Monday, February 24, 2020
Ecology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Ecology - Essay Example such as inorganic aspects (carbon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water), organic compounds (protein, carbohydrates, lipids), climatic factors (temperature, moisture, light, topography), producers (plants), macro consumers and micro consumers (Unit 3: Ecosystems, 2004, p.56). Ecosystem is maintained by cycling nutrients and energy derived from the external sources. There are three levels in the ecosystem, where the first trophic level consists of the primary producers, that is, some bacteria, algae and plants. The herbivores that feed on the primary source like plants comprise the second trophic level and the third trophic level consists of the predators that consume the herbivores. Furthermore, the ecosystem also consists of another group called decomposers, which include worms, insects, bacteria, fungi, molds etc that â€Å"breakdown†the dead decaying substances, thus returning the nutrients to the soil (Unit 4: Ecosystems, n.d., p. 8). The gross primary productivity (GPP) of an ecosystem is the total amount of organic matter produced through photosynthesis, whereas the net primary productivity (NPP) refers to the energy that is present for plant growth â€Å"subtracting’ the amount that plant uses for respiration (9). In order to conduct detailed analysis of the ecosystem, one must first have a clear idea about ecosystem boundaries. The whole earth can be considered as an ecosystem because all things interact with each on earth. The ecosystem â€Å"distributed†regionally and globally can be identified by the common basic structural form (2 – Ecosystems and Their Services, n.d., p. 51). According to the analysis done by MA (Mill ennium Ecosystem Assessment), â€Å"10 categories†were made, namely, forest, island, dryland, polar, coastal, marine, inland water, mountain, cultivated and urban. These categories on their own cannot be considered as an ecosystem, but each category consists of many ecosystems, and the characteristic feature of all ecosystems are highly
Friday, February 7, 2020
The Hubble Telescope Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
The Hubble Telescope - Research Paper Example The Hubble telescope was the first space anchored telescope by man. Hubble has proven to be the key to the casket of knowledge pertaining to the skies of the space. It has helped in answering the most fascinating and intriguing queries of the astronomers of the planet Earth. The Hubble has had the privilege of researching out and about almost everything in the Universe known so far, from black holes to other solar systems in which planets revolve around stars similar to our own milky way. Astronomy was given a new meaning ever since Hubble endeavored upon its cruise as a result of which mankind has been steered on a new mission. The present study initiates from an introduction of what the universe is. It proceeds further with the reason behind the development of the Hubble Telescope and ventures into its twenty one year journey so far. THE UNIVERSE The Universe is everything around us. It has unimaginable boundaries that can neither be seen with naked human eye nor can be imagined. P resent studies state that the Universe is ever expanding. Known to be made up of dust particles, numerous metals, gases, stars, clouds, galaxies and life forms, the universe has been the source of inquisitiveness for man ever since ancient times. The planet Earth on which human beings reside is one planet in one of the innumerable solar systems that spread out in the universe. Earth’s sky is filled with small specks of distant celestial objects whether they be stars or anything else. The fact that these specks of light are not just light bulbs in the sky but actually are celestial objects became known to man only after inventions and discoveries in the field of information and communications technology. Prior to them man could think of the Universe only till where his imagination took him. HISTORY The advent of information and communications technology dates back to the days of Galileo. Galileo’s invention of the telescope in the year 1609 was the major breakthrough in looking up distant things. It was the phenomenon of telescope only that bought life into the mere light specks that the Earth’s night sky displayed. There was unanimity in the desire of all the scientists: to see further more and more into the skies. Galileo’s Earth based telescope
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Principal’s Message Essay Example for Free
Principal’s Message Essay It is my pleasure reaching out to you in this December issue of the school newsletter.            We all feel December when the winds are chilly and cold and mothers bring out the warm mittens, thick clothing, and socks to wrap their children and protect them from the cold. The sun sets early and gets dark even before 6 o’clock P.M. and students are advised to walk home in groups to secure them and make their way home safe. As soon as the children step out of the school and before they get to their homes, their safety is still our concern. In addition to this, the girls will have their overnighter as they make their way to their gender sensitivity training on December 7. Details and parent’s permit will be sent to each student on December 5, 2007 for their perusal and approval.            Allow me to post the following reminders to students, as well as their parents, to encourage cooperation and compliance of all concerned:            -Progress reports for students will come out very soon in preparation for the evaluation of graduating students. Parents are requested to make a personal visit to the respective homeroom teachers of their children to discuss their academic progress.            -In connection with the forthcoming graduation, 8th grade parents are encouraged to take an active part in the graduation committee. Meeting with 8th grade teachers will be announced.            -The graduation picture taking will be rescheduled to December 14th for a longer period of preparation for the students.            -Bilingual parents should also take note of the English test with ISAT which will be conducted 10 weeks from this date. Necessary preparations should be undertaken to ensure good results in the said test.            In view of the volume of work for this month, all teachers and staff are expected to attend to their duties and refrain from early vacations, absences stating such alibis â€Å"sick and dying parents or family members,†which may not be true. Such absences will not be excused considering the exigency of the service.            In closing let me greet one and all a blessed Christmas and happiness in the coming year! Least we forget, Christ is the reason for the season†¦
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Models of God, Humanity, and Nature My Experiences, Thoughts, and Criti
Models of God, Humanity, and Nature My Experiences, Thoughts, and Critical Analyses I ask a lot of questions; I’m a curious person. I once asked my mom why people die, why there are bad things in the world if God is so good and all-powerful. Her response was that we just couldn’t really understand why God does anything because we can’t comprehend God’s â€Å"master plan.†I’m sure that she was right, but that response is not very satisfying to a curious little boy. I saw an inconsistency in my understanding of reality, and I wanted to get things straight. I guess this little anecdote begins to illustrate a couple of my basic life principles. A concise explanation of how I look at the world is just this: We humans, as finite beings, use models to understand complex things – God, Nature, Humanity – and in doing so must simplify things. There’s nothing wrong with this simplification, as long as we know we are doing so and why. Our models of these complex things can be based on a number of things – usually logic, evidence, and our experiences (I’m probably exluding a powerful one, namely tradition). These varying models of reality, however, must be internally and externally consistent – that is, with themselves and with other models used by a single person. When the models used by a person are internally or externally inconsistent with themselves or with logic, evidence, or experiences, the first reaction is probably confusion (or maybe anxiety), but in the continued search for consistency, one can arrive at further insight and a desired level of comfort in oneself and the way one views reality. I guess this is sometimes called the search for the meaning of life, although that’s a rather grand phrase for ... ... Humanity, and Nature are inter-connected internally and externally, I must work to understand these relationships, and in doing so, I must work to maximize the enjoyment and well-being of all things related to me, directly and indirectly, consciously and unconsciously. Additionally, I must treat all manner of things (entities perhaps) as subjects, rather than objects, recognizing that each has a level of being and enjoyment that it can attain, with the help of me and the rest of the world. I must work to avoid and eliminate violence of all forms by using memory, empathy, imagination, and true forgiveness to short-circuit the cycle. If I live my life in a continual state of change, using creative, responsive, and responsible love persuasively to acheive a higher level of good, then I will be living in a way that’s consistent with process theology’s Christianity.
Monday, January 13, 2020
R.K Narayan Biography Essay
R. K. Narayan (born 1906) is one of the best-known of the Indo-English writers. He created the imaginary town of Malgudi, where realistic characters in a typically Indian setting lived amid unpredictable events. Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayanswami, who preferred the shortened name R.K. Narayan, was born in Madras, India, on Oct. 10, 1906. His father, an educator, travelled frequently, and his mother was frail, so Narayan was raised in Madras by his grandmother and an uncle. His grandmother inspired in young Narayan a passion for language and for people. He attended the Christian Mission School, where, he said, he learned to love the Hindu gods simply because the Christian chaplain ridiculed them. Narayan graduated from Maharaja’s College in Mysore in 1930. In 1934 he was married, but his wife, Rajam, died of typhoid in 1939. He had one daughter, Hema. He never remarried. Narayan wrote his first novel, Swami and Friends, in 1935, after short, uninspiring stints as a teacher, an editorial assistant, and a newspaperman. In it, he invented the small south Indian city of Malgudi, a literary microcosm that critics later compared to William Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County. More than a dozen novels and many short stories that followed were set in Malgudi. Narayan’s second novel, Bachelor of Arts (1939), marked the beginning of his reputation in England, where the novelist Graham Greene was largely responsible for getting it published. Greene has called Narayan â€Å"the novelist I most admire in the English language.