Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Acceptance level'

According to motivational theory physical self-perceptions are crucial to the intrinsic desire to engage in physical activity through play, games, and sport. While there has been prolific research with middle primary and older children little is known of the importance of young children's physical self-concept and their motivation to engage in physical activity. This study had three major purposes. Firstly it aimed to examine the relationship between children's self-concept, their attraction to physical activity, and level of physical activity. The second purpose of the study was to examine differences between boys' and girls' self-concept, attraction to physical activity and level of physical activity. The third purpose was to examine the effectiveness of an intervention programme designed to enhance children's level of physical activity.

According to motivational theory physical self-perceptions are crucial to the intrinsic desire to engage in physical activity through play, games, and sport. While there has been prolific research with middle primary and older children little is known of the importance of young children's physical self-concept and their motivation to engage in physical activity. This study had three major purposes. Firstly it aimed to examine the relationship between children's self-concept, their attraction to physical activity, and level of physical activity. The second purpose of the study was to examine differences between boys' and girls' self-concept, attraction to physical activity and level of physical activity. The third purpose was to examine the effectiveness of an intervention programme designed to enhance children's level of physical activity.

We now live in a society where communicating is done mostly through computer-technology based mediums. In Swedish municipal infrastructure a lot of the communication-data consists of geospatial data-collections. This data is generated with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) which usage in Sweden has increased rapidly. This has lead to a competition between developers in designing their systems for a wider user-base. A transition between designs that has its focus on a small target group and designs intended for a wide range of different users puts the developers in a challenge where usability is one of the big concerns. In this thesis we, have adopted a qualitative research approach with contextual observations and usability testing, in order to identify the crucial usability concerns when designing GIS for a wider user-base. Results show that the most crucial usability concerns are related to system feedback and the GIS not being compatible with other GIS data formats. The research has been concentrated within municipalities in Sweden and results presented in this thesis are rough, but true indications. More research is needed to get detailed accuracy of the usability concerns. We hope that this thesis will aid developers of GIS in their design-phase and to be part of a foundation to future GIS-standards.

Oggetto della Tesi Aziendale è la definizione delle politiche di controllo e dimensionamento nell’ambito del Controllo Qualità in Accettazione (CQA) per materiale acquistato dai fornitori, volto alla strutturazione del processo in una realtà aziendale, con lo scopo di identificare il tipo di controllo qualità da associare a ciascun codice e dimensionare la quantità da controllare. Dopo alcune considerazioni generali sulla importanza del controllo qualità nell’odierno contesto industriale e sui benefici apportati dai metodi statistici per il miglioramento della qualità (SPC, Statistical Process Control), (DOE, Design Of Experiments) (Acceptance Sampling) la trattazione illustra i piani di campionamento in accettazione, i rischi e i vantaggi tipici del campionamento. Il nucleo centrale, dopo l’analisi della situazione di partenza (caratterizzata da assenza di strutturazione del CQA) e delle criticità riscontrate, è focalizzato su una versione semplificata del modello di campionamento Semplice dello standard MIL STD 105 E (ISO 2859-1), che consente di mantenere la qualità al livello di riferimento. Infine, dopo aver discusso le tipologie di controllo, le categorie degli articoli individuate (assegnando per ciascuna un set di possibili AQL), le dimensioni del campionamento e le regole di commutazione (Switching Rules) si è cercato di fornire le motivazioni tecniche-gestionali ed economiche delle scelte effettuate e i vantaggi delle decisioni adottate. Nella parte finale vengono mostrate le schermate principali del Tool applicativo sviluppato, con indicazione sintetica delle possibili analisi che consente grazie alle tabelle: Aggregato Controlli, Aggregato Andamenti e Storico Cause NC.

The unemployment rate has become a major concern for policy makers in South Africa and therefore the National Plan for Higher Education states that higher education training providers should produce more graduates to address this problem. This resulted in a labour force that has grown rapidly and has become younger and more educated. It would therefore be expected that graduates with a post–matric tertiary qualification would be in high demand, resulting in a low graduate unemployment rate. The reality is that the unemployment rate among graduates has increased. This is not only a concern for the policymakers of South Africa but also for a private higher education training provider situated in the North West Province, specialising in information technology (IT) qualifications (and whose students and alumni participated in this study as part of the study population). The majority of the IT jobs available to their students are in the Gauteng province which means their graduates often need to relocate. As for all other entry level graduates they also have to make choices – when to decline or accept a job offer. This study determines what the expectations of these entry level IT graduates are and the factors that might influence their decision to accept or decline a job offer. For the training provider it is important to know what the challenges are that their graduates encounter. The factors contributing to unemployment among these IT graduates were also investigated.<br>Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This investigation was designed to determine the relationships among single parents' parental stress, empathy, level of acceptance, perception of child problems, and child gender, and the effect of filial therapy training on these relationships. Filial therapy is a parent training approach utilized by play therapists to train parents to be therapeutic agents of change with their own children using child-centered play therapy skills. Parents are taught and given support in a group format. Data from a previous filial therapy study with single parents was utilized in this investigation. Correlational research methods were employed to examine the relationships among the variables measured. Correlation coefficients were obtained between each of the following five variables: parental stress, level of acceptance, empathy, perceived problems of the child, and child gender. Additionally, multiple and logistic regression was utilized in search of a possible predictive model. Significant correlations were found between parental stress and acceptance, parental stress and perception of child problems, parental empathy and acceptance, parental empathy and perception of child problems, and between parental acceptance and perception of child problems. No significant correlations were found between child gender and any of the variables. Significant correlation changes were found in several of the measured variables (from pre- to post-) due to the filial therapy intervention. Regression analysis indicated that parental acceptance was predictive of parental empathy, parental empathy was predictive of parental acceptance, and parental stress was predictive of parental perception of problems. No significant findings of prediction were obtained with child gender. This study supports filial therapy as an effective intervention with single parents, as well as the appropriateness of the assessment instruments commonly used in filial therapy research. The results of this research provide insight into those areas of the parent-child relationship impacted by filial therapy, as well as the relationships between the variables measured.

The purpose of this thesis is to fill the previous research gap concerning automation in the horticulture industry by discovering the adoption of automation in the U.S. and Canada, exploring the possibilities of introducing autonomous solutions and provide recommendations as to how this could create opportunities for small robotics companies targeting the industry. A case company in the U.S. and Canada was used as an example of a small robotics company for the case study. Two research questions were formulated: RQ1: Which major tasks in the horticulture industry should a small robotics company aim to automate? RQ2: What are the barriers for companies in the horticulture industry to invest in automated solutions? A mixed methods research with a pragmatic, inductive and exploratory approach was employed. The primary source of data was gathered from surveys, due to the geographical diversity of the region studied. The surveys reveal that the average level of automation across all respondents averaged at 47%. Given the strategy of the case company, a small robotics company is argued to aim to automate the following tasks: placing plant liners, sticking cuttings and planting seed, spacing of plants and containers, plant pruning, harvesting and grading production, and pesticide application. The horticulture industry is showing low barriers to invest in automation. The relatively high levels of automation are leading to increased trust in automation and further investments in automation. This is shown in the technology being perceived as useful amongst 75-85% of respondents and perceived as easy to use amongst 94% of respondents.<br>Syftet med denna avhandling är att fylla det tidigare forskargapet om automatisering inom hortikultur, genom att utforska acceptansen av automatisering i USA och Kanada, utforska möjligheterna att införa autonoma lösningar och ge rekommendationer om hur detta kan skapa möjligheter för små robotföretag som riktar sig mot branschen. En fallstudie på ett robotföretag i USA och Kanada användes som ett exempel på ett litet robotföretag. Två forskningsfrågor formulerades: RQ1: Vilka stora uppgifter inom hortikultur bör ett litet robotföretag sträva efter att automatisera?RQ2: Vilka hinder finns för företag inom hortikultur att investera i automatiserade lösningar? En blandad metodforskning med ett pragmatiskt, induktivt och utforskande tillvägagångssätt användes. Den primära källan till data samlades från undersökningar, på grund av den geografiska mångfalden i regionen som studerades. Undersökningarna visar att den genomsnittliga automatiseringsgraden för alla svarande i genomsnitt uppgick till 47%. Med tanke på bolagets strategi rekommenderas ett litet robotföretag att automatisera följande uppgifter: rada upp plantor, stick och plantera frön, skapa avstånd mellan växter och behållare, beskära och kvalitetsgranska skördar, och applicera bekämpningsmedel. Hortikulturindustrin visar låga hinder för investeringar i automatisering. De relativt höga automatiseringsnivåerna leder till ökat förtroende för automatisering och ytterligare investeringar i automation. Detta framgår av tekniken som uppfattas som användbar bland 75–85% av de svarande och uppfattas som lätt att använda bland 94% av de svarande.

