Drift, not selection, shapes toll-like receptor variation among oceanic island populations

Understanding the relative role of different evolutionary forces in shaping the level and distribution of functional genetic diversity among natural populations is a key issue in evolutionary and conservation biology. To do so accurately genetic data must be analyzed in conjunction with an unambiguous understanding of the historical processes that have acted upon the populations. Here we focused on diversity at toll-like receptor (TLR) loci, which play a key role in the vertebrate innate immune system and, therefore, are expected to be under pathogen-mediated selection. We assessed TLR variation within and among 13 island populations (grouped into three archipelagos) of Berthelot's pipit, Anthus berthelotii, for which detailed population history has previously been ascertained. We also compared the variation observed with that found in its widespread sister species, the tawny pipit, Anthus campestris. We found strong evidence for positive selection at specific codons in TLR1LA, TLR3 and TLR4. Despite this, we found that at the allele frequency level, demographic history has played the major role in shaping patterns of TLR variation in Berthelot's pipit. Levels of diversity and differentiation within and across archipelagos at all TLR loci corresponded very closely with neutral microsatellite variation, and with the severity of the bottlenecks that occurred during colonization. Our study shows that despite the importance of TLRs in combating pathogens, demography can be the main driver of immune gene variation within and across populations, resulting in patterns of functional variation that can persist over evolutionary timescales. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

ISU String Project: Winter Concert, December 10, 2021

Center for the Performing Arts December 10, 2021 Friday Evening 7:00 p.m

Koszul property of projections of the Veronese cubic surface

Let V be the Veronese cubic surface in P^9. We classify the projections of V to P^8 whose coordinate rings are Koszul. In particular we obtain a purely theoretical proof of the Koszulness of the pinched Veronese, a result obtained originally by Caviglia using filtrations, deformations and computer assisted computations. To this purpose we extend, to certain complete intersections, results of Conca, Herzog, Trung and Valla concerning homological properties of diagonal algebras.Comment: Minor revision, few typos corrected. To appear in Adv. in Mat

A pedagogical tool for science teacher education: Content Representation (CoRe) design

The promotion of reflective practice amongst participants in teacher education programmes (e.g. Bain et al, 1999; Moon, 1999; Loughran & Corrigan, 1995; Shireen et al, 2003; Wallace & Louden, 2003) and the wider teaching community is widely championed for enhancing professional learning and growth

Sleepwalking Used as a Defense in Criminal Cases and the Evolution of the Ambien Defense

Commen

Ensemble Concerts: ISU String Project Winter Concert, December 2, 2022

Center for the Performing ArtsDecember 2, 2022Friday Evening7:00 p.m

Teaching As Reflective Practice: Papers by Teacher Researchers

This is a collection of papers by Teacher researchers in different county public school systems put together by the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC). Papers in this report include: - Why Do They Hide Their Hands? by Rebecca Miller and Tracy Pausic of Bailey Bridge Middle School, Chesterfield County Public Schools - The Fourth C of Motivation - Competition by Sharon P. Eshler of Cold Harbor Elementary School, Hanover County Public Schools - A Study of the Implementation of a Math Buddy Program Between Kindergarten Students and Third Graders In An Attempt to Improve Communication Skills by Melinda Jenkins and Anne Overman of Lakeside Elementary School, Henrico County Public Schools. - The Phases of the Moon and Other Disruptive Phenomena As it Relates to Student Behavior by Amos Johnson and Ellan Snithwick of Fairfield Middle School, Henrico County Public Schools. Tracey Smallwood of Carter Woodson Middle School, Hopewell City Public Schools. - A Study of the Attitudes, Expectations, and Academic Performance of Student Athletes by Henry Davis and Jim Guthrie of Highland Springs High School, Henrico County Public Schools. - How Does Teacher Voice Cadence, Pitch, Music and Movement Affect Student Attention in the Classroom? by Celeste Jones of Summer Hill School, Richmond City Public Schools. - Retention: Beneficial or Detrimental by Paula H. Dennis of Carter G. Woodson Middle School, Hopewell City Public Schools. - Literature Circles - In Search of the Grand Conversation by Michael Kight and Mary Southward of G. H. Reid Elementary School, Richmond City Public Schools. - What Early Predictors Exist for Academic Problems in Fourth Grade? by Sharon Byman and Karen Hudson of Blackwell Middle School, Richmond City Public Schools