Universal Aspects Research Articles

The politics of universal health system reform in the context of COVID-19

Abstract Background Implementing universalism is more a political than a technical project. With this in mind, Ireland devised a ten-year plan through political consensus to deliver universal healthcare - Sláintecare. The COVID-19 pandemic occurred early in its implementation. Methods This is qualitative research drawing on international literature on universal health system reform in the context of COVID-19 as well as the politics of health reform. The overall research programme is co-produced with the Irish health system. A timeline and analysis of the reform journey is drawn from documentary analysis of key policy documents, parliamentary reports and key informant interviews. Results Despite a policy commitment since 2005, universal healthcare implementation only became government policy in Ireland 2018. While whole system reform and implementation progress has been slow, the COVID-19 health system response boosted aspects of universalism and reform. All COVID-related services during the pandemic were universal, free at the point of delivery, as are most new services introduced since 2021. Despite the political consensus holding through a change government and the pandemic, and significant additional investment in the public health system, there remain many obstacles to reform. These include different stakeholder understanding of implementing universalism in Ireland especially in the context of COVID-19, how best to implement universal healthcare and the politics of delivering reform. Conclusions Contrary to other countries’ experience during COVID, Ireland pursued its policy aim of delivering universalism and expanded services provided universally, free at the point of delivery, with a focus on enhanced community care. The universalism applied to COVID-related prevention and care, new women’s health and chronic disease management services. Despite progress, government has yet to legislate for a universal entitlement to care and obstacles to reform implementation remain.

Phenomenology of a Rydberg impurity in an ideal Bose-Einstein condensate

We investigate the absorption spectrum of a Rydberg impurity immersed in and interacting with an ideal Bose-Einstein condensate. Here, the impurity-bath interaction range can greatly exceed the mean interparticle distance; this discrepancy in length scales challenges the assumptions underlying the universal aspects of impurity atoms in dilute bosonic environments. Our analysis finds three distinct parameter regimes, each characterized by a unique spectral response. In the low-density regime, we find that the Rydberg impurity is dressed by the surrounding bath similarly to the known Bose polaron. Transitioning to intermediate densities, the impurity response, given by sharp quasiparticle peaks, fragments into an intricate pattern bearing the hallmarks of a diverse molecular structure. Finally, at high density, a universal Gaussian response emerges as the statistical nature of the bath dominates its quantum dynamics. We complement this analysis with a study of an ionic impurity, which behaves equivalently. Our exploration offers insights into the interplay between interaction range, density, and many-body behavior in impurity systems. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

<b>Analysis of State Changes in English Causative Constructions: Insights from Construction Grammar</b>

This research aims to explore how English causative constructions convey changes in state, using the frameworks of Construction Grammar and Radical Construction Grammar. The 310 English language samples were selected based on their relevance to illustrating transitions caused by internal or external factors, sourced from reliable texts, diverse contexts, varied grammatical constructions, and common usage patterns. Through a thorough examination of syntax and semantics, the study aims to illustrate how causative constructions effectively capture dynamic processes and cognitive perceptions. Emphasis is placed on the roles of the agent and patient, with the analysis seeking to uncover how these structures deal with causality and, crucially, changes in state. The findings show that causative structures in English mainly depict physical changes, although there is still a significant representation of emotional and mental changes. This analysis reveals the universal and language-specific aspects of causative constructions and provides insights into how they are used in everyday conversations and cognitive activities.

Mythological thinking in the cognitive system

Each era's theoretical-cognitive thought forms a new cultural and historical integrity because it is the heir to all of its preceding main directions while evolving at a qualitatively different level, choosing a distinct re-search topic and range of interests, and creating its own vocabulary for describing and explaining the phe-nomena of the surrounding reality. In addition to providing a theoretical understanding of the phenomena of understanding the world by our forebears, the modern theory of cognition has an important task in revealing the ontological structures and mechanisms of knowledge, demonstrating the subject volume and pluralism of concepts of cognition and understanding of the world, and adequately and clearly demonstrating some sub-stantive and logical parallels. The article deals with the evolution of the cognitive capabilities of myth. It ana-lyzes various scientific points of view concerning the epistemological function of myth.It also notes that the study of the heuristic role of myth in relation to culture and science requires a philosophical concept capable through the analysis of the universal aspects of myth to synthesize a holistic picture of the mythological way of thinking as the basis for all creative activity immanently inherent in man.

Language abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease indicate reduced informativeness.

