Despite the increasing interest in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) in multiple communities, understanding its theoretical foundation has long been recognized as a challenging problem. In this work, we address this problem by providing a finite-sample analysis for decentralized batch MARL with networked agents…
The paper analyzes GTD algorithms with finite-sample bounds.
problem Convergence rate analysis of GTD family of algorithms.
method Formulated as stochastic gradient algorithms and analyzed using saddle-point error.
result Obtained finite-sample bounds on GTD performance.
Unified framework for finite-sample RL algorithms using Lyapunov theory.
problem Finite-sample convergence guarantees of asynchronous RL algorithms.
method Reformulate RL algorithms as Markovian SA, develop Lyapunov analysis.
result Mean-square error bounds and convergence for various RL algorithms.
Paper analyzes online tensorial ICA convergence with stochastic approximation.
problem Online tensorial ICA convergence analysis.
method Stochastic approximation for nonconvex optimization.
result Sharp finite-sample error bound of O ~ ( d / T ) \tilde{O}(\sqrt{d/T}) O ~ ( d / T ) . We learn linear models from nonlinear systems using multiple trajectories and regularization.
problem Identifying linear models from data when the underlying dynamics are nonlinear.
method Multiple trajectories data acquisition followed by regularized least squares.
result Learn linearized dynamics with arbitrarily small error given enough samples.
Estimates barycenter in geodesic spaces with finite sample bounds.
problem Estimating the barycenter of a distribution in geodesic spaces.
method Finite sample error bounds, Hoeffding- and Bernstein-type concentration inequalities, efficient algorithms.
result Statistical guarantees for efficient barycenter computation.
We identify linear models from nonlinear systems with initialization constraints.
problem Identifying linear models from nonlinear systems with initialization constraints.
method Multiple trajectories-based deterministic data acquisition algorithm followed by regularized least squares.
result We provide a finite sample error bound on the learned linearized dynamics.
We show in this note that the Sobolev Discrepancy introduced in Mroueh et al in the context of generative adversarial networks, is actually the weighted negative Sobolev norm ∣ ∣ . ∣ ∣ H ˙ − 1 ( ν q ) ||.||_{\dot{H}^{-1}(ν_q)} ∣∣.∣ ∣ H ˙ − 1 ( ν q ) , that is known to linearize the Wasserstein W 2 W_2 W 2 distance and plays a fundamental role in the dynamic formulation of…
This study analyzes LTS in sparse models with finite sample error bounds.
problem Robust regression in high-dimensional sparse models with limited data.
method Non-asymptotic analysis of LTS error bounds.
result Established finite sample error bounds for LTS in sparse models.
New bounds show current methods overestimate system parameter errors.
problem Current bounds overestimate parameter errors in system identification.
method Utilized asymptotic normality and second-order decomposition.
result Obtained finite-sample bounds matching optimal rates up to constants.
The study sets lower bounds on MMSE for inferring sensitive features from noisy data.
problem Estimating sensitive features from noisy observations of correlated features.
method Adversarial evaluation framework based on MMSE estimation with theoretical lower bounds.
result Derives closed-form bounds for linear models, showing optimality in noise variance.
New algorithm improves causal discovery in biomedical data.
problem Stability and accuracy issues in causal discovery algorithms.
method Exploits temporal structure and tiered background knowledge.
result Increases accuracy in finite samples for causal structure estimation.
Study tests whether trade-off functions are above or below benchmarks using finite samples.
problem Testing trade-off functions between unknown distributions.
method Identifies a condition for nontrivial testing, constructs a test with error guarantees, and inverts the test for confidence bands.
result Finite-sample testing is possible under specific structural assumptions about rejection regions.
End-to-end algorithm for controlling bilinear systems with probabilistic noise.
problem Controlling bilinear systems with noisy data.
method Proposes an end-to-end algorithm using statistical learning theory and robust controller design.
result Derived finite sample identification error bounds and structurally suitable for control.
Detect changes in noisy dynamical systems using empirical approximations and finite-sample bounds.
problem Change detection in noisy dynamical systems
method Partition-based empirical approximations and finite-state stationary distribution stability
result Finite-sample bound for empirical stationary density
GANs learn distributions well from samples, with rates depending on intrinsic dimension.
problem Learning distributions from samples using GANs.
method Oracle inequality, Hölder functions approximation, neural network approximation, integral probability metrics.
result Convergence rates of GANs depend on intrinsic dimension, not ambient dimension.
