High Comfort Research Articles

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.

Development and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Buccal Patch of Losartan Potassium

The buccal mucosa is regarded as an ideal location for administering medications for both local and systemic absorption. Mucin and polymers interact chemically during the mucoadhesion process. Much emphasis has been paid to the use of mucoadhesive polymers in buccal medication delivery. There are now many mucoadhesive dosage forms available, including pills, patches, disks, wafers, ointments, and gels. Buccal patches stand out among them for their higher comfort and flexibility. With their effective carrier capacity, smart materials like stimuli-responsive hydrogels, liposome-based patches, polymeric micelles, etc. play a crucial role in the development of these drug delivery systems by extending the drug's residence time at the site of absorption, improving drug bioavailability, reducing the frequency of dosing, and increasing patient compliance. Different designs and production techniques, including as electrospinning, electrospraying, and 3D printing, are thought to be novel and effective ways to manufacture buccal patches with certain distinctive qualities in comparison to conventional procedures like solvent casting. Aiming to develop buccal mucoadhesive patches as a novel controlled drug delivery system, this review aims to examine and introduce the most promising smart polymeric materials, new designs, and production techniques.

Исследование взаимосвязи между туристическими потребностями российских путешественников и культурными ресурсами провинции Цзянсу

Stable ties have been formed between Russia and China in the field of tourism. Jiangsu Province in China is characterized by a high level of development in the recreational sector for travelers and is rich in cultural and tourist resources. In 2021, the region set the goal of becoming a “world-renowned tourist destination”, meaning a sought-after destination for travelers from various countries. While developing in this regard, the province has demonstrated significant growth in the number of accepted guests from other countries in recent years, however, Russians among them constitute a minority. The article aims to examine the tourist motivation of Russian travelers when visiting China and identify the cultural and resource advantages of Jiangsu Province that could attract them to the region. Three aspects of Russians’ travel preferences are noted – the unique culture of the destination, budget-friendly shopping and high comfort for vacationers. It is concluded that adapting the tourism industry of Jiangsu Province to cater to the preferences of Russian tourists presents an opportunity to increase tourist arrivals from Russia. Strategies focusing on promoting cultural attractions, enhancing shopping experiences, and improving leisure facilities can contribute to attracting more Russian tourists to the region, thereby bolstering tourism growth and economic development.

From the experience of more than 1000 glue ablation procedures for varicose veins: how to do it

Cyanoacrylate adhesive closure (CAC) is currently one of the main non-thermal ablation modalities of incompetent saphenous veins. High efficacy and safety of the method is supported by international clinical practice guidelines as well as the real-world practice. In contrast to thermal ablation, CAC is advantageous in terms of low periprocedural pain and bruising, fast procedure time and postprocedural recovery, high patient comfort and satisfaction rates as well as avoidance of postprocedural compression. This publication summarises the practical tips and tricks of glue ablation procedure based on 5-year experience (2019–2023) at the “SM-Clinic” Phlebology Centre, Moscow. Indications for the preferred use of CAC are formulated, such as: low pain threshold; contraindications (or unwillingness) to postprocedural compression; extensive comorbidity and fragile patients; concomitant morbid obesity; the presence of axial reflux along the saphenous veins; the need for simultaneous ablation of several incompetent truncal veins; below-the-knee incompetence of saphenous veins, including recurrent varicose veins; extensive lipodermatosclerosis and/or venous leg ulcer; patient’s HIV and viral hepatitis positive status. A step-by-step interventional protocol of glue ablation is described, including the modified protocols of the procedure. The immediate and long-term outcomes of the CAC according to current data are discussed. Special attention is paid to adverse events following CAC, as well as technical aspects of their prevention. Despite high efficacy and safety profile, today’s limitations for adoption and wider use of CAC are cost issues and lack of reimbursement.

Application of energy scheduling algorithm based on energy consumption prediction in smart home energy scheduling

