Thomas Berry on the rights of nature : evoking the Great Work

Paper presented at the Conference on Christian Perspectives on Human Dignity and Humans Rights held in Wuppertal (Germany) online from 9–12 April 202

Ecological Significance of Luminescence in Vibrio cholerae: Occurrence, Structure, Expression, and Function

Several Vibrio species are bioluminescent, including Vibrio cholerae. Analysis of 224 non-pathogenic V. cholerae isolates collected from the Chesapeake Bay, MD, revealed that 52% were luminescent, and 58% of the isolates harbor the luxA gene. A significant association of luxA to the gene stn (r = 0.40) was observed and luminescent strains were found to have a significant association with sample fraction and time of sampling, especially from the observed interaction of these two traits. In contrast, 334 non-pathogenic V. cholerae strains isolated from two rural provinces in Bangladesh, yielded 21 luminescent (6.3%) and 35 luxA+ (10.5%) isolates. None (0%) of 48 laboratory reference pathogenic strains from various geographic locations or 222 environmental and clinical isolated strains of V. cholerae O1 or O139 from Bangladesh were luminescent or harbored the lux operon. To improve success of isolation of V. cholerae from environmental samples, two colony blot hybridization methods were developed. Specificity of two probes was confirmed, using laboratory reference strains, in addition to environmental and clinical isolates, and sensitivity of the probes was confirmed using water samples into which V. cholerae had been inoculated. The lux operon of V. cholerae was sequenced and its chromosomal location determined. The operon organization is most similar to that of Shewanella hanedai and the non-luxF Photobacterium leiognathi. Sequence analysis revealed that the V. cholerae lux operon is most similar in its genomic sequence to V. harveyi and Photorhadbus luminescens and it most likely originated from a common Vibrionaceae ancestor. Using a new bioassay method that measures expression level, several classes of defective luminescent V. cholerae were identified and characterized, including one class previously termed dark, or K variants, in V. harveyi. Multiple causes of the defects were identified, indicating several levels of luminescence control in V. cholerae, in addition to autoinduction and lux repression. Using luxA mutants, luminescence was implicated in conveying competitive advantage in growth under microaerophilic conditions, DNA repair by photoreactivation, and neutralization of reactive oxidative species. These results demonstrate that bioluminescence is a frequently occurring trait in non-pathogenic V. cholerae, the expression of which gives a selective advantage in specific habitats

Novel insights into the genetic diversity of Balantidium and Balantidium-like cyst-forming ciliates

Balantidiasis is considered a neglected zoonotic disease with pigs serving as reservoir hosts. However, Balantidium coli has been recorded in many other mammalian species, including primates. Here, we evaluated the genetic diversity of B. coli in non-human primates using two gene markers (SSrDNA and ITS1-5.8SDNA-ITS2). We analyzed 49 isolates of ciliates from fecal samples originating from 11 species of captive and wild primates, domestic pigs and wild boar. The phylogenetic trees were computed using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood. Balantidium entozoon from edible frog and Buxtonella sulcata from cattle were included in the analyses as the closest relatives of B. coli, as well as reference sequences of vestibuliferids. The SSrDNA tree showed the same phylogenetic diversification of B. coli at genus level as the tree constructed based on the ITS region. Based on the polymorphism of SSrDNA sequences, the type species of the genus, namely B. entozoon, appeared to be phylogenetically distinct from B. coli. Thus, we propose a new genus Neobalantidium for the homeothermic clade. Moreover, several isolates from both captive and wild primates (excluding great apes) clustered with B. sulcata with high support, suggesting the existence of a new species within this genus. The cysts of Buxtonella and Neobalantidium are morphologically indistinguishable and the presence of Buxtonella-like ciliates in primates opens the question about possible occurrence of these pathogens in humans

Electricity Pricing to U.S. Manufacturing Plants, 1963-2000

We develop a large customer-level database to study electricity pricing to U.S. manufacturing plants from 1963 to 2000. We document tremendous dispersion in price per kWh, trace that dispersion to quantity discounts and spatial differentials, estimate the role of cost factors in quantity discounts, and test whether marginal price schedules conform to marginal cost and Ramsey pricing conditions. Our cost analysis and pricing tests rely on a novel empirical approach that exploits utility-level differences in the customer size distribution to estimate how supply costs vary with purchase quantity. The results reveal that annual supply costs per kWh fall by more than half in moving from smaller to bigger purchasers, providing a clear cost-based rationale for quantity discounts. Before the mid 1970s, marginal price and marginal cost schedules are nearly identical, in line with efficient pricing. In later years, marginal supply costs exceed marginal prices for smaller manufacturing customers by 10% or more. In contrast to a clear role for cost factors, our evidence provides no support for a standard Ramsey-pricing interpretation of quantity discounts. Spatial dispersion in retail electricity prices among states, counties and utility service territories is large and rises over time for smaller purchasers.

