A Longitudinal Body Scanning Research Study to Improve Apparel Grading: Methodological Implications

Standardized sizes and pattern grading practices used in the industry contribute to poor fit. Sizing systems are based on anthropometric data and in turn grading systems are based on sizing systems. Grading practices are based on assumptions that all body measurements increase and decrease in both width and length at the same rate and location when migrating from one standardized size to another. This funded longitudinal study was initiated to examine how various body shapes transform as they migrate through multiple standardized apparel sizes and explore the relationship of body shape to current fit and grading practices. Men and women over the age of 18 enrolled in weight loss programs are receiving 3D body scans with each 10 pounds of weight loss to examine body shape and size changes. Preliminary data and study methodology are presented

Decremental Analysis of Plus-size Women: Bodice Drafting and Grading Implications

Fitting issues continue to be a complaint among plus-size consumers of ready-to-wear apparel. The purpose of the study was to: determine the efficacy of a bodice pattern drafting method and grading rules. Plus-size women were recruited for a longitudinal body scanning study. The participants came back for a follow-up scan after 10 pounds of weight-loss. Front and back bodices were drafted for each scan. Eight women had usable scan pairs. A major issue with the drafting system was the standardized location and size of the bust dart. No participants lost weight symmetrically, thus, a simplified grading system is not appropriate. The preliminary results of this study indicate that the assumed standard ease and dart placements suggested in the drafting system was not suitable for drafting plus-size bodices Results produced implications in: pattern drafting, grading, and body scanning. New assumptions which address body shape need to be formulated for plus-sizes

Solar cell research, phase 2 Semiannual report

Radiation effects on properties of lithium solar cell

Investigating educative mentoring for provisionally certificated teachers in the New Zealand primary school

The Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring and Mentor Teachers were published in 2011 by the New Zealand Teachers Council. The Guidelines signalled a shift from what had been an induction programme based on advice and guidance to one that involved educative mentoring. These guidelines were developed to support the provision of nationally consistent, high quality, and comprehensive support for provisionally certificated teachers (PCTs). This qualitative investigation used an interpretative case study approach to describe what educative mentoring looked like in three New Zealand primary schools. Data were gathered using an online survey, interviews, recorded meeting and analysis of documents. The findings were that mentors and provisionally registered teachers had differing levels of understanding of educative mentoring. While mentors espoused using educative mentoring components (Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, 2015a, pp. 25-26) this did not appear to be happening in practice. This suggests the need for mentor training if educative mentoring is to become embedded. Mentors need training to understand what educative mentoring really means. In particular the elements of deconstruction (describing, analysing, and discussing evidence) and co-construction (setting new personal goals) were missing to some degree in each relationship investigated. The process of induction and mentoring is to develop practice and ultimately for the provisionally registered teacher to attain the Practising Teacher Criteria. However this study revealed that the developmental process of practice appears to be more focused on meeting the Practising Teacher Criteria than developing understanding through the setting of personal goals

Marsupial and monotreme milk : a review of its nutrient and immune properties

All mammals are characterized by the ability of females to produce milk. Marsupial (metatherian) and monotreme (prototherian) young are born in a highly altricial state and rely on their mother’s milk for the first part of their life. Here we review the role and importance of milk in marsupial and monotreme development. Milk is the primary source of sustenance for young marsupials and monotremes and its composition varies at different stages of development. We applied nutritional geometry techniques to a limited number of species with values available to analyze changes in macronutrient composition of milk at different stages. Macronutrient energy composition of marsupial milk varies between species and changes concentration during the course of lactation. As well as nourishment, marsupial and monotreme milk supplies growth and immune factors. Neonates are unable to mount a specific immune response shortly after birth and therefore rely on immunoglobulins, immunological cells and other immunologically important molecules transferred through milk. Milk is also essential to the development of the maternal-young bond and is achieved through feedback systems and odor preferences in eutherian mammals. However, we have much to learn about the role of milk in marsupial and monotreme mother-young bonding. Further research is warranted in gaining a better understanding of the role of milk as a source of nutrition, developmental factors and immunity, in a broader range of marsupial species, and monotremes

