Incomplete Information Systems Research Articles

Intelligent evaluation system for new energy vehicles based on sentiment analysis: An MG-PL-3WD method

As a critical strategic tool within the framework of the digital economy (DE), artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in realizing an AI-assisted economy. This novel paradigm has gained widespread acceptance from governments globally, positioning itself as a cornerstone in the practical implementation of the DE. The increasing reliance on digital means for economic transformation, the treatment of data as a critical resource, and the integration of information technologies highlight the synergy between AI and the DE. Against this backdrop, online reviews and SA play a pivotal role, offering rich data streams continually emerging on various platforms. Therefore, this article utilizes a probabilistic linguistic term set (PLTS) to establish a multi-granularity probabilistic linguistic (MG-PL) information system. This approach, through sentiment analysis (SA), enables quantitative analysis of user emotional expressions. The integration of these technological aspects holds the promise of enhancing decision-making processes, facilitating the intellectualization of economic activities, and addressing existing challenges in the application of AI within the DE domain. Initially, SA is conducted on text-based online comment data, forming a probabilistic linguistic incomplete information system. The maximum similarity method is employed to establish a probabilistic linguistic complete information system. Subsequently, an adjustable MG-PL decision-theoretic rough set (DTRS) is developed, followed by the establishment of a three-way group decision model using three-way decisions (3WD) and a directed graph. The model’s applicability, stability, and feasibility are demonstrated via a case study centered on the acquisition of new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Three-way decision method based on triangular norms in incomplete information systems and its applications in medical diagnosis

Three-way decision, as an extension of traditional two-way decision, was proposed by Yao in 2009, which can effectively avoid unnecessary losses caused by incorrect decisions in the decision-making process. Meanwhile, incomplete hybrid information systems represent the database of the relationship between objects and attributes, which refers to a system with multiple data and missing data. In this paper, based on the fact that many existing literatures involving incomplete hybrid information systems did not fully consider the impact of different conditional attributes on decision attributes and lacked effective aggregation methods to integrate weights and distances, we propose a new three-way decision method to deal with incomplete hybrid information systems with the help of triangular norms. First, in incomplete hybrid information systems, we redefine the distance between two objects based on conditional attributes and give the calculation formula of different data attributes in conditional attributes. At the same time, we define a new weight calculation method based on the relationship between conditional attributes and decision attributes. And then, by the distance between different conditional attributes and their corresponding weights, the hybrid distance is obtained using triangular norms. Furthermore, we use the hybrid distance to get the tolerance relation on the target set of an incomplete hybrid information system, thereby, using this tolerance relation, we get a new decision theoretic rough set model and the corresponding decision rules. Finally, by two experiments involving medical diagnosis, we demonstrate that our model has better classification ability, lower misclassification rate, and better stability compared to other corresponding models, thereby confirming that the proposed model provides a new and effective method for handling incomplete hybrid information systems in practical applications.

Does environmental credit affect bank loans? Evidence from Chinese A‐share listed firms

AbstractWe investigate the effect of government‐initiated enterprise environmental credit ratings on firms' bank loans. While prior research indicates that companies with superior environmental performance tend to secure more bank loans, it is crucial to acknowledge that these performance metrics predominantly rely on voluntary corporate social responsibility or environmental, social, and governance disclosures made by the firms themselves or evaluated by third‐party agencies. Consequently, the evaluation results could be biased due to incomplete information disclosure, methodologies, or systems, raising concerns among scholars about potential “greenwashing” or symbolic environmental actions. In contrast, we employ a dataset comprising 27,388 observations from 2009 to 2021, applying propensity score matching and a time‐varying difference‐in‐difference model to better discern the relationship between firms' environmental credit ratings and their ability to obtain bank loans. Our findings highlight that firms participating in environmental credit evaluation can secure more bank loans compared to non‐participating firms. This effect is especially pronounced in regions with advanced green finance development. Further analysis shows that non‐state‐owned enterprises with excellent or good environmental credit ratings receive more loans, thus mitigating ownership bias in loan distribution. Overall, our results demonstrate that mandatory government environmental credit ratings mitigate information asymmetry by enabling lenders to better understand firms' environmental information.

