A general approach to fuzzy TOPSIS based on the concept of fuzzy multicriteria acceptability analysis

Fuzzy system F-CalcRank for calculating functions of fuzzy arguments and ranking of fuzzy numbers

Assessing functions of fuzzy arguments and ranking of fuzzy quantities are two key steps in fuzzy modeling and Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision Analysis (FMCDA). Approximate calculations along with the use of centroid index as a defuzzification based ranking methods are a generally accepted approach to applications in the fuzzy environment. This paper presents a novel fuzzy system, F-CalcRank, which is integration of two coupled fuzzy systems: F-Calc (Fuzzy Calculator) and F-Ranking (Fuzzy Ranking). F-Calc allows assessing functions of fuzzy numbers with the use of different approaches: approximate calculations, standard fuzzy arithmetic, and transformation methods. The input values to F-Calc are fuzzy numbers with the following membership functions: triangular and trapezoidal, Gaussian, bell shape, sigmoid, and piece-wise linear continuous or upper semicontinuous membership functions of any complexity, as well as fuzzy linguistic terms of a given term set. F-Ranking system is intended for ranking of a given set of fuzzy numbers, including those, which are inputs and/or outputs of the F-Calc system. F-Ranking includes six ranking methods: three defuzzification based and three pairwise comparison ones. The structure of F-CalcRank as well as input and output information and the user interfaces of both F-Calc and F-Ranking systems, which can also be used independently, are presented. Examples of computing functions of fuzzy arguments and ranking of fuzzy numbers using implemented methods as well as exploring a real case study in agro-ecology with the use of a math model in fuzzy environment are considered. These examples stress the features and novelty of F-CalcRank system as well as presented applied research. The computer modules created within F-CalcRank are a basis for different FMCDA models developed by the authors. F-CalcRank system is intended for university education, research and various applications in engineering and technology.

A spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method for solving the physician selection problem

The membership functions of the intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Pythagorean fuzzy sets, neutrosophic sets and spherical fuzzy sets are based on three dimensions. The aim is to collect the expert’s judgments. Physicians serve patients in the physician selection problem. It is difficult to measure the service’s quality due to the variability in patients’ preferences. The patients physician preference criteria is differing and uncertainties. Thus, solving this problem with fuzzy method is more appropriate. In this study, we considered the physician selection as a multi-criteria decision-making problem. Solving this problem, we proposed a spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method. We used the five alternatives and eight criteria. The application was performed in the neurology clinics of Konya city state hospitals. In addition, we solved the same problem by the intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS method. We compared the solutions of two methods with each other. We found that the spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method is effective for solving the physician selection problem.

A TOPSIS—Risk Matrix and Monte Carlo Expert System for Risk Assessment in Engineering Projects

In this paper, we propose a process that combines the Risk Matrix approach with the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the Monte Carlo Simulation for assessing risk factors that have an impact on the duration of a construction project’s activities and predict if it is feasible to terminate the project within the prescribed deadlines. Initially, we identified the risks affecting each task of the specific project, and then, we applied the risk matrix approach for determining the probability and impact of every risk to each activity. The resulting ranking is used to assign uncertainty to activities’ durations and estimate the probability of on-time project completion, employing the Monte Carlo Simulation approach. The main contribution of this paper is the development of an innovative framework that coordinates an established qualitative and quantitative risk classification approach, with a popular multicriteria method and a powerful simulation approach, to effectively predict time deviations while executing complex construction projects under uncertainty. The proposed framework was applied to estimate the possibility of a timely execution of an artificial lake real project on the island of Alonissos, Greece. The analysis results illustrate that this approach clearly could help the project risk manager proactively perform risk mitigation measures while allocating budget and programming a project with a significant impact on the quality of life of residents and tourists of a small island.

An effective digit recognition model using enhanced convolutional neural network based chaotic grey wolf optimization

Classical Handwriting recognition systems depend on manual feature extraction with a lot of previous domain knowledge. It’s difficult to train an optical character recognition system based on these requirements. Deep learning approaches are at the centre of handwriting recognition research, which has yielded breakthrough results in recent years. However, the rapid growth in the amount of handwritten data combined with the availability of enormous processing power necessitates an increase in recognition accuracy and warrants further investigation. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are extremely good at perceiving the structure of handwritten characters in ways that allow for the automatic extraction of distinct features, making CNN the best method for solving handwriting recognition problems. In this research work, a novel CNN has built to modify the network structure with Orthogonal Learning Chaotic Grey Wolf Optimization (CNN-OLCGWO). This modification is adopted for evolutionarily optimizing the number of hyper-parameters. This proposed optimizer predicts the optimal values from the fitness computation and shows better efficiency when compared to various other conventional approaches. The ultimate target of this work is to endeavour a suitable path towards digitalization by offering superior accuracy and better computation. Here, MATLAB 2018b has been used as the simulation environment to measure metrics like accuracy, recall, precision, and F-measure. The proposed CNN- OLCGWO offers a superior trade-off in contrary to prevailing approaches.