1564 results
The contribution of cannabis use to the increased psychosis risk among minority ethnic groups in Europe
- J. P. Selten, M. Di Forti, D. Quattrone, P. B. Jones, H. E. Jongsma, C. Gayer-Anderson, A. Szöke, P. M. Llorca, C. Arango, M. Bernardo, J. Sanjuan, J. L. Santos, M. Arrojo, I. Tarricone, D. Berardi, A. Lasalvia, S. Tosato, C. la Cascia, E. Velthorst, E. M. A. van der Ven, L. de Haan, B. P. Rutten, J. van Os, J. B. Kirkbride, C. M. Morgan, R. M. Murray, F. Termorshuizen
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- Psychological Medicine , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 May 2024, pp. 1-10
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Background
We examined whether cannabis use contributes to the increased risk of psychotic disorder for non-western minorities in Europe.
MethodsWe used data from the EU-GEI study (collected at sites in Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands) on 825 first-episode patients and 1026 controls. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) of psychotic disorder for several groups of migrants compared with the local reference population, without and with adjustment for measures of cannabis use.
ResultsThe OR of psychotic disorder for non-western minorities, adjusted for age, sex, and recruitment area, was 1.80 (95% CI 1.39–2.33). Further adjustment of this OR for frequency of cannabis use had a minimal effect: OR = 1.81 (95% CI 1.38–2.37). The same applied to adjustment for frequency of use of high-potency cannabis. Likewise, adjustments of ORs for most sub-groups of non-western countries had a minimal effect. There were two exceptions. For the Black Caribbean group in London, after adjustment for frequency of use of high-potency cannabis the OR decreased from 2.45 (95% CI 1.25–4.79) to 1.61 (95% CI 0.74–3.51). Similarly, the OR for Surinamese and Dutch Antillean individuals in Amsterdam decreased after adjustment for daily use: from 2.57 (95% CI 1.07–6.15) to 1.67 (95% CI 0.62–4.53).
ConclusionsThe contribution of cannabis use to the excess risk of psychotic disorder for non-western minorities was small. However, some evidence of an effect was found for people of Black Caribbean heritage in London and for those of Surinamese and Dutch Antillean heritage in Amsterdam.
Bioactive compounds of spent coffee grounds and their potential use as functional food
- E. Bevilacqua, R. Rose’Meyer, I. Singh, D. Grice, P. Mouatt, L. Brown, V. Cruzat
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- Proceedings of the Nutrition Society / Volume 83 / Issue OCE1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 May 2024, E57
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Hot brewed coffee is the most popular hot beverage in the world, and its health properties have been published in the literature(1). Conversely, over the past decade, cold-brewed coffee has gained popularity, but its eventual nutritional properties are unclear. Both hot and cold brewed coffee produces over 6 million tons of spent coffee grounds (SCG) yearly disposed in landfills(1). Interestingly, studies have shown that SCG can improve several metabolic parameters via changes in the gut microbiome in obese and diabetic rats(2), and reduce energy consumption in overweight humans(3). However, studies investigating the nutritional properties of SCG are lacking in the literature. Hence, in this study, we aimed to identify, quantify and compare two main bioactive compounds in hot- and cold-brewed coffee as a beverage, as well as in the SCG. Samples from hot and cold coffee beverages and SCG were obtained from a local coffee shop (n = 3 per group). The coffee beans were composed of Coffea arabica from Papa New Guinea, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Colombia (in order from highest to lowest proportion). All samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The analyses focused on two main bioactive compounds; trigonelline and chlorogenic acid (CGA). Statistical analyses were performed using an unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction and two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test (p<0.05). When compared to hot-brewed coffee beverages, cold-brewed coffee beverages have shown lower (p<0.05) levels of trigonelline (17.26 mg/g + 1.305 vs. 8.46 mg/g + 0.74, respectively) and CGA (9.82 mg/g + 0.93 vs. 5.31 mg/g + 0.48, respectively). In SCG obtained from hot-brewed coffee, a higher concentration of CGA was found (0.12 mg/g + 0.006), when compared to SCG obtained from cold-brewed coffee (0.10 mg/g + 0.03). However, trigonelline in cold-brewed SCG was found in higher (p<0.05) concentration, when compared to hot-brewed SCG (0.11 mg/g + 0.03 vs. 0.09 mg/g + 0.017, respectively). Moreover, hot-brewed coffee beverages showed higher (p<0.05) concentrations of trigonelline and CGA, when compared to hot-brewed SCG. Similarly, cold-brewed coffee beverages showed higher (p<0.05) concentrations of both bioactive compounds, when compared to cold-brewed SCG. Our results indicated that hot brewed coffee beverage contains high concentrations of bioactive compounds (CGA and trigonelline), which possibly explain its health properties. Although SCG obtained from hot and cold-brewed coffee showed lower concentrations of both bioactive compounds than coffee beverages, our results shed light on the possible health benefits of SCG consumption. In a world seeking more sustainable solutions, further studies investigating the potential use of SCG as a functional food are required.