†His fourth novel, The English Teacher, published in 1945, was partly autobiographical, concerning a teacher’s struggle to cope with the death of his wife. In 1953, Michigan State University published it under the title Grateful to Life and Death, along with his novel The Financial Expert; they were Narayan’s first books published in the United States. Subsequent publications of his novels, especially Mr. Sampath, Waiting for the Mahatma, The Guide, The Man-eater of Malgudi, and The Vendor of Sweets, established Narayan’s reputation in the West. Many critics consider The Guide (1958) to be Narayan’s masterpiece. Told in a complex series of flashbacks, it concerns a tourist guide who seduces the wife of a client, prospers, and ends up in jail. The novel won India’s highest literary honor, and it was adapted for the off-Broadway stage in 1968. At least two of Narayan’s novels, Mr. Sampath (1949) and The Guide (1958), were adapted for the movies. Narayan usually wrote for an hour or two a day, composing fast, often writing as many as 2,000 words and seldom correcting or rewriting. Narayan’s stories begin with realistic settings and everyday happenings in the lives of a cross-section of Indian society, with characters of all classes. Reviewing Narayan’s 1976 novel The Painter of Signs, Anthony Thwaite of the New York Times said Narayan created â€Å"a world as richly human and volatile as that of Dickens.†His next novel, A Tiger for Malgudi (1983), is narrated by a tiger whose holy master is trying to lead him to enlightenment. It and his fourteenth novelTalkative Man (1987) received mixed reviews. In his 80s, Narayan continued to have books published. He returned to his original inspiration, his grandmother, with the 1994 book Grandmother’s Tale and Other Stories, which Publishers Weekly called â€Å"an exemplary collection from one of India’s most distinguished men of letters.†Donna Seaman of Booklist hailed the collection of short stories that spanned over 50 years of Narayan’s writing as â€Å"an excellent sampling of his short fiction, generally considered his best work†from â€Å"one of the world’s finest storytellers.†Narayan once noted: â€Å"Novels may bore me, but never people.†R.K. Narayan was born in Madras, South India, in 1906, and educated there and at Maharaja’s College in Mysore. His first novel, Swami and Friends and its successor, The Bachelor of Arts, are both set in the enchanting fictional territory of Malgudi and are only two out of the twelve novels he based there. In 1958 Narayan’s work The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country’s highest literary honor. In addition to his novels, Narayan has authored five collections of short stories, including A Horse and Two Goats, Malguidi Days, and Under the Banyan Tree, two travel books, two volumes of essays, a volume of memoirs, and the re-told legends Gods, Demons and Others, The Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. In 1980 he was awarded the A.C. Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature and in 1982 he was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Narayan died in 2001. Works of R.K.Narayan (a) Novels: 1.Swami and Friends (1935) 2. Bachelor of Art (1973) 3. The Dark Room (1938) 4. The English Teacher (1945) 5. The Guide (1958) 6. The Painter of Signs (1976) (b) Story Collections : 1. Malgudi Days 2. Dodu and Other Stories 3. Cyclone and Other Stories 4. Gods, Demons and Others (1964) (c) Autobiography : 1. My Days (1974) 2. My Dateless Diary (1960) (d) Other Works : 1. Ramayana. It is an English version of the Tamil epic by Kamban
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse Essay - 1427 Words
Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse Years ago, the common image of an adolescent drug abuser was a teen trying to escape from reality on illegal substances like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana. Today, there is a great discrepancy between that perception and the reality of who is likely to abuse drugs. A teenage drug abuser might not have to look any further than his or her parent’s medicine chest to ‘score.’ Prescription drug abuse by teens is on the rise. Also, teens are looking to prescription drugs to fulfill different needs other than to feel good or escape the pressures of adulthood. Teens may be just as likely to resort to drugs with ‘speedy’ side effects, like Ritalin to help them study longer, as they are to use prescription†¦show more content†¦Steroid abuse by teen athletes and abuse of performance-enhancing supplements like creatine is also on the rise (Performance-enhancing drugs and your teen athlete, 2008, The Mayo Clinic). Although some teens may feel jaded and cer tain that they know ‘drugs are bad,’ and drugs fry your brain like the famous fried egg in a pan in the popular television commercial immortalized during the 1980s, many well-educated teens and young adults do not see the same risks inherent in prescription drugs or drugs that make them feel better or run faster (The Partnership’s fried egg message, 2008, Partnership for a Drug-Free America). â€Å"For a sizable group of people in their 20s and 30s, deciding on their own what drugs to take - in particular, stimulants, antidepressants and other psychiatric medications - is becoming the norm. Confident of their abilities and often skeptical of psychiatrists expertise, they choose to rely on their own research and each others experience in treating problems like depression, fatigue, anxiety or a lack of concentration. A medical degree, in their view, is useful, but not essential, and certainly not sufficient,†reports the New York Times, citing incidents of y oung adultsShow MoreRelatedTeen Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse1422 Words  | 6 Pagesleading drugs used and abused by teenagers in America. According to Elizabeth Larsen, â€Å"The Centers for Disease Control classifies prescription drug abuse as the worst drug epidemic in United States history†(Larsen p.4). This is the worst drug epidemic in history because of the percentage of teenage usage. Based on different studies, pills are the most commonly abused drug among twelve- and thirteen- year olds because of how easy they are to access. In fact, many teens that abuse prescription medicationRead MoreThe Effects Of Drug Abuse Among Youth1346 Words  | 6 PagesThere is a growing trend of drug abuse among youth which can’t be ignored in today’s society. It has been reported that â€Å"the greater numbers of young people were reporting weekly consumption of alcohol and young drinkers were consuming larger amounts per drinking occasion†(Coleman Cater, 2003). Teenagers who persistently use drug out of control often experience serious problems. Those problems are related to physical health, mental health, academic difficulties, social relationships, and so onRead MoreDrug Abuse And Addiction Among Teenagers1704 Words  | 7 PagesStudies have shown that prescription drug abuse and addiction among teenagers is on a steady incline. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, â€Å"prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, of for the experience or feelings elicited.†This is a pervasive problem that is in fact consuming the lives of many teens, primarily because prescription drugs are easily accessible in their environment. There are several interpersonalRead MoreGunnar Monical. Professor Greg Murray. Egl 101-13. 17 March1401 Words  | 6 PagesGunnar Monical Professor Greg Murray EGL 101-13 17 March 2017 Pills aren’t Thrills In the hectic pill-popping world we live in today, around 6.5 million people in the U.S. currently abuse prescription medication and out of those 6.5 million, 4.5 of those people abuse pain relievers according to Nova Science Publishers (Greer). Codeine, oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax just to name a few of the favorites among abusers (Fahey and Miller). These medications can end up on the streets and in the handsRead MoreThe Epidemic of Teenagers Using Drugs1687 Words  | 7 PagesEpidemic of Teenagers Abusing Drugs Krystyn Romualdo COM/156 November 18, 2012 Jackie Hudspeth Jr The Epidemic of Teenagers Abusing Drugs To have known so many people that have struggled with drug addiction in their teenage years it has become very apparent what a vital time in one’s life it is to know the dangers of abusing drugs as a teenager. Even though not all teens abuse drugs, it is an epidemic in the United States because more teens are turning to drugs to escape or use out of boredomRead MoreEssay about Correlation Between Drug Use and Suicide717 Words  | 3 PagesCorrelation Between Drug Use and Suicide      Americas on-going drug abuse epidemic continues into this millenium, and there are many social problems linked to drug use, including suicide. The disparity of daily life in suburbs or the inner cities are why many people have fallen into their reliance on drugs, including alcohol. Patros and Shamoo (1989) describe the abuse of drugs and alcohol as a slow form of suicide. But many drug abusers choose to end their life before drugs have time to claimRead MoreThe Article A World Split Apart 856 Words  | 4 Pagesillustrating that our society is given â€Å"too much†freedom. As a result people cannot handle it, resulting in abuse and misuse of the rights bestowed onto us. This is exceptionally true in the world of medicine; meant for treatment of illness, has led abuse of prescription drugs. How are our prescription drugs being abused? First, an understanding of basic rights to treatment in relation to prescription medications recently enacted. Patient’s Bill of Rights essentially guarantees treatment to the recipientRead MoreSelf Esteem And Body Image Problems1491 Words  | 6 PagesLow self-esteem and body image problems are too much to handle alone for some teens. A few may become depressed and lose interest in activities or friends. Some go on to develop eating disorders or body image disorders, or use alcohol or drugs to escape feelings of low worth. It can be tempting to compare ourselves with others. The trouble with that is, not everyone grows or develops at the same time or in the same way. Media images and other outside influences can affect ones psyche. Some parentsRead MoreDrug Addiction1074 Words  | 5 PagesDrug Addiction Drug abuse is an increasing epidemic in today’s society. There are so many types of drugs being abused today, both legal and illegal. These drugs affect the human body in many different ways. 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Friday, December 27, 2019
Review Of Breast Size Health And Social Care - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 13 Words: 3787 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Health Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? 2.1 Definition of large breast women There is no united definition of the large breast size in the entire brassiere industry as well as in medicine. Many misconceptions appear that whoever looks fat likewise have large breasts. And some may define it as E cup or above due to the difficulties in purchasing bra in the recent market or grading the contour cup shape. Indeed, plus size usually refer to large chest women who may not really look fat. 2.1.1 Medical standard In medicine, there are many different standards on large breast size. KL.Dundas from The Royal Australian and New Zealand of Radiologists (2007) defined that large breast size can be divided into two categories: the bra size and the cup size. The bra size is the component size of chest-wall and the cup size is referred to the mammary gland components. Women who have cup size D or above or bra size 18 or above can be classified as plus size. Another study about the relationship between the respiratory and measurement method and the bra size calculation (Mcghee, D.E. Steele, J.R., 2006) involved subjects of large breast women. They indicated those with cup size C or above as large breast women. In other research of medical scanning, Indra. J. Das (2006) also defined large breast Japan women whose distance of chest-wall were greater than 22 cm. It can be seen that there is no united standard of the large breast size among the medicine. