Politics and the Representation of Women in the Nibelungenlied

Dieser Artikel überprüft die Art und Weise, wie die weiblichen Figuren im Nibelungenlied dargestellt sind. Sie sind in zwei Gruppen unterteilt: die traditionellen Frauen, welche ihre sozial festgelegte Stellung akzeptieren und die Manner unterstützen; und die Frauen, welche gegen diese Tradition rebellieren und versuchen, ein Teil der Männerwelt zu werden, und die damit die Grenzen der Tradition überschreiten. Dieser Artikel legt nahe, dass die beiden Frauengruppen im Nibelungenlied die Kirche und die Männer des Kaiserreichs repräsentieren. Die Gruppe der traditionellen Frauen repräsentiert die Kirche vor dem Ausbruch des historischen Konflikts mit dem Reich; die Gruppe der rebellierenden Frauen symbolisiert die Kirche in der Periode des fortgeschrittenen Konflikts

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Has No Effect on Power Output During Cycling in a Glycogen-reduced State

Background: The effect of mouth rinsing with a carbohydrate (CHO) solution on exercise performance is inconclusive with no benefits observed in the fed state. This study examined the effect of CHO mouth rinse or CHO ingestion on performance in 9 moderately trained male cyclists. Methods: Four trials were undertaken, separated by 7 days, in a randomized, counterbalanced design. Each trial included a 90-min glycogen-reducing exercise protocol, immediately followed by a low CHO meal and subsequent overnight fast; the following morning a 1-h cycling time trial was conducted. The trials included 15 % CHO mouth rinse (CHOR), 7.5 % CHO ingestion (CHOI), placebo mouth rinse and placebo ingestion. Solutions were provided after every 12.5 % of completed exercise: 1.5 mL · kg−1 and 0.33 mL · kg−1 body mass during ingestion and rinse trials, respectively. During rinse trials participants swirled the solution for 8 s before expectorating. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals before and during exercise. Results: Performance time was not different between trials (P = 0.21) but the 4.5-5.2 % difference between CHOI and other trials showed moderate practical significance (Cohen’s d 0.57-0.65). Power output was higher in CHOI relative to other trials (P < 0.01). There were no differences between CHOR and placebo groups for any performance variables. Plasma glucose, insulin and lactate concentrations were higher in CHOI relative to other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In a fasted and glycogen-reduced state ingestion of a CHO solution during high-intensity exercise enhanced performance through stimulation of insulin-mediated glucose uptake. The CHO mouth rinsing had neither ergogenic effects nor changes in endocrine or metabolic responses relative to placebo

E-Participation – a Collaborative Approach

In late 2016 we conducted a survey with citizens in the German-speaking region. The aim of the survey was to investigate the relationship between citizens and politics and to figure the possibility of an online participation tool out. Our research is based on an online survey in which we received 155 answers from different countries, constituting that interest in politics is based on living environment, age and municipality size. The survey further showed that today's landscape of participation tools and forms is not enough for modern standards. Time as limiting factor decreases the political engagement of citizens, another restricting factor is the political-party-system. Most citizens are not able to identify themselves with only one specific political party. For some decisions they follow the one on other issues they follow the other party. Vocita is a tool developed for political issues. Based on a surveytool its target is to connect citizens to their municipalities and to create a new form of engagement. By giving the people a voice Vocita aims to democratize the political system

Effects of genetic loci associated with central obesity on adipocyte lipolysis

Objectives: Numerous genetic loci have been associated with measures of central fat accumulation, such as waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (WHRadjBMI). However the mechanisms by which genetic variations influence obesity remain largely elusive. Lipolysis is a key process for regulation of lipid storage in adipocytes, thus is implicated in obesity and its metabolic complications. Here, genetic variants at 36 WHRadjBMI-associated loci were examined for their influence on abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis. Subjects and Methods: Fasting subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were collected from 789 volunteers (587 women and 202 men, body mass index (BMI) range 17.7–62.3 kg/m2). We quantified subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis, both spontaneous and stimulated by the catecholamine isoprenaline or a cyclic AMP analogue. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and genotyping of SNPs associated with WHRadjBMI conducted. The effects on adipocyte lipolysis measures were assessed for SNPs individually and combined in a SNP score. Results: The WHRadjBMI-associated loci CMIP, PLXND1, VEGFA and ZNRF3-KREMEN1 demonstrated nominal associations with spontaneous and/or stimulated lipolysis. Candidate genes in these loci have been reported to influence NFκB-signaling, fat cell size and Wnt signalling, all of which may influence lipolysis. Significance: This report provides evidence for specific WHRadjBMI-associated loci as candidates to modulate adipocyte lipolysis. Additionally, our data suggests that genetically increased central fat accumulation is unlikely to be a major cause of altered lipolysis in abdominal adipocytes