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Calculations of dose distributions using a neural network model.

The main goal of external beam radiotherapy is the treatment of tumours, while sparing, as much as possible, surrounding healthy tissues. In order to master and optimize the dose distribution within the patient, dosimetric planning has to be carried out. Thus, for determining the most accurate dose distribution during treatment planning, a compromise must be found between the precision and the speed of calculation. Current techniques, using analytic methods, models and databases, are rapid but lack precision. Enhanced precision can be achieved by using calculation codes based, for example, on Monte Carlo methods. However, in spite of all efforts to optimize speed (methods and computer improvements), Monte Carlo based methods remain painfully slow. A newer way to handle all of these problems is to use a new approach in dosimetric calculation by employing neural networks. Neural networks (Wu and Zhu 2000 Phys. Med. Biol. 45 913-22) provide the advantages of those various approaches while avoiding their main inconveniences, i.e., time-consumption calculations. This permits us to obtain quick and accurate results during clinical treatment planning. Currently, results obtained for a single depth-dose calculation using a Monte Carlo based code (such as BEAM (Rogers et al 2003 NRCC Report PIRS-0509(A) rev G)) require hours of computing. By contrast, the practical use of neural networks (Mathieu et al 2003 Proceedings Journees Scientifiques Francophones, SFRP) provides almost instant results and quite low errors (less than 2%) for a two-dimensional dosimetric map.

Algorithms↗

Distributed neural networks for biomedical research.

To facilitate the application of neural networks in bio-medical sciences, we have developed a new client-server neural network concept that enhances user operation and reduces processing time. The client component allows users to enter all information required to create and control a complete neural network project. The server component provides the actual tools for neural network development. The server is able to distribute the burden of neural network processing among remote machines, if available. To date, the system has been applied successfully to problems in the of chromosome recognition and horse gait analysis domains.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Use of neural networks in medical diagnosis.

In recent years artificial neural networks have been popular both as a subject for research and as application tools in various domains. In this study, use of a neural network in the prediction of diagnostic probabilities is proposed. When the diagnostic probabilities of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were predicted both by linear regression and by a neural network in an empirical experiment, the predictions of the neural network were more accurate than those of linear regression. These results suggest that the use of a neural network should be considered whenever prediction of diagnosis is required.

Bayes Theorem↗

An artificial neural network for sound localization using binaural cues.

A three-layer neural network is used to estimate the direction of a sound source from the signals detected by two directional, spatially separate receivers. Although the implemented system does not require any specific knowledge about acoustical parameters or propagation properties, a model of the acoustical environment is used to generate simulated data for training the network. The neural network is trained according to the multiple extended Kalman algorithm (MEKA), which provides fast convergence and does not require intervention for adjustment of the learning parameters. Lower bounds on estimation are computed and compared with simulations using the neural network.

Acoustics↗

An investigation of neural networks in thyroid function diagnosis.

We investigate the potential of artificial neural networks in diagnosing thyroid diseases. The robustness of neural networks with regard to sampling variations is examined using a cross-validation method. We illustrate the link between neural networks and traditional Bayesian classifiers. Neural networks can provide good estimates of posterior probabilities and hence can have better classification performance than traditional statistical methods such as logistic regression. The neural network models are further shown to be robust to sampling variations. It is demonstrated that for medical diagnosis problems where the data are often highly unbalanced, neural networks can be a promising classification method for practical use.

Bayes Theorem↗

Designing a neural network simulator--the MENS modelling environment for network systems: I.

