Category: Education

GTU to conduct Examination for final year students, here’s how it will be conducted…!

GTU – Gujarat Technological University to conduct online as well as offline exams on 2nd of July. V.C. of GTU Navin Seth and V.C. of MS University Parimal Vyas raised an issue about exams and said that:

“All private universities are conducting examinations and if state universities do not conduct exams, the students enrolled with them are going to face serious repercussions for the same – in terms of not being able to go for higher study, or even bag a job. “Their competence in the time to come will be challenged.”

So, the GTU has decided to conduct examination for final year candidates.

GTU (@GTUoffice) | Twitter

“Allow universities to frame examination guidelines as per their requirement and local dynamics. The new proposed guidelines may create further issues, so the framework of new guidelines regarding cancellation of examination must incorporate the flexibility of giving autonomy to individual universities for taking the decision regarding the date, mode of examination and other related guidelines in line with the set norms of UGC,” – the V.C. said.
GTU also plans to conducts for those who have fear and lives in containment zone via online mode as well as off in the month of September-October.
We have students from 32 states. To bring uniformity in exam patterns for Gujarat, out of state and of India students, we decided to conduct online exams for all. I raised only one point and asked All India University members that they should convey to UGC that universities should be given autonomy to decide and conduct exams. No mandatory guidelines for all universities should be set for blanket implementation,” Vyas said
GTU gets 'Most Trusted State University' - Times of India
The online mode of exam will be conducted with high safety in hand on hand with varasity, and planned to conduct exams of around 1600+ students with 1 supervisor for each 15 student and the computers will be completely checked there will be no copy-paste option available as well as browsing on the internet will also be disabled for an additional security each and every 1600+ students movement will be recorded, computers will be properly sanitized before and after use.
The offline exams will be conducted for those who are willing to go for offline mode. There will only 15 students on each class and 1 supervisor for each 15 students proper distance will be allotted between each student and proper sanitation procedure will be followed up.
The timings of the online mode is 2.5 hours where as for offline mode is 2 hours with the reduced question. For different typing speed of each student differs additional half hour time is allotted for students of online mode of examination.
GTU diploma, PDDC and BPH December 2018 exam result declared at ...

What Should Parents Know About COVID-19-Related Anxiety in Kids?

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the lives of everyone, including children. Vermont’s mental health professionals have seen higher-than-normal numbers of kids experiencing anxiety brought on by the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, school closures, canceled extracurricular activities, and curtailed visits with family and friends.

Thankfully, parents can play an active role in reducing their kids’ anxiety, beginning by reassuring them that they live in a very safe place. According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of youth under the age of 20 who have contracted COVID-19 remains low, and no Vermont children or teens have died from the virus.

Still, if children seem unusually anxious for a prolonged period, there are things parents can do to help. Dr. Lewis First, chief of pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, shares his expert advice for managing anxiety in kids.

KIDS VT: What is anxiety?

DR. LEWIS FIRST: Anxiety is a normal emotion we all experience at one point or another as part of our natural fight-or-flight response. Having a little stress or anxiety about something new, different or challenging is normal and prepares us to be sharper and more alert to respond. For a child, it may be a big test or athletic competition. But anxiety can become a problem when a child faces a sudden, prolonged crisis — which makes COVID-19 the perfect scenario for causing stress and anxiety. While their stress may not indicate a classic anxiety disorder, it can reach the upper limits of what a child is emotionally able to handle.

KVT: What signs should parents watch for?

LF: Anxiety becomes a concern when a child experiences a persistence of symptoms associated with this condition. Kids may have physiological complaints such as headaches, stomachaches or loss of appetite. Some kids become irritable or agitated. They may become restless, easily fatigued, have trouble concentrating or difficulty sleeping. Some become disruptive or even withdraw from their parents as a way to cope.

KVT: Does anxiety look different depending upon the child’s age?

LF: Kids of all ages, even babies, can show signs of stress or anxiety, which they can sense from their parents’ unease or experience when they’re around people they don’t know. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers may seem clingier, cry more, get upset easily and not want to do things that they previously enjoyed. Older schoolchildren and early adolescents may exhibit more negativity. They may complain of shortness of breath, shakiness, clamminess, a racing heart and feelings of doom, which are all classic signs of a panic attack.

KVT: When should parents be concerned about a child’s anxiety?

LF: First, parents should realize that the vast majority of children who are showing signs of stress right now are not having classic anxiety disorders. To make such a diagnosis, we need to see at least one sign of excessive anxiety occurring more days than not for at least six months, and we haven’t been dealing with COVID-19 for that long yet.

KVT: What can parents do to help?

LF: Kids tend to stress when they sense that their parents are worried. I know it’s hard right now, but parents need to remain calm and manage their own stress as best they can. This is a great opportunity for families to recognize that, even while isolated or as we slowly get out in public more often, this is a special time together. Parents should build in time to be with their child where it’s not about talking at them but really listening to them. With an older child or teenager, sometimes a parent expressing their own concerns will open the door to them feeling it’s OK to vent their own feelings. Parents can ask a child if there’s something they saw or heard about the coronavirus that worries them, then educate them about what is fact versus fiction. Parents can also reassure their children that scientists and medical professionals around the world are working every day to find new medicines and vaccines that will make this virus go away.

KVT: What can kids do themselves?

LF: Children can be made to feel like they’re part of the solution by practicing physical distancing, good handwashing hygiene and staying home when necessary. Parents should focus on all the positive things their kids are doing. Limit children’s exposure to the news or, with an older child, watch it together as a family so that you can discuss what’s going on. One of the most important things you can do to reduce anxiety is create predictability. Uncertainty breeds anxiety and fear, so parents should create a schedule that is predictable yet flexible and includes plenty of group playtime. Communicate with family, friends, teachers and coaches by phone or videoconference. And parents should not loosen the rules too much on healthy behaviors such as consistent bedtimes, good diet and daily exercise.

KVT: What if kids are still struggling with daily anxiety?

LF: If children just aren’t sleeping well most or all nights, are anxious most of the time, or continue to show the signs and symptoms we’ve discussed, then it’s time to talk to a health care professional. They can recommend treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and even medication. A counselor or therapist can be very helpful in teaching a child coping mechanisms such as taking slow, deep breaths; counting backward from 100; and having a safe space to go to in their minds and/or in their homes. Increased anxiety in adults can lead to physical or emotional abuse, so parents need to manage their own stress levels, too.

