"Sweatshops" in the U.S. : opinions on their extent and possible enforcement options : briefing report to the Honorable Charles E. Schumer, House of Representatives /

"Human Resources Division, B-231284"--P. 1.

The future of the New York apparel industry 1952-1970 (preliminary).

Typescript (photocopy).

Analytical analysis of consumption in Brazil

This thesis is an analytical analysis of consumption in Brazil, based on data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, years 2008 to 2009, collected by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The main aim of the thesis was to identify differences and similarities in consumption among Brazilian households, and estimate the importance of demographic and geographic characteristics. Initially, households belonging to different social classes and geographical regions were compared based on their consumption. For further insights, two cluster analyses were conducted. Firstly, households were grouped according to the absolute values of expenditures. Five clusters were discovered; cluster membership showed larger spending in all of the expense categories for households having higher income, and a substantial association with particular demographic variables, including as region, neighborhood, race and education. Secondly, cluster analysis was performed on proportionate distribution of total spending by every household. Five groups of households were revealed: Basic Consumers, the largest group that spends only on fundamental goods, Limited Spenders, which additionally purchase alcohol, tobacco, literature and telecommunication technologies, Mainstream Buyers, characterized by spending on clothing, personal care, entertainment and transport, Advanced Consumers, which have high relative expenses on financial and legal services, healthcare and education, and Exclusive Spenders, households distinguished by spending on vehicles, real estate and travelling.

Women and the Moral Politics of Dress in Twentieth Century Tehran

This research examines the politicization of women’s clothing under the Pahlavi monarchy and the Islamic Republican of Iran from the 1930s-1990s. I distinctively focus on the governments’ use of women’s clothing to define their idea of Iranian nationalism and how their sumptuary policies affected women’s lives. I assess the motives behind the sumptuary laws for each regime, and argue that both governments situated women as symbols of national health and honor, and used them as visualizations for the success of their platforms. Despite different interpretations of morality, my research suggests that both governments created these laws to “purify” their “corrupt” nation, using the same rhetoric. Paradoxically, this led to a sexualized culture that exists today in Tehran. I analyze a wealth of primary sources including women’s magazines, political cartoons, poetry, newspapers, extant clothing, photographs, legislation, autobiographies, speeches, passports, Revolutionary-era books written by Iranian intellectuals, and oral interviews that I conducted.

Heat stress, heat strain, and productivity in Washington State tree fruit harvesters

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Primary prevention of skin cancer: A review of sun protection in Australia and internationally

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide. Protecting the skin from the sun by wearing protective clothing, using a sunscreen with appropriate sun protection factor, wearing a hat, and avoiding the sun are recommended as primary preventive activities by cancer agencies. In this paper the recent data relating to skin cancer primary preventive behaviour in Australia and other countries is reviewed. Comparison of the studies in a table format summarizing the methods, objectives, participants, findings and implications may be obtained from the corresponding author. The sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviour patterns observed in Australia are similar in other countries, although Australian studies generally, report higher knowledge levels about skin cancer and higher levels of sun protection. The findings suggest that sunscreen is the most frequent method of sun protection used across all age groups, despite recommendations that it should be at? adjunct to other forms of protection. While young children's sun protective behaviour is largely influenced by their parents' behaviours, they are still tinder protected, and sun protective measures such as seeking shade, avoiding the sun and protective clothing need to be emphasized. Adolescents have the lowest skin protection rates of all age groups. Within the adult age range, women and people with sensitive skin were most likely to be using skin protection. However, women were also more likely than men to sunbath deliberately and to use sun-tanning booths. The relationship between skin protection knowledge and attitudes, attitudes towards tanning and skin protection behaviour needs further investigation. Further studies need to include detailed assessments of sunscreen use and application patterns, and future health promotion activities need to focus on sun protection by wearing clothing and seeking shade to avoid increases in the sunburn rates observed to date.

Suntans and sun protection in Australian teen media: 1999 to 2000

In this study, the portrayal of tanned skin and sun protection in magazines, television programs, and movies popular with Australian adolescents were analyzed. Images of models in magazines (n = 1,791), regular/supporting characters in television programs (it = 867), and regular/supporting characters in cinema movies (n = 2,836) for the 12-month period August 1999 to July 2000 were coded and analyzed. Alight tan was the most predominant tan level, and protective clothing was the most common sun protection measure displayed across all forms of media. There were significant associations between gender and tan levels in the television and movie samples. Although it is important to monitor the portrayal of tan levels and sun protection measures in media targeting adolescents, overall, the authors' findings revealed a media environment generally supportive of sun protection objectives.

