Laboratory Primate Newsletter
Laboratory Primate Newsletter VOLUME 37 NUMBER 2 APRIL 1998
Articles and Notes
A Simple and Inexpensive Pole Syringe for Injecting Caged Primates, by C. J. Jolly...... 1
Mobility as Enrichment for Captive Primates, by S. L. Williams & J. W. Kelley...... 3
History and Development of the Institute of Medical Primatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, by B. A. Lapin ...... 5
News, Information, and Announcements
Award Nominations...... 2
. . .
Integration of Research & Education; Fyssen Foundation 1998 International
Prize; ASP Awards & Recognition
News Briefs...... 8
. . .
Philadelphia Zoo Primate House; Ivan -- Another Zoo Atlanta Success! Changes
in Washington, DC; Orangutans Flee Indonesian Fires - Again; Ralph Dell Becomes
ILAR Director; Joint Statement of NYU and the NYU Med. Center; New Arrivals!
Rehearing of Primate Well-Being Regs; Fossil Orangutan Found in Vietnam
Research Opportunities at Regional Primate Research Centers...... 10
Research and Educational Opportunities...... 11
. . .
Advanced Courses in Ethology; Animal Behavior Summer Field Course; Symposium
on Laboratory Animal Diseases; New NSF Initiative: KDI; Research Training
Scholarships; Orangutan Foundation International Fellowship; E.U. Research
Projects, Computational Anthropology
Volunteer Opportunities...... 13
. . .
University Research Expeditions Program; International Center for Gibbon
Studies; Earthwatch
Grants Available...... 16
. . .
Immunological Memory; NIAMS Research Core Centers; Pilot Grants for Aging
Research; Small Grant Program for the NIAMS; Complex Biological Systems;
Short-term Institutional Research Training Grants
AAALAC International Opens European Office...... 18
Primates de las Américas...La Página...... 19
Resources Wanted and Available...... 20
. . .
Photos on CD-ROM; Book Bargains from CRC Press; Collaboration in Malaria
Research; Safety Videos; Mating Systems and Immunological Activity; Normative
Birthweights of Pigtail Macaques
Awards Granted...... 22
. . .
IPS 1997 Awards; Galdikas, Goodall, & Schaller Share Tyler Prize;
Galdikas Wins Indonesian Awards; Francine Patterson is Kilby Foundation
Laureate
Letters: Geronimo! ...... 22
Information Requested or Available...... 23
. . .
Careers in Primatology; Internet Translation Capability; More Accessible Web
Sites; Web Access via E-mail; More Interesting Web Sites
What To Do With Surplus Chimpanzees, by L. Brent...... 24
Editors' Notes: Visiting Arizona; Oops! ...... 24
Meeting Announcements...... 25
Hand Rearing Cotton-tops: A Pragmatic Comment, by J. Magill...... 26
Workshop Announcements...... 27
. . .
European Fed. for Primatology; 1998 AWIC Dates; MEEGID-3, Rio de Janeiro;
NIH/OPRR Animal Welfare Education
Addendum to the Directory of Graduate Programs in Primatology and Primate Research (1998) ...... 28
Announcements from Publications...... 29
. . .
Sulawesi Primate Newsletter; The Cryptozoologist; Animal Cognition;
Developmental Science; Tech Talk
Departments
Positions Available...... 14
. . .
Field Assistant, Puerto Rico; Field Research Assistant, Uganda; Temporary
Position, Budongo Forest Project; Laboratory Animal Veterinarian, Madison, WI;
Veterinary Internship/Fellowship; Assistant Director, Animal Services Unit;
Field Adjunct Professor -- Panama
Recent Books and Articles...... 30
Address Changes...... 36
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Clifford J. Jolly
Department of Anthropology, New York University
When experimental protocols call for the injection of an unrestrained medium- or large-sized primate which is housed in a cage or trap lacking a squeeze mechanism, a pole syringe is often the most convenient and safest means of delivery. Like most custom-made laboratory apparatus, however, commercially available pole syringes are expensive. This note describes a robust pole syringe easily constructed in a few minutes from a commercially available product. It costs less than $15 and has proved effective and durable under rugged field conditions.
The foundation of the instrument is a telescoping aluminum pole intended as a handle for window-washing tools, purchased from a hardware store for about $10 (more recent models made of tough polyvinyl would probably also be effective). It consists of two tubes, each 90 cm long. The inner tube ("piston") slides snugly into the outer ("barrel"), and a twisting cuff at the top end of the barrel locks the piston at any point. It is important that the piston can be removed completely from the barrel, and it may be necessary in some models to remove a stop on the barrel to achieve this. The free end of the piston has a threaded plastic extension for the attachment of a brush; this can be left in place as a handle. Additional pieces required for the conversion are an ordinary, disposable, plastic Luer-lock 10-cc syringe, and two rubber laboratory stoppers.
The butt of the barrel becomes the "nose" or needle end of the pole syringe. Its only modification is a 2-mm-diameter hole drilled through the center of the composition plug that caps it, to allow passage of the needle (in some models, the hole is already present). The piston is converted to bear the hypodermic syringe and needle. A tight-fitting rubber stopper is cemented in place in its open (inside) end. The 10-cc hypodermic syringe is modified by cutting off the button-like end of its plastic plunger. The stem of the plunger, cross-shaped in section, is then pushed into a corresponding cut made in the stopper. This friction joint is tight enough to hold the syringe in place during use, yet permits it to be removed and replaced if necessary. The remaining piece of the device is a second rubber stopper, slightly smaller in diameter than the bore of the barrel, and about 2.5 cm in length, longitudinally bored so as to fit snugly over the collar-like socket of the syringe's Luer lock. This stopper acts as a cushion between the syringe and the plug at the end of the barrel, and also serves to center the needle on the hole. It remains unattached, and is removed each time the needle and/or syringe is changed. When the device is assembled, the point of a 1.5" needle projects only about 7 mm beyond the nose. Our experience is that 16-gauge needles, being less susceptible to bending, cause fewer injuries than the smaller 18-gauge.
Figure 1: The pole syringe (not to scale).
For loading, the piston with attached syringe and needle is completely withdrawn from the barrel, and the syringe charged in the usual way, via the needle. After the loaded syringe assembly is returned to the barrel, the twist-lock can be used to fix the piston in a slightly retracted position, so that the needle is safely shielded in the barrel until use. To inject the animal, release the lock, grasp the end of the piston, and poke the nose of the device firmly and squarely against a fleshy part of the animal (thigh, buttock, lumbar region, or shoulder). Since both the syringe and its plunger move with the piston, a single motion, easily performed with one hand, exposes the needle, drives its point in, and expresses the drug. This is an advantage over devices in which the body and needle of the syringe are fixed to the barrel, and an extended plunger is connected to a button at the butt end, requiring the operator to use both hands. The flat, rather than tapered, profile of the device's needle end requires that the thrust be more or less normal to the body surface, reducing the incidence of "skidding" that can slash the animal's skin, and its flat end acts as a stop, ensuring that the point of the needle does not penetrate more than 7 mm. Since the needle's bevel is approximately 4 mm in length, most of the injection is placed immediately under the skin. No serious injuries have been caused by this procedure. In most cases, there is only minor bleeding at the site of the puncture. More copious bleeding may occur if the animal jumps at the instant of injection, and the needle causes a slashing cut. This bleeding stops spontaneously within a few minutes, however, and no injury sustained in this way has yet required stitches.
In 10 field seasons of 5-10 weeks each, the Awash Primate Research Project has successfully tranquilized more than 700 baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis and P. h. hamadryas), and smaller numbers of grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops), by Ketamine injection, after capture in a cage-trap. A device of the kind described here has been used to administer the drug to all animals (>600 baboons, 20 grivets) too large to be injected by hand syringe. While showing superficial signs of the many bites it has received, its function is unimpaired.
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Author's address: Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY 10003 [e-mail: jolly@is.nyu.edu].
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Awards for the Integration of Research and Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is holding a special competition to recognize baccalaureate-granting institutions for their past accomplishments and future plans for integrating research and education on their campuses. NSF intends to make 10-20 awards not to exceed $500,000 each. The solicitation for this activity will not be published in hard copy; it will be found only on the NSF home page, at <www.nsf.gov/od/osti>.
Fyssen Foundation 1998 International Prize
The Fyssen Foundation's aim is "to encourage all forms of scientific inquiry into cognitive mechanisms, including thought and reasoning, underlying animal and human behavior, their biological and cultural bases, and phylogenetic and ontogenetic development." The Foundation wishes to support, particularly, research in such fields as: Ethology and Psychology: Nature and development of the cognitive processes in man and animals, both ontogenetic and phylogenetic. Neurobiology: Neurobiological bases of cognitive processes, their embryonic and postnatal development, and their elementary mechanisms. Anthropology-Ethnology: Cognitive aspects of the representations of natural and cultural environments; analysis of their construction principles and transfer mechanisms; analysis of forms of social organization and their technological systems. Human Paleontology: Origin and evolution of the human brain and human artifacts.
An International Prize of 200,000 ff is awarded annually to a scientist who has conducted distinguished research in the areas supported by the Foundation. It has been awarded to Professors A. Leroi-Gourhan (1980), W. H. Thorpe (1981), V. B. Mountcastle (1982), H. C. Conk-lin (1983), R. W. Brown (1984), P. Buser (1985), D. Pilbeam (1986), D. Premack (1987), J. C. Gardin (1988), P. S. Goldman-Rakic (1989), J. Goody (1990), G. A. Miller (1991), P. Rakic (1992), L. L. Cavalli-Sforza (1993), L. R. Gleitman (1994), W. D. Hamilton (1995), and C. Renfrew (1996). The topic considered for the 1998 prize is Origins of Man. Nominations should be sent to the Secretariat of the Foundation, 194, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France before October 30, 1998.
ASP Awards and Recognition
The American Society of Primatologists is soliciting nominations for two awards via the Awards and Recognition Committee: 1) The Distinguished Primatologist Award, which honors a primatologist who has had an outstanding career and made significant contributions to the field. Previous awards have honored Dr. William Mason, Dr. Philip Hershkovitz, Dr. Charles Southwick, and Dr. Orville Smith. Nominations should be made in writing and must include a narrative that describes the nature and extent of the nominee's contribution to primatology. Nominators must also see that two additional letters of support be submitted on behalf of the nominee.
2) The Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to deserving individuals who have contributed long-time service to the ASP and to primatology in general. Former awardees are Dr. Richard Harrison, Historian for the ASP; Dr. Leo Whitehair, for long-time accomplishments on behalf of primatology; Judith Schrier, Editor of the Laboratory Primate Newsletter; and Larry Jacobsen, Head of Library Services at the Wisconsin RPRC. A nominating letter of support must be included at submission.
If you would like to nominate individuals for either of these special awards (Deadline for receipt is May 15, 1998), send pertinent information to Gerry Ruppenthal, Chair, Awards and Recognition Committee, Box 357920, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 [fax: 206-616-9774; e-mail: gerry@u.washington.edu].
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Shelly L. Williams and John W. Kelley
Language Research Center, Georgia State University
Introduction
Giving nonhuman primates control over their environment helps to reduce stress (Spinelli & Markowitz, 1985). Also, providing novel, ever-changing events to engage the primates' attention reduces boredom and ameliorates the lack of stimulation often observed in captive environments (Washburn & Rumbaugh, 1992).
In this article we describe a way to provide mobility to an ape who is too large to be safely transported solely by human strength or with a collar and lead. Our method is safe for ape and caregiver, and requires neither restraint nor sedation of the ape. A similar technique, using mobile caging, has already proven useful in providing social contact and exercise for monkeys in indoor enclosures (Seier & de Lange, 1996). The technique described here is used with larger nonhuman primates (apes), and includes transportation throughout a 55-acre outdoor environment consisting of several buildings and a forest with areas where food can be found (Savage-Rumbaugh, 1987; Savage-Rumbaugh, Brakke, & Hutchins, 1992).
Our method utilizes a transport box large enough to house a full-grown chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). In the box, the ape can communicate to a human its travelling intentions by gesturing, by choosing from options provided by pictures, or (if language-trained) by using lexigrams (Savage-Rumbaugh, 1986; Savage-Rumbaugh, et al., 1992). In this article, we describe in detail our procedures for box training and habituation to movement and noise.
Apparatus and Subject
The transport box is 107 cm long x 107 cm high x 79 cm wide.[See footnote]The frame is constructed of aluminum angle, reinforced by rectangular aluminum bars on all six sides of the frame, and covered on three sides with 9-gauge galvanized steel chain-link. The top of the box is covered by polypropylene. The bottom consists of an aluminum sheet welded to the frame. Spaces are left open to provide for water drainage and easy cleaning.
