Proximity Feed Research Articles

Experimental Study of a New Method for Early Detection of Vascular Access Stenoses: Pulse Pressure Analysis at Hemodialysis Needle

Hemodialysis vascular access (VA) stenosis remains a frequent complication. However, early detection is challenging and costly. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess a new detection method based on pulse pressure analysis at the hemodialysis needle. A silicon model of a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula was built in a mock loop. Pressure profiles were measured at the arterial hemodialysis needle and in the proximal feeding artery. Stenoses (50 and 25% diameter reduction) were created proximal to the anastomosis (proximal artery) and distal to the arterial needle (distal vein and proximal vein). The pulse pressure (PP) at the needle was divided by the PP at the feeding artery to obtain a dimensionless ratio, %PP. Experiments were conducted at different blood flow (500-1200 mL/min) and heart rates (60-90 beats/min) to test this new index over a wide range of hemodynamic conditions. In the control model (no stenosis), %PP was 20.26 +/- 4.55. A proximal artery 50% stenosis significantly decreased %PP to 7.69 +/- 2.08 (P < 0.0001), while the presence of 50% stenosis in the distal (36.20 +/- 2.12) and proximal (32.38 +/- 2.17) vein led to significantly higher values of %PP (P < 0.0001). For stenosis of 25% diameter reduction in the proximal artery, the %PP decreased to 15.45 +/- 2.13 (P = 0.0022) and the %PP increased with a 25% stenosis in the distal vein to 26.71 +/- 3.01 (P = 0.0003) and in the proximal vein to 26.53 +/- 2.67 (P = 0.0004). This in vitro study shows that the analysis of the PP at the dialysis needle is useful for early detection and localization of hemodialysis VA stenosis, independent of heart rate and flow level.

Recent developments in forage evaluation with special reference to practical applications

The present re-evaluation of a dataset of systematically collected laboratory analyses and in vivo digestibility information for several types of silages gives convincing evidence of the biological weaknesses of feed characterisation based on the proximate feed analysis. The problems include intrinsic failures of the analysis in describing cause-response relationships between forage composition and digestibility, and heavy dependency of the equations on forage specific and environmental factors. It is concluded that proximate analysis is not suitable for characterisation of neither forages nor concentrate feedstuffs. In vitro pepsin-cellulase solubility of organic matter (OMS) and concentration of indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDF) predicted forage organic matter digestibility (OMD) with an acceptable accuracy for practical feed evaluation purposes provided that forage type dependent correction equations were employed. The revised detergent system dividing forage dry matter (DM) into almost completely available neutral detergent solubles (NDS), and insoluble residue (neutral detergent fibre, NDF) shows potential for future development. The combined use of long-term in situ ruminal incubation and NDF fractionation can be used to divide forage DM into three biologically meaningful fractions: NDS, iNDF and potentially digestible NDF (pdNDF). The summative models can then be used to predict forage D-value, i.e. apparently digestible organic matter in forage (g kg-1 DM). The models sum digestible NDS, which can be determined by Lucas equation, and digestible NDF (dNDF), which is the amount of pdNDF that is actually digested during any specific fermentation or retention time. Forage type specific summative models were as good as regression equations based on OMS or iNDF in predicting forage D-value and general summative models gave better results than general equations based on iNDF and especially OMS. If the goal is to reduce prediction error of D-value below 15 g kg-1 DM, forage type specific prediction equations should be used regardless of whether they are based on OMS, iNDF or summative models. Another option in the future may be dynamic models, which can incorporate simultaneously the two important dynamic processes constraining feed digestion in ruminants: the rates of NDF passage and degradation (kd). However, a vital prerequisite to employ dynamic models in practical feed evaluation is that iNDF and kd can be easily and reliably determined from on-farm forages. Although a NIRS prediction equation for iNDF will be adopted in practical use in the near future in Finland, the methodology for estimating kd warrants further research.;

Intellectual Property and Patent Abstracts

A collection of 19 patents is listed along with abstracts and diagrams where applicable. Also listed are inventors, assignees, and dates filed. Covers some of the following technologies, theories, and schemes: a wireless communications device having a conductive elements antenna; a radio wave lens antenna device; a stacked patch antenna with distributed reactive network proximity feed; a stack-up configuration for a wireless communication device; radiation diversity antennas; a wide bandwidth multi-mode antenna; and an antenna system for radio frequency identification.

