Absence Of Feces Research Articles

173 Assessing the impact of fiber and antioxidant supplementation during the periparturient period on gilt constipation, piglet viability, and body condition score

Abstract Fiber supplementation during the periparturient and lactation period is increasingly recognized for its potential to improve sow and litter performance. Yucca saponins and vitamin C have been shown to improve antioxidant status, reduce hypoxia and increase farrowing performance, but their interaction with fiber remains uncharted. The experimental objective was to evaluate fiber supplementation and its combination with yucca and vitamin C during the periparturient period of gilts on constipation status, body condition score, and farrowing performance. A total of 567 gilts were allotted to a randomized complete block design distributed across six farrowing rooms to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (n = 189/treatment). A subset of gilts from one farrowing room (n = 32/treatment) were selected for fecal sample collection. Dietary treatments included a control top dress targeting a daily intake of 277 g of total dietary fiber (TDF) using ground corn (CON); a top dress consisting of wheat middlings, beet pulp, soy hulls, rice hulls, ground corn, and a stimbiotic (Signis, AB Vista) targeting an intake of 440 g of TDF per d with 40 g being soluble fiber (FIB); and FIB with 680 mg of vitamin C and 2,500 mg of yucca (PLUS). A total of 454 g of the respective top dress was provided on top of lactation diet for a minimum of 3 d pre-farrow, and throughout lactation. Litter performance was collected throughout lactation. A daily constipation score (DCS) was assessed using a five-point scale from study initiation until 3 d post farrowing: 0 = absence of feces, 1 = dry and pellet shaped, 2 = between normal and dry, 3 = normal, soft, but formed, and 4 = wet, not firm. Caliper score (CS) was measured at loading and weaning employing a four-point caliper system: 0 = very thin, 1 = thin, 2 = ideal, and 3 = over conditioned. Litter viability was evaluated at 24- and 72-h post-farrowing using a predefined scale. Categorical data was analyzed using odd logistic regression with a model considering treatment and block as fixed effects. By d 3 of supplementation, there was a greater proportion of gilts fed FIB or PLUS, who had a DCS of 2 or 3 (P < 0.05). Overall, when DCS was categorized as either constipated (0, 1) and not constipated (2, 3, 4), there were less incidences of constipation in FIB or PLUS treatments (P = 0.032). Treatment did not impact litter viability (24-h P = 0.917; 72-h P = 0.882). Similarly, CS distribution pre-farrowing and at weaning did not differ among treatments (P > 0.52). Gilts fed FIB and PLUS tended to wean more pigs per sow (86.9%, 88.6%, and 89.8% of pigs weaned for CON, FIB, and PLUS, respectively, P = 0.093), associated with reduced stillborn rate (P = 0.09) and pre-weaning mortality (P = 0.03). Collectively, increasing TDF during the periparturient and lactation period may aid in alleviating constipation and improve litter performance.

The plasticity of metamorphic traits in the Chinese brown frog tadpoles fails to obey Richards' hypothesis

According to Richards' hypothesis, algae or cells in the intestinal tract has been considered the cellular inhibitory factor, when they fall off and hide in the faeces, excreted together with the faeces. If the animals feed on these faeces with algae or cells, and bring them into their systems, then the cellular inhibitory factor would play the main responsibility for growth inhibition. Here, we surveyed the effects of different combinations of faeces and food level on growth rates, survivorship, larval age and mass, and SVL at metamorphosis of the Chinese brown frog Rana chensinensis. Our results showed that food level can influence the length of the larval period of Chinese brown frog tadpoles, suggesting that delayed metamorphosis is caused by low food supply, indicative of a function of effective energy. Our data also clearly indicated that tadpoles in the presence of faeces were on average larger in body mass than those in the absence of faeces, which failed to obey Richards' hypothesis. Moreover, our results found evidence that faeces have a positive effect on the growth rate of tadpoles. Thus, there is no evidence for Richards' hypothesis, suggesting that this novel mechanism is selected for where coprophagy is likely to prove profitable, irrespective of the abundance of alternative food. Keywords: Rana chensinensis, Richards' hypothesis, faecal material, mass at metamorphosis, growth rate

Specialized acquisition behaviors maintain reliable environmental transmission in an insect-microbial mutualism.

