The Taboric Light in the Hymns of the Vespers of the Transfiguration Feast

Man"™s purpose, by his own nature, is deification; he is called to mysteriously become god through his free collaboration with the grace of the Holy Spirit. In other words, man must partake in the radiance of godly glory and become a light similar to the One Who is Light and the source of Light. This calling is underlined many times in the writings of the mystics who experienced the becoming into light. The transfer of these mystical experiences can be found in a catechetic form in the liturgical rites gravitating around the feast of the Lord"™s Transfiguration. The content of these odes helps us understand that the partaking in the light radiating from the Being of the Trinity is not a request reserved only for those initiated in the Hesychastic life, but an offer made to all Christians who take part in Eucharistic life. They mysteriously rejoice at their partaking in the mystical Body of Jesus Christ. This suggests that actually living in the light of God"™s glory is a sine qua non condition for salvation. Keywords: Light, God"™s glory, Transfiguration, catechetics, Vesper &nbsp

EVALUATION THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME CONSOLIDANTS FOR PRESERVATION OF LIMESTONE IN HATHOR TEMPLE AT MEMHIS, EGYPT

AbstractMemphis city is the first capital of ancient Egypt; it's considered to be open-air museum to the ancient Egyptian archaeological buildings. Twenty kilometers to the south of Giza, the modern village of Mit- Rahina lies at the core of Memphis city. Hathor temple is one of the most important archaeological building in Mit- Rahina village, it was built of limestone by Ramesses II (19th Dynasty). The temple is comprises of a partially exposed colonnaded hall on the north, and that hall has spectacular capitals in the traditional form of Hathor as a human visage with bovine ears. The temple affected by several deterioration phenomena and patterns of damage which occurred by the time, as a result of exposing to many aggressive factors. The assessment of the current conservation state to the temple were performed, including studying the properties of limestone which is the main construction material of Hathor temple using X-ray diffraction, polarizing light microscopy (PLM) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental study was performed on samples of limestone using four consolidants to choose the best consolidant to the conservation of Hathor temple. To evaluate the consolidants, the physical and the mechanical properties of the treated samples were estimated, also aesthetical properties by visual examination, colorimetric measurements, as well static water contact angle and the morphologic study using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The evaluation methodology of consolidants efficiency is performed by comparing properties of the treated samples together, then comparing them with properties of untreated samples. The stability and efficiency of the consolidants was evaluated by repeating the measurement of static water contact angle for the treated samples after exposure to the artificial aging cycles. The study indicated that the most important deterioration factor affecting the temple is a salty ground water. The results obtained from studying of archeological limestone by investigation and analytical methods showed it is consist mainly of very fine grains of calcite, with minor amount of dolomite and rare quartz, opaque minerals, iron oxides and halite, with microfossils. It also suffers different kinds of degradation phenomena. The experimental study results showed that the nanocomposite (Nanorestor + M.T.M.O.S) is the most suitable for consolidation and protection of the limestone samples. Where, it showed higher compatibility in physico-chemical, mechanical and aesthetical properties with the limestone material and the best for resistance to artificial aging procedures, compared by other consolidants in this study

Ecology and life history of Paratomapoderus brachypterus in Gabon (Coleoptera: Attelabidae)

On the base of data collected during four expeditions in Gabon (West Africa) from 2012 to 2016, the authors provide new information on trophic activity and reproductive behaviour of Paratomapoderus brachypterus (Voss, 1926) (Attelabidae: Apoderinae, Hoplapoderini), with emphasis on leaf-roll realisation; host plant, leaf roll, larva and pupa are illustrated for the first time

East and West of the Carpathian Arc: Evidence of postglacial ecological and morpho-logical divergence of Phytoecia tigrina metapopulations (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

Phytoecia tigrina Mulsant (1851) is recognized as a species under strict protection EU Habitat Directive, it represents a focal point for conservation efforts across Europe. However, the dearth of comprehensive understanding regarding its biology, ecology, and geographical distribution poses formidable challenges to conservation endeavors. In the current study, we have delineated eight European and two Asian distinct metapopulations of Ph. tigrina across its geographic range, with a particular emphasis on elucidating its dispersion within the Circum-Carpathian region. This delineation serves to underscore the species' distribution, niche dimensions and limits of ecological tolerance that illuminate its adaptation capacity to diverse environmental conditions within the range. Our study has unveiled notable differentials in both morphological and ecological traits among Ph. tigrina metapopulations, notably between those located on the eastern and western flanks of the Carpathian Arc. Such differentials suggest the influence of divergent evolutionary trajectories, likely influenced by historical climatic changes during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene epochs. Significantly, specimens derived from eastern metapopulations exhibit morphological features of sufficient magnitude to warrant the proposition of a distinct subspecies, Phytoecia (Pilemia) tigrina podillica ssp. nov. This taxonomic delineation underscores the taxonomic complexity inherent within the Ph. tigrina species complex. Our investigations have further illuminated the historical dynamics of the species distribution, indicating the presence at least of two refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). These refugial enclaves, situated in the Sea of Marmara/Eastern Aegean Sea region and the Pannonian Plain, likely played pivotal roles in shaping contemporary distributional patterns. Moreover, our ecological niche modeling endeavors have elucidated rapid expansions of suitable habitat for Ph. tigrina during post-glacial epochs, notably the Preboreal and Boreal periods. These expansions aligned with the rapid dispersion of its host plant Cynoglottis barrelieri supplying colonization of new territories in the face of the fast-changing post-glacial environment. Our study underscores the intricate interplay between evolutionary history, environmental dynamics, and imperatives for conservation Ph. tigrina. By elucidating these complexities, we endeavor to furnish a robust foundation for future conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding this emblematic species and its associated habitats

