The effect of a multi-axis suspension on whole body vibration exposures and physical stress in the neck and low back in agricultural tractor applications.

PubMed

Kim, Jeong Ho; Dennerlein, Jack T; Johnson, Peter W

2018-04-01

Whole body vibration (WBV) exposures are often predominant in the fore-aft (x) or lateral (y) axis among off-road agricultural vehicles. However, as the current industry standard seats are designed to reduce mainly vertical (z) axis WBV exposures, they may be less effective in reducing drivers' exposure to multi-axial WBV. Therefore, this laboratory-based study aimed to determine the differences between a single-axial (vertical) and multi-axial (vertical + lateral) suspension seat in reducing WBV exposures, head acceleration, self-reported discomfort, and muscle activity (electromyography) of the major muscle of the low back, neck and shoulders. The results showed that the multi-axial suspension seat had significantly lower WBV exposures compared to the single-axial suspension seats (p' < 0.04). Similarly, the multi-axial suspension seat had lower head acceleration and muscle activity of the neck, shoulder, and low back compared to the single-axial suspension seat; some but not all of the differences were statistically significant. These results indicate that the multi-axial suspension seat may reduce the lateral WBV exposures and associated muscular loading in the neck and low back in agricultural vehicle operators. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Inclined Treadmill Walking on Pelvic Anterior Tilt Angle, Hamstring Muscle Length, and Trunk Muscle Endurance of Seated Workers with Flat-back Syndrome.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Hee; Yoo, Won-Gyu

2014-06-01

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of inclined treadmill walking on pelvic anterior tilt angle, hamstring muscle length, and back muscle endurance of seated workers with flat-back syndrome. [Subjects] Eight seated workers with flat-back syndrome who complained of low-back pain in the L3-5 region participated in this study. [Methods] The subjects performed a walking exercise on a 30° inclined treadmill. We measured the pelvic anterior tilt angle, hamstring muscle length, and back muscle endurance before and after inclined treadmill walking. [Results] Anterior pelvic tilt angle and active knee extension angle significantly increased after inclined treadmill walking. Trunk extensor and flexor muscle endurance times were also significantly increased compared to the baseline. [Conclusion] Inclined treadmill walking may be an effective approach for the prevention or treatment of low-back pain in flat-back syndrome.

Possible Mechanisms of Low Back Pain due to Whole-Body Vibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pope, M. H.; Wilder, D. G.; Magnusson, M.

1998-08-01

The investigators describe their multifaceted approach to the study of the relationship between whole-body vibration and low back pain.In vitroexperiments, using percutaneous pin-mounted accelerometers have shown that the natural frequency is at 4·5 Hz. The frequency response was affected by posture, seating, and seat-back inclination. The response appears to be largely determined by the rocking of the pelvis. Electromyographic studies have shown that muscle fatigue occurs under whole body vibration. After whole body vibration exposure the muscle response to a sudden load has greater latency. Vehicle driving may be a reason for low back pain or herniated nucleus pulposus. Prolonged seating exposure, coupled with the whole body vibration should be reduced for those recovering from these problems. Vibration attenuating seats, and correct ergonomic layout of the cabs may reduce the risks of recurrence.

Specific flexion-related low back pain and sitting: comparison of seated discomfort on two different chairs.

PubMed

O'Keeffe, Mary; Dankaerts, Wim; O'Sullivan, Peter; O'Sullivan, Leonard; O'Sullivan, Kieran

2013-01-01

No study has examined the effectiveness of prescribing seating modifications according to the individual clinical presentation of people with low back pain (LBP). A dynamic, forward-inclined chair ('Back App') can reduce seated paraspinal muscle activation among pain-free participants. This study examined 21 participants whose LBP was specifically aggravated by prolonged sitting and was eased by standing. Low back discomfort (LBD) and overall body discomfort (OBD) were assessed every 15 min while participants sat for 1 h on both the dynamic, forward-inclined chair and a standard office chair. LBD increased significantly more (p = 0.005) on the standard office chair, with no significant difference (p = 0.178) in OBD between the chairs. The results demonstrate that, in a specific flexion-related subgroup of people with LBP, increased LBD during sitting can be minimised through modifying chair design. Mechanisms that minimise seated discomfort may be of relevance in LBP management, as part of a biopsychosocial management plan. This study examined low back discomfort (LBD) during a typing task among people with low back pain (LBP). Sitting on a dynamic, forward-inclined chair resulted in less seated LBD than sitting on a standard office chair. Further research is required to examine the long-term effectiveness of ergonomics interventions in LBP.

Evaluation of wheelchair back support crashworthiness: combination wheelchair back support surfaces and attachment hardware.

PubMed

Ha, D; Bertocci, G; Deemer, E; van Roosmalen, L; Karg, P

2000-01-01

Automotive seats are tested for compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) to assure safety during impact. Many wheelchair users rely upon their wheelchairs to serve as vehicle seats. However, the crashworthiness of these wheelchairs during impact is often unknown. This study evaluated the crashworthiness of five combinations of wheelchair back support surfaces and attachment hardware using a static test procedure simulating crash loading conditions. The crashworthiness was tested by applying a simulated rearward load to each seat-back system. The magnitude of the applied load was established through computer simulation and biodynamic calculations. None of the five tested wheelchair back supports withstood the simulated crash loads. All failures were associated with attachment hardware.

49 CFR 572.197 - Abdomen.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... vertical orientation. (4) Push the dummy at the knees and at mid-sternum of the upper torso with just sufficient horizontally oriented force towards the seat back until the back of the upper torso is in contact with the seat back. (5) While maintaining the dummy's position as specified in paragraph (b)(3) and (4...

49 CFR 572.196 - Thorax without arm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... orientation. (4) Push the dummy at the knees and at mid-sternum of the upper torso with just sufficient horizontally oriented force towards the seat back until the back of the upper torso is in contact with the seat back. (5) While maintaining the dummy's position as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this...

49 CFR 572.198 - Pelvis acetabulum.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... the dummy is in vertical orientation. (4) Push the dummy at the knees and at mid-sternum of the upper torso with just sufficient horizontally oriented force towards the seat back until the back of the upper torso is in contact with the seat back. (5) While maintaining the dummy's position as specified in...

49 CFR 572.195 - Thorax with arm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... dummy is in vertical orientation. (4) Push the dummy at the knees and at mid-sternum of the upper torso with just sufficient horizontally oriented force towards the seat back until the back of the upper torso is in contact with the seat back. (5) While maintaining the dummy's position as specified in...

Ergonomic Evaluation of Space Shuttle Light-Weight Seat Lever Position and Operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maida, J.; Rajulu, Sudhakar L.; Bond, Robert L. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

During a Shuttle flight in the early part of 1999, one of the crewmembers was unable to operate the backrest lever for the light-weight seat in microgravity. It is essential that the crewmembers are able to adjust this back-rest lever, which is titled forward 2 degrees from vertical during launch and then moved backwards to 10 degrees aft of vertical upon reaching orbit. This adjustment is needed to cushion the crewmembers during an inadvertent crash landing situation. The original Shuttle seats, which had seat controls located on the front left and right sides of the seat, were replaced recently with the new light-weight seats. The controls for these new, seats were moved to the night side with one control at the front and the other at the back. While it was uncertain whether the problem encountered was unique to that crewmember or not it was clear to the personnel responsible for maintaining the Shuttle seats that not knowing the cause of the problem posed a safety concern for NASA. Hence the Anthropometry and Biomechanics Facility (ABF) of the Johnson Space Center was requested to perform an evaluation of the seat controls and provide NASA with appropriate recommendations on whether the seat lever positions and operations should be modified. The ABF designed an experiment to investigate the amount of pull force exerted by subjects, wearing an unpressurized or pressurized crew launch escape suit, when controls were placed in the front and back (on the right side) of the light-weight seat. Single-axis load cells were attached to the seat levers, which measured the maximum static pull forces that were exerted by the subjects. Twelve subjects, six male and six female, participated in this study. Each subject was asked to perform the pull test at least three times for each combination of lever position and suit pressure conditions. The results from this study showed that as a whole (or in general), the subjects were able to pull on the lever at the back position with only about half the amount of force that they were able to exert on the lever at the front position. In addition, the results also showed that subjects wearing the pressurized suit were unable to reach the seat lever when it was located at the back. Furthermore, the pull forces on the front lever diminished about 50 % when subjects wore the pressurized suits. Based on these results from this study, it was recommended to NASA that the levers should not be located in the back position. In addition, further investigation is needed on whether the levers at the front of the seat could be modified or adjusted to increase the leverage for crew members wearing pressurized launch/escape suits.

49 CFR 571.202a - Standard No. 202a; Head restraints; Mandatory applicability begins on September 1, 2009.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 50th percentile male Hybrid III test dummy specified in 49 CFR part 572, subpart E, fitted with sensors... in an easily understandable format the adjustment of the head restraints and/or seat back to achieve... restraints in rear outboard seats. Measure the height of the top of a rear seat back or the top of any...

Effect of Booster Seat Design on Children’s Choice of Seating Positions During Naturalistic Riding

PubMed Central

Andersson, Marianne; Bohman, Katarina; Osvalder, Anna-Lisa

2010-01-01

The purpose of this naturalistic study was to investigate the effect of booster seat design on the choice of children’s seating positions during naturalistic riding. Data was collected through observations of children during in-vehicle riding by means of a film camera. The children were positioned in high back boosters in the rear seat while a parent drove the car. The study included two different booster designs: one with large head and torso side supports, and one with small head side supports and no torso side supports. Six children between three and six years of age participated in the study. Each child was observed in both boosters. The duration of the seating positions that each child assumed was quantified. The design with large side head supports resulted more often in seating positions without head and shoulder contact with the booster’s back. There was shoulder-to-booster back contact during an average of 45% of riding time in the seat with the large head side supports compared to 75% in the seat with the small head supports. The children in the study were seated with the head in front of the front edge of the head side supports more than half the time, in both boosters. Laterally, the children were almost constantly positioned between the side supports of the booster in both seats. The observed seating positions probably reduce the desired protective effect by the side supports in side impact, and may increase the probability of head impact with the vehicle interior in frontal impact. PMID:21050601

CRASHWORTHY HELICOPTER GUNNER’S SEAT INVESTIGATION

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-01

less restrict- ing to gun motion than a fully armored bucket seat. The problem remains in getting the gunners to wear body armor, and this can be... motions . The adjustable seat back accommodates a gun- ner with or without body armor and troops with or without combat packs and equipment. A back flap...Developmental Retractable Monkey Harness Restraint for UH-l 1 1.9 10 Gunner Survival Vest With Body Armor (ISVESTA) Side View . . . . . . . . *. . ... .. 22

Folding chair

DOEpatents

Cornell, Howell N.

1985-08-20

A foldable chair of the lawn chair type has ground-engaging front and rear legs, attached to and carrying a back frame and seat frame, the back frame and seat frame being pivotally attached to a spreader rod which extends beyond the back and seat frames to bear against one of the leg members when the chair is unfolded. A contact pad mounted on the extending portion of the spreader rod is formed as an externally-contoured bushing fit over the spreader rod and adapted to engage the leg member to restrict side-to-side movement of the spreader rod, with respect to the leg member, when the chair is unfolded.

Biomechanical responses of PMHS in moderate-speed rear impacts and development of response targets for evaluating the internal and external biofidelity of ATDS.

PubMed

Kang, Yun-Seok; Bolte, John H; Moorhouse, Kevin; Donnelly, Bruce; Herriott, Rodney; Mallory, Ann

2012-10-01

The objectives of this study were to obtain biomechanical responses of post mortem human subjects (PMHS) by subjecting them to two moderate-speed rear impact sled test conditions (8.5g, 17 km/h; 10.5g, 24 km/h) while positioned in an experimental seat system, and to create biomechanical targets for internal and external biofidelity evaluation of rear impact ATDs. The experimental seat was designed to measure external loads on the head restraint (4 load cells), seat back (6 load cells), and seat pan (4 load cells) such that subject dynamic interaction with the seat could be evaluated. This seat system was capable of simulating the dynamic characteristics of modern vehicle seat backs by considering the moment-rotation properties of a typical passenger vehicle, thus providing a more realistic test environment than using a rigid seat with a non-rotating seat back as done in previous studies. Instrumentation used to measure biomechanical responses of the PMHS included both accelerometers and angular rate sensors (ARS). A total of fourteen sled tests using eight PMHS (males 175.8 ± 6.2 cm of stature and 78.4 ± 7.2 kg of weight) provided data sets of seven PMHS for both test conditions. The biomechanical responses are described at both speeds, and cervical spine injuries are documented. Biomechanical targets are also created for internal and external biofidelity evaluation of rear impact anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs).

49 CFR 571.201 - Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... seat. Ambulance means a motor vehicle designed exclusively for the purpose of emergency medical care... designated seating position, with adjustable forward seats in their rearmost design driving position and reclinable forward seat backs in their nominal design driving position; (b) Direction of impact shall be...

49 CFR 571.201 - Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... seat. Ambulance means a motor vehicle designed exclusively for the purpose of emergency medical care... designated seating position, with adjustable forward seats in their rearmost design driving position and reclinable forward seat backs in their nominal design driving position; (b) Direction of impact shall be...

76 FR 52880 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Side Impact Protection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-24

... backs). The instruction that was in S12.3.2(a)(10) (to ``minimize the angle'') has not been deleted but... position that the head restraint is in when it is in contact with the top of the seat back and below the... provisions specified in S8.3.3.2 and S10.3.2.2 are unnecessary in the test procedure since the seat back is...

49 CFR 571.207 - Standard No. 207; Seating systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... means the part of the seat that provides forward and rearward positioning of the seat bench and back... than a school bus; a passenger seat on a school bus with a GVWR greater than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); and, a passenger seat on a school bus with a GVWR less than or equal to 4,536 kg manufactured...

49 CFR 571.207 - Standard No. 207; Seating systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... means the part of the seat that provides forward and rearward positioning of the seat bench and back... than a school bus; a passenger seat on a school bus with a GVWR greater than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); and, a passenger seat on a school bus with a GVWR less than or equal to 4,536 kg manufactured...

49 CFR 571.207 - Standard No. 207; Seating systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... means the part of the seat that provides forward and rearward positioning of the seat bench and back... than a school bus; a passenger seat on a school bus with a GVWR greater than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); and, a passenger seat on a school bus with a GVWR less than or equal to 4,536 kg manufactured...

49 CFR 571.222 - Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., comprised of at least a frame, seat, and wheels. Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorage means the provision... passenger seat that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of force as specified in S5.1.3.1 and S5.1.3.2, and subsequently, the application of additional force to the seat back as...

49 CFR 571.222 - Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., comprised of at least a frame, seat, and wheels. Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorage means the provision... passenger seat that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of force as specified in S5.1.3.1 and S5.1.3.2, and subsequently, the application of additional force to the seat back as...

49 CFR 571.222 - Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., comprised of at least a frame, seat, and wheels. Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorage means the provision... passenger seat that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of force as specified in S5.1.3.1 and S5.1.3.2, and subsequently, the application of additional force to the seat back as...

49 CFR 571.222 - Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash protection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., comprised of at least a frame, seat, and wheels. Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorage means the provision... passenger seat that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of force as specified in S5.1.3.1 and S5.1.3.2, and subsequently, the application of additional force to the seat back as...

STS-44 Atlantis, OV-104, crewmembers participate in JSC FB-SMS training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-44 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, Commander Frederick D. Gregory and Pilot Terence T. Henricks are stationed at their appointed positions on the forward flight deck of the Fixed Base (FB) Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) in JSC's Mission Simulation and Training Facility Bldg 5. Gregory (left) in the commanders seat and Henricks (right) in the pilots seat look back toward aft flight deck and the photographer. Seat backs appear in the foreground and forward flight deck control panels in the background.

Responses of the Q6/Q6s ATD Positioned in Booster Seats in the Far-Side Seat Location of Side Impact Passenger Car and Sled Tests.

PubMed

Tylko, Suzanne; Bohman, Katarina; Bussières, Alain

2015-11-01

Passenger car side impact crash tests and sled tests were conducted to investigate the influence of booster seats, near-side occupant characteristics and vehicle interiors on the responses of the Q6/Q6s child ATD positioned in the rear, far-side seating location. Data from nine side impact sled tests simulating a EuroNCAP AEMD barrier test were analyzed with data obtained from 44 side impact crash tests. The crash tests included: FMVSS 214 and IIHS MDB, moving car-to-stationary car and moving car-to-moving car. A Q6 or prototype Q6s ATD was seated on the far-side, using a variety of low and high back booster seats. Head and chest responses were recorded and ATD motions were tracked with high-speed videos. The vehicle lateral accelerations resulting from MDB tests were characterized by a much earlier and more rapid rise to peak than in tests where the bullet was another car. The near-side seating position was occupied by a Hybrid III 10-year-old ATD in the sled tests, and a rear or front facing child restraint or a 5th percentile side impact ATD in the crash tests. Head impacts occurred more frequently in vehicles where a forward facing child restraint was present behind the driver seat for both the low and high back booster seats. Pretensioners were found to reduce lateral head displacements in all sled test configurations but the greatest reduction in lateral excursion was obtained with a high back booster seat secured with LATCH and tested in combination with pretensioners.

Helicopter Crewseat Cushion Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-11-01

proportion of Army helicopter pilots suffer back pain caused by flying. Extended missions required during Desert Shield/Desert Storm emphasized this problem...Seat Cushions Lumbar Support Energy Absorbing Foam Lumbar Kyphosis 16. PRICE CODE Back Pain Thigh Support Helicopter Vibration Helicopter Seating _ 17...Bulging disks and stretched ligaments from lumbar kyphosis .................... 3 3 Measurement of anthropometric dimensions

[Definition and validation of a comfort index calculation method for office seats].

PubMed

Taboga, P; Marcolin, F; Bordignon, M; Antonutto, G

2012-01-01

Among its other required features, a highly comfortable chair should adapt its contact surfaces, namely the seat and the back rest, to the shape of the body of the person sitting on it. However, "comfort" is not usually perceived as an absolute value, but is derived from a subjective comparison between two or more chairs. The purpose of this research was the definition of an objective comfort index (IC), i.e., derived from instrumental measurements, and which would also represent an absolute comfort value. Analytical evaluation of the distribution of body weight, by means of a barometric matrix, shows that a comfortable chair tends to minimize peak and average values of pressure at the level of the contact areas located between the body and the seat and the back of the chair. To define a comparison parameter for determining an absolute comfort value, a reference chair (SDR) was developed. The seat and the back of this chair are rigid, with poor compliance. A comfort value of zero was, by definition, assigned to this chair. Therefore, the Comfort index (IC) was obtained by the mathematical calculation of the ratios of averages, peaks and gradients of pressure, appropriately weighted, and the corresponding values measured on the tested chair and on the SDR. It is shown that the anthropometric characteristics of each subject are irrelevant to the assessment of the IC, which depends only on the compliance characteristics of the seat and back surfaces of the tested chair IC can be improved through analysis of a larger number of seats, which would thus constitute the basis for the use of an objective evaluation of seating comfort.

Civil Aircraft Side-Facing Seat Research Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

1983 to 2005, Proceedings of the American Helicopter Society Forum 66, Phoenix, Arizona, May 10-13, 2010. 11. Tulloch, J. Ejection Seat Back...Civil Aircraft Side-Facing Seat Research Summary Richard DeWeese David Moorcroft Civil Aerospace Medical Institute Federal Aviation...

Influence of support conditions on vertical whole-body vibration of the seated human body.

PubMed

M-Pranesh, Anand; Rakheja, Subhash; Demont, Richard

2010-01-01

The vibration transmission to the lumbar and thoracic segments of seated human subjects exposed to whole body vibration of a vehicular nature have been mostly characterised without the back and hand supports, which is not representative of general driving conditions. This non-invasive experimental study investigated the transmission of vertical seat vibration to selected vertebrae and the head along the vertical and fore-aft axes of twelve male human subjects seated on a rigid seat and exposed to random vertical excitation in the 0.5-20 Hz range. The measurements were performed under four different sitting postures involving combinations of back support conditions and hands positions, and three difference magnitudes of vertical vibration (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 m/s(2) rms acceleration). The results showed significant errors induced by sensor misalignment and skin effects, which required appropriate correction methodologies. The averaged corrected responses revealed that the back support attenuates vibration in the vertical axis to all the body locations while increasing the fore-aft transmissibility at the C7 and T5. The hands position generally has a relatively smaller effect, showing some influences on the C7 and L5 vibration. Sitting without a back support resulted in very low magnitude fore-aft vibration at T5, which was substantially higher with a back support, suggestive of a probable change in the body's vibration mode. The effect of back support was observed to be very small on the horizontal vibration of the lower thoracic and lumbar regions. The results suggest that distinctly different target body-segment biodynamic functions need to be defined for different support conditions in order to represent the unique contribution of the specific support condition. These datasets may then be useful for the development of biodynamic models.

Lumbar postures, seat interface pressures and discomfort responses to a novel thoracic support for police officers during prolonged simulated driving exposures.

PubMed

Gruevski, Kristina M; Holmes, Michael W R; Gooyers, Chad E; Dickerson, Clark R; Callaghan, Jack P

2016-01-01

A high prevalence of low back pain has been reported among professional drivers, including mobile police officers. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and evaluate a novel thoracic support designed for mobile police officers. Fourteen participants (7 male, 7 female) attended two 120-min driving simulations using a Crown Victoria Interceptor seat and the same seat equipped with a surface mounted thoracic support. Time-varying spine postures, seat pressures and ratings of discomfort were measured. Averaged discomfort values were low (less than 10 mm of a possible 100 mm) for both seating conditions. The postures in the thoracic support condition were more similar to non-occupational driving without occupational equipment than the Crown Victoria seating condition. The reduction in pressure area at the low back with the thoracic support has the potential to reduce discomfort reporting in officers compared to a standard vehicle package. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Two Seating Systems' Effects on an Adolescent With Cerebral Palsy and Severe Scoliosis.

PubMed

Lephart, Kim; Kaplan, Sandra L

2015-01-01

To compare physiological functioning, communication switch activation, and response accuracy in a 19-year-old young man with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and neurological scoliosis using 2 seating systems within the school setting. Prospective single-subject alternating treatment design with 2 conditions: baseline phase with standard planar inserts (A1), custom-molded back with original seat (B), and return to baseline (A2). Measures included oxygen saturation (SaO2), heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), body temperature (BT), processing time to activate switches, and response accuracy. SaO2 levels increased from "distressed" to "normal"; variability decreased. HR, RR, and BT fluctuations decreased with the custom-molded back. Processing time decreased with increased variability, affected by subject's motivation; accuracy improved slightly. Reported social approachability and student-initiated communication increased. SaO2 increased and HR, RR, and BT fluctuations decreased with a custom-molded back. Graphing data may help determine seating effect with complex clients.

75 FR 37343 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-29

...\\ Morgan, Christina. ``Effectiveness of Lap/Shoulder Belts in the Back Outboard Seating Positions,'' DOT HS... has also pursued vehicle-based technologies for increasing seat belt use. These include sensors in the... driver position, enhanced SBRSs primarily relied on sensors found in the seat belt buckle and latch...

In Vivo Spinal Posture during Upright and Reclined Sitting in an Office Chair

PubMed Central

Zemp, Roland; Taylor, William R.; Lorenzetti, Silvio

2013-01-01

Increasing numbers of people spend the majority of their working lives seated in an office chair. Musculoskeletal disorders, in particular low back pain, resulting from prolonged static sitting are ubiquitous, but regularly changing sitting position throughout the day is thought to reduce back problems. Nearly all currently available office chairs offer the possibility to alter the backrest reclination angles, but the influence of changing seating positions on the spinal column remains unknown. In an attempt to better understand the potential to adjust or correct spine posture using adjustable seating, five healthy subjects were analysed in an upright and reclined sitting position conducted in an open, upright MRI scanner. The shape of the spine, as described using the vertebral bodies' coordinates, wedge angles, and curvature angles, showed high inter-subject variability between the two seating positions. The mean lumbar, thoracic, and cervical curvature angles were 29 ± 15°, −29 ± 4°, and 13 ± 8° for the upright and 33 ± 12°, −31 ± 7°, and 7 ± 7° for the reclined sitting positions. Thus, a wide range of seating adaptation is possible through modification of chair posture, and dynamic seating options may therefore provide a key feature in reducing or even preventing back pain caused by prolonged static sitting. PMID:24175307

76 FR 2883 - Folding Metal Tables and Chairs From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of 2007-2008...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-18

...; and, Banquet tables. A banquet table is a rectangular table with a plastic or laminated wood table top...; and those that have seats or backs made of plastic or other materials. The subject merchandise is... and a seat and back of plastic, with measurements of: height: 32.5 inches; width: 18.5 inches; and...

Comparing spatially static and dynamic vibrotactile take-over requests in the driver seat.

PubMed

Petermeijer, S M; Cieler, S; de Winter, J C F

2017-02-01

Vibrotactile stimuli can be effective as warning signals, but their effectiveness as directional take-over requests in automated driving is yet unknown. This study aimed to investigate the correct response rate, reaction times, and eye and head orientation for static versus dynamic directional take-over requests presented via vibrating motors in the driver seat. In a driving simulator, eighteen participants performed three sessions: 1) a session involving no driving (Baseline), 2) driving a highly automated car without additional task (HAD), and 3) driving a highly automated car while performing a mentally demanding task (N-Back). Per session, participants received four directional static (in the left or right part of the seat) and four dynamic (moving from one side towards the opposite left or right of the seat) take-over requests via two 6×4 motor matrices embedded in the seat back and bottom. In the Baseline condition, participants reported whether the cue was left or right, and in the HAD and N-Back conditions participants had to change lanes to the left or to the right according to the directional cue. The correct response rate was operationalized as the accuracy of the self-reported direction (Baseline session) and the accuracy of the lane change direction (HAD & N-Back sessions). The results showed that the correct response rate ranged between 94% for static patterns in the Baseline session and 74% for dynamic patterns in the N-Back session, although these effects were not statistically significant. Steering wheel touch and steering input reaction times were approximately 200ms faster for static patterns than for dynamic ones. Eye tracking results revealed a correspondence between head/eye-gaze direction and lane change direction, and showed that head and eye-gaze movements where initiated faster for static vibrations than for dynamic ones. In conclusion, vibrotactile stimuli presented via the driver seat are effective as warnings, but their effectiveness as directional take-over requests may be limited. The present study may encourage further investigation into how to get drivers safely back into the loop. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of active seating on car passengers' perceived comfort and activity levels.

PubMed

Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, S; Kamp, I; van Veen, S A T; Vink, P; Bosch, T

2015-03-01

New technologies have led to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary behaviour is characterised by physical inactivity and is associated with several health risks. This excessive sitting does not only take place in the office or at home, but also during daily commute. Therefore, BMW AG developed an active seating system for the back seat of a car, consisting of sensors in the back rest that register upper body movements of the passenger, with which the passenger controls a game. This study evaluated three different aspects of active seating compared to other tasks (reading, working on laptop, and gaming on tablet). First, discomfort and comfort perception were measured in a 30-minute driving test. Discomfort was very low for all activities and participants felt significantly more challenged, more fit and more refreshed during active seating. Second, heart rate was measured, indicating a light intensity, but nevertheless non-sedentary, activity. Third, average and variability in activity of six postural muscles was measured by electromyography (EMG), showing a higher muscle activity and higher muscle variability for active seating compared to other activities. Active seating might stimulate movements, thereby increasing comfort and well-being. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Geometry of rear seats and child restraints compared to child anthropometry.

PubMed

Bilston, Lynne E; Sagar, Nipun

2007-10-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the geometry of a wide range of restraints (child restraints, booster seats and rear seats) used by children, and how these match their anthropometry, and to determine limitations to restraint size for the population of children using them. The study is motivated by the widespread premature graduation from one restraint type to another, which parents often attribute to children outgrowing their previous restraint. Currently, recommended transitions are based on a small sample of vehicles and children. Outboard rear seat and seat belt geometry (anchorage locations, sash belt angles) from 50 current model vehicles were measured using a custom-developed measuring jig. For 17 child restraints, a 3-dimensional measuring arm was used to measure the geometry of the restraint including interior size and strap slot locations (where relevant). These measurements were compared to anthropometric measurements, to determine the suitability of a given restraint for children of particular ages. The results for the rear seat geometry indicate that all seat cushions were too deep for a child whose upper leg length is at the 50th percentile until approximately 11.5 years, and half of vehicle seat cushions were too deep for a 15 year old child whose upper leg length is at the 50th percentile. Sash belt geometry was more variable, with approximately a third of vehicles accommodating 6-8 year olds who approximate the shoulder geometry measurements at the 50th percentile. Dedicated child restraints accommodated most children within recommended age groups, with two exceptions. Several high back booster seats were not tall enough for a child whose seated height is at the 50th percentile for 8 year olds (who is still too short for an adult belt according to current guidelines and the results from the rear seat geometry study), and a small number of forward facing restraints and high back boosters were too narrow for children at the upper end of the recommended age ranges. Analysis of the results from this study indicates that alterations in restraint geometry, particularly shortening the seat cushion, allowing for adjustable upper sash belt anchorages in the rear seat of vehicles, and increasing the height of high back booster seats would substantially improve the fit of restraints for child occupants. This data confirms findings from a recent study that looked only at rear seat cushion depths and provides new data on seat belt and child restraint geometry for child occupants.

49 CFR 571.201 - Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... seat. Ambulance means a motor vehicle designed exclusively for the purpose of emergency medical care... seats in their rearmost design driving position and reclinable forward seat backs in their nominal design driving position; (b) Direction of impact shall be either: (1) In a vertical plane parallel to the...

49 CFR 571.201 - Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... seat. Ambulance means a motor vehicle designed exclusively for the purpose of emergency medical care... seats in their rearmost design driving position and reclinable forward seat backs in their nominal design driving position; (b) Direction of impact shall be either: (1) In a vertical plane parallel to the...

49 CFR 571.201 - Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... seat. Ambulance means a motor vehicle designed exclusively for the purpose of emergency medical care... seats in their rearmost design driving position and reclinable forward seat backs in their nominal design driving position; (b) Direction of impact shall be either: (1) In a vertical plane parallel to the...

Presidential initiative for increasing seat belt use nationwide : recommendations from the Secretary of Transportation : buckle up!

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-04-01

On December 28, 1996 President Clinton asked all Americans to always wear seat belts, and to always keep children ages 12 and under buckled in the back seat where they are safest. On January 23, 1997, he directed the Secretary of Transportation to pr...

STS-44 Atlantis, OV-104, crewmembers participate in FB-SMS training at JSC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-44 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, Commander Frederick D. Gregory (left) and Pilot Terence T. Henricks (right), positioned at their appointed stations on the forward flight deck, are joined by Mission Specialist (MS) F. Story Musgrave (center). The crewmembers are participating in a flight simulation in the Fixed Base (FB) Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) located in JSC's Mission Simulation and Training Facility Bldg 5. Gregory in the commanders seat, Musgrave sitting on center console, and Henricks in the pilots seat look back toward the aft flight deck and the photographer. Seat backs appear in the foreground and forward control panels in the background.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation on the Performance of a Thermoelectric Cooling Automotive Seat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Chuqi; Dong, Wenbin; Deng, Yadong; Wang, Yiping; Liu, Xun

2017-11-01

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) is the most significant auxiliary load in vehicles and largely increases extra emissions. Therefore, thermoelectric cooling automotive seat, a relatively new technology, is used in an attempt to reduce HVAC consumption and improve thermal comfort. In this study, three design schemes of the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) are proposed. Then the numerical simulation is used to analyze their heat transfer performance, and evaluate the improvement of the seat cooling in terms of the occupant back thermal comfort. Moreover, an experiment is conducted to validate the accuracy of the simulation results. The experimental results show that: (1) an average reduction in air temperature of 4°C in 60 s is obtained; (2) the temperature of the occupant's back drops from 33.5°C to 25.7°C in cooperation with the HVAC system; (3) back thermal comfort is greatly improved. As expected, the thermoelectric cooling automotive seat is able to provide an improvement in the occupant's thermal comfort at a reduced energy consumption rate, which makes it promising for vehicular application.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation on the Performance of a Thermoelectric Cooling Automotive Seat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Chuqi; Dong, Wenbin; Deng, Yadong; Wang, Yiping; Liu, Xun

2018-06-01

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) is the most significant auxiliary load in vehicles and largely increases extra emissions. Therefore, thermoelectric cooling automotive seat, a relatively new technology, is used in an attempt to reduce HVAC consumption and improve thermal comfort. In this study, three design schemes of the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) are proposed. Then the numerical simulation is used to analyze their heat transfer performance, and evaluate the improvement of the seat cooling in terms of the occupant back thermal comfort. Moreover, an experiment is conducted to validate the accuracy of the simulation results. The experimental results show that: (1) an average reduction in air temperature of 4°C in 60 s is obtained; (2) the temperature of the occupant's back drops from 33.5°C to 25.7°C in cooperation with the HVAC system; (3) back thermal comfort is greatly improved. As expected, the thermoelectric cooling automotive seat is able to provide an improvement in the occupant's thermal comfort at a reduced energy consumption rate, which makes it promising for vehicular application.

Biomechanical effects of sitting with adjustable ischial and lumbar support on occupational low back pain: evaluation of sitting load and back muscle activity

PubMed Central

Makhsous, Mohsen; Lin, Fang; Bankard, James; Hendrix, Ronald W; Hepler, Matthew; Press, Joel

2009-01-01

Background Compared to standing posture, sitting decreases lumbar lordosis, increases low back muscle activity, disc pressure, and pressure on the ischium, which are associated with occupational LBP. A sitting device that reduces spinal load and low back muscle activities may help increase sitting comfort and reduce LBP risk. The objective of this study is to investigate the biomechanical effect of sitting with a reduced ischial support and an enhanced lumbar support (Off-Loading) on load, interface pressure and muscle activities. Methods A laboratory test in low back pain (LBP) and asymptomatic subjects was designed to test the biomechanical effect of using the Off-Loading sitting posture. The load and interface pressure on seat and the backrest, and back muscle activities associated with usual and this Off-Loading posture were recorded and compared between the two postures. Results Compared with Normal (sitting upright with full support of the seat and flat backrest) posture, sitting in Off-Loading posture significantly shifted the center of the force and the peak pressure on the seat anteriorly towards the thighs. It also significantly decreased the contact area on the seat and increased that on the backrest. It decreased the lumbar muscle activities significantly. These effects are similar in individuals with and without LBP. Conclusion Sitting with reduced ischial support and enhanced lumbar support resulted in reduced sitting load on the lumbar spine and reduced the lumbar muscular activity, which may potentially reduce sitting-related LBP. PMID:19193245

Back Pain

MedlinePlus

... for back pain include being overweight, poor physical conditioning, smoking, whole body vibration, and improper lifting technique ... back and abdominal muscles). •Decrease vibrations by installing air cushions or upgrade seat to damper vibrations. • Stay ...

STS-28 Columbia, OV-102, Pilot Richards at forward flight deck pilots station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Pilot Richard N. Richards, sitting at forward flight deck pilots station controls, looks back to aft flight deck during STS-28, a Department of Defense (DOD) dedicated mission. Control panels F7 and F8 and portable laptop computer propped on panel F4 appear in front of Richards. Behind him are the pilots seat seat back and head rest. A stuffed toy animal is positioned on C1 panel.

Human Tolerance to Rapidly Applied Accelerations: A Summary of the Literature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eiband, A. Martin

1959-01-01

The literature is surveyed to determine human tolerance to rapidly applied accelerations. Pertinent human and animal experiments applicable to space flight and to crash impact forces are analyzed and discussed. These data are compared and presented on the basis of a trapezoidal pulse. The effects of body restraint and of acceleration direction, onset rate, and plateau duration on the maximum tolerable and survivable rapidly applied accelerations are shown. Results of the survey indicate that adequate torso and extremity restraint is the primary variable in tolerance to rapidly applied accelerations. The harness, or restraint system, must be arranged to transmit the major portion of the accelerating force directly to the pelvic structure and not via the vertebral column. When the conditions of adequate restraint have been met, then the other variables, direction, magnitude, and onset rate of rapidly applied accelerations, govern maximum tolerance and injury limits. The results also indicate that adequately stressed aft-faced passenger seats offer maximum complete body support with minimum objectionable harnessing. Such a seat, whether designed for 20-, 30-, or 40-G dynamic loading, would include lap strap, chest (axillary) strap, and winged-back seat to increase headward and lateral G protection, full-height integral head rest, arm rests (load-bearing) with recessed hand-holds and provisions to prevent arms from slipping either laterally or beyond the seat back, and leg support to keep the legs from being wedged under the seat. For crew members and others whose duties require forward-facing seats, maximum complete body support requires lap, shoulder, and thigh straps, lap-belt tie-down strap, and full-height seat back with integral head support.

49 CFR 572.194 - Shoulder.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., while the midsagittal plane of the dummy is in vertical orientation. (4) Push the dummy at the knees and... back until the back of the upper torso is in contact with the seat back. (5) While maintaining the...

Seating Location in Large Lectures: Are Seating Preferences or Location Related to Course Performance?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benedict, Mary Ellen; Hoag, John

2004-01-01

Using data on individuals taking principles of economics courses in large lecture rooms, the authors investigate whether a student's seating preference is related to success in the classroom. They find that individuals who prefer to sit near the front of the room have a higher probability of receiving As, whereas those who prefer the back have a…

The Impact of Seating Location and Seating Type on Student Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meeks, Michael D.; Knotts, Tami L.; James, Karen D.; Williams, Felice; Vassar, John A.; Wren, Amy Oakes

2013-01-01

While an extensive body of research exists regarding the delivery of course knowledge and material, much less attention has been paid to the performance effect of seating position within a classroom. Research findings are mixed as to whether students in the front row of a classroom outperform students in the back row. Another issue that has not…

Effect of a high-density foam seating wedge on back pain intensity when used by 14 to 16-year-old school students: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Candy, Elizabeth A; Farewell, Daniel; Jerosch-Herold, Christina; Shepstone, Lee; Watts, Richard A; Stephenson, Richard C

2012-12-01

No previous randomised controlled trials had been undertaken investigating the effect of school seating on back pain in 14 to 16 year olds. This study was designed to test the effect of the use of a high-density foam wedge on normal school seating on the intensity of back pain. Randomised controlled trial. Suffolk, a predominantly rural county in eastern England. One hundred and eighty-five students with back pain were recruited from 12 schools. Randomisation was stratified by school. The control and intervention groups included 92 and 83 students, respectively. Following a 1-week baseline observation period, each student in the intervention group was given a wedge to use on their school chairs. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity (numerical rating scale, 0 to 10) recorded in pain diaries over 4 weeks. Random effects models were used to analyse the pain intensity data. Ninety-seven students (46 control group, 51 intervention group) completed the trial. For the intervention group, pain intensity was reduced significantly over the 3 weeks of wedge use. The average reduction in pain intensity was estimated to be 0.709 points (95% confidence interval 0.341 to 1.077), representing a 58% reduction in back pain for those in the intervention group. Use of a wedge reduced the intensity of back pain significantly, especially in the evenings. The results suggest that further research into the longer-term effect of seating on pain intensity in adolescents should be considered. Copyright © 2011 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Initial Investigation of Wave Impact Load Transfer Through Shock Isolation Seats in High Speed Craft

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-31

12 Hz to 14 Hz is caused by the relative motions of the spring-damper assembly between the deck and the seat pan. In the deck acceleration signal the...caused by the oscillation of the seat assembly. In other words, 12 Hz to 14 Hz motions of the seat assembly fed back into the deck structure as in a...accelerations are based on use of a 10 Hz low- pass filter to capture only the dominant rigid body impacts observed in Figure 3 at less than 2 Hz. The seat

75 FR 50958 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Motorcoach Definition; Occupant Crash Protection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-18

.... Energy Absorption Capability of Seat Backs c. Retrofitting Used Buses d. School Buses VIII. Lead Time IX... the seat, reinforcing the floor, walls or other areas of the motorcoach. The final cost and weight...

Survey of Technical Preventative Measures to Reduce Whole-Body Vibration Effects when Designing Mobile Machinery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DONATI, P.

2002-05-01

Engineering solutions to minimize the effects on operators of vibrating mobile machinery can be conveniently grouped into three areas: Reduction of vibration at source by improvement of the quality of terrain, careful selection of vehicle or machine, correct loading, proper maintenance, etc.Reduction of vibration transmission by incorporating suspension systems (tyres, vehicle suspensions, suspension cab and seat) between the operator and the source of vibration.Improvement of cab ergonomics and seat profiles to optimize operator posture. These paper reviews the different techniques and problems linked to categories (2) and (3). According to epidemiological studies, the main health risk with whole-body vibration exposure would appear to be lower back pain. When designing new mobile machinery, all factors which may contribute to back injury should be considered in order to reduce risk. For example, optimized seat suspension is useless if the suspension seat cannot be correctly and easily adjusted to the driver's weight or if the driver is forced to drive in a bent position to avoid his head striking the ceiling due to the spatial requirement of the suspension seat.

Determination of a sagittal plane axis of rotation for a dynamic office chair.

PubMed

Bauer, C M; Rast, F M; Böck, C; Kuster, R P; Baumgartner, D

2018-10-01

This study investigated the location of the axis of rotation in sagittal plane movement of the spine in a free sitting condition to adjust the kinematics of a mobile seat for a dynamic chair. Dynamic office chairs are designed to avoid continuous isometric muscle activity, and to facilitate increased mobility of the back during sitting. However, these chairs incorporate increased upper body movement which could distract office workers from the performance of their tasks. A chair with an axis of rotation above the seat would facilitate a stable upper back during movements of the lower back. The selection of a natural kinematic pattern is of high importance in order to match the properties of the spine. Twenty-one participants performed four cycles of flexion and extension of the spine during an upper arm hang on parallel bars. The location of the axis of rotation relative to the seat was estimated using infrared cameras and reflective skin markers. The median axis of rotation across all participants was located 36 cm above the seat for the complete movement and 39 cm for both the flexion and extension phases, each with an interquartile range of 20 cm. There was no significant effect of the movement direction on the location of the axis of rotation and only a weak, non-significant correlation between body height and the location of the axis of rotation. Individual movement patterns explained the majority of the variance. The axis of rotation for a spinal flexion/extension movement is located above the seat. The recommended radius for a guide rail of a mobile seat is between 36 cm and 39 cm. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ergonomic evaluation of the ambulance interior to reduce paramedic discomfort and posture stress.

PubMed

Gilad, Issachar; Byran, Eyal

2007-12-01

This study aims to evaluate safety and accessibility of an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance interior. The standard ambulance's interior design is unsatisfactory based on perceived discomfort and postures that constrain paramedics and medical staff, resulting in unsafe treatment of patients, mainly when being transported. Two procedures were used to evaluate performance during a wide range of rescue tasks: a survey, based on questionnaires, interviews, and observation of paramedics performing routine tasks; and upper body and back posture analysis, based on postural considerations. Findings revealed that 74% of the paramedics stated that the location of the paramedic's seat is inefficient while they perform clinical procedures; 94% found the bench uncomfortable; 77% felt that the vertical distance between the bench and the stretcher is too far; and 86% needed to steady themselves when the vehicle was moving. Posture analysis showed that paramedics undergo several nonneutral back postures, including twisted back (>20 degrees) and sitting with back flexion between 20 degrees and 45 degrees. Because the interior of the ALS ambulance was found to be unsatisfactory both to paramedics and patients, alternative design issues are proposed. The suggested practical layout contains four main modifications: (a) replacing the bench with two adjustable paramedic seats, (b) redesigning the medical cabinet for easy access, (c) adding an adjustable folding seat opposite the two new seats, and (d) adding a swiveling base and lifting apparatus that will accommodate the stretcher and enable better accessibility to patients by the paramedic personnel.

16 CFR 1632.8 - Glossary of terms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

.... The seat slopes, in the sitting position, for added comfort (see fig. 5). (w) Push-back sofa. When... lounge. An upholstered couch chair or a couch with a chair back. It has a permanent back rest, no arms... positions for a chaise lounge effect or a single sleeper. The vertical back support always remains upright...

Development of Accomodation Models for Soldiers in Vehicles: Driver

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

human needs and performance. A small section of this standard addresses the design of vehicle seats and the layout of the driver workstation...drivers and passengers (squad). The study was designed to focus on tactical vehicle (truck) designs with fixed driver heel points and H30 values...fore-aft and vertically, along with adjusting the seat back angle, to obtain a comfortable driving position. The Soldier’s posture and seat adjustments

Cabin attendants’ exposure to vibration and shocks during landing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burström, Lage; Lindberg, Lennart; Lindgren, Torsten

2006-12-01

The Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has noted that cabin attendants have reported an increase in health problems associated with landing. The European Union reports cover health problems related to neck, shoulder, and lower-back injuries. Moreover, analysis of these reports shows that the problems are often associated with specific airplanes that have a longer tail behind the rear wheels and appear more often in attendants who sit in the back of planes rather then the front. Against this background, this study measures and describes the vibration during landing in specific airplanes to evaluate the health risk for the cabin attendants. Measurements were conducted on regular flights with passengers in the type of airplane, Boeing 737-800, which was related to the highest per cent of reported health problems. All measurements were performed the same day during three landings in one airplane with the same pilots and cabin attendants. The measurements were carried out simultaneously on the cabin crew seats in the back and front of the passenger cabin. Under the cabin crew's seat cushions, a triaxiell seat-accelerometer was placed to measure the vibration in three axes. The signals from the accelerometers were amplified by charge amplifiers and stored on tape. The stored data were analysed with a computer-based analyse system. For the cabin attendants, the dominant direction for the vibration load during landing is the up-and-down direction although some vibration also occurs in the other horizontal directions. The exposure to vibration is higher on the rear crew seat compared to the front seat. For instance, both the vibration dose value (VDV) and the frequency-weighted acceleration in the dominant direction are more then 50% higher on the rear seat. The frequency-weighted acceleration and the VDV measured at the crew seats are below the exposure limits as described by the European vibration directive. The evaluation of the cabin attendants' exposure to multiple shocks during landing shows that the potential of an adverse health effect for the cabin attendants is low in the front of the airplane and increases to moderate in the rear. Although this is a limited study, it could be conclude that there could be a risk for cabin attendants due to the exposure of multiple shocks. Therefore, efforts should be spent to minimize their risk by developing a better seat cushion and back support to lessen the effects of shocks. In addition, attendants should be informed about the most suitable posture to take during landing.

Fire-resistant materials for aircraft passenger seat construction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fewell, L. L.; Tesoro, G. C.; Moussa, A.; Kourtides, D. A.

1979-01-01

The thermal response characteristics of fabric and fabric-foam assemblies are described. The various aspects of the ignition behavior of contemporary aircraft passenger seat upholstery fabric materials relative to fabric materials made from thermally stable polymers are evaluated. The role of the polymeric foam backing on the thermal response of the fabric-foam assembly is also ascertained. The optimum utilization of improved fire-resistant fabric and foam materials in the construction of aircraft passenger seats is suggested.

Dual-Latching, Solenoid-Actuated Tube Valve

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brudnicki, Myron J.

1993-01-01

Tube-type shutoff valve electrically positioned to open or closed state by concentric solenoid. Solenoid dual latching: it holds position until changed electrically or manually. In tube valve, central tube slides axially, closing off flow when held against seat and allowing flow when backed away from seat. Simple to balance pressure on seal between seat and sharp edge of tube. With pressure-balanced seal, only small force needed to hold valve in position, regardless of pressure acting on valve.

Computer Code for the Determination of Ejection Seat/Man Aerodynamic Parameters.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-28

ARMS, and LES (computer code -- .,. ,... ,, ..,.., .: . .. ... ,-." . ;.’ -- I- ta names) and Seat consisted of 4 panels SEAT, BACK, PADD , and SIDE. An... general application of Eq. (I) is for blunt bodies at hypersonic speed, because accuracy of this equation becomes better at higher Mach number. Therefore...pressure coefficient is set equal to zero on those portions of the body that are invisible to a distant observer who views the body from the direction

Tweens at risk: examining car safety practices in four economically disadvantaged urban elementary schools in Virginia.

PubMed

Will, Kelli England; Dunaway, Krystall E; Lorek, Edward J

2013-09-01

Children aged 8- to 12-years-old ("tweens") are at high risk for crash injury, and motor vehicle crashes are their leading cause of death. Data are presented from behavioral observations (N=243), surveys (N=677), and focus groups (N=26) conducted with tweens attending four urban elementary schools in Virginia. The populations assessed were predominantly black (77.9%) and economically disadvantaged (61.9%). Focus groups revealed a number of inconsistencies in and misconceptions about safety practices. Among the 677 tweens who completed anonymous surveys, the majority (58.1%) reported wearing their seat belts "not very much at all" or "never." Many students (47.8%) reported usually sitting in the front seat or sitting in the front and back seats equally. This is despite the fact that most (92.0%) knew that the back seat was the safest place to sit. Of the 243 tweens observed in vehicles, 65.0% were unrestrained and 60.1% were seated in the front passenger seat. Findings of this study shed light on the great disparity between the national rates for child safety practices and those of children living in an economically disadvantaged urban school district. Additional intervention programs that are culturally appropriate and specifically target this age group are needed. Copyright © 2013 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: Anthropometric aspects

PubMed Central

Hsiao, Hongwei; Whitestone, Jennifer; Wilbur, Michael; Lackore, J. Roger; Routley, J. Gordon

2015-01-01

This study developed anthropometric information on U.S. firefighters to guide fire-apparatus seat and seatbelt designs and future standards development. A stratified sample of 863 male and 88 female firefighters across the U.S. participated in the study. The study results suggested 498 mm in width, 404 mm in depth, and 365–476 mm in height for seat pans; 429–522 mm in width and 542 mm in height for seat back; 871 mm in height for head support; a seat space of 733 mm at shoulder and 678 mm at hip; and a knee/leg clearance of 909 mm in fire truck cab. Also, 1520 mm of lap belt web effective length and 2828 mm of lap-and-shoulder belt web effective length were suggested. These data for firetruck seats and seatbelts provide a foundation for fire apparatus manufacturers and standards committees to improve firefighter seat designs and seatbelt usage compliance. PMID:26154212

Numerical assessment of fore-and-aft suspension performance to reduce whole-body vibration of wheel loader drivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleury, Gérard; Mistrot, Pierre

2006-12-01

While driving off-road vehicles, operators are exposed to whole-body vibration acting in the fore-and-aft direction. Seat manufacturers supply products equipped with fore-and-aft suspension but only a few studies report on their performance. This work proposes a computational approach to design fore-and-aft suspensions for wheel loader seats. Field tests were conducted in a quarry to analyse the nature of vibration to which the driver was exposed. Typical input signals were recorded to be reproduced in the laboratory. Technical specifications are defined for the suspension. In order to evaluate the suspension vibration attenuation performance, a model of a sitting human body was developed and coupled to a seat model. The seat model combines the models of each suspension component. A linear two-degree-of-freedom model is used to describe the dynamic behaviour of the sitting driver. Model parameters are identified by fitting the computed apparent mass frequency response functions to the measured values. Model extensions are proposed to investigate postural effects involving variations in hands and feet positions and interaction of the driver's back with the backrest. Suspension design parameters are firstly optimized by computing the seat/man model response to sinusoidal acceleration. Four criteria including transmissibility, interaction force between the driver's back and the backrest and relative maximal displacement of the suspension are computed. A new suspension design with optimized features is proposed. Its performance is checked from calculations of the response of the seat/man model subjected to acceleration measured on the wheel loader during real work conditions. On the basis of the computed values of the SEAT factors, it is found possible to design a suspension that would increase the attenuation provided by the seat by a factor of two.

Child posture and shoulder belt fit during extended night-time traveling: an in-transit observational study.

PubMed

Forman, Jason L; Segui-Gomez, Maria; Ash, Joseph H; Lopez-Valdes, Francisco J

2011-01-01

Understanding pediatric occupant postures can help researchers indentify injury risk factors, and provide information for prospective injury prediction. This study sought to observe lateral head positions and shoulder belt fit among older child automobile occupants during a scenario likely to result in sleeping - extended travel during the night. An observational, volunteer, in-transit study was performed with 30 pediatric rear-seat passengers, ages 7 to 14. Each was restrained by a three-point seatbelt and was driven for seventy-five minutes at night. Ten subjects used a high-back booster seat, ten used a low-back booster seat, and ten used none (based on the subject height and weight). The subjects were recorded with a low-light video camera, and one frame was analyzed per each minute of video. The high-back booster group exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean frequency of poor shoulder belt fit compared to the no-booster and low-back booster groups. The high-back booster group also exhibited statistically significant decreases in the 90(th) percentile of the absolute value of the relative lateral motion of the head. The low-back booster group did not result in statistically significant decreases in poor shoulder belt fit or lateral head motion compared to the no-booster group. These results are consistent with the presence of large lateral supports of the high-back booster which provided support to the head while sleeping, reducing voluntary lateral occupant motion and improving shoulder belt fit. Future work includes examining lap belt fit in-transit, and examining the effects of these observations on predicted injury risk.

Child Posture and Shoulder Belt Fit During Extended Night-Time Traveling: An In-Transit Observational Study.

PubMed Central

Forman, Jason L.; Segui-Gomez, Maria; Ash, Joseph H.; Lopez-Valdes, Francisco J.

2011-01-01

Understanding pediatric occupant postures can help researchers indentify injury risk factors, and provide information for prospective injury prediction. This study sought to observe lateral head positions and shoulder belt fit among older child automobile occupants during a scenario likely to result in sleeping - extended travel during the night. An observational, volunteer, in-transit study was performed with 30 pediatric rear-seat passengers, ages 7 to 14. Each was restrained by a three-point seatbelt and was driven for seventy-five minutes at night. Ten subjects used a high-back booster seat, ten used a low-back booster seat, and ten used none (based on the subject height and weight). The subjects were recorded with a low-light video camera, and one frame was analyzed per each minute of video. The high-back booster group exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean frequency of poor shoulder belt fit compared to the no-booster and low-back booster groups. The high-back booster group also exhibited statistically significant decreases in the 90th percentile of the absolute value of the relative lateral motion of the head. The low-back booster group did not result in statistically significant decreases in poor shoulder belt fit or lateral head motion compared to the no-booster group. These results are consistent with the presence of large lateral supports of the high-back booster which provided support to the head while sleeping, reducing voluntary lateral occupant motion and improving shoulder belt fit. Future work includes examining lap belt fit in-transit, and examining the effects of these observations on predicted injury risk. PMID:22105378

Back pain - returning to work

MedlinePlus

... matter what kind of work you do. Long car rides and getting in and out of the car can be hard on your back. If you ... work, consider some of these changes: Adjust your car seat to make it easier to enter, sit ...

STS-30 Commander Walker on forward flight deck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

On Atlantis', Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104's, forward flight deck between commanders and pilots seats, STS-30 Commander David M. Walker smiles while having his picture taken. Walker, wearing a mission polo shirt and light blue flight coverall pants, holds onto the commanders seat back. Forward flight control panels are visible above Walker's head and behind him.

Head impact contact points for restrained child occupants.

PubMed

Arbogast, Kristy B; Wozniak, Samantha; Locey, Caitlin M; Maltese, Matthew R; Zonfrillo, Mark R

2012-01-01

Head injuries are the most common injuries sustained by children in motor vehicle crashes regardless of age, restraint, and crash direction. For rear seat occupants, the interaction of the subject with the seat back and the vehicle side interior structures has been previously highlighted. In order to advance this knowledge to the development of countermeasures, a summary of vehicle components that contributed to these injuries is needed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to create a contact map of the vehicle interior for head and face injuries to rear-seated restrained children in front crashes. The Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) was queried for rear-seated, restrained child occupants (age 0-15 years) in forward-facing child restraints, booster seats, or lap and shoulder belts who sustained an AIS2+ head and/or face injury in a frontal motor vehicle crash. Cases were analyzed to describe injury patterns and injury causation scenarios. A contact point map was developed to summarize the vehicle components related to injury causation of the head/face injury. Twenty-one cases met the combined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seven of the child occupants were restrained in forward-facing child restraints, 2 in belt-positioning booster seats, and 12 in lap and shoulder belts. There were 28 head and 17 facial injuries. For left rear occupants, the most common contact point was the pillar in front of the occupant's seat row; that is, B-pillar for second-row occupants, indicating a leftward kinematics. For right rear occupants, due to differences in crash dynamics, the most common contact point location was the passenger's seat back, suggesting that these occupants moved predominantly forward. Contact points associated with head/face injury for restrained children 0 to 15 years in frontal crashes have been delineated. In a majority of the cases, the head/face injury was the most severe injury and severe injuries to other body regions were uncommon, suggesting that efforts to mitigate head injuries for these occupants would greatly improve their overall safety. The majority of the head/face contact points were to the first row seat back and B-pillar. In these frontal crashes, the importance of head/face contact with the vehicle side structure suggests that deploying a curtain air bag in frontal impacts may help manage the energy of impact. These data advance the current understanding of injury patterns and causation in frontal crashes involving restrained rear-row occupants and can be used to develop solutions to mitigate the injuries sustained. Copyright © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: Anthropometric aspects.