Understanding how horizontally transmitted mutualisms are maintained is a major focus of symbiosis research.1,2,3,4 Unlike vertical transmission, hosts that rely on horizontal transmission produce symbiont-free offspring that must find and acquire their beneficial microbes from the environment. This transmission strategy is inherently risky since hosts may not obtain the right symbiont every generation. Despite these potential costs, horizontal transmission underlies stable mutualisms involving a large diversity of both plants and animals.5,6,7,8,9 One largely unexplored way horizontal transmission is maintained is for hosts to evolve sophisticated mechanisms to consistently find and acquire specific symbionts from the environment. Here, we examine this possibility in the squash bug Anasa tristis, an insect pest that requires bacterial symbionts in the genus Caballeronia10 for survival and development.11 We conduct a series of behavioral and transmission experiments that track strain-level transmission invivo among individuals in real-time. We demonstrate that nymphs can accurately find feces from adult bugs in both the presence and absence of those adults. Once nymphs locate the feces, they deploy feeding behavior that results in nearly perfect symbiont acquisition success. We further demonstrate that nymphs can locate and feed on isolated, cultured symbionts in the absence of feces. Finally, we show this acquisition behavior is highly host specific. Taken together, our data describe not only the evolution of a reliable horizontal transmission strategy, but also a potential mechanism that drives patterns of species-specific microbial communities among closely related, sympatric host species.

NEOICHNOLOGY OF ARMADILLOS: KEYS FOR THE PALEOECOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL INTERPRETATION OF FOSSIL TETRAPOD BURROWS

ABSTRACTThis study is based on the analysis of burrow casts of three species of armadillos from central Argentina: Chaetophractus villosus, Chaetophractus vellerosus, and Zaedyus pichiy (Chlamyphoridae: Euphractinae). The aim of this work was to identify key ichnologic signatures of Euphractinae armadillo burrows for application to the paleoecological and behavioral interpretation of fossil examples. A total of 15 active burrows from different biogeographic provinces were casted with polyurethane foam and then excavated. About two hundred uncasted burrows and foraging pits were also measured at the same localities. Euphractinae burrows are clearly distinguished from Chlamyphorinae burrows by its filling, surface ornamentation, and size. It is suggested that fossil armadillo (Euphractinae) burrows would be characterized by a single ramp with one entrance and massive or laminated fill, horizontal diameter larger than 100 mm, strongly marked sets of three claw traces that are arranged oblique to the ramp axis, and absence of feces or plant remains. The distinctive surface ornamentation present in the casted burrows is tentatively linked to a particular excavation mechanism involving rotation of the body along the antero-posterior axis. Burrow systems with a chamber are interpreted as permanent burrows, whereas those lacking chamber are considered as temporary/shelter burrows. Armadillo burrow systems (either temporary or permanent) are longer, less inclined, and have lower relative diameter indices (RDI) than armadillo foraging pits. Euphractinae burrows are linked to producers with solitary, fossorial, opportunistic omnivorous habits that excavate several burrows during their lives. They are left open after abandonment, and preferably located in xeric shrub lands and grasslands. The described morphological features of the burrows systems can be useful for the interpretation of fossil (post-Eocene) burrows.

Diagnosis and management of segmental volvulus of the jejunoileum in a first lactation Flekvieh heifer

AbstractA three‐year‐old first lactation Flekvieh heifer was presented with sudden milk drop, anorexia and absence of faeces in the rectum after being perceived as fit and healthy the day before. Following medical treatment and close monitoring, an exploratory laparotomy was performed and a segmental volvulus of part of the small intestine was identified. Successful treatment involved relieving the intestinal distension and untwisting the intestine. This case was interesting as the cow showed minimal outward signs of discomfort and cardiovascular compromise with intestinal volvulus.

