Northeast India Research Articles

New species and new records of the basidiolichen Sulzbacheromyces (Lepidostromataceae) from India

The basidiolichens in India are rare and prior to this study, only three species were known. A detailed study of basidiolichen specimens freshly collected and some already available at herbarium LWG resulted in interesting species of Sulzbacheromyces. Notably, all these specimens were collected from northeastern states of India. Sulzbacheromyces arunachalensis is described as new to science which is characterized by its terricolous and crustose thallus; chlorococcoidal photobiont; terete to fusiform, unbranched, white to off-white basidiomata; reniform, 7.1–8.9 × 3.0–3.9 µm basidiospores. The novelty of the species is further confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of the nrITS sequence. In addition, S. bicolor and S. yunnanensis are reported for the first time in India. A key to all known species of Sulzbacheromyces from the world is provided. The discovery of the new species from northeastern India once agin proves it to be a lichen diversity hotspot. The present communication emphasises the need for special focus on basidiolichen study in India.

A novel method to produce maximum ajoene and vinyl dithiin during garlic mustard oil macerate preparation

Garlic mustard oil macerate is a traditional medicine used as a nasal decongestant by the people of northeast India. In this study, a unique preparation technique that maximized the yield of organosulfur compounds in GMM was developed at the lowest preparation temperature and time duration compared to existing preparation methods. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), central composite design (CCD) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for compound identification, experimental design, and quantification of the organosulfur compounds (OSCs), respectively. Through LCMS analysis, ajoene and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiin were detected as the major OSCs. CCD analysis suggested 17 experiments for HPLC analysis, after which the quantity of mustard oil and heating temperature were found to be the significant parameters for optimum OSCs formation. Based on this, the optimized conditions to maximize the yield of ajoene ((garlic: oil (1:2.00), 55.00°C, 4 1 2 h)) and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiin ((garlic: oil (1:2.20), 77.51°C, 2 1 2 h)) were achieved.

Challenges in medicine procurement through GeM in a tertiary care hospital in northeast India

Background & objectives The procurement of medical items (drugs and consumables) through the Government e-marketplace (GeM) is a recent initiative. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the bottlenecks, procedural pitfalls, and delays impacting the supply chain in the procurement process of a tertiary care hospital in northeast India. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the procurement data obtained from the hospital’s procurement cell over 12 months. The study primarily focused on the total demand for medicines and consumables through the e-portal and compared it with the actual quantity/quality received by healthcare facilities. Results The initial demand was placed for 1507 medicines and 1219 medical consumables. However, the healthcare facility received only 695 (46.1%) medicines and 945 (77.5%) consumables. Major bottlenecks identified were non-quotation of medicines, price negotiation rejections, and vendor failure to supply. Interpretation & conclusions This study identifies a few bottlenecks: non-quotation by vendors, price negotiation rejections and failure to supply medicines and consumables by the vendors in procurement through the GeM. Efforts like flexibility in matching previous purchase rates, International Organisation for Standardisation/World Health Organization (ISO/WHO) qualified vendor base at the GeM level and porting in reliable pharmaceutical companies must be directed towards optimising procurement processes and enhancing supply chain management to bridge the identified gaps and promote seamless healthcare delivery.

Ethanolic extract of Akhuni induces ROS-mediated apoptosis through ERK and AKT signalling pathways: Insights from metabolic profiling and molecular docking studies.

