Archives for 2021

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AVerMedia Technologies, Inc., a leader in audiovisual technology, is pleased to announce that it is joining Barco’s ClickShare Alliance Partner Program. This partnership ensures that AVerMedia conferencing webcams and speakerphones are fully compatible with Barco’s ClickShare Conference. Meeting participants around the globe can now confidently integrate AVerMedia’s cutting-edge audiovisual quality with Barco’s innovative wireless conferencing solution. The joint solution by Barco and AVerMedia creates a seamless, wireless conferencing ecosystem for all kinds of small meeting rooms. With just a press of the Barco ClickShare Button or launching the ClickShare App, users can wirelessly connect to the video and audio from AVerMedia peripherals and share content with only one click in any video conference room. Users can bring their own device to meeting rooms and get set up in an instant, with no need for technical support. The solution is also compatible with nearly every popular conferencing platform. In addition to greater ease of use, the Barco and AVerMedia solution also provides a clean, professional conferencing experience. With connections between personal devices and AVerMedia peripherals completely wireless, fewer cables are necessary, making meeting spaces more orderly and avoiding the need to search for the right cable before joining a conference. Moreover, with cable length no longer a limitation, users can join meetings and actively collaborate from nearly anywhere in a room. AVerMedia’s latest wide-angle webcams, the 4K PW513 and 1080p PW315, have already revolutionized huddle room conferencing. These webcams combine enterprise quality with consumer ease of use and affordability, allowing nearly any organization to equip small rooms with vibrant video and audio. AVerMedia also offers the AS311 speakerphone, which provides clear sound with 360° audio coverage and a 9’/3m pickup range that can pick up audio from all participants, as well as groundbreaking AI-powered noise reduction technology. AVerMedia’s PW313 1080p webcam has also been validated to be compatible with ClickShare Conference, making a perfect solution for focus rooms. All mentioned AVerMedia products are currently available in most regions worldwide from select resellers . About AVerMedia Technologies, Inc.AVerMedia empowers people to easily connect and boldly create through innovative audiovisual technology. Our solutions help people work productively, build new relationships, and expand their horizons in ways that weren’t possible before. Our products include a wide range of powerful yet easy-to-use devices such as webcams, video capture cards, and microphones for content creators, schools, and businesses. We also provide hardware design services for a range of AI and IoT applications, from smart retail to smart cities. AVerMedia is guided by a philosophy of contributing to society- whether through products that change customers’ lives for the better, or by ensuring our operations are socially responsible. www.avermedia.com About BarcoBarco designs technology to enable bright outcomes around the world. Seeing beyond the image, we develop visualization and collaboration solutions to help you work together, share insights, and wow audiences. Our focus is on three core markets: Enterprise (from meeting and control rooms to corporate spaces), Healthcare (from the radiology department to the operating room), and Entertainment (from movie theaters to live events and attractions). In 2020, we realized sales of 770 million euro. We have global team of 3,300 employees, whose passion for technology is captured in 430 granted patents. For more information, visit www.barco.com, follow us on Twitter (@Barco), LinkedIn (Barco), YouTube (BarcoTV), or like us on Facebook (Barco).

Breast cancer early detection, screening, and management – what we need to know

By Dr. Amrita Chakraborty, Consultant Onco-radiology, HCG EKO CANCER CENTRE, Kolkata

Breast cancer remains a worldwide public health predicament and is currently the most common cancer. It is the primary cause of mortality among the female population around the globe including India. Awareness surrounding breast cancer is extremely important for early detection and the best treatment outcome. Each year one in ten of all new cancers diagnosed worldwide is found to be breast cancer.

Women are at increasingly high risk of breast cancer, due to a remarkable change in the reproductive and nutrition-related determinants over time. The most rapid rises are seen in developing countries, where breast cancer risk has historically been low relative to industrialized countries. The increasing trend in developing areas is the result of the ‘westernization and altered lifestyles trend of factors such as childbearing, dietary habits, and exposure to exogenous estrogen. Considering the rising trends, women must be cautious and aware of the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, the need for self-evaluation and screening techniques, and the ways of protection.

