think about it,,,,,,,,,,

Hi friends,

following articles tells the very sad aspect of the science.
being in this field for more than 7-8 years, came across with not many but definitely quite a few people whose heart for the science is really sick.

http://www.labtimes.org/labtimes/issues/lt2011/lt02/lt_2011_02_24_31.pdf

more to come,,,,,,,,,

**
Hi,
Just for lazy persons these links may very well work:
* The politics of publication 
* Challenging the Tyranny of Impact Factors
* Playing the journal to give low impact factor journal more clout  ( Reply to this view)
* Rank injustice and misallocation of credits
* Mismeasurement of science
* Real lives and white lies in the funding of scientific research
* Men, women and ghosts in science
* Issues in INDIAN Science
* Issues on Visa exemptions to Scientists
* Ethics of Research the Freedom to 'withdraw'.
* Determining "Authorship"
* Achievement Index
* Who should define the ethics?
* Informed consent for clinical trials?
* Policies of Injuries to research participants in INDIA
* Group theory
* Fraud in Medical Research
* Ethics in Writing: Scientific Plagiarism, how to stay away?
* Fraud and Misconduct in Scientific Publications
* Retracted Science and the retraction index.
* Researcher faces prison for fraud in NIH grant.
* Misconduct by Postdocs lead to retraction of papers.
* Nature's Peer review debate:
                         * Reviewers reports should in turn be peer reviewed.

                         * Referee Factor

Now here is an alternate view on Anna

"Many Worlds Interpretation" in Quantum Physics, Shrodinger Cat, where each point has alternate possibilities

Here is a very interesting alternate view on Anna's movement. He is very critical of the movement and on Anna. Thought we should share alternate views also. Though his ideas may be as maverick as the Baba Ramdev's,and has inherent flaws, I thought it is for the reader to decide what is right and what is not. But his analysis is very good. Please take time to read

you can read the article BY CLICKING HERE
I want to add an editorial published in The Hindu with the topic that "Anna is not INDIA and nor INDIA Anna".

Disclaimer: We at Ratz corner tries to be as neutral as we can (except when it comes to poverity, and human sufferings), so the views represented are in no way subscribed by us, and not in the other way around too...

Patriotism only skin deep

I am sure many of our citizens might have celebrated the freedom (with all the limitation what so ever it has) with pride and buzzing patriotism. And it is no wonder that the plastic/paper flags (mostly made in China!) of India are selling like hot cakes in the season. But as usual with our use and throw attitude (a criminal carelessness i guess) most of us might have dumped it in nearby bins or as usual thrown it as litter on road sides.
Jan Lokpal Bill http://www.box.net/shared/tyqqc9d0rl8xgglqxpmj

As per the code for national flag it is criminal to dump our flag, which of course represent our billion+ Indians, the sacrifice of our brothers and sisterns in uniform and otherwise and the centuries worth of pain and hardships our freedom fighters endured. It represents the Kubers and poors, the well to do and the helpless (majority) alike. It also represents our future. so any one carelessly handling the flag is actually unknowingly disrespecting ourselves.
Govy Lokpal Bill http://www.box.net/shared/k9bz7pfzj6q6s0us9mil

The point i am writing is that i saw a few students dressed up with tricolor caps collecting the littered flags to be taken care of in a legitimate manner. But first of all why should one throw the flag in such careless manner. if one is so careless, why to use the flag at first, will the patriotism be any less without the flag.

Jan Vs Govt Lokpal http://www.box.net/shared/ndtmbhdxpmhgvqqemgis

So next time think about it before waving the flag that it doesnt end up in a garbage bin or under someones foot.

Since the fervor is not going to come down govt should make it mandatory that the flags are collected in a much better way after use in proper collection baskets. or better alternatives could be applied.

Now it is time for open science...

Open Access logo

We all know very well about open access publications. But open science?, many might not have known about it, at least I have not. It involves performing experiments with the full scrutiny of public. That is exactly what Dr.Rosie Redfield, a microbiologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver been trying to do.

