Daily Prelims Notes 8 December 2023

December 8, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

8 December 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Google Gemini

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: AWARENESS IN AI

Context: Google has introduced Gemini, a new multimodal general AI model

What is Google Gemini:

Gemini is a family of highly capable multimodal models, offering features such as image recognition and real-time speech, reported to be five times more powerful than GPT-4.
Gemini is now accessible to users worldwide through platforms such as Bard, various developer platforms, and the newly released Google Pixel 8 Pro phones.
The AI model comes in three sizes: Ultra (yet to be launched), Pro, and Nano.
Gemini is positioned as Google’s response to ChatGPT, which has been a frontrunner in the field of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI)

How Gemini has performed:

Google shared a comparison sheet showcasing how Gemini surpasses GPT-4, the most powerful model of ChatGPT.
Gemini Ultra, designed for data centers, achieved state-of-the-art benchmarking and is under safety review, expected to be available in early 2024.
Gemini excels in Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU) with a 90% score, covering 57 subjects across various domains.
The model is trained on massive datasets, including text, code, books, and multimedia, enabling real-time learning and constant improvement.
Gemini’s capabilities in analyzing vast data, recognizing patterns, and generating hypotheses are seen as revolutionary for scientific research.
Gemini Pro, integrated into Google’s chatbot Bard and other apps, outperforms GPT-3.5 in six out of eight benchmarks, making it a powerful free AI chatbot.
Gemini Ultra, the most powerful in the family, outperforms GPT-4 in 30 out of 32 academic benchmarks, showcasing superiority in reasoning and code generation.

What is ChatGPT:

OpenAI is the artificial intelligence research company responsible for developing ChatGPT, an AI chatbot employing natural language processing to generate humanlike conversational dialogue.
This language model can answer questions and generate various types of written content, encompassing articles, social media posts, essays, code, and emails.
As a form of generative AI, ChatGPT enables users to input prompts and receive AI-created images, text, or videos that resemble human output.
The term “GPT” in ChatGPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer,” reflecting the model’s process of handling requests and crafting responses.
Reinforcement learning, incorporating human feedback and reward models that rank responses, is used to train ChatGPT, enhancing its machine learning capabilities for improved future interactions.
Besides ChatGPT, notable examples of AI algorithms, also recognized as AI Chatbots, include Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing Chat.

2. Italy leaves China BRI

Subject : IR

Section: Groupings

Context: Italy leaves China BRI

More about the news:

Italy has officially withdrawn from China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, becoming the first G7 nation to do so more than four years after initially joining.
The decision, communicated to Beijing three days prior, was confirmed by an Italian government source, although no official communication has been released by either side.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been critical of the initiative, expressed the decision was made to “keep channels of political dialogue open.”
Italy’s participation in the project, seen by many as a means for Beijing to exert political influence, was set to automatically renew in March 2024 unless Italy opted out by the end of the year.
The move is in line with Meloni’s stance against the project, citing limited benefits to Rome and concerns about provoking Beijing.

What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) Initiative, is a massive infrastructure and economic development project launched by the People’s Republic of China in 2013.
The initiative aims to promote economic cooperation and connectivity among countries primarily in Asia, Europe, and Africa, through the construction of infrastructure networks, including roads, railways, ports, and pipelines, as well as the development of trade and investment corridors.

What are the Components of BRI

The Belt and Road Initiative consists of two main components:
- The Silk Road Economic Belt: This land-based component seeks to connect China to Europe through a network of roads and railways that traverse Central Asia and the Middle East.
- The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: This sea-based component aims to link China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and Europe through a network of ports and shipping routes.

3. Article 99 of UN Charter

Subject : IR

Section: Int Org

Context: Article 99 of the UN Charter, invoked for the first time in decades as Israel attacks Gaza

More about the news:

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing Israeli military attacks, especially in the southern region.
Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter and addressed a letter to the President of the UN Security Council, expressing concerns about the imminent collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza.
He urged the Council to take action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and requested the declaration of a ceasefire.
The UN Security Council, consisting of permanent and non-permanent members, plays a crucial role in addressing global security issues.
As of December 2023, Ecuador holds the presidency of the Security Council.

