A performance model and a reliability-based optimization model for flexible pavements that accounts for the effects of rehabilitation actions are developed. The developed performance model can be effectively implemented in all the applications that require the reliability (performance) of pavements, before and after the rehabilitation actions. The response surface methodology in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate pavement fragilities. To provide more flexibility, the parametric regression model that expresses fragilities in terms of decision variables is developed. Developed fragilities are used as performance measures in a reliability-based optimization model. Three decision policies for rehabilitation actions are formulated and evaluated using a genetic algorithm. The multi-objective genetic algorithm is used for obtaining optimal trade-off between performance and cost. To illustrate the developed model, a numerical study is presented. The developed performance model describes well the behavior of flexible pavement before as well as after rehabilitation actions. The sensitivity measures suggest that the reliability of flexible pavements before and after rehabilitation actions can effectively be improved by providing an asphalt layer as thick as possible in the initial design and improving the subgrade stiffness. The importance measures suggest that the asphalt layer modulus at the time of rehabilitation actions represent the principal uncertainty for the performance after rehabilitation actions. Statistical validation of the developed response model shows that the response surface methodology can be efficiently used to describe pavement responses. The results for parametric regression model indicate that the developed regression models are able to express the fragilities in terms of decision variables. Numerical illustration for optimization shows that the cost minimization and reliability maximization formulations can be efficiently used in determining optimal rehabilitation policies. Pareto optimal solutions obtained from multi-objective genetic algorithm can be used to obtain trade-off between cost and performance and avoid possible conflict between two decision policies.

Study objectives and significance Generally, patients go to hospitals or clinical offices for seeking health care service. However, some studies reveal that old patient or those who have disability would get hurt and expose in some dangerous situation, such as falls and infection. As the reasons, the rehabilitation delivery model, which sends the service to patients¡¦ community, is needed. The community delivering-rehabilitation model that this study focuses on integrates hospital center and retirement home. This study is to compare the community delivering-rehabilitation model and general delivery model that patients go to hospital for rehabilitation service. Data and methods In one-year study duration from Nov. 1, 2002 to Oct. 31, 2003, the Barthel Index score from two delivery models were collected every 3 months. On the other hand, patients¡¦ rehabilitation costs were collected once 3 months, too. The study unit is individual unit. Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was used here to be a standard comparing tool. CEA was computed by dividing the cost that patient spent in 3 months into the Barthel Index score which patient improved his functional status. Independent variables include environmental factors and structural factors The Environment factors include rehabilitation delivery model and the patient-therapist ratio. Structural factors include chain-affiliation status, instrumental volume and status. The General Estimating Equation was used here for comparing longitudinal dependent data. Results The study reveals that environmental factors and structural factors affect the performance of rehabilitation units. Environmental factors positively affect the rehabilitation effect. Structural factors negatively affect the rehabilitation effect. On the other hand, Environmental factors positively affect the rehabilitation efficiency. Structural factors negatively affect the rehabilitation efficiency. Conclusion and the project¡¦s relevance to public health The community delivering-rehabilitation model has better rehabilitation effect, but on the aspect of efficiency, is not as good as general delivery model. However, the community delivering-rehabilitation model has good accessibility to patient. It also concerns patient safety. If the model can improve its efficiency, the promotion of health can be further implied in community delivering-rehabilitation model.

Hand rehabilitation after injury or illness may allow a patient to regain full or at least partial use of a limb. However, rehabilitation often requires the patient to perform multiple repetitions of motions. While absolutely essential to regaining usage, such exercises are not always mentally engaging or enjoyable for the patient. The loss or degradation of the use of the hands can cause considerable loss of independence. In this dissertation, we present Mobile Music Touch (MMT), a wireless glove paired with a computing device, such as a laptop, smart phone, or MP3 player. The MMT system plays a song, while also "tapping" the fingers using vibration motors to indicate the correct finger to use to play the song on a piano keyboard. Learning a new skill or activity without active focus, an idea called Passive Haptic Learning(PHL) may allow an individual to learn one skill through their sense of touch while performing another, unrelated activity. Most rehabilitation activities are active in nature, requiring the focused participation of the injured person. Passive rehabilitation is the idea that some technologies and activities may bring about beneficial changes without the active engagement of the injured person. In order to study the concepts of PHL and PHR, we propose the Mobile Music Touch (MMT) system. We show that using passive rehabilitation in conjunction with the active rehabilitation of piano playing will bring about a greater degree of improvement in the hands than that achieved using only active rehabilitation. This dissertation research makes three unique contributions. First, we demonstrate that Passive Haptic Learning (PHL) using just the sense of touch is feasible and provides a form of learning and reinforcement of learned skills and tasks. Second, we identify the attributes and design features of a glove suited for long term wear by persons who use a manual wheelchair for mobility. Third, we show that Passive Haptic Rehabilitation (PHR) is possible using vibrotactile stimulation of the hands in persons classified as tetraplegic due to incomplete spinal cord injury.

Zugl.: Giessen, Univ., Diss., 2007

Thesis (Ph.D. (Philosophy))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2000. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-157). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-30).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special report study entitled: Rehabilitation in natural surrounding : towards a therapeutic environment. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

published_or_final_version / Speech and Hearing Sciences / Master / Master of Philosophy