Monthly Archives: December 2014

Indian scientists find key to PTSD

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bengaluru-based researchers have found that a tiny almond shaped region in the brain is responsible for post-traumatic stress disorder, a discovery that could lead to a potential cure

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world.

For the first time in the history of neuroscience, two scientists from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru have conducted a detailed study on why and how one suffers from PTSD. They have pinpointed precise roles played by certain neurons in the part of the brain called amygdala, an almond-shaped structure located deep inside the brain, which acts as the centre that controls emotions and stores memories of fearful experiences.

Top: An illustration showing the location of the amygdala in the human brain/ Below: Sumantra Chattarji lead author of the Nature Neuroscience study
Top: An illustration showing the location of the amygdala in the human brain/
Below: Sumantra Chattarji lead author of the Nature Neuroscience study

In doing so, they have unraveled the so-far mysterious reasons behind the fear and precisely how that fear develops to make way for PTSD. The research, which appeared on Nature Neuroscience Web site, has paved the way for scientists the world over to study ways to reverse PTSD or even develop medical aids to cure the condition – a boon for many victims of sexual or child abuse, accidents, or soldiers/ combatants who are commonly afflicted by this condition.

NCBS neuroscientist, Sumantra Chattarji and his student Supriya Ghosh, discovered that PTSD sets in when individual neurons in the amygdala lose their capability to discriminate between dangerous and safe stimuli. They found that this happens when the danger stimuli is particularly intense, as in a life-threatening situation.

In normal circumstances, they found, most of the neurons are able to detect the safe signals; but when the danger levels are much increased they lose their capability to discriminate between danger and safety. This results in such neurons sending danger signals even when faced with a safe stimulus.

They also identified the precise biochemical signaling mechanism inside the amygdala neurons which caused fear and PTSD – cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. This potentially serves as a target for designing new treatments against PTSD, said Chattarji.

Chattarji and Ghosh conducted experiments on live rats, the amygdala and the neural functioning of which are similar in humans.

The two neuroscientists now plan to conduct research on the mechanism of reversing PTSD, apart from hoping that researches are undertaken to develop drugs, having identified the precise biochemical signaling mechanism that causes PTSD.

source: http://www.punemirror.in / Pune Mirror / Home> Others> Scitech / by Nirad Mudur / December 02nd, 2014

City neuroscientists decode the anatomy of fear

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Discovery by NCBS could help find therapy for post traumatic stress disorder

Decades after the Vietnam war, a US army veteran recounts the intense flashbacks he still gets of the battlefield, triggered by something as innocuous as a thunderclap: “I am back in Vietnam. It is the middle of the monsoon. My hands are freezing and yet I am sweating… Suddenly I see my buddy Troy, his head on a platter, sent to our camp by Viet Cong,” he says in a well-documented case study.

Now, two city-based neuroscientists have decoded the anatomy of fear and show how sometimes this vital and primal response to danger can go completely awry, morphing into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) seen often in soldiers and also in people who have been in near-fatal situations: sexual assault, natural disaster or accidents.

A study published in Nature Neuroscience, by Sumantra Chattarji and Supriya Ghosh, neuroscientists at National Centre for Biological Sciences, reveals how a certain set of neurons in the amygdala (the brain’s emotional hub), which once distinguished between safe and dangerous stimuli, begin responding even when there is no sign of threat.

For the experiment, the researchers trained rats to distinguish between two sound frequencies. One frequency was accompanied by a foot shock and the other was not. “When the shock was elevated, we found that one set of excitatory neurons that once responded only to the sound associated with a shock now began firing indiscriminately even to sound not accompanied by a shock,” said author Prof. Chattarji.

The scientists also found that a certain bio-chemical pathway — cAMP–PKA — was activated during this process of generalised fear. “This opens up neuronal and biochemical targets for therapies for PTSD, and this will be our next stage of research,” Prof. Chattarji said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Divya Gandhi / Bengaluru – December 02nd, 2014

YOUR VIEW: Here Is How You Can Create A Tiny Organic Farm On Your Terrace

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

With the rising number of buildings and the decreasing open space, terrace gardening is emerging as a great option to have the best of both worlds. Want to grow a terrace garden at your home? Our reader and contributor Vikram Kapoor shares with us his guide on how to grow wonderful veggies, flowers and fruits yourself.

