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Subject: Science and Technology

  • [pib] Quantum coin or ‘qubit’ and Entanglement Theory

    Researchers from Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institution under the Dept. of Science & Technology, have devised a new test for fairness of quantum coin or ‘qubit’ using entanglement theory. The Qubit is the basic unit of information in a quantum computer.

    Entanglement Theory

    • It is a special type of correlation that exists in the quantum world with no classical counterpart.
    • The researchers from RRI made use of this quantum resource to arrive at a test for fairness of a quantum coin (a qubit).
    • Their strategy, which makes use of entanglement, enables better discrimination between quantum states. Such advantage is valuable in quantum sensors.
    • This work is a significant contribution to the domain of quantum state discrimination, which is an essential aspect of quantum information science.
    • It brings out the crucial role of entanglement in improving our ability to discriminate quantum states.
    • In this work the researchers concretely implemented the theoretical idea on the simulation facility of the IBM quantum computer.

    Quantum coins

    • By repeated trials, one can determine the fairness of a classical coin with a confidence which grows with the number of trials.
    • A quantum coin can be in a superposition of heads and tails.
    • Given a string of qubits representing a series of trials, one can measure them individually and determine the state with a certain confidence.
    • The team has shown that there is an improved strategy which measures the qubits after entangling them, which leads to a greater confidence.

    Significance

    • This is a significant contribution to quantum state discrimination, an essential aspect of quantum information science which is expected to influence quantum sensing.
    • The domain of Quantum Information and Quantum Computing Technology is a growing area of research which is expected to influence Data Processing, which in turn, plays a central role in our lives in this Information Age.
    • For instance, bank transactions, online shopping and so on crucially depend on the efficiency of information transfer.
    • Thus the recent work on quantum state discrimination is expected to be valuable in people’s lives in the current era.

  • [pib] Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

    Scientists at International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad have developed Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).

    Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

    • Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, also known as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells (PEMFC) are a type of fuel cell being developed mainly for transport applications, as well as for stationary fuel-cell applications and portable fuel-cell applications.
    • Their distinguishing features include lower temperature/pressure ranges (50 to 100 °C) and a special proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane.
    • PEMFCs generate electricity and operate on the opposite principle to PEM electrolysis, which consumes electricity.
    • They are a leading candidate to replace the aging alkaline fuel-cell technology, which was used in the Space Shuttle.

    Working

     

    • The PEMFC uses a water-based, acidic polymer membrane as its electrolyte, with platinum-based electrodes.
    • The protons pass through the membrane to the cathode side of the cell while the electrons travel in an external circuit, generating the electrical output of the cell.

    Applications in disaster management

    • Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) backed with 10 kW systems is being planned as a natural disaster management measure.
    • Tamil Nadu is generally affected by five to six cyclones every year, of which two to three are severe and is followed by frequent power cuts.
    • ARCI is now planning to set up a PEMFC system for Tamil Nadu to operate the systems like early warning systems, VHF set, IP phone, BSNL Ethernet and office equipment like scanner, computers, printers, phone, FAX and normal requirements like lighting and fan.

  • NASA’s new Mars rover: Perseverance

    NASA has named its next Mars rover ‘Perseverence’.

    About Perseverance

    • The Perseverance rover weighs less than 2,300 pounds and is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab.
    • The rover’s mission will be to search for signs of past microbial life. It will also collect samples of Martian rocks and dust, according to the release.
    • The rover will also be tasked with studying the red planet’s geology and climate.
    • All of NASA’s previous Mars rovers — including the Sojourner (1997), Spirit and Opportunity (2004) and Curiosity (exploring Mars since 2012) — were named in this way.

  • Media Access Control (MAC) Binding

    After seven months, the use of social media was allowed in Jammu and Kashmir with an order laying down the latest rules for the use of the Internet in the UT.  Among various conditions, the order says Internet connectivity will be made available “with mac-binding”.

    What is Mac-binding?

