48,381 research outputs found
A Computationally Efficient Limited Memory CMA-ES for Large Scale Optimization
We propose a computationally efficient limited memory Covariance Matrix
Adaptation Evolution Strategy for large scale optimization, which we call the
LM-CMA-ES. The LM-CMA-ES is a stochastic, derivative-free algorithm for
numerical optimization of non-linear, non-convex optimization problems in
continuous domain. Inspired by the limited memory BFGS method of Liu and
Nocedal (1989), the LM-CMA-ES samples candidate solutions according to a
covariance matrix reproduced from direction vectors selected during the
optimization process. The decomposition of the covariance matrix into Cholesky
factors allows to reduce the time and memory complexity of the sampling to
, where is the number of decision variables. When is large
(e.g., > 1000), even relatively small values of (e.g., ) are
sufficient to efficiently solve fully non-separable problems and to reduce the
overall run-time.Comment: Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO'2014) (2014
Comment on "Formation of primordial black holes by cosmic strings"
We show that in a pioneering paper by Polnarev and Zembowicz, some
conclusions concerning the characteristics of the Turok-strings are generally
not correct. In addition we show that the probability of string collapse given
there, is off by a large prefactor (~1000).Comment: 5 pages, LaTeX and 1 figure, postscript. To appear in PR
The SiRi Particle-Telescope System
A silicon particle-telescope system for light-ion nuclear reactions is
described. In particular, the system is designed to be optimized for level
density and gamma-ray strength function measurements with the so-called Oslo
method. Eight trapezoidal modules are mounted at 5 cm distance from the target,
covering 8 forward angles between theta = 40 and 54 degrees. The thin front dE
detectors (130 micrometer) are segmented into eight pads, determining the
reaction angle for the outgoing charged ejectile. Guard rings on the thick back
E detectors (1550 micrometer) guarantee low leakage current at high depletion
voltage.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figure
Quasi-Optimal Filtering in Inverse Problems
A way of constructing a nonlinear filter close to the optimal Kolmogorov -
Wiener filter is proposed within the framework of the statistical approach to
inverse problems. Quasi-optimal filtering, which has no Bayesian assumptions,
produces stable and efficient solutions by relying solely on the internal
resources of the inverse theory. The exact representation is given of the
Feasible Region for inverse solutions that follows from the statistical
consideration.Comment: 9 pages, 240 K
Structure, phase behavior and inhomogeneous fluid properties of binary dendrimer mixtures
The effective pair potentials between different kinds of dendrimers in
solution can be well approximated by appropriate Gaussian functions. We find
that in binary dendrimer mixtures the range and strength of the effective
interactions depend strongly upon the specific dendrimer architecture. We
consider two different types of dendrimer mixtures, employing the Gaussian
effective pair potentials, to determine the bulk fluid structure and phase
behavior. Using a simple mean field density functional theory (DFT) we find
good agreement between theory and simulation results for the bulk fluid
structure. Depending on the mixture, we find bulk fluid-fluid phase separation
(macro-phase separation) or micro-phase separation, i.e., a transition to a
state characterized by undamped periodic concentration fluctuations. We also
determine the inhomogeneous fluid structure for confinement in spherical
cavities. Again, we find good agreement between the DFT and simulation results.
For the dendrimer mixture exhibiting micro-phase separation, we observe rather
striking pattern formation under confinement.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure
Modal cut-off and the V-parameter in photonic crystal fibers
We address the long-standing unresolved problem concerning the V-parameter in
a photonic crystal fiber (PCF). Formulate the parameter appropriate for a
core-defect in a periodic structure we argue that the multi-mode cut-off occurs
at a wavelength lambda* which satisfies V_PCF(lambda*)=pi. Comparing to
numerics and recent cut-off calculations we confirm this result.Comment: 3 pages including 2 figures. Accepted for Optics Letter
The health state preferences and logistical inconsistencies of New Zealanders: a tale of two tariffs
Notwithstanding the proposed use of Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) to inform health care priority setting in New Zealand, to date there has been no research into New Zealandersâ valuations of health-related quality of life. This paper reports the results of a study of the health state preferences of adult New Zealanders generated from a postal survey to which 1360 people responded (a 50% response rate). The survey employed a self-completed questionnaire in which a selection of health states were described using the EQ-5D health state classification system and respondentsâ valuations were sought using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Close attention is paid to the quality of the data, in particular to the âlogical inconsistenciesâ in respondentsâ valuations. Regression analysis is used to interpolate values over the 245 possible EQ-5D states. Two tariffs of health state preferences, arising from contrasting treatments of the logical inconsistencies, are reported.New Zealand, EuroQol, EQ-5D
Mobile particles in an immobile environment: Molecular Dynamics simulation of a binary Yukawa mixture
Molecular dynamics computer simulations are used to investigate thedynamics
of a binary mixture of charged (Yukawa) particles with a size-ratio of 1:5. We
find that the system undergoes a phase transition where the large particles
crystallize while the small particles remain in a fluid-like (delocalized)
phase. Upon decreasing temperature below the transition, the small particles
become increasingly localized on intermediate time scales. This is reflected in
the incoherent intermediate scattering functions by the appearance of a plateau
with a growing height. At long times, the small particles show a diffusive
hopping motion. We find that these transport properties are related to
structural correlations and the single-particle potential energy distribution
of the small particles.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
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