{Article} SciTechMed: Understanding "What is a Blog?"

What is blogging is the basic question in the minds of any newbie. You would have just started browsing on the Internet and might have accidentally stumbled upon a blog. You may have thought it as another website. Then you may heard somewhere that anyone can do blogging free of cost. Then that prime question would have arisen in your minds - What exactly do you mean by blogging?

Defination:

A blog (or Web log) is a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger. The short form, "blog," was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word webloginto the phrase we blog.

Blogging is something that is hard to define. I know you are not looking for definitions. Thus, let me try to explain it as simple as possible.

Not necessary to write anything in blogs:
Blogging is a piece of written article or a simple video or some images. You may write anything you want to write and publish it as a blog. No need to find publishers. No need to find cover page designers. Your content will be online in second accessible to anyone in the world. You may publish a video you have taken in the blog. Also you can publish an album of photos you have taken as a blog post. Overall blogging does not mean you have to write anything.

Anti-chronology:
Blog posts follow what you may call as anti-chronology. Suppose if you publish 5 blog posts in the Internet and when you open your blog you will see your 5th post first…then your 4th post...3rd post...and so on to the 1st post. So what happens is that the latest article/image /video you have posted come first.

Comment posting:
Mostly all the blogs allow the readers to posts their opinions about the content posted. This allows for proper interaction between the readers and the blogger or between the readers themselves.

Niche blogs:
Most of the blogs these days are niche blogs. That is those blogs teaches you or speaks to you about a particular topic. You may find a lot of blogs in your fields of interest. Suppose if you like films.

Blogging as a hobby:
Many bloggers use these blogs as a perfect platform for their hobbies. Suppose if your hobby is Reading Books. Then you can write how you felt reading that book as a book review and publish it as a blog. What may happen are many upcoming readers looking for a book to read may read your reviews and they will get a fair idea of which book to read which one to avoid. So by doing this there is 2 advantages –

* You get to publish your views in front of others.
* You get the satisfaction that others are benefiting from what you write.

Let your thoughts be heard by everyone. Blogging is the best platforms by which you can make others value your thoughts and dreams. Some may appreciate your work some may not. Know that even those who have disagreed with you would have taken the pains to understand your thoughts. 

{Article} SciTechMed: Vector Borne Disease and Mosquito Magnet

• In epidemiology, a vector is any agent (person, animal or microorganism) that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen into another living organism.
• A vector-borne disease is one in which the pathogenic microorganism is transmitted from an infected individual to another individual by an arthropod or other agent, sometimes with other animals serving as intermediary hosts. The transmission depends upon the attributes and requirements of at least three different living organisms: [1.] the pathologic agent, either a virus, protozoa, bacteria, or helminth worm); [2.] the vector, which are commonly arthropods such as ticks or mosquitoes; [3.] the human host. In addition, intermediary hosts such as domesticated and/or wild animals often serve as a reservoir for the pathogen until susceptible human populations are exposed. Nearly half of the world's population is infected by vector-borne diseases, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, with the overwhelming impact in developing countries located in tropical and subtropical areas and relatively rare in temperate zones.
• Most commonly known biological vectors are arthropods but many domestic animals too are important vectors or asymptomatic carriers of parasites and pathogens that attack humans or other animals. Arthropods form a major group of disease vectors with mosquitoes, flies, sand flies, lice, fleas, ticks and mites transmitting a huge number of diseases. Many such vectors are haematophagous, which feed on blood at some or all stages of their lives. When the insects blood feed, the parasite enters the blood stream of the host. This can happen in different ways.
• The concept of disease vectors has some commonality with certain other concepts in medicine and veterinary science; it is worth comparing vectoring, zoonosis and carrier for perspective. Zoonosis sometimes arises from purely adventitious or non-systematic transport of the infectious agent. For example a housefly or a dog might accidentally, but routinely, carry the pathogens of typhoid or cholera in external dirt without being in any special way adapted to such a function. Technically such a process amounts to vectoring, and such vectors are important in practice, though they are logically similar to airborne disease and waterborne diseases.

{Article} SciTechMed: Space Debris and the celebration of NASA’s Mariner II

• On 14th December 1962, NASA’s Mariner II passed within 35,000km of Venus, becoming the first spacecraft to successfully fly by another planet. 
• From this historic voyage, we learned that Venus rotates in a counter direction to most planets in our solar system, has a high-pressure carbon dioxide atmosphere and continuous cool cloud cover. 
• Whither Mariner II now? Endlessly circling the Sun, in a heliocentric orbit. Space debris: a serious problem for our immediate galaxy.
• Space debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk, and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to erosion, explosion and collision fragments. As the orbits of these objects often overlap the trajectories of newer objects, debris is a potential collision risk to operational spacecraft. The vast majority of the estimated tens of millions of pieces of space debris are small particles, less than 1 centimetre (0.39 in). These include dust from solid rocket motors, surface degradation products such as paint flakes, and coolant released by RORSAT nuclear powered satellites. Impacts of these particles cause erosive damage, similar to sandblasting. This damage can be partly mitigated through the use of the "meteor bumper", which is widely used on spacecraft such as the International Space Station. However, not all parts of a spacecraft may be protected in this manner, e.g. solar panels and optical devices (such as telescopes, or star trackers), and these components are subject to constant wear by debris (and to a much lesser extent, micrometeoroids).

