Intimacy, Unity, and Shared Consciousness in the Novels of Virginia Woolf

In the novels of Virginia Woolf, the difficulties of deep intimacy are troubled by the limitations of language and the fear of shame and vulnerability. What can characters express, and do words have the ability to appropriately describe their feelings of love and desire? Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, and The Waves grapple with the penetrability of the mind and the potential for shared thought between characters. In Mrs. Dalloway, Woolf utilizes Clarissa and her relationship with men to highlight how eroticism and affection are inhibited by shame. To evade the anxieties of articulating romantic feelings and sexual desires, Woolf posits that shared consciousness between characters is an avenue that fosters closeness with others. In To the Lighthouse, the intimate relationships between the Ramsays and Lily Briscoe uncover the potential for unity with others and the human desire to know others deeply. Woolf’s continued interest in questions of shared consciousness and a communion between reader, writer, and character pervade her novels, as demonstrated in her later novel, The Waves which primarily focuses on the potential for unity in body and mind

Prevalence of non-aureus Staphylococcus species causing intramammary infections in Canadian dairy herds

Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS), the microorganisms most frequently isolated from bovine milk worldwide, are a heterogeneous group of numerous species. To establish their importance as a group, the distribution of individual species needs to be determined. In the present study, NAS intramammary infection (IMI) was defined as a milk sample containing ≥1,000 cfu/mL in pure or mixed culture that was obtained from a cohort of cows assembled by the Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network. Overall, 6,213 (6.3%) of 98,233 quarter-milk samples from 5,149 cows and 20,305 udder quarters were associated with an NAS IMI. Of the 6,213 phenotypically identified NAS isolates, 5,509 (89%) were stored by the Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network Mastitis Pathogen Collection and characterized using partial sequencing of the rpoB housekeeping gene, confirming 5,434 isolates as NAS. Prevalence of each NAS species IMI was estimated using Bayesian models, with presence of a specific NAS species as the outcome. Overall quarter-level NAS IMI prevalence was 26%. The most prevalent species causing IMI were Staphylococcus chromogenes (13%), Staphylococcus simulans (4%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (3%), Staphylococcus xylosus (2%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (1%). The prevalence of NAS IMI as a group was highest in first-parity heifers and was evenly distributed throughout cows in parities ≥2. The IMI prevalence of some species such as S. chromogenes, S. simulans, and S. epidermidis differed among parities. Overall prevalence of NAS IMI was 35% at calving, decreased over the next 10 d, and then gradually increased until the end of lactation. The prevalence of S. chromogenes, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus cohnii, and Staphylococcus capitis was highest at calving, whereas the prevalence of S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus, S. xylosus, and S. cohnii increased during lactation. Although the overall prevalence of NAS IMI was similar across barn types, the prevalence of S. simulans, S. xylosus, S. cohnii, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, S. capitis, and Staphylococcus arlettae IMI was higher in tie-stall barns; the prevalence of S. epidermidis IMI was lowest; and the prevalence of S. chromogenes and Staphylococcus sciuri IMI was highest in bedded-pack barns. Staphylococcus simulans, S. epidermidis, S. xylosus, and S. cohnii IMI were more prevalent in herds with intermediate to high bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) and S. haemolyticus IMI was more prevalent in herds with high BMSCC, whereas other common NAS species IMI were equally prevalent in all 3 BMSCC categories. Distribution of NAS species IMI differed among the 4 regions of Canada. In conclusion, distribution differed considerably among NAS species IMI; therefore, accurate identification (species level) is essential for studying NAS epidemiology

Genes de enterotoxinas, multirresistência a antimicrobianos e caracterização molecular de espécies de Staphylococcus spp. isoladas de leite bovino orgânico

The multidrug resistant and the emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from animals, food, and humans are public health concern. These microorganisms produce different toxins related to food poisoning in humans. This study aimed to characterize Staphylococcus spp. isolated from two organic milk farms in Brazil. A total of 259 milk samples were collected, from which 58 (22.4%) Staphylococcus spp. were isolated. The highest sensibility to ceftiofur and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was observed in 96.6% of Staphylococcus spp., and whereas 89% were resistant to penicillin G. The mecA gene was detected in 13.8% of the isolates. SEA and SEC were the most common enterotoxins detected. PFGE revealed genetic heterogeneity from S. intermedius and S. warneri analyzed, while S. aureus presented similar profiles among isolates from the two studied herds. To the best of our knowledge, the current study describes for the first time presence of enterotoxins, mecA gene, and genetic diversity of staphylococci isolated from organic dairy farms in Brazil.A emergência de estafilococos multirresistentes e resistentes à meticilina, isolados de animais, alimentos e humanos é uma preocupação em saúde pública. Esses micro-organismos produzem diferentes toxinas relacionadas à intoxicação alimentar em humanos. Este estudo caracterizou Staphylococcus spp. isolados em duas fazendas orgânicas no Brasil. Foram coletadas 259 amostras de leite em duas propriedades leiteiras orgânicas, nas quais 58 (22,4%) estirpes de Staphylococcus spp. foram isoladas. A maior sensibilidade dos isolados foi observada para ceftiofur e sulfametoxazol/trimetoprim em 96,6%. Em contraste, acima de 89% de resistência dos estafilicocos foi encontrada para penicilina G. O gene mecA foi identificado em 13,8% dos isolados. SEA e SEC foram as enterotoxinas mais comumente detectadas. PFGE revelou heterogeneidade genética entre S. intermedius e S. warneri, enquanto S. aureus demonstraram perfis semelhantes entre isolados dos dois rebanhos estudados. Relata-se pela primeira vez no Brasil a detecção de enterotoxinas, o gene mecA e diversidade genética em estafilococos isolados de vacas em produção orgânica