Risk of rectal puncture due to needle entry into the presacral space

During ganglion impar block, the needle may approach the presacral space and the sacrum may be penetrated during caudal anesthesia. Because the rectum is in front of the sacrococcyx and is thus at risk for puncture, it is important to determine the distance between the sacrococcyx and rectum, as well as the thickness of the sacrococcyx.Computed tomography was used to measure the distance between the rectum and sacrococcyx, as well as the thickness of the sacrococcyx. The distances between the coccyx and rectum, sacrococcygeal joint and rectum, sacral level 5 (‘sacrum 5’) and rectum, and ‘sacrum 4 to 5 junction’ and rectum were measured. The results were compared based on the presence or absence of stools in the rectum. The thickness of the sacrococcyx was measured at the sacrum 4 to 5 junction and sacrococcygeal joint.In total, 1264 patients were included in this study. All distances were less than 1 mm in both males and females, with the exception of the distance between the coccyx and rectum in males. In both males and females, there was no significant difference in distance between the sacrococcyx and rectum according to the presence or absence of feces in the rectum, but there was a difference in the distance between sacrum 5 and the rectum in males (P = .048). Several male and female patients showed thicknesses of less than 5 mm at the sacrococcygeal joint.Some patients have a distance of less than 1 mm between the sacrum and rectum. Practitioners should exercise caution when applying a needle to the presacral space. If the sacrum is accidentally penetrated during caudal block, rectum puncture cannot be ruled out. Excretion of feces does not influence the distance between the sacrococcyx and rectum in females.

Deep learning-based classification of rectal fecal retention and analysis of fecal properties using ultrasound images in older adult patients.

The present study aimed to analyze the use of machine learning in ultrasound (US)-based fecal retention assessment. The accuracy of deep learning techniques and conventional US methods for the evaluation of fecal properties was compared. The presence or absence of rectal feces was analyzed in 42 patients. Eleven patients without rectal fecal retention on US images were excluded from the analysis; thus, fecal properties were analyzed in 31 patients. Deep learning was used to classify the transverse US images into three types: absence of feces, hyperechoic area, and strong hyperechoic area in the rectum. Of the 42 patients, 31 tested positive for the presence of rectal feces, zero were false positive, zero were false negative, and 11 were negative, indicating a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% for the detection of rectal feces in the rectum. Of the 31 positive patients, 14 had hard stools and 17 had other types. Hard stool was detected by US findings in 100% of the patients (14/14), whereas deep learning-based classification detected hard stool in 85.7% of the patients (12/14). Other stool types were detected by US findings in 88.2% of the patients (15/17), while deep learning-based classification also detected other stool types in 88.2% of the patients (15/17). The results showed that US findings and deep learning-based classification can detect rectal fecal retention in older adult patients and distinguish between the types of fecal retention.

Island-wide Distribution of Japanese Macaques in Yakushima Revealed by Census Targeting Feces on Roads in 2017-2018

We studied the island-wide distribution of wild Japanese macaques in Yakushima (Macaca fuscata yakui) in May 2017 and 2018. We walked 165.4 km along roads and recorded the location of 842 macaque feces. We divided the roads into segments 50 m in length (N=3308) and analyzed the effect of the areas of farms and villages or conifer plantations around the segments and also the presence of hunting for pest control on the presence or absence of feces. We divided the island into three areas based on population trend changes over the past two decades: north and east (hunting present, population decreasing); south (hunting present, no change) and west (hunting absent, no change). According to conditional autoregressive models incorporating spatial autocorrelation, only farms and villages affected the presence of feces negatively in the island-wide data set. The effect of hunting on the presence of feces was present only in the north and east and the effect of conifer plantations was present only in the west. Qualitative comparisons of the census records from the 1990s with the more recent census indicated that feces were no longer found in the private land near the northern villages of Yakushima, where macaques were previously often detected in the 1990s. In other areas, such as near the southern villages or in the highlands, macaques were detected both in the 1990s and in 2017-2018. Our results further strengthen the possibility that the macaques have largely disappeared around the villages in the northern and eastern areas. Since the damage of crops by macaques has recently reduced considerably, we recommend reducing hunting pressure in the north and east areas and putting more effort into alternative measures such as the use of electric fences.

