Due to mechanical loading, cartilage experiences distortional change, volumetric change, and fluid flow. Research has shown cells to be responsive to unconfined compression, a load that produces all three conditions. To isolate the factor(s) responsible for chondrogenesis, the first goal of this research was to design and implement a device for the application of shear deformation to cells. Secondly, using this device, Stage 23/24 chick limb bud cells were suspended in 2% alginate and subjected to 20% shear deformation at 1 Hz. for two hours daily for three days. Gene expression, DNA content, sGAG content, and cartilage nodule formation were determined after eight days in culture and compared to results obtained for non-loaded cells. Results indicated that shear deformation at the applied level did not have a significant effect on chondrogenesis in Stage 23/24 chick limb bud cells, suggesting that this cell type is not extremely sensitive to distortional change.

The global objective of this research was to identify the proteins secreted by stem cells in response to mechanical stress. Since it has been shown in previous studies that conditioned medium from compressed chick limb bud cells cultured in alginate can initiate chondrogenesis in non-compressed cells, it was hypothesized that the conditioned medium contains valuable growth/differentiation factors. Due to cartilage?s limited capacity for repair, factors that stimulate stem-cell mediated regeneration are highly sought. To discern these proteins, conditioned medium was collected from cyclically compressed stage 23/24 chick limb buds suspended in alginate. The proteins were extracted, separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis, and evaluated by mass spectroscopy. While a few regulators of chondrogenesis were observed, such as FGF receptor, actin, and IP3 receptor, many potential peptides were not found in the database. However, this study showed that ascertaining proteins produced by chondrocytes in response to mechanical stimulation should be pursued.

En av de viktigaste delarna i bostadsaffärer är budgivningen, både för mäklare, säljare och köpare. Budgivningen är dock inte reglerad i lag och bud är inte bindande. Säljaren bestämmer över budgivningen och spekulanterna bestämmer över sina bud. Mäklarens hantering av budgivningen är reglerad genom lag och praxis, bland annat skyldigheten att tillvarata båda parters intressen. Med dessa utgångspunkter kan budgivningen i vissa fall bli problematisk, något som har uppmärksammats i samband med dolda bud. Ett dolt bud innebär att det endast gäller under förutsättning att det inte kommuniceras till övriga spekulanter. Det har blivit allt vanligare på bostadsmarknaden men det saknas information och fördjupning inom ämnet. Därav är syftet med denna uppsats att studera dolda bud och vilka effekter det har på förmedlingsprocessen utifrån en kvalitativ forskningsmetod med induktiv ansats. Studien utgörs i huvudsak av intervjuer med olika erfarna personer inom bostadsmarknaden i Stockholm, men utreder även vad dolda bud innebär och hur det förhåller sig till regler, lagar och praxis.  Det finns en stor problematik kring dolda bud och det innebär en risk för alla inblandade parter. Budgivningen brister i transparens och det är inte ovanligt att det leder till besvikelse och frustration. Det förekommer i samband med att marknaden är het och leder till en snabb affär där alla inte får chans att delta i budgivningen som många har att förlora på. Marknaden sätter inte priset vilket leder till slutpriser som mer eller mindre skiljer sig från marknadsvärdet. Ekonomiskt sett är det i princip alltid någon av parterna som förlorar på affären, antingen betalar köparen för mycket eller så får säljaren mindre än vad man hade kunnat få i en öppen budgivning. Framför allt är det övriga spekulanter som blir upprörda för att de inte har fått möjlighet att delta i budgivningen och det är oftast mäklaren som får kritiken. Okunskap och orättvisa är orsaken till missnöjet och problematiken som uppstår på bostadsmarknaden. Mäklare samt branschexperter ser detta som ett allt vanligare problem och det leder till ett dåligt rykte för bostadsmarknaden, särskilt för mäklarna. Branschens ambition är att bostadsaffärer ska vara tydliga och informativa för alla parter med en öppen och transparent budgivning. / One of the most vital parts in real estate business is the bidding process, for both the broker, seller and the buyer. Although, the bidding process is not regulated by the law and the bids are not binding. The seller is deciding over the bidding process and the potential buyers are in charge of their offerings. How the realtor is handling the bidding process is regulated by law and by praxis, for example the obligation to include the interest of both parties (seller and potential buyer). Based on these premises, the bidding process can in some cases become problematic, which have been highlighted in association of sealed bids. A sealed bid involves a condition that it will last only if it is not communicated to other speculators. This phenomenon become more common on the real estate market, although it lacks information and knowledge within this topic. Therefore, the purpose of this bachelor thesis is to study sealed bids and identify what effects it has on the brokerage process, based on a qualitative study method with an inductive approach. The study is mainly based on interviews with different people with different experiences within the sector of real estate in Stockholm. In addition, it also investigates what sealed bids means and how it is related to rules, laws and praxis.  There is a huge issue with sealed bids and it involves a risk for all parties involved. The bidding process is lacking in transparency and it is likely that it generates disappointment and frustration. It occurs in association when the market is blooming, which generates quick deals where not everyone get the chance to participate in the process of bidding. The market does not set the price, which leads to selling prices that differs from the market value. From a financial point of view, one of the parties usually losing out in the deal, with either the buyer paying too much, or the seller receiving less than what they could have received in an open bidding process. Overall, the other speculators get upset due to that they have not been getting the opportunity to participate in the bidding and it is often the realtor who receives the criticism. Lack of knowledge and injustice are the reasons of the dissatisfaction and the problem that arises on the real estate market. Brokers and other experts within the sector see this as a more common issue and it gives the real estate market a bad reputation, especially for the brokers. The ambition of the sector is that the real estate deals should be more direct and informative for all parties involved with an open and transparent bidding process.

