The effects of young consumers' perceptions of environment-friendly shopping bags and environmental consciousness on attitudes and purchase intentions

Smith, Madalyn,Cho, Eunjoo,Smith, Kathleen R. The Costume Culture Association 2016 服飾文化硏究 Vol.24 No.5

As consumers' interest in social responsibility (SR) has greatly increased in the last two decades, a growing body of academic research has examined the influence of consumers' environmental consciousness on their attitudes and purchase intentions toward environment-friendly apparel products. Use of environment-friendly shopping bags (EFSB; recycled and reusable bags) is an example of how apparel retailers engage in SR. However, little research has examined consumers' perceptions and their responses to the use of EFSB. To fill this research gap, this study examined the impact of young consumers' perceptions of EFSB and environmental consciousness on their attitudes and purchase intentions toward apparel retailers using EFSB. An online survey was conducted for data collection. A convenience sample of 212 college students was obtained from a large mid-Southern university in the U.S. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to test all hypotheses. Results showed that young consumers' perceptions of EFSB positively influenced their environmental consciousness and their attitudes toward apparel retailers that use EFSB, which led to purchase intentions toward the retailers. Findings confirmed that young consumers placed a great degree of importance on EFSB and, therefore, would purchase apparel from retailers that use recycled or reusable shopping bags. These findings imply that providing EFSB is important in enhancing positive attitudes and purchase intentions toward apparel retailers.

The effects of young consumers` perceptions of environment-friendly shopping bags and environmental consciousness on attitudes and purchase intentions

( Madalyn Smith ),( Eunjoo Cho ),( Kathleen R. Smith ) 복식문화학회 2016 服飾文化硏究 Vol.24 No.5

As consumers` interest in social responsibility (SR) has greatly increased in the last two decades, a growing body of academic research has examined the influence of consumers` environmental consciousness on their attitudes and purchase intentions toward environment-friendly apparel products. Use of environment-friendly shopping bags (EFSB; recycled and reusable bags) is an example of how apparel retailers engage in SR. However, little research has examined consumers` perceptions and their responses to the use of EFSB. To fill this research gap, this study examined the impact of young consumers` perceptions of EFSB and environmental consciousness on their attitudes and purchase intentions toward apparel retailers using EFSB. An online survey was conducted for data collection. A convenience sample of 212 college students was obtained from a large mid-Southern university in the U.S. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to test all hypotheses. Results showed that young consumers` perceptions of EFSB positively influenced their environmental consciousness and their attitudes toward apparel retailers that use EFSB, which led to purchase intentions toward the retailers. Findings confirmed that young consumers placed a great degree of importance on EFSB and, therefore, would purchase apparel from retailers that use recycled or reusable shopping bags. These findings imply that providing EFSB is important in enhancing positive attitudes and purchase intentions toward apparel retailers.

Use of Flattening Filter Free Photon Beams for Off-axis Targets in Conformal Arc Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Smith, Ashley,Kim, Siyong,Serago, Christopher,Hintenlang, Kathleen,Ko, Stephen,Vallow, Laura,Peterson, Jennifer,Hintenlang, David,Heckman, Michael,Buskirk, Steven Korean Society of Medical Physics 2014 의학물리 Vol.25 No.4

