Plasma screen televisions are only a few inches thick. This provides installation options that were not possible to do before. In addition to table-top stand mounting, you can hang your plasma television on a wall or from the ceiling, allowing you to enjoy home theater impact from a TV that doesn’t dominate floor space.

Conventional televisions by comparison take up far more space and are much more limited in placement flexibility. Current Plasma television models start at 3.25″ deep, and range in size from 37″, 42″, 50″, and now over 60″.

A plasma screen TV is sometimes called an “emissive” display because the panel is actually self-lighting. This TV display consists of two transparent glass panels with a thin layer of pixels sandwiched in between. Each pixel is composed of three gas-filled cells or sub-pixels, one each for red, green and blue.

A grid of tiny electrodes then applies an electric current to the individual cells, causing a gas (a mix of neon and xenon) in each cell to ionize. This ionized gas, or plasma, emits high-frequency UV rays, which stimulate the cells phosphors, and causes them to glow the desired color.

Here are some of the top brands that use plasma screen TV technology on their TV’s:

• Hitachi

The Plasma Screen TV is ideal for business applications including system displays for public facilities, traffic information services and related monitoring and control purposes. Hitachi displays are also being used in an increasing number of industrial sectors such as CAD/CAM, distribution, financial services, medicine and manufacturing, especially for presentations and as a multimedia-based educational display technology.

• NEC

These offer outstanding plasma screen TV image quality, wide source compatibility, complete input options and built-in audio, making the NEC HDTV Plasma flat screen TV a very effective multimedia presentation tool.

• Panasonic

The Plasma Screen TV offers unmatched visual superiority with the maximum level of brightness and 16.77 million colors. The plasma screen TV display makes sure your viewing is the best possible.

• Philips

Their plasma TV allows exclusive installation potential and a level of expediency never before seen in big screen televisions. Plasma display can be hung from the wall like a painting, or mounted on a stand for easy movement and optimal placement.

• Pioneer

Pioneer Plasma screen television utilizes new technologies, such as true medium imaging.

• Sony

Original plasma Screen TV displays include a lightweight, flat screen design increasing your adaptability and flexibility. This also includes a built-in scan converter, reproducing your images with digital accuracy.

Advantages of Plasma Screen Television:

1. Plasma screen TVs can be mounted on walls, hanging from ceilings etc.

2. Plasma TV screens can accept PC input, making them very versatile.

3. Plasma Screen Televisions have twice the pixels of a normal TV. That means ultra-sharpness when playing computer games or watching high-quality DVD video on your Plasma TV.

4. Plasma TV is viewing angle beats all other TV sets.

5. They have twice the resolution of normal Television.

6. Plasma TV screens are light and are usually 2-3 inch deep. This allows fitting of plasma TV screens to walls, ceilings and from suspended mounts from ceilings.

A person owning a Plasma TV would never go back to conventional TV sets. Not only do they perform very well and are very versatile, they also look really great. Not only is it a piece of an entertainment equipment, it’s also a decorative piece in your home.

So you’ve heard the news: a new technology is around that lets you make phone calls, even long-distance phone calls, for free! You’d like to try it, but it sounds rather complicated. What is this VoIP, anyway? Here’s a quick question-and-answer guide to VoIP and how you can make free online calls without reading tons of technical jargon.

What is VoIP?

VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. In plain English, it means that in exactly the same way you use the Internet to send letters through email, you can now send your voice through VoIP, to make free phone calls to anywhere in the world.

How does it work?

1. You talk through your computer microphone or your VoIP phone.

2. Your voice is turned into computer data.

3. It is sent through the Internet (like email) to your VoIP service provider.

4. They send it to the phone number you are calling so your friend can receive your call.

5. When your friend talks on his phone, his voice reaches you the same way, but in reverse: from his phone, to your service provider, to your Internet, to your phone or computer.

How is the sound quality different from a regular phone?

With good Internet connection, your friend won’t know the difference. If your connection is slow, you will sound like you are calling from a cellphone with bad signal. Most companies will not install VoIP for dial-up connections.

What is a VoIP service provider?

A VoIP service provider is like a phone company that connects your VoIP phone to your friend’s landline.

What is a VoIP phone?

It looks like a regular phone, but it has a software and modem installed so you can connect to the Internet and make VoIP calls without having to turn on your computer. You dial it like a regular phone, and if somebody calls your VoIP number, it rings like a regular phone.

Are the phone calls really free?

Yes, if you download and install on your computer a VoIP software, like Skype. This will let you make free calls to anyone in the world who has the same software loaded in his or her computer.

You can also use Skype or other VoIP service providers to call a local or long-distance landline number or mobile phone. There will be a small charge, but it is still much cheaper than if you use a regular phone to make your call. In addition, pay features on regular phones-like call waiting, call forwarding, call barring, conference calls, caller ID and voice mail-are usually free on VoIP.

Rates and features vary with different service providers so be sure to ask your company what they offer.

Can I call my friends even if they don’t have VoIP?

Yes.

And can my friends call me?

Yes. Your friends can call your VoIP number in the same way they call a regular landline. You won’t be charged for incoming calls. Your friends will be charged for their call in the same way that they will be charged for calling a regular landline.

Can I keep my old phone number?

Yes, depending on your VoIP service provider. Sometimes, you can even bring your VoIP phone-along with your phone number – to anywhere that has a high-speed Internet connection.