Plants also need love. They can’t express their feelings but if you take proper care they will bloom,” says Kishore Kumar, a Bangalore resident who owns a terrace garden at his home in Shantinagar.

A few decades ago, almost all houses in Bangalore had a garden since plenty of space was available. However, since the IT boom, this space has been shrinking and today, it is almost non-existent. In spite of scarcity of accommodation, many people have come up with novel ways to grow plants even in the little available space. Terrace gardening is one of them.

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Kumar struck upon the idea of starting his garden around three years ago. He was very enthusiastic about gardening but did not have any space outside his house. This was when he decided to start growing plants on his terrace. “I haven’t kept any care taker or ‘maali.’ My wife and I take care of our garden ourselves and it gives us peace and satisfaction,” adds Kumar.

Why terrace gardening?

A terrace garden does not need much maintenance and it is hardly time consuming. Just devoting 10-15 minutes daily to the garden is sufficient for its upkeep. One can indulge in gardening generally in the morning hours before going to work. Most terrace gardeners prefer having their morning tea and newspaper on the terrace too.

Not just small flowering plants, one can also grow vegetables on the garden. Organic and home grown vegetables are a healthy alternative to the pesticide-ridden vegetables available in the market. However, big plants and tress cannot be grown on residential terraces because of their weight. One should water these plants with care so that the soil does not spread out. If the water falls with too much force, it can result in dirt and soil erosion. Any small area on your terrace or balcony which has access to the sun light for at least 4 to 5 hours a day can be converted into a vegetable garden.

One can harvest at least 400 grams of vegetables per week depending on the crops one chooses to plant. There are many valid reasons behind growing plants and vegetables on your terrace, some of them include getting fresh, faster cooking, nutritious & wholesome produce; it is cost effective and one also gets food safety & guarantee; you get a choice of vegetables, in fact, you can get Any Time Veggies (ATV); it is therapeutic, relaxing, educational and eco-friendly; it reduces our dependency and wastage and on the whole, is time well spent.

Garden02BF04dec2014.jpg.crdownload 

How do you do it?

Waterproofing your terrace is a must to make a proper terrace garden to ensure that it does not result in seepage or other damage to the building structure. If the terrace is big, it can be divided into two parts – one for garden and the other for seating arrangements or for some household chores. Artificial waterfalls and colourful lights can also be installed, which can enhance the beauty of these gardens at night.

The concept of this mini farming becomes more interesting and also provides you with a sense of satisfaction when you can use your old furniture as planter boxes. The old drawer, old chair, old cupboards and shelves, plastic bottles, tin containers, broken dressing tables and old shoes can be painted with bright and eye-catching colours and made ready to grow many small plants which will enhance the beauty of your terrace space.

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The daily leftover food in the home kitchen like fruit and vegetable peels, rotten food items and other wet waste are a rich source of minerals for the plants and can be composted and used as manure, helping us create a 100% waste-free environment.

Kumar said that regular cleaning is required as dry leaves and flowers also fall with the changing seasons. Regular cleaning and maintenance is a must for a beautiful garden.

 “Believe it or not, a large number of birds come to our garden. In fact, many a times I have seen sparrows and butterflies in the garden. Also, many new types of colourful and beautiful birds come which cannot be seen normally,” adds Kishore

How to spread the culture of terrace gardening?

Mr. Kaushik from The Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation (VMSRF), a non-profit research organisation, feels that conducting workshops for kitchen gardening is an excellent idea for the people to bring awareness about organic food consumption in our country.

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He says, “Our motto is to teach people to ‘grow your own organic food’. For this, we conduct workshops on kitchen gardening so that people can apply the same if they have open space like a roof top, a balcony, an open ground space, etc.”

While I was having a final talk with Mr. Kishore, he threw some light on the feeling of satisfaction that one gets when one does a great job to save the environment. “Summer evenings are great moments of surprise for my friends when I take them to the terrace and they feel as if they are in the arms of nature,” said Kishore

The terrace in most of our houses is an unused space and it would be ideal for gardening. Help yourself by not only making your environment healthy but at the same time helping yourself live a healthier life and also a peaceful one.

If the house owners will start applying this idea, the day will not be very far when the garbage issue of our country will end and all the waste will be consumed by our own top and Green garden.