Safety issues of raw milk: evaluation of bacteriological and physicochemical characteristics of human milk from a bank in a teaching hospital, focusing on Staphylococcus species

Many infants are nurtured with milk supplied by human banks, whose bacteriological and physical-chemical profiles are a major issue. We investigated the bacteriological and physical-chemical characteristics, as well as genotypic and phenotypic and profiles of Staphylococcus species isolated from 240 samples of breast milk from a bank in a teaching hospital. Dornic acidity of milk revealed that 95.4% (229/240) had acceptable limits (< 8.0 oD). Caloric intake showed a wide variation in cream content (4%), fat (4%) and energy values (559.81 Kcal/L). Staphylococcus (105/186 or 56.5%) and Enterobacter (25/186 or 13.4%) were the most prevalent genera, although other microorganisms were identified, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (125/157 or 79.6%), vancomycin (115/157 or 73.2%), and cephalexin (112/157 or 71.3%) were the most effective antimicrobials. High resistance rates of isolates were found to penicillin G (141/157 or 89.8%), ampicillin (135/157 or 86%), and oxacillin (118/157 or 75.2%). Multidrug resistance to ≥ 3 antimicrobials occurred in 66.2% (123/186) of the isolates. Residues of microbial multiplication inhibitory substances were found in 85% (204/240) of samples. Among the coagulase-positive-CPS and negative-CoNS staphylococci, the mecA gene was detected in 53.3% (8/15) and 75% (30/40), respectively. Genes sea, seb and sec were detected in 20% (3/15) of CPS, while tsst-1 was detected in 13.34% (2/15). In addition, 13.3% (2/15) of S. aureus were toxin-producers. Genes sea, seb and sec were detected in 90% (36/40), 5% (2/40) and 15% (6/40) CoNS, respectively. Enterotoxin production was identified in 5% (2/40) of CoNS. The identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria, staphylococci species toxin-producers harboring methicillin-resistance genes, and residues of microbial multiplication inhibitory substances reinforce the need for a continuous vigilance of milk quality offered to infant consumption by human banks

Distribution of Staphylococcus non-aureus isolated from bovine milk in Canadian herds

The Staphylococci non-aureus (SNA) species are among the most prevalent isolated from bovine milk. However, the role of each species within the SNA group still needs to be fully understood. Knowing which SNA species are most common in bovine intramammary infections (IMI), as well as their epidemiology, is essential to the improvement of udder health on dairy farms worldwide. This thesis is comprised of two studies on the epidemiology of SNA species in bovine milk, and used molecular methods to identify of isolates obtained from the Canadian Bovine Mastitis and Milk Quality Research Network. The first study focused on the prevalence of SNA species on Canadian dairy farms and potential associations of SNA positive mammary quarters with bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC), barn type, parity, month of lactation and quarter location. Overall SNA represented 9% of the isolates from culture positive mammary quarters and the most common species were S. chromogenes, S. simulans, S. xylosus, S. haemolyticus, and S. epidermidis. Province and barn type were associated with SNA species distribution; Albertan bedded-packs were mostly affected by S. chromogenes, Maritimes free-stall herds by S. epidermidis, and Ontario and Quebec tie-stalls by S. xylosus. Staphylococcus arlettae, S. cohnii, and S. gallinarum were isolated from quarters of herds with high BMSCC. Fresh heifers and cows in later lactation were most frequently infected by S. chromogenes. The second study focused on the distribution of the same species in SNA positive-quarters according to udder inflammation status, classified according to low and high SCC and clinical mastitis. Average somatic cell count (SCC) for the SNA as a group was 70,000 cells/mL, driven mostly by S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus, S. xylosus and S. epidermidis. Species-specific prevalence of SNA-positive quarters was higher in high (≥ 200,000 cells/mL) than in low SCC (< 200,000 cells/mL) samples for the 11 most frequently isolated SNA species. Staphylococcus sciuri was more frequently isolated from clinical mastitis samples. Considering SNA as a group will misrepresent the role of individual species on farms. Ultimately, adopting molecular identification of SNA species along with future research in species-specific risk factors are necessary to fully elucidate the importance of of the different SNA species on udder health and possible species-specific interventions

