arXiv subjects

Stefania Petra

Publications and source records attributed to Stefania Petra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Riemannian Multilevel Optimization with Application to Constrained Energy Minimization Problems

Multilevel optimization methods are highly effective for discretized energy minimization problems, but their Euclidean formulation does not directly apply to manifold constraints. We introduce a Riemannian extension of multilevel optimization based on a coarse model that is first-order coherent with the fine-level objective and yields descent directions under mild retraction-convexity assumptions. The framework includes metric-compatible vector transfer operators for passing first-order information between levels, covering both intrinsic and extrinsic constructions. We formulate two-level and multilevel algorithms and prove global convergence using a Riemannian Zoutendijk-type argument. Applications to Kohn--Sham density functional theory, Gross--Pitaevskii ground-state computation, and binary continuous cuts demonstrate the method on Stiefel, ellipsoid and Bernoulli manifolds. The experiments show significant reductions in computational time compared with single-level Riemannian optimization.

math.OC↗

arXiv2026

Generative Modeling of Discrete Data Using Geometric Latent Subspaces

We propose a geometric latent-subspace framework for generative modeling of discrete data. Specifically, we introduce latent subspaces in the exponential parameter space of product manifolds of categorical distributions as a novel method for learning generative models of discrete data. The resulting low-dimensional latent space encodes statistical dependencies and removes redundant degrees of freedom among the categorical variables. We equip the parameter domain with a Riemannian geometry such that the latent subspace and induced data manifold are related by isometries enabling consistent flow matching. Exploiting this structure, we propose a geometry-aware dimensionality reduction objective, called geometric PCA (GPCA), which we formulate as a regularized cross-entropy minimization that encourages small Riemannian distances between the data and their reconstructions. In particular, under the induced geometry, geodesics become straight lines in the latent parameter space which makes model training by flow matching effective. Empirical results show that low-dimensional latent representations suffice to accurately model high-dimensional discrete data.

stat.ML↗

arXiv2025

Multilevel Bregman Proximal Gradient Descent

We present the Multilevel Bregman Proximal Gradient Descent (ML BPGD) method, a novel multilevel optimization framework tailored to constrained convex problems with relative Lipschitz smoothness. Our approach extends the classical multilevel optimization framework (MGOPT) to handle Bregman-based geometries and constrained domains. We provide a rigorous analysis of ML BPGD for multiple coarse levels and establish a global linear convergence rate. We demonstrate the effectiveness of ML BPGD in the context of image reconstruction, providing theoretical guarantees for the well-posedness of the multilevel framework and validating its performance through numerical experiments.

math.OC↗

arXiv2025

Sigma Flows for Image and Data Labeling and Learning Structured Prediction

This paper introduces the sigma flow model for the prediction of structured labelings of data observed on Riemannian manifolds, including Euclidean image domains as special case. The approach combines the Laplace-Beltrami framework for image denoising and enhancement, introduced by Sochen, Kimmel and Malladi about 25 years ago, and the assignment flow approach introduced and studied by the authors. The sigma flow arises as Riemannian gradient flow of generalized harmonic energies and thus is governed by a nonlinear geometric PDE which determines a harmonic map from a closed Riemannian domain manifold to a statistical manifold, equipped with the Fisher-Rao metric from information geometry. A specific ingredient of the sigma flow is the mutual dependency of the Riemannian metric of the domain manifold on the evolving state. This makes the approach amenable to machine learning in a specific way, by realizing this dependency through a mapping with compact time-variant parametrization that can be learned from data. Proof of concept experiments demonstrate the expressivity of the sigma flow model and prediction performance. Structural similarities to transformer network architectures and networks generated by the geometric integration of sigma flows are pointed out, which highlights the connection to deep learning and, conversely, may stimulate the use of geometric design principles for structured prediction in other areas of scientific machine learning.

math.DS↗

arXiv2025

Multilevel Optimization: Geometric Coarse Models and Convergence Analysis

We study multilevel techniques, commonly used in PDE multigrid literature, to solve structured optimization problems. For a given hierarchy of levels, we formulate a coarse model that approximates the problem at each level and provides a descent direction for the fine-grid objective using fewer variables. Unlike common algebraic approaches, we assume the objective function and its gradient can be evaluated at each level. Under the assumptions of strong convexity and gradient L-smoothness, we analyze convergence and extend the method to box-constrained optimization. Large-scale numerical experiments on a discrete tomography problem show that the multilevel approach converges rapidly when far from the solution and performs competitively with state-of-the-art methods.

math.OC↗

arXiv2025

Riemannian Patch Assignment Gradient Flows

This paper introduces patch assignment flows for metric data labeling on graphs. Labelings are determined by regularizing initial local labelings through the dynamic interaction of both labels and label assignments across the graph, entirely encoded by a dictionary of competing labeled patches and mediated by patch assignment variables. Maximal consistency of patch assignments is achieved by geometric numerical integration of a Riemannian ascent flow, as critical point of a Lagrangian action functional. Experiments illustrate properties of the approach, including uncertainty quantification of label assignments.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2025

