Californium

About Californium:

• About: Californium is a silvery-white synthetic radioactive metal with the atomic number 98 on the periodic table. 
  • Californium is a member of the actinide series in the periodic table. 
  • It is not found naturally and is produced through nuclear reactions, specifically by bombarding curium with helium ions.
• First made in 1950 at Berkeley, California — from where it derives its name — Californium
• Californium is known for its intense radioactivity and is considered both valuable and hazardous.
• Isotopes: The element’s most notable isotopes include 
  • Cf-251, which has a half-life of 898 years and is the most stable
  • Cf-249 and Cf-250, which have shorter half-lives. 
• Properties : It is a very strong neutron emitter and is used in portable metal detectors for identifying gold and silver ores
  • In nuclear reactors:  It serves as a neutron source to initiate and sustain nuclear reactions, optimising reactor performance. 
• Usage: To help identify water and oil layers in oil wells
  • In the medical field:  Californium plays a crucial role in radiation therapy, particularly for treating cancers such as those of the brain.
  • Industrial applications: Include its use in neutron radiography for inspecting aircraft structures
    • In portable metal detectors for detecting precious metals like gold. 
    • It is employed in neutron activation analysis, a technique used to identify trace elements in various samples.
    • It’s used optimising coal power plants

Microbes on  Microwave ovens

Key Findings:

• The new study, ‘The microwave bacteriome: biodiversity of domestic and laboratory microwave ovens’, was published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
• Challenge the belief: The findings challenge the long-held belief that microwave radiation used to warm food completely kills bacteria, which can cause food-borne illnesses.
• However, this does not mean that the microbes found in microwaves present a unique or increased risk compared with other parts of kitchens.
• Extremophiles Found: Samples from lab microwave ovens contained the most diverse bacteria, including “extremophiles” or microbes 
  • This can withstand high radiation, high temperatures, and extreme dryness.
• Common Bacteria Found: The dominant ones belonged to the Bacillus, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus genera, which commonly live on human skin and surfaces that people frequently touch

Microwave Working

• Microwaves are produced inside the oven by an electron tube called a magnetron. 
• The microwaves are reflected within the metal interior of the oven where they are absorbed by food. 
• Microwaves cause water molecules in food to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra

About Paetongtarn Shinawatra:

• Paetongtarn Is the youngest daughter of former Thai Prime Minister and tycoon Thaksin
• Paetongtarn entered politics in 2022, being elected as ‘Head of the Pheu Thai Family’ which made her a leading prime minister-candidate for the Pheu Thai Party.
• History: Thaksin Shinawatra began the dynasty over two decades ago when he as a former police officer turned telecommunications supremo and became the Prime Minister of the Southeast Asian country, 
• Military Coup: He served from 2001 to 2006 before being ousted in a military coup which led to his self-imposed exile. 
• However, his hold in politics prevailed through his sister who held the position starting in 2011. 
• Second Coup: The government was yet again toppled by a military coup in 2014.
• Alliance: The position for Paetongtarn comes in the wake of political uncertainty as the Pheu Thai party has formed an alliance with the military to secure the premiership. 
• Challenges: Paetongtarn will also seek to break the recurring theme of Shinawatra governments being toppled by the military.

Neighbourhood troubles:

• Time of instability: The developments come at a time of instability in India’s Indian Ocean neighbourhood to the east — the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent the country into a period of uncertainty, which the interim government must contend with. 
• More Violence: The developments follow a spurt in violence between militant groups and Myanmar’s embattled junta that imperil India’s investments as well as peace along the border with India’s north-east. 

Virtual Court

About ‘24×7 ON Courts — Open and Networked Courts’:

• About: It is a pilot project that will allow all court processes to be conducted exclusively online — right from the filing stage through case registration, admission, appearances, hearing and passing of orders and judgments.
• AIM: To facilitate seamless transmission of information to all the parties involved in a case, including litigants, lawyers and police. 
  • The parties concerned can access case files by logging into the portal. 
• Sharing of summons and warrants through e-post is also available as this portal will have the integrated core policing system (iCoPS), an application software developed and launched by the Kerala Police in 2021.
• E-Sewa Kendra: In case of non-availability of Internet, this portal can be accessed through e-Sewa Kendra centers located at every court complex. 
  • The e-Sewa Kendra allows litigants to find information on the status of their cases and obtain copies of judgments and orders. 

Turmoil in Bangladesh

About Indian Textile Industry

• The sector contributes 2.3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 
• Also, 12% to exports and 13% to industrial production. 
• India has a 4% share of the global trade in textiles and apparel.
• The textile industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% from FY20 to reach $190 billion by FY26 and $350 billion by FY30. 
• Global clothing industry: It was valued at over $1.5 trillion in 2022.
  • China led the pecking order with $182 billion of exports, followed by Bangladesh with $45 billion. India, at $18 billion of textile exports stood fifth

India Bangladesh Trade 

• Exports to Bangladesh: India exported $1.7 billion worth of cotton, cotton yarn, and fabrics to Bangladesh last fiscal, accounting for 17% of India’s cotton textile exports.
• Bangladesh exported $1 billion worth of cotton garments in FY23.
• Bangladesh exports $3.8 billion worth of garments monthly, compared to $1.3 billion by India.

Blessing in disguise to Indian textile manufactures:

• Bangladesh has already reduced in the past few months, and a further decline in imports is anticipated. 
• Impact: Indian companies with manufacturing operations in the crisis-hit country 
  • It will face challenges in maintaining their production flow, leading to delays and potential shortages in the market. 
  • Alternatives: This disruption could affect the availability of products and might force companies to seek alternatives, investment services provider ICICI Direct said in a report.
• Export orders: Industry experts anticipate that India could gain an additional $300-400 million in business per month if 10-11 percent of Bangladesh’s export orders are moved to Indian textile hubs like Tiruppur. 
  • Bangladesh’s monthly apparel exports are valued between $3.5-3.8 billion. 
  • The country has a significant market share in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.