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The article focuses on Mysterious Kôr communicates a heady fin-de-siècle mixture of women, death, desire, beauty. It mentions equivalent of unintelligibility or of incomprehensibility and weak radio signal, lack of preparation beforehand in approaching a task, growing deafness, or a language one does not know and cannot even identify. It also mentions cognitive, aesthetic manifestations, unknowability contains expressions beyond testing, tending to nonsense, meaninglessness. It discusses ultimate sacred places are conjured by equally strange substances throughout the Bible.

The article offers the author's insights on the events "The Bearer-Beings: Portable Stories in Dislocated Times" held in Oxford, England from May 13-14, 2016 and "Stories in Transit/Storie in Transito" held in Palermo, Italy from September 26-28, 2016 about storytelling. The events highlights the benefits provided by storytelling among homeless people, cultural approach to promote right to freedom of imagination and thought of refugees or migrants, and the uses of contemporary media.

Abstract: Ceftaroline reportedly has lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) than established cephalosporins for Streptococcus pneumoniae. We further evaluated this activity using 155 pneumococci chosen by serotype and cefotaxime MIC. MICs were determined by agar dilution on Mueller–Hinton agar and Iso-Sensitest agar and by Etest. Inhibition zones were measured for 5μg and 30μg ceftaroline discs using both CLSI/EUCAST and BSAC methodology. Ceftaroline was more active than cefotaxime, with MICs 2–8-fold lower for isolates with cefotaxime MICs of ≤1mg/L and mostly in the range 0.125–0.5mg/L for those with cefotaxime MICs of 2mg/L to ≥16mg/L. Twelve isolates belonging to serotypes 14 (n =2), 19A (n =6) and 19F (n =4) were ceftaroline-resistant, with MICs of 0.5–1mg/L. Essential agreement between MIC methods was excellent, with values on Iso-Sensitest agar and Mueller–Hinton agar identical ±1 doubling dilution in all cases, and with 154/155 values identical ±1 doubling dilution between agar dilution and Etest. Nevertheless, 5/11 isolates with agar dilution MICs of 0.5mg/L (i.e. just resistant) ‘had’ MICs of 0.25mg/L (just susceptible) by Etest. Inhibition zones also correlated with MICs, but discrimination around the breakpoint MICs was poor irrespective of method and disc type. In summary, the results confirm the good activity of ceftaroline against pneumococci, but susceptibility testing will present challenges in routine laboratories, with discs poorly discriminatory and with Etest prone to give susceptible results for isolates with MICs one doubling dilution above the breakpoint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives MK-7655 is a novel inhibitor of class A and C β-lactamases. We investigated its potential to protect imipenem. Methods Chequerboard MICs were determined by CLSI agar dilution: (i) for Enterobacteriaceae with carbapenemases; (ii) for Enterobacteriaceae with carbapenem resistance contingent on combinations of impermeability together with an extended-spectrum β-lactamase or AmpC enzyme; and (iii) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other non-fermenters. Results At a concentration of 4 mg/L, MK-7655 reduced imipenem MICs for Enterobacteriaceae with KPC carbapenemases from 16–64 mg/L to 0.12–1 mg/L. Synergy also was seen for Enterobacteriaceae with impermeability-mediated carbapenem resistance, with weaker synergy seen for isolates with the OXA-48 enzyme. On the other hand, MK-7655 failed to potentiate imipenem against Enterobacteriaceae with metallo-carbapenemases. In the case of P. aeruginosa, where endogenous AmpC confers slight protection versus imipenem, 4 mg/L MK-7655 reduced the MIC of imipenem for all isolates, except those with metallo-carbapenemases: the MICs of imipenem fell from 1–2 mg/L to 0.25–0.5 mg/L for imipenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa and from 16–64 mg/L to 1–4 mg/L for OprD-deficient strains. No potentiation was seen for chryseobacteria or for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Conclusions MK-7655 potentiated imipenem against Enterobacteriaceae with KPC carbapenemases or combinations of β-lactamase and impermeability, but not those with metallo-carbapenemases. It augmented the activity of imipenem against P. aeruginosa in general and OprD mutants in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of a couch covered with an oriental Smyrna rug in the consulting room of psychologist Sigmund Freud. Topics include the role of beds in the book "Arabian Nights," the psychoanalytic evaluation of dreams by Freud, and the symbolic significance of Freud's interior design choices. Also addressed are the gift of the rug on the sofa by Freud's cousin Moritz Freud, the role of a carpet in the film "Gabbeh," directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf," and the cultural significance of a magic carpet for Freud.

