Fuzzy rough set theory for the interval-valued fuzzy information systems

The concept of the rough set was originally proposed by Pawlak as a formal tool for modelling and processing incomplete information in information systems, then in 1990, Dubois and Prade first introduced the rough fuzzy sets and fuzzy rough sets as a fuzzy extension of the rough sets. The aim of this paper is to present a new extension of the rough set theory by means of integrating the classical Pawlak rough set theory with the interval-valued fuzzy set theory, i.e., the interval-valued fuzzy rough set model is presented based on the interval-valued fuzzy information systems which is defined in this paper by a binary interval-valued fuzzy relations RF⁽ⁱ⁾(U×U) on the universe U. Several properties of the rough set model are given, and the relationships of this model and the others rough set models are also examined. Furthermore, we also discuss the knowledge reduction of the classical Pawlak information systems and the interval-valued fuzzy information systems respectively. Finally, the knowledge reduction theorems of the interval-valued fuzzy information systems are built.     

不完备区间值模糊信息系统的粗糙集理论

考虑到模糊信息系统的不完备性和信息值的不确定性,讨论了不完备区间值模糊信息系统的粗糙集理论,给出了粗糙近似算子的性质。研究了不完备区间值模糊信息系统上的知识发现,提出了基于不完备区间值决策表的决策规则和属性约简,最后给出算例。     

Improving the performance of fuzzy rule-based classification systems with interval-valued fuzzy sets and genetic amplitude tuning

Among the computational intelligence techniques employed to solve classification problems, Fuzzy Rule-Based Classification Systems (FRBCSs) are a popular tool because of their interpretable models based on linguistic variables, which are easier to understand for the experts or end-users.The aim of this paper is to enhance the performance of FRBCSs by extending the Knowledge Base with the application of the concept of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets (IVFSs). We consider a post-processing genetic tuning step that adjusts the amplitude of the upper bound of the IVFS to contextualize the fuzzy partitions and to obtain a most accurate solution to the problem.We analyze the goodness of this approach using two basic and well-known fuzzy rule learning algorithms, the Chi et al.’s method and the fuzzy hybrid genetics-based machine learning algorithm. We show the improvement achieved by this model through an extensive empirical study with a large collection of data-sets.     

Polynomial regression interval-valued fuzzy systems

In recent years, the type-2 fuzzy sets theory has been used to model and minimize the effects of uncertainties in rule-base fuzzy logic system (FLS). In order to make the type-2 FLS reasonable and reliable, a new simple and novel statistical method to decide interval-valued fuzzy membership functions and probability type reduce reasoning method for the interval-valued FLS are developed. We have implemented the proposed non-linear (polynomial regression) statistical interval-valued type-2 FLS to perform smart washing machine control. The results show that our quadratic statistical method is more robust to design a reliable type-2 FLS and also can be extend to polynomial model.     

Knowledge acquisition in incomplete fuzzy information systems via the rough set approach

Abstract: Machine learning can extract desired knowledge from training examples and ease the development bottleneck in building expert systems. Most learning approaches derive rules from complete and incomplete data sets. If attribute values are known as possibility distributions on the domain of the attributes, the system is called an incomplete fuzzy information system. Learning from incomplete fuzzy data sets is usually more difficult than learning from complete data sets and incomplete data sets. In this paper, we deal with the problem of producing a set of certain and possible rules from incomplete fuzzy data sets based on rough sets. The notions of lower and upper generalized fuzzy rough approximations are introduced. By using the fuzzy rough upper approximation operator, we transform each fuzzy subset of the domain of every attribute in an incomplete fuzzy information system into a fuzzy subset of the universe, from which fuzzy similarity neighbourhoods of objects in the system are derived. The fuzzy lower and upper approximations for any subset of the universe are then calculated and the knowledge hidden in the information system is unravelled and expressed in the form of decision rules.     

Characterization of rough set approximations in Atanassov intuitionistic fuzzy set theory

The primitive notions in rough set theory are lower and upper approximation operators defined by a fixed binary relation and satisfying many interesting properties. Many types of generalized rough set models have been proposed in the literature. This paper discusses the rough approximations of Atanassov intuitionistic fuzzy sets in crisp and fuzzy approximation spaces in which both constructive and axiomatic approaches are used. In the constructive approach, concepts of rough intuitionistic fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets are defined, properties of rough intuitionistic fuzzy approximation operators and intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are examined. Different classes of rough intuitionistic fuzzy set algebras and intuitionistic fuzzy rough set algebras are obtained from different types of fuzzy relations. In the axiomatic approach, an operator-oriented characterization of rough sets is proposed, that is, rough intuitionistic fuzzy approximation operators and intuitionistic fuzzy rough approximation operators are defined by axioms. Different axiom sets of upper and lower intuitionistic fuzzy set-theoretic operators guarantee the existence of different types of crisp/fuzzy relations which produce the same operators.     