This study aims to elucidate the cognitive underpinnings of language abnormalities in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using a computational cross-linguistic approach and ultimately enhance the understanding and diagnostic accuracy of the disease. Computational analyses were conducted on language samples of 156 English and 50 Persian speakers, comprising both AD patients and healthy controls, to extract language indicators of AD. Furthermore, we introduced a machine learning-based metric, Language Informativeness Index (LII), to quantify empty speech. Despite considerable disparities in surface structures between the two languages, we observed consistency across language indicators of AD in both English and Persian. Notably, indicators of AD in English resulted in a classification accuracy of 90% in classifying AD in Persian. The substantial degree of transferability suggests that the language abnormalities of AD do not tightly link to the surface structures specific to English. Subsequently, we posited that these abnormalities stem from impairments in a more universal aspect of language production: the ability to generate informative messages independent of the language spoken. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found significant correlations between language indicators of AD and empty speech in both English and Persian. The findings of this study suggest that language impairments in AD arise from a deficit in a universal aspect of message formation rather than from the breakdown of language-specific morphosyntactic structures. Beyond enhancing our understanding of the psycholinguistic deficits of AD, our approach fosters the development of diagnostic tools across various languages, enhancing health equity and biocultural diversity.

Проблема анализа данных в культурно-историческом исследовании

<p>The article discusses the main ideas of the cultural-historical theory of social environment as a source of development from the point of view of the possibility of "refocusing research on development" and the transition from descriptive (empirical) ways of analysing experimental data to explanatory ones. In this article, based on Vygotsky's works, it is shown: 1) how the general idea of social environment as a source of development can be further conceptualised with the concepts of "social situation", "social situation of development" and <em>"perezhivanie"</em> and 2) how the analytical model created on this basis can become a concrete tool for analysing the experimental data. The cultural-historical genetic-analytical model developed by the author and experimentally validated is presented as a general framework for analysing experimental data in accordance with the general requirements of the experimental-genetic method. The second part of the paper presents a cultural-historical analytical matrix based on the model, which allows the data to be analysed in terms of revealing internal processes of development. The genetic-analytical model allows the analysis to capture the aspect of universality. A matrix based on this model (and therefore retaining the aspect of universality) can be used to analyse a particular social situation in terms of the specific conditions in which this universality manifests itself.</p>

Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on Dignity in Dementia: A Qualitative Analysis

In dementia care, the concept of dignity has garnered substantial attention from both researchers and policymakers. However, the concept often remains vague and open to interpretation, potentially leading to misunderstandings and suboptimal care for people with dementia. As healthcare professionals occupy a critical role in upholding dignity, exploring their viewpoints on this complex concept is paramount. In this study, we explore Danish healthcare professionals’ views on the dignity of people with dementia and discuss these perspectives against existing theoretical accounts. We employed thematic analysis of data collected during facilitated discussions with a total of 99 healthcare professionals, including nurses and healthcare workers, during which we posed the question, “What is dignity to you?” and documented their perspectives. Through a systematic process of data coding and interpretation, we identified recurring patterns in their responses. This approach allowed us to uncover the depth and complexity of their viewpoints, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of dignity as perceived by healthcare professionals. Our findings revealed that healthcare professionals possessed a nuanced understanding of dignity, recognizing both a subjective element and a universal aspect applicable to all individuals, aligning with theoretical interpretations. However, conceptual ambiguity remained a challenge.

The Emergence of Anthroposophical Curative Education in Israel

Abstract This paper tracks anthroposophical social initiatives in Israel in the mid-20th century. It follows the migration of people involved in the anthroposophical movement, the transfer of anthroposophical ideas and the transnational translation of social work knowledge and practice from Europe to Mandatory Palestine and Israel. Archival material was collected from official, institutional, and private archives in Israel, Switzerland, Britain, and Germany and some data was obtained through oral history interviews. Transnational correspondence between anthroposophists in Palestine, later Israel, and those in Europe and Britain up to the late 1960s reveals efforts to tackle the newly founded state’s most burning struggles to adjust, realize, and embed an anthroposophical care practice. The paper suggests that the transnational translation of anthroposophical curative education played a significant role in the reception of anthroposophy in Israel through a process in which European cultural aspects of anthroposophy were adjusted, and its universal human aspects were prioritized.

