{"id":"https://openalex.org/W4416114004","doi":"https://doi.org/10.1109/tnnls.2025.3625434","title":"Explaining Neural Networks: Hierarchical Backpropagated Ensemble Learning","display_name":"Explaining Neural Networks: Hierarchical Backpropagated Ensemble Learning","publication_year":2025,"publication_date":"2025-11-11","ids":{"openalex":"https://openalex.org/W4416114004","doi":"https://doi.org/10.1109/tnnls.2025.3625434","pmid":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41217918"},"language":"en","primary_location":{"id":"doi:10.1109/tnnls.2025.3625434","is_oa":false,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.1109/tnnls.2025.3625434","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4210175523","display_name":"IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems","issn_l":"2162-237X","issn":["2162-237X","2162-2388"],"is_oa":false,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":true,"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/P4310319808","host_organization_name":"Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/P4310319808"],"host_organization_lineage_names":["Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers"],"type":"journal"},"license":null,"license_id":null,"version":"publishedVersion","is_accepted":true,"is_published":true,"raw_source_name":"IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems","raw_type":"journal-article"},"type":"article","indexed_in":["crossref","pubmed"],"open_access":{"is_oa":false,"oa_status":"closed","oa_url":null,"any_repository_has_fulltext":false},"authorships":[{"author_position":"first","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5109753500","display_name":"Guanxiong He","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5900-6763"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I17145004","display_name":"Northwestern Polytechnical University","ror":"https://ror.org/01y0j0j86","country_code":"CN","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Guanxiong He","raw_affiliation_strings":["School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5900-6763","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5100401102","display_name":"Zheng Wang","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4814-1115"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I17145004","display_name":"Northwestern Polytechnical University","ror":"https://ror.org/01y0j0j86","country_code":"CN","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Zheng Wang","raw_affiliation_strings":["School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4814-1115","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5082408037","display_name":"Liaoyuan Tang","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3416-7826"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I17145004","display_name":"Northwestern Polytechnical University","ror":"https://ror.org/01y0j0j86","country_code":"CN","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Liaoyuan Tang","raw_affiliation_strings":["School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3416-7826","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5032704361","display_name":"Runxin Zhang","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6016-6895"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I17145004","display_name":"Northwestern Polytechnical University","ror":"https://ror.org/01y0j0j86","country_code":"CN","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Runxin Zhang","raw_affiliation_strings":["School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6016-6895","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5030351224","display_name":"Rong Wang","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9240-6726"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I17145004","display_name":"Northwestern Polytechnical University","ror":"https://ror.org/01y0j0j86","country_code":"CN","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Rong Wang","raw_affiliation_strings":["School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9240-6726","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5106943753","display_name":"Xuelong Li","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2924-946X"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I4210136246","display_name":"China Telecom (China)","ror":"https://ror.org/03jgnzt20","country_code":"CN","type":"company","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I4210136246"]},{"id":"https://openalex.org/I4387153335","display_name":"China Telecom","ror":"https://ror.org/05p67dv18","country_code":null,"type":"company","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I4387153335"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Xuelong Li","raw_affiliation_strings":["Institute of Artificial Intelligence (TeleAI), China Telecom, Beijing, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2924-946X","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Institute of Artificial Intelligence (TeleAI), China Telecom, Beijing, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I4210136246","https://openalex.org/I4387153335"]}]},{"author_position":"last","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5003222421","display_name":"Feiping Nie","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0871-6519"},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I17145004","display_name":"Northwestern Polytechnical University","ror":"https://ror.org/01y0j0j86","country_code":"CN","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}],"countries":["CN"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Feiping Nie","raw_affiliation_strings":["School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0871-6519","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics (iOPEN), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I17145004"]}]}],"institutions":[],"countries_distinct_count":1,"institutions_distinct_count":3,"corresponding_author_ids":[],"corresponding_institution_ids":[],"apc_list":null,"apc_paid":null,"fwci":1.396,"has_fulltext":false,"cited_by_count":1,"citation_normalized_percentile":{"value":0.87049519,"is_in_top_1_percent":false,"is_in_top_10_percent":false},"cited_by_percentile_year":{"min":94,"max":97},"biblio":{"volume":"37","issue":"4","first_page":"1752","last_page":"1765"},"is_retracted":false,"is_paratext":false,"is_xpac":false,"primary_topic":{"id":"https://openalex.org/T12026","display_name":"Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)","score":0.9696000218391418,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1702","display_name":"Artificial Intelligence"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/17","display_name":"Computer Science"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}},"topics":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/T12026","display_name":"Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)","score":0.9696000218391418,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1702","display_name":"Artificial Intelligence"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/17","display_name":"Computer Science"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T13702","display_name":"Machine Learning in Healthcare","score":0.0031999999191612005,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1702","display_name":"Artificial Intelligence"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/17","display_name":"Computer Science"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T12535","display_name":"Machine Learning and Data Classification","score":0.002099999925121665,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1702","display_name":"Artificial Intelligence"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/17","display_name":"Computer Science"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}}],"keywords":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/initialization","display_name":"Initialization","score":0.6762999892234802},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/artificial-neural-network","display_name":"Artificial neural network","score":0.6520000100135803},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/ensemble-learning","display_name":"Ensemble learning","score":0.6394000053405762},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/focus","display_name":"Focus (optics)","score":0.47929999232292175},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/perspective","display_name":"Perspective (graphical)","score":0.4408000111579895},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/parallels","display_name":"Parallels","score":0.43059998750686646},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/ensemble-forecasting","display_name":"Ensemble forecasting","score":0.4009999930858612},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/process","display_name":"Process (computing)","score":0.3946000039577484}],"concepts":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/C41008148","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21198","display_name":"Computer science","level":0,"score":0.7657999992370605},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C154945302","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11660","display_name":"Artificial intelligence","level":1,"score":0.6909999847412109},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C114466953","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6034165","display_name":"Initialization","level":2,"score":0.6762999892234802},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C50644808","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192776","display_name":"Artificial neural network","level":2,"score":0.6520000100135803},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C45942800","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q245652","display_name":"Ensemble learning","level":2,"score":0.6394000053405762},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C119857082","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2539","display_name":"Machine learning","level":1,"score":0.5604000091552734},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C192209626","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190909","display_name":"Focus (optics)","level":2,"score":0.47929999232292175},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C12713177","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1900281","display_name":"Perspective (graphical)","level":2,"score":0.4408000111579895},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2775922551","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7135033","display_name":"Parallels","level":2,"score":0.43059998750686646},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C119898033","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3433888","display_name":"Ensemble forecasting","level":2,"score":0.4009999930858612},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C98045186","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205663","display_name":"Process (computing)","level":2,"score":0.3946000039577484},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C51632099","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3985153","display_name":"Training set","level":2,"score":0.35280001163482666},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2780233690","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q535347","display_name":"Transparency (behavior)","level":2,"score":0.3447999954223633},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2984842247","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q197536","display_name":"Deep neural networks","level":3,"score":0.3305000066757202},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C187782996","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9390548","display_name":"Neural