imsuryadeep

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Smarter devices, better patient care

We are at the very beginning of a medical revolution, fueled by our ability to analyze hitherto unheard-of amounts of data using artificial intelligence (AI). AI is enabling the development of smart medical devices that can address some of society’s most persistent and expensive health problems. Conditions such as heart arrhythmias, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal cancer can kill or disable millions of people every year and cost billions to diagnose and treat.

Instead of simply dealing with crises, or stabilizing patients with chronic health issues, medical devices can supply data to AI algorithms, which also draw from other data sources to diagnose and predict the course of a disease. The devices can use the resulting analysis to anticipate and prevent crises, detect issues that might have gone unnoticed, and help keep patients healthier.

The development of these smart medical devices is enabled by a combination of miniaturization, more powerful computing, advanced computational modeling, and increasingly sophisticated data analytics techniques for programming AI algorithms.

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Freedom and desires are at stake all because of Covid-19

Everyone must be aware this virus needs a host to multiply and affect but this covid 19 seems like it doesn’t need to enter your body to show its effect. Over the past two months, everyone’s life is directly or indirectly affected by the virus. Its effect is not only a national problem but a global one. Not only a health hazard but it also has affected the economy and social life.  Millions of people have been affected by this virus. Every day the number of cases is increasing. Rising trend of cases is evident what we can’t see is the sufferings of the entire race of human.

Pathetic life of children with nowhere to go all shut and caged at homes. I was recently talking to a small child who said: “how lucky the bird is pointing towards a pigeon near her window” of my curiosity I asked why do you feel so. Stunned by her reply “I want the freedom which it has”. Not moved out of my house for 45 days, not met my friends she added. Not just that … her worries seem to find no end. Next question was when will it be the way it was. With so many questions, no answer to her question I left all perplexed and surprised. Even a small child has so many issues. Kids with so many innocent questions with none to answer them. The situation is similar with adults and grown-ups with a hell lot of great responsibilities, worries and decisions to be made regarding work.

Everyone is left with an ample amount of free time with no clue as to what is to be done. This is the best time if utilised properly it can be fruitful. Don’t just sit idle doing nothing but fighting with each other over trivial issues.  One can give time for health doing exercise which will boost immunity not only against covid but for long term impact. Exercise will keep you happy and the quality of life will improve. Many people have started with exercise and shared their great experiences hope each one of you does this. You can give more time to your personal interests which are long lost in busy schedules to start all over again. Freedom of movement is quite lost why not channelise our energy in expressing ourselves and bringing the best in us to help the society.  To help those who are not able to cope up with the challenging situation. One should feel lucky that he has time for self and family.  Doctor and health care providers are working day and night exhausting themselves forget about their family they don’t have time for self also.

It’s the worst of times anyone has seen. Just wishing that this nanoparticle is controlled well in time before the damage is too much.

[imsuryadeep]

Scientists have made Bose-Einstein condensates in space for the first time

On board the International Space Station since May 2018 is a mini-fridge-size facility called the Cold Atom Lab (CAL), capable of chilling atoms in a vacuum down to temperatures one ten billionth of a degree above absolute zero. It is, for all intents and purposes, one of the coldest spots in the known universe. And according to a new study published in Nature, scientists have just used it to create a rare state of matter for the first time ever in space.

Bose-Einstein condensates, sometimes called the fifth state of matter, are gaseous clouds of atoms that stop behaving like individual atoms and start to behave like a collective. BECs, as they’re often called, were first predicted by Albert Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose over 95 years ago, but they were first observed in the lab by scientists just 25 years ago.

The general idea when making a BEC is to inject atoms (in the case of CAL, rubidium and potassium) into an ultra-cold chamber to slow them down. A magnetic trap is then created in the chamber with an electrified coil, which is used along with lasers and other tools to move the atoms into a dense cloud. At this point the atoms “kind of blur into one another,” says David Aveline, a physicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the lead author of the new study.

To run experiments using a BEC, you need to turn down or release the magnetic trap. The cloud of crowded atoms will expand, which is useful because BECs need to stay cold, and gases tend to cool off as they expand. But if the atoms in a BEC get too far apart, they no longer behave like a condensate. This is where the microgravity of low Earth orbit comes into play. If you try to increase the volume on Earth, says Aveline, gravity will just pull the atoms in the center of the BEC cloud down to the bottom of the trap until they spill out, distorting the condensate or ruining it entirely. But in microgravity, the tools in the CAL can hold the atoms together even as the trap’s volume increases. That makes for a longer-lived condensate, which in turn allows scientists to study it longer than they could on Earth (this initial demonstration ran for 1.118 seconds, although the goal is to be able to detect the cloud for up to 10 seconds).

Though only a first step, the CAL experiment could one day allow BECs to form the basis of ultra-sensitive instruments that detect faint signals from some of the universe’s most mysterious phenomena, like gravitational waves and dark energy. From a more practical perspective, Aveline believes the team’s work could pave the way for better inertial sensors. “The applications range from accelerometers and seismometers to gyroscopes,” he says.

In the meantime, the researchers get to play around with CAL, which Aveline describes as a system of “knobs to turn,” to create unique conditions for experimenting with atoms. The team now knows it can create Bose-Einstein condensates in space. The next step is tweaking the settings to see what happens to them when the knobs are turned to 11, so to speak.

