bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gate defined quantum dot realized in a single crystalline InSb nanosheet
Authors: Xue Jianhong , Chen Yuanjie , Pan Dong , Wang Ji-Yin , Zhao Jianhua , Huang Shaoyun , Xu H. Q.
Published: January 2019

A single crystalline InSb nanosheet is an emerging planar semiconductor material with potential applications in electronics, infrared optoelectronics, spintronics, and topological quantum computing. Here, we report on the realization of a quantum dot device from a single crystalline InSb nanosheet grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. The device is fabricated from the nanosheet on a Si/SiO2 substrate, and quantum dot confinement is achieved by the top gate technique. Transport measurements of the device are carried out at a low temperature in a dilution refrigerator. It is found that the measured charge stability diagram is characterized by a series of small Coulomb diamonds at high plunger gate voltages and a series of large Coulomb diamonds at low plunger gate voltages, demonstrating the formation of a gate-tunable quantum dot in the InSb nanosheet. Gate-defined planar InSb quantum dots offer a renewed platform for developing semiconductor-based quantum computation technology.
Overlapped embedded fragment stochastic density functional theory for covalently-bonded materials
Authors: Chen Ming , Baer Roi , Neuhauser Daniel , Rabani Eran
Published: January 2019

The stochastic density functional theory (DFT) [R. Baer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 106402 (2013)] is a valuable linear-scaling approach to Kohn-Sham DFT that does not rely on the sparsity of the density matrix. Linear (and often sub-linear) scaling is achieved by introducing a controlled statistical error in the density, energy, and forces. The statistical error (noise) is proportional to the inverse square root of the number of stochastic orbitals and thus decreases slowly; however, by dividing the system into fragments that are embedded stochastically, the statistical error can be reduced significantly. This has been shown to provide remarkable results for non-covalently-bonded systems; however, the application to covalently bonded systems had limited success, particularly for delocalized electrons. Here, we show that the statistical error in the density correlates with both the density and the density matrix of the system and propose a new fragmentation scheme that elegantly interpolates between overlapped fragments. We assess the performance of the approach for bulk silicon of varying supercell sizes (up to Ne = 16 384 electrons) and show that overlapped fragments reduce significantly the statistical noise even for systems with a delocalized density matrix.
Stimulated Raman scattering instability of a left-handed circularly polarized laser in strongly axially magnetized plasmas
Authors: Pan K. Q. , Guo L. , Li Z. C. , Yang D. , Li S. W. , Jiang S. E. , Zhang B. H. , Zheng C. Y. , He X. T.
Published: January 2019

The stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instability of a left-handed circularly polarized (LH-CP) laser in strongly axially magnetized plasmas is investigated in detail with the help of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. Since the LH-CP laser has a larger critical density in the axially magnetized plasmas, the SRS instability could be excited in over quarter-critical density plasmas, which is verified by the PIC simulations. This phenomenon could be used to amplify a seed with a frequency smaller than half of the laser frequency, which is impossible for traditional simulated Raman amplification. The simulation results also show that the scattered laser becomes right-handed circularly polarized. With this conclusion, we re-derive the temporal linear growth rate of the SRS instability of the LH-CP laser in the axially magnetized plasmas. The results show that the larger the external magnetic field is the smaller the temporal growth rate is. The suppression of the SRS by the external axial magnetic field in the linear region is verified by both 1D and 2D PIC simulations. The simulation results also show that the phase velocity of the electron plasma wave (EPW) will be decreased by the external magnetic field as expected by the theory, which makes it easier for the EPW to trap electrons and for the nonlinear frequency shift of the EPW to happen. As a result, not only the linear growth rate of SRS but also the saturation level of SRS is decreased by the external axial magnetic field. When the external magnetic field is strong enough, the saturation level of SRS can be suppressed by several times. So, this work also provides an efficient way of suppressing the SRS instability. Besides, the 2D simulation results show that some transverse instabilities of the electron plasma wave are also suppressed by the external magnetic field and this suppression will provide us with an electron plasma wave with a better structure, which may benefit the simulated Raman amplification.
Selective photoisomerisation of 2-chloromalonaldehyde
Authors: Gutiérrez-Quintanilla Alejandro , Chevalier Michèle , Platakyte Rasa , Ceponkus Justinas , Crépin Claudine
Published: January 2019

