Preparation of ZrB_2-SiC Powders via Carbothermal Reduction of Zircon and Prediction of Product Composition by Back-Propagation Artificial Neural Network

Phase pure ZrB2-SiC composite powders were prepared after 1 450℃/3 h via carbothermal reduction route,by using ZrSiO4,B2O3 and carbon as the raw materials.The influences of firing temperature as well as the type and amount of additive on the phase composition of final products were detailedly investigated.The results indicated that the onset formation temperature of ZrB2-SiC was reduced to 1 400℃by the present conditions,and oxide additive（including CoSO4·7H2O,Y2O3 and TiO2）was effective in enhancing the decomposition of raw ZrSiO4,therefore accelerating the synthesis of ZrB2-SiC.Moreover,microstructural observation showed that the as-prepared ZrB2 and SiC respectively had well-defined hexagonal columnar and fibrous morphology.Furthermore,the methodology of back-propagation artificial neural networks（BP-ANNs）was adopted to establish a model for predicting the reaction extent（e g,the content of ZrB2-SiC in final product）in terms of various processing conditions.The results predicted by the as-established BP-ANNs model matched well with that of testing experiment（with a mean square error in 10^（-3） degree）,verifying good effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Artificial neural network modeling of water quality of the Yangtze River system:a case study in reaches crossing the city of Chongqing

An effective approach for describing complicated water quality processes is very important for river water quality management. We built two artificial neural network(ANN) models,a feed-forward back-propagation(BP) model and a radial basis function(RBF) model,to simulate the water quality of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in reaches crossing the city of Chongqing,P. R. China. Our models used the historical monitoring data of biological oxygen demand,dissolved oxygen,ammonia,oil and volatile phenolic compounds. Comparison with the one-dimensional traditional water quality model suggest that both BP and RBF models are superior; their higher accuracy and better goodness-of-fit indicate that the ANN calculation of water quality agrees better with measurement. It is demonstrated that ANN modeling can be a tool for estimating the water quality of the Yangtze River. Of the two ANN models,the RBF model calculates with a smaller mean error,but a larger root mean square error. More effort to identify out the causes of these differences would help optimize the structures of neural network water-quality models.

Retrieval of Water Vapor Profiles with Radio Occultation Measurements Using an Artificial Neural Network

A new method applying an artificial neural network （ANN） to retrieve water vapor profiles in the troposphere is presented. In this paper, a fully-connected, three-layer network based on the backpropagation algorithm is constructed. Month, latitude, altitude and bending angle are chosen as the input vectors and water vapor pressure as the output vector. There are 130 groups of occultation measurements from June to November 2002 in the dataset. Seventy pairs of bending angles and water vapor pressure profiles are used to train the ANN, and the sixty remaining pairs of profiles are applied to the validation of the retrieval. By comparing the retrieved profiles with the corresponding ones from the Information System and Data Center of the Challenging Mini-Satellite Payload for Geoscientific Research and Application （CHAMP-ISDC）, it can be concluded that the ANN is relatively convenient and accurate. Its results can be provided as the first guess for the iterative methods or the non-linear optimal estimation inverse method.

Applying Artificial Neural Networks to Modeling the Middle Atmosphere

An artificial neural network （ANN） is used to model the middle atmosphere using a large number of TIMED/SABER limb sounding temperature profiles. A three-layer feed-forward network is chosen based on the back-propagation （BP） algorithm. Latitude, longitude, and height are chosen as the input vectors of the network while temperature is the output vector. The temperature observations during the period from 13 January through 16 March 2007, which are in the same satellite yaw, are taken as samples to train an ANN. Results suggest that the network has high quality for modeling spatial variations of temperature. Quantitative comparisons between the ANN outputs and those from the popular empirical NRLMSISE-00 model illustrate their generally consistent features and some specific differences. The NRLMSISE-00 model＇s zonal mean temperatures are too high by ～6 K-10 K near the stratopause, and the amplitude and phase of the planetary wave number 1 activity are different in some respects from the ANN simulations above 45-50 km, suggesting improvement is needed in the NRLMSISE-00 model for more accurate simulation near and above the stratopause.

Application of artificial neural network to calculation of solitary wave run-up

The prediction of solitary wave run-up has important practical significance in coastal and ocean engineering, but the calculation precision is limited in the existing models. For improving the calculation precision, a solitary wave run-up calculation model was established based on artificial neural networks in this study. A back-propagation （BP） network with one hidden layer was adopted and modified with the additional momentum method and the auto-adjusting learning factor. The model was applied to calculation of solitary wave run-up. The correlation coefficients between the neural network model results and the experimental values was 0.996 5. By comparison with the correlation coefficient of 0.963 5, between the Synolakis formula calculation results and the experimental values, it is concluded that the neural network model is an effective method for calculation and analysis of solitary wave ran-up.

