Seat Comfort Research Articles

Consumer Moral Decision Making: The Impact of Alignable Versus Nonalignable Differences

Abstract Consumer choice decisions often involve a tradeoff between an alignable difference (a difference along a shared attribute) and a nonalignable difference (a difference between unique attributes of each alternative). For example, Café A provides friendly service, while Café B offers unwelcoming service (an alignable difference). However, Café A occasionally makes billing errors, and Café B has comfortable seating (a non-alignable difference). Prior research shows that alignable differences tend to have a greater impact on choice than nonalignable differences (known as the “alignability effect”). Yet, little research has examined tradeoffs involving moral attributes. Contrary to the prevailing evidence, eight studies (N = 2,861) demonstrate that in moral attribute tradeoffs, nonalignable (vs. alignable) differences have a greater impact on choice (termed the “nonalignability effect”). Consequently, consumers prefer an alternative that is superior on a nonalignable moral difference but inferior on an alignable moral difference. Moreover, in moral-quality tradeoffs, where one alternative is more ethical but is of lower quality, consumers show a stronger preference for the ethical alternative when its moral superiority is represented by a nonalignable (vs. alignable) difference. The nonalignability effect is driven by consumers’ unique decision process in making moral attribute tradeoffs, characterized by categorical valence coding and attribute-by-attribute win-loss counting.

Antagonistic Feedback Control of Muscle Length Changes for Efficient Involuntary Posture Stabilization.

Simultaneous and cooperative muscle activation results in involuntary posture stabilization in vertebrates. However, the mechanism through which more muscles than joints contribute to this stabilization remains unclear. We developed a computational human body model with 949 muscle action lines and 22 joints and examined muscle activation patterns for stabilizing right upper or lower extremity motions at a neutral body posture (NBP) under gravity using actor-critic reinforcement learning (ACRL). Two feedback control models (FCM), muscle length change (FCM-ML) and joint angle differences, were applied to ACRL with a normalized Gaussian network (ACRL-NGN) or deep deterministic policy gradient. Our findings indicate that among the six control methods, ACRL-NGN with FCM-ML, utilizing solely antagonistic feedback control of muscle length change without relying on synergy pattern control or categorizing muscles as flexors, extensors, agonists, or synergists, achieved the most efficient involuntary NBP stabilization. This finding suggests that vertebrate muscles are fundamentally controlled without categorization of muscles for targeted joint motion and are involuntarily controlled to achieve the NBP, which is the most comfortable posture under gravity. Thus, ACRL-NGN with FCM-ML is suitable for controlling humanoid muscles and enables the development of a comfortable seat design.

Optimize Airline Service Policy Based on Airline Passenger Satisfaction Data Analysis

As the preferred means of transportation for long-distance travel after the epidemic, whether an airline can stand out among its peers is deeply related to whether it can satisfy passengers, and the service quality of an airline can significantly affect passenger satisfaction. In this paper, random Forest is applied to judge the correlation between satisfaction and different service factors, and several factors that have the most significant impact on satisfaction are selected. The results show that the influence degree of Online. boarding, Inflight. wifi. service is significantly higher than other factors. Then, Legroom service, Inflight entertainment, departure-arrival time convenience, and Seat comfort are four factors with significant influence. Therefore, this paper believes that airlines should provide convenient online registration, rich flight entertainment activities, and comfortable seat space to improve passenger satisfaction under the premise of ensuring that their costs do not change much. In this way, airlines can greatly improve their competitiveness to attract and retain more loyal passengers.

