Background Ideas Research Articles

Health system reform and path-dependency: how ideas constrained change in South Africa’s national health insurance policy process

Path-dependency theory says that complex systems, such as health systems, are shaped by prior conditions and decisions, and are resistant to change. As a result, major policy changes, such as health system reform, are often only possible in policy windows—moments of transition or contextual crisis that re-balance social power dynamics and enable the consideration of new policy ideas. However, even in policy windows there can be resistance to change. In this paper, we consider the role of ideas in constraining change. We draw on political science theory on the dynamic relationship between foreground ideas (policy programmes and frames) and background ideas (deeply held collective cognitive and normative beliefs) to better understand how ideas exert influence independently of the contextual conditions that give rise to them or the actors that espouse them. To do so, we examine two apparent policy windows in the South African National Health Insurance policy process. The analysis reveals how ideas can become institutionalised in organisations and procedures (such as policy instruments or provider networks), and in intangible cultural norms—becoming hegemonic and uncontested ideas that shape the attitudes and perspectives of policy actors. In this way, ideas operate as independent variables, constraining change across policy windows. While health policy analysts increasingly recognise the influence of ideational variables in policy processes, they tend to conceptualise ideas as tools actors wield to drive change. This analysis reveals the importance of considering ideas (values, norms, and beliefs) as persistent features of the policy-making context that constrain actors.

The triggering of communicative discourses in Sweden: technicalities in the PISA survey and social tensions in society

ABSTRACT How could the technicality arising from eleven percent of students being excluded from a PISA test in Sweden trigger a polarized debate followed by investigations by both the OECD and national authorities? This question is explored in the study by drawing on discursive institutionalism, especially the concept of normative background ideas, communicative discourse, and the “power in ideas”. Communicative discourses can be referred to as discourses explained by logics of position and logics of ideas. The normative background ideas are related to a critique or acceptance of receiving a high number of immigrants during a short period of time a few years before the 2018 PISA test was conducted. The concluding reflection poses the questions of at what point it is reasonable for newly arrived students to participate in the PISA test and whether the PISA test really measures the quality of the school system, as suggested by the OECD.

Caste, race, and slavery: On comparisons between race in the United States and caste in India, and to forgotten assumptions behind the legal categories

While diving into the background ideas about caste and race as legal categories, a researcher will discover an important disagreement between scholars: For some, caste is certainly connected with race, whereas for others, caste and race are separate concepts which refer to distinct realities. The aim of this article is twofold: To consider the validity of several characteristics which are ascribed by many authors as common to caste and race, and to analyse background assumptions that enabled the comparison between caste and race as such. The important question, connected with both these aims is about the emergence of the idea that the ancient “Hindu nation” was divided into two peoples, and castes as a system are reflecting the original division in modern India. We will closely examine comparisons made between the advent of Aryans in India and slavery in the United States and Africa. Finally, we will reconsider the European ideas of human evolution and equality of men, which served as a contrasting board for explanations of caste as a form of slavery.

Arif Hidayah’s Authorship in the “Memories of Home”

Authorship is an attitude of a creative worker, which in this context is a photojournalist that can develop over time. In this study, researchers examine the form of ideas that exist in Arif Hidayah in visualizing the Tamansari community with the title “Memories of Home”. This study aims to determine the form of Arif Hidayah’s authorship in terms of aesthetic competence, personal implications and the meaning of Arif Hidayah himself in understanding substance. The researcher used qualitative research methods with an authorship case study approach. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews, observation and literature studies. The results showed that, (1) Arif Hidayah chose the type of composition, lighting and display in accordance with Arif Hidayah’s personal ideas, (2) Arif Hidayah’s personality has implications for creating the subject’s background within the scope of education, work, family and interests that is in Arif Hidayah to visualize the Tamansari community as a victim of eviction, (3) All meanings in visualizing the Tamansari community, Arif Hidayah always keeps the meaning in terms of the understanding that exists in Arif Hidayah, (4) The idea in Arif Hidayah’s photo project is the connection between his background ideas and Arif Hidayah’s mastery of the technical aspects of photography itself. These aspects are interconnected because Arif Hidayah’s imagination regarding the Tamansari community is based on memories and memories of his past, which are unconsciously conveyed through journalistic photography techniques in the “Memories of Home” project.

