Nov-16S&T Flashcards
Nov-16S&T -Index
6.1. Regulation of e-Pharma
6.2. First Augmented Reality (AR) Institute
6.3. Nanogenerator
6.4. Fast Neutron Reactor6.5. NASA’s New Instrument-
BILI
6.6. CSIR’s Technology For Leather Processing
6.7. Mcr-1 Isolated in India
6.8. Solar Cells from Human Hair
6.9. India joins CERN
6.10. Electric Paper
6.11. Mushroom Cultivation
6.12. EM drive
6.13. Tobacco Faming
6.14. Yamanaka Genes
6.15. Aquaponic Farm
6.16. International Conference on Brucellosis
6.17. Photosynthesis to Increase Crop Yield
6.18. Quantum Communications
6.19. Drones and Disaster management
6.1. REGULATION OF E-PHARMA
The Indian Internet Pharmacy Association under the ambit of FICCI recently announced the launch of self-regulation code of conduct for the e-pharmacy sector. The Self-regulation Code of Conduct E-pharmacy will process scheduled medicines only against a valid copy of prescription (physical or scanned) of a registered medical practitioner and ensure that no schedule X and other sensitive habit forming medicines are processed through their platform. They must make reasonable effort to ensure that all the pharmacy partners are duly registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act/ Rules. The player must make suitable arrangements to ensure that the medicines are packed, transported and delivered in such a way that their integrity, quality, and effectiveness are preserved e-pharmacy players must partner with government for any recall of medicines and collect adverse events of medicines (consumer reports) and comply to submit them to National Centre for Pharmacovigilance. The online pharmacy sector must ensure a proper mechanism to address any queries or grievances that the customer may have and an ombudsman commission be appointed to address any public grievance. Significance of self-regulation code It will help in adhering to the highest professional standards and to have proper safeguards so as to ensure that consumer’s health and safety is not compromised. By recognising and registering the legitimate e-pharmacies, government can easily address the challenges by maintaining sanctity of both IT Act and Drug and Cosmetic Act bringing effectiveness and efficiency in the entire system. Will help in overcoming the challenges of Accessibility, affordability and lack of awareness in e-Pharma sector for last mile access to medicines. Benefits of e-Pharmacy The e-pharmacy model provides tracking and traceability of medicines. Addresses the problem of counterfeit medicines, consumption of drugs without prescription, tax loss. Provides value added services for consumer empowerment in healthcare, which are well aligned with the government’s Digital India initiative.
6.2. FIRST AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) INSTITUTE
About
India’s first augmented reality (AR) education and training
institute will be set in Varanasi.
The institution will be established by the central government
in partnership with Eon Reality, an augmented reality
company based in the US.
While the company will invest two-thirds of the initial
expense, the central government will bring in the rest.
Significance
Augmented reality is seen as the next big thing in the Internet
revolution especially in learning and practical training space
It will allow students from various ranges like skill schools,
engineering, research, etc. to experience a different kind of
learning before entering the real-world workplace.
It will be a virtual manufacturing shop floor that will provide students from diploma to research level “hands-on training” on high value machines that are beyond the budgets of institutions.
The institutions and the software deployed will be able to create virtual machines of many sectors-from car design to the assembly line of an automobile firm, from textiles to heavy engineering machines.
The idea goes well with the Skills India and Digital India initiative of the government.
Box–What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality is a computer technology that functions on computer vision-based recognition algorithms to augment sound, video, graphics and other sensor based inputs on real world objects, using your device’s camera.
It layers digital enhancements to enrich an existing real life setting by appealing to the senses.
Augmented 3D information helps workers on assembly lines, or during maintenance work and repair to carry out required tasks.
6.3. NANOGENERATOR
About
Pune based Indian Institute of Science Education
and Research (IISER) and the National Chemical
Laboratory have developed a nanogenerator that
could produce up to 14 volts of electric power
when thumb pressure is applied.
To produce the nanogenerator, the researchers electrospun a piezoelectric polymer [P(VDF-TrFE)] directly onto a flexible, conducting carbon cloth.
The carbon cloth was produced by heating a cotton cloth at 800 C for several hours in an inert atmosphere
Significance
Currently, there is considerable research emphasis to develop flexible or wearable devices like digital watches, health gear etc. Such devices should be portable, lightweight, shock-resistant, and inexpensive.
An essential condition for these devices is that they should be powered by harvesting easily available mechanical or vibration energy, making battery or related wiring redundant.
Thus, the development of such piezoelectric material is increasing. This invention can pave the way for further development in this field.
