Disentangling The Effects Of The Employee Benefits On Employee Productivity

This study aimed to investigate the effects of employee benefits on employee productivity. There are conflicting views, positive and negative, with regard to the effect of employee benefits on employee productivity. Overall, we found that employee benefits have a positive impact on employee productivity through the embodied effect (direct effect). Specifically, according to a workplace panel survey in Korea conducted between 2005 and 2009, an increase of one unit in employee benefits leads to an increase of employee productivity by about 7.9%. In addition, we found that such effect is stronger in the manufacturing industry than in the non-manufacturing industry. Although there is no difference in the effect of benefits between large firms and small and medium-sized firms, the labor-embodied effect is stronger in large firms, and the capital-embodied effect is salient in small and medium-sized firms

One-Stage Reconstruction for Midfacial Defect after Radical Tumor Resection

A serious midface defect involving resection of squamous cell carcinoma originating from the hard palate was treated by an unusual reconstructive strategy. After tumor resection, surgical reconstruction was accomplished in one stage using one free flap with one distant and local flap: a radial forearm flap to reconstruct the upper lip, a forehead flap to reconstruct the external nose, a cantilever calvarial bone graft to replace the nasal skeleton and a nasolabial flap and split thickness skin graft to cover the internal nasal lining. The rationale for this one-stage reconstruction and the problems associated with midfacial reconstruction after wide tumor excision are discussed

Relationships between non-acoustic factors and subjective reactions to floor impact noise in apartment buildings

The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of how residents in apartment buildings perceive and react to impact sounds coming from the upstairs neighbours' dwellings. Based on existing theoretical and empirical studies on environmental noise, a conceptual model was developed to explain relationships among noise annoyance and non-acoustic factors. The model was then tested using structural equation modelling with survey data from residents living in apartment buildings (N = 487). The findings showed that the conceptual model was consistent with other models developed for environmental noises. The results indicated that annoyance induced by floor impact noise was associated with perceived disturbance, coping, and self-reported health complaints. Noise sensitivity had a direct impact on perceived disturbance and an indirect impact on annoyance, and moderating variables affected the non-acoustic factors. Exposure to footstep noises increased the impact size of noise sensitivity to disturbance. Predictability, marital status, and house ownership were found to influence the relationship between attitudes towards authorities and coping. In addition, a negative attitude towards neighbours (i.e., the noise source) moderated the positive relationship between annoyance and coping

Nasal commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis enhances interferon-λ-dependent immunity against influenza virus

Background Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the most abundant colonizers of healthy human mucosa including that in the respiratory tract. As the respiratory microbiome has been linked to host immune responses, this study sought to determine the role of nasal mucosa-associated S. epidermidis in innate immune responses against the influenza A virus (IAV). S. epidermidis strains were isolated from nasal mucus samples of healthy individuals. The effects of these mucosa-derived commensal strains on interferon (IFN)-dependent innate immunity and IAV infection dynamics were tested in vitro using normal human nasal epithelial (NHNE) cells and human turbinate mucosa. The effects of S. epidermidis on antiviral immunity were also tested in vivo using an acute IAV infection mouse model. Results Exposure of NHNE cells to nasal mucosa-derived S. epidermidis increased IFN-λ mRNA and secreted protein levels in the absence of viral stimulation. In the context of IAV infection, NHNE exposure to S. epidermidis prevented an increase in the viral burden, as revealed by IAV PA mRNA abundance, IAV nucleoprotein levels, and viral titers. S. epidermidis also enhanced transcription of IFN-stimulated genes independently of Toll-like receptor 2 and further induced IFN-λ production in IAV-infected cells by promoting phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 7. In a murine infection model, S. epidermidis prevented the spread of IAV to the lungs by stimulating IFN-λ innate immunity and suppressing IAV replication in the nasal mucosa. Conclusion The human nasal commensal S. epidermidis mediates front-line antiviral protection against IAV infection through modulation of IFN-λ-dependent innate immune mechanisms in the nasal mucosa, thereby demonstrating the role of host-bacterial commensalism in shaping human antiviral responses.This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Kim et al. Microbiome (2019) 7:80 Page 10 of 12 Education (2016R1D1A1B01014116 to H.J.K.) and (2017M3A9F3041233 to S.S.Y.). This research was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (HI18C1337 to H.J.K), and the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (NRF-2014M3A9D5A01073865 to J.Y.C