ON THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CULTURAL CATEGORY OF SINFULNESS IN THE WORKS OF A. DE CUSTINE AND T. GAUTIER

The cultural category of sinfulness is widely represented in the literature of the 19th century, in particular in the books of A. de Custine “Russia in 1839” and T. Gauthier “Journey to Russia”. The culturological study A. de Custine’s and T. Gautier’s works seems relevant, since the first underlies the background ideas of Europeans about the culture of Russia and it is the basis of permanent myths, and the second belongs to the pen of a famous French writer and arouses the interest of numerous modern scientists. In addition, the works written in the same era represent the presentation of the opposing views of the authors, which provides valuable material for analysis. It is also important to identify and study morphological units of cultural knowledge on a specific material, ensuring its preservation and translation. The aim of the work is to analyze the facts of objectification of the cultural category of sinfulness in the works of A. de Custine “Russia in 1839” and T. Gautier “Journey to Russia” (published in 1867). The main methods of research were the method of continuous sampling from the text of books of fragments and sayings correlated with the idea of sin and the cultural category of sinfulness itself, the method of observing the facts of objectification of cultural categories, the structural and functional method of unit analysis. The results of the work were the analysis of the selected units correlating with the concepts (understood as structural parts of the category) of sin and holiness. In the book of A. de Custine, in describing Russian culture, the concepts of such sins as pride, envy, sloth are objectified. In T. Gautier’s work is represented the concept of holiness in connection with the author’s image of “holy Russia”.

Jewels of Africa: Citizen Science on the African Continent

In their recent publication entitled Diamonds on the Soles of their Feet, Goldin, et al.,[1] present a project on groundwater monitoring in the Hout Catchment, Limpopo. The title of the article captures the idea of wealth (democratisation of knowledge, water literacy, social justice) attributed to citizen scientists with their feet on the ground, gathering valuable information-in the case of their study-on groundwater levels and rainfall. Jewels of Africa takes up the idea of democratisation of knowledge and what we see as ‘science of the people’ within the context of the African Continent. We first present some background ideas on CS before defining CS and then, whilst acknowledging the vagaries of coming up with a CS definition, and the huge efforts made by the CS community to define CS, we offer a new and more simple working definition for CS. We then consider CS applications in general before giving nine examples within the African context. We look briefly at the potential of CS in East Africa before we make our contribution to debates around CS and propose ten guidelines which, we believe, complement the ten principles for CS proposed in 2015 by the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) but which are pertinent when considering CS projects in a developing country context.

Nietzsche and Contemporary Ethics

Nietzsche and Contemporary Ethics

Foundational Mathematical Beliefs and Ethics in Mathematical Practice and Education

Foundational philosophical beliefs about mathematics in the mathematical community may have an unappreciated yet profound impact on ethics in mathematical practice and mathematics education, which also affects practice. A philosophical and historical basis of the dominant platonic and formalist views of mathematics are described and evaluated, after which an alternative evidence-based foundation for mathematical thought is outlined. The dualistic nature of the platonic view based on intuition is then compared to parallel historical developments of universalizing ethics in Western thought. These background ideas set the stage for a discussion of the impact of traditional mathematical beliefs on ethics in the practice and education of mathematics in the mathematical community. This is compared to the potential of a belief in evidence-based mathematical foundations on mathematical practice and education.

