The Emergence of Nanomedicine: Comprehensive Techniques to Intercept COVID-19

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September 1, 2021

The Emergence of Nanomedicine: Comprehensive Techniques to Intercept COVID-19

COVID-19 or the Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a severe pandemic. Wuhan province of China happens to be the epicentre of this disastrous outbreak which reportedly took place in November 2019. Since then, treatment and cure for this disease remain the utmost priority among researchers not only from medical sciences but also among chemists, material scientists, synthesis researchers and others.

COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused by a novel coronavirus that has confronted humans for the first time, consequently, humans need intrinsic immunity to battle against this unique strain of the coronavirus which directs towards severe miscommunication amongst health care departments.

SARS-CoV-2 is highly communicable and assumed to be spread with contact with an infected person, surfaces, and air droplets through the mouth, nose, and eye. It has a lengthy incubation phase of about 14 days and exhibits primary symptoms comparable to common seasonal virus infections like fever, dry cough, and tiredness with trouble breathing. However, as the virus spreads in the body, it can cause severe pneumonia with infection and fibrosis in the lungs and end in respiratory collapse due to disorganised gas transfers that drive various essential organs (heart, kidney, liver, GIT, and brain) failure and a person can die if artificial oxygen is not rendered on time.

Nanotechnology is Being Employed in Multiple Areas

Nanotechnology could play a dormant part in multiple fields like health, defence, farming, and many more. As of now, in the published literature, nanotechnology will lead a pivotal role in inducing interdisciplinary methods of producing affordable, secure, and impactful means for the analysis and therapeutics of several chronic diseases. This aspect review clarifies the modern progress of nanotechnology for the apprehension and treatment
of viral infections with a focus on coronaviruses particularly regarding SARS-CoV-2.

The Potent of Nanomedicine in COVID-19

Nanotechnology: Part of COVID-19 vaccines but potential still hindered in Europe – EURACTIV.com — Credits: Euractive

By the time mentioned, there is no approved therapy for the treatment and doctors have attempted many techniques to control the indications with subsisting drug molecules such as Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Ribavirin, Favipiravir, Galidesivir, thalidomide, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir, Baricitinib, Remdesivir, Ruxolitinib, Darunavir, Camostat, Fingolimod, Umifenovir, Lopinavir, and Ritonavir. These drug molecules oftentimes suffer from weak solubility, permeability, and absence of targetability that drives them to malfunction in exerting the aspired therapeutic effect.

Nanotechnology has proven its role in medicine to deliver the drug at the target site with minimal side effects. Several nanotechnology-based
products are currently on the market and are under clinical investigation.

Nanomedicine has many faces that can be accurately employed to deliver the drug molecules to infected cells, and the targeted ligand conjugated nanoparticle explicitly binds with epitopes of the virus that produces inactivation of the virus, inducing it to fail to penetrate the cells. Thus, the infection can be neutralized with nanomedicine-based approaches.

Various nanocarriers have been utilised for drug delivery to resolve the difficulty linked with drug molecules. These can be split into two categories, polymeric and inorganic nanocarriers. In multiple research labs around the world, scientists are working on nanoparticle-based vaccine products which are still in considerations, such as Novavax developing a protein subunit of a nanoparticle vaccine + matrix M (adjuvant) (based on recombinant SARS-CoV-2 glycoprotein). The University of Tokyo/ Daiichi-Sankyo is working on the RNa based lipid nanoparticles (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA for the SARS-CoV-2 infection-causing viruses. Similarly, The Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, Saint Petersburg is working on a nanoparticle vaccine.

Nanomedice in Diagnosis of Covid-19

Complete Solutions for COVID-19 Sample Collection and Transport — Credits: Alpha Labs

Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, there is an urgency to develop diagnostic kits for the quick detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection to limit the movement of the infectious person. Numerous laboratory-based tests like chest computed tomography, RT-PCR and point of care examinations like detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV19 have been developed. This test can be utilized by medical professionals based on acute and chronic the phase of the viral infection.

The productiveness of the test depends on different factors like the invasive character of the infection, and the advancement of antibodies against antigens presented by the virus in the human body. Nanotechnology has performed a notable position in the fabrication of diagnostic tools at various levels such as sidelong flow assay. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based detection where metallic nanoparticles have a fundamental role in improving the signal of analytes and its discovery by optical, electrical and immunofluorescent approaches.

Several nanocarriers are under investigation to improve the conventional drug delivery systems to effectively target drug releases, low dose, reduced toxicity, improved permeability, and controlled release of the drug. Moreover, nanomedicine has also performed significant parts in creating point-of-care testing to tackle infectious diseases like COVID 19.

Remdesivir | Podcast | Chemistry World — Credits: CW

Cyclodextrin based Remdesivir formulation is one of the great successes of nanomedicine in the treatment of COVID 19 infection.

A province or a country might experience a decline in the number of active cases, but one must hold in mind that the threat of this virus might never end and according to some predictions, such viruses have tendencies of frequent mutation and adapt themselves to cause greater infection in the host body.

The quest to find a cure and prevention is endless, hence following the protocols and precautions can promise a decline and gradual end.

Bizarre automobile revelation: How many unique chemical elements builds up 1 single car?

Technology

Om Desai

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August 26, 2021

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Bizarre automobile revelation: How many unique chemical elements builds up 1 single car?

The global automobile production has reached 100 million units per year, and continues to rise each day. With significant technology transitions, majorly being electrification, digital connectivity, autonomy and internet-based sharing; the raw materials needed for them has also changed drastically. In this recent ground breaking survey based research, it was found that modern automobiles are comprised of more than 2000 different chemical compounds made from 76 unique chemical elements of periodic table. So, out of 118 discovered elements; almost 65% of them are found in 1 single car. And, the detailed inventory discussed here later on, shows that electric vehicles are more vulnerable to material challenges than the gas guzzlers.

Global Automobile sales chart — Global automobile sales expected growth
(source: businesswire)

Although the electrification is changing the future view of industry, it certainly has also changed the vehicle composition. And this change has potentially driven the supply risk vulnerability of materials used both in conventional and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). This research is not just meant for literary reviews and debates to be held, but shows how the ‘unmindful’ and ‘inattentive’ trend towards electric vehicles is changing the recipe of automobiles and how this can disrupt the automakers.

The Research: Characterizing the Changes in Material Use due to Vehicle Electrification

Randolph E. Kirchain, a material research scientist led the MIT research group. The team gathered data sets from 7 sedans and SUVs manufactured in 2019-20.

2 PHEVs – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

2 HEVs – Hybrid Electric Vehicles

3 ICEVs – Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (normal automobile vehicles)

Top 20 elements driving exposure for three automobile fleets
comprising of ICEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs — Top 20 elements driving exposure for three fleets
comprising of ICEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs
(Source: ACS Publications)

Team used data from International materials Data System (IMDS) such as part numbers, descriptions, weight of each material and much more to analyze material composition of each vehicle from 358,401 records. A “exposure” metric was defined, representing the cost to manufacturer from the material cost increase. Thus, elements present in the vehicle were also analysed on the basis of global production, trade restrictions, price volatility and other major factors. A machine learning AI algorithm was then developed to diagnose the supply risk of components and on the cost of final finished vehicle at the end.

The Electrified Exposure of Electric Vehicles: Which element Where?

The largest contributor to exposure in the engines and mounts subsystem is the turbocharger that uses Nickel (Ni) – based super alloys. Aluminum-castings and copper wiring dominate the transmission and clutch sub-system. Aluminum also drives exposure in the wheels, hubs and drums system.

One of the notable drivers of exposure are motors and electronics in Heat, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning systems (HVAC). And this is predominantly attributed by use of rare earth elements and sheet mica. Rare Earths also makeup the traction motors. Rare-earth elements like Nd, Dy, and Ce are present in large amount in hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. The combined exposure from these materials is up to $268 million, a 10× increase from conventional internal combustion vehicles.

Cost Exposure in each fleet of IC-engine and electric vehicle automobiles
(Source: ACS Publications)

This was generic. For ICEVs. The above figure clearly shows that the recent advancements in the field of battery-related materials for PHEVs and HEVs; cobalt, nickel and graphite are the elements which are driving high vulnerability for automakers. However, in PHEV fleet Aluminum and copper represent 30% exposure and their prices even are much more volatile than steel and iron. Al per ton is 20x higher than Fe and that of copper is 50x higher. But still, Al and Cu are mostly used in body work and wiring.

Whereas, Cobalt, Graphite Carbon and nickel altogether account for nearly half of exposure for PHEV fleet. With this much electrification of automobile sector globally, their exposure has increased by around $716 million and growing. Of this, cobalt contributes $325M, graphite $254M and nickel $146M.

The elemental distribution of periodic table chemicals in 1 single car: Automobile — The elemental distribution of periodic table chemicals in 1 single car
(Source: ACS Publications)

And the wonderful thing is that, arsenic is found in the lead-acid battery of the vehicle, krypton in the headlights and tantalum in capacitors. Another data to make your eyes wide open, is the use of gold, palladium and platinum. Yes, the use of these expensive, hard to get elements has increased by 10x in recent years due to their extensive use in sensors and chips, which will persist with increased level of automation.

The Supply-Chain Future: A feasible Transition to electric vehicles?

Is this the time to phase out the IC Engines? Electric Vehicles sector is booming and covering a large part of total automobiles production globally. But the electrification idea still remains far-fetched and many things are not taken in consideration. Government policies and subsidies for consumers, or a US-based giga-manufacturer ruling the sector is not enough.

Apart from developing infrastructure for electrification, the upshot is that for an automaker producing 1 million vehicles per year, a complete transition from internal combustion vehicles to plug-in hybrids would hike their total exposure from $1 billion to $2 billion. Kirchain imposes concern that, “policymakers and automakers should invest in research to reduce the use of critical materials, find substitutes, and build capacity to recycle more vehicle components at the end of their life.”

Manufacturers committed to produce only electric vehicles fleet by 2030 or 2040; must opt for this research phase too. Designing the prototype and phasing out humans with automation may seem fascinating, but this is what the reality is.

SpaceX’s Starlink Project: Connecting the World to the Internet

Keith Kamson Fernandes

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August 23, 2021

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SpaceX’s Starlink Project: Connecting the World to the Internet

We all know about the famous billionaire Elon Musk, from maybe his electric car company, Tesla and his space exploration company, SpaceX or through his tweets on Twitter or just as one of the richest man on Earth. But then many don’t know about his less known venture Starlink, which aims at providing internet connections to almost anyone on the planet by growing a network of private satellites orbiting overhead.

But the internet service is followed with a lot of controversies with members of the science community raising concerns about its impacts on the night sky visibility and also the ever increasing concern of space junk/debris.

Before we go any further, we’ll need to understand what Starlink is all about.

All you need to know about Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX aiming to provide fast and low latency internet access to everyone.. The constellation will consist of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit, which communicate with designated ground transceivers. Starlink currently provides internet speeds between 50-150 Mbps with latency of 20-40 milliseconds in most locations of its service.

Back in 2015, SpaceX announced its plans to launch a satellite internet service called Starlink and in February 2018, it successfully launched its first prototype satellite. They didn’t stop there and in April 2019, Starlink got approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch 12,000 to its orbit.

But later that year extended the count to 42,000 satellites. This led to FCC awarding SpaceX with a grant fund of nearly $900 million which was federal subsidies to support rural broadband through the company’s Starlink satellite Internet network. SpaceX won subsidies to bring service to customers in 35 U.S. states.

SpaceX Launches Starlink Mission from Florida

Starlink’s progress didn’t stop there and seemed to have accelerated a lot in 2021. In January, after 3 years of successful launches, the project crossed more than 1,000 satellites delivered to orbit and now in June, SpaceX says the numbers are about 1,800. The biggest announcement came out on 23 June 2021, when SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said that Starlink will expect to get global coverage by the end of this Fall 2021, though they still need to seek regulatory approval.

In recent reports, it is believed that Starlink will capture a part of the estimated $1 trillion worldwide internet connectivity market. A few speculations added that this project might help fund Elon Musk’s Mars Colonization plan.

Providing Fast Internet to Everyone

In a statistics on world active internet users for January 2021, it showed about 4.66 billion people are active internet users which is only about 60% of the total world population. And as the pandemic gave way to a digital world, where we saw schools and universities going towards online classes and companies going to a work from home atmosphere. But with many not having access to proper internet, they were just left disconnected from the world. Making this new venture in satellite broadband a new revolution to the way we use the internet.

*Starlink’s Dishy McDishface satellite dish* (Source: Verge)

Starlink has begun accepting pre-orders from customers interested in joining the company’s “Better Than Nothing” beta program. The cost of the service is billed at $99 per month, plus taxes and fees and also an initial payment of $500 for the mountable satellite dish and router that you’ll need to install at home.

Many sources have added that Starlink will further reduce the prices of its initial payment of $500 to as low as $250 as the company increases the no. of customers and their coverage area. As for the plans no proper details are issued yet.

Starlink provides the service with unlimited data usage with speeds of about 50-150 mbps depending on the region. Also the company is planning to double up the top speeds to 300 Mbps by the end of 2021 which was tweeted by SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk in February.

For now, services are limited to the northwest US, adjacent parts of Canada, parts of the UK and few other select areas, but the coverage map will grow gradually as more satellites join the constellation. Starlink will likely need at least 10,000 satellites in orbit before it can claim to offer full service to a majority of the globe.

Starlink plans to reach global coverage by the end of this year. As for when will it be coming to India, the Starlink website mentions that its expected to reach by next year. (Click Here to check when will Starlink reach ur area)

Competition and Concerns

Stalink’s ever growing number of satellites is causing its competitors like Viasat, HughesNet and Amazon’s Project Kuiper to take notice with a few of them filing lawsuits to halt Starlink’s tracks.

Starlink compared to its competitors HughesNet and Viasat (Source: IEEE Communication Society)

Recently, Viasat has asked the FCC to stay the “effectiveness” of a recent order granting SpaceX’s application to modify plans for its LEO satellite broadband constellation. According to Viasat, the FCC violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to assess the environmental impact of deploying thousands of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and having those satellites eventually disintegrate into the atmosphere.

In February 2021, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) pressured the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “actively, and aggressively, and thoughtfully vet” the subsidy applications of SpaceX and other broadband providers. SpaceX had previously been approved to receive nearly US$900 million for a commitment to provide service to 642,925 locations in 35 states as part of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)

A few other major concerns are Starlink’s connection with Space Junk and Light Pollution, which we;ll talk about in more detail in the next article, so stay tuned.

StoryWrangler: Exploratorium for billions of social media messages predicting political and financial turmoil

Om Desai

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July 20, 2021

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StoryWrangler

Language and intellectual. These are the humanity’s biggest and greatest social technologies. Since decades, words and speech have made great impact on human civilizations and changed the scenarios in many ways; whether it be Hitler or times during French revolution. And now, with advancing technology we humans have shifted to social platforms to express and present our words and intellectuals. Bizarre fact is, each day on an average, 500 million tweets are shared on twitter. Which is 6,000 tweets per second and in a year around, twitter handles 200 billion tweets.

