Dressing Dolls: Utilizing Lectra in the Product Development Lifecycle of a Specific Target Market

A computer aided design (CAD) course for apparel with Lectra Designer (Lectra, 2015) software utilizes groups in design applications by connecting classroom education to required fundamental skills needed in the apparel production, merchandising and retail business. Many students have difficulty relating textbook theory to “real life” problems and applying critical thinking skills in the process. This course exposes students to Lectra industry based software (Lectra, 2015) in the product development process while partnering with a major discount retailer for an experiential group project. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methods were executed in this course along with integration of an industry-based group project helping to increase students’ employability through stronger analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills

Female college students’ perception of self-image based on fashion magazine advertising

The goal of this study was to examine how fashion magazine advertisements affect female college students’ perception of self-image. More specifically, do female college students have high or low self-image perception based upon the fashion magazine’s model images? Results of the study revealed female college students had positive perceptions of confidence with their physical body and body image. Before viewing the magazine advertising, participants liked their own body and would not change their body. However after viewing the magazine advertising, the participant’s confidence level decreased and participants liked their bodies less. While college women were not more likely to change their bodies after viewing the fashion magazine advertisements, college women perceived models to be beautiful, felt they would be more beautiful if they were to look like models, and would attract more people if they looked like the models. Fashion magazine advertising does appear to have an impact on female college students’ perception of self-image

Mitochondrial Intergenic Spacer in Fairy Basslets (Serranidae: Anthiinae) and the Simultaneous Analysis of Nucleotide and Rearrangement Data

We present the results of a study that implements a recently developed phylogenetic algorithm that combines fixed-states nucleotide optimization with breakpoint analysis to identify and examine the evolution of a mitochondrial intergenic spacer between the tRNAVal and 16S rRNA loci in a clade of fairy basslets (Serranidae: Anthiinae). The results of the analysis indicate that this spacer evolved once and that it may be increasing in size through evolutionary time. The resulting molecular hypothesis corroborates much of the previous morphological phylogenetic work.We would like to thank J. Smith (Los Alamos National Laboratory) and J. Faivovich, T. Grant, K. Pickett, J. Sparks, M. Stiassny, and K. Tang (all at or formerly at the American Museum of Natural History [AMNH]) for discussing aspects of this project with us. We are grateful to H. Endo (Kochi University), the Gahan Family, J. Leis and M. McGrouther (Australian Museum), Reef and Fin (Stamford, CT), and H. Walker (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) for providing specimens used in this study. This project was supported by funding from the AMNH Lerner-Gray Program for Marine Research, the NASA–Ames Fundamental Space Biology Program, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the National Science Foundation (DEB-0405246 and DEB-0732642)

The Effects of Country-of-Origin and Attitude Functions on Luxury Brand Purchase

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of country-of-origin on young consumers’ attitude and luxury brand purchase intentions. This study extends the “Functional Theories of Attitudes” by adding materialistic function to social-adjustive, value-expressive, hedonic, and utilitarian functions. A total of 418 online survey responses were used to test the proposed model. Results identified the utilitarian function was not reliable, but materialistic function was a reliable construct. Results found that attitude is a multidimensional construct consisting of social-adjustive, value-expressive, materialistic, and hedonic functions. Country-of-origin positively influenced attitude toward luxury brand, which positively influenced luxury brand purchase intentions. Further multiple regression analysis found a significant direct path between country-of-origin and luxury brand purchase, which showed much stronger impact than the effect of attitude on purchase intentions. These findings provide theoretical and managerial implications for luxury brand managers

The Effects of Brand Familiarity on Perceived Risk, Attitude, and Purchase Intentions toward an Intimate Apparel Brand

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of brand familiarity on perceived risk and attitudinal and behavioral responses toward the intimate apparel brand. Using a Web-based survey, data were collected from 368 female adults between the ages of 18-29 through an Alumni Association at a large Mid-Southern university in the US. Results from structural equation modeling indicated positive, statistically significant associations between the four variables (e.g., brand familiarity, perceived risk, attitude, and purchase intentions). The findings implied that young female consumers who are familiar with a particular intimate apparel brand are likely to perceive a low level of risk, leading to positive and strong attitude and purchase intentions toward the familiar intimate apparel brand. Results indicated that perceived risk had a much stronger impact than did brand familiarity on attitude and purchase intentions in intimate apparel shopping

Consumer Perceptions of Apparel Fit Satisfaction and Sizing Based on 3D Body Scanning and Block Garment Assessment

Sizing and fit in ready-to-wear apparel causes issues for retailers and consumers alike. Retailers must strive to better understand their consumers\u27 perceptions of themselves in order to help them purchase properly fitting clothing. If a manufacturer is able to improve their sizing system to provide a better fit for more body sizes, they may be able to help reduce returns and markdowns, as well as boost customer satisfaction and potentially increase sales. A major apparel retailer is working on improving the fit of their clothing in order to better meet the needs of their customers. A key objective of this study was to evaluate the fit of the major retailer\u27s standard block garments by assessing customer satisfaction, and to determine how accurately consumers comprehend their body size by utilizing body scanning technology. Consumer perceptions and preferences with regard to this major retailer\u27s clothing are central to the study

