Embalming, Viewing and the Social Construction of the Corpse: Time for Another Look

Embalming of the dead is more common in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Battles far from home during the Civil War with concern for contagion from dead bodies being shipped home, compelled President Lincoln to direct the troops to use embalming to allow the return of the Union dead to their homes. Viewings were common with war heroes and culminated with the viewing of Lincoln himself. In the 20th century embalming became a tradition despite substantial evidence indicating environmental and occupational hazards related to embalming fluids and carbon dioxide generated from manufacturing steel coffins before placing in concrete burial vaults. Embalming is promoted and considered helpful to the grieving process when families are comforted by a the appearance of a peaceful death. Embalmers are expected to produce an illusion of rest, an image that in some ways disguises death for the benefit of mourners. The dead are carefully displayed in a condition of liminal repose where the 'true' condition is hidden, and death is removed from the actual event. In this paper we highlight the spiritual and cultural complexities of embalming related- issues. We also provide data on the lack of grieving families’ preparedness for the financial burden associated with the death of a loved one and the lack of knowledge of alternative options. We propose an innovative process to empower people facing serious illness, and their families to make shared and informed decisions, especially when death is the expected outcome.

The Corpse: Time for Another Look A Review of the Culture of Embalming, Viewing and the Social Construction

Embalming of the dead is more common in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Battles far from home during the Civil War with concern for contagion from dead bodies being shipped home compelled President Lincoln to direct the troops to use embalming to allow the return of the Union dead to their homes. Viewings were common with war heroes and culminated with the viewing of Lincoln himself. In the 20th century embalming became a tradition despite substantial evidence indicating environmental and occupational hazards related to embalming fluids and carbon dioxide generated from manufacturing steel coffins before placing in concrete burial vaults. Embalming is promoted and considered helpful to the grieving process. Embalmers are expected to produce an illusion of rest, an image that in some ways disguises death for the benefit of mourners. The dead are carefully displayed in a condition of liminal repose where the ‘true’ condition is hidden, and death is removed from the actual event. In this paper we highlight the spiritual and cultural complexities of embalming related issues. We propose an innovative process to empower people facing serious illness, and their families to make shared and informed decisions, especially when death is an expected outcome.

Full Well Corrosion Insight – Case Studies in the Added Value of Electromagnetic Thickness Measurements During Well Interventions

Monitoring pipe corrosion is one of the critical aspects in the well intervention. Such analysis is used to evaluate and justify any remedial actions, to prolong the longevity of the well. Typical corrosion evaluation methods of tubulars consist of multifinger caliper tools that provide high-resolution measurements of the internal condition of the pipe. Routinely, this data is then analyzed and interpreted with respect to the manufacture's nominal specification for each tubular. However, this requires assumptions on the outer diameter of the tubular may add uncertainty, and incorrectly calculate the true metal thicknesses. This paper will highlight cases where the integration of such tool and electromagnetic (EM) thickness data adds value in discovering the true condition of both the first tubular and outer casings.These case studies demonstrate the use of a multireceiver, multitransmitter electromagnetic (EM) metal thickness tool operating at multiple simultaneous frequencies. It is used to measure the individual wall thickness across multiple strings (up to five) and operates continuously, making measurements in the frequency domain. This tool was combined with a multifinger caliper to provide a complete and efficient single-trip diagnosis of the tubing and casing integrity. The combination of multifinger caliper and EM metal thickness tool results gives both internal and external corrosion as well as metal thickness of first and outer tubular strings.The paper highlights multiple case studies including; i) successfully detecting several areas of metal loss (up to greater than 32%) on the outer string, which correlated to areas of the mobile salt formation, ii) overlapping defects in two tubulars and, iii) cases where a multifinger caliper alone doesn't provide an accurate indication of the true wall thickness. The final case highlights the advantages of integrating multiple tubular integrity tools when determining the condition of the casing wall.Metal thickness tools operating on EM principles benefit from a slim outer diameter design that allows the tools to pass through restrictions which typically would prevent ultrasonic scanning thickness tools. Additionally, EM tools are unaffected by the type of fluid in the wellbore and not affected by any non-ferrous scale buildup that may present in the inside of the tubular wall. Combinability between complementary multifinger caliper technology and EM thickness results in two independent sensors to provide a complete assessment of the well architecture.

