Hybrid Identities Research Articles

Oscillating diasporas, shifting identities: Bene Israel Indian Jews in Aden, 1839–1967

This article conceptualises diasporas and homelands not only through the lens of hybrid identities but also as complex locations which represent an intricate picture of oscillation between different points in time and space, which shift in response to broader political and global changes. Our case study is the Bene Israel (literally ‘Children of Israel’ in Hebrew) Indian Jews in Aden, who originated on the Konkan coast south of Bombay (today Mumbai), from the time of the British conquest in 1839 until their evacuation from Aden in 1967. The article begins with a survey of the history of the Jews in Aden during the modern period. It documents their origins, community development and demography in an attempt to understand questions of multi-oriented diasporas and shifting identities for these Indian Jews. The article shows that the members of the Bene Israel diasporic community who resided in Aden vacillated between nostalgia for a historic homeland in the biblical kingdom of Israel to affiliation with the British Raj, which ultimately evolved to identification with a wider Jewish diaspora. Until India got independence, while most Bene Israel, like other Indians, regarded Aden as the diaspora and Bombay as the homeland, in time, the majority of these Indian Jews opted for a new homeland in the State of Israel, in which India, previously the motherland, became a diaspora.

Genome mining reveals the biosynthetic potential of a novel Lysinibacillus zambalensis sp. nov., isolated from a hyperalkaline spring

A novel bacterium, designated as strain M3T, was isolated from a hyperalkaline spring in the Philippines and identified as a new species within the genus Lysinibacillus through 16 S rRNA gene sequence and genomic analyses. Although strain M3T shared a high 16 S rRNA gene sequence similarity (> 98.7%) with many Lysinibacillus species, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization and orthologous average nucleotide identity values between strain M3T and its closet relative, Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus DSM 23,493T, were 41.2% and 90.6%, respectively—both below the established threshold for prokaryotic species delineation. Genome mining of the 5.3 Mbp-draft genome of strain M3T revealed eight biosynthetic gene clusters, which shared little sequence similarity with characterized clusters, suggesting the potential for encoding novel specialized metabolites. The cells of strain M3T were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and capable of endospore formation. Optimum growth was observed at 30 °C, pH 8.0, and 0.5% (w/v) NaCl. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, and the predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and two unknown phospholipids. Its fatty acid profile showed an elevated level of iso-C15:0, and the peptidoglycan type was determined to be A4α (L-Lys–D-Asp). This study contributes to the growing database and understanding of the genus and aims to help drive future research on the bioactive potential of the genus. Lysinibacillus zambalensis sp. nov. is proposed with strain M3T as the type strain (= TISTR 10640T = BIOTECH 10973T).

Characterization and comparative genomic analysis of Pseudaeromonas aegiceratis sp. nov., a new nitrogen-fixing bacterium from the sediments of mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum

ABSTRACT A gram-negative, nitrogen-fixing, rod-shaped, and motile bacterium, designated as ZJS20 T , was isolated from the sediments of Aegiceras corniculatum in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. The growth of strain ZJS20 T occurred at 10°C–45°C, pH 5.5–8.0, and in 0%–3% (wt/vol) NaCl. Strain ZJS20 T had the highest sequence similarity of 16S rRNA gene with Pseudaeromonas paramecia PCS8 T (98.5%), followed by Pseudaeromonas sharmana GPTSA-6 T (97.1%) and Pseudaeromonas pectinilytica AR1 T (96.7%). The phylogenetic trees built using 16S rRNA genes and Type (Strain) Genome Server both revealed that strain ZJS20 T fell into a cluster with Pseudaeromonas sp. strains. The genome of strain ZJS20 T has a 3,681,671 bp circular chromosome, a G + C content of 62.7%, and 3,320 proteins-coding genes. The genome contains nif and anf genes for the synthesis of Mo- and Fe-nitrogenase and genes related to plant growth-promoting traits. Both the digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain ZJS20 T and type strains of the genus Pseudaeromonas were below the cutoff thresholds for species demarcation. The profiles of the predominant fatty acids, major polar lipids, and respiratory quinone of strain ZJS20 T were similar to those of other Pseudaeromonas species. According to the above results, strain ZJS20 T is considered to be a novel species of the genus Pseudaeromonas , with the proposed name Pseudaeromonas aegiceratis sp. nov. The type strain is ZJS20 T (MCCC 1K08760 T = KCTC 8214 T ). This study expands the membership of the genus Pseudaeromonas and reveals the potential of this genus to be used as plant growth-promoting bacteria with their outstanding nitrogen-fixation ability. IMPORTANCE Pseudaeromonas is a genus known as close to the genus Aeromonas and contains only three species, which were isolated from different sources. Except for the physio-biochemical properties, other characteristics, such as genomic information and functions of the genus, have been reported scarcely to date. Here, the study reports the fourth species ( Pseudaeromonas aegiceratis ZJS20 T ) to the genus Pseudaeromonas and reveals its nitrogen-fixation capacity. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that genomes of strain ZJS20 T and other type Pseudaeromonas strains all contain nif genes ( nifBHDKENXV ) for the synthesis of Mo-nitrogenase, as well as genes related to phosphate metabolism and auxin synthesis. Therefore, we proposed that Pseudaeromonas sp. could be considered as a new and potential plant growth-promoting bacteria to be used in agriculture, although in-depth experiments are needed in the future to verify their specific plant growth-promoting traits.

