The further investigation of covering-based rough sets: Uncertainty characterization, similarity measure and generalized models

The notion of rough sets was originally proposed by Pawlak. In Pawlak’s rough set theory, the equivalence relation or partition plays an important role. However, the equivalence relation or partition is restrictive for many applications because it can only deal with complete information systems. This limits the theory’s application to a certain extent. Therefore covering-based rough sets are derived by replacing the partitions of a universe with its coverings. This paper focuses on the further investigation of covering-based rough sets. Firstly, we discuss the uncertainty of covering in the covering approximation space, and show that it can be characterized by rough entropy and the granulation of covering. Secondly, since it is necessary to measure the similarity between covering rough sets in practical applications such as pattern recognition, image processing and fuzzy reasoning, we present an approach which measures these similarities using a triangular norm. We show that in a covering approximation space, a triangular norm can induce an inclusion degree, and that the similarity measure between covering rough sets can be given according to this triangular norm and inclusion degree. Thirdly, two generalized covering-based rough set models are proposed, and we employ practical examples to illustrate their applications. Finally, relationships between the proposed covering-based rough set models and the existing rough set models are also made.     

On generalized intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators

In rough set theory, the lower and upper approximation operators defined by binary relations satisfy many interesting properties. Various generalizations of Pawlak’s rough approximations have been made in the literature over the years. This paper proposes a general framework for the study of relation-based intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators within which both constructive and axiomatic approaches are used. In the constructive approach, a pair of lower and upper intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators induced from an arbitrary intuitionistic fuzzy relation are defined. Basic properties of the intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are then examined. By introducing cut sets of intuitionistic fuzzy sets, classical representations of intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are presented. The connections between special intuitionistic fuzzy relations and intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are further established. Finally, an operator-oriented characterization of intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets is proposed, that is, intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are defined by axioms. Different axiom sets of lower and upper intuitionistic fuzzy set-theoretic operators guarantee the existence of different types of intuitionistic fuzzy relations which produce the same operators.     

MGRS: A multi-granulation rough set

The original rough set model was developed by Pawlak, which is mainly concerned with the approximation of sets described by a single binary relation on the universe. In the view of granular computing, the classical rough set theory is established through a single granulation. This paper extends Pawlak’s rough set model to a multi-granulation rough set model (MGRS), where the set approximations are defined by using multi equivalence relations on the universe. A number of important properties of MGRS are obtained. It is shown that some of the properties of Pawlak’s rough set theory are special instances of those of MGRS.Moreover, several important measures, such as accuracy measureα, quality of approximationγ and precision of approximationπ, are presented, which are re-interpreted in terms of a classic measure based on sets, the Marczewski-Steinhaus metric and the inclusion degree measure. A concept of approximation reduct is introduced to describe the smallest attribute subset that preserves the lower approximation and upper approximation of all decision classes in MGRS as well. Finally, we discuss how to extract decision rules using MGRS. Unlike the decision rules (“AND” rules) from Pawlak’s rough set model, the form of decision rules in MGRS is “OR”. Several pivotal algorithms are also designed, which are helpful for applying this theory to practical issues. The multi-granulation rough set model provides an effective approach for problem solving in the context of multi granulations.     

Soft sets and soft groups

Molodtsov introduced the concept of soft set theory, which can be used as a generic mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty. In this paper we introduce the basic properties of soft sets, and compare soft sets to the related concepts of fuzzy sets and rough sets. We then give a definition of soft groups, and derive their basic properties using Molodtsov’s definition of the soft sets.     

Approximations and reducts with covering generalized rough sets

The covering generalized rough sets are an improvement of traditional rough set model to deal with more complex practical problems which the traditional one cannot handle. It is well known that any generalization of traditional rough set theory should first have practical applied background and two important theoretical issues must be addressed. The first one is to present reasonable definitions of set approximations, and the second one is to develop reasonable algorithms for attributes reduct. The existing covering generalized rough sets, however, mainly pay attention to constructing approximation operators. The ideas of constructing lower approximations are similar but the ideas of constructing upper approximations are different and they all seem to be unreasonable. Furthermore, less effort has been put on the discussion of the applied background and the attributes reduct of covering generalized rough sets. In this paper we concentrate our discussion on the above two issues. We first discuss the applied background of covering generalized rough sets by proposing three kinds of datasets which the traditional rough sets cannot handle and improve the definition of upper approximation for covering generalized rough sets to make it more reasonable than the existing ones. Then we study the attributes reduct with covering generalized rough sets and present an algorithm by using discernibility matrix to compute all the attributes reducts with covering generalized rough sets. With these discussions we can set up a basic foundation of the covering generalized rough set theory and broaden its applications.     