The paper provides bounds on estimation error in a distributed online learning setting.
problem Estimating an unknown parameter in a distributed and online manner with finite sample guarantees.
method Proposes a distributed online estimation algorithm that improves accuracy through communication, providing non-asymptotic bounds on estimation error.
result Demonstrates a trade-off between estimation error and communication costs, and determines a stopping time for communication based on desired accuracy.
New framework improves EM algorithm convergence under log-Sobolev inequality.
problem Improving convergence of the EM algorithm.
method Extending gradient flow techniques to EM algorithm, using free energy representation.
result Exponential convergence of EM algorithm under log-Sobolev inequality.
Principal component analysis (PCA) has been a prominent tool for high-dimensional data analysis. Online algorithms that estimate the principal component by processing streaming data are of tremendous practical and theoretical interests. Despite its rich applications, theoretical convergence analysis remains largely ope…
Proposes a new test for validating multivariate dynamic regression models.
problem Inadequate exogeneity conditions for conventional model specification tests in dynamic systems.
method Develops a generalized Durbin estimator for multiple-equation systems with dynamic dependencies, and constructs Wald tests.
result Bootstrap-based Wald tests improve finite-sample size control and validate the null hypothesis in multifactor models.
Sparse feature selection improves batch RL efficiency.
problem High-dimensional batch RL with many features.
method Sparse linear function approximation, Lasso, group Lasso, fitted Q-evaluation, fitted Q-iteration.
result Sparse feature selection makes batch RL more sample efficient.
Paper presents robust boosting methods for label noise.
problem Boosting methods degrade in noisy environments.
method Robust Minimax Boosting (RMBoost) with theoretical guarantees.
result RMBoost provides strong classification accuracy and robustness.
The most important aspect of any classifier is its error rate, because this quantifies its predictive capacity. Thus, the accuracy of error estimation is critical. Error estimation is problematic in small-sample classifier design because the error must be estimated using the same data from which the classifier has been…
We introduce a simulation method for dynamic portfolio valuation and risk management building on machine learning with kernels. We learn the dynamic value process of a portfolio from a finite sample of its cumulative cash flow. The learned value process is given in closed form thanks to a suitable choice of the kernel.…
Study identifies and analyzes three types of errors in learning Fourier operators.
problem Statistical, discretization, and truncation errors in learning Fourier operators.
method Analysis of a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) based least squares estimator.
result Established upper and lower bounds on statistical, discretization, and truncation errors.
Study non-parametric frequency-domain system identification from finite samples.
problem Frequency-domain system identification from limited data.
method Empirical Transfer Function Estimate (ETFE) under sub-Gaussian colored noise and stability assumptions.
result ETFE estimates are concentrated around true values with a finite-sample rate of N t o t − 1 / 3 N_{\mathrm{tot}}^{-1/3} N tot − 1/3 for all frequencies in the H ∞ \mathcal{H}_{\infty} H ∞ norm. The paper introduces a frequency-domain estimator for low-order systems from noisy data.
problem Estimating frequency responses of low-order systems from noisy measurements.
method Uses a quadratic data-fitting term regularized by the nuclear norm of a Loewner matrix, subject to a convex stability constraint.
result Proves a finite-sample error bound and extends it to all frequencies through rational interpolation.
Proposes a method to create shorter, more accurate prediction intervals.
problem Challenges in achieving both conditional validity and interval efficiency in complex settings.
method Uses a conformal-style calibration method for neural network responses, adjusting to empirical PIT distribution.
result Demonstrates better conditional calibration and shorter intervals than existing methods.
Paper improves ML estimation from incomplete data with robust M-estimator.
problem Estimating parameters from incomplete data with improved accuracy.
method Developed a robust M-estimator and a sandwich estimator for standard errors.
result Improved estimation accuracy with smaller standard errors than ML estimates.
Deep learning method improves regression accuracy.
problem Nonparametric regression challenges.
method Over-parametrized deep neural networks with logistic activation, gradient descent, special topology, random initialization, and data-dependent learning rate.
result Theoretical bound on L 2 L_2 L 2 error and improved finite sample performance. The paper analyzes LOCV for high-dimensional risk estimation, proving error bounds.
problem Estimating out-of-sample prediction error in high-dimensional settings.
method Theoretical analysis of leave-one-out cross validation (LOCV) in penalized regression.
result Finite sample upper bounds on LOCV error, showing it converges to zero as n,p → ∞.
Learn dynamics of a system using auxiliary data from similar systems.
problem Learning dynamics of a linear system with limited data.
method Weighted least squares approach, incorporating auxiliary data.
result Auxiliary data can help reduce intrinsic error due to noise.