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Review Of Breast Size Health And Social Care" essay for you Create order 2.1.2 Market Standard People nowadays tend to have bigger cup size than before. Therefore, the plus size market is growing rapidly among the popular lingerie brands recently. Wacoal Hong Kong Company limited (2008) once launched a line mainly for large breast size women named à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“WACOAL Queen Sizeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Cup size from C to I, which means having 15 cm up to 30 cm difference between upper bust girth and lower bust girth, and band size up to 120 cm or 52 inch are available. For the reason of simplicity, cup size of C or above with shoulder pain problem would be categorized as large breast women in this study even though it is not really the market standard and the common practice in the lingerie industry. 2.2 Problems faced by large breast women Many women envy those who have large breasts since they think it is a symbol of sexy appeal. Many even undergo breast augmentation to enhance their bodies with silicone and saline implants (2010). However, it may not be the same feeling for the women who carry the heavy breasts around. The large breasts may trigger multiple problems like physical problems and psychological problems (Dave, 2009). These may affect our daily life or even our social life. 2.2.1 Physical problems Plenty of health websites and journals claimed that the weak chest tissue could easily be over stretched by the excessive weight of the large breasts and as a result causing a lot of problems like upper and lower back pain as well as shoulder pain. Sheer gravity was the main reason causing shoulder pain problem. The heavy breasts makes the shoulders have to work extra hard to keep the back spine straight from being pulled down by them (Ardian, 2010). The arching action also add lots of load to the acromion (Figure 2.1), which is the highest point of shoulder and one of the most sensitive parts of the body (Carol, 2002). Pain feeling would rise and the dark red marks would be left on the shoulder because of the excessive load from the breast and the tighten bra straps after period of time (Toni, 2008). Besides, there are many blood vessels and nerves like Brachial plexus located underneath the skin which are extremely sensitive to pressure and pain feeling. They are the nerve fibres that serve sensation and motor function in the shoulders, arms, and hands travel to and from the spinal cord in the neck (Carol, 2002). So, the wearer had fatigue and pain feeling easily when there is an excessive load applied on the shoulder. Sometimes, the wearers may even have upper arm pain additionally. Due to the shoulder pain as well as the arm pain feeling, exercise is not an easy task for busty women. Because their breasts would be all bouncy when they move and this may cause pain as the muscles around the breasts area are being consistently pulled during the sport activity (Carla Ardian, 2010). IMAG0103.jpg Figure 2.1 The acromion Source: Carol A. Oatis. (2002), Kinesiology the mechanics pathomechanics of human movement, pp. 123 2.2.2 Psychological problems Apart from the physically pain, large breast also accrue to women with emotional problems. Many women dislike their large breasts because they make them look fatter. It is harder for them to find some pretty clothes. Even worse, the patterns on the top would become deformed and as a result make them feel frustrated. These would prevent them from enjoying a higher quality of life (Dave, 2009). Therefore, this is not surprised that their self image drops dramatically because of all these factors. To improve the situation, some may even take the breast reduction surgery. According to the American Society of plastic Surgeonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s 2007 nation plastic surgery statistics, over 100000 women had taken the breast reduction surgery in 2007. And there were 25% growth when compared with the same survey last year (Toni, 2008). Base on the above physical and mental problems, the objective of this study is to look into the possibility of distribute or minimize the pain feeling caus ed by excessive pressure load from the shoulder straps. 2.3 Current plus size bra market practice Many plus size bras are available in the existing market. They are specially designed in terms of comfort and support for women with large breasts. Besides, some accessories could be found as auxiliaries for minimizing the pressure and pain feeling. https://www.biggerbras.com/productpics3/large/AVI/aviana-plus-size-underwire-minimizer-bra-2457.jpg Figure 2.2 An example of plus size bra Source: https://blog.biggerbras.com/?tag=best-plus-size-minimizer-bra 2.3.1 Special design of bra cup Plus size bra always appears as full cup with higher neckline to cover the entire breast. The full cup is designed to give more support for the breasts to help keep the shape and fullness of the breast. Most of them are thin padded cup with wire and inner sling for minimizing the movement of the breasts. Full cup bras are ideal for larger breast sizes and pregnant women as less support can lead to a slight sagging of the breasts and back pains (My Fine Lingerie, 2010). https://www.biggerbras.com/productpics3/large/AVI/aviana-plus-size-seamless-minimizer-underwire-bra-2460.jpg Figure 2.3 An example of full cup bra with higher neckline Source: https://www.biggerbras.com/productpics3/large/AVI/aviana-plus-size-seamless-minimizer-underwire-bra-2460.jpg 2.3.2 Special design of wings Wider wings with side bones are another features of plus size bra. They are used to keep the bra firmly in place and help to limit the breast movement. Hooks and eyes are available at the end of the wings for adjustments. Appropriate tension can be applied to the wearer so as to fit well with a secure frame for breast support. https://media.redcatsusa.com/is/image/womanwithin/mm/0027_76453_mm.jpg?wid=230qlt=95op_sharpen=1 Figure 2.4 Wider wing with hooks and eyes