Impacts of decreased female fidelity on male behavior and stress physiology in feral horses: Implications for contraception management

While the behavioral and physiological effects of immunocontraception have been studied extensively in various species, the potential consequences for non-target animals have received less attention. We explored this issue in a population of feral horses on Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, USA that has been managed using the immunocontraceptive agent porcine zona pellucida (PZP). On Shackleford, mares previously treated with PZP change groups more often than untreated mares, disrupting the social stability within this population. We explored how this decreased female fidelity affects the behavior and physiology of stallions. We used behavioral observations to assess whether stallions experiencing varying rates of female turnover engaged in different rates of male-male contests, rates of aggressive or reproductive behaviors exhibited toward females, and/or time spent vigilant. We found that stallions experiencing higher rates of female turnover engaged in more frequent and more highly escalated contests and spent more time vigilant. To further explore the consequences of decreased female fidelity for male behavior in a more controlled context, we conducted a playback experiment to assess stallion responsiveness to signals from rivals. We played squeals (aggressive male vocalizations) and controls (men reciting, “hello, horse”) to all stallions and recorded all responses. Males spent more time vigilant and were more likely to approach the speaker following squeals than control trials, suggesting that squeal playbacks served their intended purpose by eliciting responses more typical of encounters between rival males. Furthermore, males exhibited heightened responsiveness to squeals during and after female group changes compared to before they experienced any group changes. Finally, we examined the effect of female turnover on male stress levels by assessing fecal cortisol levels and found that males experiencing higher turnover rates exhibited higher cortisol levels. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that increased female turnover leads to increases in male-male aggression, vigilance, and cortisol levels. As females previously treated with PZP change groups more often, stallions associating with these females are more likely to exhibit these changes in behavior and stress physiology. Such consequences of immunocontraception management for non-target animals are important to consider if maintaining animal welfare and naturally functioning populations is a management goal

Mansfield CT: Planning a New Village Center

The case follows the development of a plan for a new village center in Storrs, the central village of Mansfield, Connecticut. A process that was transparent and inclusive of the community members yielded a plan that gained the approval of the Town, the landowner (the University of Connecticut), and the citizenry. The process relied on the mending of fences, the leadership of key participants, and an innovative strategy that included development of a nonprofit corporation and creative use of grant money. While zoning changes are still in the works, the first stage of building goes forward

South Kingstown RI: New Zoning for an Historic Mill

The village of Peace Dale in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, developed around several mills that commenced operations in the 1800s. One mill, known as the Palisades, is still partially active and in excellent condition, but much of its square footage is unutilized. A citizens’ group of artists and business people joined with the mill owners and the town of South Kingstown to develop new zoning regulations to make more flexible the permitted uses for the mill site. The proposed zoning will allow the mill complex to feature a mix of retail, residential, and manufacturing uses, while preserving the exterior of the mill buildings and protecting the river nearby. The narrative describes the public process that led to the development of the proposed new zoning

The Logic Behind Logic Models: A Brief Guide

This brief describes the purpose, components, and variations of basic logic models for use in program design/planning, strategic planning, program monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder communications

Rooney

Born to an Irish Catholic working-class family on the Northside of Pittsburgh, Art Rooney (1901–88) dabbled in semipro baseball and boxing before discovering that his real talent lay not in playing sports but in promoting them. Though he was at the center of boxing, baseball, and racing in Pittsburgh and beyond, Rooney is best remembered for his contribution to the NFL, in particular to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team he founded in 1933. As Rooney led the team in the early years, he came to be known as football’s greatest loser; his influence, however, was instrumental in making the NFL the best-run league in American pro sports. The authors show how Rooney saw professional football—and the Steelers—through the Depression, World War II, the ascension of TV, and the development of the NFL. The book also follows him through the Steelers’ dynasty years under Rooney’s sons, with four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s alone. The first authoritative look at one of the most iconic figures in the history of the NFL, this book is both a critical chapter in the story of football in America and a thoroughly engaging in-depth introduction to a character unlike any other in the annals of American sports