Open Access
IVTURS: A linguistic fuzzy rule-based classification system based on a new interval-valued fuzzy reasoning method with tuning and rule selection
(IEEE, 2013) Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Fernández, Alberto; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Herrera, Francisco; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
Interval-valued fuzzy sets have been shown to be a useful tool for dealing with the ignorance related to the definition of the linguistic labels. Specifically, they have been successfully applied to solve classification problems, performing simple modifications on the fuzzy reasoning method to work with this representation and making the classification based on a single number. In this paper we present IVTURS, a new linguistic fuzzy rule-based classification method based on a new completely interval-valued fuzzy reasoning method. This inference process uses interval-valued restricted equivalence functions to increase the relevance of the rules in which the equivalence of the interval membership degrees of the patterns and the ideal membership degrees is greater, which is a desirable behaviour. Furthermore, their parametrized construction allows the computation of the optimal function for each variable to be performed, which could involve a potential improvement in the system’s behaviour. Additionally, we combine this tuning of the equivalence with rule selection in order to decrease the complexity of the system. In this paper we name our method IVTURS-FARC, since we use the FARC-HD method to accomplish the fuzzy rule learning process. The experimental study is developed in three steps in order to ascertain the quality of our new proposal. First, we determine both the essential role that interval-valued fuzzy sets play in the method and the need for the rule selection process. Next, we show the improvements achieved by IVTURS-FARC with respect to the tuning of the degree of ignorance when it is applied in both an isolated way and when combined with the tuning of the equivalence. Finally, the significance of IVTURS-FARC is further depicted by means of a comparison by which it is proved to outperform the results of FARC-HD and FURIA, which are two high performing fuzzy classification algorithms.
Open Access
A genetic tuning to improve the performance of fuzzy rule-based classification systems with interval-valued fuzzy sets: degree of ignorance and lateral position
(Elsevier, 2011) Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Fernández, Alberto; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Herrera, Francisco; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
Fuzzy Rule-Based Systems are appropriate tools to deal with classification problems due to their good properties. However, they can suffer a lack of system accuracy as a result of the uncertainty inherent in the definition of the membership functions and the limitation of the homogeneous distribution of the linguistic labels. The aim of the paper is to improve the performance of Fuzzy Rule-Based Classification Systems by means of the Theory of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets and a post-processing genetic tuning step. In order to build the Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets we define a new function called weak ignorance for modeling the uncertainty associated with the definition of the membership functions. Next, we adapt the fuzzy partitions to the problem in an optimal way through a cooperative evolutionary tuning in which we handle both the degree of ignorance and the lateral position (based on the 2-tuples fuzzy linguistic representation) of the linguistic labels. The experimental study is carried out over a large collection of data-sets and it is supported by a statistical analysis. Our results show empirically that the use of our methodology outperforms the initial Fuzzy-Rule Based Classification System. The application of our cooperative tuning enhances the results provided by the use of the isolated tuning approaches and also improves the behavior of the genetic tuning based on the 3-tuples fuzzy linguistic representation.
Open Access
Using the Choquet integral in the fuzzy reasoning method of fuzzy rule-based classification systems
(MDPI, 2013) Barrenechea Tartas, Edurne; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Fernández Fernández, Francisco Javier; Paternain Dallo, Daniel; Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
In this paper we present a new fuzzy reasoning method in which the Choquet integral is used as aggregation function. In this manner, we can take into account the interaction among the rules of the system. For this reason, we consider several fuzzy measures, since it is a key point on the subsequent success of the Choquet integral, and we apply the new method with the same fuzzy measure for all the classes. However, the relationship among the set of rules of each class can be different and therefore the best fuzzy measure can change depending on the class. Consequently, we propose a learning method by means of a genetic algorithm in which the most suitable fuzzy measure for each class is computed. From the obtained results it is shown that our new proposal allows the performance of the classical fuzzy reasoning methods of the winning rule and additive combination to be enhanced whenever the fuzzy measure is appropriate for the tackled problem.
Open Access
Extensions of fuzzy sets in image processing: an overview
(EUSFLAT, 2011) Pagola Barrio, Miguel; Barrenechea Tartas, Edurne; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Fernández Fernández, Francisco Javier; Galar Idoate, Mikel; Jurío Munárriz, Aránzazu; López Molina, Carlos; Paternain Dallo, Daniel; Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Couto, Pedro; Melo-Pinto, Pedro; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
This work presents a valuable review for the interested reader of the recent Works using extensions of fuzzy sets in image processing. The chapter is divided as follows: first we recall the basics of the extensions of fuzzy sets, i.e. Type 2 fuzzy sets, interval-valued fuzzy sets and Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy sets. In sequent sections we review the methods proposed for noise removal (sections 3), image enhancement (section 4), edge detection (section 5) and segmentation (section 6). There exist other image segmentation tasks such as video de-interlacing, stereo matching or object representation that are not described in this work.
