Maria João Ferreira

Kähler submanifolds with parallel pluri-mean curvature

Abstract We investigate the local geometry of a class of Kahler submanifolds M⊂ R n which generalize surfaces of constant mean curvature. The role of the mean curvature vector is played by the (1,1)-part (i.e., the dz i d z j -components) of the second fundamental form α, which we call the pluri-mean curvature. We show that these Kahler submanifolds are characterized by the existence of an associated family of isometric submanifolds with rotated second fundamental form. Of particular interest is the isotropic case where this associated family is trivial. We also investigate the properties of the corresponding Gauss map which is pluriharmonic.

Through ‘seas never before sailed’: Portuguese government discursive legitimation strategies in a context of financial crisis

This article aims to discuss the discursive legitimation strategies used by the Portuguese government to legitimate its political action between 2011 and 2014 in the context of the financial, economic and social crisis and the implementation of a three-year bailout programme and consequent austerity policies. Drawing from Critical Discourse Analysis for discussing discursive legitimation strategies, we selected eight political discourses delivered by the Portuguese Prime Minister and organised his discursive legitimation strategies into four main categories: (1)‘state of exception’, (2) blame allocation, (3) no alternative options and the appeal to emotions and (4) effectiveness. We conclude that, between 2011 and 2014, the Portuguese Prime Minister, through the ‘state of exception’ narrative and blame allocation strategies, sought to impose and legitimate governmental political action as the only viable option to overcome the crisis, as well as to reify the idea that austerity policies were the correct path to ensure a sustainable growth and to build a dynamic, prosperous and fair country.

Parallel mean curvature surfaces in symmetric spaces

We present a reduction-of-codimension theorem for surfaces with parallel mean curvature in symmetric spaces.