Suprateek Kundu, Bani K. Mallick, Veera Baladandayuthapani.

Source: Bayesian Analysis, Volume 14, Number 2, 449--476.

Abstract:
There has been an intense development in the Bayesian graphical model literature over the past decade; however, most of the existing methods are restricted to moderate dimensions. We propose a novel graphical model selection approach for large dimensional settings where the dimension increases with the sample size, by decoupling model fitting and covariance selection. First, a full model based on a complete graph is fit under a novel class of mixtures of inverse–Wishart priors, which induce shrinkage on the precision matrix under an equivalence with Cholesky-based regularization, while enabling conjugate updates. Subsequently, a post-fitting model selection step uses penalized joint credible regions to perform model selection. This allows our methods to be computationally feasible for large dimensional settings using a combination of straightforward Gibbs samplers and efficient post-fitting inferences. Theoretical guarantees in terms of selection consistency are also established. Simulations show that the proposed approach compares favorably with competing methods, both in terms of accuracy metrics and computation times. We apply this approach to a cancer genomics data example.

Nathan B. Cruze, Andreea L. Erciulescu, Balgobin Nandram, Wendy J. Barboza, Linda J. Young.

Source: Statistical Science, Volume 34, Number 2, 301--316.

Abstract:
In the United States, county-level estimates of crop yield, production, and acreage published by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) play an important role in determining the value of payments allotted to farmers and ranchers enrolled in several federal programs. Given the importance of these official county-level crop estimates, NASS continually strives to improve its crops county estimates program in terms of accuracy, reliability and coverage. In 2015, NASS engaged a panel of experts convened under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) for guidance on implementing models that may synthesize multiple sources of information into a single estimate, provide defensible measures of uncertainty, and potentially increase the number of publishable county estimates. The final report titled Improving Crop Estimates by Integrating Multiple Data Sources was released in 2017. This paper discusses several needs and requirements for NASS county-level crop estimates that were illuminated during the activities of the CNSTAT panel. A motivating example of planted acreage estimation in Illinois illustrates several challenges that NASS faces as it considers adopting any explicit model for official crops county estimates.

London (33 Stillness Rd, London, SE23 ING) : Cleanair, Campaign for a Smoke-free Environment, [198-?]

Peter M. Zygmunt
Jun 1, 2002; 22:4720-4727
Behavioral

Brian Zingg
Apr 15, 2020; 40:3250-3267
Systems/Circuits

Christian Gaser
Oct 8, 2003; 23:9240-9245
BehavioralSystemsCognitive

Ye Zhang
Sep 3, 2014; 34:11929-11947
Cellular

Joshua A. Gordon
May 15, 1996; 16:3274-3286
Articles

Peter Klivenyi
Jan 1, 2000; 20:1-7
Cellular

Lennart Mucke
Jun 1, 2000; 20:4050-4058
Cellular

EL Bienenstock
Jan 1, 1982; 2:32-48
Articles

Ye Zhang
Sep 3, 2014; 34:11929-11947
Cellular

Spanish translation of press release - the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision is finalising stress-testing principles, reviews ways to stop regulatory arbitrage behaviour, agrees on annual G-SIB list, discusses leverage ratio, crypto-assets, market risk framework and implementation, 20 September 2018.

Spanish translation of the BIS Quarterly Review, December 2018

Discurso del Dr. Agustín Carstens, Director General del Banco de Pagos Internacionales, en la Celebración del 25 Aniversario de la Autonomía del Banco de México, Ciudad de México, 22 de noviembre de 2019.

To view more press releases, please visit http://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/news.aspx?iid=1024452.

