title: Fibre Degrading Enzymes from Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus

authors: Till, Marisa

abstract: The rumen harbours a large and diverse microbial population that is responsible for the breakdown of plant material into smaller compounds, which can then be utilised by the animal. Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium originally isolated from the rumen of New Zealand cows. The entire genome of B. proteoclasticus has been sequenced. This revealed that a large proportion of the genome is devoted to polysaccharide degradation and reassembly1. Prior to the start of the research described in this thesis, 44 of the genes from the B. proteoclasticus genome annotated as being involved in fibre degradation had been cloned and expression of many has been tested. Two of these enzymes were expressed, purified and had had their 3D structures determined. Further characterisation of these two enzymes is presented here, with site directed mutagenesis used to probe the proposed mechanism for each. The results support the proposed catalytic mechanisms of both enzymes. Kinetic parameters were measured with model substrates for both enzymes and this allowed comparison with similar enzymes produced by other organisms. A further nine fibre degrading enzymes from B. proteoclasticus were chosen for structural and/or functional investigation. Preliminary structural investigation gave crystallisation conditions for one enzyme, Xsa43E. The structure of Xsa43E is presented along with functional analysis of the enzyme. Four residues were found to be important for catalysis, three previously identified catalytic acidic residues common to all GH43 enzymes and a fourth residue, a histidine that is important for pKa modulation of the catalytic acid. The large central ion present in the structure of Xsa43E is identified as calcium and shown to be important both for activity and structural stability.

text: Fibre Degrading Enzymes from Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus The rumen harbours a large and diverse microbial population that is responsible for the breakdown of plant material into smaller compounds, which can then be utilised by the animal. Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium originally isolated from the rumen of New Zealand cows. The entire genome of B. proteoclasticus has been sequenced. This revealed that a large proportion of the genome is devoted to polysaccharide degradation and reassembly1. Prior to the start of the research described in this thesis, 44 of the genes from the B. proteoclasticus genome annotated as being involved in fibre degradation had been cloned and expression of many has been tested. Two of these enzymes were expressed, purified and had had their 3D structures determined. Further characterisation of these two enzymes is presented here, with site directed mutagenesis used to probe the proposed mechanism for each. The results support the proposed catalytic mechanisms of both enzymes. Kinetic parameters were measured with model substrates for both enzymes and this allowed comparison with similar enzymes produced by other organisms. A further nine fibre degrading enzymes from B. proteoclasticus were chosen for structural and/or functional investigation. Preliminary structural investigation gave crystallisation conditions for one enzyme, Xsa43E. The structure of Xsa43E is presented along with functional analysis of the enzyme. Four residues were found to be important for catalysis, three previously identified catalytic acidic residues common to all GH43 enzymes and a fourth residue, a histidine that is important for pKa modulation of the catalytic acid. The large central ion present in the structure of Xsa43E is identified as calcium and shown to be important both for activity and structural stability.

year: 2011

title: E-learning for Geography's Teaching and Learning Spaces

authors: Lynch, Kenneth

abstract: The authors embed their advocacy of educational technology in a consideration of contemporary pedagogy in geography. They provide examples of e-learning from a wide range of teaching and learning contexts. They promote the idea that considering best practice with reference to educational technology will increase the versatility of teaching geography in higher education. On the basis of reviewing the pedagogic options associated with e-learning using a variety of technologies, and their promotion of versatility in the use of e-learning approaches, they find and illustrate the new spaces that have become available to teachers and learners of geography.

text: E-learning for Geography's Teaching and Learning Spaces The authors embed their advocacy of educational technology in a consideration of contemporary pedagogy in geography. They provide examples of e-learning from a wide range of teaching and learning contexts. They promote the idea that considering best practice with reference to educational technology will increase the versatility of teaching geography in higher education. On the basis of reviewing the pedagogic options associated with e-learning using a variety of technologies, and their promotion of versatility in the use of e-learning approaches, they find and illustrate the new spaces that have become available to teachers and learners of geography.