PubMed

Hsiao, Hongwei; Whitestone, Jennifer; Wilbur, Michael; Lackore, J Roger; Routley, J Gordon

2015-11-01

This study developed anthropometric information on U.S. firefighters to guide fire-apparatus seat and seatbelt designs and future standards development. A stratified sample of 863 male and 88 female firefighters across the U.S. participated in the study. The study results suggested 498 mm in width, 404 mm in depth, and 365-476 mm in height for seat pans; 429-522 mm in width and 542 mm in height for seat back; 871 mm in height for head support; a seat space of 733 mm at shoulder and 678 mm at hip; and a knee/leg clearance of 909 mm in fire truck cab. Also, 1520 mm of lap belt web effective length and 2828 mm of lap-and-shoulder belt web effective length were suggested. These data for fire-truck seats and seatbelts provide a foundation for fire apparatus manufacturers and standards committees to improve firefighter seat designs and seatbelt usage compliance. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Crashworthy Seats Would Afford Superior Protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gohmert, Dustin

2009-01-01

Seats to prevent or limit crash injuries to astronauts aboard the crew vehicle of the Orion spacecraft are undergoing development. The design of these seats incorporates and goes beyond crash-protection concepts embodied in prior spacecraft and racing-car seats to afford superior protection against impacts. Although the seats are designed to support astronauts in a recumbent, quasi-fetal posture that would likely not be suitable for non-spacecraft applications, parts of the design could be adapted to military and some civilian aircraft seats and to racing car seats to increase levels of protection. The main problem in designing any crashworthy seat is to provide full support of the occupant against anticipated crash and emergency-landing loads so as to safely limit motion, along any axis, of any part of the occupant s body relative to (1) any other part of the occupant s body, (2) the spacecraft or other vehicle, and (3) the seat itself. In the original Orion spacecraft application and in other applications that could easily be envisioned, the problem is complicated by severe limits on space available for the seat, a requirement to enable rapid egress by the occupant after a crash, and a requirement to provide for fitting of the seat to a wide range of sizes and shapes of a human body covered by a crash suit, space suit, or other protective garment. The problem is further complicated by other Orion-application-specific requirements that must be omitted here for the sake of brevity. To accommodate the wide range of crewmember body lengths within the limits on available space in the original Orion application, the design provides for taller crewmembers to pull their legs back closer toward their chests, while shorter crewmembers can allow their legs to stretch out further. The range of hip-support seat adjustments needed to effect this accommodation, as derived from NASA s Human Systems Integration Standard, was found to define a parabolic path along which the knees must be positioned. For a given occupant, the specific position along the path depends on the distance from the heel to the back of the knee. The application of the concept of parabolic adjustment of the hip-support structure caused the seat pan to also take on a parabolic shape, yielding the unanticipated additional benefit that the seat pan fits the occupant s buttocks and thighs more nearly conformally than do seat pans of prior design. This more nearly conformal fit effectively eliminates a void between the occupant s body and the seat pan, thereby helping to prevent what, in prior seat designs, was shifting of the occupant s body into that void during an impact.

Evaluation of biofeedback seat insert for improving active sitting posture in children with cerebral palsy. A clinical report.

PubMed

Bertoti, D B; Gross, A L

1988-07-01

Biofeedback devices have been used successfully to improve head control and symmetrical standing in children with cerebral palsy. This clinical report describes a biofeedback seat insert developed to improve erect sitting posture in children with cerebral palsy who have inadequate trunk control. The seat insert is easily placed against the back of any seating device. A momentary-contact pressure switch on the seat insert is activated when the child exerts pressure on it by extending his trunk. The pressure switch then activates a videocassette recorder or can be adapted to activate a television or radio. Five children with spastic cerebral palsy participated in this evaluation of the biofeedback seat insert. The results of this evaluation show that the children used the biofeedback seat insert effectively to actively improve their sitting posture by voluntarily extending their trunk against the pressure switch. The biofeedback seat insert offers physical therapists a valuable therapeutic training tool to encourage carry-over of improved sitting posture away from the clinical setting for children with cerebral palsy.

An in situ study of the habits of users that affect office chair design and testing.

PubMed

Benden, Mark E; Fink, Rainer; Congleton, Jerome

2011-02-01

The purpose of this study was to perform an in situ assessment of office seating habits that influence chair testing and design. Many chair testing parameters were derived decades ago when the average weight of people within the United States was dramatically lower and the office work tasks less computer based. For the study, 51 participants were randomly selected from Brazos Valley, Texas, businesses to participate in 8-hr assessments of office seating habits. Overall results were compared with current chair testing and design assumptions. Data were collected through written survey and through data logging of seat and back contact pressure and duration with the use of the X-SENSOR pressure mapping device and software. Additionally, I day per participant of caster roll distance was recorded with the use of a caster mounted digital encoder. Participants were grouped by body mass index (BMI) and weight (BMI <35 and weight < 102 kg or BMI >35 and weight >102 kg). It was determined that a significant difference did exist between the groups in mean seat time per shift (p < .001), back cycles per shift (p < .002), seat cycles per shift (p < .01), and caster distance rolled per shift (p < .001). Several key parameters and assumptions of current chair test methods and design specifications may no longer be valid for the upper quartile of weight range of the current U.S. population. The data collected in this study will enable engineers to determine whether revision of design standards for testing office seating for both normal weight and extremely obese workers is indicated.

Seat belt and child seat use in Lipetskaya Oblast, Russia: frequencies, attitudes, and perceptions.

PubMed

Ma, Sai; Tran, Nhan; Klyavin, Vladimir E; Zambon, Francesco; Hatcher, Kristin W; Hyder, Adnan A

2012-01-01

Despite the importance of understanding seat belt use patterns among drivers and passengers for the purpose of direct interventions or monitoring improvements, no study has described wearing rates for all seat positions in Russia. This study describes observed seat belt use and knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of seat belt use in Lipetskaya Oblast, Russia. An observational study on the use of seat belts and child restraints in the Lipetskaya region conducted during October 2010 collected data in 6 districts and on 3 different road types. A roadside survey gathered information on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward the use of seat belts from randomly selected drivers. Frequencies of seat belt use by seat position, gender, and road type were calculated. A multivariable logit model disclosed the associations between seat belt use and sociodemographic factors. The study design permitted comparison of observed seat belt use to self-reported seat belt use. A total of 25,795 vehicles and 39,833 drivers and passengers contributed observations. Overall, 55 percent of drivers were observed to be using seat belts. More than half (58%) of front seat passengers wore seat belts and only 9 percent of back seat passengers were observed to be wearing seat belts; 11 percent of cars with children had any type of child safety measure. Drivers on urban roads were less likely to wear seat belts compared to those on main highways and rural roads. Nearly 60 percent of survey respondents mentioned "seat belts save lives," and more than half mentioned law requirements and fines. Although the observed seat belt use in Lipetskaya Oblast is much higher than previous estimates in Russia, overall wearing rates remain far from universal. Rear seat passengers and children are particularly at risk. Because combined education and enforcement has proven to be effective elsewhere, such interventions are needed to improve seat belt use.

Whole-body vibration exposure in subway cars and review of adverse health effects.

PubMed

Johanning, E; Wilder, D G; Landrigan, P J; Pope, M H

1991-05-01

New York City Transit Authority subway operators have a high prevalence of back problems. To evaluate a possible dose-response relationship for whole-body vibration, we studied subway car vibrations measured and analyzed according to the International Standard Organization 2631 and Verein Deutscher Ingenieure 2057 standards. Vibration transducers in triaxial orientation were mounted in a disc pad directly on the subway operator's seat. The relatively high lateral and vertical accelerations, primarily the combined effects, may all contribute to the high rate of musculoskeletal complaints, especially of the lower back. Other factors aggravating whole-body vibrations include primitive ergonomic cab and seat design, forced body posture, high noise levels, and organizational work stress.

MS Thagard conducts DSO 404 on middeck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

On middeck, Mission Specialist (MS) Thagard conducts Detailed Supplementary Objective (DSO) 404 - On Orbit Head and Eye Tracking Tasks. In MS seat positioned with seat back on the floor and headrest at starboard wall, Thagard, wearing unicorn cap (pantograph attached) and with electrodes on his face and forehead, monitors DC Ampere (Amp) control box. Forward lockers, intravehicular (IVA) foot restraint, and stowed treadmill appear in view.

STS-44 Atlantis, OV-104, Pilot Henricks in FB-SMS training at JSC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-44 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, Pilot Terence T. Henricks, seated at the pilots station on the forward flight deck, reviews checklists before a flight simulation in the Fixed Base (FB) Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) located in JSC's Mission Simulation and Training Facility Bldg 5. Surrounding Henricks are the seat back, the overhead panels, forward panels, and forward windows.

Modeling of Spinal Column of Seated Human Body under Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamaoki, Gen; Yoshimura, Takuya; Kuriyama, Kaoru; Nakai, Kazuma

In vehicle systems occupational drivers might expose themselves to vibration for a long time. This may cause illness of the spinal column such as low back pain. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the influence of vibration to the spinal column. Thus the modeling of seated human body is conducted in order to evaluate the effect of whole-body vibration to the spinal column. This model has the spinal column and the support structures such as the muscles of the back and the abdomen. The spinal column is made by the vertebrae and the intervertebral disks that are considered the rigid body and the rotational spring and damper respectively. The parameter of this model is decided by the literature and the body type of the subject with respect to the mass and the model structure. And stiffness and damping parameters are searched by fitting the model simulation results to the experimental measured data with respect to the vibration transmissibilities from the seat surface to the spinal column and the head and with respect to the driving-point apparent mass. In addition, the natural modes of the model compare with the result of experimental modal analysis. The influence of the abdomen and the muscles of the back are investigated by comparing three models with respect to above vibration characteristics. Three model are the proposed model, the model that has the spinal column and the model that has the muscles of the back in addition to the spinal column.

The repeatability and reproducibility of the BioRID IIg in a repeatable laboratory seat based on a production car seat.

PubMed

Hynd, David; Depinet, Paul; Lorenz, Bernd

2013-01-01

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Informal Group on GTR No. 7 Phase 2 are working to define a build level for the BioRID II rear impact (whiplash) crash test dummy that ensures repeatable and reproducible performance in a test procedure that has been proposed for future legislation. This includes the specification of dummy hardware, as well as the development of comprehensive certification procedures for the dummy. This study evaluated whether the dummy build level and certification procedures deliver the desired level of repeatability and reproducibility. A custom-designed laboratory seat was made using the seat base, back, and head restraint from a production car seat to ensure a representative interface with the dummy. The seat back was reinforced for use in multiple tests and the recliner mechanism was replaced by an external spring-damper mechanism. A total of 65 tests were performed with 6 BioRID IIg dummies using the draft GTR No.7 sled pulse and seating procedure. All dummies were subject to the build, maintenance, and certification procedures defined by the Informal Group. The test condition was highly repeatable, with a very repeatable pulse, a well-controlled seat back response, and minimal observed degradation of seat foams. The results showed qualitatively reasonable repeatability and reproducibility for the upper torso and head accelerations, as well as for T1 Fx and upper neck Fx . However, reproducibility was not acceptable for T1 and upper neck Fz or for T1 and upper neck My . The Informal Group has not selected injury or seat assessment criteria for use with BioRID II, so it is not known whether these channels would be used in the regulation. However, the ramping-up behavior of the dummy showed poor reproducibility, which would be expected to affect the reproducibility of dummy measurements in general. Pelvis and spine characteristics were found to significantly influence the dummy measurements for which poor reproducibility was observed. It was also observed that the primary neck response in these tests was flexion, not extension. This correlates well with recent findings from Japan and the United States showing a correlation between neck flexion and injury in accident replication simulations and postmortem human subjects (PMHS) studies, respectively. The present certification tests may not adequately control front cervical spine bumper characteristics, which are important for neck flexion response. The certification sled test also does not include the pelvis and so cannot be used to control pelvis response and does not substantially load the lumbar bumpers and so does not control these parts of the dummy. The stiffness of all spine bumpers and of the pelvis flesh should be much more tightly controlled. It is recommended that a method for certifying the front cervical bumpers should be developed. Recommendations are also made for tighter tolerance on the input parameters for the existing certification tests.

The Health Care Provider's Experience With Fathers of Overweight and Obese Children: A Qualitative Analysis.

PubMed

Anti, Eliza; Laurent, Jennifer S; Tompkins, Connie

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of health care providers (HCPs) in the outpatient setting as they work with fathers of children who are overweight and obese. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for data collection and analysis. Seven HCPs were interviewed about their experiences. Two major themes emerged from the experiences of these HCPs: "dad in the back seat" and "paternal resistance." The theme of "dad in the back seat" captured the HCPs' experiences and perceptions of parental roles and related stereotypes with respect to fathers' lack of presence in the health-care setting, family roles that relegate fathers to the back seat in dealing with this issue, and the tendency of fathers to take a passive role and defer to mothers in the management of their child's weight. "Paternal resistance" reflected the perceived tendency of the father to resist the acceptance of his child's weight as a problem and to resist change and even undermine family efforts to make healthier choices. HCPs' experiences of fathers as having a minimal role in the management of their child's overweight and obesity may lead them to neglect fathers as agents of change with regard to this important issue. Copyright © 2016 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lumbopelvic motion during seated hip flexion in subjects with low-back pain accompanying limited hip flexion.

PubMed

Kim, Si-hyun; Kwon, Oh-yun; Yi, Chung-hwi; Cynn, Heon-seock; Ha, Sung-min; Park, Kyue-nam

2014-01-01

Limited hip flexion may lead to a poor lumbopelvic motion during seated active hip flexion in people with low-back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study was to compare lumbopelvic motion during seated hip flexion between subjects with and without LBP accompanying limited hip flexion. Fifteen patients with LBP accompanying limited hip flexion and 16 healthy subjects were recruited. The subjects performed seated hip flexion with the dominant leg three times. A three-dimensional motion-analysis system was used to measure lumbopelvic motion during seated hip flexion. During seated active hip flexion, the angle of hip flexion was significantly lower in patients with LBP accompanying limited hip flexion (17.4 ± 4.4 in the LBP group, 20.8 ± 2.6 in the healthy group; t = 2.63, p = 0.014). The angle of the lumbar flexion (4.8 ± 2.2 in the LBP group, 2.6 ± 2.0 in the healthy group; t = -2.96, p = 0.006) and posterior pelvic tilting (5.0 ± 2.6 in the LBP group, 2.9 ± 2.0 in the healthy group; t = 2.48 p = 0.019), however, were significantly greater in patients with this condition. The results of this study suggest that limited hip flexion in LBP can contribute to excessive lumbar flexion and posterior pelvic tilting during hip flexion in the sitting position. Further studies are required to confirm whether improving the hip flexion range of motion can reduce excessive lumbar flexion in patients with LBP accompanying limited hip flexion.

Development of Accommodation Models for Soldiers in Vehicles: Squad

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed...unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Data from a previous study of Soldier posture and position were analyzed to develop statistical...range of seat height and seat back angle. All of the models include the effects of body armor and body borne gear. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Anthropometry

Impact Test of a NACA-Designed Pilot Seat and Harness

NASA Image and Video Library

1955-02-21

This time-lapse photograph shows the test of a pilot seat and restraint designed by researchers at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. The laboratory had undertaken a multi-year investigation into the causes and preventative measures for fires resulting from low altitude aircraft crashes. The program was expanded in the mid-1950s to include the study of crash impact on passengers, new types of types of seat restraints, and better seat designs. The impact program began by purposely wrecking surplus transport Fairchild C-82 Packet and Piper Cub aircraft into barricades at the end of a test runway. Instrumented dummies and cameras were installed in the pilot and passenger areas. After determining the different loads experienced during a crash and the effects on the passengers, the NACA researchers began designing new types of seats and restraints. The result was an elastic seat that flexed upon impact, absorbing 75 percent of the loads before it slowly recoiled. This photograph shows the seats mounted on a pendulum with a large spring behind the platform to provide the jolt that mimicked the forces of a crash. The seat was constructed without any potentially damaging metal parts and included rubber-like material, an inflated back and arms, and a seat cushion. After the pendulum tests, the researchers compared the flexible seats to the rigid seats during a crash of a transport aircraft. They found the passengers in the rigid seats received 66 percent higher g-forces than the NACA-designed seats.

NACA Researcher Sets up a Test of a New Seat Design

NASA Image and Video Library

1954-05-21

A researcher at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory prepares for a test of an NACA-designed aircraft seat. The laboratory had undertaken a multi-year investigation into the causes and prevention of fires on low altitude aircraft crashes. The program was expanded in the mid-1950s to include the study of impact on passengers, types of seat restraints, and seat design. The crash impact portion of the program began by purposely wrecking surplus Fairchild C-82 Packet and Piper Cub aircraft into barricades at the end of a test runway at the Ravenna Arsenal, located approximately 40 miles south of the Lewis lab in Cleveland. Instrumented dummies and cameras were installed in the pilot and passenger areas. After determining the different loads and their effects on the passengers, the NACA researchers began designing new types of seats and restraints. The result was an elastic seat that flexed upon impact, absorbing 75 percent of the loads before it slowly recoiled. This photograph shows the seats mounted on a pendulum with a large spring behind the platform to provide the jolt that mimicked the forces of a crash. The seat was constructed without any potentially damaging metal parts and included rubber-like material, an inflated back and arms, and a seat cushion. After the pendulum tests, the researchers compared the flexible seats to the rigid seats during a crash of a transport aircraft. They found the passengers in the rigid seats received 66 percent higher g-forces than the NACA-designed seats.

Protection of children restrained in child safety seats in side impact crashes.

PubMed

Arbogast, Kristy B; Locey, Caitlin M; Zonfrillo, Mark R; Maltese, Matthew R

2010-10-01

The performance of child restraint systems (CRS) in side impact motor vehicle crashes has been under study due to the injury and fatality burden of these events. Although previous research has quantified injury risk or described injured body regions, safety advances require an understanding of injury causation. Therefore, the objective was to delineate injury causation scenarios for CRS-restrained children in side impacts and document probable contact points in the vehicle interior. Two in-depth crash investigation databases, the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network and the Partners for Child Passenger Safety Study, were queried for rear-seated, CRS-restrained children in side impact crashes who sustained Abbreviated Injury Scale 2+ injury. These cases were reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and engineers to describe injury patterns, injury causation, and vehicle components that contributed to the injuries. Forty-one occupants (average age, 2.6 years) met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-four were near side to the crash, 7 were far side, and 10 were center seated. The most common injuries were to the skull and brain with an increasing proportion of skull fracture as age increased. Head and spine injuries without evidence of head contact were rare but present. All thoracic injuries were lung contusions and no rib fractures occurred. Near-side head and face contacts points were along the rear vertical plane of the window and the horizontal plane of the window sill. Head and face contact points for center- and far-side occupants were along the edges of the front seat back and front seat head restraint. Head injuries are the target for injury prevention for children in CRS in side impact crashes. Most of these injuries are due to the contact; for near-side occupants, contact with the CRS structure and the door interior, for far- or center-seated occupants, contact with the front seat back. These data are useful in developing both educational and technological interventions to reduce the burden of injury to these children.

Car Transfer and Wheelchair Loading Techniques in Independent Drivers with Paraplegia

PubMed Central

Haubert, Lisa Lighthall; Mulroy, Sara J.; Hatchett, Patricia E.; Eberly, Valerie J.; Maneekobkunwong, Somboon; Gronley, Joanne K.; Requejo, Philip S.

2015-01-01

Car transfers and wheelchair (WC) loading are crucial for independent community participation in persons with complete paraplegia from spinal cord injury, but are complex, physically demanding, and known to provoke shoulder pain. This study aimed to describe techniques and factors influencing car transfer and WC loading for individuals with paraplegia driving their own vehicles and using their personal WCs. Sedans were the most common vehicle driven (59%). Just over half (52%) of drivers place their right leg only into the vehicle prior to transfer. Overall, the leading hand was most frequently placed on the driver’s seat (66%) prior to transfer and the trailing hand was most often place on the WC seat (48%). Vehicle height influenced leading hand placement but not leg placement such that drivers of higher profile vehicles were more likely to place their hand on the driver’s seat than those who drove sedans. Body lift time was negatively correlated with level of injury and age and positively correlated with vehicle height and shoulder abduction strength. Drivers who transferred with their leading hand on the steering wheel had significantly higher levels of shoulder pain than those who placed their hand on the driver’s seat or overhead. The majority of participants used both hands (62%) to load their WC frame, and overall, most loaded their frame into the back (62%) vs. the front seat. Sedan drivers were more likely to load their frame into the front seat than drivers of higher profile vehicles (53 vs. 17%). Average time to load the WC frame (10.7 s) was 20% of the total WC loading time and was not related to shoulder strength, frame weight, or demographic characteristics. Those who loaded their WC frame into the back seat had significantly weaker right shoulder internal rotators. Understanding car transfers and WC loading in independent drivers is crucial to prevent shoulder pain and injury and preserve community participation. PMID:26442253

How to boost the efficiency of your railway - without expanding your network : the answers to 3 major challenges in passenger rail operations.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-01-01

Passenger rail may have taken a back seat due to : the emergence of personal transportation and : the democratization of air travel in the last few : decades, but it is now back with a vengeance. Public transportation ridership in the United States :...

STS-29 Discovery, OV-103, crew on flight deck prepares for reentry

NASA Image and Video Library

1989-03-18

STS029-24-004 (18 March 1989) --- STS-29 crewmembers, wearing launch and entry suits (LESs) and launch and entry helmets (LEHs), review checklists on Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, flight deck. Commander Michael L. Coats is seated at the forward flight deck commanders station with Mission Specialist (MS) James F. Buchli on aft flight deck strapped in mission specialist seat. OV-103 makes its return after five days in space. Note color in forward windows W1, W2, W3 caused by friction of entry through the Earth's atmosphere. Personal Egress Air Pack (PEAP) is visible on pilots seat back.

MOCR activity during Day 4 of STS-3 mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Major General J.A. Abrahamson, right, talks to JSC Director Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., (seated left) and Space Shuttle Program Manager Glynn S. Lunney on the back row of consoles in the mission operations control room (MOCR) in the Johnson Space Center mission control center. The reflection behind the men is a window for the MOCR viewing room (28772,28775); Abrahamson, second right, talks to JSC's Aaron Cohen, right, as Kraft (seated left) and Lunney listen in mission control (28773); Flight controller J.E. Connor monitors a television transmission from the Space Shuttle Columbia during day 4 of the STS-3 mission. Conner is seated at his INCO console (28774).

Postural stability of sitting women.

PubMed

Nag, Pranab K; Vyas, Heer; Nag, Anjali; Pal, Swati

2013-01-01

The study examined the utility of stabilometric dimensions and explored whether the changes in sitting postures were manifested in functional measures of postural control. Eleven women participated in the study, which used 11 chair sitting postures: arms on laps or arms right angled; armrest at a height of 17, 20 and 23 cm; with or without backrest; slouch or straight back; legs right angled at knees or crossed legs. The backrest and armrest shifted 16.3% of body weight from a seat pan. The characteristics of stabilometric dimensions evaluated the influence of seat components and sitting behaviour on postural balance. The study attempted to evaluate stability and its application in human-seat interface design.

Characterization of the frequency and muscle responses of the lumbar and thoracic spines of seated volunteers during sinusoidal whole body vibration.

PubMed

Baig, Hassam A; Dorman, Daniel B; Bulka, Ben A; Shivers, Bethany L; Chancey, Valeta C; Winkelstein, Beth A

2014-10-01

Whole body vibration has been postulated to contribute to the onset of back pain. However, little is known about the relationship between vibration exposure, the biomechanical response, and the physiological responses of the seated human. The aim of this study was to measure the frequency and corresponding muscle responses of seated male volunteers during whole body vibration exposures along the vertical and anteroposterior directions to define the transmissibility and associated muscle activation responses for relevant whole body vibration exposures. Seated human male volunteers underwent separate whole body vibration exposures in the vertical (Z-direction) and anteroposterior (X-direction) directions using sinusoidal sweeps ranging from 2 to 18 Hz, with a constant amplitude of 0.4 g. For each vibration exposure, the accelerations and displacements of the seat and lumbar and thoracic spines were recorded. In addition, muscle activity in the lumbar and thoracic spines was recorded using electromyography (EMG) and surface electrodes in the lumbar and thoracic region. Transmissibility was determined, and peak transmissibility, displacement, and muscle activity were compared in each of the lumbar and thoracic regions. The peak transmissibility for vertical vibrations occurred at 4 Hz for both the lumbar (1.55 ± 0.34) and thoracic (1.49 ± 0.21) regions. For X-directed seat vibrations, the transmissibility ratio in both spinal regions was highest at 2 Hz but never exceeded a value of 1. The peak muscle response in both spinal regions occurred at frequencies corresponding to the peak transmissibility, regardless of the direction of imposed seat vibration: 4 Hz for the Z-direction and 2-3 Hz for the X-direction. In both vibration directions, spinal displacements occurred primarily in the direction of seat vibration, with little off-axis motion. The occurrence of peak muscle responses at frequencies of peak transmissibility suggests that such frequencies may induce greater muscle activity, leading to muscle fatigue, which could be a contributing mechanism of back pain.

49 CFR 571.202 - Standard No. 202; Head restraints; Applicable at the manufacturers option until September 1, 2009.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

....2, S4.4 or S4.5 of this section. S4.2Except for school buses, a head restraint that conforms to... position. For school buses, a head restraint that conforms to either S4.2 (a) or (b) of this section must... one of the following occurs: (i) Failure of the seat or seat back; or, (ii) Application of a load of...

49 CFR 571.202 - Standard No. 202; Head restraints; Applicable at the manufacturers option until September 1, 2009.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

....2, S4.4 or S4.5 of this section. S4.2Except for school buses, a head restraint that conforms to... position. For school buses, a head restraint that conforms to either S4.2 (a) or (b) of this section must... one of the following occurs: (i) Failure of the seat or seat back; or, (ii) Application of a load of...

Pilot Fullerton in ejection escape suit (EES) on aft flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1982-03-30

STS003-31-290 (30 March 1982) --- Astronaut Gordon Fullerton, STS-3 pilot, wearing communications kit assembly (ASSY) mini-headset (HDST) and ejection escape suit (EES), holds flexible hose attached to his EES vent hose fitting and second hose for commander's EES while behind pilots ejection seat (S2) seat back on the aft flight deck. Forward flight deck control panels are visible in the background. Photo credit: NASA

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Core Strengthening Exercises in U.S. Air Force Helicopter Crewmembers with Low Back Pain

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-13

exposures is unlikely given the need for substantial design enhancements to existing aircraft (19). Consequently, non-materiel mitigations are required...concluded that the best solution is new seats that alleviate ergonomic stresses resulting from poor inflight posture and isolate crewmembers from...does not adequately address ergonomic needs and recommended that supplemental seat support aids be fast tracked for evaluation and deployment

Prevalence of Neck and Back Pain amongst Aircrew at the Extremes of Anthropometric Measurements

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-06

of these safety systems, with potential to exceed the designed upper load limits. Current ergonomics assessments use the 1988 National Health and...position in UH-60 Long goggle flights NVG weight- neck sore. Long hours in poorly designed seats ; helmet/ NVGs and hours of manipulating control...landing Long hours in poorly designed seats ; helmet/ NVGs and hours of manipulating control display units in glass cockpits Repetitive use Poor ramp

Seatbelt and seatback control for occupant protection in frontal automotive collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mott, Michael; Sun, Zhen; Rajamani, Rajesh

2013-10-01

This paper investigates the potential benefits of an imminent collision prediction system for improving occupant protection in a frontal automotive crash. Knowledge of an impending unavoidable crash is assumed to be known 100 ms before the crash occurs. A three dof human occupant model is developed using a Lagrangian approach to represent occupant translation with respect to seat, torso rotation and neck rotation. The performance of traditional elastic seat belts is compared with that of an analytically calculated seat belt law in which the force values are calculated in real-time so as to just prevent collision with car interior. Simulations verify that the analytical seat belt force calculation results in less force on occupant for the same level of safety. Furthermore, results show that knowledge of a future collision can be used to pre-tension seat belts but can provide no additional benefits, if seat belts are the only means for active occupant protection. However, if seat tilt-back can be deployed using an on-off mechanism, such predictive knowledge of a future collision can provide significantly improved occupant protection in terms of preventing occupant collision with car interior.

Whole-body Vibration Exposure Intervention among Professional Bus and Truck Drivers: A Laboratory Evaluation of Seat-suspension Designs.

PubMed

Blood, Ryan P; Yost, Michael G; Camp, Janice E; Ching, Randal P

2015-01-01

Long-term exposure to seated whole-body vibration (WBV) is one of the leading risk factors for the development of low back disorders. Professional bus and truck drivers are regularly exposed to continuous WBV, since they spend the majority of their working hours driving heavy vehicles. This study measured WBV exposures among professional bus and truck drivers and evaluated the effects of seat-suspension designs using simulated field-collected data on a vibration table. WBV exposures were measured and compared across three different seat designs: an air-ride bus seat, an air-ride truck seat, and an electromagnetically active (EM-active) seat. Air-ride seats use a compressed-air bladder to attenuate vibrations, and they have been in operation throughout the transportation industry for many years. The EM-active seat is a relatively new design that incorporates a microprocessor-controlled actuator to dampen vibration. The vibration table simulated seven WBV exposure scenarios: four segments of vertical vibration and three scenarios that used field-collected driving data on different road surfaces-a city street, a freeway, and a section of rough roadway. The field scenarios used tri-axial WBV data that had been collected at the seat pan and at the driver's sternum, in accordance with ISO 2631-1 and 2631-5. This study found that WBV was significantly greater in the vertical direction (z-axis) than in the lateral directions (x-and y-axes) for each of the three road types and each of the three types of seats. Quantitative comparisons of the results showed that the floor-to-seat-pan transmissibility was significantly lower for the EM-active seat than for either the air-ride bus seat or the air-ride truck seat, across all three road types. This study also demonstrated that seat-suspension designs have a significant effect on the vibrations transmitted to vehicle operators, and the study's results may prove useful in designing future seat suspensions.

The Influence of Environment Geometry on Injury Outcome: I. Cervical Spine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaibani, Saami J.

2006-03-01

Previous studies with some 500 patients have indicated that the forces at particular injury sites of occupants in motor-vehicle accidents cannot be simply related to parameters for the occupant or the impact.[1-2] Another factor that might play a role is assessed in this research, namely passenger compartment geometry, which in most low-severity insults involves the seating arrangement and the restraint system. Analysis of the former is achieved here by considering the heights, lengths and angles of the seat cushion and seat back. The separate effect of geometric environment on the potential for neck injury is then found from studying only those cases with isometric occupants in isokinetic impacts. Such stringent constraints require the matching of numerous data fields, thus reducing the number of suitable candidates quite significantly. However, enough cases remain from the large population available for a proper evaluation to be undertaken. 1. Effect of occupant and impact factors on forces within neck, Bull Am Phys Soc, 45, 1018 (2000). 2. within low back, Bull Am Phys Soc, 46, 1174 (2001).

Experimental study of assistant aids and new nursing method in nursing care work.

PubMed

Motegi, Nobuyuki; Matsuda, Fumiko; Takeuchi, Yuriko; Misawa, Tetsuo

2012-01-01

This study seeks to evaluate the effect of regular and new nursing methods in nursing care work. Nursing care work often causes low back pain in nursing care worker. The principle of not lifting when transferring patients has been proposed as one way to prevent low back pain. This principle incorporates the use of the patient's strength and assistant aids. A sliding seats and transfer boards have been proposed as assistant aids for the transferring patients. It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these assistant aids in preventing low back pain. Ten subjects performed two tasks in this experiment. Five were nursing experienced persons and five were the inexperienced. EMG results indicated that the new nursing method was less stressful than the methods. A questionnaire revealed that the new method was evaluated more highly than the regular method. Based on these results, we propose that a sliding seats and transfer boards be used in nursing care work.

49 CFR 571.202 - Standard No. 202; Head restraints; Applicable at the manufacturers option until September 1, 2009.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... seat back; or, (ii) Application of a load of 890N. S4.3[Reserved] S4.4.Except for school buses, a head... comply with, at the manufacturer's option, S4.2, S4.4 or S4.5 of this section. S4.2Except for school... outboard front designated seating position. For school buses, a head restraint that conforms to either S4.2...

49 CFR 571.202 - Standard No. 202; Head restraints; Applicable at the manufacturers option until September 1, 2009.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... seat back; or, (ii) Application of a load of 890N. S4.3[Reserved] S4.4.Except for school buses, a head... comply with, at the manufacturer's option, S4.2, S4.4 or S4.5 of this section. S4.2Except for school... outboard front designated seating position. For school buses, a head restraint that conforms to either S4.2...

49 CFR 571.202 - Standard No. 202; Head restraints; Applicable at the manufacturers option until September 1, 2009.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... seat back; or, (ii) Application of a load of 890N. S4.3[Reserved] S4.4.Except for school buses, a head... comply with, at the manufacturer's option, S4.2, S4.4 or S4.5 of this section. S4.2Except for school... outboard front designated seating position. For school buses, a head restraint that conforms to either S4.2...

Assessment of Crew Workload for the RAH-66 Comanche Force Development Experiment 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-01

Scale and a cockpit controls and displays usability questionnaire . Results of the assessment indicate that (a) workload was tolerable for the pilots...Workload Levels Between Front Seat and Back Seat 13 3.4 Pilot Responses to Controls and Displays Usability Questionnaire 13 3.5 HMD Symbology 13 4... questionnaire . The data were analyzed to determine if the pilot flying the aircraft (pilot on controls) and the pilot operating the mission equipment

Do users desire symmetrical lumbar supports in task seating?

PubMed

Fredericks, Tycho K; Butt, Steven E; Kumar, Anil R; Bellingar, Teresa

2016-07-01

This research was designed to objectively investigate the desired low back (lumbar) support in a task chair; specifically by allowing a user to self-select the magnitude and location of support. An experimental chair built specifically for this study allowed the users to remotely adjust 35 diodes to achieve their desired level of support. Pressure mapping was used to measure the interface pressure at the user-seat back interface. It was determined that 73.8% of the 201 participants in this study, self-selected asymmetrical lower back support that was at least 20% greater on one side vs. the other. Additionally, 16.9% of the participants self-selected support on one side which was at least twice that of the other side. Contrary to popular practice, participants were found to prefer asymmetric support in the lower back region. It is anticipated that the culmination of this research will aid chair manufacturers in designing adaptable back rests. Practitioner Summary: Most current lumbar supports are designed to move vertically and to symmetrically increase or decrease in firmness as per a user's adjustment. This investigation highlights that participants tended to select asymmetrical lumbar support, and as such, designers should consider providing lumbar supports that provide the desired support at appropriate locations.

A dynamic seating intervention for wheelchair seating discomfort.

PubMed

Crane, Barbara A; Holm, Margo B; Hobson, Douglas; Cooper, Rory A; Reed, Matthew P

2007-12-01

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new user-adjustable wheelchair seating system designed to relieve discomfort for long-duration wheelchair users. This objective was carried out using the newly developed Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) as the primary outcome measure. Two wheelchair users each tested two different designs and feedback from the wheelchair users regarding the first design was used to guide development of the second design. A single-subject research methodology was used, allowing long-duration (up to 2 wks per test) evaluation of the wheelchair seating systems and comparison of subject discomfort levels with those experienced during a baseline period using their own wheelchairs. The experimental wheelchair seating systems employed existing automotive seating with embedded pneumatic bladders that allowed adjustment of the seat and back-support characteristics. The test wheelchair also had tilt, recline, and elevating leg rests. The two subjects completed limited periods of testing with the first design, both finding poor results with either stable or increased levels of discomfort. Subject feedback was used to redesign the wheelchair seat. After redesign, both subjects tested the second design and found it substantially more comfortable. The selected research methodology was a very positive method for a progressive wheelchair seating design and the second design provided improved comfort for both users when compared with that experienced using their own wheelchairs and the first test wheelchair. Future research of this type of user-controlled technology is recommended.

Kinematics and Shoulder Belt Position of Child Rear Seat Passengers during Vehicle Maneuvers

PubMed Central

Bohman, Katarina; Stockman, Isabelle; Jakobsson, Lotta; Osvalder, Anna-Lisa; Bostrom, Ola; Arbogast, Kristy B.

2011-01-01

Head impact to the seat back has been identified as one important injury causation scenario for seat belt restrained, head-injured children and previous research highlighted vehicle maneuvers prior to impact as possible contributing factors. The aim was to quantify kinematics of child occupants during swerving maneuvers focusing on the child’s lateral movement and seat belt position relative to the child’s shoulder. A study was conducted on a closed-circuit test track with 16 children aged 4–12, restrained in the rear seat of a modern passenger vehicle. A professional driving instructor drove at 50 km/h making sharp turns in a repeatable fashion, resulting in inboard motion of the children. The children were exposed to two turns in each of two restraint systems. Shorter children were on a booster or highback booster cushion. The taller children were seated on a booster cushion or with only a lap and shoulder seat belt. Four film cameras were fixed in the vehicle monitoring the child. Vehicle data were also collected. The seat belt slipped off the shoulder in 1 of 5 turns, varying by age and restraint type. Among shorter children, the belt slipped off in a majority of turns when seated on a booster cushion while the belt remained on the shoulder when seated on the highback booster cushion. Among taller children, the shoulder belt moved far laterally on the shoulder in half of the turns. This data provides valuable knowledge on possible pre-impact postures of children as a result of vehicle swerving maneuvers for a variety of restraint systems. PMID:22105379

STS-29 Pilot Blaha displays photograph of crewmembers' wives on flight deck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Sitting in forward flight deck pilots seat and wearing t-shirt and shorts, STS-29 Pilot John E. Blaha displays group portrait of crewmembers' wives. The signed photograph was found by crewmembers upon thier ingressing Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, on launch day. Surrounding Blaha are pilots station controls, forward windows W4, W5, W6, checklists, tethered pencils, and pilots seat back with orange parachute harness. Communications kit assembly freefloats below his left forearm.

Commercial-off-the-Shelf Vehicles for Towed Array Magnetometry

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

dump bed on the back, has upright seating for two adults, has the seats oriented side-by-side, and has a steering wheel and brake and accelerator... pedals like a car. By way of example, a ubiquitous side-by-side UTV is the John Deere Gator. The objective of this project was to test a number of...different angle , and one set of biases will not be able to take out all of the streaks. This raises the second issue. Because the bidirectional

Effectiveness of a Seat Pad in Reducing Back Pain in Long-Distance Drivers Deployed to Kuwait, October 2008-May 2009

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

Bovenzi and Hulshof , 199970 ) Summary Prevalence Odds Summary Incidence I Disorder Studies (n) Ratio (Vibration Exposed! Density Ratio (Vibration...Ratios for Low Back Pain among Tractor Drivers as a Function of Whole Body Vibration Exposure (Bovenzi and Hulshof 19997°) (c) The most recent...Tiemessen I.J.H., Hulshof C.T.l, and Frings-Dresen M.H.W. 2008. Low back pain in drivers exposed to whole body vibration: analysis of a dose-response

Maintaining Healthy Skin -- Part 2

MedlinePlus

... over your knees, reclining the seat of your electric wheelchair or having someone tilt you back in ... without protecting your skin. When riding in a car, keep your feet away from the heat outlet ...

Healthy Environments for Children

MedlinePlus

... LIVE IN OVER- POPULATED AREAS... ...WITHOUT WATER, WITHOUT ELECTRICITY, WITHOUT SANITATION AND WITHOUT ADEQUATE FOOD! THAT’S WHEN ... EVERYONE WEARS A HELMET WHEN BIKING. IN THE CAR, CHILDREN SHOULD SIT IN THE BACK SEAT AND ...

Patterns of severe injury in pediatric car crash victims: Crash Injury Research Engineering Network database.

PubMed

Brown, J Kristine; Jing, Yuezhou; Wang, Stewart; Ehrlich, Peter F

2006-02-01

Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) account for 50% of pediatric trauma. Safety improvements are typically tested with child crash dummies using an in vitro model. The Crash Injury Research Engineering Network (CIREN) provides an in vivo validation process. Previous research suggest that children in lateral crashes or front-seat locations have higher Injury Severity Scale scores and lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores than those in frontal-impact crashes. However, specific injury patterns and crash characteristics have not been characterized. Data were collected from the CIREN multidisciplinary crash reconstruction network (10 pediatric trauma centers). Injuries were examined with regard to crash direction (frontal/lateral), restraint use, seat location, and change in velocity at impact (DeltaV). Injuries were limited to Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores of 3 or higher and included head, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, spine, and long bone (orthopedic) injuries. Standard age groupings (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-18 years) were used. Statistical analyses used Fisher's Exact test and multiple logistic regressions. Four hundred seventeen MVCs with 2500 injuries were analyzed (males = 219, females = 198). Controlling for DeltaV and age, children in lateral-impact crashes (n = 232) were significantly more likely to suffer severe injuries to the head and thorax as compared with children in frontal crashes (n = 185), who were more likely to suffer severe spine and orthopedic injuries. Children in a front-seat (n = 236) vs those in a back-seat (n = 169) position had more injuries to the thoracic (27% vs 17%), abdominal (21% vs 13%), pelvic (11% vs 1%), and orthopedic (28% vs 10%) regions (P < .05 for all). Seat belts were protective for pelvic (5% vs 12% unbelted) and orthopedic (15% vs 40%) injuries (odds ratio = 3, P < .01 for both). A reproducible pattern of injury is noted for children involved in lateral-impact crashes characterized by head and chest injuries. The Injury Severity Scale scores were higher for children in front-seat positions. Increased lateral-impact safety measures such as mandatory side curtain airbags may decrease morbidity. Furthermore, continued public education for positioning children in the back seat of cars is warranted.

Whole-body vibration and ergonomic study of US railroad locomotives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johanning, Eckardt; Landsbergis, Paul; Fischer, Siegfried; Christ, Eberhard; Göres, Benno; Luhrman, Raymond

2006-12-01

US locomotive operators have exposure to multi-axis whole-body vibration (WBV) and shocks while seated. This study assessed operator-related and ergonomic seating design factors that may have confounding or mitigating influence on WBV exposure and its effects. Vibration exposure was measured according to international guidelines (ISO 2631-1; 1997); ergonomic work place factors and vibration effects were studied with a cross-sectional survey instrument distributed to a randomly selected group of railroad engineers ( n=2546) and a control group; and during vehicle inspections. The survey response rate was 47% for the RR engineers ( n=1195) and 41% for the controls ( n=323). Results of the mean basic vibration measurements were for the x, y, z-direction and vector sum 0.14, 0.22, 0.28 and 0.49 m/s 2 respectively; almost all crest factors (CF), MTVV and VDV values were above the critical ratios given in ISO 2631-1. The prevalence of serious neck and lower back disorders among locomotive engineers was found to be nearly double that of the sedentary control group without such exposure. Railroad engineers rated their seats mostly unacceptable regarding different adjustment and comfort aspects (3.02-3.51; scale 1=excellent to 4=unacceptable), while the control group rated their chairs more favorably (1.96-3.44). Existing cab and seat design in locomotives can result in prolonged forced awkward spinal posture of the operator combined with WBV exposure. In a logistic regression analysis, time at work being bothered by vibration (h/day) was significantly associated with an increased risk of low back pain, shoulder and neck pain, and sciatic pain among railroad engineers. Customized vibration attenuation seats and improved cab design of the locomotive controls should be further investigated.

A study of cervical spine kinematics and joint capsule strain in rear impacts using a human FE model.

PubMed

Kitagawa, Yuichi; Yasuki, Tsuyoshi; Hasegawa, Junji

2006-11-01

Many efforts have been made to understand the mechanism of whiplash injury. Recently, the cervical facet joint capsules have been focused on as a potential site of injury. An experimental approach has been taken to analyze the vertebral motion and to estimate joint capsule stretch that was thought to be a potential cause of pain. The purpose of this study is to analyze the kinematics of the cervical facet joint using a human FE model in order to better understand the injury mechanism. The Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) was used to visually analyze the local and global kinematics of the spine. Soft tissues in the neck were newly modeled and introduced into THUMS for estimating the loading level in rear impacts. The model was first validated against human test data in the literature by comparing vertebrae motion as well as head and neck responses. Joint capsule strain was estimated from a maximum principal strain output from the elements representing the capsule tissues. A rear-end collision was then simulated using THUMS and a prototype seat model, assuming a delta-V of 25 km/h. The trajectory of the vertebrae was analyzed in a local coordinate system defined along the joint surface. Strain growth in the joint capsules was explained, as related to contact events between the occupant and the seat. A new seat concept was proposed to help lessen the loading level to the neck soft tissues. The foam material of the seat back was softened, the initial gap behind the head was reduced and the head restraint was stiffened for firm support. The lower seat back frame was also reinforced to withstand the impact severity at the given delta-V. Another rear impact simulation was conducted using the new seat concept model to examine the effectiveness of the new concept. The joint capsule strain was found to be relatively lower with the new seat concept. The study also discusses the influence of seat parameters to the vertebral motion and the resultant strain in the joint capsules. The meaning of the contact timing of the head to the head restraint was examined based on the results in terms of correlation with injury indicators such as NIC and the joint capsule strain.

Reduced energy and volume air pump for a seat cushion

DOEpatents

Vaughn, M.R.; Constantineau, E.J.; Groves, G.E.

1997-08-19

An efficient pump system is described for transferring air between sets of bladders in a cushion. The pump system utilizes a reversible piston within a cylinder in conjunction with an equalizing valve in the piston which opens when the piston reaches the end of travel in one direction. The weight of a seated user then forces air back across the piston from an inflated bladder to the previously deflated bladder until the pressure is equalized. In this fashion the work done by the pump is cut in half. The inflation and deflation of the different bladders is controlled to vary the pressure on the several pressure points of a seated user. A principal application is for wheel chair use to prevent pressure ulcers. 12 figs.

Reduced energy and volume air pump for a seat cushion

DOEpatents

Vaughn, Mark R.; Constantineau, Edward J.; Groves, Gordon E.

1997-01-01

An efficient pump system for transferring air between sets of bladders in a cushion. The pump system utilizes a reversible piston within a cylinder in conjunction with an equalizing valve in the piston which opens when the piston reaches the end of travel in one direction. The weight of a seated user then forces air back across the piston from an inflated bladder to the previously deflated bladder until the pressure is equalized. In this fashion the work done by the pump is cut in half. The inflation and deflation of the different bladders is controlled to vary the pressure on the several pressure points of a seated user. A principal application is for wheel chair use to prevent pressure ulcers.

Characterization of extremely low frequency magnetic fields from diesel, gasoline and hybrid cars under controlled conditions.

PubMed

Hareuveny, Ronen; Sudan, Madhuri; Halgamuge, Malka N; Yaffe, Yoav; Tzabari, Yuval; Namir, Daniel; Kheifets, Leeka

2015-01-30

This study characterizes extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field (MF) levels in 10 car models. Extensive measurements were conducted in three diesel, four gasoline, and three hybrid cars, under similar controlled conditions and negligible background fields. Averaged over all four seats under various driving scenarios the fields were lowest in diesel cars (0.02 μT), higher for gasoline (0.04-0.05 μT) and highest in hybrids (0.06-0.09 μT), but all were in-line with daily exposures from other sources. Hybrid cars had the highest mean and 95th percentile MF levels, and an especially large percentage of measurements above 0.2 μT. These parameters were also higher for moving conditions compared to standing while idling or revving at 2500 RPM and higher still at 80 km/h compared to 40 km/h. Fields in non-hybrid cars were higher at the front seats, while in hybrid cars they were higher at the back seats, particularly the back right seat where 16%-69% of measurements were greater than 0.2 μT. As our results do not include low frequency fields (below 30 Hz) that might be generated by tire rotation, we suggest that net currents flowing through the cars' metallic chassis may be a possible source of MF. Larger surveys in standardized and well-described settings should be conducted with different types of vehicles and with spectral analysis of fields including lower frequencies due to magnetization of tires.

Measurement and modelling of x-direction apparent mass of the seated human body-cushioned seat system.

PubMed

Stein, George Juraj; Múcka, Peter; Chmúrny, Rudolf; Hinz, Barbara; Blüthner, Ralph

2007-01-01

For modelling purposes and for evaluation of driver's seat performance in the vertical direction various mechano-mathematical models of the seated human body have been developed and standardized by the ISO. No such models exist hitherto for human body sitting in an upright position in a cushioned seat upper part, used in industrial environment, where the fore-and-aft vibrations play an important role. The interaction with the steering wheel has to be taken into consideration, as well as, the position of the human body upper torso with respect to the cushioned seat back as observed in real driving conditions. This complex problem has to be simplified first to arrive at manageable simpler models, which still reflect the main problem features. In a laboratory study accelerations and forces in x-direction were measured at the seat base during whole-body vibration in the fore-and-aft direction (random signal in the frequency range between 0.3 and 30 Hz, vibration magnitudes 0.28, 0.96, and 2.03 ms(-2) unweighted rms). Thirteen male subjects with body masses between 62.2 and 103.6 kg were chosen for the tests. They sat on a cushioned driver seat with hands on a support and backrest contact in the lumbar region only. Based on these laboratory measurements a linear model of the system-seated human body and cushioned seat in the fore-and-aft direction has been developed. The model accounts for the reaction from the steering wheel. Model parameters have been identified for each subject-measured apparent mass values (modulus and phase). The developed model structure and the averaged parameters can be used for further bio-dynamical research in this field.

Exposure to whole-body vibration and seat transmissibility in a large sample of earth scrapers.

PubMed

Salmoni, Alan; Cann, Adam; Gillin, Kent

2010-01-01

It is often difficult to access a large sample of vehicles in various work environments to evaluate worker exposure to vibration such as in construction and mining. Thus the main purpose of the present research was to test vibration exposure in a relatively large number of earth scrapers. The second aim was to assess vibration exposure values on seat transmissibility. 33earth scrapers were assessed for both exposure to whole-body vibration and seat transmissibility. Two triaxial accelerometers, one placed on the seat and one on the floor directly below the seat, were used to gather whole-body vibration values (a(w)). Each machine was tested for a minimum of three complete work cycles: idling, scraping, travelling full, dumping, travelling empty back to the scrape site. Results showed that idling and scraping produced low levels of vibration when compared to travelling and dumping. Second, when the a(w) values were compared to the EU safety standards for an eight hour work day, the data (z axis) exceeded the exposure action value (0.5 m/s2) in all machines, and the exposure limit value (1.15 m/s2) in some. Implications; Operators of the scrapers were being exposed to unsafe levels of whole-body vibration. When the seats were assessed to see whether they were attenuating operator exposure to vibration, many of the seat effective amplitude transmissibility (SEAT) values exceeded 1.0. This meant that some of the seats were actually amplifying the vibration present at the floor, particularly in the y axis. Travelways should be kept smooth, operating speeds reduced, and new seats, effective in all three axes, designed.

Design Control Systems of Human Machine Interface in the NTVS-2894 Seat Grinder Machine to Increase the Productivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ardi, S.; Ardyansyah, D.

2018-02-01

In the Manufacturing of automotive spare parts, increased sales of vehicles is resulted in increased demand for production of engine valve of the customer. To meet customer demand, we carry out improvement and overhaul of the NTVS-2894 seat grinder machine on a machining line. NTVS-2894 seat grinder machine has been decreased machine productivity, the amount of trouble, and the amount of downtime. To overcome these problems on overhaul the NTVS-2984 seat grinder machine include mechanical and programs, is to do the design and manufacture of HMI (Human Machine Interface) GP-4501T program. Because of the time prior to the overhaul, NTVS-2894 seat grinder machine does not have a backup HMI (Human Machine Interface) program. The goal of the design and manufacture in this program is to improve the achievement of production, and allows an operator to operate beside it easier to troubleshoot the NTVS-2894 seat grinder machine thereby reducing downtime on the NTVS-2894 seat grinder machine. The results after the design are HMI program successfully made it back, machine productivity increased by 34.8%, the amount of trouble, and downtime decreased 40% decrease from 3,160 minutes to 1,700 minutes. The implication of our design, it could facilitate the operator in operating machine and the technician easer to maintain and do the troubleshooting the machine problems.

Leah Robson, Bridgette Puljiz and Zachary Johnson(back to camera) in the flight deck of NASA's 747 shuttle carrier during Take Your Children to Work Day

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-06-22

Leah Robson and Bridgette Puljiz of Tehachapi (seated) and Zachary Johnson of Palmdale (back to camera) look over the maze of dials and switches in the flight deck of NASA's modified Boeing 747 space shuttle carrier aircraft during Take Your Children to Work Day June 22 at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

An Investigation of the Five Point Restraint System for Aviators

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

Crotch strap loo - .Lneb mdc? plate 11. puate noste on belt 07" Al -2" go ditreace in feel the promest Crotch strop Is posit io ls" AV 11* |lodiag a...upper pelvic bone and scapula bones could be used as the aft protuberances. But when the individuals were seated in the AAH seat, portion, of the...inajor trapeziuH muscle on either side of the backbone pro- ruded farther ali than the scapula bones. The back cushion molded the r Aircraft crash surv

Safety and interaction of patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators driving a hybrid vehicle.

PubMed

Tondato, Fernando; Bazzell, Jane; Schwartz, Linda; Mc Donald, Bruce W; Fisher, Robert; Anderson, S Shawn; Galindo, Arcenio; Dueck, Amylou C; Scott, Luis R

2017-01-15

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can affect the function of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have increased popularity and are a potential source of EMI. Little is known about the in vivo effects of EMI generated by HEV on ICD. This study evaluated the in vivo interaction between EMI generated by HEV with ICD. Thirty patients (73±9 y/o; 80% male) with stable ICD function were exposed to EMI generated by a Toyota Prius Hybrid®. The vehicle was lifted above the ground, allowing safe changes in engine rotation and consequent variations in electromagnetic emission. EMI was measured (NARDA STS® model EHP-50C) and expressed in A/m (magnetic), Volts/m (electrical), and Hertz (frequency). Six positions were evaluated: driver, front passenger, right and left back seats, outside, at the back and front of the car. Each position was evaluated at idle, 30 mph, 60 mph and variable speeds (acceleration-deceleration-brake). All ICD devices were continuously monitored during the study. The levels of EMI generated were low (highest mean levels: 2.09A/m at right back seat at 30 mph; and 3.5V/m at driver seat at variable speeds). No episode of oversensing or inadvertent change in ICD programming was observed. It is safe for patients with ICD to interact with HEV. This is the first study to address this issue using an in vivo model. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the interaction of different models of HEV or electric engine with ICD or unipolar pacemakers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields from Diesel, Gasoline and Hybrid Cars under Controlled Conditions

PubMed Central

Hareuveny, Ronen; Sudan, Madhuri; Halgamuge, Malka N.; Yaffe, Yoav; Tzabari, Yuval; Namir, Daniel; Kheifets, Leeka

2015-01-01

This study characterizes extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field (MF) levels in 10 car models. Extensive measurements were conducted in three diesel, four gasoline, and three hybrid cars, under similar controlled conditions and negligible background fields. Averaged over all four seats under various driving scenarios the fields were lowest in diesel cars (0.02 μT), higher for gasoline (0.04–0.05 μT) and highest in hybrids (0.06–0.09 μT), but all were in-line with daily exposures from other sources. Hybrid cars had the highest mean and 95th percentile MF levels, and an especially large percentage of measurements above 0.2 μT. These parameters were also higher for moving conditions compared to standing while idling or revving at 2500 RPM and higher still at 80 km/h compared to 40 km/h. Fields in non-hybrid cars were higher at the front seats, while in hybrid cars they were higher at the back seats, particularly the back right seat where 16%–69% of measurements were greater than 0.2 μT. As our results do not include low frequency fields (below 30 Hz) that might be generated by tire rotation, we suggest that net currents flowing through the cars’ metallic chassis may be a possible source of MF. Larger surveys in standardized and well-described settings should be conducted with different types of vehicles and with spectral analysis of fields including lower frequencies due to magnetization of tires. PMID:25647323

Does Using a Chair Backrest or Reducing Seated Hip Flexion Influence Trunk Muscle Activity and Discomfort? A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Curran, Máire; O'Sullivan, Leonard; O'Sullivan, Peter; Dankaerts, Wim; O'Sullivan, Kieran

2015-11-01

This paper systematically reviews the effect of chair backrests and reducing seated hip flexion on low back discomfort (LBD) and trunk muscle activation. Prolonged sitting commonly exacerbates low back pain (LBP). Several modifications to seated posture and chair design have been recommended, including using chairs with backrests and chairs that reduce hip flexion. Electronic databases were searched by two independent assessors. Part 1 of this review includes 26 studies comparing the effect of sitting with at least two different hip angles. In Part 2, seven studies that compared the effect of sitting with and without a backrest were eligible. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Significant confounding variables and a relatively small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving people with LBP complicates analysis of the results. There was moderate evidence that chair backrests reduce paraspinal muscle activation, and limited evidence that chair backrests reduce LBD. There was no evidence that chairs involving less hip flexion reduce LBP or LBD, or consistently alter trunk muscle activation. However, participants in several studies subjectively preferred the modified chairs involving less hip flexion. The limited evidence to support the use of chairs involving less seated hip flexion, or the effect of a backrest, is consistent with the limited evidence that other isolated chair design features can reduce LBP. LBP management is likely to require consideration of several factors in addition to sitting position. Larger RCTs involving people with LBP are required. © 2015, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

A controlled evaluation of the WHO Safe Communities model approach to injury prevention: increasing child restraint use in motor vehicles.

