Arbitrary Concept Research Articles

They only hate the term: policy branding and the politics of critical race theory

Abstract How does the public form preferences on racialized policy issues that are both widely discussed and broadly misunderstood? This has been the question centering around the sudden attacks on academic terms like “critical race theory” (CRT). I argue that the politicization of, and opinion polarization around, critical race theory is evidence of what I call policy branding, where political parties or organizations brand an arbitrary concept that has national salience into a policy issue. Using a series of original survey experiments, this study shows that one of the primary sources of opposition to critical race theory is the literal use of the term. I juxtapose this with evidence that the education policy issue at the core, antiracist teaching, maintained strong public, bipartisan support. This study has implications for the consequences of political elite capture of academic concepts and ideas.

THE CATEGORY OF JUSTICE AS AN IDEA AND PRINCIPLE OF CIVIL LAW

The article examines the problem of distinguishing the categories "idea of law" and "principles of law", emphasizes the inadmissibility of characterizing the principles of civil law as corresponding ideas, draws attention to their relationship and correlation. It is especially emphasized that in the process of transformation of ideas of law into principles of law, their differentiation takes place. At the same time, for the understanding of the essence of law, the number of the allocated principles is not of fundamental importance. It becomes fundamentally important to identify and study the essential characteristics of the ideas of civil law, the patterns of their development, as a deep level of knowledge of law. The ideas of law in the philosophical and legal literature are considered as a combination of three components: justice, expediency and legal stability. Attention is drawn to the difference in the functional role of the principles and ideas of law. At the same time, it is especially emphasized that a principle is not an arbitrary concept of thinking, but a category that reflects the lawful relations of reality. Emphasizing the direct connection between justice and law, the types of existing normative models of justice are noted. The legal form is organically inherent in justice. Justice presupposes the legal equality of the subjects of law.

A morphological analysis of Brexitism

ABSTRACT Despite a burgeoning literature on the topic, Brexit has not yet been the subject of a comprehensive ideological analysis. Through morphological analysis we establish an understanding of the concepts and ideas which underpin Brexit’s ideological structure and situate the political event and its aftermath firmly within a political economy context, as a response to the 2008 financial crash. Brexitism is a permutation of Conservatism which seeks to protect the interests of capital by maintaining a ‘state of exception’ characterised by instability and crisis. Political support is mobilised by way of a relentless pursuit of destructive change and innovation combined with a deindividualising concept of sovereignty. Thatcherism’s market justice gives way to a more inequitable and arbitrary concept, manifested in Johnson’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, which legitimises the sustained instability. Traditional Conservative rationality and respect for authority are necessarily eschewed in favour of stronger but more rigid emotional ties. While politically efficacious, Brexitism is inherently unstable and volatile, predicated on a contradiction between the promise of liberty and the maintenance of instability and uncertainty. Without the easy invocation of the ‘EU menace’ the fate of Johnson’s levelling up agenda will decide the longevity of this particular ideological iteration of British Conservatism.

Semantic Struggles in the Face of Crisis: ‘The West’ as Contested Key Concept in West German Parliamentary Debate (1973/74)

This article suggests to read West German parliamentary debate on the first oil crisis as a semantic struggle on the concept of the West. Drawing on latest research, the West is considered to be a narrated concept with its meaning being negotiated upon when being evoked. Even though the West does not refer to any empirical reality, it is not an arbitrary concept either. Rather it repeatedly presents itself in three ideal typical narrative forms: being the civilisational, the modern and the political narrative. As shown by the analysis of the parliamentary protocols of the winter 1973/74, West German parliamentarians applied all of these narratives. However, with the civilisational narrative being referred to only marginally and the modern narrative applied with consent, it was foremost the political narrative that led to parliamentary dispute. Whereas the conservatives interpreted the political narrative in terms of the Cold War geopolitics, the social-liberal government under Chancellor Willy Brandt tried to renegotiate the political narrative by shifting focus to the European integration process. In West German parliamentary debate, the oil crisis of 1973 henceforth functioned as a catalyst for expressing different interpretations of the concept of the West, and above all, the political West. Against the background of the Cold War, these different interpretations of the political narrative of the West reflected the domestic struggle on German identity.

