Neural Networks from Biophysical Applications in Microelectronics Parameters Measurements

This paper presents an investigation of an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the flutter characteristics of a simple wing that under went multiple weight variation changes. The weight variations were used to simulate the addition of non-structural weight or structural repair weight. The test case wing had 24 designated repair areas where repair weights were added as lumped masses. Weight and location of the repairs were randomly generated to increase the sample size and help the generalization of the ANN. The ANN was evaluated for both the flutter speed and flutter frequency for multiple levels of structural damping. The number of test cases required to train the neural network was also evaluated for both the error between the input and output results as well as the generalization of the neural networks.

این مطالعه به منظور بررسی پیش بینی شاخص های عملکرد تولیدی در مرغان تخم گذار با استفاده از شبکه های عصبی مصنوعی و رگرسیون غیرخطی چندگانه انجام شد. بررسی بر روی اطلاعات چهار دوره متوالی پرورش در یک واحد پرورش مرغ تخم گذار صورت گرفت. روش های داده-کاوی شامل رگرسیون خطی و غیر خطی، شبکه عصبی پرسپترون سه لایه، شبکه عصبی پرسپترون چهار لایه و شبکه عصبی با تابع پایه ای شعاعی بود. در این مدل ها از متغیرهای سن گله، میزان خوراک مصرفی و فصل تولید به عنوان متغیر پیشگو و شاخص های عملکرد تولیدی شامل درصد تخم-گذاری، وزن توده ای تخم مرغ تولیدی و ضریب تبدیل غذایی به عنوان متغیر پاسخ استفاده شد. نتایج نهایی رگرسیون های خطی نشان داد که برای تمامی متغیرهای وابسته مورد مطالعه متغیر مستقل سن گله معنی دار می باشد. بنابراین رگرسیون غیر خطی شاخص های عملکرد تولیدی در مقابل سن برای مقایسه با شبکه های عصبی مختلف مورد بررسی قرار گرفت و برای مقایسه کلیه مدل ها از ضریب تعیین (R2) و میانگین قدر مطلق خطا (MAE) استفاده شد. نتایج نشان داد بین شبکه های عصبی مصنوعی مختلف مورد مطالعه، شبکه با تابع پایه ای شعاعی بهتر از سایر مدل های در پیش‌بینی شاخص های عملکرد تولیدی مرغان تخم گذار عمل می کند.

Objective: The main objective of this paper is to improve the intrusion detection accuracy of neural networks by hybridized with Jordan network, applying novel Lyapunov function and changing input values as fuzzy values using fuzzy logic. Methods: In this research, the intrusion detection of NSL KDD dataset is carry out by neural network first . The performance of neural networks mainly depends on the parameters like number of hidden layer, no of node in the hidden layer and the no of epoch. Selecting the proper parameters values and weight initialization are the main difficulty in neural network. To overcome this issue a hybrid network by combining neural network with Jordan network is proposed which is highly sensitive to weight convergence. In hybrid network Lyapunov function is used to achieve the stability of equilibrium between two networks. But in this work a novel Lyapunov function is proposed to achieve global robust stability in hybrid network. A novel Lyapunov function uses a class of general activation functions which are not to be differentiable, bounded or monotonically nondecreasing. A set of criteria are derived to guarantee the existence, uniqueness and global robust stability of the equilibrium of hybrid networks with time delays. Then the learning ability of hybrid network is improved by using fuzzy logic. The hybrid network improved by a novel Lyapunov and fuzzy logic is called as Improved Fuzzy Hybrid Jordan network and Artificial Neural Network (IHFJANN). Findings: Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Hybrid Jordan network and Artificial Neural Network (HJANN) and Improved Hybrid Fuzzy Jordan network and Artificial Neural Network (IHFJ ANN) are applied on NSL KDD training dataset to lean the type of available attacks. NSL training dataset contains 2500 instances and 38 attributes where as testing dataset contains 995 instances and 38 attributes. The learned model of three classifiers is used to predict the classes in test dataset. The performance measures are evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision, recall and f-measure values. Improvement: The classification accuracy of Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Hybrid Jordan network and Artificial Neural Network (HJANN) and Improved Hybrid Fuzzy Jordan network and Artificial Neural Network (IHFJANN) are 72%, 80% and 84% respectively. Accuracy is increased by 12% in IHFJANN than the ANN and 4% than the HJANN. The precision value of ANN, HJANN and IHFJANN are 0.46, 0.54 and 0.57 respectively. Precision value is increased by 0.9 in IHFJANN than the ANN and 0.3 than the HJANN. The recall value of ANN, HJANN and IHFJANN are 0.73, 0.81 and 0.84 respectively. Recall value is increased by 0.9 in IHFJANN than the ANN and 0.3 than the HJANN. The F-measure value of ANN, HJANN and IHFJANN are 0.58, 0.65 and 0.68 respectively. F-measure value is increased by 0.10 in IHFJANN than the ANN and 0.3 than the HJANN. The results proved that the proposed IHFJANN provides better performance than ANN and HJANN.