Isomerization of 2-chloromalonaldehyde (2-ClMA) is explored giving access to new experimental data on this derivative of malonaldehyde, not yet studied much. Experiments were performed isolating 2-ClMA in argon, neon, and para-hydrogen matrices. UV irradiation of the matrix samples induced isomerization to three open enolic forms including two previously observed along with the closed enolic form after deposition. IR spectra of these specific conformers were recorded, and a clear assignment of the observed bands was obtained with the assistance of theoretical calculations. UV spectra of the samples were measured, showing a blue shift of the π* ← π absorption with the opening of the internal hydrogen bond of the most stable enol form. Specific sequences of UV irradiation at different wavelengths allowed us to obtain samples containing only one enol conformer. The formation of conformers is discussed. The observed selectivity of the process among the enol forms is analyzed.
Importance of philopatry and hydrodynamics in the recruitment of bioeroding sponges on Indonesian coral reefs
Authors: Marlow Joseph , Haris Abdul , Bell James
Published: January 2019

Increasingly frequent large-scale coral mortality events are occurring across the globe, leading to a rise in available reef substrata and promoting an increase in the abundance of other benthic taxa. One such group are bioeroding sponges, which can benefit considerably from reef degradation. However, the occupation of new substrates is partially reliant upon larval recruitment, and currently little is known about the factors affecting bioeroding sponge recruitment. In this study we investigated the potential drivers of bioeroding sponge recruitment using a 2-year deployment of experimental calcareous substrates across seven reefs in the Wakatobi region of Indonesia. Recruitment was observed for five bioeroding sponge species, namely Cliona orientalis, Cliothosa cf. aurivillii, Cliothosa hancocki and two presently unidentified brown clionaids, Cliona aff. viridis sp. A and Cliona aff. viridis sp. B. Recruits were present on 69% of the experimental substrates but had a low mean (±s.e.m.) spatial coverage of just 0.42±0.13%. Total recruitment and species assemblage structure were correlated with local adult abundance, water flow and substrate cues. Our results suggest that any proliferation of bioeroding sponges on newly available substrate following coral mortality is likely to be conditional on local adult abundance and hydrodynamics.
The Persian tradition
Authors: Azadibougar Omid , Haddadian-Moghaddam Esmaeil
Published: January 2019

From ancient Persia to modern Iran, translation has been consistently significant, which may be due to the geographical location of the political territory – placing it at the crossroads of many different languages and cultures throughout history. Despite its importance, however, translation remains a contested field in a variety of ways, and coherent discourses and theories on translation, its assessment, and its socio-political or cultural roles are yet to appear. In this report, we present the Persian tradition of translation in the past century, during which the scope and extent of the act in all its forms have been most effective and noticeable. We address four pressing issues of the tradition, method and approach, copyright, the politics of culture, and multilingualism, and suggest that the Persian tradition is translator-oriented, socially prestigious, ethically subversive, politically bounded and composed of diverse languages.
Mixed paradigms in Italo-Romance
Authors: Štichauer Pavel
Published: January 2019

This paper advocates a morphological approach to the phenomenon of mixed paradigms attested in a wide range of Italo-Romance varieties (cf. Loporcaro 2001, 2007, 2014; Manzini and Savoia 2005, among others). In these varieties, two auxiliary verbs, habere and esse, alternate within one and the same paradigm. As a result, such mixed paradigms exhibit various patterns which can range from morphosyntactically motivated to apparently unmotivated distributions (‘morphomic’). Starting from the notion of ‘inflectional periphrasis’ (cf., e.g. Brown 2012 et al.), under which auxiliary verb constructions can be accommodated, and from the notion of ‘lexical splits’ (cf. Corbett 2013, 2015, 2016), I describe the attested splits induced by such intraparadigmatic auxiliary alternations. Following Bonami (2015) and Štichauer (2016, 2018), I introduce a typology of such splits and I provide examples from the rich array of Italo-Romance data drawn mainly from Manzini and Savoia (2005). I conclude with a brief discussion of the historical origin of mixed paradigms arguing that the commonly accepted explanation (Bentley and Eythórsson 2001) is in need of further verification.
A person split analysis of the progressive forms in some southern Italian varieties
Authors: Lorusso Paolo
Published: January 2019

This paper explores the distribution of finite and non-finite constructions in the progressive periphrasis of (southeastern) Apulian varieties. The periphrases are formed by an inflected stay auxiliary, an optional connecting element a (=to) and an embedded verb which can be inflected or uninflected. Since progressives are commonly realized as locative constructions crosslinguistically (Bybee, Perkins and Pagliuca 1994), we propose a unique locative-like structure for both inflected and uninflected constructions. They differ for their aspectual interpretation: only uninflected progressives allow frequentative readings (Chierchia 1995). In some varieties, the 1st and 2nd plural persons cannot be found in the inflected periphrasis but they allow only the infinitive (uninflected) counterpart. This is due to the referential complexity of the 1st and 2nd plural persons.
N morphology and its interpretation
Authors: Manzini Maria Rita , Savoia Leonardo M.
Published: January 2019

