The Self-Multiset Sampler

<p>The multiset sampler has been shown to be an effective algorithm to sample from complex multimodal distributions, but the multiset sampler requires that the parameters in the target distribution can be divided into two parts: the parameters of interest and the nuisance parameters. We propose a new self-multiset sampler (SMSS), which extends the multiset sampler to distributions without nuisance parameters. We also generalize our method to distributions with unbounded or infinite support. Numerical results show that the SMSS and its generalization have a substantial advantage in sampling multimodal distributions compared to the ordinary Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm and some popular variants. Supplemental materials for the article are available online.</p

Skinny Gibbs: A Consistent and Scalable Gibbs Sampler for Model Selection

<p>We consider the computational and statistical issues for high-dimensional Bayesian model selection under the Gaussian spike and slab priors. To avoid large matrix computations needed in a standard Gibbs sampler, we propose a novel Gibbs sampler called “Skinny Gibbs” which is much more scalable to high-dimensional problems, both in memory and in computational efficiency. In particular, its computational complexity grows only linearly in <i>p</i>, the number of predictors, while retaining the property of strong model selection consistency even when <i>p</i> is much greater than the sample size <i>n</i>. The present article focuses on logistic regression due to its broad applicability as a representative member of the generalized linear models. We compare our proposed method with several leading variable selection methods through a simulation study to show that Skinny Gibbs has a strong performance as indicated by our theoretical work. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.</p

RET and PHOX2B Genetic Polymorphisms and Hirschsprung's Disease Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Many publications have evaluated the correlation between RET, PHOX2B polymorphisms and Hirschsprung's disease with conflicting results. We performed this meta-analysis to clarify the association of RET, PHOX2B polymorphisms with HSCR.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We searched Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Chinese Biomedical database, Google scholar. The combined odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI was calculated to estimate the strength of the association. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed.</p><p>Results</p><p>In total, 16 studies concerning RET and 4 studies concerning PHOX2B were included in the meta-analysis. The effects of five polymorphisms of RET (rs1800858, rs1800860, rs1800861, rs10900297, rs2435357) and one polymorphism (rs28647582) of PHOX2B were evaluated. We found a significant correlation between RET polymorphisms and HSCR. For rs1800858, the overall ORs (95% CI) of the A versus G, AA versus GG, AA/AG versus GG and AA versus GG/AG were 3.81 (2.28–6.35); 8.36 (3.45–20.25); 3.59 (1.83–7.02); and 6.60 (3.66–11.89). For rs1800861, the comparison of subjects in the G versus T, GG versus TT, GG/TG versus TT and GG versus TT/TG were 2.85(1.81–4.47); 5.38(2.68–10.80); 3.07(2.17–4.34) and 4.14(1.84–9.30) respectively. For rs10900297, the comparison results showed statistically significant. (OR_{C versus A} = 5.05,95%CI = 4.16–6.13; OR_{CC versus AA} = 9.73, 95%CI = 5.94–15.94; OR_{CC/AC versus AA} = 5.31, 95%CI = 3.27–6.82; OR_{CC versus AC/AA} = 7.06,95%CI = 5.60–8.91.) But, for rs1800860, the GG/GA versus AA did not reach statistical association (OR = 3.77, 95% CI = 0.94–15.07) and the G versus A, GG versus AA, GG versus GA/AA were 2.23 (1.60–3.11);4.56 (1.14–18.27); 2.38 (1.66–3.43) respectively. For rs2435357, the T versus C, TT versus CC, TT/TC versus CC and TT versus CC/TC were 4.53 (3.27–6.27); 11.44 (5.67–23.10); 4.04 (2.92–5.57), and 9.01(5.25–15.46).The single polymorphism of PHOX2B gene wasn't related to the risk for HSCR.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>This meta-analysis shows a significant association between RET polymorphisms and HSCR.</p></div

Characteristics of studies included in this meta-analysis about PHOX2B gene.

<p>Characteristics of studies included in this meta-analysis about PHOX2B gene.</p

Main results of the meta-analysis.

<p>Main results of the meta-analysis.</p

DMSO: An Efficient Catalyst for the Cyclopropanation of C_60, C₇₀, SWNTs, and Graphene through the Bingel Reaction

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) is an effective catalyst system for C₆₀ cyclopropanation through the Bingel reaction. Various bromomalonic esters, brominated β-keto esters, brominated 1,3-diketones, and other bromo-substituted active methylene compounds can react with C₆₀ in the presence of DMSO and Na₂CO₃ to achieve excellent yields of the corresponding methanofullerenes at 10 °C. Moreover, this proposed methodology has been also employed successfully to functionalize [70]­fullerene, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), and graphene. This protocol is beneficial because it involves short reaction time, high yield, and a simple procedure. Additionally, this method does not need a strong base, such as sodium hydride and 1,8-diazabicyclo­[5,4,0]­undec-7-ene, because inexpensive Na₂CO₃ can be the catalyst

The results of subgroup analyses.

<p>The results of subgroup analyses.</p

Process of selecting studies about RET and PHOX2B gene.

<p>Process of selecting studies about RET and PHOX2B gene.</p

Enhanced Anticorrosion Performance and Mass Preparation of Magnetic Metal-Doped Zinc Oxide Nano Solid Solutions

To enhance the limited anticorrosion property of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), magnetic metal-doped ZnO nano solid solutions (M-ZnO NSSs, M = Fe, Co, Ni) were synthesized by a calcination modification method. Through investigating the electron transfer postponement by magnetic metals and sediment layer obstructing erosion by electrolytes, a synergistic anticorrosion mechanism was concluded. In comparison with ZnO NPs, the impedance of Fe-, Co-, and Ni-doped ZnO NSSs dramatically increased by 757.0%, 1067.4%, and 950.9% after exposure to 3.5 wt % NaCl solution for 72 h, respectively. The mass preparation and charge transfer disturbance of M-ZnO NSSs provide industrial anticorrosion with a new horizon

The expression of β-defensin 2 in B16-mBD2 cells.

<p>B16 cells were transfected with the plasmid, pcDNA3.1(+)-Igκ-β-defensin 2, or control pcDNA3.1(+), respectively, and treated with G418 for the generation of β-defensin 2 stably-expressing cell clones. The expression of β-defensin 2 was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot assays. (A) RT-PCR detection of β-defensin 2 mRNA. 1: The positive control plasmid containing Igκ-β-defensin 2 insert; 2: The pcDNA3.1(+)-Igκ-β-defensin 2 transfected B16 cells; 3: The pcDNA3.1(+) transfected B16 cells; 4: The parental B16 cells; M: DNA Marker. (B) Western-blot analysis of secreted β-defensin 2 peptides. M: protein Marker; 1: The supernatants of B16-mBD2; 2: The supernatants of B16-p; 3: The supernatants of parental B16. Data shown are representative images from three separate experiments.</p