AT THE ORIGINS OF A NEW OCEAN SCIENCE. ON THE CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF ACADEMICIAN A.S. MONIN (1921–2007)

July 2, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Andrei S. Monin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences (since 1972), Director of the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1965–1987, a world-famous outstanding Soviet and Russian scientist in the field of Earth and Ocean sciences. The article highlights the main fundamental scientific results obtained by this scientist as a result of his many years of research on a wide range of problems of hydromechanics, dynamics of the earth's interior, planetology, atmospheric physics, and first of all, gives a high assessment of his capital contribution to domestic and world oceanology.

Anton Vitalievich Nemilov: A Versatile Talent

The article is dedicated to the outstanding Russian histologist Professor Anton Vitalievich Nemilov, who, being a student of St. Petersburg Imperial University, was one of the first students of Alexander Stanislavovich Dogel, the world-famous Russian scientist, the founder of neurohistology. Having so far shown a bright talent of a researcher and experimenter in his student years, Anton Vitalievich was invited to prepare for a professorship at the university and over and above met expectations based on him. He significantly contributed to the development of neurohistology, histophysiology, including histophysiology of the reproductive system. Anton Vitalievich did a lot for development of endocrinology, which he studied in a general biological but not in a purely medical aspect; this was new and valuable for that period. Finally, he made his contribution to the development of cell theory. A talented teacher, an excellent lecturer, an author of a number of brilliant textbooks, a consummate popularizer of science, an active public figure – Anton Vitalievich demonstrated so many diverse talents during his life, which was not really long, that their combination in one person seems simply unbelievable. His life was in full swing, he was full of creative plans, but the Great Patriotic War prevented their implementation. It started when Anton Vitalievich was 62 years old. Professor A.V. Nemilov wanted to continue research at his native Leningrad University, refused to be evacuated, and remained in the besieged city. With his peculiar enthusiasm, Anton Vitalievich joined defense work, angrily denounced fascism in his articles and radio speeches. However, hunger and cold of the blockade undermined his strength, and he died of exhaustion on February 2, 1942. He was under 63 years old. The article dedicated to Anton Vitalievich Nemilov presents milestones of his life and work, his contribution to science, his professional and personal traits. The paper also highlights his participation in the fight against fascism and tragic death during the blockade of Leningrad.

On the anniversary of Galina A. Melnichenko, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Galina A. Melnichenko is a famous Russian scientist-endocrinologist, one of the leading in the country, author and head of fundamental and applied research. G.A. Melnichenko is one of the leaders in creating a methodology for organizing the endocrinological service of the Russian Federation. Galina Melnichenko is one of the leading specialists in the Russian Federation in the study of diseases of the thyroid gland, hypothalamic-pituitary system, orphan endocrinopathies, adrenal pathology, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes.

DIALECTICS OF A MYTH AS ACADEMICIAN A. VESELOVSKY’S METHOD OF STUDYING EVOLUTION AND GENESIS OF ART FORMS

В статье анализируются методологические взгляды на миф выдающегося русского ученого А.Н. Веселовского (1838–1906). Мифологическая проблематика стала для Веселовского одной из центральных еще в молодые годы, когда он работал над дипломной работой, и оставалась таковой навсегда, о чем свидетельствуют его исследования как теоретического, так и сравнительно-исторического характера о международном фольклоре, средневековой словесности и литературе поздних веков. Отказавшись следовать канонам «мифологической школы», ученый поставил перед собой задачу разработать новый метод научного анализа, который позволит изучать эволюцию и генезис художественных форм как с формальной, так и с идейно-содержательной точек зрения. В этой статье мы ставим перед собой задачу собрать в единое целое суждения Веселовского о мифе, оценить их теоретический потенциал и доказать, что диалектика мифа и есть тот самый метод, благодаря которому он создал уникальную верификационную систему объяснения исторических изменений такого феномена как поэзия. Для раскрытия этой темы наиболее важными для нас являются: дипломная работа ученого (1857), статьи-рецензии «Заметки и сомнения о сравнительном изучении средневекового эпоса» (1868), «Сравнительная мифология и ее метод» (1873), теоретические статьи «Из введения в историческую поэтику. Вопросы и ответы» (1894), «Из истории эпитета» (1895), «Психологический параллелизм и его формы в отражении поэтического стиля» (1898), «Синкретизм древнейшей поэзии и начала дифференциации поэтических родов» (1899), в том числе неопубликованные при жизни Веселовского труды: «Поэтика сюжетов» (1913), «Определение поэзии» (1959) и другие. The article analyzes the methodological views on the myth of the outstanding Russian scientist A.N. Veselovsky (1838-1906). Mythological issues became for Veselovsky one of the central in his young years, when he worked on the graduation work, and turned into his lifelong priority. This is evidenced by his research of both theoretical and comparative historical nature about the international folklore, medieval literature and literature of late centuries. By refusing to follow the canons of the "mythological school", the scientist set himself the task of developing a new method of scientific analysis, which allowed to study the evolution and genesis of artistic forms with formal and ideological as well as meaningful points of view. In this article, we set ourselves the task of collecting judgments of Veselovsky about myth, to evaluate their theoretical potential and prove that the dialectic of myth is that very method, thanks to which he created a unique verification system for explaining historical changes to such a phenomenon as poetry. The most important for our topic is the scholar's diploma work (1857), critical reviews «Notes and doubts about the comparative study of the medieval epic» (1868), «Comparative mythology and its method» (1873), theoretical articles «From the introduction to historical poetics. Questions and Answers» (1894), «From the history of the epithet» (1895), «Psychological parallelism and its form in the reflection of the poetic style» (1898), «Syncretism of ancient poetry and the beginning of differentiation of poetic labor» (1899), including works of Veselovsky unpublished during his lifetime: «Excursions in the Fiction» (1913), «Definition of Poetry» (1959) and others.