I nuläget utförs acceptanstester på Trafikverket utan att veta testprocessens styrkor och svagheter. Denna fallstudie tar genom Test Maturity Model (TMM) fram en mognadsgrad för testprocessen inom acceptanstester. Mognadsgraden visar hur processen ligger till i nuläget och visar testprocessens svagheter och styrkor. Den mognadsgrad som påträffades vid en utvärdering av acceptanstester inom ProjectWise var mognadsgrad tre. Förbättringsförslagen som presenterades var att utföra kontinuerliga workshops i utbildningssyfte så att inte kunskaperna inom testområdet stagnerar och att kvantifiera kvalitetsfaktorer för mätning av tester. Dock är ingen modell fullkomlig. Genom metodanalysen MA/SIMM (Metod Analys och SIMM står för Samverkan &amp; Situationsanpassning, Ifrågasättande &amp; Idéutveckling, Meningsskapande &amp; Målstyrning och Metodisk &amp; Metod) så visar vi modellens styrkor och svagheter. Några svagheter i TMM modellen är att det inte krävs en erfaren utvärderare av kriterierna. Kriterierna besvaras med frågor och enkäter som kan misstolkas. Svaren i frågeformulären är fördefinierade vilket kan begränsa respondenten, eller göra den osäker på vilket alternativ som passar bäst. Dessa svagheter kan i slutändan påverka mognadsgraden. Några fördelar är att det finns väl dokumenterade riktlinjer när utvärderingen pågår, så att det går att komma in som student och ändå kunna utöva denna modell godtyckligt. Den största styrkan är att TMM baseras på en vetenskaplig grund. Den har även baserats på 40 år av erfarenhet av test i från verksamheten, vilket gör den till en välgrundad modell som kan ge väl motiverade förbättringsförslag.<br>Currently at Trafikverket acceptance testing is done without knowing the test process strengths and weaknesses. This case-study uses Test Maturity Model (TMM) to identify a maturity level for the test process in acceptance testing. The maturity level show how the current process operate and present the test process current weaknesses and strengths. Acceptance testing within ProjectWise reached a maturity level of three. The improvement proposals were to perform continuous workshops for education purposes, so the knowledge within the testing area does not stagnate, and to quantify quality factors for measurement of test. Though no model is perfect this study will attempt to do a method analysis based on MA/SIMM, to show the strengths and weaknesses. Some of the weaknesses are the lack of experience within the use of the criterias of the TMM model. The criterias are fulfilled by interviews and questionnaires and can be misinterpreted. The answers in the questionnaires are predefined and may confuse the respondent. These weaknesses may eventually cause the wrong maturity level being set. There are well documented guidelines when the TMM process has begun so even a inexperienced student may perform a TMM evaluation. The greatest strength in TMM is that it has a scientific background, combined with 40 years of experience within the testing industry, makes it a well-founded model with trustworthy improvement proposals.

Die vorliegende Dissertationsschrift widmet sich der Kapazität von Minikreisverkehren und der Berücksichtigung querender nichtmotorisierter Verkehrsteilnehmer an Kreisverkehren. Grundlage bilden Verkehrserhebungen an zehn Minikreisverkehren in Deutschland sowie eine Analyse des Erkenntnisstands zur Kapazitätsermittlung an Minikreisverkehren und an kleinen Kreisverkehren. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wird ein Kapazitätsmodell für Minikreisverkehre unter Berücksichtigung relevanter verkehrlicher und gestalterischer Einflussfaktoren ermittelt. Dafür werden zwei unterschiedliche Ansätze betrachtet. Für den zeitlückentheoretischen Ansatz werden mithilfe der erhobenen Daten Funktionen zur Beschreibung der Zeitlückenverteilung im Kreis bestimmt und das Abflussverhalten der in der Zufahrt wartenden Fahrzeuge analysiert. Der theoretischen Beschreibung der Zeitlückenverteilung wird eine verschobene Exponentialverteilung mit Berücksichtigung des Anteils der frei fahrenden Fahrzeuge zugrunde gelegt, für die verschiedene Methoden der Parameterschätzung analysiert werden. Zur Ermittlung des Anteils der frei fahrenden Fahrzeuge wird ein Berechnungsmodell in Abhängigkeit der Verkehrsstärke und stromaufwärts gelegener Lichtsignalanlagen bestimmt. Für das Abflussverhalten der wartepflichtigen Fahrzeuge werden unterschiedliche Verfahren sowie Annahmen zur Bestimmung der Grenzzeitlücke analysiert und Zusammenhänge zwischen den ermittelten Zeitbedarfswerten und verkehrlichen sowie gestalterischen Eigenschaften der Minikreisverkehre bestimmt. Die Analyse des Abflussverhaltens wird durch die Betrachtung des Einflusses der ausfahrenden Fahrzeuge vervollständigt. Grundlage der empirischen Regressionsmodelle bildet eine zuverlässige Kapazitätsschätzung aus empirischen Daten, wofür bekannte Ansätze zur Kapazitätsschätzung überprüft und Modifikationsvorschläge erarbeitet werden. Zusammenhänge zwischen den erhobenen Kapazitäten und geometrischen sowie verkehrlichen Einflussgrößen werden mittels multipler Regressionsrechnung auf zwei unterschiedliche Arten bestimmt. Die nach beiden Arten ermittelten signifikanten Einflussgrößen werden sachlogisch diskutiert und ein regressionsbasiertes Kapazitätsmodell anhand der Erklärungsgüte ausgewählt. Die Gegenüberstellung der Vor- und Nachteile der mit der Zeitlückentheorie und der durch Regressionsrechnung ermittelten Berechnungsansätze führt zu der Empfehlung, allgemeingültige Kapazitätsmodelle für Minikreisverkehre und kleine einstreifige Kreisverkehre auf Basis der Zeitlückentheorie zu entwickeln. Diese Empfehlung wird durch Simulationsuntersuchungen an zwei Minikreisverkehren validiert. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden für Minikreisverkehre Simulationsuntersuchungen zum Einfluss querender nichtmotorisierter Verkehrsteilnehmer durchgeführt. Aus den Simulationsergebnissen werden Berechnungsansätze zur Berücksichtigung des kapazitätsmindernden Einflusses querender Fußgänger und Radfahrer an Kreisverkehrszufahrten mit und ohne Fußgängerüberwegen bestimmt. Weiterhin wird ein Berechnungsverfahren zur Kapazitätsermittlung an Kreisverkehrsausfahrten mit und ohne Fußgängerüberwegen ermittelt. Ausgehend von der Kapazität und der Auslastung einer Ausfahrt wird ein Verfahren zur Berechnung von Rückstauwahrscheinlichkeiten sowie den daraus folgenden Blockadewahrscheinlichkeiten stromaufwärts gelegener Kreisverkehrszufahrten entwickelt, um damit den kapazitätsmindernden Einfluss der die Ausfahrt querenden nichtmotorisierten Verkehrsteilnehmer zu berechnen. Die Ergebnisse werden in einem integrierten Berechnungsmodell zur Kapazitätsermittlung an Minikreisverkehren unter Berücksichtigung des Einflusses querender Fußgänger zusammengefasst und daraus allgemeine, für kleine Kreisverkehre gültige Erkenntnisse abgeleitet.

Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, 2018.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-42).<br>The inclusive cross section of vector boson production in proton-proton collisions is one of the key measurements for constraining the Standard Model and an important part of the physics program at the LHC. Measurement of the inclusive cross section requires calculating the detector acceptance of decay products. The acceptance of the CMS detector of leptonic decays of W and Z bosons produced in pp colisions at [square root of]s = 5 TeV is calculated using Monte Carlo event simulation. Statistical and systematic uncertainties on the acceptance measurement from PDF and a, uncertainty and higher-order correction are reported. The use of the calculated acceptance in combination with measurements of detector efficiency, luminosity, and particle counting to determine the inclusive cross section is outlined. A total integrated luminosity of 331.64 pb-1 from 2015 and 2017 CMS data at [square root of]s = 5 TeV is available for the calculation of the inclusive cross section.<br>by Alexander Andriatis<br>S.B.

