Ensure Prelims Shots September 4, 2023

FISSION MOLYBDENUM-99

• Recently, the PM Narendra Modi dedicated the Molybdenum-99 production facility to the nation.
• It is located in Trombay Campus of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.

About Molybdenum-99

• Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is a radioactive isotope of molybdenum, a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42.
• It is an important radioisotope in the field of nuclear medicine due to its ability to decay into technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is widely used in diagnostic imaging procedures.

• Tc-99m is especially useful for nuclear medicine procedures because it can be chemically added   into small molecule ligands and proteins.
• Mo-99 is primarily produced through the process of nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor. It is typically derived from the fission of uranium-235 targets. Uranium targets are irradiated with neutrons, causing them to undergo nuclear reactions and produce Mo-99 as a byproduct.
• Molybdenum-99 has a half-life of approximately 66 hours, meaning that it takes about 66 hours for half of the initial amount of Mo-99 to decay into other isotopes. It decays through beta decay to form technetium-99m (Tc-99m).
• Technetium-99m is one of the most widely used medical radioisotope. It emits gamma radiation, which can be detected by medical imaging devices like gamma cameras or SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scanners. Tc-99m is used in various diagnostic procedures, including bone scans, cardiac imaging, and imaging of organs like the brain, liver, and kidneys.
• Mo-99 has a relatively short half-life, which poses challenges for its distribution and use in medical facilities. It must be produced close to the locations where it is needed to ensure its availability. The supply chain for Mo-99 is complex, involving the production, processing, and distribution of the isotope. Disruptions in the supply chain can lead to shortages of Tc-99m, impacting medical imaging procedures.
• The production of Mo-99 generates radioactive waste, including spent fuel from the nuclear reactors and processing facilities. Proper management of this waste is crucial to ensure safety and prevent environmental contamination. Various regulations and guidelines are in place to govern the handling and disposal of radioactive waste.
• Efforts are being made to develop alternative production methods for Mo-99 to address the challenges associated with its production and supply chain. These include the development of non-reactor-based production methods using accelerators or other nuclear reactions. These alternative methods can help in improving the availability and reliability of Mo-99 for medical applications.

Radiometric Dating

• Recently, a study claimed that Calcium-41 can be used in radiometric dating.

About Calcium-41

• Calcium-41 is a radioactive isotope of calcium. It is one of the several isotopes of calcium, which have varying numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.
• Calcium-41 contains 20 protons and 21 neutrons, giving it a total atomic mass of 41 atomic mass units.
• It is a rare long-lived radioisotope of calcium with a half-life of almost 99,400 years.
• Calcium-41 is produced through cosmic ray interactions in the soil and is found in the Earth’s crust.

Its Uses:

• Calcium-41 is primarily used in scientific research, particularly in studies related to geochronology and astrophysics.
• It can be used as a radiometric dating tool to determine the age of calcium-bearing minerals and rocks. By measuring the ratio of calcium-41 to stable calcium isotopes (such as calcium-40) in a sample, scientists can estimate the time that has passed since the mineral or rock formed.
• In astrophysics, calcium-41 has been used to study the formation and evolution of stars. Its presence or absence in certain astronomical objects can provide insights into the nucleosynthesis processes that occurred during stellar evolution.

What is Radiometric dating?

• It’s a method used to determine the age of rocks, minerals, fossils, and other geological or archaeological materials based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.
• It relies on the principle that certain isotopes are unstable and undergo radioactive decay over time, transforming into more stable isotopes.
• The process of radiometric dating involves measuring the ratio of parent isotopes (unstable isotopes) to daughter isotopes (the isotopes formed by the decay of the parent) in a sample. This ratio provides information about the amount of time that has passed since the material formed or underwent a significant event, such as a volcanic eruption or fossilization.

RICE FORTIFICATION

• Recently, the United Nations has released a report which mentions that India’s pilot project on rice fortification had led to a big drop in prevalence of anaemia among school- children.
• Initially, the project was started on a trial basis in different parts of the country.
• After watching the success of the pilot project, the Government of India in 2021 announced that all rice distributed through food-based social assistance programmes will be fortified by the year 2024.
• Fortification of food items refers to the process of adding essential nutrients to the food products to improve their nutritional value.
• It is a strategy commonly used to address nutrient deficiencies in populations and promote public health. Fortification aims to provide key vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that may be lacking in the diet, either naturally or due to food processing.
• In India, Food fortification is regulated under the Food Safety Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulation, 2018.
• In Rice fortification, micronutrients such as iron, Vitamin B12 and folic acid are added for nutritional boost.
• Presently, many technologies are available to add micronutrients to regular rice like dusting, coating and extrusion.
• In India, most of the rice is fortified using extrusion technology in which milled rice is then pulverized and mixed with a premix containing vitamins and minerals.