Household food insecurity and associations with energy, nutrient intake, and sociodemographic characteristics in young New Zealand children
- R. Jupiterwala, C. Conlon, K. Beck, R. Taylor, A-L. Heath, J. Haszard, I. Katiforis, R. Paul, K. Brown, M. Casale, E. Jones, A. Wei, L. Fangupo, B. Bruckner, V. Pulu, M. Healy, P. von Hurst
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- Journal:
- Proceedings of the Nutrition Society / Volume 83 / Issue OCE1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 May 2024, E85
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Although food insecurity affects a significant proportion of young children in New Zealand (NZ)(1), evidence of its association with dietary intake and sociodemographic characteristics in this population is lacking. This study aims to assess the household food security status of young NZ children and its association with energy and nutrient intake and sociodemographic factors. This study included 289 caregiver and child (1-3 years old) dyads from the same household in either Auckland, Wellington, or Dunedin, NZ. Household food security status was determined using a validated and NZ-specific eight-item questionnaire(2). Usual dietary intake was determined from two 24-hour food recalls, using the multiple source method(3). The prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake was assessed using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-point method and full probability approach. Sociodemographic factors (i.e., socioeconomic status, ethnicity, caregiver education, employment status, household size and structure) were collected from questionnaires. Linear regression models were used to estimate associations with statistical significance set at p <0.05. Over 30% of participants had experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months. Of all eight indicator statements, “the variety of foods we are able to eat is limited by a lack of money,” had the highest proportion of participants responding “often” or “sometimes” (35.8%). Moderately food insecure children exhibited higher fat and saturated fat intakes, consuming 3.0 (0.2, 5.8) g/day more fat, and 2.0 (0.6, 3.5) g/day more saturated fat compared to food secure children (p<0.05). Severely food insecure children had lower g/kg/day protein intake compared to food secure children (p<0.05). In comparison to food secure children, moderately and severely food insecure children had lower fibre intake, consuming 1.6 (2.8, 0.3) g/day and 2.6 (4.0, 1.2) g/day less fibre, respectively. Severely food insecure children had the highest prevalence of inadequate calcium (7.0%) and vitamin C (9.3%) intakes, compared with food secure children [prevalence of inadequate intakes: calcium (2.3%) and vitamin C (2.8%)]. Household food insecurity was more common in those of Māori or Pacific ethnicity; living in areas of high deprivation; having a caregiver who was younger, not in paid employment, or had low educational attainment; living with ≥2 other children in the household; and living in a sole-parent household. Food insecure young NZ children consume a diet that exhibits lower nutritional quality in certain measures compared to their food-secure counterparts. Food insecurity was associated with various sociodemographic factors that are closely linked with poverty or low income. As such, there is an urgent need for poverty mitigation initiatives to safeguard vulnerable young children from the adverse consequences of food insecurity.
Elevation bias due to penetration of spaceborne radar signal on Grosser Aletschgletscher, Switzerland
- J. Bannwart, L. Piermattei, I. Dussaillant, L. Krieger, D. Floricioiu, E. Berthier, C. Roeoesli, H. Machguth, M. Zemp
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- Journal of Glaciology / Accepted manuscript
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 30 April 2024, pp. 1-40
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The mediating role of health behaviors in the association between depression, anxiety and cancer incidence: an individual participant data meta-analysis
- Kuan-Yu Pan, Lonneke van Tuijl, Maartje Basten, Judith J. M. Rijnhart, Alexander de Graeff, Joost Dekker, Mirjam I. Geerlings, Adriaan Hoogendoorn, Adelita V. Ranchor, Roel Vermeulen, Lützen Portengen, Adri C. Voogd, Jessica Abell, Philip Awadalla, Aartjan T. F. Beekman, Ottar Bjerkeset, Andy Boyd, Yunsong Cui, Philipp Frank, Henrike Galenkamp, Bert Garssen, Sean Hellingman, Monika Hollander, Martijn Huisman, Anke Huss, Melanie R. Keats, Almar A. L. Kok, Steinar Krokstad, Flora E. van Leeuwen, Annemarie I. Luik, Nolwenn Noisel, Yves Payette, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Susan Picavet, Ina Rissanen, Annelieke M. Roest, Judith G. M. Rosmalen, Rikje Ruiter, Robert A. Schoevers, David Soave, Mandy Spaan, Andrew Steptoe, Karien Stronks, Erik R. Sund, Ellen Sweeney, Alison Teyhan, Emma L. Twait, Kimberly D. van der Willik, Femke Lamers
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- Psychological Medicine , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 29 April 2024, pp. 1-14
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Background
Although behavioral mechanisms in the association among depression, anxiety, and cancer are plausible, few studies have empirically studied mediation by health behaviors. We aimed to examine the mediating role of several health behaviors in the associations among depression, anxiety, and the incidence of various cancer types (overall, breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, smoking-related, and alcohol-related cancers).
MethodsTwo-stage individual participant data meta-analyses were performed based on 18 cohorts within the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence consortium that had a measure of depression or anxiety (N = 319 613, cancer incidence = 25 803). Health behaviors included smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), sedentary behavior, and sleep duration and quality. In stage one, path-specific regression estimates were obtained in each cohort. In stage two, cohort-specific estimates were pooled using random-effects multivariate meta-analysis, and natural indirect effects (i.e. mediating effects) were calculated as hazard ratios (HRs).
ResultsSmoking (HRs range 1.04–1.10) and physical inactivity (HRs range 1.01–1.02) significantly mediated the associations among depression, anxiety, and lung cancer. Smoking was also a mediator for smoking-related cancers (HRs range 1.03–1.06). There was mediation by health behaviors, especially smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use, and a higher BMI, in the associations among depression, anxiety, and overall cancer or other types of cancer, but effects were small (HRs generally below 1.01).
ConclusionsSmoking constitutes a mediating pathway linking depression and anxiety to lung cancer and smoking-related cancers. Our findings underline the importance of smoking cessation interventions for persons with depression or anxiety.
