Dark Curtain Research Articles

War-Torn: The Unmaking of Syria, 2011-2021 by Leila Vignal

Reviewed by: War-Torn: The Unmaking of Syria, 2011-2021 by Leila Vignal Mona Yacoubian (bio) War-Torn: The Unmaking of Syria, 2011-2021 by Leila Vignal Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021, 328 pp. Too often, outside observers become inured to the impacts of war; the conflict in Syria is no exception. The Syrian war may have faded from international headlines, but its evolving legacy of physical ruin, lives destroyed, and a society forever transformed stands as a reminder of the perils of conflict. In her new book, War-Torn: The Unmaking of Syria, 2011-2021, Leila Vignal chronicles the first decade of Syria's brutal conflict in painstaking detail. The book provides a poignant survey of the war's devastating impacts both inside Syria and beyond. In so doing, she offers readers important insights into the conflict's origins and trajectory. While drawing on her years as a researcher working on Syria since the late 1990s, Vignal acknowledges that safety and access issues since the onset of the conflict forced her to adopt an approach of "see[ing] the local from afar." She also rightly highlights the many Syrian experts and observers who have made critical contributions to our understanding of the war. she relies on secondary sources, primary visual sources (e.g., satellite imagery, photos published on Facebook), and interviews with Syrians abroad (primarily in Lebanon, Egypt, France, and the United Kingdom) to piece together a richly textured narrative. In it, she seeks to answer the question, "What does conflict do to society and how is society transformed by it?" Given the scope, complexity, and volatility of the conflict in Syria, Vignal's question will take years to answer if there can ever truly be a comprehensive response. Nonetheless, War-Torn endeavors to begin that process by analyzing the war's social, spatial, and economic transformation of Syria. The book's nine chapters offer a useful entry point into this inquiry—of course, each chapter could be drawn into a book(s)-length exploration of the topic. Beginning with an anatomy of the conflict and then tracing the country's fragmentation, destruction, displacement, war economy, and spillover, War-Torn concludes with a reflection on the future of regime-held areas through the lens of dispossession and regime-driven reconstruction. Vignal opens with the astute observation that Syria was already in the [End Page 77] midst of radical transformation before the 2011 uprising. She notes mounting social grievances in the shadow of economic liberalization that widened income inequality, enriching those connected to the regime at the expense of everyday Syrians. Gone were the days of Hafez al-Assad's austere economy where even toilet paper was scarce and privilege was hidden behind the dark curtain of dictatorial rule. Instead, a crass crony capitalist class emerged, seeking to exploit the benefits of economic opening for personal gain. She highlights urbanization as a key dynamic that helped foster an awakening by Syrian youth. Separately, she focuses on the decentralized nature of the protests which inhibited the movement from unifying broadly but also imbued it with resilience and the capacity to adapt and expand depending on local circumstances. The heart of War-Torn delves into Syria's downward spiral into conflict and the many dimensions of the war's impact. Starting at the macro-level of Syria as a nation-state within the international order, Vignal then drills down to the conflict's "geography of destruction" on different scales: city, village, neighborhood, and then most significantly to its impact on individuals through the war's mass displacement of more than half of Syria's population, either internally or outside the country's borders. Across several, interconnected chapters, she develops well the themes of fragmentation, destruction, displacement, and economic exploitation. With the benefit of some perspective and distance, she paints a compelling picture of the Assad regime's preponderant role in the country's destruction. War-Torn leaves the reader with several important takeaways for understanding the Syrian conflict and the nature of conflict more broadly. Vignal underscores the distressing disconnect that accords Syria's brutal Assad regime the formal markers of international sovereignty—United Nations membership, diplomatic recognition by other countries—while...

“Africa's First Woman Press Photographer”: Mabel Cetu's Photographs in Zonk!

“Africa's First Woman Press Photographer”: Mabel Cetu's Photographs in <i>Zonk!</i>

Central Asia: from dark matter to a dark curtain?

ABSTRACT This article answers the question of why Central Asia studies has not contributed more fully to the study of comparative politics since the collapse of the Soviet Union. It argues that during the Soviet period, Central Asia remained a dark matter to Western scholars specializing in Sovietology and who lacked access to the region. Although in the 1990s Western academics saw the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, expecting Central Asia to join the liberal world order, these hopes declined after the 2000s when not only the transition paradigm failed, but also because a consolidated form of authoritarianism closed access to the field. In conclusion, this article offers the most promising fields for the development of the study of comparative politics across and inside Central Asia.

