111 research outputs found
Literature as a place to remember : memory of the GDR in Thomas Brussigâs Am kĂŒrzeren Ende der Sonnenallee
This dissertation is concerned with the relationship between cultural memory and literature.
Focussing on the memory of the Cold War-period, the present work examines a piece of
contemporary German literature, namely Thomas Brussigâs 1999 novel Am kĂŒrzeren Ende
der Sonnenallee, and analyzes it according to three central research questions: First, how is
life in the GDR represented in Brussigâs novel? Second, what are the narrative, stylistic and
linguistic tools, motifs and themes through which this very representation is achieved? And
finally, how does the novel and its representation of the GDR contribute to the
cultural/collective memory of this specific moment in time and space?
In order to be able to conduct a well-grounded analysis of the literary object, a
thorough theoretical and methodological framework has to be established. Following Mieke
Balâs approach on cultural analysis, the cultural memory concept is discussed by taking into
consideration different perspectives and conceptualizations surrounding it, including early
theoretical approaches on collective memory as well as contemporary insights.
After taking into consideration the most important theoretical aspects of the cultural
memory concept, the interlink between memory and literature is further explored. Literature,
and fictional literature in particular, is examined as a medium of memory, and the essential
characteristics of the literary representation of memory contents are pinpointed. Finally, the
question of how literature impacts contemporary memory culture will be at the center of
interest, for these theoretical reflections guide the following literary analysis.
The second part of the dissertation is dedicated to the analysis of the literary object.
In order to be able to evaluate the novelâs contribution to memory culture, a structural
analysis as well as an analysis of the novelâs content are conducted, taking into consideration
the central plotlines, motifs and narrative techniques the novelâs representation of the GDR
is based on. The outcomes of the analysis are then brought together with the memory
concepts established in the theoretical section of the work in order to be able to assess the
interplay between cultural memory dynamics and the novelâs characteristics. Finally, the
results of the literary analysis are summarized and final conclusions regarding the novelâs
impact on memory culture are drawn
"ÂĄGuay del que duerme solo!": The Discourse of Antifeminism and the Collapse of the Narrator in Arcipreste de Talavera
No posee resumen
Woran ist AuthentizitÀt gebunden? Von der AuthentizitÀt zu den AuthentizitÀten des Denkmals
Der Beitrag will die AuthentizitĂ€t eines Denkmals als eine geistige und kulturelle Eigenschaft unterstreichen. WĂ€hrend die AuthentizitĂ€t eines Artefakts durchaus in seiner Substanz, in seiner MaterialitĂ€t in Form, Gestaltung und Funktion zu sehen ist, ist die AuthentizitĂ€t eines Denkmals in seiner entsprechenden Deutung, in der dem Artefakt zugemessenen, gesellschaftlich ausgehandelten Bedeutung zu sehen. Die in verschiedenen Disziplinen gefĂŒhrte Diskussion von AuthentizitĂ€t als einer arbitrĂ€ren Wertsetzung bestĂ€tigt die auch in der Denkmalpflege schon angedachte Erkenntnis, dass einem Objekt neben der "offiziellen" AuthentizitĂ€t der Denkmalpflege noch verschiedene weitere, auch mehr oder weniger subjektbezogene AuthentizitĂ€ten zukommen können
Intercultural aspects of online communication a comparison of mandarinâspeaking, US, Egyptian and German user preferences
This paper sums up the results of a survey conducted with four samples of website users, i.e. young urban academics from the PR of China, the United States, Egypt and Germany. The survey analyses the ways in which users from such distinctly dissimilar cultural environments view websites. The websites researched are those of global operators that either offer international services, high price utility items or technologically advanced products.
The results gained in the course of this research project demonstrate how the targeted usersâ cultural environments may impact on their preferred navigation tools, their perceived quality of web designs and on the perception and processing of the information provided online. A brief overview of the consequences which derive from this cultureâbound user behaviour for corporate communication policies conclude this paper.
