Non-destructive determination of metronidazole powder by using artificial neural networks on short-wavelength NIR spectroscopy

The present study aimed at providing a new method in sight into short-wavelength near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of in pharmaceutical quantitative analysis. To do that, 124 experimental samples of metronidazole powder were analyzed using artificial neural networks (ANNs) in the 780-1100 nm region of short-wavelength NIR spectra. In this paper, metronidazole was as active component and other two components (magnesium stearate and starch) were as excipients. Different preprocessing spectral data (first-derivative, second-derivative, standard normal variate (SNV) and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC)) were applied to establish the ANNs models of metronidazole powder. The degree of approximation, a new evaluation criterion of the networks was employed to prove the accuracy of the predicted results. The results presented here demonstrate that the short-wavelength NIR region is promising for the fast and reliable determination of major component in pharmaceutical analysis.     

Quantification of flupirtine maleate polymorphs using X-ray powder diffraction

Flupirtine maleate,a pharmaceutical compound for treating psychotic disease in clinics,has seven polymorphs.Form A,with better crystal stability and bioavailability,has been widely used as the pharmaceutical crystal form.Unfortunately,it is usually found in a polymorphic mixture with form B.In this study,pure crystal forms of A and B were prepared and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal analysis.An XRPD-based method for the quantitative determination of the amount of the flupirtine maleate polymorphs form A and form B was also established through a systematic optimization of instrumental parameters.The results of the analytical methodology validation showed that the XPRD method had a broad quantitative range of 0-100%(w/w),good linear relationship,with R²=0.999,excellent repeatability and precision and low limits of detection (LoD) of 0.15%(w/w) and quantification (LoQ) of 0.5%(w/w).The results also showed that the single-peak method was not as good as the whole pattern in reducing the influence of the preferred orientation,but this can be compensated for by a systematic optimization of instrumental parameters and validating the analytical methodology to reduce errors and obtain a good,repeatable,sensitive,and accurate method.This XRPD method can be used to analyze mixtures of flupirtine maleate polymorphs (forms A and B) quantitatively and control the quality of the bulk drug.     

人工神经网络阻抑动力学光度法同时测定邻苯二酚和间苯二胺

在硫酸性介质中,Fe(Ⅲ)能够催化H2O2氧化中性红褪色反应,邻苯二酚和间苯二胺都能阻抑该催化氧化褪色反应的速度,研究发现：两者对Fe(Ⅲ)催化H2O2氧化中性红褪色反应阻抑作用不具有加和性,根据这一现象,用人工神经网络处理非线性体系的优势进行数据处理,从而建立了一种新的测定邻苯二酚和间苯二胺混合物的人工神经网络阻抑动力学光度法。对5组混合样品进行测定,回收率均在95%-105%之间。     

Prediction of the antimicrobial activity of quaternary ammonium salts against Staphylococcus aureus using artificial neural networks

The study of the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) on antibacterial activity in a series of new imidazole derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus was conducted using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Antibacterial activity against S. aureus was associated with a number of physicochemical and structural parameters of the examined imidazole derivatives. The designed regression and classification models were useful in determining the antibacterial properties of quaternary ammonium salts against S. aureus. The developed models of artificial neural networks were characterized by high predictability (93.57% accuracy of classification, regression model: training data R = 0.92, test data R = 0.92, validation data R = 0.91). ANNs are considered to be a useful tool in supporting the design of synthesis and further biological experiments in the logical search for new antimicrobial substances. Data analysis using ANNs enables the optimization and reduction of labor costs by narrowing the compound synthesis to achieve the desired properties.     

Multi-criteria decision making development of ion chromatographic method for determination of inorganic anions in oilfield waters based on artificial neural networks retention model

This paper describes the development of ad hoc methodology for determination of inorganic anions in oilfield water, since their composition often significantly differs from the average (concentration of components and/or matrix). Therefore, fast and reliable method development has to be performed in order to ensure the monitoring of desired properties under new conditions. The method development was based on computer assisted multi-criteria decision making strategy. The used criteria were: maximal value of objective functions used, maximal robustness of the separation method, minimal analysis time, and maximal retention distance between two nearest components. Artificial neural networks were used for modeling of anion retention. The reliability of developed method was extensively tested by the validation of performance characteristics. Based on validation results, the developed method shows satisfactory performance characteristics, proving the successful application of computer assisted methodology in the described case study.     

Comparative study of artificial neural network and multivariate methods to classify Spanish DO rose wines

Classical multivariate analysis techniques such as factor analysis and stepwise linear discriminant analysis and artificial neural networks method (ANN) have been applied to the classification of Spanish denomination of origin (DO) rose wines according to their geographical origin. Seventy commercial rose wines from four different Spanish DO (Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Valdepeñas and La Mancha) and two successive vintages were studied. Nineteen different variables were measured in these wines. The stepwise linear discriminant analyses (SLDA) model selected 10 variables obtaining a global percentage of correct classification of 98.8% and of global prediction of 97.3%. The ANN model selected seven variables, five of which were also selected by the SLDA model, and it gave a 100% of correct classification for training and prediction. So, both models can be considered satisfactory and acceptable, being the selected variables useful to classify and differentiate these wines by their origin. Furthermore, the casual index analysis gave information that can be easily explained from an enological point of view.     

