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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The Effects Of Exogenous Insulin And Exercise On Glucose And Lactate Metabolism In The Brown Anole, Anolis Sagrei, Kristen Marie Hitchcox Jan 2009

The Effects Of Exogenous Insulin And Exercise On Glucose And Lactate Metabolism In The Brown Anole, Anolis Sagrei, Kristen Marie Hitchcox

Honors Theses

Blood glucose homeostasis is tightly regulated in mammals. Insulin and exercise both stimulate glucose uptake into muscle cells via the GLUT4 transporter protein by independent pathways. Insulin triggers a tyrosine kinase pathway, but the mechanism stimulated by exercise is unknown. Discovering the mechanism may provide new therapeutic techniques for people with diabetes mellitus. While mammals have been studied extensively, research on a different model may elucidate aspects of this lesser known pathway. Reptiles rapidly deplete glycogen stores during bursts of activity and produce lactate as a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism. Lactate undergoes gluconeogenesis within muscle tissue, rather than liver tissue, …


Mechanisms Of Cytotoxicity Of Diepoxybutane, Epichlorohydrin And 1-(Chloroethenyl)Oxirane, Rebecca D. Kamins Jan 2009

Mechanisms Of Cytotoxicity Of Diepoxybutane, Epichlorohydrin And 1-(Chloroethenyl)Oxirane, Rebecca D. Kamins

Honors Theses

Diepoxybutane (DEB), epichlorohydrin (ECH), and 1-(chloroethenyl)oxirane (COX) are small molecules that can form DNA interstrand cross-links. All three of these compounds are, or are metabolites of, industrial chemicals linked to cancer. Additionally, DEB is a metabolite of treosulfan, an anti-cancer drug. We are trying to determine why some of these compounds cause cancer and some can also cure cancer. To do so, we are attempting to link cytotoxicity, cross-linking efficiency, and apoptotic potential of the three compounds to see if any correlations exist. The purpose of this project was to quantify apoptotic potential of DEB, ECH and COX. This was …


Learning The Lay Of Their Land: Data Recording By Maine Land Trusts, Patrick John Roche Jan 2009

Learning The Lay Of Their Land: Data Recording By Maine Land Trusts, Patrick John Roche

Honors Theses

Land trusts have led the recent, rapid expansion in private land conservation in the US. As they have grown, many questions have emerged as to the value of their conservation efforts, especially in the long-term. To address this data gap, studies have evaluated easement restrictions and the characteristics of land trust protected property. I take a novel approach by investigating the data that land trusts record about their protected properties and its impact on their capacity to protect conservation values. I surveyed 55 land trusts operating in Maine about data they record in baseline documentation reports. A majority (82%) had …


Factors Influencing Conservation Success Or Failure In Tiger Range States, Megan C. Saunders Jan 2009

Factors Influencing Conservation Success Or Failure In Tiger Range States, Megan C. Saunders

Honors Theses

Tigers are currently found in 13 countries. Three of eight recognized subspecies are extinct and the other subspecies are considered endangered throughout their range. Major threats to tigers include habitat and prey loss and poaching. Most studies of tiger decline, to date, have explored direct threats. This study uses a range-wide approach to explore possible underlying drivers of tiger decline. I used recent tiger population estimates and identified 6 biological measures and 27 socioeconomic measures to ask why some countries are more successful in conserving tigers than others. Data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses in SPSS. Higher rates …


Diagnostics For Ultracold Plasma Experiments, Lauren Rand Jan 2009

Diagnostics For Ultracold Plasma Experiments, Lauren Rand

Honors Theses

The goal of this experiment was to observe the effects of variations of experimental conditions on the ultracold plasma that formed as a result. The wavelength and power of the ionizing laser were varied to change the electron temperature and plasma density. The delay between the ionizing laser and the field ionization pulse was changed as well. In each case, plasma evolution and the resulting distribution of Rydberg states were observed. It was found that both electron temperature and plasma density directly affected the plasma lifetimes. However, neither electron temperature nor plasma density nor delay length had an effect on …


Changes In Apoptotic Gene Expression Induced By Dna Cross-Linkers, Jordanne B. Dunn Jan 2009

Changes In Apoptotic Gene Expression Induced By Dna Cross-Linkers, Jordanne B. Dunn

Honors Theses

The Millard Research Laboratory is interested in the cytotoxic mechanisms of the bifunctional alkylators diepoxybutane (DEB), epichlorohydrin (ECH), and (1-chloroethenyl) oxirane (COX). Studies performed in the laboratory examine the dual nature of these DNA cross-linking compounds that can act as carcinogens or anti-cancer agents. The mechanisms through which these compounds induce cell death are explored in this study. Cells either undergo cell death due to necrosis or apoptosis. HL-60 cells were treated with varying concentrations of DEB, ECH, or COX. A caspase 3/7 assay was used to test for induction of apoptosis in the treated cells at varying incubation times. …