Biological nanomaterials are defined as materials with sizes within the nanoscale range of 1 - 100 nm. The fundamental functionalities and biocompatibility of these materials can be tailored for biotechnology applications. In 1983, Ned Seeman successfully developed the first customized DNA nanostructures, Holliday junctions. Since then, the field has continued to expand rapidly and various 2D and 3D nanostructures has been designed. Although the high predictability of DNA base-pairing is essential for the design of complex DNA nanostructures, it greatly limits its functional versatility; therefore, proteins are conjugated with DNA nanostructures to compensate for that. DNA origami-protein hybrid nanostructures were introduced in 2012. However, the structural units based on DNA origami-protein hybrid nanostructures are still limited, and the majority are constructed by covalent or sequence-specific non-covalent interactions. Here we utilize the inherent, non-sequence-specific interaction between DNA and histones to present sequence-independent self-assembled DNA origami-protein hybrid nanostructures. We demonstrated using various molecular biology and imaging techniques that ssDNAs and histone proteins self-assemble into structurally well-defined complexes. We successfully assembled DNA origami–histone hybrid nanostructures using two different shapes of DNA origami: rectangular (PF-3), and rectangular with central aperture (PF-2) nanostructures. We observed precise localization of nucleosome-like histone-ssDNA nanostructures at the edge (PF-3) or the center (PF-2) of the DNA origami. In addition, we demonstrated that this DNA origami-histone interaction results in the assembly of larger DNA origami complexes, including a head-to-head type dimer and a cross-shape complex. Our results suggest the successful self-assembly of the DNA origami–histone hybrid nanostructures provide a principal structural unit for constructing higher-order nanostructures. Given the reversible nature of the geometry-based noncovalent interaction between the DNA origami and the nucleosome-like histone-ssDNA nanostructures, the self-assembly/disassembly of DNA-histones hybrid nanostructures may open new opportunities to construct stimuli-responsive DNA-protein hybrid nanostructures.

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This essay investigates why the Myth of the Holy Grail continue to occur within popular culture. Myths, tales and legends from ancient times have inspired authors throughout the centuries. The readers are not only served with a spectacular adventure, but the myths also contain messages with a moral and ethical guidance for us as beholders. This particular myth can be found within different media in our time and the essay will attempt to give some answers as to why the myth reappears in new forms over and over again. An analysis is performed by using the methodology of aesthetic reception within reception theory. The material chosen for the analysis is the work of art; The Da Vinci Code by author Dan Brown, where two different media forms will be represented, the novel and the film. The findings in the analysis revealed that the key to understanding the reasons for the occurrence of this medieval myth is the element of a quest that is present within the myth. This ingredient, where you embark on an adventure, will create feelings of excitement for the beholder. A second aspect found is that we as humans have an interest in our history. Therefore, myths and legends from our historical past will be naturally alluring for beholders and especially if they are linked to philosophical questions and ideas that can be applied to our modern society. The success that has followed The Da Vinci Code has its explanation in the fact that Brown has managed to make the myth of the Holy Grail more contemporary, the myth has then been rejuvenated. A suggestion for further research is to perform a study on beholders in focus group interviews in order to validate the findings in the analysis.

Thesis (MA (Afrikaans and Dutch))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study investigates the way in which the representation of history and of the "other" coheres with the construction of the identity of the characters in Eilande (2002) by Dan Sleigh and Pelican Bay (2002) by Nelleke Noordervliet. Initially the research contextualises the authors and their novels by means of a short biographical introduction on the two authors and their different oeuvre’s, as well as an outline of the reception history of the two chosen postcolonial novels. The theoretical background which follows, gives a review on postcolonial literature in general and, more specific, in the Netherlands and South Africa respectively. Different perspectives on representation of the history and the representation of the "other" are provided, with specific attention to the relationship between hybridity, syncretism and identity. These theoretical insights form the basis for the analysis of the two novels, where the relationships and differences between these two postcolonial texts are highlighted. The conclusion is that Eilande and Pelican Bay could be seen as, firstly postcolonial, as both novels provide criticism on the colonial order in different ways and, secondly, were published during a period which followed the colonial era. Hybridity is an important term in this study, with reference to the forming of identity of some of the prominent characters. The conclusion is that the term dynamic cultural hybridity could be used in discussions about postcolonial mixed identities. Although both novels use techniques to give a voice to voiceless marginal subjects, shortcomings in their portrayal as fully-fledged characters do, however, exist. Both novels also have as an ultimate objective to prove that it is impossible to know history and the "other" and that no one truth exists. The motif of islands which appears frequently in both novels is related to aspects like identity, exile and alienation. In conclusion it is not only apparent how strongly the different characters in the novels are formed by their socio-historical contexts, but also from the approach of the authors in their contemporary criticism on oppressing systems like the VOC and/or slavery.