Revealing the organization and function of neural circuits is greatly facilitated by viral tools that spread transsynaptically. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) exhibits anterograde transneuronal transport, however, the synaptic specificity of this spread and its broad application within a diverse set of circuits remains to be explored. Here, using anatomic, functional, and molecular approaches, we provide evidence for the preferential transport of AAV1 to postsynaptically connected neurons and reveal its spread is strongly dependent on synaptic transmitter release. In addition to glutamatergic pathways, AAV1 also spreads through GABAergic synapses to both excitatory and inhibitory cell types. We observed little or no transport, however, through neuromodulatory projections (e.g., serotonergic, cholinergic, and noradrenergic). In addition, we found that AAV1 can be transported through long-distance descending projections from various brain regions to effectively transduce spinal cord neurons. Combined with newly designed intersectional and sparse labeling strategies, AAV1 can be applied within a wide variety of pathways to categorize neurons according to their input sources, morphology, and molecular identities. These properties make AAV1 a promising anterograde transsynaptic tool for establishing a comprehensive cell-atlas of the brain, although its capacity for retrograde transport currently limits its use to unidirectional circuits.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The discovery of anterograde transneuronal spread of AAV1 generates great promise for its application as a unique tool for manipulating input-defined cell populations and mapping their outputs. However, several outstanding questions remain for anterograde transsynaptic approaches in the field: (1) whether AAV1 spreads exclusively or specifically to synaptically connected neurons, and (2) how broad its application could be in various types of neural circuits in the brain. This study provides several lines of evidence in terms of anatomy, functional innervation, and underlying mechanisms, to strongly support that AAV1 anterograde transneuronal spread is highly synapse specific. In addition, several potentially important applications of transsynaptic AAV1 in probing neural circuits are described.

Stress alters brain function by modifying the structure and function of neurons and astrocytes. The fine processes of astrocytes are critical for the clearance of neurotransmitters during synaptic transmission. Thus, experience-dependent remodeling of glial processes is anticipated to alter the output of neural circuits. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie glial structural plasticity are not known. Here we show that a single exposure of male and female mice to an acute stress produced a long-lasting retraction of the lateral processes of cerebellar Bergmann glial cells. These cells express the GluA1 subunit of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, and GluA1 knockdown is known to shorten the length of glial processes. We found that stress reduced the level of GluA1 protein and AMPA receptor-mediated currents in Bergmann glial cells, and these effects were absent in mice devoid of CPEB3, a protein that binds to GluA1 mRNA and regulates GluA1 protein synthesis. Administration of a β-adrenergic receptor blocker attenuated the reduction in GluA1, and deletion of adenylate cyclase 5 prevented GluA1 suppression. Therefore, stress suppresses GluA1 protein synthesis via an adrenergic/adenylyl cyclase/CPEB3 pathway, and reduces the length of astrocyte lateral processes. Our results identify a novel mechanism for GluA1 subunit plasticity in non-neuronal cells and suggest a previously unappreciated role for AMPA receptors in stress-induced astrocytic remodeling.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Astrocytes play important roles in synaptic transmission by extending fine processes around synapses. In this study, we showed that a single exposure to an acute stress triggered a retraction of lateral/fine processes in mouse cerebellar astrocytes. These astrocytes express GluA1, a glutamate receptor subunit known to lengthen astrocyte processes. We showed that astrocytic structural changes are associated with a reduction of GluA1 protein levels. This requires activation of β-adrenergic receptors and is triggered by noradrenaline released during stress. We identified adenylyl cyclase 5, an enzyme that elevates cAMP levels, as a downstream effector and found that lowering GluA1 levels depends on CPEB3 proteins that bind to GluA1 mRNA. Therefore, stress regulates GluA1 protein synthesis via an adrenergic/adenylyl cyclase/CPEB3 pathway in astrocytes and remodels their fine processes.

When thinking of this fruit we love so much what is the image that first pops to mind? Perhaps a green or a yellow with a greenish tint energy food? Or maybe a banana packaged in a perfect shade of yellow? If that’s the case, then it is time to broaden that perspective. Say hello to the Fe’i banana! This traditional [...]

Due to COVID-19, Art + Action's "Come to Your Census" project has pivoted from posters and events to social media and online outreach

The computer program can identify canine versus human feces based on DNA sequences in samples

The specimen may be the earliest known example of a squid-like creature on the attack

The N.W.T. and Nunavut Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission says it filed multiple charges in the Nunavut Court of Justice under the Nunavut Safety Act on May 1.

The premier’s office confirmed the news in an email statement, blaming visibility issues under "very specific lighting conditions."

The Northwoods League announced Thursday that its 2020 season will not begin on May 26, as originally scheduled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Para Roberto Ramírez de Costa Rica, servir a Dios en misiones ha sido un paso de fe tras otro. Perdió su trabajo, su estabilidad financiera e incluso a su prometida, pero ganó mucho más.

Police are investigating a report of a suspicious package in north Edmonton.