What is Article 99 of the UN Charter:

The UN Charter serves as the foundational document of the United Nations, granting the organization the authority to address various global issues.
Although member states are legally bound by the Charter, practical enforcement mechanisms are limited.
Article 99 of the Charter provides the Secretary-General with discretionary power to bring to the Security Council’s attention any matter deemed a threat to international peace and security.
This provision emphasizes the need for the Secretary-General to exercise political judgment, tact, and integrity.
According to the UN, if the Secretary-General invokes Article 99, the President of the Security Council is obligated to convene a Council meeting to address the matter.

When has Article 99 been invoked in the past:

Article 99 of the UN Charter, which grants the Secretary-General the authority to bring matters threatening international peace and security to the attention of the Security Council, has been seldom utilized.
Historical instances include its invocation during the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960 following the end of Belgium’s colonial rule, as well as a complaint by Tunisia in 1961 against France’s military actions.
The current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is expected to address the Security Council on the situation in Gaza and advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire this week.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric described the use of Article 99 as a “very dramatic constitutional move” by the Secretary-General.

How has Guterres invoked Article 99:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter in a letter to the UNSC President, expressing concern about the escalating threats to international peace and security in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Guterres highlighted the severe human suffering and trauma in the region, condemned recent attacks, and called for a humanitarian ceasefire.
The UAE presented a draft resolution to the UNSC based on Guterres’ letter, demanding an immediate ceasefire, but achieving unanimous support, especially from permanent members like the US and Britain who back Israel’s actions, remains uncertain.
The resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members.
The vote is expected after Guterres briefs the council on Gaza.

4. Government directs sugar mills to not use sugarcane juice for ethanol production to keep prices in check

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic geography

Context:

The Centre banned the use of ‘sugarcane juice and sugar syrup’ for ethanol production in the 2023-24 supply year, in order to maintain adequate sugar availability for domestic consumption and to keep prices under check. But, the government has allowed use of ‘B-molasses’ for ethanol production in 2023-24.

Details:

The directive was issued as per the clause 4 and 5 of the Sugar (Control) Order 1966.
The decision comes in the backdrop of estimated fall in sugar production in 2023-24 marketing year.
- Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has projected a 9 per cent fall in gross sugar production at 337 lakh tonnes for the 2023-24 marketing year.
- India exported 61 lakh tonnes of sugar during the 2022-23 marketing year, as against a record 112 lakh tonnes in the previous year.
To contain food inflation, the Central government has also banned exports of wheat and broken rice. It has also fixed minimum export price (MEP) for basmati rice.

Ethanol:

Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is a biofuel produced from various sources such as sugarcane, corn, rice, wheat, and biomass.
The production process involves the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.
Ethanol is 99.9% pure alcohol that can be blended with petrol to create a cleaner fuel alternative.
Apart from being a fuel additive, ethanol production yields valuable byproducts like Distillers’ Dried Grain with Solubles, and Potash from Incineration Boiler Ash that find applications across various industries.

Ethanol production in India:

Ethanol production in India was mainly based on ‘C-heavy’ molasses, with a sugar content of 40-45%, yielding 220–225 liters of ethanol per tonne.
India explored direct sugarcane juice for ethanol production, increasing yield and efficiency.
The country diversified its feedstocks by including rice, damaged grains, maize, jowar, bajra, and millets.
Ethanol yields from grains are higher compared to molasses, with rice producing 450-480 liters and other grains 380-460 liters per tonne.
Sugar mills diversified to use rice, damaged grains, maize, and millet as feedstocks.
Leading sugar companies installed distilleries that can operate on multiple feedstocks throughout the year.