– Vikram Kapoor

Excited? Here are a few people and groups that can help you get started with terrace gardening.
1. Purna Organics – Bangalore
2. Vani Murthy – Bangalore
3. A Facebook group for more know-how
4. My Sunny Balcony can help you green small spaces like balconies – Bangalore
5. Jiva Organics – Hyderabad
6. Greentech Life – Bangalore
7. Urban Leaves India – Mumbai
8. Hortitech Services – Chennai

source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Bangalore / TBI Reader / by Vikram Kapoor / November 13th, 2014

IAF Chief Arup Raha to inaugrate Computerised Pilot Selection System in city tomorrow

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Indian Air Force Staff
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Indian Air Force Staff

Mysuru :

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Indian Air Force Staff, will be visiting Mysuru tomorrow for the inauguration of advanced Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) developed jointly by the DRDO and IAF.

The new CPSS, originally conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then Scientific Advisor to the PM in 1997, has come a long way in terms of Research and Development. Primarily intended to address the long standing demand of IAF to having a more modern and scientific selection system for pilots that can screen candidates to meet the demands of the latest and advanced aircraft being inducted into the IAF, the CPSS was jointly developed by the DRDO and the IAF through a decade long research.

The new system is on par with the best selection systems available with the developed nations and fully meets its operational requirements. The system will be used to screen pilots for the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. The test can be taken only once in a life time by any candidate and focuses on the aptitude of the individual to meet the high demands of the modern cockpits.

The CPSS caters simultaneously to the physical as well psychological profiling requirements of the candidates through a series of computerised cognitive and psycho motor tests that can be administered on more than 50 candidates at a time. The system apart from the computer based tests also has cockpit tests to extract accurate and complete details of the candidate’s abilities for this challenging job.

The system being launched at Mysuru is first-of-its kind in India and will soon be replicated at the other Air Force Selection Boards across the nation.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will arrive at Mysuru Airport by a special IAF jet at 11 am and then proceed to the No. 2 Air Force Selection Board in Siddarthanagar to dedicate the new CPSS to the nation.

This is the first visit of the Chief of Indian Air Force Arup Raha to Mysuru after taking over the command of the Indian Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Raha was commissioned into the IAF in 1974 as a fighter pilot and has vast experience in various kinds of military aircraft. He has been an instructor in the Flight Instructor’s School and the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment of the IAF.

He has held several key operational commands and staff appointments prior to taking over as the Chief of the Air Force. Currently, he also heads the Joint Chief of Staff Committee of all the three services.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>  General  News  / Thursday , November 27th, 2014

Intl. Conference on Contemporary Computing begins at SJCE

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Dr. V. Prakash, Director R&D with Innovation, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Dr. B.G. Sangameshwar, Joint Director (Academic), JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Gerd Hoefner, Managing Director and CEO of Siemens Technology and Services, B.N. Betkerur, Executive Secretary of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Prof. Nadia Magnenat, Director, Institute for Media Innovation School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Dr. Syed Shakeeb-ur-Rehman, Principal, SJCE are seen at the three day International Conference on ‘Contemporary Computing and Informatics’ that began at SJCE this morning.
Dr. V. Prakash, Director R&D with Innovation, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Dr. B.G. Sangameshwar, Joint Director (Academic), JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Gerd Hoefner, Managing Director and CEO of Siemens Technology and Services, B.N. Betkerur, Executive Secretary of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Prof. Nadia Magnenat, Director, Institute for Media Innovation School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Dr. Syed Shakeeb-ur-Rehman, Principal, SJCE are seen at the three day International Conference on ‘Contemporary Computing and Informatics’ that began at SJCE this morning.

Mysuru :

Prof. Nadia Magnenat, Director, Institute for Media Innovation School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, this morning inaugurated the 3-day International Conference on ‘Contemporary Computing and Informatics’ at the Golden Jubilee Hall of SJCE organised under the aegis of SJCE and the Department of Master of Computer Applications of SJCE.

Gerd Hoefner, Managing Director and CEO of Siemens Technology and Services was the chief guest. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. V. Prakash, Director R&D with Innovation, JSS Mahavidyapeetha.

B.N. Betkerur, Executive Secretary of JSS Mahavidyapeetha presided. Dr. B.G. Sangameshwar, Joint Director (Academic), JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Dr. Syed Shakeeb-ur-Rehman, Principal, SJCE and Dr. M.P. Pushpalatha, Head, Department of MCA, SJCE were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>  General  News  / Thursday , November 27th, 2014

Traditional tile, modern style

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

MangaluruBF03dec2014

Eco-friendly red tiles are unique to Mangaluru. Located at the confluence of two rivers Phalguni and Netravathi joining the Arabian Sea, the region has great deposits of high quality laterite clay which spearheaded the tile industry.