Identifying the early signs of breast cancer is very important and can be seen in the form of a rapidly developing breast swelling or lump. A sudden increase in the size of a lump that has been stable for a long period in the past, thickening or retraction of the skin of breast or nipple-areola complex, discharge from the nipple, axillary swelling, or a hard chest wall nodule.  Of primary importance is the fact that most of these changes are painless and need to warrant greater caution. If such symptoms are detected, then we immediately need to see a doctor for further evaluation.

Radiodiagnosis plays a pivotal role not only in the early diagnosis of breast cancer but also through the entire process of treatment. The preliminary radiological investigations include mammography and high-resolution ultrasound of the breast. USG is a non-invasive investigation that does not cause the risk of exposure to ionize radiations. It is an easily available investigation and inexperienced hands can be used for characterization of a breast lump and in differentiating benign and malignant natures depending on certain sonographic characters of the lumps.

Ultrasound along with mammography also serve as fantastic screening tools for breast in case of positive family history, ductal discharge, or any other breast-related symptoms. Ultrasound also plays a pivotal role in guided breast biopsies for histo-pathological correlation and marker placements.

For smaller suspicious lesions and higher levels of screening magnetic resonance imaging of the breast now plays a pivotal role. It is possible to characterize very small breast lesions on an MRI based on the imaging characters on diffusion and dynamic post-contrast scans.

The role of CT and PET CT is predominantly related to staging and response evaluation during the process of treatment. With significant advancements in medical oncology, most breast cancer is now treatable, and a significant proportion is also completely curable. What is needed is patient awareness, self-care, and proper diagnosis and management under doctors who are specifically trained in treating breast cancer. Finally, we should understand that the rising trend in this disease are significantly due to altered lifestyles which if properly dealt with can serve as an important platform for breast cancer prevention. 

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court granting 14-day furlough to rape convict Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna allowed the appeal of the Gujarat government challenging the June 24 order of the high court granting furlough to Sai.

The top court said that furlough is not an absolute right and it depends on various factors.

It said the jail superintendent has given a negative opinion for grant of furlough to Sai as a mobile phone was found from his cell.

On August 12, the top court had stayed the Gujarat High Court order giving two-week furlough to Sai.

The top court had issued a notice to Sai on the Gujarat government’s plea challenging the high court’s single-judge order of June 24 and stayed it till further orders.

It had said that the proviso to Rule 3(2) of the Bombay Furlough and Parole Rules 1959, provides that a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment may be released on furlough every year after he completes seven years actual imprisonment.

The single-judge bench of the high court ordered the release of Sai on furlough for two weeks on June 24, 2021, but the division bench had stayed it till August 13 and thereafter the state has moved the top court challenging the June 24 order.

The state government has contended that under the rules and even in a judgement of this court, it has been held that furlough is not an absolute right and it depends on various factors.

It had said Sai and his father were arrested for offences under rape charges and they wield considerable influence with money and muscle power.

On April 26, 2019, Sai was convicted under the Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 323 (assault), 506-2 (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (conspiracy) by a Surat court and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In 2013, Asaram was arrested for allegedly raping a girl in Rajasthan after two Surat-based sisters had accused Asaram and his son of sexual exploitation.

The elder sister had accused Asaram of sexual assaulting her between 1997 and 2006 when she lived at his Ahmedabad ashram.

The younger sister had accused the godman’s son of sexual assault when she lived at Asaram’s ashram in the Jahangirpura area of Surat between 2002 and 2005.

The incidents of multiple sexual assaults and unnatural sex with the victim had taken place between 2002 and 2005, but the case against Sai had been filed only in 2013.

Sai was arrested from the Delhi-Haryana border in December 2013.

When Sai was in jail, the Surat police had claimed to have unearthed elaborate plans to bribe police officers, doctors, and even judicial officers to weaken the case against him.

Kevadia (Guj): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his government, after hard work in the last six-seven years, has established faith among people that it is possible to fight corruption and that they will get benefits of various government schemes without the involvement of middlemen.

Virtually addressing a joint conference of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) virtually at Kevadia in Gujarat, Modi claimed the previous government did not have the will to fight corruption.

In the last six-seven years, we have been able to establish faith among people that it is possible to stop corruption in the country. People of the country have faith today that they will get benefits of government schemes without any middlemen, Modi said.

“Corruption, big or small, takes away the rights of common people. It is a hindrance in the progress of the country and effects our collective energy,” he said.