The Evolutionary Thought of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

The name Lamarck is very well known in the teaching of biology, being associated with an early effort to explain evolution. Nevertheless, when evolution is taught in the classroom, the only Lamarckian ideas that stand out are related to the ‘inheritance of acquired characters’, invariably illustrated by the example of the lengthening of giraffes’ necks, as a way of contrasting Lamarckian ideas with Darwinian natural selection. Our aim here is to argue that there are other important ideas in Lamarck’s work that are directly related to the origin and transformation of species. These concepts, causal explanations of organic nature, can be taught to students who are learning about the sources and development of evolutionary thought and will moreover provide the student with properly justified reasons as to why Lamarck’s explanation is considered to be the first wide-ranging and well-argued explanation of biological evolution. The Lamarckian concepts that we consider important for teaching evolutionary thought are the following: (1) the species as an arbitrary concept, directly related to the Lamarckian concept of the continuous transformation of species, (2) the ancestor–descendant relationship, and organic diversification from a common plan of organisation to a branching series, (3) gradual change, related to changes in environmental conditions, and (4) the controversy concerning the origin of life (that is, having either a natural cause or a divine origin), life’s transformation, and the natural origin of human beings, including our moral capacity, subjects which were related to Lamarck’s other political and philosophical interests.

A New Taxing Right for the Market Jurisdiction: Where Are the Limits?

This article contributes to the ongoing discussions regarding which business models should fall under the scope of the new taxing right of the market state proposed in the OECD Secretariat’s Proposal for a Unified Approach. In the first section, it contends that the proposal for the new taxing right should be built upon a solid principle-based foundation. Given that ‘value creation’ is a subjective arbitrary concept, it cannot be relied upon when attributing taxing rights to the market state. For this reason, the author argues that the allocation of taxing rights to the market jurisdiction is justified only when the market jurisdiction is regarded as the place of origin of the income where wealth is produced. In the second section, the article analyses the business models in which customers take part in the income-generation process of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and thereby establish an economic link between the profits of highly-digitalized MNEs and market states. In that regard, the article contributes to the discussion on what ‘businesses in scope’ under the Unified Approach should include. Last but not least, the article considers the limitations of the new nexus rule based on a threshold of revenue and what other alternative nexus solutions could be developed. Unified Approach, Value creation, Wealth production, Principle-based solution, Consumer-facing businesses, Market states, B2B2C, B2C2B, Digital service PE, Virtual Agency PE

Quest for a Symmetric [C-F-C]+ Fluoronium Ion in Solution: A Winding Path to Ultimate Success.

In this Account, we chronicle our tortuous but ultimately fruitful quest to synthesize a [C-F-C]+ fluoronium ion in solution, thus providing the last piece of the organic halonium ion puzzle. Inspiration for the project can be traced all the way back to the graduate career of the corresponding author, wherein the analogy between a [C-H-C]+ "hydrido" bridge and a hypothetical [C-F-C]+ bridge was first noted. The earliest attempt to construct a bicyclo[5.3.3]tridecane-based fluoronium ion (based on the analogous hydrido bridged cation) proved to be synthetically difficult. A subsequent attempt involving a 1,8-substituted naphthalene ring was theoretically naïve in retrospect, and it resulted in a classical benzylic carbocation instead. A biphenyl-based substrate, although computationally sound, proved to be kinetically untenable. At last, after some tweaking (including a dead-end detour into a fluoraadamantane skeleton), we finally achieved success with a highly rigid, semicage precursor based on the decahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene system. This strained substrate possessed a triflate leaving group to enhance its solvolytic reactivity. Detailed isotopic labeling and kinetic studies supported the generation of a symmetrical [C-F-C]+ bridge; interesting solution behavior allowed the manipulation of the rate-determining step for solvolysis depending on solvent nucleophilicity. After initial generation as a transient intermediate, the fluoronium ion was later produced as a stable species in solution and was fully characterized by 19F, 1H, and 13C NMR, with the resultant species displaying evident Cssymmetry through coordination of a molecule of SbF5. This remarkable ion proved stable to -30 °C. We also address a disagreement surrounding the nomenclature of fluoronium ions in particular and its potential impact upon the naming of onium ions in general. We strove to highlight the dangers of confusing the arbitrary concept of calculated partial charge with IUPAC nomenclature. Finally, we discuss future directions, for example, the synthesis of a fluoronium ion in which fluorine resides within an aromatic ring.

