Digital Commons Network^™

When Is Fiction Just Fiction? Applying Heightened Threshold Tests To Defamation In Fiction, Mark Arnot

Fordham Law Review

Whenever a work of fiction can be reasonably read as stating actual facts about a real person, courts allow juries to decide whether the work actually conveys a defamatory meaning. As a result, current defamation law essentially forces fiction authors to write about unidentifiable people or unbelievable events. This Note examines the jurisprudence surrounding defamation in fiction and, for comparison, defamation by implication. After surveying policy arguments, the Note concludes that current defamation law is inconsistent, inefficient, and burdensome as applied to fiction. Finally, the Note suggests that courts apply a heightened threshold test to defamation in fiction claims, similar …

Usaid And Engendering Development In Egypt: With Some Reflection On Political And Economic Aspects Of Usaid, Alaa Ahmed El-Dersh

Archived Theses and Dissertations

[abstract not provided]

An Assessment Of The Challenges To Aid Coordination And Aid Effectiveness In The Reconstruction Of Postconflict Societies: A Case Study Of The Postconflict Reconstruction And Development Of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Ahmed Berray

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Relationships Between Daily Sexual Interactions And Domain-Specific And General Models Of Personality Traits., C. V. Smith, J. B. Nezlek, G. Webster, Elizabeth Layne Paddock

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Although sexuality is an important component of personal relationships, there has been relatively little research on relationships between personality and everyday sexual behavior. Moreover, existing research on sexual behavior and personality (defined in terms of the Five-Factor Model, FFM) has found weak and inconsistent relationships. We hypothesized that sexual behavior can be better understood in terms of a model of personality that focuses on sexuality rather than in terms of a general model of personality. The present study examined relationships between two models of personality and daily sexual behavior. For 3 weeks, two different samples described their sexual interactions and …

Towards A Holistic Framework In Fostering Spirituality At Work, Gilbert Tan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Management theories are shaped by the assumptions of man. The Scientific and Administrative School of Thoughts adopt a mechanistic view of human. The Human Relations School views humans as social beings. Spirituality at work looks at the spiritual side of the organization and views an as a spiritual being. This paper proposes a holistic framework to spirituality at work. Taking a systems approach the framework discusses how training, cultural and structural interventions directed the four sub-systems of the organization, namely, culture, leadership, structure and people, help to promote spirituality at work. The framework also discusses the organizational and individual outcomes …

An Investigation Of Women’S Career Progression Decisions As A Significant Determinant Of The Under-Representation Of Women At Senior Management Levels In Ireland, Christine Cross

Theses

Recent decades have witnessed unprecedented changes both in the world economy and in the composition of workforces internationally, resulting in a significant rise in female economic activity rates. Women’s increased involvement in the labour force is, however, not paralleled within the management levels of organisations. The persistent nature of the dearth of women in executive roles provides the context for this study. The unique focus of this thesis is women in middle-level management positions, as managers at this level are viewed as successors to senior organisational roles. Thirty female managers were interviewed, from organisations representing a wide range of industry …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Fear Appeals Used In Road Safety Campaigns, Darren O'Sullivan

Theses

This research project looks at Fear appeals as a method of communication. It is an evaluation of the use of this method based on a number of criteria. These criteria look at differing aspects of fear appeals which form the basis of the evaluation. Issues such as ethics, involvement of the audience, credibility and the level of fear used are all examined in a bid to determine the overall perceived effectiveness of this form of communication.

The first section of the project examines the research question and the objectives which the research hopes to achieve in order to arrive at …

The Role Of Law In Economic Development: The Nasser Era 1952-1970, Mohamed Kamel Saleh

Archived Theses and Dissertations

[abstract not provided]

Characterization Of Stress Ulcer Model In Mice, Abeer Hamed Rubayea Hamed Aldhaheri

Theses

Stress ulcer is a common problem in critically ill patients. Recent statistics indicated that bleeding from stress ulcer is a common cause of death in patients admitted to intensive care units. Little is known about the cellular changes that occur in the gastric mucosa during stress ulcer formation. The aim of this study is to define the changes that occur in the mouse stomach during development of stress ulcer by using different microscopy techniques.

The cold-restraint mouse model of stress ulcer was used in this study. Mice of both sexes were restrained and maintained in a cold (4°C) room for …

Epidemiology Of Hepatitis A In Al Ain: With Emphasis On Age-Related Seroprevalence, Salwa Saeed Al Shamisi

Theses

Hepatitis A (HAV) is common worldwide, but with falling sero-prevalence in residents of developed countries is an indication of improved food and water hygiene. It is well known that the sero-prevalence of hepatitis A are highly correlated with socioeconomic status. The main objective of this study was to have base line data on the age-related sero-prevalence of HAV in Al Ain district and the possible risk factors.

