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.

Principles of Computational Modelling in Neuroscience

Abstract: Preface 1. Introduction 2. The basis of electrical activity in the neuron 3. The Hodgkin Huxley model of the action potential 4. Compartmental models 5. Models of active ion channels 6. Intracellular mechanisms 7. The synapse 8. Simplified models of neurons 9. Networks 10. The development of the nervous system Appendix A. Resources Appendix B. Mathematical methods References.

High levels of vegetable oils in plant protein-rich diets fed to gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata L.): growth performance, muscle fatty acid profiles and histological alterations of target tissues.

Abstract: The feasibility of fish oil (FO) replacement by vegetable oils (VO) was investigated in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) in a growth trial conducted for the duration of 8 months. Four isolipidic and isoproteic diets rich in plant proteins were supplemented with L-lysine (0·55 %) and soya lecithin (1 %). Added oil was either FO (control) or a blend of VO, replacing 33 % (33VO diet), 66 % (66VO diet) and 100 % (VO diet) of FO. No detrimental effects on growth performance were found with the partial FO replacement, but feed intake and growth rates were reduced by about 10 % in fish fed the VO diet. The replacement strategy did not damage the intestinal epithelium, and massive accumulation of lipid droplets was not found within enterocytes. All fish showed fatty livers, but signs of lipoid liver disease were only found in fish fed the VO diet. Muscle fatty acid profiles of total lipids reflected the diet composition with a selective incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids in polar lipids. The robustness of the phospholipid fatty acid profile when essential fatty acid requirements were theoretically covered by the diet was evidenced by multivariate principal components analysis in fish fed control, 33VO and 66VO diets. Essential fatty acids: Phospholipids: Soya lecithin: Lipoid liver disease Marine fish farming is mostly based on diets containing high levels of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), particularly EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3). However, the continuous expansion of aquaculture and the decreasing global availability of marine oil and fishmeal force the industry to explore alternative and sustainable lipid sources (1,2) . In salmonids, the use of vegetable oils to replace the majority of dietary fish oil (FO) is now feasible in practical aquafeeds without loss of growth performance (3 – 5) . Nevertheless, essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements differ between species. Thus, linoleic acid (18 : 2n-6) and a-linolenic acid (18 : 3n-3) can satisfy the EFA requirements of freshwater fish, whereas marine fish require longer-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFA for optimal growth and health (6) . Supporting this, fatty acid desaturation and elongation of linoleic acid and a-linolenic acid are well established in freshwater and anadromous fish species (7) , but marine fish including European sea bass (8) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) (9,10)

Genomic prediction of host resistance to sea lice in farmed Atlantic salmon populations

Abstract: Sea lice have significant negative economic and welfare impacts on marine Atlantic salmon farming. Since host resistance to sea lice has a substantial genetic component, selective breeding can contribute to control of lice. Genomic selection uses genome-wide marker information to predict breeding values, and can achieve markedly higher accuracy than pedigree-based methods. Our aim was to assess the genetic architecture of host resistance to sea lice, and test the utility of genomic prediction of breeding values. Individual lice counts were measured in challenge experiments using two large Atlantic salmon post-smolt populations from a commercial breeding programme, which had genotypes for ~33 K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The specific objectives were to: (i) estimate the heritability of host resistance; (ii) assess its genetic architecture by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS); (iii) assess the accuracy of predicted breeding values using varying SNP densities (0.5 to 33 K) and compare it to that of pedigree-based prediction; and (iv) evaluate the accuracy of prediction in closely and distantly related animals. Heritability of host resistance was significant (0.22 to 0.33) in both populations using either pedigree or genomic relationship matrices. The GWAS suggested that lice resistance is a polygenic trait, and no genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci were identified. Based on cross-validation analysis, genomic predictions were more accurate than pedigree-based predictions for both populations. Although prediction accuracies were highest when closely-related animals were used in the training and validation sets, the benefit of having genomic-versus pedigree-based predictions within a population increased as the relationships between training and validation sets decreased. Prediction accuracy reached an asymptote with a SNP density of ~5 K within populations, although higher SNP density was advantageous for cross-population prediction. Host resistance to sea lice in farmed Atlantic salmon has a significant genetic component. Phenotypes relating to host resistance can be predicted with moderate to high accuracy within populations, with a major advantage of genomic over pedigree-based methods, even at relatively sparse SNP densities. Prediction accuracies across populations were low, but improved with higher marker densities. Genomic selection can contribute to lice control in salmon farming.

Avian biochemistry and molecular biology

Abstract: The biology of birds is diverse and frequently differs significantly from that of other vertebrates. Many birds migrate or fly at high altitudes, while egg-laying and feather production places high demands on nutrient uptake and storage. This book is the only comprehensive and up-to-date survey of avian biochemistry and molecular biology available. It emphasises the similarities and differences between birds and other vertebrates, concentrating on new developments. The first section deals with protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, its hormonal control and the adaptations that occur in birds. The second covers the avian genome, gene expression, and avian immunology. Growth and embryological development are also discussed. Avian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will be of interest to all those working on birds, especially postgraduate students and researchers.

Stimulation of the noradrenergic system enhances and blockade reduces memory for emotional material in man.

Abstract: Background. It is clearly established that emotional events tend to be remembered particularly vividly. The neurobiological substrates of this phenomenon are poorly understood. Recently, the noradrenergic system has been implicated in that beta blockade has been shown to reduce significantly the delayed recall of emotional material with matched neutral material being unaected. Methods. In the present study, 36 healthy young adults were randomly allocated to receive either yohimbine, which stimulates central noradrenergic activity, metoprolol which blocks noradrenergic activity, or matched placebo. The three groups were well matched. All capsules were taken orally, prior to viewing a narrated 11 slide show described a boy being involved in an accident. Results. Yohimbine significantly elevated, and metoprolol reduced mean heart rate during the slide show relative to placebo, thus confirming the ecacy of the pharmacological manipulation. One week later, in a ‘surprise’ test, memory for the slide show was tested. As predicted, yohimbinetreated subjects recalled significantly more and metoprolol subjects fewer slides relative to placebo. This result was confirmed via analysis of multiple-choice recognition memory scores. Conclusions. We conclude that stimulation of the noradrenergic system results in the enhancement and blockade in a reduction of recall and recognition of emotional material in man.