EPIC Images Research Articles

“Insignificant” characters: on the one peculiarity of Russian epic concept of heroism

  The subject of this research is the concept of heroism (bogatyrs) as an element of Russian epic mentality. The focus of attention is the peculiarities of epic understanding of bogatyr power that excludes the interpretation by an epic bard of “his” character as a giant. Meanwhile, the popular in science representation of particular characters of the Russian Epos (Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich, Ilya Muromets) as giants is caused by their idealization, convergence of an epic with a tale or myth, as well as readiness to proliferate upon epics such laws of poetics that are considered universal from the perspective of ethnographic theory and strive of the scholars of mythological school to distinguish in epic heroes the characters of the ancient religious systems. Based on the analysis of epic records, the author demonstrates that the bogatyrs are not giant, but rather look as regular people. Special attention is given to the adjustment of a receptive stereotype, associated with perception of the epic image of Svyatogor, caused by a distorted interpretation of this image by illustrators of the epics in the XIX century.  

МИФОЛОГИЗАЦИЯ БАЗОВЫХ КОНЦЕПТОВ ГЕРОИЧЕСКОГО ЭПОСА В СОВЕТСКОМ КИНЕМАТОГРАФЕ 1930–1950-Х Г.

The article analyzes the mythologization of epic images of heroes and enemies, visual space, plots and motives in the domestic cinema of the Stalinist period. The author notes that due to the availability of plots, sometimes naive, but very expressive imagery, and the vastness of the means of artistic expression, the film language has become one of the most popular metalanguages of Soviet mass culture. The Russian cinema of the 1930s and 1950s is conventionally designated, by analogy with the content of the material embodied, «the heroic epic of Soviet culture», not only at the level of content, but also of form. The transformation of existing images and the introduction of new images into the cultural code of the epic can be interpreted as mythologization, that is, the deformation of meaning, according to R. Barth, in which the appearance of these characters is perceived by the viewer as familiar and organic. In the course of analyzing the films, C. The author comes to the conclusion that many epic concepts of the heroic, folk epic formed the basis of the Soviet mythosystem almost unchanged (images of the cultural hero, monster, enemy). The image of the ruler undergoes transformation, while in the folk epic the ruler can act as an antagonist of the hero, in the Soviet cinema of the Stalinist time the image of the ruler is clearly idealized, often through the introduction of the image of the traitor and the transfer of guilt for the cruelty and mistakes of the ruler to it. Thus, the cultural code of the Russian epics includes an idealized image of the ruler, a characteristic image of an internal enemy, a traitor, relevant to the ideology and internal politics of that time.

Amanda Maier: a violinist, a pianist, a composer – the representative of Leipzig Romanticism

Amanda Maier: a violinist, a pianist, a composer – the representative of Leipzig Romanticism

N-Matlis cotorsion modules and n-matlis domains

Let [Formula: see text] be a domain with its field [Formula: see text] of quotients, [Formula: see text] an [Formula: see text]-module and [Formula: see text] a fixed non-negative integer. Then [Formula: see text] is called [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion if [Formula: see text] for any integer [Formula: see text]. Also [Formula: see text] is said to be [Formula: see text]-Matlis flat if [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text]. We proved that [Formula: see text] is a complete hereditary cotorsion theory, where [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text]) denotes the class of all [Formula: see text]-Matlis flat (respectively, [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion) [Formula: see text]-modules. In this paper, it is proved that [Formula: see text] is an [Formula: see text]-Matlis domain if and only if epic images of [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion [Formula: see text]-modules are again [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion if and only if [Formula: see text]-Matlis flat [Formula: see text]-modules are of projective dimension [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text].

