Body Back Research Articles

Missing pieces and body parts: On bodily integrity and political violence

While much attention is paid to what happens to dead bodies after political violence, disaster, or atrocity, less attention has been paid to body parts, despite the wide-ranging efforts, both material (often forensic) and discursive, to reconstitute or resuscitate the whole dead body. Materializing the whole body is often considered key to truth-telling mechanisms and for closure for family members of the missing and dead, thus the body part is often posited as a problem in need of a solution. We are seeing, largely due to advances in forensic technologies, an increasing belief that all body parts can be identified and distinguished from other materials, and should, therefore, be recovered and repatriated to the whole body in its death. To explore this dynamic, I make two key arguments. First, I suggest that reassembling bodies is framed as a mechanism of re-subjectification that is key to reconciliation and justice after political violence. A body part is an object, but a dead body is in most contexts still considered a subject, even dead, so putting a dead body back together is considered re-humanizing and gives the dead body back its political agency. Second, I suggest that when this cannot be done materially due to the obstacles posed by modern warfare, we often see governance techniques that seek to do so discursively.

Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia due to cadmium toxicity in silverware industry: A curious case of aches and pains

ABSTRACT Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia in an adult often gives clinical diagnostic challenges. Usually, they are caused by either tumor-induced osteomalacia or due to genetically mediated hypophosphatemia, particularly X-linked hypophosphatemia. However, heavy metal toxicity, leading to global proximal renal tubular dysfunction, is a rare cause, and in particular, cadmium toxicity is rarely encountered in clinical practice. The presence of bony pain and neurological deficit, along with a classical exposure history, provides the diagnostic clue. In this background, here we present a middle-aged man who had severe bony pains all over his body and lower back stiffness for five years. He underwent an initial workup as a suspected spondyloarthropathy but was later on, found to have hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and severe proximal renal tubular dysfunction. Further, the workup revealed elevated FGF-23. His occupational history revealed prolonged exposure to cadmium fumes in the silverware industry. He improved moderately with treatment; however, significant renal damage is still present. This case highlights the importance of considering cadmium toxicity in proper clinical and occupational contexts in the evaluation of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia in an adult.

Dispatches from a body on fire: slow death at the intersections of race, gender, and disability

ABSTRACT While contemporary fascisms operate in ways both obvious and covert, this piece focuses on the gradual harms that remain unintelligible in everyday rhetorics. I join scholars such as E Cram, who have tracked how white supremacy erodes our energies and time. Considering inflammation as a record of such harm, I examine how many chronic diseases inscribe systemic abuse onto trans, disabled, and Black and brown bodyminds. Drawing from the narrative traditions of cultural rhetorics, critical race counterstory, and crip and trans of color critique, I story the injured body back into our profession, asking our disciplines to consider how our choices can enforce, expose, or resist the slow burn of colonial exploitation.

Six-month combined aerobic and resistance exercise program enhances 6-minute walk test and physical fitness in people with peripheral arterial disease: A pilot study

BackgroundExercise therapy is a recognized non-pharmacological intervention for peripheral arterial disease (PAD); however, the effects of combined exercise remain under investigation. This study aimed to compare the effects of a 6-month combined supervised exercise program (SUP) with a usual care (UC) approach on walking ability, physical fitness, and peripheral blood flow in people with PAD and claudication. MethodsTwenty-three male participants (Age=64.1 ± 6.2years and ABI=0.58±0.07) with PAD and claudication were assigned to either the SUP group (n = 10), engaging in structured supervised treadmill walking combined with three resistance exercises, three times a week, or the UC group (n = 13), receiving advice to walk. The primary outcome measure was walking ability, with assessments conducted at baseline (M0), after 3 months (M3), and 6 months (M6). ResultsAfter the 6-month intervention, the SUP group exhibited significant improvements in absolute claudication time (ACT, p = 0.045), maximal walking time (MWT, p = 0.045), maximal walking distance (MWD, p = 0.027), and pause duration (p = 0.045) during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), when compared to the UC group. Over time, a significant increase in walking speed during the 6MWT (Speed6MWT, p = 0.001) and walking speed without claudication (SpeedNoC, p < 0.001) was found, although no significant differences were found between the groups. The SUP group increased by 0.8 km/h in both Speed6MWT and SpeedNoC, while the UC group increased by 0.3 km/h and 0.6 km/h, respectively. Despite claudication consistently occurring at the same time, the SUP group demonstrated an improved tolerance to pain or a better understanding of pain, enabling them to walk longer distances at higher speeds. A positive effect of SUP was found for chair sit-and-reach test (p = 0.023), percentage of fat mass (p = 0.048), fat-free mass (p = 0.040), and total body water (p = 0.026), suggesting potential benefits attributed to the resistance strength exercises. ConclusionA 6-month combined treadmill and resistance exercise program improved walking ability, walking speed, lower body and lower back flexibility, and body composition in people with PAD and claudication.