India’s first tile factory was established in Mangaluru in 1860 by Plebot, a German missionary. Christened ‘The Basel Mission Tile Factory’, it was situated on the banks of River Netravathi at Morgan’s Gate and was a pathbreaking venture that gave the world the famous Mangaluru tiles.

These tiles are unique in design and can withstand heavy rain. The aesthetic structure of the tile allows ventilation during summer. Eco-friendly and roughly one third the cost of a concrete roof, these tiles were once the most popular choice. Earlier wooden support beams and rafters formed the base of the roof. Now, iron anglers have replaced the wood.

The British preferred these tiles for their government buildings. The unique design of these tiles and their capacity to drain rainwater without seepage and clogging caught the attention of the famous architect Fredrick William Stevens who used them while constructing the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. The tiles are exported to Myanmar, Seychelles, countries in the Far East, European countries like Spain and Portugal, East Africa, Sri Lanka and even Australia.

Good old days

Easy access to firewood due to close proximity to the Western Ghats, availability of cheap skilled labour and the existence of port in Mangaluru are the major factors that led to the rapid development of this industry. It reached its peak in the 1960’s and 1970’s. With such favourable conditions, the tile industry flourished and led to the emergence of many more tile factories in the region. Abundant deposits of clay both in Gurupura on the banks of Phalguni River and in Bantwal on the banks of Netravathi River further facilitated the growth of the industry so much so that the region had more than 112 factories churning out these marvels in red clay.

Process of preparation is highly skill- based. The clay is first placed in a mould and shaped to exact measurement. Then, the company logo is stamped on the wet mould and the extra clay is taken off.

The tile is then sent to the furnace to be baked and glazed. Once ready, the tile weighs 2kg to 3kg. The red colour is due to the high iron compound found in the lateritic clay. Quality of the clay gives necessary strength to the tiles. In Mangaluru, we can see century-old buildings still sporting the original tiles.

In fact, there are quite a few heritage buildings in Mangaluru that showcase these classic tiles. Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Government University College at Hampankatta, historical churches of Mangaluru like the Rosario Cathedral, the famed St. Aloysius College and many other old buildings stand witness to the durability of these tiles. The striking red colour of these rooftops against the backdrop of swaying coconut palms are beautiful visions that should not be missed.

A sad decline

The speedy momentum of the tile industry slowed down when the concept of high-rise apartments came into picture. Owing to rising costs, the local preferences shifted from eco-friendly tiles to RCC roofing. Factories that produced 25,000 tiles per day now manufacture only about 15,000 tiles.

Non-availability of skilled labour and scarcity of clay also haunt the industry. The first quality tiles are in demand for ethnic homes but second and third quality tiles don’t have many takers.

These ethnic tiles that remind one of homely abodes with coconut trees must be preserved for posterity.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Hazel Colaco / DHNS – December 02nd, 2014

City Kick-Boxers bag medals at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Wrestling Championships

Sports, World Opinion
Seen in the picture are the medal winners and participants of championships (standing from left) Madhusudhan, L. Srihari, Suleman, N. Vinay, M. Rakesh, Coach Vikram, C. Chethan, Naveen Shetty, Aditya Bhat, M.J. Chethan and Mohammed Zulkharnain. (Front row from left): Sidhan Changappa, Naveen Kumar, Prakyath Bhat, G. Rajesh, Nachappa, Chidambaram and Amit.
Seen in the picture are the medal winners and participants of championships (standing from left) Madhusudhan, L. Srihari, Suleman, N. Vinay, M. Rakesh, Coach Vikram, C. Chethan, Naveen Shetty, Aditya Bhat, M.J. Chethan and Mohammed Zulkharnain. (Front row from left): Sidhan Changappa, Naveen Kumar, Prakyath Bhat, G. Rajesh, Nachappa, Chidambaram and Amit.

Mysuru , (KS) :

15 grapplers and mixed martial arts fighters attached to the Academy of Martial Science, Mysore, affiliated to Mysore District Muay Thai Association and Associacao Fernando Pacheco De Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Brazil, won three gold, three Silver and three Bronze medals at the Sub-continental Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Submission Wrestling championships held at Bangalore recently.

