Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Volume 66, Number 5, 1996

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation.
On the Doctrine of the Advancement of Science in Russia 
p. 369  


Science and Society


 V. I. Osipov
The Megapolis under the Threat of Natural Disasters 
p. 370  


 Organization of Research Activity


 V. A. Mironenko
Hydrogeology: An Ecologically Oriented Scientific Discipline 
p. 380
 

Problems of Ecology


 O. A. Volkovitskii†, A. A. Gavrilov, and O. V. Kaidalov
The Ozone Layer of the Planet: Is It Really Being Destroyed 
by Humans?
p. 385  


 Profiles


 V. S. Chesnokov and A. L. Yanshin
A Forgotten Devotee of Learning
p. 389  

 I. M. Makarov and M. Ya. Marov
A Great Leader of Russian Science
p. 393  

 N.N. Mel'nikov
He Knew Nearly Everything about the Chemistry of Phosphorus
Compounds.
Birth Centenary of Academician S.I. Vol'fkovich
p. 398  


 Discussion Forum


 A. S. Panarin
Russia's Role in Molding the New Character of Humankind 
p. 401  


 Point of View


 Yu. V. Lupachev
A.L. Chizhevsky's Historiometric Cycles: Reality 
and Forecasting 
p. 408
 
 K. V. Brushlinskii
He Wanted Russia to Be Great 
p. 412  

 A. A. Silin
The Rational and the Irrational 
p. 415  


 An Essay


 A. A. Sidorov
Convergence: Depths and Curses Thereof 
p. 421  

 A. E. Chuchin-Rusov
The Single Field of World Culture
p. 426  


Bygone Times


 A. I. Sizonenko
Ten Days in Uruguay.
A Page from Academician Vavilov's Life History
p. 436  


  Science News


 G.A. Bogatova
A Russian Book Forum in Paris 
p. 440  


 Official Section


Decisions of the RAS Presidium (May 1996)
p. 442  

Decisions of the RAS Presidium (June–July 1996) 
p. 443  

AWARDS AND PRIZES 
p. 447