Donepezil Plus Solifenacin (CPC-201) Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Available cholinergic drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) provide modest symptomatic benefit. We hypothesized that co-administration of a peripheral anticholinergic to reduce dose-limiting adverse effects (AEs) would enable the safe/tolerable use of higher cholinesterase inhibitor doses and thus improve their antidementia efficacy. A modified single-blind, ascending-dose, phase IIa study of donepezil plus solifenacin (CPC-201) lasting 26 weeks was conducted in 41 patients with probable AD of moderate severity. Entry criteria included the use of donepezil at a dose of 10 mg/day during the preceding 3 months. The primary outcome measure was the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of donepezil achieved (to protocol limit of 40 mg/day) when administered with the anticholinergic solifenacin 15 mg/day. Secondary measures included assessments of cognitive and global function, as well as of AEs. The mean ± SD donepezil MTD increased to 38 ± 0.74 mg/day (median 40 mg/day; p < 0.001); 88% of the study population safely attained this dose at the end of titration. Markedly reduced donepezil AE frequency, especially gastrointestinal, allowed this dose increase. There were no drug-related serious AEs or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities. At 26 weeks, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Component scores in the efficacy evaluable population improved by 0.35 ± 0.85 points over baseline (p < 0.05), an estimated 2.5 ± 0.84 points above 10 mg/day donepezil and 5.4 ± 0.84 points above historic placebo (both p < 0.05). Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scores improved by 0.94 ± 0.20 to 3.1 ± 0.20 points (p < 0.001). The findings suggest that limiting donepezil AEs by co-administration of solifenacin allows the safe administration of substantially higher cholinesterase inhibitors doses that may augment cognitive and global benefits in patients with AD

Perceived Apparel Fit Issues of High School Adolescents: Comparison of Fit Differences between Athletes and Non-Athletes Using 3D Body Scan Technology

Athletes have problems with fit of their clothing caused by body changes resulting from exercise regimens (Andreoli, et al., 2001). This begins during the high school years, when the importance of body image and body satisfaction have a greater impact (Caglar & Asci, 2010). Tselepis and de Klerk (2004) reported that adolescents use clothing not only to fit in, but to increase body satisfaction. Adolescents reported dissatisfaction with clothing fit, (de Klerk and Tselepis\u27s, 2007). Objectives of the study were to determine (1) whether high school students have the perception that they have problems finding clothing that fits; (2) if the problem is common among both athletes and non-athletes and (3) if body image and body satisfaction are related to athletes and non-athletes reporting problems with fit of clothing

Palatability of teff grass by horses

Most forages commonly used to feed horses have potential detriments including blister beetles or excessive fiber concentrations. Teff grass (T), a warm-season annual forage, has the potential to be a good alternative for horses because of its lack of observed disorders. Our objective was to compare preference by horses for T harvested under different conditions with that of bermudagrass (B) harvested at two maturities. Six different forages were evaluated: T harvested at the late vegetative stage (TLV), at late bloom but that incurred 33 mm of rainfall between mowing and baling (TLBR), with caryopsis visible (TES), or at soft dough (TSD), and B harvested at late vegetative (BLV) and mid-bloom (BMB) growth stages. Five mature horses were used in a balanced incomplete block design where each horse received a different combination of 4 forages each day for 6 d. The 4 different forages were suspended in hay nets in each corner of each stall, and each hay was offered at 50% of the average daily hay consumption measured during a 12-d adaptation period. Forage preference as measured by individual forage dry matter (DM) consumption (kg and % of total DM consumed across the 4 forages) was greatest (P \u3c 0.05) from TLV followed by BLV. Preference (kg and % of total DM consumed) of BMB was greater (P \u3c 0.05) than that of TMBR, TES, and TSD, which did not differ from each other (P ≥ 0.63). Therefore, within a specific growth stage, horses apparently preferred teff grass, but effects of maturity and rainfall had a more dramatic effect on preference by horses than forage species

Creating E-Textile Activities in a Textile Design Course to Engage Female Middle School Students in STEM Learning: An Undergraduate Design Experience

Widespread agreement exists that the United States faces a serious challenge in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). There is a particular deficit of females (Watt, 2010) and members of underserved groups like rural populations (Smith, Nelson, Trygstad, & Banilower, 2013) who are interested in STEM topics and qualified to pursue STEM careers. Initiatives are needed to encourage more students, especially females and rural students, to go into STEM fields. In this project, e-textile activities were designed by a senior level undergraduate textile design class to engage female middle-school students in STEM learning. E-textile activities have the potential to increase enjoyment of and interest in STEM activities, taking STEM courses, consideration of STEM careers, and confidence in STEM ability