Formalisation of agricultural research

As an independent component of modern research in natural sciences, branch research developed as a result of the accumulation of knowledge from three spheres of public activity – agriculture, branch-specific education, and agricultural research – under the influence of a complex interaction of many external factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the initial stage of formalization of agricultural research as a branch of natural sciences with the development of corresponding sign-symbolic systems and terminology. Based on the study of printed and archival research of the Imperial Free Economic Society (IFES), adjustments were made to the scientific periodization of the history of research as a branch of knowledge, considering the personalized contribution of its luminaries. Forgotten or little-known studies of pioneers of Ukrainian research – the IFES members: Swiss mathematician L. Euler; Russian scientist of Swedish origin, botanist and chemist E.G. Laxman; a native of Chernihiv Region, Professor of agriculture V. P. Prokopovich, and others were introduced into scientific discourse. The present paper analyses the areas of diverse research activities in agriculture, which were conducted by IFES figures at the early stages of the first scientific and economic association in the Russian Empire.

A New Look at the Colonization of the Siberian Khanate or what the Historical Toponyms Say

The article reveals some aspects of the Russian colonization of the SiberianKhanate, which was formed in the second half of the 15th century in Western Siberia. Historicalplace names prove that before Yermak's detachment, the Russians did not cross the Ural Mountains,where Siberians and Turkic tribes lived for a long time. At the same time, the author considers thecampaign of Yermak's detachment to be aggression and considers its use unworthy of such a forceas Russia.The article notes that Kushim Khan, who fought for the independence of the Siberian Khanateuntil the end of his life, could not get a proper assessment of history. It was only natural that hisarmy, armed with bows, swords and spears, would not be able to withstand guns and rifles. At thesame time, Kushim Khan fought until the end of his life, and then his sons continued and stoppedthe process of colonization for decades.The article provides an etymological analysis of the macrotoponyms of the Siberian Khanate.The author also offers his own conclusions, referring to long-standing scientific opinions about themeaning of certain historical toponyms. Since the etymology of toponyms is revealed only in theUgric or Turkic languages, it is known that this region has long been inhabited by the Ostyaks,Voguls and Turkic peoples. Everyone knows that Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia and the Far Eastwere later colonized by Russia.This article can be considered a response to the inappropriate, unreasonably expressedopinions of some Russian politicians that “the northern regions of Kazakhstan (not to mentionWestern Siberia – the author) belonged to Russia, these lands were a “gift” to Kazakhstan”. Theoutstanding Russian scientist G. Potanin also, on the contrary, claims that “Siberia was a gift toRussia”.

ХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫЙ УКЛАД ЖИТЕЛЕЙ ДЕРЕВЕНЬ ГОРЕНДУ, БОНГУ И ГУМБУ (НОВАЯ ГВИНЕЯ) В СОВРЕМЕННЫХ РЕАЛИЯХ (ПО МАТЕРИАЛАМ ПОЛЕВЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ)

