Thesis (MAppSci in Physiotherapy) -- University of South Australia, 1994

Thesis (MAppSci in Physiotherapy) -- University of South Australia, 1994

Thesis (MAppSci in Physiotherapy) -- University of South Australia, 1994

A method to distinguish human level of comfort has been developed by using a thermal camera, physiological sensors, and a surroundings sensor. The method has successfully collected data from hominal facial features, breathing rate, skin temperature, room temperature, blood volume pressure, relative humidity, and air velocity. Participants from all genders and races were involved in two sessions of a human comfort experiment including a psychology survey session. The variables, such as room temperature and clothing are controlled to maintain steady test conditions. The region of interest was determined by body temperature and facial temperature as registered by the thermal imaging camera. To experience different levels of discomfort, participants were required to perform two different activities. The first session included an activity on the air resistance elliptical and the second session required the subjects to remain steady in front of a fan. The data was subsequently compared on all subjects to determine whether human discomfort and comfort can be predicted by using various approaches. The parameters of discomfort and comfort were simulated to characterize human levels of comfort. According to arrangement of correlation among thermal comfort responses, blood volume pressure, skin temperature, respiration, and skin conduction, we are be able to predict discomfort and comfort affective states.

The purpose of this research is to investigate human comfort criteria under steady-state conditions as a function of ambient air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, level of activity, and clothing insulation. Since the current ASHRAE Standard 55-1994 is for sedentary activity, this study will consider relative humidity (20% to 65%), dry bulb temperature (73 oF to 82 oF), air velocity (30 fpm and 50 fpm), and sedentary-to-moderate activity. The mean radiant temperature will be taken to be the same as the ambient air temperature. The experimental results collected at the Kansas State University Environmental Test Chamber are compared with the Fanger (1982) thermal comfort model and with ASHRAE Standard 55-1994. The experimental study results agreed well with ASHARE Standard 55-1994 for 1-met activity level (sedentary), and the thermal comfort for 1-met activity level was predicted with reasonable accuracy by Fanger?s (1982) Model. For 2.3 met activity level, the experimental results did not agree with ASHRAE Standard 55-1994 or the Fanger Model predictions.

A comprehensive comparison between an air-inflated seat cushion designed for truck seats and a commonly used foam cushion is provided, using a single-axis test rig designed for dynamic seat testing. Different types of tests are conducted in order to evaluate various aspects of each type of cushion; in terms of their response to narrow-band (single frequency) dynamics, broadband input of the type that is commonly used in the trucking industry for testing seats (ISO2), and a step input for assessing the damping characteristics of each cushion. The tests were conducted over a twelve-hour period -- in four-hour intervals -- measuring the changes that occur at the seat cushion over time and assessing how these changes can affect the metrics that are used for evaluating the cushions. The tests indicated a greater stiffening of the foam cushion over time, as compared with the air-inflated cushion that showed almost no change in stiffness when exposed to a static weight for twelve hours. Furthermore, pressure measurements at the seat showed higher-pressure concentrations for the foam cushion at the bony prominence of the seat profile -- namely, the ischial tuberosities -- as compared to the air-inflated cushion. A series of tests aimed at evaluating the damping properties of each cushion showed both cushions to have nearly identical damping properties. Other methods used for evaluating the dynamic properties of the two seat cushions included those recommended by studies in the past, as well as new techniques that were developed specifically for this study. The new techniques, named Seat Pressure Distribution (SPD%) and Area Pcrms (aPcrms) for the purpose of this study, are formulated such that they can best highlight the dynamic differences between different types of seat cushions, and their effect on driver comfort. The results show that the air-inflated seat cushion can provide significant improvements in pressure distribution between the seat cushion and the driver, therefore providing a more comfortable ride and causing less fatigue. / Master of Science

