Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Aug 16, 2016

ANSWER: DGX-1

Explanation:
Computing group Nvidia has announced the world’s first supercomputer in a box- DGX-1.

• It has 170 teraflops and the machine is designed to tackle deep learning and AI, research areas requiring computing power.
• DGX-1 uses the company’s recently developed Pascal architecture which shows up in the supercomputer.
• DGX-1 has eight Tesla GP100 GPUs with 16 gigabytes of memory.
• The supercomputer also has 512 GB of RAM and four terabyte solid state hard drives.
• Machine comes pre-loaded with an array of tools for developers namely Nvidia Cuda, a deep neutral network library that crated and designed said networks.
• Alongside Cuda, an array of standard DNN frameworks including Caffee, Theano and Torch were introduced.
• DNN networks allow computers to emulate the human mind to recognise things; DNNS can do everything from writing your mail to making the perfect music video.

ANSWER: ONGC Start Up

Explanation:
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has launched an INR 100 crore startup fund to foster, nurture and incubate new ideas pertaining to the oil and gas sector.

• Initiative christened ONGC StartUp is in line with GoI initiative Startup India
• ONGC will provide the untrue support chain for the startup including seed funding, monitoring, mentoring, market linkage and followups.
• Initiative will also promote entrepreneurship among younger Indians by creating an ecosystem conducive for growth of start ups in the oil and gas sector.

ANSWER: 34

Explanation:
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the commencement of 34 cyber labs in various parts of the state to crack down on cybercrime.

• A total of 51 psych labs will eventually be started in the state.
• CM also launched Aaple Sarkar, an integrated web based platform that allows citizens to register grievances and send suggestions to government on various issues in January 2015.
• There are now 30 lakh applications on the portal leading to 92 percent rate of satisfaction.

ANSWER: WorkDay

Explanation:
WorkDay has inked a deal with IBM to adopt the company’s cloud solution as part of a multi-year strategic partnership.

• Solution called IBM Cloud has become a foundation for WorkDay’s development and testing environment boosting the efficiency, flexibility and global scale of the company.
• WorkDay will access transformative apps and services in cloud.
• IBM’s quarterly revenue beat analyst expectations as company shifted to high growth areas like cloud based services to get good results

ANSWER: Visible Light Communication

Explanation:
Scientists have developed a new material that provides efficient lighting and powers wireless internet with data speed of 2 GB per second

• Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia developed the new nano crystalline material that makes white light out of blue light.
• WiFi and Bluetooth are now week established technologies, but this VLC or visible light communication technology makes use of parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that are unregulated and potentially more energy efficient.
• VLC also combines information transmission with illumination and display technologies.
• Researchers created nanocrystals of cesium lead bromide roughly 8 nanometers in size using simple, cost effective solution based method that incorporated conventional nitride phosphor.
• The scientists have also found a way to make transparent transistors and other essential components of electronic circuitry.
• Indium tin oxide is the current material of choice for electronics as it combined optical transparency with electrical conductivity
• Low cost alternative is transparent material Aluminium doped zinc oxide used for making transparent electrical circuitry..

ANSWER: Khandrung La

Explanation:
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijijju led the massive tricolour yatra from Leh to Khardung La in Leh district as part of the Tiranga Yatra. He also flagged a team of para cycling amputees of the BSF.

• Department of empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) is running the Accessible India campaign to provide universal accessibility for disabled.
• BSF is celebrating 2016 as the year of Divyang Yodhas.
• The BSF paracycling expedition from Manali led by Commandant BSF RK Negi covered 583 kms of Himalayan heights.
• Team of 34 crossed difficult terrain and comprised nine divyangjan of BSF, other CAPF and Aditya Mehta Foundation supported by AMF and BIAAT.

ANSWER: Usain Bolt

Explanation:
Usain Holt stormed to victory in the 100m final. He thus became the first man to win three successive Olympic titles on track.

• Justin Gatlin took silver with a timing of 9.89 while Canada’s Andre de Grasse claimed brazen in 9.91 seconds.
• Victory also took Bolt closer to winning the triple triple combination of gold in 100m, 200m and 4x100 m relay in three successive Olympics.
• Bolt has now garnered 5 Olympic golds and 7 in world championships.

ANSWER: Only a and b

Explanation:
Thai energy firm PTT Pcl on 15th August 2016 signed contracts with 6 major automakers for cooperation in the development of electric cars.

• State controlled PTT will also build a network of 20 charging stations under the accord.
• Six firms include Thai units of Nissan, Volvo, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Mercedes Benz and BMW.
• PTT has been researching technologies for EV since 2012.