Thesis (doctoral)--Lappeenranta University of Technology, 2000? / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (PhD) - Swinburne University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, 2009. / A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 2009. Typescript. "February 2009". Includes bibliographical references (p. 291-313)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2009. / Adviser: Pamela McCauley-Bush. Includes bibliographical references (p. 112-118).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--OGI School of Science & Engineering at OHSU, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-119).

In the face of the extensive changes resulting from the Post-Industrial Age, many are questioning "the gifts of the chip," or, more specifically, the ability of computer technologies to deliver the comfort predicted. The objective of this thesis is to examine the law's response to computer technology concerning occupational health and safety. This inquiry is necessary due to the dramatic changes that have occurred in the workforce, altering the profile of workplace health. / The thesis begins with a reference to The Gift of Stones, a fictional account of the difficulties that stone workers experienced when the Bronze Age arrived. Modern labourers face parallel struggles due to the arrival of the Post-Industrial Age characterized by technological innovation and restructuring. The legitimacy and effectiveness of occupational health and safety law is challenged by changes to social institutions and by computer related work injuries. / In many jurisdictions, the state has responded to these changes by enacting ergonomic standards that seek to minimize the harmful effects of computer use. The thesis examines the trend towards ergonomic standards with particular focus on Canadian initiatives. In conclusion, it argues that ergonomic regulations are an important means of promoting safer computer practices. Additionally, ergonomic standards provide a mechanism for continued state regulation of occupational health and safety. The challenge for rule makers is ensuring that the standards are a component of comprehensive legal reforms.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the pressure distribution responses to three hour seating bouts in a standard car seat condition compared to a Comfort Motion Technology (CMT) car seat condition. Twelve males participated in the study. Subjects came in for two separate sessions no more than one week apart. Pressure distribution on the backrest and seat pan was assessed in a three hour seating bout. Pressure variables associated with increased seating comfort were collected across six distinct 28 minute cycles and then averaged across these six cycles. The pressure variables were contact area, peak contact pressure, and force. The CMT car seat condition exhibited greater back contact area (p= .003) and less back peak pressure (p= .003) than the standard car seat condition. In addition, the CMT car seat condition had greater seat peak pressure (p< .001) and greater back force (p< .001) than the standard car seat condition. In conclusion, the CMT car seat condition is more comfortable than the standard car seat condition. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

This research was motivated by the sudden increase of hypermedia information (such as that found on CD-ROMs and on the World Wide Web), which was not initially accessible to blind people, although offered significant advantages over traditional braille and audiotape information. Existing non-visual information systems for blind people had very different designs and functionality, but none of them provided what was required according to user requirements studies: an easy-to-use non-visual interface to hypermedia material with a range of input devices for blind students. Furthermore, there was no single suitable design and evaluation methodology which could be used for the development of non-visual information systems. The aims of this research were therefore: (1) to develop a generic, iterative design and evaluation methodology consisting of a number of techniques suitable for formative evaluation of non-visual interfaces; (2) to explore non-visual interaction possibilities for a multimodal hypermedia browser for blind students based on user requirements; and (3) to apply the evaluation methodology to non-visual information systems at different stages of their development. The methodology developed and recommended consists of a range of complementary design and evaluation techniques, and successfully allowed the systematic development of prototype non-visual interfaces for blind users by identifying usability problems and developing solutions. Three prototype interfaces are described: the design and evaluation of two versions of a hypermedia browser; and an evaluation of a digital talking book. Recommendations made from the evaluations for an effective non-visual interface include the provision of a consistent multimodal interface, non-speech sounds for information and feedback, a range of simple and consistent commands for reading, navigation, orientation and output control, and support features. This research will inform developers of similar systems for blind users, and in addition, the methodology and design ideas are considered sufficiently generic, but also sufficiently detailed, that the findings could be applied successfully to the development of non-visual interfaces of any type.

Vibration in the vehicle environment has long been investigated considering the driver&#039 / s exposure. However not only drivers but also the front seat car passengers are exposed to considerable amount of vibration. In order to investigate the phenomenon, this research consisted of three stages. In the first stage of the study, model analysis has been carried out. Based on the results it has been suggested that increased damping in the lumbar area in contact with the backrest can decrease the vibration transmission. The second stage comprised of the laboratory studies. Based on the results attained from the model, waist belts filled with different fluids having different coefficients of viscosity were prepared and tested. The inclination of the backrest angle was chosen as the second parameter. The cushions having ready-made gel mediums were seen to be effective in reducing low frequency vibrations where the angle of inclination affected the response of the cushions. In the third part of the thesis, field measurements were carried out in order to confirm the results attained in the laboratory. It was observed that the inclination of backrest angle played a major role in the exposure of the passenger in fore and aft direction. The cushions proved to be effective at certain frequencies in the field, differing due to the design and the medium.

The physical dimensions of a population change in the course of time. On the other hand, the physical dissimilarities among different population are much more significant and remarkable than time-dependent natural evolution process that affects all populations in the world. In this study, passenger seats of intercity coaches that are important industrial products for Turkey in terms of usage frequency and their prevalence were investigated from an ergonomic viewpoint. To achieve this aim, eight seat parts and their equivalent anthropometric variables were specified to gather their measures from four different intercity coaches: These coaches represent the normal and top segment in Turkish intercity coaches market in addition to being imported or not. After that, these seat measures are compared with two anthropometric studies in terms of the sufficient sample size to reflect the anthropometric data related to Turkish population and the inclusion of the specified variables that correspond to these parts. Finally, alternative dimensions were recommended for each seat part to be used in the design process of passenger seats. In conclusion, it was found that dimensions of all seats demonstrated no significant differences among each other in terms of belonging to middle or luxury segment coaches. Only for seat pan widths, all seats had higher values than the hip breadths of both anthropometric studies. Conversely, for other seat parts, the dimensions of almost all seats had lower values. All backrest heights were the lowest among the other parts based on the studies of Hertzberg et al and KayiS. It was observed that although all seats showed approximate values with specified seat parts of the directive of European Commission- 2001/85/EC- generally, all seat brands except Grammer had a lower value than the seat pan width mentioned in this regulation. It was also found important differences between the outcomes of two Turkish studies and the regulation of EC.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.