Fast Estimation of the Median Covariation Matrix with Application to Online Robust Principal Components Analysis

The geometric median covariation matrix is a robust multivariate indicator of dispersion which can be extended without any difficulty to functional data. We define estimators, based on recursive algorithms, that can be simply updated at each new observation and are able to deal rapidly with large samples of high dimensional data without being obliged to store all the data in memory. Asymptotic convergence properties of the recursive algorithms are studied under weak conditions. The computation of the principal components can also be performed online and this approach can be useful for online outlier detection. A simulation study clearly shows that this robust indicator is a competitive alternative to minimum covariance determinant when the dimension of the data is small and robust principal components analysis based on projection pursuit and spherical projections for high dimension data. An illustration on a large sample and high dimensional dataset consisting of individual TV audiences measured at a minute scale over a period of 24 hours confirms the interest of considering the robust principal components analysis based on the median covariation matrix. All studied algorithms are available in the R package Gmedian on CRAN

Stochastic algorithms for robust statistics in high dimension

Cette thèse porte sur l'étude d'algorithmes stochastiques en grande dimension ainsi qu'à leur application en statistique robuste. Dans la suite, l'expression grande dimension pourra aussi bien signifier que la taille des échantillons étudiés est grande ou encore que les variables considérées sont à valeurs dans des espaces de grande dimension (pas nécessairement finie). Afin d'analyser ce type de données, il peut être avantageux de considérer des algorithmes qui soient rapides, qui ne nécessitent pas de stocker toutes les données, et qui permettent de mettre à jour facilement les estimations. Dans de grandes masses de données en grande dimension, la détection automatique de points atypiques est souvent délicate. Cependant, ces points, même s'ils sont peu nombreux, peuvent fortement perturber des indicateurs simples tels que la moyenne ou la covariance. On va se concentrer sur des estimateurs robustes, qui ne sont pas trop sensibles aux données atypiques. Dans une première partie, on s'intéresse à l'estimation récursive de la médiane géométrique, un indicateur de position robuste, et qui peut donc être préférée à la moyenne lorsqu'une partie des données étudiées est contaminée. Pour cela, on introduit un algorithme de Robbins-Monro ainsi que sa version moyennée, avant de construire des boules de confiance non asymptotiques et d'exhiber leurs vitesses de convergence L^p et presque sûre.La deuxième partie traite de l'estimation de la "Median Covariation Matrix" (MCM), qui est un indicateur de dispersion robuste lié à la médiane, et qui, si la variable étudiée suit une loi symétrique, a les mêmes sous-espaces propres que la matrice de variance-covariance. Ces dernières propriétés rendent l'étude de la MCM particulièrement intéressante pour l'Analyse en Composantes Principales Robuste. On va donc introduire un algorithme itératif qui permet d'estimer simultanément la médiane géométrique et la MCM ainsi que les q principaux vecteurs propres de cette dernière. On donne, dans un premier temps, la forte consistance des estimateurs de la MCM avant d'exhiber les vitesses de convergence en moyenne quadratique.Dans une troisième partie, en s'inspirant du travail effectué sur les estimateurs de la médiane et de la "Median Covariation Matrix", on exhibe les vitesses de convergence presque sûre et L^p des algorithmes de gradient stochastiques et de leur version moyennée dans des espaces de Hilbert, avec des hypothèses moins restrictives que celles présentes dans la littérature. On présente alors deux applications en statistique robuste: estimation de quantiles géométriques et régression logistique robuste.Dans la dernière partie, on cherche à ajuster une sphère sur un nuage de points répartis autour d'une sphère complète où tronquée. Plus précisément, on considère une variable aléatoire ayant une distribution sphérique tronquée, et on cherche à estimer son centre ainsi que son rayon. Pour ce faire, on introduit un algorithme de gradient stochastique projeté et son moyenné. Sous des hypothèses raisonnables, on établit leurs vitesses de convergence en moyenne quadratique ainsi que la normalité asymptotique de l'algorithme moyenné.This thesis focus on stochastic algorithms in high dimension as well as their application in robust statistics. In what follows, the expression high dimension may be used when the the size of the studied sample is large or when the variables we consider take values in high dimensional spaces (not necessarily finite). In order to analyze these kind of data, it can be interesting to consider algorithms which are fast, which do not need to store all the data, and which allow to update easily the estimates. In large sample of high dimensional data, outliers detection is often complicated. Nevertheless, these outliers, even if they are not many, can strongly disturb simple indicators like the mean and the covariance. We will focus on robust estimates, which are not too much sensitive to outliers.In a first part, we are interested in the recursive estimation of the geometric median, which is a robust indicator of location which can so be preferred to the mean when a part of the studied data is contaminated. For this purpose, we introduce a Robbins-Monro algorithm as well as its averaged version, before building non asymptotic confidence balls for these estimates, and exhibiting their L^p and almost sure rates of convergence.In a second part, we focus on the estimation of the Median Covariation Matrix (MCM), which is a robust dispersion indicator linked to the geometric median. Furthermore, if the studied variable has a symmetric law, this indicator has the same eigenvectors as the covariance matrix. This last property represent a real interest to study the MCM, especially for Robust Principal Component Analysis. We so introduce a recursive algorithm which enables us to estimate simultaneously the geometric median, the MCM, and its q main eigenvectors. We give, in a first time, the strong consistency of the estimators of the MCM, before exhibiting their rates of convergence in quadratic mean.In a third part, in the light of the work on the estimates of the median and of the Median Covariation Matrix, we exhibit the almost sure and L^p rates of convergence of averaged stochastic gradient algorithms in Hilbert spaces, with less restrictive assumptions than in the literature. Then, two applications in robust statistics are given: estimation of the geometric quantiles and application in robust logistic regression.In the last part, we aim to fit a sphere on a noisy points cloud spread around a complete or truncated sphere. More precisely, we consider a random variable with a truncated spherical distribution, and we want to estimate its center as well as its radius. In this aim, we introduce a projected stochastic gradient algorithm and its averaged version. We establish the strong consistency of these estimators as well as their rates of convergence in quadratic mean. Finally, the asymptotic normality of the averaged algorithm is given