Associations between psychosocial work environment factors and first-time and recurrent treatment for depression: a prospective cohort study of 24,226 employees
- J. Mathisen, T.-L. Nguyen, I. E. H. Madsen, T. Xu, J. H. Jensen, J. K. Sørensen, R. Rugulies, N. H. Rod
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- Journal:
- Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences / Volume 33 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 March 2024, e13
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Aims
Adverse factors in the psychosocial work environment are associated with the onset of depression among those without a personal history of depression. However, the evidence is sparse regarding whether adverse work factors can also play a role in depression recurrence. This study aimed to prospectively examine whether factors in the psychosocial work environment are associated with first-time and recurrent treatment for depression.
MethodsThe study included 24,226 participants from the Danish Well-being in Hospital Employees study. We measured ten individual psychosocial work factors and three theoretical constructs (effort–reward imbalance, job strain and workplace social capital). We ascertained treatment for depression through registrations of hospital contacts for depression (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems version 10 [ICD-10]: F32 and F33) and redeemed prescriptions of antidepressant medication (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical [ATC]: N06A) in Danish national registries. We estimated the associations between work factors and treatment for depression for up to 2 years after baseline among those without (first-time treatment) and with (recurrent treatment) a personal history of treatment for depression before baseline. We excluded participants registered with treatment within 6 months before baseline. In supplementary analyses, we extended this washout period to up to 2 years. We applied logistic regression analyses with adjustment for confounding.
ResultsAmong 21,156 (87%) participants without a history of treatment for depression, 350 (1.7%) had first-time treatment during follow-up. Among the 3070 (13%) participants with treatment history, 353 (11%) had recurrent treatment during follow-up. Those with a history of depression generally reported a more adverse work environment than those without such a history. Baseline exposure to bullying (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.30–2.32), and to some extent also low influence on work schedule (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.97–1.66) and job strain (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.97–1.57), was associated with first-time treatment for depression during follow-up. Baseline exposure to bullying (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04–1.88), lack of collaboration (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03–1.67) and low job control (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.00–1.62) were associated with recurrent treatment for depression during follow-up. However, most work factors were not associated with treatment for depression. Using a 2-year washout period resulted in similar or stronger associations.
ConclusionsDepression constitutes a substantial morbidity burden in the working-age population. Specific adverse working conditions were associated with first-time and recurrent treatment for depression and improving these may contribute to reducing the onset and recurrence of depression.
Size of Mica Domains and Distribution of the Adsorbed Na-Ca Ions
- I. Lebron, D. L. Suarez, C. Amrhein, J. E. Strong
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- Clays and Clay Minerals / Volume 41 / Issue 3 / June 1993
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 28 February 2024, pp. 380-388
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Mica domains have received less attention in the literature than smectite quasi-crystals. This study was conducted to determine whether mica crystals form domains in suspension, the conditions in which those domains exist, and the distribution of adsorbed Na and Ca ions in the domains. Particle size distributions and electrophoretic mobilities (EM) of Silver Hill illite in suspension densities of 0.5 g liter−1 were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). Solutions at salt concentration from 2 to 10 mmolc liter−1, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) from 0 to ∞ (mmol liter−1)0.5, and pH values 5, 7, and 9 were used to prepare the clay suspensions. The particle size of Silver Hill illite suspensions showed a bimodal distribution. Through PCS measurements at low angles, the second peak of the bimodal distribution of the illite was found to be associated with the rotational movement of the b-dimension of the particles. Illite domains broke down in the range of SAR 10 to 15 (mmol liter−1)0.5 equivalent to exchangeable sodium percentages (ESP) of 13 to 18. Illite thus demonstrates a similar stability to smectites that require ESP ≈ 15 to disaggregate quasi-crystals. The EM of the illite particles increased drastically when the SAR increased from 2 to 10 (mmol liter−1)0.5. This increase in EM could not be explained exclusively by the change in the particle size. Cation demixing is required to explain the increase of the zeta potential at the shear plane. The EM of the Silver Hill illite was doubled when the pH increased from 5 to 9 at SAR > 15, but no pH effect was found when SAR < 15. The effect of pH on the EM at SAR values > 15 can be understood if we consider that at SAR > 15 most of the particles are single platelets. The relative importance of variable charge on single platelets or crystals is apparently greater than on domains because the pH affected the mobility of the individual crystals but not the mobility of the domains. The combination of particle size distribution and EM data gives additional information about the zero point of charge of the variable charge, also called point of zero net proton charge (PZNPC) of the clay. For Silver Hill illite, we estimate a PZNPC value between 5 and 7.
