Digital Commons Network^™

Microgravity-Induced Alterations In Left Atrial Hemodynamics And Thrombogenic Risk: Insights From Healthy And Atrial Fibrillation Models, Grace M. Hoeppner

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Background: Microgravity exposure alters cardiovascular loading, yet its impact on left atrial flow dynamics and thrombotic risk remains poorly understood. This study investigates how spaceflight-relevant microgravity-induced changes in cardiac outflow affect left atrial hemodynamics in healthy individuals and patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patient-specific left atrial models were generated for three healthy individuals and three AF patients. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using each patient’s baseline mitral outflow waveform and two modified waveforms representing short- and long-duration post-flight cardiac loading changes derived from echocardiographic observations. Hemodynamic metrics included left atrial velocity, time averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear …

Eeg And Imu Gait Signal Processing: A Comparative Assessment Of The "Reza" Exponential Filter And Classic Filters, Reza Pousti, Daniel M. Russell, Derek C. Monroe, Christopher K. Rhea

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Noise degrades both EEG and gait signals, and classical IIR filters (Butterworth, Chebyshev, elliptic) involve trade-offs between passband flatness, ripple, and roll-off. This study compared a novel exponential "Reza" filter with these designs for neural and locomotor data. We analyzed an open-source mobile brain-body imaging dataset with EEG and gait data from 49 healthy adults (EEG: 256-channel, 512 Hz; IMUs: six APDM Opals, 128 Hz). EEG channels were grand-averaged and band-pass filtered at 0.5-50 Hz, while IMU axes were averaged and band-pass filtered at 0.5-5 Hz. The outcomes were signal-to-noise ratio SNR (dB) and band-integrated Welch PSD (EEG:0.5-50 Hz; IMU:0.5-5 …

The Sequence (S) Index As A Marker Of Diminished Step-To-Step Transition Efficiency In Older Adults, Elham Alijanpour, Ashwini Kulkarni, Peter G. Adamczyk, Daniel M. Russell

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Age-related declines in walking efficiency are often attributed to musculoskeletal and neuromuscular changes, yet the mechanisms underlying these inefficiencies remain poorly understood. One key contributor is the step-to-step transition (STST), during which the center of mass (CoM) is redirected between limbs. The Sequence (S) index quantifies the temporal overlap between push-off and collision forces during STST, with higher values indicating greater mechanical energy loss. This study investigated whether aging affects STST efficiency, as quantified by the S index, and examined the timing and impulse characteristics underlying observed differences.

Methods: Thirteen young and eleven older healthy adults walked at five …

Ultrasound-Based Assessment Of Talar Cartilage In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review, Amin Mohammadi, Saeed Eshghi, Iman Mohammadi, Patrick Wilson, Ryan Mccann

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose

To systematically synthesize ultrasound (US) evidence on talar cartilage morphology and load-induced deformation in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), and to map methodological approaches (acquisition, outcome definitions, loading paradigms, and normalization) to inform protocol standardization.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO were searched (March 31, 2025). Eligible studies reported quantitative US-derived talar cartilage morphology (e.g., thickness, cross-sectional area [CSA]) and/or deformation following standardized loading in CAI and comparison groups. Due to heterogeneity in imaging protocols, loading tasks, and outcome definitions, findings were synthesized narratively and organized by outcome domain.

Results

Across available cohorts, load-induced deformation was the …

Systematics Of Disk-Winged Bats (Thyroptera), Courtney L. Klumpp

Capstone Showcase

This thesis investigates the evolutionary relationships among disk-winged bats in the genus Thyroptera, a small group of Neotropical bats known for the adhesive suction disks on their wings and feet that allow them to roost inside tightly rolled leaves. The distinctive morphology and behavior of these bats have not been extensively documented, and their phylogenetic relationships remain only partially resolved. The goal of this research is to better understand how these species are related to one another and to determine whether the five recognized species of Thyroptera form a single monophyletic group. To address this question, morphological and genetic …

Effect Of Jet Lag And Nighttime Shifts On The Circadian Rhythm Of Humans, Mahd Adrees

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project reviews the circadian rhythm and its disruption by jet lag and nighttime shifts. It discusses the effects on melatonin, sleep quality, and physiological symptoms using articles from Google Scholar. Key studies, mechanisms, and statistics will support these points. A discussion follows, comparing and contrasting the various literature sources. This review aims to raise awareness and summarize strategies to reduce jet lag and nighttime shift effects, improving wellbeing.