Uncertainty measurement for incomplete lattice-valued information system

We analyze the properties and characteristics of the information structure in incomplete lattice-valued information system (ILIS), we redefine the information structure and the dependence and information distance between the two information structures. In addition, in order to evaluate the uncertainty of ILIS, the concepts of granular measure and entropy measure are expounded, including information granulation, information quantity, rough entropy and information entropy. Finally, we carry out numerical experiments to verify the feasibility of the method, and carry out effective statistical analysis. These results are conducive to the establishment of granular computing framework in ILIS.

Outlier detection in a multiset-valued information system based on rough set theory and granular computing

Outlier detection on data with missing information values is especially tricky because the uncertainty caused by missing information values may contribute to an object being an outlier. A multiset-valued information system (MSVIS) is an information system (IS) in which information values are multisets. This kind of IS is a useful way of handling datasets with missing information values. In this paper, we study outlier detection in an MSVIS based on rough set theory and granular computing. First, some concepts of multisets and probability distribution sets are reviewed, and the fact that a weak one-to-one correspondence exists between multisets and rational probability distribution sets is illustrated. In this way, multisets may be treated as rational probability distribution sets. Then, an MSVIS can be induced by an incomplete information system (IIS) and viewed as the result of information fusion of multiple categorical ISs. Next, a tolerance relation in an MSVIS is constructed with the induced rational probability distribution sets. Then, the outlier factor in an MSVIS is formulated, and the corresponding outlier detection algorithm is proposed. Finally, the performance evaluation by AUC (area under the curve) and F1-score shows the superiority of the proposed algorithm over some existing algorithms.

Three-way group decisions with evidential reasoning in incomplete hesitant fuzzy information systems for liver disease diagnosis

Three-way group decisions with evidential reasoning in incomplete hesitant fuzzy information systems for liver disease diagnosis

Outlier detection for incomplete real-valued data via rough set theory and granular computing

Outlier detection is an important topic in data mining. An information system (IS) is a database that shows relationships between objects and attributes. A real-valued information system (RVIS) is an IS whose information values are real numbers. People often encounter missing values during data processing. A RVIS with the miss values is an incomplete real-valued information system (IRVIS). Due to the presence of the missing values, the distance between two information values is difficult to determine, so the existing outlier detection rarely considered an IS with the miss values. This paper investigates outlier detection for an IRVIS via rough set theory and granular computing. Firstly, the distance between two information values on each attribute of an IRVIS is introduced, and the parameter λ to control the distance is given. Then, the tolerance relation on the object set is defined according to the distance, and the tolerance class is obtained, which is regarded as an information granule. After then, λ-lower and λ-upper approximations in an IRVIS are put forward. Next, the outlier factor of every object in an IRVIS is presented. Finally, outlier detection method for IRVIS via rough set theory and granular computing is proposed, and the corresponding algorithms is designed. Through the experiments, the proposed method is compared with other methods. The experimental results show that the designed algorithm is more effective than some existing algorithms in an IRVIS. It is worth mentioning that for comprehensive comparison, ROC curve and AUC value are used to illustrate the advantages of the proposed method.

A Three-Way Decision Methodology With Regret Theory via Triangular Fuzzy Numbers in Incomplete Multiscale Decision Information Systems

The three-way decision theory provides a three-way philosophical thinking to solve problems, and the regret theory quantifies the risk preferences of decision makers under different psychological behaviors. On the one hand, the combination of these two theories makes models more practical by considering the psychological behaviors of decision makers. On the other hand, we can effectively combine the advantages of the three-way decision theory with the regret theory to highlight the interpretability of decision making processes. In this paper, we propose a novel approximate estimation method for incomplete utility values via the regret theory and establish a wide sense of three-way decision model on incomplete multi-scale decision information systems. First, the degree of consistency for each scale is measured via using the dependency degree, then the optimal subsystem is selected by evaluating the scale selection cost. Further, the incomplete multi-scale evaluation information is transformed into triangular fuzzy numbers via linguistic term sets. Second, in light of fuzzy evaluation values and trade-off factors, an estimation method for incomplete fuzzy subsystems is constructed, which can be used to calculate the utility difference and regret-rejoicing values for pairwise comparisons. Finally, from the perspective of human cognition, the tri-partition and the corresponding decision rules are built by the tolerance degree, and the ranking of objects is calculated by the relative closeness degree. Additionally, multi-aspect comparative and experimental analyses are performed by extensive experiments, and the feasibility, validity and stability of the constructed model are shown by parametric analyses.

