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101. A CASE STUDY IN HISTORY OF EDUCATION DURING THE 1970S: Published Stories of the Midwest History of Education Society.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
HISTORY of education, PERIODICALS, EDUCATION associations
Abstract

The article presents a case study on the history of education in the U.S. during the 1970s. To consciously build and explain connections and interrelationships would be the product of gazing outward from a place of foundations of education training. To gaze inward would be to concentrate on the public school in isolation. It observes that some authors represented in the Midwest History of Education Society's journal during its first decade are writing for others also living in that same decade that may or may not be as involved with the stories they tell.

Published
2005

102. Money Laundering: What will Criminal Elements think of Next?

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
FOOD stamp fraud, FOOD stamps, ELECTRONIC benefits transfers, RETAIL stores, FINANCIAL institutions
Abstract

Highlights several cases relating to food stamp trafficking and the use of customer due diligence policies and suspicious activity reports. Function of the Electronic Benefits Transfer systems cards introduced in 1984; Number of stores included in the food stamp program according to the 2004 U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network report; Suspicious activity reports related to possible food stamp fraud reported by financial institutions.

Published
2004

103. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: CENTRAL BANK INDEPENDENCE, CARIBBEAN MONETARY UNION AND SEPARATION OF FINANCIAL SECTOR SUPERVISION.

Author

Mckenzie, Mark-Anthony

Subjects
CENTRAL banking industry, FINANCIAL institutions, MONETARY policy, MONETARY unions, ECONOMIC policy
Abstract

Copyright of Social & Economic Studies is the property of University of the West Indies - Mona and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Published
2001

104. Carotid Body Tumor as a Reversible Cause of Syncope

Author

Janda, Paul Harlan Singh, Veerappan, Venkatachalam, McKenzie, Mark E., and Dhudshia, Neel V.

Abstract

The causes of syncope are diverse and extensive; carotid body tumors are an extremely rare cause of syncope. These rare neoplasms represent less than 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. The authors present a case of a woman with syncope who was found to have a right-sided carotid body tumor. After surgical resection was performed, she did not have any additional syncopal or near-syncopal events. The authors provide a review of the literature on the natural history, presentation, and preferred management of carotid body tumors. With modern diagnostic tools and treatment options, most patients with this diagnosis can expect to recover fully.

Published
2011
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105. Fate of Murray-Darling Basin irrigators under new plan imminent.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article discusses developments related to the Wine Grape Growers' Australia (WGGA). Winegrape irrigators will be affected by the approval of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) which will implement legal limits on the quantity of surface and groundwater required to be taken for irrigation. Representatives of WGGA and the Wine Grape Council of South Australia (WGCSA) agreed to retain the South Australian Grape Growers Industry Fund. The board of WGGA has approved the Annual Operating Plan for 2010-11.

Published
2010

106. Now more than ever, wineries must release indicative grape prices early.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

This section offers updates concerning Wine Grape Growers' Australia (WGGA). Reasons why the WGGA is urging major wineries in Australia to publish their indicative grape prices prior to the start of the pruning season are reported. Several Australian inland regions including Riverland and Murray Valley are in danger of an over-correction of their supply and demand balance. Rory McEwen has been appointed as chairman of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) in Australia.

Published
2010

107. Regional briefings on industry over-supply get under way.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article reports on the release of data to regional wine industry organizations to help address the over-supply in Australia. There is evidence that some regions produced big volumes of wine products that do not have market demand. The growers of winegrapes need to understand the situation in order to decide if they still want to be in the business. In addition, the Winemakers' Federation of Australia and the Wine Grape Growers' Australia have agreed to schedule industrywide briefings.

Published
2010

108. letters.

Author

Guffey, Robert, Jones, Jane, Greener, Mark, Nilsson, Lorna Stroup, George, Richard, Pitcher, Margaret, Yates, Steve, Smith, Dean, Porter, Richard, Shaw, Dr Norman, Grande, Nils Erik, McKenzie, Mark, and Moray, Malvina

Subjects
PSYCHOPATHS, RITES & ceremonies
Abstract

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to the articles published in previous issues including Jay Rath's review of the book "Chameleo," sciurine sociopath and rituals transferring a young girl's unused fertility to the crops.