Intraluminal flexible sheath for the protection of low anastomosis after anterior resection: results from a First-In-Human trial on 15 patients.

Defunctioning ostomy is commonly used to protect patients from anastomotic leakage complications after low anterior resection, but is fraught with its own deleterious effects. This first-in-human study examines the safety and preliminary efficacy of Colovac, an anastomosis protection device. The Colovac consists of a flexible bypass sheath, placed in the lumen of colon and anchored above the anastomosis using a vacuum stent. 15 patients underwent anterior resection (AR) with anastomosis protection by Colovac at 3 European centers. After 14days, the anastomosis integrity was examined by CT scan and endoscopy. The device was then endoscopically removed. Data regarding demographics, surgical details, 30day post-operative complications, and patient satisfaction were collected prospectively. 15 patients (10 male) underwent laparoscopic AR with Colovac placement. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy was administered to 54% of patients. Device placement was uneventful in all patients with a median duration of 7min and placement was judged as easy or very easy in 93% of the cases. Patients did not report major discomfort during the 14days. Endoscopic removal (10min) was judged as easy or very easy in 87% of the cases. Absence of feces below the Colovac anchoring site was observed in 100% of the cases. 4 anastomotic leakages were observed (including 3 device migrations). Overall 5 patients (33%) required a planned stoma creation. At 3months, 1 had already been closed. Colovac provides a minimally invasive protection of the anastomosis during the healing process by avoiding the need for a diverting ostomy for two-thirds of patients who will not experience anastomotic complications and allowing safe conversion to the standard of care for patients requiring extended anastomotic protection. A larger study is ongoing to confirm these results.

Clinical and Ultrasonographic examinations in cattle with empty rectum

Ultrasonography helps in early diagnosis of large animal digestive disorders especially in cattle with empty rectum and also to initiate early therapeutic and surgical management. The study was undertaken to elicit GI disturbances in cattle at TVCC, VCRI, Orathanadu during 2015-16. Animals with history of absence of feces and or empty rectum were selected for this study. In total twenty nine cattle were found to be affected with various GI disorders. The incidence of GI disturbances was more (65.52 %) in cross bred Jersey cow. The common clinical signs were absence of feces (65.52 %), anorexia (58.62 %), scant/tarry/mucous coated foul smelling feces (34.48 %), arched back (24.14 %) and abdominal distention (24.14 %). All selected 29 animals were subjected to abdominal ultrasonography which revealed peritonitis (31.03 %), paralytic ileus with peritonitis and pericarditis in each 10.34 %, uroabdomen, intussusceptions, caecal dilatation, abomasal dilatation and peritonitis with intussusceptions in each 6.90 % and diaphragmatic hernia, reticular abscess, omasal impaction and peritonitis with pericarditis in each 3.45 %. Based on this study, clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were found to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of GI disorders of cattle with empty rectum.

The effectiveness of Payments for Ecosystem Services at delivering improvements in water quality: lessons for experiments at the landscape scale.

