How to find the top 2 salaried employees in each department
Table Name:- employee
+------+------------+------------+--------------+ | id | dept_name | emp_name | salary | +------+------------+------------+--------------+ | 1 | ECE | Raj | 10000 | | 2 | ECE | Ravi | 12000 | | 3 | ECE | Malli | 14000 | | 4 | CSE | Madhav | 12000 | | 5 | CSE | Jaani | 14000 | | 6 | CSE | Jack | 15000 | | 7 | IT | Mill | 16000 | | 8 | IT | Pawan | 17000 | | 9 | IT | Jack | 18000 | +------+------------+------------+--------------+
From above table for top 2 salaried employees see below query
Difference between LEFT and RIGHT OUTER Joins in SQL, MySQL Join example
There are two kinds of OUTER joins in SQL, LEFT OUTER join and RIGHT OUTER join. Main
difference between RIGHT OUTER join and LEFT OUTER join, as
there name suggest, is inclusion of non matched rows. Sine INNER join only
include matching rows, where value of joining column is same, in final result
set, but OUTER join extends that functionality and also
include unmatched rows in final result. LEFT outer join
includes unmatched rows from table written on left of join predicate. On the
other hand RIGHT OUTER join,
along with all matching rows, includes unmatched rows from right side of table.
In short result of LEFT outer join is INNER JOIN +
unmatched rows from LEFT table and RIGHT OUTER join is INNER JOIN +
unmatched rows from right hand side table. Similar to difference between INNER join and OUTER join,
difference between LEFT and RIGHT OUTER JOIN can be better
understand by a simple example, which we will see in next section. By the way
joins are very popular in SQL interviews, and along with classic questions like
finding second highest salary of employee,
Inner join vs outer join or left outer join vs right outer join is commonly
asked.
In order to understand difference between LEFT and RIGHT outer
join, we will use once again use classical Employee and Department relationship.
In this example, both of these table are connected using dept_id, which
means both have same set of data in that column, let's see data on these two
table.
LEFT and RIGHT OUTER Join Example in SQL
mysql> select * from employee;
+--------+----------+---------+--------+
| emp_id | emp_name | dept_id | salary |
+--------+----------+---------+--------+
| 103 |
Jack | 1 |
1400 |
| 104 |
John | 2 |
1450 |
| 108 |
Alan | 3 |
1150 |
| 107 |
Ram | NULL |
600 |
+--------+----------+---------+--------+
4 rows in set (0.00 sec)
mysql> select * from department;
+---------+-----------+
| dept_id | dept_name |
+---------+-----------+
| 1 |
Sales |
| 2 |
Finance |
| 3 |
Accounts |
| 4 |
Marketing |
+---------+-----------+
4 rows in set (0.00 sec)
How to Compress Image Size without Change in Quality
Do you want to compress or optimize your images size before uploading it into your WordPress posts? If yes, this post is specially for you to reduce your bandwidth and unwanted loading time due to the no. of images containing in the post. In addition, the compressed images can also help you to improve your SEO rankings. The minimum loading time your WebPages have the better ranking you will get.
Having high quality images (as images size: +1 MB) into your webpages give the bad user experience. If you are using three or four such type of images in a webpage, it will load more slower. Keep in mind, everyone doesn’t surf the internet with more than 2MBps. There are a lot of users who surf the internet over GPRS (2G) or a limited data plans. You can’t ignore them. You should make your post for everyone (i.e., for 2G, 3G, 4G users).
There are many image compressors that reduce the size of your high quality images without losing quality. We have also used many image optimizers for doing the same including some of WordPress plugins but no one suits our requirement, and after searching and searching again we have found a best image optimizer that can compress the size of image from 800 KB to 50 or 60 KB easily without losing quality.
Basically this is a desktop client software, if you installed them it will placed into the context menu so whenever you right click on the image you will see “Optimize Here” or “Optimize Image As…” option in the context menu as shown below, and easily you can compress your images with one click integration.
Image Optimizer for your WordPress posts without Quality Loss
- Go to this link, and fill your information (it is required field), and click on Download (Choose Free Version). In free version you can get mostly all the features that paid version has, but the difference is that if you compress high resolution image it will compress the image with a watermark. If you are a blogger, you don’t need to post high resolution photo into your post due to the fixed content container width.
- Once installed the image compressor, right click on the image, you would see two options as shown in above figure. I would prefer you to select “Optimize Image As…” as it gives you more advance features like the below preview.
You may select the quality among smallest file, small file, medium, high quality or very high quality. I would prefer to use medium quality. You may set the maximum height and width as your post container size. Now, finally click on Optimize button.
- Your image is ready to use.
Try out natural remedies to cure skin problems
Are you looking for some natural remedies to get rid of skin related problems. Try out rose water as it helps in removing skin clogs and blackheads or you can also opt for aloe vera pack for glowing skin.
Navin Sharma, head of research and Development at Cholayil Private Limited shares some useful tips that can help in attaining a "healthy" skin.
Pearl pack: It improves the skin texture, balances moisture and makes the skin glow. It helps reduce dark marks, pimples and acne. It can be used both in form of paste and powder. Pearl helps in minimising the large pores on the skin and therefore reduces redness.
Rose water pack: Wash your face regularly with rose water for softer skin. It effectively removes skin clogs, blackheads and reduces stickiness from the face. It helps clear all the impurities and dust. Rose oil contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Proper face massage with rose water will remove excess oil in the skin, keeping it evenly moisturised and exfoliated, thus restoring the lost pH balance and skin texture, preventing acne and pimples, removing the dirt that gets accumulated in the skin pores.
Neem pack: It is an ideal solution to all your summer-related skin problems. Neem benefits can be utilized the most during this season. Neem juice helps in purification of skin and blood. You can use facewashes that contain neem leaves as an ingredient.
Aloe Vera pack: It helps cure acne problems. It contains medicinal properties that help protect the skin's natural beauty. It also works as a moisturizer and provides oxygen to the body cells which strengthen the skin tissues and help to keep the skin healthy.