Afropolitanism, corruption, and trust in government: a postcolonial perspective

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationship between Afropolitanism, corruption, and trust in government, marking the first comprehensive argument integrating these constructs. Using a postcolonial lens, it highlights the importance of understanding African politics through indigenous perspectives, challenging Western-centric narratives. The study identifies economic inequality and inadequate public resources as drivers of corruption in Africa, where low wages and insufficient services lead public employees to seek illicit compensation. Collusion between government officials and private contractors further exacerbates these issues. Afropolitans use their dual cultural insights and global networks to critique and combat corruption, shaping public perceptions through cultural narratives and advocacy. Through their involvement in media and international forums, they advocate for transparency and accountability, highlighting both the systemic challenges and potential for reform. Despite the challenges, they harness their hybrid identities to propose innovative solutions and drive meaningful change. The article concludes by emphasising the pivotal role of Afropolitans in shaping governance discourse and reform. Their contributions are vital in advancing transparency and accountability, demonstrating the impact of incorporating diverse perspectives into the governance reform process. By bridging local and global viewpoints, Afropolitans are essential in fostering progress and resilience in African political contexts.

Unraveling Genomic and Pathogenic Features of Aeromonas ichthyocola sp. nov., Aeromonas mytilicola sp. nov., and Aeromonas mytilicola subsp. aquatica subsp. nov.

The Gram-negative genus Aeromonas contains diverse bacterial species that are prevalent in aquatic environments. This present study describes three novel Aeromonas strains: A. ichthyocola sp. nov. A-5T and A. mytilicola subsp. aquatica subsp. nov. A-8T isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and A. mytilicola sp. nov. A-7T isolated from mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), respectively. Genomic analyses revealed that strains A-5T and A-7T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with A. rivipollensis P2G1T (99.7% and 99.8%, respectively), while strain A-8T exhibited 99.7% identity with A. media RMT. Together with morphological, physiological, and biochemical data, genome-based analyses provided additional evidence for species differentiation. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH; 56.8-65.9%) and average nucleotide identity (ANI; 94.2-95.7%) values fell below the species delineation thresholds, confirming that these isolates represent distinct taxa. Pathogenicity assays using greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae demonstrated strain-specific virulence profiles. Further genomic analyses identified biosynthetic gene clusters for nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), which often have roles in secondary metabolite production. Ecological analyses, based on genomic comparisons and metagenomic database searches, revealed the adaptability of the strains to diverse habitats, including freshwater, wastewater, and activated sludge. Based on the genetic and phenotypic data, the novel taxa Aeromonas ichthyocola sp. nov. A-5ᵀ (LMG 33534ᵀ = DSM 117488ᵀ), Aeromonas mytilicola sp. nov. A-7ᵀ (LMG 33536ᵀ = DSM 117490ᵀ), and Aeromonas mytilicola subsp. aquatica subsp. nov. A-8ᵀ (LMG 33537ᵀ = DSM 117493ᵀ) are proposed.

