Daily Prelims Notes 9 April 2023

April 9, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

9 April 2023

Table Of Contents

Subject: Environment

Context: The island of Sriharikota serves as a barrier that shields a brackish water lagoon that we call the Pulicat lake. Being mostly off-limits to tourists because it is an ISRO launch site, this area is teeming with 76 species of water birds.

Spot-Billed Pelican:

Spot-billed pelicans, also known as grey pelicans, are large waterbirds that are found in South and Southeast Asia. They are one of the eight species of pelicans found around the world.
Spot-billed pelicans are found in a variety of habitats including large rivers, lakes, swamps, and estuaries. They prefer areas with tall trees for nesting and shallow water for feeding.
These pelicans are large birds, measuring around 140-160 cm in length with a wingspan of 230-350 cm. They have grey and white feathers with a distinctive bright red spot on their bills.
It is a social species, living and travelling mainly in flocks. Spot-billed pelicans are not graceful on land, but fly well and are strong swimmers.
Spot-billed pelicans feed primarily on fish, but may also eat crustaceans and amphibians.
Conservation status:
- Spot-billed pelicans are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Habitat loss, hunting, and pollution are major threats to their population.
- The spot-billed pelican is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, and is also listed under Appendix II of CITES.

Pulicat Lake:

Pulicat Lagoon is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, after Chilika Lake. It is present in the Coromondal Regione. Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu Border.
The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal and is home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.
Flamingo Festival is held every year to promote tourism in Pulicatlake and Nellapattu. It has been organised for the past 12 years
The primary inflows to the Pulicat Lake are Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi.
About 96% of the Pulicat Lake is present in Andhra Pradesh while only 3% is present in Tamil Nadu.
The Buckingham Canal, a navigation channel, is part of the lagoon on its western side.
Pulicat Lake is recognized as a Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance, since 2002.

2. Transfer of Criminal Cases

Subject : Polity

Concept :

The Supreme Court in a recent judgement held that criminal cases under trial should be transferred from one State to another only in “exceptional circumstances”.
The court opined that the power to transfer cases under Section 406 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) should be used sparingly and only when justice was apparently in grave peril as the unnecessary shifting of cases would affect the morale of the State judiciary and prosecution agency.

Possible situations for transfer:

The judgement summarised a series of Supreme Court verdicts giving the possible situations in which an ongoing trial could be transferred.
These include instances in which,
the State or the prosecution collaborates closely with the accused;
when evidence suggests that the accused may sway the prosecution’s witnesses or hurt the complainant physically;
when the accused is likely to suffer comparable hardship;
when there is a communally tensed situation indicating some proof of inability of holding fair and impartial trial because of the accusations made and the nature of the crime committed by the accused;
existence of some material on interference with the course of justice by interested parties.
The convenience of parties and witnesses as well as the language spoken by them could also act as a relevant factor when deciding a transfer petition.

Section 406:

The transfer of a criminal case from one state to another in India can be done under Section 406A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) by the Supreme Court of India.
This power is exercised by the Supreme Court in exceptional cases to ensure that the ends of justice are served.
In order to transfer a case from one state to another, an application needs to be filed in the Supreme Court of India, either by the accused or the prosecution or any other party to the case.
The application must provide reasons as to why the transfer is necessary, such as the convenience of the parties or the location of the witnesses.
The Supreme Court will consider various factors before granting the transfer of a case from one state to another, including the nature of the offence, the stage of the trial, the availability of evidence, the convenience of the parties, and the interests of justice.
The Supreme Court may also impose conditions or give directions to ensure that the transfer of the case does not cause undue delay or inconvenience to the parties involved.

3. CSIR Scientists find rare earth deposits in Anantapur

Subject : Science and technology

Concept :

Hyderabad based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has found large deposits of 15 rare earth elements (REE) in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district.

About Rare Earth Elements (REE):

REE are a set of seventeen elements in the periodic table. These include the fifteen lanthanides on the periodic table plus scandium and yttrium.
Lanthanide series comprises the 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, from lanthanum through lutetium.
Scandium and yttrium are considered rare-earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties, but have different electronic and magnetic properties.
Cerium (AN 58) is the most abundant rare earth metal.
Their colour ranges from Shiny Silver to Iron Gray. They are soft, malleable, ductile and usually reactive, especially at elevated temperatures or when finely divided.
REE are all metals, and the group is often referred to as the “rare earth metals.
Although called “rare”, they are actually found relatively abundantly in the Earth’s crust.

Why they are called “rare”?

These metals are very difficult to mine because it is unusual to find them in concentrations high enough for economical extraction.
These metals have many similar properties, and that often causes them to be found together in geologic deposits.
They are also referred to as “rare earth oxides” because many of them are typically sold as oxide compounds.