The door of the box is constructed of polypropylene that slides horizontally within a channel. It is held shut by heavy-duty brass locks on one side. Two openings on the front and side of the box serve as pass-through windows. These windows, made of transparent Lexan, slide in aluminum channels. They open easily and can be bolted shut. Four flanges located on each corner of the back side of the box can be locked tightly to four similar connections on the doors of the apes' home cages.
The transport box fits perfectly inside a 4-wheeled dolly 16.5 cm high which moves easily on smooth surfaces because all wheels rotate 360deg.. For travelling outdoors, where there are changes in gradient and surface texture, the transport box is rolled up a ramp and secured onto a small wagon that is pulled by a garden tractor.
Panzee, an 11-1/2-year-old female chimpanzee, was co-reared with a bonobo (Pan paniscus) and raised by humans (Brakke & Savage-Rumbaugh, 1995). She has actively participated in language acquisition and cognitive assessment projects for almost her entire life. Up to the age of seven years she was able to travel on a lead with a caregiver through 55 acres of forested land. She was allowed to visit other buildings and to watch other apes and humans. When she became an adult, she was housed with other chimpanzees in indoor and outdoor cages.
Training
Panzee was first allowed free access to the box so that she could investigate and explore its construction. She was then given her daily ad lib food items in her box. She was never deprived of food. Grooming sessions were also given within the box so that she would associate positive activities with box training. Other positive activities included access to pictures, magazines, paper and drawing utensils, blankets or towels, and one of her favorite toys: a mask. This was continued until she appeared comfortable and relaxed in the transport box.
The next phase of training required that Panzee allow the caregiver to close the polypropylene door separating her, in the transport box, from the home cage. Close approximations to the desired response were followed with verbal, gestural, and facial praise. The caregiver would be sure Panzee was comfortable as the door moved closer to its locked position. If the ape appeared uncomfortable, nervous, or upset with door movement, caregivers patiently waited until she was ready. Readiness was determined by the ape's posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements.
Practice with the transport box occurred daily at various times. Activities in the box varied from session to session.
With the door shut and locked, the door to the home cage was also shut and locked. The flange locks were then removed to disengage the transport box from the home cage. Care was taken to move slowly and talk to Panzee about what was to happen next using gestures and eye movements. Initially showing her pictures of where she was travelling or just gesturing impending movement caused much excitement. At first, her transport box was moved about 10 feet into a kitchen area where she could gesture for foods she wanted from the refrigerator.
We were then able to take her out onto the sidewalk to visit other locations by loading the transport box onto the tractor-pulled cart. Panzee tolerated the noise and compensated for gradient changes in the ground by grabbing the chain link. At times, she sought physical reassurance from the caregiver by displaying a facial kiss or gently extending her finger out to the caregiver. She appeared excited to see familiar sites and visit familiar apes and people. She vocalized when she met other chimpanzees or bonobos and interacted with people by putting her mask onto her face. If a mask was not available she would make one from a piece of paper by biting one or two holes in it for the eyes. She stayed in the transport box on her first outing for more than two hours and appeared to enjoy the experience. Panzee also asked for various food items and ate them eagerly in her box while watching people and other animals outside.
Next we put the transport box into a van with windows on all sides. The box was tightly secured to the inside of the van with nylon straps. Panzee was driven around the laboratory and, again, appeared to enjoy the experience, looking out all the windows from the three directions permitted by the box. She would gesture and grunt when she wanted to go in a specific direction. Eventually she was so relaxed that she took a short nap.
Panzee now asks to go into her transport box by grunting to the caregiver to get her attention and then gesturing to the box. Because this now is an attractive experience for her, it can also be used as an incentive for performing other behaviors as requested by the caregiver.
Discussion
We have established the use of this equipment as an environmental enhancement. Panzee readily enters the box when it is available to her and vocalizes her excitement, demonstrating her motivation. We have also successfully trained an adult bonobo to engage in similar activities and are currently training three more adult chimpanzees, two bonobos, and one orangutan.
Besides being a flexible tool for environmental enhancement, the box has the potential for numerous other uses. Varying time of day, type of reward, length of stay in box, caretaker, and so forth ensures that no specific aspect of the training would condition the apes to respond only to consistent attributes. This inconsistency can be extremely useful if the ape needs to be transported elsewhere for medical care, isolation, or examination.
The box also offers opportunities for training apes to engage in behaviors that are difficult to train for in their home cage (e.g., giving injections, weighing, and testing using computers). This mobility is especially necessary if the testing equipment is located elsewhere - it is usually easier to move the ape than the equipment.
References
Brakke, K. E. & Savage-Rumbaugh, E. S. (1995). The development of language skills in bonobo and chimpanzee: I. Comprehension. Language and Communication, 15[2], 121-148.
Savage-Rumbaugh, E. S. (1986). Ape Language: From Conditioned Response to Symbol. New York: Columbia University Press.
Savage-Rumbaugh, E. S. (1987). A new look at ape language: Comprehension of vocal speech and syntax. In R. A. Dienstbier (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Comparative Perspectives in Modern Psychology, 35, 201-255.
Savage-Rumbaugh, E. S., Brakke, K. E., & Hutchins, S. S. (1992). Linguistic development: Contrasts between co-reared Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus. In Nishida, McGrew, Marler, Pickford, & de Waal (Eds.), Topics in Primatology, 1, Human Origins (pp. 51-66). Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press.
Seier, J. V. & de Lange, P. W. (1996). A mobile cage facilitates periodic social contact and exercise for singly caged adult vervet monkeys. Journal of Medical Primatology, 25, 64-68.
Spinelli, J. S. & Markowitz, J. (1985). Prevention of cage associated distress. Lab Animal, November/December, 19-28.
Washburn, D. A. & Rumbaugh, D. M. (1992). Investigations of rhesus monkey video-task performance: Evidence for enrichment. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science, 31[5], 6-10.
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First author's address: Georgia State University, Language Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Acknowledgements -- Supported by the College of Arts and Sciences of Georgia State University. The authors wish to thank Sue Savage-Rumbuagh for initiating and developing the idea for ape mobility as a form of environmental enhancement that supports their well-being. We thank David Washburn and Duane Rumbaugh for their helpful comments. The authors also wish to acknowledge the help provided by the Primate Information Center of the University of Washington.
For complete, detailed plans of the box and dolly, please write to the author.
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Boris A. Lapin, Director
Early in the 20th Century a group of Russian scientists applied to the government for funds with which to found a monkey colony. Such a colony would ensure a supply of monkeys, enabling scientists to conduct experiments using these "laboratory doubles of man." Sukhumi was chosen as the site of this colony, and in August, 1927, the first monkeys arrived, forming the nucleus of the Russian primate center, formally known as the Sukhumi Monkey Colony of the Moscow Institute of Endocrinology. The Sukhumi Monkey Colony went through several name changes, and is now called the Institute of Medical Primatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RAMS).
From the very beginning, it was clear that infectious pathology would be an especially fruitful field for study. Accordingly, many monkeys were drawn into a wide circle of research on infectious processes. In the infectious disease division, highest priority was given to solving the problem of poliomyelitis. This research was conducted especially intensively in the USSR and the USA. In the USSR it was conducted by M. Chumakov and his wife M. Voroshilova here at the Medico-Biological Station in Sukhumi. Members of the Station staff also took an active part in this research. Later this research was transferred to the specially founded Moscow Institute of Poliomyelitis, also under the aegis of the Soviet Academy of Medical Sciences.
Many distinguished scientists have collaborated with the Sukhumi Institute over the years, with the goal of creating monkey models of human infectious diseases and studying their etiology, prevention, and treatment. One of the first laboratories established in the Institute was the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, founded by E. K. Dzhikidze. Trials of vaccines and chemotherapeutic drugs were conducted here by Z. Ermolyeva, I. Gvazava, and G. Magakyan.
At this point I would like to mention one study conducted here, undeservedly forgotten, and unfortunately never completed. I have in mind the work of L. Zilber, N. Konovalov, and their associates, who induced in monkeys a slowly progressing pathological process with vague neurological symptoms, by inoculating them with an emulsion of brain tissue from deceased human patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Investigation of the higher nervous activities of monkeys began in 1929 in a specially created laboratory of physiology, associated with the name of the great Russian physiologist I. Pavlov. Many normal and pathological features of higher neural activity in monkeys were identified, as well as norms for various physiological functions. A very important part of this research was inducing experimental neuroses and studying the somatic pathology produced by them: hypertension, coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction, gastric achylia, and sexual cycle disturbances. This work was conducted by D. Miminoshvili, G. Cherkovich, G. Kokaya, V. Startsev, and L. Alekseeva.
The Laboratory of Experimental Oncology opened in 1937. N. Petrov and his associates were the first in the world to produce, after many years of experiments, malignant tumors by inserting methylcholanthrene and radium ore into the bone. It is difficult to explain why no one could produce such tumors before, although unsaturated hydrocarbons and radioactive substances had been known to produce tumors in small laboratory animals and even in man. Perhaps it was because the latent period in monkeys was very long, sometimes 10 years or more. Petrov's study became widely known and was awarded the Mechnikov Prize by the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
The experiments begun by L. Zilber in the Institute were a real breakthrough because he showed that it is possible to produce different kinds of fibromyosarcoma by injecting monkeys with avian Rouse virus. He proved that 1) monkeys are susceptible to tumorogenic viruses; and 2) tumorogenic viruses cross not only species barriers but also class barriers. Similar experiments were being done in the US at the same time by S. Munroe and W. Windl.
Of special interest are viral neoplasms of the hemopoietic system, which have been investigated at the Institute since 1966. Inoculation of baboons with the blood of human leukemia patients in 1968 produced malignant lymphomas. The DNA- and RNA- viruses associated with them were isolated, their molecular-biological structure was studied, and the possibility of horizontal spreading of the viruses and of disease, as well as routes of spreading, were shown. The viruses proved to be contagious and could cause outbreaks of lymphoma. Modern molecular-biological methods (e.g., PCR and its modifications and the sequencing of virus genomes) have revealed the fine structure of the viruses, their intraspecies peculiarities, and the possibility of hybridization of different strains of the same virus. Most of this work was done in collaboration with well known American scientists, such as J. Moloney, F. Deinhardt, W. Parks, and R. Goldberg, according to the Soviet-American Agreement.
Intensive investigation into the field of primate comparative pathology began in 1950 with the work of B. Lapin, L. Yakovleva, and R. Krylova. Their data showed great similarity between the classifications of monkey and of human diseases; this was additional evidence for including monkeys and man in the same order, Primates.
Radiobiological research began in Sukhumi in 1950. Shortly thereafter it came under the leadership of L. Semenov, an expert in radioprotectors. Of special interest were investigations into the effects of chronic low doses of radiation, and a device was constructed for this purpose. The results were published in numerous articles and in monographs, one by L. Yakovleva, another by L. Sevenov. Radiobiological investigations on monkeys are of great importance because monkeys and humans have similar sensitivity to radiation, in contrast to other laboratory animals. Radiocytogenic sensitivity is also similar in monkeys and man. The data obtained here forced radiologists (N. Dubinin and associates) to decrease the limits of biosafe radiation doses, which had previously been established for humans on the basis of experiments done with mice.
From the very beginning, the Sukhumi Primate Center has closely collaborated with many research centers in Moscow, Leningrad, and elsewhere in Russia, as well as with many scientists abroad -- mainly in the US, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. Such ties were promoted by annual national and international symposia on various topics held in Sukhumi and its vicinity.
Research at the Institute encouraged the creation of new primate colonies. The largest monkey colony was established at the Institutes of Poliomyelitis and Viral Vaccines in Moscow. Collaborations with other scientists and Institutes stimulated the founding of smaller monkey colonies at the Institutes of Biophysics and of Biomedical Problems, both of the Ministry of Health, and at the Research-Production Association in Novosibirsk.
The Sukhumi Institute led two expeditions, to Viet Nam in 1961, and to Nigeria in 1965-66 -- places with monkeys in their natural habitat -- to study monkeys' natural behavior and spontaneous pathology in the wild.
Extremely important for the growth of world primatology was the visit to the Sukhumi Institute by a delegation of American scientists, headed by the famous cardiologist Dr. Paul Dudley White, in 1956. A report by this delegation to the Congress of the USA resulted in the establishment of the seven Regional Primate Centers in various parts of the US.
Almost since the beginning, this Center has been conducting research in endocrinology. Since 1962 we have been collaborating with German scientists in studying metabolism in the adrenal and sex glands. It has been established that the metabolism of these hormones is closer to the human pattern in baboons than in green monkeys and macaques. This line of research received a significant impetus from a WHO symposium dedicated to reproductive endocrinology, held in Sukhumi in 1971.
Since 1963 the Institute has joined in space research. Experiments with baboons showed that it was not only possible but safe to send women into space. From the moment that the international program Bion was begun, the Institute has participated in it, choosing monkey cosmonauts and carrying out their basic training.
