arXiv subjects

Massimo Di Pierro

Publications and source records attributed to Massimo Di Pierro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Identifying Fake News from Twitter Sharing Data: A Large-Scale Study

Social networks offer a ready channel for fake and misleading news to spread and exert influence. This paper examines the performance of different reputation algorithms when applied to a large and statistically significant portion of the news that are spread via Twitter. Our main result is that simple crowdsourcing-based algorithms are able to identify a large portion of fake or misleading news, while incurring only very low false positive rates for mainstream websites. We believe that these algorithms can be used as the basis of practical, large-scale systems for indicating to consumers which news sites deserve careful scrutiny and skepticism.

cs.SI↗

arXiv2018

Reputation Systems for News on Twitter: A Large-Scale Study

Social networks offer a ready channel for fake and misleading news to spread and exert influence. This paper examines the performance of different reputation algorithms when applied to a large and statistically significant portion of the news that are spread via Twitter. Our main result is that simple algorithms based on the identity of the users spreading the news, as well as the words appearing in the titles and descriptions of the linked articles, are able to identify a large portion of fake or misleading news, while incurring only very low (<1%) false positive rates for mainstream websites. We believe that these algorithms can be used as the basis of practical, large-scale systems for indicating to consumers which news sites deserve careful scrutiny and skepticism.

cs.SI↗

arXiv2012

QCDUtils

This manual describes a set of utilities developed for Lattice QCD computations. They are collectively called QCDUtils. They comprise a set of Python programs each of them with a specific function: download gauge ensembles from the public NERSC repository, convert between formats, split files by time-slices, compile and run physics algorithms, generate visualizations in the form of VTK files, convert the visualizations into images, perform bootstrap analysis of results, fit the results of the analysis, and plot those results. These tools implement the typical workflow of most Lattice QCD computations and automate it by enforcing filename conventions: the output of one tool is read by the next tool in the workflow. This manual is organized as a series of autonomous recipes which can be combined together.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Improving non-linear fits

In this notes we describe an algorithm for non-linear fitting which incorporates some of the features of linear least squares into a general minimum $\chi^2$ fit and provide a pure Python implementation of the algorithm. It consists of the variable projection method (varpro), combined with a Newton optimizer and stabilized using the steepest descent with an adaptative step. The algorithm includes a term to account for Bayesian priors. We performed tests of the algorithm using simulated data. This method is suitable, for example, for fitting with sums of exponentials as often needed in Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics.

math.NA↗

arXiv2011

Making QCD Lattice Data Accessible and Organized through Advanced Web Interfaces

The Gauge Connection at qcd.nersc.gov is one of the most popular repositories of QCD lattice ensembles. It is used to access 16TB of archived QCD data from the High Performance Storage System (HPSS) at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). Here, we present a new web interface for qcd.nersc.gov which allows physicists to browse and search the data, as well as download individual files or entire ensembles in batch. Our system distinguishes itself from others because of its ease of use and web based workflow.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2010

mc4qcd: Online Analysis Tool for Lattice QCD

mc4qcd is a web based collaboration tool for analysis of Lattice QCD data. Lattice QCD computations consists of a large scale Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Multiple measurements are performed at each MC step. Our system acquires the data by uploading log files, parses them for results of measurements, filters the data, mines for required information by aggregating results, represents the results as plots and histograms, and it further allows refining and interaction by fitting the results. The system computes moving averages and autocorrelations, builds bootstrap samples and bootstrap errors, and allows modeling the data using Bayesian correlated constrained linear and non-linear fits. It can be scripted to allow real time visualization of results form an ongoing computation. The system is modular and it can be adapted to automating the analysis workflow of different types of MC computations.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2007

A determination of the B_s^0 and B_d^0 mixing parameters in 2+1 lattice QCD

We report on the advances in our unquenched calculation of the matrix elements relevant for the analysis of B^0-\bar B^0 mixing using the Asqtad (light quark) and Fermilab (heavy quark) actions. We have calculated the hadronic parameters for the mass and width differences in the neutral B meson system. Preliminary results are presented for f_{B_q}^2 B_q as well as for the ratio ξ^2=f_{B_s}^2 B_{B_s}/f_{B_d}^2 B_{B_d}.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2005

Lattice QFT with FermiQCD

FermiQCD is a C++ library for fast development of parallel Lattice Quantum Field Theory computations. It has been developed following a top-down fully Object Oriented design approach with focus on simplicity of use. FermiQCD includes: a heatbath algorithm for Wilson and $O(a^2)$ improved SU(n) gauge actions; inversion algorithms for Wilson, Clover, Kogut-Susskind, Asqtad, and Domain Wall fermionic actions; example programs for various types of meson propagators; and converters for the most common gauge file formats.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2005

