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There are different thermal perception models linked to a mathematical thermophysiological human model, with which the thermal sensation under stationary and/or dynamic conditions can be evaluated. Each of these perception and thermophysiological models have their own field of application. Stolwijk developed a thermophysiological human model without an associated thermal perception model, which today is still the basis for other mathematical thermophysiological models. Fiala developed the FPC model, also based on the Stolwijk model, and is one of the latest developments in the field of thermophysiological human models. In the FPC model, an equation is included with which the thermal sensation under stationary and dynamic conditions can be assessed; the so-called Dynamic Thermal Sensation (DTS). The DTS equation is, however, specifically developed for use in combination with the FPC model. In contrast to the Stolwijk model, the source code of the computer programs of the later developed thermophysiological human models is not freely available, which limits the use and applicability of the models in practice. It is precise because of the availability of the source code that the Stolwijk model is still used in industry and the research world. The question, therefore, arises: ‘To what extent can a human transient thermal sensation equation be derived, combined with the Stolwijk model, in a similar way to that used for the DTS equation in the FPC model?’.

Compared with the general population, older adults with immune senescence and individuals who are immunocompromised (IC) due to disease or immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ) and its associated complications, which can be debilitating and life-threatening. Vaccination can be an effective strategy against HZ and studies have shown that HZ vaccination in IC individuals can elicit immune responses and provide protection from infection. Recently, the first approvals have been granted in the United States and the European Union for the recombinant HZ vaccine (RZV) in adults ≥ 18 years of age at risk of HZ due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression. Existing systematic reviews have highlighted the risks for HZ in limited immunocompromising conditions and have only examined clinical data for RZV. This review details the risks and burden of HZ in a broad range of clinically relevant IC populations and summarizes key efficacy and safety data for RZV and live HZ vaccine in these individuals. Research has shown IC individuals can benefit from HZ vaccination; however, these insights have yet to be fully incorporated into vaccination guidelines and clinical care. Clinicians should consider HZ vaccination in eligible at-risk populations to protect against HZ and its associated complications and thereby, reduce the burden that HZ poses on the healthcare system. Electronic health records and linked personal health records could be used to identify and contact patients eligible for HZ vaccination and provide clinical decision support-generated alerts for missing or delayed vaccinations. This review will help clinicians identify eligible IC individuals who may benefit from HZ vaccination. A video abstract linked to this article is available on Figshare https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21517605.

BACKGROUND: Many occupations require workers to stand for prolonged periods, which can cause discomfort, pain and even injures. Some supermarkets in life provide a foot pad for checkout staff to let them stand on it at work, thereby reducing standing fatigue caused by standing for a long time. The inclined platform is the same as the foot pad mentioned above. That is, the staff stepped on it and relieved standing fatigue to a certain extent. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to analyze how the standing angle affects fatigue among prolonged standing workers and tries to find an inclined platform with a specific angle to reduce standing fatigue. METHODS: This experiment studied fatigue of the inclined platforms with different angles on prolonged standing workers, eight participants were selected to participate in the test. The plantar pressures and sEMG (Surface Electromyography) were used to collect the physiological information change of prolonged standing participants in the lower limb and waist. The visual analogue scale was used as a subjective method to measure the psychological fatigue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The study highlights the relationship between standing angle and lower limb fatigue. The inclination of the standing platform has different effects on the participants under different time conditions. When participants stand on inclined platforms at 0°, 5° and 10°, the iEMG (Integrated Electromyography) values of the gastrointestinal muscle were not significantly different until the third sampling point (40 minutes). After that self-regulation of lower limb muscles is better when standing on an inclined platform between 5° and 10°, it has a certain effect on alleviating lower limb fatigue. This knowledge is crucial for the design of the inclined working platforms fitting the needs of prolonged standing workers.

(Dis)comfort research that has no information on behaviour of the participants can be considered as incomplete, as major influencing factors could be missed. For (dis)comfort research it is important to capture factors such as context, task/activity, posture, movement, (distracting) stimuli and time, as these factors have influence on the experienced (dis)comfort. Recording the behaviour allows for better evaluation of and comparison between studies, contributing to an increase of scientific knowledge on (dis)comfort.

Seat pressure maps are often used to evaluate comfort of the users. In this study, we explored the relationships between pressure maps and comfort/discomfort of users in aircraft seats with a focus on a new 6-division method on the pressure maps collected at the bottom of the cushions. An experiment was designed where three cushions with identical shapes but different stiffnesses were prepared. 33 subjects joined the experiment and after sitting on each cushion in 4 postures, they completed comfort questionnaires. Pressure maps on the top as well as the bottom of cushions were collected and analysed. Results indicated that measures on the proposed 6 divisions, especially on the distal posterior thigh regions and regions close to ischial tuberosity of the bottom pressure maps, had larger correlation values to comfort scores compared to other division methods. Practitioner summary: The relations between comfort/discomfort and seat pressure maps collected from the top/bottom of three cushions were studied with 33 subjects in four postures. The distal posterior thigh and ischial tuberosity regions in the proposed 6-division of the bottom pressure maps had larger correlation values to comfort/discomfort compared to other methods.