Robustness of interval-valued fuzzy inference

Since interval-valued fuzzy set intuitively addresses not only vagueness (lack of sharp class boundaries) but also a feature of uncertainty (lack of information), interval-valued fuzzy reasoning plays a vital role in intelligent systems including fuzzy control, classification, expert systems, and so on. To utilize interval-valued fuzzy inference better, it is very important to study the fundamental properties of interval-valued fuzzy inference such as robustness. In this paper, we first discuss the robustness of interval-valued fuzzy connectives. And then investigate the robustness of interval-valued fuzzy reasoning in terms of the sensitivity of interval-valued fuzzy connectives and maximum perturbation of interval-valued fuzzy sets. These results reveal that the robustness of interval-valued fuzzy reasoning is directly linked to the selection of interval-valued fuzzy connectives.     

An interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy MABAC approach for material selection with incomplete weight information

In engineering design, selecting the most suitable material for a particular product is a typical multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, which generally involves several feasible alternatives and conflicting criteria. In this paper, we aim to propose a novel approach based on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) for handling material selection problems with incomplete weight information. First, individual evaluations of experts concerning each alternative are aggregated to construct the group interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) decision matrix. Consider the situation where the criteria weight information is partially known, a linear programming model is established for determining the criteria weights. Then, an extended MABAC method within the IVIF environment is developed to rank and select the best material. Finally, two application examples are provided to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed IVIF-MABAC approach. The results suggest that for the automotive instrument panel, polypropylene is the best, for the hip prosthesis, Co–Cr alloys-wrought alloy is the optimal option. Finally, based on the results, comparisons between the IVIF-MABAC and other relevant representative methods are presented. It is observed that the obtained rankings of the alternative materials are good agreement with those derived by the past researchers.     

Granulation of a fuzzy set: Nonspecificity

Granulation (decomposition) of a fuzzy set A defined on a finite set of objects X is studied. Two types of decomposition are considered: external granulation determined by a given equivalence relation on X and internal granulation created by clusters of elements from X with similar membership grades in A. Axiomatic definitions of measures of granular nonspecificity and granular specificity are proposed. Some general approaches to the construction of measures of granular nonspecificity (specificity) are suggested. Relationship between granular nonspecificity, roughness and nonspecificity of a fuzzy set is discussed.     

A soft computing method of performance evaluation with MCDM based on interval-valued fuzzy numbers

This study presented a new performance evaluation method for tackling fuzzy multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problems based on combining VIKOR and interval-valued fuzzy sets. The performance evaluation problem often exists in complex administrative processes in which multiple evaluation criteria, subjective/objective assessments and fuzzy conditions have to be taken into consideration simultaneously in management. Here, the subjective, imprecise, inexact and uncertain evaluation processes are modeled as fuzzy numbers by means of linguistic terms, as fuzzy theory can provide an appropriate tool to deal with such uncertainties. However, the presentation of linguistic expressions in the form of ordinary fuzzy sets is not clear enough [15] and [21]. Interval-valued fuzzy sets can provide more flexibility [4] and [14] to represent the imprecise/vague information that results, and it can also provide a more accurate modeling. This paper presents the interval-valued fuzzy VIKOR, which aims to solve MCDM problems in which the weights and performances of criteria are unequal by using the concepts of interval-valued fuzzy sets. A case study for evaluating the performances of three major intercity bus companies from an intercity public transport system is conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.     

Medical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases using an interval-valued fuzzy rule-based classification system

ObjectiveTo develop a classifier that tackles the problem of determining the risk of a patient of suffering from a cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years. The system has to provide both a diagnosis and an interpretable model explaining the decision. In this way, doctors are able to analyse the usefulness of the information given by the system.MethodsLinguistic fuzzy rule-based classification systems are used, since they provide a good classification rate and a highly interpretable model. More specifically, a new methodology to combine fuzzy rule-based classification systems with interval-valued fuzzy sets is proposed, which is composed of three steps: (1) the modelling of the linguistic labels of the classifier using interval-valued fuzzy sets; (2) the use of the K_α operator in the inference process and (3) the application of a genetic tuning to find the best ignorance degree that each interval-valued fuzzy set represents as well as the best value for the parameter α of the K_α operator in each rule.ResultsThe suitability of the new proposal to deal with this medical diagnosis classification problem is shown by comparing its performance with respect to the one provided by two classical fuzzy classifiers and a previous interval-valued fuzzy rule-based classification system. The performance of the new method is statistically better than the ones obtained with the methods considered in the comparison. The new proposal enhances both the total number of correctly diagnosed patients, around 3% with respect the classical fuzzy classifiers and around 1% vs. the previous interval-valued fuzzy classifier, and the classifier ability to correctly differentiate patients of the different risk categories.ConclusionThe proposed methodology is a suitable tool to face the medical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, since it obtains a good classification rate and it also provides an interpretable model that can be easily understood by the doctors.     