BackgroundRandomised Control Trials (RCTs) are used in impact evaluation in a range of fields. However, despite calls for their greater use in environmental management, their use to evaluate landscape scale interventions remains rare. Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) incentivise land users to manage land to provide environmental benefits. We present the first RCT evaluation of a PES program aiming to improve water quality. Watershared is a program which incentivises landowners to avoid deforestation and exclude cattle from riparian forests. Using this unusual landscape-scale experiment we explore the efficacy of Watershared at improving water quality, and draw lessons for future RCT evaluations of landscape-scale environmental management interventions.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-nine communities in the Bolivian Andes were randomly allocated to treatment (offered Watershared agreements) or control (not offered agreements) following baseline data collection (including Escherichia coli contamination in most communities) in 2010. We collected end-line data in 2015. Using our end-line data, we explored the extent to which variables associated with the intervention (e.g. cattle exclusion, absence of faeces) predict water quality locally. We then investigated the efficacy of the intervention at improving water quality at the landscape scale using the RCT. This analysis was done in two ways; for the subset of communities for which we have both baseline and end-line data from identical locations we used difference-in-differences (matching on baseline water quality), for all sites we compared control and treatment at end-line controlling for selected predictors of water quality.ResultsThe presence of cattle faeces in water adversely affected water quality suggesting excluding cattle has a positive impact on water quality locally. However, both the matched difference-in-differences analysis and the comparison between treatment and control communities at end-line suggested Watershared was not effective at reducing E. coli contamination at the landscape scale. Uptake of Watershared agreements was very low and the most important land from a water quality perspective (land around water intakes) was seldom enrolled.DiscussionAlthough excluding cattle may have a positive local impact on water quality, higher uptake and better targeting would be required to achieve a significant impact on the quality of water consumed in the communities. Although RCTs potentially have an important role to play in building the evidence base for approaches such as PES, they are far from straightforward to implement. In this case, the randomised trial was not central to concluding that Watershared had not produced a landscape scale impact. We suggest that this RCT provides valuable lessons for future use of randomised experiments to evaluate landscape-scale environmental management interventions.

Effects of litter feeders on the transfer of 137Cs to plants

The effects of the Japanese horned beetle larvae on the transfer of 137Cs from a contaminated leaf litter to the leaf vegetable, komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) was studied. Feces of the larvae which were fed 137Cs-contaminated leaf litter were added to a potting mix in which komatsuna plants were cultivated. The presence of feces increased the harvest yield of komatsuna, suggesting that feces provided nutrients for the plant growth. In addition, the amount of exchangeable 137Cs in leaf litter was experimentally confirmed to be enhanced by the presence of feces which were excreted by larvae feeding. However, there was no difference in the soil-to-plant transfer factor of 137Cs for the presence and absence of feces. Interactions between clay minerals and exchangeable 137Cs in the soil beneath the litter layer may diminish the root uptake of 137Cs. From these results, it was concluded that the effect of exchangeable 137Cs released from feces was limited for the transfer of 137Cs to plants if plant roots were not present in litter layers.

Unusual Presentation of Celiac Disease in a Toddler from a Pediatric Surgery Unit

Celiac disease is an intestinal autoimmune disease induced by the ingestion of gluten proteins (wheat, rye, barley) in genetically susceptible individuals. Celiac disease can present with gastrointestinal or extraintestinal manifestations (malabsorbtion, diarrhea, constipation, liver, skin or bones disorders). We present the case of a 14-months-old girl admitted for altered general condition and symptoms of intestinal occlusion (severe abdominal pain, absence of feces, abdominal distension), with associated severe malnutrition. History revealed chronic diarrhea and a lactose intolerance diagnosed 3 months prior to admission. The biochemical and imaging investigations excluded any acute surgical pathology. The serological tests showed high values of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. The intestinal biopsy confirmed celiac disease. In children with suspicion of intestinal obstruction associated with a history of diarrhea or constipation and failure to thrive, testing for celiac disease should be considered.