The article explores modern neural network architectures for the automatic detection and recognition of marine surface objects and obstacles of given classes throughout the full image area, applicable for execution in real or near real time on an optoelectronic vision system to au-tomate and improve the safety of civil marine navigation. A formal statement of the problem of automatic detection of objects on images is given. The state-of-the-art algorithms for detecting objects in images based on use of artificial convolutional neural networks were reviewed, their comparison was made and a reasonable choice was made in favor of the most efficient neuralnetwork architecture in terms of computational complexity to recognition accuracy. The subject area is studied, as well as publicly available databases of surface objects suitable for use in the training of algorithms using artificial neural networks. The article concluded that there is insuffi-cient labeled data for training neural network algorithms, as a result of which the authors inde-pendently collected research images and video sequences, prepared and labeled the collected data containing surface marine objects and other obstacles that represent a navigation hazard for ships. Based on the selected neural network architecture, a new neural network algorithm for automatic full-frame detection and recognition of surface objects was developed, and an artificial neural network was trained using the prepared database of images of typical objects. The resulting algorithm was tested by the authors on a validation data set, the quality of its work was estimated using various metrics, and the algorithm’s performance was measured. Conclusions are made about the necessity to expand the collected database of images of typical marine objects, further steps are proposed to improve the accuracy of the developed software and algorithmic complex and its implementation to be used in a marine optoelectronic machine vision system for automa-tion and improving the safety of civil navigation.

Some features of cognitive modeling are presented, including the prerequisites for a cognitive approach to solving complex problems. Cognitive modeling involves the use of various artificial neural networks, including convolutional neural networks. The classification of artificial neural networks according to various characteristics is given. The features of self-organizing neural networks and networks using deep learning methods are considered. The artificial neural network, which is a three-layer unidirectional direct propagation network, the interface of a computer program used to approximate functions using the specified neural network, as well as the solution of the image recognition problem using an artificial convolutional neural network, in which the neural network parameters are adjusted for each recognizable image fragment in order to adaptively filter the image, are considered in detail. The analysis of images in video surveillance systems in order to detect fires allows them to be detected at an early stage and, thus, prevent the fire propogation.

The information processing capability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) is closely related to its architecture and weights. The paper describes a new evolutionary system for evolving artificial feedforward neural networks, which is based on the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm. Both the architecture and the weights of ANNs are adaptively adjusted according to the quality of the neural network. This process is repeated until the best ANN is accepted or the maximum number of generations has been reached. A strategy of evolving added nodes and a partial training algorithm are used to maintain a close behavioural link between the parents and their offspring. This system has been tested on two real problems in the medical domain. The results show that ANNs evolved by PSONN have good accuracy and generalisation ability.

The Brain Emotional Learning (BEL) is a novel bio-inspired machine learning approach mentioned as a new class of artificial neural network (ANN). The artificial emotional neural network (AENN) is one of the BEL methods which used the genetic algorithm (GA) to compute proper weights, weights of the amygdala (AMYG), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) weights and a bias value. AENN trained by GA has been reported that it could produce low error rates. However, AENN still has more rooms to enhance its prediction of performance, especially generalization and the prediction of performance. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a new training method for AENN. The JAYA optimization algorithm optimized the weights and the biases of AENN. Two new proposed models are named as AENN-Max-JAYA and AENN-Mean-JAYA. Their names are according to the way of selecting the additional expanded feature which obtained through either the max or the average of input patterns, respectively. From the experimental results for wind power forecasting dataset, the proposed methods proved that the results are better in generalization performance and give lower error rates which compared to the comparative AENN models and traditional ANNs.

