Pacific McGeorge School of Law
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Multi-Body Resonances in Extrasolar Systems
No full textUtilizing a recently revised catalog of exoplanets detected by the Kepler space telescope, we aim to identify planetary systems that exhibit three or more planets in orbital resonance. An orbital resonance occurs when planetary bodies orbiting the same object have orbital periods in a first- or second-order integer ratio (e.g., 2:1, 3:2, 5:3). These resonances play a significant role in the gravitational dynamics of a system, stabilizing or destabilizing orbits and providing insight into system formation. Using Python scripts we created to identify systems for potential resonances, we identified 91 systems with at least one planet triple that could potentially be in resonance. We identify triple-body resonances by checking whether two planets in a system have orbital periods close to a two-body resonance and then determining if one of these planets also forms another two-body resonance with a third planet in the system. We ran simulations of the multiplanet systems of interest using an established Python package (Rebound) to model the planetary dynamics and gravity of these systems. By deriving the initial orbital parameters and using precise planetary radius measurements and an empirical mass-radius relation, we estimate the masses of planets for the dynamical simulations. Using these orbital parameters, we confirm orbital resonances by analyzing the planets\u27 simulated mean motions multiplied by calculated integer coefficients. Through simulating the dynamics of these systems, we corroborated the resonant configurations of Kepler Object of Interest (KOI)-500 discovered by MacDonald et al. (2016), KOI-730 discovered by Fabrycky et at. (2011), and KOI-2086 discovered by Jontof-Hutter et al. (2016). We also find evidence of potential resonances in KOI-351 and KOI-707. Future studies of these systems could confirm whether they are truly in resonance. Our methodology may also prove fruitful when applied to data from the ongoing Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission
Spider Silk Assembly
No full textThe unique composition of spider silk, specifically dragline silk, exhibits high tensile strength and toughness, enabling its usage for spider lifelines and web frames. Potential uses of synthetic spider silk include clothing, medical sutures, procedures to replace ligaments, and optical instruments. Previous studies highlight major ampullate spidroin proteins, MaSp1 and MaSp2, and cysteine-rich proteins (CRP), including CRP1, as the primary composition of dragline silk in black widow spiders. The trigger and processes that govern spider silk assembly, which involves the phase transition from a liquid crystal to a solid structure, require further elucidation. In order to further explore the trigger mechanism, we conducted research to determine whether MaSp1 and CRP1 are subjugated to a redox trigger mechanism. Prokaryotic expression plasmids were designed and generated to express MaSp1 and CRP1, and the recombinant proteins were purified through affinity chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, followed by Western blot analysis and mass spectrometry, was performed to visualize the purified proteins and investigate the potential for disulfide bond formation between CRP1 and MaSp1 through protein oxidation. Further studies will involve identifying methods that integrate the trigger mechanism to produce dragline silk of higher tensile strength for commercial and large-scale industrial applications
Identification of Differential Gene Expression in Peritumoral and Tumoral Glioma Cells
No full textDuring the translation phase of the cell cycle, the exons, or coding regions, of the mRNA transcript are joined together to create the relevant proteins for the cell, while the introns, or non-coding regions, are cut out of the transcript. The amount of produced protein can be measured using RNA sequencing techniques, namely differential gene expression analysis. This study focuses on performing RNA sequencing analysis using publicly available genomic data for gliomas, separated by tumoral and peritumoral (area surrounding the tumor) cells. The data was analyzed using RStudio software with PCA, correlation, and logistic regression testing in order to determine the statistical variances between cell types. A statistical model was also created using R in order to predict whether a given gene is a tumoral or peritumoral gene. The survival rate for glioma patients is very low and this type of brain cancer is especially aggressive and resistant to treatment. Therefore, applications of this study include identification of specific proteins present in tumoral RNA that aid in glioma progression for gene therapy targeting
Secondary metabolites of Serratia marcescens as potential antimicrobials
