Front Seat Research Articles

Regime-sanctioned oligarchs

No oligarchic system, similar to those in Ukraine or Russia, developed in Belarus after 1991, but the formation of a group of prominent regime-linked businessmen has accelerated in recent years. They owe their influence to informal concessions from the regime to do business in selected sectors of the economy. They often do not take over state property but act as intermediaries, earning a hefty commission for doing so. They also operate in the criminal sphere, primarily involving the large-scale smuggling of goods into Russia and the European Union. This article aims to show the evolution and specifics of big business in Belarus. The growing capital potential of big Belarusian businessmen, estimated at a dozen or so, and their rising influence on the economic decisions made by the authorities while maintaining total political loyalty, make it justified to call at least some of them oligarchs. The system emerging in Belarus bears certain similarities to some post-Soviet oligarchic systems while having its own distinctive features. The accumulated capital and contacts give at least some of the emerging Belarusian oligarchs a good starting position for taking a front seat in a possible future political transformation, should the conditions arise for that to begin.

Prediction of Seat Belt Use Behavior among Adolescents Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Background: Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) are the important causes of unintentional injuries and deaths. In this respect, seat belt wearing is an influential factor in reducing the mortality and severity of road traffic injuries. The rate of seat belt use among is lower adolescents, compared to adults. The present study aimed to investigate the influential factors on seat belt-wearing behavior among adolescent students as car occupants based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Study design: A cross-sectional design. Methods: This study was conducted among 952 adolescent students studying in grades 7, 8, and 9 in the schools of Tabriz, Iran, in the 2019-20 academic year. A researcher-made questionnaire was designed based on TPB for data collection, the validity and reliability of which have been confirmed. Results: The results indicated that the rate of seat belt use in the front seat inside the city was lower than that outside the city. Regarding TPB constructs, perceived behavioral control (β=0.137; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.013; P<0.001), subjective norm (β=0.313; 95% CI: 0.021, 0.032; P<0.001), and attitude (β=0.322; 95% CI: 0.034, 0.053; P<0.001) had a significant and positive relationship with the intention of seat belt-wearing behavior. Moreover, the behavioral intention (β=0.571; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.64; P<0.001) had a significantly positive relationship with seat belt-wearing behavior. Conclusion: The Theory of Planned Behavior is appropriate to determine predictor factors of seat belt-wearing behavior among adolescent students as car occupants. In addition, the results of the present study may provide a theoretical basis for policy-making to improve adolescent students' seat belt use.

Validation of MADYMO human body model in braking maneuver with highly reclined seatback

Dummies are applied to validate the restraint system and indicate injury risk, but it is not sufficient for alternative postures, for example, the highly reclined seatback posture in a driverless function and a long journey. Computer simulation provides valuable information and might overcome the disadvantages of the physical dummy and simulate the occupant response better than the dummy in alternative postures. HBMs were used to investigate the occupant kinematics in a frontal crash with a highly reclined seatback, but the kinematics of the occupant in the pre-crash was not considered in such simulation models. The postures of the occupant prior to a crash impact the injury severity. It was assumed that the occupant seats on the front seat with the seatback reclining fully, and a braking maneuver is expected in about 0.5 to 1 s before an accident in the autonomous driving mode. At this moment, the occupant's posture is totally different from the initial time. The occupant kinematics in the successive crash should be calculated and derived from this point. This study addressed the occupant's posture and kinematics in the pre-crash in the case wherein the seatback reclined rearward partly or fully. The study used the MADYMO human body model to simulate the occupant posture and a dataset of the volunteer test to validate the model. It may be used sensitively to investigate the kinematics of the occupant posture in a frontal crash with the reclined seatback, and in some other studies of the occupant response during autonomous driving.

