Learning Graphical Models
Deep sr-DDL: Deep Structurally Regularized Dynamic Dictionary Learning to Integrate Multimodal and Dynamic Functional Connectomics data for Multidimensional Clinical Characterizations
D'Souza, Niharika Shimona, Nebel, Mary Beth, Crocetti, Deana, Wymbs, Nicholas, Robinson, Joshua, Mostofsky, Stewart H., Venkataraman, Archana
We propose a novel integrated framework that jointly models complementary information from resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) connectivity and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography to extract biomarkers of brain connectivity predictive of behavior. Our framework couples a generative model of the connectomics data with a deep network that predicts behavioral scores. The generative component is a structurally-regularized Dynamic Dictionary Learning (sr-DDL) model that decomposes the dynamic rs-fMRI correlation matrices into a collection of shared basis networks and time varying subject-specific loadings. We use the DTI tractography to regularize this matrix factorization and learn anatomically informed functional connectivity profiles. The deep component of our framework is an LSTM-ANN block, which uses the temporal evolution of the subject-specific sr-DDL loadings to predict multidimensional clinical characterizations. Our joint optimization strategy collectively estimates the basis networks, the subject-specific time-varying loadings, and the neural network weights. We validate our framework on a dataset of neurotypical individuals from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) database to map to cognition and on a separate multi-score prediction task on individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a five-fold cross validation setting. Our hybrid model outperforms several state-of-the-art approaches at clinical outcome prediction and learns interpretable multimodal neural signatures of brain organization.
Forecasting with Multiple Seasonality
An emerging number of modern applications involve forecasting time series data that exhibit both short-time dynamics and long-time seasonality. Specifically, time series with multiple seasonality is a difficult task with comparatively fewer discussions. In this paper, we propose a two-stage method for time series with multiple seasonality, which does not require pre-determined seasonality periods. In the first stage, we generalize the classical seasonal autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model in multiple seasonality regime. In the second stage, we utilize an appropriate criterion for lag order selection. Simulation and empirical studies show the excellent predictive performance of our method, especially compared to a recently popular `Facebook Prophet' model for time series.
Meta-Learning with Shared Amortized Variational Inference
Iakovleva, Ekaterina, Verbeek, Jakob, Alahari, Karteek
We propose a novel amortized variational inference scheme for an empirical Bayes meta-learning model, where model parameters are treated as latent variables. We learn the prior distribution over model parameters conditioned on limited training data using a variational autoencoder approach. Our framework proposes sharing the same amortized inference network between the conditional prior and variational posterior distributions over the model parameters. While the posterior leverages both the labeled support and query data, the conditional prior is based only on the labeled support data. We show that in earlier work, relying on Monte-Carlo approximation, the conditional prior collapses to a Dirac delta function. In contrast, our variational approach prevents this collapse and preserves uncertainty over the model parameters. We evaluate our approach on the miniImageNet, CIFAR-FS and FC100 datasets, and present results demonstrating its advantages over previous work.
A Crash Course In Machine Learning:
Machine Learning can be split into to two categories: Supervised and Unsupervised learning. Supervised learning is when a model is trained on labelled data: This means clear input data and "solutions" for the data. Supervised learning can be split into two types: Classification and Regression. Classification is trying to identify the class that a piece of data belongs to, Regression is drawing a best-fit line in the data that can "catch" as many points as possible. An example of supervised learning is predicting if a human is male or female based on the measurements of the body.
Decision-making for Autonomous Vehicles on Highway: Deep Reinforcement Learning with Continuous Action Horizon
Liu, Teng, Wang, Hong, Lu, Bing, Li, Jun, Cao, Dongpu
Decision-making strategy for autonomous vehicles de-scribes a sequence of driving maneuvers to achieve a certain navigational mission. This paper utilizes the deep reinforcement learning (DRL) method to address the continuous-horizon decision-making problem on the highway. First, the vehicle kinematics and driving scenario on the freeway are introduced. The running objective of the ego automated vehicle is to execute an efficient and smooth policy without collision. Then, the particular algorithm named proximal policy optimization (PPO)-enhanced DRL is illustrated. To overcome the challenges in tardy training efficiency and sample inefficiency, this applied algorithm could realize high learning efficiency and excellent control performance. Finally, the PPO-DRL-based decision-making strategy is estimated from multiple perspectives, including the optimality, learning efficiency, and adaptability. Its potential for online application is discussed by applying it to similar driving scenarios.