This contribution deals with the -a inflection in Italian varieties, which realizes plural as well as feminine singular. Thus the -a inflection externalizes apparently irreducible contents (singular/plural). We try to answer the question whether it is possible to unify these two readings. Feminine plural -a alternating with masculine singular characterize standard Italian and many South-Italian dialects (§§ 1–3). On the contrary, in North-Lombard, Romansh and North-Tuscany varieties -a characterizes feminine singular and plural, while the specialized (-)i plural morphology occurs on determiners (§§ 4–7). We argue that in both types of languages, the -a plural externalizes a nominal class property [aggregate]. We propose that [aggregate] is at the basis of the superficial syncretism between plural and singular/feminine in the occurrence of the -a inflection. Indeed [aggregate] introduces a notion of plurality as aggregate of individuals compatible at least with mass singulars (aggregates of parts). In general, the inflectional vowels of Romance languages, or in any event Italian -a, are not mere byproducts of paradigmatic organization, but are lexical items, endowed with interpretive content.
Syntactic variation across Greek dialects
Authors: Guardiano Cristina , Michelioudakis Dimitris
Published: January 2019

The syntax of demonstratives in the Greek varieties of southern Italy and more broadly in diaspora Greek can serve as a case study of how long-term unbalanced contact can give rise to syntactic borrowing, shedding light on both necessary and sufficient formal conditions of contact-induced reanalysis and change. Diachronically, Greek features adjective-like demonstratives. In southern Italy and Asia Minor, the adjectival syntax of demonstratives is being and has been lost under pressure from Italo-Romance dialects and Turkish respectively. This radical departure from the traditional Greek pattern is, arguably, impossible in the absence of contact. Crucially, however, a new grammatical rule can only be borrowed if its most characteristic outputs are already possible in the target language, or are made possible through language-internal dynamics.
Conditionals in spoken courtroom and parliamentary discourse in English, French, and Spanish
Authors: Lastres-López Cristina
Published: January 2019

This chapter explores if-conditionals in English, French and Spanish legal discourse, responding to the scarcity of cross-linguistic studies on conditionals in this genre. In particular, I examine conditionals in courtroom and parliamentary discourse on the basis of corpus evidence from various sources, proposing a cognitive-functional approach that looks at both prototypical and less prototypical uses of conditionality. The findings from the corpus analysis indicate that conditionals in legal discourse are primarily used to express canonical conditions but also function, to a lesser extent, as interpersonal and textual devices. Results also suggest that modal verbs, highly present in these constructions, have different uses depending on the function expressed by the clause.
A comparison of lexical bundles in spoken courtroom language across time, registers, and varieties
Authors: Reppen Randi , Chen Meishan
Published: January 2019

This chapter explores diachronic, register, and language varieties in courtroom language using three-word lexical bundles. Building on Culpeper and Kytö (2010), who described lexical bundles in Present Day English and Early Modern English trials, we explore the 1994 O. J. Simpson trial. Following Culpeper and Kytö, we identified the fifty most frequent bundles. After comparing bundles and functions to Culpeper and Kytö, we divided the O. J. Simpson trial into opening statement, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing argument. Results show the influence of situational similarities on the bundles that were found and also on the functions of the bundles. The results also show the importance of examining sub-registers that reflect important aspects of variation due to situational and functional goals.
“It is not just a fact that the law requires this, but it is a reasonable fact”
Authors: Goźdź-Roszkowski Stanisław
Published: January 2019

This chapter investigates the construction of stance through nouns in two legal genres: academic journals and judicial opinions. The study builds on previous research into stance construal in judicial discourse which focuses on nouns followed by a that-clause complement. Nouns found in this pattern indicate the epistemic status of the proposition expressed in the that-clause and they are used to evaluate the reliability of propositions contained in the that-clause (e.g., the assumption that … is incorrect). The present analysis of the Noun that-pattern highlights its dependence on both genre- and discipline-specific factors. It reveals disciplinary similarities in the choice of noun and the dominance of the authority-building function in both legal academic enquiry and judicial argumentation. Genre-oriented differences are found, for example, in the higher frequencies in judicial corpora of ‘certainty’ nouns (e.g., fact) and ‘communication’ nouns (e.g., argument).
Are law reports an ‘agile’ or an ‘uptight’ register?
Authors: Biber Douglas , Gray Bethany
Published: January 2019

Language change is a natural evolutionary process, and as a result it is reasonable to expect that all registers will undergo historical change to some extent. While some registers adopt linguistic innovations readily, others resist such changes and exhibit more conservative patterns of change. This chapter considers the extent to which law reports have adopted linguistic innovations observed in other written registers (fiction, newspapers, and science prose). The analysis considers features related to two competing factors influencing historical change in written texts: popularization (the adoption of colloquial features associated with the need to write texts for a large and general population of readers) and economy (increases in the use of phrasal complexity features to create informationally-dense texts for specialist readers). The analysis shows that compared to other written registers, law reports have been relatively conservative and resistant to historical change. These results are interpreted relative to the situational and communicative characteristics of law reports.
Interpersonality in legal written discourse
Authors: Rodríguez-Puente Paula
Published: January 2019

