Kambar's usage of “Moongai”, a Jain vocabulary

Yeomen service has been accomplished by Tamil literary poets, who, by reintroduction of innumerable classic Tamil words and coinage of words, in their versatile creations, have not only safeguarded but also revitalized the abundant wealth of Tamil vocabulary. Kambar is at the pinnacle of this glorious legacy. His epic Kambaramayanam, uses innumerable classic words, thereby safeguarding an abundance of vocabulary. This article is an exploration on one such unique word used by him, “Moongai”, analyzing on his usage, frequency and context of usage and whether this word has been used in any other literary works pre-dating Kambar as also the etymology of the word and the times scale when the word was commonly used. This research is also draws a comparative, historical and literary evidence-based analysis of the usage of the word by Kambar as against its usage in other literary works

“Thumi”, A Word Coined by Kambar and its usage in other Literature

A language is an assemblage of words, usually evolved over hundreds of years. The progression of Tamil as a language, however, has been over thousands of years. A word in Tamil is not just a stand-alone, it is an archival embodiment of the culture, civilization and history of the period during which it originated for usage. Consequently, when the usage of a Tamil word is forgotten, it implies that the culture, civilization and history of the period of its origin is also lost. Kambar must have, realizing this, recorded a multitude of words in his epics. Many of the words he has so recorded have the distinctiveness of their usage having been lost before his time. He has also recorded words originated during his era. One such word is “Thumi”. The present research aims to examine with references as to whether the word in fact originated during Kambar’s era? What does the word mean? Have literary works before Kambar’s era, used the word? If so, in what meaning was it used? How has the word been used in literary works subsequent to Kambar’s era

Business innovations in a recession: a meso perspective of inbound tour operators

Recent downturns pose challenges to many industries and businesses are constantly searching for ways to improve and stabilize their returns. Most tourism and business literature concerning inbound tour operators tends to focus on market specific and the positive relations between inbound tourism and economic development (Cortes and Pulina 2010), factors affecting inbound tourism (Phakdisoth and Kim 2007, Saayman and Saayaman 2008). This paper in many ways fills the gap in tourism literature where seldom the element of recession is mixed with inbound operators' challenges. The harsh reality of a business dependent on inbound tourist arrivals demands a high degree of versatility and adaptability to seasonal travel patterns and economic volatility. While most tour operators specialize in external and domestic markets, there are few who extend their reach beyond standard operations. This research investigates a travel agency's, (Singapore Sightseeing Tour East), experience of the 2001-2003 recession and the innovative steps taken to circumvent the recession and its continued relevance to contemporary economic situations. Based on this Inbound Tour Operator's challenges and innovative turnarounds, this paper will present successful strategies for penetrating and creating markets. Using case study analysis with archival evidence of the company's records and interviews, the research adopts a qualitative method to understand the tour operator's initiatives. The study, though limited to Singapore's specific context, has wider implications for inbound tour operators in similar situations elsewhere

Dynamic Interactive Voice Response System Using Ontology and Java Expert System Shell

AbstractInteractive Voice Response (IVR) System is a technology that permits automated technologies to interact by way of customers via voice or Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signalling keypad. An IVR system (IVRS) receives a combination of speech telephone input and keypad choice and affords suitable responses in the custom of voice. This paper is about the Dynamic IVRS for service oriented applications. In this system the request and response are handled as a services. The services can co-operate with each further to convey sophisticated added-value services. Ontologies are designed to maintain the insufficient information, hidden facts, knowledge sharing and also to handle the complete service functionalities. An ontology is a depiction (like a proper specification of a program) of the concepts and relationships that can exist for a customer. This system uses Java Expert System Shell for dynamic menu generation. JESS is a rule-engine and scripting environment which has the capability to context analysing by its intelligence. The objective of this paper is to reduce the execution delay which is measured in terms of the call length. This research optimizes the search space using Finite State Machine (FSM). It leads to better utilization and virtualization of IVR system

Importance of Architecture and Planning of Kanchipuram and the Dynamics of Implementing Architectural Restoration

The importance of traditional architecture and planning of Kanchipuram is expressed through a set of objective and subjective map based indicators. The analysis is done at the block level. The results brings out values expressing the epitome of the traditional architecture and planning. The paper presents the map based analysis of the traditional core. The map based analysis perceives changes in the tissues of the study area. The paper emphasizes the importance of social activities as a key to good urban life. The importance of social activities in par with physical component holding it is also presented. A subjective note on climatic considerations at the block level is given based on observations. To compliment conservation measures, a feasibility study to revamp vernacular elements in the modern facades of the city is probed. Stated preference survey method was adopted for the feasibility study. Emphasis is given to public participation and professional involvement in the process of planning and implementing conservation measures. The measures shall realize economic development and life processes. Further certain morale ethics involved in the process methods of planning is discussed. Though the changes are high; the city upholds bright quos towards conservation pertaining to acceptance of traditional aspects and the urge for socialization

Ultrasonic studies on interionic interactions of some alkali metal halides in aqueous d-glucose solution at varying molalities and temperatures