Nuclear contacts of unstable nuclei

Nuclear contact is a key quantity to describe the nucleon-nucleon short-range correlations (SRCs). While they have been determined by electron scattering experiments for selected stable nuclei, nuclear contacts are largely unknown for unstable nuclei. In this work, we study nuclear contacts for a number of nuclei in the vicinity of the doubly magic 132Sn from the theoretical perspective, with special emphasis on unstable nuclei. We find that the proton-proton contact generally gets suppressed by the excess neutrons for the Sn isotopes, resembling the suppression of α-cluster formation reported recently for the same isotopic chain (J. Tanaka et al., 2021 [46]). This might suggest a hidden universal aspect of SRCs and α clustering, two different kinds of nuclear correlations. Moreover, we reveal a model-independent correlation between the proton-proton contact and the root-mean-square radius of proton density distributions for Sn isotopes. Meanwhile, a linear relation is found between the proton-proton contact and the proton number for the N=82 isotones. Our results can be helpful for future experimental studies of SRCs in unstable nuclei at advanced facilities worldwide.

The ecospiritual approach for the advancement of social work: a concept and practice of ‘interconnectedness’ in Won Buddhism

ABSTRACT In the context of today’s globalized world, marked by heightened awareness of interconnected social challenges, this paper explores the integration of ecospiritual approach into social work practice and education. Recognizing spirituality as a universal aspect of human experience, the authors advocate for a spiritually sensitive approach to social work, emphasizing the search for meaning, purpose, and connectedness. Central to this discussion is the ecospiritual approach, which challenges Western paradigms of individualism and capitalism by embracing interconnectedness and interdependent relationships. This approach is exemplified through the exploration of Buddhism, African spiritual philosophy, and Won Buddhism, particularly focusing on concepts of Interbeing, Ubuntu, and the Fourfold Grace. This paper highlights the relevance of the Fourfold Grace and gratitude practices in Won Buddhism for building the ecospiritual framework into practice, emphasizing their potential to enhance knowledge and practice integrity in the field. The overarching goal is to promote collective awareness and commitment, advanced practices toward the advancement of social work, social justice, and a sustainable well-being society. The future directions in this paper share thoughtful visions and hopes.

Biophysical neural adaptation mechanisms enable artificial neural networks to capture dynamic retinal computation

Adaptation is a universal aspect of neural systems that changes circuit computations to match prevailing inputs. These changes facilitate efficient encoding of sensory inputs while avoiding saturation. Conventional artificial neural networks (ANNs) have limited adaptive capabilities, hindering their ability to reliably predict neural output under dynamic input conditions. Can embedding neural adaptive mechanisms in ANNs improve their performance? To answer this question, we develop a new deep learning model of the retina that incorporates the biophysics of photoreceptor adaptation at the front-end of conventional convolutional neural networks (CNNs). These conventional CNNs build on ’Deep Retina,’ a previously developed model of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) activity. CNNs that include this new photoreceptor layer outperform conventional CNN models at predicting male and female primate and rat RGC responses to naturalistic stimuli that include dynamic local intensity changes and large changes in the ambient illumination. These improved predictions result directly from adaptation within the phototransduction cascade. This research underscores the potential of embedding models of neural adaptation in ANNs and using them to determine how neural circuits manage the complexities of encoding natural inputs that are dynamic and span a large range of light levels.

Deep learning insights into non-universality in the halo mass function

ABSTRACT The abundance of dark matter haloes is a key cosmological probe in forthcoming galaxy surveys. The theoretical understanding of the halo mass function (HMF) is limited by our incomplete knowledge of the origin of non-universality and its cosmological parameter dependence. We present a deep-learning model which compresses the linear matter power spectrum into three independent factors which are necessary and sufficient to describe the $z=0$ HMF from the state-of-the-art Aemulus emulator to sub-per cent accuracy in a wCDM$+N_\mathrm{eff}$ parameter space. Additional information about growth history does not improve the accuracy of HMF predictions if the matter power spectrum is already provided as input, because required aspects of the former can be inferred from the latter. The three factors carry information about the universal and non-universal aspects of the HMF, which we interrogate via the information-theoretic measure of mutual information. We find that non-universality is captured by recent growth history after matter-dark-energy equality and $N_{\rm eff}$ for $M\sim 10^{13} \, \mathrm{M_\odot }\, h^{-1}$ haloes, and by $\Omega _{\rm m}$ for $M\sim 10^{15} \, \mathrm{M_\odot }\, h^{-1}$. The compact representation learnt by our model can inform the design of emulator training sets to achieve high emulator accuracy with fewer simulations.

Comparative aging: how early Christian widows illuminate age and aging today

ABSTRACT In a late first century CE Christian text, we find a rather odd sentiment: a widow should be “put on a list” if she is “not less than sixty” (1 Timothy 5:9). In this article, questions around these phrases form a basis for a comparison of age and aging in the ancient Mediterranean and in the author’s own twenty-first century Canadian context, exploring universal aspects of aging and culturally conditioned understanding of age. Comparisons of life expectancy, definitions of age, gendered expectations, intergenerational relationships, and perception of time shed light on aspects of age and aging that we might not otherwise consider.