Modi also said that there should be no safe havens anywhere in the world for those committing crime against the country and its people.

New Delhi: Uttarakhand reported at least 42 rain-related deaths on Tuesday with many people still trapped under the rubble after landslides, while Uttar Pradesh witnessed four fatalities, even as heavy downpour in Kerala filled several dams to the brim and multiple districts were on alert.

In view of the incessant rains, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated his appeal to Chardham yatris to stay where they are and not to resume their journeys before the weather improved.

“The number of casualties in Kumaon region alone has crossed 40,” DIG Nilesh Anand Bharne told PTI.

With 42 new fatalities in the Kumaon region, the death toll in the disaster has risen to 47 as five deaths were reported on Monday.

Of the 42 fresh deaths, 28 people were killed in Nainital district, six each in Almora and Champawat and one each in Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar districts, the official said.

The connectivity to Nainital was restored in the evening after hours of struggle amid inclement weather, officials said.

Chief Minister Dhami undertook an aerial survey of the rain-hit areas and later interacted with the affected people on ground zero to make an assessment of the damages caused.

He announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in rain-related incidents across the state over the last two days.

Director General of Uttarakhand Police Ashok Kumar, who accompanied Chief Minister Dhami on a visit to the rain-hit areas of the Kumaon region, said roads, bridges and railway tracks have been damaged in Kathgodam and Lalkuan in Nainital and Rudrapur in Udham Singh Nagar.

It will take at least four-five days to repair the damaged tracks, Kumar told PTI.

Three Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters have arrived in the state and are assisting in relief and rescue operations. Two of them have been deployed in Nainital district, which has suffered extensive damage due to cloudbursts and landslides, Dhami said.

According to a rough estimate, around 100 pilgrims from different parts of Gujarat who had gone to Uttarakhand for the Chardham Yatra were stranded following heavy rains and landslides, Gujarat Revenue Minister Rajendra Trivedi said.

The National Disaster Response Force has rescued over 300 people from flood-affected areas of Uttarakhand, the federal force said on Tuesday.

The NDRF has deployed 15 teams in the state.

Rainfall was reported from other parts of the country as well including Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, according to the IMD, which forecast an intense spell of rain over east and northeast till Wednesday, and south peninsular region during the next four-five days.

Authorities in the national capital said Prof Joginder Singh Marg in the western part of the city had been closed after the road caved in.

A 35-year-old woman and her mother-in-law died in Uttar Pradesh’s Fathepur after a wall of their house collapsed following heavy rains.

In Bareilly, also in UP, two labourers died of electrocution in Bisalpur road after coming in contact with a solar panel following heavy rains, police said.

In West Bengal, the Met department said heavy rainfall is very likely to continue till Thursday morning even as the low-pressure system that developed over the Gangetic Basin in the southern part of the state moved to Bihar, parts of which received heavy rains during the day.

The weatherman warned of extremely heavy rainfall over Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Alipurduar till Wednesday morning and downpour till Thursday over all sub-Himalayan districts.

The IMD forecast more rain on Wednesday in Odisha, which has already been battered by low-pressure area-induced downpour for the last three days. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal for the next 48 hours.

Down south in Kerala, after a relative respite of two days, the IMD Tuesday issued an Orange Alert for 11 districts of Kerala indicating heavy rainfall. The weatherman has put 12 districts in the state on Orange alert on Thursday also.

The IMD sounded an Orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur districts on October 20.

An Orange alert has been issued for all districts other than Kannur and Kasaragod on October 21.

Idukki, Idamalayar, Pamba and Kakki, four major dams among the total 78 dams in the state have been opened to release the excess water.

Shutters of Cheruthoni dam, part of the Idukki reservoir in Kerala, were opened on Tuesday to create more storage capacity in anticipation of the heavy rainfall predicted in its catchment area over the next two days.

Various district administrations have issued alerts to the people living downstream and shifted them to relief camps set up in the state.

The IMD said a low-pressure area lies over Bihar and neighbourhood. Also due to strong southerly/southeasterly winds from Bay of Bengal, a heavy spell of rainfall activity is very likely to continue over east and northeast India till October 20.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy

Vijayapura: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said he has nothing to learn from RSS ‘Shakha’ as he alleged that people who were trained there have indulged in watching “blue film” at the legislative Assembly, when the session was on.