The Primatological Center of the USSR has come a long way since its founding as the Sukhumi Monkey Colony of the Moscow Institute of Endocrinology (1927-1933), subsequently called the Subtropical Branch of the Leningrad Institute of Experimental Medicine (1933-1944), the Medico-Biological Station of the Academy of Medical Sciences (1944-1958), the Research Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy, AMS, of the USSR (1958-1992), and now the Institute of Medical Primatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (1992-) in Sochi-Adler. In February, 1992, the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences decided to divide the Sukhumi Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy into two Institutes: the Sukhumi Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy and the Institute of Medical Primatology, RAMS, in Sochi-Adler. The reason for this division was the incipient break-up of the USSR, the appearance of nationalist, extremist coalitions in Georgia and Abkhazia, the impending secession of Georgia from the USSR, and the incipient military actions between Georgia and Abkhasia.
At present the Institute of Medical Primatology has about 2500 animals (mostly Macaca mulatta, but also M. fascicularis, Chlorocebus aethiops, and Papio hamadryas) and is located in Russian territory, in Sochi-Adler. It is the leading primate center in Russia, and through its historical derivation from the Sukhumi center, which was founded in 1927, it remains the oldest. The All-Russian Primate Committee of the RAMS Presidium is based at the Center. In spite of a significant number of difficulties and problems (basically related to finances), the Center continues to work and develop. It occupies 100 hectares and includes open-air cages, with enclosed shelters for the monkeys in winter, and corncrib-like structures. The Institute of Medical Primatology has several laboratories: Microbiology and Virology, Pathologic Anatomy, Endocrinology, Microbiology and Virology, the Virology and Immunology of Cancer, and Colony Management and Behavior. In contrast, the number of monkeys in the Sukhumi facility has decreased from 7,000 to 200 or 300, and the scientists who are left there have no opportunities to conduct any research at all.
In conclusion I extend my sincere thanks to my colleagues who have been working side by side with me for many years, sharing all of the problems and difficulties. I thank the Administration of the City of Sochi for its unfailing support and many courtesies. And I extend heartfelt thanks to my numerous foreign colleagues and friends for their moral support and monetary aid.
Selective Bibliography
Indzhia, L. V., Yakovleva, L. A., Overbaugh, J., Liccardi, K. A., Chikobava, M. G., Klotz, I. N., Torres, R., Indzhiia, V. O., Lapin, B. A., Clark, E. A., & Valentine, M. A. (1992). Baboon T cell lymphomas expressing the B cell-associated surface proteins CD40 and Bgp95. Journal of Immunology, 12[3], 225-236.
Lapin, B. (1973). Epidemiology and genetic aspects of the outbreak of leukemia among hamadryas baboons of the Sukhumi Monkey Coloney. In R. M. Dutcher & L. Chieco-Bianchi (Eds.), Unifying Concepts of Leukemia, Bibliotheca haematologica no. 39 (pp. 463-468). Basel: Karger.
Lapin, B. A. (1976). Epidemiology of leukemia among the baboons of Sukhumi Monkey Coloney. In J. Clemmensen & D. S. Yohn (Eds.), Comparative Leukemia Research, Bibliotheca haematologica no. 43 (pp. 489-492). Basel: Karger.
Lapin, B. A. (1985). Hematopoietic diseases in nonhuman primates. In F. Deinhardt (Ed.), Proceedings of XIIth Symposium for Comparative Research on Leukemia and Related Diseases (pp. 277-296). Hamburg.
Lapin, B. (1987a). Nonhuman primate models of human hematological malignancies. In R. Neth, R. C. Gallo, M. F. Greaves, & H. Kabisch (Eds.), Trends in Human Leukemia VII (pp. 440-444). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Lapin, B. (1987b). Baboon Lymphoma Viruses. In G. Darai (Ed.), Virus Diseases in Laboratory and Captive Animals (pp. 135-151). Boston: Nijhoff.
Lapin, B. A., Dzhikidze, E. K., & Fridman, E. P. (1987). Manual of Medical Primatology. Moscow: "Medi-tsina".
Lapin, B. A., Dzhikidze, E. K., & Yakovleva, L. A. (1965). (Monkey diseases in natural habitat in Viet Nam). Moscow: "Meditsina".
Lapin, B. & Fridman, E. (1963). (Monkeys for Science) Moscow: Novosti Press Agency Publishing House.
Lapin, B. A., Norkina, L. N., Cherkovich, G. M., Yakovleva, L. A., Kuksova, M. I., Alekseeva, L. V., Fufacheva, A. A., & Startsev, V. G. (1963). (Monkey - as an object for medical and biological experiments.) Sukhumi.
Lapin, B. A. & Yakovleva, L. A. (1963). Comparative Pathology in Monkeys. Springfield, IL: Thomas.
Lapin, B. A. & Yakovleva, L. A. (1964). Vergleichende Pathologie der Affen. Jena:VEB Gustav Fisher Verlag.
Lapin, B. A., Yakovleva, L. A., Agrba, V. Z., & Voevodin, A. F. (1979). (Hemoblastoses in primates and role of viruses in their origin). Moscow: "Meditsina".
Lapin, B. A. & Yohn, D. S. (Eds.) (1980). (Advances in Comparative Leukemia Research). Moscow: Izdat. Akad. Med. Nauk SSSR.
Semenov, L. F. (1967). (Prophylaxis of acute radiation sickness in experiments.) Moscow: "Meditsina".
Voevodin, A. F., Lapin, B. A., Tatosyan, A. G., & Hirsch, I. (1987). Markers of HTLV-1-related virus in Hamadryas baboon lymphoma In R. Neth, R. C. Gallo, M. F. Greaves, & H. Kabisch (Eds.), Trends in Human Leukemia VII (pp. 392-394). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Voronin, L. G., Kanfor, I. S., Lakin, G. F., & Tikh, N. A. (1948). (Experience of monkey care and breeding in Sukhumi). Moscow: Izdat. Akad. Med. Nauk SSSR.
Yakovleva, L. A. (1966). (Comparative study of acute radiation sickness and its aftereffects.). Leningrad: "Meditsina".
Yakovleva, L., Chikobava, M., Indzhiia, L., Shatzl, H., von der Helm, K., & Lapin, B. (1996). Interrelation between morpho-immunological phenotype and presence of T-lymphotropic retroviral genome in DNA of primate peripheral T-cell malignant lymphoma. Tumor Research, 31, 99-109.
Yakovleva, L. A., Lennert, K., Chikobava, M. G., Indzhiia, L. V., Klotz, I. N., & Lapin, B. A. (1993). Morphological characteristics of malignant T-cell lymphomas in baboons. Virchows Archiv für Pathologisches Anatomie und Physiologie und für klinische Medizin, 422, 109-120.
Yohn, D. S., Lapin, B. A., & Blakeslee, J. R. (Eds.). (1980). Advances in Comparative Leukemia Research. New York: Elsevier/North-Holland.
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Author's address: Inst. Med. Primatology, Veseloye 1, Adler, Sochi 354597, Russia [e-mail: lapin@iprim.sochi.su].
This paper is based on a talk presented at the 70th anniversary celebration of the Institute of Medical Primatology.
Translated by Eugenia Cherkovich and Elva Mathiesen.
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Philadelphia Zoo Primate House
Ground was broken for the new Primate House at the Philadelphia Zoo on January 22. The 24-million-dollar "Primate Reserve" is scheduled to be finished and open to the public next spring. The two-and-a-half-acre reserve will be home to three dozen primates, including lowland gorillas, lemurs and monkeys.
The reserve replaces the Zoo's old primate house, which was destroyed by fire in December of 1995. Twenty-three animals died in the blaze. Zoo President Pete Hoskins, who also helped break ground, said the new facility will have sophisticated alarm systems to make it highly unlikely such an accident will happen again. -- From ABC News, reported on Primate-Talk
Ivan -- Another Zoo Atlanta Success!
On January 22 Ivan, the gorilla who spent most of his life in a Washington State shopping center (see LPN, 1994, 33[4], 13; 1995, 34[1], 7), mated with one of the two females who share his enclosure at Zoo Atlanta, where he was sent in 1995, after much controversy. The "lucky female" is Kinyani, who will be 15 years old in March. Ivan did not mate with forty-year-old Shamba, another female who shares the enclosure, nor has she shown much interest in Ivan. Kinyani, on the other hand, has been "warm for Ivan's form" for months now. This was the first time Ivan showed he knew what she wanted, however.
Zoo Atlanta has done it again. While the miracle of resocialization belongs to the gorillas themselves, Zoo Atlanta has provided the excellent care and conditions making such miracles possible. Willie B, who came to Zoo Atlanta after 27 years in solitary housing, has two daughters, with another two females pregnant. While Ivan may never produce offspring (hope springs eternal, though!), Zoo Atlanta has achieved its goal of socializing Ivan successfully. -- Reported on Primate-Talk by Jane Dewar
Changes in Washington, DC
On February 13, President Clinton announced that Dr. Jack Gibbons is retiring from his position as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Neal Lane, currently Director of the National Science Foundation, will replace Gibbons. The President also announced his intention to appoint Dr. Rita Colwell, former President of AAAS and current President of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, to head the National Science Foundation.
Orangutans Flee Indonesian Fires -- Again
JAKARTA, Feb. 9 (AP) -- Dozens of park rangers and Indonesian soldiers fought raging forest fires in a national park today as orangutans and other animals fled the blazes. In the last week, the fires have razed up to 4000 acres in Kutai National Park in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province, 850 miles northeast of the capital, Jakarta. Birds, lizards, monkeys and other animals are in danger. The fires, exacerbated by a long drought linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon, have raised fears that a choking smog that shrouded parts of Southeast Asia for months last year could return -- and again threaten the health of millions. Kutai park chief Warsito said the fires had flushed orangutans from their habitats. "I myself saw a mother orangutan with her two children running towards the street,'' the official Antara news agency quoted him as saying.
Last year, dozens of orangutans were forced out of their forest by wildfires on Indonesia's islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Warsito said farmers who cleared land by burning the forest were responsible for many fires and that hundreds of families were illegally occupying park land. Forest Minister Djamaludin Suryohadikusomo said two companies were responsible for many fires in East Kalimantan. He did not name the companies. Last week, haze from the fires delayed flights at a regional airport in East Kalimantan. -- Posted to Primate-Talk
Ralph Dell Becomes ILAR Director
Ralph B. Dell, MD, has been named Director of the National Research Council's Institute of Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR). A pediatric nephrologist on the faculty of Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons for 34 years, he served as chairman of the IACUC there for over a decade. Dr. Dell is a leading advocate for laboratory animal welfare and responsible research. He has worked actively for these goals with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare, and the Health, Safety, and Research Alliance of New York State. Thomas Wolfle, DVM, PhD, who headed ILAR through the Nineties and the last revision of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, among many other efforts, is staying on to finish current projects. -- From NABR Update, 18[28], December 5, 1997
Joint Statement of NYU and the NYU Med. Center
On November 11, 1997, New York University and its Medical Center made the following announcement: "As a result of months-long negotiations, the NYU Medical Center has announced that all of the remaining chimpanzees at its LEMSIP facility will be retired after which no further research will be conducted on these chimpanzees. None of the remaining chimpanzees at its LEMSIP facility will be transferred to the Coulston Foundation.
"Twelve to thirteen of the chimpanzees will be retired after completion of an ongoing study in approximately two to three years. The remaining ten to fifteen chimpanzees will be retired no later than December 31, 1997. The fact of their retirement will be made available to the NYU community.
"New York University President L. Jay Oliva will request the university Senate Academic Affairs Committee to assess the desirability of the appointment of student representation to the University's Washington Square and Medical Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees and report its recommendations to the Senate and the President no later than the April, 1998 Senate meeting. Student groups will have equal opportunity to present their arguments to the Senate Academic Affairs Committee." -- Signed: Dr. Robert Berne, Vice President for Academic Development, NYU; Dr. David S. Scotch, Associate Dean, NYU School of Medicine
New arrivals!
The Comparative Cognition Project, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, is pleased to announce the adoption of two new chimpanzee infants. The infants, Ivy (female, age 12 mos.) and Keeli (male, age 16 mos.) have been together since Ivy's mother was unable to care for her. Their joint adoption (we didn't want to separate them; and Keeli was owned by NIH) required significant and persistent efforts by Dr. Michael Keeling (Anderson/Univ. Texas Cancer Center at Bastrop) for Keeli to be donated to our project. Dr. Tom Butler (Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio TX) generously arranged for Ivy to come to us. Dr. Michele Martino, SWFBR veterinarian, who travelled with Dr. Linda Brent to bring the infants to Columbus, gives generously of her time for the care of chimpanzees at Primarily Primates, which is directed by Wally Swets.
