A Review of Consumer-Facing Digital Technologies Across Different Types of Fashion Store Formats

Several current trends in the fashion retail and marketing landscape are associated with the ongoing digital revolution, including the increasing tendency for fashion retailers to adopt consumer-facing digital technologies across their online and physical store formats. Such technology helps improve the store environment by conferring a more engaging and stimulating shopping experience for consumers. This chapter provides a review of existing literature, supported by relevant industry reports and current examples from key players in the fashion retail sector, to provide a comprehensive analysis of different types of consumer-facing digital technology in various fashion store formats and how they impact on the overall shopping experience. The authors review a number of technologies including interactive touchscreens, RFID tags, beacon technology, magic mirrors and mobile apps, and consider how they are implemented in online stores, digitally enhanced stores, brand stores and pop-up stores in the fashion sector

La Mostra della fotografia a Roma dal 1840 al 1915: collezionisti, studiosi e conoscitori intorno al 1953

This essay analyzes the origins and consequences of the first major exhibition of historical photography organized in Rome in 1953. The show was the first in Italy to draw public attention not only to photography’s documentary value, but also to the history of photography in Rome between 1840 and 1915. Based on the contribution of notable intellectuals and directed by Silvio Negro and Carlo Pietrangeli, the exhibition laid the historiographical foundations for a history of photography in Rome and was a driving force for the creation of important collections, beginning with the “Archivio fotografico del Comune di Roma”

Histoire et fortune photographique d’une œuvre d’art : le cas du Laocoon Vatican

A partir d’une étude détaillée des photographies du Lacoon, Maria Francesca Bonetti propose une analyse de l’évolution des points de vue photographiques dans la photographie de sculpture tout au long du XIXe siècle, en notant une normalisation dans les années 1860 et 1870. Les photographes adoptent alors un point de vue frontal et une composition épurée, rejoignant ainsi la thèse classique selon laquelle la sculpture est conçue pour être admirée à partir d’un point de vue unique. La mise en perspective de ce corpus d’épreuves et de leur contexte de publication soulève des questions quant à l’usage de ces représentations dans le cadre de l’histoire de l’art

Predictive Factors for Pregnancy-Related Persistent Pelvic Girdle Pain (PPGP): A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: To identify the most frequently reported predictive factors for the persistency of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) at 3–6 months after childbirth in women with PPGP alone or PPGP in association with pregnancy-related lower back pain (PLBP). // Methods: Eligibility criteria: Two authors independently selected studies excluding PPGP determined by a specific, traumatic, gynecological/urological cause or isolated PLBP and studies that did not include the presence/absence of PPGP as the the primary outcome. We, instead, included studies with an initial assessment in pregnancy (within 1 month of delivery) and with a follow-up of at least 3 months after delivery. // Data sources: The research was performed using the databases of Medline, Cochrane, Pedro, Scopus, Web of Science and Cinahl from December 2018 to January 2022, following the indications of the PRISMA statement 2021 and the MOOSE checklist. It includes observational cohort studies in which data were often collected through prospective questionnaires (all in English). // Study appraisal and risk of bias: Two independent authors performed evaluations of the risk of bias (ROB) using the quality in prognostic studies (QUIPS) tool. // Synthesis of results: An in-depth qualitative analysis was conducted because, due to a high degree of heterogeneity in the data collection of the included studies and a lack of raw data suitable for quantitative analysis, it was not possible to carry out the originally planned meta-analyses for the subgroups. // Results: The research process led to the inclusion of 10 articles which were evaluated using the QUIPS tool: 5 studies were evaluated as low ROB and 5 were evaluated as moderate ROB. High levels of pain in pregnancy, a large number of positive provocation tests, a history of lower back pain and lumbo-pelvic pain, high levels of disability in pregnancy, neurotic behavior and high levels of fear-avoidance belief were identified as strong predictors of long-term PPGP, while there was weak or contradictory evidence regarding predictions of emotional distress, catastrophizing and sleep disturbances. // Discussion: The impossibility of carrying out the meta-analysis by subgroups suggests the need for further research with greater methodological rigor in the acquisition of measures based on an already existing PPGP core predictors/outcome sets

Conservative non-surgical management in medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A retrospective study

Objectives: To date, the best treatment for Medication Related Osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is controversial. Recent studies suggest different therapies, considering the stage of MRONJ; however, sometimes patients, although with remarkable extension of disease, cannot undergo surgery. The purpose of present preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative non-surgical treatment of MRONJ lesions in a cohort of patients ineligible for surgery or refusing any surgical treatment for stage II and III of MRONJ. Materials and methods: Patients with MRONJ (staging II or III) ineligible for surgical treatment were selected for a retrospective study. A conservative non-surgical therapy (antibiotics and antiseptic) was administered for 1 year. Five scheduled checks were performed to assess changes in signs and symptoms during the observational period. Results: Our observation was carried out on 12 patients. Improvement of signs and symptoms of disease were observed in population. Conclusion: This study suggests that non-surgical treatment may be a valid therapeutic option in patients ineligible for surgery. The sample size is small, further studies should be carried out to satisfy the aim of a conservative non-surgical treatment protocol establishmen

Usefulness of an app in improving oral hygiene compliance in adolescent orthodontic patients

Objective: To evaluate the influence of an app-based approach in a protocol for domestic oral hygiene maintenance in a group of adolescent patients wearing fixed multibracket appliances. Materials and Methods: Eighty adolescent patients scheduled to start an orthodontic multibracket treatment were randomly divided into two groups of 40. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), white spots (WS), and caries presence were recorded in all patients, and they were instructed regarding domestic oral hygiene maintenance on the day of braces application (t0) and every 3 months (t1, t2, t3, t4) during the first year of treatment. Study group (SG) patients were enrolled in a WhatsApp chat room-based competition and instructed to share monthly with the other participants two selfphotographs (selfies) showing their oral hygiene status. Results: SG patient participation in the chat room was regular and active throughout the observation period. At t3, t3, and t4, SG patients had significantly lower values of both PI and GI and a lower incidence of new WS and caries, compared with the control group. Conclusion: Integration of new "social" technologies in a standard oral hygiene motivation protocol is effective in improving compliance of adolescent patients and in improving their oral health status during orthodontic multibracket treatment

Treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS; aphthae; canker sores) with a barrier forming mouth rinse or topical gel formulation containing hyaluronic acid: a retrospective clinical study

BackgroundUse of hyaluronic acid-based products has become a valuable alternative to drug-based approaches in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The presented study aimed to investigate the effect of a barrier forming hyaluronic acid containing mouth wash or a topical gel formulation on the healing of RAS and patient's quality of life.MethodsFor this single-center retrospective study, medical records of the Dental School of the University of Brescia were screened for adult and systemically health patients suffering from minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and treated with either a barrier forming, hyaluronic acid containing mouth wash (GUM (R) AftaClear (R) rinse) or a topical gel (GUM (R) AftaClear (R) gel) in 2015. All patients fulfilling the in-/exclusion criteria and presenting full data sets on lesion diameter, lesion color, as well as pain perception for baseline (day 0) and 4 and 7days after treatment were enrolled into the presented study.ResultsOut of 60 screened patients, a total of 20 patients treated with the Rinse formulation and 25 treated with the Gel formulation were eligible for the enrollment into this study. Both groups showed equal distribution in patient's age, sex and presented a similar mean lesion size (3.01.0mm), lesion color distribution as well as pain perception at baseline. All patients showed significant normalization of lesion color, reduction of pain, and lesion dimension within the course of their treatment. After 7days, the mean percentage of lesion reduction was highly significant for both groups attaining 77.4 +/- 30.1% in the Rinse group and 81.2 +/- 23.1% in the Gel group with a complete lesion closure obtained in 60 and 56% of the cases, respectively. However, a significant (p<0.05) higher percentage of lesions in the Gel group (72%) compared to the Rinse group (40%) showed an improvement in lesion size already after 3days.ConclusionsWithin the limitation of retrospective design, it can be concluded that both the barrier forming hyaluronic acid containing mouth rinse as well as the topical gel formulation are effective in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), with a trend for an earlier healing onset for the topical Gel formulation

Effectiveness of a 'Global Postural Reeducation' program for persistent Low Back Pain: A non-randomized controlled trial

Background. The aim of this non-randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) program as compared to a Stabilization Exercise (SE) program in subjects with persistent low back pain (LBP) at short- and mid-term follow-up (ie. 3 and 6 months). Methods. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 100 patients with a primary complaint of persistent LBP were enrolled in the study: 50 were allocated to the GPR group and 50 to the SE group. Primary outcome measures were Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcome measures were lumbar Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Fingertip-to-floor test (FFT). Data were collected at baseline and at 3/6 months by health care professionals unaware of the study. An intention to treat approach was used to analyze participants according to the group to which they were originally assigned. Results. Of the 100 patients initially included in the study, 78 patients completed the study: 42 in the GPR group and 36 in the SE group. At baseline, the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to gender, age, BMI and outcome measures. Comparing the differences between groups at short- and mid-term follow-up, the GPR group revealed a significant reduction (from baseline) in all outcome measures with respect to the SE group. The ordered logistic regression model showed an increased likelihood of definitive improvement (reduction from baseline of at least 30% in RMDQ and VAS scores) for the GPR group compared to the SE group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.7 to 5.7). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that a GPR intervention in subjects with persistent LBP induces a greater improvement on pain and disability as compared to a SE program. These results must be confirmed by further studies with higher methodological standards, including randomization, larger sample size, longer follow-up and subgrouping of the LBP subjects. © 2010 Bonetti et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Augmented Realities: Fusing Consumers' Experiences and Interactions with Immersive Technologies in Physical Retail Settings

Drawing upon previous research into immersive environments and technology-enhanced stores, this exploratory study elucidates the concept of the 'augmented store' – a physical store modified to accommodate augmented reality (AR) technology. In doing so, it extends previous research conducted in experimental laboratory settings to an empirical real-world scenario. Qualitative data gathered from interviews with, and observation of, consumers using AR technology in-store are analysed to provide naturalistic understandings of interactions with, and perceptions of, a physical store enhanced with AR technology. Findings suggest that consumers appreciate the ability to experience an enhanced, more immersive store environment arising from the AR experience. They perceive interaction with the augmented store to be 'realistic' and articulated hedonic motivations as drivers for interaction in this shopping environment. The augmented store appears to stimulate brand engagement, increasing consumers' desire to shop at the retailer, providing managerial opportunities to reinforce brand positioning

Practice co‑evolution: Collaboratively embedding artificial intelligence in retail practices

Many retailers invest in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operational efficiency or enhance customer experience. However, AI often disrupts employees’ ways of working causing them to resist change, thus threatening the successful embedding and sustained usage of the technology. Using a longitudinal, multi-site ethnographic approach combining 74 stakeholder interviews and 14 on-site retail observations over a 5-year period, this article examines how employees’ practices change when retailers invest in AI. Practice co-evolution is identified as the process that undergirds successful AI integration and enables retail employees’ sustained usage of AI. Unlike product or practice diffusion, which may be organic or fortuitous, practice co-evolution is an orchestrated, collaborative process in which a practice is co-envisioned, co-adapted, and co-(re)aligned. To be sustained, practice co-evolution must be recursive and enabled via intentional knowledge transfers. This empirically derived recursive phasic model provides a roadmap for successful retail AI embedding, and fruitful future research avenues