arXiv subjects

Ido Cohen

Publications and source records attributed to Ido Cohen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Towards an AI-Augmented Textbook

Textbooks are a cornerstone of education, but they have a fundamental limitation: they are a one-size-fits-all medium. Any new material or alternative representation requires arduous human effort, so that textbooks cannot be adapted in a scalable manner. We present an approach for transforming and augmenting textbooks using generative AI, adding layers of multiple representations and personalization while maintaining content integrity and quality. We refer to the system built with this approach as Learn Your Way. We report pedagogical evaluations of the different transformations and augmentations, and present the results of a a randomized control trial, highlighting the advantages of learning with Learn Your Way over regular textbook usage.

cs.CY↗

arXiv2025

LMEnt: A Suite for Analyzing Knowledge in Language Models from Pretraining Data to Representations

Language models (LMs) increasingly drive real-world applications that require world knowledge. However, the internal processes through which models turn data into representations of knowledge and beliefs about the world, are poorly understood. Insights into these processes could pave the way for developing LMs with knowledge representations that are more consistent, robust, and complete. To facilitate studying these questions, we present LMEnt, a suite for analyzing knowledge acquisition in LMs during pretraining. LMEnt introduces: (1) a knowledge-rich pretraining corpus, fully annotated with entity mentions, based on Wikipedia, (2) an entity-based retrieval method over pretraining data that outperforms previous approaches by as much as 80.4%, and (3) 12 pretrained models with up to 1B parameters and 4K intermediate checkpoints, with comparable performance to popular open-sourced models on knowledge benchmarks. Together, these resources provide a controlled environment for analyzing connections between entity mentions in pretraining and downstream performance, and the effects of causal interventions in pretraining data. We show the utility of LMEnt by studying knowledge acquisition across checkpoints, finding that fact frequency is key, but does not fully explain learning trends. We release LMEnt to support studies of knowledge in LMs, including knowledge representations, plasticity, editing, attribution, and learning dynamics.

cs.CL↗

arXiv2025

Measuring the Data

Measuring the Data analytically finds the intrinsic manifold in big data. First, Optimal Transport generates the tangent space at each data point from which the intrinsic dimension is revealed. Then, the Koopman Dimensionality Reduction procedure derives a nonlinear transformation from the data to the intrinsic manifold. Measuring the data procedure is presented here, backed up with encouraging results.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2024

Performance Gap in Entity Knowledge Extraction Across Modalities in Vision Language Models

Vision-language models (VLMs) excel at extracting and reasoning about information from images. Yet, their capacity to leverage internal knowledge about specific entities remains underexplored. This work investigates the disparity in model performance when answering factual questions about an entity described in text versus depicted in an image. Our results reveal a significant accuracy drop - reaching 18% for some models - when the entity is presented visually instead of textually. To study this gap we present PopVQA, a dataset which allows separating entity recognition and question answering, and use it to benchmark several models. We hypothesize that this decline arises from limitations in how information flows from image tokens to query tokens. Thus, we use mechanistic interpretability tools to reveal that, although image tokens are preprocessed by the vision encoder, meaningful information flow from these tokens occurs only in the much deeper layers. Furthermore, critical image processing happens in the language model's middle layers, allowing few layers for consecutive reasoning, highlighting a potential inefficiency in how the model utilizes its layers for reasoning. These insights shed light on the internal mechanics of VLMs and offer pathways for enhancing their reasoning capabilities. PopVQA can be found at https://huggingface.co/datasets/idoco/PopVQA.

cs.CL↗

arXiv2024

MenakBERT -- Hebrew Diacriticizer

Diacritical marks in the Hebrew language give words their vocalized form. The task of adding diacritical marks to plain Hebrew text is still dominated by a system that relies heavily on human-curated resources. Recent models trained on diacritized Hebrew texts still present a gap in performance. We use a recently developed char-based PLM to narrowly bridge this gap. Presenting MenakBERT, a character level transformer pretrained on Hebrew text and fine-tuned to produce diacritical marks for Hebrew sentences. We continue to show how finetuning a model for diacritizing transfers to a task such as part of speech tagging.