Both infants have adapted well to their new life with us here at OSU, although we are still adjusting our schedules to baby bottles, potty training, and all-nighters at the chimp center. Next week, the infants will be out of quarantine, and we will begin the introduction process with our adult females, two of whom (ages 16 and 38) will interact directly with humans, which should facilitate the introduction process. We look forward to exciting new cognitive studies which will remind us further of the mere shadow that lies between our two species. Thanks again to Drs. Keeling, Butler, Brent, & Martino for their willingness to work together to bring this cooperative effort to fruition. -- Announced December 1, 1997 on Primate-Talk by Sally Boysen, Director, Comparative Cognition Project, The Ohio State University Chimpanzee Center [e-mail: boysen.1@osu.edu]
Rehearing on Primate Well-Being Regs
The U.S. Court of Appeals has issued an order granting rehearing by the full Court in a challenge brought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and individuals, to regulations USDA issued in purported compliance with a 1985 amendment to the Animal Welfare Act regarding the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates.
On December 9, 1997, Judges Sentelle and Henderson held that plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge USDA's failure to issue standards for the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates, requiring that regulated entities (research labs, zoos, circuses and animal dealers) set those standards themselves. The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) and the US Department of Justice had argued that ALDF and all other appellees (plaintiffs) failed to meet the tests of legal standing necessary to sue the USDA. Judge Patricia Wald dissented from the ruling, finding that, "it is striking, particularly in a world in which animals cannot sue on their own behalf, how far the majority opinion goes toward making governmental action that regulates the lives of animals...unchallengeable." Plaintiffs asked for rehearing by the three judge panel that heard the case and for rehearing by the entire Court. The Court's order vacated the December 9, 1997 ruling, and stated that a majority of the judges voted to have the case reheard by the full court.
In support of its rehearing petition, ALDF had claimed that the majority opinion conflicts with established standing law and "immunizes a vast amount of agency conduct from judicial review." -- From the NABR Update, February 12, 1998, and a press release by Valerie Stanley, attorneyl for ALDF
Fossil Orangutan Found in Vietnam
Dr. Vu The Long [e-mail: long@rtc.ac.vn], of the Institute of Archeology in Hanoi, Vietnam, has returned from excavating a limestone cave site in Hoa Binh Province, southwest of Hanoi in northern Vietnam. He was acting on the information of a hunter who had visited the cave.
At a location some 70 meters from the cave mouth, Dr. Long uncovered one complete adult fossil Pongo specimen, a fragment of an infant orangutan skull and long bones, as well as the skull of a gibbon. Dr. Long suggests that, the fossils "look not so old but may belong to late Pleistocene or begining of Holocene." If this date is correct, it would make these the most recent fossil orangutan known from Vietnam and (I believe) the only known complete fossil specimen.
Long is now working at another site, but I do hope that he will add to this brief description soon. -- Posted to Primate-talk by Vern Weitzel, March 5, 1998
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Nonhuman primate species have played a key role in advancing our knowledge base in understanding disease processes and it is important that research efforts utilizing these models be expanded. Although much progress has been made in the development of nonhuman primate animal model systems, particularly for AIDS-related research, cures for many diseases and effective preventive measures are lacking. It is clear that further studies are needed to identify the basic mechanisms of disease processes in order to develop methods for prevention and/or control.
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) recognizes that nonhuman primate research resources may not be readily accessible to all investigators who wish to use them in research. To make these resources more readily accessible to researchers, NCRR invites investigator-initiated research project grants applications for research that utilizes nonhuman primates and other research resources at the seven Regional Primate Research Centers (RPRCs). The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is a co-sponsor of this solicitation. Applications that are within the mission of NIAID will receive funding consideration from that Institute. The overall objectives of this initiative are to: (1) promote cutting-edge scientific research; (2) enhance utilization of nonhuman primates and other resources within the RPRCs; and (3) promote coordinated research efforts with Center staff scientists who are located at the seven RPRCs.
The proposed research must be conducted at one of the seven RPRCs and in collaboration with one or more RPRC staff scientists. To be eligible, the Principal Investigator must not currently be a center/core staff member receiving support (salary and/or other research support) from the NCRR-supported RPRC grant and may not be located at a RPRC. If the Principal Investigator's grantee institution is different from the grantee institution of the RPRC, a consortium or contractual agreement must be established with the RPRC.
Direct inquires regarding basic research programmatic issues and the RPRC Program to Jerry A. Robinson, Comparative Medicine, NCRR, 6705 Rockledge Dr., Suite 6030, Bethesda, MD 20892 [301) 435-0744; fax: 301-435-3819; e-mail: jerryR@ep.ncrr.nih.gov]. Direct inquiries regarding NIAID research program issues to: Stephen M. Rose, Div. of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, NIAID, 6003 Executive Blvd, Rm 4A14. Bethesda, MD 20892-7640 [301-496-5598; fax: 301-402-2571; e-mail: Steve_Rose@nih.gov].
Direct inquiries regarding a particular Regional Primate Research Center to:
* Andrew G. Hendrickx, Director, California RPRC, UC, Davis, CA 95616 [916-752-0420; fax: 916-752-8201; <www.primate.ucdavis.edu/crprc/homepage.html>]
* Ronald D. Hunt, Director, New England RPRC, One Pine Hill Dr., Southborough, MA 01772 [508-624-8002; fax: 508-460-0612]
* M. Susan Smith, Director, Oregon RPRC, 505 N.W. 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006 [503-645-1141; fax: 503-690-5532; <www.teleport.com/~orprc>]
* Peter J. Gerone, Director, Tulane RPRC, 18703 Three Rivers Rd, Covington, LA 70433 [504-892-2040; fax: 504-893-1352; <www.tpc.tulane.edu>]
* William R. Morton, Director, Washington RPRC, P.O. Box 357330, UW, Seattle, WA 98195-7330 [206-543-0440; fax: 206-685-0305]
* Joseph W. Kemnitz, Interim Director, Wisconsin RPRC, UW-Madison, 1220 Capitol Ct, Madison, WI 53715-1299 [608-263-3500; fax: 608-263-4031; <www.primate.wisc.edu>]
* Thomas R. Insel, Director, Yerkes RPRC, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329 [404-727-7707 or 727-7721; fax: 404-727-0623; <www.cc.emory.edu/YERKES/>].
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Advanced Courses in Ethology
The Institute of Applied Psychology (ISPA), in Lisbon, is holding a series of advanced courses given by invited scientists. The seminars are open to post-graduate students or post-docs working in animal behavior or related areas. The courses are based on discussion groups, although basic information will be presented in informal lecture sessions. When available, sessions will be supported by computer-aided learning packages. The number of participants will be limited. Three courses are planned for 1998: "Conflict and cooperation: The roots of social behaviour," by M. Taborsky (Konrad Lorenz Institute, Vienna), 20-22 April 1998; "Parental investment in animals," by K. Lessels (NIOO, The Netherlands), 24-26 September 1998; "Hormonal activation and differentiation of male sexual behaviour in higher vertebrates," by J. Balthazart (Univ. Liége, Belgium), 8-10 October 1998. Requests for further information and applications should be addressed to: Rui F. Oliveira, ISPA, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 44, 1100 Lisboa, Portugal [351-1-8863184; fax: 351-1-8860954; e-mail: ruiol@ispa.pt]. -- From ABSnet V3 #48
Animal Behavior Summer Field Course
A four week field course in animal behavior is offered for the summer of 1998 by the Psychology Department at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Zoo Atlanta. This intensive course takes place in Atlanta, South Africa, and Kenya, and is designed to teach students how to conduct behavioral observations in a field setting.
As the priority of the course is to develop the observational skills of students, the focus is on observational data collection. In Atlanta, students are taught data collection methods and the behavior of East African animals by zoo, academic, and field scientists. Students then use this information in Africa to conduct daily observations on a variety of species. Observations are conducted in national parks and on private reserves, which permits students to compare the behavior of a single species across settings. Students also use the comparative psychology approach to examine behavior across closely related species.
Daily observations are supplemented by readings, discussions, and lectures by field scientists. The course also places a strong emphasis on conservation, and students read and discuss many of the issues related to conservation in Africa.
There are no course prerequisites, but a background of introductory psychology, biology, or animal behavior is recommended. The course dates are June 30-July 26, 1998, for 6 quarter hours of credit. The approximate cost will be $6100. The instructor for 1998 is Dr. Debra Forth-man, Dir. of Field Conservation, Zoo Atlanta, and Adjunct Prof. of Psychology, Georgia Inst. of Technology.
For more information contact Tara Stoinski, Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave, Atlanta, GA 30315 [404-624-5826; fax; 404-627-7514; e-mail; psg94ts@prism.gatech.edu]. -- From ABSnet V3 #48
Symposium on Laboratory Animal Diseases
The Midwest Division of the Charles Louis Davis, DVM, Foundation for the Advancement of Veterinary Medicine and Comparative Medicine, in co-sponsorship with the Biologic Resources Laboratory of the University of Illinois at Chicago, will present a symposium on laboratory animal diseases on Saturday, April 18, 1998, in the first floor auditorium of the Molecular Biology Research Building, 900 South Ashland Street, Chicago.
The Biologic Resources Laboratory slide collection will be available for review beginning Wednesday, April 15th at 8:30 a.m. along with 66 videotapes of C. L. Davis lectures. The collection includes 14,000 Kodachromes on laboratory animal diseases and management. Simulated Practical Examinations will be given by members of the senior staff on Friday, April 17, 1998. Dr. Linda Lowenstine from the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine will be the principal speaker and will review the "Diseases of nonhuman primates". Dr. Lowenstine's formal presentation will be followed by selected case presentations presented by veterinary pathologists from both the academic and industrial facilities within the Midwest region, as well as from the zoo pathology program. They will present cases from their own collections. These cases will be heavily weighted to cover conditions seen in laboratory animals, but cases which present classical pathological lesions from experimentally induced conditions and those found in more exotic species will be included.
For registration information contact the C. L. Davis Office, 6245 Formoor Lane, Gurnee, IL 60031 [847-367-4359] or B. Taylor Bennett [312-996-1221; e-mail: B.Taylor.Bennett@uic.edu].
New NSF Initiative: KDI
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is in the process of developing agendas for future research in the area of "Knowledge and Distributed Intelligence" (KDI), which builds on NSF's earlier successes with the Internet and advanced computing. If researchers want to know what KDI is, in order to start thinking about preparing proposals, they can check out the various workshop reports.
On 30-31 October, 1997, the "NetLab Workshop" examined the state of knowledge-networking research in the social and behavioral sciences. The goal of the workshop was to identify the potential for furthering our understanding of social interactions via knowledge networking research, with a focus on the development of a new medium for research on social interactions: large-scale Internet-based experiments. The report of this workshop is available on the Web at <www.uiowa.edu/~grpproc/netlab.htm>. Three earlier workshops defined other aspects of the "Knowledge Networking" component of KDI: * Knowledge -Networking Processes, Philadelphia, PA, June 9 and 10, 1997 <www.lrsm.upenn.edu/lrsm/KNP.html> * Distributed Heterogeneous Knowledge Networks, Boulder, CO May 8 and 9, 1997 <www.scd.ucar.edu/info/KDI/> * Human Dimensions of Knowledge Networking, Santa Barbara, CA, June 19-20, 1997, <www.alexandria.ucsb.edu/workshops/NSF/>.
Another component of KDI, Learning and Intelligent Systems, has already been the focus of an NSF research competition, and should continue to be important for the scientific community. See <www.ehr.nsf.gov/lis/index.htm>.
Research Training Scholarships
To encourage high quality science likely to lead to substantial advances in animal welfare, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) will award Animal Welfare Research Training Scholarships for promising veterinary or other science graduates in the UK to undertake three-year research projects leading to degrees at the doctorate level.
UFAW is particularly keen to receive applications for studies that may lead to significant developments in the assessment of the welfare of animals, or new approaches to providing insight into the subjective mental experiences of animals relevant to their welfare. However, applications for projects in other aspects of animal welfare science will also be considered. Application is by a two-stage process with project supervisors initially submitting a brief concept note. This year's deadline is April 3, for scholarships to be awarded in July 1998. Similar schedules will hold in future years. For further information and application forms for the concept note, contact UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN [01582-831818; Fax 01582-831414; e-mail: ufaw@ufaw.org.uk; <www.users.dircon.co.uk/~ufaw3/>].
Orangutan Foundation International Fellowship
Students planning to conduct wildlife research on orangutans can seek financial assistance from the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI). The Lorraine P. Jenkins Memorial Fellowship for Orangutan and Rainforest Research (LPJ Memorial Fellowship) was announced today by Dr. Gary Shapiro, Vice President of OFI, and son of Mrs. Lorraine Jenkins who passed away on November 21, 1997. OFI President Dr. Birute Galdikas proposed that a new fellowship be named after Mrs. Jenkins, who was "a strong long-term supporter of the Foundation and an inspiration to all those around her. Mrs. Jenkins worked ceaselessly to help achieve the goals of the Foundation, and it's appropriate that our first endowed fellowship be named after her."
