Push and Pull Motivations for Quitting: A three-wave investigation of predictors and consequences of turnover

We report a new analysis of data from a multi-year study, some of which were previously published in the current journal. A longitudinal sample of 380 computer specialists was followed over two years, yielding three measures each of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions, as well as actual turnover, and reasons for leaving, at Times 2 and 3. Career paths were more diverse than the classical distinction between stayers and leavers implies. Furthermore, although the largest single group of leavers cited “push” reasons, conforming to the classical withdrawal model, a sizable number were attracted to another job (“pull motivation”). In a three-wave structural equation model, job (dis)satisfaction predicted turnover, while organizational commitment exerted its influence only via its association with job satisfaction. As expected, however, attitudes predicted turnover only for participants with push motivation. Quitting, in turn, predicted an improvement in both satisfaction and commitment, indicating that it paid off for the individual. The necessity to study consequences of turnover and to distinguish between different subgroups of stayers and leavers is emphasized.

Do executive dysfunction and freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease share the same neuroanatomical correlates?

Current hypotheses postulate a relationship between executive dysfunction and freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Hitherto, most evidence comes from entirely clinical approaches, while knowledge about this relationship on the morphological level is sparse. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the overlap of gray matter atrophy associated with FOG and executive dysfunction in PD. We included 18 PD patients with FOG and 20 without FOG in our analysis. A voxel-based morphometry approach was used to reveal voxel clusters in the gray matter which were associated with FOG and executive dysfunction as measured by the Frontal Assessment Battery, respectively. Conjunction analysis was applied to detect overlaps of the associated patterns. FOG correlated with different cortical clusters in the frontal and parietal lobes, whereas those associated with the FAB scores were, although widespread, widely confined to the frontal lobe. Conjunction analysis revealed a significant cluster of gray matter loss in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We could show that the patterns of neurodegeneration associated with FOG and executive dysfunction (as measured by the FAB) share atrophic changes in the same cortical areas. However, there is also a considerable number of cortical areas where neurodegenerative changes are only unique for either sign. Particularly, the involvement of parietal lobe areas seems to be more specific for FOG.

Loss of bone strength in HLA-B27 transgenic rats is characterized by a high bone turnover and is mainly osteoclast-driven

Objective Although osteopenia is frequent in spondyloarthritis (SpA), the underlying cellular mechanisms and association with other symptoms are poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize bone loss during disease progression, determine cellular alterations, and assess the contribution of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to bone loss in HLA-B27 transgenic rats. Methods Bones of 2-, 6-, and 12-month-old non-transgenic, disease-free HLA-B7 and disease-associated HLA-B27 transgenic rats were examined using peripheral quantitative computed tomography, μCT, and nanoindentation. Cellular characteristics were determined by histomorphometry and ex vivo cultures. The impact of IBD was determined using [21-3 x 283-2]F1 rats, which develop arthritis and spondylitis, but not IBD. Results HLA-B27 transgenic rats continuously lost bone mass with increasing age and had impaired bone material properties, leading to a 3-fold decrease in bone strength at 12 months of age. Bone turnover was increased in HLA-B27 transgenic rats, as evidenced by a 3-fold increase in bone formation and a 6-fold increase in bone resorption parameters. Enhanced osteoclastic markers were associated with a larger number of precursors in the bone marrow and a stronger osteoclastogenic response to RANKL or TNFα. Further, IBD-free [21-3 x 283-2]F1 rats also displayed decreased total and trabecular bone density. Conclusions HLA-B27 transgenic rats lose an increasing amount of bone density and strength with progressing age, which is primarily mediated via increased bone remodeling in favor of bone resorption. Moreover, IBD and bone loss seem to be independent features of SpA in HLA-B27 transgenic rats.

The 2015 Swiss elections: A landslide win for the right, despite limited changes in vote share

Switzerland held federal elections on 18 October, with the conservative Swiss People’s Party winning the largest share of the votes. Daniel Bochsler, Marlène Gerber and David Zumbach write that while the increase in vote share for the Swiss People’s Party was relatively limited, the party managed to significantly increase the number of seats it holds in Switzerland’s lower house of parliament, the National Council. Nevertheless, the party is unlikely to make substantial gains in the country’s upper house, the Senate, as it traditionally struggles under the two-round electoral system used in Senate elections.