Population affinities of Parsis in the Indian subcontinent

The present study was an attempt to document changes in frequencies of dental morphology traits and understand phenetic affinities of Parsis, who migrated to the Indian subcontinent around the 8th century. Despite successfully integrating themselves into the Indian society, they have retained their ethnicity and distinct cultural practices. This study was conceived as a result of an excavation at the site of Sanjan, Gujarat which, as per historical records, is believed to be the first town in the Indian subcontinent with a large Parsi settlement thereby facilitating a diachronic comparison between the ancestral and extant Parsi groups. We compared and analysed dental traits between the two groups expecting a very close relationship between them owing to their ancestor–descendent relationship. Eleven discrete dental traits were selected and scored using the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS). Frequency changes were assessed by comparing trait frequencies; whereas phenetic affinity between Parsis was assessed by statistically comparing them with 13 populations using Smith's mean measure of divergence (MMD) statistic. Comparison of dental trait frequencies between Sanjan and extant Parsi samples show significant differences in incisor morphology, Carabelli cusp and Hypocone development. Trait frequencies, MMD values and 2D multidimensional scaling (MDS) plot indicate that extant Parsis and Sanjan samples are distantly separated from each other. Extant Parsis show closer affinity to low caste Mahars and tribal Madia Gonds than South and Central Asian groups. Sanjan is distant from all other groups including extant Parsis. It is likely that genetic drift accentuated by their small numbers and strict endogamy has resulted in divergence of Parsi groups. Similarly, their convergence with Maharashtran groups indicates admixture of Parsis with local groups, which supports earlier conducted mtDNA studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interethnic Dynamics among the Indigenous Peoples of Southern Siberia (Demographic Aspect)*

This study presents an overview of the ethnic and demographic characteristics of Turkic indigenous peoples living in the Sayan-Altai region, including dynamics in marital structure, ethnically assortative marriage, and level of admixture among the Kumandins in the Altai Territory; the Shor in the Kemerovo Province; the Altai-Kizhi, Kumandins, Telengits, Tubalars, and Chelkans in the Altai Republic; and the Khakas (Kachin, Koibal, Kyzyl, and Sagai) in the Republic of Khakassia. Temporal and territorial differences in levels of interethnic mixing within the selected communities are revealed. The study shows that during the period 1940–2009, the rate of monoethnic marriages decreased and the number of interethnic marriages in virtually all communities under investigation increased with the exception of the southern Altaians and the Khakas-Sagai. Specific features of interethnic mixing are identified. Marriage to representatives of the migrant (Russian-speaking) population prevails among the northern Altaians (Kumandins, Tubalars, and Chelkans), Khakas-Kyzyl, and Shor of the mountain taiga region, Kemerovo Province. Marriages to members of other indigenous peoples in southern Siberia are common among the Khakas-Koibal, Khakas-Kachin, and the Abakan Shor. These trends illustrate the nature of ethnic and demographic development in the Sayan-Altai region.     

Characterization of Hydraulic Lime Mortar Containing Opuntia ficus-indica as a Bio-Admixture for Restoration Applications

Many successful and long lasting structures that contain lime mortars are hydraulic in nature. Organic admixtures are added to lime mortar mix to modify their fresh and hardened state properties. The present work proposes plant extract as bio-admixture for repair mortar towards the protection of heritage structures. The effect of cactus extract on the properties of hydraulic lime mortar is studied. Mortar´s composition is selected with respect to the composition of historic mortars and modern restoration practice. Cactus extract was added to the lime sand mixture with varying concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and with different fermentation periods of 0, 1, and 2 days The consistency and workability of modified mortar, mechanical behavior, water absorption, porosity, and water/salt absorption through capillary rise, salt crystallization have been studied. Micro structural properties of the resulting mortar have been evaluated by XRD and FT-IR to identify their mineralogical composition and morphology by SEM-EDX. It is observed that addition of 75% cactus extract with 1-day fermentation produces maximum positive effect on the strength and durability properties of lime mortar. It improves the mechanical characteristics, limits water and salt absorption by capillarity into mortar and also show resistance to salt crystallization cycles.