Faith, Fear, and Other F-Words

Faith, Fear, and Other F-Words

차량용 공기 순환 장치가 후석 승객의 온열 쾌적성에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

Recently, automotive industry in Southeast Asia and India has enlarged and lifestyle has been changed, with time spending in an automotive showing a gradual increase. Accordingly, thermal comfort that passengers feel inside the cabin of an automotive is more important than other region. Current air-conditioning system is dependent on the cool-down performance of an HVAC located inside the front instrument panel that supplies cold air from the front cabin to the rear cabin. Therefore, front seat passengers and rear seat passengers can feel thermal comfort quite differently because of solar radiation through windows, air flow velocities, and blowing air path in the cabin. In this study, to increase thermal comfort for rear passengers, especially those in 2nd row and 3rd row seats, an air-circulator was developed. The air-circulator was subjected to computational fluid analysis to find the appropriate airflow volume, air distribution rate, and air direction for passengers in 2nd row and 3rd row seats. Air-conditioning system cool-down performance, PMV, and subjective evaluation of thermal comfort of vehicle experiments were also carried out. As the result, roof top mounted air-circulator was optimized by computational analysis and experimental study. It was a quite good solution for improving cabin thermal comfort for passengers in 2nd row and 3rd row seats with cost effectiveness and a compact package.

The spectrum of body injuries of the driver and passenger in the case of a lethal traffic injury in a frontal collision in the interior of class E cars

The article discusses the state of examination of a lethal automobile injury to a driver and a passenger in a frontal collision in the passenger compartment of class E cars.&#x0D; Aim of the work. Investigate the injuries of the driver and passenger in the passenger compartment of an E class car and highlight the signs of being in the passenger compartment in the driver’s or passenger’s seat for practical use in forensic medical research.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The objects of the study were 179 «Acts of forensic medical examination of corpses» and «Conclusions of an expert» on road accidents accompanied by injury and death of people obtained from the archives of the Zhytomyr Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, accompanied by the death of persons inside car. The damage to the driver and passenger in a frontal collision in the passenger compartment of class E cars was carefully considered. A set of proven reliable methods was used in the work: anthropometric, morphometric, photographic, forensic, statistical analysis.&#x0D; Results. As a result of the registration of damages, the features inherent in damages received in the passenger compartment of an E-class car in a frontal collision were revealed. In particular: injuries to the soft tissues of the left leg prevailed among the front seat passengers, and not among the drivers, as is commonly believed; fractures of the bones of the lower extremities were found only in drivers; fractures of the bones of the right upper limb were observed only in front seat passengers; damage to the soft tissues of the left hand was characteristic only of drivers; the drivers had pelvic fractures on the right and left; the drivers had rib fractures on the left in combination with ruptures of the lungs on the side of the injury; the passengers had injuries to the ribs on the right, but no right-sided ruptures of the lungs were recorded.&#x0D; Conclusions. It has been established that the spectrum of damage to a driver and a passenger in a fatal car injury in a frontal collision in the passenger compartment of class E cars is characterized by a sufficient variety. Fractures of the right and left lower extremities and fractures of the thoracic spine are among the features that distinguished the driver from the passenger in a frontal collision in the passenger compartment of class E cars.

Biosensors as Nano-Analytical Tools for COVID-19 Detection.

Selective, sensitive and affordable techniques to detect disease and underlying health issues have been developed recently. Biosensors as nanoanalytical tools have taken a front seat in this context. Nanotechnology-enabled progress in the health sector has aided in disease and pandemic management at a very early stage efficiently. This report reflects the state-of-the-art of nanobiosensor-based virus detection technology in terms of their detection methods, targets, limits of detection, range, sensitivity, assay time, etc. The article effectively summarizes the challenges with traditional technologies and newly emerging biosensors, including the nanotechnology-based detection kit for COVID-19; optically enhanced technology; and electrochemical, smart and wearable enabled nanobiosensors. The less explored but crucial piezoelectric nanobiosensor and the reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)-based biosensor are also discussed here. The article could be of significance to researchers and doctors dedicated to developing potent, versatile biosensors for the rapid identification of COVID-19. This kind of report is needed for selecting suitable treatments and to avert epidemics.