Types of Molasses:

A Molasses (First Molasses): An intermediate by-product from initial sugar crystal extraction, containing 80-85% dry matter (DM). Should be inverted to prevent crystallization if stored.
B Molasses (Second Molasses): Similar DM content as A molasses but with less sugar and no spontaneous crystallization.
C Molasses (Final Molasses, Blackstrap Molasses, Treacle): The end by-product of sugar processing, containing significant amounts of sucrose (about 32 to 42%). It does not crystallize and is used as a commercial feed ingredient in liquid or dried form.

Government Initiatives to Promote Ethanol Blending in India:

National Policy on Biofuels 2018
E100 Pilot project
Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana 2019
Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO)

Source: The Hindu

5. At 2826 kg, drug seizure at ports, in coastal waters at a new high

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic geography

Context:

At least 2826 kg of banned substances have been busted across Indian ports and coastal waters, so far in 2023, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Water ways.

Details:

Methamphetamine (crystal meth) accounted for 99% of these seizures.
- Methamphetamine (or crystal meth) is a man-made psychotropic substance and comes in blue crystal. It affects the central nervous system.
- The manufacture, possession, transport, import, export, sale, purchase and use of crystal meth is illegal in India.
- Maximum seizures were from Gujarat, Kerala and Andaman, with the source nation being Pakistan.
- Highest single seizure was made from Kochi, followed by Pagla Mundi in Little Andaman and Okha in Gujarat.
Cocaine was seized from Kachchh port in Gujarat which was sourced from Ecuador.
Heroine was seized from Kuchchh, Porbandar and Jakhau in Gujarat, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthpuram in Kerala, Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, JNPT in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Adani Port at Mundra in Gujarat and sourced from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Panama.

Source: TH BusinessLine

6. G7 move on Russian roughs rattles India’s diamond sector

Subject: Geography

Section: Economic geography

Rough diamond:

It is a diamond that has not been cut or processed. They come in a variety of naturally occurring shapes, including octahedral (eight-sided bipyramid), cubic, and triangular (most commonly macles).
A raw diamond or rough diamond can also be a type of diamond that is not fully developed or can have less brilliance. Extreme heat and pressure beneath the ground make the carbon atoms fuse in a specific structure.

Diamond production:

Russia is the largest producer (42 million carats in 2022) and exporter of rough diamonds in the world followed by Botswana, Canada, DR Congo, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Australia.
African continent contributes to 50% of global production.

Diamond Exporter:

In 2022, India was the largest exporter of polished diamonds worldwide, amounting to a total value of 23.9 billion U.S. dollars compared to the nearly 18 billion U.S. dollars of diamonds exported by the United States that year, ranked second, followed by the UAE, Hong Kong, Belgium, Israel, Botswana, Russia, South Africa, China and Angola.
India imported a provisional $8.48 billion worth of rough diamonds and exported polished diamonds worth $9.96 billion from April through October 2023.
India cuts 14 out of 15 of the world’s rough diamonds.
India exports diamond to the USA (36%), Hong Kong and Japan among others.

Gem and Jewellary Export Promotion Council (GJEPC):

Established in 1966 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)
Aim- to promote the Indian gem and jewellery industry and its products.
Headquarters in Mumbai and Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur.
It is the apex body for the gems and jewellery industry of India and represents almost 7,000 exporters.

Source: The Mint

7. Targeted Cancer Drugs

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: HEALTH

What are targeted cancer drugs?

These drugs work by ‘targeting’ those differences that help a cancer cell to survive and grow. They are one of the main treatments for some cancers like advanced melanoma and some types of leukaemia.
Different types of targeted drugs are-
- Monoclonal antibodies ( it is a type of immunotherapy that trigger the immune system to attack and kill cancer cells),
- Cancer growth blockers,
- Drugs that block cancer blood vessel growth and
- PARP inhibitors (poly-ADP ribose polymerasea is a protein (enzyme) found in our cells. It helps damaged cells to repair themselves.)
Targeted drugs are not suitable for all types of cancers.
Targeted therapy depends on:
- The type of cancer one have
- How far one’s cancer has spread (the stage)
- Other cancer treatments one’ve had

Testing:

It is done to find out whether the treatment is likely to work. These tests look for changes in certain proteins or genes.