Published
2016

109. Wine Industry Restructure Action Agenda.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The author presents an update on various issues surrounding the Wine Grape Growers' Australia (WGGA). He comments on the release of the Wine Restructure Action Agenda (WRAA) and the opportunities it provide to the Australian wine industry. He outlines some of the key findings of the WRAA research including the average number of wine cases produced by the country each year. He highlights the appointment of Vic Patrick as deputy chair at WGGA.

Published
2009

110. Executive Director's report.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article offers information on Wine Grape Growers' Australia (WGGA). It focuses on the activities and program development of WGGA from October 2008-October 2009. The article also discusses WGGA's winegrape sector policies, winegrape sector advocacy with government, sector advocacy within industry, national wine industry and winegrape sector strategies, industrial relations, research development and extension, membership, budget, and administration.

Published
2009

111. InfoAccess updates HTML Transit : Generates custom tags, more precise Web layouts

Author

McKenzie, Mark and Walter, Matt

Subjects
Web authoring software, Networking software product introduction, InfoAccess Inc. -- Product introduction, HTML Transit 4.0 (Web authoring software) -- Product introduction
Abstract

InfoAccess has introduced a new version of HTML Transit, the company's well-known Web conversion and publishing tool. Transit 4.0 now serves either as a stand-alone product or as a client […]

Published
1999

113. READERS' LETTERS.

Author

McPherson, Louie, Gibson, Julie, Righart, A., Bradley, Kevin, McKenzie, Mark, and Mason, Wes

Published
2019

114. READERS’ LETTERS.

Author

Gomm, Jennifer, White, Ray, House, Andrea, McVee, Duncan, Cancello, Gabby, Schnese, Tim, McKenzie, Mark, and Winter, Kevin James

Published
2018

115. Industry restructuring now inevitable.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article examines the Wine Industry Restructuring Action Agenda developed by a working group convened by Wine Grape Growers Australia (WGGA), Winemakers' Federation of Australia (WFA), Australian Wine and Brandy Corp., and Grape and Wine Research and Development Corp. in 2009. It mentions the issue of over-supply of winegrapes and wine facing the sector. A review of the dairy industry adjustment arrangements has been suggested by WGGA within the group. Impediments to the vine pull scheme are also cited.

Published
2009

117. Letters.

Author

Bialecki, Diane, McKenzie, Mark, and STONE, LYMAN

Subjects
*BIRTH rate, *ABORTION, *POPULATION
Published
2020

118. READERS’ LETTERS.

Author

Harper, Keir, Antrobus, Lisa, Lander, John, McVee, Duncan, McKenzie, Mark, and Crookes, Christopher

Published
2018

120. McKenzie, Mark

Author

McKenzie, Mark and McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

Scholar/Scientist/Artist. My work is informed by our knowledge of and attempts to reach the deep structures of human cognition. If humans are pattern recognizers then the work seeks to engage the deep cognitive structures that found or underlie discursive consciousness.

121. A Closer Look at Corneal Inflammation.

Author

McKenzie, Mark and Whitley, Walt

Subjects
*TREATMENT of keratitis, *IMMUNE response, *STEROIDS, *INFLAMMATION, *ENDOTHELIAL cells, *LEUCOCYTES
Abstract

The article focuses on several factors associated with corneal inflammation or keratitis. It informs about immune response of inflammation that results from injuries, infections, and endothelial cell dysfunction during which the white blood cells protect against foreign pathogens. It includes information on various treatment methods for keratitis which involves maintaining the steroid level in the body. INSET: Commercially Available Steroids.

Published
2012

122. Time for a new skilled-nursing model in rural health care.

Author

MCKENZIE, MARK

Subjects
MEDICAL care, HOSPITALS
Abstract

The article focuses on the new technology in the medical care being introduced in the rural ares inorder to improve the healthcare services provided to the people who are unable to access hospitals.

Published
2018

123. Audio Tie.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Published
2017

124. Red Alert! (Book).

Author

McKenzie, Mark D.

Subjects
*EDUCATORS, *NONFICTION
Abstract

Reviews the book 'Red Alert!: Educators Confront the Red Scare inAmerican Public Schools, 1947-1954,' by Stuart J. Foster.

