32 research outputs found
Leitin að Fríðu Hugljúfu : söngleikurinn Matthildur í Borgarleikhúsinu í leikstjórn Bergs Þórs Ingólfssonar
No full textRakel Björk Björnsdóttir stendur á krossgötum en ritgerð þessi markar viss tímamót í lífi höfundar sem útskrifast með B.A. gráðu af leikarabraut við Listaháskóla Íslands 15. júní, 2019. Ritgerðin er nákvæm yfirferð á ferðalagi Rakelar í söngleiknum Matthildi í Borgarleikhúsinu sem er jafnframt útskriftarverkefni hennar við Listaháskólann í samstarfi við Borgarleikhúsið. Fjallað er um hvaða aðferðir og leiðir höfundur notaði til að skapa og túlka persónu Fríðu Hugljúfu, kennara Matthildar í verkinu, á trúverðugan hátt. Auk þess gerir Rakel grein fyrir uppgötvunum, áskorunum og lærdómi ferlisins. Hafsjó af þekkingu og verkfærum er hægt að tileinka sér í skapandi verkefnum en aðferðirnar sem stuðst var við, voru að stórum hluta úr smiðju leikhúsfrömuðanna Konstantin Stanislavski og Michael Chekhov.
Skiptist ritgerðin upp í fjóra meginkafla og í hverjum kafla er fjallað ýtarlega um aðferðir, nálgun, reynslu og lærdóm höfundar. Fyrst er sagt frá verkinu Matthildi. Þá tekur við kafli um rannsóknarferlið, greiningu í anda Stanislavski, baksögu Fríðu Hugljúfu og hvernig höfundur nýtir aðferðafræði Chekhov til að virkja líkamann enn frekar við persónusköpunina. Í þriðja kafla fjallar höfundur um sýningartímabilið, mikilvægi þess að varðveita orku og greinir frá aðferðum sínum til að styðja við lífræna sviðstilveru. Að lokum dregur höfundur saman lærdóm og gjafir ferlisins. Rakel heldur full tilhlökkunar af stað út í óvissu framtíðarinnar með ríkulegt veganesti úr námi sínu við Listaháskóla Íslands.
Er ég verð stór,
þá verð ég kaldur karl með sann og kýli
niður drauginn þann er hvíldi undir rúmi,
en þá verð ég stór.Rakel Björk Björnsdóttir is at a crossroads, but this thesis marks a certain turning point in the life of the author who graduates with a BA degree in Acting from The Iceland University of the Arts in June, 2019. The essay is a detailed review of Rakel's journey in The Musical Matthildur in The Reykjavík City Theatre. The performance is Rakel’s graduation project from The Iceland University of the Arts in collaboration with The Reykjavík City Theatre. The methods and ways in which the author used to create and interpret in a credible way the character of Fríða Hugljúfa, Matthildur's teacher in the play, are discussed thoroughly. In addition, Rakel explicates her discoveries in the process, the challenges she faced and the lessons learned. A repository of information, knowledge and tools can be embraced in creative projects. The author’s methods used in creating the character of Fríða Hugljúfa were largely taken from the System of Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov’s Technique.
The thesis is divided into four main chapters, and each chapter discusses in detail the author’s methods, approach and experience in the learning process. Rakel begins with an introduction of The Musical Matthildur. Following is a section that covers the research process, which includes an analysis in the spirit of Stanislavski, introduction to Fríða’s background history and the author’s utilization of Chekhov's methodology to further enhance the characterization. In the third chapter, the author discusses the importance of preserving energy in creative work and revises the methods used to support an organic stage presence during the exhibition season. Finally, Rakel summarizes the lessons learned and the valuable gifts of the journey. She cannot wait to embrace what the future holds. Come what may.