Occurrence and Diversity of Clinically Important Vibrio Species in the Aquatic Environment of Georgia

Among the more than 70 different Vibrio species inhabiting marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems, 12 are recognized as human pathogens. The warm subtropical climate of the Black Sea coastal area and inland regions of Georgia likely provides a favorable environment for various Vibrio species. From 2006 to 2009, the abundance, ecology, and diversity of clinically important Vibrio species were studied in different locations in Georgia and across seasons. Over a 33-month period, 1,595 presumptive Vibrio isolates were collected from the Black Sea (n=657) and freshwater lakes around Tbilisi (n=938). Screening of a subset of 440 concentrated and enriched water samples by PCR-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (PCR-ESI/MS) detected the presence of DNA from eight clinically important Vibrio species: V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. mimicus, V. alginolyticus, V. harveyi, V. metschnikovii, and V. cincinnatiensis. Almost ninety percent of PCR/ESI-MS samples positive for Vibrio species were collected from June through November. Three important human pathogenic Vibrio species (V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus) were detected in 62.8%, 37.8%, and 21.4% of samples testing positive for vibrios, respectively. The results of these activities suggest that natural reservoirs for human-pathogenic Vibrios exist in Georgian aquatic environments. Water temperature at all sampling sites was positively correlated with the abundance of clinically important Vibrio spp. (except V. metschnikovii) and salinity was correlated with species composition at particular Black Sea sites as well as inland reservoirs

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy, Customised Foot Orthoses and Combined Therapy in the Management of Plantar Fasciitis—A RCT

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of plantar heel pain. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of three different treatment approaches in the management of PF. Methods: Sixty-three patients (44 female, 19 men; 48.4 ± 9.8 years) were randomly assigned into a manual therapy (MT), customised foot orthosis (FO) and a combined therapy (combined) group. The primary outcomes of pain and function were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society-Ankle Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS) and the patient reported outcome measure (PROM) Foot Pain and Function Scale (FPFS). Data were evaluated at baseline (T0) and at follow-up sessions after 1 month, 2 months and 3 months (T1–T3). Results: All three treatments showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) improvements in both scales from T0 to T1. However, the MT group showed greater improvements than both other groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Manual therapy, customised foot orthoses and combined treatments of PF all reduced pain and function, with the greatest benefits shown by isolated manual therapy

Ischaemic stroke, haemorrhage and mortality in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease newly started on anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: a population-based study from UK primary care

Objective To assess the association between anticoagulation, ischaemic stroke, gastrointestinal and cerebral haemorrhage, and all cause mortality in older people with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease. Design Propensity matched, population based, retrospective cohort analysis from January 2006 through December 2016. Setting The Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre database population of almost 2.73 million patients from 110 general practices across England and Wales. Participants Patients aged 65 years and over with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <50 mL/min/1.73m2, calculated using the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration creatinine equation. Patients with a previous diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or receiving anticoagulation in the preceding 120 days were excluded, as were patients requiring dialysis and recipients of renal transplants. Intervention Receipt of an anticoagulant prescription within 60 days of atrial fibrillation diagnosis. Main outcome measures Ischaemic stroke, cerebral or gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and all cause mortality. Results 6977 patients with chronic kidney disease and newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation were identified, of whom 2434 were on anticoagulants within 60 days of diagnosis and 4543 were not. 2434 pairs were matched using propensity scores by exposure to anticoagulant or none and followed for a median of 506 days. The crude rates for ischaemic stroke and haemorrhage were 4.6 and 1.2 after taking anticoagulants and 1.5 and 0.4 in patients who were not taking anticoagulant per 100 person years, respectively. The hazard ratios for ischaemic stroke, haemorrhage, and all cause mortality for those on anticoagulants were 2.60 (95% confidence interval 2.00 to 3.38), 2.42 (1.44 to 4.05), and 0.82 (0.74 to 0.91) compared with those who received no anticoagulation. Conclusion Giving anticoagulants to older people with concomitant atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease was associated with an increased rate of ischaemic stroke and haemorrhage but a paradoxical lowered rate of all cause mortality. Careful consideration should be given before starting anticoagulants in older people with chronic kidney disease who develop atrial fibrillation. There remains an urgent need for adequately powered randomised trials in this population to explore these findings and to provide clarity on correct clinical management

Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 26, Folk Festival Supplement

• Bonnets, Bonnets, Bonnets • Theorem Painting on Velvet • Spinning, Weaving and Lace Making • Mennonites: A Peaceful People • Special Police Force Directs Traffic • Candle Dipping and Molding • Festival Focus • Folk Festival Programs • The Old One-Room School • The Art of Making Brooms • Koom Rei, Huck Dich un Essa (Come In, Sit Down and Eat) • Old Fashioned Apple Butter Making • Fraktur: An Enduring Art Form • Covered Bridges: Folk Festival Questionnairehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/pafolklifemag/1074/thumbnail.jp

Internal Labor Markets and Diversification Strategies in Financial Services

This paper assesses the fit between firm-level Internal Labor Markets (ILMs) and firm diversification in the U.S. financial services sector. The sector comprises a number of related sub-industries and recent deregulation has allowed firms to construct increasingly diversified portfolios of activities across these sub-industries. Recent deregulation, particularly in banking, has also loosened geographic restrictions on firm activities. Drawing on the “resource-based view” of firm strategy, we hypothesize that firms with stronger ILMs are more likely to diversify. We find support for this view in analysis of data from the Longitudinal Household-Employer Dynamics program matched to the Longitudinal Business Database. Firms with lower net turnover, lower wage dispersion, and greater opportunities for workers inside the firm tend to be those that diversify more subsequently