Using Virtual Models to Evaluate Real Products For Real Bodies

We study the effects of self-perception on consumer creation of avatars (virtual models) for evaluating digital representations of bodyinvolving products (apparel) to be used on their real body in the real world. In our experiments, consumers used online tools to create virtual models of themselves and virtually "try on" clothing before making purchase decisions. Results show that consumer use of interactive online tools and prompting heightened awareness of their actual physical appearance significantly influences online evaluation of body-involving products. Individual differences in body esteem and preference for visual style of processing also influence consumer evaluation and use of avatars

Verifying the operational definition of neighborhood for the psychosocial impact of structural deterioration

The physical decay of neighborhoods is associated with social conditions such as disease risk, poor mental health, and fear of crime. Researchers assessing neighborhood effects commonly operationalize neighborhoods via municipal boundaries such as U.S. Census Tracts, although more sophisticated analyses examine structures within a defined radius of respondents, typically .25-mile. This study verifies the .25-mile heuristic as a sound operational definition for neighborhood residential structures consequential to social conditions with measures of social contact with neighbors, perceptions of social capital, fear of neighborhood crime, and satisfaction with neighborhood quality of life. Deteriorating commercial structures cluster in smaller areas than deteriorating residential structures; however, the peak consequential radius appears to occur at 4 times the distance of residential structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/57514/1/20216_ftp.pd

Geospatial Resolution of Human and Bacterial Diversity with City-Scale Metagenomics

The panoply of microorganisms and other species present in our environment influence human health and disease, especially in cities, but have not been profiled with metagenomics at a city-wide scale. We sequenced DNA from surfaces across the entire New York City (NYC) subway system, the Gowanus Canal, and public parks. Nearly half of the DNA (48%) does not match any known organism; identified organisms spanned 1,688 bacterial, viral, archaeal, and eukaryotic taxa, which were enriched for harmless genera associated with skin (e.g., Acinetobacter). Predicted ancestry of human DNA left on subway surfaces can recapitulate U.S. Census demographic data, and bacterial signatures can reveal a station’s history, such as marine-associated bacteria in a hurricane-flooded station. Some evidence of pathogens was found (Bacillus anthracis), but a lack of reported cases in NYC suggests that the pathogens represent a normal, urban microbiome. This baseline metagenomic map of NYC could help long-term disease surveillance, bioterrorism threat mitigation, and health management in the built environment of citie

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium inaugural meeting report

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative comprised of experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering, public health, and architecture. The ultimate goal of the MetaSUB Consortium is to improve city utilization and planning through the detection, measurement, and design of metagenomics within urban environments. Although continual measures occur for temperature, air pressure, weather, and human activity, including longitudinal, cross-kingdom ecosystem dynamics can alter and improve the design of cities. The MetaSUB Consortium is aiding these efforts by developing and testing metagenomic methods and standards, including optimized methods for sample collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization. The data produced by the consortium can aid city planners, public health officials, and architectural designers. In addition, the study will continue to lead to the discovery of new species, global maps of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers, and novel biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Finally, we note that engineered metagenomic ecosystems can help enable more responsive, safer, and quantified cities

Openhanded or tightfisted the influence of gestures on generosity /

We examine how two hand gestures, “open hand” and “tight fist”, can shape consumer generosity in charitable donations. We demonstrate that low self-monitoring consumers become more generous if they hold open hand (vs. tight fist) gesture prior to donation, and high self-monitoring consumers become less generous if same gesture is held during donation

Do open hands (always) open wallets the influence of gestures on generosity /

Emerging research on embodied cognition (Glenberg 2010), exploresthe influence of the body on the mind. We contribute to this literature by examining the influence of hand gestures on generosity. Two recent studies provide evidence that generosity can be embodied in certain hand processes. Williams and Bargh (2008) found that participantswhose hands experienced physical warmth (vs. coldness) displayed higher generosity. Hung and Labroo (2011) demonstrated that participants who firmed their hand muscles were more likely tomake monetary donations to an earthquake relief appeal. However,hand firming did not affect the amount participants donated. To extendthis hand processes research, we focus on two gestures that aremetaphorically related to generosity: “open-hand” (which relates tothe idiom open-handed, or generous) and “tight-fist” (which relatesto tightfisted, or stingy). We hypothesize and demonstrate that holdingan “open-hand” (vs. “tight-fist”) gesture increases consumers’generosity and that this embodied generosity effect is moderated byconsumers’ idiom knowledge (study 1), gesture timing (study 2), andself-monitoring (study 2)