Outsourcing memory to external tools: A review of ‘intention offloading’

How do we remember delayed intentions? Three decades of research into prospective memory have provided insight into the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in this form of memory. However, we depend on more than just our brains to remember intentions. We also use external props and tools such as calendars and diaries, strategically-placed objects, and technologies such as smartphone alerts. This is known as ‘intention offloading’. Despite the progress in our understanding of brain-based prospective memory, we know much less about the role of intention offloading in individuals’ ability to fulfil delayed intentions. Here, we review recent research into intention offloading, with a particular focus on how individuals decide between storing intentions in internal memory versus external reminders. We also review studies investigating how intention offloading changes across the lifespan and how it relates to underlying brain mechanisms. We conclude that intention offloading is highly effective, experimentally tractable, and guided by metacognitive processes. Therefore, metacognitive interventions could play an important role in promoting individuals’ adaptive use of cognitive tools.

THE FOURTH BASTION OF SEVASTOPOL: ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY OF 2019

В 2018-2019 гг. основным объектом исследований Севастопольской экспедиции ИИМК РАН стали оборонительные сооружения, расположенные на Историческом бульваре г. Севастополя. Археологические раскопки Четвертого бастиона позволили проследить историю его строительства. Впервые были получены достоверные данные о местоположении, характере и конструкции основных элементов фортификации правого фланга 4-го бастиона: валганга, горжи, эскарпа и контрэскарпа. Открыты орудийные дворики, части бруствера с орудийными амбразурами, вспомогательные площадки для размещения боеприпасов, погреба для хранения пороха и бомб, блиндажи для личного состава. Во рву обнаружены вырубленные в скале навесы-убежища и 14 входов в контрминные галереи, потайной ход для скрытного перемещения войск. В ходе раскопок собрана представительная археологическая коллекция предметов войны и быта защитников бастиона и их противников, достойная пополнить экспозиции музеев Севастополя, посвященных его обороне в годы Крымской войны. В 2019 г. специалистами ИИМК РАН и Эрмитажа разработана и представлена в Министерство культуры РФ концепция музеефикации и приспособления для современного использования выявленных сооружений в районе правого фаса 4-го бастиона на Мемориальном комплексе памятников обороны города в 1854-1855 гг. «Исторический бульвар» (г. Севастополь). In 2018-2019 defensive fortifications located in the Istoricheskiy (Historical) Boulevard of Sevastopol (Fig. 1) became the main object of excavations carried out by the Sevastopol expedition of the Institute for the History of Material Culture (RAS). The archaeological excavations of the fourth bastion provide an insight into the history of its construction. Reliable data on location, characteristic features and technical design of the key fortification elements of the bastion right flank such as terreplein, neck line, escarp and counterscarp were obtained for the first time. The excavations revealed gun positions, parts of breastwork with gun ports, auxiliary areas for ammunition storage, a magazin for gun powder and bombs, dugout shelters for manpower. Shelter awnings cut out in rock and 14 entries into countermine galleries as well as a secret passage for surreptitious movements of troops (Fig. 3; 4) were identified. A representative archaeological assembly of war items and paraphernalia of bastion defenders and their enemy was collected during the excavations. It will replenish expositions of the Sevastopol museums dedicated to its defense in the Crimean war (Figs. 5-8). In 2019 specialists of the Institute for the History of Material Culture prepared a concept note for museification and adaptive use of constructions discovered in the right side of the fourth bastion at the 1854-1855 Memorial Ensemble of the City Defense Sites known as ‘the Historical Boulevard' (Sevastopol). The concept note was forwarded to the Russian Ministry of Culture.

The Architectural Tradition of Ponnani, Kerala: A Historic Malabar Port Town

Ponnani, a historic port town located at the mouth of the Bharathappuzha River on the Arabian Sea, was a prominent trading center on the Malabar coast of Kerala, India, in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is one of Malabar’s few surviving historic towns, with its heritage sites intact along with its building types, historic streets and alleys, local culture, and traditions. But some of its historic buildings are on the verge of dereliction and need immediate attention. This study attempts to convey an understanding of Ponnani, with an analysis based on field visits and existing literature. The relationship between the region’s architecture and landscape and current threats to its heritage is explored. Its vanishing traditional knowledge systems and vernacular architectural types are also discussed, in what may serve as a reference for adaptive use by future generations.

