QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 16 February 2018

Solution: c.

The National Pharmaceutical and Pricing Authority, responsible for notifying price caps on medical implants among others, functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

http://www.cdsco.nic.in/writereaddata/list-of-notified-medical-device(1).pdf

http://www.nppaindia.nic.in;

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/price-cap-on-hip-implants-awaited/article22754449.ece;

Solution: d.

• SDG 6: ‘Ensure access to water and sanitation for all’ is the goal. WASH stands for Water, sanitation and Hygiene.

• SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking

• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

This article dealt with studies related to WASH interventions: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/can-sanitation-reduce-stunting/article22756273.ece;

SDG 8 was mentioned here: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/rethinking-trafficking/article22735835.ece;

UN SDGs: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/;

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Solution: c.

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Solution: d.

Scientists listening out for broadcasts by extra-terrestrials are struggling to get the computer hardware they need, thanks to the crypto-currency mining craze, a radio-astronomer has said.

Seti (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) researchers want to expand operations at two observatories. However, they have found that key computer chips are in short supply. “We’d like to use the latest GPUs [graphics processing units]… and we can’t get ’em,” said Dan Werthimer.

Demand for GPUs has soared recently thanks to crypto-currency mining. These are high-performance chips and aren’t just used for powering video games – they may be stacked together by Bitcoin miners, radio-astronomers or others interested in processing large amounts of data for certain applications.

Earlier this year, there were reports that video gamers had been hit by a sudden rise in the cost of GPUs, thanks in particular to a rise in Ethereum mining, which can be done with chips aimed at consumers.

Additional Information:

• ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) chips are chips designed to carry out specific tasks. In recent times, these chips are increasingly being used for crypto-currency mining. ASIC chips use lesser energy compared to GPUs.
• SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, is an exploratory science that seeks evidence of life in the universe by looking for some signature of its technology. The SETI Institute is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education, and public outreach.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43056744

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Solution: a.

“In our country, respect for women, their status in society and their contribution has proved to be awe inspiring to the entire world, since ancient times. There has been a long tradition of Vidushis… women exponents or women champions. Many Vidushis of India have contributed in composing the verses of the Vedas. Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyee…it’s a long list of names.. Be it the erudition of the Vidushis of the Vedic Period, be it the learning & devotion of Akka Mahadevi or Meerabai, be it the governance of Ahilyabai Holkar or the valour of Rani Lakshmibai, woman power has always inspired us. They have always brought glory to the Nation.”

PM’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, January 2018: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1517983;

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