Current OBD-II vehicle systems detect misfires by monitoring slight variances of crankshaft acceleration throughout power-strokes of each of the engine’s cylinders. If the PCM determines that the acceleration of the engine’s crankshaft is inappropriate, it concludes a misfire is detected. However, after this misfire is detected, the technician still needs to diagnose (isolate) the root-cause. Diagnosis is no easy task, especially with several potential subsystems that could be at fault: fuel injection, air-intake, sparkignition, and engine-mechanical. With this being said, it is difficult for many technicians to isolate the fault causing a misfire because of the wide range of root-cause possibilities within each of the subsystems. The proposed On-Board Diagnostics III contributes to the computer-aided detection and diagnosis of future-production vehicle faults. Several data-mining algorithms were investigated and applied to data parameters collected from misfire and misfire-free fault instances. Rules were then used to accurately classify future engine misfire fault instances.

Inom sjukvården finns det två former av isolering. Smittskyddsisolering är till för att hindra smittspridning när en person blir smittad av en infektion som kan vara farlig för allmänheten och skyddsisolering används när en person är extra infektionskänslig, exempelvis efter cytostatikabehandling för cancer. Syftet med studien var att beskriva hur patienter upplever isoleringsvård inom den somatiska slutenvården. Vald metod var en litteraturstudie där åtta kvalitativa artiklar användes. Sex teman identifierades i resultatet: Behov av anhöriga, Behov av stöd från sjuksköterskan, Känsla av instängdhet, Behov av kontroll, Behovet av information och Känslan av frihet. Studien visade att isolering leder till känslor av ensamhet, känslan av övergivenhet, psykisk ohälsa och skam. Det visade sig att behovet av medmänsklig kontakt och information var av stor betydelse för patienter för att kunna hantera sin tid under isolering. Många beskrev att det inte bara var negativt att ha ett eget rum utan det gav känslor av ro och underlättade vid besök. Att ha tillgång till tv, telefon och internet var för patienterna olika sätt för att få stimulans och få tiden att gå, som annars kunde kännas långsam. Sjuksköterskan var ett viktigt stöd och en källa till medmänsklighet. Att ha ett fönster med utsikt över omgivningen gjorde upplevelsen mer uthärdlig för flertalet av patienterna.

This study on the recognition of loneliness as a basis for psychotherapy developed a conceptual model for loneliness intervention. Specific loneliness behaviours and suggested loneliness interventions to be implemented during psychotherapy were identified in the conceptual model for loneliness intervention. The review of the literature supported the need for research on conceptualizing loneliness to facilitate psychotherapy with lonely clients. A quasi-experimental design was employed in the study. The Schmidt-Sermat Loneliness Scale was utilized to identify clients who tested high in loneliness. In Part I of the study, the control group, thirteen mental health clients who tested high in loneliness were involved in psychotherapy with one of four therapists. 1 Upon completion of six psychotherapy sessions, the clients were again tested for loneliness. An Inservice Education on loneliness and an explanation of the implementing of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention during psychotherapy, as developed by the investigator, was given. Specific loneliness behaviours and possible loneliness interventions were inherent in the model. A new group of eleven clients who tested high in loneliness were identified to the same four therapists who participated in Part I of the study. These clients formed the comparison group for Part II of the study. Loneliness consultation was provided on a weekly basis by the investigator to facilitate therapist implementation of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention. Clients were again tested for loneliness after six therapy sessions. At the end of Part I and Part II, therapists rated their perception of progress in psychotherapy and satisfaction in attempting loneliness intervention. Open end-interviews on the implementation of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was also conducted. Analysis of the findings of the study resulted in Hypotheses I, II, and III being upheld. Psychotherapy was more effective in reducing loneliness when the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was implemented. Therapists who utilized loneliness intervention with clients who tested high in loneliness found the psychotherapy sessions more satisfying. Therapist perception of client progress in psychotherapy increased when the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was implemented. The findings of the study were strongly significant and indicated the usefulness of a conceptual model for loneliness intervention. The primary recommendation of the study was that loneliness psychotherapy be conducted with mental health clients who are lonely. The presentation of loneliness as a basis for psychotherapy requires that the concept of loneliness be theoretically and conceptually defined. Basically, the study recommended that there be further exploration of the concept of loneliness in the field of mental health. For further research, it was suggested that this research be conducted in a hospital setting on a psychiatric ward where on-going therapy is conducted on a daily basis. This would allow for the facilities at the hospital to be readily integrated with the loneliness interventions which would involve therapists to directly observe and participate in the loneliness interventions, in a role-model situation, if appropriate. Individuals have always experienced loneliness, many have suffered from this feeling. It is the inherent goal of health professionals to promote mental health. By setting a sound base for loneliness in psychotherapy, mental health care may be improved. This can also be achieved by therapists, educators, and researchers furthering the knowledge and conceptualization of loneliness to form a strong theoretical base for this concept. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