Phonocadencies in Epic Genres: Toyuk and Olonkho

This article deals with structurally-phonomorphological and typical acoustic phonocadency in Yakut toyuk and olonkho, performed by outstanding artists of folklore and professional storytelling S.A. Zverev and G.G. Kolesov. Experimentally-linguistic analysis was carried out with computer program “Speech Analyzer”. Phonocadency as a structural part of epic chant has been specific acoustic complex of components of intonation (quantitativeness, tonality and dynamic indicators). It has three kinds of realization in toyuk, olonkho and algys: initial, medial and final in melodic axis. Most often it functions as a phonoproclitic-enclitic component with various vocal modulations in a form of vibrato and kylyhaakh (throaty signs of chant). Initial and medial phonocadencies are less quantitative than final ones. In general, these acoustic indicators serve as more plangent exclamation in epic chants. Factual and relative phonetic characteristics of phonoproclitics, phonomedial and phonoenclitics of S.A. Zverev’s toyuks have typological commonality with epic pieces of art (olonkho, algys) and are etiquette and universal signs, which symbolize the core of Yakut musical culture of oral traditions. Initial and final phonocadencies of Nyurgun Bootur’s songs from Oyunsky’s olonkho are expressed by generating physiological vibrato and various vocal modulations. They demonstrate strength and frequency of vocal timbre and also they reveal epic image of a hero.

Evolution of female characters of the sanskrit epic mahabharata in cinematography

The article deals with the problem of the ancient Indian epic female characters and their evolution in cinematography. The issues, covered in the work, are more essential now than ever and demand thorough research. In the time of emancipation and the global gender equality, the women's question is a vexed point. The object of study is the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata in Indian literature and cinema, namely the 1965 film and TV series of 1988 and 2013. The subject of the study is the epic images of women in Indian cinema. Using the comparative approach, the analysis of women's images of cinema and epic is presented; their transformation in modern cinema is examined. Watching these movies one can clearly follow the trend of changing attitudes and drawing attention to the urgent problems of Indian women: position in society, upbringing, education, freedom, family relationships, confirming the relevance of the chosen topic. Screen versions of Sanskrit epics combine tradition and innovation; moreover every new screen version makes the women's issue more acute due to the transformation of female characters.

Evolution of female characters of the sanskrit epic Mahabharata in cinematography

The article deals with the problem of the ancient Indian epic "Mahabharata" female characters and their evolution in cinematography. The issues, covered in the work, are more essential now than ever and demand thorough research. In the time of emancipation and the global gender "equality", the women's question is a vexed point. The object of study is the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata in Indian literature and cinema, namely the 1965 film and TV series of 1988 and 2013. The subject of the study is the epic images of women in Indian cinema. Using the comparative approach, the analysis of women's images of cinema and epic is presented; their transformation in modern cinema is examined. Watching these movies one can clearly follow the trend of changing attitudes and drawing attention to the urgent problems of Indian women: position in society, upbringing, education, freedom, family relationships, confirming the relevance of the chosen topic. Screen versions of Sanskrit epics combine tradition and innovation; moreover every new screen version makes the women's issue more acute due to the transformation of female characters.

ODREĐNJE ŽIVOTNE SNAGE U HOMEROVIM EPOVIMA

Ontološki dualizam duha i tela nalazi svoje korene u antici, te ovaj rad istražuje da li i u kom kontekstu možemo da ga prepoznamo u epskom pesništvu osmog i sedmog veka pre n.e. Osnovnu tezu, prethodnih studija zastupljenih u literaturi, da se u homerovskoj psihološkoj terminologiji kriju pitanja o poreklu i prirodi duše i o potonjem razlikovanju duše od tela, ovaj rad vidi kao posledicu metafizičke redukcije pojma životne snage, a ne kao izvorno homerovsko pitanje. Stoga se vraćam supstancijalnom jedinstvu pojma životne snage u Homerovoj epskoj poeziji da bih utvrdila bogatu terminološku neusklađenost u kojoj se jasno pokazuju prva objašnjenja kretanja i pokretačkih sila neodvojivih od predstava o životu i smrti. U radu se vrši klasifikacija termina koji opisuju životnu snagu na: životnu snagu srčanosti, životnu snagu sagledavanja i životnu snagu udova. Otuda rad termine ἦτορ, κῆρ, πραπίδες, φρένες, νόος, γυῖον, μέλεα, ψυχὴ, i θυμός podvodi pod pojam životne snage, a ne pod psihološku terminologiju, što omogućava da se razume potonja povezanost ψυχὴ i ζωή i napravi put ka filozofiji prirode ranih predsokratovaca.

