Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a chronic condition that damages the body's immune system making people more susceptible to diseases. HIV encodes for accessory proteins that aid in the process of viral infection and replication by antagonizing the host cell’s antiviral response. One example is Viral Protein R (Vpr), which is found in all primate lentiviruses, including HIV-1 and HIV-2. Vpr has been conserved throughout the evolution of these viruses, which suggests that Vpr is important in viral replication, yet it is the only HIV protein whose main function remains unknown. However, it is known that HIV-1 and HIV-2 Vpr localize differently in infected cells, suggesting that they have distinct functions. Previous work done by our group demonstrated that the N-terminus and C-terminus of HIV-1 and HIV-2 Vpr are associated with their respective localization. To elucidate the differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2 Vpr, we created two chimera constructs that each contain the N-terminus or C-terminus of either HIV-1 or HIV-2. We hypothesize that Vpr from HIV-1 and HIV-2 are responsible for the differential localization, interactions, and effects on the cell. In addition, we hypothesize that these differences are linked, meaning that if we alter specific sequences linked to one of these properties, this will yield further changes in localization and interactions. By understanding the main function of Vpr, we can potentially identify ways to inhibit its role in viral replication. Ultimately, this can help inform future research aimed at treating HIV.

The role of the computer in daily human life has evolved in many areas such as transportation, consumerism, and the education system. This results in the increased importance of human and computer interaction (HCI). The goal of this research is to bridge the gap between the low level language of computers, binary, and the high level language of humans, in this case hand gestures. Machine vision impacts HCI by way of transforming this interaction into integration. Our research project proposes to expand on the development of this transformation through machine vision on a six degrees of freedom (6DoF) robotic arm. The robotic arm is instructed to react to hand gesture recognition through the implementation of Forward Kinematics (FK) and Inverse Kinematics (IK) within Python coding. This gesture recognition is achieved by using the Google cross-platform program MediaPipe. The robotic arm movement is confirmed through a simulation performed on MatLab. This simulation shows that the position X, Y, Z of the end effector has limitations that match with real robotics. These resulting limitations include that the position Z cannot fall below zero, the position Y cannot be equal to 2 and -3, and the position X cannot be equal to -8, 2, 9. The robotic arm displays the capability of performing FK and IK to calculate joint positions based on specific hand gestures recognized through machine vision. The HCI research conducted in this project successfully actuated the robotic arm through hand gesture recognition. This research is crucial because it expands the possibility of improving human experience with computer interaction, such as incorporating and enhancing sign languages into machine instruction.

On June 18th, 2014, Jeremy Meeks’ mugshot was uploaded onto the Stockton Police Department’s Facebook page to bring public attention to their efforts to end gun trafficking. Within hours, the portrait of the handsome, biracial, and blue-eyed Meeks went viral with the hashtag #HOTFELON. By the time Meeks had served his 27-month sentence, he had secured an international modeling contract. The fetishization and commodification of his mugshot reveals something new about gender, objectification, and the practice of looking. Through a historical analysis involving the examination of images of male mulatto figures and the writings that are centered around them, this research study focuses on the male mulatto figure as an object of desire in the 21st century. The viral phenomenon of Meeks as the #HotFelon demonstrates how social media has shifted the dominance of heteronormative notions of beauty and sex appeal. Barack Obama and Colin Kaepernick are incorporated in this analysis because both men are biracial, historically outspoken, and have had numerous “viral moments,” yet also provide a stark contrast to Jeremy Meeks’ journey from a felon to a runway model. The historical analysis will shed light on the ways in which the public has engaged with Obama, Kaepernick and Meeks, creating a detailed understanding of how the stereotype of the male mulatto figure has evolved and become commodified through social media.

