Sunday 29 December 2019

Top engineering courses to look for in 2020

It is said that engineering is not just a degree, but a way of thinking. Even though the number of engineers has proliferated over recent years, the demand for good engineers is always constant. To ensure a good career in engineering, it is very important to choose the right engineering course and college.



Although numerous new specializations have emerged in engineering, it is important to know the best engineering courses. Now that 2019 is coming to an end, it is time to plan which of the engineering courses you want to apply for on the basis of your interest.

Following are some of the top engineering courses that you must consider...

1. Computer Science and Engineering: With the IT industry expanding at a phenomenal pace, the demand for software engineers or experts in the computer science engineering field is expected to maintain an increasing trend. Programming languages, program design, coding, project management are some of the highlights of the computer science and engineering course.

2. The Electronics and Communication Engineering branch of engineering can be exciting for those who are interested in electrical circuits, signs and signal systems, digital gadgets, power electronics etc. The telecommunication, mobile development, and electrical industries are said to progress year after year, hence there is plenty of scopes to build a career in Electronics and Communication Engineering.

3. Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering that exists. It is also one of the most popular choices of engineering specializations, especially among people who are interested in machinery, automobile, product design, manufacturing etc. There is a wide range of mechanical engineering jobs available in the market, including some of the highest paying jobs of the Engineering stream.

4. Electrical Engineering is another branch of engineering that has a wide range of scope in job availability. Graduates of this branch can find themselves employed in some of the largest as well as in successful electrical manufacturing units.

5. Civil Engineering: In a developing country such as India, where there is no shortage of construction projects such as highways, bridges, tunnels, urban spaces and more, an engineering degree in Civil will help you to build up a high earning career.

6. Biotechnology Engineering involves the study of biological organisms and molecules and applying the knowledge and principles learned to improve the quality of life.  

7. Aeronautical Engineering involves principles related to the design of airplanes, space crafts, missile systems, rockets etc. The requirement of a large number of talented aerospace engineers is imminent, especially in the current scenario where air travel is becoming the norm.

Sunday 22 December 2019

National Mathematics Day: A celebration of Srinivasa Ramanujan

As we celebrate National Mathematics Day on 22 December, we look at the life of the Mathematics genius from Madras. (as it was known earlier).

But the story of the mathematician didn’t begin in Madras, it began in Kumbakonam, where he grew up. Ramanujan was always brilliant in studies by fifth grade, he was the brightest student in the district, excelling in mathematics, English, and History. At Kumbakonam Town High School, where he studied, Ramanujan tutored senior students and questioned even teachers in complicated mathematics theories

Students from other nearby towns used to come and stay at his humble home, giving the family some rent, helping them not only financially but also gave Ramanujan more insight into the world of mathematics. One of these boarders once gave him a book on Trigonometry, which he mastered in no time. He was soon hooked on to another book, An Elementary Synopsis of Pure and Applied Mathematics, which had 5,000 theorems. People believe that it was this book that triggered his genius.

In 1910, during a meeting with the founder of the Indian Mathematical Society, V. Ramaswamy Aiyer, Ramanujan began to get recognition in Madras's mathematical circles, leading to his inclusion as a researcher at the University of Madras.

Life in England

On the recommendations of  English mathematician, G. H. Hardy, Ramanujan spent nearly five years in Cambridge collaborating with other mathematicians and published part of his findings there. Ramanujan was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree by research for his work on highly composite numbers, the first part of which was published as a paper in the Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society. Later he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. At age 31 Ramanujan was one of the youngest Fellows in the history of the Royal Society. On 13 October 1918, he was the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Illness and death

Ramanujan was plagued by health problems throughout his life. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis and severe vitamin deficiency. In 1919 he returned to Kumbakonam and in 1920 he died at the age of 32.