Subretinal Crystalline Lens Dislocation following Cataract Couching

A 71-year-old man was referred for the appearance of a “dark curtain” in the visual field of his left eye. He had a history of couching in Nigeria 3 months prior to presentation. Couching is the oldest recorded form of cataract surgery, still performed in several areas of the world, which involves the manual dislocation of the crystalline lens into the vitreous cavity. On examination, the crystalline lens was not visible and a macula-sparing, inferior retinal detachment, along with a whitish subretinal mass, was present (Fig A).

Daylight glare mitigation by internal shading devices use and effects on building energy performance

Daylight glare arouses buildings’ occupants to insert internal shading devices. When solving glare issues, shading strategies can increase internal temperature and building cooling energy consumption, especially in hot climates. Indoor environmental quality has been treated through architectural and engineering projects utilising spatial-temporal metrics and controls algorithms. This article focused on investigating some interactions between user behaviour, shading devices proprieties, and their effects on building’s luminous and thermal environment. This research aimed to relate daylight glare probability’s reductions through internal shading devices uses, with their effects on the window’s solar heat gain and energy cooling demand. Using building modelling and simulation approach through Rhinoceros 3D 5.0 and plug-ins Grasshopper+DIVA, Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) hourly values were generated for an occupant, 1.5 m away from the window at a side lit-room. The open-access model is a typical private office in the multi-floors building. Window’s solar heat gains and energy cooling demands were recorded using EnergyPlus 8.4 software. The model was simulated in East, West, North and South orientations, at Florianópolis. Subtropical Brazilian city. Starting from ‘without solar control’ cases, 8 controls were applied to 4 internal shading devices: blinds 50°, blinds 0°, curtains and roller shades. Clearer and darker colours were considered by two proprieties sets. From two fixed obstruction modes (100% and 50%), DGPintolerable (&gt;45%) and direct solar radiation (&gt;50W/m²) were applied to proposed monthly, daily and automatic controls. DGPintolerable annual frequencies at uncontrolled condition varied from 30% to 65%. These differences pointed out design guidelines according to façades. It has been confirmed that 0° blinds don’t secure daylight glare and increase energy cooling demand. Dark roller shades, curtains and blinds 50° completely solved glare problems, controlled by ‘always 100% closed’ mode and DGPintolerable based controls. Clear devices still allowed 2% of DGPintolerable frequency. However, clear roller shades contributed to reducing annual cooling demand until 11.5% while other devices achieved until 52% increase. Dark curtains indicated maximum increased in annual window’s solar heat gain (3%). Obtained results allowed identifying some design guidelines to balance daylight glare protection and energy-efficiency, contributing to sustainable building design and low impact architecture.

Bedside Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Retinal Detachment

Author(s): San Gabriel, Rami; Alvarado, Maili; Han, Vy | Abstract: ABSTRACT: History of present illness: A 19-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented to the Emergency Department with progressively worsening vision loss in his right eye after blunt trauma to the right orbit. The patient endorsed floaters and described his vision as being “cloudy,” but denied any photophobia, foreign body sensation, pain or ocular discharge. He did not use corrective lenses and his visual acuity was 20/100 OD and 20/30 OS. On exam, the patient had non-injected conjunctiva and normal intraocular pressures. Bedside ultrasound was performed and showed evidence of a right-sided retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. Ophthalmology was emergently consulted and took the patient to the operating room for cryopexy. Significant findings: The ocular point of care ultrasound (POCUS) utilizing a high frequency linear probe shows a retinal detachment (RD) with a thick, hyperechoic undulating membrane in the vitreous humor that is anchored at the ora serrata anteriorly and the optic disc posteriorly. Note that the retina is detached all the way to the optic disc making it mac off. The macula, and more specifically the fovea, is located in the central retina and contains a high concentration of cone photoreceptors responsible for central, high resolution, color vision. In a mac RD, the retina detaches in the periphery but remains intact centrally. This is an ophthalmologic emergency and timely diagnosis and intervention can be vision saving. This patient also has evidence of a posterior vitreous hemorrhage which has a characteristic swirling appearance with kinetic exam on real-time imaging. The detached vitreous body is not as well defined and is not anchored posteriorly to the optic disc.Discussion: There are many causes of sudden unilateral vision loss: acute angle closure glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, vitreous detachment, retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, optic neuritis, and ischemic optic neuropathy.1 Many of these cases require emergent intervention if the patient’s vision is to be preserved. In this case, the patient’s history of “floaters” is highly suggestive of a retinal etiology. Classically, patients with RD can also present with the perception of a “dark curtain” coming over their field of vision.2 In a review of 78 articles, ocular ultrasound had a sensitivity and specificity that ranged from 97% to 100% and 83% to 100%, respectively, in the diagnosis of RD,3 demonstrating its strength as a rapid diagnostic tool in accurately diagnosing RD. Topics: Ultrasound, ophthalmology, retina.

