Binary Concept Research Articles

Value from health data: European opportunity to catalyse progress in digital health

Value from health data: European opportunity to catalyse progress in digital health

Gender inequalities during COVID-19

The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to progress toward gender equality and, instead, exacerbated existing gender inequalities across domains—from gendered divisions of labour to economic stability. In this paper we document some of the most glaring gender inequalities that have arisen in the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss how social psychological theories and research—including work on gender stereotypes and roles, responses to threat, precarious masculinity, perceptions of risk, and backlash—can help to explain the roots of these inequalities. In doing so, we use a broad definition of gender and consider relevant intersections of identity. Finally, we present three key considerations for research on gender inequalities moving forward. Namely, the need for social psychologists to (a) challenge binary conceptualizations of gender, (b) broaden the focus of research on gender inequalities, and (c) adopt an intersectional lens to address systemic inequalities in the wake of COVID-19.

The changing? Face of power in international relations, 1979-2019

ABSTRACT This article traces how the major paradigms in international relations have viewed power over the past 40 years. It argues that theorizing in the 1970s began a bifurcation that served to split the vison of power between two extremes: a hard-power pole on one side (Realism) and a soft-power pole on the other (Neoliberalism and Constructivism). It further argues that scholars who have studied international power have merely been engaged in hovering around the mean, and have always embraced the belief that power was not a binary concept. Rather than looking to the theoretical poles for the true face of international power, scholars are best off embracing a smarter middle or Cosmopolitan view of power.

Power, Intersectionality, and Radical Critique: A Response to Alcoff

In this response to Linda Alcoff, I argue that her theory of power, influenced strongly by Michel Foucault, is central to understanding more clearly the political potential of liberatory social movements, as well as the threats against them. I argue that conceptualizing power as diffuse and ubiquitous is necessary to challenging unjust social structures, and that those defending those structures are invested in a binary conceptualization of power. Refusing such a binary conceptualization allows for an understanding of institutions and movements as both embedded in and potentially challenging power dynamics; it is also a requirement for intersectional analyses such as Alcoff’s.

A Scalar Conception of Tax Residence for Individuals

Residence is one of the fundamental concepts in international taxation. As a rule, residents are taxed on their worldwide income while nonresidents are taxed only on their domestic-source income. The criteria for residence vary from country to country. Some countries look to physical presence. Other rely upon more obtuse concepts such as domicile, permanent home, ordinary residence, habitual abode, connections, or ties. Many countries use a variety of tests. Tax treaties typically employ a series of tie-breaking provisions to determine residency when each of the two signatories views an individual as a resident in accordance with its own domestic rules. Despite the wide variety of tests for determining individual residence, all share a common underlying premise, namely that residence is a binary attribute. An individual either is or is not a resident. There are no shades of grey. An individual who barely satisfies the relevant test is classified as a resident, while an individual who just fails to do so is classified as a nonresident. This structure is not normatively justifiable. The most persuasive explanation for the disparate tax treatment of residents and nonresidents is that from the perspective of distributive justice, individuals have qualitatively different rights and obligations vis-a-vis other members of the society to which they belong than they have vis-a-vis others. However, it is difficult to defend the proposition that, for those on the margin, an infinitesimally small change in circumstance could affect such a significant change in moral obligations. It is more reasonable to posit that the intensity of these rights and obligations varies along a continuum: that the closer one’s connection to a country, the more intense are one’s societal rights and obligations. An alternative explanation for the disparate tax treatment of residents and nonresidents is that the former benefit from government services in a manner in which the latter do not. This explanation, too, cannot ground a binary conception of residence. Presumably individuals who maintain varying degrees of connection with a country will procure varying degrees of benefit from public expenditures. The thesis of this Article is that residence should be viewed on a continuum, from complete absence of association with a particular country on the one extreme to exclusive association (that is, lack of association with any other country) on the other. The extent to which an individual is subject to tax on foreign-source income should be a function of that individual’s degree of connectedness to the country, in accordance with whatever criteria the country concerned considers relevant. Thus, where residency is determined by physical presence, the more days an individual is physically present in the country during the tax year (or during a succession of tax years), the greater the tax burden that would be imposed on that individual’s foreign-source income. As opposed to the current binary definition, a scalar conception of individual residence would more accurately represent real-world connections between individuals and countries, would better accord with the principle of horizontal equity, and would be less manipulable. After making the normative and practical case for a scalar conception of residence, the Article goes on to address a number of possible challenges to its adoption. It also considers the role of citizenship as a determinant of subjectivity to taxation. It argues that in the current context citizenship and residence are commensurable values and that the tax law should assign each an appropriate weight when determining the extent of an individual’s association with the country.