Effectiveness of a Humor-Based Training for Reducing Employees’ Distress

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that humor can impact interpersonal relationships in organizations and employee well-being. However, there is little evidence coming from intervention studies in organizational settings. In response, we developed a training following the principles of positive psychology that aims at improving employees’ adaptive use of humor as a successful mechanism to deal with stress. In this study, we assess the effectiveness of such training and its impact on employee well-being. Results from this one-group intervention study in an emergency ambulance service (N = 58) revealed that the participants reported higher levels of cheerfulness (Z = −3.93; p < 0.001) and lower levels of seriousness (Z = −3.32; p < 0.001) after being exposed to the training. Indeed, the participants reported lower scores on psychological distress after the training (Z = −3.35; p < 0.001). The effect size of the training was medium (r = 0.31 to 0.36), suggesting that interventions to improve adaptive humor at work can be a useful resource to deal with workplace stress and foster employee well-being. These results may have interesting implications for designing and implementing positive interventions as well as for developing healthy organizations.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): updated norms and psychometric insights into adaptive testing from healthy individuals in Northern Italy

Background The availability of fine-grained, culture-specific psychometric outcomes can favor the interpretation of scores of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the most frequently used instrument to screen for mild cognitive dysfunctions in both instrumental and non-instrumental domains. This study thus aimed at providing: (i) updated, region-specific norms for the Italian MoCA, by also (ii) comparing them to pre-existing ones with higher geographical coverage; (iii) information on sensitivity and discriminative capability at the item level. Methods Five hundred and seventy nine healthy individuals from Northern Italy (208 males, 371 females; age: 63.4 ± 15, 21–96; education: 11.3 ± 4.6, 1–25) were administered the MoCA. Item Response Theory (IRT) was adopted to assess item difficulty and discrimination. Normative values were derived by means of the Equivalent Scores (ESs) method, applied to the MoCA and its sub-scales. Average ESs were also computed. Agreement with previous ESs classification was assessed via Cohen’s k. Results Age and education significantly predicted all MoCA measures except for Orientation, which was related to age only. No sex differences were detected when tested along with age and education. Substantial disagreements with previous ESs classifications were detected. Several items proved to be scarcely sensitive, especially the place item from Orientation and the letter detection task. Memory items showed high discriminative capability, along with certain items assessing executive functions and orientation. Discussion Item-level information herewith provided for the Italian MoCA can help interpret its scores by Italian practitioners. Italian practitioners should consider an adaptive use of region-specific norms for the MoCA.

Associations between use of self-regulatory strategies and daily eating patterns: An experience sampling study in college-aged women

Previous theorizing suggests there are multiple means by which people regulate their emotions and impulses, but that these strategies vary in the degree to which they support goal attainment. Some have proposed that proactive strategies (e.g. situation selection, distraction) may be particularly effective, while interventive strategies (e.g. suppression) are less effective. Despite these diverging predictions, researchers have yet to examine spontaneous use of these strategies and their respective and combined efficacy when applied to momentary food desires experienced in daily life. In the present study, we assessed eating patterns for one week via ecological momentary assessment in college-aged women (N = 106). Results from pre-registered analyses indicated that using a variety of strategies, including preventative strategies such as situation selection and distraction, was associated with greater self-control success, as indexed by weaker desires, higher resistance, lower likelihood of enacting desires, and less food consumed. A similar pattern was observed when participants implemented additional strategies during desire episodes, which they were more likely to do when their desires conflicted with other self-regulatory goals. All associations were observed while controlling for momentary hunger levels, dieting status, age, and body mass index. These findings are consistent with a growing body of work assessing people’s spontaneous use of emotion regulation strategies in everyday contexts, suggesting potential meta-motivational tendencies marked by flexible and adaptive use of self-regulatory strategies.

ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN EXPERIENCE OF SECONDARY CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS FOR CULTURAL CENTERS INCLUDING CONCERT SPACE

The adaptive construction of cultural centers with large performance spaces based on revitalization projects has become a popular trend in foreign architecture. Buildings and structures for various purposes can be as an object for the implementation of the project. The main goal of the project is to revive the role of a public place, to adapt it to local or city needs, as well as to create functional blocks for holding mass cultural events. Within the framework of the study, the objects were selected in such a way that their historical functional component was different. However, as a result of adaptation, they formed large cultural spaces. Their main element is concert technical equipment, which meets the functional purpose. The identification of the main tendencies of similar projects for the revitalization of buildings is based on a comparison of adaptive objects according to certain criteria. The selection of criteria was made based on the possibility of comprehensively analyzing the project data and identifying the main factors of the revitalization process, its goals, and results, as well. Based on the data obtained as a result of comparing objects according to the evaluation criteria, conclusions were formulated about current solutions to the issues of adaptive use, and the stages were analyzed and the results were summarized

REGULATORY DOCUMENTS APPLICATION PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD OF STANDARDIZATION AT THE INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE

Введение. В статье рассматриваются особенности применения нормативных документов (стандартов) на основных этапах производства изделий машиностроения, позволяющих минимизировать риски неисполнения договорных обязательств перед контрагентом. Авторами выполнен анализ проблем, возникающих на этапах производства продукции на предприятии, обусловленных недостаточным уровнем информационного обеспечения. Дана характеристика рисков, возникающих при не учете особенностей изготавливаемой продукции при организации информационного обеспечения на предприятиях. Авторами в статье предложен комплекс мероприятий, направленных на минимизацию рисков при организации информационного обеспечения на основных этапах производства и хранения изделий, сформулированы требования к организации подготовки работников, реализующих производственные процессы. Данные и методы. В статье систематизированы проблемы, возникающие при информационном обеспечении производства без учета специфики продукции и особенностей производства на предприятиях машиностроения. Сделан вывод о необходимости применения дублирующих (на электронных и бумажных носителях) систем информационного обеспечения в целях обеспечения идентификации, прослеживаемости нормативных документов и оперативности информационного обеспечения. Динамичное и синхронное информационное обеспечение этапов производства нормативными документами возможно лишь при соответствующей организации процесса информационного обеспечения и адаптивного расходования информационных ресурсов. Полученные результаты. Автором представлен комплекс мероприятий организационного характера, обеспечивающих информационное обеспечение основных этапов производства, которые необходимо применять для минимизации рисков, возникающих при организации производственных процессов и взаимодействии с представителями заказчиков. Заключение. Результаты исследований и методические рекомендации могут быть применены при практическом построении системы информационного обеспечения производства на отечественных предприятиях машиностроения штучного (единичного) и серийного производства. Introduction. The article discusses the features of the application of regulatory documents at the main stages of the production of mechanical engineering products, allowing to minimize the risks of non-fulfillment of contractual obligations to the counterparty. The authors analyzed the problems arising at the stages of production at the enterprise, due to the insufficient level of information support. The characteristics of the risks arising when the features of manufactured products are not taken into account when organizing information support at enterprises are given. The authors in the article propose a set of measures aimed at minimizing risks in the organization of information support at the main stages of production and storage of products, formulated requirements for the organization of training for workers implementing production processes. Data and methods. The article systematizes the problems arising in the information support of production without taking into account the specifics of products and production features at mechanical engineering enterprises. It is concluded that it is necessary to use duplicate (electronic and paper) information support systems in order to ensure identification, traceability of regulatory documents and the efficiency of information support. Dynamic and synchronous information support of production stages with regulatory documents is possible only with the appropriate organization of the information support process and adaptive use of information resources. Results. The author presents a set of organizational measures that provide information support for the main stages of production, which must be applied to minimize risks arising from the organization of production processes and interaction with representatives of customers. Conclusion. The research results and methodological recommendations can be applied in the practical construction of a production information support system at domestic mechanical engineering enterprises, piece (single) and serial production