Exploring Hybridity and Identity Crisis in Love Marriage by Monica Ali: A Post-Colonial Perspective

The study focuses on the analysis of the depiction of ethnic conflicts and identity crises in Monica Ali's Love Marriage. It examines the tensions and negotiations that arise when individuals navigate multicultural identities in a multicultural society. The project uses a post-colonial critique to draw attention to the issues faced by diasporic people. The prime aim of this research study is to see to what extent ethnic clashes affect the immigrants’ lives whose roots pull them back while trying to deal with a new lifestyle simultaneously. The study is qualitative in nature and uses a lexico-grammatical method. The text is analyzed using an in-depth reading technique, and relevant information is collected through close reading of research articles, books, online sources, and other authentic research materials. The theoretical framework for this study is situated within Postcolonial framework, specifically emphasizing the notion of hybridity as articulated by Homi K. Bhabha. Bhabha's notion of hybridity is crucial for understanding the cultural dynamics in Love Marriage. According to Bhabha, hybridity emerges in the "Third Space," a liminal space where the interaction between colonizer and colonized creates new cultural forms and identities. This space allows for the negotiation and renegotiation of cultural identities, leading to a complex, layered understanding of self. Bhabha's ideas on hybridity, mimicry, and ambivalence provide a lens through which the characters' experiences in Love Marriage are analyzed. The cultural clashes and identity crises depicted in the novel are examined through this lens to understand how the characters navigate their hybrid identities in multicultural Britain. The findings of this study demonstrate the complex dialectic of cultural negotiation and identity formation as portrayed in Monica Ali’s Love Marriage.

Thioclava kandeliaesp. nov., Isolated from the Rhizosphere Soil of Mangrove Plant Kandelia candel.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, designated as strain CPCC 100088T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of Kandelia candel in a mangrove. Growth of strain CPCC 100088T was observed at 15-37°C, pH 6.0-9.0, and in the presence of 0-7% (w/v) NaCl with optimal growth at 28-32°C, pH 6.0-7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. This strain was positive for catalase and oxidase activity. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were the predominant polar lipids. The major fatty acids were C16:0 and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c). Strain CPCC 100088T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.4%) with Thioclava pacifica DSM 10166T and Thioclava marina 11.10-0-13T, followed by 95.5-95.8% with other members of the genus Thioclava. In the phylogenetic trees reconstructed using 16S rRNA gene or based on the whole genomes, strain CPCC 100088T was within the Thioclava phylogenetic clade within the family Paracoccaceae. The whole-genome of strain CPCC 100088T consisted of 4.3 Mbp with the G + C content of 61.3%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values (19.6% and 74.4%) based on whole-genome sequences of strain CPCC 100088T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour species were below the threshold for species delineation. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic data, we propose that strain CPCC 100088T represents a novel species of the genus Thioclava, for which the name Thioclava kandeliae sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 100088T (= I07B-00821T = KCTC 32191T) as the type strain.

Pelomonas baiyunensis sp. nov., Pelomonas candidula sp. nov., Pelomonas dachongensis sp. nov., Pelomonas lactea sp. nov., Pelomonas margarita sp. nov., Pelomonas nitida sp. nov., Pelomonas parva sp. nov. and Roseateles rivi sp. nov., isolated from streams in China

