W Boson

Why in News?

Recently, researchers from Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) Collaboration, in the US, announced that they have made a precise measurement of the mass of the W boson.

• It has been stated that this precisely determined value did not match with the estimates from the standard model of particle physics.

What is W Boson?

• The W boson was first seen in 1983 at CERN, located on the Franco-Swiss border.
  • In contrast to the photon, which is massless, the W bosons are quite massive, so the weak force they mediate is very short ranged.
  • European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory and best known as operator of the Large Hadron Collider, which found the elusive Higgs boson in 2012.
• Unlike the photon, which is electrically neutral, the W-plus and W-minus are both massive and charged.
• By exchanging such W bosons, a neutron can change into a proton, for example:
  • This is what happens in beta decay, a radioactive interaction that takes place in the sun.
• Thus, the W boson facilitates the interactions that make the sun burn and produce energy.

What is the Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics?

• The standard model of elementary particles is a theoretical construct in physics that describes particles of matter and their interaction.
• It describes the elementary particles of the world as being connected by mathematical symmetry, just as two objects are connected by bilateral (left-right) symmetry.
• These are mathematical groups generated by continuous transformations from, say, one particle to another.
• According to this model there are a finite number of fundamental particles which are represented by the characteristic “eigen” states of these groups.
• The particles predicted by the model, such as the Z boson, have been seen in experiments.
  • The last to be discovered, in 2012, was the Higgs boson which gives mass to the heavy particles.

Why is the Standard Model believed to be Incomplete?

• Because it gives a unified picture of only three of the four fundamental forces of nature — electromagnetic, weak nuclear, strong nuclear and gravitational interactions — it totally omits gravity.
  • So, in the grand plan of unifying all forces so that a single equation would describe all the interactions of matter, the standard model was found to be lacking.
• Also, it does not include a description of dark matter particles.
  • So far these have been detected only through their gravitational pull on surrounding matter.

How are the Symmetries related to Particles?

• The symmetries of the standard model are known as gauge symmetries, as they are generated by “gauge transformations”.
  • Gauge transformations are a set of continuous transformations (like rotation is a continuous transformation). Each symmetry is associated with a gauge boson.
  • For example, the gauge boson associated with electromagnetic interactions is the photon. The gauge bosons associated with weak interactions are the W and Z bosons. There are two W bosons — W+ and W-.

Source: TH

Open-RAN Architecture

Why in News?

The Ministry of Communications has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s VVDN Technologies Private Limited to facilitate registered startups, innovators and MSMEs working in the field of Open RAN (Radio Access Network) to get their product tested at the existing lab of M/s VVDN.

• Such testing certification shall accelerate the research innovation in domestic design and manufacturing. It is aimed that India shall be emerging as a design leader in 5G/O-RAN. This test certification eco system will make India as design testing and certification hub of Asia.

What is O-RAN?

• About:
  • Open-RAN is not a technology, but rather an ongoing shift in mobile network architecture that allows networks to be built using subcomponents from a variety of vendors.
    • O-RAN has an open, multi-vendor architecture for deploying mobile networks, as opposed to the single-vendor proprietary architecture.
    • O-RAN uses software to make hardware manufactured by different companies work together.
  • The key concept of Open RAN is “opening” the protocols and interfaces between the various subcomponents (radios, hardware and software) in the RAN.
    • Radio Access Network (RAN):
      • It is the part of a telecommunications system that connects individual devices to other parts of a network through radio connections.
      • A RAN resides between user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a computer or any remotely controlled machine, and provides the connection with its core network.
  • As a technical matter this is what the industry refers to as a disaggregated RAN.
• Elements of RAN:
  • The Radio Unit (RU) is where the radio frequency signals are transmitted, received, amplified and digitized. The RU is located near, or integrated into,the antenna.
  • The Distributed Unit (DU) is where the real-time, baseband processing functions reside. The DU can be centralized or located near the cell site.
  • The Centralized Unit (CU) is where the less time-sensitive packet processing functions typically reside.
• Functioning of Open RAN:
  • It is the interface between the RU, DU and the CU that are the main focus of Open RAN.
  • By opening and standardizing these interfaces (among others in the network), and incentivizing implementation of the same, networks can be deployed with a more modular design without being dependent upon a single vendor.
  • Making these changes can also allow the DU and CU to be run as virtualized software functions on vendor-neutral hardware.
• Traditional RAN:
  • In a traditional RAN system, the radio, hardware and software are proprietary.
    • This means that nearly all of the equipment comes from one supplier and that operators are unable to, for example, deploy a network using radios from one vendor with hardware and software from another vendor.
  • Problems:
    • Mixing and matching cell sites from different providers typically leads to a performance reduction.
    • The result is that most network operators, while supporting multiple RAN vendors, will deploy networks using a single vendor in a geographic region which can create vendor lock-in with high barriers to entry for new innovators.