FOR BOYS OR GIRLS? GENDER CULTURAL REPRESENTATIONS IN TOY PACKAGING

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze gender-representative images on toy packaging for children over three years of age. Method: this is a photo ethnographic study developed in play sections of six department stores located in one of the municipalities in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro in August 2018. Image analysis was applied to 17 photographs of toy packages according to criteria repetition, content type and low cost to purchase, associated with content analysis. Results: the images partially reflect their content. The gender colors in the packaging and contents are traditional (pink and lilac) and unrealistic in the toys for girls. Those with images of boys have neutral and realistic colors (gray, olive green, navy blue). Miniaturized or life-size toys items “for girls” include those that encourage playing ‘house’ (dish rack and cups), personal care (makeup and clothing) and maternity (dolls). “For boys”, they strengthen the social image of family protector (hero), home provider (tools, builder, and executive) and “male” professions (cook, fireman, policeman). Conclusion: these images reinforce binary conceptions of gender, stereotyped in society, rooting cultural constructions of the adult world in the development of children over three years old.

La necesidad de abandonar o reformular la Ley Modelo de Insolvencia Familiar en el abordaje del sobreendeudamiento de la persona humana

: La crisis económica consecuencia del COVID-19 expone la mora estatal en implementar medidas para abordar la situación de sobreendeudamiento de la persona humana, especialmente respecto de la protección de la dignidad de la persona y de su grupo familiar. Con este motivo, las iniciativas legislativas S-1061/20 y 3540-D-2020 con el patrocinio de algunas asociaciones de consumidores se presentan como una propuesta superadora, que en la práctica implica el reingreso al Congreso nacional de la Ley Modelo de Insolvencia Familiar de la Oficina para América Latina y el Caribe de Consumers International, la cual propone un abordaje con una concepción moralista del endeudamiento personal excesivo. Siendo que este enfoque tiene consecuencias en el alcance y contenido de la tutela, así como ignora la responsabilidad estatal y/o de los proveedores de crédito y financiación para consumo, se propone abandonar concepciones binarias del sobreendeudamiento (pasivo/activo), así como reformular estas iniciativas bajo el principio rector del respeto a la dignidad de la persona.

Qutb’s hakimiyyah through the lens of Arendtian authority

ABSTRACT The influence of Sayyid Qutb’s writing on political Islam and Islamist groups cannot be overstated. In constructing his radical political theory, special attention is usually given to Qutb’s two binary concepts, hakimiyyah (usually translated as divine sovereignty) and jahiliyyah (the condition of any place or society where Allah is not held to be the sovereign being). This article interrogates the commonly accepted notion that hakimiyyah is equivalent to divine sovereignty. Instead, I argue that Qutb’s hakimiyyah is best understood as an Arendtian form of authority (or a bounded sovereignty), even though Qutb’s project is essentially foundational while Arendt’s is antifoundational. Thus, rather than appealing directly to the authority of sharia, Qutb bounds hakimiyyah to a historical founding moment in the city of Mecca, the Meccan Quran, and the ‘unique generation’ during this period. Examining hakimiyyah through the Arendtian lens of authority substitutes the logic of sovereignty with authority based on a voluntary command/obedience relationship. This approach unsettles the binary logic of sovereignty that is often latently integrated into the academic literature on Qutb’s political writing. Consequently, examining Qutb’s hakimiyyah through the Arendtian lens of authority generates a consistent and coherent reading of his political thinking, which is usually deemed inconsistent and paradoxical.****

