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Taxi rides can be a tricky/unpleasant experience in some Eastern European countries. I couldn’t find any taxi app in Sofia and Varna that actually worked well during my trip to Bulgaria. I tried to use the ‘Taxi Me’ app in Sofia. The ‘Taxi Me’ app has a very bad interface and the language of the […]
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Romania is a very underrated travel destination in Europe. One of the many reasons is the spread of misinformation. A lot of blogs I read before traveling to Romania were written by American tourists or mostly Western travelers who may not need a visa to travel in Romania and they have a very different approach […]
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I trade options regularly in the Indian as well as the American market. They are very different in their pricing models, trading volume, expiry cycle, lot sizes, and even trading frequencies. For example, the Indian options are European style options where the Options contract can only be exercised after the expiry. On the other hand, […]
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The Indian banking crisis has been a cause of worry for the last decade. From more than 20 nationalized banks at the start of the Millenium to just 12 nationalized banks today, Indian banks have had a hard time getting through in the last decade. Currently, there are 12 nationalized banks, 22 private banks in […]
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Dolphins are one of the smartest mammals. They can mimic voices, demonstrate empathy, grief, and joy. There are around 40 different species of dolphins. The Bottleneck Dolphin is the smartest of all dolphins. They are usually very social and easy to train. They have a friendly appearance and higher life expectancy (30-50 years) than most […]
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The last decade has seen massive immigration to Europe from the Middle East. Europe is currently witnessing the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. There are several debates in the European Parliament about the security threat posed due to immigration, the right to seek asylum, the economic impact of mass immigration, and the assimilation […]
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I went on a budget trip to Romania in early November 2021 during the COVID pandemic. I traveled for almost a week in Romania and it was rather surprising to me that even though Romania had been a member of the EU since January 1, 2007, it is not a part of the Schengen area. […]
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Ireland is a democratic republic with a very strong Capitalist system. In fact, Ireland is more capitalist than the United States. Well, Ireland does have a Social Welfare System, but that’s just one point for socialism. The low Irish corporate tax system, high cost of attending universities, nepotistic politics, a higher number of millionaires per […]
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Tata Power stock has been one of the best performing Indian stocks in 2021. In 2021, the Year-to-Date Return for Tata Power stock has been 188% (as of October 17, 2021). I am definitely NOT out of my mind when I say Tata Power will almost become 5 fold from here by 2023 from the […]
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5G Network has lower latency, higher data speed and increased bandwidth compared to 4G LTE. 5G network can open new avenues in Video on Demand (VoD), real-time video surveillance, telemedicine and Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR). However, these sectors are indirectly benefitted from 5G technology. On the other hand, there are several industries like semiconductor […]
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The American stock market in 2021 has been a tug of war between the ”Growth” and ”Value” stocks so far. The tech-heavy American index, NASDAQ 100, has seen a Year-to-Date (YTD) increase of 3.6% as of May 11, 2021. The Chinese stock market index, China A50, has surprisingly seen a Year-to-Date (YTD) decline of -0.2% […]
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According to World Economic Forum, a record number of countries are piling up on sovereign debt amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The rating firm S&P Global has reiterated its concern for several sovereign defaults. There was just one sovereign debt default in 2018 while there were 7 sovereign debt defaults in 2020 (Source: S&P Global) Earlier in […]
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During my internship in France in 2017, I opened a current account with Société Générale bank. I was really surprised to know that the European banks don’t pay any interest on the current account. Further, the interest rate on savings account was a mere 1%. I was used to receiving 4% annual interest on my […]
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Project management of a medical device development starts with defining the project scope, selecting the team, identifying the value, and then launching the project. Agile and lean development methods are used to manage large and complex medical device development projects. 1. Kanban Kanban is a lean concept which helps in visualizing the workflow. Here is […]
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Lean philosophy has the following 5 aspects to it. Value: Precisely specify the value of the new productValue Stream: Identify the value stream in each productFlow: Allow the values to flow without interruptionsPull: Let the customer pull value from the design teamPerfection: Continuously pursue economical perfection How can wastes be eliminated in the Product Development […]
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I applied to nearly 60 MedTech jobs during the final year of grad school and got just 4 interviews. That’s a success ratio of less than 7%. I had sought help from at least 15 working professionals in the industry but only one of them provided me with the right insight required for a role […]
Continue ReadingSix Sigma is philosophy to continuously improve the processes to achieve operational excellence. 8D or 8 disciplines of problem solving is a problem solving methodology that aims to improve output of a manufacturing process or design. Therefore, 8D can be considered as a Six-Sigma tool. Originally developed by the Ford Motor Company in the 1980s, […]
Continue ReadingThis chapter is about the ‘Measure’ phase of the DMAIC. Contents Types of Process MapsSampling in Data CollectedDescriptive StatisticsMeasurement System Analysis (MSA)Process Performance Measures 5. Process Performance Measures Some of the commonly used Process Performance Metrics are: Defects per Unit (DPU): Defects per Opportunity (DPO): Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO)Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY): It’s a […]