Mysticism and Spiritual Problems in William Golding’s «Darknes Visible»

The article is devoted to the study of William Golding’s «Darkness Visi-
 ble» (1979) within the context of mysticism as the way of conceiving the world,
 which is based on the idea of supernatural, mysterious foundation of existence
 and connected with the search for the forms of divine identity. The purpose of the
 work is to determine the forms in the representation of mystic traditions and its’
 function in solving main questions set by the author.
 The comprehensive analysis of the novel’s structure shows that its plot has a
 mystic meaning. Due to the quotation namings, numerous allusions in «Darkness
 Visible» resembles books conceived as the prophecies. The role of modern mystic is
 played by Matty, one of Golding’s heroes, who has theophany experience.
 The model of the world, created by Golding, is founded on the mystic sym-
 bols and motifs, that are compiled on the principles of binarity and trinity. It re-
 flects the author’s idea of the spiritual background of existence, supporting unity
 and balance of the world in the situation of entropy. In that way, Golding’s appeal
 to mystic traditions is caused by searching alternative ways to resolve contradic-
 tions that become prominent in the postmodern era.

When evidence alone is not enough: the problem, policy and politics of water fluoridation in England

Background: Tooth extractions are the most common cause of hospital admissions for children in England. Water fluoridation has the potential to reduce this number by 60%, is backed by the scientific and public health communities, and yet is currently consumed by only 10% of the population. Aims and objectives: This ‘evidence-policy gap’ is explored through Kingdon’s ‘multi-streams approach’ which provides insights into the circumstances under which water fluoridation has made it onto the political agenda, the rationale underpinning opponent and advocate policy positions, and the role of the political arena in fostering or hindering policy action. Methods: Over 100 primary documents were reviewed to develop an understanding of the scientific and ethical arguments for and against water fluoridation, as well as to identify how they have all historically sought to mobilise their policy preferences. Eleven consultations were also conducted with stakeholders as part of the knowledge exchange process. Findings: The key finding of this research is that evidence is only likely to trigger policy change if it emerges into a receptive sociopolitical context. In substantiating this claim we identify evidence not of an ‘evidence-policy gap’ but of a more complex and multidimensional ‘evidence-policy-politics gap’. Discussion and conclusions: The findings contribute to a range of debates in relation to: (1) the apparent irreconcilability of background ideas about what ought to form the basis of public health policymaking; (2) the presence of differing evidential standards that create an uneven playing field; and (3) the central underpinning role of politics in public health policymaking.

ЛИНГВОКУЛЬТУРНЫЙ ПОТЕНЦИАЛ ЭВФЕМИЗМОВ-ОБЕРЕГОВ

The article deals with a special type of euphemisms-amulets, that is, linguocultural units endowed with the function of protection. There are two types of euphemisms-amulets from the point of view of relevance: obsolete and current units. Obsolete euphemisms- amulets have targets that are not recognized as dangerous by the modern linguistic and cultural community. Current euphemisms-amulets, although not always consciously, are used by representatives of the modern Russian linguistic and cultural community to protect against something bad. The paper establishes that the use of the euphemism-amulet is based on the transla- tion of the target's representation into another cultural code. The work reveals that the euphemisms-amulets are directed not to mitigate an unwanted nomination but how to replace it. An undesirable nomination is endowed with negative magical properties, which is why the linguocultural community imposes a ban on its use. A protective cultural function is superim- posed on the euphemism. The main pragmatic explanation for the use of the euphemism- amulet is the speaker's desire not to predict an encounter with an unwanted object, which is based on belief in the magical power of the word. The factors that determine the linguocultural specificity of euphemisms-amulets are revealed. The first factor is target selection. For the Russian linguocultural community, such targets include a totemic animal, evil forces representing another world, death. The second factor is the selection of nominations for the euphemistic function, which is determined by culturally marked background knowledge, ideas, and typical practices. The communicative- pragmatic platform for the use of euphemisms-amulets is the belief in the magical power of the word, in the fact that the use of the forbidden word can lead to negative consequences (in particular, to cause the appearance of something dangerous, undesirable). The work proves that the identified cultural factors are universal, based on universal archetypes: one's own / another's, permission / prohibition, life / death. At the same time, the fact of the appearance of the euphemism-amulet, the choice of its internal form is determined by national and cultural factors.

