Modern Theory Research Articles

Mediatization of School Shooting (Сolumbine) in Fan Literature

One of the most acute and poorly predicted social problems in modern educational institutions around the world and in Russia has become school shooting (armed mass attacks) with tragic consequences and a long-term subsequent media effect. Revenge, the will to power, the search for universal attention: what motivates school shooters and generates a chain of subsequent tragic attacks in educational institutions? To a large extent, this is determined not only by internal factors (mental, behavioral characteristics), but also by external influence, including informational ones. The study is devoted to the study of a underexplored segment of fan-literature about school shooting and its participants, posted on the Wattpat and Ficbook media resources, from the position of identifying the main gender, thematic and content characteristics that contribute to maintaining interest in school shooting, its glorification and mythologization. The characteristic of the specifics, forms and mechanisms of promoting the ideas of school shooting in the media environment is obtained by the example of communities of creators and readers of fanfiction. The study was carried out using the methodological capabilities of modern communication theories as well as using Data-Science. It has been revealed that through fan literature, the topic of school shooting has largely become legalized, expanded its audience, and became a “gray zone”, poorly controlled from the outside.

The Science Behind Stress: From Theory to Clinic, Is Basal Septal Hypertrophy the Missing Link between Hypertension and Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy?

The modern theory of stress, initially proposed by Hans Selye in 1956, signifies an important development in our understanding of this phenomenon. Selye’s The Stress of Life serves as a foundational book for subsequent scientific questions. In this article, we focus on a comprehensive look at stress and use a literature review to explain its theoretical foundations as well as its clinical equivalent. Our research focuses on the complex mechanisms of stress, with a particular emphasis on the consequences of cardiac remodeling and adaptation processes. Myocardial remodeling might be seen as a response to increased stress in acute or chronic situations. Stressed heart morphology (SHM) is a very interesting description representing basal septal hypertrophy (BSH), which is detectable in both acute emotional stress and chronic stress due to increased afterload in hypertension. Acute stress cardiomyopathy (ASC) and hypertension in the same individuals could be clinically linked. Also, in this report, we mention the geometric and functional similarity of the left ventricle (LV) septal base in both acute and chronic clinical situations. Therefore, cardiac imaging methods are crucial to assessing LV segmental aspects in ASC patients. We propose a new paradigm that ASC may develop in hypertensive patients with SHM. We document the segmental progression of microscopic LV remodeling using a third-generation microscopic ultrasound and note that BSH takes a longer time to occur morphologically than an acutely developed syndrome. However, the majority of ASC events have a predominant base, and the absence of segmental remodeling details, including BSH and cardiac decompensation with apical ballooning, on echocardiographic reports may mask the possible underlying hypertensive disease. In fact, beyond ASC cases, previously undiagnosed hypertension is very common, even in developed countries, and is associated with masked target organ damage.

Effectiveness of outcome-based teaching approaches among Sulu State College faculty: An assessment

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the outcome-based teaching approach among faculty members at Sulu State College during the Academic Year 2023-2024. The research followed a descriptive-correlational design to gather relevant data and determine the level of effectiveness. By examining the outcomes of this teaching approach, the study sought to provide valuable insights into its impact on the faculty and their teaching methods. Based on the analysis of 100 samples collected using a non-probability sampling method called purposive sampling, this study utilized various statistical tools such as weighted mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent samples, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson's r. The results of this research are as follows: The majority of teachers at Sulu State College are female, married, and between the ages of 26-40. They mostly hold master's degrees and have less than 5 years of teaching experience. On average, the faculty is effective in implementing an outcome-based teaching approach. Interestingly, factors such as age, gender, and civil status do not significantly influence how teachers assess the effectiveness of this approach. It is likely that the teachers who perceive the students' outcomes as effective also view the teaching practice and methods as effective. This study provides support for the Hexa-C Metamodel, which incorporates concepts from modern theory into a framework that assists in the design and evaluation of e-learning systems, including educational software and web-based learning. Cognitive learning in e-learning encompasses various factors including mental models, human information processing, critical thinking, metacognition, self-regulation, and integration of knowledge with prior learning. Education should foster genuine comprehension and the development of internal frameworks of knowledge.