These numbers largely affect the real time world which we live in. apart from fun tweets and time passing activities, twitter also imprints world events, popular culture, and even day-to-day, recording of an ever-growing compendium of language change. And the way it can impact the society have already been witnessed since #metoo and #BlackLivesMatter. So, how exactly does a single tweet can make a bitcoin rise, or wall street market to fall, or riots in political scenarios? Can’t it be predicted, is there any tool?

A New Insane Invention

What if every soldier, home-worker, shopkeeper, teenager had put up their opinion during the French Revolution? We would have definitely got a whole lot of different stories about the rise and reign of Napoleon, Isn’t it?

For the first time, researchers at University of Vermont have invented an instrument called StoryWrangler. This is an insane invention, which can deeply look into billions of twitter posts and provides an sort of future look and minute-by-minute rising and trending scenarios. Whether it be Anime or K-Pop, Dogecoin or Elon Musk, India-China or BJP or of emerging diseases. StoryWrangler leverages twitter data while tracking its dynamic changes to illustrate the temporally evolving corpus. It potentially can see and illustrate the social amplification, sociotechnical dynamics of famous individuals (not particularly Musk), box office success and social unrest also.

Source: StoryWrangler

How and what is story of StoryWrangler?

StoryWrangler acts as a perfect platform to enable research in computational social science, data journalism, natural language processing and digital humanities. It encodes casual daily conversation in a way unavailable through newspapers, articles or books. It gathers and caters phrases from across 150 different languages and analyses them as rise and fall of ideas & stories, amongst the people around the world.

Performing these tasks and predictions was a complex process and StoryWrangler had to start digging from back in 2008. They drew a storehouse of messages comprising roughly 10% tweets from Sept, 2008 and covered over 150 languages. One obstacle was of regional dialects, native words, slangs while encountering the data. But still, they somehow managed to classify them on the basis of native languages and date & location.

Storywrangler: N-gram example — N-gram example
(Source: Devopedia)

For each day t and for each language l, tweets were divided into: Organic Tweets (OT) and retweets (RT). Organic tweets are originally authored tweets and not the retweeted content they referred to. Then, each tweet was broken down to 1-grams, 2-grams, 3-grams and so on upto n-grams. Now, what is ‘n’ here?

So basically, there was a challenge for the researchers to sort the different aspects and scenarios of popularities of ‘n’-grams – n means various sequences of n “words” in a text that forms trending characters, emojis, numerals, symbols, etc. Interestingly, this n-word framework is inspired from Google’s n-gram project. So, they smash large data of books into small bits, and thus have simply parsed tweets of daily word frequencies; 2-word phrases, 3-word expressions.

The Hashtag game of predictions

So then, based on weight of ‘n’ of n-gram, the frequencies change and popularity rises or falls. For example, ‘god’ is 300^th most commonly used word each day. For some words, this rises and falls cyclically. Interestingly, on one glorious day of 2015, “😊” was the most commonly used word! Similarly, movie titles, let’s say, ‘Avengers’ produce more symmetric patterns cantered on their release dates.

global sensor storywrangler — Trend of trending hashtags
(Source: University of Vermont)

Trend of trending hashtags
(Source: University of Vermont)

Also, always it can’t be predicted that for n=1, the term will trend more. For example, in the first six months of 2020, ‘coronavirus’ gave way to ‘covid’ as the dominant term of reference on twitter for covid-19 pandemic. And, simultaneously for n=2, it can’t be suggested that it won’t trend more. For example, #BlackLivesMatter trended more after George Floyd’s death then #metoo, although having more n-gram. To solve this issue, a complex formula was derived after researching and observing for over couple of years.

We write an n-gram by τ and a day’s lexicon for language 𝓁, the set of distinct n-grams found in all tweets (AT) for a given date t, by 𝒟_t_{, 𝓁; n}. We write n-gram raw frequency as f_{τ, t, 𝓁} and compute its usage rate in all tweets written in language 𝓁 as

The Future and Global Story ahead

As an online tool, it potentially provides a powerful lens for viewing and analyzing the rise and fall of ideas, words, expressions, stories each day among the global community. It showed some positive results, which were really astonishing and striking on their own. StoryWrangler was capable of predicting the political and financial turmoil. Also, positively, it examined and predicted that usage of words like ‘rebellion’ and ‘crackdown’ in various regions of the world is largely affected by well-established index of geopolitical risk of those same places.

“The StoryWrangler gives us a data-driven way to index what regular people are talking about in everyday conversations, not just what reporters or authors have chosen; it’s not just the educated or the wealthy or cultural elites,” says applied mathematician Chris Danforth, a professor at the University of Vermont who co-led the creation of the StoryWrangler.

Revolution of Evolution

The UVM team is constantly co-ordinating with National Science Foundation and using twitter to demonstrate about, how a simple chatter on distributed social media can act as a global sensor system. What happened, what actually is happening and what might come next. Other social media streams, from Reddit to 4chan and Weibo; these all can also feed data for StoryWrangler and follow or unfollow the fame or fate of political leaders and sports stars. Although twitter does not represent the entire humanity, but StoryWrangler quantifies the ‘expressions of many’ and that’s why is succeeding in its way ahead.

StoryWrangler is a special part of science advancement. The tool can revolutionize the human evolution. Tracing major news events or predicting natural disasters, fame, fate, views, insights and what not.

The world is changing definitely with this, as now not only the powerful and rich intellectuals have potential, but educated and cultural will have too!
—OSD

The Incompetent and Unscrupulous Political Theatre of Geoengineering: Part-3

Technology

Harshil Bhanushali

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July 11, 2021

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The Incompetent and Unscrupulous Political Theatre of Geoengineering: Part-3

In June 2021, a rather small but highly qualified group of scientists called SCoPEx [Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment] planned on sending a balloon high up in the atmosphere. The unmanned balloon that was to take flight from ‘Esrange Space center’ Sweden was a part of the First Experiment to study the effects of SAI on climate.

But even before the balloon could rise, it was shot down by the Indigenous People of Saami Council. The project was shut down based on what’s known as the World’s second most controversial experiment after nuclear power called “Geoengineering!”

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Calling for Harvard to Shut Down The SCoPEx Solar GEOENGINEERING Project [Source- Arctic Council Secretariat / Linnea Nordström]

The Historical Timeline of Climate Engineering

But why the heck is International Political groups divided on a scientific experiment? What are the literal frameworks and policies for and against it? Is it really worth it to be our ‘Plan-B’ in peril?

To answer, let us take a quick recap on Geo-engineering. The term refers to large-scale schemes for intervention in the earth’s oceans, soils, and atmosphere intending to reduce the effects of climate change, usually temporarily. Further, Geo-engineering is divided into two broad categories- Carbon Dioxide Removal/ Carbon Capture and Storage and Solar Radiation Management. You can read more about SAI and CCT in the previous article.

But even before the groundwork for SAI or CCT was laid, Civil groups all over the world had been opposing the idea of “Playing God.”
The roots of this debate are long buried in the belief of historical timeline.

1996
It all started when Scientists for Global Responsibility touched upon the issue of “Climate Engineering” at the Geneva conference.

1999
Greenpeace publishes a report on “Ocean Disposal/Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuel Production and Use” which mentioned Ocean Fertilization as a plausible solution.

2002-2006
Different aspects of Climate Engineering were pondered upon through “What Next?” to argue about the future scenario of 2050.

The Concept of Net-Zero is a Dangerous trap. [Source- whatnext.org]

2007
February: The ETC group released a report “Gambling with Gaia.”

May: Planktos company announced to deploy tonnes of iron fillings to test Ocean Fertilization theory. But Sea Shepherds condemn the plan and sends a ship to intercept the Planktos ship.

June: ETC and Greenpeace brought the topic of Ocean Fertilization to the table of the London Convention, with supporting letters from the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Activists hold protests against this Geoengineering method stating- ‘Toxic Dumping is no solution to climate change.’

November: Ocean Nourishment Corporation announces plans to dump urea in the Sulu sea, however, Philippine Civil Societies including SEARICE, WWF-Philippine, Fisher’s group mobilize to stop it while IUCN and WWF intervene through London Convention.

2008
February: At the UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD)’s 13^th Meeting, Ocean Fertilization is put on the Agenda for the first time.

October: CBD Conference of Parties Bonn demands ‘Ocean Fertilization Moratorium’ after stating that no activities be carried unless adequate scientific evidence justifies this activity.

The German Research vessel Polarstern. [Source- ALFRED WEGENER INSTITUTE]

2009
January: Indo-German company LOHAFEX plans to dump 6 tonnes of iron filings into the ocean. The project is opposed by a broad coalition of including South African, German, Indian, WWF, Greenpeace, ETC in support of TWF saying that it violates the ‘Moratorium called for by CBD.‘ Resulting, in the German Environmental Ministry canceling the project. Yet, the project continued.

March: World Social Forum in Belem, Brazil, 80 civil engineering societies release a statement that “The better world we seek is not Geo-Engineered” as LOHAFEX continues dumping iron.

April: The Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change brought 400 people from 80 countries together. The resulting signed “Anchorage Statement” to abandon Geoengineering as a ‘false solution’ and instead focus on cutting carbon emissions.

December: Civil society holds side events at the conference of parties of the United Framework Convention on Climate Change.

2010

March: SRM Governance Initiative is launched by Environmental Defence Fund.

April: The World Peoples’ Conference on Climate Change and Rights of Mother Earth in Bolivia denounces Geoengineering solutions publicly.
Hands Off Mother Earth [HOME] Campaign against open-air Geoengineering experimentation launches.

The HOME Campaign lauched. [Source- The dharma trails]

2011

June: 160 Civil Societies sign letter to International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to revaluate SRM as Plan-B.

September: UK project Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) aims to conduct SRM, but the opposition of Civil Societies through ‘Stop The Trojan Horse’ campaign forces them to abandon the project.

2012

October: ETC Group uncovers a massive Ocean Fertilization project underway and raises the alarm enforcing the CBD Moratorium.

2015

December: During the COP21 Talks in Paris, Organizations like ETC group, Biofuelwatch declare ‘Net Zero Technologies’ as ponzi scams proposed by so-called Science-Wizards and backed by Crude industrialists.

2017

March: COP10 Mandate adopted Decision X/33 stating that Ocean Fertilization techniques would not be supported on a large scale. However, experiments could be conducted on small scale after thorough justification and threat assessment on bio-diversity.

2019

February: Ice-911 project by Leslie Field, which aimed to cover vast Arctic areas with micro-silicone beads to reflect sunlight, was marked as a dangerous step by many indigenous voices.

March: An Opportunity to build on CBD Moratorium was presented by Switzerland with 11 other nations. It called for an assessment of the status of various geoengineering technologies and potential governance frameworks. An international expert group was expected to advise the Executive director and report the outcomes which would form a concrete basis for decisive actions.
But, after two weeks of intense gridlock and opposition by Oil-Rich countries, the swiss opted for withdrawal and the UNEA failed to land on an optimum decision rendering the meeting useless.

November: Geo-engineering was proposed not mandatory but one of the pathways against global temperature rise. The IPCC report implicitly stated ‘no need’ for climate engineering to cool down the planet.

The US and Saudi Arabia Block UN Efforts at Climate Geoengineering Governance. [Source- desmog.com]

2020

December: SCoPEx announced its open-air SAI experiment much to Swedish and indigenous people’s dismay.

2021

January: The HOME campaign writes an open letter to SCoPEx advisory board to re-evaluate climatic risks induced.

June: the delayed project is suspended amid the pressure on SCoPEx’s advisory board.

The Leftists and Rightists of Geoengineering

Even amidst climate change, geoengineering is not the answer. [Source- People’s World]

The aforementioned timeline is not just an ordinary 25-year discussion in brief, but it’s rather an early warning system of the disaster that is awaiting us. For decades, hundreds of Civil Engineering and Indigenous People’s societies have stressed the dire need to wake the monster rather than beating around the bush. Even though it’s known that CDR technologies have been developed and SAI models studied in detail, they proclaim these schemes as false.

“History is the Sum total of things that could have been avoided.”
– Konrad Adenauer

It’s like saying that upgrading fast modern cars with state-of-the-art sensors would guarantee that the car would never crash. That’s the most naïve thing; the Rightists need to know that to prevent wreckage you need to slam the breaks and drive on a limit.
That is why Paris Agreement was formed but High-Emission Oil-Rich countries are more perplexed about their economy. Even the 2019 IPCC report fails to challenge the global inequality related to who has been more of a culprit in this climate crisis and who should reduce emissions the most. Hence, to avoid these fundamental questions, it considers high risks pathways, which aren’t solutions and may even exacerbate climate imbalances.

SCoPEx Climate Engineering project: Innovative solution or Ethical dilemma. [Source- new security beat]

“We are now in a position where we have to make Imperfect choices with Incomplete knowledge about the world….And one of the biggest choices is what we do right now to avoid that magnitude of destruction!”

Further, StopSolarGeo.org states five main reasons to Permanently Restrict the Urgency for SRM-

Droughts, floods, changing monsoon patterns, and threats to billions of human lives. Some reports claim that messing with climate may worsen our chances of survival and even wiping out some portion of the population of the map.

The threat of Termination Shock. The scientific papers and journals suggest that once we start doing this, there’s no turning back. We won’t be able to stop it without risking a shock that would devastate the whole ecosystem.

Exacerbating Inequalities and Climate injustice. SRM is predominantly researched by white male countries whose impact would be felt first and hardest by Global south countries. The South is left without a voice and is ignored but is the group that has the most to gain or lose.

The so-called “Moral Hazard.” Leftists believe that deploying SRM would provide Fossil fuel industries and polluters false excuses. The Fossil, Silicon, and Mining industry would deceit the common public by falsifying claims and misinformation about Geoengineering. They would argue against the sudden transition to cut carbon emissions to a net-zero level. Leading them to invest in CDR and CCS methods as a means of a substitute to fight against Climate Change rather than facing the hard truth. “That’s utter nonsense, [we] need to cut the emissions completely and today!” says David Keith, one of the active voices and Professor of Geoengineering at Harvard University.

Impossible Governance and Weaponization. It is not new news that the US used cloud seeding as a weapon against Vietnam in war. Although it was very small scale, a scenario portrayed in the movie- ‘Geo-Storm’ may become a reality. And then there is the issue of governance. To date, no COP mandate has signatures of all the countries on decisions regarding SRM.

The UNFCCC and UNEA were a great place to start but the seemingly vicious games of Oil countries are hindering the sight of these bodies in decision making. But even if all were to agree, who would control the global temperature knob? Which countries would have a say and which would end up voiceless? Who would be willing to do this unilaterally and who shall be deemed responsible for the loss of another country due to climatic changes?

