Life Sciences Commons^™

An Investigation Of The Mechanism Of Traumatic Brain Injury Caused By Blast In The Open Field, Ke Feng

Wayne State University Dissertations

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a signature wound of modern warfare. The current incomplete understanding of its injury mechanism impedes the development of strategies for effective protection of bTBI. Despite a considerable amount of experimental animal studies focused on the evaluation of brain neurotrauma caused by blast exposure, there is very limited knowledge on the biomechanical responses of the gyrenecephalic brain subjected to primary free-field blast waves imposed in vivo, and the correlation analysis between the biomechanical responses and its injury outcomes. Such information is crucial to the development of injury criteria of bTBI.

This study aims to evaluate …

Psychosocial Predictors Of College Student Athlete Burnout And Engagement, Brigid Byrd

Wayne State University Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess salient psychosocial predictors of both academic and athletic burnout and engagement in college student athletes. Method: One-hundred and seventy-nine male and female college student athletes were recruited from a Midwestern University to complete a questionnaire at one time point. Results: The prediction model for athlete burnout was statistically significant, F (4,174) = 16.41, p<.001, and accounted for approximately 27% of the variance. The prediction model for athlete engagement was also statistically significant, F (4,174) = 9.25, p ≤ .001, and accounted for approximately 18% of the variance. The prediction model for student burnout was statistically significant, F (6,172) = 3.79, p<.005, and accounted for approximately 10% of the variance. The prediction model for student engagement was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Athletes who felt misunderstood by their coach, felt their coach did not provide options and choices, and who felt their coach was not confident in their sport ability experienced symptoms of athlete burnout while athletes who felt understood by their coach, felt their coach provided options and choices, and who felt their coach had confidence in their sport ability, believed in their ability to accomplish their sport goals, felt engaged in their sport. Also, athletes who felt their coach was less friendly and supportive if they were not training and competing well, felt intimidated by their coach, and who felt their coach tried to control their free time and who also felt their teammates did not encourage them to study or did not make sure they got to class had high student burnout. Application: Coaches should aim to create an autonomy supportive coaching climate in which athletes feelings of autonomy are enhanced. Exploratory findings also suggest decreasing controlling coaching behaviors and increasing teammate academic social support may be important in thwarting feelings of student burnout in student athletes.

Biomechanics Of Concussion: The Importance Of Neck Tension, Ron Jadischke

Wayne State University Dissertations

Linear and angular velocity and acceleration of the head are typically correlated to concussion. Despite improvements in helmet performance to reduce accelerations, a corresponding reduction in the incidence of concussion has not occurred (National Football League [NFL] 1996 – present).

There is compelling research that forces on and deformation to the brain stem are related to concussion. The brain stem is the center of control for respiration, blood pressure and heart rate and is the root of most cranial nerves. Injury to the brain stem is consistent with most symptoms of concussion reported in the National Football League and the …

Development Of A Finite Element Pelvis And Lower Extremity Model With Growth Plates For Pediatric Pedestrian Protection, Ming Shen

Wayne State University Dissertations

Finite element (FE) model is a useful tool frequently used for investigating the injury mechanisms and designing protection countermeasures. At present, no 10 years old (YO) pedestrian FE model has been developed from appropriate anthropometries and validated against limitedly available impact response data. A 10 YO child FE pelvis and lower extremities (PLEX) model was established to fill the gap of lacking such models in this age group. The baseline model was validated against available pediatric postmortem human subjects (PMHS) test data and additional scaled adult data, then the PLEX model was integrated to build a whole-body FE model representing …

Biofidelity Assessment Of 6-Year-Old Anthropometric Test Devices (Atds) And Scaling Laws In Lateral Impact, Jennifer Yaek

Wayne State University Dissertations

There is a clear need to further develop the design and biofidelity of the 6-Year-Old ATDs for future child safety research and child occupant protection in side impacts. Due to the scarcity of pediatric PMHS impact testing, specifically in the lateral direction, alternative means of obtaining relevant data for pediatric models need to be considered.

In this first portion of this study, assessment of the mechanical behavior and biofidelity of existing 6-Year-Old ATDs in lateral impact were performed. None of the three 6-year-old ATDs (HIII, Q6, and Q6s) tested were found to be considered good tools for assessing side impact …

Identifying The Function Of The Calpain Small Subunit In The Mechanics Of Cell Migration, Bingqing Hao

Wayne State University Dissertations

Cell migration plays a vital role in many physiological events including: morphogenesis, wound healing, and immune response. Dysfunctional cell migration results in multiple disease states including chronic inflammation, vascular disease, and tumor metastasis, to name a few. Progress in understanding the mechanism of cell migration had been slow until the turn of the century when rapid technological advances in microscopy and omics burst to the forefront. These advances led to the realization that physical factors (dimensions, fluid shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, compression stress, environmental stiffness, and topography) have profound effects on cell migration. This study of cell mechanics has expanded …