Gut Probiotic

The Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota—a community of trillions of bacteria and other microbes that live in the human digestive tract—may have a powerful impact on human health. The study of the microbiota (or microbiome) is a major frontier in nutrition research, as scientists work to understand how these organisms interact with our bodies and the foods we eat. While work is just beginning in this exciting new field, it is hoped that someday soon we will understand how to take care of our gut microbes, so they can take care of us.

The World Within: Far from being parasites, the microbes that call our intestines home appear to be integral to our survival. They are involved in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining; they help protect against disease-causing organisms; and they may play roles in immune system function, energy metabolism, and even how our brains work. Emerging research indicates the gut microbiota may also interact with our metabolic processes to increase or reduce risk for a number of common diseases and conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and autism.

There are many challenges to studying the gut microbiota and the role it plays in our metabolism. Genes, dietary habits, environment, medication use, stress, and other factors all play a role in shaping an individual’s microbial community. Additionally, the interactions between these microbes and our bodies are complex, making this field of research difficult. Study results are, therefore, often inconsistent.

In randomized trials, fecal matter transplants (in which patients receive a new microbiome from a healthy donor) have improved chronic bacterial diarrhea caused by C. difficile and ulcerative colitis (an autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation of the large intestine). Otherwise, most of the evidence for links between intestinal microbiota and disease comes from lab studies, experiments in mice, or observational studies in humans. Such studies do not prove long-term cause and effect, but researchers are enthusiastic about the potential for this emerging field. “I see incredible promise in the growing findings on gut bacteria and a range of health outcomes,” says Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DPH, dean of the Friedman School and editor-in-chief of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter. “Many of the foods that we think of as healthy for us may actually be beneficial for our gut bacteria, who then pass along the good health to us.”

Our Gut Microbes, Our Health: Changes to the microbiota may be a contributing factor to, or a consequence of, various health problems. Scientists have found that the types and diversity of microorganisms living in the guts of people with conditions such as obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, autism, and lupus are different from that of people without these conditions. Many of these conditions are also associated with the presence of on-going, low-grade inflammation. Numerous pathways have been discovered by which gut bacteria participate in processes that promote or reduce systemic inflammation in their human host. For example, gut bacteria convert certain food components into molecules that cause the body to increase production of pro-inflammatory proteins. But bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber creates short chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are involved in anti-inflammatory processes (as well as lipid and glucose metabolism and gut permeability).

Bacteria have also been found outside the intestines. “Bacterial DNA is present throughout the digestive tract and related organs. For example, we see evidence of bacteria in the pancreas,” says Dominique Michaud, ScD, professor of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. “Our research is looking to see how these bacteria differ in people with and without pancreatic cancer.”

As we learn more, we may be able to use the microbiome as a diagnostic tool, and even modify our bacterial population through dietary changes, medications, or other means to improve treatment of disease.

New Frontiers: A look at your microbiome may someday be able to determine your risk for cancer or obesity, and specific changes to your diet could be prescribed to help treat cardiovascular disease by modulating your microbiome. Here are just a few examples of what your gut microbiota may be able to do for you:

-Cardiovascular disease: A 2008 study by Liu and colleagues, published in the International Journal of Systemic and Evolutionary Microbiology, found that some types of bacteria are elevated, while other types are depleted, in patients with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), compared to those without atherosclerosis. Since that time, research has continued to look at a range of possible mechanisms for a role of gut bacteria in the development of heart attack and stroke. One promising pathway involves a molecule called TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide), a metabolite synthesized by gut bacteria from certain compounds found in red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, and the body’s own bile acids. In laboratory and animal models, TMAO is associated with acceleration in rate of atherosclerosis. “Tufts researchers are currently involved in a study, together with colleagues at Cleveland Clinic where much of the translational work on TMAO has been done, to assess how this molecule may influence atherosclerotic risk in diverse populations,” says Mozaffarian. The potential to modify TMAO levels with dietary changes opens a promising new pathway for cardiovascular disease treatment.