year: 2008

title: Mai ngā reo pou tangata

authors: Nathan, Lisa Kiriwai

subjects: Maori

abstract: Globally the prevalence rate of dementia is estimated to be 50 million.  In 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand prevalence projections reported 62,287 people were affected by dementia.  Māori represented 5.1 per cent, which is expected to rise to 8 per cent by 2038.  Māori people prefer to care for ill kaumātua (older people) at home and are experiencing greater stress and increased caregiver burden due to the cultural expectations of caring for kaumātua at home.  The two aims of this study were first, to explore the perspectives of Māori whānau carers caring for kaumātua with dementia, and the second aim was to explore the perspectives of staff who work for dementia service providers, addressing areas such as staff’s experiences with Māori whānau carers and cultural competency in service delivery.
	Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight whānau (11 whānau carers) within the Waikato region of New Zealand and seven service provider staff participants. Whānau carers were interviewed first.  They were asked to share information about their kaumātua.  The topics explored the diagnosis process; the behavioural changes of the kaumātua living with dementia and the whānau caring experience.  Thematic analysis was conducted on the resulting transcripts to identify themes and to identify potential service providers to approach for interviews.  Five service provider organisations were selected, of which four service providers were able to commit to an interview.  One service provider could not commit to an interview due to thesis time constraints. Seven staff participants across the four service providers were recruited and invited to share their perspectives of working with Māori whānau.  Again, thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim transcripts to identify salient themes.
	Two major findings amidst the perspectives of whānau carers was identified.  First, the systemic lack of support across three dimensions, and second the negative impact of caregiver burden. The first deficiency was the lack of support from whānau members, second, the lack of support from community services and third, the lack of support from the government.  Whānau experienced poor health as a result of caregiver burden. Staff participants findings were firstly staff believed they were culturally inclusive and responsive, second they reported going beyond their roles and the system to support Māori and third staff identified barriers which exist for Māori in terms of accessing services.
	Whānau carers are struggling to find support from other whānau members.  Some whānau members are critical of caring methods, while others place additional burden on the carers.  Whānau are often described as an interconnected unit, however findings show that Māori whānau carers are feeling isolated and alone, and as a result are experiencing poor health. 
	Whānau carers perceive a services in their community as not being culturally inclusive or appropriate.  Staff participants said that they incorporate respect and compassion into their service delivery.  Staff recognise that the numbers of Māori represented at services are low, compared to non-Māori clients.  Services need to be integrate cultural training on a regular basis to ensure Māori are comfortable with being Māori in service settings.

text: Mai ngā reo pou tangata Globally the prevalence rate of dementia is estimated to be 50 million.  In 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand prevalence projections reported 62,287 people were affected by dementia.  Māori represented 5.1 per cent, which is expected to rise to 8 per cent by 2038.  Māori people prefer to care for ill kaumātua (older people) at home and are experiencing greater stress and increased caregiver burden due to the cultural expectations of caring for kaumātua at home.  The two aims of this study were first, to explore the perspectives of Māori whānau carers caring for kaumātua with dementia, and the second aim was to explore the perspectives of staff who work for dementia service providers, addressing areas such as staff’s experiences with Māori whānau carers and cultural competency in service delivery.
	Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight whānau (11 whānau carers) within the Waikato region of New Zealand and seven service provider staff participants. Whānau carers were interviewed first.  They were asked to share information about their kaumātua.  The topics explored the diagnosis process; the behavioural changes of the kaumātua living with dementia and the whānau caring experience.  Thematic analysis was conducted on the resulting transcripts to identify themes and to identify potential service providers to approach for interviews.  Five service provider organisations were selected, of which four service providers were able to commit to an interview.  One service provider could not commit to an interview due to thesis time constraints. Seven staff participants across the four service providers were recruited and invited to share their perspectives of working with Māori whānau.  Again, thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim transcripts to identify salient themes.
	Two major findings amidst the perspectives of whānau carers was identified.  First, the systemic lack of support across three dimensions, and second the negative impact of caregiver burden. The first deficiency was the lack of support from whānau members, second, the lack of support from community services and third, the lack of support from the government.  Whānau experienced poor health as a result of caregiver burden. Staff participants findings were firstly staff believed they were culturally inclusive and responsive, second they reported going beyond their roles and the system to support Māori and third staff identified barriers which exist for Māori in terms of accessing services.
	Whānau carers are struggling to find support from other whānau members.  Some whānau members are critical of caring methods, while others place additional burden on the carers.  Whānau are often described as an interconnected unit, however findings show that Māori whānau carers are feeling isolated and alone, and as a result are experiencing poor health. 
	Whānau carers perceive a services in their community as not being culturally inclusive or appropriate.  Staff participants said that they incorporate respect and compassion into their service delivery.  Staff recognise that the numbers of Māori represented at services are low, compared to non-Māori clients.  Services need to be integrate cultural training on a regular basis to ensure Māori are comfortable with being Māori in service settings.

year: 2019