This study aims to develop a framework for detecting and classifying lung diseases, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer, using standard X-ray and CT scan images augmented with volumetric datasets. Leveraging three deep learning architectures—Sequential, Functional, and Transfer Learning models— we trained these systems on publicly available datasets to explore their potential in advancing biomedical imaging. Deep learning, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), offers transformative capabilities in feature extraction from medical images, enabling faster and more accurate disease diagnosis. Our work evaluates the efficacy of these models against existing approaches, addressing challenges such as poor performance in traditional networks when handling rotated, tilted, or atypically oriented images. The proposed Sequential model achieved an F1 score of 98.55%, accuracy of 98.43%, and recall of 96.33% for pneumonia detection, while demonstrating 97.99% F1 score, 99.4% accuracy, and 98.88% recall for tuberculosis. The Functional model excelled in lung cancer classification with 99.9% accuracy and 99.89% specificity, requiring fewer trained parameters and reducing computational costs compared to pre-trained benchmarks. Our results highlight the framework’s superiority in accuracy and efficiency, positioning it as a cost-effective, high performing solution for early disease diagnosis. By integrating state-of-the-art CNNs with diverse architectures, this study advances automated lung disease classification and underscores the clinical viability of deep learning in medical imaging.
Agriculture is practiced extensively in India where more than 64% population is engaged directly or indirectly in Farming. The agriculture is a sensitive industry which depends on various factors like demand of crops, seasonable changes, weather phenomenon increase in input cost and even sometimes farms have to face the wrath of animals which destroys riped crops, all these factors makes the farming very complicated process. Along with these natural calamities also makes the farm prices very volatile. Therefore, to compensate farmers for high risk and increased production cost of the crops Government provide M.S.P to the farmers to provide at least the minimum price below which the crop cannot be sold at the government registered agencies. The national committee on M.S.P presided over by M.S. Swaminathan recommended that the M.S.P should be one and a half time more than the Comprehensive Cost. It’s been the intention of the Government to double the income of farmers which can only possible by providing and ensuring right prices to the farmers for the crops. This paper intends to evaluate to the coverage of the scheme in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand which comprises more than 84% area hilly terrain. The study examined the financial support scheme of farmers and evaluated the cost of production and minimum support price provided to farmers. The results compared the farmers income with minimum support price and how to improve agriculture income. The study benefitted in bringing out the real picture of these price incentive schemes for farmers provided by Government.
The nuclear electric quadrupole moment (QM) is the most central parameter of collective rotation of a nucleus (Doma 1999 and Doma 2002), providing valuable insight into nuclear deformations. Present study calculates the quadrupole moment of the 10B nucleus in its ground state through analysis of the hyperfine structure of atomic spectra. In order to construct the cluster model wavefunction within the shell model framework, we employ the Resonating Group Method (RGM), the Generator Coordinate Method (GCM) and the Complex Generator Coordinate Technique (CGCT). Using CGCT, the cluster wavefunction is transformed into an antisymmetrized product of single-particle wavefunctions. The formulation incorporates total angular momentum, relative motion among the two alpha and a deuteron clusters, as well as definite parity and spin. Calculations are performed with the Woods–Saxon potential and the result obtained is in good agreement with available data.
In present work we have studied intense geomagnetic storms (GMSs) (Dst ≤ 100 nT) produced by corotating interaction regions (CIRs) for a period of 1995 – 2016 spanning solar cycle 23 and 24. GMSs driven by CIRs largely falls in the weak or moderate class while the intense GMSs due to CIRs occupying a very small fraction. In this paper features of CIR driven intense events are analyzed using superposed epoch analysis (SEA). All events are divided into two groups pure CIR events and CIR-ICME events. To measure geomagnetic activity, we have used hourly data for AE and Dst indices. For solar wind plasma and field parameters, hourly data for z component of IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) , solar wind speed V, convective electric field , and magnitude B of IMF is used. In addition to this correlation analysis is performed in order to determine the most useful solar wind plasma and field parameters linked with these intense GMSs.