No description available.

No description available.

BACKGROUND: Social isolation (SI) has been seen as an emerging socioeconomic factor that negatively affects health. A considerable body of research has found that SI is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. However, the magnitude of the association varies in different studies. Besides that, these studies were conducted mainly in high-income countries. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect size of SI on mortality. Also, we examined the associated mortality risk using data from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study of over 140,000 middle-aged adults from 21 countries with different income levels. RESULTS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the pooled hazard ratio of SI for all-cause mortality was 1.37 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-1.46). The PURE study showed that the hazard ratio of SI for all-cause mortality was 1.26 (95% CI 1.16-1.36). Similar associations of SI with cardiovascular- and non-cardiovascular mortality as well as with incident diseases including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and injury were observed. The associations between SI and health outcomes were observed in diverse populations with different social structures and different country income levels. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The impact of SI on mortality would be expected to be greater in the future as the number of people with SI is projected to increase with population ageing in most societies. Our findings can be used by public health providers and policy makers to develop targeted strategies to reduce the risks associated with SI. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc) / Social isolation (SI) is an emerging socioeconomic factor that could negatively affect health. Prior studies regarding SI were conducted mainly in high income countries. This thesis examines the effect of SI on mortality. This was done first in a systematic review and meta-analysis and, second, by examining the association between SI and health in an international large-scale cohort study (PURE: Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology) conducted in 21 countries at different country income levels. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that SI was associated with 37% increased risk for mortality. The PURE study showed that the association of SI with mortality was seen in diverse populations with different social structures. The impact of SI on mortality would be expected to increase in the future as the number of people with SI is projected to increase with population ageing. This calls for measures to reduce mortality and morbidity in the socially isolated.

<p>Isolering är en åtgärd för att förhindra smittspridning eller för att skydda patienten från smitta. Vårdformen kan ge upphov till psykisk påfrestning och lidande hos patienten. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att göra en jämförelse av upplevelser hos patienter i smitt- eller skyddsisolering. Studien genomfördes som en litteraturstudie och baserades på 16 vetenskapliga artiklar. Det framgick skillnader och likheter vid jämförelserna av upplevelsen hos smitt- och skyddsisolerade patienter. Några av skillnaderna var kunskapen och förståelsen för isoleringen. De skyddsisolerade upplevde det som en process som de behövde genomgå medan de smittisolerade upplevde det som mer traumatiskt eftersom de fick otillräcklig information vid isoleringstillfällets start. Något som var gemensamt för både smitt- och skyddsisolering var känslor av ensamhet, tristess och fångenskap. Vidare visade det sig att ångest och depression var förekommande reaktioner hos både de smitt- och skyddsisolerade patienterna. Mer forskning inom det här området efterfrågas eftersom inga tidigare studier med jämförelser av dessa isoleringsformer har påträffats inom området. Även ytterligare utbildning behövs för att skapa en god vårdkvalitet för patienter i isolering för att främja en god omvårdnad i den kliniska verksamheten.</p>