Akhuni, an ethnic food of northeast India, induces ROS-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. This is the first report on the anticancer potential of Akhuni. Akhuni is a traditional fermented soybean product known for its umami taste and delicacy, commonly used in Northeast India's cuisine. The current work demonstrates the antiproliferative potential of Akhuni ethanolic extract (AKET) against B16-F10 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and its mechanism of action supported by metabolic profiling and molecular docking. The investigation evaluated cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution, caspase activity, apoptosis-related gene and protein expression, and oxidative stress imposed by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both cell types. Phytochemical characterization of AKET was performed using HPLC. The growth of both cells is concentration-dependently inhibited after AKET treatment in MTT and flow cytometry experiments, leading to an arrest in the cell cycle at the G2 phase. Intracellular ROS levels increased in response to AKET treatment, suggesting that ROS in both cells triggered the mitochondrial pathway. Compared to the untreated cells, qRT-PCR analysis showed that AKET significantly reduced Cdk2 and Bcl-2 and increased the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-9, Bax, FasL, and Bid. Additionally, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, and the protein p53 were significantly upregulated in AKET-treated cells, as confirmed by both real-time and ELISA assays. In both the B16-F10 and MDA-MB-231cell lines, the Western blot analysis showed that AKET caused an elevation of the expression of the Bax protein and downregulation of the Erk1/2, Akt, and Bcl2 proteins. Six isoflavones were identified from AKET through HPLC analysis. Molecular docking results indicate compounds in the AKET extract like daidzein, genistein and glycitein act as potent inhibitors of the key oncoprotein, AKT. These findings suggest that AKET has an anticancer effect through ROS-mediated ERK1/2 and AKT signalling pathways.

Earthquake Damage Susceptibility Analysis in Barapani Shear Zone Using InSAR, Geological, and Geophysical Data

The identification of areas that are susceptible to damage due to earthquakes is of utmost importance in tectonically active regions like Northeast India. This may provide valuable inputs for seismic hazard analysis; however, it poses significant challenges. The present study emphasized the integration of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) deformation rates with conventional geological and geophysical data to investigate earthquake damage susceptibility in the Barapani Shear Zone (BSZ) region of Northeast India. We used MintPy v1.5.1 (Miami INsar Timeseries software in PYthon) on the OpenSARLab platform to derive time series deformation using the Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) technique. We integrated geology, geomorphology, gravity, magnetic field, lineament density, slope, and historical earthquake records with InSAR deformation rates to derive earthquake damage susceptibility using the weighted overlay analysis technique. InSAR time series analysis revealed distinct patterns of ground deformation across the Barapani Shear Zone, with higher rates in the northern part and lower rates in the southern part. The deformation values ranged from 6 mm/yr to about 18 mm/yr in BSZ. Earthquake damage susceptibility mapping identified areas that are prone to damage in the event of earthquakes. The analysis indicated that about 46.4%, 51.2%, and 2.4% of the area were low, medium, and high-susceptibility zones for earthquake damage zone. The InSAR velocity rates were validated with Global Positioning System (GPS) velocity in the region, which indicated a good correlation (R2 = 0.921; ANOVA p-value = 0.515). Additionally, a field survey in the region suggested evidence of intense deformation in the highly susceptible earthquake damage zone. This integrated approach enhances our scientific understanding of regional tectonic dynamics, mitigating earthquake risks and enhancing community resilience.

Spatial prediction of forest fires in India: a machine learning approach for improved risk assessment and early warning systems.

Forest fires pose a significant ecological and environmental threat globally, and India has seen a marked increase in both the frequency and severity of these events in recent years. This has led to extensive damage to natural resources, including forests and wildlife habitats. Effective management strategies are essential to mitigate these impacts, and this study aims to contribute to that effort through spatial prediction of forest fires in India using machine learning techniques. The research begins by analyzing spatial patterns and trends of forest fires and identifying key factors contributing to their occurrence. It then explores the relationships between forest fires and these factors. Using data from 2001 to 2020, the study develops a probability map of forest fire occurrences in India, leveraging data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on fire points and burned areas and the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative (ESA-CCI) land use land cover. The analysis incorporates various fire occurrence conditioning factors, including climate variables (precipitation, air temperature, specific humidity, near-surface wind speed, net longwave radiation, and land surface temperature for both daytime and nighttime), biophysical factors (aspect, slope, elevation, soil moisture, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and other factors such as proximity to railways, roads, and waterways. The maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) was employed to identify these factors and generate the probability map. The results indicate that forest fires are predominantly concentrated in three major regions: Northeast India, Uttarakhand-Himachal, and the Deccan Plateau. The study also highlights the link between forest fires and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, and 15). The findings can inform the identification of vulnerable areas, enabling the implementation of preventative measures. This research is crucial as it not only pinpoints regions at risk of forest fires but also elucidates their impacts on the environment and local livelihoods, thereby enhancing risk assessment and early warning systems.

