On fuzzy relational equations and the covering problem

Previous studies have shown that fuzzy relational equations (FREs) based on either the max-continuous Archimedean t-norm or the max-arithmetic mean composition can be transformed into the covering problem, which is an NP-hard problem. Exploiting the properties common to the continuous Archimedean t-norm and the arithmetic mean, this study proposes a generalization of them as the “u-norm”, enabling FREs that are based on the max-continuous u-norm composition also to be transformed into the covering problem. This study also proposes a procedure for transforming the covering problem into max-product FREs. Consequently, max-continuous u-norm FREs can be solved by extending any procedure for solving either the covering problem or max-product FREs.     

T-sum of sigmoid-shaped fuzzy intervals

The usual arithmetic operations on real numbers can be extended to arithmetical operations on fuzzy intervals by means of Zadeh’s extension principle based on a t-norm T. A t-norm is called consistent with respect to a class of fuzzy intervals for some arithmetic operation, if this arithmetic operation is closed for this class. It is important to know which t-norms are consistent with particular types of fuzzy intervals. Recently, Dombi and Gy?rbíró [J. Dombi, N. Gy?rbíró, Additions of sigmoid-shaped fuzzy intervals using the Dombi operator and infinite sum theorems, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 157 (2006) 952-963] proved that addition is closed if the Dombi t-norm is used with sigmoid-shaped fuzzy intervals. In this paper, we define a broader class of sigmoid-shaped fuzzy intervals. Then, we study t-norms that are consistent with these particular types of fuzzy intervals. Dombi and Gy?rbíró’s results are special cases of the results described in this paper.     

H-transformation of t-norms

Cancellative t-norms are generated only if they do not posses anomalous pairs and then they are isomorphic to subsemigroups of ([0, ∞], +). A new construction method for t-norms, so-called H-transformation of t-norms, is introduced and studied, generalizing a recent example of Hájek. H-transformation allows to construct non-generated cancellative (left-continuous) t-norms with prescribed number of non-trivial Archimedean components. The unique t-norm stable under H-transformation is also described. In an analogous way, H-transformation of residual implications is given. Finally, a general H-transformation based on cancellative discrete t-conorms is proposed and examined.     

Combining fuzzy weight average with fuzzy inference system for material substitution selection in electric industry

Material selection is a very important issue for an electronics company as it includes many qualitative or quantification factors. The material selection problem is associated with design and manufacturing problems which have been widely investigated. This study develops a hybrid fuzzy decision-making model which combines the fuzzy weight average (FWA) with the fuzzy inference system (FIS) for material substitution selection in the electronics industry. FWA is employed to select a substitute material in an uncertain environment, while FIS is used for reasoning purposes. FWA with α-cuts arithmetic (FWA_α-cut) is a popularly technology in decision-making problems. However, FWA_α-cut may result in the following unanticipated situations: (1) unclear decision situations; (2) undecided results expressed by fuzzy membership functions; and (3) high computational complexity. Therefore, a fuzzy weight average with the weakest t-norm (FWA_Tω) is designed as an alternative method for group decision making. In contrast to traditional FWA methods, FWA_Tω obtains more visible fuzzy results for decision makers with lower computational complexity, and can provide exacter estimation by the weakest t-norm operations in uncertain environment. Thus, the proposed hybrid fuzzy decision-making model imitates an expert’s experiences and can estimate substitution purchasing in various statuses. A real material substitution selection case is employed to examine the feasibility of the proposed model; experimental results reveal that the proposed model performs better than the traditional FWA model in coping with material substitution selection problems.     

Applications of interval valued t-norms (t-conorms) to fuzzy n-ary sub-hypergroups

In this paper, we study a generalization of group, hypergroup and n-ary group. Firstly, we define interval-valued fuzzy (anti fuzzy) n-ary sub-hypergroup with respect to a t-norm T (t-conorm S). We give a necessary and sufficient condition for, an interval-valued fuzzy subset to be an interval-valued fuzzy (anti fuzzy) n-ary sub-hypergroup with respect to a t-norm T (t-conorm S). Secondly, using the notion of image (anti image) and inverse image of a homomorphism, some new properties of interval-valued fuzzy (anti fuzzy) n-ary sub-hypergroup are obtained with respect to infinitely ∨-distributive t-norms T (∧-distributive t-conorms S). Also, we obtain some results of T-product (S-product) of the interval-valued fuzzy subsets for infinitely ∨-distributive t-norms T (∧-distributive t-conorms S). Lastly, we investigate some properties of interval-valued fuzzy subsets of the fundamental n-ary group with infinitely ∨-distributive t-norms T (∧-distributive t-conorms S).     