Fuzzy Intelligence Learning Based on Bounded Rationality in IoMT Systems: A Case Study in Parkinson’s Disease

As a cause of interfering with routine activities, freezing of gait (FOG) is a severe syndrome of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and usually performs as an abrupt and momentary inability to effective stepping forward. Advanced wearable acceleration sensors based on socially implemented Internet of medical things (IoMT) devices can remotely provide a platform for recognizing FOG. However, due to the diverse data acquisition modes that appear in classic IoMT devices, the obtained data may contain imprecise, hesitant, and incomplete ones. Meanwhile, the bounded rationality owned by neurologists usually has a big impact on using wearable acceleration sensors to predict illnesses. Therefore, the objective of this article lies in exploring a fuzzy intelligence learning approach based on bounded rationality in IoMT systems and providing a valid scheme for biomedical data analysis. Specifically, a brand-new three-way group decision-making approach by means of TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for interactive multicriteria decision-making) with incomplete dual hesitant fuzzy (DHF) information and its applications in detecting FOG in PD using IoMT devices are systematically explored. First, taking advantage of DHF sets (DHFSs) when depicting realistic group decision information, the concept of multigranulation (MG) incomplete DHF information systems is built. Second, adjustable MG DHF probabilistic rough sets (PRSs) are further put forward via DHF similarity relations. Third, a three-way group decision-making approach is constructed by virtue of adjustable MG DHF PRSs and TODIM. Finally, the validity, effectiveness, and practicality of the constructed three-way group decision-making approach are investigated by a University of California, Irvine (UCI) dataset with several experimental analyses in the background of FOG detection in PD using IoMT devices. The experimental result indicates that the developed fuzzy intelligence learning approach achieves reasonable diagnostic conclusions for FOG detection in PD from the perspective of uncertain information processing abilities, decision risks, and bounded rationality.

A regret theory-based multi-granularity three-way decision model with incomplete T-spherical fuzzy information and its application in forest fire management

Forest fires are an abrupt and highly destructive meteorological disaster that can occur in all regions of the world, resulting in significant ecological, economic and social losses. Moreover, the causes of forest fire disasters are usually complex, involving several uncertain factors such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall. All of those pose the greatest challenge to the study of forest fire management (FRM). In order to efficiently explore FRM via valid intelligent decision-making techniques, a novel model of regret theory (RT)-based multi-granularity (MG) three-way decisions (TWD) in incomplete T-spherical fuzzy (T-SF) environments has been constructed, where incomplete T-spherical fuzzy sets (T-SFSs) have been employed to describe diverse types of uncertain information in FRM, and RT-based MG TWD is conducive to analyzing multi-source T-SF information via reducing decision risks and modeling bounded rationality owned by decision-makers (DMs). Specifically, the concept of MG T-SF incomplete information systems (IISs) has been first constructed for information depictions of FRM. Then, MG T-SF IISs have been processed via the presented T-SF similarity principles for developing adjustable MG T-SF probabilistic rough sets (PRSs). Afterwards, an RT-based MG TWD approach has been built with the support of adjustable MG T-SF PRSs. Finally, a real-world FRM case analysis has been performed by using the built RT-based MG TWD approach, and extensive comparative and experimental analyses have been performed to validate the practicability of the presented methodology. To sum up, the presented methodology has simultaneously incorporated MG T-SF IISs, MG TWD and RT to model various uncertainties, valid information fusion processes and bounded rationality for FRM, which serves as a valid intelligent decision-making technique in processing incomplete and imprecise multi-source information with plentiful decision risks and regret emotions.