Technology of reusable assembly power pipe trench and temporary road system

Based on the current situation of the temporary pipelines with disorderly layout and low integration, the temporary roads with time consuming, material consuming and environmentally unfriendly in, construction site, a new type of reusable assembly power pipe trench and temporary road system technology is proposed in this paper. The research background and research ideas of the technology are described; the partition, structure and connection of the system are designed; the stress of the system is checked by finite element method, and the main stress structure is optimized. The system has the advantage of high degree of integration, convenient transportation and installation, and high reusability, and it is in line with the modern construction concept of carbon emission reduction, green construction and civilized construction.

Colapso climático e a destruição do futuro

Pretende-se explorar aqui alguns efeitos do colapso climático sobre nossa experiência do tempo. A hipótese aqui levantada é que as alterações antrópicas da estabilidade da Terra afetam a maneira como nos relacionamos com o futuro, pois a própria ideia de futuro se encontraria comprometida. Partiremos da noção de “estratos do tempo,” elaborada por Koselleck, para pensar em que medida essa crise afeta a nossa experiência do tempo. Antes disso era possível pensar a nossa experiência do tempo e da história como sendo construída a partir de certas repetições que serviam como fundo para acontecimentos. O colapso climático põe em questão essa imagem de um fundo, já que as repetições tomadas como naturais passam a ter seus ritmos alterados. Ao final do artigo, esboçaremos a proposta de uma espécie de disposição temporal alternativa, possibilitada por alguns elementos do pensamento ameríndio a partir de Danowski e Viveiros de Castro.

Cultural approach to the formation of professional competences of the specialist in the realities of modern education

The problem of a cultural approach realization to the specialist professional competences formation in the realities of the modern education is discussed in the article.The present realities which are characterized by the request of the society for a “new type specialist” give new requirements for education. Modern education can be supposed effective only when it, by forming the professional competences which are necessary for human life, will be comprehended from a cultural point of view as a person’s entry into culture. The article reveals the key competences which are necessary for any specialist in the present day realities, thanks to which his socialization and self-realization processes will proceed successfully. The historical background and universal conceptual ideas of the culturological approach realization to the specialist professional competences formation in the realities of the modern education without paying attention to the direction and profile of the specialist training are discovered in the article.The aim of the research is to characterize the essential ideas and opportunities for the cultural approach realization to the specialist professional competences formation in the realities of the modern education. Our research methodology was based on the application of the theoretical and practical methods complex, including such methods as the special cultural, philosophical, psychological, pedagogical and scientific-methodical literature extensive study on the stated problem, as well as educational and methodical documentation study of educational organizations based on analysis, synthesis, theoretical modeling; professional students development observation and analysis (with the help of questionnaires and tests made by the authors of this article). As the research result we made a conclusion that the specialist professional formation in the realities of the modern education goes simultaneously with the process of his humanitarian and personal development. Personal qualities (attitudes, motives, intelligence, emotional and volitional sphere of a person) determine the quality of his professional competences formation. The educational organization task is to create the favourable conditions for the student “entry” into the culture, it means to form a creative, culturologically filled educational environment for making an inimitable and unique professional and personal development of the modern specialist pathway in each case as the Culture Creator.

Врахування макроклімату при проектуванні висотних біокліматичних будівель

Для вирішення задач біокліматичної висотної архітектури важливим є врахування кліматичних впливів. У статті на основі узагальнення досвіду будівництва висотних будівель у районах зі складними кліматичними умовами та аналізу досліджень впливу макроклімату при проектуванні запропоновано структурну схему утворення макрокліматичного середовища з визначенням факторів впливу при формуванні висотної біокліматичної архітектури. Надано визначення макрокліматичного середовища як об’єднання природних та антропогенних чинників, що уточнює макрокліматичну характеристику. Зроблено висновок, що дослідження макроклімату надає можливість при проектуванні враховувати комплекс кліматичних параметрів для визначення впливів на висотні біокліматичні будівлі.

