Using a partially observable Markov chain model to assess colonoscopy screening strategies – A cohort study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is notoriously hard to combat for its high incidence and mortality rates. However, with improved screening technology and better understanding of disease pathways, CRC is more likely to be detected at early stage and thus more likely to be cured. Among the available screening methods, colonoscopy is most commonly used in the U.S. because of its capability of visualizing the entire colon and removing the polyps it detected. The current national guideline for colonoscopy screening recommends an observation-based screening strategy. Nevertheless, there is scant research studying the cost-effectiveness of the recommended observation-based strategy and its variants. In this paper, we describe a partially observable Markov chain (POMC) model which allows us to assess the cost-effectiveness of both fixed-interval and observation-based colonoscopy screening strategies. In our model, we consider detailed adenomatous polyp states and estimate state transition probabilities based on longitudinal clinical data from a specific population cohort. We conduct a comprehensive numerical study which investigates several key factors in screening strategy design, including screening frequency, initial screening age, screening end age, and screening compliance rate. We also conduct sensitivity analyses on the cost and quality of life parameters. Our numerical result demonstrates the usability of our model in assessing colonoscopy screening strategies with consideration of partial observation of true health states. This research facilitates future design of better colonoscopy screening strategies.     

Partially harmonic forms and models of H-series

Let G   be a real reductive Lie group, let H=TA$H=TA$ be the identity component of a Cartan subgroup, and let h$\mathfrak{h}$ be the corresponding Cartan subalgebra. This leads to a parabolic subgroup of G whose identity component is MAN. The unitary G-representations induced by MAN are known as the H  -series. We study symplectic geometry of G×h$G\times \mathfrak{h}$ and apply geometric quantization to construct unitary G-representations by partially harmonic forms. They are direct integrals of the H-series, indexed by the image of the moment map. We also perform symplectic reduction and symplectic induction, and consider their analogues in representation theory via geometric quantization.     

Efficient statistical inference for partially nonlinear errors-in-variables models

In this paper, we consider the partially nonlinear errors-in-variables models when the non- parametric component is measured with additive error. The profile nonlinear least squares estimator of unknown parameter and the estimator of nonparametric component are constructed, and their asymptotic properties are derived under general assumptions. Finite sample performances of the proposed statistical inference procedures are illustrated by Monte Carlo simulation studies.     

部分线性模型的随机约束岭估计

研究了部分线性回归模型附加有随机约束条件时的估计问题.基于Profile最小二乘方法和混合估计方法提出了参数分量随机约束下的Profile混合估计,并研究了其性质.为了克服共线性问题,构造了参数分量的Profile混合岭估计,并给出了估计量的偏和方差.     

Theory of third-harmonic generation using double half-Gaussian hollow beams and self-phase-matching

We first (to best of out knowledge) use the slowly varying envelope approximation (SVEA) to obtain the equation of third harmonic (TH) generated by focusing the double half-Gaussian hollow beams into an atomic medium. The two-dimension intensity distribution is achieved by simulating, and it is similar to that generated by the 0th order Bessel beams. In addition to the similarities between the experimental setups, we demonstrate the accuracy of the equation. Compared with that generated by the Bessel beams, the pattern of the TH intensity generated by the double half-Gaussian hollow beams has salient features.     

Dual extremum principles for geometrically exact finite strain beams

Both necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of two complementary-dual extremum principles for geometrically exact finite strain (one-dimensional) beam models are investigated by means of two different approaches. One is based on the results published by Gao and Strang, and the other relies on the approach proposed by Noble and Sewell. While the former is limited to beam models restricted to moderate large deformations, the latter is valid for arbitrarily large deformations (and strains). The numerical implementation of the complementary-dual extremum principles can lead to simple true global upper bounds of the error of the approximate solutions.     

Optimal resolution with extreme depth of focus

When the focal depth is required to be much larger than the wavelength, λ, the effective NA of the beam with optimal resolution is much less than unity. An aperture that is much larger than this beam's footprint is then of no consequence. Such beams that maximize the mean encircled energy fraction within a cylindrical focal region are shown to depend on only a single parameter, ω, that is proportional to the ratio of the square of the cylinder's radius to the product of its length and λ. A linear combination of Hermite– or Laguerre–Gaussian modes is used to represent these fields in two and three dimensions, respectively. For small ω, the results are compared both to asymptotic expansions and to optimal Gaussian and Bessel–Gauss beams.     

New expressions for field distribution in the focal region

In an earlier paper dealing with the flat-topped light beams [Y. Li, Opt. Lett. 27 (2002) 1007], it is shown that the flat-topped beams can be expressed as 1 − [1 − exp(−ξ²)]^M, where ξ is a dimensionless parameter and M is a non-negative number. The binomial expansion of this express contains only lowest-order Gaussian modes; this situation makes it possible to develop a new formulation of diffraction of converging spherical wave at an aperture in a plane opaque screen if the Gaussian mode expansion is employed to describe the boundary values of the screen.     

On certain spaces of lattice diagram determinants

The aim of this work is to study some lattice diagram determinants Δ_L(X,Y) as defined in (Adv. Math. 142 (1999) 244) and to extend results of Aval et al. (J. Combin. Theory Ser. A, to appear). We recall that M_L denotes the space of all partial derivatives of Δ_L. In this paper, we want to study the space M_i,j^k(X,Y) which is defined as the sum of M_L spaces where the lattice diagrams L are obtained by removing k cells from a given partition, these cells being in the “shadow” of a given cell (i,j) in a fixed Ferrers diagram. We obtain an upper bound for the dimension of the resulting space M_i,j^k(X,Y), that we conjecture to be optimal. This dimension is a multiple of n! and thus we obtain a generalization of the n! conjecture. Moreover, these upper bounds associated to nice properties of some special symmetric differential operators (the “shift” operators) allow us to construct explicit bases in the case of one set of variables, i.e. for the subspace M_i,j^k(X) consisting of elements of 0 Y-degree.     

Interaction of He Atoms with XeF2 Observed in Crossed Molecular Beams

The interactional shape of XeF₂ with respect to energy and distance was observed by He atom scattering in molecular beam experiments. The heterogeneous second virial coefficient and the binary coefficient of diffusion were calculated from the resulting interaction potential.