Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University

Toxicology examines the harmful effects of substances on biological systems and ecosystems, with pharmaceuticals like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) posing a significant threat to aquatic life. Fluoxetine, a common SSRI, contaminates waterways, affecting fish reproduction, behavior, and physiology, and potentially harming humans through the food chain. This study investigates the impact of fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, on the reproductive health and behaviour of zebrafish (Danio rerio). A cohort comprising 60 adult zebrafish, all approximately 3 to 4 months of age and exhibiting comparable developmental stages, was utilised for the investigation. These fish were randomly assigned to three distinct experimental groups: a control group, a low-dose group, and a high-dose group. Adult zebrafish were exposed to fluoxetine at concentrations of 0 (control), 40 ng/L (low dose), and 400 ng/L (high dose) for 28 days. Histopathological analysis revealed dose-dependent reproductive toxicity. In females, fluoxetine exposure caused detachment of the zona radiata in vitellogenin oocytes and increased the presence of atretic oocytes, indicating disrupted oogenesis. In males, exposure led to vacuolization in Sertoli cells and a potential reduction in spermatozoa, suggesting impaired spermatogenesis. Behavioural analysis using the novel tank test (NTT) showed that low-dose fluoxetine reduced anxiety-like behaviour, as evidenced by decreased latency to enter the top zone and increased time spent in the top zone. Conversely, high-dose exposure increased anxiety-like behaviour, with fish spending more time in the bottom zone. These findings demonstrate that fluoxetine, even at environmentally relevant concentrations, can negatively affect both the reproductive system and behaviour of zebrafish, highlighting the ecotoxicological risks associated with pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic environments.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, such as thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid and others are widely used in agriculture, but their impact on non-target organisms, particularly soil invertebrates like earthworms, is a growing concern. This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of thiamethoxam on Eisenia fetida, a key soil organism, focusing on behavioral alterations and population dynamics. Earthworms were exposed to varying concentrations of thiamethoxam (control (0mg/kg), low-dose(6mg/kg), and high-dose(26mg/kg)) for 28 days. The results demonstrated dose-dependent detrimental effects. The high-dose group exhibited significant mortality, reduced biomass, aberrant behavior, and cyst formation. Hydro taxis, photo taxis, chemotaxis, and geotaxis tests revealed significant impairments in the high-dose group. These findings underscore the need for rigorous regulation of thiamethoxam and the promotion of sustainable pest management strategies to protect soil biodiversity and ecosystem health.

This paper examines the persistence and structure of regional inequality in human development within Karnataka, India, through the lens of the human capability approach. Moving beyond income and growth rates, it analyses how freedoms and opportunities are unevenly distributed across districts and taluks, and how these disparities intersect with gender, caste, minority status and infrastructure gaps. The study relies exclusively on secondary data drawn primarily from the Karnataka State Human Development Report 2022, earlier state HDRs (1999, 2005, 2015), Census 2011, multidimensional poverty measures and micro-level district and taluk studies. Adopting a descriptive–analytical strategy rather than formal econometric modelling, it tracks long-term patterns in HDI, Gender Equality Index, SC/ST Multidimensional Poverty Index, minority HDI and key social infrastructure indicators. The findings reveal a striking stability in the state’s development hierarchy. Coastal and southern districts such as Bengaluru Urban, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu continue to record high human development, while Kalyana Karnataka districts—including Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Ballari and Kalaburagi—remain clustered at the bottom. Low HDI is closely associated with weak gender equality, high intensity of SC/ST deprivation, very low minority and ST HDI in specific taluks, and deficits in drinking water, sanitation, housing, electricity and health facilities. Taluk-level evidence shows that severe deprivation can be concealed within seemingly moderate districts, underscoring the limits of district averages for policy design. The paper argues that Karnataka’s development pattern is structurally “two-speed”: dynamic in the south and coast, stagnant in the north, with multiple disadvantages reinforcing one another over time. It concludes that incremental, scheme-based interventions are inadequate. Instead, a long-term, regionally differentiated strategy is required, centred on girls’ education, gender equality, targeted support for SC/ST and minority communities, infrastructure strengthening in lagging districts, and a need-based reorientation of public expenditure towards high-deprivation taluks. By integrating regional, social and gendered dimensions of deprivation within a single analytical framework, the study contributes evidence useful for more finely targeted human development planning in Karnataka.

