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Combining filters in an ensemble to improve feature selection performance is a growing field in the literature. Current techniques, however, are focused on approaches that suffer from drawbacks such as sensitivity to skewed distribution, among others. To address this gap, this paper investigates the applicability of multiple criteria decision-making in ensemble feature selection. This paper adopts the Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) method due to its many familiar elements to the feature selection community. An experiment was performed on six datasets and a control group. The paper uses the six datasets as levels of the blocking factor. A negative control group (i.e., no feature selection) was adopted to compare with the proposed algorithm. Results show that the proposed ensemble FS algorithm was able to reduce the dataset without compromising the performance of the classifier. The findings in this study would contribute to the literature in several ways. First, the paper is one of the few works to demonstrate how MCDM can be used in feature selection with promising results. Second, this paper is one of the few works to demonstrate the significance of including datasets as levels of a blocking factor when performing significance testing. Finally, this paper is the first to demonstrate the applicability of EDAS as an ensemble FS algorithm. As such, the findings in this paper could spark the cross-fertilization of feature selection and MCDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural and creative design (CCD) plays an important role in the transmission and development of culture, and this paper takes the design of campus cultural and creative products (CCCPs) in the context of new media communication as an example to study. The rapid development of new media has been accompanied by the full development of a wide range of communication media. With the application of Internet technology in cultural development, it has led to better design of CCCPs. However, research on CCCPs reveals that the homogenization of products is relatively serious and the quality of cultural and creative products is too low. In order to select high-quality cultural and creative products, this paper proposes a method for evaluating and selecting CCD solutions based on grey correlation multicriteria decision analysis. By using a combination of grey correlation analysis and multicriteria decision making, a comparative study of various CCCPs is conducted and specific selection strategies are given, providing a reference for effectively grasping the scientific design of CCCPs in the context of the times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing has been playing a very important role in the manufacturing sector in recent decades. The AM basic process is meant to produce an object layer by layer and has many advantages that include the occurrence of only minimal production waste during production and easy manufacture of even the most geometrically complex materials. However, there are many challenging decision-making situations in the production of AM for its users, for example, the build chamber, material specification, technology types, and application requirements. This includes the choice of the best AM machine (AMM) from many AMM with slightly different features that are identical on the market, especially on a real-time basis. This research explored ways that AMM is to be selected using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) on a real-time basis. This includes the use of the MCDM fussy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to help select the most suitable fusion deposition modeling (FDM) for an Indian nongovernment organization (NGO) from nine different machines based on contemporary. Practice in this research paper, an Indian NGO is considered as a decision-maker in the choice of the best FDM machine based on nine common criteria because an NGO has prescribed nine different FDM machines and the NGO needs the help for the purchase of the suitable FDM to produce different fields of prototypes. The outcome of this research is to recommend a suitable FDM machine from the nine similar to slightly different features of FDM machines by the suggestion of the field experts (AM machine users). The contribution of this research is not only to enable the purchase of the suitable AM machine but also to reveal the various contemporary FDM machines and the general criteria to be considered in choosing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern social trends are intensively transforming supply chains and the last mile as their most complex and most expensive segment. For the realization of the last mile, various solutions can be defined which combine initiatives, technologies, and concepts of city logistics. The successful implementation of these solutions depends on the characteristics of the city, the goals of stakeholders, and the ability to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability. In accordance with that, this paper defines innovative sustainable last mile solutions and evaluates their potential application in the real-life logistics system of the city. As evaluation requires consideration of a large number of criteria, this is a problem of multicriteria decision-making, and for solving it, a novel hybrid model that combines Delphi, FARE (Factor Relationship), and VIKOR (Višekriterijumska Optimizacija i Kompromisno Rešenje) methods in the fuzzy environment has been developed. The applicability of the model is demonstrated in the example of evaluating the last mile solution for the central business district of the City of Belgrade. A combination of microconsolidation centers and autonomous vehicles is obtained as the most favorable solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Dempster–Shafer evidence theory (DST), some classical evidence combination rules can be used to fuse the multiple pieces of evidence, respectively abstracted from different attributes (features) so as to increase the accuracy of multiattribute classification decision making. However, most of them have not yet considered the interdependence among multiple pieces of evidence. The newly proposed maximum likelihood evidential reasoning (MAKER) rule measures such ubiquitous interdependence by introducing correlation factors into evidence combination. Hence, this paper designs a MAKER-based classifier to mine more correlation information for data classification. Finally, some numerical analysis (classification) experiments are carried out using five popular benchmark databases from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) to illustrate that the refined measure for evidence interdependence can aggregate the fused probability (belief degree) into real class label of a sample and further improve classification accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the utilization of hesitation information of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers is insufficient in many methods which were proposed to solve the intuitionistic fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making problems. And also there exist some flaws in the intuitionistic