“Pavlovian” session: a new reading

An attempt was made to take a fresh look at a significant event for Soviet science that happened more than 70 years ago – the Joint scientific session of the USSR Academy of Sciences and the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, dedicated to the problems of the physiological doctrine of academician I.P. Pavlov (June 28 – July 4, 1950). The memoirs of contemporaries of that memorable event were analyzed based on a new reading of the speeches of the participants, published in the verbatim record of the scientific session. For the first time, authors examined the report of the physiologist M.M. Koltsova, who was considered one of those who wanted and offered to “close” psychology. Also, for the first time in historiography of the “Pavlovian” session, authors analyzed the unfulfilled (but published in the verbatim record) speech of the employee of the Institute of philosophy of the USSR Academy of Sciences S.A. Petrushevsky, in which he highlighted the state of contemporary psychology in the USSR and outlined the prospects for its development. As a significant result of the analysis of the materials reflected in the verbatim record authors considered the fact that in the texts of the speeches and in the resolution of the session there was not found an extremely (sharply) negative mention of psychology and psychologists, therefore, the opinion of some authors about the existing decision to “close” psychology, expressed in the session, has not yet been confirmed. Some consequences of this scientific event were considered: the teaching of I.P. Pavlov began to spread directively; after the death of I.V. Stalin the interest in Pavlov's works declined; there were words about the urgent need to create a special psychological institution in the system of the USSR Academy of Sciences. It is shown that the session caused a high activity of psychologists, which led to the strengthening of its methodological positions and scientific-organizational structures.

STEMroller: smashing stereotypes

STEMroller events disrupt stereotypes surrounding STEM professionals within a neglected space in science communication; a sports hall. Roller derby inspired STEMroller, both the do-it-yourself culture and creating a space for women and genderqueer people to be themselves. Over 100 female and non-binary STEM professionals volunteered to put this event together for students aged 11–19. STEMroller includes networking with people from over 30 science, technology engineering and mathematics industries, watching roller derby and trying it out — albeit in socks not on wheels. STEMroller uses a pool of engaged volunteers to create a unique and memorable event. Feedback after the event was hugely positive.

The Abbreviated Mental Test Score; Is There a Need for a Contemporaneous Update?

Introduction: Designed in 1972 the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) is widely used to assess a cognition on hospital admission. The Nottingham Hip Fracture Score uses this in predicting morbidity/mortality in neck of femur fracture. The consequences of misappropriating cognitive impairment could have lasting implications. Questions about the monarchy or World War One and Two may be inappropriate for today’s diverse society. Materials and Methods: 100 patients were questioned during routine fracture clinic appointments. Patients were asked: In what year did WWII start? Who is the current monarch? Please state a memorable event in your lifetime that you would not expect another person of the same age to forget. Two-tailed Z-tests were performed between the observed proportions and those from the original AMTS validation study. Results: Only 47% (n = 47) were able to correctly answer the year in which WW2 started. A statistically significant difference when compared to the upper and lower limits from the original study (z = -4.191, p < .001.). Significance was not seen in the second question, with 97% (n-97) identifying the monarch correctly. 51% (n = 51) of participants suggested the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York as an alternative memorable event. Discussion: Some hospitals now use the 4 “A”s Test (4-AT) as a screening tool for delirium. Without amendments to the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score, AMTS use is likely to continue in orthogeriatric patients. Over time there will be a need for the AMTS to be reviewed so that it remains a true assessment of cognition. Its limitations regarding language and culture is widely acknowledged and several validated variants have been published in the literaure. Conclusions: We highlight a potential future issue with the AMTS and raise considerations for the development of an alternative question to better meet the needs of the orthogeriatric population.

Book Review: Paul Collins, (2009). The Book of William. How Shakespeare’s First Folio Conquered the World. Bloomsbury

If you want to write a novel with a lot of action in it, you will need to use a lot of verbs. By the same token, if you change your style and focus on an effective description of a memorable event or a marvelous place, you will have to switch to a plethora of adjectives. In our case, in 2009 Paul Collins used his erudite expertise and his quite impressive vocabulary to create a vivid history of Shakespeare’s First Folio that came out in 1623. It is a masterpiece in the true sense and in its own class that ripened through the centuries. Not only did it survive the patina of time; it is now showing its uniqueness for all to see.

Russell Archives: the Early Days

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Bertrand Russell Archives at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the author recalls his connection to that memorable event. The origin and development of the plan that led to the continuing publication of volumes in The Collected Papers of Bertrand Russell is sketched, and the author’s role in giving Ronald W. Clark access to the Archives to write the first major biography of Russell is disclosed.