Ultrahigh-temperature granulites from the Shillong-Meghalaya Gneissic Complex, NE India: Implications for the Indo-Antarctic Correlation

Ultrahigh-temperature granulites from the Shillong-Meghalaya Gneissic Complex, NE India: Implications for the Indo-Antarctic Correlation

Three new species of the genus Anacronicta Warren in Seitz, 1909 (Noctuidae: Pantheinae) from northeast India

Three new species, Anacronicta pseudonitida Irungbam & Fric, sp. nov., A. albicans Irungbam & Fric, sp. nov., and A. manipura Irungbam & Fric, sp. nov., are described from Manipur (North-East India). Another species, A. albargentea Speidel & Kononenko, 1998, is reported for the first time from North-East India (Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh). Illustrations of the habitus, male genitalia and phylogenetic tree are provided. A global checklist of the genus Anacronicta is presented herewith.

Endurance and Ethical Considerations in the Everyday Within the Necropolitical Realms of Northeast India: An Examination Through Literature

Political mobilization for homelands within the Northeast Indian context frequently culminates in the emergence of opposition and the creation of antagonistic ethnic militias by groups fearing marginalization. The state and security forces sometimes further provoke these militias, making political violence inevitable. This raises critical concerns about how ordinary people survive in these conflict-ridden ‘necro zones’. This study aims to elucidate resilience and survival strategies in the necropolitical landscapes of Northeast India, as depicted in contemporary literature. It focuses on how individuals and communities in conflict zones navigate life amidst violence, using Veena Das’s concept of ‘ordinary ethics’ to analyse the portrayal of human endurance in the select novels for study, Veio Pou’s Waiting for the Dust to Settle (2020) and Mitra Phukan’s The Collector’s Wife (2005). These narratives reveal the daily moral negotiations and relationships that underpin survival in such adversarial environments. The research underscores the role of literature in showcasing the interplay between systemic violence and the moral fabric of everyday life, arguing that ordinary experiences in these regions are profound sites for moral development and world-remaking in the face of necropolitical terror.

Microcontroller-based solar tunnel dryer for sustainable drying in Northeast India

The growing world population necessitated enhanced food availability and reduced waste. Drying has been a popular technique for extending food storage for a long time since it minimizes volume and lowers moisture and enzymatic activity, reducing food loss. This project sought to create a microcontroller-driven solar tunnel dryer designed for the prevalent rainfall and elevated humidity conditions in Northeast India. The designed solar tunnel dryer is equipped with two DHT22 sensors that assess ambient humidity inside and outside the dryer, deciding whether to let airflow with the environment or isolate it. It controls fan operation based on real-time monitoring. The dryer has 12 trays on a six-tray structure that holds 100 kg of sliced turmeric in every batch. An additional tray with a load cell was provided to record turmeric weight during drying. Without any load, the maximum internal temperature exceeded the outside by 27.1°C, while the minimum internal humidity was 30% lower than external values. The turmeric was dried from an initial moisture content of 71.62% to less than 10% (wet basis) over 101 hours and 40 minutes (5 days) with 28.63 effective bright sunshine hours. The developed solar tunnel dryer's average efficiency was 19.20%, demonstrating its ability to dry turmeric in Meghalaya, India.

Revision of the genus Canalirogas van Achterberg & Chen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from India with description of four new species and a key to the Indian species.

The Indian species of the genus Canalirogas van Achterberg & Chen, 1996 are revised. Four new species, Canalirogas multinigratus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. and C. subtransversus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from Meghalaya (north-eastern India); C. oblongus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from Assam (north-eastern India) and Canalirogas omninopallidus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from Karnataka (southern India) are illustrated and described. An illustrated key to the Indian species of Canalirogas is provided.

Among hawkmoths (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera), Macroglossinae dominate pollen transportation in central and East Himalaya (North-East India)

Among hawkmoths (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera), Macroglossinae dominate pollen transportation in central and East Himalaya (North-East India)

Seasonal trends and sources of dicarboxylic acids in fine aerosol over the Brahmaputra valley, North-East India.

