Category Archives: Science & Technology

Canada, UK are ‘Dodo Award’ winners

Science & Technology
Hyderabad, OCT. 17:

The ‘Dodo Awards’ are perhaps akin to the ignominous (Ig) nobel prizes in the field of conserving biodiversity.

The winners this year are Canada and the UK. In a show that attracted attention, the CBD Alliance, a loose network of activists and representatives of NGOs, social movements and indigenous people’s organisations, announced the award winners.China, Brazil and Paraguay were declared runner up.

The ‘Dodo Awards’, are conferred on those governments, who have failed to evolve, and whose actions at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are contributing to, rather than preventing, biodiversity loss, the Alliance members told newspersons at the ongoing global summit. Dodo is a bird that has gone extinct. It has contributed to the phrase, as dead as a dodo. Canada is the clear leader, for breaching the moratorium on ocean fertilisation and geo-engineering adopted by the CBD in 2008 and 2010, said Silvia Ribero of the ETC Group.

Canada was also selected for its strong stance on biofuels. The country insisted that the CBD is not the place to discuss food security, and so the impacts of biofuel expansion on food should not be considered, said Helena Paul of EcoNexus.

The UK on the other hand is busy behind the scenes blocking attempts in the EU and the CBD to adopt a precautionary approach to synthetic biology, and establish or maintain moratoria, she said. The UK Government is busy commodifying biodiversity and the functions of ecosystems by developing biodiversity offsets.

Does the UK hope that biodiversity offsets and other financial mechanisms will replace the financial commitments that industrialised countries urgently need to make to the global effort to stem biodiversity loss?, the Alliance members questioned.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com /  Home> Industry & Economy / by Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad, October 17th, 2012

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

US FDA may inspect Dr Reddy’s Mexico facility this month

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

American drug regulator US FDA, which issued an import alert on products made in the Mexico unit of India’s Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, may visit the facility for an inspection later this month, the company said.

In a statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission of USA, DRL said it believes that the Detention without Physical Examination (DWPE) alert issued by USFDA is of a temporary nature and that it is not expected to have a material long term effect on the company’s Mexican operations.

“The company is working collaboratively with the USFDA to resolve the matters contained in the warning letter, and has been informed of an inspection by the USFDA of its Mexico facility during the last week of March 2012,” the SEC filing said.

“Nonetheless, the company cannot be assured that satisfying the USFDA’s concerns will not take longer than currently anticipated or that the USFDA will not request additional corrective actions that would result in the DWPE remaining in effect longer than currently anticipated,” the filing added.

In November 2010, USFDA inspected the company’s Mexican facility and issued audit observations relating to the process for manufacture of Active Pharma Ingredients (API) and steroids, to which DRL responded by agreeing to implement certain corrective actions.

On June 3 last year, the company received a warning letter from the US regulator seeking further clarifications and corrective actions on some of the prior audit observations to which the company had previously responded.

On June 28, USFDA posted an import alert, or DWPE, on its Web site for certain specified products made at the facility.

The Mexico facility produces intermediates, API and steroids.

It is thus unable to export some API and steroids to its US customers.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Companies / by PTI / Hyderabad, March 20th, 2012

World Egg Day celebrated

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Gannavaram MLA Dasarai Balavardhana Rao garlands the portrait of B.V. Rao, founder of the National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC), at World Egg Day celebrations at Enikepadu in Vijayawada on Friday. /  Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu

A special poster which states that egg is vegetarian was released on the occasion

Eggs are the cheapest food item available but yet provide all the nutrients a person needs, said Vijayawada Poultry Farmers Welfare Association President Mulpuri Lakshmana Swami.

Speaking at a special programme organised to celebrate World Egg Day by the association, he feigned ignorance at such a special day existing for promoting consumption of eggs, but opined that egg must be made a staple in everybody’s diet. “Everyone should eat at least two eggs per day for a healthy body”, he added.

Eating one egg per day from childhood will enable your body to protect itself from all the harmful changes in the environment said Gannavaram MLA D.V. Balavardhana Rao, while formally inaugurating the programme. All the essential vitamins like A, D, K, I and especially the most important one, proteins are present in eggs, he said. Eating one egg a day is a healthier option than taking all the artificial dietary supplements available in the market, he observed.

Further awareness was created on how eating eggs would protect people from mental stress, reduction of cholesterol, prevention of Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Heart problems at the celebrations through the various speeches and presentations. A special poster which states that egg is vegetarian was released on the occasion.

