Training and Occupational Choice of Highly Skilled Immigrants

The transition pattern of post schooling individuals, displaced workers and immigrants to the labor market has similar characteristics. Unemployment falls quickly as workers first find blue-collar jobs, followed by a gradual movement to white-collar occupations. For immigrants the transition includes the learning of the new country language as well as the skills demanded by the new labor market. This paper focuses on male immigrants who moved from the former Soviet Union to Israel and are characterized by their high levels of skills, education and age. We study the impact of participation in training programs, job search, occupational choice and language acquisition of immigrants on their integration to the new labor market. In particular, we formulate a dynamic choice model for employment in blue and white collar occupations and training, where the labor market randomly offered opportunities are affected by the immigrant past choices. The model provides a labor supply pattern that is consistent with the observed choices and enables us to estimate the rate of return for training. Government sponsored training programs are commonly viewed as the best method for subsidizing human capital investment for displaced workers and immigrants. We formulate a model that jointly considers alternative motives for the participation in training programs. In particular, the participation in training affects the wage offers and the job offers probabilities differently in each occupation. Furthermore, the individual may have direct utility from participating in training and we allow for each of these elements to be different for two unobserved types of individuals (Heckman and Singer (1984)). We follow a sample of about 400 men immigrants, who arrived to Israel between 1989-1992, for at most their first 20 quarters (five years) in Israel. The participation in training started at the third quarter, picked at the forth and ended after 3 years in Israel. Only about 30 percent attained any training. Most immigrants left unemployment to blue collar occupations, although about 70 percent of them were working in white-collar jobs before the former USSR. After more than three years the unemployment rate, which was initially about 28%, was stabilized at about 10% (above national average) and the transition to white-collar jobs continued throughout the fifth year after migration.

A Reevaluation of the Role of Family in Immigrants' Labor Market Activity: Evidence from a Comparison of Single and Married Immigrants

Previous papers tested the validity of the Family Investment Hypothesis (FIH) among immigrants by comparing the labor market outcomes of immigrant couples and native or mixed couples. Here we propose an alternative test for the FIH which is based on a comparison between married and single immigrants. The logic underlying this alternative method states that if credit constraints are binding, then only married immigrants can cross-finance their investment within the family. In order to overcome potential selection bias that would arise if unobserved characteristics that affect the marital status of the individual also affect his/her labor market outcomes, we construct a difference-in-differences estimator that exploits variation in the labor market outcomes of married and single natives. Implementation of this method using US and Israeli data leads to a rejection of the FIH in both countries.family investment model, labor supply

A Reevaluation Of the Role Of Family In Immigrants' Labor Market Activity;Evidence From a Comparison Of Single and Married Immigrants

Previous papers tested the validity of the Family Investment Hypothesis (FIH) among immigrants by comparing the labor market outcomes of immigrant couples and native or mixed couples. Here we propose an alternative test for the FIH which is based on a comparison between married and single immigrants. The logic underlying this alternative method states that if credit constraints are binding, then only married immigrants can cross-finance their investment within the family. In order to overcome potential selection bias that would arise if unobserved characteristics that affect the marital status of the individual also affect his/her labor market outcomes, we construct a difference-in-differences estimator that exploits variation in the labor market outcomes of married and single natives. Implementation of this method using US and Israeli data leads to a rejection of the FIH in both countries.

Ceftriaxone-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis mimicking burn injury: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare exfoliative disorder with a high mortality rate.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a 70-year-old woman of Iranian descent who presented with toxic epidermal necrolysis that was initially diagnosed as a scald burn. Further anamnesis prompted by spread of the lesions during hospitalization revealed that the patient had been receiving ceftriaxone for several days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ceftriaxone-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis in the English literature.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Toxic epidermal necrolysis is an acute, life-threatening, exfoliative disorder with a high mortality rate. High clinical suspicion, prompt recognition, and initiation of supportive care is mandatory. Thorough investigation of the pathogenetic mechanisms is fundamental. Optimal treatment guidelines are still unavailable.</p

