Microbial carbon use efficiency: accounting for population, community, and ecosystem-scale controls over the fate of metabolized organic matter

Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is a critical regulator of soil organic matter dynamics and terrestrial carbon fluxes, with strong implications for soil biogeochemistry models. While ecologists increasingly appreciate the importance of CUE, its core concepts remain ambiguous: terminology is inconsistent and confusing, methods capture variable temporal and spatial scales, and the significance of many fundamental drivers remains inconclusive. Here we outline the processes underlying microbial efficiency and propose a conceptual framework that structures the definition of CUE according to increasingly broad temporal and spatial drivers where (1) CUEP reflects population-scale carbon use efficiency of microbes governed by species-specific metabolic and thermodynamic constraints, (2) CUEC defines community-scale microbial efficiency as gross biomass production per unit substrate taken up over short time scales, largely excluding recycling of microbial necromass and exudates, and (3) CUEE reflects the ecosystem-scale efficiency of net microbial biomass production (growth) per unit substrate taken up as iterative breakdown and recycling of microbial products occurs. CUEE integrates all internal and extracellular constraints on CUE and hence embodies an ecosystem perspective that fully captures all drivers of microbial biomass synthesis and decay. These three definitions are distinct yet complementary, capturing the capacity for carbon storage in microbial biomass across different ecological scales. By unifying the existing concepts and terminology underlying microbial efficiency, our framework enhances data interpretation and theoretical advances

Pengintegrasian Kansei Engineering dan Customer Relationship Management untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Layanan di Mall Ciputra World Surabaya

Saat ini dengan semakin berkembangnya pembangunan mall membuat banyak mall bersaing dalam memberikan pelayanan dan menyediakan fasilitas bagi para pengunjungnya. Tren abad ke-21 adalah hedonisme, kesenangan dan individualitas dimana tren ini mencoba mengambil alih aspek fungsi dari produk maupun jasa tersebut bukan merupakan hal pokok yang dicari konsumen. Konsumen mencari suatu produk atau jasa yang menawarkan nilai lebih dari fungsi tersebut. Suatu metode Kansei Engineering (KE) melihat sisi fisiologis dan emosional dari customer ketika melihat suatu objek. KE ini memiliki kemampuan yang kuat untuk menghadapi tren tersebut dan untuk mengakomodasi kebutuhan emosi pelanggan dan menerjemahkan kebutuhan emosional pelanggan ke dalam parameter desain melalui rekayasa. Selain KE, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) juga ditujukan untuk memahami kebutuhan pelanggan sehingga dapat meningkatkan keuntungan Perusahaan dalam jangka panjang. Tujuan yang ingin dicapai dalam penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor apa saja yang mempengaruhi emosi konsumen saat datang dan mengunjungi mall tersebut, kondisi desain dan fasilitas layanan yang diberikan sekarang, dan mendapatkan suatu guideline yang dapat digunakan untuk membantu penyedia layanan mall dalam mendukung perbaikan secara terus menerus dalam CRM yang mereka terapkan. Untuk mendapatkan tujuan tersebut, langkah awal yang dilakukan adalah melakukan wawancara kepada para pengunjung yang pernah mengunjungi Ciputra World (CW). Setelah itu, data hasil wawancara akan digunakan dan dikembangkan untuk dibuat kuisioner. Dari hasil kuisioner didapatkan profil responden, penilaian tingkat kepentingan dan tingkat kepuasan dari tiap atribut layanan (Service Quality) serta perasaan responden yang diwakilkan dalam Kansei Words. Setelah itu dilakukan analisis kuadran dari data atribut Service Quality yang sudah memiliki nilai tingkat kepentingan dan kepuasan untuk mengetahui atribut mana yang perlu diperbaiki. Data atribut ini selanjutnya juga diuji dengan uji regresi linier berganda untuk melihat hubungan yang signifikan antara atribut layanan dengan Kansei Words. Selain itu dilakukan juga uji regresi linier logistik kepada variabel loyalitas pelanggan yang terbagi dalam 4 bagian yaitu hardcore, softcore, shifting dan switcher beserta tingkat hubungannya dengan pelanggan untuk mengetahui pengaruhnya apakah signifikan dengan Kansei Words responden. Dari hasil uji linier berganda, didapatkan hanya lima belas (15) dari dua puluh tiga (23) atribut layanan yang berpengaruh terhadap Kansei Words responden. Selain itu, ke-lima belas (15) Kansei Words setelah diuji dengan loyalitas pelanggan dan tingkat hubungannya dengan pelanggan hanya terdapat lima Kansei Words yang signifikan. Kansei Words tersebut adalah “elegan” (p-value 0.037), “percaya” (p-value 0.034), “keren” (p-value 0.039), “luas” (p-value 0.037) dan “ingin tahu” (p-value 0.000). Prioritas perbaikan dilakukan dengan melihat gap yang paling negatif dan memiliki hubungan dengan Kansei Words dengan jumlah yang banyak. Jika jumlah Kansei Words sama, maka dilihat nilai gap yang paling negatif untuk lebih diutamakan perbaikannya. Perbaikan ini dilakukan pada atribut “Pelayanan yang diberikan tanpa membedakan status ”( gap -0.85), “Kecermatan karyawan mall seperti tukang parkir, cleaning service dan satpam dalam melayani pengunjung”( gap-0.63), “Kepekaan karyawan terhadap kebutuhan pengunjung”( gap-0.58), “Kenyamanan tempat parkir dan petunjuk parkir yang jelas”( gap -0.92), “Ketersediaan jenis makanan dan minuman yang ada di area foodcourt”( gap-0.75), “Event-event yang diadakan disana menarik ”( gap -0.32) dan “Penampilan karyawan rapi dan menarik”( gap -0.42). Beberapa perbaikan yang dapat dilakukan adalah penanaman suatu kata dalam pikiran bahwa “Pembeli atau Pengunjung adalah Raja” dapat diberikan agar pengunjung dapat dilayani dengan baik dan merasa nyaman berbelanja di CW, mempercepat pembangunan lahan parkir yang baru dan memperhatikan segala hal dalam pembangunan ini sehingga tidak membahayakan pengunjung dan kendaraannya, memberikan petunjuk anak panah yang jelas arah menuju pintu masuk mall di area parkiran serta menyediakan stan-stan dan toko yang diinginkan oleh pengunjung

