1,508 research outputs found
Information theoretic approach to interactive learning
The principles of statistical mechanics and information theory play an
important role in learning and have inspired both theory and the design of
numerous machine learning algorithms. The new aspect in this paper is a focus
on integrating feedback from the learner. A quantitative approach to
interactive learning and adaptive behavior is proposed, integrating model- and
decision-making into one theoretical framework. This paper follows simple
principles by requiring that the observer's world model and action policy
should result in maximal predictive power at minimal complexity. Classes of
optimal action policies and of optimal models are derived from an objective
function that reflects this trade-off between prediction and complexity. The
resulting optimal models then summarize, at different levels of abstraction,
the process's causal organization in the presence of the learner's actions. A
fundamental consequence of the proposed principle is that the learner's optimal
action policies balance exploration and control as an emerging property.
Interestingly, the explorative component is present in the absence of policy
randomness, i.e. in the optimal deterministic behavior. This is a direct result
of requiring maximal predictive power in the presence of feedback.Comment: 6 page
Measurements of the effect of collisions on transverse beam halo diffusion in the Tevatron and in the LHC
Beam-beam forces and collision optics can strongly affect beam lifetime,
dynamic aperture, and halo formation in particle colliders. Extensive
analytical and numerical simulations are carried out in the design and
operational stage of a machine to quantify these effects, but experimental data
is scarce. The technique of small-step collimator scans was applied to the
Fermilab Tevatron collider and to the CERN Large Hadron Collider to study the
effect of collisions on transverse beam halo dynamics. We describe the
technique and present a summary of the first results on the dependence of the
halo diffusion coefficient on betatron amplitude in the Tevatron and in the
LHC.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Submitted to the Proceedings of the ICFA
Mini-Workshop on Beam-beam Effects in Hadron Colliders (BB2013), Geneva,
Switzerland, 18-22 March 201
Quasi-Homogeneous Thermodynamics and Black Holes
We propose a generalized thermodynamics in which quasi-homogeneity of the
thermodynamic potentials plays a fundamental role. This thermodynamic formalism
arises from a generalization of the approach presented in paper [1], and it is
based on the requirement that quasi-homogeneity is a non-trivial symmetry for
the Pfaffian form . It is shown that quasi-homogeneous
thermodynamics fits the thermodynamic features of at least some
self-gravitating systems. We analyze how quasi-homogeneous thermodynamics is
suggested by black hole thermodynamics. Then, some existing results involving
self-gravitating systems are also shortly discussed in the light of this
thermodynamic framework. The consequences of the lack of extensivity are also
recalled. We show that generalized Gibbs-Duhem equations arise as a consequence
of quasi-homogeneity of the thermodynamic potentials. An heuristic link between
this generalized thermodynamic formalism and the thermodynamic limit is also
discussed.Comment: 39 pages, uses RevteX. Published version (minor changes w.r.t. the
original one
Beam halo dynamics and control with hollow electron beams
Experimental measurements of beam halo diffusion dynamics with collimator
scans are reviewed. The concept of halo control with a hollow electron beam
collimator, its demonstration at the Tevatron, and its possible applications at
the LHC are discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, in Proceedings of the 52nd ICFA Advanced Beam
Dynamics Workshop on High-Intensity and High-Brightness Hadron Beams
(HB2012), Beijing, China, 17-21 September 201
Approximation theory in combinatorial optimization. Application to the generalized minimum spanning tree problem
We present an overview of the approximation theory in
combinatorial optimization. As an application we consider the
Generalized Minimum Spanning Tree (GMST) problem which is defined on an undirected complete graph with the nodes partitioned into
clusters and non-negative costs are associated to the edges. This
problem is NP-hard and it is known that a
polynomial approximation algorithm cannot exist. We present an
in-approximability result for the GMST problem and under special
assumptions: cost function satisfying the triangle inequality and
with cluster sizes bounded by , we give an approximation
algorithm with ratio
Petrological evidence in support of the death mask model for Ediacaran soft-bodied preservation in South Australia
Microbially mediated early diagenetic pyrite formation in the immediate vicinity of organic material has been the favoured mechanism by which to explain widespread preservation of soft-bodied organisms in late Ediacaran sedimentary successions, but an alternative rapid silicification model has been proposed for macrofossil preservation in sandstones of the Ediacara Member in South Australia. We here provide petrological evidence from Nilpena National Heritage Site and Ediacara Conservation Park to demonstrate the presence of grain-coating iron oxides, framboidal hematite, and clay minerals along Ediacara Member sandstone bedding planes, including fossil-bearing bed soles. SEM and petrographic data reveal that framboids and grain coatings, which we interpret as oxidized pyrite, formed before the precipitation of silica cements. In conjunction with geochemical and taphonomic considerations, our data suggest that anactualistically high concentrations of silica need not be invoked to explain Ediacara Member fossil preservation: we conclude that the pyritic âdeath maskâ model remains compelling.AGL is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council [grant number NE/L011409/2]. SM acknowledges support from the European Unionâs Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Marie SkĆodowska-Curie grant agreement 747877 ... JJM recognises support from Mitacs ..