Fears, Tears, Trauma and Violence: A Critical Study of Physical and Psychological Fracturing Experiences in Mirza Waheed’s The Collaborator

Kashmir has been under the influence of militant forces for many decades. Violence, marginalization, and oppression at the hands of militants and the armed forces are common practices that have transformed the earthly paradise into hell. The plight of the people of Kashmir remained hidden from the world's eyes but in the first decade of the 21st century, many Kashmiri writers appeared on the horizon of the world literature to show the tormented picture of the valley to the world. Anglophone Kashmiri writings are characterized by the themes of violence and exploitative and coercive practices such as mass killings, disappearances, rapes, crackdowns, and uprootedness of the people. Mirza Waheed's The Collaborator is one of those dolefully poignant voices of Kashmir that tries to depict the true condition of the people of Kashmir. The present study intended to explore how the writer has portrayed the violent acts undertaken by the militants and armed forces resulting in traumatization and identity fragmentation of the oppressed masses. The multi-theoretical framework for this study was based on the power theory of Dennis H. Wrong (1995) and trauma theories of Cathy Caruth (1996), Jeffrey C. Alexander (2012), and Judith L. Herman (2015). These theories form a nexus and connect. The research focused on certain horrific events of the novel and traced the aspect of trauma resulting from violence, exploitation, and coercion. The findings of the study are eye-opening and add a contribution to the scarce body of research in the domain. It is a significant study because it highlights the condition of oppressed people that still need the attention of the world organizations, NGOs, and academic researchers for the alleviation of their trauma, misery, and excessive exploitation.

Improving English Majored-Students’ Learning Outcomes via the Inclusion of Entrepreneurship Education and Training at the Tertiary Level in Vietnam

This paper centers on exploring the trend and practice ofincluding entrepreneurship education and training(hereinafter called EET) in the higher educationcurriculum in the world. Its author also supports the ideathat entrepreneurship can be learnt through EETprograms under certain circumstances. After examiningthe true condition of Vietnam for private entrepreneurssince it became independent in 1945, his analysis showsthat Vietnam is the prospective market not only fordomestic business people but also for foreign investors.Then, he highly recommends some proper measures forVietnamese universities and colleges to introduce EETprograms to English-majored students formally. It issupposed that the inclusion of EET programs at thetertiary level not only helps minimize the unemploymentrate among new graduates on the present-day labormarket but also contributes to generating jobs for others.

Recurrent seizures in a young woman: when video-EEG diagnoses a cardiac cause: a case report

Background While transient loss of consciousness is a frequent presenting symptom, differential diagnosis between syncope and epilepsy can be challenging. Misdiagnosis of epilepsy leads to important psychosocial consequences and eliminates the opportunity to treat patient’s true condition. Case summary A 39-year-old woman presenting with recurrent seizures since her childhood was referred to neurological consultation. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and magnetic resonance imaging previously performed were normal. A sleep-deprived video-EEG was performed and highlighted after 12 h of sleep deprivation a progressive dropping of the heart rate followed by a complete heart block without ventricular escape rhythm and asystole for about 30 s. Her EEG recording later showed diffuse slow waves traducing a global cerebral dysfunction and suffering. The diagnosis of vaso-vagal syncope with predominant cardioinhibitory response was made and a dual-chamber pacemaker with rate-drop response algorithm was implanted. After a 2 years of follow-up, the patient remained free of syncope. Discussion Patients presenting with loss of consciousness and convulsion are often diagnosed with epilepsy despite normal EEGs. In patients presenting with recurrent seizures with unclear diagnosis of epilepsy or in a situation of drug-resistant epilepsy, syncope diagnosis should always be considered and a risk stratification is necessary. The benefit of pacemaker implantation in patients with recurrent vaso-vagal syncope is still very controversial. Only patients presenting with spontaneous asystole should be considered for pacemaker implantation in case of recurrent vaso-vagal syncope.