Eight Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and motile strains (BYS78WT, BYS87WT, BYS96WT, BYS180WT, DC23WT, DXS20WT, LKC17WT and LYH14WT) were isolated from streams in China and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the species of genus Pelomonas. The calculated average nucleotide identity, digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average amino acid sequence identity values among these eight strains and other closely related strains were less than 89.8, 39.1 and 89.4 %, respectively, indicating that each of the eight strains should represent an independent novel species. The further reconstructed phylogenomic tree showed that seven isolated strains clustered closely with the Pelomonas strains. Only strain BYS180WT clustered with the Roseateles strains. The phylogenomic tree also showed that the taxonomic status of the recently published species (Paucibacter sediminis, Roseateles aquae, ‘Roseateles caseinilyticus’, ‘Roseateles cellulosilyticus’, Roseateles subflavus and Roseateles violae) was questionable. ‘R. caseinilyticus’ and ‘R. cellulosilyticus’ should be reassigned to the genus Pelomonas as Pelomonas caseinilytica P7T (=KACC 22504T=TBRC 15694T) and Pelomonas cellulosilytica P8T (=KACC 22505T=TBRC 15695T), respectively. P. sediminis, R. aquae, R. subflavus and R. violae should be reassigned to the genus Kinneretia as Kinneretia sediminis, Kinneretia aquae, Kinneretia subflava and Kinneretia violae, respectively. Combining the above descriptions, strains BYS78WT, BYS87WT, BYS96WT, DC23WT, DXS20WT, LKC17WT and LYH14WT should represent seven novel species of the genus Pelomonas, for which the names Pelomonas baiyunensis sp. nov. (type strain BYS87WT=GDMCC 1.4090T=KCTC 8151T), Pelomonas candidula sp. nov. (type strain BYS78WT=GDMCC 1.4089T=KCTC 8152T), Pelomonas dachongensis sp. nov. (type strain DC23WT=GDMCC 1.4087T=KCTC 8148T), Pelomonas lactea sp. nov. (type strain DXS20WT=GDMCC 1.4088T=KCTC 8147T), Pelomonas margarita sp. nov. (type strain LKC17WT=GDMCC 1.4086T=KCTC 8146T), Pelomonas nitida sp. nov. (type strain BYS96WT=GDMCC 1.4091T=KCTC 8150T) and Pelomonas parva sp. nov. (type strain LYH14WT=GDMCC 1.4276T=KCTC 8301T) are proposed, respectively. Strain BYS180WT should represent a novel species of the genus Roseateles, for which the name Roseateles rivi sp. nov. (type strain BYS180WT=GDMCC 1.4098T=KCTC 8149T) is proposed.

Extreme overvalued beliefs and identities: revisiting the drivers of violent extremism.

Recent efforts to understand violent extremism have appealed to the concept of extreme overvalued beliefs as a way of explaining fixation and extremist commitments. Extreme overvalued beliefs refer to an ego-syntonic fixation that grows more intense, absolute and emotional over time and is shared with a sub-community. However, while extreme overvalued beliefs precede many targeted attacks, most people who hold them do not resort to violence. Previous research has highlighted four 'ingredients' associated with an increased risk of violent extremism, only three of which are captured in studies linking extreme overvalued beliefs to violence: perceived outgroup threat, demonization of the outgroup, and endorsement of violence. We argue that the fourth element-missing from the literature on extreme overvalued beliefs-is identity fusion: a visceral sense of oneness with the group in which personal and group identities become functionally equivalent. The goal of this paper is to improve current understanding of the circumstances where individuals with extreme overvalued beliefs turn into potential attackers. We show that when certain types of extreme overvalued beliefs are combined with identity fusion it can lead to violent self-sacrifice. Drawing on evidence from psychiatry, evolutionary anthropology, behavioural psychology and computational linguistics, along with a forensic analysis of three high-profile case studies of lone-actor grievance-fuelled violence, we explore the interplay of these risk factors and propose a more encompassing construct for explaining violent extremism. We call this hybrid framework Extreme Overvalued Beliefs and Identities (EOBI), synthesising the findings of interdisciplinary research on pathological fixation and identity fusion.

Christiangramia sediminicola sp. nov., a DNA-hydrolysing bacterium isolated from intertidal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, non-flagellated, motile by gliding, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated SM2212T, was isolated from intertidal sediment of Aoshan Bay in Qingdao, China. The strain grew at 5-35 °C and with 0.5-5.5% NaCl (w/v). It was able to reduce nitrate to nitrite and hydrolyse starch, gelatin and DNA. The phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA genes and single-copy genes showed that strain SM2212T belonged to the genus Christiangramia within the family Flavobacteriaceae, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strain of Christiangramia echinicola (97.1%) and 96.2-97.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with those of other known species in the genus. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7с and/or C16:1 ω6с), iso-C15:0, iso-C17: 03-OH, summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16:0) and C16:0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SM2212T was 37.0 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain SM2212T and type strains of closely related known Christiangramia species were below 22.2 and 79.7%, respectively. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic analysis in this study, strain SM2212T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Christiangramia, for which the name Christiangramia sediminicola is proposed. The type strain is SM2212T (=KCTC 92980T=MCCC 1K07684T).

Methanococcoides cohabitans sp. nov., a marine methylotrophic methanogen isolated from an anaerobic methane-oxidizing enrichment culture.

