Predicting Consumer Adoption of QR Code Stores for Apparels across Times of Use Experience

QR code attributes such as ubiquity, location-based information and mobile transaction were identified to be essential attributes for improving perceived values in the shopping context (Kim & Lee, 2013; Shin et al., 2012). Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) suggested four core determinants (i.e., performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating condition) of behavioral intention to use technology. The literature also provided an insight of how determinants of intention and behavior evolve over time (Venkatesh et al., 2003). In the apparel specific context, the study examines how the effects of QR code attributes on perceived values, determining behavioral intention change over time

Assessment of Textile and Apparel Curriculum in Mongolia from the Academia and Industry Perspectives

Despite the significant presence of the Textile and Apparel (T & A) industry in Mongolia, the current T & A curriculum in Mongolian higher education is not up to the standard of meeting the needs for the T&A industry. Present researchers found that previous research assessed the T & A curriculum in developed countries like the U.S. (Hines & Swinker, 1998); however, little academic research has assessed the T & A curriculum in third world countries (e.g., Mongolia). Thus, the purpose of this research is to assess the T & A curriculum in Mongolian higher education to provide some fundamental suggestions for improvement meeting the four-year baccalaureate program, Meta-Goals, developed by the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA, 2008)

The effects of a group cognitive behavioral therapy program using video communication for pregnant women with depressed mood in Korea: a pilot study

Purpose This study presents the development of a group video communication-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for depressed pregnant women. It also provides the results of a preliminary test of its effects on their depression, automatic thoughts, and dysfunctional attitudes. Methods In this quasi-experimental single-group pre- and posttest design study, 13 pregnant women participated in a 4-week, eight-session group CBT program, based on Beck’s cognitive theory and using video communications from November 2020 to January. Pregnant women between 14 and 32 weeks who were members of an online maternity and parenting community and residing in the cities of Changwon and Gimhae, Korea, were invited to voluntarily participate. Trained nurses led CBT sessions of 3–4 participants per group via video communication. Participants were assessed pre- and postintervention with self-report questionnaires for measurement of depression, automatic thought, and dysfunctional attitude after normality test according to the Shapiro-Wilk test of the variables. The data were analyzed using paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results Depression (t=7.90, p<.001), automatic thoughts (t=4.89, p<.001), and dysfunctional attitudes (t=2.42, p=.032) significantly decreased after the 4-week online program. There were statistically significant correlations among the three variables. Conclusion This program was found to be effective in reducing depression, automatic thoughts, and dysfunctional attitudes. Above findings suggest that a group CBT program using video communication can be an effective therapeutic modality that helps pregnant women at risk for depression alleviate their negative emotions related to depression

Vibration Testing for Detecting Internal Corrosion

The vibration behavior of structures can be characterized in terms of resonance frequencies and mode shapes which describe properties of the tested object in a global way but do not in general provide information about structural details. We develop a simple method to address the inverse problem of identifying an internal corrosive part of small Hausdorff measure in a pipeline by vibration analysis. The viability of our reconstruction method is documented by a variety of numerical results from synthetic, noiseless and noisy data

Gating of memory encoding of time-delayed cross-frequency MEG networks revealed by graph filtration based on persistent homology

To explain gating of memory encoding, magnetoencephalography (MEG) was analyzed over multi-regional network of negative correlations between alpha band power during cue (cue-alpha) and gamma band power during item presentation (item-gamma) in Remember (R) and No-remember (NR) condition. Persistent homology with graph filtration on alpha-gamma correlation disclosed topological invariants to explain memory gating. Instruction compliance (R-hits minus NR-hits) was significantly related to negative coupling between the left superior occipital (cue-alpha) and the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyri (item-gamma) on permutation test, where the coupling was stronger in R than NR. In good memory performers (R-hits minus false alarm), the coupling was stronger in R than NR between the right posterior cingulate (cue-alpha) and the left fusiform gyri (item-gamma). Gating of memory encoding was dictated by inter-regional negative alpha-gamma coupling. Our graph filtration over MEG network revealed these inter-regional time-delayed cross-frequency connectivity serve gating of memory encoding

The experiences of depressed pregnant women participating in a cognitive behavioral therapy program via video communication: an exploratory qualitative study

Purpose This study explored the experiences of pregnant women with depressed mood participating in a group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program using video communication, based on Beck’s cognitive theory. Methods The participants were six pregnant women out of 13 women who had participated in an 8-session group CBT program using video communication for women with depressed mood (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression score of ≥9). Data were collected from February 20 through March 25, 2021. In-depth individual interviews were conducted through a video conferencing platform at 1 month post-baseline. Thematic analysis was done. Results Three themes, 10 subthemes, and 38 concepts were derived from experiences of participating in the 4-week group CBT program (twice a week). The first theme, entitled “continuing realization” had subthemes of “a negative and instable self,” “a selfish judgment that excludes others,” and “a strong belief in self-control.” The second theme, entitled “attempt to change for restoration” had subthemes of “shift to rational thinking,” “freedom from suppressed beliefs,” “tolerance of other people,” and “courage for self-expression.” The third theme, entitled “departure for a positive life,” had subthemes of “emotional healing,” “faith in oneself,” and “reestablishing the criteria for happiness.” Conclusion Pregnant women with depressed mood expressed that continuing realizations and attempts to change supported their transition toward a positive direction of healing. Thus, they were able to change their distorted thinking into rational thinking through CBT using video communication. These findings support the use of group CBT using video communication with pregnant women who have depressed mood

Formation of visual memories controlled by gamma power phase-locked to alpha oscillations

Neuronal oscillations provide a window for understanding the brain dynamics that organize the flow of information from sensory to memory areas. While it has been suggested that gamma power reflects feedforward processing and alpha oscillations feedback control, it remains unknown how these oscillations dynamically interact. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data was acquired from healthy subjects who were cued to either remember or not remember presented pictures. Our analysis revealed that in anticipation of a picture to be remembered, alpha power decreased while the cross-frequency coupling between gamma power and alpha phase increased. A measure of directionality between alpha phase and gamma power predicted individual ability to encode memory: stronger control of alpha phase over gamma power was associated with better memory. These findings demonstrate that encoding of visual information is reflected by a state determined by the interaction between alpha and gamma activity

Fabrication of functional micro- and nanoneedle electrodes using a carbon nanotube template and electrodeposition

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is an attractive material for needle-like conducting electrodes because it has high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. However, CNTs cannot provide the desired properties in certain applications. To obtain micro- and nanoneedles having the desired properties, it is necessary to fabricate functional needles using various other materials. In this study, functional micro- and nanoneedle electrodes were fabricated using a tungsten tip and an atomic force microscope probe with a CNT needle template and electrodeposition. To prepare the conductive needle templates, a single-wall nanotube nanoneedle was attached onto the conductive tip using dielectrophoresis and surface tension. Through electrodeposition, Au, Ni, and polypyrrole were each coated successfully onto CNT nanoneedle electrodes to obtain the desired properties