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Mohamed-Ali Belabbas

Publications and source records attributed to Mohamed-Ali Belabbas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Privacy Preserving Gossip Learning

We propose a decentralized privacy-preserving learning algorithm in which each agent holds a single private sample and a shared model. Samples are learned sequentially, and each update must preserve the endpoint mappings at previously learned samples while protecting private data. This gives each agent three roles: (i) a learner that updates the model parameters, (ii) a teacher whose sample is learned at the current iteration, and (iii) a protected agent whose sample has already been learned. We build on Tuning without Forgetting (TwF) method to preserve previously learned mappings and show that TwF provides an indistinguishability guarantee for the learner whenever the set of protected agents contains another sample with the same label. For the teacher, we formulate a minimax optimal control problem that models the differential privacy noise as a worst-case disturbance to prevent performance loss while maintaining the same level of privacy for the gradient. For the protected agents, we compute the projections locally and aggregate them using a private push-sum gossip protocol. We prove geometric convergence of the decentralized gossip algorithm and of the distributed projection for TwF.

cs.LG↗

Vector-Valued Gossip over $w$-Holonomic Networks

We study the weighted average consensus problem for a gossip network of agents with vector-valued states. For a given matrix-weighted graph, the gossip process is described by a sequence of pairs of adjacent agents communicating and updating their states based on the edge matrix weight. Our key contribution is providing conditions for the convergence of this non-homogeneous Markov process as well as the characterization of its limit set. To this end, we introduce the notion of "$w$-holonomy" of a set of stochastic matrices, which enables the characterization of sequences of gossiping pairs resulting in reaching a desired consensus in a decentralized manner. Stated otherwise, our result characterizes the limiting behavior of infinite products of (non-commuting, possibly with absorbing states) stochastic matrices.

math.OC↗

Control Disturbance Rejection in Neural ODEs

In this paper, we propose an iterative training algorithm for Neural ODEs that provides models resilient to control (parameter) disturbances. The method builds on our earlier work Tuning without Forgetting-and similarly introduces training points sequentially, and updates the parameters on new data within the space of parameters that do not decrease performance on the previously learned training points-with the key difference that, inspired by the concept of flat minima, we solve a minimax problem for a non-convex non-concave functional over an infinite-dimensional control space. We develop a projected gradient descent algorithm on the space of parameters that admits the structure of an infinite-dimensional Banach subspace. We show through simulations that this formulation enables the model to effectively learn new data points and gain robustness against control disturbance.

cs.LG↗

Geometric Foundations of Tuning without Forgetting in Neural ODEs

In our earlier work, we introduced the principle of Tuning without Forgetting (TwF) for sequential training of neural ODEs, where training samples are added iteratively and parameters are updated within the subspace of control functions that preserves the end-point mapping at previously learned samples on the manifold of output labels in the first-order approximation sense. In this letter, we prove that this parameter subspace forms a Banach submanifold of finite codimension under nonsingular controls, and we characterize its tangent space. This reveals that TwF corresponds to a continuation/deformation of the control function along the tangent space of this Banach submanifold, providing a theoretical foundation for its mapping-preserving (not forgetting) during the sequential training exactly, beyond first-order approximation.

cs.LG↗

Constructing Stochastic Matrices for Weighted Averaging in Gossip Networks

The convergence of the gossip process has been extensively studied; however, algorithms that generate a set of stochastic matrices, the infinite product of which converges to a rank-one matrix determined by a given weight vector, have been less explored. In this work, we propose an algorithm for constructing (local) stochastic matrices based on a given gossip network topology and a set of weights for averaging across different consensus clusters, ensuring that the gossip process converges to a finite limit set.

math.OC↗

On Infinite-horizon Minimum Energy Control

We address the infinite-horizon minimum energy control problem for linear time-invariant finite-dimensional systems $(A, B)$. We show that the problem admits a solution if and only if $(A, B)$ is stabilizable and $A$ does not have imaginary eigenvalues.

