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arXiv research

A locally-built, LLM-digested index of recent arXiv papers in quant finance, geometry/topology, and statistical ML — keyword search served straight from SQLite on this machine.

168,695 papers · 148 categories

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164329493657 · Jun 202019922001200920172026
48 results for functional confounders

Study functional confounders in causal inference, enabling estimable effects.

problem Causal inference challenges with functional confounders violating positivity.
method Functional interventions, functional positivity, gradient fields, Level-set Orthogonal Descent Estimation (LODE).
result Valid causal effect estimation under certain conditions.

New method tackles confounded bandit problems with dual instrumental variables.

problem Confounded contextual bandit problems where noise affects both contexts and rewards.
method Dual instrumental variable regression applied to reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces.
result Near-optimal convergence rate and computationally efficient algorithms proved.

The paper addresses statistical estimation in MDPs with confounders using instrumental variables.

problem Statistical estimation of value functions in MDPs with unobservable confounders.
method Two-stage estimator based on instrumental variables for confounded linear MDPs.
result Established statistical properties of the two-stage estimator, including error bounds and asymptotic normality.

The paper uses neural networks to estimate treatment effects even with many confounders.

problem Estimating treatment effects with a growing number of confounders.
method General optimization framework using neural networks to approximate nuisance functions.
result Neural networks can handle a diverging number of confounders and alleviate the curse of dimensionality.

New model tackles complex spatio-temporal causal inference with dynamic confounders and functional data.

problem Complex spatio-temporal dynamics and unmeasured confounders hinder causal inference.
method PFD-BDCM, a unified generative framework for spatio-temporal dependencies, functional data, and dynamic confounding.
result PFD-BDCM outperforms existing methods across observational, interventional, and counterfactual queries.

We propose a method for inferring the existence of a latent common cause ('confounder') of two observed random variables. The method assumes that the two effects of the confounder are (possibly nonlinear) functions of the confounder plus independent, additive noise. We discuss under which conditions the model is identi…

2012-05-09abs ↗pdf ↗

Proposes tests to control confounding bias in predictive models.

problem Lack of non-parametric tests for confounding bias in predictive modeling.
method Partial and full confounder tests for probing null hypotheses of unconfounded and fully confounded models.
result Reveals previously unreported or hard-to-correct confounders in machine learning models.

We consider the problem of precision matrix estimation where, due to extraneous confounding of the underlying precision matrix, the data are independent but not identically distributed. While such confounding occurs in many scientific problems, our approach is inspired by recent neuroscientific research suggesting that…

2018-10-16abs ↗pdf ↗

New methods estimate causal effects through mediators, handling confounding without strict assumptions.

problem Estimating causal effects through mediators while accounting for unmeasured confounding.
method Developed four nonparametric identification strategies using proximal confounding bridge functions, efficient influence function, and quadruply robust estimator. Proposed proximal debiased machine learning approach for high-dimensional nuisance parameters.
result Achieved n\sqrt{n}-consistency and asymptotic normality for path-specific effect estimation.

Spectral deconfounding improves machine learning models by reducing hidden confounding effects.

problem Machine learning models can be misled by hidden confounders, leading to unreliable predictions.
method Develops a nonlinear spectral deconfounding framework for gradient boosting that modifies boosting dynamics to slow down in confounding-aligned directions.
result Spectrally deconfounded boosting improves estimation of the target function under hidden confounding and is more scalable.

Paper uses Gaussian processes to handle shared latent confounders in causal inference.

problem Bias in causal effect estimates due to shared latent confounders.
method Hierarchical Bayesian model, Gaussian processes with structured latent confounders (GP-SLC), Monte Carlo inference algorithm.
result GP-SLC provides accurate estimates of individual treatment effects with minimal assumptions.

New method for evaluating policies in complex decision-making models with hidden variables.

problem Evaluating policies in partially observable Markov decision processes with hidden confounders.
method Introduces novel identification methods and minimax estimation techniques for linking target policy's value and observed data distribution.
result Proposes three estimators for off-policy evaluation in POMDPs with latent confounders, demonstrating their effectiveness through nonasymptotic and asymptotic analysis.