First Published Online: 14 Oct 201
A Modular Converter- and Signal-Processing-Platform for Academic Research in the Field of Power Electronics
For academic research it is mandatory that the theoretical evaluation and modelling of new control methods, modulation schemes, electrical machines, power electronic topologies, etc. is validated with accurate measurements. To guarantee a high quality and high performance research it is necessary to have a modular, scalable, user-friendly, adaptable and affordable system. This allows to put the focus on the research topics themselves rather than spending a high effort on the pure implementation of the theoretical research results. The system described in this paper consists of a software environment/toolchain and a hardware platform. The hardware platform can be subdivided into a power electronics platform and a System on Chip based signal processing system. Besides the hardware platform also a user-friendly software environment/toolchain for modelbased research is developed and illustrated in this paper. This new system enables rapid-prototyping of new algorithms, hardware and topologies
Poractant alfa (CurosurfÂź) increases phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages in vivo
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clearance of apoptotic neutrophils in the lung is an essential process to limit inflammation, since they could become a pro-inflammatory stimulus themselves. The clearance is partially mediated by alveolar macrophages, which phagocytose these apoptotic cells. The phagocytosis of apoptotic immune cells by monocytes in vitro has been shown to be augmented by several constituents of pulmonary surfactant, e.g. phospholipids and hydrophobic surfactant proteins. In this study, we assessed the influence of exogenous poractant alfa (Curosurf<sup>Âź</sup>) instillation on the in vivo phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Poractant alfa (200 mg/kg) was instilled intratracheally in the lungs of three months old adult male C57/Black 6 mice, followed by apoptotic neutrophil instillation. Bronchoalveloar lavage was performed and alveolar macrophages and neutrophils were counted. Phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils was quantified by determining the number of apoptotic neutrophils per alveolar macrophages.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exogenous surfactant increased the number of alveolar macrophages engulfing apoptotic neutrophils 2.6 fold. The phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils was increased in the presence of exogenous surfactant by a 4.7 fold increase in phagocytosed apoptotic neutrophils per alveolar macrophage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that the anti-inflammatory properties of surfactant therapy may be mediated in part by increased numbers of alveolar macrophages and increased phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages.</p
Ureaplasma-driven neonatal neuroinflammation: novel insights from an ovine model
Ureaplasma species (spp.) are considered commensals of the adult genitourinary tract, but have been associated with chorioamnionitis, preterm birth, and invasive infections in neonates, including meningitis. Data on mechanisms involved in Ureaplasma-driven neuroinflammation are scarce. The present study addressed brain inflammatory responses in preterm lambs exposed to Ureaplasma parvum (UP) in utero. 7 days after intra-amniotic injection of UP (nâ=â10) or saline (nâ=â11), lambs were surgically delivered at gestational day 128â129. Expression of inflammatory markers was assessed in different brain regions using qRT-PCR and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by multiplex immunoassay. CSF was analyzed for UP presence using ureB-based real-time PCR, and MRI scans documented cerebral white matter area and cortical folding. Cerebral tissue levels of atypical chemokine receptor (ACKR) 3, caspases 1-like, 2, 7, and CâXâC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 4 mRNA, as well as CSF interleukin-8 protein concentrations were significantly increased in UP-exposed lambs. UP presence in CSF was confirmed in one animal. Cortical folding and white matter area did not differ among groups. The present study confirms a role of caspases and the transmembrane receptors ACKR3 and CXCR4 in Ureaplasma-driven neuroinflammation. Enhanced caspase 1-like, 2, and 7 expression may reflect cell death. Increased ACKR3 and CXCR4 expression has been associated with inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases and impaired bloodâbrain barrier function. According to these data and previous in vitro findings from our group, we speculate that Ureaplasma-induced caspase and receptor responses affect CNS barrier properties and thus facilitate neuroinflammation
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