Applications:

REE and alloys that contain them are used in many devices that people use every day such as computer memory, DVDs, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, catalytic converters, magnets, fluorescent lighting and much more.
Rare earths are used as catalysts, phosphors, and polishing compounds.

4. New uranium isotope

Subject : Science and technology

Concept :

A team of nuclear physicists affiliated with multiple institutions in Japan, working with a colleague from Korea, has discovered a previously unknown uranium isotope with atomic number 92 and mass 241.
The group forced the isotope to reveal itself and tested the results of their efforts to show that what they had found was indeed uranium-241.

Details of the Finding

In this new effort, the research team tried a new approach—they fired a sample of unranium-238 nuclei at a sample of platinum-198 nuclei using an isotope separation system.
Such interactions are known to result in multinucleon transfer, in which isotopes swap neutrons and protons. The collision resulted in the creation of a large number of fragments, which the researchers studied to determine their makeup.
They found evidence of 19 heavy isotopes holding from 143 to 150 neutrons. Each was measured using time-of-flight mass spectrometry, a technique that involves determining the mass of a traveling ion by tracking the time it takes to travel a given distance when its initial acceleration is known.
The research team noted that most of the isotopes they measured had never been measured before.
They also noted that one of them, uranium-241, had never been observed before and that it marks the first time since 1979 that a neutron-rich uranium isotope has been discovered. The researchers also calculated that uranium-241 likely has a half-life of just 40 minutes.

Significance

The technique used by the team represents a pathway to better understanding the shapes of large nuclei associated with the heavy elements, which could yield changes to models used to build nuclear power plants and weapons and to theories describing the behavior of exploding stars.
The research team notes that that their method of discovery could be used to learn more about other heavy isotopes and also, perhaps, to discover new ones.

Uranium Element

Uranium (U) is a radioactive chemical element of the actinide series of the periodic table, atomic number 92.
Uranium is a dense, hard metallic element that is silvery white in colour. It is ductile, malleable, and capable of taking a high polish.
Occurrence:
Uranium occurs naturally in low concentrations in soil, rock and water and is commercially extracted from uranium-bearing minerals.
Uranium occurs naturally in several minerals such as uraninite (pitchblende), brannerite and carnotite. It is also found in phosphate rock and monazite sands.
Monazite sands occur on the east and west coasts and in some places in Bihar. But the largest concentration of monazite sand is on the Kerala coast.

Applications

Uranium that has a silvery grey metallic appearance is mainly used in nuclear power plants due to its unique nuclear properties.
Naturally occurring uranium consists of 99% uranium-238 and 1% uranium-235. Uranium-235 is the only naturally occurring fissionable fuel (a fuel that can sustain a chain reaction). Uranium fuel used in nuclear reactors is enriched with uranium-235.
Depleted uranium is also used as a shield against radiation in medical processes using radiation therapy and also while transporting radioactive materials.
Uranium is also used by the military to power nuclear submarines and nuclear weapons.

Distribution of Uranium Across World

Over two-thirds of the world’s production of uranium from mines is from Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia.
Olympic Dam and the Ranger mine in Southern Australia are important mines in Australia.
High-grade deposits are only found in the Athabasca Basin region of Canada.

Uranium In India

India produces about 2 percent of the world’s uranium. The total reserves of uranium are estimated at 30,480 tonnes.
India has no significant reserves of Uranium. All needs are met through imports. India imports thousands of tonnes of uranium from Russia, Kazakhstan, France.
India has 22 reactors with an installed capacity of 6,780 megawatts. Of these, eight reactors are fuelled by indigenous uranium while the remaining 14 are under IAEA safeguards and qualify to use imported uranium.

5. Evolution of dengue in India

Subject : Science and technology

Concept :

A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science has analysed the evolution and diversity of dengue virus in India by studying 184 whole-genome dengue sequences and 408 E gene sequences spanning over 60 years.
Researchers have found that the cross-protection offered by the first infection with any of the four dengue serotypes starts to wane after two to three years, and the virus that is similar to the serotype that caused the first infection has a greater ability to cause severe disease than the other serotypes.
This is because while the antibodies are not able to neutralise the virus belonging to different serotypes, the virus is better able to bind to the antibodies leading to higher cell infection and thus enhanced severity and viral load.
This is called the antibody-dependent enhancement mediated by cross-reactive antibodies.
The dominant immune selection pressure has led to the emergence of a unique Indian dengue lineage (DENV-4-Id) belonging to serotype 4(DENV-4).
They identified a unique Indian dengue lineage (DENV-4-Id) belonging to serotype 4 (DENV-4) that is dominant in South India, and about 50% of infections in South India are due to this lineage.
The researchers also found that the evolution of the viruses across serotypes has implications in vaccine efficacy as the current Indian lineages are highly divergent from those used in all major vaccines.

