Showing papers by "University of Stirling published in 1982"

An evolutionary theory of economic change

Abstract: I. OVERVIEW AND MOTIVATION 1. Introduction 2. The Need for an Evolutionary Theory II. ORGANIZATION-THEORETIC FOUNDATIONS OF ECONOMIC EVOLUTIONARY THEORY 3. The Foundations of Contemporary Orthodoxy 4. Skills 5. Organizational Capabilities and Behavior III. TEXTBOOK ECONOMICS REVISITED 6. Static Selection Equilibrium 7. Firm and Industry Response to Changed Market Conditions IV. GROWTH THEORY 8. Neoclassical Growth Theory: A Critique 9. An Evolutionary Model of Economic Growth 10. Economic Growth as a Pure Selection Process 11. Further Analysis of Search and Selection V. SCHUMPETERIAN COMPETITION 12. Dynamic Competition and Technical Progress 13. Forces Generating and Limiting Concentration under Schumpeterian Competition 14. The Schumpeterian Tradeoff Revisited VI. ECONOMIC WELFARE AND POLICY 15. Normative Economics from an Evolutionary Perspective 16. The Evolution of Public Policies and the Role of Analysis VII. CONCLUSION 17. Retrospect and Prospect References Index

The Entrepreneur: An Economic Theory

Abstract: Part I Theoretical foundations: the significance of the entrepreneur basic concepts of the theory the entrepreneur as intermediator the competitive threat to the entrepreneur partial coordination - the case of innovation. Part II The market-making firm: making a market internal and external markets the market for information speculative intermediation and the role of inventory management organizing the supply of market-making services. Part III Synthesis: growth and dynamics of the firm the market for entrepreneurs social mobility and the entrepreneur alternative theories of the entrepreneur.

The demand for league football

Abstract: A demand equation is estimated for total Football League attendances for the period 1948/49 to 1979/80. Plausible values are obtained for the elasticities of demand with respect to income and to a price variable which includes the cost of travel to the stadium. The values imply that football spectating is an inferior good with a low price elasticity. Equations are also estimated for the League's separate divisions. The implications of the results for the Football League clubs are discussed.

Subjective Mental Workload

Abstract: Subjective workload is of increasing importance in user-machine systems, as the role of the human operator becomes less to control and more to monitor complex systems. This paper reviews the relati...

Mass estimation and discrimination during brief periods of zero gravity.

Abstract: Under zero gravity, the gravitational cues to mass are removed, but the inertial cues remain. A sensation of heaviness is generated if objects are shaken, and hence given a changing acceleration. A magnitude estimation experiment was conducted during the 0-G phase of parabolic flight and on the ground, and the results suggested that objects felt lighter under 0 G than under 1 G. Mass discrimination was also measured in flight, and yielded Weber fractions of .18 under 0 G, .16 under 1.8 G, and .09 under 1 G. Poor performance under microgravity and macrogravity was probably due mainly to lack of time for adaptation to changed G levels. It is predicted that discrimination should improve during the course of prolonged spaceflight, and that there should be an aftereffect of poor discrimination on return to earth.

Wide-Ranging Chimpanzees at Mt. Assirik, Senegal

Abstract: A 4-year study of the ecology and ethology of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus)was carried out in far western Africa. Contacts with chimpanzees and the locations of their nests were noted to determine which types of habitat were most used and to estimate the density of the population and the size of its home range. The results show that this community has one of the lowest densities and largest home ranges of all populations of chimpanzees studied so far. As such, it may provide a useful model for the reconstruction of hominid evolution in the Plio-Pleistocene.

A Red Tide of Gyrod Inium Aurelum in Sea Lochs of the Firth of Clyde and Associated Mortality of Pond-Reared Salmon

Abstract: Red tides of the naked dinoflagellate Gyrodinium aureolum Hulburt occurred in sealochs in the north of the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, during late September 1980. Greatestconcentrations of the organism were found in the top 1 m layer of the water column, which was stabilized, and probably also enriched with nutrients, by freshwater input fromland drainage. In addition vertical and horizontal concentration must be postulated toexplain Gyrodinium cell densities of 2 x to7 cells I"1 and chlorophyll concentrations of 2228 mg m“”3 near the shore at Otter Ferry, Loch Fyne.On 28 September 1980, water containing the red tide at Otter Ferry was unintentionally pumped into fish ponds at a shore-based salmon farm and resulted in the death, in one pond, of 3000 salmon each weighing about 1 kg and of 200–300 smolts in another when water was transferred to it from the affected pond. Pathological investigation of affected salmon showed that death was likely to have resulted from asphyxiation and osmotic shock as a result of extensive cellular damage to gills and guts. Results of mouse bioassays, using acidic and ether extracts of flesh and guts from affected salmon, suggest that necrotizing toxin(s) was associated with the cells of Gyrodinium aureolum during the bloom. The clinical signs exhibited by mice injected with toxin extracts were, however, unlike those caused by paralytic shellfish poison or toxins of the Gymnodinium breve type.