Enrichment cultures of archaea and bacteria performing the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) regularly contain persistent methanogens. Here, we isolated the marine methanogen Methanococcoides cohabitans sp. nov. strain LMO-2T from a long-term AOM enrichment culture from the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Strain LMO-2T is Gram-stain-negative, irregular 0.5-1 µm coccus without flagella. It utilizes a variety of methylated compounds including methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine for growth and methanogenesis. However, it does not grow on formate, acetate, dimethyl sulphate, H2/CO2, betaine and choline. The optimal conditions for growth were observed within a temperature range of 30-35 °C, a pH range of 7.0-8.0 and a salinity range of 2-4% NaCl. Based on the similarity and phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequence, strain LMO-2T is classified within the genus Methanococcoides. Among the isolated type strains of the genus, strain LMO-2T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with Methanococcoides vulcani SLH33T (99.4%). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity based on genome sequence showed that strain LMO-2T shared the highest similarity with Methanococcoides orientis LMO-1T, with values of 27.3% and 83.4%, respectively. In conclusion, we isolated a methylotrophic methanogen from an AOM culture, and the isolated strain LMO-2T represented a novel species of the genus Methanococcoides, for which the name Methanococcoides cohabitans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMO-2T (=CGMCC 1.18051T=KCTC 25774T).

Charismatic Anglicanism in Nigeria: Understanding the Hybrid Identity through the Lens of ‘Insider Movement’ and ‘Multiple Religious Belonging’

This paper analyses the hybrid identity of charismatic Anglicans in Nigeria. Two theoretical frameworks are borrowed from the fields of missiology and inter-religious dialogues, namely ‘insider movements’ and ‘multiple religious belonging’. They serve as analytical tools to examine the hybrid identity. Nigerian Anglicans who persisted in the 1970s and 1980s with their charismatic practices within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) led an ‘insider movement’. These Anglican charismatic ‘insiders’ gradually transformed their Anglican ‘communities of origin’ in the 1990s, when denominational leaders recognised that Anglican churches needed to compete for survival against Neo-Pentecostal churches. A hybrid identity emerged – a Nigerian charismatic Anglicanism. The 1996 Nigerian Book of Common Prayer, and its adapted use among charismatic Anglican congregations, shows the early shape of such hybridity; video footages and written materials as recent as 2022 demonstrate the continued relevance of this phenomenon. The framework of ‘insider movements’, however, cannot fully capture this hybrid identity given its inside—outside binarisation. Drawing insights from the notion of ‘multiple religious belonging’, this paper argues that Nigerian Anglicans are at home with multiple strands of religious traditions weaving their identities – Neo-Pentecostalism and the legacy ethos of Anglican missions included. Furthermore, this hybrid identity of charismatic Anglicans in Nigeria carries an asymmetrical preference of charismatic spirituality over traditional Anglicanism. Such a preference can be explained by its close association with the indigenous Nigerian worldview. This paper ends by noting the use of the framework ‘multiple religious belonging’ demonstrates the permeability between interreligious and intrareligious discourses.

Retrospective study of cultural biases and their reflections among Korean medical students: a cultural hybridity perspective.

Most of studies about racial or ethnic biases among medical students have been conducted in English-speaking developed countries. This study explores the hybridity and transformation of Korean medical students' biases, arguing that a nation's identity and culture are constantly in a state of ever-changing hybridity. This research used a qualitative document analysis. The study participants were 600 pre-clinical medical students at two medical colleges in Korea, who enrolled in anti-bias programs and subsequently submitted self-reflection essays. Data collection focused on biases related to race, ethnicity, nationality, and medical practices as doctors. Bhabha's cultural hybridity concepts guided the coding of the data in order to explore the hybridity and transformation of the students' biases. The students presented cultural biases toward patients and doctors with ambivalence related to a person's high socioeconomic status and open-mindedness, as well as doctors' excellence and superiority as Korean authoritative figures. Since the students had ambivalent and complex biases toward patients and doctors, they felt unhomeliness as Korean doctors encountering international patients in Korean clinics. However, after discovering their contradictory assumptions, they transformed their unhomeliness into new hybrid identities. The students' biases were rarely based on race but instead were based on nationality, specifically national class by national income. Understanding the changing hybrid nature of identities and culture from a cultural hybridity perspective could help clarify medical students' complex and changing biases and improve anti-bias education. Korean medical students' hybridized positions suggest that anti-bias education goes beyond focusing on prestige or racism.

