Category Archives: Science & Technology

For safe collection of throat swab samples from patients

Records, All, Science & Technology

COVID-19 hospital in Madikeri gets novel sample collection kiosk; doctors claim it saves on the use of one-time PPE kits by the sample collector

In a bid to make collection of throat swabs from persons with COVID-19 symptoms secure, a walk-in sample kiosk for the collection of samples has been developed in the COVID-19 hospital of the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Madikeri.

The box-shaped see-through structure has been set up in a separate room at the hospital’s isolation ward where a health worker collects samples from each person from inside the protected compartment, without exposing himself or herself to the patient.

A pair of gloves is attached to the booth from outside through which the sample is drawn. This evades the person from wearing a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit to collect the sample as the kiosk’s protective shield minimises the use of PPEs during sample collection, a doctor claimed.

The waste generated from the use of the one-time kit was reduced as well.

The frontline medical worker enters the kiosk under protection wearing mask, gloves and shoes as per the sample collection guidelines and inserts his or her hands into the sticking out gloves. The patient with symptoms will be sitting on a chair in front of the gloves. Using the collection tubes, the throat secretions are collected. The patient has to throw the disposable items into the dustbin kept next to the kiosk before leaving the sample collection room.

After each patient gives his or her throat secretion, the room is disinfected and the gloves are changed before the next patient gets in. The sanitizing is done by a person wearing PPE.

KIMS Director and Dean K.B. Cariappa told The Hindu that the kiosk gives a kind of confidence to the health worker collecting the sample from the patient since the cabin had a sealed protective shield.

“The kiosk saves on the PPE kits used while collecting the samples. If necessary, the health worker can also wear the PPE kit for additional safety. Even without the kit, the kiosk is safe and prevents the possible threats of infection,” he said.

The kiosk in Madikeri has been set up at a cost of ₹20,000.

The teaching hospital of KIMS has been converted into the 250-bed COVID-19 hospital and the in-patients of the hospital (non-COVID-19 cases) had been shifted to a private hospital taken over by the district administration in view of the pandemic.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / byShankar Bennur / Mysuru – April 10th, 2020

NGO hands over 4 ventilators, essentials to district administration

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

MobiusKF08apr2020

Mobius Foundation, a Delhi based NGO, handed over four ventilators to Kodagu district administration, for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Also, essential items for daily wage workers and the financially deprived, who are affected by the lockdown, were supplied by the NGO.

The items were handed over to the ‘Hasida Hottege Tanivu Pettige’ initiative, conceptualized by District Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar.

Mobius Foundation convener Madhu Bopanna also handed over masks and medical kit for the medical staff, police and journalists.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the organisation has contributed an amount of Rs 1 crore for PM CARES Fund on COVID-19. About 2,000 kg of lentils and 2,000 litres of oil have been contributed to ‘Hasida Hottege Tanivu Pettige’ initiative.

“It is the duty of every individual and organisation to help the needy during such a situation,” he added.

Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar and Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmi Priya were present.

Mobius Foundation had also lent a helping hand to the district during the flash floods and landslides.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Aditya K A / DHNS, Madikeri / April 07th, 2020

Two Day Kisan Mela Conducted at KVK, Gonikoppal, Kodagu ( Athur Farm )

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

KisanMelaKF18mar2020

A two day district kisan mela and Krishi Abhiyana programme was held at Athur farm of KVK Gonikoppal from 11th to 12 March, 2020. An array of farmers friendly technologies were on display in the Krishi Mela organized in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). Dr. Shankara Hebbar, Principal Scientist, IIHR Bangalore gave a brief introduction about vegetable cultivation and polyhouses. Later Joint Director of Agriculture, Kodagu Dr. K Raju said that the programme was to create awareness among district farmers about latest agricultural technologies and schemes. Dr. Saju George, Head, KVK spoke on the different demonstrations units in the KVK Demonstration farm.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri. B A Harish, President, Zilla Panchayath, Kodagu.The Chief Guest Smt. Sarojamma, Zilla Panchayath Member , inaugurated the Exhibition stalls. Dr. C. G. Kushalappa, Dean, College of Forestry, Ponnampet also addressed the inaugural session. Dr. M R Dinesh, Director, IIHR, Bangalore, in his presidential address highlighted different farmer friendly technologies of horticultural crops, machineries, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, micro nutrient formulation, incubation facilities for entrepreneurship available through ICAR-IIHR, which can be extended to the Kodagu district farmers through the KVK Gonikoppal. He said that there is lot of potential in the district for the adoption of horticultural technologies and thereby increasing increasing farmers income.