Many functions that at one time could only be performed by humans can nowadays be carried out by machines. Automation impacts many areas of life including work, home, communication and mobility. In the driving context, in-vehicle automation is considered to provide solutions for environmental, economic, safety and societal challenges. However, automation changes the driving task and the human-machine interaction. Thus, the expected benefit of in-vehicle automation can be undermined by changes in drivers’ behaviour, i.e. behavioural adaptation. This PhD project focuses on motivational as well as higher cognitive processes underlying behavioural adaptation when interacting with in-vehicle automation. Motivational processes include the development of trust and acceptance, whereas higher cognitive processes comprise the learning process as well as the development of mental models and Situation Awareness (SA). As an example for in-vehicle automation, the advanced driver assistance system Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) was investigated. ACC automates speed and distance control by maintaining a constant set cruising speed and automatically adjusting vehicle’s velocity in order to provide a specified distance to the preceding vehicle. However, due to sensor limitations, not every situation can be handled by the system and therefore driver intervention is required. Trust, acceptance and an appropriate mental model of the system functionality are considered key variables for adequate use and appropriate SA. To systematically investigate changes in motivational and higher cognitive processes, a driving simulator as well as an on-road study were carried out. Both of the studies were conducted using a repeated-measures design, taking into account the process character, i.e. changes over time. The main focus was on the development of trust, acceptance and the mental model of novice users when interacting with ACC. By now, only few studies have attempted to assess changes in higher level cognitive processes, due to methodological difficulties posed by the dynamic task of driving. Therefore, this PhD project aimed at the elaboration and validation of innovative methods for assessing higher cognitive processes, with an emphasis on SA and mental models. In addition, a new approach for analyzing big and heterogeneous data in social science was developed, based on the use of relational databases. The driving simulator study investigated the effect of divergent initial mental models of ACC (i.e., varying according to correctness) on trust, acceptance and mental model evolvement. A longitudinal study design was applied, using a two-way (3×3) repeated measures mixed design with a matched sample of 51 subjects. Three experimental groups received (1) a correct ACC description, (2) an incomplete and idealised account omitting potential problems, and (3) an incorrect description including non-occurring problems. All subjects drove a 56-km track of highway with an identical ACC system, three times, and within a period of 6 weeks. Results showed that after using the system, participants’ mental model of ACC converged towards the profile of the correct group. Non-experienced problems tended to disappear from the mental model network when they were not activated by experience. Trust and acceptance grew steadily for the correct condition. The same trend was observed for the group with non-occurring problems, starting from a lower initial level. Omitted problems in the incomplete group led to a constant decrease in trust and acceptance without recovery. This indicates that automation failures do not negatively affect trust and acceptance if they are known beforehand. During each drive, participants continuously completed a visual secondary task, the Surrogate Reference Task (SURT). The frequency of task completion was used as objective online-measure for SA, based on the principle that situationally aware driver would reduce the engagement in the secondary task if they expect potentially critical situations. Results showed that correctly informed drivers were aware of potential system limitations and reduced their engagement in the secondary task when such situations arose. Participants with no information about limitations became only aware after first encounter and reduced secondary task engagement in corresponding situations during subsequent trials. However, trust and acceptance in the system declined over time due to the unexpected failures. Non occurring limitations tended to drop from the mental model and resulted in reduced SA already in the second trial. The on-road study investigated the learning process, as well as the development of trust, acceptance and the mental model for interacting with ACC in real conditions. Research questions aimed to model the learning process in mathematical/statistical terms, examine moments and conditions when these processes stabilize, and assess how experience changes the mental model of the system. A sample of fifteen drivers without ACC experience drove a test vehicle with ACC ten consecutive times on the same route within a 2-month period. In contrast to the driving simulator study, all participants were fully trained in ACC functionality by reading the owner’s manual in the beginning. Results showed that learning, as well as the development of acceptance and trust in ACC follows the power law of learning, in case of comprehensive prior information on system limitations. Thus, the major part of the learning process occurred during the first interaction with the system and support in explaining the systems abilities (e.g. by tutoring systems) should therefore primarily be given during this first stage. All processes stabilized at a relatively high level after the fifth session, which corresponds to 185 km or 3.5 hours of driving. No decline was observable with ongoing system experience. However, in line with the findings from the simulator study, limitations that are not experienced tended to disappear from the mental model if they were not activated by experience. With regard to the validation of the developed methods for assessing mental models and SA, results are encouraging. The studies show that the mental model questionnaire is able to provide insights into the construction of mental models and the development over time. Likewise, the implicit measurement approach to assess SA online in the driving simulator is sensitive to user’s awareness of potentially critical situations. In terms of content, the results of the studies prove the enduring relevance of the initial mental model for the learning process, SA, as well as the development of trust, acceptance and a realistic mental model about automation capabilities and limitations. Given the importance of the initial mental model it is recommended that studies on system trust and acceptance should include, and attempt to control, users’ initial mental model of system functionality. Although the results showed that also incorrect and incomplete initial mental models converged by experience towards a realistic appreciation of system functionality, the more cognitive effort needed to update the mental model, the lower trust and acceptance. Providing an idealised description, which omits potential problems, only leads to temporarily higher trust and acceptance in the beginning. The experience of unexpected limitations results in a steady decrease in trust and acceptance over time. A trial-and-error strategy for in-vehicle automation use, without accompanying information, is therefore considered insufficient for developing stable trust and acceptance. If the mental model matches experience, trust and acceptance grow steadily following the power law of learning – regardless of the experience of system limitations. Provided that such events are known in advance, they will not cause a decrease in trust and acceptance over time. Even over-information about potential problems lowers trust and acceptance only in the beginning, and not in the long run. Potential problems should therefore not be concealed in over-idealised system descriptions; the more information given, the better, in the long run. However, limitations that are not experienced tend to disappear from the mental model. Therefore, it is recommended that users be periodically reminded of system limitations to make sure that corresponding knowledge becomes re-activated. Intelligent tutoring systems incorporated in automated systems could provide a solution. In the driving context, periodic reminders about system limitations could be shown via the multifunction displays integrated in most modern cars. Tutoring systems could also be used to remind the driver of the presence of specific in-vehicle automation systems and reveal their benefits<br>Viele Aufgaben, die ehemals von Menschen ausgeführt wurden, werden heute von Maschinen übernommen. Dieser Prozess der Automatisierung betrifft viele Lebensbereiche von Arbeit, Wohnen, Kommunikation bis hin zur Mobilität. Im Bereich des Individualverkehrs wird die Automatisierung von Fahrzeugen als Möglichkeit gesehen, zukünftigen Herausforderungen wirtschaftlicher, gesellschaftlicher und umweltpolitischer Art zu begegnen. Allerdings verändert Automatisierung die Fahraufgabe und die Mensch-Technik Interaktion im Fahrzeug. Daher können beispielsweise erwartete Sicherheitsgewinne automatisch agierender Assistenzsysteme durch Veränderungen im Verhalten des Fahrers geschmälert werden, was als Verhaltensanpassung (behavioural adaptation) bezeichnet wird. Dieses Dissertationsprojekt untersucht motivationale und höhere kognitive Prozesse, die Verhaltensanpassungen im Umgang mit automatisierten Fahrerassistenzsystemen zugrunde liegen. Motivationale Prozesse beinhalten die Entwicklung von Akzeptanz und Vertrauen in das System, unter höheren kognitiven Prozessen werden Lernprozesse sowie die Entwicklung von mentalen Modellen des Systems und Situationsbewusstsein (Situation Awareness) verstanden. Im Fokus der Untersuchungen steht das Fahrerassistenzsystem Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) als ein Beispiel für Automatisierung im Fahrzeug. ACC regelt automatisch die Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs, indem bei freier Fahrbahn eine eingestellte Wunschgeschwindigkeit und bei einem Vorausfahrer automatisch ein eingestellter Abstand eingehalten wird. Allerdings kann ACC aufgrund von Einschränkungen der Sensorik nicht jede Situation bewältigen, weshalb der Fahrer übernehmen muss. Für diesen Interaktionsprozess spielen Vertrauen, Akzeptanz und das mentale Modell der Systemfunktionalität eine Schlüsselrolle, um einen sicheren Umgang mit dem System und ein adäquates Situationsbewusstsein zu entwickeln. Zur systematischen Erforschung dieser motivationalen und kognitiven Prozesse wurden eine Fahrsimulatorstudie und ein Versuch im Realverkehr durchgeführt. Beide Studien wurden im Messwiederholungsdesign angelegt, um dem Prozesscharakter gerecht werden und Veränderungen über die Zeit erfassen zu können. Die Entwicklung von Vertrauen, Akzeptanz und mentalem Modell in der Interaktion mit ACC war zentraler Forschungsgegenstand beider Studien. Bislang gibt es wenige Studien, die kognitive Prozesse im Kontext der Fahrzeugführung untersucht haben, unter anderem auch wegen methodischer Schwierigkeiten in diesem dynamischen Umfeld. Daher war es ebenfalls Teil dieses Dissertationsprojekts, neue Methoden zur Erfassung höherer kognitiver Prozesse in dieser Domäne zu entwickeln, mit Fokus auf mentalen Modellen und Situationsbewusstsein. Darüber hinaus wurde auch ein neuer Ansatz für die Analyse großer und heterogener Datenmengen im sozialwissenschaftlichen Bereich entwickelt, basierend auf dem Einsatz relationaler Datenbanken. Ziel der der Fahrsimulatorstudie war die systematische Erforschung des Effekts von unterschiedlich korrekten initialen mentalen Modellen von ACC auf die weitere Entwicklung des mentalen Modells, Vertrauen und Akzeptanz des Systems. Eine Stichprobe von insgesamt 51 Probanden nahm an der Studie teil; der Versuch wurde als zweifaktorielles (3x3) gemischtes Messwiederholungsdesign konzipiert. Die 3 parallelisierten Versuchsgruppen zu je 17 Personen erhielten (1) eine korrekte Beschreibung des ACC, (2) eine idealisierte Beschreibung unter Auslassung auftretender Systemprobleme und (3) eine überkritische Beschreibung mit zusätzlichen Hinweisen auf Systemprobleme, die nie auftraten. Alle Teilnehmer befuhren insgesamt dreimal im Zeitraum von sechs Wochen dieselbe 56 km lange Autobahnstrecke im Fahrsimulator mit identischem ACC-System. Mit zunehmendem Einsatz des ACC zeigte sich im anfänglich divergierenden mentalen Modell zwischen den Gruppen eine Entwicklung hin zum mentalen Modell der korrekt informierten Gruppe. Nicht erfahrene Systemprobleme tendierten dazu, im mentalen Modell zu verblassen, wenn sie nicht durch Erfahrung reaktiviert wurden. Vertrauen und Akzeptanz stiegen stetig in der korrekt informierten Gruppe. Dieselbe Entwicklung zeigte sich auch in der überkritisch informierten Gruppe, wobei Vertrauen und Akzeptanz anfänglich niedriger waren als in der Bedingung mit korrekter Information. Verschwiegene Systemprobleme führten zu einer konstanten Abnahme von Akzeptanz und Vertrauen ohne Erholung in der Gruppe mit idealisierter Beschreibung. Diese Resultate lassen darauf schließen, dass Probleme automatisierter Systeme sich nicht zwingend negativ auf Vertrauen und Akzeptanz auswirken, sofern sie vorab bekannt sind. Bei jeder Fahrt führten die Versuchsteilnehmer zudem kontinuierlich eine visuell beanspruchende Zweitaufgabe aus, die Surrogate Reference Task (SURT). Die Frequenz der Zweitaufgabenbearbeitung diente als objektives Echtzeitmaß für das Situationsbewusstsein, basierend auf dem Ansatz, dass situationsbewusste Fahrer die Zuwendung zur Zweitaufgabe reduzieren wenn sie potentiell kritische Situationen erwarten. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die korrekt informierten Fahrer sich potentiell kritischer Situationen mit möglichen Systemproblemen bewusst waren und schon im Vorfeld der Entstehung die Zweitaufgabenbearbeitung reduzierten. Teilnehmer ohne Informationen zu auftretenden Systemproblemen wurden sich solcher Situationen erst nach dem ersten Auftreten bewusst und reduzierten in entsprechenden Szenarien der Folgefahrten die Zweitaufgabenbearbeitung. Allerdings sanken Vertrauen und Akzeptanz des Systems aufgrund der unerwarteten Probleme. Erwartete, aber nicht auftretende Systemprobleme tendierten dazu, im mentalen Modell des Systems zu verblassen und resultierten in vermindertem Situationsbewusstsein bereits in der zweiten Fahrt. Im Versuch unter Realbedingungen wurden der Lernprozesses sowie die Entwicklung des mentalen Modells, Vertrauen und Akzeptanz von ACC im Realverkehr erforscht. Ziele waren die statistisch/mathematische Modellierung des Lernprozesses, die Bestimmung von Zeitpunkten der Stabilisierung dieser Prozesse und wie sich reale Systemerfahrung auf das mentale Modell von ACC auswirkt. 15 Versuchsteilnehmer ohne ACC-Erfahrung fuhren ein Serienfahrzeug mit ACC insgesamt 10-mal auf der gleichen Strecke in einem Zeitraum von 2 Monaten. Im Unterschied zur Fahrsimulatorstudie waren alle Teilnehmer korrekt über die ACC-Funktionen und Funktionsgrenzen informiert durch Lesen der entsprechenden Abschnitte im Fahrzeughandbuch am Beginn der Studie. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der Lernprozess sowie die Entwicklung von Akzeptanz und Vertrauen einer klassischen Lernkurve folgen – unter der Bedingung umfassender vorheriger Information zu Systemgrenzen. Der größte Lernfortschritt ist am Beginn der Interaktion mit dem System sichtbar und daher sollten Hilfen (z.B. durch intelligente Tutorsysteme) in erster Linie zu diesem Zeitpunkt gegeben werden. Eine Stabilisierung aller Prozesse zeigte sich nach der fünften Fahrt, was einer Fahrstrecke von rund 185 km oder 3,5 Stunden Fahrzeit entspricht. Es zeigten sich keine Einbrüche in Akzeptanz, Vertrauen bzw. dem Lernprozess durch die gemachten Erfahrungen im Straßenverkehr. Allerdings zeigte sich – analog zur Fahrsimulatorstudie – auch in der Realfahrstudie ein Verblassen von nicht erfahrenen Systemgrenzen im mentalen Modell, wenn diese nicht durch Erfahrungen aktiviert wurden. Im Hinblick auf die Validierung der neu entwickelten Methoden zur Erfassung von mentalen Modellen und Situationsbewusstsein sind die Resultate vielversprechend. Die Studien zeigen, dass mit dem entwickelten Fragebogenansatz zur Quantifizierung des mentalen Modells Einblicke in Aufbau und Entwicklung mentaler Modelle gegeben werden können. Der implizite Echtzeit-Messansatz für Situationsbewusstsein im Fahrsimulator zeigt sich ebenfalls sensitiv in der Erfassung des Bewusstseins von Fahrern für potentiell kritische Situationen. Inhaltlich zeigen die Studien die nachhaltige Relevanz des initialen mentalen Modells für den Lernprozess sowie die Entwicklung von Situationsbewusstsein, Akzeptanz, Vertrauen und die weitere Ausformung eines realistischen mentalen Modells der Möglichkeiten und Grenzen automatisierter Systeme. Aufgrund dieser Relevanz wird die Einbindung und Kontrolle des initialen mentalen Modells in Studien zu automatisierten Systemen unbedingt empfohlen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen zwar, dass sich auch unvollständige bzw. falsche mentale Modelle durch Erfahrungslernen hin zu einer realistischen Einschätzung der Systemmöglichkeiten und -grenzen verändern, allerdings um den Preis sinkenden Vertrauens und abnehmender Akzeptanz. Idealisierte Systembeschreibungen ohne Hinweise auf mögliche Systemprobleme bringen nur anfänglich etwas höheres Vertrauen und Akzeptanz. Das Erleben unerwarteter Probleme führt zu einem stetigen Abfall dieser motivationalen Faktoren über die Zeit. Ein alleiniges Versuchs-Irrtums-Lernen für den Umgang mit automatisierter Assistenz im Fahrzeug ohne zusätzliche Information wird daher als nicht ausreichend für die Entwicklung stabilen Vertrauens und stabiler Akzeptanz betrachtet. Wenn das initiale mentale Modell den Erfahrungen entspricht, entwickeln sich Akzeptanz und Vertrauen gemäß einer klassischen Lernkurve – trotz erlebter Systemgrenzen. Sind diese potentiellen Probleme vorher bekannt, führen sie nicht zwingend zu einer Reduktion von Vertrauen und Akzeptanz. Auch zusätzliche überkritische Information vermindert Vertrauen und Akzeptanz nur am Beginn, aber nicht langfristig. Daher sollen potentielle Probleme in automatisierten Systemen nicht in idealisierten Beschreibungen verschwiegen werden – je präzisere Information gegeben wird, desto besser im langfristigen Verlauf. Allerdings tendieren nicht erfahrene Systemgrenzen zum Verblassen im mentalen Modell. Daher wird empfohlen, Nutzer regelmäßig an diese Systemgrenzen zu erinnern um die entsprechenden Facetten des mentalen Modells zu reaktivieren. In automatisierten Systemen integrierte intelligente Tutorsysteme könnten dafür eine Lösung bieten. Im Fahrzeugbereich könnten solche periodischen Erinnerungen an Systemgrenzen in Multifunktionsdisplays angezeigt werden, die mittlerweile in vielen modernen Fahrzeugen integriert sind. Diese Tutorsysteme können darüber hinaus auch auf die Präsenz eingebauter automatisierter Systeme hinweisen und deren Vorteile aufzeigen

