Grooming and coalitions in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata): Partner choice and the time frame reciprocation.

Evidence of a reciprocal exchange of grooming and agonistic support in primates is mixed. In this study, the authors analyzed a large database of grooming and coalitions in captive female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to investigate their within-group distribution and temporal relations. Macaques groomed preferentially those individuals that groomed them most and supported preferentially those individuals that supported them most. They also supported preferentially those individuals that groomed them most and groomed preferentially those individuals that supported them most. These results were not explained by covariation of grooming and support with third variables such as kinship, rank, or time spent in proximity. However, receiving grooming did not increase the short-term probability of supporting a partner, and being supported did not increase the short-term probability of grooming a partner. The proximate mechanisms underlying the exchange of services were discussed in relation to the time frame of the behavioral choices made by the monkeys. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral and Emotional Response of Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata) Mothers After Their Offspring Receive an Aggression.

The authors of this study investigated the behavioral and emotional response of female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to an aggression received by their offspring to evaluate the existence of cognitive empathic responses in a naturalistic setting. After their offspring received an aggression, mothers did not direct increased affiliative contacts to them. The factors likely to affect the degree of distress in the offspring or the perceived risk for the mother failed to appropriately modulate maternal behavior. Finally, mothers did not increase their frequency of scratching (a behavioral indicator of anxiety) after their offspring had received an aggression. The results suggest Japanese macaque mothers may be unable to understand their offspring's need for distress alleviation after the receipt of aggression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modelling primary recrystallization and grain growth in a low nickel austenitic stainless steel

This paper deals with the recrystallization and grain growth processes of a low nickel stainless steel. Samples of steel sheets with various cold rolling degrees were annealed at different temperatures and the recrystallization and grain growth kinetics have been studied. The grain size of the samples has been determined via automatic image analysis and transformed to 3-D values according to the Saltykov model. The experimental data have been analysed according to a modified model developed using the statistical approach by Abbruzzese and Lucke for the grain growth. This approach supplies a unified equation describing at the same time primary recrystallization and grain growth. The values of the dislocation density obtained from the comparison of theoretical predictions and experimental data of the grain mean radius are properly correlated to the mechanical properties of the steel.