Successful modification of the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) after two-step BAC engineering is confirmed in two separate polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). The first reaction (5' co-integrate PCR) uses a forward 5' co-integrate primer (a sequence located upstream of the 5' end of the A-box) and a reverse 3' primer on the vector (175PA+50AT) or within the reporter sequence or mutated region as appropriate. The second reaction (3' co-integrate PCR) uses a forward 5' primer on the recA gene (RecA1300S) and a reverse 3' co-integrate primer (a sequence located downstream from the 3' end of the B-box). Those colonies shown to be positive in PCR analysis are further tested for sensitivity to UV light. After the resolution, colonies that have lost the excised recombination vector including sacB and recA genes become UV light sensitive.

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones are rendered electrocompetent and transformed with the recombinant shuttle vector, pLD53SCAB/AB-box. Cointegrates are selected by growth on chloramphenicol and ampicillin to ensure recombination of the shuttle vector into the BAC.

Plasmid DNA is prepared from the recombinant shuttle vector pLD53.SCAB/A-B created by cloning of the A and B homology arms for two-step bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) engineering. To confirm that the A-box and B-box arms have been successfully incorporated into pLD53.SCAB, the pattern of enzyme digestion of the modified plasmid is compared with that of the unmodified pLD53.SCAB. Once the shuttle vector is shown to carry the proper sequences, it is ready for transfer into the BAC host.

This protocol describes the preparation of the shuttle vector before its introduction into bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) host cells for BAC two-step engineering. The homology arm sequences, prepared previously, are introduced by ligation into the digested shuttle vector DNA to provide sites for recombination within the BAC clone. Crude lysates of individual bacterial transformants serve as templates in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to confirm the presence of the homology arms in the recombinant shuttle vector.

The 700-bp A homology arm (A-box) and the 700-bp B homology arm (B-box) are amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using purified bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) DNA as template for two-step BAC engineering. The resulting A-box PCR product contains an AscI site at its 5' end (the 5' primer incorporates an AscI site, and the 3' primer does not incorporate any restriction sites). The B-box PCR product contains an XmaI site at its 3' end (the 5' primer does not incorporate any restriction sites, and the 3' primer incorporates an XmaI site). The amplification products are then digested with the appropriate restriction endonucleases to render them suitable for cloning into the shuttle vector.

In two-step bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) engineering, a single plasmid is introduced into the BAC-carrying cell lines. The shuttle vector pLD53.SCAB (or pLD53.SCAEB) carries the recA gene and the R6K origin, which requires the protein to replicate. PIR2 cells, expressing , are typically used for the amplification of the vector and maintain about 15 copies/cell of the donor vector, which is relatively stable in this host.

Recent literature has highlighted that international trade is mostly priced in a few key vehicle currencies, and is increasingly dominated by intermediate goods and global value chains (GVCs). Taking these features into account, this paper reexamines the business cycle dynamics of international trade and its relationship with monetary policy and exchange rates.

Our ongoing celebration of the Library of Congress National Book Festival continues with crime writer Patricia Cornwell discussing "Red Mist,” her 19th Kay Scarpetta novel, on the Fiction & Mystery stage at the 2012 Festival.

Press release: CPMI and IOSCO share authorities´ experiences in cooperation to increase FMI safety and efficiency, 10 December 2019

Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson spoke to CBC's John Northcott about the realities of running a funeral home during the pandemic.

Manitoba municipalities will be receiving most of their operating funding from the province sooner than usual because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the province announced Friday.

Earlier this week, Manitoba's premier announced $200 cheques for seniors to help pay for increased costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some wonder if there is a better way to help those in need.

A former FBI agent who investigated the Flint water scandal says the team was moving toward new charges when new prosecutors took over.

As we enter planting season for U.S. farmers, it’s a good time to look at the structure of the agricultural...

The post What The History of Soybeans Says About Pricing appeared first on OpenMarkets.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is in discussions with the CFL, which is seeking financial support to help with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, the National Arts Centre launched #CanadaPerforms, an initiative that pays musicians and writers to perform from their living rooms. Poet Zoey Roy gave an intimate performance from her living room in Kingston. 

Toronto officials reported 180 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, a figure that represents a dip when compared to the more than 200 cases announced daily this week. 

Lambton County resident Joeleen DeGurse-MacDonald still has memories of the fatal vehicle collisions she's witnessed at the intersection of Kimball Road and Petrolia Line. Now in her 50s, DeGurse-MacDonald said she vividly remembers an accident that took place when she was only five-years-old, eating a pear picked from an orchard on her family's farm at the northest intersection of Kimball and Petrolia.