Physiological Development Of Hypertension As A Result Of High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity, Michael Nguyen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This literature review focuses on the physiological development of obesity due to the consumption of diets rich in fats and the resulting pathophysiological development of hypertension. This review aims to identify causes of obesity and hypertension as well as current treatments to propose future areas of study. The literature review analyzed a wide variety of literature sources on obesity and hypertension published between the years 1995 and 2025. The review identifies high-fat diets as a cause of obesity and the resulting health effects of elevated leptin, insulin, and nervous system activity as contributors to the development of hypertension. Future areas …

Toadally Not A Frog: A Neuromuscular Physiology Study, Iris Renna

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Upper-level physiology labs in undergraduate education use freshly isolated bullfrog and/or leopard frog tissue to teach core concepts in nerve and muscle physiology. Sourcing live animals for routine educational use raises ethical and conservation concerns. Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are an invasive species that are routinely culled, can provide a potential source of laboratory animals which would remove pressure to native amphibian populations. This study tested the hypothesis that cane toads can serve as a functional substitute for bullfrogs and/or leopard frogs in the muscle and nerve physiology lab. Isolated sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle preparations from cane …

Bmal1 Mediates Sex-Specific Circadian Regulation Of Cardiac Ion Channels And Temporal Arrhythmia Vulnerability, Brian P. Delisle, Ezekiel Rozmus, Abhilash Prabhat, Spencer B. Procopio, Xiping Zhang, Emilia Entcheva, Karyn A. Esser, Elizabeth Schroder

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

C/Ebpα Is Essential For Gonadal But Not Inguinal White Adipose Tissue Formation In Mice, Krista Y. Hu, Yu-Lin Ma, Esme A. Dodge, Olivia A. B. Maguire, Caio V. Matias, Ryan K. Barney, Hector S. Himede, Juliana Gomez Pardo, Miriam Cepeda, Scott M. Gordon, Robert C. Bauer

Physiology Faculty Publications

Objective: The distribution of excess white adipose tissue (WAT) in obesity correlates with risk for comorbidities. Thus, understanding depot-specific WAT developmental mechanisms is translationally relevant. SNPs near the gene CEBPA associate with waist to hip ratio, and while C/EBPα is a recognized regulator of adipogenesis, there is no previously known role for C/EBPα in regulating adipose distribution.

Methods: We crossed Cebpa floxed mice to the AdipoQ-Cre transgenic mouse strain, generating mice with adipocyte-specific knockout of Cebpa (Cebpa_ASKO). Mice were phenotyped on a chow diet and after prolonged high-fat diet (HFD) feeding.

Results: Cebpa_ASKO mice almost entirely lack gonadal …

Dim Light At Night Worsens Cardiac Autonomic Dysregulation In Female Diabetic Mice, Abhilash Prabhat, Shrishti Naidu, Isabel G. Stumpf, Tanya S. Seward, Elizabeth A. Schroder, Brian P. Delisle

Physiology Faculty Publications

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. CAN is characterized by impaired cardiovascular autonomic control and is associated with increased mortality, especially among women with type 2 diabetes. Identifying environmental factors that exacerbate the CAN-associated phenotype may reveal modifiable strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Nighttime light exposure is a novel cardiovascular risk factor. Among ∼90,000 individuals, greater nighttime light exposure correlated with increased atrial fibrillation and heart failure risk. Light at night disrupts sympathovagal balance and elevates nocturnal heart rate in humans. Dim light at night similarly disrupts autonomic regulation of heart rate in mice. We …

Early Microglial Response To Amyloid Plaques Drives Sleep Loss In Alzheimer’S Disease, Nicholas J. Constantino, Riley E. Irmen, Matthew J. Lanning, Sierra M. Turner, Clair C. Ashley, Caitlin M. Carroll, Evan M. Neary, Dave Rubinow, J. Andy Snipes, Shannon L. Macauley

Physiology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Sleep disruption is an early feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the cellular mechanisms linking amyloid pathology to sleep loss remain unclear.