Navin Sharma, head of research and Development at Cholayil Private Limited shares some useful tips that can help in attaining a "healthy" skin.
Pearl pack: It improves the skin texture, balances moisture and makes the skin glow. It helps reduce dark marks, pimples and acne. It can be used both in form of paste and powder. Pearl helps in minimising the large pores on the skin and therefore reduces redness.
Rose water pack: Wash your face regularly with rose water for softer skin. It effectively removes skin clogs, blackheads and reduces stickiness from the face. It helps clear all the impurities and dust. Rose oil contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Proper face massage with rose water will remove excess oil in the skin, keeping it evenly moisturised and exfoliated, thus restoring the lost pH balance and skin texture, preventing acne and pimples, removing the dirt that gets accumulated in the skin pores.
Neem pack: It is an ideal solution to all your summer-related skin problems. Neem benefits can be utilized the most during this season. Neem juice helps in purification of skin and blood. You can use facewashes that contain neem leaves as an ingredient.
Aloe Vera pack: It helps cure acne problems. It contains medicinal properties that help protect the skin's natural beauty. It also works as a moisturizer and provides oxygen to the body cells which strengthen the skin tissues and help to keep the skin healthy.
Nokia to unveil new Asha models in coming days: CEO
Nokia will unveil new models in its Asha range of mid-tier phones, after first-quarter results showed a sharp fall in sales of mobile phones while management focused on boosting sales of Lumia smartphones.
We are continuing to renew our portfolio,which includes plans to announce innovation and new products in
the Asha line in the days immediately ahead, Chief Executive Stephen Elop told investors at an annual general meeting on Tuesday.
We are continuing to renew our portfolio,which includes plans to announce innovation and new products in
the Asha line in the days immediately ahead, Chief Executive Stephen Elop told investors at an annual general meeting on Tuesday.
HSBC profits nearly double as costs and bad debts fall
HSBC aims to keep the pressure on costs after first-quarter earnings nearly doubled due to the bank's three-year efficiency drive and a halving in bad debts charges.
The jump in profits reinforces HSBC's position as one of the strongest global banks after the financial crisis partly as a result of a radical overhaul to simplify its sprawling structure and improve profitability.
Its strong focus on Asia, which generated around two-thirds of profit in the first quarter, has also helped offset a harsh business environment, particularly in the euro zone.
Europe's largest bank moved faster and more aggressively than many of its peers to cut costs after the crisis. And it will continue to wield the knife - with a further 6,000 job cuts expected this year from businesses already put up for sale, on top of 40,000 already culled. HSBC has closed or sold more than 50 businesses since 2011.
"We're moving into calmer waters but there are still challenges ahead," Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver told reporters on a conference call.
Gulliver declined to say whether he would announce any additional cost savings at a strategy update for investors on May 15. But he said: "Clearly you can expect us to continue to focus on our cost base."
The CEO said HSBC still expected the euro zone economy to contract during 2013 and that UK economic growth remained muted.
Across Europe, HSBC's smaller rivals are playing catch-up with cost cuts to help offset rising bad debts and weak loan demand. French banks Societe Generale and Credit Agricole on Tuesday said they would keep making cuts to cope with a weak domestic economy.
In Germany, the cost of thousands of job cuts contributed to a net first-quarter loss at Commerzbank , which warned that earnings would be under pressure this year as loan-loss provisions rise.
In contrast, HSBC posted a pretax profit of $8.4 billion, up from $4.3 billion a year ago and above the average forecast of $8.1 billion from analysts polled by the company.
"We see these results as an endorsement of the strength of the franchise and its ability to generate earnings even in a sluggish macro environment," said Chirantan Barua, analyst at Bernstein. He said HSBC's strong capital position and capital generation meant it could increase its dividend by at least 30 percent this year.
COSTS
HSBC shares rose more than 3.3 percent to 737.4 pence, their highest level since mid-March, helping to drive the European benchmark <.sx7p> nearly three percent higher.
A $1.1 billion gain from disposals aided HSBC earnings as did a halving of bad debt provisions to $1.2 billion - its lowest quarterly level since before the financial crisis.
The bad debt charge fell across all regions and in particular in the United States, where HSBC is winding down its consumer business. The U.S. consumer book saw a decline in loan-loss provisions of $430 million to $544 million.
Costs in the first quarter were down 10 percent from a year ago and the bank is now saving $4 billion a year on an annualised basis, above the top end of its own target range of $3.5 billion.
HSBC wants to get costs below 52 percent of income by the end of the year from just over 53 percent on an underlying basis currently. Analysts say the bank should be able to raise its cost savings target by $1 billion a year.
The bank's investment banking division posted a 16.5 percent increase in first-quarter pretax profit from a year ago, helped by a strong performance at its equities division.
This mirrors strong results from Europe's other major investment banks such as Deutsche Bank , Barclays , UBS and Credit Suisse .
The jump in profits reinforces HSBC's position as one of the strongest global banks after the financial crisis partly as a result of a radical overhaul to simplify its sprawling structure and improve profitability.
Its strong focus on Asia, which generated around two-thirds of profit in the first quarter, has also helped offset a harsh business environment, particularly in the euro zone.
Europe's largest bank moved faster and more aggressively than many of its peers to cut costs after the crisis. And it will continue to wield the knife - with a further 6,000 job cuts expected this year from businesses already put up for sale, on top of 40,000 already culled. HSBC has closed or sold more than 50 businesses since 2011.
"We're moving into calmer waters but there are still challenges ahead," Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver told reporters on a conference call.
Gulliver declined to say whether he would announce any additional cost savings at a strategy update for investors on May 15. But he said: "Clearly you can expect us to continue to focus on our cost base."
The CEO said HSBC still expected the euro zone economy to contract during 2013 and that UK economic growth remained muted.
Across Europe, HSBC's smaller rivals are playing catch-up with cost cuts to help offset rising bad debts and weak loan demand. French banks Societe Generale and Credit Agricole on Tuesday said they would keep making cuts to cope with a weak domestic economy.