The paper analyzes identifiability in ODE systems with hidden confounders.

problem Identifiability of ODE systems with hidden confounders.
method Systematic analysis of identifiability in linear ODE systems with hidden confounders, considering both no causal relationships and causal dependencies.
result Comprehensive identifiability analysis of ODE systems with hidden confounders, including causal dependencies.

Study tackles OPE in confounded settings, estimating policy value from proxies.

problem Difficulty in OPE due to unobserved confounders in infinite-horizon RL.
method Two-stage approach: estimating stationary distribution ratios and combining optimal balancing.
result Policy value can be identified from off-policy data with proxies and latent variable model.

A new algorithm CAP learns optimal policies from observational data with confounding bias and missing observations.

problem Offline contextual bandit with confounding bias and missing observations.
method CAP policy learning, forming reward function as solution of integral equation system, building confidence set, and greedily taking action with pessimism.
result Developed an upper bound to the suboptimality of CAP for the offline contextual bandit problem.

New method for causal effect estimation with hidden confounders.

problem Estimating causal effects in the presence of hidden confounders.
method Singular value decomposition of a conditional expectation operator followed by saddle-point optimization.
result Our method outperforms existing methods on common benchmarks.

DOVI improves reinforcement learning with offline data, reducing trial-and-error in critical scenarios.

problem Lack of sample efficiency in deep reinforcement learning for critical applications.
method Proposes DOVI algorithm to incorporate confounded observational data provably efficiently.
result DOVI reduces regret by a multiplicative factor compared to pure online setting, especially when data are informative.

Proposes a method to estimate causal effects of continuous treatments using instrumental variables.

problem Estimating causal effects of continuous treatments in the presence of unmeasured confounders.
method Introduces a novel framework using instrumental variables and a uniform regular weighting function to identify and estimate average dose-response functions.
result Establishes the asymptotic properties of the proposed methods for estimating average dose-response functions.

Algorithm detects unmeasured confounding in observational data.

problem Estimating treatment effects in observational studies with untestable conditions.
method Two-stage procedure that detects dependencies between causal mechanisms.
result Algorithm efficiently detects confounding on simulated and semi-synthetic data.

Proposes methods to identify and estimate counterfactual distributions with confounding.

problem Estimating counterfactual distributions in the presence of confounding.
method Nonparametric identification and semiparametric estimation using conditional copulas and machine learning.
result Valid inference for individual-level effects and nonparametric identifiability of latent confounding subspace.

Single proxy variable helps estimate causal effects from confounders.

problem Estimating causal effects from treatment to outcome when unobserved confounders are present.
method Assumes a single, potentially multi-dimensional proxy variable of the unobserved confounder and a known mechanism generating the proxy from the confounder. Proves causal effects are identifiable under completeness assumption.
result Causal effects are identifiable under SPICE assumption.

New method learns optimal policies in presence of unmeasured confounders.

problem Optimal policy learning with unobserved confounders.
method Causal-assisted policy learning methods using instrumental variables and negative controls.
result Policies are ildeO(n1/2) ilde{\mathscr{O}}(n^{-1/2}) quantile-optimal under mild coverage assumptions.

Proposes a method to assess unobserved confounding effects in causal inference.

problem Assessing unobserved confounding in causal inference studies.
method Copula-based normalizing flows with sensitivity parameter ρρ.
result Estimates average causal effect (ACE) as a function of unobserved confounding strength.

New algorithm tackles confounding in offline RL for partially observable MDPs.

problem Confounding in offline reinforcement learning for partially observable MDPs.
method P3O algorithm using proximal causal inference and pessimistic confidence regions.
result Achieves n1/2n^{-1/2}-suboptimality for offline RL in POMDPs with confounded data.