Methods: Electroencephalography/electromyography (EEG/EMG) recordings, quantitative EEG analysis, and sleep deprivation were performed in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice at different stages of pathology relative to normal aging. Amyloid burden and microglial density were quantified with whole-brain light-sheet microscopy. CSF1R-mediated microglial depletion explored effects of microglia on sleep loss.

Results: Amyloid plaques caused non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep loss that did not worsen with increased plaque burden. Aging reduced REM sleep and eliminated sleep rebound. Amyloid pathology was associated with …

Spiders In The World Of Pesticides: A Review, Jackson L. Mendillo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Pesticides and other agrochemicals have varying effects on spiders depending on their mechanism of action and dosage, ranging from behavioral changes and ataxia, to reproductive changes and physiological stress, to lethal non-target effects. Additionally, peptide Hv1a has promising effects as a more narrow-spectrum pesticide.

Manuka Honey Modulates Oxidative Stress In Neuro2-A Cells Through Mitochondrial Regulation, Rachel Abramovici

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Manuka honey is known for its vital usage in wound healing, being an agonist towards fighting infections, and is an acting antioxidant [32]. Its main constituents are flavonoids and phenolic compounds, with methyl syringate (MSYR) being a major active ingredient. The specific compounds responsible for these antioxidant effects, particularly in the CNS, remain unclear. It is hypothesized that pre-treatment of mouse neuroblastoma cells with MSYR followed by hydrogen peroxide exposure will activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1a pathway, due to MSYR’s phenolic structure, and thus reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial biogenesis. Hydrogen peroxide is a standard reactive oxygen species (ROS) treatment to …

Research In Progress. Why Physiology Feels Hard: Supporting The Transition To Self-Directed Learning In Post-Secondary Physiology, Jaelyn Zoe Rohrbaugh, Mark Paternostro

2026 Scholarly Teaching Conference: Poster Session Papers

Physiology is widely recognized as one of the most challenging courses for STEM students. Contributing factors include the discipline’s inherent complexity, instructional methods, and student preparedness, with both faculty and students identifying the nature of the discipline as the primary challenge. Many undergraduates enter college having experienced predominantly teacher-directed, pedagogical instruction, whereas success in college-level physiology requires self-directed, andragogical learning strategies. We hypothesize that students’ difficulties arise more from a lack of self-directed learning skills than from content complexity alone. To investigate this, we administered an anonymous survey to 340 students spanning freshman to professional levels, achieving a 93% completion …

Dual Language Learner Status In Relation To Cortisol For Children In Head Start Preschool, Keala Bratsch

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Early childhood education (ECE) has well documented school readiness benefits, especially for children facing economic hardship. Yet preschool context poses challenges that are associated with elevated stress levels and potential long-term tax on physiological systems that respond to stress. The present study examined dual language learner (DLL) status in relation to levels of the stress hormone cortisol among low-income children attending Head Start Preschool programs. Participants included 207 children ages 3- 5 years who attended preschool in 2021-22 (60.9% attending a dual-language learning school, 39.1% attending an English-instruction-only preschool; all participants meeting the criteria for low-income), and their parents or …

Thyroid Storm At Sea: A Case Report Of Algae-Induced Thyrotoxicosis, Alynna Knaub, Amanda Cecchini, John Janousek, Laura Strojny, Jairo Noreña, Zachary Pawlikowski

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis (IIT), also known as the Jod-Basedow phenomenon, is a rare yet recognized cause of hyperthyroidism. While iodinated contrast is the most frequent trigger, iodine-rich supplements such as seaweed products or supplements can also precipitate thyrotoxicosis, particularly in individuals with prior chronic iodine deficiency or preexisting thyroid nodular disease. We present a case of thyroid storm following short-term ingestion of Irish sea moss as part of a “crash diet.” A 37-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus, well controlled on subcutaneous insulin therapy, presented with nausea and vomiting after 6 days of following a restrictive diet consisting solely of …

Circulating Biomarker Results From A Phase 2 Study Of Seralutinib In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Robin Osterhout, Athénaïs Boucly, Raymond L. Benza, Richard N. Channick, Kelly M. Chin, Robert P. Frantz, Anna R. Hemnes, Luke S. Howard, Vallerie V. Mclaughlin, Olivier Sitbon, Jean-Luc Vachiéry, Rotham T. Zamanian, Richard Aranda, Matt Cravets, Zhaoqing Ding, Thao Duong-Verlé, David Mattola, Robert F. Roscigno, Ravikumar Sitapara, Lawrence S. Zisman, Jean-Marie Bruey, Hossein-Ardeschir Ghofrani

