Transatlantic Utopia: American Antebellum Novels and Their Reflexive Historicism

This dissertation argues that the utopian novel offers an invaluable lens for understanding the social fabric of the antebellum America. The project focuses mainly on four works: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Blithedale Romance (1852), a fantasy roman à clef of the Brook Farm utopian colony; William Gilmore Simms’ The Yemassee (1835), a novel about the native American threat to the utopia of a slaveocracy; Martin Delany’s Blake; or the Huts of America (1859), a call for pan-African revolt in North America; and Robert Henry Newell’s Avery Glibun; or, Between Two Fires (1867), a fantasy bildungsroman about the antebellum period as a utopia in itself. My readings of these novels examine the different utopian aspects inherent in each text, drawing out the ways readership patterns illustrate that such works both amplify and complicate societal agitation for women’s equality, abolition, attention to class inequities, religious renewal and even political revolution. The common thread linking these topics is a question about the utility of the novel as a demonstrable instrument of social change. The porous political boundaries of the antebellum United States make for a literary environment ripe for the ideals and philosophy of European thinkers to take hold, and hence the term transatlantic. The dissertation approaches the developing field of ‘transatlanticism’ in literary studies, asking how American writers create a diaphanous geopolitical space redolent of an Elysian mythos. On the granular level, the literary analysis unearths evidence of the utopian reasoning of each novelist as he or she posits a counterpoint to the hegemonic structure of antebellum American society. I will argue that the Protestant ideals of social reform enables the novel to reach an emerging middle-class readership with a utopian idealism coupled with a pre-Marxist evangelical spirituality in the decades leading up to the Civil War

Malaria-filaria coinfection in mice makes malarial disease more severe unless filarial infection achieves patency

Coinfections are common in natural populations, and the literature suggests that helminth coinfection readily affects how the immune system manages malaria. For example, type 1–dependent control of malaria parasitemia might be impaired by the type 2 milieu of preexisting helminth infection. Alternatively, immunomodulatory effects of helminths might affect the likelihood of malarial immunopathology. Using rodent models of lymphatic filariasis (Litomosoides sigmodontis) and noncerebral malaria (clone AS Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi), we quantified disease severity, parasitemia, and polyclonal splenic immune responses in BALB/c mice. We found that coinfected mice, particularly those that did not have microfilaremia (Mf), had more severe anemia and loss of body mass than did mice with malaria alone. Even when controlling for parasitemia, malaria was most severe in Mf coinfected mice, and this was associated with increased interferon-g responsiveness. Thus, in Mf mice, filariasis upset a delicate immunological balance in malaria infection and exacerbated malaria-induced immunopathology. Helminth infections are prevalent throughout tropical regions where malaria is transmitted [1–5]. Interactions among infections commonly alter disease severity [6, 7], and malaria-helminth coinfection can either exac

Alkaloids: an overview of their antibacterial, antibiotic-enhancing and antivirulence activities.

With reports of pandrug-resistant bacteria causing untreatable infections, the need for new antibacterial therapies is more pressing than ever. Alkaloids are a large and structurally diverse group of compounds that have served as scaffolds for important antibacterial drugs such as metronidazole and the quinolones. In this review, we highlight other alkaloids with development potential. Natural, semisynthetic and synthetic alkaloids of all classes are considered, looking first at those with direct antibacterial activity and those with antibiotic-enhancing activity. Potent examples include CJ-13,136, a novel actinomycete-derived quinolone alkaloid with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.1 ng/mL against Helicobacter pylori, and squalamine, a polyamine alkaloid from the dogfish shark that renders Gram-negative pathogens 16- to >32-fold more susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Where available, information on toxicity, structure-activity relationships, mechanisms of action and in vivo activity is presented. The effects of alkaloids on virulence gene regulatory systems such as quorum sensing and virulence factors such as sortases, adhesins and secretion systems are also described. The synthetic isoquinoline alkaloid virstatin, for example, inhibits the transcriptional regulator ToxT in Vibrio cholerae, preventing expression of cholera toxin and fimbriae and conferring in vivo protection against intestinal colonisation. The review concludes with implications and limitations of the described research and directions for future research

Identification of bacterial isolates recovered from the surface of cleanroom operators' garments following wear.