Literary Criticism of China about F. M. Dostoevsky’s Novel “The Idiot”

This paper examines the literary criticism of China about F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “The Idiot” (1868), which has been the focus of attention of various readership, as well as the issues of perception and study of the novel in modern Chinese theory of literary criticism. Hence, the purpose of this article is to trace the history of literary criticism of the “The Idiot” in China over the past almost ninety years since its first publication in Chinese in 1935. It is noted that during this period the novel was translated into Chinese at least seventeen times with millions of copies released, withstanding more than 50 editions. It also provides an overview of the studies of Chinese scientists in recent years devoted to the study of the novel, and attempts are made to identify trends in the study and commentary of the novel in China. Chinese readers were first introduced to Dostoevsky’s work by the famous novelist, literary critic and translator Zhou Zuozhen. The conducted research allows us to conclude that Chinese readers accept and interpret F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “The Idiot” with great interest. The questions that the researchers raise in their writings confirm the hypothesis that the Chinese reader associates the main character Prince Myshkin with the Confucian category of Ren.

중일(中日) 근대문예론의 형성과 그 이동(異同)에 관한 소고(小考)

This paper attempts to compare the literary theory of Tsubouchi Shoyo(坪內逍遙), which was developed from the 'arts-the arts' examined throughout Wang Guowei's(王國維) literary theory, and Wang Guei's literary theory, which was established as the early modern Japanese literary theory. As Tsubouchi Shoyo's first statement, 'Novels are art(美術)' in 『Shosetsu Shinzui(小說神髓)』 opened the chapter of modern Japanese literary theory, this paper aims to explore Wang Guowei's literary theories in relation to the formation of modern literary theory in China. Therefore, in the case of the formation of Japanese modern art theory, Tsubouchi Shoyo's use of Western literary theory and logic in his own way within the magnetic field of pragmatic thought and literary dance theory that spread throughout Japanese society in the 1880s, while building a literary theory that incorporated the discourse of the Japanese art world at the time, was used as a guide to examine the formation of Chinese modern art theory and Wang Guowei's literary theory treatise. This was further utilized to examine the shifts in the theses that were common to their literary theories. In fact, the formation environment of Sino-Japanese modern literary theory was different in terms of its reception and paragraph situation according to the way the two countries experienced modern East Asia, but there are also similar points. It is also true that Wang Guowei's and Tsubouchi Shoyo's views and arguments on the literary arts developed in very different ways after they published their literary theory works and related papers, depending on their respective life trajectories and the circumstances of their respective countries. Nevertheless, neither Tsubouchi Shoyo nor Wang Guowei built a separate literary theory that completely excluded the dominant discourse in the academic and literary circles of their time. Rather, Wang Guowei, who studied a wide range of disciplines, including mathematics and natural sciences, could be said to have been more attuned to and thought about the axioms of modern China's time and built his literary theories in response to them.

Practice Briefing A comprehensive negotiation framework for real estate professionals (Part I)

PurposeThe purpose of this briefing is to highlight the critical importance of negotiation skills in the everyday lives of real estate professionals. It delves into how negotiators must improve their negotiations skills given the negotiation-intensive nature of real estate. It also helps to handle common pitfalls and challenges in negotiations, particularly in the increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) reality of the real estate industry. The briefing offers strategic insights for preparation and negotiation aimed at improving any real estate negotiator’s average performance.Design/methodology/approachThe expert opinion piece combines a literature review on negotiation strategies with practical insights. It addresses the observed under appreciation of negotiation theory and skill, reflecting on real-world real estate negotiations. The goal is to enhance the use and recognition of negotiation theory in the real estate industry. The approach merges theoretical analysis with practical application, offering actionable recommendations to improve negotiation outcomes.FindingsThe negotiation-intensive real estate industry and the transformative impact of VUCA challenges on real estate professionals’ ability to adapt and continuously negotiate successful deals clashes with many real estate’s professional or fixed mind-set over negotiation historically being an art or a talent and mostly being stuck with win-lose strategies. Instead, negotiation is a science that can be learned and deliberately improved to counter stress-induced or fear-based responses that lead negotiators toward suboptimal negotiation strategies, such as win-lose or naive win-win. However, these dynamics are preventable. Well-equipped and well-prepared value win-win negotiators can adopt a growth mind-set, study modern negotiation advice and frameworks to thrive in the negotiation-rich real estate industry and convert even VUCA challenges into an amazing source of value.Practical implicationsReal estate professionals can become more aware of which and how current obstacles and poor choices negatively contribute to their negotiation performance. It contrasts win-lose and win-win strategic frameworks to enable real estate professionals to become more sophisticated when choosing their negotiation strategies. The briefing also helps real estate professionals expand their negotiation repertoire towards improved strategic flexibility when managing the evolving real estate profession reality and challenges.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the briefing lie in its comprehensive approach to addressing the negotiation challenges faced by real estate professionals. It offers a holistic view of real estate negotiation, advocating for a paradigm shift from traditional win-lose tactics to a collaborative, value win-win approach. The briefing integrates modern negotiation theory and emphasises ethical practices, providing practical strategies and best practices for professionals to improve their skills and adapt to industry changes. By empowering real estate professionals with knowledge and tools to navigate negotiations effectively, the briefing contributes to the overall success and professionalism of the industry.