In Germany, the cost of thousands of job cuts contributed to a net first-quarter loss at Commerzbank , which warned that earnings would be under pressure this year as loan-loss provisions rise.
In contrast, HSBC posted a pretax profit of $8.4 billion, up from $4.3 billion a year ago and above the average forecast of $8.1 billion from analysts polled by the company.
"We see these results as an endorsement of the strength of the franchise and its ability to generate earnings even in a sluggish macro environment," said Chirantan Barua, analyst at Bernstein. He said HSBC's strong capital position and capital generation meant it could increase its dividend by at least 30 percent this year.
COSTS
HSBC shares rose more than 3.3 percent to 737.4 pence, their highest level since mid-March, helping to drive the European benchmark <.sx7p> nearly three percent higher.
A $1.1 billion gain from disposals aided HSBC earnings as did a halving of bad debt provisions to $1.2 billion - its lowest quarterly level since before the financial crisis.
The bad debt charge fell across all regions and in particular in the United States, where HSBC is winding down its consumer business. The U.S. consumer book saw a decline in loan-loss provisions of $430 million to $544 million.
Costs in the first quarter were down 10 percent from a year ago and the bank is now saving $4 billion a year on an annualised basis, above the top end of its own target range of $3.5 billion.
HSBC wants to get costs below 52 percent of income by the end of the year from just over 53 percent on an underlying basis currently. Analysts say the bank should be able to raise its cost savings target by $1 billion a year.
The bank's investment banking division posted a 16.5 percent increase in first-quarter pretax profit from a year ago, helped by a strong performance at its equities division.
This mirrors strong results from Europe's other major investment banks such as Deutsche Bank , Barclays , UBS and Credit Suisse .
Case against Dhoni for hurting sentiments
As reported by news agency PTI, a case has been registered by a Bangalore court against Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni for allegedly denigrating a Hindu god and hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindus. The image in question had appeared on the cover of the April 14th issue of Business Today magazine which is published by the India Today group.
The image appears to have been created by the magazine and it is not clear whether Dhoni posed for the photograph or if he provided his consent for the image.
Hiremath had alleged that by posing for an advertisement in a business magazine as Lord Vishnu holding several things including a shoe in his hands, Dhoni had denigrated the Hindu god and hurt religious feelings of the Hindus. Taking cognisance of the offence and registering the case, the court has posted it to May 12 for recording of the statement of the complainant.
The image appears to have been created by the magazine and it is not clear whether Dhoni posed for the photograph or if he provided his consent for the image.
Hiremath had alleged that by posing for an advertisement in a business magazine as Lord Vishnu holding several things including a shoe in his hands, Dhoni had denigrated the Hindu god and hurt religious feelings of the Hindus. Taking cognisance of the offence and registering the case, the court has posted it to May 12 for recording of the statement of the complainant.
Rise of young voters shifts Malaysia election balance
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak escaped a direct showdown with youth when a 23-year-old student gave up his bid to challenge him in his home constituency in the May 5 general election.
But Mohammed Bukhairy Mohammed Sofian's quixotic plan to run against Najib -- which he dropped to avoid diverting votes from the main opposition candidate -- was a reminder of how young voters are shaping politics in the Southeast Asian nation as never before and unnerving the long-ruling coalition.
He is one of 2.6 million Malaysians registered to cast their ballots for the first time, making up roughly a fifth of Malaysia's 13.3 million eligible voters. That is much higher than the 638,000 new voters five years ago.
Analysts say an upsurge in interest in politics following the opposition's best-ever election showing in 2008 has driven more young people to register.
Their numbers make young Malaysians a crucial, possibly decisive, source of support in an election that promises to be the closest since independence. They are also a force that could blur the traditional race-based faultlines that have shaped the political landscape in the multi-ethnic country.
An unbroken 56-year grip on power has given the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition control over mainstream media and the ability to spend freely in the election campaign as they preside over a period of strong economic growth.
Although a coalition win with a reduced parliamentary majority is seen as the most likely outcome, the opposition says that the new voters are the "X Factor" that could create Malaysia's biggest electoral shock since independence in 1957.
"I know what young people want. They want a voice and that means change," Bukhairy, a third-year Islamic political science student at Universiti Malaya, told Reuters.
An opposition win would bring unprecedented uncertainty to politics in Malaysia, whose government is the longest serving in the democratic world, and herald a major shake-up in five decades of cosy relations between government and business.
FORCE FOR CHANGE
Najib's government, which saw its parliamentary majority slashed in 2008, is struggling to respond to growing demands for more accountability and democratic reforms.
Those demands are being pushed most forcefully by the young, many of whom get their news from lively independent websites rather than state-controlled media. Many feel impatient with the gradual pace of reform under Najib, a 59-year-old veteran of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which dominates the ruling coalition, and the son of a former prime minister.
An opinion poll by the respected pollster Merdeka Centre, released in February, showed that voters aged 21-30 are the age-group most dissatisfied with the performance of the prime minister, who enjoys an overall approval rating of 61 percent.
"With younger voters, I think the pattern of voting on racial lines is going to be more subdued. Certainly not as accentuated as with the older generation," said Ibrahim Suffian, programme director at the Merdeka Centre.
Another survey, released in January by Universiti Malaya, showed 52 percent of new voters backing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for prime minister, with Najib at 30 percent.
"Things that are important to them are things like transparency, good governance and corruption. All these issues tend to look very bad for the government," said James Chin, head of the arts and social sciences school at Monash University Malaysia.
Protests for electoral reform and against a controversial rare earths plant, which in April drew tens of thousands onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur, have had a strong youth contingent.
"The activism is not necessarily political, it's simply a people-led movement after so many years of Barisan Nasional rule. It is wanting change," said Khairani Razak, a 22 year-old education major at Universiti Malaya.
Najib has made a concerted effort to pursue young votes. He's cultivated a cooler image, gathering nearly 1.5 million followers on Twitter. The ruling coalition, meanwhile, organised a series of free music concerts featuring international acts including K-pop sensation Psy in February.