-Obesity and diabetes: Diet and other lifestyle and environmental factors interact in complex ways to drive the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and it appears that gut microbes have a role to play as well. Obesity was first reported to be associated with a change of gut microbiota in 2005. Obese mice appeared to have less of one species of bacteria, and more of another species, than their lean counterparts. Since then, while one meta-analysis found no association between the composition of the gut microbiota and obesity in humans as assessed by body mass index (BMI), several studies have found that subjects with less microbial diversity had higher BMI, higher fat mass, and lower insulin sensitivity. Studies in mice support the hypothesis that the gut microbiome plays a role in the development of obesity and diabetes. In a human trial, patients with type 2 diabetes were given oligofructose (a prebiotic sugar that encourages the growth of gut bacteria) for 23 months. These individuals showed increased weight loss and improved glucose control compared with the placebo group. In two recent meta-analyses of small randomized trials of probiotics (active bacterial cultures provided in the diet, for example from yogurt), patients receiving probiotics showed lower body weight, BMI, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance. “Together, these studies suggest an important role of the gut microbiome in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and further research will help elucidate the specific bacteria and metabolites that may be involved,” says Mozaffarian.

-Cancer: “If we can identify certain bacteria that tend to be present where a cancer is present, perhaps we can use that information to reduce cancer risk, aid in early diagnosis, or improve treatment,” says Michaud. “I’m excited about the possibility of developing a screening tool that uses the microbiome to identify people at high risk for pancreatic cancer, so they can be monitored more closely. If this devastating disease is caught early, perhaps we could reduce fatality rates or prolong life.” There is also a lot of interest in how bacteria might modulate the effectiveness of chemotherapy. “There is some evidence that the make-up of an individual’s microbiome might impact how well he or she responds to drug therapy,” says Michaud. Microbiota might even be involved in cancer prevention. Researchers at Tufts’ Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging recently published a study in the International Journal of Cancer that suggests certain bacteria can block the development of colon cancer in mice.

Someday, we may have treatments for disease that are personalized to our own microbiota; use prebiotics or probiotics to modify our gut microbiota to help with weight loss or disease management; take capsules containing microbiota from healthy individuals to correct imbalances in our own; or adjust our diets based on the microbes that live in our guts.

Says Michaud, “It is very exciting to consider the possibility that changing someone’s microbiome could improve their health.”

Take Charge!

Dietary intake has a big impact on gut microbiota composition and function. Here is what we know so far about keeping the gut microbiota happy and healthy:

-Eat fiber-rich foods. Fiber is a prebiotic that may encourage healthy microbes. Gut microbes turn fiber into SCFAs, which may have anti-inflammatory and other helpful roles. It has been suggested that low fiber diets change the functional capacity of the gut microbiota, potentially contributing to obesity and related complications. Enjoy fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains daily.

-Eat microbes. Enjoy probiotic foods with live bacterial cultures, such as yogurt.

-Try fermented foods. Un-heat-treated fermented foods, such as fresh sauerkraut or kimchi, hard cheese, and kambucha tea contain live microorganisms.

-Don't overuse antibiotics. Antibiotics are life-saving drugs, but some kill off the beneficial bacteria along with the harmful. Eating probiotic foods and taking probiotic supplements while on antibiotics may help support beneficial gut microbe populations and are recommended when children take antibiotics.

Fertilization in Plants

A plant is nature’s gift as they provide us with the food, oxygen, shelter, clothing, etc. They are also known as universal or primary producers. Like all other living things, plant respire, grow, develop, excrete and reproduce. All higher plants reproduce by fertilization. Fertilization in flowering plants was discovered by Ralph B. Strassburger in the year 1884. Let us have a brief discussion on fertilization.

What is Fertilization?

Fertilization is a process of sexual reproduction in plants, which occurs after pollination and germination.

Fertilization can be defined as the fusion of the male gametes (pollen) with the female gametes (ovum)  to form a diploid zygote. It is a physicochemical process which occurs after the pollination of the carpel. The complete series of this process takes place in the zygote to develop into a seed.

