http://hdl.handle.net/10090/14 Wheaton Search the Channel search http://dspace.nitle.org/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/10090/6024 Title: The Role of Mercury Speciation in its Methylation by Methylcobalamin (vitamin-B12) <br/> <br/>Authors: Musante, Ashlan, M. <br/> <br/>Abstract: A study presented to the faculty of Wheaton College in partial fulfullment of the requirements for graduation with departmental honors in Chemistry. Mono-methyl mercury (MMHg) travels through the food chain by means of bioaccumulation, and humans are exposed to this potent neurotoxin by consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish products. Although it is well established that certain sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) present in both freshwater and saline systems transform inorganic mercury into its mono-methyl counterpart as a metabolic by-product, the role of abiotic or chemical methylation remains unclear. One family of molecules that have been investigated with regard to abiotic methylation is the inorganic methylcobalt (III) complexes, namely methylcobalamin (MeCo), a derivative of vitamin-B12. MeCo has been implicated in the in vivo methylation of Hg in many SRB, but previous research has not established its significance for abiotic methylation, particularly in saline environments. In this research study, we conducted in vitro experiments to assess the ability of several Hg complexes to become methylated by B12. This research may provide a better understanding of the nature and importance of abiotic mercury methylation by methylcobalamin in sulfur-rich environments. <br/> <br/>Description: v, 43 leaves : illustrations (some color), graphs, tables ; 29 cm. Includes bibliography: l. 36-38. http://hdl.handle.net/10090/6013 Title: Mating Induced Fos in Forebrain Neurons of Female Mice <br/> <br/>Authors: Bosk, Abigail <br/> <br/>Abstract: A study presented to the faculty of Wheaton College in partial fulfullment of the requirements for graduation with departmental honors in Psychology. Among researchers there is a widespread assumption that information about the sexual behavior of female rats and mice sex behavior may be interchangeable. During mating in both rats and mice, the male provides the female with tactile stimulation during mounts as well as vaginal-cervical stimulation (VCS) during intromissions and ejaculations. However, behavioral observations have revealed that female mice differ from rats in terms of the pattern of mating, the number of intromissions received, and even the hormonal requirements for mating to occur. Intromissive mating stimuli in rats induces significant increases in Fos-immunoreactivity (Fos-IR), a marker of neuronal activation, in several forebrain areas especially the medial amygdala (meAMY), and preoptic area (POA). However, it has not yet been demonstrated if the differences in sexual behavior observed between rats and mice may also indicate differences in the neuronal activity in the meAMY and POA of mice in response to different types of mating stimuli. This study aimed to characterize the neuronal activity in the meAMY and POA of female mice in response to different types of stimuli. Fos-IR was examined in hormone-primed ovariectomized female C57BL/6J mice after receiving either 15 intromissions or 15 mounts alone in comparison to females placed in an empty testing arena. It was found that in the meAMY, there was significantly more Fos-IR induced in the mounts alone group compared to the intromission and non-mated groups. In the POA, there was no significant difference of Fos-IR induction among the three groups. <br/> <br/>Description: v, 40 leaves : color illustrations ; 29 cm. Includes bibliography: l. 37-40. http://hdl.handle.net/10090/6012 Title: The Appearance of Things <br/> <br/>Authors: Lohmueller, Elisabeth <br/> <br/>Abstract: The "Appearance of Things" is a collection of short stories and an essay: "The Notion of Home : an Exploration of Domestic Setting in Contemporary Fiction" presented to the faculty of Wheaton College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with departmental honors in English with a creative writing concentration. <br/> <br/>Description: 177 leaves; 29 cm. Includes bibliography: l.176-177. http://hdl.handle.net/10090/6010 Title: Midnight Oil: The Wheaton Undergraduate Review - No. 28, 2007 <br/> <br/>Authors: Tomasek, Kathryn (Editor); Murray, Ann H. (Editor); Stickney, Zephorene L. (Editor); Nesi, Ted; Fenney, Alicia D; Chaney, Amelia; Hall, Jillian <br/> <br/>Abstract: A yearly publication of student essays, chosen from essays nominated by members of the Wheaton College (Norton, MA) faculty. <br/> <br/>Description: 31 p.