A Novel Technique and New Grading Scale for the Embolization of Cerebral Vascular Malformations

Effective transarterial embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula or pial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) requires penetration of a durable occlusive agent into the fistula or AVM nidus. Cyanoacrylate glue often cannot traverse the tortuous vessels that typically supply such malformations, leading to proximal occlusion and recruitment of collateral flow. Other embolic agents, such as polyvinyl alcohol particles, achieve better penetration, but their effects are short lived, often leading to recanalization. The authors sought to overcome these obstacles by developing a technique to enhance glue penetration into the fistula or AVM nidus itself. After placing a guide catheter in the proximal feeding artery, a microcatheter is advanced coaxially to its limit. As glue is injected through the microcatheter, a column of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) is pushed manually through the guide catheter lumen to propel the glue forward. This technique has been bench tested in a standard flow model of vascular malformations, using a pump capable of delivering various rates of D5W. It has also been validated in treating 17 patients with cerebral dural arteriovenous fistulae or AVMs, with real-time adjustment of D5W flow according to the extent of glue penetration. In the bench model, the extent of glue penetration, as graded by a new scale of liquid agent embolization proposed by the authors, correlated directly with the rate of D5W flow (P = 0.5, analysis of variance). In vivo, this technique has enhanced the penetration of glue into the fistula or AVM nidus, resulting in longstanding embolization of these malformations. Coaxial injection of D5W through the guide catheter can propel cyanoacrylate glue through tortuous feeding arteries and can enhance its penetration into dural fistulae and AVMs, leading to more effective endovascular treatment of these malformations.

Ischemia–Reperfusion Impairs Ascending Vasodilation in Feed Arteries of Hamster Skeletal Muscle

Vasodilation originating within the microcirculation ascends into proximal feed arteries during muscle contraction to attain peak levels of muscle blood flow. Ascending vasodilation (AVD) requires an intact endothelium, as does conducted vasodilation in response to acetylcholine (ACh). Whereas ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) can affect endothelial cell function, the effect of I-R on AVD is unknown. The authors tested the hypothesis that I-R (1h-1h) would impair AVD. Using the retractor muscle of anesthetized hamsters, contractions were evoked using field stimulation (200 ms at 40 Hz every 2 s for 1 min) and ACh was delivered using microiontophoresis (1 microm tip, 500-4000 ms pulse at 800 nA). Feed artery responses were monitored 500-1500 microm upstream. Neither resting (51 +/- 4 microm) nor maximal diameter (81 +/- 5 microm; 10 microm sodium nitroprusside) following I-R (n = 8) were different from time-matched controls (n = 10). With peak active tension of 23 +/- 4 mN x mm(-2), control AVD was 26 +/- 2 microm. Following I-R, active tension fell by 48% (p < .05) and AVD by 57% (p < .05). Stimulation at 70 Hz restored active tension but AVD remained depressed by nearly half (p < .05), as did local and conducted responses to ACh. Nevertheless, control responses to 500 ms ACh were restored by increasing stimulus duration to 4000 ms. Ischemia-reperfusion impairs the initiation of feed artery dilation with muscle contraction and with ACh while conduction along the vessel wall is preserved. Respective components of endothelial cell signaling events may differ in their susceptibility to I-R.

Feeding the injured pancreas

Feeding the injured pancreas

Sympathetic neural inhibition of conducted vasodilatation along hamster feed arteries: complementary effects of α1‐ and α2‐adrenoreceptor activation