In the fertilization process, flowers play a significant role as they are the reproductive structures of angiosperms (flowering plants). The method of fertilization in plants occurs when gametes in haploid conditions fuse to produce a diploid zygote.

In the course of fertilization, male gametes get transferred into the female reproductive organs through pollinators (honey bees, birds, bats, butterflies, flower beetles) and the final product will be the formation of the embryo in a seed.

Fertilization Process

In flowers, the pollen grain germinates after the pollination of the carpel and grows into the style by creating the pathway for the pollen grain to move down to the ovary.

The pollen tube breaks into the ovule through the micropyle and bursts into the embryo sac. Here the male nucleus fuses with the nucleus of an egg inside the ovule forming a diploid zygote, which later swells up and develops into a fruit.

Types of Fertilization

Fertilization process can be grouped into three types and are classified mainly based on the entry of the pollen tube into the ovule.

Porogamy

It is the common type of fertilization carried out in all angiosperms or flowering plants. In this type of fertilization, the pollen tube enters the ovule through the micropyle.

Chalazogamy

This type of fertilization is carried out in all casuarina species of plants. In this condition, the pollen tube enters the ovule through the pollen tube.

Mesogamy

This type of fertilization is seen in all Cucurbit plants, such as pumpkin, ridge gourds, bitter gourd and other gourd plants. In this type of fertilization, the pollen tube enters the ovule through its middle part or through the integuments of the ovule.

Pollination in Flower

What is Pollination?

Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. The goal of every living organism, including plants, is to create offspring for the next generation. One of the ways that plants can produce offspring is by making seeds. Seeds contain the genetic information to produce a new plant.

Flowers are the tools that plants use to make their seeds. The basic parts of the flower are shown in the diagram below.

Seeds can only be produced when pollen is transferred between flowers of the same species. A species is defined a population of individuals capable of interbreeding freely with one another but because of geographic, reproductive, or other barriers, they do not interbreed with members of other species.

Parts of a flower.

This wasp is a specialist pollinator of Penstemon, which is the flower it is visiting, or rather sleeping in here. Photo by Dr. Jim Cane, USDA ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, Logan, Utah.

How does pollen get from one flower get from one flower to another? Flowers must rely on vectors to move pollen. These vectors can include wind, water, birds, insects, butterflies, bats, and other animals that visit flowers. We call animals or insects that transfer pollen from plant to plant “pollinators”.

Pollination is usually the unintended consequence of an animal’s activity on a flower. The pollinator is often eating or collecting pollen for its protein and other nutritional characteristics or it is sipping nectar from the flower when pollen grains attach themselves to the animal’s body. When the animal visits another flower for the same reason, pollen can fall off onto the flower’s stigma and may result in successful reproduction of the flower.

Referring to the animated image, pollen from the anthers of Flower 1 is deposited on the stigma of Flower 2. 0nce on the stigma, pollen may “germinate,” which means that a “pollen tube” forms on the sticky surface of the stigma and grows down into the ovule of the plant.

This growth can result in:

• Successful fertilization of the flower and the growth of seeds and fruit; or,
• A plant can be only partially fertilized, in which the fruit and/or seeds do not fully develop; or,
• The plant can completely fail to be pollinated, and may not reproduce at all.

Plants can be:

• Self-pollinating - the plant can fertilize itself; or,
• Cross-pollinating - the plant needs a vector (a pollinator or the wind) to get the pollen to another flower of the same species.

Modern Periodic Table

Modern Periodic Table

Scientist Henry Moseley proved that the atomic number of an element is the basic property and not the atomic mass. Thus atomic number forms the foundation for the Modern Periodic Table. The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in its nucleus. Elements arranged in ascending order of their atomic number has the same valence electrons repeated at regular intervals, thus causing periodicity.

In this topic, you will learn about modern periodic law and long form of periodic table.

Modern Periodic Law

Moseley modified Mendeleev’s periodic law to form the modern periodic law – The physical and chemical properties of elements are the periodic function of their atomic numbers.