Infinite fuzzy relation equations with continuous t-norms

This study develops a concept of infinite fuzzy relation equations with a continuous t-norm. It extends the work by Xiong and Wang [Q.Q. Xiong, X.P. Wang, Some properties of sup-min fuzzy relational equations on infinite domains, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 151 (2005) 393-402]. We describe attainable (respectively, unattainable) solutions, which are closely related to minimal solutions to the equations. It is shown that a solution set comprises both attainable and unattainable solutions. The study offers a characterization of these solutions. Under some assumptions, the solution set is presented and discussed. Two applications are also given.     

Atanassov’s intuitionistic (S, T)-fuzzy n-ary sub-hypergroups and their properties

In this paper, we define a new kind of intuitionistic fuzzy n-ary sub-hypergroups of an n-ary hypergroup. This definition, which is based on Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy sets, t-norms and t-conorms, includes earlier definitions of (n-ary) sub-hypergroups, (intuitionistic) fuzzy (n-ary) sub-hypergroups. Then some related properties are investigated. Also, intuitionistic fuzzy relations with respect to t-norms and t-conorms on n-ary hypergroups are discussed.     

On fuzzy approximation operators in attribute reduction with fuzzy rough sets

Generally speaking, there are four fuzzy approximation operators defined on a general triangular norm (t-norm) framework in fuzzy rough sets. Different types of t-norms specify various approximation operators. One issue whether and how the different fuzzy approximation operators affect the result of attribute reduction is then arisen. This paper addresses this issue from the theoretical viewpoint by reviewing attribute reduction with fuzzy rough sets and then describing and proving some theorems which demonstrate the effects of the fuzzy approximation operators on the results of attribute reduction. First, we review some notions of attribute reduction with fuzzy rough sets, such as positive region, dependency degree and attribute reduction. We then present and prove some theorems which describe how and to what degree fuzzy approximation operators impact the performance of attribute reduction. Finally, we report some experimental simulation results which demonstrate the effectiveness and correctness of the theoretical contributions. One main contribution in this paper is that we have described and proven that each attribute reduction obtained using one type of fuzzy lower approximation operator always contains one reduction obtained using the other type of fuzzy lower approximation operator.     

Intuitionistic (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>)-fuzzy hyperquasigroups

The concept of intuitionistic fuzzy subhyperquasigroups in a hyperquasigroup with respect to an s-norm and a t-norm on intuitionistic fuzzy sets is introduced and their properties of such hyperquasigroups are studied. Intuitionistic (S, T)-fuzzy relations on a hyperquasigroup G are discussed. In particular, we investigate connections hyperquasigroups with binary quasigroups.     

Face recognition by sparse discriminant analysis via joint L2,1-norm minimization

Recently, joint feature selection and subspace learning, which can perform feature selection and subspace learning simultaneously, is proposed and has encouraging ability on face recognition. In the literature, a framework of utilizing L_2,1-norm penalty term has also been presented, but some important algorithms cannot be covered, such as Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis and Sparse Discriminant Analysis. Therefore, in this paper, we add L_2,1-norm penalty term on FLDA and propose a feasible solution by transforming its nonlinear model into linear regression type. In addition, we modify the optimization model of SDA by replacing elastic net with L_2,1-norm penalty term and present its optimization method. Experiments on three standard face databases illustrate FLDA and SDA via L_2,1-norm penalty term can significantly improve their recognition performance, and obtain inspiring results with low computation cost and for low-dimension feature.     

Arithmetic operators in interval-valued fuzzy set theory

We introduce the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on L^I, where L^I is the underlying lattice of both interval-valued fuzzy set theory [R. Sambuc, Fonctions Φ-floues. Application à l’aide au diagnostic en pathologie thyroidienne, Ph.D. Thesis, Université de Marseille, France, 1975] and intuitionistic fuzzy set theory [K.T. Atanassov, Intuitionistic fuzzy sets, 1983, VII ITKR’s Session, Sofia (deposed in Central Sci. Technical Library of Bulg. Acad. of Sci., 1697/84) (in Bulgarian)]. We investigate some algebraic properties of these operators. We show that using these operators the pseudo-t-representable extensions of the ?ukasiewicz t-norm and the product t-norm on the unit interval to L^I and some related operators can be written in a similar way as their counterparts on ([0,1],?).     

Intuitionistic fuzzy Hv-submodules

After the introduction of fuzzy sets by Zadeh, there have been a number of generalizations of this fundamental concept. The notion of intuitionistic fuzzy sets introduced by Atanassov is one among them. In this paper, we apply the concept of an intuitionistic fuzzy set to H_v-modules. The notion of an intuitionistic fuzzy H_v-submodule of an H_v-module is introduced, and some related properties are investigated. Characterizations of intuitionistic fuzzy H_v-submodules are given.     