Abstract: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae present an increasing and diverse problem, including strains of multiple species with metallo-β-lactamases (IMP, NDM or VIM) and non-metallo (KPC and OXA-48) enzymes as well as those combining an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or AmpC enzyme with porin loss. Most strains, except those with OXA-48 alone, are broadly resistant to β-lactams and have multiple aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; those with NDM-1 carbapenemase typically also have 16S rRNA methylases, conferring complete aminoglycoside resistance. In this study, the activity of chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, colistin, fosfomycin, minocycline, nitrofurantoin, temocillin and tigecycline was evaluated against 81 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from the UK. Testing was performed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) agar dilution method. Chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin inhibited <25% of the isolates at the breakpoint, whereas colistin was active against 75/81 isolates (92.6%), the exceptions being four Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae isolates along with members of inherently resistant genera. Fosfomycin was active against 49/81 isolates (60.5%), including 7/7 Escherichia coli, 16/20 Enterobacter and Citrobacter spp., but only 25/52 Klebsiella spp. Tigecycline was active against 38/81 isolates (46.9%) and was intermediate against another 27 (33.3%), with resistance scattered amongst K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. The activity of colistin, fosfomycin and tigecycline was unrelated to the isolates’ carbapenem resistance mechanisms. Temocillin was fully active [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤8mg/L] against only 4/81 isolates (4.9%), but inhibited a further 22 isolates (27.2%) at the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) urinary breakpoint (32mg/L), predominantly comprising those isolates with combinations of impermeability and an ESBL or AmpC enzyme, along with 6/11 isolates producing KPC carbapenemases. Studies with transconjugants and transformants confirmed the small effect of KPC enzymes against temocillin, whereas OXA-48 and NDM-1 conferred clear resistance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article offers an analysis of "Rapunzel," one of the fairy tales in the Grimm Brothers' "Children's and Household Tales." The first appearance of the story was in 1812. A summary of the popular version of "Rapunzel" is presented. As compared to other fairy tales, a representation of the villain in "Rapunzel" combines its malignancy with childlessness. Reflections on the contemporary changes in motherhood are described in the story of "Rapunzel." Other issues reflected in the fairy tale include aging, sex before marriage, and yearnings for freedom.

This short story, based on the tale of "Rapunzel," was written for students from the Royal College of Art and the Guildhall School of Music, London, who performed a multimedia interpretation of the story at the Bath Music Festival, June 6, 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background NXL104 potentiates ceftazidime and ceftaroline against Enterobacteriaceae with extended-spectrum, AmpC, KPC and OXA β-lactamases. We examined whether similar potentiation was obtained against non-fermenters, which are less permeable than Enterobacteriaceae and have more potent efflux. Methods MICs of ceftazidime+NXL104 (with NXL104 at 4 mg/L) and comparators were determined by CLSI agar dilution for: (i) Pseudomonas aeruginosa AmpC mutants and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing transconjugants; (ii) clinical P. aeruginosa isolates with AmpC enzymes, ESBLs or up-regulated efflux; (iii) P. aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates from cystic fibrosis patients; and (iv) Acinetobacter baumannii with OXA carbapenemases, which also compromise ceftazidime. Results NXL104 reversed AmpC-mediated ceftazidime resistance in P. aeruginosa, reducing MICs for fully derepressed mutants and isolates to ≤8 mg/L. NXL104 also reversed ceftazidime resistance caused by the ESBL PER-1, but not that due to OXA ESBLs or VEB-1 enzyme. Efflux-mediated resistance was unaffected. Resistance to ceftazidime in isolates of P. aeruginosa and the B. cepacia complex from patients with cystic fibrosis was variably overcome, generally to greater effect for B. cepacia. NXL104 had little effect on MICs of ceftazidime for A. baumannii isolates with OXA carbapenemases. Conclusions The potentiation of ceftazidime against many β-lactamase-producing P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia complex strains confirms that NXL104 penetrates these organisms. The utility of the combination against these pathogens will depend on the local prevalence of strains with β-lactamase- versus efflux-mediated resistance. The lack of potentiation against A. baumannii may reflect failure of NXL104 to penetrate these bacteria to inhibit relevant (OXA-23, -40, -51 and -58) carbapenemases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: The Oxoid M.I.C.Evaluator™ (M.I.C.E™; Thermo Fisher Scientific) comprises an antibiotic gradient on a plastic support. We compared its performance with Etest®—a similar product—using BSAC agar dilution as a reference. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: We tested the activity of BAL30072, a novel siderophore monobactam, against multiresistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia group and Acinetobacter spp. and against laboratory P. aeruginosa strains with defined resistance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The artists who created the conventions of comic strip graphics invented a way of visualizing noise that no predecessors had attempted. Since Popeye first landed his fist to a resounding 'Splat!' or Batman and Captain America laid about them to accompanying sound effects, visualized noises have become a defining feature of this storytelling medium. This article explores the noises that material things make. In this article, Marina Warner offers insights on how sounds play a crucial part in defining the unique quality of objects, with reference to comics, Schwitters, Beckett, Dante and Tacita Dean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of foreign languages by authors, specifically Samuel Beckett and Stephane Mallarme. Beckett used the French language to write his work "Premier Amour," taking advantage of special syntactical rules and connotations to add meaning and a new layer of theatricality to the book. Mallarme, an Irishman, was a rabid student of English, and became so involved in the aesthetics and semantics of the language that he published three works on the language. The author analyzes the effects of these authors' decisions to use a foreign language when writing.

