University of Colorado Honors Journal最新文献

{"title":"Impact of experimental forest fragmentation and fire on the funnel-web spider, Atrax sutherlandi.","authors":"Wya Metelman-Alvis","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231609","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231609","url":null,"abstract":"Habitat fragmentation is one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss and in many regions of the world, climate change now interacts with habitat fragmentation in, as yet, unknown ways.  The Wog Wog habitat fragmentation experiment, located in New South Wales, Australia, is one of the longest experiments of its kind, running for over 35 years.  The experiment provides an excellent opportunity to examine the effects of habitat fragmentation on population changes over long time scales. In this project, I am studying the impacts of both habitat fragmentation and the Australian Black Summer Fires of 2019-2020 on the population of the funnel-web spider, Atrax sutherlandi. The fires burned for more than four months, burning more than 45 million acres of land, 30 million of which were forested, including Wog Wog. These bushfires are estimated to have killed over one billion invertebrates. I created models to examine differences in pre- and post-fire presence and abundance in fragments versus continuous forest using data collected post-fire and for five years before the fires.  Here we show that habitat fragmentation and fire do not interact to impact the funnel-web spider.  Our results show that funnel-web presence and abundance did not differ before or after the fires or in habitat fragments compared to continuous forest.  A potential explanation for the lack of an impact of fire is that funnel-webs live in burrows in the ground, which may protect them from fire. Also, a previous study from Wog Wog shows that habitat fragmentation did not impact funnel-web abundance in the period of time before the fire, likely because the spiders are generalists and invertebrate food webs remained intact in habitat fragments. Future studies should follow funnel-webs as the burned fragment communities continue to recover. \u0000To see the complete thesis, please visit https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/mk61rj17t.","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116544169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-Dissection","authors":"Hannah Wise","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231939","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231939","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117192733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mobile Writing Station (Nature)","authors":"Brandon W. Temple","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20232043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20232043","url":null,"abstract":"Plywood, hardware, found objects\u0000Owned by artist\u0000Modern life is suffocating with quick actions. The action of jotting a note, the action of taking a photo, even an action as simple as moving oneself from point A to B. Little time or thought is put into these actions because of the extreme ease that it takes to carry them out. This ease is a result of modern digital technology that is meant to make our lives easier. Which it does. In return for ease, the understanding and consideration taken towards actions are shortened or forgotten. It is entirely possible to move through life without true consideration and love. This object brings consideration and thoughtful use to a mobile writing unit. Equipped to handle easy trails you are able to bring this device into nature and write. While any writing can be done, poetry is this device’s focus because it also presses the viewer to take consideration. The transformation of this device from its mobile state to its open and useable state reflects the importance of taking one’s time and attention to detail. ","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115311200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fluorescence polarization reveals a possible displacement model of competition in PRC2:RNA:DNA interactions","authors":"Regan Fenske","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231817","url":null,"abstract":"PRC2 is a histone methyltransferase that acts on histone subunit H3 at lysine 27 to repress chromatin state and inhibit gene expression. The interactions between PRC2 and RNA have been heavily studied in vivo and in vitro with conflicting results reported on the relationship, but there is less data on interactions between PRC2 and DNA. Fluorescence polarization-based methodology was used with various RNA and DNA species to study the binding kinetics of PRC2 with RNA and DNA. Previous data indicate that PRC2 has a relatively high affinity for DNA species that are rich in consecutive G and C nucleotides. Double-stranded DNA species with lengths of 50-60 bp were designed for this project. Fluorescence polarization binding experiments were used to identify the general binding affinity of the DNA and RNA species to PRC2 by calculating the Kd apparent for the binding curve. After the apparent binding affinities were determined, various FP-competition experiments were performed to determine if each DNA species could be competed off by an RNA species or itself, and vice versa. These results showed that the DNA species were more effective competitors although the RNA species were stronger binders. These results suggest a mechanism for RNA-mediated PRC2 regulation that could reconcile the conflicting experimental results and interpretations of past experiments. Further FP-based Kd experiments under varying salt concentrations revealed PRC2 has ionic interactions with DNA that are not seen with RNA. This suggests PRC2 has extra unique interactions with DNA, which could explain the differing effectiveness of DNA versus RNA as competitors. Altogether, the results imply that DNA has additional contacts with PRC2 that limit its displacement by RNA, allowing for RNA to guide PRC2 to its target genetic loci and then for PRC2 to deposit its methyl marks without being sequestered by RNA.