Two (so‐called left and right) variants of N‐centered ensemble density‐functional theory (DFT) are presented. Unlike the original formulation of the theory, these variants allow for the description... Show moreTwo (so‐called left and right) variants of N‐centered ensemble density‐functional theory (DFT) are presented. Unlike the original formulation of the theory, these variants allow for the description of systems with a fractional electron number. While conventional DFT for open systems uses only the true electron density as basic variable, left/right N‐centered ensemble DFT relies instead on (a) a fictitious ensemble density that integrates to a central (integral) number N of electrons, and (b) a grand canonical ensemble weight α which is equal to the deviation of the true electron number from N. Within such a formalism, the infamous derivative discontinuity that appears when crossing an integral number of electrons is described exactly through the dependence in α of the left and right N‐centered ensemble Hartree‐exchange‐correlation density functionals. Incorporating N‐centered ensembles into existing density‐functional embedding theories is expected to pave the way toward the in‐principle‐exact description of an open fragment by means of a pure‐state N‐electron many‐body wavefunction. Work is currently in progress in this direction. Show less
Anthropomorphism is a recurring and contested topic in the scientific study of animal behaviour. This article aims at gaining a deeper understanding of anthropomorphism and its function for animal... Show moreAnthropomorphism is a recurring and contested topic in the scientific study of animal behaviour. This article aims at gaining a deeper understanding of anthropomorphism and its function for animal behaviour science by examining the study of ants in the German-language discourse of animal psychology around 1900. By analysing the works of physiologist Albrecht Bethe and entomologist Auguste Forel it is demonstrated that the use of analogy as a method in the study of animals led to a debate on anthropomorphism, resulting in the demarcation of scientific approaches from unscientific ones. As the production of knowledge in animal psychology relied heavily on human judgement of scientific methods and philosophical ideas, it can be concluded that the mind of ants is not only conceptually, but socially constructed in these studies. Show less
In this paper, I seek to investigate the manifold relationships between traditional and contemporary, oral and written Swahili poetry—in the utendi and mashairi forms—and its recitation in terms of... Show moreIn this paper, I seek to investigate the manifold relationships between traditional and contemporary, oral and written Swahili poetry—in the utendi and mashairi forms—and its recitation in terms of the following considerations: how have advances in technology changed the production, transmission and reception of Swahili Islamic poetry? To what extent do writing and orality coexist in a recited text? What is the nature of performer identity formation within a “discourse network” of artists—the composer (mtungaji), reader (msomaji), and singer (mwimbaji)—who, in Goffman’s words, play “participation roles” and appropriate poetry belonging to other living poets or to their own (sometimes anonymous) ancestors? In an attempt to answer these questions, I provide examples of performers and their performative craft. Show less
The landscape of civil justice has changed rapidly in very short time. The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has an impact on civil cases on a global scale that could be characterised as... Show moreThe landscape of civil justice has changed rapidly in very short time. The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has an impact on civil cases on a global scale that could be characterised as unprecedented. Numerous countries across the globe are facing the question how to enable courts to cope with civil cases in these strange times. Do courts proceed as usual? If not, which cases are dealt with, and how? And perhaps: will the current situation teach us something for the post-pandemic period (which we are all hoping for)? Show less
The concept of minimum rules is inextricably linked to the approximation of criminal norms in the European Union. In the field of procedural criminal law, the adoption of minimum rules supports the... Show moreThe concept of minimum rules is inextricably linked to the approximation of criminal norms in the European Union. In the field of procedural criminal law, the adoption of minimum rules supports the need to facilitate mutual recognition and police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. This Article seeks to introduce the reader to the world of minimum rules. In order to understand what it means to have minimum rules in a criminal law context, it is necessary to discuss about the origins, the development, the use and the role of minimum rules within this particular context. Following a complete depiction of the way in which minimum rules function in the field of procedural criminal law, the question arises: can Member States go beyond minimum rules? This Article attempts a comprehensive answer to the question of national discretion, arguing for the existence of different limits that can confine the discretion of the national legislator to go beyond minimum rules, and advocating the need for an ad hoc assessment of Member States’ discretion. Show less
