arXiv Machine Learning

Variance Reduction for Independent Metropolis

arXiv Machine Learning
Jul 14

Gaussian Invariant Markov Chain Monte Carlo

arXiv:2506. 21511v2 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: We develop sampling methods, which consist of Gaussian invariant versions of random walk Metropolis (RWM), Metropolis adjusted Langevin algorithm (MALA) and second order Hessian or Manifold MALA.

By Michalis K. Titsias, Angelos Alexopoulos, Siran Liu, Petros Dellaportas
arXiv Statistics ML
Aug 28

A Two-step Metropolis Hastings Method for Bayesian Empirical Likelihood Computation with Application to Quantile Regression and Bayesian Model Selection

The paper introduces a two-step Metropolis–Hastings algorithm designed to efficiently sample from Bayesian empirical likelihood (BayesEL) posterior distributions, addressing challenges posed by the complex, often non‑convex support of empirical likelihood. The method leverages current parameter values and estimating equations to propose new values for remaining parameters, making it suitable for problems with discontinuous estimating equations such as simultaneous quantile regression. Additionally, the approach extends naturally to BayesEL model selection via reversible‑jump MCMC, and the authors demonstrate its utility through several real‑life applications.

By Sanjay Chaudhuri, Teng Yin, Snehashis Chakraborty, Rupsa Roy
arXiv Machine Learning
Jun 29

PAC-Bayesian Certificates for Quadratic Closed-Loop Control

arXiv:2606. 28281v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: PAC-Bayesian bounds provide finite-sample guarantees for data-dependent randomized predictors, but applying them to learning-based control is difficult because the natural objective is a quadratic trajectory cost.

By Domagoj Herceg
arXiv Statistics ML
Aug 26

A Non-asymptotic Analysis for Learning and Applying a Preconditioner in MCMC

The paper presents a non‑asymptotic analysis of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms that learn and apply a preconditioner based on either the target covariance or the expected Hessian of the target potential. It compares the finite‑time computational costs of these preconditioned schemes with unpreconditioned counterparts, providing guarantees for algorithms such as the Unadjusted Langevin Algorithm (ULA) and the proximal sampler. The analysis relies on a contraction assumption in the Wasserstein‑2 distance to formalize approximate independence and bridge modern MCMC theory with classical effective sample size heuristics.

By Max Hird, Florian Maire, Jeffrey Negrea
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 23

Penalized Nonreversible Langevin for Constrained Sampling

The paper introduces penalized nonreversible Langevin algorithms for sampling from a target distribution constrained to a compact convex set. It combines a squared distance penalty with skew-symmetric perturbations that preserve the penalized Gibbs distribution, and provides nonasymptotic total variation and Wasserstein bounds under various smoothness and contraction assumptions. Numerical experiments demonstrate the methods on constrained Bayesian regression, classification, neural networks, and truncated sampling, highlighting acceleration in a stochastic quadratic model.

By Pervez Ali, Weihao Dong, Xiaoyu Wang