On the impact of selected modern deep-learning techniques to the performance and celerity of classification models in an experimental high-energy physics use case

Beginning from a basic neural-network architecture, we test the potential benefits offered by a range of advanced techniques for machine learning, in particular deep learning, in the context of a typical classification problem encountered in the domain of high-energy physics, using a well-studied dataset: the 2014 Higgs ML Kaggle dataset. The advantages are evaluated in terms of both performance metrics and the time required to train and apply the resulting models. Techniques examined include domain-specific data-augmentation, learning rate and momentum scheduling, (advanced) ensembling in both model-space and weight-space, and alternative architectures and connection methods. Following the investigation, we arrive at a model which achieves equal performance to the winning solution of the original Kaggle challenge, whilst being significantly quicker to train and apply, and being suitable for use with both GPU and CPU hardware setups. These reductions in timing and hardware requirements potentially allow the use of more powerful algorithms in HEP analyses, where models must be retrained frequently, sometimes at short notice, by small groups of researchers with limited hardware resources. Additionally, a new wrapper library for PyTorch called LUMIN is presented, which incorporates all of the techniques studied.Comment: Preprint V4: Fixing typographical error and correcting two plots. Mach. Learn.: Sci. Technol (2020

Gluon splitting to b-quark pairs in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s)=8TeV with ATLAS

Gluon splitting to b-quark pairs is shown to be an important process which is currently not well modelled by Monte Carlo event generators. In order to understand the splitting process in Monte Carlo generation, Pythia 8 and Sherpa are compared in terms of their production methods of b-quark pairs, and the parton shower approximation of gluon splitting is compared to its matrix element calculation using Sherpa. The parton shower in Sherpa shows reasonable agreement with the matrix element, but large differences are seen between the predictions of Pythia 8 and Sherpa, particularly in their b-quark pair production through the parton shower. In order to compare the generators to data, a non-prompt di-J/psi sample is prepared via a four-dimensional simultaneous binned-fit to data collected by the ATLAS detector in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The Monte Carlo result distributions are then smeared based on B->J/psi correlation functions derived from the analysis of a Pythia 8B J/psi sample. The generator and collider samples are then compared in terms of the distribution of the angular separations between J/psi pairs. It is found that of the two generators: Pythia 8 shows the best agreement with the data, and Sherpa primarily disagrees in the region of low angular-separation, where parton shower production is seen to dominate

Muon Energy Measurement from Radiative Losses in a Calorimeter for a Collider Detector

The performance demands of future particle-physics experiments investigating the high-energy frontier pose a number of new challenges, forcing us to find new solutions for the detection, identification, and measurement of final-state particles in subnuclear collisions. One such challenge is the precise measurement of muon momenta at very high energy, where the curvature provided by conceivable magnetic fields in realistic detectors proves insufficient to achieve the desired resolution. In this work we show the feasibility of an entirely new avenue for the measurement of the energy of muons based on their radiative losses in a dense, finely segmented calorimeter. This is made possible by the use of the spatial information of the clusters of deposited photon energy in the regression task. Using a homogeneous lead-tungstate calorimeter as a benchmark, we show how energy losses may provide significant complementary information for the estimate of muon energies above 1 TeV.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figure

Computing the Expected Value of Sample Information Efficiently : Practical Guidance and Recommendations for Four Model-Based Methods

Value of information (VOI) analyses can help policy makers make informed decisions about whether to conduct and how to design future studies. Historically a computationally expensive method to compute the expected value of sample information (EVSI) restricted the use of VOI to simple decision models and study designs. Recently, 4 EVSI approximation methods have made such analyses more feasible and accessible. Members of the Collaborative Network for Value of Information (ConVOI) compared the inputs, the analyst’s expertise and skills, and the software required for the 4 recently developed EVSI approximation methods. Our report provides practical guidance and recommendations to help inform the choice between the 4 efficient EVSI estimation methods. More specifically, this report provides: (1) a step-by-step guide to the methods’ use, (2) the expertise and skills required to implement the methods, and (3) method recommendations based on the features of decision-analytic problems

Evidence for the associated production of a single top quark and a photon in proton-proton collisions at s=\sqrt{s}= 13 TeV