Radiation and Chemical Program Research for Multi-Utility and Repurposed Countermeasures: A US Department of Health and Human Services Agencies Perspective
- Carmen I. Rios, Efrain E. Garcia, Thomas S. Hogdahl II, Mary J. Homer, Narayan V. Iyer, Judith W. Laney, Shannon G. Loelius, Merriline M. Satyamitra, Andrea L. DiCarlo
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- Journal:
- Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness / Volume 18 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 22 February 2024, e35
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Although chemical and radiological agents cause toxicity through different mechanisms, the multiorgan injuries caused by these threats share similarities that convene on the level of basic biological responses. This publication will discuss these areas of convergence and explore “multi-utility” approaches that could be leveraged to address common injury mechanisms underlying actions of chemical and radiological agents in a threat-agnostic manner. In addition, we will provide an overview of the current state of radiological and chemical threat research, discuss the US Government’s efforts toward medical preparedness, and identify potential areas for collaboration geared toward enhancing preparedness and response against radiological and chemical threats. We also will discuss previous regulatory experience to provide insight on how to navigate regulatory paths for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval/licensure/clearance for products addressing chemical or radiological/nuclear threats. This publication follows a 2022 trans-agency meeting titled, “Overlapping Science in Radiation and Sulfur Mustard Exposures of Skin and Lung: Consideration of Models, Mechanisms, Organ Systems, and Medical Countermeasures,” sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Discussions from this meeting explored the overlapping nature of radiation and chemical injury and spurred increased interest in how preparedness for one threat leads to preparedness for the other. Herein, subject matter experts from the NIAID and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), summarize the knowledge gained from recently funded biomedical research, as well as insights from the 2022 meeting. These topics include identification of common areas for collaboration, potential use of biomarkers of injury to identify injuries caused by both hazards, and common and widely available treatments that could treat damage caused by radiological or chemical threats.
Polygenic risk and hostile environments: Links to stable and dynamic antisocial behaviors across adolescence
- E. L. Acland, N. Pocuca, S. Paquin, M. Boivin, I. Ouellet-Morin, T. F. M. Andlauer, J. P. Gouin, S. M. Côté, R. E. Tremblay, M. Geoffroy, N. Castellanos-Ryan
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- Journal:
- Development and Psychopathology , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 08 February 2024, pp. 1-13
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Adverse environments are linked to elevated youth antisocial behavior. However, this relation is thought to depend, in part, on genetic susceptibility. The present study investigated whether polygenic risk for antisociality moderates relations between hostile environments and stable as well as dynamic antisocial behaviors across adolescence. We derived two antisocial-linked polygenic risk scores (PRS) (N = 721) based on previous genome-wide association studies. Forms of antisocial behavior (nonaggressive conduct problems, physical aggression, social aggression) and environmental hostility (harsh parenting and school violence) were assessed at age 13, 15, and 17 years. Relations to individual differences stable across adolescence (latent stability) vs. time-specific states (timepoint residual variance) of antisocial behavior were assessed via structural equation models. Higher antisocial PRS, harsh parenting, and school violence were linked to stable elevations in antisocial behaviors across adolescence. We identified a consistent polygenic-environment interaction suggestive of differential susceptibility in late adolescence. At age 17, harsher parenting was linked to higher social aggression in those with higher antisocial PRS, and lower social aggression in those with lower antisocial PRS. This suggests that genetics and environmental hostility relate to stable youth antisocial behaviors, and that genetic susceptibility moderates home environment-antisocial associations specifically in late adolescence.
14C PREPARATION PROTOCOLS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SAMPLES AT THE LMC14, SACLAY, FRANCE
- J-P Dumoulin, C Moreau, E Delqué-Količ, I Caffy, D Farcage, C Goulas, S Hain, M Perron, A Semerok, M Sieudat, B Thellier, L Beck
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- Radiocarbon , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 24 January 2024, pp. 1-14
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The Laboratoire de Mesure du Carbone 14 (LMC14) has operated a radiocarbon dating laboratory for almost twenty years with ARTEMIS, the Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) based on a NEC 9SDH-2 Pelletron tandem accelerator. A first status report describing the chemical pretreatment methods was published in 2017 (Dumoulin et al. 2017). This article summarizes updates of the routine procedures and presents new protocols. The quality checks in place at the LMC14 and results obtained for the GIRI international inter-comparison are reported. New protocols developed by the laboratory over the last five years are described with the preparation of iron, lead white, cellulose, calcium oxalate, and mortar. This report also provides a summary of practical information for sample preparation and can help the laboratory users who provide samples and publish results to better understand all the work behind a 14C dating.
Influence of pH on the Hydrothermal Synthesis of Al-Substituted Smectites (Saponite, Beidellite, and Nontronite)
- I. Criouet, J. C. Viennet, F. Baron, E. Balan, A. Buch, L. Delbes, M. Guillaumet, L. Remusat, S. Bernard
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- Clays and Clay Minerals / Volume 71 / Issue 5 / October 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 22 January 2024, pp. 539-558
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Smectitic clay minerals are unique indicators of paleoenvironmental conditions and exhibit a unique reactivity in the mineral world. Smectites may exhibit tetrahedral substitutions (Al3+, and sometimes Fe3+, can substitute for Si4+ in tetrahedral sites), resulting in a layer-charge increase, thereby impacting their properties (e.g. swelling and sorption capacities, catalytic properties, expandable abilities). The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of pH conditions on the hydrothermal production of smectite end-members exhibiting tetrahedral Al substitutions (saponite, beidellite, and nontronite), using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) methods. The results of a series of syntheses conducted at various pH values allowed discussion of the crystallization pathways of these smectites from a mechanistic point of view. Altogether, the present study provided easily reproducible protocols for the hydrothermal production of pure saponite, nontronite, or beidellite (i.e. with no other mineral). The successful synthesis of pure saponite was achieved by exposing the starting gels to 230°C for 4 days in solutions at pH ranging from 5.5 to 14. The successful synthesis of pure beidellite was achieved by exposing the starting gels to 230°C for 9 days in a solution at pH 12. The successful synthesis of pure nontronite was achieved by exposing the starting gels to 150°C for 2.5 days in a solution at pH 12.5. Although extrapolating experimental results to natural settings remains difficult, the results of the present study may be of great help to constrain better the geochemical conditions existing or having existed on extraterrestrial planetary bodies.
