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Exploiting heterosis through F1 hybrids is considered one of the most effective methods to increase maize productivity. However, developing successful heterotic hybrids requires the use of the combination of diverse inbred parents to develop breeding populations (BPs) and desirable testers to identify new inbred lines for use in developing heterotic hybrids. As step towards this, the objectives of the present investigation were to (i) assess genetic diversity among elite inbred lines using simple sequence repeat (SSR)-based markers and (ii) to identify most desirable combinations of inbred lines. Sixteen lines which included eleven elite inbred lines with high general combining ability and five parents of three commercialised elite single cross hybrids - Hema, Nithyashree and MAH 14-5 were used in the study. These lines were genotyped using 132 SSR markers distributed across the maize genome. The results revealed polymorphism of hundred markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8. Narrow difference between average (Na) (3.31) and effective (Ne) (2.40) number of alleles per locus suggest near-equal frequency of alleles detected at each poly morphic locus. This is amply reflected from high correlation of Na and Ne with polymorphic information content (PIC). Thirty-three markers with ≥3 alleles (multi-allelic) were more informative than bi-allelic markers as reflected from high magnitude of PIC. A wide range of the estimates of dissimilarity indices between pairs of inbred lines suggested differential frequency of alleles at the polymorphic SSR markers between the inbred lines. The best triplet combinations of two inbred parents (with high dissimilarity indices) and a tester (with high dissimilarity indices between parents and the tester) were identified to maximize the chances of recovering new elite inbred lines for use in heterotic hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being one of the quintessential resources to bounce back from adversities, the complexities of social support in the context of transitions to single parenthood are seldom fully grasped. While many studies are limited by (quantitative) data on type and intensity of support received, in-depth qualitative data facilitates an understanding of the hurdles in the support exchange. In this study, we describe six hurdles single parents have to overcome and four perspectives single parents have of these hurdles. These results are based on a grounded theory study using 244 semistructured interviews with Flemish lone parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental depression is a common and potent risk factor for depression in offspring. However, the developmental course of depression from childhood to early-adulthood has not been characterized in this high-risk group. Using longitudinal data from 337 young people who had a parent with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD), we characterized trajectories of broadly defined depressive disorder using latent class growth analysis. We used clinical descriptions to further characterise trajectory classes. Two trajectory classes were identified: childhood-emerging (25 %) and adulthood-emerging (75 %). The childhood-emerging class showed high rates of depressive disorder from age 12.5, which persisted through the study period. The adulthood-emerging class showed low rates of depressive disorder until age 26. Individual factors (IQ and ADHD symptoms) and parent depression severity (comorbidity, persistence and impairment) differentiated the classes but there were no differences in family history score or polygenic scores associated with psychiatric disorder. Clinical descriptions indicated functional impairment in both classes, but more severe symptomatology and impairment in the childhood-emerging class. Attrition particularly affected participation in young adulthood. Factors associated with attrition were low family income, single parent household status and low parental education. The developmental course of depressive disorder in children of depressed parents is variable. When followed up to adult life, most individuals exhibited some functional impairment. An earlier age-of-onset was associated with a more persistent and impairing course of depression. Access to effective prevention strategies is particularly warranted for at-risk young people showing early-onsetting and persistent depressive symptoms. • Adulthood-emerging and childhood-emerging trajectory classes were identified. • The childhood-emerging class showed a severe and persistent course of depression. • Most individuals in both classes experienced some functional impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single‐parent families led by fathers are an increasing demographic globally, Furthermore, single fatherhood is associated with poorer self‐reported health and mental health, lifestyle practices and habits, increased health complications, psychological symptoms, hospital admissions, and higher mortality. However, there is still a dearth of evidence exploring single fathers' experiences. A systematic review and meta‐synthesis were conducted using Sandelowski and Barroso's approach. Six electronic databases were searched from each database's inception to December 2021, and 34 studies were included in this review. In total, six themes were synthesized: (i) "Doing it alone": Double the work, stress, and tears; (ii) Beyond ambivalence and towards stability, (iii) Walking into the lion's den; (iv) Education as a foundation for a better future; (v) "Single but not alone": Support systems; (vi) "Reconceptualising my predicament": Double the love and growth. Our findings suggest the need to: help fathers better navigate their relationships with their children and ex‐partners, increased awareness and availability of parent‐teaching and support programs, and reform guidelines and policies to enable greater participation and involvement of fathers in future judicial systems, and social and public assistance services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When one of two parents disappears