Category Archives: Science & Technologies

This TN lad’s Pixalive APP freezes memory for a week

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

It’s not quite often that we chance upon a social media app made in India.

RajasekharCF08jan2019

Chennai  :

It’s not quite often that we chance upon a social media app made in India. Enter Pixalive — designed and founded by 28-year-old Rajasekar Sundaresan, from a village called Soolamalai in Krishnagiri district.After completing his degree in electronic engineering, Rajasekar worked as a network engineer at Wipro for four years in 2008.

Inspired by popular apps like Snapchat and Instagram, Rajasekar quit his job in 2012 and went on to pursue his dream of designing an app with similar features. The app was launched in the first week of August by Disha Gosh, vice captain of the Indian Junior National Volleyball Team.

So far, it has 70,000 downloads and the count is expected to reach a lakh soon. “When I checked out the features of Snapchat it piqued my interest and helped me to further develop an app of our own with better features. My father sold his property and lent me money to pursue this app. I completed it in a year. Currently, we have two offices — Bengaluru and Chennai.

A team of 12 developers works with me. Getting investors is the challenging part,” said Rajasekar.
Pixalive is colourful app with stylish icons and funky fonts. It is said to have all the features that millennials look for today. Apart from basic features like sharing posts, photos, videos, texts and voice notes, the app boasts customised features like the ‘nearby’ option which restricts a user from sharing data on a specific geographical range and to a private or public group.

It also permits the user to access hashtags and news trending in a particular radius chosen by him or her. The data posted will be automatically erased from the application after seven days, thereby giving it a human touch to cherish moments till they’re available. “The app is designed for regional and international users. Language is not a barrier here,” he added. Pixalive is available on Android and iOS.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Vaishali Vijaykumar / Express News Service / January 08th, 2019

Her love for anatomy matches fondness for Tamil literature

Amazing Feats, Education, Records, All, Science & Technologies
Governor Banwarilal Purohit giving the appointment order to Dr. Sudha Seshayyan on Saturday.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit giving the appointment order to Dr. Sudha Seshayyan on Saturday.

New V-C of M.G.R. Medical University has donned many hats

Beginning her career at the Madras Medical College (MMC) in 1987, 57-year-old Sudha Seshayyan has come a long way. Her love for Tamil literature and spirituality has travelled alongside her medical career spanning over 30 years.

Dr. Seshayyan is no stranger to the people of Tamil Nadu. She has donned many roles including that of the official Master of Ceremonies at many State government programmes. On Saturday, she was appointed as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University.

Dr. Seshayyan, a professor of Anatomy, has authored a three-volume textbook on anatomy in 2015. This textbook is being used by MBBS students during their first year, and also by postgraduates across the country.

Pivotal roles

In anatomy, her areas of interests include upper abdominal organs, neuro anatomy and genetics. As director of the Institute of Anatomy, Madras Medical College (MMC), she played a pivotal role in taking steps to create a museum of anatomical specimens.

She had planned to set up a museum showcasing specimens for comparative anatomy and materials tracing the history of MMC in the 121-year-old heritage building that earlier housed the Department of Anatomy on MMC campus.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – December 30th, 2018

Jan Shatabdi coaches powered by solar energy

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Records, All, Science & Technologies

In its endeavour to go green and reduce dependence on conventional energy, the Southern Railway has turned seven coaches of the Coimbatore – Mayiladuthurai – Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express solar powered.

The provision of solar rooftop photovoltaic panels on the coaches was entrusted to the Salem Division.

As a trial, one coach was provided with solar PV panels and commissioned in January 2017. Now, six more non-AC coaches in the train have have been provided with the panels at ₹15.20 lakh, providing 4.8 kw per coach. Railway officials said the solar panels functioned well, powering the lights and fans in the coaches.

In case solar energy was not generated, the system would switch to conventional energy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / Coimbatore – December 29th, 2018

High honour: 29 scientists felicitated by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami

Records, All, Science & Technologies

Twenty-nine scientists were felicitated with the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA), for making valuable contributions to the field of science and technology.

Chennai :

Twenty-nine scientists were felicitated with the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA), for making valuable contributions to the field of science and technology. The awards were distributed by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday.

Scientists from across ten disciplines such as agriculture, chemistry, physics, medical sciences, mathematical sciences, etc, received their awards from the Chief Minister and were also given a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, hosts the event every year to mark the contributions of scientists from across the State. Ten scientists for 2015, nine for 2016 and ten for 2017, were selected to receive the awards. Minister for Higher Education K P Anbalagan, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and other ministers, were present during the event.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / December 28th, 2018

Start-up turns plastic waste into diesel substitute

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Records, All, Science & Technologies

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Paterson Energy looks to set up a project in Pallikaranai, tap CSR funds

Chennai-based start-up Paterson Energy is looking to set up a 5 tonne-per-day plastic waste-to-fuel project in Pallikaranai and hoping to tap corporate social responsibility funds for the project.

