Revival of Charge Density Waves and Charge Density Fluctuations in Cuprate High-Temperature Superconductors

I present here a short memory of my scientific contacts with K.A. Müller starting from the Interlaken Conference (1988), Erice (1992 and 1993), and Cottbus (1994) on the initial studies on phase separation (PS) and charge inhomogeneity in cuprates carried out against the view of the majority of the scientific community at that time. Going over the years and passing through the charge density wave (CDW) instability of the correlated Fermi liquid (FL) and to the consequences of charge density fluctuations (CDFs), I end with a presentation of my current research activity on CDWs and the related two-dimensional charge density fluctuations (2D-CDFs). A scenario follows of the physics of cuprates, which includes the solution of the decades-long problem of the strange metal (SM) state.

Gamification and Advanced Technology to Enhance Motivation in Education

The aim of this Special Issue is to compile a set of research works that highlight the use of gamification and other advanced technologies as powerful tools for motivation during learning. We have been fortunate to obtain a representative sample of the current research activity in this field.

Clarifying the meaning of mantras in wildland fire behaviour modelling: reply to Cruz et al. (2017)

In a recent communication, Cruz et al. (2017) called attention to several recurring statements (mantras) in the wildland fire literature regarding empirical and physical fire behaviour models. Motivated by concern that these mantras have not been fully vetted and are repeated blindly, Cruz et al. (2017) sought to verify five mantras they identify. This is a worthy goal and here we seek to extend the discussion and provide clarification to several confusing aspects of the Cruz et al. (2017) communication. In particular, their treatment of what they call physical models is inconsistent, neglects to reference current research activity focussed on combined experimentation and model development, and misses an opportunity to discuss the potential use of physical models to fire behaviour outside the scope of empirical approaches.

Causality and inference in economics: An unended quest

The aim of this article is to point to the unsolved research problems connected to causation in the philosophy of economics. First, the paper defines causation and discusses two notable approaches, i.e. the realist theory of causation and the instrumentalist theory of causation. Second, it offers a review the current research activity focusing on the problem of causation in economics. Third, it discusses several case studies. On the grounds of comparison of the research practice of economists and the current issues undertaken by the philosophers of economics, the paper concludes that there is a gap between the research practice and the normative methodological analyses and indicate the research questions that need to be addressed.

Ultrasonic Assisted Clinching of Aluminium Alloy Sheets

Ultrasonic assisted clinching applies ultrasonic energy to the punch during the process. Prior studies detected a forming force reduction [1]. Current research activity focusses on the possibility to use the positive effects of ultrasonic softening mechanisms in clinching processes to join high-strength steel and aluminium. An ultrasonic unit with a power of 1 kW was installed into a c-shaped clinching bow to overlay a vibration with a frequency of 20 kHz onto the clinching process. This Paper describes the integration of the ultrasonic unit in the clinching process and presents current research results focusing on concept verification.

Electrophilic activation of unsaturated systems: Applications to selective organic synthesis

Selected examples from previous work on iodonium-triggered approaches for the functionalization of unsaturated systems, which summarize innovative transformations, are presented. This section is mostly focused on C–C bond-forming processes from alkynes that are directly bonded to relevant heteroatoms, such as iodine, silicon, or sulfur. Besides, recent advances related to iodonium-promoted C–H functionalization reactions are briefly outlined. A second section shows representative examples of our current research activity on electrophilic reactions aimed at the activation of unsaturated systems, which now are built upon the potential offered by the so-called carbophilic catalysis. More specifically, a new catalytic cyclopentannulation sequence from N-tosylimines and propargyl tosylates and novel C–H functionalization processes from related tosylates are studied. Likewise, representative examples for the intermolecular Au(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of sulfonylallenamides with activated alkenes are given, including the first enantioselective reaction of this type, which is also among the first examples of an intermolecular asymmetric gold-catalyzed reaction. The discussion of the reported iodonium and gold chemistry emphasizes a search for new intermolecular processes, although intramolecular reactions are also pursued and developed.

Software Agent Technology

This chapter provides an overview of the rapidly evolving area of software agents and presents the basic aspects of applying the agent technology to virtual enterprises (VE). As the field of software agents can appear chaotic, this chapter briefly introduces the key issues rather than present an in-depth analysis and critique of the field. In addition to, this chapter investigates the application of agent technology to virtual enterprises and presents current research activity that focuses on this field serving as an introductory step. Furthermore, this chapter makes a list of the most important themes concerning software agents and the application of agent technology to virtual enterprises apposing some order and consistency and serve as a reference point to a large body of literature.

Software Agent Technology

This chapter provides an overview of the rapidly evolving area of software agents and presents the basic aspects of applying the agent technology to virtual enterprises (VE). As the field of software agents can appear chaotic, this chapter briefly introduces the key issues rather than present an in-depth analysis and critique of the field. In addition to, this chapter investigates the application of agent technology to virtual enterprises and presents current research activity that focuses on this field serving as an introductory step. Furthermore, this chapter makes a list of the most important themes concerning software agents and the application of agent technology to virtual enterprises apposing some order and consistency and serve as a reference point to a large body of literature.