in the midst of caring for offspring, the remaining parent is left with several options. They can either (1) desert the brood, (2) continue caring on their own and reject propositions from new potential partners, or (3) continue caring but remain receptive to re-mating opportunities. The presence of a brood may increase re-mating success of single parents, either because brood care is perceived as a signal of partner quality, or because prospective mates perceive the brood as potential energy source. In this field experiment, we used the socially monogamous, biparental cichlid fish Variabilichromis moorii to examine the re-mating strategy of males with or without dependent offspring after the loss of their female partner. Partner vacancies were filled quickly by new females, and these females engaged in high levels of affiliative behavior with the males. The new females engaged in territorial defense, but focused primarily against intruding conspecifics, likely as a means to repel rivals. The males, in turn, took over the majority of territorial defense against intruding heterospecifics. Interestingly, males that still had offspring from their previous partnerships did not show aggression toward their new female partners, even when those females were infanticidal and cannibalizing the males' current offspring. Overall, our experiment shows that single fathers of a biparental species will re-mate quickly even at the detriment to their current offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental care patterns differ enormously among and even within species. This is exemplified by Chinese penduline tits Remiz consobrinus, where biparental care, female‐only care, male‐only care and biparental desertion all occur in the same population; moreover, the distribution of these care patterns differs systematically between populations. The eco‐evolutionary determinants of this diversity are largely unknown.We developed an individual‐based model that allows us to investigate the effects of season length and offspring needs (expressed by the efficacy with which a clutch can be raised by a single parent) on the evolution of parental care patterns. The model is largely conceptual, aiming at general conclusions. However, to keep the model realistic, its set‐up and the choice of parameters are motivated by field studies on Chinese penduline tits. Exploring a wide range of parameters, we investigate how parental care patterns are affected by season length and offspring needs and whether and under what conditions diverse parental care patterns can stably coexist.We report five main findings. First, under a broad range of conditions, different care patterns (e.g. male care and biparental care) coexist at equilibrium. Second, for the same parameters, alternative evolutionary equilibria are possible; this can explain differences in care patterns across populations. Third, rapid evolutionary transitions can occur between alternative equilibria; this can explain the often‐reported evolutionary lability of parental care patterns. Fourth, season length has a strong but nonmonotonic effect on the evolved care patterns. Fifth, when uniparental care efficacy is low, biparental care tends to evolve; however, in many scenarios uniparental care is still common at equilibrium. In addition, our study sheds new light on Trivers' hypothesis that the sex with the highest prezygotic investment is predestined to invest more postzygotically as well.Our study highlights that diversity in parental care can readily evolve and it shows that even in the absence of environmental change parental care patterns can be evolutionary labile. In the presence of directional environmental change, systematic shifts in care patterns are to be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally, and can have a negative impact on the family. It takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to meet the extra care needs of the afflicted children. This often causes their parents to experience psychological distress, depression, and other mental health issues. Therefore, we designed the study to investigate the caregiver burden and psychological distress among parents of children with ASD and the associated sociodemographic factors influencing parental burden. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of 180 children with ASD in three tertiary hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A pre-validated structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the caregiver burden was assessed using Zarit Burden Interview and scored to estimate the burden level. The mean age of the children in the sample group was 4.68 ± 0.96 years; 62.8% were boys. Nearly half of the children (46.1%) were diagnosed with ASD in the 2nd year of birth, and comorbidities were present in 31.7%. It was determined that the burden level was significantly higher among mothers of children with ASD than among fathers (p < 0.01). Single parents experienced higher (p < 0.05) psychological distress than those who were married. Spending long hours on caregiving resulted in poorer caregiving outcomes and increased parenting stress (p < 0.05). The findings highlight the urgent need for the development of interventions and social support systems to help the parents of children with ASD combat mental health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study examined the development of mother–infant objective and reported sleep quality and duration in solo-mother families (i.e., mothers who decided to parent alone) in comparison to two-parent families. We recruited 134 solo mothers and 161 married mothers during pregnancy, most representing the middle to upper socioeconomic class in Israel. Assessments were conducted during pregnancy and at 4 and 8 months postpartum. Maternal and infant sleep were assessed with actigraphy and sleep diaries for 7 nights. Questionnaires were used to assess maternal insomnia symptoms, sleepiness, sleeping arrangements, and background variables. The comparison of sleep between solo-mother and two-parent families, at each assessment point, showed no differences in sleep duration, and only a few