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In biopharma, cells are grown in bioreactors in order to generate protein products that are used as therapeutic agents. Biopharma companies mostly use mammalian cells such as CHO cells to develop the complex therapeutic proteins that are structurally similar to those produced by human cells. This means that if a protein is used as a […]
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Finding the right discount broker in EU is a hassle for a foreigner, especially to the complex banking system between different countries. Here is the list of 15 trading platforms I explored and then my final verdict on the one I chose. 1. eToro eToro Copytrading platform I like 3 things about this website: CFDs […]
Continue ReadingThe steps in the analyze phase are: Determine which factors impact the performance, i.e. X’s in Y=f(X)Organize the potential X’sShortlist the key X’sDevelop a data collection plan for the analysisProve the key X’s for Y=f(X) The possible X’s are determined by brainstorming. The potential X’s are organized using a cause-effect diagram or fishbone diagram. The […]
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1.Out in Log file In the auto solve mode of COMSOL, the solver automatically selects the step size it needs to arrive at a solution. However, it only stores the results you have specified. “-out” in the log file under the “stepsize” column suggests that the solution has been stored for the specified user-defined time […]
Continue ReadingSix Sigma helps in performance improvement and it’s an important project management philosophy being adopted in different industries, particularly in the automotive, medical device and biopharma sector. The ‘Define’ phase describes what the project is all about, the project deliverables, and the deadline. 1.Steps in Define Phase Step I: Develop the problems and goal statements […]
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Stents are important Class III medical devices that are useful to clear blockages in the arteries. Typically, these blockages are called ‘lesions’ in medical terminology. A stent is a small mesh that widens the narrowed down blood vessel and improves the normal flow of blood. While coronary stent was an unregulated market in India till […]
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Pluripotent stem cells have tremendous potential in regenerative medicine. Pluripotent stem cells have the capability to develop into all the cells derived from the three germ layers. Earlier only the embryonic stem cells were known to be the pluripotent stem cells. The groundbreaking research work of Takahashi and Yamanaka published in 2006 paved the way […]
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Economic power gives you the chance to dominate the world. The US, Germany, and the UK are the economic powerhouses of the world that have significant control over the global trade and hence, exercise more control over international affairs. However, this article is not about these economically powerful countries. It is about the ‘Tiger Economy’ […]
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Finding a blog on writing a piece of code is easy. There are hundreds of blogs and online portals like Code Academy and Geeks for Geeks out there. However, there are very few meaningful resources on the web that cut short your hunt for recent developments in the MedTech industry, learning resources for quality, the […]
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What are some of the BIG companies that come to your mind when you talk about the Indian market? Tata Group, Reliance, Birla Group, Adani Group, Mahindra Group, etc right? These are the groups of companies that are massive in terms of their market size and are usually classified as Blue Chip stocks. This article […]
Continue ReadingThere are two kinds of analysis for a stock: Fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Technical analysis is important for daily traders and short-term investors who have to take into account the volume traded and price movements. However, fundamental analysis is important to the value investors or long-term investors. Why is fundamental analysis of stock important? […]
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Microfluidics is a key technology to develop miniaturized diagnostics and analysis systems. The ‘Organ-on-a-chip’ market is estimated to reach over $6 billion by 2025 (Source: Research and Markets). Here are 32 innovative lab-on-a-chip startups making an impact in high throughput drug screening and point of care diagnostics. 1. Micronit 2. Emulate Bio 3. MIMETAS 4. […]
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1. regenHU 2. Aspect Biosystems 3. Pandorum Technologies 4. Organovo Holdings Inc. 5. Precise Bio 6. Ourobotics 7. REGEMAT 3D 8. Cyfuse Biomedical K.K. 9. EnvisionTEC GmbH 10. Cellink AB 11. Poietis 12. Stratasys Ltd. 13. Regenovo Biotechnology Co. Ltd. 14. Next Big Innovation Labs 15. Nano3D Biosciences Inc. 16. FUJIFILM Wako Automation Corporation 17. […]
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Topics: Scaffold Approaches in Tissue EngineeringScaffold Fabrication TechniquesPhysiochemical characterization of scaffolds 1. Scaffold Approaches in Tissue Engineering There are basically two scaffolding approaches which have been typically used in tissue engineering. These are: Top-down approach Bottom-up approach Tissue Engineering approaches (Nicol et al., 2009) 1.1. Top-down approach The top-down approach involves the use of a […]
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Topics: The BasicsGenetic DisordersApplications of Gene TherapyApplications of Tissue Engineering in Gene TherapyPlasmid Banks and other repositoriesResearch Methods used in Gene TherapyMethods to Analyze RNAMethods to Analyze Proteins 1.The Basics 1.1. Genes A human cell (except for Red Blood Cells) has 23 pairs of chromosomes. Each chromosome houses numerous genes. Genes are basically the sequences […]
Continue ReadingFDA Design Control Guidance for Medical Device Manufacturers US FDA 21 CFR 820.30 Design Control Requirements. At the design stage, an outline of the design control process should be actualized. Here is a diagram describing the Design and Development Planning. Medical Device Design and Development Planning Design Input There are several parameters which contribute to […]