The whole scientific mumbo-jumbo would make sense when we have a full-proof experimentation report. But, research would not eliminate the known risks nor it would address the unknown risks, this would only be clear after full-scale deployment.
Even if the technology to deploy is developed, without going large scale we would never be able to see the whole picture.

Yet, the crux point here is that no one can guarantee that a country would not back out on its agreement and start counter-geoengineering just like the US left the Paris agreement.
The idea of controlling something like climate gives a sense of false perception that humans can fix the messes he created. It’s like fighting fire with fire! Thence, our biggest concern is “Is the Better world we seek is a Geo-Engineered one?”

“You cannot have man legislating and playing God in parliament, and at the same time believe that Lord is the only Legislator”
– Anjem Choudhary

References

Home – GeoengineeringMonitor.org
Resistance to Geoengineering: Timeline – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/resistance/
SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CALLING FOR HARVARD TO SHUT DOWN THE SCOPEX SOLAR GEOENGINEERING PROJECT – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/2021/07/sign-the-saami-councils-petition-to-stop-harvards-scopex-experiment/
Petition: Support the Indigenous peoples voices call on Harvard to shut down the SCoPEx project – https://www.saamicouncil.net/news-archive/support-the-indigenous-voices-call-on-harvard-to-shut-down-the-scopex-project
CURRENT GEOENGINEERING ATTEMPTS BRIEFING: SCOPEX 2021 – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/2021/02/current-geoengineering-attempts-briefing-scopex-2021/
Home – https://www.srmgi.org/
GEOENGINEERING IN 2019: A RECAP – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/2020/01/geoengineering-in-2019-a-recap/
WWF CONDEMNS PLANKTOS INC. IRON-SEEDING PLAN IN THE GALAPAGOS – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/2007/06/wwf-condemns-planktos-inc-iron-seeding-plan-in-the-galapagos/
100 TONNES OF IRON SULPHATE DUMPED OFF CANADA’S PACIFIC COAST – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/2012/10/100-tonnes-of-iron-sulphate-dumped-off-canadas-pacific-coast/
IRON OCEAN DUMP GREATEST RISK IS HAIDA SALMON BOOM: CRITIC – https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/2012/10/iron-ocean-dump-greatest-risk-is-haida-salmon-boom-critic/
SOLAR GEOENGINEERING: Warnings from Scientists, Indigenous Peoples and Climate Activists – https://www.facebook.com/events/880840502471819
How Dangerous Is Solar Geoengineering? | The Climate Debates – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fiBmEsenbA&t=2816s
Climate and Geoengineering – https://www.etcgroup.org/issues/climate-geoengineering
Who should govern solar geoengineering? – https://chinadialogue.net/en/climate/who-should-govern-solar-geoengineering/
Strengthening and implementing the global response IPCC Chapter-4 – https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-4/
Conference of the Parties | Twenty-third session | Bonn – https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2017/cop23/eng/l13.pdf

Animes to Watch Out in Summer 2021

Anime

Keith Kamson Fernandes

-

July 7, 2021

2

With the end of Spring 2021 Season, which gave us a quite many hit shows like Fruit Basket: The Final, VIVY and Tokyo Revengers to name a few of the massive hits .This season we got a lot of isekai shows, with about 7-8 of them airing and you could say that they might be the main highlights this season. In addition, many hit romcom mangas are getting adapted season too making it more exciting. As for the sequels, the most anticipated ones will be Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon season 2 and Tensura Season 2 Part 2. Here are the Animes to Watch Out in Summer 2021

This list is divided mainly into to parts: Sequels to watch out for and New Releases worth watching out for.

Sequels to watch out for

1. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S)

Kobayashi-san Maid Dragon is finally back with a new season after 4 years. The story will continue where it eft off last season, following the everyday life of Kobayashi, Tohru, Kanna and their friends. But also will feature a new dragon try to create on their peaceful life .

The anime will air from July 8th and will be animated by Kyoto Animations.

2. Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken 2nd Season Part 2 (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2)

We are back with the second half of Tensura Season 2. The first half of Season 1 highlighted Rimuru receiving new powers and fulfilling his promise to Veldora. The second half will continue where it left off. However in the new part, Rimuru and his comrades will have to battle Clayman.

The new part is being animated by 8bit and will start airing from July 6.

3. Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta… X (My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! X)

This is the second season of Hamefura, which for those of you who don’t know is about the villainess Katarina Claes, who is someone that was reincarnated in the otome game Fortune Lover. However, the fate of Katarina was bound by accursed destiny and which now the reincarnated Katarina must avoid at all costs, as she tackles all her death flags and changes the lives of those around her. The second season continues where it left off.

The anime is animated by SILVER LINK. and will start airing from July 3.

New Releases worth watching out for

1. Sonny Boy

This new show follows the story about 36 boys and girls who awaken supernatural abilities, when their school begins to drift through another dimension. Amidst the whirlpool of questions that comes to their mind, their survival in a supernatural world begins.

The anime is an Original by Madhouse and is being directed and written by Shingo Natsume, who has worked on shows like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and One Punch Man.

2. Vanitas no Karte (The Case Study of Vanitas)

Vanitas no Karte is a dark fantasy adventure written by Jun Mochizuki the same person behind Pandora Hearts. The story is about a young man Noe Archiviste on a ride to Paris, encounters Vanitas a vampire that claims to be able to cure vampires by using the Book of Vanitas. But behind Vanitas’s kind demeanour lies something sinister

The series is animated by Bones and begins to air from July 3.

3. Bokutachi no Remake (Remake our Life!)

This new series follows Hashiba Kyouya, a 28 year old game developer, who loses his job after the company went bankrupt and he returns back to his hometown. As he lays distressed on his bed and regrets his life, Kyouya wakes up and discovers that he has travelled 10 years back in time before he entered college. Therefore, we see how Kyouya follows does when he is given a second opportunity to follow his dreams.

Bokutachi no Remake is animated by feel. and beings to air from July 3.

4. Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom)

This is one of the many isekais this seaon. The show follows the story of Kazuya Souma, a student who was unexpectedly transported to another world to resolve the conflict with the Demon Lord. Getting more than he bargained for, Kazuya ends up becoming the king of Elfrieden and is engaged to Liscia Elfrieden, the princess. The story follows Souma, a realistic hero who gathers talented people to help him build the kingdom back to its feet, not through war or adventure but through administrative reform.

This isekai anime is made by J.C. Staff and airs from July 4.

5. Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru. (The Detective Is Already Dead)

Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru. Is a fantasy romance that follows the story about Kimizuka Kimihiko who helped a beautiful detective, Siesta during a plane hijacking. He keeps helping her solve crimes committed by top-notch criminal organization and continues to to help Siesta until her untimely death. After she dies, Kimizuka plans to returns to his normal high school life, but his plans change when he meets a girl who resembles Siesta.

Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru. Is animated by ENGI and airs from July 4.

6. Shiroi Suna no Aquatope (The Aquatope on White Sand)

The story follows Kukuru Misakino, an 18-year-old high school girl working in an aquarium, who meets Fuuka Miyazawa, a former idol who lost her place in Tokyo and escaped. Fuuka will spend her days in the aquarium with her own thoughts in mind. However, the crisis of closing is approaching for the aquarium, as the girls explore their dreams and reality, loneliness and friends, bonds and conflicts.

Shiroi Suna no Aquatope is an original by P.A. Works and is directed by Toshiya Shinohara, who is known for his works in Iroduku, Kuroshitsuji and Nagi no Asu kara. The anime airs from July 9.

7. Megami-ryou no Ryoubo-kun. (Mother of the Goddess’ Dormitory)

Megami-ryou no Ryoubo-kun. Is a harem romcom that follows the story of Nagumi Koushi is a 12-year-old boy who was abandoned by his father after their house caught on fire, leaving him to roam the streets penniless. Then one day, a girl named Minerva who finds him lying on the sidewalk, takes him to a women’s college dormitory, one known for housing troublesome residents, and asks him to be their “Dormitory Mother.” Surrounded by older women, forced to deal with their idiosyncrasies, Koushi starts his new (somewhat ecchi) life!

The anime is animated by asread. And airs from July 14.

8. Jahy-sama wa Kujikenai! (The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!)

Jahy-sama wa Kujikenai!(Jahy-sama Won't Be Discouraged!)

The story follows Jahy who was once the aide of the Demon King and second-in-command of the Dark Realm, until she ran into a magical girl who destroyed the mana crystal that protected them all and as a result, the Dark Realm falls and Jahy ends up being transported into the human realm with no powers. Now, Jahy must adjust to her new child-like body and her new life in the human world, all while trying to find mystic gems that can restore the power and allow her to return to the Dark Realm.

The anime is made by SILVER LINK. and airs from August 1.

9. Re-Main

The story follows Minato Kiyoumizu, a boy who quit playing water polo after an incident during the winter of his third year of junior high school. After entering high school, he makes a promise and decides to try water polo again and join the school’s team with his friends. However, the new team will run into problems along the way.

Re-Main is an original anime by MAPPA and is written and directed by Masafumi Nishida and Kiyoshi Matsuda who is known for Kakegurui XX. The anime starts to air from July 4.

10. Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu (Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy-)

The Story follows Makoto Misumi, an ordinary high school boy summoned to an alternate world as a brave warrior. Unfortunately, the goddess of the world said with disdain, “Your face is ugly,” stripped him of his title, and banished him to the outermost fringes of the wilderness. While wandering the wilderness, Makoto encountered dragons, spiders, orcs, dwarves, and all sorts of other non-human species. Due to differences in the environment from his home world, Makoto now exhibits extraordinary powers in magic and combat. Thus, he survives in this world while dealing with various encounters. The curtain rises on the alternate-world social reform fantasy of a boy forsaken by gods and humans.

The isekai anime is animated by C2C and starts to air from July 7.

Dates for all the Animes to Watch Out in Summer 2021

Billion Dollar Zeolites: Catalyzing the conversion of biomass to biofuel

Science

Om Desai

-

July 6, 2021

1

Billion Dollar Zeolites: Catalyzing the conversion of biomass to biofuel

Zeolites. They are microporous crystalline solids mainly containing aluminum and silicon compounds. Used in construction and building materials, animal feed, agriculture, wastewater treatment, soil remediation and in other end-user products; the Zeolite industry had a market size of nearly 30.5 billion US dollars. Expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%; this market size is projected to hit 60 billion USD mark till 2027. Zeolite are extremely porous materials. They have a high internal surface area to size ratio. Interestingly, only 10 grams of it can have an internal surface area the size of a soccer field.

Global Zeolite Market,
past and future growth
(Source: Polaris market research analysis)

Apart from such its intense use in cement, detergent and wastewater treatment industry; the cavities of zeolite are yet another property for which scientists are curious about. Zeolite cavities make them useful in catalyzing the chemical reactions and thus store and save energy in them. It is for the first time now, that a team of international researchers have made findings regarding the role of water molecules in these processes. So, let’s get a closer (rather microscopic) look at the role of water molecules to the reactions inside the zeolite’s pores; which are a few nanometers in size.

The Role of Acid

Acids generally have tendency to donate a proton. So, when they are added into the water, hydrochloric acid (HCl) splits into positively charged protons and negatively charged chloride ions. Of this, proton binds itself to the water molecule and forms a hydronium ion (H₃O⁺). Now this hydronium ion is readily looking to pass this proton further to any other molecule, say for example an organic molecule.

Statistic: Leading countries based on biofuel production in 2019 (in petajoules)* | Statista

But when such organic molecules are forced to accept a proton, it tries to stabilize itself, as most molecules would do. So, it forms a molecule with a double bond – and this is a typical step in the conversion path from biomass to biofuel. Now, zeolite plays an important role here. There are many transition states occurring before the formation of final product. Zeolite walls stabilize these transition states to minimize the total amount of energy required for the conversion to occur.

Zeolites: The acting acids

Zeolite majorly contain oxygen atoms in their crystal structure. This crystal structure of them already contains a proton in them. Like molecular acids discussed earlier (HCl), they also form hydronium ions by interacting with the water molecules. The presence of water creates a suitable ionic framework via the formation of hydrated hydronium ions (H₃O⁺); and negatively charged framework aluminum tetrahedra. However, while hydronium ions remained dispersed in the water, they also remain closely associated to the zeolite present there.

Zeolites: Prof. Lercher in his chemistry lab at
Technical University of Munich (TUM) — Prof. Lercher in his chemistry lab at
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
(Source: phys.org)

The high density of cationic and anionic pairs determined by the aluminum concentration of zeolite, induces high local ionic strength. This in turn increases the excess chemical potential of sorbed and uncharged organic reactants. Also, chemical pre-treatment can vary the number of active centers and help establish certain density of hydronium ions in the pores of zeolite.

Choosing the ideal Zeolite and Its Endless Applications

The size of cavities was varied, density of active sites was changed symmetrically and the amount of water was varied; which all gave perfect combinations of pore sizes and concentrations of water which could best catalyze the chosen reaction.

Once the perfect Zeolite is chosen to catalyze the conversion; applications are tremendous and in wide range of fields. Biomass (wood, crops, manure, garbage) in past decade has been surged as an important resource for the production of transportation fuels and chemicals. It is primarily based on biochemical transformations like fermentation to produce ethanol from sugar. The conversion of biomass like lignocellulose to biofuels and sugars to chemicals is the most versatile transformation wherein zeolites are used.

Zeolite: Typical biomass to biofuel conversion demonstration — Typical biomass to biofuel conversion demonstration
(Source: New Energy And Fuel)

The most important and obvious example is the use of zeolite catalysis in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) which counts about 45% of the global gasoline stack by converting larger hydrocarbon into gasoline range. Of particulars, other applications include, catalysts for conversion of many oxygen containing compounds, acylation, esterification, oxygenates to hydrocarbons; and many more. Of this, most well-known is conversion of methanol to gasoline (MTG) and ethanol to pyrolysis oil to hydrocarbons used in as gasolines.

Zeolites and the Energy Industry Outlook

Since the discovery of zeolite, the global energy supply has been improved drastically and this allowed production of higher gasoline products from oil than ever before. In 2020, total of 1,100,000 Tons of Zeolite mine production and deposits were reported globally. Of these productions, China, USA, Indonesia and Slovakia accounted for the most abundant deposits around the globe. Zeolites are today an integral role of every oil refinery, whether it be Reliance or Saudi Aramco or Royal Dutch Shell. And, such innovations for the conversion of biomass to biofuels have catalyzed their way for becoming integral part of future bio-refineries too.

