Space-Time-Event-Motion (STEM): A New Metaphor for a New Concept Based on a Triadic Model and Process Philosophy

The disciplinary enterprises engaged in the study of consciousness now extend beyond their original paradigms providing additional knowledge toward an overall understanding of the fundamental meaning and scope of consciousness. A new transdisciplinary domain has resulted from the syncretism of several approaches bringing about a new paradigm. The background for this overarching enterprise draws from a variety of traditions. In this paper however elaboration is restricted to the quantum-mechanical account in David Bohm’s theoretical work in relation to his ideas about “active information”, “protointelligence”, and “non-locality”. This leads to an adapted version of Bohm’s thesis concerning the implicate order and explicate order of the Universe - the Impression Order and the Expression Order, respectively. On this view, the Universe is formed on an actual-material level, the apparent properties of things, and a potential-material level, a constant process of becoming that exerts an attractive force on the present. The central thesis emerges from a radical reformulation of certain core concepts that transforms many ontological assumptions about the material basis of consciousness. That is, the above platform inclusively connects to a hypothesis that the concepts of ‘space’, ‘time’, ‘event’, and ‘motion’ (STEM) can be unified to capture the notion of simultaneous activity at reducing levels to the Impression order. This notion coheres with a physical-theoretical model of Signature-Energy-Frequency (SEF) (paralleled to Planck’s Constant) which has been well demonstrated in the atomic, chemical, and information fields. This study embraces a holistic and creative worldview based on a triadic model wherein consciousness itself is postulated as the most basic, primordial stratum. Importantly, both orders are constantly conjoined since the Impression Order exists as potential energy of the quantum vacuum. The physical realm is formed by the proposed Triangulate-Three conditions as a principle of animation and ‘being’: Consciousness, Body-of-Experience and Intellect-Reflective in the Expression Order, one aspect of which emerge as lifelike properties. This Triangulate-Three principle (i.e. metaphysical principle) inheres in every particle and organism to which it guides its development, adaptation, and survival. The conscious being thus possesses (or manifests) all three conditions in Expression Order through STEM-interactions via SEF transmissions, as a self-organising organism

Space time event motion (STEM) – A better metaphor and a new concept

The content of this paper is primarily the product of an attempt to understand consciousness by working through the Gestell - conventionalised epistemology, at least some of several foundational concepts. This paper indirectly addresses the ancient question: “How is objective reference – or intentionality, possible? How is it possible for one thing to direct its thoughts upon another thing?” (Chisholm, 1981:1) As such, I have adopted a holistic methodology; one in which I develop a framework based on a form of process philosophy and descriptive emergentism (1). Many of the problems associated within the philosophy of mind arise because of a failure to understand the interrelations among the concepts we employ when we talk about consciousness and perception. These concepts are generally associated with certain structural features of reality. Hence, the paper advances through a series of attempts at defining the concept of time, moving through to some of the central figures, their thoughts and arguments and problems associated within the philosophy of time. Given the intertwined nature of the associated concepts (i.e. space, time, event and motion), I have expanded on these to a level of conceptual integration

Conceptualising the structure of the biophysical organising principle: Triple-aspect-theory of being

When examining the human being as a conscious being, we are still to arrive at an understanding of, firstly, the conditions required whereby physical processes give rise to consciousness and secondly, how consciousness is something fundamental to life as an intrinsic part of nature. Humans are complex organisms with myriad interacting systems whereby the convergence of the activities toward the support and development of the whole organism requires a high level of organisation. Though what accounts for the dynamic unity of the human being? From an empirical perspective the question remains unanswered. The aim of this paper is to conceptually establish a fundamental biophysical organising principle to account for the unity and organisation of the human being. To this end I draw from David Bohm’s interpretation of quantum theory to provide an adapted and adjunct conceptual scheme in the form of a Triple-Aspect-Theory (TAT) of Being as a grounding ontology. David Bohm presented a holistic view of two interwoven orders of existence defined as the Explicate material world and the Implicate (quantum) enfolded world from which the former materialises. Consistent with David Bohm’s idea that matter at a fundamental level consists of a kind of protointelligence, the TAT facilitates a perspective based on aspect conditions of the human organism intended to furnish an explanation of the constitutive mechanism (TAT) inherent in the evolving human being. The TAT operates as an organising principle by which evolution inherently proceeds and maintains itself in an interactive relation between the Implicate and Explicate orders. The accumulated effect of natural selection is to produce adaptations, but without an organising principle: ‘Consciousness’, ‘Body-of-Experience’ and ‘Intellect-Reflective’ (the terms for the engaged coexistent aspects of being) it is argued could not occur

