Compactifications of F-Theory on Calabi-Yau Threefolds at Constant Coupli ng

Generalizing the work of Sen, we analyze special points in the moduli space of the compactification of the F-theory on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds where the coupling remains constant. These contain points where they can be realized as orbifolds of six torus $T^6$ by $Z_m \times Z_n (m, n=2, 3, 4, 6)$. At various types of intersection points of singularities, we find that the enhancement of gauge symmetries arises from the intersection of two kinds of singularities. We also argue that when we take the Hirzebruch surface as a base for the Calabi- Yau threefold, the condition for constant coupling corresponds to the case where the point like instantons coalesce, giving rise to enhanced gauge group of $Sp(k)$.Comment: 13 pages, Latex, no figures, 1 table, some error in the original version correcte

Website Design Elements and Online Shopping Behavior of Korean Consumers: An Exploration Based on the S-O-R Paradigm

To date, to our knowledge, no study has focused on South Korean consumers\u27 response to website design and their online shopping behavior. Therefore, the present study explored the relationship between aforementioned constructs. Based on extant literature related to the S-O-R and online shopping, a conceptual framework with 12 hypotheses that are positively related were proposed. To test the model, structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was employed. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted, which had adequate model fit indices; followed by causal model testing. The fit indices as per SEM were deemed adequate (χ2= 1667.45, df = 434, CFI = .88, TLI =.86, RMSEA = .07). Of the 12 proposed hypotheses, 6 hypotheses were supported at various p-values of statistical significance. The results showed that brand loyalty is strongly associated with brand\u27s web design elements than the former construct. Furthermore, brand consciousness is a strong driver of shopping intentions, which was not so in the case of brand loyalty

Wearers\u27 Perceptions and Acceptance of Shoes Made with Eco-Friendly Materials

The purpose of this study was to assess wearers\u27 perceptions and acceptance of sustainable shoes, comparing with commercial leather shoes. A total of 42 male subjects were participated in this experimental study and their responses were used for data analyses. A paired t-test was performed to examine whether there were significant mean differences between the sustainable shoes and leather shoes, in the following five dimensions: function, expression, aesthetics, mobility related with physical fit and comfort during wear trials, and wearers\u27 acceptance. The findings demonstrated that the men\u27s shoes made with the eco-layer material configuration, which can be a leather substitute, have the potential to attract young male consumers in the future. However, the sustainable shoes in this study still remained a lack of mobility related to fit and comfort. Suggestions for future research to enhance the mobility of sustainable shoes for providing better fit and comfort of wearers are discussed

Biomechanical Effects of Men\u27s Dress Shoes Made with Eco-Friendly Materials

The purpose of this study was to evaluate wearers\u27 performance in men\u27s leather shoes comparing with sustainable shoes using an experimental research design. It was hypothesized that there were no differences in kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait within lower extremity of participants wearing the leather shoes and sustainable shoes while performing the following three conditions: walking on flat ground, ascending, and descending stairs. A total of 37 human subjects were used for the data analyses. For kinetics, no statistically significant mean differences between the two shoes during descending stairs was identified. For kinematics, no statistically significant differences for peak angles of hips, knees, and ankles were found between the two shoes during ascending and descending stairs. The findings of this study confirm the possibility for multi-layered cellulosic material to use as an alternative leather when making sustainable men’s dress shoes in terms of kinematics and kinetics

Multi-layered Cellulosic Material as a Leather Alternate in the Footwear Industry

We aimed to develop a biodegradable and compostable material that could be used as a leather alternate for the footwear industry, which leads to reduce the negative impact of this industry to the environment. This experimental study was conducted to develop a multi-layered cellulosic material (cellulosic fiber mat + denim + hemp) and examine its material properties – thermal comfort, air permeability, tensile strength, and wettability – compared with those of two-layered leather (calf skin + pig skin) often used when making shoes. We hypothesized that these two materials would have similar properties. This study presented the effectiveness of a multi-layered cellulosic material to be used as a leather alternate when developing shoes. The results also provided a better understanding of the influence of a multi-layered cellulosic material on the wearers\u27 thermal comfort. Further research is suggested identifying solutions to reduce water absorbency of this multi-layered cellulosic material

RETHINK III: Bio-Shoes in Urban Campus Life

Inspired by the concept of “sustainability†and based on our previous shoe design made of a green tea-based biodegradable cellulose fiber mat as a leather alternative material, we further challenged ourselves to implement cradle-to-cradle design approach into the shoe design process. We especially focused on sustainable material selection for different layers of the shoe structure and simple shoe pattern development using a zero waste approach. Our bio-shoes also considered much attention to wearers\u27 functional and aesthetic desires. We chose a contemporary look for the bio-shoes, which can complement current college male students\u27 desires and needs in their urban campus life