Algorithmes stochastiques pour la statistique robuste en grande dimension

This thesis focus on stochastic algorithms in high dimension as well as their application in robust statistics. In what follows, the expression high dimension may be used when the the size of the studied sample is large or when the variables we consider take values in high dimensional spaces (not necessarily finite). In order to analyze these kind of data, it can be interesting to consider algorithms which are fast, which do not need to store all the data, and which allow to update easily the estimates. In large sample of high dimensional data, outliers detection is often complicated. Nevertheless, these outliers, even if they are not many, can strongly disturb simple indicators like the mean and the covariance. We will focus on robust estimates, which are not too much sensitive to outliers.In a first part, we are interested in the recursive estimation of the geometric median, which is a robust indicator of location which can so be preferred to the mean when a part of the studied data is contaminated. For this purpose, we introduce a Robbins-Monro algorithm as well as its averaged version, before building non asymptotic confidence balls for these estimates, and exhibiting their L^p and almost sure rates of convergence.In a second part, we focus on the estimation of the Median Covariation Matrix (MCM), which is a robust dispersion indicator linked to the geometric median. Furthermore, if the studied variable has a symmetric law, this indicator has the same eigenvectors as the covariance matrix. This last property represent a real interest to study the MCM, especially for Robust Principal Component Analysis. We so introduce a recursive algorithm which enables us to estimate simultaneously the geometric median, the MCM, and its q main eigenvectors. We give, in a first time, the strong consistency of the estimators of the MCM, before exhibiting their rates of convergence in quadratic mean.In a third part, in the light of the work on the estimates of the median and of the Median Covariation Matrix, we exhibit the almost sure and L^p rates of convergence of averaged stochastic gradient algorithms in Hilbert spaces, with less restrictive assumptions than in the literature. Then, two applications in robust statistics are given: estimation of the geometric quantiles and application in robust logistic regression.In the last part, we aim to fit a sphere on a noisy points cloud spread around a complete or truncated sphere. More precisely, we consider a random variable with a truncated spherical distribution, and we want to estimate its center as well as its radius. In this aim, we introduce a projected stochastic gradient algorithm and its averaged version. We establish the strong consistency of these estimators as well as their rates of convergence in quadratic mean. Finally, the asymptotic normality of the averaged algorithm is given.Cette thèse porte sur l'étude d'algorithmes stochastiques en grande dimension ainsi qu'à leur application en statistique robuste. Dans la suite, l'expression grande dimension pourra aussi bien signifier que la taille des échantillons étudiés est grande ou encore que les variables considérées sont à valeurs dans des espaces de grande dimension (pas nécessairement finie). Afin d'analyser ce type de données, il peut être avantageux de considérer des algorithmes qui soient rapides, qui ne nécessitent pas de stocker toutes les données, et qui permettent de mettre à jour facilement les estimations. Dans de grandes masses de données en grande dimension, la détection automatique de points atypiques est souvent délicate. Cependant, ces points, même s'ils sont peu nombreux, peuvent fortement perturber des indicateurs simples tels que la moyenne ou la covariance. On va se concentrer sur des estimateurs robustes, qui ne sont pas trop sensibles aux données atypiques. Dans une première partie, on s'intéresse à l'estimation récursive de la médiane géométrique, un indicateur de position robuste, et qui peut donc être préférée à la moyenne lorsqu'une partie des données étudiées est contaminée. Pour cela, on introduit un algorithme de Robbins-Monro ainsi que sa version moyennée, avant de construire des boules de confiance non asymptotiques et d'exhiber leurs vitesses de convergence L^p et presque sûre.La deuxième partie traite de l'estimation de la "Median Covariation Matrix" (MCM), qui est un indicateur de dispersion robuste lié à la médiane, et qui, si la variable étudiée suit une loi symétrique, a les mêmes sous-espaces propres que la matrice de variance-covariance. Ces dernières propriétés rendent l'étude de la MCM particulièrement intéressante pour l'Analyse en Composantes Principales Robuste. On va donc introduire un algorithme itératif qui permet d'estimer simultanément la médiane géométrique et la MCM ainsi que les q principaux vecteurs propres de cette dernière. On donne, dans un premier temps, la forte consistance des estimateurs de la MCM avant d'exhiber les vitesses de convergence en moyenne quadratique.Dans une troisième partie, en s'inspirant du travail effectué sur les estimateurs de la médiane et de la "Median Covariation Matrix", on exhibe les vitesses de convergence presque sûre et L^p des algorithmes de gradient stochastiques et de leur version moyennée dans des espaces de Hilbert, avec des hypothèses moins restrictives que celles présentes dans la littérature. On présente alors deux applications en statistique robuste: estimation de quantiles géométriques et régression logistique robuste.Dans la dernière partie, on cherche à ajuster une sphère sur un nuage de points répartis autour d'une sphère complète où tronquée. Plus précisément, on considère une variable aléatoire ayant une distribution sphérique tronquée, et on cherche à estimer son centre ainsi que son rayon. Pour ce faire, on introduit un algorithme de gradient stochastique projeté et son moyenné. Sous des hypothèses raisonnables, on établit leurs vitesses de convergence en moyenne quadratique ainsi que la normalité asymptotique de l'algorithme moyenné