The former Chief Minister was responding to state BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel’s recent invitation to him to come to RSS Shakha and learn about the activities of the Sangh.

“…I don’t want their (RSS) companionship. Haven’t we seen what was taught in RSS Shakha? How to behave in the Vidhana Soudha….watching blue film while the assembly session is on. Isn’t such a thing taught to them (BJP) at RSS Shakha? Do I have to go there (to RSS shakha) to learn this?” Kumaraswamy asked.

Speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of the bypoll campaign, he said, “I don’t want their Shakha. Whatever I have learnt from the Shakha here, the Shakha of the poor is enough. I have nothing to learn from theirs (RSS Shakha).”

Kumaraswamy was referring to an incident in 2012, when the then three ministers were caught on camera allegedly watching porn clipping on mobile phones in the state assembly during its proceedings, causing an embarrassment to the then BJP government.

The three ministers had resigned following the incident.

Recently, referring to a book, Kumaraswamy had said that the RSS, as part of its ”hidden agenda”, has created a team of bureaucrats in this country, who are now placed at various institutions.

He had also said the BJP governments at both the Centre and in Karnataka were functioning on the directions of the RSS, and PM Narendra Modi was its “puppet”.

Following this, Kateel had invited him to come to RSS Shakha and learn about the Sangh’s activities.

Jammu: As the counter-insurgency operation in the forest belt of Jammu and Kashmir’s twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri entered the ninth day on Tuesday, public announcements were made in Mendhar asking local residents to stay indoors for their safety, officials said.

The people were alerted through the public address system in local mosques in Bhatta Durrian and adjoining areas as the security forces were preparing a final assault against the terrorists believed to be hiding in the forest area of Mendhar in Poonch district, the officials said.

They said the people were asked not to venture into the forest area and also keep their livestock at their homes in view of the ongoing operation.

Those who have gone outside were asked to return to their homes along with their animals, the officials said.

While a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and four other security personnel laid down their lives in a fierce gunfight during the start of the counter-insurgency operation in Surankote forest of Poonch on October 11, four other soldiers including another JCO lost their lives in another encounter in Nar Khas forest in Mendhar on Thursday evening after the security forces extended the cordon and search operation. An encounter was on in the adjoining Thanamandi forest in Rajouri district on October 11 when the security forces confronted the fleeing militants who, however, managed to escape.

The entire forest belt is still under tight security cordon to neutralise the terrorists, the officials said, adding the area is mountainous and the forest is dense, making the operation difficult and dangerous.

Eight suspected persons including a mother-son duo were detained for questioning from Bhatta Durrian in connection with providing logistic support to the terrorists. However, it is to be seen whether the support was given voluntarily or under duress, the officials said.

Earlier on Saturday, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rajouri-Poonch range, Vivek Gupta said the presence of terrorists in the forest area connecting Poonch and Rajouri was observed two and a half months ago and accordingly tactical operations were launched to track them down.

The joint security grid was tracking different groups of terrorists but sometimes operations take time, depending on the topography of the area. The contact with the terrorists was established on three occasions during the start of the operation, based on the intelligence inputs, the officer had said, adding the terrorists are holed up and the joint forces are on the job to take the operation to the logical conclusion.

The army has already deployed para-commandos and a helicopter was also seen hovering over the forest area on Saturday for surveillance.

The traffic between Mendhar and Thanamandi along the Jammu-Rajouri highway remained suspended as a precautionary measure for the fifth day on Tuesday in the wake of the ongoing operation.

Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region have witnessed a rise in infiltration attempts since June this year, resulting in the killing of nine terrorists in separate encounters.

Tumkuru: Nearly a week after an online uproar against Prof. Ramchandraiah over insulting and derogatory remarks against Muslims and Islam in his book that is being taught in B.Ed course across universities, the author has now been arrested by Tumkuru Police.

According to the reports, Prof. Ramchandraiah has been arrested by New Extension Police Station personnel in Tumkuru.

A complaint was filed against his at New Extension Police Station by Campus Front of India State President Roshan Nawaz. Complaints were also filed against the professor in 25 police stations across the state.

Ramchandraiah has been booked under 153(A), 295 (A) and other sections.