In preparation for performance, an actor must develop an understanding for the character they portray. A character must be thoroughly researched to adequately enrich the performance of the actor. In preparation for the role of the "Soldier" in the production, Sunday in the Park with George, it is important to examine the evolution of the "Braggart Soldier" archetypal character throughout the historical literary canon. It is also of equal importance to study an author's canon of literature to acknowledge the reoccurring use of similar archetypal characters in order to successfully interpret the intentions of the author. This thesis paper will be divided into four main sections. First, research of the evolution of the "Braggart Soldier" archetypal character from Greek Theater to Contemporary Theater will help to define the character type. Second, historical production research associated with the musical's creation will also provide a deeper insight into the musical's inception. Sunday in the Park with George was based on the painting A Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Furthermore, a specific focus will be placed on the painting's creation, the background of the Soldier's inclusion in the painting, the musical's collaborative process, and critical responses of the original production. Third, research of four other Stephen Sondheim shows in which similar archetypal characters appear will demonstrate the author's utilization of the character type. The characters referenced from Sondheim's shows will be: Miles Gloriosus from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Carl Magnus from A Little Night Music; The Princes from Into the Woods; and John Wilkes Booth from Assassins. By studying the scripts and scores of each of these shows, a pattern of character traits will be revealed to enlighten the actor's preparation for the role of the "Soldier" in Sunday in the Park with George. Lastly, an understanding of the musical's overall structure and themes helps to further define the characterization revealed from script and score analysis. This thesis project will contribute to the pre-existing canon of musical theatre research but will also provide insight to non-musical actors who are researching similar archetypal characters. Musical theatre performers who are preparing for Stephen Sondheim shows can apply this research to help understand the role of this archetypal character in the context of each show.

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The global demand for animal proteins is projected to rise by 14% by 2030, amplifying the environmental toll of conventional animal-based protein production. Cultivated meat technology can alleviate the growing demand for protein and address the environmental and ethical concerns associated with conventional livestock farming. However, it faces a critical challenge: the high cost of cell culture media, primarily due to the use of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). Substituting serum with protein hydrolysates reduces the production expense of cultivated meat products and promotes establishing a sustainable food system. This study explores black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as an emerging ethical and cost-effective alternative protein source to replace serum in media, particularly for cultivated meat production. The development of BSFL protein isolate involved defatting the larva, followed by protein extraction. The protein isolate was then hydrolyzed using an enzyme to produce BSFL hydrolysates. The goal was to supplement the protein isolate and hydrolysates with a serum-free media (B8) and determine their efficacy in replacing the 20% serum requirement for the cell culture of Bovine Satellite Cells. The BSFL protein isolate developed had a crude protein content of 80.42% and an amino acid composition conducive to cell proliferation. Experimental concentrations, ranging from 0.006 mg/ml for hydrolysate to 0.06 mg/ml for protein isolate, exhibited enhanced cell growth. Data from dsDNA quantification revealed no significant difference in growth between cells fed serum-containing growth media (BSC-GM) and BSFL protein hydrolysate (BSFLH_1h) over a short-term study. Results from the multi-passage growth study revealed that BSFLH_1h significantly improved cell growth compared to B8 over 4 passages. However, its doubling time was slower than BSC-GM. Additionally, it was observed that the protein isolate and hydrolysate were cytotoxic at higher concentrations. In the future, identifying and removing the cytotoxic compounds can further optimize the media composition. Immunostaining using Pax7 and DAPI identified supplemented media-maintained satellite cell identity of Bovine satellite cells, offering crucial insights into cellular proliferation. Furthermore, since each cell type requires varying serum and nutrients, testing these isolates and hydrolysates on different cell lines can provide better insight into creating a universal serum-free media. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / The global demand for animal proteins is projected to rise by 14% by 2030, amplifying the environmental toll of conventional animal-based protein production. Meat, dairy, aquaculture, and eggs significantly contribute to food-related emissions and occupy a vast portion of global farmland. Cultivated meat production can alleviate the growing demand for protein and address the environmental and ethical concerns associated with conventional livestock farming. Currently, the production of cultivated meat faces a significant hurdle: the high cost of culture media, primarily attributed to the use of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). Substituting serum with protein isolates or hydrolysates reduce the production expense of cultivated meat products and promotes a sustainable food system. Protein isolate and hydrolysates derived from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) are rich in protein and essential amino acids and can be used as a cost-effective alternative to serum in cell culture media. The protein isolate and hydrolysates derived from BSFL were tested as supplements to a serum-free media (B8) to evaluate their effectiveness in supporting the growth of Bovine Satellite Cells. The protein hydrolysate demonstrated enhanced cell growth at experimental concentrations. However, it could not completely replace serum requirements without slowing cell growth. Despite challenges such as cytotoxicity at higher concentrations, our study suggests that further refinements and application on various cell types can assist in creating a sustainable and affordable serum-free media for cultivated meat production.