Open Access
Improving the performance of fuzzy rule-based classification systems with interval-valued fuzzy sets and genetic amplitude tuning
(Elsevier, 2010) Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Fernández, Alberto; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Herrera, Francisco; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
Among the computational intelligence techniques employed to solve classification problems, Fuzzy Rule-Based Classification Systems (FRBCSs) are a popular tool because of their interpretable models based on linguistic variables, which are easier to understand for the experts or end-users. The aim of this paper is to enhance the performance of FRBCSs by extending the Knowledge Base with the application of the concept of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets (IVFSs). We consider a post-processing genetic tuning step that adjusts the amplitude of the upper bound of the IVFS to contextualize the fuzzy partitions and to obtain a most accurate solution to the problem. We analyze the goodness of this approach using two basic and well-known fuzzy rule learning algorithms, the Chi et al.’s method and the fuzzy hybrid genetics-based machine learning algorithm. We show the improvement achieved by this model through an extensive empirical study with a large collection of data-sets.
Open Access
A first study on the use of interval-valued fuzzy sets with genetic tuning for classification with imbalanced data sets
(Springer, 2009) Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Fernández, Alberto; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Herrera, Francisco; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
Classification with imbalanced data-sets is one of the recent challenging problems in Data Mining. In this framework, the class dis- tribution is not uniform and the separability between the classes is often difficult. From the available techniques in the Machine Learning field, we focus on the use of Fuzzy Rule Based Classification Systems, as they provide an interpretable model for the end user by means of linguistic variables. The aim of this work is to increase the performance of fuzzy modeling by adding a higher degree of knowledge by means of the use of Interval- valued Fuzzy Sets. Furthermore, we will contextualize the Interval-valued Fuzzy Sets with a post-processing genetic tuning of the amplitude of their upper bounds in order to enhance the global behaviour of this methodology.
Open Access
Pre-aggregation functions: construction and an application
(IEEE, 2015) Lucca, Giancarlo; Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Pereira Dimuro, Graçaliz; Bedregal, Benjamin; Mesiar, Radko; Kolesárová, Anna; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
In this work we introduce the notion of preaggregation function. Such a function satisfies the same boundary conditions as an aggregation function, but, instead of requiring monotonicity, only monotonicity along some fixed direction (directional monotonicity) is required. We present some examples of such functions. We propose three different methods to build pre-aggregation functions. We experimentally show that in fuzzy rule-based classification systems, when we use one of these methods, namely, the one based on the use of the Choquet integral replacing the product by other aggregation functions, if we consider the minimum or the Hamacher product t-norms for such construction, we improve the results obtained when applying the fuzzy reasoning methods obtained using two classical averaging operators like the maximum and the Choquet integral.
Open Access
IIVFDT: ignorance functions based interval-valued fuzzy decision tree with genetic tuning
(World Scientific Publishing Company, 2012) Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Fernández, Alberto; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Herrera, Francisco; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
The choice of membership functions plays an essential role in the success of fuzzy systems. This is a complex problem due to the possible lack of knowledge when assigning punctual values as membership degrees. To face this handicap, we propose a methodology called Ignorance functions based Interval-Valued Fuzzy Decision Tree with genetic tuning, IIVFDT for short, which allows to improve the performance of fuzzy decision trees by taking into account the ignorance degree. This ignorance degree is the result of a weak ignorance function applied to the punctual value set as membership degree. Our IIVFDT proposal is composed of four steps: (1) the base fuzzy decision tree is generated using the fuzzy ID3 algorithm; (2) the linguistic labels are modeled with Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets. To do so, a new parametrized construction method of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets is defined, whose length represents such ignorance degree; (3) the fuzzy reasoning method is extended to work with this representation of the linguistic terms; (4) an evolutionary tuning step is applied for computing the optimal ignorance degree for each Interval-Valued Fuzzy Set. The experimental study shows that the IIVFDT method allows the results provided by the initial fuzzy ID3 with and without Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets to be outperformed. The suitability of the proposed methodology is shown with respect to both several state-of-the-art fuzzy decision trees and C4.5. Furthermore, we analyze the quality of our approach versus two methods that learn the fuzzy decision tree using genetic algorithms. Finally, we show that a superior performance can be achieved by means of the positive synergy obtained when applying the well known genetic tuning of the lateral position after the application of the IIVFDT method. The choice of membership functions plays an essential role in the success of fuzzy systems. This is a complex problem due to the possible lack of knowledge when assigning punctual values as membership degrees. To face this handicap, we propose a methodology called Ignorance functions based Interval-Valued Fuzzy Decision Tree with genetic tuning, IIVFDT for short, which allows to improve the performance of fuzzy decision trees by taking into account the ignorance degree. This ignorance degree is the result of a weak ignorance function applied to the punctual value set as membership degree. Our IIVFDT proposal is composed of four steps: (1) the base fuzzy decision tree is generated using the fuzzy ID3 algorithm; (2) the linguistic labels are modeled with Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets. To do so, a new parametrized construction method of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets is defined, whose length represents such ignorance degree; (3) the fuzzy reasoning method is extended to work with this representation of the linguistic terms; (4) an evolutionary tuning step is applied for computing the optimal ignorance degree for each Interval-Valued Fuzzy Set. The experimental study shows that the IIVFDT method allows the results provided by the initial fuzzy ID3 with and without Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets to be outperformed. The suitability of the proposed methodology is shown with respect to both several state-of-the-art fuzzy decision trees and C4.5. Furthermore, we analyze the quality of our approach versus two methods that learn the fuzzy decision tree using genetic algorithms. Finally, we show that a superior performance can be achieved by means of the positive synergy obtained when applying the well known genetic tuning of the lateral position after the application of the IIVFDT method.