More substantively, Najib approved landmark reforms of tough security and media laws in an effort to reach out to young and middle-class voters. But despite his efforts, Najib's government has struggled to shake off UMNO's reputation for cronyism and critics say the reforms are more form than substance.
POLITICAL FREEDOM
Student leaders say the university education system in Malaysia promotes an environment of unquestioning obedience that leaves little room for dissent.
"We are trained to follow. When students try to voice out anything, the authorities say the student is the opposition, against the university and so on," said Bawani KS, a 27-year-old law student at Universiti Utara Malaysia.
She became the poster-child for fighting oppression in the education system after a YouTube post went viral in January, showing her being shouted down by a speaker linked to a pro-government body at a student event.
"Employers are looking for candidates who are outspoken, who can think creatively. But nowadays our graduates can't fulfil these expectations," she added.
Graduate unemployment levels are disproportionately high in Malaysia. According to latest available data, unemployed 21-24 year-olds made up about 61 percent of the total number of jobseekers in 2011.
The Merdeka Centre poll in February found that 21-30 year olds were the group most worried about their personal finances. So Najib's campaign message of a booming economy -- which grew 5.6 percent last year -- may fall on deaf ears among many young Malaysians.
While free university education forms a central plank in the opposition's manifesto, the Barisan Nasional government has scoffed at the promise as irresponsible.
Instead, BN has targeted young voters in series of pre-election giveaways, setting aside 325 million ringgit for book vouchers and 300 million Malaysian ringgit for smart phones.
In an interview with Reuters last year, Khairy Jamaluddin, the 37-year-old head of UMNO's 600,000-strong youth wing, said it was a misconception that younger people would overwhelmingly vote for the promise of change represented by the opposition.
"We are the ones pushing for faster change," he said. "We have to make sure the reform agenda is not the monopoly of the opposition."
But Mohammed Bukhairy Mohammed Sofian's quixotic plan to run against Najib -- which he dropped to avoid diverting votes from the main opposition candidate -- was a reminder of how young voters are shaping politics in the Southeast Asian nation as never before and unnerving the long-ruling coalition.
He is one of 2.6 million Malaysians registered to cast their ballots for the first time, making up roughly a fifth of Malaysia's 13.3 million eligible voters. That is much higher than the 638,000 new voters five years ago.
Analysts say an upsurge in interest in politics following the opposition's best-ever election showing in 2008 has driven more young people to register.
Their numbers make young Malaysians a crucial, possibly decisive, source of support in an election that promises to be the closest since independence. They are also a force that could blur the traditional race-based faultlines that have shaped the political landscape in the multi-ethnic country.
An unbroken 56-year grip on power has given the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition control over mainstream media and the ability to spend freely in the election campaign as they preside over a period of strong economic growth.
Although a coalition win with a reduced parliamentary majority is seen as the most likely outcome, the opposition says that the new voters are the "X Factor" that could create Malaysia's biggest electoral shock since independence in 1957.
"I know what young people want. They want a voice and that means change," Bukhairy, a third-year Islamic political science student at Universiti Malaya, told Reuters.
An opposition win would bring unprecedented uncertainty to politics in Malaysia, whose government is the longest serving in the democratic world, and herald a major shake-up in five decades of cosy relations between government and business.
FORCE FOR CHANGE
Najib's government, which saw its parliamentary majority slashed in 2008, is struggling to respond to growing demands for more accountability and democratic reforms.
Those demands are being pushed most forcefully by the young, many of whom get their news from lively independent websites rather than state-controlled media. Many feel impatient with the gradual pace of reform under Najib, a 59-year-old veteran of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which dominates the ruling coalition, and the son of a former prime minister.
An opinion poll by the respected pollster Merdeka Centre, released in February, showed that voters aged 21-30 are the age-group most dissatisfied with the performance of the prime minister, who enjoys an overall approval rating of 61 percent.
"With younger voters, I think the pattern of voting on racial lines is going to be more subdued. Certainly not as accentuated as with the older generation," said Ibrahim Suffian, programme director at the Merdeka Centre.
Another survey, released in January by Universiti Malaya, showed 52 percent of new voters backing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for prime minister, with Najib at 30 percent.
"Things that are important to them are things like transparency, good governance and corruption. All these issues tend to look very bad for the government," said James Chin, head of the arts and social sciences school at Monash University Malaysia.
Protests for electoral reform and against a controversial rare earths plant, which in April drew tens of thousands onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur, have had a strong youth contingent.
"The activism is not necessarily political, it's simply a people-led movement after so many years of Barisan Nasional rule. It is wanting change," said Khairani Razak, a 22 year-old education major at Universiti Malaya.
Najib has made a concerted effort to pursue young votes. He's cultivated a cooler image, gathering nearly 1.5 million followers on Twitter. The ruling coalition, meanwhile, organised a series of free music concerts featuring international acts including K-pop sensation Psy in February.
More substantively, Najib approved landmark reforms of tough security and media laws in an effort to reach out to young and middle-class voters. But despite his efforts, Najib's government has struggled to shake off UMNO's reputation for cronyism and critics say the reforms are more form than substance.
POLITICAL FREEDOM
Student leaders say the university education system in Malaysia promotes an environment of unquestioning obedience that leaves little room for dissent.
"We are trained to follow. When students try to voice out anything, the authorities say the student is the opposition, against the university and so on," said Bawani KS, a 27-year-old law student at Universiti Utara Malaysia.
She became the poster-child for fighting oppression in the education system after a YouTube post went viral in January, showing her being shouted down by a speaker linked to a pro-government body at a student event.
"Employers are looking for candidates who are outspoken, who can think creatively. But nowadays our graduates can't fulfil these expectations," she added.
Graduate unemployment levels are disproportionately high in Malaysia. According to latest available data, unemployed 21-24 year-olds made up about 61 percent of the total number of jobseekers in 2011.