The Basin Stability of Bi-Stable Friction-Excited Oscillators

Stability considerations play a central role in structural dynamics to determine states that are robust against perturbations during the operation. Linear stability concepts, such as the complex eigenvalue analysis, constitute the core of analysis approaches in engineering reality. However, most stability concepts are limited to local perturbations, i.e., they can only measure a state’s stability against small perturbations. Recently, the concept of basin stability was proposed as a global stability concept for multi-stable systems. As multi-stability is a well-known property of a range of nonlinear dynamical systems, this work studies the basin stability of bi-stable mechanical oscillators that are affected and self-excited by dry friction. The results indicate how the basin stability complements the classical binary stability concepts for quantifying how stable a state is given a set of permissible perturbations.

Quelques considérations critiques et cliniques sur le genre et ses dissident.e.s

IntroductionThe gender system was thought to be binary and immutable. Trans, or non cisgender, people are questioning the essence of gender. In order for our therapeutic practices to adapt and finally stop mistreat transpeople, they need to rethink gender. But they can no longer limit themselves in questionning the terms of the system, they must question its foundations. The starting point for this work is the experience of trans people. ObjectiveThis article attempts on the one hand to integrate Judith Butler's theory of performance with a phenomenological and developmental view of the non cisgender experience. On the other hand, it proposes to add the notion of translation, necessary for the apprehension of the margin of individual creation within the gender system. MethodologyIt draws a theoretical reflection based on empirical research in grounded theory, phenomenology and participatory research as well as on the author's clinical experience. ResultsThe experience of trans people begins with a sense of not fitting into the expectations of the gender system. It then encounters the need for recognition. In this context, we need to understand the medicalized pathways modifying bodies. Negotiating with the gender system results in three types of arrangements: binary, non-binary and neutral. They are the result of a translation/performance process in which all genders reduce the possibles of existence. ConclusionAn affirmative clinical practice must think outside of a binary and stable conception of gender. It must view it as a fit/not fit relationship to structures of representation and power. To this end, it must begin to rewrite its theoretical foundations and its own relationship to the gender system.

Forging a Pure Military Identity: The Rise of Jurchen Heritage in Northeast Asia (15th–17th Century)

AbstractProminent studies of the Qing dynasty's military evolution in the field of comparative military history, which is heavily dependent on the binary conception of “West–China,” have failed to present the early military heritage of the dynasty. Unlike previous studies, this paper aims to find a new voice for the early Qing military inheritance, as a reflection of past West–China comparative studies that have continued to discriminate between Western and Chinese military merits and demerits and to ignore the early Qing military approach. By presenting the economic and military interconnections between the Manchu (the Jianzhou Jurchens, the Jianzhou confederation, and Nurhaci), Ming, and Chosŏn, this article reveals that early economic and military development through border trade, tributary trade, and predatory behaviors enabled the Manchus to establish the Later Jin and Qing states. Understanding early Manchu military history helps us put forward an important but less studied military heritage of Qing.

Re-examining the HIV ‘functional cure’ oxymoron: Time for precise terminology?

For over a decade, the binary concepts of ‘sterilizing’ versus ‘functional’ cure have provided an organizing framework for the field of HIV cure-related research. In this article, we examine how the expression ‘functional cure’ is employed within the field, published literature, and community understanding of HIV cure research. In our synthesis of the different meanings attributed to ‘functional cure’ within contemporary biomedical discourse, we argue that employing the ‘functional cure’ terminology poses a series of problems. The expression itself is contradictory and inconsistently used across a wide array of HIV cure research initiatives. Further, the meaning and acceptability of ‘functional cure’ within communities of people living with and affected by HIV is highly variable. After drawing lessons from other fields, such as cancer and infectious hepatitis cure research, we summarize our considerations and propose alternative language that may more aptly describe the scientific objectives in question. We call for closer attention to language used to describe HIV cure-related research, and for continued, significant, and strategic engagement to ensure acceptable and more precise terminology.