The Perfect amalgamation of biology, ecology and engineering chemistry (Source: SpringerOpen)

Other significant advances are likely to emerge from new zeotype materials such as stannosilicates (Sn-beta) and titanosilicates (Ts-1, Ti-beta). They have already been potentially demonstrated to be highly active and selective catalysts for the conversion of carbohydrates. They are broadly liked to be applied in the biomass conversion of the future and develop a strong sustainable energy production.

Thus, tailoring of such a molecular environment around the important catalytically active sites has allowed the scientists to explore on the enhancement of reactivity and selectivity of Zeolites through never before scouted pathways.

Infographic of the billion dollar zeolite industry
(Source: thehavok.com)

How To Fine Tune The Climate Through Geoengineering: Part-2

Harshil Bhanushali

-

June 26, 2021

0

How To Fine Tune The Climate Through Geoengineering: Part-2

Mankind has always strived for Development! Development over the last few decades seemed so ambiguous to humanity that they misinterpreted it for Evolution. A Naturalist Charles Darwin is best known for his Theory of Evolution and a shotgun action-packed one-liner- “Survival of the Fittest.” That’s what a group of highly elite and politically settled men took it seriously to heart!

In the last article, a vague and fancy sci-fi term ‘Geoengineering’ was emphasized as humanity’s last resort before it’s too late for Self-Destruction. Read the previous article in case you need a quick glance at Geoengineering.

Geoengineering: A Really Horrendous and Colossal Climate Cheat-Code

Climate Change is here. However, we might have something that can buy us crucial time before an inevitable disaster. A Cheat Code to hack nature- Geoengineering!

Cirrus Cloud Seeding

The primary idea is to dissipate the formation of homogenous Cirrus clouds that block the outgoing infrared radiation (OIR), resulting in a heating cycle; Cloud Geoengineering. The support evidence for the theory came in from a Chen et al 1992 and Hartmann et al 2000 Research paper where the top-of-atmosphere global annual cloud forcing for cirrus was +2.4 W m^-2. Since Greenhouse gases trap OIR to heat the planet and clouds have the greatest impact on the atmosphere, it makes sense to target a cloud for climate engineering.

Cirrus clouds; most likeliest candidates for cloud geoengineering. — *Cirrus Clouds [Source- wikipedia]*

To further understand the process, we have to study the formation of Cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are thin streaks of clouds that are formed at an altitude of roughly 5.0 – 13.7 km above the earth’s surface. They form when the supercooled water droplets and water vapor begins to deposit on ice nuclei. An ice nucleus is typically a nucleus for crystal growth. Cirrus clouds form in two ways: homogenous and heterogeneous. In homogenous the supercooled droplets deposit on ice nuclei to begin crystal growth without the intervention of any foreign particle. This process usually requires around -35°C and a humidity level of 150%.

Whereas in Heterogeneous, the intervention of foreign particles leads them to act as ice nuclei so the process can occur at -10°C. Heterogenous clouds form heavy ice crystals due to more affinity between fine dust and water, therefore, widening the gap between each subsequent crystal. This gap lets the OIR escape to space, hence the cooling effect!

Decrease in temperature due to cloud seeding effects. — Mean annual temperature and precipitation anomalies normalized by their respective standard deviations. The lines connect regions in unseeded (1.5CO₂, circles) and seeded climate simulations (SEED, diamonds) to provide a qualitative impression of the climatic shifts induced by seeding. [Source- Blaž Gasparini et al 2020 Environ. Res. Lett. 15 054002]

That’s what the researchers are trying to accomplish, the prevention of homogenous nucleation by Geoengineering. By seeding the upper troposphere with efficient foreign ice nuclei would prevent the freezing of many ice droplets and instead crystals would grow on the artificial nuclei. At higher saturation and lower temperatures, homogenous is more dominant.

But at temperatures around -20° to -10°C hetero would take over, so if somehow a right number of efficient ice nuclei were to be introduced in these cold temperatures, it would completely dominate over homo resulting in larger ice crystals. The Negative Twomey effect would reduce the concentration of ice crystals by 10 times dissipating the cirrus clouds, hence nullifying the Greenhouse effect.

Urlike Lohmann's cirrus cloud studying experiment. — Experimental setup of the HoloBalloon platform consisting of a tethered balloon system and the instrument package. [Source- Ramelli, Fabiola & Beck, Alexander & Henneberger, Jan & Lohmann, Ulrike. (2020). 13. 925-939. 10.5194/amt-13-925-2020.]

Researcher Urlike Lohmann proposed to use Sahara dust that can be sprayed using aircraft. She is sure that the dust of the Sahara Desert is the likeliest candidate because we know it won’t do much harm to the ecosystem. Another likely candidate is BiI₃ (Bismuth Tri-Iodide) which costs around 1/12 of AgI and is proven to work in the Cirrus Geoengineering model.
[David L Mitchell and William Finnegan 2009 Environ. Res. Lett. 4 045102]

But a small-scale test of Cloud -Geoengineering would be lost among the noise of natural variability of the clouds. Hence, a need for large-scale experimentation is needed to confirm the success of this experiment.

Meanwhile, a group of Geoengineering pioneers is working on a strategy to brighten the clouds so that more sunlight would be reflected and less radiation would be absorbed in the first place.

Marine Cloud Brightening

Pollutions trails left by ship viewed from a satellite brightening clouds. — *The pollution trails left by ships on the ocean naturally brighten the clouds above (Credit: Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center)*

In the 1970s when Emeritus Professor Stephen Salter was working on waves and tidal power, British atmospheric scientists John Latham and Sean Twomey contacted the Professor about the brightening effects of clouds. While some clouds seemed very white, Sean Twomey observed that some appeared gray while thunder clouds almost appeared black. He made these observations when he noticed the pollution trails left by ships.

The trails were the same as the ones left by airplanes. John Latham noticed that pollution particles left condensation nuclei for water to congregate upon. Since the pollutants were relatively small in size than natural particles, they formed more and more small water droplets; and the smaller the droplets, the whiter the cloud, the more reflective it is.

Twomey began to ponder over the factors that affected the optical density of clouds and came up with an ingeniously mindblowing equation called the Twomey Effect.

Twomey effects governing the whole theory of climate engineering and cloud seeding. — Twomey effect equation; Where Z = Cloud depth meters, L = Liquid water content gm/m³, N = Cloud Condensation nuclei /cm³and A = albedo or cloud brightness /Reflectivity. [Source- Marine cloud brightening | Prof. Stephen Salter | TEDxHeriotWattUniversity]

Carefully examining the equation and relationship between all the factors, it is clear that an increase in the number of condensation nuclei increased the reflectivity for a constant amount of liquid water. John proposed the idea of artificially brightening marine stratocumulus clouds, the type of Geoengineering he believed would work and counteract global temperature rise. He said that the effect could be mimicked by benign, natural particles such as sea salt. The plan was insanely simple to design a spraying system that could spray billions of these particles high in the air through sea routes.

Salter was asked to design an unmanned ship-like vehicle that would spray around 10 m³ of 0.8-micron salt every second in a fine mist towards the cloud layer. Therefore, he designed an unmanned, computer-controlled hydro-foil ship that would do the work.

Design plan of Salter's unmanned hydro-foil ship. — *Hydro-Foil ship design by Stephen Salter. [Source- Marine cloud brightening | Prof. Stephen Salter | TEDxHeriotWattUniversity]*

“Spraying up to 10 cubic meters/sec would undo all the damage we have caused to the world,” says Salter and it would cost less than it costs to host the annual UN climate conference which is around $100-$200 million every year. He claims that 300 of his autonomous fleet could make the global average temperature drop by around 1.5°C. However, their experiment was not approved for testing amid the controversies about the negative consequences of the geoengineering experiment.

A design prototype rendering of the hydro-foil ship. — *Autonomous unmanned ship designed by Stephen Salter. [Source- James MacNeill]*

Thus, scientists are worried that these kinds of wizardry would be kept as a last resort if things would start to go south. At that desperate time, implementing these kinds of tricks without studying their negatives would result in dire repercussions. Earth Friendly community cites that they would only consider doing Geoengineering if they are sure they could stop any time without it coming back to bite at us.

The Science is unambiguous; existing technologies are not enough to help us reach the finish line. It’s probably only a matter of time until radical Geoengineering comes into play. We have the technology to hack the planet! But do we have the wisdom?
R.D.X

44th AGM of Reliance Industries Limited: Deep Insight Into RIL’s Dominating Future

World

Om Desai

-

June 25, 2021

1

44th AGM of Reliance Industries Limited: Deep Insight Into RIL’s Dominating Future

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). A name with motto, ‘Growth is Life’. RIL had its 44^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday and kept entire nation astonished and bewildered with its reports, stats and future plannings. With rock solid frameworks and key important policies, RIL truly thrives to ‘grow in life’. Here are some of the key takeaways from the AGM, which could potentially change the scenario in almost all the sectors of the business.

Reliance Foundation and COVID-care

While pandemic hit the nation hard, RIL foundation prioritized the work which could help the nation and people in difficult times. 5 Missions were launched:

Mission Oxygen – Jamnagar refinery was repurposed to produce high-purity industry grade oxygen and within 2 weeks; production was 1100 Metric tonnes per day. With 85,000 man-hours of work in less than 10 days, Reliance is producing over 11% of India’s oxygen. Procurement of 100 new medical tankers were done from both, within the India and from countries like Germany, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Indonesia, Belgium and Thailand. RIL delivered what mattered the most, when it mattered the most!

Mission COVID Infra – Started with 250 beds facility in Mumbai, now has over 2000 beds for COVID care across the nation. Also launched COVID testing lab with capacity of over 15,000 tests per day.
Mission Anna Seva – Provided more than 7.5 crore free meals to marginalized communities, daily-wage workers, and frontline workers across the country.
Mission Employee Care – No jobs, No salaries and No bonuses were cut. All medical expenses were fully paid. To the employees who were succumbed to death, Reliance continues to pay Employee’s salary to family for next 5 years. Alongwith, finance their children for education in India till graduation and continue full medical coverage for lifetime.
Mission Vaccine Suraksha – Set up 116 vaccine centers across 109 cities and via JioHealthHub platform, slots can be booked and certificates can be downloaded at ease.

Business and Financial Performance

Consolidated revenue of nearly Rs. 540,000 crores, mostly contributed from consumer businesses. Interestingly, the consumer business Reliance Retail is a decade old and Jio is just 5 years old. Net profit this year was Rs. 53,739 crores with gain of nearly 34% from past year.

Reliance Industries Net revenues — Q4FY21
EBITDA – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
(Source: indmoney)

Reliance added 75,000 new jobs in the market amidst the pandemic when people were losing their jobs. This was largely due to Retail and Jio business. Retail is the undisputed leader in organized retailing in country and with scale of more than 6x from its next competitor.

Also, the deal between Saudi Aramco which was halted a bit, may formalised in expeditious manner by the end of this year. In exploration and production (E&P) business, till 2023, Reliance aims to establish itself as one of the largest producers of gas in India by meeting 20% of India’s demand.

Later, H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan who is chairman of Saudi Aramco, joined the board of RIL as an independent director.

New Energy Business: Vision, Mission and Implementation Plan

With vision to create next big value creation engine for Reliance and India, and commitment to become net carbon zero till 2035; RIL presented its roadmap for implementing this vision.

Reliance new energy business
(Source: thehavok)

While JIO as launched with aim of bringing digital divide in India, RIL launched its new energy business with the aim to bring the green energy divide in India and globally. RIL established Reliance New Energy Council with some of the finest minds across the globe. Reliance is creating a coalition of partnerships with leading global universities, best technology companies and most promising start-ups in America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

RIL announced Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex on 5,000 acres in Jamnagar.

“Jamnagar was the cradle of our old energy business, Jamnagar will also be cradle of our new energy business”, Mukesh Ambani. Over next 3 years, RIL will invest Rs. 60,000 crores to create and offer a fully integrated, end-to-end renewables energy ecosystem. This will be done by establishing 4 new giga factories,

Integrated solar photovoltaic module for production of solar energy
Advanced energy storage battery factory for storage of intermittent energy
Electrolyser factory to produce green hydrogen
Fuel Cell factory to convert hydrogen into motive and stationary power

For other purposes, additional Rs. 15,000 crores will be invested in value chain, partnerships and future technologies. Thus, our overall initial investment from RIL’s resources in the New Energy business will be Rs. 75,000 (over $10 billion) crore in 3 years.

new energy business reliance — The Sustainable Roadmap of company
(Source: thehavok)

Further, two additional divisions will be built to strengthen this ecosystem. First, a dedicated Renewable Energy Project Management and Construction Division. Second, a dedicated Renewable Energy Project Finance Division.

Apart from these, India’s first world-scale CARBON fibre plant, new materials and green chemicals, and what not; all will be coming under the roof of Reliance and its varied sectors to contribute for company’s multi-decade growth plan.

Reliance JIO

Reliance JIO became first operator outside China to cross 400 million mobile subscribers. And is today the world’s second largest mobile data carrier, handling monthly traffic of over 630 crore GIGABYTES. With investment of Rs. 57,123 crore in acquiring additional spectrum and a growth of nearly 45% in past year alone, JIO has been continued as a digital lifeline to Indians amid social distancing and pandemic.

jio phone next reliance — JioPhone Next
(Source: thehavok)

On the path of making India “2G-Mukt” and “4G-Yukt”, Google and JIO are co-developing a next generation, feature rich and extremely affordable smartphone, JIOPHONE Next; expected in September this year. And after Sundar Pichai’s speech, it was confirmed that, JIO will use Google’s cloud services to power JIO’s 5G solutions.

Apart from Google, RIL confirms partnership with Facebook for integrating WhatsApp and JioMart on trial basis. And partnership with Microsoft for initial 10 MW capacity of JIO-Azure Cloud Data centres.

Reliance Retail

With 1500 new stores, it now has total of 12,711 stores and maintains & strengthens Reliance Retail’s leadership position. Electronics, Apparels, Grocery, lifestyle products, etc, etc… Retail not only supplied necessary goods, not only protected jobs; but also created 65,000 new jobs across the country.

Apart from this, RIL’s media business Network18 also surged with profits and value creation was also done immensely. Reliance has the capacity to administer investments of over USD 200 billion directly and through its partners.

“Post COVID, India will emerge stronger. It will be a Better India, a Resurgent India, a more Equal India, and a far more Self-Confident India”, Mukesh Ambani. Reliance thus, not only aims and does a vertical growth; but also more impotently a horizontal growth across various sectors and climbs new summits of success in onward journey.

Oil is in No Hurry to Disappear from Our Lives! Here’s Why

Umakant Bohara

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June 23, 2021

1

Oil is in No Hurry to Disappear from Our Lives! Here’s Why

Our World is Dictated by the Need to Control Oil.

Oil is the most essential reservoir of energy on this planet.
The lifeline of industrialized countries, often the antecedent of conflicts. It has induced several economies to slip record low numbers, it has also built glowing sky scrapper in sands and deserts.

