Concern over a lack of breeding success in a pair of white-cheeked gibbons (Hylobates leucogenys) prompted a four-part study of gibbon behavior and physiology at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Data were collected to determine the female intermenstrual interval (IMI) and identify periods of peak receptivity. Subsequent behavioral data were gathered during both female menses and estrous periods to formulate a behavioral profile for each gibbon. The female experienced a speciestypical IMI of 21.6 days and exhibited heightened levels of behavioral receptivity toward the male during estrus. The male exhibited high levels of human-directed behavior throughout the day. Closing the exhibit to visitors did not result in higher levels of social proximity or prosocial behavior between the pair, although it did eliminate the male's human-directed behavior during the experimental condition only. The female exhibited higher levels of social grooming, solicitation of the male, and proximity to the male when the pair was locked indoors. Based on those findings, the pair was moved to an exclusively indoor exhibit. The female's visibility to the public decreased substantially in the alternate exhibit, but there were no other significant behavioral changes. Nearly one year after the exhibit change, the female gibbon was confirmed to be pregnant. Although the results of this study cannot be used to infer causal conditions that resulted in the pregnancy, they do support the notion that systematic documentation of animal behavior and physiology may be used as a tool for monitoring reproductive behavior and informing management decisions.

The acanthocephalan parasite Acanthocephalus dirus infects the freshwater isopod Caecidotea intermedius as an intermediate host before completing its life cycle in a fish. Male C. intermedius infected by A. dirus parasites are less likely to engage in mating behavior than uninfected males but there is a significant intra-population variation in the occurrence of this behavioral change. Previous studies on uninfected isopods have shown that glycogen content is a predictor of male mating behavior and we examined whether the intra-population variation in the mating behavior of infected male C. intermedius could be explained by this relationship. A field-based behavioral experiment was used to quantify intra-population variation in male mating behavior, which showed that 50% of infected males were responsive to females and 50% were not responsive. Biochemical analysis of responsive and non-responsive males revealed that glycogen content was a predictor of the mating behavior for uninfected males but was not a predictor of mating behavior for infected males. For infected males, parasite intensity was a predictor of mating behavior. Males that contained more A. dirus parasites were less likely to undergo modification of mating behavior. We propose that the intra-population variation in the mating behavior of infected C. intermedius identified in nature was not mediated by host condition.

Discusses the use of piperylene‐styrene copolymer (PSC) for polychloroprene adhesive modification. States that PSC significantly improves modified adhesive properties ‐ bond strength, viscosity, high heat resistance, good adhesion to a variety of substrates, compatibility with other adhesive additives. Looks at the advantage of using more environmentally friendly technology for thermoplastic rubber bonding with PSC modified polychloroprene adhesives. Concludes that the new adhesive product can be used for specific combinations of materials and application methods, making it possible to produce cheaper and better products.

Alkyl ring-substituted ethyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO2C2H5 (where R is 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 4-ethyl, 4-isopropyl, 4-t-butyl, 4-trifluoromethyl, 2-trifluoromethyl) were prepared and copolymerized with vinyl acetate in solution with radical initiation. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C-NMR. Thermal behavior of the copolymers was studied by DSC and TGA. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 200-500ºC range with residue (13-16 wt%), which then decomposed in the 500-800ºC range.