Atomic number is the total number of protons present in the nucleus and is responsible for the chemical properties of the element. When elements are arranged according to increasing atomic number, there is periodicity in the number of valence electrons and corresponding periodicity in chemical properties.

The cause of periodicity is the recurrence of similar electronic configuration.

Long form of periodic table

Valency increases from 1-4 and then decreases from 4-0 across the period.

Valency remains the same down the group.

Ionisation potential increases down the group.

Atomic size increases down the group due to addition of a new shell.

Electron affinity decreases down the group.

Metallic nature and basic nature of oxides decreases across the period.

Air Pollution and its effect

Air Pollution & Its Control

Air Pollution Definition

“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules, etc. into the air that is harmful to human health and the environment.”

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects the plants, animals, and humans drastically.

There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature which is known as global warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants

The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.

Secondary Pollutants

The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary pollutant.

Causes of Air Pollution

Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles

The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment. These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.

Agricultural Activities

Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, hydrocarbons, and chemicals. These are released into the air degrading its quality.

Mining Activities

In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air but also deteriorate the health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources

The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the air. The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.

Also Read: Ozone Layer Depletion

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases

Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming

Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged under water.

Acid Rain

The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic, and fall as acid rain which damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among individuals.

Effect on Animals

The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also compels the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has also led to the extinction of a large number of animals species.

Air Pollution Control

Following are the measures one should adopt to control air pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather they should prefer public modes of transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution but also conserves energy.

Energy Conservation

A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch off the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also controls pollution to a greater level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various countries including India have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner environment.

Other air pollution control measures include:

By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if the reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be substituted with other less polluting materials.

Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India, petrol and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fuelled vehicles. These are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.

Although there are many practices in India which focus on repairing the quality of air, most of them are either forgotten or not being enforced properly. There are still a lot of vehicles on roads which haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions.

Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of pollutants is minimized.

Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have process control equipment to control the pollution.

A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.

The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree plantation. Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees in areas of high pollution levels will be extremely effective.

Personal branding

The personal branding process assures you that it’s okay to be yourself. Your personal brand helps you make the most of what you’ve got to offer, and the best part of it is you get to decide what your unique promise of value is and who you want to share it with. Your personal brand done well highlights your strengths and gives you a direction in which to use them. Personal branding is important in today's economy because you are the most important selling point of your service or product. People TRUST people, they are looking for someone they can proudly recommend and advocate for. Is the practice of marketing people and their careers as brands. Your target audience wants to know that you can do what you say you’re going to do. So walk your talk Personal branding refers to the process of establishing your public persona for your target audience. It involves carefully and accurately communicating your VALUES, BELIEFS, GOALS, and PURPOSE The truth is, we shine brightest when we connect with and reveal our true purpose Perosnal branding is the NUCLEUS of the trust factor Are you ready?

The 7 Critical Elements Of Choosing an API Vendor 

1. Has a proven track record of success and longevity.
Taking into consideration that there will be a multitude of products set to go generic in 2028 and beyond, clients say it’s vital to lock a reputable vendor that’s going to stick around when your product is ready for launch and keeps tabs on the ever-changing regulatory requirements. The pharmaceutical industry is as competitive as it is fast-moving, so you can’t put your faith in smaller vendors.

2. Upholds standards of quality management.
Another important factor that our customers selected is the vendor’s active efforts in regards to the protection of their data from data manipulations. The Food and Drug Administration along with other regulators look into data integrity during their inspections. They send out warning letters once they identify violations and that quickly turns into a sore point. Representatives are also on a constant lookout for environmental law violations. A good example would be this – the Chinese government is making a desperate attempt to clamp down on polluting factories and this has a big impact on producers. Our clients suggest making sure that your possible vendors have a contingency plan ready to address those new risks.

3. Has a swift R&D team that is able to meet deadlines.
International markets will keep on demanding exceptional flexibleness for the development of products that were not initially a part of the line-up. Clients feel like it is vital for their vendor’s R&D staff to have the malleability to reprioritize their facilities to develop items that are needed at that specific time.