Published
2002

125. R&D in the Australian wine industry: The role of the Strategic Directions Group.

Author

Battaglene, Tony, Fortune, Jim, and McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article discusses the role of the Strategic Directions Group (SDG) in the Australian wine industry's research & development (R&D). The SDG was established by the Winemakers Federation of Australia as an independent body to review and monitor R&D priorities in a national level. The group, composed of members with a vast range of skills and experiences relevant to the Australian wine industry, serves to embody the R&D responsibilities and the 11 priority areas presented.

Published
2007

126. Considered Judgment: An Experimental Study of How People Respond to Judicial Campaign Messages.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
*JUDICIAL elections, *JUDGES, *PARTISANSHIP, *VOTING
Abstract

The literature on judicial elections shows that voters are ill-informed when it comes to these elections (Dubois 1979), and that partisanship is a huge factor in voter decision making (Klein and Baum 2001; Squire and Smith 1988; Dubois 1979). Some judicial scholars (Gibson 2008), as well as judicial organizations such as the AJS and ABA, are concerned about how judicial elections might affect judicial independence. But, how would voters act if they had more access to campaign information about the candidates? This paper explores the relationship of vote choice to a judicial candidate's issue positions when compared to partisanship. The paper also examines whether peoples' levels of political knowledge of the judiciary and their views about the proper role of a judge affect whether and how they are influenced by the partisanship of judicial candidates or the messages of judicial candidates. To address these issues, I conducted an experimental survey on 700 undergraduates in the spring of 2008, using hypothetical press releases of judicial candidates. Survey respondents were shown one of several versions of a press release and asked to respond to questions about the candidate. Respondents were also tested for their knowledge and opinions on politics and the courts and on their views of the proper role of the judiciary. The control group received a press release with only information on the candidate's experience. Other groups received additional information on either the candidate's partisanship, or the candidate's issue positions (candidates were either pro-life or tough on crime), or both. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2009

127. The Professionalization of Contemporary Judicial Campaigns.

Author

Arbour, Brian and McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
*POLITICAL campaigns, *POLITICAL questions & judicial power, *LEGISLATIVE power, *EXECUTIVE power, *PROFESSIONALIZATION, REPUBLICAN Party of Minnesota v. White (Supreme Court case)
Abstract

Many have worried about recent changes in judicial campaigns in terms of increased costs and acrimonious rhetoric. Judicial campaigns, like their counterparts for legislative and executive office, have become more professionalized, and more expensive. The Supreme Court's Republican Party of Minnesota v. White further changed the nature of judicial campaigns, providing judicial candidates with a less restrictive atmosphere to construct campaign messages on specific legal and political issues. In this paper, we examine how contemporary judicial campaigns are conducted. We survey local judicial candidates in the 2008 election in four states. In this survey, we ask candidates to report on the level of professionalization of their campaign, the amount of time they spend raising funds, and the influence of political parties and interest groups on the conduct of judicial campaigns and the information that is presented to voters. In addition, we ask candidates questions about judicial campaign regulation in their state in order to assess how the White decision affected campaign discourse. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2009

128. Determinants of State Supreme Court Regulation of Election Law.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
*STATE courts, *PARTISANSHIP, *DECISION making, *JUDICIAL process, *LEGAL judgments
Abstract

This study investigates state court regulation of redistricting and electoral disputes. The study examines how partisanship and state judicial selection play a role in judicial decision making ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2008

129. Musings from behind the bench: Federal judges' opinions on redistricting cases.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
*JUDGES, *PARTISANSHIP, *DECISION making, *COURTS, *ELECTIONS, *APPORTIONMENT (Election law)
Abstract