Polyphasic taxonomic description of Streptomyces okerensis sp. nov. and Streptomyces stoeckheimensis sp. nov. and their biotechnological potential.

Streptomyces strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T were isolated from sediment samples of the River Oker in Braunschweig, Germany, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study and genome mining for specialized secondary metabolites. Phenotypic, genetic and genomic data confirmed the assignment of these strains to the Streptomyces genus. Pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between the strains and validly named Streptomyces species reached 99.5 and 99.7% for strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T, respectively. Genome-based phylogeny demonstrated that Streptomyces pilosus and Streptomyces griseoflavus species were the close relatives to strain DSM 116494T, while Streptomyces vinaceus species was the nearest neighbour to strain DSM 116496T. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity comparisons of the genomic sequence of the strains and their close phylogenomic relatives revealed that values were below the determined threshold of 70 and 95-96% for prokaryotic species demarcation, respectively. The strains were distinguished from their close neighbours based on biochemical, chemotaxonomic and enzymatic data. Given these results, the strains merit being affiliated to novel species within the genus Streptomyces, for which the names Streptomyces okerensis sp. nov. (=OG2.3T=DSM 116494T=KCTC 59408T) and Streptomyces stoeckheimensis sp. nov. (=OG3.14T=DSM 116496T=KCTC 59410T) are proposed. Strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T harboured several biosynthetic gene clusters encoding potentially novel antimicrobial and anticancer compounds. Crude extracts of strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T inhibited the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ΔtolC, Proteus vulgaris) and a multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus.

Flavobacterium plantiphilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizophilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov., Chryseobacterium terrae sp. nov., and Sphingomonas plantiphila sp. nov. isolated from salty soil showing plant growth promoting potential.

Flavobacterium plantiphilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizophilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov., Chryseobacterium terrae sp. nov., and Sphingomonas plantiphila sp. nov. isolated from salty soil showing plant growth promoting potential.

Patriotic cosmopolitans in Budapest: narratives of belonging among highly skilled migrants

ABSTRACT This study examines self-identification and belonging of EU and non-EU highly skilled migrants and the role of patriotism and cosmopolitanism in their identity construction based on the discourse analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews conducted in Budapest in Fall 2022. The study finds that highly skilled migrants invent hybrid identities by weaving particularistic and universal attachments into an ensemble of cultural and moral cosmopolitanism embedded in constructive patriotism, which this study calls patriotic cosmopolitanism. The analysis advances thinking on the inception and manifestations of cosmopolitanism from below within everyday diversity of transnational urban spaces in complex anti-immigrant contexts.

Reproductive loss attributed to Lactococcus petauri infection in a black-and-white ruffed lemur.

Lactococci have been associated with fetal and neonatal infections in humans and cattle. Here we describe a case of reproductive loss attributed to Lactococcus petauri in a lemur. A full-term black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) was found dead in the indoor area of a zoologic exhibit. Classification as a late-term abortion or stillbirth was unclear as the precise gestational time was unknown. A medical checkup of the dam revealed fever and neutrophilic leukocytosis; recovery followed treatment with enrofloxacin. The main histologic findings were placental edema and hemorrhage, hepatic necrosis, desquamated amniotic epithelial cells in alveoli, and subendocardial and myocardial hemorrhages. Tissue Gram stain revealed abundant gram-positive cocci arranged in short chains in the placenta and liver. Toxoplasma gondii was not detected by immunohistochemistry. Bacterial isolates from the placenta and fetal liver were identified as Lactococcus garvieae by MALDI-TOF MS. However, the isolates were found to be L. petauri by determining their in-silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values using pairwise comparisons of their whole-genome sequences and the genomes of the type strains. The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates by the disk diffusion method revealed resistance to tylosin, gentamicin, apramycin, neomycin, amikacin, ampicillin, and florfenicol. We attributed the reproductive loss in this lemur to placental and fetal infection by L. petauri.

