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At least 397 records · Page 22

QLBT: a linear Boltzmann transport model for heavy quarks in a quark-gluon plasma of quasi-particles

Abstract We develop a new heavy quark transport model, QLBT, to simulate the dynamical propagation of heavy quarks inside the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Our QLBT model is based on the linear Boltzmann transport (LBT) model with the ideal QGP replaced by a collection of quasi-particles to account for the non-perturbative interactions among quarks and gluons of the hot QGP. The thermal masses of quasi-particles are fitted to the equation of state from lattice QCD simulations using the Bayesian statistical analysis method. Combining QLBT with our advanced hybrid fragmentation-coalescence hadronization approach, we calculate the nuclear modification factor $$R_\mathrm {AA}$$ R AA and the elliptic flow $$v_2$$ v 2 of D mesons at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider. By comparing our QLBT calculation to the experimental data on the D meson $$R_\mathrm {AA}$$ R AA and $$v_2$$ v 2 , we extract the heavy quark transport parameter $$\hat{q}$$ q ^ and diffusion coefficient $$D_\mathrm {s}$$ D s in the temperature range of $$1-4~T_\mathrm {c}$$ 1 - 4 T c , and compare them with the lattice QCD results and other phenomenological studies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

UQ Toolkit v 2.0

The Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) Toolkit is a software library for the characterizaton and propagation of uncertainties in computational models. For the characterization of uncertainties, Bayesian inference tools are provided to infer uncertain model parameters, as well as Bayesian compressive sensing methods for discovering sparse representations of high-dimensional input-output response surfaces, and also Karhunen-Loève expansions for representing stochastic processes. Uncertain parameters are treated as random variables and represented with Polynomial Chaos expansions (PCEs). The library implements several spectral basis function types (e.g. Hermite basis functions in terms of Gaussian random variables or Legendre basis functions in terms of uniform random variables) that can be used to represent random variables with PCEs. For propagation of uncertainty, tools are provided to propagate PCEs that describe the input uncertainty through the computational model using either intrusive methods (Galerkin projection of equations onto basis functions) or non-intrusive methods (perform deterministic operation at sampled values of the random values and project the obtained results onto basis functions).

Safta, Cosmin↗

Bayesian OED for Seismic Monitoring

SAND2024-13870O The Bayesian OED (Optimal Experiment Design) for Seismic Monitoring code provides the tools to analyze and optimize seismic monitoring networks using Bayesian OED. This method designs a utility function for experiments (network designs) using network analysis and network optimization. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Catanach, Thomas↗

Solar Uncertainty Management and Mitigation for Exceptional Reliability in Grid Operations (SUMMER-GO): Project Final Report

The Solar Uncertainty Management and Mitigation for Exceptional Reliability in Grid Operation (SUMMER-GO) project was recently completed through a collaboration among the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Maxar, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of California Berkeley, and the University of Colorado Boulder. The project made significant advances in probabilistic solar power forecasting, both through the development of Bayesian model averaging methods for ensemble forecasting and in bringing these and other advancements into practice with Maxar's delivery of operational forecasts to ERCOT. In addition to creating more reliable solar power forecasts, the project developed methods for their utilization in power system operations. These include the development of risk-aware unit commitment and economic dispatch algorithms and methods to reformulate probabilistic forecasts to be used in these power system operational models. Dynamic power system reserve methods were also developed, which have been shown in silico to create economic savings and reliability improvements on an ERCOT-like system as well as financial savings in the ERCOT system through more granular consideration of the uncertainty associated with solar power forecasts. Finally, a situational awareness tool to help grid operators better understand solar power forecast uncertainty in daily operations was developed and extensively vetted.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A probabilistic inverse prediction method for predicting plutonium processing conditions

In the past decade, nuclear chemists and physicists have been conducting studies to investigate the signatures associated with the production of special nuclear material (SNM). In particular, these studies aim to determine how various processing parameters impact the physical, chemical, and morphological properties of the resulting special nuclear material. By better understanding how these properties relate to the processing parameters, scientists can better contribute to nuclear forensics investigations by quantifying their results and ultimately shortening the forensic timeline. This paper aims to statistically analyze and quantify the relationships that exist between the processing conditions used in these experiments and the various properties of the nuclear end-product by invoking inverse methods. In particular, these methods make use of Bayesian Adaptive Spline Surface models in conjunction with Bayesian model calibration techniques to probabilistically determine processing conditions as an inverse function of morphological characteristics. Not only does the model presented in this paper allow for providing point estimates of a sample of special nuclear material, but it also incorporates uncertainty into these predictions. This model proves sufficient for predicting processing conditions within a standard deviation of the observed processing conditions, on average, provides a solid foundation for future work in predicting processing conditions of particles of special nuclear material using only their observed morphological characteristics, and is generalizable to the field of chemometrics for applicability across different materials.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Population Subdivision in the Gopher Frog (Rana capito) across the Fragmented Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass Savanna of the Southeastern USA

