Death in life: approaches to the contemporary denial of death in theoretical & experimental psychology and continental philosophy

Using an interdisciplinary approach, this thesis explores the theme of death in life. This thesis particularly examines the work of Phillipe Ariès, Ernest Becker, Terror Management theorists (TMT), Martin Heidegger, and Friedrich Nietzsche. These thinkers are united in their diagnosis of a severe and unhealthy contemporary denial of death. Death has never been repressed as thoroughly as it is in the current era in western culture, to the point that the exclusion of death may well be the characteristic that centrally distinguishes, and threatens the welfare of, our age. However, as I show in Chapter One, in a number of previous historical epochs people have understood death as a fundamental and constitutive aspect of life, making it clear that death need not be denied as it is now. In Chapters Two and Three, I describe the psychological theory and experimental research that asserts our denial of death oftentimes leads to negative attitudes and the harming of others who are different from us. Although the psychological approach succeeds in its critique of our rejection of death, I argue that its positive response proves less than satisfying. At this point, in Chapters Four and Five, the thesis turns to representatives of continental philosophy, who advance an alternative way of relating to death. These philosophers explain that it is because we die that we can take hold of the possibilities of our lives. They suggest that we have the possibility of authentically understanding ourselves as the mortal creatures we are, affirming and even expressing gratitude for death as a meaning-giving element in life. Thus, death need not be the regrettable moment of our demise, but an essential aspect of who we are as human beings

Albumin in tears

Albumin is not endogenous to the tear film and is present as a product of plasma leakage. It is used as a diagnostic marker of ocular insult and inflammation. Tear albumin is, however, poorly understood, with large variations in reported concentrations between studies. There is also no authoritative information on whether its presence in tears is responsive or part of an adaptive reaction.The presented research aimed to resolve the disparities in published tear albumin concentrations and investigate the role of albumin in the tear film. Collation and evaluation of the available literature identified collection method, stimulus, assay technique, and disease state as factors able to influence quoted tear albumin to different extents. Difference in sampling technique exhibited the largest variations in mean tear albumin concentrations. Review of the literature also highlighted that little systematic investigations of the daily cycle of tear albumin levels, and subject-to-subject-variation, had been carried out. In order to remedy this shortcoming, variations in tear albumin concentration were investigated in 13 subjects throughout the waking day. Results identified a time period where albumin levels are relatively stable (2-6 hours post-waking). This was designated a suitable baseline for the determinations of tear albumin concentrations and subject-to-subject comparisons. Significantly, a previously unrecognised progressive increase in albumin concentration during the latter part of the day was also identified in the population. This increase suggests that albumin may play a more active and dynamic role in the ocular environment than is commonly perceived. To facilitate the collection of additional tear albumin data, tear sampling and point-of-care analysis in contact lens clinics were investigated. Two instruments were evaluated and were found to be suitable for the analysis of tear albumin in commercial institutions. Collectively, the described research has provided new insight into tear albumin and a strong foundation for further studies

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MOVEMENT OF GERMAN COCKROACHES

Laboratory and field studies were conducted during 1980-1983 to investigate various factors which affected the movement of the German cockroach. Movement of adult Blattella germanica (L.) populations were significantly influenced by structural features of low-income apartments. Plumbing connections between adjacent apartments enhanced movement. Mark/recapture studies showed that 75% of the immigrants into a given apartment were from adjacent apartments with common plumbing. Sixty-five percent of the emigrants came from adjoining kitchen areas. Applications of chlorpyrifos+dichlorvos at the termination of the study indicated that not all insecticide applications, even those containing excitatory elements, increase interapartment movement. Results suggest structural modification as a means to deter movement. The degree and frequency of movement suggests that management programs be aimed at entire structures as opposed to localized areas within buildings. Information on cockroach distributions indicated that all life stages of German cockroaches were aggregated. Aggregation was most pronounced for small numphs followed by adults; large nymphs were the least aggregated. Regression coefficients and observed distributions implied that movement of large nymphs was greatest followed by adults and small nymphs. Laboratory experiments designed to look at the influence of food, water, and harborage availability on cockroach behavior suggested that harborage removal was the most disruptive. Water availability was the most critical to survival