math.OC↗

Time-delay Induced Stochastic Optimization and Extremum Seeking

In this paper a novel stochastic optimization and extremum seeking algorithm is presented, one which is based on time-delayed random perturbations and step size adaptation. For the case of a one-dimensional quadratic unconstrained optimization problem, global exponential convergence in expectation and global exponential practical convergence of the variance of the trajectories are proven. The theoretical results are complemented by numerical simulations for one- and multi-dimensional quadratic and non-quadratic objective functions.

math.OC↗

Age of Coded Updates In Gossip Networks Under Memory and Memoryless Schemes

We consider an information update system on a gossip network, where a source node encodes information into $n$ total keys such that any subset of at least $k+1$ keys can fully reconstruct the original information. This encoding process follows the principles of a $k$-out-of-$n$ threshold system. The encoded updates are then disseminated across the network through peer-to-peer communication. We have two different types of nodes in a network: subscriber nodes, which receive a unique key from the source node for every status update instantaneously, and nonsubscriber nodes, which receive a unique key for an update only if the node is selected by the source, and this selection is renewed for each update. For the message structure between nodes, we consider two different schemes: a memory scheme (in which the nodes keep the source's current and previous encrypted messages) and a memoryless scheme (in which the nodes are allowed to only keep the source's current message). We measure the timeliness of information updates by using a recent performance metric, the version age of information. We present explicit formulas for the time average AoI in a scalable homogeneous network as functions of the network parameters under a memoryless scheme. Additionally, we provide strict lower and upper bounds for the time average AoI under a memory scheme.

cs.IT↗

Age of $k$-out-of-$n$ Systems on a Gossip Network

We consider information update systems on a gossip network, which consists of a single source and $n$ receiver nodes. The source encrypts the information into $n$ distinct keys with version stamps, sending a unique key to each node. For decoding the information in a $k$-out-of-$n$ system, each receiver node requires at least $k+1$ different keys with the same version, shared over peer-to-peer connections. Each node determines $k$ based on a given function, ensuring that as $k$ increases, the precision of the decoded information also increases. We consider two different schemes: a memory scheme (in which the nodes keep the source's current and previous encrypted messages) and a memoryless scheme (in which the nodes are allowed to only keep the source's current message). We measure the ''timeliness'' of information updates by using the $k$-keys version age of information. Our work focuses on determining closed-form expressions for the time average age of information in a heterogeneous random graph under both with memory and memoryless schemes.

cs.IT↗

Control Theoretic Approach to Fine-Tuning and Transfer Learning

Given a training set in the form of a paired $(\mathcal{X},\mathcal{Y})$, we say that the control system $\dot x = f(x,u)$ has learned the paired set via the control $u^*$ if the system steers each point of $\mathcal{X}$ to its corresponding target in $\mathcal{Y}$. If the training set is expanded, most existing methods for finding a new control $u^*$ require starting from scratch, resulting in a quadratic increase in complexity with the number of points. To overcome this limitation, we introduce the concept of $\textit{ tuning without forgetting}$. We develop $\textit{an iterative algorithm}$ to tune the control $u^*$ when the training set expands, whereby points already in the paired set are still matched, and new training samples are learned. At each update of our method, the control $u^*$ is projected onto the kernel of the end-point mapping generated by the controlled dynamics at the learned samples. It ensures keeping the end-points for the previously learned samples constant while iteratively learning additional samples.

cs.LG↗

Dynamic Global Feedback Stabilization: why do the twist?

We investigate global dynamic feedback stabilization from a topological viewpoint. In particular, we consider the general case of dynamic feedback systems, whereby the total space (which includes the state space of the system and of the controller) is a fibre bundle, and derive conditions on the topology of the bundle that are necessary for various notions of global stabilization to hold. This point of view highlight the importance of distinguishing trivial bundles and twisted bundles in the study of global dynamic feedback stabilization, as we show that dynamic feedback defined on a twisted bundle can stabilize systems that dynamic feedback on trivial bundles cannot.

math.OC↗

Graphons and the $H$-property

A graphon satisfies the $H$-property if graphs sampled from it contain a Hamiltonian decomposition almost surely, which in turn implies that the corresponding network topologies are, e.g., structurally stable and structurally ensemble controllable. In recent papers, we have exhibited a set of conditions that is essentially necessary and sufficient for the $H$-property to hold for the finite-dimensional class of step-graphons. The extension to the infinite-dimensional case of general graphons was hindered by the fact that said conditions relied on objects that do not admit immediate extensions to the infinite-dimensional case. We outline here our approach to bypass this difficulty and state conditions that guarantee that the $H$-property holds for general graphons.

