gravity
Language-Induced Priors for Domain Adaptation
Chen, Qiyuan, Zhou, Jiayu, Kontar, Raed Al
Domain adaptation faces a fundamental paradox in the cold-start regime. When target data is scarce, statistical methods fail to distinguish relevant source domains from irrelevant ones, which often leads to negative transfer. In this paper, we address this challenge by leveraging expert textual descriptions of the target domain, a resource that is often available but overlooked. We propose a probabilistic framework that translates these semantic descriptions into a choice model, namely a Language-Induced Prior (LIP), that learns the preferences from a pretrained Large Language Model (LLM). The LIP is then integrated into an Expectation-Maximization algorithm to identify source relevance. Methodologically, this framework is compatible with any parametric model where a likelihood is available. It allows the LIP to guide the selection of sources when target signals are weak, while gradually refining these choices as samples accumulate. Theoretically, we prove that the estimator roughly matches an oracle cold-start MSE under a correct prior, while remaining asymptotically consistent regardless of the quality of the LIP. Empirically, we validated the framework on a descriptive (Gaussian estimation), a predictive (C-MAPSS dataset), and a prescriptive task (MuJoCo hopper).
Testing General Relativity Through Gravitational Wave Classification: A Convolutional Neural Network Framework
Heisenberg, Lavinia, Hemmatyar, Shayan, Villarrubia-Rojo, Hector
We present a machine learning framework for testing general relativity (GR) with gravitational wave signals from binary black hole mergers. Using the source parameters of 173 BBH events from the GWTC catalog as a realistic astrophysical population, we generate simulated GR waveforms and construct beyond GR (BGR) waveforms by applying controlled phase deformations. We introduce a response function formalism that provides a systematic framework for quantifying how any observable responds to modifications of GR. We train convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on two input representations: whitened waveforms and a response function type observable derived from the waveform mismatch, which isolates the effect of phase deviations from the bulk signal. Using response functions as the CNN input improves the classification sensitivity by a factor of approximately 33 compared to whitened waveforms, demonstrating that the choice of observable representation is as important as the classifier architecture. We study the fundamental limits of this classification through Bayes optimal error analysis, averaging methods that reveal coherent patterns hidden in noise, and a comparison between CNN accuracy and a single feature classifier as a proxy for human performance. At all deformation scales, the CNN outperforms the best single feature approach. We extend the framework to physically motivated theories using the parameterized post Einsteinian (ppE) formalism and apply it to massive gravity, where the classifier detects deviations for graviton masses of order $m_g \sim 10^{-23}\;\mathrm{eV}/c^2$ with aLIGO design sensitivity.
The problem of cosmic inflation and how to solve it
One of the best-performing models in cosmology is also one with the least physical rationale behind it. Can a theory of quantum gravity illuminate what happened just after the big bang? Cosmic inflation is a problem. During the first tiny fraction of a second of the universe, it is generally believed that the universe expanded by a factor of around 10. And then, as quickly as it began, this exponential growth just stopped.
Learning Physical Dynamics with Subequivariant Graph Neural Networks
Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have become a prevailing tool for learning physical dynamics. However, they still encounter several challenges: 1) Physical laws abide by symmetry, which is a vital inductive bias accounting for model generalization and should be incorporated into the model design. Existing simulators either consider insufficient symmetry, or enforce excessive equivariance in practice when symmetry is partially broken by gravity.
SupplementaryMaterialsfor LearningPhysicalDynamicswithSubequivariant GraphNeuralNetworks
The proof is given by [11]. Eq. (13)is clearlyO(3)-subequivariant, but theO(3)-subequivariant function is unnecessarily the form like Eq. (13). Then there must exit functionss( Z,h) and s ( Z,h), satisfying หf( Z,h) = [ Z, g]s( Z,h)+ Z s ( Z,h). Note thatf by Eq. (14) can also be considered as a function of both Z and g, and it is universal accordingtoProposition1. When f reducestoafunctionof Z byfixing g,thenbyTheorem1,itis 4 still universal with respect tothe subgroup that leaves g unchanged.
Learning Physical Dynamics with Subequivariant Graph Neural Networks
Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have become a prevailing tool for learning physical dynamics. However, they still encounter several challenges: 1) Physical laws abide by symmetry, which is a vital inductive bias accounting for model generalization and should be incorporated into the model design. Existing simulators either consider insufficient symmetry, or enforce excessive equivariance in practice when symmetry is partially broken by gravity.
Lost in space: How 'digital twins' saved NASA's robots
Science Space International Space Station Lost in space: How'digital twins' saved NASA's robots Navigation algorithms designed for Earth fail in orbit. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. A standard ballpoint pen will not write in space. Without gravity, the ink refuses to flow. This simple failure illustrates a profound headache in space exploration: tools designed for terrestrial use often become useless in a microgravity environment.