Tradisi Pembakaran Mayat atau Ngaben (Studi Fenomenologi Anggota Keluarga Etnik Bali)

The aim of this research is to find out and analyze the experiences of family members who are prevented from carrying out the Ngaben tradition of their family members in Mataram Udik Village through motifs. This research uses a type of qualitative research using the phenomenological method. Data collection techniques were carried out by means of field observation, interviews with informants and documentation of research results. This research aims to find out more in-depth awareness and analyze the experience of one family member who is hampered by carrying out the Ngaben tradition of his family members. The research results showed that the Balinese ethnic experience regarding the Ngaben tradition in Mataram Udik Village resulted in positive perceptions, because informants were able to carry out mass Ngaben processions after being hampered by economic factors. Informants who were hampered from carrying out the Ngaben carried out the Mekingsan Ring Geni procession, which is a form of cremation ceremony where the spirits are entrusted temporarily to the God of Brahma or the God of Fire before undergoing the next ceremony, namely the Mass Ngaben, so that they can unite with Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa/God Almighty. In conclusion, the meaning obtained by the Balinese ethnic group is that the material body or body is nothing but a combination of 5 material elements or Panca Mahabhuta (earth, water, fire, air and ether). Fire has a special status among the Panca Mahabhuta as the purest among the pure, so Fire is used to free the mortal body back to its origin to become the Panca Mahabhuta. Keywords: Balinese Ethnicity, Phenomenology, Ngaben, Experience

A smooth surface measurement method by flexible contact using multiple fingers device

Contact measurement technology is commonly used for analysis and modeling of three-dimensional (3D) object. This paper presents a contact measurement method, using a claw type probe based on a set of rotary encoders that can flexibly contact objects with efficiently multi-lines scanning. In this paper, a 3D measurement system by flexible contact of multiple fingers was built. The claw probe was set on a coordinate measurement machine. By moving the position of the claw for interpolation detection to improve the sampling rate, higher precision 3D reconstruction was achieved. Also, a compensation algorithm was proposed for this type detector to improve measuring accuracy. In the experiments, two surface models were produced by 3D printing as the test objects. By comparing the designed surface with the reconstructed surface, it is demonstrated that this system can effectively and softly measure smooth surface, like the back of human body, which is valuable for further study and use in rehabilitation massage, apparel design, and etc.

Bi-stability of the Wake Flow of a Hatchback Car under Zero Yaw Angle Condition

&lt;div&gt;The aerodynamic performance of automobile especially drag and lift was largely determined by the wake flow, which is three-dimensional, unsteady, and turbulent. The styling of the rear back of the vehicle body has much influence on the wake flow structure, typically including squareback, notchback, and hatchback. Bi-stability of the wake flow of vehicle body makes the aerodynamic force oscillating, which affects the energy consumption and driving stability. This article investigates the bi-stability of wake flow of a hatchback SUV in full-scale automotive wind tunnel. Both aerodynamic force and surface pressure on the rear back of the vehicle were measured. Time series of aerodynamic force and pressure footprint are used to confirm the existence of bi-stability. The effects of some sensitive factors on the bi-stability have been analyzed. The results show that for the given condition with bi-stability phenomenon existing, the change of drag and lift can be 6.36% and 111%, respectively. The bi-stability of wake of the tested hatchback SUV is related to the change of flow structure in the wake of the vehicle, which can be explained by the drag crisis of hatchback vehicle under critical slant angle.&lt;/div&gt;