Strong diagnosability of regular networks under the comparison model

Diagnosability has played an important role in the reliability of multiprocessor systems. The strongly t-diagnosable system is (t+1) diagnosable except when all of the neighbors of a node are simultaneously faulty. In this paper, we discuss the in-depth properties of diagnosability for t-regular and t-connected networks under the comparison model. We show that a t-regular and t-connected multiprocessor system with at least 2t+6 nodes, for t?4, is strongly t-diagnosable under the comparison model if the following two conditions hold: (1) the system is triangle free, and (2) there are at most t−2 common neighbors for each pair of distinct nodes in the system.     

t-Norm based cuts of intuitionistic fuzzy sets

We consider the system of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IF-sets) in a universe X and study the cuts of an IF-set. Suppose a left continuous triangular norm is given. The t-norm based cut (level set) of an IF-set is defined in a way that binds the membership and nonmembership functions via the triangular norm. This is an extension of usual cuts of IF-sets. We show that the system of these cuts fulfils analogical properties as usual systems of cuts. However, it is not possible to reconstruct an IF-set from the system of t-norm based cuts.     

t-Copula generation for control variates

The standard method for generating multi-t vectors is simple and convenient but it has the disadvantage that the generated multi-normal and multi-t vectors are not similar. For t-copula models this destroys much of the variance reduction when using the result of the multi-normal model as external control variate. Therefore we develop a new generation method for multi-t vectors. It is based on the polar method and numerical inversion, and generates multi-normal and multi-t vectors that are very similar. Numerical experiments with simple functions of the weighted sum of t-copula vectors and with pricing European basket options with a t-copula model confirm that the obtained variance reduction factors of the new method are high; 2-100 times higher than when using the standard generation method.     

On approximating Euclidean metrics by weighted t-cost distances in arbitrary dimension

In this work, we propose a new class of distance functions called weighted t-cost distances. This function maximizes the weighted contribution of different t-cost norms in n-dimensional space. With proper weight assignment, this class of function also generalizes m-neighbor and octagonal distances. A non-strict upper bound (denoted as R_u in this work) of its relative error with respect to Euclidean norm is derived and an optimal weight assignment by minimizing R_u is obtained. However, it is observed that the strict upper bound of weighted t-cost norm may be significantly lower than R_u. For example, an inverse square root weight assignment leads to a good approximation of Euclidean norm in arbitrary dimension.     

An algorithm for solving fuzzy relation equations with max-T composition operator

This paper studies the problem of solving a max-T composite finite fuzzy relation equation, where T is a special class of pseudo-t-norms. If the equation is solvable, then its set of feasible solutions is determined by the greatest solution and a finite number of minimal solutions. Some necessary conditions are presented for the minimal solutions in terms of the maximum solution and zero value. Under these conditions, some minimal solutions of the system can be obtained easily. Some procedures are also proposed in order to simplify the original system. The simplified system is then decomposed (if possible) into several subsystems with smaller dimensions, which are very easy to solve. Furthermore, a method is presented to solve each subsystem. By combining the method and those procedures, an efficient algorithm is proposed to obtain the set of feasible solutions of the original system. Two examples are also given to illustrate the algorithm.     

Fuzzy measures for a correlation coefficient of fuzzy numbers under TW(the weakest t-norm)-based fuzzy arithmetic operations

Recently, the sup-min convolution based on Zadeh’s extension principle has been used by Liu and Kao [Fuzzy measures for correlation coefficient of fuzzy numbers, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 128 (2002) 267-275], to calculate a fuzzy correlation coefficient. They used a mathematical programming approach to derive fuzzy measures based on the classical definition of the correlation coefficient. It is well known that T_W (the weakest t-norm)-based addition and multiplication preserve the shape of L-R fuzzy numbers. In this paper, we consider the computational aspect of the T_W-based extension principle when the principle is applied to a correlation coefficient of L-R fuzzy numbers. We give the exact solution of a fuzzy correlation coefficient without programming or the aid of computer resources.     

On the direct decomposability of strong negations and S-implication operators on product lattices

In this paper, we discuss the direct product of strong negations. We characterize strong negations on product lattices that are direct products of strong negations. Furthermore, we present a method for constructing t-norms on product lattices which are not direct products. This method is quite general and useful to generate a wide class of such t-norms and solves an open problem posed in 2003 by Jenei and De Baets. Finally, we study direct decompositions of S-implication operators on product lattices.     

A fuzzy logic for the revised drastic product <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-norm

From the ordinal sum theorem for t-subnorms, Jenei introduced a new left-continuous t-norm (called RDP t-norm) by revising the drastic product t-norm. In this paper, propositional and predicate calculi generated by RDP t-norm and its residuum are introduced and the corresponding formal systems RDP and RDP∀, which are schematic extensions of Esteva and Godo’s MTL and MTL∀, respectively, are presented and the standard completeness for RDP and RDP∀ are proved. In addition, a new formula defining the standard disjunctive in RDP was given In the original version of this article, part of it seemed to be text from a previously published article by other authors. This was not so and the author would like to make clear that he was quoting from earlier work of his own in comparison to the work of the other authors. To facilitate this, it was decided that this addendum should be made available.