12,184 research outputs found
Boosting Bayesian Parameter Inference of Nonlinear Stochastic Differential Equation Models by Hamiltonian Scale Separation
Parameter inference is a fundamental problem in data-driven modeling. Given
observed data that is believed to be a realization of some parameterized model,
the aim is to find parameter values that are able to explain the observed data.
In many situations, the dominant sources of uncertainty must be included into
the model, for making reliable predictions. This naturally leads to stochastic
models. Stochastic models render parameter inference much harder, as the aim
then is to find a distribution of likely parameter values. In Bayesian
statistics, which is a consistent framework for data-driven learning, this
so-called posterior distribution can be used to make probabilistic predictions.
We propose a novel, exact and very efficient approach for generating posterior
parameter distributions, for stochastic differential equation models calibrated
to measured time-series. The algorithm is inspired by re-interpreting the
posterior distribution as a statistical mechanics partition function of an
object akin to a polymer, where the measurements are mapped on heavier beads
compared to those of the simulated data. To arrive at distribution samples, we
employ a Hamiltonian Monte Carlo approach combined with a multiple time-scale
integration. A separation of time scales naturally arises if either the number
of measurement points or the number of simulation points becomes large.
Furthermore, at least for 1D problems, we can decouple the harmonic modes
between measurement points and solve the fastest part of their dynamics
analytically. Our approach is applicable to a wide range of inference problems
and is highly parallelizable.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure
Developments in steady and unsteady aerodynamics for use in aeroelastic analysis and design
A review is given of seven research projects which are aimed at improving the generality, accuracy, and computational efficiency of steady and unsteady aerodynamic theory for use in aeroelastic analysis and design. These projects indicate three major thrusts of current research efforts: (1) more realistic representation of steady and unsteady subsonic and supersonic loads on aircraft configurations of general shape with emphasis on structural-design applications, (2) unsteady aerodynamics for application in active-controls analyses, and (3) unsteady aerodynamics for the frequently critical transonic speed range. The review of each project includes theoretical background, description of capabilities, results of application, current status, and plans for further development and use
Optimized Blind Gamma-ray Pulsar Searches at Fixed Computing Budget
The sensitivity of blind gamma-ray pulsar searches in multiple years worth of
photon data, as from the Fermi LAT, is primarily limited by the finite
computational resources available. Addressing this "needle in a haystack"
problem, we here present methods for optimizing blind searches to achieve the
highest sensitivity at fixed computing cost. For both coherent and semicoherent
methods, we consider their statistical properties and study their search
sensitivity under computational constraints. The results validate a multistage
strategy, where the first stage scans the entire parameter space using an
efficient semicoherent method and promising candidates are then refined through
a fully coherent analysis. We also find that for the first stage of a blind
search incoherent harmonic summing of powers is not worthwhile at fixed
computing cost for typical gamma-ray pulsars. Further enhancing sensitivity, we
present efficiency-improved interpolation techniques for the semicoherent
search stage. Via realistic simulations we demonstrate that overall these
optimizations can significantly lower the minimum detectable pulsed fraction by
almost 50% at the same computational expense.Comment: 22 pages, 13 figures; includes ApJ proof correction
Extreme Mass-Ratio Inspirals in the Effective-One-Body Approach: Quasi-Circular, Equatorial Orbits around a Spinning Black Hole
We construct effective-one-body waveform models suitable for data analysis
with LISA for extreme-mass ratio inspirals in quasi-circular, equatorial orbits
about a spinning supermassive black hole. The accuracy of our model is
established through comparisons against frequency-domain, Teukolsky-based
waveforms in the radiative approximation. The calibration of eight high-order
post-Newtonian parameters in the energy flux suffices to obtain a phase and
fractional amplitude agreement of better than 1 radian and 1 % respectively
over a period between 2 and 6 months depending on the system considered. This
agreement translates into matches higher than 97 % over a period between 4 and
9 months, depending on the system. Better agreements can be obtained if a
larger number of calibration parameters are included. Higher-order mass ratio
terms in the effective-one-body Hamiltonian and radiation-reaction introduce
phase corrections of at most 30 radians in a one year evolution. These
corrections are usually one order of magnitude larger than those introduced by
the spin of the small object in a one year evolution. These results suggest
that the effective-one-body approach for extreme mass ratio inspirals is a good
compromise between accuracy and computational price for LISA data analysis
purposes.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
- …