<p>Most critical studies of Ford are largely general in nature, mainly because of the comprehensive, 'pioneering' positions critics have tended to adopt in order to show that Ford is indeed worthy of our attention. As a result, the major novels and romances --the three volumes of Fifth Queen (1906, 1907, 1908), The Good Soldier (1915), and the four volumes of Parade's End (1924, 1925, 1926, 1928) --still need the kind of close, textual analysis that would demonstrate their value as subtle and intricate works of art. In this study, I have attempted to provide a detailed examination of these works.</p> <p>Perceiving an additional 'flaw' in most evaluations of these fictions, whereby form and content are discussed as separate entities, I have focused, instead, on the "rhetoric" of the novels --on the ways in which we are made to see Ford's fictional worlds. Seen through the perspectives afforded by Scharer's "Technique as Discovery", Booth's The Rhetoric of Fiction and Lodge's Language of Fiction, this theoretical framework is discussed in the opening chapter. By focusing upon rhetoric as being an integral part of the process by which we are moved to a unique view of experience, I try to illuminate some of the "enigmas" surrounding the selected fictions, as well as counter many of the negative criticisms that have hitherto appeared.</p> <p>In my chapter on Fifth Queen, I argue that the rhetoric Ford there employs is designed to fully explore the romance form. By focusing upon the range of effects in the trilogy, we see that, contrary to its general reputation, Fifth Queen is not a structure without unity, but a unified "song" of the romance heroine who seeks to give a shape to experience through a faith in something outside the self. The other characters in the trilogy fail to respond to Katherine's qualities, and the rhetorical effects Ford employs bring out their failings and Katherine's triumph of selfhood. These failings are especially noticeable in Henry VIII who is incapable of the kind of love which would take him beyond his own limitations. In many ways, ·the contrast between Henry's imprisonment in his "passions" and "prides", and Katherine's freedom through a love for something outside the self, is a pattern repeated throughout Ford's work.</p> <p>Any consideration of the rhetoric of The Good Soldier must deal with the narrator Ford uses to tell his "Tale of Passion". I show how the values or norms we are made to see as of importance in the novel are precisely those which help the narrator tell his tale. This is particularly true of the most important value, passion. Passion enables Dowell, as faith does Katherine, to transcend the self in order to escape its constraints; as a consequence, he can see things from another point of view. It also allows him to give experience a form, and, through this creative act, he finds a degree of self-awareness and freedom. Passion is the value he comes to see as being the sentiment that Edward Ashburnham tried hardest to express. It is the sentiment that Leonora fails to understand. However, Dowell does understand passion and the "affair" as a whole; as a result, he comes to align himself with the "passionate" who are destroyed by a "garrison" mentality that denies anything exceptional in life.