Reception of José Saramago in Chinese academic criticism

UIDB/04666/2020 UIDP/04666/2020Este artigo centra-se na receção de José Saramago na crítica académica chinesa, apoiando-se na teoria da estética da receção e do efeito, nomeadamente nos contributos de Hans Robert Jauss e Wolfgang Iser. Por meio da recolha e abordagem de 39 trabalhos académicos (publicados em revistas, atas de congresso e dissertações) acerca de José Saramago e das suas obras traduzidas na China, visa-se conhecer as interpretações dos estudiosos chineses sobre a criação saramaguiana, observar a tendência de estudo relativamente a este escritor português, verificar quais as obras mais analisadas e as perspetivas de análise dominantes no campo académico chinês. Este é, pois, um estudo ainda introdutório e seminal que pretende abrir as portas a futuros trabalhos sobre a presença deste grande escritor de língua portuguesa na China. Based on the contributions of the aesthetics of reception and effect, particularly from authors such as Hans Robert Jauss and Wolfgang Iser, the present article focuses on the reception of José Saramago in Chinese academic criticism. Through the collection and analysis of 39 academic works (published in journals, conference proceedings, and dissertations) about José Saramago and his works translated into China, we aim to know the interpretations of Chinese scholars about Saramago’s creation, observe the trend of study regarding this Portuguese writer, to verify which works have been most analyzed and the dominant perspectives of analysis in the Chinese academic field. This is, therefore, an introductory and seminal study that aims to open the way to future works on the presence of this great Portuguese-speaking writer in China.publishersversionpublishe

Pure-Silica-Zeolite MFI and MEL Low-Dielectric-Constant Films with Fluoro-Organic Functionalization

The synthesis of organic-functionalized pure-silica-zeolites (PSZs) with MFI- and MEL-type structures for low-k applications prepared through a direct-synthesis method by adding a fluorinated silane to the synthesis solution is reported. The added fluorine functionality increases the hydrophobicity of the zeolites, which are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, 29Si and 19F solid-state NMR spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and thermogravimetric analysis. The functionalized zeolite powders have low water content and calcined spin-on films prepared from the functionalized nanoparticle suspensions exhibit higher water contact angles and lower k values (2.1 and 1.8 for the functionalized MFI- and MEL-type zeolites, respectively) than PSZ films. The use of a direct-synthesis method to decrease the moisture adsorption in the films eliminates the extra post-spin-on silylation steps that are traditionally used to render the zeolite films hydrophobic

Theory of c-axis Josephson tunneling in d-wave superconductors

The temperature and angular dependence of the c-axis Josephson current and the superfluid density in layered d-wave superconductors are studied within the framework of an extended Ambegaokar-Baratoff formalism. In particular, the effects of angle-dependent tunneling matrix elements and Andreev scattering at grain boundaries are taken into account. These lead to strong corrections of the low-temperature behavior of the plasma frequency and the Josephson current. Recent c-axis measurements on the cuprate high-temperature superconductors HgBa_2CaCu_{1+\delta} and Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+\delta} can therefore be interpreted to be consistent with a d-wave order parameter.Comment: Revtex, 4 pages with 4 eps figures, to appear in PRB R

Non-Hermitian Kibble-Zurek mechanism with tunable complexity in single-photon interferometry

Non-Hermitian descriptions of quantum matter have seen impressive progress recently, with major advances in understanding central aspects such as their topological properties or the physics of exceptional points, the non-Hermitian counterpart of critical points. Here, we use single-photon interferometry to reconstruct the non-Hermitian Kibble-Zurek mechanism and its distinct scaling behavior for exceptional points, by simulating the defect production upon performing slow parameter ramps. Importantly, we are able to realise also higher-order exceptional points, providing experimental access to their theoretically predicted characteristic Kibble-Zurek scaling behaviour. Our work represents a crucial step in increasing the experimental complexity of non-Hermitian quantum time-evolution. It thus also furthers the quest to move the frontier from purely single-particle physics towards increasingly complex settings in the many-body realm.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Wheat beta-expansin (EXPB11) genes: Identification of the expressed gene on chromosome 3BS carrying a pollen allergen domain

Background Expansins form a large multi-gene family found in wheat and other cereal genomes that are involved in the expansion of cell walls as a tissue grows. The expansin family can be divided up into two main groups, namely, alpha-expansin (EXPA) and beta-expansin proteins (EXPB), with the EXPB group being of particular interest as group 1-pollen allergens. Results In this study, three beta-expansin genes were identified and characterized from a newly sequenced region of the Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring chromosome 3B physical map at the Sr2 locus (FPC contig ctg11). The analysis of a 357 kb sub-sequence of FPC contig ctg11 identified one beta-expansin genes to be TaEXPB11, originally identified as a cDNA from the wheat cv Wyuna. Through the analysis of intron sequences of the three wheat cv. Chinese Spring genes, we propose that two of these beta-expansin genes are duplications of the TaEXPB11 gene. Comparative sequence analysis with two other wheat cultivars (cv. Westonia and cv. Hope) and a Triticum aestivum var. spelta line validated the identification of the Chinese Spring variant of TaEXPB11. The expression in maternal and grain tissues was confirmed by examining EST databases and carrying out RT-PCR experiments. Detailed examination of the position of TaEXPB11 relative to the locus encoding Sr2 disease resistance ruled out the possibility of this gene directly contributing to the resistance phenotype. Conclusions Through 3-D structural protein comparisons with Zea mays EXPB1, we proposed that variations within the coding sequence of TaEXPB11 in wheats may produce a functional change within features such as domain 1 related to possible involvement in cell wall structure and domain 2 defining the pollen allergen domain and binding to IgE protein. The variation established in this gene suggests it is a clearly identifiable member of a gene family and reflects the dynamic features of the wheat genome as it adapted to a range of different environments and uses

MycoBank gearing up for new horizons.

MycoBank, a registration system for fungi established in 2004 to capture all taxonomic novelties, acts as a coordination hub between repositories such as Index Fungorum and Fungal Names. Since January 2013, registration of fungal names is a mandatory requirement for valid publication under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN). This review explains the database innovations that have been implemented over the past few years, and discusses new features such as advanced queries, registration of typification events (MBT numbers for lecto, epi- and neotypes), the multi-lingual database interface, the nomenclature discussion forum, annotation system, and web services with links to third parties. MycoBank has also introduced novel identification services, linking DNA sequence data to numerous related databases to enable intelligent search queries. Although MycoBank fills an important void for taxon registration, challenges for the future remain to improve links between taxonomic names and DNA data, and to also introduce a formal system for naming fungi known from DNA sequence data only. To further improve the quality of MycoBank data, remote access will now allow registered mycologists to act as MycoBank curators, using Citrix software

<b>Monitoring Interfacial Electric Fields at a Hematite Electrode During Water Oxidation </b>

To understand the mechanisms of a water oxidation on materials such as hematite it is important that accurate measurements and models of the interfacial fields at the semiconductor liquid junction...</jats:p