Beyond the either/or?! : Literatur über Hermaphroditismus am Beispiel von Ulrike Draesners Roman "Mitgift" (2002)

Hermaphroditismus stellt einen in der wissenschaftlichen Praxis kontroversiell diskutierten Gegenstand dar. Während die Medizin Hermaphroditismus als Aberration wertet, der therapeutisch im Sinne einer geschlechtlichen Vereindeutigung entgegengewirkt werden muss, feiert die poststrukturalistische Theoriebildung Hermaphroditen als Phänomen der Grenzüberschreitung und Sinnbild der Auflösung starrer (Geschlechter-)Dichotomien. Der Literatur kommt in diesem Sinne eine re-integrierende Funktion zu: Im Sinne eines Interdiskurses werden Elemente verschiedener Diskurse um das Thema aufgenommen und kritisch beleuchtet. Ziel des folgenden Beitrages ist es, mittels einer exemplarischen Lektüre von Ulrike Draesners Roman "Mitgift" aus dem Jahre 2002 zu zeigen, auf welche Weise das Thema des Hermaphroditismus in der Literatur des 21. Jahrhunderts verhandelt wird. Hauptaugenmerk der Lektüre soll dabei auf die narrative Konstitution des hermaphroditischen Körpers gelegt werden

Klone zwischen den Geschlechtern

— Wir experimentieren gerade mit geschlechtslosen Mäusen. Ob es andere Kräfte freisetzt, wenn man das Geschlecht wegnimmt. […]— Wäre doch schade, kein Geschlecht!— Nicht für alle, murmelte Ralph.— Und wie bekommt ihr das hin, ich meine, alle Säuger sind doch entweder xx weiblich oder xy männlich. – Keineswegs. Es gibt auch jede Menge natürlicher Mischformen […]. Schon mal was von (ermaphroditen gehört? […]— Aber weswegen probiert ihr das aus?— Du bist doch sonst ein schlaues Bürsch..

The effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cells in a middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model depends on their engraftment rate

Background: In the field of experimental stem cell therapy, intra-arterial (IA) delivery yields the best results concerning, for example, migrated cell number at the targeted site. However, IA application also appears to be associated with increased mortality rates and infarction. Since many rodent studies systemically apply 1 × 106 cells, this could also be a consequence of engrafted cell number. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of different doses of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) on engraftment rates and stroke outcome measured in vivo using 9.4-T high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 43) underwent a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) for 45 or 90 min, followed by IA delivery of either saline or 1 × 106, 3 × 105, or 5 × 104 ASCs pre-labelled with very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOPs). MRI (9.4-T) analysis was performed 48 h and 9 days post-MCAo. Lesion volumes were assessed by analysis of T2-weighted images and cell signal tracking showing cell engraftment and active cell migration by an improved T2*-analysis. Results: The ASC-derived signal intensity increased in the affected hemisphere 48 h post MCAo with injected cell number (p < 0.05). The analysis of stroke volumes revealed an increased infarction after injection of 1 × 106 ASCs compared to controls or application of 5 × 104 ASCs (p < 0.05). At 9 days post-MCAo, injection of 3 × 105 ASCs resulted in reduced infarct volumes (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, MRI analysis revealed no changes in cell numbers between both MRI examinations but showed active ASC migration to the site of infarction. Conclusion: Our results confirm that IA injection is an efficient way of targeting damaged brain tissue but its usefulness strongly depends on the right dose of delivered stem cells since this factor has a strong influence on migration rate and infarct volume, with better results for doses below 1 × 106 cells. Future challenges will include the determination of therapeutic doses for best cellular engraftment and stroke outcome

