Quantum probability and cognitive modeling: some cautions and a promising direction in modeling physics learning.

Quantum probability theory offers a viable alternative to classical probability, although there are some ambiguities inherent in transferring the quantum formalism to a less determined realm. A number of physicists are now looking at the applicability of quantum ideas to the assessment of physics learning, an area particularly suited to quantum probability ideas.

Perceiving and describing motion events.

According to Hurford, PREDICATE (x) is correlated with deictic object variables during event perception. This claim is inconsistent with some core literature on the perception of motion events. We point out that the perception of events involves the activation of the modal properties and amodal properties of underlying event structure, for which Hurford's target article fails to account.

Biorobotic simulations might offer some advantages over purely computational ones.

A slight modification of Webb's diagrammatic representation of the dimensions for describing models is proposed which extends it to cover a range of theoretical models as well as material models. It is also argued that beyond a certain level robotic simulations could offer a number of real advantages over computer simulations of organisms interacting with their environment.

[Giovanbattista da Monte (Montanus): father of modern clinical medicine].

The figure of Giovanbattista da Monte (1489-1551) is associated with the introduction of clinical teaching at the patient's beside, in 1543, at the San Francesco Hospital of Padua. In the XVI century, teaching was still based on the explanation and comment of the ancient authors and the educational programme was founded on theoretical aspects. The "practical" approach consisted of the treatment "ex cathedra" of diseases according to the various parts of the body, without observing the course of the pathological events with a direct confirmation at the patient's beside.

Lateralized reaching as dynamical symmetry breaking in the bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii): preliminary evidence.

Eight bushbabies were subjected to an extensive series of hand preference trials in which they were required to reach for a raisin from a rotating platform approaching from the right- or left-hand side of their visual field. Three principal types of behavior were observed. Several individuals known to be stable in hand preference continued to show a strong preference for a single hand.