    • Every device has a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a hardware identification number that is unique to it. While accessing the Internet, every device is assigned an IP address.
    • Mac-binding essentially means binding together the MAC and IP addresses, so that all requests from that IP address are served only by the computer having that particular MAC address.
    • In effect, it means that if the IP address or the MAC address changes, the device can no longer access the Internet.
    • Also, monitoring authorities can trace the specific system from which a particular online activity was carried out.

    Permitted connections

    • The Internet can be accessed on all postpaid devices, and those using Local Area Networks (LAN).
    • While the postpaid SIM card holders shall continue to be provided access to the Internet, these services shall not be made available on prepaid SIM cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for postpaid connections.
    • Apart from this, special access terminals provided by the government will continue to run.
    • It is further directed that the access/communication facilities provided by the government, viz. e-terminals/Internet kiosks apart from special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc shall continue.

    Only 2G permitted

    • Internet speed in J&K is still restricted to 2G.
    • This means very slow services — pictures will take a long time to be sent or downloaded, videos will be nearly impossible to share, and there will be a long loading time for most websites.
    • It also means that although in theory, the “whitelist system” — where people could only access some websites pre-approved by the government — has been removed, some sites designed for a 4G Internet experience will hardly work.

    Have curbs been lifted?

    • Not exactly. The latest order is to remain in force till March 17 unless modified earlier.
    • The government has been relaxing Internet and phone usage in the UTs in phases.

  • Unguarded X hypothesis

    Men outnumbered women by 37 million in the 2011 Census of India, but among those over the age of 60, there were more than 1 million more women than men. In general, men live shorter lives than women worldwide. This is due to the chromosomal differences between the two, points’ new study.

    What are Chromosomes?

    • The human body is made up of cells, and in the centre of each cell is the nucleus. Chromosomes, which are located inside the nucleus, are structures that hold the genes.
    • It is the genes that determine the various traits of an individual including eye colour, blood type — and sex.
    • The human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes. One pair is of the sex chromosomes, named X and Y, which determine whether an individual is male or female.
    • A female has two X chromosomes (XX) while a male has one X and one Y (XY).

    Unguarded X hypothesis

    • This hypothesis suggests that the Y chromosome in XY is less able to to protect an individual from harmful genes expressed on the X chromosome.
    • In a male, as the Y chromosome is smaller than the X chromosome, it is unable to “hide” an X chromosome that carries harmful mutations, which may later expose the individual to health threats.
    • On the other hand, the hypothesis goes, there is no such problem in a pair of X chromosomes (XX) in a female.
    • If one of the X chromosomes has genes that have suffered mutations, then the other X chromosome, which is healthy, can stand in for the first, so that the harmful genes are not expressed.
    • This maximizes the length of life, according to the hypothesis. And this is what the UNSW researchers set out to examine.

    Testing the hypothesis

    • In a statement issued by UNSW, PhD student and study first author Zoe Xirocostas said the
    • Unguarded X hypothesis appears to stack up, after examining the lifespan data available on a wide range of animal species.
    • Researchers studied lifespan data in not just primates but mammals and birds, but also reptiles, fish, amphibians, arachnids, cockroaches, grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies and moths among others.
    • It was found that across that broad range of species, the heterogametic sex (XY in humans) does tend to die earlier than the homogametic sex (XX in humans).

  • [pib] Amendment to the Export Policy of APIs and formulations made from these APIs

    The Government has made amendments in the export policy and restricted export of specified APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and formulations made from these APIs.

    Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

    • All drugs are made up of two core components: the API, which is the central ingredient, and the excipients, the substances other than the drug that helps deliver the medication to your system.
    • The API is the part of any drug that produces its effects.
    • Excipients are chemically inactive substances, such as lactose or mineral oil.
    • The quality of APIs has a significant effect on the efficacy and safety of medications.

    The notification covers the following APIs and formulations made from these APIs:

    • Paracetamol
    • Tinidazole
    • Metronidazole
    • Acyclovir
    • Vitamin B1
    • Vitamin B6
    • Vitamin B12
    • Progesterone
    • Chloramphenicol
    • Erythromycin Salts
    • Neomycin
    • Clindamycin Salts
    • Ornidazole

  • New forces in orbit

    Context

    As it looks at the growing role of the private sector and the effort by nations like the UAE and Luxembourg, Delhi needs to move quickly towards a new model for India’s space activity.