Blood and a questionnaire data were obtained from 280 UAE citizens' outpatients of Tawam Hospital and 333 expatriates' inhabitants of Al Ain city. The expatriate subjects were heterogeneous coming from 24 different countries. …

Modeling Of Invasive Exotic Plants Dynamics In Arid Region Using Remote Sensing And Gis: A Case Study Of Prosopis Juliflora In The Uae, Bassam Saeed Dohai

Theses

High resolution digital aerial photographs were used to rate the change and to evaluate the woody Prosopis juliflora dynamics in northern UAE, Filayah (untreated) and Khut (treated). A time series of three different dates: 1986, 1996, and 2005 were chosen. Onscreen digitizing of plant communities was conducted using interpretative elements such as shape, tone texture, shadow and final maps were produced with acceptable accuracy. A geodatabase was built for both sites containing layers representing different dates. Statistical analysis was performed to rate the changes of the following four spatial attributes: percent cover, patch density, patch size, and mean patch shape …

Effects Of Soil Solarization On Seed Viability Of Serious Weeds Of Crops In The Uae, Fatema Khalil Al-Hammadi

Theses

The efficacy of solarization in weed control under field conditions of the united Arabs Emirates (UAE} was evaluated by conducting field experiments in a farm near Al-Ain. The soil of the farm was artificially infested with seeds of the following weeds: Amaranthus viridus, A. hybridus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chenopodium murale, Launea mucronata, Malva parviflora, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Echinochloa colona, Portulaca oleracea, and Melilotus indica. The soil was plowed, rotovated to provide a smooth surface and divided into 12 raised plots, 10 x 1 m each: seven were solarized and five non-solarized. Soils …

Assessment Of Natural And Anthropogenic Environmental Effects In The Costal Areas Between Abu Dhabi And Dubai – Application Of Remote Sensing, Sultan Mohamed A. Karrani

Theses

The present work represents an attempt to detect changes induced by both natural and anthropogenic activities to the coastal area extending between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This area is dominated by islands, bars, tidal channels and embayment regimes and flanked by coastal sabkhas that give way to the great sand dunes, which represent an extension of the Empty Quarter desert.

The area is also characterized by the existence of many aquatic systems such as coral reefs and the oolitic shoals around Abu Dhabi city. It was the site of many human activities in the …

Analytical Studies On Some Antiviral Drugs And Their Derivatives Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance And Uv-Vis Spectrophotometry, Habiba Saleh Saif Alawi Jahri Al Yafei

Theses

Cyclodextrin chemistry involves non-covalent molecular interactions between the interacting species. The majority of these interactions are of the host-guest type. In the present work, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ¹H-NMR studies were used to study the interaction between amantadine hydrochloride, acyclovir and their derivatives with β­cyclodextrin. Additionally, quantification of amantadine hydrochloride and acyclovir by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy were carried out.

This study is based on preparing amantadine hydrochloride and acyclovir derivatives. Anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid and benzoyl chloride were used as derivatizing agents for amantadine hydrochloride and acyclovir, respectively. Derivatization procedure was based on nucleophilic displacement by an amino group (amantadine or acyclovir) …

The Effect Of The Size Of Pinning Centres On The Critical Current Density In High-Temperature Superconductors, Salama Bakhit Sowaidan Al-Neaimi

Theses

Superconductor materials that have no resistance to the flow of electricity are one of the last great frontiers of scientific discovery.

Superconductivity in these materials occurs particularly in the copper-oxide (CuO₂) planes. However, since these materials are type-II superconductors, magnetic fields can penetrate these materials in quantized amounts of flux called vortices without completely destroying superconductivity, but producing some resistance, due to vortex motion. In order to overcome the resistance problem, vortices must be pinned to prevent their motion and hence eliminate the resistance.

In this work study we have performed extensive numerical simulations to study the effect …

Comparison Of Efficiency Of An Advanced Oxidation Process For Degrading Major Classes Of Dyes, Fatima Hasan Abdullah Ai-Hamedi

Theses

Synthetic dyes are a major part of our life. Products ranging from clothes to leather

Accessories to furniture all depend on extensive use of organic dyes.