Results : Chidambaram: 55 kg class: 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal, Naveen Shetty: 55 kg class: 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal, Bhasur Sharma: 60 kg class: Bronze Medal, Krishna: 77 kg class: Bronze Medal, C. Chethan: 85 kg class: Silver Medal and Sumanth Subrahmanya: 85 kg class: 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>  Sports News  / Wednesday , November 26th, 2014

Screening of documentary on Devanur Mahadev today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Also ‘Tallana’ at Cinema Samaya

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Mysuru :  (BNR)

A documentary on Kannada litterateur and social activist, Devanur Mahadeva, and also a movie ‘Tallana’ will be screened at Kalamandira today at 5.30 pm as part of Cinema Samaya organised under the joint aegis of the Dept. of Information and Public Relations (Mysuru), Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Mysore Film Society and Bellimandala (Mysuru). Entry is Free.

Devanuru Mahadeva, born in 1948 at Devanuru village in Mysuru district, is credited to be of the best of the Dalit writers in Kannada. He worked as a teacher at Mysuru. In recognition of his literary achievement, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Shri award. Known among literary circles to be a rebel, Mahadeva rejected the Nrupatunga Award (carrying a purse of Rs. 5,01,000) in 2010. Devanur’s rejection of the award was based on his dissatisfaction that despite being the official language of the State, Kannada is yet to be made the primary language of instruction in schools and colleges. Mahadeva is a Central Sa0hitya Academy awardee for his novel ‘Kusuma Baale.’ In the 1990s he rejected the government’s offer to nominate him to the Upper House of the Indian Parliament under the litterateur’s quota.

Tallana: Directed by N. Sudarshan, the story highlights how poor parents of a girl face embarrassing situations and realities of society when their daughter goes missing with even the Police failing to come to their help.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>  General News  / Wednesday , November 26th, 2014

 

City’s Thejkumar for Qatar Open Intl. Chess Tourney

Sports

Mysuru :

IM M.S. Thejkumar of South Western Railways, Mysuru, the highest ranked chess player from Karnataka (Rating 2443), will be representing India in the Qatar Open International Chess Tournament to be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Doha, Qatar, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 5.

A total of 156 players are taking part in the tournament including Grand Masters Vladimir Kramnik, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Anish Giri, Alexei Shirov, Gata Kamsky, Pentala Harikrishna and Pavel Eljanov.

Taking part in the tourney from India are a total of 22 players — GM P. Harikrishna, GM Abhijit Gupta, GM B. Adhiban, GM Surya Shekar Ganguly, GM Sandipan Chada, GM G.N. Gopal, IM Ghosh Diptyan, GM D. Harika, IM Karthikeyan, GM R.R. Ankit, IM C.V.R. Aravindh, GM Debashis Das, GM Shyam Sundar, IM Das Sayanthan, IM Thejkumar, GM Neelotpal Das, GM Sundarrajan Kidambi, IM S. Gagare, WGM Mary Ann Gomes, IM P. Konguvel, IM S. Vijayalakshmi and IM Kathmale Sameer.

The total prize money of the tourney is 89,300 US$. The winner gets 25,000 US$, runner-up 15,000 US $ and third place winner 10,000 US $. The top 20 players will get cash prizes. The tournament will be of 9 rounds.

Thejkumar is sponsored by Yashasvi Shankar of Saanvi Technologies, U.S.A. and www.mysoresport.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>  Sports News  / Tuesday , November 25th, 2014

City’s Senior Artist Satyanarayana passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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Mysuru :

City artist S. Satyanaraya (55), who was actively involved in the fields of painting, film industry and commercial art for over four decades, passed away at his residence in Ramabai Nagar here yesterday.

He leaves behind his wife, a son and a daughter. Last rites were performed at the foot of Chamundi Hill yesterday.

Satyanarayana was one among the noted artists who have worked for the promotion of the art that is declining due to advent of technology. Satyanarayan, who was working at Mysuru’s Ratnam Arts, had also served at Murugan Arts, Classic Advertising Company, Rival Arts – Mumbai, Rangashala – Mumbai and Madras. He has also worked at several studios in Hyderabad. He was also credited for having created many banners, sign boards, stage works and cutouts of many film actors.

Condoled: Sri Kalanikethana School of Art, Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, has condoled his death.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>  General News  / Tuesday , November 25th, 2014