Snakehead Channa sp.幼魚の飼料中タンパク質の要求量

Abstract: The dietary protein requirement of juvenile snakehead Channa micropeltes was in vestigated by feediung eight semipurified diets containing varying levels of dietary protein within a range of 25.5 to 56.5% by weight over a 56-day feeding period at 28°C. On the basis of daily weight gain and daily protein deposition these results indicate that the requirement by juvenile snakehead for dietary protein was about 52% of protein in the diet when fish meal is used as the sole protein source. The relationship between dietary protein level and food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent net protein utilisation, apparent protein digesti-bility, apparent dry matter digestibility, hepatosomatic index, and gross carcass composition were determined and discussed in relation to other fish species.

An economic appraisal of pig improvement in Great Britain 1. Genetic and production aspects

Abstract: Estimates of the economic returns from pig improvement in Great Britain are substantial. Genetic improvement in the national pig improvement scheme from 1970 to 1977 was estimated, using two control herds, to be 76 (s.e. 10) pence per pig per year. Stocks from breeding companies were of a similar merit from 1975 to 1980, so both groups were combined in the economic evaluation. Annual costs were estimated at €2 × 106 and annual benefits at approximately €100 × 106. The use of crossbreeding in commercial production was also estimated to contribute approximately €16 × 10 per year. These substantial figures are the best estimates available for the benefits, but some of the deficiencies are discussed.

The Function of Photomechanical Movements in the Retina of the Rainbow Trout (Salmo Gairdneri)

Abstract: 1. The function of photomechanical movements in the retina of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was investigated by determining both the effect of light on the level of extractable visual pigment, and the electroretinographic b-wave sensitivity, during various stages of photomechanical light and dark adaptation. 2. Dark-adapted fish, light-adapted fish, and dark-adapted fish exposed to ten minutes direct sunlight had on average visual pigment concentrations of 100, 82 and 36% respectively. 3. The intensity of illumination required to bleach a specified amount of visual pigment in the light-adapted retina was found to be 1.29 log units higher than that needed to bleach the same amount of visual pigment in a dark-adapted eye. 4. The level of extractable visual pigment was observed to be relatively constant over natural twilight periods. 5. A close temporal correlation was observed between the time course of electroretinographic adaptation, measured by the b-wave sensitivity, and photomechanical changes. 6. All these observations tend to support the hypothesis that photomechanical movements serve, at least in part, to protect the rod visual pigment from overstimulation in the light-adapted retina.

Histopathological changes in the liver and brain of fish exposed to endosulfan insecticide during tsetse fly control operations in Botswana

Abstract: . During tsetse fly control operations, fish in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana are exposed to ultra–low–volume doses (6–12 g/ha) of endosulfan, an insecticide recognized to be highly toxic to fish. Approximately 1 % of the fish population can be killed by a spray, and the physiology and behaviour of survivors is temporarily disturbed. Simultaneously with the onset of the spraying season (July), the livers and brains of several species [including Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) and Tilapia rendalli (Boul.)] developed pathological lesions which often persisted until the season ended (October). Initially, hepatic lesions in C. gariepinus were characterized by generalized toxic necrosis, focal necrosis, and subcapsular oedema which gradually lessened in intensity and disappeared before the spraying season ended. Melano-macrophage centres and perivascular haemopoietic elements were lost from poisoned livers and were not replaced until at least 6 months later. In T. rendalli brain, pesticide–related changes included encephalitis, meningitis and oedema, with an associated inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophilic granule cells. Most brain damage disappeared during the month after the spraying season, although glial scarring was occasionally observed in fish sampled later. The possible connection of these abnormalities with observed behavioural changes is discussed.

Lack of relationship between morphological variance and enzyme heterozygosity in the plaice, pleuronectes platessa

Abstract: The hypothesis that enzyme heterozygosity is associated with decreased morphological variance was tested using eight polymorphic loci and three meristic characters in large samples of the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa. The hypothesis was not corroborated and the conclusion drawn that such a relationship although observed by several other workers may not be a general one.