This study presents an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using an aqueous leaf extract of Malva parviflora as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesis involved the reaction of 0.1 M zinc acetate with the plant extract under alkaline conditions (pH 10–12), resulting in the formation of a white precipitate indicative of ZnO nanoparticle formation. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using multiple analytical techniques. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of ZnO NPs with an absorption peak at 314 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with an average crystallite size of approximately 25 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified proteins, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds from the leaf extract as capping agents responsible for nanoparticle stabilization. Electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) showed polycrystalline particles ranging from 15 to 50 nm, forming larger aggregates. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated a hydrodynamic diameter of 693.5 nm with moderate polydispersity (PDI: 0.352). The biosynthesized ZnO NPs exhibited significant dose-dependent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (IC₅₀ = 660.74 µg/mL) and demonstrated potent antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (zone of inhibition: 13.83–14.93 mm) with selective antifungal activity. These findings highlight the potential of M. parviflora-mediated ZnO NPs as promising candidates for biomedical applications, including antimicrobial therapies and antioxidant formulations.
This study investigates how personality traits influence the adoption and continued usage of the Metaverse for sustained engagement in the banking industry. It introduces a comprehensive model integrating the Big Five Personality Traits with the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 1,552 Metaverse users in India and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings reveal significant associations between specific personality traits and user behavior: conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extroversion positively correlate with Metaverse adoption, while openness is linked to perceived ease of use and neuroticism to perceived usefulness. Satisfaction with Metaverse experiences in banking builds user trust, which in turn fosters continued engagement. These results underscore the role of personality in shaping user expectations, perceived value, and long-term interaction with Metaverse platforms in financial services. The study offers practical insights for banks aiming to develop targeted segmentation and engagement strategies that align with individual user profiles. By uniquely combining personality theory with TAM and ECT, this research provides a novel framework for understanding and enhancing user adoption and sustained usage of Metaverse technologies within the banking sector.
The Eidgah Bawdi in Narnaul, Haryana, is a five-storied stepwell dating to the Mughal period, reflecting the rich tradition of water architecture. It features simple yet functional design elements such as arched gateways, staircases, and decorative chhatris, showcasing the skill of local artisans who balanced practical needs with aesthetic form. Unlike the decorative stepwells of Gujarat and Rajasthan, it represents a more utilitarian Mughal style appropriate to the semi-arid landscape. Presently, it faces threats like vegetation growth, soil deposition, neglect, and encroachments that have weakened its structure. Despite these issues, the Bawdi remains a significant example of medieval engineering and social architecture. This study highlights the significance of this Bawdi and also the need for detailed documentation, conservation efforts, and community involvement to preserve this lesser-known medieval heritage.
India, as one of the world’s megadiverse countries, faces significant ecological challenges from the spread of invasive alien species (IAS). This study investigates the diversity and ecological impact of IAS in and around Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. A total of 30 invasive plant species were recorded across varied habitats including wastelands, agricultural fields, and forest margins. Field surveys, herbarium references, and community consultations revealed that most species were herbs or undershrubs, primarily of tropical American origin. These species have caused native displacement, habitat degradation, and soil quality reduction. However, some also offer limited ecosystem services, such as pollinator support and medicinal use. The study emphasizes the importance of early detection, public awareness, and integrated management strategies—manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological—for effective IAS control. It underscores the urgent need for systematic monitoring and sustainable mitigation strategies to protect native biodiversity in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The term “Himalaya Kumbh” refers to two major festivals. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat yatra in Uttarakhand is a 12-year pilgrimage Honouring Goddess Nanda Devi, and the Naropa Festival in Ladakh is a Buddhist Celebration held every 12 years. Both are considered Kumbh of the Himalayas due to their immense scale and significance, but they are distinct events in different regions and traditions. The Himalayan Kumbh holds both scientific and spiritual significance, rooted in its rich cultural and religious traditions. Scientifically, its timing is determined by intricate celestial calculations involving Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon, which are believed to amplify the Earth's electromagnetic fields. Religiously, it is a massive gathering for spiritual cleansing with devotees bathing in sacred rivers to atone for sins and achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
We analyse India’s contradictions toward environmental security and examine how it strategically frames climate change and ecological degradation as non-traditional threats. Applying securitisation theory through a qualitative literature review of academic and policy discourses, we find a dual strategy. Internationally, India resists the securitisation of climate change and frames it as a geopolitical strategy by the global North. However, domestically, India actively views environmental stress as an existential threat to national energy security, internal stability, and human security. This creates a central paradox where policies that promote energy security can exacerbate local insecurity, such as water scarcity and displacement, which act as “threat multipliers” for internal conflict and cross-border tensions. Ultimately, environmental security is now a core element of India’s strategic agenda. Long-term sustainability requires resolving internal contradictions between its national development imperatives and the principles of ecological resilience and climate justice.