When I grow up
I will be brave enough to fight the creatures
that you have to fight beneath the bed,
each night to be a grown up
IFNβ and glatiramer acetate trigger different signaling pathways to regulate the IL-1 system in multiple sclerosis
No full textImbalance in cytokine homeostasis plays an important part in the pathogenesis of various chronic inflammatory diseases. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is present in the central nervous system, being expressed mainly in infiltrating macrophages and microglial cells. IL-1β activity is inhibited by the secreted form of IL-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1Ra) whose production is increased in patients' blood and induced in human monocytes by IFNβ and glatiramer acetate (GA)-both immunomodulators displaying similar therapeutic efficacy in MS. Because intracellular pathways are currently considered as potential therapeutic targets, identification of specific kinases used by both immunomodulators might lead to more specific therapeutic targeting. We addressed the question of intracellular pathways used by IFNβ and GA to induce sIL-1Ra in human monocytes in two recent studies. This addendum to these studies aims at discussing common pathways and different elements used by IFNβ and GA to induce sIL-1Ra in human monocytes. This pinpoints PI3Kδ activation as a requirement to induce sIL-1Ra production downstream monocyte stimulation by either IFNβ or GA. However, the immunomodulators differentially use MEK/ERK pathway to induce sIL-1Ra production in human monocytes. Together, our current studies suggest that PI3Kδ and MEK2 might represent new targets in MS therapy
HDL interfere with the binding of T cell microparticles to human monocytes to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine production
No full textBACKGROUND: Direct cellular contact with stimulated T cells is a potent mechanism that induces cytokine production in human monocytes in the absence of an infectious agent. This mechanism is likely to be relevant to T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Microparticles (MP) generated by stimulated T cells (MPT) display similar monocyte activating ability to whole T cells, isolated T cell membranes, or solubilized T cell membranes. We previously demonstrated that high-density lipoproteins (HDL) inhibited T cell contact- and MPT-induced production of IL-1beta but not of its natural inhibitor, the secreted form of IL-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1Ra).
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Labeled MPT were used to assess their interaction with monocytes and T lymphocytes by flow cytometry. Similarly, interactions of labeled HDL with monocytes and MPT were assessed by flow cytometry. In parallel, the MPT-induction of IL-1beta and sIL-1Ra production in human monocytes and the effect of HDL were assessed in cell cultures. The results show that MPT, but not MP generated by activated endothelial cells, bond monocytes to trigger cytokine production. MPT did not bind T cells. The inhibition of IL-1beta production by HDL correlated with the inhibition of MPT binding to monocytes. HDL interacted with MPT rather than with monocytes suggesting that they bound the activating factor(s) of T cell surface. Furthermore, prototypical pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF, IL-6, IL-8, CCL3 and CCL4 displayed a pattern of production induced by MPT and inhibition by HDL similar to IL-1beta, whereas the production of CCL2, like that of sIL-1Ra, was not inhibited by HDL.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: HDL inhibit both MPT binding to monocytes and the MPT-induced production of some but not all cytokines, shedding new light on the mechanism by which HDL display their anti-inflammatory functions
Interleukin-1β production in human monocytes/macrophages is differentially regulated by MEK1 upon sterile and infectious inflammatory conditions
No full textDeregulation of the production of IL-1 and its natural inhibitor, the secreted form of IL-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1Ra), plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Relevant to the latter conditions direct cellular contact with stimulated T cells potently triggers cytokine production in human monocytes. Identification of signal transduction pathways specific to pathogenic induction of cytokines may lead to new therapeutic approaches. Two different stimuli were compared to investigate the implication of MEK1 and MEK2 in the control of IL-1 and sIL-1Ra production by human monocytes: (i) soluble extracts of plasma membranes from stimulated T cells (CEsHUT), mimicking cellular contact with T cells, i.e., chronic/sterile inflammatory conditions; and (ii) LPS that is relevant to infectious inflammation. The ATP-noncompetitive MEK1/2 (U0126) and MEK1 (PD98059) specific inhibitors diminished the expression (protein and mRNA) of IL-1 in CEsHUT-activated monocytes. In contrast, only the concomitant inhibition of MEK1 and MEK2 inhibited IL-1 production in LPS-activated monocytes, whereas the inhibition of MEK1 only did not affect IL-1 production. In CEsHUT- and LPS-activated monocytes, MEK1 inhibition slightly affected sIL-1Ra production that was significantly inhibited by U0126. These results suggest that MEK1 and MEK2 are differentially involved in the regulation of the IL-1 system upon chronic/sterile and infectious inflammatory conditions. MEK1 which is dispensable to IL-1 production in LPS-activated monocytes represents a potential therapeutic target whose inhibition could participate in the restoration of IL-1/sIL-1Ra balance in chronic/sterile inflammation without affecting regular responses to pathogens
Children in Motion: Everyday Life Across Two Homes
