Why in the News?

Aviation regulator DGCA has issued amended norms for operating powered hang gliders in the country.

About Hang Gliders:

• A hang glider is a distinctive type of aircraft that relies on air currents to remain airborne, setting it apart from conventional aircraft with engines and propellers.
• These aerodynamic marvels depend on wind dynamics for lift rather than propulsion.
• Operational Mechanics: Due to their unpowered nature, hang gliders necessitate launching from elevated points such as hills or mountains.
• Gravity, acting as the primary force, encompasses the weight of both the pilot and the wing.
• This weight generates thrust, propelling the aerofoil through the air.
• The aerofoil's distinctive shape prevents the hang glider from descending rapidly and facilitates lift.
• The aerofoil's design manipulates airflow, compelling the air above the wing to move faster, creating a low-pressure area.
• Simultaneously, the wing's downward and forward motion compresses the air beneath, fostering lift as the aerofoil is drawn into the low-pressure zone.
• Pilots maintain control during flight by manipulating the trapeze and adjusting direction and speed.
• Powered Hang Gliders: In a departure from traditional hang gliders, powered hang gliders integrate features of both hang gliders and powered aircraft.
• Equipped with a small engine, these variants enable pilots to take off and sustain flight without relying on natural elements like thermals or wind conditions, making them accessible to less-experienced aviators.

DGCA Regulations for Powered Hang Gliders:

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandates strict regulations governing powered hang gliders:

• Operation Authorization: Individuals must obtain prior authorization from a DGCA-approved examiner or instructor before operating a powered hang glider.
• Examiner Qualifications: Approved examiners must possess a minimum of 50 hours of experience on powered hang gliders, including at least 10 hours on a dual machine.
• Test Flight Criteria: Individuals conducting test flights must meet specific criteria, holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with at least 25 hours of flying experience on a powered hang glider or authorization with 50 hours of flying experience.
• Transaction Certification: The sale or transfer of a powered hang glider requires a DGCA-issued certificate following a background check conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Lease and Operation Restrictions: Owners or operators are prohibited from leasing, renting, or lending powered hang gliders.
• The use of certain equipment and devices is strictly regulated, with explicit permissions required.
• Safety Protocols: Security measures endorsed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are obligatory at parking and operational locations, ensuring compliance with established guidelines for safe flight operations.

Why in the News?

The celestial calendar for 2023 is set to offer a spectacular show as the Orionid meteor shower is expected to rain down its greatest number of meteors on the mornings of October 21 and 22.

About the Orionid Meteor Shower:

• An annual celestial spectacle illuminating the night sky every October, the Orionid meteor shower is a captivating phenomenon with a fascinating origin.
• This cosmic event transpires as Earth traverses the remnants of debris left by Halley's Comet, officially designated as 1P/Halley.
• Halley's Comet, on a roughly 76-year orbit around the sun, sheds dust particles from its nucleus during each passage through the inner solar system.
• This process creates a distinctive trail of debris along its path.
• In late October each year, Earth intersects this celestial trail, giving rise to the mesmerizing display known as the Orionid meteor shower.
• Measuring about five by nine miles in size, Halley's Comet undergoes a remarkable transformation, losing between three to ten feet of material with each journey through the inner solar system.
• The resulting debris becomes the source of the Orionid meteors.
• This celestial event offers a visual treat for observers in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, particularly during the post-midnight hours.
• It provides an opportunity to witness the graceful streaks of light as the meteors traverse the night sky.

What are Meteors?

• Meteors, often referred to as "shooting stars," are a captivating manifestation of meteoroids entering Earth's atmosphere at high speed and subsequently burning up.
• Meteor showers, occurring annually or at regular intervals, are linked to the Earth passing through the dusty debris trail left behind by a comet.
• In the case of the Orionid meteor shower, the meteors are named after the constellation Orion, close to where these luminous streaks appear in the sky.
• This annual celestial event not only captivates observers with its dazzling display but also serves as a reminder of the dynamic interactions between Earth and the celestial bodies that grace our cosmic neighbourhood.

Why in the News?

A recent study finds microalgae are firing up a light-responsive protein to use sunlight for growth.

What is the Microalgae?

• Microalgae are microscopic algae prevalent in freshwater and marine environments, consisting of unicellular species that can exist independently or in chains and groups.
• Comprising unicellular algal varieties such as green algae, diatoms, and dinoflagellates, these organisms exhibit sizes ranging from a few micrometres to several hundred micrometres.
• Their colour, determined by predominant pigments, categorizes them into groups like green, red, or brown.
• Unlike higher plants, microalgae lack roots, stems, or leaves, and they predominantly engage in photosynthesis, fueled by photosynthetic pigments.
• Heterotrophic microalgae, lacking these pigments, rely on other organisms for sustenance.