Orthogonal projection to latent structures combined with artificial neural network for quantitative analysis of phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium powder

A method for quantitative analysis of phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium powder on the basis of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is investigated by using orthogonal projection to latent structures (O-PLS) combined with artificial neural network (ANN). Being a preprocessing method, O-PLS can remove systematic orthogonal variation from a given data set X without disturbing the correlation between X and the response set y. In this paper, O-PLS method was applied to preprocess the original spectral data of phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium powder, and the filtered data was used to establish the ANN model. In this model, the concentration of phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium as the active component was determined. The degree of approximation was employed as the selective criterion of the optimum network parameters. In order to compare with O-PLS-ANN model, the calibration models that use the original spectra and different preprocessing methods (first-derivative, second-derivative, standard normal variate (SNV) and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC)) of the spectra were also designed. Experimental results show that O-PLS-ANN model is the best.     

人工神经网络阻抑动力学光度法同时测定对苯二胺和间苯二胺

在硫酸性介质中,Fe(Ⅲ)能够催化H2O2氧化甲基红褪色反应,对苯二胺和间苯二胺都能阻抑该催化氧化褪色反应的速度,两者对Fe(Ⅲ)催化H2O2氧化甲基红褪色反应阻抑作用不具有加和性,根据这一现象,用人工神经网络处理非线性体系的优势进行数据处理,从而建立了一种新的测定对苯二胺和间苯二胺混合物的人工神经网络阻抑动力学光度法。对6组混合样品进行测定,回收率均在95%～105%之间。该方法运用于实验室水样的分析。     

人工神经网络法同时测定苯二酚异构体

研究了人工神经网络法与紫外分光光度分析相结合，用于邻苯二酚、间苯二酚、对苯二酚异构体的含量测定。本研究采用人工神经网络法，直接对苯二酚异构体混合液的紫外吸收光谱数据进行预测，不需预先分离，即可得到各异构体的浓度。     

Esters flash point prediction using artificial neural networks

In this article, an artificial neural network to predict the flash point of 95 esters was implemented. Four variables were used for its development. A neural network with 4‐5‐8‐5‐1 topology was encountered to gain the best agreement of the experimental results with those predicted (square correlation coefficient (R²) and root mean square error were 0.99 and 5.46 K for the training phase and 0.96 and 13.02 K for the testing set). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Traceability of honey origin based on volatiles pattern processing by artificial neural networks

Head-space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-based procedure, coupled to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–TOF-MS), was employed for fast characterisation of honey volatiles. In total, 374 samples were collected over two production seasons in Corsica (n = 219) and other European countries (n = 155) with the emphasis to confirm the authenticity of the honeys labelled as “Corsica” (protected denomination of origin region). For the chemometric analysis, artificial neural networks with multilayer perceptrons (ANN-MLP) were tested. The best prediction (94.5%) and classification (96.5%) abilities of the ANN-MLP model were obtained when the data from two honey harvests were aggregated in order to improve the model performance compared to separate year harvests.     

Optimization of a high-performance liquid chromatography system by artificial neural networks for separation and determination of antioxidants

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system was used to determine the antioxidants tert-butyl-hydroquinone (TBHQ), tert-butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), and 3,5-di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) simultaneously in oils. The paper presents a new methodology for the optimized separation of antioxidants in oils based on the coupling of experimental design and artificial neural networks. The orthogonal design and the artificial neural networks with extended delta-bar-delta (EDBD) learning algorithm were employed to design the experiments and optimize the variables. The response function (Rf) used was a weighted linear combination of two variables related to separation efficiency and retention time, according to which the optimized conditions were obtained. The above-mentioned antioxidants in rapeseed oils were separated and determined simultaneously under optimized conditions by HPLC with UV detection at 280 nm. Linearity was obtained over the range of 10-200 microg/mL with recoveries of 98.3% (TBHQ), 98.1% (BHT), and 96.2% (BHA).     

人工神经网络预测煤炭成浆浓度的研究

考虑煤炭的多种理化特性建立了成浆浓度的神经网络预测模型,对其数据预处理方法、学习率和中间层节点数等进行了深入讨论。水分、挥发分、分析基碳、灰分和氧等五个因子对于煤炭成浆性的预测起到主导作用。五因子、七因子和八因子神经网络模型对煤炭成浆浓度的预测误差分别为：0.53%、0.50%和0.74%,而现有回归分析方程的误差为1.15%,故神经网络模型比回归分析方程有更好的预测能力,尤以七因子模型最佳。     

Classification of Venezuelan spirituous beverages by means of discriminant analysis and artificial neural networks based on their Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations

Copper, zinc and iron concentrations were determined in “aguardiente de Cocuy de Penca” (Cocuy de Penca firewater), a spirituous beverage very popular in the North-Western region of Venezuela, by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). These elements were selected for their presence can be traced to the (illegal) manufacturing process of the aforementioned beverages. Linear and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), and artificial neural networks (ANNs) trained with the backpropagation algorithm were employed for estimating if such beverages can be distinguished based on the concentrations of these elements in the final product, and whether it is possible to assess the geographic location of the manufacturers (Lara or Falcón states) and the presence or absence of sugar in the end product. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) performed poorly, overall estimation and prediction rates being 51.7% and 50.0%, respectively. A QDA showed a slightly better overall performance, yet unsatisfactory (estimation: 79.2%, prediction: 72.5%). Various ANNs, comprising a linear function (L) in the input layer, a sigmoid function (S) in the hidden layer(s) and a hyperbolic tangent function (T) in the output layer, were evaluated. Of the networks studied, the (3L:5S:7S:4T) gave the highest estimation (overall: 96.5%) and prediction rates (overall: 97.0%), demonstrating the superb performance of ANNs for classification purposes.     

Thread/paper‐ and paper‐based microfluidic devices for glucose assays employing artificial neural networks

This paper describes the fabrication of and data collection from two microfluidic devices: a microfluidic thread/paper based analytical device (μTPAD) and 3D microfluidic paper‐based analytical device (μPAD). Flowing solutions of glucose oxidase (GOx), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and potassium iodide (KI), through each device, on contact with glucose, generated a calibration curve for each platform. The resultant yellow‐brown color from the reaction indicates oxidation of iodide to iodine. The devices were dried, scanned, and analyzed yielding a correlation between yellow intensity and glucose concentration. A similar procedure, using an unknown concentration of glucose in artificial urine, is conducted and compared to the calibration curve to obtain the unknown value. Studies to quantify glucose in artificial urine showed good correlation between the theoretical and actual concentrations, as percent differences were ≤13.0%. An ANN was trained on the four‐channel CMYK color data from 54 μTPAD and 160 μPAD analysis sites and Pearson correlation coefficients of R = 0.96491 and 0.9739, respectively, were obtained. The ANN was able to correctly classify 94.4% (51 of 54 samples) and 91.2% (146 of 160 samples) of the μTPAD and μPAD analysis sites, respectively. The development of this technology combined with ANN should further facilitate the use of these platforms for colorimetric analysis of other analytes.     

Optimisation of the separation of herbicides by linear gradient high performance liquid chromatography utilising artificial neural networks

An artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to model the chromatographic response surface for the linear gradient separation of 10 herbicides that are commonly detected in storm run-off water in agricultural catchments. The herbicides (dicamba, simazine, 2,4-D, MCPA, triclopyr, atrazine, diuron, clomazone, bensulfuron-methyl and metolachlor) were separated using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and detected with a photodiode array detector. The ANN was trained using the pH of the mobile phase and the slope of the acetonitrile/water gradient as input variables. A total of nine experiments were required to generate sufficient data to train the ANN to accurately describe the retention times of each of the herbicides within a defined experimental space of mobile phase pH range 3.0-4.8 and linear gradient slope 1-4% acetonitrile/min. The modelled chromatographic response surface was then used to determine the optimum separation within the experimental space. This approach allowed the rapid determination of experimental conditions for baseline resolution of all 10 herbicides. Illustrative examples of determination of these components in Milli-Q water, Sydney mains water and natural water samples spiked at 0.5-1 μg/L are shown. Recoveries were over 70% for solid-phase extraction using Waters Oasis^® HLB 6 cm³ cartridges.     

A comparative study of diesel analysis by FTIR, FTNIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy using PLS and artificial neural network analysis

Diesel properties determined by ASTM reference methods as cetane index, density, viscosity, distillation temperatures at 50% (T50) and 85% (T85) recovery, and the total sulfur content (%, w/w) were modeled by FTIR-ATR, FTNIR, and FT-Raman spectroscopy using partial last square regression (PLS) and artificial neural network (ANN) spectral analysis. In the PLS models, 45 diesel samples were used in the training group and the other 45 samples were used in the validation. In the ANN analysis a modular feedforward network was used. Sixty diesel samples were used in the neural network training and other 30 samples were used in the validation. Two different ATR configurations were compared in the FTIR, a conventional (ATR1) and an immersion (ATR2) cell. The ATR1 cell presented the best results, with smaller prediction errors (root mean square error of prediction, RMSEP). The comparison of the three PLS models (FTIR-ATR1, FTNIR, and FT-Raman) shows that reasonable values of R² and RMSEP were obtained by the FTIR-ATR1 and FTNIR models in the evaluation of density, viscosity, and T50. The PLS/FT-Raman models presented reasonable results only for the T50 property. None of the techniques was able to generate suitable PLS calibration models for the determination of sulfur content. The ANN/FT-Raman models presented the best performances, with all models presenting R²-values above 85% some of them with RMSEP values significantly smaller than those obtained with FTIR-ATR and FTNIR. The ANN/FT-Raman and ANN/FTIR-ATR1 models were able to estimate the total sulfur content of diesel with 0.01% (w/w) accuracy.