<p>En styrelses uppgift är att företräda samtliga aktieägare i ett bolag. I ett börsnoterat bolag är ägarna många vilket gör styrelsens uppgift svår då det finns många intressenter. Vid ett uppköpsbud aktualiseras bolagets värde ur samtliga berörda intressenters perspektiv. Vår undersökning identifierar aktieägarnas perspektiv i denna situation och utvärderar i vilken utsträckning deras intressen tillgodoses. Vi har genomfört ett antal tester av hypoteser som formulerats utifrån tillgänglig applicerbar forskning. Resultatet av undersökningen indikerar att aktieägares intressen tillgodoses och att styrelser i allmänhet agerar utifrån aktieägares intresse i fråga om offentliga uppköp.</p>

<p>Den här uppsatsen studerar om och hur tjänsten e-bud, budgivning via Internet, påverkar utbudspriset och överlåtelsepriset på småhus i Sverige. Köpare och säljare måste söka på bostadsmarknaden för att finna information om utbudspris och överlåtelsepris i förhållande till område och kvalitet. Detta är en process som den moderna utvecklingen av informationsteknologin kan påverka förutsättningarna för. Överlåtelsepriset bestäms i regel av en budgivning mellan köpare och säljare medan utbudspriset antas vara säljaren reservationspris. Detta kan informationsteknologin också inverka på. De huvudsakliga slutsatserna i uppsatsen är att e-bud förenklar sökprocessen, vilket resulterar i ett högre överlåtelsepris jämfört med konventionell budgivning samt att utbudspriset har betydelse för överlåtelsepriset men inte för den procentuella vinsten utöver utbudspriset. Utbudspriset på småhus sålda via e-bud visar därmed säljarens reservationspris.</p>

En styrelses uppgift är att företräda samtliga aktieägare i ett bolag. I ett börsnoterat bolag är ägarna många vilket gör styrelsens uppgift svår då det finns många intressenter. Vid ett uppköpsbud aktualiseras bolagets värde ur samtliga berörda intressenters perspektiv. Vår undersökning identifierar aktieägarnas perspektiv i denna situation och utvärderar i vilken utsträckning deras intressen tillgodoses. Vi har genomfört ett antal tester av hypoteser som formulerats utifrån tillgänglig applicerbar forskning. Resultatet av undersökningen indikerar att aktieägares intressen tillgodoses och att styrelser i allmänhet agerar utifrån aktieägares intresse i fråga om offentliga uppköp.

