Sixties Counterculture and the Personal Computer (What the Dormouse Said: How the Sixties Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Markoff, John

2006-01-01

The Internet is arguably the largest accumulation of information in one place, yet its own beginnings remain largely undocumented. In researching his recent book, John Markoff collected oral histories from many of the Stanford-area researchers whose technological inventions defined the both modern internet and personal computer. In his talk, Markoff will explore the role that the counterculture and anti war movements of the 1960s and 1970s played in the work of these researchers as they created what would later be called the 'world's largest legal accumulation of wealth.'

Immunoelectron microscopic characterization of nucleolus-associated domains during hibernation.

Science.gov (United States)

Malatesta, Manuela; Zancanaro, Carlo; Biggiogera, Marco

2011-01-01

The nucleolus represents a highly dynamic nuclear compartment involved in multiple functions and able to promptly respond to variations of metabolic needs. In the hibernator dormouse, which drastically modifies its metabolic activity during the seasonal cycle, the nucleolus undergoes structural and molecular changes during the torpor bouts; in particular, it shows many nucleoplasmic invaginations containing weakly contrasted areas of unknown nature. To analyze the molecular composition of these nucleolus-associated domains (NADs) and to understand their functional significance, the fine nucleolar composition has been investigated by means of ultrastructural immunocytochemistry in different tissues of euthermic, hibernating, and arousing hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius): in particular, the intranucleolar location of several protein factors involved in the transcription and processing of either pre-rRNA or pre-mRNA has been considered. NADs proved to form during hibernation and disappear upon arousal and were found to contain m₃-G-capped snRNAs, snRNPs, hnRNPs, and the survival motor neuron protein; they were, on the contrary, devoid of the nucleolar factors tested (polymerase I, fibrillarin, nucleolin, and the ribosomal phosphoproteins P₀, P₁, and P₂). We hypothesize that NADs may represent a transient storage site for those molecules involved in the pre-mRNA splicing, which usually transit through the nucleolus; upon arousal, this would facilitate the resumption of RNA maturation by promoting the rapid reactivation of the molecular trafficking from the nucleolus. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Long-term data from a small mammal community reveal loss of diversity and potential effects of local climate change.

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Santoro, Simone; Sanchez-Suarez, Cristina; Rouco, Carlos; Palomo, L Javier; Fernández, M Carmen; Kufner, Maura B; Moreno, Sacramento

2017-10-01

Climate change affects distribution and persistence of species. However, forecasting species' responses to these changes requires long-term data series that are often lacking in ecological studies. We used 15 years of small mammal trapping data collected between 1978 and 2015 in 3 areas at Doñana National Park (southwest Spain) to (i) describe changes in species composition and (ii) test the association between local climate conditions and size of small mammal populations. Overall, 5 species were captured: wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus , algerian mouse Mus spretus , greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula , garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus , and black rat Rattus rattus . The temporal pattern in the proportion of captures of each species suggests that the small mammal diversity declined with time. Although the larger species (e.g., E. quercinus ), better adapted to colder climate, have disappeared from our trapping records, M. spretus , a small species inhabiting southwest Europe and the Mediterranean coast of Africa, currently is almost the only trapped species. We used 2-level hierarchical models to separate changes in abundance from changes in probability of capture using records of A. sylvaticus in all 3 areas and of M. spretus in 1. We found that heavy rainfall and low temperatures were positively related to abundance of A. sylvaticus , and that the number of extremely hot days was negatively related to abundance of M. spretus . Despite other mechanisms are likely to be involved, our findings support the importance of climate for the distribution and persistence of these species and raise conservation concerns about potential cascading effects in the Doñana ecosystem.

The large-scale removal of mammalian invasive alien species in Northern Europe.