ASSESSING CONSERVATION TREATMENTS OF THE MAIN FAÇADES OF MEDINET HABU TEMPLE, LUXOR–EGYPT

تقييم علاج وصيانة الواجهات الرئيسية لمعبد مدينة هابو، الآقصر – مصر [AR] تُركز هذه الورقة على المخاطر البيئية التي تؤثر على النقوش الجدارية بالواجهات الرئيسية للمعبد الجنائزي لرمسيس الثالث بالضفة الغربية للأقصر مع اقتراح أفضل المواد لحفظ هذه النقوش. لتحقيق هذا الغرض، تمت دراسة مواد البناء المستخدمة في المعبد، ونواتج التلف، والعوامل البيئية المحيطة. تم تحديد خصائص المواد من خلال الفحص البصرى، والميكروسكوب المستقطب، والميكروسكوب الإلكترونى الماسح المزود بوحدة التحليل العنصرى للأشعة السينية، وحيود الأشعة السينية (XRD)، وقياس التغيرات اللونية، وقياس زاوية التلامس مع الماء الثابت، مع تحديد بعض الخصائص الفيزيائية والميكانيكية. أظهرت النتائج أن النقوش الجدارية على الواجهات الرئيسية للمعبد في حالة خطيرة من الحفظ، حيث تأثرت بكثير من مظاهر وأنماط التلف مثل التقشر، والانفصال، والتحول إلى مسحوق، والتغير اللونى، وأنواع متعددة من الشروخ، وتراكم رواسب سطحية، والتفتت، وتزهرالأملاح، وأنواع مختلفة من الأضرار الميكانيكية المتعمدة مثل علامات التبرك (شحذ السكين)، والفجوات على مساحات واسعة وفي الكتل السفلية، والعديد من الحلقات التي تم نحتها فى العصور الوسطى حتى القرن الماضى لتأمين الحيوانات. وأظهرت النتائج التي تم الحصول عليها من دراسة الحجر الرملي الأثري بطرق الفحص والتحليل أنه يتكون بشكل أساسي من الكوارتز وكميات قليلة من الكاولين والكالسيت والهاليت مع كمية نادرة من الفلسبار والبيوتايت والزركون وأكاسيد الحديد ومعادن معتمة. [EN] This paper focuses on the environmental hazards affecting the wall reliefs at the main facades of the mortuary temple of Ramesses III at Luxor west bank, abreast with proposing the optimum materials to conserve these inscriptions. To achieve the aforementioned purpose; the building materials used in the structure, the deterioration products, and ambient environmental factors were studied. The materials were characterized by visual observations, polarized light microscope, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), colorimetric measurements, and static water contact angle, with some physical and mechanical properties. The results revealed that the wall reliefs on the main facades of the temple are in a serious preservation state, where affected by several deterioration phenomena and patterns of damage such as scaling, flaking, powdering, discoloration, multiple types of cracks, surface deposits, fragmentation, efflorescence of salts, the different types of intentional mechanical damage such as, blessing marks (knife whetting), gaps over wide areas, and on the lower blocks, there are many loops, which were carved from the middle ages until the last century for securing animals. The results obtained from studying archeological sandstone by investigation and analytical methods revealed that it consists mainly of quartz, minor amounts of kaolinite, calcite and halite with rare amount of feldspars, biotite, zircon, iron oxides, and opaques

Definitions of the phenotypic manifestations of sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a pleiotropic genetic disorder of hemoglobin that has profound multiorgan effects. The low prevalence of SCD ( approximately 100,000/US) has limited progress in clinical, basic, and translational research. Lack of a large, readily accessible population for clinical studies has contributed to the absence of standard definitions and diagnostic criteria for the numerous complications of SCD and inadequate understanding of SCD pathophysiology. In 2005, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers initiated a project to establish consensus definitions of the most frequently occurring complications. A group of clinicians and scientists with extensive expertise in research and treatment of SCD gathered to identify and categorize the most common complications. From this group, a formal writing team was formed that further reviewed the literature, sought specialist input, and produced definitions in a standard format. This article provides an overview of the process and describes 12 body system categories and the most prevalent or severe complications within these categories. A detailed Appendix provides standardized definitions for all complications identified within each system. This report proposes use of these definitions for studies of SCD complications, so future studies can be comparably robust and treatment efficacy measured. Use of these definitions will support greater accuracy in genotype-phenotype studies, thereby achieving a better understanding of SCD pathophysiology. This should nevertheless be viewed as a dynamic rather than final document; phenotype descriptions should be reevaluated and revised periodically to provide the most current standard definitions as etiologic factors are better understood, and new diagnostic options are developed