Development and evolution of the neural crest: An overview

The neural crest is a multipotent and migratory cell type that forms transiently in the developing vertebrate embryo. These cells emerge from the central nervous system, migrate extensively and give rise to diverse cell lineages including melanocytes, craniofacial cartilage and bone, peripheral and enteric neurons and glia, and smooth muscle. A vertebrate innovation, the gene regulatory network underlying neural crest formation appears to be highly conserved, even to the base of vertebrates. Here, we present an overview of important concepts in the neural crest field dating from its discovery 150 years ago to open questions that will motivate future research

Plastic-free behavior of millennials: An application of the theory of planned behavior on drinking choices

This study explores the factors that influence millennials’ intentions and behavior regarding reduced plastic consumption. An extended theory of planned behavior was established as a conceptual model that explicitly analyzed both the role of past and stated behaviors. The stated behavior was measured using a projective technique. The data obtained from a survey of 741 Italian respondents were analyzed through multiple correspondence analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results of the projective technique characterized “plastic-free” behavior as a unidimensional construct. Structural equation modeling showed that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence the intention of millennial consumers to reduce the use of plastic drinking bottles. The perceived behavioral control is the strongest predictor of intention (ß = 0.304; p < 0.001), followed by social norms (ß = 0.271; p < 0.001) and attitudes (ß = 0.130; p < 0.001). The past behavior construct positively and significantly affects attitude (ß = 0.165; p < 0.001), intention (ß = 0.231; p < 0.001), and stated behavior (ß = 0.073; p < 0.05) constructs. The latter is also positively predicted by intention (ß = 0.151; p < 0.001). Based on the results, actions and incentives for reducing plastic consumption were provided

Method and Meaning: Selections from the Gettysburg College Collection

What is art historical study and how it should be carried out are fundamental questions the exhibition Method and Meaning: Selections from the Gettysburg College Collection intends to answer. This student-curated exhibition is an exciting academic endeavor of seven students of art history majors and minors in the Art History Methods course. The seven student curators are Shannon Callahan, Ashlie Cantele, Maura D’Amico, Xiyang Duan, Devin Garnick, Allison Gross and Emily Zbehlik. As part of the class assignment, this exhibition allows the students to explore various art history methods on individual case studies. The selection of the works in the exhibition reflects a wide array of student research interests including an example of 18th century Chinese jade chime stone, jade and bronze replicas of ancient Chinese bronze vessels, a piece of early 20th century Chinese porcelain, oil paintings by Pennsylvania Impressionist painter Fern Coppedge, prints by Salvador Dalí and by German artist Käthe Kollwitz, and an early 20th century wood block print by Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. [excerpt]https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/artcatalogs/1014/thumbnail.jp

Metric space analysis of systems immersed in a magnetic field

Understanding the behavior of quantum systems subject to magnetic fields is of fundamental importance and underpins quantum technologies. However, modeling these systems is a complex task, because of many-body interactions and because many-body approaches such as density functional theory get complicated by the presence of a vector potential into the system Hamiltonian. We use the metric space approach to quantum mechanics to study the effects of varying the magnetic vector potential on quantum systems. The application of this technique to model systems in the ground state provides insight into the fundamental mapping at the core of current density functional theory, which relates the many-body wavefunction, particle density and paramagnetic current density. We show that the role of the paramagnetic current density in this relationship becomes crucial when considering states with different magnetic quantum numbers, $m$. Additionally, varying the magnetic field uncovers a richer complexity for the "band structure" present in ground state metric spaces, as compared to previous studies varying scalar potentials. The robust nature of the metric space approach is strengthened by demonstrating the gauge invariance of the related metric for the paramagnetic current density. We go beyond ground state properties and apply this approach to excited states. The results suggest that, under specific conditions, a universal behavior may exist for the relationships between the physical quantities defining the system

Reduced lysosomal acid lipase activity: A new marker of liver disease severity across the clinical continuum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) plays a key role in intracellular lipid metabolism. Reduced LAL activity promotes increased multi-organ lysosomal cholesterol ester storage, as observed in two recessive autosomal genetic diseases, Wolman disease and Cholesterol ester storage disease. Severe liver steatosis and accelerated liver fibrosis are common features in patients with genetic LAL deficiency. By contrast, few reliable data are available on the modulation of LAL activity in vivo and on the epigenetic and metabolic factors capable of regulating its activity in subjects without homozygous mutations of the Lipase A gene. In the last few years, a less severe and non-genetic reduction of LAL activity was reported in children and adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), suggesting a possible role of LAL reduction in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. Patients with NAFLD show a significant, progressive reduction of LAL activity from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Among cirrhosis of different etiologies, those with cryptogenic cirrhosis show the most significant reductions of LAL activity. These findings suggest that the modulation of LAL activity may become a possible new therapeutic target for patients with more advanced forms of NAFLD. Moreover, the measurement of LAL activity may represent a possible new marker of disease severity in this clinical setting

Variety seeking behavior in the wine domain: A consumers segmentation using big data

This study investigates variety seeking behavior in the wine domain. Since variety seeking depends on brand strategies and consumers’ preferences for different types of vines and denominations, a bi-dimensional perspective is adopted. Two new variety seeking measures are defined, namely the Wine Index of Diversity and Brand Index of Diversity. A finite mixture regression model is implemented to identify and characterize groups of households sharing similar variety seeking behavior in a statistically representative sample of 8,313 Italian households. Four groups are identified based on consumer characteristics and their purchasing behavior. The largest group is “switchers,” which includes consumers showing a relatively higher wine diversity than brand diversity. Estimates reveal the “habitual” group, that lives in the southern Italy and consumes wine less frequently than all other groups. The “loyal” group includes the youngest consumers with an above average income, who reside in the northern regions. Finally, the “variety seekers” are older, have the highest incomes, and live in the central regions. This grouping provides insights into the effects of brand and wine typology on consumers’ choices