Background People with rheumatic or neurologic conditions are commonly referred for occupational therapy because of decreased ability to perform ADL tasks. Upon referral, occupational therapists use a client-centred, occupationfocused approach when evaluating a person's perceived and observed quality of ADL task performance to clarify the nature and extent of the person’s problems, plan interventions and determine effectiveness of interventions. Evaluation of the extent of problems and change following intervention require the use of linear measures of ADL. The aim of this doctoral thesis was to develop and validate linear measures of perceived and observed quality of ADL task performance for occupational therapy clinical praxis and research. Methods To develop linear measures of observed quality of ADL task performance based on Rasch measurement methods, clients with ABI (n=70) were evaluated using a 3-category rating scale and the ADL Taxonomy. Similarly, to develop linear measures of perceived quality of ADL task performance women with rheumatic diseases (n=118) reported their ability on a questionnaire and in an interview based on the ADL Taxonomy and a 4- category rating scale. To further validate the ADL ability measures of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) data were collected in two samples. In a sample of women with chronic widespread pain (CWP) or fibromyalgia (FM) (n=50) the ADL ability measures were validated with regard to discrimination, stability and sensitivity to changes. Discrimination was examined by comparing AMPS data from women with CWP/FM to those of healthy women. Stability and sensitivity to change were examined based on repeated AMPS observations pre and post intervention. In addition, sensitivity to change was examined in a sample of clients with ABI (n=36) using a pre- and post-test design. Finally, the validity of the AMPS ADL ability measures in relation to perceived ADL ability was examined in women with rheumatic diseases (n=118) and women with CWP/FM (n=50). Results Based on the results of the four studies in this thesis, we were able to conclude that it was possible to obtain linear measures of observed quality of ADL task performance based on a revised version of the ADL Taxonomy (ADL-O). It was also possible to obtain linear measures of perceived quality of ADL task performance based on revised versions of the ADL Taxonomy using the formats of questionnaires (ADL-Q) and interviews (ADL-I). Moreover, it was possible to establish further evidence of validity of the ADL ability measures of the AMPS. Thus, the AMPS ADL ability measures could discriminate between women with CWP/FM and healthy women. The ADL ability measures of remained stable when no intervention was provided and the ADL motor ability measures were sensitive to change among women with CWP/FM. Moreover, the ADL ability measures were sensitive to change among clients with low ADL ability following ABI. Finally, only low to moderate correlations were found between measures of perceived and observed ADL ability. Conclusions Rasch analyses of revised versions of the ADL Taxonomy suggest that the majority of the ADL tasks and rating scales focused on quality of ADL task performance can be used to obtain linear measures of quality of ADL task performance based on methods of questionnaire, interview or observation. Furthermore, the studies provided evidence of validity of the ADL ability measures of the AMPS in relation to discrimination, stability and sensitivity to change and relation to perceived ADL ability. The results may, therefore, enhance the use of ADL instruments that provide linear measures of perceived and observed quality of ADL task performance in occupational therapy clinical praxis and research.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser. Del av upplagan utan uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010.

No description available.

Intelligent conversational agents (ICAs) are artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems that can communicate with humans through text or voice using natural language. The first ICA, “Eliza,” appeared in 1966 to simulate human conversation using pattern matching. Commercial ICAs appeared on the AOL and MSN platforms in 2001 and aided in developing advanced AI and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Since then, ICAs have progressively appeared in consumer products and services. Their success depends on the user’s experience and attitude towards these services. This research examines customer attitudes towards ICAs through a theoretical framework of integrated Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) and Task Technology Fit Theory (TTF). By exploring user experience via an experiment that engages end-users with ICA’s different functions and tasks, this study examines user perception of ICA’s AI capabilities, such as Conversation Ability, Friendliness, Intelligence, Responsiveness, Task Performance, and Trust. This research investigates how customer satisfaction with ICA capabilities and perceived task technology fit influence their intention to use ICAs. A field survey of 380 Canadian end-users utilizing ICAs on the websites of five large Canadian telecom service providers enabled empirical testing of the model. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The main purpose of the study was to develop a cognitive model to motivate principals in the Mpumalanga Province, particularly in the Bohlabela District. That was done firstly by identifying and explaining main factors affecting motivation of principals, and later developed a cognitive model of motivation from such factors. The study used the interpretative approach, particularly constructive-interpretative paradigm to collect and analyse principals’ subjective, but accurate accounts of their views, feelings, perceptions and experiences regarding the factors they had found motivating or de-motivating. A case study method was used as the main design method and was implemented through purposive sampling to identify information-rich participants. Semi-structured interviews were employed as the main data collection technique and the data obtained were confirmed, corroborated and augmented by observational field notes and documents analysis, particularly during data analysis. The researcher segmented and coded the data inductively into two main themes, which served as the main empirical research findings. Such findings indicated that motivation is influenced by both cognitive and systemic factors. It is recommended that setting difficult, but specific intrinsic outcomes and consciously employing cognitive abilities to pursue them, might improve motivation. Furthermore, full personal responsibility should be taken regarding the attainment of such intrinsic outcomes. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