Acute Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping After Exercise in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background Citrulline malate (CM), especially when used in conjunction with physical exercise, has demonstrated potential as a non-pharmacological adjunct in the management of hypertension. Nevertheless, its impact on nocturnal blood pressure dipping remains unexplored. Objective Evaluate the impact of a single dose of CM on nocturnal blood pressure dipping after exercise in hypertensive individuals. Methods In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial, twenty hypertensive adults (55 ± 16 years) were randomly assigned to either a CM (6 g) or placebo (6 g of corn starch) group (PLA). Resting blood pressure was measured after a 20-min period of comfortable seating in a calm environment. Both groups underwent 40 min of treadmill running/walking at an intensity of 60–70% of their reserve heart rate, 120 min after ingesting the substances. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was employed to measure blood pressure over 24 h. Results No significant differences in systolic blood pressure values were observed between the CM and PLA groups at rest, during wakefulness, sleep, or over a 24-h period. However, CM exhibited a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure in several metrics: delta 24 h (-14 mmHg vs −6 mmHg, p = 0.047), delta wakefulness (-12 mmHg vs −4 mmHg, p = 0.024), percent delta 24 h (-16% vs −6%, p = 0.024), and percent delta wakefulness (-14% vs −4%, p = 0.013). No significant differences were found between CM and PLA in terms of systolic and diastolic nocturnal absolute reductions (-13 mmHg vs −12 mmHg, p = 0.808, and −13 mmHg vs −8 mmHg, p = 0.273, respectively) or nocturnal percentage decrease (-9.9% vs −9.4%, p = 0.844, and −15.3% vs −11.7%, p = 0.399, respectively). Conclusions The study found no significant changes in the post-exercise nocturnal blood pressure dip following a single dose of CM supplementation. However, a notable reduction in diastolic blood pressure was observed during the waking period and over the average 24-h monitoring period. Clinical trial registry number and website ClinicalTrials.gov platform (NCT03378596).

An Investigation of the Effects of a Dynamic Vibration Absorber (DVA) to the Comfort of a Bus's Driver Seat

The frequency weighted acceleration, relative displacement, and Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility (SEAT) of a bus driver's seat are investigated by a 4 degrees of freedom (4DOF) vertical dynamic model, including a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA). The Root Mean Squared (RMS) values of the gain responses in the frequency domain are analyzed in the DVA damping ratio domain to help determine the optimal value of the DVA' s suspension. The obtained results show that the comfort evaluation index, in the case of a bus driver's seat with DVA, can be improved by more than 15% and nearly 10%, respectively, with the seat suspension natural frequency of 1~Hz and 4~Hz respectively. The comfort is better with the lower seat suspension natural frequency and vice versa. Especially in the case of both the seat and the DVA suspensions with low natural frequencies, all the three mean of evaluation indexes in the whole damping ratio domain of the DVA, have improved by more than 12%. This is the case with all three evaluation indexes which are the best when the damping ratio of the DVA is greater than 0.6.

Stated and Revealed Preferences Towards Bus Transport in Sri Lanka

This study aims to identify the attributes of public transportation buses (PTB) preferred by passengers, which will be perceived as the buses’ quality of service. PTB of Sri Lanka faces several issues impacting its quality, efficiency, and modal share. Understanding user perceptions is essential to enhancing service quality and addressing the challenges that deter bus usage. Thirteen shortlisted attributes were rated by 84 (61 Male and 23 Female) respondents, and the top five attributes were selected. The study gathered user preferences towards PTB using Stated Preference (SP) and Revealed Preference (RP) methods for the five chosen attributes. RP data were modelled using a multiple linear regression model with R language. The data set comprised 192 (127 Male and 65 Female) valid responses. SP data showed that the respondents favoured medium-speed buses (51.2%) that were clean and reliable. Time of arrival was the most crucial attribute (30.3%), followed by vehicle condition (24.3%). Segment analysis revealed that gender and vehicle ownership significantly impacted preferences. Both gender and vehicle ownership segments prioritised arrival time and least valued seat comfort. The study emphasises the importance of prioritising punctuality over comfort. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for policymakers to design more user-centric strategies, potentially enhancing the efficiency and attractiveness of bus services in Sri Lanka.

Perspectives of Families and Healthcare Staff on the Design of Inpatient Hospital Rooms in Saudi Arabia.