To effectively optimize household energy management, enhance user comfort, and ensure the stability of the power grid, this paper directs its focus towards household equipment and presents inter-household and indoor energy scheduling algorithms. Grounded in a two-dimensional dynamic device priority framework and predictive device operation modeling, this study demonstrates that the utilization of scheduling algorithms can avert grid overload scenarios during periods of low electricity prices. This results in more consistent hourly electricity consumption and a substantial peak-to-average ratio reduction of up to 44.86 %. Additionally, the application of the continuous wavelet neural network algorithm proves to be proficient in accurately forecasting home device operations. When the time was 17.5 h, the actual energy consumption of the water heater was 7.12 kWh, which was 0.78 kWh more than the predicted energy consumption. Utilizing scheduling algorithms, as opposed to not employing them, led to notable reductions in electricity expenses, demonstrating a cost savings rate of 15.32 % on the third day. Additionally, it facilitated decreased usage of the power grid. When the time was 18 o'clock, the power consumption of the grid using scheduling algorithms was 0.24 kWh, which was 0.25 kWh lower than that without scheduling algorithms. Following the implementation of the scheduling algorithm, minimal deviation in device startup times was observed during periods of high comfort, with offsets ranging from 0 h. The research methods employed demonstrate efficacy in orchestrating energy distribution among households and indoor spaces, thereby striking a harmonious balance between energy conservation and user comfort.

Thermal response and performance evaluation of floor radiant heating system based on fuzzy logic control

The floor radiant heating system is widely used in various buildings due to its advantages such as high efficiency, comfort, and uniform heating. Generally, research on floor radiant heating systems focuses on energy saving, but the issue of slow thermal response during the heating process has not been solved. To solve the problem of slow thermal response and uneven indoor thermal environment in floor radiant heating systems, a fuzzy logic control theory based on optimal fuzzy rules was proposed. The floor radiant heating system based on fuzzy logic control was established by the TRNSYS-MATLAB integrated control platform. The study compared the thermal response and thermal comfort performance of PID control, fuzzy logic control, and optimized fuzzy control methods. The results showed that fuzzy logic control performed better than PID control in controlling the system's thermal performance and indoor thermal environment. Compared to PID control, the optimized fuzzy control reduced the thermal response time by 64.60%, and the total energy consumption of the water pump and heat pump decreased by 222 kWh and 329 kWh, respectively. The proposed fuzzy logic control demonstrates favorable thermal response characteristics and holds substantial potential for energy conservation within the increasingly prevalent floor radiant heating systems.

Technological progress in Russian military sports suits: the history of the use of materials and fabrics from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century

The subject of the study is technology in military sports suits of Russian military personnel. The object of the study is the progress in the production technologies of military sports suits. The author examines in detail the history of the use of various materials and fabrics for the production of military sports suits, from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the properties of various materials. The author shows that fabrics with high strength, wear resistance and good breathability are most suitable for military sports suits of Russian servicemen. The fabrics used for the production of military uniforms must meet a number of requirements. At the same time, such properties of fabrics as crease, drapery, hydroscopicity, dust capacity, heat-shielding properties, shrinkage, thread shedding, thread expansion in seams, sliding should be taken into account. The main research methods were theoretical methods – the method of analysis, generalization, systematization, classification of literary sources on the research topic. The novelty of the research consists in a comprehensive analysis of the basic properties, characteristics and requirements for fabrics used for the manufacture of military suits. A retrospective analysis and comparison of costumes from different eras were carried out. The main conclusion of the study is that from the end of the 19th century to the 21st century, the use of fabrics for military clothing has undergone significant changes. It is shown that at the end of the 19th century, military clothing was mainly made from natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and linen. With the advent of synthetic fibers in the 20th century, fabrics became more durable, lightweight, quick-drying and resistant to external factors. In the 21st century, with the development of fabric production technologies for military clothing, special mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers, as well as membrane materials, began to be used to provide high protection, comfort and functionality for military personnel. The author's special contribution to the study is the generalization of the results of various studies, the comparison of the main characteristics of fabrics used in various historical times with modern fabrics and materials.

Caracterización del ovino criollo en las comunidades del distrito de Lambrama (Apurímac, Perú)

The study was carried out with Creole sheep in flocks from the communities of Cruzpata and Siusay, both in the Lambrama district, Apurímac, Peru. The study aimed to characterize its productive capacity for meat and wool. Samples were taken from 60 sheep from two flocks to determine live weight, carcass weight, carcass yield, fleece weight and lock length. In addition, using 187 sheep from six flocks from the same area, samples of rib wool (10 g) were taken for analysis using OFDA 2000 equipment. The phenotype of the Creole sheep presents an angular body covered with fleece of various colours; bare face, belly and long legs, which grazes the puna, in an extensive system and without technical support from the State. Live weight, carcass weight and carcass yield are low, mainly affected by age, with variations like what occurs in other places in the mountains; Measurements of fleece weight and lock length are affected by age and sex, and by the lack of periodic shearing. The textile characteristics of the wool show medium fineness, with high variability, with relatively high comfort and spinning fineness indexes; better on the fleece of two-toothed females. The most important correlations were between fibre diameter (DM) and comfort factor (FH) (r=-0.5925); between DM and fineness of yarn (FH) (r=0.5857) and between FC and FH (r=-0.8767), which would indicate that the wool from the Lambrama area is of good quality for the textile industry.