What are the Advantages of O-RAN?

• Innovation and Options:
  • An open environment expands the ecosystem, and with more vendors providing the building blocks, there is more innovation and more options for the Operators. They can also add new services.
• New Opportunities:
  • It will open new opportunities for Indian entities to enter into the network equipment market.
• Cost Saving:
  • The benefits of this approach also include increased network agility and flexibility, and cost savings.
  • It’s expected to make 5G more flexible and cost efficient.

Source: PIB

UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP15)

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15)of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Cote d'Ivoire (Western Africa).

What are the Highlights of the COP15?

• About:
  • COP 15 is a key moment in the fight against desertification, land degradation and drought.
  • It will build on the findings of the second edition of the Global Land Outlook and offer a concrete response to the interconnected challenges of land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss.
    • The Global Land Outlook (GLO), the UNCCD flagship publication, underscores land system challenges, showcases transformative policies and practices, and points to cost-effective pathways to scale up sustainable land and water management.
• Top Agenda:
  • Drought, land restoration, and related enablers such as land rights, gender equality and youth empowerment are among the top items on the Conference agenda.
• Theme: ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity'

What is Desertification?

• About:
  • Land degradation is defined as the reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity of drylands.
  • Land degradation in arid, semiarid and dry subhumid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.
• Causes:
  • Loss of Soil Cover:
    • Loss of soil cover, mainly due to rainfall and surface runoff, is one of the biggest reasons for desertification.
    • Cutting forests adversely affect the soil and cause degradation. As urbanization increases, the demand for resources is also increasing.
• Vegetation Degradation:
  • Vegetation degradation is defined as, "the temporary or permanent reduction in the density, structure, species composition or productivity of vegetation cover".
• Water Erosion:
  • It results in Badland Topography which itself is an initial stage of desertification.
    • Badlands are a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded.
• Wind Erosion:
  • Sand encroachment by wind reduces fertility of the soil making the land susceptible to desertification.
  • It was found to be responsible for 5.46% of the desertification in India.
• Climate Change:
  • It may exacerbate desertification through alteration of spatial and temporal patterns in temperature, rainfall, solar radiation and winds.

What are the Related Efforts Taken?

• Global Efforts:
  • United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): It was established in 1994, the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
    • The Delhi Declaration of 2019, signed by 14th CoP of the UNCCD, called for better access and stewardship over land, and emphasised gender-sensitive transformative projects.
  • The Bonn Challenge: To bring 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
  • Great Green Wall: Initiative by Global Environment Facility (GEF), where eleven countries in Sahel-Saharan Africa have focused efforts to fight against land degradation and revive native plant life to the landscape.
• India’s Efforts to Check Land Degradation:
  • India is focusing on sustainable land and resource management for livelihood generation at community level for making the local lands healthier and productive for providing a better homeland and a better future for its inhabitants.
  • The National Action Programme for combating desertification was prepared in 2001 to take appropriate action in addressing the problems of desertification.
  • Following the global call for the submission of nominations for World Restoration Flagships, India endorsed six restoration flagships that target the restoration of 12.5 million hectares of degraded land.
  • Some of the major programmes which address issues related to land degradation and desertification, being implemented currently are as follows:
    • Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana)
    • National Afforestation Programme (NAP)
    • National Mission for Green India (GIM)
    • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS),
    • Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Project
    • National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)
    • Fodder and Feed Development Scheme-component of Grassland Development including Grass Reserves.
    • Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) programme,
    • Soil Health Card Scheme, etc.

Source: PIB

Regulating Digital News Intermediaries

Why in News?

Recently, Canada introduced a Bill that seeks to make Internet platforms such as Google and Facebook pay news publishers for use of their content.

What is the underlying Idea?

• The bill seeks to regulate digital news intermediaries “to enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and contribute to its sustainability.”
• The legislation is expected to produce four outcomes.
  • A framework that supports fair business relationships between digital platforms and news outlets.
  • Sustainability in the news ecosystem.
  • Maintenance of press independence.
  • Diversity within the news landscape.

What is the Nature of Publisher-Platform Relationships?

