title: The 'dominant effect' of games: Content vs. medium

authors: Schott, Gareth R.

subjects: Classification

abstract: Digital games receive an age-restriction rating based on the depiction of harmful content and its possible impact on players. Following on from film, the relationship between media content and its psychological impact on audiences is assumed to be further heightened by the interactive nature of the medium as it makes players responsible for constructing the moving-image on screen. While classification processes continue to serve as an exercise in caution, there remains little evaluation of a particular rating decision’s accuracy via any subsequent examination of the interactions between player and game text. This paper argues for the benefits of researched accounts detailing the interactive experience of games for its capacity to challenge public understanding of the medium. In doing so, the paper will introduce a research design that is currently being employed to achieve an understanding of player experiences. The intention is to produce an empirically validated model of media ‘usage,’ capable of accounting for the ‘actual’ experience of play and the ways game texts are activated under the agency of players once they enter everyday life and culture.

text: The 'dominant effect' of games: Content vs. medium Digital games receive an age-restriction rating based on the depiction of harmful content and its possible impact on players. Following on from film, the relationship between media content and its psychological impact on audiences is assumed to be further heightened by the interactive nature of the medium as it makes players responsible for constructing the moving-image on screen. While classification processes continue to serve as an exercise in caution, there remains little evaluation of a particular rating decision’s accuracy via any subsequent examination of the interactions between player and game text. This paper argues for the benefits of researched accounts detailing the interactive experience of games for its capacity to challenge public understanding of the medium. In doing so, the paper will introduce a research design that is currently being employed to achieve an understanding of player experiences. The intention is to produce an empirically validated model of media ‘usage,’ capable of accounting for the ‘actual’ experience of play and the ways game texts are activated under the agency of players once they enter everyday life and culture.

year: 2013

title: Squeezed states and quantum nondemolition measurements

authors: Milburn, Gerard James

abstract: The first four chapters of this thesis are concerned with the detailed mathematical and physical properties of special minimum uncertainty states of the electromagnetic field: the “squeezed states”. These are states with reduced quantum fluctuations in certain observables (the quadrature phase amplitudes).

In chapter two it is shown that the one mode and two mode squeezed states are obtained by acting on the vacuum state with elements of the sympletic group in one and two dimensions respectively. 

In chapter three properties of squeezed states in a quantum optical context are investigated. The complex P representation of Drummond and Gardiner is shown to be especially useful for discussing the non-classical statistics of these states, and the complex P-representation for a squeezed state is obtained. An analysis of the effect of irreversible dynamics on squeezed states is also given. 

In chapter four a detailed analysis of three devices proposed to produce squeezed states; degenerate parametric oscillation, two photon absorption and dispersive optical bistability, is presented. It is shown in an exact, fully quantum treatment that the reduction of fluctuations obtainable in all these devices is limited, when operated in a steady state regime. The greatest reduction of fluctuations (a factor of two) occurs in the parametric oscillator operated at threshold. The addition of a second driving field in this device enables the direction of squeezing to be changed.

The final two chapters are given over to a discussion of Quantum Non Demolition (QND) measurements. In chapter five a particular QND scheme (back action evading) is analysed. This is based on a parametric amplification interaction. The complex p representation is used to discuss the non-unitary effects of damping and state reduction in a unified way. It is shown that the parametric amplifier, despite being non back action evading, is useful for making QND measurements. 

Finally in chapter six, two quantum counting QND schemes, based on quantum optical four wave mixing interactions, are analysed. The effect of state reduction is included, thus enabling an analysis of a measurement sequence.

text: Squeezed states and quantum nondemolition measurements The first four chapters of this thesis are concerned with the detailed mathematical and physical properties of special minimum uncertainty states of the electromagnetic field: the “squeezed states”. These are states with reduced quantum fluctuations in certain observables (the quadrature phase amplitudes).

In chapter two it is shown that the one mode and two mode squeezed states are obtained by acting on the vacuum state with elements of the sympletic group in one and two dimensions respectively. 

In chapter three properties of squeezed states in a quantum optical context are investigated. The complex P representation of Drummond and Gardiner is shown to be especially useful for discussing the non-classical statistics of these states, and the complex P-representation for a squeezed state is obtained. An analysis of the effect of irreversible dynamics on squeezed states is also given. 

In chapter four a detailed analysis of three devices proposed to produce squeezed states; degenerate parametric oscillation, two photon absorption and dispersive optical bistability, is presented. It is shown in an exact, fully quantum treatment that the reduction of fluctuations obtainable in all these devices is limited, when operated in a steady state regime. The greatest reduction of fluctuations (a factor of two) occurs in the parametric oscillator operated at threshold. The addition of a second driving field in this device enables the direction of squeezing to be changed.

The final two chapters are given over to a discussion of Quantum Non Demolition (QND) measurements. In chapter five a particular QND scheme (back action evading) is analysed. This is based on a parametric amplification interaction. The complex p representation is used to discuss the non-unitary effects of damping and state reduction in a unified way. It is shown that the parametric amplifier, despite being non back action evading, is useful for making QND measurements. 

Finally in chapter six, two quantum counting QND schemes, based on quantum optical four wave mixing interactions, are analysed. The effect of state reduction is included, thus enabling an analysis of a measurement sequence.

year: 1982

title: Evaluation of iwi and hapū participation in the resource consents processes of six district councils

authors: Backhurst, Michael

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity, storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of significance and processes for iwi involvement.

text: Evaluation of iwi and hapū participation in the resource consents processes of six district councils This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity, storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of significance and processes for iwi involvement.

year: 2004-03