Labor Relations Issues and Governance in the Platform Economy: A Case Study of 'Online Ride-Hailing Drivers'

With the rapid development of the times, new economic forms emerge endlessly, and more and more people are seeking work and rewards through the platform economy. The concept of "ride-hailing" has quickly entered people's sight due to its speed and high comfort level. However, due to the imperfections of the platform economy and the virtual nature of the internet, issues faced by "ride-hailing drivers" continue to emerge: lack of signed labor contracts, difficulty in guaranteeing rest time, inadequate labor laws, etc., naturally causing certain negative impacts on the new economic industry. In this article, we will discuss the issues of labor relations under the platform economy from the perspective of "ride-hailing drivers" and propose reasonable governance measures.

Thermophysical Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks Incorporating Natural Materials

Building materials are responsible for significant CO2 emissions and energy consumption, both during production and operational phases. Earth as a building material offers a valuable alternative to conventional materials, as it naturally provides high hygrothermal comfort and air quality even with passive conditioning systems. However, disadvantages related to high density, conductivity, and wall thickness prevent its effective inclusion in the mainstream. This research explores enhancing the thermophysical properties of compressed earth blocks (CEBs) by using locally sourced natural materials. The study is framed in the Portuguese context and the natural materials involved are wheat straw (WS) as a by-product of wheat harvesting, cork granules (CGs) from bottle caps, and ground olive stone (GOSs) residues from olive oil production. Blocks were produced with different mixtures of these materials and the thermal response was examined in a hot box apparatus. Best results include a 20 and 26% reduction in thermal conductivity for mixtures with 5v.% CG and 10v.% GOS, respectively, and an associated reduction in bulk density of 3.8 and 5.4%. The proposed approach therefore proves to be effective in improving the key thermophysical characteristics of CEBs. The article includes a comparative analysis of the experimental data from this study with those from the literature. The study contributes to the growing knowledge of sustainable materials, providing insights for researchers and practitioners looking for innovative solutions for low-carbon and energy-efficient materials.

Ecological dyeing and UV-protective functionalization of cotton/lyocell blend fabrics designed for high comfort summer clothing

Wearing clothes that absorb or block harmful UV radiation is one of the most effective forms of protection against sun damage and skin cancer. In the current study, sustainable processes which will provide high clothing comfort and a sufficient level of UV protection for fabrics used in production of lightweight sun-protective summer clothing were proposed. In accordance with the scope of the study, structural properties, low-stress mechanical properties, surface characteristics, permeability, and UV-protection properties of three woven fabrics produced with different weft settings and lyocell ratios were determined. The fabric type which had the most desirable results was selected for dyeing experiments. Avocado (Persea americana) seed was used as an eco-friendly source for dyeing and UV-protective functionalization of cotton/lyocell blend fabric. To obtain different hues, the fabrics were mordanted according to two different recipes using magnesium sulphate and ferrous sulphate and dyed with the natural colorant extracted from avocado seeds. Comfort, color, fastness, and UV-protective properties of dyed samples were evaluated by laboratory tests. Results indicated that it is possible to achieve an excellent level of UV protection (UPF 50+) by dyeing cotton/lyocell blend fabrics with avocado seed extract and produce summer clothing with improved comfort and UV-protective properties, without using any toxic materials.

Occupant’s Thermal Perception in Mixed-mode Office Buildings of the Tropical Climate

Thermal comfort and energy consumption in office buildings is a global critical concern. This study investigated this challenge in the Faculty of Environmental Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi-Nigeria. Through a field survey and physical environment measurements. The study explored occupant perceptions of thermal comfort and satisfaction. It evaluated the thermal comfort and satisfaction of occupants in a mixed-mode office building, focusing on potential discrepancies between perceived comfort and internationally recommended standards. Despite air temperatures falling outside the PMV model's comfort range, high thermal comfort, and satisfaction levels were reported by the respondents. These findings align with other studies in Nigeria, suggesting adaptation and acclimatization to local conditions. The study further examined the relationship between thermal comfort and occupant satisfaction. The result revealed a moderate positive association, suggesting increased thermal comfort leads to higher satisfaction among occupants. While thermal comfort explained 25% of the variance in satisfaction scores. Finally, the study suggests the localization of comfort standards, improved mixed-mode system performance, and encouraging evidence-based design interventions that will ultimately benefit both occupants and the environment.