Entropy of interval-valued fuzzy sets based on distance and its relationship with similarity measure

This article proposes a new axiomatic definition of entropy of interval-valued fuzzy sets (IVFSs) and discusses its relation with similarity measure. First, we propose an axiomatic definition of entropy for IVFS based on distance which is consistent with the axiomatic definition of entropy of a fuzzy set introduced by De Luca, Termini and Liu. Next, some formulae are derived to calculate this kind of entropy. Furthermore we investigate the relationship between entropy and similarity measure of IVFSs and prove that similarity measure can be transformed by entropy. Finally, a numerical example is given to show that the proposed entropy measures are more reasonable and reliable for representing the degree of fuzziness of an IVFS.     

Some information measures for interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets

A new information entropy measure of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set (IvIFS) is proposed by using membership interval and non-membership interval of IvIFS, which complies with the extended form of Deluca-Termini axioms for fuzzy entropy. Then the cross-entropy of IvIFSs is presented and the relationship between the proposed entropy measures and the existing information measures of IvIFSs is discussed. Additionally, some numerical examples are given to illustrate the applications of the proposed entropy and cross-entropy of IvIFSs to pattern recognition and decision-making.     

Interval-valued fuzzy coimplications and related dual interval-valued conjugate functions

The aim of this paper is to introduce the dual notion of interval conjugate implications, the interval coimplications, as interval representations of corresponding conjugate fuzzy coimplications. Using the canonical representation, this paper considers both the correctness and the optimality criteria, in order to provide interpretation for fuzzy coimplications as the non-truth degree of conditional rule in expert systems and study the action of interval automorphisms on such interval fuzzy connectives. It is proved that interval automorphisms acting on N$\mathbb{N}$-dual interval coimplications preserve the main properties of interval implications discussed in the literature including the duality principle. Lastly, the action of interval automorphisms on interval classes of border, model and S-coimplications are considered, summarized in commutative diagrams.     

Minimization of axiom sets on fuzzy approximation operators

Axiomatic characterization of approximation operators is an important aspect in the study of rough set theory. In this paper, we examine the independence of axioms and present the minimal axiom sets characterizing fuzzy rough approximation operators and rough fuzzy approximation operators.     

区间集值信息系统中的粗糙集理论

介绍集值信息系统和区间值信息系统,并提出了同时具有这两种系统特点的区间集值信息系统.依据属性值的语义关系,将区间集值信息系统分为两类：析取（I型）和合取（II型）系统,并对其分别提出了基于优势关系的粗糙集模型,讨论了相关性质.最后用实例分析验证了所提出系统的有效性.     

区间直觉模糊信息系统中的信息粒度

区间直觉模糊信息系统比一般信息系统更能全面、细致、直观地描述和刻画决策信息,对其进行不确定性研究具有重要的意义。利用信息粒度对区间直觉模糊信息系统的不确定性进行了刻画,给出了区间直觉模糊粒度结构的交、并、差、补等四种运算。提出了区间直觉模糊粒度结构上的三种偏序关系,并建立了它们之间的联系。定义了区间直觉模糊信息粒度和区间直觉模糊信息粒度的公理化,并研究它们的性质。     

Rough fuzzy approximations on two universes of discourse

In rough set theory, the lower and upper approximation operators can be constructed via a variety of approaches. Various fuzzy generalizations of rough approximation operators have been made over the years. This paper presents a framework for the study of rough fuzzy sets on two universes of discourse. By means of a binary relation between two universes of discourse, a covering and three relations are induced to a single universe of discourse. Based on the induced notions, four pairs of rough fuzzy approximation operators are proposed. These models guarantee that the approximating sets and the approximated sets are on the same universes of discourse. Furthermore, the relationship between the new approximation operators and the existing rough fuzzy approximation operators on two universes of discourse are scrutinized, and some interesting properties are investigated. Finally, the connections of these approximation operators are made, and conditions under which some of these approximation operators are equivalent are obtained.     

A method based on distance measure for interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy group decision making

In this paper we introduce some relations and operations of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and define some types of matrices, including interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy matrix, interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy similarity matrix and interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy equivalence matrix. We study their properties, develop a method based on distance measure for group decision making with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy matrices and, finally, provide an illustrative example.     

Dynamic computing rough approximations approach to time-evolving information granule interval-valued ordered information system

With the advent of Big Data era has seen both the volumes and update rates of data increase rapidly. The granular structure of an information system is evolving with time when redundancy data leaves and new data arrives. In order to quickly achieve the rough approximations of dynamic attribute set interval-valued ordered information system that the attribute set varies over time. In this study, we proposed two dynamic computing rough approximations approaches for time-evolving information granule interval-valued ordered information system which induced by the deletion or addition some attributes, respectively. The updating mechanisms enable obtaining additional knowledge from the varied data without forgetting the prior knowledge. According to these established computing rules, two corresponding dynamic computing algorithms are designed and some examples are illustrated to explain updating principles and show computing process. Furthermore, a series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the computational efficiency of the studied updating mechanisms based on several UCI datasets. The experimental results clearly indicate that these methods significantly outperform the traditional approaches with a dramatic reduction in the computational efficiency to update the rough approximations.