EMU/GAMA: Radio-detected galaxies are more obscured than optically selected galaxies
- U. T. Ahmed, A. M. Hopkins, J. Ware, Y. A. Gordon, M. Bilicki, M. J. I. Brown, M. Cluver, G. Gürkan, Á. R. López-Sánchez, D. A. Leahy, L. Marchetti, S. Phillipps, I. Prandoni, N. Seymour, E. N. Taylor, E. Vardoulaki
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- Journal:
- Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia / Volume 41 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 17 January 2024, e021
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We demonstrate the importance of radio selection in probing heavily obscured galaxy populations. We combine Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) Early Science data in the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) G23 field with the GAMA data, providing optical photometry and spectral line measurements, together with Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) infrared (IR) photometry, providing IR luminosities and colours. We investigate the degree of obscuration in star-forming galaxies, based on the Balmer decrement (BD), and explore how this trend varies, over a redshift range of $0<z<0.345$. We demonstrate that the radio-detected population has on average higher levels of obscuration than the parent optical sample, arising through missing the lowest BD and lowest mass galaxies, which are also the lower star formation rate (SFR) and metallicity systems. We discuss possible explanations for this result, including speculation around whether it might arise from steeper stellar initial mass functions in low mass, low SFR galaxies.
The mental health of Australians bereaved during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic: a latent class analysis
- F. Maccallum, L. J. Breen, J. L. Phillips, M. R. Agar, A. Hosie, J. Tieman, M. DiGiacomo, T. Luckett, J. Philip, S. Ivynian, S. Chang, A. Dadich, C. H. Grossman, I. Gilmore, J. Harlum, I. Kinchin, N. Glasgow, E. A. Lobb
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- Journal:
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 54 / Issue 7 / May 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 January 2024, pp. 1361-1372
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Background
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many areas of life, including culturally accepted practices at end-of-life care, funeral rites, and access to social, community, and professional support. This survey investigated the mental health outcomes of Australians bereaved during this time to determine how these factors might have impacted bereavement outcomes.
MethodsAn online survey indexing pandemic and bereavement experiences, levels of grief, depression, anxiety, and health, work, and social impairment. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify groups of individuals who shared similar symptom patterns. Multinomial regressions identified pandemic-related, loss-related, and sociodemographic correlates of class membership.
Results1911 Australian adults completed the survey. The LCA identified four classes: low symptoms (46.8%), grief (17.3%), depression/anxiety (17.7%), and grief/depression/anxiety (18.2%). The latter group reported the highest levels of health, work, and social impairment. The death of a child or partner and an inability to care for the deceased due to COVID-19 public health measures were correlated with grief symptoms (with or without depression and anxiety). Preparedness for the person's death and levels of pandemic-related loneliness and social isolation differentiated all four classes. Unemployment was associated with depression/anxiety (with or without grief).
ConclusionsCOVID-19 had profound impacts for the way we lived and died, with effects that are likely to ricochet through society into the foreseeable future. These lessons learned must inform policymakers and healthcare professionals to improve bereavement care and ensure preparedness during and following future predicted pandemics to prevent negative impacts.
27 Assessing Differences in Academic Achievement Among a National Sample of Children with Epilepsy Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Brandon Almy, Lauren Scimeca, David Marshall, Brittany L. Nordhaus, Erin Fedak Romanowski, Nancy McNamara, Elise Hodges, Madison M. Berl, Alyssa Ailion, Donald J. Bearden, Katrina Boyer, Crystal M. Cooper, Amanda M. Decrow, Priscilla H. Duong, Patricia Espe-Pfeifer, Marsha Gabriel, Jennifer I. Koop, Kelly A. McNally, Andrew Molnar, Emily Olsen, Kim E. Ono, Kristina E. Patrick, Brianna Paul, Jonathan Romain, Leigh N. Sepeta, Rebecca L.H. Stilp, Greta N. Wilkening, Mike Zaccariello, Frank Zelko
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 28-29
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Objective:
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted schools and learning formats. Children with epilepsy are at-risk for generalized academic difficulties. We investigated the potential impact of COVID-19 on learning in those with epilepsy by comparing achievement on well-established academic measures among school-age children with epilepsy referred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and those referred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants and Methods:This study included 466 children [52% male, predominately White (76%), MAge=10.75 years] enrolled in the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium Epilepsy (PERC) Surgery database project who were referred for surgery and seen for neuropsychological testing. Patients were divided into two groups based on a proxy measure of pandemic timing completed by PERC research staff at each site (i.e., “were there any changes to typical in-person administration [of the evaluation] due to COVID?”). 31% of the sample (N = 144) were identified as having testing during the pandemic (i.e., “yes” response), while 69% were identified as having testing done pre-pandemic (i.e., “no” response). Of the 31% who answered yes, 99% of administration changes pertained to in-person testing or other changes, with 1% indicating remote testing. Academic achievement was assessed by performance measures (i.e., word reading, reading comprehension, spelling, math calculations, and math word problems) across several different tests. T-tests compared the two groups on each academic domain. Subsequent analyses examined potential differences in academic achievement among age cohorts that approximately matched grade level [i.e., grade school (ages 5-10), middle school (ages 11-14), and high school (ages 15-18)].