Aim: This study aims to explore the relationship between the perspectives of both family members and healthcare staff regarding the design of hospital inpatient rooms. It investigates the impact of family presence on the healing environment and examines the influence of specific design elements within inpatient rooms on the extent of family presence. Background: The positive impact of family presence in healthcare settings is rooted in the notion that patients and their families are significant stakeholders in the care process. However, little is known about the influence of inpatient room design elements on family presence in healthcare settings in the Middle East. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 359 participants, encompassing patients, family visitors, and healthcare professionals from three hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire items sought insights into the influence of design elements within inpatient rooms on family presence and the overall healing environment. Results: The results indicate a strong preference for single-patient rooms (74.5%), natural light (77.6%), comfortable seating (85.8%), and a family zone positioned by the window for unobstructed views of nature (50.5%). Furthermore, the study reveals that family presence is perceived to have positive effects on the healing environment (84.0%), patient safety (81.3%), and satisfaction with the care process (88.0%). Conclusion: This study proposes a design model for inpatient rooms that can effectively cater to the needs of patients and their families, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of healthcare building design.

Knowledge and experiences of adolescent girls and young women in the use of sexual reproductive health and HIV services at health facilities in Maputo City, Mozambique.

Knowledge and use of sexual reproductive health and human immunodeficiency virus (SRH and HIV) services are crucial for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This study aims to assess the knowledge and perceptions of AGYW about the SRH and HIV services offered in health facilities in Maputo, Mozambique. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on exit surveys with AGYW held at Zimpeto and 1° de Junho Health Facilities in Maputo City, between May 1, and June 9, 2023. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA, using SPSS version 20. 590 AGYW, aged 15-24 years of age, were included in the study. In general, knowledge of SRH and HIV services was fairly high, with knowledge of each specific service offered ranging between 38% and 97%. Knowledge about SRH and HIV services differed depending on the health facility where the AGYW sought SRH and HIV services; the participant's age; their occupation; their religion, and who they lived with. Counseling services were the most commonly reported services attended, with >90% of participants reporting having received counseling for each of the following: STI and HIV and pregnancy prevention, sexuality, and safer sex practices. The quality of SRH and HIV services, and attitudes of the providers were considered good by >90% of AGYW. Roughly 95% of AGYW at Zimpeto Health Facility were either "satisfied" or "very satisfied". Whereas at 1° de Junho Health Facility, only roughly 75% of AGYW were either "satisfied" or "very satisfied", and roughly 20% of AGYW were "little satisfied that their needs had been met that day. Among AGYW there is high levels of knowledge about counseling services in contrast to diagnostics, treatment and clinical care. Specific attention should be given to ensuring appropriate physical infrastructure, such as dedicated adolescent friendly spaces and comfortable seating, and targeted interventions designed and implemented for those health facilities's identified. Targeted interventions should be designed and implemented for those HF's identified with lower AGYW perceived quality of service delivery.

Forecasting airline passengers’ satisfaction based on sentiments and ratings: An application of VADER and machine learning techniques

To the best of the authors' knowledge, research predicting airline passengers' satisfaction based on their sentiments and ratings is seldom sighted. Additionally, the literature reveals that most studies have primarily concentrated on specific airlines or routes, neglecting to conduct a comparative analysis of satisfaction levels across numerous airlines and routes. Hence, this research aims to predict passengers' satisfaction by combining the sentiment of their reviews and ratings on various parameters like food, entertainment, seat comfort, ground service, and value for money. Using the "Skytrax Airline Reviews" dataset, which contains data about 81 airlines and 64440 reviews, our research analyzes and predicts airline passengers' satisfaction based on sentiments and ratings using nine popular machine learning techniques. The study found that the LightGBM obtains an accuracy of 97 percent in predicting customer satisfaction. The results further reveal that 'value for money' and 'ground service' are crucial factors in determining the passengers' satisfaction, whereas 'entertainment' had no significant impact. Our study thus provides a valuable tool for predicting airline industry customer satisfaction and gives insight into the factors contributing to passenger satisfaction. These findings can further help airlines better understand their passengers' needs and improve their services accordingly.