This chapter offers a diachronic analysis of the use of personal pronouns in English law reports. Results show that law reports are narrative texts with high frequencies of third person pronouns. However, markers of subjectivity, involvement and interpersonality, such as first and second person pronouns, are also amply represented–a feature which distinguishes law reports from other formal, specialized text types, as well as from other legal documents. In addition, law reports seem to have developed over time, becoming more involved, subjective and interpersonal, a tendency that coincides with a major change in the history of law reporting in English.
The evolution of a legal genre
Authors: Groom Nicholas , Grieve Jack
Published: January 2019

This chapter provides a diachronic corpus-based analysis of a vitally important, yet currently very under-researched, legal genre: the patent specification. The empirical focus of the analysis is on changes in the rhetorical move structure of the patent specification genre over the first 150 years of its existence, as represented by a corpus of British patent specification texts ranging from 1711 to 1860. The methodology of the study involves reducing each exemplar text in the corpus to a simple letter code string representing its rhetorical move structure, and then submitting the resulting list of code strings to two kinds of computational analysis: one focusing on the frequency and distribution of individual rhetorical moves over the period of the study, and the other focusing on the frequency and distribution of the different move sequence types attested in the corpus. It is argued that the findings of the study are consistent with, and may thus be interpreted as providing empirical support for, generalized evolutionary theoretical models of genre change.
Dissolved and suspended solids in aquaculture.
Authors: Boyd C. E.
Published: January 2019

A few major ions contribute most of the weight of dissolved solids in water. Direct determination of total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration is tedious, and the electrical conductivity of freshwater and the salinity of saline water are common surrogates for TDS in aquaculture. The primary concern over dissolved solids is maintaining TDS concentration within a range that allows effective osmoregulation by culture species. There is usually more concern over TDS concentration in inland, saline water or brackishwater aquaculture than in freshwater aquaculture. The handheld salinity refractometer is used almost exclusively to measure the salinity of saline waters for aquaculture. Suspended solids comprise mineral soil particles, living microorganisms (especially phytoplankton) and decaying organic matter cause turbidity, and amount of suspended solids is usually assessed from water clarity as determined with a Secchi disk. Turbidity limits light penetration and restricts the depth to which photosynthesis may occur. Turbidity from suspended soil particles usually is a negative factor while plankton turbidity normally is a positive factor in fertilized ponds. Nevertheless, in fertilized ponds or un-aerated ponds with feeding, excessive plankton turbidity causes low nighttime dissolved oxygen concentrations. Turbidity from suspended soil particles may be beneficial by reducing light penetration for phytoplankton growth in mechanically-aerated ponds with feeding, but soil particles suspended by aeration settle creating zones of organically-enriched sediment. Such sediment may result in anaerobic areas from which microbial respiration releases toxic metabolites. Methods of managing dissolved and suspended solids and sediment are summarized.
Green roof research towards enhancing urban biodiversity, storm-water retention and air pollution abatement.
Authors: Salman I. N. A. , Schindler B. , Agra H. , Bawab O. , Friedman-Heiman A. , Kadas G. J. , Seifan M. , Blaustein L.
Published: January 2019

Green roofs provide multiple environmental benefits. These include storm-water retention, water purification, insulation of the building, air quality and carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement. Green roofs can be classified as sustainable extensive green roofs (no additional fertilizer, no gardening, no irrigation and shallow growing substrate) or as intensive green roofs (additional fertilizer, gardening, irrigation and deeper growing substrate). In this review, we concentrate on multi-disciplinary benefits of green roofs - i.e. biodiversity enhancement (i.e. reconciliation ecology), storm-water retention and air-pollution abatement as these benefits highly support sustainable buildings. We have found that under conditions of very fine-scale heterogeneity, species diversity (both plants and arthropods) is unlikely to increase, particularly if there is no irrigation. Under large-scale heterogeneity (such as different types of green roofs), the regional diversity can increase. Some plants compete with each other and others can create facilitation. Under conditions of irrigation in the hot, arid conditions of the Middle East, photovoltaic panels may likely produce more electricity and the heterogeneity in solar radiation and moisture can result in greater biodiversity. Rainwater can also be deterred from storm drainage by using gray water irrigation for specific plant assemblages. Green roofs can help mitigate the negative effects of air pollution and CO
2
emissions - in particular, by absorbing pollutants and sequestering carbon dioxide.
Integrated pest management for tropical crops: soyabeans.
Authors: Heinrichs E. A. , Muniappan R.
Published: January 2019

