Nancy L. Markee

Regional differences in the sociodemographic determinants of environmental concern

This study assesses the influence of sociodemographic variables on four distinct measures of environmental concern in a sample of 2,984 households in 19 metropolitan areas of the United States. In addition, the potential for regional interactions is investigated. Results of the study indicate that, while geographic region does not appear to have consistent additive effects, it does interact with other sociodemographic variables to influence environmental concern. These regional interactions draw attention to many of the problems involved with comparisons across studies and may shed light on what are often considered to be discrepant findings in the literature on environmental concern.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part I: Thermophysiological Comfort Determinations for Three Experimental Knit Fabrics

Using a modified Kawabata Thermolabo apparatus housed in a controlled envi ronmental chamber, we obtained measurements of heat transfer through a specially selected set of jersey knit textile fabrics. We then used analytical models to compute thermal comfort limits based on the experimental values and predetermined estimates of human metabolic activity. The jersey knit fabrics differed primarily on the basis of fiber content: the comparisons were between two knits, both made with 100% polyester fibers of different deniers, and a 100% cotton fabric. This research confirms the results of several previous studies that fabric structural features, not component fibers, are the most important controllers of thermal dissipation in the presence of moisture diffusion. Our results also show that heat transfer is highly related to fabric thickness, bulk density, and air volume fraction. Thermal transfer from a simulated sweating skin surface is strongly correlated with fabric porosity and air permeability.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part II: Mechanical and Surface Related Comfort Property Determinations for Three Experimental Knit Fabrics'

Our analyses using Kawabata instruments confirmed significant differences in phys ical and thermal properties of cotton and polyester single jersey knit fabrics. We at tributed observed differences in fabric physical properties to differences between cotton and polyester fibers and in the fineness of component fibers. We judged comparisons to be useful in forecasting tactile comfort and explaining subjective sensations associated with fabric/skin contact.

Protection of Humans from Ultraviolet Radiation through the Use of Textiles: A Review

One of the growing concerns of the present decade is the health risk associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and its link with problems such as carcinogenesis, cataracts, sunburn, and photoaging. For protection from UVR, medical experts recommend avoiding exposure, using sunscreens, donning hats, and covering up with clothing. Research on the solar-protective value of clothing, however, still leaves many questions unanswered. This review of literature identifies the need for appropriate protection from the sun, especially for children, and the benefits of clothing as protection. The methods and difficulties associated with assessing the UVR protection and the definition of the sun protection factor (SPF) of clothing are outlined and discussed. Studies using in vivo, radiometric, and spectrophotometric methodologies to assess the UVR transmission throughfabrics are examined. Fabric variables, identified in the literature, that have beenfound to affect UVR transmission values are discussed.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part III: Water Content and Blood Flow in Human Skin Under Garments Worn by Exercising Subjects in a Hot, Humid Environment

We studied stratum corneum water content, water evaporation from the skin surface, capillary blood flow, and skin temperature under three different garments worn by ten female subjects exercising and resting in a hot, humid environment (29.4°C, 75% RH). Single jersey knit fabrics made from 100% 1.5 denier polyester, 100% 3.5 denier polyester, or 100% cotton were made into long sleeve T-shirts and pants. Measures of stratum corneum water content using a microwave probe, evaporative water loss using an Evaporimeter, capillary blood flow using a laser Doppler velocimetry instrument, as well as skin temperature, were assessed on the upper back at four times during the wear protocol. An analysis of variance showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the noninvasive skin measurements under the three fabrics. Statistically significant differences in the skin measurements did occur as the kind of activity differed during the wear protocol. Results are discussed in terms of the fabric thermal and mechanical data presented in Parts I and II of this series.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part IV: Perceived Sensations to Three Experimental Garments Worn by Subjects Exercising in a Hot, Humid Environment'