</p> <p>Passion is also the subject of Parade's End, and the value which lies behind its telling. Approaching the novel through its rhetoric, I show how the tetralogy is a unified work, of which the much maligned fourth volume, The Last Post, is an integral part. The sequence of volumes is structured in such a way that it explores various kinds of passion: those that are destructive and imprison the characters involved, and those that are creative and are seen as a source of life. We, as readers, experience these passions, and the shaping of our experience depends upon Ford's successful handling of his medium--especially his use of character, point of view, juxtaposition, language, time and setting. I analyses these aspects of the novel's rhetoric by tracing them through the entire fabric of the tetralogy. There emerges an excellent depiction of passion which is the equal of The Good Soldier.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

承襲清末地方軍事主義與西方條約特權體系脈絡，加以民初軍閥亂政影響，民國時期的中國社會逐漸出現兩種類型的特權人物：一個是手握槍桿子的「丘八爺」，另一個則是同時操持著條約與砲艦的「洋大人」。 「丘八爺」是軍閥割據與頻繁內戰的產物。數以百萬計的「丘八爺」平素身著戎裝，打著軍人名義，動輒打打殺殺，作戰失敗或軍隊欠餉時，即譁變作亂，化為草莽土匪，到處打家劫舍。但遇軍閥招安，則又由匪轉兵，形成兵、匪間的惡性循環。雖然嚴格說來兵、匪之間不無差異，但是民國以來，尤其北京政府時期，「丘八爺」往往以兵、匪不分的兵匪面目，烙印在一般人的印象中。 另一方面，歐美國家自清末挾帶條約體系與船堅砲利來到中國之後，經由一連串戰爭，透過砲艦外交模式教導中國人：條約必須遵守、外人生命財產安全必須獲得保障。歐美國家常設性駐華外交、領事機構，則是扮演關鍵性的角色，手持上帝之鞭，多年來宣傳、馴化中國政府與中國人。如此，中國逐漸從抗拒、反彈，到接受西方權威，承認外國人在華的地位不容輕蔑與挑戰。「洋大人」的權威形象，由此在中國樹立起來。 理論上，「丘八爺」為禍雖大，百姓亦深以為苦，但畢竟是中國內政問題，與外交事務無涉。可是，清末以來，隨著大批洋人進入中國內陸通商、傳教與居住、外國資金流入中國市場、外國軍艦巡弋重要內河、外國領事機構與軍隊駐紮各通商要衢，條約特權體制進一步內化為中國權勢結構的一部份。當數量龐大、散佈全國的「丘八爺」，與深入中國內陸的「洋大人」頻繁接觸，「丘八爺」將魔爪伸向「洋大人」之後，也就變成嚴重的外交問題。 歐戰後的東亞秩序，歷經巴黎和會、華盛頓會議的凝聚共識，歐美列強（包括日本）逐漸形成一個觀念：將美國對華政策擴大為各國對華政策，也就是放棄原先帝國主義競爭、權力均勢的模式，改以「門戶開放政策」作為處理中國事務的中心指標。與此同時，經過馬列主義、無產階級革命洗禮的蘇聯，也重新回到中國：一方面利用放棄在華特權博取中國同情，另一方面以打倒歐美帝國主義為口號，大肆宣傳民族主義式理念。列強任何強硬的舉動，常被布爾什維克宣傳家渲染為帝國主義侵華鐵證，激發更強大的反帝浪潮。在這樣的國際場景之下，當「丘八爺」遇上了「洋大人」，會發生什麼問題？當「丘八爺」以打、殺、搶、綁等各種暴力形式，一再挑釁「洋大人」威嚴，甚至任意污衊指為「洋鬼子」時，「洋大人」該如何應付？蘇聯宣傳家環伺在側、伺機扯後腿的情況下，「洋大人」是否還能重施故技，以帝國主義的老路子—砲艦外交來施以懲罰？另謀他法？抑或默認中國現狀的發展？ 此外，1920年代前後，中國軍閥割據、南北對立逐漸發展到高峰，北京政府對外雖有中央之名、對內則無約束地方之實力。面對如此威信不足、欲振乏力的北京政府，以及地方分裂割據的現狀，「洋大人」顯然無法經由「代理人機制」，透過北京政府有效地制約地方問題。 因此，1920年代上半期，當意氣風發、趾高氣昂的「丘八爺」，遇上了受到外在與內部多重制約、看似有些跛腳的「洋大人」，勢必會產生許多值得深入討論、分析的有趣問題。 其次，當我們回顧以往被定位為帝國主義侵華—國賊賣國史的北洋外交史，面對民族主義史觀與俯拾皆是的情緒性指責字眼，是否應該嘗試以新的理解取代原先的敵意，重新建構不同視野的北洋外交史？處於中國軍閥主義高漲的1920年代上半期，體現中國內政不安因子、大肆肆虐中國社會各個角落的「丘八爺」現象，與「洋大人」之間的互動，及其衍生出的種種外交交涉，乃是當時最常見的外交與內政問題。但是囿於傳統民族主義史觀，外交史家往往只著重關係國家民族大義的重大外交事件，以及國際會議層次，屬於政府高層官方外交(high diplomacy)往來交涉模式。對於發生於社會下層，一些名不見經傳的「丘八爺」與「洋大人」衝突問題，外交史家若非視而不見，即是匆匆帶過，而忽略華洋衝突背後所隱藏的重要文化意涵。究其實際，當西方列強以帝國主義強權之姿在中國樹立起條約特權體制，「洋大人」頻頻以傳教士、商人角色深入中國內陸之際，中外之間國家主權界線因此變動不居，產生許多不明確的灰色地帶。而發生在中國內部，由「丘八爺」與「洋大人」構織出的華洋衝突事件，就是徘徊在邊境與邊界之間的重要問題。一方面華洋衝突涉及到兩國之間條約權利與義務的界定，屬於官方外交層次、明確的國家主權邊界設定。另一方面，華洋衝突在本質上，同時也涉及到不同文化邂逅下的族群衝突問題，以及彼此認知、設想的民族偏見問題，如中國人心中的「洋大人形象」，與洋人心中的中國的「兵匪問題」均屬於這個層次。而在文化邊際效應的作用下，華洋勢力之間的滲透、爭執與磨合，構成中外往來的真實文化底蘊，正是當時日常生活的寫實反映。透過發生在邊境地帶的華洋衝突研究，與中外官方外交進行對話、討論，或許可以思索出與傳統相當不一樣的中外關係史。 因此，本文試圖從複雜的華洋糾葛角度，以「丘八爺」與「洋大人」的互動切入點，經由複線式歷史論述與中外不同觀點的探討，由下往上地剖析外交問題，探究當時中外重疊地帶上的北洋外交史。