The LPJ Memorial Fellowship is a competitive award open to any graduate or undergraduate student planning to conduct orangutan, primate, or related rainforest field research in either Indonesia or Malaysia. Priority consideration will be given to students planning to study new populations of orangutans. Students from orangutan habitat and tropical rain forest countries are encouraged to apply. Two inaugural LPJ Memorial Fellowships of $1000.00 will be awarded in 1998.
Interested students should apply during the spring of each year to be considered for an early summer award. Application forms can be obtained by contacting OFI. Applications for 1998 are due on April 20, 1998. For applications or more information, contact the Orangutan Foundation International, attn: LPJ Memorial Fellowship, 822 S. Wellesley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90049. Recipients of the inaugural LPJ Memorial Fellowships will be notified by phone and a formal announcement will be made at the Third International Conference on Great Apes of the World, July 3-6, 1998, in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
E.U. Research Projects, Computational Anthropology
Up to two studentships may be awarded to any suitably-qualified European Union citizen for research in computational anthropology, to be held jointly in the Departments of Archaeology and of Electronics and Computer Science of the University of Southampton. These studentships will be available, starting October 1998, to candidates who are of high academic caliber.
Proposed areas of study are: * Simulating genetic divergence rates on realistic surfaces, and * Primate geographical ranges: Habitat characteristics and demographic implications. The latter project will involve analysis of the geographical ranges of living nonhuman primates in relation to habitat cover, population density, and life history strategy. Particular emphasis will be placed on estimating extinction risks, as a contribution to primate conservation biology. Secondary emphasis will also be placed on using such techniques to estimate speciation and extinction probabilities for Pleistocene hominid populations in Africa and Eurasia.
These Studentships are each for three years of full-time research, including tuition fees and a maintenance grant (currently around 5000 pounds sterling). It is expected that a holder will submit a dissertation for the award of a PhD at the end of the third year. For these projects, you should have (or expect to have by October, 1998) a very good honors degree in biology, anthropology, archaeology, or a closely-related discipline. You should be well motivated, and have a demonstrable aptitude for computing and for quantitative analysis (programming experience is not required). You should also be capable of teamwork in a research group environment.
Deadline for applications: as soon as possible, but before 1st May at the latest. For more information please contact James Steele, Dept of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, England [01703 594198; e-mail: tjms@soton.ac.uk; fax: 01703 593032]. -- Posted to Primate-Talk
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University Research Expeditions Program
The University of California operates the University Research Expeditions Program, sending participants on field research projects around the world. Participants "share the costs and lend a helping hand" to faculty and graduate student researchers on projects in biology, anthropology, environmental studies, and other sciences. Students and teachers can receive academic credit for participation, and there are a limited number of scholarships available. 1998 expeditions include "Monkeys and Capybaras in Formosa, Argentina," led by E. Fernández-Duque and R. Murphy. For a catalog, contact UREP, U.C.-B., Berkeley, CA 94720-7050 [510-642-6586; fax: 510-642-6791; e-mail: urep@uclink.berkeley.edu; <www.mip.berkeley.edu/urep>].
International Center for Gibbon Studies
The International Center for Gibbon Studies (ICGS), directed by Alan Mootnick, is a nonprofit organization and the only facility in the world devoted exclusively to the study, preservation, and propagation of these endangered lesser apes, the gibbons, by establishing secure captive gene pools in case attempts to preserve the species in the wild fail. ICGS is seeking volunteers to serve as primate keepers, collect and enter behavioral data (on Macintosh) on approximately 35 captive gibbons, assist with routine yearly exams, and do occasional grounds maintenance.
Qualifications include a love of animals; honesty; dedication; computer literacy; and knowledge of, or willingness to learn, cage-building and gardening skills. We require a variety of vaccinations and medical tests to ensure the gibbons' and volunteers' health. Housing is provided; transportation to and from Los Angeles Airport is provided at arrival and departure.
While volunteers are needed all year, we generally have a shortage from September to April. We ask volunteers to commit to one month minimum stay. For more information, contact Patti Dahle, Volunteer Coordinator, International Center for Gibbon Studies, P.O. Box 800249, Santa Clarita, CA 91380 [805-296-2737; fax: 805-296-1237; e-mail: gibboncntr@aol.com].
Earthwatch
The nonprofit Earthwatch Institute is recruiting paying volunteers to help scientists with diverse backgrounds in ecological research worldwide. Among the 150 research projects sponsored in 1998 and 1999 are:
* Fourteen days working with Roger and Deborah Fouts at Central Washington University's Chimpanzee and Human Communication Inst., beginning June 28, July 19, August 23, September 13, and October 4.
* Two weeks studying the genetic and behavioral basis of population and group structure of the howler monkey in Argentina, with Govindasamy Agoramoorthy, of the Govindamay Nayakkar Memorial Foundation, India, and Ragna Lohmann, of the Max Planck Inst., Germany. Sessions begin July 2 and 17, and August 2.
* Take observations on feeding behavior of golden bamboo lemurs on Madagascar with Patricia Wright, starting November 1 and 15.
* Follow and observe macaques in Sri Lanka with Wolfgang Dittus, of the Smithsonian Institution, for 13 days beginning June 15, July 6 and 20, August 10 and 24, and September 14.
* Study capuchin monkeys in Venezuela with Lynne Miller of UC San Diego for 13 days, starting January 10 and 24, February 7, March 21, and April 4 and 18, 1999.
Participants pay their own travel expenses, plus a share of research costs. Contact Earthwatch Inst., 680 Mt. Auburn, P.O. Box 9104, Watertown, MA 02272 [e-mail: info@earthwatch.org; <www.earthwatch.org>].
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Field Assistant, Puerto Rico
The Caribbean Primate Research Center, Puerto Rico, is seeking a field assistant to work with the free-ranging rhesus monkeys on the island of Cayo Santiago, PR, as part of a longitudinal study of biobehavioral development and temperament in young rhesus monkeys. Responsibilities will include collection of behavioral data, data tabulation, weekly reports, and assisting senior investigators with physiological sampling during the annual trapping of the colony. This appointment is for one year or more, beginning July 1998. Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, psychology, or anthropology; experience collecting behavioral data (preferably with primates); and familiarity with computers. A high level of maturity and ability to get along with people is essential. Send resume and three references to Dr. Kathlyn Rasmussen, NIH Animal Center, Bldg. 112, P.O. Box 529, Poolesville, MD 20837 [e-mail: klr@helix.nih.gov].
Field Research Assistant, Uganda
The Bwindi-Impenetrable Great Ape Project (BIGAPE) is a study on the behavioral ecology of sympatric mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park, southwestern Uganda. They are looking for a field assistant for June 1998 - June 1999.
Duties of the field assistant will include helping with camp construction and maintenance; assisting in preparing a map of the site and setting up phenology transects (and conducting monthly monitoring); collecting field data on both species -- following feeding trails and collecting food and dung samples; counting nests and chimpanzee tools, and mapping nest sites; and habituating the chimpanzees to observers. The work is primarily ecological, working with unhabituated or semi-habituated animals. Local assistants will aid the field assistant. The applicant should have a college degree in biology, ecology, anthropology, or zoology. Past field experience is required. The terrain is very rugged and requires a physically fit person (people with asthma or allergies may experience difficulties). We are looking for a responsible, very self-motivated person who enjoys being in the forest. The camp is both remote and primitive and is a 5-hour walk from the park headquarters. BIGAPE will provide roundtrip airfare and a monthly stipend of $150 to pay for basic living expenses. Applicants should send a letter of interest, a CV, and the names and e-mail addresses of three references to Dr. Craig B. Stanford, Dept of Anthropology, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0032 [213-740-1918]. Also send a copy of your application materials to Dr. Michele L. Goldsmith, Dept of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755-3570 [603-646-3436]. The application deadline is April 30. -- Posted to Primate-Talk and listed on Primate-Jobs
Temporary Position, Budongo Forest Project
A temporary co-director is needed for the Budongo Forest Project for the months July to October 1998, inclusive, while the current co-director, Jeremy Lindsell, is away on leave. Applicants should preferably have a higher degree (masters or doctoral level) and prior field project management experience in Africa. Accounting skills will also be an advantage. Please reply by April 30 to Prof. V. Reynolds, Inst. of Biological Anthropology, 58 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 6QS, UK [e-mail: vernon.reynolds@bioanthropology.oxford.ac.uk], enclosing a CV, statement of relevant experience, and names of two references.
Laboratory Animal Veterinarian, Madison, WI
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School Animal Care Unit (ACU) is seeking a staff veterinarian. This is a full-time, non-tenure track position reporting to the Director of the ACU. The successful candidate for this new position will provide veterinary care to a wide variety of species including nonhuman primates; provide assistance and consultation to faculty and research staff on animal care and use, animal techniques, animal models, federal regulations, and husbandry and health of research animals; conduct and coordinate training and teaching programs; assist in maintaining AAALAC accreditation; participate in IACUC functions; provide surgical and technical assistance to researchers; and assist in the management of the animal facilities.
A DVM degree from an AVMA-accredited institution is required, and the candidate must have strong medical and surgical skills. Training and/or experience in laboratory animal medicine is preferred. Strong interpersonal and communications skills are essential. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants are invited to send a curriculum vitae and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of five references to Dr. Joseph Thulin, Director, Animal Care Unit, Univ. of Wisconsin Med. School, K4/114 CSC, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792 [e-mail: jdthulin@facstaff.wisc.edu], before May 15, 1998. The position will be available July 1, 1998.
Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, information regarding applicants and nominees must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
Veterinary Internship/Fellowship
The William and Charlotte Parks Foundation annually invites applications for * a one-year internship in animal welfare from final year veterinary students or veterinary graduates at US institutions; and * a PhD fellowship from students already enrolled in a PhD program at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States. The successful candidate will receive a grant of $30,000. For veterinary interns, $18,000 is identified for stipend and the remainder would be available for institutional and other expenses related to the proposed project. For PhD candidates, the award is meant to be a multi-year award providing three years stipendiary support (up to a maximum of $24,000 for the three years), with the balance of up to $6000 being available for the costs of the research project and relevant institutional expenses.
Applications should be sent to the William & Charlotte Parks Foundation for Animal Welfare, c/o Dr. Barbara Orlans, 7106 Laverock Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817 by December 1 of any year. They should include a no more than 5-page description of a proposed project or work to be undertaken, addressing the welfare of companion, laboratory, or farm animals. Only a single award will be made each year.
Assistant Director, Animal Services Unit
The Animal Services Unit (ASU) of the Institute for Human Gene Therapy (IHGT) at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a graduate of an AVMA-accredited School of Veterinary Medicine to serve as Assistant Director. This person provides leadership and directs the overall operation of the ASU, which includes animal housing (rodent and nonhuman primate), surgical facilities, pre-clinical toxicology-dedicated facilities, and a transgenic facility. Tasks include * oversight of scientific staffing, facilities, physical plant and property, safety, financial, and compliance matters * supervising professional and technical staff of at least ten, including a manager of the IHGT rodent facility, a facilities coordinator, an administrative assistant, seven husbandry staff * acting as primary interface with University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) staff, including the ULAR Director * interfacing with faculty and staff who utilize the services of the unit * providing clinical veterinary care to animals housed within IHGT facilities * sharing on-call responsibilities for after-hours and weekend or holiday duties * ensuring compliance with standards and guidelines of regulatory agencies * directing ASU staff in ensuring that IHGT animal facilities are in compliance with all aspects of proper laboratory animal care and laboratory animal husbandry * implementing improvements in all aspects of animal welfare as needed. Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine within the United States; must be a graduate of a laboratory animal medicine training program from which graduates have been accepted by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) as having participated in a qualified program and have a commitment to seek ACLAM certification, or otherwise be eligible to seek ACLAM certification. Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine and be USDA-accredited in Pennsylvania, or be willing to commit to obtaining licensing and accreditation in Pennsylvania within the first year of employment. Previous experience conducting biomedical research is required, preferably in an academic environment; experience working with a variety of laboratory animals, including nonhuman primates, is necessary. Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills necessary. Proven clinical and management skills needed. Experience with good laboratory practices is highly desirable, as is a master's degree in a biomedical field. Must be flexible with a schedule to include working nights, weekends and holidays; must be willing to have on-call responsibilities. Send resume to Karen Wisnia, IHGT, 204 Wistar Inst., 3601 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4268 [e-mail: wisnia@mail.med.upenn.edu]. (AA/EOE)
Field Adjunct Professor -- Panama
The International Primate Sanctuary of Panama will be hosting a 9-week, 14-semester-hour Primate Behavior and Ecology Program this summer from May 25 to July 25. Florida State University-Panama Canal Branch is seeking a PhD or PhD candidate to teach two courses in this program. In addition the person will supervise about half of the students' independent research projects. The person hired for the position will be expected to have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and should also be interested in working with the students in developing papers for publication or presentations at professional meetings. This is a demanding position requiring 12-hour days in the field and extensive experience in conducting field research on nonhuman primates and in teaching undergraduate courses. Spanish speaking ability would be useful but not essential.