This paper examines the level of awareness and accessibility of the Startup India Initiative and Karnataka Startup Policy (KSP) among entrepreneurs in the Kalyana Karnataka region. Based on primary data from 109 registered startups, the study uses descriptive and inferential statistics to assess how entrepreneurs perceive and access policy benefits. Statistical tools, including Chi-square tests and correlation analysis, were applied to measure associations between demographic variables and awareness/accessibility levels. The results reveal that awareness of both schemes is moderate, with accessibility hindered by procedural complexity, information gaps, and geographic imbalance. The findings highlight the need for stronger outreach mechanisms, simplified policy procedures, and localized incubation infrastructure to ensure inclusive entrepreneurial growth. KEYWORDS: Startup India, Karnataka Startup Policy, Awareness, Accessibility, Entrepreneurship, Kalyana Karnataka Region

In this manuscript, we have explored the absorption and fluorescence properties of Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Trimethoprim (TMP) in the pH range 1-14. The absorption and fluorescence properties of SMX and TMP exhibit significant variations with changes in pH. These variations in absorption and fluorescence characteristics have been analyzed based on the existence of different species of these molecules in different pH ranges. The variations in absorption and fluorescence intensity of SMX and TMP molecules as a function of pH have been utilized to design two-input molecular logic gates, namely Improved-INHIBIT (I-INHIBIT) and IMPLICATION. Also, the absorption and fluorescence properties at different wavelength maxima have been utilized to design the same molecular logic gates.

Brain tumors pose severe threats as uncontrolled cell growth in the brain or skull. Their rising death toll necessitates timely and accurate diagnosis, enabling rapid treatment and improved prognosis. While conventional MRI analysis is insufficient, recent advances in computer-aided detection through cerebral imaging techniques have increased brain tumor identification. This study presents a strategy using EfficientNet, a pre-trained deep learning model leveraging transfer learning, to detect brain tumors with high accuracy. Specifically, EfficientNet-B0, B1, and B3 models were evaluated. Impressively, these achieved test accuracies of $98.16 \%, 99.57 \%$, and $82.44 \%$ respectively. The integration of K-Fold crossvalidation further reinforced these results by providing a more reliable estimate of model performance and reducing the risk of overfitting. This rigorous validation process demonstrates the importance of components like resolution calibration, knowledge transfer, and tuning for attaining high classification performance. Initial findings indicate the potential to improve tumor detection sensitivity. Overall, this research shows transfer learning with EfficientNet enables highly effective brain tumor identification, crucial for early diagnosis and intervention. Further optimizations are expected to increase accuracy through model fine-tuning and rigorous methodology. This work significantly advances computer-aided diagnostics for critical neurological disorders.

Coupling solar energy with photocatalytic processes offers a viable route to address environmental challenges such as pollution remediation and CO2 reduction.

Abstract The computational, solvatochromism, and preferential solvation studies have been carried out on newly synthesized bio‐active azo dye molecules, namely 5‐[( E )‐(1,5‐dimethyl‐3‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1 H ‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)diazenyl]‐6‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carbonitrile (A1) and 5‐[( E )‐(1,5‐dimethyl‐3‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1 H ‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)diazenyl]‐6‐hydroxy‐1,4‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carbonitrile (A2). The electronic properties, chemical reactivity, and optical characteristics of the dye molecules have been computed using density functional theory (DFT). These findings suggest that the dye molecules are chemically active and show their suitability in NLO applications. The computations related to light‐harvesting properties have been carried out on the dye molecules. The ADME properties of the dye molecules have been evaluated using SwissADME and PreADMET online tools. The solvatochromic behavior of dye molecules has been investigated using Lippert's and Reichardt's solvent polarity parameters. The dye molecules' dielectric interactions and hydrogen bonding characteristics are analyzed using the Catalan multiple regression approach. The findings of the solvatochromic studies suggest the potentiality of the molecules in polarity sensing applications. Additionally, the solvatochromic data has been exploited to determine the excited state dipole moments using various solvatochromic approaches. The HOMO‐LUMO energy values, absorption wavelengths, light‐harvesting properties, and excited state dipole moments of the synthesized dye molecules indicate their suitability in dye‐sensitized solar cell applications. The preferential solvation studies of dye molecules have been conducted in a DCM–DMSO solvent mixture.