Delineating genetically distinct population segments of threatened species and quantifying population connectivity are important steps in developing effective conservation and management strategies aimed at preventing extinction. The gopher frog (Rana capito) is a xeric-adapted, pond-breeding species endemic to the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains of the southeastern United States. This species has experienced extensive habitat loss and fragmentation in the formerly widespread longleaf pine-wiregrass savanna where it lives, resulting in individual abundance declines and population extinctions throughout its range. We used individual-based clustering methods along with Bayesian inference of historical migration based on almost 1500 multilocus microsatellite genotypes to examine genetic structure in this taxon. Clustering analyses identified panhandle and peninsular populations in Florida as distinct genetic clusters separated by the Aucilla River, consistent with the division between the Coastal Plain and peninsular mitochondrial lineages, respectively. Analysis of historical migration indicated an east–west population divergence event followed by immigration to the east. Together, our results indicate that the genetically distinct Coastal Plain and peninsular Florida lineages should be considered separately for conservation and management purposes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Evidence for Cosmic Acceleration Is Robust to Observed Correlations between Type Ia Supernova Luminosity and Stellar Age

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are powerful standardizable candles for constraining cosmological models and provided the first evidence of the accelerated expansion of the universe. Their precision derives from empirical correlations, now measured from >1000 SNe Ia, between their luminosities, light-curve shapes, colors, and most recently with the stellar mass of their host galaxy. As mass correlates with other galaxy properties, alternative parameters have been investigated to improve SN Ia standardization though none have been shown to significantly alter the determination of cosmological parameters. We re-examine a recent claim, based on 34 SN Ia in nearby passive host galaxies, of a 0.05 mag Gyr -1 dependence of standardized SN Ia luminosity on host age, which, if extrapolated to higher redshifts, would be a bias up to 0.25 mag, challenging the inference of dark energy. We reanalyze this sample of hosts using both the original method and a Bayesian hierarchical model and find after a fuller accounting of the uncertainties the significance of a dependence on age to be ≤2σ and ~1σ after the removal of a single poorly sampled SN Ia. Here, to test the claim that a trend seen in old stellar populations can be applied to younger ages, we extend our analysis to a larger sample that includes young hosts. We find the residual dependence of host age (after all standardization typically employed for cosmological measurements) to be consistent with zero for 254 SNe Ia from the Pantheon sample, ruling out the large but low significance trend seen in passive hosts.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Neural network approaches versus statistical methods in classification of multisource remote sensing data

Neural network learning procedures and statistical classificaiton methods are applied and compared empirically in classification of multisource remote sensing and geographic data. Statistical multisource classification by means of a method based on Bayesian classification theory is also investigated and modified. The modifications permit control of the influence of the data sources involved in the classification process. Reliability measures are introduced to rank the quality of the data sources. The data sources are then weighted according to these rankings in the statistical multisource classification. Four data sources are used in experiments: Landsat MSS data and three forms of topographic data (elevation, slope, and aspect). Experimental results show that two different approaches have unique advantages and disadvantages in this classification application.

Benediktsson, Jon A.↗

Beyond maximum entropy: Fractal Pixon-based image reconstruction

We have developed a new Bayesian image reconstruction method that has been shown to be superior to the best implementations of other competing methods, including Goodness-of-Fit methods such as Least-Squares fitting and Lucy-Richardson reconstruction, as well as Maximum Entropy (ME) methods such as those embodied in the MEMSYS algorithms. Our new method is based on the concept of the pixon, the fundamental, indivisible unit of picture information. Use of the pixon concept provides an improved image model, resulting in an image prior which is superior to that of standard ME. Our past work has shown how uniform information content pixons can be used to develop a 'Super-ME' method in which entropy is maximized exactly. Recently, however, we have developed a superior pixon basis for the image, the Fractal Pixon Basis (FPB). Unlike the Uniform Pixon Basis (UPB) of our 'Super-ME' method, the FPB basis is selected by employing fractal dimensional concepts to assess the inherent structure in the image. The Fractal Pixon Basis results in the best image reconstructions to date, superior to both UPB and the best ME reconstructions. In this paper, we review the theory of the UPB and FPB pixon and apply our methodology to the reconstruction of far-infrared imaging of the galaxy M51. The results of our reconstruction are compared to published reconstructions of the same data using the Lucy-Richardson algorithm, the Maximum Correlation Method developed at IPAC, and the MEMSYS ME algorithms. The results show that our reconstructed image has a spatial resolution a factor of two better than best previous methods (and a factor of 20 finer than the width of the point response function), and detects sources two orders of magnitude fainter than other methods.

