We propose a method for creating different types of study groups with aim to support effective collaboration during learning. We concentrate on the small groups which solve short-term well-defined problems. The method is able to apply many types of students’ characteristics as inputs, e.g. interests, knowledge, but also their collaborative characteristics. It is based on the Group Technology ap...

BACKGROUND The long-term role that parental encouragement and attitudes about fitness and exercise play in adolescents' physical activity and sedentary behavior habits remains unclear. This paper aims to longitudinally examine how parental encouragement to be physically active and parental concern about staying fit are associated with adolescents' physical activity and sedentary behavior habits...

Drawing from a social capital perspective, this study examines the psychological mechanism and boundary conditions of the relationship between individuals’ childhood economic status (CES) and later income. Specifically, we tested the mediating role of networking ability and the moderating role of encouragement of participation in this relationship. With a sample of 3635 employees in China and t...

BACKGROUND The aim of this article is to examine the association between adolescents' physical activity (PA) levels and their relatives' (father, mother, brothers, sisters and best friend) PA engagement and encouragement. METHODS Adolescents (52.3% girls) aged 12.5-17.5 years were gathered from the HELENA study. Adolescents' PA levels were assessed by the International Physical Activity Quest...

This thesis is concerned with concepts and procedures involved in the development of programs by which computers may interview people. Based on the hypothesis that the style of the questions is very important in a computer interview, an analysis of four medical interviewing programs was attempted. Two variables emerged from this analysis namely Encouragement (Encouraging Phrases) and Chattiness...

Social Network Service (SNS) is popular in Thailand now [25]. Many people have at least one account with Facebook, Twitter or others. People use social network for many reasons such as finding old friends, advertisement. This means that social network is used for both personal and business purposes. Even many people in Thailand use social network services, some of them still don’t use any socia...

ii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my mom and dad, Mitzi and Jeff, for their never-ending love, encouragement, and support. iii Acknowledgements This dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and encouragement from academic, industry, and personal supporters.

The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Lina Moreno for giving me the opportunity to be involved in this exciting project. With her guidance, knowledge, and encouragement she has helped me succeed and nourished my interest in ...