© 2020 Kids VT

Maharashtra, Delhi, amongst five states to receive the first batch of COVID-19 drug

Hetero Drug Limited, which is one of India’s leading pharmaceutical companies, has the approval to manufacture and market the generic version of the experimental COVID-19 drug Remdesivir. The company has sent 20,000 vials to five states which include Maharashtra and Delhi.

Both Maharashtra and Delhi happen to be the worst affected states when it comes to the coronavirus. Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are the other two states that will receive the first batch of the drug. The drug Remdesivir is being marketed under the brand name COVIFOR in India.

The capital of Hyderabad, Telangana, where the company is based, will also receive the first batch of the drug. The next batch of the drug is to be shipped to Kolkata, Indore, Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Kochi, Trivandrum and Goa.

According to the pharmaceutical company, a 100-milligram vial of the drug will cost ₹5,400. The recommended dose for both adults and the paediatric patients are said to be 200 mg on day one followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg for five days.

At the moment, the drug is being manufactured at the company’s formulation facility in Hyderabad. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is being made in the firm’s Visakhapatnam facility, as per reports by a news agency.

The DCGI had earlier approved the generic versions made by Cipla and Hetero for emergency use in severe cases of coronavirus. The treatment was the first to show results in trials conducted on patients suffering from the disease. It has won approval for emergency use in patients from the US, South Korea and has further received full approval in Japan.

Maharashtra, which is the worst affected state in the country because of the pandemic can, therefore, use this drug to treat critically ill patients. The state currently has 1,47,738 cases of coronavirus with 70,878 cases in Mumbai only.

WHO : Astrazeneca leading in Covid-19 vaccine race, Moderna not far behind

The WHO is in talks with multiple Chinese manufacturers, including Sinovac, on potential vaccines

syringe and pills on blue background
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

AstraZeneca’s experimental Covid-19 vaccine is probably the world’s leading candidate and most advanced in terms of development, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief scientist said on Friday.

The British drugmaker has already begun large-scale, mid-stage human trials of the vaccine, which was developed by researchers at University of Oxford.

This week, AstraZeneca signed its tenth supply-and-manufacturing deal.

“Certainly in terms of how advanced they are, the stage at which they are, they are I think probably the leading candidate,” WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan told a news conference.

“So it’s possible they will have results quite early.”

Swaminathan said Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate was “not far behind” AstraZeneca’s, among more than 200 candidates, 15 of which have entered clinical trials.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: Vaccine tests need over $30 bn in 12 months, says WHO

“We do know that Moderna’s vaccine is also going to go into phase three clinical trials, probably from the middle of July, and so that vaccine candidate is not far behind,” she said.

“But I think AstraZeneca certainly has a more global scope at the moment in terms of where they are doing and planning their vaccine trials.”

The WHO is in talks with multiple Chinese manufacturers, including Sinovac, on potential vaccines, as well as with Indian researchers, Swaminathan said.

She called for drugmakers to consider collaborating on Covid-19 vaccine trials, similar to the WHO’s ongoing Solidarity trial for drugs. A WHO-led coalition fighting the pandemic on Friday asked government and private sector donors to help raise $31.3 billion in the next 12 months to develop and deliver tests, treatments and vaccines for the disease. The initiative is called the ACT-Accelerator.

Andrew Witty, Special Envoy for the ACT-Accelerator, said it was important to consider a “portfolio of research efforts” for vaccines.

“It’s still very early days in this journey, we may be super lucky – which would be terrific – and have an early win,” Witty said. “Even if it takes 12 to 18 months that would be without precedent, the world’s fast development of vaccine.”

 

Life skills: A necessary lesson!

In a world where humanity is slowly degrading, certain life skills need to be imbibed and nurtured into us humans. As life these days are full of twists and turns and numerous hurdles one needs to take smart decisions in the right direction. Life skills can teach one to deal with stressful situations and can abstain one’s self from making hasty decisions.

Life skills will help us deal with the challenges of our ubiquitous life, it will aid us in decision making and will also help us in controlling our mind in inflexible times. One can discipline themselves with the implementation of certain life skills in everyday life. Being a good human and inculcating virtuous values is a long process but not a tough task.

According to UNICEF life skills should be inculcated amongst children from a young age be it empathy, problem solving or even critical thinking, this would help the children in taking the right decisions and thinking in the right way when they glow older especially in work places. Certain life skills will refrain oneself from taking illogical settlements. Life skills can be anything from a simple decision of wearing a helmet on your two wheeler to a decision refraining yourself from using the computer for long hours.

These days the word humanity is heard very frequently be it social media, news articles or just a usual family conversation but when it comes to practising humanity we are definitely greatly lagging behind and we can see that from unbelievable cases happening in and around the world which have shook us all and touched our hearts, questioning our sensibility as human beings.

Just like IQ that is Intelligence quotient, EQ is also important is also equally important and stands for emotional quotient (emotional intelligence), especially in a world where we are more prone to mental illnesses like depression and anxiety disorders. EQ is a great way to measure your emotional intelligence, be it decision making, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills or even self-awareness, to improve one’s EQ one has to improve and work on their life skills. The value which emotional intelligence hold is equally as important as the value given to IQ.

Certain life skills are crucial to holistic development and are essential, they are-

  • Decision Making and Problem Solving.
  • Interpersonal skills and Communication
  • Self Awareness and Empathy
  • Critical thinking and Creative thinking
  • Equanimity(self-control) and Assertiveness

These life skills when inculcated in our daily life can help us overcome so many obstacles. They inculcate certain values in us such as goal setting, courage, leadership, persistence, flexibility, confidence and sportsmanship.

Many schools have life skills as a compulsory subject to be taught to the students in their curriculum through interesting and engaging activities. Be it sports or fun activities, which would help them in their journey in the future. I feel it should be included in all school curriculums and should be taught  in middle school(childhood) as it is needed for the adoption of certain vital skills such as decision making, cooperation and empathy.

To induce positive development and good ethics within one’s self, self-work on life skills is needed, especially in a time where life is becoming tedious and can take unexpected turns one needs to look into one’s self care.