There is a growing evidence base for acceptance and control based interventions for chronic pain. Furthermore, both higher levels of acceptance and perceived control have been consistently associated with better physical and psychological functioning and overall adjustment to pain. Yet, given this the relationship between pain acceptance and perceived control over pain has not yet been investigated explicitly. The main aim was to conduct a pilot study to examine such a relationship. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Thirty six patients referred to a Pain Psychology service and who met basic exclusion criteria agreed to participate. Participation involved giving consent from data contained in routinely administered questionnaires: the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (McCracken, 2004), the Pain Control Scale from the Survey of Pain Attitudes (Jensen &amp; Karoly, 2007) and three Perceived Control Likert-type Response Scale items (Jensen et al., 1991). Basic demographic and pain related questions were also included. Results of Pearson’s product moment correlations found significant moderate associations between perceived control, pain willingness and total acceptance scores. However, there was no significant relationship between perceived control and activity engagement. There were differences in significant findings for the Pain Control scale of the SOPA compared with the Perceived Control Likert-type Response Scale items; the latter being non-significantly correlated with acceptance measures. These data suggest perceived control and pain acceptance may co-exist and that changes in one construct may facilitate changes in the other. This has important implications for theory and clinical practice, in particular, providing some explanation for therapeutic outcomes.

This study examined the effects of extending high-frequency bandwidth, for both a speech signal and a background noise, on the acceptable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of listeners with mild sensorineural hearing loss through utilization of the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) procedure. In addition to extending high-frequency bandwidth, the effects of reverberation time and background noise type and shape were also examined. The study results showed a significant increase in the mean ANL (i.e. participants requested a better SNR for an acceptable listening situation) when high-frequency bandwidth was extended from 3 to 9 kHz and from 6 to 9 kHz. No change in the ANL of study participants was observed as a result of isolated modification to reverberation time or background noise stimulus. An interaction effect, however, of reverberation time and background noise stimulus was demonstrated. These findings may have implications for future design of hearing aid memory programs for listening to speech in the presence of broadband background noise.

