Researchers identify latent variables and causal structures from nonlinear hierarchical models.
problem Challenging task of identifying latent variables and causal structures from observational data, especially when relationships are nonlinear.
method Investigated nonlinear latent hierarchical causal models, developed identification criterion, and constructed an estimation procedure.
result Identifiability of causal structures and latent variables achieved under mild assumptions.
Paper identifies unobserved variables from observable data.
problem Missing variables in empirical studies.
method Function mapping from observables to unobservables based on joint distribution.
result Uniqueness of latent values in each observation.
Study identifies parameters in causal models with latent confounding.
problem Parameter identification in linear non-Gaussian causal models with latent confounding.
method Graphical criterion for necessary and sufficient identifiability of direct causal effects, with polynomial-time algorithm.
result Developed a graphical criterion for identifying direct causal effects in latent variable models with arbitrary non-linear confounding.
The paper identifies causal effects in latent variable models using higher-order cumulants.
problem Challenges in identifying causal effects in latent variable models with latent confounders.
method Using higher-order cumulants, the paper addresses two challenging setups: a single proxy variable and underspecified instrumental variables.
result Causal effects are identifiable with a single proxy or instrument.
New method identifies latent variables with sparse perturbations.
problem Identifying latent variables with minimal supervision.
method Weakly supervised representation learning with sparse perturbations.
result Identification of latent variables up to specified blocks.
Paper tackles causal effect identification in sub-population with latent variables.
problem Identify causal effects in a sub-population with latent variables.
method Extend relevant graphical definitions and propose an algorithm for the s-ID problem.
result Sound algorithm for s-ID problem with latent variables.
Develops a method to identify causal effects in linear models with latent variables.
problem Identifying causal effects in models with latent variables that are not independent.
method A novel graphical criterion and an integer linear program algorithm.
result Sufficient condition for identifying causal effects by rational formulas in the covariance matrix.
New method identifies causal direction with latent confounders.
problem Identifying causal direction in presence of multiple latent variables.
method Use of joint higher-order cumulant matrix properties.
result Causal asymmetry can be seen from rank deficiency properties of cumulant matrices.
New bounds for causal effect identification in time series graphs with latent confounders.
problem Identifying causal effects in time series graphs with latent confounders over unbounded time intervals.
method Applying the Causal Identification algorithm to a constant-size segment of the time series graph.
result A bound on the number of past time steps needed for causal effect identification.
In this paper we develop a method for learning nonlinear systems with multiple outputs and inputs. We begin by modelling the errors of a nominal predictor of the system using a latent variable framework. Then using the maximum likelihood principle we derive a criterion for learning the model. The resulting optimization…
Additive decoders tackle latent variables and image generation.
problem Latent variables identification and out-of-support image generation in representation learning.
method Additive decoders that can identify latent variables up to permutation and block-wise invertible transformations, and generate novel images by recombining observed factors.
result Additive decoders provide a new setting for nonlinear independent component analysis and can generate novel images by recombining observed factors.
SSL framework identifies non-linear systems without labeled data.
problem System identification in non-linear environments without labeled data.
method Dynamics contrastive learning framework.
result SSL can identify non-linear dynamics in latent space.
Method identifies latent variables from high-dimensional data with piecewise affine mixing.
problem Identifying latent variables from high-dimensional observations with dependencies and piecewise affine transformations.
method Proposes a two-stage method with sparsity and Gaussianity regularization.
result Effectively recovers ground-truth latent variables from synthetic and image data.
The paper explores how to extrapolate from limited data points using causal mechanisms.
problem Handling distribution shifts with limited target samples.
method Formulates the extrapolation problem with a latent-variable model embodying the minimal change principle in causal mechanisms, and identifies conditions for identification.
result Theoretical understanding and practical methods for extrapolation without requiring an on-support target distribution.
New method identifies latent causal graphs without parametric assumptions.
problem Identifying latent causal graphs without parametric assumptions.
method Constructive proofs with new graphical concepts.
result Conditions for nonparametric identification of latent causal graphs.
The framework of variational autoencoders allows us to efficiently learn deep latent-variable models, such that the model's marginal distribution over observed variables fits the data. Often, we're interested in going a step further, and want to approximate the true joint distribution over observed and latent variables…
This work extends identifiability analysis to sequential latent variable models, focusing on Switching Dynamical Systems.
problem Identifying latent variables in sequential data models.
method Proved identifiability of Markov Switching Models and established conditions for Switching Dynamical Systems.
result Identifiability of latent variables and non-linear mappings in Switching Dynamical Systems up to affine transformations.