Estimates time-varying parameters from two OLS estimates.
problem Time-varying linear regression with hidden dynamics.
method Combines two OLS estimates for stable linear dynamics.
result Finite sample guarantee on estimation error.
FQE with deep neural networks achieves asymptotic normality and finite-sample bounds.
problem Theoretical understanding of FQE with general differentiable function approximators.
method Z-estimation theory applied to FQE with deep neural networks.
result FQE estimation error is asymptotically normal with explicit variance.
In this paper, we analyze the finite sample complexity of stochastic system identification using modern tools from machine learning and statistics. An unknown discrete-time linear system evolves over time under Gaussian noise without external inputs. The objective is to recover the system parameters as well as the Kalm…
Estimates time-series drifts from i.i.d. data using a direct Nadaraya-Watson plug-in method.
problem Nonparametric estimation of Schrödinger bridge drifts from single time interval data.
method Direct Nadaraya-Watson plug-in estimator based on kernelized numerator and denominator terms.
result Uniform non-asymptotic bound, CLT under undersmoothing, and adaptive bandwidth selector.
The paper investigates how calibrating propensity scores improves DML estimates of average treatment effects.
problem Improving the accuracy of DML estimates in finite samples.
method Propensity score calibration within the Double/debiased machine learning framework.
result Calibrating propensity scores reduces the root mean squared error of DML estimates of average treatment effects in finite samples.
We address the problem of automatic generation of features for value function approximation. Bellman Error Basis Functions (BEBFs) have been shown to improve the error of policy evaluation with function approximation, with a convergence rate similar to that of value iteration. We propose a simple, fast and robust algor…
The paper develops robust tests for detecting independence in synchronous stochastic systems with finite sample guarantees.
problem Detecting independence in synchronous stochastic systems with finite sample guarantees.
method Combines confidence region estimates with permutation tests and dependence measures to detect nonlinear dependence.
result Consistent hypothesis tests for detecting independence under mild assumptions.
Super learner with Huber loss improves cost prediction and causal effect estimation in healthcare expenditure data.
problem Challenges in modeling healthcare expenditure distributions with standard super learning methods.
method Proposes a super learner using Huber loss, a robust loss function that down-weights outliers.
result Demonstrates appreciable finite-sample gains in cost prediction and causal effect estimation.
Paper proposes an alternative to MLE for GLMs with non-canonical link functions.
problem Challenges in MLE for GLMs with non-canonical link functions.
method Variational Inequality (VI) estimation framework.
result Established finite-sample error bounds and asymptotic normality for VI estimator.
Synthetic data augmentation can improve imbalanced classification metrics.
problem Improving imbalanced classification metrics
method Developing a framework for analyzing the effects of synthetic data augmentation on score-based classification
result Augmentation can improve AUROC, AUPRC, balanced accuracy, and F1 score
Paper adapts ACI for online multi-step time-series forecasting with coverage guarantees.
problem Achieving reliable error bounds in online multi-step time-series forecasting.
method Adaptive conformal inference (ACI) adapted for multi-step forecasting with dynamic significance levels.
result Proposes a multi-step ACI algorithm with finite-sample coverage guarantees for non-exchangeable data.
This paper characterizes the conditional distribution properties of the finite sample ridge regression estimator and uses that result to evaluate total regression and generalization errors that incorporate the inaccuracies committed at the time of parameter estimation. The paper provides explicit formulas for those err…
CoCP optimizes prediction intervals by jointly learning center and radius, improving efficiency and coverage.
problem Inefficient conformal prediction intervals under heteroscedasticity and skewness.
method Co-optimization framework that learns center and radius through alternating optimization steps.
result CoCP yields consistently shorter intervals and state-of-the-art conditional coverage diagnostics.
Causal invariance can improve finite-sample domain adaptation, but only when the target risk margins are large.
problem Finite-sample domain adaptation
method Linear regression with causal knowledge
result Adaptive aggregation can match best candidate predictor while avoiding negative transfer
We consider least squares estimation in a general nonparametric regression model. The rate of convergence of the least squares estimator (LSE) for the unknown regression function is well studied when the errors are sub-Gaussian. We find upper bounds on the rates of convergence of the LSE when the errors have uniformly …
A study on a surprising phase transition in model generalization error as parameters approach sample size.
problem Understanding the generalization error of overparametrized ridge models.
method Finite sample analysis using continuous Newton method and ℓ 2 \ell_2 ℓ 2 -norm solution performance. result The generalization error decreases after the threshold p = n p=n p = n for ridge models.