How do they work?

Cancer cells have changes in their genes (DNA) that make them different from normal cells.
- The changes that make a lung cancer grow can be different to ones that make a breast cancer grow. And the changes in the genes of one person who has lung cancer might be different to the changes in someone else with lung cancer.
Targeted cancer drugs work by ‘targeting’ those differences that a cancer cell has.
Targeted drugs might:
- stop cancer cells from dividing and growing
- seek out cancer cells and kill them
- encourage the immune system to attack cancer cells
- stop cancers from growing blood vessels
- help carry other treatments such as chemotherapy, directly to the cancer cells

Source: CR

8. Centre announces ₹1,500cr. aid to T.N. and A.P. after cyclone wreaks havoc

Subject: Polity

Section: National body

Context:

The Union government on Thursday released ₹493.60 crore to Andhra Pradesh and ₹450 crore to Tamil Nadu in the wake of the damage inflicted by severe cyclonic storm Michaung this week.
The Prime Minister has approved the first urban flood mitigation project of ₹561.29 crore for ‘Integrated Urban Flood Management activities for Chennai Basin Project’ under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

About Cyclone Michaung

Severe Intensity: December cyclones in the North Indian Ocean typically do not reach high intensities.Michaung, with its severe storm classification, is an exception.
Upgraded Intensity: Initially predicted as a tropical cyclone, IMD upgraded Michaung to a ‘severe’ storm due to its unexpected intensification.
Heat Index Contribution: The intensification is attributed to the above-normal heat index values off the southern Andhra Pradesh coast.

How Is a Cyclone Named?

Rotational Basis for Naming: The naming of cyclones is done by countries on a rotational basis, following certain existing guidelines.
Responsibilities of RSMCs and TCWCs: Worldwide, there are six regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) mandated for issuing advisories and naming of tropical cyclones.
IMD’s Role: IMD is one of the six RSMCs providing tropical cyclone and storm surge advisories to 13 member countries under the WMO/Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) Panel.
Naming Authority of IMD: RSMC, New Delhi, is also mandated to name the tropical cyclones developing over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Guidelines for Naming: Some rules are to be followed while naming cyclones, such as being neutral to politics, religious beliefs, cultures, and gender, avoiding offensive or cruel names, and keeping the name short and easy to pronounce.
Future Naming: After ‘Michaung’, the next cyclone as per India’s suggestion will be named ‘Tej’.

About

The Disaster Management Act, defines National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) is constituted under section 47(1) of the DM Act, 2005.

This fund is exclusively for the purpose of mitigation projects in respect of disasters covered in National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) Guidelines only.

The Mitigation Fund shall be used for those local level and community-based interventions, which reduce the risks and promote environment-friendly settlements and livelihood practices.

Large-scale mitigation interventions such as construction of coastal walls, flood embankments, support for drought resilience etc. shall be pursued through regular development schemes and not from the mitigation fund.

Mitigation measures can be both structural and non- structural.

Structural measures: Structural mitigation measures include any physical construction to reduce or avoid possible impacts of hazards, or the application of engineering techniques or technology to achieve hazard resistance and resilience in structures or systems. These measures attempt to strengthen buildings to better endure future disasters like cyclones and earthquakes.

Non- Structural measures: It does not involve physical construction but use of knowledge, practices, policies, laws / regulations etc. e.g. building codes and laws, location specific planning/strategies, forest management / restoration of mangroves, awareness campaigns etc.

These guidelines are issued under sections 47 and 62 of the DM Act, 2005 and shall be called ‘National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) guidelines and will be operative from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26, and will continue till further orders.

Technical Guidelines:

For the guidance of the State Governments/implementing partners etc., National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will issue technical guidelines separately, within the broad framework of these guidelines and with the concurrence of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Further, Hazard specific mitigation guidelines and detailed procedures for project execution will continue to be issued by the NDMA from time to time in consultation with MНА.

