Optimization of artificial neural networks used for retention modelling in ion chromatography

The aim of this work is the development of an artificial neural network model, which can be generalized and used in a variety of applications for retention modelling in ion chromatography. Influences of eluent flow-rate and concentration of eluent anion (OH-) on separation of seven inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulfate, bromide, nitrate, and phosphate) were investigated. Parallel prediction of retention times of seven inorganic anions by using one artificial neural network was applied. MATLAB Neural Networks ToolBox was not adequate for application to retention modelling in this particular case. Therefore the authors adopted it for retention modelling by programming in MATLAB metalanguage. The following routines were written; the division of experimental data set on training and test set; selection of data for training and test set; Dixon's outlier test; retraining procedure routine; calculations of relative error. A three-layer feed forward neural network trained with a Levenberg-Marquardt batch error back propagation algorithm has been used to model ion chromatographic retention mechanisms. The advantage of applied batch training methodology is the significant increase in speed of calculation of algorithms in comparison with delta rule training methodology. The technique of experimental data selection for training set was used allowing improvement of artificial neural network prediction power. Experimental design space was divided into 8-32 subspaces depending on number of experimental data points used for training set. The number of hidden layer nodes, the number of iteration steps and the number of experimental data points used for training set were optimized. This study presents the very fast (300 iteration steps) and very accurate (relative error of 0.88%) retention model, obtained by using a small amount of experimental data (16 experimental data points in training set). This indicates that the method of choice for retention modelling in ion chromatography is the artificial neural network.     

Application of artificial neural networks for gradient elution retention modelling in ion chromatography

Gradient elution in ion chromatography (IC) offers several advantages: total analysis time can be significantly reduced, overall resolution of a mixture can be increased, peak shape can be improved (less tailing) and effective sensitivity can be increased (because there is little variation in peak shape). More importantly, it provides the maximum resolution per time unit. The aim of this work was the development of a suitable artificial neural network (ANN) gradient elution retention model that can be used in a variety of applications for method development and retention modelling of inorganic anions in IC. Multilayer perceptron ANNs were used to model the retention behaviour of fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulphate, bromide, nitrate and phosphate in relation to the starting time of gradient elution and the slope of the linear gradient elution curve. The advantage of the developed model is the application of an optimized two-phase training algorithm that enables the researcher to make use of the advantages of first- and second-order training algorithms in one training procedure. This results in better predictive ability, with less time required for the calculations. The number of hidden layer neurons and experimental data points used for the training set were optimized in terms of obtaining a precise and accurate retention model with respect to minimization of unnecessary experimentation and time needed for the calculation procedures. This study shows that developed, ANNs are the method of first choice for retention modelling of inorganic anions in IC.     

Determination of Inorganic Ions in Fertilizer Industry Wastewater by Ion Chromatography

The aim of this work is development of methodology for analysis of inorganic cations (sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium and calcium) in fertilizer industry wastewater. Method development includes optimization of eluent flow rate and concentration of eluent competing ion in order to obtain optimal separation within reasonable analysis time. For that purpose artificial neural network retention model was developed and used in combination with normalized resolution product criteria function. Developed artificial neural network retention model shows good predictive ability R² ≥ 0.9983. The determined ion chromatographic parameters enable baseline separation of all components of interest. By performing validation procedure and number of statistical tests it is shown that developed ion chromatographic method has superior performance characteristic: linearity R² ≥ 0.9984, recovery = 99.81% − 99.44%, repeatability RSD ≤ 0.52%. That result proves that proposed method can be used for routine monitoring analysis in fertilizer industry.     

Application of different training methodologies for the development of a back propagation artificial neural network retention model in ion chromatography

The reliability of predicted separations in ion chromatography depends mainly on the accuracy of retention predictions. Any model able to improve this accuracy will yield predicted optimal separations closer to the reality. In this work artificial neural networks were used for retention modeling of void peak, fluoride, chlorite, chloride, chlorate, nitrate and sulfate. In order to increase performance characteristics of the developed model, different training methodologies were applied and discussed. Furthermore, the number of neurons in hidden layer, activation function and number of experimental data used for building the model were optimized in terms of decreasing the experimental effort without disruption of performance characteristics. This resulted in the superior predictive ability of developed retention model (average of relative error is 0.4533%). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion chromatographic method development for monitoring of seawater quality used in over-the-counter pharmaceutical industry

A methodology is developed for the analysis of inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, bromide, sulphate) in seawater used for over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray production. The eluent flow rate and concentration of eluent competing ions are optimised by using an artificial neural network resolution model in combination with normalised resolution product criterion function. The developed artificial neural network resolution model shows good predictive ability R2 > or = 0.9973. The determined ion chromatographic parameters enable baseline separation of all components of interest. By performing a validation procedure and a number of statistical tests, it is shown that the developed ion chromatographic method has superior performance characteristics: linearity R2 > or = 0.9993, recovery = 99.77-100.65%, repeatability RSD < or = 1.85%. This result proves that the proposed method can be used for routine quality assurance analysis in OTC pharmaceutical industry.     

