Himachal Pradesh University

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs)‐based S‐scheme heterojunctions are evolving as a cutting‐edge approach for driving effective CO 2 photoreduction, providing a sustainable way for addressing global energy needs as well as environmental challenges. This review paper delves into the progressions in PQD‐based S‐scheme heterojunctions, highlighting their exclusive synthesis methods, characterization techniques, photocatalytic mechanisms, catalytic efficiency, as well as potential applications. The S‐scheme junctions not only improve the spatial isolation of photogenerated charge carriers but also reserve high oxidation/reduction potentials, enabling efficient CO 2 photoreduction into value‐added CO and CH 4 products. Herein, the roles of lead‐based and lead‐free PQDs heterojunctions are classified, focusing on their synergistic integration with other catalytic materials, amended CO 2 adsorption, and higher stability under photocatalytic environments. Various challenges, long‐term durability, as well as scalability are also highlighted alongside future perspectives for enhancing structural design and exploring novel compositions. By scientifically bridging the gap between lead‐based efficacy and lead‐free sustainability, this paper highlights the transformative potential of PQDs‐based S‐scheme heterojunctions. These materials pave the pathway for advanced photoactive catalysts capable of addressing serious energy as well as environmental issues, fostering novelty in CO 2 reduction processes.

The study analyses the water purification capabilities of Moringa oleifera by treating the Yamuna River water sample with alum, Moringa seeds and leaves powder. The results were compared to the traditional water purification method using alum. Before treatment, the water sample had a pH of 8.5, absorbance of 0.22, total hardness of 283.1 mg/L, permanent hardness of 210.5 mg/L, chloride content of 273.0 mg/L, fluoride content of 2.5 mg/L, nitrate level of 100 mg/L, and alkalinity of 800 mg/L. After treatment with Moringa seed powder (2–12 g/L), these parameters values decreased, with pH ranging from 7.5±0.1 to 8.2±0.1, absorbance from 0.12±0.01 to 0.13±0.01, total hardness from 153.3 to 250.8 mg/L, permanent hardness from 127.4 to 181.4 mg/L, chloride content from 218.3 to 262.3 mg/L, fluoride content from 1.5 to 2.5 mg/L, nitrate from 10 to 100 mg/L, and alkalinity from 200 to 600 mg/L. Similarly, after treatment with Moringa leaf powder, the parameter values varied, with pH ranging from 7.0±0.1 to 7.8±0.1, absorbance from 0.12±0.01 to 0.13±0.01, total hardness from 106.4 to 226.2 mg/L, permanent hardness from 101.8 to 164.2 mg/L, chloride content from 208.1 to 260.0 mg/L, fluoride content from 1.5 to 2.0 mg/L, nitrate level from 10 to 100 mg/L and alkalinity from 200 to 400 mg/L. The present study highlights the characteristics of Moringa oleifera as a natural and effective water-purification solution, which could be especially useful in areas with limited access to safe drinking water. Graphical Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy leading to mortality. The prolonged efficacy of chemotherapeutic medications has been hindered by their limited capacity to reach the intended target, their lack of specificity in targeting tumors, their non-specific dispersion throughout the body and limited availability at the tumor location, and their undesired adverse effects. Targeted drug delivery to the colon enhances drug concentration at the desired location, resulting in a reduced dosage requirement and consequently, fewer side effects. This review article provides a thorough discussion of the numerous pathways that may cause colorectal cancer. The concept of drug targeting in colorectal cancer using nanovesicles has been addressed in detail in this article. This can be accomplished either by passive targeting or active targeting through receptor-ligand interaction by attaching certain active targeting moieties, such as folic acid, epidermal growth factor receptor, GE-11 peptide, EpCAM aptamer, and transferrin, over the surface of nanovesicle. This review showcases applications of nanovesicle systems, such as liposomes, phytosomes, polymeric micelles, niosomes, cubosomes, emulsomes, polymersomes and lipopolymersomes in drug delivery for the management of colorectal cancer. The nanovesicle systems have significant potential in managing colorectal cancer and overcoming the challenges encountered with current therapy methods.