PubMed

Istre, Gregory R; Stowe, Martha; McCoy, Mary A; Moore, Billy J; Culica, Dan; Womack, Katie N; Anderson, Ron J

2011-02-01

To measure the effect of the WHO Safe Communities model approach to increasing child restraint use in motor vehicles. Pre- and post-intervention observations of restraint use in motor vehicles in several sites in the target area, and in a comparison area community. Community; southeast Dallas, Texas, 2003-2005. A multifaceted approach to increasing use of child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts that included efforts in schools, day care centres, neighbourhoods and a local public clinic, along with child safety seat classes and a low-cost distribution programme. Prevalence of restraint use among children 0-8 years old riding in motor vehicles. In the target area, the adjusted child restraint use increased by 23.9 percentage points versus 11.8 in the comparison area (difference 12.1; 95% CI 9.9 to 14.3), and adjusted driver seat belt use increased by 16.3 percentage points in the target area versus 4.9 in the comparison area (difference 11.4; 95% CI 11.0 to 11.7). Multivariable multilevel analysis showed that the increase in the target area was significantly greater than in the comparison area for child restraint use (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2), as well as for driver seat belt use and proportion of children riding in the back seat. The Safe Communities approach was successful in promoting the use of child restraints in motor vehicles through a multifaceted intervention that included efforts in various community settings, instructional classes and child safety seat distribution.

Compatibility of booster seats and vehicles in the U.S. market.

PubMed

Bing, Julie A; Agnew, Amanda M; Bolte, John H

2018-05-19

The objective of this study was to analyze booster and rear vehicle seat dimensions to identify the most frequent compatibility problems. Measurements were collected from 40 high-back and backless boosters and 95 left rear and center rear row seating positions in 50 modern vehicles. Dimensions were compared for 3,800 booster/vehicle seat combinations. For validation and estimation of tolerance and correction factors, 72 booster installations were physically completed and compared with measurement-based compatibility predictions. Dimensions were also compared to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) volumetric envelopes of forward-facing child restraints and boosters. Seat belt buckles in outboard positions accommodated the width of boosters better than center positions (success rates of 85.4 and 34.7%, respectively). Adequate head restraint clearance occurred in 71.9 to 77.2% of combinations, depending on the booster's head support setting. Booster recline angles aligned properly with vehicle seat cushion angles in 71.5% of combinations. In cases of poor angle alignment, booster angles were more obtuse than the vehicle seat angles 97.7% of the time. Head restraint interference exacerbated angle alignment issues. Data indicate success rates above 90% for boosters being fully supported by the length of the seat cushion and for adequate height clearance with the vehicle roofline. Comparison to ISO envelopes indicates that most boosters on the U.S. market are taller and angled more obtusely than ISO target envelopes. This study quantifies some of the common interferences between boosters and vehicles that may complicate booster usage. Data are useful for design and to prioritize specific problem areas.

Work stress of women in sewing machine operation.

PubMed

Nag, A; Desai, H; Nag, P K

1992-06-01

The study examined the work stresses of 107 women who were engaged in sewing machine operation in small garment manufacturing units. Of the three types of sewing machines (motor-operated, full and half shuttle foot-operated), 74% of the machines were foot-operated, where throttle action of the lower limb is required to move the shuttle of the machine. The motor-operated machines were faster than the foot-operated machines. The short cycle sewing work involves repetitive action of hand and feet. The women had to maintain a constant seated position on a stool without backrest and the body inclined forward. Long-term sewing work had a cumulative load on the musculo-skeletal structures, including the vertebral column and reflected in the form of high prevalence of discomfort and pain in different body parts. About 68% of the women complained of back pain, among whom 35% reported a persistent low back pain. Common sewing work accident is piercing of the needle through the fingers, particularly the right forefingers. Unsatisfactory man-machine incompatibility, work posture and fatigue, improper coordination of eye, leg and hand are the major problems of the operators. The design mis-match of the work place may be significantly improved by taking women's anthropometric dimensions in modifying the workplace, i.e. the seat surface, seat height, work height, backrest, etc.

Pilot Fullerton sleeps on aft flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1982-03-30

STS003-22-113 (24 March 1982) --- Astronaut Gordon Fullerton, STS-3 pilot, wearing communication kit assembly mini-headset (HDST), sleeps on aft flight deck resting his back against the floor and his feet against commander's ejection seat (S1) back. On-orbit station control panel A8 and payload station panel L15 appear above Fullerton. Special clips for holding notebooks open and beverage containers are velcroed on various panels. Photo credit: NASA

Potential method for relieving fatigue in radiologists

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krupinski, Elizabeth A.

2013-03-01

Radiologists moved to an environment in which they read digital images off of computer displays instead of film images off of light boxes. With film and light boxes they typically would read for about an hour (seated) and then take a break while the film librarian changed the images on the view box. With digital viewing off computers they tend to sit all day in front of the computers with far fewer breaks and opportunity to stand up and move around than with film. There is concern that this lack of activity not only contributes to back, shoulder and neck discomfort, but also contributes to increased fatigue which has been shown to impact reader performance. The goal of this study was to determine if there are differences in physiologic vital signs (heart rate and blood pressure) of radiologists as a function of whether they read images while seated or while standing up. Five subjects had their blood pressure and heart rate measured while seated and while standing reading cases in the normal clinical setting. For all three measures there was a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) difference between seated and standing measures with seated being lower than standing. The higher heart rate and blood pressure with standing suggests that the radiologists are more active in this position and thus potentially more attentive than while seated. This study will be followed up to determine impact on diagnostic performance of standing vs seated as well as subjective ratings of wakefulness and mood.

Breaking up workplace sitting time with intermittent standing bouts improves fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort in overweight/obese office workers.

PubMed

Thorp, Alicia A; Kingwell, Bronwyn A; Owen, Neville; Dunstan, David W

2014-11-01

To examine whether the introduction of intermittent standing bouts during the workday using a height-adjustable workstation can improve subjective levels of fatigue, musculoskeletal discomfort and work productivity relative to seated work. Overweight/obese office workers (n=23; age 48.2±7.9 years, body mass index 29.6±4 kg/m(2)) undertook two, 5-day experimental conditions in an equal, randomised (1:1) order. In a simulated office environment, participants performed their usual occupational tasks for 8 h/day in a: seated work posture (SIT condition); or interchanging between a standing and seated work posture every 30 min using an electric, height-adjustable workstation (STAND-SIT condition). Self-administered questionnaires measuring fatigue, musculoskeletal discomfort and work productivity were performed on day 5 of each experimental condition. Participants' total fatigue score was significantly higher during the SIT condition (mean 67.8 (95% CI 58.8 to 76.7)) compared with the STAND-SIT condition (52.7 (43.8 to 61.5); p<0.001). Lower back musculoskeletal discomfort was significantly reduced during the STAND-SIT condition compared with the SIT condition (31.8% reduction; p=0.03). Despite concentration/focus being significantly higher during the SIT condition (p=0.006), there was a trend towards improved overall work productivity in favour of the STAND-SIT condition (p=0.053). Transitioning from a seated to a standing work posture every 30 min across the workday, relative to seated work, led to a significant reduction in fatigue levels and lower back discomfort in overweight/obese office workers, while maintaining work productivity. Future investigations should be directed at understanding whether sustained use of height-adjustable workstations promote concentration and productivity at work. ACTRN12611000632998. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Tilting table for ergometer and for other biomedical devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gause, R. L.; Spier, R. A. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

The apparatus is for testing the human body in a variety of positions, ranging from the vertical to the supine, while exercising on an ergometer; and can also be used for angular positioning of other biomedical devices. It includes a floor plate and a hinged plate upon which to fix the ergometer, a back rest and a head rest attached at right angles to said hinged plate and behind the seat of the ergometer, dual hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the hinged plate through 90 deg by means of a self contained hydraulic system, with valve means for control and positive stops on the apparatus to prevent over travel. Tests can be made with the subject positioned on the seat of the ergometer, through the various angles, with a substantially normal body attitude relative to the seat and ergometer.

Myoelectric Response of Back Muscles to Vertical Random Whole-Body Vibration with Different Magnitudes at Different Postures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

BLÜTHNER, R.; SEIDEL, H.; HINZ, B.

2002-05-01

Back muscle forces contribute essentially to the whole-body vibration-induced spinal load. The electromyogram (EMG) can help to estimate these forces during whole-body vibration (WBV). Thirty-eight subjects were exposed to identical random low-frequency WBV (0·7, 1·0 and 1·4 m/s-2 r.m.s. weighted acceleration) at a relaxed, erect and bent forward postures. The acceleration of the seat and the force between the seat and the buttocks were measured. Six EMGs were derived from the right side of the m. trapezius pars descendens, m. ileocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, m. ileocostalis lumborum pars lumborum; m. longissimus thoracis pars thoracis, m. longissimus thoracis pars lumborum, and lumbar multifidus muscle. All data were filtered for anti-aliasing and sampled with 1000 Hz. Artefacts caused by the ECG in the EMG were identified and eliminated in the time domain using wavelets. The individually rectified and normalized EMGs were averaged across subjects. The EMGs without WBV exhibited characteristic patterns for the three postures examined. The coherence and transfer functions indicated characteristic myoelectric responses to random WBV with several effects of posture and WBV magnitude. A comprehensive set of transfer functions from the seat acceleration or the mean normalized input force to the mean processed EMG was presented.The results can be used for the development of more sophisticated models with a separate control of various back muscle groups. However, the EMG-force relationship under dynamic conditions needs to be examined in more detail before the results can be implemented. Since different reflex mechanisms depending on the frequency of WBV are linked with different types of active muscle fibres, various time delays between the EMG and muscle force may be necessary.

Descriptive analysis of combine cabin vibrations and their effect on the human body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hostens, I.; Ramon, H.

2003-09-01

All on- and off-road vehicles are exposed to vibrations caused by unevenness of road or soil profile, moving elements within the machine or implements. A higher prevalence of low back pain is found in drivers of off-road machinery than in other drivers. In this study, significantly higher levels of low-frequency vibrations are found in the cabin of a combine, driving at high speed (20 km/h) on a concrete surface, compared to driving slower on field road. Comfort values indicate that injury can result from long-term driving on the field as well as on a concrete road. As seats with suspension systems are the main transmission paths of vibration towards the spine of the driver, their vibration attenuating characteristics play an important role in comfort assessment. The resonant frequency of seats with passive suspension system, used in agricultural machinery, lies in the low-frequency range most excited in agricultural machinery. A seat with air suspension is found to attenuate better frequencies above 4 Hz and provide more comfort to the driver than a seat with a mechanical suspension.

The Seat of Insect Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyer, Fred C.

1997-01-01

Describes the role of mushroom bodies--cup-shaped structures perched atop the brain of an insect--in learning. Mushroom bodies may help fruit flies in learning meaningful odors, cockroaches in spatial learning, and honeybees both in locating pollen and nectar and in navigating back to the colony. (PVD)

High mobility work station restraint support

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schermerhorn, R. S.

1971-01-01

Chair holds man in semistanding posture enabling astronauts to work comfortably with minimum restriction in weightless environment. Seat, angled at 130 deg to back support, twists and swivels up to 20 deg in all directions but forward. Two flexible thigh clips prevent occupant from slipping off.

Improved underpants to reduce toileting problems in patients with poor standing balance.

PubMed

Koike, Yuji; Koeda, Shuhei; Sumigawa, Koshi; Tsushima, Hitoshi

2015-03-01

[Purpose] We developed and assessed improved underpants allowing patients to easily and completely open the crotch by pulling upward a string on the back of the underpants while seated. [Subjects and Methods] Healthy subjects tested commercial open-crotch underpants for disabled people and our improved open-crotch underpants by opening the crotch while seated. Measurement parameters included the percentage of crotch opening and the degree of genital or anal exposure before and after opening the crotch, as well as fit. The percentage of crotch opening and the degree of genital or anal exposure were recorded with a digital camera, and fit was determined with a visual analog scale. The measurements for both types of underpants were then compared. [Results] The commercial underpants for disabled people allowed opening of the crotch while seated, but the exposure of the genital and anal areas was insufficient to allow waste elimination. The improved underpants allowed sufficient opening of the crotch while seated and adequately exposed the genital and anal areas. The fit score of the improved underpants was significantly better than that of the commercial underpants. [Conclusion] The improved open-crotch underpants may allow for more effective opening of the crotch while seated than commercial open-crotch underpants for disabled people.

Army Physical Readiness Training

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

The lower leg pad is adjusted to contact the lower legs just above the ankle , allowing the lower leg to be fully extended, but not locked. The lower...contacts the lower legs just behind the ankles .  The hips, low back, shoulders, and head are firmly against the seat back.  Maintain a natural arch in...count 1 and inhale on count 2. Precautions: Avoid flexing or extending the trunk. Do not allow the ankles to turn in or out. C hapter 6 6-40 T C 3

Dynamics Control Approaches to Improve Vibratory Environment of the Helicopter Aircrew

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wickramasinghe, Viresh Kanchana

Although helicopter has become a versatile mode of aerial transportation, high vibration levels leads to poor ride quality for its passengers and aircrew. Undesired vibration transmitted through the helicopter seats have been known to cause fatigue and discomfort to the aircrew in the short-term as well as neck strain and back pain injuries due to long-term exposure. This research study investigated the use of novel active as well as passive methodologies integrated in helicopter seats to mitigate the aircrew exposure to high vibration levels. Due to significantly less certification effort required to modify the helicopter seat structure, application of novel technologies to the seat is more practical compared to flight critical components such as the main rotor to reduce aircrew vibration. In particular, this research effort developed a novel adaptive seat mount approach based on active vibration control technology. This novel design that incorporated two stacked piezoelectric actuators as active struts increases the bending stiffness to avoid the low frequency resonance while generating forces to counteract higher harmonic vibration peaks. A real-time controller implemented using a feed-forward algorithm based on adaptive notches counteracted the forced vibration peaks while a robust feedback control algorithm suppressed the resonance modes. The effectiveness of the adaptive seat mount system was demonstrated through extensive closed-loop control tests on a full-scale helicopter seat using representative helicopter floor vibration profiles. Test results concluded that the proposed adaptive seat mount approach based on active control technology is a viable solution for the helicopter seat vibration control application. In addition, a unique flight test using a Bell-412 helicopter demonstrated that the aircrew is exposed to high levels of vibration during flight and that the whole body vibration spectrum varied substantially depending on operating conditions as well as the aircrew configurations. This investigation also demonstrated the suitability of integrating novel energy absorbing cushion materials to the seat as a low cost solution to improve aircrew vibration suppression. Therefore, it was recommended to pursue certification of novel seat cushion materials as a near-term solution to mitigate undesirable occupational health hazards in helicopter aircrew due to vibration exposure.

Kinematics of child volunteers and child anthropomorphic test devices during emergency braking events in real car environment.

PubMed

Stockman, Isabelle; Bohman, Katarina; Jakobsson, Lotta; Brolin, Karin

2013-01-01

The objective of this study was to present, compare, and discuss the kinematic response of children and child anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) during emergency braking events in different restraint configurations in a passenger vehicle. A driving study was conducted on a closed-circuit test track comprising 16 children aged 4 to 12 years old and the Q3, Hybrid III (HIII) 3-year-old, 6-year-old, and 10-year-old ATDs restrained on the right rear seat of a modern passenger vehicle. The children were exposed to one braking event in each of the 2 restraint systems and the ATDs were exposed to 2 braking events in each restraint system. All events had a deceleration of 1.0 g. Short children (stature 107-123 cm) and the Q3, HIII 3-year-old, and 6-year-old were restrained on booster cushions as well as high-back booster seats. Tall children (stature 135-150 cm) and HIII 10-year-old were restrained on booster cushions or restrained by 3-point belts directly on the car seat. Vehicle data were collected and synchronized with video data. Forward trajectories for the forehead and external auditory canal (ear) were determined as well as head rotation and shoulder belt force. A total of 40 trials were analyzed. Child volunteers had greater maximum forward displacement of the head and greater head rotation compared to the ATDs. The average maximum displacement for children ranged from 165 to 210 mm and 155 to 195 mm for the forehead and ear target, respectively. Corresponding values for the ATDs were 55 to 165 mm and 50 to 160 mm. The change in head angle was greater for short children than for tall children. Shoulder belt force was within the same range for short children when restrained on booster cushions or high-back booster seats. For tall children, the shoulder belt force was greater when restrained on booster cushions compared to being restrained by seat belts directly on the car seat. The forward displacement was within the same range for all children regardless of stature and restraint system. However, the maximum forward position depended on the initial seated posture and shoulder belt position on the shoulder. Differences could also be seen in the curvature of the neck and spine. Short children exhibited a greater flexion motion of the head, whereas a more upright posture at maximum forward position was exhibited by the tall children. The ATDs displayed less forward displacement compared to the children.

77 FR 47697 - General Motors, LLC, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-09

...; and \\3\\ Cadillac SRX and Saab 9-4X vehicles have a push button start/stop switch. (3) The crank power... ride in the back seat.'' In addition, the label on the vehicle's sun visor warns against placing a rear...

Shoulder and Lower Back Joint Reaction Forces in Seated Double Poling.

PubMed

Lund Ohlsson, Marie; Danvind, Jonas; Holmberg, L Joakim

2018-04-13

Overuse injuries in the shoulders and lower back are hypothesized to be common in cross-country sit-skiing. Athletes with reduced trunk muscle control mainly sits with their knees higher than hips (KH). To reduce spinal flexion, a position with the knees below the hips (KL) was enabled for these athletes using a frontal trunk support. The aim of the study was to compare the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) and L4-L5 joint reactions between the sitting positions KL and KH. Five able-bodied female athletes performed submaximal and maximal exercise tests in the sitting positions KL and KH on a ski-ergometer. Measured pole forces and 3-dimensional kinematics served as input for inverse-dynamics simulations to compute the muscle forces and joint reactions in the shoulder and L4-L5 joint. This was the first musculoskeletal simulation study of seated double poling. The results showed that the KH position was favorable for higher performance and decreased values of the shoulder joint reactions for female able-bodied athletes with full trunk control. The KL position was favorable for lower L4-L5 joint reactions and might therefore reduce the risk of lower back injuries. These results indicate that it is hard to optimize both performance and safety in the same sit-ski.

Do people with recurrent back pain constrain spinal motion during seated horizontal and downward reaching?

PubMed

Crosbie, Jack; Nascimento, Dafne Port; Filho, Ruben de Faria Negrão; Ferreira, Paulo

2013-10-01

Although the effect of symptomatic back pain on functional movement has been investigated, changes to spinal movement patterns in essentially pain-free people with a history of recurrent back pain are largely unreported. Reaching activities, important for everyday and occupational function, often present problems to such people, but have not been considered in this population. The purpose of this study was to compare the amplitude and timing of spinal and hip motions during two, seated reaching activities in people with and without a history of recurrent low back pain (RLBP). Spinal and hip motions during reaching downward and across the body, in both directions, were tracked using electromagnetic sensors. Analyses were conducted to explore the amplitudes, velocities and timings of 3D segmental movements and to compare controls with subjects with recurrent, but asymptomatic lumbar or lumbosacral pain. We detected significant differences in the amplitude and timing of movement in the lower thoracic region, with the RLBP group restricting movement and demonstrating compensatory increased motion at the hip. The lumbar region displayed no significant between-group differences. The order in which the spinal segments achieved peak velocity in cross-reaching was reversed in RLBP compared to controls, with lumbar motion leading in controls and lagging in RLBP. Subjects with a history of RLBP show a number of altered kinematic features during reaching activities which are not related to the presence or intensity of pain, but which suggest adaptive changes to movement control. © 2013.

STS-26 Pilot Covey, wearing sleep mask, rests on aft flight deck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

STS-26 Pilot Richard O. Covey, wearing sleep mask (blindfold) and a headset, props his feet under the pilots seat and rests his head and back on the aft flight deck onorbit station panels while he sleeps. At Covey's right are the mission station control panels.

46 CFR 26.03-2 - Emergency instructions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... weathertight and watertight doors, hatches and airports closed to prevent taking water aboard. □ Bilges kept dry to prevent loss of stability. □ Passengers seated and evenly distributed. □ All passengers wearing... preserver and lifeline, standing by ready to jump into the water to assist the victim back aboard. □ Coast...

The Classroom, Board Room, Chat Room, and Court Room: School Computers at the Crossroads.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Michael

2000-01-01

In schools' efforts to maximize technology's benefits, ethical considerations have often taken a back seat. Computer misuse is growing exponentially and assuming many forms: unauthorized data access, hacking, piracy, information theft, fraud, virus creation, harassment, defamation, and discrimination. Integrated-learning activities will help…

Guidance for contact tracing of cases of Lassa fever, Ebola or Marburg haemorrhagic fever on an airplane: results of a European expert consultation.

PubMed

Gilsdorf, Andreas; Morgan, Dilys; Leitmeyer, Katrin

2012-11-21

Travel from countries where viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are endemic has increased significantly over the past decades. In several reported VHF events on airplanes, passenger trace back was initiated but the scale of the trace back differed considerably. The absence of guidance documents to help the decision on necessity and scale of the trace back contributed to this variation.This article outlines the recommendations of an expert panel on Lassa fever, Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fever to the wider scientific community in order to advise the relevant stakeholders in the decision and scale of a possible passenger trace back. The evidence was collected through review of published literature and through the views of an expert panel. The guidance was agreed by consensus. Only a few events of VHF cases during air travel are reported in literature, with no documented infection in followed up contacts, so that no evidence of transmission of VHF during air travel exists to date. Based on this and the expert opinion, it was recommended that passenger trace back was undertaken only if: the index case had symptoms during the flight; the flight was within 21 days after detection of the event; and for Lassa fever if exposure of body fluid has been reported. The trace back should only be done after confirmation of the index case. Passengers and crew with direct contact, seat neighbours (+/- 1 seat), crew and cleaning personal of the section of the index case should be included in the trace back. No evidence has been found for the transmission of VHF in airplanes. This information should be taken into account, when a trace back decision has to be taken, because such a measure produces an enormous work load. The procedure suggested by the expert group can guide decisions made in future events, where a patient with suspected VHF infection travelled on a plane. However, the actual decision on start and scale of a trace back always lies in the hands of the responsible people taking all relevant information into account.

Guidance for contact tracing of cases of Lassa fever, Ebola or Marburg haemorrhagic fever on an airplane: results of a European expert consultation

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Travel from countries where viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are endemic has increased significantly over the past decades. In several reported VHF events on airplanes, passenger trace back was initiated but the scale of the trace back differed considerably. The absence of guidance documents to help the decision on necessity and scale of the trace back contributed to this variation. This article outlines the recommendations of an expert panel on Lassa fever, Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fever to the wider scientific community in order to advise the relevant stakeholders in the decision and scale of a possible passenger trace back. Method The evidence was collected through review of published literature and through the views of an expert panel. The guidance was agreed by consensus. Results Only a few events of VHF cases during air travel are reported in literature, with no documented infection in followed up contacts, so that no evidence of transmission of VHF during air travel exists to date. Based on this and the expert opinion, it was recommended that passenger trace back was undertaken only if: the index case had symptoms during the flight; the flight was within 21 days after detection of the event; and for Lassa fever if exposure of body fluid has been reported. The trace back should only be done after confirmation of the index case. Passengers and crew with direct contact, seat neighbours (+/− 1 seat), crew and cleaning personal of the section of the index case should be included in the trace back. Conclusion No evidence has been found for the transmission of VHF in airplanes. This information should be taken into account, when a trace back decision has to be taken, because such a measure produces an enormous work load. The procedure suggested by the expert group can guide decisions made in future events, where a patient with suspected VHF infection travelled on a plane. However, the actual decision on start and scale of a trace back always lies in the hands of the responsible people taking all relevant information into account. PMID:23170851

End user evaluation of a Kneeling Wheelchair with "on the fly" adjustable seating functions.

PubMed

Mattie, Johanne; Wong, Angie; Leland, Danny; Borisoff, Jaimie

2018-04-18

A "kneeling" ultralight wheelchair prototype has been developed that allows users to adjust seat position "on the fly" for different activities throughout the day. The wheelchair includes independent adjustment functions for rear seat height, front seat height ("kneeling") and backrest angle.  Aim: This work aimed to gather feedback about the wheelchair's functionality and performance through end user evaluation trials.  Methods: Eight manual wheelchair users evaluated the prototype Kneeling Wheelchair for a range of activities. User perspectives on parameters such as usability, comfort, stability and effectiveness were obtained through both open-ended and Likert-scale rating questions.  Results: Results indicate several potential benefits of the adjustment functions of the Kneeling Wheelchair. Rear seat height adjustment may facilitate a number of activities of daily living, as well as provide benefits for comfort and social interactions. Back rest adjustment may increase comfort and stability on slopes. Front seat height adjustment may be beneficial for transfers and conducting sustained low-to-the-ground activities. While benefits of this adjustment function were described by many participants, some struggled with usability of the kneeling mechanism and rated this function less favourably than the other two.  Conclusion: The findings of this study will inform future iterations of the Kneeling Wheelchair design and may spur future developments in wheeled mobility. In the long-term, it is anticipated that novel wheelchair solutions, such as the one described in this paper, may support improved health, quality of life and community participation for people with mobility impairments. Implications for rehabilitation Wheelchairs that allow users to easily adjust seat and backrest position "on the fly" to better suit different tasks throughout the day may provide benefits such as facilitating activities of daily living. A front seat height adjustment feature on a new wheelchair prototype may be beneficial for transfers and conducting sustained low-to-the ground activities. End user evaluations can provide valuable insight to direct future design modifications and innovation.

Expedition 18 Suit-up

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-10-11

American spaceflight participant Richard Garriott, seated left, Expedition 18 Flight Engineer Yuri V. Lonchakov, Expedition 18 Commander Michael Fincke, seated right, back up spaceflight participant Nik Halik, standing left, backup Commander Gennady Padalka and backup Flight Engineer Mike Barratt pose for a photograph for the camera prior to the launch of the Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The three crew members are scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on Oct. 14. Fincke and Lonchakov will spend six months on the station, while Garriott will return to Earth Oct. 24 with two of the Expedition 17 crew members currently on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A dental stool with chest support reduces lower back muscle activation.

PubMed

Tran, Viet; Turner, Reid; MacFadden, Andrew; Cornish, Stephen M; Esliger, Dale; Komiyama, Kunio; Chilibeck, Philip D

2016-09-01

Activation of back musculature during work tasks leads to fatigue and potential injury. This is especially prevalent in dentists who perform much of their work from a seated position. We examined the use of an ergonomic dental stool with mid-sternum chest support for reducing lower back muscle activation. Electromyography of lower back extensors was assessed from 30 dental students for 20 s during three conditions in random order: (a) sitting upright at 90° of hip flexion on a standard stool, (b) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion on a standard stool, and (c) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion while sitting on an ergonomic stool. Muscular activity of the back extensors was reduced when using the ergonomic stool compared to the standard stool, by 33-50% (p < 0.01). This suggests a potential musculoskeletal benefit with use of a dental stool with mid-sternum chest support.

Teachers Avoiding Learners' Avoidance: Is It Possible?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tadayyon, Maedeh; Zarrinabadi, Nourollah; Ketabi, Saeed

2016-01-01

Dealing with learners who prefer to take the back seat and avoid classroom participation can be every teacher's nightmare. This lack of participation may cause teacher frustration, and possibly the only way to reduce this lack of participation is to access the concept of avoidance strategy. Avoidance strategy is the abandonment of a classroom task…

A Manifesto for Scholarly Publishing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dougherty, Peter J.

2009-01-01

While university presses grapple with the economic and technological challenges now affecting how books are published--the subject of a thousand and one AAUP conference sessions, e-mail-list debates, and news articles--discussion of "what" is published seems to have taken a back seat. And understandably so. Why obsess about content if books are…

A Classroom of Engineers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schachter, Ron

2012-01-01

Due in part to testing pressures, for years the science subject has taken a back seat to reading and math. And though topics like volcanos and time travel have the potential to get kids' attention, science's status as a curricular stepchild typically translates into dull textbooks and little budget for experiments or supplies. The tide is…

49 CFR 572.195 - Thorax with arm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... accelerometers as specified in 49 CFR 572.200(d), and deflection potentiometers for the thorax and shoulder as... paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, the top of the shoulder rib mount (drawing 180-3352) orientation... the seat back incline passing through the center of the shoulder yoke assembly arm rotation pivot...

49 CFR 572.195 - Thorax with arm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... accelerometers as specified in 49 CFR 572.200(d), and deflection potentiometers for the thorax and shoulder as... paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, the top of the shoulder rib mount (drawing 180-3352) orientation... the seat back incline passing through the center of the shoulder yoke assembly arm rotation pivot...

49 CFR 572.195 - Thorax with arm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... accelerometers as specified in 49 CFR 572.200(d), and deflection potentiometers for the thorax and shoulder as... paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, the top of the shoulder rib mount (drawing 180-3352) orientation... the seat back incline passing through the center of the shoulder yoke assembly arm rotation pivot...

49 CFR 572.195 - Thorax with arm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... accelerometers as specified in 49 CFR 572.200(d), and deflection potentiometers for the thorax and shoulder as... paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, the top of the shoulder rib mount (drawing 180-3352) orientation... the seat back incline passing through the center of the shoulder yoke assembly arm rotation pivot...

49 CFR 238.435 - Interior fittings and surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... expected to strike the fitting, when the floor of the passenger car decelerates with a triangular crash... attachment in a passenger car shall be designed to withstand, with deflection but without total failure, the... triangular crash pulse having a peak of 8g and a duration of 250 milliseconds. (b) Each seat back in a...

49 CFR 238.435 - Interior fittings and surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... expected to strike the fitting, when the floor of the passenger car decelerates with a triangular crash... attachment in a passenger car shall be designed to withstand, with deflection but without total failure, the... triangular crash pulse having a peak of 8g and a duration of 250 milliseconds. (b) Each seat back in a...

49 CFR 238.435 - Interior fittings and surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... expected to strike the fitting, when the floor of the passenger car decelerates with a triangular crash... attachment in a passenger car shall be designed to withstand, with deflection but without total failure, the... triangular crash pulse having a peak of 8g and a duration of 250 milliseconds. (b) Each seat back in a...

49 CFR 238.435 - Interior fittings and surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... expected to strike the fitting, when the floor of the passenger car decelerates with a triangular crash... attachment in a passenger car shall be designed to withstand, with deflection but without total failure, the... triangular crash pulse having a peak of 8g and a duration of 250 milliseconds. (b) Each seat back in a...

FRom Pickle Jars to Ecosystem Services: Who Cares About Water Fleas Anyway?

EPA Science Inventory

We’ve made tremendous progress in protecting the environment since Ohio’s Cuyahoga River burned in 1969 – the air, water and land of this country are cleaner due in major part to the kinds of science represented by SETAC. And yet, the environment continues to take a back seat to...

The influence of a seated break on prolonged standing induced low back pain development.

PubMed

Gallagher, Kaitlin M; Campbell, Troy; Callaghan, Jack P

2014-01-01

With the recent attention to 'sitting disease', health practitioners and scientists are promoting standing in the workplace to decrease sedentary time, despite a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) development during prolonged standing. The purpose of this study was to assess how a seated break inserted between bouts of prolonged standing would influence LBP development, posture and movement. A total of 20 participants stood for 45 minutes, sat for 15 minutes and repeated this sequence while lumbar and thoracic angles were measured, and LBP visual analogue scale reports were taken. Of the sample, 55% participants reported LBP in standing. A stand to sit ratio of 3:1 did not provide lasting recovery of LBP from standing and pain developers utilised a limited range of their lumbar spine angle and increased thoracic extension, resulting in static postures that caused tissue aggravation that was not resolved after 15 minutes of sitting. Prolonged standing in the workplace has the potential to result in LBP for some workers and alternate ways to reduce sedentary time should be investigated.

The Influence of Environment Geometry on Injury Outcome: II. Lumbosacral Spine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaibani, Saami J.

2006-03-01

It is widely agreed that the type of motor vehicle in which an occupant is situated can sometimes make a noticeable difference in injury potential even when the insult suffered is the same. A simple example might be the same occupant being in a sports car as opposed to a minivan, but such anecdotal experience does not usually help to distinguish the effect of particular features within the same category of vehicle. Other research has addressed the role of environment geometry in neck injury,[1] and this paper adopts the same methodology for the low back. The heights, lengths and angles of the seat cushion and seat back (including head rest) are all examined as descriptors of passenger compartment geometry, and any changes caused by these are determined. Useful results are feasible with the large patient population available even if clear patterns in these are not always present. As in earlier work, there is still the option of finding individual outcomes on a case-by-case basis. [1] The influence of environment geometry on injury outcome: I. Cervical spine, Bull Am Phys Soc, in press (2006).

A biomechanical and physiological study of office seat and tablet device interaction.

PubMed

Weston, Eric; Le, Peter; Marras, William S

2017-07-01

Twenty subjects performed typing tasks on a desktop computer and touch-screen tablet in two chairs for an hour each, and the effects of chair, device, and their interactions on each dependent measure were recorded. Biomechanical measures of muscle force, spinal load, and posture were examined, while discomfort was measured via heart rate variability (HRV) and subjective reports. HRV was sensitive enough to differentiate between chair and device interactions. Biomechanically, a lack of seat back mobility forced individuals to maintain an upright seating posture with increased extensor muscle forces and increased spinal compression. Effects were exacerbated by forward flexion upon interaction with a tablet device or by slouching. Office chairs should be designed with both the human and workplace task in mind and allow for reclined postures to off-load the spine. The degree of recline should be limited, however, to prevent decreased lumbar lordosis resulting from posterior hip rotation in highly reclined postures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Workstation design in carpet hand-weaving operation: guidelines for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

PubMed

Choobineh, Alireza; Lahmi, Mohammadali; Hosseini, Mostafa; Shahnavaz, Houshang; Jazani, Reza Khani

2004-01-01

Carpet weavers suffer from musculoskeletal problems mainly attributed to poor working postures. Their posture is mostly constrained by the design of workstations. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 2 design parameters (weaving height and seat type) on postural variables and subjective experience, and to develop guidelines for workstation adjustments. At an experimental workstation, 30 professional weavers worked in 9 different conditions. Working posture and weavers' perceptions were measured. It was shown that head, neck and shoulder postures were influenced by weaving height. Both design parameters influenced trunk and elbows postures. The determinant factor for weavers' perception on the neck, shoulders and elbows was found to be weaving height, and on the back and knees it was seat type. Based on the results, the following guidelines were developed: (a) weaving height should be adjusted to 20 cm above elbow height; (b) a 10 degrees forward-sloping high seat is to be used at weaving workstations.

Fabrics for fire resistant passenger seats in aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tesoro, G. C.

1978-01-01

The essential elements of the problem and of approaches to improved fire resistance in aircraft seats are reviewed. The performance requirements and availability of materials, delay in the ignition of upholstery fabric by a small source are considered a realistic objective. Results of experimental studies on the thermal response of fabrics and fabric/foam combinations suggest significant conclusions regarding: (1) the ignition behavior of a commercial 90/10 wool/nylon upholstery fabric relative to fabrics made from thermally stable polymers; (2) the role of the foam backing; (3) the behavior of seams. These results, coupled with data from other sources, also confirm the importance of materials' interactions in multicomponent assemblies, and the need for system testing prior to materials' selection. The use of an interlinear or thermal barrier between upholstery fabric and foam is a promising and viable approach to improved fire resistance of the seat assembly, but experimental evaluation of specific combinations of materials or systems is an essential part of the selection process.

Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile) as Back-Seat Drivers of Localized Ant Decline in Urban Habitats

PubMed Central

Salyer, Adam; Bennett, Gary W.; Buczkowski, Grzegorz A.

2014-01-01

Invasive species and habitat disturbance threaten biodiversity worldwide by modifying ecosystem performance and displacing native organisms. Similar homogenization impacts manifest locally when urbanization forces native species to relocate or reinvade perpetually altered habitat. This study investigated correlations between ant richness and abundance in response to urbanization and the nearby presence of invasive ant species, odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile), within its native region. Surveying localized ant composition within natural, semi-natural, and urban habitat supported efforts to determine whether T. sessile appear to be primary (drivers) threats as instigators or secondary (passengers) threats as inheritors of indigenous ant decline. Sampling 180 sites, evenly split between all habitats with and without T. sessile present, yielded 45 total species. Although urbanization and T. sessile presence factors were significantly linked to ant decline, their interaction correlated to the greatest reduction of total ant richness (74%) and abundance (81%). Total richness appeared to decrease from 27 species to 18 when natural habitat is urbanized and from 18 species to 7 with T. sessile present in urban plots. Odorous house ant presence minimally influenced ant communities within natural and semi-natural habitat, highlighting the importance of habitat alteration and T. sessile presence interactions. Results suggest urbanization releases T. sessile from unknown constraints by decreasing ant richness and competition. Within urban environment, T. sessile are pre-adapted to quickly exploit new resources and grow to supercolony strength wherein T. sessile drive adjacent biodiversity loss. Odorous house ants act as passengers and drivers of ecological change throughout different phases of urban ‘invasion’. This progression through surviving habitat alteration, exploiting new resources, thriving, and further reducing interspecific competition supports a “back-seat driver” role and affects pest management strategies. As demonstrated by T. sessile, this article concludes native species can become back-seat drivers of biodiversity loss and potentially thrive as “metro-invasive” species. PMID:25551819

Motion Tracker: Camera-Based Monitoring of Bodily Movements Using Motion Silhouettes

PubMed Central

Westlund, Jacqueline Kory; D’Mello, Sidney K.; Olney, Andrew M.

2015-01-01

Researchers in the cognitive and affective sciences investigate how thoughts and feelings are reflected in the bodily response systems including peripheral physiology, facial features, and body movements. One specific question along this line of research is how cognition and affect are manifested in the dynamics of general body movements. Progress in this area can be accelerated by inexpensive, non-intrusive, portable, scalable, and easy to calibrate movement tracking systems. Towards this end, this paper presents and validates Motion Tracker, a simple yet effective software program that uses established computer vision techniques to estimate the amount a person moves from a video of the person engaged in a task (available for download from http://jakory.com/motion-tracker/). The system works with any commercially available camera and with existing videos, thereby affording inexpensive, non-intrusive, and potentially portable and scalable estimation of body movement. Strong between-subject correlations were obtained between Motion Tracker’s estimates of movement and body movements recorded from the seat (r =.720) and back (r = .695 for participants with higher back movement) of a chair affixed with pressure-sensors while completing a 32-minute computerized task (Study 1). Within-subject cross-correlations were also strong for both the seat (r =.606) and back (r = .507). In Study 2, between-subject correlations between Motion Tracker’s movement estimates and movements recorded from an accelerometer worn on the wrist were also strong (rs = .801, .679, and .681) while people performed three brief actions (e.g., waving). Finally, in Study 3 the within-subject cross-correlation was high (r = .855) when Motion Tracker’s estimates were correlated with the movement of a person’s head as tracked with a Kinect while the person was seated at a desk (Study 3). Best-practice recommendations, limitations, and planned extensions of the system are discussed. PMID:26086771

Whole body vibration exposure patterns in Canadian prairie farmers.

PubMed

Zeng, Xiaoke; Kociolek, Aaron M; Khan, Muhammad Idrees; Milosavljevic, Stephan; Bath, Brenna; Trask, Catherine

2017-08-01

Whole body vibration is a significant physical risk factor associated with low back pain. This study assessed farmers' exposure to whole body vibration on the Canadian prairies according to ISO 2631-1. Eighty-seven vibration measurements were collected with a triaxial accelerometer embedded in a rubber seat pad at the operator-seat interface of agricultural machinery, including tractors, combines, pickup trucks, grain trucks, sprayers, swathers, all-terrain vehicles, and skid steers. Whole body vibration was highest in the vertical axis, with a mean (range) frequency-weighted root mean squared acceleration of 0.43 m/s 2 (0.19-1.06 m/s 2 ). Mean crest factors exceeded 9 in all 3 axes, indicating high mechanical shock content. The vertical axis vibration dose value was 7.55 m/s 1.75 (2.18-37.59 m/s 1.75 ), with 41.4% of measurements within or above the health guidance caution zone. These high exposures in addition to an ageing agricultural workforce may increase health risks even further, particularly for the low back. Practitioner Summary: Agricultural workers are frequently exposed to whole body vibration while operating farm equipment, presenting a substantial risk to musculoskeletal health including the low back. Assessing vibration exposure is critical in promoting a safe occupational environment, and may inform interventions to reduce farmer's exposure to vibration.

Examining the relative effectiveness of different message framing strategies for child passenger safety: recommendations for increased comprehension and compliance.

PubMed

Will, Kelli England; Decina, Lawrence E; Maple, Erin L; Perkins, Amy M

2015-06-01

Age-appropriate child restraints and rear seating dramatically reduce injury in vehicle crashes. Yet parents and caregivers struggle to comply with child passenger safety (CPS) recommendations, and frequently make mistakes when choosing and installing restraints. The purpose of this research was to evaluate various methods of framing CPS recommendations, and to examine the relative effectiveness on parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions related to best practices and proper use of child restraints. Emphasis framing is a persuasion technique that involves placing focus on specific aspects of the content in order to encourage or discourage certain interpretations of the content. A 5 (flyer group) X 2 (time) randomized experiment was conducted in which 300 parent participants answered a pre-survey, viewed one of four flyer versions or a no-education control version, and completed a post-survey. Surveys measured CPS knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and behavioral intentions. The four flyers compared in this study all communicated the same CPS recommendations, but several versions were tested which each employed a different emphasis frame: (1) recommendations organized by the natural progression of seat types; (2) recommendations which focused on avoiding premature graduation; (3) recommendations which explained the risk-reduction rationale behind the information given; or (4) recommendations which were organized by age. In a fifth no-education (control) condition, participants viewed marketing materials. Analyses of covariance and pairwise comparisons indicated the risk-reduction rationale flyer outperformed other flyers for many subscales, and significantly differed from no-education control for the most subscales, including restraint selection, back seat knowledge, rear-facing knowledge and attitudes, total efficacy, overall attitudes, and stated intentions. This research provides insight for increasing caregiver understanding and compliance with CPS information. Recommendations for the field include communicating the rationale behind the information given, using behavior-based directives in headers, avoiding age-based headers, and incorporating back-seat positioning directives throughout. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An empirical study of preferred settings for lumbar support on adjustable office chairs.

PubMed

Coleman, N; Hull, B P; Ellitt, G

1998-04-01

The preferred settings for lumbar support height and depth of 43 male and 80 female office workers were investigated. All subjects were equipped with identical modern office chairs with foam-padded backrests adjustable in both height and depth. Measurements of lumbar support settings were recorded in the workplace, outside of working hours, on four different occasions, over a 5 week period. Preferred lumbar support height and depth settings extended to both extremes of the adjustment range. The mean preferred height setting was 190 mm above the compressed seat surface. The mean depth setting (horizontal distance from front of seat to lumbar support point) was 387 mm. A regression model examining the effects of standing height, Body Mass Index (BMI) and gender on mean preferred lumbar support height showed a significant relationship between preferred height and BMI. Higher lumbar supports were chosen by subjects with greater BMIs. Gender and standing height were not associated with preferred lumbar support height settings. Preferred lumbar support depth was not significantly associated with standing height, gender or BMI. Older subjects were more likely to readjust their lumbar support from a disrupted position than younger subjects, indicating that older users are more sensitive to the position of their lumbar support. Subjects who reported recent back pain or discomfort that they believed to be associated with their chair or office work were found to set their lumbar support significantly closer to the front of the seat, probably to ensure greater support for their back. Based on the evidence that a high proportion of users do make adjustments to the height and depth of their lumbar support, and the finding that different groups of users, with different physical characteristics, adjust the position of their lumbar support in distinct and predictable ways, the researchers conclude that office chairs with traditional padded fixed-height lumbar supports are unlikely to provide a comfortable or appropriate seat for the wide range of potential users.

A Phenomenological Study of Motivations, Experiences and Reflections as Related to Teacher Training and Development in Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingiaimo, Melinda Sue

2012-01-01

In third world countries where education often takes a back seat to survival, teachers struggle to prepare themselves to shape the destiny and future of the upcoming generation. This study examined the phenomena of Tanzanian teacher preparation with special emphasis on the motivating factors, common experiences and reflections of participants…

Like Driving from "The Back Seat": Teaching English as a Second Language in Commodified Curricular Terrains

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plaisance, Michelle; Salas, Spencer; D'Amico, Mark M.

2018-01-01

Contemporary K-12 standards-based educational reform has emerged as a central focus of scholarship in TESOL, with robust discussions (practical and theoretical) addressing the shift from ESL as a subject matter unto itself to teaching standards-based content in English (and the standardized assessment of students' achievement across those content…

Interrupting Stereotypes: Teaching and the Education of Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grieshaber, Susan

2008-01-01

Research Findings: Despite calls to the contrary, research about teaching has tended to take a back seat to research about children's development and learning in early childhood education. After exploring why this might be the case, this essay considers the importance of teaching for early childhood education and the contexts in which it occurs in…

The Strategic Attitude: Integrating Strategic Planning into Daily University Worklife

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dickmeyer, Nathan

2004-01-01

Chief financial officers in today's universities are so busy with the challenges of day-to-day management that strategic thinking often takes a back seat. Planning for strategic change can go a long way toward streamlining the very daily tasks that obscure the "big picture." Learning how to integrate strategic thinking into day-to-day management…

A Front-Row Seat: Miguel Figueroa--Neal-Schuman Publishers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Library Journal, 2005

2005-01-01

When the first career test, back in high school, pointed to librarianship, Miguel Figueroa "just blew it off." But when a similar test in the senior year of college produced the same result, Figueroa, like the librarian and editor that he is today, did his research and called three libraries (a public, an academic, and a school media…

Day Care Deception: What the Child Care Establishment Isn't Telling Us.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Brian C.

Over the last generation, parents have felt more and more intimidated by child care "experts" and have increasingly surrendered their role as the primary educators of their children. On the premise that theories of development, often colored by ideological positions on the family and its function in society, should take a back seat to…

Single Sheet Agricultural Mechanics Plans.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schumacher, Leon, Ed.

This packet contains 25 single-page plans for agricultural mechanics projects. Each plan consists of a one-page set of drawings of the object to be made with a list of needed materials, a cut list, and step-by-step construction procedures on the back of the page. Plans for the following wood projects are included: bluebird house, lawn seat, dog…

CONSTELLATION Images from other centers - February 2010

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-02-09

JSC2010-E-020616 (9 Feb. 2010) --- STS-133 crew members participate in a food tasting session in the Habitability and Environmental Factors Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured (seated back to front) are NASA astronauts Alvin Drew, mission specialist; Eric Boe, pilot; Steve Lindsey, commander; Nicole Stott, Tim Kopra and Michael Barratt, all mission specialists.

Are We There Yet?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rice, George; Bowman, Michael

2007-01-01

Children in the back seat on a long trip are not the only ones asking the question "Are we there yet?" At Murray State University (MSU) and other universities starting new programs, the question becomes one of validation of the program. In the late 90s, MSU, a midsize university, was entrusted with the responsibility of developing a program of…

Communicating for Quality in School Age Care Services

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cartmel, Jennifer; Grieshaber, Susan

2014-01-01

School Age Care (SAC) services have existed in Australia for over 100 years but they have tended to take a back seat when compared with provision for school-aged children and those under school age using early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. Many SAC services are housed in shared premises and many children attending preparatory or…

Ensuring the Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashkin, Stephen P.

2005-01-01

It is hard to be a school professional these days. There seems to be an increasing number of demands, but the time, money and public support needed to bring about school improvements seem to be declining. This is especially true when considering buildings and grounds, which often get a seat at the back of the class. A number of new, affordable…

When the Instructor Must Take the Back Seat

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khazanov, Leonid

2007-01-01

The majority of new jobs in the 21st century will require some postsecondary education. Yet more than one third of those entering college are underprepared and needful of remediation. In this essay the author shares with the reader his first experience of teaching the lowest level prealgebra course at an urban community college. This is a story of…

STS-26 Pilot Covey, wearing sleep mask, rests on aft flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1988-10-03

STS026-09-021 (3 Oct 1988) --- Astronaut Richard O. Covey, STS-26 pilot, wearing sleep mask (blindfold) and a headset, props his feet under the pilots seat and rests his head and back on the aft flight deck on orbit station panels while he sleeps. At Covey's right are the mission station control panels.

78 FR 38444 - Hyundai Motor Company, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-26

.... Vehicles Involved: Affected are approximately 14,728 MY 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vehicles... key-like object. If the rear seat back of the Sonata Hybrid vehicle was simply capable of being folded...'') \\1\\ has determined that certain model year (MY) 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid passenger cars...

Does Seat Location Matter? A Review of the Proximity Effect in Large and Small Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LaCroix, Kim; LaCroix, Sean

2017-01-01

The proximity effect--whether distance from an instructor correlates with grades--has been the topic of many articles dating back nearly 100 years. Despite this attention, a cleavage in the literature remains. Some authors argue that increased proximity to the instructor negatively relates with academic performance while others maintain no…

Re-Thinking Re-Entry: New Approaches to Supporting Students after Study Abroad

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brubaker, Cate

2017-01-01

While participation in study abroad continues to increase, and both pre-departure and in-country support and interventions have become more robust, the re-entry experience after a program ends still typically takes a back seat to other priorities. Consequently, most students are left to navigate the re-entry transition on their own. This article…

Looking back on rear-facing car seats: Surveying U.S. parents in 2011 and 2013

PubMed Central

Macy, Michelle L.; Butchart, Amy T.; Singer, Dianne C.; Gebremariam, Achamyeleh; Clark, Sarah J.; Davis, Matthew M.

2015-01-01

Objectives We sought to determine the age at which U.S. parents first turned their child’s car seat to face forward and information sources used to make that decision at the time of the release of the 2011 guidelines for child passenger safety and 30 months later. Methods Two separate cross-sectional Web-based surveys of nationally representative panels of U.S. parents, May 2011 and November 2013. Survey participation rate was 54% in both years. Parents of children ≤4 years old responded to questions about transitioning from rear-facing to forward-facing car seats (n=495 in 2011; n=521 in 2013). Results In 2011, 33% of parents of 1-to 4-year-old children who had been turned to face forward (n=409) turned at or before 12 months and 16% turned at 2 years or older. In 2013, 24% of parents of 1- to 4-year-old children who had been turned to face forward (n=413) turned at or before 12 months and 23% turned at 2 years or older. Car seat packaging and clinicians were the most common information sources. Demographic characteristics associated with turning to face forward at or before 12 months of age in 2011 (parent age, education, household income, rural residence) were not significantly associated with transitioning at or before 12 months in 2013. Conclusions Delaying the transition to a forward-facing car seat still represents an opportunity to improve passenger safety in the U.S. As common sources of information, clinicians may be influential in a parent’s decision to turn their child’s car seat to face forward. PMID:25576520

Archambault on Flight Deck (FD)

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-20

S119-E-006690 (20 March 2009) --- On the eve of his mission's second extravehicular activity, astronaut Lee Archambault finds himself temporarily back in the commander's seat aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. With more than five days in space under its belt, the STS-119 crew has shuffled back and forth between the shuttle and the International Space Station as the home improvement project on the orbital outpost continues, including the successful initial spacewalk on March 19. Two astronauts from the STS-119 crew will leave through the station's airlock on March 21 to perform the second of three scheduled spacewalks.

[Visceral diseases as cause of lumbar syndromes].

PubMed

Tilscher, H; Bogner, G; Landsiedl, F

1977-01-01

30 patients with hepatitis, 50 patients with gynecological diseases, and 100 with urological diseases were investigated with regards to lumbago to find out whether there is a correlation between the internal disease and the signs of low back pain. The patients were compared with a control group of 33 healthy people. The vertebral localisation of the pain and its radiation were investigated and discussed in certain diseases as well as any correlation between lumbago and average age. The various possibilities of pain radiation are described and the importance of the vertebral column as secondary seat of low back pain is pointed out.

Child seat belt guidelines: Examining the 4 feet 9 inches rule as the standard.

PubMed

Morse, Amber M; Aitken, Mary E; Mullins, Samantha H; Miller, Beverly K; Pomtree, Mindy M; Ulloa, Erin M; Montgomery, Jeffrey S; Saylors, Marie E

2017-08-01

Current American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations regarding transition from child safety/booster seat to adult safety belt use indicate that children should be at least 4 feet 9 inches, 8 years old, or 80 pounds. Proper fit in the vehicle seat, assessed with a five-point fit test, should also be met. Although most children reach 4 feet 9 inches around age 8 years, each child and vehicle presents a unique combination; thus a child may not fit appropriately in all vehicle types using only the 4 feet 9 inches requirement. We enrolled children, aged 7 years to 12 years, into our study. Height, weight, and demographic data were obtained. A Child Passenger Safety Technician then performed the five-point fit test in each of a uniform lineup of five vehicles. Data were collected on fit in the standard vehicle seat and also in a booster seat. We set 90% as the threshold proportion of children who meet all criteria for proper fit to validate current recommendations of a height of 4 feet 9 inches. Data were collected on 388 children. The percentage of 90% proper fit was met in the compact car and small sport-utility vehicle (SUV). However, only 80 (77%) of 104 students (p < 0.0001) that were 4 feet 9 inches or higher fit properly in the large SUV, only 87 (83%) of 105 students (p = 0.02) fit properly in the pickup truck, and only 91 (89%) of 102 students (p = 0.74) fit properly in the minivan. Substantial proportions of children meeting current height guidelines for an adult seat belt do not meet safety requirements for fit, especially in larger, commonly used vehicles (large SUVs and trucks). This emphasizes the need for evaluation of fit by a trained personnel and/or development of standard back seat dimensions in all vehicles for maximum safety. Epidemiologic study, level III; Therapeutic study, level V.

International survey of seat belt use exemptions.

PubMed

Weiss, H; Sirin, H; Levine, J A; Sauber, E

2006-08-01

Substantial evidence of seatbelt efficacy has been shown by several studies, and it is widely recommended that motor vehicle occupants use properly fitted seat belts. However, some (but a heretofore unknown number of) countries with national seat belt laws permit various exemptions which may lower use rates. The aim of this study was to survey the variety of exemptions to national seat belt laws. This investigation relied on identifying respondents from national traffic safety agencies, other governmental and non-governmental organizations, Internet searches, personal contacts, and other sources. Questionnaires were deployed through a web based survey supplemented by email and postal versions. Responses were received from 30 countries of which 28 (93.7%) had a national seat belt law. About two thirds (63.7%) of the 28 national laws applied to both front and back seat passengers. The leading exemption types included vehicles made before a certain year (n = 13), antique vehicles (n = 12), military vehicles (n = 11), buses (n = 9), and emergency vehicles (n = 8). Most responding countries reported one or more specific categories of individuals as exempt including those with medical exemptions (n = 20), taxi drivers (n = 11), police (n = 9), emergency medical personnel (n = 8), physically disabled people (n = 6), and pregnant women (n = 6). Out of 26 responses to the question regarding current level of enforcement, 42.3% felt enforcement was "very good or good" and 57.7% characterized it as "fair or poor". This study represents one of the largest international traffic law surveys reported. Most national seatbelt laws offer perilous exemptions to a broad array of vehicle types and road user groups. These findings, coupled with concern over the level of enforcement in the majority of countries surveyed, suggest that international road safety efforts have a long way to go to improve coverage and enforcement of national seat belt laws.