Soyabean, because of its importance in food security and wide diversity of uses in industrial applications, is one of the world's most important crops. There are a number of abiotic and biotic constraints that threaten soyabean production. Soyabean pests are major biotic constraints limiting soyabean production and quality. Crop losses to animal pests, diseases and weeds in soyabeans average 26-29% globally. This review discusses biology, global distribution and plant damage and yield losses in soyabean caused by insect pests, plant diseases, nematodes and weeds. The interactions among insects, weeds and diseases are detailed. A soyabean integrated pest management (IPM) package of practices, covering the crop from pre-sowing to harvest, is outlined. The effect of climate changes on arthropod pests, plant diseases and weeds are discussed. The history and evolution of the highly successful soyabean IPM programme in Brazil and the factors that led to its demise are explained.
Measuring household food waste at national level: a systematic review on methods and results.
Authors: Cicatiello C. , Giordano C.
Published: January 2019

The majority of food waste is generated at the consumption stage. Research on consumer food waste is increasing very fast, as well as the effort in the quantification of the amount of food waste generated at home. This review analyses the most relevant studies in this regard with the aim of (i) reporting the main findings on the amount of food waste generated at the household level, and (ii) comparing estimates from studies conducted with different methodological approaches, to highlight possible influences of methods over the findings. Despite the growing interest over the topic, the number of studies providing a quantitative estimation of household food waste is not very high, with 16 studies conducted in Europe and 3 in other countries. The main methods used are inference on national statistics about food and waste flows, and direct measurement, e.g. questionnaires, food diaries and waste compositional analysis. Results of household food waste vary from only 5 to over 100 kg per person per year. Such variety is due to the definitions of food waste adopted (limiting or not the focus on edible food waste), as well as to the different methodological approaches. While inferential studies' findings are somewhat comparable with results of food diaries and waste compositional analyses, the amount of food waste self-reported by respondents in questionnaires is always much lower, probably due to self-indulgency of respondents or to cognitive bias. These pieces of evidence suggest that further research on the quantification of food waste at the consumer level should adopt more reliable methods and use a consistent definition of food waste.
A Paradigm Framework for Social Work Theory for Early 21st Century Practice
Authors: McGregor Caroline
Published: January 2019

This article explores whether paradigms for social work that helped structure and focus social work theory in the late 20th century can continue to inform social work theorising in the present day. The question is considered by reviewing the work of Burrell and Morgan (1979), Howe (1987), Whittington and Holland (1985), Johnson et al., 1984 (cited in Rojek, 1986) and Mulally (1993) who offer specific considerations of paradigm frameworks. The main argument developed in the discussion is that while the nature and orientation of theories in paradigms from later 20th to early 21st century are more diverse and complex, the value of a paradigm as framework for theory for practice persists. But for a paradigm framework to hold sway, there are some essential requirements. These include a need to: emphasise more the importance of local context in global conditions; broaden scope of theory away from predisposition to ‘Western’ dominated ideas; include space for certain constants in social work and recognise the role of critical reflexivity in activating theory. The need for further global and local research studies that systematically test and interrogate the range of social work theories and practices to progress this project is emphasised.
Blood vessel epicardial substance reduces LRP6 receptor and cytoplasmic β-catenin levels to modulate Wnt signaling and intestinal homeostasis
Authors: Thompson Joshua J , Short Sarah P , Parang Bobak , Brown Rachel E , Li Chenxuan , Ng Victoria H , Saito-Diaz Kenyi , Choksi Yash A , Washington Mary K , Smith Jesse Joshua , Fingleton Barbara , Brand Thomas , Lee Ethan , Coffey Robert J , Williams Christopher S
Published: January 2019

Blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES, otherwise known as POPDC1) is an integral membrane protein known to regulate tight junction formation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. BVES is underexpressed in a number of malignancies, including colorectal cancer. BVES loss leads to activation of the Wnt pathway, suggesting that decreased BVES expression functionally contributes to tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism by which BVES modulates Wnt signaling is unknown. Here, we confirm that BVES loss increases β-catenin protein levels, leads to Wnt pathway activation in a ligand-independent fashion and coordinates with Wnt ligand to further increase Wnt signaling. We show that BVES loss increases levels and activation of the Wnt co-receptor, LRP6, in cell lines, murine adenoma tumoroids and human-derived colonoids. We also demonstrate that BVES interacts with LRP6. Finally, murine tumor modeling using a Wnt-driven genetic model and a chemically induced model of colorectal carcinogenesis demonstrate that BVES loss increases tumor multiplicity and dysplasia. Together, these results implicate BVES as an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, provide one of the first examples of a tight junction-associated protein regulating Wnt receptor levels, and expand the number of putative molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in colorectal cancer.
Cost-effectiveness of Universal Hepatitis C Virus Screening of Pregnant Women in the United States
Authors: Chaillon Antoine , Rand Elizabeth B , Reau Nancy , Martin Natasha K
Published: January 2019

Background

Hepatitis C virus’ (HCV) chronic prevalence among pregnant women in the United States doubled nationally from 2009–2014 (~0.7%), yet many cases remain undiagnosed. Screening pregnant women is not recommended by the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, despite new American Association For the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)/Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines recommending screening for this group. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of HCV screening for pregnant women in the United States.

