Study of Adaptive Clothing in Hong Kong: Demands, Analysis and Future Direction

Aging population is substantively increased over last decade and they have specific clothing needs especially for the elderly with disabilities. Their clothing needs to cover functional and aesthetic requirements in order to improve their quality of life. Adaptive clothing is specially designed for the elderly and the disabled. However, there is no public policy to support such the elderly with disabilities in their clothing needs. In this paper, we aim to study the adaptive clothing and its significance, the problems encountered by the elderly with disabilities in adaptive clothing, analysis of public policy in Hong Kong for the elderly with disabilities in adaptive clothing over last decade, and implications and future directions for adaptive clothing in Hong Kong. In our findings, the demand of adaptive clothing in Hong Kong was substantially increased over last decade and the predicted demand will be twice of current demand after 50 years. However, the Government policy in Hong Kong has not yet fully supported their clothing needs, and the non-profit clothing services centre is set up to provide tailoring services to meet their needs. As the capacity of the centre is very limited, it is necessary to expand its capacity through assistive technology and to encourage non-government organizations (NGOs) to establish more social enterprises with Government’s support. Such findings would be beneficial to the Government for strengthening such services for the elderly and the disabled as well as public awareness.

Competitive Potential in Clothing Exports for Hong Kong and the Interior of China

Hong Kong and the Interior of China are leading clothing exporters in the world. Together they accounted for nearly 29 percent of the global clothing exports in 1999.The paper is basically divided into two parts. Firstly, it discusses that high world market share is an indicator of competitiveness for the product. From United Nations statistics, it was identified that Hong Kong and the Interior of China were competitive in certain discrete clothing items and a trend was apparent in the production shift of labour intensive clothing items from Hong Kong to the Mainland as witnessed from 1987-1993. With the revised statistical classification system in clothing items released by United Nations, second part of the paper further investigates the broad clothing categories of knitted and woven garments from 1987-1998. It was discovered that Hong Kong was traditionally more competitive in knitted garments while the Interior of China possessed advantages in the manufacture of woven items. Taking the labour cost advantage of the Interior of China and the marketing strengths of Hong Kong, their co-operation for clothing production is considered complementary to each other and able to foster synergistic effects.

Application of FAHP and Artificial Neural Network on Clothing Plant Location

Clothing manufacturers＇ direct investment and joint ventures in developing regions have seen to grow rapidly in the past few decades. Non-optimized selection can contribute to adverse effects affecting the performance of the plants on aspects of productivity, manufacturing and logistics cost. Selection of proper plant location is thus crucial. The conventional approaches to sites location are based on the factors and their weights. However, determining the weight of each factor is very difficult and time consuming. While the situation is changed, all the work must be redone again. This study aims to develop a decision-making system on clothing plant location for Hoog Kong clothing manufacturer. The proposed system utilizes artificial neural network to study the relationship between the factors and the suitability index of candidate sites. Firstly, the factors are stratified using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process （FAHP） by review the related references and interviewing the experts. Secondly, the corresponding data are collected from the experts by questionnaire and the related government publication. Finally, the feedforward neural network with error backpropagation（EBP） learning algorithm is trained and applied to make decision. The results show that the proposed system performs well and has the characteristic of adaptability and plasticity.

The component-activity interrelationship of cobalt-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting:Strategies and performance

Cobalt-based electrocatalysts take advantage of potentially harmonizable microstructure and flexible coupling effects compared to commercial noble metal-based catalytic materials.However,conventional water electrolysis systems based on cobalt-based monofunctional hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)or oxygen evolution reaction(OER)catalysts have certain shortcomings in terms of resource utilization and universality.In contrast,cobalt-based bifunctional catalysts(CBCs)have attracted much attention in recent years for overall water splitting systems because of their practicality and reduced preparation cost of electrolyzer.This review aims to address the latest development in CBCs for total hydrolysis.The main modification strategies of CBCs are systematically classified in water electrolysis to provide an overview of how to regulate their morphology and electronic configuration.Then,the catalytic performance of CBCs in total-hydrolysis is summarized according to the types of cobalt-based phosphides,sulfides and oxides,and the mechanism of strengthened electrocatalytic ability is emphasized through combining experiments and theoretical calculations.Future efforts are finally suggested to focus on exploring the dynamic conversion of reaction intermediates and building near-industrial CBCs,designing advanced CBC materials through micro-modulation,and addressing commercial applications.

SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT OF PU IONOMERS WITH IONIC GROUPS ON HARD-SEGMENTS

SMPU （shape memory polyurethane） non-ionomers and ionomers, synthesized with poly（c-caprolactone） （PCL）, 4, 4＇-diphenylmethane diisocyanate （MDI）, 1,4-butanediol （BDO）, dimethylolpropionic acid （DMPA） were measured with cyclic tensile test and strain recovery test. The relations between the structure and shape memory effect of these two series were studied with respect to the ionic group content and the effect of neutralization. The resulting data indicate that, with the introduction of asymmetrical extender, the stress at 100% elongation is decreased for PU non-ionomer and ionomer series, especially lowered sharply for non-ionomer series; the fixation ratio of ionomer series is not affected obviously by the ionic group content; the total recovery ratio of ionomer series is decreased greatly. After sufficient relaxation time for samples stretched beforehand, the switching temperature is raised slightly, whereas the recovery ratio measured with strain recovery test method is lowered with increased DMPA content. The characterization with FT-IR, DSC, DMA elucidated that, the ordered hard domain of the two series is disrupted with the introduction of DMPA which causes more hard segments to dissolve in soft phase; ionic groups on hard segment enhance the cohesion between hard segments especially at high ionic group content and significantly facilitate the phase separation compared with the corresponding non-ionomer at moderate ionic group content.

Toward Enhancing Wearability and Fashion of Wearable Supercapacitor with Modified Polyurethane Artificial Leather Electrolyte

Inspired by the sophisticated artificial leather garment industry and toward enhancing wearability of energy storage devices, we demonstrate a polyurethane artificial leather supercapacitor with large sheet electrodes embedded in theleather layer simultaneously working as a polyelectrolyte. This design totally reserves textiles underneath and thus addresses the well-known challenge of wearing comfortability. It provides a revolutionary configuration of wearable supercapacitors: the artificial leather on garment is also a supercapacitor.Unlike the polyvinyl alcohol-based acidic electrolytes, which are widely used, sodium chloride is used to modify the intrinsically fluorescent polyurethane leather for ionic transportation, which has no harm to human. The fluorescent leather supercapacitor is easily transferrable from any arbitrary substrates to form various patterns, enabling multifunctionalities of practical wearability, fashion, and energy storage.

Biomechanical evaluation of heel elevation on load transfer——experimental measurement and finite element analysis

In spite of ill-effects of high heel shoes, they are widely used for women. Hence, it is essential to understand the load transfer biomechanics in order to design better fit and comfortable shoes. In this study, both experimental measurement and finite element analysis were used to evaluate the biomechanical effects of heel height on foot load transfer. A controlled experiment was conducted using custom-designed platforms. Under different weight-bearing conditions, peak plantar pressure, contact area and center of pressure were analyzed. A three-dimensional finite element foot model was used to simulate the high-heel support and to predict the internal stress distributions and deformations for different heel heights. Results from both experiment and model indicated that heel elevations had significant effects on all variables. When heel elevation increased, the center of pressure shifted from the midfoot region to the forefoot region, the contact area was reduced by 26% from 0 to 10.2 cm heel and the internal stress of foot bones increased. Prediction results also showed that the strain and total tension force of plantar fascia was minimum at 5.1 cm heel condition. This study helps to better understand the biomechanical behavior of foot, and to provide better suggestions for design parameters of high heeled shoes.

Simultaneously Regulating Uniform Zn^(2+) Flux and Electron Conduction by MOF/rGO Interlayers for High‑Performance Zn Anodes

Owing to the merits of low cost,high safety and environmental benignity,rechargeable aqueous Zn-based batteries(ZBs)have gained tremendous attention in recent years.Nevertheless,the poor reversibility of Zn anodes that originates from dendrite growth,surface passivation and corrosion,severely hinders the further development of ZBs.To tackle these issues,here we report a Janus separator based on a Zn-ion conductive metal-organic framework(MOF)and reduced graphene oxide(rGO),which is able to regulate uniform Zn2+flux and electron conduction simultaneously during battery operation.Facilitated by the MOF/rGO bifunctional interlayers,the Zn anodes demonstrate stable plating/stripping behavior(over 500 h at 1 mA cm^(−2)),high Coulombic efficiency(99.2%at 2 mA cm^(−2) after 100 cycles)and reduced redox barrier.Moreover,it is also found that the Zn corrosion can be effectively retarded through diminishing the potential discrepancy on Zn surface.Such a separator engineering also saliently promotes the overall performance of Zn|MnO2 full cells,which deliver nearly 100%capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 4 A g^(−1) and high power density over 10 kW kg^(−1).This work provides a feasible route to the high-performance Zn anodes for ZBs.