International survey of seat belt use exemptions

PubMed Central

Weiss, H; Sirin, H; Levine, J A; Sauber, E

2006-01-01

Background Substantial evidence of seatbelt efficacy has been shown by several studies, and it is widely recommended that motor vehicle occupants use properly fitted seat belts. However, some (but a heretofore unknown number of) countries with national seat belt laws permit various exemptions which may lower use rates. The aim of this study was to survey the variety of exemptions to national seat belt laws. Methods This investigation relied on identifying respondents from national traffic safety agencies, other governmental and non‐governmental organizations, Internet searches, personal contacts, and other sources. Questionnaires were deployed through a web based survey supplemented by email and postal versions. Results Responses were received from 30 countries of which 28 (93.7%) had a national seat belt law. About two thirds (63.7%) of the 28 national laws applied to both front and back seat passengers. The leading exemption types included vehicles made before a certain year (n = 13), antique vehicles (n = 12), military vehicles (n = 11), buses (n = 9), and emergency vehicles (n = 8). Most responding countries reported one or more specific categories of individuals as exempt including those with medical exemptions (n = 20), taxi drivers (n = 11), police (n = 9), emergency medical personnel (n = 8), physically disabled people (n = 6), and pregnant women (n = 6). Out of 26 responses to the question regarding current level of enforcement, 42.3% felt enforcement was “very good or good” and 57.7% characterized it as “fair or poor”. Conclusions This study represents one of the largest international traffic law surveys reported. Most national seatbelt laws offer perilous exemptions to a broad array of vehicle types and road user groups. These findings, coupled with concern over the level of enforcement in the majority of countries surveyed, suggest that international road safety efforts have a long way to go to improve coverage and enforcement of national seat belt laws. PMID:16887949

Development of a Methodology to Gather Seated Anthropometry in a Microgravity Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rajulu, Sudhakar; Young, Karen; Mesloh, Miranda

2009-01-01

The Constellation Program's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) is required to accommodate the full population range of crewmembers according to the anthropometry requirements stated in the Human-Systems Integration Requirement (HSIR) document (CxP70024). Seated height is one of many critical dimensions of importance to the CEV designers in determining the optimum seat configuration in the vehicle. Changes in seated height may have a large impact to the design, accommodation, and safety of the crewmembers. Seated height can change due to elongation of the spine when crewmembers are exposed to microgravity. Spinal elongation is the straightening of the natural curvature of the spine and the expansion of inter-vertebral disks. This straightening occurs due to fluid shifts in the body and the lack of compressive forces on the spinal vertebrae. Previous studies have shown that as the natural curvature of the spine straightens, an increase in overall height of 3% of stature occurs which has been the basis of the current HSIR requirements. However due to variations in the torso/leg ratio and impact of soft tissue, data is nonexistent as to how spinal elongation specifically affects the measurement of seated height. In order to obtain this data, an experiment was designed to collect spinal elongation data while in a seated posture in microgravity. The purpose of this study was to provide quantitative data that represents the amount of change that occurs in seated height due to spinal elongation in microgravity environments. Given the schedule and budget constraints of ISS and Shuttle missions and the uniqueness of the problem, a methodology had to be developed to ensure that the seated height measurements were accurately collected. Therefore, simulated microgravity evaluations were conducted to test the methodology and procedures of the experiment. This evaluation obtained seat pan pressure and seated height data to a) ensure that the lap restraint provided sufficient restraint to eliminate any gap between the subject s gluteal surface and the seat pan and b) to document any necessary design and procedural changes needed due to the microgravity environment. The methodology and setup used during the simulated microgravity evaluations was replicable to the proposed methodology and setup for in-space missions. A flight-like Shuttle seat, pressure sensors, anthropometer, and existing hardware was used to measure seated height and contact area while experiencing microgravity. The outlying buttock and thigh surface contact areas were collected to determine if the subjects were in contact with the seat pan, while a measurer recorded their seated height with an anthropometer. The Anthropometry and Biomechanics Facility (ABF) completed data collection from three microgravity flights to assess the restraint methods and techniques to be used for the in-flight procedures performed by the crewmembers in orbit. The first flight demonstrated that the restraint system on the seat, used in a nominal configuration, did not sufficiently restrain a person in the seat. The results showed the subjects were not in full contact with the seat pan, resulting in inaccurate sitting height data. Thus, a second flight was conducted to test different restraint system options. The results showed that by 1) changing the restraint system from the nominal 3-points of the 5-point harness, which is used for crewmembers when fully suited with emergency equipment, and 2) rerouting the lap straps around the joint of the backrest, where the backrest and seat pan are joined, resulted in the optimal method to restrain a subject. This rerouting method allowed for the anchor location to change and pull the subjects back into the seat instead of being anchored at the side of the subjects thighs. The results from the third flight validated the final restraint system, which resulted in a verified methodology for collecting seated anthropometry to ultimately determine the amount of spil elongation in a microgravity environment.

A randomized controlled trial of chair interventions on back and hip pain among sewing machine operators: the los angeles garment study.

PubMed

Wang, Pin-Chieh; Ritz, Beate R; Janowitz, Ira; Harrison, Robert J; Yu, Fei; Chan, Jacqueline; Rempel, David M

2008-03-01

Determine whether an adjustable chair with a curved or a flat seat pan improved monthly back and hip pain scores in sewing machine operators. This 4-month intervention study randomized 293 sewing machine operators with back and hip pain. The participants in the control group received a placebo intervention, and participants in the intervention groups received the placebo intervention and one of the two intervention chairs. Compared with the control group, mean pain improvement for the flat chair intervention was 0.43 points (95% CI = 0.34, 0.51) per month, and mean pain improvement for the curved chair intervention was 0.25 points (95% CI = 0.16, 0.34) per month. A height-adjustable task chair with a swivel function can reduce back and hip pain in sewing machine operators. The findings may be relevant to workers who perform visual- and hand-intensive manufacturing jobs.

The Lady Visitors at Queen's College: From the Back of the Class to a Seat on the Council

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spencer, Stephanie

2004-01-01

Queen's College in London's Harley Street was founded in 1848 by Frederick Denison Maurice. Together with other professors from King's College London he began the venture for the education of middle-class girls, which was "greeted with prejudice and ridicule." Originally planned as an institution for training governesses, it was decided…

Comparative Assessment of Torso and Seat Mounted Restraint Systems using Manikins on the Horizontal Impulse Accelerator

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-01

rearward rotation of the head towards the back or shoulder blades ). The y- axis of the head runs from right ear canal to the left ear canal with...PERSON (Monitor) a. REPORT Unclassified b. ABSTRACT Unclassified c . THIS PAGE Unclassified Chris Burneka 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER...92 APPENDIX C . SAMPLE DATA SHEETS

Physical Education. Research Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Karen

2005-01-01

For the past 50 years, poor physical health of adolescents has been a concern in the U.S. The obesity rate has tripled from 5% in 1980 to 15% in 2000. With more emphasis placed on high stakes standardized tests, the priority of physical education classes has taken a back seat. Based on a survey done in 2003, slightly more than half of the states…

A Vision of Powerful Teaching and Learning in the Social Studies: Building Effective Citizens

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Social Education, 2008

2008-01-01

The last decade of the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first have seen a marginalization of social studies curriculum, instruction, and assessment at all grade levels. In many state houses, in departments of education, and in school districts across this great nation, education for citizenship has taken a back seat to…

[Chance fracture missed by convencional CT: Presentation of a clinical course].

PubMed

Pérez Suárez, Esther; Carceller, Fernando; García Salido, Alberto; Serrano, Ana; Casado, Juan

2011-02-01

Bending-disruption fractures of the vertebral body are called Chance fracture. In some cases these fractures may not be noticeable with a CT scan. A 9 years-old boy suffered a frontal collision while traveling in the back seat of a car. The child was secured by the safetybelt, without a child car seat or elevator adapted to his height. He had abdominal skin lesions in the physical exploration compatible with a belt mark. Conventional thoraco- abdominal CT scan did not show any vertebral fracture. As the clinical suspicion persisted, lateral plain radiography of the lumbar column was performed showing a Chance fracture in L2, confirmed by MRI. Chance fracture is typically seen in children under 12 years less than 135 cm height and with injuries associated with the belt after a traffic accident. This type of fractures may go unnoticed in a conventional CT scan so clinical suspicion must lead us to further work-up. The MRI is the gold standard for the diagnosis. This case remarks the importance of the use of homologated elevated seat devices in older children.

Seat vibration in military propeller aircraft: characterization, exposure assessment, and mitigation.

PubMed

Smith, Suzanne D

2006-01-01

There have been increasing reports of annoyance, fatigue, and even neck and back pain during prolonged operation of military propeller aircraft, where persistent multi-axis vibration occurs at higher frequencies beyond human whole-body resonance. This paper characterizes and assesses the higher frequency vibration transmitted to the occupants onboard these aircraft. Multi-axis accelerations were measured at the occupied seating surfaces onboard the WC/C-130J, C-130H3, and E-2C Hawkeye. The effects of the vibration were assessed in accordance with current international guidelines (ISO 2631-1:1997). The relative psychophysical effects of the frequency components and the effects of selected mitigation strategies were also investigated. The accelerations associated with the blade passage frequency measured on the passenger seat pans located on the side of the fuselage near the propeller plane of the C-130J (102 Hz) and C-130H3 (68 Hz) were noteworthy (5.19 +/- 1.72 ms(-2) rms and 7.65 +/- 0.71 ms(-2) rms, respectively, in the lateral direction of the aircraft). The psychophysical results indicated that the higher frequency component would dominate the side passengers' perception of the vibration. Balancing the props significantly reduced the lower frequency propeller rotation vibration (17 Hz), but had little effect on the blade passage frequency vibration. The relationships among the frequency, vibration direction, and seat measurement sites were complex, challenging the development of seating systems and mitigation strategies. Psychophysical metrics could provide a tool for optimizing mitigation strategies, but the current international vibration standard may not provide optimum assessment methods for evaluating higher frequency operational exposures.

Multi-body dynamics modelling of seated human body under exposure to whole-body vibration.

PubMed

Yoshimura, Takuya; Nakai, Kazuma; Tamaoki, Gen

2005-07-01

In vehicle systems occupational drivers might expose themselves to vibration for a long time. This may cause illness of the spine such as chronic lumbago or low back pain. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the influence of vibration to the spinal column and to make up appropriate guidelines or counter plans. In ISO2631-1 or ISO2631-5 assessment of vibration effects to human in the view of adverse-health effect was already presented. However, it is necessary to carry out further research to understand the effect of vibration to human body to examine their validity and to prepare for the future revision. This paper shows the detail measurement of human response to vibration, and the modelling of the seated human body for the assessment of the vibration risk. The vibration transmissibilities from the seat surface to the spinal column and to the head are measured during the exposure to vertical excitation. The modal paramters of seated subject are extracted in order to understand the dominant natural modes. For the evaluation of adverse-health effect the multi-body modelling of the spinal column is introduced. A simplified model having 10 DOFs is counstructed so that the transmissibilities of the model fit to those of experiment. The transient response analysis is illustrated when a half-sine input is applied. The relative displacements of vertebrae are evaluated, which can be a basis for the assessment of vibration risk. It is suggested that the multi-body dynamic model is used to evaluate the vibration effect to the spinal column for seated subjects.

Parental Knowledge on car Safety for Children: An Israeli Survey

PubMed Central

Hemmo-Lotem, Michal; Urkin, Jacob; Endy-Findling, Liri; Merrick, Joav

2006-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the level of parental car safety knowledge and actual behavior regarding their children under the age of 15 years. This study forms part of the National Center for Child Safety and Health in Israel (Beterem) program to examine awareness on child safety. Seven hundred and five Jewish families with at least one child at home younger than 15 years (a total of 1,345 children) were used as a randomized sample of the Jewish population. A telephone survey was conducted by professional interviewers using a questionnaire developed by injury prevention specialists consisting of seven knowledge questions and a diagram that described the usual seating positions and restraining method of the family members in the family car. Concerning knowledge about injury prevention, the rate of incorrect answers was high,64% in regard to the proper car seats for age and 84% in regard to the age for booster seats. Sixty five per cent of parents did not know what a booster seat was and 54% did not know that the proper place for children was in the back seat. The average of incorrect answers was 4.86 out of 7 (SD=1.45) correlated with low socioeconomic status. Concerning care safety behavior 60% per cent of babies and 38% of toddlers were not restrained properly. This study should alert planners and policy makers to the need of implementation of educational prevention programs for the Israeli public of parents concerning car safety for children in order to reduce childhood injury. PMID:16432626

Parental knowledge on car safety for children: an Israeli survey.

PubMed

Hemmo-Lotem, Michal; Urkin, Jacob; Endy-Findling, Liri; Merrick, Joav

2006-01-17

The objective of this study was to assess the level of parental car safety knowledge and actual behavior regarding their children under the age of 15 years. This study forms part of the National Center for Child Safety and Health in Israel (Beterem) program to examine awareness on child safety. Seven hundred and five Jewish families with at least one child at home younger than 15 years (a total of 1,345 children) were used as a randomized sample of the Jewish population. A telephone survey was conducted by professional interviewers using a questionnaire developed by injury prevention specialists consisting of seven knowledge questions and a diagram that described the usual seating positions and restraining method of the family members in the family car. Concerning knowledge about injury prevention, the rate of incorrect answers was high, 64% in regard to the proper car seats for age and 84% in regard to the age for booster seats. Sixty five percent of parents did not know what a booster seat was and 54% did not know that the proper place for children was in the back seat. The average of incorrect answers was 4.86 out of 7 (SD=1.45) correlated with low socioeconomic status. Concerning care safety behavior 60% percent of babies and 38% of toddlers were not restrained properly. This study should alert planners and policy makers to the need of implementation of educational prevention programs for the Israeli public of parents concerning car safety for children in order to reduce childhood injury.

Seat belt pre-pretensioner effect on child-sized dummies during run-off-road events.

PubMed

Stockman, Isabelle; Bohman, Katarina; Jakobsson, Lotta

2017-05-29

Run-off-road events occur frequently and can result in severe consequences. Several potential injury-causing mechanisms can be observed in the diverse types of run-off-road events. Real-world data show that different types of environments, such as rough terrain, ditch types, and whether multiple events occur, may be important contributing factors to occupant injury. Though countermeasures addressing front seat occupants have been presented, studies on rear seat occupant retention in situations such as run-off-road events are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the seat belt pre-pretensioner effect on rear-seated child-sized anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) during 2 different types of run-off-road events. The study was carried out using 2 test setups: a rig test with a vehicle rear seat mounted on a multi-axial robot simulating a road departure event into a side ditch and an in-vehicle test setup with a Volvo XC60 entering a side ditch with a grass slope, driving inside the ditch, and returning back to the road from the ditch. Potential subsequent rollovers or impacts were not included in the test setups. Three different ATDs were used. The Q6 and Q10 were seated on an integrated booster cushion and the Hybrid III (HIII) 5th percentile female was positioned directly on the seat. The seat belt retractor was equipped with a pre-pretensioner (electrical reversible retractor) with 3 force level settings. In addition, reference tests with the pre-pretensioner inactivated were run. Kinematics and the shoulder belt position were analyzed. In rig tests, the left-seated ATD was exposed to rapid inboard lateral loads relative to the vehicle. The displacement for each ATD was reduced when the pre-pretensioner was activated compared to tests when it was inactivated. Maximum inboard displacement occurred earlier in the event for all ATDs when the pre-pretensioner was activated. Shoulder belt slip-off occurred for the Q6 and Q10 in tests where the pre-pretensioner was inactivated. During in-vehicle tests, the left-seated ATD was exposed to an inboard movement when entering the road again after driving in the ditch. The maximum inboard head displacement was reduced in tests where the pre-pretensioner was activated compared to tests in which it was inactivated. During both test setups, the activation of the pre-pretensioner resulted in reduced lateral excursion of the Q6, Q10, and HIII 5th percentile female due to the shoulder belt remaining on the shoulder and supporting the side of the lower torso. The results provide new insights into the potential benefits of using a pre-pretensioner to reduce kinematic responses during complex run-off-road events through supporting the seat belt to remain on the shoulder. This study addresses potential countermeasures to improve real-world protection of rear-seated children, and it provides a broader perspective including the influence of precrash kinematics.

[The contribution of biomechanics to the safety of children inside motor vehicles].

PubMed

Brun-Cassan, F; Cailleret, M C; Tarrière, C

1992-03-01

Because laws mandating use of seat belts by motor vehicle drivers and front seat passengers have been passed throughout the developed world, it is becoming increasingly common to see parents protected from injuries whereas their children are abandoned to the tragic effects of chance and biomechanics. In France, the situation is especially critical. The law passed in 1975 requiring that all children use the back seat has reduced the risk of death and severe injury but nevertheless affords inadequate protection: each year, among children aged 0 to 10 years, several hundred are killed and nearly 10,000 injured in car accidents. This situation can be decisively improved, as shown by the figures in the United States and most European countries where use of child restraint devices (CRD) is mandatory. CRDs are designed to protect the child in the event of an accident by reducing the risk of injury due to ejection or projection against the inside of the vehicle: they play the same role as the seat belt for adults. France is the European country with the lowest rate of use of CRDs and the highest rate of child deaths due to motor vehicle occupant injuries. To improve this situation, regulations are being developed by the French government; use of appropriate CRDs will be mandatory for all children aged 0 to 10 years starting on January 1 st, 1992.

Effect of different seated positions on lung volume and oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

PubMed

Dellamonica, J; Lerolle, N; Sargentini, C; Hubert, S; Beduneau, G; Di Marco, F; Mercat, A; Diehl, J L; Richard, J C M; Bernardin, G; Brochard, L

2013-06-01

Lung volume available for ventilation is markedly decreased during acute respiratory distress syndrome. Body positioning may contribute to increase lung volume and partial verticalization is simple to perform. This study evaluated whether verticalization had parallel effects on oxygenation and end expiratory lung volume (EELV). Prospective multicenter study in 40 mechanically ventilated patients with ALI/ARDS in five university hospital MICUs. We evaluated four 45-min successive trunk position epochs (supine slightly elevated at 15°; semi recumbent with trunk elevated at 45°; seated with trunk elevated at 60° and legs down at 45°; back to supine). Arterial blood gases, EELV measured using the nitrogen washin/washout, and static compliance were measured. Responders were defined by a PaO₂/FiO₂ increase >20 % between supine and seated position. Results are median [25th-75th percentiles]. With median PEEP = 10 cmH₂O, verticalization increased lung volume but only responders (13 patients, 32 %) had a significant increase in EELV/PBW (predicted body weight) compared to baseline. This increase persisted at least partially when patients were positioned back to supine. Responders had a lower EELV/PBW supine [14 mL/kg (13-15) vs. 18 mL/kg (15-27) (p = 0.005)] and a lower compliance [30 mL/cmH₂O (22-38) vs. 42 (30-46) (p = 0.01)] than non-responders. Strain decreased with verticalization for responders. EELV/PBW increase and PaO₂/FiO₂ increase were not correlated. Verticalization is easily achieved and improves oxygenation in approximately 32 % of the patients together with an increase in EELV. Nonetheless, effect of verticalization on EELV/PBW is not predictable by PaO₂/FiO₂ increase, its monitoring may be helpful for strain optimization.

Hang Gliders for Sport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Hang gliding is growing rapidly. Free Flight produces 1,000 gliders a month and other companies are entering the field. Wing is simple to control, pulling back on control bar allows you to pick up speed and at the same time lowers your altitude. Pushing forward slows your speed and levels you off. Birdmen can choose from prone, upright or swing seat harnesses in either kits or ready-to-fly gliders.

Vertical Vibration Transmission Through the Lumbar Spine of the Seated SUBJECT—FIRST Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Khatib, A.; Guillon, F.; Dômont, A.

1998-08-01

Seven fresh, not embalmed, cadavers (58·1±6·6 years, 73±10·3 kg, 170·7±6·5 cm) were submitted, in the week following their death (7·1±3·1 days), to a whole-body vertical broad-band white random vibration in the bandwidth 0·8 to 25 Hz of about 1·5 m/s2r.m.s. Two postures were tested using the same rigid seat, each one with and without a lumbar support: seated erect and seated as in a car. Vibration was monitored on the floor, the seating in the vertical direction (buttocks-to-head), the five lumbar vertebrae and the sternum: vertical (buttocks to head) and longitudinal (back to chest). Biaxial accelerometers were mounted rigidly on the anterior face of the vertebral body, after the removal of the abdominal viscera. Analogue recordings of each channel were passed through an antialising filter (Fc=40 Hz) then sampled at 80 Hz (4096 samples/channel). The inclination of each accelerometer (α) was measured on the lateral X-ray taken for every trial, then the data were set in order to be in the same reference (Z=z/cos α,X=xcos α). Spectral analysis was performed with a frequency resolution of 0·3 Hz, on the basis of Welch's method. Thirty one overlapping sections (256 samples per section using a Hanning window with an overlap rate of 128 samples) of the estimated periodograms were averaged. Transfer and coherence functions were than estimated between the vertical seating acceleration and the measured accelerations at the upper levels. The first results showed that the vertical vibration transmission was constant throughout the lumbar spine. Inter-subject variability was the major source of disparity. Resonance phenomena were observed between 4 and 9 Hz and depended on posture.

TU-H-CAMPUS-TeP1-02: Seated Treatment: Setup Uncertainty Comparable to Supine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCarroll, R; UT Health Science Center, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX; Beadle, B

Purpose: For some head and neck patients, positioning in the supine position is not well tolerated. For these patients, treatment in a seated position would be preferred. We have evaluated inter- and intra- fraction uncertainty of patient set-up in a novel treatment chair which is compatible with modern linac designs. Methods: Five head-and-neck cancer patients were positioned in the chair, fitted with immobilization devices, and imaged with orthogonal X-rays. The couch (with chair attached) was rotated to simulate delivery (without actual treatment), another set of images were acquired, providing a measure of intra-fraction displacement. The patient then got off ofmore » and back onto the chair and the process was repeated, thus providing a measure of inter-fraction set-up uncertainty. Six sub-regions in the head-and-neck were rigidly registered to evaluate local intra- and interfraction displacement. Image guidance was simulated by first registering one sub-region; the residual displacement of other sub-regions was then measured. Additionally, a patient questionnaire was administered to evaluate tolerance of the seated position. Results: The chair design is such that all advantages of couch motions may be utilized. Average inter- and intrafraction displacements of all sub-regions in the seated position were less than 2 and 3 mm, respectively. When image guidance was simulated, interfraction displacements were reduced by an average of 4 mm, providing comparable setup to the supine position. The enrolled patients, who had no indication for a seated treatment position, reported no preference for the seated or the supine position. Conclusion: The novel chair design provides acceptable inter- and intra-fraction displacement, with reproducibility similar to that observed for patients in the supine position. Such a chair will be utilized for patients who cannot tolerate the supine position and use with CBCT images for planning, in a fixed-beam linac system, and for other treatment sites is under investigation. Funding: Varian Medical Systems.« less

Reliability and Validity of a New Method for Isometric Back Extensor Strength Evaluation Using A Hand-Held Dynamometer.

PubMed

Park, Hee-Won; Baek, Sora; Kim, Hong Young; Park, Jung-Gyoo; Kang, Eun Kyoung

2017-10-01

To investigate the reliability and validity of a new method for isometric back extensor strength measurement using a portable dynamometer. A chair equipped with a small portable dynamometer was designed (Power Track II Commander Muscle Tester). A total of 15 men (mean age, 34.8±7.5 years) and 15 women (mean age, 33.1±5.5 years) with no current back problems or previous history of back surgery were recruited. Subjects were asked to push the back of the chair while seated, and their isometric back extensor strength was measured by the portable dynamometer. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For the validity assessment, isometric back extensor strength of all subjects was measured by a widely used physical performance evaluation instrument, BTE PrimusRS system. The limit of agreement (LoA) from the Bland-Altman plot was evaluated between two methods. The test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC=0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.91). The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated acceptable agreement between the two methods: the lower 95% LoA was -63.1 N and the upper 95% LoA was 61.1 N. This study shows that isometric back extensor strength measurement using a portable dynamometer has good reliability and validity.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1988-10-26

The STS-27 crew portrait features 5 astronauts. Seated, left to right, are Jerry L. Ross, mission specialist; Guy S. Gardner, pilot; and Robert L. Gibson, commander. On the back row, left to right, are mission specialists Richard M. Mullane, and William M. Shepherd. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on December 2, 1988 at 9:30:34 am (EST), the STS-27 mission was the third mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD).

From Back Seat to Driver: Motivational Perspectives of What One Can Achieve Despite a Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Exceptional Parent, 2010

2010-01-01

This article presents the story of Wesley Brooks, a freshman at Middlesex County College and someone who will not let his disability impede him from what he sets out to achieve in life. Brooks was born 24 weeks early and weighed just under one pound. This resulted in him having cerebral palsy, which impacts his motor movement. He also had to…

Measurement of whole-body vibration exposure from speed control humps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khorshid, E.; Alkalby, F.; Kamal, H.

2007-07-01

The main objective of speed control humps is to introduce shocks and high vibration levels when a car passes over them if its speed is higher than the allowable limit. Hump geometry is a major factor in altering the level of these shocks and specifying the speed limit. However, there is no study of the relationship between whole body vibration due to passing over a speed control hump and lower back pain or occupational diseases. In this study, an experimental investigation is conducted to evaluate health risks associated with different geometry speed control humps. Vibration levels and shocks are measured by a seat pad accelerometer placed under the driver's seat to evaluate hazard risks on the human body's lower back. The assessment is based on two standard methods of measuring whole body vibration: the British standard BS 6841 and the new ISO/DIS standard 2631-5. These methods are used to assess the effects of vehicle type, passenger location in the vehicle, vehicle speed, and speed control hump geometry. It was found that circular speed control humps currently installed on many public roads should be modified in order to eliminate hazards. Two newly designed speed humps were proved to be less hazardous than circular speed control humps.

Isocyanate-induced asthma in a car factory.

PubMed

White, W G; Morris, M J; Sugden, E; Zapata, E

1980-04-05

In a car factory employing 203 women machinists making seat covers more women complained of respiratory symptoms after the introduction of a new seat cover fabric, cropped nylon backed with flame-bonded polyurethane foam (CNPF). 68 women working in the trim shop were studied on the first day back at work after a week's holiday and then at the end of a working week; the incidence of wheezing and/or shortness of breath was greater than expected but there was no difference between peak flow rates. A second study of 192 of the 203 women working in the trim shop confirmed this recent increase in incidence of asthmatic symptoms and showed that significantly more machinists who had worked with this new fabric had a reduced peak flow rate than machinists who had not. Asthma developed in one subject when she was working in the factory sewing CNPF, when she was handling this fabric in the challenge cabinet in the laboratory, and on challenge with toluene di-isocyanate in the laboratory. Airways resistance increased in 3 other workers after exposure to CNPF in the laboratory. Low concentrations (between 0.0003 to 0.003 ppm) of toluene di-isocyanate were found in the air around this fabric. 4 of 9 women with symptoms had IgE antibodies to toluene di-isocyanate.

[Chronic low back pain at a public transportation company in Senegal].

PubMed

Mbaye, I; Fall, M C; Wone, I; Dione, P; Ouattara, B; Sow, M L

2002-01-01

The aims of this study were to appreciate the prevalence of chronic low back pains in a public transport's company, to state characteristics and to identify categories of workers involved and medico-legal consequences. It is a cross sectional study. which used medical records of the occupational clinic. All workers who complained of low back pain in the past three years following the study were selected. Characteristics of workers, types of injuries, occupational and medico-legal consequences were looked out. Sixty nine cases were collected, they were exclusively males. 54 % of them were bus drivers, and 29% conductors. X rays abnormalities were found in 31.64%. Exposure to vibration due to damaged roads and decayed vehicles seems to be main etiologic factors. From a occupational and medico-legal standpoint, two patients were reported for workers compensation, three patients were reclassified in another job. Undamaged roads, ergonomic design of bus' seats, and medical screening during placement and routine medical examination are key issues in preventing low back pains.

Automated recognition of rear seat occupants' head position using Kinect™ 3D point cloud.

PubMed

Loeb, Helen; Kim, Jinyong; Arbogast, Kristy; Kuo, Jonny; Koppel, Sjaan; Cross, Suzanne; Charlton, Judith

2017-12-01

Child occupant safety in motor-vehicle crashes is evaluated using Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD) seated in optimal positions. However, child occupants often assume suboptimal positions during real-world driving trips. Head impact to the seat back has been identified as one important injury causation scenario for seat belt restrained, head-injured children (Bohman et al., 2011). There is therefore a need to understand the interaction of children with the Child Restraint System to optimize protection. Naturalistic driving studies (NDS) will improve understanding of out-of-position (OOP) trends. To quantify OOP positions, an NDS was conducted. Families used a study vehicle for two weeks during their everyday driving trips. The positions of rear-seated child occupants, representing 22 families, were evaluated. The study vehicle - instrumented with data acquisition systems, including Microsoft Kinect™ V1 - recorded rear seat occupants in 1120 driving 26 trips. Three novel analytical methods were used to analyze data. To assess skeletal tracking accuracy, analysts recorded occurrences where Kinect™ exhibited invalid head recognition among a randomly-selected subset (81 trips). Errors included incorrect target detection (e.g., vehicle headrest) or environmental interference (e.g., sunlight). When head data was present, Kinect™ was correct 41% of the time; two other algorithms - filtering for extreme motion, and background subtraction/head-based depth detection are described in this paper and preliminary results are presented. Accuracy estimates were not possible because of their experimental nature and the difficulty to use a ground truth for this large database. This NDS tested methods to quantify the frequency and magnitude of head positions for rear-seated child occupants utilizing Kinect™ motion-tracking. This study's results informed recent ATD sled tests that replicated observed positions (most common and most extreme), and assessed the validity of child occupant protection on these typical CRS uses. Optimal protection in vehicles requires an understanding of how child occupants use the rear seat space. This study explored the feasibility of using Kinect™ to log positions of rear seated child occupants. Initial analysis used the Kinect™ system's skeleton recognition and two novel analytical algorithms to log head location. This research will lead to further analysis leveraging Kinect™ raw data - and other NDS data - to quantify the frequency/magnitude of OOP situations, ATD sled tests that replicate observed positions, and advances in the design and testing of child occupant protection technology. Copyright © 2017 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Usage of cornea and sclera back reflected images captured in security cameras for forensic and card games applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zalevsky, Zeev; Ilovitsh, Asaf; Beiderman, Yevgeny

2013-10-01

We present an approach allowing seeing objects that are hidden and that are not positioned in direct line of sight with security inspection cameras. The approach is based on inspecting the back reflections obtained from the cornea and the sclera of the eyes of people attending the inspected scene and which are positioned in front of the hidden objects we aim to image after performing proper calibration with point light source (e.g. a LED). The scene can be a forensic scene or for instance a casino in which the application is to see the cards of poker players seating in front of you.

Time course of the acute effects of core stabilisation exercise on seated postural control.

PubMed

Lee, Jordan B; Brown, Stephen H M

2017-09-20

Core stabilisation exercises are often promoted for purposes ranging from general fitness to high-performance athletics, and the prevention and rehabilitation of back troubles. These exercises, when performed properly, may have the potential to enhance torso postural awareness and control, yet the potential for achieving immediate gains has not been completely studied. Fourteen healthy young participants performed a single bout of non-fatiguing core stabilisation exercise that consisted of repeated sets of 2 isometric exercises, the side bridge and the four-point contralateral arm-and-leg extension. Seated postural control, using an unstable balance platform on top of a force plate, was assessed before and after exercise, including multiple time points within a 20-minute follow-up period. Nine standard postural control variables were calculated at each time point, including sway displacement and velocity ranges, root mean squares and cumulative path length. Statistical analysis showed that none of the postural control variables were significantly different at any time point following completion of core stabilisation exercise. Thus, we conclude that a single bout of acute core stabilisation exercise is insufficient to immediately improve seated trunk postural control in young healthy individuals.

Human Kinematics During Non-Collinear Low Velocity Rear End Collisions

PubMed Central

McConnell, Whitman E.; Guzman, Herbert M.; Krenrich, Scott W.; Bomar, John B.; Harding, Richard M.; Raddin, James H.; Funk, James R.; Smith, Darrin A.

2003-01-01

Non-collinear low velocity rear end (LVRE) collision human kinematics have not previously been studied. Occupant head and neck motions during twenty similar non-collinear (15 and 30 degree angle) left rear end collisions were analyzed for five male test subjects alternately positioned in the left and right front seats of the struck vehicle. Displacement-time and acceleration data for occupant, seat, and vehicles were determined by 3D motion analyses and linear accelerometer outputs. The dynamics of the struck vehicle at 6.0 to 9.3 kph (3.8 to 5.8 mph) delta-V showed an initial period of yaw, even when the rear tires did not lose traction with the pavement. The brief yaw seen during the 15 degree impacts was accompanied by early relative rightward movement of the vehicle’s seat and seatback behind the stationary test subject: the subjects subsequently engaged the left region of the seatback and head restraint. A more pronounced yaw accompanied the loss of rear tire traction during the 30 degree tests, and resulted in occupant contact/loading further toward the left edge of the seat back and head restraint. For a given striking vehicle velocity, the impact severity in terms of head acceleration and changes in head velocity were significantly lower (p<0.05) at vehicle impact angles of 30 degrees compared with 15 degrees. Clinically, there were only minor short-term symptoms and no long-term symptoms observed in these angled impacts. PMID:12941242

Fit to play: posture and seating position analysis with professional musicians - a study protocol.

PubMed

Ohlendorf, Daniela; Wanke, Eileen M; Filmann, Natalie; Groneberg, David A; Gerber, Alexander

2017-01-01

Musical performance-associated musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a common health problem among professional musicians. Considering the manifold consequences arising for the musicians, they can be seen as a threat for their professional activity. String players are the most affected group of musicians in this matter. Faults in upper body posture while playing the instrument, causing un-ergonomic static strain on the back and unergonomic limp-movements, are a main reason for musculoskeletal disorders and pain syndromes. A total of 66 professional musicians, divided into three groups, are measured. The division is performed by average duration of performance, intensity of daily exercise and professional experience. Video raster stereography, a three-dimensional analysis of the body posture, is used to analyse the instrument-specific posture. Furthermore the pressure distribution during seating is analysed. Measurements are performed because the musician is sitting on varying music chairs differing in structure and/or construction of the seating surface. The measurements take place in habitual seating position as well as during playing the instrument. To analyse the influence of different chairs, ANOVA for repeated measurements or Friedman-test is used, depending on normality assumptions. Comparison of posture between amateur musicians, students, and professional orchestral musicians is carried out the non-parametric Jonckheere-Terpstra-test. Our method attempts to give the musicians indications for the right music chair choice by analyzing the chair concepts, so that thereby preemptively MSD can be reduced or prevented.

Get a license, buckle up, and slow down: risky driving patterns among saudis.

PubMed

El Bcheraoui, Charbel; Basulaiman, Mohammed; Tuffaha, Marwa; Daoud, Farah; Robinson, Margaret; Jaber, Sara; Mikhitarian, Sarah; Wilson, Shelley; Memish, Ziad A; Al Saeedi, Mohammad; Almazroa, Mohammad A; Mokdad, Ali H

2015-01-01

Road traffic injuries are the largest cause of loss of disability-adjusted life years for men and women of all ages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but data on driving habits there are lacking. To inform policymakers on drivers' abilities and driving habits, we analyzed data from the Saudi Health Interview Survey 2013. We surveyed a representative sample of 5,235 Saudi males aged 15 years or older on wearing seat belts, exceeding speed limits, and using a handheld cell phone while driving. Male and female respondents were surveyed on wearing seat belts as passengers. Among Saudi males, 71.7% reported having had a driver's license, but more than 43% of unlicensed males drove a vehicle. Among drivers, 86.1% engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving. Older and unlicensed drivers were more likely to take risks while driving. This risk decreased among the more educated, current smokers, and those who are physically active. Up to 94.9% and 98.5% of respondents reported not wearing a seat belt in the front and the back passenger seats, respectively. The high burden of road traffic injuries in the Kingdom is not surprising given our findings. Our study calls for aggressive monitoring and enforcement of traffic laws. Awareness and proper education for drivers and their families should be developed jointly by the Ministries of Health, Interior Affairs, and Education and provided through their channels.

Low back pain in adolescent and associated factors: A cross sectional study with schoolchildren

PubMed Central

Silva, Mônica R. O. G. C. M.; Badaró, Ana Fátima V.; Dall'Agnol, Marinel M.

2014-01-01

Objective: To determine the prevalence of low back pain nonspecific and associated factors in schoolchildren. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated 343 adolescents, aged between 12 and 15 years, of both sexes of public schools. The questionnaire included questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, type of school transportation, body mass index and low back pain. The outcome was defined as discomfort localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds in the last 12 months. Results : The prevalence of low back pain in the last year was 57% (n=195) among participants, with no significant difference between the sexes (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.37). Advancing age and body mass index were associated with the presence of low back pain in the bivariate analysis. The remaining seated at school in usual days was considered one of the main activities that trigger symptoms that lasted up to seven days for the majority (80%) of adolescents. Conclusions: The high prevalence of low back pain presented, indicating that it is a common condition among these adolescents. There was no difference between the sexes, but had influence of age and body mass index. Our results point to the need for the development epidemiological studies of low back pain among children and adolescents. PMID:25372002

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1985-09-08

The crew assigned to the STS-51J mission included (seated left to right) Robert L. Stewart, mission specialist; Karol J. Bobko, commander; and Ronald J. Grabe, pilot. On the back row, left to right, are mission specialists David C. Hilmers, and Major Willliam A, Pailles (USAF). Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on October 3, 1985 at 11:15:30 am (EDT), the STS-51J mission was the second mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD).

Flooding in Pakistan: Overview and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-21

sites are women. Many of the men have endured the flooding and gone back to their property to salvage belongings and deter squatters. There have...seated in the spring of 2008 after relatively free and fair elections. It is led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of President Asif Zardari and...Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. After flooding began in late July, President Zardari came under intense criticism for going ahead with a planned

STS-29 Commander Coats in JSC fixed base (FB) shuttle mission simulator (SMS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

STS-29 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, Commander Michael L. Coats sits at commanders station forward flight deck controls in JSC fixed base (FB) shuttle mission simulator (SMS). Coats, wearing communications kit assembly headset and flight coveralls, looks away from forward control panels to aft flight deck. Pilots station seat back appears in foreground. FB-SMS is located in JSC Mission Simulation and Training Facility Bldg 5.

Correspondence Education Moves toward the Year 2000: Proceedings of the National Invitational Forum on Correspondence Education (1st, Columbus, Ohio, June 12-15, 1984). Special Publication No. 47.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell-Thrane, Lucille, Ed.

This document brings together the individual speeches and group discussions that were part of a forum to stimulate thought and discussion on correspondence education. The nine plenary addresses are provided: "Correspondence Education: From the Back of the Bus to the Driver's Seat" (Kenneth E. Young), "Flaming Issues of the Day" (D. W. Holbrook,…

STS-41 Commander Richards uses DTO 1206 portable computer onboard OV-103

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

STS-41 Commander Richard N. Richards, at pilots station, uses Detailed Test Objective (DTO) Space Station Cursor Control Device Evaluation MACINTOSH portable computer on the forward flight deck of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Richards tests the roller ball cursor control device. Surrounding Richards are checklists, forward flight deck windows, his lightweight communications kit assembly headset, a beverage container (orange-mango drink), and the pilots seat back and headrest.

Flow metering valve

DOEpatents

Blaedel, K.L.

1983-11-03

An apparatus for metering fluids at high pressures of about 20,000 to 60,000 psi is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second plates which are positioned adjacent each other to form a valve chamber. The plates are made of materials which have substantially equal elastic properties. One plate has a planar surface area, and the other a recessed surface area defined by periphery and central lips. When the two plates are positioned in adjacent contacting relationship, a valve chamber is formed between the planar surface area and the recessed surface area. Fluid is introduced into the chamber and exits therefrom when a deformation occurs at positions where they no longer form a valve seat. This permits the metering of fluids at high pressures and at slow variable rates. Fluid then exits from the chamber until an applied external force becomes large enough to bring the valve seats back into contact.

Flow metering valve

DOEpatents

Blaedel, Kenneth L.

1985-01-01

An apparatus for metering fluids at high pressures of about 20,000 to 60,000 psi is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second plates which are positioned adjacent each other to form a valve chamber. The plates are made of materials which have substantially equal elastic properties. One plate has a planar surface area, and the other a recessed surface area defined by periphery and central lips. When the two plates are positioned in adjacent contacting relationship, a valve chamber is formed between the planar surface area and the recessed surface area. Fluid is introduced into the chamber and exits therefrom when a deformation occurs at positions where they no longer form a valve seat. This permits the metering of fluids at high pressures and at slow variable rates. Fluid then exits from the chamber until an applied external force becomes large enough to bring the valve seats back into contact.

Reliability and Validity of a New Method for Isometric Back Extensor Strength Evaluation Using A Hand-Held Dynamometer

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Objective To investigate the reliability and validity of a new method for isometric back extensor strength measurement using a portable dynamometer. Methods A chair equipped with a small portable dynamometer was designed (Power Track II Commander Muscle Tester). A total of 15 men (mean age, 34.8±7.5 years) and 15 women (mean age, 33.1±5.5 years) with no current back problems or previous history of back surgery were recruited. Subjects were asked to push the back of the chair while seated, and their isometric back extensor strength was measured by the portable dynamometer. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For the validity assessment, isometric back extensor strength of all subjects was measured by a widely used physical performance evaluation instrument, BTE PrimusRS system. The limit of agreement (LoA) from the Bland-Altman plot was evaluated between two methods. Results The test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC=0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.91). The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated acceptable agreement between the two methods: the lower 95% LoA was −63.1 N and the upper 95% LoA was 61.1 N. Conclusion This study shows that isometric back extensor strength measurement using a portable dynamometer has good reliability and validity. PMID:29201818

Prevalence and factors associated with a higher risk of neck and back pain among permanent wheelchair users: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Kovacs, Francisco M; Seco, Jesús; Royuela, Ana; Barriga, Andrés; Zamora, Javier

2018-04-01

Cross-sectional study. To determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, spinal pain among wheelchair users. Four Spanish hospitals specialized in providing care for wheelchair users. Persons who had used a wheelchair for a median (IRQ) of 10 (5;19) years, 27% of them due to reasons other than spinal cord injury, were recruited consecutively (n = 750). Data on 43 demographic, psychosocial, ergonomic, and clinical variables were collected, and analyzed. Main outcome measures were: point prevalence of neck (NP), thoracic (TP), low back pain (LBP), and pain at any spinal level (PASL); and factors associated with them. Point prevalence was 56% for NP, 54% for TP, 45% for LBP, and 76% for PSAL. PASL was associated with a lower quality of life (OR (95% CI) 0.91 (0.86; 0.97)). Multivariable regression models showed that the main factors associated with significant pain (≥1.5 VAS points) were: (a) For NP: cervical spinal injury and wheelchair seat cushion thickness, (b) For TP: thoracic spinal injury and sagittal index, (c) For LBP: thoracic or lumbar spinal injury, with some sensitivity remaining, (d) For PASL: being female, living alone, and using a non-power wheelchair. Discrimination (AUC) of these models ranged between 0.638 and 0.818. p-values in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test ranged between 0.420 and 0.701. Prevalence of spinal pain among wheelchair users is high. It is associated with a lower quality of life. Future studies should assess whether using a power wheelchair affects PASL, and if the thickness of seat cushion affects NP. Spanish Back Pain Research Network.

Polymer Optical Fiber Sensor and the Prediction of Sensor Response Utilizing Artificial Neural Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haroglu, Derya

The global market researches showed that there is a growing trend in the field of polymer optical fiber (POF) and POF sensors. Telecommunications, medicine, defense, aerospace, and automotive are the application areas of fiber optic sensors, where the automotive industry is the most promising application area for innovations in the field of POF sensors. The POF sensors in automobiles are particularly for detection of seat occupancy, and intelligent pedestrian protection systems. This dissertation investigates graded index perfluorinated polymer optical fiber as an intensity modulated intrinsic sensor for application in automotive seat occupancy sensing. Since a fiber optic sensor has a high bandwidth, is small in size, is lightweight, and is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) it offers higher performance than that of its electrical based counterparts such as strain gauge, elastomeric bladder, and resistive sensor systems. This makes the fiber optic sensor a potential suitable material for seat occupancy sensing. A textile-based fiber optic sensor was designed to be located in the area beneath the typical seated human's thighs. The pressure interval under which the proposed POF sensor design could perform well was found to be between 0.18 and 0.21 N/cm2, where perfluorinated (PF) graded index (GI) POF (62.5/750 mum) was used as the POF material. In addition, the effect of the automotive seat covering including face material (fabric) and foam backing to the sensor's performance was analyzed. The face fabric structure and the thickness of foam backing were not found to be significant factors to change the sensor results. A research study, survey, was conducted of which purpose was to better understand market demands in terms of sensor performance characteristics for automotive seat weight sensors, as a part of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) House of Quality analysis. The companies joined the survey agreed on the first 5 most important sensor characteristics: reproducibility, accuracy, selectivity, aging, and resolution. Artificial neural network (ANN), a mathematical model formed by mimicking the human nervous system, was used to predict the sensor response. Qwiknet (version 2.23) software was used to develop ANNs and according to the results of Qwiknet the prediction performances for training and testing data sets were 75%, and 83.33% respectively. In this dissertation, Chapter 1 describes the worldwide plastic optical fiber (POF) and fiber optic sensor markets, and the existing textile structures used in fiber optic sensing design particularly for the applications of biomedical and structural health monitoring (SHM). Chapter 2 provides a literature review in detail on polymer optical fibers, fiber optic sensors, and occupancy sensing in the passenger seats of automobiles. Chapter 3 includes the research objectives. Chapter 4 presents the response of POF to tensile loading, bending, and cyclic tensile loading with discussion parts. Chapter 5 includes an e-mail based survey to prioritize customer needs in a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) format utilizing Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and survey results. Chapter 6 describes the POF sensor design and the behavior of it under pressure. Chapter 7 provides a data analysis based on the experimental results of Chapter 6. Chapter 8 presents the summary of this study and recommendations for future work.

Estimated dose rates to members of the public from external exposure to patients with 131I thyroid treatment

DOE PAGES

Dewji, S.; Bellamy, M.; Hertel, N.; ...

2015-03-25

The purpose of this study is to estimate dose rates that may result from exposure to patients who had been administered iodine-131 ( 131I) as part of medical therapy were calculated. These effective dose rate estimates were compared with simplified assumptions under United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 8.39, which does not consider body tissue attenuation nor time-dependent redistribution and excretion of the administered 131I. Methods: Dose rates were estimated for members of the public potentially exposed to external irradiation from patients recently treated with 131I. Tissue attenuation and iodine biokinetics were considered in the patient in a largermore » comprehensive effort to improve external dose rate estimates. The external dose rate estimates are based on Monte Carlo simulations using the Phantom with Movable Arms and Legs (PIMAL), previously developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. PIMAL was employed to model the relative positions of the 131I patient and members of the public in three exposure scenarios: (1) traveling on a bus in a total of six seated or standing permutations, (2) two nursing home cases where a caregiver is seated at 30 cm from the patient’s bedside and a nursing home resident seated 250 cm away from the patient in an adjacent bed, and (3) two hotel cases where the patient and a guest are in adjacent rooms with beds on opposite sides of the common wall, with the patient and guest both in bed and either seated back-to-back or lying head to head. The biokinetic model predictions of the retention and distribution of 131I in the patient assumed a single voiding of urinary bladder contents that occurred during the trip at 2, 4, or 8 h after 131I administration for the public transportation cases, continuous first-order voiding for the nursing home cases, and regular periodic voiding at 4, 8, or 12 h after administration for the hotel room cases. Organ specific activities of 131I in the thyroid, bladder, and combined remaining tissues were calculated as a function of time after administration. Exposures to members of the public were considered for 131I patients with normal thyroid uptake (peak thyroid uptake of ~27% of administered 131I), differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC, 5% uptake), and hyperthyroidism (80% uptake). Results: The scenario with the patient seated behind the member of the public yielded the highest dose rate estimate of seated public transportation exposure cases. The dose rate to the adjacent room guest was highest for the exposure scenario in which the hotel guest and patient are seated by a factor of ~4 for the normal and differentiated thyroid cancer uptake cases and by a factor of ~3 for the hyperthyroid case. Conclusions: It was determined that for all modeled cases, the DTC case yielded the lowest external dose rates, whereas the hyperthyroid case yielded the highest dose rates. In estimating external dose to members of the public from patients with 131I therapy, consideration must be given to (patient- and case-specific) administered 131I activities and duration of exposure for a more complete estimate. The method implemented here included a detailed calculation model, which provides a means to determine dose rate estimates for a range of scenarios. Finally, the method was demonstrated for variations of three scenarios, showing how dose rates are expected to vary with uptake, voiding pattern, and patient location.« less

Estimated dose rates to members of the public from external exposure to patients with 131I thyroid treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dewji, S.; Bellamy, M.; Hertel, N.

The purpose of this study is to estimate dose rates that may result from exposure to patients who had been administered iodine-131 ( 131I) as part of medical therapy were calculated. These effective dose rate estimates were compared with simplified assumptions under United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 8.39, which does not consider body tissue attenuation nor time-dependent redistribution and excretion of the administered 131I. Methods: Dose rates were estimated for members of the public potentially exposed to external irradiation from patients recently treated with 131I. Tissue attenuation and iodine biokinetics were considered in the patient in a largermore » comprehensive effort to improve external dose rate estimates. The external dose rate estimates are based on Monte Carlo simulations using the Phantom with Movable Arms and Legs (PIMAL), previously developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. PIMAL was employed to model the relative positions of the 131I patient and members of the public in three exposure scenarios: (1) traveling on a bus in a total of six seated or standing permutations, (2) two nursing home cases where a caregiver is seated at 30 cm from the patient’s bedside and a nursing home resident seated 250 cm away from the patient in an adjacent bed, and (3) two hotel cases where the patient and a guest are in adjacent rooms with beds on opposite sides of the common wall, with the patient and guest both in bed and either seated back-to-back or lying head to head. The biokinetic model predictions of the retention and distribution of 131I in the patient assumed a single voiding of urinary bladder contents that occurred during the trip at 2, 4, or 8 h after 131I administration for the public transportation cases, continuous first-order voiding for the nursing home cases, and regular periodic voiding at 4, 8, or 12 h after administration for the hotel room cases. Organ specific activities of 131I in the thyroid, bladder, and combined remaining tissues were calculated as a function of time after administration. Exposures to members of the public were considered for 131I patients with normal thyroid uptake (peak thyroid uptake of ~27% of administered 131I), differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC, 5% uptake), and hyperthyroidism (80% uptake). Results: The scenario with the patient seated behind the member of the public yielded the highest dose rate estimate of seated public transportation exposure cases. The dose rate to the adjacent room guest was highest for the exposure scenario in which the hotel guest and patient are seated by a factor of ~4 for the normal and differentiated thyroid cancer uptake cases and by a factor of ~3 for the hyperthyroid case. Conclusions: It was determined that for all modeled cases, the DTC case yielded the lowest external dose rates, whereas the hyperthyroid case yielded the highest dose rates. In estimating external dose to members of the public from patients with 131I therapy, consideration must be given to (patient- and case-specific) administered 131I activities and duration of exposure for a more complete estimate. The method implemented here included a detailed calculation model, which provides a means to determine dose rate estimates for a range of scenarios. Finally, the method was demonstrated for variations of three scenarios, showing how dose rates are expected to vary with uptake, voiding pattern, and patient location.« less

Origin of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

NASA Image and Video Library

1959-08-11

In this picture, negotiations are under way between officials of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on August 11, 1959. Seated at the table with his back to the camera, is Dr. T. Keith Glernan, NASA Administrator. At the head of the table is Major General John Barclay, Commander of ABMA and at the right side of the table are Colonel John G. Zierdt of ABMA and Dr. von Braun.

CCP MRAP Run

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-20

Following a training run on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, MRAP back doors are opened showing seating in the armored vehicle. The 45,000-pound mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, was originally designed for military applications, but will support the agency's Commercial Crew Program at the spaceport. The MRAP offers a mobile bunker for astronauts and ground crews in the unlikely event they have to get away from the launch pad quickly in an emergency.

Negotiations Between ABMA Officials and NASA Officials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1959-01-01

In this picture, negotiations are under way between officials of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on August 11, 1959. Seated at the table with his back to the camera, is Dr. T. Keith Glernan, NASA Administrator. At the head of the table is Major General John Barclay, Commander of ABMA and at the right side of the table are Colonel John G. Zierdt of ABMA and Dr. von Braun.

OFFICIAL PORTRAIT - STS-51A CREW

NASA Image and Video Library

1984-08-20

S84-40082 (August 1984) --- These five astronauts are scheduled to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-51A for NASA. The mission is scheduled for early November 1984. Astronaut Frederick H. (Rick) Hauck, seated, is crew commander. Astronaut David M. Walker, pilot, stands next to the Eagle, 51-A mascot. Others on the back row, left-to-right, are astronauts Dale A. Gardner, Anna L. Fisher and Joseph P. Allen IV, all mission specialists.

A comparative study of three different kinds of school furniture.

PubMed

Aagaard, Jens; Storr-Paulsen, Annette

1995-05-01

Several studies indicate that the ISO standards for school furniture seem to be inappropriate, and there is increasing evidence that the inclination of the seat should be forward and that it should be possible to adjust the table-top to a certain non-horizontal angle. However, these studies have predominantly used objective measurement methods on adult subjects for short-term experiments in rather artificial surroundings. By means of structured interviews registering the school children's perception of ergonomic comfort, the present study has compared three types of school furniture-the original ISO-standard type, and two different new types characterized by forward slanting seats and tiltable desk-tops, the main difference between the two being approximately 15 cm in the height of the chair as well as the table. The study showed that the highest of the two tilting types was perceived to be significantly better than the two others in terms of table height, chair height, reading position, back-rest, and global assessment. Likewise, the feature of a tiltable table-top was considered overwhelmingly positive independently of the height of the furniture. It is recommended that school authorities, producers of school furniture, and relevant medical personnel consider these results for alternative designs of school furniture. It should be kept in mind, however, that school furniture is only one among many factors in the multifactorial field of the back health of school children.

Evaluation of ISO CRS Envelopes Relative to U.S. Vehicles and Child Restraint Systems.

PubMed

Hu, Jingwen; Manary, Miriam A; Klinich, Kathleen D; Reed, Matthew P

2015-01-01

The objectives of this study are to use computer simulation to evaluate the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 13216-3:2006(E) child restraint system (CRS) envelopes relative to rear seat compartments from vehicles and CRSs in the U.S. market, investigate the potential compatibility issues of U.S. vehicles and CRSs, and demonstrate whether necessary modifications can be made to introduce such a system into compatibility evaluations between U.S. vehicles and CRSs. Three-dimensional geometry models for 26 vehicles and 16 convertible CRS designs developed previously were used. Geometry models of 3 forward-facing and 3 rear-facing CRS envelopes provided by the ISO were built in the current study. The virtual fit process closely followed the physical procedures described in the ISO standards. The results showed that the current ISO rear-facing envelopes can provide reasonable classifications for CRSs and vehicles, but the forward-facing envelopes do not represent products currently in the U.S. market. In particular, all of the selected vehicles could accommodate the largest forward-facing CRS envelope at the second-row seat location behind the driver seat. In contrast, half of the selected CRSs could not fit within any of the forward-facing ISO CRS envelopes, mainly due to protrusion at the rear-top corner of the envelope. The results also indicate that the rear seat compartment in U.S. vehicles often cannot accommodate a large portion of convertible CRSs in the rear-facing position. The increased demand for vehicle fuel economy and the recommendation to keep children rear-facing longer may lead to smaller cars and larger CRSs, which may increase the potential for fit problems. The virtual classifications indicated that contact between the forward-facing CRSs and the head restraints in the rear seats as well as that between the rear-facing CRSs and the back of the front seats is a main concern regarding the compatibility between the vehicles and the CRSs. Therefore, modification of the current ISO forward-facing CRS envelopes will likely to be necessary to ensure that they are useful for the U.S. market.