Significance:

• Microalgae play a foundational role in the aquatic food chain, offering vital nutrients for zooplankton, small fish, and various aquatic organisms.
• They serve as a primary food source for filter-feeding organisms.
• Moreover, photosynthetic microalgae contribute significantly to global carbon and oxygen cycles, absorbing carbon dioxide and generating oxygen through photosynthesis.
• Approximately half of atmospheric oxygen is produced by these organisms.
• Microalgae can also establish symbiotic relationships, as seen in their association with corals (zooxanthellae), providing nutrients through photosynthesis.
• Certain microalgae, like Nostoc, Anabaena, and Oscillatoria, exhibit nitrogen-fixing capabilities.
• Additionally, microalgae are rich in nutrients and can be consumed by humans. Notable examples like Spirulina and Chlorella are often utilized as dietary supplements.

What are Macroalgae?

• Macroalgae, commonly known as seaweeds, are marine plants engaging in photosynthesis but reproducing without flowers.
• Visible to the naked eye, in contrast to microalgae, they typically grow attached to the seabed or reef substrate.
• These macroscopic algae play crucial roles in reef ecosystems, providing both food and habitat for a diverse array of species while contributing significantly to nutrient dynamics.

Why in the News?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Guinea's Health Ministry has officially notified them of a diphtheria outbreak.

What is Diphtheria?

• Diphtheria, an extremely contagious and infectious disease, instigates severe inflammation in the nose, throat, and trachea (windpipe).
• This ailment is caused by strains of bacteria known as Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produce a potent toxin responsible for the onset of illness.

Causes:

• The bacterial infection spreads through various means, including respiratory droplets emitted during coughing or sneezing.
• Transmission can also occur through contact with infected open sores or ulcers. The bacteria's toxin is the primary culprit behind the illness.

Symptoms:

• Manifesting 2-5 days post-infection, symptoms of diphtheria encompass a thick, grey membrane covering the throat and tonsils, a sore throat, hoarseness, swollen glands in the neck, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, fever, chills, and fatigue.
• If the toxin enters the bloodstream, it can lead to damage to the heart, nerves, and kidneys.

Infection and Spread:

• Diphtheria bacteria thrive on person-to-person transmission, emphasizing respiratory droplets as a common mode of contagion.
• Skin infections are possible but seldom result in severe disease.

Treatment:

• Combatting diphtheria involves a dual-pronged approach:
• Antitoxin (Anti-diphtheritic Serum): This neutralizes bacterial toxins and is specifically employed for respiratory system infections. The antitoxin acts on toxins that haven't bound with cells and tissues.
• Antibiotics (Erythromycin or Penicillin): These medications eradicate the bacteria, preventing further spread. Antibiotics are effective against both the respiratory system and skin infections caused by diphtheria.

Why in the News?

Chip designer Qualcomm said on Tuesday it is partnering with Alphabet's Google to make wearable devices like smartwatches using chips based on RISC-V technology.

What is RISC-V Technology?

• RISC-V technology, colloquially pronounced as "risk five," stands as a pioneering open-source initiative in computer architecture.
• Functioning as an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), it serves as the foundation for crafting customized processors tailored to various end applications.
• Positioned as the fifth generation of processors rooted in the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) philosophy, RISC-V originated as a project at UC Berkeley.
• Initially conceived for academic purposes, it has since matured into a robust standard now overseen by RISC-V International.
• RISC-V operates as an open-standard architecture, with its definition shaped collaboratively by member companies associated with RISC-V International—a global nonprofit organization steering the ISA.
• This collaborative approach fosters innovation and design freedom among member companies, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in processor technology.
• At its core, RISC-V features a concise set of instructions upon which all software designs run.
• This streamlined architecture empowers designers to tailor and construct processors in alignment with the specific requirements of their intended applications.

Key Advantages:

• The merits of RISC-V extend beyond its technical specifications. Its open-standard nature facilitates industry-wide collaboration and innovation, enabling diverse stakeholders to contribute to the evolution of processor technology.
• Moreover, the entire RISC-V architecture is subject to scrutiny in the public domain, mitigating concerns related to back doors and concealed channels.

Applications:

• RISC-V finds application across a broad spectrum of industries, including wearables, industrial processes, Internet of Things (IoT), home appliances, smartphones, automotive systems, high-performance computing (HPC), and data centres.
• Its versatility makes it a compelling choice for diverse technological landscapes, showcasing its adaptability and efficacy across various domains.