No full textThe rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global health emergency. According to the CDC, nearly 1.27 million people worldwide are killed by antibiotic-resistant pathogens, costing $4.6 billion annually to treat. Many pathogens are developing resistance against commonly prescribed antibiotics at a pace far more rapid than pre-pandemic levels. Considering this observation, new antimicrobials need to be identified. Natural sources of antimicrobial substances represent potential sources of new and interesting antimicrobials. Serratia marcescens, a common soil bacterium, is one of these potential sources for new antimicrobials against both prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens and viruses. One of these compounds, prodigiosin, has been well documented for its potential as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. This exploratory study involves culturing S. marcescens in varying growth conditions, such as temperature. By altering the growth conditions of S. marcescens, it may be possible to modify the production of secondary metabolites for extraction and antibiotic efficacy testing. The primary goal of this experiment is to analyze the activity of crude cellular lysate of S. marcescens under different laboratory conditions and compare its antibiotic effects with first-generation antibiotics. In addition to culturing S. marcescens, we have screened our laboratory isolate using the Kirby-Bauer plate assay against eight different antibiotics to develop a basic antibiotic susceptibility profile. This will be an additional measure for possible changes of our S. marcescens isolate under different laboratory conditions. With these crude extracts, we will also screen for antimicrobial activity against other common prokaryotic microorganisms, eukaryotic pathogens, and viruses
Kv7 channels in mesenteric arteries of male UC Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats: Responses to activation and inhibition
No full textVoltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are critical for regulating vascular contractility in both rodent and human blood vessels. During smooth muscle depolarization, Kv7 channels are essential in regulating vascular tone by potassium ion efflux through the plasma membrane. However, their roles in pathological conditions like diabetes are not well understood. It has been shown that muscarinic and adrenergic arterial responses are altered in diabetes. In this study, we examine the role of Kv7 channels in mesenteric arteries in the context of diabetes
Identifying A Unified Numbering Scheme Across BCL-BH3 Structures Using the Knob-Socket Model
No full textBH3 mimetics are sought after anti-cancer agents, because they reverse the inhibition of BAX and BAK apoptotic cell effectors and permit cell death of a cancerous cell. BH3 mimetics are designed to bind into the hydrophobic groove of the BCL-2 protein family that regulates apoptosis for healthy cells with pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins. In order to identify which residues are responsible for affinity and specificity in the BCL-2 binding groove, a Knob-Socket analysis is utilized to computationally map out the important surfaces defined as 3 residue “sockets” that bind residues defined a a “knob” in the binding groove. From a Knob-Socket mapping of several BH3 ligands bound to various BCL-2 proteins, helices 3, 4, and 5 of BCL-2 are responsible for binding with BH3 ligands. Previous analysis revealed a conserved Gly to Gly packing between the ligand and helix 5 (H5) of BCL-2, but further analysis of this family of interactions reveals an alternate specificity of a conserved Leu-Leu between the ligand and H5. The Leu-Leu interaction between the ligand and H5 is shown to have conserved socket residues of Asn, Trp, Gly, and Arg at the turn of the helix. In relation to the conserved Gly, the Leu residue is set at position -4 with alanine as the other conserved residue at position 0. These findings enhance the understanding of BH3 and similar ligand domains that specifically interact with BCL-2 proteins. By identifying the key residues involved in BH3 binding, more potent BH3 mimetics can be developed as potential agents to induce apoptosis in cancer cells
Divided by Design: The Strategic Creation of Enemies for Social Order and Power
No full textFrom the moment we gained the ability to navigate independently, others\u27 narratives helped shape our perceptions and behaviors. For instance, when our mothers warned us not to touch a hot pan because it could burn us or urged us to stay close in the grocery store to avoid being taken by a stranger. They ingrained a sense of caution, often for our protection. However, is fear always used in our favor? Now, while we can get burned by a hot pan or maybe taken if we wander off alone, are all other tellings accurate? In many cases fear narratives can be exaggerated or entirely false, leading to harmful misconceptions and negative labels. So, when individuals with authority use fear in a false narrative, is it truly for our safety or something else? This research explores the government\u27s ability to create enemies to maintain social order and expand political power. Within a sociological, political, psychological, and media frameworks, the study shows how negative narratives, fear, and propaganda can influence public perception. Connecting to sociological theories, such as Marx’s conflict theory, it can highlight that individuals with power can redirect social issues onto other nations to maintain control. Durkheim’s