Lp and almost sure rates of convergence of averaged stochastic gradient algorithms: locally strongly convex objective

An usual problem in statistics consists in estimating the minimizer of a convex function. When we have to deal with large samples taking values in high dimensional spaces, stochastic gradient algorithms and their averaged versions are efficient candidates. Indeed, (1) they do not need too much computational efforts, (2) they do not need to store all the data, which is crucial when we deal with big data, (3) they allow to simply update the estimates, which is important when data arrive sequentially. The aim of this work is to give asymptotic and non asymptotic rates of convergence of stochastic gradient estimates as well as of their averaged versions when the function we would like to minimize is only locally strongly convex

Online stochastic Newton methods for estimating the geometric median and applications

In the context of large samples, a small number of individuals might spoil basic statistical indicators like the mean. It is difficult to detect automatically these atypical individuals, and an alternative strategy is using robust approaches. This paper focuses on estimating the geometric median of a random variable, which is a robust indicator of central tendency. In order to deal with large samples of data arriving sequentially, online stochastic Newton algorithms for estimating the geometric median are introduced and we give their rates of convergence. Since estimates of the median and those of the Hessian matrix can be recursively updated, we also determine confidences intervals of the median in any designated direction and perform online statistical tests

A Full Adagrad algorithm with O(Nd) operations

A novel approach is given to overcome the computational challenges of the full-matrix Adaptive Gradient algorithm (Full AdaGrad) in stochastic optimization. By developing a recursive method that estimates the inverse of the square root of the covariance of the gradient, alongside a streaming variant for parameter updates, the study offers efficient and practical algorithms for large-scale applications. This innovative strategy significantly reduces the complexity and resource demands typically associated with full-matrix methods, enabling more effective optimization processes. Moreover, the convergence rates of the proposed estimators and their asymptotic efficiency are given. Their effectiveness is demonstrated through numerical studies

Non-Asymptotic Analysis of Stochastic Approximation Algorithms for Streaming Data

We consider the stochastic approximation problem in a streaming framework where an objective is minimized through unbiased estimates of its gradients. In this streaming framework, we consider time-varying data streams that must be processed sequentially. Our methods are Stochastic Gradient (SG) based due to their applicability and computational advantages. We provide a non-asymptotic analysis of the convergence of various SG-based methods; this includes the famous SG descent (a.k.a. Robbins-Monro algorithm), constant and time-varying mini-batch SG methods, and their averaged estimates (a.k.a. Polyak-Ruppert averaging). Our analysis suggests choosing the learning rate according to the expected data streams, which can speed up the convergence. In addition, we show how the averaged estimate can achieve optimal convergence in terms of attaining Cramer-Rao's lower bound while being robust to any data stream rate. In particular, our analysis shows how Polyak-Ruppert averaging of time-varying mini-batches can provide variance reduction and accelerate convergence simultaneously, which is advantageous for large-scale learning problems. These theoretical results are illustrated for various data streams, showing the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms

Learning from time-dependent streaming data with online stochastic algorithms

We study stochastic algorithms in a streaming framework, trained on samples coming from a dependent data source. In this streaming framework, we analyze the convergence of Stochastic Gradient (SG) methods in a non-asymptotic manner; this includes various SG methods such as the well-known stochastic gradient descent (i.e., Robbins-Monro algorithm), mini-batch SG methods, together with their averaged estimates (i.e., Polyak-Ruppert averaged). Our results form a heuristic by linking the level of dependency and convexity to the rest of the model parameters. This heuristic provides new insights into choosing the optimal learning rate, which can help increase the stability of SGbased methods; these investigations suggest large streaming batches with slow decaying learning rates for highly dependent data sources