The importance of petroleum in the transportation and industrial sector is apprehended by one and all, but what’s startling is the very existence of oil-based products in our everyday objects and that they wouldn’t have existed had it not been for oil.

Every time you blow a bubble gum, you should be grateful to oil deposits on Earth, the chewing gum that we keep swinging in the jaws, now and then includes petroleum. Toothpaste, deodorant, lipsticks, perfumes, contact lenses and even dentures have some petroleum-based product in them.

Everyday Uses - Colorado Oil and Gas Association — All these everyday objects depend on crude oil not only as fuel but also as a component in their manufacturing process. Image: COGA

We are surrounded, in a literal sense, by the objects that need oil for their manufacturing. Tech giants like Amazon, Google and Microsoft have joined the race and are hauling up with the fossil fuel industries with a common aim to extract as much oil and gas as conceivable from the fields.

How did the oil manage to Run Our World?

Our subjection to oil dates back to the earliest known era, remains of ancient civilizations were explored to discover that petroleum-based products were used as means for several essential activities. Mesopotamians used it in Ornaments, the Babylonians used it in the waterproofing of boats, to bind mummies in Egypt and the ancient Greeks used it as fuel for lamps.

The modern oil industry was born in the mid 19th century, with the contributions of Scottish chemist James Young, who noticed a black liquid seeping from the ceiling of a coal mine, this was crude oil which he distilled and made it suitable for an oil lamp, also a thicker oil to lubricate machines in 1848. James Youg is arguably the father of the Petrochemical Industry, further, he partnered with Edward William, a geologist to come up with the world’s first commercial refinery. Drilling sites and oil wells were explored in all continents and refineries were set up with a modern touch of engineering applications.

Oil Dominance of the West and its Solution

Later in the century, the US experienced the rush for Black Gold, America became the largest producer of oil. Then in the 20th century, oil consumption was on an exponential rise, owing to the rise of the automobile industry, reconversion of ship engines and aeronautics growth.

The most crucial period in the oil’s tale came in 1908 when a British company discovered oil in Persia, present-day Iran. This was the first discovery in west Asia and it set a surge of research and removal, it became a checkpoint in their history of colonial rule and the world.

An oil field in a mid desert place in the middle east. — Oil fields in the middle east nations are the petroleum hubs of the world, these nations have been into wars for oil with several nations. Oil is again the reason for the prosperity of these nations. Image: Shares

Oil fields in the middle east, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and United Arab Emirates in the 1940s. With each oil field, new companies were set up and were backed by the west hoping to secure authorisations and each seeking to restrict the price. Arab Nations established a body to end the intervention of western nations in the oil business and achieve fair and secure oil prices. They called it the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in a founding conference in Baghdad in 1960.

Oil Shocks and the Markets

Over the years more oil-rich nations became members and hence strengthening through unity and dominance made it an extraordinary success. OPEC placed a restraint on the US and its allies who backed Israel in the War that took place in the 1970s. Oil prices quadrupled from $3/Barrel to $12/Barrel, which was the first oil shock.

Mentioning the second oil shock, China holds the culprit label, as it was in 2020 when the world was preparing and fighting the Wuhan Virus, which is reportedly linked with China’s Virology Laboratory at Wuhan. Oil prices reached a record low of -38$ a barrel in April 2020, although other factors were the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Air travels were halted, electricity demands declined, countries were shut down, vehicles were not allowed to move and whatnot, the year 2020 saw a rock bottom drop in oil consumption.

In 2020 oil lost its sheen as Liquid Gold, and now in 2021 some say that the end of oil is near, is it?

Well not really! The oil industry is in an existential crisis, the world is aggressively exploring green alternatives, even adopting a few, but oil will remain a major global energy source for decades to come. The global oil demand is still 92.8 Million barrels a day, nearly 4.8 billion cars are on the roads and just 4.8 million electric vehicles in use.

If 100% of vehicles sold were electric, starting today, it will still take 25 years to replace the entire combustion vehicle fleet.

This means we might not experience an overnight change. Oil is not just used as fuels almost all the industries work on products that cannot be manufactured without crude oil. A long list of products like beds, cameras, computers, cars, detergents, furniture, pesticides, golf balls, plastic wraps, tyres, and even electric vehicles.

EVs are seen as the renewable energy sectors succes but, the fact is we are not in a position to completely give up Crude oil. Image : Marketfeed

You may not need an oil change for EVs but you may still need crude oil-based lubricants, motors and fluids to run them.

The demand for oil will plateau and not decline as claimed by various studies now seems true.

The standalone fact here is, the transportation revolution will transform the oil market and can’t lead to its collapse, hence oil is not disappearing from our lives in a hurry!

Electricity Generation and Water: A Wondrous Match

Umakant Bohara

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June 16, 2021

2

Electricity Generation and Water: A Wondrous Match

Turn the pages of Energy Generation history and you might end up reading about how water has been playing a pivotal role in power generation for the last few decades. Even today dams have proven to be major contributors to electricity generation, among others. Water is taken to heights and made to flow through the tunnels and turn the turbine shafts, this is what hydroelectricity sounds like. Now view water from the perspective of chemists, we see water’s constituent elements, polar nature, and its ability to dissolve compounds and change their identity; Water is the greatest of all solvents.

Dam That's Big: The True Scale of the World's Largest Dams - YouTube — We have hundreds of Dam around the world to block water for various needs, one of which is electricity generation. However, water is an excellent solvent that dissolves salts in different quantities. This quality of water has to be explored using the concepts of electrochemistry. Image: YT

New Superpower of Water: The Blue Energy

Different salts dissolve in water in distinct concentrations, and this ability of water makes it fit for electricity generation in a way that has been pondered upon for years now. Generating energy from the variation in salt concentration between seawater and river water seems like magic, yet it certainly operates! Blue energy, as this rather rare form of sustainable energy is generally known, has enormous potential. In conjecture, an ordinary river could generate as much blue power as a hydropower plant producing power using water at 142 meters in altitude!

Diego Pintossi has uncovered new methods of perception and solving the obstacle of dirt sealing up the layers used in producing blue energy. He had defended his thesis recently at TU/e.

Blue energy employs a technology recognised as reverse electrodialysis (RED) in which the positively and negatively charged salt ions existing in river and seawater move into layers called ion exchange membranes. This passage of charge produces electrical energy.

The whole method is based on the concept that seawater has loads of salt and river water very limited. We can utilise the inequalities in salt concentrations among the liquids to produce electricity. Reverse electrodialysis, as the name hints, uses the same method as electrodialysis, a technology generally used to purify or desalinate water, but in the reversed order.

Stacking up the Energy; Similar to a Fuel Cell

The mixing of water streams comprising separate salt concentrations is a spontaneous process due to entropy. Conceive it as nature spontaneously attempting to create a state of equilibrium, as explained by researcher Diego Pintossi, who is a member of the Membrane Materials and Processes group of professor Kitty Nijmeijer.

By installing membranes within the two streams, you can choose which salt ions are transferred between the solutions. In this instance, we use two layers: one membrane carries negatively charged chloride anions (Cl-) and the other transfer positively charged sodium cations (Na+). The films are placed in piles, merely as in fuel cells, so that the specific voltage differences can be linked to produce enough electricity.

Blue energy project for the generation of electricity using water having dissolved salts. — Image of blue energy project test being carried out at Afsluitdijk. Image: Redstack

Blue energy is renewable and less sensitive to daily inconstancies as in solar and wind, but the expense of layers has so greatly held up extensive adoption of the technology. Nevertheless, in recent years, there have been some compelling additions in the field. In 2014, the world’s first demo pilot (50 kW) was propelled at the Afsluitdijk utilising water from the (brackish) Waddenzee and the (freshwater) IJsselmeer.

A Coating of Zwitterions to Eliminate Fouling

Apparently, recognising the root of the fouling problem is not running to solve it. The researcher accordingly also generated two successful chemical paths that transform the membrane exterior, to give it more resistance to fouling. Both use a unique film based on so-called zwitterions.

Zwitterions are molecules that carry an equal number of positively and negatively charged entities. As a result, they serve to make the layers in the RED cell more hydrophilic; in other terms, they are more attracted to water. This not only limits the origin of the start of fouling, but it also checks its extension as claimed by Pintossi.

In summary, this research is a significant move towards the wide-scale implementation of blue energy as a sustainable, renewable energy source.

Space Tourism: On Adventurous Joyride of $805 billion industry

Om Desai

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June 14, 2021

0

Space Tourism: On Adventurous Joyride of $805 billion industry

Space exploration. Ok. This is one immensely colossal thing for which every Astro-enthusiast is curious about. But one thing for which, everyone is curious about, is Space Tourism. Ever since the first space tourist, Dennis Anthony Tito spent $20 million for spending 7 days 22 hours and 4 minutes in space orbiting earth for 128 times; the hype for space tourism has surged dramatically. To this, in past week Jeff Bezos promulgated that he and his brother Mark alongwith a triumpher of online auction will peregrinate on first crewed flight of Blue Origin’s New Shephard scheduled on July 20. New Shephard is an autonomous sub-orbital rocket designed for a joyride into the space and a soothing experience of weightlessness.

Space Tourism: Jeff Bezos announcing blue origin's next mission — Space Tourism: Jeff Bezos announcing
blue origin’s next mission
(Source: The Telegraph)

Another major investor is Richard Branson with its Virgin Galactic, which is the only publicly listed space conveyance company. It already has 600 registrations so far and plans to fly to sub-orbital space with its rocket, just as Blue Origin. With first batch of tickets sold at $250,000 – $50,000 for each minute of weightlessness; Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio are some the ultra-opulent registrations listed for the flight.

And then there is Elon Musk, with its eminent space company, SpaceX. Solely intrigued with giving joyride to deep-pocket space tourists, company plans to take a Japanese billionaire around the moon by 2023.

With “Tourism” industry flourishing high up there in space, “space hotels” are the next sizably voluminous thing you require. I mean, after experiencing weightlessness and bewildered with the space resplendence, you require to repose; right? Few firms like Axiom Space are orchestrating “space hotels”. Estimated to launch its first part by 2024, this $2 billion Ax Station will be first of its kind “commercial space station”.

Axiom space ; space tourism — Source: Axiom Space

And for those who are spending hefty sums to get into space, will conspicuously demand luxury living up there even! No worries. Orbital Assembly Corporation is all set to open a luxury space hotel, Voyager station by 2027. It can accommodate 280 guests and 112 crew members upon prosperous launch.

Voyager: space Tourism — (Source: HyperBeast)

How the space tourism industry is actually doing?

According to Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), by 2030 space tourism will be a $3 billion dollar market and space industry as a whole will be growing with $805 billion market. This numbers also majorly depend on exactly what the passengers want to opt for. Meaning, the cost of flight really depends on weather you reach sub-orbital or orbital space, time spent up there and most importantly; what are the company’s capabilities to offer such journeys. Currently, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set for orbital journeys and Virgin Galactic would spend only 0.04 % as much time in space as on a trip managed by SpaceX.

Based on recent reports on market cap of the industry given by Northern Sky Research, sub-orbital tourism will be gaining total revenue of $10.4 billion over the next decade. Concurrently, orbital tourism would be having $55.9 million. Thus, approximately till 2028, sub-orbital and orbital tourism will achieve $2.8 billion and $610 million market cap respectively; mostly invested and spent by ultra- and uber-affluent citizens across the globe.

But after these harsh times of corona virus pandemic, space tourism industry mostly remains a financial burden. Reportedly, Virgin Galactic claimed annual losses of $273 million in 2020 and revenue of just $238,000. Also in Q1 2021, it posted an adjusted operating loss of $55.9 million. Similarly, Nevada based space technology company, Bigelow Aerospace which was planning a pod module that inflates in orbit of commercial space habitats had to lay-off all of its workforce after huge losses.

The Real Picture of Space Tourism

In this ever-ending “space race”, already led by private ventures, the genuine question is:

Whether space tourism with such a niche market of accommodating only the uber-rich can ever be remuneratively lucrative?

Whether civilians will genuinely understand and overcome the life-threatening challenges of space travel?

With all this in mind, SpaceX is orchestrating for “Inspiration4”, which will be the world’s first all-civilian mission to space. It will utilize Crew Dragon Resilience capsule with founder and CEO of Shift4Payments, Jared Issacman as commander.

Intriguingly, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes private space companies and space tourists to a kind of reimburse US regime afore the launch. And, FAA expeditiously and shrewdly defies space tourists as “space flight participants” and not “astronauts”, which is because, if they aren’t “astronauts”; government isn’t bound to rescue them. (From BloombergQuicktake)

So-called “Outer Space Treaty” focuses only on national governments and not on private companies or individuals. “Law of land” doesn’t apply up there! In case, if anything goes erroneous then who would be sued?

Concurrently, there subsists ethical dilemmas, of which the most germane to space tourism is, if capsule or the luxury space hotel runs out of oxygen, who would have first right on remaining oxygen? You visually perceive! Everyone has equal right on oxygen on Earth. But not in Space, my friend…

Space Race for Space Tourism
(Source: The New York Times)

The race has commenced. Competition is, who sends tourists into the upper atmosphere and how far? But for the sector to boost up, solutions to many challenges needs to be ascertained.

Geoengineering: A Really Horrendous and Colossal Climate Cheat Code

Harshil Bhanushali

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June 9, 2021

2

Geoengineering: A Really Horrendous and Colossal Climate Cheat Code

Humanity has been on a war with Nature since the era of Industrialization. Now, the threat of Climate Change looms over civilization as a Sword hung on strands of rope. Our current precarious scenario seems to haze the facts that are lying in front of us. While the strands appear to lose the forces that clutch them.

However, we might have something that can buy us crucial time before the inevitable disaster. A Cheat Code to hack nature- Geoengineering!

What Exactly is Geo-Engineering?

The growing years have made it clear that we won’t be shifting anytime soon from fossil fuels. But, Geo-engineering may buy us some time before we can start the ‘Great Transition.’

Transition from Fossil fuels to clean energy. [Source- NYtimes]

Geo-engineering typically encompasses two very different conceptions: First is Carbon Capture, sucking CO₂ out of the air so that less heat is trapped. The second is blocking excess sunlight from entering the atmosphere, so less heat is absorbed in the first place. The first one is known as “Carbon Removal” or “Negative Carbon Emissions.” Modern researchers tend to differentiate between the two aforementioned terms. And the second one is probably known as Solar-Geo-engineering.

Carbon Capture Technology could help us but it’s still not plausible. [Source- Vox]

It refers to planetary-scale technology to counteract the global rise in temperature. There are many technologies proposed under this blanket term like seeding clouds with reflective particles, dissipating heat-trapping clouds, or scatter sunlight in the stratosphere.

The origins of Geo-engineering came up in 1965 when the scientific advisory committee to President Lyndon Johnson mentioned the need to inject reflective particles to offset the sunlight. But the best plausible solution in solar geo-engineering is ‘Stratosphere Aerosol Injection.’

