Abstract
Open set recognition is, more than an interesting research subject, a component of various machine learning applications which is sometimes neglected: it is not unusual the existence of learning systems developed on the top of closed-set assumptions, ignoring the error risk involved in a prediction. This risk is strictly related to the location in feature space where the prediction has to be made, compared to the location of the training data: the more distant the training observations are, less is known, higher is the risk. Proper handling of this risk can be necessary in various situation where classification and its variants are employed. This paper presents an approach to open set recognition based on an elaborate distance-like computation provided by a weightless neural network model. The results obtained in the proposed test scenarios are quite interesting, placing the proposed method among the current best ones.

Abstract
Clustering is a powerful and versatile tool for knowledge discovery, able to provide a valuable information for data analysis in various domains. To perform this task based on streaming data is quite challenging: outdated knowledge needs to be disposed while the current knowledge is obtained from fresh data; since data are continuously flowing, strict efficiency constraints have to be met. This paper presents WCDS, an approach to this problem based on the WiSARD artificial neural network model. This model already had useful characteristics as inherent incremental learning capability and patent functioning speed. These were combined with novel features as an adaptive countermeasure to cluster imbalance, a mechanism to discard expired data, and offline clustering based on a pairwise similarity measure for WiSARD discriminators. In an insightful experimental evaluation, the proposed system had an excellent performance according to multiple quality standards. This supports its applicability for the analysis of data streams.

Abstract
Open set recognition is a classification-like task. It is accomplished not only by the identification of observations which belong to targeted classes (i.e., the classes among those represented in the training sample which should be later recognized) but also by the rejection of inputs from other classes in the problem domain. The need for proper handling of elements of classes beyond those of interest is frequently ignored, even in works found in the literature. This leads to the improper development of learning systems, which may obtain misleading results when evaluated in their test beds, consequently failing to keep the performance level while facing some real challenge. The adaptation of a classifier for open set recognition is not always possible: the probabilistic premises most of them are built upon are not valid in a open-set setting. Still, this paper details how this was realized for WiSARD a weightless artificial neural network model. Such achievement was based on an elaborate distance-like computation this model provides and the definition of rejection thresholds during training. The proposed methodology was tested through a collection of experiments, with distinct backgrounds and goals. The results obtained confirm the usefulness of this tool for open set recognition.

Abstract
To cluster a data stream is a more challenging task than its regular batch version, having stricter performance constraints. In this paper an approach to this problem is presented, based on WiSARD, a memory-based artificial neural network (ANN) model. This model functioning was reviewed and improved, in order to adapt it to this task. The experimental results obtained support the use of this system for the analysis of data streams in an informative way. © 2016 ACM.

Abstract
Learning from data streams can only be realized by systems which are not only effective but also efficient. That is, knowledge discovery in this context is impossible without being aware of the computational resources available. Weightless artificial neural networks (WANNs) are based on an alternative principle to iterative optimization of weights employed by most mainstream artificial neural network models and related tools. WANNs explicitly manage knowledge pieces, which are stored by RAM nodes. Such foundational difference reflects on the adaptability of these models to streaming inputs: in such scenario, the application of weightless models can be considered more natural than the same for their weighted counterparts, with an ample control over learning capability as well as resources consumption. This chapter details a WANN-based approach for mining data streams, which allows the maintenance of an up-to-date data summary which can be used for several purposes. The insights and original ideas which power such model are explained as well, enabling novel applications and further development of them.