고라니(Hydropotes inermis)의 분변이 습지 토양의 CO<sub>2</sub> flux에 미치는 영향

토양으로부터 방출되는 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>의 양은 전 지구적 지구 탄소 순환에서 가장 큰 방출 중 하나로 알려져 있다. 특히 토양 내 미생물의 유기물질 분해 과정에 의해 방출되는 이산화탄소의 양은 토양의 탄소 저장량을 장기적으로 결정하는 요인이 되므로 그 양을 정량화 하는 것이 필요하다. 본 연구는 토양에서 고라니의 분변이 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 배출에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위해 수행하였다. 그리고 고라니의 분변이 토양의 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 배출에 주는 영향과 토지의 이용에 따라 변화하는 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> flux를 정량화 하였다. 그 결과 고라니 분변 내 많은 유기물질은 토양 미생물의 활성화에 영향을 주고 그로 인해 토양의 호흡 및 토양 내 물리 화학적인 변화가 발생되어 토양의 유기물 함량이 서로 다르게 나타남을 확인할 수 있었다. 특히 4개 지역의 토양(경작지, 휴경지, 버드나무 군락, 갈대습지)의 C/N ratio와 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> flux는 분변의 유무와 통계적으로 매우 유의미한 상관 관계를 나타냈으며(P<0.01), 분변의 영향을 받은 토양의 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> flux는 분변의 영향을 받지 않은 토양보다 2-20배 더 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이 연구는 고라니의 분변이 토양에 주는 영향과 야생동물 분변을 이용한 토양 물질 순환 연구를 통해 육상 생태계 및 토양권의 물질 순환과 그 영향의 정도를 정량화 하였다는 점에서 큰 의의가 있는 연구이다. The total global emission of <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> from soils is recognized as one of the largest fluxes in the global carbon cycle. Especially it is necessary to quantify the amount of <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> emitted by the organic material decomposition processes of microorganisms in the soil, because it becomes one of a factor for determining the carbon stocks in the soil. This study was conducted to estimate the impact of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes inermis)' feces to the soil organic matter. Also, effects of Korean water deer' feces on <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> emissions of soil and land use pattern dependent <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> flux quantification are studied. The organic materials in the Korean water deer' feces significantly changed organic matter content of soil and influenced the activity of soil microorganisms, both changing of respiration of the soil and physical chemical components in soil. In particular, C/N ratio and the <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> flux of soil of four regions (Rice paddy, Fallow ground, Salix koreensis community, Phragmites australis community) showed a statistically highly significant correlation (P<0.01) with the presence or absence of feces. <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> flux of soil affected by the feces was 2-20 times higher than the soil unaffected by the feces. This study has great significance to quantify the extent of the material circulation and its impact to the terrestrial ecosystem and soil zone throughout Korean water deer' feces. Feces of wildlife can affect soil and soil material circulation.

Obstructie van de dunne darm door Toxocara vitulorum bij een kalf

Een Belgisch witblauw stierkalf van één maand oud werd aangeboden in de kliniek van de Faculteit Diergeneeskunde (UGent) vanwege plotseling optredende koliek. Het dier vertoonde kolieksymptomen, dilatatie van de beide rechterkwadranten van het abdomen, afwezigheid van mest en de aanwezigheid van klots- en pinggeluiden op auscultatie van de rechterzijde. Op het abdominale echografische onderzoek waren gedilateerde, contractiele dunne darmen zichtbaar met een verdikte wand. Bij de exploratieve laparotomie werd een volledige obstructie door volwassen Toxocara vitulorum wormen van het duodenum tot halfweg het jejunum gediagnostiseerd. Ter hoogte van het punctum maximum van de obstructie werd een deel van de ascariden verwijderd via enterotomie. Na ontworming met doramectine werden de volgende dagen ascariden gevonden in de mest van het dier. In tegenstelling tot ascarideninfecties bij pups, biggen en veulens, werd een obstructie door T. vitulorum bij kalveren volgens de auteurs nog niet eerder beschreven.

Persistence of Eimeria bovis in soil

Eimeriosis is a disease that occurs globally and often affects cattle grazing on pastures contaminated with oocysts of the pathogenic species Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii or Eimeria alabamensis, respectively. Nonetheless, little is understood regarding oocyst persistence on the pasture. The study was performed in the temperate climate zone. Soil samples were spiked with 100,000 E. bovis oocysts in July 2010 or with 50,000 oocysts in October 2010, respectively, both either with our without addition of cattle faeces. The soil samples were exposed to natural environmental conditions until April 2011. A subset of the samples was analysed immediately after spiking as positive control. The oocysts were recovered by a flotation method and counted in a reading chamber. On average, 23 % of the oocysts could be recovered from the positive control. The recovery of oocysts dropped to 0.30 % of the original level in the samples prepared in July independent of the addition of faeces, whereas the oocyst count was higher in the samples prepared in October, both without (2.05 %) and with (2.64 %) faecal material. No differences were observed between presence of oocysts or oocyst counts recovered in the presence or absence of faeces. Presence of faeces had a positive influence on oocyst integrity. During the winter season, the number of oocysts in the soil was lowered under the detection limit in most samples. On the other hand, the comparatively short 3-month summer period had a significant influence on the number of persisting oocysts too.