Investigation of effective factors on traumatic amputations due to road traffic accidents

AimTo determine factors associated with the locations, types and levels of traumatic limb amputations caused by road traffic accidents. Materials and MethodsThe files sent by the courts to the expert committee chaired by the authors for the determination of applicants’ disability rate over the 10-year period between 2011 and 2020 were examined retrospectively. ResultsOf the 27 cases with traumatic amputations caused by road traffic accidents, 63% of them were male and the mean age of the cases was 29.0 ± 20.0 years. The cases comprised 12 passengers, 10 pedestrians, and 5 drivers. Of all, 66.7% of the amputations were caused by automobile accidents, 59.3% of them were in lower limbs, 51.9% of them were on the right side, and most of them occurred below the elbow/knee levels. Amputations occurred more frequently in lower limbs that are contralateral to the side of the traffic flow, in drivers, and in front seat passengers. ConclusionThe findings in this preliminary study need to be confirmed in studies to be conducted in larger series. The findings of these studies will shed light on technological developments that can be used in the prevention of serious injuries that lead to post-accident traumatic amputations.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

Leaving a dog locked in her car led to a woman's arrest for drug possession — although the woman was in the car too, and the dog was fine. Police checked the vehicle of the Wisconsin woman after seeing her dog. She is charged with felony possession of narcotic drugs, felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of an illegally obtained prescription drug and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Juneau County Star‐Times. If convicted, she faces up to three years and six months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for each of the felony charges. The police officer saw the windows fogged up but didn't see anyone in the car at first, just the dog. When he walked to the window, the dog seemed fine, but there was a woman curled up on the front seat. The officer, after knocking on the window and receiving no response, saw track marks on the woman's arms, and there was an orange hypodermic needle cap next to the shifter. He believed she was overdosing, and another officer arrived on the scene and recognized the woman as a drug user who had a drug warrant and a failure to pay child services warrant. She was placed under arrest. A search of the vehicle found Narcan, pills and other substances. She is scheduled to be arraigned in March. There was no other indication of what happened to the dog, but apparently both were released.

Analysis of features of frontal collision of class D cars

Currently, there is a significant increase in road accidents, which can be associated with an increase in the number of cars, the condition of roads in the country and compliance with road discipline by road users. Modern automotive industry pays great attention to road safety. This is ensured by changes in the design of car interiors, which significantly affects the nature of injuries to victims of road accidents. That is why the solution of this issue has become extremely relevant for forensic expert practice.&#x0D; Aim of the work. To establish the characteristic injuries of the driver and passenger in the cabin of class D cars in a frontal collision.&#x0D; Material and methods. The analysis of road accidents from 2008 to 2021 in Zhytomyr, Rivne, Volyn regions of Ukraine is carried out. Cases of a fatal head-on collision with a driver and passenger in the front seat of a car with an engine capacity of 2-2.5 liters up to 4.7 meters long and 1.81 meters wide were considered. General and special methods used: system-structural analysis, observation, comparison, description. In addition, a forensic examination of the damage was conducted. Statistical analysis included primary data processing by descriptive statistics methods and null hypothesis testing by multifactor analysis.&#x0D; Results. A number of new features have been identified, which are inherent in the damage received in the cabin of a class D car, which can help to identify during the forensic examination. In particular, you should pay attention to the presence of neck injuries. According to the literature, injuries of the cervical spine are among the key and include: rupture of the atlanto-occipital ligament, dislocation and subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint, damage to the spinal cord and its membranes.&#x0D; Conclusions: The location and morphological features of spinal injuries can be used as diagnostic criteria in determining the location of the victim in the cabin of a mobile car class D in a frontal collision. The most informative is the analysis of injuries of the cervical spine of the driver and front passenger.

Characteristics of shell fragments after hitting triplex car glass with shots from a hunting “Saiga” carbine under the 5.45×39 cartridge

