{"id":12412,"date":"2021-08-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current_affairs\/uncategorized\/09-08-2021\/facts-in-news-39\/"},"modified":"2021-08-09T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T00:00:00","slug":"facts-in-news-39","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/09-08-2021\/facts-in-news-39","title":{"rendered":"Facts in News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Facts in News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u2018PM-DAKSH\u2019 Portal<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\t\u00a0<\/td>\n

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  • The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched an <\/span><\/span><\/span>online \u2018PM-DAKSH\u2019 portal and a mobile application<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> to <\/span><\/span><\/span>make skill development schemes <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>accessible to the target groups of <\/span><\/span><\/span>Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and sanitation workers.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Salient features:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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    • It will make available all information related to s<\/span><\/span><\/span>kill development <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>at one place for Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and sanitation workers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • It has the facility to register with the training institute and for the programme of one’s interest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      • Aims and Objectives<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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        • To make the skill development schemes accessible to the target groups.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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          • Implemented by: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>from the year 2020-21.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Under this Yojana, the eligible target group are being provided skill development training programmes on<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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            • Up-skilling\/Reskilling<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • Short Term Training Programme<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • Long Term Training Programme\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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              • These training programs are being implemented through Government Training Institutes, Sector Skill Councils constituted by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and other credible institutions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Need & Significance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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                • Most of the persons of the target group are having <\/span><\/span><\/span>minimal economic assets<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, therefore, the provision of training and enhancing their competencies are essential for the economic empowerment\/ upliftment of these marginalized target groups.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                  • Many of the persons of the target group belong to the<\/span><\/span><\/span> category of rural artisans <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>who have become marginalized owing to the coming of better technologies in the market.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • There is also a <\/span><\/span><\/span>need to empower the women<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> amongst the target group, who, due to their overall domestic compulsions, cannot be involved in wage employment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Absorption Spectroscopy<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Researchers from IIT Madras and IISER Kolkata developed a method to <\/span><\/span><\/span>detect minute quantities of chemicals in solution<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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    • Researchers used a variety of <\/span><\/span><\/span>absorption spectroscopy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> that surpasses the systemic limits imposed by <\/span><\/span><\/span>conventional absorption spectroscopy.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Absorption Spectroscopy<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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      • It is a tool to detect the <\/span><\/span><\/span>presence of elements in a medium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Light is shone on the sample, and when it <\/span><\/span><\/span>passes through <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>the sample, it is examined using a <\/span><\/span><\/span>spectroscope<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Dark lines are seen in the<\/span><\/span><\/span> observed spectrum of the light<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> passed through the substance, which corresponds to the wavelengths of light absorbed by the intervening substance and is characteristic of the elements present in it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Methods use:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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        • In usual methods, about a cubic centimetre of the sample is needed to do this experiment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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          • In this method, minute amounts of dissolved substances can be detected easily.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            • The method used by the researchers here, tiny, nano-sized particles that <\/span><\/span><\/span>can absorb the light <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>being shone on them and re-emit red, blue and green light were employed.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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              • Usually, in absorption spectroscopy, the principle is used in that light because of its wavelike nature which shows <\/span><\/span><\/span>diffraction patterns.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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                • If one wants to perform absorption <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>spectroscopy using visible light, namely, blue, green and red, the wavelengths [of these colours] are about 400 nm, 500 nm and 600 nm, respectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                • The diffraction limit is typically half of that, about 200 nm for the blue light.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Applications\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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                  • There are many potential applications:<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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                    • The emission can be used as a<\/span><\/span><\/span> tiny flash <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>lamp to look for <\/span><\/span><\/span>absorption<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> from individual molecules in close proximity to the particle.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                    • This is the way in which small molecules almost ten-millionth of an mm in diameter can be detected while these pass the emission region of the glass particle.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                    • It is aimed to measure individual molecules, see absorption spectroscopy of a single DNA or protein molecule.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                    • With this technique, Researchers can<\/span><\/span><\/span> illuminate<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> the <\/span><\/span><\/span>insides of cells and detect<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>minuscule quantities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> of substances present there.