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Robertson, Peter A; Adriaens, Tim; Lambin, Xavier; Mill, Aileen; Roy, Sugoto; Shuttleworth, Craig M; Sutton-Croft, Mike

2017-02-01

Numerous examples exist of successful mammalian invasive alien species (IAS) eradications from small islands (removals (mean area 2627 km 2 ) from Northern Europe since 1900, including edible dormouse, muskrat, coypu, Himalayan porcupine, Pallas' and grey squirrels and American mink, each primarily based on daily checking of static traps. Objectives included true eradication or complete removal to a buffer zone, as distinct from other programmes that involved local control to limit damage or spread. Twelve eradication/removal programmes (80%) were successful. Cost increased with and was best predicted by area, while the cost per unit area decreased; the number of individual animals removed did not add significantly to the model. Doubling the area controlled reduced cost per unit area by 10%, but there was no evidence that cost effectiveness had increased through time. Compared with small islands, larger-scale programmes followed similar patterns of effort in relation to area. However, they brought challenges when defining boundaries and consequent uncertainties around costs, the definition of their objectives, confirmation of success and different considerations for managing recolonisation. Novel technologies or increased use of volunteers may reduce costs. Rapid response to new incursions is recommended as best practice rather than large-scale control to reduce the environmental, financial and welfare costs. © 2016 Crown copyright. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Crown copyright. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Laboratory investigations of African Pouched Rats (Cricetomys gambianus) as a potential reservoir host species for Monkeypox Virus

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Hutson, Christina L.; Nakazawa, Yoshinori J.; Self, Joshua; Olson, Victoria A.; Regnery, Russell L.; Braden, Zachary; Weiss, Sonja; Malekani, Jean; Jackson, Eddie; Tate, Mallory; Karem, Kevin L.; Rocke, Tonie E.; Osorio, Jorge E.; Damon, Inger K.; Carroll, Darin S.

2015-01-01

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease endemic to central and western Africa, where it is a major public health concern. Although Monkeypox virus (MPXV) and monkeypox disease in humans have been well characterized, little is known about its natural history, or its maintenance in animal populations of sylvatic reservoir(s). In 2003, several species of rodents imported from Ghana were involved in a monkeypox outbreak in the United States with individuals of three African rodent genera (Cricetomys, Graphiurus, Funisciurus) shown to be infected with MPXV. Here, we examine the course of MPXV infection in Cricetomys gambianus (pouched Gambian rats) and this rodent species’ competence as a host for the virus. We obtained ten Gambian rats from an introduced colony in Grassy Key, Florida and infected eight of these via scarification with a challenge dose of 4X104 plaque forming units (pfu) from either of the two primary clades of MPXV: Congo Basin (C-MPXV: n = 4) or West African (W-MPXV: n = 4); an additional 2 animals served as PBS controls. Viral shedding and the effect of infection on activity and physiological aspects of the animals were measured. MPXV challenged animals had significantly higher core body temperatures, reduced activity and increased weight loss than PBS controls. Viable virus was found in samples taken from animals in both experimental groups (C-MPXV and W-MPXV) between 3 and 27 days post infection (p.i.) (up to 1X108pfu/ml), with viral DNA found until day 56 p.i. The results from this work show that Cricetomys gambianus (and by inference, probably the closely related species, Cricetomys emini) can be infected with MPXV and shed viable virus particles; thus suggesting that these animals may be involved in the maintenance of MPXV in wildlife mammalian populations. More research is needed to elucidate the epidemiology of MPXV and the role of Gambian rats and other species.

Laboratory Investigations of African Pouched Rats (Cricetomys gambianus as a Potential Reservoir Host Species for Monkeypox Virus.

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Christina L Hutson

Full Text Available Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease endemic to central and western Africa, where it is a major public health concern. Although Monkeypox virus (MPXV and monkeypox disease in humans have been well characterized, little is known about its natural history, or its maintenance in animal populations of sylvatic reservoir(s. In 2003, several species of rodents imported from Ghana were involved in a monkeypox outbreak in the United States with individuals of three African rodent genera (Cricetomys, Graphiurus, Funisciurus shown to be infected with MPXV. Here, we examine the course of MPXV infection in Cricetomys gambianus (pouched Gambian rats and this rodent species' competence as a host for the virus. We obtained ten Gambian rats from an introduced colony in Grassy Key, Florida and infected eight of these via scarification with a challenge dose of 4X104 plaque forming units (pfu from either of the two primary clades of MPXV: Congo Basin (C-MPXV: n = 4 or West African (W-MPXV: n = 4; an additional 2 animals served as PBS controls. Viral shedding and the effect of infection on activity and physiological aspects of the animals were measured. MPXV challenged animals had significantly higher core body temperatures, reduced activity and increased weight loss than PBS controls. Viable virus was found in samples taken from animals in both experimental groups (C-MPXV and W-MPXV between 3 and 27 days post infection (p.i. (up to 1X108 pfu/ml, with viral DNA found until day 56 p.i. The results from this work show that Cricetomys gambianus (and by inference, probably the closely related species, Cricetomys emini can be infected with MPXV and shed viable virus particles; thus suggesting that these animals may be involved in the maintenance of MPXV in wildlife mammalian populations. More research is needed to elucidate the epidemiology of MPXV and the role of Gambian rats and other species.