This paper utilizes a unique survey of approximately 100 federal judges (conducted between April and July of 2007 and funded in part by an NSF grant) as well as in-depth interviews of 21 other judges in order to obtain a better understanding of the nature of partisanship in judicial decision-making in redistricting cases. Many legal scholars have written about the normative and jurisprudential impact of judicial behavior in redistricting (for example Issarcharoff and Karlan 2004; Fuentes-Rohwer 2003; Levinson 2002; Issacharoff 2002; Grofman 1990). Moreover, many political scientists have examined the electoral and policy effects of redistricting (for example Cox and Katz 2007; Carson, Engstrom, and Roberts 2006; Shotts 2003; Ansolabehere, Gerber, and Snyder 2002; Erikson 1971; Erikson 1972). However, other than a few political science studies (Buchman 2003; Cox and Katz 2002; Lloyd 1995), very little social science research has investigated the behavior of federal judges in their decision making on redistricting. Furthermore, the existing studies on judicial decision making in redistricting offer somewhat contradictory and inconclusive findings. None of these studies actually surveys the judges themselves. Building on my previous quantitative analyses of federal court cases in redistricitng (McKenzie 2006), this paper focuses on how partisanship, the law, and other factors play a role in judicial thinking on redistricting. To get at this issue, the paper relies on a mail survey questionnaire to a random selection of federal judges as well as in-depth interviews of federal judges. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2008

130. When Federal Courts Resolve Redistricting Cases, Party Matters - Sometimes.

Author

McKenzie, Mark Jonathan

Subjects
*POLITICAL science, *JUDGES, *APPORTIONMENT (Election law), *PARTISANSHIP, *POLITICAL doctrines
Abstract

My study tests the neutrality of federal judges in redistricting cases. I find that while judges are not overtly crass partisan actors in resolving redistricting disputes, their partisanship does play a role in decision-making in more subtle ways. ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2006

131. The Effect of Anti-Americanism on the May 2003 Spanish Local Elections.

Author

McKenzie, Mark and Balan, Manuel

Subjects
*LOCAL elections, *ANTI-Americanism, *POLITICAL campaigns, *ELECTIONS, *POLITICAL participation
Abstract

How did one of President Bush’s European allies in the war against Iraq escape an electoral price for supporting the president? In the weeks leading up to the start of the official local election campaign in Spain, the opposition Socialists (PSOE) were leading national polls against the ruling conservative Partido Popular (PP) by as much as 7 points. The Socialists expressed confidence during the May 2003 campaign that the PP’s unpopular stance toward the war in Iraq would bring them a decisive victory. Public opinion polls showed that overwhelming amounts of Spaniards (over 90 percent) opposed the war in Iraq and held hugely negative opinions of President Bush. Both of Spain’s top daily newspapers, El Mundo and El Pais, opposed the war and ran daily coverage of the death and misery which came with it Hundreds of thousands of protestors demonstrated against the war on numerous occasions. After the Moroccan bombing against Spanish tourists on May 16, during the height of Spain’s short two-week official election period, Socialists implied that conservative Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar had made Spaniards the targets of international terrorism given Spain’s political and military role during and after the Iraq War. Yet, despite predictions to the contrary, the PP emerged from the election relatively unscathed, with the result ending more or less in a wash. The PSOE captured only about 34.7 percent of the total vote while the PP obtained about 33.9 percent . The conservatives held on to 9 of the 13 regional governments up for election as well as 35 of the 52 major cities, including the city of Madrid. In a country where party identification is minimal and political involvement is low (Montero 1999; Lancaster and Lewis-Beck 1986; McDonough, Shin and Moises 1998), was the PP’s strong support for Bush’s foreign policy a significant factor in the electorate’s voting decision? And, do the results say anything about the potential electoral effects on other European governments who supported the Iraq war or Spain’s upcoming general election in March 2004? Was the relatively good economy (compared to other continental European countries) more important to voters? Did the rightward shift and the distrust of the PSOE in Spanish politics in the mid 1990s (Heywood 1995) insulate the PP from heavy losses? Or, did local issues simply pre-dominate? To answer these questions, this paper will provide an analysis of public opinion polls and election results of the regional parliaments of Madrid, Valencia and Galicia and the cities of Madrid, Granada and Zaragoza to examine the extent to which Aznar’s association with the Bush Administration’s foreign policy affected election results. The paper includes a content analysis of Spain’s major newspapers before and during the official election campaign in order to provide the framing of issues during the campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2004

132. WGGA calls for immediate moratorium on future agribusiness managed investment schemes.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article discusses the call of the Wine Grape Growers' Australia (WGGA) on the Government of Australia to implement an immediate moratorium on any further agricultural managed investment schemes (MIS) product rulings by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The organization made this call following its submission to the new inquiry into the agribusiness MIS by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (JCCFS). They want the moratorium implemented until an investigation of the impact of MIS has been made.