Background: The article aims to assess the possibilities of innovative research methods in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersion analysis (EDS) forensic medicine. The described methods were used in experimental studies of a gunshot retrograde injury. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the particles formed during the destruction of a semi-shell shell and an obstacle (triplex car glass) when fired from a hunting Saiga carbine with 5.4539 cartridges. Material and methods: Triplex windshields from BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars were used as barriers. The shots were fired from a hunting Saiga carbine with a 5.4539 cartridge from a distance of 10 m. As targets, white calico with dimensions of 100150 cm was used, while stretched on a wooden frame or fixed on a chipboard. The distance between the target and the barrier was 100 cm, which approximately corresponded to the distance from the car windshield to the driver and the passenger in the front seat. The studies were conducted using the SEM Hitachi FlexSem1000 II and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer Bruker Quantax 80. Results: Microscopy helped identify seven types of foreign bodies on the surface of the target, which were the products of destruction of the fire projectile and the barrier: glass fragments, glass fragments, crumbly depositions of glass particles, glass fragments caked with the projectile metal, fragments of the projectile, spherical metal particles, and overlays of molten metal in the form of puddles. EDS helped determine the elemental composition of the barrier particles, fire shell, and the overlap of target particles. Conclusion. The experimental study demonstrated that the use of SEM and EDS significantly increased the effectiveness and evidence-based expert research value while solving the problems of causing damage through the barrier-the windscreen of modern cars.

Symbolism in Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

This paper analysed Ernest Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber using New Criticism framework on symbolism. Comparisons of drinks, clothes, and colours paralleled the difference between Francis, a wealthy yet unconfident man, and Wilson, a man of masculinity. The next was the sitting positions of the characters in the car in which front seat symbolised authority and power whereas back seat inferiority and lack of confidence. Car symbolised protection, segregation, and power for Margot, whereas camp, and savannah foresaw Francis’ transformation from a wealthy person of comfort (camp) to a man of manly conviction signified with savannah offering wilderness. This transformation was also attributed to Francis’ overcoming obstacles symbolised with a lion and buffalos. Guns and rifles possessed by male characters indicated their dominance with Margot, the only female, practically left-out, except by the end of the story when she wielded a rifle shooting Francis dead.

Measurement verification of reverberation time in seating areas close to the lateral wall in the auditorium

This study started with building a database for existed Jockey Club Auditorium. Using impulse response method to measure numerous seats which cover the whole auditorium. Reverberation time distributed in four range parameters simply look up the hall acoustic performance visualizing by chromatogram. With the hall geometric data and the first lateral reflection path difference calculated from the point of source and receiver in seating areas close to lateral wall, The measurement shows in bass and middle frequency, Early delay time and T20 and T30 exists large fluctuation which reveals seat-dip effect in the front seat area. While in mid and high frequency, T30 presents stable values indicating the direct sound and lateral reflection are predominant in early sound attenuation. Computer simulation is using Pachyderm Acoustical Simulation plug-in based on parametric architectural design software Rhino. Sound attenuation can be calculated with surface shapes defined surface transform efficiency by diffracting energy. However, Reverberation time differences still exist by comparing actual measurement and computer simulation results.

Characteristics of bodily injuries of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities in car trauma

Background. Fractures of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities as a result of a road traffic accident are the most frequent localization of injuries in victims, however, the structure of pedestrian and intra-salon injuries has not been sufficiently studied. Objective - to study the nature of injuries in victims of a car injury to the pelvic girdle and lower extremities. Methods. Research material - 170 acts of primary forensic medical examinations of victims with fractures of the pelvic bones and long bones of the lower extremities, received as a result of a non-lethal automobile injury. An expert assessment of the nature of bodily injuries was carried out at the Kharkiv Regional Bureau of Forensic Medicine (KRBSFM) within a period of no more than 1 month after injury. Acts of primary forensic medical examinations were selected at random for the period February - June 2018. Research methods - retrospective analysis, descriptive statistics. Results. Among the injured as a result of a car injury - 129 (75.9%) pedestrians, 23 (13.5%) drivers, 14 (8.2%) front seat passengers and 4 (2.4%) rear seat passengers. Thus, pedestrians and car drivers are the most vulnerable to road traffic injuries; the most protected rear seat passengers. Men predominated among the drivers; in the remaining groups of victims, the gender distribution was generally even. Among the participants in the accident were mainly people of working age. Injuries to the chest (26.5%), head (25.9%), abdomen (16.5%) prevailed among the associated injuries. Conclusion. A distinctive feature of injuries sustained as a result of a collision of a pedestrian or a car with another car with a relatively low speed of movement was an isolated injury to the bones of the pelvic girdle or lower extremities, both during pedestrian and intra-salon trauma. All the victims had injuries of the integumentary system of various localization in the form of subcutaneous hematomas and abrasions (158; 92.9%), bruised lacerations (96; 56.5%), stamp injuries (62; 36.5%). The main mechanism of pedestrian injury is the direct impact of the traumatic force with the formation of primary injuries in the form of bumper fractures of the shin bones (35.9%), hip (22.4%) and pelvis (10%).

