High dimensional categorical data are routinely collected in biomedical and social sciences. It is of great importance to build interpretable parsimonious models that perform dimension reduction and uncover meaningful latent structures from such discrete data. Identifiability is a fundamental requirement for valid modeling and inference in such scenarios, yet is challenging to address when there are complex latent structures. In this article, we propose a class of identifiable multilayer (potentially deep) discrete latent structure models for discrete data, termed Bayesian pyramids. We establish the identifiability of Bayesian pyramids by developing novel transparent conditions on the pyramid-shaped deep latent directed graph. The proposed identifiability conditions can ensure Bayesian posterior consistency under suitable priors. As an illustration, we consider the two-latent-layer model and propose a Bayesian shrinkage estimation approach. Simulation results for this model corroborate the identifiability and estimability of model parameters. Applications of the methodology to DNA nucleotide sequence data uncover useful discrete latent features that are highly predictive of sequence types. The proposed framework provides a recipe for interpretable unsupervised learning of discrete data, and can be a useful alternative to popular machine learning methods.

25 Mar 2022
10:00am - 11:00am
Where
https://hkust.zoom.us/j/6827297694 (Passcode: 7436)
Speakers/Performers
Prof. Yuqi GU
Columbia University
Organizer(S)
Department of Mathematics
Contact/Enquiries
Payment Details
Audience
Alumni, Faculty and staff, PG students, UG students
Language(s)
English
Other Events
6 Nov 2026
Seminar, Lecture, Talk
IAS/ School of Science Joint Lecture - Drag on a Penetrable Disk in a Superfluid
Abstract The motion of a body through a superfluid can generate phenomena distinct from a normal viscous fluid. This includes the absence of drag below a critical body speed with the shedding o...
16 Jun 2026
Seminar, Lecture, Talk
IAS / School of Science Joint Lecture - Shaping Tumor Cell Plasticity and Therapy Resistance in Glioblastoma
Abstract Tumor heterogeneity fueled by plasticity and genetic diversification of cancer cells is key to therapy failure of malignant glioma. The speaker's team implemented spatial and genetic p...