Abstract. The aviation industry is constantly making compromises when designing comfortable airplane cabins. Providing passengers with a pleasant acoustic environment without adding weight to the cabin structure is a field of tension that challenges cabin interior designers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether noise levels affect the comfort and physical discomfort experienced by airplane passengers, and whether control influences comfort perception. To this end, 30 participants experienced three conditions (silence, aircraft engine noise at 75 dB, and the same noise with the ability to use earplugs), and comfort and discomfort were measured using a questionnaire. It was concluded that aircraft engine noise negatively affected the airplane passengers’ comfort experiences. Having the ability to control this noisy environment with earplugs resulted in the lowest reported physical discomfort.

Turboprop airplanes and trains have the potential in being more sustainable for short distance travels. This paper focuses on identifying factors that influence passengers in the selection of transport. A questionnaire was developed by 4 experts and used in 3 workshops with 58 aircraft interior design experts. Besides, the answers of 20 passengers were incorporated as well for a holistic view of different stake holders. Results indicated that comfort, efficiency and sustainability are three categories of factors that influence the choice, where the leading factors are space, waiting time, seat and air quality. For traveling less than 250 km the train is the prefered. Twenty seven % has a preference for the turboprop airplanes for a distance of approximately 500 km. Next to the seat, noise is the second major barrier for the choice of the turboprop. Participants also complain about the outdated image of turboprops. This implies that 1) the environmental impact should be presented to the passengers in the selection process to raise their sustainability concerns; 2) in the design of interior for turboprop, seat comfort and noisie reduction are concerns that should be taken into consideration designing the interior. Exciting elements in the design should be considered as well for stimulating a more sustainable way of travel.

The purpose of this study is to research if a headrest benefits the comfort of the passenger and lowers muscle activity in the neck when sitting in a reclined (slouched) posture while watching in flight entertainment (IFE) in an aircraft business class seat. No significant differences in muscle activity in the musculus sternocleidomastoid and musculus trapezius pars descendant were found between the conditions with headrest and without headrest. A significant difference in expected comfort rating was found. Subjects indicated they expect to experience more comfort with a headrest when watching IFE for a duration of two movies during a long-haul flight. This study also found a significant difference in posture. In the condition without headrest the head was more upright compared to the condition with headrest. The lack of significant difference in muscle activity and the significant difference in posture may indicate that humans tend to look for a head position that is neutral, in the sense of minimal muscle effort. This study shows that the use of a headrest may benefit the comfort experience of the passenger during flight. However, further research is necessary on the design of the headrest and the long-term effects of head support on comfort, discomfort, muscle activity and fatigue for watching IFE in a slouched posture.

The purpose of this study is to construct an aircraft seat discomfort scale and verify the evidence of its validity and reliability. We developed a questionnaire and presented it to 1500 Brazilian passengers at an airport. The data analysis included: 1) factor analysis; 2) the analysis of the items to be used in the scale created using Item Response Theory. The scale covered all levels, from "without discomfort" to "maximum discomfort". At the level of minimal, a passenger feels that the aircraft seat is cramped and has little space. Discomfort tends to increase when passengers are unable to perform desired activities (eg: reading, sleeping), which causes irritation and disappointment. The maximum discomfort level occurs when noise disrupts activities and an aircraft seat is considered hard. The scale developed presented indications that it is reliable and valid, proving to be a useful tool for identifying levels of discomfort in aircraft seats.

Interferences during the boarding procedure are one of the main reasons of delay and increased turnaround time, becoming a relevant problem for airlines. Observations of the boarding process and questionnaires inside the aircraft revealed three main bottlenecks during the boarding process: (1) Hand luggage: Storage space is not sufficient and/or not used efficiently; (2) Preparation: Passengers are not well prepared for the boarding process; and (3) Communication: Audio announcements are unclear and unfocused. By translating these bottlenecks as possibilities for improvement, solutions were designed for the airport and aircraft interiors to reduce boarding time and improve the passenger boarding experience. Concepts ranged from an app to scan your hand luggage at home and make a reservation for overhead bin space; to a redesigned waiting area to help passengers prepare for boarding; to new boarding methods and redesigned aircraft seats. In this paper, several design concepts are presented in more detail.

