Championing Gender Fluidity in Luxury Fashion: A Case Study on Gucci under Alessandro Michele’s Creative Direction

This research aims to explore the contributions of luxury fashion brands in fostering a discourse on gender identity. Taking Gucci as its primary point of inquiry, the study dissects how one of the industry’s iconic brands has navigated gender fluidity in its campaigns and outreach under the avant-garde and audacious vision of its former creative director Alessandro Michele. This investigation delves deep into Gucci’s multifaceted dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), unraveling its strategic undertakings to champion gender inclusivity. The aim is to uncover the depth, significance, and potential ripple effects of Gucci’s stance in setting a precedent for the broader luxury fashion domain

Is the Artification process perceived by final consumers of luxury products? Results from an experiment based on the application of the Customer-based Brand Equity Model

Many companies in the fashion industry are increasingly weaving close relationships with the art world, to appropriate art values and meanings to be associated with their own products and brands. The fashion luxury sector has been especially prone to using such strategies to transform their products into true artworks to address the issue of commodification resulting from high production volumes. This research aims to observe if a strategy based on the visual arts is recognized and accepted by final consumers. For this purpose, we use the Customer-based Brand Equity tool to test the artification effect on brand equity from a consumer perspective. The brand of reference is Louis Vuitton, the top brand worldwide as stated by 2016 Interbrand. They have embraced an art-based strategy for a long time. The methodology used is that of the questionnaire built on the measurement of scales of values. The questionnaire was created and distributed via Qualtrics Survey Software in collaboration with the Insead-Sorbonne Behavioural Lab Research Center. In brief, the experiment shows that Louis Vuitton strategy has been to act as an art institution that displays art collections to the widest public art status and bestows art status and global recognition to collaborating artists. This strategy relies on LV ability to raise consumers\u2019 awareness of the arts. While the art-oriented public recognizes artistic collaborations, the larger public does not and is still very much aware of new designs

Development of a 3D Printing Strategy for Completely Polymeric Neural Interfaces Fabrication

The fabrication of neural interfaces (NIs) typically relies nowadays on the implementation of complex, expensive, and time-consuming photolithographic processes. Metals and polymers are the materials currently used to fabricate NIs. Conductive polymers could be an alternative to metals to enhance the biocompatibility of the devices. Additive manufacturing techniques provide an easier and low-cost approach to process and finely tuning the geometrical and morphological features of polymers. Here, we propose a 3D printing strategy for the fabrication of completely polymeric neural interfaces, based on extrusion printing. The materials have been chosen to enhance the biocompatibility of the devices. PDMS has been chosen as insulating substrate, while a PEDOT:PSS-based ink has been selected for the conductive component. Morphological, mechanical, and rheological analyses on the inks have been carried out and a first prototype of a neural interface has been fabricated. The PDMS has a Young Modulus of 600 kPa, in the same order of magnitude as peripheral nerves, with a thickness of 160 μm. The PEDOT:PSS inks fabricated present a shear thinning behavior, ideal for an extrusion printing process This approach could represent a valuable alternative to photolithography and an innovative method for the fabrication of NIs, due to the high degree of customization, ease of implementation, low-cost and flexibility in materials choice

A busca ativa de tuberculose pulmonar em Teresópolis, RJ, Brasil: a procura de sintomáticos respiratórios na emergência do Hospital das Clínicas de Teresópolis Costantino Ottaviano, Fundação Educacional Serra dos Órgãos

The aim of the present study was to investigate the detection percentage of tuberculosis among patients that are respiratory symptomatic (TB suspects). In this work, we present the preliminary results of research carried out at "Hospital das Clínicas de Teresópolis Costantino Ottaviano da Fundação Educacional Serra dos Órgãos (FESO)" from November 2003 to April 2004. Among the 40 respiratory symptomatic individuals identified and referred to the Tuberculosis Control Program in Teresópolis, two (5.0%) were characterized as smear-positive. These results confirm reports in the literature and underscore the need for and importance of this strategy.Investigar o percentual de detecção de tuberculose entre sintomáticos respiratórios é o objetivo do presente estudo. Nesta nota prévia, apresentam-se os resultados preliminares da pesquisa desenvolvida no Hospital das Clinicas de Teresópolis Costantino Ottaviano da Fundação Educacional Serra dos Órgãos (FESO), de novembro de 2003 a abril de 2004. Dos 40 sintomáticos respiratórios identificados e encaminhados ao Programa de Controle da Tuberculose do município de Teresópolis, dois (5.0%) foram caracterizados como bacilíferos. Esses resultados corroboram com os relatos da literatura e confirmam a necessidade e importância desta estratégia

Morphological Characters of the Thickbody Skate Amblyraja frerichsi (Krefft 1968) (Rajiformes: Rajidae), with Notes on Its Biology

Detailed descriptions of morphological features, morphometrics, neurocranium anatomy, clasper structure and egg case descriptions are provided for the thickbody skate Amblyraja frerichsi; a rare, deep-water species from Chile, Argentina and Falkland Islands. The species diagnosis is complemented from new observations and aspects such as colour, size and distribution are described. Geographic and bathymetric distributional ranges are discussed as relevant features of this taxońs biology. Additionally, the conservation status is assessed including bycatch records from Chilean fisheries