{Education} Article: Web Ratna Awards 2012

Union Minister for Communications and IT has given away Web Ratna Awards 2012. Web Ratna Awards acknowledge the exemplary initiatives in e-Governance using the medium of World Wide Web in different categories highlighting application of ICT, right from web presence to delivery of citizen services to public participation and innovation in use of technology. The first ever "Web Ratna Awards" were presented in 2010.

Three Awards - Platinum Icon, Gold Icon and Silver Icon have conferred in each of the following six categories:

Citizen Centric Service

In this category, the awards acknowledge those ICT-based services by a Government Department (Central/State) which has displayed exemplary citizen focus, reach, scope and innovation in approach. These services have effectively contributed to enhance efficiency, productivity, transparency and accountability in the governance by using the web as a primary mode of delivery in addition to other conventional/nonconventional modes.

WINNERS

Platinum Icon : VAHAN - Vehicle Registration & Permit System

Gold Icon : Krishi Maharatavahini

Silver Icon : Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan

Public Participation Initiative

The awards in this category honour those initiatives which have leveraged upon the use of ICT to solicit active participation of the citizens in governance. The winning entries display relevance of context, mode of participation, involvement of stakeholders and an innovative use of ICT, both for response acquisition as well as for analysis of inputs received. The impact of the initiative (qualitative as well as quantitative) serves as a significant criterion for judging this award.

WINNERS

Platinum Icon : Digital Diplomacy - Ministry of External Affairs

Gold Icon : Kerala Chief Minister's Office

Silver Icon : Bihar Public Grievance Redressal System

Outstanding Content

The awards in this category felicitate outstanding content published on the web by a Government entity. Content packaged from the perspective of the citizens is considered under this category. Also, adherence to the basic standards of usability such as ease of navigation, design, accessibility, visual appeal, clarity (textual and design), load time and the overall quality of creative expression is taken into consideration.

WINNERS

Platinum Icon : National Institute of Open Schooling

Gold Icon : AIR Portal for News Dissemination

Silver Icon : Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Innovative Use of Technology

The awards in this category acknowledge ICT Applications which display innovative use of technology in the functioning of Government and services provided to the citizens. The acceptance and maturity level of implementation, scalability, sustainability and the impact of the use of technology define excellence under this category.

WINNERS

Platinum Icon : RITE e-Governance

Gold Icon : Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP)

Silver Icon : Tripura Vision Centre (Tele-Ophthalmology)

Comprehensive Web Presence - Ministry/Department

The awards in this category felicitate a Ministry of the Government of India which has a comprehensive web presence in terms of quantity, quality, spectrum of coverage, innovation, citizen centricity and responsiveness in their web-based information and service delivery initiatives. Aspects of usability and accessibility are also taken into consideration.

WINNERS

Platinum Icon : Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

Gold Icon : Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Silver Icon : Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Comprehensive Web Presence – State

The awards in this category acknowledge the State/UT of India which has displayed exemplary initiative in establishing comprehensive web presence. The selection criteria include the overall quality and quantity of web-based initiatives, the spectrum of sectors/departments having a good web presence and the level of responsiveness towards web-based queries by citizens. Aspects of usability and accessibility also served as major decisive elements.

WINNERS

Platinum Icon : Government of Tamil Nadu

Gold Icon : Government of Maharashtra

{Education} Article: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

• The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory.
• The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar objects.
• SOFIA’s telescope is by far the largest ever to be placed in an aircraft. Here telescope is designed for infrared astronomy observations in the stratosphere at altitudes of about 41,000 feet (about 12 km). The optical system uses a Cassegrain reflector design with a parabolic primary mirror and a remotely configurable hyperbolic secondary.
• SOFIA's flight capability allows it to rise above almost all of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere, which blocks some infrared wavelengths from reaching the ground. At the aircraft's cruising altitude, 85% of the full infrared range will be available. The aircraft can also travel to almost any point on the Earth's surface, allowing observation from the northern and southern hemispheres.

Note: I've not removed wiki's link so as to define the source. To make the article precise, only that points which I think are relevant to UPSC, IBPS etc. are included here. 