With the advent of technology, the realm of social media has widened across the age group—Youth (15-29 years), not being an exception. However, the significant influence of social media on youth in defining their day-to-day activities, including marriage, is one of the pressing issues of Indian society. In this context, this study aims to explore the changing dimensions of marriage (love marriage v/s arranged marriage) among youth in the wake of social media. For this purpose, the study conducted a primary survey (n=384) on youth aged 15- 29 years in the Chamoli (Rural) and Dehradun (Urban) districts of Dehradun. The study is qualitative in nature and utilized semi-structured interviews with youth and intergenerational dialogues with parents. The findings reveal a growing preference among youth for hybrid marriage models that balance personal choice with familial approval. While digital platforms provide private spaces for courtship, they also intensify emotional dependencies, anxieties linked to surveillance, and pressures of performative relationships.
This study examines the apple orchard supply chain to identify key factors contributing to postharvest losses (PHL). Based on a comprehensive review of existing literature, pilot survey, and expert opinions, fourteen critical factors were identified. Using the Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) approach, then study analysed the hierarchical relationships among these factors to determine their significance and impact. The findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, financial strain on farmers and stakeholders, an inefficient supply chain framework, poor agro-supply chain management, and weak coordination among government agencies, institutions, and businesses are the primary causes of PHL in apple farming. The study provides valuable insights for orchard stakeholders by highlighting the interconnections among these factors and their role in postharvest losses. Addressing these challenges through infrastructure development, financial support, and institutional collaboration can improve supply chain efficiency and reduce wastage. Furthermore, the study offers practical recommendations for policymakers to refine horticulture policies, ensuring better support for apple orchards. Strengthening coordination among institutions and implementing targeted interventions can significantly enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Apple supply chain.
Vegetables contribute significantly to India's agricultural economy and nutritional stability, with their demand increasing due to population growth and heightened health awareness. Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.), a valuable vegetable crop, is susceptible to fungal diseases that compromise yield and quality. Alternaria blight (Alternaria solani) and Colletotrichum blight (Colletotrichum capsici and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) are two prevalent diseases affecting capsicum, causing leaf spot, fruit rot, and stem blight, and resulting in substantial economic losses.Fungicide application is a widely adopted management practice for these diseases. A polyhouse experiment at Bhagot farm, KVK Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, evaluated the efficacy of various fungicides against Alternaria blight and Colletotrichum blight. Results showed that Graliz (0.1%) application minimized wilt incidence, followed by Ridomil (0.3%). Graliz (0.1%) also effectively reduced Colletotrichum severity (3.31%), followed by Ridomil (0.3%) (5.49%), representing 78% and 63% reductions, respectively, compared to the control (15.17%). For Alternaria, Graliz (0.1%) was most effective, reducing severity by 60% compared to the control.
Small millets belonging to the Poaceae family are widely adaptable to different rainfall zones. Studies were conducted on four varieties of small millets viz., finger millet (PRM1 & PRM2), proso millet (PRC1) and barnyard millet (PRJ1) that differ in the morphological and pathological diversity of fungus affecting them. The infected samples were collected from Minthi and Laoli, villages in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. From these samples, three fungal isolates were obtained, which were identified as Curvularia lunata, Alternaria alternata, and Botrytis cinerea. During natural infection, C. lunata and A. alternata were found to infect the PRM1 variety of finger millet, whereas B. cinerea infects the PRM2, barnyard and proso millet. During pathogenicity studies, barnyard millet, and proso millet were widely affected by the fungal isolates, whereas PRM1 and PRM2 variety of finger millet was found to be resistant. Cross-inoculation tests showed that the isolates of C. lunata from finger millet infects all varieties of small millets. Physiological and biochemical parameters were reduced under stressed conditions except anthocyanin. An increment was found in glutathione peroxidase, proline, and peroxidase activity,whereas catalase activity was reduced under stressful environments. Maximum sporulation was detected on lesions incubated at 36°C (75×104 conidia ml-1 ) for 24 hours. Botrytis cinerea displayed maximum growth at 25°Cwhereas Curvularia lunata and Alternaria alternata depicted maximum growth at 30°C on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. The leaf wetness duration of 36 and 48 h produced significantly higher severity compared to 24 hours duration.