Evaluation of separation in gradient elution ion chromatography by combining several retention models and objective functions

In this work, three different methods for modeling of gradient retention were combined with several optimization objective functions in order to find the most appropriate combination to be applied in ion chromatography method development. The system studied was a set of seven inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulfate, bromide, nitrate, and phosphate) with a KOH eluent. The retention modeling methods tested were multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN), radial-basis function artificial neural network (RBF-ANN), and retention model based on transfer of data from isocratic to gradient elution mode. It was shown that MLP retention model in combination with the objective function based on normalized retention difference product was the most adequate tool for optimization purposes.     

饱和醇结构-保留定量相关的人工神经网络模型

以拓扑指数为结构描述符，用基于Levenberg-Marquardt优化的BP神经网络建立了醇类化合物的结构与色谱保留值的相关性模型，用于未知醇类化合物在SE－30和OV－3两根色谱柱上保留指数的同时预测，其学习速率优于文献中普通BP神经网络法，预测准确度与普通BP神经网络法接近，但优于多元线性回归法，因而是一种较好的预测有机化合物气相色谱保留指数的方法。     

有机磷农药分子空间坐标指数与色谱保留值的QSPR研究

根据分子空间坐标数据,定义了原子距离指数Ys、分子空间距离指数yF和空间坐标特征值指数Yλ来表征有机磷农药（OPS）的分子结构特征;运用误差反向传输（BP）人工神经网络方法建立21种OPS空间坐标指数与气相色谱保留值定量结构性质分析（QSPR）模型,预测了气相色谱保留值.结果得出实验室值与预测值的相关系数R=0.950 2,所建模型稳定性和预测能力均良好.     

Application of Artificial Neural Network and Multiple Linear Regression Retention Models for Optimization of Separation in Ion Chromatography by Using Several Criteria Functions

This work focuses on problems regarding empirical retention modelling and optimization of separation in ion chromatography. Influences of eluent flow rate and concentration of eluent competing ion (OH^–) on separation of seven inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulphate, bromide, nitrate, and phosphate) were investigated. Artificial neural networks and multiple linear regression retention models in combination with several criteria functions were used and compared in global optimization process. It can be seen that general recommendations for optimization of separation in ion chromatography is application of chromatography exponential function criterion in combination with artificial neural networks retention model.     

神经网络方法在血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂定量构效关系建模中的应用

对20个ACEI化合物用量子化学方法进行结构优化并计算出10个参数,用9种不同隐含层节点数的BP神经网络研究了ACEI的定量构效关系,建立了节点为10/6/1的三层BP神经网络模型。结果表明:以量化理论计算所得参数可以构建合理的ACEI定量构效关系模型,神经网络模型M6的r2=0.995,S=0.050,6个验证集化合物的残差平方和为0.002,预测能力明显强于多元线形回归模型,亦优于同类文献报道,可作为ACEI研发领域中预测先导化合物活性的理论工具。     

弹性反传神经网络法预测烷基苯的疏水性常数

 介绍了应用人工神经网络预测烷基苯分子疏水性常数的方法。该法同传统方法相比 ,具有操作简便 ,适用范围广的特点。基于误差反传神经网络 ,建立了分子连接性指数 (χ)、范德华表面积 (Aw)和疏水性常数 (logP)之间的数学模型。应用该模型对烷基苯分子的疏水性常数进行预测 ,其平均相对偏差为 0 6 7%。并且通过与标准误差反传算法和自适应学习算法相比较 ,发现弹性反传算法具有训练速度快 ,参数选择简单的特点。     

Optimization of Artificial Neural Networks for Modeling of Atorvastatin and Its Impurities Retention in Micellar Liquid Chromatography

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) present a powerful tool for the modeling of chromatographic retention. In this paper, the main objective was to use ANNs as a tool in modeling of atorvastatin and its impurities?? retention in a micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) protocol. Factors referred to MLC were evaluated through 30 experiments defined by the Central Composite Design. In this manner, 5?Cx?C3 topology as a starting point for ANNs?? optimization was defined too. In the next step, in order to set the network with the best performance, network optimization was done. In the first part, the number of nodes in the hidden layer and the number of experimental data points in training set were simultaneously varied, and their importance was estimated with suitable statistical parameters. Furthermore, a series of training algorithms was applied to the current network. The Back Propagation, Conjugate Gradient-descent, Quick Propagation, Quasi-Newton, and Delta-bar-Delta algorithms were used to obtain the optimal network. Finally, the predictive ability of the optimized neural network was confirmed through several statistical tests. The obtained network showed high ability to predict chromatographic retention of atorvastatin and its impurities in MLC.