The cell nuclei of skeletal muscle cells are transcriptionally active in hibernating edible dormice

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Muller Sylviane

2009-03-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Skeletal muscle is able to react in a rapid, dynamic way to metabolic and mechanical stimuli. In particular, exposure to either prolonged starvation or disuse results in muscle atrophy. At variance, in hibernating animals muscle atrophy may be scarce or absent after bouts of hibernation i.e., periods of prolonged (months inactivity and food deprivation, and muscle function is fully preserved at arousal. In this study, myocytes from the quadriceps muscle of euthermic and hibernating edible dormice were investigated by a combination of morphological, morphometrical and immunocytochemical analyses at the light and electron microscopy level. The focus was on cell nuclei and mitochondria, which are highly sensitive markers of changing metabolic rate. Results Findings presented herein demonstrate that: 1 the general histology of the muscle, inclusive of muscle fibre shape and size, and the ratio of fast and slow fibre types are not affected by hibernation; 2 the fine structure of cytoplasmic and nuclear constituents is similar in euthermia and hibernation but for lipid droplets, which accumulate during lethargy; 3 during hibernation, mitochondria are larger in size with longer cristae, and 4 myonuclei maintain the same amount and distribution of transcripts and transcription factors as in euthermia. Conclusion In this study we demonstrate that skeletal muscle cells of the hibernating edible dormouse maintain their structural and functional integrity in full, even after months in the nest. A twofold explanation for that is envisaged: 1 the maintenance, during hibernation, of low-rate nuclear and mitochondrial activity counterbalancing myofibre wasting, 2 the intensive muscle stimulation (shivering during periodic arousals in the nest, which would mimic physical exercise. These two factors would prevent muscle atrophy usually occurring in mammals after prolonged starvation and/or inactivity as a consequence of prevailing catabolism

Potential of pest regulation by insectivorous birds in Mediterranean woody crops.

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José M Rey Benayas

Full Text Available Regulation of agricultural pests managing their natural enemies represents an alternative to chemical pesticides. We assessed the potential of insectivorous birds as pest regulators in woody crops located in central Spain. A total of 417 nest boxes installed in five field study sites (one vineyard, two fruit orchards, and two olive groves were monitored for use and breeding of insectivorous birds and other species for four consecutive years (2013-2016. At all field sites except the two olive groves, where birds never occupied the nest boxes, predation experiments were conducted with Greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella sentinel caterpillars, and food consumption by birds was estimated. Nesting of insectivorous birds, chiefly Great tit (Parus major, and sparrows (Passer domesticus and P. montanus increased over time, averaging 60% per field site in the vineyard and fruit orchards by the fourth year. Use of nest boxes by sparrows and by Garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus was high at the fruit orchards (70% and the vineyard (30%, respectively. Micro-habitat characteristics (nest box level and meso-habitat characteristics (patch level strongly affected use of nest boxes and bird breeding (i.e. number of laid eggs and produced chicks in different years. Distance to natural or semi-natural vegetation did not consistently affect bird breeding, nor did we see consistent evidence of competition between adjacent breeding birds. Predation rates of sentinel caterpillars were approximately one-third higher near boxes with nesting birds (31.51 ± 43.13% than at paired distant areas without nest boxes (22.45% ± 38.58%. Food consumption by insectivorous birds per ha and breeding season were conservatively estimated to range from 0.02 kg in one fruit orchard to 0.15 kg in the vineyard. We conclude that installation of nest boxes in Mediterranean woody crops enhances populations of insectivorous birds that regulate pests, but that the effects are moderate and