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] To the Editor: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by obstructive pulmonary arterial remodeling (1). Seralutinib, an investigational inhaled tyrosine kinase inhibitor, potently and selectively targets kinases relevant to PAH pathobiology including platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) α and β, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), and mast/stem cell growth factor receptor kit (c-KIT) (2). In preclinical models, seralutinib improved cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, reversed pulmonary vascular pathology and decreased right ventricular hypertrophy (3). In TORREY, a phase 2, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in PAH, seralutinib significantly reduced pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after 24 weeks with good …

An Exploratory Analysis Of The Role Of Sex In Load Carriage, Rachel E. Perez, Dustin R. Slivka, Brent C. Ruby

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Axially loaded weight may impose a metabolic demand equivalent to that of fat mass (FM) during load carriage. Males (M) typically have a lower body fat percentage than females (F), resulting in metabolic demand differences during load carriage that may be mitigated by accounting for FM in pack loads. PURPOSE: To determine whether normalizing pack load to FM equalizes metabolic cost across sexes during load carriage. METHODS: Twenty-eight participants (14M, 23 ± 5 y, 1.81 ± 0.07 m, 78.7 ± 10.0 kg, 12.7 ± 5.4% body fat, VO₂peak 4.18 ± 0.54 L·min^-1; 14F, 22 ± 4 …

Predicting Tilt In Esports: A Psychophysiological Approach To Understanding Player Emotional Regulation, Nathan Rhea

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Emotional regulation and stress management are important to both casual and competitive esports players. When players become dysregulated, they experience a phenomenon known as “tilt” within the gaming community, where they often lose control of their emotions and their performance declines. This study aimed to investigate whether a psychophysiological variable in heart rate variability could predict tilt in college-age esports players. Additionally, the relationship between heart rate variability and emotions predicted by the Tiltometer system with gameplay performance and winning or losing was tested.

This study used a quantitative correlational research design. Participants for this study were college-age players (N=23) …

A Comprehensive Overview Of Neurophysiological Correlates Of Cognitive Impairment In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Seyyed Bahram Borgheai, Brie E. Achorn, Alyssa H. Zisk, Sarah M. Hosni, Karl E. G. Richter, Frank S. Menniti, Yalda Shahriari

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the gradual loss of motor control, typically resulting in paralysis and death within 3 to 5 years of diagnosis. ALS shares neuropathological and genetic associations with fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative condition primarily impacting cognitive functions. These two conditions are increasingly viewed as manifestations of a single molecular disease process that affects distinct brain systems, impacting motor neuronal pathways in ALS and fronto-cortical functions in FTD. However, this simple dichotomy belies the complexity of these conditions. In particular, patients with primary motor ALS can also experience significant cognitive …

Biphasic Calcium Disturbance In Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report Of Recovery Phase Severe Hypercalcemia, Maham Shahid, Jean C. Ramos-Cardona, Maria Toustsoglou, Gunjan Y. Gandhi

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Full Femur Imaging For Early Detection Of Incomplete Atypical Femur Fractures, Ashley B. Humrickhouse, Donald Eagerton, Anne G. La Rochelle

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Regrowth Of Thyroid Gland After Total Thyroidectomy, Amy Duff, Mikayla Kidd, Donald Eagerton

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

When Covid Unmasks More Than Infection: A Case Of Post-Viral Lada, Mikayla Kidd, Amy Duff, Reggie Skains Iii, Sahana Parthasarathy

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Prolonged Qt Interval In Hiv-1 Infected Humanized Mice Treated Chronically With Dolutegravir/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine, Ali Namvaran, Julian V. Garcia, Mahendran Ramasamy, Kayla Nguyen, Farzaneh Tavakkoli Ghazani, Bryan T. Hackfort, Prasanta Dash, Reagan E. Fisher, Benson J. Edagwa, Santhi Gorantla, Keshoer R. Bidasee