cs.CL↗

arXiv2024

Delay as Payoff in MAB

In this paper, we investigate a variant of the classical stochastic Multi-armed Bandit (MAB) problem, where the payoff received by an agent (either cost or reward) is both delayed, and directly corresponds to the magnitude of the delay. This setting models faithfully many real world scenarios such as the time it takes for a data packet to traverse a network given a choice of route (where delay serves as the agent's cost); or a user's time spent on a web page given a choice of content (where delay serves as the agent's reward). Our main contributions are tight upper and lower bounds for both the cost and reward settings. For the case that delays serve as costs, which we are the first to consider, we prove optimal regret that scales as $\sum_{i:\Delta_i > 0}\frac{\log T}{\Delta_i} + d^*$, where $T$ is the maximal number of steps, $\Delta_i$ are the sub-optimality gaps and $d^*$ is the minimal expected delay amongst arms. For the case that delays serves as rewards, we show optimal regret of $\sum_{i:\Delta_i > 0}\frac{\log T}{\Delta_i} + \bar{d}$, where $\bar d$ is the second maximal expected delay. These improve over the regret in the general delay-dependent payoff setting, which scales as $\sum_{i:\Delta_i > 0}\frac{\log T}{\Delta_i} + D$, where $D$ is the maximum possible delay. Our regret bounds highlight the difference between the cost and reward scenarios, showing that the improvement in the cost scenario is more significant than for the reward. Finally, we accompany our theoretical results with an empirical evaluation.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2024

Koopman Regularization and Independent Koopman Eigenfunction Approximation

This paper provides two algorithms to extract the governing equations of the dynamical system from samples, \acf{KR} and \acf{IKEA}. These algorithms extract a functionally independent set of Koopman Eigenfunctions. This kind of set is the most informative since it reveals the geometric structure of the dynamical system. Consequently, despite its finite cardinality, the governing equations are immaculately restored. Thus, the principle of parsimony is implemented. Samples can be taken either from a vector field itself or from orbits of the system. The algorithm \acl{KR} extracts the governing law from samples of the vector field, and the algorithm \acl{IKEA} extracts it from samples of trajectories of the system. Both of these algorithms are constrained optimization-based methods for learning the governing equations from sparse and corrupted samples of the vector field or trajectories. The objective functional, based on the Koopman Partial Differential Equation, approximates the Koopman Eigenfunctions relying on the samples, and the feasible functional forces this set to be functionally independent. The condition for functional independence is thoroughly discussed and formulated here, based on the Gershgorin Circle Theorem. For both algorithms, the optimization process is induced by the penalty method with backtracking that yields promising results in denoising, generalization, and dimensionality reduction, and shows better results than \acs{DMD}, Extended \acs{DMD}, \acs{PINN}, and \acs{SINDy} in dynamical system restoration.

math.DS↗

arXiv2024

Functional Dimensionality of Koopman Eigenfunction Space

This work presents the general form solution of Koopman Partial Differential Equation and shows that its functional dimensionality is finite. The dimensionality is as the dimensionality of the dynamics. Thus, the representation of nonlinear dynamics as a linear one with a finite set of Koopman eigenfunctions without error is possible. This formulation justifies the flowbox statement and provides a simple numerical method to find such representation.

math.AP↗

arXiv2023

Enhancing Neural Training via a Correlated Dynamics Model

As neural networks grow in scale, their training becomes both computationally demanding and rich in dynamics. Amidst the flourishing interest in these training dynamics, we present a novel observation: Parameters during training exhibit intrinsic correlations over time. Capitalizing on this, we introduce Correlation Mode Decomposition (CMD). This algorithm clusters the parameter space into groups, termed modes, that display synchronized behavior across epochs. This enables CMD to efficiently represent the training dynamics of complex networks, like ResNets and Transformers, using only a few modes. Moreover, test set generalization is enhanced. We introduce an efficient CMD variant, designed to run concurrently with training. Our experiments indicate that CMD surpasses the state-of-the-art method for compactly modeled dynamics on image classification. Our modeling can improve training efficiency and lower communication overhead, as shown by our preliminary experiments in the context of federated learning.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2023

A Minimal Set of Koopman Eigenfunctions -- Analysis and Numerics

Research on Koopman operator theory has focused on three key areas for several decades: the mathematical structure of the Koopman eigenfunction space, the basis of this space, and the ability to represent nonlinear dynamics as linear. This study provides a thorough and comprehensive framework for these topics, including theoretical, analytical, and numerical approaches. A novel mathematical structure is introduced, which outlines permissible actions on the infinite set of Koopman Eigenfunction, under which this set is closed. Notions of generating and independent sets of Koopman eigenfunctions are defined. In addition, notions of a minimal generating set, and a maximal independent set are defined and are shown to be equivalent. This structure defines conditions for independence within the set of Koopman eigenfunctions. This independent set can be interpreted as a new coordinate system in which the dynamical system is linear. The theory also highlights the equivalence of a minimal set, flowbox representation, and conservation laws. Finally, the presented theory is supported by numerical experiments.