Background The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) has demonstrated >90% efficacy against herpes zoster in adults ≥50 years of age and 68% efficacy in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients ≥18 years of age. We report the immunogenicity and safety of RZV administered to patients with solid tumors (STs) before or at the start of a chemotherapy cycle. Method In this phase 2/3 observer-blind, multicenter study (NCT01798056), patients with STs who were ≥18 years of age were randomized (1:1) to receive 2 doses of RZV or placebo 1-2 months apart and stratified (4:1) according to the timing of the first dose with respect to the start of a chemotherapy cycle (first vaccination 8-30 days before the start or at the start [±1 day] of a chemotherapy cycle). Anti-glycoprotein E (gE) antibody concentrations, gE-specific CD4+ T cell frequencies, and vaccine response rates (VRRs) were assessed 1 month after dose 1 and 1 and 12 months after dose 2. Reactogenicity and safety were assessed in the total vaccinated cohort through 12 months after dose 2. Results There were 232 participants in the total vaccinated cohort, 185 participants in the according-to-protocol cohort for humoral immunogenicity, and 58 participants in the according-to-protocol cohort for cell-mediated immunogenicity. Postvaccination anti-gE antibody concentrations, gE-specific CD4+ T cell frequencies and VRRs were higher in RZV recipients than in placebo recipients. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were more frequent among RZV recipients than placebo recipients. Incidence of unsolicited AEs, serious AEs, fatalities, and potential immune-mediated diseases were similar between RZV and placebo recipients. Conclusion RZV was immunogenic in patients with STs receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapies. Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses persisted 1 year after vaccination. No safety concerns were identified.

Immunocompromised (IC) persons are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ) and its complications, mainly due to impairment of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) demonstrated efficacy against HZ in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT) recipients and hematologic malignancy (HM) patients. We review immune responses to RZV in 5 adult IC populations, 4 of which were receiving multiple, concomitant immunosuppressive medications: auto-HSCT and renal transplant recipients, HM and solid tumor patients, and human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults. Although administered in most cases when immunosuppression was near its maximum, including concomitantly with chemotherapy cycles, RZV induced robust and persistent humoral and, more importantly, CMI responses in all 5 IC populations. Based on the overall clinical data generated in older adults and IC individuals, RZV is expected to provide benefit in a broad adult population at risk for HZ.

For designing large-scale products like an airplane, engaging end-users in the concept phase is difficult. However, early user evaluation is important to choose the path which fits the user’s needs best. In particular, comfort-related assessments are difficult to conduct with digital models that are shown on a desktop PC application. Digital Human Modelling (DHM) plays a role in postural comfort analysis, while the subjective comfort feedback still largely relied on consulting with end-users. This paper applies a human-centered design process and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of using VR prototypes for involving users during concept design. This study focused on using VR prototypes for concept selection and verification based on comfort assessment with potential end-users. The design process started with an online questionnaire for identifying the quality of the design elements (Step 1 online study). Then, alternative concepts were implemented in VR, and users evaluated these concepts via a VR headset (Step 2 Selection study). Finally, the research team redesigned the final concept and assessed it with potential users via a VR headset (Step 3 Experience study). Every design element contributed positively to the long-haul flight comfort, especially tap-basin height, storage, and facilities. The male and female participants had different preferences on posture, lighting, storage, and facilities. The final prototype showed a significantly higher comfort rate than the original prototypes. The first-person immersion in VR headsets helps to identify the nuances between concepts, thus supports better decision-making via collecting richer and more reliable user feedback to make faster and more satisfying improvements.

Published online: 30 September 2020 Efforts by European countries to disperse refugees across the country often implicitly presuppose permanent settlement in dispersal locations. Migrant (re)settlement theories, however, suggest that onward mobility after (social) housing allocation is a more likely outcome. This paper explores refugees' onward residential trajectories after dispersal in the Netherlands, including possible onward international mobility. We follow refugees who entered the municipal registers in 1998 and 1999 (N = 13,490) over a ten‐year period after taking up residence in the first private dwelling. We find that residential trajectories are related to the household situation and vary considerably across origin groups. In general, ‘stable trajectories’, with a continuation of the type of initial location after dispersal (rural, suburban or urban), are most common. About half of the refugees who stayed in the Netherlands did not leave the municipality of allocation during their a private housing trajectory. Yet, those who were allocated to rural municipalities have in the majority of the cases relocated over time. We find some evidence that social networks and transitions to home ownership are associated with rural to urban movement. Recent policy changes that allow for more participation in the housing allocation procedures of the refugees themselves may reduce resettlement needs and costs for refugees. This paper was funded by ITEM Institute

BACKGROUND: Selecting the most suitable questionnaire(s) in comfort research for product design is always a challenge, even for experienced researchers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to create a list of Preferred Comfort Questionnaires (PCQ) for product design to help researchers in the selection of questionnaires for comfort research. METHODS: Fifteen questionnaires that are often used in comfort research for product design were selected as candidate questionnaires. During the Second International Comfort Congress (ICC 2019), 55 researchers and practitioners working in the field of comfort joined together in a workshop to rate these questionnaires individually as well as rank them in groups based on their experience. The criteria of rating and ranking included easiness to answer, easiness for data interpretation, time needed to complete, the need for prior training, as well as mapping the applicable design phases and field of application. RESULTS: The elicited responses related to each questionnaire were analyzed. For comfort research in five proposed application fields and four design phases, the preferred questionnaires were highlighted and categorized into four categories: preferred questionnaire, suitable for less prior training, suitable for fast completion and generally applicable, which led to a list of PCQ for product design. CONCLUSION: We expect that the PCQ list can be used as a useful instrument to help researchers in selecting questionnaires for comfort research in product design.