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Objective: The present study aimed to elucidate opinions regarding comprehensibility of audiometry display formats among otolaryngologists in Japan, and to identify the characteristics of otolaryngologists' cognitive processes for audiometry.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire-based mail survey regarding the comprehensibility of audiometry display formats among 543 Japanese otolaryngologists. Of 543 otolaryngologists to whom the questionnaires were mailed, 137 replied to the questions. For the analysis, the sample size used was 112 participants. The questionnaire contained questions regarding the otolaryngologists' occupational characteristics, and assessed their opinions of four comprehensibility aspects of five display formats.Results: Otolaryngologists in clinics indicated that the passage of time and changes in thresholds of each frequency in numeric tables were ordinary or incomprehensible. More than 60% of otolaryngologists with extensive experience in using electronic medical records indicated that both, the passage of time and change in the thresholds in overlaid thresholds on a chart were comprehensible.Conclusions: Display formats in audiometry influenced the comprehension of pure tone audiometry data. Our results suggest that overlaid thresholds on a chart rather than numeric table or multi-dimensional charts are the primary choice for computerized audiometry display formats in most aspects of audiometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether an artificial optic flow created by dot motion guides attention in a driving scene.Background: To achieve safe driving, it is essential to understand the characteristics of human visual information processing as well as to provide appropriate support for drivers. Past research has demonstrated that expanding optic flow guides visual attention to the focus of expansion. Optic flow is an attractive candidate for use as a cue to direct drivers' attention toward the significant information. The question addressed concerns whether an artificial optic flow can successfully guide attention even in a traffic situation involving the optic flow that naturally occurs while driving.Method: We developed a visual search paradigm embedded in a video of a driving scene. Participants first observed an optic flow motion pattern superimposed on the video for brief period; next, when the optic flow and video ceased, they searched a static display for a target among multiple distractors.Results: The target detection was faster when a target's locus coincided with the implied focus of expansion from the preceding optic flow (vs. other loci).Conclusion: The artificial optic flow guides attention and facilitates searching objects at the focus of expansion even when the optic flow was superimposed on a driving scene.Application: Optic flow can be an effective cue for guiding drivers' attention in a traffic situation. This finding contributes to the understanding of visual attention in moving space and helps develop technology for traffic safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic characteristics of the capacitance of liquid-crystal display (LCD) pixel constituting the active matrix LCD device using amorphous thin film transistors (TFTs) have been analyzed; an electrically equivalent circuit model is proposed based on the obtained results. The model consists of nonlinear resistors and dynamic elements such as capacitors or inductors and can represent the voltage and time dependence of the capacitance value in the LCD pixel. The proposed model is incorporated into the circuit simulator SPICE as a built-in model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on Sharp Electronics Corp.'s investment in the construction of a plant in Japan for the production of 45-inches and bigger liquid crystal displays (LCD) for televisions. Company's opening of an integrated LCD TV plant in Kameyama Mie Prefecture in Japan to produce 32-inch and 37-inch LCD; Planned facility to used eighth-generation glass substrates.

Reports on the forecasted sales of Japanese flat panel display (FPD) producers in fiscal 1998. Data on the 1997 FPD production; Factors behind the forecasted increase in sales; Budgetary cuts by some FPD companies.

Reports on sales and investments by Japanese flat panel display companies in 1995. Includes Sharp; Toshiba; NEC; Hoshiden; Projected sales and investments in 1996.