The struggle for individuality: Investigating a long-term pursuit of a lifestyle sport activity

Background: Mainstream forms of media frequently portray wild or epic images of lifestyle sport activities showing the participants as modern-day gladiators. This research set out to explore how closely aligned these stereotypes are with individual experiences. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze factors which may contribute to a selected lifestyle sport activity becoming firmly rooted in an individual's life course. Methods: Data were collected through focus groups, individual interviews, lifeline method, and participant observation within focus groups. The sample included performance freeskiers, freestyle snowboard riders and instructors (N = 19). Grounded theory was used for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Results from this research indicate traditional deterministic images of a sport career in freeskiing and freestyle snowboarding do not match the views and beliefs of the actual participants in these activities. Conclusions: The study examines the careers of long-term participants in freeskiing and freestyle snowboarding and extends existing knowledge of lifestyle sports through the implementation of the lifespan approach. Recommendations for future research include extending the analysis to include sports recently considered mainstream as the distinction (between mainstream and lifestyle sports) is becoming increasingly complicated.

Form and Meaning of Rostam and Esfandiy?r Battle in a Coffee House Painting by Mohammad Modabber

Coffee house painting was a new phenomenon in the history of Persian painting, which, along with the preservation of all rational religious and traditional art values, was born to the need of the people and to respect people’s beliefs. Shahnameh stories were a proper field for creation of epic images of chivalric men who always stood up heroically to the honor and dignity of their mother land at any time, like RostamDastan.In this regard, a coffee house painting of “The battle of Rostam and Esfandiy?r” by Mohammad Modabber from Shahnameh epic text is examined to understand the meaning of the image by analyzing its lines and patterns. Opening this path and through the way passed to understand the meaning, recognizing the special contracts used by Mohammad Modabber in the coffee house painting of “The battle of Rostam and Esfandiy?r” and its various implications sound highly necessary.

When is pile-up important in theXMM-NewtonEPIC cameras?

Context. Pile-up in X-ray charged couple device (CCD) detectors is defined as the reconstruction of independent events in the same detection cell as a single event during a read-out cycle. Pile-up can seriously compromise the spectral performance, modifying both the flux and the spectral shape of celestial sources. Aims. In this paper we define rigorous metrics to characterise the effect of pile-up in terms of flux loss and spectral distortion. Methods. We extend analytical formulae derived for pile-up on CCD detectors with the inclusion of the calibrated energy-dependence of the point spread function. We validated our analytical results through both Monte-Carlo simulations of the EPIC cameras on-board XMM-Newton and comparison with pile-up diagnostics in observed data. Results. We estimate new count rate levels corresponding to a given degree of flux loss and spectral distortion for each EPIC imaging acquisition mode and provide guidance to observers wishing to estimate these values in their own observations. Conclusions. We strongly recommend using these thresholds in planning future observations with the EPIC cameras.

TheXMM-Newtonsurvey of the Small Magellanic Cloud: The X-ray point-source catalogue

Local-Group galaxies provide access to samples of X-ray source populations of whole galaxies. The XMM-Newton survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) completely covers the bar and eastern wing with a 5.6 deg^2 area in the (0.2-12.0) keV band. To characterise the X-ray sources in the SMC field, we created a catalogue of point sources and sources with moderate extent. Sources with high extent (>40") have been presented in a companion paper. We searched for point sources in the EPIC images using sliding-box and maximum-likelihood techniques and classified the sources using hardness ratios, X-ray variability, and their multi-wavelength properties. The catalogue comprises 3053 unique X-ray sources with a median position uncertainty of 1.3" down to a flux limit for point sources of ~10^-14 erg cm^-2 s^-1 in the (0.2-4.5) keV band, corresponding to 5x10^33 erg s^-1 for sources in the SMC. We discuss statistical properties, like the spatial distribution, X-ray colour diagrams, luminosity functions, and time variability. We identified 49 SMC high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXB), four super-soft X-ray sources (SSS), 34 foreground stars, and 72 active galactic nuclei (AGN) behind the SMC. In addition, we found candidates for SMC HMXBs (45) and faint SSSs (8) as well as AGN (2092) and galaxy clusters (13). We present the most up-to-date catalogue of the X-ray source population in the SMC field. In particular, the known population of X-ray binaries is greatly increased. We find that the bright-end slope of the luminosity function of Be/X-ray binaries significantly deviates from the expected universal high-mass X-ray binary luminosity function.