During the inaugural session , Shri M.M Aiyyappa, a farmer from Virapet was felicitated for brining the AMC technology to Kodagu through KVK. Shri Kishor Nachappa the farm journalist was felicitated for his role in promoting farm technologies through farm journalism. Smt Suja, was felicitated for her success in mushroom cultivation after undergoing training at KVK through ASCI sponsored skill development training programme. The Agriculture department felicitated the Kodagu district farmers for their achievements.

In the technical session, Dr. Shivaprasad, Deputy Director, gave a talk on the importance of soil testing and INM practices in coffee. Mr. Devaiah, K. A. Subject Matter Specialist spoke on the trellies method of black pepper multiplication. Sri. Thimmiah, S. C. Krishi Pandit, spoke on his experiences of mechanization in paddy for better realization of yield.In the second day technical session, Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Principal Scientist & Head, Regional Station, IISR, Appangala gave a talk on holistic management of black pepper in the coffee based farming system. Dr. A. S. Shanthesh, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, Virajpet taluk spoke on the importance of livestock for milk, meat and manure in the mixed farming system. Dr. S.C. Suresh, Subject Matter Specialist (Livestock) spoke on scientific piggery farming. Smt. Veena Sudheer, awardee farmer shared her experience of integrated farming system. Mr. K P Subbaiah, President, Puthari Farmers Producers Organization spoke on recent developments in marketing of coffee and initiatives of Puthari FPO.

In the Valedictory session, Mr. Srinivas, P. V., DDM, NABARD, Kodagu spoke on the different NABARD schemes for farmers, rural institutions. Mr. Vijay Angadi, Programme Officer, All India Radio, Madikeri spoke on the relevancy of this type programme and he opined that in coming programmes a separate session can be conducted on organic farming. Farmers were also taken to different demonstration plots in KVK Viz. vegetable demonstration plot where different varieties (Chilli- Arka Meghana & Kyathi, Brinjal -Arka Keshav, Pole bean- Arka Sukomal, yard long bean- Arka Mangala, cowpea- Arka Suman, Dolichos- Arka Adarsh were raised in one acre with raised bed, polyethene mulch with fertigation, different livestock units –piggery, Goatary, Diary, Poultry, Fodder crops, Propagation unit of Black pepper, arecanut, coffee, Solar irrigation unit, farm machineries unit etc. during the occasion.

More than 20 exhibition stalls were arranged for the benefit of the farmers on the occasion involving the government, private and FPOs. More than 750 farmers witnessed the event in two days and interacted with the scientists, specialists and officials. Overall the participating farmers appreciated the efforts and felt that such melas give the farmers the technological guidance for increasing the farmers income in a sustainable manner.

source: http://www.iihr.res.in / ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research / Home / March 2020

NCoV: Info sought from foreign visitors to Kodagu

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Madikeri on Friday. DHO K. Mohan is seen. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Madikeri on Friday. DHO K. Mohan is seen. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Kodagu Health Department on Friday said it will keep information shared by visitors from China and other countries affected by 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) to the district about their health status and symptoms confidential.

District Health Officer K. Mohan said the department had takenprecautions for the prevention and control of the disease. The visitors can provide information, in case they are suffering from any of the symptoms in the wake of the virus scare, on their own in a prescribed format.

The District Surveillance Officer, Shivakumar, can be contacted on 94498 43263 besides the taluk health officers from Madikeri, Somwarpet and Virajpet. The health authorities from Kushalnagar and Gonikoppa can also be contacted. Other contact persons are Srinivas on 94498 43203 and Yathiraj on 94484 48481, the release added.