Channeling and Volume Reflection Based Crystal Collimation of Tevatron Circulating Beam Halo (T-980)
The T980 crystal collimation experiment is underway at the Tevatron to
determine if this technique could increase 980 GeV beam-halo collimation
efficiency at high-energy hadron colliders such as the Tevatron and the LHC.
T980 also studies various crystal types and parameters. The setup has been
substantially enhanced during the Summer 2009 shutdown by installing a new
O-shaped crystal in the horizontal goniometer, as well as adding a vertical
goniometer with two alternating crystals (O-shaped and multi-strip) and
additional beam diagnostics. First measurements with the new system are quite
encouraging, with channeled and volume-reflected beams observed on the
secondary collimators as predicted. Investigation of crystal collimation
efficiencies with crystals in volume reflection and channeling modes are
described in comparison with an amorphous primary collimator. Results on the
system performance are presented for the end-of-store studies and for entire
collider stores. The first investigation of colliding beam collimation
simultaneously using crystals in both the vertical and horizontal plane has
been made in the regime with horizontally channeled and vertically
volume-reflected beams. Planning is underway for significant hardware
improvements during the FY10 summer shutdown and for dedicated studies during
the final year of Tevatron operation and also for a "post-collider beam physics
running" period.Comment: 3 pp. 1st International Particle Accelerator Conference: IPAC'10,
23-28 May 2010: Kyoto, Japa
Low-Temperature Fluorocarbonate Mineralization in Lower Devonian Rhynie Chert, UK
Funding: J.G.T.A was partially funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, grant number NE/T003677/1. Acknowledgments: We are grateful to W. Ritchie, J. Johnston, and J. Bowie for skilled technicalsupport. Samples were archived by N.H. Trewin, C.M. Rice and S. Fayers.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Secondary-Structure Design of Proteins by a Backbone Torsion Energy
We propose a new backbone-torsion-energy term in the force field for protein
systems. This torsion-energy term is represented by a double Fourier series in
two variables, the backbone dihedral angles phi and psi. It gives a natural
representation of the torsion energy in the Ramachandran space in the sense
that any two-dimensional energy surface periodic in both phi and psi can be
expanded by the double Fourier series. We can then easily control
secondary-structure-forming tendencies by modifying the torsion-energy surface.
For instance, we can increase/decrease the alpha-helix-forming-tendencies by
lowering/raising the torsion-energy surface in the alpha-helix region and
likewise increase/decrease the beta-sheet-forming tendencies by
lowering/raising the surface in the beta-sheet region in the Ramachandran
space. We applied our approach to AMBER parm94 and AMBER parm96 force fields
and demonstrated that our modifications of the torsion-energy terms resulted in
the expected changes of secondary-structure-forming-tendencies by performing
folding simulations of alpha-helical and beta-hairpin peptides.Comment: 13 pages, (Revtex4), 5 figure
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