By : Anamitra Roy

Creativity is the source of knowledge. It is that attribute that helps us to create new concepts, new thoughts, ideas and philosophies.

In today’s world organizations consider “creativity” amongst employees and managers as a desirable and important factor because of the following reasons:

1)        Creativity can be a problem solving technique: Creative people often come out with solutions to complicated problems. Such people can imagine and think of newer options of solving problems, which may not take birth in the minds of non-creative people.

Here we can cite the example of Henry Ford. Most entrepreneurs usually go to an enterprising person for getting their problems solved. Henry Ford, being a very creative entrepreneur thought differently. He used to go to lazy people for getting his problems solved. He found that lazy people cannot stay with problems longer. So they always manage to find a simple solution to a complicated problem and that also very quickly. Henry Ford could generate this idea because of his creative nature.

2)        Innovations: In today’s world, management systems depend hugely on innovation for acquisition of business. Creativity is the source of innovations. Creative people are imaginary people who act as the source of innovative ideas in the systems.

3)        Inventions: Creativity gives rise to inventions. All great inventors in the world are considered creative. They think, visualize and materialize newer ways of looking at life. In the management profession also, creative people act as the source of inventions.

Leonardo da Vinci, who is considered one of the greatest inventors of all time, was a very creative person. It was because of his creative nature that he discovered the parachute and the glider.

4)        Reduce Stress: Exercising of creative skills helps to express oneself. It is while exercising the creative skills that a person forgets the expectations of the world around him/ her and thinks of creating something new without any fear. The joy that is generated while using the creative skills helps to reduce stress. That’s why; in organizations around the world the HR department today is making an effort to produce a platform in front of their employees where they can exercise creativity. This is being done by conducting workshops on music, literature etc.

What measures can organizations take to increase creativity?

Handling creativity and helping employees to increase it, is one of the biggest challenges for the management of any organization.

This can be done by the following ways:

1)        A democratic environment: A creative mind always needs an environment where there is no fear. The management of any organization should try to create a fearless and democratic environment in order to help its employees improve their creativity.

2)        A peaceful environment: A creative mind also needs a peaceful environment. Organizations should help their employees to maintain the peace within their minds by securing their future. This can be done best by insuring the employees, paying them salaries at the right time etc.

3)        Workshops: Arrangement of workshops on music, films, literature, paintings etc. can help to increase creativity.

4)        Incentives: Creative minds should be motivated to carry on being creative and generate new ideas.

Here, we can cite the example of Union Carbide. In the late 80’s the personnel department of Union Carbide use to reward the employees who produced the best suggestions for improving the management system. This is how the management was trying to improve the level of creativity amongst employees.

5)        Appreciation through use of new ideas: When a creative employee comes with a new idea, that idea if found applicable should be applied by the management. This will encourage other creative minds in the system to exercise their creativity. This is so that the other creative minds in the system will try to get appreciated by exercising their creativity.

A discussion on the relationship between creativity and problem solving:

Creativity (meaning as per the Oxford dictionary: “being inventive, imaginative and having the ability to create something new”) is the expression of ones thoughts and ideas without the fear of a failure. It can be called the ability to create something … fearlessly.

Creativity gives rise to thinking. To be specific it helps/ catalyzes free thinking. It improves the thinking capacity of a man. So a creative man can think more than a non-creative man. Creativity also helps to think and generate new ideas, new ways of looking at life. A creative mind looks at the world with optimism. To a creative mind problems are not problems. They are means of finding out new ideas to solve them.

There is relation between creativity and problem solving.

A creative mind is a thinking mind.

A thinking mind can generate new ideas.

These ideas can be used to solve problems.

In reality it is seen that organizations which encourage creativity and successfully can create a democratic environment are organizations where a problem gets solved easily. This is because in such organizations, the human resources can think and implement their thinking fearlessly.

It is thinking that helps to solve problems easily and it is creativity that helps to think. This is the greatest point of connection between problem solving and creativity.

Thomas Alva Edison was a creative person. So he could think. This thinking ability helped him to discover electric bulb which solved a problem. This is a great example of creativity and problem solving.

This idea is applicable in any sphere of life. Creativity and problem solving go side by side … it is a natural law.

By: Prapanna Lahiri

A library can be called a store–house of knowledge. In dictionaries the word “library” has been defined as “a building or room containing a collection of books”. A library plays a very important role in promoting the progress of knowledge. Many people love reading but not all can afford to buy books which are priced very high.