Optimizing building spatial morphology to alleviate human thermal stress

Achieving urban cooling from a sustainable perspective requires strategic planning of building area (S) and height (H). However, there is a lack of human thermal stress assessment and it is not clear how to optimize the layout of building spatial morphology to alleviate human thermal stress. We simulated the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), characterizing high spatial resolution human comfort, by machine learning, and analyzed the relationship between building spatial morphology and UTCI to determine the feasible layout of building spatial morphology. Our findings indicated that the study area experienced poor human thermal comfort, with residents facing high thermal stress (average UTCI of 36 °C). Zoning analysis revealed that an increase in S resulted in a simultaneous rise in UTCI, while an increase in H leaded to a trend of UTCI that initially rose and then declined. An increase in S-rating had a more pronounced impact on elevating UTCI (0.29 °C on average) compared to an increase in H-rating (0.11 °C on average). To maintain UTCI within the UTCI threshold that characterized ideal human comfort, a trade-off relationship between S and H should be maintained, which was further influenced by the stationary and plunge intervals in their relationship curve. The findings have the potential to provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, aiding them in making informed decisions in urban planning to alleviate human thermal stress.

Challenging Norms: The Impact of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Realities on Work and School Participation.

Disruption in school and the workplace are health concerns for transgender people. To evaluate transgender individuals' thoughts and comfort with how others perceive their gender identity (social affirmation) and its association with outness in the workplace and mistreatment at work or school. Cross-sectional survey. Survey respondents older than age 18 yr from the Study of Transition, Outcomes & Gender cohort (N = 696; n = 350 assigned male at birth, n = 346 assigned female at birth [AFAB]). Ever "out" to employer and treated unfairly at work or school or fired from job. Predictors were high social affirmation and comfort with how others perceive own gender identity. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for analyses. Individuals reporting high social affirmation were less likely to experience mistreatment at work or school than those with low social affirmation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.38, 0.86]). Individuals AFAB who felt comfortable with how others perceived their gender identity were less likely to be out to their employers than individuals AFAB who did not (OR = 0.45; 95% CI [0.20, 0.97]). Individuals with high social affirmation were less likely to experience work or school mistreatment, and feeling comfortable with how others perceive their gender identity did not signify the need to be out. Plain-Language Summary: Occupational therapy practitioners can play a pivotal role when working with transgender individuals by assisting in creating new routines for self-presentation at work or school, navigating social environments, and providing guidance in self-advocacy skills. Individuals assigned male at birth may be in greater need because they report lower levels of social affirmation and acceptance at school and work than individuals assigned female at birth.

Soft Robotic Textiles for Adaptive Personal Thermal Management.

Thermal protective textiles are crucial for safeguarding individuals, particularly firefighters and steelworkers, against extreme heat, and for preventing burn injuries. However, traditional firefighting gear suffers from statically fixed thermal insulation properties, potentially resulting in overheating and discomfort in moderate conditions, and insufficient protection in extreme fire events. Herein, an innovative soft robotic textile is developed for dynamically adaptive thermal management, providing superior personal protection and thermal comfort across a spectrum of environmental temperatures. This unique textile features a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-sealed actuation system, embedded with a low boiling point fluid for reversible phase transition, resembling an endoskeleton that triggers an expansion within the textile matrix for enhanced air gap and thermal insulation. The thermal resistance improves automatically from 0.23 to 0.48Km2W-1 by self-actuating under intense heat, exceeding conventional textiles by maintaining over 10°C cooler temperatures. Additionally, the knitted substrate incorporated into the soft actuators can substantially mitigate convective heat transfer, as evidenced by the thermal resistance tests and the temperature mapping derived from numerical simulations. Moreover, it boasts significantly increased moisture permeability. The thermoadaptation and breathability of this durable all-fabric system signify considerable progress in the development of protective clothing with high comfort for dynamic and extreme temperature conditions.

New coordinated drive mode switching strategy for distributed drive electric vehicles with energy storage system

High performance and comfort are key features recommended in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) design. In this paper, a new coordination strategy is proposed to solve the issue of undesired torque jerks and large power ripples noticed respectively during drive mode commutations and power sources switching. The proposed coordinated switching strategy uses stair-based transition function to perform drive mode commutations and power source switching’s within defined transition periods fitting the transient dynamics of power sources and traction machines. The proposed technique is applied on a battery/ supercapacitor electric vehicle whose traction is ensured by two permanent magnet synchronous machines controlled using direct torque control and linked to HEV front and rear wheels. Simulation results highlight that the proposed coordinated switching strategy has a noteworthy positive impact on enhancing HEV transient performance as DC bus fluctuations were reduced to a narrow band of 6 V and transient torque ripples were almost suppressed.