Trend Analysis of Superoxide Dismutase 3 (SOD3) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels on BioSmart and Safe Bus Passengers

Objective: To assess the effect of the Biosmart and safe concept on the levels of superoxide Dismutase 3 (SOD3) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bus passenger nasal wash. Methods: This study is a non-blinding experimental design with a pretest-posttest measurement. The number of participants was 31 passengers of Biosmart and Safe Bus; divided into 2 groups: herbal masks and regular medical masks. Participants were divided into front, middle, and rear seat positions. Findings: The trend of SOD3 and ROS levels in the herbal mask group was increasing, while the trend in the medical mask group was decreasing. There was a significant difference in SOD3 levels in the middle seat position (p = 0.037) and ROS levels in the rear seat position (p = 0.022). There was a strong negative relationship between SOD3 levels and ROS levels in the herbal mask group (p = 0.016, r = -0.611). There was a significant difference in the levels of ROS on pretest-posttest of the medical mask group (p = 0.039), and the ROS levels in the herbal mask group approached a significant value (p = 0.059). There was no significant difference in SOD3 and ROS levels between the herbal mask and medical mask groups (p = 0.937; 0.810). Novelty : The ROS levels of Biosmart and Safe Bus passengers who use Herbal Masks are different from those using regular medical masks with lower levels. The SOD3 levels of Biosmart and Safe bus passengers who use herbal masks are different from those who use higher levels of regular medical masks. Keywords: Biosmart and Safe Bus; herbal mask; nasal wash; ROS; SOD3

Knowledge and practice of drivers on the provision of service to persons with visual disability: A survey of public transport drivers in a tertiary inclusion school in West Africa

Public transport plays an important role in improving mobility for persons with visual impairment. Commercial drivers are major stakeholders in ensuring that there are efficient and accessible public transport systems on university campuses that have a relatively high number of persons with visual impairment. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 90 taxi drivers who operate their services on the campus of a tertiary inclusion school. The drivers were surveyed on their knowledge and practices in providing services to persons with visual impairment. The findings show that 55 (61.1%) drivers knew how to identify a pedestrian with a visual disability by looking out for the white cane. A total of 77 (85.6%) drivers have also adopted the practice of stopping for pedestrians to cross the road. However, only 20 (22.5%) respondents agreed to reserve the front seat for the passenger with visual impairment. Participants were not knowledgeable on the sections of the disability act relating to the provision of transport services to persons with visual impairment nor the kind of punishment associated with breaching the rules. The study provides recommendations on how to bridge the gap between the demands of the disability act and the practices of commercial drivers.

Analysis of Injury Severity involving of Passenger Vehicles’ Occupants in Frontal Impact Collisions

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; In Malaysia, Passenger Vehicles (PV) accounted for the second-highest proportion of vehicles involved in road crashes (13.5%) as well as the total number of casualties (18.6%) after motorcycles. This raised the alarm that a thorough investigation should be conducted on the injury severity of occupants in PV crashes involving frontal impact collisions. The objective of this study is to evaluate injury severity outcome based on the selected crash parameters for the front seat occupants involved in frontal impact collision. The data for this study was sourced from the MIROS crash investigation database (MICARS) from 2007 until 2019, during which MIROS had investigated a total of 975 cases in both East and West Malaysia. After filtering through the cases, a total of 129 frontal impact crashes (PV versus PV) involving 206 PV and 349 front seat occupants were selected for data analysis. From the total number of selected cases, 82 cases were involved in head-on collisions while 47 cases were involved in side-impact collisions. As a result, crash configuration, crush extent, airbag availability, and seatbelt wearing are strongly related to the level of injury severity of frontal seat occupants involved in a frontal impact collision. Meanwhile, collision types and occupant seating position do not appear to be significantly related to the severity of the occupants’ injuries.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Industries and Tribal: Erosion of Their Ethos