Meanwhile, posters for spreading awareness about the 2019 nCoV were released in Madikeri on Friday by Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy. The DHO was present. Surveillance had been stepped up in the border towns of Karike, Kutta and Makutta with Kerala confirming three positive cases. The banners would be pasted in these towns for educating the public.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 07th, 2020

Kodagu Medical College hospital in expansion mode

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

CM to lay foundation stone for 450-bed hospital block Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), which became operational four years ago in Madikeri, is being expanded with the foundation stone for a 450-bed hospital attached to the institute to be laid on Monday.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will give a start to the construction on the existing teaching hospital premises. Once the 450-hospital facility (300-bed unit and 150-bed unit) is ready in about two years, the number of beds for healthcare services will rise to 750 as the existing hospital has 300 beds.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Medical Education C.N. Ashwath Narayan and Minister in-charge of Kodagu V. Somanna will be present. MLA Appachu Ranjan addressed presspersons at Madikeri on Saturday to present details about the hospital project.

KIMS has an intake of 150 seats and currently 600 students are pursuing a medical degree and post-graduate courses. In 2016, the district hospital was converted into the teaching hospital of KIMS and it was in need of an upgrade in complying with the norms of the Medical Council of India. Accordingly, the hospital is now being expanded with additional 450 beds at a cost of ₹100 crore. The construction for 300 beds will be take place on the existing hospital premises while the 150-bed facility will come up on the premises of women and children’s hospital.

Cariappa K.B., Dean and Director, KIMS, told The Hindu that the expansion of the hospital will benefit the people of Kodagu as well as neighbouring taluks since the outpatient load had risen to 900 from 200 in three years. Multispeciality services will be convenient for those looking to Mysuru and other places for those services as Madikeri has only a few hospitals and nursing homes under private ownership.

Radiology department
On an average, 75% of beds are occupied in the hospital and the expansion will give rise to adding up of more speciality departments, he added. “We are in need of manpower for the radiology department as the hospital is equipped with ultrasound and CT scan equipment,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – January 26th, 2020

NIE to host session on hill slope hydrology

Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology

The National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru will be organising a three-day workshop on ‘Hillslope Hydrology and Field Research’ here from January 9 to 11.

The workshop is organised by the Department of Civil Engineering and sponsored under the grants of the World Bank-aided third phase of Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP).

The event proposes to popularise and promote field hydrological research and comprises a day’s lectures and two days of fieldwork in Kumaradhara field hydrological laboratory developed by NIE in Kodagu.

The Water Resources Centre of NIE has pioneered research in hydrology and has been carrying out field investigations in the experimental watersheds it has developed in the districts of Kodagu and Hassan for over two decades in the Western Ghat region of Karnataka, according to a press release.

“Relative to the other fields of science, hydrology is a new field of learning and is unexplored. Knowledge about many hydrological processes in wet and hill slope areas was little and a lot remains to be learnt on the field. The workshop provides enthusiasts with a platform to learn and research,” the release added.

The teaching faculty of Civil Engineering, PG students of Water Resources and research scholars in the field and professionals working in the water sector can participate in the workshop.

For registration, call the workshop coordinators R.Y. Putty (98802 55920), Y. Javeed (99860 62198) or Chandramouli (94487 73056).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – January 07th, 2020

IBM brings weather forecasting model for governments, industries, farmers

Agriculture, Science & Technology, World Opinion

IBM has launched a global high-resolution atmospheric forecasting system, IBM GRAF, saying more accurate weather forecasting can help governments and companies greatly improve their operations. IBM said GRAF can help bridge the gap between Indian …

New Delhi :

As many as 94% of top Indian business leaders believe climate change and adverse weather conditions have had a negative impact on business operations while around 72% believe they disrupt local economy, a study by IBM and The Weather Company shows.

The report released on Thursday also said a significant number of Indian citizens said they were not confident about the local weather forecasts.

IBM has launched a global high-resolution atmospheric forecasting system, IBM GRAF, saying more accurate weather forecasting can help governments and companies greatly improve their operations.