• Use of Tools and Strategies:
  • Their relationship has till recently been largely about how publishers can use tools and strategies to better use the reach provided by these platforms.
  • Google and Facebook provide much of the traffic for a lot of traditional news publishers.
• Making Money:
  • All over the world the platforms are able to make much of the money from this arrangement while publishers struggle.
  • The publishers also have to contend with frequent changes to the platform algorithm, which comes with the real threat of them losing a large amount of readers all of a sudden.

What is the importance of Such Law for India?

• About:
  • The Canadian order on the issue is likely to boost the chances of India’s news publishers getting a fair revenue-sharing system in the country.
  • ndia in December 2021 said that it had no plans to make tech giants, such as Facebook and Google, pay local publishers for news content.
  • However, following a complaint by Digital News Publishers’ Association (DNPA) the Competition Commission of India ordered investigations into Google earlier in 2022.
    • In the process of the order, the watchdog did take note of the legislations in Australia and France.
• Need to Regulate:
  • India, once the world's largest unconnected country, will soon be one of the world’s biggest internet-enabled nations, with over 800 million online.
  • Technology will likely be a big part of our economy, accounting for almost a fifth of our overall output.
  • Unregulated social and digital media could pose a threat to India’s rise as a trustworthy and responsible nation, as also Indian democracy, the world’s largest.
  • These challenges can be addressed by regulating social media efficiently and modernizing our laws and institutions.

What is the Status in Other Countries?

• Google and Facebook face legal battles over compensation for using news content worldwide.
  • They also face antitrust lawsuits from regulators and publishers.
• With news publishers in Australia, the UK, the European Union, and France having enacted or planning to enact laws to enforce a fair revenue-sharing model, the tech giants seem to be fighting desperately to hang on to their alleged monopolistic system to rake in huge revenues.

Source: TH

Indian Pharma Sector

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Chemical & fertilizers released guidelines on pharmaceutical innovation and entrepreneurship for academic institutions to Catalyze Indian Pharma Sector.

• The Department of Pharmaceuticals has established NIPERs (National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) as institutes of national importance for providing quality education and conducting high-end research.
• The Department is also soon coming up with a ‘Policy to catalyze Research & Development and Innovation in the Pharma- MedTech Sector in India’.

What Do the Policy Guidelines Seek?

• These policy guidelines aim to transform academic research into innovative and commercially applicable technologies.
• It seeks to build a strong ecosystem for entrepreneurial activities and contribute to a Self-Reliant India Mission.
• The policy guidelines will encourage faculty, staff and students to pursue entrepreneurship.
• The availability of resources needs to be ensured for pre-incubation and providing common facilities for prospective inventors and entrepreneurs.
  • Budgetary provisions should be available in terms of allocation of a fixed percentage (such as not less than 1%) of institute's annual budget for funding, promoting and supporting innovation and startup-related activities.
  • In return for the services and facilities provided, an institute may take a fixed percentage of (2 - 9.5%) equity in the startup/spin-off company, based on employee contribution, support provided and use of the institute's Intellectual Property.
• The entrepreneurial initiatives shall be evaluated on a regular basis using well-defined impact assessment parameters such as IP (Intellectual Property) filed, products developed and commercialized and number of employments generated, and startups created.
• To encourage students, relaxation in attendance should be provided to enable them to dedicate time for entrepreneurial activities, and they should be allowed to sit for the examination, even if their attendance is less than 75 %, adding institutes should provide relaxation to the PhD students in terms of a semester/year break or more, if needed, to devote time on startup ventures.

What is the Status of the Indian Pharma Sector?

• India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally. It supplies over 50% of global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the US and 25% of all medicine in the UK.
• The Indian pharmaceutical market is estimated at USD 40 billion and pharma companies export another USD 20 billion.
  • However, this is a miniscule portion of the USD 1.27-trillion global pharmaceutical market.
• Globally, India ranks 3rd in terms of pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value.
• India has more than 30% share in the global generic market but less than 1% share in the new molecular entity space.
  • New Molecular Entity: A novel compound that has not previously been approved for use in humans.
• According to the Economic Survey 2021, the domestic market is expected to grow three times in the next decade.

What are the Issues with the Indian Pharma Sector?