The successful candidate for the position must be qualified to teach at least two of the following courses: * Primate Behavior * Approaches to the Study of Behavior (with laboratory) * Animal Behavior * Applied Regression Methods. Salary will vary with experience. Starting salary is $2000 for the 9 week program. Travel expenses to and from Panama will be paid. The application deadline is April 30, 1998. Please send your CV and three letters of recommendation to: Dennis R. Rasmussen, PSC #4 Box 3351, APO AA 34004 [011-507-285-6388; fax: 011-507-285-6386; e-mail: islatigre@hotmail.com].
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Immunological Memory
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR), and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), invite applications for basic immunological research on the generation, maintenance, and functional diversity of memory B and T lymphocytes, in order to provide information needed for improved vaccine development for infectious diseases, and for development of novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases, as well as transplant rejection.
The fundamental importance of research on immunological memory for application to the treatment of human disease provides a strong impetus for expanded efforts to identify those factors that regulate the generation, maintenance and functional diversity of memory B and T cells. Innovative approaches are sought to identify the genetic, biochemical, cellular and systemic components of immune memory that might serve as targets for therapeutic intervention. Investigators are encouraged to propose creative experimental approaches for well-defined studies in human or animal systems.
Inquiries may be directed to: Helen Quill, Div. of Allergy, Immunology & Transplantation, NIAID, 6003 Executive Blvd, Rm 4A22, Bethesda, MD 20892-7640 [301-496-7551; fax: 301-402-2571; e-mail: hq1t@nih.gov]; Dennis F. Mangan, Div. of Extramural Research, NIDR, Bldg 45, Rm 4AN-32F, Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 [301-594-2421; fax: 301-480-8318; e-mail: Dennis.Mangan@nih.gov]; Susana Serrate-Sztein, Rheumatic Diseases Branch, NIAMSD, Natcher Bldg, Rm 5AS-37G, Bethesda, MD 20892 [301-594-5032; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: szteins@exchange.nih.gov].
NIAMS Research Core Centers
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) invites applications for research core centers in (1) skin diseases and (2) musculoskeletal disorders. The Research Core Centers (RCs) will provide the resources for a number of established, currently funded investigators, often from different disciplines, to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to common research problems in skin diseases (or in musculoskeletal disorders), and to ensure greater productivity than from each of the separate projects. The choice of research area upon which the RC would focus is made by the principal and collaborating currently funded investigators.
The RCs will provide support for: * Core resources and facilities to be used by investigators of individually supported research projects in order to enhance and coordinate their activities, which may include personnel, equipment, supplies, services, and facilities. * Direct costs for pilot and feasibility studies. * Program enrichment activities. * Administrative Core. An RC should be an identifiable organizational unit within a university-affiliated medical center.
Letter of intent receipt date is May 15, 1998; application receipt date is July 15, 1998. Inquiries may be directed to: Dr. Julia B. Freeman, Centers Program, EP, NIAMSD, Natcher Bldg, Rm 5AS.19F, MSC 6500, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5052; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: Julia_B_Freeman@nih.gov]. Guidelines for the NIAMS Core Center program may be obtained from: NIAMS Clearinghouse, 1 AMS Circle, Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 [301-495-4484; fax: 301-587-4352].
Pilot Grants for Aging Research
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is seeking small grant applications in specific areas to: (1) stimulate and facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into aging research, or (2) encourage established investigators to enter new targeted, high priority areas in this research field. This Small Grant Program provides support for pilot research that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant and /or a significant advancement of aging research. For a new investigator to be eligible the individual should be in the first five years of his or her independent research career. If the applicant is in the final stages of training it is permissible to apply but no award will be made to individuals who are still in training or fellowship status at the time of award. For an established investigator to be eligible, the individual must propose research that is unrelated to a currently funded research project in which the investigator participates.
Areas which will be considered for support include: * Cartilage aging/Osteoarthritis * Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular aging * Reproductive aging * Nutrient modulation * DNA polymorphisms * Gene expression vectors * Behavior genetics and aging, including attention, processing speed, memory, intelligence, training, emotionality, sense of control, motivation, and temporal organization * Sensory and motor processing * Attention and frontal lobe function * Neuronal tissue RNA metabolism * Sleep and circadian processes * Blood-brain barrier * Amyloid precursor protein * Pathogenic organisms * Non-neuronal cells in the nervous system.
Application receipt dates are March 17, July 17, and November 17, 1998. For more information, contact the person in the relevant Program: Dr. David B. Finkelstein, Biology of Aging Program, NIA, 7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2C231, MSC 9205, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 [301-496-6402; fax: 301-402-0010]; Ms. Angie Chon-Lee, Behavioral & Social Research Program, NIA, 7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 5C533, MSC 9205, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 [301-594-5943; fax: 301-402-0051]; Dr. Judy Finkelstein, Neuroscience & Neuropsychology of Aging Program, NIA, 7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 3C307, MSC 9205, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 [301-496-9350; fax: 301- 496-1494]; Ms. Wanda Solomon, Geriatrics Program, NIA, 7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 3E327, MSC 9205, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 [301-435-3046; fax: 301-402-1784]. E-mail address for all is query@extramur.nia.nih.gov
Small Grant Program for the NIAMS
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is seeking small grant applications to stimulate and facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into targeted, high priority areas of NIAMS research. This solicitation will provide support for pilot research that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant. The work proposed may not overlap significantly with the aims of currently supported projects in which the principal investigator has participated during the last five years. Current and previous recipients of NIH funding through Research Project Grants or FIRST awards are ineligible for this Program. Investigators who have questions about eligibility should contact one of the program officials listed below.
Investigators may apply for a small grant to support research in the following general areas: * Angiogenesis * Mechanisms of self-recognition in autoimmunity * Stem Cell Biology * Growth and Repair of bone and connective tissue, including cartilage, tendon, ligament and muscle * Models and Markers of gender and genetic factors in musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, including animal models of human disease * Rheumatic and dermatological manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome * Pathogenesis of alopecia areata and vitiligo.
Application receipt date is April 29, 1998. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to one of the following persons, according to scientific area: Rheumatic Diseases: Susana A. Serrate-Sztein, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37G, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5032; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: SzteinS@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Cartilage & Connective Tissue: Bernadette Tyree, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37J, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5032; fax: 301-594-4543; e-mail: TyreeB@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Muscle Biology: Richard W. Lymn, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-49E; Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5128; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: LymnR@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Orthopedics: James S. Panagis, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37K, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-594-4543; e-mail: PanagisJ@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Skin Diseases: Alan N. Moshell, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-25L, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5017; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: MoshellA@ep.niams.nih.gov]; Bone Biology: William J. Sharrock, 45 Center Dr., Rm 5AS-37A, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 [301-594-5055; fax: 301-480-4543; e-mail: SharrocW@ep.niams.nih.gov].
Complex Biological Systems
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) will provide supplements to existing NIGMS grants to support the salary and expenses of collaborating investigators such as physicists, engineers, mathematicians, and other experts with quantitative skills relevant to the analysis of complex systems. It is expected that the collaboration will result in new directions for the parent project, or new research projects that will compete for independent funding.
The principal investigator must have an active investigator-initiated research grant funded by NIGMS. In all cases, the parent grant must have at least one year of support remaining at the time of the supplemental award. Because the supplements are intended to develop cross-disciplinary research collaborations, the prospective collaboration must propose new approaches to the subject area of the parent grant. Therefore, the expertise of the prospective collaborator should not substantively overlap that of the principal investigator. The collaborator need not have prior experience with biological problems, but must have established credentials in the area of his/her expertise. The proposed research project also must be distinct from the collaborator's ongoing research. Investigators are encouraged to contact the program director of the parent grant or NIGMS staff listed below, to discuss eligibility requirements.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to either the program director listed on your award statement, or to James C. Cassatt, Div. of Cell Biology & Biophysics, NIGMS, 45 Center Dr., MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 [301-594-0828; fax: 301-480-2004; e-mail: czj@cu.nih.gov]; Judith H. Greenberg, Div. of Genetics & Developmental Biology, NIGMS, 45 Center Dr., MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 [301-594-0943; fax: 301-480-2228; e-mail: greenbej@nigms.nih.gov]; or Michael E. Rogers, Div. of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biological Chemistry, NIGMS, 45 Center Dr., MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 [301-594-3827; fax: 301-480-2802; e-mail: rogersm@nigms.nih.gov].
Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award National Research Service Awards (NRSA) Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants to eligible institutions to develop or enhance research training opportunities for individuals interested in careers in biomedical and behavioral research. Many of the NIH Institutes and Centers use this grant mechanism exclusively to support intensive, short-term research training experiences for students in health professional schools during the summer. In addition, the Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant can be used to support other types of predoctoral and postdoctoral training in focused, often emerging, scientific areas relevant to the mission of the funding NIH institute or center. This grant mechanism will help ensure that a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to carry out the nation's biomedical and behavioral research agenda.
The proposed training must be in either basic or clinical aspects of the health-related sciences. The training should be of sufficient depth to enable the trainees, upon completion of the program, to have a thorough exposure to the principles underlying the conduct of research.
For additional information, see current document titled "Guidelines for National Research Service Awards-Institutional Grants", usually available at the applicant's institution, or contact the appropriate NIH institute representative below (or see <www.nih.gov>). Since each NIH institute and center has different program goals and initiatives with regard to NRSA short-term institutional training grants, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the individuals listed below, in advance of preparing an application, for additional information concerning areas of research, receipt dates, and other types of pre-application consultation. National Institute on Aging receipt date: January 10; contact: Robin A. Barr [301-496-9322; fax: 301-402-2945; e-mail: rb42h@nih.gov]. National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases receipt date: September 10; Dr. Milton Hernandez [301-496-3775; fax: 301-402-0369; e-mail: mh35c@nih.gov]. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development receipt date: January 10; Danuta Krotoski [301-402-2242; fax: 301-402-0832; e-mail: krotoskd@hd01.nichd.nih .gov]. National Institute of Dental Research receipt date: January 10; James A. Lipton [301-594-2618; fax: 301-480-8318; e-mail: liptonj@de45.nidr.nih.gov]. National Institute of Diabetes Digestive & Kidney Disease receipt date: January 10; Judith Podskalny [301-594-8876; fax: 301-480-8300; e-mail: jp53s@nih.gov]. National Institute on Drug Abuse receipt dates: January 10, May 10, & September 10; Lucinda Miner [301-443-6071; fax: 301-443-6277; e-mail: cm171w@nih.gov]. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences receipt date: July 10; Dr. Michael Galvin [919-541-7825; fax: 919-541-2843; e-mail: galvin@niehs.nih.gov]. National Eye Institute receipt date: May 10; Maria Y. Giovanni [301-496-0484; fax: 301-402-0528; e-mail: myg@eps.nei.nih]. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute: receipt date: May 10; Mary Reilly [301-435-0222; fax: 301-480-3557; e-mail: Mary_Reilly@nih.gov]. National Institute of Mental Health receipt date: May 10; Walter Goldschmidts [301- 443-3563; fax: 301-443-1731; e-mail: wg8u@nih.gov]. National Center for Research Resources receipt date: January 10; Neal B. West [301-435-0749; fax: 301-480-3819; e-mail: nealw@ep.ncrr.nih.gov].
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AAALAC International (the Association for Assess-ment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) has opened a second office, in Brussels, Belgium, to provide evaluation and accreditation services to European institutions that use animals in research, teaching, or testing. The Brussels office will support AAALAC's two key programs: AAALAC Accreditation, and its new Program Status Evaluation service (see the January, 1998, issue of the LPN for their announcement and description of this service).
The long-standing AAALAC Accreditation program includes an extensive evaluation and peer review that provides a thorough, confidential assessment of an animal care and use program. Programs that meet or exceed AAALAC standards (which are based on national requirements and the principles outlined in the widely-recognized Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, published by the National Research Council, 1996) are awarded AAALAC Accreditation. More than 620 institutions in 10 countries have successfully completed the process of earning accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use.
A full range of information services will be provided through the Brussels office. Institutions seeking information and application packages for AAALAC Accreditation or Program Status Evaluation service can contact the office directly. Institutions already accredited can obtain the materials needed to maintain their accreditation. Contact AAALAC International, Ave de Tervueren 402, 1150 Brussels, Belgium [+32.2.761.66.78; fax: +32.2.761.66.79; e-mail: accredit_europe@aaalac.org; <www.aaalac.org>].