Additional application of the NASCAP code. Volume 1: NASCAP extension

The NASCAP computer program comprehensively analyzes problems of spacecraft charging. Using a fully three dimensional approach, it can accurately predict spacecraft potentials under a variety of conditions. Several changes were made to NASCAP, and a new code, NASCAP/LEO, was developed. In addition, detailed studies of several spacecraft-environmental interactions and of the SCATHA spacecraft were performed. The NASCAP/LEO program handles situations of relatively short Debye length encountered by large space structures or by any satellite in low earth orbit (LEO)

Analysis of the charging of the SCATHA (P78-2) satellite

The charging of a large object in polar Earth orbit was investigated in order to obtain a preliminary indication of the response of the shuttle orbiter to such an environment. Two NASCAP (NASA Charging Analyzer Program) models of SCATHA (Satellite Charging at High Altitudes) were used in simulations of charging events. The properties of the satellite's constituent materials were compiled and representations of the experimentally observed plasma spectra were constructed. Actual charging events, as well as those using test environments, were simulated. Numerical models for the simulation of particle emitters and detectors were used to analyze the operation of these devices onboard SCATHA. The effect of highly charged surface regions on the charging conductivity within a photosheath was used to interpret results from the onboard electric field experiment. Shadowing calculations were carried out for the satellite and a table of effective illuminated areas was compiled

Additional application of the NASCAP code. Volume 2: SEPS, ion thruster neutralization and electrostatic antenna model

The interactions of spacecraft systems with the surrounding plasma environment were studied analytically for three cases of current interest: calculating the impact of spacecraft generated plasmas on the main power system of a baseline solar electric propulsion stage (SEPS), modeling the physics of the neutralization of an ion thruster beam by a plasma bridge, and examining the physical and electrical effects of orbital ambient plasmas on the operation of an electrostatically controlled membrane mirror. In order to perform these studies, the NASA charging analyzer program (NASCAP) was used as well as several other computer models and analytical estimates. The main result of the SEPS study was to show how charge exchange ion expansion can create a conducting channel between the thrusters and the solar arrays. A fluid-like model was able to predict plasma potentials and temperatures measured near the main beam of an ion thruster and in the vicinity of a hollow cathode neutralizer. Power losses due to plasma currents were shown to be substantial for several proposed electrostatic antenna designs

Three-Dimensional Body Scanning Technology: Comparison of Four Different Acquisition Systems for Apparel Product Development

This research presents the results of a study comparing the hardware and software of four commercially available brands of three-dimensional (3D) body scanners. Fifty-five men and women over age 18 had baseline anthropometric measurements taken by flexible tape measure, air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Participants then were received a full body scan in each of the four comparative scanner systems. Data were evaluated through linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses for each 3D optical system, qualitative data regarding participant ease of use and comfort with each scanning system are presented. Results indicate design of hardware and software influence comfort during scanning process, accuracy of data collected, and its usefulness for apparel development

Comparison of mortality with home hemodialysis and center hemodialysis: A national study

Comparison of mortality with home hemodialysis and center hemodialysis: A national study. We sought to determine whether lower mortality rates reported with hemodialysis (HD) at home compared to hemodialysis in dialysis centers (center HD) could be explained by patient selection. Data are from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Special Study Of Case Mix Severity, a random national sample of 4,892 patients who started renal replacement therapy in 1986 to 1987. Intent-to-treat analyses compared mortality between home HD (N =70) and center HD patients (N = 3,102) using the Cox proportional hazards model. Home HD patients were younger and had a lower frequency of comorbid conditions. The unadjusted relative risk (RR) of death for home HD patients compared to center HD was 0.37 (P < 0.001). The RR adjusted for age, sex, race and diabetes, was 44% lower in home HD patients (RR = 0.56, P = 0.02). When additionally adjusted for comorbid conditions, this RR increased marginally (RR = 0.58, P = 0.03). A different analysis using national USRDS data from 1986/7 and without comorbid adjustment showed patients with training for self care hemodialysis at home or in a center (N = 418) had a lower mortality risk (RR = 0.78, P = 0.001) than center HD patients (N = 43,122). Statistical adjustment for comorbid conditions in addition to age, sex, race, and diabetes explains only a small amount of the lower mortality with home HD