New method identifies latent variables in cognitive models using neural networks.
problem Inference of latent variables in complex cognitive models is limited.
method Recurrent neural networks and simulation-based inference for latent variable sequences.
result Extends neural Bayes estimation to broader classes of cognitive models.
New method disentangles latent variables in nonstationary data.
problem Disentangling latent variables in nonstationary sequential data.
method NCTRL framework exploiting Markov assumption and temporal structure.
result Independent latent components can be recovered from nonlinear mixture without auxiliary variables.
New method identifies causes in time series with latent variables.
problem Identifying direct and indirect causes in time series data with hidden variables.
method Proves necessary and sufficient conditions for causal feature selection using graph constraints and conditional independence tests.
result Method outperforms Granger causality in identifying causes with low false positives and false negatives.
Proposes a transfer learning method for accurate latent variable estimation.
problem Accurate estimation of latent variables in networks with large parameter spaces.
method Leverages information from similar networks to improve estimation accuracy.
result The proposed methods improve estimation accuracy and are validated on real datasets.
Identifies causal effects in LiNGAM models with latent variables.
problem Identifying causal effects in LiNGAM models with latent confounders.
method Complete graphical characterization and efficient algorithms for certification. RICA adaptation for estimation.
result Efficient algorithms and RICA adaptation for estimating causal effects.
Adapts to shifts in latent subgroup distributions without labeled target data.
problem Adapting to domain shifts when latent subgroup distributions differ.
method Uses concept and proxy variables from source domain, and unlabeled target data.
result Optimal target predictor can be identified and estimated.
Given a set of experiments in which varying subsets of observed variables are subject to intervention, we consider the problem of identifiability of causal models exhibiting latent confounding. While identifiability is trivial when each experiment intervenes on a large number of variables, the situation is more complic…
SIG model identifies invariant variables for MSDA with fewer domain constraints.
problem Challenges in enforcing minimal changes across domains for MSDA.
method Subspace identification theory and variational inference.
result SIG model outperforms existing techniques on various benchmark datasets.
New method AnInfoNCE uncovers latent factors in contrastive learning with practical variability.
problem Theoretical assumptions of contrastive learning loss overlook practical variability in positive pairs.
method AnInfoNCE, a generalization of InfoNCE, models anisotropic variability to uncover latent factors.
result AnInfoNCE increases recovery of latent factors in CIFAR10 and ImageNet, albeit at the cost of accuracy.
Two proxy methods for causal identification are compared.
problem Identifying causal effects in the presence of unmeasured variables.
method Bridge equation methods vs. array decomposition methods.
result Model restrictions and implications of assumptions differ between methods.
GEEN uses deep learning to estimate unobserved variables from observed data.
problem Estimating unobserved variables in latent variable models.
method GEEN uses deep learning with Kullback-Leibler distance to map observed measurements to latent variable realizations.
result GEEN provides a method to identify and estimate latent variables in a class of models.
Bayesian model for multi-environment prediction with latent variable changes.
problem Prediction in environments with changing latent variable distributions.
method Bayesian model with empirical Bayes prior and amortized variational algorithm.
result Method outperforms previous approaches in new environments.
New neural network approach for optimizing latent variable models.
problem Stability issues in marginalizing Gaussian Bayesian networks.
method Developed a new graphical structure and a neural network algorithm.
result Established a duality between parameter optimization and neural network training.
A new VAE model identifies and estimates treatment effects with limited overlap.
problem Identifying and estimating treatment effects when subjects with certain features belong to a single treatment group.
method Developed a latent variable model to estimate a prognostic score, which is sufficient for treatment effects. The model is a new type of VAE called β-Intact-VAE.
result The model identifies individualized treatment effects and provides TE error bounds.
New framework IDOL identifies latent causal processes with instantaneous relations from time series data.
problem Identifying latent causal processes with instantaneous relations from time series data.
method Sparse influence constraint and variational inference architecture with sparsity regularization.
result Our method can identify latent causal processes with instantaneous relations.