The Merdeka Centre poll in February found that 21-30 year olds were the group most worried about their personal finances. So Najib's campaign message of a booming economy -- which grew 5.6 percent last year -- may fall on deaf ears among many young Malaysians.
While free university education forms a central plank in the opposition's manifesto, the Barisan Nasional government has scoffed at the promise as irresponsible.
Instead, BN has targeted young voters in series of pre-election giveaways, setting aside 325 million ringgit for book vouchers and 300 million Malaysian ringgit for smart phones.
In an interview with Reuters last year, Khairy Jamaluddin, the 37-year-old head of UMNO's 600,000-strong youth wing, said it was a misconception that younger people would overwhelmingly vote for the promise of change represented by the opposition.
"We are the ones pushing for faster change," he said. "We have to make sure the reform agenda is not the monopoly of the opposition."
New gene therapy trials aim to mend broken hearts
LONDON (Reuters) - British scientists are stepping up clinical tests of gene therapy in a bid to help people with advanced heart failure pump blood more efficiently.
Researchers said on Tuesday they planned to enrol patients into two new clinical trials using Mydicar, a gene therapy treatment made by privately held U.S. biotech company Celladon.
After more than 20 years of research, the ground-breaking method for fixing faulty genes is starting to deliver, with European authorities approving the first gene therapy for an rare metabolic disease last November.
In the case of heart failure, the aim is to insert a gene called SERCA2a directly into heart cells using a modified virus, delivered via a catheter infusion. Lack of SERCA2a leads to ever weaker pumping in people with heart failure.
Although drugs offer some relief, there is currently no way of restoring heart function and the prognosis for those with advanced disease is worse than for many cancers.
One of the studies, led by scientists at Imperial College London, is part of a wider mid-stage Phase II project sponsored by Celladon that involves 200 patients worldwide, some of whom have already been treated in the United States and Denmark.
The second trial, which is due to start in the summer, will test the same treatment in 24 British patients already fitted with mechanical heart pumps to see how the approach may help in this particular setting.
It promises to be a long haul, with extensive Phase III studies still needed once results of the current mid-stage tests are received, which Celladon expects in the first half of 2015.
Gene therapy has experienced a series of advances and setbacks over the decades. The most notable blow came in 1999 when an Arizona teenager died in a gene therapy experiment. More recent results, however, have been promising in fields ranging from immune system diseases to blindness.
"It is a great example of the slow burn of good laboratory science translating into a potential clinical treatment," said Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, which is co-funding the second trial.
Because gene therapy replaces or boosts the activity of a faulty gene, it offers the possibility of a one-time "fix" - and that creates an economic challenge.
Any gene therapy is bound to be expensive, since a single dose could last a lifetime and the manufacturer will have just one shot at recouping its investment.
But Alexander Lyon of Imperial College, lead investigator on both studies, said it could be a cost-effective solution in heart failure if it avoided the need for interventions such as heart transplants at 200,000 pounds each.
Researchers said on Tuesday they planned to enrol patients into two new clinical trials using Mydicar, a gene therapy treatment made by privately held U.S. biotech company Celladon.
After more than 20 years of research, the ground-breaking method for fixing faulty genes is starting to deliver, with European authorities approving the first gene therapy for an rare metabolic disease last November.
In the case of heart failure, the aim is to insert a gene called SERCA2a directly into heart cells using a modified virus, delivered via a catheter infusion. Lack of SERCA2a leads to ever weaker pumping in people with heart failure.
Although drugs offer some relief, there is currently no way of restoring heart function and the prognosis for those with advanced disease is worse than for many cancers.
One of the studies, led by scientists at Imperial College London, is part of a wider mid-stage Phase II project sponsored by Celladon that involves 200 patients worldwide, some of whom have already been treated in the United States and Denmark.
The second trial, which is due to start in the summer, will test the same treatment in 24 British patients already fitted with mechanical heart pumps to see how the approach may help in this particular setting.
It promises to be a long haul, with extensive Phase III studies still needed once results of the current mid-stage tests are received, which Celladon expects in the first half of 2015.
Gene therapy has experienced a series of advances and setbacks over the decades. The most notable blow came in 1999 when an Arizona teenager died in a gene therapy experiment. More recent results, however, have been promising in fields ranging from immune system diseases to blindness.
"It is a great example of the slow burn of good laboratory science translating into a potential clinical treatment," said Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, which is co-funding the second trial.
Because gene therapy replaces or boosts the activity of a faulty gene, it offers the possibility of a one-time "fix" - and that creates an economic challenge.
Any gene therapy is bound to be expensive, since a single dose could last a lifetime and the manufacturer will have just one shot at recouping its investment.
But Alexander Lyon of Imperial College, lead investigator on both studies, said it could be a cost-effective solution in heart failure if it avoided the need for interventions such as heart transplants at 200,000 pounds each.
YouTube paid subscriptions from next week
As speculated earlier this year, Google is all set to start the paid subscription model for YouTube and is looking for launching that as soon as next week, according to a new report.
Google reportedly is looking for an optional model, which will involve free videos and services as we see today along with paid subscriptions to channels as well. To start with Google will be going in with 50 odd paid channels being made available for subscriptions and users would be able to subscribe to them for $1.99 or Rs 100 as the starting price.
The on demand content method will be a great new addition for content providers who struggle with advertisements and other monetizing methods for creating revenue.
The subscription model is likely to be adopted for online service to begin things with but will eventually be made available for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
YouTube today is a popular source of entertainment for mobile devices and Google can certainly not overlook this opportunity especially since Android is deeply integrated with YouTube.
Google reportedly is looking for an optional model, which will involve free videos and services as we see today along with paid subscriptions to channels as well. To start with Google will be going in with 50 odd paid channels being made available for subscriptions and users would be able to subscribe to them for $1.99 or Rs 100 as the starting price.The on demand content method will be a great new addition for content providers who struggle with advertisements and other monetizing methods for creating revenue.
The subscription model is likely to be adopted for online service to begin things with but will eventually be made available for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
YouTube today is a popular source of entertainment for mobile devices and Google can certainly not overlook this opportunity especially since Android is deeply integrated with YouTube.