Ascent

Ascent O. Alan Weltzien (bio) Andean Omen For days cloud layers hunker on the flanksof Ecuadorian volcanoes, hover overthe Valle Central. Three climbers puffthrough mist, rain, fresh snow on preparatory volcanoes, teased by the sun-rain dancein Quito: dark curtains drop against wetwest slopes, blown open by sun and wind.No snow domes show, only long green bands over tilled plots above the valley floor.Tonight’s our night, no marginfor error, yet for two days almost noChimborazo. Weather defeats other parties. I rise, peer out the window, gasp, grab Dan.Nearly 6 p.m., winds pushed offcloud cover and Chimbo towers above us,giant vanilla sundae spreads just northeast. Busy with cameras outside, rapt devoteesof the evening light-show, eyes and hearts pourover glaciers, rock bands, ridges; hands palmthe curves of two summits, transfixed by yellowing light. In the sun’s turning the sprawling conewinks at us, pulls closer before the brilliantswirl pinks and fades in the still dusk.We shake our heads, dumb in the face [End Page 383] of the sign, a blazing epiphany.This is what we came for.In a few hours we slowly rise underthick stars and a fat half moon. Penitentes Gasping at dawn, I stumble into the labyrinthatop Veintimilla summit, tiredpilgrim amidst fields of penitentes,a thick procession of snow-ice figuresbent and slightly curved by prevailing winds. Token of high Andes elevation, penitentesgrow through “differential ablation” sincesnow “sublimates,” puffs into vapor,the dew point always below freezing.According to Wiki their “surface geometry” becomes a “positive feedback mechanism”and their hollows, “almost a black bodyfor radiation.” Our guides force a pathas my old crampons plunge through freshsnow or skitter off iced planes. In the slight saddle before Whymper summitmy weary body stops, dazed, while inthe gathering light my eyes brushtheir gleaming facets, glovesreach a polished tip veering above me. Lone dissidents lost in this clottedfrozen march, our tilt and heightprove no match for theirs. Temporaryguests in their domain, I thread slowly,slip, bump my shoulders as we ease back, [End Page 384] withdraw from the field, dazzled by thedense blue-white sculpture, the closeranks of angles and curves impeding myprogress, crowding my length. Stranger topenitentes, accustomed to saddles before summits, I retreat with Dan, humbled,if not penitent, bested by the mazebut not the Roman Catholic imaginationwith its ancient rite of public contrition,a hooded progress towards expiation dependentupon audience, not altitude; upon tears, not dry cold. [End Page 385] O. Alan Weltzien O. Alan Weltzien, longtime English professor at the University of Montana Western, has written, edited, and coedited eight books. His most recent poetry collection is The Snowpeaks. The poems in this issue were written after his January 2014 trip to climb Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest volcano. Copyright © 2015 O. Alan Weltzien

In Situ Observation of Material Failure in Cast Aluminum Alloy During Monotonic Loading Observed by a High-Speed Camera