Mathematical achievements

During his short life, Ramanujan independently compiled nearly 3,900 results and some of them are the most important discoveries in mathematics.
  • Landau-Ramanujan constant
  • Mock theta functions
  • Ramanujan conjecture
  • Ramanujan prime
  • Ramanujan-Soldner constant
  • Ramanujan theta function
  • Ramanujan's sum
  • Rogers-Ramanujan identities
  • Ramanujan's master theorem

Tuesday 17 December 2019

Six reasons to take up a short course to improve one's career

Taking up a short course while pursuing or after completing graduation can be a game-changer to one's career. There are numerous reasons to consider a short course. Check out a few
  1. A quick way to learn: if one wants to learn something new in a short period, then taking up a short course in that field is the best option.
  2. Flexibility: Short courses give the freedom to study as per one's schedule. These courses can be taken up at any time and can be adjusted around to suit their needs.
  3. Career development: These courses will provide work-related skills that will help in furthering one's career and will also help obtain specialized skills related to the choice of profession.
  4. Enhances knowledge: Keep abreast of the latest trends.
  5. Establishes connections: Studying short courses will help to interact with professionals. This would help in establishing connections, which could be of assistance in their professional life in the future.
  6. Broadens scope: It allows to learn something new or obtain a skill that will help in furthering one's career. 

From leadership skills to developing apps on iOS and Android platforms, the fine range of short term courses at Crescent Institute will arm you with the required skills to land up in your dream career after completing your college. The courses allow you to interact with professionals in their respective fields and learn from industry leaders. 

Visit www.Crescent.Education to find out more about the short term courses.

Sunday 15 December 2019

50 and going strong! 10 facts about PSLV:


On Dec 11, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C48) successfully took off from the Indian Space Research Organisation's spaceport. Into its 50th mission, the rocket put into orbit India’s latest satellite RISAT-2BR1 and nine foreign satellites.

The rocket is the QL variant of PSLV and this is the second flight. The main payload, the 628 kg RISAT-2BR1 is a radar imaging earth observation satellite. It has a life of five years and will help in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.

To date, ISRO has put into orbit 319 foreign satellites. Here are some notable milestones.

* It is the 50th flight of PSLV.

* It is also the 75th launch vehicle mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

* 37th launch from First LaunchPad

* This is the 6th launch this year.

* Second flight of PSLV-QL

* The first launch of PSLV was on 20 September 1993

* PSLV has launched 319 foreign satellites from 33 countries.

* It has a success rate of 94%. Two outright failures and one partial failure.

* Notable payloads include Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, and Astrosat.

* On 15 Feb 2017, PSLV C37 successfully deployed 104 satellites on a single launch.

Wednesday 27 November 2019

Feeling stressed? Have some salt

Stress. No one wants it, but we all experience it from time to time. Higher levels of stress can cause problems at work and at home. But stress is not just hard on your mental well-being; it is also hard on your body and can lead to many negative health outcomes.

Stress levels can also increase significantly when economic times are tough. In England, the British Health and Social Care Information Centre found that stress had increased by 47 percent during that country's recession and that stress was the single biggest cause of sickness in the UK, affecting 20 percent of the population. Professor Cary Cooper of Lancaster University, an expert on stress, was alarmed and told The Independent, "I have never seen figures like this before. Stress is a trigger mechanism for a whole range of conditions, from heart attacks to immune system disorders, mental illness and depression and anxiety."

Everyone is familiar with comfort foods, but the key comfort foods that have been shown to actually reduce stress all contain salt. Stress is characterized in the human body by high levels of the hormone cortisol, referred to as the "stress hormone." Scientific research has shown, in animals and in humans, that increased levels of salt consumption are effective in reducing levels of cortisol.

Research from the University of Haifa, published in the science journal Appetite, confirmed the relationship between salt and stress in humans. Researchers found an inverse correlation between salt and depression/stress, especially in women. Craving salty foods may very well be a biological defense mechanism we evolved to cope with daily stress.

The researchers reviewed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) using 10,000 individuals and demonstrated that depression and stress were higher in individuals who consumed less salt, a trend more prevalent in women than men. They noted that the relationship of higher depression with lower salt intake in humans was consistent with the results of other animal studies. They also found that young people, up to the age of 19, selectively choose foods that are higher in salt, indicating a natural feedback mechanism driving them to consume higher salt foods and rewarding them with more vigorous growth.

