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Objective: The current study tested whether proposed sport-related risk factors for disordered eating behaviors were associated with increases in disordered eating over first-year college athletes' first four months of collegiate sport participation. Participants: Participants included a sample of first-year college athletes (N = 59, 45% female) from a Division I National Collegiate Athletics Association (DI) university. Method: This follow-up study tested whether 1) wearing a uniform that emphasizes body concerns, 2) participating in a lean sport, and 3) perceived pressure for thinness from coaches and teammates would lead to increases in weight/shape concerns and disordered eating behaviors over the first four months of collegiate sport participation. Results: Wearing a uniform that emphasizes body concerns and perceived coach pressure for thinness predicted increases in weight/shape concern. Both teammate and coach pressure for thinness predicted increases in restrained eating behaviors. Conclusion: Findings suggest that there are identifiable, athlete-specific risk factors for the development of disordered eating behaviors among first-year college athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study examines the impact of nurse uniforms, the coronavirus pandemic, and the image of nurses and the nursing profession on the career choice of young Muslim Arab women in nursing, with a focus on policy implications. Background: The global nursing shortage poses significant challenges, including in Israel. Attracting young Muslim Arab women to nursing careers is vital. Understanding how nurse uniforms, the pandemic, and perceptions of nurses and the nursing profession shape their career decisions can inform policy interventions. Methods: A cross‐sectional study utilized digital questionnaires administered to 200 Muslim Arab women aged 20–30 in Israel. The study adhered to the EQUATOR checklist for cross‐sectional studies. Results: Only 29.2% of participants expressed interest in studying nursing. Findings revealed a positive correlation between the pandemic's impact and intention to pursue nursing. A linear regression analysis shows the impact of the white uniform, the image of nurses, and the image of the profession on the choice of a career in nursing. Discussion: The study emphasizes the significance of nurse uniforms, the image of nurses, and the image of the nursing profession in shaping young Muslim Arab women's career choices in nursing. Policy interventions should raise awareness about nursing roles, expand responsibilities, and highlight nurses' contributions to society. Conclusion: Strategies to attract young Muslim Arab women to nursing careers should address nurse uniforms, the image of nurses, and the image of the nursing profession. Implications for policy: Policy interventions should prioritize diversity, promote positive images of nurses and the nursing profession, and raise awareness of nursing roles and contributions among young Muslim Arab women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Addressing the prevalent issue of size misfits in large-scale issued firefighter uniforms due to diverse and complex body morphologies, this article presents an objective method for intelligent garment sizing matching without subjective weighting. Methods. The method employs criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) and the catastrophe progression method (CPM) for more accurate and reliable sizing. Traditional methods, reliant on limited indicators such as height and chest girth and often subjectively determined by experts, are prone to reliability concerns. Matching decisions made based on our approach are evidence-based, transparent and reproducible, thus minimizing subjectivity and expert intervention. Results. A case study of 388 cases validates the method's efficacy in providing garment size recommendations, surpassing traditional experience-based approaches by reducing subjective bias. Conclusion. Despite some differences, the optimal alternatives for examinees are almost consistent across the different methods. Compared with traditional subjective weighting methods, this method has potential advantages in situations such as large-scale matching of firefighter protective clothing where individual customization or direct try-on is not feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the evolution of tramway uniforms in Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand, from 1902 to 2023, and exploring their historical development. Topics discussed include the history of tramways in Auckland, New Zealand; the design changes in uniforms and badges over time; the various uniform styles worn by tram crews throughout the years; the challenges faced during the research; and the resurrection of tramways through the Museum of Transportation and Technology (MOTAT).

