Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Biomedical Engineering

Objective: The purpose of this thesis was to determine the degree of difference between anthropometric and heel pad tissue characteristics of the lower extremities of PMHS compared to living populations as well as to establish a wholistic procedure for extensive measurements of the foot using methodology previously used in lower limb anthropometry, x-ray imaging, and ultrasound imaging studies. Methods: Thirty-seven PMHS were included in the anthropometry analysis, 21 PMHS were included in the x-ray analysis, and 32 PMHS were included in the ultrasound analysis. For the anthropometry, measurements were taken in seated and standing positions and included bimalleolar breadth, heel breadth, navicular height (medial prominence), navicular height (inferior medial border), talar head height, plantar curvature height, lateral malleolar height, medial malleolar height, acropodion foot length, hallux foot length, horizontal foot breadth, ball of foot length, and dorsum height. Comparisons were then made between left and right feet, seated and standing positions, males and females, and PMHS and living populations. For the x-ray analysis, two of the anthropometry measurements, navicular height (inferior medial border) and talar head height, had values for anthropometry compared against measurements determined through x-ray imaging. For the ultrasound analysis, ultrasound images were taken of the plantar foot at the calcaneus at loadings of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 Newtons. Thicknesses, stiffnesses, and compressibility indexes were determined using the images, and these values were then compared against values seen in living populations. Results: Left and right feet were found to have no significant differences in anthropometry. Seated and standing positions were found to be significantly different in 12 of the 13 measurements. Male values were found to be significantly different from female values in both seated and standing positions for all measurements except for plantar (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Randee Hunter (Committee Member); John Bolte IV (Advisor) Subjects: Biology; Biomechanics; Biomedical Engineering; Engineering

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Medicine: Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine

Myocardial infarction (MI) is currently responsible for over 150,000 deaths annually in the United States. Even when successfully treated, MI imparts lasting cardiovascular defects that lead to increased morbidity and mortality. One of the contributors to these observed outcomes is cardiac reperfusion injury (CRI), which manifests as cardiomyocyte death after ischemia is treated. CRI is caused by several events triggered by the ischemic microenvironment during the MI, including metabolic changes, perturbation in Ca2+ signaling, pro-thrombotic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. ROS scavenging in particular has drawn the attention of many investigators as a means of preventing the CRI. However, the rapid nature of free radical formation during reperfusion is a major pharmacokinetic obstacle in using antioxidants for this indication. Controlled hypoxic reperfusion (CHR) is the transient introduction of hypoxic reperfusate into the ischemic heart and subsequent reperfusion with a fully oxygenated solution. CHR was shown to be effective in reducing the infarct size and improving the heart function compared to normal reperfusion. It has been hypothesized that the cardioprotective effects of CHR are achieved by reducing the amount of ROS formed in the heart after reperfusion. Radhakrishnan et al. first showed in 2016 that during acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV), the ultrasound-mediated conversion of liquid perfluorocarbon droplets into gas microbubbles, oxygen (O2) diffused from the surrounding fluid into the microbubbles. This process has since been extensively described in buffers. In this dissertation, O2 scavenging from physiologically prepared whole blood is evaluated and a novel method for quantifying phase transition efficiency via flow cytometry is proposed. First, whole blood was prepared to mimic arterial whole blood in vivo. Next, oxygen scavenging and was assessed in an in vitro flow phantom via blood gas a (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kevin Haworth Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Christy Holland Ph.D. (Committee Member); Onur Kanisicak Ph.D. (Committee Member); Karin Przyklenk Ph.D. (Committee Member); Yi-Gang Wang M.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Research

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Social Work

Background: Approximately 50% of individuals seeking treatment for substance use and mental health conditions in behavioral healthcare settings have a lifetime history of TBI affecting their ability to engage in behavioral health treatment. Identifying lifetime history of TBI using validated screening methods can optimize interventions for these individuals, however, TBI screening adoption has failed in these settings. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Diffusion of Innovations Theory, this explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed to improve our understanding about how provider characteristics (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intentions), innovation-level factors (acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness), and contextual determinants affect TBI screening adoption in behavioral healthcare settings. Methods: In Phase I, 215 behavioral health providers in the United States completed a training introducing the OSU TBI-ID, followed by a web-based survey assessing attitudes, PBC, subjective norms, and intentions to screen for TBI (Time 1). After one-month, providers completed a second survey assessing the number of TBI screens conducted, and the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of TBI screening (Time 2). Data were analyzed using structural equation modelling with logistic regressions (SEM) and logistic regression with moderation effects. Results informed development of a qualitative interview guide. In Phase II, 20 providers from Phase I participated in interviews to build upon the quantitative results. Data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the quantitative results. Barriers to adoption were also identified and linked to constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Approximately 25% of providers adopted TBI screening, which was driven by motivations to trial the innovation. SEM demonstrated that more favorable attitudes toward TBI screening were (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Alicia Bunger (Advisor); Alan Davis (Committee Member); Jennifer Bogner (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Health Care; Public Health; Social Research; Social Work

Master of Science, Miami University, 2017, Exercise and Health Studies

This study presents the results of a phenomenological qualitative analysis of former team sport athletes' experiences of physical and psychological effects of sport-related concussion. Concussions have become increasingly prevalent in sport and knowledge surrounding the injury has become more available. Most research on sport-related concussions has focused on return to play and the physiological aspects of the injury; however, concussed individuals may also suffer psychological symptoms. Former athletes are experiencing health issues due to the physical and psychological nature of this injury. This study sought to add to this literature by exploring what physical and psychological effects former high school/collegiate team sport athletes experienced because of a sport-related concussion and the meanings they make of (how they experienced) these physical and psychological effects of a sport-related concussion.

Committee: Valeria Freysinger (Advisor); Robert Weinberg (Committee Member); Eric Brooks (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Sciences; Kinesiology; Psychology; Social Psychology; Sports Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2007, Neuroscience

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a long lasting, debilitating condition with no cure. Cervical SCI is the most common form of human SCI, often leaving patients paralyzed with a 15-20 year decrease in life expectancy. The majority of animal SCI contusion models are focused on thoracic injury. SCI at this level results in deficits almost entirely due to white matter damage that disconnects the rostral nervous system from the caudal spinal cord. Damage at the cervical level is different; in addition to the disconnection, gray matter damage affects the neurons controlling the upper extremities and diaphragm. To investigate injury at the cervical level, we characterized a unilateral C5 cervical contusion model in rats. By examining six-week behavioral recovery after SCI, we demonstrated that functional deficits are dependent upon the severity of injury. Analysis of the histopathology revealed that behavioral consequences are a result of damage to both the gray and white matter. Unilateral injury provides within-subject controls and preserves bladder and respiratory function. Many treatments for experimental rat SCI improve behavioral and histological outcomes but have yet to be implemented after human SCI. Treatments must be safe and tested in clinically relevant models to move from animals to humans. We examined the effects of three different clinically acceptable drugs. Methlyprednisolone and minocycline have anti-inflammatory effects if given after injury. Topiramate blocks glutamate receptors and hence excitotoxicity, an important component of secondary injury. Minocycline and methylprednisolone treatment yielded no significant behavioral or histological improvements when tested after moderate-severe unilateral cervical contusion injury. Topiramate was first tested in a model of excitotoxicity and then after cervical SCI and was compared to NBQX, a standard AMPA-receptor antagonists used in animal models of disease. Both drugs preserved neurons after excitotoxic injury, b (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jacqueline Bresnahan (Advisor) Subjects: Biology, Neuroscience