1. ‘Laser surface micro-texturing’ is a technology used for which of the following?
1. To improve the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines
2. To improve the look of parts by adding high definition
3. To make surfaces super-hydrophobic (water repellent) or super-hydrophilic
4. To alter the surface to reduce glare or change the absorption of light
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: d
Explanation: There are various applications for the types of textures that can be produced using laser surface micro-texturing:
∙ Decorative textures – Improving the look of parts by adding high definition / low relief textures or LIPSS / colour effects to parts
∙ Tribology – Changing frictional properties, e.g., reducing friction on moving parts (seals, bearings) or creating soft-touch consumer or medical parts
∙ Wetting – Making surfaces super-hydrophobic (water repellent) or super-hydrophilic ∙ Optical properties – Altering the surface to reduce glare, change the absorption of light, or even act as a diffraction grating (using LIPSS)
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
Additional Information: International Advanced Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST), has developed ultrafast laser surface texturing technology, which can improve the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines.
2. Which of the following is not included in the list of rare diseases declared by the World Health Organisation?
a) Thalassemia
b) Haemophilia
c) Sickle Cell Anaemia
d) None of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Every Year, the last date of February is observed as World Rare Disease Day. It aims to create awareness about the impacts of the disease. The rare diseases include Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell Anaemia and primary immune deficiency according to the WHO.
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
3. Consider the following statements ith reference to Carbon Markets :
(1) Carbon markets allow buying and selling of carbon emission reductions, or carbon credits.
(2) It is being set up for the first time through the Paris Agreement.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) Explanation: Carbon markets are one of the tools to tackle the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, i.e. the climate change problem. Carbon markets allow buying and selling of carbon emission reductions, or carbon credits to reduce global emissions. For e.g. It took about a tonne of steel to build a car, and for producing a tonne of steel, it emits two tonnes of carbon dioxide. At current prices, this will cost a steel producer in India roughly 1 lakh. Other companies that can avoid CO2 emissions at little cost (below 1 lakh) will sell their rights to those companies that have higher emission reduction costs. Another example, if a country has committed to reducing its emissions by 100 tCO2e (tonnes of CO2 equivalent), but reduces 110 tCO2e, it would be able to sell the extra 10tCO2e reduced to another country, which has not managed to meet its target. So, statement (1) is correct. Carbon markets also existed under the Kyoto Protocol, which is being replaced by the Paris Agreement. The provisions relating to setting up a new carbon market are described in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. So, statement (2) is not correct. Therefore, the answer is (b).
4. Consider the following statements regarding Golden Rice:
(1) It is a genetically modified variety of rice developed by the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
(2) Bangladesh is set to be the first country to approve golden rice cultivation.
(3) Golden rice is claimed to fight vitamin A deficiency.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) Explanation: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has developed Golden Rice to complement existing interventions to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD). It is a genetically modified, biofortified crop. Biofortification increases the nutritional value of crops. Golden rice is genetically modified in order to produce beta carotene, which is not normally produced in rice. So, statement (1) is correct. Bangladesh is set to become the first country to approve golden rice (statement 2 is more of fact-based). So, statement (2) is correct. Vitamin A is made from beta-carotene, which is found in carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables. Many children in low-income countries subsist on just a few bowls of rice a day, which does not provide essential nutrients and vitamins.
The problem is particularly pressing in Bangladesh where vitamin A deficiency affects more than 20 per cent of children, as well as China, India, and other Asian countries. To create golden rice, scientists modified rice plants with beta-carotene genes from maize. By doing this, rice plants started to produce the rich orange-coloured pigment. It is vitamin A which is essential for a functional immune system, allowing children and their mothers to fight infection and to prevent childhood blindness often associated with VAD. Later research confirmed that the beta-carotene in Golden Rice is converted very efficiently into vitamin A. The presence of beta-carotene pigment is the reason for its golden colour. The conventional rice is naturally low in the pigment beta-carotene. The beta-carotene is used by the human body to make vitamin A. So, statement (3) is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is (d).
5. Consider the following statements regarding the Colombo Declaration :
(1) It has been adopted for tackling global sulfur dioxide challenge .
(2) It has been developed with the technical support from the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) and, funded by Global Environment Facility.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) Explanation: UN Environment Programme (UNEP) member states recently adopted the Colombo Declara ion which calls for tackling global nitrogen challenge with an ambition to halve nitrogen waste by 2030. A campaign on sustainable nitrogen management called Nitrogen for Life is to be launched. It stems from the Sustainable Nitrogen Management Resolution which was adopted during the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly held from 11 15 March 2019 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The Declaration calls upon UN agencies, other international organisations, development partners, non-profit agencies, academic, and civil society organisations to support its implementation. It also urges countries to conduct a comprehensive assessment of nitrogen cycling covering policy, implementation, regulation, and scientific aspects at a national level plus sensitise the citizens to understand the natural nitrogen cycle and how human impacts alter their balance. So, statement (1) is not correct.
The Colombo Declaration has been developed with the technical support of the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS), a joint activity of the UNEP and the International Nitrogen Initiative supported by the Global Environment Facility. The Colombo Declaration calls upon UN agencies, other international organisations, development partners, nonprofit agencies, academic, and civil society organisations to support its implementation. It further urges countries to conduct a comprehensive assessment on nitrogen cycling covering policy, implementation, regulation, and scientific aspects at a national level plus sensitise the citizens to understand the natural nitrogen cycle and how human impacts alter its balance. So, statement (2) is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is (b).