Since Spallanzani’s first attempt to preserve sperm cells by cooling in ice, reproductive biology in animals has evolved significantly, from semen cryopreservation to the creation of genome-edited embryos. Animal reproductive technologies encompass semen cryopreservation, artificial insemination (AI), in vitro maturation/fertilization, embryo production (in vivo or in vitro), embryo transfer, ovum pick-up, cloning, genome editing, and nanotechnology. These technologies have revolutionized genetic improvement and productivity through optimizing reproduction in the livestock sector. Among these, nanotechnology, in particular, is promising for transforming the assisted reproductive domain of theriogenology such as sperm/oocyte and embryo biology. In sperm biology, nanotechnology has its application in semen purification, bioimaging, cryopreservation, sperm sorting, and sperm-mediated genomic engineering. Further, preliminary studies have shown that nanotechnology may augment follicular growth, maturation, and fertilization during in vitro culture of oocytes. Additionally, nanotechnology has led to notable improvements in embryo production and the development of advanced procedures like selection, bisection, and genetic engineering of embryos. Thus, nanotechnology stands out as a transformative tool with the potential to revolutionize every facet of reproductive biology across animal species. Looking ahead, the continued integration of nanotechnology with reproductive biotechnologies offers immense promise for enhancing the efficiency and precision of reproductive management. This review will underscore the evolution of nanotechnology applications in reproductive biology and their prospects for the livestock industry. Graphical Abstract

This study presents a bioassessment of lowland streams in the Shivalik Himalayas, utilizing benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators to evaluate the ecological health of the streams. Lowland streams of Shivalik Himalayas were assessed to analyze the diversity and distribution of macroinvertebrate communities in relation to various physicochemical parameters and anthropogenic influences. The results revealed significant variations in water quality across the sites, with key parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and nutrient levels influencing the assemblage patterns of macroinvertebrates. The water quality at different locations based on macro-invertebrate available taxa has also been validated using WAWQI (Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index). The study identified 25 families of benthic macroinvertebrates, encompassing 11 taxonomic groups, with notable variations in abundance and diversity among sites. Three biotic indices—BMWP/ASPT (Biological Monitoring Working Party/Average Score Per Taxon), FBI (Family Biotic Index), and HKHBIOS (Hindu Kush Himalayan Biotic Score) were used to evaluate the water quality, showing moderate to good ecological conditions at less disturbed sites and indicating pollution and degradation at sites with higher anthropogenic activities. Statistical analysis by using ANOVA showed significant differences among the biotic indices applied. The findings highlight the utility of benthic macroinvertebrates as reliable bioindicators for assessing stream health and underscore the need for integrated management strategies to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems in the Himalayan region.

This study investigates the energy release characteristics of second‐generation biodiesel blends derived from beef tallow and castor bean in a turbocharged compression ignition engine. The primary objective was to evaluate ignition delay, combustion phasing, and energy release rates at various engine loads using blends of B10 and B20 biodiesel concentrations. A comprehensive experimental setup, including a diesel engine and a detailed thermodynamic model, was employed for this analysis. Dynamometric testing was conducted to assess the performance of the biodiesel blends compared to mineral diesel and soybean biodiesel. Key parameters such as cetane number, viscosity, and fatty acid composition of the biodiesels were correlated with their combustion behavior. Energy release characteristics were measured under low (250 kPa), medium (500 kPa), and high (750 kPa) load conditions. The study revealed that beef tallow biodiesel advanced ignition timing, reducing premixed combustion phases across all loads. At low load, castor bean biodiesel showed significant ignition delays (around 3° crank angle longer than diesel), leading to higher peak energy release rates, notably at high loads where it surpassed mineral diesel. The B20 blend of castor bean biodiesel emitted 320 mg/kg of unburned hydrocarbons at low load, compared to 21 mg/kg for diesel, indicating challenges in achieving complete combustion. Beef tallow biodiesel exhibited favorable ignition characteristics, while castor bean biodiesel faced issues with delayed ignition and higher energy release rates due to its high viscosity and low cetane number. Optimizing the molecular composition of castor bean biodiesel and exploring advanced fuel injection strategies could enhance its combustion efficiency. Further research is recommended to investigate the long‐term effects on engine wear and emissions, ensuring these biodiesels' viability as sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels.

The presented research work encompasses outcomes from different methods performed to assess the bioactive properties of aerial parts of Artemisia maritima and the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Bioactive properties of plant parts were screened in terms of phytochemical components (total phenols, flavonoids, tannin contents (TPC, TFC, and TTC), and GCMS analysis), enzyme inhibitory potential (α-amylase), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Biofabricated silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and HRTEM, their antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials were also assessed. Plant material after extraction demonstrated a higher percentage yield in methanol solvent than in acetone. Both extracts revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. However, between both extracts, the acetone extract revealed a higher TPC and TTC. On the other hand, methanol extract disclosed higher TFC. GCMS analysis indicated α-santonin, 1,3,6,10-cyclotetradecatetraene, 3,7,11-trimethyl-14-(1-methylethyl)-, [S-(E, Z,E, E)] and tetrapentacontane as major compounds with the highest percentage area in both solvents. Plant extracts also reported α-amylase inhibition potential with IC50 values of 5.67 mg/mL (acetone) and 13.32 mg/mL (methanol). After characterization, the obtained nanoparticles displayed the presence of different functional groups (FTIR), almost spherical shapes (FESEM, HRTEM), and crystalline nature (XRD, SAED). Nanoparticles also exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, along with plant extracts.