The embodied image: imagination and imagery in architecture

Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1 Image in contemporary culture. Hegemony of the image. The demise of imagination. Image production and the feasibility of architecture. Architecture and the spectacle. Images of control and emancipation. The sense of the real. 2 Language, thought and image. Image and language. The philosophical image. The meanings of image and imagination. The nature of imagination. 3 The many faces of the image. The lived and embodied image. Images of matter. The multi-sensory image. The image as a condensation. The archetypal image in architecture. Architecture as mandala. The reality and unreality of the artistic image. The unconscious image. The metaphor. Image, affect and empathy. The collaged image. Images of incompleteness and destruction. Images of time. Illusionary image. The iconic image. The epic image. Poetic images as worlds. 4 The anatomy of the poetic image. The dual existence of the poetic image. Ontological difference. Significance of origins. The lived metaphor. Thinking through art. Historicity of the mind and poetic time. Unity of the arts: art and life. Aestheticisation and beauty. 5 The architectural image. Architecture and the world. Architecture as metaphor. Architecture as an organising image. Architecture as a verb. The house and the body. Historicity of architectural images. Primal architectural images and archetypes. The imagery of the window and the door. Dilution of images. The fragile image. Newness and tradition. Selected bibliography. Alphabetical index. Image credits.

CHANDRAOBSERVATION OF THE TeV SOURCE HESS J1834–087

Chandra ACIS observed the field of the extended TeV source HESS J1834-087 for 47 ks. A previous XMM-Newton EPIC observation of the same field revealed a point-like source (XMMU J183435.3-084443) and an offset region of faint extended emission. In the low-resolution, binned EPIC images the two appear to be connected. However, the high-resolution Chandra ACIS images do not support the alleged connection. Instead, in these images XMMU J183435.3-084443 is resolved into a point source, CXOU~J183434.9--084443 (L=2.5 x 10e33 ergs/s, for a distance of 4 kpc; photon index 1.1), and a compact (~20'') nebula with an isotropic morphology and a softer spectrum (L=4.2 x10e33 ergs/s, photon index 2.7). The nature of the nebula is uncertain. We discuss a dust scattering halo and a pulsar-wind nebula as possible interpretations. Based on our analysis of the X-ray data, we re-evaluate the previously suggested interpretations of HESS J1834-087 and discuss a possible connection to the Fermi LAT source 1FGL J1834.3-0842c. We also obtained an upper limit of 3 x 10e-14 ergs/s cm^2 on the unabsorbed flux of the SGR J1833--0832 (in quiescence), which happened to be in the ACIS field of view.

The 'Potential Mobilities' of Photography

The 'Potential Mobilities' of Photography

XMM-Newton observation of the classical T Tauri star SU Aurigae and the surrounding field

Aims. We investigate the properties of the X-ray emitting plasma of the classical T Tauri star SU Aurigae and of other sources in the field of view. Methods. We use XMM-Newton to obtain a high-resolution RGS spectrum of SU Aur as well as EPIC imaging data and lowresolution spectra of the star and of other X-ray sources in the surrounding field. We reconstruct the emission measure distribution of SU Aur from the RGS spectrum using a line-based method, and we perform multi-temperature fits of the MOS spectra of the strongest sources both for the full observation and for selected time intervals to study their spectral variability. Results. The emission from SU Aur is highly variable, showing three flares during the observation. The MOS spectra indicate a very hot corona, with significant emissivity up to ∼40 MK in quiescence, and temperatures up to 140 MK during flares. The emission measure distribution derived from the RGS spectrum peaks at logT = 7.0; any contribution to the X-ray luminosity from cool plasma (T ∼ 2 MK) cannot exceed 5% of the total emission. Abundances are ∼0.3−0.6 solar with the exception of Mg and Ne that are solar. Spatial analysis of the full EPIC field results in the detection of 104 X-ray sources, 6 of which are associated with the known Taurus-Auriga members in the field of view (including SU Aur). Conclusions. The characteristics of the X-ray emission of SU Aur are very similar to those of young active late-type stars, with a very hot corona and flares, suggesting magnetic activity as the origin of most of the X-ray emission, rather than accretion.