Kultur als Frage der Moderne

Abstract It seems that the concept of culture is becoming ever more ambivalent. On the one hand, since the 20th century nearly every topic or object can be perceived as a product of culture or as an expression of a specific cultural subdomain. On the other hand, we are witnessing a return of identitarian movements which use culture as a normative concept to designate the substantial unity of a “we” and separate this unity from other cultures and people. Against this back-drop, the article traces back the concept of culture to the specific situation of modernity, which could be characterized by the loss of substance and the challenge of contingency in all fields of the lifeworld. The essay argues that, emerging in this modern situation, culture is not defined by a specific content or a set of objects, but is used rather as a way of putting one’s own position into question. Seeing things through the lens of culture implies that the actual given comes into view as something that has developed socially and historically. From such a perspective, culture is neither an arbitrary concept nor a substantial unity but allows for a critical reflection on the present.

Why Corporate Taxation Should Mean Source Taxation: A Response to the OECD's Actions against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting

It is widespread practice around the world that corporate entities pay taxes to the country where they are formally registered and to the country in whose territory they generate income. While the former is generally known as the “country of residence” the latter is usually referred to as the “country of source”. This article questions separate taxation based on this distinction between the country of residence and the country of source. It argues for a departure from the traditional international allocation of the right to tax corporate income and suggests that a corporate entity should instead pay income tax exclusively to the countries in which it has relevant business activities. In other words, this article advocates a “source-based corporate income tax”, meaning the global allocation of corporate income based on the source of income. Moreover, in examining the question of where business activities of multinational corporations effectively take place, this article describes criteria for determining source countries. Furthermore, it offers a method for formulary apportionment of corporate income between those countries in which a given multinational corporation generates income. The article argues that source taxation of corporate income would be coherent with the economic nature of corporate income taxation. Source taxation of corporate income would also make the arbitrary concept of corporate residence irrelevant, and it would allow the outdated legal concept of permanent establishment to be abolished. This article takes an interdisciplinary approach to argue from both legal and economic perspectives. It adds to the body of literature that discusses how countries should tax corporate entities doing business across national borders. It also contributes to the ongoing debate about the OECD’s recent controversial efforts to prevent corporations shifting profits between countries to minimize their exposure to national tax systems (base erosion and profit sharing, or BEPS).

Why Corporate Taxation Means Source Taxation: A Response to the OECD's Actions Against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting

It is widespread practice around the world that corporate entities pay taxes to the country where they are formally registered and to the country in whose territory they have a permanent establishment. While the former is generally known as the ‘country-of-residence’ the latter is usually referred to as the ‘country-of-source’. This article questions separate taxation based on this distinction between the country-of-residence and the country-of-source. It argues for a departure from the traditional international allocation of the right to tax corporate income and suggests that a corporate entity should instead pay income tax exclusively to the countries in which it has relevant business activities. Moreover, in examining the question of where business activities of multinational corporations effectively take place, this article describes criteria for determining source countries. Furthermore, it offers a method for formulary apportionment of corporate income between those countries in which a given multinational corporation generates income. The article argues that source taxation of corporate income would be coherent with the economic nature of corporate income taxation. Source taxation of corporate income would also make the arbitrary concept of corporate residence irrelevant, and it would allow the outdated legal concept of permanent establishment to be abolished.This article takes an interdisciplinary approach to argue from both legal and economic perspectives. It adds to the body of literature that discusses how countries should tax corporate entities doing business across national borders. It also contributes to the ongoing debate about the OECD’s recent controversial efforts to prevent corporations shifting profits between countries to minimize their exposure to national tax systems (base erosion and profit sharing, or BEPS).