Towards a Personalized Seat Selection System of High-Speed Rail Based on Feasibility and Desirability

To conduct this research, we identified the current high-speed rail (HSR) market and passenger experience satisfaction with HSR. Then, we developed a personalized seat selection system that could assign passengers to different seats based on their own preferences by collecting their basic information. In the current HSR field, the existing research mainly focuses on improving hardware, such as seat comfort, high-speed rail traveling speed, and high-speed rail traveling smoothness. It does not consider travelers' environmental preferences and individual needs to a great extent. After several weeks of market research through the questionnaire and 4P model study, we concluded that the vast majority of passengers are dissatisfied with the current travel environment full of interruptions and are really willing to use a system that will improve their travel comfort. Therefore, the system will be added to a few major OTA platforms as a plug-in in order to reach a large number of potential customers. After that, we designed many features for our system based on the needs and interests of our target customers, as shown in the survey results, to confirm the desirability and feasibility of our product.

Hybrid Electric Cycle with Two Stoke Engine Based Two Wheel Terrain Vehicle

Introduction:: Hybrid bicycles combine the features of road bikes and mountain bikes, offering a versatile and practical mode of transportation. The focus of the hybrid bicycle project is on energy conservation. Designed with a lightweight frame, comfortable seating, and efficient wheels, these bikes provide riders with speed, control, and flexibility on various terrains. Their adaptability, ease of use, and low maintenance requirements contribute to their growing popularity. Method:: The hybrid bicycles in this project include a 250 W brushless motor, a lead-acid battery, a controller, and a 110 cc internal combustion engine commonly used in motorcycles and scooters. The engine operates on the principle of internal combustion, delivering optimal performance in a compact and lightweight package. The BLDC motor, known for its efficiency and reliability, utilizes permanent magnets to generate magnetic fields, eliminating the need for brushes and commutators. Lead-acid batteries, widely used in various applications, store and release electrical energy effectively. Controllers play a crucial role in managing electric motor operations, regulating speed, torque, and direction of rotation. Results:: Hybrid bicycles offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to cars for commuting. The paper explores hybrid bicycles' design, advantages, and potential impact on the environment and public health, aiming to encourage their adoption for daily commutes and recreational activities. The Speed range about 40-45 km/hr with 2.688 hrs of effective battery Conclusion:: It also discusses the potential for advancements in battery-powered electric hybrid bikes to enhance their appeal and impact. Ultimately, hybrid bicycles have the potential to reduce traffic congestion and decrease air pollution.

Analysis of Factors Influencing The Decline in Public Transportation Interest in Timika City

This research aims to determine the factors influencing the reduction of public transportation in Timika City. The method used is quantitative, which is collecting data through questionnaires. The research results show that several factors influencing the reduction in public transportation in Timika City are limited accessibility, service, and comfort. The analysis used in this research is multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this research explain that variable X1, namely accessibility, and variable X2, namely service, have a positive and insignificant influence on the interest of public transport users. Meanwhile, variable X3, namely comfort, has a positive and significant effect on the interest of public transport users. The implications of this study show that increasing comfort is the most significant factor in attracting public interest in using public transportation in Timika City. Improvements in accessibility and quality of service, while important, are not enough without increased convenience. Effective strategies should focus on improving hygiene, seat comfort, in-vehicle temperature, and tranquility during the trip.