Vasodilatation initiated on arterioles of skeletal muscle ascends into the proximal feed arteries through cell-to-cell conduction along the endothelium and into smooth muscle. Whereas perivascular sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) can inhibit conducted vasodilatation and restrict muscle blood flow, the signalling events mediating this interaction are poorly defined. Therefore, using isolated pressurized (75 mmHg) feed arteries (diameter (microm) at rest = 53 +/- 3; maximum = 99 +/- 2; n = 86) of the hamster retractor muscle, we tested the hypothesis that distinct yet complementary signalling pathways underlie the ability of SNA to inhibit conduction. Conducted vasodilatation was initiated using ACh microiontophoresis (1 microA; 250, 500 and 1000 ms) and SNA was initiated using local field stimulation (30-50 V; 1 ms at 2, 8 and 16 Hz). With vasodilatations of 5-20 microM, conduction increased with ACh pulse duration and was inhibited progressively as the frequency of SNA increased. During SNA, conduction was partially restored with inhibition of alpha1- (0.1 microM prazosin) or alpha2- (0.1 microM RX821002) adrenoreceptors and fully restored with both antagonists present. Activating alpha1- (50 nM phenylephrine) or alpha2- (1 microM UK 14,304) adrenoreceptors inhibited conduction partially and their simultaneous activation inhibited conduction cumulatively (P < 0.05). Elevated [K+]o (30 or 40 mM) or phorbol esters (0.5 microM) also inhibited conduction yet similar constriction with l-NNA (50 microM) or Bay K 8644 (10 nM) did not. Thus, the activation of alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoreceptors inhibits conducted vasodilatation through complementary signalling events. With robust coupling along the endothelium, our modelling predicts that the inhibition of conduction by SNA can be explained by reduced electrical coupling through myoendothelial gap junctions or greater current leak across smooth muscle cell membranes.

Rumen odd and branched chain fatty acids in relation to in vitro rumen volatile fatty acid productions and dietary characteristics of incubated substrates

A first aim of this batch in vitro experiment (21 h) was to use changes in odd and branched chain fatty acid (OBCFA) patterns to suggest shifts in microbial populations, associated with four types of incubated whole dairy cow diets. Principal component analysis suggested higher dietary starch increased the proportion of C15:0 and C17:0, whereas increased neutral detergent fibre content was positively related to anteiso C15:0 concentrations, which is in agreement with the importance of these fatty acids in respectively amylolytic and cellulolytic bacteria. A second aim of the experiment was to relate rumen volatile fatty acid proportions to OBCFA by principal component regression and to compare these relations with predictions based on diet proximate composition. The R2 values achieved for the regressions between acetate, propionate and butyrate, and OBCFA were 79.6%, 86.6% and 84.9% respectively. Moreover, in the current study, predictions of the rumen fermentation pattern showed higher R2 (p < 0.01) when based on OBCFA compared with proximate feed composition. If relations persist in vivo, there could be scope for milk OBCFA to predict the supply of specific rumen nutrients.

Coot Benefit from Feeding in Close Proximity to Geese

Abstract In Heidelberg, Germany, a flock of feral Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides) and Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) feed together on a lawn during winter. It was investigated whether the presence of geese provided benefits to coots in terms of reduced vigilance and whether the association incurs costs, e.g., by reduced foraging success. Further, the hypothesis was tested whether a decrease in vigilance rate is mirrored by an increase in feeding rate. A digital video camera was used to record behavior of the same individual. Head-up movements were considered to have vigilant function when the bill was raised up from the foraging position to a position nearly parallel with the horizontal line, or when raised to a position higher than the body (“high-cost vigilance”). Coot feeding in the presence of geese showed a significantly lower scan rate. Steps per minute did not differ between the coot with and without geese, but the time taken for 30 pecks was significantly shorter in the presence of geese. There was a s...

Sympathetic nerves inhibit conducted vasodilatation along feed arteries during passive stretch of hamster skeletal muscle.

Ascending vasodilatation is integral to blood flow control in exercising skeletal muscle and is attributable to conduction from intramuscular arterioles into proximal feed arteries. Passive stretch of skeletal muscle can impair muscle blood flow but the mechanism is not well understood. We hypothesized that the conduction of vasodilatation along feed arteries can be modulated by changes in muscle length. In anaesthetized hamsters, acetylcholine (ACh) microiontophoresis triggered conducted vasodilatation along feed arteries (diameter, 50-70 microm) of the retractor muscle secured at 100 % resting length or stretched by 30 %. At 100 % length, ACh evoked local dilatation (> 30 microm) and this response conducted rapidly along the feed artery (14 +/- 1 microm dilatation at 1600 microm upstream). During muscle stretch, feed arteries constricted approximately 10 microm (P < 0.05) and local vasodilatation to ACh was maintained while conducted vasodilatation was reduced by half (P < 0.01). Resting diameter and conduction recovered upon restoring 100 % length. Sympathetic nerve stimulation (4-8 Hz) produced vasoconstriction and attenuated conduction in the manner observed during muscle stretch, as did noradrenaline or phenylephrine (10 nM). Inhibiting nitric oxide production (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine, 50 microM) produced similar vasoconstriction yet had no effect on conduction. Phentolamine, prazosin, or tetrodotoxin (1 microM) during muscle stretch abolished vasoconstriction and restored conduction. Inactivation of sensory nerves with capsaicin had no effect on vasomotor responses. Thus, muscle stretch can attenuate conducted vasodilatation by activating alpha-adrenoreceptors on feed arteries through noradrenaline released from perivascular sympathetic nerves. This autonomic feedback mechanism can restrict muscle blood flow during passive stretch.