We report on the perceived comfort data collected while ten female subjects exercised in the hot, humid environment ( 29.4°C, 75% RH) wearing garments made from the three experimental knit fabrics. These findings are related to the fabric thermophys iological comfort data reported in Part I, the mechanical and surface related comfort data in Part II, and the skin alteration data in Part III of this series. At four times during the wear protocol (after acclimation, after 10 minutes of wear, after 40 minutes of exercise, and after 20 minutes of rest following exercise), subjects were asked to indicate overall comfort and thermal, wetness, and contact sensations. There was no difference between the fabrics for wetness or thermal sensation, a result explainable in terms of the extremely small differences in water and heat transport data reported in Part I. The thermal insulation, permeability index, and comfort limit values we calculated predict that differences in perceived thermal and wetness sensation should be minimal. Skin temperature was a significant determinant of perceived thermal comfort in our regression model, but capillary blood flow was not. The regression model for wetness sensation showed that stratum corneum water content and evaporative water loss were statistically significant determinants. Use of wetness-related and contact sensation descriptors differed for the three experimental fabrics. Differences in the wetness-related descriptors appear related to the percent water uptake of the fabrics during exercise. Fiber denier and fabric mechanical and surface feature data were useful in explaining the difference in contact sensations. The fabrics differed in perceived overall comfort. In the regression analysis, capillary blood flow was the only physio logical factor with a statistically significant effect on overall comfort. We suspect a link between the mechanical and surface features and capillary blood flow.

Skin Response To Fabric. A Review of Studies and Assessment Methods

Research studies which provide insight into the response of human skin to fabric when contacted by and/or covered with fabric are reviewed When possible, the fabric parameter thought influential in eliciting a certain response (e.g., increase in capillary blood flow, hydration state) is given. The operating principles of several key instruments used for assessing the response of skin to fabric are explained.

BODY CATHEXIS AND CLOTHED BODY CATHEXIS: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

To investigate the difference between perceptions of the nude body and of the clothed body 29 women were administered the Body Cathexis Scale and a Clothed Body Cathexis Scale. Paired t tests indicated that these working women were significantly more satisfied with their clothed bodies than with their nude bodies.

In Vivo Cutaneous Response to Fabric Part V: Effect of Fiber Type and Fabric Moisture Content on Stratum Corneum Hydration1:

Fabric placed over human skin may change the stratum corneum (SC) hydration level, an important phenomenon because increases in normal levels of SC hydration pose potential health problems. The skin becomes more susceptible to abrasive damage, increases in permeability, and is more prone to microbial growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fiber type and fabric moisture content on SC hydration. Using three similarly constructed knit fabrics, six fabric type/moisture content combinations were selected for the tests. Using an occluded plastic dome, fabric samples were placed on both “normal” and “hydrated” volar forearm skin of subjects for a specified time period, then removed. Two minutes after removal, evaporative water loss and skin temperature were measured. The design of the study was a randomized complete block with all possible treatment combinations applied to each subject. Data were analyzed using analyses of variance on the linear and quadratic coefficients of best fit lines and Bonferroni t tests. For “normal” skin, SC hydration generally increased as fabric moisture content increased. The SC was significantly drier after being in contact with cotton fabric at regain than at the two moisture content levels above regain, and also under polyester fabric. For hydrated skin, the hydration state was significantly lower under the cotton fabric at regain than at 38.6% moisture content and at saturation, but was not significantly different under the polyester fabric at regain and at saturation.

Gender Differences in Characteristics Reported to Be Important Features of Physical Attractiveness

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether characteristics of physical attractiveness named by respondents as important would differ from those attributes previously examined by researchers. Gender differences related to the identification of important characteristics of physical attractiveness were also explored. Subjects, 230 male and 240 female undergraduates at two western state universities, completed a self-administered questionnaire. Respondents agreed that body build was the characteristic of greatest importance for both physically attractive males and females. Other important characteristics for physically attractive males were eyes, face, height, and hair and for females, hair, face, and eyes. Other than body build, there was no consistent ranking of characteristics by male and female respondents.