{Education} Article: UNAIDS report on World AIDS Day

• The latest report from UNAIDS (the United Nations agency set up in 1996 to combat HIV infection), which was published on November 20th in anticipation of World AIDS Day on December 1st, states that the rate of new HIV infections is falling in many parts of the world, but most notably in sub-Saharan Africa. 
• Though AIDS first came to prominence in America, it originated in Africa and has always been, primarily, an African disease. It still is. 
• About 70% of new infections are in the sub-Saharan part of the continent. But the number of such infections there has fallen from 2.6m in 1998 (the peak) to 1.8m in 2011. 
• Reasons for this include changes in people’s sexual behaviour, such as reduced promiscuity and more frequent use of condoms; the spread of antiretroviral drugs which, in addition to saving the lives of those infected, also stop them passing the virus on; reductions in mother-to-child transmission; and a new fashion for circumcision amongst Africa’s men. Having the snip has been shown to be a particularly effective way of cutting transmission rates.

International Organization: Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Communique and India's commitment

Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Communique: At this Seoul Summit, we agree that we will make every possible effort to achieve further progress in the following important areas.

• ·         Global Nuclear Security Architecture: We recognize the importance of multilateral instruments that address nuclear security, such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). We therefore encourage the universal adherence to these Conventions. We urge states in a position to do so to accelerate their domestic approval of the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM, seeking to bring the Amendment into force by 2014. Further, We recognize the contributions since the 2010 Summit of international initiatives and processes such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, within their respective mandates and memberships. We welcome the wider participation in the GICNT and the Global Partnership and value its extension beyond 2012.
• ·         Role of the IAEA: We reaffirm the essential responsibility and central role of the IAEA in strengthening the international nuclear security framework, and recognize the value of the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan 2010-2013.
• ·         Nuclear Materials: Recognizing that highly enriched uranium (HEU) and separated plutonium require special precautions, we encourage States to consider the safe, secure and timely removal and disposition of nuclear materials from facilities no longer using them, as appropriate, and consistent with national security considerations and development objectives. We also encourage States to take measures to minimize the use of HEU, including through the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel, where technically and economically feasible, taking into account the need for assured supplies of medical isotopes, and encourage States in a position to do so, by the end of 2013, to announce voluntary specific actions intended to minimize the use of HEU.
• ·         Radioactive Sources: Taking into account that radioactive sources are widely used and can be vulnerable to malicious acts, we urge States to secure these materials, while bearing in mind their uses in industrial, medical, agricultural and research applications. In addition, we encourage continued national efforts and international cooperation to recover lost, missing or stolen sources and to maintain control over disused sources.
• ·         Nuclear Security and Safety: Acknowledging that safety measures and security measures have in common the aim of protecting human life and health and the environment, we welcome the convening of the High Level Meeting on Nuclear Safety and Security initiated by the UN Secretary-General, held in New York on 22 September 2011. Noting that the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials also includes spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, we encourage States to consider establishing appropriate plans for the management of these materials.
• ·         Transportation Security: Recognizing the importance of a national layered defense against the loss or theft of nuclear and other radioactive materials while transpotation from country to countru, we encourage the establishment of effective national nuclear material inventory management and domestic tracking mechanisms, where required, that enable States to take appropriate measures to recover lost and stolen materials.
• ·         Combating Illicit Trafficking: We underscore the need to develop national capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and prosecute illicit nuclear trafficking. Noting that several countries have passed export control laws to regulate nuclear transfers, we encourage further utilization of legal, intelligence and financial tools to effectively prosecute offenses, as appropriate and consistent with national laws. In addition, we encourage States to participate in the IAEA Illicit Trafficking Database program and to provide necessary information relating to nuclear and other radioactive materials outside of regulatory control.
• ·         Nuclear Forensics: We recognize that nuclear forensics can be an effective tool in determining the origin of detected nuclear and other radioactive materials and in providing evidence for the prosecution of acts of illicit trafficking and malicious uses.
• ·         Nuclear Security Culture: Recognizing that investment in human capacity building is fundamental to promoting and sustaining a strong nuclear security culture, we encourage States to share best practices and build national capabilities, including through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. We also encourage States to promote human resource development through education and training. In this regard, we welcome the establishment of Centers of Excellence and other nuclear security training and support centers since the Washington Summit, and encourage the establishment of new centers.
• ·         Information Security: We recognize the importance of preventing non-state actors from obtaining information, technology or expertise required to acquire or use nuclear materials for malicious purposes, or to disrupt information technology based control systems at nuclear facilities. We therefore encourage States to enhance cyber security measures.
• ·         International Cooperation: We encourage all States to enhance their physical protection of and accounting system for nuclear materials, emergency preparedness and response capabilities and relevant legal and regulatory framework. In particular, we welcome the intent by the IAEA to continue to lead efforts to assist States, upon request.
• ·         We will continue to make voluntary and substantive efforts toward strengthening nuclear security and implementing political commitments made in this regard. The next Nuclear Security Summit will be held in [the Netherlands] in 2014.

