Hear Duke evolutionary biologist Mohamed Noor discuss the work that made him one of only a dozen scientists honored with the Darwin-Wallace Medal in 2008. This prize is given only once every fifty years to those twelve scientists who have done the most to advance Darwin's thinking.
Although Darwin's book title suggested that he provided us with insights on the origin of species, in fact, he only focused on the process of divergence within species and assumed the same process "eventually" led to something that could be called a new species.
This event was taped live as part of the Periodic Tables: Durham's Science Cafe series at the Broad Street Cafe. Periodic Tables is a Museum of Life and Science program. For more info please visit us at http://www.ncmls.org/periodictables
Species are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups. The biological species concept has been prevalent in the evolutionary literature for the last several decades and is emphasized in many college-level biology courses. It is probably the species concept most familiar to biologists in diverse fields, such as conservation biology, forestry, fisheries, and wildlife management. Species defined by the biological species concept have also been championed as units of conservation. The species concept for most phycologists is based on the morphological characters and hence the term ‘species’ means morphospecies. On the other hand, for evolutionary biologists, the term means biological species that can be defined as a reproductive community of populations (reproductively isolated from others) that occupy a specific niche in Nature.
Hear Duke evolutionary biologist Mohamed Noor discuss the work that made him one of only a dozen scientists honored with the Darwin-Wallace Medal in 2008. This prize is given only once every fifty years to those twelve scientists who have done the most to advance Darwin's thinking.
Although Darwin's book title suggested that he provided us with insights on the origin of species, in fact, he only focused on the process of divergence within species and assumed the same process "eventually" led to something that could be called a new species.
This event was taped live as part of the Periodic Tables: Durham's Science Cafe series at the Broad Street Cafe. Periodic Tables is a Museum of Life and Science program. For more info please visit us at http://www.ncmls.org/periodictables
Species are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups. The biological species concept has been prevalent in the evolutionary literature for the last several decades and is emphasized in many college-level biology courses. It is probably the species concept most familiar to biologists in diverse fields, such as conservation biology, forestry, fisheries, and wildlife management. Species defined by the biological species concept have also been championed as units of conservation. The species concept for most phycologists is based on the morphological characters and hence the term ‘species’ means morphospecies. On the other hand, for evolutionary biologists, the term means biological species that can be defined as a reproductive community of populations (reproductively isolated from others) that occupy a specific niche in Nature.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
2. AP Biology
So…what is a species?
defined by Ernst Mayr (Evolutionary Biologist)
A population whose members can interbreed & produce
viable, fertile offspring
Being reproductively compatible is a key component
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Distinct species:
songs & behaviors are different
enough to prevent interbreeding
3. AP Biology
Speciation
Occurs when a group within a species
separates from other members of its
species and develops its own
characteristics.
4. AP Biology
How and why do new species originate?
New species are formed by a series of
evolutionary processes which cause
reproductive isolation.
Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms
Pre-zygotic barriers are various forms of
isolation
Post-zygotic barriers are generally related to
fertility & viability of offspring
5. AP Biology
This means there is an obstacle to
mating or to fertilization if mating occurs
PRE-Reproduction (pre-zygotic) Barriers
behavioral isolation
geographic isolation ecological isolation temporal isolation
mechanical isolation gametic isolation
6. AP Biology
1. Geographic isolation
New species occur in different areas
physical barrier separated ancestor species
Harris’s antelope
squirrel inhabits the
canyon’s south rim
(L). Just a few miles
away on the north
rim (R) lives the
closely related white-
tailed antelope
squirrel
Ammospermophilus spp
7. AP Biology
2. Ecological isolation
Species occur in same region, but occupy
different habitats so they rarely encounter
each other
2 species of garter snake, Thamnophis,
occur in same area, but one lives in water &
other is terrestrial
lions & tigers could
hybridize, but they
live in different
habitats:
lions in grasslands
tigers in rainforest
8. AP Biology
3. Temporal “time” isolation
Species that breed during different times of
day, different seasons, or different years
cannot mix gametes.
Eastern spotted skunk (L) &
Western spotted skunk (R)
overlap in range but eastern
mates in late winter &
western mates in late
summer
9. AP Biology
4. Behavioral isolation
Unique behavioral patterns & rituals isolate species
identifies members of species
attract mates of same species
courtship rituals, mating calls
Blue footed boobies mate
only after a courtship display
unique to their species
That’s hot…
11. AP Biology
firefly courtship displays
courtship display of
Gray-Crowned Cranes, Kenya
courtship songs of
species of lacewings
(that live in the same area)
Recognizing your
own species
12. AP Biology
5. Mechanical isolation
Morphological differences can prevent
successful mating
Even in closely related
species of plants, the
flowers often have distinct
appearances that attract
different pollinators.
These 2 species of monkey
flower differ greatly in
shape & color, therefore
cross-pollination does not
happen.