HRI Malta 2017—Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy: HRI's Third International Research Conference in Malta

The third international conference on “Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy” organised by the Homeopathy Research Institute (HRI) was held on the inspiring and historic island of Malta from 9th to 11th of June, 2017. One hundred and two abstracts underwent peer review by the HRI Scientific Advisory Committee and external experts to produce the programme of 36 oral presentations and 37 posters, presented by researchers from 19 countries. The 2.5-day programme covered a diverse range of topics, including quantitative and qualitative clinical research, basic research, veterinary research, and provings. These intensive plenary and parallel sessions were interspersed with multiple opportunities for delegates to discuss and exchange ideas, in particular through interactive panel discussions and a pre-conference workshop. The continuing commitment of the homeopathy research community to generate high-quality studies in this rapidly evolving field was clear. In this conference report, we present highlights from this memorable event.

Altai. Russia. Mongolia: to the 85 anniversary from the birthday of the honored artist of Russian Federation F.S. Torkhov

10 октября 2015 года исполнилось 85 лет со дня рождения заслуженного художника России Ф.С. Торхова, создавшего яркие и запоминающиеся живописные образы Алтая и Монголии. Художник и общественный деятель внес значительный вклад в современное искусство Евразии и много сделал для укрепления межгосударственных и культурных связей между Россией и МНР. Государственный художественный музей Алтайского края отметил памятное событие персональной выставкой художника Алтай. Россия. Монголия. На Алтае и в Монголии состоялись выставки и мероприятия, посвященные знаменательной дате. Подробно о выставке в ГХМАК и кратко о других событиях рассказывается в статье. 10 October of 2015 was the 85 birthday of the honored artist of Russian Federation F.S. Torkhov, who created bright and memorable picturesque images of Altai and Mongolia. The artist and the social activist significantly contributed in the modern art of Eurasia and did a lot for the strengthening of the interstate and cultural relations between Russia and Mongolian People’s Republic. State Art Museum of the Altai Krai celebrated this memorable event with the personal exhibition of the artist, named Altai. Russia. Mongolia. There were held exhibitions and events devoted to the remarkable date in Altai and Mongolia. It is said in the article about the exhibition in the State Art Museum of the Altai Krai in details and about other events briefly.

The Anniversary of the Khasavyurt Central City Library after R. Gamzatov

2011 is the year of the 90th anniversary of the first public library establishing in Khasavyurt (Dagestan). The article describes the anniversary celebrations in honor of this memorable event.

Contrasting tactics in deceptive impression management

The deceptive tactics used to manipulate impressions people gave to others of themselves and other individuals were investigated. In the first phase, all participants told about the most memorable event that happened yesterday. In the second phase, one group of participants in the self-aggrandizement condition were asked to distort the original statement to give the impression that they were competent or socially desirable. Another group of participants assigned to the other-belittlement condition were asked to distort the original statement to give an impression that other individuals in the original telling were incompetent or socially undesirable. The results show that participants in both conditions used two deceptive tactics. One is a direct tactic, which is a direct manipulation of the target's evaluation. The other is an indirect tactic, which is indirect manipulation of the target's evaluation by contrasting with a nontarget person.

Il lusso nel dettaglio

The title refers to both the role of the detail in a general theory of luxury and fashion, and to the retail form of distribution in which the luxury experience of the end user has its origins. The detail in luxury is an excess of opportunities for enjoyment, a sensual wealth in the satisfaction of needs through the merging of intellectual, aesthetic, emotional and sentimental pleasure. The resulting fulfilment transcends the typical and minimal need to which a certain satisfactory experience would be destined. Luxury is a splendour that explodes the experience, causing it to acquire new, different and richer meanings. The luxury in detail is a manifestation of this excess in commercial distribution. Tracing the needs of a post-modern consumer implies transforming the purchase into a moment of enhanced sensorial and cognitive engagement that invades the innerness of the person and enriches the meaning of his or her experience. No longer simply the supply of necessities but an authentic experience, a memorable event. Hence for retail there emerges a need to implement experience-based strategies designed to create value and evade the logic of direct competition. An empirical survey carried out in the Florentine context of luxury brands illustrates the elements that materialise this strategy and create the "purchasing experience". The innovative model of excellence that is applied to the commercial context is that of the theatre. The sales outlet becomes the stage. When the customer enters: "act one" the curtain rises and the performance begins.