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.
The paper shows how to learn causal representations with few environments and finite samples.
problem Learning causal representations from limited data and environments.
method Explicit, finite-sample guarantees with a logarithmic number of interventions.
result Consistent recovery of latent causal graph, mixing matrix, and unknown intervention targets.
A theorem for debiasing machine learning with finite sample guarantees.
problem Calculating confidence intervals for machine learning functionals.
method Debiased machine learning based on bias correction and sample splitting.
result Nonasymptotic debiased machine learning theorem with finite sample guarantees.
This paper develops a federated EM algorithm for unsupervised learning of mixture models.
problem Theoretical foundations of unsupervised federated learning are lacking.
method Introduces a federated gradient EM algorithm (FedGrEM) for unsupervised learning of mixture models.
result Theoretical analysis shows FedGrEM outperforms local single-task learning.
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.
This work closes the gap between theory and practice for nICA identifiability.
problem Identifying latent components in nonlinearly mixed data.
method Finite-sample analysis of GCL-based nICA, combining GCL properties, statistical generalization, and numerical differentiation.
result Establishes a trade-off between function learner complexity and expressiveness.
We improve maximum likelihood for location estimation in finite samples.
problem Estimating a parameter from samples with unknown or varying distribution.
method Use smoothed Fisher information for finite sample size and varying distributions.
result Recover optimal estimation theory for finite n n n and arbitrary f f f . 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
Dual-Channel Tensor Neural Network (DC-TNN) decomposes tensor data into low-rank and sparse components for better estimation and inference.
problem Tensor-valued data with multilinear dependencies are challenging to process due to loss of multiway geometry under vectorization.
method DC-TNN decomposes tensors into a low-rank core and a sparse refinement, processing them through coupled neural channels.
result Established non-asymptotic risk bounds and developed structure-aware conformal ROC and AUC confidence bands.
The paper develops a theory for iterative self-improvement of models, proving conditions for better performance with easy-to-hard curricula.
problem Lack of theoretical foundation for iterative self-improvement in practical settings.
method Modeling self-improvement as maximum-likelihood fine-tuning on reward-filtered distributions and proving finite-sample guarantees.
result Explicit feedback loop and conditions for better performance with easy-to-hard curricula.
The minimum description length (MDL) principle in supervised learning is studied. One of the most important theories for the MDL principle is Barron and Cover's theory (BC theory), which gives a mathematical justification of the MDL principle. The original BC theory, however, can be applied to supervised learning only …
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.
Study non-monotonic loss functions in CRC, achieving valid risk control with large calibration samples.
problem Non-monotonic loss functions in CRC, violating existing theory's monotonicity assumption.
method Finite grid selection, calibration sample size analysis, Lipschitz continuity, monotonicity, distribution shift.
result Valid CRC achieved with large calibration samples, optimal excess risk rate of log ( m ) / n \sqrt{\log(m)/n} log ( m ) / n . Paper provides finite-sample guarantees for Wasserstein DRO without dimensionality curse.
problem Tackles empirical success of Wasserstein DRO in operations and ML with performance guarantees.
method Develops non-asymptotic framework for analyzing out-of-sample performance and generalization bound.
result First finite-sample guarantee for generic Wasserstein DRO problems without curse of dimensionality.
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.
Study learns state representations from observations for control, proving guarantees.
problem Learning state representations from high-dimensional observations for control.
method Cost-driven approach, learning latent state model to predict costs.
result Proves finite-sample guarantees for near-optimal state representation and controller.
New method reduces sample complexity for robust reinforcement learning.
problem Finite sample analysis in robust reinforcement learning.
method Stochastic approximation framework with controlled bias, using MLMC techniques and geometric truncation.
result Order-optimal sample complexity of i l d e O ( ε − 2 ) ilde{\mathcal{O}}(ε^{-2}) i l d e O ( ε − 2 ) for robust policy evaluation. The paper investigates topic models, ensuring their statistical identifiability and accuracy.
problem Lack of formal theoretical investigation of topic model identifiability and estimation accuracy.
method Proposes a maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) based on integrated likelihood, introducing new geometric identifiability conditions.
result Introduces weaker conditions for topic model identifiability, allowing a broader investigation.
GD outperforms ridge regression and SGD in linear regression problems.
problem Comparing the risks of GD, ridge regression, and SGD in linear regression problems.
method Instance-wise finite-sample risk analysis of GD, ridge regression, and SGD.
result GD outperforms ridge regression and is incomparable with SGD in some cases.
Randomization tests rely on simple data transformations and possess an appealing robustness property. In addition to being finite-sample valid if the data distribution is invariant under the transformation, these tests can be asymptotically valid under a suitable studentization of the test statistic, even if the invari…
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.
The paper develops a theory for random forests, separating variance components and providing methods for estimating prediction intervals.
problem Understanding the variance and uncertainty in random forest predictions.
method Design-based theory, Monte Carlo averaging, PASR resampling.
result The floor of prediction uncertainty is positive and persists even without observation overlap, providing conservative prediction intervals.
This paper analyzes momentum Q-learning with finite-sample guarantees.
problem Improving Q-learning performance with momentum schemes.
method Proposes MomentumQ algorithm integrating Nesterov and Polyak's momentum schemes, analyzes convergence for function approximations.
result Establishes finite-sample convergence rates for MomentumQ, demonstrating better performance than vanilla Q-learning.