During recent years, the field of neural network research has increasingly attracted the interest of workers from a large number of different disciplines. Current research topics include aspects as different as detailed simulations in brain physiology, predictions of protein structure in biochemistry, database organization in computer science, or various technical applications. The common scheme behind these different approaches is the use of distributed networks of simple computational elements that communicate with each other by means of weighted links. Computer simulations of neural networks require an appropriate software environment. Due to the computational similarities of many classes of such networks, simulation software can be structured into modular components that, to a large degree, are independent of specific applications. The aim of this and the following paper is to discuss some of the design considerations concerning software for neural network simulations. The aspects presented are interesting for both the development of new simulation software and the efficient use and modification of existing programs. Therefore, the general user as well as the software designer may hopefully benefit from this material. This paper briefly introduces some of the basic principles of neural networks. After a short discussion of different approaches to software design, two simple example applications are presented in order to demonstrate a conceptual framework common to many network simulations. The transfer of these considerations to the design of simulation software is then shown by example of the MENS network simulator developed in the Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research. The paper gives a general introduction to the layout of data structures and different software components. Using the two introductory examples some aspects of network analysis are demonstrated. The following paper then considers further details of the design of a neural network simulator with respect to performance, implementation, and testing.

Animals↗

Stability analysis of higher-order neural networks for combinatorial optimization.

Recurrent neural networks with higher order connections, from here on referred to as higher-order neural networks (HONNs), may be used for the solution of combinatorial optimization problems. In Ref. 5 a mapping of the traveling salesman problem (TSP) onto a HONN of arbitrary order was developed, thereby creating a family of related networks that can be used to solve the TSP. In this paper, we explore the trade-off between network complexity and quality of solution that is made available by the HONN mapping of the TSP. The trade-off is investigated by undertaking an analysis of the stability of valid solutions to the TSP in a HONN of arbitrary order. The techniques used to perform the stability analysis are not new, but have been widely used elsewhere in the literature. The original contribution in this paper is the application of these techniques to a HONN of arbitrary order used to solve the TSP. The results of the stability analysis show that the quality of solution is improved by increasing the network complexity, as measured by the order of the network. Furthermore, it is shown that the Hopfield network, as the simplest network in the family of higher-order networks, is expected to produce the poorest quality of solution.

Algorithms↗

A neural network methodology of quadratic optimization.

According to the basic optimization principle of artificial neural networks, a novel kind of neural network model for solving the quadratic programming problem is presented. The methodology is based on the Lagrange multiplier theory in optimization and seeks to provide solutions satisfying the necessary conditions of optimality. The equilibrium point of the network satisfies the Kuhn-Tucker condition for the problem. The stability and convergency of the neural network is investigated and the strategy of the neural optimization is discussed. The feasibility of the neural network method is verified with the computation examples. Results of the simulation of the neural network to solve optimum problems are presented to illustrate the computational power of the neural network method.

Computer Simulation↗

Dynamical and complexity results for high order neural networks.

We present dynamical results concerning neural networks with high order arguments. More precisely, we study the family of block-sequential iteration of neural networks with polynomial arguments. In this context, we prove that, under a symmetric hypothesis, the sequential iteration is the only one of this family to converge to fixed points. The other iteration modes present a highly complex dynamical behavior: non-bounded cycles and simulation of arbitrary non-symmetric linear neural network. We also study a high order memory iteration scheme which accepts an energy functional and bounded cycles in the size of the memory steps.

Computer Simulation↗

Efficient Training of Recurrent Neural Network with Time Delays.

Training recurrent neural networks to perform certain tasks is known to be difficult. The possibility of adding synaptic delays to the network properties makes the training task more difficult. However, the disadvantage of tough training procedure is diminished by the improved network performance. During our research of training neural networks with time delays we encountered a robust method for accomplishing the training task. The method is based on adaptive simulated annealing algorithm (ASA) which was found to be superior to other training algorithms. It requires no tuning and is fast enough to enable training to be held on low end platforms such as personal computers. The implementation of the algorithm is presented over a set of typical benchmark tests of training recurrent neural networks with time delays. Copyright 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Journal Article↗

Nursing diagnosis by computers: an application of neural networks.