The first evidence of events consistent with the production of a single top quark in association with a photon is reported. The analysis is based on proton-proton collisions at s=13  TeV and recorded by the CMS experiment in 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9  fb-1. Events are selected by requiring the presence of a muon (μ), a photon (γ), an imbalance in transverse momentum from an undetected neutrino (ν), and at least two jets (j) of which exactly one is identified as associated with the hadronization of a b quark. A multivariate discriminant based on topological and kinematic event properties is employed to separate signal from background processes. An excess above the background-only hypothesis is observed, with a significance of 4.4 standard deviations. A fiducial cross section is measured for isolated photons with transverse momentum greater than 25 GeV in the central region of the detector. The measured product of the cross section and branching fraction is σ(pp→tγj)B(t→μνb)=115±17(stat)±30(syst)  fb, which is consistent with the standard model prediction.Peer Reviewe

Combined search for electroweak production of charginos and neutralinos in proton-proton collisions at s=\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV

A statistical combination of several searches for the electroweak production of charginos and neutralinos is presented. All searches use proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV, recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2016 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$. In addition to the combination of previous searches, a targeted analysis requiring three or more charged leptons (electrons or muons) is presented, focusing on the challenging scenario in which the difference in mass between the two least massive neutralinos is approximately equal to the mass of the Z boson. The results are interpreted in simplified models of chargino-neutralino or neutralino pair production. For chargino-neutralino production, in the case when the lightest neutralino is massless, the combination yields an observed (expected) limit at the 95% confidence level on the chargino mass of up to 650 (570) GeV, improving upon the individual analysis limits by up to 40 GeV. If the mass difference between the two least massive neutralinos is approximately equal to the mass of the Z boson in the chargino-neutralino model, the targeted search requiring three or more leptons obtains observed and expected exclusion limits of around 225 GeV on the second neutralino mass and 125 GeV on the lightest neutralino mass, improving the observed limit by about 60 GeV in both masses compared to the previous CMS result. In the neutralino pair production model, the combined observed (expected) exclusion limit on the neutralino mass extends up to 650–750 (550–750) GeV, depending on the branching fraction assumed. This extends the observed exclusion achieved in the individual analyses by up to 200 GeV. The combined result additionally excludes some intermediate gaps in the mass coverage of the individual analyses.Peer Reviewe

Search for pair production of excited top quarks in the lepton + jets final state

A search is performed for the pair production of spin-3/2 excited top quarks, each decaying to a top quark and a gluon. The search uses the data collected with the CMS detector from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 inverse femtobarns. Events are selected by requiring an isolated muon or electron, an imbalance in the transverse momentum, and at least six jets of which exactly two must be compatible with originating from the fragmentation of a bottom quark. No significant excess over the standard model predictions is found. A lower limit of 1.2 TeV is set at 95% confidence level on the mass of the spin-3/2 excited top quark in an extension of the Randall-Sundrum model, assuming a 100% branching fraction of its decay into a top quark and a gluon. These are the best limits to date in a search for excited top quarks and the first at 13 TeV.Peer Reviewe

SPACE for physical activity - a multicomponent intervention study: study design and baseline findings from a cluster randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the School site, Play Spot, Active transport, Club fitness and Environment (SPACE) Study was to develop, document, and assess a comprehensive intervention in local school districts that promote everyday physical activity (PA) among 11-15-year-old adolescents. The study is based on a social ecological framework, and is designed to implement organizational and structural changes in the physical environment.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>The SPACE Study used a cluster randomized controlled study design. Twenty-one eligible schools in the Region of Southern Denmark were matched and randomized in seven pairs according to eight matching variables summarized in an audit tool (crow-fly distance from residence to school for 5-6^thgraders; area household income; area education level; area ethnicity distribution; school district urbanity; condition and characteristics of school outdoor areas; school health policy; and active transport in the local area). Baseline measurements with accelerometers, questionnaires, diaries, and physical fitness tests were obtained in Spring 2010 in 5-6^thgrade in 7 intervention and 7 control schools, with follow-up measurements to be taken in Spring 2012 in 7-8^thgrade. The primary outcome measure is objective average daily physical activity and will be supported by analyses of time spent in moderate to vigorous activity and time spent sedentary. Other secondary outcome measures will be obtained, such as, overweight, physical fitness, active commuting to/from school and physical activity in recess periods.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>A total of 1348 adolescents in 5-6^thgrade in the Region of Southern Denmark participated at baseline (n = 14 schools). The response rate was high in all type of measurements (72.6-97.4%). There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups at baseline according to selected background variables and outcome measures: gender (p = .54), age (p = .17), BMI (p = .59), waist circumference (p = .17), physical fitness (p = .93), and physical activity (accelerometer) (p = .09).</p> <p>The randomization and matched pair design produced equivalent groups according to central outcome measures and background variables. The SPACE for physical activity Study will provide new insights on the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions to improve adolescents' physical activity level.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN79122411">ISRCTN79122411</a></p