Law Minister made changes to coal scam report, says CBI
NEW DELHI: Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati and PMO and coal ministry officials proposed changes to and even deleted portions from the CBI’s status report on the probe into the coal scam.
Ranjit Sinha, Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, today filed a nine-page affidavit in Supreme Court and said that the law ministry removed a paragraph critical to the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to news channel CNN-IBN, Kumar met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the CBI filed its affidavit and admitted he made changes to the coal probe report.
In the affidavit, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha also said that "there was no deletion of any evidence against any suspect" and the "central theme of the status report" was "not changed".
Sinha said the CBI's tentative findings that the screening committee which scrutinised applications for the allocation of coal blocks had not prepared a broadsheet or chart for its evaluation, was deleted at the instance of Ashwani Kumar from the draft report.
"The other tentative findings about non-preparation of broadsheets or charts by the screening committee to the best of our recollection was deleted by the honourable union minister of law and justice (Ashwani Kumar)," Sinha said in the affidavit, filed in pursuance to the apex court's April 30 order.
It said the law minister also deleted a sentence about the scope of the inquiry with respect to the legality of the allocations.
It further said at the instance of the officials of the coal ministry and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), its "tentative findings about the non-existence of a system regarding allocation of specific weightage/points was deleted...".
The affidavit said the changes were made in the final status report pertaining to its preliminary inquiry about non-existence of approved guidelines for the allocation of coal blocks were incorporated at the instance of officials of the PMO and ministry of coal, which was factually correct.
The affidavit also said that the attorney general, law ministry and the PMO and coal ministry officials saw the report as did Kumar, who was shown the report at his behest.
The affidavit said that former Additional Solicitor Gerneral Harin Raval and Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati were present in the meeting with the law minister.
The agency also told the court that it is difficult at this stage to attribute each change to a particular person with certainty.
Changes in the status report were made on the suggestions given by Attorney General and PMO official, the CBI affidavit said.
The affidavit said that Shatrughan Singh, Joint Secretary PMO and A.K. Bhalla, Joint Secretary, Coal Ministry, met in the chamber of Joint Director CBI at the request of Joint Secretary PMO.
However, the CBI director told the Supreme Court that only the draft status report was shared with the political executive and the AG, and not the status report.
Consequent changes in the report have neither altered its central theme nor shifted the focus of inquiries in any manner, the CBI told the court.
Sinha is said to have discussed the affidavit to be filed by the CBI today with the agency’s lawyer U.U. Lalit who has replaced Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval.
The ASG resigned after a controversy that put the government in a spot erupted over his allegation that Vahanvati tried to influence the probe.
Leaving Rafael to fend for himself, the affidavit said that he had no instructions from the investigating agency to tell the court that the draft status report was not shared with anybody except the court.
Ranjit Sinha, Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, today filed a nine-page affidavit in Supreme Court and said that the law ministry removed a paragraph critical to the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to news channel CNN-IBN, Kumar met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the CBI filed its affidavit and admitted he made changes to the coal probe report.
In the affidavit, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha also said that "there was no deletion of any evidence against any suspect" and the "central theme of the status report" was "not changed".
Sinha said the CBI's tentative findings that the screening committee which scrutinised applications for the allocation of coal blocks had not prepared a broadsheet or chart for its evaluation, was deleted at the instance of Ashwani Kumar from the draft report.
"The other tentative findings about non-preparation of broadsheets or charts by the screening committee to the best of our recollection was deleted by the honourable union minister of law and justice (Ashwani Kumar)," Sinha said in the affidavit, filed in pursuance to the apex court's April 30 order.
It said the law minister also deleted a sentence about the scope of the inquiry with respect to the legality of the allocations.
It further said at the instance of the officials of the coal ministry and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), its "tentative findings about the non-existence of a system regarding allocation of specific weightage/points was deleted...".
The affidavit said the changes were made in the final status report pertaining to its preliminary inquiry about non-existence of approved guidelines for the allocation of coal blocks were incorporated at the instance of officials of the PMO and ministry of coal, which was factually correct.
The affidavit also said that the attorney general, law ministry and the PMO and coal ministry officials saw the report as did Kumar, who was shown the report at his behest.
The affidavit said that former Additional Solicitor Gerneral Harin Raval and Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati were present in the meeting with the law minister.
The agency also told the court that it is difficult at this stage to attribute each change to a particular person with certainty.
Changes in the status report were made on the suggestions given by Attorney General and PMO official, the CBI affidavit said.
The affidavit said that Shatrughan Singh, Joint Secretary PMO and A.K. Bhalla, Joint Secretary, Coal Ministry, met in the chamber of Joint Director CBI at the request of Joint Secretary PMO.
However, the CBI director told the Supreme Court that only the draft status report was shared with the political executive and the AG, and not the status report.
Consequent changes in the report have neither altered its central theme nor shifted the focus of inquiries in any manner, the CBI told the court.
Sinha is said to have discussed the affidavit to be filed by the CBI today with the agency’s lawyer U.U. Lalit who has replaced Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval.
The ASG resigned after a controversy that put the government in a spot erupted over his allegation that Vahanvati tried to influence the probe.
Leaving Rafael to fend for himself, the affidavit said that he had no instructions from the investigating agency to tell the court that the draft status report was not shared with anybody except the court.
Judgment reserved on Jagan bail
New Delhi, May 6: Arguments on the bail petition of the YSR Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy concluded in the Supreme Court on Monday.The court which the heard the arguments of the CBI's counsel Ashok Bhan who said Jagan should not be given bail as the investigation was in a key stage and Jagan's lawyers Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi who charged the CBI of overstepping his authority, reserved the judgment.
The supreme court judge asked the CBI to state why extension of Jagan's custody was necessary.
Jagan's lawyers had pointed that the CBI putting forth contradictory arguments in the high court and the Supreme Court. Stating that being a MP and the president of a political party Jagan would not run away, Jagan's counsel asked for at least interim bail.