Methods

An HCV natural history Markov model was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of universal HCV screening of pregnant women, followed by treatment after pregnancy, compared to background risk-based screening from a health-care payer perspective. We assumed a HCV chronic prevalence of 0.73% among pregnant women, based on national data. We assumed no Medicaid reimbursement restrictions by fibrosis stage at baseline, but explored differing restrictions in sensitivity analyses. We assessed costs (in US dollars) and health outcomes (in quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]) over a lifetime horizon, using new HCV drug costs of $25 000/treatment. We assessed mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) under a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000/QALY gained. We additionally evaluated the potential population impact.

Results

Universal antenatal screening was cost-effective in all treatment eligibility scenarios (mean ICER <$3000/QALY gained). Screening remained cost-effective at a prevalence of 0.07%, which is the lowest estimated prevalence in the United States (in Hawaii). Screening the ~5.04 million pregnant women in 2018 could result in the detection and treatment of 33 000 women, based on current fibrosis restrictions.

Conclusions

Universal screening for HCV among pregnant women in the United States is cost-effective and should be recommended nationally.
Cognitive/Functional Measures Predict Alzheimer’s Disease, Dependent on Hippocampal Volume
Authors: Tabatabaei-Jafari Hossein , Shaw Marnie E , Walsh Erin , Cherbuin Nicolas
Published: January 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of cognitive/functional measures in combination with hippocampal volume (HCV) on the probability of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test for immediate memory, Mini-Mental State Examination, a functional assessment for independent daily activities and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale were used as cognitive/functional measures and HCV as neuroimaging measure. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to explore the measures’ predictive values for AD conversion and time to conversion.

Results

The probability of conversion from MCI to AD was associated with cognitive function, but this was moderated by HCV: higher at lower HCV and lower at higher HCV. General cognitive/functional measures were less predictive than immediate memory in predicting time to conversion to AD at small HCVs.

Conclusion

Effectiveness of cognitive measures and subtle functional abnormality in predicting conversion from MCI to AD is dependent on HCV, thus combined evaluation should be considered. A combination of HCV and immediate memory appear to perform best in predicting time to conversion.
1. Introduction
Authors: Welzel Christian , Inglehart Ronald , Bernhangen Patrick , Haerpfer Christian W.
Published: January 2019

This chapter introduces the new edition of Democratization against the backdrop of a new pessimism about Democracy. It anticipates the major themes pursued in the book by discussing democracy’s persistent culture-boundedness and societal pre-conditions. The chapter concludes by highlighting economic inequality as major threat to democracy while emphasizing democracy’s value for human, political, and social life.
2. Theories of Democratization
Authors: Welzel Christian
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the factors that have been proposed as determinants when, where, and why democratization happens. Several of these factors are synthesized into a broader framework that describes human empowerment as an evolutionary force channelling the intentions and strategies of actors towards democratic outcomes. The chapter first provides an overview of the nature and origin of democracy before discussing how democracy and democratization are affected by social divisions and distributional equality as well as modernization, international conflicts, regime alliances, elite pacts, mass mobilization, state repression, colonial legacies, religious traditions, and institutional configurations. The chapter concludes by presenting a typology of democratization processes, which includes responsive democratization, enlightened democratization, opportunistic democratization, and imposed democratization.
3. Democratic and Undemocratic States
Authors: Rose Richard
Published: January 2019

This chapter discusses the distinction between democratic and undemocratic states, noting that it is not only about whether there are elections: it is about whether or not it there is the rule of law. When both conditions are met, elections are free and fair and the government is accountable to the electorate. When laws can be bent or broken, unfair elections represent the will of governors more than that of the governed. The chapter first defines democratic states and outlines the characteristics of a democratic state before assessing the state of states today. It then considers three kinds of undemocratic states, namely: constitutional oligarchy, plebiscitarian autocracy, and unaccountable autocracy. It also examines how democratization has more often come about by trial and error rather than through gradual evolution and concludes by analysing the dynamics of democratic and undemocratic states.
4. Measuring Democracy and Democratization
Authors: Bernhagen Patrick
Published: January 2019

