10 PM Daily Current Affairs Quiz | April 26 2021

• Statement 1 is correct: ‘Herd immunity’, also known as ‘population immunity’, is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. WHO supports achieving ‘herd immunity’ through vaccination, not by allowing a disease to spread through any segment of the population, as this would result in unnecessary cases and deaths. India needs to vaccinate around 70-75% of its population to achieve herd immunity
• Statement 2 is correct: Mortality does not give a complete picture of the burden of disease borne by individuals in different populations. The overall burden of disease is assessed using the disability-adjusted life year (DALY), a time-based measure that combines years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs) and years of life lost due to time lived in states of less than full health, or years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLDs). One DALY represents the loss of the equivalent of one year of full health. Hence, DALYs saved through vaccination of 18-plus age group would be the highest.

All statements are correct

• An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air. Atmospheric air has about 78 per cent nitrogen and 21 per cent oxygen, with other gases making up the remaining 1 per cent. The oxygen concentrator takes in this air, filters it through a sieve, releases the nitrogen back into the air, and works on the remaining oxygen. According to a 2015 report by the WHO, concentrators are designed for continuous operation and can produce oxygen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for up to 5 years or more.
• While it is not as pure as LMO (99%), experts say it is good enough for mild and moderate Covid-19 patients with oxygen saturation levels of 85% or above. It is, however, not advisable for ICU patients. Concentrators can be attached with multiple tubes to serve two patients at the same time, but experts don’t recommend it since it carries risk of cross-infection.
• Concentrators are portable and unlike LMO that needs to be stored and transported in cryogenic tankers, need no special temperature. And unlike cylinders that require refilling, concentrators only need a power source to draw in ambient air.

• Statement 1 is correct: Many states have established Fire & Emergency Services through a statutory Act. These acts were based on the Model Fire Service Bill circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Similarly, in some states, municipal corporations and local bodies are responsible for providing fire services.
• Currently, the National Building Code -2016 is the basis for fire safety norms in India. It covers the detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the structures. National Building Code of India is published by Bureau of Indian Standards and it is recommendatory document. Guidelines were issued to the States to incorporate the recommendations of National Building Code into their local building bylaws making the recommendations of National Building Code of India as mandatory requirement.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Fire service is a state subject and also has been included as a municipal function in the XII schedule of the Constitution.

Mutations in the ABCA 12 gene are stated to cause harlequin ichthyosis, the doctors said. The ABCA12 protein plays a major role in transporting fats in cells which make up the outermost layer of skin.

Severe mutations in the gene lead to the absence or partial production of the ABCA12 protein. This results in lack of lipid transport and as a result, the skin development is affected by varying degrees according to the severity of the mutation.

Disease is characterized by thickening of the keratin layer in the fetal human skin. The disease sees the skin form large diamond-shaped plates across the body that are separated by deep cracks (fissures). The skin is dry and scaly, almost like fish skin and hence the term ‘icthyosis’, derived from ‘ikthus’, Greek for fish.

• Breakthrough infection is a case of illness in which a vaccinated individual becomes sick from the same disease for which the vaccine was administered.
• Simply, it occurs when vaccines fail to provide immunity against the pathogen they are designed to target.

Statement 1 is correct. Cryogenic tanks are used for the storage of cryogenic liquids. Cryogenic liquids are typically liquefied gases at -150 °C or lower.

Statement 2 is correct. Common products include oxygen, argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium. Cryogenic tanks are also used for storing gases at higher temperatures, examples of which include liquefied natural gas (LNG), carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

• Building on the successes of the E-2020, WHO has launched the E-2025 initiative.
• As part of this initiative, WHO has identified 25 countries that have the potential to eliminate malaria within a 5-year timeline.
• The countries will receive technical and on-the-ground support by WHO and its partners, in their work towards the target of zero malaria.
• In return, the countries will audit their elimination programs annually, participate in elimination forums, conduct surveillance assessments, and share malaria case data periodically.

Read More: E-2025 initiative.

• Codex Alimentarius Commission(CAC) was established in 1963. It is an intergovernmental body established jointly by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). It was established within the framework of the Joint Food Standards Programme.
• Every member of CAC will form a National Codex Committee
• FSSAI is the National Codex Contact Point of India (NCCP), which maintains Codex Alimentarius Commission‘s (CAC) standard in India.
• In India National Codex Committee was constituted by FSSAI

Read more: Codex Alimentarius Commission(CAC)

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) founded the WFP in 1961.
• Aim: To eradicate hunger and malnutrition with the ultimate goal of eliminating the need for food aid itself.
• WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
• It is headquartered in Rome, Italy

Read more: World Food Programme(WFP)

Recently the US administration invoked their Defence Production Act. This emergency law requires domestic manufacturers to prioritize federal(central) government purchase orders. The American companies have no option but to produce Coronavirus vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment for the US only. This resulted in restricting the global exports. This is like an outright ban on the export of such materials.

The ‘Covishield’ vaccine produced in India requires bio-reactor bags from U.S. firms as a primary raw material. These bags are used to grow cells for vaccine manufacturing. Apart from that, Indian firms also use filters, microcarrier beads and cell culture media from US companies.

However, in the most recent event, the US has lifted this ban and promised to cooperate with India.