Navigating the Third Space: Hybridity and Cultural Identity in Selma Dabbagh’s Novel Out of It (2011)

من خلال التركيز على مفهوم "الفضاء الثالث" لهومي بابا كما ورد في كتاب The Location of Culture (1994)، يسعى هذا البحث إلى استكشاف كيفية مساهمة إطار الفضاء الثالث في فهم تعقيدات تشكيل الهوية في السياقات ما بعد الاستعمارية والشتات، وذلك بالتركيز على رواية "غزة تحت الجلد" لسلمى الدباغ (2011). باستخدام مفهوم بابا للفضاء الثالث كمنطقة تحويلية للتداخل الثقافي والتفاوض، يُبرز هذا البحث أهمية قضايا الهوية، وخاصة الهوية الهجينة. من خلال تحليل الشخصيتين الرئيسيتين، رشيد وإيمان مجاهد، كتمثيلات للتَّهجين الثقافي في رواية دباغ، يتفحص هذا البحث كيفية تنقلهم بين التراث الفلسطيني والثقافة الغربية عبر قراءة متعمقة للنص. وتُظهر النتائج أن تجارب الشتات لرشيد ونشاط إيمان يميزان الفضاء الثالث بقوة كونه مساحة تمكينية، حيث يعيد الشخصيات تشكيل هوياتهم، وأيضًا كمساحة اغتراب بسبب سوء الفهم الثقافي والاختزال. في النهاية، تصور الرواية الهوية كشيء مرن، يتشكل بفعل التفاعل المستمر بين التأثيرات الثقافية والعائلية والاجتماعية السياسية. ويجادل هذا البحث بأن إطار الفضاء الثالث يمثل تصورًا قيمًا لدراسة الهوية كأيديولوجية متغيرة باستمرار في قصص الهوية العالمية والشتاتية، حيث يُعيد الشخصيات تصور هوياتهم المفروضة في مواجهة الحدود المكانية والثقافية.

Devosia alba sp. nov., a potential nitrite-reducing bacterium isolated from a mudflat.

A Gram-stain-negative, obligately aerobic, motile with polar and lateral flagella and rod-shaped bacterium (1.0-1.5μm long, 0.4-0.6μm wide), designated RY10T, was isolated from a mudflat in Zhejiang province, China. Strain RY10T grew at 15-37°C (optimum 25°C) and pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum 7.0) and in the presence of 0-4.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0-3.0%). Chemotaxonomic analysis indicated that the major respiratory quinone was Q-10, the dominant cellular fatty acids were C16:0, C18:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c), and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unknown phosphoglycolipids and two unknown aminolipids. The DNA G + C content of strain RY10T was 62.3% based on its genomic sequence. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RY10T formed a distinct lineage within the clade of the genus Devosia. Strain RY10T also exhibit low digital DNA-DNA hybridization (< 70%) and average nucleotide identity values (< 95%) with other Devosia species. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic characterization, strain RY10T is considered to represent a novel species of genus Devosia, for which the name Devosia alba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RY10T (= MCCC 1K03748T = KCTC 72161T).

Campylobacter molothri sp. nov. isolated from wild birds.

Twenty-nine hippuricase-positive Campylobacter strains were isolated from wild birds and river water. Previous characterization using atpA typing indicated that these strains were related to Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli but were most similar to three recently described hippuricase-positive Campylobacter species recovered from zebra finches, i.e. C. aviculae, C. estrildidarum and C. taeniopygiae. Phylogenetic analyses using 330 core genes placed the 29 strains into a clade well separated from the other Campylobacter taxa, indicating that these strains represent a novel Campylobacter species. Pairwise digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values were below 70 and 95 %, respectively, thus providing further supporting evidence of a novel taxon. Standard phenotypic testing was performed. All strains are microaerobic or anaerobic, motile, Gram-negative, spiral cells that are oxidase, catalase and nitrate reductase positive, but urease negative. Genomic analyses indicate that the 29 strains can potentially synthesize very few amino acids de novo and are auxotrophic for many amino acids and cofactors, similar to the species composing the Campylobacter lari group. In addition, these strains encode complete Entner-Doudoroff and Leloir pathways, suggesting that they may possess the ability to utilize both glucose and galactose; these pathways were also identified in the genomes of the zebra finch-associated taxa. The data presented here show that these strains represent a novel species within Campylobacter, for which the name Campylobacter molothri sp. nov. (type strain RM10537T=LMG 32306T=CCUG 75331T) is proposed.