Puetter, Richard C.↗

Beyond maximum entropy: Fractal pixon-based image reconstruction

We have developed a new Bayesian image reconstruction method that has been shown to be superior to the best implementations of other methods, including Goodness-of-Fit (e.g. Least-Squares and Lucy-Richardson) and Maximum Entropy (ME). Our new method is based on the concept of the pixon, the fundamental, indivisible unit of picture information. Use of the pixon concept provides an improved image model, resulting in an image prior which is superior to that of standard ME.

Puetter, R. C.↗

Towards Validation of an Adaptive Flight Control Simulation Using Statistical Emulation

Traditional validation of flight control systems is based primarily upon empirical testing. Empirical testing is sufficient for simple systems in which a.) the behavior is approximately linear and b.) humans are in-the-loop and responsible for off-nominal flight regimes. A different possible concept of operation is to use adaptive flight control systems with online learning neural networks (OLNNs) in combination with a human pilot for off-nominal flight behavior (such as when a plane has been damaged). Validating these systems is difficult because the controller is changing during the flight in a nonlinear way, and because the pilot and the control system have the potential to co-adapt in adverse ways traditional empirical methods are unlikely to provide any guarantees in this case. Additionally, the time it takes to find unsafe regions within the flight envelope using empirical testing means that the time between adaptive controller design iterations is large. This paper describes a new concept for validating adaptive control systems using methods based on Bayesian statistics. This validation framework allows the analyst to build nonlinear models with modal behavior, and to have an uncertainty estimate for the difference between the behaviors of the model and system under test.

He, Yuning↗

Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) XIII. The value of Combining Thermal Emission and Reflected Light for the Characterization of Earth Twins

Context. Following the recommendations to NASA (in the Astro2020 Decadal survey) and ESA (through the Voyage2050 process), the search for life on exoplanets will be a priority in the next decades. Two concepts for direct imaging space missions are being developed for this purpose: the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) and the Large Interferometer for Exoplanets (LIFE). These two concepts operate in different spectral regimes: HWO is focused on reflected light spectra in the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared (UV/VIS/NIR), while LIFE will operate in the mid-infrared (MIR) to capture the thermal emission of temperate exoplanets. Aims. In this study, we aim to assess the potential of HWO and LIFE to characterize a cloud-free Earth twin orbiting a Sun-like star at a distance of 10 pc, both as separate missions and in synergy with each other. We aim to quantify the increase in information that can be gathered by joint atmospheric retrievals on a habitable planet. Methods. We performed Bayesian retrievals on simulated data obtained by an HWO-like mission and a LIFE-like one separately, then jointly. We considered the baseline spectral resolutions currently assumed for these concepts and used two increasingly complex noise simulations, obtained using state-of-the-art noise simulators. Results. An HWO-like concept would allow one to strongly constrain H 2 O, O 2 , and O 3 in the atmosphere of a cloud-free Earth twin, while the atmospheric temperature profile is not well constrained (with an average uncertainty ≈100 K). LIFE-like observations would strongly constrain CO 2 , H 2 O, and O 3 and provide stronger constraints on the thermal atmospheric structure and surface temperature (down to ≈10 K uncertainty). For all the investigated scenarios, both missions would provide an upper limit on CH 4 . A joint retrieval on HWO and LIFE data would accurately define the atmospheric thermal profile and planetary parameters. It would decisively constrain CO 2 , H 2 O, O 2 , and O 3 and find weak constraints on CO and CH 4 . The significance of the detection is in all cases greater than or equal to the single-instrument retrievals. Conclusions. Both missions provide specific information that is relevant for the characterization of a terrestrial habitable exoplanet, but the scientific yield can be maximized by considering synergistic studies of UV/VIS/NIR+MIR observations. The use of HWO and LIFE together will provide stronger constraints on biosignatures and life indicators, with the potential to be transformative for the search for life in the Universe.

