An artificial neural network: a multilayer perceptron. An artificial neural network: a multilayer perceptron. The input layer included 8 variables; all of the perceptrons in the hidden and output layers had the same tangent sigmoid transfer function. APACHE II = Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II; COPD = COPD exacerbation; NMD = neuromuscular diseases; f = frequency; TI = inspiratory time; TE = expiratory time; VT = tidal volume; ES = extubation success; EF = extubation failure. Hung-Ju Kuo et al. Respir Care 2015;60:1560-1569 (c) 2012 by Daedalus Enterprises, Inc.