Hiralal Bhakat College, established in 1986, is a general degree college in Nalhati. It offers undergraduate courses in arts and commerce. It is affiliated to University of Burdwan.
One of the most central and hotly contested topics in philosophical history is the idea of the self. Because it questions the conventional wisdom about a fixed and unchanging self, David Hume’s Bundle Theory stands out among the competing theories of individual identity. This study takes a fresh look at Hume’s Bundle Theory, this time analysing how it addresses the issues of subject unity, individuality, and self-awareness. According to Hume, we do not have direct experience of a substantial self; instead, our so-called self is nothing more than a collection of ever-evolving perceptions linked by memory, similarity, and causality. By arguing against the idea of an immutable mental substance, Hume provides a new, empirically-based way of looking at individual identity. The research delves into how Bundle Theory clarifies the formation of individual identities via psychological continuity and analyses Hume’s criticism of the substantial self. One of the major objections to Hume’s position, the unified subject problem, is further explored. While critics like Kant and subsequent philosophers acknowledge that Hume does a good job of casting doubt on metaphysical assumptions about selfhood, they also point out that his theory fails to adequately address the question of how multiple perceptions can be felt as belonging to the same conscious subject. The article also assesses how recent advances in cognitive science, comparative philosophy, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind have reshaped current understandings of Bundle Theory. It contends that, flaws and all, Hume’s theory still has much to teach us about the ongoing arguments around questions of subjectivity, identity, and consciousness. An essential framework for modern philosophical investigation, Bundle Theory has stood the test of time because it promotes a dynamic and process-oriented view of the self.
ABSTRACT The present study was conducted along the lower stretch of the Ganga River in the southernmost region of West Bengal, India, encompassing four major districts—Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and Kolkata, which collectively represent one of the state's principal industrial corridors. A total of 12 sampling sites (36 water and sediment samples collected in triplicate) were selected from different river ghats across these districts. Water and sediment samples were collected during the study period for the analysis of physicochemical parameters and sediment‐associated microplastic contamination. Significant spatial variability was observed in key water quality parameters, particularly pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total hardness, and total solids (TS, including TSS and TDS). Spatial distribution patterns were analyzed using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation technique in ArcGIS software. The lowest Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) water quality index (WQI) value (39.50) was recorded at Gournagar (Nadia), indicating poor water quality and substantial environmental degradation at this location. Sediment characteristics also exhibited considerable spatial variation, particularly with respect to organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents. Microplastic analysis of sediment samples revealed a predominance of fibrous particles (45.5%), closely followed by fragments (45%), while spherules accounted for 9.5% of the total microplastic composition. The abundance of microplastics varied markedly among the 12 sampling sites, with Jorabagan and Fairley Ghat showing the highest concentrations (30–38 particles per 100 g of dry sediment), highlighting the influence of intense urbanization and anthropogenic activities. The transparent microplastic particles were dominant across all sites, while white particles were consistently observed. In contrast, the remaining color categories displayed considerable site‐specific variability, suggesting multiple local sources of plastic contamination associated with domestic, commercial, and industrial activities.
The present study investigates the seasonal dynamics of air pollution and associated health risks during festive periods in metropolitan and industrial zones of Eastern India focusing on the state of West Bengal. Using air quality data (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, benzene, and toluene) collected for the pre-festive, festive, and post-festive periods between 2022 and 2024 across seven districts, retrieved from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) portal of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Government of India. The study reveals significant pollutant spikes during celebrations of festival activities such as Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath, and the concentrations also vary pre- and post-festive time. Moreover, industrial belts like Asansol exhibit a higher pollution hike during post-festive seasons. Health risk assessments (hazard quotient for non-carcinogenic and incremental life time cancer risk for carcinogenic effects) indicate elevated non-carcinogenic risk probability among the residents of Asansol (8.08E-01) and Kolkata (8.45E-01) exhibited values nearing the threshold, which indicates Exposure-related respiratory and cardiovascular risks, particularly in densely populated urban and industrial belts. Moreover, probable carcinogenic health risk was prevalent among the residents of Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Haldia which sometimes exhibits more than 1E-04. The findings highlight the urgent need for region-specific mitigation strategies, stricter emission controls, and public awareness initiatives to manage pollution surges and protect public health during cultural festivities.
This present study aims to evaluate the concentration, spatial distribution, source apportionment, and health risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in roadside dust from the Durgapur Industrial Area (DIA), an intensively industrialized, urbanized, and mineral-rich belt located in eastern India. The study investigated pollutant exposure pathways and identified health risks associated with vulnerable population groups like children. Dust samples (n = 42) were collected using the coning and quartering method and analyzed for PTEs (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Co, As, Cd, Cr). The mean concentrations of PTEs were observed in the following order: Fe > Mn > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > As > Cd. The dominant PTEs were Fe (11,246 mg/kg), Mn (1,145 mg/kg), Zn (425 mg/kg), and Cr (191 mg/kg). Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) analyses revealed significant enrichment of Cd, Cr, and As. Contamination and pollution indices (Contamination Factor, Pollution Load Index, Nemerow Pollution Index) confirmed a substantial overall pollution load, primarily influenced by Cd, Cr, As, Mn, Zn, and Pb. Morphological analysis under Scanning Electron Microscopy showed that the dust particles exhibited diverse shapes and structures, such as oval, nutshell-like, and small crystalline forms, as examined. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, were employed to identify potential sources. Pearson correlation showed strong associations among PTE pairs—As–Zn–Pb, Pb–Zn, Cr–Fe, and Ni–Cu—(p ≤ 0.05), indicating common anthropogenic sources including traffic emissions, coal combustion, and industrial processes. PCA identified industrial emissions and vehicular sources as dominant contributors. Health risk analysis showed ingestion as the main exposure route, with hazard indices (HI) for children reaching 1.52 (Cr) and 1.12 (Mn), exceeding the safe limit (HI > 1). Total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for children ranged from 2.47 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.87 × 10⁻4, with As and Pb as major contributors.
The predator-prey system with additive Allee effect in the growth rate of prey is proposed and studied. The proposed system is extended by introducing hyperbolic mortality rate for top predator instead of using common linear mortality rate. The system is analysed in terms of both analytical and numerical aspects. The model system demonstrates that when the system's parameters are changed, it exhibits both stable and unstable dynamics. The Hopf point bifurcation is also studied in the proposed system. The study enhances dependence of the system's dynamics on Allee effect and other crucial parameters. The discipline of forestry and natural ecology can benefit from the findings and experience gained from this study. (c) 2025 L&H Scientific Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