Other good stress-relieving tips include getting a good night's sleep and taking time off to focus on relaxation and regular exercise, which has added health benefits. Of course, with exercise, another benefit of salt becomes apparent, as this vital nutrient is necessary to remain properly hydrated and healthy. When you sweat, you lose not just water but also electrolytes (including sodium) which need to be replenished.

The fact remains that whether they are called comfort foods or mood stabilizers, research indicates salty foods are effective at making us feel better and reducing our heightened stress levels, a common condition in today's ever-changing world. So, the next time you finish a stressful day and want to wind down and relax, don't be surprised if you instinctively reach for a salty snack.

Friday 22 November 2019

Don't get hacked! Time to get serious about password safety

Top tips for locking down your online security

We all know hiding your house key under the doormat is a terrible idea, but we do it anyway because it's a convenient backup. When it comes to safeguarding passwords, especially in a family setting, people often choose convenience over safety.

As families manage their digital information and online accounts, many end up opting for that less secure key-under-the-doormat solution. People are already sharing passwords, and their methods of sharing are not always the best. Some 41 percent of adults with online accounts admit to sharing passwords with friends and family, according to a Cybersecurity survey by Pew Research Center. Yet, 90.8 percent of respondents say they know that having strong passwords helps them better protect their families.

Consider the number of security breaches that continue to make national news:

* In 2016, we learned the Yahoo data breach compromised 1 billion accounts.

* In that same month, we learned 167 million email addresses and passwords were stolen from LinkedIn.

* In September 2017, a security breach at Equifax was reported, exposing Social Security numbers and other personal data of 143 million users, which is nearly half the U.S. population.

Now more than ever, it's clear how important it is to protect our personal information online. According to a Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report, 81 percent of data breaches involve weak, reused or stolen credentials. That's significantly higher than the 63 percent it was in 2016.

"If you were to dig into the reasons behind these repeated, overly simple, shared passwords, it's actually pretty understandable as to how this happens," according to LastPass Senior Director of Product, Steve Schult. "The average person has some 200-plus logins. If you were to give each its own strong, unique password, that's way too many for one person to keep track of and remember, let alone all the other family members that might also use some of those accounts."

But there's no need to trade security for the convenience of digital access. With a password manager designed for individual or family use, you can create those strong passwords for all the accounts you and your family use, and store them within a secure vault that's accessed by a single master password only you know. These digital lockboxes protect your information under multiple layers of security, making it impossible for digital thieves to hack and access.

If you're debating whether to make the switch to a digital password manager, here's a few ways it can improve your family's online security and help stop the struggle with passwords.

Create rock-solid passwords: Most password managers offer a secure password generator that allows you to set and create a long, strong and unique password for every online account. You can create a password up to 100 characters long, including numbers and symbols. Another way to do it is by using the "passphrase" approach, meaning string together words that create a phrase. Be sure to steer clear of birthdays, anniversaries, street names and other specific personal details that can be found through a simple social media search.

Secure more than just passwords: There's an endless number of passwords and sensitive information you can store in your password manager, including banking logins, passport and license numbers, shopping accounts, email and social media passwords and more. By storing all of this information in your secure vault, you'll always have access to the information whenever and wherever you may need it.

Safely share passwords with family members: One benefit of a password manager that's designed for family use is that it lets you safely and conveniently store passwords and valuable documents in folders for flexible sharing with others in the family. LastPass Families includes unlimited shared folders, which means you can create multiple folders and store an endless number of passwords and share with those in your family. For example, you could put your banking account password into one folder and share access with your spouse, have another folder for your favorite streaming services and securely share access with the whole family. All the while, you can keep your personal accounts private.

Use it as a teaching moment: Have a talk with your family about how passwords are the keys to our digital lives, and how good password habits help protect everything from personal details to finances. Show them how to build a good password, and how tools like a password manager can create a safe way to access and share accounts. It's an important life skill that will help them protect themselves for years to come.

Plan for the digital afterlife: When there's a death or serious emergency, it turns out that laws, along with service agreements, can block your family from getting access to your online accounts. With a password manager that allows emergency access, family members can get into your password vault and have access to whatever they need.