The  present experimental investigation was carried out in order to explore the possible molecular interionic interactions of alkali metal halides namely, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium bromide and potassium iodide in aqueous D-glucose solution at 303.15, 308.15K and 313.15 K. Experimental values of density (ρ), viscosity (η) and ultrasonic velocities (U) were carried out on the liquid ternary mixtures of water +D-glucose + alkali metal halides The binary solvent mixture of water + D-glucose was prepared under molality(m) basis say, at two fixed   molalities (0.2 and 0.4mol.kg-1). Alkali metal halides (NaCl, KCl, KBr and KI) were added under different molalities with these binary solvent mixtures. The related and relevant parameters correlated to our present study such as adiabatic compressibility (b), molal hydration number (nH), apparent molal compressibility (jk), apparent molal volume (jv), limiting apparent molal compressibility ( ), limiting apparent molal volume ( ) and their associated constants (SK, SV), partial transfer volume (∆ ) from water to aqueous solution were determined. In order to stress more on the viscometric data to substantiate its importance, the viscosity B-coefficient has been meticulously evaluated, The present investigation has exploited the possible molecular associations such as ion-ion, ion-solvent, solute-solvent, solute-solute etc., which are identified and eventually discussed about the behaviour of solutes (alkali metal halides) in the solvent mixture

Ultrasonic studies on interionic interactions of some alkali metal halides in aqueous d-glucose solution at varying molalities and temperatures

The present experimental investigation was carried out in order to explore the possible molecular interionic interactions of alkali metal halides namely, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium bromide and potassium iodide in aqueous D-glucose solution at 303.15, 308.15K and 313.15 K. Experimental values of density (ρ), viscosity (η) and ultrasonic velocities (U) were carried out on the liquid ternary mixtures of water +D-glucose + alkali metal halides The binary solvent mixture of water + D-glucose was prepared under molality(m) basis say, at two fixed   molalities (0.2 and 0.4mol.kg-1). Alkali metal halides (NaCl, KCl, KBr and KI) were added under different molalities with these binary solvent mixtures. The related and relevant parameters correlated to our present study such as adiabatic compressibility (b), molal hydration number (nH), apparent molal compressibility (jk), apparent molal volume (jv), limiting apparent molal compressibility ( ), limiting apparent molal volume ( ) and their associated constants (SK, SV), partial transfer volume (∆ ) from water to aqueous solution were determined. In order to stress more on the viscometric data to substantiate its importance, the viscosity B-coefficient has been meticulously evaluated, The present investigation has exploited the possible molecular associations such as ion-ion, ion-solvent, solute-solvent, solute-solute etc., which are identified and eventually discussed about the behaviour of solutes (alkali metal halides) in the solvent mixture.&nbsp

Graduate Employability Skills for the Hospitality Industry in Singapore: A comparison between onset and recovery stages of COVID-19

Background - Singapore holds status as a mecca ‘tourism and hospitality’ hub. Yet, its tertiary education for Tourism and Hospitality has not followed the growth patterns of the industry. The Skills Futures Framework of the Singapore Tourism Board presents government’s predictions of a dire need for qualified staff and intentions to resource the industry through five tracks that lead to 69 different in-demand roles. Purpose – This paper seeks to identify the employability skills evident for some of the in-demand roles. It examines if there has been a shift in the employability skills since the onset of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach – Data was collected in March-November 2020 and November-December 2021, from websites advertising jobs for the Hospitality Industry. Job descriptions for a range of positions were gathered, focusing on junior to senior management roles. NVivo 12 Plus was used to collate and analyse the data. Findings – Inductive thematic analysis protocols indicated that there is a shift in the top five skills for the roles between the onset and recovery stages of COVID-19. Most prominent is an emerging focus on teamwork; sales and marketing; customer service and guest experience, business acumen, and communication. Implications – While similar skills continue to be sought for supervisory-managerial roles in the Hospitality Industry since the onset of COVID-19, there is a greater focus on skills that will help organisations to pivot and build their teams and brands so as to enhance customer service and revenue. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited by its focus on Singapore. Future research can extend the research by examining job roles in other countries

Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome causing mutation, Pro373Ser restricts conformational changes essential for WASP activity in T-cells

AbstractWiskott–Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is caused by mutations in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) and majority of the mutations are found in the WASP Homology 1 (WH1) domain which mediates interaction with WIP (WASP Interacting Protein), a WASP chaperone. Two point mutations together in the proline rich region (PRR) domain of WASP (S339Y/P373S) have been reported to cause WAS however the molecular defect has not been characterized. Expression of these mutants separately (WASPRS339Y, WASPRP373S) or together (WASPRSP/YS) did not rescue the chemotaxis defect or membrane projection defect of JurkatWKD T-cells (WASP knockdown). This is not due to the inability of WASP-PRR mutants to form functional WASP–WIP complex in growth rescue experiments in las17Δ yeast strain. Expression of WASPRS339Y but not WASPRP373S or WASPRSP/YS rescued the IL-2 expression defect of JurkatWKD T-cells, suggesting that Pro373Ser mutation alone is sufficient to inhibit WASP functions in T-cell activation. The diffused localization of WASP-PRR mutants in activated Jurkat T-cells suggests that Ser339 and Pro373 are critical for WASP localization. WASP-PRR mutations either together or individually did not abolish interaction of WASP with sixteen WASP binding proteins including Hck, however they caused reduction in Hck mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of WASP which is critical for WASP activity. The auto-inhibitory conformation of WASPP373S mutant was not relieved by the binding of Toca-1 or Nck1. Thus, our results suggest that Pro373Ser mutation reduces Tyr291 phosphorylation and prevents conformational changes required for WASP activity in chemotaxis and T-cell activation. Thus Pro3373Ser is probably responsible for all the defects associated with WAS in the patients