Interestingly the decision to do 'open science' was to answer controversial results published in a much scientific way. Many will remember the controversy surrounding the 'Arsenophagist' bacteria which were touted to incorporate arsenic, a toxic substance, to its genome if slowly deprived of phosphates. This had created a storms eye, since it gives novel dimensions to the molecular genetics as we know. But later there were hues and cries from around the world that the work indeed is nothing but a sensationilization and even possible plagiarism. The study was dismissed as a myth (though it was published in Science).

In her laboratory Dr. Redfield is trying to emulate all the steps as initially claimed by the previous authors infront of full public glare, while knowing fully that confirming such results will be almost impossible. But that doesnt deter the scientist.she has already got two negative results, first that the bacteria dies when slowly deprived of phosphates, and second that the bacteria cannot tolerate arsenic. These were the claims made by the original research groups.

Apparently this is not the first time such open science is being done. Previously, Dr Paul Docherty, a chemist, had performed similar open science to debunk the myth that sodium hydride could oxidise an alcohol

The open science has its demerits...the major one is about being scooped

But merits are too there...since the publicity avoids the work being reproduced elsewhere, a kind of intellectual property right. Then the work can be guided by interested scientists if something goes wrong by a mile. Again the plagiarism type of things may not come up.

One can only wish that science opens up to become open science in near future.

Disclaimer: The article content is adapted from an article titled Open science — a transparent and novel way to do research : you can read the news by clicking here

copy right and courtesy: The Hindu   Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Coverage of the Great Recession -part2 (the mummy returns!)

to all who are concerned about the economies around the world in the trouble times...
Here we are giving a coverage of opinions from various economists about the great recession-2

here is the first one by Thomas Friedman, a three time Pulitzer prize winner, and journalist on economics. Very very sane one, i will say a must read if you have 5 minutes to spare

 click here to read

Globalization out of Hands

After the cold war, many in the West felt that it is the end of socialism as they knew and it is a 'new, efficient, powerful, and everlasting' daring world of capitalism and its horse globalization.

Yes, the globalization has pulled out millions from poverity and created a 'brave(?)' world order, where the 'either perform or perish' was the motto, which later clearly gave way to 'outperform and later perish'.

No one ever seriously took into consideration where the world set up is heading and what will happen if one day things go out of control. All were happy the cold war is over and USSR and allies perished. All the credits were taken with a self pat on back. Gave all importance to only Individuals and forgot the society. Now neither individuals nor the society knows for sure how to pull out of the soup created by them. here is a small news item from economic times...

click here to read

other voice of Paul Krugman (the politica/economics writer for Guardian which regularly appears in The Hindu, he blames the S&P's credibility alongside the extremist rightist capitalists
click here to read

And here is a view from none other than Warren Buffet (who counts among the top richie richs in the world!), it is quite interesting how a billionaire is supporting higher tax regimes...a very rare species in the current world order.
you can read the article by clicking HERE

And how our IT is having a sword hanging on head
read here

HOW IS IT GOING TO AFFECT THE INDIANS

here is a pretty good and simple article by a professor of IIM, Ahemadabad, which lists out the positive prospects for India out of the current recession, and tries to explain what went wrong and where is it going wrong...please take time to read it is a small article
CLICK HERE to read article in economic times

more to follow...

courtesy: Economic times

Some bizzare news on corruption

Anna Hazare "The Gandhian Icon of fight against corruption"

I found this in the Hindu...
it is about a poll conducted nationwide.
seems quite surprising (apologies i couldnt read it fully)

interested people can follow the link

it will be telecasted at 10.00 pm IST today in CNN-IBN

pls read the pdf article by clicking HERE

courtesy: The Hindu, CNN-IBN

I am also adding some interesting links related to Anna and any body interested in this honest person should go through them. Most of them are from media; many of us miss them.