[imsuryadeep]

Jaipur: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

It’s hard to miss the pink in the ‘Pink City’, as Jaipur is fondly called. Jaipur is a fine representation of the regal grandiose, that has always distinguished the state of Rajasthan. Home to opulent palaces, towering forts and holy temples, not only has Jaipur gracefully retained its royal roots but it proudly displays them for visitors to see and experience.

Places to See in Jaipur

Hawa Mahal: Jaipur’s most iconic landmark, the red and pink sandstone façade of Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is widely recognised. Within its chambers, hidden from public view, the women of the royal house would secretly observe the activities on the street, through the palace’s latticework openings. A fine example of Mughal architecture, the pyramidal design of Hawa Mahal rises five-storeys from the ground.

Nahargarh Fort: Set on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, Nahargarh Fort is striking in stature. Built as the summer palace for the royal family, the main palace within the fort is known as Madhavendra Bhawan. In addition, there are nine other double-storied living spaces within the fort. An example of Indo-European architectural style, the royal frescos and marble engravings can still be see on the interior walls here. The views of Jaipur city are stunning from Nahagarh Fort.

Jantar Mantar: Dating back to the 18th century, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observation site and a testimony to the scholarly brilliance of a bygone era. Among the 20 instruments found at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest sundial in the world.

Things to Do in Jaipur

Visit an Elephant Camp: Located behind Amber Fort, Dera Amer is a privately owned 160-acre forest and wilderness camp. A natural habitat for elephants, camels and other domesticated animals, visitors can explore the Aravali forest on elephant back. They can also be privy to how they’re cared for and try their hand at bathing these gentle giants.

Shop for Local Handicrafts: The local bazaars of Jaipur are teeming with things to buy. Clothes, shoes, home furnishings, handicrafts, spices, jewelry and pottery…there isn’t anything you won’t love or can’t find. Some of the popular marketplaces in the city are Baapu Bazaar and Johari Bazaar.

What to Eat

Ghewar: A favourite with locals and tourists, ghewar is a traditional Rajasthani sweet that is circular in shape. It’s deep fried and laden with pistachios and almonds. LMB in Johari Bazaar is an acclaimed eatery to sample this delicacy.

Kachori: Kachori is a fried snack that can either be sweet or savoury. When in Jaipur, pick up your box of the famous pyaaz kachori from Rawat ki Kachori and enjoy it with a hot cup of tea!

When to Go:

October to March: These are undoubtedly the best months to visit Jaipur as the summer heat has abated. December and January are the peak of winter and are exceptionally cold and dry. Temperatures start rising in February and remain pleasant till March which is the ideal weather for a holiday!

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The New Education Policy 2020

The New Education Policy 2020, that will certainly be a landmark in the history of education in India, has been approved by the government after wide ranging consultations. The policy is comprehensive, holistic, far sighted and will certainly play a great role in the nation’s future growth of the nation. I must commend the TSR Subramanian Committee in 2016 and the K Kasturirangan Committee for having done a stellar job.

The policy places a welcome emphasis on a holistic, learner centred, flexible system that seeks to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society. It rightfully balances the rootedness and pride in India as well as acceptance of the best ideas and practices in the world of learning from across the globe.

I note with great satisfaction that one of its loftier goals is to bring two crore out-of-school children into the school system and reduce dropouts. Reduction in the burdensome syllabus, focus on vocational education and environmental education are crucial aspects well covered by NEP. Students will be much more empowered and have the opportunity to choose the subjects they wish to learn.

Another welcome step is an attempt to improve governance by bringing in a single regulator to look after all institutions barring medical and law colleges. The policy gives a fillip to holistic education by envisioning the convergence of science and arts streams. The focus on ethics and human and Constitutional values will go a long way in the creation of an enlightened citizenship essential for deepening our democratic roots.

The policy also expands the scope of foundational education, increasing the school-going years from 3 to 18 instead of the prevalent 6 to 14. This will enable a more holistic development of children in the formative age group of 3-6 years. Setting up a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy is a much needed, timely step to improve the quality of education at the primary education level. NEP recognises the importance of nutrition to the all-round development of children and has therefore included a provision for an energy-filled breakfast, in addition to the nutritious mid-day meal, to help children achieve better learning outcomes.

A much-discussed stipulation in the new education policy stresses that the medium of instruction until at least fifth grade (preferably eight grade) will be in a regional language that is recognised as being native to India. This is a welcome step, as mother tongue plays a highly critical role in the overall development of the child. Mother tongue, which a child hears right from the moment he or she is born, provides personal identity, connects with culture and is crucial for cognitive development.

Education in mother tongues will also help children develop an interest in regional literature and culture and help them understand better the customs and traditions that are indigenous to a particular region. I am glad that the policy also places great emphasis on classical languages of India.

India is a large and diverse country with a varity of languages, dialects and mother tongues. A number of developed countries in the world educate their children in mother tongues. When world leaders call on me, they prefer to speak in their mother tongues even though they are proficient in English. Great scholars prefer to write and speak in their mother tongues. There is a certain pride associated with speaking one’s mother tongue and we must inculcate this sense of pride in our children.

In spite of the stress laid on regional languages, the policy states clearly and unequivocally that there would be no imposition of any language and no opposition to any language. This is indeed a welcome move.

This education policy was long overdue. Now focus needs to shift to its efficient and effective implementation. States and the Union government have to work together to make the change happen in the classrooms. I am confident that if implemented well, this policy is the way forward to make India a thriving knowledge hub.

While NEP aims to increase public investment in education from the current 4.3% to 6% of GDP, we must have a time frame for this to be implemented.

I hope that all the states will lend their whole hearted support in the effective implementation of this policy.