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Pattern raiders: regressions of complex time series

NB In this example I use most of the code and concepts already presented when explaining simple time series regressions using genetic algorithms. Please refer to that text for the basic explanations.

In the previous example we were happy with the idea to get rid of many features in the target time series that were considered unimportant. This may be a good solution if we consider small fluctuation as the result of noise that must be ignored to extract the correct features concerning the trends. The clear disadvantage of this strategy is that, besides noise, the regression will also potentially ignore features which may be significant. Consider for example the fluctuations expressed in these target time series:

Target_series_oscillations

Here we have wave patterns characterised by a period, an amplitude and a central line which is important to replicate if we want a fine grain prediction of the evolution of these activities or if we are trying to understand the causal relations among each node in a network (e.g. in studies estimating the effective connectivity).

Once again then I use in this example a genetic algorithm as a regression tool. Unfortunately, if we rely on a simple distance from the target to estimate the error (as in the previous example), the result is not acceptable:

Result1_series_oscillations

The averaging effect takes the lead and the oscillations are treated like noise. To avoid this problem, we have to change the error function accordingly. The one I propose is as follows:

Having in “compute_wave” (file included in the zip folder) a simple function that extract in the provided interval features such as: wave period, local max and min (ordinates), amplitude, centre line and peak position (abscissa). Since the waves are not constant (the amplitude diminishes), I use the function several times for the same time series (three in the example) in different time intervals, arbitrarily chosen. The weights ascribed to each value comparison have been themselves tuned running the genetic algorithm several times to find a good balance. Consider in this context that distance between target and phenotype is naturally unbalanced in favour of the period (which has a minimum error = 1) in comparison with, e.g., amplitude (which has a maximum error = 1). Hence the mutiplier here used (times 500) for those differences which are otherwise always below 1 in value.

The result looks now more interesting:

Result2_series_oscillations

But once again, if we analyse the matrix of weights responsible for the target time series and the one selected by the genetic algorithm we will notice important differences:

Target parameters

Optimised parameters

w_11: -0.1310

w_11: 0.7787

w_12: 2.8140

w_12: 2.2731

w_13: -2.0500

w_13: 1.5834

w_21: 1.4760

w_21: -0.9940

w_22: -3.3740

w_22: -0.4927

w_23: -1.2930

w_23: 3.3073

w_31: 2.4480

w_31: -1.0431

w_32: 1.6330

w_32: 0.9901

w_33: 1.0820

w_33: -0.0775

bl1: -1

bl1: 0.7522

bl2: -0.4578

bl2: -0.7349

bl3: 0.9496

bl3: -0.8425

The whole point of this example is to show that each target requires a specific error function to extract the desired feature and allow a regression specifically focussing on those. So what happens if, like in the previous example, we decide to add noise?

Target_series_oscillations_noise

This is an ambiguous case: if we try to replicate all the oscillations, we are entailing we want to replicate the noise as well and there is no (easy) way for the error function to tell the difference between fluctuations caused by noise and fluctuations caused by significant alterations in the activity of the recorded units. Thus, the easiest way to approach the problem is to alter the target data, smoothing the curves and fluctuation until we have once again a pattern we are interested in replicating.

This operation result in the following:

Target_series_oscillations_noise_smooth

Note the ratio noise to signal favours the former in the last part of the target data series as the amplitude of the waves diminishes, whilst the noise range in this case is constant. This effect is detrimental for the regression and has to be weighed accordingly.

Please consider some of these simulations may take several hours, depending on the speed of the processor(s) you are using.

Download all the files here. Regression with genetic algorithms – part 2 (Matlab files)

– Run the genetic algorithm from file GAmain.m

– Check  the error function in exp_error

– Run single test to plot the time series using separate_test.m

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