Some Benefits of Rice Fortification are:

• It helps in fight against malnutrition and anaemia in a cost-effective manner as malnutrition costs India almost ₹77,000 crore annually in terms of lost productivity, illness and death.
• It prevents diseases like cretinism, goiter, thyrotoxicosis, brain damage and improves foetal and neonatal health.

Juna Khatiya Site

• Since the year 2018, archaeologists have discovered almost 500 graves at the Juna Khatiya Site.
• Basically, Juna Khatiya is an early Harappan burial site located in Lakhpat Taluka of Kachchh district in Gujarat.
• This site contain biggest early Harappan cemetery founded in India so far.
• At Juna Khatiya site, the burial structures are made of dressed sandstone and it was noticed that  majority of them are rectangular in shape followed by oval or circular ones.
• Another feature noticed here was the painting on reserved slip-ware jar.
• Juna Khatiya site is important because other nearby sites like Dholavira or the lothal have a cemetery in and around the town, but in Juna Khatiya no major habitation has been found.
• This harappan site shows the transition from earth-mound burials to stone graves. The pottery from Juna Khatiya has features and styles similar to those excavated from early Harappan sites in Sindh and Balochistan.
• Some other major Harappan sites located in Gujarat are Lothal, Surkotada, Dholavira etc.
• Juna Khatiya can help in understanding the cultural exchange between the Sindh and Gujarat regions in early Harappan period due to the similar culture and customs.

TUNGNATH TEMPLE

• Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has asked for the approval from the central government to declare the Tungnath temple as a monument of national importance.

• It is located in the Rudraprayag district of the Uttrakhand and is believed to be founded by Arjuna (3^rd of the Pandava brothers).
•  It is one of the Panch Kedar temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be the highest Shiva temple in the world.
• It is located at an elevation of 3,680 meters (12,073 feet) above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayan range.
• ‘Panch Kedar’ refers to the cluster of Shiva temples (including Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpnath) spreaded across the Garhwal Himalayas.
• Tungnath Temple is constructed in the North Indian style of architecture. The temple complex consists of a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), an antechamber (ardhamandapa), and a porch (mandapa).

Gongadi Shawls

• Recently, the National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad) refashioned Telangana's woollen gongadi shawls and made it all-weather shawls for farmers.
• Basically, the Gongadi shawls are traditional handwoven shawls that originate from the state of Telangana.
• These shawls have a rich cultural significance and are known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors.
• The word "Gongadi" is derived from the Telugu language, where "gon" means "warm" and "gadi" means "covering", highlighting the purpose of these shawls as warm coverings.
• Gongadi shawls are traditionally made by the Lambadi or Banjara community, a nomadic tribe known for their exquisite textile work.
• The shawls are woven using a pit loom, which is a vertical frame loom that allows the weavers to create intricate patterns and designs. The shawls are typically made from sheep or lamb wool, which is locally sourced.
• The designs are often inspired by nature, folklore, and the tribal heritage of the region. Traditional motifs include animals, birds, flowers, and traditional tribal symbols. The vibrant colours used in Gongadi shawls are obtained from natural dyes, extracted from plants and minerals.
• The coarse woolen blanket is famous for its durability and versatility and it does not fade but grows darker with time.

Cham Lama Dance

• Basically, it’s a masked dance which is unique to Tibetian Buddhism.
• In Tibetan Buddhism, the Cham dances are performed by monks and are considered an important part of religious practice.
• The dance depicts various religious and spiritual themes, including the victory of good over evil, the defeat of demonic forces, and the teaching of Buddhist principles.
• Cham dances are characterized by the elaborate costumes, vibrant masks, and the rhythmic movements. The mask represents deities, demons, and other mythical figures and each mask has its symbolic meaning.
• The dancers often wear intricate traditional costumes and perform specific choreographed movements accompanied by traditional music and chanting.
• The Cham dances are not only a form of artistic expression but also serve as a means of spiritual practice and a way to convey religious teachings to the audience.
• The cham dance is believed to have the power to bless and protect the community, dispel negativity, and generate positive energy.
• This dance in itself is seen as a form of meditation and is mostly practised during festivals like Losar in Buddhist monastries.
• Padma Sambhava (Guru Rinpoche), who was the founder of Nyingmapa is believed to have started this dance tradition.

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