Dysfunctional Light-Evoked Regulation of cAMP in Photoreceptors and Abnormal Retinal Adaptation in Mice Lacking Dopamine D4 Receptors

Dopamine is a retinal neuromodulator that has been implicated in many aspects of retinal physiology. Photoreceptor cells express dopamine D4 receptors that regulate cAMP metabolism. To assess the effects of dopamine on photoreceptor physiology, we examined the morphology, electrophysiology, and regulation of cAMP metabolism in mice with targeted disruption of the dopamine D4 receptor gene. Photoreceptor morphology and outer segment disc shedding after light onset were normal in D4 knock-out (D4KO) mice. Quinpirole, a dopamine D2/ D3/D4 receptor agonist, decreased cAMP synthesis in retinas of wild-type (WT) mice but not in retinas of D4KO mice. In WT retinas, the photoreceptors of which were functionally isolated by incubation in the presence of exogenous glutamate, light also suppressed cAMP synthesis. Despite the similar inhibition of cAMP synthesis, the effect of light is directly on the photoreceptors and independent of dopamine modulation, because it was unaffected by application of the D4 receptor antagonist L-745,870. Nevertheless, compared with WT retinas, basal cAMP formation was reduced in the photoreceptors of D4KO retinas, and light had no additional inhibitory effect. The results suggest that dopamine, via D4 receptors, normally modulates the cascade that couples light responses to adenylyl cyclase activity in photoreceptor cells, and the absence of this modulation results in dysfunction of the cascade. Dark-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) responses were normal in D4KO mice. However, ERG b-wave responses were greatly suppressed during both light adaptation and early stages of dark adaptation. Thus, the absence of D4 receptors affects adaptation, altering transmission of light responses from photoreceptors to inner retinal neurons. These findings indicate that dopamine D4 receptors normally play a major role in regulating photoreceptor cAMP metabolism and adaptive retinal responses to changing environmental illumination.Fil: Nir, Izhak. The University of Texas Health Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Harrison, Joseph M.. The University of Texas Health Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Haque, Rashidul. Emory University School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Low, Malcolm J.. Oregon Health and Science University; Estados UnidosFil: Grandy, David K.. Oregon Health and Science University; Estados UnidosFil: Rubinstein, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Iuvone, P. Michael. Emory University School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Association of Self-Reported Weight Change and Quality of Life, and Exercise and Weight Management Behaviors Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The SHIELD Study