The Primacy of Consciousness: A Triple Aspect Ontology

Consciousness – What is it? How does it arise? These are perhaps the two most perplexing questions on the minds of researchers extending across a broad spectrum of disciplinary enquiry. Consider the interested disciplines of cognitive science notably psychology, philosophy, linguistics, quantum mechanics, artificial intelligence and the neurosciences. Cognitive science is the study of intelligence and intelligent systems. Cognitive science attempts to organize and unify views of thought as developed within these distinct disciplines (Sheedy & Chapman, 1995:ix). The concept of consciousness is in one sense readily recognized, putatively held to be that which makes humans different from the rest of the animal kingdom. Consciousness is thought to be what makes us what we are, that enables us to feel and sense things - those attributes of phenomenal experience collectively termed qualia. The concept of qualia derive their meaning from the sensory qualities representative of human phenomenal experience at least on the one hand from non-materialist perspectives, due to this thing called consciousness. The sense of pain, for instance, is a quale thought to be a property of consciousness. Although, on the other hand from a purely reductive materialist perspective, in what sense can the neurochemical activity equally be responsible for producing pain in the body? In other words, how does consciousness arise from a network of interconnected neurons and glial cells of the brain? This sort of question leads one to wonder whether every individual neuron is conscious. If not, what then, is the critical threshold of neurochemical activity for consciousness to arise? No one has a definitive answer or one even close enough to make sense out of the question. (From Author\u27s Introduction) ISBN: 978-383832237

Anticoagulation Adherence in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with a Scheduled Cardioversion

Atrial fibrillation is a chronic disease managed through rate control, rhythm control, and anticoagulation. Anticoagulation compliance must be verified when a patient needs a cardioversion to convert to normal sinus rhythm. If a patient has missed a dose within the last four weeks, a Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) is required to confirm that a clot has not formed in the heart. Medication noncompliance plagues the healthcare industry, costing millions of preventable healthcare dollars. The literature review shows that educational and behavioral interventions effectively increased medication compliance. Educational material was created, and a verified medication compliance survey was utilized to evaluate anticoagulation compliance. A qualitative data analysis and retrospective chart review from 31 patients was conducted on atrial fibrillation patients who were scheduled for a cardioversion during a three-month time period. Patients were emailed an educational packet and a medication compliance survey. The TEE rates were also tracked pre-and post-intervention. Results: Questions from the survey identifying purposeful or consciously choosing not to take medication was 100% compliance. Questions identifying carelessness or forgetfulness showed between 93% and 99% compliance. TEE results could not be analyzed due to the inability to extract cardioversion data

A Metaphysical and Epistemological Critique of Psychiatry

Current health care standards, in many countries, Australia included, are regrettably poor. Surprisingly, practitioners and treating teams alike in mental health and disability sectors, in particular, make far too many basic care-related mistakes, in addition to the already abundant diagnostic mistakes that cause and amplify great harm. In part, too many practitioners also fail to distinguish adverse effects for what they are and all too often treat adverse effects, instead, as comorbidities. Diagnostic failures are dangerous, the result of which generates and perpetuates harms that are extremely costly in terms of patient welfare, in addition to the financial burden placed on everyone. In this essay, I contend that the authority bestowed upon psychiatry is misplaced. Subsequently, this misplaced authority affects the governing and investigatory institutions reliant and informed by psychiatry. The examination process undertaken in this investigation traces the metaphysics of psychiatric disorders relative to the Diagnostic-Statistical-Manual (DSM) in all its iterations and to the epistemological construction process that serves to underpin the fundamentals of psychiatric practice. There exists a crisis of confidence in psychiatric practice and I urge drastic reform be undertaken to arrest the damage

A physiological approach to the sublethal effects of cadmium in Lampsilis ventricosa