Activated sludge process based on artificial neural network

Considering the difficulty of creating water quality model for activated sludge system, a typical BP artificial neural network model has been established to simulate the operation of a waste water treatment facilities. The comparison of prediction results with the on-spot measurements shows the model, the model is accurate and this model can also be used to realize intelligentized on-line control of the wastewater processing process.

Damage assessment of aircraft wing subjected to blast wave with finite element method and artificial neural network tool

Damage assessment of the wing under blast wave is essential to the vulnerability reduction design of aircraft. This paper introduces a critical relative distance prediction method of aircraft wing damage based on the back-propagation artificial neural network(BP-ANN), which is trained by finite element simulation results. Moreover, the finite element method(FEM) for wing blast damage simulation has been validated by ground explosion tests and further used for damage mode determination and damage characteristics analysis. The analysis results indicate that the wing is more likely to be damaged when the root is struck from vertical directions than others for a small charge. With the increase of TNT equivalent charge, the main damage mode of the wing gradually changes from the local skin tearing to overall structural deformation and the overpressure threshold of wing damage decreases rapidly. Compared to the FEM-based damage assessment, the BP-ANN-based method can predict the wing damage under a random blast wave with an average relative error of 4.78%. The proposed method and conclusions can be used as a reference for damage assessment under blast wave and low-vulnerability design of aircraft structures.

Experiments and shape prediction of plasma deposit layer using artificial neural network

Plasma surfacing is an important enabling technology in high-performance coating applications. Recently, it is applied to rapid prototyping/tooling to reduce development time and manufacturing cost for the development of new products. However, this technology is in its infancy, it is essential to understand clearly how process variables relate to deposit microstructure and properties for plasma deposition manufacturing process control. In this paper, layer appearance of single surfacing under different parametem such as plasma current, voltage, powder feedrate and travel speed is studied. Back-propagation neural networks are used to associate the depositing process variables with the features of the deposit layer shape. These networks can be effectively implemented to estimate the layer shape. The results Indicate that neural networks can yield fairly accurate results and can be used as a practical tool in plasma deposition manufacturing process.

Prediction of Leachate Generation in a Landfill Using Artificial Neural Networks

One of the problems encountered in the operation of a leachate treatment in a landfill is the quantity of the fluctuating leachate. Therefore, information on the precise prediction about the quantity of leachate produced in a landfill is required. This information can be obtained by using an ANN （artificial neural networks） model. In this study, a prediction on a leachate generation for a period of 15 days was made. The input for the ANN model consists of data such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, duration of solar radiation, and the landfill characteristics, while the output is the leachate landfills production in Minamiashigara, Japan. The ANN algorithm uses a BP （back propagation） with LM （Levenberg-Marquadrt） training type. By using the input-output data pairs, the training of ANN model was conducted in order to obtain the values of the weights that describe the relationship between the input-output data. Furthermore, with the trained ANN model, the prediction of leachate generation for a period of 15 days was made. The study result shows that the prediction accuracy ofleachate generation of ANN-C model, with a correlation coefficient （r） of 0.924, is quite good. Thus, the prediction of leachate generation using artificial neural network model can be recommended for predicting leachate generation in the future. In this study, a prediction on a leachate generation for a period of 15 days was made. The quantity of leachate generation in a landfill can be obtained by using ANN for future periods. By entering data for future periods （t ＋1） in ANN models, the leachate generation for the period （t ＋1） can be predicted.

Fingerprint Identification by Artificial Neural Network

Biometric techniques require critical operations of digital processing for identification of individuals. In this context, this paper aims to develop a system for automatic processing of fingerprint identification by their minutiae using Artificial Neural Networks （ANN）, which reveals to be highly effective. The ANN method implemented is a based on Multi-Layer Perceptron （MLP） model, which utilizes the algorithm of retro-propagation of gradient during the learning process. In such a process, the mean square error generated represents the specific parameter for the identification phase by comparing a fingerprint taken from a crime scene with those of a reference database.