Abstract The study aimed to determine and compare the mass concentration and size distribution of particulate matter (PM) at two Polish fire stations, one equipped with a washing machine intended for the decontamination of uniforms (FSN) and the other not equipped with this type of device (FSC), to assess the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing PM concentrations inside fire stations and estimate PM doses inhaled by firefighters while performing activities in truck bays and changing rooms during one work shift. The average PM concentrations at the FSN were 18.2–28.9 µg/m3 and 27.5–37.3 µg/m3, while at FSC they were 27.4–37.9 µg/m3 and 24.6–32.8 µg/m3 in the truck bays and changing rooms, respectively. At each measurement point, most of the PM mass (65–75%) was accumulated as fine particles. The dominance of fine particles in the total mass of PM results in high values of PM deposition coefficients (0.59–0.61) in three sections of the respiratory tract at each monitoring site. This study initially indicates the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing the concentration of fine particles and demonstrates the necessity, as well as directions for further research in this area.

Background: Healthcare staff uniforms are a subject of debate in the UK, and this is particularly true in the case of less understood roles such as advanced nurse practitioners. Aim: This review explores what is known about people's perceptions of health professionals' uniforms. Method: A mixed methods scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Five databases (CINAHL, ASSIA, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) and several search engines were searched. Eligible reports were peer-reviewed English-language studies using any methodology to explore people's perceptions of different uniforms for health professionals. Findings: Forty-six studies (mainly from North America) were included, presenting a variety of perspectives on the uniforms worn by doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Conclusion: Culture and context likely influence how uniforms are understood. Practitioners should consider how this may affect communication with both patients and colleagues. What health professionals wear matters, particularly in relation to less well understood roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine and compare the mass concentration and size distribution of particulate matter (PM) at two Polish fire stations, one equipped with a washing machine intended for the decontamination of uniforms (FSN) and the other not equipped with this type of device (FSC), to assess the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing PM concentrations inside fire stations and estimate PM doses inhaled by firefighters while performing activities in truck bays and changing rooms during one work shift. The average PM concentrations at the FSN were 18.2–28.9 µg/m3 and 27.5–37.3 µg/m3, while at FSC they were 27.4–37.9 µg/m3 and 24.6–32.8 µg/m3 in the truck bays and changing rooms, respectively. At each measurement point, most of the PM mass (65–75%) was accumulated as fine particles. The dominance of fine particles in the total mass of PM results in high values of PM deposition coefficients (0.59–0.61) in three sections of the respiratory tract at each monitoring site. This study initially indicates the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing the concentration of fine particles and demonstrates the necessity, as well as directions for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marching band (MB) artists are subject to exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) similar to other active groups like laborers and athletes. Yet, they are an understudied population with no evidence-based heat safety guidelines. Presented here is a case study of the 233rd annual Bristol, RI Independence Day Parade in 2018 that resulted in over 50 EHIs, including 25 from the Saint Anthony Village marching band (MB) from suburban Minneapolis, MN. This research aims to identify the contributing factors that led to the large number of EHIs, as well as guide ensuring the safety of MB artists in future events. A human heat balance model in conjunction with local weather data was used to simulate heat stress on MB artists. Three modeling scenarios were used to isolate the roles of clothing (band uniform vs. t-shirt and shorts), weather (July 4, 2018 vs. 30-year climatology), and metabolic rate (slow, moderate, and brisk marching pacing) on heat stress. The results identify several key factors that increased heat stress. The meteorological conditions were unusually hot, humid, and sunny for Bristol, resulting in reduced cooling from evaporation and convection, and increased radiant heating. Behavioral factors also affect heat stress. The full marching band uniforms reduced evaporative cooling by 50% and the activity levels of marching 4 km over several hours without breaks resulted in conditions that were uncompensable. Finally, it is speculated that a lack of acclimatization for participants from cooler regions may have exacerbated heat-related impacts. These findings highlight several recommendations for MB directors and race organizers, including the use of summer uniforms for anticipated hot conditions, and advance parade planning that includes providing shade/hydration before and after the parade for participants, considering cooler routes that reduce radiant heating and preparing for anticipated heat-related health impacts appropriate for anticipated hot conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between