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Bridge structures deteriorate due to various factors, and their maintenance can be made more efficient by utilizing relevant information. This paper describes an algorithm called Self-Organizing Map-based Cluster Merging (SOMCM) using a multi-dimensional matrix composite neural network, and a surface image identification system. The algorithm is designed to investigate the relevance between the main components of bridges and their types of deterioration. 6140 records on bridge maintenance were collected for all bridges in the Taoyuan region of Taiwan in 2021. The SOMCM algorithm involves finding the winner neuron through merging processes. 61 clusters were merged into 8 clusters after a predetermined number of iterations. Clustering analysis of the final 8 clusters revealed 9 major bridge maintenance association rules. Follow-up studies can apply the algorithm to integrate more technologies including GIS coordinates, material availability, real-time traffic conditions, and weather information to be of benefit to engineering practitioners. • The study is to develop a new algorithm, SOM-based Cluster Merging (SOMCM). • The paper is to investigate the relevance for bridge main components and their deterioration types. • The initial result involves 61 clusters being merged to 8 clusters with the predetermined iterations. • The clustering analysis for the final 8 clusters shows 9 major bridge maintenance association rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoon Morakot has been the most severe typhoon disaster to strike Taiwan in recent decades causing tremendous damage to bridge surroundings in 2009. However, we still lack a means of assessing post-typhoon damage for follow-up rebuilding. This paper presents an integrated model that automatically measures changes in rivers, areas of damage to bridge surroundings, and changes in vegetation. The proposed model is based on a neurofuzzy mechanism enhanced by the self-organising map optimisation algorithm and also includes the particular functions of dilation, erosion, and skeletonisation to deal with river imagery. High resolution FORMOSAT-2 satellite imagery from before and after the invasion period is adopted. A bridge is randomly selected from the 129 destroyed due to the typhoon for applications of the model. The recognition results show that the river average width has increased 66% with a maximum increase of over 200%. The ruined segment of the bridge is located exactly in the most scoured region. There has also been a nearly 10% reduction in the vegetation coverage. The results yielded by the proposed model demonstrate a pinpoint accuracy rate of 99.94%. This study successfully develops a tool for large-scale damage assessment as well as for precise measurement after disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study we develop an automatic detection model for discovering erroneous tax reports. The model uses a variety of neural network applications inclusive of the Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs), Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ), decision tree, and Hyper-Rectangular Composite Neural Network (HRCNN) methods. Detailed taxation information from construction companies registered in the northern Taiwan region is sampled, giving a total of 5769 tax reports from 3172 construction companies which make up 35.98% of the top-three-class construction companies. The results confirm that the model yields a better recognition rate for distinguishing erroneous tax reports from the others. The automatic model is thus proven feasible for detecting erroneous tax reports. In addition, we note that the HRCNN yields a correction rate of 78% and, furthermore, generates 248 valuable rules, providing construction practitioners with criteria for preventing the submission of erroneous tax reports. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the most detailed brain structure image available today; it can identify tiny lesions or cerebral cortical abnormalities. The primary purpose of the procedure is to confirm whether there is structural variation that causes epilepsy, such as hippocampal sclerotherapy, local cerebral cortical dysplasia, and cavernous hemangioma. Cerebrovascular disease, the second most common factor of death in the world, is also the fourth leading cause of death in Taiwan, with cerebrovascular disease having the highest rate of stroke. Among the most common are large vascular atherosclerotic lesions, small vascular lesions, and cardiac emboli. The purpose of this thesis is to establish a computer-aided diagnosis system based on small blood vessel lesions in MRI images, using the method of Convolutional Neural Network and deep learning to analyze brain vascular occlusion by analyzing brain MRI images. Blocks can help clinicians more quickly determine the probability and severity of stroke in patients. We analyzed MRI data from 50 patients, including 30 patients with stroke, 17 patients with occlusion but no stroke, and 3 patients with dementia. This system mainly helps doctors find out whether there are cerebral small vessel lesions in the brain MRI images, and to output the found results into labeled images. The marked contents include the position coordinates of the small blood vessel blockage, the block range, the area size, and if it may cause a stroke. Finally, all the MRI images of the patient are synthesized, showing a 3D display of the small blood vessels in the brain to assist the doctor in making a diagnosis or to provide accurate lesion location for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]