The \u3cem\u3eChlamydomonas\u3c/em\u3e Genome Reveals the Evolution of Key Animal and Plant Functions

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga whose lineage diverged from land plants over 1 billion years ago. It is a model system for studying chloroplast-based photosynthesis, as well as the structure, assembly, and function of eukaryotic flagella (cilia), which were inherited from the common ancestor of plants and animals, but lost in land plants. We sequenced the ∼120-megabase nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas and performed comparative phylogenomic analyses, identifying genes encoding uncharacterized proteins that are likely associated with the function and biogenesis of chloroplasts or eukaryotic flagella. Analyses of the Chlamydomonas genome advance our understanding of the ancestral eukaryotic cell, reveal previously unknown genes associated with photosynthetic and flagellar functions, and establish links between ciliopathy and the composition and function of flagella

Phylogeography of the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica: Implications for taxonomy, conservation management and wildlife forensics

The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is the most widely distributed Asian pangolin species, occurring across much of Southeast Asia and in southern China. It is classified as Critically Endangered and is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, which not only negatively impacts wild Sunda pangolin populations but also poses a potential disease risk to other species, including humans and livestock. Here, we aimed to investigate the species' phylogeography across its distribution to improve our understanding of the species' evolutionary history, elucidate any taxonomic uncertainties and enhance the species' conservation genetic management and potential wildlife forensics applications. We sequenced mtDNA genomes from 23 wild Sunda pangolins of known provenance originating from Malaysia to fill sampling gaps in previous studies, particularly in Borneo. To conduct phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of Sunda pangolins across their range, we integrated these newly generated mitochondrial genomes with previously generated mtDNA and nuclear DNA data sets (RAD‐seq SNP data). We identified an evolutionarily distinct mtDNA lineage in north Borneo, estimated to be ~1.6 million years divergent from lineages in west/south Borneo and the mainland, comparable to the divergence time from the Palawan pangolin. There appeared to be mitonuclear discordance, with no apparent genetic structure across Borneo based on analysis of nuclear SNPs. These findings are consistent with the ‘out of Borneo hypothesis’, whereby Sunda pangolins diversified in Borneo before subsequently migrating throughout Sundaland, and/or a secondary contact scenario between mainland and Borneo. We have elucidated possible taxonomic issues in the Sunda/Palawan pangolin complex and highlight the critical need for additional georeferenced samples to accurately apportion its range‐wide genetic variation into appropriate taxonomic and conservation units. Additionally, these data have improved forensic identification testing involving these species and permit the implementation of geographic provenance testing in some scenarios

Winnie Mandela: Part of My Soul Went With Him

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Effects of grade retention and dropouts on the school system and the pupils

This study examines the effects of grade retention and school dropouts on the school system and on the affected pupils and their families. The study answers two critical questions. First, what are the social and economic consequences of grade retention and dropouts to the primary school education system and to the country's development efforts? Second, what are the psychological, social and economic consequences of retention and premature withdrawal to the pupils? In Kenya, like in many other developing countries, long term planning to provide universal primary education to all school age children (6-14 years) across the grades is made difficult by the large numbers of repeaters, dropouts and re-entrants from among previous dropouts. Some of the pupils become multiple repeaters before either graduating or dropping out. Grade retention extends the period of study for the individual, and therefore increases both the private and public financial and opportunity costs to education. For some pupils, grade repetition results in low self-esteem, while others develop social and /or psychological problems. The conceivable effects of retention and dropouts on the school system and the affected pupils hold important policy implications for the provision of basic education to all in Kenya

The Lagos Plan of Action Vs. The Berg Report

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Population Growth, Employment and Economic-Demographic Interactions in Kenya: Bachue-Kenya

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Republic of Kenya Ministry of Education Final Report of Synthesis of Case Study Findings

A Report by Prof. Ruthie Rono, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at United States International University - Africa