Biological Characteristics of Human Skeletal Muscle-Derived Pericytes/Perivascular Cells and Their Supporting Effects on Hematopoietic Stem Cell in Vitro

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) as precursor cells of bone marrow stromal cells, in addition to the formation of the bone marrow microenvironment, secrete a variety of blood-related factors, promote hematopoietic recovery and reconstruction. However, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells are extremely rare within human bone marrow, which limit their experimental and clinical applications. Our previous study demonstrated that MSCs were derived from pericytes/perivascular cells (PCs), and PCs were the precursor of MSCs. PCs are widely distributed, especially in skeletal muscle tissue, which are rich in content, easy to be harvested with minimal damage, and rapid cell proliferation. However, very few researches have been done on whether human skeletal muscle-derived pericytes/perivascular cells (hMD-PCs) are involved in HSPCs expansion/proliferation, differentiation and possible hematopoietic regulation mechanisms. Based on the above research background and research ideas, in current study, we intend to isolate, purify and characterize the CD146+ hMD-PCs and further investigate their supporting effect on human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells in vitro. Methods 1. hMD-PCs with phenotype CD146+CD56-CD34-CD144-CD45- were sorted from human skeletal muscle by enzymatic digestion and multiparameter fluorescence-activated cell sorting (MP-FACS), and their biological characteristic were conducted by detecting the surface marker of MSCs and inducing multilineage differentiation. 2. Human UCB CD34+cells were sorted by immunomagnetic beads, and then established the in vitro expansion culture system of UCB CD34+ cells co-culture with CD146+ hMD-PCs (experimental group), human bone marrow MSCs for feeder layer (positive control) and UCB CD34+ cells alone culture system (blank control). After 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks of co-culture, the number of cells, the colony formation ability and immunophenotype were analysed. Result 1.CD146+ hMD-PCs were sorted by MP-FACS and the purity was (91.5±1.85)% (n=5); CD146+ hMD-PCs expressed mesenchymal surface markers CD73, CD90, CD105, CD44, and did not express hematopoietic cell and endothelial cell marker CD45, CD34, CD31. After induced culture, CD146+ hMD-PCs can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrogenesis, adipocytes and myoblasts; 2.UCB CD34+ cells were sorted by magnetic beads which number was (9.18±3.50)×105, and then co-cultured with CD146+ hMD-PCs and human BM-MSCs at a density of 5×104/well, respectively. After 1, 2 and 4 weeks of co-culture, there were no statistically significant differences in cell number, colony formation ability and immunophenotype (CD45+cells, CD34+CD33-cells, CD14+cells, CD10+/CD19+cells) between CD146+ hMD-PCs for feeder layer culture system and BM-MSCs for feeder layer culture system (P>0.05, n=6). However, after 1 week, 2 weeks of co-culture, the both cells number of CD146+ hMD-PCs and human BM-MSCs culture system were significantly different from the blank control group, (P<0.01) and (P<0.001) respectively. The colony culture could not be performed due to low cell number of the blank control group. Conclusion CD146+ hMD-PCs, like human BM-MSCs, have hematopoietic support capacity in vitro; therefore CD146+ hMD-PCs can be used as another source of stromal cells for the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The Background of Willy Brandt and Egon Bahr's Tutzing Adress and their Ideas, and Practice Strategy of Ostpolitik