fuzzy weight vector constructions in many research papers. In order to solve these insufficiencies, this paper defined three construction equations of weight vectors based on the risk preferences of decision-makers. Then we developed an intuitionistic fuzzy dependent hybrid weighted operator (IFDHW) and proposed an intuitionistic fuzzy multiattribute decision-making method. Finally, the effectiveness of this method is verified by a robot manufacturing investment example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs a dynamic multiobjective location model; three objectives are considered: the first objective maximizes the total utility of relief supplies, the second objective minimizes the number of temporary facilities needed to operate, and the third objective maximizes the satisfaction for all demand points. We propose an improved NSGA-II to solve the optimization problem. The computational experiments are divided into two sections: In the first procedure, the numerical experiment is constructed by the classical functions ZDT1, ZDT2, and DTLZ2; the results show that the proposed algorithm generates the exact Pareto front, and the convergence and uniformity of the proposed algorithm are better than the NSGA-II and MOEA/D. In the second procedure, the simulation experiment is constructed by a case in emergency management; the results show that the proposed algorithm is more reasonable than the traditional algorithms NSGA-II and MOEA/D in terms of the three objectives. It is proved that the improved NSGA-II algorithm, which is proposed in this paper, has high precision application for the sudden disaster crisis and emergency management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The college tennis classroom teaching effect evaluation is viewed as the multiattribute group decision making (MAGDM). The probabilistic double hierarchy linguistic term set (PDHLTS) not only conforms to people's language expression habit of "adverb + adjective" but also can accurately depict its importance in real MAGDM. Therefore, this paper comes up with the probabilistic double hierarchy linguistic grey relational analysis (PDHL-GRA) method based on the grey relational analysis (GRA) process for MAGDM based on PDHLTS environment and applies it to the college tennis classroom teaching effect evaluation. Finally, a practical case for college tennis classroom teaching effect evaluation is presented to demonstrate the steps of our method, and a comparison analysis illustrates its feasibility and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the different risk preferences of decision-makers and the information gap in the timing of the subjects under evaluation, a multiattribute dynamic decision-making model that considers decision risk in addition to the priority of time is proposed. First, to account for the uncertainty of the evaluation information, the interval grey number method was applied to perform numerical abstraction and key data feature extraction on the scene of public health emergencies and to obtain the information after attributes were unified. Second, acknowledging the bounded rational behavior of actual decision-makers, the decision-makers' risk preference was introduced into emergency decision-making. In combination with the time degree, the multiattribute unified decision matrix was transformed into an expected dynamic cumulative prospect decision matrix. Furthermore, based on cumulative prospect theory (CPT), the prospect value function and the weight function are constructed; a new optimization model is proposed to obtain the attribute weight. And according to the comprehensive prospect value of each alternative, the priority of the alternatives was determined. Finally, with the COVID-19 epidemic serving as an example, the results confirm that the emergency decision-making method proposed in this paper is feasible and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive information can be described by Z-number fully and effectively. However, many problems of Z-number need to be further studied. In this paper, two hidden probability models for calculating Z-number are established to provide more intuitive and abundant information. Next, the dominance degree relationship of Z-number is developed and subdivided. Furthermore, combined with the hidden probability of calculation, three different measurements of dominance degree are defined from three levels of geometry, algebra, and cross entropy based on the outranking relationship. The influencing factors are analyzed for different combinations of two probability models and three dominance degree measures. A multiattribute decision model is established on the basis of new grey association analysis and QUALIFLEX method. Finally, a decision example is given to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the method. And sensitivity analysis is made to determine the impact of parameters and hidden probability on the decision model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of entropy is one of the most important notions of the information theory. Entropy quantifies the amount of uncertainty involved in the value of a random variable or the outcome of a random process. Shannon's entropy is one of the most useful entropy types. The notion of enthalpy is the information energy expressed by the complement of Shannon's entropy. In this paper, we propose the concept of interval-valued hybrid enthalpy fuzzy set by modifying single and interval-valued fuzzy multisets. In this context, an interval-valued hybrid enthalpy fuzzy set contains information about both the data and their entropy. We also provide a cosine similarity measure between interval-valued hybrid enthalpy fuzzy sets. Using this cosine similarity measure, we propose a TOPSIS approach for multicriteria group decision making. Moreover, we apply the proposed TOPSIS method to a research assistant selection problem, and we compare the result with the result of a classical TOPSIS method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the Multiobjective Linear Transportation Problem that has fuzzy cost coefficients. In the solution procedure, many objectives may conflict with each other; therefore decision-making process becomes complicated. And also due to the fuzziness in the costs, this problem has a nonlinear structure. In this paper, fuzziness in the objective functions is handled with a fuzzy programming technique in the sense of ultiobjective approach. And then we present a compensatory approach to solve Multiobjective Linear Transportation Problem with fuzzy cost coefficients by using Werner' and µandoperator. Our approach generates compromise solutions which are both compensatory and Pareto optimal. A numerical example has been provided to illustrate the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicriteria group decision making (MCGDM) with different evaluation criterion sets is a special kind of MCGDM problem, where criterion sets considered by multiple experts may be different, while research concerning this issue is still relatively scarce. The objective of this paper is to develop a method for MCGDM with different evaluation criterion sets. In the method, according to different criterion sets, several criterion subsets are first constructed, where each criterion subset includes the criteria concerned by the same group of experts. Then, with respect to each criterion subset, a ranking of alternatives is determined by normalizing the decision matrix and calculating the ranking value of each alternative with respect to the criterion subset. Next, according to the ranking of alternatives with respect to each criterion subset, a ranking possibility matrix of alternatives with respect to the criterion subset is constructed. Further, the weight of each criterion subset is determined according to weights of the experts and weights of the criteria in the criterion subset. Moreover, an overall ranking possibility matrix is constructed by aggregating the ranking possibility matrices and weights concerning different criterion subsets, and the final ranking result of alternatives is determined by solving a linear assignment model, where the elements in the overall ranking possibility matrix are regarded as the benefits on assigning each alternative into different ranking positions. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the use of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide application of cloud computing technology makes supply chain partner share information effectively and increase corporate profits. However, in cloud computing environment, the evaluation process of supply chain partner selection is dynamic and fuzzy, and its evaluation index is uncertain. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a new method combed with rough number, best-worst multicriteria decision-making method (BWM), and compromise ranking method (VIKOR). Firstly, Rough number is used to integrate data from different evaluation matrix. Secondly, rough number improves a new method, BWM, to get RBWM criteria weight methods. Thirdly, the rough numbers are introduced into VIKOR and combined with RBWM to evaluate and sort the supply chain partners. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the rationality and feasibility of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the records of failures in rating agencies’ assessments for sorting countries’ quality of credit in degrees of default risk, this paper proposes a multicriteria sorting model using reference alternatives so as to allocate sovereign credit securities into three categories of risk. From a numerical application, what was observed from the results was a strong adherence of the model in relation to those of the agencies: Standard & Poor's and Moody's. Since the procedure used by the agencies is extremely subjective and often questioned, the contribution of this paper is to put forward the use of an objective and transparent methodology to sort these securities. Given the agencies’ conditions for undertaking the assessment, a complete similarity between the results obtained and the assignments of the agencies was not expected. Therefore, this difference arises from subjective factors that the agencies consider but the proposed model does not. Such subjective and questionable aspects have been partly responsible for the credibility of these credit agencies being diminished, especially after the 2007-2008 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, cultural and creative industry park is becoming a kind of hot industry to promote industrial restructuring and to improve the quality of urban space. For this reason, cultural and creative industrial parks are planning to build across the country. Currently, cultural and creative industrial parks that develop better than others thank to the government's overall planning, construction, marketing, and management. At the same time, the new cultural and creative industry parks face enormous challenges, such as how to have together the cultural and creative industries and related groups or how to have area cultural creativity. And it is frequently regarded as a multiattribute group decision-making (MAGDM) process. Thus, a novel MAGDM process is needed to tackle it. Depending on the conventional grey relational analysis (GRA) method and intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs), this paper designs a novel intuitive distance-based IF-GRA method for development potentiality evaluation of cultural and creative garden. First of all, some necessary theories related to IFSs are briefly reviewed. In addition, since subjective randomness frequently exists in determining criteria weights, the weights of criteria are decided objectively by utilizing the CRITIC method. Afterwards, relying on novel distance measures between IFSs, the GRA method is extended to the IFSs to calculate assessment score of each alternative. Eventually, an application about development potentiality evaluation of cultural and creative garden and some comparative analysis is given. The results think that the designed method is useful for development potentiality evaluation of cultural and creative garden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic multiaircraft cooperative suppression interference array (MACSIA) optimization problem is a typical dynamic multiobjective optimization problem. In this paper, the sum of the distance between each jamming aircraft and the enemy air defense radar network center and the minimum width of the safety area for route planning are taken as the objective functions. The dynamic changes in the battlefield environment are reduced to two cases. One is that the location of the enemy air defense radar is mobile, but the number remains the same. The other is that the number of the enemy air defense radars is variable, but the original location remains unchanged. Thus, two dynamic multiobjective optimization models of dynamic MACSIA are constructed. The dynamic multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to solve the two models, respectively. The optimal dynamic MACSIA schemes which satisfy the limitation of the given suppression interference effect and ensure the safety of the jamming aircraft themselves are obtained by simulation experiments. And then verify the correctness of the constructed dynamic multiobjective optimization model, as well as the feasibility and effectiveness of the dynamic multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm in solving dynamic MACSIA problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the superiority in expressing the uncertain and vague information, the hesitant fuzzy set (HFS) is regarded as an important tool to deal with multiattribute decision-making (MADM) problems. Quantitative and qualitative fuzzy measures have been proposed to solve such problems from different points. However, most of the existing information measures for HFSs are related to such fuzzy measures as distance, similarity, entropy, and correlation coefficients. The grey relational analysis is omitted. Besides, the existing grey relational analysis for HFSs only considers the range or distance between HFSs data which is only a partial measure of the HFSs. Therefore, in this paper, we improve the grey relational analysis for HFSs and explore a novel slope grey relational degree by considering another factor of HFSs data: the slope. Further, we combine both the distance and slope factors of HFSs data to construct a synthetic grey