“We work with 168 different governments today around the world, and we are in touch with Indian government as well,” said Cameron Clayton, general manager at IBM Watson Media and Weather. “We want to work on providing accurate forecasts as it has a massive impact on the GDP.”

IBM said GRAF can help bridge the gap between Indian forecasting system and global models.

The 15-day weather forecasts released in India start from 80% accuracy and by the end of the 13th day the accuracy percentage falls to 50%, Cameron said. IBM GRAF claims to keep the accuracy levels consistent throughout the 15-day.

“In the tests we ran, our model is around 30% more accurate (than Indian system) and we have so far designed to issue 12 million pieces of forecast information through IBM GRAF, which will improve the forecast quality massively in India,” Cameron said. “While we have collaborated with various governments across the country, we believe that the only way to get there is through public-private partnership.”

IBM is keen to present its forecasting models to India through a publicprivate partnership agreement.

IBM said its weather forecasting models have helped farmers in Kenya receive crop insurance in less than three days.

The company has received some interests from private insurers in India, too.

“Insurance companies are slowly consuming our data, mostly historic and advisory, to make better decisions,” said Himanshu Goyal, India sales and alliances lead at IBM. Two insurance companies in the country are using its models, he said without naming them.

Several businesses in sectors ranging from aviation to agriculture, have welcomed IBM GRAF.

Tata Coffee is leveraging IBM weather prediction products to receive accurate forecasts, soil moisture and soil temperature information for better results.

“In the aviation industry, our models have helped bring down turbulence by 50%, and the same capability is being brought to India,” Cameron said.

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Econonmic Times / Home> Business News> News> Economic News> Agriculture / by Bhavya Dilipkumar, ET Bureau / December 13th, 2019

Annular Solar Eclipse On Dec. 26: Sky-Gazing At Remote Village In Kutta

Amazing Feats, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

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– Rare ‘Ring of Fire’ visible in South Kodagu
– Over 2,000 hand-picked students to witness celestial event from 8 am to 11 am
– Organisers aim for India Book of Records

Mysuru:

Kaimaani, a remote village in Kutta, South Kodagu, is all set to witness the rare Annular Solar Eclipse on Dec. 26 — the third and final solar eclipse of the year 2019. The Mysore Science Foundation (MSF) is organising a sky-gazing event at Kutta where nearly 2,000 children and general public will witness the spectacular event.

In the Annular Solar Eclipse, Moon does not completely obscure the Sun as the Moon is farther away from us than normal, making it appear smaller. As a result, the Sun is not totally eclipsed, leaving a ‘Ring of Fire’ around the edges.

The Mysore Science Foundation has tied up with Aseemit Edutech Private Limited, a Pune-based organisation (Mitee as its sub-group) for the event. Aseemit Edutech Private Limited is involved in secondary and senior secondary education.

The spot in Kutta where the sky-gazing event will be witnessed on Dec.26.
The spot in Kutta where the sky-gazing event will be witnessed on Dec.26.

Kutta falls on Solar Path

Speaking to Star of Mysore, G.B. Santosh Kumar of Mysore Science Foundation, said that Kutta falls on the Solar Path and as such, the visibility is clear. The visibility of Annular Solar Eclipse in Mysuru is only 75 percent.

“Mangala in Gundlupet, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Udupi in Dakshina Kannada and Kutta in South Kodagu fall on the Solar Path where there is a clear visibility.

“We did not get permission from the Forest Department for the event as Mangala falls under the limits of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. And 2,000-strong crowd going to Coimbatore and Udupi was a distant possibility. As such, we have zeroed in on Kutta where the event can be viewed from 8 am to 11 am,” Santhosh said.

Kaimaani coffee yard

At Kutta, the event will be organised at the newly-developed coffee drying yard of Kolera Ravi Cariappa in Kaimaani village. “The place is by the side of the road and the land is in a higher altitude and there is an arecanut plantation below. This is a perfect location for witnessing the once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Kotrangada Somaiah, a teacher at Manchalli Government School, who played a key role in identifying the location for the organisers.

