Learning or Leaving? Individual and Environmental Factors Related to Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention

In addition to well-being, workplace learning has gained increasing interest in supporting employee and organizational development and success. Focusing on specific factors affecting workplace learning and well-being, this study examines the links between individual factors (basic psychological need satisfaction) and environmental factors (expansiveness of the workplace as a learning environment), job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Survey data were collected from the employees (N = 153) of two Finnish engineering companies from 2018 to 2019. The data were analyzed with correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (observed and latent variable path analysis). Results show that a more expansive workplace learning environment is associated with higher satisfaction of basic psychological needs. High levels of autonomy and competence need satisfaction, versatile work, promotion of learning, and acknowledgment of skills are positively associated with job satisfaction. Higher levels of autonomy and non-routine work tasks are associated with lower turnover intention. The results indicate that turnover intention is not necessarily associated with only negative conditions or perceptions, as high levels of competence and participation and understanding of the workplace are positively associated with turnover intention. The findings provide information about workplace factors that are relevant to improving employees' workplace learning and well-being. The results also highlight the ambiguous nature of turnover intention.Peer reviewe

High tolerance of chemolithoautotrophic sulphur oxidizing bacteria towards pulp and paper mill wastewaters and their organic constituents supporting sulphur recovery in alkaline conditions

This study reports the tolerance of chemolithoautotrophic biotransformation of sulphurous compounds towards pulp and paper (P&P) mill wastewaters (primary filtrate of bleaching (PFB) and composite wastewater (WW)) and their constituents under haloalkaline conditions. The effects of organic compounds (methanol, acetate, D(+)-xylose, phenol and benzene) that may be present in P&P wastewaters, and yeast extract, a complex organic compound on thiosulphate biotransformation by Thioalkalivibrio versutus were investigated. All experiments were carried out in batch bioassays at pH 10 and 13–23 g Na+/L. Phenol and benzene reduced thiosulphate biotransformation by 88 and 94% at 0.25 and 1 g/L, respectively in 10 days. 20 g/L methanol, 20 g/L yeast extract and 10 g/L xylose reduced the biotransformation by 90, 88 and 56%, respectively. No inhibition of biotransformation occurred with acetate at concentrations up to 20 g/L. The growth was also enhanced by 1 to 10 g/L yeast extract likely serving as additional nutrients. At pH (∼10), the studied organic acids remain mostly unprotonated and, thus control their access through the cell membrane. Therefore, the inaccessibility of these compounds to the cytosol is a likely mechanism for having non-inhibitory effects. The 87% (v/v) WW did not affect thiosulphate biotransformation efficiency while 87% (v/v) PFB reduced it by 36% by day 10. The resistance of T. versutus to common organics present in P&P wastewaters indicates its potential use for sulphur recovery from P&P mill wastewaters at haloalkaline conditions and thus, supports the circular economy approach.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Distinct regulation of tonsillar immune response in virus infection

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Background: The relationships between tonsillar immune responses, and viral infection and allergy are incompletely known. Objective To study intratonsillar/nasopharyngeal virus detections and in vivo expressions of T-cell- and innate immune response-specific cytokines, transcription factors, and type I/II/III interferons in human tonsils. Methods: Palatine tonsil samples were obtained from 143 elective tonsillectomy patients. Adenovirus, bocavirus-1, coronavirus, enteroviruses, influenza virus, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus were detected using PCR. The mRNA expression levels of IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-28, IL-29, IL-37, TGF-β, FOXP3, GATA3, RORC2, and Tbet were directly analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Results Fifty percentage of subjects reported allergy, 59% had ≥1 nasopharyngeal viruses, and 24% had ≥1 intratonsillar viruses. Tonsillar virus detection showed a strong negative association with age; especially rhinovirus or parainfluenza virus detection showed positive association with IFN-γ and Tbet expressions. IL-37 expression was positively associated with atopic dermatitis, whereas IFN-α, IL-13, IL-28, and Tbet expressions were negatively associated with allergic diseases. Network analyses demonstrated strongly polarized clusters of immune regulatory (IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, FOXP3, GATA3, RORC2, Tbet) and antiviral (IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-28, IL-29) genes. These two clusters became more distinctive in the presence of viral infection or allergy. A negative correlation between antiviral cytokines and IL-10, IL-17, IL-37, FOXP3, and RORC2 was observed only in the presence of viruses, and interestingly, IL-13 strongly correlated with antiviral cytokines. Conclusions: Tonsillar cytokine expression is closely related to existing viral infections, age, and allergic illnesses and shows distinct clusters between antiviral and immune regulatory genes. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

High-rate and -yield continuous fluidized-bed bioconversion of glucose-to-gluconic acid for enhanced metal leaching