The right of child victims of armed conflict to recovery and reintegration in essence is a particular exposition of the public law relationship. In this study reference is made to the theory of public subjective rights as it applies in German law to explain the relationship. Shortcomings in the theory are identified after which aspects of the Reformed Tradition are discussed to come to sound solutions. An effort is made to establish a theoretical framework in terms of which the relationship can be explained comprehensively. The conclusion is reached that particular status aspects of child victims are activated in their relationship with the State. It is only in terms of the negative and positive status aspects (which relate to the juridical destination of the State) that child victims may demand negative or positive State conduct in their favour. / Thesis (LL.M.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

The right of child victims of armed conflict to recovery and reintegration in essence is a particular exposition of the public law relationship. In this study reference is made to the theory of public subjective rights as it applies in German law to explain the relationship. Shortcomings in the theory are identified after which aspects of the Reformed Tradition are discussed to come to sound solutions. An effort is made to establish a theoretical framework in terms of which the relationship can be explained comprehensively. The conclusion is reached that particular status aspects of child victims are activated in their relationship with the State. It is only in terms of the negative and positive status aspects (which relate to the juridical destination of the State) that child victims may demand negative or positive State conduct in their favour. / Thesis (LL.M.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

Social media analysis, in feminist critical military studies, is a highly underrepresented field. Although, the world is evolving faster than ever and, within the digitalised world, different methods of representation are used to (re-)produce ideologies, signify meanings, and interpellate individuals accordingly. Militaries are making use of social media accounts as representational tools to justify their informal and formal structures. Nonetheless, these organisations are challenged to become more inclusive, more democratic, and more diverse. The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) is considered a highly heteronormative, masculine connotated, white organisation and is in the midst of transformation, too. On social media, the Bundeswehr tends to represent itself as a more inclusive, tolerant, and diverse organisation. Nonetheless, the public eyes are watching and valuing the reaction of this highly symbolic organisation when their heteronormative settings are under pressure. Opinions are shared, communities are formed, voices are being raised and simultaneously silenced. Thus, questions emerge, such as how are glimpses of inclusivity regarding gender norms and gender relations (re-)presented on the Bundeswehr’s Facebook account? How does the public engage with the posts? Who is included? Who remains hidden? Therefore, I have developed a case study in which I shall employ a mix of the methods and apply an intersectional lens to analyse glimpses of inclusivity on the Bundeswehr’s Facebook account. I argue glimpses of inclusivity have to be analysed from two perspectives. The Bundeswehr’s perspective needs to be analysed in relation to how they represent glimpses of inclusivity and how they negotiate possible tensions of inclusivity. At the same time, engagements with the posts by users in relation to glimpses of inclusivity and tensions of inclusivity are crucial to analyse, too.