Genetics plays a substantial role in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chromosome 15q11-13 duplication is an irregularity that occurs when there is an additional copy of genetic material on chromosome 15. This results in 15q duplication syndrome which can be characterized by neurodevelopmental delays, hypotonia, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder. The 15q Duplication can be inherited maternally or paternally. Depending on how the duplication is inherited, this can lead to differing phenotypic expression within an affected individual. The duplication disorder usually affects those who have inherited the duplication maternally while less than 50 percent of those who inherited the duplication paternally experience the clinical features of the duplication disorder, especially autistic features. We are interested in understanding what biological and molecular pathways are affected by the 15q duplication when it is inherited either paternally or maternally. To do this we collected and analyzed the cortical gene expression from mice carrying either maternal or paternal 15q duplications. This information will assist in discovery of similarities and differences between the gene expression of the two types of duplication inheritance. We performed exploratory data analysis and differential gene expression using the programming language, R. We looked at the sources of variation within the genes and the biological and molecular pathways that were affected. In those with the maternally inherited duplication, we found that there were significant changes in the genes related to inhibitory cells, unfolded protein response, and anion transport. Those with the paternally inherited duplication showed changes in genes connected to cell sensing, cell potential energy, and overall energy levels. Both the maternal and paternal duplication groups shared changes in genes related to synapses and cell homeostasis

One treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) involves culturing limbal stem cells (LSCs) ex vivo and transplanting the cultivated LSCs into the patient’s eye. The transplant’s success depends on how many LSCs are present in the graft. LSCs are smaller than differentiated corneal epithelial cells, therefore, cell size is one way to characterize the phenotype of cells in culture. Currently, a program exists that measures cell size; however, the program is not automated and thus subject to error. The goal of this project is to code a program that can accurately measure the size of cultivated LSCs, reducing the need for human input in evaluating the LSC population in cultivated cells. This program will use the packages matplotlib, Numpy, skimage, OpenCV, and pandas in the Anaconda Python3 distribution, brightfield images of dissociated LSCs undergo pre-processing through noise reduction and black balance to accurately identify the cell border. Then, through additional processing, the images give the circularity and diameter of the LSCs. Data analysis excludes cells with low circularity and outputs the percentage of cells <12 µm in diameter. This program is potentially very beneficial to the field of LSCD treatment. The fully automatic program will accurately measure the size of cultivated LSCs, which would characterize the population of LSCs in culture. In the future, this program could be extended to measure other types of cells.

Recent studies have found that intrinsic apoptosis is regulated by anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins that inhibit the mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) by restraining pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and BAK, however the dependencies cells have to particular anti-apoptotic proteins remains unclear. This makes treatment of apoptotic resistant diseases like cancer demonstrate very poor clinical response. Using a technique called BH3 profiling, we identified the particular apoptotic blocks in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) that made them resistant to the apoptotic pathway. Individual patient derived gliomaspheres were subjected to BCL-2 inhibiting peptides, called BH3 mimetics, and the percentage of cytochrome c released from the MOMP was measured to indicate apoptotic activity. This data was used to identify a notable dependency on two anti-apoptotic proteins in GBM, the BCLXL and MCL-1 proteins. Finally, these GBM were then treated with BH3 mimetic antagonists that inhibited these two particular apoptotic blocks which then demonstrated elevated levels of cytochrome c. This data suggests that GBM apoptosis has an apparent dependency on BCLXL and MCL-1 proteins. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to discuss the relationship of apoptotic blocks of BCLXL and MCL-1 in GBM and their ability to inhibit cytochrome c release and resist apoptosis. Understanding the apoptotic mechanisms of GBM and use of BH3 assay to identify apoptotic dependencies may better advise the standard of care for this cancer.

Ocular hypertension is a serious adverse effect of extended exposure to steroids, and may predispose a person to steroid induced glaucoma and permanent vision loss. Dexamethasone, a common glucocorticoid used to treat ocular inflammation, multiple sclerosis and edema, is known to induce ocular hypertension and glaucoma development at the Trabecular Meshwork level through increased outflow resistance. The Trabecular Meshwork is the “filter” of the drainage channel of the eye, when the filter is blocked and aqueous humor outflow is decreased, there is an increase in intraocular pressure. Previous studies on Trabecular Meshwork cells treated with Dexamethasone have shown increased fibrotic markers including alpha smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, and stress fiber formation. However, there are no definitive studies showing a contractile phenotype of Trabecular Meshwork cells, another marker of fibrosis. We hypothesize that Dexamethasone treatment will increase contractility of primary human Trabecular Meshwork cells. To test this hypothesis, the contractile state of dexamethasone-treated primary human Trabecular Meshwork cells is examined in a 3D collagen contractility assay. This project will add further information on the mechanical effects and pathophysiology Dexamethasone contributes to steroid induced glaucoma.