Vinblastine, a potent anticancer drug, is traditionally extracted from Catharanthus roseus, but its low yield and high production costs necessitate alternative sources. In this study, twelve endophytic fungi were isolated from Catharanthus roseus collected in Himachal Pradesh, India. Among these, isolate VPF-2, identified as Alternaria alternata through morphological and molecular analysis, demonstrated significant vinblastine production (8.673 mg/L) in M3 medium broth. PCR screening confirmed the presence of key biosynthetic genes, desacetoxyvindoline-4-hydroxylase (D4H) and tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), in VPF-2. The fungal-derived vinblastine exhibited cytotoxic activity against MDCK cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 69.03 µg/mL. Structural characterization using HPTLC, UV, FTIR, LC–ESI–MS/MS, and NMR confirmed the compound's identity. This study reports the highest vinblastine yield from A. alternata to date, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and scalable alternative for industrial vinblastine production.

We have developed a machine-learned interatomic potential for aluminum nanoparticles with accuracy near density functional theory, using regression-based Gaussian approximation potential. Ten thousand data points from 10 different nanoparticle sizes, ranging from 40 to 123 atoms, are generated to train and validate our potential. Two models have been developed: model A1 exclusively for N = 55 nanoparticles and model A2 for a broad range of aluminum nanoparticles. Both models were so trained that the error between the trained and source data in terms of force and energy is minimal. These models were subsequently used to compute the heat capacities and melting temperatures of different aluminum nanoparticles using the multiple histogram technique. Models A1 and A2 demonstrate remarkable accuracy for Al 53, Al 55, Al 60, Al 116, and Al 128 nanoparticles. Obtained melting temperatures and heat capacities of Al 53, Al 55, Al 60, Al 116, and Al 128 exhibit excellent agreement with experimental measurements. The melting temperature is ascribed to the phase transition in the nanoparticles analyzed in terms of mean square displacement and Lindemann index. Further both models A1 and A2 have accurately captured all the striking features observed in the experimental results.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are important in evaluating a company’s performance while aligning investment with governance, ethical, environmental, social commitment, and sustainability goals. Recent years have seen an increasing focus on ESG factors, leading to a corresponding evolution in financial markets. ESG is emerging as a key factor among other non-financial performance indicators that impact market dynamics, price, and investment strategies. This study investigates the price discovery process at the firm level in reference to ESG in the Indian stock market. The data were analyzed for 11 key sectors using the daily closing prices in the spot market and futures market prices of selected firms, along with their respective ESG scores. The study used the stationarity test and order of integration test, followed by applying the Johansen cointegration test to analyze long-run co-integrating relationships among futures and spot market prices. Finally, the vector error correction mechanism (VECM) test was applied to detect long-term causality. Findings reveal that the price discovery process takes place in the Indian stock market and is significantly affected by the ESG factor. In the case of a high ESG score, the spot market leads the futures market, while for stocks with low ESG scores, the futures market price leads the spot price. Cement, oil, gas, and pharmaceutical sectors have shown a negative association between the price discovery process and ESG scores, while in the case of the service sector, the positive association is witnessed between ESG scores and the price discovery process between futures and spot prices.

The study aimed to optimize the hydrolysis process of soybean oil seeds to produce protein hydrolysate powder with enhanced functional properties. The proximate analysis revealed that the hydrolysate had a significantly higher protein content (60.33%) compared to the original oil seed cake (46.26%). Using response surface methodology, the optimum condition of hydrolysis was found to be at pH 8 with an enzyme concentration of 0.3%. Under these conditions, the hydrolysate showed high antioxidant activity of (45.80%), total phenolic content of (1.80 mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content of (0.54 mg QE/g). The techno‐functional properties of the optimized hydrolysate powder, including bulk density (0.51 g/mL), tapped density (0.66 g/mL), foaming capacity (22%), foam stability (50.4%), water absorption index (2.28 g/g), water solubility (59.66%), and oil absorption capacity (1.34 g/g) were found to be superior compared to other protein hydrolysates from literature. Characterization by FTIR revealed the presence of alcohol, alkane, amine, fluoro, and halo compounds, while XRD indicated a semi‐crystalline nature. SEM analysis showed a microporous, broken, and brittle morphology. The hydrolysate also exhibited promising bioactivities, with 40.33% lipase inhibition, 53.47% amylase inhibition, and prolonged glucose retention time up to 240 min in an in vitro model. These results demonstrate the potential of the optimized soybean oil seed cake protein hydrolysate as a value‐added product for applications in food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.