the risk of contamination during aseptic procedures performed by nursing students and the hairstyle type of the student performing the procedure. Methods: This study employed an observational design. The participants were 139 nursing students recruited from two colleges. Participants with short hair were assigned to the short-hair group (Group 1) without randomization. The remaining participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: those who put their hair in a hairnet (Group 2), those who had their hair tied back (Group 3), and those who had their hair untied (Group 4). Raters used a checklist to assess participants' performance of aseptic procedures and contamination-related behaviors. Results: Compared to the group wearing a hairnet (Group 2), more contamination occurred in the group with long hair tied back (Group 3) or not tied up (Group 4) (p<.001). Hair-related contamination risk behaviors were significantly more common in students with untied long hair (Group 4) than in the other three groups (Group 1, 2, and 3) (p<.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that when performing aseptic procedures, measures are needed to prevent hair-related contamination by restraining the hair or using a hair cap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the functions and ideology of the Chinese Scout uniform during the Republican period (1912–1949). It begins by identifying four issues related to the British influence on Chinese Scout uniforms in early Republican China, which demonstrate efforts to integrate foreign and local cultures. By analysing the regulations and standards governing Chinese Scout uniforms, this research sheds light on the topics of children, childhood, education, and national identity during the Republican era. The Scout uniform was designed to establish a distinct identity among Chinese Scouts, fostering a sense of pride and integrity. Additionally, the Scout uniform’s unification and standardisation aimed to promote teamwork, with accessories like ribbons, badges, stars, and neckers effectively managing and categorizing Scouts. Equally significant was its political function. Regardless of the organisation responsible for Scouting in China at a given time, whether local Scout associations or the Kuomintang, patriotic commitment and national respect were equally emphasised. However, the Kuomintang placed greater emphasis on shaping Scouts’ minds and bodies for political purposes. This study enhances the understanding of how the Scout uniform connected the nation and individuals, influenced the development and organisation of the Scouts, and contributed to youth discipline in Republican China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniforms are an important element of policing. Manipulations to police uniforms, including via the addition, removal and/or alteration of equipment, can impact public perceptions of officers. As part of the present research, we sought to qualitatively assess how the public interpret police uniforms. We asked a large sample of Canadians (N = 1,997) to freeform describe what they believed to be the most important components of a police uniform. Using a detailed codebook, we then coded participants' responses to identify patterns. Among the themes identified, participants most frequently referenced equipment and presentation as well as institutional recognition as the most important components of a police uniform. Participants also frequently referenced the functionality of the uniform as well as its image. We discuss our results in the context of policing research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picture books are often part of children's socialisation processes, contributing to the children forming images of the world, including ideas about (categories of) people, such as nurses. The study aims to explore how nurses/nursing are portrayed in children's picture books in a Swedish context. Through a systematic search, 44 books were included for analysis using thematic analysis and a theoretical lens inspired by Goffman. The results were presented in three themes: 'The costume characterised and designated nurses', 'Nurses and nursing were defined through specific activities and accessories', and 'Nurses' role as caregivers and decency practitioners'. The results showed that nurses were depicted/described in varied contexts, performing their roles mainly front stage in 'hands‐on work' in close contact with patients and relatives. Nurses were attributed different accessories and personality characteristics. Nurses/nursing were generally set within a healthcare context, oftentimes within an overarching medical logic. Historical depictions of nurses' uniforms still appeared as a signifier for nurses/nursing. The presentation of nurses/nursing might have potential implications on children's understanding of and for reputations of nurses/nursing in the long term as primary socialisation and related understandings of the (sub)world(s) are deeply rooted in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars and police organizations argue that when police officers don a uniform, they imbue a certificate of legitimacy. In our study of 238 police officers, we test the assumption that the police uniform impacts officers' beliefs about their own legitimacy, and, in turn, their projected behavior when in uniform. We find that, when comparing across various combinations of uniforms and accoutrements, officers in our study tended to prefer their standard uniform as a legitimating device. Moreover, we find that the legitimacy attributed to the standard uniform can