Information Geometry of Exponentiated Gradient: Convergence beyond L-Smoothness

We study the minimization of smooth, possibly nonconvex functions over the positive orthant, a key setting in Poisson inverse problems, using the exponentiated gradient (EG) method. Interpreting EG as Riemannian gradient descent (RGD) with the $e$-Exp map from information geometry as a retraction, we prove global convergence under weak assumptions -- without the need for $L$-smoothness -- and finite termination of Riemannian Armijo line search. Numerical experiments, including an accelerated variant, highlight EG's practical advantages, such as faster convergence compared to RGD based on interior-point geometry.

math.OC↗

arXiv2025

Generative Assignment Flows for Representing and Learning Joint Distributions of Discrete Data

We introduce a novel generative model for the representation of joint probability distributions of a possibly large number of discrete random variables. The approach uses measure transport by randomized assignment flows on the statistical submanifold of factorizing distributions, which enables to represent and sample efficiently from any target distribution and to assess the likelihood of unseen data points. The complexity of the target distribution only depends on the parametrization of the affinity function of the dynamical assignment flow system. Our model can be trained in a simulation-free manner by conditional Riemannian flow matching, using the training data encoded as geodesics on the assignment manifold in closed-form, with respect to the e-connection of information geometry. Numerical experiments devoted to distributions of structured image labelings demonstrate the applicability to large-scale problems, which may include discrete distributions in other application areas. Performance measures show that our approach scales better with the increasing number of classes than recent related work.

stat.ML↗

arXiv2024

Multilevel Geometric Optimization for Regularised Constrained Linear Inverse Problems

We present a geometric multilevel optimization approach that smoothly incorporates box constraints. Given a box constrained optimization problem, we consider a hierarchy of models with varying discretization levels. Finer models are accurate but expensive to compute, while coarser models are less accurate but cheaper to compute. When working at the fine level, multilevel optimisation computes the search direction based on a coarser model which speeds up updates at the fine level. Moreover, exploiting geometry induced by the hierarchy the feasibility of the updates is preserved. In particular, our approach extends classical components of multigrid methods like restriction and prolongation to the Riemannian structure of our constraints.

math.OC↗

arXiv2024

A Geometric Embedding Approach to Multiple Games and Multiple Populations

This paper studies a meta-simplex concept and geometric embedding framework for multi-population replicator dynamics. Central results are two embedding theorems which constitute a formal reduction of multi-population replicator dynamics to single-population ones. In conjunction with a robust mathematical formalism, this provides a toolset for analyzing complex multi-population models. Our framework provides a unifying perspective on different population dynamics in the literature which in particular enables to establish a formal link between multi-population and multi-game dynamics.

math.DS↗

arXiv2024

Accelerated Bregmann divergence optimization with SMART: an information geometry point of view

We investigate the problem of minimizing Kullback-Leibler divergence between a linear model $Ax$ and a positive vector $b$ in different convex domains (positive orthant, $n$-dimensional box, probability simplex). Our focus is on the SMART method that employs efficient multiplicative updates. We explore the exponentiated gradient method, which can be viewed as a Bregman proximal gradient method and as a Riemannian gradient descent on the parameter manifold of a corresponding distribution of the exponential family. This dual interpretation enables us to establish connections and achieve accelerated SMART iterates while smoothly incorporating constraints. The performance of the proposed acceleration schemes is demonstrated by large-scale numerical examples.

math.OC↗

arXiv2022

Learning Linearized Assignment Flows for Image Labeling

We introduce a novel algorithm for estimating optimal parameters of linearized assignment flows for image labeling. An exact formula is derived for the parameter gradient of any loss function that is constrained by the linear system of ODEs determining the linearized assignment flow. We show how to efficiently evaluate this formula using a Krylov subspace and a low-rank approximation. This enables us to perform parameter learning by Riemannian gradient descent in the parameter space, without the need to backpropagate errors or to solve an adjoint equation. Experiments demonstrate that our method performs as good as highly-tuned machine learning software using automatic differentiation. Unlike methods employing automatic differentiation, our approach yields a low-dimensional representation of internal parameters and their dynamics which helps to understand how assignment flows and more generally neural networks work and perform.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2022

Self-Certifying Classification by Linearized Deep Assignment

We propose a novel class of deep stochastic predictors for classifying metric data on graphs within the PAC-Bayes risk certification paradigm. Classifiers are realized as linearly parametrized deep assignment flows with random initial conditions. Building on the recent PAC-Bayes literature and data-dependent priors, this approach enables (i) to use risk bounds as training objectives for learning posterior distributions on the hypothesis space and (ii) to compute tight out-of-sample risk certificates of randomized classifiers more efficiently than related work. Comparison with empirical test set errors illustrates the performance and practicality of this self-certifying classification method.

