Past Issues

STUDY ON PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERSTICS OF FRUIT JUICES AND VINEGAR PRODUCED FROM VARIOUS FRUITS (APRICOT, BAEL, DATE, AND FIG)

Abstract

Vinegar is a highly valued fermented food product because of its many uses and functional characteristics. Producing vinegar from fruit concentrates is the main goal of this study in order to provide a food product with nutritional value. Due to high perishability of fruits, a lot of fresh product is wasted during glut season. So, the production of fruit vinegars as a way of making use of fruit by-products is an option widely used by the food industry, since surplus or fruit of lower grade can be utilized without lowering the end product's quality. The current study aims to describe the vinegar of fermented fruits, specifically Apricot, Date, Bael, and Fig. In this study, several phytochemical, mineral, and sensory analysis of fruit vinegar was examined. The process was carried out in two-stage fermentation - alcoholic and acetic acid fermentation. The manufactured fruit vinegars were examined for TSS, acidity, pH, reducing sugar, total sugar, ascorbic acid, antioxidant, carotenoid, phenolic content, and mineral content. From the results it concluded that Date vinegar possess high phenol, carotenoid, and antioxidant activity than other vinegars. Apricot vinegar was high in ascorbic acid content than other vinegars. K and Ca were found to be highest in bael vinegar. From this investigation it can be said that fruit vinegars are a high- quality dietary supplement of minerals, like K, Ca, and P; phytonutrients and antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids and phenolic compounds which can help the human body to prevent oxidative stress, fight cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Cobalt Doping Effects on Cu₂O Thin Films: A Sol-Gel Approach for Enhanced Conductivity and Crystallinity

Abstract

In this study, cobalt-doped Cu₂O thin films were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized to investigate the effects of cobalt doping on their structural, morphological, and electrical properties. Copper (II) and cobalt (II) nitrates were dissolved in ethanol, and glacial acetic acid was used as a stabilizing agent. The films were deposited onto quartz substrates by spin-coating and thermally annealed at 400°C for 2 hours to promote crystallization. The structural characteristics of the films were analysed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). FTIR spectra showed that cobalt doping led to shifts in the Cu–O bond region and an increase in the intensity of certain peaks, indicating changes in bonding structures and lattice modifications. XRD patterns revealed that increasing cobalt concentrations caused peak broadening and slight shifts in the peak positions, suggesting lattice distortions and the formation of new phases at higher doping levels. Morphological studies using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) showed that cobalt doping improved surface uniformity and reduced surface roughness up to an optimal concentration of 3%, beyond which grain agglomeration occurred. Electrical conductivity measurements indicated a significant improvement in conductivity, with a two-order magnitude increase at 3% Co doping. The enhancement in conductivity is attributed to Co²⁺ ions acting as donor impurities, increasing carrier concentration and mobility. However, at 5% Co doping, a slight decrease in conductivity was observed due to dopant clustering and defect scattering. This study highlights the potential of cobalt-doped Cu₂O thin films for applications in optoelectronics, catalysis, and energy storage

Negotiating Identity: The Interplay of Tradition and Modernity in Bharati Mukherjee’s Novels

Abstract

This paper delves into the dynamic interplay between traditional and modern values in Bharati Mukherjee’s novels Jasmine (1989), Desirable Daughters (2002), and The Tiger’s Daughter (1971), exploring how these values shape the identities of the protagonists. Set against the backdrop of cultural shifts and the experience of migration, Mukherjee’s novels portray the complex lives of women navigating between their traditional roots in India and the modern influences they encounter in the diaspora. Through the journeys of Jasmine, Tara, and the other central characters, the paper investigates the ways in which these women grapple with societal expectations, familial roles, and personal aspirations. Mukherjee’s portrayal of the conflict between tradition and modernity is not just a binary opposition but a nuanced exploration of how identity is continuously shaped, negotiated, and redefined in the face of cultural, social, and personal changes. While the traditional values in these novels are linked to the patriarchal norms, religious customs, and familial expectations of India, modernity represents freedom, autonomy, and the breaking of these social constraints, often associated with the West. The protagonists, in their quests for self-realization, often find themselves caught between these two worlds, and their responses reveal the varying degrees of conflict, resistance, and adaptation. By adopting a feminist and postcolonial perspective, the study also explores the emotional and psychological challenges the characters face as they try to reconcile their inherited cultural values with the desires for individual freedom and empowerment. The analysis reflects on how Mukherjee’s work underscores the possibility of synthesizing these traditionally opposing forces to create a more complex and empowered sense of identity. This comparative study of the three novels provides a deeper understanding of how Bharati Mukherjee uses the tensions between tradition and modernity to explore issues of gender, identity, autonomy, and cultural transformation.

Analysis and Classification of Multi-Soliton Solutions in Coupled Nonlinear Evolution Equations with Time-Dependent Coefficients

Abstract

This research investigates the analytical and numerical aspects of coupled nonlinear evolution equations (CNLEEs) with time-dependent coefficients, focusing on their multi-soliton solutions. We employ multiple analytical techniques, including the Hirota bilinear method and Darboux transformation, to derive exact solutions under various initial and boundary conditions. The study reveals novel families of solutions, including shape-changing solitons and breather modes, which exhibit distinct behavioral characteristics under different parametric conditions. Our analysis demonstrates that time-dependent coefficients significantly influence the interaction dynamics and stability properties of multi-soliton solutions. We establish a comprehensive classification framework for these solutions based on their geometric properties and interaction patterns. The numerical simulations validate our analytical findings and provide insights into the long-term evolution of these solutions. The results have important implications for applications in optical fiber communications and Bose-Einstein condensates, where precise control over soliton interactions is crucial. Furthermore, we identify critical parameter regimes where stable multi-soliton propagation can be achieved, offering practical guidelines for experimental implementations.