\u0000Lay Summary\u0000PRC2 is a protein involved in gene expression. Its role is to repress chromatin state, inhibiting gene expression during development. This protein is vital to developmentand has been linked to multiple diseases of the body including skin cancer and other forms. When the protein is doing its job correctly, it interacts with DNA in order to repress chromatin. RNA has been shown to be vital in anchoring PRC2 in the correct spot on chromatin, but studies have shown conflicting results in how it interacts with PRC2. In order to study how PRC2 interacts with DNA and RNA, fluorescence polarization-based methodology was used with various RNA and DNA species to study their binding kinetics to PRC2 individually. After the apparent binding affinities were determined, various FP-competition experiments were performed to determine if each DNA species could be competed off by an RNA species or itself, and vice versa. The DNA species were more effective competitors although the RNA species were stronger binders. These results along with other experiments revealed PRC2 has ionic intera","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"365 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115444021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Influence of Extraversion on Political Polarization and Affective Forecasting","authors":"C. Davis","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231941","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231941","url":null,"abstract":"In the United States, political division has continually worsened over the years, with the growing divide between the Left and Right leading to increased animosity between members of the two parties. This study explores this expanding division by analyzing the influence of political polarization on individuals’ willingness to work for a humanitarian cause. Specifically, we examine if an individual’s extraversion rating influences how long they spend on charitable task, or how long they predict they would spend on the task, and if the presence of cues associated with their in-group or out-group would influence their participation as well. This study does so by determining an association between extraversion and the assigned task type (predictor or engager) as well as between extraversion and the party they identify with. It also looked at the correlation of extraversion and time spent on a charitable task supposedly sponsored by a control, co-partisan, or counter-partisan charity organization. Ultimately, we found no association between extraversion and the time spent on the charitable task, nor did it find a link in extraversion and party identification. This study ran into some limitations that may have impacted its overall results – including time constraints and a singular focus placed on the personality trait of extraversion. This study demonstrated the importance of participation within prosocial activities and the implications of activities that influence this participation.\u0000To see the complete thesis, please visit https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/d791sh52s.","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"134 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123768581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"America Turned Inside Out","authors":"Jaxon Parker","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231779","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231779","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126847515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bite Me","authors":"Abigail Horton","doi":"10.1126/science.342.6157.401-b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1126/science.342.6157.401-b","url":null,"abstract":"This piece is a study of the lips, one of the most vulnerable and expressive parts of the body. Using texture, color, and varied expression, the goal of this piece was to characterize the individual lips despite them all being the same object.","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"37 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129188531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"This Is Dedicated to the One I Love","authors":"Ava Morgan","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231839","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122626439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self Portrait In Pride Colors","authors":"Max Roberts","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231953","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231953","url":null,"abstract":"Acrylic Painting on Canvas\u0000Dimensions: 18\" x 30\"\u0000Exploring my gender identity through self-portraiture. Using the colors of the Nonbinary flag, I ask myself who I am and what it means to be gender-nonconforming. I do not care how others perceive me as long as I am comfortable in my own identity and intrinsic values, therefore having a confident attitude within the piece. ","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124231093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wildfire","authors":"K. Brown","doi":"10.33011/cuhj20231631","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231631","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":126611,"journal":{"name":"University of Colorado Honors Journal","volume":"91 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115222682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}