Stratosphere Aerosol Injection

The underlying technology behind this terminology is scattering sunlight in the stratosphere so less heat is absorbed. The idea seemed far-fetched until 1991 when nature demonstrated the practical aspect of this experiment.

The 1991 Mount Pinatubo Volcanic Eruption. It was the second-largest eruption of the 20^th century that spewed out large amounts of materials and killed over 900 people. But, scientists noticed the dramatic effects of this tragedy on climate. The eruption spewed roughly 42 to 234 Mt of CO2 and 15 to 19 Mt of SO₂. The eruption was so massive that the cloud reached as high as the stratosphere (around 12-20 km) and the particulates stayed there.

The SO₂ ejected into the stratosphere formed a slight haze of gaseous sulfuric acid clouds. And that thin veil of sulfuric acid blanket covered the entire stratosphere reducing global average temperatures by 0.5°C. It took 3 years until this cooling effect subsided, which inspired scientists to think that they could perform such a feat artificially.

Mount Pinatubo Volcanic Eruption provided first evidences in support of Geo-engineering. [Source- MIT]

What makes it more interesting is that we can do this experiment with the current technology we possess. Although many researchers argued the ways to spray aerosol particles in the stratosphere. The aircraft-based delivery system seems to be the most probable and efficient solution. Many engineers said that it’s possible to use cargo planes or even fighter jets, a study published by Wake Smith and Gernot Wagner mentioned the opposite. They highlighted in the paper that current cargo airplanes cannot fly at such a high 20km altitude, nor the fighter jets that can fly at this altitude can sustain it long enough.

They proposed a specially designed aircraft called ‘SAIL’ (Stratospheric Aerosol Injection Lofter). The cost of making a modified aircraft was hinted at around $2.1 to $5.6 billion. The fleet would grow to start with 8 aircraft in the first year to 95 in year-15. The model assumed cutting the rate of temperature change by half from the first-year forward. The amount of SO₂ to be spewed is estimated at roughly 0.1 Mt S yr^-1 with an increase of 0.1 Mt S yr^-1. Though many studies showed that ideal amounts would be 5-8 Mt yr^-1staying constant around that figure. Finally, the overall cost of the large-scale experiment is estimated to be around $2.24 billion per year.

A unique way to perform Solar Geoengineering — Performing Solar Geo-engineering SAI by using Aircraft. [Source- MIT]

However, when you mess with such a huge complicated system termed ‘Climate’, no variable can estimate the probability of success of this experiment.

Should We Be Doing Geo-engineering?

We have been a silent witness to one of the most treacherous experiments in humanity- CO₂ Geo-engineering. For the past 3 decades, humans have been running a rather horrible experiment to see how fast Climate changes if we add approx. 40 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year. Though it would be idiotic to say and point out this fact.

A professor at Harvard University David Keith has been studying Geo-engineering for the past 20 years and mentions that more research is needed to amplify the consequences of this hack. Until unless we conduct a large-scale experiment we might never be able to confirm the theoretics of the predicted model.

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An independent study on the effects of SO₂ injection landed on the conclusion that we might end up on the wrong path. They mentioned that releasing such an amount of SO₂ would heat up the stratosphere not the earth more profoundly. Creating a veil of acid could increase the chances of acid rain and acidify oceans more than ever. The drop in temperature would affect rainfall and wind patterns across the globe. The SO₂ would penetrate the ozone layer more than ever.

An Illustration of Greenhouse Effect. [Source- sciencenewsforstudents]

However, once we start to pump the aerosols into the atmosphere we might be forced to do so for a long time, otherwise, we would have to face a “Termination Shock.” After 30 years, when we decide to cease the Geo-engineering venture, the natural cycle would take over again. But this time the heated stratosphere would push the temperature catastrophically above par. The temperature would skyrocket by 2-4 k. An increase that would take 50 years naturally would just take 10 years. Such a severe shock would disrupt all the natural ecosystems providing them no window to adapt.

Highlighting the Controversies

An environmentalist, Dru Jay, says, “You have one planet and you are risking the whole planet for that experiment.” On the contrary, David Keith adds that “Doing Geo-engineering has risks but not doing it has even more risks.” The climate change problem isn’t gonna go away even if we cut our emissions by zero in the next decade or so. Even if we are to perform such an experiment we need the governments of all countries on board. But a substantial quandary is ‘Whose hand is gonna be at the knob?’. Every political leader has that aspiration to assume the God-Like Mantle. Then how would the community address this political enigma?

We need to wake up and Act, not just sit and react! [Source- Canterbury Bid]

Kristine Tomkins a Conservationist says “I don’t believe that technology is some sort of technofix that will fix the technology [Industrialization] that got us here in the first place.” So, what does this mean to our approach towards Climate Change? Is it better to leave things alone, or should we intervene in something beyond our limit? Is it too late to start? “I guess we will never know if we don’t start something and sometime soon!“

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References:

Sources of Geo-engineering: https://sites.google.com/view/sourcesgeoengineering
MIT Technological review on Geo-engineering: https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/08/09/615/what-is-geoengineering-and-why-should-you-care-climate-change-harvard/
Mount Pinatubo Eruption: https://pubs.usgs.gov/pinatubo/self/
Facts of Mount Pinatubo: https://web.archive.org/web/20100120022421/http://www.tetontectonics.org/Climate/SO2InitiatesClimateChange.pdf
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2009GL039209
Costs of SAI: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aae98d/pdf
Fine-Tuning Climate | DW Documentary: https://youtu.be/b1Enrzgrl1w
Geo-engineering | Kurzgesagt: https://youtu.be/dSu5sXmsur4

Daymak Spiritus: World’s First Cryptocurrency Mining Electric Vehicle – From Dogecoin to Bitcoin

Om Desai

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June 4, 2021

1

Daymak Spiritus: World’s First Cryptocurrency Mining Electric Vehicle – From Dogecoin to Bitcoin

Bitcoins, Dogecoins and other cryptocurrencies, the most trending earning platforms for the incipient generation. A time-consuming work to earn them, is to mine them. This includes gaining cryptocurrencies via solving involute cryptographic equations by the utilization of computers. Daymak Spiritus, is recently developed, world’s first electric car; that can mine cryptocurrencies, from Bitcoins to Dogecoin. And this too with a facileness, while it’s been parked under the shade or at the garage of your house.

The Company

Daymak Inc. is a pioneer in personal Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs), founded in 2002, Toronto. It has world-class distribution network of over 150 dealers across the globe and has sold over 100,000 conveyances. It is well apperceived for its outstanding designs and innovative conceptions; some of which include world’s first plenary wireless e-bike and Canada’s first solar-powered off-road e-bike.

Well, coming to the cryptocurrency mining EV model, Spiritus; was promulgated on June 1st, 2021. It will include Nebula, which is a patent-pending comprehensive cryptocurrency infrastructure of the company. This involves Nebula miner and Nebula wallet for the cryptocurrency utility and utilization. This will become the first car in history to have equipped with mining hardware and cryptocurrency technology programmed to the utilizer interface.

A circadian driving car, which is emission-free and engendering power even from solar-energy, makes Spiritus an environment amicable crypto miner node. This is an unprecedented milestone achieved in the expeditious magnification of blockchain technologies.

The Daymak Avvenire

The cryptocurrency mining EV model Spiritus, will be offered in the Daymak Avvenire series. This is the most advanced engineered line-up of LEVs on the market and has already surpassed $350 million in pre-order within 60 days. This Avvenire series features the LEVs of tomorrow, where there will be array of technology systems seamlessly integrated to one another and giving sheer accommodation to the driver.

Daymak Spiritus: World's first
cryptocurrency mining Electric Vehicle — The Avvenire series:
Seems Fictional, but totally mind-blowing driving machines
(image: YouTube Introducing Daymak Avvenire)

This comprehensive line-up of ground-breaking persona mobile conveyances; includes everything, from electric cars to electric flying conveyances. This all is set to engenderment from 2022. Spiritus is the 5th model in Avvenire series and will be launching in 2023. It has been champion in disruptive technologies and sighting the current cryptographic kineticism, by Spiritus release date in 2023, we will be in the midst of the blockchain revolution.

The Daymak Spiritus

“The Spiritus car is for those who want more in life, and we are committed to putting our customers ahead of the curve”, stated Aldo Baiocchi, President of Daymak. Spiritus is a 3-wheel 2-seat EV which handles like a Go-cart. It can engender expedition like never afore and can procure 0-100 Kmph in just 1.8 seconds.

Spiritus cars will come with Nebula miner, which can literally make mazuma while parked. Spiritus cars will come standard with industry-leading GPU in mining price-to-profit. Whenever the LEV is parked under the Daymak Ondata wireless charging pad (again patented by Daymak Inc.) or parked and plugged-in; it assures to be making mazuma for its owner.

While most cars depreciate parked in the garage, Spiritus will be mining Bitcoins and Dogecoins and cryptocurrencies through Nebula miner. The profits amassed would be stored in the Nebula wallet and can be further utilized and transacted via it. This will become the all-in-one solution for daily cryptographic needs which will be highly secured into the Spiritus utilizer interface itself. From the moment customers buys the car till it is driven to the destination where the cryptocurrency is accepted, Spiritus and crypto will go hand-in-hand.

Withal, for battery enthusiasts, Avvenire series will utilize IoniX Pro Lithium-Ion AI batteries. This will be powered by artificial perspicacity and machine learning which can perpetually amend efficiency and efficacy of the batteries. “The battery systems are equipped with patented battery management systems (BMS) that provide in-depth analytics at the modular level, which is incredible,” Robert Abenante, IoniX Pro Chief Innovation Officer (CINO).

Rendering of the Proposed Smart Charger of
IoniX Pro Li-Ion AI Batteries used in Spiritus
(image: PR Newswire)

The Daymak Future

Not only Spiritus, but company as a whole represents and depicts how a single manufacturer can disrupt and revolutionize the market. With its robust conceptions and verbalize-of-the-art innovations, it not just has transmuted the scenario in automobile and EV sector, but withal in cryptography world alongwith energy and battery sector.

The future is now envisioned as where, your highway tolls, your parking tickets, your drive thru orders will directly be paid in the fly with crypto. Concurrently, the exact same platform and AI will be handling your online bills and banking systems; all at once. Thus, company redefines the powered mobility and potentiates individuals to make verbal expressions, not emissions; peregrinating ahead for connected and more accessible future.

Withal, Daymak inspirits customers to buy conveyances via crypto. Thus, lastly the irony here prevails is that, you are buying a vehicle with crypto; which engenders crypto; which utilizes the crypto; and you are consuming the same engendered crypto ahead.

2023 Spiritus Trailer

Radioactive Decay: Life beyond the Sunlight’s Reach

Umakant Bohara

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June 3, 2021

0

radioactive decay

Scientists have been gazing at the hems of habitability in the quest to discern life’s limits. They have tunnelled kilometres underneath Earth’s exterior, digging out from the base of excavation shafts and fading boreholes long into ocean sediments. Life is present in staggering quantities, according to estimates, the occupied subsurface region has double the capacity of the oceans and holds on the order of 10^30 cells, making it one of the most consequential habitats on Earth, as well as one of the earliest and most distinct.

“Life was everywhere that we looked”
Tori Hoehler- Scientist at NASA

Researchers are furthermore working to comprehend how most of the life down there perseveres. Sunlight for photosynthesis fail to reach such bottoms, and the insufficient amount of organic carbon nutrients that does is usually soon consumed. Unlike populations of organisms that inhabit near hydrothermal vents on the seafloor or within continental areas warmed by volcanic action, ecosystems here ordinarily can’t depend on the high-temperature means that hold some subsurface life free of photosynthesis; these microorganisms are seen hanging on in pitch-black darkness and cold water.

Radioactive decay is supporting life that exists in various layers of the Earth. — Various Layers in the Earth’s Interior are known, however, life forms at such depths are rare and mysterious. Image: IE

Research published by two individual groups seem to have answered some of part of the strange question, which goes like this: How can a place with no sunlight support life?

No Sunlight, Not a Problem. Radioactive Decay is Here to Support Life.

These separate research were published in February 2021 and presented the evidence, considering the analogy with the Sun’s nuclear-fusion reaction as an energy source, likewise, here on Earth, there has to be some life-supporting energy source. As the research claims, a complex kind of nuclear process called radioactive decay sustains life deep beneath the surface.

This research has been backed with a lot of data and evidence that radiations from unstable atoms of certain elements present in rocks can divide water units into hydrogen and chemically reactive peroxides. Some living cells have the ability to directly use hydrogen to meet energy needs, while the peroxides turn neighbouring compounds into supplementary energy resources.

WaterWords–Hydrothermal Vent — A hydro thermal vent has been depicted here in. A lot minerals being added from the vent into the oceans make it a place suitable for life to sustain but the sun light hardly reaches here. Such vents have gained significance in the research fields these days. Image: USGS

However, these radiolytic reactions yield energy at a very slow pace when compared to the sun and some thermal processes. Through the research, it was clear that they are fast enough to drive microbial activity in a particular setting found in depths and that they are accountable for a varied pool of organic moieties and other molecules important to life. Now this research has a lot more to tell us about how life must have started and the environmental setting led to the same, it has opened up new vistas for astrobiologists, nuclear scientists and chemists.

Again, the opinion that exploring space for extra-terrestrial life is not worth it until we have known completely about the life forms on Earth. But then, what also holds true is such research help in understanding the setting of any place that leads to the evolution of such life forms, to our surprise, that depends on the energy released in radioactive decay.

Radiolytic Hydrogen is the New Sunlight!

Sunlight hours — Australian Antarctic Program — Sunlight is the life-giving radiation for most living entities. This image displays the surface of frozen oceans illuminated with sunlight, however, deep down in it thrive life forms that live near drastic hydrothermal vents. Image: Antarctica

In 2010, Japanese scientists-geomicrobiologists conducted drilling and excavation to collect samples of sub-seafloor deposits from various oceans. Meanwhile, the sample from the expedition and suspended in water, later on exposing this water to different radiations, they found the amount of hydrogen produced was in significantly larger amounts than when pure water gets exposed to such radiations. This is clear evidence that sediments were responsible for the amplification of hydrogen yields in the radiolytic splitting. The production of hydrogen was seen to be increased by a factor of 30 in some cases, and this can not fail to ridicule any scientist.

Well, then why is the hydrogen gas not detected during the expedition?

Scientists claimed that water, irradiating with various radiations in the lab was split into hydrogen very efficiently, but was not detected in even the slightest amounts during the drilling of sediments.

Hydrogen was mysteriously absent as it was being consumed by the microbes present in the sediments. According to their model, sediments that are a few million years old and are at depth are producing radiolytic hydrogen which is being consumed more swiftly than organic matter.