The company uses a technology called plastic pyrolysis and builds plants at locations where it can process plastic waste to produce liquid fuel, which is cheaper than diesel.

This can be used as an alternative to fuel generators, industrial boilers, kilns, furnaces, diesel-powered engines and other such equipment.

It claims that there will be over 20% savings on fuel bills.

Cheaper than diesel

The oil generated as a result of these processes is sold at ₹40/litre on average. The model can generate 500 litres of oil for each tonne of plastic waste. However, the yield depends on the feedstock – the more homogeneous the material, the better the yield output.

“We can also source single-use plastic, which is not normally picked up by ragpickers, for conversion into fuel. But the challenge is we need huge volumes,” Vidya Amarnath, Director, Paterson Energy, said.

“If the State government can bring in regulations on collection of such plastic waste through various collection centres, it would be of great help for us to source,” she added.

She said that the company is working with the Tamil Nadu government in setting up plastic waste-to-fuel plants at feasible locations.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by Sanjay Vijayakumar / Chennai – December 22nd, 2018

Chennai’s ‘Rs 5 doctor’ S. Jayachandran is no more

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technologies
Dr. S. Jayachandran
Dr. S. Jayachandran

He had endeared himself to residents of North Chennai

North Chennai’s famous ‘₹5 doctor’ S. Jayachandran is no more. He passed away on Wednesday morning after a brief illness. Ever since news of his death spread, people from Royapuram and Kasimedu have been flocking to his house-cum-clinic on Venkatachalam Street in Old Washermenpet to pay their respects.

The 71-year-old doctor, an alumnus of Madras Medical College, used to treat people often for free during his 43-year-long career.

His fee was ₹5 at the most and he used to give medicines to patients, often buying them from his own pocket. Posters have come up in the locality and patients like Vinoth, who was saved by the doctor when he was just 7, have stayed put at his home.

“I was brought here to him in an unconscious state. But in the evening I walked back. I brought my daughter as a 6-day-old infant when she vomited blood and he saved her too,” said Mr. Vinoth.

The doctor, an alumnus of Madras Medical College, ran his clinic for 43 years in north Chennai. He is survived by his wife, also a doctor, and a daughter and two sons. The last rites would be performed on Thursday.

Long-time friend Ernest Paul said Jayachandran had pride in being a resident of north Chennai and always wanted to project the area in a positive manner. “He was active in several associations and was always encouraging youngsters,” he said.

M.D. Dayalan, another long-time well-wisher, said that the doctor would send elderly patients back home by rickshaws if they came walking to his clinic. “He would even give them money to buy footwear if they were diabetic or had any foot injury,” he recalled.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Deepa H. Ramakrishnan / Chennai – December 20th, 2018

K.M. Cherian honoured

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

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Award presented to K.M. Cherian

K.M. Cherian, chairman and founder of Frontier Lifeline Hospital, was honoured with the prestigious Dr. B.C. Roy Memorial Oration Award during the scientific session of the 70th Cardiological Society of India’s annual conference held in Mumbai. He received the award for his contributions in the field of paediatric surgery (first coronary artery bypass surgery, heart transplant, heart and lung transplant, introduction of transmyocardiac laser revascularisation, homograft). The award carries a citation, a gold medal and ₹1 lakh. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Cherian said: “The number of patients with heart disease is increasing in our country, but we have very few doctors for treatment. I would request our government to take more initiative to produce more doctors.” He appealed to the government to make medical care affordable. He also said the government should encourage the ‘Make in India’ initiative concept and the development of basic medical science in the country.

CSI president K. Sarat Chanda presented the award to Dr. Cherian.

T.N. bags cadaveric organ donation award for 4th time

Records, All, Science & Technologies
Rally to create awareness on organ donation | Photo Credit: K. Ananthan
Rally to create awareness on organ donation | Photo Credit: K. Ananthan

Transparent process a key reason for success: Minister

For the fourth consecutive year, Tamil Nadu bagged the Best State Award in cadaveric organ donation from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar received the award from the Ministers of State, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Anupriya Patel during the 9th Indian Organ Donation Day programme in New Delhi on Tuesday. Additional Secretary (Health) Nagarajan and Member Secretary of Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (Transtan) R. Kanthimathy were present.