math.DS↗

arXiv2022

The Underlying Correlated Dynamics in Neural Training

Training of neural networks is a computationally intensive task. The significance of understanding and modeling the training dynamics is growing as increasingly larger networks are being trained. We propose in this work a model based on the correlation of the parameters' dynamics, which dramatically reduces the dimensionality. We refer to our algorithm as \emph{correlation mode decomposition} (CMD). It splits the parameter space into groups of parameters (modes) which behave in a highly correlated manner through the epochs. We achieve a remarkable dimensionality reduction with this approach, where networks like ResNet-18, transformers and GANs, containing millions of parameters, can be modeled well using just a few modes. We observe each typical time profile of a mode is spread throughout the network in all layers. Moreover, our model induces regularization which yields better generalization capacity on the test set. This representation enhances the understanding of the underlying training dynamics and can pave the way for designing better acceleration techniques.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2022

BASiS: Batch Aligned Spectral Embedding Space

Graph is a highly generic and diverse representation, suitable for almost any data processing problem. Spectral graph theory has been shown to provide powerful algorithms, backed by solid linear algebra theory. It thus can be extremely instrumental to design deep network building blocks with spectral graph characteristics. For instance, such a network allows the design of optimal graphs for certain tasks or obtaining a canonical orthogonal low-dimensional embedding of the data. Recent attempts to solve this problem were based on minimizing Rayleigh-quotient type losses. We propose a different approach of directly learning the eigensapce. A severe problem of the direct approach, applied in batch-learning, is the inconsistent mapping of features to eigenspace coordinates in different batches. We analyze the degrees of freedom of learning this task using batches and propose a stable alignment mechanism that can work both with batch changes and with graph-metric changes. We show that our learnt spectral embedding is better in terms of NMI, ACC, Grassman distance, orthogonality and classification accuracy, compared to SOTA. In addition, the learning is more stable.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2022

Understanding Transformer Memorization Recall Through Idioms

To produce accurate predictions, language models (LMs) must balance between generalization and memorization. Yet, little is known about the mechanism by which transformer LMs employ their memorization capacity. When does a model decide to output a memorized phrase, and how is this phrase then retrieved from memory? In this work, we offer the first methodological framework for probing and characterizing recall of memorized sequences in transformer LMs. First, we lay out criteria for detecting model inputs that trigger memory recall, and propose idioms as inputs that typically fulfill these criteria. Next, we construct a dataset of English idioms and use it to compare model behavior on memorized vs. non-memorized inputs. Specifically, we analyze the internal prediction construction process by interpreting the model's hidden representations as a gradual refinement of the output probability distribution. We find that across different model sizes and architectures, memorized predictions are a two-step process: early layers promote the predicted token to the top of the output distribution, and upper layers increase model confidence. This suggests that memorized information is stored and retrieved in the early layers of the network. Last, we demonstrate the utility of our methodology beyond idioms in memorized factual statements. Overall, our work makes a first step towards understanding memory recall, and provides a methodological basis for future studies of transformer memorization.

cs.CL↗

arXiv2022

Unsupervised Detection of Sub-Territories of the Subthalamic Nucleus During DBS Surgery with Manifold Learning

During Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS) surgery for treating Parkinson's disease, one vital task is to detect a specific brain area called the Subthalamic Nucleus(STN) and a sub-territory within the STN called the Dorsolateral Oscillatory Region(DLOR). Accurate detection of the STN borders is crucial for adequate clinical outcomes. Currently, the detection is based on human experts, guided by supervised machine learning detection algorithms. Consequently, this procedure depends on the knowledge and experience of particular experts and on the amount and quality of the labeled data used for training the machine learning algorithms. In this paper, to circumvent the dependence and bias caused by the training data, we present a data-driven unsupervised method for detecting the STN and the DLOR during DBS surgery. Our method is based on an agnostic modeling approach for general target detection tasks. Given a set of measurements, we extract features and propose a variant of the Mahalanobis distance between these features. We show theoretically that this distance enhances the differences between measurements with different intrinsic characteristics. Then, we incorporate the new features and distances into a manifold learning method, called Diffusion Maps. We show that this method gives rise to a representation that is consistent with the underlying factors that govern the measurements. Since the construction of this representation is carried out without rigid modeling assumptions, it can facilitate a wide range of detection tasks; here, we propose a specification for the STN and DLOR detection tasks. We present detection results on 25 sets of measurements recorded from 16 patients during surgery. Compared to a competing supervised algorithm based on a Hidden Markov Model, our unsupervised method demonstrates similar results in the STN detection task and superior results in the DLOR detection task.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2021