• Lack of Capabilities in Innovation Space: India is rich in its manpower and talent but still lags in innovation infrastructure. The government needs to invest in research initiatives and talent to grow India’s innovation.
  • The government should support the clinical trials and subjectivity in certain regulatory decision-making.
• Effect of External Markets: Reports comments that India is heavily dependent on other countries for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and other intermediates. 80% of the APIs are imported from China.
  • So India is, therefore, at the mercy of supply disruptions and unpredictable price fluctuations. Implementation of infrastructure improvement in the field of internal facilities is necessary to stabilize supply.
• Quality compliance inquiry: India has undergone the highest number of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections since 2009; therefore, continuous investment for upgrading quality standards will distract the capital away from other areas of development and growth is reduced.
• Lack of Stable Pricing and Policy Environment: The challenge created by unexpected and frequent domestic pricing policy changes in India. It has created a vague environment for investments and innovations.

What is the Need for Innovation in the Pharma Sector?

• Changing perspective and increasing the use of technology were the need of the hour. But now it is essential that innovation is at the core of business, and there is a dire need to embrace it if India wants to continue to be of relevance in the global pharmaceutical space.
• India playing at scale in the innovation space will not just help the country but will create a source of sustainable revenues, bringing new solutions to unmet healthcare needs.
  • In India, this would lead to reduction in disease burden (development of drugs for India-specific concerns like tuberculosis and leprosy does not get global attention), creation of new high-skilled jobs, and probably around USD 10 billion of additional exports from 2030.
  • Countries like China have already leapfrogged ahead, skipping the generic medicine based development.

What are Government Initiatives?

• Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry Scheme:
  • A total financial outlay of Rs. 500 crore (USD 665.5 million) for the period FY 21-22 to FY 25-26 were announced under the Scheme.
• First Global Innovation Summit of the pharmaceuticals sector:
  • In November 2021, Indian PM inaugurated the first Global Innovation Summit of the pharmaceutical sector, where national and international speakers deliberated on a range of subjects including regulatory environment, funding for innovation, industry-academia collaboration and innovation infrastructure.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:
  • The PLI scheme aims to promote domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in the country.
• Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks Scheme:
  • The government aims to develop 3 mega Bulk Drug parks in India in partnership with States to reduce manufacturing cost of bulk drugs in the country and dependency on other countries for bulk drugs.

Way Forward

• Medicine spending in India is projected to grow 9-12% over the next five years, leading India to become one of the top 10 countries in terms of medicine spending.
• Going forward, better growth in domestic sales would also depend on the ability of companies to align their product portfolio towards chronic therapies for diseases such as cardiovascular, anti-diabetes, anti-depressants and anti-cancers, which are on the rise.
• The Indian Government has taken many steps to reduce costs and bring down healthcare expenses. Speedy introduction of generic drugs into the market has remained in focus and is expected to benefit the Indian pharmaceutical companies.
• In addition, the thrust on rural health programmes, lifesaving drugs and preventive vaccines also augurs well for the pharmaceutical companies.

Source: PIB

Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Get Gas Plant

Why in News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved an exemption to the laws governing the regulation of coastal zones and has paved the way for gas-powered plants to be set up at Andaman and Nicobar islands.

What are the Key Points?

• The Island Coastal Zone Regulation (ICRZ), 2019, limits infrastructure development on vulnerable coastal stretches.
• The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) has recommended that gas-based power plants be permitted within the Island Coastal Regulation Zone area only on islands with geographical areas greater than 100 sq. km.
• A dual-fuel power plant that runs on both diesel and LNG is expected to be commissioned.
• There has been an increased interest in the development of the Andaman region following a policy push by the NITI Aayog. A proposed project plans to develop the Greater Andaman region or the southernmost stretch of the island group.
  • Proposals include a 22-sq.km airport complex, a TransShipment Port (TSP) at South Bay at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore, a parallel-to-the-coast mass rapid transport system and a free trade zone and warehousing complex on the southwestern coast.

What is ICRZ 2019?

• The Central Government declared certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone and restrictions were imposed on the setting up and expansion of industries, operations and processes in the said zone.
• The Central Government has received representations from Andaman and Nicobar Administration regarding re-categorisation of Great Nicobar Island from Group –I to Group –II islands under the provisions of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification.
  • Group-I: Islands with geographical areas >1000 sq.km such as South Andaman, Middle Andaman, North Andaman and Great Nicobar.
  • Group-II: Islands with geographical areas >100 sq.km but < 1000 sq.km such as Baratang, Little Andaman, Havelock and Car Nicobar.
  • The land area from High Tide Line to 200 meters on the landward side along the sea front for Group-I Islands and 100 meters on the landward side along the sea front for Group-II Islands.