Expert and Public Preferences and Perceptions of Different Color Schemes and Map Overlays on a Tropical Cyclone Wind Exceedance Forecast Graphic

Abstract Map graphics are often used for hazard risk communication, layered with numerical, verbal, and visual information to describe an uncertain threat. In the hurricane context, graphics are used to communicate the probability of different threats over a forecasting period. While hurricane graphics have been studied in the past, they have not been designed with colorblind-friendly accessibility and localization in mind. This study presents the results of a mixed-method study, testing the perceptions of different color schemes and map overlays on a wind exceedance map graphic with samples of experts (emergency managers and meteorologists) and the public. Nineteen experts from Florida and Louisiana were interviewed about their preferences for and risk perceptions of the design elements of the new wind exceedance graphic. The graphic prototypes were also tested using a public sample (n = 624) from Florida and Louisiana to study participants’ design preferences and risk perceptions. Both expert and public samples preferred a yellow-to-red scheme, though experts thought the yellow-to-red scheme presented the hazard as riskier and the public thought the reds-only scheme was riskier. Experts and the public preferred a map graphic with overlays; they scored a map graphic with overlays as riskier than a version without overlays. Understanding the connection between color scheme preference and risk perception for both experts and the public has important implications on risk communication as new graphics are designed. The conclusion of this study provides avenues for future research for experts who want to apply universal design aspects into hurricane graphics. Significance Statement This study investigates user preferences and risk perceptions for a new wind exceedance hurricane graphic designed with universal design principles. Experts (emergency managers and meteorologists) and the public from Florida and Louisiana participated in a mixed-method study, capturing qualitatively and quantitatively how a yellow-to-red and reds-only color scheme, as well as interstate or city overlays, impacted their engagement with the graphic. Studying the design features of forecast graphics from a social science perspective before they are operational is important, as the findings from this study reveal how different groups could perceive the graphic.

The Use of Survival Dose-Rate Dependencies as Theoretical Discrimination Criteria for In-Silico Dynamic Radiobiological Models.

Cell repair dynamics are crucial in optimizing anti-cancer therapies. Various assays (eg, comet assay and γ-H2AX) assess post-radiation repair kinetics, but interpreting such data is challenging and model-based data analyses are required. However, ambiguities in parameter calibration remain an unsolved challenge. To address this, we propose combining survival dose-rate effects with computer simulations to gain knowledge about repair kinetics. After a literature review, theoretical discriminators based on common fractionation/dose-rate-related effects were defined to discard unrealistic model dynamics. The Multi-Hit Repair (MHR) model was calibrated with canine osteosarcoma Abrams cell line data to study the discriminators' efficacy in scenarios with limited survival data. Additionally, survival dose-rate-dependent data from the human SiHa cervical cancer cell line were used to illustrate the survival behavior at diverse dose-rates and the capability of the MHR to model these data. SiHa data confirmed the validity of the proposed discriminators. The discriminators filtered 99% of parameter sets, improving the calibration of Abrams cells data. Furthermore, results from both cell lines may hint universal aspects of cellular repair. Dose-rate theoretical discrimination criteria are an effective method to understand repair kinetics and improve radiobiological model calibration. Moreover, this methodology may be used to analyze diverse biological data using dynamic models in-silico.

From Seeing to Understanding: The Conceptual Metaphor UNDERSTANDING IS LIGHT in Julian of Norwich’s “Revelations of Divine Love”

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The article discusses the interplay between language, cognition and culture from a cognitive diachronic perspective, focusing on the relation between religion and metaphorical thought. It investigates the role of the conceptual metaphor UNDERSTANDING IS LIGHT in religious discourse, using the example of The Revelations of Divine Love, written by Julian of Norwich, a late medieval anchoress. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METODS: The paper draws on the Extended Conceptual Metaphor approach, Zoltán Kövecses’s elaboration of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). The universalist bias of CMT means that the theory tends to ignore the sociocultural context of historical data, prioritising the influence of universal human embodiment on metaphorical thought. Using Kövecses’s approach, the paper shows how the gap in CMT methodology may be bridged to yield more reliable results. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The present study connects Kövecses’s approach to Cognitive Linguistic research into sociocultural situatedness. To exemplify the problem, the analysis examines the cognitive‑cultural underpinnings of Julian’s use of the metaphor UNDERSTAND‑ ING IS LIGHT. RESEARCH RESULTS: The analysis shows that the metaphorical conceptualisation pattern may well derive from Julian’s sociocultural situatedness. The paper indicates that the anchoress’s metaphorical thought should be seen as embedded in the late medieval sociocultural context, rather than being considered solely in terms of universal aspects of embodiment. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE APPLICATIVE VALUE OF RESEARCH: The study concludes that the idea of sociocultural situatedness may be pivotal in the analyses of historical texts. It seems important to incorporate this idea into Kövecses’s approach, which may inform the methodology of cognitive diachronic research into metaphorical conceptualisations. Furthermore, the results may be applied to teaching students how to approach historical texts, helping them gain a better understanding of the relation between metaphorical thought and culture.