High number of donors

The Minister, in his speech, said Transtan, was a first of its kind initiative in the country. So far, 6,886 organs were retrieved from 1,198 donors in Tamil Nadu, which is well ahead of other States.

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“We have made the organ allocation process transparent, and this is one of the reasons for continuously doing well. We have participation of NGOs and have taken the programme to tier II cities,” he said.

The State consistently has a high number of organ donors. At 899 organs that were utilised (November 2017 to October 2018), the State has achieved maximum utilisation of donor organs to benefit end-stage organ failure patients, officials said. The year marked the State’s first bilateral hand transplantation at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital. Transtan coordinated another bilateral hand transplantation at Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry.

A number of multi-organ transplantations — heart-lung, liver-kidney, pancreas-kidney, liver-pancreas, liver-heart and small bowel and abdominal walls — were done. The State has more than 1,000 empanelled doctors for certifying brain stem death.

This year, Transtan started to collect post-transplant and organ utilisation reports after each transplantation. The authority streamlined the website of Tamil Nadu Network for Organ Sharing, updating the waitlist and streamlining the organ sharing registry.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by Staff Reporter / November 28th, 2018

Summit on aortic disorders inaugurated

Science & Technologies
Dr. K.M. Cherian and Dr. V.V. Bashi at the inauguration of the summit, in Chennai on Friday. | Photo Credit: R. Ravindran
Dr. K.M. Cherian and Dr. V.V. Bashi at the inauguration of the summit, in Chennai on Friday. | Photo Credit: R. Ravindran

Over 200 cardiac and cardiothoracic surgeons from across the country will take part in the three-day 8th International Aortic Summit 2018, that was inaugurated on Friday.

The summit is being organised by the Institute of Cardiac and Advanced Aortic Disorders (ICAAD) of SRM Institutes for Medical Science (SIMS).

K.M. Cherian, chairman of Dr. K.M. Cherian Heart Foundation, inaugurated the summit. He said that science and technology was progressing so fast that it was very difficult to keep up and that such workshops helped.

‘Need to upgrade’

Taking part in the inaugural session, Ravi Pachamoothoo, chairman, SIMS Hospital, said, “Technology is growing day by day and there is a need to upgrade ourselves.”

V.V. Bashi, director of ICAAD, said there were a large number of cases of aortic diseases to be treated in the country. “The disease pattern in our country is different. Take for instance, the size of the aorta. We need a lot of youngsters to do more work on the disease and analyse the patient population,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – November 24th, 2018

This local ‘wild beauty’ helps cure jaundice

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technologies

In general, plants of ornamental value are grown in gardens just to increase the aesthetic features of landscapes.

Mussaenda frondosa
Mussaenda frondosa

Chennai  :

In general, plants of ornamental value are grown in gardens just to increase the aesthetic features of landscapes. The ornamental features of the plants may not necessarily be flowers but could also be bright coloured foliage, curiously looking fruits, unusual forms and textures of barks. In all the above cases, the prime intention of the garden planner is to provide eye-pleasing designs to visitors.

In order to enhance the aesthetic values of the gardens/landscapes, our Indian horticulturists import numerous exotic species. However, the flip side to importing exotic species, often, is the sidelining of native, productive landscapes. Apparently, farmers in our country are spending lots money and energy in combating the spread of these invasive ‘imported beauties’. Therefore, it is inevitable for us to learn about the plant species that grow naturally and enhance natural landscapes.

This type of native ornamental plants are known as ‘wild beauties’. This is the right time for nature lovers to turn their attention towards familiarising and propagating our native plants. Interestingly, in addition, our native plants are useful as medicines, food and drinks, and some species are reported to positively alter human attitudes, behaviours and psychological responses.

Mussaenda frondosa L., which belongs to Rubiaceae is one such wild beauty that can be spotted even at a distance because of its shiny, large, leaf-like floral parts. The vernacular names Bellila (Kannada); Vellila (Malayalam); Velli Madandai and popular names in English, Flag Bush, White Lady reveal the beauty of this ornamental shrub. In Sanskrit, this is known as Shruvati.

This wild beauty also has several medicinal uses. Leaves and flowers are crushed and applied externally in case of wounds. The shiny leaf-like bracts is boiled in water, and the liquid is then used to cleanse hair. It is also used to treat jaundice. The juice of the plant is used to treat eye infections. In addition, the common plant’s — found to grow in moist deciduous to evergreen forests of Western Ghats — decoction of leaves are administered orally to get rid of intestinal worms.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Lifestyle> Health / by Ganesh Babu NM / Express News Service / November 21st, 2018