Computer systems based on artificial neural networks, often known as neural networks or neural nets, are modeled after the organic neural networks seen in animal brains. Artificial neurons are a group of interconnected units or nodes that serve as the foundation of an ANN and are meant to approximate the function of biological brain neurons. This article contains a survey of practical uses for neural networks. It offers a taxonomy of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), in-forms the reader of recent and upcoming developments in ANN applications research, and highlights research areas of interest. This paper also discusses the difficulties, contributions, comparative effectiveness, and important methodologies in ANN applications. The study examines a wide range of ANN applications in numerous disciplines, including computing, science, engineering, medicine, the environment, agriculture, mining, technology, climate, business, and the arts similar to nanotechnology. This study analyses performance assesses ANN contributions and criticizes techniques. The study discovered that artificial neural networks with feedforward and feedback propagation do well when applied to solving human problems. Therefore, based on data analysis characteristics such as accuracy, processing speed, latency, fault tolerance, volume, scalability, convergence, and efficiency, we presented feed-forward and feedback propagation ANN models for research centers. A computational model known as an artificial neural network (ANN) is composed of many processing elements that accept inputs and produce outputs by their specified activation functions. This article will make other articles in this computer magazine easier to grasp for those who know little or nothing about ANNs. We go over the reasons for creating ANNs, the fundamentals of a biological neuron and an artificial computer model, network designs, learning mechanisms, and some of the most widely used ANN models. A successful ANN character recognition application brings us to a close. EDAS Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution method for Notebook(n1), Notebook(n2), Notebook(n3), Notebook(n4), Notebook(n5). Notebook (n1), Notebook (n2), Notebook (n3), Notebook (n4), Notebook (n5). Speed (MHz), RAM (Mbytes), Display (inches), Price (Euro). Notebook (n5) has the highest rank whereas Notebook (n1) has the lowest rank. The need for hybrid systems, Optical Neural Networks, EDAS Method.

Artificial convolution neural network for medical image pattern recognition

For the past few years Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have made a strong comeback to the scientific community. They are used in a variety of tasks where adaptive computing can enhance process performance. There has been a handful of papers suggesting the use of artificial neural networks in the petroleum industry1-3. These papers can be classified into two major categories. First category includes papers that recommend the use of ANN in classification of lithologies from well logs. Second category includes papers that employ ANN to pick the proper reservoir model for well testing purposes. This paper introduces a new implementation of the neuro-computing technology in petroleum engineering. It is shown in this study that artificial neural networks possess numerous capabilities, and can be much more useful to petroleum engineers than previously thought. An implementation of artificial neural networks in characterization of reservoir heterogeneity is presented in this paper. A methodology is introduced through which different rock properties in highly heterogeneous reservoirs can be predicted with good accuracy using information deduced from geophysical well logs. Examples of such networks are presented using field data for verification. The underlying reasons (theories) that make achievement of such complex tasks possible are discussed. The notion that artificial intelligence and neural networks in particular have immense potentials in solving complex engineering and scientific problems are addressed. The innovation now lies on the creativity of the researchers to recognize and define petroleum engineering problems that can be addressed by artificial intelligence technology.

Brain research up to date has revealed that structure and function are highly related. Thus, for example, studies have repeatedly shown that the brains of patients suffering from schizophrenia or other diseases have a different connectome compared to healthy people. Apart from stochastic processes, however, an inherent logic describing how neurons connect to each other has not yet been identified. We revisited this structural dilemma by comparing and analyzing artificial and biological-based neural networks. Namely, we used feed-forward and recurrent artificial neural networks as well as networks based on the structure of the micro-connectome of C. elegans and of the human macro-connectome. We trained these diverse networks, which markedly differ in their architecture, initialization and pruning technique, and we found remarkable parallels between biological-based and artificial neural networks, as we were additionally able to show that the dilemma is also present in artificial neural networks. Our findings show that structure contains all the information, but that this structure is not exclusive. Indeed, the same structure was able to solve completely different problems with only minimal adjustments. We particularly put interest on the influence of weights and the neuron offset value, as they show a different adaption behaviour. Our findings open up new questions in the fields of artificial and biological information processing research.