An Algorithmic Approach to Quantum Field Theory

The lattice formulation provides a way to regularize, define and compute the Path Integral in a Quantum Field Theory. In this paper we review the theoretical foundations and the most basic algorithms required to implement a typical lattice computation, including the Metropolis, the Gibbs sampling, the Minimal Residual, and the Stabilized Biconjugate inverters. The main emphasis is on gauge theories with fermions such as QCD. We also provide examples of typical results from lattice QCD computations for quantities of phenomenological interest.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2005

Parallel Programming with Matrix Distributed Processing

Matrix Distributed Processing (MDP) is a C++ library for fast development of efficient parallel algorithms. It constitues the core of FermiQCD. MDP enables programmers to focus on algorithms, while parallelization is dealt with automatically and transparently. Here we present a brief overview of MDP and examples of applications in Computer Science (Cellular Automata), Engineering (PDE Solver) and Physics (Ising Model).

hep-lat↗

arXiv2003

www.fermiqcd.net

A quick review of the features of FermiQCD, a C++ library for fast development of parallel Lattice QCD applications. FermiQCD is fully Object Oriented and is based on MPI but, it required no previsius knowledge of parallel programming. It includes parallel algorithms for Wilson, Clover, Staggered, Asqtad and Domain Wall fermions. Optimizations are based on M. Luescher's SSE2 macros.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2003

A Bird's eye view of Matrix Distributed Processing

We present Matrix Distributed Processing, a C++ library for fast development of efficient parallel algorithms. MDP is based on MPI and consists of a collection of C++ classes and functions such as lattice, site and field. Once an algorithm is written using these components the algorithm is automatically parallel and no explicit call to communication functions is required. MDP is particularly suitable for implementing parallel solvers for multi-dimensional differential equations and mesh-like problems.

cs.DC↗

arXiv2002

The Second Moment of the Pion Light Cone Wave Function

We present a preliminary result for second moment of the light cone wave function of the pion. This parameter is the subject of a discrepancy between theoretical predictions (coming from lattice and sum rules) and a recent experimental result (that remarkably agrees with purely perturbative predictions). In this work we exploit lattice hypercubic symmetries to remove power divergences and, moreover, implement a full 1-loop matching for all the contributing operators.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2002

Charmonium with three flavors of dynamical quarks

We present a calculation of the charmonium spectrum with three flavors of dynamical staggered quarks from gauge configurations that were generated by the MILC collaboration. We use the Fermilab action for the valence charm quarks. Our calculation of the spin-averaged 1P--1S and 2S--1S splittings yields a determination of the strong coupling, with $\ams(M_Z) = 0.119 (4)$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2002

Exclusive Semileptonic Decays of B Mesons to Orbitally and Radial Excited D

In this paper we compute, within in the context of a relativistic quark model, the Isgur-Wise functions for exclusive semileptonic $\bar B \to X_c$ decays, where $X_c$ is any charmed mesons with total spin $J=0,1,2$ or one of their first excited states. The relevant matrix elements are computed by a direct numerical integration, in coordinate space, of the convolution of the wave function of the $B$ meson at rest and the wave function of the $X_c$ meson, boosted according with its recoil factor. Our results are compared with other predictions found in the existing literature.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

An Exploratory Lattice Study of Spectator Effects in Inclusive Decays of the Lambda_b Baryon

A possible explanation of the apparent disrepency between the theoretical prediction and experimental measurement of the ratio of lifetimes $τ(Λ_b)/τ(B_d)$ is that ``spectator effects'', which appear at $O(1/m_b^3)$ in the heavy quark expansion, contribute significantly. We investigate this possibility by computing the corresponding operator matrix elements in a lattice simulation. We find that spectator effects are indeed significant, but do not appear to be sufficiently large to account for the full discrepency. We stress, however, that this is an exploratory study, and it is important to check our conclusions on a larger lattice and using a larger sample of gluon configurations.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2001

From Monte Carlo Integration to Quantum Chromo Dynamics (an introduction)

In these lectures we provide a short introduction to the Monte Carlo integration method and its applications. We show how the origin of ultraviolet divergences if Field Theories is in the undefined formal product of distributions and how one can define the Path Integral in terms of regularized distributions in order to cancel these divergences. This technique provides the only non perturbative regularization procedure of continuum Field Theories and, at the same time, provides a practical method to compute correlation (Green) functions (using Monte Carlo integration for the regularized path integrals). We then apply these tools to formulate QCD on a lattice. Some of the examples are accompanied by complete computer programs.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2001

Nonperturbative tuning of $O(a^2)$ improved staggered fermions

We perform a nonperturbative tuning of the coefficients in the $O(a^2)$ improved action for staggered fermions. The mass splitting for the pions of different doubler flavor is used as a measure of the symmetry breaking effects introduced by $O(a^2)$ discretization errors. We find that the flavor nondegeneracy can be somewhat reduced but not eliminated by such a tuning, indicating the need for new terms in the action to reduce the nondegeneracy.

hep-lat↗