Intrinsic factors affecting the growth of microorganisms in food

There are various types of interactions between microorganisms and other living organisms. These interactions are natural, constant and also play a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance and stability of the biogeochemical cycle of the nature. Mostly, the food products we consume are obtained from plants and animals and also these foods are rich in variety of microorganisms which may or may not be pathogenic to humans. Growth of microorganisms in food depends on various different parameters which can be broadly classified as INTRINSIC and EXTRINSIC factors.
INTRINSIC FACTORS –
These are the factors that are present in the food substance in which the microorganism is growing, or it may be said as the internal factors of that particular food substrate. Various intrinsic factors are-

  1. Hydrogen Ion Concentration – All the microorganisms have minimal, maximal, or optimal pH for their growth and survival. Thus, the growth of microorganisms in food is affected by the pH of the food material. Foods may be classified as low pH or high pH foods. Most fruits, fermented foods come under high acid foods whereas most vegetables, meat, fish and milk are low acid foods. pH range of different microorganisms are :
    • Molds – 1.5-9.0
    • Yeasts – 2.0-8.5
    • Gram-positive bacteria – 4.0-8.5
    • Gram-negative bacteria – 4.5-9.0
  2. Water activity or moisture content – Water activity can be defined as the measure of availability of water present in any substance which can be used for biological functions and it also gives an idea of free water present in any food product. Water is an excellent requirement for microorganism for their growth. It has been observed and noted that the water activity of fresh food substances is 0.99. Also bacteria require more water activity i.e. free water in any food substrate for their growth than molds and yeasts. If specifically studied, it will be observed that gram-negative bacteria have relatively higher water requirements than gram-positive bacteria. Free water in any food substance is an essential requirement for the growth of microorganisms. Water activity of any food can be reduced by various absorption techniques to reduce the affect of spoilage by microorganisms.
  3. Redox Potential – Redox potential can be defined as the reducing and oxidizing power of food and it also greatly influences the growth of microorganisms in food. The concentration of oxygen present in any food sample determines the type of microorganism that will grow in it. Like, aerobic microbes require the oxygen whereas anaerobic microbes can also grow in lack of oxygen. So, it can be said aerobes grow at positive O-R potential whereas anaerobes grow at negative O-R potential.
  4. Composition of nutrients – Food composition is also an another intrinsic factor which influences the growth of microorganisms in food. There are 5 major nutrients group which are counted i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals, amount of each varies with the type of food and so the type and growth of microorganisms. Bacteria require the most nutrient requirement than yeasts and molds. Microorganisms utilize large complex nutrient molecules and convert them into smaller molecules. For e.g. there are some proteolytic bacteria which acts on proteins and hydrolyze it. Also some microbes convert lipids into glycerol with the help of an enzyme lipase. Some microorganisms which require vitamins for their growth are called as fastidious microorganisms.
  5. Inhibitory substances – There are a number of inhibitory substances that are present in foods by their origin which naturally prevent the growth of microorganisms in them. For e.g. some plants contain essential oils possessing antimicrobial properties. Milk also contains several antimicrobials like lactoferrin, conglutinin, etc.
  6. Biological structures – The natural structure of some foods have the remarkable excellence in controlling the entry as well as the growth of microorganisms in or on them. It can be noted as the natural covering of some foods which prevents the entry of microbes. So, the inner parts of the healthy tissues are sterile and possess very less microbial count. For e.g. skin of egg, rind on fruits, etc.

Why do I fear?

I was in a shock when I saw one of the teacher asking kids to mute themselves in an online class due to their willingness to answer. While me being a graduate in a year feeling tense to answer a known question to my faculty. How could I overcome my fear?Knowing nothing makes me feel comfortable rather than knowing something which causes me to fear about the rest half. Being a kid has more advantage rather than being a grownup.

I am just letting out my random thoughts to this question because I don’t know the answer. I am trying my way best to let my fear out. Why can’t I respond or even give a reply to a askout? I know I am overthinking the things and making my fear replicate everytime. How can I make my fear a reciprocal? Bringing all the courage in me and loosing it at the moment of requisite. All the courage goes in vain when my teacher picks a random student to answer. I didn’t know where did I left the courage that I had, when I spoke in my farewell. The courage I get back when I think of my past is temporary. Living in present by gathering the courage that I had in past to face the consequences in the future.

The fear you fear is just an illusion. The real existence of fear is a lie. The thoughts we have are just thoughts. The life we live is a dream. We rather live in thoughts and leave the present life. We should come out of the thinking life and live in present life. The thoughts make us feel about the non-existent temporary feelings. Come out of fake world and live a normal life. Everything is a feeling and the feel is temporary and it changes from time to time and make us play with it and make us mad. We are just players in the real world and play according to the coach who makes us feel about the temporary things in our thoughts. Our thoughts kill us daily.

Trying to motivate me by motivating readers by writing some stuff. Letting myself out by writing some stuff because I can’t speak it to anyone else. You might wonder that I am letting my things out to some random readers. But that might not affect me since being a unknown person to the readers. I know that I should get some motivation from my trustees but I don’t know why am I choosing the other way instead. I don’t have fear of being judged my mates because they are my mates and they don’t judge and if they do it then it can’t hurt me. I want to be confident and courageous and speak what I feel and should express the way I feel inside. The way I speak to my mates should become the way that I speak to else. I must be brave enough to speak the fact that I can’t do or I don’t know the answer. Accepting the fact of denial is the greatest contribution that one gives to him/herself.

Be brave to accept the unknown and have courage to speak the known. It’s our life and what the heck do we care of judging us. We are here to live our lives not to satisfy others. If we can’t express ourselves the way we feel about ourselves then it’s worthless to feel bad inside and destroy ourselves as a consequence of it. Be yourself both inside and outside.

Electrified Fabric Could Zap the Coronavirus on Masks and Clothing

Prototype mask made from a fabric that can inactivate pathogens. Credit: Vomaris Innovations, Inc.

Wearing masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) can slow the spread of COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone wear some kind of face covering in public places, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain. And health workers are donning additional coverings, such as gowns. Yet all such protective gear shares one significant problem: people still risk becoming infected with the novel coronavirus if they accidentally touch areas of the fabric that are contaminated with viral particles. So researchers are working to develop cloth that could inactivate or repel coronaviruses—ideally including the one that causes COVID-19—and other pathogens.

People transfer infectious particles to their hands if they touch the front of a mask during use or when they remove gowns or other PPE, according to Chandan Sen, director of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering at Indiana University. He and his colleagues have been developing a way to render those particles and other infectious agents harmless. The team researches “electroceutical” materials that wirelessly “generate electric fields across the surface of the fabric,” Sen says. Those fields can disrupt the behavior of bacteria or viruses on the cloth.

“The beauty of this [technology] is the inherently simple design,” he says. The polyester material is printed with alternating spots of silver and zinc resembling polka dots. They are one to two millimeters wide and spaced one millimeter apart. When the electroceutical material is dry, it functions as an ordinary fabric. But if it gets dampened—say, with saliva, vapor from a coughed up droplet or other bodily fluids—ions in the liquid trigger an electrochemical reaction. The silver and zinc then generate a weak electric field that zaps pathogens on the surface.