Dynamic conformal arc therapy (DCAT) and flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams are commonly adopted for efficient conformal dose delivery in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Off-axis geometry (OAG) may be necessary to obtain full gantry rotation without collision, which has been shown to be beneficial for peripheral targets using flattened beams. In this study dose distributions in OAG using FFF were evaluated and the effect of mechanical rotation induced uncertainty was investigated. For the lateral target, OAG evaluation, sphere targets (2, 4, and 6 cm diameter) were placed at three locations (central axis, 3 cm off-axis, and 6 cm off-axis) in a representative patient CT set. For each target, DCAT plans under the same objective were obtained for 6X, 6FFF, 10X, and 10FFF. The parameters used to evaluate the quality of the plans were homogeneity index (HI), conformality indices (CI), and beam on time (BOT). Next, the mechanical rotation induced uncertainty was evaluated using five SBRT patient plans that were randomly selected from a group of patients with laterally located tumors. For each of the five cases, a plan was generated using OAG and CAG with the same prescription and coverage. Each was replanned to account for one degree collimator/couch rotation errors during delivery. Prescription isodose coverage, CI, and lung dose were evaluated. HI and CI values for the lateral target, OAG evaluation were similar for flattened and unflattened beams; however, 6FFF provided slightly better values than 10FFF in OAG. For all plans the HI and CI were acceptable with the maximum difference between flattened and unflattend beams being 0.1. FFF beams showed better conformality than flattened beams for low doses and small targets. Variation due to rotational error for isodose coverage, CI, and lung dose was generally smaller for CAG compared to OAG, with some of these comparisons reaching statistical significance. However, the variations in dose distributions for either treatment technique were small and may not be clinically significant. FFF beams showed acceptable dose distributions in OAG. Although 10FFF provides more dramatic BOT reduction, it generally provides less favorable dosimetric indices compared to 6FFF in OAG. Mechanical uncertainty in collimator and couch rotation had an increased effect for OAG compared to CAG; however, the variations in dose distributions for either treatment technique were minimal.

Use of Flattening Filter Free Photon Beams for Off-axis Targets in Conformal Arc Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Ashley Smith,Siyong Kim,Kathleen Hintenlang,Stephen Ko,Laura Vallow,Jennifer Peterson,David Hintenlang,Michael Heckman,Steven Buskirk 한국의학물리학회 2014 의학물리 Vol.25 No.4

Dynamic conformal arc therapy (DCAT) and flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams are commonly adopted for efficientconformal dose delivery in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Off-axis geometry (OAG) may benecessary to obtain full gantry rotation without collision, which has been shown to be beneficial for peripheraltargets using flattened beams. In this study dose distributions in OAG using FFF were evaluated and the effectof mechanical rotation induced uncertainty was investigated. For the lateral target, OAG evaluation, sphere targets(2, 4, and 6 cm diameter) were placed at three locations (central axis, 3 cm off-axis, and 6 cm off-axis) ina representative patient CT set. For each target, DCAT plans under the same objective were obtained for 6X,6FFF, 10X, and 10FFF. The parameters used to evaluate the quality of the plans were homogeneity index (HI),conformality indices (CI), and beam on time (BOT). Next, the mechanical rotation induced uncertainty wasevaluated using five SBRT patient plans that were randomly selected from a group of patients with laterally locatedtumors. For each of the five cases, a plan was generated using OAG and CAG with the same prescription andcoverage. Each was replanned to account for one degree collimator/couch rotation errors during delivery. Prescription isodose coverage, CI, and lung dose were evaluated. HI and CI values for the lateral target, OAGevaluation were similar for flattened and unflattened beams; however, 6FFF provided slightly better values than10FFF in OAG. For all plans the HI and CI were acceptable with the maximum difference between flattened andunflattend beams being 0.1. FFF beams showed better conformality than flattened beams for low doses andsmall targets. Variation due to rotational error for isodose coverage, CI, and lung dose was generally smallerfor CAG compared to OAG, with some of these comparisons reaching statistical significance. However, thevariations in dose distributions for either treatment technique were small and may not be clinically significant. FFF beams showed acceptable dose distributions in OAG. Although 10FFF provides more dramatic BOTreduction, it generally provides less favorable dosimetric indices compared to 6FFF in OAG. Mechanicaluncertainty in collimator and couch rotation had an increased effect for OAG compared to CAG; however, thevariations in dose distributions for either treatment technique were minimal.

Female Consumers' Attitudes and Purchase Intentions toward Intimate Apparel Brands

Rose, Jennifer,Cho, Eunjoo,Smith, Kathleen R. The Costume Culture Association 2016 Fashion, industry and education Vol.14 No.2

