Genius of the Rules-Style System

Chapter 1005: Chapter 502 Li Ning: That’s my theory! Mine! Mine!_2

Zhao Yi was there too.

He was far from the excited state Qiu Chengwen had imagined; in fact, he seemed not excited at all. It was as if the experiment had nothing to do with him. He merely checked the experimental setup and data to ensure the design and process were correct.

It was somewhat like a ’routine inspection’, and he simply walked away calmly after taking a look.

There was a lot of work to be done in the physics laboratory. With the superconducting antigravity experiment successful, the next steps involved constant data measurement.

Besides, it was also necessary to design relevant experiments to verify the results from other angles.

These tasks marked the end of the experiment.

Now, Li Ning’s primary job was to compile a summary and write a paper, recording the experimental processes and results in detail in a report to be added to the paper’s content before submission.

Li Ning hoped to submit his paper to a top international physics journal. The journal he had his eye on was "Applied Physics Letters", which was not only a match in terms of subject matter but was also one of the most authoritative journals in the international physics community, consistently ranking in the top three for impact factor.

When he shared his thoughts with Zhao Yi, Zhao Yi didn’t object but added a condition, "Submit the Chinese version to the domestic ’Journal of Mathematical Physics’."

"Journal of Mathematical Physics? A domestic journal?" Li Ning didn’t quite understand. "But we can’t split the Chinese and English versions, can we? Once the Chinese version is submitted, we can’t submit the English version to another journal." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

"The review process at ’Applied Physics Letters’ is really strict, and peer review alone takes a month. If we submit separate Chinese manuscripts, I reckon they won’t agree."

"That’s almost impossible."

Li Ning said, shaking his head dismissively—the moment a paper was submitted to a journal, the journal attained the rights to it.

All journals had the same rule.

That’s why simultaneous submission to multiple journals wasn’t possible. Once a journal published a paper, it automatically held the rights, including for translations into Chinese. Other journals could no longer publish it.

Continuing, Li Ning said, "The last paper I submitted to ’Applied Physics Letters’ was about a superconductor material experiment. It investigated a new superconducting material and came up with some specific values. But even after two months of peer review and three revisions, it was rejected." As he spoke, he shook his head dejectedly.

Zhao Yi said, "Professor Li, I understand your concerns, but separating the Chinese and English versions... That should be possible, right?"

"Impossible!" Li Ning was adamant.

"I think it’s doable."

"It’s not, Academician Zhao, you’re probably unaware of ’Applied Physics Letters’..."

"Blah, blah, blah..."

Li Ning went on at length about the high world ranking and substantial impact factor of ’Applied Physics Letters’.

Zhao Yi, feeling overwhelmed, simply said, "I’ll make a call and ask."

While he had never submitted to ’Applied Physics Letters’, he knew Professor Ledley from the California Institute of Technology.

If he remembered correctly, Ledley was a part-time editor for ’Applied Physics Letters’ and had previously invited Zhao Yi to submit there, although Zhao opted for another journal in the end.

Zhao Yi made an international call and, once connected, got hold of Ledley and asked directly, "Professor Ledley, this is Zhao Yi."

"I’ve recently conducted a successful superconducting antigravity experiment. I remember you once invited me to submit to your journal, and now I’m coming to you."

Excitement came through from Ledley on the other end, saying, "Really? Congratulations, Zhao Yi! I recall it was... what was it... some theory by Li or something? Regardless, congratulations! You’re welcome to submit to ’Applied Physics Letters’, and if you’re quick, we can schedule it for the next issue."

"I have a request!" Zhao Yi said, "I hope to split the Chinese and English manuscripts because I would like to submit the Chinese one to a familiar journal."

Ledley immediately replied, "Of course, no problem!"

"It’s a minor issue!"

"I think, at the very least in M Country and Europe, no one cares about the Chinese version, and if it’s scientists from your country, they would naturally want to see the Chinese version. It’s a win-win situation; it’s about letting everyone enjoy the literature that suits them best!"

"Yep, it’s a win-win situation!" Ledley emphasized.

Zhao Yi said, "Okay then, that’s settled. I will send over the manuscript within a day or two."

"OK, looking forward to it!"

Zhao Yi hung up the phone nonchalantly, turned to Li Ning, and said, "You heard that, it’s not just my unilateral wish, it’s a win-win situation!"

"It’s good for readers all over the world; they can choose the language that suits them best to read."

"..."

Li Ning tugged at the corner of his mouth, not knowing what to say as the situation before him exceeded his understanding.

Splitting Chinese and English submissions... it’s a win-win?

How is it a win-win?

Surely the journal that gets the English submission isn’t the winner? But then again, if they are publishing a high-quality paper, they are probably also winners?

The author, both journals, the readers...

A four-way win?

Li Ning suddenly felt a little lost, wondering if he should try this approach next time?

Splitting Chinese and English submissions certainly has its advantages for the author!

...

The review and typesetting at ’Applied Physics Letters’ were very fast.

Once Zhao Yi and Li Ning’s manuscript was submitted, it took less than two days for the editorial department of ’Applied Physics Letters’ to respond, confirming the paper would be printed in the next issue.

That next issue was just a week away...

This publishing speed clearly meant they had ’cut in line’, perhaps at the expense of other submissions, but regardless, being published earlier was undoubtedly good news.