published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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The theory of risk compensation predicts that when individuals increase the practice of a safe behavior, they will also increase the practice of an unsafe behavior in order to maintain the same level of overall risk. In contrast, response generalization predicts that an increase in safe behavior will increase other safe behaviors in the same response class. The present study examined the effects of community-based feedback on the safety belt use of drivers in a small community in Southwest Virginia, while drivers on an intersecting highway served as a control group. An AB design was used to test the effects of the feedback on belt use. Turn signal use and right and left hand turn behaviors were also measured to study risk compensation vs. response generalization. Baseline measures were taken for 13 weeks at which point two feedback signs were erected in the community for the remaining 17 weeks of the study. The words "SAFETY BELT USE IN NEWPORT LAST WEEK" with the percentages of male and female driver safety belt use the previous week appeared on the signs. Feedback increased the safety belt use average in the community by 15.5 percentage points for males, and 9.7 percentage points for females over a 17 week period. Evidence for response generalization was shown by a 14.9 percentage point increase in turn signal use over the 17 weeks of the feedback intervention. / Master of Science

A large scale intervention program conducted by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to increase safety belt use in eight communities (cities, towns, and counties) throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia was evaluated. The police or sheriff's department in each community conducted either one, two, or three repeated applications (waves) of public information/education programs. Each target community was matched with a non-treatment control community with a similar population. The overall project was very successful. The mean percent safety belt use for the eight target communities began at 52%, and significantly increased to 73% by the end of the project. The mean percent safety belt use for the eight control communities also began at 52%, and dropped insignificantly to 48% by the end of the project. To extend previous work on the relationship between intervention agents and intervention effectiveness, it was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between mean percent safety belt use increase and the agent-to-target ratios (the proportion of police officers or deputies participating in the program per number of citizens in the community), citation-to-target ratios (the proportion of citations or written warnings given during the program per number of citizens in the community), and promotional gimmick-to-target ratios (the proportion of promotional gimmicks given during the program per number of citizens in the community). Each of these ratios were significantly correlated with the percent safety belt use increase for the eight target communities. The terminal model for a stepwise regression procedure, which included the agent-to-target and citation-to-target ratios, yielded an R² of .83. A plan for institutionalizing safety belt programs that would reduce many of the problems associated with motivating large scale safety belt use is suggested, as well as suggestions for future research. / Master of Science

In recent years increased emphasis has been placed on improving seat comfort in automobiles. This is partly due to research showing that prolonged driving is associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, but largely because driver comfort is now viewed as an increasingly important aspect of the competitive marketing of vehicles. Driving is firmly cemented as a major part of most people s daily life across the world and people are now spending more time in their vehicles than ever before. As urban congestion continues to rise, commuting distances and durations will progressively increase, subjecting drivers to the risks of long duration driving more often. Consequently the automotive industry has invested in designing seats that perform better under increased usage durations and ergonomics has played a vital role in the design of new seats. However, the ability to design a successful seat relies heavily on the capacity to accurately evaluate the comfort of a vehicle seat and one major issue that has been highlighted with the current state of automotive ergonomics research is the standardisation of comfort evaluation techniques. This research aimed to tackle these issues by investigating the effects of long duration driving on discomfort and the range factors associated with driver discomfort. Furthermore, the ultimate goal of this research was develop and evaluate a novel objective measure of driver discomfort that focused on driver seat fidgets and movements (SFMs) with the aim of standardising discomfort evaluation within the automotive industry. Three laboratory studies and one field observation were conducted to address these aims whereby subjective and objective evaluations of discomfort were conducted during long term driving (ranging from 60 - 140 minutes). The results determined that a measure of driver SFMs can be effectively implemented into long duration driving trials to evaluate the effects of long term driving and vibration exposure on driver discomfort and subsequently used to make accurate predictions of overall discomfort. Large positive correlations have been determined between measures of SFMs and subjective ratings of overall discomfort (r2 > 0.9, P < 0.05) and the SFM method has been successfully repeated under a range of driving conditions. Driver seat fidget and movement (SFM) frequency is shown to significantly increase congruently with subjective ratings over the duration of a long term drive as drivers seek to cope with increased discomfort. It is proposed that drivers will record movements in the vehicle seat when discomfort reaches a threshold that is consciously or unconsciously perceived and as the duration of driving accrues, drivers will reach this threshold with increased frequency. A measure of both SFM frequency and total accumulative SFMs have been shown to accurately predict discomfort ratings and provides the basis for discomfort evaluations to be made via remote monitoring, removing the need for subjective assessment. During a long term drive, there becomes a point upon which improvements in seat design become ineffective as extended duration driving will result in discomfort regardless of how well the seat has been designed. It was shown that drivers will move in the vehicle seat to cope with increased discomfort and in addition, another method of combatting the negative effects of long term driving was investigated. Subjective and objective evaluation determined that breaks from driving will reduce discomfort both immediately and upon completion of a long term drive. Furthermore, these benefits were increased when drivers left the vehicle seat as discomfort was reset when drivers took a 10 minute walk. Walking during a break from driving can be considered the ultimate SFM. Drivers are recommended to plan breaks from driving when conducting a long duration journey in order to minimise discomfort and when taking a break, drivers should take a walk rather than remain seated in the vehicle.