Results:No significant differences were found between children who underwent an evaluation before the pandemic compared to those assessed during the pandemic based on age norms across academic achievement subtests (all p’s > .34). Similarly, there were no significant differences among age cohorts. The average performance for each age cohort generally fell in the low average range across academic skills. Performance inconsistently varied between age cohorts. The youngest cohort (ages 5-10) scored lower than the other cohorts for sight-word reading, whereas this cohort scored higher than the middle cohort (ages 11-14) for math word problems and reading comprehension. There were no significant differences between the two pandemic groups on demographic variables, intellectual functioning, or epilepsy variables (i.e., age of onset, number of seizure medications, seizure frequency).
Conclusions:Academic functioning was generally equivalent between children with epilepsy who underwent academic testing as part of a pre-surgical evaluation prior to the pandemic compared to those who received testing during the pandemic. Additionally, academic functioning did not significantly differ between age cohorts. Children with epilepsy may have entered the pandemic with effective academic supports and/or were accustomed to school disruptions given their seizure history. Replication is needed as findings are based on a proxy measure of pandemic timing and the extent to which children experienced in-person, remote, and hybrid learning is unknown. Children tested a year into the pandemic, after receiving instruction through varying educational methods, may score differently than those tested earlier. Future research can address these gaps. Although it is encouraging that academic functioning was not disproportionately impacted during the pandemic in this sample, children with epilepsy are at-risk for generalized academic difficulties and continued monitoring of academic functioning is necessary.
22 Cordoba Naming Test Performance and Acculturation in a Geriatric Population
- Isabel C.D. Muñoz, Krissy E. Smith, Santiago I. Espinoza, Diana M. R. Maqueda, Adriana C. Cuello, Ana Paula Pena, Carolina Garza, Raymundo Cervantes, Jill Razani, Tara L. Victor, David J. Hardy, Alberto L. Fernandez, Natalia Lozano Acosta, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 335-336
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Objective:
A commonly used confrontation naming task used in the United States is The Boston Naming Test (BNT). Performance differences has been found in Caucasian and ethnic minorities on the BNT. The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontation naming task developed in Argentina. Past research has shown acculturation levels can influence cognitive performance. Furthermore, one study evaluated geriatric gender differences on CNT performance in Spanish. Researchers reported that older male participants outperformed female participants on the CNT. To our knowledge, researchers have not evaluated ethnic differences on the CNT using a geriatric sample. The purpose of the present study was to examined CNT performance and acculturation in a Latinx and Caucasian geriatric sample. It was predicted the Caucasian group would outperform the Latinx group on the CNT. Moreover, the Caucasian group would report higher acculturation levels on the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS) compared to the Latinx group.
Participants and Methods:The sample consisted of 9 Latinx and 11 Caucasian participants with a mean age of 66.80 (SD =6.10), with an average of 14.30 (SD = 2.00) years of education. All participants were neurologically and psychologically healthy and completed the CNT and the AMAS in English. Acculturation was measured via the AMAS English subscales (i.e., English Language, United States. Identity, United States, Competency). A series of ANCOVAs, controlling for years of education completed and gender, was used to evaluate CNT performance and acculturation.
Results:The ethnic groups were not well demographically matched (i.e., years of education and gender).We found that the Caucasian group outperformed the Latinx group on CNT performance p = .012, ηp 2 = .34. Furthermore, the Caucasian group reported higher acculturation levels (i.e., English Language, United States, Identity, United States, Competency) compared to the Latinx group p’s < .05, ηps2 = .42-.64.
Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate CNT performance between ethnic groups with a geriatric sample. As expected the Caucasian group outperformed the Latinx group on the CNT. Also, as expected the Caucasian group reported higher English acculturation levels compared to the Latinx group. Our findings are consistent with past studies showing ethnic differences on confrontational naming performance (i.e., The Boston Naming Test), favoring Caucasians. A possible explanation for group differences could have been linguistic factors (e.g., speaking multiple languages) in our Latinx group. Therefore, since our Latinx group reported lower levels of English Language, United States identity, and United States competency the Latinx group assimilation towards United States culture might of influence their CNT performance. Future studies with different ethnic groups (e.g., African-Americans) and a larger sample size should examine if ethnic differences continue to cross-validate in a geriatric sample.
30 Analyzing Spanish Speakers Cordoba Naming Test Performance
- Raymundo Cervantes, Isabel D.C. Munoz, Estefania J. Aguirre, Natalia Lozano Acosta, Mariam Gomez, Adriana C. Cuello, Krissy E. Smith, Diana I. Palacios Mata, Krithika Sivaramakrishnan, Yvette De Jesus, Santiago I. Espinoza, Diana M. R. Maqueda, David J. Hardy, Tara L. Victor, Alberto L. Fernandez, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 443-444
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Objective:
A 30-item confrontation naming test was developed in Argentina for Spanish speakers, The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT). The Boston Naming Test is an established confrontation naming task in the United States. Researchers have used the Boston Naming Test to identify individuals with different clinical pathologies (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). The current literature on how Spanish speakers across various countries perform on confrontational naming tasks is limited. To our knowledge, one study investigated CNT performance across three Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala). Investigators found that the Guatemalan group underperformed on the CNT compared to the Argentine and Mexican groups. The purpose of this study was to extend the current literature and investigate CNT performance across five Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, United States). We predicted that the Argentine group would outperform the other Spanish-speaking countries.