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

The REPRIEVE Trial recently reported high rates of sudden cardiac death (SCD) middle-aged people living with HIV-1 infection (PWH) using the WHO/NIH-recommended two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)/one integrase strand inhibitor (INSTI) regimen to manage HIV-1 viremia. To date, clinically relevant animal models to delineate underlying causes for this remain limited. Here, we assessed if HIV-1-infected NOD.Cg-Prkdc^scidIl2rg^tm1Wjl/SzJ humanized mice (Hu-mice) treated with the WHO/NIH-recommended antiretroviral regimen, dolutegravir (DTG, INSTI)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF, NRTIs)/emtricitabine (FTC, NRTIs), can recapitulate abnormalities in the ECG and subclinical structural heart disease that serve as harbingers of SCD in middle-aged PWH. …

Selenium And Liver Steatosis And Fibrosis: Opposing Direct And Steatosis-Mediated Associations In A Large Cohort, Neda Rehan, Jubilee Benedict, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Aims

Epidemiologic studies have reported conflicting associations between selenium exposure and liver disease. Whether selenium exerts opposing direct and steatosis-mediated effects on liver fibrosis is unknown. To evaluate the associations of blood selenium with elastography-defined hepatic steatosis and fibrosis and to determine whether hepatic steatosis mediates the relationship between selenium and fibrosis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults aged >= 18 years in NHANES 2017-2023. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and fibrosis using liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Blood selenium was categorized into quartiles. Survey-weighted multivariable linear regression and structural equation modeling …

Educational Case: Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Ryan C. Saal, Linnea Lackstrom Westerkam, Cristo A. Carrasco Mendoza, Paul B. George, Christopher J. Sayed

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acpath.2023.100086.1¹

Objective SK1.1: Pathophysiology of changes in the skin. Describe the pathophysiologic basis for changes in the color, surface texture, swelling, temperature, and sensitivity of skin.

Competency 2: Organ system pathology, Topic: Skin (SK); Learning Goal 1: …

Estrogen Deprivation During Primate (Papio Anubis) Pregnancy: Impact On Systemic Microvascular Flow And Cardiovascular Development And Function After Birth In Offspring, Sifa Turan, Jeffery S. Babischkin, Graham W. Aberdeen, Gerald J. Pepe, Eugene D. Albrecht

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Suppressing estradiol (E₂) during baboon pregnancy lowers offspring skeletal muscle capillary density, vital for insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and induces insulin resistance. We examined whether E₂ deprivation also impairs microvascular flow and cardiac function.

Methods

Offspring of untreated baboons, letrozole-treated baboons, or letrozole plus E₂ (maternal s.c. injections during the second half of gestation) underwent contrast-enhanced microbubble ultrasonography to quantify microvessel flow and echocardiography to assess cardiac performance.

Results

Letrozole reduced maternal serum E₂ by 95% (p <  0.01). In letrozole offspring, microbubble flux rate (β) fell 55% (p <  0.02), replenishment was 5 s slower (p <  0.03), and microvessel flow declined 40% (p = 0.05); all were restored by added E₂. Indices of systolic (isovolumic contraction), diastolic (isovolumic relaxation), global performance (Tei index), and cardiac output were unchanged.

Conclusion

Prolonged gestational E₂ deprivation programs a reduction in microvascular flow without altering cardiac function; maternal E₂ prevents this, supporting E₂'s role in …

Comparative Mass Spectrometry Analysis Of High And Low Centrifugation Extracellular Vesicle (Ev) Pellets From Healthy Urine Following Tamm-Horsfall Protein Removal, Dana Bielopolski, Luca Musante, Henrik Molina, Douglas Barrows, Samantha Upson, Lifang Yang, Thomas Carrol, Jonathan N. Tobin, Rhonda G. Kost, U. Erdbrügger

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives

Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are potential biomarkers for renal physiology and disease. Their isolation is challenged by Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) contamination, particularly in high-speed ultracentrifugation (P100) fractions. Low-speed (P20) fractions contain biologically relevant uEVs, yet their proteomic composition is underexplored. This study evaluates strategies for THP removal to optimize mass spectrometry analysis and characterizes P20 and P100 uEV proteomes and its combination in healthy urine.

Methods

Urine from a healthy volunteer was processed via sequential centrifugation at 21,200 g (P20) and 164,244 g (P100). THP removal was performed using low ionic strength buffer (P20) and size-exclusion chromatography (P100). Western …