The principal innovative contribution of this study resides in the introduction of a category of fractional delayed large-scale neural networks characterized by intricate topological structures. Additionally, this article provides a comprehensive exploration of novel outcomes linked to fractional order-induced bifurcations in large-scale networks. In the initial step, the correlation of the artificial neural network and the graphical neural network is established through the Mason's diagram method. Subsequently, the system's characteristic equations are derived by employing the Coates' flow graph decomposition method. Moving on, through the concept of the global element, an exhaustive investigation delves into the distribution of eigenroots. The sum of synaptic transmission delays among neurons is considered as a bifurcation parameter, with an analysis focused on the stability of the trivial equilibrium and the existence of the Hopf bifurcation. Following this, the optimal fractional order-dependent stability interval is determined using the implicit function array curve method, presenting a novel approach for critical value determination. Finally, the drawn conclusions are substantiated through multiple sets of computer simulations. It is indicated that an increase in delay precipitates the onset of Hopf bifurcation. Moreover, a reduction in the fractional order significantly improves the steady-state performance of the system. However, once the fractional order value descends below the left stability boundary, the system's stability is compromised, leading to the emergence of periodic oscillations. The prediction algorithm proposed in this article offers valuable insights into selecting the appropriate fractional order for large-scale complex networks.

Optimal control has become a hot topic due to its ability to reduce control costs. However, due to the complex form of fractional-order (FO) derivatives, it is difficult to obtain the optimal control solution by solving the FO Hamilton-Jacobi-Belman equation. This article formulates an neural optimal adaptive backstepping control programme for FO chaotic circuit systems with state constraints. To avoid states exceeding constraints during optimal control, a scheme combining a transformation formula with a nonlinear state dependent function is first developed, and then the original system is transformed into an integer-order unconstrained one. To achieve optimal control, a reinforcement learning adaptive backstepping control based on the transformation scheme is introduced, where weight update laws of the reinforcement learning are constructed based on the negative gradient of a positive function rather than the square of Bellman residual, which effectively simplifies the form and design process of the update laws. According to the stability analysis, the formulated programme assures that all signals are bounded and states remain within the specified constraint space. Eventually, a simulation case is displayed to demonstrate the validity of the developed approach.

Real neural networks are characterized by large-scale and complex topology. However, the current dynamical analysis is limited to low-dimensional models with simplified topology. Therefore, there is still a huge gap between neural network theory and its application. This article proposes a class of large-scale neural networks with a ring-hub structure, where a hub node is connected to n peripheral nodes and these peripheral nodes are linked by a ring. In particular, there exists a hybrid coupling mode in the network topology. The mathematical model of such systems is described by fractional-order delayed differential equations. The aim of this article is to investigate the local stability and Hopf bifurcation of this high-dimensional neural network. First, the Coates flow graph is employed to obtain the characteristic equation of the linearized high-dimensional neural network model, which is a transcendental equation including multiple exponential items. Then, the sufficient conditions ensuring the stability of equilibrium and the existence of Hopf bifurcation are achieved by taking time delay as a bifurcation parameter. Finally, some numerical examples are given to support the theoretical results. It is revealed that the increasing time delay can effectively induce the occurrence of periodic oscillation. Moreover, the fractional order, the self-feedback coefficient, and the number of neurons also have effects on the onset of Hopf bifurcation.