Senior lawyers Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi who argued Jagan's case, pointed that the CBI told the high court that Jagan's custody was needed on seven issues and in the Supreme Court that no custody was needed. They asked why Jagan was kept in jail for nearly one year.
Arguing the case on behalf of the CBI, Ashok Bhan said that conclusion of Jagan's case would take four to six months more. The lawyer said that presently investigation was on, on the investments into Jagan's companies from abroad and bail should not be issued at this juncture. The lawyer also said that CBI sleuths sought information from 6 countries about the investments and were even visiting these countries to know the facts.
Jagan's lawyers pointed out that as a party chief he has to prepare his party for elections and pleaded that at least interim bail should be given to him.
Alternatives to Jeans for the Denim Addict
We are always in for experimenting, breaking the monotony, going that extra mile to look meticulously stylish.
Hold on to that thought though. If you’re walking that mile in jeans, take a step back. We know you love those denims, we all do. But let’s give that eternal love some rest and explore greener pastures, wider horizons, because the world of fashion is ever evolving. So why should we stay behind? Let’s get rid of our jeans addiction and jump into other bottoms that are cool, comfortable and super stylish. We give you some of the coolestalternatives to jeans:
Linens
The best replacement for denims in this hot, scorching weather is linen pants. Thesecool white pants that will hang smoothly from your waist are perfect for those afternoon outings. They don’t stick to your skin, they prevent sweat and are comfortably classy, and they are white! All essential adjectives your summer wardrobe needs.
Shorts
If you can wear jeans casually, why can’t you wear shorts casually? And we don’t mean oversized, overlong, baggy cargo-esque ones that you wore during school tuition or football practice. We mean sleek, knee length, smart shorts that you can pair with your crisp shirts and cool tees. Go crazy with colours this summer – pastels or greys, block prints or stripes, the options are unlimited.
Khakis
Think rustic charm meets cool guy from the neighbourhood. That’s what you get when you pair your cool and comfy khakis with a button down shirt. Khakis are pants made out of 100% cotton, so rest assured because the summer heat is no biggie for this one! Our favorite thing to pair khakis is with a denim shirt and loafers. Always a hit!
Chinos
Made out of cotton and other synthetic blends, chinos are trousers with a cool quotient. Not the same as khakis, these pants are more modern and have slim-cuts for that perfect fit. Get them in different colours or stick to earthy tones, this pair of bottoms is sure to keep you cool this summer. And definitely lighter compared to those washed outjeans you have literally washed out!
Dress Pants
Finally, if you’re headed for a formal occasion, jeans is totally out of the question. If you still want to look a tad less dressier, pair your dress pants with a cool checkered shirt or a polo shirt and you’re good to go.
Stay cool as a cucumber this summer and replace those denims now!
Types of Shoes to Consider For Running
Running shoes manufactured by high-end brands usually cost a fortune which is why you must make sure that the shoes you want are the shoes you need.
If you are passionate about running and are willing to shell a huge amount for a certain brand of shoe, you should know which kind will be the most suitable for you:
Motion Control Running Shoes
These types of running shoes are for people who don’t have an arch on their feet. Even if there is, it is very low and such folks are said to have flat feet. Motion Control Running Shoes help their feet so that they don’t rotate inward and thus avoid over-pronation. Flat feet are a cause for injuries, especially while dancing or running. Motion Control Running Shoes provide stability and help people with flat feet put their best foot forward. The sole is made broader and a little heavier.
Stability Running Shoes
As the name suggests, Stability Running Shoes are for people with normal feet i.e. feet with a medium arch and not flat from the toes to heel.
While running, the foot touches the ground at the centre of the foot and to the external part of the heel. The weight is distributed equally throughout the feet. This is the most normal or neutral running action and thus Stability Running Shoes do not come with an extra-pronation. The cushioning feature can be added to these types of shoes while combining elements of support design and normal pronation. If you end up buying shoes with more width than usual or a bigger sole, you are only inviting injuries.
Cushioned Running Shoes
Cushioned footwear comprises non-linear shoes and channels the weight to the midsole. They are made for people with high arched feet as they improve the cushioning properties. The companies beef up the sole and heel of the shoes to add some padding effect to them while running. This improves the air flow and the arch is dispersed properly across the feet. Runners with arched feet can suffer from shin splints and other knee related issues, and thus you must wear Cushioned Running Shoes.
If you have difficulty determining your feet type, walk on sand and examine your footprint; this should give you a fair idea.
Gambhir, Yuvraj out of Champions Trophy squad
MUMBAI: Experienced batsmen Gautam Gambhir andYuvraj Singh were left out of India's 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, the Board Of Control For Cricket In India(BCCI) said on Saturday.
Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan, who last played a 50-over match for India in June 2011, got the nod ahead of Gambhir while wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik, who can also open the batting, was recalled after almost three years.
The other opener in the squad, Murali Vijay, was a surprise inclusion as the right-hander last played an ODI against South Africa in January 2011 and has failed to score a fifty in his 11 matches in the format.Yuvraj, who made a fairytale comeback last year after battling a rare form of lung cancer, could not find a place in the middle-order with selectors preferring right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma ahead of him.
Fast bowler Umesh Yadav returned from his back injury while all-rounder Irfan Pathan also got a recall. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and leg-spinner Amit Mishra were the two specialist slow bowlers in the squad.
India, the reigning 50-over world champions, are in Group B and will play the opening match of the June 6-23 tournament against South Africa in Cardiff. Pakistan and West Indies are the other teams in the group.
Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Irfan Pathan, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, R. Vinay Kumar.
Bansal, PM should go over bribery case, says BJP
New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) The BJP Saturday sought the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal after the latter's nephew was arrested for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs.90 lakh to ensure the promotion of a top railway official.
"We not only demand that Bansal be sacked, he should be prosecuted by CBI under 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act. If any public servant abuses his position to obtain benefits for himself or any other person, he or she is to prosecuted and convicted," BJP spokesmanRavi Shankar Prasad said here.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday arrested Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla and three others in Chandigarh for allegedly taking a bribe from the railway official. A total of six people have been arrested so far, CBI said.