The Shadows of Sovereignty: A Visual Genealogy of Dark Knight Archetypes

Abstract This paper investigates the role of the dark knight archetype in the theory of sovereignty. The dark knight archetype has repeatedly emerged in popular culture, but has never been fully explored in jurisprudence and political theory. The aim is to develop a new visual method to bridge the distance between the theory and the tropes that have historically been used to create and justify the notion of sovereignty. Sovereignty is understood here not only as a founding concept of modern legal theory, but also as a trope: a special kind of narrative, illustrated, capable of being modernized, and yet maintaining its initial trends; one that is foundational and colonial, and capable of institutionalizing subjects and sovereigns. Strategically following the works of Agamben, Benjamin, Jung and Warburg, this paper analyses – in a psychoanalytical sense – the unconscious dimensions of sovereignty from evidence collected in popular culture and political history. From fallen medieval knights to Zorro; from fascist Blackshirts to Darth Vader, this paper examines the pervasive repetition of dark knight figures in Western tropes of sovereignty and its consequences.

The basis of the concept of vertical dynamic urbanism

The article presents the concept of vertical urbanism, which ensures the constant transformation of the vertical city through the application of the most modern building theories and technologies. The interrelationship of concept and technology forms the basis of dynamic vertical urbanism: robot-based design, open building concepts, modular construction and industrial assembly, on-site automation and building information modeling. A new structure of the vertical city, or dynamic vertical urbanism, is proposed, covering the entire life cycle of a building object and characterized by constant vertical transformation through the use of the latest building technologies.

Electric Polarization from a Many-Body Neural Network Ansatz.

Abinitio calculation of dielectric response with high-accuracy electronic structure methods is a long-standing problem, for which mean-field approaches are widely used and electron correlations are mostly treated via approximated functionals. Here we employ a neural network wave function ansatz combined with quantum MonteCarlo method to incorporate correlations into polarization calculations. On a variety of systems, including isolated atoms, one-dimensional chains, two-dimensional slabs, and three-dimensional cubes, the calculated results outperform conventional density functional theory and are consistent with the most accurate calculations and experimental data. Furthermore, we have studied the out-of-plane dielectric constant of bilayer graphene using our method and reestablished its thickness dependence. Overall, this approach provides a powerful tool to accurately describe electron correlation in the modern theory of polarization.

The first modern health communication campaign in Europe: explicit and implicit strategic intents

PurposeThe main aim of this article is to broaden the notion of strategic intent in public relations. It also develops an understanding of the social value of what can be defined as the first modern health communication campaign in Europe based on strategic intents and the development of modernity.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on both historical research and empirical material from the Norwegian tuberculosis campaign from 1889 up to 1913, when Norwegian women achieved suffrage. The campaign is analysed in the framework of modernity and social theory. The literature on lobbying and social movements is also used to develop a theoretical framework for the notion of strategic intent.FindingsThe study shows that strategic intent can be divided into two layers: (1) the implicit strategic intent is the real purpose behind the communication efforts, whereas (2) the explicit intent is found directly in the communication efforts. The explicit intent may be presented as a solution for the good of society at the right political moment, giving an organisation the possibility to mobilise for long-term social changes, in which could be the implicit intent.Originality/valueThe distinction between explicit and implicit strategic intent broadens our understanding on how to make long-term social changes as well as how social and political changes occur in modern societies. The article also gives a historical account of what is here defined as the first modern health communication campaign in Europe and its social value.