In the digital domain, virtual teams within organizations and corporations are becoming common. Restructuring an organization or corporation is vital because competition and globalization are increasing. In this era of globalization, distributed working groups need to develop a competitive advantage in these ever-changing environments. Historically, teams had experienced problems stemming from geographical and temporal limitations. With the increase of technology in telecommunications, organizations are increasingly forming virtual teams, which have become critical to the survival of nearly any corporate entity. Virtual teams have some of the same problems that regular teams have. One of the key challenges is the method of forming teams, while such challenge is exacerbated in digital environments. Despite the difficulties, the digital environment has made successful team development all the more challenging. The variation in people's skills makes the formation of teams even more difficult. This is why organizations cannot determine in advance if a virtual team will be a success. To evaluate the success of team formation in a virtual setting, this research study assessed the role of different computer-mediated communications (CMC) levels employed (no-CMC/face-to-face, online learning system, online learning system + social networking site) on the success of team formation measured by the level of task performance (TP), team cohesiveness (TC), computer skills (CS) and social bond (SB), while assessing the differences on such relationships when controlled for demographic information such as gender, age, education level, academic major, as well as academic year. Empirical data was collected from students at the Medical Sciences Campus in the University of Puerto Rico with 140 usable records. Using three teams and 140 participants, the results indicated that there is a statistically significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed (no-CMC/face-to-face, online learning system, online learning system + social networking site) on the level of perception of CS in team formation. Significant differences were also found in the role of CMC levels employed on the levels of TP, when controlled for gender. In addition, there is a significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed (no-CMC/face-to-face, online learning system, online learning system + social networking site) on the levels of CS, when controlled for education, academic major and academic year. The outcomes of the study contributed to the body of knowledge for both practice and research, to help organizations identify ways to support effective team formations in virtual environments.

Problématique. L'utilisation d'un chien d'assistance à la mobilité (CAM) représente une option novatrice pour préserver l’intégrité des membres supérieurs (MSs) chez les utilisateurs de fauteuil roulant manuel (FRM). Aucune étude biomécanique n’a quantifié les effets du CAM sur les efforts aux MSs lors de la montée d’un plan incliné. Objectif. Cette étude quasi-expérimentale vise à comparer les efforts aux MSs lors de la montée d’un plan incliné avec et sans l’assistance d’un CAM. Méthodologie. Dix participants avec une lésion de la moelle épinière (LME) qui utilisent un FRM et possèdent un CAM ont monté un plan incliné à trois reprises avec et sans l’assistance du CAM. Les forces appliquées sur les cerceaux, mesurées avec des roues instrumentées, et les mouvements du FRM et des MSs, enregistrés avec un système d'analyse du mouvement, ont permis de mesurer les efforts mécaniques aux MSs. Simultanément, l'activité électromyographique (EMG) des muscles grand pectoral, deltoïde antérieur, biceps et triceps a été enregistrée et normalisée avec sa valeur maximale pour mesurer les efforts musculaires aux MSs. Résultats. En général, le CAM réduit significativement les valeurs moyennes et maximales de la force totale appliquée aux cerceaux et de sa composante tangentielle, des moments nets de flexion, de rotation interne et d’adduction aux épaules et des taux d’utilisation musculaire du deltoïde antérieur, du biceps et du triceps. Conclusion. L’assistance d’un CAM réduit les efforts aux MSs lors de la montée d’un plan incliné chez les utilisateurs d’un FRM ayant une LME. / Problematic. The use of a mobility assistance dog (ADMob) represents an innovative option to preserve upper limb (U/Ls) integrity in manual wheelchair (MWC) user population. No biomechanical studies have quantified the effects of ADMob on U/Ls efforts when climbing an incline. Objective. This quasi-experimental study compares the U/Ls efforts when climbing an incline with and without the assistance of an ADMob for MWC traction. Methodology. Ten participants with spinal cord injury (SCI) using a MWC and owning an ADMob climbed an incline 3 times with and without the use of an ADMob. The forces applied to the handrims, captured with instrumented wheel and movements of the MWC and the U/Ls, recorded with a three-dimensional motion analysis system, were used to measure the U/Ls mechanical efforts. Simultaneously, the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the pectoralis major muscle, anterior deltoid, biceps and triceps were recorded during the tasks and normalized with its maximum value to measure the U/Ls muscular efforts. Results. Typically, ADMob significantly reduces the mean and peak values of the total force applied to the rings and the tangential component, the mean and peak values of flexion, internal rotation and adduction net joint moments at the shoulder and the mean and peak values of muscular utilization ratio of anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, biceps and triceps. Conclusion. The assistance of an ADMob for MWC traction when climbing an incline reduces the effort to U/Ls among MWC users with a SCI.