Technik und Gender

Fiktionale Darstellungen von Technik scheinen von Geschlechterstereotypen bevölkert, die Klischees bedienen und auf der Opposition traditioneller, geschlechtlich assoziierter Merkmale basieren. So verkörpert Männlichkeit das technische Prinzip, während das Weibliche der Sphäre der Natur zugeordnet ist. Doch wie stereotyp sind technische Zukunftsvisionen? Der Band nimmt die geschlechtliche Kodiertheit literarischer und filmischer Technikzukünfte in den Fokus. Die Beiträge dieses Sammelbandes betrachten jeweils differenziertere Aspekte, beispielsweise im Hinblick auf stereotype, genderspezifische Rollenzuschreibungen, die Bedeutung geschlechtlicher Identitäten in den von Technik geprägten Räumen und ihre jeweilige mediale Vermittlung, und liefern ein erstes Panoptikum zur Erschließung der Fragestellung von Gender und Technikzukünften unter spezifisch kulturwissenschaftlicher Perspektive

Antimicrobial use in pediatric oncology and hematology in Germany and Austria, 2020/2021: a cross-sectional, multi-center point-prevalence study with a multi-step qualitative adjudication process

Background Due to the high risk of severe infection among pediatric hematology and oncology patients, antimicrobial use is particularly high. With our study, we quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated, based on institutional standards and national guidelines, antimicrobial usage by employing a point-prevalence survey with a multi-step, expert panel approach. We analyzed reasons for inappropriate antimicrobial usage. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at 30 pediatric hematology and oncology centers in 2020 and 2021. Centers affiliated to the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology were invited to join, and an existing institutional standard was a prerequisite to participate. We included hematologic/oncologic inpatients under 19 years old, who had a systemic antimicrobial treatment on the day of the point prevalence survey. In addition to a one-day, point-prevalence survey, external experts individually assessed the appropriateness of each therapy. This step was followed by an expert panel adjudication based upon the participating centers’ institutional standards, as well as upon national guidelines. We analyzed antimicrobial prevalence rate, along with the rate of appropriate, inappropriate, and indeterminate antimicrobial therapies with regard to institutional and national guidelines. We compared the results of academic and non-academic centers, and performed a multinomial logistic regression using center- and patient-related data to identify variables that predict inappropriate therapy. Findings At the time of the study, a total of 342 patients were hospitalized at 30 hospitals, of whom 320 were included for the calculation of the antimicrobial prevalence rate. The overall antimicrobial prevalence rate was 44.4% (142/320; range 11.1–78.6%) with a median antimicrobial prevalence rate per center of 44.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 35.9–49.9). Antimicrobial prevalence rate was significantly higher (p < 0.001) at academic centers (median 50.0%; 95% CI 41.2–55.2) compared to non-academic centers (median 20.0%; 95% CI 11.0–32.4). After expert panel adjudication, 33.8% (48/142) of all therapies were labelled inappropriate based upon institutional standards, with a higher rate (47.9% [68/142]) when national guidelines were taken into consideration. The most frequent reasons for inappropriate therapy were incorrect dosage (26.2% [37/141]) and (de-)escalation/spectrum-related errors (20.6% [29/141]). Multinomial, logistic regression yielded the number of antimicrobial drugs (odds ratio, OR, 3.13, 95% CI 1.76–5.54, p < 0.001), the diagnosis febrile neutropenia (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06–0.51, p = 0.0015), and an existing pediatric antimicrobial stewardship program (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15–0.84, p = 0.019) as predictors of inappropriate therapy. Our analysis revealed no evidence of a difference between academic and non-academic centers regarding appropriate usage. Interpretation Our study revealed there to be high levels of antimicrobial usage at German and Austrian pediatric oncology and hematology centers with a significant higher number at academic centers. Incorrect dosing was shown to be the most frequent reason for inappropriate usage. Diagnosis of febrile neutropenia and antimicrobial stewardship programs were associated with a lower likelihood of inappropriate therapy. These findings suggest the importance of febrile neutropenia guidelines and guidelines compliance, as well as the need for regular antibiotic stewardship counselling at pediatric oncology and hematology centers. Funding European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Infektiologie, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Krankenhaushygiene, Stiftung Kreissparkasse Saarbrücken

Improved calibration procedures for the EM27/SUN spectrometers of the COllaborative Carbon Column Observing Network (COCCON)