Plants
13. AP Biology
Mechanical isolation
For many insects, male & female sex organs
of closely related species do not fit together,
preventing sperm transfer
lack of “fit” between sexual organs:
hard to imagine for us… but a big issue for insects with
different shaped genitals!
Damsel fly penises
Animals
Get that thing
away from me!
14. AP Biology
6. Gametic isolation
Sperm of one species may not be able to
fertilize eggs of another species
biochemical barrier: sperm cannot penetrate egg
receptor recognition: lock & key between egg & sperm
chemical incompatibility
sperm cannot survive in female reproductive tract
Sea urchins release sperm
& eggs into surrounding
waters where they fuse &
form zygotes.
Gametes of different
species are unable to fuse.
16. AP Biology
Post Zygotic: Reduced hybrid viability
Genes of different parent species may
interact & impair the hybrid’s development
Species of salamander
genus, Ensatina, may
interbreed, but most
hybrids do not complete
development & those
that do are frail.
17. AP Biology
Mules are vigorous,
but sterile
Post Zygotic: Reduced hybrid fertility
Even if hybrids are vigorous they may be sterile
chromosomes of parents may differ in number or
structure & meiosis in hybrids may fail to produce
normal gametes
Donkeys have 62
chromosomes
(31 pairs)
Horses have 64
chromosomes
(32 pairs) Mules have 63 chromosomes!
18. AP Biology
Post Zygotic: Hybrid breakdown
Hybrids may be fertile & viable in first
generation, but when they mate offspring
are feeble or sterile
In strains of cultivated rice,
hybrids are vigorous but
plants in next generation are
small & sterile.
19. AP Biology
Rate of Speciation
Current debate:
Does speciation happen gradually or
rapidly? Or both?
Gradualism
Punctuated equilibrium
20. AP Biology
Gradualism
Gradual divergence
over long spans of
time
assume that big
changes occur as
the accumulation
of many small ones
21. AP Biology
Punctuated Equilibrium
Rate of speciation is
not constant
rapid bursts of
change
long periods of little
or no change
species undergo
rapid change when
they 1st bud from
parent population Time
22. AP Biology
Modes of Speciation: Allopatric Speciation
A physical barrier arises and prevents gene
flow between populations
Reproductive isolating mechanisms evolve in
the genetically diverging populations
Speciation occurs when the members of the
divergent populations no longer interbreed
23. AP Biology
Modes of Speciation: Sympatric Speciation
A new species may form within the home
range of an existing species
(there is no physical barrier)
May be:
Temporal
Mechanical
Behavioral
24. AP Biology
Modes of Speciation: Parapatric Speciation
Daughter species form a
small proportion of
individuals along a
common border between
2 populations.
Hybrid Zone is formed
BULLOCK’S
ORIOLE
BALTIMORE
ORIOLE
HYBRID ZONE
Figure 18.10
25. AP Biology
The two types of plants are close enough that
tolerant and non-tolerant individuals could potentially
fertilize each other—so they seem to meet the first
requirement of parapatric speciation, that of a
continuous population. However, the two types of
plants have evolved different flowering times. This
change could be the first step in cutting off gene flow
entirely between the two groups
Humans are so diverse but considered one species, whereas these Meadowlarks look so similar but are considered different species.
Meadowlarks Similar body & colorations, but are distinct biological species because their songs & other behaviors are different enough to prevent interbreeding
The most comedic species of the Galapagos Islands is the Blue Footed Booby, what a ridiculous outfit and expression! Their name is in fact taken from the Spanish 'bobo' which means clown.
The Blue Footed Boobies above display part of their humorous courtship ritual whereby they raise their feet one at a time and then swivel their heads away from the prospective mate looking to the sky.
Other interesting Booby features are the highly evolved airbag systems in their skulls which allow them to dive bomb into the sea for fish from great height, and the egg and hatchling nesting boundaries they make which are rings of Boobie poop. They aren't the only Booby on the island — there are also Masked and Red Footed Boobies about.
The most comedic species of the Galapagos Islands is the Blue Footed Booby, what a ridiculous outfit and expression! Their name is in fact taken from the Spanish 'bobo' which means clown.
The Blue Footed Boobies above display part of their humorous courtship ritual whereby they raise their feet one at a time and then swivel their heads away from the prospective mate looking to the sky.
Other interesting Booby features are the highly evolved airbag systems in their skulls which allow them to dive bomb into the sea for fish from great height, and the egg and hatchling nesting boundaries they make which are rings of Boobie poop. They aren't the only Booby on the island — there are also Masked and Red Footed Boobies about.
The selection is intense because it directly affects offspring production -- it is affecting sex itself
What’s wrong with having 63 chromosomes?
Odd number! Cannot pair up in meiosis.
A physical barrier such as mountain range or a water way, makes it impossible for them to breed with one another. Each species develops differently based on the demands of their unique habitat or the genetic characteristics of the group that are passed on to offspring.