There are numerous classes of these dyes. However, azo, anthraquinonoid,

Triarylmethane, diarylmethane, acridine, quinine, xanthane and nitro represent the major

Classes and are most commonly used dyes.

An unfortunate side effect of their widespread use is the fact that up to 12% of these dyes are

Wasted during the dyeing process, and that approximately 20% of this waste enters the environment (mostly in water supply). The effluents from these industries cause the water bodies …

Joint Ventures And Real Options: An Integrated Perspective, Ilya Cuypers, Xavier Martin

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We provide a comprehensive synthesis and extension of the real option (RO) literature on joint ventures (JVs), contributing in three main areas. First, we examine major alternative theoretical perspectives on JVs - learning, bargaining, transaction cost and agency theory - to elaborate how they complement or contradict RO predictions. Second, we compare arguments and variables used to explain different JV stages - initial RO explicitness and equity shares, JV stability, and performance consequences - and highlight research opportunities. Third, we discuss and extend research about behavioral aspects of making RO (JV) investments. Overall, we offer new predictions and suggestions for …

A New Variance Ratio Test Of Random Walk In Emerging Markets: A Revisit, O. Al-Khazali, David K. Ding, C.S. Pyun

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Using a nonparametric variance ratio (VR) test, we revisit the empirical validity of the random walk hypothesis in eight emerging markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). After correcting for measurement biases caused by thin and infrequent trading prevalent in nascent and small stock markets, we cannot reject the random walk hypothesis for the MENA markets. We conclude that a nonparametric VR test is appropriate for emerging stock markets, and argue that our findings can reconcile previously contradictory results regarding the efficiency of MENA markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leadership In Knowledge Sharing: Creating Value Through Collaboration, Thomas Menkhoff, Yue Wah Chay, Hans-Dieter Evers, Benjamin Loh

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study aims to understand the antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior amongst tenant firms in Science and Technology Parks (STPs) which has been highlighted as a key factor for the development of an epistemic culture of innovation in STPs. Components of a model of knowledge management leadership with a focus on knowledge sharing and innovative value creation in STPs are developed inspired by the work of Nonaka, Nahapiet and Ghoshal, Guns and others. Collection of data on various relevant measures is ongoing, covering technology firms and STPs in Singapore and other Asian countries. Besides outlining model components and hypotheses, tentative …

An Analysis Of Lean Management Procedures In The Irish Audi And Volkswagen Dealer Network, Clive Atkinson

Theses

This study provides an analysis of lean management procedures within Irish motor retailers from the perspective of senior managers working in franchised Audi and Volkswagen dealerships. Richardson (2007) suggests the danger for some organisations operating in good economic conditions is the ability of poor performers to earn healthy profits through little effort, thereby creating a lack of urgency to improve processes within the business. This may be applicable to motor dealerships in Ireland since the advent of the “Celtic Tiger”. Advocates of lean management contend the implementation of lean techniques can increase efficiency within an organisation and create a sustainable …

The Potential For Biomass In Ireland., Sarah J. Corcoran

Theses

It is not an understatement to say that a global crisis is approaching and at an alarming pace. It is a widely accepted fact that within the next few years, a change is going to take place. The sources we currently rely on to power our economies are already in an alarmingly depleted state, there is a necessity to find a new source or sources of energy. In addition to this, the global consequences of our past actions on the environment are also coming to the front, with climate change and ozone depletion making international headlines on an almost daily …

The Smart Helmet, Michael Walsh

Theses

This thesis addresses the design, development and testing of a wireless sensor network for a sports helmet. The objective is to monitor an athlete's physiology and also physical impacts using a sensor network. A detailed literature review is presented addressing currently available appropriate wireless technologies, sensors and their operation, packaging, interconnections and applications. It gives a brief introduction to each sensor used in the smart helmet, accelerometers, temperature sensors, heart rate and blood oxygen sensors, along with a review of possible sensors which could be added at a later stage. The specific sensors and other related components for the helmets …

Anaerobic Digestion: Decision Support Software, Marco Poliafico

Theses

Ireland has significant quantities of livestock; meat exportation is a vibrant sector of the economy. Environmental management of animal wastes has therefore become an important concern. On the other hand in the last decade, national and EU policy debate has highlighted the need to investigate alternative energy: in particular energy for transport.