National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) President and Advisor Bala Swami, Animal Husbandry Joint Director Damodar Naidu, NECC Zonal Chairman K. Prem Kumar, Broiler Association President G. Buccha Rao, Srinivas Hatcheries Joint Director K. Somi Reddy and Technical Director T. Krishna Reddy also participated in these celebrations.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / October 13th, 2012

Milagrow HumanTech dedicates RedHawk robot to Saina Nehwal

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, Sports

Plans to give 5% of sales proceeds from the special edition product to Saina and 1% to Gopichand’s badminton academy

Milagrow HumanTech, a Gurgaon-based provider of TabTop PCs and domestic robots, has dedicated its domestic robot ‘RedHawk’ in the name of Saina Nehwal, who won the bronze medal for badminton at the recently-concluded London Olympics.

The Milagrow Redhawk, classified as a robotic vacuum cleaner, performs multiple tasks to ensure that its owner’s home is clean by the time he or she gets back from work. The bag-less model has a one-litre dust bin to store the dirt it collects. This battery-operated robot uses six different modes to clean effectively with minimal noise.

“Saina is the cause of national cheer and pride. Her story must inspire millions. We are also honouring Pullela Gopichand for his yeoman service to Indian badminton,” said Rajeev Karwal, founder and chief executive (business and knowledge solutions), Milagrow.

Milagrow plans to give 5% of the sales proceeds from the special edition product to Saina Nehwal and 1% to Gopichand’s badminton academy.

“We decided on launching the special edition products before the Olympics started, for all the medal winners and once they were back we met them to finalise the details of the special edition launches. You will hear the launches in the names of other winners soon. We are not looking for any endorsement from them but honoring them. They will inspire a billion. We feel that this initiative is a way of encouraging the athletes to give their 100% not only during Olympics but also in the future whenever they are competing,” Karwal added

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Economy & Policy / by K Rajani Kanth / Hyderabad, October 09th, 2012

Training institute for technicians to undertake dialysis

Education, Science & Technology
Hyderabad:

NephroPlus, a healthcare speciality chain running kidney clinics, has set up a training institute called ‘Enpidia’, here. The institute will train technicians who will be certified to undertake dialysis.

The two-year international standard, certification programme will focus on training dialysis technicians and nurses. It will be administered by US-based agency and aim to bring the much-needed standardisation to dialysis training in India and ensuring quality kidney care.

Announcing the launch Mr Kamal D. Shah, Co-Founder and Director, NephroPlus, said, “The situation today in India is very dangerous. Many dialysis technicians and nurses do not have the necessary training or qualifications to work at dialysis units. This puts the lives of patients at a huge risk.”

The contemporary programmes in the country are not rigorous enough to train people in dialysis. They do not have the necessary theoretical knowledge to effectively look after dialysis patients. Most of them are taught procedures in a very mechanical manner which is simply not enough, he said in a press release.

STIPENDS

NeproPlus will offer stipends right after the third month of training and can go up to Rs 7,500/month in the second year. The course fee is Rs 12,000 every six months. People with this certification will be eligible for jobs in countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, West Asia as well.

NephroPlus, with seven kidney clinics in South India will also be offering jobs to some of these candidates as it plans to open more centres.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Economy / The Hindu’s Bureau / Hyderabad, March 08th, 2012

Autodesk acquires Pramati’s Qontext platform

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
US designer buys software to expand social capabilities of its cloud-based service
Autodesk says it intends to use Qontext technology to add new social capabilities to Autodesk 360, its cloud-based platform.

Hyderabad:

US-based three-dimensional, or 3D, design software maker Autodesk Inc. has acquired enterprise social collaboration software platform Qontext from Hyderabad-based Pramati Technologies Pvt. Ltd to expand the social capabilities of its Autodesk 360 cloud-based service.
Qontext comes as a ready-to-use hosted service that helps create contextual conversations with co-workers and customers using bookmarks, discussions, photos, videos, polls, documents and the like. It comes for a monthly subscription “as low as the price of a good coffee”, the company’s website said.
Autodesk said it intends to use Qontext technology to add new social capabilities to Autodesk 360, its cloud-based platform that offers users the ability to store, search and view critical design data and improve the way they design, visualize, simulate and share work with others at anytime, from anywhere.
“Mobile, cloud and social computing are dramatically changing the way engineers, designers and architects work. The addition of the Qontext technology to the Autodesk portfolio will lead to new technology innovations that help our customers embrace these disruptive technologies and leverage them for competitive
advantage,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice-president of information modeling and platform products at Autodesk, in a statement.
Collaborative platforms that link up the cloud, social media and mobile are much sought after in the enterprise market. This is at least the fifth such purchase in the product space in recent months.
Microsoft Corp.  acquired Yammer Inc. for $1.2 billion in July,  Citrix Systems Inc. bought Podio ApS  for an undisclosed sum in April,  SAP AG  purchased Success Factors Inc.  for $3.4 billion in December and VMWare Inc. acquired SocialCast in May last year for an undisclosed amount.
Research firm Forrester Research Inc. said corporate social software will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61% to become a $6.4 billion market by 2016 from $600 million in 2010.
Autodesk said the development team of Qontext, founded in 2009 and headquartered in California, will join its rolls with this acquisition. “This transaction is a significant milestone in our ongoing bid to incubate and build firms that address the rapidly changing needs of business through highly innovative technologies,” said  Vijay Pullur , president, Pramati Technologies.
Pramati Technologies was founded as a web technology firm in April 1998 by brothers Jay Raghavendra Pullur and Vijay Prasanna Pullur, who worked with information technology services provider  Wipro Ltd.   before that. The privately held firm had previously sold Pramati Studio, a platform to build developer tools, to US-based  Progress Software Corp.  in 2005.
It has incorporated two other firms for each of its products, SocialTwist, a social and referral marketing tool, and Imaginea, a software product and services firm that counts Visa Inc. and Intel Corp.  among its clients. Pramati employs 500 people across three locations globally, according to its website.
The deal size and transaction terms weren’t immediately disclosed. Jay Pullur said at a press conference in Hyderabad that the company invests sizeable amounts in its subsidiaries and expects “VC (venture capital) type returns”.
Pramati incorporates each of its business ideas as separate companies and builds them into mature products before selling them off. It typically invests $3-7 million in mature companies such as Qontext. Venture capital firms usually expect 5-10 times return on their investment. Autodesk executives said the deal was in the million-dollar range but did not elaborate, citing non-disclosure agreements.
With this acquisition, Autodesk will open a development centre in Hyderabad, its second in India after Pune.
The 25-member development team of Qontext, founded in 2009 and headquartered in California, will join its rolls after the acquisition, said  Soren Abildgaard, senior director, cloud platforms, Autodesk.
Rajiv Shivane, who led the Qontext team, will continue to lead it at Autodesk.
Abildgaard also said Qontext will be absorbed into Autodesk and not be branded separately.
Autodesk is not acquiring the existing customer base of Qontext in this transaction and will not support them,  Shanna Tellerman, the company’s product line manager, Web services, said. Pramati will continue to support them for some time, Jay Pullur said.
Pramati is also talking to prospective buyers to sell SocialTwist, Jay Pullur said but did not disclose more details citing confidentiality pacts. At the same time, it is actively considering acquiring a company by the year-end, he said. “It is a reasonably sized deal,” Jay Pullur said.
source: http://www.livemint.com / Home> Companies / by Yogendra Kalavalapalli / Friday, October 05th, 2012

Wind energy firm Mytrah announces profits in first operational period

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Aims to double the capacity to 600 mw in next couple of years

Hyderabad-based Wind energy company Mytrah Energy Limited today said it expects to make a profit before tax (PBT) of $ 10-12 million on a projected revenue of $ 28-30 million  in the first half of the current financial year , its first operational period, in contrast to a perception that clean energy forays take longer gestation to break even.

Founded in October, 2010, the London Stock Exchange listed company has a 316 mw operational capacity. located in seven sites, which it takes to 600 mw by investing Rs 2,000 crore in the next couple of years. The company expects to achieve a 16% return on equity over a period of 25 years of plant life where the wind farm output is typically based on a 25-26% plant load factor(PLF).

Explaining the reason behind early break even achieved in wind energy business Ravi Kailas, chairman and CEO of Mytrah Energy said the support of long term funds, lower capital costs besides internal execution capabilities had become a differentiator from other players in the sector. The company has so far invested about Rs 2,400 crore. However, the future expansion would become much easier and quicker if states like Andhra Pradesh move the tariff from the present Rs 3.50 to Rs 4.50 per unit, according to him.

The revenue accruals for the first half of the year also helped by higher energy output at 39% PLF due to good wind season but for the full year it could be around 26%, Ravi said.