For further notes on Dengue, refer – https://optimizeias.com/dengue/

6. Methyl groups enhance key properties of PHA plastics

Subject : Science and technology

Concept :

A class of polyesters considered a promising alternative to common plastics have now been made more mechanically tough and thermally stable.
Researchers replaced the reactive hydrogens in the monomer of these materials —polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastics — and found that it enhanced PHA thermal and mechanical properties and enabled closed loop chemical recyclability.
The new approach (Science) could provide a route for increased use of sustainable PHA plastics.

About PHA Plastics

PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) plastic is a type of biodegradable plastic that is made from renewable resources, such as plant starches and oils. In contrast, traditional plastic is typically made from non-renewable resources, such as petroleum.
Plastics can also be produced from starch, a natural polymer. Microorganisms transform this natural polymer to lactic acid, which is chemically treated to produce a plastic, polylactide (PLA)- Another option for sustainable plastics-But this is an expensive method.
Biodegradable plastic products currently in the market are about two to 10 times more expensive than traditional plastics.
Unlike production of PLA and PHA made by fermentation, producing PLA through crops will involve competition for land needed to grow crops for human consumption.

7. Spot Billed Pelican and Pulicat Lake

Subject : Environment

Concept :

About Spot Billed Pelican

The Spot-billed Pelican is a large water bird found in India and other parts of Southeast Asia.
It is the only pelican species that is known to breed in India, and it is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and hunting.
The Spot-billed Pelican can be found in wetlands, lakes, rivers, and estuaries, where it feeds on fish, frogs, and other aquatic prey.
They have weak leg muscles which is not ideal for, therefore they catch fish near the surface of the water.
This species sometimes goes fishing in groups, forming a semi-circle that pushes the fish towards shallow water. It also forms a foraging partnership with the little cormorant.
Cormorants are divers, and their dives cause the fish present in deeper regions to scatter towards the surface, where the pelican awaits them.
Adult spot-billed pelicans weigh 4.5-5 kg. The pouch, which is called the gular, is for catching fish.
Spot-billed pelicans form stable colonies along with other water birds. Nests are built on trees, and two-three eggs are laid. When they are about a month old, the chicks destroy the nests.
Breeding colonies occur very close to, or even within villages. Villagers use the droppings of the spot-billed pelican as a fertiliser.
After the breeding season, pelican populations scatter over a very large area as they forage for food.
The best places to spot the Spot-billed Pelican in India are the Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Chilika Lake in Odisha, Kokkare Bellur and Karanji Lake in Karnataka.

Pulicat Lake

Pulicat Lagoon is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, after Chilika Lake. It is present in the Coromondal Region i.e. Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu Border.
The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal and is home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.
Flamingo Festival is held every year to promote tourism in Pulicatlake and Nellapattu. It has been organised for the past 12 years
The primary inflows to the Pulicat Lake are Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi.
About 96% of the Pulicat Lake is present in Andhra Pradesh while only 3% is present in Tamil Nadu.
The Buckingham Canal, a navigation channel, is part of the lagoon on its western side.

8. Auto immune diseases

Subject : Science and technology

Concept :

Evidence suggests that obese individuals have a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
A possible mechanism that could explain this connection — metabolic overload that suppresses immunoregulation and induces inflammatory responses, thereby increasing the risk of autoimmunity.

Auto Immune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases arise from an abnormal immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body (autoimmunity). This may be restricted to certain organs or involve a particular tissue in different places.
A large number of autoimmune diseases are recognized.
It has been estimated that autoimmune diseases are among the top ten leading causes of death among women in all age groups up to 65 years. A substantial minority of the population suffers from these diseases, which are often chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening. There are more than 80 illnesses caused by autoimmunity.
Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders.
Autoimmune means our immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and our body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”) and creates auto-antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These auto-antibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.
The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression—medication that decreases the immune response.

9. Taiwan Strait

Subject : Geography

Concept :

Taiwanese President U.S. visit prompts military drills by China in Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Strait

The Taiwan Strait is a 180-kilometer (110 mi)-wide strait separating the island of Taiwan and continental Asia.
The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north.
Former names of the Taiwan Strait include the Formosa Strait or Strait of Formosa, from a dated name for Taiwan; the Strait of Fokien or Fujian, from the Chinese province forming the strait’s western shore; and the Black Ditch, a calque of the strait’s name in Hokkien and Hakka.
The entire strait is on Asia’s continental shelf.