L'expression durative postverbale en chinois mandarin a été traitée dans quatre approches différentes dans la littérature, à savoir l'approche de complément, l'approche de prédicat, la cooccurrence des structures de complément et de prédicat et l'approche d'adjoint. Dans cet article, nous proposons une analyse combinatoire par adjoint et par prédicat en tenant compte des facteurs à la fois syntaxiques et sémantiques non seulement de l'expression durative postverbale, mais aussi des verbes et des objets auxquels les duratifs peuvent s'attacher. Nous avons pour objectif de montrer que ce sont ces facteurs conjoints qui permettent de déterminer la distribution en surface et la position syntaxique de l'expression durative postverbale en chinois mandarin.

As multifunctional electroactive materials, ferroelectric polymers are unique owing to their exceptionally high dielectric strength (>600 MV/m), high flexibility, and easy and low-temperature fabrication into required shapes. Although polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF)-based ferroelectric polymers have been known for several decades, recent findings reveal the potential of this class of electroactive polymers (EAPs) to achieve giant electroactive responses by tuning the molecular, nano, and meso-structures. This paper presents these advances, including giant electrocaloric effect, giant electroactuation, and large, hysteresis-free polarization response. New developments in materials benefit applications, such as environmentally benign and potentially highly energy-efficient electrical field controlled solid-state refrigeration, artificial muscles, and high-energy and power density electric energy storage devices. The challenges in developing these materials to realize these applications, and strategies to further improve the responses of EAPs will be also discussed.

The chapter takes as its starting point Pieter Kooijman's critique of Vattel's thinning out of the concept of authority in international law, one which attaches to the idea of state equality the possibility for each state to insist upon its own standards to the exclusion of any objective standards in the conduct of international relations. The chapter traces Vattel's contextual background in major Enlightenment shifts which set up a pernicious triad of thinkers such as Mandeville, Smith and de Sade. These thinkers make of post-Enlightenment economic and social relations a struggle of Master and Slave, most easily and clearly depicted in feminist studies, but also finding expression in imperialist relations and in particular, the unequal relations between the West and China, with the continuing inconclusive debate about unequal treaties. The chapter uses close study of a possible ‘anti-feminist’ novel, and feminist critique thereof, as well as a fairly extensive critique of the place of China in the recent history of international law, to argue that the present return of China to the position of a world power able to challenge the global system, could auger ill for post-Vattelian international law. Feminist critique is used to show that the post-Enlightenment ethical-cultural resources of international law are not equal to offering a country such as China more than a ‘masculine’ resort to its own self-strengthening. A search for alternatives ways to constructive dialogue are imperative, but, as Kooijmans shows, after Vattel the task of the international lawyer to contribute effectively is immeasurably disadvantaged.