Developing energy forecasting model using hybrid artificial intelligence method

An important problem in demand planning for energy consumption is developing an accurate energy forecasting model. In fact, it is not possible to allocate the energy resources in an optimal manner without having accurate demand value. A new energy forecasting model was proposed based on the back-propagation(BP) type neural network and imperialist competitive algorithm. The proposed method offers the advantage of local search ability of BP technique and global search ability of imperialist competitive algorithm. Two types of empirical data regarding the energy demand(gross domestic product(GDP), population, import, export and energy demand) in Turkey from 1979 to 2005 and electricity demand(population, GDP, total revenue from exporting industrial products and electricity consumption) in Thailand from 1986 to 2010 were investigated to demonstrate the applicability and merits of the present method. The performance of the proposed model is found to be better than that of conventional back-propagation neural network with low mean absolute error.

Modeling effects of alloying elements and heat treatment parameters on mechanical properties of hot die steel with back-propagation artificial neural network

Materials data deep-excavation is very important in materials genome exploration.In order to carry out materials data deep-excavation in hot die steels and obtain the relationships among alloying elements,heat treatment parameters and materials properties,a 11×12×12×4 back-propagation（BP）artificial neural network（ANN）was set up.Alloying element contents,quenching and tempering temperatures were selected as input;hardness,tensile and yield strength were set as output parameters.The ANN shows a high fitting precision.The effects of alloying elements and heat treatment parameters on the properties of hot die steel were studied using this model.The results indicate that high temperature hardness increases with increasing alloying element content of C,Si,Mo,W,Ni,V and Cr to a maximum value and decreases with further increase in alloying element content.The ANN also predicts that the high temperature hardness will decrease with increasing quenching temperature,and possess an optimal value with increasing tempering temperature.This model provides a new tool for novel hot die steel design.

Back-Propagation Artificial Neural Networks for Water Supply Pipeline Model

Water supply pipelines are the lifelines of a city. When pipelines burst, the burst site is difficult to locate by traditional methods such as manual tools or only by watching. In this paper, the burst site was identified using back-propagation (BP) artificial neural networks (ANN). The study is based on an indoor urban water supply model experiment. The key to appling BP ANN is to optimize the ANN's topological structure and learning parameters. This paper presents the optimizing method for a 3-layer BP neural network's topological structure and its learning parameters-learning ratio and the momentum factor. The indoor water supply pipeline model experimental results show that BP ANNs can be used to locate the burst point in urban water supply systems. The topological structure and learning parameters were optimized using the experimental results.

Improved BP Neural Network for Transformer Fault Diagnosis

The back propagation (BP)-based artificial neural nets (ANN) can identify complicated relationships among dissolved gas contents in transformer oil and corresponding fault types, using the highly nonlinear mapping nature of the neural nets. An efficient BP-ALM (BP with Adaptive Learning Rate and Momentum coefficient) algorithm is proposed to reduce the training time and avoid being trapped into local minima, where the learning rate and the momentum coefficient are altered at iterations. We developed a system of transformer fault diagnosis based on Dissolved Gases Analysis (DGA) with a BP-ALM algorithm. Training patterns were selected from the results of a Refined Three-Ratio method (RTR). Test results show that the system has a better ability of quick learning and global convergence than other methods and a superior performance in fault diagnosis compared to convectional BP-based neural networks and RTR.

A Review of an Expert System Design for Crude Oil Distillation Column Using the Neural Networks Model and Process Optimization and Control Using Genetic Algorithm Framework

This paper presents a comprehensive review of various traditional systems of crude oil distillation column design, modeling, simulation, optimization and control methods. Artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic (FL) and genetic algorithm (GA) framework were chosen as the best methodologies for design, optimization and control of crude oil distillation column. It was discovered that many past researchers used rigorous simulations which led to convergence problems that were time consuming. The use of dynamic mathematical models was also challenging as these models were also time dependent. The proposed methodologies use back-propagation algorithm to replace the convergence problem using error minimal method.

Research on axial bearing capacity of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular columns based on artificial neural networks

Design of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular （CFT） columns has been a big concern owing to their complex constraint mechanism. Generally, most existing methods are based on simplified mechanical model with limited experimental data, which is not reliable under many conditions, e.g., columns using high strength materials. Artificial neural network （ANN） models have shown the effectiveness to solve complex problems in many areas of civil engineering in recent years. In this paper, ANN models were employed to predict the axial bearing capacity of rectangular CFT columns based on the experimental data. 305 experimental data from articles were collected, and 275 experimental samples were chosen to train the ANN models while 30 experimental samples were used for testing. Based on the comparison among different models, artificial neural network modell （ANN1） and artificial neural network model2 （ANN2） with a 20- neuron hidden layer were chosen as the fit prediction models. ANN1 has five inputs： the length （D） and width （B） of cross section, the thickness of steel （t）, the yield strength of steel （fy）, the cylinder strength of concrete （fc＇）- ANN2 has ten inputs： D, B, t, fy, f′, the length to width ratio （D/B）, the length to thickness ratio （D/t）, the width to thickness ratio （B/t）, restraint coefficient （ξ）, the steel ratio （α）. The axial beating capacity is the output data for both models.The outputs from ANN1 and ANN2 were verified and compared with those from EC4, ACI, GJB4142 and AISC360-10. The results show that the implemented models have good prediction and generalization capacity. Parametric study was conducted using ANN1 and ANN2 which indicates that effect law of basic parameters of columns on the axial bearing capacity of rectangular CFT columns differs from design codes.The results also provide convincing design reference to rectangular CFT columns.