The paper tackles Neyman-Pearson classification control issues.
problem Neyman-Pearson classification's control constraint is hard to satisfy in finite samples.
method Developed refined learning procedures under two accuracy control strategies.
result Proposed methods achieve desired control levels in finite samples.
A new algorithm estimates item parameters in item response theory models.
problem Estimating item parameters in item response theory models.
method Computation of the stationary distribution of a Markov chain defined on an item-item graph.
result Our algorithm is consistent and enjoys favorable optimality properties.
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.
New bounds for score matching in polynomial exponential families.
problem Understanding the sample complexity of score matching for polynomial exponential families.
method Non-asymptotic sample complexity analysis for score matching.
result First finite sample bounds for score matching in polynomial exponential families.
The paper explores when linear system identification is hard or easy, especially for under-actuated systems.
problem Statistical hardness of learning linear systems, especially under-actuated or under-excited systems.
method Using tools from minimax theory and recent statistical tools for finite sample analysis of system identification.
result The controllability index of linear systems affects the sample complexity of identification, making some systems hard to learn.
New theory uses probability sets for data variability, improving machine learning.
problem Variability in data distribution causes learning issues.
method Uses convex sets of probabilities (credal sets) to model data variability.
result Derives bounds for risk of models learned from multiple training sets.
The paper connects machine learning interpretability with learning theory.
problem Performance and explanation generalization in local machine learning models.
method Theoretical analysis and empirical validation of local approximation explanations.
result Theoretical bounds on test-time accuracy and explanation generalization.
Novel AMP framework for multi-environment transfer learning.
problem Characterizing risk of Lasso-based transfer learning estimators.
method Multi-Environment Generalized Long AMP (multi-environment GLAMP) framework.
result Precise characterization of the risk of three Lasso-based transfer learning estimators.
Paper analyzes Greedy-GQ for reinforcement learning with Markovian noise.
problem Analyzing Greedy-GQ for reinforcement learning with Markovian noise.
method Develops finite-sample analysis for Greedy-GQ with linear function approximation under Markovian noise.
result Provides theoretical justification for choosing stepsizes for faster convergence.
Sharp concentration bounds for i.i.d. variables.
problem Controlling the tail probabilities of independent variables.
method Extension of Sanov's theorem using large deviations and information theory.
result Matching concentration and anti-concentration bounds for i.i.d. samples of any size.
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.
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…
A standard model of (conditional) heteroscedasticity, i.e., the phenomenon that the variance of a process changes over time, is the Generalized AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model, which is especially important for economics and finance. GARCH models are typically estimated by the Quasi-Maximum …
New findings show modern neural networks have finite sample complexity in o-minimal structures.
problem Understanding the learnability of modern neural networks in a broad context.
method Analyzing feedforward neural networks definable in o-minimal structures.
result Modern neural networks, including MLPs, CNNs, GNNs, and transformers, have finite sample complexity in the agnostic PAC setting.
AMP method reconstructs rank-one matrices from noisy data efficiently.
problem Reconstructing rank-one matrices with prior structural information from noisy observations.
method Approximate Message Passing (AMP) with random initialization.
result AMP from random initialization converges rapidly and globally.
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.
New methods for estimating causal effects with limited overlap, using Stable Probability Weighting.
problem Estimating causal effects with limited overlap in multivalued treatments.
method Stable Probability Weighting (SPW) and Finite-Sample Stable Probability Weighting (FPW) methods.
result SPW and FPW provide practical solutions for estimating and inferring causal effects with limited overlap.
Triangular flows ensure statistical consistency and fast rates in generative modeling.
problem Ensuring statistical consistency and fast rates in generative models.
method Statistical guarantees and sample complexity bounds for triangular flow models using empirical process theory.
result Established statistical consistency and finite sample convergence rates for Kullback-Leibler estimator of Knöthe-Rosenblatt measure coupling.
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.
Unified review of Conformal Prediction theory and applications.
problem Distribution-free, non-parametric forecasting method for valid prediction sets.
method Minimal assumptions, straightforward predictions sets valid in finite sample cases.
result Unified review of Conformal Prediction theory and applications.
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 study provides a theory for causal machine learning with generalization bounds.
problem Lack of theoretical guarantees for causal machine learning algorithms.
method Introduces a novel change-of-measure inequality to bound model loss.
result Tight bounds on model loss in terms of treatment propensities deviation.
We propose a new sparsity-smoothness penalty for high-dimensional generalized additive models. The combination of sparsity and smoothness is crucial for mathematical theory as well as performance for finite-sample data. We present a computationally efficient algorithm, with provable numerical convergence properties, fo…
Unified framework for solving fixed-point equations in deterministic and stochastic settings.
problem Solving fixed-point equations for seminorm-contractive operators in both deterministic and stochastic contexts.
method Fixed-point theorem and stochastic approximation analysis.
result Unified finite-sample bounds for various reinforcement learning algorithms.
Unified bounds for iterative algorithms with Gaussian data matrices.
problem Establishing non-asymptotic bounds for iterative algorithms with Gaussian data.
method Explicit coupling between iterates and Gaussian process with deterministic covariance.
result Tight, dimension-free bounds for generalized first-order methods.