본 연구에서 필자는 빌리 브란트와 에곤 바르가 1963년 7월 15일 투칭(Tutzing)에서 행한 연설이 있게 된 시대적, 국제관계적 및 국내정치적 배경을 살펴보고, 브란트의 이 연설에 나타난 향후 동방정책의 밑거름으로서 작용하는 배경 사상들을 분석했다. 브란트의 투칭 연설은 그의 삶과 정치를 통해 체득된 사상과 흐루시초프의 평화공존, 케네디의 평화전략 개념들이 만나 저수지를 이룬 결과였다. 그리고 바르의 대중적 개념화를 통해 세상 속으로 퍼져 흘러 들어가게 되었다. 서독이 일방적 보수에서 진보와 조화를 이루는 변화로 가는 분기점이 되었다. 브란트는 이 연설에서 개별 혹은 부분과 전체의 관계에 대해 하나의 사상체계로서 총론적으로 설명했다. 각론으로서 과거청산, 동서독 관계, 독일과 유럽, 세계에 대해 이야기 하고, 모든 것을 관계 속에서 볼 것을 제안했다. 접촉을 통한 변화, 작은 걸음의 정책 내용을 상세히 설명했다. 이 투칭 연설과 토론은 서독에서 향후 동방정책이 정립되는데 중요한 출발점이 되었다.In this study, I examined the time, international relations, and domestic political context in which Billy Brandt and Egon Bahr made speeches at Tutzing on July 15, 1963. I tried to analyze background ideas that acted as bases. Brandt s speech was the result of his ideas of life and politics. He was influenced by the concepts of the peaceful coexistence of Khrushchev and Kennedy s peace strategy. Then, through the popular conceptualization of Bahr, the ideas of Willy Brandt known later as the Ostpolitik spread into the world efficiently. The West Germany became a turning point for changes from one-sided conservatism to progress and harmony. In the Tutzing speech, Brandt described the relationships between the individual, the part, and the whole. He proposed to see everything in relationships between the part and the whole. As this point of view, he talked about past redressing, East-West German relations, Germany and Europe, and the World. The policy of the change through contact and the policy of small steps were explained in detail. This Tutzing event became the important starting point for the later Ostpolitik.

TANGGA NADA HIBRID MELALUI KONSEP PENCIPTAAN MUSIK

This writing is in the background of the phenomenon of existing phenomena of some composers making works of musical composition. Dominate the idea of story-based musical creation (ektramusikal) in the academic environment, resulting in an imbalance of explanations of the work. The purpose of the author is to create a concept of formation of hybrid tone, to participate as part of a musical discussion such as conceptualization before the embodiment of the work. Then to know that the many background ideas of the creation problem from the intramusical aspect of the creation dominance of the extramusical element. Combining elements of music from two different types of classification ladder. The process of making these hybrid tones is the result of developing the concept of a pre-existing hybrid scale, beginning with an experiment of tone interval combinations. Hybridity-related because it uses two elements of music combined, to underlie the exposure of concepts such as systematic flow of two elements of music mixed from two musical cultures. So with this intention as a trigger for writers and composers who want to do concept development also strengthen the intramusikal argument in the creation that is done, thus enriching the discourse in the field of musical composition. Keywords: Scale, Hybrid, Creative Idea

Foreground Liberalism, Background Nationalism: A Discursive‐institutionalist Account of EU Leverage and ‘Democratic Backsliding’ in East Central Europe

AbstractThis article argues for a fresh approach to debates on democratic backsliding and European Union (EU) influence in East Central Europe (ECE), drawing on the discursive institutionalism of Vivien Schmidt. Underlying assumptions about backsliding in CEE largely reflect a set of ideas derived from the rational institutionalist and historical institutionalist schools. Moreover, the same theoretical assumptions were previously deployed to explain the apparent success of democratization and EU leverage in CEE. A discursive institutionalism perspective, stressing the role of actors and their discourses in making and unmaking institutions, suggests that democracy in CEE was always less secure than assumed. It also highlights the key role of liberal mainstream parties in embodying democratic institutions. Case studies of the liberal centre‐right in Bulgaria and social democrats in the Czech Republic highlight the way background ideas of ethnically exclusive titular states have increasingly impinged on foreground ideas of liberal pluralism.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL MINORITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

<jats:p>The territory of the Republic of Srpska is well-known for a large number of foreign colonies formed after 1878. Foreigners from all over the Austro-Hungarian Empire were settled in the northern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, today covering the municipalities in the Republic of Srpska. The most dominant group among all national minorities was the Ukrainian. This paper deals with their sacred architecture, which significantly contributes to the image of architecture in the Republic of Srpska. Common properties, the historical context and background ideas are shown, along with selected examples of representative pieces of architecture, followed by a historical and architectural evaluation. Moreover, a note on the number of demolished sacred buildings is given, completing this paper that originally contributes to the historical research and analysis of architecture in this region.</jats:p>