The relationship among soft sets,soft rough sets and topologies

Molodtsov’s soft set theory is a newly emerging tool to deal with uncertain problems. Based on the novel granulation structures called soft approximation spaces, Feng et al. initiated soft rough approximations and soft rough sets. Feng’s soft rough sets can be seen as a generalized rough set model based on soft sets, which could provide better approximations than Pawlak’s rough sets in some cases. This paper is devoted to establishing the relationship among soft sets, soft rough sets and topologies. We introduce the concept of topological soft sets by combining soft sets with topologies and give their properties. New types of soft sets such as keeping intersection soft sets and keeping union soft sets are defined and supported by some illustrative examples. We describe the relationship between rough sets and soft rough sets. We obtain the structure of soft rough sets and the topological structure of soft sets, and reveal that every topological space on the initial universe is a soft approximating space.     

Soft rough fuzzy sets and soft fuzzy rough sets

Fuzzy set theory, soft set theory and rough set theory are mathematical tools for dealing with uncertainties and are closely related. Feng et al. introduced the notions of rough soft set, soft rough set and soft rough fuzzy set by combining fuzzy set, rough set and soft set all together. This paper is devoted to the further discussion of the combinations of fuzzy set, rough set and soft set. A new soft rough set model is proposed and its properties are derived. Furthermore, fuzzy soft set is employed to granulate the universe of discourse and a more general model called soft fuzzy rough set is established. The lower and upper approximation operators are presented and their related properties are surveyed.     

Fuzzy preference based rough sets

Preference analysis is an important task in multi-criteria decision making. The rough set theory has been successfully extended to deal with preference analysis by replacing equivalence relations with dominance relations. The existing studies involving preference relations cannot capture the uncertainty presented in numerical and fuzzy criteria. In this paper, we introduce a method to extract fuzzy preference relations from samples characterized by numerical criteria. Fuzzy preference relations are incorporated into a fuzzy rough set model, which leads to a fuzzy preference based rough set model. The measure of attribute dependency of the Pawlak’s rough set model is generalized to compute the relevance between criteria and decisions. The definitions of upward dependency, downward dependency and global dependency are introduced. Algorithms for computing attribute dependency and reducts are proposed and experimentally evaluated by using two publicly available data sets.     

On intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets and their topological structures

In this paper, lower and upper approximations of intuitionistic fuzzy sets with respect to an intuitionistic fuzzy approximation space are first defined. Properties of intuitionistic fuzzy approximation operators are examined. Relationships between intuitionistic fuzzy rough set approximations and intuitionistic fuzzy topologies are then discussed. It is proved that the set of all lower approximation sets based on an intuitionistic fuzzy reflexive and transitive approximation space forms an intuitionistic fuzzy topology; and conversely, for an intuitionistic fuzzy rough topological space, there exists an intuitionistic fuzzy reflexive and transitive approximation space such that the topology in the intuitionistic fuzzy rough topological space is just the set of all lower approximation sets in the intuitionistic fuzzy reflexive and transitive approximation space. That is to say, there exists an one-to-one correspondence between the set of all intuitionistic fuzzy reflexive and transitive approximation spaces and the set of all intuitionistic fuzzy rough topological spaces. Finally, intuitionistic fuzzy pseudo-closure operators in the framework of intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximations are investigated.     

Generalized rough sets over fuzzy lattices

This paper studies generalized rough sets over fuzzy lattices through both the constructive and axiomatic approaches. From the viewpoint of the constructive approach, the basic properties of generalized rough sets over fuzzy lattices are obtained. The matrix representation of the lower and upper approximations is given. According to this matrix view, a simple algorithm is obtained for computing the lower and upper approximations. As for the axiomatic approach, a set of axioms is constructed to characterize the upper approximation of generalized rough sets over fuzzy lattices.     

基于模糊集截集的模糊粗糙集模型

基于L.A.Zadeh模糊集的截集的概念给出了论域U上任意模糊子集的上、下近似的刻画,得到了基于模糊集的截集的粗糙集模型,亦即模糊粗糙集,实现了用论域U中的模糊集近似论域上的任意模糊集,进一步推广了Z.Pawlak粗糙集模型,扩展了粗糙集的应用范围。最后,研究了其基本性质以及其与其他粗糙集模型的关系。     

Soft sets combined with fuzzy sets and rough sets: a tentative approach

Theories of fuzzy sets and rough sets are powerful mathematical tools for modelling various types of uncertainty. Dubois and Prade investigated the problem of combining fuzzy sets with rough sets. Soft set theory was proposed by Molodtsov as a general framework for reasoning about vague concepts. The present paper is devoted to a possible fusion of these distinct but closely related soft computing approaches. Based on a Pawlak approximation space, the approximation of a soft set is proposed to obtain a hybrid model called rough soft sets. Alternatively, a soft set instead of an equivalence relation can be used to granulate the universe. This leads to a deviation of Pawlak approximation space called a soft approximation space, in which soft rough approximations and soft rough sets can be introduced accordingly. Furthermore, we also consider approximation of a fuzzy set in a soft approximation space, and initiate a concept called soft–rough fuzzy sets, which extends Dubois and Prade’s rough fuzzy sets. Further research will be needed to establish whether the notions put forth in this paper may lead to a fruitful theory.     

