Many minimum distance estimators have the potential to provide parameter estimates which are both robust and efficient and yet, despite these highly desirable theoretical properties, they are rarely used in practice. This is because the performance of these estimators is rarely guaranteed per se but obtained by placing a suitable value on some tuning parameter. Hence there is a risk involved in implementing these methods because if the value chosen for the tuning parameter is inappropriate for the data to which the method is applied, the resulting estimators may not have the desired theoretical properties and could even perform less well than one of the simpler, more widely used alternatives. There are currently no data-based methods available for deciding what value one should place on these tuning parameters hence the primary aim of this research is to develop an objective way of selecting values for the tuning parameters in minimum distance estimators so that the full potential of these estimators might be realised. This new method was initially developed to optimise the performance of the density power divergence estimator, which was proposed by Basu, Harris, Hjort and Jones [3]. The results were very promising so the method was then applied to two other minimum distance estimators and the results compared.

Researchers have noted that the level of contact respondents have with people who have a mental illness and how they attribute responsibility for these conditions contribute to their desire for social distance. Given that the literature suggests that increased contact is associated with reduced social distance and that social distance is highest when individuals are considered personally responsible for their situation, this thesis examines how much of the variation in the desire for social distance is accounted for by both the levels of contact and the attribution of personal responsibility. Ordinary least squares regression was used to analyze the 2007 Alberta Survey (N=1073). Results show that knowing someone, besides oneself, who has received treatment for a mental illness and attributing responsibility for a mental illness onto the individual explain some of the variation in the desire for social distance. The methodological limitations and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

Transgender representations generally distance the transgender characters from the audience as objects of ridicule, fear, and sympathy. This distancing is accomplished through the use of specific narrative conventions and visual codes. In this dissertation, I analyze representations of transgender individuals in popular film comedies, thrillers, and independent dramas. Through a textual analysis of 24 films, I argue that the narrative conventions and visual codes of the films work to prevent identification or connection between the transgender characters and the audience. The purpose of this distancing is to privilege the heteronormative identities of the characters over their transgender identities. This dissertation is grounded in a cultural studies approach to representation as constitutive and constraining and a positional approach to gender that views gender identity as a position taken in a specific social context. Contributions are made to the fields of communication, film studies, and gender studies through the methodological approach to textual analysis of categories of films over individual case studies and the idea that individuals can be positioned in identities they do not actively claim for themselves. This dissertation also makes a significant contribution to conceptions of the gaze through the development of three transgender gazes that focus on the ways the characters are visually constructed rather than the viewpoints taken by audience members. In the end, transgender representations work to support heteronormativity by constructing the transgender characters in specific ways to prevent audience members from developing deeper connections with them.

The evaluation of the potential hazards related with the operation of an LNG terminal includes possible release scenarios with the consequent flammable vapor dispersion within the facility; therefore, it is important to know the behavior of this phenomenon through the application of advanced simulation tools. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) tools are often used to estimate the exclusion zones in an event of accidental LNG spill. In practice these releases are more likely to occur in the confines of complex geometries with solid obstacles such as LNG terminals, and LNG processing plants. The objective of this research is to study the effects that different obstacles have over the LNG vapor dispersion and the safety distance reduction caused by enhanced mixing. Through parametric analysis it is demonstrated that height, width and shape of the obstacles play an important role in the vapor concentration reduction. The findings of this research may be applied in the design stage of an LNG terminal, to improve the design of passive barriers, and for designing better layout configurations for storage tanks. Simulations results performed with FLACS (Flame Acceleration Simulator), a CFD solver, confirmed that these applications help to reduce safety distances.

Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii, 1966. / Bibliography: leaves [92]-95. / viii, 95 l tables

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xxxiii, 335 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Distributed- work has introduced challenges for both employees and managers alike. Maintaining a form of supervision and discipline remains then necessary as control is the ultimate means for the hierarchy to bridge the issue of distance. With regard to the unprecedented changes generated by the significant development of ICTs in organizations, we expressed the necessity to analyze how control is reconsidered within the managerial breakdown introduced by distributed-work. Our theoretical reasoning finally led us to use the works of French philosopher Gilles Deleuze as a basis for a more relevant conceptual framework. Data coming from 49 interviews and 7 days as non-participant observer enabled us to provide evidences for the disruption of management practices due to the reconsideration of control in distributed-work. Both for managers, evolving from a supervisory to a facilitator status, and distributed-workers themselves, whose activities will mainly be directed by the management of their visibility, responsiveness and modulation. Ultimately, this PhD dissertation provides concrete managerial manifestations for Deleuzian societies of control.