The Wife of Bath's Urinary Imagination

The Wife of Bath's Prologue contains more references to urine than any other text produced by Geoffrey Chaucer. It is not, however, Chaucer's most scatological or disgusting work: while it abounds in urine, it makes no mention of feces. This essay examines how a surplus of urine in the absence of fecal matter affects the tone of the Wife's prologue. Chaucer associates the Wife of Bath with urine because antifeminist traditions often represented females as liquid, dripping creatures and because urine functioned as a deceptive medical signifier. The urine in her prologue thus makes the Wife vulnerable to a misogynistic interpretation. But fecal matter is better suited to aggressive satire than urine. The absence of feces in the Wife's urinary discourse preserves the lighthearted tone of the prologue: rather than becoming the object of satiric scorn, the Wife reposes as devious caricature who teasingly reveals the absurdity of misogynistic paranoia. In order to establish the different rhetorical effects of urine and feces, this essay ponders scatological moments in a variety of medieval works: Jerome's Adversus Jovinianum, Chrétien de Troyes's Cligès, and The Towneley Plays among others.

Habitat relations of Rhea americana in an agroecosystem of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

The maintenance of wild populations of Greater Rhea ( Rhea americana) through effective management requires an understanding of their habitat requirements in terms of vegetation composition and field configuration. We studied the relative influence of some anthropogenic variables (presence of route, house and fences) and resource variables (presence of water source, composition and coverage of plant species, vegetation height and bare soil), on the habitat use by a population of rheas in a cattle ranch of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Habitat use was determined indirectly by documenting the number of faeces in summer, autumn–winter and spring 1999. The presence or absence of faeces was related to the measured variables through discriminant analysis that allowed the elaboration of predictive models of habitat use by this species. Contrary to what was expected, those variables related to human activity showed a low predictive value on the habitat use by rheas when compared with resource variables. Rheas preferentially selected the stream area in all seasons and sites with great percent cover of Bupleurum sp., Phyla canescens, Sida leprosa, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens, Lolium multiflorum, Stipa spp., and Stenotaphrum secundatum. Low vegetation height was another important component of rhea's habitat in summer and autumn–winter. The high accuracy level obtained by validation tests of this model supports its utility for the management of rhea populations in other cattle ranches of the region, and to analyze the suitability of other ranches for reintroduction programs.

HERBIVORE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE AFFECTS FORAGING TRADE-OFF DECISIONS BETWEEN NUTRIENT INTAKE AND PARASITE AVOIDANCE