Человек сквозь призму совместности или о возможности общей психологии

<p>The paper raises the question of the possibility of creating a general psychological field of research. The condition for the beginning of such research is a sufficiently complete general model of psychological phenomena. The assumption is made that the work of identifying suitable psychological universals has already been done as a part of cultural-historical psychology. We summarised the investigations, starting with L.S. Vygotsky's idea of a psychological «unit». With the help of some modern theories, the assumption is substantiated that meaning is a feeling of jointness, the essence of the human in man. As an example we took the «integral unit of the human life world» construction in the F.E. Vasilyuk’s school and its transformation into a scheme of jointness. By analysing F.E. Vasilyuk's notion of «experience», the activity-dialogical model of jointness is extrapolated and filled with «meaning». This model is proposed as a suitable tool for generalising psychological knowledge. An assumption is made about resonance as a fundamental mechanism of jointness formation. In this paper we describe the properties of the prism of jointness and question its sufficiency for the beginning of general psychological research.</p>

Green marketing is a logical answer to the consumer society

In a very short time, green marketing has become a new trend in the orientation of companies in the world, where it represents a new face of modern marketing theory and is the answer to the current consumer society. The aim of this paper is to study the consumer society, its characteristics and consequences on the community as a whole. The consumer today is no longer just a passive observer, but an active participant in the events - Such a role of the consumer in the modern market necessarily leads to a different marketing approach of companies. The conducted research aims to identify the green marketing concept and clarify the boundaries and elements associated with the new marketing concept. The research concluded that green marketing is the application of traditional marketing practices, putting environmental protection first as a priority when determining the elements of the marketing mix from product design, pricing, distribution and promotion. Also, it has been proven that green marketing is not limited to just one sector, but to world-leading experiences in almost all industrial branches.

Social morality and the law

The article is dedicated to the study of the interaction of norms and values of social morality and law as normative and regulatory mechanisms since their requirements are understandable for representatives of a particular society. It is shown that social morality and law are entrusted with the performance of a common function – the stabilization of social relations, which they perform by various means. It is noted that in modern times, the relationship between morality and law is represented by two trends: the stability of society can be ensured by 1) legal registration of norms and values of social morality and 2) legal protection of norms and values of social morality. The place and role of social morality in the cultural code of society are revealed. The question of the formation of morality and law in the early modern cultural and historical period is highlighted. It is proved that the formation of the modern theory of positive law and basic ethical theories (particularly, the theory of social morality) goes back to early modern times. Changes in social life in the sphere of science, production, trade, and religion, and the formation of the bourgeoisie as a class influenced the formation of the basic norms and values of social morality in the specified cultural and historical period. It is proved that within the boundaries of early modern everyday life, the formation of a new type of social morality took place. Lexical and terminological searches in the ethical sphere are characteristic of social science research of the specified period, and the formation of the modern concept of “morality” took place. Attention is focused on the fact that the modern understanding of law is derived from its modernist interpretation (law is recognized as a contract, law is the sphere of secular human activity, law is autonomous from morality and religion (the latter are relegated to the sub-legal domain), recognition of the priority of law-making and law-making activity of the state, the state is given special legal personality). The article considers morality and rights through their rationality and artificiality within the mechanistic picture of the world. Considerable attention is paid in the article to the peculiarities of the formation of individualism as a mental trait of a European and its influence on the formation of law and morality in the new era.