The atmospheric dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) have a significant impact on the climate and indirectly affect human health, making them important organic substances. PM2.5 bound DCAs were analysed for Jorhat, India, 2019. In addition to the temporal variability, seasonal variation throughout the year and the impact of varying meteorological factors on DCAs concentration have also been studied. It has been noted that precipitation and ambient air temperature considerably impact DCA concentrations, which affect the type of source contribution of DCAs. The average concentration of all DCAs was 107.04 ± 97.54ng/m3, with a higher prevalence of high molecular weight DCAs than low molecular weight DCAs. Correlation analysis, water-soluble inorganic species, EC-OC ratio and diagnostic ratios of DCAs were employed to determine whether DCAs originate from direct emission and/or from photochemical oxidation of biogenic or anthropogenic precursors. DCAs concentration varied seasonally in decreasing order, with the maximum in the monsoon (144.24 ± 101.62ng/m3) followed by winter (138.36 ± 95.11ng/m3), post-monsoon (80.72 ± 37.27ng/m3), and summer (36.64 ± 34.52ng/m3). Air mass back trajectory and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) were used to show both short and long-range air mass transport with moderate to high DCAs contribution regions. Photochemical oxidation of diacids precursors predominates during the monsoon season, whereas in winter, direct anthropogenic emissions account for the majority of DCAs.

Traditional Herbal Practices as Economic Drivers: Educational Institutions and the Knowledge Society in Assam

The essence of Assam lies in its stunning landscapes and rich cultural diversity. This Northeast Indian state is a vibrant melting pot of ethnicities, each weaving a distinct thread into its unique socio-cultural fabric. The Deori and Sonowal Kachari tribes of Assam have long relied on traditional herbal practices for healthcare, spiritual rituals, and economic sustenance. These communities possess invaluable indigenous knowledge passed down through generations, forming an integral part of Assam’s cultural heritage. However, the potential of this herbal knowledge remains largely untapped in the broader economic and scientific landscape. This paper explores how traditional herbal practices can serve as economic drivers by integrating them with scientific research and market mechanisms. The role of educational institutions in bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern economies is examined, focusing on how universities and research centers can facilitate knowledge transfer, preservation, and commercialization of herbal products. Through case studies and empirical data, the paper highlights the significance of fostering a knowledge society that values and sustains indigenous wisdom, ultimately contributing to economic growth and sustainable development in Assam.

Phenology of Rhododendron wattii Cowan (Ericales: Ericaceae) - a threatened plant of Nagaland, India

The paper deals with the flowering phenology of Rhododendron wattii Cowan (Ericaceae family), a threatened and endemic plant from Nagaland, northeastern India. The study was conducted at Dzukou Valley, Kohima District of Nagaland, on a single tree of R. wattii growing at an elevation of 2,600 m with no other tree of the same species in the vicinity. Flowering occurs from the end of February to April, and fruiting is observed from April to December. The flowers present in trusses of 18–25 flowers are pink with darker flecks and purplish basal blotches. They are foraged and pollinated by the Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda and bumble bees (Bombus spp.). The only attractant for the foragers is the nectar secreted in the five nectaries at the base of the corolla tube. Catastrophes like frequent forest fires and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the disappearance of this species.

Confirmation of the presence of Red Pierrot Talicada nyseus nyseus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in Assam, India

The present study is the new distribution report of red pierrot Talicada nyseus nyseus from Assam, northeastern India.

Navigating Migration: Role of Body Image and Cultural Intelligence in Racial Minority Adaptation

This study investigated the interrelations of body image and cultural intelligence in the acculturation process and outcomes for an internal migrant group belonging to the northeastern states of India ( N = 246). Outside the Northeast India region, the sample formed a racial minority that often faced discrimination. Experiencing race and appearance-induced discrimination evidently influenced the body image, well-being and adjustment of the sample. Responses to self-reported questionnaires indicated that body image positively correlated to cultural intelligence and the integration acculturation strategy, both of which promoted adaptation. Body image also negatively related to the least adaptive marginalisation acculturation strategy. Furthermore, path analysis indicated that body image predicted life satisfaction ( β = 0.22, p < .05), and cultural intelligence positively moderated ( β = 0.21, p < .05) effects of body image on life satisfaction. It is suggested that cultural intelligence may promote viable outcomes of body image through its influence on self-esteem and facilitating adaptive outcomes of acculturation strategies among racial minorities in contexts characterised by prejudice.