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En este segundo número de "la página" nos ha motivado conocer algo más del papel que representaban y aún representan los primates para las comunidades indígenas de las distintas regiones de latinoamérica. Sin duda para cada región existirán innumerables leyendas o historias que involucren a los primates como un elemento central de la vida cotidiana. Para la reflexión de este número, nos hemos permitido incluir un reporte sobre el papel de los monos en el México prehispánico, así como la letra de una canción de los indígenas Lacandones quienes aún habitan las selvas de Chiapas, en el sur de México. Esta canción básicamente hace referencia al respeto y al gusto que para los Lacandones implica el convivir con estos elementos de la fauna.....o mejor dicho de "Su Fauna"....esa que nosotros tan ansiosamente buscamos para estudiar. Seguimos esperando sus amables contribuciones para esta sección. Los Editores: Juan Carlos Serio Silva y Elva Mathiessen.. e-mail: serioju@sun.ieco.conacyt.mx
Los Monos en el México Prehispánico.
Los monos u Ozomatli eran muy apreciados en el seno de la sociedad prehispánica, se les quería y cuidaba como un miembro más de la familia. No se tienen noticias de prácticas de sacrificio de ninguna naturaleza; a Xochipilli, su gemelo, en la fiesta de las flores) se les ofrendaban flores de bellos colores, productos de la cosecha, alimentos y adornos de papel. En ella se cantaba y se bailaba, todo era alegría y no había sacrificios humanos o animales. En el calendario prehispánico, el onceavo día de cada mes (de 20 días) recibía el nombre de Ozomatli (mono). A todos los nacidos en ese día, se les consideraba "hombres alegres, truhanes, graciosos, representadores que dedicaban su vida a ello; tendrían muchos amigos, tendrían cabida entre reyes y señores, y si fuera mujer seria cantora, regocijada, graciosa y muy fácil de persuadir para cualquier cosa".
Los monos no tuvieron importancia dentro de la dieta (nunca se comieron, ni siquiera en forma de ritual). Morían por vejez o enfermedad. Ya muertos eran enterrados en vasijas o bien directamente en la tierra, con gran dolor de sus propietarios. Después de esto, el mono o bien segmentos corporales del mismo, eran muy apreciados por hechiceros, magos y mercaderes. Los cuerpos eran robados y mutilados. A los hechiceros y magos les importaban los brazos ya que con ellos aumentaban sus poderes hasta hacerse "invencibles".
A los mercaderes les interesaban las manitas, pues no salían a sus viajes sin llevar una de ellas, ya que éstas les traían fortuna en el camino para la adquisición demercancías, mientras que para los vendedores de "Pulque" (bebida fermentada tradicional) lo que les interesaba eran los pelos de la cabeza que, curados con dos chiles la noche anterior, propiciaban la buena venta del producto. Con base en lo anterior no es extraño el hallazgo en una de las últimas perforaciones llevadas a cabo en la periferia de Teotihuacan, de un fémur de mono como elemento central de la ofrenda de un entierro. -- Autor: Francisco García Orduña - Univ. Veracruzana, México - Tomado de "Monoticias"- Hablando de Monos- Noticias de la Primatología en México No. 3, 1996
Canción Lacandona sobre los Monos
(Lengua de los Lacandones)
Maxoh! Maxoh! - Papay k'äche' maxoh, - Maxoh, sinte `bät, - u k'ayil maxoh, - hihix uch, hihix ya'. Tan u tal maxoh liliche' - tan u tal maxoh. - Ts'ats !ah wäch' u tal maxoh. - Tu sina nahwits tan u man, ts'ats'a wäch' u man. - Maxoh'! Maxoh! Tan u man tu sina nahwits - Hihix onte'. U man Maxoh - Tan nuh hihix ya' - Tan nuh hihix uch. - Hun yal wits u tal u k'ay mahox - Hun yal hebän u tal lu k'ay Mahox!. - Ch'äkp'alen un p'okil hu'un u tal mahox. Muyal u tal u k'ay maxoh.
(Traducción al Español):
Oh, Monos! Oh Monos!, - Jala y jala las ramas del árbol, Oh Monos!.
Oh monos, estirados como granizo, la canción de los monos - azota y azota el zapote negro**, Azota y azota los chicozapotes**. -
Vienen los monos - sacudiendo los árboles. - Vienen los monos - Monda y monda guapaque** al andar -
Monos! Oh Monos!, Están andando, donde se extiende la sierra alta. - azota y azota el aguacate silvestre**.
Andan los monos - Están azota y azota el chicozapote**. - Están azota y azota el zapote negro** - de una cordillera viene - la canción de los monos - de una cañada viene su canción. -
Oh monos! - Cortando sus cintas de amate rojo** - vienen los monos - desde las nubes viene la canción de los monos. -- (Canción Lacandona de autor desconocido)
** Hace referencia a nombres comunes de árboles identificados como elementos de la dieta de estas especies de primates (Monos araña - Ateles geofforyi y Monos aulladores - Alouatta pigra).
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Photos on CD-ROM
Paul Flecknell and members of the British Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association (BLAVA) and of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists (AVA) have put together two collections of images on CD-ROM. They hope these will be the first in a series of CDs that will be of use to those who teach research workers, or to anyone needing some extra pictures for a seminar. The images are in jpeg format, saved at minimal compression (i.e., highest quality) at two resolutions: 1536 x 1024 and 3072 x 2048. The lower resolution is suitable for making 35 mm slides combining text and graphics, where the image is primarily a general illustration. For pointing out clinical detail, or enlarging one area of the image, the higher resolution is better. These also produce the best quality 35mm slides, if you simply wish to reproduce the original image on film. A sample slide produced this way is included with the CD. Some of the images can be viewed on the AVA Web site <www.mandm.ncl.ac.uk/MANDMWEB/AVA/vetanimages.html>.
The slide collection is somewhat eclectic, consisting of images accumulated over the years and used in teaching. The first CD, "Anaesthesia" (vols. 1 and 2 combined), consists of the images from the original BLAVA slide set and an additional 150 or so images (200 in all) of assorted anaesthetic topics, primarily dealing with small mammal anaesthesia, together with equipment, drugs, etc., and some large animal illustrations. The second CD, "Health and Welfare," includes the original BLAVA set plus another 100 or so images (200 in all), and provides a series of illustrations of animals with normal and abnormal clinical appearance.
If you have images to donate for future CDs, please send Dr. Flecknell 35 mm color slides, together with a brief description of the images -- in exchange you will get a discount on the price of any of the CDs in the collection.
The images on these discs have been contributed by a number of colleagues -- they are provided for your personal use for teaching anaesthesia or in your research seminars. The only restriction is that you do not use the images in any publications, or in any other image collections, without first contacting the original owner for permission -- the contributors are indicated on the print-out that accompanies the CDs. If necessary, you can contact any of the contributors through Dr. Flecknell, Comparative Biology Centre, Medical School, Framlington Place,Newcastle, UK, NE2 4HH [0191 222 6715; fax 0191 222 8688; e-mail: p.a.flecknell@newcastle.ac.uk].
If you have contributed slides, the cost is 20 pounds sterling (US$40) per disk, including packing and postage. If you have not contributed slides, the cost is 35 pounds sterling (US$70). The price covers costs of production and a small contribution toward buying a faster CD ROM writer. Each CD comes with a color printout (low resolution) of the images; a Filemaker pro database can also be provided if requested at the time of ordering. The CDs are readable by both MACs and PCs, as long as your Windows box (or MAC) has standard drivers loaded (for ISSO 9660, Multisession). Make checks payable to R. Flecknell (Paul's son), who is producing the discs, c/o the above address.
Book Bargains from CRC Press
In its "Winter Inventory Reduction Sale" catalog, CRC Press, 2000 Corporate Blvd, NW, Boca Raton, FL 33431-9868 [800-272-7737] offers A Primate Model for the Study of Colitis and Colonic Carcinoma: The Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), edited by N. K. Clapp in 1993, for $50. A large number of other books on medicine, biology, neuroscience, etc. are available at various discounts.
Collaboration in Malaria Research
Ananias Escalante writes: I am working on a comparative study of primate malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with Dr. Altaf A. Lal and Dr. W. Collins from the Division of Parasitic Diseases. Most of the molecular and immunologic research has been made on human parasites with limited attention to those parasites specific to primates, but primate parasites can provide critical information about the evolution of the genetic diversity of pathogens, and basic information about life history traits such as virulence and host specificity.
The interest of biomedical researchers has been complemented by the renewed interest of wildlife researchers and conservation biologists in the role played by parasites in nature. Contrary to the classical view that natural parasites will be selected to produce only mild or no effect on their hosts, a new trend has developed. Evolutionary biologists consider that traits of the host-parasite relationship, such as virulence and host range, are not attributes of the parasites or their hosts, but the result of the complex ecological and evolutionary interactions between them. Conservation efforts to protect wild populations of primates can benefit by obtaining basic molecular data about their parasites. Molecular information about primate parasites can provide tools for diagnosis that can facilitate epidemiological studies as part of conservation efforts for treated populations. It will provide basal information about parasites that might threaten animals in wildlife reserves under conditions of high density, or in fragmented habitat. It also may be important if vector populations change their geographic distribution due to global change or environmental intervention. Knowledge about the presence or absence of primate parasites is also critical in those cases where animals need to be relocated or reintroduced, because naive individuals may be exposed to parasites they never have faced before. These convergent interests of biomedical and wildlife researchers open a broad range of possibilities for collaboration.
I am looking for collaborators interested in participating in this project by collecting samples of parasites of the genus Plasmodium and related genera, such as Hepatocystis. Ideally, I would like to establish collaboration with people involved in conservation biology or basic biology of primates who may find it interesting and useful to understand the potential effect of primate malaria in wild populations, and to develop specific diagnostic tools for malaria in primates. Since blood samples are needed, this may be a limiting factor for those colleagues studying behavior. However, if primatologists are interested in the issue, we may find ways of bypassing this problem. I understand the inconvenience of taking blood samples from primates, so using those rare opportunities when it is ethically and technically possible is vital for the success of this project. I will appreciate any information that you can provide me; suggestions about colleagues who may be interested in these issues are welcome. I believe the results can be very interesting to those concerned with evolutionary studies, conservation biology, and public health. I can make arrangements based on specific interests of those researchers who answer this request. I will be happy to send more details. A protocol has been developed and will be sent to those colleagues interested in participating. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me at: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division Of Parasitic Diseases, Mail Stop F-12, 4770 Buford Hwy, Chamblee, GA 30341 USA [770-488-4030; fax: 770-488-4454; e-mail: abel@cdc.gov or aescalan@beryl.biotech.cdc.gov]. -- reprinted, with permission, from Asian Primates
Safety Videos
Ray Hamel, of the Audiovisual Service of the Wisconsin RPRC Library, reminds us that a number of videotapes that detail safe handling procedures are available on loan from their archive. Subjects include herpes-virus diseases in primates, handling and restraint of non-human primates, training monkeys for fecal and blood sample collection, catching individual monkeys living in captive groups, animal handling and restraint. If you wish to borrow any item(s), contact Ray Hamel, Primate Center Library, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI 53715 [608-263-3512; fax: 608-263-4031; e-mail: hamel@primate.wisc.edu]; or request an item through interlibrary loan at your local library. AV materials may be borrowed at the library without cost, but there are service fees for mailing. Materials circulate for a two-week period, including shipping time (28 days outside the US). They can be renewed for an additional two weeks if not requested by another user.
Mating Systems and Immunological Activity
Frode Skarstein has been collecting data for a comparative study on leucocyte values in various primate species. He wrote to Primate-Talk: "As some of you may know, theories of parasite-mediated sexual selection make clear predictions about how immunological activity should cause a sex difference and that this sex difference should vary across a gradient of sexual selection. I've finally found time to thoroughly analyze the data, and I feel that the dataset I've gathered is good. It contains sex-split data on 35 species of adult primates, and should cover more than what has been actually published. If you have data that you think I might be interested in, I'd still love to hear from you...I'm interested in data from both captive and wild-caught animals, as I've yet to actually find consistent differences between the two groups.
"Also, before I can finish the analysis, I need to know if anyone can help me with the mating system of three species for which I have hematology data: Aotus nancymai, Aotus vociferans, and Macaca tonkeana. (I realize that there may be some discussion regarding whether the two Aotus species are species at all. And an update on that would be good too.)" Contact Frode Skarstein, Department of Ecology/Zoology, IB, University of Tromso, 9037 Tromso, Norway [+ 47 77 64 45 27; fax: + 47 77 64 56 00; e-mail: frodes@ibg.uit.no].
Normative Birthweights of Pigtail Macaques
The Washington RPRC's Infant Primate Laboratory (IPRL) has developed a new Web page. It currently contains an electronic version of their Research Protocol and Technician's Manual and a prototype normative data page for birthweights of pigtail macaques.