The purpose of this study was to examine female consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions toward intimate apparel brands. To understand female consumers' shopping behaviors for intimate apparel products, this study examined interrelationships among brand familiarity, perceived risk, attitudes, and purchase intentions toward intimate apparel brands. A conceptual model was developed by adopting perceived risk theory (Cox, 1967) and theory of reasoned action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980). A pre-survey using a paper and pencil was conducted to identify the most familiar intimate apparel brand to young female consumers. The majority of pre-survey respondents (66 female college students) indicated Victoria's Secret as the most prominent intimate apparel brand. Therefore, Victoria's Secret was used to examine possible effects of brand familiarity on perceived risk and attitudinal and behavioral responses toward the brand. Using a web-based survey, 384 complete responses were collected from young female college students between the ages of 18-29 at a Mid-southern U.S. university. A structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed research model and hypotheses. Results showed positive, statistically significant associations among the four variables (e.g., brand familiarity, perceived risk, attitudes, and purchase intentions). The findings suggested that young female consumers who are familiar with a particular intimate apparel brand are likely to perceive a low level of risk, leading to positive, strong attitudes with purchase intentions toward that particular intimate apparel brand. This suggests establishing brand familiarity through integrated marketing communication is crucial for risk reduction strategy in intimate apparel shopping.

Female Consumers` Attitudes and Purchase Intentions toward Intimate Apparel Brands

( Jennifer Rose ),( Eunjoo Cho ),( Kathleen R Smith ) 복식문화학회 2016 Fashion, industry and education Vol.14 No.2

The purpose of this study was to examine female consumers` attitudes and purchase intentions toward intimate apparel brands. To understand female consumers` shopping behaviors for intimate apparel products, this study examined interrelationships among brand familiarity, perceived risk, attitudes, and purchase intentions toward intimate apparel brands. A conceptual model was developed by adopting perceived risk theory (Cox, 1967) and theory of reasoned action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980). A pre-survey using a paper and pencil was conducted to identify the most familiar intimate apparel brand to young female consumers. The majority of pre-survey respondents (66 female college students) indicated Victoria`s Secret as the most prominent intimate apparel brand. Therefore, Victoria`s Secret was used to examine possible effects of brand familiarity on perceived risk and attitudinal and behavioral responses toward the brand. Using a web-based survey, 384 complete responses were collected from young female college students between the ages of 18-29 at a Mid-southern U.S. university. A structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed research model and hypotheses. Results showed positive, statistically significant associations among the four variables (e.g., brand familiarity, perceived risk, attitudes, and purchase intentions). The findings suggested that young female consumers who are familiar with a particular intimate apparel brand are likely to perceive a low level of risk, leading to positive, strong attitudes with purchase intentions toward that particular intimate apparel brand. This suggests establishing brand familiarity through integrated marketing communication is crucial for risk reduction strategy in intimate apparel shopping.

A comparison of the breathing apparatus deadspace associated with a supraglottic airway and endotracheal tube using volumetric capnography in young children

Goenaga-Diaz Eduardo Javier,Smith Lauren Daniela,Pecorella Shelly Harrell,Smith Timothy Earl,Russell Gregory B,Johnson Kathleen Nicole,Downard Martina Gomez,Ririe Douglas Gordon,Hammon Dudley Elliott 대한마취통증의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.74 No.3

Background: Supraglottic airway (SGA) devices including the air-Q® are being used with increasing frequency for anesthesia in infants and younger pediatric patients. To date, there is minimal research documenting the potentially significant airway deadspace these devices may contribute to the ventilation circuit when compared to an endotracheal tube (ETT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the airway apparatus deadspace associated with an air-Q® versus an ETT in young children.Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 59 patients between 3 months and 6 years of age, weighing between 5 and 20 kg, scheduled for outpatient urologic or general surgery procedures were recruited. An air-Q® or ETT was inserted at the discretion of the attending anesthesiologist, and tidal volume, positive end expiratory pressure, respiratory rate, and end-tidal CO2 were controlled according to protocol. Airway deadspace was recorded using volumetric capnography every 2 min for 10 min. Results: Groups were similar in demographics. There was a significant difference in weight-adjusted deadspace volume between the air-Q® and ETT groups, 4.1 ± 0.8 ml/kg versus 3.0 ± 0.7 ml/kg, respectively (P < 0.001). Weight-adjusted deadspace volume (ml/kg) increased significantly with decreasing weight for both the air-Q® and ETT groups.Conclusions: In healthy children undergoing positive pressure ventilation for elective surgery, the air-Q® SGA introduces significantly greater airway deadspace than an ETT. Additionally, airway deadspace, and minute ventilation required to maintain normocarbia, appear to increase with decreasing patient weight irrespective of whether a SGA or ETT is used.