The researchers co-developed the material with the biotechnology company Vomaris Innovations in 2012. Last year they showed that the technology could be used to treat bacterial biofilms in wounds. A clinical trial is underway to further evaluate the fabric’s effectiveness as a Food and Drug Administration–cleared dressing for wound care, Sen says.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen’s team tested its existing material on a different coronavirus strain that causes a respiratory illness in pigs and on an unrelated type of pathogen called a lentivirus. “We wanted to know how broadly this principle could be applicable,” he says. In a study posted on the preprint server ChemRxiv in May, Sen’s team reported that its electroceutical fabric destabilized both viruses, leaving them unable to infect cells. The researchers plan to submit the results to a peer-reviewed journal as well.

To study the fabric’s action, they placed a liquid solution containing viral particles onto the electroceutical fabric and a polyester control fabric without the metal dots. After the droplets were fully absorbed, and the samples had rested for one to five minutes, the researchers recovered viral particles from both fabrics and tested whether they could still infect the types of cells they typically target.

“The data presented here show that, of the total virus that was recovered, a significant percentage was inactivated,” says Jeff Karp, a professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and co-leader of an N95 respirator working group at the Massachusetts General Brigham Center for COVID Innovation. Karp, who was not involved with the study, adds that the researchers did not test all of the virus that they had placed on the cloth. “In fact, the majority of virus was not recovered from the textiles examined in this study,” he says. Sen responds that his team focused on sampling only enough viral particles to show that the fabric had rendered them unable to infect cells. The researchers recovered roughly 44 percent of the particles from the electroceutical fabric samples that had rested for one minute. And they retrieved 24 percent of them from the samples that had rested for five minutes.

The material’s virus-fighting abilities have not been tested specifically on SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The researchers’ findings with the two viruses they studied, however, gave them “hope that this could apply more widely,” Sen says. He adds that large-scale manufacturing of the electroceutical fabric is already possible and that the costs of producing it are relatively low. The metal dots could be printed directly onto the front surfaces of masks, he suggests. Or an electroceutical fabric could be inserted between the front of a mask and the wearer’s face.

If a virus-stopping PPE material were widely available, it could limit the novel coronavirus’s ability to spread. “There is a huge unmet need to better understand modes of viral transfer that lead to virus transmission,” Karp says. “As we develop a better understanding of this, there is a huge immediate need to develop and quickly apply solutions that can reduce transmission.”

Metal dots are not the only potential approach. Paul Leu, director of an advanced materials laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, and his colleagues are developing a textile coating that repels bodily fluids, proteins and bacteria. It also repels one strain of adenovirus that causes respiratory illness and another that causes conjunctivitis, as reported in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces in April. Leu’s team has also not tested the material with the novel coronavirus itself, however. “The main thing with testing [the coating on] SARS-CoV-2 is the biosafety level you need to test it, because it’s very hazardous,” he says. Still, his team plans to see how well textiles with this coating repel a different coronavirus.

Leu says the coating, which remains repellent even after ultrasonic washing and scraping with a razor blade, could make PPE safer for wearers to take off. It could also be used on hospital bed linens, drapes and waiting room chairs, the researchers note in the study. But Leu points out that the coating is intended for use with medical textiles that are already considered reusable. His team has not tested it on single-use masks or N95s, but he thinks it could potentially damage them. Still, he says, the coating could work well for cloth masks such as those now being worn by many among the general public.

By developing materials that kill or repel viruses, researchers hope to make masks and other protective gear safer to remove and more effective against all viruses. “If the common person were to have PPE that wouldn’t spread infection,” Sen says, “I think that’s a big, big deal.”

 

Anatomy of eyes.

Eyes are one of the most important parts of our body. They work very similar to camera. Eyes basically convert light into electric signal. Light enters into eyes through cornea. Eyes have pupil which control the amount of light entering our eye. Light then passes through lens which forms an image on retina. Retina has rods and cons cell which convert image into electric signal. Naturally we ought to take best care of this sensitive part of our body. Our senses are the input mechanisms for us to perceive the world and act. Eyes are perhaps the most important of our five senses. They are most sensitive organ. Eyes are perhaps the most favorite body part of poets, they are said to reflect emotions of the being. We rest with our eyes closed, we are said to have closed eyes when we die.

Structure and Working of Eyes and its function

Human eyes are basically designed in two parts- front part, which comprises of lens, cornea and iris; and the interior part which comprises of vitreous, retina and veins.Cornea is the transparent structure found in front of our eyes. Light enters into our eyes through cornea which focuses most of the light. Then light passes through lens and gets further focused.  Behind the cornea is iris. It is a colored, ring shaped membrane. The iris has a circular opening called pupil. Pupil can expand or retract to control the amount of eyes entering our eyes. The pupil may take some time to react to light- that is why eyes take time to adjust to low light.The lens is surrounded by muscles which keep the lens in place. These muscles can relax to flatten the lens or contract to thicken the lens. The lens in our eyes is a convex lens- the surrounding muscles make it of variable focus length. When lens is flattened the focus length is high thus we are able to see far away, and when the lens is thickened, the focus length is small and we can see closer objects.

 The interior chamber of eyeball is filled with vitreous humor. After the light crosses lens, it passes through vitreous humor to reach retina. Retina is like the film in camera. It acts as screen for the image formation. Interesting thing to note here is that the image formed is inverted! This happens because of the convex lens in our eye. And only real image formed in a convex lens are always inverted. It is the magic of our brain that interprets the things right way up.Retina has three tissue layers. The first layer is called sclera which gives eye most of its white color [2]. The middle layer is called choroid which contains blood vessels that supply the retina with nutrients and oxygen and remove its waste products. Retina has millions of light sensing nerves. These nerves are called rods and cones because of their shape. Cones are concentrated in the center of the retina. Cones work more in bright light. They provide clear, sharp central vision and detect colors and fine details. Rods and cones convert light in electric signals. This signal is sent to brain via optical nerves which interprets the signal. Rods are located outside the center of retina. They extend all the way to the outer edge of the retina. They provide peripheral or side vision. Rods also allow the eyes to detect motion and help us see in dim light and at night.

“Zealandia- 8th Continent Soon ?”

