University of Stirling

About: University of Stirling is a education organization based out in Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 7722 authors who have published 20549 publications receiving 732940 citations. The organization is also known as: Stirling University.

Breeding system, pollinator choice and variation in pollen quality in British herbaceous plants

Abstract: Summary 1. Although it is well established that different plant species vary considerably in the quality of pollinator rewards they offer, it is unclear how plant reproductive systems, in particular an obligate dependence on insects for pollination, might influence the evolution of pollinator rewards. Moreover, unlike the interaction between nectar reward and pollinator visitation, we have a limited understanding of the way in which pollen quality influences pollinator foraging behaviour. 2. We quantified the pollen protein and amino acid content for 23 NW European plant species. Pollen quality was compared with breeding system (facultative- vs. obligate insect-pollinated). A subset of 18 plants was sampled from a single habitat. For these we compared the proportion of pollen collection visits made by bumblebees with the quality of pollen offered. 3. We found a significant association between pollen quality and reproductive system; pollen of obligate insect-pollinated species contained higher protein content. We also found a significant relationship with pollinator use; plants most frequently visited by pollen-collecting bumblebees produced the highest-quality pollen. 4. We discuss how the close relationship between pollen quality and bumblebee attraction may have important benefits for plant reproductive success. However, we also show how the disruption of this mutualism can have detrimental consequences for plant and pollinator alike.

The Nature and Value of Knowledge: Three Investigations

Abstract: PART I: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING 1. The Value Problem for Knowledge 2. Knowledge and Final Value 3. Anti-Luck Virtue Epistemology 4. Understanding PART II: KNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNITION 5. Knowledge in Recent Epistemology: Some Problems 6. Perceptual Knowledge and Recognitional Abilities 7. Knowledge from Indicators 8. The Social Transmission of Knowledge PART III: KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION 9. Knowledge and Justification 10. Second-Order Knowledge 11. Knowledge of Action Bibliography

Emergence of culture in wild chimpanzees: Education by master-apprenticeship.

Abstract: This chapter describes a series of field experiments aimed at investigating aspects of emergence of cultural traditions in wild chimpanzee communities. Long-term research at a number of sites in Africa has revealed that each community of chimpanzees has developed its unique set of cultural traditions (Boesch and Boesch-Achermann 2000; Goodall 1986; McGrew 1992; Nishida 1990; Whiten et al. 1999). The evidence poses an intriguing question: How did these unique cultures come into existence?.

Composition of the diet of lowland gorillas at Lopé in Gabon

Abstract: This report describes the composition of the diet of lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, at Lope in central Gabon. This population inhabits mature evergreen tropical forest and is not habituated to human observers. Data were collected during 6 years of an ongoing long-term study, from feeding-trails and by direct observation, but mostly by fecal analysis. Gorillas ate 182 plant foods from 134 species and 36 families. The fruit diet was diverse: 95 species were consumed, most with succulent pulp, and some immature seeds were eaten. Fruit remains were recorded in 98% of dung. Vegetative parts of Aframomum and Marantaceae formed staple foods, as they were abundant, accessible, and available year-round. Soil and social insects were also ingested; remains of weaver ants were recorded in one third of feces. More foods have been recorded for gorillas at Lope than elsewhere and this is the most frugivorous population studied so far.

Randomized trial of nutrient-enriched formula versus standard formula for postdischarge preterm infants

Abstract: Objectives. Preterm infants are frequently discharged from the hospital growth retarded and show reduced growth throughout childhood. In a large efficacy and safety trial, we tested the hypothesis that nutritional intervention in the first 9 months postterm would reverse postdischarge growth deficits and improve neurodevelopment without adverse safety outcomes. Participants and intervention. Two hundred eighty-four infants (mean gestation: 30.9 weeks) were studied; 229 were randomly assigned a protein, energy, mineral, and micronutrient-enriched postdischarge formula (PDF; N = 113) or standard term formula (TF; N = 116) from discharge (mean 36.5 weeks9 postmenstrual age). A reference group (N = 65) was breastfed until at least 6 weeks9 postterm. Outcome measures. Anthropometry was performed at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 18 months. Development was measured at 9 months (Knobloch, Passamanick, and Sherrard9s developmental screening inventory) and 18 months (Bayley Scales of Infant Development II; primary outcome) postterm. Results. At 9 months, compared with the TF group, those fed PDF were heavier (difference 370 g; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 84–660) and longer (difference 1.1 cm; 95% CI: 0.3–1.9); the difference in length persisted at 18 months (difference 0.82 cm; 95% CI: −0.04–1.7). There was no effect on head circumference. The effect of diet was greatest in males; at 9 months length deficit with TF was 1.5cm (95% CI: 0.3–2.7), and this remained at 18 months (1.5cm [95% CI: 0.3–2.7]). There was no significant difference in developmental scores at 9 or 18 months, although PDF infants had a 2.8 (−1.3–6.8) point advantage in Bayley motor score scales. At 6 weeks9 postterm, exclusively breastfed infants were already 513 g (95% CI: 310–715) lighter and 1.6cm (95% CI: 0.8–2.3) shorter than the PDF group, and they remained smaller up to 9 months9 postterm. Conclusions. 1) Improving postdischarge nutrition in the first 9 months may “reset” subsequent growth—at least until 18 months for body length. We intend to follow-up the children at older ages. The observed efficacy of PDF was not associated with adverse safety outcomes. 2) We cannot reject the hypothesis that postdischarge nutrition benefits motor development and this requires additional study. 3) Our data raise the possibility that breastfed postdischarge preterm infants may require nutritional supplementation, currently under investigation.