В апреле–мае 2019 г. научно-исследовательская экспедиция Фонда им. Миклухо-Маклая (под руководством директора Фонда Н.Н. Миклухо-Маклая-младшего) продолжила комплексные полевые работы в провинции Маданг Независимого Государства Папуа – Новая Гвинея – в деревнях Горенду, Бонгу и Гумбу на Берегу Маклая (на северо-востоке о-ва Новая Гвинея), где проживают представители папуасскоязычной этнической группы бонгу (самоназвание бонгуанцы). Этнографическая часть программы предусматривала изучение различных сторон современной хозяйственной деятельности и их корреляций с традиционными занятиями бонгу минувших веков. Во второй половине XIX столетия в этом регионе проводил свои научные изыскания выдающийся русский ученый-гуманист Николай Николаевич Миклухо-Маклай, в 1971 и 1977 гг. здесь работали советские, а в 2017 и 2019 гг. российские этнографы. Проведенные автором статьи – участником двух последних экспедиций – исследования позволили выявить прочную сохранность аутентичных элементов в хозяйственной деятельности бонгу. Приходящие извне инновации не только не трансформируют в корне традиционный уклад жизни папуасов, но, органично на него наслаиваясь, придают ему еще большую устойчивость. In April–May 2019, the research expedition of the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation (led by N. N. Miklouho-Maclay, Jr. – the Director of the Foundation) continued comprehensive fieldwork in the villages of Gorendu, Bongu, and Gumbu on the Maklay Coast (the north-east of the New Guinea island) in the Madang Province of the independent State of Papua New Guinea. The ethnographic part included studying various aspects of the economic activity of the Papuan-speaking ethnic group Bongu (Bonguans) living in these villages and their associations with the corresponding traditional occupations of the past centuries recorded in the works of Russian scientists. In the second half of the XIX century, the outstanding Russian scientist-humanist Nikolai Nikolayevich Miklouho-Maclay conducted his long-term scientific research in this region. Soviet ethnographers worked there in 1971 and 1977. The research conducted by the author revealed the strong preservation of authentic elements in this sphere of life, which, in turn, is reflected in other cultural aspects. The innovations emerging from the outside world do not fundamentally transform the economic life of the Bongu Papuans but are organically incorporated, giving it even greater stability.

The great Empire’s malacologist: Alexander von Middendorff’s contribution to the study of molluscs

The contribution to malacology made by the eminent Russian scientist and traveler, Alexander Theodor von Middendorff (1815-1894) is reviewed. Middendorff’s research is rightly considered the highest achievement of Russian malacology in the 19th century. It is shown, despite the relatively short timespan of his malacological activity, Middendorff could reach substantial progress in the knowledge of the Russian malafauna, both marine, and continental, and authored more than 15 malacological publications, including a series of fundamental systematic works. Middendorff’s views on taxonomy, variability, and zoogeography of molluscs are discussed, and the research program in malacology, proposed by him, is reviewed as well as the impact of his studies on the further development of malacology in the Russian Empire. The full list of all molluscan taxa described by Middendorff is provided as an “Appendix” to the article.

Book review on "Immunology" (2021) authored by academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences R.M. Khaitov

The textbook "Immunology", 4th edition (published in September 2021), was prepared by a well-known Soviet and Russian scientist of world renown, immunologist, doctor of medical sciences, professor, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Rakhim Musaevich Khaitov. The new edition is an updated, revised and enlarged version of the textbook, which over the past 15 years has become one of the best textbooks on immunology. It is used all over the place. Throughout Russia and in the CIS countries, by medical and biological students, physicians, researchers in the field of immunology and allergology, microbiology, virology, infectology, vaccinology and others related fields of science. So, the textbook "Immunology" by R.М. Khaitov is one of the best in Russia, one of the most demanded and recognized textbooks.

The «D.I. Mendeleev’s Periodic System of the Elements» Mural Near the Mendeleev Institute for Metrology in Saint Petersburg: How Metrologists Celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Scientist

This article is timed to the celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements, declared by the UN and UNESCO in connection with the 150th anniversary of the discovery by D. I. Mendeleev of the Periodic Law of Chemical Elements (1869). The article highlights the metrological activity of D. I. Mendeleev and tells about how in the scientific metrological center, he created the Main Chamber of Weights and Measures. Now the D.I. Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM) preserves the memory of the life and activities of the great Russian scientist and encyclopedist. Based on the research carried out in the archives of St. Petersburg and the funds of Metrological Museum, the article for the first time details the history of the formation of the Mendeleev memorial complex on the territory of VNIIM. The contribution of the institute metrologists to the creation of such famous sights of St. Petersburg as the monument to D. I. Mendeleev (sculptor I. Ya. Ginzburg, 1932) and the mural (mosaic) «D. I. Mendeleev Periodic system of elements» (1935) on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the scientist is shown. All peripteries, related to the installation of the monument - table are described: a selection of options for the arrangement of elements, decoration, manufacturer and manufacturing techniques, coordination with various organizations, solving financing issues.