Design of packaged microstrip antennas using wirebonding technique

A wirebonding technique is exploited to design novel miniature packaged antennas. Wirebond is readily used in manufacturing facilities for mass production of electronic components. Hence we have extended it to fabricate small antennas with a package for low cost mass consumption. Two new designs of small packaged antennas have been developed for the ISM band centred at about 2.45 GHz. The first design is a multilayer microstrip structure and the second design is a single-layer C-shaped structure with a novel proximal feed configuration to improve the impedance matching for thin microstrip antennas. The antennas feature 3.0–4.4% bandwidths, measuring 9.8% × 9.8% to about 10.9% × 10.9% of wavelength in length and width. Parametric studies are performed to investigate the performance of these antennas. The effects of finite ground, bondwires and isolated pads as well as package lids on the antenna performance have been evaluated.

Effect of feeding and body condition score on multiple ovulation and embryo production in zebu cows.

The aim of this study was to standardize the feeding regimen and the body condition score (BCS) for maximum superovulatory responses in indigenous zebu cows. Ten regularly cycling 5-8-year-old dry cows, weighing 176--260 kg with BCS 2.5--4.5 were divided into two equal groups at random. The groups were maintained on either a good-nutrition or a high-nutrition diet. The feedstuffs were analysed by proximate feed analysis and the metabolizable energy content was estimated. After 3 months feeding, individual cows were injected (i.m) with 1500 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at day 10 or day 11 of the oestrous cycle (day of oestrus = day 0). Alfaprostol (6 mg) was injected (i.m) 48 h after the injection of PMSG to induce oestrus. At day 6 or day 7 (day of insemination = day 1), the contents of individual uterine horns were flushed with 150-200 ml of phosphate-buffered saline + 0.2% bovine serum albumin using a two-way Foley catheter. The embryos were identified, evaluated and graded as excellent, good, fair or poor under a stereomicroscope. For the good- and high-nutrition diets, the daily intake of green grass, straw, concentrate, dry matter, crude protein and estimated metabolizable energy by individual cows were 5 and 6 kg, 3 and 3 kg, 1.5 and 3.5 kg, 4.87 and 6.82 kg, 0.39 and 0.74 kg, and 39.60 and 59.12 MJ, respectively. The protein content was 8 and 11% in the good- and high-nutrition diets, respectively. The two groups of cows on different nutritional diets differed significantly with regard to body weight, body condition score and number of palpated corpora lutea (p < 0.01). For cows on the good-nutrition diet, the median number of recovered embryos and transferable quality embryos were three and two, respectively. The recovery rate of embryos was 79.30% of palpated corpora lutea. Cows on the high-nutrition diet did not yield any embryos. The indigenous zebu cows fed on the good-nutrition diet with BCS 2.5-3 were considered suitable for the induction of superovulation, the cows on the high-nutrition diet with BCS 4-4.5 were unsatisfactory and were more prone to cyst formation in the ovaries.

Effect of motor unit recruitment on functional vasodilatation in hamster retractor muscle.

1. The effect of motor unit recruitment on functional vasodilatation was investigated in hamster retractor muscle. Recruitment (i.e. peak tension) was controlled with voltage applied to the spinal accessory nerve (high = maximum tension; intermediate = approximately 50% maximum; low = approximately 25% maximum). Vasodilatory responses (diameter times time integral, DTI) to rhythmic contractions (1 per 2s for 65s) were evaluated in first, second and third order arterioles and in feed arteries. Reciprocal changes in duty cycle (range, 2.5-25%) effectively maintained the total active tension (tension times time integral, TTI) constant across recruitment levels. 2. With constant TTI and stimulation frequency (40 Hz), DTI in all vessels increased with motor unit recruitment. DTI increased from distal arterioles up through proximal feed arteries. 3. To determine whether the effect of recruitment on DTI was due to increased peak tension, the latter was controlled with stimulation frequency (15, 20 and 40 Hz) during maximum (high) recruitment. With constant TTI, DTI then decreased as peak tension increased. 4. To explore the interaction between recruitment and duty cycle on DTI, each recruitment level was applied at 2.5, 10 and 20 % duty cycle (at 40 Hz). For a given increase in TTI, recruitment had a greater effect on DTI than did duty cycle. 5. Functional vasodilatation in response to rhythmic contractions is facilitated by motor unit recruitment. Thus, vasodilatory responses are determined not only by the total tension produced, but also by the number of active motor units.