Published
2009

133. Beyond partisanship? : federal courts, state commissions, and redistricting

Author

McKenzie, Mark Jonathan

Abstract

My dissertation examines the influence of partisanship in decision making on redistricting in state commissions and judicial rulings. My central questions are twofold. First, do Republican- and Democratic-appointed federal judges engage in decision making that favors their respective parties? Second, what is the extent of partisan voting on bipartisan state redistricting commissions? These issues possess considerable substantive importance. Some states have considered moving redistricting responsibility out of the legislature and into state commissions, while some political scientists and legal scholars have suggested more vigorous court involvement in the regulation of redistricting. Implicit in many of these arguments is the assumption that federal courts and state commissions will act as neutral arbiters. But, very little social science research exists on the behavior of these institutions. My investigation combines quantitative and qualitative evidence, using interviews I conducted of federal judges and redistricting commissioners across the country, together with statistical analyses of court decisions and commission votes. I have 138 court cases from 1981 to 2006, totaling 414 observations or judicial votes. I argue that federal judges are neither neutral arbiters nor partisan maximizers. Rather, federal judges act as constrained partisans. Judges do not necessarily favor their own party's plans in court cases anymore than they do plans created by both parties under divided government. But, when a federal judge reviews a redistricting plan drawn up by a different party, and where the judge's own party is the victim of partisan line-drawing, she will be more attuned to issues of unfairness in the process. Under circumstances where Supreme Court precedent is unclear, partisan cues become more salient for the judge, increasing the probability she will rely on partisan influences to declare the plan invalid. Interestingly enough, these partisan effects in judicial voting vanish in cases where the Supreme Court delineates unambiguous rules, such as litigation concerning 1 person 1 vote equal population claims. My analysis of state redistricting commissions, based on the votes of commissioners and in-depth interviews with them, illustrates that commissions, like courts, are also not immune to partisan decision-making. Partisan factors tend to be the overriding concern of commissioners.

Published
2007

137. Mail Bag.

Author

Lenihan, Susan, Rarig, Martha, Zimmerman, Kenneth, McKenzie, Mary, McKenzie, Mark, Boynton, Alyson, Harris, Judith, Hopkins, Becky, Willis, Kelcie, and Henderson, Lisa

Subjects
LETTERS to the editor
Abstract

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues concerning the death of actor Gary Coleman, the separation of Al Gore and Tipper Gore and the death of Dennis Hopper.

Published
2010

138. Workers, unions need a level playing field.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
WAGES, EMPLOYEES, LABOR unions, RECESSIONS
Abstract

The article reports on the need of a long term solutions for the stagnant wages of the workers in New Hampshire. It states on the factors which drove down the wages for the workers which include, deregulation of the airline, telecommunications and trucking industries. It also notes that the key reason why workers are not seeing wages that match their productivity because of the sustained attack against a worker's freedom to form unions to bargain for a better life.

Published
2008

139. Lack of clear price signals cause for caution on long-term contracts.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article discusses the potential impact of vague price indicators on the Australian wine grape market. Although there have been notable developments in the wine industry such as export market condition improvement, wineries are still concerned about the prices that will be established in their supply contracts with grapegrowers. The efforts of the Murray Valley Winegrowers (MVW) in encouraging grapegrowers to agree with long-term contracts with wineries are described, with information on the essential rules included in the said supply agreements.

Published
2010

140. Wine industry reaches a crossroad.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The author comments on the "Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Australian Wine Grape Sector (TSSD)" and the "Directions to 2025" strategy documents which have provided an outlook for the wine industry in Australia. He cites the impact of the drought on winegrape growers. He says the strategies stress the need for the sector to be more market focused. Also outlined are the basic issues about the future shape and makeup of the production base that will be addressed by a strategic planning committee to oversee the delivery of the strategies.

Published
2007

142. Winegrape sector recovery could stall without further cool region removals.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article reports that recovery of the winegrape sector in Australia could be hindered by nonremoval of excess vineyard plantings in cool and temperate growing regions. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) predicted a 5% increase in wine grape production in 2013 and 2014. It is noted that there could be over production in cooler regions of the country.