Monday 11 November 2019

Tips to Protect Your Data in a Connected World

The phrase ‘six degrees of separation,’ suggests that only a minuscule measurement is what divides one person from another. Today, the Internet of Things (IoT) has decreased those degrees dramatically, connecting us not only to each other but to everything we use.



According to a recent report, the number of Internet-connected devices tops 25 billion worldwide. And that number is expected to double in the next five years.

In a world where everyone and everything is connected, digital security is a must-have, just as important as the lock on your front door or the keys to your house. 

Consumers need to understand that, although convenient, the IoT is an interconnected system, and security is needed to prevent a weakness in one device from becoming an open door to attack another device.

The good news is that sensitive industries such as banking, government, and healthcare have worked to solve difficult security challenges.

So, to ensure that your data is protected from hackers, here are some tips:

Secure the device. Sensitive devices need an added layer of protection, such as a SIM card that stores data in a safe place.

Control the access. Implement two-factor authentication to ensure that only authorized people are granted access to the data.

Secure the data. Ensure that sensitive data is encrypted and that encryption keys are stored in a separate and safe place.

Monday 4 November 2019

Malt Makes a Comeback, Packing Powerful Nutritional Benefits

While the origin of malt can be traced back to early Egyptians, the full value of this healthy, "forgotten ingredient" has been overlooked and underappreciated. As we strive to satisfy our appetite for the next nutritional trend, malt is a resounding reminder that sometimes our ancestors truly do know best.



But, what exactly is malt? Malt is basically sprouted barley. By sprouting the barley, the grain’s enzymes are unlocked with only water and heat in an ancient, natural process that releases the whole grain’s nutritional power. Malt can be further processed to produce liquid or powder sweeteners called malt extracts that are used in beverages, baked goods, cereals and snacks, and other foods.

Malt Extract’s Natural Health Benefits

Athletic Recovery: Today, malt extract is drawing renewed attention as a naturally-functional ingredient that packs a host of powerful intrinsic health benefits – one reason that, among other uses, athletes are increasingly relying on malt extract-based beverages to replenish and recover.

Supports Digestive Health: Malt extract is a rich source of soluble fiber, which helps improve digestion by optimizing good bacteria and minimizing bad bacteria. Studies show malt extract facilitates the growth of probiotic cultures that can enhance digestive health by supporting the good bacteria. This can help prevent illness and promote essential nutrient absorption, enhancing overall health.

Promotes Heart Health: Malt extract is shown to reduce the risk of heart problems by helping to lower cholesterol. A heart-healthy mix, malt contains fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamin B6, which together lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of cardiac disease. Its dietary fiber helps reduce insulin activity and increases cholesterol absorption and encourages cholesterol breakdown. 

Antioxidants Galore:  It is an abundant source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, B complex vitamins, and micro minerals. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants has been shown to strengthen heart health, support anti-aging, and lower the risk of infection and some forms of cancer.

Saturday 26 October 2019

5 do's and don'ts to keep your identity safe from hackers

Resourceful thieves and cybercriminals continue to find new ways to hack consumers' sensitive personal information. Dumpster diving, stolen or lost wallets and mail fraud should still be concerns, but the digital age of tablets, smartphones, PCs and Wi-Fi networks leaves people more vulnerable than ever.



Have you ever stored credit card information on your phone for added convenience to make payments in a checkout lane? Do you ever store passwords in apps to transfer funds between accounts? And what's to keep hackers from accessing a wireless network you check your email on while you're grabbing a quick cup of coffee?

The following five do's and don'ts can help stop criminals in their tracks and protect your connected devices, as well as your electronic identity.

* Do power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines, especially if you are asleep or leave them at home while on vacation, are easy targets for hackers.

* Don't connect to unsecured wireless networks. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don't make their jobs easier. Turn off Wi-Fi access on your devices unless it's a password-protected network you trust.

* Do monitor your children's device usage. It's a good idea to limit the use of computers, tablets, and phones to public areas within the home like the living room or kitchen. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on who their kids are communicating with, especially on social media or gaming sites, to help prevent the sharing of sensitive information like full names, addresses or other things that can be used for identity theft or other potentially dangerous activities.