ensemble","level":2,"score":0.32659998536109924},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C136389625","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q334384","display_name":"Supervised learning","level":3,"score":0.30709999799728394},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C204323151","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q905424","display_name":"Range (aeronautics)","level":2,"score":0.28630000352859497},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C108583219","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q197536","display_name":"Deep learning","level":2,"score":0.27000001072883606},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C147168706","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1457734","display_name":"Recurrent neural network","level":3,"score":0.26980000734329224},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C136197465","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1729295","display_name":"Variety (cybernetics)","level":2,"score":0.2669999897480011},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C42058472","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q810214","display_name":"Base (topology)","level":2,"score":0.2635999917984009},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C46686674","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466303","display_name":"Boosting (machine learning)","level":2,"score":0.2599000036716461}],"mesh":[],"locations_count":2,"locations":[{"id":"doi:10.1109/tnnls.2025.3625434","is_oa":false,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.1109/tnnls.2025.3625434","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4210175523","display_name":"IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems","issn_l":"2162-237X","issn":["2162-237X","2162-2388"],"is_oa":false,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":true,"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/P4310319808","host_organization_name":"Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/P4310319808"],"host_organization_lineage_names":["Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers"],"type":"journal"},"license":null,"license_id":null,"version":"publishedVersion","is_accepted":true,"is_published":true,"raw_source_name":"IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems","raw_type":"journal-article"},{"id":"pmid:41217918","is_oa":false,"landing_page_url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41217918","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306525036","display_name":"PubMed","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":false,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I1299303238","host_organization_name":"National Institutes of Health","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I1299303238"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":null,"license_id":null,"version":"publishedVersion","is_accepted":true,"is_published":true,"raw_source_name":"IEEE transactions on neural networks and learning systems","raw_type":null}],"best_oa_location":null,"sustainable_development_goals":[],"awards":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/G388360275","display_name":null,"funder_award_id":"62236001","funder_id":"https://openalex.org/F4320321001","funder_display_name":"National Natural Science Foundation of China"}],"funders":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/F4320321001","display_name":"National Natural Science Foundation of China","ror":"https://ror.org/01h0zpd94"}],"has_content":{"pdf":false,"grobid_xml":false},"content_urls":null,"referenced_works_count":0,"referenced_works":[],"related_works":[],"abstract_inverted_index":{"Deep":[0],"models,":[1,57,150],"characterized":[2],"by":[3,49],"complex":[4],"structures":[5],"and":[6,28,45,55,99,151,158],"end-to-end":[7],"optimization,":[8],"proved":[9],"effective":[10],"in":[11,24,31,42],"providing":[12],"decision":[13],"support":[14],"based":[15],"on":[16,122,136],"real-world":[17,137],"data.":[18],"However,":[19],"the":[20,29,33,50,63,84,145,152],"lack":[21],"of":[22,35,65,102,105,147],"transparency":[23],"their":[25,39],"decision-making":[26],"process":[27],"difficulty":[30],"interpreting":[32],"role":[34],"individual":[36],"neurons":[37],"limited":[38],"practical":[40],"applicability":[41],"many":[43],"critical":[44],"sensitive":[46],"domains.":[47],"Inspired":[48],"parallels":[51],"between":[52],"neural":[53,77,115],"networks":[54,78],"ensemble":[56,87,104,111,149],"where":[58],"performance":[59],"was":[60],"achieved":[61],"through":[62],"collaboration":[64],"multiple":[66],"weak":[67],"learners,":[68],"this":[69,141],"article":[70],"presents":[71],"a":[72,96,128],"novel":[73],"perspective":[74],"that":[75,130,140],"reframes":[76],"as":[79,95,100],"hierarchical":[80,85,142],"ensembles.":[81],"We":[82],"propose":[83],"backpropagated":[86],"(HBE)":[88],"model,":[89],"wherein":[90],"each":[91,118],"neuron":[92,119],"functions":[93],"both":[94],"base":[97],"learner":[98],"part":[101],"an":[103],"preceding":[106],"neurons.":[107],"This":[108],"framework":[109],"applies":[110],"learning":[112],"techniques":[113],"to":[114,120,164],"networks,":[116],"allowing":[117],"focus":[121],"specific":[123],"subtasks":[124],"while":[125],"progressively":[126],"constructing":[127],"network":[129,161],"meets":[131],"global":[132],"objectives.":[133],"Experimental":[134],"results":[135],"data":[138],"show":[139],"structure":[143],"enhances":[144],"effectiveness":[146],"traditional":[148],"ensemble-based":[153],"explanations":[154],"offer":[155],"improved":[156],"initialization":[157],"dynamically":[159],"adjustable":[160],"structures,":[162],"leading":[163],"more":[165],"efficient":[166],"training.":[167]},"counts_by_year":[{"year":2026,"cited_by_count":1}],"updated_date":"2026-04-07T06:01:17.266235","created_date":"2025-11-11T00:00:00"}