Science and technology has helped humans in discovery of a number of things hidden deep inside sea, land, and even outer space. The invention of internet had gave birth to globalization  and people could travelling around the world, talk to people from on end to other end, get information about any topic they want, just with a single click and many more. While most of the earth secrest remain hidden, there have been some human advancement to discover some of them and thus gain more knowledge.There have been various theories reflecting the facts of drowned cities and islands due increase in water level or tsunamis or any other factotre like tectonic shift. Scientists have really been fascinated towards these facts and thus they have been finding some of those and thus get an idea about how early life was. The search of these led them to find the 8th continent which was expected to be lost crores of years ago. “Zealandia” is the name given to this continent and soon we can see it as an accepted continent around the world. 

Zealandia is present between Australia and New Caledonia in the South Pacific Ocean. The interesting fact to know is that about 94% of the land is submerged under water. According to the American Geological Society, Zealandia has an area of 50 lakh square km, which equals to about 66% of total Australian land. Zealandia was expected to be a part of Australia, but due to tectonic shift, it got away from it and drowned in water. So It’s fascinating to know about such a place and scientists went on a drilling experiment and collected some samples of rocks of Zealandia.The results were really good enough as they were rich in silica, granite and limestone. But how could be find a continental, suddenly. The first theory of Zealandia was given in 1995 and after then in 2017 , it was accepted to be land which could be named as a continent by most of the scientists but still not official. So with the help of the latest technologies , we were able to reach this place  and find the lost continent probably. 

Zealandia can be provided the designation if a continents, since it fulfills some of requirements required for it to be a continent .These include.:

  1. Continent needs to have elevation above the ocean floor , surrounding it. Which surely is as we see most of the land above the ocean floor through the images captured. 
  2. The crust of the continent must have igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, which certainly are present in it as per the experiments done by the experts. 
  3. The crust must be thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust. We see the thickness of Zealandia is thicker than the ocean floor we see, which makes it visible and also less than the oceanic crust. 
  4. It must be spread across a wider area. Interesting fact about Zealandia is that it’s size lie between the biggest island and smallest continent, so it might be a confusion to name it as an island or a continent. 

The benefits of such a piece of land which was under land for so many years could be enormous. It Would be rich in resources, new metals and stones and also would help us to understand what earth would have been so many years ago and most if its parts are untouched and pure. This could surely lead us to open up new possibilities and resources. 

But the big question still remains is will Zealandia get a position of a new continent. It’s still a question  most scientists have been conflicting up for. The main issue is that we do not actually know the pure definition of what a continent truly is, and how we separate it from other big islands. Maybe in the future we would be able to notice a wide change in our geography with 8 continents, new possibilities of research and development and a lot more understanding about our earth and it’s hidden secrets. 

INTERVIEW ADVICE Self Introduction for Job Interview

Self-introduction actually matters a lot across every industry- from politics, medical, education, real estate, to the healthcare industry. There is an endless number of studies and researches that prove this fact to be true. Whenever you meet a new person, you just have few seconds to either impress him or let him go!

Let’s take an example!

Joseph has come up for his very first interview after completing his graduation. He is well dressed in a carefully chosen formal suit, fully prepared with all the questions he’s expecting in the interview and waiting in the reception area to get a call for his turn.

Well, let me ask you a question here.

Is that all it takes to crack an interview? Are you prepared for the first question the interviewer is going to ask?

Yes, I am talking about the self-introduction part.

The misconception about self-introduction is that job seekers find this question as the easiest one, but actually it’s not. The majority of the candidates never prepare for this part, and during this question, they just say- Hi, My name is Nick….and then hope for the interviewer to take over.

Let’s be honest here!

This is not the approach that can help you get the job you have been dreaming of.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the basic things about the ‘Self Introduction’ part that every job seeker must know to grab the desirable job. Let’s get started!

What to include in the self-introduction

Self-introduction seems to be an obvious question, and nobody makes efforts on this part. But don’t forget that this part will either make or break the hiring decision. You need to invest good time and effort while planning this part. You must understand the interviewer’s intention behind this question and answer accordingly. Here I am listing a few things you need to include in the self-introduction for interview.

Who You Are? Start by greeting the interviewer with a smile on your face, introduce yourself by telling your name.

Where Are You From? You need to specify your native place and make sure you don’t drag it long. Explain in a brief one line only

Education Qualification: Once done with the formal introduction, now you need to mention your qualification details while telling the school and university’s name and location. Begin with the highest qualification, followed by under graduation, and then schooling.

Work Experience (freshers can skip this part): First of all, you need to tell the total experience you have, mention the current job and your role, briefly describe your responsibilities and things you are expert at.

Tips for improving the self-introduction part

Apart from adding the above things in your self-introduction part, you need to know a few tips that can make your self-introduction part an effective one. So, here you go!

Head held high with a smile on the face: No matter you are feeling nervous or not, you must have a smiling face. This signifies a good start of the interview. You must give a firm handshake and say ‘Hello’ to the interviewer.

Be prepared to give family details: Most of the recruiters ask the candidates about their family background and you need to be prepared for the answer in advance. Don’t hesitate, be comfortable and speak up freely.

Stay positive during the past experience part: While describing your past job experience, remember no matter how bad your experience was, you can’t negatively talk about the past employer. Because this will leave a negative impact on the interviewer and indicates unprofessional behavior.

Sharing hobbies and goals: Unlike in the past years, interviews have become interactive and comfortable than ever before. Candidates can freely mention their hobbies, aspirations, and goals to the interviewer. This will reflect your personality clearly.

Mistakes you can’t afford to make during a self-introduction

Keep the self-introduction part brief and concise, don’t make it lengthy. So, try avoiding irrelevant things that have nothing to do with the job role you have applied for.

Many job seekers even rehearse before giving an interview but still panic once they enter the interview cabin. You need to stay calm and have a smile on your face.

Stop being nervous, it’s just an interview. Talk openly with confidence.

If you aren’t confident enough about anything, don’t wander your eyes here and there. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer, it helps in making the conversation interactive.

Never badmouth your past employer or share any negative experience with any past co-workers.

Never interrupt in-between when the interviewer is speaking, start once he’s done.

Samples for Introducing Yourself in an Interview

Before you feel clueless when the interviewer asks you- ‘Tell me about yourself’, it’s high time that you have a few samples in your mind. So, I have listed a few effective samples of self-introduction for experienced candidates as well as freshers.

 

Self-Introduction Sample for a Fresher:

Of course, a fresher doesn’t have much to showcase in his resume, and the same goes for the self-introduction part. But you can do a lot more to make the self-introduction an effective thing. Here’s one such sample:

Good morning Sir/Madam, It’s a pleasure to introduce myself. My name is Jonas Smith born and brought up in Michigan. I have completed my schooling from Rochester Adams High School with 84% and presently pursuing my final year bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Coming to my strengths, I love taking challenges and turn them into opportunities. During failures, I learn a lot out in the future. My goal is to become a part of an organization that enables me to reach my true potential and develop in that field. That’s a brief about me, and thanks for this opportunity.

