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Neha Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to Neha Gupta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Inapproximability for Local Correlation Clustering and Dissimilarity Hierarchical Clustering

We present hardness of approximation results for Correlation Clustering with local objectives and for Hierarchical Clustering with dissimilarity information. For the former, we study the local objective of Puleo and Milenkovic (ICML '16) that prioritizes reducing the disagreements at data points that are worst off and for the latter we study the maximization version of Dasgupta's cost function (STOC '16). Our APX hardness results imply that the two problems are hard to approximate within a constant of 4/3 ~ 1.33 (assuming P vs NP) and 9159/9189 ~ 0.9967 (assuming the Unique Games Conjecture) respectively.

cs.DS↗

I-SiamIDS: an improved Siam-IDS for handling class imbalance in network-based intrusion detection systems

NIDSs identify malicious activities by analyzing network traffic. NIDSs are trained with the samples of benign and intrusive network traffic. Training samples belong to either majority or minority classes depending upon the number of available instances. Majority classes consist of abundant samples for the normal traffic as well as for recurrent intrusions. Whereas, minority classes include fewer samples for unknown events or infrequent intrusions. NIDSs trained on such imbalanced data tend to give biased predictions against minority attack classes, causing undetected or misclassified intrusions. Past research works handled this class imbalance problem using data-level approaches that either increase minority class samples or decrease majority class samples in the training data set. Although these data-level balancing approaches indirectly improve the performance of NIDSs, they do not address the underlying issue in NIDSs i.e. they are unable to identify attacks having limited training data only. This paper proposes an algorithm-level approach called I-SiamIDS, which is a two-layer ensemble for handling class imbalance problem. I-SiamIDS identifies both majority and minority classes at the algorithm-level without using any data-level balancing techniques. The first layer of I-SiamIDS uses an ensemble of b-XGBoost, Siamese-NN and DNN for hierarchical filtration of input samples to identify attacks. These attacks are then sent to the second layer of I-SiamIDS for classification into different attack classes using m-XGBoost. As compared to its counterparts, I-SiamIDS showed significant improvement in terms of Accuracy, Recall, Precision, F1-score and values of AUC for both NSL-KDD and CIDDS-001 datasets. To further strengthen the results, computational cost analysis was also performed to study the acceptability of the proposed I-SiamIDS.

cs.CR↗

Projections for COVID-19 spread in India and its worst affected five states using the Modified SEIRD and LSTM models

The last leg of the year 2019 gave rise to a virus named COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019). Since the beginning of this infection in India, the government implemented several policies and restrictions to curtail its spread among the population. As the time passed, these restrictions were relaxed and people were advised to follow precautionary measures by themselves. These timely decisions taken by the Indian government helped in decelerating the spread of COVID-19 to a large extent. Despite these decisions, the pandemic continues to spread and hence, there is an urgent need to plan and control the spread of this disease. This is possible by finding the future predictions about the spread. Scientists across the globe are working towards estimating the future growth of COVID-19. This paper proposes a Modified SEIRD (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered-Deceased) model for projecting COVID-19 infections in India and its five states having the highest number of total cases. In this model, exposed compartment contains individuals which may be asymptomatic but infectious. Deep Learning based Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model has also been used in this paper to perform short-term projections. The projections obtained from the proposed Modified SEIRD model have also been compared with the projections made by LSTM for next 30 days. The epidemiological data up to 15th August 2020 has been used for carrying out predictions in this paper. These predictions will help in arranging adequate medical infrastructure and providing proper preventive measures to handle the current pandemic. The effect of different lockdowns imposed by the Indian government has also been used in modelling and analysis in the proposed Modified SEIRD model. The results presented in this paper will act as a beacon for future policy-making to control the COVID-19 spread in India.