    Growing presence in the outer space

    • Outer space no longer a preserve of a few: When you think of outer space, you think of big powers like the United States, Russia and China.
      • You might also note the collective European effort under the European Space Agency as well as the impressive national space programmes of India and Japan.
      • Strategic or symbol of national pursuit: Space programmes have for long been viewed as either strategic or symbols of national prestige for big countries that are prepared to invest significant resources in the pursuit of a credible presence in outer space.
    • Two small countries challenging the narrative: Two small countries, the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Europe have begun to demonstrate that the outer space need not be the playing ground for big powers alone.
      • Sceptics might think it is pretentious for the UAE with its native population of barely one million and Luxembourg with 600,000 people to think of a place for themselves in space.

    UAE’s presence in the space

    • Reminder for India: The interesting path these two countries have set for themselves in outer space is a reminder that Delhi needs to adapt to the rapidly changing dynamic in outer space.
    • Hope Mars Mission: That size is not a constraint is reflected in the UAE’s plan to launch its Mars mission, “Hope”, later this year in partnership with a range of organisations across the world — including three universities in the US.
      • Japan is scheduled to launch the UAE Mars probe this year.
      • India’s own ISRO is also working with the UAE on its Mars mission.
    • Last year, the first Emirati Astronaut, Hazza al-Mansouri spent more than a week in the US-Russian space station.
    • What are the reasons for the UAE’s space strategy? It is about cornering a slice of the rapidly growing commercial space industry — part of a major effort to diversify the UAE economy away from its reliance on hydrocarbons.

    How Luxembourg is increasing its presence in the outer space

    • Commercial space as a major opportunity: Over the years, Luxembourg moved away from its past reliance on the steel industry to become a centre of European banking and finance.
      • It is now looking at commercial space as a major opportunity.
    • Regulatory steps: Luxembourg has taken a number of regulatory steps to create a vibrant ecosystem for space companies ranging from satellite operations to future extraction of resources from asteroids and other space objects.
    • Expansion of the space sector: At the moment, the space sector accounts for nearly 2 per cent of Luxembourg’s GDP.
      • There are more than 50 companies and two public research organisations that are driving the expansion of space sector in Luxembourg.
      • It entered the space sector only in the middle of the last decade. It is also driven by the need for economic diversification.
    • Leveraging new ideas: UAE and Luxembourg do have a reputation for leveraging new ideas to transcend the limitations of their size in the world.
      • But their space adventure was not possible without the structural changes that are reshaping the global space activity.

    How space industry underwent a change over the years

    • Preserve of national programs: Through the second half of the 20th century, outer space was the sole preserve of national space programmes driven by government-funding, direction and management.
    • The emergence of the private sector: As military uses of space and prestige projects like Moon-landing emerged, major private sector entities already in the aviation industry like Boeing and Lockheed won space contracts in the US.
      • Collaboration with government: The Pentagon and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) told these companies what to do.
    • Expansion: The last decades of the 20th century saw significant expansion of satellite-based telecommunication, navigation, broadcasting and mapping, and lent a significant commercial dimension to the space sector.
      • As the digital revolution in the 21st century transformed the world economy, the commercial space sector has begun to grow in leaps and bounds.
      • The global space business is now estimated to be around $ 400 billion and is expected to easily rise to at least trillion dollars by 2040.
    • Rise of SpaceX: One example of the rise of private sector companies in the space sector is SpaceX run by the US entrepreneur Elon Musk.
      • Hired for a resupply mission for the space station, it now launches more rockets every year than NASA.
      • The entry of the private sector has begun to drive down the cost-per-launch through innovations such as reusable rockets.

    Scope of the expansion of the space industry

    • Decrease in launch cost and rise in ambition: As launch costs came down, the private sector has become more ambitious.
      • Internet through space: SpaceX plans to launch hundreds of satellites into the low-earth orbit to provide internet services. Amazon has plans to build a network of more than 3,000 satellites in the low-earth orbit.
      • Space tourism: Musk and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos have plans to develop space tourism and build human settlements on the Moon and on Mars.
      • Small private companies in the fray: It is not just big companies that are aiming for the Moon. Last year, a private company in Israel sent a lunar lander to the Moon. Although the lander crashed, much like India’s Vikram, the private sector has begun to do things that were once the monopoly of national agencies.