Sustainable transport – development and goals

Sustainable development is observed worldwide, and one of the most affected fields is the transport sector. Sustainability brings challenges that must be overcome to achieve high safety and comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By the end of 2030, United Nations members must achieve the assumed sustainability level. This paper investigates whether it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions completely, especially in the transport sector. The paper focuses on the challenges to obtaining a high sustainability level, as defined by the United Nations. The examples of sustainability in rail and road transport were analysed and described. Results show the benefits, concerns, and problems of the described solutions.

Marine temperature and humidity regulation combined system: performance analysis and multi-objective optimization

The efficient and environmentally friendly air conditioning system plays a vital role in cost reduction and efficiency improvement within the shipping industry. This study focuses on a specific ocean-going container ship equipped with the 8S90ME-C10.2 marine diesel engine as its main propulsion system. Firstly, the cooling load of 149.56 kW and a wet load of 18.04 g/s for the container ship were calculated to determine an energy-efficient and comfortable air conditioning scheme. Secondly, a novel combined system, integrating temperature and humidity solution dehumidification with enhanced transcritical CO2 refrigeration using injection subcooling, was proposed. The regenerator for solution dehumidification and the generator for injection refrigeration utilized the main cylinder liner cooling water as a heat source. Based on the system modeling, numerical simulation, and result validation, comprehensive analyses and quantitative evaluations were conducted to investigate the sensitivity of temperature and humidity regulation parameters, system performance, components exergy efficiency, and economics. Finally, employing a multi-objective optimization algorithm, the optimal operating conditions and corresponding objective functions for the system were obtained: exhaust pressure of 9.43 MPa, regeneration temperature of 91.08 °C, subcooling degree of 19.48 °C, coefficient of refrigeration performance of 3.697, exergy loss of 84.136 kW, and an annual operating cost of $111,300. This combined system exhibits high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and comfort, making it well-suited to handle the fluctuating heat and humidity loads during the ocean-going container ship through varying sea climates.

Associations Between Patient Comfort with a Primary Care Provider and Three Measures of Behavioral Health Services Utilization.

Behavioral health services (BHS) can help improve and treat mental and emotional health problems. Yet, attitudinal and/or structural barriers often prevent individuals from accessing and benefiting from these services. Positive provider-patient interactions in healthcare, encompassing patient comfort with a primary care provider (PCP), which is often enhanced by shared decision-making, may mitigate the stigma associated with seeing a mental health professional; this may improve BHS utilization among patients who need these services. However, few studies have examined how patient comfort with a PCP, often through shared decision-making, may influence patients' BHS utilization in the real world. This study sought to address this gap in practice. Multivariable regression analyses, using weighted data from an internet panel survey of Los Angeles County adults (n = 749), were carried out to examine the associations between patient comfort with a PCP and three measures of BHS utilization. Subsequent analyses were conducted to explore the extent to which shared decision-making moderated these associations. Participants who reported an intermediate or high comfort level with a provider had higher odds of reporting that they were likely to see (aOR = 2.10 and 3.84, respectively) and get advice (aOR = 2.75 and 4.76, respectively) from a mental health professional compared to participants who reported a low comfort level. Although shared decision-making influenced participants' likelihood of seeing and getting advice from a mental health professional, it was not a statistically significant moderator in these associations. Building stronger relationships with patients may improve BHS utilization, a provider practice that is likely underutilized.

Past experiences and preferences for LGBTQ + sex education among LGBTQ + college students

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others (LGBTQ+) students experience more negative sexual health outcomes than their cisgender, heterosexual peers and do not have access to relevant sex education. This denial necessitates comprehensive sex education in college for LGBTQ + students. Objective: Given the rise of online learning and that LGBTQ + students are already drawn to online spaces, this research seeks to determine preferences in virtual LGBTQ + sexuality education content and delivery LGBTQ + college students. Methods: We conducted a survey with US college students who identified as LGBTQ+ (N = 91) to identify past experiences with sex education, desires for future sex education, and preferences for online learning. Results: Past sex education, resources used, consequences, preferences for LGBTQ + sexuality and online education are discussed. Conclusions: Overall, we find high comfort with online learning, heteronormative and cisnormative past sex education courses created negative physical and mental health outcomes, and desires for tailored sex education.