of concern for resident owners. Issues such as residential use, zoning, dispute resolution and the role of the caretaker are discussed. The study concludes that action is needed in order to reform body corporate legislation and to encourage local authorities to discharge responsibilities not just for planning but also for land use.     

The Molecular Controlled Semiconductor Resistor: A Universal Sensory Technology

We review some of the sensors based on the molecular control semiconductor resistor (MOCSER) technology. The technology can be applied for developing highly sensitive and selective molecular sensors that operate both in gas and in liquid environments. Specifically, we describe here a set of GaAs gas-phase sensors based on an array constructed from several elements, each coated with a different sensing molecule. Coating the same semiconductor device with an ultrathin polymer layer also allows the use of the device in a harsh liquid environment and in performing measurements in physiological liquids. Hence, the MOCSER-based platform opens the way for producing inexpensive, easy to use, and robust sensors for a wide variety of applications.     

A robust audio watermarking scheme based on reduced singular value decomposition and distortion removal

This paper presents a blind audio watermarking algorithm based on the reduced singular value decomposition (RSVD). A new observation on one of the resulting unitary matrices is uncovered. The proposed scheme manipulates coefficients based on this observation in order to embed watermark bits. To preserve audio fidelity a threshold-based distortion control technique is applied and this is further supplemented by distortion suppression utilizing psychoacoustic principles. Test results on real music signals show that this watermarking scheme is in the range of imperceptibility for human hearing, is accurate and also robust against MP3 compression at various bit rates as well as other selected attacks. The data payload is comparatively high compared to existing audio watermarking schemes.     

Spline functions of negative degree

In a recent series of papers (see Goldman [1–3]), B-splines of negative degree were introduced and partially investigated. The main purpose of the present paper is to continue and to extend these investigations. In the first part, we look more deeply onto the negative degree B-splines; we present an explicit representation for them, as well as a degree elevation formula; this solves a problem posed in [3]. Moreover, in the second part we look (probably for the first time in the literature) at the structure of the space of negative degree spline functions, spanned by the negative degree B-splines. As a main result here, we obtain a truncated power function representation of these splines. Received: May 1999 / Accepted: November 1999     

Managing quality in projects: An empirical study

The purpose of this paper is to establish the key role of quality in the ‘iron triangle of cost, time and quality’ and highlight the importance of implementing the people related ‘organisation quality’ amongst key stakeholders to deliver the success criteria of a project.