Let’s have a look at another self-introduction sample in which a fresher is aspiring to begin his career in teaching:

I am Robin, a graduate with no work experience yet. I completed my schooling from Brooklyn City School and now I am in the final year of B.ED. From my school time, I always dreamt of becoming a teacher. At times, I have even given home tuitions to school going kids and really had a great experience throughout. As of now, I am looking for an opportunity to join an institute or an educational center where I can polish my teaching skills.

Self-Introduction Sample for Experienced Job Seekers:

Experienced job seekers are from various industry segments, so I have listed a few industry-specific samples:

1) Self-Introduction sample for IT Professional

Good evening Sir/Madam

I am glad to be here for the interview.

I am Joseph, an engineering graduate from Hong Kong University. I graduated in the year 2013, and since then I have been working as a system administrator. I have worked upon various operating systems, troubleshooting, managing in-house servers, and so on. I always had an interest in exploring operating systems, and during my graduation, I had a good hold over managing PCs and windows of the college. As of now, I am looking forward to expanding my portfolio and enhance my technical skills as a senior system administrator.That’s a brief about me, and thanks for this opportunity.

 

2) Self-Introduction sample for Software Tester

Good evening Sir/Madam

I am Rihaan, an engineering graduate from Italy University. I graduated in 2012 and completed my internship program at HCL. Since then, I have been working as a Senior Software Tester. I have worked upon numerous software testing projects and have a stronghold over various software testing tools like Selenium, Cucumber, and so on. Presently, I am looking forward to joining a company where I get better opportunities in the software testing industry.

 

3) Self-Introduction sample for Sales Manager

Good evening Sir/Madam My name is Genelia. I am a graduate from Delhi University in the year 2011. I have worked in sales with Infosys for the last five years. At Infosys, I achieved notable growth over the past years and have successfully achieved challenging targets. My strong networking and relationship management skills have helped me achieve my goals on time. As of now, I am passionate to become a part of an organization where I can experience more growth opportunities.

 

4) Self-Introduction sample for a Medical Practitioner Morning Sir/Madam

I am Albert. I graduated from Carrington College, my major is clinical medicine. I live in San Jose and have been working as a Medical Practitioner since 2016. Being in the healthcare segment, I spend most of my time with the patients, understanding the ailments, symptoms and assisting them to get out of that ailment. I have carried out deep researches about many pharmaceutical products during my past internship programs. As of now, I am looking for a better growth opportunity where I can broaden my past experience and get better exposure.

 

5) Self-Introduction sample for a Business Analyst

Good Morning Sir/Madam

 

My name is Mathew. I have been a Business Analyst for the past five years and my domain expertise is in the retail banking and insurance segment, I have good exposure in numerous end-to-end development solutions and hold proficiency in diverse business phases. I have worked with enterprises with strategic development approach and also with ones that work upon other development methodologies like Waterfall, Agile, SDLC, and so on. I am comfortable working with the team and even complete the target single-handedly. As of now, I am seeking better growth opportunities as a Senior Business Analyst in your company.

Wrapping Up

Every job seeker is looking for something extraordinary in you. If you succeed in presenting that zeal to the interviewer, good for you; otherwise it’s time to put more focus on your resume and interview part. So, whenever you go for the next interview, keep the above points in mind, and rock the interview. This will definitely help to impress the recruiter, and you will get hired!Spread the love

Author: Arjun Singh

 

Who Is Responsible If People Die From Coronavirus On A Reopened Campus?

The loss of lives that could have been otherwise avoided, will attract the most serious penalty and incrimination. Institutional authorities must keep this in mind as they consider the decision to open campus while the pandemic continues to pose threat to life.

Students wearing protective masks appear in the higher secondary school examinations of Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education, during the fifth phase of ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, in Bhopal.

July is almost here, and the autumn semester is not far away. Are we in a position to reopen schools, colleges and universities? What are the implications if we do? Who suffers if COVID-19 attacks campus, and who is responsible if lives are lost?

To open or not to open. Worldwide, this brings together three major crises: a public health crisis, an economic crisis, and the long crisis of higher education. For instance, in the US, due to the high cost of college and the importance of residential education, it is likely that a number of small colleges will go bankrupt, large number of jobs will be lost, and the quality of education will almost invariably suffer. “A kind of a shock therapy,” predicts The Chronicle of Higher Education, “will permanently restructure the higher-education sector.”

Few things in recent history have foregrounded social inequalities as the education sector under the pandemic. Here in India, poor and rural students have suffered the most, lacking the infrastructure to participate meaningfully in online education. In the West, the heads of institutions for racial minorities have championed reopening, pleading that institutions are the safest places for them, as their poor home networks make them more vulnerable to the disease than on campus.

Almost everywhere, education experts have argued that rich and well-prepared students will do fine online, but students from weaker segments of society, including those with poorer academic preparation and lower familiarity with technology, are certain to suffer if on-campus instruction does not resume.

On the other hand, if the campus of a school or college opens and people die from contracting the virus, who holds the legal (to say nothing of the human) liability of such deaths?

The leadership of a number of American colleges are scrambling to get people to sign waivers. However, as the Chronicle has pointed out, this is a fantasy: “No waiver can resolve all those headaches, according to a dozen lawyers who work with colleges.” More than ever, in this circumstance, asking something to sign a waiver is essentially telling them: “I might be doing something that could do you harm.”

Hope Sarah Goldstein, a partner with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, told the Chronicle that an employer cannot ask employees to sign away future claims from workplace-related injuries covered by workers’ compensation. Waivers cannot annul liability. On the other hand, a disclosure can raise awareness and underscore communal responsibilities that must be held in a public-health crisis.

What about institutions in India? What are their responsibilities on event of COVID-related fatalities due to virus contracted on a reopened campus?

Dr Abhik Majumdar, a faculty member at the National Law University, Odisha, elaborates on a range of possibilities. The liability of an institution depends on whether or not it reopens following a government order; whether the order in question is mandatory or merely an authorisation given to institutions to reopen at their discretion; and whether the institution is a private or a state body.

If an institution opens contrary to government orders, Prof Majumdar points out, it will attract punishment under Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, read with Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code 1860. Sections 269 and 271 of the Penal Code might also become applicable in such a situation. It is, however, unlikely to happen, as no institution will be so reckless as to flout governmental orders in the present situation.