Sex and size related differences in the dry season feeding patterns of elephants in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Differences in feeding patterns of the African elephant were examined by sex and age during the dry season in a dystrophic savanna‐woodland ecosystem in northern Botswana. Adult males had the least diverse diet in terms of woody plant species, but they consumed more plant parts than family units. The diameter of stems of food plants broken or bitten off was also greater for adult males than for females and subadult males. Adult males spent more time foraging on each woody plant than did females. The number of woody plant species and individuals present were higher at feeding sites of family units than at feeding sites of adult males, indicating that family units positioned themselves at feeding sites with higher species diversity than those of males. We argue that the most likely explanation for these differences is related to the pronounced sexual size dimorphism exhibited by elephants, resulting in sex differences in browsing patterns due to the allometric relationships that govern the tolerance of herbivores for variation in diet quality. From our results this Body Size Hypothesis is accepted rather than the alternative Scramble Competition Hypothesis, which predicts that adult male elephants consume lower quality browse because they are displaced from preferred browse as an outcome of scramble competition with adult females and their offspring. If the feeding patterns of adult male elephants were affected by intersexual scramble competition, we would expect adult males to browse at a higher level in the canopy than the smaller‐bodied females and their offspring. No evidence was found for this, although adult females were found to browse at a higher level in the canopy when feeding in close proximity to subadults and juveniles than when feeding alone. Sex differences in elephant browsing patterns are, we propose, of relevance to understanding and managing elephant impacts on African woodlands.

Sociobiology of the myrmecophagous sloth bear in Nepal

Ursids have adapted to environments ranging from the tropics to the arctic, and although the family is noted for its omnivory, some species have specialized food habits. The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) has specialized on insect prey, particularly termites and ants, and exhibits some characteristics and behaviors that are common among myrmecophagous mammals. We examined whether myrmecophagy has affected its sociobiology. During 1990-1994 we studied a high-density population of sloth bears in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. We found extensive seasonal overlap among home ranges of adults of the same sex (&gt;50%) and between subadults and adults of both sexes (&gt;70%). Moreover, overlap zones between adjacent ranges were used in proportion to their area. This, and observations of unrelated bears feeding or traveling in proximity to one another (not at concentrated food sources), suggested a high degree of mutual tolerance in this population. However, subadults and females with young may have temporally avoided other bears by limiting their activity to daylight hours. Predators (which were chiefly nocturnal) may also have affected the activity patterns of these (the most vulnerable) bears, and were probably responsible for the females' habit of giving birth in an underground den, fasting for several weeks so as not to leave cubs unattended in the den, and carrying the cubs on their back for 6-7 months after leaving the den. The young left their mother at 1.5 or 2.5 years old (this varied by family) and remained together and (or) later rejoined a sibling or another subadult, possibly to form a coalition against either predators or older bears. We documented few mortalities and no permanent juvenile dispersal in this study, but we also found few subadults in our study area, which indicates undetected mortality or dispersal. We cannot discount the possibility that some aspects of the sociobiology of sloth bears (e.g., cub-carrying, mutual tolerance) are related to myrmecophagy, but the social system and life-history traits of this species seem to fit well within the range observed among other ursids.

Division of labor in the monogamous goby,Valenciennea longipinnis, in relation to burrowing behavior

Feeding and burrowing behavior of the monogamous gobiid fish,Valenciennea longipinnis, were studied on the coral reef at Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan. These fish usually live in pairs, the male and female feeding in close proximity to one another upon benthic animals and constructing several burrows cooperatively for purposes of shelter or spawning. Paired females fed more and burrowed less frequently than their mates. Because burrow maintenance was mostly conducted by the latter, the paired females performed work much less frequently than solitary females. Thus, the paired females may be able to allocate more energy toward egg production. The division of labor related to burrowing behavior in this species may be an effective way to increase reproductive success for both sexes. Moreover, the fameles burrowed even less frequently when paired with larger males, probably because burrowing ability may be correlated with mouth size in males. This is a likely reason for the preference of females to mate with larger males.