stat.ML↗

arXiv2021

Multi-Channel Potts-Based Reconstruction for Multi-Spectral Computed Tomography

We consider reconstructing multi-channel images from measurements performed by photon-counting and energy-discriminating detectors in the setting of multi-spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT). Our aim is to exploit the strong structural correlation that is known to exist between the channels of multi-spectral CT images. To that end, we adopt the multi-channel Potts prior to jointly reconstruct all channels. This prior produces piecewise constant solutions with strongly correlated channels. In particular, edges are enforced to have the same spatial position across channels which is a benefit over TV-based methods. We consider the Potts prior in two frameworks: (a) in the context of a variational Potts model, and (b) in a Potts-superiorization approach that perturbs the iterates of a basic iterative least squares solver. We identify an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) approach as well as a Potts-superiorized conjugate gradient method as particularly suitable. In numerical experiments, we compare the Potts prior based approaches to existing TV-type approaches on realistically simulated multi-spectral CT data and obtain improved reconstruction for compound solid bodies.

math.NA↗

arXiv2020

Learning Adaptive Regularization for Image Labeling Using Geometric Assignment

We study the inverse problem of model parameter learning for pixelwise image labeling, using the linear assignment flow and training data with ground truth. This is accomplished by a Riemannian gradient flow on the manifold of parameters that determine the regularization properties of the assignment flow. Using the symplectic partitioned Runge--Kutta method for numerical integration, it is shown that deriving the sensitivity conditions of the parameter learning problem and its discretization commute. A convenient property of our approach is that learning is based on exact inference. Carefully designed experiments demonstrate the performance of our approach, the expressiveness of the mathematical model as well as its limitations, from the viewpoint of statistical learning and optimal control.

math.OC↗

arXiv2020

Superiorization vs. Accelerated Convex Optimization: The Superiorized/Regularized Least-Squares Case

We conduct a study and comparison of superiorization and optimization approaches for the reconstruction problem of superiorized/regularized least-squares solutions of underdetermined linear equations with nonnegativity variable bounds. Regarding superiorization, the state of the art is examined for this problem class, and a novel approach is proposed that employs proximal mappings and is structurally similar to the established forward-backward optimization approach. Regarding convex optimization, accelerated forward-backward splitting with inexact proximal maps is worked out and applied to both the natural splitting least-squares term/regularizer and to the reverse splitting regularizer/least-squares term. Our numerical findings suggest that superiorization can approach the solution of the optimization problem and leads to comparable results at significantly lower costs, after appropriate parameter tuning. On the other hand, applying accelerated forward-backward optimization to the reverse splitting slightly outperforms superiorization, which suggests that convex optimization can approach superiorization too, using a suitable problem splitting.

math.OC↗

arXiv2020

Self-Assignment Flows for Unsupervised Data Labeling on Graphs

This paper extends the recently introduced assignment flow approach for supervised image labeling to unsupervised scenarios where no labels are given. The resulting self-assignment flow takes a pairwise data affinity matrix as input data and maximizes the correlation with a low-rank matrix that is parametrized by the variables of the assignment flow, which entails an assignment of the data to themselves through the formation of latent labels (feature prototypes). A single user parameter, the neighborhood size for the geometric regularization of assignments, drives the entire process. By smooth geodesic interpolation between different normalizations of self-assignment matrices on the positive definite matrix manifold, a one-parameter family of self-assignment flows is defined. Accordingly, our approach can be characterized from different viewpoints, e.g. as performing spatially regularized, rank-constrained discrete optimal transport, or as computing spatially regularized normalized spectral cuts. Regarding combinatorial optimization, our approach successfully determines completely positive factorizations of self-assignments in large-scale scenarios, subject to spatial regularization. Various experiments including the unsupervised learning of patch dictionaries using a locally invariant distance function, illustrate the properties of the approach.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2019

Unsupervised Assignment Flow: Label Learning on Feature Manifolds by Spatially Regularized Geometric Assignment

This paper introduces the unsupervised assignment flow that couples the assignment flow for supervised image labeling with Riemannian gradient flows for label evolution on feature manifolds. The latter component of the approach encompasses extensions of state-of-the-art clustering approaches to manifold-valued data. Coupling label evolution with the spatially regularized assignment flow induces a sparsifying effect that enables to learn compact label dictionaries in an unsupervised manner. Our approach alleviates the requirement for supervised labeling to have proper labels at hand, because an initial set of labels can evolve and adapt to better values while being assigned to given data. The separation between feature and assignment manifolds enables the flexible application which is demonstrated for three scenarios with manifold-valued features. Experiments demonstrate a beneficial effect in both directions: adaptivity of labels improves image labeling, and steering label evolution by spatially regularized assignments leads to proper labels, because the assignment flow for supervised labeling is exactly used without any approximation for label learning.

cs.LG↗