    India not in synch with the global changes

    • Not adapting to the change: India, however, is quite some distance away from adapting to the unfolding changes in the global space business.
      • In its early years, India’s space programme that was constrained by lack of resources found innovative ways of getting ahead in space.
    • Space sector dominated by the government: Although the ISRO encourages private sector participation in the national space programme, its model is still very 20th century — in terms of governmental domination.

    Conclusion

    As it looks at the growing role of the private sector and the effort by nations like the UAE and Luxembourg, India needs to move quickly towards a new model for India’s space activity. It needs a regulatory environment that encourages a more dynamic role for the private sector and promotes innovation.

  • The Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019

     

     

    The Union Minister of HRD has introduced The Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019 in Rajya Sabha.

    Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019

    The Bill is intended to convert India’s three deemed-to-be Sanskrit universities — (i) Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, (ii) Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi, and (iii) Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati — into Central Sanskrit Universities.

    The following are the salient features of the Bill:

    What the universities will do

    The proposed central universities will:

    1. disseminate and advance knowledge for the promotion of Sanskrit,
    2. make special provisions for integrated courses in humanities, social sciences, and science, and
    3. train manpower for the overall development and preservation of Sanskrit and allied subjects.

    Powers and functions

    These include:

    1. prescribing courses of study and conducting training programmes,
    2. granting degrees, diplomas, and certificates,
    3. providing facilities through a distance education system,
    4. conferring autonomous status on a college or an institution,
    5. providing instructions for education in Sanskrit and allied subjects.

    University authorities

    Some of the authorities that the universities will have:

    • A court, which will review the policies of the university and suggest measures for its development.
    • An Executive Council, which will be the principal executive body. The 15-member council will include the Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Centre, who will be the chairperson; a joint secretary of the Ministry of HRD, and two eminent academics from the field of Sanskrit or allied subjects.
    • The council will, among other functions, create teaching and academic posts and their appointment, and manage the revenue and property of the university.
    • An Academic and Activity Council, which will supervise academic policies.
    • A Board of Studies, which will approve the subjects for research and recommend measures to improve standards of teaching.

    Visitor of the universities

    • Like at all central universities, the President of India will be the Visitor of the central Sanskrit universities.
    • He may appoint persons to review and inspect the functioning of the University.
    • The Executive Council may take action based on the findings of the inspection.

  • [pib] CHITRA Flow Diverter Stents

    The Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Tech. Thiruvanthapuram an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology has developed an innovative intracranial flow diverter stent for the treatment of aneurysms of the blood  vessels of the brain.

    What is Aneurysms?

    • Intracranial aneurysm is a localized ballooning, bulging or dilation of arteries in the brain caused by progressive weakening of the inner muscles of the wall of the blood vessels.
    • Spontaneous rupture of the aneurysm can result in bleeding into the space around the brain resulting condition called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) which can lead to paralysis, coma or death.
    • Most often a ruptured brain aneurysm occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain.

    How to avert risks of Brain Aneurysms?

    • Flow diverters stents when deployed in the artery in the brain bearing the aneurysms, diverts blood flow away from the aneurysm.
    • This reduces the chances of its rupture from the pressure of blood flow.
    • The Surgical treatment of an aneurysm involves opening the skull and a clip on the neck of aneurysm, so that it is cut off from the path of blood flow.
    • There are three non surgical, minimally invasive endovascular treatments of aneurysms of the brain.
    • In two of these procedures, the aneurismal sacis filled with platinum coils or occluded using high viscosity liquid polymer which solidifies when released into the sac thus sealing the sac.
    • All these techniques have some limitation or the other.

    Why are flow diverter stent preferable?