As a result, the radiolysis of water is the dominant source of energy in older sediments. Sadly, this hydrogen is just 2 per cent of the total energy available in oceans and the rest 98 per cent comes from the carbon of organic molecules suspended in the waters of the oceans. Planetary scientists perceive this as a relatively slow process, but from a geologic perspective, it holds due significance.

A Project that could ‘Complexify’ Chemistry

The Earth 4D Project has seen multiple collaborations from scientists from around the globe to study organic molecules present in the waters around Canada and the chemistry involved that governs the factors of life’s origin. In a nutshell, this team aims to complex organic molecules’ role in the metabolism of the earliest microbes. The study sounds difficult but the team has members who are renowned in the field of research. The results of this project have been of interests to various people and awaited with excitement.

Astrobiologists are also recognising how critical it might be to analyse radiolysis when necessitating the habitability of planetoids and moons everywhere in the solar system and the rest of the universe. Sunshine, soaring temperatures, and other circumstances might not be rigorously required to favour extraterrestrial life. Radiolysis should be almost universal on any hard planet that has water in its subsurface.

Take Mars. In a pair of studies, one published a couple of years ago and the other last month, Tarnas, Mustard, Sherwood Lollar, and other researchers translated quantitative work being done on radiolysis on Earth to the Martian subsurface. They found that based on the planet’s mineral composition and other parameters, Mars today might be able to sustain microbial ecosystems akin to those on Earth—with radiolysis alone. The scientists identified regions of the planet where the microbial concentration would likely be greatest, which could guide where future missions should be targeted.

Mars has been a Planet under Study for Years now.

The research and quantitative work done with respect to the subsurface of Earth are now being translated for Martian lands. Based on such comparison and mineral composition of the planet it is not wrong to assume that life might exist. Certain regions have been identified where microbial concentrations might be greatest.

Mars is just one planetary body that we might have explored among millions of others. Amid all such research, the question of utmost importance is

WHY DOES LIFE EXIST?

IF AT ALL IT EXISTS, WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE, SPECIFICALLY, HUMAN LIFE?

The 3 Big Changes in Android 12 Beta

Vibhor Singh

-

May 25, 2021

2

Google has finally announced the first beta programme for its latest Android – Android 12. The dessert name of the Android series has been discontinued since Android 10 but the internal codebase still uses the dessert name and that is “Snow-cone” There has been a complete transformation of the stock android experience in the latest version of Android. Android 12 brings the biggest UI changes after the release of Android Lollipop (Android 5). It has a completely new UI, new animations, dynamic widgets, new privacy features, and many new features.

Material You

Material You is the next generation of the material design which was followed in the previous builds of the Android. With Material You, Android 12 brings many new animations, new material design, new colors, new widgets and many more to the UI. It uses a color extraction feature, which based on your wallpaper, extracts the prominent and the complementary colors, and applies the color theme to your volume rockers, quick settings, toggles, regular settings, etc.

Android 12’s lock screen has a bigger clock in the center, which looks pretty elegant. The clock shifts slightly to the left when there is a notification and comes back to the center after dismissing the notification. The same pattern goes with the Always On Display. Lock screen notifications are more rounded and change their shape when you swipe the notification. It has new animation when you put your phone on charging, making it more lively than ever.

The quick settings menu has also got a big change, which kind of looks like MIUI. Instead of circular toggles, it has rectangular round-cornered cards which are more informative than toggles and covers a large part of the screen. It has new buttons which allow you to access home lights, payment info directly. The shape of the cards matches the shape of the media player in Android-11.

The notification panel has got some minor changes. The corners are more rounded along with an app icon on the left. The snooze button is now more reachable. The notification swipe animation from the lock screen is the same in the notification panel. It has two buttons on the bottom, one for the notification history and the other to manage notifications.

The settings has also got some visual changes. It has new fluid animations on tap and by scrolling. The settings panel looks more like Samsung’s One UI, the upper portion is empty having only a bold sized heading making it more reachable with one hand. The panels have got more spacing between them.

Apart from these, there are some changes to volume rockers, brightness sliders, new animations, a wider color palette, a new splash screen for all apps and many others.

New features

Android 12 has brought a lot of new features other than visual changes. It has a one-handed mode which is exactly similar to iOS’s reachability feature. Once activated, the screen gets adjusted to the lower half of the display making it easily accessible by one hand. With one swipe up, the screen gets back to its normal size.

Google Assistant can now be accessed by long-pressing the power button, but by doing that you’d no longer be able to use the smart home controls and google pay features from the power menu. These features can still be accessed from the Quick settings and their respective apps. Obviously, this feature can be turned on/off from the settings menu.

Volume rocker gets a completely new design with large buttons and a wider scrollbar which is easier to use. The same goes with the brightness slider which is thicker and easier to use.

One of the major changes is done with the dynamic widgets on Android 12 which some would say is copied from iOS 14. The widget drawer is also reorganized to be more useful.

A slide purporting to be part of a Google I/O presentation for new Android 12 features shows new UI elements (Source: YouTube/FRONT PAGE TECH)

Privacy

Android 12 brings major changes to privacy again which can be said to have been copied from iOS 14. Android 12 comes with a privacy dashboard that tells us for how long a particular app has been using location, camera or microphone. It has a privacy indicator (much like iOS) which tells whether an app is using the microphone or camera. The location settings now include an option to provide an approximate location rather than the exact location to an app.

Android 12 comes with a private computer core which is like a secondary partition for AI features like live caption, etc.

Thus Android 12 is more secure, more beautiful, more dynamic elements, cool animations and more colors. There are some more features that are to be expected from Android 12 but are not yet in Android 12 Beta 1, like scrolling screenshot, lock folder in photos, game toolbar, smart autorotate and app hibernation.

If we have missed some features of Android 12 Beta 1, you can mention them in the comment section.

11 Hidden Dark Patterns: Exploiting The Vulnerabilities of Your Mind

Science

Harshil Bhanushali

-

May 22, 2021

5

11 Hidden Dark Patterns: Exploiting The Vulnerabilities of Your Mind

Psychology is the only Scientific subject without a definition. For thousands of years, humans have been studying the complexity of the brain and its behavioral patterns. The mesh of trillion neurons confines within itself an infinite potential of untapped resources. However, when Tech companies resolve to exploit the amenability instead of embracing it, a horrendous and deceiving tactic emerges “Dark Patterns.”

Dark patterns that control and subtly manipulate you. — Dark patterns are subtle ways of controlling and influencing you without you being aware.
[Image- fpf.org]

What are ‘Dark Patterns in UX’ and why we should be concerned about this? What are its types? Should there be some kind of moral ethics regarding them? In this blog, I will try to discuss every possible aspect surrounding the malicious practice.

Dark Patterns and Its Discovery

Dark Patterns in UX are very subtle elements of cognitive manipulation designed to trick users into doing something they didn’t intend to. The term was introduced in 2010 by Harry Brignull– London based UX designer after the boom of the E-Commerce industry.

An Illustration of how comapnies distract you from their evil tactics. — An Illustration of how companies distract you from their evil tactics. [Image- endlessgain.com]

According to him, “When you use the web, you don’t read every word on every page — you skim read and make assumptions. If a company wants to trick you into doing something, they can take advantage of it by making a page look like it is saying one thing when in fact it is saying another.” After getting his Ph.D. in Cognitive Sciences, he came across some websites which deceived the users but benefited the company.

These are never a result of a ‘Bad design’ but they are carefully crafted pieces of human psychology mostly never in favor of users. Therefore, Harry started created a site- Darkpatterns.org to spread awareness and shame those who use such kinds of tricks. He classified every pattern into 11 categories, some of which are noticeable and some invisible to a normal person’s brain function.

Types of Dark Patterns

Here’s a complete list of Dark patterns some of which you may have encountered but never knew was an unethical application.

Bait and Switch

This pattern is when a user is looking to take some action to get the desired outcome but instead, end up with a completely unexpected result.

Bait and Switch Dark pattern example — Bait and Switch Dark pattern used By Microsoft. [Image- uxdesign]

Usually, when a Windows upgrade pops up, users expect the window to be closed when they press the top-right corner ‘X’ icon. However, it results in the upgrade being initialized.

Confirm Shaming

The trick of shaming a user and making them opt into something. The option to decline is written in such a way that makes users feel guilty.

I came across an example from a site confirmsharing.tumblr.com. You can see in the image how the words of decline option go on to such an extent that they insult the user.

Confirm Shaming Dark pattern — Confirm Shaming and Insulting user example. [Image- confirmshaming.tumblr.com]

Disguised Ads

Advertisements that are concealed in such a way as to appear the same as content on the page. This type of design makes the user click on the Ad even though they didn’t want to.

Disguised Advertisement Dark pattern example. — Disguised Ads used By Getintopc to generate revenue. [Image- getintopc]

This example is of a site- getintopc.com. Notice that the top banner’s button and background color blends with the web theme to give it the appearance of a download button instead of Ad.

Forced Continuity

When you opt for a free trial with your credit card and it silently starts charging you without any warning.

A user named Shabda Raaj mentioned on Twitter about Scribd.com using this dark pattern. The site renewed his account without even sending a renewal email.

Friend Spam

The web or app service asks for your contact details and contact lists under the pretense it will be used for a desired outcome but later on spams all your contacts claiming it to be a message from you.

Friend Spam Dark Pattern — Friend Spam used By LinkedIn through its Add Connection feature. [Image- jwegan.com]

There’s no better example here than LinkedIn. In 2014, a Class Action lawsuit was filed against LinkedIn with the key issue being ‘Spam.’ The problem was with the LinkedIn Add connections feature; it would send emails to all the contacts of a user who were not on LinkedIn and would send 2-3 more if there was no response. The Lawsuit was settled with a penalty of $13 million.

Hidden Costs

You get to the final step of checkout only to notice some unexpected charges along with your order.

Misdirection

The design intentionally diverts your attention at one thing to distract you from something else.

Misdirection Dark Pattern example — Misdirection Dark Pattern used by Ryan-Air to fool users. [Image- klizos.com]

Here’s an example from Ryan Air. On their site, there’s a question whether you want travel insurance or not. Besides, the question is a dropdown menu that asks for your country of residence. The misleading thing is that if you select your country it impulsively adds insurance in the cart too. Now, if you don’t want there’s an option ‘No Insurance Required’ in the dropdown menu itself. This is a Misleading design.

Price Comparison Prevention

The company or retailer makes it harder for you to compare their pricing with others and delays your decision.

Price Comparison Prevention Dark pattern example — Price Comparison Prevention Used by Join.me [Image- join.me]

On a site called join.me when you click on the pricing tab, it does not let you see the price instead it redirects you either to the login page or goto.com homepage. You cannot see the price without creating an account.

Privacy Zuckering

The user is tricked into revealing more details than it intended to. I need not tell you after whom it’s really named! (😮)

Roach Motel

This one’s my personal favorite as it’s based solely on the psychological process of the brain.

You get into the situation very easily but it’s hard to get out. Inspired from a Motel where people checked in but could never leave! (Sounds almost like a thriller- movie plot! 😬)

The most common example is the Amazon account deletion process.

It’s a Labyrinthine process that requires series of multiple screens and clicks and a whole lot of patience. When you try to delete your account you would expect it to find it under My account ➡ Login and security, but a dead-end. In order to get there, you will need to select Help ➡ Managing your Account ➡ Close Account ➡ Chat or Call. The steps are designed in such a way as to tire the user and force him not into taking that action.

Sneak Into Basket

You attempt to purchase something but somewhere in the buying process, the site sneaks an additional item in the box usually accompanied by a delete or opt-out option.

Sneak Into Basket Dark Pattern used by Godaddy.com. [Image- darkpatterns.org]

Go daddy is one such example where they include a privacy protection plan with the domain name. (Not Complimentary!!😠)

Will the Times Change?

Every company wants to be loyal and maintain the connection of trust with their users. What they aren’t aware of is that users who face these patterns complain online to other people telling them not to do business with them. The short-term profit-at-all-costs models negate the future reflection of the company. Nil Eyar, former lecturer at Stanford University proposes the “Regret Test.”

He cites his point by saying “When building any tool the designer should ask: If people knew what it would take to cancel, would they still subscribe?” (Amazon Example)

An overview on Dark patterns. [Image- uxknowledgebase.com]

It’s the company that sets the standard for their model to pass. Designers have a lot of power in their hands, they are like the compass that guides the sailor in the vast sea. It’s up to them to decide the ethicality and question the morality of their designs.

What we need to protect ourselves from Dark Pattern are not laws, but to repudiate the Economic Paradigm to regulate public interests even if it doesn’t align with their ‘Financial Incentives.’

“With great powers, come great Responsibilities.”

If you also experience these kinds of design using Dark Patterns, spread awareness about it by a simple tweet @darkpatterns

Anthony Fauci: Is the US Equally Responsible for the Spread of Coronavirus?

Science

Umakant Bohara

-

May 20, 2021

5

Anthony Fauci: Is the US Equally Responsible for the Spread of Coronavirus?

It has been more than a year since the coronavirus made its way through the wildlife to reach the peak infection rates among humans. Over this period, headlines revolving around the Wuhan virus spread and several theories about the origin and its spread covered the front matter in print media. One name being appearing in every news feed is Anthony Fauci, the disease expert and health advisor to US Pres. Joe Biden.

However, the political strategies of some diplomats and China’s silence over the issue have lost the characteristic deceptive nature and the face behind the origin of this calamity will be soon exposed to the world’s ‘innocent’ population.

Chinese Diplomats and Former US President Donald Trump had been playing the blame game for much of 2020, apparently, this hints at a secret connection between the scientists of the two countries. Further, China was seen accusing Australia of the origin and spread of coronavirus

Dr. Fauci Knew About Coronavirus, beforehand?

Dr Anthony Fauci adressing the press over the Indian Variant amid the second wave of the Pandemic. — Dr. Anthony Fauci is an infectious disease expert and health advisor of US President Joe Biden.
His statements about the second wave in India and about the Indian variants also made it to the headlines.
Image: HT

Did Dr. Anthony Fauci Fund Wuhan Virus Research?

In 2020, former US President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans publicly criticized Coronavirus specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci’s suggestion for moderating the pandemic. These attempts have now taken a new flavor, some republicans believe that Dr. Fauci could be individually connected with the origin of the Coronavirus itself. A republican leader was seen in reporting in an interview that “Dr. Fauci sanctioned and financed perilous research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology“. This theory has surfaced several times, but Republicans claim that it was not examined and investigated correctly due to a lack of concern from the health officials and the “Pro-China Bias” of the American media.

To What Extent is this Pandemic Outbreak Theory Proven?