We recently reported marked variability in seed germination characteristics of some Oryza sativa L. landraces from Sikkim Himalaya with a subset showing lower germination coinciding with reduced constitutive α-amylase activity. Since exogenous GA3 stimulated seed germination with a concomitant increase in α-amylase activity in the landraces of this subset, their low germination ability seems to be a consequence inter alia of lower endogenous GA3 levels vis-à-vis the high germinating counterparts. Here, it was of interest to monitor the seed germination and early (germination stage) root growth responses of certain low (Birinful, Doodhkatey, Dhansey) and high (Tukmorzho, Chinizho, Nepalzho) germinating landraces to aluminium (Al) and examine the influence thereon of exogenous GA3. The outcome could be expected to provide insight into the involvement, if any, of GA3 in alleviation of Al toxicity at the monitored stage. A 4-d exposure to Al (0–100 μM) led to a concentration dependent suppression and delay (increased mean germination time, MGT) of seed germination in all the tested landraces. However, the magnitude of suppression was generally greater in low germinating landraces vis-a-vis the high germinating counterparts with occasional concentration-specific quantitative differences. Al treatment resulted in a correspondingly decreased α-amylase activity, implying reduced starch hydrolysis, that contributed to the suppression of seed germination. Likewise, the root growth, measured after 4-d treatment, was differentially inhibited by Al, the magnitude of inhibition being greater in Birinful and Dhansey (both low germinating landraces) than in Chinizho and Tukmorzho (both high germinating landraces). The remaining two (Doodhkatey, Nepalzho) differed in response quantitatively from other landraces in their respective groups pointing to the fact that root growth response to Al is independent of seed germination status. Due to GA3 pretreatment, the magnitude of Al-induced inhibition of seed germination and early root growth was reduced to varying extents in a landrace dependent manner that also coincided with increased α-amylase activity. In addition, Al induced a landrace-dependent suppression of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction ability, a measure of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, of rice seeds. This ability remained higher due to GA3 pretreatment. Taken together, the observations suggest the possibility of GA3 contributing to an extent towards reduction of Al toxicity in certain rice landraces by influencing the germination related metabolic events. Such GA3 effects seem to be restricted to germination stage preceding the processes operating in roots that predominantly determine the Al-toxicity and tolerance.

A green and convenient combustion method was utilized to synthesize wolframite-type zinc molybdate (ZnMoO4) nanostructures. The crystalline characteristics of the nanostructures were confirmed by XRD and SAED, revealing the presence of an anorthic phase. Elemental composition and oxidation states were analyzed using XPS and EDS. TEM determined the average particle sizes to be 17.06 nm for ZnMoO4 and 17.40 nm for G-ZnMoO4 nanostructures. These nanostructures were then evaluated for their photocatalytic performance against UV-protected industrial Novacron brown dye, achieving degradation efficiencies of 82.98% for ZnMoO4 and 94.31% for G-ZnMoO4 within 120 min. Additionally, the preferable broad-spectrum antibacterial activities of these nanostructures against three human pathogenic bacterial strains were investigated. Graphical abstract

Literature is the foundation of Humanity's culture,beliefs and traditions. The affiliation between literature and society is based on the cultural ties. Literature is a reflection of the society, its virtues and the vices. In its corrective measure, literature also mirrors the evils of the society with a view to making the society realize its mistakes and make amends. Literature, as an imitation of human action often depicts what people think, say and do in the society. The narratives are designed to portray human life and action through some characters who by virtue of their action convey universal truths for the purpose of education, information and entertainment.Every work of literature is replete with societal issues and engages itself in contemporary consciousness. The humanitarian concerns of writers led to the emergence of Human rights literature, which is a literary genre that deals with human rights issues, and through rich narratives promotes values of human rights.