q-bio.PE↗

Active Local Learning

In this work we consider active local learning: given a query point $x$, and active access to an unlabeled training set $S$, output the prediction $h(x)$ of a near-optimal $h \in H$ using significantly fewer labels than would be needed to actually learn $h$ fully. In particular, the number of label queries should be independent of the complexity of $H$, and the function $h$ should be well-defined, independent of $x$. This immediately also implies an algorithm for distance estimation: estimating the value $opt(H)$ from many fewer labels than needed to actually learn a near-optimal $h \in H$, by running local learning on a few random query points and computing the average error. For the hypothesis class consisting of functions supported on the interval $[0,1]$ with Lipschitz constant bounded by $L$, we present an algorithm that makes $O(({1 / ε^6}) \log(1/ε))$ label queries from an unlabeled pool of $O(({L / ε^4})\log(1/ε))$ samples. It estimates the distance to the best hypothesis in the class to an additive error of $ε$ for an arbitrary underlying distribution. We further generalize our algorithm to more than one dimensions. We emphasize that the number of labels used is independent of the complexity of the hypothesis class which depends on $L$. Furthermore, we give an algorithm to locally estimate the values of a near-optimal function at a few query points of interest with number of labels independent of $L$. We also consider the related problem of approximating the minimum error that can be achieved by the Nadaraya-Watson estimator under a linear diagonal transformation with eigenvalues coming from a small range. For a $d$-dimensional pointset of size $N$, our algorithm achieves an additive approximation of $ε$, makes $\tilde{O}({d}/{ε^2})$ queries and runs in $\tilde{O}({d^2}/{ε^{d+4}}+{dN}/{ε^2})$ time.

cs.LG↗

Skellam Type Processes of Order K and Beyond

In this article, we introduce Skellam process of order k and its running average. We also discuss the time-changed Skellam process of order k. In particular we discuss space-fractional Skellam process and tempered space-fractional Skellam process via time changes in Poisson process by independent stable subordinator and tempered stable subordinator, respectively. We derive the marginal probabilities, Levy measures, governing difference-differential equations of the introduced processes. Our results generalize Skellam process and running average of Poisson process in several directions.

math.PR↗

Implicit regularization for deep neural networks driven by an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck like process

We consider networks, trained via stochastic gradient descent to minimize $\ell_2$ loss, with the training labels perturbed by independent noise at each iteration. We characterize the behavior of the training dynamics near any parameter vector that achieves zero training error, in terms of an implicit regularization term corresponding to the sum over the data points, of the squared $\ell_2$ norm of the gradient of the model with respect to the parameter vector, evaluated at each data point. This holds for networks of any connectivity, width, depth, and choice of activation function. We interpret this implicit regularization term for three simple settings: matrix sensing, two layer ReLU networks trained on one-dimensional data, and two layer networks with sigmoid activations trained on a single datapoint. For these settings, we show why this new and general implicit regularization effect drives the networks towards "simple" models.

cs.LG↗

Mixtures of Tempered Stable Subordinators

In this article, we introduce mixtures of tempered stable subordinators (TSS). These mixtures define a class of subordinators which generalize tempered stable subordinators. The main properties like probability density function (pdf), Levy density, moments, governing Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov (FPK) type equations, asymptotic form of potential density and asymptotic form of the renewal function for the corresponding inverse subordinator are discussed. We also generalize these results to n-th order mixtures of TSS.

math.PR↗

On Extending the Applicability of two-Step Secant Method for non-differentiable operators

The semi-local convergence analysis of a well defined and efficient two-step Secant method in Banach spaces is presented in this study. The recurrence relation technique is used under some weak assumptions. The pertinency of the assumed method is extended for nonlinear non-differentiable operators. The convergence theorem is also established to show the existence and uniqueness of the approximate solution. A numerical illustration is quoted to certify the theoretical part which shows that the earlier study will fail if the function is non-differentiable.

math.NA↗

Exploiting Numerical Sparsity for Efficient Learning : Faster Eigenvector Computation and Regression

In this paper, we obtain improved running times for regression and top eigenvector computation for numerically sparse matrices. Given a data matrix $A \in \mathbb{R}^{n \times d}$ where every row $a \in \mathbb{R}^d$ has $\|a\|_2^2 \leq L$ and numerical sparsity at most $s$, i.e. $\|a\|_1^2 / \|a\|_2^2 \leq s$, we provide faster algorithms for these problems in many parameter settings. For top eigenvector computation, we obtain a running time of $\tilde{O}(nd + r(s + \sqrt{r s}) / \mathrm{gap}^2)$ where $\mathrm{gap} > 0$ is the relative gap between the top two eigenvectors of $A^\top A$ and $r$ is the stable rank of $A$. This running time improves upon the previous best unaccelerated running time of $O(nd + r d / \mathrm{gap}^2)$ as it is always the case that $r \leq d$ and $s \leq d$. For regression, we obtain a running time of $\tilde{O}(nd + (nL / μ) \sqrt{s nL / μ})$ where $μ> 0$ is the smallest eigenvalue of $A^\top A$. This running time improves upon the previous best unaccelerated running time of $\tilde{O}(nd + n L d / μ)$. This result expands the regimes where regression can be solved in nearly linear time from when $L/μ= \tilde{O}(1)$ to when $L / μ= \tilde{O}(d^{2/3} / (sn)^{1/3})$. Furthermore, we obtain similar improvements even when row norms and numerical sparsities are non-uniform and we show how to achieve even faster running times by accelerating using approximate proximal point [Frostig et. al. 2015] / catalyst [Lin et. al. 2015]. Our running times depend only on the size of the input and natural numerical measures of the matrix, i.e. eigenvalues and $\ell_p$ norms, making progress on a key open problem regarding optimal running times for efficient large-scale learning.

cs.DS↗

Tempered Fractional Poisson Processes and Fractional Equations with Z-Transform

In this article, we derive the state probabilities of different type of space- and time-fractional Poisson processes using z-transform. We work on tempered versions of time-fractional Poisson process and space-fractional Poisson processes. We also introduce Gegenbauer type fractional differential equations and their solutions using z-transform. Our results generalize and complement the result available on fractional Poisson processes in several directions.

math.PR↗

The primitivity index function for a free group, and untangling closed curves on hyperbolic surfaces. With an appendix by Khalid Bou-Rabee

Motivated by the results of Scott and Patel about "untangling" closed geodesics in finite covers of hyperbolic surfaces, we introduce and study primitivity, simplicity and non-filling index functions for finitely generated free groups. We obtain lower bounds for these functions and relate these free group results back to the setting of hyperbolic surfaces. An appendix by Khalid Bou-Rabee connects the primitivity index function to the residual finiteness growth function for $F_N$.

math.GR↗

Local Guarantees in Graph Cuts and Clustering

Correlation Clustering is an elegant model that captures fundamental graph cut problems such as Min $s-t$ Cut, Multiway Cut, and Multicut, extensively studied in combinatorial optimization. Here, we are given a graph with edges labeled $+$ or $-$ and the goal is to produce a clustering that agrees with the labels as much as possible: $+$ edges within clusters and $-$ edges across clusters. The classical approach towards Correlation Clustering (and other graph cut problems) is to optimize a global objective. We depart from this and study local objectives: minimizing the maximum number of disagreements for edges incident on a single node, and the analogous max min agreements objective. This naturally gives rise to a family of basic min-max graph cut problems. A prototypical representative is Min Max $s-t$ Cut: find an $s-t$ cut minimizing the largest number of cut edges incident on any node. We present the following results: $(1)$ an $O(\sqrt{n})$-approximation for the problem of minimizing the maximum total weight of disagreement edges incident on any node (thus providing the first known approximation for the above family of min-max graph cut problems), $(2)$ a remarkably simple $7$-approximation for minimizing local disagreements in complete graphs (improving upon the previous best known approximation of $48$), and $(3)$ a $1/(2+\varepsilon)$-approximation for maximizing the minimum total weight of agreement edges incident on any node, hence improving upon the $1/(4+\varepsilon)$-approximation that follows from the study of approximate pure Nash equilibria in cut and party affiliation games.

cs.DS↗

Induced monoidal structure from the functor

Let $\mathcal{B}$ be a subcategory of a given category $\mathcal{D}$. Let $\mathcal{B}$ has monoidal structure. In this article, we discuss when can one extend the monoidal structure of $\mathcal{B}$ to $\mathcal{D}$ such that $\mathcal{B}$ becomes a sub monoidal category of monoidal category $\mathcal{D}$. Examples are discussed, and in particular, in an example of loop space, we elaborated all results discussed in this article.