Long Term Mitigation Strategy:

At the national and state level, the Disaster Management Authorities will conduct a risk assessment, which presents an assessment of hazards, exposure and vulnerability and their likely impacts. Based on the risk assessment, the Disaster Management Authorities will prepare long-term mitigation strategy for their respect jurisdiction.

National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF):

The NDMF will be constituted with the nomenclature of “National Disaster Mitigation Fund” in the Public Account in the sub-section (b) Reserve funds not bearing interest of Government of India under Major Head 8235-‘General and Other Reser Funds’-145- ‘National Disaster Mitigation Fund’.

The NDMF will be operated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry Finance (MoF) in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs with an objective to release Grants-in-aid to the State Governments for mitigation projects as approved by High Level Committee (HLC).

The NDMF will be applied by NDMA for appraisal, monitoring and supervision o mitigation projects.

Contribution/Allocation to the NDMF:

Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) has recommended Rs. 13,693 crore [20% of National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) of Rs.68,463 crore] for NDMF for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. The details of annual allocations for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 is given in Annexure-1.

The Central Government can mobilize and pool funds in the NDMF from various other sources viz reconstruction bonds, contingent credit/standby facilities with international financial institutions, counterpart funding from implementing partners, crowd funding platforms and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) window etc.

Funds will be credited into the NDMF established in the Public Account of India by operating Major Head “2245-Relief on account of Natural Calamities-07-Disaster Management-797-Transfer to Reserve Funds/Deposits Accounts, in accordance with the provisions of section 47(1) of the DM Act, 2005. The budget provision for transferring funds to the NDMF shall be made in Demand for Grants No.40 ‘Transfers to the State of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

9. Improved Drug Regimens for TB likely to reduce treatment time

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: HEALTH

Context:

The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2023 showcased optimism in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) with the introduction of four new improved drug regimens.

More about News

The primary focus was on reducing the treatment time for drug-resistant tuberculosis, which is crucial due to the long duration of conventional treatments leading to patient intolerance and non-compliance.
The duration of TB treatment and the associated drug toxicity contribute to the development of drug-resistant TB, a serious concern in global TB control efforts.
Previous advances in TB care have been limited, with the absence of a viable vaccine for prevention, making news of effective treatments particularly significant.

Key Highlights:

New Drug Regimens:
- Four improved drug regimens were presented at the conference, demonstrating the potential to reduce treatment time for drug-resistant TB by up to two-thirds.
- These regimens offer hope for more effective and tolerable treatments, addressing the challenge of patient non-compliance and drug resistance.
Positive Outcomes:
- Three regimens achieved favorable outcomes in 85-90% of participants for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB).
- A fourth regimen showed a strong treatment response at 85.6%, providing an alternative for individuals unable to tolerate specific drugs.
- The regimens demonstrated similar efficacy and safety to conventional treatments but significantly reduced treatment time.
Research Impact:
- Over 750 participants from 11 sites, 7 countries, and 4 continents were involved in the study, funded by Unitaid, highlighting a collaborative global effort.
- Combining antibiotics in new ways through research led by organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières, Partners in Health, and Interactive Research and Development showed promising results.
Global Significance:
- The findings represent a significant step in addressing issues related to access to and affordability of quality TB care, offering hope to vulnerable populations globally.
- The urgency of continued research and innovation, along with accountability of private companies receiving public funds, was emphasized.
Multi-pronged Approach:
- Experts emphasize a multi-pronged approach to tackle TB, addressing not only treatment regimens but also improving case detection.
- Advances in diagnostic tools, including AI-assisted tests and portable, battery-operated tests, were discussed as essential for early detection and prevention.
Future Directions:
- Calls for a stronger commitment to developing a TB vaccine were made, highlighting the need for global efforts to eliminate the disease.
- Phasing out old diagnostic tools like smear microscopy in favor of rapid molecular tests was emphasized to narrow the diagnostic gap.