Dormancy, cold hardiness and height growth were examined in four poplar clones exposed to four temperature conditions (13.5ºC/8.5ºC, 18.5ºC/3.5ºC, 18.5ºC/13.5ºC and 23.5ºC/8.5ºC day/night temperatures) under short photoperiod. The selected clones were WP-69 (Okanese)- early acclimation, Walker and Katepwa - intermediate acclimation, and Prairie Sky- late acclimation. Changes in physical water properties and mobility within the vascular tissue region, vascular transition region into the axillary bud and the upper axillary bud were assessed during endodormancy development using Magnetic Resonance Microimaging (MRMI). <p>In summary:<br>a) There were distinct differences between poplar clones during dormancy induction in response to temperature. For example, Katepwa, Walker and WP-69 clones became endodormant but Prairie Sky did not enter endodormancy. Endodormancy development and cold acclimation in WP-69 were less affected by temperature than Katepwa and Walker suggesting that genotypic variation exists in response to temperature change.<p>b) Growth cessation, not endodormancy, was a prerequisite for cold acclimation since cold hardiness increased in Prairie Sky in the absence of endodormancy. However, increases in endodormancy coincided with increase in cold hardiness in other clones.<p>c) Low night temperatures (18.5ºC/3.5ºC) delayed endodormancy development and cold acclimation in all clones compared to the warm night temperature treatment (18.5ºC /13.5ºC). Night temperature was negatively correlated with time to growth cessation, and cold hardiness and positively correlated with dormancy development. Changes in night temperature may affect time to growth cessation, subsequently altering timing of cold acclimation and endodormancy development since growth cessation appeared to be a prerequisite for both processes. <p>d) ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient), an indicator of water mobility within living tissues, was negatively correlated with endodormancy induction. Specifically, the transition region of vascular tissue between the stem and the lower axillary bud showed the highest correlation with endodormancy development. By contrast, decreases in T1 relaxation times, an indicator of biophysical water properties, were inconsistent with changes in endodormancy levels in axillary buds. Thus, ADC appears to correspond more closely with endodormancy development than changes in T1 relaxation times. <p>It is apparent that temperature impacts dormancy development in hybrid poplar. Underlying changes in water appear to correspond with changes in endodormancy. Under future warming scenarios, genotypes such as WP 69 (Okanese) that are less sensitive to temperature and maintain a consistent, endodormancy induction pattern, may be better fit to changing climates.

Dormancy, cold hardiness and height growth were examined in four poplar clones exposed to four temperature conditions (13.5ºC/8.5ºC, 18.5ºC/3.5ºC, 18.5ºC/13.5ºC and 23.5ºC/8.5ºC day/night temperatures) under short photoperiod. The selected clones were WP-69 (Okanese)- early acclimation, Walker and Katepwa - intermediate acclimation, and Prairie Sky- late acclimation. Changes in physical water properties and mobility within the vascular tissue region, vascular transition region into the axillary bud and the upper axillary bud were assessed during endodormancy development using Magnetic Resonance Microimaging (MRMI). <p>In summary:<br>a) There were distinct differences between poplar clones during dormancy induction in response to temperature. For example, Katepwa, Walker and WP-69 clones became endodormant but Prairie Sky did not enter endodormancy. Endodormancy development and cold acclimation in WP-69 were less affected by temperature than Katepwa and Walker suggesting that genotypic variation exists in response to temperature change.<p>b) Growth cessation, not endodormancy, was a prerequisite for cold acclimation since cold hardiness increased in Prairie Sky in the absence of endodormancy. However, increases in endodormancy coincided with increase in cold hardiness in other clones.<p>c) Low night temperatures (18.5ºC/3.5ºC) delayed endodormancy development and cold acclimation in all clones compared to the warm night temperature treatment (18.5ºC /13.5ºC). Night temperature was negatively correlated with time to growth cessation, and cold hardiness and positively correlated with dormancy development. Changes in night temperature may affect time to growth cessation, subsequently altering timing of cold acclimation and endodormancy development since growth cessation appeared to be a prerequisite for both processes. <p>d) ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient), an indicator of water mobility within living tissues, was negatively correlated with endodormancy induction. Specifically, the transition region of vascular tissue between the stem and the lower axillary bud showed the highest correlation with endodormancy development. By contrast, decreases in T1 relaxation times, an indicator of biophysical water properties, were inconsistent with changes in endodormancy levels in axillary buds. Thus, ADC appears to correspond more closely with endodormancy development than changes in T1 relaxation times. <p>It is apparent that temperature impacts dormancy development in hybrid poplar. Underlying changes in water appear to correspond with changes in endodormancy. Under future warming scenarios, genotypes such as WP 69 (Okanese) that are less sensitive to temperature and maintain a consistent, endodormancy induction pattern, may be better fit to changing climates.

