A multimodal cell census and atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex

ABSTRACT We report the generation of a multimodal cell census and atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex (MOp or M1) as the initial product of the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN). This was achieved by coordinated large-scale analyses of single-cell transcriptomes, chromatin accessibility, DNA methylomes, spatially resolved single-cell transcriptomes, morphological and electrophysiological properties, and cellular resolution input-output mapping, integrated through cross-modal computational analysis. Together, our results advance the collective knowledge and understanding of brain cell type organization: First, our study reveals a unified molecular genetic landscape of cortical cell types that congruently integrates their transcriptome, open chromatin and DNA methylation maps. Second, cross-species analysis achieves a unified taxonomy of transcriptomic types and their hierarchical organization that are conserved from mouse to marmoset and human. Third, cross-modal analysis provides compelling evidence for the epigenomic, transcriptomic, and gene regulatory basis of neuronal phenotypes such as their physiological and anatomical properties, demonstrating the biological validity and genomic underpinning of neuron types and subtypes. Fourth, in situ single-cell transcriptomics provides a spatially-resolved cell type atlas of the motor cortex. Fifth, integrated transcriptomic, epigenomic and anatomical analyses reveal the correspondence between neural circuits and transcriptomic cell types. We further present an extensive genetic toolset for targeting and fate mapping glutamatergic projection neuron types toward linking their developmental trajectory to their circuit function. Together, our results establish a unified and mechanistic framework of neuronal cell type organization that integrates multi-layered molecular genetic and spatial information with multi-faceted phenotypic properties

From JonBenét Ramsay to Asha Degree: Biases and Contemporary Consequences for Sexualized Missing Girls

Compared to missing Black girls, missing White girls are more likely to receive any and repeated media coverage following her disappearance (Sommers, 2017; Slakoff & Fradella, 2019). One potential contributor to this discrepancy is racialized sexual perceptions of the missing girl. A pair of complementary studies—one experimental (Study 1) and the other archival (Study 2)—examined the relations between target race (White versus Black), target sexualization presentation (non-sexualized versus sexualized), and target description (missing versus runaway) on psychological (Study 1) and actual (Study 2) sympathy and supportive measures (e.g., news coverage). As hypothesized, participants were more sympathetic and supportive of missing versus runaway girls (Study 1). Also consistent with hypotheses, when a Black missing girl was presented in sexualized versus non-sexualized ways (via her actual missing poster), she was less likely to have any news coverage or any updated information concerning her case (Study 2). For White missing girls, sexualization presentation did not affect results. Overall, the current work suggests that race and sexualization affect how missing girls are perceived, though the effects were more nuanced than hypothesized. Discussion centers on the theoretical implications (psychological and legal) as well as the devastating real life consequences of these findings, especially for missing Black girls. Recommendations are provided for regulating which images are selected for online postings and how the media should discuss missing children cases

An Attribution Theory Based Content Analysis of Mock Jurors' Deliberations Regarding a Defendant's Coerced Confession

Objective: Because confessions are sometimes unreliable it is important to understand how jurors evaluate confession evidence. We conducted a content analysis testing an attribution theory model for mock jurors’ discussion of coerced confession evidence in determining verdicts. Hypotheses: We tested exploratory hypotheses regarding mock jurors’ discussion of attributions and elements of the confession. We expected that jurors’ pro-defense statements, external attributions (attributing the confession to coercion), and uncontrollable attributions (attributing the confession to defendant naivety) would predict more pro-defense than pro-prosecution case judgments. We also expected that being male, politically conservative, and supporting the death penalty would predict pro-prosecution statements and internal attributions, which in turn, would predict guilty verdicts. Method: Mock jurors (N=253, Mage = 47; 65% women; 88% White, 10% Black, 1% Hispanic, 1% listed “other”) read a murder trial synopsis, watched an actual coerced, false confession, completed case judgments, and deliberated in juries of up to 12. We videotaped, transcribed, and reliably coded deliberations. Results: Most mock jurors (53%) rendered a guilty verdict. Participants made more pro-defense than pro-prosecution statements, more external than internal attributions, and more internal than uncontrollable attributions. Participants infrequently mentioned various elements of the interrogation (police coercion, contamination, promises of leniency, interrogation length) and psychological consequences for the defendant. Pro-prosecution statements and internal attributions predicted pro-prosecution case judgments. Women made more pro-defense and external attribution statements than men, which in turn predicted diminished guilt. Political conservatives and death penalty proponents made more pro-prosecution statements and internal attributions than their counterparts, respectively, which in turn predicted greater guilt. Conclusions: Many jurors mentioned the coerced confession in a pro-defense way, making external attributions. Yet, many jurors did the opposite, making internal attributions for a defendant’s coerced confession in arguments favoring guilt. These findings have implications for improving legal practitioners’ communication of confession evidence to jurors

Calibration in Court_NSF_Study 2_Jury Deliberation

This 2nd part of an NSF-funded project is designed as a jury simulation experiment with a diverse samples of community participants to 1) identify individual difference factors that predict people's ability to rely appropriately on scientific evidence, 2) investigate the effectiveness of a Fuzzy Trace Theory-inspired safeguard compared to traditional safeguards to enhance people's ability to rely appropriately on scientific evidence, and 3) assess the role of scientific evidence in jury deliberation, especially as a function of evidence quality, individual differences, and safeguards

Positron emission tomography probe demonstrates a striking concentration of ribose salvage in the liver.

PET is a powerful technique for quantifying and visualizing biochemical pathways in vivo. Here, we develop and validate a novel PET probe, [(18)F]-2-deoxy-2-fluoroarabinose ([(18)F]DFA), for in vivo imaging of ribose salvage. DFA mimics ribose in vivo and accumulates in cells following phosphorylation by ribokinase and further metabolism by transketolase. We use [(18)F]DFA to show that ribose preferentially accumulates in the liver, suggesting a striking tissue specificity for ribose metabolism. We demonstrate that solute carrier family 2, member 2 (also known as GLUT2), a glucose transporter expressed in the liver, is one ribose transporter, but we do not know if others exist. [(18)F]DFA accumulation is attenuated in several mouse models of metabolic syndrome, suggesting an association between ribose salvage and glucose and lipid metabolism. These results describe a tool for studying ribose salvage and suggest that plasma ribose is preferentially metabolized in the liver