• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1517-1526
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• 2018

Investigating bacterial diversity and its metabolic capabilities is crucial for interpreting the ecological patterns in a desert environment and assessing the presence of exploitable microbial resources. In this study, we evaluated the spatial heterogeneity of physicochemical parameters, soil bacterial diversity and metabolic adaptation at meter scale. Soil samples were collected from two quadrats of a desert (Thar Desert, India) with a hot, arid climate, very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. Analysis of physico-chemical parameters and subsequent variance analysis (p-values < 0.05) revealed that sulfate, potassium and magnesium ions were the most variable between the quadrats. Microbial diversity of the two quadrats was studied using Illumina bar-coded sequencing by targeting V3-V4 regions of 16S rDNA. As for the results, 702504 high-quality sequence reads, assigned to 173 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at species level, were examined. The most abundant phyla in both quadrats were Actinobacteria (38.72%), Proteobacteria (32.94%), and Acidobacteria (9.24%). At genus level, Gaiella represented highest prevalence, followed by Streptomyces, Solirubrobacter, Aciditerrimonas, Geminicoccus, Geodermatophilus, Microvirga, and Rubrobacter. Between the quadrats, significant difference (p-values < 0.05) was found in the abundance of Aciditerrimonas, Geodermatophilus, Geminicoccus, Ilumatobacter, Marmoricola, Nakamurella, and Solirubrobacter. Metabolic functional mapping revealed diverse biological activities, and was significantly correlated with physicochemical parameters. The results revealed spatial variation of ions, microbial abundance and functional attributes in the studied quadrats, and patchy nature in local scale. Interestingly, abundance of the biotechnologically important phylum Actinobacteria, with large proposition of unclassified species in the desert, suggested that this arid environment is a promising site for bioprospection.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.184-194
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• 2015

A compressive description of tropical milky white mushroom (Calocybe indica P&C var. APK2) is provided in this review. This mushroom variety was first identified in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and can be cultivated on a wide variety of substrates, at a high temperature range ($30{\sim}38^{\circ}C$). However, no commercial cultivation was made until 1998. Krishnamoorthy 1997 rediscovered the fungus from Tamil Nadu, India and standardized the commercial production techniques for the first time in the world. This edible mushroom has a long shelf life (5~7 days) compared to other commercially available counterparts. A comprehensive and critical review on physiological and nutritional requirements viz., pH, temperature, carbon to nitrogen ratio, best carbon source, best nitrogen source, growth period, growth promoters for mycelia biomass production; substrate preparation; spawn inoculation; different supplementation and casing requirements to increase the yield of mushrooms has been outlined. Innovative and inexpensive methods developed to commercially cultivate milky white mushrooms on different lignocellulosic biomass is also described in this review. The composition profiles of milky white mushroom, its mineral contents and non-enzymatic antioxidants are provided in comparison with button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Antioxidant assay results using methanol extract of milky white mushroom has been provided along with the information about the compounds that are responsible for flavor profile both in fresh and dry mushrooms. Milky white mushroom extracts are known to have anti-hyperglycemic effect and anti-lipid peroxidation effect. The advantage of growing at elevated temperature creates newer avenues to explore milky white mushroom cultivation economically around the world, especially, in humid tropical and sub-tropical zones. Because of its incomparable productivity and shelf life to any other cultivated mushrooms in the world, milky white mushroom could play an important role in satisfying the growing market demands for edible mushrooms in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.351-361
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• 2003

As the launches of a series of remote sensing satellites, there are various multiresolution and multi-spectral images available nowadays. This diversity in remotely sensed image data has created a need to be able to integrate data from different sources. The C-band imaging radar of ERS-2 due to its high sensitivity to coastal wetlands holds tremendous potential in mapping and monitoring coastal wetland features. This paper investigates the advantages of using ERS-2 SAR data combined with IRS-ID LISS-3 data for mapping complex coastal wetland features of Tamil Nadu, southern India. We present a methodology in this paper that highlights the mapping potential of different combinations of filtering and integration techniques. The methodology adopted here consists of three major steps as following: (i) speckle noise reduction by comparative performance of different filtering algorithms, (ii) geometric rectification and coregistration, and (iii) application of different integration techniques. The results obtained from the analysis of optical and microwave image data have proved their potential use in improving interpretability of different coastal wetland features of southern India. Based visual and statistical analyzes, this study suggests that brovey transform will perform well in terms of preserving spatial and spectral content of the original image data. It was also realized that speckle filtering is very important before fusing optical and microwave data for mapping coastal mangrove wetland ecosystem.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2024