Children’s mental health is a topic of concern, not only in the escalating number of children who meet diagnostic criteria for disorders, but also for the practitioners desiring to treat them effectively. Parental involvement in treatment results in more favorable outcomes with longer treatment gains observed, thus reducing mental health issues. An additional factor in children’s mental health is the effect of levels of parental acceptance toward the child. Parental acceptance is a positive outcome that has been observed in previous studies conducted with Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). There are many reported barriers to seeking treatment for mental health issues, including time, cost, distance, and access. Online therapies have been found to reduce or eliminate most barriers to treatment, and is a preferred format for certain populations. To date, however, there have been no studies conducted on whether CPRT is effective in increasing levels of parental acceptance in an online format. Eight participants from around the world completed the ten-week CPRT training in an online format. Levels of parental acceptance were measured by the Porter Parental Acceptance Scale (Porter, 1954; PPAS) in self-reported pre- and post-treatment assessments. A perception survey was also conducted to assess participants’ perception of the process of an online parent training format, including benefits and challenges. This mixed-methods study found that an online version of CPRT does significantly increase parental acceptance levels. Participants also reported positive perceptions of the online training format. Positive themes reported in the survey responses related to convenience, community, access, and user experience.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2012) reported that intimate partner violence (IPV) affects approximately 4.8 million females and 2.8 million males in their intimate relationships each year. Past research (e.g., Fanslow, Robinson, Crengle, & Perese, 2010; Foshee et al., 1996; Foshee et al., 2009) on IPV solely evaluated prevalence rates and factors within opposite-sex relationships; however, IPV within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals' relationships exists at equal, if not higher, rates compared to their heterosexual counterparts (Alexander, 2008; McKenry, Serovich, Mason, & Mosak, 2006). Subsequently, a gap in research existed on violence in LGBTQ individuals' same-sex relationships and the need existed for further exploration of IPV within same-sex couples (McKenry et al., 2006; Turell, 2000). The purpose of this study was an examination of the relationships among victimization rates (Victimization in Dating Relationships [VDR] and Safe Dates-Psychological Abuse Victimization [SD-PAV]), perpetration rates (Perpetration in Dating Relationships [PDR] and Safe Dates-Psychological Abuse Perpetration [SD-PAP]), and attitudinal acceptance of IPV (Acceptance of Couple Violence [ACV]) among LGBTQ college students. The specific goals of the study were to (a) identify the IPV victimization rates and perpetration rates among LGBTQ college students, and (b) examine the attitudinal acceptance of IPV in LGBTQ college students. The statistical analyses used to examine the four research questions and seven subsequent hypotheses included (a) Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and (b) Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The results identified that significant mean differences (p < .01; n2P = .16) existed between females and males in their reported levels of victimization and perpetration, suggesting a large effect size with biological sex accounting for 16% of the variance across the four victimization and perpetration variables. Specifically, females self-reported higher levels of psychological and emotional victimization compared to males (p < .01; n2P = .05), suggesting that females in same-sex relationships reported greater psychological abuse from their female partners. In addition, results identified significant mean differences between males and females in their levels of attitudinal acceptance of IPV (p < .01; n2P = .13), suggesting a medium effect size that biological sex accounted for 13% of the variance in attitudinal acceptance of IPV scores. In considering gender expression, results from the study identified that in females and males, those self-identifying with greater amounts of masculinity reported an increased amount of victimization and perpetration (p < .01; n2P = .15). The results identified a large effect size in that 15% of the variance in victimization and perpetration rates were accounted for by the interaction of biological sex and gender expression. Furthermore, in females and males, those self-identifying with greater amounts of masculinity reported higher levels of attitudinal acceptance of IPV (p < .01; n2P = .12). The results identified a medium effect size in that 12% of the variance in attitudinal acceptance of IPV was accounted for by the interaction of biological sex and gender expression. In regards to a history of childhood abuse and witnessing parental IPV, participants with a history of child abuse and a history of witnessing parental IPV did not differ in their levels of victimization, perpetration, or attitudinal acceptance of IPV from those without a history of childhood abuse and witnessing parental IPV. Finally, variables such as (a) biological sex, (b) gender expression, (c) past childhood abuse, (d) witnessing parental IPV, (e) VDR, (f) SD-PAV, (g) PDR, and (h) SD-PAP predicted attitudinal acceptance of IPV in this LGBTQ college student sample. The results identified that linear composite of these eight predictor variables predicted 93% (R2 = .93) of the overall variance in participants' attitudinal acceptance of IPV total score (p < .01). Overall, the results identified that females reported higher levels of psychological victimization meaning that a female LGBTQ college student potentially experiences more risk of becoming a victim in a relationship. In addition, results identified that LGBTQ college students identifying as masculine present a potentially greater risk for both victimization and perpetration in their same-sex relationships. Self-identifying masculine LGBTQ college students reported greater amounts of acceptance of same-sex IPV, which possibly explains the lack of IPV reports from these college students. Finally, the results identified that individual and family-of-origin factors do, in fact, predict LGBTQ college students' levels of attitudinal acceptance of IPV. In other words, an LGBTQ college students biological sex, gender expression, past childhood experiences, victimization rates, and perpetration rates all relate to the prediction of their attitudes about IPV. Implications for future research included the need to further examine college students engaging either in an opposite-sex or same-sex relationship, exploring the relationships between masculinity and femininity in their reported levels of victimization, perpetration, and attitudinal acceptance of IPV. The need to replicate this study exists in order to ensure inclusiveness of individuals across all sexual orientations and gender identities in college students. In addition, several significant findings from this study further substantiate the need for continued research in the area of same-sex IPV, especially utilizing a sample of LGBTQ college students, to inform (a) clinical assessment in college counseling clinics and community agencies, (b) IPV protocol development, and (c) culturally sensitive, modified intervention based on the current findings.<br>Ph.D.<br>Doctorate<br>Dean's Office, Education<br>Education and Human Performance<br>Education; Counselor Education

Bakgrund: Långvarig smärta är ett av de mest förekommande fenomenen i svensk sjukvård och kostar samhället stora summor pengar varje år. Den orsakar ett stort lidande för den drabbade. Kvinnor är mer representerade i gruppen än vad män är, vilket delvis går att förklara genom olika biologiska förutsättningar. Dessutom rapporterar denna patientgrupp i relativt hög utsträckning ett icke-önskvärt bemötande från vården som kan resultera i felaktiga eller uteblivna behandlingar.  Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva kvinnors upplevelser av långvarig smärta.  Metod: En kvalitativt strukturerad autobiografisk studie baserad på fem bloggar. Bloggarnas innehåll analyserades genom manifest innehållsanalys.  Resultat: Analysen resulterade i fyra huvudkategorier och åtta underkategorier. De huvudkategorier som framkom var smärtan begränsar, vardagen förändras, vården sviker och att förlika sig med smärtan.  Slutsatser: Ett adekvat bemötande från vården genererar en mindre negativ upplevelse för de drabbade medan ett bemötande där patienten inte tas på allvar istället förstärker lidandet. Genom acceptans kan livskvalitet uppnås trots en ständigt närvarande smärta.

Яремко Г.З. Бланкетні диспозиції в статтях Особливої частини Кримінального кодексу України: дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата юридичних наук: спеціальність 12.00.08 – кримінальне право та кримінологія; кримінально-виконавче право / Яремко Галина Зиновіївна. - Львів: ЛьвДУВС, 2010. - 408 с.<br>Міститься комплексне дослідження бланкетних диспозицій в статтях Особливої частини Кримінального кодексу України: їх поняття, види, співвідношення з іншими формами міжгалузевого зв’язку кримінального закону. Розглянуто історичний та зарубіжний досвід використання бланкетних відсилок при формулюванні кримінально-правових заборон; проаналізовано особливості бланкетних диспозицій в статтях Особливої частини Кримінального кодексу України залежно від того, ознаки якого елементу складів злочинів характеризує бланкетна вказівка. Сформульована концепція формулювання бланкетних вказівок на ознаки складів злочинів у ході правотворчості та правозастосування щодо статей Кримінального кодексу України з такими диспозиціями. Її найважливішими складовими є визначення допустимого рівня бланкетності; окреслення переліку джерел права, які конкретизують зміст бланкетних диспозицій; формулювання напрямів вдосконалення статей Кримінального кодексу України з бланкетними диспозиціями. The thesis deals with a complex research of the blanket dispositions in the articles of Special part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: their concept, kinds, correlation with other forms of connection of the criminal law. Historical and 22 foreign experience of use of blanket despositions in the formulation of criminal prohibitions is considered; features of blanket dispositions in the articles of Special part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in depends of features elements of the crimes are characterizes by blanket guidelines are analyzed. The concept of formulation of blanket instructions on the signs of criminal offenses in the process of the lawmaking and enforcement articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine with such disposition are formulated. Its most important components are to determine the acceptable level of blanket dispositions, to outline a list of sources of law which the content of blanket dispositions determinate, to formulize trends of improvement the articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine by blanket dispositions.