Thermoregulation and rhythmicity in Eliomys melanurus from the Negev Highlands, Israel

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Abraham Haim

1995-05-01

Full Text Available Abstract Oxygen consumption (VO₂ and body temperature (T_b were measured in the Asian Garden Dormouse, Eliomys melanurus, from a population inhabiting the semi-arid steppe habitats of the Negev Highlands in Israel. Prior to measurements, the animals were acclimated for at least three weeks to an ambient temperature of 24°C with a photoperiod regime of 12L:12D. The results of this study reveal that the resting metabolic rates of this species are relatively low and that even at T_a=25°C they may enter daily periods of torpor which can save up to 65% of the average daily energy expenditure of a normothermic individual under the same conditions. The emergence from torpor is accompanied by an overshoot in VO₂. Both normothermic dormice and those in torpor show a daily rhythm of VO₂ and T_b with a clear pattern of a nocturnal species. Riassunto Termoregolazione e ritmicità di Eliomys melanurus della regione montuosa del Negev, Israele - Il consumo di ossigeno (VO₂ e la temperatura corporea (T_b sono stati misurati nel topo quercino asiatico, Eliomys melanurus, proveniente da una popolazione che in Israele abita ambienti steppici semi-aridi della regione montuosa del Negev. Prima delle misurazioni, gli animali sono stati acclimatati per almeno tre settimane ad una temperatura ambiente di 24°C con un fotoperiodo di 12L:12D. I risultati di questo studio rivelano che i tassi metabolici di questa specie in condizioni di riposo sono relativamente bassi e che anche a T_a=25°C possono entrare in periodi di torpore giornalieri che permettono di salvare fino a1 65% del consumo medio energetico giornaliero di un individuo normotermico alle stesse condizioni. Il risveglio dal torpore è accompagnato da un aumento di VO₂. Sia i Mioxidi normotermici che quelli in torpore mostrano

The Ecology of the Ural Owl at South-Western Border of Its Distribution (Slovenia

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Al Vrezec

2016-04-01

Full Text Available In Slovenia the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis is on its south-western limit of distribution and belongs to the southern subspecies Strix uralensis macroura. Dark coloured owls are characteristic for this subspecies and represent between 5 to 15% of the population. Slovenian breeding population size is estimated at 400 to 700 pairs. The densities of territories ranges between 0.9 to 13.4 territories per 10 km2, and the highest are reached in mountain forests of southern Dinaric region. In the forests with dominant deciduous trees, e.g. Beech (Fagus sylvatica and Pedinculate Oak (Quercus robur, the breeding densities are significantly higher than in the forests with higher proportion of coniferous trees, e.g. Norway Spruce (Picea abies. The species does not select specific altitude and throughout Slovenia it occurs between 150 and 1600 m a.s.l.  The most of the nest found at natural nest-sites were in tree holes or semi-holes (56% and at the tree stumps (20%. Nest boxes were occupied less frequently in Slovenia with occupancy rate of 29%. At least in mountain regions breeding begins quite late, between 15 March to 21 June. Average clutch size is 3.3 ± 1.0 eggs per nest. About 80% of all nests are successful raising at least one young. The diet shifts significantly between breeding and non-breeding period due to the seasonality in prey availability. According to the biomass the most important prey in breeding period are mice (Muridae, voles (Arvicollidae and mole (Talpa europaea, but in the non-breeding period voles and dormice (Gliridae predominate. Large Fat Dormouse (Glis glis seems to have very important role in the post-breeding period, but not in the breeding period due to its dormancy. As a large forest-dwelling predator the Ural Owl shapes the raptor community in the forest by excluding mezopredator species, as Tawny Owl (Strix aluco, what allows smaller raptors, e.g. Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus to expend their ranges to lower elevations

Dorsal Surface of the Tongue of the Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus Avellanarius: Scanning Electron and Light Microscopic Studies/ Grzbietowa Powierzchnia Języka Orzesznicy Muscardinus Avellanarius: Badania Z Wykorzystaniem Mikroskopu Skaningowego I Świetlnego