Perpetrating violence in intimate relationships as a gendering practice: An ethnographic study on domestic violence perpetrators in France and Italy

Based on an ethnographic research on perpetrator programs in France and Italy, this article aims at analyzing men’s accounts of intimate partner violence in heterosexual relationships. Whether perpetrators explain their violence (1) as a trivial fact, (2) as a reaction to their partner’s behavior, or (3) as a temporary and exceptional loss of control, these adult heterosexual men refer to a “natural” gender order and to heteronormative representations of women and men. In particular, these violent acts against female partners seem to be employed as (4) strategic performances to “save face” and achieve a hegemonic model of masculinity. Situated in the tension between norm and deviance, the perpetration of domestic violence can be framed as a gendering practice: through the performance of abusive acts against women in the context of intimate relationships, perpetrators attempt to situate themselves in the wide spectrum of masculinities and in its internal hierarchy. The study of men’s perception and experience of violence perpetration leads to overcome the binary conception of intimate partner violence that opposes men and women.

The Perth Gender Picture (PGP): Young people’s feedback about acceptability and usefulness of a new pictorial and narrative approach to gender identity assessment and exploration

Background A number of psychological assessment tools have been developed to describe various dimensions of gender. Some of these tools are restricted to a binary gender concept and are inflexible in reflecting how a young person’s gender may change and develop over time. Most are text questionnaires which require a good level of literacy. Aims This study aimed to evaluate a newly developed pictorial tool that facilitates a conversation about gender between a child or adolescent (aged 11–18) and their clinician, enabling a diverse understanding and expression of gender identity. Methods The Perth Gender Picture (PGP) was co-created between clinicians and young clients between 2016 and 2018. In 2018, the measure was evaluated through a pilot study at the Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital in Western Australia. After use of the PGP during a clinical consultation, clients were invited to fill in a feedback questionnaire about their experience of its use. Clinicians participated in unstructured interviews to give their feedback. Results Most participants rated the PGP as easy to understand, acceptable and useful, and many stated that they found gender easier to describe with the picture rather than words. The results show positive uptake from clients, demonstrating feasible implementation with gender diverse young people. Discussion This evaluation positions the PGP as a useful tool to facilitate conversations about gender identity between gender diverse children and adolescents and their clinicians, in a nonjudgmental and playful manner. It is well-suited to young people who may have limited literacy or difficulty with complex language. The PGP has potential for use in other age groups and non-clinical contexts.

Partial EMT/MET: An Army of One.

As our understanding of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) increases, the original binary concept of E versus M no longer fits with experimental evidence. Re-definition of the EMT paradigm as spectral transitions between a full epithelium and a full mesenchyme suggests the existence of a virtual infinity of intermediate cellular states. The new challenge is to develop technical tools needed to contextualize each of these states and identify biologically significant cellular mechanisms that could be targeted in combatting EMT-related diseases.

Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals distinct patterns of cell state heterogeneity in mouse models of breast cancer.

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) contribute to intra-tumoral heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. However, the binary concept of universal BCSCs co-existing with bulk tumor cells is over-simplified. Through single-cell RNA-sequencing, we found that Neu, PyMT and BRCA1-null mammary tumors each corresponded to a spectrum of minimally overlapping cell differentiation states without a universal BCSC population. Instead, our analyses revealed that these tumors contained distinct lineage-specific tumor propagating cells (TPCs) and this is reflective of the self-sustaining capabilities of lineage-specific stem/progenitor cells in the mammary epithelial hierarchy. By understanding the respective tumor hierarchies, we were able to identify CD14 as a TPC marker in the Neu tumor. Additionally, single-cell breast cancer subtype stratification revealed the co-existence of multiple breast cancer subtypes within tumors. Collectively, our findings emphasize the need to account for lineage-specific TPCs and the hierarchical composition within breast tumors, as these heterogenous sub-populations can have differential therapeutic susceptibilities.