Latent Modes of Nonlinear Flows -- a Koopman Theory Analysis

Extracting the latent underlying structures of complex nonlinear local and nonlocal flows is essential for their analysis and modeling. In this work, we attempt to provide a consistent framework through Koopman theory and its related popular discrete approximation -- dynamic mode decomposition (DMD). We investigate the conditions to perform appropriate linearization, dimensionality reduction, and representation of flows in a highly general setting. The essential elements of this framework are Koopman Eigenfunction (KEF), for which existence conditions are formulated. This is done by viewing the dynamic as a curve in state-space. These conditions lay the foundations for system reconstruction, global controllability, and observability for nonlinear dynamics. We examine the limitations of DMD through the analysis of Koopman theory and propose a new mode decomposition technique based on the typical time profile of the dynamics. An overcomplete dictionary of decay profiles is used to sparsely approximate the flow. This analysis is also valid in the full continuous setting of Koopman theory, which is based on variational calculus. We demonstrate applications of this analysis, such as finding KEFs and their multiplicities, dynamics reconstruction, and global linearization.

math.DS↗

arXiv2021

Total-Variation -- Fast Gradient Flow and Relations to Koopman Theory

The space-discrete Total Variation (TV) flow is analyzed using several mode decomposition techniques. In the one-dimensional case, we provide analytic formulations to Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) and to Koopman Mode Decomposition (KMD) of the TV-flow and compare the obtained modes to TV spectral decomposition. We propose a computationally efficient algorithm to evolve the one-dimensional TV-flow. A significant speedup by three orders of magnitude is obtained, compared to iterative minimizations. A common theme, for both mode analysis and fast algorithm, is the significance of phase transitions during the flow, in which the subgradient changes. We explain why applying DMD directly on TV-flow measurements cannot model the flow or extract modes well. We formulate a more general method for mode decomposition that coincides with the modes of KMD. This method is based on the linear decay profile, typical to TV-flow. These concepts are demonstrated through experiments, where additional extensions to the two-dimensional case are given.

math.AP↗

arXiv2020

Modes of Homogeneous Gradient Flows

Finding latent structures in data is drawing increasing attention in diverse fields such as image and signal processing, fluid dynamics, and machine learning. In this work we examine the problem of finding the main modes of gradient flows. Gradient descent is a fundamental process in optimization where its stochastic version is prominent in training of neural networks. Here our aim is to establish a consistent theory for gradient flows $ψ_t = P(ψ)$, where $P$ is a nonlinear homogeneous operator. Our proposed framework stems from analytic solutions of homogeneous flows, previously formalized by Cohen-Gilboa, where the initial condition $ψ_0$ admits the nonlinear eigenvalue problem $P(ψ_0)=λψ_0 $. We first present an analytic solution for \ac{DMD} in such cases. We show an inherent flaw of \ac{DMD}, which is unable to recover the essential dynamics of the flow. It is evident that \ac{DMD} is best suited for homogeneous flows of degree one. We propose an adaptive time sampling scheme and show its dynamics are analogue to homogeneous flows of degree one with a fixed step size. Moreover, we adapt \ac{DMD} to yield a real spectrum, using symmetric matrices. Our analytic solution of the proposed scheme recovers the dynamics perfectly and yields zero error. We then proceed to show that in the general case the orthogonal modes $\{ ϕ_i \}$ are approximately nonlinear eigenfunctions $P(ϕ_i) \approxλ_i ϕ_i $. We formulate Orthogonal Nonlinear Spectral decomposition (\emph{OrthoNS}), which recovers the essential latent structures of the gradient descent process. Definitions for spectrum and filtering are given, and a Parseval-type identity is shown.

math.DS↗

arXiv2019

Supervised and Unsupervised End-to-End Deep Learning for Gene Ontology Classification of Neural In Situ Hybridization Images

In recent years, large datasets of high-resolution mammalian neural images have become available, which has prompted active research on the analysis of gene expression data. Traditional image processing methods are typically applied for learning functional representations of genes, based on their expressions in these brain images. In this paper, we describe a novel end-to-end deep learning-based method for generating compact representations of in situ hybridization (ISH) images, which are invariant-to-translation. In contrast to traditional image processing methods, our method relies, instead, on deep convolutional denoising autoencoders (CDAE) for processing raw pixel inputs, and generating the desired compact image representations. We provide an in-depth description of our deep learning-based approach, and present extensive experimental results, demonstrating that representations extracted by CDAE can help learn features of functional gene ontology categories for their classification in a highly accurate manner. Our methods improve the previous state-of-the-art classification rate (Liscovitch, et al.) from an average AUC of 0.92 to 0.997, i.e., it achieves 96% reduction in error rate. Furthermore, the representation vectors generated due to our method are more compact in comparison to previous state-of-the-art methods, allowing for a more efficient high-level representation of images. These results are obtained with significantly downsampled images in comparison to the original high-resolution ones, further underscoring the robustness of our proposed method.

cs.CV↗