Tips From the Trenches

Just what does usage mean? And how does it relate to value? Is there a fair way to ascertain the value of resources? In regards to library resources, “use” can simply be an arbitrary quantitative concept. Knowing that searches and sessions are considered input measures while result clicks and views are output measures helps the process. With electronic resources, we parse our usage statistics (when we can get them) to arrive at a cost per use, and define whether that use is a view, a printout, or a download. Of course, there are discrepancies as we examine different e-resources; for instance, cost-per-use can be very different with e-books—the definition of a “section” varies from vendor to vendor, and vendors' attempts to limit mass downloading mean that some e-book titles have page number limits with no correlation to chapter length. Analysis of usage data and other qualitative measures as part of a systematic review of current and potential e-resources highlights underutilized resources, access issues, and potential sources. We review and study those indicators of use to arrive at a conclusion of value, where we look at the bottom line—does the institution receive a good value in regards to particular resources, and should they be retained or replaced.

Tips from the Trenches

Just what does usage mean? And how does it relate to value? Is there a fair way to ascertain the value of resources? In regards to library resources, “use” can simply be an arbitrary quantitative concept. Knowing that searches and sessions are considered input measures while result clicks and views are output measures helps the process. With electronic resources, we parse our usage statistics (when we can get them) to arrive at a cost per use, and define whether that use is a view, a printout, or a download. Of course, there are discrepancies as we examine different e-resources; for instance, cost-per-use can be very different with e-books—the definition of a “section” varies from vendor to vendor, and vendors' attempts to limit mass downloading mean that some e-book titles have page number limits with no correlation to chapter length. Analysis of usage data and other qualitative measures as part of a systematic review of current and potential e-resources highlights underutilized resources, access issues,...

Do Economists Recognize an Opportunity Cost When They See One? A Dismal Performance or an Arbitrary Concept?

asked 199 professional economists a multiple‐choice question about opportunity cost. Given that only 21.6% answered “correctly,” they conclude that professional understanding of the concept is “dismal.” We challenge this critique of the profession. Specifically, we allow for alternative opportunity cost accounting methodologies—one of which is derived from the term's definition as found in Ferraro and Taylor— and rely on the conventional relationship between willingness to pay and substitute goods to demonstrate that every answer to the multiple‐choice question is defensible. The Ferraro and Taylor survey question suggests difficulties in framing an opportunity cost accounting question, as well as a lack of coordination in opportunity cost accounting methodology. In scope and logic, we conclude that the survey question does not, however, succeed in measuring professional understanding of opportunity cost. A discussion follows as to the concept's appropriate role in the classroom.

Interconnection of heterogeneous knowledge bases and its application on Knowledge Grid

AbstractRecently, the number of users who use search engines for not only retrieving Web pages but also understanding or learning an arbitrary concept has been increasing. However, it is difficult to understand and learn an arbitrary concept by using the existing search engines. This paper presents a method for the interconnection of heterogeneous knowledge bases on Knowledge Grid for knowledge sharing and provision. In this paper, for realizing the proposed method, we introduce two types of services—intra‐operation services and inter‐operation services—on Knowledge Grid. The system dynamically creates a semantic associative network that connects the user's interests and concepts, and provides correlation views that represent various relationships for connecting related resources. In addition, we employ a link‐free browsing system by this method called correlation browsing, which represents the semantic association utilizing collective knowledge by connecting various knowledge bases. The current web browsing has two actions—browsing and jumping by static hyperlinks. It is difficult to understand the relationship between each page that is connected by static hyperlink. The system navigates the related contents while repeatedly switching between a content browsing mode and a correlation browsing mode. Therefore, a user can access various contents while understanding the relationships. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Potential use of the unit cell arbitrary concept to evaluate long-range interactions in quantum mechanical studies of model polymers