Box–Piezoelectricity is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials (such as crystals, certain ceramics, and biological matter such as bone, DNA and proteins) in response to mechanical stress. It refers to electricity resulting from pressure.
6.4. FAST NEUTRON REACTOR
Why in News?
Russia has invited India to join it in developing the next generation nuclear reactors and to participate in its fast-reactor research project.
The multipurpose fast reactor project, known by the Russian acronym MBIR, is coming up at the International Research Centre in Dimitrovgrad located in the Ulyanovsk region in Russia.
What Are Fast Reactors?
A fast neutron reactor/fast reactor is a type of reactor in which nuclear fission chain reaction is sustained by fast neutrons.
Such a reactor does not need any neutron moderator such as water which serves such a purpose in thermal reactors.
Fast reactors are beneficial in the sense that it can help in the reprocessing and deactivation of radioactive waste material and produce energy as well.
MBIR, the fast reactor project follows the closed fuel cycle.
Transitioning to closed fuel cycle which is based on fast neutron reactors can solve five essential problems: safety, competitiveness, shortage of fuel, reprocessing and refabricating the used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.
It also addresses the non-proliferation of fission materials and weapon technologies.
More on MBIR
The main purpose of the MBIR is to conduct large no. of reactor studies of Generation-4 nuclear systems.
MBIR’s design includes three independent loops that can be used to test different coolants like gas, lead, molten salt and others.
Where Does India Stand?
The country is currently developing breeder reactors which will be fuelled by the country’s vast thorium deposits.
The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) is the latest Indian design for a next-generation nuclear reactor.
Russia has also offered India a new breed of reactor units – the VVER-Toi (typical optimised, enhanced information design) for the third and fourth units of Kundakulam project in Tamil Nadu.
6.5. NASA’S NEW INSTRUMENT- BILI
Why in News?
NASA has developed a new instrument that could search for signatures of life on Mars.
What is it?
NASA will be using BILI- Bio Indicator Lidar Instrument, fluorescence based remote sensing instrument.
It is similar to radar in principle and operation but instead of using radio waves, it uses light to detect and ultimately analyze the composition of particles in the atmosphere.
This instrument is currently in use by the U.S military to remotely monitor the air to detect potentially life threatening chemicals, toxins and pathogens.
Although NASA has used fluorescence-instruments to detect chemicals in Earth’s atmosphere, it has never been employed in planetary studies.
How does it work?
Positioned on a rover’s mast, BILI would first detect dust plumes.
Once detected, two ultraviolet lasers from the instrument would pulse light at the dust.
The illumination would cause the particles inside these dust clouds to resonate or fluorescence
By analyzing the fluorescence, scientist could determine whether the organic particles in the dust have been created recently or in the past.
BILI can detect small levels of complex organic materials from a distance of several hundred metres.
Therefore, it could detect bio-signatures in plumes above recurring slopes – even the areas that are not easily accessible by a rover.
Also, it could do ground-level aerosol analysis from afar. This reduces the chances of contamination of sample.
BILI’s measurements do not require consumables other than electric power and can be conducted over a broad area
6.6. CSIR’S TECHNOLOGY FOR LEATHER PROCESSING
Why in News?
Central Leather Research Institute has come out with a game changing technology to make leather processing environmentally stable and to reduce chromium pollution load.
The technology is called “Waterless Chrome Tanning Technology” and is a first of its kind.
The sector hopes to achieve its target of USD 27 Billion by 2020 employing this technology.
Background
Chromium is the most sought after tanning agent with 2.0 billion sq. Ft of leather being made in India.
About 20 thousand tons of chrome tanning agent is discharged in water.
Significance
CSIR “Waterless Chrome Tanning Technology has been accepted PAN India.
This technology completely eliminated two processes after and before tanning.
It also eliminates the use of water in tanning.
This process reduces the total dissolved solids in wastewater by 20%.
It also brings down the usage of chromium by 15-20% resulting in material saving.
Such technological interventions will help realise the vision of Make-in India.
It will promote environment friendly leather processing.
It will help promote global fashion forecasting for colours, design thus leading to increased trade and exports.
6.7. MCR-1 ISOLATED IN INDIA
Why in News?
Scientists have isolated resistance causing mcr-1 gene in a strain of E.coli in India.
What is it?
Mcr-1 gene is responsible for resistance against the antibiotic, Colistin- the last mile antibiotic that the human race has currently access to.
Colistin belongs to a group of antibiotics called polymixins which are termed “critically important by WHO. It is used when no other antibiotic works.