Design of a recumbent seating system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Croyle, Scott; Delarosa, Jose; George, Daren; Hinkle, Cathy; Karas, Stephen

1993-01-01

Future space shuttle missions presented by NASA might require the shuttle to rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir for the purpose of transporting astronauts back to earth. Due to the atrophied state of these astronauts, a special seating system must be designed for their transportation. The main functions of this seating system are to support and restrain the astronauts during normal reentry flight and to dampen some of the loading that might occur in a crash situation. Through research, the design team developed many concept variants for these functional requirements. By evaluating each variant, the concepts were eliminated until the four most attractive designs remained. The team used a decision matrix to determine the best concept to carry through embodiment. This concept involved using struts for support during reentry flight and a spring damper/shock absorber system to dampen crash landing loads. The embodiment design process consisted of defining the layout of each of the main functional components, specifically, the seat structure and the strut structure. Through the use of MCS/pal two, the design was refined until it could handle all required loads and dampen to the forces specified. The auxiliary function carriers were then considered. Following the design of these components, the complete final layout could be determined. It is concluded that the final design meets all specifications outlined in the conceptual design. The main advantages of this design are its low weight, simplicity, and large amount of function sharing between different components. The disassembly of this design could potentially present a problem because of time and size constraints involved. Overall, this design meets or exceeds all functional requirements.

Reduced fatalities related to rear seat shoulder belts

PubMed Central

Robertson, L.

1999-01-01

Methods—During 1988–96, fatalities to rear outboard seat occupants of passenger cars, classified by age of occupant and vehicle curb weight were matched to data on model year in which shoulder belts became standard equipment. The same data were obtained from the same years on back seat occupants in crashes from the Crashworthiness Data System. Weighted regression was performed on death rates per occupants in crashes by belt equipment, occupant age, and vehicle weight for all occupants and occupants who claimed to be restrained. Results—The risk of death is significantly lower in vehicles equipped with shoulder belts, midsized to larger cars, and among children. Claimed child restraint use is higher in cars with shoulder belts and claimed use of shoulder belts is higher among adolescents and young adults but lower among those 35 and older. However, older occupants have lower death rates in shoulder belt equipped cars. Conclusions—Shoulder belts substantially reduce risk of death relative to lap belts at prevalent use rates in each age group. Belt effectiveness when used cannot be estimated precisely because of invalid claimed use, but the lowered rates among vehicles with shoulder belts indicates that effectiveness given prevalent use is far more efficacious than lap belts without shoulder belts. PMID:10323573

Contribution of the leg vasculature to hypotensive effects of an antiorthostatic posture change in humans

PubMed Central

Pump, Bettina; Schou, Morten; Gabrielsen, Anders; Norsk, Peter

1999-01-01

Previous results from our laboratory have shown that vasodilatation in the legs prevents mean arterial pressure (MAP) from increasing during water immersion. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that vasodilatation in the legs is necessary for the hypotensive effects to occur during a moderate antiorthostatic posture change. Ten healthy males underwent a 5 min posture change from upright seated to horizontal supine (SUP) and back to seated again with (OCCL-SUP) and without simultaneous total arterial (154 ± 1 mmHg) thigh occlusion, and a control seated period, also with and without arterial occlusion. Cardiac output (CO) was measured by a non-invasive foreign (N2O) gas rebreathing technique. MAP (brachial auscultation) decreased during SUP from 94 ± 3 to 84 ± 2 mmHg (P < 0.0001) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR = MAP/CO, n = 8) decreased by 15 ± 4 % (P < 0.001). During OCCL-SUP, MAP decreased from 98 ± 2 to 90 ± 2 mmHg (P < 0.005) and TPR decreased by 14 ± 3 % (P < 0.01). In conclusion, vasodilatation in the legs is not necessary for the decrease in MAP to occur during a moderate antiorthostatic manoeuvre. Therefore, vasodilatation in more central vascular beds (e.g. abdomen) can alone account for the hypotensive effects. PMID:10457077

Improving Drive Files for Vehicle Road Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherng, John G.; Goktan, Ali; French, Mark; Gu, Yi; Jacob, Anil

2001-09-01

Shaker tables are commonly used in laboratories for automotive vehicle component testing to study durability and acoustics performance. An example is development testing of car seats. However, it is difficult to repeat the measured road data perfectly with the response of a shaker table as there are basic differences in dynamic characteristics between a flexible vehicle and substantially rigid shaker table. In addition, there are performance limits in the shaker table drive systems that can limit correlation. In practice, an optimal drive signal for the actuators is created iteratively. During each iteration, the error between the road data and the response data is minimised by an optimising algorithm which is generally a part of the feed back loop of the shake table controller. This study presents a systematic investigation to the errors in time and frequency domains as well as joint time-frequency domain and an evaluation of different digital signal processing techniques that have been used in previous work. In addition, we present an innovative approach that integrates the dynamic characteristics of car seats and the human body into the error-minimising iteration process. We found that the iteration process can be shortened and the error reduced by using a weighting function created by normalising the frequency response function of the car seat. Two road data test sets were used in the study.

A smart health monitoring chair for nonintrusive measurement of biological signals.

PubMed

Baek, Hyun Jae; Chung, Gih Sung; Kim, Ko Keun; Park, Kwang Suk

2012-01-01

We developed nonintrusive methods for simultaneous electrocardiogram, photoplethysmogram, and ballistocardiogram measurements that do not require direct contact between instruments and bare skin. These methods were applied to the design of a diagnostic chair for unconstrained heart rate and blood pressure monitoring purposes. Our methods were operationalized through capacitively coupled electrodes installed in the chair back that include high-input impedance amplifiers, and conductive textiles installed in the seat for capacitive driven-right-leg circuit configuration that is capable of recording electrocardiogram information through clothing. Photoplethysmograms were measured through clothing using seat mounted sensors with specially designed amplifier circuits that vary in light intensity according to clothing type. Ballistocardiograms were recorded using a film type transducer material, polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), which was installed beneath the seat cover. By simultaneously measuring signals, beat-to-beat heart rates could be monitored even when electrocardiograms were not recorded due to movement artifacts. Beat-to-beat blood pressure was also monitored using unconstrained measurements of pulse arrival time and other physiological parameters, and our experimental results indicated that the estimated blood pressure tended to coincide with actual blood pressure measurements. This study demonstrates the feasibility of our method and device for biological signal monitoring through clothing for unconstrained long-term daily health monitoring that does not require user awareness and is not limited by physical activity.

The mechanical effect of anterior pelvic tilt taping on slump sitting by seated workers.

PubMed

Lee, Jung-Hoon; Yoo, Won-Gyu

2011-01-01

The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is a change in the pelvic inclination after about 30 min of slump sitting by seated workers, and if so, to determine whether these changes can be prevented by the application of anterior pelvic tilt taping (APTT). The subjects who consented to participate in the experiment were randomly allocated to two groups: no-APTT group and APTT group. The no-APTT group performed slump sitting for 30 min, and the both pelvic inclinations were remeasured. In the APTT group, the both pelvic inclinations were measured immediately after the application of the APTT, and then again after 30 min of slump sitting. The both pelvic inclinations in the no-APTT group were significantly decreased (p<0.05) after they returned to the upright standing posture. The both pelvic inclinations in the APTT group were significantly increased immediately after the APTT (p<0.05), and this increase was maintained when returning to the upright standing posture after 30 min of slump sitting (p>0.05). We suggest that APTT can be applied as an auxiliary treatment method for preventing changes in pelvic inclination and musculoskeletal problems of low back area by awkward sitting posture in the seated worker.

Spinal Disease in Aviators and Its Relationship to G-Exposure, Age, Aircraft Seating Angle, Exercise and Other Lifestyle Factors

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-08-01

34Cervical Spinal Injury all other respects to the HP aviators studied. Methods: from Repeated Exposures to Sustained Acceleration" An anonymous survey...articles have reported anecdotal these groups were matched for all relevant spinal injuries in aviators of high-performance aircraft demographic and...symptoms or disease in the neck or lower back climbing turn and suffered a C5-6 ligamentous injury . were reported in the HP group as compared to the NHP

Building (Family) Muscle: How Prolonged Conflicts Can Strengthen Military Families

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-12

deployments in combat zones. Approximately 1.5 million American troops have been deployed in support of the war effort; one-third of them have served at...officers killed in battle.”9 Globally recognized today as the world ‟s premier war fighting force, the United States Armed Forces owes a debt of gratitude...the back seat to the needs of the military services. As the military continued to evolve and transform through the First World War , there was no

Proceedings of Cabin Safety Conference and Workshop Held on December 11-14, 1984.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-08-01

Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Govern- - ment assumes no liability for its contents or use ...presently used FR urethane foam. Tests were also performed to study and compare the behavior of FR cushions with various blocking layers. The tests were... guinea pigs in front of such a large audience. (Pause: As cast returns to seats) Now, let’s get back to the real world. The FAA’s recent staff study

Expedition 25 Soyuz Landing

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-11-26

Seated from left, Expedition 25 Commander Doug Wheelock and Flight Engineers Fyodor Yurchikhin and Shannon Walker talk during during a press conference after being greeting back to Earth by girls in traditional Kazakhstan at the Kostanay, Kazakhstan airport on Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. Russian Cosmonaut Yurchikhin and NASA Astronauts Wheelock and Walker, landed in their Soyuz TMA-19 spacecraft outside the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan after nearly six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 24 and 25 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Does Applied Critical Leadership Theory Really Apply? The Formation of Hispanic-Latin@ Ecclesial Leaders at Seminaries Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools: A Historical-Critical Analysis of the Progress and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solis-Walker, Joanne

2016-01-01

A front-seat view allows the observer to see (a) the continual growth of the Hispanic population in the United States, (b) an increase in the number of Hispanic churches, and a (c) Latin@ community with significant buying power that also leaves its mark in the entertainment and sports industries. The view from the back is seldom beheld, but it…

High G Physiological Protection Training (Acceleratio;s Elevees: Protection par l’Entrainement)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

Generally, their maximum of 50 mmHg at9 G. The seat back angle was 30 effect is negligible. A list of tested drugs includes: analep- degrees. In relaxed...equipment test ofn ienus and display overlays. This system is based on an and animal research. The center of this fixture is approxi- IBM PCcompatible...centrifuge which he used to study the effect of tages for offense or defense. Low-G periods represent acceleration on the physiology of animals . By this

Millimeter Waves Techniques Conference (1974) Held on 26-28 March 1974. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-03-01

GHz Coaxial Connector by M. A. Maury, Jr. and W. A. Wambach Maury Microwave Corp. Cucamonga, Cal. 91730 INTRODUCTION A new minature coax connector has...however, accurate joining depends upon such factors as the alignment of bolt holes , paint on the back of the flange that can affect the seating of the...of the locations of pins and holes to a close tolerance is crucial, 3) for low loss requirements a differently designed flange with a rectangular boss

The effect of a backrest and seatpan inclination on sitting discomfort and trunk muscle activation in subjects with extension-related low back pain.

PubMed

Curran, Máire; Dankaerts, Wim; O'Sullivan, Peter; O'Sullivan, Leonard; O'Sullivan, Kieran

2014-01-01

Few studies have demonstrated that seating modifications reduce low back pain (LBP). One recent study found that a forward-inclined seatpan reduced low back discomfort (LBD), however this was only examined in people with flexion-related LBP. No study has yet investigated its effectiveness among people with extension-related LBP. This crossover study examined 12 subjects with extension-related LBP. Sitting discomfort and surface electromyography of three trunk muscles were recorded during a 10-minute typing task while sitting with two different seatpan inclinations, both with and without a backrest. LBD (p < 0.001) and overall body discomfort (OBD) (p = 0.016) were significantly greater on the forward-inclined seatpan. The backrest did not alter trunk muscle activation or sitting discomfort. The results demonstrate that in a specific subgroup of people with extension-related LBP, increasing forward seatpan inclination significantly increased LBD and OBD. Future research should consider matching ergonomics prescriptions according to the individual presentation of people with LBP.

Comparison of the BackJoy SitSmart Relief and Spine Buddy LT1 H/C Ergonomic Chair Supports on Short-Term Neck and Back Pain.

PubMed

Ward, John; Coats, Jesse

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to perform a needs assessment to determine whether short-term use of BackJoy SitSmart Relief and Spine Buddy LT1 H/C chair supports influences neck, upper back, and lower back pain. Forty-eight college students (age, 27.5 ± 6.3 years; height, 1.72 ± 0.08 m; body mass, 78.7 ± 19.8 kg; time seated that day, 4.3 ± 2.8 hours; means ± SD) were recruited for this study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to measure pain for the neck, upper back, and lower back regions. Subjects were randomized to sit in a stationary office chair for a single 12-minute period under 1 of 4 conditions: office chair only (control group), BackJoy SitSmart Relief and chair, freezer-cooled Spine Buddy LT1 H/C and chair, or microwave-heated Spine Buddy LT1 H/C and chair. Participants then completed a posttest Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. A between-within repeated-measures analysis of variance using the between-subject factor intervention (group) and within-subject factor time (baseline and posttest) was used to analyze study data. The main effect of time across the whole sample was statistically significant for neck (P = .000), upper back (P = .032), and lower back (P = .000) pain; however, there was no statistically significant interaction effect between intervention and time. Thus, as long as participants sat down and rested, symptoms improved similarly across the different groups. In this preliminary study, short-term and single use of a support product for an office chair had no additive effect on reducing neck and back pain. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Mukai, Glenn and Robinson in flight seats during TCDT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

In their flight seats aboard Space Shuttle Discovery are (front to back) STS-95 Payload Specialists Chiaki Mukai (M.D., Ph.D.), representing the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), and John H. Glenn Jr., senator from Ohio, and Mission Specialist Stephen K. Robinson. Mukai, Glenn and Robinson, along with other crew members are at KSC to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) which includes mission familiarization activities, emergency egress training, and a simulated main engine cutoff. Not shown are Pilot Steven W. Lindsey, Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski, Mission Specialist Pedro Duque of Spain, representing the European Space Agency (ESA), and Mission Commander Curtis L. Brown. The STS-95 mission, targeted for liftoff on Oct. 29, includes research payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, as well as the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process. Following the TCDT, the crew will be returning to Houston for final flight preparations.

Evaluation of the internal and external biofidelity of current rear impact ATDs to response targets developed from moderate-speed rear impacts of PMHS.

PubMed

Moorhouse, Kevin; Donnelly, Bruce; Kang, Yun-Seok; Bolte, John H; Herriott, Rodney

2012-10-01

The goal of this study is to evaluate both the internal and external biofidelity of existing rear impact anthropomorphic test devices (BioRID II, RID3D, Hybrid III 50th) in two moderate-speed rear impact sled test conditions (8.5g, 17 km/h; 10.5g, 24 km/h) by quantitatively comparing the ATD responses to biomechanical response targets developed from PMHS testing in a corresponding study. The ATDs and PMHS were tested in an experimental seat system that is capable of simulating the dynamic seat back rotation response of production seats. The experimental seat contains a total of fourteen load cells installed such that external loads from the ATDs and PMHS can be measured to evaluate external biofidelity. The PMHS were instrumented to correspond to the instrumentation contained in the ATDs so that direct comparison between ATDs and PMHS could be made to evaluate internal biofidelity. The NHTSA Biofidelity Ranking system was used to quantitatively evaluate the biofidelity of the ATDs and an additional tool was introduced and utilized which allows for the biofidelity score to be partitioned into components of amplitude, phase, and shape. For internal biofidelity, the BioRID II and RID3D were more biofidelic than the Hybrid III in the 17 km/h test, and the BioRID II was most biofidelic in the 24 km/h test. For external biofidelity, the BioRID II was most biofidelic in the 17 km/h test, while both the BioRID II and the RID3D were more biofidelic than the Hybrid III in the 24 km/h test. Overall, the BioRID II demonstrated the best biofidelity in both the 17 km/h and 24 km/h tests.

Effective seat-to-head transmissibility in whole-body vibration: Effects of posture and arm position

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahmatalla, Salam; DeShaw, Jonathan

2011-12-01

Seat-to-head transmissibility is a biomechanical measure that has been widely used for many decades to evaluate seat dynamics and human response to vibration. Traditionally, transmissibility has been used to correlate single-input or multiple-input with single-output motion; it has not been effectively used for multiple-input and multiple-output scenarios due to the complexity of dealing with the coupled motions caused by the cross-axis effect. This work presents a novel approach to use transmissibility effectively for single- and multiple-input and multiple-output whole-body vibrations. In this regard, the full transmissibility matrix is transformed into a single graph, such as those for single-input and single-output motions. Singular value decomposition and maximum distortion energy theory were used to achieve the latter goal. Seat-to-head transmissibility matrices for single-input/multiple-output in the fore-aft direction, single-input/multiple-output in the vertical direction, and multiple-input/multiple-output directions are investigated in this work. A total of ten subjects participated in this study. Discrete frequencies of 0.5-16 Hz were used for the fore-aft direction using supported and unsupported back postures. Random ride files from a dozer machine were used for the vertical and multiple-axis scenarios considering two arm postures: using the armrests or grasping the steering wheel. For single-input/multiple-output, the results showed that the proposed method was very effective in showing the frequencies where the transmissibility is mostly sensitive for the two sitting postures and two arm positions. For multiple-input/multiple-output, the results showed that the proposed effective transmissibility indicated higher values for the armrest-supported posture than for the steering-wheel-supported posture.

Children at risk: risk factors for low back pain in the elementary school environment.

PubMed

Limon, Susan; Valinsky, Liora J; Ben-Shalom, Yael

2004-03-15

A prevalence survey of 101 randomly selected elementary schools in the Israel Central District. To identify and describe risk factors for low back pain that exist in the elementary school environment. Recent surveys report a high prevalence of low back pain in children and adolescents that increases with age, with a correlation between low back pain in adolescence and that experienced in adulthood. Environmental risk factors have been associated with the development of low back pain in children. Because of the significant amount of time children spend in their school environment, risk factors need to be identified in this environment. A questionnaire, completed by school nurses, measured risk factors among 10,000 children in elementary schools in Israel. These included backpack and student weight, the availability of storage facilities, the appropriateness of chair and desk height to student height, seating arrangements during frontal lessons, and physical activity at recess. Between 30% and 54% of students carried >15% of their body weight. Nearly 15% of the first graders and 20% of sixth graders had inappropriate chairs. In 74% of the classes, students sat with their side facing the teacher and in 35% students sat with their backs. In 6% of schools, no physical activity is offered at recess. Shortcomings were found in all areas investigated. There is an urgent need for health promotion programs to increase awareness and reduce risks in the school environment.

The influence of a menthol and ethanol soaked garment on human temperature regulation and perception during exercise and rest in warm, humid conditions.

PubMed

Gillis, D Jason; Barwood, M J; Newton, P S; House, J R; Tipton, M J

2016-05-01

This study assessed whether donning a garment saturated with menthol and ethanol (M/E) can improve evaporative cooling and thermal perceptions versus water (W) or nothing (CON) during low intensity exercise and rest in warm, humid conditions often encountered in recreational/occupational settings. It was hypothesised there would be no difference in rectal (Tre) and skin (Tsk) temperature, infra-red thermal imagery of the chest/back, thermal comfort (TC) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) between M/E, W and CON, but participants would feel cooler in M/E versus W or CON. Six volunteers (mean [SD] 22 [4] years, 72.4 [7.4] kg and 173.6 [3.7] cm) completed (separate days) three, 60-min tests in 30°C, 70%rh, in a balanced order. After 15-min of seated rest participants donned a dry (CON) or 80mL soaked (M/E, W) long sleeve shirt appropriate to their intervention. They then undertook 30-min of low intensity stepping at a rate of 12steps/min on a 22.5cm box, followed by 15-min of seated rest. Measurements included heart rate (HR), Tre, Tsk (chest/back/forearm), thermal imaging (back/chest), thermal sensation (TS), TC and RPE. Data were reported every fifth minute as they changed from baseline and the area under the curves were compared by condition using one-way repeated measures ANOVA, with an alpha level of 0.05. Tre differed by condition, with the largest heat storage response observed in M/E (p<0.05). Skin temperature at the chest/back/forearm, and thermal imaging of the chest all differed by condition, with the greatest rate of heat loss observed in W and M/E respectively (p<0.01). Thermal sensation differed by condition, with the coolest sensations observed in M/E (p<0.001). No other differences were observed. Both M/E and W enhanced evaporative cooling compared CON, but M/E causes cooler sensations and a heat storage response, both of which are likely mediated by menthol. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Backset-stationary and during car driving.

PubMed

Jonsson, Bertil; Stenlund, Hans; Björnstig, Ulf

2008-12-01

The aim of the study was to measure and analyze backset, defined as the horizontal distance between the back of the occupant's head and a point located on the ventral/top aspect of the sewn rim of the head restraint, with the car stationary and during driving, in the driver's position in a modern car. A population of 65 subjects, 35 males and 30 females, was studied in a Volvo V70 car, model year 2007. The subjects were studied in the driver's position, in a self-selected posture. Stationary backset was measured with the technique described by Jonsson et al. (2007) and backset during driving with video analysis. Descriptive data were calculated, and variability and correlation analyses were performed. A t-test was used to test differences of means. Significance level was set to 0.05. In comparison to stationary backset, mean backset during driving was 43 mm greater in males and 41 mm greater in females. Driving backset was 44 mm larger in males than in females. Driving backset was moderately correlated (0.37-0.43) to stature, seated height, and seat back angle in males and moderately correlated (0.44-0.52) to hip width, waist circumference, and weight in females. The overall intraclass correlation coefficient for backset during driving was 0.81 (CI: 0.75-0.86). These results may be of use in designing future updates of test protocols/routines for geometric backset, such as RCAR and RCAR-IIWPG.

Role of Physique on Probability of Injury to the Low Back

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaibani, Saami J.

2009-03-01

In a related study of the response of the upper and lower cervical spine[1], there was some correlation between a change in physique and the potential for injury to the neck during automotive events. A similar undertaking in this research on the lumbar spine and sacral spine revealed a much more marked effect, namely an increase in injury potential to the low back when weight is increased. Although there were some exceptions to this, the overall trend was distinct. This is perhaps to be expected when one considers that most additional weight at the same height tends to be located in the center or lower torso. However, it is first time in any comparable analysis of injury causation that there has been a more noticeable pattern for the low back than the neck. The latter was more pronounced with environment geometry, as seen when the height of the seat back was varied. Such changeability again reinforces previous findings that injury outcomes for individual patients cannot always be predicted by what happens in general. 1. http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2007.MAR.K1.2 (Role of physique on probability of injury to the neck).

Work-related musculoskeletal discomfort among heavy truck drivers.

PubMed

Nazerian, Ramtin; Korhan, Orhan; Shakeri, Ehsan

2018-03-13

Heavy truck drivers are exposed to various psychological, psychosocial and physiological factors, some of which can cause musculoskeletal discomfort in different body regions. This study aims to investigate the correlation between different factors of musculoskeletal discomfort in heavy truck drivers. A cross-sectional study design was applied. A total of 384 participants were interviewed using an updated version of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. While hypothesis testing was used to assess the association of different factors in musculoskeletal discomfort, logistic regression was applied to explore different correlations among questions of the survey. The results demonstrate that hours of exposure to vibration were associated with discomfort in the neck and shoulders (p < 0.001). This relationship was not statistically significant in the lower back area (p = 0.300). Additionally, 19 equations, their correlations and their odds ratios were formulated with Nagelkerke R 2  > 0.05. Fifty-seven percent of the drivers were suffering from discomfort in their lower back region. Moreover, seat comfort was found to be highly correlated with discomfort in the neck, shoulder and upper back areas. Additionally, with aging the likelihood of experiencing discomfort in the neck, upper back and knees is increased.

Vital Sign Monitoring Through the Back Using an UWB Impulse Radar With Body Coupled Antennas.

PubMed

Schires, Elliott; Georgiou, Pantelis; Lande, Tor Sverre

2018-04-01

Radar devices can be used in nonintrusive situations to monitor vital sign, through clothes or behind walls. By detecting and extracting body motion linked to physiological activity, accurate simultaneous estimations of both heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) is possible. However, most research to date has focused on front monitoring of superficial motion of the chest. In this paper, body penetration of electromagnetic (EM) wave is investigated to perform back monitoring of human subjects. Using body-coupled antennas and an ultra-wideband (UWB) pulsed radar, in-body monitoring of lungs and heart motion was achieved. An optimised location of measurement in the back of a subject is presented, to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and limit attenuation of reflected radar signals. Phase-based detection techniques are then investigated for back measurements of vital sign, in conjunction with frequency estimation methods that reduce the impact of parasite signals. Finally, an algorithm combining these techniques is presented to allow robust and real-time estimation of both HR and RR. Static and dynamic tests were conducted, and demonstrated the possibility of using this sensor in future health monitoring systems, especially in the form of a smart car seat for driver monitoring.

Frontal and oblique crash tests of HIII 6-year-old child ATD using real-world, observed child passenger postures.

PubMed

Bohman, Katarina; Arbogast, Kristy B; Loeb, Helen; Charlton, Judith L; Koppel, Sjaan; Cross, Suzanne L

2018-02-28

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of frontal and oblique crashes when positioning a Hybrid III (HIII) 6-year-old child anthropometric test device (ATD) using observed child passenger postures from a naturalistic driving study (NDS). Five positions for booster-seated children aged 4-7 years were selected, including one reference position according to the FMVSS 213 ATD seating protocol and 4 based on real-world observed child passenger postures from an NDS including 2 user positions with forward tilting torso and 2 that combined both forward and lateral inboard tilting of the torso. Seventeen sled tests were conducted in a mid-sized vehicle body at 64 km/h (European New Car Assessment Programme [Euro NCAP] Offset Deformable Barrier [ODB] pulse), in full frontal and oblique (15°) crash directions. The rear-seated HIII 6-year-old child ATD was restrained on a high-back booster seat. In 10 tests, the booster seat was also attached with a top tether. In the oblique tests, the ATD was positioned on the far side. Three camera views and ATD responses (head, neck, and chest) were analyzed. The shoulder belt slipped off the shoulder in all ATD positions in the oblique test configuration. In full frontal tests, the shoulder belt stayed on the shoulder in 3 out of 9 tests. Head acceleration and neck tension were decreased in the forward leaning positions; however, the total head excursion increased up to 210 mm compared to te reference position, due to belt slip-off and initial forward leaning position. These results suggest that real-world child passenger postures may contribute to shoulder belt slip-off and increased head excursion, thus increasing the risk of head injury. Restraint system development needs to include a wider range of sitting postures that children may choose, in addition to the specified postures of ATDs in seating test protocols, to ensure robust performance across diverse use cases. In addition, these tests revealed that the child ATD is limited in its ability to mimic real-world child passenger postures. There is a need to develop child human body models that may offer greater flexibility for these types of crash evaluations.

Forty-Year-Old Foam Springs Back With New Benefits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

The most recognized and widely used NASA spinoff is at it again. Temper foam, whose origins date back to 1966 when it was developed to absorb shock and, thus, offer improved protection and comfort in NASA s airplane seats, has paid its dividends to Earth repeatedly, and in many different ways. It has padded the helmets of the Dallas Cowboys throughout the 1970s and 1980s, protected bedridden patients from bedsores, and comforted the feet of thousands wearing stylish shoes that incorporate the cushioning material in their insoles. Four decades later, the world has come to realize that there are no bounds to temper foam s benefits. Though the rights to the technology have been shared amongst various manufacturers, the original product maker is still going strong, pushing temper foam into new arenas, including automotives, amusement parks, prosthetics, and modern art.

STS-84 Crew Portrait

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

The crew assigned to the STS-84 mission included (seated front left to right) Jerry M Linenger, mission specialist; Charles J. Precourt, commander; and C. Michael Foale, mission specialist. On the back row (left to right) are Jean-Francois Clervoy (ESA), mission specialist; Eileen M. Collins, pilot; Edward T. Lu, mission specialist; Elena V. Kondakova (RSA), mission specialist; and Carlos I. Noriega, mission specialist. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on May 15, 1997 at 4:07:48 am (EDT), the STS-84 mission served as the sixth U.S. Space Shuttle-Russian Space Station Mir docking.

KSC-08pd1269

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-09

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The STS-124 crew departs NASA's Kennedy Space Center after a successful launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. Seated in the T-38 training jet, Mission Specialist Mike Fossum is ready to put on his helmet for the flight back to Houston. The crew is expected to return in late May for the May 31 launch of space shuttle Discovery. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

MANPRINT Evaluation of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle-Heavy Variant (HMMWV-HV)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-02-01

gap between brake and gas pedal . Knee hits throttle control. Metal below seat hits back of calf muscle. Visibility Is the driver’s visibility adequate...24, No - 0, NA - 0] Gas pedal : 79. Parked? [Yes - 24, No - 0, NA - 0] 80. Primary and Secondary roads? [Yes - 24, No - 0, NA - 0] 81. Cross-country...Yes - 24, No - 0, NA - 0] 89 Brake pedal : 82. Parked? [Yes - 24, No - 0, NA - 0] 83. Primary and Secondary roads? [Yes - 24, No - 0, NA - 0] 84

Worldwide Emerging Environmental Issues Affecting the U.S. Military. September 2008 Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

Anticipation and Response System…………………………………………..1 Item 3. First EU-Central Asia Security Forum Included Environmental Security………….2 Item 4. Indonesian ...back seat at EU-Central Asia talks http://euobserver.com/9/26778/?rk=1 Item 4. Indonesian Navy to Tighten Security in Sea Border Areas The... Indonesian Navy announced that it will tighten security in its eastern and western sea border areas to support law enforcement efforts at sea for

Reintegrating Troops with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) into Their Communities: Understanding the Scope and Timeline of Post-Deployment Driving Problems

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-01

features/ptsd.asp http://www .ndtv .com/article/ world /back-from- war -fear-and-danger-fill-driver-s- seat-165831 • Refereed Research Posters: o Goldman SB...OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for...NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1 . REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a

Letters to the Editor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1995-05-01

Stirling 1994Lis Unsworth and Alexander BellSCOTVEC External Verifiers in Physical Sciences, Edinburgh, UK An elephant in the back seatJ M HathawayRetired Head of Physics, King Edward VI College, Nuneaton, UK Graphical construction of the tangent law of refractionA TanDepartment of Physics, Alabama A & M University, Normal, AL 35762, USA Measuring up to rainJim FawcettKing's School, Worcester, UK No flies on trainsCyril IsenbergUniversity of Kent at Canterbury, UK More on flies and trainsAlvin H BachmanThe City College/CUNY, NEW York, USA

Development of an Inflatable Head/Neck Restraint System for Ejection Seats

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-02-28

crewman’s head . It has been observed that low pressures, about 2 psi (1.38 nt/cm2 ) to 4 psi (2.76 nt/cm2 ), create some "spring back" or trampoline ...neck ring Neck injury Head rotation 210 ABSTRACT (Continue on rev’erse side If necessary end identify by block number) 4A ringý-shaped inflatable head ...injuries due to violent forward head rotation at the time of ejection thrust and parachute opening shock. Inflation of the neck ring will,’ be conducted by a

Task-related and person-related variables influence the effect of low back pain on anticipatory postural adjustments.

PubMed

Jacobs, Jesse V; Lyman, Courtney A; Hitt, Juvena R; Henry, Sharon M

2017-08-01

People with low back pain exhibit altered postural coordination that has been suggested as a target for treatment, but heterogeneous presentation has rendered it difficult to identify appropriate candidates and protocols for such treatments. This study evaluated the associations of task-related and person-related factors with the effect of low back pain on anticipatory postural adjustments. Thirteen subjects with and 13 without low back pain performed seated, rapid arm flexion in self-initiated and cued conditions. Mixed-model ANOVA were used to evaluate group and condition effects on APA onset latencies of trunk muscles, arm-raise velocity, and pre-movement cortical potentials. These measures were evaluated for correlation with pain ratings, Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire scores, and Modified Oswestry Questionnaire scores. Delayed postural adjustments of subjects with low back pain were greater in the cued condition than in the self-initiated condition. The group with low back pain exhibited larger-amplitude cortical potentials than the group without pain, but also significantly slower arm-raise velocities. With arm-raise velocity as a covariate, the effect of low back pain remained significant for the latencies of postural adjustments but not for cortical potentials. Latencies of the postural adjustments significantly correlated with Oswestry and Fear Avoidance Beliefs scores. Delayed postural adjustments with low back pain appear to be influenced by cueing of movement, pain-related disability and fear of activity. These results highlight the importance of subject characteristics, task condition, and task performance when comparing across studies or when developing treatment of people with low back pain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimated dose rates to members of the public from external exposure to patients with {sup 131}I thyroid treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dewji, S., E-mail: dewjisa@ornl.gov; Bellamy, M.; Leggett, R.

Purpose: Estimated dose rates that may result from exposure to patients who had been administered iodine-131 ({sup 131}I) as part of medical therapy were calculated. These effective dose rate estimates were compared with simplified assumptions under United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 8.39, which does not consider body tissue attenuation nor time-dependent redistribution and excretion of the administered {sup 131}I. Methods: Dose rates were estimated for members of the public potentially exposed to external irradiation from patients recently treated with {sup 131}I. Tissue attenuation and iodine biokinetics were considered in the patient in a larger comprehensive effort to improvemore » external dose rate estimates. The external dose rate estimates are based on Monte Carlo simulations using the Phantom with Movable Arms and Legs (PIMAL), previously developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. PIMAL was employed to model the relative positions of the {sup 131}I patient and members of the public in three exposure scenarios: (1) traveling on a bus in a total of six seated or standing permutations, (2) two nursing home cases where a caregiver is seated at 30 cm from the patient’s bedside and a nursing home resident seated 250 cm away from the patient in an adjacent bed, and (3) two hotel cases where the patient and a guest are in adjacent rooms with beds on opposite sides of the common wall, with the patient and guest both in bed and either seated back-to-back or lying head to head. The biokinetic model predictions of the retention and distribution of {sup 131}I in the patient assumed a single voiding of urinary bladder contents that occurred during the trip at 2, 4, or 8 h after {sup 131}I administration for the public transportation cases, continuous first-order voiding for the nursing home cases, and regular periodic voiding at 4, 8, or 12 h after administration for the hotel room cases. Organ specific activities of {sup 131}I in the thyroid, bladder, and combined remaining tissues were calculated as a function of time after administration. Exposures to members of the public were considered for {sup 131}I patients with normal thyroid uptake (peak thyroid uptake of ∼27% of administered {sup 131}I), differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC, 5% uptake), and hyperthyroidism (80% uptake). Results: The scenario with the patient seated behind the member of the public yielded the highest dose rate estimate of seated public transportation exposure cases. The dose rate to the adjacent room guest was highest for the exposure scenario in which the hotel guest and patient are seated by a factor of ∼4 for the normal and differentiated thyroid cancer uptake cases and by a factor of ∼3 for the hyperthyroid case. Conclusions: It was determined that for all modeled cases, the DTC case yielded the lowest external dose rates, whereas the hyperthyroid case yielded the highest dose rates. In estimating external dose to members of the public from patients with {sup 131}I therapy, consideration must be given to (patient- and case-specific) administered {sup 131}I activities and duration of exposure for a more complete estimate. The method implemented here included a detailed calculation model, which provides a means to determine dose rate estimates for a range of scenarios. The method was demonstrated for variations of three scenarios, showing how dose rates are expected to vary with uptake, voiding pattern, and patient location.« less

Comment on "Time needed to board an airplane: a power law and the structure behind it".

PubMed

Bernstein, Noam

2012-08-01

Frette and Hemmer [Phys. Rev. E 85, 011130 (2012)] recently showed that for a simple model for the boarding of an airplane, the mean time to board scales as a power law with the number of passengers N and the exponent is less than 1. They note that this scaling leads to the prediction that the "back-to-front" strategy, where passengers are divided into groups from contiguous ranges of rows and each group is allowed to board in turn from back to front once the previous group has found their seats, has a longer boarding time than would a single group. Here I extend their results to a larger number of passengers using a sampling approach and explore a scenario where the queue is presorted into groups from back to front, but allowed to enter the plane as soon as they can. I show that the power law dependence on passenger numbers is different for large N and that there is a boarding time reduction for presorted groups, with a power law dependence on the number of presorted groups.

The Influence of Backrest Inclination on Buttock Pressure

PubMed Central

Park, Un Jin

2011-01-01

Objective To assess the effects of backrest inclination of a wheelchair on buttock pressures in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients and normal subjects. Method The participants were 22 healthy subjects and 22 SCI patients. Buttock pressures of the participants were measured by a Tekscan® pressure sensing mat and software while they were sitting in a reclining wheelchair. Buttock pressures were recorded for 90°, 100°, 110°, 120° and 130° seat-to-back angles at the ischial tuberosity (IT) and sacrococcygeal (SC) areas. Recordings were made at each angle over four seconds at a sampling rate of 10 Hz. Results The side-to-side buttock pressure differences in the IT area for the SCI patients was significantly greater than for the normal subjects. There was no significant difference between the SCI patients and the normal subjects in the buttock pressure change pattern of the IT area. Significant increases in pressure on the SC area were found as backrest inclination angle was changed to 90°, 100° and 110° in the normal subjects, but no significant differences were found in the SCI patients. Conclusion Most of the SCI patients have freeform posture in wheelchairs, and this leads to an uneven distribution of buttock pressure. In the SCI patients, the peak pressure in the IT area reduced as the backrest angle was increased, but peak pressure at the SC area remained relatively unchanged. To reduce buttock pressure and prevent pressure ulcers and enhance ulcer healing, it can be helpful for tetraplegic patients, to have wheelchair seat-to-back angles above 120°. PMID:22506220

Centrifuge-induced neck and back pain in F-16 pilots: a report of four cases.

PubMed

Lange, Britt; Nielsen, René Tyranski; Skejø, Pernille Bro; Toft, Palle

2013-07-01

Early in their careers, as an important part of their training to become fighter pilots, pilots undergo centrifuge training in order to learn effective anti-G straining maneuvers (AGSM) and to test their G tolerance. The exposure of pilots, especially early in their careers, to training that could lead to injuries should be avoided. This is a report of four cases of neck pain experienced during G-tolerance training, some of which may have caused ongoing problems for the pilot. Four cases, describing four different injuries experienced during G-tolerance training, are presented, including the history of the incident, radiographic description, and physical examination. Three main questions were identified in regards to the training of fighter pilots in centrifuges: 1) should the seat be positioned to imitate a specific aircraft's seat? 2) should the pilot wear a helmet and a mask? 3) what is the appropriate amount of head support? Based on the four cases reported it is recommended that pilots should be given the best possible conditions concerning neck support and load on the neck and the back for G-tolerance testing. Training the pilot in an anatomical neutral sitting position, without a helmet, and with maximal neck support minimizes head movements in cases of conscious or unconscious loss of muscle control. To test the stability of the neck in a setup similar to the environment where the pilot is going to operate, the pilot should be given the opportunity to prepare himself or herself accordingly in advance.

Alessandro Antonelli and the Baroque Pre-Existence the Project for the National Parliament in Turin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giusti, F.

2017-05-01

The contribution is focused on Alessandro Antonelli's project for the seat of the new italian parliament in Turin. The project, unrealized, began back in 1860, when the annexation to the Piedmont of Tuscany and the Emilia asked for the building in the capital of a decent seat for the National Parliament. It had to be situated on the area of the ex Carignano garden, behind the homonym building and the "antonellian" Collegio delle Provincie, in the heart of the city, that comes to be as representative place of the absolutist and dynastic power, through the phases of XVIIIth century of amplification and architectural-urbanism new configuration. To deepen therefore the knowledge of Antonelli's project and to understand better the reasons that have brought to the choice to locate in Palazzo Carignano the Italian Parliament, is has been chosen to deepen the relationships between the building and the city, through a punctual iconografic and archivistic documentation that it has allowed to read the development of the building among XVIIth and XIXth century, also in relationship to the urban transformation, putting to comparison the various projects of the contest with the Baroque existence. Through the restitution of virtual images it has been possible to optimize the hypothesis, putting not only to fire the philosophy of the project, but above all Antonelli's way to measure himself with such an incisive existence in the city as the "guariniano" Palazzo Carignano and to bring back the linguistic choice to the amplest circle of the works that the architect realized in the city of Turin.

Measurement of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure from Garbage Trucks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maeda, S.; Morioka, M.

1998-08-01

Japanese garbage truck drivers are exposed to mechanical whole-body vibration during their work. Some drivers have suffered from low back pain from this vibration. However, there is no evidence of a relationship between the whole-body vibration from the garbage trucks and low back pain or occupational disease, due to the lack of investigations. A field study was conducted in order to characterize the health risks associated with garbage truck work. Three different types of truck were tested at different loadings and on different road surfaces, with the vibrations measured at the driver/seat interface (x,y, andz-axes). The vibrations were compared with the health risk guidance according to Annex B of ISO 2631-1 [1]. The findings of this study indicated that Japanese garbage truck drivers should not operate trucks for 2.5 h in a day, under current working conditions.

The beauty of the gift: the wonder of living organ donation.

PubMed

Spital, Aaron; Jacobs, Cheryl L

2007-01-01

In a recent opinion piece, Nancy Scheper-Hughes provides a sweeping indictment of living organ donation, even in cases where the gift is directed to a close family member. She describes the process with caustic powerful phrases such as "sacrificial violence" and a "call to 'self-sacrifice.'" She concludes that living organ donation "should be consigned to a back seat as an exceptional back-up to deceased donation." But her conclusions are based on anecdotes and data that are not representative of donor practice and motivation in the United States and other developed countries. At reputable transplant centers great care is taken to identify genuine volunteers and to protect their interests. Under these circumstances living organ donation remains a generally safe and beneficial procedure for the donor as well as the recipient, and a wonderful example of the goodness of people.

Structural equation modelling of lower back pain due to whole-body vibration exposure in the construction industry.

PubMed

Vitharana, Vitharanage Hashini Paramitha; Chinda, Thanwadee

2017-09-21

Whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure is a health hazard among workers, causing lower back pain (LBP) in the construction industry. This study examines key factors affecting LBP due to WBV exposure using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The results confirm five key factors (equipment, job related, organizational, personal, social context) with their 17 associated items. The organizational factor is found the most important, as it influences the other four factors. The results also show that appropriate seat type, specific training programme, job rotation, workers' satisfaction and workers' physical condition are crucial in reducing LBP due to WBV exposure. Moreover, provision of new machines without proper training and good working condition might not help reduce LBP due to WBV exposure. The results help the construction companies to better understand key factors affecting LBP due to WBV exposure, and to plan for a better health improvement programme.

Health benefits of seated speed, resistance, and power training for an individual with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy: A case report.

PubMed

Gannotti, Mary E; Fuchs, Robyn Kimberly; Roberts, Dawn E; Hobbs, Nedda; Cannon, Ian M

2015-01-01

Children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy are at risk for low bone mass for chronological age, which compounds risk in adulthood for progressive deformity and chronic pain. Physical activity and exercise can be a key component to optimizing bone health. In this case report we present a young adult male with non-ambulatory, spastic quadriplegia CP whom began a seated speed, resistance, and power training exercise program at age 14.5 years. Exercise program continued into adulthood as part of an active lifestyle. The individual had a history of failure to thrive, bowel and bladder incontinence, reduced bone mineral density (BMD) for age, and spinal deformity at the time exercise was initiated. Participation in the exercise program began once a week for 1.5-2 hours/session, and progressed to 3-5 times per week after two years. This exercise program is now a component of his habitual lifestyle. Over the 6 years he was followed, lumbar spine and total hip BMD Z-scores did not worsen, which may be viewed as a positive outcome given his level of gross motor impairment. Additionally, the individual reported less back pain, improved bowel and bladder control, increased energy level, and never sustained an exercise related injury. Findings from this case report suggest a regular program of seated speed, resistance, power training may promote overall well-being, are safe, and should be considered as a mechanism for optimizing bone health.

Flatulence on airplanes: just let it go.

PubMed

Pommergaard, Hans C; Burcharth, Jakob; Fischer, Anders; Thomas, William E G; Rosenberg, Jacob

2013-02-15

Flatus is natural and an invariable consequence of digestion, however at times it creates problems of social character due to sound and odour. This problem may be more significant on commercial airplanes where many people are seated in limited space and where changes in volume of intestinal gases, due to altered cabin pressure, increase the amount of potential flatus. Holding back flatus on an airplane may cause significant discomfort and physical symptoms, whereas releasing flatus potentially presents social complications. To avoid this problem we humbly propose that active charcoal should be embedded in the seat cushion, since this material is able to neutralise the odour. Moreover active charcoal may be used in trousers and blankets to emphasise this effect. Other less practical or politically correct solutions to overcome this problem may be to restrict access of flatus-prone persons from airplanes, by using a methane breath test or to alter the fibre content of airline meals in order to reduce its flatulent potential. We conclude that the use of active charcoal on airlines may improve flight comfort for all passengers.

Who Sits Where? Infrastructure-Free In-Vehicle Cooperative Positioning via Smartphones

PubMed Central

He, Zongjian; Cao, Jiannong; Liu, Xuefeng; Tang, Shaojie

2014-01-01

Seat-level positioning of a smartphone in a vehicle can provide a fine-grained context for many interesting in-vehicle applications, including driver distraction prevention, driving behavior estimation, in-vehicle services customization, etc. However, most of the existing work on in-vehicle positioning relies on special infrastructures, such as the stereo, cigarette lighter adapter or OBD (on-board diagnostic) adapter. In this work, we propose iLoc, an infrastructure-free, in-vehicle, cooperative positioning system via smartphones. iLoc does not require any extra devices and uses only embedded sensors in smartphones to determine the phones' seat-level locations in a car. In iLoc, in-vehicle smartphones automatically collect data during certain kinds of events and cooperatively determine the relative left/right and front/back locations. In addition, iLoc is tolerant to noisy data and possible sensor errors. We evaluate the performance of iLoc using experiments conducted in real driving scenarios. Results show that the positioning accuracy can reach 90% in the majority of cases and around 70% even in the worst-cases. PMID:24984062

49 CFR 393.93 - Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. 393.93 Section 393.93 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation... § 393.93 Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. (a) Buses—(1) Buses...

49 CFR 393.93 - Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. 393.93 Section 393.93 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation... § 393.93 Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. (a) Buses—(1) Buses...

49 CFR 393.93 - Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. 393.93 Section 393.93 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation... § 393.93 Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. (a) Buses—(1) Buses...

49 CFR 393.93 - Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. 393.93 Section 393.93 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation... § 393.93 Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. (a) Buses—(1) Buses...

49 CFR 393.93 - Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. 393.93 Section 393.93 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation... § 393.93 Seats, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly anchorages. (a) Buses—(1) Buses...

Driver Injury Risk Variability in Finite Element Reconstructions of Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) Frontal Motor Vehicle Crashes.

PubMed

Gaewsky, James P; Weaver, Ashley A; Koya, Bharath; Stitzel, Joel D

2015-01-01

A 3-phase real-world motor vehicle crash (MVC) reconstruction method was developed to analyze injury variability as a function of precrash occupant position for 2 full-frontal Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) cases. Phase I: A finite element (FE) simplified vehicle model (SVM) was developed and tuned to mimic the frontal crash characteristics of the CIREN case vehicle (Camry or Cobalt) using frontal New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test data. Phase II: The Toyota HUman Model for Safety (THUMS) v4.01 was positioned in 120 precrash configurations per case within the SVM. Five occupant positioning variables were varied using a Latin hypercube design of experiments: seat track position, seat back angle, D-ring height, steering column angle, and steering column telescoping position. An additional baseline simulation was performed that aimed to match the precrash occupant position documented in CIREN for each case. Phase III: FE simulations were then performed using kinematic boundary conditions from each vehicle's event data recorder (EDR). HIC15, combined thoracic index (CTI), femur forces, and strain-based injury metrics in the lung and lumbar vertebrae were evaluated to predict injury. Tuning the SVM to specific vehicle models resulted in close matches between simulated and test injury metric data, allowing the tuned SVM to be used in each case reconstruction with EDR-derived boundary conditions. Simulations with the most rearward seats and reclined seat backs had the greatest HIC15, head injury risk, CTI, and chest injury risk. Calculated injury risks for the head, chest, and femur closely correlated to the CIREN occupant injury patterns. CTI in the Camry case yielded a 54% probability of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2+ chest injury in the baseline case simulation and ranged from 34 to 88% (mean = 61%) risk in the least and most dangerous occupant positions. The greater than 50% probability was consistent with the case occupant's AIS 2 hemomediastinum. Stress-based metrics were used to predict injury to the lower leg of the Camry case occupant. The regional-level injury metrics evaluated for the Cobalt case occupant indicated a low risk of injury; however, strain-based injury metrics better predicted pulmonary contusion. Approximately 49% of the Cobalt occupant's left lung was contused, though the baseline simulation predicted 40.5% of the lung to be injured. A method to compute injury metrics and risks as functions of precrash occupant position was developed and applied to 2 CIREN MVC FE reconstructions. The reconstruction process allows for quantification of the sensitivity and uncertainty of the injury risk predictions based on occupant position to further understand important factors that lead to more severe MVC injuries.

KSC-08pd1267

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-09

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The crew for the STS-124 mission departs NASA's Kennedy Space Center after a successful launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. Commander Mark Kelly (right) waits his turn to climb into the cockpit of the T-38 training jet for the flight back to Houston. Mission Specialist Greg Chamitoff is already seated. The crew is expected to return in late May for the May 31 launch of space shuttle Discovery. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Air-to-Air Encounters in Southeast Asia. Volume I. Account of F-4 and F-8 Events Prior to 1 March 1967

DTIC Science & Technology

1967-10-01

Project of the following Air ) Force pilots is acknowledged: Thomas H. Curtis, Maj., USAF Leslie C . Long, Capt., USAF Robert S. Maxwell , Capt., USAF R. P...maneuvering combat. Aircrew of two valid in GC1 envlronment c Di. Dlstracting in v4 ual engagement, because must think about back seat. Coordinatuc 2-Jficult...EVENTS PRIOR TO MARCH 1967(U) John S. Atrincilo. Project Leader Reproduced From Best Available Copy October !967 /I L U J %r. ,-~i ’, *J * . oc,,,11C

Heroes and Legends Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-11-11

Boeing Vice President and General Manager John Elbon addresses the crowd gathered for the grand opening of the Heroes and Legends attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Boeing is sponsoring the new attraction. Seated, to the left, is former space shuttle astronaut Dan Brandenstein, chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation board of directors. The new facility includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and looks back to the pioneering efforts of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. It sets the stage by providing the background and context for space exploration and the legendary men and women who pioneered the nation's journey into space.

[The anatomic tradition in Venice].

PubMed

Capitanio, G; Stracca Pansa, V

2000-04-01

Venice had a long tradition and great reputation in the study of anatomical science dating back to the 1300's. The "Serenissima" Republic favoured the study and practice of anatomy as part of medical professional formation. Before the construction of the anatomical theater of San Giacomo dell'Orio, which took place in 1671, anatomical dissections were performed in churches, convents, hospitals and private homes. Even though Venice was not a University seat, it boosted numerous Venetian anatomists, among whom Benedetti, Massa, Santorini, and the medical activity of illustrious professors at the nearby University of Padua such as Vesalio, Falloppio, Spigelio, Vislingio and Morgagni.

KSC-04PD-0706

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance (USA) technicians check the placement of the thermal blanket insulation inside Discoverys nose cap, which is under a protective cover and seated on a work stand above them. On the floor at left is Terry OShea; with his back to the camera is Justin Hopmann; standing underneath the work stand is Mike Williams. On the left of the work stand is Ginger Morrison. The work is being done in a low bay area outside the Orbiter Processing Facility. Discovery is the orbiter named as the vehicle for Return to Flight with mission STS-114.

KSC-04pd0706

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-04-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance (USA) technicians check the placement of the thermal blanket insulation inside Discovery’s nose cap, which is under a protective cover and seated on a work stand above them. On the floor at left is Terry O’Shea; with his back to the camera is Justin Hopmann; standing underneath the work stand is Mike Williams. On the left of the work stand is Ginger Morrison. The work is being done in a low bay area outside the Orbiter Processing Facility. Discovery is the orbiter named as the vehicle for Return to Flight with mission STS-114.

The application of SEAT values for predicting how compliant seats with backrests influence vibration discomfort.

PubMed

Basri, Bazil; Griffin, Michael J

2014-11-01

The extent to which a seat can provide useful attenuation of vehicle vibration depends on three factors: the characteristics of the vehicle motion, the vibration transmissibility of the seat, and the sensitivity of the body to vibration. The 'seat effective amplitude transmissibility' (i.e., SEAT value) reflects how these three factors vary with the frequency and the direction of vibration so as to predict the vibration isolation efficiency of a seat. The SEAT value is mostly used to select seat cushions or seat suspensions based on the transmission of vertical vibration to the principal supporting surface of a seat. This study investigated the accuracy of SEAT values in predicting how seats with backrests influence the discomfort caused by multiple-input vibration. Twelve male subjects participated in a four-part experiment to determine equivalent comfort contours, the relative discomfort, the location of discomfort, and seat transmissibility with three foam seats and a rigid reference seat at 14 frequencies of vibration in the range 1-20 Hz at magnitudes of vibration from 0.2 to 1.6 ms(-2) r.m.s. The 'measured seat dynamic discomfort' (MSDD) was calculated for each foam seat from the ratio of the vibration acceleration required to cause similar discomfort with the foam seat and with the rigid reference seat. Using the frequency weightings in current standards, the SEAT values of each seat were calculated from the ratio of overall ride values with the foam seat to the overall ride values with the rigid reference seat, and compared to the corresponding MSDD at each frequency. The SEAT values provided good predictions of how the foam seats increased vibration discomfort at frequencies around the 4-Hz resonance but reduced vibration discomfort at frequencies greater than about 6.3 Hz, with discrepancies explained by a known limitation of the frequency weightings. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

[Upper extremities, neck and back symptoms in office employees working at computer stations].

PubMed

Zejda, Jan E; Bugajska, Joanna; Kowalska, Małgorzata; Krzych, Lukasz; Mieszkowska, Marzena; Brozek, Grzegorz; Braczkowska, Bogumiła

2009-01-01

To obtain current data on the occurrence ofwork-related symptoms of office computer users in Poland we implemented a questionnaire survey. Its goal was to assess the prevalence and intensity of symptoms of upper extremities, neck and back in office workers who use computers on a regular basis, and to find out if the occurrence of symptoms depends on the duration of computer use and other work-related factors. Office workers in two towns (Warszawa and Katowice), employed in large social services companies, were invited to fill in the Polish version of Nordic Questionnaire. The questions included work history and history of last-week symptoms of pain of hand/wrist, elbow, arm, neck and upper and lower back (occurrence and intensity measured by visual scale). Altogether 477 men and women returned the completed questionnaires. Between-group symptom differences (chi-square test) were verified by multivariate analysis (GLM). The prevalence of symptoms in individual body parts was as follows: neck, 55.6%; arm, 26.9%; elbow, 13.3%; wrist/hand, 29.9%; upper back, 49.6%; and lower back, 50.1%. Multivariate analysis confirmed the effect of gender, age and years of computer use on the occurrence of symptoms. Among other determinants, forearm support explained pain of wrist/hand, wrist support of elbow pain, and chair adjustment of arm pain. Association was also found between low back pain and chair adjustment and keyboard position. The findings revealed frequent occurrence of symptoms of pain in upper extremities and neck in office workers who use computers on a regular basis. Seating position could also contribute to the frequent occurrence of back pain in the examined population.

Reported Back Pain in Army Aircrew in Relation to Airframe, Gender, Age, and Experience.

PubMed

Kelley, Amanda M; MacDonnell, Jason; Grigley, Deahndra; Campbell, John; Gaydos, Steven J

2017-02-01

Back pain has remained an issue of significance among aircraft crewmembers for decades, occurring in the majority of military helicopter pilots with potential deleterious effects on performance, safety, and operational readiness. This exploratory, correlational survey study was designed to evaluate the presence of patterns and relationships that may require further examination to understand causal factors. The study population consisted of U.S. Army aviation crewmembers. Subjects (467) completed an anonymous survey, including questions regarding demographics, airframes, experience, pain history and severity, ergonomics, mitigation strategies, and duty limitations. Overall, 84.6% of participants reported back pain at some time during their flying career, with 77.8% reporting back pain in the last calendar year. Age was found to significantly correlate with earlier time to pain during flight, higher pain rating after flight, and occurrence of grounding. A stepwise linear regression model was used to explore the relationships between age, flight hours, and years of aviation experience, demonstrating age to be the significant variable accounting for the observed variance. Aircrew reported wear of combat-related survival equipment and poor lumbar support to be the most notable contributors. Back pain rates were consistent with previous studies. The relationship of age to back pain in this study may highlight unique pathophysiological pathways that should be further investigated within an occupational context to better understand the etiologic role. Enhanced seated lumbar support and combat-related survival equipment remain relatively low-cost/high-yield topics worthy of further investigation for exploiting efficient means to improve health, safety, and operational performance.Kelley AM, MacDonnell J, Grigley D, Campbell J, Gaydos SJ. Reported back pain in army aircrew in relation to airframe, gender, age, and experience. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):96-103.