Coxiellosis in domestic and wild birds from Japan.

Serological evidence of infection with Coxiella burnetii was found in 41 (2%) of 1,951 domestic birds and in 167 (19%) of 863 wild birds from 17 and 5 prefectures in Japan, respectively, by microagglutination (MA) test. The bacteriological evidence of the infection was found in 17 (41%) of 41 domestic birds and 37 (22%) of 167 wild birds by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, C. burnetii was isolated from five each of serum, spleen and fecal specimens from five jungle crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) (whose sera were positive by both the MA test and PCR) by inoculating laboratory mice. Domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) (3%), domestic muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) (3%), domestic chickens (2%), domestic mallards (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) (2%), carrion crows (Corvus corone) (37%), jungle crows (35%), and wild rock doves (Columba livia) (6%) showed serologic evidence of experience with C. burnetii. There was a tendency for a high prevalence among birds living and/or feeding in close proximity to infected livestock. This suggests that these birds are one of the less important links in maintaining the whole cycle of C. burnetii infection.

Slot-coupled dielectric resonator antenna usinga proximity feed on aperpendicular substrate

The slot-coupled dielectric resonator antenna with a proximity feed on a perpendicular substrate is investigated experimentally. The return loss, radiation pattern, and antenna gain of the new configuration are measured and discussed.

Transmission of louping ill virus between infected and uninfected ticks co-feeding on mountain hares.

Most of the data on oral infection of ticks by louping ill virus have been obtained from experiments in which animals were infected by syringe inoculation with infectious material. Using infected ticks to mimic the natural situation, we have demonstrated that louping ill (LI) virus transmission can occur from infected to uninfected Ixodes ricinus feeding in close proximity on mountain hares (Lepus timidus). Under these conditions the hares developed either low or undetectable viraemias. Highest prevalence of LI virus infection was observed in recipient nymphs which had fed to repletion between days 3 and 7 post-attachment of virus-infected adults; following engorgement, 56% of nymphs acquired virus. These results demonstrate the efficient transmission of LI virus between co-feeding ticks on naive mountain hares. However, when ticks were allowed to co-feed on virus-immune hares a significant reduction in the frequency of infection was observed. Neither red deer (Cervus elaphus) nor New Zealand White rabbits supported transmission of LI virus. The significance of virus transmission between cofeeding ticks on LI virus epidemiology is discussed.

Interactions between the Fungal EntomopathogenZoophthora radicansBrefeld (Entomophthorales) and Two Hymenopteran Parasitoids Attacking the Diamondback Moth,Plutella xylostellaL.

Treatment of the hymenopteran parasitoidsDiadegma semiclausumandCotesia plutellaewith a strain of the entomopathogenic fungusZoophthora radicans,which was initially isolated fromPlutella xylostella,showed thatD. semiclausumwas susceptible to the pathogen but thatC. plutellaewas not. In leaf shower bioassays, the susceptibility ofD. semiclausumadults toZ. radicanswas 70- and 133-fold less than the susceptibility ofP. xylostellalarvae and adults, respectively. When adultD. semiclausumwere held in petri dishes withP. xylostellacadavers producingZ. radicansconidia the subsequent level of fungal infection in the parasitoids (20.3% became infected) was independent of the number of cadavers to which they were exposed. Female parasitoids were not shown to vector conidia ofZ. radicansdirectly from sporulating cadavers to the susceptibleP. xylostellalarvae upon which they foraged. However, the presence of a foragingD. semiclausumfemale enhanced the level ofZ. radicansinfection inP. xylostellalarvae feeding in proximity to a source ofZ. radicansinoculum. Video analysis of the movement ofP. xylostellalarvae in the presence and absence of the parasitoids indicated that the increased levels of fungal infection in the presence of foragingD. semiclausumcould be accounted for by the greater movement of larvae (in terms of both the total distance moved and the number of new “infective units” visited) when disturbed by this parasitoid. AlthoughC. plutellaeforaging also increased larval movement when compared with larvae not foraged upon, the increase was not sufficient to exceed a presumed threshold level required to enhance the fungal infection level of the larvae. The results are discussed in terms of the likely interactions betweenZ. radicansand field populations ofD. semiclausum.