* Don't discard important paperwork without shredding it. If it has your name and address, thieves can take advantage and open an account using your information. Remember to shred expired insurance documents, vehicle registrations, bills, loan pre-qualifications and other paperwork that would allow someone to call in pretending to be you. Check your credit reports at least twice a year to ensure all accounts opened in your name are valid.

* Do install recommended updates. Smartphones, computers, tablets, and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date.

Sunday 20 October 2019

Understand data usage to get the best deal

When it comes to how we use our cellphones, it's especially important to understand data usage. Knowing what consumes your data, and how you use it, will help you recognize whether you're getting the best deal on your wireless plan.



With unlimited talk and text becoming more common offerings, what most of us are really paying for on our cellphone bills is data. You're using mobile data whenever you're not connected to Wi-Fi and doing things like browsing the web, using apps, checking social media, sending or receiving picture messages, and streaming music or videos.

Here are a few important things to understand to make sure that you get the best service, at the best price, on your monthly data plan.

How it's measured 

Simply put, data usage is the amount of data you use in a billing cycle (usually a 30-day time frame). Your cellphone plan's data is used whenever you use your phone's internet connection to perform a task.

Anytime you send an email, download a photo, stream video, view a web page, or post on social media, your phone is sending or receiving data across your carrier's network. A megabyte (MB) and the larger gigabyte (GB) are the units used for measuring data. Industry analysts have found that an average cellphone user consumes about 5GB of data per month.

It's hard to determine exactly how much data specific activities consume since file sizes and download times can vary. To provide a general idea, it's estimated that with 1GB of data, you can browse the Internet and use social media for around 40 minutes a day, stream about 10 hours of music in a month, and view 1-2 movies a month.

High-speed limits

With overage charges becoming nearly extinct and unlimited plans becoming more and more common, you might find yourself wondering why you should worry about your data usage at all.

When a cell phone plan has a designated monthly allotment of data, it means that you'll get optimal data speeds up until you have reached the limit. So, if your plan has a 3GB data limit, you can use up to 3GB of data at full speed. Once you go over that 3GB of data usage, you can expect to encounter slower data speeds.

With that in mind, you might expect unlimited data plans to provide you with all of the best data you can possibly use in your billing cycle. But this is not the case. Most "unlimited" data plans actually have what is referred to as a "deprioritization threshold." This is a cap on your high-speed data, meaning that if you reach the threshold (ranging anywhere from 20GB to 50GB) during a billing cycle you will actually be subject to slower data speeds during times of heavy network congestion, just as you would with a lighter use plan.

Choosing the right plan

So, the first step in managing your data usage is being realistic about how much you really need. The best way is to track your usage through your cellphone carrier: most offer up-to-the-minute details on your data usage either online or through a mobile app.

Then, seek out a carrier who offers plans that fit what you really use. Before you decide, read the fine print. Find out what, if any, caps are placed on your usage, or if there are fees for going over or changing your plan. By understanding your own needs and what your carrier specifically allows, you'll have everything you need to get the data you require.

Tuesday 15 October 2019

Common causes for sensitive teeth

If you've ever noticed a sharp pain in your teeth when enjoying an ice cream or a cold or hot beverage, you probably experience some degree of tooth sensitivity. When the temperature gets colder outside, even just breathing in frosty air can trigger that pain. According to research, 1 in every 2 adults suffers from some kind of tooth sensitivity.



Gum recession

There are several factors that can lead to gum recession - with one of the contributors being gingivitis. This can lead to a gingival recession which, along with the loss of cementum, leads to exposure of dentin - which leads to dental sensitivity.

Enamel wear

The outer covering or shield of the tooth, known as enamel, can wear down over time as well as from acidic food and drinks. Weakened enamel and dentin can also mean exposing the microscopic tubules that lead to dental nerves so that anything touching that area causes pain.

Tooth decay

If you are experiencing tooth decay or cavities, those areas can be overly sensitive. Sometimes the areas around old fillings can accumulate bacteria, which leads to further tooth problems and sensitivity.

Dental procedures

For anyone who has undergone a recent dental procedure, whether a simple filling, crown placement or something more involved like a root canal, your teeth may experience sensitivity for some time afterward.

