Memory of Water Scenic Design-- Reinventing Memories on Stage

My paper describes my process of designing the set for the UNH Theatre and Dance Department production The Memory of Water. Linking dream and reality together, the set design of the show is my attempt and process of putting the non-realistic elements into a more tangible form-- reinventing the memories on the stage

Effects of transforming growth factor β on β1 integrin expression and localization during myogenesis in chicken

Myoblast-extracellular environment interactions are mediated by the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors. Integrins have been shown to play a pivotal role in skeletal muscle development. The β1 integrin has been shown to play a critical role in muscle cell attachment, migration and the formation of multinucleated myotubes. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a potent inhibitor of both skeletal muscle myoblast proliferation and differentiation. The expression of TGF-β will affect cell β1 integrin expression and localization. The chicken genetic muscle weakness, Low Score Normal (LSN), exhibits modified myotube and sarcomere structure, and increase TGF-β and reduced β1 integrin expression during myogenesis. The current study used LSN satellite cells, myogenic precursor cells, as a model to further investigate the role of TGF-β and β1 integrin during myogenesis, compared to normal satellite cells. The LSN satellite cells have elevated expression of TGF-β and decreased β1 integrin during proliferation and differentiation. The β1 integrin was localized at areas of cell–cell contact in normal cells, whereas in LSN satellite cell cultures β1 integrin was observed within cells. The addition of the exogenous TGF-β in normal cell cultures decreased both β1 integrin mRNA and protein expression at 24 and 48 h of differentiation. The localization of β1 integrin was altered also, from areas of cell-cell contact to inside cells. These data suggest that TGF-β may play a pivotal role in myogenesis through modulation of the expression and localization of β1 integrin which is important in the control of cell migration and growth regulation

Roles of Endothelial Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Takotsubo Syndrome

Background: Cardiac endothelial cells play a crucial role in normal myocardial function. Typical ST-segment changes in ECG of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) suggest coronary spasm and endothelial dysfunction. Although several studies have detected endothelial dysfunction in TTS-patients, the exact cellular mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in the setting of TTS has not been completely elucidated. Since the area of dysfunctional cardiomyocytes extends usually beyond the area covered by a single coronary artery, it is possible that the endothelial dysfunction can exert effects on cardiomyocytes through a mechanism other than reduction of blood flow. Therefore, we hypothesize that high concentration catecholamine may cause endothelial dysfunction and change endothelial secretions, which can contribute to pathogenesis of TTS. To test the hypothesis, the present study was designed to investigate endothelial dysfunction induced by catecholamine excess and roles of the endothelial dysfunction for cardiomyocyte dysfunction in the setting of catecholamine excess. Methods: Epinephrine (Epi, 100 µM for 1 h) was applied to human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) or human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to mimic the setting of catecholamine excess. Endothelial dysfunctions were detected by measurements of levels of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin -1 (ET-1), tube formation, inflammatory factors, mitochondrial function and cell apoptosis in HCMECs. Secretions from HCMECs including Ang II and exosomes were measured, and their effects and mechanisms underlying effects were assessed in HCMECS and hiPSC-CMs, respectively. Multiple techniques such as ELISA, FACS, qPCR, patch-clamp, dual luciferase reporter assay and western blotting were performed for the study. Results: Epi increased ET-1 and decreased NO generation in HCMECs. The Epi effects could be attenuated by Ang II subtype-1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist losartan and subtype-2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist PD123319. Epi increased Ang II secretion of HCMECs and Ang II mimicked Epi effects on ET-1 and NO generation, indicating that Epi can cause endothelial dysfunction through enhancing Ang II signaling. Ang II effects on ET-1/NO generation, tube formation, and apoptosis could be mimicked by an SK4 channel blocker Tram-34 and attenuated by an SK4 channel activator NS309, suggesting an involvement of SK4 channel function. Patch clamp results showed that SK4 channel current was inhibited by Ang II and ROS, but enhanced by a PKA activator. Ang II could increase ROS generation and suppress PKA expression, implying that the inhibitory effect of Ang II on SK4 channels was mediated by ROS-PKA signaling. High concentration Epi suppressed the maximal depolarization velocity (Vmax) of action potential, prolonged the action potential duration at 10% repolarization (APD10), at 50% repolarization (APD50), and at 90% repolarization (APD90), and induced arrhythmic events in hiPSC-CMs. Exo derived from HCMECs (without Epi-treatment) reversed the effects of Epi on action potentials and ion channel currents including L-type calcium channel current (ICa-L), peak sodium current (INa), the transient outward current (Ito), late sodium current (INa-L), the slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) and the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr) and gene expression of these ion channels in hiPSC-CMs. Exo derived from HCMECs treated with epinephrine (Epi-exo) mimicked or further enhanced Epi effects. Epi could increase the level of miR-126-3p in HCMECs and Exo from HCMECs, suggesting a contribution of miR-126-3p to Epi-exo effects in hiPSC-CMs. HCMECs transfected with miR-126-3p-mimic secreted Exo with overexpression (increased level) of miR-126.3p. The Exo with overexpression of miR-126-3p mimicked the effects of Epi-exo, confirming key roles of miR-126-3p in Epi-exo effects. Dual luciferase reporter assay with gene mutation techniques proved a targeting site of miRNA-126-3p in G‑protein signaling 3 (RGS3) gene. Western blot and qPCR analyses displayed that miR-126-3p-mimic could reduce RGS3 expression level in both HCMECs and hiPSC-CMs, confirming that miR-126-3p can exert effects by inhibiting RGS3 signaling. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that high level catecholamine can increase Ang II release in endothelial cells, and Ang II can cause endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting SK4 channel current via increasing ROS generation and reducing PKA expression. Exo derived from dysfunctional HCMECs (affected by high level of catecholamine) can induce ion channel dysfunctions in cardiomyocytes, which may contribute to the occurrence of arrhythmias in the presence of catecholamine excess. The exosomal miR-126-3p can mediate the endothelial Exo effects via targeting RGS3 signaling in cardiomyocytes. This study may provide new insights into pathogenesis of TTS. AT1R and AT2R signaling, SK4 channel and miR-126-3p may be potential targets for preventing or treating TTS