Interval-valued fuzzy discernibility pair approach for attribute reduction in incomplete interval-valued information systems

Interval-valued information systems provide rich semantic interpretation and greater flexibility compared to real-valued information systems. Meanwhile, incomplete interval-valued information systems containing missing values exist widely in reality. One of the key issues in handling incomplete interval-valued information systems is attribute reduction. Unfortunately, there are few studies on attribute reduction for incomplete interval-valued information systems. Moreover, most of the existing studies use fuzzy similarity relations to measure the similarity of objects. Due to the complexity of incomplete interval-valued information systems, traditional fuzzy similarity relations cannot adequately represent the information contained within incomplete interval-valued information systems. To address this issue, this study proposes interval-valued fuzzy min-max similarity relations for incomplete interval-valued information systems, along with two attribute reduction algorithms based on interval-valued fuzzy discernibility pairs model for incomplete interval-valued information systems. Firstly, this study defines interval-valued fuzzy min-max similarity relations using distance-based extended restricted equivalence functions. Secondly, this study presents the interval-valued fuzzy discernibility pairs and discerning ability measure for attribute sets. Furthermore, an attribute reduction algorithm is proposed for incomplete interval-valued information systems. Thirdly, taking into account decision attributes, the relative interval-valued fuzzy discernibility pairs and an attribute reduction algorithm for incomplete interval-valued decision information systems are proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is compared to four representative attribute reduction algorithms in experiments. The experimental results illustrate that our method is effective and has advantages over the compared algorithms.

A further study on generalized neighborhood systems-based pessimistic rough sets

The generalized neighborhood system-based rough set is an important extension of Pawlak’s rough set. The rough sets based on generalized neighborhood systems include two basic models: optimistic and pessimistic rough sets. In this paper, we give a further study on pessimistic rough sets. At first, to regain some properties of Pawlak’s rough sets that are lost in pessimistic rough sets, we introduce the mediate, transitive, positive (negative) alliance conditions for generalized neighborhood systems. At second, some approximation operators generated by special generalized neighborhood systems are characterized, which include serial, reflexive, symmetric, mediate, transitive, and negative alliance generalized neighborhood systems and their combinations (e.g. reflexive and transitive). At third, we discuss the topologies generated by the upper and lower approximation operators of the pessimistic rough sets. Finally, combining practical examples, we apply pessimistic rough sets to rule extraction of incomplete information systems. Particularly, we prove that different decision rules can be obtained when different neighborhood systems are chosen. This enables decision makers to choose decisions based on personal preferences.

Matrix-based approaches for updating three-way regions in incomplete information systems with the variation of attributes

As a commonly used framework for uncertainty reasoning, tolerance rough set has achieved remarkable success in handling incomplete information systems with missing values. Three-way regions generated from tolerance rough set model play an increasingly crucial role in decision making and intelligent data analysis. Nevertheless, the dynamic change of attributes often exists in incomplete information systems. With this dynamic characteristic, three-way regions must be effectively updated for potential decision-making processes. Therefore, we develop incremental algorithms for maintenance of three-way regions in incomplete information systems when adding or deleting attributes, accelerating the calculation by making use of prior information. First, we put forward an effective matrix-based approach to calculate three-way regions in incomplete data. With the dynamic change of attributes, we further investigate the updating strategies of related matrices for constructing three-way regions. Accordingly, matrix-based algorithms for incrementally updating three-way regions are developed and discussed while the attributes vary over time. In addition, the complexity comparisons of non-incremental and incremental algorithms are illustrated. Finally, empirical experiments are performed to reveal the efficiency of the incremental algorithms compared with matrix-based non-incremental and related incremental algorithms.

Improved rough approximations based on variable J-containment neighborhoods

Classic generalized rough set model in neighborhood systems provides a more general framework for depicting approximations, while it may meet the non-reflexive situations. Some scholars put forward different neighborhoods, such as adhesion neighborhoods (briefly, P_{j}-neighborhoods), containment neighborhoods (briefly, C_{j}-neighborhoods), and E_{j}-neighborhoods. However, not all of them are reflexive. Moreover, the granularity of P_{j}-neighborhoods and C_{j}-neighborhoods are too fine, and that of E_{j}-neighborhoods too coarse. To solve the problem, we aim to design a novel construction approach of neighborhoods, called variable j-containment neighborhoods (briefly, V_{j}^{beta }-neighborhoods), which satisfies the reflexivity and the granularity so flexible that the neighborhood space can adjust the granularity to meet the needs of problems. We generalize three kinds of rough approximations in V_{j}^{beta }-neighborhood spaces and discuss their properties. What’s more, we analyze the topology structures relying on V_{j}^{beta }-neighborhood spaces and compare our proposed approach with the existing approaches. By selecting the appropriate parameter beta, our neighborhood system is more flexible in adjusting the granularity to fit problem requirements. And illustrative examples demonstrate the advantages of the proposed rough set model to attribute reduction in incomplete information systems.

