Ancient Woods, Trees and Forests

As trees age, they become ecologically richer and more full of life. The process of a tree, wood or forest becoming ‘ancient’, however defined, involves a vast and subtle web of relations – among the trees themselves, with other organisms, with the wider landscape and with human beings. A single tree can provide a vast array of habitats which are an integral part of the complex co-evolutionary relationships evolved over its lifetime and later during its sometimes long afterlife. From ancient times until today, trees and woods have inspired artists, writers and scientists; they have shaped cultures and reverberated through belief systems. Yet worldwide, forest cover has declined dramatically over the last 1,000 years, and what remains has been more or less altered from its original condition. Today, ‘virgin forests’ are only to be found at a few sites unreachable by humans, and even then they are affected by climate change, atmospheric pollution and species extinctions. The aim of this book is to help an understanding of the web of connections relating to ancient trees and woodlands, and to offer techniques to ensure effective conservation and sustainability of this precious resource. This book considers the key issues from a range of different aspects and varied geographical locations, beginning with fundamental concepts and reflecting on the strengths and limitations of the idea of ancient trees. Individual chapters then deal with cultural heritage, the archaeology of trees, landscape history, forest rights, tree management, saproxylic insects, the importance of dead wood, practical conservation and monitoring, biodiversity, and wood pasture among many other themes. Fresh perspectives are put forward from across Europe as far as Turkey, as well as Great Britain. Overall, given the urgent need to discover, understand, conserve and restore ancient woodlands and trees, this publication will raise awareness, foster enthusiasm and inspire wonder.

Traditional Water Conservation Techniques in India

Water conservation is a practice needed for survival. In India, various techniques are used to save water, which are practical and climate-responsive. From the age of the Indus valley civilization, till today many practices are seen in different parts of India. The traditional practices used for conserving water and even cooling buildings in ancient times. Forts surrounded water bodies for protection from enemies. Indians continue to build structures to catch and store the monsoon rains. Some unique water conservation techniques are still practiced in India and are efficient. These are sometimes better than the presentday water-saving techniques. The paper summarizes the transformation over the years in the construction and advancements of water conservation practices in India. In dry regions, these practices have helped people survive tough times. Keywords: Rain water harvesting, Storage, Tanks, Traditional methods, Water conservation

History of the Study of Imitative in General Linguistics

The history of the origin of imitative has ancient roots. People have been interested in imitations since ancient times. Not only linguists, but also even philosophers, psychologists, to one degree or another at different times, have addressed the problem of sound visualization. Imitative vocabulary helps to increase the imagery and emotional expressiveness of the word. However, due to its complex nature, for some time, linguists of various languages did not conduct serious research on the linguistic functions of imitative words. However, they are often found in oral folk art and fiction, giving these texts artistic and poetic meaning, expressiveness, imagery, artistic power and accessibility, liveliness and dynamism, all this has led, now, to the fact that linguists began to pay close attention the study of this unusual group of words. Тhey are divided into types, separated into a special part of speech, they are used in the formation of new words, they act as members of a sentence.

Comprehensive Analysis and Assessment of the Role of Major Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Justicia Adhatoda Leaves as Potent Antimycobacterial Agents

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the world's leading causes of death by the infectious pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which infects one-third of the global population. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic made its spread rapid and the treatment task more daunting. With the havoc of infectious disease expansion, traditional medicines have triggered tremendous interest worldwide. However, less availability of scientific evidence still hinders its practical use. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of the traditional medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda, which has been used to treat respiratory ailments since ancient times. We have successfully isolated and characterized several bioactive compounds viz- Vasicoline, Vasicolinone, Adhatodine, Adhavasine, Aniflorine, and Vasicinone from J. adhatoda plant leaves, including Vasicine as the principal compound, and showed their anti-tubercular activity on nutrient-starved Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis. The study also directs their in-vitro and ex-vivo antimycobacterial potential on THP1 macrophages with internalized Mycobacterium. Our study is one of its first kind, where we assessed the synergistic antimycobacterial effect of the isolated compounds with the first-line drug Isoniazid (INH). Their potential role in promoting phagolysosome fusion and apoptosis of M. bovis infected THP1 macrophages is further evaluated.

