AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF TAMIL CULTURAL HERITAGE WITH REFERENCE TO SANGAM AGE

Over the course of two millennia, Tamil Nadu has amassed a rich cultural history that continues to flourish today. The significant cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu developed under the rule of dynasties that ruled the state at various times throughout history. Tamil Nadu is a representation of the unique Dravidian culture that emerged under the patronage of several kingdoms over the course of history. The social, economic, religious, and cultural activities of the Tamil people throughout the Sangam Age are what make Tamil Nadu and the Sangam Age special. During this time, there was progress across the board. These changes are documented in Sangam literatures and archaeological discoveries. During the Sangam era, Tamil society was split into a number of factions. The Vedic caste system of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Sudras did not exist in early Sangam Age Tamil society. This classification may be considered to generally equate to the Vedic Social division; nevertheless, the earliest of the Sangam literature, Tolkappiyam, makes reference to the four divisions common in the Sangam society, namely Anthanar, Arasar, Vaislyar, and Vellalar. Purananuru, another work from the Sangam, includes references to ancient Tamil tribes including the Thudiyan, Pannan, and Kadamban. The Sangam Age's intricate social structure can be seen in these divisions. Although Tamil Nadu is one of India's most urbanised states, the vast majority of its citizens still reside in rural areas

Anaerobic removal of 1-methoxy-2-propanol under ambient temperature in an EGSB reactor

Two laboratory-scale expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors were operated at 18 and 25 C, respectively, for the treatment of synthetic wastewater composed of ethanol and 1-methoxy-2-propanol (M2P) in a mass ratio of 4:1. Reactors were operated first with continuous wastewater supply and after with discontinuous substrate supply (5 days a week, 16 h a day) to simulate shift working conditions. Under continuous wastewater supply chemical oxygen demand (COD), removal efficiency higher than 95 % was achieved at the end of the trial applying organic loading rates (OLR) of 29 and 43 kg COD m-3 day-1 at 18 and 25 C; thus, corresponding to M2P OLR of 6.4 and 9.3 kg COD m-3 day-1, respectively. During intermittent supply of substrate, good performance was recorded at both temperatures with an OLR of 30 kg COD m-3 day-1 (M2P OLR of 6.6 kg COD m-3 day-1). After 56 h without substrate supply, a decline in methane yield of 15¿30 % was observed due to the deactivation of the biomass. Specific methanogenic activity (SMA) assays were carried out at the end of the experiments. SMA values using 1-methoxy-2-propanol as substrate were 24.3 and 7.8 ml CH4 gVSS-1 day-1 at 25 C and at 18 C, respectively. This is the first attempt to investigate the removal of 1-methoxy-2-propanol by EGSB reactors

Biomethanation potential of biological and other wastes

Anaerobic technology has been traditionally applied for the treatment of carbon rich wastewater and organic residues. Anaerobic processes can be fully integrated in the biobased economy concept for resource recovery. After a brief introduction about applications of anaerobic processes to industrial wastewater treatment, agriculture feedstock and organic fraction of municipal solid waste, the position of anaerobic processes in biorefinery concepts is presented. Integration of anaerobic digestion with these processes can help in the maximisation of the economic value of the biomass used, while reducing the waste streams produced and mitigating greenhouse gases emissions. Besides the integration of biogas in the existing full-scale bioethanol and biodiesel production processes, the potential applications of biogas in the second generation lignocellulosic, algae and syngas-based biorefinery platforms are discussed.(undefined

Comparative genomics reveals diversity among xanthomonads infecting tomato and pepper

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacterial spot of tomato and pepper is caused by four <it>Xanthomonas </it>species and is a major plant disease in warm humid climates. The four species are distinct from each other based on physiological and molecular characteristics. The genome sequence of strain 85-10, a member of one of the species, <it>Xanthomonas euvesicatoria </it>(<it>Xcv</it>) has been previously reported. To determine the relationship of the four species at the genome level and to investigate the molecular basis of their virulence and differing host ranges, draft genomic sequences of members of the other three species were determined and compared to strain 85-10.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We sequenced the genomes of <it>X. vesicatoria </it>(<it>Xv</it>) strain 1111 (ATCC 35937), <it>X. perforans </it>(<it>Xp</it>) strain 91-118 and <it>X. gardneri </it>(<it>Xg</it>) strain 101 (ATCC 19865). The genomes were compared with each other and with the previously sequenced <it>Xcv </it>strain 85-10. In addition, the molecular features were predicted that may be required for pathogenicity including the type III secretion apparatus, type III effectors, other secretion systems, quorum sensing systems, adhesins, extracellular polysaccharide, and lipopolysaccharide determinants. Several novel type III effectors from <it>Xg </it>strain 101 and <it>Xv </it>strain 1111 genomes were computationally identified and their translocation was validated using a reporter gene assay. A homolog to Ax21, the elicitor of XA21-mediated resistance in rice, and a functional Ax21 sulfation system were identified in <it>Xcv</it>. Genes encoding proteins with functions mediated by type II and type IV secretion systems have also been compared, including enzymes involved in cell wall deconstruction, as contributors to pathogenicity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Comparative genomic analyses revealed considerable diversity among bacterial spot pathogens, providing new insights into differences and similarities that may explain the diverse nature of these strains. Genes specific to pepper pathogens, such as the O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide cluster, and genes unique to individual strains, such as novel type III effectors and bacteriocin genes, have been identified providing new clues for our understanding of pathogen virulence, aggressiveness, and host preference. These analyses will aid in efforts towards breeding for broad and durable resistance in economically important tomato and pepper cultivars.</p

6. Occipitalization of Atlas: A case report.

Occipitalization of atlas is an osseous anomaly of the cranio-vertebral junction which occurs at the base of the skull in the region of the foramen magnum due to failure of segmentation and separation of the most caudal occipital sclerotome and the first cervical sclerotome during the first few weeks of foetal life. Atlas is the first cervical vertebra and the atlanto-occipital joint belongs to ellipsoid variety of synovial joints. It does not have a body like other vertebrae. Rarely, it gets occipitalized, where the lateral masses of the atlas vertebra fuse with the condyles of the occipital bone. One skull showing Occipitalization of Atlas was observed in the Department of Anatomy, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The knowledge of such a fusion may be of importance for radiologists, anaesthesiologists, orthopaedic and neurosurgeons because skeletal abnormalities at the cranio-cervical junction may result in sudden unexpected death. It can result in dysphagia, dysarthria or torticollis because of compression of cranial nerves. They should be aware that such an anomaly may exist without any typical symptomatic presentation, and thus, serious consequences of upper cervical spinal manipulative therapy may arise when a complete and adequate clinical assessment is missed