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Related concept\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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                      • A related concept called the A<\/span><\/span><\/span>bbe criterion<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> sets a natural limit on the size of the object being studied.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                      • According to this criterion, the size of the observed object has to be a<\/span><\/span><\/span>t least of the order of the wavelength<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> of the light being shone on it.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Image Courtesy:<\/span><\/span><\/span> TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • It is dedicated to <\/span><\/span><\/span>Lord Narasimha (half man-half lion).<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> It is situated at Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • It is one of the <\/span><\/span><\/span>eight chief holy mahakshethram (holy temples) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>in the country and invites devotees from all over.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • There is a stone inscription by <\/span><\/span><\/span>Sri Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and the footprints of<\/span><\/span><\/span> Mahaprabhu Chaitanya<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> are to be seen.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u00a0A particular attraction is an <\/span><\/span><\/span>annual festival held during<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> the months of August and September.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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National Heart Failure Biobank<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • The <\/span><\/span><\/span>first National Heart Failure Biobank (NHFB)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in the country was inaugurated at the<\/span><\/span><\/span> Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    • The Biobank is open <\/span><\/span><\/span>to study genetic, metabolomics and proteomic markers of health outcomes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> in heart-failure patients.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
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      • Biobanks are an important resource<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> of collections of high-quality biological human samples that can be used to understand molecular pathways and to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of heart failure.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Pensilungpa Glacier<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Pensilungpa Glacier is retreating due to an increase in the temperature and a decrease in precipitation during winters.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Location:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> Zanskar, Ladakh.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The Zanskar Range is a mountain range in the union territory of Ladakh that separates Zanskar from Ladakh.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Geologically, the Zanskar Range is part of the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Tethys Himalaya.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The<\/span><\/span><\/span> Marbal Pass<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and many other passes which connect Ladakh with Kashmir are in this area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • 13000 feet high <\/span><\/span><\/span>Zojila Pass <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>is in the extreme northwest of the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Zanskar range.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Image Courtesy: MapsofIndia<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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miSHERLOCK<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Engineers at MIT and Harvard University have designed a small tabletop device that can detect SARS-CoV-2 from a saliva sample in about an hour.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • It is as accurate as PCR tests<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What is the new device based on?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    • It is based on <\/span><\/span><\/span>SHERLOCK, a CRISPR-based tool.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • The device can also be used to detect specific viral mutations linked to some of the variants now circulating.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Steps involved<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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      • First, a pre-processing step disables enzymes called <\/span><\/span><\/span>salivary nucleases<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which destroy nucleic acids such as RNA.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Once the sample goes into the device, the nucleases are inactivated by heat and two chemical reagents.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Then, viral RNA is extracted and concentrated bypassing the saliva through a membrane.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        CRISPR Technology<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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        • It is basically a <\/span><\/span><\/span>gene-editing technology<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> that can be used for the purpose of <\/span><\/span><\/span>altering genetic expression or changing the genome of an organism<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • The technology can be used for <\/span><\/span><\/span>targeting specific stretches of an entire genetic code<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> or editing the DNA at particular locations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • CRISPR technology is a simple yet powerful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to <\/span><\/span><\/span>easily alter DNA sequences<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> and modify gene function.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • Its many potential applications include correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving crops. However, its promise also raises ethical concerns.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • The <\/span><\/span><\/span>Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) inducts the first two women officers on combat service.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    About ITBP<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    • It is a <\/span><\/span><\/span>Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> constituted under Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • The ITBP started recruiting women combat officers in its cadre from 2016 through an all-India examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Before this, it had combat women only in the constabulary ranks.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • The ITBP guards the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the <\/span><\/span><\/span>India-China border.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Facts in News \u2018PM-DAKSH\u2019 Portal \u00a0 The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched an online \u2018PM-DAKSH\u2019 portal and a mobile application to make skill development schemes accessible to the target groups of Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and sanitation workers. Salient features:\u00a0 It will make available all information related to skill development at one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[76],"class_list":["post-12412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/07\/5690689NEXT_IAS_logo.JPG","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12412"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12412\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}