Colistin resistance has been previously detected only in mutations in the chromosomal/genetic path. And mutations do not spread from one patient to another.
On the other hand, mcr-1, the gene is found in the plasmid medium, a small DNA molecule outside of the chromosomal DNA.
In other words, the infection can spread in hospitals and the community now.
Mcr-1 has already been detected in China, USA and Brazil.
Situation in India
Detection of mcr-1 gene in India is alarming news.
Colistin is used rampantly for non-therapeutic purposes such as growth promotion and disease prevention in poultry, farming and aquaculture in India which makes the situation all the more vulnerable.
Although the government has advised to restrict usage of antibiotics, however no action has been taken of yet.
Moreover, the discovery of new strain of antibiotic years away, the fight against AMR is a tough road ahead.
6.8. SOLAR CELLS FROM HUMAN HAIR
About
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Kolkata have used human hair to produce cost-effective, metal-free cathodes for use in solar cells.
Metal-free cathodes or carbon cathodes have been produced in the past however they lag behind the metal ones in terms of efficiency and performance. This human hair based graphitic porous carbon cathode, on the other hand, is at par with the metal ones and more commercially viable.
The porosity, along with high surface area to volume ratio, plays an important role in adsorption-desorption of electrolyte.
Significance
This is a simpler, quicker and relatively cheaper process. Unlike in the case of other synthetic porous carbons, no physical or chemical activation process or templates is required.
The cathode was found to generate high open-circuit voltage, which is at par with conventional platinum and activated carbon cathodes. Thereby, the power conversion efficiencies can also be enhanced.
This is the first instance where a bio-waste-derived electrode has been used as cathode in a quantum dot sensitised solar cell device.
6.9. INDIA JOINS CERN
Why in news?
India recently became an associate member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory.
India can choose to apply for full membership after two years or continue with this status for five years.
Other facts about CERN membership
India will also have to contribute 11.5 million Swiss
francs every year to the capital or to the operating
costs of CERN’s programmes, which the country did not have to as an observer member.
Being associate member status Indian industries,
now, can bid for tenders and procurements.
Significance for India
Larger role in formulating scientific policy and experiments
Access to various facilities and industrial participation, commensurate with the financial contribution
Students pursuing their Masters and PhD can participate in various schools and workshops organised by CERN.
Post-doctoral positions and staff positions at CERN will also open up.
Box–About CERN
CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border.
It was founded in 1954.
It has 22 member states and four associate member states and other associate members transitioning to full member status.
It is best known as operator of the Large Hadron Collider, which found the elusive Higgs boson in 2012.
India was inducted as an ‘Observer’ at CERN in 2004.
6.10. ELECTRIC PAPER
What is it?
E-paper is a technology that mimics the appearance of ordinary ink on paper. The “paper” is similar to the Kindle tablet.
How does it work?
The e-paper is less than a micrometre thin, bendable and gives all the colours that a regular LED display does.
It isn’t lit up like a standard display, but rather reflects the external light which illuminates it. Therefore, it works very well where there is bright light, such as out in the sun, in contrast to standard LED displays that work best in darkness.
At the same time, it needs only a tenth of the energy that a Kindle tablet uses, which itself uses much less energy than a tablet LED display.
6.11. MUSHROOM CULTIVATION
Why in news?
The first Indian Mushroom Growers Association (IMGA) was launched recently in national mushroom industry interface meet made possible by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru.
Reasons why is it well suited to India?
Mushroom production is indoor activity using vertical space. Hence, does not compete with agricultural land and thus well suited to small farmers & landless labourers.
Many of its agricultural wastes can be utilised to produce quality food and organic manure for field crops. Besides, mushroom has high bio-efficiency i.e. conversion of dry substrate into fresh mushroom.
It can generate self-employment, alleviate poverty and improve socio-economic status f women, youth and unemployed in the rural areas.
It can provide nutritional security particularly to poor people through incorporating mushrooms in their diets.
To promote mushroom cultivation in India
It should be declared as agricultural activity and benefits of electricity tariff should be provided accordingly.
Suitable machineries for mushroom production should be developed indigenously at reasonable cost in the country.
Identify strains suitable for fresh and processed product.
Establish strong link between mushroom industry and R&D establishments.
Value added products of mushrooms should be popularised.
Awareness should eb created about nutritional and medicinal values of mushrooms with a view to boost mushroom consumption in the country.
6.12. EM DRIVE
What is it?