A conference paper discussed during the 2005 "Writing Europe" conference is presented. It responds to Etienne Balibar's call for considering cultural metamorphosis by examining Europe of the imagination at the annual meeting of the Consortium of the Humanities Centers and Institutes on June 17-18, 2005 in Utrecht. Three word-pictures are used to demonstrate the author's argument for narrative vitality and the power of stories to influence life.

The article focuses on the ability of the human mind to function as it create pictures from words or with words and the thought that takes shape. According to the author, that in some areas of critical and social thought, the interpressing of life and art often times receives a bad press. It is said that sometimes, the most affected are children who are meant not to be able to distinguish reality from unreality. The author added that the child's brains functions effects the child's behavior as it will copy the pictures it had seen. It is inferred that memory attaches to and gets tugged at by things. While, it is known as a cumulative process, when it will comeback to the mind in response to the tugs back into the sensory consciousness

The article presents information about "The Book of Revelation," in the Bible. The political uses of the book focus on the religious revelation as a warranty for state violence. The work has not lost its prophetic mission in the book. There is a kind of self-pleasuring thrust, vehemence and rhythm in the book. The second half of the book keeps up the storm of massacres, carnage, and revelage for evoking the war between another beast and the saints. The story of the book illuminates all ethical dimension missing in representations today and, by extension, in experience itself. The problem of apocalyptic thinking also rise from the loss of meaning incurred in the illusions and spectacle of apocalyptic vision. The book was written in the 95 C.E. and was the last text to be included in the Bible. The influence of the book originated with the clerical intelligentsia and potent political figures. The book is bound by memories of both world wars. The book became a secular Bible for the hippie generation.

Presents the short story "Cancellanda," by Marina Warner.

Develops the speculation that the Pillars of Hercules, which stood at the limen where the Mediterranean opened onto the Atlantic Ocean, do not underlie the visual form of the dollar sign. Analysis of the adventure story of Hercules, a character from Roman mythology; Geographical limit demarcated by the pillars; Description of the image of the Pillars of Hercules which was first struck on coins at the Mint in Millan, Italy under Spanish control.

Focuses on the fata morgana phenomenon, the illusions formed by clouds and mists. Connections of fata morgana with the alleged divine signs in Jewish and Christian history; Clouds and mists in Greek mythology; Presence of mist or clouds in paintings with divine themes.

SummaryThe prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild animal and bird populations is largely unknown, with little consistency among the few published reports. We therefore examined intestinal bacteria from magpies (Pica pica) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) collected in rural west Wales. Escherichia coli isolates resistant to multiple antibiotics were grown from eight of 20 magpies trapped in spring, 1999 and one of 17 in spring, 2000; the most prevalent resistance trait among these isolates was to tetracycline, but resistances to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, sulphonamide, tetracycline and trimethoprim were also found. Tetracycline-resistant Enterococcus spp. were found in one of 20 magpies in 1999 and three of 17 in 2000. Only one resistant E. coli isolate was detected among gut bacteria from 13 rabbits, and this strain was resistant only to tetracycline. Differences in the prevalence of resistance between bacteria from rabbits and magpies may reflect differences in diet: rabbits graze field edges, whereas magpies are omnivorous and opportunistic. The resistance genes found in E. coli isolates from magpies mostly corresponded to those common among human isolates, but those conferring tetracycline resistance were unique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information the use of lullabies. Information on how lullabies are despised as sentimental fribbles for only mere women and babies; What was the ancient use of lullabies; Identification of the different sounds which lullabies are related to; Reference to various literary works which focused on lullabies.

Examine's the powers and presence of the Greek legendary character Circe in literary works. Her powers of animal metamorphosis; Circe's relationship with Odysseus; Circe's mastery of the natural property of things; How Circe was used by Homer as a baneful and evil plot device.

Focuses on the fear by some people of having their photographs taken. Lack of precise evidence of the belief in image as soul among natives which, by contrast, lies everywhere to hand in the Western culture; Folklore about images, shadows, and reflection; Use of the camera in distorting the facts about cultures.

Presents an essay entitled `Nouveau voyage aux iles de l'Amerique,' by Jean-Baptiste Labat