Boosted Control Functions improve prediction under distributional shifts.

problem Prediction under distributional shifts in the presence of hidden confounding.
method Boosted Control Function (BCF) and ControlTwicing algorithm.
result BCF allows for distribution generalization and invariance under nonlinear, non-identifiable structural functions.

The paper compares and optimizes estimators for treatment effects with observed confounders and mediators.

problem Estimating treatment effects with observed confounders and mediators.
method Investigates the linear Gaussian causal model, compares and optimizes estimators, and combines datasets.
result An optimal estimator outperforms the backdoor and frontdoor estimators by an unbounded constant factor.

The paper proposes a method to precisely decompose confounders and estimate treatment effects.

problem Estimating treatment effects from observational data with confounder identification and balancing.
method Learning decomposed representations to identify and balance confounders and non-confounders.
result The method achieves more precise treatment effect estimation than existing methods.

New method estimates latent gene expression factors without overlap with known confounders.

problem Estimating latent variance components in gene expression data with known confounders.
method Restricted maximum-likelihood method maximizing likelihood on orthogonal subspace.
result Method reduces runtime and attains greater likelihood values than gradient-based optimizers.

Proposes ρρ-GNF for sensitivity analysis of unobserved confounding.

problem Sensitivity analysis of unobserved confounding in observational studies.
method Copulas and normalizing flows to estimate average causal effect (ACE) as a function of unobserved confounding strength.
result Develops ρcurveρ_{curve} to provide bounds for ACE and identify confounding strength required to nullify ACE.

New approach uses negative controls to estimate causal parameters without completeness conditions.

problem Estimating causal parameters when not all confounders are observed.
method Identification strategy based on minimax learning formulations for general function classes.
result Avoids completeness conditions and uniqueness assumptions on bridge functions.

Causal inference from observational data requires assumptions. These assumptions range from measuring confounders to identifying instruments. Traditionally, causal inference assumptions have focused on estimation of effects for a single treatment. In this work, we construct techniques for estimation with multiple treat…

2018-05-21abs ↗pdf ↗

The paper tackles individualized decision-making under unmeasured confounding, providing a novel minimax solution and a paradox.

problem Unmeasured confounding in causal inference leads to biased estimates and affects individualized decision-making.
method The authors establish a formal link between individualized decision-making under partial identification and classical decision theory, providing a minimax solution and a paradox.
result A novel minimax solution for individualized decision-making/policy assignment is provided, and an interesting paradox is drawn.

Detect hidden confounding in observational data using multiple environments.

problem Detect hidden confounding in observational data.
method Theoretical framework and simulation studies to test for hidden confounding.
result The proposed procedure correctly predicts hidden confounding, especially when bias is large.

Machine learning confound removal biases results, leading to misleading predictions.

problem Common confound removal methods in machine learning lead to misleading predictions.
method Featurewise removal of confound variance by linear regression before applying ML.
result This common deconfounding approach can leak information, amplifying null or moderate effects.

KRCD detects unobserved confounders in nonlinear observational data.

problem Detecting unobserved confounders in nonlinear observational studies.
method Kernel Regression Confounder Detection (KRCD) using reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces.
result KRCD outperforms existing methods and achieves superior computational efficiency.

Study identifies conditions for proxy adjustment in confounded binary treatment outcomes.

problem Average causal effect estimation with a non-differentially mismeasured binary confounder.
method Identifies conditions for proxy adjustment in the presence of a non-differentially mismeasured binary confounder.
result Adjusting for a non-differentially mismeasured binary proxy can improve estimation of the average causal effect.

New method estimates policy performance under unobserved confounding.

problem Estimating policy performance when decisions depend on unobserved variables.
method Developed worst-case bounds for robust OPE under unobserved confounding.
result Efficient procedure for computing worst-case bounds, proving statistical consistency.

Combining experimental and observational data for long-term causal effects.

problem Estimating causal effects of treatment on long-term outcomes using mixed data types.
method Three approaches for fusing experimental and observational data: equal confounding, shared confounder, and proxy variables.
result Developed estimators for each approach and analyzed their robustness.