4. It can adapt to regulatory changes.
Plenty of APIs has developed ages ago, back when dissimilar regulations were in place. Trusted vendors were characterized by our clients as those who always renovate their processes to make sure that older APIs are up to the current regulatory specifications and adhere to the rules set in the core intended market(s). Our clients also noted that document submission readiness is essential because the application process has to go smoothly, in order to make sure of that all the Drug Master Files and various other papers need to be neatly categorized, exhaustive, and available on short notice.

5. Handles regulators’ inquiries and questions in a swift manner.
The businesses are gaining approvals for Abbreviated New Drug Applications faster than ever before, our observations have shown that API vendors have to have very well-informed RA teams at both international and local levels. They must be able to cooperate with the US Food and Drug Administration and different regulatory bodies in order to take care of their questions swiftly. Many customers express concern in regards to the less experienced suppliers because they may not possess the required know-how to address/solve regulatory problems in a swift manner and that, eventually, can severely postpone the launch of a product.

6. Plans product launch readiness well in advance.
Our customers love it when vendors can fully support their launch by planning it out well ahead of time. They advise having a framework in place, the one that ensures that both the vendor and customer are working in sync and meet all the deadlines.

7. Knows the lay of the land.
While clients feel like the price is among the key elements, they further specify that other criteria are just as important when it comes to choosing. In our estimation, vendors with a fundamental knowledge of the pharmaceutical market always know that there’s a multitude of criteria to take into consideration when calculating a sensible price for an active pharmaceutical ingredient, namely inventory, transportation, development expenses, insurance, taxation, levels of client service and functions for the client during the project’s life cycle, along with various other fees. Realistically speaking, customers advise not to fall for suspiciously low prices that oftentimes results in additional costs racked up down the road. You should definitely steer clear of vendors that offer prices significantly below the market average. It’s also crucial to see if the vendor has a warning letter that has an impact on their ability to support the product.

In today’s market, APIs are indispensable. They are fundamental. Carefully choosing an API vendor is a must. Our clients wanted us to give as much info as we can in order to aid their high-priority decisions and help them stay at the top of their game. We’ve made a habit of sharing our expertise and capabilities to support client requests.

As our clients’ input and our personal expertise would suggest, the aforementioned seven key elements are the things that you need to take into consideration before making an educated decision. Your API vendor is a long-time partner that’ll support your needs. Using API Database, you can easily find the best-suited one in accordance with these key elements.

Technology Tips for Working Remotely

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting many facets of our daily lives, including the way we work. A rapidly increasing number of employers across the world are requiring their people to work remotely as part of the efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But this may not be an isolated shift. According to new Lenovo research just completed in mid-March 2020, the majority of employees surveyed across five countries – the US, Italy, Germany, China and Japan – believe this may have a long-lasting impact on how employers view remote-work policies.

In fact, according to this research, workers feel at least somewhat ready to make the shift to working from home if required (87%), which is becoming a likely scenario as the majority of companies have either encouraged (46%) or required (26%) remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved globally. Especially during these disruptive times, technology can enable us to keep moving forward.

At Lenovo, we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, customers, and communities. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to use technology to make working from home effective.

1. Stay flexible and connected through portable technology

 Our research team found that of the employees working from home, 71% feel they have access to the technology they need.  Just like in today’s workplace, where there might no longer be a traditional office environment, we move with our laptops in hand from a desk, to a huddle room, to a couch, or even to the walking treadmill if your company has one.  When working from home, the new form-factors and easily portable laptops and mobile workstations allow you to keep the same pace, so you can stay active.  You don’t have to sit in the “home office” base or one setting through the entire day.  Instead, you might move to your sofa or kitchen island with your laptop.  And you no longer have to worry about battery life.  The improved smart stand-by features in laptops give you 30% more battery usage, so you are free to roam around.  Staying active will in turn make you more engaged and efficient while you use these technologies to fuel your work.

2. Leverage productivity and collaboration tools

Consider productivity enhancers like a monitor, webcam and collaboration tools, such as a headset or conferencing tool​.

