Characterization Of 1-Deoxy-D-Xylulose 5-Phosphate Reductoisomerase (Dxr) From Vibrio Vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus, a gram-negative bacterium, is the leading cause of seafood-borne illnesses and mortality in the United States. Previous studies of bacterial pathogens have identified a metabolite essential to V. vulnificus growth and function. 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr) is an essential enzyme in the viability of many bacteria and catalyzes the rearrangement of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (Dxp) to 2-C-methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) within the MEP pathway found in plants and bacteria. Previous studies have been conducted to characterize Dxr homologs from other pathogens including E. coli, M. tuberculosis, and P. falciparum. Information on the structural and enzymatic characteristics of Dxr from Vibrio vulnificus, or VvDxr, is not known. In this study, we show for the first time apo and ligand-bound structures of VvDxr. The structures are from both His-tag cleaved (cut) and uncleaved (uncut) protein. Using Dxr homologs, we identify similarities in the structural characteristics among these enzymes. The binding characteristics were also studied to identify parallels between the enzyme’s affinity for metals and inhibitors. Our findings will provide basis for design of Dxr inhibitors that may find application as antimicrobial compounds

Minors in the Mines: Archaeological Indicators of Child Labor in Prehistoric Mining Contexts in Europe

Developing a theoretical and methodological framework for the study of children, childhood, and child labor in prehistory has two goals. The first is to reintegrate children into cultural narratives in light of the increased popularity of the topic among archaeologists; the second is to equip researchers with the tools to apply developing theories to prehistoric populations in which there is material and physical evidence of child labor. Using the prehistoric mining complex of Hallstatt in alpine Austria as a case study, this thesis highlights how a reevaluation of existing data can provide a more inclusive interpretation of childhood even in the distant past. By viewing the existing material and biological evidence through the theoretical lens of Grete Lillehammer’s child’s world, and incorporating additional lines of evidence through analogy, a child-centric analysis can be generated. Future directions for the study of children and childhood in prehistoric mining contexts are discussed in the course of demonstrating the unique opportunity these communities provide to discuss childhood in occupationally specialized societies

Minors in the Mines: Archaeological Indicators of Child Labor in Prehistoric Mining Contexts in Europe

Developing a theoretical and methodological framework for the study of children, childhood, and child labor in prehistory has two goals. The first is to reintegrate children into cultural narratives in light of the increased popularity of the topic among archaeologists; the second is to equip researchers with the tools to apply developing theories to prehistoric populations in which there is material and physical evidence of child labor. Using the prehistoric mining complex of Hallstatt in alpine Austria as a case study, this thesis highlights how a reevaluation of existing data can provide a more inclusive interpretation of childhood even in the distant past. By viewing the existing material and biological evidence through the theoretical lens of Grete Lillehammer’s child’s world, and incorporating additional lines of evidence through analogy, a child-centric analysis can be generated. Future directions for the study of children and childhood in prehistoric mining contexts are discussed in the course of demonstrating the unique opportunity these communities provide to discuss childhood in occupationally specialized societies

Supporting siblings of children with a special educational need or disability : an evaluation of Sibs Talk, a one‐to‐one intervention delivered by staff in mainstream schools

A group often overlooked for specific supports in schools are siblings of children with a disability, special educational needs or a serious long‐term condition (SEND). In this article we review the current sibling research and identify a lack of literature on interventions, particularly within a school context. We then present a description of Sibs Talk, an example of a new school‐based intervention to support siblings. Sibs Talk is a ten‐session, one‐to‐one intervention approach for schools to complete with Key Stage 2 children who have a brother or sister with SEND. Finally, we present an initial evaluation of the effectiveness of Sibs Talk, using a pre and post evaluation format with a sample of 55 children from 11 schools. The data presented in this evaluation indicate that Sibs Talk may have contributed to positive outcomes for participating children

Combinatorics of linear iterated function systems with overlaps

Let $\bm p_0,...,\bm p_{m-1}$ be points in ${\mathbb R}^d$, and let $\{f_j\}_{j=0}^{m-1}$ be a one-parameter family of similitudes of ${\mathbb R}^d$: $$f_j(\bm x) = \lambda\bm x + (1-\lambda)\bm p_j, j=0,...,m-1,$$ where $\lambda\in(0,1)$ is our parameter. Then, as is well known, there exists a unique self-similar attractor $S_\lambda$ satisfying $S_\lambda=\bigcup_{j=0}^{m-1} f_j(S_\lambda)$. Each $\bm x\in S_\lambda$ has at least one address $(i_1,i_2,...)\in\prod_1^\infty\{0,1,...,m-1\}$, i.e., $\lim_n f_{i_1}f_{i_2}... f_{i_n}({\bf 0})=\bm x$. We show that for $\lambda$ sufficiently close to 1, each $\bm x\in S_\lambda\setminus\{\bm p_0,...,\bm p_{m-1}\}$ has $2^{\aleph_0}$ different addresses. If $\lambda$ is not too close to 1, then we can still have an overlap, but there exist $\bm x$'s which have a unique address. However, we prove that almost every $\bm x\in S_\lambda$ has $2^{\aleph_0}$ addresses, provided $S_\lambda$ contains no holes and at least one proper overlap. We apply these results to the case of expansions with deleted digits. Furthermore, we give sharp sufficient conditions for the Open Set Condition to fail and for the attractor to have no holes. These results are generalisations of the corresponding one-dimensional results, however most proofs are different.Comment: Accepted for publication in Nonlinearit