Continuous low-cost bulk biolixiviant production remains as one of the main challenges of heterotrophic bioleaching towards large scale application. This study aimed at developing non-aseptic Gluconobacter oxydans-amended fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) process for continuous production of gluconic acid for efficient leaching of rare earth elements (REEs) and base metals from spent nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. In preliminary experiments, the FBR became contaminated and massively overgrown by air-borne fungus, Leptobacillium leptobactrum. In a series of batch bioassays, operational conditions were investigated to discourage the fungal activity i.e., an ecologically engineered niche for gluconic acid production. High gluconate concentration (≥100 g/l) and/or low pH (≤2.5) gave a selective preference for G. oxydans growth over L. leptobactrum and controlled the activity of possible contaminants during FBR continuous operation. The highest gluconic acid production rate of 390 g/l∙d with corresponding glucose-to-gluconic acid conversion yield of 94% was obtained at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6.3 h and 380 g/l∙d glucose loading rate. Using the FBR effluents as leaching agents, respectively, total base metals and REEs leaching yields of up to 82% and 55% were achieved within 7 days at 1% (w/v) spent battery pulp density. The obtained glucose-to-gluconic acid conversion rates and yields were one of the highest reported for any glucose biotransformation process. The REE leaching yields were higher than those reported for similar high metal-grade REE secondary sources. The high-rate glucose-to-gluconic acid bioconversion in the non-aseptic system utilizing microbial ecology based FBR operation strategy rather than aseptic chemostats indicates industrial feasibility of gluconic acid production and thus, the applicability of heterotrophic bioleaching.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in healthy pleura and in malignant mesothelioma

In this study we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a set of normal pleural mesothelial tissues, malignant mesotheliomas, mesothelioma cell lines and metastatic pleural adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, the expression of mRNA was assessed in four malignant mesothelioma cell lines in culture. Apoptosis and vascular density in malignant mesotheliomas was assessed by the TUNEL method and by immunohistochemistry with an antibody against FVIII-related antigen. Immunohistochemically mesothelial cells in non-neoplastic healthy pleural tissues were mostly negative for iNOS. Positivity for iNOS was observed in 28/38 (74%) and 24/25 (96%) of malignant mesotheliomas and metastatic pleural adenocarcinomas, respectively. Epithelial and mixed mesotheliomas expressed more often strong iNOS immunoreactivity compared to the sarcomatoid subtype (P = 0.023). Moreover, metastatic adenocarcinomas expressed more often iNOS positivity than mesotheliomas (P = 0.021). Experiments with the cell lines confirmed that malignant mesothelioma cells are capable of synthesizing iNOS. No significant association was found between iNOS expression and apoptosis or vascular density in malignant mesotheliomas. The higher expression of iNOS in the epithelial subtype of mesothelioma and pleural metastatic adenocarcinoma might be due to an increased sensitivity of these cell types to cytokine-mediated iNOS upregulation. The strong expression of iNOS suggests a putative role for NO in the growth and progression of these tumours. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Indoor green wall affects health-associated commensal skin microbiota and enhances immune regulation : A randomized trial among urban office workers

Urbanization reduces microbiological abundance and diversity, which has been associated with immune mediated diseases. Urban greening may be used as a prophylactic method to restore microbiological diversity in cities and among urbanites. This study evaluated the impact of air-circulating green walls on bacterial abundance and diversity on human skin, and on immune responses determined by blood cytokine measurements. Human subjects working in offices in two Finnish cities (Lahti and Tampere) participated in a two-week intervention, where green walls were installed in the rooms of the experimental group. Control group worked without green walls. Skin and blood samples were collected before (Day0), during (Day14) and two weeks after (Day28) the intervention. The relative abundance of genus Lactobacillus and the Shannon diversity of phylum Proteobacteria and class Gammaproteobacteria increased in the experimental group. Proteobacterial diversity was connected to the lower proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A level among participants in Lahti. In addition, the change in TGF-beta 1 levels was opposite between the experimental and control group. As skin Lactobacillus and the diversity of Proteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria are considered advantageous for skin health, air-circulating green walls may induce beneficial changes in a human microbiome. The immunomodulatory potential of air-circulating green walls deserves further research attention.Peer reviewe

Whole body MR imaging in ankylosing spondylitis: a descriptive pilot study in patients with suspected early and active confirmed ankylosing spondylitis

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder which usually begins in early adulthood. The diagnosis is often delayed by many years. MR imaging has become the preferred imaging method for detection of early inflammation of the axial skeleton in ankylosing spondylitis. The goal of this study was to assess the frequency and distribution of abnormalities on whole body MR imaging in patients with suspected early ankylosing spondylitis and with active confirmed ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: Ten patients with suspected early ankylosing spondylitis and ten patients with confirmed ankylosing spondylitis were enrolled. On an 18-channel MR system, coronal and sagittal T1 weighted and STIR sequences were acquired covering the entire spine, sacrum, anterior chest wall, shoulder girdle, and pelvis. The total examination time was 30 minutes. RESULTS: In both groups inflammatory lesions of the lower thoracic spine were frequent (number of patients with suspected early/confirmed ankylosing spondylitis: 7/9). In confirmed ankylosing spondylitis the upper thoracic spine (3/6) and the lumbar spine (4/8) were more commonly involved. The inferior iliac quadrant of the sacroiliac joints was frequently altered in both groups (8/8). The superior iliac (2/5), inferior sacral (6/10) and superior sacral (3/6) quadrants were more frequently affected in confirmed ankylosing spondylitis. Abnormalities of the manubriosternal joint (2/4), the sternoclavicular joints (1/2) and hip joint effusion (4/3) were also seen. CONCLUSION: In both suspected early ankylosing spondylitis and confirmed ankylosing spondylitis, whole body MR examinations frequently demonstrate inflammatory lesions outside the sacroiliac joints. These lesions are similarly distributed but occur less frequently in suspected early compared to confirmed ankylosing spondylitis. Due to the small sample size in this pilot study these results need to be confirmed in larger studies with this emerging technique