No full textOnce a week, almost one in ten Swedish children moves between two homes, replacing the routines and practices of one household with those of another. They are children in dual residence arrangements, dividing their time equally between two households after parental separation. Being on the move physically, as well as emotionally and relationally, is a part of their everyday lives. In this chapter, the author addresses children’s perspectives on living their everyday lives in two households and belonging to two homes and how they make sense of regularly shifting between different locations and (perhaps) contrasting family practices, rules and routines. Children’s accounts reveal how moving becomes a routine everyday practice, yet the regular change is perceived differently by different children. While highly valued by some, others find it difficult to handle the emotional stress of constantly leaving one parent behind, or the practical juggling of packing and moving. In the children’s accounts, they reveal how they take part in shaping their dual family lives, post-separation. The chapter draws on qualitative interviews with 20 children and young people living in dual residence arrangements. By using family practices as the analytical focus when analysing children’s accounts, the aim is to understand how everyday life is shaped by mobility. It is argued that the practices associated with dual residence are deeply embedded in physical, emotional and relational dimensions of mobility
Cultural Aspects of Translation: The Foreignizing Method. An Introduction to the Translation of Laila Lalami’s Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits
No full textThis essay is based on my translation of Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits and introduces the author, Moroccan born and raised Laila Lalami, as a writer who has chosen to write in English about her own cultural background, identifying important themes and cultural markers in her novel. I position myself within the context of cultural translation and explain the challenges faced in the translation process. Lalami’s novel gives a vivid picture of Morocco that I wanted to capture in my translation. Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 1999 and its cultural environment is of diverse Arabic culture, language and Islamic faith, as well as of Spanish and French culture due to their former colonial rule. French rule ended in 1956 when Morocco regained its independence, but French is still the primary language of government, business and politics and it is the language of power in North Africa. However, the two official languages in Morocco, Berber and Arabic, are the languages of daily communication.
In this essay I consider Lalami’s decision to write the novel in a third language but about Morocco as signifying her valorization of her own subaltern culture, which is the key to my approach to the translation. In the introduction to my translation I demonstrate how Moroccan culture is permeated or controlled by the Islamic religion. I discuss cultural translation, the diverse approaches and different views, and how my theoretical approach to the translation of Hope and Other Pursuits adopts the standpoint of cultural theories that became prevalent in the 1990s and affected translation theories.
I view the process of translation, which has moved from linguistic theories towards preoccupation with cultural transference, forming a common ground for other disciplines within the studies of culture. I clarify how the main consideration is the translator’s selection of procedure in accordance with the genre of the text and purpose of the translation. I point out how Lalami stresses the importance of Arabic culture to the reader, and consequently how I find it important to keep cultural references in the translation. I want to keep the foreignness of the original text’s culture in the translated text, and what I understand to be the most relevant for the author to mediate across the border of language and culture. I find that Lalami’s Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits cuts deep into Moroccan culture and the reader’s experience is intensified with culturally loaded markers
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Cultural Aspects of Translation: The Foreignizing Method. An Introduction to the Translation of Laila Lalami’s Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits
No full textThis essay is based on my translation of Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits and introduces the author, Moroccan born and raised Laila Lalami, as a writer who has chosen to write in English about her own cultural background, identifying important themes and cultural markers in her novel. I position myself within the context of cultural translation and explain the challenges faced in the translation process. Lalami’s novel gives a vivid picture of Morocco that I wanted to capture in my translation. Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 1999 and its cultural environment is of diverse Arabic culture, language and Islamic faith, as well as of Spanish and French culture due to their former colonial rule. French rule ended in 1956 when Morocco regained its independence, but French is still the primary language of government, business and politics and it is the language of power in North Africa. However, the two official languages in Morocco, Berber and Arabic, are the languages of daily communication.
In this essay I consider Lalami’s decision to write the novel in a third language but about Morocco as signifying her valorization of her own subaltern culture, which is the key to my approach to the translation. In the introduction to my translation I demonstrate how Moroccan culture is permeated or controlled by the Islamic religion. I discuss cultural translation, the diverse approaches and different views, and how my theoretical approach to the translation of Hope and Other Pursuits adopts the standpoint of cultural theories that became prevalent in the 1990s and affected translation theories.