E Alei↗

Privacy policy robustness to reverse engineering

Differential privacy policies allow one to preserve data privacy while sharing and analyzing data. However, these policies are susceptible to an array of attacks. In particular, often a portion of the data desired to be privacy protected is exposed online. Access to these pre-privacy protected data samples can then be used to reverse engineer the privacy policy. With knowledge of the generating privacy policy, an attacker can use machine learning to approximate the full set of originating data. Bayesian inference is one method for reverse engineering both model and model parameters. We present a methodology for evaluating and ranking privacy policy robustness to Bayesian inference-based reverse engineering, and demonstrated this method across data with a variety of temporal trends.

Kusne, Aaron Gilad↗

Challenges in Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Bayesian Neural Networks

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods have not been broadly adopted in Bayesian neural networks (BNNs). This paper initially reviews the main challenges in sampling from the parameter posterior of a neural network via MCMC. Such challenges culminate to lack of convergence to the parameter posterior. Nevertheless, this paper shows that a nonconverged Markov chain, generated via MCMC sampling from the parameter space of a neural network, can yield via Bayesian marginalization a valuable posterior predictive distribution of the output of the neural network. Further, classification examples based on multilayer perceptrons showcase highly accurate posterior predictive distributions. The postulate of limited scope for MCMC developments in BNNs is partially valid; an asymptotically exact parameter posterior seems less plausible, yet an accurate posterior predictive distribution is a tenable research avenue.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A comprehensive review of dwell time optimization methods in computer-controlled optical surfacing

Dwell time plays a vital role in determining the accuracy and convergence of the computer-controlled optical surfacing process. However, optimizing dwell time presents a challenge due to its ill-posed nature, resulting in non-unique solutions. To address this issue, several well-known methods have emerged, including the iterative, Bayesian, Fourier transform, and matrix-form methods. Despite their independent development, these methods share common objectives, such as minimizing residual errors, ensuring dwell time's positivity and smoothness, minimizing total processing time, and enabling flexible dwell positions. This paper aims to comprehensively review the existing dwell time optimization methods, explore their interrelationships, provide insights for their effective implementations, evaluate their performances, and ultimately propose a unified dwell time optimization methodology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Parameter Calibration for Johnson Cook and Preston-Tonks-Wallace Material Strength Models with Uncertainty Quantification

In this study we perform a Bayesian calibration of the parameters in the Johnson Cook (JC) material strength model, with uncertainty, using experiments with for a range of low and medium strain rates. For the parameter calibration, we used a variational Bayesian approach with experimental data from Hopkinson bar and quasi-static tests done on Oxygen Free High Conductivity (OFHC) copper. The estimated parameter values matched well with experimental data for a modest range of strain rates and temperatures. Through this method, we also recovered uncertainty and correlation information for the estimated parameter values. We also compared our results to a calibration of parameters in the Preston-Tonks-Wallace (PTW) material strength model, using the same variational Bayesian method. The parameters estimated for both models provided good agreement with the experimental data.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Uncertainty quantification in breakup reactions

Breakup reactions are one of the favored probes to study loosely bound nuclei, particularly those in the limit of stability forming a halo. In order to interpret such breakup experiments, the continuum discretized coupled channel method is typically used. In this study, the first Bayesian analysis of a breakup reaction model is performed. Herein we use a combination of statistical methods together with a three-body reaction model (the continuum discretized coupled channel method) to quantify the uncertainties on the breakup observables due to the parameters in the effective potential describing the loosely bound projectile of interest. The combination of tools we develop opens the path for a Bayesian analysis of not only breakup processes, but also a wide array of complex processes that require computationally intensive reaction models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Unfolding quantum computer readout noise

Abstract In the current era of noisy intermediate-scale quantum computers, noisy qubits can result in biased results for early quantum algorithm applications. This is a significant challenge for interpreting results from quantum computer simulations for quantum chemistry, nuclear physics, high energy physics (HEP), and other emerging scientific applications. An important class of qubit errors are readout errors. The most basic method to correct readout errors is matrix inversion, using a response matrix built from simple operations to probe the rate of transitions from known initial quantum states to readout outcomes. One challenge with inverting matrices with large off-diagonal components is that the results are sensitive to statistical fluctuations. This challenge is familiar to HEP, where prior-independent regularized matrix inversion techniques (“unfolding”) have been developed for years to correct for acceptance and detector effects, when performing differential cross section measurements. We study one such method, known as iterative Bayesian unfolding, as a potential tool for correcting readout errors from universal gate-based quantum computers. This method is shown to avoid pathologies from commonly used matrix inversion and least squares methods.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