Contamination of sterile pharmaceutical products can have serious consequences, in worst case scenario resulting in patient death. Cleanroom operators are the primary source of microbial contamination, where the surface of their specialist sterile clothing garments is subject to such contamination during wear. In turn these garments become a transmission vector for microorganisms within the cleanroom environment. Insight into identification of predominant bacterial isolates from garment surfaces would help to establish their original source and probable contamination route. This should assist possible intervention strategies to mitigate against this contamination. The research aimed to determine identity of representative bacterial isolates recovered from the surface of cleanroom operators' garments following wear within a cleanroom. Following isolation and purification of bacterial isolates, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to establish species identity for isolates recovered from the surface of male and female operators' garments following wear within the cleanroom environment. Of the 47 isolates recovered from the surface of garments, 16S rRNA gene sequencing successfully identified 94% to genus level and 77% to species level. Most were confirmed as Gram - positive bacteria; predominantly species of Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Bacillus. The isolates recovered from the surface of female operatives' garments were more diverse than those retrieved from male counterparts. Most isolates recovered from garments were found to be skin commensals, with nearly 70% attributed to the operators within the environment. The remainder were credited to contamination of garments with species of environmental origin. Whilst most bacteria identified present minimal threat to healthy individuals, certain of these are opportunistic pathogens, presenting a hazard for immunocompromised and/or those with underlying health conditions

Captive Breeding Protocols and Their Impact on Genetic Diversity in White-footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus): Implications for Threatened and Endangered Species

Captive breeding protocols used in zoos often are aimed at increasing population sizes and retaining genetic diversity of endangered species. However, captive breeding causes genetic adaptation to captivity that can lead to an overall decrease in genetic diversity and reduce chances of a successful reintroduction to the wild. In this study, we assess how 3 different breeding protocols—random mating, preferential breeding of individuals with the lowest mean kinship scores, and selection for docility—affect the variability of mitochondrial DNA in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). We used mice that were captured from the wild but were mated for up to 20 generations using one of the aforementioned breeding protocols. Using animals from generations 0, 6, and 19, as well as the wild source population, we sequenced the mitochondrial D-loop in 2 replicate populations representing each of the 3 breeding protocols. Initial sequences indicate there is genetic variation at this mitochondrial locus, and further sequencing will allow us to quantify the genetic diversity maintained under each breeding protocol. These results will increase our understanding of the decline in genetic diversity due to adaptation to captivity. Thus, our results will have direct relevance for the maintenance and growth of zoo populations of critically endangered species

GRB 170817A as a Refreshed Shock Afterglow viewed off-axis

Energy injection into the external shock system that generates the afterglow to a gamma-ray burst (GRB) can result in a re-brightening of the emission. Here we investigate the off-axis view of a re-brightened refreshed shock afterglow. We find that the afterglow light-curve, when viewed from outside of the jet opening angle, could be characterised by a slow rise, or long-plateau, with a maximum flux determined by the total system energy. Using the broadband afterglow data for GRB170817A, associated with the gravitational wave detected binary neutron star merger GW170817, we show that a refreshed shock model with a simple top-hat jet can reproduce the observed afterglow features. We consider two particular refreshed shock models: a single episode of energy injection; and a period of continuous energy injection. The best fit model parameters give a jet opening angle, for our first or second model of $\theta_j=5.2^{+1.1}_{-0.6}~$or$~6.3^{+1.7}_{-1.1}$ deg, an inclination to the line of sight $\iota=16.0^{+3.4}_{-1.1}~$or$~17.8^{+4.5}_{-2.9}$ deg, an initial isotropic equivalent kinetic energy $E_1 = (0.3^{+3.5}_{-0.3}~$or$~0.5^{+6.7}_{-0.2})\times10^{52}$erg and a total/final, refreshed shock energy $E_{\rm total}=(0.42^{+5.6}_{-0.4}~$or$~1.26^{+18.2}_{-0.7})\times10^{53}$erg. The first model fitting prefers an initial bulk Lorentz factor $\Gamma_{0,1}<60$, with a comparatively low central value of $\Gamma_{0,1}=19.5$, indicating that, in this case, the on-axis jet could have been a `failed-GRB'. Alternatively, our second model is consistent with a bright GRB for an on-axis observer, with $\Gamma_{0,1}=162.2^{+219.7}_{-122.1}$. Due to the low-Lorentz factor or the jet opening angles at $\theta_j\sim\iota/3$, both models are unable to reproduce the $\gamma$-ray emission observed in GRB170817A, which would therefore require an alternative explanation such as cocoon shock-breakout.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures - Version accepted for publication in ApJ. Analysis now includes two refreshed shock models and expanded discussio

A comparison of the bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom operators’ garments following donning with and without gloves.

