Intersecting Linear Light Strands: A Particle Explanation for the Fresnel Central Spot

The Fresnel central spot in a shadow, theorized to be generated from wave interference, has given strong support for wave models of light. Using extended exposure macro imaging in various media, the shadow is shown to be more complex with multiple lines of light intersecting in the center. Using the particle concept of discrete light strands perpendicularly reflecting from a diffraction source, these observations can be more accurately explained. Another quantized aspect of light is shown where linear light strands become rings when an energy threshold is reached.

Agreeing Adpositions in Avar and The Directionality-of-Valuation Debate

Given the central spot afforded to unvalued features in current theorizing, the directionality of feature valuation is the subject of a lively debate in the syntactic literature. The traditional conception of upward valuation, whereby the unvalued probe inherits features from a valued goal in its c-command domain ( Chomsky 2000 , 2001 , Carstens and Diercks 2013 , Preminger 2013 ), has to compete with downward valuation ( Zeijlstra 2012 ), Hybrid Agree ( Bjorkman and Zeijlstra 2019 ), and bidirectional Agree ( Baker 2008 ), among others. Here, using data from Avar, I discuss the crosslinguistically rare phenomenon of adposition agreement, whereby certain adverbs, postpositions, and locative case forms undergo agreement with an absolutive argument. I set the stage by sketching the mechanism of case assignment and argument-predicate agreement in Avar ( section 1 ) and introducing the phenomenon of adposition agreement ( section 2 ). I then show that the agreement morphology on agreeing adpositions is a result of agreement rather than concord ( section 3 ). In sections 4 – 5 , I explore the consequences of adposition agreement in Avar for upward and downward valuation, concluding that upward valuation is better equipped to account for the observed patterns. In section 6 , I summarize the results of the discussion.

Geochemistry of oil-and-gas seepage in Lake Baikal: towards understanding fluid migration system

<p>Baikal is a Cenozoic syn-rift sedimentary basin with many surficial manifestations of distinct hydrocarbon system. Focused gas seeps, gas-hydrate accumulations, and various mud volcanoes are abundant all over the lake bottom and were recently studied in order to characterize an upward fluid migration from deeper strata. Highly concentrated oil seeps which can provide detailed information on basin fluid migration pathway configurations are mostly developed at the east coast and rift flank of Lake Baikal.</p><p>Herewith, we report results of detailed geochemical studies (gases, organic matter, bitumen, pore waters, and sediments) completed on samples collected from an area of active oil and gas seepage, asphalt/tar edifices and subbottom gas-hydrates occurrences located 18 km offshore the Gorevoy Utes cape (the eastern coast of the lake) at the depth of 850-950 m.</p><p>As a part of the Class@Baikal-2018 expedition, two high-resolution seismic profiles (total length of about 10 km) crossing the fluid discharge zone in transverse directions were acquired to locate 22 bottom sampling stations and to retrieve samples. Four more seismic lines and 12 sampling cores were collected during the follow up Class@Baikal-2019 cruise.</p><p>The highest concentrations of all gases and a fresh crude oil in sediments are characteristic for a spot of only about 500 m in diametre, marking a probable centre of the most intense deep fluid migration to the surface. The elemental composition characteristic of sampled oil was determined as follow: C=83.84%, H=10.67%, N=0.37%, and S<0.08% by wt. And its molecular compounds are 15% asphaltenes, 20% resins, 35% aromatic hydrocarbons, and 30% saturates.</p><p>High concentration of methane was also detected in samples at the distance from this central spot all around the studied field. According to isotopic analyses, this indicates lateral redistribution of thermogenic methane ongoing together with enhanced bacterial methane generation in surrounding sediments. δ13С of methane from the peripheries varies from -70.98 ‰ to -88.46 ‰, whereas the δ13С of methane from the central spot is heavier (up to -41.00 ‰). The high content of methane homologues (ethane and propane) and carbon dioxide is characteristic and indicative for all samples taken from the central spot. A few samples collected outside of the central zone demonstrated the high thermogenic methane concentration, carbon dioxide content and presence of some methane homologues as well. Most likely this points out at existence of locally permeable segments aside of main conduit, probably some fractures accompanying the central pathway. Interestingly, no fresh oil was found in those samples.</p><p>Rock-Eval pyrolysis, isotopic analyses and biomarker studies revealed that the source rocks for both hydrocarbon gases and oil are terrigeneous and contain predominant humic organic matter components (kerogen type III). These strata belong to different maturation stages, ranging from low-mature to peak-mature, which is well explained by the complex structure of the rift sedimentary infill and documented presence of local thermal anomalies in the region.</p><p>Results of geochemical studies are incorporated into an integrated model of source-to-surface fluid migration to explain the observed peculiarities of the Gorevoy Utes seepage area.</p>

4D phase-space acceptance of the quadrupole mass filter

Simulations of the four-dimensional (4D) phase-space acceptance volume of a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) are discussed. The 4D acceptance is considered since the ion trajectories in the X and Y phase planes are dependent via the initial RF phase at ion entry into QMF. The QMF parameters are set up for resolution equal to the ion mass number M. For a wide range of ion masses, the acceptance is characterized by relatively large aperture with about 5% transmission, primarily defined by phase dependent ellipses. Contrary to expectations, the small-aperture central spot with 75% transmission accepts a very small portion, namely less than 1% of the passed through particles.