The Five Ancient Criteria of Democracy: The Apotheosis of Equality

Democracy in ancient Athens was different from what is implemented today even in the most advanced democracies. To evaluate this difference, this paper presents five criteria of democracy and then applies them to ancient Athens and modern advanced democracies. In comparison and according to five criteria, modern democracies are inferior to what the eligible citizens of Ancient Athens enjoyed. The ancient Greek literature on the subject has identified five criteria of democracy which neither today nor in ancient times were fully satisfied. The democracy today satisfies some but not all five criteria. This was also true for the ancient (Athenian) democracy. They differ in which criteria they satisfied. Of course, each criterion is fulfilled to a certain extent and this may differentiate modern from ancient democracy. These issues are discussed in this paper.

Precision and Advanced Nano-Phytopharmaceuticals for Therapeutic Applications

Phytopharmaceuticals have been widely used globally since ancient times and acknowledged by healthcare professionals and patients for their superior therapeutic value and fewer side-effects compared to modern medicines. However, phytopharmaceuticals need a scientific and methodical approach to deliver their components and thereby improve patient compliance and treatment adherence. Dose reduction, improved bioavailability, receptor selective binding, and targeted delivery of phytopharmaceuticals can be likely achieved by molding them into specific nano-formulations. In recent decades, nanotechnology-based phytopharmaceuticals have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of various communicable and non-communicable diseases. Nanotechnology combined with phytopharmaceuticals broadens the therapeutic perspective and overcomes problems associated with plant medicine. The current review highlights the therapeutic application of various nano-phytopharmaceuticals in neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastro-intestinal disorders. We conclude that nano-phytopharmaceuticals emerge as promising therapeutics for many pathological conditions with good compliance and higher acceptance.

Analogy and Intertextuality in Polish and Persian legends

Legends and folktales are an indispensable part of the literature and culture of any nation. They are reflection of the culture, civilization and customs of every nation, which is part of the literature and history of each country. They have also carried moral, philosophical and national messages since ancient times and their main purpose has been to educate the next generation and to transmit cultural and national concepts. This article tries to analyze two cultures by focusing on their legends and folktales based on their literary and historical background.

Changes in the Field of Library and Information Science from Ancient Time to the Present Time: A Study

If we throw light on the history of the libraries in India, and then one main fact comes to light that the history of the libraries in India is a thousand of years old. The development of libraries in India can be divided in to Ancient Period, Middle Period, Mughal Period and Modern Period. Libraries existed those days when education was concentrated in Gurukul. Those days Guru was like a moving Library and they had unlimited store of knowledge. Over time, writing and ink began to be used and texts were also produced. In ancient times, handwritten texts were wrapped in cloth and leaf blisters because the art of printing was not invented at that time, But with the time the art of printing was invented and texts started to be printed and libraries came in to existence. The demolition of ancient cities which have been obtained by excavation is a proof that libraries existed in ancient times as well. Nalanda University established in ancient time had a three story Library Building called Ratnodadhi, Ratnasagar and Ratnaranjak. Similarly, temples and monasteries also had their own libraries which used to support religious and educational institutions. Father of Library Science Dr. S.R.Ranganathan who was presented the five laws of Library Science, his untiring efforts resulted in unlimited growth/development in the field of Library Science and the Library received a new direction and helped to give scientific form to the Library Service.

Analogy and Intertextuality in Polish and Persian legends

Legends and folktales are an indispensable part of the literature and culture of any nation. They are reflection of the culture, civilization and customs of every nation, which is part of the literature and history of each country. They have also carried moral, philosophical and national messages since ancient times and their main purpose has been to educate the next generation and to transmit cultural and national concepts. This article tries to analyze two cultures by focusing on their legends and folktales based on their literary and historical background.

Theater Structure and Techniques in Sangam Period

A country that excels in the arts is considered a civilized country. The arts created in a country play an important role in determining the cultural development of a country. Ancient Tamils have been interested in art since ancient times. They have cultivated fine arts such as music, dance, painting, sculpture and architecture. Drama is one of the arts thus nurtured. Although references to the play are found in the Sangam literature, references to their performances are scarce. On this basis it cannot be dared that the play did not take place in the Sangam period. Evidence of sporadic performance can be seen. Theatrical arrangement, lighting and curtains are a perfect complement to the plays performed in the form of koothu during the Sangam period. This article seeks to explore the concepts behind these.