Risks for ross river virus disease in tropical Australia

Background There are no analytical studies of individual risks for Ross River virus (RRV) disease. Therefore, we set out to determine individual risk and protective factors for RRV disease in a high incidence area and to assess the utility of the case-control design applied for this purpose to an arbovirus disease. Methods We used a prospective matched case-control study of new community cases of RRV disease in the local government areas of Cairns, Mareeba, Douglas, and Atherton, in tropical Queensland, from January I to May 31, 1998. Results Protective measures against mosquitoes reduced the risk for disease. Mosquito coils, repellents, and citronella candles each decreased risk by at least 2-fold, with a dose-response for the number of protective measures used. Light-coloured clothing decreased risk 3-fold. Camping increased the risk 8-fold. Conclusions These risks were substantial and statistically significant, and provide a basis for educational programs on individual protection against RRV disease in Australia. Our study demonstrates the utility of the case-control method for investigating arbovirus risks. Such a risk analysis has not been done before for RRV infection, and is infrequently reported for other arbovirus infections.

Do our feelings leak through the clothes we wear?

There is a substantial body of literature that suggests that clothing and more particularly fashion is a form of communication. It communicates how we want to be seen by others as well as how we see ourselves. But does it communicate how we feel? This paper draws a link between symbolic and emotional communication by suggesting that fashion changes our internal feelings and that many of these emotions are expressed to others through symbols such as the clothes we wear. A conceptual framework is presented explaining the effects of clothing on an individual consumer. This framework classifies the fashion effect into internally and externally communicated meanings. Knowledge of how fashion is used as a form of emotional expression is particularly important for those fashion retailers who display the clothing they sell to engender positive feelings that may then lead to purchase behaviour.

LONGEVIDADE EMPRESARIAL: UM ESTUDO EM MICRO E PEQUENAS EMPRESAS DE SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO DO SETOR DE VAREJO

A quantidade de micro e pequenas empresas que encerram suas atividades no Brasil, antes de dois, três ou cinco anos, chega a taxas de mortalidade que se aproximam dos 75%. O presente estudo buscou analisar dez empresas de micro porte do setor de varejo na cidade de São Bernardo do Campo que estão em atividade e que conseguiram superar e vencer as taxas de mortalidade empresarial e de concorrência mercadológica. A investigação iniciou-se pelo ABC paulista, efetuando um levantamento no SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas) e na JUCESP (Junta Comercial do Estado de São Paulo) para descobrir a quantidade de micro e pequenas empresas que estavam em atividade e que inauguraram entre 2006 e 2007. Posteriormente o foco foi para a cidade de São Bernardo do Campo onde foram inauguradas 744 MPE´s (Micro e Pequenas Empresas), sendo que 49 delas estavam categorizadas no setor de varejo do vestuário e por fim definiram-se dez empresas que atenderam aos pré-requisitos metodológicos do estudo. A discussão sobre o tema da longevidade empresarial, ou seja, entender quais foram às capacidades que algumas empresas tiveram de manter-se operante por tantos anos, foi fator essencial para o estudo. O objetivo central deste trabalho foi de verificar a forma de administrar e de tratar de seus negócios destes dez empresários que fizeram com que tivessem sobrevida no mercado. Este estudo valeu-se dos métodos qualitativos, de recorte transversal com amostra não probabilística e por cota para poder efetuar todo processo metodológico e construir a análise final da pesquisa.

O Sagrado na Dança Ritual Indígena Brasileira: Bororo, um estudo de caso

Na história da religião, nem sempre a dança foi considerada elemento de expressão do sagrado. O objetivo dessa pesquisa é compreender a importância da dança nos rituais sagrados de uma cultura indígena. O povo Bororo, sociedade indígena encontrada em Mato Grosso, foi selecionado especificamente para compor o estudo de caso. Assim, são abordados dados gerais sobre a vida, os costumes e a religiosidade dessa etnia. O estudo mostra breve panorama da religião e do ritual sagrado Bororo e, principalmente, descreve esses rituais e suas respectivas danças. Foi realizada ainda uma investigação sobre a centralidade do corpo nessa cultura por meio do estudo da indumentária, ornamentos, pinturas e marcas de caráter provisório ou permanente.