In this study, an extension on the previously reported status of the COllaborative Carbon Column Observing Network\u27s (COCCON) calibration procedures incorporating refined methods is presented. COCCON is a global network of portable Bruker EM27/SUN FTIR spectrometers for deriving column-averaged atmospheric abundances of greenhouse gases. The original laboratory open-path lamp measurements for deriving the instrumental line shape (ILS) of the spectrometer from water vapour lines have been refined and extended to the secondary detector channel incorporated in the EM27/SUN spectrometer for detection of carbon monoxide (CO). The refinements encompass improved spectroscopic line lists for the relevant water lines and a revision of the laboratory pressure measurements used for the analysis of the spectra. The new results are found to be in good agreement with those reported by Frey et al. (2019) and discussed in detail. In addition, a new calibration cell for ILS measurements was designed, constructed and put into service. Spectrometers calibrated since January 2020 were tested using both methods for ILS characterization, open-path (OP) and cell measurements. We demonstrate that both methods can detect the small variations in ILS characteristics between different spectrometers, but the results of the cell method indicate a systematic bias of the OP method. Finally, a revision and extension of the COCCON network instrument-to-instrument calibration factors for XCO2, XCO and XCH4 is presented, incorporating 47 new spectrometers (of 83 in total by now). This calibration is based on the reference EM27/SUN spectrometer operated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and spectra collected by the collocated TCCON station Karlsruhe. Variations in the instrumental characteristics of the reference EM27/SUN from 2014 to 2017 were detected, probably arising from realignment and the dual-channel upgrade performed in early 2018. These variations are considered in the evaluation of the instrument-specific calibration factors in order to keep all tabulated calibration results consistent

The influence of the love-discourse on the subject-constitution of female, German speaking rap-artists

Hiphop as a globally present youth culture is traditionally male dominated. Thus, female rap artists can constitute themselves as subjects (as ›I‹) within the field of rap/hiphop only from a marginalized position. Butler (engl. 1993; dt. 1995) states that the constitution of subjects depends on one side on the acknowledgement by other persons, and on the other side on the appropriation and variation of social discourses. Especially within the highly socially coded love-discourse the relationship between subjects has been constantly scrutinized over the last hundreds of years. Hence, this article focuses on how female German speaking rappers grasp the love-discourse in their song-lyrics and explore the relation between ›I‹ and ›you‹. By a close reading of the love-lyrics published between 1998 and 2006 by six female German and Austrian rap-artists answers to the following questions are to be found: Which (historical) love-discourse is picked up by the rappers? Are the ›I‹ and the ›you‹ sexually marked? And if so, in which way? Does the relation between ›I‹ and ›you‹ strengthen or undermine the independent subject-position of the speaking ›I‹? It can be shown that the love-discourse expressed in German rap-lyrics is rather traditional, as many typical images of the traditional discourse of ›romantic love‹ prove. Both ›I‹ and ›you‹ are sexually marked in a surprisingly clear-cut way. Still, the analyses of some rare examples demonstrates the subversive potential of German rap in reference to a deconstruction of the traditional love-discourse as well as of overcome ideas of gender-identity.Hiphop as a globally present youth culture is traditionally male dominated. Thus, female rap artists can constitute themselves as subjects (as ›I‹) within the field of rap/hiphop only from a marginalized position. Butler (engl. 1993; dt. 1995) states that the constitution of subjects depends on one side on the acknowledgement by other persons, and on the other side on the appropriation and variation of social discourses. Especially within the highly socially coded love-discourse the relationship between subjects has been constantly scrutinized over the last hundreds of years. Hence, this article focuses on how female German speaking rappers grasp the love-discourse in their song-lyrics and explore the relation between ›I‹ and ›you‹. By a close reading of the love-lyrics published between 1998 and 2006 by six female German and Austrian rap-artists answers to the following questions are to be found: Which (historical) love-discourse is picked up by the rappers? Are the ›I‹ and the ›you‹ sexually marked? And if so, in which way? Does the relation between ›I‹ and ›you‹ strengthen or undermine the independent subject-position of the speaking ›I‹? It can be shown that the love-discourse expressed in German rap-lyrics is rather traditional, as many typical images of the traditional discourse of ›romantic love‹ prove. Both ›I‹ and ›you‹ are sexually marked in a surprisingly clear-cut way. Still, the analyses of some rare examples demonstrates the subversive potential of German rap in reference to a deconstruction of the traditional love-discourse as well as of overcome ideas of gender-identity

