Adaptive graph-based algorithms for conditional anomaly detection and semi-supervised learning

TL;DR

This paper introduces efficient graph-based algorithms for semi-supervised learning and conditional anomaly detection, emphasizing online computation, stability, and application to clinical data.

Contribution

It proposes a fast approximate online algorithm for label propagation, regularization techniques for stability, and novel methods for detecting clinical anomalies using graph connectivity.

Findings

The online algorithm achieves good accuracy with reduced computation.

Regularization improves the stability of harmonic solutions.

Graph-based anomaly detection effectively identifies unusual clinical actions.

Abstract

We develop graph-based methods for semi-supervised learning based on label propagation on a data similarity graph. When data is abundant or arrive in a stream, the problems of computation and data storage arise for any graph-based method. We propose a fast approximate online algorithm that solves for the harmonic solution on an approximate graph. We show, both empirically and theoretically, that good behavior can be achieved by collapsing nearby points into a set of local representative points that minimize distortion. Moreover, we regularize the harmonic solution to achieve better stability properties. We also present graph-based methods for detecting conditional anomalies and apply them to the identification of unusual clinical actions in hospitals. Our hypothesis is that patient-management actions that are unusual with respect to the past patients may be due to errors and that it is worthwhile to raise an alert if such a condition is encountered. Conditional anomaly detection extends standard unconditional anomaly framework but also faces new problems known as fringe and isolated points. We devise novel nonparametric graph-based methods to tackle these problems. Our methods rely on graph connectivity analysis and soft harmonic solution. Finally, we conduct an extensive human evaluation study of our conditional anomaly methods by 15 experts in critical care.