Isolering är en åtgärd för att förhindra smittspridning eller för att skydda patienten från smitta. Vårdformen kan ge upphov till psykisk påfrestning och lidande hos patienten. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att göra en jämförelse av upplevelser hos patienter i smitt- eller skyddsisolering. Studien genomfördes som en litteraturstudie och baserades på 16 vetenskapliga artiklar. Det framgick skillnader och likheter vid jämförelserna av upplevelsen hos smitt- och skyddsisolerade patienter. Några av skillnaderna var kunskapen och förståelsen för isoleringen. De skyddsisolerade upplevde det som en process som de behövde genomgå medan de smittisolerade upplevde det som mer traumatiskt eftersom de fick otillräcklig information vid isoleringstillfällets start. Något som var gemensamt för både smitt- och skyddsisolering var känslor av ensamhet, tristess och fångenskap. Vidare visade det sig att ångest och depression var förekommande reaktioner hos både de smitt- och skyddsisolerade patienterna. Mer forskning inom det här området efterfrågas eftersom inga tidigare studier med jämförelser av dessa isoleringsformer har påträffats inom området. Även ytterligare utbildning behövs för att skapa en god vårdkvalitet för patienter i isolering för att främja en god omvårdnad i den kliniska verksamheten.

The research presented in this thesis focuses on the modeling, design, and experimentation of systems containing negative stiffness mechanisms for both vibration and shock isolation. The negative stiffness element studied in this research is an axially compressed beam. If a beam is axially compressed past a critical value, it becomes bistable with a region of negative stiffness in the transverse direction. By constraining a buckled beam in its metastable position through attaching a stiff linear spring in mechanical parallel, the resulting system can reach a low level of dynamic stiffness and therefore provide vibration isolation at low frequencies, while also maintaining a high load-carrying capacity. In previous research, a system containing an axially compressed beam was modeled and tested for vibration isolation [7]. In the current research, variations of this model were studied and tested for both vibration and shock isolation. Furthermore, the mathematical model used to represent the compressed beam in [7] was improved and expanded in current research. Specifically, the behavior exhibited by buckled beams of transitioning into higher-mode shapes when placed under transverse displacement was incorporated into the model of the beam. The piecewise, nonlinear transverse behavior exhibited by a first-mode buckled beam with a higher-mode transition provides the ability of a system to mimic an ideal constant-force shock isolator. Prototypes manufactured through Selective Laser Sintering were dynamically tested using a shaker table. Vibration testing confirmed the ability of a system containing a constrained negative stiffness element to provide enhanced vibration isolation results with increasing axial compression on a beam. However, the results were limited by the high sensitivity of buckled beam behavior to geometrical and boundary condition imperfections. Shock testing confirmed the ability of a system containing a buckled beam with a higher-mode transition to mimic the theoretically ideal constant-force shock isolator. / text

Ground-borne vibration has existed ever since the development of urban road and rail networks. Vibration generated by the moving traffic propagates through the ground and into buildings, resulting in unacceptable levels of internal noise and vibration. A common solution to this increasingly significant problem is the base-isolation of buildings by incorporating vibration isolation bearings between the buildings and their foundations. This technique has been employed for over forty years but the exact performance of base isolation remains uncertain. This dissertation is concerned with the development of a generic computational model; generic in that it accounts for the essential dynamic behaviour of a typical base-isolated building in order to make predictions of isolation performance. The model is a linear one, formulated in the frequency domain, and consists of a two-dimensional portal-frame model of a building coupled to a three-dimensional boundary-element model of a piled-foundation. Both components of the model achieve computational efficiency by assuming they are infinitely long and using periodic structure theory. The development of the model is described systematically, from the modelling of a building and its isolation bearings to that of its foundation. The majority of the work is concerned with the piled-foundation model, which is comprehensive in that it accounts for the vertical, horizontal and rotational motion of the pile heads due to both direct pile-head loading and interaction through wave propagation in the surrounding soil. It is shown that this level of detail is important in the prediction of base isolation efficiency. A key question facing designers is not only how but on what basis base isolation should be assessed, since fundamental problems exist with the existing measures of isolation performance. Power flow analysis is explored and the concept of power flow insertion gain, based on the total mean vibrational power flow entering a building, is introduced as a useful measure of isolation performance. This is shown to offer clear benefits by providing a single measure of performance that is suitable for design purposes. Finally, the development of a prototype force-sensitive vibration isolation bearing is described as a contribution to verifying base-isolation theory with experiments.