The trade-offs between nutrient and parasite intake for herbivores foraging in nutrient-poor systems are poorly understood. We tested whether a trade-off exists between the benefit of increased nutrient intake rate through grazing relatively tall swards and risks of parasitism in a grazing situation for sheep. The effect of level of feeding motivation and parasitic status on the grazing behavior of sheep faced with this trade-off was also investigated. Animals were presented with pairs of experimental swards (36 X 21 cm) that varied in height (12 cm = H+; 6 cm = H-) and level of contamination with feces from sheep infected with Ostertagia circumcincta (20 g feces per sward = FS; no feces = F-) and were allowed to graze for short periods. Experiment 1 presented four choices (H+F+ vs. H-F-; H+F+ vs. H-FS; H+F- vs. H-F-; H+F- vs. H-F+) repeated three times to 24 5-mo-old sheep divided into four animal treatment groups resulting from two levels of feeding motivation (high and moderate) and two parasitic states (parasitized and nonparasitized). Experiment 2 presented the above four choices three times each to 24 12-mo-old sheep in four animal treatment groups created from two parasitic states (parasitized and nonparasitized) and two immune states (immune and naive to O. circumcincta). All animals selected 12-cm swards over 6-cm swards in both experiments. In all choices except the trade-off choice, in both experiments, one award held a clear height or feces benefit (absence of feces) that was selected for by all treatments. When presented with the trade-off choice (H+F+ vs. H-F-), animals with a high feeding motivation selected the H+F+ sward more than moderately motivated animals did in Experiment 1. Immune animals selected the H+F+ sward more than naive animals did in Experiment 2. Subclinical parasitism in moderately feeding-motivated animals resulted in increased avoidance of feces and reduced grazing depths, thereby reducing further risk of parasitism in Experiment 1. This effect of parasitism was not repeated in the older animals of Experiment 2, where all animals maintained a high-parasite-risk grazing strategy by selecting the H+F+ award of the trade-off choice. However, parasitized animals in Experiment 2 reduced parasite intake and, therefore, the risks associated with grazing the H-I-FS sward by significantly reducing their grazing depth compared to all other treatment groups. Sheep grazing decisions involving forage intake and feces avoidance were affected by their feeding motivation, immune state, and parasitic state. Strong avoidance of feces-contaminated pasture can be overcome by the attraction of herbivores to tall swards. Trade-off frameworks are able to predict diet selection and grazing behavior, are useful when investigating host-parasite interactions, and may enhance the predictive powers of optimal foraging models.

Herbivore Physiological State Affects Foraging Trade-Off Decisions between Nutrient Intake and Parasite Avoidance

The trade-offs between nutrient and parasite intake for herbivores foraging in nutrient-poor systems are poorly understood. We tested whether a trade-off exists between the benefit of increased nutrient intake rate through grazing relatively tall swards and risks of parasitism in a grazing situation for sheep. The effect of level of feeding motivation and parasitic status on the grazing behavior of sheep faced with this trade-off was also investigated. Animals were presented with pairs of experimental swards (36 × 21 cm) that varied in height (12 cm = H+; 6 cm = H−) and level of contamination with feces from sheep infected with Ostertagia circumcincta (20 g feces per sward = F+; no feces = F−) and were allowed to graze for short periods. Experiment 1 presented four choices (H+F+ vs. H−F−; H+F+ vs. H−F+; H+F− vs. H−F−; H+F− vs. H−F+) repeated three times to 24 5-mo-old sheep divided into four animal treatment groups resulting from two levels of feeding motivation (high and moderate) and two parasitic states (parasitized and nonparasitized). Experiment 2 presented the above four choices three times each to 24 12-mo-old sheep in four animal treatment groups created from two parasitic states (parasitized and nonparasitized) and two immune states (immune and naive to O. circumcincta). All animals selected 12-cm swards over 6-cm swards in both experiments. In all choices except the trade-off choice, in both experiments, one sward held a clear height or feces benefit (absence of feces) that was selected for by all treatments. When presented with the trade-off choice (H+F+ vs. H−F−), animals with a high feeding motivation selected the H+F+ sward more than moderately motivated animals did in Experiment 1. Immune animals selected the H+F+ sward more than naive animals did in Experiment 2. Subclinical parasitism in moderately feeding-motivated animals resulted in increased avoidance of feces and reduced grazing depths, thereby reducing further risk of parasitism in Experiment 1. This effect of parasitism was not repeated in the older animals of Experiment 2, where all animals maintained a high-parasite-risk grazing strategy by selecting the H+F+ sward of the trade-off choice. However, parasitized animals in Experiment 2 reduced parasite intake and, therefore, the risks associated with grazing the H+F+ sward by significantly reducing their grazing depth compared to all other treatment groups. Sheep grazing decisions involving forage intake and feces avoidance were affected by their feeding motivation, immune state, and parasitic state. Strong avoidance of feces-contaminated pasture can be overcome by the attraction of herbivores to tall swards. Trade-off frameworks are able to predict diet selection and grazing behavior, are useful when investigating host–parasite interactions, and may enhance the predictive powers of optimal foraging models.