碩士<br>國立成功大學<br>工學院工程管理專班<br>94<br>Batch Flow Process is suitable for High-Mix Low-Volume or High-Mix High-Volume of production condition, therefore that process usually has been more widely adopted in steel and paper industry. The parameter value for Acceptance Quality Level of Batch Flow Process each Stage-Lot can directly affect the between of individual stage production benefit therefore the parameter value for decide also becomes important contract subject between different work-station or business. The answer of the both sides compromise usually is gain by way of to negotiate way. It is entirely possible to gain optimization of the quality control parameter by full use of the analysis technique with suitable method and practical data for quality and cost. In this paper, case uses producer circumstances of electroplate coil industry. This research uses simulation methods as the tool, by OptQuest software gain optimization solution.

Tese de Doutoramento em Information System and Technology<br>Muitas das iniciativas de Participação Eletrónica (e-Participação) − vistas neste estudo como o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) para facilitar a participação do cidadão no processo de tomada de decisão política −, não têm conseguido alcançar o sucesso esperado no que concerne ao nível de envolvimento do cidadão atingido. Esta falta de envolvimento é particularmente evidente nas iniciativas lideradas e disponibilizadas pelos governos (iniciativas governamentais de e-Participação). Embora o rápido crescimento das redes sociais, especialmente do Facebook, seja apontado como um meio promissor para fomentar e melhorar o nível de participação do cidadão, o problema do baixo nível de aceitação e de envolvimento do cidadão em iniciativas de e-participação persiste. Importa, pois, compreender, conceptualizar e teorizar sobre os fatores que afetam o nível de aceitação evidenciado pelo cidadão em relação a esse tipo de iniciativas. Assim, é finalidade deste estudo investigar os fatores relevantes que influenciam a intenção dos cidadãos de aceitarem e de se envolverem nas iniciativas governamentais de e-Participação disponibilizadas através do Facebook, baseando-se na Teoria do Comportamento Planeado (Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)), devidamente estendida pela incorporação de um conjunto de fatores relevantes que emergiram da literatura relevante. Os resultados quantitativos de um questionário respondido por 400 cidadãos Jordanos, mostram que a atitude do cidadão (citizen attitude (ATT)), a eficácia de participação (participation efficacy (PE)), e o controlo comportamental percecionado (perceived behavioral control (PBC)) afetam direta e positivamente a intenção de participação do cidadão. Por sua vez, a atitude do cidadão é determinada pela eficácia de participação (participation efficacy (PE)), utilidade percecionada e compatibilidade do Facebook (perceived usefullness (PU) e compatibility (COMP)), e valor percecionado do envolvimento do cidadão nas iniciativas governamentais de e- Participação (perceived value (PV)). Contrariamente, nem as normas sociais (social norms (SN)) nem a confiança do cidadão no Facebook (citizen’s trust in Facebook (CT_FB)) têm impacto significativo na intenção e atitude do cidadão. Adicionalmente, o valor percecionado (perceived value (PV)) é influenciado pela perceção de facilidade de utilização do Facebook (perceived ease of use (PEOU)) e pela confiança dos cidadãos no governo (citizen’s trust in government (CT_GOV)). O estudo mostra ainda que os cidadãos Jordanos apresentam uma atitude positiva em relação ao envolvimento em iniciativas governamentais de e participação disponibilizadas através do Facebook mas apresentam uma intenção moderada de participar em tais iniciativas. Por ser um dos poucos trabalhos conhecidos focado no estudo da intenção dos cidadãos de aceitarem e de se envolverem em iniciativas governamentais de e-Participação disponibilizadas através das redes sociais, o estudo aqui descrito aporta contribuições relevantes para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento teórico e prático no domínio da participação eletrónica.<br>Electronic Participation (e-Participation) initiatives, seen as the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for facilitating citizen participation in the process of policy decision-making, have often had a limited success of citizens' engagement, particularly those initiatives sponsored by governments (government-led e-Participation initiatives). While the rapid growth of using social media networks, specifically Facebook, represented a new promising venue for enhancing citizens’ participation, the problem of low-level citizens’ acceptance and engagement remains. Hence, conceptual clarity on what factors affect citizens’ acceptance of such initiatives are yet to be theorized. This study aims at investigating relevant factors that influence citizens’ intention to accept and to engage in government-led e-Participation initiatives through Facebook, based on extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) through the incorporation of a set of factors that emerged from relevant literature. Using data from a survey of 400 Jordanian citizens, the quantitative results proved that citizen attitude (ATT), participation efficacy (PE), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) directly and positively affect citizen’s intention to participate. Citizen attitude, in turn, is determined by participation efficacy (PE), perceived usefulness and compatibility of Facebook (PU and COMP), and perceived value of citizen’s involvement in government-led e-Participation initiatives (PV). However, neither social norms (SN) nor citizen’s trust in Facebook (CT_FB) have significant impact over citizen intention or attitude. Further, perceived value (PV) is influenced by perceived ease of use of Facebook (PEOU), and citizen’s trust in government (CT_GOV). Additionally, the study found that Jordanian citizens uphold relatively high positive attitude toward engaging in government-led e-Participation initiatives through Facebook but they have a moderate intention to participate in those initiatives. As the present work is one of very few studies addressing citizens’ intention to accept and to engage in e-Participation initiatives through social media in government context, the study provides important implications for theory and practice.

碩士<br>樹德科技大學<br>視覺傳達設計系碩士班<br>105<br>ABSTRACT The researcher is a male makeup artist, for beginning consumers will wonder whether boys make-up artist techniques and concepts than women to be more professional , make-up artist but also men who have received care and cosmetics rigorous professional training, professional knowledge will not make-up than women to weak division, before high school beauty vocational subjects only girls can attend , but now cosmetology department also recruit male students, not only that, the Ministry of Education are also various tertiary institutions to establish more "cosmetic applications and management related departments" so boys and girls can accept the same rigorous make-up training to become a professional make-up beautician. Researcher and make-up counters executives after the interview, pointed out that some have counter female male makeup artist tendency, this phenomenon represents the feminine male make-up artist, they also have the characteristics of boys and girls, known as "atypical gender groups" (Pei-Jia Lan, 1993) so that they can serve boys also service consumer groups girls , so their customers fairly diversified, both men and women. The researchers invited 30 makeup artist counters were open-ended interviews, also visit Kaohsiung make-up counters 10 management personnel and a physician, also invited six senior male make-up artist store counter depth interviews, conversation be more in-depth understanding of the south Taiwan cosmetics industry work environment and ecology. We hope that through this research to know the workings of the male make-up artist. And encouraged the boys to enter this world of make-up.

碩士<br>國立中興大學<br>高階經理人碩士在職專班<br>105<br>Recently, science and technology was progressed at an amazing speed and they keep being used and be reappearances. From Analogy to digital，from plane imagine to AR and VR, from single vision to 360 degree vision. The latest VPU, even achieve to function of automatic bypassing. In addition, the technology of GPU let Artificial Wisdom which can deep learning get better play. The progress of new technology has changed the way people used and have people more reliable on them. and then also changed the way people lives and the demand and efficiency of information processing. E-learning environment, platform and technology are the industry which many countries continuously develop in because it can be widely used. Way of single lens recording has been many aspects of viewing problems. In recent years, the application and popularization of 360 degree vision can improve the problem of course recording. Therefore the purpose of this study is to explore the teaching method of scene technology for course recording, whether the acceptance of civil service test students and scene technology teaching method can improve learning effect and recording quality. In order to achieve the above purpose, this study primary applies technology acceptance model to explore if it has the significant influence of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude to use and behavior intention on 360-degree interactive teaching method. This paper use Likert five points scale to design the questionnaire, and received 504 questionnaires by civil service test students (except for surrounding islands learners) who currently using digital learning methods. Empirical results indicate that: 1. Digital learning students who live in different place have significant influence of behavior intention of 360-degree interactive class.2. Students get higher average scores of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude to use and behavior intention on 360-degree interactive teaching method in statistical analysis. According to our analysis, students of different groups can accept the new teaching method.3.Students who prepare for digital learning method and use 360-degree interactive teaching method have high recognition on learning effect and view that 360-degree interactive teaching method can improve learning effect.