Participants and Methods:The present study sample consisted of 502 neurologically and psychologically healthy participants with a mean age of 29.06 (SD = 13.41) with 14.75 years of education completed (SD = 3.01). Participants were divided into five different groups based on their country of birth and current country residency (i.e., United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, & Colombia). All participants consented to voluntary participation and completed the CNT and a comprehensive background questionnaire in Spanish. The CNT consisted of 30 black and white line drawings, ranging from easy to hard in difficulty. An ANCOVA, controlling for gender, education, and age, was used to evaluate CNT performance between the five Spanish-speaking country groups. Meanwhile, a Bonferroni post-hoc test was utilized to evaluate the significant differences between Spanish-speaking groups. We used a threshold of p < .05 for statistical significance.
Results:Results revealed significant group differences between the five Spanish speaking groups on the CNT, p = .000, np2 = .48. Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed that the United States group significantly underperformed on the CNT compared to all the Spanish-speaking groups. Next, we found the Guatemalan group underperformed on the CNT compared to the Argentinian, Mexican, and Colombian groups. Additionally, we found the Argentinian group outperformed the Mexican, Guatemalan, and United States groups on the CNT. No significant differences were found between the Argentinian group and Colombian group or the Mexican group and Colombian group on the CNT.
Conclusions:As predicted, the Argentinian group outperformed all the Spanish-speaking groups on the CNT except the Colombian group. Additionally, we found that the United States group underperformed on the CNT compared to all the Spanish-speaking groups. A possible explanation is that Spanish is not the official language in the United States compared to the rest of the Spanish-speaking groups. Meanwhile, a possible reason why the Argentinian and Colombian groups demonstrated better CNT performances might have been that it was less culturally sensitive than the United States, Mexican, and Guatemalan groups. Further analysis is needed with bigger sample sizes across other Spanish-speaking countries (e.g., Costa Rica, Chile) to evaluate what variables, if any, are influencing CNT performance.
26 The Importance of Executive Functioning for Academic Achievement Among a National Sample of Children with Epilepsy
- Brandon Almy, David Marshall, Brittany L. Nordhaus, Erin Fedak Romanowski, Nancy McNamara, Elise Hodges, Madison M. Berl, Alyssa Ailion, Donald J. Bearden, Katrina Boyer, Crystal M. Cooper, Amanda M. Decrow, Priscilla H. Duong, Patricia Espe-Pfeifer, Marsha Gabriel, Jennifer I. Koop, Kelly A. McNally, Andrew Molnar, Emily Olsen, Kim E. Ono, Kristina E. Patrick, Brianna Paul, Jonathan Romain, Leigh N. Sepeta, Rebecca L.H. Stilp, Greta N. Wilkening, Mike Zaccariello, Frank Zelko
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 26-27
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Objective:
Children with epilepsy are at greater risk of lower academic achievement than their typically developing peers (Reilly and Neville, 2015). Demographic, social, and neuropsychological factors, such as executive functioning (EF), mediate this relation. While research emphasizes the importance of EF skills for academic achievement among typically developing children (e.g., Best et al., 2011; Spiegel et al., 2021) less is known among children with epilepsy (Ng et al., 2020). The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of EF skills on academic achievement in a nationwide sample of children with epilepsy.
Participants and Methods:Participants included 427 children with epilepsy (52% male; MAge= 10.71), enrolled in the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC) Epilepsy Surgery Database who had been referred for surgery and underwent neuropsychological testing. Academic achievement was assessed by performance measures (word reading, reading comprehension, spelling, and calculation and word-based mathematics) and parent-rating measures (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS) Functional Academics and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) School Performance). EF was assessed by verbal fluency measures, sequencing, and planning measures from the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS), NEPSY, and Tower of London test. Rating-based measures of EF included the 'Attention Problems’ subscale from the CBCL and 'Cognitive Regulation’ index from the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2). Partial correlations assessed associations between EF predictors and academic achievement, controlling for fullscale IQ (FSIQ; A composite across intelligence tests). Significant predictors of each academic skill or rating were entered into a two-step regression that included FSIQ, demographics, and seizure variables (age of onset, current medications) in the first step with EF predictors in the second step.
Results:Although zero-order correlations were significant between EF predictors and academic achievement (.29 < r’s < .63 for performance; -.63 < r’s < -.50 for rating measures), partial correlations controlling for FSIQ showed fewer significant relations. For performance-based EF, only letter fluency (DKEFS Letter Fluency) and cognitive flexibility (DKEFS Trails Condition 4) demonstrated significant associations with performance-based academic achievement (r’s > .29). Regression models for performance-based academic achievement indicated that letter fluency (ß = .22, p = .017) and CBCL attention problems (ß = -.21, p =.002) were significant predictors of sight-word reading. Only letter fluency (ß = .23, p =.006) was significant for math calculation. CBCL Attention Problems were a significant predictor of spelling performance (ß = -.21, p = .009) and reading comprehension (ß = -.18, p =.039). CBCL Attention Problems (ß = -.38, p <.001 for ABAS; ß = -.34, p =.002 for CBCL School) and BRIEF-2 Cognitive Regulation difficulties (ß = -.46, p < .001 for ABAS; ß = -.46, p =.013 for CBCL School) were significant predictors of parent-rated ABAS Functional Academics and CBCL School Performance.
Conclusions:Among a national pediatric epilepsy dataset, performance-based and ratings-based measures of EF predicted performance academic achievement, whereas only ratings-based EF predicted parent-rated academic achievement, due at least in part to shared method variance. These findings suggest that interventions that increase cognitive regulation, reduce symptoms of attention dysfunction, and promote self-generative, flexible thinking, may promote academic achievement among children with epilepsy.