* http://www.annahazare.org/

* http://www.newsbullet.in/video/india/14927-government-deceived-us-says-anna

* http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Anna-Hazare

* http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/who-is-anna-hazare-96883

* http://khabar.ndtv.com/2011/07/09164137/Anna-new-statement.html

* http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCUQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlRSMbAiq92g&ei=WcNBTqzIBcbQrQeOi_28Bw&usg=AFQjCNFU7NBvVa3ckTkbItn1vbGf1o9aBQ&sig2=n_gYdbHpX044Hh_OwJHXjw

* http://www.newsbullet.in/video/india/6762-exclusive-interview-with-anna-hazare

* http://business.in.com/interview/close-range/anna-hazare-i-asked-pm-whether-his-team-shares-his-values/23682/1

* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13017897

Alone in the crowd (Bheed mein Akela)

Just my thoughts in a poetic sense,

When the days become lengthy, nights become a night mare, when nobody understands me,
jab sach kahne se meri duniya jal jaaye, jab insanon ki is jangal mein, maanavta ki is dharti par, main kuchh kahna chaahoon,
log kahan sunte hain,
main jaise ek ateet ki awaaz hoon, jo kitabon ke panne mein padi sisakti rahti hai,
ek nannhi si bulbul se poochho jab phoolon ko apna raag sunati hai, kya anand use aata hoga,
but Insaaanon ki is baghiya meri sada kaun sunta hai,
jab tadpoon apne man mein, dil kuchh kahna chaahe, kuchh sunna chaahe,
but when ur sounds echo long and comes back to me, tab mujhe lagta hai,
I am alone in the crowd of man, main tanha hoon bheed mein akela....bilkul akela

When the days become lengthy, nights become a night mare, when nobody understands me,
जब सच कहने से मेरी दुनिया जल जाए, जब इंसानों के इस जंगल में, मानवता की इस धरती पर, मैं कुछ कहना चाहूँ,
लोग कहाँ सुनते हैं ?
मैं जैसे एक अतीत की आवाज़ हूँ, जो किताबों के पन्नों में पड़ी सिसकती रहती  है,
एक नन्ही सी बुलबुल से पूछो जब फूलों को अपना राग सुनती है, क्या आनंद उसे आता होगा !
बुत-इंसानों की इस बगिया मेरी सदा कौन सुनता है?
जब तडपूं अपने मन में, दिल कुछ कहना चाहे, कुछ सुनना  चाहे,
but when your sounds long and come back to me, तब  मुझे  लगता  है,
I am alone in the crowd of man, मैं  तन्हा  हूँ  भीड़  में  अकेला ....बिलकुल अकेला......  

Love at the times of ...(recession?)

Now, among all these serious topics i found this love story, especially a modern one. Now a days, love, i guess, has given way to casual 'relationships' which are mostly instantaneous and shorlived. Though this story is a usual one, with out any speciality in it, what touched me was the narrative and persistence from the two people which may have sustained itself from other 'better offers'.

thought i will bring a lighter entertaining topic, and this one is dedicated to my fellow researchers who forgets to finds time for love, till they are POST-their marriageable days (Research guys find they missed love when their hairline receeds like economy of Europe, and the gal compatriots find it when their visible beauty has waned to an extend that the guys barely notice them even in their best dress (no hard feelings plz)....and both find it a lost youth when what they are left with is Ph.D minus the enthusiasm, low grade papers unlike the natures they vied in childhood days, and gloomy future just like the guys who found a thrilling youth)...

It was published in Timescrest (C), a premium site of Times of India. Hence those who are following the link below may have to sign in with their mail Ids to read it. Also Timescrest is going to be a paid premium service in a few months, the free to read will not work after that. But it is worth reading

So guys/gals, time is not lost for love till you lost the love for life, all the best...go ahead

here is the link..JAB THEY MET

Courtesy and article copy right: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.        Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

The worst feared is here

Standards & Poors, the worlds leading credit rating agency has down graded the US credit as AA+ a few miles from the AAA rating i was holding till now. should wait and watch what will be the effect of the downgrading on already volatile global economy. Also our feild is going to get affected if US is in trouble.

will post details

you can read the news HERE

And we have an INDIAN CONNECTION too to the down grading, come on, when 1 out of 5 person in world is Indian, you wont be surprised, would you?..

