Abstract: Pressure is an effective modulator of protein structure and biological function. The influence of hydrostatic pressure ([less-than-or-equals, slant]3 kbar, 10-50[degree sign]C) on conformational dynamics was assessed from the rate of migration of acrylamide through the protein interior. Migration rates in apoazurin, alcohol dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were obtained from the phosphorescence quenching rate constant (kq) of the deeply buried Trp residues. The dominant effect of applied pressure is to slow the diffusion process, although at low temperature, high pressure may also accelerate it. For apoazurin, alcohol dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase the activation free volumes, ΔVobs++, derived from the pressure-dependence of kq, ranges from +10, +16 and +20 ml mol-1 at 50[degree sign]C to -20, +5 and 0 ml mol-1 at 10[degree sign]C, respectively. Analysing ΔVobs++ in terms of a positive contribution from cavity expansion and a negative one from peptide hydration, the results emphasise that whereas at warm temperature the formation of cavities plays a dominant role in the migration process, at low temperature the required flexibility may be conferred by internal protein hydration. The relatively small magnitude of both ΔVobs++ and the activation enthalpy (ΔH++=10-20 kcal mol-1) indicates that acrylamide diffusion jumps inside these proteins appear to involve relatively small amplitude structural fluctuations not requiring major unfolding-like transitions. The implication of these findings for the thermodynamic stability of proteins under pressure is discussed.

Abstract: Tool use and transport represent cognitively important aspects of early hominid evolution, and nonhuman primates are often used as models to examine the cognitive, ecological, morphological and social correlates of these behaviors in order to gain insights into the behavior of our early human ancestors. In 2001, Jalles-Filho et al. found that free-ranging capuchin monkeys failed to transport tools (stones) to food sites (nuts), but transported the foods to the tool sites. This result cast doubt on the usefulness of Cebus to model early human tool-using behavior. In this study, we examined the performance of six captive tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) in a tool transport task. Subjects were provided with the opportunity to transport two different tools to fixed food reward sites when the food reward was visible from the tool site and when the food reward was not visible from the tool site. We found that the subjects quickly and readily transported probing tools to an apparatus baited with syrup, but rarely transported stones to a nut-cracking apparatus. We suggest that the performance of the capuchins here reflects an efficient foraging strategy, in terms of energy return, among wild Cebus monkeys.

Abstract: In a wide range of animal species, males coerce females to mate with them, either by physically forcing them to mate, by harassing them until they mate or by punishing persistent refusal to mate. The first section of this paper argues that the possibility of forced copulation can generate arms races between males and females that may have substantial costs to both sexes. In the second section, it is suggested that sexual harassment commonly represents a `war of attrition' between the sexes; existing game theory models that may apply to sexual conflict over mating decisions are reviewed. The third section develops a simple prospective model for the evolution of intimidation by punishment in situations where males can raise the probability that females will accept their advances in future by punishing them for refusal to mate. Where the benefits of sexual coercion to males are high, all three male strategies may develop to a point where they have substantial costs to females. In the final section, evidence that female behaviour is adapted to minimizing these costs is reviewed.

Abstract: Effective and safe monitoring techniques are needed by U.S. land managers to understand free-roaming horse behavior and habitat use and to aid in making informed management decisions. Global positioning system (GPS) and very high frequency (VHF) radio collars can be used to provide high spatial and temporal resolution information for detecting free-roaming horse movement. GPS and VHF collars are a common tool used in wildlife management, but have rarely been used for free-roaming horse research and monitoring in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the design, safety, and detachment device on GPS/VHF collars used to collect free-roaming horse location and movement data. Between 2009 and 2010, 28 domestic and feral horses were marked with commercial and custom designed VHF/GPS collars. Individual horses were evaluated for damage caused by the collar placement, and following initial observations, collar design was modified to reduce the potential for injury. After collar modifications, which included the addition of collar length adjustments to both sides of the collar allowing for better alignment of collar and neck shapes, adding foam padding to the custom collars to replicate the commercial collar foam padding, and repositioning the detachment device to reduce wear along the jowl, we observed little to no evidence of collar wear on horses. Neither custom-built nor commercial collars caused injury to study horses, however, most of the custom-built collars failed to collect data. During the evaluation of collar detachment devices, we had an 89% success rate of collar devices detaching correctly. This study showed that free-roaming horses can be safely marked with GPS and/or VHF collars with minimal risk of injury, and that these collars can be a useful tool for monitoring horses without creating a risk to horse health and wellness.