Case Report and Analysis of an Intriguing Phenomenon in Schizophrenia: Incubus Syndrome

This case report examines Incubus syndrome, blending medieval folklore and psychiatric phenomenology, using a rare case from Northeast India to highlight the limited literature. It focuses on the case of a 45-year-old woman with schizophrenia, post-separation from her spouse, who experienced auditory hallucinations of a benevolent male figure, sensations of being touched, and rhythmic movements of a phallus. The concept has shifted from a folkloric view to that of a recognised psychopathological condition, linked to various disorders like schizophrenia and sleep-related disorders.

Impact of Kharif Pulses in North East India: Yield Gap and Economic Analysis

Background: The study was carried out to assess the performance of cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) in terms of yield gap and economic analysis of black gram (var. PU-31, SBC-40, IPU- 02-43, SKPD-3) and green gram (Pratap, SGC-20, SGC-16, Samrat) in three states of North East i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Sikkim during 2016-2021 in kharif season. Methods: Krishi Vigyan Kendras of these three states conducted 4038, 2011 demonstrations covering 1460 ha, 630 ha area in black gram and green gram, respectively during 2016-2021 through improved production technology. Out of the total 6049 farmers randomly 2350 farmers were selected for testing their knowledge level and extent of adoption of improved practices by means of a well-structured scheduled. Result: The findings unveiled that in all the three states, average grain yield in demonstration fields were higher than farmer’s practice. Black gram recorded highest demonstration yield (9.83 q/ha) in Sikkim followed by green gram (8.87 q/ha) in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to farmers’ practices (6.64 q/ha) and (5.64 q/ha), respectively. However, Sikkim recorded highest net return of Rs. 86,644/ha in green gram and Rs. 32,328/ha in black gram. It was also observed that majority of farmers from Sikkim adopted most of the improved technologies with 62.33% followed by Assam (53.55%) and Arunachal Pradesh (50.00%) which is highly encouraging.

Evaluation of Rainfall Variability Over Major River Basins of India Using Multi Temporal Satellite Data Products

ABSTRACTHigh resolution remotely sensed rainfall data is indispensable to accurately monitor rainfall variability at a river basin scale under climate change. The aim of the study is to assess the change in rainfall climatology and determine the performance of three GPM rainfall products (IMERG Final_Run, GSMaP_Gauge and recently developed GSMaP_ISRO) against in situ observation over major Indian River basins for the monsoon season rainfall during 2000–2020. The analysis provides valuable insights into the issues in the rainfall products and their performance under varying rainfall intensity (low, moderate and heavy) and orography. Results indicate that mean monsoon rainfall is better represented in GSMaP_ISRO than IMERG Final_Run and GSMaP_Gauge estimates. GSMaP_ISRO outperformed IMERG Final_Run and GSMaP_Gauge with smaller root‐mean‐square error and higher correlation coefficient. It was observed that the performance of GPM rainfall is influenced by rainfall intensity and terrain height of basins. In particular, for high rainfall occurrence, the Brahmaputra and Barak basins in northeast India exhibited large uncertainties in IMERG Final_Run and GSMaP_Gauge products. The statistical evaluation of different rainfall scores (POD, FAR and CSI) suggested that the GSMaP_ISRO rainfall has significant skill over Indian river basins. A significant improvement is observed over Brahmaputra (RMSD = 34.46, CC = 0.92, FAR = 0.26), Barak and others (RMSD = 65.75, CC = 0.95, FAR = 0.29) and Cauvery basin (RMSD = 23.1, CC = 0.8, FAR = 0.15) for GSMaP_ISRO estimates. These findings provide valuable information on the accuracy of GPM rainfall necessary for hydro‐meteorological applications.