Application areas and application limitations of road restructuring according to the "shared space" concept

Aufbauend auf einer deutschlandweiten Städtebefragung sowie einer Literaturrecherche wurden insgesamt 17 nach dem "Shared Space"-Gedanken gestaltete Fallbeispiele (davon 3 Fallbeispiele aus der Schweiz) für eine weitere detaillierte Untersuchung ausgewählt. Für die weiteren Analysen wurden über einen Zeitraum von 12 Stunden Verkehrszählungen, Geschwindigkeitsmessungen sowie Videoaufnahmen durchgeführt. Die Analysen zeigen, dass Umgestaltungen nach dem "Shared Space"-Gedanken Straßen- und Platzräume mit großen Verkehrsstärken im Kfz-Längsverkehr und besonders im Fußgänger-Radfahrer-Querverkehr umfassen. Alle untersuchten Platz- und Straßenräume unterscheiden sich in ihrer Gestaltung deutlich vom angrenzenden Straßennetz. Mit den verschiedenen Möglichkeiten der verkehrsrechtlichen Ausweisung und der hier untersuchten Beschränkung der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit auf Schrittgeschwindigkeit, 20 km/h oder 30 km/h ergibt sich ein verträgliches Geschwindigkeitsniveau. In Bezug auf das Interaktionsverhalten zwischen Kraftfahrern und den Fußgängern/Radfahrern mit Querungswunsch kann festgestellt werden, dass sich der Kraftfahrer unabhängig der geltenden Vorrangregelung in den meisten Fällen zurücknimmt und dem Fußgänger/Radfahrer die Querung der Fahrbahn gewährt. Voraussetzung ist ein besonderer Überquerungsbedarf, also eine hohe Anzahl an Überquerungen in der Größenordnung von mehr als 200 querenden Fußgängern/Radfahrern in der maßgebenden Stunde. Die Analyse des Unfallgeschehens erbrachte bei insgesamt geringer Anzahl von Unfällen keine aussagekräftigen Ergebnisse bezüglich Gestaltung und straßenverkehrsrechtlicher Ausweisung. Aufbauend auf den Erkenntnissen aus diesem Forschungsvorhaben wurde ein Entwurf zur Fortschreibung der "Hinweise zu Straßenräumen mit besonderem Überquerungsbedarf " Anwendungsmöglichkeiten des 'Shared Space'-Gedankens" (H SBÜ 2011) erarbeitet, der in Kürze veröffentlicht werden soll.Based on a German countrywide city-survey, as well as on literature investigation, a total of 17 "Shared Space" case-studies (of which three from Switzerland) were selected for detailed investigation. Further analyses comprise traffic counts, speed measurements, and video recordings over a period of 12 hours. According to the analysis, "Shared Space" restructuring includes road spaces and areas with heavy traffic volumes in longitudinal car traffic, and especially pedestrian-cyclist-cross traffic. The design of all investigated areas and road spaces differs significantly from the adjacent road network. The various options of legal traffic identification and the investigated allowed maximum speed, restricted to walking speed 20 km/h or 30 km/h, result in an acceptable speed level. In terms of interaction between drivers and pedestrians/cyclists wishing to cross, in most cases and regardless the applicable priority rules, the motorist grants the crossing of the road to the pedestrian/cyclist. This requires a special crossing demand, which is a high number of crossings of more than 200 crossing pedestrians/cyclists during the decisive hour. Considering the overall low number of accidents, the accident-analysis did not yield meaningful results with respect to design and legal traffic identification. Based on the findings of this research project, a "Notes on street spaces with special crossing needs " application possibilities of the 'Shared Space' concept" (H SBÜ 2011) has been worked out, which will be published shortly