This study investigates the quantities of animal wastes produced in Ireland and their potential treatment using Anaerobic Digestion technologies. In 2005 Ireland had over 8 millions animals (cattle and pigs) and the annual slaughter accounted for over 4.2 million of these creatures. These animals have been responsible for …

Development Of An Immunoturbidimetric Particle Enhanced Assay For Detection Of C-Reactive Protein, Maria Nicholas

Theses

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-known marker for inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that increases in CRP concentrations are associated with future coronary events in apparently healthy men and women. The requirement for assays, capable of testing CRP concentrations within the range 1-lOmg/l, is therefore great.

Methods: Two CRP assays were developed. The Sensitive assay is capable of measuring CRP concentrations as low as lmg/l for use as a potential cardiac marker test. The Normal assay can measure concentrations from 5-400mg/l for establishing levels of inflammation. Both assays developed are latex particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assays designed for use on …

Evaluation Of Four Novel Broad-Host-Range Antimicrobial Agents., Jiahui Guo

Theses

The overall objective of this thesis was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of four novel broad-host-range antimicrobial agents. The first was a milk-derived lipoprotein developed by Westgate Biologicals with the support of Enterprise Ireland. This lipoprotein which was designated LactiSAL, was evaluated against a wide range of bacterial species associated with humans. Essentially, the LactiSAL was incorporated at a variety of concentrations into agar media, which were appropriate for cultivation of the different genera. Agars were examined for colony formation, after which it was possible to quantify the minimal inhibitory concentration for each genus. Subsequently, LactiSAL was incorporated at levels …

Improved Sales Performance Through Effective Sales Training., Michael Falahee

Theses

Ireland’s economic success has been unprecedented between the period of 1993 and present. A number of internal and external factors accounted for this success. The economic performance was driven primarily by a relatively small number of foreign based firms who chose Ireland as their European base. Factors such as globalisation, an increasing domestic cost base and changes in EU legislation have lessened the Irish economy’s attractiveness to foreign direct investment.

Ireland has strong production and operational capabilities; it must develop expertise in two areas to ensure continued future success. These two areas are, building expertise in export sales and marketing …

The Puzzle Of Insular Domains: A Longitudinal Study Of Knowledge Structuration And Innovation In Biotechnology Firms, Gerald George, Reddi Kotha, Yanfeng Zheng

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this study we explain the puzzle of insular domains: insular domains are niches where new innovation is built on the knowledge within the domain. Given the nature of knowledge needed for new innovation in an insular domain the puzzle is why do new firms enter these niches? In a longitudinal sample of 128 biotechnology start-ups founded from 1980 to 1999 we explain why start-ups enter insular domains and how the start-ups develop technology capabilities.

Risky Debt-Maturity Choice Under Information Asymmetry, Chunchi Wu, Sheen Liu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The traditional equilibrium models of signaling with debt-maturity require transaction costs by firms when raising new capital. In this paper, we propose a new model that has no such requirement. We demonstrate that a separating equilibrium of debt-maturity choice exists under a much more general condition, once accounting for the interactions between borrowers and lenders. The model is able to explain the observed complex financial structure. It is found that callable debt functions much like short-term debt, and serial debt similar to long-term debt. In equilibrium, high-quality firms issue short-term debt, and low-quality firms issue long-term debt.

Assessment Of Marine And Coastal Pollution A Long The Eastern Coast, United Arab Emirates (Uae), Shaheera Ali Juma Ali Bahwan

Theses

The present study aims to quantifying and assessing the orgasmic and

Inorganic pollutants extents along eastern side of the United Arab

Emirates UAE offshore on the Gulf of Oman, which consist of Fujairah,

Khor Fakkan and Kalba. Rapid development and the highly usage of the

coastal region for industrial activities, sewage disposal and marine

transportation has led to obvious changes in sediments quality of the

marine environment. Twelve coastal sampling stations were selected to

cover the maximum area of the eastern side, three sampling stations were

selected from marine sediments and six sampling collected from spilled

oil near investigated area. …

Integrated Crisis Mapping: Towards A Publics-Based, Emotion-Driven Conceptualization In Crisis Communication, Yan Jin, Augustine Pang, Glen T. Cameron

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Extending current situation-based conceptualizations of crisis response, this paper develops a more generic and systemic approach tounderstanding the role of emotions in crisis situations. Taking an integrated approach, the authors propose a public-based, emotion-drivenperspective to crisis communication modeling, mapping different crisistypes, and underpinning them with two continua, the organization’s involvement with the crisis issue and primary public’s coping strategy. Thepaper further argues that the appropriate crisis response and tools tomanage a crisis should address the full range of emotions for optimal effectiveness at both strategic and tactical levels.