System fertilization in the pasture phase enhances productivity in integrated crop–livestock systems
- C. M. Freitas, J. I. Yasuoka, G. C. Pires, J. P. Gama, L.G. S. Oliveira, J. E. A. Davi, L. S. Silva, I. A. G. Silva, C. Bremm, P. C. F. Carvalho, A. Moraes, E. D. Souza
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- Journal:
- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 161 / Issue 6 / December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 14 December 2023, pp. 755-762
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Different fertilization strategies can be adopted to optimize the productive components of an integrated crop–livestock systems. The current research evaluated how the application of P and K to soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) or Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster cv. BRS Piatã associated with nitrogen or without nitrogen in the pasture phase affects the accumulation and chemical composition of forage and animal productivity. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks with three replications. Four fertilization strategies were tested: (1) conventional fertilization with P and K in the crop phase (CF–N); (2) conventional fertilization with nitrogen in the pasture phase (CF + N); (3) system fertilization with P and K in the pasture phase (SF–N); (4) system fertilization with nitrogen in the pasture phase (SF + N). System fertilization increased forage accumulation from 15 710 to 20 920 kg DM ha/year compared to conventional without nitrogen. Stocking rate (3.1 vs. 2.8 AU/ha; SEM = 0.12) and gain per area (458 vs. 413 kg BW/ha; SEM = 27.9) were higher in the SF–N than CF–N, although the average daily gain was lower (0.754 vs. 0.792 kg LW/day; SEM = 0.071). N application in the pasture phase, both, conventional and system fertilization resulted in higher crude protein, stocking rate and gain per area. Applying nitrogen and relocate P and K from crop to pasture phase increase animal productivity and improve forage chemical composition in integrated crop–livestock system.
Feed energy utilization by hair sheep: does the 0.82 conversion factor of digestible to metabolizable energy need to be revised?
- A. S. Brito Neto, C. J. L. Herbster, L. C. Geraseev, G. L. Macedo Junior, D. R. Nascimento, A. C. Rocha, M. I. B. Pereira, M. I. Marcondes, L. P. Silva, L. R. Bezerra, R. L. Oliveira, E. S. Pereira
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- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 161 / Issue 5 / October 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 14 December 2023, pp. 734-742
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The objective was to evaluate energy partitioning and predict the relationship between metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible energy (DE) in hair sheep fed tropical diets at three feeding levels (maintenance, intermediate and high). To evaluate the energy partition, a database with 114 records (54 non-castrated males and 60 females) from comparative slaughter studies was used. To estimate the ratio ME:DE, 207 observations (74 non-castrated males and 133 females) were used from six studies in a multi-study approach, two indirect calorimetry studies (n = 93) and four comparative slaughter (n = 114), using a mixed model and study as random effect. A simple linear regression equation of the ME against DE was fitted to predict the efficiency of DE to ME conversion. Gas losses were greatest (P < 0.05) for animals fed at maintenance level (7.92% of gross energy intake). The variations of energy losses in the urine were 2.64, 2.06 and 2.08%; faecal losses were 34.37, 37.80 and 36.91% for maintenance, intermediary and high level of feeding, respectively. The regression analysis suggested a strong linear relationship between ME and DE, generating the model ME (MJ/day) = −0.1559 (±0.07525) + 0.8503 (±0.005864) × DE (MJ/day). This study highlights the importance of the relationship ME:DE. Equation/factor 0.85 presented herein is alternative that could be used for the calculation of ME from DE in feedlot diets tropical. In conclusion, we suggest that for hair sheep fed tropical diets the conversion factor 0.85 is more adequate to predict ME from DE.
Genetic diversity and population structure analysis in early generations maize inbreds derived from local germplasm of Eastern Himalayan regions using microsatellite markers
- E. Lamalakshmi Devi, Umakanta Ngangkham, Sunil Kumar Chongtham, Bhuvaneswari S, Ingudam Bhupenchandra, Konsam Sarika, Harendra Verma, Akoijam Ratankumar Singh, Amit Kumar, Tensubam Basanta Singh, Amit Kumar, T. L. Bhutia, S. K. Dutta, Shaon Kumar Das, Ramgopal Devadas, Ayam Gangarani Devi, S. P. Das, Ch. Chinglen Meetei, I. Meghachandra Singh, V. K. Mishra
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- Plant Genetic Resources / Volume 21 / Issue 5 / October 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 29 November 2023, pp. 418-425
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The North-Eastern region (NER) of India falls under the Eastern Himalayan region and it is a bio-diversity hub. Diverse maize landraces with wide adaptability to extreme climatic and soil scenario like heavy rainfall, drought and acidic soil conditions have been grown in NER since time immemorial. However, maize diversity in NER region has drastically reduced due to introduction of high yielding varieties and hybrids. Modern maize breeding programmes are focused on high yield but other unique traits like stay green trait, prolificacy (more than one fertile ear per plant), self-fertilizing ability are also important and the local germplasm of the NER region can contribute with these unique traits. Prior to the selection of any lines in several breeding programmes, assessment of genetic diversity and population structure are basic requirements. Hence, in the present study assessment of genetic diversity and population structure study in 30 maize inbreds developed from different germplasm of NER was undertaken using SSR markers, selected for their broad distribution throughout the genome, in order to assess the extent of allelic diversity among the lines and whether any population structure could be established. In addition to assessing molecular diversity, the study aims to evaluate the potential for yield and other beneficial and unique alleles that have high potential to contribute in the genetic enhancement programme of maize.