Cognitive differences between Taoism and medical science in the location of "Jiaji"

The differences in the cognition on the location of "Jiaji" between Taoism and medical science are summarized through literature searching. In the medical field, "Jiaji" is generally described as "Jiaji Xue (point)", which is considered as EX-B 2, while, in Taoism, it is expressed as "Jiaji Guan (pass)", focusing on the crucial parts of the body. Medical scholars lay their attention to the distance of "Jiaji" lateral to the spine, in which "Jia" (place on both sides) is mostly considered. In comparison, the Taoists emphasize the central axis on the back of human body expressed as "Jiaji Gu (bone)" and "Jiaji Sanguan (three crucial parts)", in which, "Ji (spine)" is the key. Due to the therapeutic purposes of acupuncture, medical scholars focus on the communication of "Jiaji" with the body surface ultimately. Based on the inner perspective of Taoism, "Jiaji" is connoted to be the three-dimensional structural space located deeply inside of the body. The cognitive differences in the location of "Jiaji" between Taoism and medical science reflect the discrepancy in the cognitive dimensions and approaches to the human body between them, which provide the references for the textual research of "Jiaji" in traditional Chinese medicine.

A deep learning-based detection method for pig body temperature using infrared thermography

Body temperature is one of the important indicators that reflect the health of pigs. The traditional rectal temperature measurement is inconvenient and time-consuming, and also easy to cause stress responses to pigs. Infrared Thermography (ITG) was supposed to have potentials to realize non-invasive and rapid temperature detection for pigs in intensive pig farming. In this paper, an automatic temperature detection method base on ITG was developed. First, temperatures on six regions on pig body surface (i.e., forehead (FH), eyes, nose, ear root (ET), back and anus) were measured by ITG for the region of interest (ROI) selection; Then, an improved model of YOLOv5s-BiFPN was developed for automatic ROI detection and temperature extraction. A dataset with 2797 images that collected from sixteen pigs for 30 days was used for model development. It was shown that temperatures on FH and ET were supposed to be the ROI for ITG temperature detection and because of their strong correlations with the rectal temperature among the six parts on pig body surface. Also, the maximum temperature (MaxT) on FH and ET could reflect pig’s body temperature variations the best. The proposed model of YOLOv5s-BiFPN achieved optimal performances (e.g., the mAP was 96.36%, outperformance was 20 MB, target detection speed was up to 100 frame/s), and the mAPs were increased by 4.85%, 4.38%, 1.60%, 1.56%, 31.52%, and 22.42% compared with models of CenterNet, Faster R-CNN, YOLOv4, YOLOv5s, Nanodet and YOLOv5n, respectively. Therefore, it is a feasible way for pig body temperature automatic detection and facilitates early staged disease warning and environmental control.

Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity

Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity

Time Changes in Resisted Sprinting With a Weighted Vest: 5 % of Body Weight or Back Squat?

The purpose was to investigate whether runners who do not squat their body weight once will not be overloaded with a weight vest with a load of 5% of BW and will not maintain 95% intensity across ten repetitions of a 20-meter sprint. Eight adult female students (24,05±1,15 years old; body height 168±4,24 cm; body weight 60,39±5,53 kg) from the faculty of sports studies at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic participated in this study. Categories were: 1 = NBW (1RM in the squat is relative body weight ± 5 kg), 2 = LBW (1RM in the squat is lower than BW-5 kg) and 3 = HBW (1RM in the squat is higher than BW +5 kg). The measurements took place on three different days, each day running with another experimental condition: free sprinting, weighted vest sprinting with a 5% load of BW, and weighted vest sprinting with a 5% load of 1RM squat. With a weight vest with resistance at the level of 5% of body weight, during 49 sprints, the intensity decreased by a maximum of 4.82% (participant 4, NBW group, 1st run). Although, with weight vest resistance at the level of 5% of the 1RM back squats, during 68 sprints, the intensity decreased by a maximum of 6.59% (participant 1, NBW group, 8th run). It seems that the level of strength abilities of the lower limbs did not play a role in this, we can calculate 5% intensity from both BW and 1 RM squat. Since the HBW group could maintain the required intensity even at significantly higher weights than 5% BW, further research with a larger research sample is needed.