relational degree that describes the closeness and variation tendency of HFSs simultaneously, greatly enriching the fuzzy measures of HFSs. Furthermore, with the help of the TOPSIS method, we develop the grey relational based MADM methodology to solve the HFSs MADM problems. Finally, combining with two practical MADM examples about energy policy selection and multisensor target recognition, we obtain the most desirable decision results. Compared with the previous methods, the validity, comprehensiveness, and discrimination of the proposed synthetic grey relational degree for HFSs are demonstrated in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problem is studied in this paper, for which the evaluation results obey a particular distribution. First, when solving a multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problem, a grey target decision analysis framework is proposed to determine uncertain parameters and criteria weights. A measurement for comprehensive off-target distance is defined, which includes the undetermined parameters. Second, to satisfy the requirements of a specific distribution (such as a normal distribution) in the assessment results, an optimization model that incorporates the off-target distance constraints is proposed by considering the skewness and kurtosis test method. Third, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is extended to solve the proposed model by seeking the appropriate parameters and weights. Fourth, a numerical example is applied to demonstrate the feasibility and application of the proposed method. In the end, the proposed model is extended to other distribution requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of mineral resources development efficiency is a typical multicriteria decision-making issue. Meanwhile, due to the limited existing technology, there might be subjectivity, ambiguity, and inaccuracy of the measurement of the evaluation index of mineral resources development efficiency. In this paper, we, considering the incomplete information, use the hesitant fuzzy linguistic approach to describe the psychological hesitation and ambiguity of the decision-maker in the actual evaluation process and then construct the general model of the development efficiency evaluation of the mineral resources by using the hesitant fuzzy linguistic terms sets and modified TODIM. Finally, this paper takes the Panxi area as an example to study the development efficiency of vanadium-titanium magnetite. The results show that the hesitant fuzzy linguistic multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach can be implemented to mineral resources evaluation and resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiattribute decision-making approach is one of the key complex system evaluation technologies which has attracted high attention of academic research studies. This paper establishes a novel multiattribute decision evaluation approach. First, we propose a high-dimensional data attribute reduction model based on partial correlation analysis and factor analysis methods. Second, based on the attribute weights calculated by multiple weighting methods, the corresponding multiple evaluation score vectors of the objects evaluated can be obtained. The final scoring vector can be determined by combining the quadratic combination weighting and the Spearman consistency test. Third, we use fuzzy C-means algorithm to grade evaluated objects. Finally, the established evaluation approach in this paper is verified by using the 107 observations in China. This approach also provides a decision-making example for attribute reduction of high-dimensional data, scoring of complex system evaluation, and clustering analysis when conducting evaluation in other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed stream processing frameworks (DSPFs) are the vital engine, which can handle real-time data processing and analytics for IoT applications. How to prioritize DSPFs and select the most suitable one for special IoT applications is an open issue. To help developers of IoT applications to solve this complex issue, a novel probabilistic hesitant fuzzy multicriteria decision making (MCDM) model is put forward in this paper. To characterize the requirements for large-scale IoT data stream processing, a novel evaluation criteria system including qualitative and quantitative criteria is established. To accurately model the collective opinions from skilled developers and consider their psychological distance, the definition of probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets (PHFSs) is used. To derive the importance degrees of criteria, a novel probabilistic hesitant fuzzy best-worst (PHFBW) method is proposed based on the score value. To prioritize the DSPFs and choose the most suitable one, a novel probabilistic hesitant fuzzy MULTIMOORA method is put forward. Finally, a practical case composed of four Apache stream processing frameworks, namely, Storm, Flink, Spark, and Samza, is studied. The obtained results indicate that throughput, latency, and reliability are considered to be the three most important criteria, and Flink is the most suitable stream framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the improved aggregation operator based on Dombi and its application in multiattribute decision making (MADM). Firstly, the axiomatic definition of interval-valued hesitant fuzzy elements (IVHFEs) based on Dombi t-norm and t-conorm is introduced. Secondly, we propose a series of IVHFE aggregation operators (IVHFDWA, IVHFDWG, IVHFDOWA, IVHFDOWG, IVHFDHA, and IVHFDHG). In order to get the weight information of attributes, based on the basic idea of traditional distance formula, a distance formula between IVHFEs is constructed, and the optimization model of attribute weight is established. Then, a case study for selection of information security platform is given to demonstrate the merits of the developed method. The parameters of aggregation operator are analyzed in detail, and the critical value of parameters affecting decision making is given. Finally, this method is compared with other methods, which proves the validity and applicability of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decisions strongly rely on information, so the information must be reliable, yet most of the real-world information is imprecise and uncertain. The reliability of the information about decision analysis should be measured. Z-number, which incorporates a restraint of evaluation on investigated objects and the corresponding degree of confidence, is considered as a powerful tool to characterize this information. In this paper, we develop a novel approach based on TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method and the power aggregation operators for solving the multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problem where the weight information for decision makers (DMs) and criteria is incomplete. In the MCGDM, the evaluation information made by DMs is represented in the form of linguistic terms and the following calculation is performed using Z-numbers. First, we establish an optimization model based on similarity measure to determine the weights of DMs and a linear programming model with partial