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The zebrafish neuromuscular system is an elegant model to study neural development. To reveal a specific programme for zebrafish motor axon pathfinding I established a method to selectively block motor axon pathfinding by interfering with LIM domain transcription factor signaling. LIM homeodomain proteins (LIM-HDs) are an important class of transcriptional regulators and involved in neural development as well as neuron fate decision in vertebrates. DD domain dimerization of CLIM (cofactor of LIM-HDs) can activate LIM-HDs and downstream gene transcription while over-expression of dominant-negative CLIM (DN-CLIM), which lacks the DD domain, blocks LIM-HD activity. Motor neurons fluoresce in HB9:GFP transgenic zebrafish as the promoter of the motor neuron specific gene Hb9 drives expression of GFP. Motor axons in DN-CLIM injected HB9:GFP zebrafish are unable to exit the spinal cord, instead they grow inside the spinal cord. Thus axon pathfinding, but not general growth appears to be impaired in these neurons. This provides an excellent research model to find genes involved in motor axon pathfinding downstream of LIM-HDs. Gene array expression profiling was carried out on GFP+ motor neurons by fluorescence-activated flow sorting (FACS) with and without prior injection of DN-CLIM mRNA to elucidate the potential genes relevant to motor axon pathfinding. Genes that were most strongly down-regulated in DN-CLIM injected embryos were considered to belong to a motor axon specific guidance programme. Calca, tac-1 and chodl genes, retrieved from the gene array data, showed specific expression pattern in motor neuron and obvious down-regulation after DN-CLIM injection by in situ hybridization. This validated the array results. Chodl contains a C-type lectin domain representing a potential cell surface receptor for guidance factors. Gene knock-down experiments with two independent morpholinos led to stalling of CaP motor axons at the horizontal myoseptum, a pivotal choice point for axon pathfinding. This suggests that this novel gene specifically affects motor axon pathfinding in zebrafish. Single stranded DNA binding protein 1 (SSDP1) functions as an activator of SSDP1/CLIM/LIM-HD complex which involved in the transcriptional control of embryonic development. To verify how SSDP1 function in neural development in zebrafish, I have cloned Zebrafish SSDP1a and SSDP1b, which are most closely related to mouse and human SSDP1. SSDP1a is widely expressed during zebrafish development while SSDP1b is specifically expressed in sensory trigeminal and Rohon-Beard neurons. Over-expression of the N-terminal portion of SSDP1 (N-SSDP1) increases endogenous CLIM protein levels in vivo and impairs the formation of eyes and midbrain-hindbrain boundary. In addition, SSDP1b knock down impairs trigeminal and Rohon-Beard sensory axon growth. N-SSDP1 can partially rescue the inhibition of axon growth induced by DN-CLIM. These results reveal specific functions of SSDP1 in neural patterning and sensory axon growth which are in part due to the stabilization of LIM-HD/CLIM complexes. In summary, co-factors of LIM-HDs play important roles in neural development, cell fate specification as well as axon pathfinding.

I detta examensarbete undersöks förutsättningarna för intarsiateknikens tillämpbarhet inom tapetserarens arbetsfält. Jag har genom att studera de olika hantverken och teknikerna inom intarsian fått en större kunskap om dessa och kunnat reflektera kring deras användning för tapetseraruppgifter. Efter att ha provat och jämfört olika tekniker, material och tillvägagångssätt och omsatt mina experiment i en sittmöbels klädsel har jag kommit fram till följande: Inget av de olika lädermaterial och limmer jag testat fungerar bättre eller sämre än något annat av dem jag provat. Samtliga fungerar bra på såväl välvda som plana ytor, på hårda såväl som mjuka underlag – under de förutsättningar jag närmare redogör för i arbetet. Mina experiment, så långt, har också visat att båda de tillvägagångssätt jag valt, utskärning av mönstret för hand respektive laserskärning, är förenade med problem som gör tekniken svår att i dagsläget förena med kravet på arbetsekonomi och precision. Stansning är förmodligen det mest intressanta tekniken, men den tekniken ingick inte i studien. / This thesis examines the conditions for the intarsia technology’s applicability in the upholsterer’s field. I have by studying the different crafts and techniques in Intarsia gained a greater understanding of these and able to reflect on their use for upholstery tasks. After trying and comparing different techniques, materials and approaches and traded my experiments in a chair outfit I have come to the following: When comparing and evaluating the results it is evident that among the varying leather materials and adhesives I´ve tried there is no one more preferable, nor unpreferable, than the other. All materials included in my study works well on both arched and flat surfaces, on hard as well as on soft surfaces - under the circumstances for which I give a detailed account in my work. My experiments so far have also shown that both the approach I have chosen, cutting out the pattern by hand and laser cutting, are associated with problems that make the technology difficult in the current situation incompatible with the requirement of labor economics and precision. Punching is probably the most interesting technology, but the technology was not included in the study.

No description available.

LIM Kinase 1 (LIMK1), a serine/threonine kinase, modulates actin polymerization and microtubule assembly. The function of LIMK1 is regulated by kinases that are activated by Rho and Rac GTPases. LIMK1 is overexpressed in various cancerous cell types and tissues and its overexpression promotes increased invasion and metastasis of breast and prostate cancer cells. Membrane-Type Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP) is a member of the zinc-binding collagenase family, which is involved in extracellular matrix breakdown and activation of secreted MMP-2. The balance between activation and inhibition of MT1- MMP and MMP-2 helps maintaining normal extracellular matrix turnover. However, it has been shown that elevated MT1-MMP expression can cause excessive ECM digestion and promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Since RhoA and Rac1 have been implicated in metastasis and invasion along with LIMK1 activation, we investigated a possible link between LIMK1 and MT1-MMP. Our results show that the level of MT1-MMP expression is correlated with that of LIMK1 and LIMK1 acts as a transcriptional regulator of MT1-MMP. Additionally, we show that LIMK1 physically associates with MT1-MMP and promotes its translocation to the plasma membrane.