Environmental and psychosocial factors affecting seat belt use among Turkish front-seat occupants in Ankara: two observation studies.

PubMed

Simşekoğlu, Ozlem; Lajunen, Timo

2008-01-01

Low seat belt use rate among car occupants is one of the main problems contributing to low driver and passenger safety in Turkey, where injury and fatality rates of car occupants are very high in traffic crashes. The present article consists of two observation studies, which were conducted in Ankara. The first study aimed at investigating environmental factors and occupant characteristics affecting seat belt use among front-seat occupants, and the objective of the second study was to investigate the relationship between driver and front-seat passenger seat belt use. In the first study, 4, 227 front-seat occupants (drivers or front seat passengers) were observed on four different road sides and, in the second study 1, 398 front seat occupants were observed in car parks of five different shopping centers in Ankara. In both observations, front-seat occupants' seat bet use (yes, no), sex (male, female), and age (< 30 years, 30-50 years, > 50 years) were recorded. The data were analyzed using chi-square statistics and binary logistic regression techniques. Results of the first study showed that seat belt use proportion among observed front seat occupants was very low (25%). Being female and traveling on intercity roads were two main factors positively related to use a seat belt among front-seat occupants. High correlations between seat belt use of the drivers and front-seat passengers were found in the second study. Overall, low seat belt use rate (25%) among the front-seat occupants should be increased urgently for an improved driver and passenger safety in Turkey. Seat belt campaigns especially tailored for male front-seat occupants and for the front-seat occupants traveling on city roads are needed to increase seat belt use rates among them. Also, both drivers and passengers may have an important role in enforcing seat belt use among themselves.

Effect of Seating on Exposures to Whole-Body Vibration in Vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

PADDAN, G. S.; GRIFFIN, M. J.

2002-05-01

The vibration isolation efficiency of seating has been evaluated in 100 work vehicles in 14 categories (cars, vans, lift trucks, lorries, tractors, buses, dumpers, excavators, helicopters, armoured vehicles, mobile cranes, grass rollers, mowers and milk floats). Seat isolation efficiency, expressed by the SEAT value, was determined for all seats (67 conventional seats and 33 suspension seats) from the vertical acceleration measured on the floors and on the seats of the vehicles.For most categories of vehicle, the average SEAT value was less than 100%, indicating that the average seat provided some attenuation of vibration. However, there were large variations in SEAT values between vehicles within categories. Two alternative vibration frequency weightings (Wb from BS 6841, 1987; Wk from ISO 2631, 1997) yielded SEAT values that differed by less than 6%. Overall, the SEAT values determined by two alternative methods (the ratio of r.m.s. values and the ratio of vibration dose values) differed by less than 4·5% when using weighting Wb, although larger differences may be expected in some situations. The median SEAT value for the suspension seats was 84·6%; the median SEAT value for the conventional seats was 86·9% (based on weighting Wb and the ratio of r.m.s. values).Predicted SEAT values were obtained assuming that each seat could be interchanged between vehicles without altering its transmissibility. The calculations suggest that 94% of the vehicles investigated might benefit from changing the current seat to a seat from one of the other vehicles investigated. Although the predictions are based on assumptions that will not always apply, it is concluded that the severity of whole-body vibration exposures in many work environments can be lessened by improvements to seating dynamics.

Effects of chronic low back pain, age and gender on vertical spinal creep.

PubMed

Kanlayanaphotporn, R; Trott, P; Williams, M; Fulton, I

2003-05-15

This study investigated the effect of chronic low back pain, age, gender, and time of measurement on the magnitude of vertical spinal creep (VSC) and its recovery. A mixed design, involving three independent variables (chronic low back pain, age, and gender) and one repeated variable (time), was used. One hundred and six subjects of both genders, with and without chronic low back pain, aged between 20 and 60 years, participated in the study. The measurement of VSC and its recovery was performed using a seated stadiometer that allowed continuous measurement of VSC without changing the subject's posture over 25 min. Unloaded VSC was measured during the initial 5 min, followed by 10 min with an additional load of 15% of the subject's body weight and then for a further 10 min after the removal of the load. Subjects were grouped into one of eight categories according to the presence of chronic low back pain, age (20-39 years or 40-60 years) and gender. Repeated measures analysis of variance was computed. A significant increase in VSC with time of measurement was observed (p<0.001). No significant main effects for chronic low back pain, age, or gender were found at any time during the 25-min VSC testing protocol. Significant interactions were found between age and gender during the loaded (p=0.02) and unloaded (p=0.02) phases. A significant interaction was found between chronic low back pain and gender at the end of the unloaded phase (p=0.04). These findings suggest a combined influence of chronic low back pain, age, and gender on VSC and its recovery and that the dominance of each variable changed with the time of the measurement. Thus, subjects who differ in the presence of chronic low back pain, age, and gender should not be combined for statistical analysis of VSC and its recovery.

Trunk-rotation flexibility in collegiate softball players with or without a history of shoulder or elbow injury.

PubMed

Aragon, Veronica J; Oyama, Sakiko; Oliaro, Scott M; Padua, Darin A; Myers, Joseph B

2012-01-01

Throwing is a whole-body motion that requires the transfer of momentum from the lower extremity to the upper extremity via the trunk. No research to date examines the association between a history of shoulder or elbow injury and trunk flexibility in overhead athletes. To determine if injury history and trunk-rotation flexibility are associated and to compare trunk-rotation flexibility measured using 3 clinical tests: half-kneeling rotation test with the bar in the back, half-kneeling rotation test with the bar in the front, and seated rotation test in softball position players with or without a history of shoulder or elbow injury. Cross-sectional design. University softball facilities. Sixty-five female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I softball position players. Trunk-rotation flexibility was measured with 3 clinical tests. Recent injury history was obtained using a questionnaire and verified by the certified athletic trainer. Binomial regression models were used to determine if injury history was associated with flexibility categories (high, normal, or limited tertiles) for each of the 6 (3 tests × 2 directions) trunk-rotation flexibility measures. Trunk-rotation flexibility measures from 3 clinical tests were compared between participants with and without a history of shoulder or elbow injury using analysis-of-variance models. When measured using the half-kneeling rotation test with the bar in the back and the seated rotation test, injury history and forward trunk-rotation flexibility were associated. However, no mean group differences were seen in trunk-rotation flexibility between participants with and without a history of shoulder or elbow injury. Limited forward trunk-rotation flexibility may be a risk factor for shoulder or elbow injuries. However, further study is needed to confirm the study finding.

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the passenger side and the back seat of automobiles.

PubMed

Jo, W K; Park, K H

1999-01-01

The in-vehicle volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations during commutes have previously been measured in only one single interior sampling location, considering a sample collected in the single interior location as representative of overall VOC concentrations within an automobile. The present study evaluated if the potential differences in VOC concentrations occur in the automobiles' interior during idling and commuting under different driving conditions associated with the use of air cleaning devices (ACDs) and interior fan. The experiments were conducted under the low ventilation condition with the windows and the vent closed and the fan off. The difference of VOC concentrations between passenger side and back seat during idling was small. The variability of VOC concentrations with location inside automobiles while commuting was not significant at p < 0.05, regardless of the use of ACDs and/or the interior fan, while inter-vehicle variability was significant at p < 0.05. In addition, currently available ACDs equipped with activated carbon filters in Korea were ineffective at removing VOCs from the interior of automobiles. The concentrations of the two lightest ones of the target compounds, benzene and toluene, were significantly higher inside two vehicles than in the roadway air at p < 0.05, while the in-vehicle and roadway concentrations of the other target compounds did not differ significantly at p < 0.05 for both vehicles. The concentrations of all target VOCs, except benzene, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the interior of older car than of newer car. Median in-vehicle concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, m-xylene, and o-xylene were 38.3, 107, 9.2, 7.8, 16.9, and 10.7 micrograms/m3, respectively.

Preliminary recognition of whole body vibration risk in private farmers' working environment.

PubMed

Solecki, Leszek

2007-01-01

The objective of the study was the preliminary recognition of whole body mechanical vibration risk among farmers in the rural work environment. The study covered 15 farms using cultivated land of the size of over 10 ha, carrying out mixed production (plant-animal), equipped with agricultural tractors, and a basic set of tractor-mounted agricultural machinery, with a partial contribution of self-propelled agricultural machines. The scope of the study covered the measurements of effective vibration RMS acceleration (equivalent, maximum, minimum, peak) frequency corrected on the seats of agricultural vehicles in the three spatial directions of vibration (X, Y, Z). These measurements were realized while performing various field and transport work activities during the period of the whole year. A analysis of the peak, maximum and minimum vibration accelerations confirms that in the agricultural occupational environment there occurs a considerable variation of the vibration values registered. This is also evidenced by high values of the Crest Factor, sometimes exceeding a score of 10. Analysis of the registered equivalent values of vibration acceleration (frequency corrected) from the hygienic aspect showed that vibration occurring on the seats may create risk for farmers' health while performing such work activities as: tending and raking of hay, fertilizers spreading, soil aggregation, grass mowing and cultivation. Analysis of the spatial distribution of the measured, frequency corrected vibration accelerations indicates that considerably the highest acceleration values occur in the vertical plane (direction-Z). Literature data clearly confirm an unfavourable effect of whole body vibration present in agricultural vehicles on discomfort and the occurrence of back pain in the operators, especially in the low back region (lumbar spine), as well as degenerative changes in the spine.

16 CFR 1512.15 - Requirements for seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

....) above the top of the seat surface at the point where the seat surface is intersected by the seat post axis. (b) Seat post. The seat post shall contain a permanent mark or ring that clearly indicates the... integrity of the seat post. This mark shall be located no less than two seat-post diameters from the lowest...

16 CFR 1512.15 - Requirements for seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

....) above the top of the seat surface at the point where the seat surface is intersected by the seat post axis. (b) Seat post. The seat post shall contain a permanent mark or ring that clearly indicates the... integrity of the seat post. This mark shall be located no less than two seat-post diameters from the lowest...

Parental awareness and perception for correct use of child restraint systems and airbags in Brazil.

PubMed

Souza, Bruno Gonçalves Schröder E; Evangelista de Melo, Tiago; Pereira Lisboa, Tales; Bastos Miranda, Marcos; Schroder E Souza, Thiago Gonçalves; de Oliveira, Valdeci Manoel

2017-02-17

The objective of this study was to obtain information about the current knowledge and habits of parents who transport children in cars in Brazil. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using specifically designed self-report questionnaires to parents of children attending a private pediatric office in a town in southwest Brazil. Data were collected regarding children's age, gender, height, and weight and possession of an automobile child restraint system (CRS), its type, frequency and adequacy of use, and reasons for not possessing or not using the devices. Parents were asked whether their cars were equipped with airbags and about the use of the restraints in seats with airbags. We interviewed parents of 293 children transported in cars who met the criteria for use of a CRS. Children were younger than 1 year in 15.3% of the cases, between 1 and 4 years in 38.6%, and older than 4 in 46.1%. Cars were equipped with CRS in 78.5% of the cases, but in only 58% of the cases was the device proper for child's age and adequately installed in the seat. Among owners of the devices, 84.3% reported that they always used it. Reasons for infrequency were forgetting the device at home or in another car (6.4%), the child disliking the device (3.2%), or the false impression that the child was grown enough not to use it (3.2%)l 87.1% did not justify why they did not always use the CRS. Considering type of CRS, correct installation of the seat, and frequency of use, only 44.4% of children under 1 year, 69.9% of those 1 to 4 years, and 52.6% over age 4 were protected. Only 28.6% of the parents knew that children should never be positioned in a seat with active airbags. Considering appropriateness for age, correctness of installation (in the back seat in the correct orientation), and frequency of use, only 50.85% (149/293) of the children were reported as always protected with a CRS. Children between 1 and 4 years were more likely to always use a CRS in this Brazilian survey. We were also able to identify an important gap in the knowledge about airbags among parents. Further efforts are needed to correct those distortions.

Thermal aspects of vehicle comfort.

PubMed

Holmér, I; Nilsson, H; Bohm, M; Norén, O

1995-07-01

The combined thermal effects of convection, radiation and conduction in a vehicle compartment need special measuring equipment accounting for spatial and temporal variations in the driver space. The most sophisticated equipment measures local heat fluxes at defined spots or areas of a man-shaped manikin. Manikin segment heat fluxes have been measured in a variety of vehicle climatic conditions (heat, cold, solar radiation etc.) and compared with thermal sensation votes and physiological responses of subjects exposed to the same conditions. High correlation was found for segment fluxes and mean thermal vote (MTV) of subjects for the same body segments. By calibrating the manikin under homogenous, wind still conditions, heat fluxes could be converted (and normalised) to an equivalent homogenous temperature (EHT). Regression of MTV-values on EHT-values was used as basis for the derivation of a comfort profile, specifying acceptable temperature ranges for 19 different body segments. The method has been used for assessment of the thermal climate in trucks and crane cabins in winter and summer conditions. The possibility for spatial resolution of thermal influences (e.g. by solar radiation or convection currents) appeared to be very useful in the analysis of system performance. Ventilation of driver's seats is a technical solution to reducing insulation of thigh, seat and back areas of the body. Constructions, however, may vary in efficiency. In one system seat ventilation allowed for almost 2 degrees C higher ambient conditions for unchanged general thermal sensation, in addition to the pronounced local effect. In a recent study the effects of various technical measures related to cabin design and HVAC-systems have been investigated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of reaction time performance and subjective drowsiness during whole-body vibration exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azizan, A.; Zali, Z.; Padil, H.

2018-05-01

Despite the automotive industry’s interest in how vibration affects the level of human comfort, there is little focus on the effect of vibration on drowsiness level. Thus, this study involves eighteen healthy male participants to study the effect of exposure to vibration on the drowsiness level. Prior to the experiment, the total transmitted vibration measured at interfaces between the seat pan and seat back to the human body for each participant was modified to become 0.2 ms-2 r.m.s and 0.4 ms-2 r.m.s. During the experiment, the participants were seated and exposed to 20-minutes of Gaussian random vibration with frequency band 1-15 Hz at two level of amplitude (low vibration amplitude and medium vibration amplitude) on separate days. The level of drowsiness was measured using a PVT test prior and after exposure to the vibration while participants rated their subjective drowsiness by using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). The significant increase in the number of lapse and reaction time because of the exposure to vibration in both conditions provide strong evidence of drowsiness. In this regard, the medium vibration amplitude shows a more prominent effect. All participants have shown a steady increase of drowsiness level in KSS. Meanwhile, there are no significant differences found between low vibration amplitude and medium vibration amplitude in the KSS. These findings suggest that human alertness level is greatly affected by the exposure to vibration and these effects are more pronounced at higher vibration amplitude. Both findings indicate that the presence of vibration promotes drowsiness, especially at higher vibration amplitude.

A comparison of self-report and direct observation of booster seat use in Latino families.

PubMed

Quistberg, D Alex; Lozano, Paula; Mack, Christopher D; Schwartz, Rachel; Ebel, Beth E

2010-08-01

To develop a reliable self-report tool for measuring child booster seat use among Latino families. Cross-sectional and observational survey of a convenience sample. Five retail stores in King County, Washington. 50 parents of children 4-8 years old that self-identified as Latino or Hispanic. Parent-reported measures of how often the child uses a booster seat, if the child used a booster seat on the last trip, how often the child complains about using a booster seat, how often the child asks to not use a booster seat, and how often other families they know use a booster seat. Observed booster seat use by child. 26 children (52%) were observed using a booster seat. Parent-reported booster seat use was a poor predictor of observed booster seat use. Although 34 parents reported that their child 'always' uses a booster seat, 8 (24%) of these children were not using a booster seat. A logistic model to predict booster seat use had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 71%, and misclassified 24% of the participants' observed use. Reliance on parent-reported booster seat use significantly overstated observed booster seat use in the study. Among this study population, accurate determination of booster seat use required direct observation.

Redesign of Transjakarta Bus Driver's Cabin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mardi Safitri, Dian; Azmi, Nora; Singh, Gurbinder; Astuti, Pudji

2016-02-01

Ergonomic risk at work stations with type Seated Work Control was one of the problems faced by Transjakarta bus driver. Currently “Trisakti” type bus, one type of bus that is used by Transjakarta in corridor 9, serving route Pinang Ranti - Pluit, gained many complaints from drivers. From the results of Nordic Body Map questionnaires given to 30 drivers, it was known that drivers feel pain in the neck, arms, hips, and buttocks. Allegedly this was due to the seat position and the button/panel bus has a considerable distance range (1 meter) to be achieved by drivers. In addition, preliminary results of the questionnaire using Workstation Checklist identified their complaints about uncomfortable cushion, driver's seat backrest, and the exact position of the AC is above the driver head. To reduce the risk level of ergonomics, then did research to design the cabin by using a generic approach to designing products. The risk analysis driver posture before the design was done by using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC), while the calculation of the moment the body is done by using software Mannequin Pro V10.2. Furthermore, the design of generic products was done through the stages: need metric-matrix, house of quality, anthropometric data collection, classification tree concept, concept screening, scoring concept, design and manufacture of products in the form of two-dimensional. While the design after design risk analysis driver posture was done by using RULA, REBA, and calculation of moments body as well as the design visualized using software 3DMax. From the results of analysis before the draft design improvements cabin RULA obtained scores of 6, REBA 9, and the result amounted to 57.38% QEC and moment forces on the back is 247.3 LbF.inch and on the right hip is 72.9 LbF.in. While the results of the proposed improvements cabin design RULA obtained scores of 3, REBA 4, and the moment of force on the back is 90.3 LbF.in and on the right hip is 70.6 LbF.in. This indicated improvement cabin design can reduce ergonomic risk with lower scores on several parts of the body.

Seat strength in rear body block tests.

PubMed

Viano, David C; White, Samuel D

2016-07-03

This study collected and analyzed available testing of motor vehicle seat strength in rearward loading by a body block simulating the torso of an occupant. The data were grouped by single recliner, dual recliner, and all belts to seat (ABTS) seats. The strength of seats to rearward loading has been evaluated with body block testing from 1964 to 2008. The database of available tests includes 217 single recliner, 65 dual recliner, and 18 ABTS seats. The trends in seat strength were determined by linear regression and differences between seat types were evaluated by Student's t-test. The average peak moment and force supported by the seat was determined by decade of vehicle model year (MY). Single recliner seats were used in motor vehicles in the 1960s to 1970s. The average strength was 918 ± 224 Nm (n = 26) in the 1960s and 1,069 ± 293 Nm (n = 65) in the 1980s. There has been a gradual increase in strength over time. Dual recliner seats started to phase into vehicles in the late 1980s. By the 2000s, the average strength of single recliner seats increased to 1,501 ± 335 Nm (n = 14) and dual recliner seats to 2,302 ± 699 Nm (n = 26). Dual recliner seats are significantly stronger than single recliner seats for each decade of comparison (P < .001). The average strength of ABTS seats was 4,395 ± 1,185 in-lb for 1989-2004 MY seats (n = 18). ABTS seats are significantly stronger than single or dual recliner seats (P < .001). The trend in ABTS strength is decreasing with time and converging toward that of dual recliner seats. Body block testing is an quantitative means of evaluating the strength of seats for occupant loading in rear impacts. There has been an increase in conventional seat strength over the past 50 years. By the 2000s, most seats are 1,700-3,400 Nm moment strength. However, the safety of a seat is more complex than its strength and depends on many other factors.

Seating Considerations for Spaceflight: The Human to Machine Interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gohmert, Dustin M.

2011-01-01

Seating is one of the most critical components to be considered during design of a spacecraft. Since seats are the final interface between the occupant and the vehicle wherein all launch and landing operations are performed, significant effort must be spent to ensure proper integration of the human to the spacecraft. The importance of seating can be divided into two categories: seat layout and seat design. The layout of the seats drives the overall cabin configuration - from displays and controls, to windows, to stowage, to egress paths. Since the layout of the seats is such a critical design parameter within the crew compartment, it is one of the first design challenges that must be completed in the critical path of the spacecraft design. In consideration of seat layout in the vehicle, it is important for the designers to account for often intangible factors such as safety, operability, contingency performance, crew rescue. Seat layout will lead to definition of the quantity, shape, and posture of the seats. The seats of the craft must restrain and protect the occupant in all seated phases of flight, while allowing for nominal mission performance. In design of a spacecraft seat, the general posture of the occupant and the landing loads to be encountered are the greatest drivers of overall design. Variances, such as upright versus recumbent postures will dictate fit of the seat to the occupant and drive the total envelope of the seat around the occupant. Seat design revolves around applying sound principles of seated occupant protection coupled with the unique environments driven by the seat layout, landing loads, and operational and emergency scenarios.

Assessment of a head support system to prevent pediatric out-of-position: an observational study.

PubMed

Lopez-Valdes, Francisco J; Forman, Jason L; Ash, Joseph H; Kent, Richard; Alba, Juan J; Segui-Gomez, Maria

Head injuries are the most common severe injuries sustained by pediatric occupants in road traffic crashes. Preventing children from adopting positions that can result in an increased injury risk due to unfavorable interactions with the restraints is fundamental. The objective of this paper was to assess the effect of a head support system (SS) on the lateral position of the head, the vertical position of the sternum and the shoulder belt fit. Thirty pediatric rear-seat passengers were exposed to two 75-minute trials. Volunteers were restrained by a three-point belt and, if needed, used the appropriate child restraint system for their anthropometry (high-back booster, low-back booster, no booster). A case crossover study was designed in which the volunteers used the head support system (SS) during one of the trials, acting as their own controls (No SS) in the other. Compared to the control group, the head support reduced significantly the 90(th) percentile value of the absolute value of the relative lateral motion of the head, regardless of the restraint used. The system also reduced the maximum downward position of the sternal notch within the low-back booster group. As for the belt fit, the use of the head support improved significantly the position of the shoulder belt on the occupant in the low-back booster and in the no booster groups.

Assessment of a head support system to prevent pediatric out-of-position: an observational study

PubMed Central

Lopez-Valdes, Francisco J.; Forman, Jason L.; Ash, Joseph H.; Kent, Richard; Alba, Juan J.; Segui-Gomez, Maria

2013-01-01

Head injuries are the most common severe injuries sustained by pediatric occupants in road traffic crashes. Preventing children from adopting positions that can result in an increased injury risk due to unfavorable interactions with the restraints is fundamental. The objective of this paper was to assess the effect of a head support system (SS) on the lateral position of the head, the vertical position of the sternum and the shoulder belt fit. Thirty pediatric rear-seat passengers were exposed to two 75-minute trials. Volunteers were restrained by a three-point belt and, if needed, used the appropriate child restraint system for their anthropometry (high-back booster, low-back booster, no booster). A case crossover study was designed in which the volunteers used the head support system (SS) during one of the trials, acting as their own controls (No SS) in the other. Compared to the control group, the head support reduced significantly the 90th percentile value of the absolute value of the relative lateral motion of the head, regardless of the restraint used. The system also reduced the maximum downward position of the sternal notch within the low-back booster group. As for the belt fit, the use of the head support improved significantly the position of the shoulder belt on the occupant in the low-back booster and in the no booster groups. PMID:24406966

Effects of back posture education on elementary schoolchildren's back function.

PubMed

Geldhof, Elisabeth; Cardon, Greet; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Danneels, Lieven; Coorevits, Pascal; Vanderstraeten, Guy; De Clercq, Dirk

2007-06-01

The possible effects of back education on children's back function were never evaluated. Therefore, main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of back education in elementary schoolchildren on back function parameters. Since the reliability of back function measurement in children is poorly defined, another objective was to test the selected instruments for reliability in 8-11-year olds. The multi-factorial intervention lasting two school-years consisted of a back education program and the stimulation of postural dynamism in the class. Trunk muscle endurance, leg muscle capacity and spinal curvature were evaluated in a pre-post design including 41 children who received the back education program (mean age at post-test: 11.2 +/- 0.9 years) and 28 controls (mean age at post-test: 11.4 +/- 0.6 years). Besides, test-retest reliability with a 1-week interval was investigated in a separate sample. Therefore, 47 children (mean age: 10.1 +/- 0.5 years) were tested for reliability of trunk muscle endurance and 40 children (mean age: 10.2 +/- 0.7 years) for the assessment of spinal curvatures. Reliability of endurance testing was very good to good for the trunk flexors (ICC = 0.82) and trunk extensors (ICC = 0.63). The assessment of the thoracic (ICC = 0.69) and the lumbar curvature (ICC = 0.52) in seating position showed good to acceptable reliability. Low ICCs were found for the assessment of the thoracic (ICC = 0.39) and the lumbar curvature (ICC = 0.37) in stance. The effects of 2 year back education showed an increase in trunk flexor endurance in the intervention group compared to a decrease in the controls and a trend towards significance for a higher increase in trunk extensor endurance in the intervention group. For leg muscle capacity and spinal curvature no intervention effects were found. The small samples recommend cautious interpretation of intervention effects. However, the present study's findings favor the implementation of back education with focus on postural dynamism in the class as an integral part of the elementary school curriculum in the scope of optimizing spinal loading through the school environment.

16 CFR 1512.15 - Requirements for seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...) above the top of the seat surface at the point where the seat surface is intersected by the seat post axis. This requirement does not apply to recumbent bicycles. (b) Seat post. The seat post shall contain... adjustment); the mark shall not affect the structural integrity of the seat post. This mark shall be located...

16 CFR § 1512.15 - Requirements for seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...) above the top of the seat surface at the point where the seat surface is intersected by the seat post axis. This requirement does not apply to recumbent bicycles. (b) Seat post. The seat post shall contain... adjustment); the mark shall not affect the structural integrity of the seat post. This mark shall be located...

16 CFR 1512.15 - Requirements for seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...) above the top of the seat surface at the point where the seat surface is intersected by the seat post axis. This requirement does not apply to recumbent bicycles. (b) Seat post. The seat post shall contain... adjustment); the mark shall not affect the structural integrity of the seat post. This mark shall be located...

76 FR 64795 - Airworthiness Directives; Sicma Aero Seat Passenger Seat Assemblies Installed on Various...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-19

... Airworthiness Directives; Sicma Aero Seat Passenger Seat Assemblies Installed on Various Transport Category..., 91xx, 92xx, 93xx, 95xx, and 96xx series passenger seat assemblies, installed on various transport... seat assemblies identified in Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004, of Sicma Aero Seat Service...

Lateral bias in theatre-seat choice.

PubMed

Harms, Victoria; Reese, Miriam; Elias, Lorin J

2014-01-01

Examples of behavioural asymmetries are common in the range of human behaviour; even when faced with a symmetrical environment people demonstrate reliable asymmetries in behaviours like gesturing, cradling, and even seating. One such asymmetry is the observation that participants tend to choose seats to the right of the screen when asked to select their preferred seating location in a movie theatre. However, these results are based on seat selection using a seating chart rather than examining real seat choice behaviour in the theatre context. This study investigated the real-world seating patterns of theatre patrons during actual film screenings. Analysis of bias scores calculated using photographs of theatre patrons revealed a significant bias to choose seats on the right side of the theatre. These findings are consistent with the prior research in the area and confirm that the seating bias observed when seats are selected from a chart accurately reflects real-world seating behaviour.

Mature vs. Active Deep-Seated Landslides: A Comparison Through Two Case Histories in the Alps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delle Piane, Luca; Perello, Paolo; Baietto, Alessandro; Giorza, Alessandra; Musso, Alessia; Gabriele, Piercarlo; Baster, Ira

2016-06-01

Two case histories are presented, concerning the still poorly known alpine deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSD) located nearby Lanzada (central Italian Alps), and Sarre (north-western Italian Alps). The Lanzada DSD is a constantly monitored, juvenile, and active phenomenon, partly affecting an existing hydropower plant. Its well-developed landforms allow a precise field characterization of the instability-affected area. The Sarre DSD is a mature, strongly remodeled phenomenon, where the only hazard factor is represented by secondary instability processes at the base of the slope. In this case, the remodeling imposed the adoption of complementary analytical techniques to support the field work. The two presented studies had to be adapted to external factors, namely (a) available information, (b) geological and geomorphological setting, and (c) final scope of the work. The Lanzada case essentially relied upon accurate field work; the Sarre case was mostly based on digital image and DTM processing. In both cases a sound field structural analysis formed the necessary background to understand the mechanisms leading to instability. A back-analysis of the differences between the study methods adopted in the two cases is finally presented, leading to suggestions for further investigations and design.

Compliance with seat belt use in Benin City, Nigeria.

PubMed

Iribhogbe, Pius Ehiawaguan; Osime, Clement Odigie

2008-01-01

Trauma is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. A quarter of all fatalities due to injury occur due to road traffic crashes with 90% of the fatalities occurring in low- and medium-income countries. Poor compliance with the use of seat belts is a problem in many developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of seatbelt compliance in motor vehicles in Benin City, Nigeria. A five-day, observational study was conducted in strategic locations in Benin City. The compliance rates of drivers, front seat passengers, and rear seat passengers in the various categories of vehicles were evaluated, and the data were subjected to statistical processing using the Program for Epidemiology. A total of 369 vehicles were observed. This consisted of 172 private cars, 64 taxis, 114 buses, 15 trucks, and four other vehicles. The seat belt compliance rate for drivers was 52.3%, front seat passengers 18.4%, and rear seat passengers 6.1%. Drivers of all categories of vehicles were more likely to use the seat belt compared to front seat passengers (p = 0.000) and rear seat passengers (p = 0.000). Drivers of private cars were more likely to use seat belts compared to taxi drivers (p = 0.000) and bus drivers (p = 0.000). Front seat passengers in private cars were more likely to use the seat belt compared to front seat passengers in taxis (p = 0.000) and buses (p = 0.000). Rear seat passengers in private cars also were more likely to use seat belts compared to rear seat passengers in taxis (p = 0.000) and buses (p = 0.000). Compliance with seat belt use in Benin City is low. Legislation, educational campaigns, and enforcement of seat belt use are needed.

Seating Considerations for Spaceflight: The Human to Machine Interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gohmert, D. M.

2012-01-01

Seating is one of the most critical components to be considered during design of a spacecraft. Since seats are the final interface between the occupant and the vehicle wherein all launch and landing operations are performed, significant effort must be spent to ensure proper integration of the human to the spacecraft. The importance of seating can be divided into two categories: seat layout and seat design. The layout of the seats drives the overall cabin configuration - from displays and controls, to windows, to stowage, to egress paths. Since the layout of the seats is such a critical design parameter within the crew compartment, it is one of the first design challenges that must be completed in the critical path of the spacecraft design. In consideration of seat layout in the vehicle, it is important for the designers to account for often intangible factors such as safety, operability, contingency performance, and crew rescue. Seat layout will lead to definition of the quantity, shape, and posture of the seats. The seats of the craft must restrain and protect the occupant in all seated phases of flight, while allowing for nominal mission performance. In design of a spacecraft seat, the general posture of the occupant and the landing loads to be encountered are the greatest drivers of overall design. Variances, such as upright versus recumbent postures will dictate fit of the seat to the occupant and drive the total envelope of the seat around the occupant. Seat design revolves around applying sound principles of seated occupant protection coupled with the unique environments driven by the seat layout, landing loads, and operational and emergency scenarios.

The Sit & Stand chair. A revolutionary advance in adaptive seating systems.

PubMed

Galumbeck, Michael H; Buschbacher, Ralph M; Wilder, Robert P; Winters, Kathryne L; Hudson, Mary Anne; Edlich, Richard F

2004-01-01

A major factor governing independence for the elderly and persons with disabilities is the ability to stand from a chair. Factors such as pain, reduced joint range of motion, stiffness, and muscle weakness frequently limit the ability to stand. Sit-to-stand position is even further reduced in patients whose hands and shoulders are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. When achieving a sit-to-stand position in the elderly and persons with disabilities, there is considerable risk of the individual falling and sustaining bone fracture. The purposes of this scientific report are to achieve the following goals: (1) to provide a narrative discussion of the senior author's contributions to furniture manufacturing as well as his successful patent application for the SIT & STAND chair, (2) to describe the steps involved in the development of the SIT & STAND prototype, and (3) to examine the performance of the SIT & STAND chair in assisting the elderly or persons with disabilities in achieving a sit-to-stand position. The invention of the SIT & STAND chair by the senior author, Michael Galumbeck, was a culmination of his lifelong interest in adaptive seating systems. His electrically operated chair has the unique ability to assist the occupant to achieve safely a sit-to-stand position. The rear portion of his chair remains in a fixed position to support the buttocks of the user during mechanical lift. The front portion of the seat folds down incrementally as the chair rises to allow the feet of the user to be positioned in a more posterior position firmly on the floor. Using its actuator, the height that the chair rises will vary with the length of the legs of the occupant. Using the drawing program Solid Works (Solid Works, Concord, Massachusetts), drawings of the chair were made. To visualize the operation and performance of the chair, separate drawings were made in the lateral position. The prototype of the SIT & STAND chair was manufactured with an electric actuator that allows elevation of the back portion of the seat. The design of this chair ensured that there were no pinch points that could endanger the user or assistant. Its framework ensured that it was stable and did not tip over. After the prototype chair is manufactured, it is being sent to Underwriters Laboratory Inc. (Los Angeles, California) for review and certification. The performance of the SIT & STAND chair was determined in a clinical study involving seven elderly or disabled individuals who complained of difficulty in rising from a chair from a seated position. During each performance evaluation, a mechanical chest and shoulder harness attached to an overhead sling encircled the individual to ensure that he/she would not fall. In the first part of the evaluation, these individuals were asked to achieve a standing position after being seated in the SIT & STAND chair without the use of the actuator. Three individuals were unable to achieve a standing position, while four achieved this standing position with considerable difficulty and potential instability. When these participants used the SIT & STAND chair with the use of the electrical actuator, all individuals achieved a standing position without difficulty or instability. All individuals expressed disappointment that the SIT & STAND chair was not commercially available for them to purchase and use in their homes. Because the SIT & STAND chair allows the individual to achieve a standing position without assistance, the SIT & STAND chair has other potential benefits not evaluated in this study. The beneficial effects of standing have been documented by comprehensive scientific studies. These benefits include reduction of seating pressure, decreased bone demineralization, increased bladder pressure, enhanced circulatory regulation, reduction in muscular tone, decrease in upper extremity muscle stress, and participation in activities of daily living. Another irrefutable benefit of the SIT & STAND chair is that the chair eliminates the need for physical assistance from family members or health care personnel, preventing the development of disabling back injuries in personal care assistants. In addition, the SIT & STAND chair entirely removes the risk of pain or harm to the individual, which sometimes occurs with manual assist to stand, such as dislocation or fracture of frail shoulders with the under-axilla lift. Realizing the medical benefits of the SIT & STAND chair, Aetna completed a clinical policy bulletin that states that the seat lift mechanism is a medically necessary durable medical product. On the basis of this extensive product and performance evaluation, we recommend the SIT & STAND chair for the elderly as well as persons with disability to safely achieve a sit-to-stand position.

Astronaut Brand and Cosmonaut Ivanchenko in Docking Module trainer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

Astronaut Vance D. Brand (foreground) and Cosmonaut Aleksandr S. Ivanchenko are seated in the Docking Module trainer in bldg 35 during Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) simulation training at JSC. Brand is the command module pilot of the American ASTP prime crew. Ivanchenko is the engineer on the Soviet ASTP fourth crew (back-up). During the exercise the American ASTP crew and the Soviet ASTP crew simulated docking the Apollo and Soyuz in Earth orbit and transferring to each other's spacecraft. This view is looking from inside the Command Module into the Docking Module. The hatchway leading into the Soyuz spacecraft orbital module mock-up is in the background.

jsc2017e011279

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-01-27

jsc2017e011279 (01/27/2017) --- Crowds of visitors line up for the NASA Orion Journey to Mars ride at the Houston Texas NFL Live Super Bowl LI event on Discovery Green Jan. 27, 2017. With people safely seated and virtual googles in place the ride pulls the Orion capsule up 90 feet then drops them suddenly to the bottom providing a physical experience as well as a visual one while experiencing the trip to Mars and back. The virtual reality trip is a popular no cost feature as part of NASA’s Future Flight area which also houses many other NASA space exploration and science exhibits. NASA PHOTOGRAPHER: Robert Markowitz

The physics of having a swing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ju, Yanqing

2005-11-01

To swing higher and higher, a person on a swing stands up and squats down twice for each swing back and forth. These body movements can increase the mechanical energy of the system. The person on the swing stands on the seat and is propelled by an initial force so that he or she can rise higher and higher by body movement alone. How is this done? If we watch people on swings we see that they usually squat down while the swing goes up to its two highest points, and then stand up quickly when the swing descends to its lowest point. What is the physics behind this?

KSC-00pp1851

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-12-07

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-107 crew takes part in In-Flight Maintenance training, learning more about experiments that will be part of the mission. Seated in front (left to right) are Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon of Israel; Commander Rick D. Husband; Mission Specialist Laurel Clark; and Pilot William C. “Willie” McCool; in back are Mission Specialists David M. Brown and Michael Anderson. As a research mission, STS-107 will carry the SPACEHAB Double Module in its first research flight into space and a broad collection of experiments ranging from material science to life science. It is scheduled to launch July 19, 2001

KSC00pp1851

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-12-07

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STS-107 crew takes part in In-Flight Maintenance training, learning more about experiments that will be part of the mission. Seated in front (left to right) are Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon of Israel; Commander Rick D. Husband; Mission Specialist Laurel Clark; and Pilot William C. “Willie” McCool; in back are Mission Specialists David M. Brown and Michael Anderson. As a research mission, STS-107 will carry the SPACEHAB Double Module in its first research flight into space and a broad collection of experiments ranging from material science to life science. It is scheduled to launch July 19, 2001

Musculoskeletal disorder risk during automotive assembly: current vs. seated

PubMed Central

Ferguson, Sue A.; Marras, William S.; Allread, W. Gary; Knapik, Gregory G.; Splittstoesser, Riley E.

2013-01-01

Musculoskeletal disorder risk was assessed during automotive assembly processes. The risk associated with current assembly processes was compared to using a cantilever chair intervention. Spine loads and normalized shoulder muscle activity were evaluated during assembly in eight regions of the vehicle. Eight interior cabin regions of the vehicle were classified by reach distance, height from vehicle floor and front to back. The cantilever chair intervention tool was most effective in the far reach regions regardless of the height. In the front far reach regions both spine loads and normalized shoulder muscle activity levels were reduced. In the middle and close reach regions spine loads were reduced, however, shoulder muscle activity was not, thus an additional intervention would be necessary to reduce shoulder risk. In the back far reach region, spine loads were not significantly different between the current and cantilever chair conditions. Thus, the effectiveness of the cantilever chair was dependent on the region of the vehicle. PMID:22036450

Profiling Isokinetic Strength by Leg Preference and Position in Rugby Union Athletes.

PubMed

Brown, Scott R; Brughelli, Matt; Bridgeman, Lee A

2016-05-01

Muscle imbalances aid in the identification of athletes at risk for lower-extremity injury. Little is known regarding the influence that leg preference or playing position may have on lower-extremity muscle strength and asymmetry. To investigate lower-extremity strength profiles in rugby union athletes and compare isokinetic knee- and hip-strength variables between legs and positions. Thirty male academy rugby union athletes, separated into forwards (n = 15) and backs (n = 15), participated in this cross-sectional analysis. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to evaluate peak torque, angle of peak torque, and strength ratios of the preferred and nonpreferred legs during seated knee extension/flexion and supine hip extension/flexion at 60°/s. Backs were older (ES = 1.6) but smaller in stature (ES = -0.47) and body mass (ES = -1.3) than the forwards. The nonpreferred leg was weaker than the preferred leg for forwards during extension (ES = -0.37) and flexion (ES = -0.21) actions and for backs during extension (ES = -0.28) actions. Backs were weaker at the knee than forwards in the preferred leg during extension (ES = -0.50) and flexion (ES = -0.66) actions. No differences were observed in strength ratios between legs or positions. Backs produced peak torque at longer muscle lengths in both legs at the knee (ES = -0.93 to -0.94) and hip (ES = -0.84 to -1.17) than the forwards. In this sample of male academy rugby union athletes, the preferred leg and forwards displayed superior strength compared with the nonpreferred leg and backs. These findings highlight the importance of individualized athletic assessments to detect crucial strength differences in male rugby union athletes.

Occupant responses in conventional and ABTS seats in high-speed rear sled tests.

PubMed

Viano, David C; Parenteau, Chantal S; Burnett, Roger; Prasad, Priya

2018-01-02

This study compared biomechanical responses of a normally seated Hybrid III dummy on conventional and all belts to seat (ABTS) seats in 40.2 km/h (25 mph) rear sled tests. It determined the difference in performance with modern (≥2000 MY) seats compared to older (<2000 MY) seats and ABTS seats. The seats were fixed in a sled buck subjected to a 40.2 km/h (25 mph) rear sled test. The pulse was a 15 g double-peak acceleration with 150 ms duration. The 50th percentile Hybrid III was lap-shoulder belted in the FMVSS 208 design position. The testing included 11 <2000 MY, 8 ≥2000 MY, and 7 ABTS seats. The dummy was fully instrumented, including head accelerations, upper and lower neck 6-axis load cells, chest acceleration, thoracic and lumbar spine load cells, and pelvis accelerations. The peak responses were normalized by injury assessment reference values (IARVs) to assess injury risks. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student's t test. High-speed video documented occupant kinematics. Biomechanical responses were lower with modern (≥2000 MY) seats than older (<2000 MY) designs. The lower neck extension moment was 32.5 ± 9.7% of IARV in modern seats compared to 62.8 ± 31.6% in older seats (P =.01). Overall, there was a 34% reduction in the comparable biomechanical responses with modern seats. Biomechanical responses were lower with modern seats than ABTS seats. The lower neck extension moment was 41.4 ± 7.8% with all MY ABTS seats compared to 32.5 ± 9.7% in modern seats (P =.07). Overall, the ABTS seats had 13% higher biomechanical responses than the modern seats. Modern (≥2000 MY) design seats have lower biomechanical responses in 40.2 km/h rear sled tests than older (<2000 MY) designs and ABTS designs. The improved performance is consistent with an increase in seat strength combined with improved occupant kinematics through pocketing of the occupant into the seatback, higher and more forward head restraint, and other design changes. The methods and data presented here provide a basis for standardized testing of seats. However, a complete understanding of seat safety requires consideration of out-of-position (OOP) occupants in high-speed impacts and consideration of the much more common, low-speed rear impacts.

76 FR 291 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Single-Occupant Side-Facing Seats

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

...-occupant side-facing seat installations. Dynamic testing of all seats approved for occupancy during takeoff.... 25.562, ``Emergency landing dynamic conditions,'' requires dynamic testing of all seats occupied... seats, or seats equipped with conventional restraint systems. [[Page 292

Selecting seats for steel industry mobile machines based on seat effective amplitude transmissibility and comfort.

PubMed

Conrad, Leanne F; Oliver, Michele L; Jack, Robert J; Dickey, James P; Eger, Tammy R

2014-01-01

The purpose of this work was to help a steel industry partner select the most appropriate of three high end heavy equipment seats to retrofit a number of their heavy mobile machines used in the steel making process. The participants included 8 males (22.3 ± 2.0 yrs.) and 8 females (23.5 ± 1.8 yrs.) with no experience operating heavy mobile equipment. Previously recorded 6-DOF chassis acceleration data from a Pot Hauler (a machine which picks up and transports pots of slag) were used to extract six, 20 second representative profiles for implementation on a lab-based heavy machine simulator (6-DOF Parallel Robotics System Corporation robot). Subjects sat on three heavy equipment seats (BeGe7150, Grammar MSG 95G1721, and a 6801 Isringhausen with the seat pan cushion retrofitted with a Skydex cushion) mounted on the simulator. Each subject completed three trials for each combination of seat (n=3) and vibration profile (n=6). Chassis and operator/seat interface vibration were measured by 2, 6-DOF vibration transducers. Variables included Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility (SEAT) (X,Y,Z,Roll,Pitch,Yaw,6DOF Vector Sum) to determine if the seat was attenuating or amplifying the vibration, 6-degree of freedom (DOF) vibration total value weighted predicted comfort (Avc) (according to ISO 2631-1) and operator reported comfort (ORC). Factorial ANOVAs revealed significant differences (p < or = 0.05) between seats for all SEAT variables but different seats performed better than others depending on the axis. Significant differences between males and females were observed for SEAT in X,Y, and Pitch as well as for Avs. As expected there were significant differences between vibration profiles for all assessed variables. A number of interaction effects were observed, the most frequently occurring of which was between seat and vibration profile. Based upon the number of seat and vibration profile interactions, results suggest that a single seat is not suited for all tested conditions. However, SEAT values for all of the seats tested were extremely low (e.g., 6-DOF SEAT < 30%) indicating that all of the seats were capable of providing good vibration attenuation.

An Ergonomic Evaluation of Aircraft Pilot Seats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrade, Yolanda Nicole

Seat comfort has become increasingly important in today's society as we spend more time at consoles, instrument panels, or just online. However, seat comfort is hard to define and difficult to measure. Several measures both objective and subjective were used to evaluate seat comfort in commercially available average pilot seats. Three pilot seats, which had the same material and similar adjustments but different physical attributes, and a universal classroom seat, with different material and no adjustments, were compared by 20 volunteers using subjective and objective measures in a Latin square controlled repeated measures design. A Friedman's test was used to determine that both the comfort questionnaire and the body-map rating results were able to discriminate objective comfort levels between the seats. One-way repeated measures ANOVA tests were used to analyze both the objective tests, actigraph and pressure pad data. All results indicated that one seat was clearly the most comfortable and another, the classroom seat was clearly the most uncomfortable seat. Furthermore, the overall comments per seat were compiled and compared to Fazlollahtabar's 2010) predictive automobile seat comfort theory to determine which factors influence comfort perception. The use of both subjective and objective data can better distinguish comfort from one seat over the other. These results have implications for future tests of seats that will be used for long durations. Limitations and future recommendations are discussed later in the paper. An interesting finding may explain why pressure pad data are typically seemingly at odds with subjective measures of seat comfort.

Variability in the control of head movements in seated humans: a link with whiplash injuries?

PubMed Central

Vibert, N; MacDougall, H G; de Waele, C; Gilchrist, D P D; Burgess, A M; Sidis, A; Migliaccio, A; Curthoys, I S; Vidal, P P

2001-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine how context and on-line sensory information are combined to control posture in seated subjects submitted to high-jerk, passive linear accelerations. Subjects were seated with eyes closed on a servo-controlled linear sled. They were asked to relax and received brief accelerations either sideways or in the fore-aft direction. The stimuli had an abrupt onset, comparable to the jerk experienced during a minor car collision. Rotation and translation of the head and body were measured using an Optotrak system. In some of the subjects, surface electromyographic (EMG) responses of selected neck and/or back muscles were recorded simultaneously. For each subject, responses were highly stereotyped from the first trial, and showed little sign of habituation or sensitisation. Comparable results were obtained with sideways and fore-aft accelerations. During each impulse, the head lagged behind the trunk for several tens of milliseconds. The subjects' head movement responses were distributed as a continuum in between two extreme categories. The ‘stiff’ subjects showed little rotation or translation of the head relative to the trunk for the whole duration of the impulse. In contrast, the ‘floppy’ subjects showed a large roll or pitch of the head relative to the trunk in the direction opposite to the sled movement. This response appeared as an exaggerated ‘inertial’ response to the impulse. Surface EMG recordings showed that most of the stiff subjects were not contracting their superficial neck or back muscles. We think they relied on bilateral contractions of their deep, axial musculature to keep the head-neck ensemble in line with the trunk during the movement. About half of the floppy subjects displayed reflex activation of the neck muscles on the side opposite to the direction of acceleration, which occurred before or during the head movement and tended to exaggerate it. The other floppy subjects seemed to rely on only the passive biomechanical properties of their head-neck ensemble to compensate for the perturbation. In our study, proprioception was the sole source of sensory information as long as the head did not move. We therefore presume that the EMG responses and head movements we observed were mainly triggered by the activation of stretch receptors in the hips, trunk and/or neck. The visualisation of an imaginary reference in space during sideways impulses significantly reduced the head roll exhibited by floppy subjects. This suggests that the adoption by the central nervous system of an extrinsic, ‘allocentric’ frame of reference instead of an intrinsic, ‘egocentric’ one may be instrumental for the selection of the stiff strategy. The response of floppy subjects appeared to be maladaptive and likely to increase the risk of whiplash injury during motor vehicle accidents. Evolution of postural control may not have taken into account the implications of passive, high-acceleration perturbations affecting seated subjects. PMID:11313451

Characterisation of the human-seat coupling in response to vibration.

PubMed

Kim, Eunyeong; Fard, Mohammad; Kato, Kazuhito

2017-08-01

Characterising the coupling between the occupant and vehicle seat is necessary to understand the transmission of vehicle seat vibration to the human body. In this study, the vibration characteristics of the human body coupled with a vehicle seat were identified in frequencies up to 100 Hz. Transmissibilities of three volunteers seated on two different vehicle seats were measured under multi-axial random vibration excitation. The results revealed that the human-seat system vibration was dominated by the human body and foam below 10 Hz. Major coupling between the human body and the vehicle seat-structure was observed in the frequency range of 10-60 Hz. There was local coupling of the system dominated by local resonances of seat frame and seat surface above 60 Hz. Moreover, the transmissibility measured on the seat surface between the human and seat foam is suggested to be a good method of capturing human-seat system resonances rather than that measured on the human body in high frequencies above 10 Hz.Practitioner Summary: The coupling characteristics of the combined human body and vehicle seat system has not yet been fully understood in frequencies of 0.5-100 Hz. This study shows the human-seat system has distinctive dynamic coupling characteristics in three different frequency regions: below 10 Hz, 10-60 Hz, and above 60 Hz.

The seating mechanics of head-neck modular tapers in vitro: Load-displacement measurements, moisture, and rate effects.

PubMed

Ouellette, Eric S; Shenoy, Aarti A; Gilbert, Jeremy L

2018-04-01

The mechanically assisted crevice corrosion performance of head-neck modular tapers is a significant concern in orthopedic biomaterials. Fretting crevice corrosion processes in modular tapers are thought to be influenced by a wide array of factors including seating mechanics of the junction, hence there is a need for in vitro test methods that can assess their performance. This study presented a test method to directly measure the load-displacement seating mechanics of modular tapers and used this method to compare the seating mechanics for different tapers, moisture, seating loads and seating rates. Seating mechanics were explored whereby the instantaneous load-displacement behavior of the head seating onto the neck is captured and used to define the mechanics of seating. Two distinct taper design/material combinations were assembled wet or dry using axially applied loads (500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 N) at two loading rates of 100 and 10 4  N/s (n = 5 for each condition) using a servohydraulic test frame. The results showed that pull-off strength scaled with seating load and ranged between 43% and 68% of seating load depending on sample and wetness. Tapers seated wet had higher pull-off strengths (2,200 ± 300 N) than those seated dry (1,800 ± 200 N, p < 0.05). Seating mechanics (load-displacement plots) varied due to sample type and due to wetness with differences in seating energy, seating stiffness, and seating displacement. These results show the detailed mechanics of seating during assembly and provide significant insight into the complex interplay of factors associated with even "ideal" seating (axial, quasistatic) loading. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1164-1172, 2018. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Back pain in a large Canadian police force.

PubMed

Brown, J J; Wells, G A; Trottier, A J; Bonneau, J; Ferris, B

1998-04-01

A survey of a random sample of 1002 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to determine their experience with low back pain. To determine the prevalence of low back pain among Royal Canadian Mounted Police members and to assess the validity of the perception that the patrol car seat and the duty belt are causing a higher rate of low back pain among members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police than in the general population. Low back pain is a common problem throughout the industrialized world, with reported 1-year prevalence rates between 25% and 62%. Prevalence of low back pain among people who drive motor vehicles for a significant part of the day appears higher than in the general population. Among police officers, 1-year prevalence rates of between 44% and 62% have been reported. A computerized database of 14,897 serving regular members was used to identify a sample of officers on active duty. A low back pain questionnaire was mailed to each selected member, eliciting information regarding their experience with low back pain, their exposure to known and putative risk factors, and their opinions about the contribution of these potential risk factors. The respondents to the questionnaire remained anonymous. The response rate was 80%. The prevalence of "chronic or recurring low back pain since joining the force" was 54.9%, which is comparable with the lifetime prevalence reported for the general population. Of those who reported having back problems, only 8.5% had such problems before joining the force. Seventy-six percent who had low back pain reported having a problem within the last year, giving an overall 1-year prevalence of 41.8%, which is comparable with that for the general population. The a priori assumption that driving or wearing a duty belt contributed to the problem was shared by most police officers surveyed. However, only about half of the members who replied drove for more than half the working day or wore the duty belt. These members had the same prevalence of low back pain as those who did not drive or wear the duty belt. The prevalence of low back pain in this police force is comparable with that in the general population, and driving a patrol car or wearing the duty belt does not appear to influence the prevalence rate in this population.

ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FLIGHT PERSONNEL FOR DESIGNING DAMPERS FOR SHOCKPROOF SEATS OF HELICOPTER CREWS.

PubMed

Moiseev, Yu B; Ignatovich, S N; Strakhov, A Yu

The article discusses anthropometric design of shockproof pilot seats for state-of-the-art helicopters. Object of the investigation was anthropometric parameters of the helicopter aviation personnel of the Russian interior troops. It was stated that the body parameters essential for designing helicopter seat dampers are mass of the body part that presses against the seat in the seating position, and eye level above the seat surface. An uncontrolled seat damper ensuring shockproof safety to 95 % helicopter crews must be designed for the body mass contacting the seat of 99.7 kg and eye level above the seat of 78.6 cm. To absorb.shock effectively, future dampers should be adjustable to pilot's body parameters. The optimal approach to anthropometric design of a helicopter seat is development of type pilot' body models with due account of pilot's the flight outfit and seat geometry. Principle criteria of type models are body mass and eye level. The authors propose a system of type body models facilitating specification of anthropometric data helicopter seat developers.

Normative Misperceptions of Peer Seat Belt Use Among High School Students and Their Relationship to Personal Seat Belt Use

PubMed Central

LITT, DANA M.; LEWIS, MELISSA A.; LINKENBACH, JEFFREY W.; LANDE, GARY; NEIGHBORS, CLAYTON

2016-01-01

Objectives This research examined gender-specific perceptions of peer seat belt use norms among high school students and their relationship with one’s own seat belt use. We expected that students would underestimate the seat belt use of their peers and that these perceptions would be positively associated with their own seat belt use. Methods High school students from 4 schools (N = 3348; 52% male) completed measures assessing perceived seat belt use and personal seat belt use. Results Findings demonstrated that students perceived that others engaged in less seat belt use than they do and that perceived norms were positively associated with one’s own seat belt use. Conclusions Peer influences are a strong predictor of behavior, especially among adolescents. Ironically, adolescents’ behaviors are often influenced by inaccurate perceptions of their peers. This research establishes the presence of a misperception related to seat belt use and suggests that misperception is associated with own behaviors. This research provides a foundation for social norms–based interventions designed to increase seat belt use by correcting normative misperceptions among adolescents. PMID:24628560

Car Seat Safety

MedlinePlus

... Staying Safe Videos for Educators Search English Español Car Seat Safety KidsHealth / For Parents / Car Seat Safety ... certified child passenger safety technician.) Guidelines for Choosing Car Seats Choose a seat with a label that ...

75 FR 30775 - Availability of Seats for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-02

... to fill existing seats for the following vacant seats: Heritage Tourism seat, Citizen-at-Large seat... stakeholders, including: Citizen-at-Large, Conservation, Economic Development, Education, Heritage Tourism...

Exploring the design of a lightweight, sustainable and comfortable aircraft seat.

PubMed

Kokorikou, A; Vink, P; de Pauw, I C; Braca, A

2016-07-19

Making a lightweight seat that is also comfortable can be contradictory because usually comfort improvement means adding a feature (e.g. headrest, adjustable lumbar support, movable armrests, integrated massage systems, etc.), which makes seats heavier. This paper explores the design of an economy class aircraft seat that aims to be lightweight, comfortable and sustainable. Theory about comfort in seats, ergonomics, lightweight design, Biomimicry and Cradle to cradle was studied and resulted in a list of requirements that the new seat should satisfy. The design process resulted in a new seat that is 36% lighter than the reference seat, which showed that a significant weight reduction can be achieved. This was completed by re-designing the backrest and seat pan and integrating their functions into a reduced number of parts. Apart from the weight reduction that helps in reducing the airplane's environmental impact, the seat also satisfies most of the other sustainability requirements such as the use of recyclable materials, design for disassembly, easy to repair. A user test compared the new seat with a premium economy class aircraft seat and the level of comfort was similar. Strong points of the new design were identified such as the lumbar support and the cushioning material, as well as shortcomings on which the seat needs to be improved, like the seat pan length and the first impression. Long term comfort tests are still needed as the seat is meant for long-haul flights.