The prototype page is an example of one type of archival data page that Jim Sackett hopes will be peer reviewed under the auspices of the American Journal of Primatology, with an abstract of the page appearing in print in the journal. Jim is asking for comments about the birthweight prototype. There is a unique feature allowing reader interaction. By inputting a birthweight for a male or female born under various housing conditions, the reader gets back the birthweight percentile from colony norms based on over 5000 live births. The page is found at <www.rprc.washington.edu/iprl/>.
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IPS 1997 Awards
The M. J. Galante Conservation Fellowship for 1997 was awarded to Ariel Rodriguez Vargas, of Panama, studying Wildlife Conservation and Management at Univ. Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. He has been working with Aotus and Saguinus in Costa Rica, and will do thesis work with S. oerstedi. The Galante Fellowship is an annual award given to a member of the International Primatological Society from a developing country, and provides around $2500 for training in conservation. The 1996 award was to Daoying Yan, of China.
The IJP Subscription Awards for 1997 were given to Mukesh Kumar Chalise, of Nepal, and Carmen Alonso, of Brazil. These awards provide a complimentary subscription to the International Journal of Primatology.
Galdikas, Goodall, and Schaller Share Tyler Prize
The 1997 Tyler Prize of $150,000, funded by the Alice C. Tyler Trust through the University of Southern California, was shared by Birute Galdikas, Jane Goodall, and the late George Schaller. Since 1973, the Tyler Prize has been the premier environmental science and leadership prize in the world.
Birute Galdikas Wins Indonesian Awards
Birute Galdikas, President of the Orangutan Foundation International, is the recipient of Indonesia's Kalpataru ("Hero of the Earth") Award. The Kalpataru Award is Indonesia's highest award for environmental leadership.
In recognition of her long-term dedication to Indonesia's wildlife, the Kalpataru Award was presented to Dr. Galdikas by His Excellency President Suharto of Indonesia, during ceremonies at the Presidential Palace in early June. Dr. Galdikas is the only Westerner ever to have been bestowed this prestigious national honor. Several other dedicated Indonesian environmentalists also received the award during the ceremonies.
Francine Patterson Is Kilby Foundation Laureate
The Gorilla Foundation is proud to announce that Dr. Francine G. (Penny) Patterson has been chosen as a 1997 Kilby Foundation Laureate. She was recognized during a November 8 ceremony in Dallas, TX. The Kilby International Awards honor Jack St. Clair Kilby, an inventor of the microchip. The awards recognize honorees' contributions to society and for their excellence in science, technology, innovation, invention and education.
Dr. Patterson was chosen as an award recipient in honor of her 25 years dedicated to the study of primate linguistic abilities. While a graduate student at Stanford University in 1972 she started her work with the then year-old Koko. -- Posted to Primate-Talk by Michael Sierchio
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Jo Fritz, of the Primate Foundation of Arizona, writes: "Judith - If you ever need a `filler' use this, - it is a very, very true story...."
Geronimo, adult male, had been temporarily separated from (placed adjacent to) his group because of excess (in our opinion) aggression. He had been given many enrichment devices - just in case he became bored. One of his favorites was a food-puzzle maze, a topless box with a pattern of ridges on the bottom. It is fastened to the cage mesh so that it slants slightly down toward the cage. It requires a twig to push, pull, and poke raisins or other small treats up to the cage mesh openings, where they can finally be fingered through to the mouth. Everyone thought Geronimo was exceptionally brilliant or extremely adept at using the maze, because the food treats disappeared so rapidly that the maze had to be filled several times daily. Other chimpanzees had taken all day to empty a maze once. Geronimo had rapidly learned to use the maze and made a great show of picking out the appropriate twig for "fishing" - the speed with which he emptied the maze was phenomenal.
Now, however, the mystery has been solved. As long as he is observed, he patiently works the raisins through the maze. Once all observers leave and he is certain he is alone (we peeked around the corner), he bangs the cage wire with his hand, causing raisins to jump up in the maze, over the little maze walls, and forward to the cage mesh. He continues this until all raisins are in the front of the maze and then in one scoop he has them all!
The joys of enriching the life of captive chimpanzees!
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Careers in Primatology
The Wisconsin RPRC has developed a Website called Careers in Primatology. Larry Jacobsen, the Center's Librarian, estimates that there are more than 5000 people worldwide involved in some aspect of primate conservation, education, research or veterinary medicine. The objective of the site is to provide realistic and encouraging advice to those seeking careers in primatology.
The Center is still planning to offer a series of videotaped interviews with primatologists (completed at IPS/ASP 1996) through the Audiovisual Archive. They will be listed on the Careers site.
Look at www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/careers.html . If you would like to help with its development, or have additional links to suggest, please contact Larry, 1223 Capitol Ct, Madison, WI 53715-1299 [608-263-3512; e-mail: jacobsen@primate.wisc.edu].
Internet Translation Capability
Digital Equipment Corporation announced on December 9 that a free translation service between English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian is available on Digital's AltaVista Search service.
"We are launching this technology as a global experiment and we invite our 12 million monthly users to test drive this breakthrough technology for the Web," said Louis Monier, director of technology for Digital's AltaVista Search service. "For the first time, users will be able to understand, in real-time, Web sites written in other languages. With 70 percent of the Web pages written in English, our technology provides access to a world of information to a greater population."
A test version of the technology that provides real-time language translation capabilities is now available at <babelfish.altavista.digital.com>. With a click of the mouse, users can instantly translate a search query, Web page, or section of text, such as an e-mail, by cutting and pasting the text. Users can also translate their own query and send the translation to the search engine. The technology works best when the text is grammatically correct and does not use too many idioms; however, users can usually understand the meaning of even a poorly written document.
More Accessible Web Sites
Neal Lane, Director of the National Science Foundation, writes, "The multimedia nature of the World Wide Web, which makes it so inviting to some, can create barriers for others. Some who use the Internet: Can't see graphics because of visual impairments. Can't hear audio because of hearing impairments. Have difficulty navigating sites because of limited mobility. Use slow connections and modems that can't download large files.
"Increasingly, NSF partners and grantees are creating Web sites to share information or publish research findings. We encourage this trend, as it is an economical, efficient method of disseminating information. However, we urge Web developers to use design principles that promote universal access so that all Internet users can get to the information they need, regardless of their disabilities or the limitations of their equipment and software.
"As a service to our grantee community, we have posted a set of resources about Web site accessibility at <www.nsf.gov/oirm/web/access.htm>. The resources include basic Web guidelines, Web accessibility guidelines, and links to places for more information. We strongly encourage our partners and grantees to review and make use of these resources.
Web Access via E-mail
As information is increasingly posted on the World Wide Web, there is
still a sizable community of Internet users with access only to e-mail.
Webmail servers are used to retrieve WWW pages via e-mail. By sending e-mail to
the servers below, you can retrieve documents from the specified web site.
Here are a few useful addresses:
getweb@unganisha.idrc.ca
webmail@www.ucc.ie
getweb@info.lanic.utexas.edu
w3mail@gmd.de
getweb@usa.healthnet.org
In the body of your message type ONLY: GET http://... (then the URL)
If you have direct Internet access, let others who are less fortunate use the e-mail servers. Try to limit your data transfers to one megabyte per day. Don't swamp the servers with many requests at a time. -- From a posting to tdr-scientists list
More Interesting Web Sites
* Ken Boschert (Washington University) reported on his CompMed list that GovBot, a new Web resource from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, has cataloged over 500,000 government Web pages and "has a decent search engine." He found around 2000 veterinary-related and 3000 animal-related pages referenced there: cobar.cs.umass.edu/ciirdemo/Govbot/
* The Chronicle of Higher Education: chronicle.com
* Darwinian Notions: www.chimp.com
* Haz-Map: An Occupational and Environmental Toxicology Database (includes some specific information on a Herpes B Virus Safety Program): www.haz-map.com/
* Maria Bocci's Observational Methods page: www.fpg.unc.edu/activities/cores/omc/omc.htm
*Chimp Haven: www.sfbr.org/ChimpHaven
* Annotated bibliography on environmental enrichment: www.animalwelfare.com/Lab_animals/biblio/
* Medical Geography Page: www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/7335/medical_geography.htm
* Universities Federation for Animal Welfare: www.users.dircon.co.uk/~ufaw3/
*Association for Veterinary Informatics Newsletter: netvet.wustl.edu/avi.htm
* Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing Newsletter: www.sph.jhu.edu/~altweb
* Review of potential primate zoonotic diseases: www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/zoonoses.txt
* GorillaLine: www.waypt.com/~gorillas/gorline.htm
* GorillaLine's completely unofficial gorilla stud book: www.waypt.com/~gorillas/gorline.htm
* GorillaLine bookstore: www.waypt.com/~gorillas/gorline.htm
* Links to on-line training materials, including interactive programs, texts, exams, and "how-to-do-it" programs: nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~iacuc/Training.htm
* Virtual Animal & Veterinary Sciences site: acuc.ag.uidaho.edu/vavs
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Linda Brent
Chimp Haven provides one solution to the current surplus chimpanzee dilemma. Chimp Haven, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide permanent homes for chimpanzees no longer needed in research, in entertainment, or as pets. Chimp Haven was founded and is directed by primatologists, veterinarians, and others with expertise in chimpanzee behavior and management. Due to the critical need for appropriate "retirement" facilities for research chimpanzees, the main objective of Chimp Haven is the construction and operation of a facility able to care for chimpanzees previously used in medical experiments. Plans for Chimp Haven include spacious, 1-2-acre outdoor enclosures with trees and grass, along with comfortable indoor dens. These enclosures will provide an opportunity to house chimpanzees in groups of 10-15, but smaller enclosures will also be available for individuals who do not do well in large groups. The facility will eventually be able to house 200 chimpanzees. Environmental enrichment and training programs will be emphasized, and noninvasive research with the goal of improving our knowledge of, and ability to care for, chimpanzees will be encouraged. Educational opportunities for students as well as the lay public are planned.
A site for Chimp Haven has recently been selected. It is a remote 330-acre piece of land covered with oak trees located just east of San Antonio, Texas. Fundraising efforts have begun in order to purchase this property and begin the first phase of construction. Donations are currently being accepted from private individuals as well as corporate sponsors.
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Author's address: Chimp Haven, Inc., P.O. Box 760081, San Antonio, TX 78245; or contact Linda Brent, PhD [210-645-3402; e-mail: lbrent@icarus.sfbr.org]. The Chimp Haven Web site is <www.sfbr.org/ChimpHaven>.
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Visiting Arizona
The Editor, Copy Editor, and our Educational Materials Editor (Paul Wilde) were in Arizona this February, and were warmly (if damply) welcomed by Jo Fritz and the staff of the Primate Foundation of Arizona. We enjoyed an educational tour of the facility, seeing a number of the chimpanzees who were in outdoor cages. The animals are being kept in social groups which have been organized so that the probability of pregnancy is minimal.
We also visited Irene Pepperberg's parrot cognition laboratory at the University of Arizona. Alex, her most famous bird, perched on our hand and preened. We also met Irene's two younger African Grey parrots, Kyaaro and Griffin.
Oops!
Our printer sends his apologies for somehow managing to print pages 4 and 41 upside down in some copies of the last issue. We apologize for not noticing until after we had mailed it out. All we can do is hope that you didn't mind too much having to invert the issue to read those pages. All of the issues we still have on hand are "bad" ones.
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The Royal Society will sponsor Supradarwinian Modes of Evolution, 22-23 April, 1998, in London. Contact Science Promotion Section, The Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG, UK [<britac3.britac.ac.uk/rs/>].
An American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Forum, "Bioethics and the Use of Laboratory Animals -- Ethics in Theory and Practice," will be held 3-6 May, 1998 at the Pheasant Run Resort and Conference Center, St. Charles, IL. Contact Dr. Charles McPherson, ACLAM Executive Director, 200 Summerwinds Drive, Cary, NC 27511 [fax: 919-851-3126; e-mail: cwmaclam@aol.com].
The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care Program plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the animal welfare program and initiatives. The public meeting will be held at the USDA Conference Center in Riverdale, MD, Tuesday, May 12. Registration will take place from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. The meeting will begin immediately after registration and end at 5 p.m. For more information contact W. Ron DeHaven, Acting Deputy Administrator, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Rd, Unit 81, Riverdale, MD 20737 [301-734-4981; fax: 301-734-4328].
An International Conference on Social Networks (Joint 5th European and 18th Sunbelt) will be held 28-31 May, 1998, at the Gran Sitges Hotel, Sitges, Spain (near Barcelona). This conference will be an interdisciplinary forum for social scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, ethologists, and all others interested in social networks [<www.heinz.cmu.edu/project/INSNA/>].
An Electronic Media and Applications Conference, jointly sponsored by the NIH's Office for Protection from Research