The first South Sudanese elections in 2010 returned high proportions of women parliamentarians (32 per cent), largely as a result of gender quota provisions. In the case of post-conflict countries such as South Sudan, processes of political restructuring and constitutional ‘engineering’ can present opportunities for issues of women’s political representation to be institutionalised through gender quota laws. However, the gap between formal laws and their implementation in practice can result in uneven outcomes, particularly in the context of deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes and customs. Furthermore, whilst the comparative literature underscores the importance of factors such as institutional environment, ‘goodness of fit’, and sanctions for non-compliance in explaining successful outcomes, such elements are routinely absent in sub-Saharan Africa. It is important, therefore, to explain the apparent success story of gender quotas in South Sudan. There are few in-depth stories of the implementation of gender quotas. As such, the mix of formal rules and informal norms that plays out in a particular context – i.e. the rules-in-use – has been asserted rather than captured in practice. The thesis argues that tracing these micro processes is particularly important in post-conflict cases where formal political institutions are fragile and embryonic. The thesis aims to: a) tell the story of the adoption and implementation of gender quotas in South Sudan; b) identify key actors (including political parties), institutional processes, practices, and exogenous and endogenous factors contributing to success; c) explore the role of rules-in-use in implementation; and d) problematise the ‘success’ of quotas and future prospects for women by examining formal and informal institutions and their design. The study employs documentary analysis, interviews and observation methods, using a broadly institutionalist approach. Intensive fieldwork in South Sudan was conducted for one year from July 2010 to 2011, including informal discussions and briefings with political, religious and local government elites, female parliamentarians, and experts in the media, international development and academia. The thesis argues that political institutions are gendered, and therefore the understanding of adoption and implementation processes and norms is crucial to understanding both the success and shortfalls of gender quotas. It argues that political elites matter because they frame popular mandates, strategic discourses and the authoritative drive for quotas. Analysing the interaction between old and new institutions, the thesis shows the impact of legacies on outcomes. It argues that institutional design matters because the use of reserved-seat quotas had unintended consequences which diluted the impact of gender quota on the wider system by concentrating women. Although women are not formally confined to quota seats, in practice female aspirants seeking mainstream candidacies encountered considerable resistance, demonstrating the existence of informal norms which constrained their access to political power. The success of gender quotas is fragile and future prospects for women’s representation are uncertain. Gender quotas are constitutionally enshrined and there is continued evidence of rhetorical support. However, the new political institutions are deeply permeated with traditional norms and power dynamics that blunt the reformist potential of quotas and reinforce the gender status quo. The thesis provides a benchmark study of women and political recruitment in South Sudan and contributes a new empirical case to the comparative gender quotas literature, as well as to the regional literature on gender in post-conflict contexts.

Working to increase seatbelt usage among teenagers in rural settings: The Drive Alive Program (Under the direction of Dr. Monica Swahn) Background: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States. Teens are less likely to wear seatbelts than other age groups and more likely to be involved in a crash. The Drive Alive program was designed to improve seatbelt usage among teens. Purpose: This analysis aims to evaluate seatbelt use among teen drivers in a rural setting. Specifically, are there differences between males and females in terms of seatbelt use? Are drivers more likely to wear their seatbelts than passengers? Methods: Data was gathered from observational surveys (N= 3,743). Surveys were gathered by trained observers in South Georgia from 2010-2011. Records were analyzed in SPSS using three categories: occupant, sex, and belt use. The null hypotheses for this study are: 1) there is no significant difference between male and female drivers or passengers in seatbelt usage; and, 2) there is no significant difference between driver and passenger seatbelt usage. Results: Descriptive analyses were computed to determine average seatbelt use across all occupants. Chi Square for Independence tests were computed to determine differences between drivers and passengers and males and females. Females were significantly more likely than males to wear their seatbelt (Females, 70%; Males, 59%). There were no significant differences in seatbelt use for drivers and their passengers. Conclusions: Results for females being more likely to wear seatbelts is consistent with the literature. Future research might include comparison between schools with different versions of the program. Programs to increase seatbelt usage among teens should include parents, education, enforcement, teen-led activities, and partnership with educators and community organizations. Save the lives of young drivers by modeling seatbelt wearing, appropriately implementing comprehensive seatbelt use improvement programs, and enforcing the law. These simple measures will improve seatbelt use and reduce roadway fatalities.