Seat belt use to save face: impact on drivers' body region and nature of injury in motor vehicle crashes.

PubMed

Han, Guang-Ming; Newmyer, Ashley; Qu, Ming

2015-01-01

Seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in motor vehicle crashes. However, some case reports described seat belt use as a double-edged sword because some injuries are related to seat belt use in motor vehicle crashes. To comprehensively understand the effects of seat belt use, we systemically investigated the association between seat belt use and injuries based on anatomic body region and type of injury in drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes. The injury information was obtained by linking crash reports with hospital discharge data and categorized by using the diagnosis codes based on the Barell injury diagnosis matrix. A total of 10,479 drivers (≥15 years) in passenger vehicles involved in motor vehicle crashes from 2006 to 2011 were included in this study. Seat belt use significantly reduced the proportions of traumatic brain injury (10.4% non-seat belt; 4.1% seat belt) and other head, face, and neck injury (29.3% non-seat belt; 16.6% seat belt) but increased the proportion of spine: thoracic to coccyx injury (17.9% non-seat belt; 35.5% seat belt). Although the proportion of spine: thoracic to coccyx injury was increased in drivers with seat belt use, the severity of injury was decreased, such as fracture (4.2% with seat belt use; 22.0% without seat belt use). Furthermore, the total medical charges decreased due to the change of injury profiles in drivers with seat belt use from a higher percentage of fractures (average cost for per case $26,352) to a higher percentage of sprains and/or strains ($1,897) with spine: thoracic to coccyx injury. This study provide a comprehensive picture for understanding the protective effect of seat belt use on injuries based on anatomic body region and type of injury in drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes.

Measures of fit and discomfort for elementary school children in Serbia.

PubMed

Feathers, David; Pavlovic-Veselinovic, Sonja; Hedge, Alan

2013-01-01

Assessing physical ergonomic factors within the classroom environment creates new opportunities to support designs that promote student well-being. Student-aged anthropometric data helps guide proper desk fit assessment, therefore facilitating scholastic performance through the reduction of distractions such as physical discomfort. This study reports dimensions of fit between student anthropometry and the desk environment (classroom seating conditions), for grade-school aged children in Serbia. Measurements of the children and their desks are compared to subjective reports of discomfort. Fifty-seven elementary school students, grade 2 (ages 7-8; n=29) and grade 4 (ages 9-10; n=28), were enrolled in this study. All participants were from the same elementary school in the city of Nis, Serbia. Seventeen anthropometric measurements of students were collected using standard anthropometric instruments. Eight measurements of student work desks and chairs were also collected. Students were evaluated by a physiatrist to assess health issues and completed a novel questionnaire about musculoskeletal discomfort for different body parts. Student fit to the classroom seat and desk was assessed structurally and subjectively. Data analysis included descriptive anthropometric measurements and inferential statistics including Chi square analysis. Results indicated age-related differences in body part discomfort for grade 2 and grade 4 students, arm discomfort reported over 50% of second grade students, and neck/upper back discomfort was reported as the highest of all body parts (32%) for students in the fourth grade. Anthropometric variables and preliminary analysis of fit as it relates to reported discomfort are discussed, as are external factors of backpack use and seated video/computer-game use. International comparisons of anthropometric data are discussed and serve to inform new considerations of ergonomics research for school children.

Car Seats for Growing Children: Guidelines for Counselling Parents on Which Type of Car Seat To Use.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Illinois State Dept. of Transportation, Springfield. Div. of Traffic Safety.

Children's car seats provide protection from the types of injury with the worst consequences. This document presents guidelines for selecting and installing child car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. The document includes suggestions for identifying when a child's safety restraint system should be changed, for determining if the restraint…

76 FR 13620 - Opportunity to Partner; Testing of Patient Compartment Seating and Restraints to Proposed Test...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-14

... current or comparable pre-test or pre-standard seat, seat retention device, and occupant restraint and its... Partner; Testing of Patient Compartment Seating and Restraints to Proposed Test Standard Authority: 29 U.S... proposed ambulance component test standards. One such standard, AMD STANDARD 026--Seat, Seat Mount and...

Seat belt use among rear passengers: validity of self-reported versus observational measures

PubMed Central

Zambon, Francesco; Fedeli, Ugo; Marchesan, Maria; Schievano, Elena; Ferro, Antonio; Spolaore, Paolo

2008-01-01

Background The effects of seat belt laws and public education campaigns on seat belt use are assessed on the basis of observational or self-reported data on seat belt use. Previous studies focusing on front seat occupants have shown that self-reports indicate a greater seat belt usage than observational findings. Whether this over-reporting in self reports applies to rear seat belt usage, and to what extent, have yet to be investigated. We aimed to evaluate the over-reporting factor for rear seat passengers and whether this varies by gender and under different compulsory seat belt use conditions. Methods The study was conducted in the Veneto Region, an area in the North-East of Italy with a population of 4.7 million. The prevalence of seat belt use among rear seat passengers was determined by means of a cross-sectional self-report survey and an observational study. Both investigations were performed in two time periods: in 2003, when rear seat belt use was not enforced by primary legislation, and in 2005, after rear seat belt use had become compulsory (June 2003). Overall, 8138 observations and 7902 interviews were recorded. Gender differences in the prevalence of rear seat belt use were examined using the chi-square test. The over-reporting factor, defined as the ratio of the self-reported to the observed prevalence of rear seat belt use, was calculated by gender before and after the rear seat belt legislation came into effect. Results Among rear seat passengers, self-reported rates were always higher than the observational findings, with an overall over-reporting factor of 1.4. We registered no statistically significant changes over time in the over-reporting factor, nor any major differences between genders. Conclusion Self-reported seat belt usage by rear passengers represents an efficient alternative to observational studies for tracking changes in actual behavior, although the reported figures need to be adjusted using an appropriate over-reporting factor in order to gain an idea of genuine seat belt use. PMID:18613955

RF Loading Effects of Aircraft Seats in an Electromagnetic Reverberating Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Truong

2000-01-01

Loading effects of aircraft seats in an electromagnetic reverberating environment are investigated. The effects are determined by comparing the reverberation chamber s insertion losses with and without the seats. The average per-seat absorption cross-sections are derived for coach and first class seats, and the results are compared for several seat configurations. An example is given for how the seat absorption cross-sections can be used to estimate the loading effects on the RF environment in an aircraft passenger cabin.

RF Loading Effects of Aircraft Seats in an Electromagnetic Reverberating Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Truong X.

2000-01-01

Loading effects of aircraft seats in an electromagnetic reverberating environment are investigated. The effects are determined by comparing the reverberation chamber's insertion losses with and without the seats. The average per-seat absorption cross-sections are derived for coach and first class seats, and the results are compared for several seat configurations. An example is given for how the seat absorption cross-sections can be used to estimate the loading effects on the RF environment in an aircraft passenger cabin.

NASA space shuttle lightweight seat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, Chris; Jermstad, Wayne; Lewis, James; Colangelo, Todd

1996-01-01

The Space Shuttle Lightweight Seat-Mission Specialist (LWS-MS) is a crew seat for the mission specialists who fly aboard the Space Shuttle. The LWS-MS is a lightweight replacement for the mission specialist seats currently flown on the Shuttle. Using state-of-the-art analysis techniques, a team of NASA and Lockheed engineers from the Johnson Space Center (JSC) designed a seat that met the most stringent requirements demanded of the new seats by the Shuttle program, and reduced the weight of the seats by 52%.

Nonlinearity in the vertical transmissibility of seating: the role of the human body apparent mass and seat dynamic stiffness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tufano, Saverio; Griffin, Michael J.

2013-01-01

The efficiency of a seat in reducing vibration depends on the characteristics of the vibration, the dynamic characteristics of the seat, and the dynamic characteristics of the person sitting on the seat. However, it is not known whether seat cushions influence the dynamic response of the human body, whether the human body influences the dynamic response of seat cushions, or the relative importance of human body nonlinearity and seat nonlinearity in causing nonlinearity in measures of seat transmissibility. This study was designed to investigate the nonlinearity of the coupled seat and human body systems and to compare the apparent mass of the human body supported on rigid and foam seats. A frequency domain model was used to identify the dynamic parameters of seat foams and investigate their dependence on the subject-sitting weight and hip breadth. With 15 subjects, the force and acceleration at the seat base and acceleration at the subject interface were measured during random vertical vibration excitation (0.25-25 Hz) at each of five vibration magnitudes, (0.25-1.6 ms-2 r.m.s.) with four seating conditions (rigid flat seat and three foam cushions). The measurements are presented in terms of the subject's apparent mass on the rigid and foam seat surfaces, and the transmissibility and dynamic stiffness of each of the foam cushions. Both the human body and the foams showed nonlinear softening behaviour, which resulted in nonlinear cushion transmissibility. The apparent masses of subjects sitting on the rigid seat and on foam cushions were similar, but with an apparent increase in damping when sitting on the foams. The foam dynamic stiffness showed complex correlations with characteristics of the human body, which differed between foams. The nonlinearities in cushion transmissibilities, expressed in terms of changes in resonance frequencies and moduli, were more dependent on human body nonlinearity than on cushion nonlinearity.

Lower-extremity isokinetic strength profiling in professional rugby league and rugby union.

PubMed

Brown, Scott R; Brughelli, Matt; Griffiths, Peter C; Cronin, John B

2014-03-01

While several studies have documented isokinetic knee strength in junior and senior rugby league players, investigations of isokinetic knee and hip strength in professional rugby union players are limited. The purpose of this study was to provide lower-extremity strength profiles and compare isokinetic knee and hip strength of professional rugby league and rugby union players. 32 professional rugby league and 25 professional rugby union players. Cross-sectional analysis. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to evaluate peak torque and strength ratios of the dominant and nondominant legs during seated knee-extension/ flexion and supine hip-extension/flexion actions at 60°/s. Forwards from both codes were taller and heavier and had a higher body-mass index than the backs of each code. Rugby union forwards produced significantly (P < .05) greater peak torque during knee flexion in the dominant and nondominant legs (ES = 1.81 and 2.02) compared with rugby league forwards. Rugby league backs produced significantly greater hip-extension peak torque in the dominant and nondominant legs (ES = 0.83 and 0.77) compared with rugby union backs. There were no significant differences in hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios between code, position, or leg. Rugby union forwards and backs produced significantly greater knee-flexion-to-hip-extension ratios in the dominant and nondominant legs (ES = 1.49-2.26) than rugby union players. It seems that the joint torque profiles of players from rugby league and union codes differ, which may be attributed to the different demands of each code.

Development of a crashworthy seat for commuter aircraft.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1990-09-01

A series of dynamic impact tests were conducted using a prototype seat with an energy absorbing mechanism as part of the seat pan. The seat frame was designed to represent a typical commuter aircraft passenger seat. Tests were conducted in an orienta...

Preventive Effects of Seat Belt on Clinical Outcomes for Road Traffic Injuries

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Proper seat belt use saves lives; however, the use rate decreased in Korea. This study aimed to measure the magnitude of the preventive effect of seat belt on case-fatality across drivers and passengers. We used the Emergency Department based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) database from 17 EDs between 2011 and 2012. All of adult injured patients from road traffic injuries (RTI) in-vehicle of less than 10-seat van were eligible, excluding cases with unknown seat belt use and outcomes. Primary and secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and intracranial injury. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of seat belt use and driving status for study outcomes adjusting for potential confounders. Among 23,698 eligible patients, 15,304 (64.6%) wore seat belts. Driver, middle aged (30-44 yr), male, daytime injured patients were more likely to use seat belts (all P < 0.001). In terms of clinical outcome, no seat belt group had higher proportions of case-fatality and intracranial injury compared to seat belt group (both P < 0.001). Compared to seat belt group, AORs (95% CIs) of no seat belt group were 10.43 (7.75-14.04) for case-fatality and 2.68 (2.25-3.19) for intracranial injury respectively. In the interaction model, AORs (95% CIs) of no seat belt use for case-fatality were 11.71 (8.45-16.22) in drivers and 5.52 (2.83-14.76) in non-driving passengers, respectively. Wearing seat belt has significantly preventive effects on case-fatality and intracranial injury. Public health efforts to increase seat belt use are needed to reduce health burden from RTIs. PMID:26713066

Design and evaluation of a suspension seat to reduce vibration exposure of subway operators: a case study.

PubMed

Marcotte, Pierre; Beaugrand, Sylvie; Boutin, Jérôme; Larue, Christian

2010-01-01

Subway operators have complained about discomfort caused by whole-body vibration. To address this problem, a suspension seat with extensive ergonomic features has been adapted to the confined space of the subway operator cab. The suspension was modified from an existing suspension in order to reduce the dominant frequency of the subway vertical vibration (2.4 Hz). The suspension seat has been extensively tested on a vertical hydraulic shaker. These tests have shown that the SEAT value was lower for a higher vibration level, for higher subject weight, and for the suspension adjusted at median height. The seat also produces a lower SEAT value when there was a predominance of the 6 Hz vibration component. The horizontal seat adjustments had no influence on the suspension SEAT value. Removing the suspension damper also decreases the SEAT value for all the tested configurations. The final version of the suspension seat prototype was validated during normal subway operation with 19 different operators having weight in the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile of the operator population. Accelerations were measured with triaxial accelerometers at the seat cushion, above the suspension and on the floor. In addition to the vibration measurements, each operator was asked about his perceived discomfort from vibration exposure. Globally, the suspension seat attenuated the vertical vibration (SEAT values from 0.86 to 0.99), but discomfort due to amplification of the 2.4 Hz component occurred when the suspension height was adjusted at the minimum, even when the global weighted acceleration was lower (SEAT value < 1). These results suggest that in order to reduce the discomfort caused by whole-body vibration, the transmissibility of the seat should also be considered, in particular when there is a dominant frequency in the vibration spectra.

76 FR 66274 - Availability of Seats for the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-26

...The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant seats on the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Education, Primary and Alternate seats; Fishing, Primary and Alternate seats; Research, Alternate seat; Community-at-Large Mann County, Alternate seat; Community-at-Large Sonoma County, Alternate seat. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve three-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.

Think Scientifically: Hiding Science in a Storybook

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Norden, W. M.; Wawro, M.

2013-12-01

The pressure to focus on math and reading at the elementary level has increased in recent years. As a result, science education has taken a back seat in elementary classrooms. The Think Scientifically book series provides a way for science to easily integrate with existing math and reading curriculum. This story-based science literature program integrates a classic storybook format with solid solar science, to make an educational product that meets state literacy standards. Each story is accompanied by hands-on labs and activities that teachers can easily conduct in their classrooms with minimal training and materials, as well as math and language arts extensions and assessment questions. These books are being distributed through teacher workshops and conferences.

Effect of crash pulse shape on seat stroke requirements for limiting loads on occupants of aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carden, Huey D.

1992-01-01

An analytical study was made to provide comparative information on various crash pulse shapes that potentially could be used to test seats under conditions included in Federal Regulations Part 23 Paragraph 23.562(b)(1) for dynamic testing of general aviation seats, show the effects that crash pulse shape can have on the seat stroke requirements necessary to maintain a specified limit loading on the seat/occupant during crash pulse loadings, compare results from certain analytical model pulses with approximations of actual crash pulses, and compare analytical seat results with experimental airplace crash data. Structural and seat/occupant displacement equations in terms of the maximum deceleration, velocity change, limit seat pan load, and pulse time for five potentially useful pulse shapes were derived; from these, analytical seat stroke data were obtained for conditions as specified in Federal Regulations Part 23 Paragraph 23.562(b)(1) for dynamic testing of general aviation seats.

The influence of car-seat design on its character experience.

PubMed

Kamp, Irene

2012-03-01

Producing higher efficiency cars with less and lighter materials but without compromising safety, comfort and driving pleasure might give a competitive advantage. In this light, at BMW a new light weight car-seat concept was developed based on the human body contour. A possibility to increase the comfort is using a seat which elicits positive tactile experiences. However, limited information is available on seat characteristics and tactile experiences. Therefore, this study describes the contour of three different car-seat designs, including a light weight seat, and the recorded corresponding emotion and tactile experience of 21 persons sitting in the seats. Results show that the new light weight car-seat concept rated well on experienced relaxedness, even with the lack of a side support. The most important findings are that hard seats with rather high side supports are rated sporty and seats that are softer are rated more luxurious. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Discomfort during lateral acceleration: influence of seat cushion and backrest.

PubMed

Beard, George F; Griffin, Michael J

2013-07-01

Lateral acceleration causes discomfort but how the discomfort depends on the frequency of acceleration or characteristics of seating is poorly understood. Using magnitude estimation, twelve male subjects rated the discomfort caused by lateral oscillation at eight frequencies (0.2-1.0 Hz) across four seating conditions (a rigid seat and a train seat, both with and without backrests). Discomfort increased with increasing frequency of lateral acceleration in a similar manner for all four seating conditions. However, at all frequencies and with both seats there was less discomfort when sitting with backrest support than without. Least discomfort occurred on the train seat with backrest and greatest discomfort on the rigid seat without backrest. Current standards predict an additive effect of backrest on vibration discomfort, but the findings show that low frequency lateral acceleration can cause less discomfort when sitting with a backrest than when sitting on the same seat without a backrest. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Functional seating for school-age children with cerebral palsy: an evidence-based tutorial.

PubMed

Costigan, F Aileen; Light, Janice

2011-04-01

This tutorial is designed to teach speech-language pathologists (SLPs) best practices to support functional seating of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the classroom and in school-based therapy sessions. This tutorial teaches SLPs to (a) recognize the positive effects of seating intervention, (b) identify the characteristics of functional seating that may produce these positive effects, and (c) realize their role in supporting functional seating for school-age children with CP. The research reporting positive effects of seating intervention for school-age children with CP is presented according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (World Health Organization, 2001). Recommended guidelines for functional seating for school-age children with CP are gleaned from the research evidence. The specific role of the SLP in providing functional seating for children with CP is then discussed. Seating intervention may produce positive body structure and function, activities, and participation effects for school-age children with CP when appropriate equipment is provided for weight bearing, the pelvis is positioned for stability and mobility, and the body is properly aligned. SLPs can support functional seating for school-age children with CP by communicating with professionals with seating expertise and by invoking and monitoring recommended guidelines for children with basic and complex seating needs, respectively.

Promoting booster seat use for young children: A school-based intervention pilot study.

PubMed

Bruce, Beth S; Mundle, Kim; Cramm, Camille F; Williams, Devon P

2017-05-01

Misuse and/or lack of booster seat use are often associated with high rates of injury and death among school-aged children. This pilot study examined the efficacy and the potential effectiveness of a booster seat intervention in the classroom. Two elementary schools participated (randomly assigned as one intervention school and one control school). At the intervention school, a certified car seat specialist and a police officer held an interactive booster seat session. The height and age for each child were recorded. Children received a certificate indicating whether they met the requirements for booster seat use and a postcard with car seat restraint specifications. Children in the control school received a brochure on car seat safety. Pre- and post-intervention self-reports were collected and booster seat use was observed. Observational findings showed a decline in booster seat use at the control school and an increase in use at the intervention school. Self-reports of booster seat use indicated a decline at both schools; however, cell sizes were too small to permit statistical analyses. Anecdotally researchers found the sessions were easy to conduct and were well received by the children and could be easily integrated into programming in schools. Classroom sessions may have the potential to positively influence booster seat use among 6- to 8-year-olds.

Teens and seat belt use: What makes them click?

PubMed

Shults, Ruth A; Haegerich, Tamara M; Bhat, Geeta; Zhang, Xinjian

2016-06-01

Motor vehicle crashes kill more adolescents in the United States than any other cause, and often the teen is not wearing a seat belt. Using data from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys from 38 states, we examined teens' self-reported seat belt use while riding as a passenger and identified individual characteristics and environmental factors associated with always wearing a seat belt. Only 51% of high school students living in 38 states reported always wearing a seat belt when riding as a passenger; prevalence varied from 32% in South Dakota to 65% in Delaware. Seat belt use was 11 percentage points lower in states with secondary enforcement seat belt laws compared to states with primary enforcement laws. Racial/ethnic minorities, teens living in states with secondary enforcement seat belt laws, and those engaged in substance use were least likely to always wear their seat belts. The likelihood of always being belted declined steadily as the number of substance use behaviors increased. Seat belt use among teens in the United States remains unacceptably low. Results suggest that environmental influences can compound individual risk factors, contributing to even lower seat belt use among some subgroups. This study provides the most comprehensive state-level estimates to date of seat belt use among U.S. teens. This information can be useful when considering policy options to increase seat belt use and for targeting injury prevention interventions to high-risk teens. States can best increase teen seat belt use by making evidence-informed decisions about state policy options and prevention strategies. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Car Seat Inspection Among Children Older Than Three: Using Data to Drive Practice in Child Passenger Safety

PubMed Central

Kroeker, Amber M.; Teddy, Amy J.; Macy, Michelle L.

2015-01-01

Background Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are a leading cause of unintentional death and disability among children ages 4-12 in the United States. Despite this high risk of injury from MVCs in this age group, parental awareness, and child passenger safety programs in particular may lack focus on this age group. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of child passenger safety seat checklist forms from two Safe Kids coalitions in Michigan (2013) to identify restraint type upon arrival to car seat inspections. Other variables included, if the coalition provided a new child safety seat and if the child had a sibling who underwent a car seat inspection. Chi-square statistics were used to compare change in restraint use upon arrival and at departure, the proportion of children attending a car seat inspection event by age, the age category of children by site, the proportion of children with siblings also undergoing a car seat inspection by age, and the distribution of a new child safety seat by age. Results Data were available from 1,316 Safe Kids Huron Valley and 3,215 Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids car seat inspections. Just 10.8% of total seats inspected were booster seats. Child safety seats for infant and young children were more commonly inspected [rear-facing carrier (40.3%), rear-facing convertible (10.2%), and forward-facing (19.3%) car seats]. Few children at inspections used a seat belt only (5.4%) or had no restraint (13.8%). Children age 4 and above were found to be in a sub-optimal restraint at least 30% of the time. Conclusion Low proportions of parents use car seat inspections for children in the booster seat age group. The proportion of children departing the inspection in a more protective restraint increased with increasing age. This highlights an area of weakness in child passenger safety programs and signals an opportunity to strengthen efforts on The Forgotten Child. Level of Evidence Level III PMID:26308122

Ingress clearance requirements and seat positioning for automatic belt systems

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1981-06-01

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine how much clearance between a seat belt and seat cushion is needed for a driver to enter the front seat of an automobile equipped with automatic seat belts---without his/her having to lift the webbing, ...

49 CFR 571.207 - Standard No. 207; Seating systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... standard establishes requirements for seats, their attachment assemblies, and their installation to... longitudinal direction; (c) For a seat belt assembly attached to the seat—the force specified in paragraph (a... applied simultaneously with the forces imposed on the seat by the seat belt assembly when it is loaded in...

28 CFR 36.308 - Seating in assembly areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Seating in assembly areas. 36.308 Section... PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND IN COMMERCIAL FACILITIES Specific Requirements § 36.308 Seating in assembly... in assembly areas shall— (i) Provide a reasonable number of wheelchair seating spaces and seats with...

14 CFR 125.317 - Inspector's credentials: Admission to pilots' compartment: Forward observer's seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... pilots' compartment: Forward observer's seat. 125.317 Section 125.317 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL... pilots' compartment: Forward observer's seat. (a) Whenever, in performing the duties of conducting an... of safety. (b) A forward observer's seat on the flight deck, or forward passenger seat with headset...

14 CFR 135.75 - Inspectors credentials: Admission to pilots' compartment: Forward observer's seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...' compartment: Forward observer's seat. 135.75 Section 135.75 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION...' compartment: Forward observer's seat. (a) Whenever, in performing the duties of conducting an inspection, an.... (b) A forward observer's seat on the flight deck, or forward passenger seat with headset or speaker...

Alternative seating for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: effects on classroom behavior.

PubMed

Schilling, Denise Lynn; Schwartz, Ilene S

2004-08-01

A single subject, withdrawal design was used to investigate the effects of therapy balls as seating on engagement and in-seat behavior of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition, social validity was assessed to evaluate teachers' opinions regarding the intervention. During baseline and withdrawal (A phases) participants used their typical classroom seating device (chair, bench or carpet square). During the intervention (B phases) participants sat on therapy balls. Results indicated substantial improvements in engagement and in-seat behavior when participants were seated on therapy balls. Social validity findings indicated that the teachers' preferred the therapy balls. This study suggests therapy balls as classroom seating may facilitate engagement and in-seat behavior and create opportunities to provide effective instruction.

Active vibration attenuating seat suspension for an armored helicopter crew seat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sztein, Pablo Javier

An Active Vibration Attenuating Seat Suspension (AVASS) for an MH-60S helicopter crew seat is designed to protect the occupants from harmful whole-body vibration (WBV). Magnetorheological (MR) suspension units are designed, fabricated and installed in a helicopter crew seat. These MR isolators are built to work in series with existing Variable Load Energy Absorbers (VLEAs), have minimal increase in weight, and maintain crashworthiness for the seat system. Refinements are discussed, based on testing, to minimize friction observed in the system. These refinements include the addition of roller bearings to replace friction bearings in the existing seat. Additionally, semi-active control of the MR dampers is achieved using special purpose built custom electronics integrated into the seat system. Experimental testing shows that an MH-60S retrofitted with AVASS provides up to 70.65% more vibration attenuation than the existing seat configuration as well as up to 81.1% reduction in vibration from the floor.

Car seat safety: literature review.

PubMed

Lincoln, Michelle

2005-01-01

After staggering numbers of infants were killed in automotive crashes in the 1970s, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended in 1974 universal use of car seats for all infants. However, positional problems were reported when car seats are used with premature infants less than 37 weeks gestational age as a result of head slouching and its sequelae. In 1990, the AAP responded with another policy statement introducing car seat testing. It recommended that any infant at or under 37 weeks gestational age be observed in a car seat prior to discharge from the hospital. The AAP did not give specific guidelines on type of car seat, length of testing, equipment, or personnel proficiency, however. Few nurseries have standard policies to evaluate car seats, to teach parents about car seats, or to position newborns in them, and not all hospitals actually conduct car seat challenges or have common standards for testing that is performed.

Development of an MR seat suspension with self-powered generation capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, S. S.; Ning, D. H.; Yang, J.; Du, H.; Zhang, S. W.; Li, W. H.; Nakano, M.

2017-08-01

This paper proposes a self-powered magnetorheological (MR) seat suspension on the basis of a rotary MR damper and an electromagnetic induction device. By applying the self-powering component to the MR seat suspension, the operation cost of the semi-active seat is much cheaper because no external energy is required to control the MR damper. In this paper, the structure, design and analysis of the seat suspension were presented following the introduction section. The property tests of the self-powered seat suspension were conducted using an MTS machine. A robust control algorithm was developed to control the self-powered MR seat suspension and the vibration attenuation performance of the seat suspension was tested under two different vibration excitations, i.e. harmonic excitation and random excitation. The testing result verifies that the self-powered MR seat suspension under proper control can improve the ride comfort for passengers and drivers.

The effect of rear-seat overloading in a car crash: pathological and kinematics evidences.

PubMed

Luchini, Duccio; Sammicheli, Michele; Cortucci, Cristiano

2013-09-01

Seat belts have been shown to decrease the incidence of lethal lesions to the head, chest, and abdomen. Since the introduction of seat belts, it is reported that the incidence of traumatic lesions in these body parts is reduced. In the meantime, the characteristic lesions to the chest and abdomen caused by the use of seat belts are described (J Trauma. 2007;62(6):1473-1480).Reported is a peculiar case of an oblique front-to-rear car collision, in which overloading of the rear seat with packages pushed forward the passenger front seat in an abnormal way, causing fatal thoracic and abdominal lesions.The authors underline that the seat belt protection device is defeated if front seats are damaged by heavy unanchored bags on the rear seat or on the rear parcel shelf of a motor vehicle.

Patterns of correlation between vehicle occupant seat pressure and anthropometry.

PubMed

Paul, Gunther; Daniell, Nathan; Fraysse, François

2012-01-01

Seat pressure is known as a major factor of seat comfort in vehicles. In passenger vehicles, there is lacking research into the seat comfort of rear seat occupants. As accurate seat pressure measurement requires significant effort, simulation of seat pressure is evolving as a preferred method. However, analytic methods are based on complex finite element modeling and therefore are time consuming and involve high investment. Based on accurate anthropometric measurements of 64 male subjects and outboard rear seat pressure measurements in three different passenger vehicles, this study investigates if a set of parameters derived from seat pressure mapping are sensitive enough to differentiate between different seats and whether they correlate with anthropometry in linear models. In addition to the pressure map analysis, H-Points were measured with a coordinate measurement system based on palpated body landmarks and the range of H-Point locations in the three seats is provided. It was found that for the cushion, cushion contact area and cushion front area/force could be modeled by subject anthropometry, while only seatback contact area could be modeled based on anthropometry for all three vehicles. Major differences were found between the vehicles for other parameters.

Carpooling and booster seats: a national survey of parents.

PubMed

Macy, Michelle L; Clark, Sarah J; Freed, Gary L; Butchart, Amy T; Singer, Dianne C; Sasson, Comilla; Meurer, William J; Davis, Matthew M

2012-02-01

Booster seat use among school-aged children has been consistently lower than national goals. In this study, we sought to explore associations between parental experiences with booster seats and carpooling. We conducted a cross-sectional Web-based survey of a nationally representative panel of US parents in January 2010. As part of a larger survey, parents of 4- to 8-year-old children responded to 12 questions related to booster seats and carpooling. Of 1612 parents responding to the full survey (response rate = 71%), 706 had a 4- to 8-year-old child and 681 met inclusion rules. Most parents (76%) reported their child used a safety seat when riding in the family car. Of children reported to use seat belts, 74% did so in accordance with their state law. Parent report of child safety seat use was associated with younger child age and with the presence of state booster seat laws. Sixty-four percent of parents carpool. Among parents who carpool and whose children use a child safety seat: 79% indicated they would always ask another driver to use a booster seat for their child and 55% reported they always have their child use their booster seat when driving friends who do not have boosters. Carpooling is a common driving situation during which booster seat use is inconsistent. Social norms and self-efficacy are associated with booster seat use. Clinicians who care for children should increase efforts to convey the importance of using the size-appropriate restraint for every child on every trip.

Athletic background is related to superior trunk proprioceptive ability, postural control, and neuromuscular responses to sudden perturbations.

PubMed

Glofcheskie, Grace O; Brown, Stephen H M

2017-04-01

Trunk motor control is essential for athletic performance, and inadequate trunk motor control has been linked to an increased risk of developing low back and lower limb injury in athletes. Research is limited in comparing relationships between trunk neuromuscular control, postural control, and trunk proprioception in athletes from different sporting backgrounds. To test for these relationships, collegiate level long distance runners and golfers, along with non-athletic controls were recruited. Trunk postural control was investigated using a seated balance task. Neuromuscular control in response to sudden trunk loading perturbations was measured using electromyography and kinematics. Proprioceptive ability was examined using active trunk repositioning tasks. Both athlete groups demonstrated greater trunk postural control (less centre of pressure movement) during the seated task compared to controls. Athletes further demonstrated faster trunk muscle activation onsets, higher muscle activation amplitudes, and less lumbar spine angular displacement in response to sudden trunk loading perturbations when compared to controls. Golfers demonstrated less absolute error and variable error in trunk repositioning tasks compared to both runners and controls, suggestive of greater proprioceptive ability. This suggests an interactive relationship between neuromuscular control, postural control, and proprioception in athletes, and that differences exist between athletes of various training backgrounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Searching for the Origin through Central Nervous System: A Review and Thought which Related to Microgravity, Evolution, Big Bang Theory and Universes, Soul and Brainwaves, Greater Limbic System and Seat of the Soul.

PubMed

Idris, Zamzuri

2014-07-01

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serves buoyancy. The buoyancy thought to play crucial role in many aspects of the central nervous system (CNS). Weightlessness is produced mainly by the CSF. This manuscript is purposely made to discuss its significance which thought contributing towards an ideal environment for the CNS to develop and function normally. The idea of microgravity environment for the CNS is supported not only by the weightlessness concept of the brain, but also the noted anatomical position of the CNS. The CNS is positioned in bowing position (at main cephalic flexure) which is nearly similar to an astronaut in a microgravity chamber, fetus in the amniotic fluid at early gestation, and animals and plants in the ocean or on the land. Therefore, this microgravity position can bring us closer to the concept of origin. The hypothesis on 'the origin' based on the microgravity were explored and their similarities were identified including the brainwaves and soul. Subsequently a review on soul was made. Interestingly, an idea from Leonardo da Vinci seems in agreement with the notion of seat of the soul at the greater limbic system which has a distinctive feature of "from God back to God".

Effects of seated posture on erector spinae EMG activity during whole body vibration.

PubMed

Zimmermann, C L; Cook, T M; Goel, V K

1993-06-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) response of the erector spinae to whole body vibration in three different unsupported seated postures: neutral upright, forward lean, and posterior lean. Subjects were 11 healthy college-age men. EMG was collected using bipolar surface electrodes placed bilaterally over the erector spinae at the L4 level. A modified chair with attached accelerometer was affixed to an induction type vibrator. Subjects were vibrated vertically at 4.5 Hz and 6.21 m.s-2 RMS. Data were collected in each of the three postures for 30 s pre- and post-vibration and for 2 min during vibration. Mean EMG values were determined for each sampling period and compared using ANOVA. The mean value for anterior lean was significantly larger (p < 0.05) than that for posterior lean and neutral. EMG data analysed by triggered averaging showed a phase-dependent response to the vibratory cycle for the forward leaning and neutral upright postures. The results of this study indicate that the magnitude of the vibration synchronous response of the erector spinae musculature is dependent upon body posture. This response may be an important factor in the onset of muscular fatigue and the increased incidence of back disorders among individuals exposed to whole body vibration.

Energy-absorbing car seat designs for reducing whiplash.

PubMed

Himmetoglu, S; Acar, M; Bouazza-Marouf, K; Taylor, A J

2008-12-01

This study presents an investigation of anti-whiplash features that can be implemented in a car seat to reduce whiplash injuries in the case of a rear impact. The main emphasis is on achieving a seat design with good energy absorption properties. A biofidelic 50th percentile male multi-body human model for rear impact is developed to evaluate the performance of car seat design concepts. The model is validated using the responses of 7 volunteers from the Japanese Automobile Research Institute (JARI) sled tests, which were performed at an impact speed of 8 kph with a rigid seat and without head restraint and seatbelt. A generic multi-body car seat model is also developed to implement various seatback and recliner properties, anti-whiplash devices, and head restraints. Using the same driving posture and the rigid seat in the JARI sled tests as the basic configuration, several anti-whiplash seats are designed to allow different types of motion for the seatback and seat-pan. The anti-whiplash car seat design concepts limit neck internal motion successfully until the head-to-head restraint contact occurs and they exhibit low NIC(max) values (7 m(2)/s(2) on average). They are also effective in reducing neck compression forces and T1 forward accelerations. In principle, these car seat design concepts employ controlled recliner rotation and seat-pan displacement to limit the formation of S-shape. This is accomplished by using anti-whiplash devices that absorb the crash energy in such a way that an optimum protection is provided at different severities. The results indicate that the energy absorbing car seat design concepts all demonstrate good whiplash-reducing performances at the IIWPG standard pulse. Especially in higher severity rear impacts, two of the car seat design concepts reduce the ramping of the occupant considerably.

Biomechanical considerations for assessing interactions of children and small occupants with inflatable seat belts.

PubMed

Rouhana, Stephen W; Sundararajan, Srinivasan; Board, Derek; Prasad, Priya; Rupp, Jonathan D; Miller, Carl S; Jeffreys, Thomas A; Schneider, Lawrence W

2013-11-01

NHTSA estimates that more than half of the lives saved (168,524) in car crashes between 1960 and 2002 were due to the use of seat belts. Nevertheless, while seat belts are vital to occupant crash protection, safety researchers continue efforts to further enhance the capability of seat belts in reducing injury and fatality risk in automotive crashes. Examples of seat belt design concepts that have been investigated by researchers include inflatable, 4-point, and reverse geometry seat belts. In 2011, Ford Motor Company introduced the first rear seat inflatable seat belts into production vehicles. A series of tests with child and small female-sized Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD) and small, elderly female Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHS) was performed to evaluate interactions of prototype inflatable seat belts with the chest, upper torso, head and neck of children and small occupants, from infants to young adolescents. Tests simulating a 6-year-old child asleep in a booster seat, with its head lying directly on its shoulder on top of the inflatable seat belt, were considered by engineering judgment, to represent a worst case scenario for interaction of an inflating seat belt with the head and neck of a child and/or small occupant. All evaluations resulted in ATD responses below Injury Assessment Reference Values reported by Mertz et al. (2003). In addition, the tests of the PMHS subjects resulted in no injuries from interaction of the inflating seat belt with the heads, necks, and chests of the subjects. Given the results from the ATD and PMHS tests, it was concluded that the injury risk to children and small occupants from deployment of inflatable seat belt systems is low.

Assessment of dental student posture in two seating conditions using RULA methodology - a pilot study.

PubMed

Gandavadi, A; Ramsay, J R E; Burke, F J T

2007-11-24

To assess dental students' posture on two different seats in order to determine if one seat predisposes to a difference in working posture. A between-subject experimental design was selected. The study was undertaken at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2006. Subjects (materials) and methods Sixty second year dental students at the University of Birmingham who were attending their fi rst classes in the phantom head laboratory were randomly selected and allocated to two different seats (30 Bambach Saddle Seats and 30 conventional seats). Students were trained in the use of the seats. After ten weeks, the students were observed, photographs were taken by the researcher and these were assessed using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). The posture of the students was assessed using the RULA. Each student was given a risk score. A Mann Whitney test was used for statistical analysis. The results indicated that the students using the conventional seat recorded significantly higher risk scores (p <0.05) when compared with the students using Bambach Saddle Seat, suggesting an improvement in posture when using the Bambach Saddle Seat. RULA has identified that dental students using a Bambach Saddle Seat were able to maintain an acceptable working posture during simulated dental treatment and this seating may reduce the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Promoting booster seat use for young children: A school-based intervention pilot study

PubMed Central

Mundle, Kim; Cramm, Camille F.; Williams, Devon P.

2017-01-01

Abstract Purpose: Misuse and/or lack of booster seat use are often associated with high rates of injury and death among school-aged children. This pilot study examined the efficacy and the potential effectiveness of a booster seat intervention in the classroom. Methods: Two elementary schools participated (randomly assigned as one intervention school and one control school). At the intervention school, a certified car seat specialist and a police officer held an interactive booster seat session. The height and age for each child were recorded. Children received a certificate indicating whether they met the requirements for booster seat use and a postcard with car seat restraint specifications. Children in the control school received a brochure on car seat safety. Pre- and post-intervention self-reports were collected and booster seat use was observed. Results: Observational findings showed a decline in booster seat use at the control school and an increase in use at the intervention school. Self-reports of booster seat use indicated a decline at both schools; however, cell sizes were too small to permit statistical analyses. Conclusion: Anecdotally researchers found the sessions were easy to conduct and were well received by the children and could be easily integrated into programming in schools. Classroom sessions may have the potential to positively influence booster seat use among 6- to 8-year-olds. PMID:29479188

Evaluation of an Energy Absorbing Truck Seat for Increased Protection from Landmine Blasts.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-01-01

acceleration (top curve, Figure 4) reveals the wire bending action of the passenger seat as it absorbs energy. No data from the standard (driver) seat...Vertical accelerations were limited by the wire bending action. 17 Passenger seat velocities 120894 Demo (8 Dec 94) - center blast, EA passenger seat

14 CFR 135.113 - Passenger occupancy of pilot seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Passenger occupancy of pilot seat. 135.113... Operations § 135.113 Passenger occupancy of pilot seat. No certificate holder may operate an aircraft type certificated after October 15, 1971, that has a passenger seating configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of...

14 CFR 135.113 - Passenger occupancy of pilot seat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Passenger occupancy of pilot seat. 135.113... Operations § 135.113 Passenger occupancy of pilot seat. No certificate holder may operate an aircraft type certificated after October 15, 1971, that has a passenger seating configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of...

Marketing Classroom Spaces: Is It Really Better at the Front?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vander Schee, Brian A.

2011-01-01

Students spend much of their time in college seated in a classroom. Their seating choice can indicate something about students' general perceptions regarding seat selection and academic achievement. However, actual seat location may also play a role in student performance. This preliminary research focused on the seating choices of 373…

36 CFR 1192.27 - Priority seating signs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Priority seating signs. 1192... Buses, Vans and Systems § 1192.27 Priority seating signs. (a) Each vehicle shall contain sign(s) which indicate that seats in the front of the vehicle are priority seats for persons with disabilities, and that...

49 CFR 38.27 - Priority seating signs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Priority seating signs. 38.27 Section 38.27... SPECIFICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES Buses, Vans and Systems § 38.27 Priority seating signs. (a) Each vehicle shall contain sign(s) which indicate that seats in the front of the vehicle are priority seats for...

Seating position, seat belt wearing, and the consequences in facial fractures in car occupants.

PubMed

Fonseca, Alexandre Siqueira Franco; Goldenberg, Dov; Alonso, Nivaldo; Bastos, Endrigo; Stocchero, Guilherme; Ferreira, Marcus Castro

2007-06-01

Trauma caused by traffic accidents is among the main etiologies involved in the occurrence of facial fractures throughout the world. However, the trauma mechanisms involved are different according to the location where the study was performed, due to different conditions of development, legislation, and culture. A retrospective study was done between February 2001 and July 2006, with the purpose of determining the epidemiology and the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of facial fractures among car occupants in the metropolitan area of São Paulo. Data were collected from 297 patients admitted with facial fractures to the emergency room of the Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University Medical School. Within this period, 151 individuals had been involved in traffic accidents, among which 56 (37.08%) were inside passenger cars. These were grouped based on the seating position that they were occupying at the time of the accident and the wearing of seat belts. Data concerning the number and location of fracture lines were obtained from the different groups, and a fracture/patient index (F/P I) was calculated to compare and make reference to the impact energy among these groups, for subsequent analysis and discussion. 323 fracture lines occurred among 56 patients who were car occupants. By applying the F/P I, we obtained higher values in the group of rear-seat passengers who were not wearing seat belts (7.23 fractures per patient), followed by the group of drivers not wearing seat belts (6.33 fractures per patient), the group of front-seat passengers not wearing seat belts (5.58 fractures per patient), the group of drivers wearing seat belts (5.54 fractures per patient) and, finally, the group of front-seat passengers wearing seat belts (4.00 fractures per patient). None of the rear-seat passengers was wearing seat belts. The data collected indicate that the driver position shows a high incidence of facial fractures, not being effectively protected by the seat belt, although the wearing of seat belts seems to have a protective role against the occurrence of facial fractures in front-seat passengers. It was not possible to evaluate the wearing of seat belts among rear-seat passengers, even though the high incidence of fractures in this group showed its high susceptibility to the occurrence of facial fractures, which highlights the need of taking protective measures against this situation.

76 FR 9551 - Availability of Seats for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-18

... (2) Recreational/Commercial Fishing seats, Heritage Tourism seat, and Economic Development seat...-at-Large, Conservation, Economic Development, Education, Heritage Tourism, Maritime Archaeological...

Auto Safety

MedlinePlus

... certified child passenger safety technician to assist you.) Guidelines for Choosing a Safety Seat Choose a seat ... and are between 8 and 12 years old. Guidelines for Choosing a Booster Seat Choose a seat ...

Qualitative models of seat discomfort including static and dynamic factors.

PubMed

Ebe, K; Griffin, M J

2000-06-01

Judgements of overall seating comfort in dynamic conditions sometimes correlate better with the static characteristics of a seat than with measures of the dynamic environment. This study developed qualitative models of overall seat discomfort to include both static and dynamic seat characteristics. A dynamic factor that reflected how vibration discomfort increased as vibration magnitude increased was combined with a static seat factor which reflected seating comfort without vibration. The ability of the model to predict the relative and overall importance of dynamic and static seat characteristics on comfort was tested in two experiments. A paired comparison experiment, using four polyurethane foam cushions (50, 70, 100, 120 mm thick), provided different static and dynamic comfort when 12 subjects were exposed to one-third octave band random vertical vibration with centre frequencies of 2.5 and 5.5 Hz, at magnitudes of 0.00, 0.25 and 0.50 m x s(-2) rms measured beneath the foam samples. Subject judgements of the relative discomfort of the different conditions depended on both static and dynamic characteristics in a manner consistent with the model. The effect of static and dynamic seat factors on overall seat discomfort was investigated by magnitude estimation using three foam cushions (of different hardness) and a rigid wooden seat at six vibration magnitudes with 20 subjects. Static seat factors (i.e. cushion stiffness) affected the manner in which vibration influenced the overall discomfort: cushions with lower stiffness were more comfortable and more sensitive to changes in vibration magnitude than those with higher stiffness. The experiments confirm that judgements of overall seat discomfort can be affected by both the static and dynamic characteristics of a seat, with the effect depending on vibration magnitude: when vibration magnitude was low, discomfort was dominated by static seat factors; as the vibration magnitude increased, discomfort became dominated by dynamic factors.

The transmission of vertical vibration through seats: Influence of the characteristics of the human body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toward, Martin G. R.; Griffin, Michael J.

2011-12-01

The transmission of vibration through a seat depends on the impedance of the seat and the apparent mass of the seat occupant. This study was designed to determine how factors affecting the apparent mass of the body (age, gender, physical characteristics, backrest contact, and magnitude of vibration) affect seat transmissibility. The transmission of vertical vibration through a car seat was measured with 80 adults (41 males and 39 females aged 18-65) at frequencies between 0.6 and 20 Hz with two backrest conditions (no backrest and backrest), and with three magnitudes of random vibration (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m s -2 rms). Linear regression models were used to study the effects of subject physical characteristics (age, gender, and anthropometry) and features of their apparent mass (resonance frequency, apparent mass at resonance and at 12 Hz) on the measured seat transmissibility. The strongest predictor of both the frequency of the principal resonance in seat transmissibility and the seat transmissibility at resonance was subject age, with other factors having only marginal effects. The transmissibility of the seat at 12 Hz depended on subject age, body mass index, and gender. Although subject weight was strongly associated with apparent mass, weight was not strongly associated with seat transmissibility. The resonance frequency of the seat decreased with increases in the magnitude of the vibration excitation and increased when subjects made contact with the backrest. Inter-subject variability in the resonance frequency and transmissibility at resonance was less with greater vibration excitation, but was largely unaffected by backrest contact. A lumped parameter seat-person model showed that changes in seat transmissibility with age can be predicted from changes in apparent mass with age, and that the dynamic stiffness of the seat appeared to increase with increased loading so as to compensate for increases in subject apparent mass associated with increased sitting weight.

Possible causes of socioeconomic and ethnic differences in seat belt use among high school students.

PubMed

Shin, D; Hong, L; Waldron, I

1999-09-01

This study has assessed seat belt use and factors which may influence seat belt use among high school students from three types of schools. The inner city schools had high proportions of African American and Hispanic American students from low income families, whereas the middle class school and private schools had high proportions of non-Hispanic white students from middle class families with college educated parents. Students from the inner city schools reported less seat belt use than students from the middle class school or private schools. Our analyses evaluated several hypotheses concerning possible reasons why inner city youth had lower rates of seat belt use. In accord with the social influences hypothesis, inner city youth reported lower rates of parental seat belt use and less often being told by parents to use their seat belts, and our regression results indicate that less parental modeling and encouragement of seat belt use was an important cause of inner city youth's lower rates of seat belt use. Our other hypotheses received weaker support, but we did find evidence for two hypothesized differences in attitudes which influence seat belt use. Specifically, inner city youth were more likely to agree with the statement, 'there is no point in wearing seat belts since you have no control over your fate or destiny', and inner city youth attributed less importance to safety concerns as a motivation for seat belt use. These attitudes appeared to contribute to lower rates of seat belt use by inner city youth.

Pattern of seat belt use by drivers in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background In Trinidad and Tobago, the law on the mandatory use of seat belts was passed in 1995, but this law is hardly enforced. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and predictors of seat belt use by motor vehicle drivers in the country. Findings A cross-sectional study of 959 motor vehicle drivers using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis included Pearson Chi square test and multinomial logistic regression analysis in order to determine the possible predictors of seat belt use by the drivers in Trinidad and Tobago. A majority of the drivers sometimes (51.8%) or always (31.6%) use a seat belt. About 16.7%, 29% and 54.2% of the drivers perceived that the other drivers use their seat belts more frequently, with the same frequency and less frequently respectively compared to themselves. The main reason for not using seat belt by the drivers was given as frequent stops (40.7%) and the main motivation to use seat belt by the drivers was given as stiffer penalties for non-compliance with the seat belt law (44.5%). The predictors of seat belt use were male driver, no formal or lower level of education, driving for less than 10 years, and the perception that the other drivers use seat belts with the same or higher frequency compared to the respondents. Conclusion Only a small proportion of the drivers in Trinidad and Tobago always use a seat belt when driving. There is the need to enforce the seat belt legislation in the country. PMID:21679410

Comfort and pressure distribution in a human contour shaped aircraft seat (developed with 3D scans of the human body).

PubMed

Smulders, M; Berghman, K; Koenraads, M; Kane, J A; Krishna, K; Carter, T K; Schultheis, U

2016-08-12

The concept of comfort is one way for the growing airline market to differentiate and build customer loyalty. This work follows the idea that increasing the contact area between human and seat can have a positive effect on comfort [5, 6, 7]. To improve comfort, reduce weight and optimise space used, a human contour shaped seat shell and cushioning was developed. First the most common activities, the corresponding postures and seat inclination angles were defined. The imprints of these postures on a rescue mat were 3D scanned and an average human contour curve was defined. The outcome was transferred to a prototype seat that was used to test the effect on perceived comfort/discomfort and pressure distribution. The resulting human contour based prototype seat has comfort and discomfort scores comparable to a traditional seat. The prototype seat had a significantly lower average pressure between subjects' buttocks and the seat pan over a traditional seat. This study shows that it is possible to design a seat pan and backrest based on the different contours of study subjects using 3D scan technology. However, translating the 3D scans into a prototype seat also showed that this can only be seen as a first step; additionally biomechanical information and calculations are needed to create ergonomic seats. Furthermore, it is not possible to capture all different human shapes and postures and translate these into one human contour shape that fits all activities and all human sizes.

Design and Evaluation Methods for Optimizing Ejection Seat Cushions for Comfort and Safety

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-02-01

buttocks to the seat cushion or seat pan. Kohara , a Japaners Investigator discussed the problems of seating comfort and the measuren.ent of buttock/seat...loads In an unpublished report in 1965 (23) and subsequently In a magazine article In 1966 (24). Kohara was able to weasure pressures by means of...Isolation. Kohara has also studied the vibration Isolation requirements in high speed trains (23, 2’). Howeveri the seat cushion has been used only rarely in

Trunk-Rotation Flexibility in Collegiate Softball Players With or Without a History of Shoulder or Elbow Injury

PubMed Central

Aragon, Veronica J.; Oyama, Sakiko; Oliaro, Scott M.; Padua, Darin A.; Myers, Joseph B.

2012-01-01

Context: Throwing is a whole-body motion that requires the transfer of momentum from the lower extremity to the upper extremity via the trunk. No research to date examines the association between a history of shoulder or elbow injury and trunk flexibility in overhead athletes. Objective: To determine if injury history and trunk-rotation flexibility are associated and to compare trunk-rotation flexibility measured using 3 clinical tests: half-kneeling rotation test with the bar in the back, half-kneeling rotation test with the bar in the front, and seated rotation test in softball position players with or without a history of shoulder or elbow injury. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: University softball facilities. Patients or Other Participants: Sixty-five female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I softball position players. Intervention(s): Trunk-rotation flexibility was measured with 3 clinical tests. Recent injury history was obtained using a questionnaire and verified by the certified athletic trainer. Main Outcome Measure(s): Binomial regression models were used to determine if injury history was associated with flexibility categories (high, normal, or limited tertiles) for each of the 6 (3 tests × 2 directions) trunk-rotation flexibility measures. Trunk-rotation flexibility measures from 3 clinical tests were compared between participants with and without a history of shoulder or elbow injury using analysis-of-variance models. Results: When measured using the half-kneeling rotation test with the bar in the back and the seated rotation test, injury history and forward trunk-rotation flexibility were associated. However, no mean group differences were seen in trunk-rotation flexibility between participants with and without a history of shoulder or elbow injury. Conclusions: Limited forward trunk-rotation flexibility may be a risk factor for shoulder or elbow injuries. However, further study is needed to confirm the study finding. PMID:23068587

Hand luggage in the train toilet.

PubMed

Loth, M; Molenbroek, J F M; van Eijk, D J

2018-01-01

The train toilet can form a barrier for those wishing to travel by train as it is perceived as being dirty, and therefore its use as being unpleasant. In addition, Dutch train toilet users have the additional issue of storing their hand luggage in the toilet's confined spaceOBJECTIVE:In this article, we examine the issue of Dutch travelers with hand luggage in relation to their use of train toilets. We investigate the type of hand luggage train travelers have with them and lastly, we study what travelers do with their hand luggage when using the toilet. As part of an overarching study, we asked two specific questions on what travelers do with their hand luggage in a train toilet environment, followed by 22 observations from observational research. In the questionnaire, train travelers reported that bringing hand luggage into the train toilet is a problem because of the lack of storage space, and their fear of losing their seat. From the observational research, we noted that the participants mainly held their hand luggage on their bodies, and to a lesser extent, they placed it on the floor of the train toilet itself. None of the 22 participants used the hook to hang up their bag and/ or their coat. Travelers need a facility in the train toilet to store their hand luggage. Women have a stronger need for this than men, as they almost always carry an item with them. In addition, they use the toilet in hovering position or seated, with their backs to the wall, so they have limited space to store hand luggage on their backs or shoulders as men do. Most participants kept their hand luggage at a distance from the bowl, and the majority kept it off the floor (14 of the 22) because they were aware of the hygiene. The positioning of the coat/luggage hook at 1840 mm above the floor was considered to be too high, out of people's comfort area.

Biomarkers of secondhand smoke exposure in automobiles.

PubMed

Jones, Ian A; St Helen, Gideon; Meyers, Matthew J; Dempsey, Delia A; Havel, Christopher; Jacob, Peyton; Northcross, Amanda; Hammond, S Katharine; Benowitz, Neal L

2014-01-01

The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterise the exposure of non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) in a vehicle using biomarkers, (2) to describe the time course of the biomarkers over 24 h, and (3) to examine the relationship between tobacco biomarkers and airborne concentrations of SHS markers. Eight non-smokers were individually exposed to SHS in cars with fully open front windows and closed back windows over an hour from a smoker who smoked three cigarettes at 20 min intervals. The non-smokers sat in the back seat on the passenger side, while the smoker sat in the driver's seat. Plasma cotinine and urine cotinine, 3-hydroxycotinine (3HC) and 4-(methylnitrosoamino)-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) were compared in samples taken at baseline (BL) and several time-points after exposure. Nicotine, particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured inside and outside the vehicle and ventilation rates in the cars were measured. Average plasma cotinine and the molar sum of urine cotinine and 3HC (COT+3HC) increased four-fold, urine cotinine increased six-fold and urine NNAL increased ∼27 times compared to BL biomarker levels. Plasma cotinine, urine COT+3HC and NNAL peaked at 4-8 h post-exposure while urine cotinine peaked within 4 h. Plasma cotinine was significantly correlated to PM2.5 (Spearman correlation rs=0.94) and CO (rs=0.76) but not to air nicotine. The correlations between urine biomarkers, cotinine, COT+3HC and NNAL, and air nicotine, PM2.5 and CO were moderate but non-significant (rs range =  0.31-0.60). Brief SHS exposure in cars resulted in substantial increases in levels of tobacco biomarkers in non-smokers. For optimal characterisation of SHS exposure, tobacco biomarkers should be measured within 4-8 h post-exposure. Additional studies are needed to better describe the relationship between tobacco biomarkers and environmental markers of SHS.

Car seat inspection among children older than 3 years: Using data to drive practice in child passenger safety.