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Wołczuk Katarzyna

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Grzbietowa powierzchnia języka orzesznicy była badana przy użyciu skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego i mikroskopu świetlnego. Język orzesznicy jest wydłużony i rozszerzony w przedniej części. W przedniej 1/3 długości języka obserwuje się wyraźną bruzdę pośrodkową. Grzbietowa powierzchnia języka jest pokryta przez pięć typów brodawek: nitkowate, stożkowate, grzybowate, okolone i liściaste. Rozmieszczenie, kształt, rozmiary i pochylenie brodawek różnią się zależnie od regionu języka. W przedniej części języka, brodawki nitkowate są piłkowane i zwrócone wierzchołkami ukośnie do środka i ku tyłowi języka, podczas gdy w tylnej części języka mają kształt widlasty i układają się promieniście, pochylając wierzchołki w kierunku środka języka. Brodawki grzybowate zaopatrzone w pojedynczy kubek smakowy są równomiernie rozproszone w przedniej i środkowej części trzonu języka. Na nasadzie języka, trzy gwiaździstego kształtu brodawki okolone są ułożone w formie trójkąta i otoczone brodawkami stożkowatymi. Na obu brzegach tylnego obszaru języka znajduje się para brodawek liściastych, która tworzy trzy równoległe fałdy odseparowane głębokimi bruzdami. Grzbietowa powierzchnia brodawek liściastych i okolonych pokryta jest silnie zrogowaciałym nabłonkiem, podczas gdy boczna powierzchnia ma nabłonek niczrogowaciały, z licznymi kubkami smakowymi. Wyniki naszych badań pokazały, żc budowa języka orzesznicy jest bardziej prymitywna niż u innych gryzoni. Jest to związane z filogenezą i zwyczajami żywieniowymi orzesznicy.

Dorsal Surface of the Tongue of the Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus Avellanarius: Scanning Electron and Light Microscopic Studies/ Grzbietowa Powierzchnia Języka Orzesznicy Muscardinus Avellanarius: Badania Z Wykorzystaniem Mikroskopu Skaningowego I Świetlnego

OpenAIRE

Wołczuk Katarzyna

2014-01-01

Grzbietowa powierzchnia języka orzesznicy była badana przy użyciu skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego i mikroskopu świetlnego. Język orzesznicy jest wydłużony i rozszerzony w przedniej części. W przedniej 1/3 długości języka obserwuje się wyraźną bruzdę pośrodkową. Grzbietowa powierzchnia języka jest pokryta przez pięć typów brodawek: nitkowate, stożkowate, grzybowate, okolone i liściaste. Rozmieszczenie, kształt, rozmiary i pochylenie brodawek różnią się zależnie od regionu języka. W przed...

Dormice and man: a review of past and present relations

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Giuseppe Carpaneto

1995-05-01

Full Text Available Abstract The past and present relations between dormice (Myoxidae and man were reviewed through an interdisciplinary approach. All the data available from several fields of research have been assembled in order to consider the influence of human civilisation on dormice as well as the importance of these rodents in ancient and rural economies. A remarkable human impact on the geographical distribution of some dormouse species (Myoxus glis and Muscardinus avellanarius and their population density was suggested through an historical and biogeographical analysis, supported by paleontological data. An ethnozoological enquiry was carried out to describe the utilisation of dormice as food or medicine and the traditional hunting techniques, in Mediterranean and Afrotropical areas. An archaeozoological survey was attempted to describe the captive husbandry of dormice by the ancient Romans and to arrange an updated checklist of so called "gliraria". The role of dormice as pests in agroforestry and in the transmission of diseases is discussed together with perspectives on wildlife management and conservation. Riassunto I ghiri e l'uomo: relazioni antiche ed attuali - Le antiche ed attuali relazioni fra i Mioxidi e l'uomo vengono passate in rassegna attraverso un approccio interdisciplinare, mettendo insieme tutti i principali risultati di ricerche effettuate nei più diversi settori (sia biologici che umanistici. In questo modo si è potuto tracciare un quadro generale che tiene conto sia dell'influenza delle attività umane sulla distribuzione geografica ed ecologica delle diverse specie di Mioxidi che della loro importanza nelle civiltà antiche o rurali. Attraverso un'analisi storica e biogeografica, basata anche su dati paleontologici, si può ipotizzare una notevole influenza positiva dei popoli mediterranei sugli areali attuali di alcune specie (Myoxus glis and