Ecological Applications of Fuzzy Logic.- Ecological Applications of Qualitative Reasoning.- Ecological Applications of Non-supervised Artificial Neural Networks.- Ecological Applications of Genetic Algorithms.- Ecological Applications of Evolutionary Computation.- Ecological Applications of Adaptive Agents.- Bio-Inspired Design of Computer Hardware by Self-Replicating Cellular Automata.- Prediction and Elucidation of Stream Ecosystems.- Development and Application of Predictive River Ecosystem Models Based on Classification Trees and Artificial Neural Networks.- Modelling Ecological Interrelations in Running Water Ecosystems with Artificial Neural Networks.- Non-linear Approach to Grouping, Dynamics and Organizational Informatics of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Streams by Artificial Neural Networks.- Elucidation of Hypothetical Relationships between Habitat Conditions and Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Freshwater Streams by Artificial Neural Networks.- Prediction and Elucidation of River Ecosystems.- Prediction and Elucidation of Population Dynamics of the Blue-green Algae Microcystis aeruginosa and the Diatom Stephanodiscus hantzschii in the Nakdong River-Reservoir System (South Korea) by a Recurrent Artificial Neural Network.- An Evaluation of Methods for the Selection of Inputs for an Artificial Neural Network Based River Model.- Utility of Sensitivity Analysis by Artificial Neural Network Models to Study Patterns of Endemic Fish Species.- Prediction and Elucidation of Lake and Marine Ecosystems.- A Comparison between Neural Network Based and Multiple Regression Models for Chlorophyll-a Estimation.- Artificial Neural Network Approach to Unravel and Forecast Algal Population Dynamics of Two Lakes Different in Morphometry and Eutrophication.- Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm for Rule Set Discovery in Time-Series Data to Forecast and Explain Algal Population Dynamics in Two Lakes Different in Morphometry and Eutrophication.- Multivariate Time Series Prediction of Marine Zooplankton by Artificial Neural Networks.- Classification of Fish Stock-Recruitment Relationships in Different Environmental Regimes by Fuzzy Logic with Bootstrap Re-sampling Approach.- Computational Assemblage of Ordinary Differential Equations for Chlorophyll-a Using a Lake Process Equation Library and Measured Data of Lake Kasumigaura.- Classification of Ecological Images at Micro and Macro Scale.- Identification of Marine Microalgae by Neural Network Analysis of Simple Descriptors of Flow Cytometric Pulse Shapes.- Age Estimation of Fish Using a Probabilistic Neural Network.- Pattern Recognition and Classification of Remotely Sensed Images by Artificial Neural Networks.