Some Early Studies of Isotropic Turbulence: A Review

A re-examination of some early classic turbulence literature, mainly of isotropic turbulence, is given in this selective review. Some early studies, including original concepts and points, are reviewed or highlighted. Two earliest studies and six major original concepts are found: (i) Lord Kelvin’s pioneering elementary studies of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence; (ii) Kelvin’s early introduction of Fourier Principles into turbulence studies; (iii) the Kelvin elementary concept of the direct energy cascade; (iv) the Kelvin early concept of the symmetry of turbulence; (v) the Taylor concept of the coefficient of eddy viscosity; (vi) the Taylor concept of the ‘age’ of the eddy; (vii) the Taylor–Fage–Townend concept of small eddies or microturbulence or small scale turbulence; and (viii) the Obukhov concept of a function of the inner Reynolds number (i.e., Re dependent coefficient) in both the balance equation and the energy distribution equation (the two-thirds law). Both Kelvin and Taylor should be regarded as the co-founders of the statistical theory of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence. The notion, ‘the Maxwell–Reynolds decomposition of turbulent flow velocity’, should be used. The Kolmogorov–Obukhov scaling laws are reviewed in detail. Heisenberg’s inverse seventh power spectrum is briefly reviewed. The implications or significances of these early studies, original concepts and points are briefly discussed, with special reference to their possible links with modern approaches and theories.

Intimate Partner Violence, Femicide, and General Theories: Issues for Research and Policy From the View of Modern Control Theory

Intimate partner violence (IPV), including intimate partner homicide (IPH) and femicide, raises issues for general theories of crime, such as control and opportunity theories, that see close relationships among friends and family as barriers to interpersonal crimes. Crime-specific studies of both correlates and trends in IPV, including recent interrupted trend studies that examine the effects of COVID restrictions, often test opportunity theories absent considerations of theoretically driven images of actors. Review of empirical research on IPV and IPH reveals strong compatibility between the predictions of modern control theory and consistent findings from trend data. Barriers to understanding of the explanatory power of general theories of crime (including, for example, control theories and feminist perspectives) in contemporary research include use of poor definitions of intimacy, misspecification of age effects, failure to consider the versatility of offending behavior, neglecting the importance of trends in analogous behaviors, neglecting the role of situational factors in violence, and the limitations in the measurement of repetitive victimization. Theories such as routine activity and situational crime prevention that fail to explicitly include characteristics of actors can go only a limited way in providing meaningful policy. Research supports the potential policy effects of investments in early childhood and attention to situational barriers (including limitations on alcohol use and firearm availability) to reduce IPV. Although modern control theory is used to illustrate these issues, other general theories, like feminist theories, can make similar arguments.

Mechanisms of microbial coexistence in a patchy ecosystem: Differences in ecological niche overlap and species fitness between rhythmic and non-rhythmic species

Resource patchiness caused by external events breaks the continuity and homogeneity of resource distribution in the original ecosystem. For local organisms, this leads to drastic changes in the availability of resources, breaks down the co-existence of species, and reshuffles the local ecosystem. West Lake is a freshwater lake with resource patchiness caused by multiple exogenous disturbances that has strong environmental heterogeneity that prevents clear observation of seasonal changes in the microbial communities. Despite this, the emergence of rhythmic species in response to irregular changes in the environment has been helpful for observing microbial communities dynamics in patchy ecosystems. We investigated the ecological mechanisms of seasonal changes in microbial communities in West Lake by screening rhythmic species based on the ecological niche and modern coexistence theories. The results showed that rhythmic species were the dominant factors in microbial community changes and the effects of most environmental factors on the microbial community were indirectly realised through the rhythmic species. Random forest analyses showed that seasonal changes in the microbial community were similarly predicted by the rhythmic species. In addition, we incorporated species interactions and community phylogenetic patterns into stepwise multiple regression analyses, the results of which indicate that ecological niches and species fitness may drive the coexistence of these subcommunities. Thus, this study extends our understanding of seasonal changes in microbial communities and provides new ways for observing seasonal changes in microbial communities, especially in ecosystems with resource patches. Our study also show that combining community phylogenies with co-occurrence networks based on ecological niches and modern coexistence theory can further help us understand the ecological mechanisms of interspecies coexistence.

Reconceptualizing selective moral disengagement mechanisms as continuums of moral influence: a theoretical expansion

Abstract Mass communication researchers have applied Bandura’s selective moral disengagement (SMD) concept in diverse contexts to explain audiences’ acceptance of moral violations and reduced condemnation. Recent updates to moral psychology—specifically the application of social intuitionist theories—challenge SMD’s underlying assumptions, necessitating a reconceptualization. In this article, we incorporate modern social intuitionist theories of moral judgment into SMD’s underlying assumptions. We further propose a two-stage moral signal detection process consistent with current decision-making theory in order to explain how SMD reflects a modulation of both moral condemnation and moral commendation. Building on these extensions, we reconceptualize SMD’s eight original mechanisms as expanded continuums of moral influence applicable to diverse forms of moral perceptions and moral judgments. This reconceptualization of SMD removes unnecessary boundary conditions, improves the internal consistency of the theory, and can begin to resolve scholarly disagreements. We conclude the article by providing concrete suggestions for future empirical research.