"There Is Nothing to Do About It": Nonbinary Individuals' Experience of Gender Dysphoria.

Purpose: Clinical definitions of gender dysphoria have primarily centered on a binary conceptualization of gender. This study aimed to understand nonbinary transindividuals' experiences of gender dysphoria. Methods: Data were collected online from a nonclinical sample comprised of 205 nonbinary and agender participants. Analysis focused on answers to a single open-ended question prompting participants to describe their gender dysphoria as it relates to their body and/or appearance. Results: First, content analysis was used to document 11 contextual elements in which participants described their dysphoria with regard to three overarching categories, including no gender dysphoria (no issues with body, no dysphoria), aspects of gender/sex (naming gender identity, naming assigned sex, gender role, or expression), and aspects of body (body shape, genitals, chest, secondary sex characteristics, hormones, reproductive capability). Second, thematic analysis revealed six central themes describing the unique way gender dysphoria is experienced by nonbinary individuals: (1) Androgyny or Fluidity, (2) Feminine and Masculine Traits, (3) Dysphoria vs. Expression or Appearance, (4) Varying or Shifting Dysphoria, (5) No Solution, and (6) Trade-off/Loss. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that nonbinary transindividuals experience gender dysphoria in unique ways. These findings highlight the need to develop clinical assessments of gender dysphoria that reflect nonbinary experience, and to outline explicit medical protocols for interventions tailored to achieve a desired outcome of physical androgyny.

Integrating semantic directions with concept mover’s distance to measure binary concept engagement

In an earlier article published in this journal (“Concept Mover’s Distance”, 2019), we proposed a method for measuring concept engagement in texts that uses word embeddings to find the minimum cost necessary for words in an observed document to “travel” to words in a “pseudo-document” consisting only of words denoting a concept of interest. One potential limitation we noted is that, because words associated with opposing concepts will be located close to one another in the embedding space, documents will likely have similar closeness to starkly opposing concepts (e.g., “life” and “death”). Using aggregate vector differences between antonym pairs to extract a direction in the semantic space pointing toward a pole of the binary opposition (following “The Geometry of Culture,” American Sociological Review, 2019), we illustrate how CMD can be used to measure a document’s engagement with binary concepts.

Childhood Ethics: An ontological advancement for childhood studies

AbstractWe describe an ontological approach to childhood studies that we refer to asChildhood Ethics. This involves an interdisciplinary hermeneutic orientation towards examining the morally meaningful dimensions of matters that affect young people. We draw on our empirical research with young people from 3‐ to 17‐years old, examining their experiences in a diversity of contexts and geographical settings. Our investigations challenge dominant binary conceptions of young people along lines of decisional in/capacity and im/maturity. We argue for a view of children as active agents with meaningful relational engagements and participation interests and capacities and outline corresponding implications for research and practice.

Accounting for Gender in Contemporary Psychoanalysis: Discussion of Terhaar

ABSTRACT This discussion considers Virginia Terhaar’s thesis that contemporary psychoanalysis continues to marginalize women and ignores the impact of gender in theorizing, resulting in a psychoanalytic landscape that denies subjectivity to women and relies on masculine subjectivity as a default and unquestioned position. I suggest that, although sexism is present in contemporary psychoanalytic culture, women are strongly represented in current theorizing. Further, I challenge the notion of female and male subjectivity as a binary conceptualization of gender, and I suggest that gender is complex and paradoxical. I argue for a more inclusive notion of gender when approaching these positions.