Research and Application of Polymer Nanofibers

Nanometer materials include roughly nanoparticle,nanotube, nanowire, nanofiber, nanofilm and nanoblock, among which nanofiber is defined as material with nanometer-sized diameter and longer than 1 micron in length. The research development of polymer nanofibers, including manufacture methods and properties of some polymer nanofibers as well as their potential applications is reviewed.

Low temperature preparation of nano TiO_2 and its application as antibacterial agents

A low temperature preparation of nano TiO2 using sol-gel method was proposed. The antibacterial properties of the treatment solution and the treated cotton fabrics obtained via a dip-padding process were evaluated. XRD pattern shows that the nano TiO2 produced is an anatase phase. Aqueous nano-dispersion of the nano TiO2 exhibites positive results as an antibacterial finishing agent for cotton fabrics. The treatment solution possesses antibacterial rates of over 92% and 88.9% against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis,respectively. The treated fabrics are slightly downgraded but still maintained over 89% and 83% of reduction towards the same bacteria. After washing for 50 times,the antibacterial performances of the treated fabric still remains at a relatively high level,indicating the durable characteristic of nano TiO2 treatment.

Structures of Textile-apparel Supply Chain: Concepts and Cases

In recent years, supply chain management （SCM） has been in popularity as a new management philosophy for all industries, including textile and apparel industries. The textile-apparel supply chain is relatively complex because it encompasses many participants such as yarn manufacturers, fabric manufacturers, garment manufacturers and retailers. Although many scholars are engaged in researching SCM in textile and apparel industries, a systematic classification of textile-apparel chain does not exist. The paper proposes three types of textile-apparel chain, nominated vertical integration chain, traditional sourcing chain and 3P-hub （third party as the hub） chain. Different coordinators exist in different types of chain. Three Hong Kong headquartered companies, Esquel Group, TAL Apparel Ltd., and Li ＆ Fang （Trading） Ltd. are used as cases responding to each type of the structures respectively.

Purchasing Behaviour of University Students towards Cyber Shopping in Hong Kong

The developments of Internet and e-commerce provide a new market place to businessman to sell their products and allow people to buy products via Internet as well as to create a new shopping media to consumers. The study aims to investigate the factors affecting consumers' purchase decision via Internet and how product characteristics affect cyber shopping in Hong Kong. The study has revealed that the security of personal data,delivery time, product brand and price were the major concerns for developing cyber market. For marketing apparel products, brand loyalty becomes very important since consumers' judging confidence on the products can be increased in terms of fitting standards and quality aspects.

Pinning impulsive synchronization of stochastic delayed coupled networks

In this paper, the pinning synchronization problem of stochastic delayed complex network （SDCN） is investigated by using a novel hybrid pinning controller. The proposed hybrid pinning controller is composed of adaptive controller and impulsive controller, where the two controllers are both added to a fraction of nodes in the network. Using the Lyapunov stability theory and the novel hybrid pinning controller, some sufficient conditions are derived for the exponential synchronization of such dynamical networks in mean square. Two numerical simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The simulation results show that the proposed control scheme has a fast convergence rate compared with the conventional adaptive pinning method.

Review on the Development of Western and Eastern Garment Pattern Design Technique

Due to different cultural and historical background, the technology in Western and Eastern pattern design is inherently different. Along with the development of technology, garment pattern design technique is making progress towards high effectiveness and accuracy. Many researchers proposed different alternative methodologies to improve the current pattern making processes. This article examines the development of Western and Eastern garment pattern design technique. The main objective of this article is to provide a thorough review and hence a better understanding to those researchers who made contribution on developing pattern design technique and continue their work in the future.