What is Coastal Regulation Zone?

• The coastal areas of seas, bays, creeks, rivers, and backwaters which get influenced by tides up to 500 m from the high tide line (HTL) and the land between the low tide line (LTL) and the high tide line have been declared as coastal regulation zone (CRZ) in 1991.
  • HTL means the line on the land up to which the highest water line reaches during the spring tide.
  • Low Tide Line means the line on the land up to which the lowest water line reaches during the spring tide.
• The coastal regulation zones have been declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
• While the CRZ Rules are made by the Union environment ministry, implementation is to be ensured by state governments through their Coastal Zone Management Authorities.

Source: TH

National Mission for Clean Ganga

Why in News?

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has organised the 6^th Edition of the monthly ‘Webinar with Universities’ series on ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’.

• The theme for the webinar was ‘Waste Water Management.’

What is NMCG?

• About:
  • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is implemented by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga also known as the National Ganga Council.
  • This mission was established on 12^th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act,1860 as a registered society.
• Objectives:
  • The mission incorporates rehabilitating and boosting the existing STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) and instant short-term steps to curb pollution at exit points on the riverfront in order to check the inflow of sewage.
  • To maintain the continuity of the water flow without changing the natural season variations.
  • To restore and maintain the surface flow and groundwater.
  • To regenerate and maintain the natural vegetation of the area.
  • To conserve and regenerate the aquatic biodiversity as well as the riparian biodiversity of the river Ganga basin.
  • To allow participation of the public in the process of protection, rejuvenation and management of the river.

What are the Initiatives Related to Ganga?

• Namami Gange Programme: It is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
• Ganga Action Plan: It was the first River Action Plan that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage.
  • The National River Conservation Plan is an extension to the Ganga Action Plan. It aims at cleaning the Ganga river under Ganga Action Plan phase-2.
• National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA): It was formed by the Government of India in the year 2009 under Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  • Ganga was declared as the ‘National River’ of India in 2008.
• Clean Ganga Fund: In 2014, it was formed for cleaning up of the Ganga, setting up of waste treatment plants, and conservation of biotic diversity of the river.
• Bhuvan-Ganga Web App: It ensures involvement of the public in monitoring of pollution entering into the river Ganga.
• Ban on Waste Disposal: In 2017, the National Green Tribunal banned the disposal of any waste in the Ganga.

Way Forward

• Monetization of sludge and treated water is one of the focus areas of Namami Gange Programme under the banner of ‘Arth Ganga’, which means linking people with Ganga through a ‘Bridge of Economics’.
• Awareness generation and community-led efforts are the key in Ganga Clean. In addition to the cultural and spiritual significance of River Ganga, the focus should be on the economic benefits of the river as well.
• The social and behavioral change in the young generation that is a requisite for a programme like Namami Gange and that could be brought about by proper communication.
• A targeted dissemination of information must be done to bring about the desired change. There is a need to create a “generation with cleanliness conscious’ and everything else will automatically fall into place.

Source: PIB

AIM-PRIME Playbook

Why in News?

Recently, the AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers in Innovation, Market Readiness, and Entrepreneurship) Playbook was launched by NITI Aayog.

• The playbook was aimed at promoting early-stage science-based, deep technology ideas to market through training and guidance over a period of 12 months using a blended learning curriculum.

What is AIM-PRIME?

• Objective:
  • Promoting science-based, deep technology ideas to market through training and guidance over a period of 12 months.
    • Deep technology is based on tangible engineering innovation or scientific advances and discoveries. Deep Tech is often set apart by its profound enabling power, the differentiation it can create, and its potential to catalyse change.
• Focus Area:
  • Science-based, knowledge-intensive, deep technology entrepreneurship.
• Launching & Implementing Agency:
  • AIM has collaborated with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to launch this nationwide programme which will be implemented by Venture Centre - a non-profit technology business incubator hosted by Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL).
• Beneficiaries:
  • Technology developers (early-stage deep tech start-ups, and scientists/ engineers/clinicians) with strong science-based deep tech business ideas.
  • Chief Executive Officers and Senior incubation managers of AIM Funded Atal Incubation Centers that are supporting deep tech entrepreneurs.
• Significance:
  • Candidates selected for the programme will get access to in-depth learning via a comprehensive lecture series, live team projects, exercises, and project-specific mentoring.
  • They will also have access to a deep tech start-up playbook, curated video library, and plenty of peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

Source: PIB