About 270 MW of capacity is currently under development for which the company has been pumping in around Rs 2000 crore investment. Of this about   Rs 700 crore of equity finance has already been raised by the company and currently in talks with various banks to raise the debt, according to Vikram Kailas, managing director of Mytrah Energy said.

“We expect to  make a PBT of Rs 700 crore once we achieve 600 mw capacity. This cash flow would help in further expansion that we have proposed to undertake,” Vikram said. The company proposes to establish 5000 mw of installed capacity in wind energy with a total capex of Rs 30,000 crore by 2017-18

source:  http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Companies & Industry / by Dasarath Reddy / Hyderabad, October 03rd, 2012

AP to set up incubation centre for product-based IT start-ups, SMEs

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

The incubation centre, spread across 27,000-sft area, will come up near Hi-tech city in Hyderabad

To encourage product development among start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under information technology (IT) domain, the Andhra Pradesh government is planning to set up an incubation centre in Hyderabad.

“The state is now more focused on promoting product development in the IT sector. With objective to facilitate product development in the state, this initiative will empower the start-ups and other independent developers to come and use the plug-and-play facility,” P Venugopal, director of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Hyderabad, told Business Standard.

The incubation centre, spread across 27,000-sft area, will come up near Hi-tech city in Hyderabad. “We expect the centre to become operational in the next six months,” he said.

The state has appointed a consulting agency, which is working on the feasibility of the centre. “The drawing has been approved by the government, now the agency is preparing the estimated cost for the centre,” he said.

Replying to a query on the number of product development companies that are going to be benefited through this incubation centre, Venugopal said, “Once the centre will become operational, we can put a number.”

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Economy & Policy / by Itishree Samal / Hyderabad, October 02nd, 2012

Meet on legume genetics to open in Hyderabad on Oct. 2

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Hyderabad, September 29th:

The International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will host the sixth international conference on Legume Genetics and Genomics (ICLGG) here.

The six-day conference will begin on October 2. About 500 delegates from 44 countries are expected to attend the conference to discuss advances in the area of legume genetics and genomics.

William D. Dar, Director-General of ICRISAT; Swapan Datta, Deputy Director-General (Crop Science) of ICAR; and Rick Dixon, Plant Biology Division Director and Senior Vice-President of Noble Foundation, the USA, will address the conference.

“This conference is of great significance for India as legumes form an important constituent of the vegetarian diet consumed globally and complement cereal crops as a rich source of dietary protein (ranging from 20-40 per cent),” Dar said here in a statement.

India is the largest or one of the largest producers of a majority of pulse crops in the world. It contributes 25 per cent to the global legume production.

“Despite being the largest producer for the majority of pulse crops there is a significant difference in its production and consumption. Owing to this huge difference in the production and consumption, India has to spend a significant amount of its foreign currency on import of these legumes to fill the gap. In 2008, India spent about $2 billion on the import of these legumes,” an ICRISAT statement said.

Earlier editions of the conference have been held in the US (twice), France, Australia and Mexico.

kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Agri-Biz / by Business Correspondent / September 29th, 2012

Brahman Cows Thrive in USA and Brazil

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Brahman cattle after a rain near Perch Creek Road near College Station, TX

By Krishan Gupta

History of Brahman cattle between India and America is more than 140 years old. During British Raj Indian cattle were imported to USA and Brazil for milk and other products and according to their needs. Texas became the main hub to import cattle during that time. City of Hungerford, TX has one of the ten largest purebred producers in USA.

A Brahman cow is an extremely good mother, offering protection and an abundance of milk for her calves. Brahman calves tend to measure high weights at weaning because of the outstanding milk given by Brahman cows. They are known for their extreme tolerance to heat conditions, and resistance to insects due to their thick layer of skin. They live longer than many other breeds, often still producing calves at ages 15 and older. These cows have a greater ability to withstand heat than European cattle, and have more sweat glands, big hump, also an oily skin, thought to help repel pest insects along with a smooth coat and a short hair coat. They are also more resistant to parasites and disease in some countries, especially in South America. In South America, Brahman cattles are also used for milk, and other products.

The Brahma is a breed of Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), later exported from India to the rest of the world. The main breeds used were Kankrej, Gujarat, Nellore or Ongole and the Gir cattle. It is named for the Sacred Cow of Hindus.