Normally, a library has two sections, a lending section and a reference section. Someone, becoming a member of a library, can borrow, from the lending section, valuable books and sometimes even more than two books at a time for a stipulated period. Non-members too can use the reference section sitting down at the reading room and study.

One may ponder about the relevance of libraries in today’s digital world where loads of information is available from the Internet with just a click of the mouse.  But it is worthwhile to appreciate that a person visits a library not only to find information from books but also to sit and study there. The peaceful and scholarly ambience of a library helps the reader to concentrate better on a subject matter of study. Thus, libraries will never be irrelevant in a well-read and educated society. Moreover, in this digital age libraries have transformed being technologically equipped with computers giving access to information stored in digital format like DVDs and e-books. Thus public libraries, in a way, have become critical technology hubs for communities, ensuring that all people are able to benefit from the advancing changes. But more than just books and computers, libraries are still places where individuals gather to explore, interact and imagine. The usefulness of a library can be summarised as given below:

Libraries support literacy of the underprivileged:

A public library could well be a place for the literacy development of the children of the underprivileged parents. Libraries as institutions often support literacy events.

Libraries add value to neighbourhoods as a gathering place:

While choosing a residence, many citizens would often perceive library access as part of an enhanced quality of life. Libraries could be a unique forum for social networking giving people a “living room” experience by way of holding meetings, conferences in a friendly environment.

Library services allow for personal and professional development:

Unlike their more affluent counterparts, many lower income individuals and families do not have the option of purchasing books, subscribing to periodicals and conducting research online. Community libraries come in handy for such citizenry.

Public libraries are fountainhead of information for various categories of people in the society:

A library is the place for looking up information directly related to work of paid employees, students pursuing serious projects and retired people trying to keep in touch with goings on around them.

The library is a safe, important and central public space:

A central or community library attracts people of all ages, linguistic groups and educated clientele. All its users, women, children, and men alike, are attached to it as a safe and appropriate destination in a stressful world.

In conclusion, it may be pointed out that the history of libraries go as beyond as the Indus Valley Civilization. Its been since time immemorial that libraries have been treated as store house of knowledge.

By Aamarpali Puri

Aleya Lights or Ghost lights are witnesses in the swamps and marshes of West Bengal. Local fisher men often report these mysterious ghost lights. It is said that when the local fisherman see these lights they are confused and they lose their bearing. From time to time several dead bodies are found by the locals in these areas. They attribute it to Aleya Lights. If someone tries to follow these strange lights moving over the marshes, he may be led to drowning in the deep waters. It is also said that whoever sees and follows these lights become insane and never recover. It is said that these lights represent the ghosts of fisher man who died while fishing.

These lights are not really limited to West Bengal or Bangladesh but have been spotted at various places in India like Himachal, Gujarat and abroad like Nepal, UK, Finland, Australia, North America and South America. The other name of the similar lights are will-o’-the-wisp, Jack-o’-lantern, hinkypunk etc. In countries like Estonia and Finland these light mark locations of hidden treasures. In America these light are considered to be the ghosts of railroad tracks and roadside workers who were killed on duty because of an accident. Some says these are the lights of the spirits of stillborn and un baptized children who constantly travel between hell and heaven.

Scientifically[2] it was found that these are caused by burning of Marsh Gas or Methane Gas. Methane gases on oxidation produce such lights. Also some of these flames are fed by underground sources of natural gas. These flames were for obvious reasons, seen as miracles and sign of the divine by ancient people. The normal decomposition of organic matter in open air is called “aerobic decomposition.” Like all organic matter, plants and animals are largely made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. When decaying in the presence of oxygen, the by-products of the decomposition are water, carbon dioxide, and energy, or heat.  In swampy or marshy areas, aerobic decomposition is often unable to take place. Instead, the dead matter is buried beneath water and saturated soil where it continues to decompose in the absence of air. The matter is broken down by anaerobic bacteria, the by-products of which are methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, phosphines and other chemicals.

It is believed that, as the gases rise from the soil and water and escape into the atmosphere, the methane mixes with the phosphines and creates the blue lights seen hovering over the swamps. Phosphines are flammable, toxic gasses that can burst into spontaneous flame in the presence of air. As it burns, it produces a dense white cloud, which could give the flame more substance.

Seafarers [3] used to witness a mysterious phenomenon back in the days when sailing ships were the only means of sea travel. After encountering tempests and violent thunderstorms, they sometimes saw a pale fire burning at the tip of the mast. Thinking it was a sign of God’s blessing, they named the phenomenon Saint Elmo’s fire after the patron saint of sailors. It can also be seen on church steeples, mountaintops, the tips of antenna and other such places. We now know that Saint Elmo’s Fire is caused by electric potential differences in the atmosphere.