This study compares two wood materials, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and traditional wood studs, for small house construction. The aim of this degree project is to assess their specific properties and differences in terms of sustainability and safety. The method for the study employs semi-structured interviews, development of wall elements using Revit and an extensive literature review to arrive at conclusions. CLT is examined as an innovative construction material known for its high strength and stability, while wood studs are analyzed for their energy efficiency and compliance with modern building standards. The findings are supported by previous research comparing different wood construction methods. Through a comprehensive analysis, this study provides valuable insights into the advantages and disadvantages of CLT and traditional wood studs for small house construction. The results from this work were that CLT used more material and had more waste than traditional wood. The interviews indicated differences and challenges related to fire risks associated with adhesive use in cross-laminated timber. Both PUR adhesive and MUF adhesive have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to follow the safety protocols and increase industry knowledge for improving fire safety in cross-laminated timber. The conclusion of the study was that cross-laminated timber is affected by the adhesive when considering the reuse of wall elements and fire challenges. It also requires more material, making traditional timber studs a better choice.

The degree project has been carried out in collaboration with Husqvarna, a world-leading manufacturer of products for gardening, park and forest management. An ever-evolving industry where innovation and creativity are required to be at the top. With constant demands from customers on performance and quality, a constant mechanical and design developments are required. Husqvarna's chainsaws use two-stroke engines where the scavenging channel are covered by a lid which in turn is fastened with screw joints. The channel through which the fuel mixture is pumped is open and a lid is needed to seal the channel. The channel is closed by screw joints, which in turn has a cost related to articles and materials. The lid that is fastened with screw joints has, one step in the production, articles concerning screws and fastening functions in the cylinder. The screw towers located on the cylinder could be an opportunity for improvement regarding weight in order to optimize the product. The aim of investigating new fastening methods is to see what possible improvements are available compared to the current method. These include weight reduction, which is very significant for these products. With a thorough literature study on attachment methods, a Pugh-matrix with its own values ​​has been utilized. It has helped to see which concepts are best suited within the weighting framework. The theories are built from scientific manuals within mechanics, strength and joints. With this basis, conclusions have been made regarding the functions that have been investigated and whether they are positive or negative in relation to the current method. The work is meant as a basic basis for Husqvarna, which can facilitate the use of alternative fastening methods for the channel cover.

Each aspect of this thesis is motivated by the recent paper of Beresnevich, Dickinson and Velani (BDV03]. Let 'ljJ be a real, positive, decreasing function i.e. an approximation function. Their paper considers a general lim sup set A( 'ljJ), within a compact metric measure space (0, d, m), consisting of points that sit in infinitely many balls each centred at an element ROt of a countable set and of radius 'I/J(130) where 130 is a 'weight' assigned to each ROt. The classical set of 'I/J-well approximable numbers is the basic example. For the set A('ljJ) , [BDV03] achieves m-measure and Hausdorff measure laws analogous to the classical theorems of Khintchine and Jarnik. Our first results obtain an application of these metric laws to the set of 'ljJ-well approximable numbers with restricted rationals, previously considered by Harman (Har88c]. Next, we consider a generalisation of the set of badly approximable numbers, Bad. For an approximation function p, a point x of a compact metric space is in a general set Bad(p) if, loosely speaking, x 'avoids' any ball centred at an element ROt of a countable set and of radius c p(I3Ot) for c = c(x) a constant. In view of Jarnik's 1928 result that dim Bad = 1, we aim to show the general set Bad(p) has maximal Hausdorff dimension. Finally, we extend the theory of (BDV03] by constructing a general lim sup set dependent on two approximation functions, A('ljJll'ljJ2)' We state a measure theorem for this set analogous to Khintchine's (1926a) theorem for the Lebesgue measure of the set of ('l/Jl, 1/12)-well approximable pairs in R2. We also remark on the set's Hausdorff dimension.

Abstract This thesis aims to examine the language, identity and gender issues in Shirley Geok-lin Lim¡¦s poetry. Lim, a Chinese Malaysian and an Asian American, suffers from exclusion and marginalization because of her language choice, multiple identities and gender role. In many of her writings, Lim often, by investigating the language, identity and gender issues, interrogates and subverts hegemony forces attempting to marginalize and exclude others. Lim uses her concept of fluid language, identity and gender to expose the inherent contradictions and fallacies in hegemony forces on the one hand and demonstrates her release from them on the other. I propose that poetry is Lim¡¦s best instrument to reflect her candid feelings about her marginalization and exclusion since it is more spontaneous and less didactic. In Chapter One, I investigate Lim¡¦s linguistic alienation and marginalization and her utilization of language to cross boundaries, physical and metaphoric. Chapter Two explores how Lim, as a result of her diasporic identity, suffers from double exclusion in Malaysia and America and how she employs her diasporic identity, an ¡§in-between¡¨ identity to negotiate and translate between different cultures and thereby redefine the meanings of home. The emphasis of Chapter Three is placed on Lim¡¦s portrayals of suffering and oppressed women, and her dismantling of gender hierarchy. At last, I conclude that poetry serves as a best for a reader to understand Lim¡¦s basic ideas and appreciate her outstanding poetic achievement.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.