title: Structural analysis of the GH43 enzyme Xsa43E from Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus

authors: Till, Marisa

subjects: Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus

abstract: The rumen of dairy cattle can be thought of as a large, stable fermentation vat and as such it houses a large and diverse community of microorganisms. The bacterium Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus is a representative of a significant component of this microbial community. It is a xylan-degrading organism whose genome encodes a large number of open reading frames annotated as fibre-degrading enzymes. This suite of enzymes is essential for the organism to utilize the plant material within the rumen as a fuel source, facilitating its survival in this competitive environment. Xsa43E, a GH43 enzyme from B. proteoclasticus, has been structurally and functionally characterized. Here, the structure of selenomethionine-derived Xsa43E determined to 1.3 Å resolution using single-wavelength anomalous diffraction is reported. Xsa43E possesses the characteristic five-bladed β-propeller domain seen in all GH43 enzymes. GH43 enzymes can have a range of functions, and the functional characterization of Xsa43E shows it to be an arabinofuranosidase capable of cleaving arabinose side chains from short segments of xylan. Full functional and structural characterization of xylan-degrading enzymes will aid in creating an enzyme cocktail that can be used to completely degrade plant material into simple sugars. These molecules have a range of applications as starting materials for many industrial processes, including renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

text: Structural analysis of the GH43 enzyme Xsa43E from Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus The rumen of dairy cattle can be thought of as a large, stable fermentation vat and as such it houses a large and diverse community of microorganisms. The bacterium Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus is a representative of a significant component of this microbial community. It is a xylan-degrading organism whose genome encodes a large number of open reading frames annotated as fibre-degrading enzymes. This suite of enzymes is essential for the organism to utilize the plant material within the rumen as a fuel source, facilitating its survival in this competitive environment. Xsa43E, a GH43 enzyme from B. proteoclasticus, has been structurally and functionally characterized. Here, the structure of selenomethionine-derived Xsa43E determined to 1.3 Å resolution using single-wavelength anomalous diffraction is reported. Xsa43E possesses the characteristic five-bladed β-propeller domain seen in all GH43 enzymes. GH43 enzymes can have a range of functions, and the functional characterization of Xsa43E shows it to be an arabinofuranosidase capable of cleaving arabinose side chains from short segments of xylan. Full functional and structural characterization of xylan-degrading enzymes will aid in creating an enzyme cocktail that can be used to completely degrade plant material into simple sugars. These molecules have a range of applications as starting materials for many industrial processes, including renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

year: 2014-08-29

title: Go hard, go early: Alternatives to the treatment model for addressing poverty, inequality and mental distress in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Stolte, Ottilie Emma Elisabeth

subjects: community psychology

abstract: This discussion article is based on a paper presented at the Community Psychology Symposium as part of the 2021 New Zealand Psychology Conference. In this article, I reflect on my teaching praxis, widening inequalities, and on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for psychology. Currently, the lack of mental health sector capacity and the shortage of some 1000 psychologists, poses a significant conundrum. This article revisits Albee's critique, "that no mass disease or disorder has ever been controlled or eliminated through individual treatment" (2005, p.37), and in so doing I reflect on what community psychology can contribute at this point in history.

text: Go hard, go early: Alternatives to the treatment model for addressing poverty, inequality and mental distress in Aotearoa New Zealand This discussion article is based on a paper presented at the Community Psychology Symposium as part of the 2021 New Zealand Psychology Conference. In this article, I reflect on my teaching praxis, widening inequalities, and on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for psychology. Currently, the lack of mental health sector capacity and the shortage of some 1000 psychologists, poses a significant conundrum. This article revisits Albee's critique, "that no mass disease or disorder has ever been controlled or eliminated through individual treatment" (2005, p.37), and in so doing I reflect on what community psychology can contribute at this point in history.

year: 2021

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Te Rau Puawai support team and staff perspectives

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori students

abstract: To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The Te Rau Puawai support team were identified as an important source of support
for bursars particularly the support provided by the coordinator and administrator.
This report documents the perspectives of four members of the telephone support
team (including the coordinator), and individual interviews held with the coordinator
and the administrator in addressing the objectives of the evaluation.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Te Rau Puawai support team and staff perspectives To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The Te Rau Puawai support team were identified as an important source of support
for bursars particularly the support provided by the coordinator and administrator.
This report documents the perspectives of four members of the telephone support
team (including the coordinator), and individual interviews held with the coordinator
and the administrator in addressing the objectives of the evaluation.

year: 2002-05-01