structural functionalism views suggest that identifying enemies can strengthen social norms to maintain order, while Mead’s symbolic interactionism emphasizes how narratives can shape these perceptions. To analyze the tactic of fear through theoretical frameworks, I use a multidisciplinary literature review. De Jaegher\u27s (2021) article provides an economic perspective on how using enemy narratives serves as a benefit and interest. Sullivan\u27s (2014) article examines the psychological and sociological factors, like fear, to increase society\u27s dependency on government. Taylor\u27s (2002) article explores how propaganda can be used to influence perception, while Abhishek\u27s (2021) article critiques the political use of misinformation. This paper will explore how governments use enemy construction to form policies, excuse military interventions, and increase their social/political control. Analyzing the use of establishing threats to form social control provides a deeper understanding of how state power is being used and the consequences of creating these enemies. Recognizing these frameworks allows a more critical approach to media narratives and government policies, emphasizing the ethical and political implications of these strategies
Indigenous Sounds of Gathering: Music and Dance Memory in the Cordillera Highlands of the Philippines
No full textThis documentary film demonstrates how indigenous music and dance are deeply ingrained into the Tinggian people’s collective memory. The Tinggian people are from the province of Abra and are one of several ethnolinguistic groups in the Cordillera mountains of the Philippines. Most of this documentary film’s contents were filmed in the barangay (village) Taripan in Malibcong, Abra, Philippines.
This documentary film depicts two traditional Tinggian dances accompanied by Cordillera flat gong music, pallook and tajok. Pallook is a joyful group dance performed at celebrations, where women and men dance in alternating formations with (usually) men playing the gongs. Tajok is a social partner dance between men and women of all ages and the accompanying musicians play the gongs on their laps. The film also shows a traditional chant called Uggayam, which is included at all social gatherings and performed by a chosen elder of the community, signifying its importance to Tinggian cultural identity. Ugayyam is usually performed at the beginning of an event before other dances or chants to signify the start of festivities at a celebration. These performances in the documentary were a part of a birthday celebration where the community gathered together.
The documentary also depicts scenes of road travel, environment and daily life, which are interwoven with the scenes of music and dance. By juxtaposing the scenes of music and dance with scenes of road travel, environment and daily life, the documentary explores ideas of tradition, heritage, indigeneity, and homecoming. This documentary film was created from various video and audio clips recorded during fieldwork research in July 2024
Dental Anesthesia VR Injection Simulation
No full textProblem: Pre-clinical dental and hygiene students must master local anesthesia injection techniques, yet live practice carries patient risk and scheduling constraints. Background: VR simulation can create a safe, repeatable environment for psychomotor skill development without patient exposure . Methods: We built a prototype in Unreal Engine 5 featuring: Anatomically accurate 3D head and soft-tissue models (Blender → Unity), Two needle sizes and color-coded cartridges that “snap” onto a syringe, A dental mirror tool selectable in either hand, Haptic-feedback controllers signaling incorrect angles (buzz) and excessive depth (resistance rumble), Two tutorial modes: guided in-VR prompts and a 2D screen-capture walkthrough. Status/Preliminary Outcomes: Core prototype functionality—tool selection, injection depth measurement, real-time haptic cues, and automated depth screenshot emails—is fully implemented. Internal testing confirms stable performance Implications: This VR tool establishes feasibility for safe, standardized anesthesia training and sets the stage for multi-procedure expansion and formal effectiveness trials
Pickleball Injury & Swing Analysis using Motion Capture and Simulation
No full textProblem: Shoulder and wrist injuries are increasing among pickleball players due to repetitive swing mechanics. Background: Existing biomechanics research focuses on tennis; pickleball’s unique paddle and court dynamics require dedicated analysis to inform prevention strategies. Methods: Using a Vicon motion-capture system (200 Hz) and MATLAB processing, we recorded forehand, backhand, and dink swing kinematics in 15 recreational players. We extracted joint angles, angular velocities, and impact-phase wrist positions to identify high-risk motion patterns. Status/Findings-to-Date: Data collection and analysis are complete. Preliminary identification of key risk factors—such as excessive wrist extension at impact—has guided the design of targeted corrective drills. Next Steps: Implement and evaluate corrective swing-mechanics drills in a four-week pilot, measuring kinematic changes and self-reported discomfort