Potential use of the unit cell arbitrary concept to evaluate long-range interactions in quantum mechanical studies of model polymers

Longitudinal Evaluation of "Presymptomatic" Carriers of Huntington's Disease

Longitudinal Evaluation of "Presymptomatic" Carriers of Huntington's Disease

Representaciones sociales de psicólogos sobre el consumo de drogas, consumidores y tratamientos "El juicio psicológico"

La presente investigación pretende aportar al conocimiento y entendimiento de las drogodependencias a través de un análisis descriptivo de las representaciones sociales que psicólogos insertos en programas de prevención, tratamiento y rehabilitación portan sobre el consumo de drogas, implicando también las representaciones que configuran del sujeto adicto y de los tratamientos de drogas. El problema es que la drogadicción se ha tornado una cuestión no sólo de salud mental, sino también un asunto de seguridad ciudadana, dándole al drogadicto una connotación doble: la de enfermo y la de delincuente. Esta arbitrario cultural del adicto no puede ser ajeno al contexto terapéutico, por lo que es posible que las prácticas de prevención, tratamiento y rehabilitación ejecutadas por psicólogos, respondan a este modo social de representarse al sujeto adicto.

About some questions relative to the arbitrariness of signs: Their possible consequences in matrix signatures definition and quantum chemical applications

The generalization of the arbitrary concept of sign to N-dimensional mathematical objects is discussed. Basically, the main argument employed here is founded in the previously described concepts of vector semispaces and their organization in shells. Usual operations in vector spaces are complemented by the inward matrix product, a matrix and vector product present within high level programming languages, as a sustentation of generalized signatures. It is shown how any vector space can be simply constructed from a simple set of convex positive definite mathematical objects. The sign generalization described here permits the definition of sign multiplets and signature support groups as a first step of deepening into the concept of general sign structures, which can be considered as possible conventions, situated far away from the classical Boolean sign structure. One can conclude that the study and use of sign generalization still is far to be complete. The theoretical set up developed in this way can be easily introduced in quantum chemistry wave function and density analysis.

Optimal treatment for poor prognosis isolated colorectal carcinoma liver metastases. Rationality for prospective neoadjuvant clinical trials

Isolated liver metastases (ILM) as the unic place for metastatic spread occurs in 40% of advanced colorectal cancer cases. Surgical resection is to date the only curative treatment. Unfortunately less than 15%–20% of patients are considered for resection. Resectability is an arbitrary concept that depends on the skill of the surgeon. We must also consider wellestablished objective prognostic factors when deciding on resectability. There is little information regarding the impact of chemotherapy in the setting of resectable ILM. We will briefly review some aspects of new chemotherapy strategies, especially in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) refractory patients, and new approaches in poor prognostic ILM.

Advanced Contact Mechanics–Road and Rail

The development of contact theories and numerical formula for various applications is a field which expands rapidly. This publication focuses on the rolling contact problem both for tire-road and wheel-rail contact. For the tire-road application a central problem is the modeling of the composite structure of the tire under internal pressure and axle load. One actual contact problem is the rolling on soft soil, which is discussed as the main application. In the wheel-rail case the contact area is much smaller and much more emphasis has been laid on the treatment of material changes, wear and creep phenomena. These approaches are discussed in detail as well as a more recent finite element formulation following the arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian concept. Ideas about damage mechanisms finish the article.