In situ observation of the failure characteristics of a cast aluminum alloy has been conducted using a testing system with a high-speed camera. The failure process of the cast Al alloy was captured clearly with an high image resolution (1,024 × 1,024 pixels) at a high frame rate (20,000/s), where the specimen surface for observation was dyed dark using a black oil-based ink. A dark curtain was set behind the test specimen as background. Strong lighting of about 10 klx was used, which was applied to the dark specimen surface for clarification of material failure. The aim of this approach was to detect the failure characteristics or failure objects with bright zone. Using this system, both debris particles flying from the fracture sample and dislocation-like movements were detected. These were observable as tiny bright dots. The flying debris particles of about 35 μm in diameter consisted mainly of Si- and Fe-based eutectic structures. The flying speed of the debris particles was about 1,800 mm/s and their flight distance from the specimen was about 100 mm. The velocity of the dislocation-like movements was found to be less than 1,000 mm/s, and this motion was seen repeatedly before and after sample failure occurred.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment--an ophthalmologic emergency.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common retinological emergency threatening vision, with an incidence of 1 in 10 000 persons per year, corresponding to about 8000 new cases in Germany annually. Without treatment, blindness in the affected eye may result. Selective review of the literature. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment typically presents with the perception of light flashes, floaters, or a "dark curtain." In most cases, the retinal tear is a consequence of degeneration of the vitreous body. Epidemiologic studies have identified myopia and prior cataract surgery as the main risk factors. Persons in the sixth and seventh decades of life are most commonly affected. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is an emergency, and all patients should be seen by an ophthalmologist on the same day that symptoms arise. The treatment consists of scleral buckle, removal of the vitreous body (vitrectomy), or a combination of the two. Anatomical success rates are in the range of 85% to 90%. Vitrectomy is followed by lens opacification in more than 70% of cases. The earlier the patient is seen by an ophthalmologist, the greater the chance that the macula is still attached, so that visual acuity can be preserved. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is among the main emergency indications in ophthalmology. In all such cases, an ophthalmologist must be consulted at once.

The Loseable World: Resonance, Creativity, and Resilience

The Loseable World: Resonance, Creativity, and Resilience

Depression Symptoms Linked to Nighttime Light Exposure

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & Research NewsFull AccessDepression Symptoms Linked to Nighttime Light ExposureJoan Arehart-TreichelJoan Arehart-TreichelSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:17 Dec 2010https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.45.24.psychnews_45_24_023AbstractExposure to constant bright light at night seems to be a trigger for depression-like symptoms in mice, Randy Nelson, Ph.D., a professor and chair of neuroscience at Ohio State University, reported in the December 28, 2009, Behavioral Brain Research.Now Nelson, Tracy Bedrosian, a doctoral student in neuroscience at Ohio State University, and their colleagues have found that exposure to even dim light at night appears to be capable of triggering depression-like symptoms in hamsters.Bedrosian presented these new study data on November 17 at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego.The study involved 16 female Siberian hamsters that had their ovaries removed to ensure that ovarian hormones would not interfere with the study's results. Half were housed in a standard light-dark cycle of 16 hours of light (at 150 lux) followed by eight hours of total darkness. The other half were exposed to a different light-dark cycle—16 hours of light (at 150 lux) followed by eight hours of dim light (5 lux), which was the equivalent of having a television on in a darkened room.After eight weeks in their lighting condition, the animals were tested for depression-like behaviors.The researchers used two tests for depression-like behaviors—the sucrose-intake test and Porsolt's swim test—that are used in basic research and in the preclinical testing of antidepressants by pharmaceutical companies.In the sucrose-intake test, rodents are offered sugar water, which they usually like. If they do not show much interest in it, it is interpreted to be a sign of the anhedonia that depressed patients exhibit.In the swim test, rodents are placed in a swim tank and observed to see whether they continue to search for an escape from the water or give up and just float on top of the water. If they give up, it is interpreted as a sign of the despair or helplessness that depressed patients often feel.The hamsters exposed to dark nights enjoyed sugar water, whereas the hamsters exposed to dim-light nights enjoyed it less, suggesting that the dim-light hamsters were experiencing anhedonia. The hamsters exposed to dark nights did not give up in their search for an escape from water, whereas the hamsters exposed to dim-light nights did, suggesting that the dim-light hamsters were experiencing despair or helplessness.In brief, it looked as if the dim light at night might have initiated depression in hamsters that had been exposed to it, the researchers concluded.The researchers then compared the brains of the hamsters that had been exposed to dim-light nights with the brains of the hamsters that had been exposed to dark nights to gain some understanding of how the dim light might have actuated depression.The hippocampi from the dim-light group had significantly fewer dendritic spines than those from the dark night group. Since the hippocampus is known to play a key role in depressive disorders, the researchers concluded that dim light might have reduced the number of dendritic spines in the hippocampus and thereby initiated the depression-like symptoms.But how might dim light have brought about dendritic spine changes? The stress hormone cortisol didn't seem to be implicated since the researchers found no difference in cortisol levels between the two groups of hamsters. Their hypothesis is that the hormone melatonin might have been the culprit. They are planning to conduct further research to see whether that is the case.Meanwhile, whether the results from these two animal studies hold implications for humans remains to be seen. “In seasonal affective disorder (SAD), people receive less light than normal due to the short day lengths,” Bedrosian told Psychiatric News. “Since we studied more light, not less, our work is not directly related to SAD. However, our findings do suggest that chronic exposure to light at night could be one contributor to depressive disorders unrelated to predispositions for SAD or other conditions.”Regarding the question of whether people should avoid even night-lights to minimize the risk of getting night-light-initiated depression, Bedrosian had this to say: “We will need to do future work to understand how light at night affects mood in humans. However, if there is indeed a link, then perhaps people should minimize exposure to artificial light at nighttime. So, avoiding sleeping with a night-light, not falling asleep with the bedroom TV on all night long, and perhaps using dark curtains to block out street light might be a good idea. Exposure to light at night is unnatural and has only arisen in the past century, so minimizing exposure certainly can't hurt.” ISSUES NewArchived

