Rama Ravana Battle Scenes in Tamil Temple Sculptures

The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are immortal epics that are the treasury of Indian culture. Both epics convey the values and ideals that people need. The Ramayana written in the Northern language by Valmiki is in some way the source for other Indian language Ramayanas. Kambana in Tamil and Konaputharetti in Telugu have composed Kambaramayana and Iranganatha Ramayana respectively. Sculptures can be found in the temples of Tamil Nadu including these three language Ramayanas. Thus, it is possible to realize that literature and art are interrelated. Many of the Alvars in the Vaishnava literary four-thousandth Prabhupada exemplify the message of Ramavatara. Among the Alvars, Kulasekara gives the Ramavatara reference. References to the Ramayana are also baked into vegetarian literature. The Ashoka Pillar of the Mauryan period is the beginning of the stone sculpture. Horoscope Ramayana messages in India are inscribed on Buddhist monuments. Although Rama, Krishna and Narasimhan are notable among the three incarnations of the Vaishnava deity Thirumal in Tamil Nadu, the influence on the Ramayana is due to the large number of sculptures about Rama. The Vedic Cholas in Tamil Nadu have created Vaishnava Ramayana sculptures in their temples. The influence of Vaishnavism was greatest during the Vijayanagara Nayak period following the Chola period. The Vijayanagara Nayaks built roundabouts, planes, towers, etc., along with the foundations of the temple. Of these, sculptures were placed on stones and sutas. Ravanavatha is featured in the war to fulfill the purpose of Ramavatar. The battle of Rama Ravana and Ravanavatha can be seen in the temples of Tamil Nadu as sculptures of this event

Web impact assessment of identified higher education institutions in India

URL citations analysis is one of the methods for web impact assessment. This study classifies URL citations andidentifies the motivational factors behind such citations received by higher education institutions in India. Spearman andChi-square analyses were used to highlight the relationship between the institution groups and website categories.Chi-square test reveals that the National Institutes of Technology had more impact in each category of websites

A REVIEW ON THE INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES, Thrips parvispinus (KARNY) – BIOECOLOGY, HOST RANGE AND MANAGEMENT

Invasive alien species (IAS) are among the leading drivers of biodiversity loss, severely impacting agricultural ecosystems. Thrips parvispinus (Karny), commonly known as the Tobacco black thrips, has emerged as a major pest, affecting a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops globally. Native to Southeast Asia, T. parvispinus has rapidly expanded its distribution due to globalization, climate change, and international trade. This pest is characterized by its high reproductive rate, adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, and ability to displace native thrips species, resulting in extensive crop damage. T. parvispinus has been recorded in various regions, including Southeast Asia, Australia, Greece, and multiple Indian states, where it has significantly impacted chilli, papaya, and other economically important crops. The species undergoes a complex life cycle, with five immature stages, and exhibits a strong preference for flowers and leaves, causing severe plant damage. Population dynamics are influenced by factors such as host plant abundance, temperature, and light intensity. Moreover, T. parvispinus has been identified as a vector of plant viruses, further exacerbating its impact on agricultural production. This review consolidates existing knowledge on the bioecology, global distribution, host range, and population dynamics of T. parvispinus. It also explores sustainable management strategies to mitigate its effects on agriculture. Understanding its invasiveness is crucial for developing integrated pest management approaches to minimize economic losses and ensure sustainable crop production

Efficacy of Biorationals for the Management of Invasive Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny) under Semi Field Conditions

The present study was conducted during Rabi, 2023, in the pot culture yard of the Department of Entomology, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, to evaluate the bio-efficacy of five different biorationals against the invasive thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny). The experiment employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight treatments, including an untreated control and an absolute control, replicated five times. The efficacy of biorationals was assessed at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after application. All treatments significantly outperformed the control. Among the tested biorationals, five-leaf extracts (5%) and a combination of ginger, garlic, and green chili extracts (3%) demonstrated the highest efficacy, with the maximum thrips mortality percentage (61.21% and 60.97%, respectively). These were followed by herbal insect repellent (3%) and azadirachtin (1500 ppm). The least effective treatment was turmeric powder + lime extract (5%), which recorded a minimum mortality rate of 44.29%. The findings suggest that these eco-friendly biorationals could be potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides for managing T. parvispinus, emphasizing their role in sustainable pest management practices

MICROPLASTICS IN AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL INSECTS: A GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