weight information provided by DMs based on distance measure to determine the weights of criteria. Subsequently, decision matrices from all the DMs are aggregated into a comprehensive evaluation matrix utilizing the proposed ZWAPA operator or ZWGPA operator. Then, those considered alternatives are ranked in accordance with TOPSIS idea and the feature of Z-evaluation. Finally, a practical example about supplier selection is given to demonstrate the detailed implementation process of the proposed approach, and the feasibility and validity of the approach are verified by comparisons with some existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site selection for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) is the process of determining the most suitable location among alternatives for the construction of charging facilities for electric vehicles. It can be regarded as a complex multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problem requiring consideration of multiple conflicting criteria. In the real world, it is often hard or impossible for decision makers to estimate their preferences with exact numerical values. Therefore, Pythagorean fuzzy set theory has been frequently used to handle imprecise data and vague expressions in practical decision-making problems. In this paper, a Pythagorean fuzzy VIKOR (PF-VIKOR) approach is developed for solving the EVCS site selection problems, in which the evaluations of alternatives are given as linguistic terms characterized by Pythagorean fuzzy values (PFVs). Particularly, the generalized Pythagorean fuzzy ordered weighted standardized distance (GPFOWSD) operator is proposed to calculate the utility and regret measures for ranking alternative sites. Finally, a practical example in Shanghai, China, is included to demonstrate the proposed EVCS sitting model, and the advantages are highlighted by comparing the results with other relevant methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, due to the lack of natural resources and environment problems which have been appearing increasingly, green building is more and more involved in the construction industry. The evaluation and selection of green supplier are a significant part of the development of green building. In this paper, we propose a new dynamic multicriteria decision-making approach in construction projects under time sequence to deal with these problems. First, the paper establishes 4 main criteria and 17 subcriteria for green supplier selection in construction projects. Then, a method considering interaction between criteria and the influence of constructors subjective preference and objective criteria information is proposed. It uses the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy geometric weighted Heronian means (IVIFGWHM) operator and multitarget nonlinear programming model to calculate the comprehensive evaluation results of potential green suppliers. The proposed method is much easier for constructors to select green supplier and make the localization of green supplier more practical and accurate in construction projects. Finally, a case study about a green building project is given to verify practicality and effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing awareness of global warming and environmental protection, many practitioners and researchers have paid much attention to the low-carbon supply chain management in recent years. Green supplier selection is one of the most critical activities in the low-carbon supply chain management, so it is important to establish the comprehensive criteria and develop a method for green supplier selection in low-carbon supply chain. The paper proposes a fuzz-grey multicriteria decision making approach to deal with these problems. First, the paper establishes 4 main criteria and 22 subcriteria for green supplier selection. Then, a method integrating fuzzy set theory and grey relational analysis is proposed. It uses the membership function of normal distribution to compare each supplier and uses grey relation analysis to calculate the weight of each criterion and improves fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The proposed method can make the localization of individual green supplier more objectively and more accurately in the same trade. Finally, a case study in the steel industry is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of risky linguistic variables has significant applications in multiattribute group decision problems. This paper focuses on risky multicriteria group decision making using linguistic variable assessment and proposes a new model which considers various and differential psychological behavior and the ambiguity of linguistic variable assessment across multicriteria risks. Based on the cloud prospect value assessment, this paper proposes a cloud prospect value aggregation method and consensus degree measurement. An improved feedback adjustment mechanism based on regret theory is employed as the consistency model, which complements prospect theory. The three theoretical methods together constitute the core elements of the proposed CPD (cloud prospect value consensus degree decision) model. The feasibility and validity of the new decision making model are demonstrated with a numerical example, and feedback performance was compared with conventional direct feedback. The proposed CPD approach satisfies given consistency threshold of 0.95 and 0.98 after three and four feedback loops, respectively. Compared to the proposed CPD method, direct feedback approach needs seven and ten feedback loops under the same threshold, respectively, which shows that the proposed model increases efficiency and accuracy of group decision making and significantly reduces time cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (HFLTS), allowing experts using several possible linguistic terms to assess a qualitative linguistic variable, is very useful to express people's hesitancy in practical decision-making problems. Up to now, a little research has been done on the comparison and distance measure of HFLTSs. In this paper, we present a comparison method for HFLTSs based on pairwise comparisons of each linguistic term in the two HFLTSs. Then, a distance measure method based on the pairwise comparison matrix of HFLTSs is proposed, and we prove that this distance is equal to the distance of the average values of HFLTSs, which makes the distance measure much more simple. Finally, the pairwise comparison and distance measure methods are utilized to develop two multicriteria decision-making approaches under hesitant fuzzy linguistic environments. The results analysis shows that our methods in this paper are more reasonable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to propose a three-dimensional grey interval relational degree model for dynamic Multiattribute decision making. In the model, the observed values are interval grey numbers. Elements are selected in the system as the points in an m-dimensional linear space. Then observation data of each element to different time and objects are as the coordinates of point. An optimization model is employed to obtain each scheme's affiliate degree for the positive and negative ideal schemes. And a three-dimensional grey