The purpose of my thesis is to analyse the current legal situation, both from the Czech and European legislation point of view, concerning the transfer of the seat of a company within the area of the European Union. As evident from the title, the paper focuses on the topic from the European perspective primarily and the issue of the relocation of the seat from, or into, a non-member state is not dealt with in details. The thesis consists of four chapters. The first one introduces a necessary terminology connected with the relocation of the company's seat. Firstly the terms "personal status" on the one hand and "nationality" of the company on the other hand are compared. Then the incorporation theory and the real seat theory are briefly outlined, as well as the conflict that may arise between these doctrines. The second chapter relates to the relevant Czech legislation in this matter which is currently in force. The chapter is divided into three subchapters. The first one concerns the analysis of the important topic related paragraphs of the International Private Substantive and Procedural Law Act, the second one aims at interpreting the substantial provisions of the Commercial Code, finally the Conversion of the Companies and Cooperatives Act is reviewed with the special focus on the recent...

A indústria automotiva exige produtos que trabalhem em condições extremas. O desenvolvimento de componentes é uma ação de aperfeiçoar os motores de combustão interna para que atinjam a vida requerida com níveis de desgaste aceitáveis, respeitando os limites legais de operação, como por exemplo, valores de emissões de poluentes. Diante dessas exigências, se faz necessário estudar componentes considerados críticos que conhecidamente influenciam no desempenho do motor. A tribologia do par válvula e sede de válvula de admissão é um importante conjunto que se deve ter atenção quanto ao seu desgaste, visto que pode influenciar na degradação do motor quanto aos parâmetros de emissões de poluentes e requisitos operacionais de manutenção e de vida do produto. O objetivo foi avaliar o comportamento do par tribológico, válvula e sede de válvula de admissão, submetidos a ensaios em dinamômetro e veiculares (condições reais de operação), quanto ao nível e tipo de desgaste ocorrido no par. Os resultados obtidos foram correlacionados com os requisitos de desempenho legais e operacionais de um motor ciclo diesel, como também foi realizada a caracterização do tipo de desgaste ocorrido no par tribológico e comparada com a literatura específica. Com base nos resultados, concluiu-se que ocorreu uma excelente compatibilidade entre a válvula e a sede da válvula de admissão; o nível de desgaste não prejudicou o desempenho do motor e as emissões de poluentes; o par tribológico atendeu aos requisitos de trabalho extremos, como operação em altas temperaturas e pressão de combustão com baixas taxas de desgaste; e os tipos de desgastes observados foram classificados como desgaste adesivo e sinais de deformação plástica. / Automotive industry demands products that work under extreme conditions. The development of components for internal combustion engines is an action to improve this product, so that it reaches the required life with acceptable levels of wear and respecting the legal operating limits, such as values of emission pollutants. In view of these requirements, it is necessary to study components considered critical, which are known to influence the performance of the engine. So within this universe the tribology of the intake valve and valve seat insert is an important set, that must receive attention to its wear and consequently its influence to the engine degradation in the parameters of emission pollutants and performance related to the operational maintenance requirements and life of the product. The aim of this work is to evaluate the behavior of the tribological intake pair, valve and valve seat insert, submitted to dynamometer and vehicular tests (real operating conditions), regarding the level and type of wear occurred in the pair. The results were compared with legal and operational performance requirements of a diesel cycle engine, as well as the characterization of the wear type occurred in the tribological pair, with the related literature. Based on the results it was concluded that there was excellent compatibility between the valve and the valve seat material; the wear level did not impar the engine performance and emissions of pollutants; the tribological pair meeting extreme work requirements, such as high temperature operation and combustion pressure while maintaining low wear rates. The wear types observed were classified as adhesive wear and slight signs of shear strain wear.

Children are more vulnerable in vehicles compared to adults in collisions. Two main reasons are the different body structure between these two and vehicles are more designed to fit adults. Children’s head is larger relative to their body mass and their neck muscle ligaments are still not fully developed. Children are therefore in need of a restraint system that match their anatomy to make them protected during transportation in vehicles. Crash tests have shown that if children up to the age of five use rear-facing child car seats are the chances reduced of injuries by five times compared to front-facing. This report describes the development project of a concept which enables to fasten a rear-facing child car seat with the car seat belt. The objective was to design the fastening components for a rear-facing child car seat that suits children up to five years and considering the regulations, ECE R44, and the Swedish Plus test. This is a Master thesis that has been in collaboration with Company Xand Havd Group in Gothenburg. The project aimed to deliver a digital concept of the fastening components with information about the material, manufacturing methods, product costs, and design form. Also, was the aim to gather information through the project on what it takes to develop a rear-facing child car seat. The project consisted of five phases: planning, pre-study, ideation, detailed design and at last presentation of the result. The first phase was to plan and coordinate the project. A pre-study was then made investigating the products on the market, interviews with both users and experts regarding safety for children in vehicles, relevant literature for developing a child car seat was also collected and regulations were studied. The ideation phase developed ideas and three concepts were taken forward for development. One concept was chosen after decision making and the concept was more detailed designed in CAD.The result is presented through a CAD model which illustrates the design form and chosen material. The result is a concept that fastens the car seat belt with two hooks which can be connected to the child car seat base. In the base is two buckles designed to connect with the hooks, which uses the same fastening way used in the vehicles to fasten passengers. This is supposed to increase the usability of the installation. Material, manufacturing methods and product costs have been considered and are presented with the result.