An Introduction to Ayurvedic Methods of Bloodletting

Ayurveda aims to prevent and cure diseases. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, bloodletting procedure is a kind of para-surgery practiced for the treatment of specifically blood borne diseases along with other surgical diseases. Therapeutic bloodletting is indicated in abscess, cellulitis, chronic ulcers resulting from snake bite, filariasis, genital infections, gout, herpes, inflammatory conditions, Skin disorders, tumors, ulcers, etc. While mentioning the five methods of body detoxification, the Ayurvedic texts mentions bloodletting as one among them, so it is one of the important therapies in Panchakarma. Bloodletting is also known as Phlebotomy and considered to be a prime treatment modality among the surgical procedures in Ayurveda. With curative aspects it also acts in preventive and promotive aspects. The vitiated impure blood is removed out from the body by the seven procedures - Venesection (Siravyadhana), scrapping (Pracchanna karma), horn application (Sringa avacharana), gourd application (Alabu avacharana), leech application (Jalauka avacharana), application of cupping pot/glass (Ghatiyantra avacharana), and needle application (Suchivyadhana). Bloodletting is also used to lower the iron levels and prevents its accumulation in various organs. Therapeutic bleed is a holistic treatment for impure blood and it helps to bring the body back into its natural and homoeostatic state.

An unusual presentation of epidermoid cyst in an adult male in India: A case report

The epidermoid cysts are true cysts that are often found in the face and less commonly in the trunk and back of the human body. These cysts often have a predilection toward the male gender with the third and fourth decades of age group. They generally arise from the follicular infundibulum, primarily due to plugging of the follicle. Often a part of genetic syndromes, they can also be post-traumatic where the ectodermal cells get stuck or reimplanted. Epidermoid cysts are often a slow-growing and painless lesion with few exceptions. The proper neurological examination, clinical examination, and investigations such as magnetic resonance imaging help in confirming the diagnosis and proceeding with the management. Clinically, epidermoid cysts may or may not present with the neurological impairment. The preferred intervention is total or subtotal resection with minimal chances of complications such as recurrence, swelling, and infection. However, these can very well be avoided by regular follow-up assessments. The clinical presentation in the lower back with massive dimensions is relatively uncommon, and therefore, authors have presented here an unusual case from the outpatient department of neurosurgery, where the patient presented with a large, soft, exophytic lesion at the level of (S4/S5), which gave rise to the suspicion of meningocele and meningomyelocele, but after complete local assessment and radiological investigations, it was diagnosed finally as an epidermoid cyst. Keeping in mind, the clinical profile, socioemographic factors, and metabolic profile, the intervention of surgical total resection was planned, and the patient was managed.

Comparison of Phenotypic Characters between Fat-Tailed Sheep (DEG) and Thin-Tailed Sheep (DET) in Dampit District, Malang Regency, East Java