Slot-Line UWB Bandpass Filters and Band-Notched UWB Filters

Slot-line ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filters and band-notched UWB filters are presented for UWB systems. Three types of slot-line multimode resonators are proposed and studied. Microstrip feed lines are used to realize the desired strong external coupling in a simple manner. By properly allocating the resonant modes of resonator and external coupling, UWB bandpass filters have been realized. Next, microstrip resonators, i.e., open-loop resonator, stub-loaded dual-mode resonator, and triangular dual-mode ring resonator, are loaded to the slot-line; notched bands are realized in the UWB passbands. The design methodology has been verified by the measured results

Exploration and Analysis on the Discourse Power of Network Moral Education

Network moral education has three connotations including discourse right, discourse power and discourse effectiveness, and four characteristics including interactivity, diversity, symbolism and implicity. These characteristics to a certain extent make the position and function between the subject and object of network education change, resulting in the discourse power and discourse effectiveness out of sync. Therefore, when solving these problems, we should take the ideological beliefs as the leading point, use the new media technology means, take the discourse power construction as the starting point, occupy the discourse highland and manifest the representation. At the same time, we should take life practice as the standard, change the discourse, break the implicity, and put the initiative of network moral education in the hands of educators

Product-Oriented Blended Speaking Instruction Design

The reform of foreign language teaching with blended instruction has brought new opportunities and challenges for teachers to integrate speaking instruction into different English courses. Based on the Input Hypothesis Theory and the Output Hypothesis Theory in Second Language Acquisition, this paper explores the effective strategy to improve college students’ English-speaking proficiency by designing the product-oriented blended instruction. A tentative “Target-Input-Products” approach is put forward to guide both the teachers and learners in achieving learning outcomes. This strategy is conducive to personalized learning for students to improve their speaking competence under multi-modal learning environment and also helps to solve some problems caused by reduced credit hours in English teaching.The reform of foreign language teaching with blended instruction has brought new opportunities and challenges for teachers to integrate speaking instruction into different English courses. Based on the Input Hypothesis Theory and the Output Hypothesis Theory in Second Language Acquisition, this paper explores the effective pedagogy to improve college students’ English-speaking proficiency by designing the product-oriented blended instruction. A new strategy of “Target-Input-Products” is put forward to guide both the teachers and learners in achieving learning outcomes. This strategy is conducive to personalized learning for students under multi-modal learning environment and also helps to solve some problems caused by reduced credit hours in English teaching.Key Words: product-oriented; input; output; blended speaking instruction; desig