Determination of Urinary Cotinine Cut-Off Concentrations for Pregnant Women in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

Few studies have assessed the accuracy of self-reported questionnaires to determine smoking habits relative to urinary biomarkers. This study investigated urinary cotinine cut-off concentrations distinguishing active, passive and non-smokers among pregnant women who participated in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a nationwide birth cohort study. Pregnant participants with measured urinary cotinine concentrations (UCCs) and who completed self-reported questionnaires on smoking status were included (n = 89,895). The cut-off values (COVs) for active and passive smokers were calculated by fitting mixed normal distribution functions to UCCs. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaires were subsequently evaluated. The median (interquartile range) UCC was 0.24 (0.083–0.96) µg/g-creatinine, with the detection rate of 89%. The COV for distinguishing active smokers from passive and non-smokers was 36.8 µg/g-creatinine. When this COV was considered to represent the true condition, the questionnaire had a sensitivity of 0.523, a specificity of 0.998, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.967 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.957. The COV for distinguishing passive smokers from non-smokers was 0.31 µg/g-creatinine, with the questionnaire having a sensitivity of 0.222, a specificity of 0.977, a PPV of 0.868 and an NPV of 0.644. As many as 78% of passive smokers might be misclassified as non-smokers.

Mutiny in Africa, 1950–2018

The majority of literature on civil–military relations has focused on coups d’état. Yet, studying lesser forms of military insubordination can offer valuable insight into the true condition of states’ civil–military relations. This paper introduces a data collection effort on mutinies across Africa from 1950 to 2018, revealing several interesting trends. First, most African countries have experienced mutinies, with these events increasing in frequency in the post-Cold War period. Second, while mutinies rarely escalate into coups, they are associated with an increased likelihood of coups in the future. This dataset provides a useful tool to explore the complexity of states’ civil–military relations.

Kadar HbA1c pada Pasien Wanita Penderita Diabetes Mellitus Tipe 2 di Rsud Dr. Doris Sylvanus Palangka Raya

Laboratory tests recommended by the ADA as a supportive examination for diagnosing DM are Hemoglobin Adult 1C (HbA1c), HbA1c examination can be used as a reference for monitoring diabetes mellitus because HbA1c can provide clearer information about the true condition in people with diabetes mellitus. HbA1c examination is an examination that reflects the average blood glucose level over a period of 2-3 months. The purpose of this study was to determine the description of HbA1c in female patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus in RSUD dr. Sylvanus Palangka Raya. This research was conducted using a cross sectional study method with accidental sampling technique. The sample used in this study was patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus in RSUD dr. Doris Sylvanus Palangka Raya taken by 15 people. Then examined using the boronate affinity method. The results obtained by the HbA1c category were 4 people (26.67%) good, 6 people (40%) medium and 5 people (33.33%) bad.

Pola Hubungan Guru Dan Orangtua Dalam Pendidikan Pada Madrasaah Aliyah Negeri Di Aceh Tamiang

Community paradigm of education has changed, one of the things that changes the learning paradigm is the application of cooperation between parents and teachers in learning. Applying the pattern of teacher and parent relations in education at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri in Aceh Tamiang, is a relationship pattern that can establish communication between teachers and parents in education in MAN ManyakPayed and MAN Kualasimpang. This study aims to determine the roles and functions, form of communication, shared responsibility, form of cooperation, form of effort between teachers and parents in MAN ManyakPayed and MAN Kualasimpang in Aceh Tamiang. This research uses qualitative approach. Subjects in this study were teachers and parents at MAN Aceh Tamiang. As for data collection techniques in this study include observation and interviews. Furthermore, Based on the results of data analysis, it is known that the role and function of teachers and parents as partners, guide, direct and supervise. Form of communication is by through an official letter from the school and a visit to the home of his parents in order to know the true condition of the students. The efforts of teachers and parents in MAN and MAN Kualasimpang provide motivation to learn, create a harmonious atmosphere in the family, providing for the needs of children.