This study explores the influence of birth order on personality development among university students from two-child families in Dehradun, India. Focusing on the Big Five personality traits—Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism—the study utilized the Big Five Inventory-44 (BFI-44) to assess 60 participants (30 first-born and 30 second-born) selected through convenience sampling. Independent samples t-tests revealed that first-borns scored significantly higher in Conscientiousness compared to second-born (p < .05), while differences in the other four traits were not statistically significant. These findings support existing literature suggesting that first-borns tend to exhibit greater responsibility and organization. By controlling for family size, the study contributes to a more focused understanding of how sibling position may affect personality development. The implications extend to educational, clinical, and familial settings, highlighting the need for more nuanced and culturally sensitive research on birth order effects
The historical heritage sites of Uttarakhand, particularly those in the Garhwal Himalaya, serve as living testimonies of the region’s cultural, spiritual, and architectural legacy. However, these structures are vulnerable to biodeterioration caused by microbial colonization, particularly by cyanobacteria and green algae, which form biofilms on stone surfaces. The present study documents the seasonal diversity, distribution, and dominance of algal and cyanobacterial taxa inhabiting the surfaces of five heritage monuments: Guptkashi, Triyuginarayan, Adi Badri, Punya Bhoomi (Gurukula Kangri), and Raghunathji Temple. Samples were collected in different seasons and cultured using BBM, TAP and BG-11 media to isolate and identify taxa based on morphological characteristics. A total of 68 species representing 35 genera were recorded- 24 genera of cyanobacteria, 09 of green algae, and 2 of diatoms. Among cyanobacteria, the order Nostocales was found most dominant, whereas among green algae, members of Chlorellales were prevalent. The study reveals that monsoon conditions favor the greatest diversity and colonization, while winter shows minimal growth. The findings provide insight into microbial colonization patterns and their implications for the conservation of Himalayan heritage sites.
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a fast-growing, herbaceous tropical fruit crop belonging to the family Caricaceae. Indigenous to Central America and Southern Mexico, it is now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, with India ranking among the leading producers worldwide. Among the various cultivars grown in India, Pusa Nanha is a dwarf, gynodioecious papaya variety specifically developed for a high-density plantation system. The present study was conducted to enhance seed germination and seedling growth of papaya using various combinations of growing media. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of thirteen treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised various combinations of vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM), leaf litter, and cocopeat. The result of the study revealed that the growing media combination T13 (Vermicompost + FYM + Leaf litter) showed superior performance over all other treatments, recording the fastest initial germination (16.14 days), highest germination per cent (82.10 %) and maximum survival per cent (90.11 %). Additionally, this combination also produced seedlings with superior growth characteristic, including the maximum plant height (58.14 cm), shoot diameter (16.34 mm), thickest root diameter (11.26 mm), highest number of leaves (24.41), longest root length (31.24cm), maximum shoot fresh and dry biomass (102.20 g and 30.19 g, respectively), maximum root fresh and dry biomass (28.17 g and 9.66 g, respectively) and maximum total fresh and dry biomass (130.24 g and 39.85 g, respectively).
The paper will analyze the connection between job performance and emotional intelligence (EI) among managerial employees in three government-owned banks in Uttarakhand, India. A total of 238 bank managers were sampled through a structured questionnaire to collect the data (response rate = 95.2%) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) applied for the data analysis. The measurement model proved to be reliable and acceptable with good reliability (composite reliability > .70; AVE > .50) and validity. The results of structural models showed that five EI dimensions namely emotional self-awareness, selfmanagement, social awareness, social skills and leadership dimension positively influenced the managerial job performance statistically. The model explained 65.6 percent of the variation in job performance (R2 =.656). Practical implications of the HR practices and managerial development programs are also addressed and the future research directions associated.
Rumex hastatus is a medicinal plant commonly found in the Himalayan region. The plant sample was collected from the vicinity of BGR Campus, Pauri Garhwal, HNBGU, located at a latitude of 30.132719° and a longitude of 78.774266°. The collected sample was washed with distilled water, shade-dried, ground and extracted with methanol. Maceration and sonication methods were employed for extraction. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the plant confirmed the presence of various phytochemicals, including steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, and glycosides. Based on different methods of confirmation, the methanolic extract of Rumex hastatus roots showed the presence of tannins, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, while saponins and carbohydrates were found to be absent.