An analytical study on Opinions of the sample passengers of Iraqi airways

The purpose of the study: Being one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East region, Iraqi Airways serves its customers with both domestic and regional travel flight services. This study aims to investigate the extent of satisfaction derived by the passengers of Iraqi Airways. Methodology: A survey was conducted with 300 customers who were using Iraqi Airways from Iraq. Thus, the passengers who used Iraqi Airways were contacted through travel agents. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 300 customers using Google Forms, out of which 223 were filled in and returned by respondents. The descriptive-analytical method of analysis for this study took the dimension of examining the passengers’ satisfaction towards Iraqi Airways based on the in-flight service variables namely: Crew Friendliness, Food and beverage, Cabin cleanliness, Seat comfort, Digital Entertainment, Toilet comfort, Child care, using SPSS VERSION 11 Results: The findings of the study state that the level of satisfaction from in-flight services is not up to the mark and especially passengers are not happy with crew friendliness, seat and toilet comfort. So they are not ready to recommend others to fly in Iraqi Airways, rather do they care about using the airlines again? Also, the awareness of customers towards the promotion programs and advertisements of Iraqi Airways is very low. Conclusion and recommendation: Since the influence of in-flight services is considerably strong the airlines have to focus their efforts on bringing the satisfaction of passengers up-to the expected level rather than directly shifting to the fleet and route expansion.

A study on the formative usability testing for modular powered wheelchair

The increasing prevalence of mobility impairments underscores the urgent need for accessible and affordable mobility aids. To overcome the mobility limitations of people with disabilities, there is an increasing need for the development of lightweight and portable powered wheelchairs that can be easily loaded. This study aimed to perform an early health technology assessment and a formative usability evaluation on a modular (detachable) powered wheelchair. It aimed to gauge device satisfaction among users, pinpoint areas for improvement, and detect any unforeseen errors to inform future development. Engaging 16 participants, including powered wheelchair users, healthcare professionals, and caregivers, the research evaluated the wheelchair’s functionality in various scenarios, emphasizing safety, effectiveness, and convenience. Statistical analyses of task performance and satisfaction surveys highlighted that, while powered wheelchair users successfully completed tasks focusing on driving and power control, healthcare professionals and caregivers encountered difficulties with the wheelchair’s assembly and disassembly. Despite general positivity, the surveys indicated mixed satisfaction levels regarding safety, validity, and convenience, with specific issues related to frame durability, seat comfort, and control mechanisms. These findings suggest that refining the wheelchair’s design and addressing user concerns could significantly enhance satisfaction and mobility services. Future efforts will include a thorough review of an advanced prototype and further satisfaction assessments.

How Has COVID-19 Affected Airline Passenger Satisfaction? Evaluating The Passenger Satisfaction of European Short-Haul Low-Cost Carriers Pre- and Post-COVID-19

This paper investigates whether there has been a change in passenger satisfaction drivers for the three largest short-haul low-cost carriers in Europe before and after COVID-19. User-generated content on the Skytrax platform was used as the data source for passenger satisfaction, and these secondary data were scraped using the Web Scraper tool. Binary logistic regression was used for the classification model related to passenger satisfaction, and ROC analysis was used to evaluate the classification performance of the model. The findings suggested that the service attributes of seat comfort, cabin staff services, and ground services are significant predictors of value for money, and the value for money is a significant determinant of overall satisfaction in both periods. Additionally, it was revealed that ground service is the most important determinant of the value for money perception. The results also indicate that in the post-COVID-19 period, the predictive power of seat comfort has decreased while the predictive power of ground services has increased.

1F4-2 The Analysis of Evaluation Structure of Seating Comfort of Excavator Seat

1F4-2 The Analysis of Evaluation Structure of Seating Comfort of Excavator Seat

Detailed development and validation of a finite element model for studying the entire spinal vibration behavior within a seated human body

Studying the vibration behavior of the entire spine can guide the design of seat comfort and vibration safety. However, due to simplification of traditional biomechanical models, very few studies have analyzed in detail the vibration behavior characteristics of the entire spine inside a seated human body. Therefore, this study aimed to provide guidance and reference for spinal modeling and biomechanical research in ergonomics. A developed finite element model of three-dimensional seated human body was validated and adjusted based on anatomical data of human spine in detail. Static analysis, modal analysis and random response analysis (under vertical excitation between 0 and 20 Hz at 1 m/s2 r.m.s.) were conducted. The range of motion, modal frequencies and the tri-axial transmissibility of the developed models matched well with experimental results. In the vertical resonance mode, the entire spine contained both vertical deformation (60% of the total) and vertical displacement (40%), in addition, the cervical spine, especially the lumbar spine, also contained bending deformation which could alleviate the impact, but led to complex alternating stresses, increasing the risks of the spinal injuries under vertical whole-body vibration. From the bottom to the top of the spine, the frequency distribution of vertical transmissibility became steeper, the peak value increased, and the number of peaks decreased. This study provided new insights into the vibration behavior and frequency response of the entire spine inside a seated human body for improving seat comfort and vibration safety.