Nellore cattle originated from Ongole (Bos Iindicus) cattle originally brought from India to Brazil. The Nellore has a distinct large hump over the top of the shoulder, neck, and long legs, which help them to walk in water and when grazing. The Nellore can adapt to all except very cold climates. They are very resistant to high temperatures and have natural resistance to various parasites and diseases.

Ongole city is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India and famous for its Ongolu Gittacattle (Ongole breed of oxen).  This is one of the major Zebu cattle breeds in the world. Zebucattle was originally called as Bos Indicus, sometimes known as humped cattle, Indicus cattle, Cebu or Brahmin cattle originating in South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent. They are characterized by a fatty hump on their shoulders, drooping ears and a large dewlap. Zebu are used as draught oxen, as dairy cattle and as beef cattle, as well as for byproducts such as hides and dung for fuel and manure.

Gir cattle are famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli District of Gujarat.

Kankrej cattle are a breed of Zebu cattle from the district of Kankrej in the state of Gujarat, India, They are also known by the names Bannai, Nagar, Talabda, Vaghiyar, Waged, Wadhiar, Guzerat cattle are a breed developed in Brazil from Kankrej cattle imported from India. The name Gurezat is a Portuguese spelling of Gujarat. They are, of course, very similar, both being tall draft/beef  breeds with high horns. On the average, Guzerat are darker, bigger and have longer horns than Kankrej. The bulls usually are quite dark on the head and forequarters, lighter elsewhere. Guzerat and Kankrej are the principal breeds used in the formation of the American Brahman, along with the Gir and the Nellore.

However there has never existed in India a breed called Nellore. This name corresponds to a District of the old Presidency of Chennai, now belonging to the new State of Andhra Pradesh by the Bengal Sea. It was in Brazil that some authors started to use the name Nellore as a synonym to Ongole, the Indian breed that contributed most to the creation of the Nellore.

The first importation of Indian cattle of any notoriety came in 1854, when sugar and cotton farmer, Richard Barrow of St. Franksville, Louisiana, was presented with two bulls by the Government of Great Britain, for his services in teaching cotton and sugar cane production to British officials establishing these crops in the deltas  of India.

In 1915, J.D. Hudgins and his son, Walter, began putting together all of the Indian cattles they could find and afford to purchase. In that year, they bought a group of females which were direct descendants of a 1906 importation from India. In 1924, they were able to purchase a group of bulls which had been imported from Brazil. These, and other humped cattle, formed the basis of the first breed to be developed in the United States “The American Brahman”. The registry for the American Brahman breed was organized in that same year. The J.D. Hudgins ranch is located at Hungerford, Texas, 50 miles southwest of Houston on U.S. Highway 59.   The Hudgins Ranch acquired the gray Brahman bull Monso in 1933. Manso’s descendants are the cornerstone stock from which the ranch’s American Gray Brahman herd was developed, now one of the largest registered American Gray Brahman herds in the world.

Originating from a nucleus of approximately 266 bulls and 22 females of several Bos indicus (cattle of India) types imported into the United States between 1854 and 1926. Today the Brahman breed has achieved acceptance for their environmental adaptively, longevity, mothering ability and efficient beef production

In 1933 the Hudgins Ranch purchased the gray Brahman bull Manso, a descendant of a pure blood Brazilian Brahma bred by the Sartwelle Brothers of Palacios, Texas. Manso proved to be an excellent sire and very prolific. His first calves were born in the fall of 1934. At the time of his death in 1943 at the age of 17 years, Manso had produced 316 offspring for the ranch. It has been estimated that over 75% of all cattle registered by the American Brahman Breeders Association carry Manso breeding. The Manso cattle breed have captured over 1500 championships including numerous National and International Champions

V8 Ranch was also established in 1944 by Howard Parker of Center, Texas and purchased by Sloan Williams in 1971. Because of these early roots he said that was proud to be one of the oldest continually operating Brahman herds in the United States.

The American Brahman Breeders Association was organized in 1924. J.W. Sartwelle of Houston was the first recording secretary of the Association and it was he who proposed the word “Brahman” and so it was adopted as the name of the new beef breed. American Brahman cattle, the first beef breed developed in the United States, are proven to be the top most rank in hybrid vigor, heat tolerance, and efficiency compared to all other beef breeds. With improved growth and performance, Brahman cattle increased profitability and play an important role in crossbreeding programs throughout the United States, Brazil, Australia and many other parts of the world.

source: http://www.indoamerican-news.com / September 27th, 2012