In a pilot-test application of the neural network, test case diagnoses made by the ART-2 neural network agreed with those made independently by nurses. The main conclusion is that the ART-2 neural network is promising as a decision-making aid. It can handle probabilistic and ill-defined data through a process of pattern recognition without programming rules. A disadvantage is that the ART-2 neural network requires "training" by the nurse using at least one example to define a diagnosis. In practice, however, this requirement does not affect its usefulness. Moreover, providing the ART-2 neural network with several training examples enables it to identify new patterns that are "close" to the textbook case but vary in one or more characteristics.

Decision Making, Computer-Assisted↗

Myocardial SPET: artificial neural networks describe extent and severity of perfusion defects.

Artificial neural networks are computer programs that learn from examples. They have been successfully used to detect coronary artery disease from myocardial perfusion images. The purpose of the present study was to develop neural networks that could classify myocardial scintigrams regarding reversibility, localization, severity and extent of perfusion defects. Rest/exercise technetium-99m sestamibi scintigrams from 338 patients were studied. The classifications of two experts were employed as the gold standard. Artificial neural networks were trained to classify both reversible (ischaemia) and non-reversible (infarct) defects in three vascular territories, corresponding to the main coronary arteries. The extent (small or large) and severity (mild or severe) of the defects were described by the networks. After the training process, separate test sets were used to compare the neural networks with one of the experts who reclassified the scintigrams two months later. The neural networks made correct classifications in 71% of the test cases and the human expert in 70% (P=0.10). It was concluded that artificial neural networks can be trained to make clinical interpretations of myocardial perfusion scintigrams. The results indicate that networks can assist physicians in achieving correct interpretations and thereby improve the diagnostic accuracy of medical imaging.

Adult↗

Using neural networks for processing biologic signals.

Artificial neural networks can represent and handle information by means of interconnected processing elements, in a manner similar to that of biologic neurons. Artificial neural networks are useful in processing time-patterned biologic signals, such as electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms, particularly in tasks involving pattern classification and recognition. They do not need to be programmed, since they are capable of learning. Using artificial neural networks to build associative memories and perform true parallel processing permits "intelligent" biomedical instrumentation.

Artificial Intelligence↗

Modeling drug solubility in water-cosolvent mixtures using an artificial neural network.

Application of the artificial neural network (ANN) to calculate the solubility of drugs in water-cosolvent mixtures was shown using 35 experimental data sets. The networks employed were feedforward backpropagation errors with one hidden layer. The topology of neural network was optimized and the optimum topology achieved was a 6-5-1 architecture. All data points in each set were used to train the ANN and the solubilities were back-calculated employing the trained networks. The differences between calculated solubilities and experimental values was used as an accuracy criterion and defined as mean percentage deviation (MPD). The overall MPD (OMPD) and its S.D. obtained for 35 data sets was 0.90 +/- 0.65%. To assess the prediction capability of the method, five data points in each set were used as training set and the solubility at other solvent compositions were predicted using trained ANNs whereby the OMPD (+/-S.D.) for this analysis was 9.04 +/- 3.84%. All 496 data points from 35 data sets were used to train a general ANN model, then the solubilities were back-calculated using the trained network and MPD (+/-S.D.) was 24.76 +/- 14.76%. To test the prediction capability of the general ANN model, all data points with odd set numbers from 35 data sets were employed to train the ANN model, the solubility for the even data set numbers were predicted and the OMPD (+/-S.D.) was 55.97 +/- 57.88%. To provide a general ANN model for a given cosolvent, the experimental data points from each binary solvent were used to train ANN and back-calculated solubilities were used to calculate MPD values. The OMPD (+/-S.D.) for five cosolvent systems studied was 2.02 +/- 1.05%. A similar numerical analysis was used to calculate the solubility of structurally related drugs in a given binary solvent and the OMPD (+/-S.D.) was 4.70 +/- 2.02%. ANN model also trained using solubility data from a given drug in different cosolvent mixtures and the OMPD (+/-S.D.) obtained was 3.36 +/- 1.66%. The results for different numerical analyses using ANN were compared with those obtained from the most accurate multiple linear regression model, namely the combined nearly ideal binary solvent/Redlich-Kister equation, and the ANN model showed excellent superiority to the regression model.