Singla, a businessman who is Bansal's sister's son, his friend Sanjay Goyal and two others were being brought to New Delhi and will be produced in court.
Singla allegedly took Rs.90 lakh for the promotion of railway officialMahesh Kumar.
Kumar, arrested from Mumbai Friday night, was general manager of Western Railway when he he was made a Railway Board member Thursday.
Bansal, who returned to Delhi from Chandigarh Saturday morning, said in a statement that a "close relative" had been arrested but added that he had no business dealings with his nephew.
The Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson also sought the prime minister's resignation.
"The BJP is duty bound to reiterate that you please resign as the PM of India because you do not have any moral right to govern because India is increasingly getting established as the most corrupt regime under you," Prasaid said.
The BJP described the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime as a government of "wheelers and dealers".
"Every day new instances of shameful corruption are coming out. The embers of 2G and Coalgate are yet to subside, now we have railwaygate.
"This government is no more a government of the common man. It is the government of wheelers and dealers, and it is a government of brokers and middlemen."
He said the government was mired in controversies and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was himself "under a cloud of corruption".
"It is happening because the prime minister is under a cloud of corruption in coalgate.
"All the ministers are enjoying his and (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi's protection and are looting the country. What is happening in the railwaygate is a symptom of that," he added.
"The topmost assignment in the railway board is now being negotiated for sale."
After spat, Gambhir says he respects Dravid
Kolkata: Aggression is good but not when you get into a verbal duel with the likes of Rahul Dravid.
In the heat of battle.
Kolkata Kinght Rider skipper Gautam Gambhir learnt his lesson the hard way as his spat with Dravid seems to cost the southpaw more than what he expected as social networking sites were abuzz with the incident.
With his image taking a beating, a shaken Gambhir sought to clear the air by tweeting that there was no spat and he always respected Dravid.
"Guys, you have got it all wrong. No harsh words exchanged between me and Rahul bhai. He was and will always be a respected teammate. No fuss please," Gautam wrote on his Twitter page.
Taking a dig at how the incident was being handled, Gambhir in another tweet wrote: 'Guess we are always obsessed wid some drama or spice. Sorry none existed between me and rahul. Always respect him.'
Things got ugly on Friday at the Eden Gardens after an altercation between Shane Watson and Manvinder Bisla saw skipper Gautam Gambhir involved in a verbal duel with one Rahul Dravid. However, the temperamental left-hander sought to clear the air by saying he never exchanged any harsh words with Rahul.
Bisla had a verbal spat with Dravid after Shane Watson gave him a stare. Ajinkya Rahane intervened while Gambhir had a go at Dravid too.
Chennai's Ravindra Jadeja blasted Gambhir for not respecting the Indian stalwart.
"Gambhir you might have won the game, but you lost all the respect of the Blue Billion and you'll never get it back," Jadeja wrote in a series of tweets after the match between Rajasthan and Kolkata.
For all its glitter and slam-bang cricket, the domestic Twenty20 league has also witnessed a fair share of unruly behaviour on the pitch. The inaugural edition of 2008 had set the tone with Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth for some insensitive comments he made during a match.
Gambhir was earlier involved in a spat with Virat Kohli during the match between Bangalore and Kolkata at the Chinnaswamy stadium on April 12. Virat did not leave the ground after being caught and the Kolkata skipper marched up to him in some anger.
Rajat Bhatia, intervened to prevent the two from having a go at each other and help diffuse the situation. Both players, who have lost their cool in the past, were admonished by the referee and handed a warning.
Australian spin legend and former Rajasthan skipper Shane Warne tore into the Indian opener. "Question cricket followers - is Gambhir in the top three annoying cricketers on the planet?," Warne wrote on his Twitter page.
In the heat of battle.Kolkata Kinght Rider skipper Gautam Gambhir learnt his lesson the hard way as his spat with Dravid seems to cost the southpaw more than what he expected as social networking sites were abuzz with the incident.
With his image taking a beating, a shaken Gambhir sought to clear the air by tweeting that there was no spat and he always respected Dravid.
"Guys, you have got it all wrong. No harsh words exchanged between me and Rahul bhai. He was and will always be a respected teammate. No fuss please," Gautam wrote on his Twitter page.
Taking a dig at how the incident was being handled, Gambhir in another tweet wrote: 'Guess we are always obsessed wid some drama or spice. Sorry none existed between me and rahul. Always respect him.'
Things got ugly on Friday at the Eden Gardens after an altercation between Shane Watson and Manvinder Bisla saw skipper Gautam Gambhir involved in a verbal duel with one Rahul Dravid. However, the temperamental left-hander sought to clear the air by saying he never exchanged any harsh words with Rahul.
Bisla had a verbal spat with Dravid after Shane Watson gave him a stare. Ajinkya Rahane intervened while Gambhir had a go at Dravid too.
Chennai's Ravindra Jadeja blasted Gambhir for not respecting the Indian stalwart.
"Gambhir you might have won the game, but you lost all the respect of the Blue Billion and you'll never get it back," Jadeja wrote in a series of tweets after the match between Rajasthan and Kolkata.
For all its glitter and slam-bang cricket, the domestic Twenty20 league has also witnessed a fair share of unruly behaviour on the pitch. The inaugural edition of 2008 had set the tone with Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth for some insensitive comments he made during a match.
Gambhir was earlier involved in a spat with Virat Kohli during the match between Bangalore and Kolkata at the Chinnaswamy stadium on April 12. Virat did not leave the ground after being caught and the Kolkata skipper marched up to him in some anger.
Rajat Bhatia, intervened to prevent the two from having a go at each other and help diffuse the situation. Both players, who have lost their cool in the past, were admonished by the referee and handed a warning.
Australian spin legend and former Rajasthan skipper Shane Warne tore into the Indian opener. "Question cricket followers - is Gambhir in the top three annoying cricketers on the planet?," Warne wrote on his Twitter page.
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