The objectives of this study were to develop an in vitro direct adventitious bud induction and an organogenic callus induction and shoot regeneration system via floral organ segments culture for bromeliads, moreover, explore the effect of auxin on plantlet elongation of Guzmania. And further, apply the above micropropagation system to physical and chemical methods to induce somaclonal variances of bromeliad plantlets in vitro for mutation breeding. The explant sources of bromeliads and the components of culture medium were studied to develop a micropropagation system for bromeliads. The results indicated that the 1/3MS basal medium supplemented with a combination of 1.0 mg l-1 BA + 0.5-1.0 mg l-1 NAA, or a combination of 3.0 mg l-1 BA + 0.5 mg l-1 NAA, showed the highest frequency of direct initiation of adventitious buds derived from shoot apex and lateral bud explants of Aechmea fulgens var. fulgens and Guzmania 'Focus'. The best results of adventitious buds induction of the both species were found in the lower lateral bud explants, at 47.5% and 35%, respectively. In addition, the adventitious buds began to form on day 16 after the G. 'Focus' decapitated plantlets had been cultured in medium supplemented with 3.0 mg l-1 BA + 0.5 mg l-1 NAA. However, this phenomenon did not occur in case of undecapitated explants, where only protruding nodules appeared. Petal- and ovary-derived calli of A. fasciata and G. 'Hilda' were induced on 1/2MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0-1.5 mg l-1 2,4-D in combination with 1.0 or 0.5 mg l-1 NAA. Organogenic calli were cultured on medium with 1.0 mg l-1 NAA and 0.5 mg l-1 TDZ could be induced to differentiate and regenerate the adventitious buds. Furthermore, the number of adventitious buds proliferating at the base of the plantlets derived from G. 'Hilda' floral organs, cultured in media with different concentrations of IAA, IBA, NAA, and 8-azaadenine, was only 1-2 adventitious buds individually. This result shows that auxin can indeed suppress cytokinin-effects. The influence on plantlet elongation was greatest in the treatments using 0.5 mg l-1 NAA and 1.0 mg l-1 NAA. After 4 months culture, plantlets grew to 5.73 and 5.62 cm in height, that was 2.22 and 1.95 cm higher than the control, respectively. Plantlets of A. fasciata hardened under the middle (50 £gmol m-2s-1) light intensity condition had a higher survival rate, 95%, than that hardened at a low light intensity (1 £gmol m-2s-1; 17.5%). The maximum number of newly developing roots, up to 4.15 per shoot, was also observed at the same light intensity treatment. During transplantation, plantlets growing in coir fiber showed the best results in terms of plant growth within 6 months ex vitro culture. The average length of the plantlets was 22.0 cm, and an average of 19.3 leaves per plantlet was achieved. When calli of G. 'Hilda' treated by sodium azide, the survival rate was 0%. The survival rate of decapitated plantlet explants treated with 0.5 mM sodium azide for 60 minutes was 51.3%, about half-lethal dose. In addition to the survival rates of decapitated plantlet explants of A. fasciata, G. 'Hilda', G. 'Cherry', G. 'Luna' and G. 'Focus' irradiated by £^-ray showed 74.2-100% with the exception of the G. 'Focus' irradiated by 15 Gy, which dropped to 45.0%. At present, mutant plantlets showed a great deal of chimeras in leaf and were transplanted to potting media.

No description available.