Unveiling the nature of the highly absorbed X-ray source SAX J1748.2-2808 with XMM-Newton

We report on the results of an EPIC XMM-Newton observation of the faint source SAXJ1748.2-2808 and the surrounding field. This source was discovered during the BeppoSAX Galactic center survey performed in 1997-1998. A spatial analysis resulted in the detection of 31 sources within the EPIC field of view. SAXJ1748.2-2808 is clearly resolved into 2 sources in EPIC images with the brighter contributing almost 80% of the 2-10keV flux. Spectral fits to this main source are consistent with an absorbed power-law with a photon index of 1.4+/-0.5 and absorption equivalent to 14E22cm-2 together with an iron line at 6.6+/-0.2 keV with an equivalent width of ~780eV. The significantly better statistics of the XMM-Newton observation, compared with BeppoSAX,allows to exclude a thermal nature for the X-ray emission. A comparison with other observations of SAXJ1748.2-2808 does not reveal any evidence for spectral or intensity long-term variability. Based on these properties we propose that the source is a low-luminosity high-mass X-ray binary located in the Galactic center region.

Strange magnification pattern in the large separation lens SDSS J1004+4112 from optical to X-rays

We present simultaneous XMM-Newton UV and X-ray observations of the quadruply lensed quasar SDSS J1004+4112 (RBS 825). Simultaneously with the XMM-Newton observations we also performed integral field spectroscopy on the two closest lens images A and B using the Calar Alto PMAS spectrograph. In X-rays the widely spaced components C and D are clearly resolved, while the closer pair of images A and B is marginally resolved in the XMM-EPIC images. The integrated X-ray flux of the system has decreased by a factor of 6 since it was observed in the ROSAT All Sky Survey in 1990, while the X-ray spectrum became much harder with the power law index evolving from $\Gamma=-2.3$ to $\Gamma=-1.86$. By deblending the X-ray images of the lensed QSO we find that the X-ray flux ratios between the lens images A and B are significantly different from the simultaneously obtained UV ratios and previously measured optical flux ratios. Our optical spectrum of lens image A shows an enhancement in the blue emission line wings, which has been observed in previous epochs as a transient feature. We propose a scenario where intrinsic UV and X-ray variability gives rise to line variations which are selectively magnified in image A by microlensing. The extended emission of the lensing cluster of galaxies is clearly detected in the EPIC images, we measure a 0.5–2.0 keV luminosity of 1.4 $\times$ $10^{44}~{\rm erg/s}$. Based on the cluster X-ray properties, we estimate a mass of $2{-}6$ $\times$ $10^{14}~M_\odot$.

Valuated Butler groups of finite rank

AbstractValuated Butler groups of finite rank are investigated. The valuated B2-groups are both epic images and pure subgroups of completely decomposable valuated groups of finite rank (Theorem 3.1). However, there are fundamental changes in the theory of Butler groups when valuations are involved. We introduce valuated B1-groups and show that they are valuated B2-groups. Surprisingly, valuated B2-groups of rank greater than 1 need not be valuated B1 -groups, unless they carry a special kind valuation, see Theorem 7.1. Theorem 6.5 gives a full characterization of valuated B1 -groups of finite rank, generalizing Bican's characterization of Butler groups.

Cumulative luminosity functions of the X-ray point source population in M31

We present preliminary results from a detailed analysis of the X-ray point sources in the XMM-Newton survey of M31. These sources are expected to be mostly X-ray binaries. We have so far studied 225 of the 535 sources found by automated source detection. Only sources which were present in all three EPIC images were considered. X-ray binaries are identified by their energy spectrum and power density spectrum. Unlike in other surveys we have obtained source luminosities from freely fit emission models. We present uncorrected luminosity functions of the sources analysed so far.