Groundwater Level Predictions Using Artificial Neural Networks

The prediction of groundwater level is important for the use and management of groundwater resources. In this paper, the artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to predict groundwater level in the Dawu Aquifer of Zibo in Eastern China. The first step was an auto-correlation analysis of the groundwater level which showed that the monthly groundwater level was time dependent. An auto-regression type ANN (ARANN) model and a regression-auto-regression type ANN (RARANN) model using back-propagation algorithm were then used to predict the groundwater level. Monthly data from June 1988 to May 1998 was used for the network training and testing. The results show that the RARANN model is more reliable than the ARANN model, especially in the testing period, which indicates that the RARANN model can describe the relationship between the groundwater fluctuation and main factors that currently influence the groundwater level. The results suggest that the model is suitable for predicting groundwater level fluctuations in this area for similar conditions in the future.

Application of BPANN in spinning deformation of thin-walled tubular parts with longitudinal inner ribs

Back-propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) is used in ball backward spinning in order to form thin-walled tubular parts with longitudinal inner ribs. By selecting the process parameters which have a great influence on the height of inner ribs as well as fish scale on the surface of the spun part, a BPANN of 3-8-1 structure is established for predicting the height of inner rib and recognizing the fish scale defect. Experiments data have proved that the average relative error between the measured value and the predicted value of the height of inner rib is not more than 5%. It is evident that BPANN can not only predict the height of inner ribs of the spun part accurately, but recognize and prevent the occurrence of the quality defect of fish scale successfully, and combining BPANN with the ball backward spinning is essential to obtain the desired spun part.

Comparison of flow behaviors of near beta Ti-55511 alloy during hot compression based on SCA and BPANN models

The flow behavior of Ti-55511 alloy was studied by hot compression tests at temperatures of 973−1123 K and strain rates of 0.01−10 s^(−1).Strain-compensated Arrhenius(SCA)and back-propagation artificial neural network(BPANN)methods were selected to model the constitutive relationship,and the models were further evaluated by statistical analysis and cross-validation.The stress−strain data extended by two models were implanted into finite element to simulate hot compression test.The results indicate that the flow stress is sensitive to deformation temperature and strain rate,and increases with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature.Both the SCA model fitted by quintic polynomial and the BPANN model with 12 neurons can describe the flow behaviors,but the fitting accuracy of BPANN is higher than that of SCA.Sixteen cross-validation tests also confirm that the BPANN model has high prediction accuracy.Both models are effective and feasible in simulation,but BPANN model is superior in accuracy.

Impact of meteorological factors on the incidence of influenza in Beijing: A 35-year retrospective study based on Yunqi theory

Objective:To analyze the impact of meteorological factors on the incidence of influenza based on the Yunqi theory in Beijing area,and to establish an effective forecast modelMethods:Monthly data on the incidence of influenza from 1970 to 2004 and daily data on the meteorological factors (including daily averages of temperature,wind speed,relative humidity,vapor pressure,and daily total precipitation) from 1966 to 2004 were collected and processed under the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of six qi.A back-propagation artificial neural network was then performed to analyze the data.Results:The highest incidence of influenza occurs in the sixth qi (the period of December and January),which is characterized by dryness and coldness.Altogether six models were successfully established.Climatic data used were of the same year,one year prior,two years prior,and three years prior to the influenza data respectively.The last two models involve climatic data of the previous three years plus the current year and of the past four years plus the current year.Finally,we determined the fifth model has the highest forecast accuracy (49%).Conclusions:Meteorological factors can exert an influence on the incidence of influenza,which corresponds to TCM theory that 'the pestilence occurred three years after the abnormal climatic changes'.This study may generate interest among the public health community and other TCM theories can be applied so that public health measures can be taken to prevent and control influenza,particularly during the winter months.