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.     

覆盖粗糙集上下近似的对偶性分析

覆盖粗糙集是经典粗糙集的推广。然而,覆盖粗糙集的上下近似定义的方法有很多,上下近似是否对偶一直是争论的焦点。本文分析覆盖粗糙集上下近似的对偶性质,讨论对偶下的正域、负域及边界的可定义性。通过对偶性质的分析,对不同问题使用不同上下近似的方法。进一步研究约简与对偶运算的关系,分析覆盖粗糙集中满足对偶的两对重要的上下近似。     

A roughness measure of fuzzy sets from the perspective of distance

Covering generalized rough set theory is an important extension of classical rough set theory. To characterize a fuzzy set in a given covering approximation space, a pair of fuzzy sets, called covering rough fuzzy lower and upper approximations, were introduced, but they do not describe well how much uncertainty is induced by the granularity of knowledge. In this paper, we first discuss the relationship between uncertainty and granularity of knowledge. Then we examine several commonly used distance measures, and indicate that some of them exhibit some limitations. Next we propose a roughness measure based on Minkowski distance, and examine some important properties of this measure. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the application of the roughness measure to incomplete information systems with fuzzy decision.     

覆盖模糊S-粗集模型

建立了基于覆盖理论的模糊S-粗糙集模型,并讨论其性质。在覆盖单向S-粗集x的最小描述的基础上,给出了x的最大描述的定义。给出了覆盖模糊S-粗集上 、下近似算子定义,讨论了算子的基本性质,证明了覆盖S-粗糙集模型下所有模糊集的下近似构成一个模糊拓扑,并得到模糊单向S-粗集X相对于覆盖单向S-粗集和覆盖约简单向S-粗集的上下近似分别相等。     

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.     

覆盖Value集

覆盖粗糙集和Vague集都是处理不确定性问题的数学工具,它们分别是粗糙集和模糊集的扩展。已有的覆盖粗糙集模型在求上、下近似时,可能将一些实际上并非肯定属于给定集合的元素纳入到下近似中,而一些可能属于给定集合的元素却没有纳入到上近似中,这就会改变一些元素与给定集合的关系。通过深入分析论域中的元素与其相关覆盖元之间的关系,建立了覆盖Vague集。该覆盖Vague集能够从一种新的角度反映出论域中各元素与给定集合之间的从属程度。进一步研究了覆盖Vague集与覆盖粗糙集中一些重要概念之间的关系。最后讨论了当覆盖退化为划分时覆盖Vague集的特性。     

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.     

On Three Types of Covering-Based Rough Sets

Rough set theory is a useful tool for data mining. It is based on equivalence relations and has been extended to covering-based generalized rough set. This paper studies three kinds of covering generalized rough sets for dealing with the vagueness and granularity in information systems. First, we examine the properties of approximation operations generated by a covering in comparison with those of the Pawlak's rough sets. Then, we propose concepts and conditions for two coverings to generate an identical lower approximation operation and an identical upper approximation operation. After the discussion on the interdependency of covering lower and upper approximation operations, we address the axiomization issue of covering lower and upper approximation operations. In addition, we study the relationships between the covering lower approximation and the interior operator and also the relationships between the covering upper approximation and the closure operator. Finally, this paper explores the relationships among these three types of covering rough sets.     

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.     

On axiomatic characterizations of three pairs of covering based approximation operators

Rough set theory is a useful tool for dealing with inexact, uncertain or vague knowledge in information systems. The classical rough set theory is based on equivalence relations and has been extended to covering based generalized rough set theory. This paper investigates three types of covering generalized rough sets within an axiomatic approach. Concepts and basic properties of each type of covering based approximation operators are first reviewed. Axiomatic systems of the covering based approximation operators are then established. The independence of axiom set for characterizing each type of covering based approximation operators is also examined. As a result, two open problems about axiomatic characterizations of covering based approximation operators proposed by Zhu and Wang in (IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering 19(8) (2007) 1131-1144, Proceedings of the Third IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Systems, 2006, pp. 444-449) are solved.     

双论域上的广义直觉模糊概率粗糙集模型及其应用

已有的双论域直觉模糊概率粗糙集模型通过设置两个阈值${\lambda _1}$、${\lambda _2} $,讨论了经典集合在直觉模糊二元关系下的概率粗糙下上近似。该模型不能计算直觉模糊集合在直觉模糊二元关系下的概率粗糙下上近似,这在一定程度上限制了该模型的应用。首先给出了直觉模糊条件概率的定义。在直觉模糊概率空间下构造了双论域广义直觉模糊概率粗糙集模型,讨论了模型的主要性质。最后,将模型应用到临床诊断系统中。与其他模型相比,所提出的广义直觉模糊概率粗糙集模型进一步丰富了概率粗糙集理论,更适合于实际应用。     

Generalized interval-valued fuzzy variable precision rough sets determined by fuzzy logical operators