Background: Specialist cleanroom garments are a potential vector for transmission of microorganisms within these facilities. In order to maintain the low bioburden of such clothing it has been perceived best practice for operators to dress wearing sterile cleanroom gloves. However, the efficacy of such glove use upon the resultant bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom garments has not previously been evaluated. Aim: To compare surface bacterial contamination of cleanroom garments following their donning by operators dressing with or without gloves. Methods: Following prior handwashing and systematic donning of cleanroom clothing by operators dressing wearing either no gloves, non-sterile nitrile gloves or sterile cleanroom latex gloves, a direct agar contact method was immediately undertaken to test garment surfaces at 7 specific sites. Following incubation bacterial levels were suitably quantified. Findings: Comparing levels of growth displayed on plates used to test the surface of cleanroom garments worn by operators dressing with no gloves, non–sterile gloves or sterile cleanroom gloves, no significant difference was observed between the percentage of contact plates displaying growth and the levels of growth observed on plates, from any of the sites tested. Conclusion: Omission of gloves in line with a systematic handwashing procedure prior to the cleanroom garment donning process, may result in modest economic and environmental gain coupled with a slightly less burdensome procedure. However, this is reliant on rigorous adherence to handwashing protocol and assessment of associated risk factors

Gender influences bacterial contamination of reusable cleanroom operators’ garments following wear.

Background: Operators are the primary source of cleanroom contamination, with the majority of their detritus identified as skin squames and their associated microorganisms. To reduce contamination, operatives are required to wear a specific arrangement of specialist garments. However, bacteria can evade this clothing and tarnish outer surfaces whilst operators work, with adverse implication for cleanroom environment and product sterility. Gender plays a significant role in bacterial dispersion, with male rates being in excess of female counterparts. Currently there is a lack of published literature evaluating the effect of gender on contamination of cleanroom garments. Such information would assist cleanroom facilities to more robustly assess and mitigate operator-associated contamination risks. Aim: To compare bacterial contamination on the surface of cleanroom operators’ garments, specifically with respect to gender. Method: Levels of bacteria on garments worn by male and female operators working under two conditions (30 minutes: Grade A/B cleanroom and 60 minutes: Grade C cleanroom) were compared. Immediately following the operators’ exit from the cleanroom, a direct agar contact method was undertaken at several sites on the surface of their garments. Findings: Bacteria were recovered from the surface of garments worn by both genders. Bacterial levels on garments worn by male operators were almost always in excess of those worn by females at all sites tested (Percentage of plates displaying growth: Grade A/B – 83.9%/63.3% and Grade C – 86.1%/70.1%, respectively) [*p[less than]0.05]. Regardless of gender, bacterial levels at the chest and posterior cervicis region of suits were reduced with the donning of a hood, covering the head. Conclusions: Gender plays a significant role in bacterial contamination of cleanroom garment surfaces, with bacteria on the surface of clothing worn by males being in excess of that on garments worn by female counterparts. In addition, the donning of a hood reduces bacterial numbers on suits. These findings add to the limited body of knowledge examining bacterial contamination of cleanroom garments and contribute towards understanding operator-associated contamination risks within cleanroom facilities

Veterinary pharmacy within the United Kingdom: review of current practice and education.

Background: Pharmacists have acknowledged roles as medicines experts facilitating human healthcare. Such expertise is also applicable in pharmaceutical treatments for non-human animals. Aims: The aims were to review the perceptions and extent to which pharmacists in the United Kingdom (UK) participate with veterinary pharmacy, and to consider their educational background in this area. Methods: Using an iterative approach, extensive searches of relevant databases and key pharmacy publications were conducted with all relevant material published between 2002 – 2012 gathered. Results: Limited information on the subject has been published, highlighting the lack of widespread consideration. It was established that UK registered pharmacists have minimal participation in veterinary medicine. The major reason for limited participation is an insufficient knowledge of the subject. Conclusion: Delivery of the revised GPhC indicative syllabus in Schools of Pharmacy should provide pharmacy graduates of the future with enhanced knowledge of veterinary pharmacy thereby facilitating greater participation with this area