Open Access
Medical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases using an interval-valued fuzzy rule-based classification system
(Elsevier, 2013) Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Galar Idoate, Mikel; Jurío Munárriz, Aránzazu; Brugos Larumbe, Antonio; Pagola Barrio, Miguel; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Objective: To develop a classifier that tackles the problem of determining the risk of a patient of suffering from a cardiovascular disease within the next ten years. The system has to provide both a diagnosis and an interpretable model explaining the decision. In this way, doctors are able to analyse the usefulness of the information given by the system. Methods: Linguistic fuzzy rule-based classification systems are used, since they provide a good classification rate and a highly interpretable model. More specifically, a new methodology to combine fuzzy rule-based classification systems with interval-valued fuzzy sets is proposed, which is composed of three steps: 1) the modelling of the linguistic labels of the classifier using interval-valued fuzzy sets; 2) the use of the Kα operator in the inference process and 3) the application of a genetic tuning to find the best ignorance degree that each interval-valued fuzzy set represents as well as the best value for the parameter α of the Kα operator in each rule. Results: The suitability of the new proposal to deal with this medical diagnosis classification problem is shown by comparing its performance with respect to the one provided by two classical fuzzy classifiers and a previous interval-valued fuzzy rule-based classification system. The performance of the new method is statistically better than the ones obtained with the methods considered in the comparison. The new proposal enhances both the total number of correctly diagnosed patients, around 3% with respect the classical fuzzy classifiers and around 1% versus the previous interval-valued fuzzy classifier, and the classifier ability to correctly differentiate patients of the different risk categories. Conclusion: The proposed methodology is a suitable tool to face the medical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, since it obtains a good classification rate and it also provides an interpretable model that can be easily understood by the doctors.
Open Access
Enhancing multi-class classification in FARC-HD fuzzy classifier: on the synergy between n-dimensional overlap functions and decomposition strategies
(IEEE, 2014) Elkano Ilintxeta, Mikel; Galar Idoate, Mikel; Sanz Delgado, José Antonio; Fernández, Alberto; Barrenechea Tartas, Edurne; Herrera, Francisco; Bustince Sola, Humberto; Automática y Computación; Automatika eta Konputazioa
There are many real-world classification problems involving multiple classes, e.g., in bioinformatics, computer vision or medicine. These problems are generally more difficult than their binary counterparts. In this scenario, decomposition strategies usually improve the performance of classifiers. Hence, in this paper we aim to improve the behaviour of FARC-HD fuzzy classifier in multi-class classification problems using decomposition strategies, and more specifically One-vs-One (OVO) and One-vs-All (OVA) strategies. However, when these strategies are applied on FARC-HD a problem emerges due to the low confidence values provided by the fuzzy reasoning method. This undesirable condition comes from the application of the product t-norm when computing the matching and association degrees, obtaining low values, which are also dependent on the number of antecedents of the fuzzy rules. As a result, robust aggregation strategies in OVO such as the weighted voting obtain poor results with this fuzzy classifier. In order to solve these problems, we propose to adapt the inference system of FARC-HD replacing the product t-norm with overlap functions. To do so, we define n-dimensional overlap functions. The usage of these new functions allows one to obtain more adequate outputs from the base classifiers for the subsequent aggregation in OVO and OVA schemes. Furthermore, we propose a new aggregation strategy for OVO to deal with the problem of the weighted voting derived from the inappropriate confidences provided by FARC-HD for this aggregation method. The quality of our new approach is analyzed using twenty datasets and the conclusions are supported by a proper statistical analysis. In order to check the usefulness of our proposal, we carry out a comparison against some of the state-of-the-art fuzzy classifiers. Experimental results show the competitiveness of our method.