Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued guidelines for multinational enterprises promoting responsible business conduct, including human rights and environmental due diligence. However, the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence was not introduced by the OECD.
• The European Union (EU) adopted the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. The directive applies to companies operating in and outside the EU, ensuring they identify, address, and prevent adverse impacts on human rights and the environment caused by their activities or within their supply chains. This is part of the EU’s broader commitment to sustainability, climate action, and human rights. (Option (b) is correct)
• On 25 July 2024, the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (Directive 2024/1760) entered into force. This Directive, introduced by the European Union (EU), aims to ensure sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour by requiring companies to identify and mitigate adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their operations and global value chains.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/how-india-could-counter-the-cbam/article68887373.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• A study conducted by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC), in collaboration with AIIMS and Imperial College London, evaluated the effectiveness of three double anti-hypertensive drug combinations for controlling uncontrolled hypertension in South Asian populations. The drugs tested were amlodipine, perindopril, and indapamide, demonstrating their effectiveness in managing high blood pressure (BP). (Option (a) is correct)

1. Amlodipine: A calcium channel blocker that helps relax and widen blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
2. Perindopril: An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels and reduces the workload on the heart.
3. Indapamide: A diuretic that helps reduce blood pressure by decreasing fluid retention.

• While hypertension is a common comorbidity in diabetes, amlodipine, perindopril, and indapamide are specifically anti-hypertensive drugs. They are not primary medications for diabetes, which is typically managed using drugs like metformin, insulin, or sulfonylureas. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• These drugs do not treat infectious diseases, which are managed with antibiotics (e.g., penicillin), antivirals (e.g., oseltamivir), or antifungals (e.g., fluconazole). The drugs in question target cardiovascular health and blood pressure regulation. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Pain management typically involves analgesics like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or opioids (e.g., morphine). Amlodipine, perindopril, and indapamide are unrelated to pain relief and are used specifically for managing hypertension. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/hypertension-treatment-strategies-for-south-asians-all-two-drug-combinations-therapies-effective/article68886077.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Estonia is located in northern Europe and borders the Baltic Sea to the west and north. Its coastline includes key ports such as Tallinn, which play a significant role in regional trade and geopolitics. Estonia is one of the Baltic states along with Latvia and Lithuania.
• Finland borders the Baltic Sea, specifically through the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. These water bodies connect Finland to Sweden, Estonia, and the wider Baltic region, making it an integral part of the Baltic Sea’s geography.
• Lithuania, one of the three Baltic states, has a coastline along the Baltic Sea to its west. The port city of Klaipėda serves as Lithuania’s primary maritime hub. This connection to the Baltic Sea is crucial for the country’s trade and energy security.

• Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It does not border the Baltic Sea. Instead, it shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. While close to the Baltic region geographically, Belarus lacks direct access to the sea. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/second-baltic-sea-telecom-cable-damaged-sweden/article68886061.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a condition that generally occurs when individuals ascend to altitudes above 8000 feet (2400 meters). At these elevations, the reduced oxygen levels in the atmosphere can lead to symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. The severity of AMS can increase with higher altitudes and faster ascents. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Hypoxia, or reduced oxygen availability, is the primary cause of AMS. At high altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, resulting in inadequate oxygen supply to tissues. This triggers symptoms of AMS as the body struggles to adapt to the lower oxygen levels. (Statement 2 is correct)
• At higher altitudes, the body produces more red blood cells as part of acclimatization to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. This process, called erythropoiesis, is stimulated by the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which is released by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels. The increase in red blood cells helps the body adapt to hypoxia over time. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-dangers-of-high-altitude-sickness-explained/article68887127.ece#:~:text=Early%20symptoms%20of%20AMS%20include,fluid%20collects%20in%20the%20brain.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a long-range, surface-to-surface missile system developed by the United States. It is used by the U.S. Army and allied forces for precision strikes at long distances. The ATACMS can hit targets up to 300 km (186 miles) away, making it effective for targeting enemy infrastructure, command centers, and logistics hubs. (Statement 1 is correct)

• The ATACMS is not European-made. It is a product of the U.S. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin, specifically designed for the U.S. Army. France and Sweden are not involved in its development or manufacturing. European missile systems include the MBDA Storm Shadow or Scalp EG, but these are unrelated to ATACMS. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/us-kyiv-embassy-bidens-ukraine-atacms-russia-9679402/