title: A Comparative Analysis of Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Dermal Fibroblasts

authors: Leander, Alexandra Anneli Kristina

abstract: The aim of this study was to isolate and characterise equine mesenchymal stromal cells from various sources and to compare their biological properties to that of dermal fibroblasts. By using multiple conventional methods a comparative analysis of the different populations could be made. The results showed that little distinguishes mesenchymal stromal cells from dermal fibroblasts, they have the same morphology and growth characteristics, the same cell surface markers as demonstrated with immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry and the capacity to undergo trilineage differentiation into adipo-, chondro- and osteogenic lineages essentially becoming fat, cartilage and bone. An allogenic synovial fluid model was shown to induce a chondrogenic phenotype in equine mesenchymal stromal cells as well as dermal fibroblasts. A bio-activation assay was performed to evaluate cytokine production of cell populations after activation with Tumour necrosis factor alpha or inflammatory synovial fluid. All of the analysed cell populations demonstrated up-regulation of production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1, after activation with inflammatory synovial fluid, although significant values could not be obtained for every source. As for Prostaglandin E2, results were obtained for bone marrow stromal cells and dermal fibroblasts populations only. Their effects were in opposite; dermal fibroblast reduced the production of Prostaglandin E2 post activation. A functional bio-activation assay has shown promise as a method to distinguish equine mesenchymal stromal cells from dermal fibroblast populations.

text: A Comparative Analysis of Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Dermal Fibroblasts The aim of this study was to isolate and characterise equine mesenchymal stromal cells from various sources and to compare their biological properties to that of dermal fibroblasts. By using multiple conventional methods a comparative analysis of the different populations could be made. The results showed that little distinguishes mesenchymal stromal cells from dermal fibroblasts, they have the same morphology and growth characteristics, the same cell surface markers as demonstrated with immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry and the capacity to undergo trilineage differentiation into adipo-, chondro- and osteogenic lineages essentially becoming fat, cartilage and bone. An allogenic synovial fluid model was shown to induce a chondrogenic phenotype in equine mesenchymal stromal cells as well as dermal fibroblasts. A bio-activation assay was performed to evaluate cytokine production of cell populations after activation with Tumour necrosis factor alpha or inflammatory synovial fluid. All of the analysed cell populations demonstrated up-regulation of production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1, after activation with inflammatory synovial fluid, although significant values could not be obtained for every source. As for Prostaglandin E2, results were obtained for bone marrow stromal cells and dermal fibroblasts populations only. Their effects were in opposite; dermal fibroblast reduced the production of Prostaglandin E2 post activation. A functional bio-activation assay has shown promise as a method to distinguish equine mesenchymal stromal cells from dermal fibroblast populations.

year: 2017

title: Integration of stereo vision system calibration and kinematic calibration for an autonomous kiwifruit harvesting system

authors: Au, Chi Kit

subjects: harvesting

abstract: Stereo vision system and manipulator are two major components of an autonomous fruit harvesting system. In order to raise the fruit-harvesting rate, stereo vision system calibration and kinematic calibration are two significant processes to improve the positional accuracy of the system. This article reviews the mathematics of these two calibration processes and presents an integrated approach for acquiring calibration data and calibrating both components of an autonomous kiwifruit harvesting system. The calibrated harvesting system yields good positional accuracy in the laboratory tests, especially in harvesting individual kiwifruit. However, the performance is not in line with the outcomes in the orchard field tests due to the cluster growing style of kiwifruit. In the orchard test, the calibrations reduce the fruit drop rate but it does not impressively raise the fruit harvesting rate. Most of the fruit in the clusters remain in the canopy due to the invisibility of the stereo vision system. After analyzing the existing stereo vision system, a future visual sensing system research direction for an autonomous fruit harvesting system is justified.

text: Integration of stereo vision system calibration and kinematic calibration for an autonomous kiwifruit harvesting system Stereo vision system and manipulator are two major components of an autonomous fruit harvesting system. In order to raise the fruit-harvesting rate, stereo vision system calibration and kinematic calibration are two significant processes to improve the positional accuracy of the system. This article reviews the mathematics of these two calibration processes and presents an integrated approach for acquiring calibration data and calibrating both components of an autonomous kiwifruit harvesting system. The calibrated harvesting system yields good positional accuracy in the laboratory tests, especially in harvesting individual kiwifruit. However, the performance is not in line with the outcomes in the orchard field tests due to the cluster growing style of kiwifruit. In the orchard test, the calibrations reduce the fruit drop rate but it does not impressively raise the fruit harvesting rate. Most of the fruit in the clusters remain in the canopy due to the invisibility of the stereo vision system. After analyzing the existing stereo vision system, a future visual sensing system research direction for an autonomous fruit harvesting system is justified.

year: 2022

title: “Landlords wouldn’t give my application a second look.” Discrimination exacerbates inequalities in access to private rental housing

authors: Terruhn, Jessica

abstract: This report and the key insights are based on findings from a housing survey that was conducted with 800 residents in neighbourhoods in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. 
• Perceptions of unfairness in Aotearoa’s housing sector are widespread. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to think that people are treated unfairly when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. 
• Nearly one in three respondents reported having experienced discrimination when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to report experiences of discrimination. 
• Advantage and disadvantage in securing a home are determined by a combination of interlocking factors, including income and employment status, age, family status, and race/ethnicity or skin colour. These patterns suggest widespread experiences of potentially unlawful housing discrimination. 
• People strategically try to avoid and mitigate discrimination. Expectations of being discriminated against and of being advantaged influence where and how home seekers search for housing. This finding signals that experiences of rejection play a role in constraining people’s housing choices. 
• The survey findings suggest that discrimination, as part of tenant selection, contributes to housing precarity and inequalities in access to rental housing. Therefore, this research points to an urgent need to address housing discrimination, especially in the context of high levels of residential mobility among renters and intense competition for rental properties.

text: “Landlords wouldn’t give my application a second look.” Discrimination exacerbates inequalities in access to private rental housing This report and the key insights are based on findings from a housing survey that was conducted with 800 residents in neighbourhoods in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. 
• Perceptions of unfairness in Aotearoa’s housing sector are widespread. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to think that people are treated unfairly when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. 
• Nearly one in three respondents reported having experienced discrimination when trying to rent or buy a home in Aotearoa. Renters, Māori, younger people and low-income groups as well as residents in neighbourhoods with high levels of housing deprivation are most likely to report experiences of discrimination. 
• Advantage and disadvantage in securing a home are determined by a combination of interlocking factors, including income and employment status, age, family status, and race/ethnicity or skin colour. These patterns suggest widespread experiences of potentially unlawful housing discrimination. 
• People strategically try to avoid and mitigate discrimination. Expectations of being discriminated against and of being advantaged influence where and how home seekers search for housing. This finding signals that experiences of rejection play a role in constraining people’s housing choices. 
• The survey findings suggest that discrimination, as part of tenant selection, contributes to housing precarity and inequalities in access to rental housing. Therefore, this research points to an urgent need to address housing discrimination, especially in the context of high levels of residential mobility among renters and intense competition for rental properties.

year: 2024-08