In this paper, we study a concept of universe for a truth predicate over applicative theories. A proof-theoretic analysis is given by use of transfinitely iterated fixed point theories . The lower bound is obtained by a syntactical interpretation of these theories. Thus, universes over Frege structures represent a syntactically expressive framework of metapredicative theories in the context of applicative theories.

In this article we provide wellordering proofs for metapredicative systems of explicit mathematics and admissible set theory featuring suitable axioms about the Mahloness of the underlying universe of discourse. In particular, it is shown that in the corresponding theories EMA of explicit mathematics and KPm 0 of admissible set theory, transfinite induction along initial segments of the ordinal φω00, for φ being a ternary Veblen function, is derivable. This reveals that the upper bounds given for these two systems in the (...) paper Jager and Strahm [11] are indeed sharp. (shrink)