HeartMath iBhubesi Tree Rhythm Project at Umhlanga Rocks South Africa

The HeartMath Tree Rhythm project is a citizen science interconnectivity initiative. Interconnectivity refers to the hypothesis that all life forms are interconnected via intersecting magnetic energy fields. HeartMath tree rhythm research complements the HeartMath Global Coherence Initiative (GCI) and Global Consciousness Project (GCI). Related websites are as follows: https://treerhythms.net/ https://www.heartmath.org/gci/gcms/live-data/ and https://gcp2.net The present contribution employs a narrative methodology to introduce the iBhubesi Tree Rhythm project at Umhlanga Rocks South Africa. The isiZulu term “iBhubesi” denotes an African lion. Ubuntu connotes humanity. Its deeper meaning is that we only become human through others (umuntu umuntu ngabantu), especially, ancestors, family and friends. African dialogue is epitomized by respectful greeting and openness in human relationships. Umhlanga Rocks iBhubhesi Mango has a unique ecological ancestry and eco-spiritual story. Mango trees are originally indigenous to India, its people and continent. They are also connected to everything else - nature, people, continents, planets and cosmos. The following contribution intends to unpack some universal, differential and unique aspects of this interconnectedness.

Unveiling universal aspects of the cellular anatomy of the brain

Recent cellular-level volumetric brain reconstructions have revealed high levels of anatomic complexity. Determining which structural aspects of the brain to focus on, especially when comparing with computational models and other organisms, remains a major challenge. Here we quantify aspects of this complexity and show evidence that brain anatomy satisfies universal scaling laws, establishing the notion of structural criticality in the cellular structure of the brain. Our framework builds upon understanding of critical systems to provide clear guidance in selecting informative structural properties of cellular brain anatomy. As an illustration, we obtain estimates for critical exponents in the human, mouse and fruit fly brains and show that they are consistent between organisms, to the extent that data limitations allow. Such universal quantities are robust to many of the microscopic details of the cellular structures of individual brains, providing a key step towards generative computational models of the cellular structure of the brain, and also clarifying in which sense one animal may be a suitable anatomic model for another.

Rawls, Humanity and the Concept of Expression

Abstract In this article I present two possible interpretations of Rawls’s assertion in A Theory of Justice that human beings have a desire to express their nature as free and rational. My reading hinges on different accounts of the Kantian conception of the person and of the Aristotelian principle and its companion effect. According to the first interpretation, this desire is a kind of natural predisposition inherent in all persons irrespective of the society in which they live. It has a universal and ahistorical aspect. The second interpretation sees our free and rational nature as an ideal that we strive to fulfill. This ideal appeals only to citizens of modern liberal democracies and entails a more qualified universalism. I argue that there is strong textual support for both interpretations but the second one is more consistent with the methodological framework of justice as fairness.

Problems of Reception, Understanding, and Interpretation of Abai’s Works

ABSTRACT The purpose of the article is to analyze how Abai’s philosophical and artistic ideas resonate with the contemporary audience and to identify the main features that contribute to the relevance of his poetry. The methodological basis of the study combines a literary analysis of Abai’s texts with comparative and analytical research methods. The study analyzes the artistic, structural, rhythmic, and stylistic aspects of Abai’s poems that shape their perception and interpretation. Examples of Abai’s poems in the original and translations into Russian and English are given. The results of the study demonstrate both positive and negative trends in the contemporary reception of Abai’s works. On the one hand, the dominance of Russian translations affects the accuracy of Abai’s figurative language and poetic form. On the other hand, the growing number of publications and studies of Abai’s heritage in China, Turkey, Iran, and other countries indicates a growing interest in Kazakh culture around the world. Thus, despite certain “distortions,” Abai’s works continue to gain a readership due to their philosophical depth and artistic skill. A comparative analysis of interpretations and translations helps to better understand the national and universal aspects of his poetry that determine its enduring significance.