PubMed

Kroeker, Amber M; Teddy, Amy J; Macy, Michelle L

2015-09-01

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional death and disability among children 4 years to 12 years of age in the United States. Despite the high risk of injury from motor vehicle crashes in this age group, parental awareness and child passenger safety programs in particular may lack focus on this age group. This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of child passenger safety seat checklist forms from two Safe Kids coalitions in Michigan (2013) to identify restraint type upon arrival to car seat inspections. Other variables were included if the coalition provided a new child safety seat and if the child had a sibling who underwent a car seat inspection. χ statistics were used to compare change in restraint use on arrival and at departure, the proportion of children attending a car seat inspection event by age, the age category of children by site, the proportion of children with siblings also undergoing a car seat inspection by age, and the distribution of a new child safety seat by age. Data were available from 1,316 Safe Kids Huron Valley and 3,215 Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids car seat inspections. Just 10.8% of the total seats inspected were booster seats. Child safety seats for infant and young children were more commonly inspected (rear-facing carrier [40.3%], rear-facing convertible [10.2%], and forward-facing [19.3%] car seats). Few children at inspections used a seat belt only (5.4%) or had no restraint (13.8%). Children 4 years and older were found to be in a suboptimal restraint at least 30% of the time. Low proportions of parents use car seat inspections for children in the booster seat age group. The proportion of children departing the inspection in a more protective restraint increased with increasing age. This highlights an area of weakness in child passenger safety programs and signals an opportunity to strengthen efforts on The Booster Age Child. Epidemiologic/prognostic study, level III.

An energy-absorbing sliding seat for reducing neck injury risks in rear impact--analysis for prototype built.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaowei; Zhou, Qing

2016-01-01

This study investigated overall performance of an energy-absorbing sliding seat concept for whiplash neck injury prevention. The sliding seat allows its seat pan to slide backward for some distance under certain restraint force to absorb crash energy in rear impacts. A numerical model that consisted of vehicle interior, seat, seat belt, and BioRID II dummy was built in MADYMO to evaluate whiplash neck injury in rear impact. A parametric study of the effects of sliding seat parameters, including position and cushion stiffness of head restraint, seatback cushion stiffness, recliner characteristics, and especially sliding energy-absorbing (EA) restraint force, on neck injury criteria was conducted in order to compare the effectiveness of the sliding seat concept with that of other existing anti-whiplash mechanisms. Optimal sliding seat design configurations in rear crashes of different severities were obtained. A sliding seat prototype with bending of a steel strip as an EA mechanism was fabricated and tested in a sled test environment to validate the concept. The performance of the sliding seat under frontal and rollover impacts was checked to make sure the sliding mechanism did not result in any negative effects. The protective effect of the sliding seat with EA restraint force is comparable to that of head restraint-based and recliner stiffness-based anti-whiplash mechanisms. EA restraint force levels of 3 kN in rear impacts of low and medium severities and 6 kN in impacts of high severity were obtained from optimization. In frontal collision and rollover, compared to the nonsliding seat, the sliding seat does not result in any negative effects on occupant protection. The sled test results of the sliding seat prototype have shown the effectiveness of the concept for reducing neck injury risks. As a countermeasure, the sliding seat with appropriate restraint forces can significantly reduce whiplash neck injury risk in rear impacts of low, medium, and high severities with no negative effects on other crash load cases.

Delivery of therapeutics for deep-seated ocular conditions - status quo.

PubMed

Nguyen, Hubert; Eng, Shawn; Ngo, Thanh; Dass, Crispin R

2018-04-19

There is a need for research into designing effective pharmaceutical systems for delivering therapeutic drugs to the posterior of the eye for glaucoma-related pathology, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema, retinitis and choroiditis. Conventionally, eye drops have been extensively utilised for topical drug delivery to the anterior segment of the eye, but are less effective for delivery of therapeutics to the back of the eye due to significant barriers hampering drug penetration into the target intraocular tissue. This review explores some of the current and novel delivery systems employed to deliver therapeutics to the back of the eye such as those using liposomes, ocular implants, in situ gels, and nanoparticles, and how they can overcome some of these limitations. Issues such as blinking, precorneal fluid drainage, tear dilution and turnover, conjunctiva and nasal drug absorption, the corneal epithelium, vitreous drug clearance, and the blood-ocular barriers are reviewed and discussed. Further studies are needed to address their shortcomings such as drug compatibility and stability, economic viability and patient compliance. © 2018 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The effectiveness of physical and organisational ergonomic interventions on low back pain and neck pain: a systematic review.

PubMed

Driessen, Maurice T; Proper, Karin I; van Tulder, Maurits W; Anema, Johannes R; Bongers, Paulien M; van der Beek, Allard J

2010-04-01

Ergonomic interventions (physical and organisational) are used to prevent or reduce low back pain (LBP) and neck pain among workers. We conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions. A total of 10 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There was low to moderate quality evidence that physical and organisational ergonomic interventions were not more effective than no ergonomic intervention on short and long term LBP and neck pain incidence/prevalence, and short and long term LBP intensity. There was low quality evidence that a physical ergonomic intervention was significantly more effective for reducing neck pain intensity in the short term (ie, curved or flat seat pan chair) and the long term (ie, arm board) than no ergonomic intervention. The limited number of RCTs included make it difficult to answer our broad research question and the results should be interpreted with care. This review, however, provides a solid overview of the high quality epidemiological evidence on the (usually lack of) effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on LBP and neck pain.

On the role of germ cells in mammalian gonad development: quiet passengers or back-seat drivers?

PubMed

Rios-Rojas, Clarissa; Bowles, Josephine; Koopman, Peter

2015-04-01

In addition to their role as endocrine organs, the gonads nurture and protect germ cells, and regulate the formation of gametes competent to convey the genome to the following generation. After sex determination, gonadal somatic cells use several known signalling pathways to direct germ cell development. However, the extent to which germ cells communicate back to the soma, the molecular signals they use to do so and the significance of any such signalling remain as open questions. Herein, we review findings arising from the study of gonadal development and function in the absence of germ cells in a range of organisms. Most published studies support the view that germ cells are unimportant for foetal gonadal development in mammals, but later become critical for stabilisation of gonadal function and somatic cell phenotype. However, the lack of consistency in the data, and clear differences between mammals and other vertebrates and invertebrates, suggests that the story may not be so simple and would benefit from more careful analysis using contemporary molecular, cell biology and imaging tools. © 2015 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

49 CFR 571.10 - Designation of seating positions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... positions (N) for any seat location with a seating surface width greater than 330 mm (13 inches) is as... 1400 mm (55.2 inches): N = [Seating surface width (in mm)/350] round down to the nearest whole number... equal to 1400 mm (55.2 inches): N = [Seating surface width (in mm)/450] round down to the nearest whole...

49 CFR 571.10 - Designation of seating positions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... positions (N) for any seat location with a seating surface width greater than 330 mm (13 inches) is as... 1400 mm (55.2 inches): N = [Seating surface width (in mm)/350] round down to the nearest whole number... equal to 1400 mm (55.2 inches): N = [Seating surface width (in mm)/450] round down to the nearest whole...

Evaluation of wheelchair seating system crashworthiness: "drop hook"-type seat attachment hardware.

PubMed

Bertocci, G; Ha, D; Deemer, E; Karg, P

2001-04-01

To evaluate the crashworthiness of commercially available hardware that attaches seat surfaces to the wheelchair frame. A low cost static crashworthiness test procedure that simulates a frontal impact motor vehicle crash. Safety testing laboratory. Eleven unique sets of drop-hook hardware made of carbon steel (4), stainless steel (4), and aluminum (3). Replicated seat-loading conditions associated with a 20g/48 kph frontal impact. Test criterion for seat loading was 16,680 N (3750 lb). Failure load and deflection of seat surface. None of the hardware sets tested met the crashworthiness test criterion. All failed at less than 50% of the load that seating hardware could be exposed to in a 20g/48 kph frontal impact. The primary failure mode was excessive deformation, leading to an unstable seat support surface. Results suggest that commercially available seating drop hooks may be unable to withstand loading associated with a frontal crash and may not be the best option for use with transport wheelchairs.

Do parental decision-making patterns predict compliance with use of child booster seats?

PubMed

Shimony-Kanat, Sarit; Gofin, Rosa; Kienski Woloski Wruble, Anna C; Mann, Leon

2018-03-01

Booster seat use for 4-9 year olds remains the lowest of all age groups in many countries. The objective of this study is to examine whether parents' decision-making patterns, as measured by the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, relate to car booster seat use. Israeli parents of 4-7 years old children (n = 398) answered a questionnaire about car safety and decision-making habits. Ninety per cent of parents reported having a booster seat; 70.5% reported consistent booster seat use in general and on short drives during the last month (booster seat use compliance index). Greater compliance index was positively related to a vigilant decision-making pattern, passenger compliance with rear seat belts and families with fewer children. Lower booster seat use compliance index was associated with buck-passing decision-making pattern. Health professionals and policy-makers should take into account parents' habitual decision-making patterns when designing interventions for car booster seat compliance.

Structural loads preliminary results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alfaro-Bou, E.

1986-01-01

From a total of 351 instrumentation channels, 341 channels (97%) were in operation during the initial impact of the airplane. Both NASA seats, the energy absorbing seat and the standard seat, maintained their integrity during the impact. The floor accelerations at the seat locations were lower than the accelerations required for the energy absorbers to stroke; consequently, the energy absorbing seat did not stroke. The two seats remained firm in place during the crash and no seat attachment failures were observed. Due to the low accelerations experienced during the crash, both seats performed as standard seats. In the airplane structure, the accelerations were higher at both the point of impact in the left wing and at the forward end of the fuselage. The accelerations on the floor were higher toward the front than toward the rear and the floor accelerations on the left side were higher than on the right side at the front of the fuselage, but toward the rear they evened out.

High levels of incorrect use of car seat belts and child restraints in Fife--an important and under-recognised road safety issue.

PubMed

Campbell, H; Macdonald, S; Richardson, P

1997-03-01

To pilot data collection instruments and to make a preliminary estimate of the level of incorrect use of car seat belts and child restraints in Fife, Scotland. Cross sectional survey of cars containing adults and children at a number of public sites across Fife in 1995 to assess use of car occupant restraints. Trained road safety officers assessed whether seat restraints were appropriate for the age of the passengers and whether restraints were used correctly. These assessments were based on standards published by the Child Accident Prevention Trust. The survey gathered data from 596 occupants in 180 cars: 327 adults and 269 children. Ten per cent of drivers who were approached refused to participate. Car occupant restraint was assessed in 180 drivers, 151 front seat passengers, and 265 rear seat passengers. Three hundred and sixty one occupants wore seat belts, 68 were restrained by a seat belt and booster cushion, 63 in toddler seats, 25 in two way seats, and 18 in rear facing infant carriers. Ninety seven per cent of drivers, 95% of front seat passengers, and 77% of rear seat passengers were restrained. However, in 98 (52%) vehicles at least one passenger was restrained by a device that was used incorrectly. Seven per cent of adults and 28% of children were secured incorrectly. The commonest errors were loose seat belts and restraint devices not adequately secured to the seat. Rates of incorrect use were highest in child seat restraints, reaching 60% with two way seats and 44% with rear facing infant seats. The incorrect use of car occupant restraints is an under-recognised problem, both by health professionals, and the general public. Incorrect use has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of restraints, can itself result in injury, and is likely to be an important factor in child passenger injuries. The correct use of car seat restraints merits greater attention in strategies aiming to reduce road traffic casualties. Areas of intervention that could be considered include raising public awareness of this problem, improving information and instruction given to those who purchase child restraints, and encouraging increased collaboration between manufacturers of cars and child restraints, in considering safety issues.

High levels of incorrect use of car seat belts and child restraints in Fife--an important and under-recognised road safety issue.

PubMed Central

Campbell, H.; Macdonald, S.; Richardson, P.

1997-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To pilot data collection instruments and to make a preliminary estimate of the level of incorrect use of car seat belts and child restraints in Fife, Scotland. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey of cars containing adults and children at a number of public sites across Fife in 1995 to assess use of car occupant restraints. Trained road safety officers assessed whether seat restraints were appropriate for the age of the passengers and whether restraints were used correctly. These assessments were based on standards published by the Child Accident Prevention Trust. PARTICIPANTS: The survey gathered data from 596 occupants in 180 cars: 327 adults and 269 children. Ten per cent of drivers who were approached refused to participate. Car occupant restraint was assessed in 180 drivers, 151 front seat passengers, and 265 rear seat passengers. MAIN RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty one occupants wore seat belts, 68 were restrained by a seat belt and booster cushion, 63 in toddler seats, 25 in two way seats, and 18 in rear facing infant carriers. Ninety seven per cent of drivers, 95% of front seat passengers, and 77% of rear seat passengers were restrained. However, in 98 (52%) vehicles at least one passenger was restrained by a device that was used incorrectly. Seven per cent of adults and 28% of children were secured incorrectly. The commonest errors were loose seat belts and restraint devices not adequately secured to the seat. Rates of incorrect use were highest in child seat restraints, reaching 60% with two way seats and 44% with rear facing infant seats. CONCLUSIONS: The incorrect use of car occupant restraints is an under-recognised problem, both by health professionals, and the general public. Incorrect use has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of restraints, can itself result in injury, and is likely to be an important factor in child passenger injuries. The correct use of car seat restraints merits greater attention in strategies aiming to reduce road traffic casualties. Areas of intervention that could be considered include raising public awareness of this problem, improving information and instruction given to those who purchase child restraints, and encouraging increased collaboration between manufacturers of cars and child restraints, in considering safety issues. PMID:9113842

Conical Seat Shut-Off Valve

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farner, Bruce

2013-01-01

A moveable valve for controlling flow of a pressurized working fluid was designed. This valve consists of a hollow, moveable floating piston pressed against a stationary solid seat, and can use the working fluid to seal the valve. This open/closed, novel valve is able to use metal-to-metal seats, without requiring seat sliding action; therefore there are no associated damaging effects. During use, existing standard high-pressure ball valve seats tend to become damaged during rotation of the ball. Additionally, forces acting on the ball and stem create large amounts of friction. The combination of these effects can lead to system failure. In an attempt to reduce damaging effects and seat failures, soft seats in the ball valve have been eliminated; however, the sliding action of the ball across the highly loaded seat still tends to scratch the seat, causing failure. Also, in order to operate, ball valves require the use of large actuators. Positioning the metal-to-metal seats requires more loading, which tends to increase the size of the required actuator, and can also lead to other failures in other areas such as the stem and bearing mechanisms, thus increasing cost and maintenance. This novel non-sliding seat surface valve allows metal-to-metal seats without the damaging effects that can lead to failure, and enables large seating forces without damaging the valve. Additionally, this valve design, even when used with large, high-pressure applications, does not require large conventional valve actuators and the valve stem itself is eliminated. Actuation is achieved with the use of a small, simple solenoid valve. This design also eliminates the need for many seals used with existing ball valve and globe valve designs, which commonly cause failure, too. This, coupled with the elimination of the valve stem and conventional valve actuator, improves valve reliability and seat life. Other mechanical liftoff seats have been designed; however, they have only resulted in increased cost, and incurred other reliability issues. With this novel design, the seat is lifted by simply removing the working fluid pressure that presses it against the seat and no external force is required. By eliminating variables associated with existing ball and globe configurations that can have damaging effects upon a valve, this novel design reduces downtime in rocket engine test schedules and maintenance costs.

AAP Updates Recommendations on Car Seats

MedlinePlus

... Size Email Print Share AAP Updates Recommendations on Car Seats Page Content Article Body Children should ride ... of approved car safety seats. Healthy Children Radio: Car Seat Safety Dennis Durbin, MD, FAAP, lead author ...

CDC Vital Signs: Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths

MedlinePlus

... those that address: Primary enforcement of seat belt laws that cover everyone in every seat. Police officers ... seat belt use with primary enforcement seat belt laws that cover everyone in the vehicle. www.cdc. ...

14 CFR 135.155 - Fire extinguishers: Passenger-carrying aircraft.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT... passenger seating configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of at least 10 seats but less than 31 seats. ...

14 CFR 135.155 - Fire extinguishers: Passenger-carrying aircraft.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT... passenger seating configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of at least 10 seats but less than 31 seats. ...

Evaluation of wheelchair drop seat crashworthiness.

PubMed

Bertocci, G; Ha, D; van Roosmalen, L; Karg, P; Deemer, E

2001-05-01

Wheelchair seating crash performance is critical to protecting wheelchair users who remain seated in their wheelchairs during transportation. Relying upon computer simulation and sled testing seat loads associated with a 20 g/48 kph (20 g/30 mph) frontal impact and 50th percentile male occupant were estimated to develop test criteria. Using a static test setup we evaluated the performance of various types of commercially available drop seats against the loading test criteria. Five different types of drop seats (two specimens each) constructed of various materials (i.e. plastics, plywood, metal) were evaluated. Two types of drop seats (three of the total 10 specimens) met the 16650 N (3750 lb) frontal impact test criteria. While additional validation of the test protocol is necessary, this study suggests that some drop seat designs may be incapable of withstanding crash level loads.

Vibration control of an energy regenerative seat suspension with variable external resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Donghong; Sun, Shuaishuai; Du, Haiping; Li, Weihua; Zhang, Nong

2018-06-01

In this paper, an energy regenerative seat suspension with a variable external resistance is proposed and built, and a semi-active controller for its vibration control is also designed and validated. The energy regenerative seat suspension is built with a three-phase generator and a gear reducer, which are installed in the scissors structure centre of the seat suspension, and the vibration energy is directly harvested from the rotary movement of suspension's scissors structure. The electromagnetic torque of the semi-active seat suspension actuator is controlled by an external variable resistor. An integrated model including the seat suspension's kinematics and the generator is built and proven to match the test result very well. A simplified experimental phenomenon model is also built based on the test results for the controller design. A state feedback H∞ controller is proposed for the regenerative seat suspension's semi-active vibration control. The proposed regenerative seat suspension and its controller are validated with both simulations and experiments. A well-tuned passive seat suspension is applied to evaluate the regenerative seat's performance. Based on ISO 2631-1, the frequency-weighted root mean square (FW-RMS) acceleration of the proposed seat suspension has a 22.84% reduction when compared with the passive one, which indicates the improvement of ride comfort. At the same time, the generated RMS power is 1.21 W. The proposed regenerative seat suspension can greatly improve the driver's ride comfort and has the potential to be developed to a self-powered semi-active system.

Effectiveness of media and enforcement campaigns in increasing seat belt usage rates in a state with a secondary seat belt law.

PubMed

Vasudevan, Vinod; Nambisan, Shashi S; Singh, Ashok K; Pearl, Traci

2009-08-01

In 2005, in terms of seat belt usage rates, Nevada ranked third nationally and first among states with secondary seat belt use enforcement laws in the United States. An effective combination of a media-based education and enforcement campaign helped in this regard. The objective of this article is to document the effectiveness of enforcement and media-based education and outreach campaigns on the seat belt usage rates in Nevada, a state with a secondary seat belt usage law. Observational data on seat belt usage and passenger fatality data are used to evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement campaigns and media-based education and outreach campaigns. Data based on observations of about 40,000 vehicles in each of the years 2003 to 2005 were analyzed. Statistical analyses show that a significant increase in seat belt usage rates among both drivers and passengers for both genders resulted from the accompanying the media and enforcement campaigns. The results from this study indicate that effective and well-planned media/enforcement campaigns can have a significant impact on seat belt usage rates even in a state where the enforcement of seat belt laws can only be as a secondary violation. They validate and expand on findings from other efforts documented in the literature. These results demonstrate that, if coordinated properly, media and enforcement campaigns work very effectively in increasing seat belt usage rates even in states with secondary seat belt laws.

Thermal comfort of aeroplane seats: influence of different seat materials and the use of laboratory test methods.

PubMed

Bartels, Volkmar T

2003-07-01

This study determined the influence of different cover and cushion materials on the thermal comfort of aeroplane seats. Different materials as well as ready made seats were investigated by the physiological laboratory test methods Skin Model and seat comfort tester. Additionally, seat trials with human test subjects were performed in a climatic chamber. Results show that a fabric cover produces a considerably higher sweat transport than leather. A three-dimensional knitted spacer fabric turns out to be the better cushion alternative in comparison to a moulded foam pad. Results from the physiological laboratory test methods nicely correspond to the seat trials with human test subjects.

Car Safety Seat Usage and Selection Among Families Attending University Hospital Limerick.

PubMed

Scully, P; Finner, N; Letshwiti, J B; O'Gorman, C

2016-05-10

The safest way for children to travel within a car is by provision of a weight-appropriate safety-seat. To investigate this, we conducted a cross-sectional study of adult parents who had children under 12 years, and collected information related to: car use, safety-seat legislation, and type of safety-seat employed. Data were reviewed on 120 children from 60 respondents. Ninety-eight (81.7%) children were transported daily by car. Forty-eight (81.4%) respondents were aware that current safety-seat legislation is based on the weight of the child. One hundred and seven (89.9%) children were restrained during travel using a car safety-seat. One hundred and two (96.2%) safety seats were newly purchased, installed in 82.3% (88) cases by family members with installation instructions fully read in 58 (55.2%) cases. Ninety-nine (83.2%) children were restrained using an appropriate safety-seat for their weight. The results show that four out of five families are employing the most appropriate safety-seat for their child, so providing an effective mechanism to reduce car-related injury. However, the majority of safety-seats are installed by family members, which may have child safety consequences.

The scope and nature of injuries to rear seat passengers in NSW using linked hospital admission and police data.

PubMed

Brown, Julie; Bilston, Lynne E

2014-01-01

To compare the pattern of injuries to front and rear seat occupants and test the hypothesis that rear seat passengers of different ages sustain different patterns of injury. Patients admitted to a hospital following involvement in a crash in New South Wales (NSW) Australia between 2005 and 2007 were identified using International Classification of Diseases (10th edition [ICD10]) codes. Hospital admissions data were linked with NSW police crash data using probabilistic techniques. The profiles and patterns of injury of front and rear seat passengers were compared. Logistic regression was used to examine how age influenced the pattern of injury among rear seat passengers. Sixty-three percent of hospital admissions were linked with police records. One in 5 passengers were rear seat passengers. There were more unrestrained occupants in the rear (7%) compared to drivers (3%) and front seat passengers (2%). Younger (9-15 years) injured passengers were seated in the rear more often than in the front passenger position and older injured passengers (>50 years) were seated more often in the front passenger position than in the rear (15% rear compared to 5% front aged 9-15 years; 22% rear compared to 37% front aged >50 years; χ(2), P < .001). There were proportionally more fatal injuries among rear seat passengers (10%) than among drivers (5%) and front seat passengers (6%), and the pattern of injury between front and rear passengers also varied. Rear seat passengers had more head and abdominal injuries and fewer thoracic and knee/lower leg injuries than front seat passengers. After adjusting for vehicle age, restraint status, travel speed, and whether or not a fatality occurred in the crash, older (>50 years) rear passengers had 6.3 times the odds of sustaining thoracic injuries (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-15.0) and lower odds (odds ratio [OR] = 0.4, 95% CI, 0.2-0.9) of sustaining abdominal/lumbar injuries than the youngest occupants (9-15 years).The odds of sustaining a head injury did not vary with age, and the odds of sustaining thoracic, abdominal, or lower extremity injuries did not differ significantly between rear seat passengers aged 16-50 years and 9-15 years. The findings suggest that there is a need for enhanced protection for rear seat passengers, because they have proportionally more fatal injuries than front-seated occupants. The frequency of abdominal injury and the differences between injury patterns observed in front seat passengers suggests a potential benefit from adding abdominal injury risk assessment to rear seat occupant protection test protocols. There is also scope to improve chest protection for older rear seat passengers.

A seat cushion to provide realistic acceleration cues for aircraft simulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ashworth, B. R.

1976-01-01

A seat cushion to provide acceleration cues for aircraft simulator pilots was built, performance tested, and evaluated. The four cell seat, using a thin air cushion with highly responsive pressure control, attempts to reproduce the same events which occur in an aircraft seat under acceleration loading. The pressure controller provides seat cushion responses which are considered adequate for current high performance aircraft simulations. The initial tests of the seat cushions have resulted in excellent pilot opinion of the cushion's ability to provide realistic and useful cues to the simulator pilot.

Pattern of seat belt wearing in Nanjing, China

PubMed Central

Routley, V; Ozanne‐Smith, J; Li, D; Hu, X; Wang, P; Qin, Y

2007-01-01

Objective To describe the patterns of seat belt wearing in Nanjing, China for drivers, front seat passengers, and rear occupants of motor vehicles. Design Roadside observational study. Setting Four sites in central and northern Nanjing during daylight hours over 1 week in April 2005. Subjects Drivers and passengers of 17 147 cars, taxis, goods vans, and pickups, which traveled in the inside traffic lane. Main outcome measures Percentage seat belt wearing for each of seating position, age/sex, time of day, vehicle type, day of week. Results The rate of seat belt wearing was significantly higher in drivers (67.3%, 95% CI 66.6 to 68.0) than front seat passengers (18.9%, 95% CI, 18.0 to 19.8). It was negligible for second front seat passengers (2.6%, 95% CI 0.3 to 4.9) and rear seat passengers (0.5%, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.7). Belt tampering, such that protection would be reduced in the event of a crash, was observed for 18.5% of taxi drivers. Drivers were most likely to wear seat belts in cars and vans and at a city roundabout; front seat passengers were most likely to wear seat belts in non‐taxi vehicles, during the evening rush hour, if the driver was wearing a belt, and on the local north road. Drivers were least likely to wear a belt in the early morning, in pickups and taxis, on Tuesday (or the following week), and on the local north road; front seat passengers were least likely to wear a belt in taxis and if the driver was not wearing a belt. Conclusions Rates of seat belt wearing by passengers were low despite national legislation and provincial regulations coming into effect several months before the survey. Combined education and enforcement are necessary accompaniments to legislation. PMID:18056315

Effectiveness of Booster Seats Compared With No Restraint or Seat Belt Alone for Crash Injury Prevention

PubMed Central

Ma, Xiaoguang; Griffin, Russell; McGwin, Gerald; Allison, David B.; Heymsfield, Steven B.; He, Wei; Zhu, Shankuan

2013-01-01

Objectives The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of belt-positioning booster seats, compared with no restraint use and with seat belt use only, during motor vehicle crashes among U.S. children. Methods This was a retrospective matched cohort study with data from the 1998 through 2009 National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) Crashworthiness Data System (CDS). The study sample consisted of children aged 0 to 10 years who were not seated in the front seat of the vehicle. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the risk of overall, fatal, and regional body injury. Results Children using seat belts in belt-positioning booster seats experienced less overall injury (Injury Severity Score [ISS] > 0, adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55 to 0.96; Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score of 2 or higher, adjusted RR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.58; ISS > 8, adjusted RR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.56), and less injury in most body regions except the neck (adjusted RR = 4.79, 95% CI = 1.43 to 16.00) than did children with no restraint use. Children using seat belts in belt-positioning booster seats had an equal risk of injury but higher risks of neck (adjusted RR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.02 to 3.40) and thorax (adjusted RR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.33 to 6.15) injury than did children restrained by seat belts only. Conclusions Children using belt-positioning booster seats appear to experience a higher risk of AIS > 0 injury to the neck and thorax than do children using seat belts only. Future research should examine whether the observed increase in neck and thorax injuries can be attributed to improper use of booster seats. PMID:24050794

The Effects of Microgravity on Seated Height (Spinal Elongation)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, K. S.; Rajulu, S.

2011-01-01

ABSTRACT Many physiological factors, such as spinal elongation, fluid shifts, bone atrophy, and muscle loss, occur during an exposure to a microgravity environment. Spinal elongation is just one of the factors that can also affect the safety and performance of a crewmember while in space. Spinal elongation occurs due to the lack of gravity/compression on the spinal column. This allows for the straightening of the natural spinal curve. There is a possible fluid shift in the inter-vertebral disks that may also result in changes in height. This study aims at collecting the overall change in seated height for crewmembers exposed to a microgravity environment. During previous Programs, Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) and Skylab, spinal elongation data was collected from a small number of subjects in a standing posture but were limited in scope. Data from these studies indicated a quick increase in stature during the first few days of weightlessness, after which stature growth reached a plateau resulting in up to a 3% increase of the original measurement [1-5]. However, this data was collected only for crewmembers in standing posture and not in a seated posture. Seated height may have a different effect than standing height due to a change in posture as well as due to a compounded effect of wearing restraints and a potential compression of the gluteal area. Seated height was deemed as a critical measurement in the design of the Constellation Program s (CxP) Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), called Orion which is now the point-of-departure vehicle for the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Program; therefore a better understanding of the effects of microgravity on seated height is necessary. Potential changes in seated height that may not have impacted crew accommodation in previous Programs will have significant effects on crew accommodation due to the layout of seats in the Orion.. The current and existing configuration is such that the four crewmembers are stacked two by two with the commander and pilot seats on the top and the two remaining seats underneath, thereby limiting the amount of clearance for the crewmembers seated in the bottom seat. The inner mold line of these types of vehicles are fixed due to other design constraints; therefore, it is essential that all seats incorporate additional clearance to account for adequate spinal growth thereby ensuring that the crew can safely ingress the seat and be strapped in prior to its return to earth. If there is not enough clearance to account for spinal growth deltas between seats then there is the potential that crewmembers will not be able to comfortably and safely fit into their seats. The crewmember in the bottom stacked seat may even have negative clearance with the seat above him or her which could lead to potential ingress/egress issues or potentially injury of the crewmember during landing. These impacts are specific to these types of vehicles with stacked seat configuration. Without proper knowledge of the amount of spinal elongation, or growth, which occurs due to microgravity and space flight, the design of future vehicle(s) or suits may cause injury, discomfort, and limit crew accommodation and crew complements. The experiment primarily aimed to collect seated height data for subjects exposed to microgravity environments, and feed new information regarding the effect of elongation of the spine forward into the design of the Orion. The data collected during the experiment included, two seated height measurement and two digital pictures of seated height pre-, in-, and post-flight. In addition to seated height, crewmembers had an optional task of collecting stature , standing height. Seated height data was obtained from 29 crewmembers that included 8 ISS increment crew (2 females and 6 males) and 21 Shuttle crew (1 female, 20 males), and whose mean age was 48 years ( 4 years). This study utilized the last six Shuttle flights, STS-128 to STS-134. The results show that partipating crewmembers experienced growth up to 6% in seated height and up to 3% in stature. Based on the worst case statistical analysis of the subject data, the recommended seated height growth of 6% will be provided to the designers as the necessary seated height adjustment.

Using haptic feedback to increase seat belt use : traffic tech.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-07-01

The legacy of research on increasing seat belt use has : focused on enactment of seat belt legislation, public education, : high-visibility police enforcement, and seat belt : reminder systems. Several behavioral programs have : produced large, susta...

Factors Affecting Booster Seat Use.

PubMed

Aita-Levy, Jerussa; Henderson, Lauren

2016-10-01

Objective To identify general awareness of booster seats as well as reasons for use and nonuse in an urban pediatric emergency room. Methods A total of 100 questionnaires were completed consisting of 24 questions each. Questions included knowledge of booster seat guidelines, source of knowledge, awareness of risks, and confidence in booster seats. Afterward, participants were provided an educational handout. Results Majority of parents reported currently using or having used a booster seat. The most popular reason was to protect from injury (78%), and reason for nonuse was size (44%). Majority of parents agreed that motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death in children. However, 56% of parents prematurely transitioned child out of a booster seat. Only 20% reported learning about booster seats from their pediatrician. Conclusion Parents continue to transition their children prematurely from booster seats. Current state laws need revision as well as further education using simplified illustrated guidelines. © The Author(s) 2015.

Determination of crash test pulses and their application to aircraft seat analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alfaro-Bou, E.; Williams, M. S.; Fasanella, E. L.

1981-01-01

Deceleration time histories (crash pulses) from a series of twelve light aircraft crash tests conducted at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) were analyzed to provide data for seat and airframe design for crashworthiness. Two vertical drop tests at 12.8 m/s (42 ft/s) and 36 G peak deceleration (simulating one of the vertical light aircraft crash pulses) were made using an energy absorbing light aircraft seat prototype. Vertical pelvis acceleration measured in a 50 percentile dummy in the energy absorbing seat were found to be 45% lower than those obtained from the same dummy in a typical light aircraft seat. A hybrid mathematical seat-occupant model was developed using the DYCAST nonlinear finite element computer code and was used to analyze a vertical drop test of the energy absorbing seat. Seat and occupant accelerations predicted by the DYCAST model compared quite favorably with experimental values.

Seat Experiment Results of Full-Scale Transport Aircraft Controlled Impact Demonstration.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-01

31 CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .... 31 APPENDIX A - FLOOR, SEAT, AND PELVIS VERTICAL...ACCELERATIONS . ... A-1 APPENDIX B - FLOOR, SEAT, AND PELVIS LONGITUDINAL ACCELERATIONS .B-1 APPENDIX C - FLOOR, SEAT, AND PELVIS LATERAL ACCELERATIONS ... . C...The current asymmetry of the tracks in the 8720 and 727 causes the window-side legs of the triple- passenger seat to support twice as much load as the

The Seated Soldier Study: Posture and Body Shape in Vehicle Seats

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-31

ergonomics and safety assessments. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 3 INTRODUCTION The design of seats and interiors for a wide variety of...DHMs) began to be used for ergonomic assessments and design of vehicle interiors and seats , particularly for driver workstation layout (Chaffin 2001...in a vehicle mockup by varying the steering wheel position relative to the pedals. The participants adjusted the seat to obtain a comfortable

Contact dermatitis to training toilet seat (potty seat dermatitis).

PubMed

Dorfman, Claire O; Barros, Mark A; Zaenglein, Andrea L

2018-05-29

Allergic contact dermatitis from various components of toilet seats has been well described. We report a case of a young boy presenting with an atypical pattern of dermatitis who was found to be allergic to his training toilet seat. This case highlights the importance of recognizing this diagnosis and the role of potty seats as the causative factor. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Injury risk for matched front and rear seat car passengers by injury severity and crash type: An exploratory study.

PubMed

Mitchell, R J; Bambach, M R; Toson, Barbara

2015-09-01

The risk of serious injury or death has been found to be reduced for some front compared to rear seat car passengers in newer vehicles. However, differences in injury severity between car occupants by seating position has not been examined. This study examines the injury severity risk for rear compared to front seat car passengers. A retrospective matched-cohort analysis was conducted of vehicle crashes involving injured rear vs front seat car passengers identified in linked police-reported, hospitalisation and emergency department (ED) presentation records during 2001-2011 in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Odds ratios were estimated using an ordinal logistic mixed model and logistic mixed models. There were 5419 front and 4588 rear seat passengers in 3681 vehicles. There was a higher odds of sustaining a higher injury severity as a rear-compared to a front seat car passenger, with a higher odds of rear seat passengers sustaining serious injuries compared to minimal injuries. Where the vehicle occupant was older, travelling in a vehicle manufactured between 1990 and 1996 or after 1997, where the airbag deployed, and where the vehicle was driven where the speed limit was ≥70km/h there was a higher odds of the rear passenger sustaining a higher injury severity then a front seated occupant. Rear seat car passengers are sustaining injuries of a higher severity compared to front seat passengers travelling in the same vehicle, as well as when travelling in newer vehicles and where the front seat occupant is shielded by an airbag deployed in the crash. Rear seat occupant protective mechanisms should be examined. Pre-hospital trauma management policies could influence whether an individual is transported to a hospital ED, thus it would be beneficial to have an objective measure of injury severity routinely available in ED records. Further examination of injury severity between rear and front seat passengers is warranted to examine less severe non-fatal injuries by car seating position and vehicle intrusion. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association between exposure/non-exposure to the mandatory seat belt law with regards to compliance in vehicle accident victims--a hospital review.

PubMed

Williams, E W; Reid, M; Lindo, J L M; Williams-Johnson, J; French, S; Singh, P; McDonald, A H

2007-06-01

Injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are a major challenge to the Jamaican healthcare system. In November 1999, Jamaica enacted legislation to make seat belt usage in motor vehicles compulsory. The effect of this policy change on seat belt usage is unclear. This study therefore sought to determine the prevalence of seat belt usage and to determine the association between exposure/non-exposure to the mandatory seat belt law and seat belt use in subjects who presented to the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) as a result of motor vehicle accidents. Subjects were recruited from June to November 2003, post-seat belt law (POBL) period, and May to October 1999, pre-seat belt law (PRBL) period. Data collected included demographic variables, seat belt use and position of the occupants in the vehicle. Of the 277 patients who were eligible for inclusion, data were complete in 258 subjects, 87 in the PRBL period and 171 in the POBL period. The prevalence of seat belt use was 47% (PRBL) and 63% (POBL) respectively. There was no significant gender difference at each period. The odds of wearing seat belt in the rear of a motor vehicle were significantly lower than that of a driver (Table 3, OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07, 0.48). Adjusting for age, gender and position in vehicle exposure, there was about 100% increase in the odds of seat belt use during the post seat belt law era (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.21, 3.61). It is concluded from this hospital-based study that the mandatory seat belt law legislature was associated with increased seat belt use in motor vehicle accident victims. However, current data from the Road Traffic Agency indicate that there is still an alarming number of fatalities. This clearly suggests that additional public health measures are needed to address the epidemic of motor vehicle trauma in Jamaica.

A program to increase seat belt use along the Texas-Mexico border.

PubMed

Cohn, Lawrence D; Hernandez, Delia; Byrd, Theresa; Cortes, Miguel

2002-12-01

A school-based, bilingual intervention was developed to increase seat belt use among families living along the Texas-Mexico border. The intervention sought to increase seat belt use by changing perceived norms within the community (i.e., making the nonuse of seat belts less socially acceptable). The intervention was implemented in more than 110 classrooms and involved more than 2100 children. Blind coding, validity checks, and reliability estimates contributed to a rigorous program evaluation. Seat belt use increased by 10% among children riding in the front seat of motor vehicles in the intervention community, as compared with a small but nonsignificant decline in use among control community children. Seat belt use among drivers did not increase.

75 FR 34172 - Lordstown Seating Systems, a Subsidiary of Magna Seating, Including Workers Whose Unemployment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

... certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers produce seating for automobiles. New information... secondarily affected as a supplier of seating for automobiles to a TAA certified firm. The amended notice...

Guidelines for observing child safety seat use

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1987-06-01

This manual provides guidelines for collecting observational data needed to assess the use of child safety seats. Specific directions are included for (a) observing child safety seat use, (b) child seats, and (c) instructing observers on how to use s...

Stadium seating--a market analysis.

Treesearch

Jerry A. Sesco; Edwin Kallio

1967-01-01

This report describes the characteristics of stadiums and seating in six North Central States; summarizes the purchasing methods for stadium seats; presents estimates of the present and future market; and points out the increasing competition to wood stadium seating form substitute materials.

76 FR 23793 - Extension of Application Period for Seats for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-28

... seats on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: (1) Research Member seat and (2... relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy...

Seat-belt use still low in Kuwait: self-reported driving behaviours among adult drivers.

PubMed

Raman, Sudha R; Ottensmeyer, C Andrea; Landry, Michel D; Alfadhli, Jarrah; Procter, Steven; Jacob, Susan; Hamdan, Elham; Bouhaimed, Manal

2014-01-01

Kuwait mandated seat-belt use by drivers in 1976 and by front seat passengers in 1994. The study objectives were to identify and estimate current factors associated with seat-belt use and levels of potentially unsafe driving behaviours in Kuwait. In 2010, 741 adults were surveyed regarding driving habits and history. Only 41.6% of drivers reported always using a seat belt. Front seat passenger belt use was more common (30.5%) than rear seat belt use (6.5%). Distracted driving behaviours were common, including mobile phone use ('always' or 'almost always': 51.1%) and texting/SMS (32.4%). Logistic regression indicated that drivers who were young (18-19 years), male, Kuwaiti nationals or non-Kuwaiti Arabs, drove over the speed limit, had traffic violation tickets or >1 car crashes in the last year, were less likely to use seat belts. Targeted initiatives to increase public awareness and to enforce car-safety legislation, including use of seat belts, are necessary to decrease the health burden of car crashes in Kuwait.

View of Mission Control Center during the Apollo 13 oxygen cell failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

Several persons important to the Apollo 13 mission, at consoles in the Mission Operations Control Room of the Mission Control Center (MCC). Seated at consoles, from left to right, are Astronaut Donald K. Slayton, Director of Flight Crew Operations; Astronaut Jack R. Lousma, Shift 3 spacecraft communicator; and Astronaut John W. Young, commander of the Apollo 13 back-up crew. Standing, left to right, are Astronaut Tom K. Mattingly, who was replaced as Apollo 13 command module pilot after it was learned he may come down with measles, and Astronaut Vance D. Brand, Shift 2 spacecraft communicator. Several hours earlier crew members of the Apollo 13 mission reported to MCC that trouble had developed with an oxygen cell in their spacecraft.

STS-92 crew arrives at KSC for launch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Still seated in the T-38 jet aircraft that arrived moments before at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-92 Mission Specialist Peter J.K. '''Jeff''' Wisoff shows his happiness in being back at KSC for launch. He and other crew members Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, Leroy Chiao, Michael E. Lopez-Alegria and William S. McArthur Jr. later talked to a waiting group of media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the International Space Station. The payload includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. During the 11-day mission, four extravehicular activities (EVAs), or space walks, are planned.

STS-92 crew arrives at KSC for launch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Still seated in the T-38 jet aircraft that arrived moments before at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-92 Mission Specialist William S. McArthur Jr. shows his happiness in being back at KSC for launch. He and other crew members Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, Leroy Chiao, Peter J.K. '''Jeff''' Wisoff and Michael E. Lopez-Alegria later talked to a waiting group of media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the International Space Station. The payload includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. During the 11-day mission, four extravehicular activities (EVAs), or space walks, are planned.

KSC-00pp1469

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-10-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Still seated in the T-38 jet aircraft that arrived moments before at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-92 Mission Specialist William S. McArthur Jr. shows his happiness in being back at KSC for launch. He and other crew members Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, Leroy Chiao, Peter J.K. “Jeff” Wisoff and Michael E. Lopez-Alegria later talked to a waiting group of media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the International Space Station. The payload includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. During the 11-day mission, four extravehicular activities (EVAs), or space walks, are planned

Virtual reality, immersion, and the unforgettable experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morie, Jacquelyn F.

2006-02-01

Virtual reality has been in the public eye for nearly forty years. Its early promise was vast: worlds we could visit and live in, if we could bend the technology to our desires. Progress was made, but along the way the original directions and challenges of fully immersive VR took a back seat to more ubiquitous technology such as games that provided many of the same functions. What was lost in this transition was the potential for VR to become a stage for encounters that are meaningful, those experiences that tap into what it means to be human. This paper describes examples of such experiences using VR technology and puts forward several avenues of thought concerning how we might reinvigorate these types of VR explorations.

Mission Control Center (MCC) View - Apollo 13 Oxygen Cell Failure - MSC

NASA Image and Video Library

1970-04-15

S70-35014 (15 April 1970) --- A group of flight controllers gathers around the console of Glenn S. Lunney (seated, nearest camera), Shift 4 flight director, in the Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR) of Mission Control Center (MCC), located in Building 30 at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). Their attention is drawn to a weather map of the proposed landing site in the South Pacific Ocean. Among those looking on is Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, deputy director, MSC, standing in black suit, on right. When this photograph was taken, the Apollo 13 lunar landing mission had been canceled, and the problem-plagued Apollo 13 crew members were in trans-Earth trajectory attempting to bring their crippled spacecraft back home.

Ergonomic Chairs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Findings published in the NASA Anthropometric Source Book by Johnson Space Center helped BodyBilt, Inc. to fashion controlled comfort chairs that lessen the harmful effects of gravity on seated workers. Crew members living aboard NASA's Skylab noted that in space the human posture differs from the normal posture caused by the tug of one gravity. There has been an alarming increase in back pain and muscle fatigue in workers, along with a dramatic escalation in repetitive stress injuries. BodyBilt's ergonomically-correct line of office chairs are targeted for the average worker that sits for prolonged periods, be it in the classroom or boardroom. Their roster of national clients lists such organizations as IBM, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard, Eastman-Kodak, Boeing, Motorola, and Walt Disney Studios.

Think Scientifically: The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory's Elementary Science Literacy Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Norden, Wendy; Wawro, Martha

2013-03-01

The pressure to focus on math and reading at the elementary level has increased in recent years. As a result, science education has taken a back seat in elementary classrooms. The Think Scientifically book series provides a way for science to easily integrate with existing math and reading curriculum. This story-based science literature program integrates a classic storybook format with solid solar science, to make an educational product that meets state literacy standards. Each story is accompanied by hands-on labs and activities that teachers can easily conduct in their classrooms with minimal training and materials, as well as math and language arts extensions and assessment questions. These books are being distributed through teacher workshops and conferences.

Think Scientifically: The Solar Dynamics Observatory's Elementary Science Literacy Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Norden, Wendy; Wawro; Martha

2012-03-01

The pressure to focus on math and reading at the elementary level has increased in recent years. As a result, science education has taken a back seat in elementary classrooms. The Think Scientifically book series provides a way for science to easily integrate with existing math and reading curriculum. This story-based science literature program integrates a classic storybook format with solid solar science, to make an educational product that meets state literacy standards. Each story is accompanied by hands-on labs and activities that teachers can easily conduct in their classrooms with minimal training and materials, as well as math and language arts extensions and assessment questions. These books are being distributed through teacher workshops and conferences.

KSC-00pp1468

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-10-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Still seated in the T-38 jet aircraft that arrived moments before at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-92 Mission Specialist Peter J.K. “Jeff” Wisoff shows his happiness in being back at KSC for launch. He and other crew members Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, Leroy Chiao, Michael E. Lopez-Alegria and William S. McArthur Jr. later talked to a waiting group of media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the International Space Station. The payload includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. During the 11-day mission, four extravehicular activities (EVAs), or space walks, are planned

KSC00pp1469

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-10-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Still seated in the T-38 jet aircraft that arrived moments before at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-92 Mission Specialist William S. McArthur Jr. shows his happiness in being back at KSC for launch. He and other crew members Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, Leroy Chiao, Peter J.K. “Jeff” Wisoff and Michael E. Lopez-Alegria later talked to a waiting group of media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the International Space Station. The payload includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. During the 11-day mission, four extravehicular activities (EVAs), or space walks, are planned

KSC00pp1468

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-10-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Still seated in the T-38 jet aircraft that arrived moments before at the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-92 Mission Specialist Peter J.K. “Jeff” Wisoff shows his happiness in being back at KSC for launch. He and other crew members Commander Brian Duffy, Pilot Pamela Ann Melroy and Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, Leroy Chiao, Michael E. Lopez-Alegria and William S. McArthur Jr. later talked to a waiting group of media at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission is the fifth flight for the construction of the International Space Station. The payload includes the Integrated Truss Structure Z-1 and the third Pressurized Mating Adapter. During the 11-day mission, four extravehicular activities (EVAs), or space walks, are planned

Seat belt use-inducing system effectiveness

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-04-01

Seat belt use inducing system effectiveness was measured in fleet automobiles of a private business and in rental automobiles at a large airport. There were three parts to the activity: 1. Seat belt use inducing systems and seat belt use counting sys...

Restraint use (seat belt and child passenger seat) survey

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-12-01

In Arizona, lack of restraint usage (seat belts and child passenger seats) was a contributing factor to an average of 687 fatalities per year which is nearly 60% of total fatalities. These tragic statistics could be dramatically decreased if effectiv...

The Seated Soldier Study: Posture and Body Shape in Vehicle Seats

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-28

vehicle interior layout Current design guidance is based on outdated anthropometry Previous studies of seated anthropometry have not included the...personal protective equipment (PPE) for seat and vehicle interior layout • Current design guidance is based on outdated anthropometry • Previous...studies of seated anthropometry have not included the effects of PPE on posture and body shape • Detailed anthropometric data needed for the design

Blast resistant vehicle seat

DOEpatents

Ripley, Edward B

2013-02-12

Disclosed are various seats for vehicles particularly military vehicles that are susceptible to attack by road-bed explosive devices such as land mines or improvised explosive devices. The seats often have rigid seat shells and may include rigid bracing for rigidly securing the seat to the chassis of the vehicle. Typically embodiments include channels and particulate media such as sand disposed in the channels. A gas distribution system is generally employed to pump a gas through the channels and in some embodiments the gas is provided at a pressure sufficient to fluidize the particulate media when an occupant is sitting on the seat.

Effects of Wheelchair Seat-height Settings on Alternating Lower Limb Propulsion With Both Legs.

PubMed

Murata, Tomoyuki; Asami, Toyoko; Matsuo, Kiyomi; Kubo, Atsuko; Okigawa, Etsumi

2014-01-01

This study investigated the effects of seat-height settings of wheelchairs with alternating propulsion with both legs. Seven healthy individuals with no orthopedic disease participated. Flexion angles at initial contact (FA-IC) of each joint, range of motion during propulsion period (ROM-PP), and ground reaction force (GRF) were measured using a three dimensional motion capture system and force plates, and compared with different seat-height settings. Statistically significant relationships were found between seat-height and speed, stride length, knee FA-IC, ankle FA-IC, hip ROM-PP, vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), and anterior posterior ground reaction force (APGRF). Speed, hip ROM-PP, VGRF and APGRF increased as the seat-height was lowered. This effect diminished when the seat-height was set below -40 mm. VGRF increased as the seat-height was lowered. The results suggest that the seat-height effect can be attributed to hip ROM-PP; therefore, optimal foot propulsion cannot be achieved when the seat height is set either too high or too low. Efficient foot propulsion of the wheelchair can be achieved by setting the seat height to lower leg length according to a combination of physical characteristics, such as the user's physical functions, leg muscles, and range of motion.

Evaluation of Safe Kids Week 2004: age 4 to 9? It's booster seat time!

PubMed

Howard, A; Beben, N; Rothman, L; Fiissel, D; MacArthur, C

2006-10-01

To assess the effectiveness of a national one week media campaign promoting booster seat use. Pre-test, post-test design based on nationally representative random digit dialing telephone survey, with control for exposure to campaign. Canada. Parents of children aged 4-9 years. During a one week campaign in May 2004, information on booster seat use was distributed via a national media campaign, retail stores, medical clinics, and community events. Information included pamphlets with guidelines for booster seat use, as well as a growth chart (designed by Safe Kids Canada) to assist parents in determining if their child should be using a booster seat. Assessing seat belt fit was described in detail on the growth chart. Knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors regarding booster seat use. Respondents in the group exposed to the campaign were twice as likely to report using a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt for their child (47%), compared to those in the pre-test (24%) and the unexposed (23%) groups (p<0.001). However, only small differences in general knowledge regarding booster seat use were found between the groups. A one week national media campaign substantially increased self-reported use of booster seats. Parents did not remember details of the campaign content, but did remember implications for their own child.

Seat design principles to reduce neck injuries in rear impacts.

PubMed

Viano, David C

2008-12-01

In the 1990s, research was conducted at General Motors R&D Center on seat safety in rear impacts. It led to the development of high retention seats and an active head restraint to improve occupant safety. This article provides an overview of the design principles found from that research and focuses on seat characteristics that lower whiplash risks. Sled and quasistatic seat testing showed how occupants interact with the seat in rear impacts and what seat characteristics improve occupant retention, energy management, and support of the head-neck, lowering injury risks. Neck displacements, moments, and forces were used to assess whiplash and more severe injury risks. A QST test was developed to quasi-statically push a dummy rearward into the seat to determine seat stiffness (k), frame strength (j), and peak bending moment (M(Hpt)). These parameters were related to neck displacements associated with whiplash. Sled tests were run with in-position and out-of-position male and female Hybrid III dummies to assess performance. A high retention seat and active head restraint were developed and put into production in 1997. High retention seats have 2.3 times greater moment, develop 2.2 times greater load, but have the same stiffness as earlier yielding seats. Seat stiffness was found to be a principle characteristic related to neck displacements associated with whiplash. The combination of a stronger frame, yielding seatback, and high-forward head restraint in the high retention seat provides early head support and low neck displacements in rear impacts. Larger reductions in neck displacement were obtained by adding an active head restraint that moves the head restraint forward and upward by occupant penetration into the seatback. This substantially reduces head contact time, neck displacements, and loads. Whiplash risks are related to seat stiffness, the position of the head restraint, and frame strength. Low seat stiffness allows the occupant to move into the seatback without high loads on the torso until the head-neck is supported by the head restraint. A strong seat frame reduces early seatback rotation that increases the gap to the head restraint and drops it in relation to the occupant's head. A high and forward head restraint provides support of the head and neck. Large forces can be applied to the occupant once the head, neck, and torso are supported by the seat and head restraint without adverse loading of the spine. The addition of an active head restraint closes the gap behind the head before significant load develops on the neck. The movement provides a more upward trajectory of the head restraint. Low-speed rear crashes are not just a matter of whiplash; older occupants, some with cervical stenosis, are at risk for paralyzing spinal cord injury.

Evaluation of seatback vibration based on ISO 2631-1 (1997) standard method: The influence of vehicle seat structural resonance.

PubMed

Ittianuwat, R; Fard, M; Kato, K

2017-01-01

Although much research has been done in developing the current ISO 2631-1 (1997) standard method for assessment seat vibration comfort, little consideration has been given to the influence of vehicle seat structural dynamics on comfort assessment. Previous research has shown that there are inconsistencies between standard methods and subjective evaluation of comfort at around vehicle seat twisting resonant frequencies. This study reports the frequency-weighted r.m.s. accelerations in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] axes and the total vibration (point vibration total value) at five locations on seatback surface at around vehicle seat twisting resonant frequencies. The results show that the vibration measured at the centre of seatback surface, suggested by current ISO 2631-1 (1997), at around twisting resonant frequencies was the least for all tested vehicle seats. The greatest point vibration total value on the seatback surface varies among vehicle seats. The variations in vibration measured at different locations on seatback surface at around twisting resonant frequencies were sufficiently great that might affect the comfort assessment of vehicle seat.Practitioner Summary: The influence of vehicle seat structural dynamics has not been considered in current ISO 2631-1 (1997). The results of this study show that the vibration measures on seatback surface at around vehicle seat twisting resonant frequency depends on vehicle seats and dominate at the top or the bottom of seatback but not at the centre.

Reference PMHS Sled Tests to Assess Submarining.

PubMed

Uriot, Jérôme; Potier, Pascal; Baudrit, Pascal; Trosseille, Xavier; Petit, Philippe; Richard, Olivier; Compigne, Sabine; Masuda, Mitsutoshi; Douard, Richard

2015-11-01

Sled tests focused on pelvis behavior and submarining can be found in the literature. However, they were performed either with rigid seats or with commercial seats. The objective of this study was to get reference tests to assess the submarining ability of dummies in more realistic conditions than on rigid seat, but still in a repeatable and reproducible setup. For this purpose, a semi-rigid seat was developed, which mimics the behavior of real seats, although it is made of rigid plates and springs that are easy to reproduce and simulate with an FE model. In total, eight PMHS sled tests were performed on this semirigid seat to get data in two different configurations: first in a front seat configuration that was designed to prevent submarining, then in a rear seat configuration with adjusted spring stiffness to generate submarining. All subjects sustained extensive rib fractures from the shoulder belt loading. No pelvis fractures and no submarining were observed in the front seat configuration, but two subjects sustained lumbar vertebrae fractures. In the rear seat configuration, all subjects sustained pelvic fractures and demonstrated submarining. Corridors were constructed for the external forces and the PMHS kinematics. They are provided in this paper as new reference tests to assess the biofidelity of human surrogates in different configurations that either result in submarining or do not. In future, it is intended to analyze further seat and restraint system configurations to be able to define a submarining predictor.

Factors related to nonuse of seat belts in Michigan.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1987-09-01

This study combined direct observation of seat belt use with interview methods to : identify factors related to seat belt use in a state with a mandatory seat belt use law. Trained : observers recorded restraint use for a probability sample of motori...

Seat belt use increases in Maine following change to primary enforcement : traffic tech.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-04-01

Primary seat belt laws are associated with higher selfreported : seat belt use rates and fewer traffic fatalities following : enactment. Primary laws allow police to issue a citation : solely upon observation of a seat belt violation. In contrast, : ...

Portable seat lift

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weddendorf, Bruce (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A portable seat lift that can help individuals either (1) lower themselves to a sitting position or (2) raise themselves to a standing position is presented. The portable seat lift consists of a seat mounted on a base with two levers, which are powered by a drive unit.

Injuries to seat occupants of light airplanes.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1989-02-01

A series of 55 light-airplane accidents was examined in an effort to demonstrate the role of seats in the genesis of injury in seat occupants. Good engineering, design of airplane seats is an important related issue which is not treated in this study...