Purpose. This study examined the association between self-reported weight change and quality of life, and exercise and weight management behaviors among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. In the US SHIELD study, respondents reported whether they had lost or gained weight compared with 1 year earlier and completed the SHIELD-WQ-9 quality of life questionnaire as well as provided information on their exercise and weight management behaviors in the past 12 months. Results. Sixteen percent of the respondents reported gaining weight (n = 460), and 30% reported losing weight (n = 895). More respondents who reported losing weight exercised regularly, limited calorie and fat intake, and increased fiber, fruit, and vegetable intake compared with respondents who reported gaining weight (P < 0.01). For all nine aspects of daily life, a significantly greater proportion of respondents who reported losing weight reported improved well-being (12%–44%) compared with respondents who reported gaining weight (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Self-reported weight loss was associated with improved well-being, better exercise, and weight management behaviors among individuals with T2DM

Test of the Skyrme Effective Field Theory Using Quenched Lattice QCD

The Skyrme effective field theory is tested by evaluating nucleon ground state matrix elements of the correlation functions for two flavor density operators and two pseudoscalar density operators in the Skyrme model and comparing them with results in quenched lattice QCD. The possiblility of using quenched lattice QCD to study higher-order terms in effective field theory is also discussed.Comment: 20 pages in TeX, 6 figures added using "figures", MIT-CTP-200

Pandemic Transitions: The Impact of COVID 19 on Hiring and Onboarding in Academic Libraries

Objectives: To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected hiring and onboarding practices in academic libraries. Methods: An embedded mixed-methods approach, utilizing grounded theory, was used to develop an online survey to identify changes that occurred in hiring and onboarding practices in academic libraries resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were hiring managers (including human resources staff, library administration, search committee chairs, or library supervisors) in an academic library setting. Invitations to participate were sent to multiple academic library listservs and social media groups. Results: Results will be analyzed to determine trends in hiring and onboarding practices across a range of institutions from March 2020 - to the present. Researchers anticipate recording trends concerning geographic location, institution type, interview length, interview modality (virtual, in-person, hybrid), collaboration tools, and overarching onboarding practices. Conclusions: The authors plan to investigate the impact of COVID on the hiring and onboarding practices in academic libraries. While much has been written regarding individual or institutional experiences, this project looks at the collective effect COVID-19 had on library practices of hiring and onboarding. Understanding these developments and trends will help both job-seekers and library administration to prepare for a post-COVID future

Hired During COVID: Interviewing and Onboarding in a Pandemic

The pandemic forced those working in higher education to navigate a myriad of changes in all facets of day-to-day operations. From January-February 2022, we conducted a study that surveyed hiring managers for professional academic library positions to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their hiring and onboarding processes. We will present our preliminary findings from the mixed-methods survey in advance of a published article. Our study identifies changes in hiring practices and reflects the current attitudes of hiring managers in regards to future employment practices. Because many interview processes have transitioned to an online format, some hiring managers are reconsidering the necessity and duration of in-person interviews. Our study identified issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Not all candidates have access to the space and technology required for an all-day virtual interview. However, virtual interviewing also expands opportunities for those who have health, financial, or childcare concerns. A common thread that emerged is that there is still much uncertainty regarding what hiring will look like in the future. This study also explored the ways that job descriptions, the work of search committees, and the use of collaborative tools have been impacted by the pandemic. Some participants reported increased DEI training for search committee participants as well as more guidance on using technology. Study results identified challenges experienced when onboarding and acclimating an employee to a new institution in the pandemic environment. At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Identify trends in changes to hiring practices that occurred as a result of the pandemic Discuss difficulties associated with onboarding new employees during the pandemic Describe common practices in conducting virtual and hybrid interview processe

Pandemic Transitions: The Impact of COVID-19 on Hiring and Onboarding in Academic Libraries

Objectives: To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected hiring and onboarding practices in academic libraries.Methods: An embedded mixed-methods approach, utilizing grounded theory, was used to develop an online survey to identify changes that occurred in hiring and onboarding practices in academic libraries resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were hiring managers (including human resources staff, library administration, search committee chairs, or library supervisors) in an academic library setting. Invitations to participate were sent to multiple academic library listservs and social media groups.Results: Results will be analyzed to determine trends in hiring and onboarding practices across a range of institutions from March 2020 - to the present. Researchers anticipate recording trends concerning geographic location, institution type, interview length, interview modality (virtual, in-person, hybrid), collaboration tools, and overarching onboarding practices.Conclusions: The authors plan to investigate the impact of COVID on the hiring and onboarding practices in academic libraries. While much has been written regarding individual or institutional experiences, this project looks at the collective effect COVID-19 had on library practices of hiring and onboarding. Understanding these developments and trends will help both job-seekers and library administration to prepare for a post-COVID future