    • A more attractive third minimally invasive option is deploying a flow diverter stent to bypass the segment of the blood vessel which has the aneurysm.
    • Flow diverters have the advantages of being flexible and adaptable to the shape and course of the vessel.
    • Also flow diverters promote healing of the vessel wall by removing the constant stress of blood flow on it.

    What is CHITRA flow diverter?

    • The Chitra flow diverter is designed to have better grip on the walls of arteries of complex shapes in order to reduce the risk of migration of the device.
    • The unique design is in its weave also makes this stent resistant to kinking or twisting, when it is placed in tortuous arteries and those with complex shapes. Even a 180 degrees bend does not occlude the lumen of the stent.
    • Portion of the wires is made radio opaque for better visibility in X –Rays and fluoroscopy thus aiding accurate delivery of the diverter in the blood vessel.
    • Nitinol, a super elastic alloy with shape memory was acquired from National Aero Space Laboratories, Bengaluru (CSIR-NAL).
    • When the device is deployed at the site, it is released from its crimped locked position and assumes the desired and originally designed shape because of the shape memory property of Nitinol.

    Benefits of CHITRA

    • The imported Flow diverter stents costs Rs 7-8 lakhs and is not manufactured in India.
    • With the availability of the indigenous CHITRA, a well established industry would be able to manufacture and sell at a much lower price.

  • [pib] Various schemes implemented by Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)

    The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has informed about its various schemes in the Lok Sabha.

    Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)

    • To preserve & promote various forms of folk art and culture of the tribals throughout the country including West Bengal, the govt. has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs).
    • These are headquartered at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.
    • These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes all over the country on regular basis.

    These ZCCs under Ministry of Culture are also implementing a number of schemes for promoting the folk/tribal art and culture, details of which are as below –

    1) Award to Young Talented Artists:

    • The Scheme “Young Talented Artists” is carried out to encourage and recognize the young talents especially in the field of rare art forms.
    • Talented youngsters of the age group of 18-30 years are selected and given a one-time  cash award of Rs. 10,000/-.

    2) Guru Shishya Parampara:

    • This scheme envisages transmitting our valued traditions to the coming generations. Disciples are trained under veterans in art forms which are rare and vanishing.
    • Rare and vanishing art forms of the region are identified and eminent exponents are selected to carry out the training programmes in ‘Gurukula’ tradition.
    • The monthly remuneration for Guru – Rs. 7,500/-, Accompanist – Rs. 3,750/- and        Pupils – Rs. 1,500/- each for the period of six month to maximum 1 year for one scheme.
    • The names of the Gurus are recommended by the State Cultural Affairs Departments.

    3) National Cultural Exchange Programme (NCEP):

    • It can be termed as the lifeline of the Zonal Cultural Centers. Under this scheme, various festivals of performing arts, exhibitions, yatras etc are organized in member States.
    • Artists from other zones/states are invited to participate in these programmes. Participation of artists from the Zone in festivals held in other parts of the country are also facilitated.
    • Zonal centres also participate in Major festivals happening in member States by arranging performances during these festivals where large number of audience get chance to enjoy and understand art forms of other regions.
    • These festivals provide opportunity to taste and understand various cultures of our country.

    4) Preservation of Languages

    • Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, encourages the preservation and promotion of languages, especially the unrecognized and tribal languages.
    • The Akademi periodically organizes language conventions throughout the country in this regard.

    5) Theatre Rejuvenation:

    • To promote theatre activities including stage shows and Production oriented workshops, etc. Honorarium Up to Rs. 30,000/- per show excluding TA & DA is paid.
    • The groups finalized on the basis their credentials as well as the merit of project submitted by them.

    6) Research & Documentation:

    • To preserve promote and propagate vanishing visual and performing art forms including folk, tribal and classical in the field of music, dance, theatre, literature, fine arts etc. in print/ audio – visual media.
    • The art form is finalized in consultation with state Cultural Department.

    7) Shilpgram:  To promote folk and tribal art and crafts of the zone by organizing seminar, workshops, exhibitions, craft fairs, design development and marketing support to the artisans living in the rural areas.

    8) Octave:  To promote and propagate the rich cultural heritage of North East region comprising of eight States namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura to the rest of India.