Nuclear Security Summit National Progress Report India

• ·         International Legal Instruments: India is party to all the 13 universal instruments accepted as benchmarks for a State’s commitment to combat international terrorism. India is party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and is amongst the few countries which have also ratified the 2005 amendment to the Convention. India is also Party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
• ·         International Atomic Energy Agency: India is a member of the IAEA Commission on Nuclear Safety Standards and the Advisory Group on Nuclear Security. India has actively contributed to IAEA’s Action Plans on Nuclear Security, including third plan for 2010-2013. India as a partner to the IAEA-US Regional Radiological Security Partnership (RRSP) has been organizing international training courses in India under the aegis of the IAEA. India offered assistance through the IAEA for search and recovery of orphan radioactive sources in countries which were unable to effectively deal with them and had sought such assistance. India commends the Agency’s efforts to develop a Nuclear Security Information Portal and its efforts in developing a comprehensive set of guidance documents under the Nuclear Security Series. India is a participant in the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB), which was established in 1995 and disseminates information on confirmed reports about illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities and events involving nuclear radioactive materials to the States. India has been supportive of the 2003 IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and voluntarily adopted its provisions. Conclusion of Practical Arrangements between GCNEP and the IAEA would reinforce India’s cooperation with the Agency.
• ·         UN and other mechanisms: Since 2002, India has piloted a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on measures to prevent terrorists gaining access to Weapons of Mass Destruction. India is also a party to Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and has participated in its working groups on nuclear detection, nuclear forensics and response and mitigation. We also cooperate with the Interpol’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit and the World Customs Organization.
• ·         National legal framework: The Indian Atomic Energy Act 1962 provides the legal framework for securing nuclear materials and facilities. In June 2005, India enacted the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005. India has adhered to NSG Guidelines and has expressed interest in full membership of the NSG and other international export control regimes. The Government has introduced a bill in Parliament for the establishment of an independent Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority which will also enhance oversight of nuclear security and strengthen synergy between safety and security.
• ·         Reducing Nuclear Material: With regard to minimization of use of civilian HEU, the enriched uranium based fuel in the APSARA reactor was placed in a safeguarded facility in December 2010. APSARA will use indigenous fuel which is not high enriched uranium. However, there is a growing demand for large-scale production of isotopes for a range of applications- healthcare, industry, food and agriculture. India’s three stage nuclear programme is based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle, the principle of ‘reprocess-to-reuse’ and ensuring control over nuclear material at all stages. We have recently developed an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor based on Low Enriched Uranium and Thorium with new safety and proliferation-resistant features.
• ·         International Cooperation: India has close cooperation with the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). India has signed tripartite Agreements with IAEA and Sri Lanka and Namibia to donate our indigenously developed Cobalt teletherapy machine (Bhabhatron II) to these two countries as a step towards affordable treatment of Cancer. A similar machine was donated to Vietnam in 2008.
• ·         Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP): At the first Nuclear Security Summit, India announced that it would establish a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. To begin with, the Centre will consist of four Schools dealing with Advanced Nuclear Energy System Studies, Nuclear Security, Radiation Safety, and the application of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology in the areas of healthcare, agriculture and food. The Centre will carry out research and development in radiation monitoring including development of detectors and nuclear emergency management. We are interested in development and conduct of courses in association with interested countries and the IAEA.
• ·         Nuclear Security Summit Process: India supports implementation of the Washington Summit Communiqué and Work Plan. India contributed to the NSS process, including by hosting a meeting of the Sherpas in New Delhi 16-17 January 2012.

SCIENCENVIRO (Opinion) : Protecting the Himalayas

Protecting the Himalayas

• The ministerial declaration issued by India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh addressing food, water, energy, and biodiversity concerns in the Himalayan region is a welcome initiative to protect this biodiversity-rich mountain range.
• Some of the serious issues that need urgent attention are accelerated forest loss, soil erosion, resource degradation, and loss of habitat and biodiversity.
  

SCIENCENVIRO : Curiosity Mars Rover

Could life have arisen on Mars?

• On Saturday, a car-sized rover named Curiosity rocketed off to Mars to seek further clues to that tantalising question — is there life out there?
• Mariner spacecraft that flew past and orbited Earth's neighbour as well as the two Viking landers that touched down on its surface in 1976 sent back images of a cold, bleak, and barren land, with a thin atmosphere that was mostly carbon dioxide and no signs of life.