Source: https://media.redcatsusa.com/is/image/womanwithin/mm/0027_76453_mm.jpg?wid=230qlt=95op_sharpen=1 2.3.3 Special design of shoulder straps The average breast weight of adult women was around 200g without any pregnancy and lactation. The pregnancy women could have breasts weight from 400g to 600g and up to 800g in lactation. D cup size or above plus size women could have the breasts weight same as the pregnancy and lactation women (Laurence D.J, 1991). Therefore, the straps of plus size bra should be wide enough to allow better distribution of force. Mostly, the widths of them are more than 10mm. Some straps for plus size bra may even reach 19mm or more. It should contain minimal elasticity and good recovery at the same time as well. Sometimes, the front part of the straps appears as rigid to limit the breast movement. Also, the tension of shoulder straps should fit different body lengths by using strap material with proper power and elasticity or applying adjusters. If there are not enough adjustments of the shoulder straps, the required lift-up function cannot be provided if it is too loose, or cause fatigue and pain if it is too tight (Zhou Jie, 2010). Besides, padded or cushion straps are other designs for easing the neck and shoulder pain. https://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/na/natori-underwire-sport-bra.jpg Figure 2.5 Wider and padded shoulder strap Source: https://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/na/natori-underwire-sport-bra.jpg 2.3.4 Accessories One of the examples of accessories for minimizing the shoulder pain and discomfort is the shoulder pad. It is common in the U.S., U.K. or Europe, but it is not easy to find in Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong since lingerie brands mainly target on the small size. There are various kinds of shoulder strap pads with some designed in small size in foam material or gel pad to provide shock absorb effect and some designed in a hand- size big. The big pad is specially designed for post surgery women like mastectomy, chemotherapy and pacemaker implantation. The product shown in figure 2.5 and 2.6 were the attachable shoulder strap foam pad and silicone pad respectively which could provid the free movement along the shoulder straps. They could be the extra supporter placing under the straps for easing shoulder pain. However, the thickness of the shoulder pad could easily show though the outerwear, an innovation from the online shop called covered shoulder pad shown in figure 2.7 can help this. It is a pad with a channel in between for placing shoulder straps as well as providing a smooth shoulder contour with its finely tapered edges. https://www.independence.ltd.uk/userimages/3931%20Bra%20Strap%20Pad%202.jpg?rand=1219843165 Figure 2.6 An example of shoulder strap foam pad Source: https://www.independence.ltd.uk/userimages/3931%20Bra%20Strap%20Pad%202.jpg?rand=1219843165 https://www.ecrobot.com:81/offer/02_OutputOfferImage.php?n=10779926174548427985743820946206 Figure 2.7 A shoulder silicone pad Source: https://www.ecrobot.com:81/offer/02_OutputOfferImage.php?n=10779926174548427985743820946206 https://images.herroom.com/items/braza-brz001-2100-gs.jpgFlip Flap Satin Covered Shoulder Pads Figure 2.8 Covered shoulder pad Source: https://www.herroom.com/braza-2100-flip-flap-satin-covered-shoulder-pads.shtml 2.4 The mechanism of shock absorb According to a research done by Zhou Jie (2010), when the human body collides with the ground, impact forces develop. With each foot strike during walking or running, the shock wave would transmitted throughout the body and ultimately reach the head. The shock attenuation is brought by the shock absorbers in the human body such as joint positioning, muscle activity, synovial fluid, bone, and articular cartilage. Any forces that are not absorbed by the lower extremity will be transmitted up to the kinetic chain, which gives a force to breast and makes breast move. The movement of breasts results in pressure to the body. The applied load was 1.25 times of the body weight while walking. Shoulder pad provides a cushion effect to the wearer and it acts as a protector to reduce the pressure transmitted to the shoulder. Once there are compression force stroke on the cushion, the cushion was compressed and stored part of the strain energy. The cushion would become stiffness and thinner (Kevin, 1999). The strain energy stored inside the cushion would then be converted into heat energy and dissipated by the air. When the compression load removed, the cushion would be recovered into its original shape called energy return (Pi, et al., 2008). Because of the dissipation of part of the impact energy, the wearer would then feel lesser resilient force from the ground and superior comfort of relieving the shoulder pain. 2.5 Definition and functions of elastics Elastic is an essential component of lingerie. It is a narrow fabric which does not exceed 18à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? in width and it can be classified as woven or knitted. Elastics have been widely used in textiles as well as lingerie like the upper and lower band of wings, shoulder straps and the opening of the briefs. This is all because it can position the garment, support the garment as well as create a finished edge or hem (Yip, 2010). 2.6 Shoulder straps Shoulder strap is the essential part of the whole bra (Click n Click, 2010). It is one of the narrow elastics which functions to support and control the movement of the breasts. The breast weight could act as a large load on the straps and in turn, excessive pressure on the shoulder of the wearers (Zhou Jie, 2010). Therefore, to provide more comfort to the wearer, shinny surface with matt back are always the appearance of the shoulder straps (Yip, 2010). 