Previous studies of contaminant effects on freshwater mussels have been restricted to tissue contaminant concentrations and distribution among tissues. Although no standardized toxicity tests are available, acute toxicity tests have been conducted on freshwater mussels. Chronic toxicity tests which mimic the continuous low-level contaminant exposure these organisms may receive in nature are needed. A physiological approach was taken in this study to examine the sublethal effects of cadmium (0, 30, 100 and 300 ug/l) on the metabolic activity of adult Lampsilis ventricosa. A 28-day toxicity test was conducted using a proportional diluter. Ten mussels were placed into each of 8-57 L aquaria; each treatment was replicated twice. Respiration rate, ammonia excretion rate, clearance rate and food assimilation efficiency were measured on each individual on days 0 (before cadmium exposure), 14 and 28. The tissue condition index ((tissue dry weight/shell dry weight) x 100) of mussels exposed to cadmium for 28 days was compared to the tissue condition index (TCI) in a field sample of 33 L. ventricosa mussels. The O:N ratio (moles oxygen consumed to moles of nitrogen excreted) was estimated from respiration and excretion measurements. Respiration rates in cadmium exposed mussels were significantly (p \u3c 0.05) depressed compared to respiration rates in control mussels. Clearance rates and ammonia excretion rates showed no statistical differences among cadmium treatments, although ammonia excretion rates in mussels exposed to 300 ug/ Cd/l fell from 22 to 5 ug/hr/g dry weight by day 28. By day 28, clearance rates also decreased to one-third of their original value. Assimilation efficiencies increased over the test duration in all treatments. O:N ratios were significantly elevated in mussels exposed to either 100 or 300 ug Cd/l by day 28. TCI values in mussels exposed to cadmium did not vary over treatment levels, but were significantly reduced compared to the field sample;The present research indicated that certain physiological responses can be reliable, sub-lethal indicators of contaminant exposure. However, more basic research on these organisms are needed before they are incorporated into more complex toxicity tests

An Ethical Enquiry that Questions Whether Psychiatrists Truly are Mental Health/Disability Experts? Reasons to Doubt!

The observation that a crisis of confidence regarding Psychiatry exists is a notion shared even among psychiatrists themselves. Psychiatry has a checkered history and its alliance with the pharmaceutical industry, aka Big-Pharma, continues to reinforce a need for healthy skepticism. Why? Mainly, an over-reliance on the questionable expertise and authority afforded psychiatry as the specialists of mental health. I contend that the authority of psychiatry is misplaced and too often harmful. Since the criteria required to justify and satisfy psychiatric expertise is not fully established as can be substantiated by compelling reasons to rethink its authority as a reliable profession in its current form. Psychiatric expertise is not particularly scientific and this is especially dangerous in a sector that prescribes mind-altering drugs. There are a number of identified criteria that would otherwise substantiate psychiatric expertise and whilst partially existent, are nonetheless deficient. These major yet deficient aspects of psychiatric practice concern diagnostic problems – reliability and verification of diagnoses and accurate testable validity of diagnoses - mainly due to an absence of identifiable underlying biomarkers ordinarily related to disease or biological conditions. Psychiatrists often fail to distinguish between reactive-depression (reaction to external event or circumstance) and endogenous-depression (biological) resulting, in part, from incorrectly distinguishing between conditions constitutive of ‘trait’ (endogenous) and of those of ‘state’ (e.g. reactive depression; adverse effects from medication, etc.)

Systematic Control of Aged Skeletal Muscle Following High-Intensity Stretch-Shortening Contraction Exercise Training: Epigenomic Regulation and Signaling Factors Underpinning Adaptation

Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass, results in a loss of strength and functional capacity, which subsequently increases the risk of disease, disability, frailty, and all-cause mortality. Exercise is known to be an efficacious paradigm for improving health and attenuating or preventing many chronic diseases. For the previous two decades, our laboratory has established an in vivo rodent dynamometer model to explore the effects of various skeletal muscle training paradigms following stretch-shortening contractions (SSCs).The responses tohigh-intensity resistance-type exercise training (RTET) using this physiological model ranges from adaptation, characterized by enhanced skeletal muscle performance along with increased muscle mass, to maladaptation, defined as an absence or diminishment of skeletal muscle performance and no improvements in muscle mass. Utilizing a non-injurious SSC protocol, training-induced adaptation occurs in young rodents; this response is altered with age in which old rodents undergo maladaptation when exposed to this same chronic loading protocol. Additionally, with respect to chronologically advancing age, our previous work indicates an altered adaptive phenotype following SSC RTET occurs prior to complete biological development of the rodent – six months of age in the adult rat, which we believe may indicate the onset of a loss in homeostatic control leading to an age-specific biological departure from the adaptive response. However, recently we have shown that modifying the frequency of RTET from three to two days per week in older rodents (e.g. 30-31 months of age) attenuates age-dependent maladaptation and restores muscle quality to a younger phenotype. Despite the therapeutic potential of RTET, a fundamental basis for evidence-based exercise prescription is still largely undetermined because the molecular, cellular and integrated physiological pathways involved in exercise-induced muscle adaptation are not fully understood. Aging in-and-of-itself is a biological process associated with an altered phenotype, and emerging evidence suggests these changes are possibly linked to epigenomic processes. Excitingly, recent research has shown that exercise can influence changes in DNA methylation in skeletal muscle. However, it is currently unknown how exactly DNA methylation may be influencing the adaptation of skeletal muscle to high-intensity SSC RTET, which could be an important mechanism underlying the responsivity of the muscle to training in the context of aging. Traditionally, the term muscle memory has been defined as describing the capability of skeletal muscle to respond more quickly to an applied stimulus that has been encountered previously in spite of periods of inactivity. Recently, emerging evidence has pointed to the existence of a cellular foundation of skeletal muscle memory. Because environmental stimuli and stressors lead to modifications in gene expression, epigenetics/epigenomics are highly likely to form the underlying basis for this cellular memory. However, despite this collective knowledge, to date no studies have determined whether or not changes via DNA methylation that occur as a result of exposure to an adaptive exercise stimulus has a lasting influence on the adaptability of skeletal muscle upon reintroduction to the same stimulus at a later life. In order to examine these unresolved issues, the purpose of this dissertation followed three specific aims: 1) To determine the effects of aging and a reduced training frequency on the activation of molecular signaling pathways associated with the adaptation of skeletal muscle following one month of high-intensity SSC RTET in old rats; 2) to investigate whether DNA methylation influences the molecular signaling activity and adaptability of skeletal muscle following one month of high-intensity SSC RTET, and whether reducing the training frequency modifies the methylation profile of skeletal muscle in response to the training stimulus; 3) to examine if introducing high-intensity SSC RTET at an earlier relative age promotes changes in molecular signaling and DNA methylation that positively influences the ability of skeletal muscle to adapt upon re-exposure to the same paradigm at a later agepreviously shown to have the inability to go through the full adaptive response . The hypotheses for this research were that the ability of aged muscle to adapt to high-intensity SSC RTET would be compromised when exposed to an inappropriate stimulus (i.e., maladaptive) as a consequence of a dysregulated molecular signaling response which would be observable in distinct pathways crucial in muscle homeostasis and remodeling; furthermore, these potential age-related dysregulated events in gene activity would occur as a consequence to altered DNA methylation. Moreover, older animals exposed to a reduced frequency of high-intensity SSC RTET would respond favorably to the training stimulus and in an appropriate manner (i.e., adaptation) and would have a resemblance more like young rats in terms of the molecular signaling pathway and DNA methylation responses compared to age-matched counterparts exposed to a higher frequency that induces maladaptation. Additionally, training rodents at a younger relative age compared to where age-dependent maladaptation occurs would attenuate DNA methylation and therefore positively augment the adaptability of muscle to respond favorably to chronic SSC RTET at a later age following detraining. The results from this study could be vital in understanding the underlying performance, physiological, molecular, and environmental factors influencing the capability of aged skeletal muscle to undergo adaptation in response to RTET; and, thus have important ramifications in the attenuation and/or reversal of sarcopenia. Additionally, we sought to determine the therapeutic efficacy of a training-retraining paradigm using our in vivo high-intensity RTET paradigm by investigating whether or not training at an earlier age is able to prevent functional and physiological decrements of skeletal muscle during the later stages of life