Principle and Method for Structural Design of Digital Woven Fabric

Digital woven textiles are one of the latest research areas of digital textiles. The key of research on design of digital woven fabrics lies in structural design. Nowadays, the application of digital design technology has fundamentally changed the concept of structural design of woven fabric, giving rise to design methods and effects that were deemed impossible before. A study has been carried out to analyze the nature of woven structures and the methods of structural design. This paper proposes an innovative principle and method of structural design under digital design concept, on which the design of digital gamut weaves and establishment of weave-database were presented to meet the requirement of balanced interlacement. It is envisaged that the results of this study will enhance future research in creation of digital woven fabrics, with particular emphasis on digital jacquard fabrics. Meanwhile, this study is also laid the foundation for the intelligent design of woven textile.

Investigation on the Consumption Values of Hong Kong People on Tie Products

This study aims at investigating the consumption values of Hong Kong people on necktie. Based on the Sheth-Newman-Gross Model of consumption values on consumers’ choice decision as conceptual framework, results from the focus group interview, a questionnaire was designed and adopted for conducting the survey. Data collected from 245 respondents were analysed using the Factor Analysis to review the important elements of consumers’ decision of purchasing tie products. Implications on the results on the Functional value were reviewed and discussed in details. Interesting elements such as fabric hand-feel were also identified as influential associated in Hong Kong consumers’ selection of necktie. Since, both fibre content and fabric handle were also found as major selection criteria for fabric materials, the study was focused on the analysis of functional value of the product and further extended to study the handle preference for Hong Kong customers, in which a subjective handle assessment of a wide range of tie fabrics being newly developed and introduced in the market was conducted and objective fabric physical and mechanical properties were measured. Important fabric handle attributes that influence the consumers’ preference on tie fabrics were identified and their objective translation by fabric physical and mechanical properties were also obtained. The investigation provides decision support to necktie manufacturers and retailers through scientific and quantitative recommendations for product development of tie products and material selection.

Subcooled pool boiling heat transfer in fractal nanofluids:A novel analytical model

A novel analytical model to determine the heat flux of subcooled pool boiling in fractal nanofluids is developed. The model considers the fractal character of nanofluids in terms of the fractal dimension of nanoparticles and the fractal dimen- sion of active cavities on the heated surfaces; it also takes into account the effect of the Brownian motion of nanoparticles, which has no empirical constant but has parameters with physical meanings. The proposed model is expressed as a function of the subcooling of fluids and the wall superheat. The fractal analytical model is verified by a reasonable agreement with the experimental data and the results obtained from existing models.

Development of a Three-Dimensional Measuring System for Neonates' Head and Facial Morphology

A web camera based multi-camera convergent close-range photogrammetric system is developed to obtain the neonates＇ head and facial morphology. The data will then be used to develop a secure and good-fitting eye-patch protector for neonates, particularly whoa they are exposed to bright lights such as phototherapy light. Measurements obtained by the system are evaluated and validated against data obtained from optical scanning. Results show that the photogrammetric system meets the requirements of measuring accuracy and safety for neonate in the neonatal units.

Development of a Portfolio Simulation System for Apparel Supply Chain

In this paper,a generic retailer-oriented portfolio simulation system linking manufacturer,retailer,and customer in apparel supply chain is presented.The purpose of the simulator is to generate a portfolio consisting of replenishment strategy and performance index under different sales forecasting errors to satisfy the retailer-defined customer service level in apparel industry.After analyzing the main parameters in the portfolio simulator,the procedure and detailed structure of the simulator are then described.With the use of data from the industry,one case study of the portfolio simulator is achieved and the process of the simulation is validated.

A Strategic Study of Establishing the Industrial Needs in Pattern Design and Technology in China's Mainland

Pattern design and technology play a very important role in the garment industry. In order to improve the level of pattern making and design of the garment industry, a survey was conducted to investigate the industrial needs in pattern design and technology in China's Mainland. The data were collected from the employers and employees from the garment industry and students in the major of fashion and clothing studies. It indicated that there was a gap between the employer and employee, especially the requirements of the industrial needs and the course contents covered by the tertiary schools. The employers expected to recruit more experienced pattern designers, at the same time, they were not reluctant to hire fresh graduates and spent more resources on the training of employees. The students knew little about their employment situation of the garment industry, spent too little time on the course study and learned too little practical skills in pattern design. They could not make use of the knowledge which prevented them from being employed by the garment industry. Efforts should be taken by both the tertiary schools and the garment industry. The students should be aspirated towards the profession of pattern cutters and the syllabuses of pattern making should be more practical and industrial orientated. The solution might benefit the garment industry a lot in a long run.