differences in sleep quality measures; these were partially explained by maternal age and breastfeeding. Nevertheless, solo mothers were more likely to share a bed with their infants. In both groups, trajectory analyses showed a decrease in maternal actigraphic and diary sleep quality measures from pregnancy to 4 months, followed by an increase from 4 to 8 months. However, maternal insomnia symptoms first declined, and then increased, and maternal sleep duration first lengthened and then shortened. Infant actigraphic and diary sleep quality increased in both groups from 4 to 8 months, whereas sleep duration decreased only in the "solo" group. In general, the findings suggest that objective and subjective sleep quality and sleep duration of solo-mother families, a growing yet unexplored family structure, do not seem to be significantly affected by the absence of a second parent. Public Significance Statement: This study examined, for the first time, the development of objective and reported sleep in solo mothers (i.e., mothers who decided to parent alone) and their infants in comparison to two-parent families. The findings revealed only small differences between the groups, suggesting that sleep quality in solo-mother families, a growing yet unexplored family structure, does not seem to be significantly affected by the absence of a second parent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School adjustment of left-behind children (LBC) is a significant public health issue that may affect their well-being and mental health. In China, most left-behind children have a family structure in which the father goes out to work and the mother stays at home to take care of the children. As the sole caregiver in the family, a mother who shows support or destruction to the father's parenting goals or behaviors in the process of raising children may affect the LBC's school adjustment. However, the relationship between mothers' co-parenting and LBC's school adjustment and its mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to explore the longitudinal influence of mothers' co-parenting on school adjustment of father-absent LBC, and the mediating roles of paternal and maternal attachment. 284 father-absent LBC (177 boys and 107 girls) aged 8–11 (Mage = 8.43, SDage = 0.73) from Anhui Province completed questionnaires about mothers' co-parenting, paternal and maternal attachment, and children's school adjustment at two time. The results showed that (1) mothers' positive co-parenting positively predicted LBC's social competence, and mothers' negative co-parenting positively predicted LBC's antisocial behaviors; (2) Maternal attachment mediated the relationship between mothers' co-parenting and LBC's social competence, while paternal attachment mediated the association between mothers' positive co-parenting and LBC's antisocial behaviors. This study reveals the effect of mothers' co-parenting on the school adjustment of father-absent LBC, and the unique mediating role of paternal and maternal attachment. Moreover, this research suggested that encouraging mothers to exhibit more positive co-parenting behaviors, reducing conflict and disparaging fathers, may be an effective way to promote LBC's school adjustment. Highlights: Mothers' positive co-parenting promotes the development of father-absent LBC's social competence, while mothers' negative co-parenting promotes the occurrence of father-absent LBC's antisocial behaviors. Maternal attachment mediated the relationship between mothers' co-parenting and LBC's social competence, while paternal attachment mediated the association between mothers' positive co-parenting and LBC's antisocial behaviors. This research suggested that encouraging mothers to show more positive co-parenting behaviors, reducing conflict and disparaging fathers, is beneficial to the development of maternal and paternal attachment, and further promotes father-absent LBC's school adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article raises the question of the possibility of identifying stellar pairs in which one of the components belongs to the family of near-nuclear central S-stars and the other belongs to a population of hypervelocity stars (HVSs). In the recent past, they could be genetically linked in a single parent binary star (BS), and today its components are separated by hundreds or more parsecs as a result of dynamic capture of a BS by the field of a supermassive black hole (SMBH). There is interest in the mutual reconstruction of populations of S-stars and HVSs calculated in the context of the classical Hills scenario, based on the principle of supplementing their observational data. The paper is based on a report presented at the astrophysical memorial seminar "Novelties in Understanding the Evolution of Binary Stars," dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Professor M.A. Svechnikov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Netherlands witnessed major reforms in income support for lone parents over the past decade, to simplify the support system and to improve the financial incentives to work. We consider whether the new system can be considered closer to 'optimal', using the inverse-optimal tax(ation) method. In our base model we find social welfare weights that were not monotonically declining in income before the reforms. The reforms fixed this anomaly for the group of lone parents as a whole, but the anomaly remains for lone parents with a child 0–3 years old. For a wide range of redistributive preferences we find that subsidies for working lone parents could be increased further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergraduate and graduate research opportunities represent a unique educational opportunity for students in that they can stimulate students' interest and potential careers in academic disciplines. Students who are single parents can also benefit from this opportunity, yet they are often overlooked by faculty members. In this article, we describe some of the challenges and benefits of involving students who are single parents in research laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]