Current resume screening relies on manual review, causing delays and errors in evaluating large volumes of resumes. Lack of automation and data extraction leads to inefficiencies and potential biases. Recruiters face challenges in identifying qualified candidates due to oversight and time constraints. Inconsistent evaluation criteria hinder decision‐making. These issues result in prolonged hiring processes, missed opportunities, and potential bias in candidate selection. The goal of this project is to develop an AI‐powered Resume Analysis and Recommendation Tool, catering to the trend of recruiters spending less than 2 min on each CV. The tool will rapidly analyze all resume components while providing personalized predictions and recommendations to applicants for improving their CVs. It will present user‐friendly data for recruiters, facilitating export to CSV for integration into their recruitment processes. Additionally, the tool will offer insights and analytics on popular roles and skills within the job market. Its user section will enable applicants to continually test and track their resumes, encouraging repeat usage and driving traffic. Colleges can benefit from gaining insights into students' resumes before placements. Overall, this AI‐powered tool aims to enhance the resume evaluation process, benefiting both job seekers and employers. The primary aim of this project is to develop a Resume Analyzer using Python, incorporating advanced libraries such as Pyresparser, NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit), and MySQL. This automated system offers an efficient solution for parsing, analyzing, and extracting essential information from resumes. The user‐friendly interface, developed using Streamlit, allows for seamless resume uploading, insightful data visualization, and analytics. The Resume Analyzer significantly streamlines the resume screening process, providing recruiters with valuable insights and enhancing their decision‐making capabilities.

Phase‐change memory (PCM) represents a next‐generation advancement in nonvolatile data storage technology. Its potential stems from high scalability, rapid switching response, and long‐term data stability, making it suitable for nanoscale applications. PCM operates by inducing structural transitions within phase‐change materials, toggling between an ordered crystalline state and a disordered amorphous phase. This transformation significantly alters optical and electrical characteristics, which is crucial for electronic applications and optical data recording. Among notable phase‐change materials, GST225 and In 2 Se 3 exhibit remarkable switching properties, enabling efficient information storage. In this article, we have discussed GST225 and In 2 Se 3 phase change materials. PCM technology presents significant advantages, but there are several challenges and limitations which must be addressed for it to become a universal memory solution. Some of these challenges such as switching speed, data retention, power consumption, and cycling endurance are discussed in this article.

The synthesis of CuO NPs from Citrus fruit peel waste is a noteworthy strategy for the effective repurposing utilization of waste and its application in therapeutic studies. Synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) from citrus fruit extracts displayed a dark greenish-black colour with sizes ranging from 379.41, 113.19 and 142.76 nm of lemon, orange and tangerine CuO NPs. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phytochemicals in the extracts wherein lemon CuO NPs lacked flavonoids and cardiac glycosides, while orange CuO NPs lacked alkaloids and flavonoids, and tangerine CuO NPs lacked only alkaloids. The decrease in phenolic concentration in CuO NPs was attributed to complex formation with metal ions. Tangerine CuO NPs exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, while lemon CuO NPs showed the highest total antioxidant capacity. Antibacterial activity increased with CuO NP concentration, with tangerine CuO NPs displaying the highest activity against both Bacillus subtilis subtilis strain 168 and Escherichia coli strain PU-1 isolated from Ghagghar river, Haryana, India. This activity was linked to the disruption of bacterial cell membranes and oxidative stress, supported by the interaction between CuO NPs and bacterial cell components. These findings contribute to understanding of various potential applications of citrus fruit-derived CuO NPs in antimicrobial and antioxidant therapies.

Background Moringa oleiferan-hexane (MO n-Hex) seed extract contains phytoconstituents such as behenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. These exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antioxidant properties and can alleviate atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms. Purpose This study aimed to develop and evaluate MO n-Hex seed extract-loaded microemulsion (ME) hydrogel to provide an effective, safe, non-steroidal, plant-based alternative to conventional therapies in the topical management of AD. Methods Optimized o/w ME was developed by building pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. Ex vivo skin penetration was determined by employing CLSM analysis. Further, skin compatibility, histological analysis, and pharmacodynamics were carried out using a DNCB-induced AD model in BALB/c mice. Results The best o/w ME demonstrated nearly spherical globules with size < 50 nm, zeta potential − 28.83 ± 0.492, and pH value 5.433 ± 0.047. The in vivo efficacy revealed significant improvements in AD-like symptoms, healed ear skin lesions, and lowered IgE levels and inflammatory cytokiness (IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-γ). Further, histological analysis confirmed the restoration of skin structure, supporting the formulation’s potential in skin barrier repair. Conclusions The study demonstrated that the MO n-Hex seed extract-loaded MEs were suitable for topical use with improved penetration to deeper layers of skin while showing safety and better skin compliance. The formulated MEs effectively modulated immune responses and restored skin structure and barrier functioning. Graphical abstract