interval relational degree model based on time, index, and scheme is constructed in the paper. The result shows that the three-dimensional grey relational degree simplifies the traditional dynamic multiattribute decision making method and can better resolve the dynamic multiattribute decision making problem of interval numbers. The example illustrates that the method presented in the paper can be used to deal with problems of uncertainty such as dynamic multiattribute decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Game theory is considered as an efficient framework in dealing with decision making problems for two players in the competitive environment. In general, the evaluation values of payoffs matrix are expressed by crisp values in a game model. However, many uncertainties and vagueness should be considered due to the qualitative criteria and the subjective judgment of decision makers in the decision making process. The aim of this study is to develop an effective methodology for solving the payoffs matrix with linguistic variables by multiple decision makers in a game model. Based on the linguistic variables, the decision makers can easily express their opinions with respect to criteria for each alternative. By using the linear programming method, we can find the optimal solution of a game matrix in accordance with the combination of strategies of each player effectively. In addition, the expected performance value (EPV) index is defined in this paper to compare the competition ability of each player based on the optimal probability of each strategy combination. And then, numerical example will be implemented to illustrate the computation process of the proposed model. The conclusion and future research are discussed at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the milk-run schema into the express distribution logistics through the feasibility analysis of application of cyclic goods-taking schema in the express industry. In order to reach fully loaded as far as possible in distribution, the article improves the traditional model, adopting multi-objective decision and conforming constraint conditions to Milk-run schema, even approximating the practical truth solves model through the C-W saving algorithm. It can effectively shorten the distance and Lower costs by means of reasonable route planning. Finally, the paper has verified the model and its effectiveness of arithmetic application by means of cases analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often to solve complex decision-making problems in the marine transportation environment, such as the evaluation of service quality and the location choice of ports. In this paper, an integrated model with multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) and importance-performance analysis (IPA) is presented and then is applied to solve the problem of service quality evaluation of transshipment port. The MCDM approach can be used to deal with both quantitative data and qualitative ratings simultaneously. The IPA approach can be applied to realize the shortcomings of service quality of ports and rank the ranking of strategies for improving service quality of transshipment port. Finally, some useful suggestions for improving the service quality of ports are given in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting projects is often a difficult task. It is complicated because there is usually more than one dimension for measuring the impact of each project, especially when there is more than one decision maker. This paper is aimed to present the fuzzy ELECTRE approach for prioritizing the most effective projects to improve decision making. To begin with, the ELECTRE is one of most extensively used methods to solve multicriteria decision making (MCDM) problems. The ELECTRE evaluation method is widely recognized for high-performance policy analysis involving both qualitative and quantitative criteria. In this paper, we consider a real application of project selection using the opinion of experts to be applied into a model by one of the group decision makers, called the fuzzy ELECTRE method. A numerical example for project selection is given to clarify the main developed result in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a novel approach for multicriteria decision making (MCDM) with hesitant intuitionistic fuzzy linguistic information. To compare the hesitant intuitionistic fuzzy linguistic term sets (HIFLTSs), we propose a comparison method of HIFLTSs. A family of distance measures of HIFLTSs is developed. After that, we propose the grey relational bidirectional projection method based on the proposed comparison method and distance measures of IVHFLNs for dealing with MCDM problems. Furthermore, we establish a nonlinear optimization model to obtain the weight vector of criteria. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods for renewable energy projects evaluation have been proposed, of which the premise of using these methods is to assume that the criteria are independent of each other. However, it may be difficult or costly to build independent criteria set in some cases because renewable energy planning is to pursue a balance of economic, social, and environmental goals, which makes the existence of interaction among criteria be of great possibility. In this paper, we consider a highly ambiguous decision situation, where the experts are allowed to give the evaluations in the form of hesitant fuzzy linguistic terms set (HFLTS). We build a hesitant fuzzy linguistic decision-making model handling the interaction among criteria from the perspective of distance measure and apply it to renewable energy projects selection. The proposed method can consider more fuzzy factors and deal with the interaction among criteria more approximately. It can reduce the decision pressure and improve the decision-making efficiency because the decision makers are allowed to express their preference in form of HFLTS and a decision criteria set of which the criteria are independent of each other is not necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is one of the disaster-prone countries in the world. Constructing a rapid and effective relief logistic system is important for disaster-responding at country level. Strategic prepositioning of emergency items, especially the decision of appropriate emergency warehouses location, has significant impacts on rapid disaster response to ensure sufficient relief supplies. The emergency warehouse location decision is a complex problem, where a wide variety of criteria need to be considered and the preference information of decision makers (DMs) may be imprecise or even absent. In this paper, we identify key effectiveness-oriented criteria used to evaluate the alternative emergency warehouse locations and make an attempt to propose a new multicriteria ranking method to solve the problem of inaccurate or uncertain weight information based on stochastic pairwise dominant relations and the pruning procedure of ELECTRE-II method. The proposed method extends the conventional ELECTRE-II method by incorporating inaccurate information and broadens its application to emergency warehouse location field. The feasibility and applicability of the proposed method are illustrated with a simulated example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To alleviate the housing pressure and achieve a sustainable society, prefabricated residential building (PRB) has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. The usage of prefabricated components in the building represents a significant indicator that is traditionally used to differentiate the PRB from the traditional building. However, it cannot provide details on the efficiency of the industrialization process in the PRB. The main goal of this paper is to develop a composite index to measure the multidimensional concept of industrialization efficiency. Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (fuzzy AHP) and fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (fuzzy TOPSIS) are applied to combine the hierarchical structure of indicators into one overall index. Finally, the industrialization efficiency assessment of three PRBs is chosen as a case to illustrate the effectiveness of the method. It can effectively quantify experts’ linguistic expressions on the performance of the PRB in different established indicators. This research can provide a decision support tool to assess and continuously promote the improvement of industrialization production in the housing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining interval-valued hesitant fuzzy soft sets (IVHFSSs) and a new comparative law, we propose a new method, which can effectively solve multiattribute decision-making (MADM) problems. Firstly, a characteristic function of two interval values and a new comparative law of interval-valued hesitant fuzzy elements (IVHFEs) based on the possibility degree are proposed. Then, we define two important definitions of IVHFSSs including the interval-valued hesitant fuzzy soft quasi subset and soft quasi equal based on the new comparative law. Finally, an algorithm is presented to solve MADM problems. We also use the method proposed in this paper to evaluate the importance of major components of the well drilling mud pump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the feasibility of quality function deployment, technique for the order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (QFD-TOPSIS) in presenting user preferences for multiple alternatives, such as construction technologies, products, systems, and design solutions, with trade-off technical characteristics (TC). The original QFD as house of quality (HOQ) defines the requirements and features as subjective matrix relations, which cause interpretations to vary across users and limit its industrial applications. QFD-TOPSIS is a new model that combines the benefits of QFD with those of TOPSIS, maintains the subjectivity and objectivity evaluation of the technical characteristics (TC), and rates the preferences by considering users’ individual propensity for requirements. In addition, QFD-TOPSIS rates the preferences through the reciprocal compensation effects of trade-off TC and filters unsuitable alternatives with predefined restrictive conditions. Trade-off refers to conflicts and/or contradictions between attributes, often arising in multicriteria decision-making. Users or project stakeholder groups define the priorities of trade-off TC that directly influence product preferences and decision-making. In the present study, we have developed a Web system based on the QFD-TOPSIS logic and tested its operation to verify its industrial applicability and viability for automatic quality evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bidimensional dual hesitant fuzzy (BDHF) set is developed to present preferences of a decision maker or an expert, which is more objective than existing fuzzy sets such as Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy set, hesitant fuzzy set, and dual hesitant fuzzy set. Then, after investigating some distance measures, we define a new generalized distance measure between two BDHF elements with parameter λ for the sake of overcoming some drawbacks in existing distance measures. Covering all possible values of parameter λ, a new approach is designed to calculate the generalized distance measure between two BDHF elements. In order to address complex multiple attribute decision analysis (MADA) problems, an extension of fuzzy VIKOR method in BDHF context is proposed in this paper. In VIKOR method for MADA problems, weight of each attribute indicates its relative importance. To obtain weights of attributes objectively, a new entropy measure with BDHF information is developed to create weight of each attribute. Finally, an evaluation problem of performance of people’s livelihood project in several regions is analyzed by the proposed VIKOR method to demonstrate its applicability and validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquake-induced pounding between structures has been widely studied by using different impact models. In this paper, we first briefly introduced the existing impact analysis models and discussed their shortcomings. For the Hertz-damp impact analysis model, the damping constants do not accord with the physical facts; then, based on the Hertz theory, the expression of the damping constant in the Hertz-damp impact analysis model is improved. The approximate formula of the damping constant is theoretically derived, and the accuracy and effectiveness of the calculation formula of the damping constant are verified by the selected collision analysis problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present research of visible query focuses on points and segments in two-dimensional space, while disfigurements occur during processing of visible query in three-dimensional space. In this paper, Continuous Visible Range Query Based on Control Point (CVRQ-CP) is proposed to solve the visible query in a 3D spatial database. Firstly, the horizontal angle (HA) and Vertical Projection Angle (VPA) for 3D objects in a spatial database were used in the visibility testing method. The HA and VPA in the processing of the continuous visible query created visibility changes, defining and confirming the control point. Finally, the algorithm of Continuous Visible Range Query Based on Control Point (CVRQ-CP) was proposed. Verified by experiments, the CVRQ-CP algorithm correctly deals with the visible query of 3D spatial objects. The CVRQ-CP algorithm has better superior accuracy over present visible queries in 3D spatial databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed a new multiattribute group decision-making method, in which the period significance coefficients and the attribute significance coefficients are completely unknown, and the attribute values are triangular fuzzy numbers. At first, to obtain the period significance coefficients, the period significance coefficients optimization model is constructed according to the time degree and the differences of the decision information in different periods. Then, attribute significance coefficients are determined by the maximum deviation method. Based on this, alternatives are ranked by the triangular fuzzy ratio system method, the triangular fuzzy reference point method, and the triangular fuzzy full multiplicative form, respectively. The dominance theory is used for aggregating the subordinate rankings into the final ranking. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to find and prioritize a multicriteria performance measurement based on the balanced scorecard (BSC) for oil and gas (O & G) companies in an uncertain environment using the hesitant fuzzy best-worst method (HFBWM). The O & G industry has a key role in the economies of many countries. Hence, the evaluation of the performance of the O & G industry plays an important role. We utilize BSC for this purpose, which usually considers the financial, customer-oriented, internal, learning-oriented, and growth perspectives. In our research, the social responsibility perspective will be added. After finding multiple performance measurements, many companies cannot implement all of them because of limited resources. Therefore, multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods can be applied for prioritizing and selecting the most important measurement criteria. One of the MCDM methods is the best-worst method (BWM). This approach has several advantages compared to other MCDM methods. Due to uncertainties in decision-making, a suitable method for decision-making in an uncertain environment is necessary. Hesitant fuzzy approaches are applied as one such uncertainty-based method in this research. Our results indicate that among the five perspectives of BSC that we considered, the customer and internal process perspectives are the most important ones, and the cost of the R & D indicator is the most important subcriterion among these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential principles in sustainable development are information and communication technology and their influence on the country's economic progress. In essence, in culture, politics, economics, and society, information and communication technology are the driving force behind globalization. This has a significant impact on the emergence of the network society and cross-national awareness, and it is the primary driver behind global markets. A descriptive-analytical method is used in a scrolling manner, and a scientific approach is taken from the methodology's standpoint. ICT companies in a selected region of Iran were surveyed in a questionnaire survey. "Success" in ICT standard setting is discussed in this study. A fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) and VIKOR methods were used to analyze data and prioritize the beneficial factors that contribute to the success of ICT companies. Twenty five ICT companies were evaluated using these methods. Utilizing the expert's opinion and previous research, 21 criteria into five categories were elicited and estimated near Tehran (Qom), Iran's capital. In this research, native influential factors are compared with other countries' general vital factors, which are distinct from previous studies. Based on the results, in-company management factors, technological and marketing factors, financial costs, government policies, and native features were the most important critical factors. As significant factors that influence the success of ICT companies, employee involvement, teamwork, customer focus, the state of the economy, and conflict of interest between governmental and private sectors were selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) are often made up of membership, nonmembership, and hesitancy grades, and also have the advantage of accurately representing decision makers (DMs) preferences. This article proposes novel spherical fuzzy aggregation operators (AOs) based on Aczel–Alsina (AA) operations, which offer a lot of advantages when tackling real-world situations. We begin by introducing some new SFS operations, such as the Aczel–Alsina product, the Aczel–Alsina sum, the Aczel–Alsina exponent, and the Aczel–Alsina scalar multiplication. We developed many AOs namely, the "spherical fuzzy Aczel–Alsina weighted averaging (SFAAWA) operator," "spherical fuzzy Aczel–Alsina ordered weighted averaging (SFAAOWA) operator," "spherical fuzzy Aczel–Alsina hybrid averaging (SFAAHA) operator," "spherical fuzzy Aczel–Alsina weighted geometric (SFAAWG) operator," "spherical fuzzy Aczel–Alsina ordered weighted geometric (SFAAOWG) operator," and "spherical fuzzy Aczel–Alsina hybrid geometric (SFAAHG) operator." Different attributes of these operators have been defined. The idempotency, boundary, monotonicity, and commutativity of suggested averaging and geometric operators are demonstrated. Then, based on these operators, we propose a novel approach for tackling the "multi-criteria decision-making" (MCDM) problems. We use a agriculture land selection scenario to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed approach. The outcome confirms the new technique's applicability and viability. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis and a comparison analysis between the existing approaches and the recommended technique have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of human resource management (HRM) requires an integrated method of subjective and objective evaluation rather than intuitive decisions such as multicriteria decision-making (MCDM). This study proposes a hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (GA-GDEMATEL)-based grey theory systems approach to solve personnel selection problems in a real-case study from a Vietnamese agriculture manufacturing and services corporation. First, the GDEMATEL approach is deployed to investigate the causal relationship between the proposed criteria and determine the subjective weights of recruitment criteria. Second, the GA model utilizes selection, crossover, and mutation with a new objective function of Minimizing Distance to Ideal Solution (MDIS) to find the optimal solution for robust recruitment based on GDEMATEL weights. Notably, the GA-GDEMATEL could be exploited effectively in a short time to optimize personnel selection in "deep and wide" aspects. Moreover, the study's findings on recruiting evaluation and selection problems provide a support model and new research perspectives to the literature and help managers achieve the best solution by dealing with qualitative and quantitative criteria more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To make the optimal design of the multilink transmission mechanism applied in mechanical press, the intelligent optimization techniques are explored in this paper. A preference polyhedron model and new domination relationships evaluation methodology are proposed for the purpose of reaching balance among kinematic performance, dynamic performance, and other performances of the multilink transmission mechanism during the conceptual design phase. Based on the traditional evaluation index of single target of multicriteria design optimization, the robust metrics of the mechanism system and preference metrics of decision-maker are taken into consideration in this preference polyhedron model and reflected by geometrical characteristic of the model. At last, two optimized multilink transmission mechanisms are designed based on the proposed preference polyhedron model with different evolutionary algorithms, and the result verifies the validity of the proposed optimization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]