Similar flames [1] are worshipped in Himachal in India at Jwala ji Kangra. Jwala Ji Shrine is located in the lower Himalayas in Jwalamukhi town of the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. These are the natural caves where eternal flames (Fiery tongue of Goddesses) continue to burn. In the temple four cornered, with a small dome on the top and a square central pit hollowed stone inside where the main flame burns endlessly. These flames represent divine nine sisters or nine Durgas. Scientifically it is a set of flames burning off natural gas, from the fissures this gas seeps by itself.  Similar type of eternal flame is present in Muktinath at Mustang district of Nepal. There is a small amount of natural gas present in the Himalayan spring that emerges near this shrine which gives appearance of the fire burning on the water itself.

Bibiliography

1. https://www.google.co.in/#q=jwala+ji
2. http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/what-causes-will-o-the-wisps/
3. http://www.canon.com/technology/s_labo/light/001/07.html

By: Aamarpali Puri

Human being suffering from infections and diseases are treated with the help of biotechnology. Biotechnology has been used both for diagnosis and therapy.

Different Instruments used for determining disease or disorder is as follows:

1. Electrocardiograph (ECG): it records Myo-electrical changes during cardiac cycle and helps in understanding any abnormality in heart function (myocardial damage, angina, valvular defect or sino arterial blockage etc.
2. Electro-encephalograph (EEG) is an electricity operated instrument having electron tube, transistors, microprocessors, microcomputers and digital that is used in recording frequency, amplitude and morphology of electric potential originating from different parts of brain in the form of waves. It can diagnose epilepsy, brain tumors, abscesses, subdural hematoma, and brain injury, sleep disorders, metabolic and drug effects on brain.
3. Auto analyser: It is fully automatic, computerized instrument which can analyze qualitatively and quantitatively various bio chemicals present in body fluids like urea, uric acid, ketones, cholesterol, glucose, proteins enzymes etc.
4. CT (Computerized Tomographic) Scanning is employed to obtain images of internal body part. X-ray imaging is carried out to detect diseases of lung, heart, fractures, joints and kidney through the formulations having barium and Iodine. It uses very low level radiations which are not harmful for human body. It can help study various parts inside skull and location of any pathological condition. CT scanning was developed by Godfrey Hansfield in 1972 (Nobel prize 1979)
5. NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): It helps in mapping internal tissues, highlight pathological changes and study tissue metabolism. It uses a strong magnetic field created by super conductive magnets using liquid helium.
6. Ultrasound Imaging (Sonography): It is useful in studying the health of internal organs and diagnosing disorders like kidney stones, gall bladder stones, fallopian tubes and uterus etc.
7. Pace Maker is an electric device first developed by Chardack (1960) which is connected to heart for covering up any deficiency of myogenic functioning so as to make it beat normally (72-80/min) for 30-40 minutes.
8. LASER (Light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation) can selectively burn out cancerous cells or break stones into fine powdery mass. It helps in treatment of opacity of eye lens, gall bladder stones, tumours, kidney stones etc.
9. Implants are devices fitted in various body parts to overcome disorders, heart valves, joints, vascular grafts and cosmetic surgery.
10. Oxygenator is disposable device and artificial lung for oxygenating blood. It is a liquid with high concentration of oxygen and low carbon dioxide can function as oxygenator.
11. Artificial kidney In case of renal (kidney) failure (excessive concentration of urea or wastes in blood) an artificial kidney is employed at intervals.
12. External Prosthesis is a device which can be attached to body for overcoming a defect artificial hand/arm, leg or denture etc.
13. Cryopreservation of Organs: It helps in keeping intact living organs for long periods at low temperature. They are revived prior to use in reconstructive surgery.
14. Skin Transplant: Skin can be Auto transplanted for quick re growth of skin. Allograft is skin transplant from other individual of same species. Heterograft is skin transplant from other individual of different species.

Approximately, twenty five different organs and tissues like kidney, heart, lung, liver, pancreas, bone, cartilage, bone marrow, skin and cornea can be transplanted [1]. Cardiologists have begun implanting tiny state-of-the-art microchip sensors in patients with advanced heart failure to better monitor symptoms and reduce chances of returning to the hospitals [2]. A biocompatible polymer selectively targets and lights up cancer tumors for a noninvasive imaging system, investigators report. Generating photo acoustic signals requires an ultrafast laser pulse to irradiate a small area of tissue. By ‘listening’ to the pressure differences created by the acoustic waves, researchers can reconstruct and visualize the inner structures of complex objects such as the brain and cardiovascular systems. Diagnosing cancer with photo acoustic imaging requires contrast agents that deeply penetrate tissue and selectively bind to malignant cells [3].