The EmDrive (Electro Magnetic Drive) is a microwave thruster developed by British engineer Roger Shawyer that aims to replace the rocket engines of today.
How does it work?
Conventional rocket engines require propellant fuel like liquid oxygen and kerosene to be burnt in the engine in order to make them move forward.
EmDrive requires no propellant at all. Instead of using heavy, inefficient rocket fuel, it bounces microwaves back and forth inside a cone-shaped metal cavity to generate thrust.
Controversy
Some academics argue that the EmDrive cannot possibly work because according to the law of conservation of momentum (every action has an equal and opposite reaction).
In order for a thruster to gain speed in one direction, a propellant must be expelled in the opposite one, and since the EmDrive is a closed system with no propellant, it is seen to violate understanding of physics.
Significance: A demonstrable, working EmDrive could open up exciting possibilities for both space and terrestrial travel such as:
The space propulsion device could speed up space travel.
The energy used by the EMdrive will be Solar energy, hence protecting environment.
6.13. TOBACCO FAMING
Why in news?
COP7 meet for WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was held in New Delhi recently, health authorities and Governments across the Southeast Asia region — and the world — explored how best they can support tobacco farmers as demand-targeted initiatives make their mark.
Background
In the backdrop of declining demand for tobacco products among wealthier countries and measures to roll-back tobacco consumption in the developing world supporting the tobacco farmers and finding alternative livelihood has become necessary to secure their future.
Steps that can be taken by the government and local authorities-
Providing training that gives the skills needed for tobacco farmers to diversify their crops and income, while also emphasising tobacco’s harmful environmental and health outcomes for consumers and farmers.
Industry strategies to promote tobacco farming must be identified and regulated and policies should be developed to protect tobacco growers and workers from industry practices that fix prices or create conditions that are disadvantageous.
Raising awareness among tobacco farmers so that they can increase their autonomy, as well as creating a network of civil society organisations able to monitor industry malpractices.
Appropriate research on market opportunities
About Tobacco Farming in India
In India, Tobacco crop is grown in an area of 0.45 M ha (0.27% of the net cultivated area) producing ~ 750 M kg of tobacco leaf. India is the 2nd largest producer and exporter after China and Brazil respectively.
In the global scenario, Indian tobacco accounts for 10% of the area and 9% of the total production.
It is grown largely in semi-arid and rain-fed areas where the cultivation of alternative crops is economically unviable.
The distinctive and positive features of Indian tobacco include the lower levels of heavy metals, very low levels of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs) and pesticide residues compared to the other tobacco producing countries in the world.
Further, endowed with varied agro-climatic conditions, India has the capacity to produce different styles of tobacco ranging from coloury neutral filler to flavourful leaf catering to the needs of a wide variety of customers globally.
In addition, production and processing costs of tobacco are also quite low in India, thus making the Indian tobacco price-competitive and value for money.
6.14. YAMANAKA GENES
Why in news?
Recently, scientists have found a ‘stress factor,’ a
pro-inflammatory molecule called interleukin-6
(IL6) that may be responsible for reducing the
efficiency of the Yamanaka genes.
With this finding the Yamanaka genes may finally
result in practical therapy.
Significance of Yamanaka genes
The introduction of these genes can convert adult
cells into pluripotent stem cells.
Can be used for RBC generation as type O red
blood cells are synthesized from iPSC developed
with Yamanaka genes.
A big revolution as they can use for investigation
of diseases and drugs.
Can be used to synthesise new from stem cells.
Can also be used to grow & repair tissues &
vascular vessels.
Challenges
The genes are not very efficient at reversing cell-ageing.
There is a risk of incomplete programming.
They may also induce a particular type of tumour (known as teratoma) that makes cell reprogramming incompatible with its potential clinical use.
But the supplies of autologous cells is unlimited & bypass the need for embryos, better understanding of these genes may lead to greatest achievements in medical treatments & research.
Box–1-About Yamanaka Genes
They are the four essential genes that can reprogramme the cells in our body and can be used to regenerate old cells or grow new organs.
Collectively known as OSKM (for the initials of the genes, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc), these Yamanaka genes are named after Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka.
Box–2-About iPSCs
iPSCs are body (somatic) cells which have been reprogrammed to function like embryonic stem cells, thereby sidestepping the controversial use of killing the embryos while harvesting the stem cells.
This is done by introducing four regulatory factors (pieces of DNA) into the cells.
Scientists at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, China have claimed that they have improved the efficiency of Shinya Yamanaka’s invention of producing induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) which won Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2012.