It remains important to note, however, that if the government orders educational institutions to open, then liability in case of untoward incidents will lie mainly with the Government. Institutions may incur liability if they fail to adequately provide for safety measures such as dispensing masks, maintaining social distancing, and so forth.

In the last situation, if the government merely permits (as opposed to compelling) institutions to open at their own discretion, the institution becomes liable if their action leads to the spread of the disease and fatalities resulting from the spread. The nature of liability will depend on whether it is a private institute or a state body. In the first case, the institution may incur liability in tort law. It may also be liable under the Epidemic Diseases Act as mentioned earlier, if it is found deficient in implementing appropriate rules. State bodies’ liability features an added dimension. Any deficiency on their part cam be construed as a violation of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Surabhi Singh, an alum of NLU Odisha and a current LLM student at the University of Toronto points out that under the current legal regime, State institutions run the risk of being sued for a violation of broader constitutional rights as they are an arm of the government, under writ jurisdictions of the Supreme Court as well as the respective High Courts. A writ jurisdiction is broad, and the relief granted by the courts can range from asking the institute to shut in person classes, award compensation to affected students, refund fees etc. “All of this is of course speculative,” she says, “but as a practicing lawyer I can foresee it being asked for from courts.”

However, Singh thinks that this writ-based relief is less likely with private institutions. Also, should some student fall sick and die, there is the risk of being sued for criminal negligence, which can implicate individual administrators of the institute concerned. Tort claims of negligence can also be made by the students who may claim damages. If the infection spreads through food or water, State based laws on food and water safety may apply.

Life, livelihood, and learning – or at least its best practice. It may seem like a lose-lose situation. This is, however, an extended emergency, and in the end, loss of lives that could have been otherwise avoided, will attract the most serious penalty and incrimination. Institutional authorities must keep this in mind as they consider the decision to open campus while the pandemic continues to pose threat to life.

SAIKAT MAJUMDAR

Record recoveries in India,  highest new cases in 24 hours

Total coronavirus cases in India crossed 4.9 lakh

The number of active coronavirus cases in India stands at 189463 while 285636 people have recovered

The death toll has risen to 15,301

The total number of coronavirus cases in India jumped to 4,90,401 after 17,296 new cases were reported in 24 hours. This is the highest number of new cases reported in 24 hours. According to health ministry’s numbers released today morning, the number of active cases stands at 1,89,463 while 2,85,636 people have recovered and one patient has migrated. A record total of 13,940 COVID-19 patients were declared cured in a single day. The recovery rate has improved to 58.24%.

Covid-related deaths rose to 15,301 after 407 fatalities were reported in 24 hours.

Coronavirus testing facilities have been ramped up across the country with 1,007 diagnostic labs currently offering covid diagnostic facilities, the government said.

Medical research body ICMR has said that a total of 77.76 lakh samples have been tested up to June 25. And on Thursday over 2.15 lakh samples were tested.

According to figures released by the government on Thursday, coronavirus cases per lakh in India stand at 33.39 against the world’s average of 120.21 cases/lakh. Also, death/lakh in the country is currently amongst the lowest in the world with 1.06 deaths/lakh against the world average of 6.24 deaths/lakh, the government said.

A team from Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will visit Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana this weekend to interact with the state officials and coordinate with them to strengthen ongoing efforts for management of Covid-19.

Maharashtra, the worst affected state, has reported over 1,47,741 cases and 6,931 fatalities. Among other states, Delhi has reported 73,780 cases, Tamil Nadu 70,977 and Gujarat 29,520.

Globally, total coronavirus cases moved past 95 lakh while the death toll has crossed 4.8 lakh. US on Thursday reported record number of 37,000 cases in a day, taking its overall count to over 24 lakh. The country has reported over 1.24 lakh coronavirus-related fatalities.

 

Pros of mobile phones for students !

The device which you are holding right now in your hand for reading this article has changed the world. It is not only providing us with a calling facility but also something much more. Mobile phones have changed the pattern of study for students. The time when we found knowledge between the pages of books has gone now. The mobile phone has diversified the area of knowledge. In this article, we have enlisted some of the advantages of mobile phone for students.

Now let us discuss how the mobile phone has changed the lives of students. What are the advantages of the same.

  • Great source of knowledge

Whenever you got confused and you don’t get a clear idea of some topic, then at that time the mobile phone will be of great use for you. You can search for that particular topic and can get a mirror image of the topic. It also provides knowledge regarding similar topics.

  • Helps to be prompt and punctual 

The mobile phone helps in managing the data. You can manage and make notes regarding important things. Then you will not going to miss something really important. You can also set alarms with a title so that on time you get reminders for the things, that will help you to be punctual and be available on time for your things.

  • Helps in Navigation and Finding Place

Mobile phones now come with a feature known as GPS  which helps to track your location. It is very helpful for navigation purposes too. If sometimes student got stuck anywhere, at that time having a mobile phone in their hand will be bliss. They can use google map to know their exact location. Then they can inform their parents about their location and can easily reach to their places. You can also share your location with your parents so that they can know where you are.

  • Help in learning left topics

Sometimes the situation arises when students are not able to attend the classes. So if at that time teacher has taught something really important then what to do? There is nothing to worry about this. You can simply google out the topic and can get a full explanation for the same. And Yes one more thing there is not only one option or site for the topic, but there are many sites you can access according to your requirement for the same topic written by various experts.

  • Great source of entertainment

Whenever students feel bored or get tired of studying for hours and hours, at that time they can listen to their favourite music, or watch movies sitting at home itself in their mobile phone. This will help them to get rid of boredom and feel fresh. Students can also read novels or even listen to audible stories whenever they get the time or they need some relaxation. There are various apps available such as Kindle, Wattpad, Novel cat, Aldiko, etc. They can access to these apps easily. This will not only help them to overcome boredom but also help them in learning something new.

  • Introduce you to the various social media platform

Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram and many more social media platforms are available now on play store where students can make their account and get connected to more number of peoples, friends, family members which are far away. They can post their activities and can see other activities too. They can also get the latest news of Hollywood, Bollywood, and their favourite celebrities.

  • Helps in Collecting proofs

Whenever students find something black lentils or they feel some types of exploitation done to them by a teacher such as when they think teacher do favouritism to students who are taking coachings from them, and not giving deserving marks to other students. Then, they can record this and show it to a higher authority and save themselves from favouritism. Or if they feel exploitation or being bullying from other students then they can record the incident and collect evidence regarding the matter in their mobile phones and can help in catching the culprit red-handed.