碩士<br>美和技術學院<br>經營管理研究所<br>97<br>E-learning worldwide has been increasingly becoming an important part of the education agenda in the last decade. Several universities in Vietnam have made some significant efforts in recent years to employ Internet technologies in education to enhance learning opportunities. Although e-learning has been known as a new learning and teaching method in Vietnam, however, its productivity, efficiency in training and education in the country has not been fully evidenced. The main purpose of this study was to examine the user’s acceptance of e-learning applied in graduate level Taiwanese offshore management programs in Vietnam which detailed in four objectives (1) to identify what factors had significant influence on the behavioral intention of using e-learning; (2) to examine how these factors influenced the behavioral intention of using e-learning; (3) to examine how users were willing to accept using e-learning in Vietnamese circumstance, and (4) to find out if there was significant difference in the behavioral intention of using e-learning and on other internal factors across demographic factors. The research was conducted based on the well-known Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with extensions to employ for the analysis. Quantitative data of the questionnaire survey was gathered from an Executive Master of Business Management class (EMBA class) of the graduate level Taiwanese offshore management program hosted in the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry (HUI) in southern Vietnam and two Master in Information System Management classes (MIS classes) of the graduate level Taiwanese offshore management program hosted in Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) in northern Vietnam where e-learning was employed in teaching and studying. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 14.0) was used for analyzing the collected data by a combination of statistical procedures. The main findings of study were (1) there were three external variables (Self-efficacy, Computer Anxiety, Didactical Methods) and three internal variables (Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Attitude toward Use) significantly influencing behavioral intention of using e-learning; (2) the result of statistical analysis indicated direct and indirect effects of those significant variables on the users’ acceptance; (3) the students were willing to accept using e-learning with “accepted” level; (4) three internal variables (Perceived Ease of Use, Attitude toward Use, Behavioral Intention of Use) were found significantly different across demographic factors. Suggestions for government concerned officials, universities, lecturers and students in the effective application of e-learning were yielded in the suggestion section.

碩士<br>國立中山大學<br>企業管理學系醫務管理碩士班<br>106<br>After implementation of National Health Insurance, because of budget shortage, The Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) carries out strict peer-review policy to control increase of health expenditure. In the past 20 years, hospital numbers had decreased 348. In order to keep sustainable development, hospitals have to develop self-pay services to increase revenue. The stereotype of non-metropolitan area resident are lower education level, lower income, older age, more labor worker, dispersed residential areas and inconvenient transportation. The medical resources and the awareness of national health insurance in non-metropolitan areas are more deficient than those in the metropolitan area. This study will explore the differences in self-pay medical behavior in non-metropolitan area. The object of the study was the patients who were requested self-pay medical service or medicine when they visit non-metropolitan hospital in southern Taiwan. Data collection was conducted using an online questionnaire. 258 people filled in the questionnaire. The data was analyzed by SPSS 22.0 statistical software and Chi-Square statistical methods. The results of the study revealed that the age, educational level, occupation, family composition, and household income significantly correlated with self-paid medical behavior in non-metropolitan area patients. Conclusion: (1) Because of information asymmetry, it is easily recommended by medical personnel for extra expenses to purchase medicines or medical materials that are not covered by national health insurance in order to obtain a better treatment effect. (2) With the increase of household income, there are extra money for health care and health food consumption. Some patients participating in commercial medical insurance will have incentive to require better medical services at their own expense. (3) In the 2016 NHI satisfaction surveys, although overall satisfaction was 83.1%, wasting medical resources and drugs was at the top of dissatisfaction. Some patients often ask the doctor to give injections for quicker effect that do not cover by national health insurance. In order to have standing drugs at home, some other patients request doctor to prescribe more medicine. As a result, over-stocking of medicines causes waste of medical resources. Under the crowding-out effect, the patients cannot get proper medical care that they needed and impose a greater financial burden. (4) Ministry of health and welfare proposed shared decision making (SDM) in 2016. The main purpose of SDM is to promote that patients will have good communication with doctors in the process of disease treatment so as to choose the treatment that is most beneficial to them. Hospital should thoroughly evaluates and clearly explains the necessity of medical service which is not covered by NHI to patient. On the other hand, patient should tell hospital what and why he choose. Through this two-way communication to formulate a follow-up treatment program can avoid medical disputes and wasting of medical resources deriving from information asymmetry between patient and doctor.

碩士<br>國立臺灣師範大學<br>特殊教育研究所<br>82<br>The purposes of this study are :1. to explore the effect of sex,grade,and degree of contact of elementary school students on their attitude toward children with autism; 2. to investigate the social status of autistic children in regular class ; and 3. to reveal the opinion of parents and teachers of children with autism regarding the mainstreaming education. 　　The subjects include 741tudents, 388 boys and 353 girls, in grades four, five, and six from the schools in Taipei city and Taipei county, and six autistic children, their parents and teachers. "Sociometric Scale","Autistic Child Placement Questionnaire", and "Acceptance Attitude Scale for Elementary Students toward Atistic Children" arde used for data collection. The data obtained are analyzed by MANOVA, and Pearson''''s corrlation. The major findings are listed below: 　　1.The girls are more willing to accept students with autism than boys. 　　2.Autistic children are more acceptable by 4th graders than 5th and 6th graders. 　　3.The less the subjects contact with autistic children, the more they tend to accept autistic children. 　　4.Autistic children are not obviously rejecteded by their regular class students. 　　5.The parents of autistic children hope to have pleural education placements to suit needs of their children. They think that the acceptance of the teachers is crucial for autistic children''''s school adjustment. 　　6.Teachers of autistic children wish to have inservice training and to be provided with teaching materials and methords suitable for students with autism. 　　The researoh findings are discussed in the framework of contemporary education system for children with autism in Taiwan, Recommendations for future research and education system are also made.

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2006.<br>Title from title page screen (viewed on September 15, 2006). Thesis advisor: Patrick N. Plyler. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

碩士<br>開南大學<br>觀光運輸學院碩士在職專班<br>104<br>This study investigates the issues regarding the uniqueness and attraction of National Palace Museum, the establishment of a “professional corporation,” the marketing strategies of the cultural products, and the bottlenecks confronted in the cultural creative industry through interviews. The nine interviewees include the employees in charge of the cultural creative industry in National Palace Museum, the researchers in the department of cultural affairs in Taipei City, creative companies, as well as several domestic and Chinese tourists. Through the interviews in this study, we hope to understand visitors’ acceptance of the culture derived products. Also, we aim to figure out the establishment and operation of the authorization of the cultural and historical relics and the marketing strategies in National Palace Museum. It is found that most interviewees have shown positive attitudes toward the recent efforts devoted to cultural creative industry by National Palace Museum. However, in response to the trend of the “globalization” of cultural creative industries as well as the dilemmas currently faced by the culture derived products in National Palace Museum, suggestions regarding the strategies of cultural creative industry of National Palace Museum are proposed as the following. First, a professional corporation should be established. Second, the authorization regulations for the reserved relics should be loosened. Third, the marketing of cultural products should be further promoted. It is hoped that the suggestions can not only act as references for the operational strategies for the government and museum-related organizations but also provide materials for possible related research in the future. Keywords: culture derived commodities, cultural creative industry, museum cultural products

Le processus de conception des interfaces homme-machine poids-lourd a été adapté afin de répondre aux enjeux humains et sécuritaires. Il est désormais largement admis que la participation des utilisateurs dans le processus de conception est un apport précieux. Actuellement dans l'industrie, les utilisateurs sont principalement impliqués lors des étapes d'analyse et d'évaluation des concepts, ces derniers étant définis par des professionnels. Cependant, la littérature dans d'autres domaines rapporte des bénéfices d’une autre forme d’implication des utilisateurs : la conception participative. Dans ce processus de conception, les utilisateurs sont impliqués tout au long du développement des produits, et en particulier lors de la définition des concepts. La conception participative permettrait un meilleur accès aux besoins des utilisateurs, à leurs attentes, et à leurs connaissances tacites. Ce projet a pour objectif d’étudier comment le niveau d’implication des conducteurs dans le processus de conception impacte l’utilisabilité, la distraction et l'acceptation des interfaces homme-machine poids-lourd. Après une analyse préalable du contexte d'utilisation, trois processus de conception de tableaux de bord ont été menés en parallèle à l’aide d’un équipement tactile. Les résultats de ces trois processus, ayant des niveaux d’implication différents, ont été évalués et comparés dans une expérience sur simulateur de conduite. Les résultats ne permettent pas de démontrer qu’une conception participative a un impact significatif sur l’utilisabilité, la distraction et l’acceptation. Cette thèse se conclut par des recommandations aux praticiens et des perspectives de recherche<br>The design process of trucks human-machine interfaces has been adapted to address human factors and road safety issues. It is now widely accepted that user involvement in the design process is valuable. Currently in industry, users are mainly involved in the stages of analysis and evaluation of concepts, the latter being defined by professionals. However, the literature in other fields reports benefits of a broader form of user involvement: participatory design. In this design process, users are involved all along products development, and particularly during concepts design. Participatory design would allow better access to users' needs, expectations, and tacit knowledge. The objective of this project is to study how the level of drivers’ involvement in the design process impacts the usability, distraction and acceptance of trucks human-machine interfaces. After a preliminary analysis of the context of use, three instrument cluster design processes were conducted in parallel using a tactile equipment. The outcomes of these three processes, differing in level of user involvement, were evaluated and compared in a driving simulator experiment. The results do not enable to demonstrate that participatory design has a significant impact on usability, distraction and acceptance. This thesis concludes with recommendations to practitioners and research perspectives

碩士<br>國立臺灣師範大學<br>工業教育學系<br>102<br>The purpose of this study aimed to explore the acceptable level of vocational high school culinary students toward “Culinary English Vocabulary Capability Assessment System”. The developed instrument “Culinary English Vocabulary Capability Assessment System Acceptable Level Scale” consisted of 5 domains including “Perceived of Ease of Use”, “Perceived Usefulness”, “Attitude toward Using”, and “Usage Intention”. A survey method was employed to obtain research data via users of “Culinary English Vocabulary Capability Assessment System”. Total 221 valid samples were retrieved from database. Descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, and regression analysis were used for statistical process. The research findings as following: 1. Gender group mean scores comparison reached significant level on do-main of “Perceived of Ease of Use”, and “Perceived Usefulness”. 2. The “Perceived of Ease of Use” can predict “Perceived Usefulness” positively; “Perceived of Ease of Use” and “Perceived Usefulness” can predict “Attitude toward Using” positively; and “Attitude toward Using” can predict “Usage Intention” positively. The analysis results of exploring vocational high school culinary students’ acceptable level toward “Culinary English Vocabulary Capability Assessment System” can provide supporting information for decision making to enhance students’ professional English vocabulary capability via “Culinary English Vo-cabulary Capability Assessment System”.