math.CT↗

bit.ly/malicious: Deep Dive into Short URL based e-Crime Detection

Existence of spam URLs over emails and Online Social Media (OSM) has become a massive e-crime. To counter the dissemination of long complex URLs in emails and character limit imposed on various OSM (like Twitter), the concept of URL shortening has gained a lot of traction. URL shorteners take as input a long URL and output a short URL with the same landing page (as in the long URL) in return. With their immense popularity over time, URL shorteners have become a prime target for the attackers giving them an advantage to conceal malicious content. Bitly, a leading service among all shortening services is being exploited heavily to carry out phishing attacks, work-from-home scams, pornographic content propagation, etc. This imposes additional performance pressure on Bitly and other URL shorteners to be able to detect and take a timely action against the illegitimate content. In this study, we analyzed a dataset of 763,160 short URLs marked suspicious by Bitly in the month of October 2013. Our results reveal that Bitly is not using its claimed spam detection services very effectively. We also show how a suspicious Bitly account goes unnoticed despite of a prolonged recurrent illegitimate activity. Bitly displays a warning page on identification of suspicious links, but we observed this approach to be weak in controlling the overall propagation of spam. We also identified some short URL based features and coupled them with two domain specific features to classify a Bitly URL as malicious or benign and achieved an accuracy of 86.41%. The feature set identified can be generalized to other URL shortening services as well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large scale study to highlight the issues with the implementation of Bitly's spam detection policies and proposing suitable countermeasures.

cs.CR↗

Exploration of gaps in Bitly's spam detection and relevant counter measures

Existence of spam URLs over emails and Online Social Media (OSM) has become a growing phenomenon. To counter the dissemination issues associated with long complex URLs in emails and character limit imposed on various OSM (like Twitter), the concept of URL shortening gained a lot of traction. URL shorteners take as input a long URL and give a short URL with the same landing page in return. With its immense popularity over time, it has become a prime target for the attackers giving them an advantage to conceal malicious content. Bitly, a leading service in this domain is being exploited heavily to carry out phishing attacks, work from home scams, pornographic content propagation, etc. This imposes additional performance pressure on Bitly and other URL shorteners to be able to detect and take a timely action against the illegitimate content. In this study, we analyzed a dataset marked as suspicious by Bitly in the month of October 2013 to highlight some ground issues in their spam detection mechanism. In addition, we identified some short URL based features and coupled them with two domain specific features to classify a Bitly URL as malicious / benign and achieved a maximum accuracy of 86.41%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large scale study to highlight the issues with Bitly's spam detection policies and proposing a suitable countermeasure.

cs.SI↗

The Pin-Bang Theory: Discovering The Pinterest World

Pinterest is an image-based online social network, which was launched in the year 2010 and has gained a lot of traction, ever since. Within 3 years, Pinterest has attained 48.7 million unique users. This stupendous growth makes it interesting to study Pinterest, and gives rise to multiple questions about it's users, and content. We characterized Pinterest on the basis of large scale crawls of 3.3 million user profiles, and 58.8 million pins. In particular, we explored various attributes of users, pins, boards, pin sources, and user locations, in detail and performed topical analysis of user generated textual content. The characterization revealed most prominent topics among users and pins, top image sources, and geographical distribution of users on Pinterest. We then investigated this social network from a privacy and security standpoint, and found traces of malware in the form of pin sources. Instances of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) leakage were also discovered in the form of phone numbers, BBM (Blackberry Messenger) pins, and email addresses. Further, our analysis demonstrated how Pinterest is a potential venue for copyright infringement, by showing that almost half of the images shared on Pinterest go uncredited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to characterize Pinterest at such a large scale.

cs.SI↗

Antikaons in neutron star studied with recent versions of relativistic mean-field models

We study the impact of additional couplings in the relativistic mean field (RMF) models, in conjunction with antikaon condensation, on various neutron star properties. We analyze different properties such as in-medium antikaon and nucleon effective masses, antikaon energies, chemical potentials and the mass-radius relations of neutron star (NS). We calculate the NS properties with the RMF (NL3), E-RMF (G1, G2) and FSU2.1 models, which are quite successful in explaining several finite nuclear properties. Our results show that the onset of kaon condensation in NS strongly depends on the parameters of the Lagrangian, especially the additional couplings which play a significant role at higher densities where antikaons dominate the behavior of equation of state.

nucl-th↗

The size of most massive neutron stars may reveal its exotic cores

The recent high precision observation of the most massive pulsar J1614-2230 with $(1.97\pm0.04)$ solar mass ($M_\odot$) was reported with a suggestion that many nuclear models which consider exotic particles in the core could be ruled out. However, many recent calculations could explain this star with various exotic particles, rendering the precise mass measurements insufficient to conclude on exotic cores. We examine the sensitivity of the radius of such a star to the details of its core. With our calculations and analysis, here we show that, for the most massive neutron star, with a precise observation of its radius it is possible to ascertain the presence of exotic cores.

nucl-th↗