Extrachromosomal circles of satellite repeats and 5S ribosomal DNA in human cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extrachomosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is ubiquitous in eukaryotic organisms and was detected in every organism tested, including in humans. A two-dimensional gel electrophoresis facilitates the detection of eccDNA in preparations of genomic DNA. Using this technique we have previously demonstrated that most of eccDNA consists of exact multiples of chromosomal tandemly repeated DNA, including both coding genes and satellite DNA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we report the occurrence of eccDNA in every tested human cell line. It has heterogeneous mass ranging from less than 2 kb to over 20 kb. We describe eccDNA homologous to human alpha satellite and the <it>Sst</it>I mega satellite. Moreover, we show, for the first time, circular multimers of the human 5S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), similar to previous findings in <it>Drosophila </it>and plants. We further demonstrate structures that correspond to intermediates of rolling circle replication, which emerge from the circular multimers of 5S rDNA and <it>Sst</it>I satellite.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings, and previous reports, support the general notion that every chromosomal tandem repeat is prone to generate eccDNA in eukryoric organisms including humans. They suggest the possible involvement of eccDNA in the length variability observed in arrays of tandem repeats. The implications of eccDNA on genome biology may include mechanisms of centromere evolution, concerted evolution and homogenization of tandem repeats and genomic plasticity.</p

Post-traumatic soft tissue tumors: Case report and review of the literature a propos a Post-traumatic paraspinal desmoid tumor

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antecedent trauma has been implicated in the causation of soft tissue tumors. Several criteria have been established to define a cause-and-effect relationship. We postulate possible mechanisms in the genesis of soft tissue tumors following antecedent traumatic injury.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a 27-year-old woman with a paraspinal desmoid tumor, diagnosed 3-years following a motor vehicle accident. Literature is reviewed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Soft tissue tumors arising at the site of previous trauma may be desmoids, pseudolipomas or rarely, other soft tissue growths. The cause-and-effect issue of desmoid or other soft tissue tumors goes beyond their diagnosis and treatment. Surgeons should be acquainted with this diagnostic entity as it may also involve questions of longer follow-up and compensation and disability privileges.</p

Evidence for rolling circle replication of tandem genes in Drosophila

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is one characteristic of the plasticity of the eukaryotic genome. It is found in various organisms and contains sequences derived primarily from repetitive chromosomal DNA. Using 2D gel electrophoresis, we have previously detected eccDNA composed of chromosomal tandem repeats throughout the life cycle of Drosophila. Here, we report for the first time evidence suggesting the occurrence of rolling circle replication of eccDNA in Drosophila. We show, on 2D gels, specific structures that can be enriched by benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE-cellulose chromatography and were identified in other systems as rolling circle intermediates (RCIs). These RCIs are homologous to histone genes, Stellate and Suppressor of Stellate, which are all organized in the chromosomes as tandem repeats. RCIs are detected throughout the life cycle of Drosophila and in cultured fly cells. These structures are found regardless of the expression of the replicated gene or of its chromosomal copy number

Comparative transcriptomics across the prokaryotic tree of life

Whole-transcriptome sequencing studies from recent years revealed an unexpected complexity in transcriptomes of bacteria and archaea, including abundant non-coding RNAs, cis-antisense transcription and regulatory untranslated regions (UTRs). Understanding the functional relevance of the plethora of non-coding RNAs in a given organism is challenging, especially since some of these RNAs were attributed to ‘transcriptional noise’. To allow the search for conserved transcriptomic elements we produced comparative transcriptome maps for multiple species across the microbial tree of life. These transcriptome maps are detailed in annotations, comparable by gene families, and BLAST-searchable by user provided sequences. Our transcriptome collection includes 18 model organisms spanning 10 phyla/subphyla of bacteria and archaea that were sequenced using standardized RNA-seq methods. The utility of the comparative approach, as implemented in our web server, is demonstrated by highlighting genes with exceptionally long 5′UTRs across species, which correspond to many known riboswitches and further suggest novel putative regulatory elements. Our study provides a standardized reference transcriptome to major clinically and environmentally important microbial phyla. The viewer is available at http://exploration.weizmann.ac.il/TCOL, setting a framework for comparative studies of the microbial non-coding genome