Green-Synthesized TiO₂ Nanoparticles for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater: Adsorption, Reduction, and Chelation Mechanisms

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination from industrial wastewater represents a severe environmental threat due to its toxicity, persistence, and non-biodegradable nature. Nanotechnology-based remediation using metal oxide nanoparticles offers high efficiency, rapid action, and cost-effectiveness. This study focuses on the green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles using plant extracts and evaluates their ability to remove common heavy metals—Cr⁶⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺—from industrial wastewater samples. The use of plant phytochemicals serves as a natural reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent, making the process eco-friendly. Synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and BET analyses. Results showed crystalline anatase-phase TiO₂ with particle sizes between 18–40 nm. Batch experiments revealed high removal efficiencies: 82.4% for Cr⁶⁺, 78.5% for Pb²⁺, 74.1% for Cd²⁺, and 71.3% for Ni²⁺. Mechanistic evaluation indicated that Cr⁶⁺ removal occurred predominantly through reduction (Cr⁶⁺ → Cr³⁺), while Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺ removal was driven by adsorption and chelation to surface hydroxyl groups. The study concludes that green-synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles are a sustainable, efficient, and low-cost material for industrial wastewater treatment.

Reforming Assessment Systems: The Impact of the National Education Policy 2020 on Holistic Student Evaluation

Abstract

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) brings a fundamental shift in the Indian education system’s approach to assessment. Moving away from high-stakes, rote-based examinations toward continuous, competency-based, multidimensional evaluation, the policy seeks to support holistic student development—including cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. This paper analyses how NEP 2020 reforms assessment systems in school education, reviews the intended impacts of these reforms on student learning and behaviour, examines early evidence and implementation challenges, and offers recommendations for strengthening the assessment architecture so that holistic evaluation becomes meaningful and widespread. The findings suggest that while NEP 2020 presents a solid framework for reform, actual impact depends heavily on teacher capacity, infrastructure, systemic alignment, and effective data-systems. Without those enablers, the shift to holistic evaluation risks being superficial.

ग्रामीण जनसंख्या का नगरीय प्रवास और इसके सामाजिक-आर्थिक प्रभावों का भौगोलिक अध्ययन

Abstract

यह अध्ययन ग्रामीण जनसंख्या के शहरी क्षेत्रों में प्रवास के सामाजिक, आर्थिक और भौगोलिक प्रभावों का विश्लेषण करता है। मिश्रित शोध पद्धति (Mixed-Method Approach) का उपयोग करते हुए, गुणात्मक डेटा साक्षात्कार और समूह चर्चाओं के माध्यम से तथा मात्रात्मक डेटा सर्वेक्षण और भौगोलिक विश्लेषण द्वारा एकत्रित किया गया। परिणाम स्पष्ट करते हैं कि प्रवास से ग्रामीण परिवारों की आय और रोजगार अवसरों में महत्वपूर्ण वृद्धि हुई, और बच्चों की शिक्षा में सुधार देखा गया। शहरी अर्थव्यवस्था में प्रवासी श्रमिकों का योगदान प्रमुख रूप से निर्माण, सेवा और छोटे उद्योगों में पाया गया, जिससे नगरीय आर्थिक गतिविधियों को गति मिली। इसके बावजूद, शहरी बुनियादी सुविधाओं पर दबाव बढ़ा; विशेषकर आवास और परिवहन पर अत्यधिक बोझ पड़ा, जबकि जल, बिजली और स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं पर मध्यम से उच्च दबाव दर्ज किया गया। प्रवासी समुदायों को सामाजिक असमानता और स्वीकृति की चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ा। ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में कृषि श्रमिकों की कमी और खेती में रुचि में कमी देखी गई, हालांकि परिवारों की आय और शिक्षा में सुधार बना रहा। अध्ययन यह संकेत देता है कि प्रवास के सकारात्मक प्रभाव मुख्यतः आर्थिक और शिक्षा सुधार में हैं, जबकि नकारात्मक प्रभाव शहरी सुविधाओं

Digital Hybridity in Indian-English Online Narratives: Post-2010 Perspectives

Abstract

The post-2010 period marks a significant transformation in Indian-English literature, characterized by the rise of digital platforms as spaces for creative expression. Indian-English writers increasingly experiment with narrative forms that blend text, image, performance, and interactivity, giving rise to hybrid literary practices. This study examines the emergence of Indian-English online narrative forms, explores how digital platforms influence literary form, authorship, readership, and circulation, and analyzes selected narratives from Instagram, Terribly Tiny Tales, YourQuote, Wattpad, Pratilipi, Twitter/X, blogs, and spoken-word/video platforms. By employing a qualitative, interdisciplinary methodology combining digital narratology, postcolonial theory, platform studies, and multimodal discourse analysis, the paper highlights the complex interplay between technology, authorship, and reader participation, demonstrating the significance of digital hybridity in contemporary Indian-English literary culture.