Collaborative Fuzzy Linguistic Learning to Low-Resource and Robust Decision System Based on Bounded Rationality

Low-resource languages are challenging to process intelligent decision systems due to limited data and resources. As an effective way of processing low-resource languages in intelligent decision systems, fuzzy linguistic approaches excel in transforming original uncertain linguistic information into highly structured data and learning valid decision rules between complex data structures. However, existing fuzzy linguistic methods may not fully capture realistic features of multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM), such as incomplete and hesitant linguistic expressions, stable information fusion, and bounded rationality of decision-makers (DMs). Therefore, it is necessary to develop a collaborative fuzzy language learning system based on bounded rationality, low-resource and robust decision-making. Specifically, we present a new multi-granularity (MG) group decision-making (GDM) scheme by using MULTIMOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis plus the full MULTIplicative form) and PT (Prospect Theory) for incomplete hesitant fuzzy linguistic information systems (I-HFL-ISs), where MG GDM aims to discover knowledge from complex MAGDM problems with MG features. To achieve the above goal, we first introduce the concept of MG-I-HFL-ISs to represent incomplete, hesitant and imprecise linguistic evaluation information offered by multiple decision-makers (DMs). Then, we apply a valid transformation scheme to convert MG-I-HFL-ISs into MG-HFL-ISs, and use the MG probability rough set (PRS) to develop a series of MG-HFL-PRSs with the support of MULTIMOORA. Afterwards, an HFL MG GDM method is designed by integrating MULTIMOORA and PT for solving MAGDM problems with MG-I-HFL-ISs. The proposed method can effectively synthesize low-resource languages and mine useful decision-making knowledge. At last, a drug selection case and a simulated case are performed for showing the rationality of the designed HFL MG GDM scheme.

Attributes Reduction on SE-ISI Concept Lattice for an Incomplete Context Using Object Ranking

The formal concept of lattice plays a vital role in knowledge discovery. Reduction of the attribute has many applications in machine learning technology and data mining fields. In this paper, we introduce an object ranking concept to define a consistency set and the reduction of the attributes by structural features. An incomplete information system works on the three-way concepts using the SE-ISI Context. The granular was emphasized with join (meet) irreducible sets using the object ranking concepts. A dual operator is defined based on the object ranking concepts and its properties and conditions are verified. Hence, this elaborates on the four kinds of reduction of the attributes. The ordered pairs give the knowledge of the attributes that deal with the interval set of both the approximation of rough set theory concerning the objects. Therefore, the relationship between four kinds of reduction of the attribute was appropriate to access the consistency set using the object ranking concepts by some of the theorems and examples.

Incomplete intuitionistic fuzzy behavioral group decision-making based on multigranulation probabilistic rough sets and MULTIMOORA for water quality inspection

Water quality inspection (WQI) is one of the primary ways to ensure the safe utilization of water resources, and complicated data modeling, fusion and analysis play a significant role in seeking the resource with the best water quality. Nevertheless, the challenges of missing data, relatively large differences in decision results and bounded rationality owned by decision-makers (DMs) in terms of WQI still exist nowadays. Thus, from the aspect of stable and behavioral decision-making in multi-granularity incomplete intuitionistic fuzzy information systems (MG-IIFISs), the paper investigates a comprehensive multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) approach for the application of WQI. First, the concept of MG-IIFISs is built by modeling MAGDM problems with intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs), then a new transformation scheme is constructed for transforming MG-IIFISs into multi-granularity intuitionistic fuzzy information systems (MG-IFISs) based on the similarity principle. Second, three types of multigranulation intuitionistic fuzzy probabilistic rough sets (MG IF PRSs) are developed by referring to the MULTIMOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis plus the full MULTIplicative form) method. Afterwards, attribute weights are objectively calculated based on the best-worst method (BWM), and a new stable and behavioral MAGDM approach is constructed by means of the TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for interactive multi-criteria decision-making) method. At last, a case study in the setting of WQI is conducted with the support of a UCI data set, and sensitivity analysis, comparative analysis and experimental analysis are investigated to display the validity of the proposed approach. In general, the proposed approach improves the stability of decision results via MULTIMOORA and BWM, and also fully considers the bounded rationality of DMs’ psychological behaviors from the aspect of the TODIM method, which has certain advantages in the community of MAGDM studies.