This chapter considers problems associated with classifying countries as democracies and non-democracies and measuring the extent to which a country has advanced on the path of democratization. It first examines different concepts and dimensions of democracy such as political sovereignty, political liberty, competition, participation, freedom of expression and belief, and rule of law. Using publicly available quantitative indices of democracy, the chapter illustrates the problems faced by researchers of translating these concepts into measures. It also asks whether democracy should be thought of as a property that is either present or absent, or, alternatively, a characteristic that can be present to a greater or lesser extent. Finally, it discusses various hybrid regime categories for their contribution to efforts of classifying and measuring political regimes.
6. The Global Wave of Democratization
Authors: Markoff John , Burridge Daniel
Published: January 2019

This chapter focuses on the great wave of democracy that had touched every continent. In the early 1970s, Western Europe was home to several non-democratic countries, most of Latin America was under military or other forms of authoritarian rule, the eastern half of Europe was ruled by communist parties, much of Asia was undemocratic, and in Africa colonial rule was largely being succeeded by authoritarian regimes. By the early twenty-first century, things had changed considerably, albeit to different degrees in different places. The chapter looks at regions of the world that underwent significant change in democracy between 1972 and 2004, including Mediterranean Europe, Latin America, Soviet/Communist Bloc, Asia, and Africa. It considers what was distinctive about each region’s democratization and what they had in common. It concludes with an overview of challenges faced by democracy in the early twenty-first century.
9. Political Culture, Mass Beliefs, and Value Change
Authors: Welzel Christian , Inglehart Ronald F.
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the role of mass beliefs and value change in democratization processes. Building on one of the central assumptions of political culture theory—the congruence thesis—it argues that mass beliefs are of critical importance for a country’s chances to become and remain democratic. Mass beliefs determine whether a political system is accepted as legitimate or not, which has a major impact on a regime’s likelihood of surviving. The chapter first considers how the role of mass beliefs in democratization is addressed in the literature before discussing mass demands for democracy vs popular preferences for democracy. It then discusses regime legitimacy and its relation to economic performance and asks whether emancipative values are caused by democracy. It also explains changes in many countries’ level of democracy and concludes with an analysis of the influence of religion on democratization.
12. Social Movements and Contention in Democratization Processes
Authors: Rossi Federico M. , della Porta Donatella
Published: January 2019

This chapter explores the relationship between social movements, trade unions, and transnational advocacy networks of resistance to non-democratic regimes in the global wave of democratization. It considers views from social movement studies within the democratization literature as well as views of democratization within the social movement literature. It also examines the diverse roles played by movements, depending on the type of democratization process and the stage in which mobilizations emerge (resistance, liberalization, transition to procedural democracy, consolidation, expansion). The chapter identifies a host of factors that produce the most favourable setting for democratization, including a non-syndical strike wave and/or a pro-democracy cycle of protest; increased political organization in urban areas, and a relatively dense resistance network; and the existence of pro-democratic elites able to integrate the demands for democracy coming from below (at least until transition is well initiated).
14. Political Parties
Authors: Morlino Leonardo
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the role of political parties in the processes of democratization, that is, during transition, installation, and consolidation, and the possible phases of democratic crisis. It first considers the definition of a political party within the processes of democratization before discussing how parties can be indispensable for the actual working of democracy. It then explores the actual role of political parties during transitions to democracy and during democratic consolidation, and in different types of crises. It also describes basic patterns of transition to democracy as well as key elements of democratic consolidation, including electoral stabilization and emergence of recurring patterns of party competition. The chapter shows that parties are dominant in the process of transition, even if not always hegemonic.
16. The Media
Authors: Voltmer Katrin , Rawnsley Gary
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the role of the media in processes of democratization. It considers the media’s political, economic, and social environment both in their domestic and international contexts. It also explains how new communications technologies have made it increasingly difficult for authoritarian regimes to hermetically seal their borders to prevent the flow of information in and out of the country. The most noticeable influence of international communications in the process of democratization is the ‘demonstration effect’. The chapter also discusses media-state relations, how market conditions and commercialization affect the media’s ability to fulfil their democratic role, and issues of journalistic professionalism and the quality of reporting. It argues that democracy and the media need each other.
22. Post-Soviet Eurasia
Authors: Haerpfer Christian W. , Kizilova Kseniya
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the democratic revolutions that occurred in post-Soviet Eurasia since 1989. It first considers the beginning of the decline of communism and the failed attempts to reform communist one-party states from 1970 to 1988 as stage one of democratization. It then discusses the end of communist regimes as the second stage of democratization—between 1989 and 1991. It also looks at stage three of the democratization process, which focuses on the creation of new democracies. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the main drivers of successful democratization in post-Soviet Eurasia.
25. East Asia
Authors: Shin Doh Chull , Tusalem Rollin F.
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines the processes of democratization in East Asia over the past two decades. It first provides a historical background on transitions to democracy in the region before assessing the extent to which third-wave democracies have consolidated by appraising the quality of their performances. Analyses of Freedom House and the World Bank data show that the East Asian region has been slow in responding to the surging wave of global democratization in terms of not only transforming authoritarian regimes into electoral democracies, but also consolidating electoral democracies into well-functioning liberal democracies. The Asian Barometer surveys, on the other hand, reveal that the mass citizenries of China and Singapore endorse their current regime as a well-functioning democracy, and are not much in favour of democratic regime change in their country. The chapter concludes with a discussion of prospects for democratic regime change in China and Singapore.
26. Conclusion: The Future of Democratization
Authors: Welzel Christian , Inglehart Ronald , Bernhagen Patrick , Haerpfer Christian W.
Published: January 2019