“The A.M. Kovalev’s Conception of ‘Just Society’ in the Context of Current Political and Philosophical Discussions”

In modern political and theoretical discourse, the concept of a ‘ just society’ is usually perceived as a normative idea that expresses the notion of what society “should be”. Nowadays, social justice as a political slogan is becoming an increasingly universal requirement made by social movements, political parties and groups regarding the ways of social organization and its functions. Regardless of the different interpretations, it is inseparable from other related concepts, such as ‘equality’, ‘ freedom’ and many others. It also represents the projection of various concepts of justice on social relations in individual countries, regions, and, finally, throughout the world (‘global justice’ on the scale of all mankind). Comparative analysis of the A.M. Kovalev’s concept of a just society and the main trends in the interpretation of this idea in modern Western socio-political theory indicate that the methodology developed by an outstanding Russian scientist can rightfully be considered one of the most promising. Its distinguishing feature is the creative interpretation of a set of ideas about a just society, dating back to the early works of Marx. It is combined with the analysis of the ideas of the Western European Enlightenment, the philosophy of Kant, Hegel and Fichte, the evolution of the social philosophy of the Frankfurt School and other equally influential areas of modern political theory (R. Aron and others). An analysis of modern political theories shows that the dyad “ justice / state” constitutes the ontological core of the political and philosophical discourse, in the structure of which the ideas of Marxism play an important role. In the A.M. Kovalev’s theory of a just society, the various assessments of the heuristic potential of Marxism acquire additional incentives, opening the way to new creative discussions. The article is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of A.M. Kovalev.

A proof-of-concept study testing the factor structure of the Stop Signal Task: overlap with substance use and mental health symptoms

ABSTRACT Background: Research utilizing experimental tasks usually does not report estimates of internal reliability of measurement. However, modern measurement theories conceptualize reliability as sample dependent indicating that reliability should be empirically demonstrated in the samples used to make inferences. Objectives: Test whether confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) estimates of reliability can be applied to a commonly used task measuring response inhibition (the Stop Signal Task) to predict substance use (alcohol and cannabis) and mental health symptoms. Methods: Thirty-seven participants between the ages of 18–20 (72% female; 16% Asian, 3% Native American, 11% Black or African American, 59% White; 32% Latino/a/x) were recruited via social media advertisement and attended a laboratory visit. The Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) was calculated as the outcome for three experimental blocks and used as indicators in a CFA. Results: CFA suggests the task yields reliable scores; factor loadings were statistically significant (p < .05) and substantial (standardized loadings ranged from .74 to .94). However, reliability increased across experimental blocks and error was non-trivial (ranging from 50% to 12% of the variance). The inhibition factor predicted higher maximum number of drinks consumed (β = .37, p < .05), higher frequency of cannabis use (β = .39, p < .05), and more cannabis use occasions within using days (β = .40, p < .05), as well as facets of mental health (anxious/depression, attention, and anxiety problems; all p’s < .05). Conclusion: Results support the utility of CFA to test for reliability of measurement, with the ability to inhibit dominant responses serving as a transdiagnostic correlate of substance use and mental health problems.

Effect of Extreme Variations of Fundamental Constants on the Structure of Atoms and Molecules.

The fundamental constants (FCs) of physics are promoted to dynamic quantities in modern theories. So far most of the literature focused on small fractional variations in the values of FCs. In this paper, we investigate the novel regime of extreme but transient variations of FCs. We focus on the speed of light (c) and show that its variation can dramatically change the electronic structure and chemistry of atoms and molecules. These changes are induced by increased relativistic effects when c is reduced from its nominal value. To model these changes, we solve the fully relativistic Dirac equation at different values of c. We show that at extreme variations of c, the periodic table is truncated, the nominal ground states of atoms can change, water fails to serve as a universal solvent, and the ammonia molecule becomes planar.