A monitor is a major productivity tool in the office and at home.  If you are used to having two monitors, your laptop and a larger monitor at work, you should consider duplicating this set-up at home. In case you are working on a lot of spreadsheets, graphic design items, architectural plans and detailed work that requires larger screens, an extra monitor is immensely helpful.

Video is key to the remote working environment. It’s an engaging style that enables employees to feel connected and avoid that feeling of isolation typically reported when working from home. It’s important that companies make sure their employees are armed with the ability to use the best video-conferencing technology.  The latest laptops, desktops and workstations all have enhanced video and audio features that provide microphones for 360° reception and a 4-meter far-field performance.

With all these capabilities your PC now acts more like a smartphone with an optimized user experience ensuring more phone-like, always on, always connected state.

Enhanced visibility through collaboration tools. In our office space, many of us use the latest collaboration tools for conferencing, like one-touch start devices to meetings in a huddle-room.  At home, we can use personal collaboration devices or PCs that are enhanced with collaboration software platforms.

If working remotely makes you fear losing your visibility among colleagues or worry you’ll feel isolated, take advantage of Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, or other video-conferencing tools. Taking even five minutes to chat with someone with whom you haven’t connected in a while can shift your entire mood or workflow for the better.  Never underestimate the importance of a chatroom or a direct message. Keeping a team chatroom open all day will make you feel connected and aligned.  Some employees are even utilizing their company’s video-conferencing solutions to ping a colleague and grab a virtual lunch together. The right technology provides not just productivity, but personal connectivity.

3. Encourage flexible work schedules

As COVID-19 impacts childcare and other services, be sensitive to the ways your colleagues may be juggling work and home responsibilities in new and challenging ways. Chances are you’re no longer the only one in your household dealing with the effects of coronavirus in your community, so make sure to communicate clearly to let your household know it’s work time. Starting and ending work at the same time each day will help you separate professional and personal time.  At the same time, be flexible understanding that others might be working from home as well. This is where an extra pair of noise-cancelling headphones could come in nicely.

While our research found 61% of employees feel they are as productive if not more so when working from home vs. working elsewhere, the primary reasons employees choose not to do so in normal conditions, or feel they are less productive at home, are distractions like TV or an inability to separate work and family life.  Setting some boundaries and daily schedules will help eliminate those distractions and increase your ability to focus.

4. Communicate often as this might be the new norm

As managers, it’s our job to make sure our teams feel connected and happy. Because employees are uncertain as to how well normal business operations will be if the majority of employees need to work from home, clear and open communication is vital during these transitional periods.

As we move forward, company policies are evolving and will continue to do so. The many uncertainties presented by COVID-19 challenge businesses to find new ways to collaborate with their teams while remote. Will this pandemic create a future where remote work will be more of the norm than it is today? There is a sense this situation might usher in more permanent change.  According to Lenovo’s global research, 77% of employees feel that companies will be more open to or even encourage letting workers work remotely once we get through this period.

The employee experience in the workplace was already changing before the pandemic hit.  Technology capabilities had already ushered a new global workforce that stays connected in a work-from-anywhere world.  Since 2005, the regular work-at-home population has grown 159% and is still trending up.  The situation we are in right now is only confirming that the investment employers are making in technology right now won’t be wasted as most people feel productive at home and believe that the workforce will move more in this direction after.

Motivational Story

The Life of Pi : Reflections One of my favorite movies. In this movie, what is shown is probably going to be true in all our lives! Without ever taming the ferocious creature, Pi learns how to coexist with it, which is sort of a situation for us today when we are trying to co-exist with the pandemic and trying to live a normal life. Further In the movie Pi feeds the animal fish and other seafood, provides water and, at the same time, marks out his own territory, almost in a same way we have defined staying at home as our territory. Further Pi gathers courage and able to intimidate the tiger with the help of a whistle, a stick and aggressive dominating behavior. Mankind is busy doing research to find the right whistle and stick in form of a treatment and a vaccine to control the menace …! Finally we all are confident #science will win … Stay Safe , Stay Protected !

Did you know that Pears Soap is the world’s oldest continuous brand !!!