Microplastic pollution is an escalating global concern, infiltrating both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and significantly affecting insect populations. These pollutants originate from industrial waste, synthetic textiles, packaging materials, and degraded plastic products, dispersing through water, air, and soil. Their pervasive presence enables interactions with diverse insect species across multiple habitats, raising concerns about their long-term ecological consequences. Aquatic insect larvae, such as those of mayflies and chironomids, ingest microplastics directly from contaminated water or indirectly through prey, leading to severe physiological disruptions. These include developmental abnormalities, increased mortality rates, and bioaccumulation, which can transfer up the food chain. Additionally, microplastics act as carriers of toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and endocrine disruptors, exacerbating their harmful effects on insect physiology and survival. Similarly, terrestrial insects, including honeybees, fruit flies, and silkworms, encounter microplastics via atmospheric deposition and contaminated food. Ingesting these particles can cause physiological stress, gut microbiota imbalance, reduced reproductive success, and immune suppression. Wood-feeding beetles and soil-dwelling insects, such as springtails, ingest plastic fibres, disrupting nutrient cycling. Ground-dwelling species, including ants, may experience behavioural modifications due to microplastic entanglement, impairing foraging and nest-building activities. This review highlights the ingestion, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of microplastics in insects, emphasizing their ecological risks. Despite growing evidence, research gaps persist regarding their long-term consequences. Addressing these challenges requires urgent research and policies on sustainable waste management and pollution control. Mitigating microplastic pollution is crucial for preserving insect biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functions

Biofilm Formation on Novel Human Prosthetic Metal Alloys

Human prosthetics are being utilized more frequently as the populations that require their use expand. These cohorts include elderly population, injured war veterans, and general public who suffer from serious accidental injury. Solid biomaterials with characteristics, such as high biocompatibility or corrosion resistance, are now being implanted in the human body more frequently for a wide range of purposes. However, implant-related infection is generally the most common serious complication. When bacteria adhere to and proliferate on the biomaterial surface, the bacteria produce extracellular polymeric substances, primarily polysaccharides, which mediate cell-to-cell adhesion and form a biofilm. Our long-term goal is to extend the life of a prosthetic implant by identifying new metal alloys that are less susceptible to bacterial colonization. Using two major biofilm-producing bacteria commonly found to colonize surgical implants, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we investigated the biocompatibility of novel metal alloys with regard to their susceptibility to biofilm propagation. The experimental biometal alloys examined were stainless steel (SS), commercially pure titanium (CPTi), titanium alloy (Ti64), dental grade titanium (Ty) and titanium-boron metal alloys. Biofilm formation was analyzed using crystal violet staining and fluorescent microscopy. Ideal experimental conditions were obtained using flasks or a biofilm reactor. Biofilm reactor experiments were performed with (continuous culture) or without (batch culture) a constant infusion of growth media during biofilm formation. Results indicate that, compared to SS, Titanium-boron metal alloys displayed the least biofilm formation by both bacteria. Specifically, Ti64+0.04%B and Ti64+0.1%B for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Ti+0.1%B for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, we show that, compared to traditional metals such as stainless steel and pure titanium, Titanium-boron metal alloys may be better alternatives as a modern prosthetic biometals

Serum magnesium at 18-20 weeks of gestation: can it be a predictor of gestational hypertension and fetomaternal outcome?

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is a major cause of maternal, fetal morbidity and mortality complicating 10% of all gestations. As effective treatments are very limited, prediction of HDP occurrence is most importance. Though many biomarkers have shown relationship with HDP, serum magnesium (Mg) has shown better predictor as involved in maintaining vascular contractility, tone. This study is intended to analyse incidence of GHT and fetomaternal outcome in pregnant women with normal and low serum magnesium level measured at mid trimester (18-20 weeks).Methods: A total of 105 consecutive singleton pregnant women in between 18-20 weeks of gestation attending OBG outpatient department were enrolled. After obtaining the informed consent, structured proforma was used to collect demographic, clinical details. Serum magnesium was measured by the colorimetric method and study participants were divided into two groups based on Mg cut off 1.5 mg/dl and followed up throughout pregnancy for fetomaternal outcome.Results: This study results revealed that 35.2% (37/105) pregnant women had serum Mg level < 1.5 mg/dl and mean value of Mg of all participant is 1.7 mg/dl, just above the lower limit. During follow-up of these two groups, statistically significant correlation between serum Mg levels (< 1.5 mg/dl) with GHT (8/12) occurrence and pre term birth was found. Other fetomaternal outcome not had significant correlation.Conclusions: As per the findings, serum Mg concentration measurement in between 18-20 weeks can be considered as a one of the predictors for subsequent occurrence of maternal outcome of GHT and fetal outcome of pre-term birth

Antimicrobial Peptides from Insects: An Overview

Bacteria are exceptionally adept at acquiring resistance to antibiotics and antiseptic agents, hence new antibiotics and strategies are therefore needed to deal with this threat. Several authors have reported the inhibitory effect of anti microbial peptides of animal origin on bacteria and research is on the rise about insect antimicrobial peptides. An attempt has been made to have a comprehensive review of the research work carried out on antimicrobial peptides from insects