Selective combination in multiple neural networks prediction using independent component regression approach

Biological processes are highly nonlinear in nature and difficult to represent accurately by simple mathematical models. However, this problem can be solved by using neural network. Neural network is a prominent modeling tool especially when it comes to intricate process such as biological process. In this paper, a multiple single hidden layer with ten hidden neurons Feedforward Artificial Neural Network (FANN) was used to model the complex and dynamic relationships between the input (dilution rate, D) and outputs (conversion, y and dimensionless temperature value, ?) for the reactive biological process. Levenberg-Marquardt Backpropagation training method was used. The multiple neural networks predicted outputs were then combined through three different methods which area simple averaging, Principal Component Regression (PCR) and Independent Component Regression (ICR). Multiple neural networks which were created by the bootstrap approach help improved single neural network performance as well as the model robustness for nonlinear process modeling. Comparison was made between the three methods. The result showed that ICR is slightly superior between the three methods especially in noise level 1,2 and 3, however ICR slightly suffer in noise level 4 and 5. This is due to the independent component regression used the latent factors and non-Gaussian distribution of y and ? values for the combination. Chemical Engineering Research Bulletin 19(2017) 12-19