Purpose In order to analyze the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings, the artificial neural network (ANN) under deep learning (DL) is applied to the study of text complexity. Firstly, the research status and existing problems of text complexity are introduced based on DL. Secondly, based on Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithm, analyzation is made on the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings. And the research establishes a BPNN syntactic complexity evaluation system. Thirdly, MATLAB2013b is used for simulation analysis of the model. The proposed model algorithm BPANN is compared with other classical algorithms, and the weight value of each index and the model training effect are further analyzed by statistical methods. Finally, L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (L2SCA) is used to calculate the syntactic complexity of the two libraries, and Mann–Whitney U test is used to compare the syntactic complexity of Chinese English learners and native English speakers. The experimental results show that compared with the shallow neural network, the deep neural network algorithm has more hidden layers and richer features, and better performance of feature extraction. BPNN algorithm shows excellent performance in the training process, and the actual output value is very close to the expected value. Meantime, the error of sample test is analyzed, and it is found that the evaluation error of BPNN algorithm is less than 1.8%, of high accuracy. However, there are significant differences in grammatical complexity among students with different English writing proficiency. Some measurement methods cannot effectively reflect the types and characteristics of written language, or may have a negative relationship with writing quality. In addition, the research also finds that the measurement of syntactic complexity is more sensitive to the language ability of writing. Therefore, BPNN algorithm can effectively analyze the text complexity of academic English writing. The results of the research provide reference for improving the evaluation system of text complexity of academic paper writing. Design/methodology/approach In order to analyze the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings, the artificial neural network (ANN) under deep learning (DL) is applied to the study of text complexity. Firstly, the research status and existing problems of text complexity are introduced based on DL. Secondly, based on Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithm, analyzation is made on the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings. And the research establishes a BPNN syntactic complexity evaluation system. Thirdly, MATLAB2013b is used for simulation analysis of the model. The proposed model algorithm BPANN is compared with other classical algorithms, and the weight value of each index and the model training effect are further analyzed by statistical methods. Finally, L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (L2SCA) is used to calculate the syntactic complexity of the two libraries, and Mann–Whitney U test is used to compare the syntactic complexity of Chinese English learners and native English speakers. The experimental results show that compared with the shallow neural network, the deep neural network algorithm has more hidden layers and richer features, and better performance of feature extraction. BPNN algorithm shows excellent performance in the training process, and the actual output value is very close to the expected value. Meantime, the error of sample test is analyzed, and it is found that the evaluation error of BPNN algorithm is less than 1.8%, of high accuracy. However, there are significant differences in grammatical complexity among students with different English writing proficiency. Some measurement methods cannot effectively reflect the types and characteristics of written language, or may have a negative relationship with writing quality. In addition, the research also finds that the measurement of syntactic complexity is more sensitive to the language ability of writing. Therefore, BPNN algorithm can effectively analyze the text complexity of academic English writing. The results of the research provide reference for improving the evaluation system of text complexity of academic paper writing. Findings In order to analyze the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings, the artificial neural network (ANN) under deep learning (DL) is applied to the study of text complexity. Firstly, the research status and existing problems of text complexity are introduced based on DL. Secondly, based on Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithm, analyzation is made on the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings. And the research establishes a BPNN syntactic complexity evaluation system. Thirdly, MATLAB2013b is used for simulation analysis of the model. The proposed model algorithm BPANN is compared with other classical algorithms, and the weight value of each index and the model training effect are further analyzed by statistical methods. Finally, L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (L2SCA) is used to calculate the syntactic complexity of the two libraries, and Mann–Whitney U test is used to compare the syntactic complexity of Chinese English learners and native English speakers. The experimental results show that compared with the shallow neural network, the deep neural network algorithm has more hidden layers and richer features, and better performance of feature extraction. BPNN algorithm shows excellent performance in the training process, and the actual output value is very close to the expected value. Meantime, the error of sample test is analyzed, and it is found that the evaluation error of BPNN algorithm is less than 1.8%, of high accuracy. However, there are significant differences in grammatical complexity among students with different English writing proficiency. Some measurement methods cannot effectively reflect the types and characteristics of written language, or may have a negative relationship with writing quality. In addition, the research also finds that the measurement of syntactic complexity is more sensitive to the language ability of writing. Therefore, BPNN algorithm can effectively analyze the text complexity of academic English writing. The results of the research provide reference for improving the evaluation system of text complexity of academic paper writing. Originality/value In order to analyze the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings, the artificial neural network (ANN) under deep learning (DL) is applied to the study of text complexity. Firstly, the research status and existing problems of text complexity are introduced based on DL. Secondly, based on Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithm, analyzation is made on the text complexity of Chinese and foreign academic English writings. And the research establishes a BPNN syntactic complexity evaluation system. Thirdly, MATLAB2013b is used for simulation analysis of the model. The proposed model algorithm BPANN is compared with other classical algorithms, and the weight value of each index and the model training effect are further analyzed by statistical methods. Finally, L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (L2SCA) is used to calculate the syntactic complexity of the two libraries, and Mann–Whitney U test is used to compare the syntactic complexity of Chinese English learners and native English speakers. The experimental results show that compared with the shallow neural network, the deep neural network algorithm has more hidden layers and richer features, and better performance of feature extraction. BPNN algorithm shows excellent performance in the training process, and the actual output value is very close to the expected value. Meantime, the error of sample test is analyzed, and it is found that the evaluation error of BPNN algorithm is less than 1.8%, of high accuracy. However, there are significant differences in grammatical complexity among students with different English writing proficiency. Some measurement methods cannot effectively reflect the types and characteristics of written language, or may have a negative relationship with writing quality. In addition, the research also finds that the measurement of syntactic complexity is more sensitive to the language ability of writing. Therefore, BPNN algorithm can effectively analyze the text complexity of academic English writing. The results of the research provide reference for improving the evaluation system of text complexity of academic paper writing.