The research aims to understand how female former child soldiers describe the ones who had power over them in the bush of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) to understand how patriarchal beliefs in a society affect vulnerable women. The researcher wishes to enhance the importance of working against patriarchal beliefs and stopping child abductions for the sake of young women’s empowerment. The impact of the deep-rooted problem of patriarchy should be researched concerning child soldiers since they are vulnerable and are also the future female population. How they get affected by power relations early in their lives should be examined since they are a part of the future which needs to be brought into empowerment and gender equality and not enhance the patriarchal beliefs. Therefore, the attitudes of former female child soldiers have been examined through a qualitative single case study to see how the gender gap and patriarchal beliefs mirror their experiences in the bush and could affect their empowerment. The patriarchal theory, feminist theory and empowerment theory will help analyze and discuss the findings of the data. The data was collected from stories of four female former child soldiers which were coded, memo written and interpreted. By doing this research the consequences of patriarchal beliefs are enhanced through how hidden parts of society are exposed to gender exploitation due to their vulnerability. The findings show that women’s attitudes towards the ones in power do affect to what extent they experience exploitation and gender-based violence. The result implies that women in developing patriarchal societies are having different attitudes towards empowerment. Ugandan society and other societies need help to transition out of patriarchal beliefs which could lead to potential peace and eventually develop a secure and equal society.

Den föreliggande studien undersöker om en omarbetad version av skalan Risk Perception Self (RPS) och Risk Perception Other (RPO) som Hunter (2002) vidareutvecklade från Imhoff och Levine (1981) för att mäta riskperception hos piloter, även mäter riskperception hos militär personal. Hunters skala bestod av (RPS=26, RPO=17) frågescenarier uppdelade i 2 perspektiv föreställande typiska risksituationer som piloter kan möta i sitt arbete. Skalan översattes till svenska och scenarierna anpassades till risksituationer av allmänmilitär karaktär som militärpersonal förstår och möter i sitt arbete. Den omarbetade skalan besvarades av 153 militärer, 20-66 år gamla, genomsnittsålder 32.5, 17% kvinnor. Deltagarnas erfarenhet av militär verksamhet varierade, Erfarna individer var soldater som hade genomgått grundläggande militär-, soldat- och befattningsutbildning (n=93). Noviser var soldater som hade nyligen påbörjat sin utbildning (n=60). Skalan hade god reliabilitet (Chronbach α för RPS=0.88, RPO=0,89) och Hunters skalas struktur kunde till stor del återfinnas i den omarbetade skalan. Den omarbetade riskperceptionsskalan användes därefter för att undersöka om studiedeltagarnas kunskap, erfarenhet, kön och ålder påverkar riskperceptionen och om den kontexten man befinner sig i när man besvarar frågorna påverkar deltagarnas riskuppfattning. Resultaten visade att Erfarna deltagare bedömer risker som mindre farliga. Kvinnor och äldre bedömer risker som farligare och personal tillhörande stridande förband bedömer risker som mindre farliga än personal vid stödjande förband. Dessa resultat är i huvudsak i linje med tidigare forskning vilket tyder på att den omarbetade skalan förmår att mäta riskperception bland militär personal. Generellt bedömde Noviser risker som farligare jämfört med Erfarna i underdimensionerna Självorsakade risker, Externa hot och Riskbenägna beslut oavsett vilken kontext de befann sig i när de fyllde i enkäten. / The present study investigated whether a revised version of the scale Risk Perception Self (RPS) and the Hazard Perception Other (RPO) that Hunter (2002) developed from Imhoff and Levine (1981) to measure the risk perception of pilots, also measures risk perception among military personnel. Hunters scale consisted of (RPS=26, RPO=17) scenarios divided in 2 perspectives depicting typical risk situations that pilots faced in their work. The scale was translated into Swedish and the scenarios adjusted to risk situations of general military nature as military personnel would understand and encounter in their work. The revised scale was answered by 153 servicemen, 20-66 years old, average age 32.5; 17% women. The participants' experience of military operations varied: Experienced individuals were soldiers who had undergone basic military training and specific military training (n = 93). Novices were soldiers who had recently started their training (n = 60). The scale had good reliability (Cronbach α = 0.88 for RPS, RPO = 0.89) and the factor-structure of Hunter’s scale replicated reasonably well in the revised scale. The revised risk perception scale was then used to investigate whether the study participants´ knowledge, experience, gender and age affected risk perception and if the respondents’ contexts affected the participants´ risk perception. The results showed that Experienced participants assessed risks as less dangerous. Women and older people assessed risks as more dangerous, and personnel associated with combat units assessed risks as less dangerous than personnel in supporting units. These results are generally in line with previous research and suggest that the revised scale is capable of measuring the risk perception among military personnel. An interesting result was that the context in which the participants answered the questionnaire also affected risk perception. Generally, Novices assessed risks as more dangerous than experienced in self-made hazards, external threats and risk-prone decisions regardless of what context they were in when they filled in the questionnaire.