Background Leadership is the process of directing the behaviour of others toward the accomplishment of some common objectives. Leadership is influencing people to get things done to a standard and quality above their norm - and doing it willingly. Leading others is not simply a matter of style, or following some how-to guides or recipes. Ineffectiveness of leaders seldom results from a lack of know-how or how-to, nor is it typically due to inadequate managerial skills. Leadership is even not about creating a great vision. It is about creating conditions under which all your followers can perform independently and effectively toward a common objective. Leadership is also a never ending process of self-studies with the purpose to know yourself and your behaviour as individual and in a group better. Understanding group dynamics is essential in order to inspire employees into higher levels of teamwork. It could be argued that for any improvement, leadership forms the main resource basis on which success of change relies. Gotland University has during several years carried out well frequented distance courses in leadership. The typical student is a person with a degree working in some organisation, often in a managerial position. Course assessments have indicated appreciation and a high level of student satisfaction. Purpose The question is if leadership theories and methodologies learnt really are put into use when the course is finished. The main purpose of this research is to explore how current leadership teaching is transferred into practical use in organisations. Another purpose is to see how current management attitudes correspond with the main theories. The results will help to improve the understanding of the practical relevance of different parts of leadership theory. Additionally the role of pedagogy and contextual factors when putting leadership theory into practise are highlighted. Methodology/Approach An alumni database for former students is used for sending a questionnaire asking for the relevance of different topics. Focus is on seeing what parts of theory have been used and to what extent. Based on the first results from the questionnaire a number of interviews are carried out to find out more detailed areas of improvement relating both to what theory to focus on and how to learn. Additionally randomly chosen written reports from courses are used to identify current managerial behaviour. Findings Preliminary findings indicate that theories are being used, but that there is improvement potential (study is still in progress). Limitations The study is limited to the theories used in the current courses. Students are practically all mature students already working. Value Leadership is a practical issue and it is important to know that what is taught is relevant and that it is being used. This paper gives a good indication of the practical relevance of important parts of current leadership theory.

The doctoral thesis examines Queensland's music industry in terms of concepts derived from cluster and network theories in the context of literature discussing creative industries. To this end, the thesis is conceived as one case study incorporating quantitative surveys, convergent interviews and document analyses as its units of investigation. This is necessary because it is the industry as a whole that is the object of theorizing (in terms of Porter and network theory). The 357 firms surveyed represent the creative content producers, distributors and suppliers that comprise Queensland's music industry. The sample for the survey was randomly selected from a universe of 10977 individuals and/or organisations involved in the following sectors of Queensland's music business: music publishing, record companies and distributors, recorded music retailing, other performing arts/music and theatre productions, music composition, and music performance. The data was analysed to understand and describe the nature of firms in the industry and investigate cluster and network dynamics in the operation of the industry. Twenty convergent interviews were also undertaken to further elaborate the qualitative dimensions of cluster and network dynamics in the industry, with particular attention to understanding how the factor input conditions of Porter's cluster model work in practice in the industry, as well as elucidating network effects not adequately addressed by Porter's theory. Policy and industry documents relating to Queensland's music industry were used to contextualise the findings. The conclusions articulate how Queensland's music industry operates as a cluster, and how innovation and creativity are facilitated. The thesis finds Porter's model insufficient to describe some key aspects of this industry's operation. Face-to-face communication, trust and informal networks combine explicit and tacit knowledge to bring about innovation. Thus the industry should be conceived of as a cluster of networks. Furthermore, the findings problematise the notion of distance in cluster and network theories. Traditionally, distance has been conceived in geographic terms; the findings suggest that in the music industry, distance must be understood as cognitive and cultural as well as geographic. The findings provide a detailed set of theoretical modifications to cluster and network theories. Implications are discussed for industry development and policy in Queensland's music industry.

Thesis (MNursing (Advanced Practice))--University of South Australia, 1995