Algorithms↗

Artificial neural networks for molecular sequence analysis.

Artificial neural networks provide a unique computing architecture whose potential has attracted interest from researchers across different disciplines. As a technique for computational analysis, neural network technology is very well suited for the analysis of molecular sequence data. It has been applied successfully to a variety of problems, ranging from gene identification, to protein structure prediction and sequence classification. This article provides an overview of major neural network paradigms, discusses design issues, and reviews current applications in DNA/RNA and protein sequence analysis.

Algorithms↗

Neural networks in neurotologic expert systems.

Artificial intelligence donates new possibilities to neurotologic research. Neural networks are a computer-based reasoning method which can be applied in expert systems created for clinical decision support. Neural networks have been used in medical imaging, in medical signal processing and to analyze both clinical and laboratory data. Principally, neural networks simulate the function of the brain. They have to be taught to make correct decisions from the input data. This learning process can be either supervised or unsupervised. The decision making is based on mathematical transformations and it occurs on a hidden level. Calculations are made on parallel manner and the decision making simulates pattern recognition method. Neural networks suit well in medical problems which cannot be defined in simple rules. A drawback of neural networks is that the decisions are irrational and cannot be motivated to the user. Another problem is neural networks' difficulty to handle incomplete input data, i.e., how to define some default or expected values for unknown input parameters. In a complex medical area, which would require multilayered neural networks, the neural networks require a large amount of solved cases for the learning process. In our experience neural networks seem not suitable for diagnosing vertigo and a better choice would be either case-based reasoning or possibly genetic algorithms or a combination of these.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗

On classification capability of neural networks: a case study with otoneurological data.

We investigated the capability of multilayer perceptron neural networks and Kohonen neural networks to recognize difficult otoneurological diseases from each other. We found that they are efficient methods, but the distribution of a learning set should be rather uniform. Also it is important that the number of learning cases is sufficient. If the two mentioned conditions are satisfied, these neural networks are similarly efficient as some other machine learning methods. The conditions are known in the theory of neural networks [1,2], but not often taken seriously in practice. Both networks functioned as well, excluding the case with several input variables, where the Kohonen neural networks surpassed the perceptron.

Algorithms↗

The immune system as a neural network: a multi-epitope approach.

The term "neural network" has been applied to arrays of simple activation units linked by weighted connections. If the connections are modified according to a defined learning algorithm, such networks can be trained to store and retrieve patterned information. Memories are distributed throughout the network, allowing the network to recall complete patterns from incomplete input (pattern completion). The major biological application of neural network theory to date has been in the neurosciences, but the immune system may represent an alternative organ system in which to search for neural network architecture. Previous applications of parallel distributed processing to idiotype network theory have focused upon the recognition of individual epitopes. We argue here that this approach may be too restrictive, underestimating the power of neural network architecture. We propose that the network stores and retrieves large, complex patterns consisting of multiple epitopes separated in time and space. Such a network would be capable of perceiving an entire bacterium, and of storing the time course of a viral infection. While recognition of solitary epitopes occurs at the cellular level in this model, recognition of structures larger than the width of an antibody binding site takes place at the organ level, via network architecture integration of, i.e. individual epitope responses. The Oudin-Cazenave enigma, the sharing of idiotypic determinants by antibodies directed against distinct regions of the same antigen, suggests that some network level of integration of the individual clonal responses to large antigens does occur. The role of cytokines in prior neural network models of the immune system is unclear. We speculate that cytokines may influence the temperature of the network, such that changes in the cytokine milieu serve to "anneal" the network, allowing it to achieve the optimum steady-state in the shortest period of time.

Artificial Intelligence↗