A Novel Attribute Reduction Algorithm for Incomplete Information Systems Based on a Binary Similarity Matrix

With databases growing at an unrelenting rate, it may be difficult and complex to extract statistics by accessing all of the data in many practical problems. Attribute reduction, as an effective method to remove redundant attributes from massive data, has demonstrated its remarkable capability in simplifying information systems. In this paper, we concentrate on reducing attributes in incomplete information systems. We introduce a novel definition of a binary similarity matrix and present a method to calculate the significance of attributes in correspondence. Secondly, We develop a heuristic attribute reduction algorithm using a binary similarity matrix and attribute significance as heuristic knowledge. In addition, we use a numerical example to showcase the practicality and accuracy of the algorithm. In conclusion, we demonstrate through comparative analysis that our algorithm outperforms some existing attribute reduction methods.

Regret Theory-Based Three-Way Decision Method on Incomplete Multiscale Decision Information Systems With Interval Fuzzy Numbers

In realistic decision-making environments, human behaviors bring influences to various decision-making procedures, and classic multiattribute decision-making approaches based on utility decisions own some deviations from actual situations. The behavioral decision theory modifies classic decision-making theories to make the new method more applicable. Regret theory, as one of the important components in behavioral decision theories, has been widely used in theories and applications. Based on regret theory, we establish a generalized three-way decision method on incomplete multiscale decision information systems with interval fuzzy numbers. First, we select an incomplete optimal subsystem for the incomplete multiscale information system, and convert the multiscale evaluation information into an interval fuzzy number by using a linguistic term set. Second, based on the probability distribution of evaluation values and tradeoff factors, we propose a target-dependent approximation estimation method for the incomplete interval fuzzy subsystem. Then, the regret–rejoicing preferences between objects are obtained. Finally, a tripartition and ranking method based on a max-bipartition and preference index is established. Moreover, the incompleteness experiments show that the decision-making results of our method can still maintain more than 97% consistency in an incomplete information system with a missing rate of at most 20%. In addition, the parameter analysis shows that the proposed method maintains an accuracy rate of more than 98% and a classification error rate of no more than 0.6%.

Outlier detection for incomplete real-valued data based on inner boundary

Outlier detection is a process to find out the objects that have the abnormal behavior. It can be applied in many aspects, such as public security, finance and medical care. An information system (IS) as a database that shows relationships between objects and attributes. A real-valued information system (RVIS) is an IS whose information values are real numbers. A RVIS with missing values is an incomplete real-valued information system (IRVIS). The notion of inner boundary comes from the boundary region in rough set theory (RST). This paper conducts experiments directly in an IRVIS and investigates outlier detection in an IRVIS based on inner boundary. Firstly, the distance between two information values on each attribute of an IRVIS is introduced, and the parameter λ to control the distance is given. Then, the tolerance relations on the object set are defined according to the distance, by the way, the tolerance classes, the λ-lower and λ-upper approximations in an IRVIS are put forward. Next, the inner boundary under each conditional attribute in an IRVIS is presented. The more inner boundaries an object belongs to, the more likely it is to be an outlier. Finally, an outlier detection method in an IRVIS based on inner boundary is proposed, and the corresponding algorithm (DE) is designed, where DE means degree of exceptionality. Through the experiments base on UCI Machine Learning Repository data sets, the DE algorithm is compared with other five algorithms. Experimental results show that DE algorithm has the better outlier detection effect in an IRVIS. It is worth mentioning that for comprehensive comparison, ROC curve and AUC value are used to illustrate the advantages of the DE algorithm.