粗糙support-intuitionistic模糊集及其聚类分析应用

粗糙集和模糊集理论已经被用于各种类型的不确定性建模中。Dubois和Prade研究了将模糊集和粗糙集结合的问题。提出了粗糙support-intuitionistic模糊集。介绍了粗糙集、粗糙直觉模糊集和support-intuitionistic模糊集等的概念;定义了在Pawlak近似空间中的support-intuitionistic模糊集的上下近似,讨论了一些粗糙support-intuitionistic模糊集近似算子的性质,给出了其相似度表达式;将其应用到聚类分析问题中,并通过一个实例验证其合理性。     

多粒化模糊软粗糙集模型

为了扩大粗糙集理论的应用,特别是在模糊环境中的应用,基于模糊软集和模糊蕴涵算子,主要研究基于软模糊近似空间的乐观多粒化模糊软粗糙集模型。该模型将参数集根据客户的不同要求或目标进行重组,只选择若干相关参数集参与计算上、下近似,这样定义的上、下近似不再由整个属性集决定,而是根据重组后的多个属性集一并生成,从而使结果更加符合实际需求。另外,还定义了乐观多粒化模糊软粗糙集模型的截集并讨论了其相关性质。最后给出了算例。     

Invertible approximation operators of generalized rough sets and fuzzy rough sets

This paper studies the classes of rough sets and fuzzy rough sets. We discuss the invertible lower and upper approximations and present the necessary and sufficient conditions for the lower approximation to coincide with the upper approximation in both rough sets and fuzzy rough sets. We also study the mathematical properties of a fuzzy rough set induced by a cyclic fuzzy relation.     

Generalized fuzzy rough sets determined by a triangular norm

The theory of rough sets has become well established as an approach for uncertainty management in a wide variety of applications. Various fuzzy generalizations of rough approximations have been made over the years. This paper presents a general framework for the study of T-fuzzy rough approximation operators in which both the constructive and axiomatic approaches are used. By using a pair of dual triangular norms in the constructive approach, some definitions of the upper and lower approximation operators of fuzzy sets are proposed and analyzed by means of arbitrary fuzzy relations. The connections between special fuzzy relations and the T-upper and T-lower approximation operators of fuzzy sets are also examined. In the axiomatic approach, an operator-oriented characterization of rough sets is proposed, that is, T-fuzzy approximation operators are defined by axioms. Different axiom sets of T-upper and T-lower fuzzy set-theoretic operators guarantee the existence of different types of fuzzy relations producing the same operators. The independence of axioms characterizing the T-fuzzy rough approximation operators is examined. Then the minimal sets of axioms for the characterization of the T-fuzzy approximation operators are presented. Based on information theory, the entropy of the generalized fuzzy approximation space, which is similar to Shannon’s entropy, is formulated. To measure uncertainty in T-generalized fuzzy rough sets, a notion of fuzziness is introduced. Some basic properties of this measure are examined. For a special triangular norm T = min, it is proved that the measure of fuzziness of the generalized fuzzy rough set is equal to zero if and only if the set is crisp and definable.     

变精度软粗糙集

从集合间的包含程度出发,构造了一种基于包含度的变精度软粗糙集模型。提出带参数的变精度近似算子的定义,得到了它的基本性质和定理,并给出了证明;定义了双精度软粗糙集的近似算子,研究了其性质;讨论了该模型与其他粗糙集模型的关系以及退化条件;举例说明了在信息处理中的应用。     

基于覆盖的区间直觉模糊粗糙集

在经典的覆盖近似空间中,定义了区间直觉模糊概念的粗糙近似。通过区间直觉模糊覆盖概念,给出了一种基于区间直觉模糊覆盖的区间直觉模糊粗糙集模型。讨论了两种模型的一些相关性质。     

On characterization of intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets based on intuitionistic fuzzy implicators

This paper presents a general framework for the study of relation-based (I,T)-intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets by using constructive and axiomatic approaches. In the constructive approach, by employing an intuitionistic fuzzy implicator I and an intuitionistic fuzzy triangle norm T, lower and upper approximations of intuitionistic fuzzy sets with respect to an intuitionistic fuzzy approximation space are first defined. Properties of (I,T)-intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are examined. The connections between special types of intuitionistic fuzzy relations and properties of intuitionistic fuzzy approximation operators are established. In the axiomatic approach, an operator-oriented characterization of (I,T)-intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets is proposed. Different axiom sets characterizing the essential properties of intuitionistic fuzzy approximation operators associated with various intuitionistic fuzzy relations are explored.     

概念格与粗糙集的数据分析方法研究

概念格和粗糙集是数据挖掘中对数据进行分析与处理的两个有力工具,它们在数据分析方面有相似之处.通过运用概念格刻画粗糙集的一些概念与性质给二者建立了联系.指出了概念格每个结点都是粗糙集中一个等价类,并借鉴粗糙集的思想,提出了在概念格中进行概念近似的方法.同时使用概念格中的概念重新描述了粗糙集的上下近似,最后通过事例将粗糙集中改进的区分矩阵运用于概念格中的属性约简,从而减少了区别矩阵的存储空间,并同时减少了区别矩阵的计算量,真正从一定意义上结合了二者的优点.