Human-Centered Design and Manufacturing of a Pressure-Profile-Based Pad for Better Car Seat Comfort

A car seat’s function is to support, protect, and make passengers and drivers feel comfortable during a trip. A more uniform pressure distribution and a larger contact area usually provide less discomfort. Consequently, the seat pan’s material and geometry play an essential role in the design process. A shaped pad was opportunely designed and realized, starting from the pressure distributions between the buttocks and the seat pan; pressure data were acquired during an initial experiment involving 41 people, representing a wide range of percentiles. The shaped pad was compared with a standard one by building a special seat with an interchangeable internal pad and testing the standard and the new seat; the second experiment involved 52 people that tested both seats. The tests were conducted to assess comfort (33 subjects were asked to be seated for 1 min each) and discomfort (19 subjects were asked to be seated for 15 min each); during the tests, pressure distribution and contact area data were gathered. The results showed that, for both tests, about 80% of the participants, among which 100% of the female sample, preferred the shaped seat pan pad. Even if the material was exactly the same, the shaped pad seemed to be softer, more comfortable, and more suited to the body’s shape than the standard one. The design methodology was demonstrated to be very useful for granting a more uniform pressure distribution and a wider contact area, i.e., higher comfort and less discomfort.

Application of Multiple Linear Regression Analysis in Ergonomics Study for Public Institution Seat W idth

Objectives: To determine minimum seat width of comfortable seating for adult population, using multiple linear regression analysis on chair leg thickness, chair leg width, chair apron width, and knee height. Methods: Dimensions of three (3) factors were recorded using 310 adult workers. Multiple linear regression was used for statistical analysis for understanding how multiple factors (like chair leg thickness, chair leg width, chair apron width, and knee height) influence a single outcome to enhance comfortable seating. The collected data (chair leg thickness, chair leg width, chair apron width, and knee height) was analysed with the help of the analysis tool. Findings: The analysis used four predictors (knee height, chair leg thickness, chair leg width, and chair apron width) to obtain one predicted variable (seat width) to achieve comfortable seating based on these measurements. Subsequently, a moderate correlation existed between predictors and predicted variables, while correlations between predictors were less than 0.7 for them to be retained in the model. The coefficient of determination ( ) is 0.3003, indicating that 30.03% of the variance in predictors could be explained by seat width. Based on the comfort assessment and analysis results, required widths that ensure comfortable seating for the target population can be recommended in public institutions. Overall, this research has the potential to improve public health, comfort, and productivity by creating data-driven design standards for seating in public institutions. Novelty: The study focused on elderly workers who patronise this furniture in the administration block of public institutions. Keywords: Multiple linear regression, Ergonomics, Knee height, Chair component dimensions, Seat width

Analysis of the Quality of Subdistrict Integrated Administration Services (PATEN)

The study analyzed the quality of Subdistrict Integrated Administration Service Delivery (PATEN) at the Samarinda Ilir District Office in Samarinda City, focusing on its supporting and inhibiting factors. The research used a qualitative approach, including purposive and accidental sampling techniques, in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and documentation studies. The results showed good patent implementation quality, as measured by the five dimensions of public service quality analysis: reliability, responsiveness, certainty, empathy, and tangibility. Supporting factors included adequate office service facilities, air conditioning, television, and comfortable seating. However, the inhibiting factor was the lack of informal socialization among the community. The study also highlighted the management of licensing services in the sub-district, following laws and regulations.