Tool use by captive chimpanzees at an artificial termite mound

Abstract: This study examines tool use by a colony of captive chimpanzees at an artificial termite mound. The mound, constructed of concrete, simulates the termite mounds which are used as food sources by wild chimpanzees who extract the termites using grass or twig-type tools. In the present study, tool availability was manipulated, specifically the type of tool, and the distance of tool material from the mound. The type of food available in the mound was also varied. Tool-making and tool-using behavior was examined in relation to individual, age, and sex differences. The artificial mound proved to be a viable simulation of the naturally occurring mounds, with most of the chimpanzees exploiting the food in the mound by using tools over the period of study. Interesting individual differences emerged in the way that the chimpanzees selected and used tools, some preferring to move some distance from the mound to collect “off-the-peg” tools, others preferring to sit and fashion a tool from material available nearer the mound. Also, some chimpanzees used both ends of a tool, while others used only one end. There were significant age differences in activity at the mound, the younger chimpanzees spending more time at the mound, using tools previously used by others, and manipulating the mound holes manually. Sex differences, although not significant, were apparent. The artificial mound provides the chimpanzees with a stimulating and rewarding activity, interest and enjoyment for the public, and an opportunity for researchers to study tool use under more controlled conditions than are possible in the field.

Chromosome polymorphism in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson).

Abstract: Chromosome preparations from lymphocyte cultures of 50 rainbow trout were studied. Diploid chromosome numbers of 59, 60, 61, 62 and 63 were found in different individuals in which the arm number (NF) was 104. Intraindividual polymorphism was found at a low level in 25 of the fish. The results suggest that numerous chromosome polymorphisms exist in rainbow trout.

Experts and expertise in colonial malawi

Abstract: One of the most remarkable developments of the post-war period in Africa has been the proliferation and growing influence of foreign experts. In 1957 when Britain's African empire was still, just, intact a total of 1,782 Britons were employed in the Colonial Administrative Service. Twenty years later, in 1977, Britain alone was financing wholly or in part 7,041 'experts' in Africa, and these were heavily outnumbered by experts supported by the United Nations, United States and France.' With a prestige measured in direct relation to the distance of his base from the area he studies, the expert, like the witchcraft eradicator whom he so closely resembles, is almost by definition a 'stranger' to the host community he advises.2 And like the witchcraft eradicator also his mobility provides him with a certain freedom from attack. By the time his solution has been put into effect he will almost certainly be elsewhere. Experienced in the timetables of international flights and the menus of international hotels, the metropolitan expert with a few honourable exceptions, is above all a dry season traveller restricted by the range of his landrover to the study of communities, but particularly of course 'projects', not too far distant from the tarred road. It is this that may explain the astonishing fact that at the Mwea Irrigation Settlement in Kenya, only 65 miles from Nairobi, the manager spends 45 per cent of his time showing round visitors. Conveniently situated ujamaa villages in Tanzania-

The impact of petrochemical effluent on the fauna of an intertidal estuarine mudflat

Abstract: The influence of petrochemical industrial effluent on the fauna of the Kinneil intertidal area of the Forth estuary, over a 6-year period, is described. The fauna has a restricted species richness and is often abundant with a high biomass. Zones of pollution around the effluent are delimited and associated changes in species composition, abundance, biomass and redox potential are documented. Closing one discharge during the study period led to the rapid recovery of a previously polluted area.

Short term fluctuations in dissolved organic matter concentrations in streamflow draining a forested watershed and their relation to the catchment budget

Abstract: Dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations in throughfall, throughflow, and runoff were recorded in a small (95 ha) woodland catchment in North Warwickshire for a period of eight weeks following a prolonged dry spell. DOM is shown to be positively related to stream discharge over the sampling period, although distinctive flushing effects were identified. The net contribution of DOM to total dissolved solids load carried in the river was only 2.4 per cent, and represented significantly less than published carbon losses by mineralization of soil organic matter. Throughfall inputs were some 100 times higher than streamflow outputs from the catchment.

Energy dependence of characteristic and bremsstrahlung cross sections of argon induced by electron bombardment at low energies

Abstract: The energy dependence of characteristic x-ray and bremsstrahlung cross sections of argon has been investigated by electron impact. The incident electron energy was varied between 2.5 keV and 12 keV. From the data, absolute cross sections for Ar-K ionisation are obtained. The experimental data agree reasonably with available theoretical calculations.

The stratigraphy and structure of the southern Monadhliath Mountains between Loch Killin and upper Glen Roy

Abstract: Synopsis Psammitic and semi-pelitic metasediments in the Corrieyairack and Loch Killin areas form part of the Grampian Division and underlie the Dalradian Leven Schist of Glen Roy. Two stratigraphic successions, the Corrieyairack and Glenshirra Successions, have been recognized which share a common structural and metamorphic history, although they are separated by a well-defined zone of high strain, here termed the Gair-beinn Slide. An early foliation (S 1 ) associated with the development of isoclinal F 1 folds and movement on the Gairbeinn Slide, is refolded by tight near-upright, NE-SW trending major F 2 folds, in particular the Corrieyairack Syncline. These structures are refolded by open F 3 folds with variably oriented axial traces.