The most of local sheep breeders in Indonesia are fat-tailed sheep called Domba Ekor Gemuk (DEG) and thin-tailed sheep called Domba Ekor Tipis (DET). The morphometric characterization of livestock is important for planning improvement, sustainable utilization, conservation strategies, and breeding programs. This study compares the phenotypic characters based on qualitative and quantitative traits between DEG and DET in Dampit District, Malang Regency. The data obtained will be useful for genetic improvement development programs and the selection of superior broodstock for breeding. Using 60 rams (30 DEG and 30 DET) range 1-2 years old in Dampit District, Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia. Data were collected by observing, measuring, and following the data farmers recorded. The qualitative characteristics observed were body color, head color, head profile, horn, back profile, wool, and tail. The quantitative traits were height, head length, head width, body length, chest girth, rump height, length of ear, length of tail, width of the tail, and body weight. The qualitative characteristic data descriptive-analytic method. Data was collected, then tabulated and analyzed by T-test. The results show that DEG has a dominant white body and head color, compared to DET, which shows more color variations, including white-brown, white-black, and full black, and for quantitative traits that significant difference (P&lt;0.05) are body height, rump width and height.

Socio-Economic Structure of Widowhood in India: Past and Present

This paper is a historiographical review of selected significant scholarship on widowhood in India. Most important conclusion is that the difference in widowhood experiences in India is premised upon the fact that the high-caste customs and cultural codes has created a disadvantageous gender equation for women. Nineteenth century legal-reformist debates around sati, widow remarriage and the age of consent were templates on which deep anxieties over the Hindu female body were expressed. Widow remarriage was a way of bringing this body back into the arena of reproduction and motherhood. While the actual practice of sati (widow self - immolation) was declared unlawful, the cultural codes upholding a widow’s imagined renunciatory powers were also being rewritten throughout the anti-colonial movement. A strong notion of a possible ‘living’ sati was created. The attributes of self-discipline and perfect control over one’s sexual desires and impulses became the highest preferable form of Hindu womanhood (irrespective of the caste and class of women). Besides nation building, the patriarchal perceptions of the ‘self-controlled’ body of a Hindu widow also facilitated the ease with which modernity could be fused with ideas of honour and self-abnegation amongst Hindu women. These ideas coexisted with the Indian reformist demand for enhanced property rights for women (widows in particular) and women’s growing role in the anti-colonial movement as well as in the post-1947 Indian society and economy.

Getting the body back on track – Understanding the phenomenon of mobilisation when conscious and mechanically ventilated patients are mobilised in the intensive care unit

ObjectiveTo gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of mobilisation when conscious and mechanically ventilated patients are mobilised in the intensive care unit. DesignA qualitative study with a phenomenological‐hermeneutic approach. Data were generated in three intensive care units from September 2019 to March 2020. Participant observations of twelve conscious mechanically ventilated patients, thirty-five nurses and four physiotherapists were performed. Furthermore, seven semi-structured patient interviews were conducted, both on the ward and after discharge. FindingsMobilisation during mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit followed a trajectory from a failing body to a growing sense of independence in getting the body back on track. Three themes were revealed: ‘Challenging to move a failing body’, ‘Ambiguity of both resistance and willingness in the process of strengthen the body’, and ‘An ongoing effort in getting the body back on track’. ConclusionsMobilisation when conscious and mechanically ventilated included support of the living body by physical prompts and ongoing bodily guidance. Resistance and willingness regarding mobilisation were found to be a way of coping with bodily reactions of comfort or discomfort, embedded in a need to feel bodily control. The trajectory of mobilisation promoted a sense of agency, as mobilisation activities at different stages during the intensive care unit stay supported the patients in becoming more active collaborators in getting the body back on track. Implications for Clinical PracticeOngoing bodily guidance provided by healthcare professionals can promote bodily control and support conscious and mechanically ventilated patients in active participation in mobilisation. Furthermore, understanding the ambiguity of patients’ reactions caused by loss of bodily control provides a potential to prepare mechanically ventilated patients for and assist them with mobilisation. In particular, the first mobilisation in the intensive care unit seems to influence the success of future mobilisation, as the body remembers negative experiences.