Published
2012

143. Growers ask for prerequisites to be satisfied before new body is formed.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Abstract

The article reports on the complaints of Wine Grape Growers' Australia (WGGA) concerning the proposal of Winemakers' Federation of Australia (WFA) to establish an industry-services body (ISB) to take on the majority of WFA's and Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation's (AWBC's) functions. According to WGGA's chief executive Mark McKenzie, the company wants further investigation into the costs and benefits of such entity. Moreover, McKenzie cites the impact of the proposal to WGGA.

Published
2008

144. Book reviews.

Author

McKenzie, Mark

Subjects
APE Man (Book)
Abstract

Reviews the book `Ape, Man, Apeman: Changing Views Since 1600. Evaluative Proceedings of the Symposium Ape, Man, Apeman: Changing Views Since 1600, Leiden, the Netherlands, 28 June - 1 July, 1993' edited by Raymond Corbey and Bert Theunissen.

Published
1996

145. Modern Value Based Reinforcement Learning: A Chronological Review

Author

Mark McDonnell, Mark McKenzie, McKenzie, Mark C, and McDonnell, Mark D

Subjects
artificial Intelligence, optimal control, reinforcement learning, General Computer Science, Markov processes, Q-learning, task analysis, General Engineering, General Materials Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, supervised learning, games
Abstract

Refereed/Peer-reviewed Investigation of value based Reinforcement Learning algorithms exhibited a resurgence into mainstream research in 2015 following demonstration of super-human performance when applied to Atari 2600 games. Since then, significant media attention and hype have accompanied this area, and the field of Artificial Intelligence generally, spread across distinct categories. This review paper is focused exclusively on the progression of value based Reinforcement Learning in the last five years. We aim to distill the incremental improvements to stability and performance in this period, highlighting the minimal changes to the base algorithm over this time. This holds true with all but the one exception of the Recurrent Experience Replay in Distributed Reinforcement Learning algorithm, representing a fundamental shift and increase in agent performance through an advanced memory representation. We suggest a new focus area for value based Reinforcement Learning research.

Published
2022
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146. The application of value based reinforcement learning in the presence of uncertainty: progress towards trustworthy autonomy

Author

McKenzie, Mark C. and University of South Australia. UniSA STEM

Subjects
reinforcement learning, artificial intelligence, trustworthy autonomy
Abstract

Thesis (PhD(Computer and Information Science))--University of South Australia, 2023 Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-152) This research, in the area of artificial intelligence, investigated the application of value-based Reinforcement Learning algorithms to real-life scenarios where safety is critical and risk of catastrophic failure exists. The research explored fundamental limitations of the algorithm and revealed an innate limitation in such applications. Analysis and demonstration of adjunct environmental feedback mechanisms for avoiding risk and improving agent behaviour was a key contribution to the field.

Published
2023

147. Degradation of performance in reinforcement learning with state measurement uncertainty

Author

Mark D. McDonnell, Mark C. McKenzie, McKenzie, Mark, Mcdonnell, Mark D, and 2019 Military Communications and Information Systems Conference, MilCIS 2019 Canberra, Australia 12-14 November 2019

Subjects
Gradient learning, Computer science, business.industry, Q-learning, Machine learning, computer.software_genre, Q learning, learning techniques, Open source, open source training environments, State space, Reinforcement learning, Measurement uncertainty, State (computer science), Artificial intelligence, business, computer, Degradation (telecommunications)
Abstract

We detail the use of open source training environments to investigate the applicability of standard reinforcement learning techniques to inherently error prone tasks expected in real world application of artificial intelligence. Numerical experiments were conducted in which the performance of both Q Learning and Policy Gradient agents' ability to obtain high reward was compared as the observation state measurement uncertainty was increased. The purpose of the research was to assess the applicability of reinforcement learning to real world applications of self-protection of military platforms, where it is expected that the observed state space is uncertain at best. We found in our experiments that Q Learning is more stable in the presence of state uncertainty than policy gradient learning. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Published
2019