This chapter summarizes the main insights from the book and sets out the main challenges lying ahead for democracy. It identifies varieties of autocracy and the role of external threats and group hostilities before assessing the possibilities of spreading democracy to new regions, consolidating and improving new democracies, and deepening old democracies.
8. Discourse and European Integration
Authors: Wodak Ruth
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines discourse analysis as an approach to the study of European integration. It first provides an overview of the basic principles underlying discourse studies before tracing its philosophical roots. It then considers when and how discourse studies entered political science, international relations, and European integration studies. It explores three examples of bodies of work that have each operationalized discourse (analysis) in a particular way in order to make it speak to European integration: the first covers governance and political struggle; the second approach posits the discursive configuration of concepts of nation, state, and Europe as layered structures able to explain foreign policy options for a given state; and the third focuses on the project of European integration as a productive paradox. The chapter concludes with a case study on the mediatization and politicization of the refugee crisis in Austria from 2015-2016 by discussing the application of discourse analysis to the nature of the European Union enlargement process.
10. Critical Political Economy
Authors: van Apeldoorn Bastiaan , Horn Laura
Published: January 2019

This chapter examines European integration from the perspective of critical political economy. It first outlines a historical materialist framework for understanding European integration against a broader context of capitalist restructuring; focusing in particular on neo-Gramscian perspectives but also highlighting other strands of critical analysis. The chapter then proceeds with an integrated analysis of economic and monetary union (EMU) as a political project. With a focus on continuity and changes within the political economy of neo-liberalism, the euro crisis serves as a reference point to illustrate the strengths and contributions of critical political economy. Finally, contemporary perspectives on contestation and resistance in European integration are discussed.
13. Taking Stock of Integration Theory
Authors: Wiener Antje
Published: January 2019

This chapter takes stock of the third edition of European Integration Theory in three steps. First, it offers a comparative perspective on the distinct contributions to the mosaic of integration presented by each chapter. The assessment is framed by three sea-faring metaphors of European integration, and details the insights derived by each of the book’s contributions from addressing the kind of polity, politics, and policy based on the three types of crises (i.e. economic, refugee, and security). Second, the chapter addresses the absence of security crises in the book’s contributions. To reverse that absence, it distinguishes the impact of integration along a horizontal regional comparative dimension and a vertical normative dimension. The former builds on insights from regional integration, the latter connects normative crises in EU sub-units with global conflicts. And third, the chapter addresses the question of how integration theory fares sixty years on from the Treaty of Rome, and points out potential issues and themes for the future of European integration theory.
3. From the Constitutional Treaty to the Treaty of Lisbon and Beyond
Authors: Church Clive , Phinnemore David
Published: January 2019

This chapter explores the emergence and implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon. Its origins lie in the Constitutional Treaty of 2004 and its rejection in the French and Dutch referendums of 2005, which led to a period of so-called reflection. Then, mainly under the German Council presidency of early 2007, there was an emphatic drive to produce not a constitution, but an orthodox amending treaty to carry forward the basic reforms of the Constitutional Treaty. A deal was reached in October 2007. However, while parliamentary ratification went successfully, an initial referendum rejection in Ireland in June 2008 cast doubt on the new Treaty’s future. In part, this symbolized a rejection of some elements of the Treaty, but it also owed much to a deeper unease about the EU. Once Irish concerns had been assuaged, a second referendum produced the necessary ‘yes’ to ratification and, following some last-minute concessions to the Czech Republic, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on 1 December 2009. Its implementation proceeded relatively smoothly but was complicated by the eurozone crisis, which in turn pushed the EU to pursue some further treaty reform. In the face of increasing Euroscepticism, and persistent question marks over the popular legitimacy of the EU, the appetite for treaty reform all but evaporated for much of the 2010s, even if for integrationists the eurozone crisis demanded further reform. Towards the end of the decade, with Emmanuel Macron as French President calling for a ‘re-founding’ of the EU and the UK negotiating its withdrawal from the EU, opportunities for and some interest in a new round of treaty reform appeared to be emerging.