Influence of Lighting Schedule and Nutrient Density in Broiler Chickens: Effect on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lighting schedule and nutrient density on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 576 day old Arbor Acre male chickens was used with a 4x2 factorial arrangement. The four lighting schedules were continuous (23 L:1 D, CL), 20 L:4 D (12 L:2 D:8 L:2 D), 16 L:8 D (12 L:3 D:2 L:3 D: 2 L:2 D) and 12 L:12 D (9 L:3 D:1 L:3 D:1 L:3 D:1 L:3 D) and provided by incandescent bulbs. The two nutrient densities were high (H, starter diet: 13.39 MJ/kg apparent metabolisable energy (AME), 23.00% crude protein (CP); finisher diet: 13.39 MJ AME/kg, 19.70% CP) and low energy and protein level (L, starter diet: 12.03 MJ AME/kg, 20.80% CP; finisher diet: 12.14 MJ AME/kg, 18.30% CP). Houses with dark curtains and solid sidewalls were used. Chickens were randomly allocated to the 8 treatments with each treatment comprising 6 replicates of 12 chickens. Feed and water were available ad libitum. Lighting schedules showed no difference (p>0.05) in growth performance at the end of the experiment. 12 L: 12 D significantly reduced (p<0.05) the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to 23 L:1 D treatment. Intermittent lighting (IL) schedules produced higher protein content (p<0.001) in breast meat. Birds on high density diets had higher body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) (p<0.001), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.001) throughout the experiment with the exception of 36 to 42 d. High nutrient density increased (p<0.05) abdominal fat, decreased (p<0.05) the moisture loss of meat, and reduced percentage of wings and legs. There was a significant lighting schedulexdiet interaction (p<0.001) on FCR for days 8 to 14 and 15 to 21. Results indicated that IL can give similar growth performance in comparison with CL, meanwhile with positive effects on meat quality by increasing protein content and decreasing the concentration of MDA. High nutrient density resulted in greater growth performance.

Comparison of light transmission and reflection techniques to determine concentrations in flow tank experiments

Transmissive and reflective intensity measurements for visual concentration determinations in 2D flow tank experiments were compared and evaluated for their applicability in the study of flow and transport phenomena. A density-dependent heterogeneous flow experiment was conducted and transmission and reflection images of the dyed saltwater plume were analyzed. A single light source and dark curtains forced the light to pass through the porous media only, thus facilitating the transmission measurements. The reflection images delivered a more homogeneous spatial illumination than the transmission images. Major perturbations of the transmission images were lens flare effects and light dispersion within the bead–water–Plexiglas system which smear the front of the plume. Based on the conducted evaluation of transmissive and reflective intensity measurements, the reflection data delivered more reliable intensity values to derive solute concentrations in intermediate scale flow tank experiments.