Objectives: Children with disabilities may exhibit a multitude of symptoms, and treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach for a satisfactory outcome. Lack of awareness among physicians, lack of referral, and lack of inter-sectoral coordination have hindered paediatric practice in Tamil Nadu, a state in India with a striking childhood disability rate that warrants a timely interdisciplinary approach. However, the perspectives of paediatricians on paediatric physiotherapy are unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the perspectives of practicing paediatric physicians in Chennai on the role of physiotherapy in paediatrics. Methods: For an in-depth exploration, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted in person with 10 paediatricians. Audio from the sessions was recorded and transcribed, and data saturation was achieved through iterative analysis. Results: A grounded theory analysis of the results yielded 5 domains under which the perspectives and expectations of the physicians were described, along with the barriers experienced by patients' parents as explained by their paediatrician. The responses highlighted deficits in awareness, structural support, accessibility and direct communication between physicians and physiotherapists. Conclusions: Paediatric physicians have different opinions, and some ignorance persists concerning paediatric physiotherapy. This study warrants a proper structure of the paediatric rehabilitation unit and regular interdisciplinary meetings and focus group discussions to increase access for parents and improve patient outcomes.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2007

Andrographis stenophylla C. B. Clarke., (Acanthaceae) is an erect glabrous undershrub with very narrow leaves and stems from a stout rootstock, the corolla pale with dark red stripes. The plant grows in hills of about 1200 meters height in South India. No scientific work reports are available with regard to this plant. The present study, thus deals with the detailed pharmacognostical evaluation of the plant A. stenophylla using light and confocal microscopy, WHO recommended physico-chemical determinations and authentic phytochemical procedures. The physico-chemical, morphological and histological parameters presented in this paper may be proposed as parameters to establish the authenticity of A. stenophylla and can possibly help to differentiate the drug from its other species.

• 한국공간정보시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.359-362
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• 2007

Estimation of carbon in the natural forest regions is a pre-requisite for carbon management. In the light of increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, the amount of carbon present in the plants and soils are very much needed to estimate the sequestered carbons stock of any region. Carbon stock estimation studies are limited in India, especially in the natural forest regions of Eastern ghats of Tamil Nadu. Remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) were used along with extensive field and laboratory works to estimate the carbon stock in the living biomass and soil. About five forest types were identified and mapped using satellite data. The total biomass carbon including above and below ground were 2.74 Tg and the total soil organic carbon was 3.48 Tg. This study has yielded significant information about the carbon stock in a natural forest region and it could be used for future comparative studies.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.419-430
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• 2020

Weibull distribution is a conspicuous distribution known for its accuracy and its usage for wind energy analysis. The two and three parameter Weibull distributions are adopted in this study to fit wind speed data. The daily mean wind speed data of Ennore, Tamil Nadu, India has been used to validate the procedure. The parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood method, least square method and moment method. Four statistical tests namely Root mean square error, R2 test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Anderson-Darling test are employed to inspect the fitness of Weibull probability density functions. The value of shape factor, scale factor, wind speed and wind power are determined at a height of 100m using extrapolation of numerical equations. Also, the value of capacity factor is calculated mathematically. This study provides a way to evaluate feasible locations for wind energy assessment, which can be used at any windy site throughout the world.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2013

This paper discusses awareness of institutional repositories and open access publishing among faculty members in Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India. The authors distributed 200 questionnaires among the faculty members in Annamalai University. Out of 200 questionnaires, 160 responses (80.00%) were received from faculty members. The respondents mentioned the motivating factors while using an institutional repository and indicated the benefits, constraints and strategies to develop open access in publications. It is evident from the table that more than 95% among the average of the faculty members confirm the benefits of open access in publications. 150 (93.75%) of faculty members have awareness, 6 (3.75%) have no idea and 4 (2.50%) state no opinion about awareness of institutional repository and open access publishing.

• Mycobiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.248-251
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• 2013

Ganoderma is a cosmopolitan wood-rot basidiomycete that has been extensively studied for its pathogencity and medicinal properties. Identification of Ganoderma based on macro-microscopic features led to large number of synonyms which resulted in 250 taxonomic names. A Ganoderma species collected from Courtallam, Tamil Nadu was identified as G. cupreum. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from internal transcribed spacer rDNA region resolved the Indian isolate MYC1 as Ganoderma cupreum which clustered with Australian and Asian "cupreum" clade with 85% bootstrap support BS and shared 99% and 98% nucleotide similarity with Malaysian and Australian 'cupreum' respectively. This study represents the first molecular evidence of G. cupreum from Asian origin.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.694-703
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• 2013

In electric power system, the line stability indices adopted in most of the instances laid stress on variation of reactive power than real power variation of the transmission line. In this paper, a proposal is made with the formulation of a New Voltage Stability Index (NVSI) which originates from the equation of a two bus network, neglecting the resistance of transmission line, resulting in appreciable variations in both real and reactive loading. The efficacy of the index and fuzzy based load flow are validated with IEEE 30 bus and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) 69 bus system, a practical system in India. The results could prove that the identification of weak bus and critical line in both systems is effectively done. The weak area of the practical system and the contingency ranking with overloading either line or generator outages are found by conducting contingency analysis using NVSI.