Application of neural networks to the ranking of perinatal variables influencing birthweight.

In this paper we compare Multi-Layer Perceptrons (a neural network type) with Multivariate Linear Regression in predicting birthweight from nine perinatal variables which are thought to be related. Results show, that seven of the nine variables, i.e., gestational age, mother's body-mass index (BMI), sex of the baby, mother's height, smoking, parity and gravidity, are related to birthweight. We found no significant relationship between birthweight and each of the two variables, i.e., maternal age and social class.

Continuous speech recognition for the TIMIT database using neural networks

Four types of neural networks which have previously been established for speech recognition and tested on a small, seven-speaker, 100-sentence database are applied to the TIMIT database. The networks are a recurrent network phoneme recognizer, a modified Kanerva model morph recognizer, a compositional representation phoneme-to-word recognizer, and a modified Kanerva model morph-to-word recognizer. The major result is for the recurrent net, giving a phoneme recognition accuracy of 57% from the si and sx sentences. The Kanerva morph recognizer achieves 66.2% accuracy for a small subset of the sa and sx sentences. The results for the word recognizers are incomplete.

Probabilistic fault identification using vibration data and neural networks

Bayesian formulated neural networks are implemented using hybrid Monte Carlo method for probabilistic fault identification in cylindrical shells. Each of the 20 nominally identical cylindrical shells is divided into three substructures. Holes of (12±2) mm in diameter are introduced in each of the substructures and vibration data are measured. Modal properties and the Coordinate Modal Assurance Criterion (COMAC) are utilized to train the two modal-property-neural-networks. These COMAC are calculated by taking the natural-frequency-vector to be an additional mode. Modal energies are calculated by determining the integrals of the real and imaginary components of the frequency response functions over bandwidths of 12% of the natural frequencies. The modal energies and the Coordinate Modal Energy Assurance Criterion (COMEAC) are used to train the two frequency-response-function-neural-networks. The averages of the two sets of trained-networks (COMAC and COMEAC as well as modal properties and modal energies) form two committees of networks. The COMEAC and the COMAC are found to be better identification data than using modal properties and modal energies directly. The committee approach is observed to give lower standard deviations than the individual methods. The main advantage of the Bayesian formulation is that it gives identities of damage and their respective confidence intervals.

Dynamic learning with the EM algorithm for neural networks

In this paper, we derive an EM algorithm for nonlinear state space models. We use it to estimate jointly the neural network weights, the model uncertainty and the noise in the data. In the E-step we apply a forwardbackward Rauch-Tung-Striebel smoother to compute the network weights. For the M-step, we derive expressions to compute the model uncertainty and the measurement noise. We find that the method is intrinsically very powerful, simple and stable.

Introduction to the development of an information management system for soil mix technology using artificial neural networks

This paper introduces current work in collating data from different projects using soil mix technology and establishing trends using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Variation in unconfined compressive strength as a function of selected soil mix variables (e.g., initial soil water content and binder dosage) is observed through the data compiled from completed and on-going soil mixing projects around the world. The potential and feasibility of ANNs in developing predictive models, which take into account a large number of variables, is discussed. The main objective of the work is the management and effective utilization of salient variables and the development of predictive models useful for soil mix technology design. Based on the observed success in the predictions made, this paper suggests that neural network analysis for the prediction of properties of soil mix systems is feasible. © ASCE 2011.

Preliminary model development for predicting strength and stiffness of cement-stabilized soils using artificial neural networks

This paper presents ongoing work on data collection and collation from a large number of laboratory cement-stabilization projects worldwide. The aim is to employ Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to establish relationships between variables, which define the properties of cement-stabilized soils, and the two parameters determined by the Unconfined Compression Test, the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), and stiffness, using E50 calculated from UCS results. Bayesian predictive neural network models are developed to predict the UCS values of cement-stabilized inorganic clays/silts, as well as sands as a function of selected soil mix variables, such as grain size distribution, water content, cement content and curing time. A model which can predict the stiffness values of cement-stabilized clays/silts is also developed and compared to the UCS model. The UCS model results emulate known trends better and provide more accurate estimates than the results from the E50 stiffness model. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.