A systematic review of treatments for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a very common inflammatory skin disease, particularly in children. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials of treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) was carried out to assess how many trials exist, what they cover, what they do not cover, the research gaps, provide a 'blue print' for future Cochrane Reviews and assist those making treatment recommendations by summarising the available RCT evidence, using descriptive statistics. The Cochrane Collaboration systematic review process formed the basis of the methodology, from which over 4000 studies were located via electronic database searches and hand searching of journals. A total of 292 trials were finally included covering 9 treatment groups and over 48 individual treatments. There are lots of trials covering lots of interventions but gaps are evident. However, there is evidence of a benefit in the treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical corticosteroids, psychological approaches, UV light, ascomycin derivatives, topical tacrolimus and oral cyclosporin. Treatments that show limited evidence of a benefit include non-sedatory antihistamines, topical doxepin, the oral antibiotic Cefadroxil on clinically infected AD, the topical antibacterial Mupirocin on clinically uninfected AD, Chinese herbs, hypnotherapy and biofeedback, massage therapy, dietary manipulation, house dust mite reduction, patient education, emollients, allergen antibody complexes of house dust mite and thymic extracts. Treatments that show no evidence of benefit include sedatory antihistamines, oral sodium cromoglycate, oral antibiotics on clinically uninfected AD, topical antibacterials, topical antifungals, aromatherapy essential oils, borage oil, fish oil, evening primrose oil, enzyme-free clothes detergent, cotton clothing, house dust mite hyposensitisation, salt baths, topical coal tar, topical cyclosporin and platelet-activating-factor antagonist. When interpreting the conclusions of this thesis it is important to understand that lack of evidence does not equal lack of efficacy, particularly considering the interventions that are commonly in use today to treat atopic dermatitis that have not been subjected to RCTs, such as occlusive dressings, water softening devices and stress management among many others.

Technical innovation in industrial production

New techniques in manufacturing, popularly referred to as mechanization and automation, have been a preoccupation of social and economic theorists since the industrial revolution. A selection of relevant literature is reviewed, including the neoclassical economic treatment of technical change. This incorporates alterations to the mathematical production function and an associated increase in the efficiency with which the factors of production are converted into output. Other work emphasises the role of research and development and the process of diffusion, whereby new production techniques are propagated throughout industry. Some sociological writings attach importance to the type of production technology and its effect on the organisational structure and social relations within the factory. Nine detailed case studies are undertaken of examples of industrial innovation in the rubber, automobile, vehicle components, confectionery and clothing industries. The old and new techniques are compared for a range of variables, including capital equipment, labour employed, raw materials used, space requirements and energy consumption, which in most cases exhibit significant change with the innovation. The rate of output, labour productivity, product quality, maintenance requirements and other aspects are also examined. The process by which the change in production method was achieved is documented, including the development of new equipment and the strategy of its introduction into the factory, where appropriate. The firm, its environment, and the attitude of different sectors of the workforce are all seen to play a part in determining the motives for and consequences which flow from the innovations. The traditional association of technical progress with its labour-saving aspect, though an accurate enough description of the cases investigated, is clearly seen to afford an inadequate perspective for the proper understanding of this complex phenomenon, which also induces change in a wide range of other social, economic and technical variables.

Challenging market conventions:supermarket diversification and consumer resistance in children's apparel purchases

Purpose – In the UK, while fashion apparel purchasing is available to the majority of consumers, the main supermarkets seem – rather against the odds and market conventions – to have created a new, socially-acceptable and legitimate, apparel market offer for young children. This study aims to explore parental purchasing decisions on apparel for young children (below ten years old) focusing on supermarket diversification into apparel and consumer resistance against other traditional brands. Design/methodology/approach – Data collection adopted a qualitative research mode: using semi-structured interviews in two locations (Cornwall Please correct and check againand Glasgow), each with a Tesco and ASDA located outside towns. A total of 59 parents participated in the study. Interviews took place in the stores, with parents seen buying children fashion apparel. Findings – The findings suggest that decisions are based not only on functionality (e.g. convenience, value for money, refund policy), but also on intuitive factors (e.g. style, image, quality) as well as broader processes of consumption from parental boundary setting (e.g. curbing premature adultness). Positive consumer resistance is leading to a re-drawing of the cultural boundaries of fashion. In some cases, concerns are expressed regarding items that seem too adult-like or otherwise not as children's apparel should be. Practical implications – The paper highlights the increasing importance of browsing as a modern choice practice (e.g. planned impulse buying, sanctuary of social activity). Particular attention is given to explaining why consumers positively resist buying from traditional label providers and voluntarily choose supermarket clothing ranges without any concerns over their children wearing such garments. Originality/value – The paper shows that supermarket shopping for children's apparel is now firmly part of UK consumption habits and choice. The findings provide theoretical insights into the significance of challenging market conventions, parental cultural boundary setting and positive resistance behaviour.