math.OC↗

A Sufficient Condition for the Super-linearization of Polynomial Systems

We provide in this paper a sufficient condition for a polynomial dynamical system $\dot x(t) = f(x(t))$ to be super-linearizable, i.e., to be such that all its trajectories are linear projections of the trajectories of a linear dynamical system. The condition is expressed in terms of the hereby introduced weighted dependency graph $G$, whose nodes $v_i$ correspond to variables $x_i$ and edges $v_iv_j$ have weights $\frac{\partial f_j}{\partial x_i}$. We show that if the product of the edge weights along any cycle in $G$ is a constant, then the system is super-linearizable. The proof is constructive, and we provide an algorithm to obtain super-linearizations and illustrate it on an example.

math.OC↗

Visible and hidden observables in super-linearization

We call a system super-linearizable if it admits finite-dimensional embedding as a linear system -- known as a finite-dimensional Koopman embedding; said otherwise, if its dynamics can be linearized by adding a finite set of observables. We introduce the notions of visible and hidden observables for such embeddings which, roughly speaking, are the observables that explicitly appear in the original system and the ones that do not, but yet are necessary for its embedding. Distinct embeddings can have different numbers of hidden and visible observables. In this paper, we derive a tight lower bound for the number of visible observables of a system among all its super-linearizations.

math.OC↗

The H-property of Line Graphons

We explore in this paper sufficient conditions for the $H$-property to hold, with a particular focus on the so-called line graphons. A graphon is a symmetric, measurable function from the unit square $[0,1]^2$ to the closed interval $[0,1]$. Graphons can be used to sample random graphs, and a graphon is said to have the $H$-property if graphs on $n$ nodes sampled from it admit a node-cover by disjoint cycles -- such a cover is called a Hamiltonian decomposition -- almost surely as $n \to \infty$. A step-graphon is a graphon which is piecewise constant over rectangles in the domain. To a step-graphon, we assign two objects: its concentration vector, encoding the areas of the rectangles, and its skeleton-graph, describing their supports. These two objects were used in our earlier work [3] to establish necessary conditions for a step-graphon to have the $H$-property. In this paper, we prove that these conditions are essentially also sufficient for the class of line-graphons, i.e., the step-graphons whose skeleton graphs are line graphs with a self-loop at an ending node. We also investigate borderline cases where neither the necessary nor the sufficient conditions are met.

math.OC↗

Gradient Approximation and Multi-Variable Derivative-Free Optimization based on Non-Commutative Maps

In this work, multi-variable derivative-free optimization algorithms for unconstrained optimization problems are developed. A novel procedure for approximating the gradient of multi-variable objective functions based on non-commutative maps is introduced. The procedure is based on the construction of an exploration sequence to specify where the objective function is evaluated and the definition of so-called gradient generating functions which are composed with the objective function such that the procedure mimics a gradient descent algorithm. Various theoretical properties of the proposed class of algorithms are investigated and numerical examples are presented.

math.OC↗

On the H-property for step-graphons and edge polytopes

Graphons $W$ can be used as stochastic models to sample graphs $G_n$ on $n$ nodes for $n$ arbitrarily large. A graphon $W$ is said to have the $H$-property if $G_n$ admits a decomposition into disjoint cycles with probability one as $n$ goes to infinity. Such a decomposition is known as a Hamiltonian decomposition. In this paper, we provide necessary conditions for the $H$-property to hold. The proof builds upon a hereby established connection between the so-called edge polytope of a finite undirected graph associated with $W$ and the $H$-property. Building on its properties, we provide a purely geometric solution to a random graph problem. More precisely, we assign two natural objects to $W$, which we term concentration vector and skeleton graph, denoted by $x^*$ and $S$ respectively. We then establish two necessary conditions for the $H$-property to hold: (1) the edge-polytope of $S$, denoted by $\mathcal{X}(S)$, is of full rank, and (2) $x^* \in \mathcal{X}(S)$.

math.OC↗