Monitoring heart conditions through electrocardiography (ECG) has been the cornerstone of identifying cardiac irregularities. Cardiologists often rely on a detailed analysis of ECG recordings to pinpoint deviations that are indicative of heart anomalies. This traditional method, while effective, demands significant expertise and is susceptible to inaccuracies due to its manual nature. In the realm of computational analysis, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have gained prominence across various domains, which can be attributed to their superior analytical capabilities. Conversely, Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs), which mimic the neural activity of the brain more closely through impulse-based processing, have not seen widespread adoption. The challenge lies primarily in the complexity of their training methodologies. Despite this, SNNs offer a promising avenue for energy-efficient computational models capable of displaying a high-level performance. This paper introduces an innovative approach employing SNNs augmented with an attention mechanism to enhance feature recognition in ECG signals. By leveraging the inherent efficiency of SNNs, coupled with the precision of attention modules, this model aims to refine the analysis of cardiac signals. The novel aspect of our methodology involves adapting the learned parameters from ANNs to SNNs using leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neurons. This transfer learning strategy not only capitalizes on the strengths of both neural network models but also addresses the training challenges associated with SNNs. The proposed method is evaluated through extensive experiments on two publicly available benchmark ECG datasets. The results show that our model achieves an overall accuracy of 93.8% on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia dataset and 85.8% on the 2017 PhysioNet Challenge dataset. This advancement underscores the potential of SNNs in the field of medical diagnostics, offering a path towards more accurate, efficient, and less resource-intensive analyses of heart diseases.

This thesis evaluates the utility of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) applied to financial market and macroeconomic forecasting. In application, ANNs are evaluated in comparison to traditional forecasting models to evaluate if their nonlinear and adaptive properties yield superior forecasting performance in terms of robustness and accuracy. Furthermore, as ANNs are data-driven models, an emphasis is placed on the data collection stage by compiling extensive candidate input variable pools, a task frequently underperformed by prior research. In evaluating their performance, ANNs are applied to the domains of: exchange rate forecasting, volatility forecasting, and macroeconomic forecasting. Regarding exchange rate forecasting, ANNs are applied to forecast the daily logarithmic returns of the EUR/USD over a short-term forecast horizon of one period. Initially, the analytic method of Technical Analysis (TA) and its sub-section of technical indicators are utilized to compile an extensive candidate input variable pool featuring standard and advanced technical indicators measuring all technical aspects of the EUR/USD time series. The candidate input variable pool is then subjected to a two-stage Input Variable Selection (IVS) process, producing an informative subset of technical indicators to serve as inputs to the ANNs. A collection of ANNs is then trained and tested on the EUR/USD time series data with their performance evaluated over a 5-year sample period (2012 to 2016), reserving the last two years for out of sample testing. A Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) model serves as a benchmark with the in-sample and out-of-sample empirical results demonstrating the MACD is a superior forecasting model across most forecast evaluation metrics. For volatility forecasting, ANNs are applied to forecast the volatility of the Nikkei 225 Index over a short-term forecast horizon of one period. Initially, an extensive candidate input variable pool is compiled consisting of implied volatility models and historical volatility models. The candidate input variable pool is then subjected to a two-stage IVS process. A collection of ANNs is then trained and tested on the Nikkei 225 Index time series data with their performance evaluated over a 4-year sample period (2014 to 2017), reserving the last year for out-of-sample testing. A GARCH (1,1) model serves as a benchmark with the out-of-sample empirical results finding the GARCH (1,1) model to be the superior volatility forecasting model. The research concludes with ANNs applied to macroeconomic forecasting, where ANNs are applied to forecast the monthly per cent-change in U.S. civilian unemployment and the quarterly per cent-change in U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For both studies, an extensive candidate input variable pool is compiled using relevant macroeconomic indicator data sourced from the Federal Bank of St Louis. The candidate input variable pools are then subjected to a two-stage IVS process. A collection of ANNs is trained and tested on the U.S. unemployment time series data (UNEMPLOY) and U.S. GDP time series data. The sample periods are (1972 to 2017) and (1960 to 2016) respectively, reserving the last 20% of data for out of sample testing. In both studies, the performance of the ANNs is benchmarked against a Support Vector Regression (SVR) model and a Naïve forecast. In both studies, the ANNs outperform the SVR benchmark model. The empirical results demonstrate that ANNs are superior forecasting models in the domain of macroeconomic forecasting, with the Modular Neural Network performing notably well. However, the empirical results question the utility of ANNs in the domains of exchange rate forecasting and volatility forecasting. A MACD model outperforms ANNs in exchange rate forecasting both in-sample and out-of-sample, and a GARCH (1,1) model outperforms ANNs in volatility forecasting.