North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology

About: North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Itanagar, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Raman spectroscopy. The organization has 813 authors who have published 1429 publications receiving 16122 citations.

Proteases and Their Inhibitors in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract: In the context of respiratory disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide Despite much development in the area of drug development, currently there are no effective medicines available for the treatment of this disease An imbalance in the protease: Antiprotease ratio in the COPD lung remains an important aspect of COPD pathophysiology and several studies have shown the efficacy of antiprotease therapy in both in vitro and in vivo COPD models However more in-depth studies will be required to validate the efficacy of lead drug molecules targeting these proteases This review discusses the current status of protease-directed drugs used for treating COPD and explores the future prospects of utilizing the potential of antiprotease-based therapeutics as a treatment for this disease

Forecasting of Covid-19 cases based on prediction using artificial neural network curve fitting technique (Special Issue: Covid-19)

Abstract: Artificial neural network is considered one of the most efficient methods in processing huge data sets that can be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, prediction, forecasting etc. It has a great prospective in engineering as well as in medical applications. The present work employs artificial neural network-based curve fitting techniques in prediction and forecasting of the Covid-19 number of rising cases and death cases in India, USA, France, and UK, considering the progressive trends of China and South Korea. In this paper, three cases are considered to analyze the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic viz., (i) forecasting as per the present trend of rising cases of different countries (ii) forecasting of one week following up with the improvement trends as per China and South Korea, and (iii) forecasting if followed up the progressive trends as per China and South Korea before a week. The results have shown that ANN can efficiently forecast the future cases of COVID 19 outbreak of any country. The study shows that the confirmed cases of India, USA, France and UK could be about 50,000 to 1,60,000, 12,00,000 to 17,00,000, 1,40,000 to 1,50,000 and 2,40,000 to 2,50,000 respectively and may take about 2 to 10 months based on progressive trends of China and South Korea. Similarly, the death toll for these countries just before controlling could be about 1600 to 4000 for India, 1,35,000 to 1,00,000 for USA, 40,000 to 55,000 for France, 35,000 to 47,000 for UK during the same period of study.

Extended Period Simulation of Pressure-Deficient Networks Using Pressure Reducing Valves

Abstract: Generally, the water distribution networks are designed for peak demands so that under normal operating conditions pressure is adequate to meet the nodal demand however, due to this, the pressure remains excessive when the consumption is low. This leads to huge water leakages and pipe bursts due to excess available pressure. These excess of pressure can be reduced by operating pressure reducing valves. Moreover, the pressure deficient conditions of water distribution network depends on many factors such as excess demand (i.e., fire fighting demand), location and elevation of nodes, location and pressure setting values of pressure reducing valve, ageing of pipes (i.e., increase the pipe roughness) etc. In exceptional situations, pressure deficient condition also may occur when there is a fire demand while pressure reducing valves are in operating condition. The available literature of the pressure deficient condition as well as optimal location, number and their pressure setting values of pressure reducing valves are analysed by mathematical programming or optimization methods. Normally, it is cumbersome to the field engineers to use the any toolkit utility functions. Hence in this study, the pressure deficient condition is analysed via the method of modified pressure-deficient network algorithm without using EPANET toolkit functions which are coupled with pressure reducing valve operation. A benchmark problem is analysed and compared for the proposed method. Further, a real water distribution networks is analysed introducing fire demand at junction/distribution node using fixed and diurnal nodal demand pattern coupled with and without pressure reducing valve operation in a single hydraulic simulation.

Influence of conservation tillage on soil physicochemical properties in a tropical rainfed agricultural system of northeast India

Abstract: In agricultural systems, especially where the soils are highly erodible, there is always a need for a better synchronization of nutrient release and nutrient demand by the growing crops. Management practices, such as conservation tillage could serve as a viable alternative to the mounting crisis and could enhance SOM besides other physicochemical properties. A field study was conducted in the rainfed agricultural system of northeast India with variedly tilled implements (indigenous spade, Country Plough, Bose Plough and Mouldboard Plough) from 2006 to 2007 to study the effect of these implements on the soils’ physiochemical properties during different growth phases of Oryza sativa in a rainfed valley agricultural system. A marked change in the bulk density values was observed up to 15–20 cm depth only in the Mouldboard Plough tilled plots. Over all, bulk density showed a significant positive correlation only with total N ( r = 0.263, n = 30, p p p F = 6.6, 3.0, d.f. = 5) and tillage type ( F = 73.0, 48.5, d.f. = 4), respectively. Amongst all the study sites, Site II had comparatively higher value for soil organic matter followed by Sites III and I. Total N too showed variation with duration, tillage type and soil depth with ANOVA for the factors showing significant variation between and amongst them across the sites. Available P of the soil too varied remarkably along the crop's growing duration, its depth and upon the tillage method followed. Thus, our results suggest that conservation tillage, especially no-tillage, could serve as an effective tool with respect to increasing soil C and N sequestration in the subtropical agroecosystem of northeast India.

Soil erosion risk assessment of hilly terrain through integrated approach of RUSLE and geospatial technology: a case study of Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract: Present study was carried out in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh characterized by mountainous terrain coupled with torrential rainfall. Forests and agriculture land cover are exposed to varied level of anthropogenic and deforestation activities. All these have augmented into pronounced soil erosion thereby negatively impacting the socio-economy of the rural population. Topographic, management, soil and landuse factors were among the most important drivers influencing the soil erosion. Keeping above in account, present study emphasizes the applicability of geospatial technology coupled with field data to estimate soil erosion rate which could be helpful in developing suitable management plan. Numerous empirical models are available for estimating soil erosion; however, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with geographic information system framework was applied in the current study due to its robustness and simplicity. RUSLE factors such as erosivity of rainfall (RE), erodibility of soil (ES), slope length (LS), crop management (CM) and conservation practice (CP) were calculated using available data. Rainfall erosivity factor was 323.8 MJ mm/ha/h/year. ES factor ranged from 0.16 to 0.28 Mg h/MJ/mm and LS factor ranges between 0 and 44.62. NDVI derived crop management factor ranges between 0 and 1.7. Conservation practice factor values ranged from 0.004 to 1. The annual soil loss was modeled using different factors of RULSE model and soil loss was predicted (1.38–59.05 ton per hectare). Keeping threshold value of soil erosion (< 10 ton per hectare) in account, most part of the study area is suitable for agriculture practices however, emphasis on suitable soil and water conservation measures are perquisite for sustainable environment management.