Friday, August 30, 2013

Lightning Strkes around the World


Interesting map from Wikipedia showing the average number of lightning strikes per square kilometre per year.  Ipoh is in the hotspot for lightning events.  I had an unfortunate experience last year.  One thunderous lightning some distance away and the following equipment destroyed: a desktop computer,  the alarm system, one LCD TV and the fridge motor.   Fortunately I had an insurance policy to pay for them all.  Remember to take photos of your burnt out equipment showing all the roasted circuits when submitting papers for your claims!!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

MCMC Connected Healthcare Workshop

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission conducted the workshop at KLCC on 24th August 2013.  Our Prime Minister opened the exhibition.  There were 8 winners of the BEE (Broadband Empowered Entrepreneur) awards worth RM 5,000.00 each.

YAB Dato Sri Mohd Najib delivering his speech

Winners of the BEE Awards

A nurse holding a stethoscope used in telemedicine. A patient console on stand.

Back from the workshop at Ipoh Railway Station.  Notice the new dancing fountain.

Two products caught my attention at the exhibition. 
1. Telehealth for all at www.u2Doc.com .  This portal allows anyone in the world to participate in a medical consultation with a doctor.  A patient can make an appointment, pay the fees and have a telemedicine consultation.  Project just started 2 months ago.  There are also gadgets for monitoring:  BP, weight, peak flow, blood glucose, ECG, pulse oximetry. 
2.  Metria is a wearable sensor which can record sleep pattern, physical activity (number of steps, METs, calories burnt).  The device is to be worn for a week.  Data is downloaded to a computer via a micro USB connection.  This device is suitable for lifestyle management, heatlh and wellness assessment, weight management and fitness.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang



This movie is about the massacre in Nanking, China by the invading Japanese forces in 1937.  It is also a tribute to Iris Chang who wrote the book "The Rape of Nanking" published in English in 1997. The movie is based on her book.  Iris committed suicide in November 2004 because of depression which was possibly linked to the many horror stories which she had uncovered during her many interviews with the survivors and from the diaries of the deceased.   

I watched this movie to find out why grandpa, Leong Sin Nam, was so engrossed in raising funds for the mainland Chinese.  The letters addressed to him from China must have described the utter hopelessness of the Chinese people then.  The Japanese had already conquered Manchuria and Shanghai before Nanking.  Nanking was the capital city of the Nationalist Government of Chiang Kai Shek. 

You may wish to read more about Iris Chang in Wikipedia.  I admire her courage in bringing out the true story about Nanking which many still have relative amnesia, especially the Japanese.