Tribal issue is a matter of global concern. In India around 8.8% of the total population consist of tribal. They are of primitive human civilisation of India. The major tribes in India are the Gonds, the Bhils, the Santals, the Oraons, the Minas and the Mundas. Eighty percent of the tribes are found in the central region of India. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­If we look back in the history of pre-independent India, the tribes’ position was not in much privileged; they are intended for the laborious job, a kind of slaves under the British colonials. Later on, a decade of independence, unfortunately there are virtually no alterations in the present socio-economic scenario of the tribe’s conditions. Tribes are treated as outsiders and unwanted in their own homeland by the modern capitalist’s society. In the process of national development tribes and their cultural identity is badly affected as compared to any other community as the second Five Year Plan was modelled on the idea of either industrialisation or perish, providing the front seat of debates and decision only to the economic issues. Tribal areas have been comprehended as the heaven of natural resources by the industrial houses and investors. As a consequence, thousands of industrial projects are installed by the investors in or near these tribal areas for the rude fabrics of the yields. And the tribes were disowned from their lands and homes; forced to migrate from their traditional sources of livelihood – Jal, Jungal and Zamin, leaving their culture, tradition and identity to a critical stage. This paper concentrates on the impact of industrialization in the tribal regions and their economic and social inclusion in the mainstream resulting in their dichotomy of existence and alienation.

Public trust and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign: lessons from the Philippines as it emerges from the Dengvaxia controversy.

While the entire world prepares and begins to roll out COVID‐19 vaccines, the Philippines is still reeling from the consequences of the Dengvaxia controversy in 2016. Those highly political events led to the erosion of public trust in leaders and a significant damage to vaccine confidence in the country, now potentially impacting the uptake of COVID‐19 vaccines. We discuss how public trust and confidence can be rehabilitated through accountability, transparency, and proper communication from the most trusted sources of the population. We also highlight key lessons for policymakers and leaders on allowing science to take the front seat, and politics behind, for the safety and well‐being of the people during this public health crisis.

U.S. vehicle occupancy trends relevant to future automated vehicles and mobility services

Objective Identifying current occupant travel patterns can inform decision making regarding the design, regulation, and occupant protection systems helpful for automated vehicle systems and mobility services. Methods Two travel data sets were analyzed to quantify travel patterns: the 2017 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), which provides data on household trips logged for a 24-h period, and the 2011–2015 National Automotive Sampling System–General Estimates System (NASS-GES), which contains data sampled from police-reported crashes. Analysis identified trends with driver age and gender, occupant age and gender, time of day, day of week, trip purpose, trip duration, vehicle type, as well as occupant role as solo driver, driver of others, single passenger, or multiple passengers. Results In NHTS, the median trip duration is 15 min; only 10% of trips last longer than 40 min. Trip duration does not vary with occupant role or vehicle type. Variations with trip time of day and day of week show a unimodal pattern for weekends, as well as weekday trips for those aged 55 years and older and non-solo occupants aged 18 to 29 years. Other occupant groups have a bimodal weekday travel pattern with peak trips corresponding to morning and evening rush hours. In GES, approximately half of occupants are solo drivers. Female drivers aged 55 and older travel alone 60% of the time, and drivers under age 18 and female drivers aged 30 to 54 drive alone on less than 45% of trips. Approximately 13% of occupants are single passengers, and 16% travel with a driver and at least 1 other passenger. About 16% of occupants are front seat passengers. Conclusions This analysis of vehicle occupancy provides insights on what ridership of future automated vehicles and expanded ride-hailing services may look like. Because half of occupants are solo drivers, only 16% are multiple passengers, and median trip length is just 15 min, proposed alternative seating arrangements intended to promote comfort and passenger interaction may not represent the typical future vehicle use case in the United States. Knowledge of current occupancy patterns can help automated vehicle designers and regulators develop safe seating scenarios that meet customer needs.