The person who is heading the agency which has downgraded, Mr.Deven Sharma, is an American of Indian Origin. He did his schooling from Jharkhand, bachelors from BITS mesra. 

you can read about him in details HERE

courtesy: Economic times, The Hindu

Sometimes passion for science can be crazy, but this is extreme...

Operation Ivy Mike; A nuclear fusion experiment in the 50s

This guy I think has been one of the honest and benign scientist; his aim- to follow his passion and do what his heart says, his work yard- his own kitchen, but that is fine what is wrong with him.

Well, he wanted to emulate nuclear fission in his kitchen!. The poor 'scientist' was arrested for endangering citizens life and for illegal possession of nuclear material. All of this started when a nuclear

laboratory in Sweden received a phone call from an 'amateur' nuclear scientist enquiring whether he can make a nuclear reactor at home!. They inturn alerted the police who arrested him swiftly. The 'scientist' was found to be in possession of certain nuke material and chemicals. Apparently one of his efforts exploded as per his blog.

Now it is well known that society has not been too good to scienists...but the poor 'amateur nuclear scientist' must have not known it...cruel society, aint it?

you can read the 'poor mans' story HERE

courtesy: The Hindu      Photo courtesy: wikipedia

and this one for cricket lovers

While we have all seen dismissals in cricket there are always some dismissals which raise eyebrows for their bizzare effects. Here is a good  of them as published in Times of India. Many of us might have seen all of them live but still worth seeing them once again...

http://www.indiatimes.com/photostory/9442702.cms

courtesy:  Times of India        Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

In troubled times even the Eagle has to tighten belt

Haliaeetus leucocephalus: American Bald Eagle-The national symbol of USA 

When it is hard times even the mighty has to come to earth. That sounded exactly literal for the USA (whose national symbol is an eagle), who has just weathered a bad recession (second only to the great depression of the 1930s), and was facing a very embarassing of defaulting

In simple means it might have meant not able to honour debt commitments, simply like many of our poor Indians unable to pay the EMIs. What was very conspicous this time was the petty politicization of an issue of utmost national importance not much differenct from our country's.

Now that it will leave many wondering whether the US has come down to the level of Indian politics. We have to see whether this will affect the credit ratings of the lone superpower of the world, and if it will what effect will be there on the struggling world economy. What is most important to us is at two levels, short term and long term.

In short term we may be affected, as along with the struggling Eurozone, the US is our major export destination. This might badly affect our softwares, merchandise etc. Also if there are ripples in global economoy our workforce in the middle east (who are mainly employed by the Americans) might come back.

And even worst is the case for our Indian science. The debt deal stuck today also envisages deep government spend cuts, and no prize for guessing which will come on top - obviously the research spending. The already competitive US research grants might become much more competitive and our PDF destinations may have to be recourse somewhere else. As per the whispers coming out of the Indian PDFs already signs of that are visible after recession. And this might tightent the situation of our Ph. Ds and PDFs already in huge numbers and unemployed.

In long term the economic policies followed world over might be altered, as they are all modeled based on the US model. Now that trust on such system is evaporating countries like India who blindly follows the West has to rethink on the mindless globalization and after effects.

A sigh of releif though, one of our archrival the PR China might be even more affected!

I read a good article by a Chartered Accountant which came in Rediff (yes once in a while Rediff publishes sane news too)...pls take time to read if you are interested at the link as follows, it is comparatively simple language with less jargon

http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-mrv-column-what-the-us-debt-crisis-is-all-about/20110801.htm

PS: many guys feel this has become an economics blog, but at the core of every subject is an economics, which even the mother nature has performed at Big Bang by distributing the wealth of energy and matter unevenly...as a humble and inconspicous product i am just emulating her.

Courtesy: Rediff.com      Photo courtesy :wikipedia