Introduced in 1789, this, almost Transparent Amber soap, still has an iconic presence in many households more than two centuries later. History says that Andrew Pears, a Cornish barber, opened a store in Soho, and started making creams, powders and other beauty products. Observing a gap in the market, he decided to create something that would be gentler for the skin, and what ensued was a plethora of experiments and PEARS was born. Made with glycerin and natural oils, the soap smelled like an English Garden, and had a transparent appearance that set it apart from its competitors. In 1865, his grandson Francis' son-in-law, Thomas J Barratt, became a partner in the business. Considered “The Father of Modern Advertisement”, he came up with extensive advertising campaigns that became iconic. Pears touched Indian shores in 1902 and is manufactured by Hindustan Unilever Limited. Today it has three variants : Pears Pure & Gentle, Pears Germshield and Pears Oil Clear. But, what a fascinating story behind such an Iconic Brand of Transparent Soap !!!

Obesity in Covid-19

The mechanisms that connect obesity with severe COVID-19 illness are not clearly known but are believed to be multifaceted since obesity itself is the result of a complex interaction between genetic, social, and environmental factors. Obesity restricts the expansion of your lungs and thus the amount of air that you can inhale. Obesity around the abdomen compresses the chest, making it more difficult for the diaphragm to move and the lungs to expand and take in air. This contributes to lower levels of oxygen in the blood, which can worsen the symptoms of COVID-19. You may have noticed an individual with obesity gets breathless even with slightly more than usual activity. However, the good news is that reducing body weight can improve lung function. This has been seen in patients who underwent bariatric surgery and subsequent weight loss. Obesity also affects your body’s defense system (immune system) that tries to ward off invaders (such as viruses). For instance, obesity impairs the functioning of immune cells (such as macrophages) such that these cells became less efficient in overcoming the infection. In simple terms, obesity makes the immune cells sick.

Life with nature

just think about it .....

We went to sleep in one world and woke up in another. Suddenly, Disneyland has no magic, Paris is no longer romantic, New York, a city very much, asleep, London is not waiting for anyone, Jerusalem is closed down, and the black rock in Mecca is empty. The hugs and kisses suddenly became our enemies, And the choice of not visiting parents and friends is an act of love. Suddenly, we realize that power, beauty and money are worthless, And we are fighting for oxygen. In contrast, the world continues its life and is amazingly beautiful The rivers flow, The sky is glowing, The sea is extra blue, The animals live their lives, while the human race is in the cage. Our planet seems to be sending us a message: "You are not really needed. The air, the earth, the water and the sky without you, feel better. When you come back, remember that you are my guests, not my owners.

After few years...

Interviewer: There is one year Gap in your CV. Me : Yes sir Interviewer : What you were doing in 2020? Me : I was WASHING MY HANDS. Agree?

A news debate!

😣 1st Guy: The economy is ruining. We must open lockdown immediately & let people live & earn. We must let the buses, trains & shops run. This will be a disaster otherwise. Lockdown was a big mistake ever. 😯 2nd guy: Okay. If we let trains & local buses function, will you & your family be the first one travelling with the crowd? 😐 1st Guy: Silent... Conclusion: 👇 Economy is more important as long as your family members or you are safe!

Probiotic during & after corona virus

After the coronavirus, people will pay more attention to health. Food manufacturers will also focus on healthy food production. Probiotic is a very good choice. Prebiotics can promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestinal gut and constrain the growth of bad bacteria. The studies have shown that our immunity 80% depends on the intestine. Take care of our intestine.

Inspiring story!!! A man saw a snake being burned to death and decided to take it out of the fire. When he did, the snake bit him causing excruciating pain. The man dropped the snake, and the reptile fell right back into the fire.

So, the man looked around and found a metal pole and used it to take the snake out of the fire, saving its life. Someone who was watching approached the man and said: “That snake bit you. Why are you still trying to save it?” The man replied: “The nature of the snake is to bite, but that's not going to change my nature, which is to help.” Do not change your nature simply because someone harms you. Do not lose your good heart, but learn to take precautions.