“People from Mitee Pune contacted me two months back and requested me to find out an ideal place in Kutta to view the event. First we considered the Government Higher Primary School Cinkona in Kutta for the event but had to cancel it as the approach road was not good. The Kaimaani coffee yard is a perfect location as it is by the side of the road. There are facilities including toilets and I have requested the local residents to allow children to use their toilets,” said Somaiah.

KuttaEclipse03KF10dec2019

India Book of Records

The event organisers have already registered in the India Book of Records for the largest gathering of children in one place to view Annular Solar Eclipse. “On Dec.17, the Mysore Science Foundation will organise another programme called “Video Viewing” where students will be seeing eclipse-related videos to prepare them for the main event. For the actual event on Dec.26, we are expecting students from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala,” Santhosh added.

On that day, occurrence of eclipses, types of eclipse, science behind eclipse, myths and misconceptions, eclipse watching and safety shall be explained in addition to demonstration on pressure variation and temperature variation.

Food & accommodation

For outstation students coming from Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, choultries have been booked in Virajpet for their food and accommodation. “Along with them, students from Mysuru, Bengaluru and Kodagu too are participating in the event,” Santhosh said.

Student selection

On the student selection process, the Mysore Science Foundation had communicated to schools to send 10 children who are interested in astronomy and a teacher. Registrations were on first-come-first-serve basis and we have kept last-minute registrations open as we are aiming for India Book of Records, he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 07th, 2019

BEL’s hi-tech school opens in Madikeri

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Kodagu Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmi Priya inaugurates the newly built classroom by BEL in Madikeri
Kodagu Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmi Priya inaugurates the newly built classroom by BEL in Madikeri

The hi-tech school constructed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) was inaugurated by Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmi Priya and BEL Human Resource Department Director K M Shivakumaran, in Madikeri on Monday.

The new building of the Model Government Higher Primary School has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.28 crore, to include classrooms, head teacher’s office, computer room, library, kitchen, physical education teacher’s room, Nali-Kali class and so on.

Speaking on the occasion, K M Shivakumaran said that the students have to utilise the facilities provided by the government and non-government organisations to make their future brighter.

He also noted that BEL has been playing a significant role in the defence sector of India. The company decided to choose Kodagu district, which has also immensely contributed to the defence.

“A new school building was constructed for the government primary school in this regard towards providing a good learning atmosphere,” he added.

Former director of the Education Department, G R Basavaraj, called upon the non-government organisations to join hands with the government to build better infrastructure in government schools.

Previously, Zilla Panchayat CEO Charulatha Somal had submitted a proposal to BEL to build a new school building, he said

School Development and Monitoring Committee President Shivashankar, DDPI P S Machado, Block Education Officer Gayathri and Akshara Dasoha Education Officer H K Pandu were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS Madikeri / November 25th, 2019

Mysuru: Stone weighing 800 gm removed from 37-yr-old

Amazing Feats, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

An ultra sound scan indicated he had a kidney stone

Mysuru:

In a rare surgery, doctors at a government hospital in Virajpet removed a kidney stone weighing 800 grams from a 37- year- old man’s bladder on Tuesday.

Mohammed Rafiq, a daily wage worker from Kadanga village in Virajpet, was treated at the hospital after he complained of difficulty in passing urine and severe pain. “An ultra sound scan indicated he had a kidney stone. And an X- ray revealed it could be 8cm to 10cm in size, but we could not get the exact dimensions of the stone as its posterior length could not be measured. But when we opened up, we found it was much bigger. It was not easy, but after an long hour procedure, we succeeded in removing the stone. When we weighed it, we found it was 800 grams,” said Dr Vishwanth Chimpi, a general surgeon, who operated on Rafiq.

Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle, he added that while Rafiq must have had the stone for the past four to five years for it to have grown so big, it was only since the past one year that he had been getting intermittent pain, which intensified more recently. “As it was a calcium phosphate stone, it did not explode , but could not come out in the urine either as it was so huge,” he explained.

Dr Vishwanath admitted that the stone found in the daily wage worker’s body was the biggest he had come across, although three years ago he had removed a stone weighing 600 grams from a patient. Rafiq is now doing well.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P / October 24th, 2019