Union-Member Relations and Satisfaction with Unions in South Korea

This paper uses a large sample of South Korean union members working in different industries and occupations to test a model of union satisfaction. The results suggest that union-member relations- member representation and union leader effectiveness — are more important than the economic results that unions provide to members. These findings are in line with our general argument that, where unions rely on decentralized collective bargaining as the prime method of employment regulation, they depend heavily on internal union relations for their effectiveness. We contend that, if unions are to limit the decline in their influence, assessing and changing internal union relations should be a priority

Imprint of baryons and massive neutrinos on velocity statistics

We explore the impact of baryonic effects (namely stellar and AGN feedback) on the moments of pairwise velocity using the Illustris-TNG, EAGLE, cosmo-OWLS, and BAHAMAS suites of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. The assumption that the mean pairwise velocity of the gas component follows that of the dark matter is studied here at small separations, and we find that even at pair separations of 10-20 $h^{-1}\mathrm{Mpc}$ there is a 4-5% velocity bias. At smaller separations, it gets larger with strength varying depending on the subgrid prescription. By isolating different physical processes, our findings suggest that the large scale velocity bias is mainly driven by stellar rather than AGN feedback. If unaccounted for, this velocity offset could possibly bias cosmological constraints from the kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in future cosmic microwave background (CMB) surveys. Furthermore, we examine how the first and the second moment of the pairwise velocity are affected by both the baryonic and the neutrino free-streaming effects for both the matter and gas components. For both moments, we were able to disentangle the effects of baryonic processes from those of massive neutrinos; and below pair separations of 20 $h^{-1}\mathrm{Mpc}$, we find that these moments of the pairwise velocity decrease with increasing neutrino mass. Our work thus paves a way in which the pairwise velocity statistics can be utilised to constrain the summed mass of neutrinos from future CMB surveys and peculiar velocity surveys

Vector Algebra in the Analysis of Genome-Wide Expression Data

Background: Data from thousands of transcription-profiling experiments in organisms ranging from yeast to humans are now publicly available. How best to analyze these data remains an important challenge. A variety of tools have been used for this purpose, including hierarchical clustering, self-organizing maps and principal components analysis. In particular, concepts from vector algebra have proven useful in the study of genome-wide expression data. Results: Here we present a framework based on vector algebra for the analysis of transcription profiles that is geometrically intuitive and computationally efficient. Concepts in vector algebra such as angles, magnitudes, subspaces, singular value decomposition, bases and projections have natural and powerful interpretations in the analysis of microarray data. Angles in particular offer a rigorous method of defining 'similarity' and are useful in evaluating the claims of a microarray-based study. We present a sample analysis of cells treated with rapamycin, an immunosuppressant whose effects have been extensively studied with microarrays. In addition, the algebraic concept of a basis for a space affords the opportunity to simplify data analysis and uncover a limited number of expression vectors to span the transcriptional range of cell behavior. Conclusions: This framework represents a compact, powerful and scalable construction for analysis and computation. As the amount of microarray data in the public domain grows, these vector-based methods are relevant in determining statistical significance. These approaches are also well suited to extract biologically meaningful information in the analysis of signaling networks.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Epigenetic Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Exposure on Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Offspring

Asthma is a chronic lung disease with staggering disease burden in youth. Current literature suggests that maternal exposure to certain xenobiotic chemicals can affect developing offspring epigenetics, leading to a predisposition for asthma. Our previous study links polybrominated diphenyl ether congener 47 (PBDE-47), a chemical used as a flame-retardant within household products, with increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Of further concern is the potential influence of PBDE-47 in mice lung on the epigenetic alterations regulating asthma related genes that may play a role in pathogenesis, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFA) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This thesis tested the hypothesis that altered DNA methylation of key asthma related genes due to PBDE-47 exposure leads to modulation of gene transcription. In Chapter 1, I begin by introducing PBDEs, and discuss the role of altered DNA methylation in disease pathogenesis. The major genes studied in the experiment, Bdnf and Tnfa, are also detailed, and I discuss the effects that dysregulation of these key genes has on health. In Chapter 2, I observed there is no difference in gene expression and DNA methylation of Bdnf and Tnfa in mouse exposed to a single postnatal PBDE-47. In Chapter 3, I investigated the epigenetic effect of maternal PBDE-47 exposure on offspring’s airway reactivity and asthma phenotypic genes. This multi-dose experiment found increased gene expression and promoter demethylation for Bdnf and Tnfa in the mouse model. Overall, the completion of this research illuminates the epigenetic effects of exposure to PBDE-47 on asthma genes, and their connection with previously observed increased AHR. This study presents an innovative approach to observing the effect of PBDE-47 exposure on asthma risk through utilizing methylation profiling. While many previous studies look at direct adverse health effects, my approach demonstrates how PBDE-47 exposures have epigenetic effects in offspring of impacted mothers. Looking at in utero effects demonstrates that epigenetics underpins a mechanism of toxic action with PBDEs that would not be commonly seen in traditional animal experiments by establish a heritable epigenetic model of toxic action of PBDEs on key genes related to the development of asthma in mammals

A Captivating Case of Amoebiasis Cutis with Nodular Fasciitis

Primary cutaneous amoebic infections as well as cutaneous lesions from disseminated amebiasis are exceedingly rare and are more commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Review of Literature has shown several species that cause cutaneous disease include Entamoeba histolytica, Acanthamoeba, Naegleria fowleri, and Balamuthia mandrillaris. Although cutaneous amoebic infections are rare, they are usually underrecognized and frequently misdiagnosed. Hence, it is important for pathologists to be aware of this histomorphologic appearance and diagnostic pitfalls when evaluating a skin lesion. Primary cutaneous amoebic abscess in association with nodular fasciitis in an immunocompetent patient

Castleman Disease with Endocrine Dysfunction

Castleman disease is a rare, non-clonal lymphoproliferative disorder predominantly affecting lymphoid tissues. This report presents the case of a 23-year-old male with a chronic left-sided neck swelling and gynecomastia. Surgical excision and Webster technique for gynecomastia were performed, and histopathological examination revealed features consistent with Castleman disease. The lymph node specimen displayed enlarged and reactive atretic germinal centers with an onion skin arrangement of lymphocytes and occasional atypical follicular dendritic cells. Additionally, the breast tissue showed proliferating ducts indicative of gynecomastia. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis, revealing CD20-positive mantle zones, diffuse CD45 positivity, CD3 positivity in the paracortex and interfollicular area, and Ki-67 positivity in the germinal center. Castleman disease presents clinically as unicentric or multicentric forms and histologically as hyaline vascular, plasma cell, mixed cellular, or plasmablastic variants. Elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) underscore the disease's inflammatory background. The disease's heterogeneity presents challenges in diagnosis, particularly the plasma cell variant, which can mimic Hodgkin lymphoma. Laboratory abnormalities, such as elevated ESR, LDH, CRP, and anemia, are seen in the multicentric variant. Associations with POEMS syndrome, Kaposi's sarcoma, and co-existing malignant lymphomas complicate the disease's clinical course. Recognition of this condition is crucial for timely intervention, as surgical excision is curative in unicentric cases, while multicentric forms often exhibit a rebound effect. Understanding the disease's diverse presentations and associated lymphomas is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management