碩士<br>樹德科技大學<br>資訊管理系碩士班<br>99<br>The purposes of this study were to: (1) understand the innovative school teachers’ innovation acceptance level; (2) understand the innovative school teachers’ information literacy; (3) explore factors related to innovative school teachers&apos;&apos; information literacy; (4) explore factors related to innovative school teachers&apos;&apos; innovation acceptance level; (5) understand the relationship between the factors selected;(6) understand the innovative school teachers perception of acceptance about innovative. Questionnaire were used to collect data. The samples of this study were 75 innovative school teachers. Descriptive statistics analysis, the Pearson product-moment correlation analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA analysis, simple regression analysis, and stepwise multiple analysis statistical techniques were used to analyze the data collected. The results of this study were as follows: 1.Innovative school teachers’ “personal background”, ”computer use experience”, and” school background” is significantly correlated with “information literacy”. 2.Innovative school teachers’ “information literacy” is significantly correlated with “innovation acceptance level”. 3.Innovative school teachers’ “personal background”, ”computer use experience”, and” school background” are predictors for “information literacy”. 4.Innovative school teachers’ “information literacy” are predictors for “innovation acceptance level”. 5.The reasons for the teachers accept to innovation including: compatibility, convenience, necessary, information technology, and time.

碩士<br>國立臺灣師範大學<br>工業教育學系<br>105<br>This study aims to discuss business administration school students’ acceptance level toward Professional Vocabulary Quotient Credential Assessment System (PVQC) based on Technology Acceptance Model(TAM). Since TAM is the most widely used model to study the acceptance of technology, this study adopted TAM and further extended it based on the recommendations from the literature of information systems and information technology. The developed means “Professional Vocabulary Quotient Credential (PVQC) Assessment System Scale” is made up of 4 domains, which include perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward using, and behavioral intention . Attitude toward using、 intention to use and actual use in TAM are indicators of technology acceptance. The survey tool applied in this study helps collect data correlated to users of Professional Vocabulary Quotient Credential (PVQC) Assessment System. The total valid samples retrieved from database are 275, and the statistic data collected are used for descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. The research findings are as followed: 1. Gender differences shows significant variances on domains of “Perceived of Ease of Use” and “Perceived Usefulness”. 2. The “Perceived of ease of use” can positively predict the “Perceived of Usefulness”. The “Perceived of ease of use” and the “Perceived of Usefulness” can positively predict the “Attitude toward Using”. And “Attitude toward Using” can positively predict “Behavioral Intention “ . The findings of discussing business administration students’ acceptance level toward “Professional Vocabulary Quotient Credential (PVQC) Assessment System Based on Technology Acceptance Model” can provide supporting information for further academic applications in enhancing students’ vocabulary capability through Professional Vocabulary Quotient Credential (PVQC) Assessment System.

碩士<br>國立中央大學<br>學習與教學研究所<br>93<br>The purposes of this study were to :(1) understand the elementary school teachers’ acceptance level of integrating IT into teaching; (2) understand the elementary school teachers’ tendency toward innovation with IT; (3) explore factors related to acceptance level of integrating IT into teaching; (4) explore factors related to the teachers’ tendency toward innovation with IT; (5) understand the relationship between the factors selected; and (6) understand the teachers perception of acceptance about integrating IT into teaching. Mail questionnaire and face to face interview were used to collect data. The samples of this study were 2116 elementary school teachers. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and semi-partial multiple regression analysis, stepwise multiple regression analysis, and t-test statistical techniques were used to analyze the data collected. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The curve of elementary school teachers’ “tendency toward innovation with IT” almost is formed as normal distribution. 2. The elementary school teachers’ “acceptance level of integrating IT into teaching” almost is formed as normal distribution. 3. Elementary school teachers’ “tendency toward innovation with IT” is significantly correlated with “acceptance level of integrating IT into teaching”. 4. The variables of working places, engaging the team of the information technology had moderate positive relationship with “acceptance level of integrating IT into teaching”. 5. Elementary school teachers’ “tendency toward innovation with IT” and the variables of working places, engaging the team of the information technology are predictors for “acceptance level of integrating IT into teaching”. 6. The reasons for the teachers accept to integrate IT into teaching including: convenience, complexity, compatibility, usability, necessary, and the ability of using Information technology. Some other reasons are: equipment, resources, induction course, consultant, and support.

碩士<br>中臺科技大學<br>文教事業經營研究所<br>105<br>The purpose of this study was designed to investigate the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures of teachers in aboriginal highlighted schools, to analyze the diversity of the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures of teachers with different backgrounds, and to explore the relationship between the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures and teachers' personality traits. Questionnaire survey was used in the study, and the research tools included the Current Situation of Teaching Integrating Cultures Scales, the Acceptance Level toward Teaching Integrating Cultures Scales and Personality Traits Scales. The subjects were 223 teachers that were selected through purposive sampling in aboriginal highlighted schools in Taichung City. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, chi-Square test, Independent-Sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson’s product-moment Correlation, and the results were as follows: 1. The current situation of teaching integrating cultures of teachers in aboriginal highlighted schools was good, but it could be better. 2. As for teachers with different backgrounds in aboriginal highlighted schools, the results showed significant on some scales of the current situation of teaching integrating cultures. 3. The results showed high-intermediate level on the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures of teachers in aboriginal highlighted schools. 4. As for teachers with different backgrounds in aboriginal highlighted schools, the results showed significant on some scales of the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures. 5. The results showed significant positive correlation between the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures and personality traits of teachers in aboriginal highlighted schools. As for personality traits, the results showed modest to moderate positive correlation with the acceptance level toward teaching integrating cultures on the scale of Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion and Agreeableness. And the results showed modest positive correlation with the acceptance level toward emotion on the scale of Neuroticism, and the rest of all had no significant correlation. According to the conclusions of the study, there are some suggestions to school teachers, education administration authorities and further studies.

abstract: The present study examined the association of pain intensity and goal progress in a community sample of 132 adults with chronic pain who participated in a 21 day diary study. Multilevel modeling was employed to investigate the effect of morning pain intensity on evening goal progress as mediated by pain's interference with afternoon goal pursuit. Moderation effects of pain acceptance and pain catastrophizing on the associations between pain and interference with both work and lifestyle goal pursuit were also tested. The results showed that the relationship between morning pain and pain's interference with work goal pursuit in the afternoon was significantly moderated by a pain acceptance. In addition, it was found that the mediated effect differed across levels of pain acceptance; that is: (1) there was a significant mediation effect when pain acceptance was at its mean and one standard deviation below the mean; but (2) there was no mediation effect when pain acceptance was one standard deviation above the mean. It appears that high pain acceptance significantly attenuates the power of nociception in disrupting one's work goal pursuit. However, in the lifestyle goal model, none of the moderators were significant nor was there a significant association between pain interference with goal pursuit and goal progress. Only morning pain intensity significantly predicted afternoon interference with lifestyle goal pursuit. Further interpretation of the present findings and potential explanations of those inconsistencies are elaborated on discussion. Limitations and the clinical implication of the current study were considered, along with suggestions for future studies.<br>Dissertation/Thesis<br>M.A. Psychology 2014

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Statistics and Information Management, specialization in Information Analysis and Management<br>The current study explores the digital divide by checking the phenomenon at the individual level. It digs into the individual pattern of adoption and use of a broad set of information and communications technologies (ICTs) by introducing a conceptual model combining the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and the five-factor model of personality. Therefore, it provides insights on factors affecting technology adoption and the role of personality on individual usage behavior. Most of the UTAUT2 hypotheses are supported, with performance expectancy being the strongest predictor. Openness is a significant predictor of behavioral intention, whereas for usage behavior the significant personality predictors are openness, extraversion and agreeableness. Moreover, as data was collected in Bulgaria and Portugal, a multi-group analysis revealed significant country differences. The effect of performance expectancy, habit, agreeableness and neuroticism on behavioral intention, as well as the effect of age on usage, are stronger for Bulgaria, whereas the effect of hedonic motivation on behavioral intention and the effect of behavioral intention on usage are stronger for Portugal.