This dissertation discusses the potential of the snare drum as a solo concert instrument. Four pieces from a collection entitled The Noble Snare are used for demonstration ("Homily" by Milton Babbitt, "Composed Improvisation for Snare Drum" by John Cage, "Peeping Tom" by Dan Senn, and "The Noble Snare" by Stuart Saunders Smith). In the absence of many traditional musical devices (i.e. melody and harmony), alternative means of expression are used by the composer. Each piece is discussed with regard to its distinctive compositional approach and inherent performance issues. Information is also given pertaining to the background of the Noble Snare series. This includes: the inspiration for the project, editorial issues, and its influence on snare drum performance. Much of this research was completed through interviews by with author with Sylvia Smith, publisher of The Noble Snare and owner of Smith Publications.

The purpose of this dissertation is to offer a pedagogical guide to Woodsprite and Waterbug Collection (1977) by Dan Beaty (1937-2002) through an analysis of its pedagogical values and teaching applications. This set consists of twelve short, intermediate-level pieces, featuring various contemporary idioms. Each piece is also pedagogically written to help intermediate students to refine specific pianistic techniques beyond the elementary level. In addition, Beaty's collection expands students' musical vision and musicianship for more advanced studies via the incorporation of contemporary music theory and techniques. These qualities make Woodsprite and Waterbug Collection a valuable tool for intermediate piano students. It is also useful for instructors searching for repertoire to introduce contemporary idioms. The author hopes that this study will encourage performers, teachers and scholars to consider this work and Beaty's other piano compositions. By studying Woodsprite and Waterbug Collection, students will be more appreciative of contemporary repertoire and will welcome learning similar pieces in the future.

Cette thèse se trouve au croisement de deux thématiques assez larges de l’épistémologie sociale : voyage et spatialité. Mais le champ de recherche se concentre sur la quête de la subjectivité occidentale, et sur la perception de l’espace autre au travers notamment du voyage dans le Tiers-Monde. En premier lieu, nous essayons de comprendre les raisons et les facteurs qui poussent les Occidentaux à entreprendre le voyage à la rencontre de la misère et de l’horreur du Tiers Monde. Ensuite, notre travail cherche à analyser comment la perception et l’appropriation de cette spatialité, en particulier celle de Calcutta, jadis la « seconde ville de l'Empire » britannique, se caractérisent au niveau de l’imaginaire occidental. La thèse est divisée en deux parties à la fois indépendantes et interreliées. Constituée de deux chapitres, la première tente de fournir un cadre explicatif conceptuel aux questions touchant à la problématique du voyage et de la spatialité. Le premier chapitre examine le phénomène des nouveaux tourismes qui se déploient à partir de la deuxième moitié du XXe siècle dans les pays du Tiers Monde atteints par la pauvreté extrême, l’inanition, la guerre, etc. Le pouvoir d'attraction de la spatialité postcoloniale qui se reflète dans ce phénomène touristique nous permet d'explorer, dans le chapitre suivant, la portée de la construction sociale et symbolique de l’espace au niveau de l’imaginaire social. La deuxième partie consacre deux chapitres à l’analyse des perceptions occidentales communes de Calcutta en soulignant leur oscillation entre fascination et répulsion. Le chapitre trois s’intéresse à l’émergence et à la durabilité des mythes de la ville qui illustrent cette ambivalence. Le chapitre quatre est voué à une étude comparative de deux romans populaires – Le chant de Kali (2005) de Dan Simmons et La Cité de la joie (1985) de Dominique Lapierre – qui intègrent et reflètent l’imaginaire occidental sur Calcutta. La problématique de ce chapitre ne se limite pas à la vérification du mouvement de fascination-répulsion constitutif du regard occidental sur la métropole indienne, mais elle intègre également la question du rôle de l’espace de l’Autre dans la quête occidentale de sens et de soi. / This work is at the cross-roads of two broad themes of social epistemology: travel and spatiality. The main focus of this research is the occidental subjectivity’s search for self and its perception of spatiality through Third World travel. We first analyze the reasons that motivate Westerners to encounter the misery and horror of the Third World in their travels. We next study the perception and appropriation of this spatiality in the Western imagination, particularly with reference to the Indian metropolis, Calcutta, hitherto considered the second city of the British Empire. This thesis is divided into two independent but related parts. The first part furnishes a conceptual background in order to define and explain issues pertaining to voyage and spatiality. Here, the first chapter elucidates the notion of new tourism, a late-20th century practice of travel to Third World countries ravaged by extreme poverty, war and other disasters. The attraction towards postcolonial spatiality illustrated in this phenomenon, helps us explore, in a subsequent chapter, the symbolic and social construction of space in the collective imagination. In the second part of the thesis, we discuss the ambivalence in the Westerners’ perception of Calcutta. We discuss the emergence and persistence of myths in reference to the city that illustrate the fascination-repulsion that characterize this perception. For this, we present a comparative analysis of two popular novels that reflect collective Occidental imagination : Song of Kali (1985) by Dan Simmons and La Cité de la joie (1985) by Dominique Lapierre. Through an analysis of the abovementioned texts, we reinforce, once more, the importance of the space of the Other in the occidental quest for self definition.