I view the process of translation, which has moved from linguistic theories towards preoccupation with cultural transference, forming a common ground for other disciplines within the studies of culture. I clarify how the main consideration is the translator’s selection of procedure in accordance with the genre of the text and purpose of the translation. I point out how Lalami stresses the importance of Arabic culture to the reader, and consequently how I find it important to keep cultural references in the translation. I want to keep the foreignness of the original text’s culture in the translated text, and what I understand to be the most relevant for the author to mediate across the border of language and culture. I find that Lalami’s Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits cuts deep into Moroccan culture and the reader’s experience is intensified with culturally loaded markers
Neysluhyggja mannkynsins stofnar jörðinni í voða: Þróun menningar í ljósi tækniþróunar
No full textÍ þessum skrifum mun höfundur spreyta sig á að útskýra hvernig menning mannkynsins hefur um tímans rás haft áhrif á jörðina. Með afleiddum eiginleikum tókst mannkyninu að dreifa sér um jörð alla og náði að lokum völdum yfir henni. Þróun menningar tók á rás fljótt í þróunarsögu mannkynsins en gífurlegar breytingar hafa átt sér stað á síðustu áratugum. Sögulegar framfarir einkenna þessar breytingar. Meðal þessara framfara spilar iðnbyltingin lykilhlutverk. Með tilkomu byltingarinnar áttu miklar framfarir sér stað hvað varðar tækniþróun. Stuðst verður við hugmyndafræði mannfræðingsins Leslie White en hann varpar ljósi á að tæknin drífur menningu áfram og þá helst í formi orkubeislunar. Út frá þessari umræðu verður leitt fyrir sjónir hvernig mannkynið nýtir umhverfið sér í hag og hvernig sú nýting hefur umfangsmiklar afleiðingar á vistkerfi jarðar og lífríki hennar. Niðurstöður skrifanna eru þær að mannkynið er í raun að skemma jörðina með menningu sinni og að þróun menningar er nátengd tækniþróun.
Lykilorð: Menning, þróun, tækni, orka, loftslagsbreytingarIn this thesis the author will try to exhibit how the human culture has in the stream of time affected planet earth. With unique genetic traits humans were able to spread throughout the earth and eventually gain control over it. Early in human history culture started evolving but tremendous changes took place in more recent decades. Historical progress characterized these changes. The industrial revolution plays a key role among these changes. With the advent of the revolution, major advances took place regarding technological development. References will be made to the ideology of the anthropologist Leslie White. He illuminates that culture is driven by technology – preferably in the form of how humanity harness energy. From this discussion the author will illuminate how humanity exploits the environment to its advantage and how this exploitation has consequences for the earth´s ecosystem and on all living organisms that live within it. The conclusions in this thesis are that humanity is destroying planet earth with its culture and that the evolution of culture is closely related to technological development.
Key words: Culture, evolution, technology, energy, climate chang
A novel MEK2/PI3Kδ pathway controls the expression of IL-1 receptor antagonist in IFN-β-activated human monocytes
No full textAbstract
sIL-1Ra production induced by IFN-β in human monocytes requires the activation of MEK2 upstream of PI3Kδ, MEK1, and ERK1/2 activation being dispensable.
IFN-β and sIL-1Ra play crucial roles in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammation. IFN-β, which is widely used to improve the course of relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis, induces the production of sIL-1Ra in human monocytes through mechanisms that remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified PI3Kδ and MEK2 as key elements that control sIL-1Ra production in isolated human monocytes activated by IFN-β. Blockade of MEK2, but not of MEK1, by inhibitors and siRNA prevented IFN-β-induced PI3Kδ recruitment to the membrane, Akt phosphorylation, and sIL-1Ra production, suggesting that MEK2 acted upstream of PI3Kδ. Furthermore, ERK1/2, the only identified substrates of MEK1/2 to date, are dispensable for sIL-1Ra production in response to IFN-β stimulation. Upon IFN-β activation, MEK2 and PI3Kδ are translocated to monocyte membranes. These data suggest that MEK1 and MEK2 display different, nonredundant functions in IFN-β signaling. That neither MEK1 nor ERK1/2 play a part in this mechanism is also an unexpected finding that gives rise to a better understanding of the MAPK signaling network. Together, these findings demonstrate that IFN-β triggers an atypical MEK2/PI3Kδ signaling cascade to regulate sIL-1Ra expression in monocytes. The premise that MEK1 and MEK2 play a part in the induction of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-1β in human monocytes provides a rationale for an alternative, IFN-β-mediated pathway to induce/enhance sIL-1Ra production and thus, to dampen inflammation.</jats:p
Optimal combinations of acute phase proteins for detecting infectious disease in pigs
No full textPeer reviewe