impact officers' willingness to engage in certain behaviors when in uniform, at least for the female officers in our sample. This research supports the important role of officer appearance in shaping police perceptions and behaviors, complementing existing research that examines citizens' perceptions of police uniforms and accoutrements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational therapy has set a strategic vision to increase equity and health access through leadership in all practice areas. To this end, educators in occupational therapy doctorate programs must increase the students' ability to lead with an awareness of the social impacts of policy decisions. The purpose of this study was to explore educational opportunities to support occupational therapy doctorate students in developing social awareness for decision-making. The study aimed to use an e-learning module to increase social awareness surrounding a departmental decision about a white coat ceremony. A quantitative quasi-experimental one group pre-test post-test study examined if a significant increase in a trait associated with making socially just decisions occurred following students' participation in an elearning module that outlined the social aspects of the use of the white coat. Results indicated that students had a statistically significant increase in awareness of social inequality and motivation to act following participation in the e-learning module. The study provides initial evidence toward the effectiveness of developing students' social awareness for policy decisions through tailored e-learning to outline social aspects of policy paired with the opportunity to decide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the artistic sports program, the referee' scores directly determine the final results of the athletes. Wushu is a artistic sport that has a Chinese characteristic and has the potential to become an official competition at the Summer Olympic. In this study we tested whether a red uniform color affects Wushu Routine practitioners' ratings of athletes' position or movement of Wushu Routine. We also tested whether the effect varied depending on the gender of the athlete and the practitioner, and depending on whether female practitioners were in the ovulation phase of their menstrual cycle. Male (Experiment 1: N = 72) and female (Experiment 1: N = 72; Experiment 2: N = 52) participants who major in Wushu Routine were recruited to take a referee's perspective and rate the movement quality of male and female athletes wearing red or blue uniforms. The results of Experiment 1 showed that both male and female athletes wearing red uniform (compared to blue uniform) received higher ratings (p =.002, η2 =.066; p =.014, η2 =.043), and the red effect was especially strong when male practitioners rated female athletes (p =.002, η2 =.069). The results of Experiment 2, in an all-female sample, showed that in most cases there was no difference in ratings made by women in the ovulation and non-ovulation phases of their menstrual cycle, with the exception of their ratings of male athletes wearing red; in this condition, women gave higher ratings when they were in the ovulation phase of their cycle (p =.026). The results suggest that there is a red effect in an artistic sport like Wushu Routine, in which gender and the female menstrual cycle play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the First World War, 1914–1918, the British Army uniform provided an important tool in the transition from civilian to soldier and a symbol of a mass collective identity. However, soldier writings from the war and post-war years reveal the more individual experiences of their uniforms and the intimate relationships that formed between their physicality and the materiality of the garment. Focusing on the uniform experiences of British servicemen during the First World War, this article explores the narratives recorded in soldier correspondence, diaries and life writing to discover how men, despite wearing military uniform, continued to express the sartorial identities and practices developed as civilians. The uniform was central to soldiers' physicality and their writings show that the materiality of the uniform became a conduit for their sensory and haptic experiences of the landscape around them. Yet the uniform remained only a temporary sartorial shift and, underneath, civilian identities and sensibilities remained resolute. Evidence of sartorial interventions and personalization expose the attempts to ameliorate the fit and feel of the uniform. Shining a light on these narratives of the uniform on a more personal and affective level challenges us to reconsider the boundaries between uniformity and individuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional pride, including self-reflection and attitude toward one's own occupational group, induces individuals to behave in socially appropriate ways, and uniforms can encourage wearers to have this pride. This study was to elucidate the working pattern of professional pride by exploring neural responses when wearing uniforms and being conscious of a third-person's perspective. Twenty healthy adults who had an occupation requiring uniforms were scanned using functional MRI with a self-evaluation task consisting of 2 [uniform versus casual wear] × 2 [first-person perspective versus third-person perspective] conditions. The neural effects of clothing and perspective were analyzed and post-hoc tests were followed. The interaction effect was displayed in the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, where uniform led