We consider the problem of learning causal models from observational data generated by linear non-Gaussian acyclic causal models with latent variables. Without considering the effect of latent variables, one usually infers wrong causal relationships among the observed variables. Under faithfulness assumption, we propos…
Formalizes concepts as latent variables in hierarchical models for high-dimensional data.
problem Lack of formalization and theoretical insights for learning discrete concepts from high-dimensional data.
method Formalizes concepts as latent causal variables in a hierarchical model, formulates conditions for concept identification.
result Conditions for identifying latent hierarchical models in unsupervised data, handling complex structures and high-dimensional data.
New algorithm identifies causal effects in latent confounding models.
problem Identifying causal effects in linear non-Gaussian models with latent confounding.
method Recursive algorithm using rank conditions on higher-order cumulants.
result Algorithm achieves comparable performance to overcomplete ICA without knowing the number of latent variables.
The paper presents efficient methods for identifying causal graphs with latent variables.
problem Recovering causal graphs with latent variables while minimizing intervention costs.
method Two intervention cost models (linear and identity) are considered. Algorithms are provided for both models.
result Upper bounds on the number of interventions needed for recovery, and approximation factors for the linear cost model.
Proposes a new VAE model to estimate treatment effects from confounded data.
problem Estimating treatment effects in the presence of confounding variables.
method Intact-VAE, a variant of variational autoencoder (VAE), using a latent variable for confounders.
result Proves identification of treatment effects under unconfoundedness and shows state-of-the-art performance.
Study identifies latent variables and causal relationships from multiple environments.
problem Identify latent variables and causal relationships from multiple environments.
method Proposes algorithm LiNGCReL for identifying causal graph up to surrounded-node ambiguity.
result Identifies latent variables up to surrounded-node ambiguity (SNA) in linear causal models.
New framework identifies causal models with arbitrary interventions, improving realism.
problem Identify causal models with realistic interventions.
method Theoretical framework for identifying causal models with arbitrary interventions.
result Identify causal models with arbitrary interventions, up to a higher-level abstraction.
Decomposing tensors into orthogonal factors is a well-known task in statistics, machine learning, and signal processing. We study orthogonal outer product decompositions where the factors in the summands in the decomposition are required to be orthogonal across summands, by relating this orthogonal decomposition to the…
Intact-VAE estimates treatment effects with latent confounders.
problem Estimating treatment effects under unobserved confounding.
method Intact-VAE, a VAE variant, models latent confounders to identify treatment effects.
result Intact-VAE is a consistent estimator of treatment effects under certain settings.
IIC decouples causal identification into two phases, significantly reducing the HTC gap in linear SEMs.
problem Determining causal effect coefficients in linear SEMs with latent confounders using the Half-Trek Criterion (HTC) leaves a gap of inconclusive causal effects.
method Iterative Identification Closure (IIC) framework that decouples causal identification into two phases: a seed function S_0 and Reduced HTC propagation.
result IIC strictly subsumes both HTC and ancestor decomposition, reducing the HTC gap by over 80% with combined seeds.
In a world of global trading, maritime safety, security and efficiency are crucial issues. We propose a multi-task deep learning framework for vessel monitoring using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data streams. We combine recurrent neural networks with latent variable modeling and an embedding of AIS messages t…
This paper tackles time series imputation by identifying and modeling different missing mechanisms.
problem Different types of missing mechanisms (MAR, MNAR) in time series data.
method Proposes a framework for time series imputation by analyzing data generation processes and modeling latent variables via variational inference and normalizing flow.
result Establishes identifiability results for latent variables under nonlinear independent component analysis, showing that latent variables are identifiable.
New algorithm identifies causal relationships from graphs, even with selection bias.
problem Identifying causal relationships from graphs with selection bias.
method Developed a measure-theoretic version of Pearl's causal calculus and a sound, complete identification algorithm.
result General measure-theoretic version of causal calculus allows for identification of causal relationships under selection bias.
Unified framework for disentangled representations using mechanistic independence.
problem Identifiability of disentangled latent factors under statistical dependencies.
method Introduces mechanistic independence to characterize latent factors by their actions on observed variables, proposing various independence criteria.
result Establishes conditions for identifiability of latent subspaces without statistical assumptions.
Reinforcement Learning methods are capable of solving complex problems, but resulting policies might perform poorly in environments that are even slightly different. In robotics especially, training and deployment conditions often vary and data collection is expensive, making retraining undesirable. Simulation training…
Hybrid model improves traffic flow prediction accuracy.
problem Predicting traffic flow with high accuracy in short-term future.
method A hybrid model combining hidden Markov model and LSTM.
result Significant performance gains over conventional methods.