Assessment of edema fluid distribution in the brain

The technique is proposed allowing quantitation of brain edema and typing of liquor distribution in different parts of brain tissue. In combination with other assays this test can determine a variant of tanatogenesis, detect cause of death and duration of the terminal period. The method application is illustrated by the study of brain hydration in mechanical strangulation asphyxia. It is shown that this death is associated with hypohydration of cerebral structures, especially pronounced in the cortical compartments.     

Quantitative assessment of brain hydration in determination of death speed and type of tanatogenesis in forensic medical practice

Brain hydration was determined in death of strangulation mechanical asphyxia, acute alcoholic poisoning, acute poisoning with opiates, cancer of stage IV, coronary heart disease with acute heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke. Brainstem edema (BSE) occurred in 69.2% cases (upper BSE - 20.2%, lower BSE - 17.3%, BSE of the all parts - 31.7%). BSE was present in all cases of opiate poisoning; 52.9% cases of hemorrhagic strokes, 61.3% cases of coronary heart disease. The data obtained show prevalence of brain tanatogenesis in death of the above diseases. Hypohydration and hyperhydration of the brain were observed in short and slow agony, respectively.     

Detection of metals in human tissues by spectrum analysis

Potentialities of spectrography experts were demonstrated to be helpful to the employees of patient-care facilities (expertise and research institutions) in solving a variety of burning issues by joint effort. Tissue samplings, hairs and daily urine were comparatively analyzed, by the example of using the low-friction hip arthroplasty by comochrome friction Protasu-21WF, for the content of microelements (ME) belonging to the hip endoprosthesis. We found that MEs (Co, Cr, Mo) are mostly discharged during the first year of endoprosthesis utilization, after which, a regular reduction of concentrations was noted. No exceeding norms were registered in any cases, which denotes a minimal wear of the friction pair.     

Location of direct injuries in car drivers and passengers on the front seats

The authors give statistics on most frequent variants of location of primary injuries (LPI) in car drivers (CD) and front seat passengers (FSP) of left-hand wheel cars. There was neither significant intra- and intergroup difference in the incidence of injuries nor LPI both in the groups and between the groups. Prevalence of LPI in CD on the left and in FSP on the right side of the body was not confirmed statistically. Significantly higher frequency of pubic injuries was found in FSP versus CD which is explained by different biomechanical route of the body dislocation in strong primary blow. The authors believe this sign to be distinctive and propose to use it in forensic-medical examinations. They also advocate wider use of section roentgenography and medico-criminalistic methods to raise detectability of characteristic body injuries which is essential because of a great rise in the number of modern cars on the roads decorated with less traumatic materials.     

Strength in diversity: multiple memories of the Soviet past in the Russian Communist Party (CPRF), 1993–2004

This paper investigates collective memory of the Soviet experiment in the narratives of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), in the period of 1993–2004. My research finds that ideological differences within the CPRF led to the creation of multiple and contrasting depictions of the Soviet past in the discourse of its leaders. Challenging dominant assumptions, I argue that these differences did not conflict and undermine one another, but were structured to strengthen the public appeal of the CPRF. The paper adds empirical findings to the study of the CPRF and of collective memory at the (so far underdeveloped) level of public organizations. The paper also challenges the prevailing assumption that diverging historical narratives necessarily imply conflict and contestation.