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att jämföra den initiala komforten mellan sfäriska och asfäriska stabila linser då uppfattningen har varit att asfäriska linser (med sin mer följsamma passform) borde vara bekvämare. Metoder: Studien omfattade 30 deltagare med en medelålder på 26 år. Med hjälp av topografens (Topcon CA-100) kontaktlinstillpassningsprogramvara valdes en sfärisk A- design lins (från Nordiska Lins) och en asfärisk A90 lins (från Expert Optik, Sverige) ut med passande parametrar. Linserna sattes i vardera öga utan att försökspersonen visste vilken lins som var vilken. Efter 5 respektive 15 minuter fick patienten, med hjälp av en modifierad VAS-skala, avgöra hur linserna kändes både i höger och vänster öga. Resultat: Ingen signifikant skillnad i komforten mellan de asfäriska och sfäriska linserna varken observerades efter 5 (p=0,78) eller 15 (p=0,84) minuter. Överlag ökade komforten både för de asfäriska och för de sfäriska linserna efter att de suttit i en stund; komforten ökade med 0,9 enheter för de asfäriska respektive 1,1 enheter för de sfäriska linserna mellan 5 och 15 minuters bärtid. Det fanns en signifikant skillnad i komfort för den enskilda asfäriska linsen mellan första och andra graderingstillfället (p=0,015) och samma gällde de sfäriska (p=0,0001). Slutsats: Resultatet visar ingen markant skillnad i initial komfort på stabila linser med dessa olika typer av designer; en multikurvig asfärisk samt en trekurvig sfärisk lins. Med detta i åtanke behöver man inte, ur ett komfortmässigt perspektiv, ta hänsyn till den specifika designen vid tillpassning med moderna stabila linser.

Auditors need to feel comfortable when signing the audit in order to produce comfort to society. Today, most companies use complex IT-systems that require that an IT-audit is performed. Rarely auditors possess the sufficient knowledge to perform the IT-audit and therefore an external part of the audit team is involved, namely IT-auditors. It can therefore be problematic for the auditors to ensure the quality of this part of the audit. In this thesis we aim to widen the understanding of how IT-auditors affect how auditors experience that they become comfortable. To investigate the addressed problem the following research question is asked: How do financial auditors experience that they become comfortable with IT-auditors? Ten auditors were interviewed on how they experience the different senses of the Comfort theory to become comfortable. With these senses as background, the study’s aim is to gain a perception of how auditors in Sweden perceive that they become comfortable with IT-auditors, which makes the auditor comfortable to sign the audit. The conclusions are that certain characteristics, such as technical and social skills together with good communication and understanding of the IT- auditors work is perceived as important factors for auditors to become comfortable

This dissertation is comprised of three different studies researching user perception of comfort when using wearable technology. The first study investigated the use of altered smart glasses to study comfort, preference, and performance while executing common logistical order picking and shipment putting tasks. The impact of design type (weighted front, side, or back) was investigated using comfort rating scales (CRS). There was no significant difference in device preference regardless of task type. Despite the side weighted arrangement being the most comfortable, the participants still felt uncomfortable. The second study explored modifying the weights to the six dimensions of the CRS to create a comfort score. There was a strong correlation between the weighted and unweighted comfort score. Participants identified Harm as the most important dimension. The results suggest that the participants valued importance did not make a difference in the comfort score. The final study examined the use of a wand scanner and two wearable devices to study comfort and performance while executing common logistical shipment putting tasks. The impact of the wearables was investigated using the CRS. Participants identified the ring and wand scanner to be the most comfortable and the glasses as the least comfortable device. The CRS scores showed that participants became more uncomfortable using the smart glasses over time during the completion of the putting task. These three studies provided insight for industry from a comfort perspective that will be helpful when trying to incorporate wearable technology in the work place.

This thesis presents a body of work conducted in the field of domestic thermal comfort. The aim of this research was to determine the suitability of the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index in homes within the UK. Two field studies were conducted with a sample of participants living in owner occupied properties in a UK city (London) and a UK provincial town (Loughborough). Research findings indicate that the PMV is indeed a good predictor of thermal sensation in homes when conditions are steady state and people are engaged in near-sedentary activities. When conditions are not steady state and people are engaged in a variety of household activities, the accuracy of the PMV index can be improved by using a metabolic rate coefficient of 1.7. Further research work is required to ascertain this and likewise the range of applicability of the Adaptive Model.