Effect of Sway Frequency on the Joint Angle and Center of Pressure in Voluntary Sway

Voluntary sway is the periodic movement of one’s body back and forth. The study aimed to clarify the effects of sway frequency on center of pressure and joint angle during voluntary sway. We measured 10 unrestricted voluntary sway conditions with different frequencies and natural pace conditions. The frequencies ranged from 0.1 to 1 Hz in 0.1-Hz increments. The joint angles and centers of pressure during voluntary sway were compared between the conditions. The joint angle amplitude of the trunk and knee were greater in the slow frequency condition than in the fast frequency condition. The trunk and knee joint angles during voluntary sway were considered to change according to the sway frequency.

The hidden diet – examination of crop content reveals distinct patterns of pollen host use by Central European bees of the genus Hylaeus (Hymenoptera, Colletidae)

Masked or yellow-faced bees of the genus Hylaeus (Colletidae) differ in their mode of pollen transportation from most other bees in that they ingest the pollen directly on the flowers and carry it back to the nest inside the crop located in the anterior half of the metasoma. Due to this hidden mode of pollen transportation, the examination of pollen collected by Hylaeus females requires the dissection of the metasoma. Although this method has never been applied in Europe, the great majority of the Central European Hylaeus species were supposed to be pollen generalists based on observations of flower visits. The microscopical analysis of pollen removed from 30 crops each of 36 Central European Hylaeus species revealed that the proportion of species exhibiting an exclusive or strong preference for pollen from a single plant taxon is much higher than hitherto assumed and that the current assumption of the genus Hylaeus to largely consist of pollen generalists is wrong. Nineteen of the 36 species examined are strictly or largely dependent on a single plant taxon for collecting pollen, such as Apiaceae (n = 11 species), Rosaceae (n = 3), Reseda (Resedaceae) (n = 2), Allium (Amaryllidaceae) (n = 1), Asteraceae (n = 1) and Melilotus (Fabaceae) (n = 1). The 36 Hylaeus species examined collected pollen from the flowers of 31 plant families, of which the Apiaceae and Rosaceae (particularly Potentilla and Rubus) were by far the most important contributing almost 60% to the pollen host spectrum of the entire genus. The comparison between pollen host spectrum and flower visiting records showed that the pollen generalists use the flowers of the Asteraceae as nectar rather than pollen sources, corroborating earlier findings that the digestion of Asteraceae pollen requires physiological adaptations to cope with its unfavourable or protective properties. In summary, the patterns of pollen host use by bees of the genus Hylaeus do not substantially differ from those of other Palaearctic bee taxa despite the masked bees’ unusual habit to ingest the pollen directly on the flowers and to transport it inside their body back to the nest.

Health and Efficiency: Fatigue, the Science of Work, and the Making of the Working-Class Body. By Steffan Blayney

The years of the Covid-19 pandemic have brought the labouring body back into the very centre of public debate. For whom is work safe and unsafe, and who is obliged to perform unsafe work? What are the social and political meanings of the impairment of the working body in terms of deservingness, dependency, and work ethic? How do changing class relations in times of labour shortage or emergency imprint themselves on the body of the worker? While such questions always take on new forms across the history of capitalism—indeed, they are the history of capitalism as it is experienced up close and personal by workers—there also exist deep continuities in their form, as structural imperatives within the logic of capital accumulation cause them to recur again and again. Past experience with questions of the regulation and control of the worker’s body is thus a rich site of historical inquiry, and Steffan Blayney makes much of this resource in his new book Health and Efficiency: Fatigue, The Science of Work, and the Making of the Working-Class Body.

Body Lateropulsion and Pusher Behavior

The relationship between postural disturbance and vertical perception after cerebrovascular disease remains unclear and studies have only recently begun to be conducted. On the other hand, the symptomatic aspect is evident: body lateropulsion is ipsilateral in the case of caudal brainstem lesions and contralateral in the case of rostral brainstem and cerebral hemispheric lesions. In addition, patients with cerebral hemispheric lesions sometimes show“pusher behavior” in which they resist any attempt to correct their posture and push the body back to the paralyzed side using the healthy limbs, as they have a fear of deviation to the healthy side. The pusher behavior is always accompanied by hemiplegia and is detected in about 10% of cases of hemispheric vascular lesions.