This demands dividing the facts from the tale; On May 10 2021, the US conducted a congressional discussion on coronavirus infections. All health officials testified before the Senate committee, which covered a host of things like the ongoing immunisation drive, Biden’s response to the pandemic, future of mask mandate and the origin of the coronavirus. In the Senate House, a war of words broke out between Rand Paul, a republic senator from Kentucky and Dr Anthony Fauci who is now President Biden’s pandemic expert/advisor.

Senator Rand Paul sparred with Dr. Fauci in a Senate hearing — Senator Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci had a harsh argument
over the funding of dangerous virus research in the labs of China and the US.

Senator Rand Paul accused the Federal agencies of the US of financing the controversial research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Further, he added that it was a ‘Gain-of-Function’ research, which in plain words suggest research involving genetic modifications in the viruses. More infectious variants are created through experiments to understand their behaviour.

Dr. Fauci happens to be a preeminent advocate of this sort of research. He was contributory in reauthorizing it domestically in America after it was halted due to safety concerns. He is also accused of conceding the American scientists to formulate more transmissible versions of the virus to study them.

The Republican Senators also reported that Dr Anthony Fauci knew China was directing such experiments among several other accusations, what they called a plot. The hearing in the house went on for hours and the senator did not budge, he said laboratories in the US were still handling such operations and that they were deceiving nature and lashed out at Dr Fauci for allowing China to do the same. Among the multiple piercing words, tossed the name of two institutes: The first one is America’s National Institute of Health (NIH) and the second one is China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Are the Two Institutes Linked?

Fact check: Viral photo shows Obama, Fauci visiting NIH lab in 2014 — Former US President Obama and Dr. Anthony Fauci had visited the NIH lab
which was reportedly involved in a gain of function research on bat viruses.
Later during the Obama government funding was terminated due to safety concerns.

The Institutes are admittedly linked, but the explicit question is: Did the NIH fund the lab at Wuhan? Well, this claim is partly true. Here’s the plot:

In 2014, NIH awarded a $3.4 million reward to a non-profit organization called Eco health alliance, which was based in New York City. Now, this group was associated with research on bat viruses at the Wuhan’s Lab. The Eco-Health Alliance paid the Wuhan Institute of Virology a sum of half a million over a period of 5 years or up to the time when the infectious virus broke out. The funding of such a project in China was approved by the state department of the US.

Evidently, America did fund research at the Wuhan laboratory and the evidence that scientists “juiced up” COVID-19 in the laboratory was suppressed as per senator exclaimed. The associated grant was approved in May 2014 and 5 months later Obama administration made announcements that funding of projects involving gain of function research will be halted citing safety and security risks.

All the events seem settled unless it is clear that laboratories received funds and used them for the purposes that remain undisclosed. As far as the origin of coronavirus is concerned, scientists are still uncertain and claim that it has not been clear to anyone and believe that the virus came from wildlife and then jumped to humans.

In March 2021, a team of investigators of WHO reached China and searched for evidence of the origin of the virus. However, the report submitted by the officials left the issue of origin unconcluded but a lot of people still believe that virus has been composed in a lab.

The genome sequence of the virus has been published and analyzed by several research groups from around the world and all of them overwhelmingly concluded that the virus started in the wild and that its genetic composition revealed no clue of modification and the capacity of the virus to attach to the human cell is most likely the outcome of natural selection.

Anthony Fauci

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian was seen accusing the US, Australia and India of the pandemic outbreak. — China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian
was seen addressing the media several times
in which he disregarded the origins of the virus were linked to China.
Image: FMRC PRC

Anthony Fauci

But then no research into the origins of the Wuhan virus can bring up any conclusion; without investigation unobstructedly conducted in China, without researchers having open access to data in China which we doubt, is possible anymore.

Anthony Fauci

10 Best Anime Movies to Watch on Netflix

Anime

Ved Patel

-

May 12, 2021

3

10 Best Anime Movies to Watch on Netflix

There are a tons of TV anime series and anime movies on Netflix that are popular among both Japanese and foreigners. However, you may wander which anime you should watch on Netflix. So today’s article will introduce the 10 best anime movies to watch on Netflix. This best anime movie list only includes the one-shot anime films, so that you can complete the story within 1-2 hours. Of course, you can see the latest Netflix original anime movie on this list. These greatest anime movies are recommended to both anime beginners and lovers.

1. A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)

Anime Movies to Watch on Netflix - A Silent Voice

Genres: Drama, School, Shounen
Duration: 130 mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.98

Shouya Ishida, an elementary student, is a wild youth who beat boredom in the cruelest way. When a deaf girl Shouko Nishimiya transfers into the his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun leading her to transfer out of school, but in the process, Shouya is singled out and blamed for everything done to Shouko. With Shouko transferring out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates and is heartlessly ostracized all throughout elementary and middle school.

Now in his third year of high school, Shouya is still plagued by his wrongdoings as a young boy, so he sets out on a journey of redemption: to meet Shouko once more and make amends. Koe no Katachi tells the heartwarming tale of Shouya’s reunion with Shouko and his honest attempts to redeem himself, all while being continually haunted by the shadows of his past.

A Silent Voice won the Excellence Award in the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival.

Watch on Netflix!

2. Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi)

Genre: Adventure, Supernatural, Drama
Duration: 124 mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.81

The story in Spirted Away is about Chihiro Ogino, a 10 year old girl and her family, who enter the world of spirits while moving to new neighborhood. After her parents turned into pigs, The girl how is now trapped in the spirited world, summons the courage to live and work amongst the spirits with the help of Haku and other characters. The film follows Chihiro’s journey in the spirit world as she tries to find a way to save her parents and return home.

The film was animated by Studio Ghibli and was directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was released on July 20, 2001 in Japan and the worldwide released on December 20,2002. The film was the winner for the Best Animated Feature category in the Oscars 2003. The English version of the movie was dubbed by Walt Disney Pictures and premiered in 2002.

Watch on Netflix!

3. My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro)

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural
Duration: 86 Mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.29

In 1950s Japan, University professor Tatsuo Kusakabe and his two daughters, Satsuki and Mei, relocate to the countryside to be closer to their mother, who is hospitalized due to a long-term illness. As the girls grow acquainted with the rural life, Mei encounters a small, bunny-like creature in the yard one day. Chasing it into the forest, she finds “Totoro” a giant, mystical forest spirit with whom she befriends. Before long, Satsuki too meets Totoro, and the two girls suddenly find their lives filled with magical adventures in nature and fantastical creatures of the woods.

My Neighbor Totoro won the Best Film and Ofuji Noburo awards in the Mainichi Film Awards, 1988. It also won the Best Film and Reader’s Choice Award: Best Japanese Film awards in the Kinema Junpo Awards

Watch on Netflix!

4. Whisper of Heart (Mimi wo Sumaseba)

Genres: Slice of Life, Drama, Romance, Shoujo
Duration: 111 Mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.23

The movie was based on the manga with the same title, this animated film follows Shizuku, an inquisitive young girl and a voracious reader, who longs to be a writer when she grows up. One day she notices that all of her library books have previously been taken out by one Seiji Amasawa. Amid chasing after a large cat, befriending an eccentric antiques dealer and writing her first novel, Shizuku aims to find this mysterious boy who may well be her soul mate.

The film is animated by Studio Ghibli and produced by Hayao Miyazaki, the director of some of the most famous anime movies like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle to name a few. It was directed by Yoshifumi Kondou and was also the first Studio Ghibi to be directed by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata

Watch on Netflix!

5. Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime)

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Duration: 133 mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.71

The young Ashitaka puts his life at stake when his village is attacked by demon. The beast curses prince’s arm, granting him amazing powers while slowly taking away his life. The village elders advised him to go to Tatara , the Iron town, in hopes to find a cure to his where he got in into conflict with local people.… the story shows the connection of technology and nature while showing path of harmony that can be achieved by mutual understanding.

Watch on Netflix!

6. Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl no Ugoku Shiro)

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Duration: 119 Mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.66

Sophie Hatter has an uneventful life at her late father’s hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl, who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.

Howl No Ugoku Shiro premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2004 and was later released to Japanese theaters in November. In 2006 it was nominated for the Best Animated Feature in the 78th Academy Award, but lost to the movie Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Watch on Netlix!

7. In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni)

Genres: Historical, Drama, Seinen
Duration: 156 mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.23

Suzu Urano is kindhearted girl who loves to draw & likes to see big dreams.. She’s always glad to help her grandmother with her business. Later on when she is married off to a man she barely knows as she combats the daily struggle of living in Hiroshima during World War 2. The movie portrays a colorful yet haunting depiction of everyday life in the years before and after World War II, showcasing the perseverance and fortitude of ordinary Japanese during one of the darkest periods of modern history.

The movie was directed by Sunao Katabuchi. It is winner of the 40th Japan Academy Award for Best Animation Award and also won the Grand Prize Award on the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival.

Watch on Netflix!

8. A Whisker Away (Nakitai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu)

Genres: Comedy, Supernatural, Drama, Romance, School
Duration: 104 mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.36

A girl named Miyo Sasaski who comes from broken family consisting of her underconfident father and her stepmother who didn’t vibe of with her. Seeing her crush, Kento Hinode she couldn’t stop herself of showing her love by unorthodox methods. While Miyo is unable to get Kento’s attention as herself, she manages to succeed by interacting with him in the form of a white cat, affectionately nicknamed “Tarou” by Kento. But Miyo soon realizes that she can’t help Kento with the various problems she overhears in her cat form and is now caught between two tough choices.

Watch on Netflix!

9. The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome)

Genres: Comedy, Romance
Duration: 92 Mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.22

University student falls in love with girl from same university. On a mysterious night that seems to last for a year, an ordinary college student continues to chase one of his underclassmen, a girl with black hair—the girl of his dreams. Up until now, he has been relying on a simple plan, which is to calculatingly bump into her every day while making it seem like a meaningful coincidence. However, his efforts remain futile as their relationship is not progressing at all. He follows her getting involved in various mysterious incidents like on an insanely long night of partying where she interacts with an increasingly eccentric cast of characters.

Watch on Netflix!

10. Brave Story

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Kids, Magic, Supernatural
Duration: 112 Mins
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.45

A boy named Wataru passes through a magic gateway to another realm to escape from his messed up routine life to land filled with creatures both fierce and friendly. His final goal is the Tower of Destiny where a goddess of fate awaits. Journey is filled with Demons. The catch is that will grant him his most heartfelt wish to bring his family back together again!

Watch on Netflix!

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HIV Vaccine a step closer: Conquering a 50 year old pandemic!

Science

Om Desai

-

May 10, 2021

4

HIV Vaccine a step closer: Conquering a 50 year old pandemic!

Human Immunodeficiency virus or HIV which was first isolated and studied by scientists in 1980s, attacks the body’s immune system and is a virus which has no effective cure. Once a person gets infected, the have it for their complete life and makes entire body vulnerable to cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No HIV Vaccine is developed. Almost 38 million people in 2019 were living with HIV globally, and India ranked 3^rd in HIV epidemic with 2.1 million cases.

Up till today, there was no potential cure to this and even treatment for HIV may not be that promising for everyone. Now, the researchers have found an approach to produce first-of-a-kind HIV vaccines with such a novel approach, that it can revolutionize the sector.

The Hardships to be overcame for HIV Vaccine development

SARS-CoV-2 or corona virus uses a spike protein on its surface to penetrate through the host cells. In simpler manner, one subunit of spike protein bind to potential host cell and the other reserved subunit envelops around the target to spread through entire body. But with HIV, the case is different. Most of the surface of the virus is densely coated with sugar molecules that do not trigger any immune response. Also, the exposed parts are highly variable. And due to this, till now over 50 million different HIVs are around the world. This is both, devious and deadly.

Due to this, conventional approach to the development of a vaccine cannot be effective in the case of HIV vaccine. For this very reason, people have been infected and had been dying since past 5 decades of human evolution. Not anymore! 2021 would probably an end to this long wait…

Although there are millions of strains of this virus killing people, few parts of the spike do not change much with every strain. But obviously they are hard-to-access. After several years of research and observations, a theory was proposed. Antibodies which bind to these particular regions are called broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). They specifically could target a wide variety of HIV strains than ordinary antibodies that develop.

But, only in rare cases of HIV infection, people generate these antibodies naturally. Studying on those rarely generated bnAbs gave scientists opportunity to identify that exactly where does the antibodies bind to the virus. With this, they could develop “immunogens” to be used in vaccines.

PHASE 1 BROADLY NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY EFFORTS
for HIV Vaccine
(Source: HIV Vaccine Trials Network)

The HIV Vaccine – Research at its best

The catch from the above “immunogen” development is that: only rare type of immature immune cells called naïve B cells can be developed to make bnAbs against HIV. Naïve B cells are found in plasma membranes which act as receptors to the incoming antigen. Only 1 in a million naïve B cells have potential to form bnAbs.

To overcome this issue, researchers at SCRIPPS Research and IAVI used a technique called germline targeting. Mainly there are four key steps involved in this type of germline targeting vaccine designing. Firstly, the structure and genetic information of the target antibody-antigen interaction. Then using bioinformatics, immunogens are developed which can bind to diverse precursors of antigen HIV.

The 4 steps of germline targeting
used in HIV Vaccine (Source: AAAS)

After that, using preclinical immunogen, validation of isolating human B cell binders is done. And finally, the structural interaction with precursors is assessed; alongwith the experiments on mice. This approach potentially makes the work of human body easier as we can produce the rarely occurring bnAbs through vaccines. Also, as it targets the parts of spike proteins which do not change much, these types of vaccines can be applied on larger number of strains of HIV.

In phase I clinical trial, vaccine appeared to be safe and successfully effective on almost all the 48 healthy volunteers. The scientists at George Washington University in Washington D.C. and the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, WA reported 97% success rate. For these all volunteers the injection of vaccine activated naïve B cells and thus stimulated the production of rare immune cells which start the process of antibody generation.

Although this trial was taken only on small mass of people and was not published in any research paper, the International AIDS society and HIV researchers acknowledged this feat on February 3, 2021 in an International Conference.

Announcement and Confirmation of Moderna

In response to the above success of HIV vaccine’s novel method of development; American Pharmaceutical giant Moderna, confirmed on April 15, 2021 that it will conduct phase 1 trials of HIV vaccines this year. This includes the beginning of three phase I trials of two HIV vaccine candidates, mRNA-1644 and mRNA-1574.

The hands in blue glove of the scientist
hold the processor; HIV Vaccine
(Source: Biopharma-Reporter)

Among them, the former one is based on the novel method discussed here i.e., bnAbs based. Apart from SCRIPPS and IAVI, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) are also collaborated in this research proceedings.

This strategy and approach can not only help in HIV treatment and prevention, but also can help in development of vaccines of other challenging pathogens such as influenza, dengue, Zika, hepatitis C viruses and malaria.

With such advancements and innovations, human evolution seems to be secure and mighty; yet covered with a cloud of hardships and difficulties.

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