RETHINK II: Kombucha Shoes for Scarlett and Rhett

We challenged ourselves to rethink what constitutes sustainable consumer products in a world of increasingly stressed natural resources. We explored the innovative way to develop renewable materials, leather-like nonwoven fabrics, which can be used for apparel and footwear products for the betterment of people and the planet. The cellulose fiber mats formed by bacteria and yeast in fermenting green tea can be produced without any synthetic process or chemical materials. Our kombucha shoes can be an alternate future where we move to a cradle-to-cradle system, instead of relying on materials derived from unsustainable sources. The outcome of our innovative design efforts is presented by creating aesthetically pleasing, biodegradable shoes for Scarlett and Rhett, leading characters from Gone with the Wind, one of the most famous American fiction bestsellers published in the 1930s. RETHINK II design provides a promising future of this biodegradable material as an alternate future suitable for footwear

Sustainable shoe design and evaluation using kinematic and kinetic analysis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the compatibility of sustainable shoes made with bacterial cellulosic (BC) non-woven mat integrating with eco-friendly materials, compared with durability and comfort in performance of newly developed sustainable shoes and commercially available leather shoes via users’ wear testing. This study also examined wearers’ perceptions and acceptance in the sustainable shoes, compared with leather shoes via survey questionnaire. The specific research objectives of this study were to: (a) identify a proposed integrated theoretical framework for sustainable shoe design, (b) examine a multi-layered cellulosic material (MCM) by bonding BC non-woven mats, denim fabric, and hemp fabric compared with those of two-layered leathers, multi-layered calf-skin leather and pig-skin leather (MCPL), (c) develop sustainable shoe prototype made of MCM through IsAcT design process, (d) evaluate wearers’ performance in men’s commercial leather shoes comparing with sustainable shoes, and (e) assess wearers’ perceptions and acceptance of the sustainable shoes comparing with the leather shoes. Based on the proposed integrated theoretical framework, for material test hypotheses, these two materials would have similar properties. No significant mean differences were found between MCM and MCPL in total heat loss and break force. The values of air permeability, evaporative potential, and permeability index of MCM were higher than those of MCPL. The findings of this study confirmed the effectiveness of MCM for use as a leather alternative material when developing sustainable shoes and provide insights to the footwear industry. After that, therefore, five pair of sustainable shoes were made with MCM and the other eco-friendly materials (compressed papers and cork materials). For wear testing, it was hypothesized that there were no differences in kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait within lower extremity of participants wearing the leather shoes and sustainable shoes while performing the following three conditions: walking on flat ground, ascending, and descending stairs. A total of 37 human subjects were used for the data analysis. For kinetics, no statistically significant mean differences between the two shoes during descending stairs was identified. For kinematics, no statistically significant differences for peak angles of hips, knees, and ankles were found between the two shoes during ascending and descending stairs. The findings of this study confirmed the possibility of men’s sustainable shoes made with MCM as a leather alternate in terms of kinematics and kinetics. Finally, a total of 42 male subjects were participated in this experimental study and their responses were used for data analysis. A paired t-test was performed to examine whether there were significant mean differences between the sustainable shoes and leather shoes, in the following five dimensions: function, expression, aesthetics, mobility related with physical fit and comfort during wear trials, and wearers’ acceptance. The findings demonstrated that the men’s shoes made with the eco-layered material configuration (MCM), which can be a leather substitute, have the potential to attract young male consumers in the future. However, the sustainable shoes in this study still remained a lack of mobility related to fit and comfort. Suggestions for future research to enhance the mobility of sustainable shoes for providing better fit and comfort of wearers are discussed

The Impact of Body Satisfaction on Fitness Apparel Online Shopping According to Culture

The purpose of this study was to examine how consumers\u27 body satisfaction or dissatisfaction affects fitness wear consumption differently according to culture. A total of 1,144 college students were recruited from one university in the United States (N=607) and three universities in South Korean (N=537). Discriminant analysis and MANOVA were conducted to determine the extent to which variables varied among the four identified clusters (p\u3c.05). The findings demonstrated both U.S. and Korean students are significant different in their designations of being satisfied with their bodies. The results of this study also indicated that different body perceptions and cultures are related to the key features (i.e., function, quality) of fitness apparel and impact purchase intentions toward fitness apparel online shopping. Therefore, the study could provide marketing strategies to the global fitness or sports apparel industry as segmentation approaches about body satisfaction, fitness apparel consumption, and culture

Effect of Social Capital on Attitude toward Fitness Apparel in Online Shopping

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of social capital on web service quality and attitude toward fitness apparel through a comparison of the U.S. and South Korean college students\u27 body satisfaction. A total of 1,144 usable data via online surveys were obtained from U.S. and Korean college students. SPSS and AMOS software were used for the discriminant analysis and CFA and SEM. We found that the samples of both college students are significantly different in their designations of being satisfied or dissatisfied with their bodies, and online shopping and improving website service quality can bridge the gap between these cultural differences. However, there was no direct effect on U.S. body-satisfied students and Korea body-dissatisfied students regarding social capital on attitude toward fitness apparel. We suggest that e-tailers and marketers should continue to develop and implement improvements to website quality and communicate with consumers to provide information regarding fitness apparel