Beatdown in Baltimore

Beatdown in Baltimore Curtis Crisler (bio) We watched—vultures in the rafters of Wyndham Hotel, locked on the 12th floor, visitors perched on each wing, veering down into the pitched night— a roof on fire, the after party set settling, catching a breath, respite from DMX— night owls waiting for tiny vermin to scurry about, as the boney man accepted too many fists to his face from the thick man sated on anger— trying to punch through to the center of matter. Could we blame, rectify beat? Had we faith? From Fayette to Park Avenue, a block away, the sated thick man pummeled the boney man with unseen curses of gangsta' rap that rose like white feathers into the night. Cell phones went to our ears and our voices vacillated in the azure chaos breeding each second. Their souls left their mouths and pulled up to our windows to ask directions, not to turnpike, but how to escape our need for them. That bullet scattered us back behind our dark curtains and wet cravings. Curtis Crisler Curtis L. Crisler, a lecturer at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne, has published The Ringing Ear, L'intrigue, The Fourth River, Only the Sea Keeps: Poetry of the Tsumani, and other periodicals and anthologies. Copyright © 2006 Charles H. Rowell

Personal Account: Being Rational

Personal Account: Being Rational

Wired to inspire: Leading organizations through adversity

AbstractTimes of adversity often give rise to unpredictability, fear, anxiety, and loss of confidence. Such circumstances call for inspirational leadership, which gives employees the motivation, commitment, and productivity to take advantage of the opportunities lying on the other side of what seems to be a dark curtain of misfortune.

Discordance of spatial representation in ensembles of hippocampal place cells.

The extent to which small ensembles of neighboring hippocampal neurons alter their spatial firing patterns concurrently in response to stimulus manipulations was examined in young adult rats as well as in aged rats with and without memory impairment. Recordings from CA1 and CA3 cells were taken as rats performed a spatial radial-maze task that employed prominent distal visual stimuli attached to dark curtains surrounding the maze and local cues on each maze arm provided by inserts with distinctive visual, tactile, and olfactory stimuli. To test the influence of the different stimulus subsets, the distal and local cues were rotated 90 degrees in opposite directions (a Double Rotation). In response to this manipulation, place fields could maintain a fixed position to room coordinates, rotate with either the local or the distal cues, disappear, or new fields could appear. On average 79% of the cells within an ensemble responded in the same way, but only 37% of all ensembles were fully concordant. Typically discordant ensembles had place fields that rotated with one set of cues, whereas the other fields disappeared or new fields appeared. Ensembles in which the place fields rotated in two opposite directions were less frequent in young rats than would be expected by the occurrence of the individual responses, indicating selective competition between directly conflicting representations and ultimate suppression of one. These findings indicate that hippocampal neurons independently encode distinct subsets of the cues in a complex environment, although processing within the hippocampal network may actively reduce the simultaneous representation of conflicting orientation information. This kind of population activity might reflect the higher-order organization of new memories within an established knowledge framework or schema. Concordance was higher in aged memory-impaired rats than in young rats, and the suppression of conflicting representations was absent in these rats. These findings suggest that age-related memory impairment is at least in part associated with a decrease in the scope of information coded and in the coordination of encoded representations.

Atmospheric Light Columns from Artificial Lights

THE light columns observed by Mr. Currie (NATURE, April 5, p. 526), though rather unusual phenomena, have been described previously. Once in France and twice in Italy, during the War, I noticed that gun flashes at distances of the order of 15 kilometres appeared as narrow vertical streaks of light centred about 10°–15° above the horizon. The occasion in France (Nov. 6, 1916) was a most striking one; a note giving the details was published after the War in the Quar. Jour. Roy. Met. Soc., 45, pp. 366–368 (1919). About 9.30 P.M. on that evening there were visible, in addition, parts of a lunar halo of 22°, a horizontal circle or mock moon ring, and a halo of 90°. During the remainder of the evening continual gun flashes produced a weird and unnatural effect as of vertical slits opening and closing suddenly in a dark curtain with a fiery background. Later in the same evening a still more remarkable spectacle was presented in that, as a result of enemy action, a large ammunition depot, some 15 km. distant from the point where I was stationed, was set on fire. The fire (or fires) appeared also as great vertical streaks in the sky, with a dark patch at their centre, the altitude of this dark centre, measured by theodolite, being 321/2°.