Reputation-driven Decision-making in Networks of Stochastic Agents
This paper studies multi-agent systems that involve networks of self-interested agents. We propose a Markov Decision Process-derived framework, called RepNet-MDP, tailored to domains in which agent reputation is a key driver of the interactions between agents. The fundamentals are based on the principles of RepNet-POMDP, a framework developed by Rens et al. [11] in 2018, but addresses its mathematical inconsistencies and alleviates its intractability by only considering fully observable environments. We furthermore use an online learning algorithm for finding approximate solutions to RepNet-MDPs. In a series of experiments, RepNet agents are shown to be able to adapt their own behavior to the past behavior and reliability of the remaining agents of the network. Finally, our work identifies a limitation of the framework in its current formulation that prevents its agents from learning in circumstances in which they are not a primary actor.
Constrained Markov Decision Processes via Backward Value Functions
Satija, Harsh, Amortila, Philip, Pineau, Joelle
Although Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithms have found tremendous success in simulated domains, they often cannot directly be applied to physical systems, especially in cases where there are hard constraints to satisfy (e.g. on safety or resources). In standard RL, the agent is incentivized to explore any behavior as long as it maximizes rewards, but in the real world, undesired behavior can damage either the system or the agent in a way that breaks the learning process itself. In this work, we model the problem of learning with constraints as a Constrained Markov Decision Process and provide a new on-policy formulation for solving it. A key contribution of our approach is to translate cumulative cost constraints into state-based constraints. Through this, we define a safe policy improvement method which maximizes returns while ensuring that the constraints are satisfied at every step. We provide theoretical guarantees under which the agent converges while ensuring safety over the course of training. We also highlight the computational advantages of this approach. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated on safe navigation tasks and in safety-constrained versions of MuJoCo environments, with deep neural networks.
DeepDrummer : Generating Drum Loops using Deep Learning and a Human in the Loop
Alain, Guillaume, Chevalier-Boisvert, Maxime, Osterrath, Frederic, Piche-Taillefer, Remi
DeepDrummer is a drum loop generation tool that uses active learning to learn the preferences (or current artistic intentions) of a human user from a small number of interactions. The principal goal of this tool is to enable an efficient exploration of new musical ideas. We train a deep neural network classifier on audio data and show how it can be used as the core component of a system that generates drum loops based on few prior beliefs as to how these loops should be structured. We aim to build a system that can converge to meaningful results even with a limited number of interactions with the user. This property enables our method to be used from a cold start situation (no pre-existing dataset), or starting from a collection of audio samples provided by the user. In a proof of concept study with 25 participants, we empirically demonstrate that DeepDrummer is able to converge towards the preference of our subjects after a small number of interactions.
Efficient Continuous Pareto Exploration in Multi-Task Learning
Ma, Pingchuan, Du, Tao, Matusik, Wojciech
Tasks in multi-task learning often correlate, conflict, or even compete with each other. As a result, a single solution that is optimal for all tasks rarely exists. Recent papers introduced the concept of Pareto optimality to this field and directly cast multi-task learning as multi-objective optimization problems, but solutions returned by existing methods are typically finite, sparse, and discrete. We present a novel, efficient method that generates locally continuous Pareto sets and Pareto fronts, which opens up the possibility of continuous analysis of Pareto optimal solutions in machine learning problems. We scale up theoretical results in multi-objective optimization to modern machine learning problems by proposing a sample-based sparse linear system, for which standard Hessian-free solvers in machine learning can be applied. We compare our method to the state-of-the-art algorithms and demonstrate its usage of analyzing local Pareto sets on various multi-task classification and regression problems. The experimental results confirm that our algorithm reveals the primary directions in local Pareto sets for trade-off balancing, finds more solutions with different trade-offs efficiently, and scales well to tasks with millions of parameters.
Artificial Intelligence for Precision Medicine and better Healthcare
Precision medicine is a medical model, which proposes customization of the healthcare to a subgroup of patients, based on a genetics, lifestyle and environment. This technique allows doctors and researchers to prognosis treatment and prevention strategies for a specific disease which can work on a group of people. It is opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach, in which disease treatment and prevention techniques are advanced for the average individual with much less attention for the variations among individuals. There is an overlap between the terms "precision medication" and "personalized medicine." As per the National Research Council, "personalized medicine" is a traditional word with a meaning close to "precision medication."