 BIBILIOGRAPHY:

• http://www.hindujahospital.com/communityportal/…/articles-download.aspx.

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150611114204.htm.

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150514132817.htm.

By: Aamarpali Puri

Chemistry is the branch of science which came into existence since prehistoric times. It is sometimes called “The Central Science” because it connects natural sciences like physics, geology and biology. It has a long timeline. So it is divided into four categories:

BLACK MAGIC

In the prehistoric times or in the beginning of the Christian era, mysticism and superstition prevailed over scientific thoughts. It was believed by the people that natural processes were controlled by spirits and they relied upon magic to persuade spirits to help them. During this time period, Aristotle (384-322BC) declared the existence of only four elements: fire, air, water and earth. He also said the all the matters are made up of these four elements and matter had four properties: hot, cold, dry and wet.

 ALCHEMY

The beginning of the Christian era/ end of 17^th century, lead to the advent of Alchemy. Alchemy allows one to observe extraordinary chemical operations at a more rapid pace. Alchemy refers to both the investigation of nature and early philosophical and spiritual discipline that combined chemistry with metal work. The main goal of Alchemy was to gain wealth, health and immortality. Alchemists attempted to transmute cheap metals to gold with the help of a substance called the Philosopher’s Stone. Alchemists’ efforts failed and transmutation of cheap metals to gold never happened. The Philosopher’s Stone was central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection, enlightenment, and heavenly bliss also termed as Elixir of Life or Elixir of Immortality. It was supposed to be a chemical when drunk from certain cup at a certain time would enable people to live longer and cure all ailments, but this Elixir of Life never happened.  Alchemists work helped lay the groundwork for modern chemistry and medicine. Their work contributed to modern day chemical industries: basic metallurgy, metalworking, the production of inks, dyes, paints, cosmetics, liquor industry and leather tanning.

TRADITIONAL CHEMISTRY

It was in mid 19^th century that a book written by Robert Boyle, “The Skeptical Chemist” led to beginning of Traditional Chemistry. He used his book in explaining his hypothesis and to reject Aristotle’s four elements theory. He recognized that certain substances decompose into other substances (water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen when it is electrically charged. He labeled these fundamental substances as elements. Charles Coulomb gave Coulomb’s Law and. Johann J Beecher gave Phlogiston Theory (Phlogiston is a substance added from air to the flame of burning object). It was disapproved by Antoine Lavoisier. John published his Atomic Theory which states that all matter is composed of atoms, which are small and invisible to naked eyes. Early chemists were also Alchemists.

MODERN CHEMISTRY

20^th Century was the age of Modern Chemistry. Antoine Lavoisier in an effort to disapprove Phlogiston theory discovered oxygen. He lead to the advent of Modern Chemistry and hence was called the “Father of Modern Chemistry”. In this duration electron, proton and neutrons were discovered and there masses were calculated. First vacuum tube was created. Radioactive Elements, Radioactivity and Types of Radioactivity got discovered. The current model of atomic structure is the Quantum Mechanical Model.

Some new research:

Researchers from the University of Connecticut recently unveiled their latest inventions, which is a long lasting LED light bulb [3} that makes use of salmon DNA.  

Recently Lockheed Martin presented the improved version of its exoskeleton {4} called MKII. The new model boats better protection and can be adjusted much easier that the previous device. The person equipped with the new exoskeleton is stronger and faster. A soldier wearing the power-suit will be able to carry a heavy load of up to 200lbs across a rough area at a speed of about 7mph.

Latent fingerprints {5} provide a potential route to the secure, high throughput and non-invasive detection of drugs of abuse.

Green chemistry principles could make synthesizing the frontline anti malarial {6} drug artemisinin both cleaner and cheaper, industry–academia collaboration suggests.

Bibliography: 

1. http://www.columbia.edu/itc/chemistry/chem-c2507/navbar/chemhist.html
2. https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big-history-project/stars-and-elements/other-material3/a/from-alchemy-to-chemistry
3. http://www.infoniac.com/science/latest-invention-led-light-bulbs-that-makes-use-of-salmon-dna.html
4. http://www.infoniac.com/breaking/top-10-latest-inventions-of-october-2010.html.
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25977942.
6. http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2015/05/malaria-drug-artemisinin-could-cash-green-chemistry