Brushing too hard

Sometimes using a hard-bristled brush, or simply using too much force while brushing, can contribute to worn enamel, making tooth sensitivity worse.

If you experience any of the issues, you should visit the dentist and get your teeth examined. 

Tuesday 8 October 2019

The power of positivity: Four simple tips to change your life

New research shows that the power of positivity can work wonders in managing stress, staying productive and boosting happiness. Here are some insight into simple ways you can inject positivity into your day:



Set intentions early

Take a moment to shift your focus in the morning. What do you want to get out of your day? It's so easy to fall prey to the tyranny of urgency. Hold the emails, texts, calls, and messages and spend just 2 minutes grounding yourself in a positive practice like meditating. You'll set yourself up for greater happiness in the long run.

Move beyond off days

Don't get hung up when you have a negative day. The most important part of creating a new habit is having the courage to restart when you have an off day. Happiness is not a state of mind; it's a mindset that develops over time. The best way to elevate your mindset is by training your brain to look for positive information in the world around you that you might have missed.

Pay it forward

Individuals who pay it forward through praise and recognition express that they have greater feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and relatedness. However, even more importantly, both givers and receivers inspire others to want to give, which creates a powerful network effect.

Positivity sweepstakes

Nearly seven in 10 people agree they have a friend who is very positive and helps them get through the day, and almost 75% said they often receive appreciation from their friends/ colleagues, according to the survey. If you have someone who is always brightening your day, you can show gratitude by nominating them for a chance to win some great prizes.

Wednesday 25 September 2019

Study and organization tips for college students, one semester at a time


Planning is key to having a great year at the college. Here are some tips to have a good year.

Identify due dates and plan ahead.

it's important for students to use their time wisely. After the first day of classes, go through each class syllabus to identify due dates for big papers, projects, and exams. After flagging important dates, notice when big items are due within a short time of one another. Are there two long papers due the same day? A midterm exam the day after a big presentation? Plan ahead by setting up an early "due date" for one of those items and write a to-do list with the necessary steps in order to get it done.

Make it visual. 
Despite living in a digital world, a study found that over half of college students prefer to use a paper calendar and planner to manage themselves and their time. Visual reminders help keep students on track and ensure that important deadlines aren't forgotten.

Take effective notes.
Looming test dates during the semester can be overwhelming, but taking great notes can lessen the stress. An easy tip to taking effective notes is to keep flags and page markers in different colors handy. Use the different colors to mark important sections of notes and topics to go back and review so when it comes time to study, all the important information is already flagged.

Brainstorm and organize paper topics.
Whether it's a major paper or collaborating with classmates on a group presentation, writing down information and keeping it front and center can help students think clearly.

Set goals.
Once students know their workload for the whole semester, they can start writing out weekly tasks and goals and estimate how much time is needed for each.

Monday 16 September 2019

Managing change is crucial for success


Whether you're a student or a professional, you've had to cope with constant change over the course of your career, and you've learned at least one thing: More change is inevitable.

Between the constant evolution of technology, shifting corporate cultures, changing expectations and global challenges, change is the one constant you can rely on. Effective change management has become crucial for successful leaders.

Here are some guidelines to become more effective at change management.

1) Evaluate

Before the proposed change is implemented, carefully evaluate both the opportunities and potential risks from the change. Careful planning can anticipate and avoid possible surprises.

2) Coordinate

Because too much change at once can be overwhelming for anyone involved, coordinate efforts with all the other stakeholders, making sure to include anyone who will be affected in the planning as well as the implementation of the change.

3) Commit resources

Plan to commit enough time and preparation for everyone who may need to take on new responsibilities as part of any change initiative.

4) Get all on board

Ensure that all are fully committed to the change. Consider how it will affect them by taking their point of view. Ask questions and make sure everyone is involved in the process to ensure success.

5) Be others-focused

Try to see things from the point of view of others. Focus on the opportunities for individual growth that change can bring, and help everyone look to the future.

6) Enhance trust

Build trust before it's needed by being consistent, honest and true to your own values and principles.