148. Automatic ground truths: projected image annotations for omnidirectional vision

Author

Kin K. Liu, Gwilyn Saunders, Russell S. A. Brinkworth, Sebastien Wong, Mark McKenzie, Manjung Kim, Will Meakin, Peter Barsznica, Victor Stamatescu, Stamatescu, Victor, Barsznica, Peter, Kim, Manjung, Liu, Kin K, McKenzie, Mark, Meakin, Will, Saunders, Gwilyn, Wong, Sebastien C, Brinkworth, Russell SA, and International conference on digital image computing - techniques and applications (DICTA) Sydney, Australia 29 November - n1 December 2017

Subjects
FOS: Computer and information sciences, 0209 industrial biotechnology, Ground truth, business.industry, Computer science, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (cs.CV), Computer Science - Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, ComputingMethodologies_IMAGEPROCESSINGANDCOMPUTERVISION, 02 engineering and technology, Field (computer science), Object detection, Data set, 020901 industrial engineering & automation, Automatic image annotation, Software, 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, Eye tracking, 020201 artificial intelligence & image processing, Computer vision, Artificial intelligence, business, Omnidirectional antenna
Abstract

We present a novel data set made up of omnidirectional video of multiple objects whose centroid positions are annotated automatically. Omnidirectional vision is an active field of research focused on the use of spherical imagery in video analysis and scene understanding, involving tasks such as object detection, tracking and recognition. Our goal is to provide a large and consistently annotated video data set that can be used to train and evaluate new algorithms for these tasks. Here we describe the experimental setup and software environment used to capture and map the 3D ground truth positions of multiple objects into the image. Furthermore, we estimate the expected systematic error on the mapped positions. In addition to final data products, we release publicly the software tools and raw data necessary to re-calibrate the camera and/or redo this mapping. The software also provides a simple framework for comparing the results of standard image annotation tools or visual tracking systems against our mapped ground truth annotations., 2017 International Conference on Digital Image Computing: Techniques and Applications (DICTA), Page 1 - 8

Published
2017

149. Statistical measurements of irradiance fluctuations produced by a reflective membrane optical scintillator—II Application to an incoherent broadband source

Author

Mark C. McKenzie, John C. Thomas, Tyron Turnbull, Turnbull, Tyron, McKenzie, Mark C, and Thomas, John C

Subjects
Physics, Scintillation, scintillation statistics, Physics::Instrumentation and Detectors, business.industry, Laser source, Irradiance, Physics::Optics, atmospheric scintillation, Scintillator, broadband scintillation, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Optics, Broadband, Optoelectronics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, business
Abstract

Atmospheric scintillation of an incoherent broadband source has been physically simulated in the laboratory using a reflective membrane optical scintillator (RMOS). The RMOS has been shown previously to be effective with a He Ne laser source. The results with the broadband source are analysed with standard models used to represent scintillation statistics and it is shown that scintillation behaviour can be produced with the RMOS device and an incoherent broadband, divergent source. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Published
2011
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150. Congress and the judiciary: The role of ideology in the federal sentencing guidelines

Author

Norman, Sara Tománek, Rugeley, Cynthia, Goodman, Craig, Thames, Frank C., and McKenzie, Mark J.

Subjects
Federal sentencing guidelines, Congress, Judiciary, Ideology
Abstract

Previous studies have shown that ideology plays a role in federal judicial sentencing. However, there is a lack of research on the role of ideology and judicial sentencing in the federal appellate courts of appeal. In addition, when Congress passed the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, it limited judicial discretion. When the Supreme Court handed down the decision in United States v. Booker (2005), it made the guidelines advisory only and gave judges more discretion. This question in this study is how does ideology play a role in implementing the sentencing guidelines and the effects of the Booker (2005) decision? I argue that congressional representatives passed the guidelines due to their ideological preferences. I also argue that since Booker (2005), judges are more likely to favor the defendant in appellate court cases. I found that the more conservative a congressional representative is, the more likely he or she will favor the guidelines. In addition, I found that overall, federal appellate judges will favor the defendant more since the Booker (2005) decision. Moreover, I found that liberal judges will favor the defendant more than conservative judges. This study builds on the effects of ideology and decision making in Congress and the judiciary.

Published
2013

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