  • Provides Various Apps for learning

Nowadays, there are hundreds of learning apps available on mobile phones for every standard students. They can use them in free for learning, various courses are available which helps in their skill development. They can also use a mobile phone in time when they are not having books with them. So, they can use these apps to get their course-related topics cleared. This will also save their time to wait for the books.

  • Capture the moment

Students can capture their significant and sizzling moments in their mobile phones. Students who have an interest in photography, and purchasing any professional camera is not possible for them at that time they can use their mobile phones for their passion.

  • Helps in building a bright future

Mobile phones can be used in various ways and for various purposes by the students. But everything is useless until we use it for some useful purpose. There are various apps available such as LinkedIn, Internshala, freelancer, etc. Nowadays, world is on the way of digitalization. There are various types of jobs and internships available for students on these apps. They can grab them and add something useful to their CV and to their life as well.

  • Dictionary: Improve your Vocabulary

Carrying Huge dictionary everywhere with you is really a tough task. So, now they need of lifting it is over. The mobile phone provides you with various types of offline and online dictionary such as Oxford online and offline dictionary, V-Dictionary, Color Dict dictionary, Concise Oxford Dictionary by, where you can find the meaning of each and every word you are stuck at.

  • Storage of Data

The best use of the mobile phone is that you can store huge amount of data in it. Students who want to learn something new, they can download the matter and various pdfs, documents, about the same topic and they can even take notes from their friends and teacher through WhatsApp. This will prevent making any hard copies of the topic. You can even store data for a long time and even can keep it till you don’t want to erase it.

  • Easy Money Transfer

Mobile phones are primarily used for online transactions nowadays. People sitting at home can easily transfer and receive money to someone else in just some quick steps. Students who are living away from home can use these applications such as google pay, phone pay, pay pal, Paytm and many more to receive money from their parents to submit free or for their basic expenses.

  • Online Shopping

Students can use various online shopping apps such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, etc to get their desired and essential products at their doorsteps. This will save their time and they don’t have to roam here and there to grab things.Advertisements

Can People Spread the Coronavirus If They Don’t Have Symptoms? 5 Questions

Screening for symptoms of COVID-19 and self-quarantine are good at preventing sick people from spreading the coronavirus. But more and more evidence is suggesting that people without symptoms are spreading the virus too. Monica Gandhi, an infectious diseases physician and researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, explains what is known about asymptomatic spread and why she thinks it may be a big part of what is driving the pandemic.

What does it mean to be asymptomatic?

 

SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – can produce a range of clinical manifestations.Some people who are infected never develop any symptoms at all. These patients are considered true asymptomatic cases.

When people do get sick from the coronavirus, it takes on average five days and as many as two weeks to develop symptoms that can range from very mild to extremely dangerous. The time between initial infection and the first symptoms is called the pre-symptomatic phase. As an infectious disease physician, when I hear about asymptomatic spread of SARS-CoV-2, I think of a person who doesn’t have symptoms at the moment they give the virus to someone else. It doesn’t matter whether they are a true asymptomatic case or just pre-symptomatic; the public health risk is the same.

How many people are asymptomatic?

Estimates of the proportion of true asymptomatic cases – those who are infected and never develop symptoms – range from 18% to over 80%. The reasons for the huge range in estimates are still unclear, but some studies are better than others.

The most accurate way to determine the rate of asymptomatic cases is to test people regardless of whether or not they have symptoms – an approach called universal mass testing – and track them over time to see if they develop symptoms later. A recent mass testing campaign in San Francisco found that 53% of infected patients were asymptomatic when first tested and 42% stayed asymptomatic over the next two weeks. Another recent paper compared the evidence from 16 studies and estimated the overall rate of asymptomatic infection to be 40%-45%. This is in line with the San Francisco finding, but the studies sampled were of various quality and size and likely include some pre-symptomatic cases. Though none of these studies is perfect, a lot of evidence supports a true asymptomatic rate of around 40%, plus some addition fraction of patients who are pre-symptomatic.

How can asymptomatic people spread the coronavirus?

Compared to most other viral infections, SARS-CoV-2 produces an unusually high level of viral particles in the upper respiratory tract – specifically the nose and mouth. When those viral particles escape into the environment, that is called viral shedding.

Researchers have found that pre-symptomatic people shed the virus at an extremely high rate, similar to the seasonal flu. But people with the flu don’t normally shed virus until they have symptoms.

The location of the shedding is also important. SARS-CoV – the virus that caused the SARS epidemic in 2003 – does not shed very much from the nose and mouth. It replicates deep in the lungs. Since SARS-CoV-2 is present in high numbers in a person’s nose and mouth, it is that much easier for the virus to escape into the environment.

When people cough or talk, they spray droplets of saliva and mucus into the air. Since SARS-CoV-2 sheds so heavily in the nose and mouth, these droplets are likely how people without symptoms are spreading the virus.

 

How much asymptomatic spread is happening?

 

Public health experts don’t know exactly how much spread is caused by asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients. But there are some telling hints that it is a major driver of this pandemic. An early modeling estimate suggested that 80% of infections could be attributed to spread from undocumented cases. Presumably the undocumented patients were asymptomatic or had only extremely mild symptoms. Though interesting, the researchers made a lot of assumptions in that model so it is hard to judge the accuracy of that prediction.

A study looking at outbreaks in Ningbo, China, found that people without symptoms spread the virus as easily as those with symptoms. If half of all infected people are without symptoms at any point in time, and those people can transmit SARS-CoV-2 as easily as symptomatic patients, it is safe to assume a huge percentage of spread comes from people without symptoms.

Even without knowing the exact numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that transmission from people without symptoms is a major contributor to the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 around the world.

 

What can we do to limit asymptomatic spread?

 

Any time a virus can be spread by people without symptoms, you have to turn to preventative measures. Social distancing measures and lockdowns work, but have large economic and social repercussions. These were necessary when epidemiologists didn’t know how the virus was spreading, but now we know it sheds at high quantities from the upper respiratory tract.

This means that universal mask wearing is best tool to limit transmission, and there is evidence to back that idea up.

On April 3, the CDC recommended that all members of the public wear facial coverings when outside of the house and around others. The World Health Organization finally followed suit and recommended universal public masking on June 5.

At this point, no one knows exactly how many cases of COVID-19 are from asymptomatic spread. But I and many other infectious diseases researchers are convinced that it is playing a major role in this pandemic. Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing can prevent asymptomatic spread and help reduce the harm from this dangerous virus until we get a vaccine.

This article is republished from The Conversation.