to higher activity in third-person perspective than in first-person perspective, whereas casual wear led to the opposite pattern, suggesting this region may be involved in the awareness of third-person's perspective to uniform-wearing. The right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex showed functional connectivity with the right posterior superior temporal sulcus in uniform-third-person perspective compared to uniform-first-person perspective, suggesting this connection may work for processing information from third-person perspective in a uniform-wearing state. Professional pride may prioritize social information processing in third-person perspective rather than self-referential processing in first-person perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1993, when the Gold Foundation held its first White Coat Ceremony (WCC) to highlight humanism in medicine, many health professions have launched these ceremonies. In 2021, the University of Colorado College of Nursing hosted its first WCC. Postevent, a seven-question survey was sent to all faculty, staff, and student participants. The analytic question driving this program evaluation was as follows: “What is the significance of the White Coat Ceremony to APRN students?” Quantitative data from survey items were overwhelmingly positive; qualitative analysis of open-ended survey text reinforced the central WCC concept of Being/Becoming an APRN and elicited four themes: recognition, transition, symbolism, and connection. A detailed analysis of these themes is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors impact an individual's professional identity on their journey to becoming a doctor, including their experiences, the learning environment, role models, and symbols and rituals. Rituals and symbols associated with the medical profession have historically included wearing a white coat (now rare) and the stethoscope. This study explored two medical students' perspectives of symbolic identifiers in a six-year longitudinal study in Australia (2012–2017). A 2012 qualitative cross-sectional qualitative professional identity study in an Australian five-year undergraduate medical programme was extended to a longitudinal study with annual interviews. A conversation about the symbolism of the stethoscope and other identifiers began in Year 1 and concluded when the students were junior doctors. Symbols and rituals remain part of the 'becoming' and 'being' a doctor. In the context of Australian hospitals, the stethoscope appears to no longer be exclusively associated with the medical profession, with 'professional attire' distinguishing medical students and doctors from other team members (uniform). The study identified lanyard colour and design as a symbol and language as a ritual. Although symbols and rituals may change over time and across cultural contexts, some forms of treasured material possessions and rituals will persist in medical practice. Practice points On the journey of 'becoming' and eventually 'being' a doctor, many factors influence the development of an individual's professional identity, not least symbols and rituals. For a range of reasons, e.g. cultural, contamination, symbols and rituals change but will be replaced. In Australia, and perhaps in other similar contexts, The stethoscope, once seen as an extension of a doctor's anatomy, may no longer be perceived as such, making way for other identifiers such as lanyards and 'professional attire.' COVID-19 may influence some symbols and rituals, but this will depend on the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a mass casualty medical evacuation after a bioaerosol (BA) dispersal event, a decontamination (DC) method is needed that can both decontaminate and prevent biological particle (BP) re-aerosolization (RA) of contaminated clothes. However, neither the efficacy of current DC methods nor the risk of BP RA is greatly explored in the existing literature. The goals of this study were to develop a repeatable method to quantify the RA of a biological contaminant off military uniform fabric swatches and to test the efficacy of one DC protocol (high-volume, low-pressure water) using 1 µm polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres as a surrogate. A four-step methodology was developed: contamination using a Collison Nebulizer; RA using a laboratory mixer and aerosol collection using an inhalable air sampler with a polyvinyl chloride filter; DC using a gravity-fed water shower; and quantification using ultraviolet microscopy via both visual and computer techniques. All results for uncontaminated control samples showed little to no presence of PSL sphere-like particles, while the contaminated experimental trials showed that RA was much lower after DC with water at the 99% confidence level (p-value = 0.0081). The water DC showed an average ∼73% reduction in particle RA, along with a change in air sampler filter deposition patterns from aerosol-like (before DC) to droplet-like (after DC). The fluorescent sphere contamination method for testing the DC residual risk of RA was repeatable and successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a design brief initiated by the New Zealand Police to address barriers faced by Muslim women in joining the force, specifically related to the absence of a hijab as part of the standard uniform. Topics include the Police's consultation on international police forces' practices; the interdisciplinary course at Massey University focused on accessible and inclusive fashion design; and the significance of the project in promoting inclusion and cultural diversity.