OBJECTIVE To derive new human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines on pathogen-free human placental fibroblast feeders under serum-free conditions. Because the embryo develops in close contact with extraembryonic membranes, we hypothesized that placental mesenchyme might replicate the stem cell niche in situ. DESIGN We isolated and characterized human placental fibroblast lines from individual do...

Biogenic reefs built by oysters and other suspension feeders are vital components of estuarine ecosystems. By consuming phytoplankton, suspension feeders act to suppress accumulation of organic matter in the water column. Nutrient loading increases the rate of primary production, thereby causing eutrophication. As suspension feeders consume more organic matter from increasing abundance of phyto...

The feeding diversity of macroinvertebrates from the estuary of Mondego was estimated with Shannon–Wiener complementary evenness following the methodology presented in Gamito and Furtado (2009. Ecological Indicators, 9: 1009-1019). Results were compared with those from BAT (Benthic Assessment Tool; Teixeira et al., 2009. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 58: 1477-1786) applied to the same data set, ob...

The duration of blood feeding by similar-sized Aedes aegypti (L.) was determined under laboratory conditions in Trinidad, West Indies. Ae. aegypti from the F0 generation contained individuals that fed quickly (106.2 seconds) as well as slowly (330.0 seconds). Among the fast feeders (<2 min), the time taken for blood feeding during the first gonotrophic cycle was much shorter than that observed ...

Abundant, localized foods can concentrate predators and their foraging efforts, thus altering both the spatial distribution of predation risk and predator preferences for prey that are encountered incidentally. However, few investigations have quantified the spatial scale over which localized foods affect predator foraging behavior and consumption of incidental prey. In spring 2010, we experime...

Professor of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California 91768. Abstract: Extremely little is known about succession of insects in postfire chaparral. This 4-year postfire study in the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California showed that pollen-nectar feeders and predatory insects can be very abundant beginning the first spring after a burn. Annual plant...

The lack of reactive energy flow control in distribution networks causes an increase of electrical losses and problems with the voltage profile. The main objective of this work is to develop a fuzzy control system for automatic capacitor banks applied to distribution feeders, which was focused on the improvement of the equipment performance allowing a better correction of the system reactive an...

To appreciate better how cichlids segregate along the trophic, spatial and temporal dimensions, it is necessary to understand the cichlids’ body design, and its role in resource partitioning.We investigatedbody shape variation, quantiŽ ed using landmark-basedgeometricmorphometrics, among cichlid species belonging to algal and zooplankton feeders coexisting along the rocky shores of Lake Malawi,...

Animals regularly use information from others to shape their decisions. Yet, determining how changes in social structure affect information flow and social learning strategies has remained challenging. We manipulated the social structure of a large community of wild songbirds by controlling which individuals could feed together at automated feeding stations (selective feeders). We then provided...