The fuzzy rough set model and interval-valued fuzzy rough set model have been introduced to handle databases with real values and interval values, respectively. Variable precision rough set was advanced by Ziarko to overcome the shortcomings of misclassification and/or perturbation in Pawlak rough sets. By combining fuzzy rough set and variable precision rough set, a variety of fuzzy variable precision rough sets were studied, which cannot only handle numerical data, but are also less sensitive to misclassification. However, fuzzy variable precision rough sets cannot effectively handle interval-valued data-sets. Research into interval-valued fuzzy rough sets for interval-valued fuzzy data-sets has commenced; however, variable precision problems have not been considered in interval-valued fuzzy rough sets and generalized interval-valued fuzzy rough sets based on fuzzy logical operators nor have interval-valued fuzzy sets been considered in variable precision rough sets and fuzzy variable precision rough sets. These current models are incapable of wide application, especially on misclassification and/or perturbation and on interval-valued fuzzy data-sets. In this paper, these models are generalized to a more integrative approach that not only considers interval-valued fuzzy sets, but also variable precision. First, we review generalized interval-valued fuzzy rough sets based on two fuzzy logical operators: interval-valued fuzzy triangular norms and interval-valued fuzzy residual implicators. Second, we propose generalized interval-valued fuzzy variable precision rough sets based on the above two fuzzy logical operators. Finally, we confirm that some existing models, including rough sets, fuzzy variable precision rough sets, interval-valued fuzzy rough sets, generalized fuzzy rough sets and generalized interval-valued fuzzy variable precision rough sets based on fuzzy logical operators, are special cases of the proposed models.     

Approximations in a module by using set-valued homomorphisms

In applied mathematics, we encounter many examples of mathematical objects that can be added to each other and multiplied by scalar numbers. Modules over a ring conclude all those examples. The initiation and majority of studies on rough sets for algebraic structures such as modules have been concentrated on a congruence relation. The congruence relation, however, seems to restrict the application of the generalized rough set model for algebraic sets. In order to solve this problem, we consider the concept of set-valued homomorphism for modules. The notions of generalized lower and upper approximation operators, constructed by means of a set-valued mapping, which is a generalization of the notion of lower and upper approximations of a module, are provided. We also propose the notion of generalized lower and upper approximations with respect to a submodule of a module and discuss some significant properties of them.     

正负域覆盖广义粗集及其运算公理化

针对覆盖广义粗集边界过于粗糙及运算公理化定义难以得到的不足,论文提出了正负域覆盖广义粗集的概念,讨论了覆盖正负域的性质。证明了正负域覆盖广义粗集对不明确的概念可给出更清晰的描述。通过引进覆盖等价的概念,给出了给定论域上任意集在不同覆盖下具有相同正负域覆盖广义粗集的充要条件。最后给出了正负域运算的公理化定义。     

基于信息量的完备覆盖约简算法

覆盖粗糙集是Pawlak粗糙集的一种重要推广。类似于Pawlak粗糙集,约简也是覆盖粗糙集中的核心问题之一。通过引入覆盖族的信息量的概念,讨论了覆盖协调集、约简以及核的等价判定定理,同时对覆盖的重要性进行了度量;在此基础上,提出一种完备的启发式覆盖约简算法,它能够从搜索空间中逐步删除不重要覆盖,避免对其重要性的重复计算;最后,通过一个购房综合评价的实例说明了该算法的可行性与有效性。     

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.     

A new approach to attribute reduction of consistent and inconsistent covering decision systems with covering rough sets

Traditional rough set theory is mainly used to extract rules from and reduce attributes in databases in which attributes are characterized by partitions, while the covering rough set theory, a generalization of traditional rough set theory, does the same yet characterizes attributes by covers. In this paper, we propose a way to reduce the attributes of covering decision systems, which are databases characterized by covers. First, we define consistent and inconsistent covering decision systems and their attribute reductions. Then, we state the sufficient and the necessary conditions for reduction. Finally, we use a discernibility matrix to design algorithms that compute all the reducts of consistent and inconsistent covering decision systems. Numerical tests on four public data sets show that the proposed attribute reductions of covering decision systems accomplish better classification performance than those of traditional rough sets.     

两类广义粗糙集的拟阵结构

基于邻域粗糙集模型和覆盖粗糙集模型,分别构造了两类拟阵结构,即邻域上近似数诱导的拟阵和覆盖上近似数诱导的拟阵。一方面,通过广义粗糙集定义了两类上近似数,并证明了它们满足拟阵理论中的秩公理,从而由秩函数的观点出发得到了两类拟阵;另一方面,利用粗糙集方法研究了这两类拟阵的独立集、极小圈、闭包、闭集等的表达形式,说明了粗糙集中的上近似算子与拟阵中的闭包算子的关系,进一步通过探讨覆盖和拟阵的关系,得到了覆盖中的元素及其任意并是由覆盖上近似数诱导的拟阵的闭集。     

Soft sets and soft rough sets

In this study, we establish an interesting connection between two mathematical approaches to vagueness: rough sets and soft sets. Soft set theory is utilized, for the first time, to generalize Pawlak’s rough set model. Based on the novel granulation structures called soft approximation spaces, soft rough approximations and soft rough sets are introduced. Basic properties of soft rough approximations are presented and supported by some illustrative examples. We also define new types of soft sets such as full soft sets, intersection complete soft sets and partition soft sets. The notion of soft rough equal relations is proposed and related properties are examined. We also show that Pawlak’s rough set model can be viewed as a special case of the soft rough sets, and these two notions will coincide provided that the underlying soft set in the soft approximation space is a partition soft set. Moreover, an example containing a comparative analysis between rough sets and soft rough sets is given.     

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.