A new species of Mud Snake (Serpentes, Homalopsidae, Gyiophis Murphy & Voris, 2014) from Myanmar with a first molecular phylogenetic assessment of the genus

A newly discovered species of homalopsid snake from the genus Gyiophis Murphy & Voris is described from the lowlands of Mawlamyine District in Mon state, southeastern Myanmar. Gyiophis salweenensis sp. nov. is presumed to be closely related to G. maculosa Blanford and G. vorisi Murphy based on the similarities in pholidosis and patterning but can be separated from G. maculosa by the shape of its first three dorsal scale rows that are square, ventral scale pattern that lacks a central spot, and a faint stripe on dorsal scale rows 1–4. It can be further distinguished from G. vorisi by its lower number of ventral scales (129 vs. 142–152), lower number of subcaudals (30/29 vs. 41–58), narrow rostral scale, and having more rows of spots on the dorsum (four vs. three). A preliminary molecular analysis using 1050 base pairs of cytochrome b (cytb) recovered G. salweenensis sp. nov. as the sister species to the Chinese Mud Snake (Myrrophis chinensis). G. maculosa and G. vorisi were unavailable for the analysis. The discovery of G. salweenensis sp. nov. highlights the need for more surveys into the herpetological diversity of eastern Myanmar which remains very much underestimated.

The Developing Process and Features of Chinese Classical Gardens in Ming Dynasty

As a transiting period, the Ming Dynasty gardens showed a creation of its uniqueness. Private gardens in Ming Dynasty mainly focused on small courtyard, it had an unadorned style and they were extremely rich in symbols of leisure landscape; Ming royal gardens development was slightly left behind, but it lead itself to form a special style which was rough and heroic. Through analysis and comparison to the gardens from Ming, Song and Qing Dynasty, it is concluded that the Ming Dynasty gardens is an inheritance and development of Song Dynasty gardens intention, and its characteristics had a plentiful variation of space. To Sum up, the Ming dynasty gardens chose circuitous paths, enhancing the level of landscape and highlighting central spot of landscape as its routine.

The LocaL Tradition of Magical Practices in Banten society

<div class="WordSection1"><p>This article aims to discuss the cultural phenomenon of magical practices in the Muslim society of Banten which still exists up to the present. It is a part of my MA thesis research that has been combined with my recent field research using ethnography method based on the anthropological approach. Magical practices becomes cultural identity for Bantenese society. Several sources on Banten mention that Banten as a central spot for magical sciences, besides it is also well- known as a religious area. The magical practices are still regarded important for Bantenese people, especially who live in the villages to solve their practical problems in their social life. Magic is a socio-religious phenomenon which has long, well-established roots in Banten society. It is traceable from many literatures that describes the uniqueness of Bantenese’s culture. Besides other magical practices debus is the most noticeable appearance of the magical tradition in Banten since the sultanate period until nowadays. The existence of debus Banten and other kinds of magical practices in Banten has strengthened the reputation of Banten as if ‘a haven of magical sciences’.</p> <p> </p> <p>Tulisan ini mencoba mendiskusikan tentang fenomena kultural mengenai praktek magis pada masyarakat Muslim Banten yang masih ada hingga saat ini. Artikel ini merupakan bagian dari tesis Master saya yang sudah dikombinasikan dengan penelitian lapangan baru-baru ini dengan menggunakan metode etnografi berdasarkan pendekatan antropologis. Praktek magis sudah menjadi identitas kultural bagi masyarakat Banten. Beberapa sumber menyebut Banten sebagai pusat ilmu-ilmu gaib, di samping dikenal sebagai daerah yang religius. Praktek magis masih dianggap penting bagi masyarakat Banten, khususnya yang tinggal di pedesaan untuk menyelesaikan masalah-masalah praktis dalam kehidupan sosial mereka. Magis adalah sebuah fenomena sosio-kultural yang memiliki akar yang cukup lama dan sudah berakar kuat dalam masyarakat Banten. Hal ini bisa dilacak dari banyak literatur yang menjelaskan keunikan dari budaya Banten. Debus adalah bukti paling kongkrit dari tradisi magis di Banten sejak periode kesultanan hingga saat ini, disamping beragam praktek magis yang lainnya. keberadaan debus Banten dan berbagai jenis praktek magis yang lainnya di Banten telah memperkuat reputasi Banten sebagai ‘tempat bersemayamnya ilmu-ilmu magis’.</p></div> <p> </p><br />

The genus Branchiosyllis Ehlers, 1887 from Philippines Islands, with the description of two new species

The species of Branchiosyllis from Philippines Islands, B. maculata, B. australis new comb. and B. exilis, have been re-viewed, with particular emphasis on the study of worldwide material of the latter. In addition, Branchiosyllis mayae andBranchiosyllis tagalog are described as new species. The former is characterized by its bidentate claw-shaped chaetae,unique in the genus, short dorsal cirri, and orange body with black stripes on prostomium (less pigmented), peristomiun,and anterior four to seven segments (more pigmented at bases of cirrophores). The latter is characterized by presence ofonly two claw-shaped chaetae per parapodium, ventral one larger than dorsal one, spindle-shaped tentacular cirri and dor-sal cirri with small pores and papillae, peristomium not visible dorsally and strongly dorsoventrally flattened body, pig-mented with dark central spot surrounded by two horizontal wide bands and faint coloured circles on each parapodia. A comparative table of all the species of the genus is also provided.