Some providers also allow you to get a phone number with a different area code. You could be in California but have a New York area code so that your business clients in New York can call you without long-distance charges. (However, if your next-door neighbor calls you, it will be long-distance for her.)

Can I get rid of my regular phone line?

Usually, yes. Again, it depends on your VoIP service provider.

An important note, though: 911 calls made through VoIP are unreliable. Also, they will not be able to track your location automatically, as when you are using a regular phone. If you get rid of your phone line, consider using your cellphone instead of your VoIP to call 911.

So, what do I need to use VoIP? A high-speed Internet connection. This means DSL or cable, NOT dial-up. A regular phone with VoIP adaptor OR a VoIP phone OR a computer with a microphone and earpiece. A VoIP service provider.

Can I use VoIP without an Internet connection?

No.

Can I use my computer while talking on the VoIP phone?

Absolutely, although using the Internet for other purposes while using VoIP may affect the quality of your call.

Can I use VoIP without a computer?

Yes, if you have a VoIP phone and your Internet is active.

Can I use VoIP without a VoIP phone line?

Yes, if you have a computer with a VoIP program, a microphone and earpiece.

Will it work in a power outage?

Unfortunately, no.

How do I know if VoIP is for me?

VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who are always on the Internet, and VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who have a high-speed connection.

VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who often make calls to long-distance, international, or mobile numbers.

VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who move around the country, and VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who would like to take their landline number with them wherever they go.

VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who need to have an area code in another locality.

How do I find a VoIP service provider?

For VoIP calls using your computer, you can simply download a VoIP program like Skype or Vonage from the Internet.

To find a service provider for VoIP phones, simply type “VoIP” and the name of your country in the search bar of your favorite Internet search engine.

Better Teaching, Training Methods and Services in Medical Microbiology

Emerging Need in Developing World

Dr.T.V.Rao M.D.

Email:tvraodoctor2000@yahoo.co.in

The greatest achievements in Medical Science are attributed to developments in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of several diseases. Among several branches of Medicine, Microbiology with fundamentals on infectious diseases, contributed immensely to the prevention and management of many communicable diseases which in turn reduced the mortality and morbidity. The explosion of population in several countries is highly dependent on control of infectious diseases.

Eradication of Small pox in 1978 by united efforts of WHO and several global contributions impressed everyone that we are in for breakthrough. The emergence of AIDS in 1981 made us to know that we are in trouble with emerging infections. After 25 years of AIDS pandemic, continues to be a challenge with few solutions and more hope to live long in with anti retroviral treatment. There are several other similar issues including the drug resistance with a question that drugs which saved several humans in the last half of the century will be thrown out of shelves. And will be replaced by more critical unaffordable new generation of antibiotics and on many occasions with unpredictable end results adding to competitive marketing. Many pharmaceutical industries push on new generation of antibiotics with luring offers to practicing physicians. Inspite of many advances in diagnostics and therapeutic options, the threat of infection looms over the best cared patients.

MICROBIOLOGY TEACHING IN DEVELOPING WORLD

Many schools in the developing world teach Microbiology as a core subject in the middle of undergraduate curriculum and students will be successful with theoretical knowledge and few teachers take interest to transform the theoretic knowledge to practical use of evaluation to control and treat infectious diseases. In the present Indian context under educational regulations Microbiology taught as a Fairy Tale, where we show few things which are not at all relevant to the challenges we are facing in 21st century. This in turn brought apathy among the students. This missing link has got great impact on understanding of several disease conditions and infections contributing to the missed Diagnosis. The in coordination among the Para clinical teachers (Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology) with clinical practioners had made many young Doctors as prescribers and not true physicians. The consequences have lead to uncontrolled and unscientific prescriptions leading to increase cost in patient care and ever growing drug resistance making several drugs ineffective and many clinical laboratories have no fundamental facilities even to diagnose few life threatening conditions. It’s certain that problem of misuse of antibiotics should be tackled with appropriate training at undergraduate level or else we have few drugs left after primary treatments with higher generations of antibiotics. The explosion of medical practioners from all streams leads to unhealthy competition. On many occasions patients with trivial and no infectious conditions are subjected to latest generation of antibiotics. Current periodicals/journals are available to few and impracticable to practice in the third world countries to learn the consequences of misguided knowledge.

ROLE OF PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES

Today we are drawn by market economy. The pharmaceutical industry wishes to push the unnecessary formulations and combinations on helpless patients. National GDP is not taken to consideration in pricing drugs, with self interests of few in the Industry and Medical profession, patients left to pay and suffer with unethical practices.

SOLUTIONS TO TRAIN OUR MEDICAL STUDENTS

It is time to review our present training methods of our undergraduates in Microbiology and Pharmacology. These two subjects need immense revival of methodology of teaching. We should make them clinical Microbiology practioners rather than historians of Microbiology Many topics are taught as a matter of duty and not for real application. We have to delete several unnecessary topics. There should be many topics on implication of antibiotics on health and diseases.

There should be dedicated Microbiology laboratories under guidance of qualified Microbiologists to serve the clinicians or else we are heading to total collisions with microbes. The Medical Microbiology in developing world needs a helping hand from several sections of Medical establishments to improve the Diagnostic and Training facilities. Other wise we lose the advantages we have established in conquering the Microbial diseases in the last century