Continue ReadingClassification of medical devices based on the risk involved is an important step in medical device approval process. While the medical devices are classified into 3 categories in the US, they are classified into 4 categories in the European Union (EU). 1. FDA Medical Device Classification FDA 21 CFR Part 860 classifies devices based on […]
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Stephen: Is .xyz a good domain and trustworthy? I think you should have named your website as ‘www.edtech.com’ or something like that. Me: Absolutely, dot xyz domain is reliable. Stephen: Don’t you think the dot com domains are given preference by Google during the ranking of websites? Me: No. Only .gov and .edu carry more […]
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Student travel trips in Europe is a budget-friendly way to explore the continent. If you are an exchange student from the US or a summer intern from India in Europe, you have the liberty to travel only on the weekends. Further, I found that many students don’t pre-plan their travel itineraries before coming to Europe. […]
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Cyberbullying and self-esteem problems? If you are a techno-savvy teenager with social media accounts, chances are that you’ve dealt with it at some period of time or the other. According to Cyberbullying statistics from the i-SAFE foundation: More than 50% of adolescents and teens in the US have been bullied online58% of the kids in […]
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When I was in high school and the early days of engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, I had very little insights about the distinction between the ‘Business’ and ‘Entrepreneurship’. I knew that Steve Jobs is a great entrepreneur but Mukesh Ambani is always hailed as a shrewd businessman. Many times I thought that […]
Continue ReadingUkraine, the Eastern European country is often referred to as the ‘breadbasket of Europe’. The subtropical climate allows farmers to grow barley, millet, wheat, and rye. Despite the fact that Ukraine had been under Russian domination for over two centuries, Ukrainians have successfully managed to preserve their native culture, tradition and traditional cuisines. While borsch […]
Continue ReadingHow can I carry more luggage than my specified baggage limitations? I was allowed to carry 23 kg check-in luggage and a hand baggage (+an accessory like a laptop bag) not exceeding 12 kg combined. So, in total, I could carry 35 kgs of luggage. After getting all kinds of stuff lined up for my grad […]
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The possibility of exploring new cultures and getting international exposure are the perks associated with an international master or study abroad. I still get goosebumps thinking about my first flight which happened to be from New Delhi to Paris. It was the first time I had been out of the country for a summer internship. […]
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Stephen King, the famous novelist whose novels have been adapted into movies like ‘Shawshank Redemption’, writes almost 3 novels in every 6 months. We at ‘A Numb Mind‘ bring to you the writing tips Stephen King incorporates to write faster. In this article, we have also incorporated writing tips from several successful bloggers, copywriters, and […]
Continue ReadingParis, the fashion capital of the world, houses grandiloquent monuments that mesmerize travelers from across the globe. While the Baroque architecture, the reminiscence of the French Revolution and World Wars can rekindle the history buff in you, the restaurants offer the perfect romantic dining experience with your better half. However, among so many obvious things, […]
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If you are keen to spend time amidst wild forests, magnificent landscapes and walk through the rocky trails in the mountains, then why not go on a hike? Hiking can be the best escapade from your moribund life. If you are living in a city and tired of the everyday rush and pollution, then you […]
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Parth was elated when he received a whooping ₹ 240,000 internship stipend for a two-month summer internship at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). This is one of the most coveted internships for Mechanical and Chemical engineering junior undergrads in the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs). Even before the money was in his bank, he had made […]
Continue ReadingIn the Oscar-winning movie ‘The Social Network’, Mark Zuckerberg’s blog about his split with Erica Albright and the consequent launch of the ‘FaceMash‘ crashed the Harvard network. A decade earlier, blogging was just a hobby for many people. Today, it has become a full-time career for many. Nevertheless, several self-proclaimed digital entrepreneurs often fail to […]
Continue ReadingI got an opportunity to intern at a CNRS Lab at Compiegne, a small city close to Paris. During my stay of 3 months, I traveled extensively on weekends to various parts of France and the neighboring countries. Coming from South-East Asia, Europe was a culture shock for me. Nevertheless, it was amusing to learn […]
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No wonder William Wordsworth was mesmerized by the melancholic strain of the solitary reaper in the Scottish highlands that he didn’t understand but contemplated deep in his heart. That’s the beauty of music! The evolution of certain genres of music has been endemic to a place. However, very few places or cultural centers are actually […]
Continue ReadingI always knew I would study abroad during my college career. I applied and was accepted to my program of choice, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to see Europe again. However, in the months leading up to departure, I was struck with a strange anxiety about leaving home and being in a completely new environment. […]
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Continue Reading1.Devil On Wheels https://devilonwheels.com/about/ 2. The Big Bang Trip My front page
Continue Readingfff While several guys and typical travel bloggers may encourage you to take a gap year and go backpacking, I think this is a bad idea. Maybe you would be standing on a podium and be delivering TED talks just like xx or yyy after your backpacking year. But seriously, it doesn’t broaden a great outlook. […]
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Three pint-sized glasses of ‘Heineken’, one of the most popular beer brands in the world may bring a smile on the face of a zythophile. However, a teetotaller may not share the same enthusiasm for ‘The Heineken Experience’ in Amsterdam. A Tough Call I was on a one day visit to Amsterdam on the first […]
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