2.6.1 Constructions of shoulder straps There are two basic constructions for shoulder strap which are woven and crochet (knitted) elastics. For woven straps, it is the narrow woven fabric having stretch properties consisting of monofilament nylon yarns woven together (Thompson and Bick Harlequin, 1952). They have smoother, finer and flatter surface as well as being more supportive than knitted elastics. For knitted straps, they are always produced by interloping which means forming yarns into loops and intermeshing the loops into a structure (LAMB Knitting Machine Corporation, 2010). And most of them are warp knitted. Knitted straps have higher elongation compared to the woven straps. Small gaps would appear when stretched. Also, it is much cheaper in price (Yip, 2010). There are several areas that must be taken into considerations during the fabric construction: 1. Details of materials Types of filaments, number of counts and ends used in both warp and weft direction are recorded in a basic unit of fabric cons truction. 2. Details of fabric construction The arrangement of picks and ends are clearly recorded in a data sheet, specifying which types of nylon filaments and spandex used. 3. Production requirements Details of number of reed, picks per unit length, elongation and shrinkage requirements are also needed to be laid down for reference. 2.6.2 Product types There are two types of bra straps in turns of woven and knitted. Woven bra straps are available in 8 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 27mm. Plus size bra tends to use wider shoulder straps to help the distribution of force. It is more shinny and smoother on the surface to provide a better appearance and matt with brushes at the back to provide a comfort feeling to the wearer. There are a variety of surface pattern like stripes, zig zags, checks, plain satin effects and Jacquard. Different types of edge can be found in the market, for examples, plain, picots, loops, frills, double loops, etc. For knitted bra straps, matt and shinny appearance are available in the market. Surface patterns like loops and curves can be found on them. Picots, loops and double loops are the common edge of the knitted straps. Although the support is not as good as the woven bra straps, it is relatively cheaper and has more different kind of fashion styles (Yip, 2010). woven.jpg Figure 2.9 Woven shoulder straps knitted straps.jpg Figure 2.10 Knitted shoulder straps 2.6.3 Materials used in shoulder straps A variety of materials were used in the construction of shoulder straps such as nylon, polyester, spandex or Lycra and metallic yarn. 90% of shoulder straps use nylon as nylon can be dyed more easily with lower temperature compare to polyester. For spandex, it can be stretched for many times and recover to its original length after load is removed. It is due to its special arrangements of the molecular structure (Yip, 2010). The structure consists of long chain molecules that take on the conformation of large random coils. These long chain structures show soft and flexible properties at room temperature. When stretched, they will deform or uncoil and return back to its original dimension after removing the force (Woods, 1987). Spandex usually wrapped around by nylon or polyester yarn and forms elastic by weaving. Sometimes, metallic yarns are used to provide a more attractive and shinny appearance (Yip, 2010). 2.6.4 Stretch and recovery of shoulder straps Stretch or elongation, recovery and modulus are three main considerations during construction of elastics. Both of them play the important roles in determining the supportive and comfortable level of a shoulder strap (Yip, 2010). 1. Elongation Elongation, combines with strength, indicates the ability of a yarn of fabric to absorb energy. (John Sons, 1977) Elongation means the percentage extension at the specified load. When objects are put under stress, they will stretch before breaking. If the stress is not great enough to break the object, the deformation is usually temporary and the objects original shape will return when the stress is removed. Knowing how shoulder straps will elongate is critical for designing a bra for large breast women which can ensure that they do not elongate so much that they no longer have enough strength to withstand the forces while elongated (Mark Kennan, 1999). To measure this, the original length of the shoulder strap sample should be subtrac ted by the length of the strap which under specified load first. And then the result would be divided by the original length of the strap. Lastly, it is to multiply the result by 100%. The final result would be the elongation of the strap. Below is the equation of elongation. Length under specified load original length X 100% Original length 2. Recovery Recovery means the percentage of the elastic that can be recovered when the load is released. After a load is released from a stress-strain test, some of the total deformation is recovered as elastic deformation (Mark Kennan, 1999). The higher the percentage states that the better the recovery a strap has. It is also very important to shoulder straps as they should keep a certain recovery rate say 85 % even after using repeatedly. To measure this, the elongated length of the straps should minus the recovered length and the original gauge length respectively. And then the former would be divided by the latter one. Lastly, the result should be multiplied by 100%. The final result would be the recovery of the shoulder strap. Below is the equation of it. ___Elongated length (in.) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Recovered length ___ X100% Elongated length (in.) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Original gauge length 3. Modulus Modulus means the amount of load (in lbs) needed to extend the elastics to 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%. In another words, it is the ratio of pressure (stress) applied to a body to the resistance (strain) produced by the body. The higher the modulus, the larger the amount of load has to applied to extend the straps (Yip, 2010). This is another important consideration for the construction of strap since the modulus should not be too low as straps should have certain stiffness to support the breasts weight. Elongation, recovery and modulus are three very vital checking points before the shipment of each batch of shoulder straps. Therefore, control of them should be extremely careful within the set tole rance. Besides, different cup size bras should match with different shoulder straps with different level of elongation, recovery and modulus because of the comfort and support level provided. 2.7 Physical properties of spandex fibre Property spandex Natural rubber Other synthetic fibres Elongation at break (%) 500-800 500-900 0-40 Tensile strength 6-12 2-4 30-70 (break tenacity, g/tex) Thickness available (tex) 2-60 17 upwards 2 upwards Stress at 200% elongation (g/tex) 0.4-1 0.15-0.3 N.A. Melting point ËÅ ¡C ca250 150 140-250 Moisture regain (% at 21ËÅ ¡C, 65%RH) cal.0 0.2 0.2-5.0 Table 2.1 Physical properties of spandex fibre From the table, it can be seen that, although the nature rubber also has a high value of elongation at break, it is not suitable for making elastic fabric because of its low tensile strength and high value of thickness (Randall and Lee, 2002). 2.8 Innovative design of shoulder straps 2.9 Design frameworks In the overall product life cycle, before the product manufacturing, product development is very important as many ideas generate and integrate to form new products. There are many different frameworks for product development and design, but not all of them provide the specific ideas for functional apparel. Only DeJonge (1984) and Watkin (1988) provide the specific ideas in this aspect (Chan, 2001). 2.9.1 DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s model DeJonge (1984) proposed a process for the development of functional occupational clothing that places importance on identifying user needs and analyzing user situations through systematic exploration. The full process guides the designer step-by-step from initial request to prototype completion and evaluation (Table 2.2). DeJonge provide a systematic model on design research and this helps designers a lot to determine the design specifications. This model provides a clear division between the development of design specification and the establishment of design criteria. It can clearly list out the important issues that designers should consider during the whole design process(Chan, 2001). DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s design stage Description 1. Initial request made Define design problem 2. Design direction explored Find design directions 3. Design goals defined Define the goals for research 4. Research for specification developed Develop in-depth research to find design factors 5. Design criteria established Ranking and weighting design criteria 6. Prototype development Develop the prototype for the design according to the criteria made in the previous stage 7. Prototype evaluation Evaluate the prototype Table 2.2 DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s design process 2.9.2 Watkinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s model Watkinsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ model (1988) adapts seven-step approach of design process that includes acceptance, analysis, definition, ideation, selection, implementation and evaluation. This model focuses more on the problem solving stages with a heavier weighting on the prototype implement part. Watkinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s steps Descriptions 1. Acceptaance Get motivation and find reasons to devote time and effort to the design problem 2. Analysis Find out all aspects of design situation by learning and interviewing 3. Definition Determining the most essential elements by sifting through the mass of data and ideas collected in the previous stages 4. Ideation Generate ideas and creative things as many as possible 5. Selection Select the best idea 6. Implementation Take action and try out the best idea 7. Evaluation Analyzing what happened when action was taken Table 2.3 Watkinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s design process 2.9.3 Selection of design framework Although both Dejongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s and Watkinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s models provide the specific ideas for development of functional apparel, the later one is more or less used for the teaching of design process (Chan, 2001). Among these frameworks, DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s functional design process is generally accepted by clothing and textile researchers to be a landmark for the development of the design processes. It has also been used to guide research into the development of garment design criteria and prototype. Examples of previous research that have used the full or adaptations of DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s basic design framework are clothing for women with physical disabilities (Carroll, 2001), intimate apparel designs for women (Chan, 2001) and hospital clothing for neonates (Bergen et al.,1996). For the above reasons, this study was conducted to design and develop a set of new product of shoulder strap based on DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s design framework. Details of the design process based on DeJongeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s framework are presented in Chapter 5. Current scientific knowledge and systematic design framework are necessary to guide scientific investigation of design and development of shoulder straps. 2.10 Summary and conclusion of literature review
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