"Mother's Musuem": The Emancipation of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller through Modern Art Matronage and Museum Building

So much of the time, the significance of non-artists in making modern art possible is all too rarely acknowledged, and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller is no exception. The crucial role Abby played and the obstacles she overcame are significant, and my research considers the far-reaching impact she had on the institutionalization and legitimization of modern art in New York in the 1920s and 1930s. Without her involvement, New York's premier museum for Post-Impressionist, progressive, and modern art, the Museum of Modern Art, would not have been founded or even succeeded. Abby's efforts were often hampered by both her husband's outright rejection of the art she so loved, as well as by constraints on women in an era in which cultural, societal, economic, and political pursuits were still dominated by men. Thus, Abby's "matronage" - her support of progressive and modern artists, her personal collecting of their work, and her museum building efforts - all contributed to an emancipation, of sorts, from her husband, and from traditional mores of the era. This project will also consider the important partnerships Abby entered into that facilitated the fulfillment of her vision for MoMA. Particular attention will be paid to gallery owner and collector, Edith Gregor Halpert, as well as to Nelson and David Rockefeller, who ensured their mother's legacy and helped make New York the epicenter for modern art that Abby always hoped it would be

Caracterização fenotípica, genotípica e termorressistência à fervura em linhagens de Nocardia spp isoladas de animais domésticos e humanos

Nocardia é um microorganismo ubíquo, relacionado a processos piogranulomatosos supurativos de difícil resolução terapêutica em humanos e animais. Foi investigada caracterização fenotípica, genotípica, perfil de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos, e termorresistência à fervura em 95 linhagens de Nocardia spp. provenientes de animais domésticos e humanos. Em animais de produção a afecção mais comum foi mastite bovina identificada em 71 linhagens (74,73%). Em animais de companhia obteve-se mais isolamento nos cães com 12 linhagens (12,63%), principalmente de tecido cutâneo. Foram estudados sete isolados de Nocardia spp. obtidos de humanos, com quadros cutâneos e neurológicos. A caracterização molecular e análise filogenética realizada por PCR da fração 16S rRNA identificaram as seguintes espécies: Nocardia nova (68,42%), Nocardia farcinica (13,68%), Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (4,58%), Nocardia puris (3,67%), Nocardia veterana (3,67%), Nocardia africana (2,10%), Nocardia asiatica (0,91%) e Nocardia arthritidis (0,91%). A ocorrência de multirresistência a três ou mais e a cinco ou mais antimicrobianos ocorreu em, respectivamente, 42,88% e 14,28%. A comparação entre perfil de sensibilidade por disco-difusão e concentração inibitória mínima mostrou correlação fraca, exceto para amicacina. Na avaliação da termorresistência à fervura foi observado reisolamento de 84,21% das linhagens após atingir 100ºC no leite, 50,52% após um minuto de fervura a 100ºC e 2,10% após cinco minutos. Depreendeu-se no estudo alta similaridade entre linhagens de Nocardia sp. isoladas de animais domésticos e humanos, elevada multirresistência aos antimicrobianos utilizados na terapia da nocardiose em animais e humanos, e a termorresistência à fervura do leite, ressaltando riscos de consumo do leite de animais com nocardiose mamáriaNocardia is an ubiquitous microorganism, environmental, related to supurative pyogranulomatous of difficult treatment in humans and domestic animals. The phenotypic and genotypic characterization, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and thermorresistance to boiling of 95 strains of Nocardia spp., from both domestic animals and humans, were investigated. In production animals the most common affection was the bovine mastitis, identified in 71 strains (74,73%). Among the small animal, most of the isolates were from dogs, a total of 12 strains (12,63%), especially from cutaneous manifestations. Seven isolates were obtained from humans, with emphasis for cases with cutaneous and neurological signs. The molecular characterization and the phylogenetic analysis made through PCR of the 16S rRNA resulted in the identification: Nocardia nova (68,42%), Nocardia farcinica (13,68%), Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (4,58%), Nocardia puris (3,67%), Nocardia veterana (3,67%), Nocardia africana (2,10%), Nocardia asiatica (0,91%) and Nocardia arthritidis (0,91%). The occurrence of multi-resistance to three or more and five or more antimicrobials was observed in 42,88% and 14,28%of the studied strains, respectively. The comparison between the susceptibility profile through disc diffusion and the minimum inhibitory concentration showed a weak correlation, except for amikacin. In the evaluation of thermorresistance to boiling 84,21% of the strains were re-isolated after reaching 100°C in milk, 50,52% after boiling for one minute at 100ºC and 2,10% after boiling for 5 minutes. This study showed high similarity between Nocardia sp. strains isolated from domestic animals and humans, increased multi-resistance to some of the most used antimicrobials in the therapy of nocardiosis in animals and humans, thermorresistance to the boiling conditions of milk, emphasizing the risk of consuming products from animals with mammary nocardiosisFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP