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A key issue in social network group decision making (SNGDM) is to determine the weights (i.e., social influences) of individuals. Notably, in some SNGDM scenarios, the social influences of individuals may evolve over time. Meanwhile, consensus reaching is another important issue in SNGDM. In this article, we are dedicated to disclosing the natural evolution process of social influence, and further to discussing the consensus reaching issue in SNGDM. First, we establish the social influence evolution model, where the individual's social influence is obtained by combining his/her intrinsic influence and network influence. Afterward, we design the consensus reaching process based on social influence evolution (CRP-SIE) to assist the individuals to reach a consensus. Furthermore, we use a hypothetical application to show the applicability of the proposed CRP-SIE. Finally, simulation analysis is adopted to investigate the effects of social influence evolution on consensus reaching in SNGDM, and comparative analysis is conducted to demonstrate the advantages of our proposal.

To address the situation where the complete consistency is unnecessary, a stepwise optimization model-based method for testing the acceptably additive consistency (AAC) of hesitant fuzzy preference relations (HFPRs) is introduced. Then, an AAC concept for HFPRs is defined. Meanwhile, incomplete HFPRs (iHFPRs) are discussed and a series of optimization models to acquire complete HFPRs is constructed. If the consistency is unacceptable, an optimization model for revising unacceptably consistent HFPRs under the conditions of the AAC and maximizing the ordinal consistency (OC) is offered. Subsequently, a model for minimizing the number of adjusted variables is presented. Considering the weighting information and the consensus for group decision making (GDM), the weights of fuzzy preference relations (FPRs) obtained from each individual HFPR and the decision makers (DMs) are determined using the distance measure. With regard to the consensus, two models for reaching the consensus requirement and minimizing the amount of revised variables are separately constructed, which are both based on the analysis of maximizing the OC. Furthermore, the thresholds of the additive consistency and the consensus are studied using the Monte Carlo simulation method. A GDM algorithm with HFPRs is offered. Finally, an example and comparison are provided to show the efficiency of the new procedure.

With the increasing complexity of real decision-making problems, some experts try to use multi-scale information to express expert opinions in group decision-making problems. Facing the problem of group decision-making with multi-scale information, this paper attempts to explore a multi-scale group decision-making method consisting of two stages to provide theoretical support and methodological basis for establishing a multi-scale decision analysis system. In the first stage, we introduce a newly ranking decision-making approach based on a reflexive fuzzy α-neighborhood operator to deal with single-scale ranking problems with a single expert, which greatly enriches the ranking decision analysis theory. We also use a numerical example and experimental analysis to detect the stability and validity of the method. In the second stage, considering that the decision-making opinions of multiple experts may appear at the same time in the decision-making process, we propose the score labeling approach and the decision fusion approach to obtain the comprehensive decision-making result, which provides a feasible research idea for the comprehensive analysis of group decision-making results. Combining these two stages, a complete multi-scale group decision-making method in a multi-scale environment is described in detail, which can effectively deal with multi-scale group decision-making problems. Moreover, a series of simulation calculations are conducted to test the validity and stability of the proposed group decision-making method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the conditions that: 1) same linguistic term means different things for different people; 2) flexible semantics cannot be represented by original linguistic term; and 3) some semantics given by decision makers are possible to be changed during the consistency improving process, we bring some flexibility and personality into hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference matrix structures by allowing the linguistic preference matrices to be granular rather than numeric, providing a new characterization of linguistic preference matrices. Inspired by the thought of granular computing, this article proposes a new hesitant fuzzy linguistic method to deal with issues when a lot of decision makers provide hesitant and uncertain preference information in the decision-making process. First, we design a multiplicative consistency index and calculate its thresholds corresponding to different dimensions of preference matrix by the Monte Carlo experiment. Then, we construct a hesitant fuzzy linguistic model with granularity level, so as to recharacterize original assessment information and improve the consistency of preference matrices as far as possible. Considering the features of some large-scale group decision-making situation, where the decision makers have little opportunity to take part in multiple consensus reaching processes, hesitant fuzzy linguistic fuzzy $C$ -means clustering algorithm is developed to integrate the assessment information given by decision makers. Finally, the final decision-making results are derived. An illustrative example of assessing psychological situation of some COVID-19 infected persons clarifies the reasonability of the proposed method. Finally, we complete some comparative studies and simulation experiments to demonstrate the method’s validity and advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing complexity of decision-making environments has led to a rise in the involvement of decision-makers (DMs) in group decision-making problems. Clustering is widely used in large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM) to categorize DMs into smaller groups. Ensuring reasonable decision-making results requires providing explanations for the generated groups during the clustering process. To address the clustering problem in LSGDM within uncertain linguistic environments, this paper proposes a conceptual clustering method based on the linguistic concept lattice. The method efficiently manages comparable and incomparable linguistic information. To achieve interpretable clustering results for DMs, attribute and expert induction matrices are first introduced. Cluster stability analysis is then employed to automatically determine the optimal number of clusters. Second, linguistic truth-valued aggregation operators are proposed to aggregate the linguistic evaluation information of DMs in each cluster. In addition, a consensus reaching process is conducted within each cluster, and a feedback mechanism is established to iteratively update clusters when consensus cannot be reached. Finally, numerical examples and comparative analyses are presented that verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach in effectively addressing the LSGDM problem within uncertain linguistic environments. • Using conceptual clustering for the LSGDM problem. • Linguistic concepts are provided as explanations for the clustering results. • The comparable and incomparable linguistic information is handled in LSGDM. • A novel linguistic concept lattice-based LSGDM approach is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a general solution based on reinforcement learning for the agile satellite scheduling problem. The core idea of this method is to determine a value function for evaluating the long-term benefit under a certain state by training from experiences, and then apply this value function to guide decisions in unknown situations. First, the process of agile satellite scheduling is modeled as a finite Markov decision process with continuous state space and discrete action space. Two subproblems of the agile Earth observation satellite scheduling problem, i.e., the sequencing problem and the timing problem are solved by the part of the agent and the environment in the model, respectively. A satisfactory solution of the timing problem can be quickly produced by a constructive heuristic algorithm. The objective function of this problem is to maximize the total reward of the entire scheduling process. Based on the above design, we demonstrate that Q-network has advantages in fitting the long-term benefit of such problems. After that, we train the Q-network by Q-learning. The experimental results show that the trained Q-network performs efficiently to cope with unknown data, and can generate high total profit in a short time. The method has good scalability and can be applied to different types of satellite scheduling problems by customizing only the constraints checking process and reward signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In computing with words, it has been stressed that words mean different things for different people, which entails that decision makers (DMs) have personalized individual semantics (PISs) attached to linguistic expressions in linguistic group decision making (GDM). In particular, the PISs of DMs are not fixed, and they will be changing during the consensus building process, which indicates the necessary of continual PIS learning. Therefore, in this article, we propose a continual PIS-learning-based consensus approach in linguistic GDM. Specifically, a continual PIS learning model with the consistency-driven methodology is proposed to update the PISs taking into account all the linguistic preference data given by DMs during the consensus process. Then, the consensus measurement and feedback recommendation based on PIS are developed to detect the consensus process. Finally, numerical examples and simulation analysis are presented to illustrate and justify the use of the continual PIS-learning-based consensus approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current societal demands and technological developments have resulted in the participation of a large number of experts in making decisions as a group. Conflicts are imminent in groups and conflict management is complex and necessary especially in a large group. However, there are few studies that quantitatively research the conflict detection and resolution in the large-group context, especially in the multicriteria large-group decision making (GDM) context. This article proposes a dynamic adaptive subgroup-to-subgroup conflict model to solve multicriteria large-scale GDM problems. A compatibility index is proposed based on two kinds of conflicts among experts: 1) cognitive conflict and 2) interest conflict. Then, the fuzzy $c$ -means clustering algorithm is used to classify experts into several subgroups. A subgroup-to-subgroup conflict detection method and a weight-determination approach are developed based on the clustering results. Afterward, a conflict resolution model, which can dynamically generate feedback suggestion, is introduced. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City governments prioritize mobility in urban planning and policy. Greater mobility in a city leads to happier citizens. Although enhanced urban mobility is helpful, it comes with costs, notably in terms of climate change. Transportation systems that enable urban mobility often emit greenhouse gases. Cities must prioritize digital carbon footprint awareness. Cities may reduce the environmental impact of urban mobility while keeping its benefits by close monitoring and reducing the carbon footprint of digital technologies like transportation applications, ride-sharing platforms, and smart traffic control systems. The aim is to advantage prioritize three alternatives, namely doing nothing, upgrading and optimizing data centers and networks, and using renewable energy sources for data centers and networks to minimize the digital carbon footprint using the proposed decision making tool. This study consists of two stages. In the first stage, fuzzy Aczel-Alsina functions (fuzzy Aczel-Alsina weighted assessment — ALWAS method) based Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA) is proposed to find the weights of criteria. Secondly, fuzzy ALWAS Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) model is improved to evaluate and choose the best alternative among the three alternatives. The improved ALWAS-CoCoSo model enables flexible nonlinear processing of uncertain information and simulation of different risk levels. Besides, we proposed the improved fuzzy OPA algorithm for processing uncertain and incomplete information. The case study is provided to the decision-makers to advantage prioritize the alternatives based on twelve criteria organized into four aspects, including digital carbon footprint, externalities, technical capability, and economics. The ranking results reveal that A 3 = 2. 445 is the best among the three alternative, while A 1 = 1. 705 is the worst alternative. The results show that the best way to reduce the digital carbon footprint is to use renewable energy sources to power data centers and networks (A 3). • Renewable energy sources for data centers are studied. • Fuzzy Aczel-Alsina functions based OPA is proposed to find the weights of criteria. • Fuzzy ALWAS-CoCoSo model is improved to choose the best alternative. • Three alternatives are evaluated using 12 criteria grouped into 4 aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benchmarking of agri-food 4.0 supply chain (Agri4SC) falls under the multiple criteria problem in supply chain visibility (SCV) and supply chain resource integration (SCRI) for improving data analytics capabilities and achieving sustainable performance (SP). It is considered a multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem due to three main concerns, namely, multiple Agri4SC evaluation criteria including the SCV, SCRI and SP criteria. These criteria have relative importance and trade-offs. Despite the tremendous efforts over the last years, none of the developed Agri4SCs have met all of the essential Agri4SC evaluation criteria. Another concern raised in the evaluation and benchmarking of the Agri4SC is the uncertainty of experts. Thus, the main contribution of this research is to propose an Agri4SC benchmarking framework in SCV and SCRI for improving data analytics capabilities and achieving SP based on an extension of the proposed Fermatean probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets (FPHFSs) and MCDM methods. The methodology process is divided into six main parts. Firstly, an Agri4SC decision matrix is formulated based on the intersection of the Agri4SC alternatives and criteria to cover multiple Agri4SC evaluation criteria issues. Secondly, novel FPHFSs are proposed along with their operational laws, score function, accuracy function, Fermatean probabilistic hesitant fuzzy average mean operator and Fermatean probabilistic hesitant fuzzy weighted average operator. The FPHFS can encompass more sophisticated and uncertain evaluation information. Thirdly, Fermatean probabilistic hesitant fuzzy weighted zero inconsistency is formulated to assign weights to the evaluation criteria. Fourthly, the Fermatean probabilistic hesitant fuzzy decision by opinion score method (FPH-FDOSM) is formulated and used to score the alternatives that were evaluated subjectively based on SCV criteria. Fifthly, the FPH-FDOSM-based multi attributive ideal-real comparative analysis (MAIRCA) scoring method with equal probabilities is proposed to score Agri4SC alternatives that were evaluated subjectively based on weighted economic, environmental and social factors. Lastly, the MAIRCA ranking method with unequal probabilities is introduced to benchmark Agri4SC alternatives that were evaluated objectively based on the weighted subcriteria of SP and the trade-offs amongst the identified criteria. The robustness and reliability of the results are tested via sensitivity analysis and Spearman's correlation coefficient. • Propose FPHFSs including operational laws, score function, aggregation operators. • Formulate fermatean probabilistic hesitant-fuzzy weighted zero inconsistency method. • Formulate fermatean probabilistic hesitant-fuzzy decision by opinion score method. • Formulate MAIRCA based proposed fuzzy as scoring method with equal probabilities. • Develop MAIRCA ranking method with unequal probabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New concepts for ATrFPRs are defined that avoid the issues in previous ones. • New methods can cope with incomplete ATrFPRs while all previous research cannot. • New methods based the acceptable consistency have some merits than previous ones. • Optimization models are more reasonable than the iterative method. • Numerical examples and comparative analysis are made. Trapezoidal fuzzy numbers offer a suitable and flexible way to express vague judgments of decision makers. This paper studies decision making with additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations. It first analyzes the issues encountered in previous consistency concepts for additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations. Then, two new consistency concepts, namely, an additive consistency concept and a multiplicative consistency concept, are introduced. To verify the rationality, several of their properties are discussed. To efficiently assess the consistency of additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations, several corresponding optimization models are formed. When the objective function values of the built models are zero, the associated additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations are consistent. Considering the case where additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations are incomplete, optimization models based on the consistency analysis are built, by which identified unknown judgments have the highest consistency level with the known ones. In general, additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations are unacceptably consistent. To rank objects from additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations, several optimization models for improving the consistency level are built, which consider the self-confidence of the decision makers, the total adjustment and the number of adjusted elements. According to the above discussion, two frameworks for ranking objects from additive trapezoidal fuzzy preference relations are provided that are based on the additive and multiplicative consistency analysis, respectively. Finally, numerical examples are provided to highlight the concrete application and to deliver the comparative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates decision making with normalized probabilistic linguistic preference relations (NPLPRs). Consistency analysis is indispensable for deriving the reasonable ranking. After recalling previous research, we find that all previous concepts cannot fully define consistent NPLPRs. As a fundamental topic of decision making with preference relations, it is necessary to further study the consistency of NPLPRs. For this purpose, an interactive algorithm for deriving disjunctive probabilistic additive linguistic preference relations (DP-ALPRs) is provided, by which an additive consistency concept for NPLPRs is defined. When NPLPRs are unacceptably consistent, models for obtaining acceptably additively consistent NPLPRs are built. Considering the situation where only incomplete NPLPRs are obtained, a disjunctive probability and additive consistency based interactive algorithm for ascertaining missing judgments is provided. Meanwhile, we discuss group decision making (GDM) with NPLPRs and offer a distance measure based formula to determine the weights of the decision makers. In addition, the method defines a consensus index and builds models for improving the consensus level. Under the additive consistency and consensus discussions, an interactive algorithm for GDM with NPLPRs is proposed. Finally, the new method is applied to select green raw material suppliers to illustrate the application and compared with several previous ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of uncertainty in decision-making problems remains a very challenging and timely research issue despite many proposals. An interesting topic in this area in recent years has been Granular Computing. In this paper, we present a coherent framework for various models of information granules, using hierarchies of information for dealing with knowledge acquired and processed at different levels of abstraction. Granular Computing, a paradigm for handling higher types of uncertainty in decision analysis, is considered a new conceptual and algorithmic asset of decision-making studies and, in particular, data-driven decision-making. Most relevant studies have focused on categories of information granules, namely intervals, fuzzy sets, rough sets, and shadowed sets. To better understand this promising area, this study provides a comprehensive overview of Granular Computing for decision-making through literature analysis, enhancing a variety of extensions, applications, and challenges. • We propose a comprehensive review for granular computing in decision making. • We provide a bibliometric review for granular computing in decision making. • We review main applications in granular computing in decision making. • We provide some future directions for granular computing in decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the elicitation of decision makers' fuzzy and uncertain assessments, linguistic terms are natural and efficient as the preference modeling tools. Although the linguistic variables are available, they would not be operational without any detailed quantification. Motivated by the flexibility of information granularity, this paper develops information granules to represent linguistic terms in the form of intervals and interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs) in best worst method (BWM). The development is aimed at minimizing inconsistency in the decision making (DM) process to ensure the rationality of the assessments provided by decision makers. Furthermore, the input and output based consistencies of BWM are considered. The granulation of entries of pairwise comparison vectors are the foundation of BWM to formulate an optimization problem where particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm serves as the optimization framework. Both individual and group decision making (GDM) scenarios are taken into consideration. For the GDM process, a performance index for measuring the group consensus is also proposed. Several examples and validity analysis are covered to illustrate the major ideas of this study. Finally, as a case study, a recommendation of the sequence of visiting tourist attractions in Wuhan and the corresponding comparative analysis are represented. • A granular computing-based method in BWM framework is proposed. • Construction of granular linguistic information to represent preference information of DMs is given. • A novel Euclidean distance function to measure the agreement among the group is proposed. • A case study of scenic spots recommendation in Wuhan with online reviews is exhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We focus on the unification and fusion of heterogeneous distributed linguistic information. • We present several minimum information-loss transformation models with desirable properties. • We present a multi-attribute group decision making framework in a heterogeneous distributed linguistic context. • We demonstrate the necessity of flexibility in distributed linguistic decision making. In the problems that linguistic assessments are conducted by adopting multiple sources of information representations, the management of unification of heterogeneous information and information loss are necessary. To support a useful fusion of heterogeneous distributed information in linguistic group decision making, a minimum information-loss transformation framework is proposed in this paper. First, distributed linguistic distance measurements are defined to measure information loss among heterogeneous distributed linguistic preference information, and then several minimum information-loss transformation models (MILTMs) with desirable properties are proposed. Furthermore, the application of the MILTMs in addressing the fusion of heterogeneous distributed linguistic information in a multi-attribute group decision context is discussed, and the flexibility of distributed linguistic information is studied to justify the MILTMs through numerical examples and comparative analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group of experts are commonly invited to find an optimal solution to a complex decision making problem. When the bipolarity of decision information should be considered in group decision making (GDM), intuitionistic fuzzy values (IFVs) have the capability to model such opinions of decision makers (DMs). This paper develops a consensus model in GDM under intuitionistic fuzzy environments with flexibility. First, it is assumed that the initial opinions of DMs are expressed as intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations (IFPRs). A novel additive consistency index is constructed to measure the deviation degree of IFPRs from fuzzy preference relations (FPRs) with additive consistency, where the non-determinacy degree of IFPRs is incorporated. The thresholds of the proposed index corresponding to IFPRs with acceptable additive consistency are discussed and computed. Second, the consensus level of DMs is defined using the similarity degree between two IFVs. An optimization problem is established by maximizing the fitness function, which is constructed by linearly combining the proposed additive consistency index and consensus level. Two flexibility degrees are offered to each DM such that the initial opinions with the bipolarity can be adjusted correspondingly. Third, individual IFPRs in GDM are optimized using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Numerical examples are carried out to illustrate the proposed consensus model by comparing with the existing ones. The obtained results reveal that the proposed additive consistency index can reflect the inherent property of IFPRs. Different with the previous studies, two original flexibility degrees are proposed to characterize the multi-granularity of decision information in GDM. • A novel consistency index is constructed to measure the inconsistency degree of IFPRs. • An optimization model is proposed by considering the consistency degree and consensus level. • A novel algorithm of group decision making is established where the PSO algorithm is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information quality has attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this paper, we propose a measure to quantify the information quality of intuitionistic fuzzy information based on a pseudo probability transformation, and derive its induced order to rank intuitionistic fuzzy values. The proposed measure and the induced order are proved to possess some well-defined properties that ensure rationality. Further, in order to rank intuitionistic fuzzy alternatives in decision making, we turn the proposed information quality into a ranking-oriented information quality, and present its induced order to generate the ranking. The decision capacity of our method is founded with the goal of rationalizing, simulating and further facilitating the interpretability and transparency in human decision making. A comparative study has been conducted, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach to ranking alternatives. The proposed approach is shown to outperform existing ranking methods via case-by-case comparisons. Finally, an application involving decision making of drug selection and an application in multi-criteria decision analysis of supplier selection are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in population and prosperity are linked to a worldwide rise in garbage. The "classification" and "recycling" of solid waste is a crucial tactic for dealing with the waste problem. This paper presents a new two-layer intelligent decision system for waste sorting based on fused features of Deep Learning (DL) models as well as a selection of an optimal deep Waste-Sorting Model (WSM) based on Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). A dataset comprising 1451 samples of images of waste, distributed across four classes – cardboard (403), glass (501), metal (410), and general trash (137), was used for sorting. This study proposes a Multi-Fused Decision Matrix (MFDM) based on identified fusion score level rules, evaluation criteria, and deep fused waste-sorting models. Five fusion rules used in the sorting process and the evaluation perspectives into the MFDM are sum, weighted sum, product, maximum, and minimum rules. Additionally, each of entropy and Visekriterijumska Optimizacija i Kompromisno Resenje in Serbian (VIKOR) methods was used for weighting selected criteria as well as ranking deep WSMs. The highest accuracy rate of 98% was scored by ResNet50-GoogleNet- Inception based on the minimum rule. However, under the same rule, an insufficient accuracy rate of sorting was presented by ResNet50-GoogleNet-Xception. Since Qi = 0 for Inception-Xception, the final output based on MCDM methods indicates that the fused Inception-Xception model outperforms the other fused deep WSMs, which achieved the lowest values of Qi. Thus, Inception-Xception was chosen as the best deep waste-sorting model based on images of waste, multiple evaluation criteria, and different fusion perspectives. The mean and standard deviation metrics were both used to validate the selection findings objectively. The suggested approach can aid urban decision-makers in prioritizing and choosing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-optimized optimal sorting model. • Develop a 2-layer decision system for waste sorting using deep learning. • Construct MFDM using fusion scores, criteria, and deep waste sorting models. • Entropy and VIKOR methods rank criteria and deep learning models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evaluating different models' perspectives for real-time adversarial attack detection in VANETs. • Identifying and preprocessing DSRC adversarial data using standard and fusion preprocessing approaches. • Selection for the golden ML model using a fuzzy decision-making framework for VANETs. • Evaluating the efficiency of the developed framework in four assessment processes. This paper addresses various issues in the literature concerning adversarial attack detection in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs). These issues include the failure to consider both normal and adversarial attack perspectives simultaneously in Machine Learning (ML) model development, the lack of diversity preprocessing techniques for VANETs communication datasets, the inadequate selection guidelines for real-time adversarial attack detection models, and the limited emphasis on explainability in adversarial attack detection. In this study, we propose an original fuzzy decision-making framework that incorporates multiple fusion standpoints. Our framework aims to evaluate multi-ML models for real-time adversarial attack detection in VANETs, focusing on three stages. The first stage involves identifying and preprocessing Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) data using standard and fusion preprocessing approaches. Two communication scenarios, normal and jammed, are considered, resulting in two DSRC datasets. In the second stage, we develop multi-ML models based on the DSRC datasets using standard preprocessing and feature fusion preprocessing for dataset-1 and dataset-2, respectively. The third stage evaluates the multi-ML models using a fuzzy decision-making approach based on the Fuzzy Decision by Opinion Score Method (FDOSM) and an adversarial attack decision fusion matrix. The External Fusion Decision (EFD) settings of the FDOSM address individual ranking variance, provide a unique rank and select the best model. Experimental results demonstrate that the K-Nearest Neighbors Algorithm (kNN) model achieves the highest explain score of 0.2048 in dataset-1 using standard preprocessing, while the Random Forest (RF) model applied to dataset-2 using fusion preprocessing emerges as the most robust and golden model against adversarial attacks, with a score of 0.1819. This finding suggests that the fusion preprocessing approach using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is more suitable for addressing normal and adversarial attack perspectives. Furthermore, our fuzzy framework undergoes evaluation in terms of systematic rank, sensitivity analysis, explainability analysis, and comparison analysis. Overall, this framework provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in VANETs, informing the execution, selection, and interpretation of multi-ML models to tackle adversarial attack detection problems effectively. The new fuzzy framework demonstrates that multi-ML models based on feature fusion preprocessing are more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) theory has become main approach to representing imprecision and vagueness. The IF divergence measure (IFDivM) based on Jensen–Shannon divergence is perhaps the most widely used measure to compare the similarity of multiple intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs). In the present paper, this IFDivM is examined and applied to multiple examples. It is found that some extant IFDivMs hardly satisfy the axiomatic definition, and in a few cases even unable to show divergence of trivial IFSs. To address these inconsistencies, a new IFDivM based on Jensen–Shannon divergence is proposed, free from these problems. The effectiveness of the proposed IFDivM is tested on several critical cases, and precise analysis of its properties is performed. It is proved that the proposed IFDivM satisfies the axiomatic definition of IFDivMs. To illustrate the practical significance of the IFDivM, a novel intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) TODIM method, based on the proposed IFDivM, is developed, termed as GIF-TODIM method. Unlike the existing IF-TODIM methods, GIF-TODIM does not suffer from the revere ordering inconsistencies. The proposed GIF-TODIM method and the proposed IFDivM are applied to a real-world case study on supplier selection. A detailed comparative analysis is performed taking the TOPSIS method and other IFDivMs as baselines. The role of attitude on the final choice is analyzed in great detail. It is found that the proposed GIF-TODIM method is indeed useful, effective, and superior to the counterpart methods, when it comes to real-world situations. Concomitantly, in the present work, it is also revealed that the TOPSIS method based on the 2-D Hamming distance is a special form of the proposed GIF-TODIM method, when decision-makers have the same attitude towards losses and gains. Thus, an interesting relationship between TOPSIS and TODIM is identified under the intuitionistic fuzzy environment, which is bound to propel significant research in the area of decision making under uncertain conditions. As a whole, the article offers comprehensive analyses of IFDivMs and the TODIM method under the intuitionistic fuzzy environment. • Construct a new IF divergence measure (IFDivM) based on Jensen–Shannon divergence. • Develop a GIF-TODIM method based on the new IFDivM. • Apply the proposed GIF-TODIM method to a supplier selection problem. • Provide parameter analysis and comparative analysis with TOPSIS and other IFDivMs. • Show that TOPSIS based on 2-D Hamming distance is a special form of our GIF-TODIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifth-generation (5G) technology provides new possibilities for a variety of applications, but it also comes with challenges influenced by distinct aspects, such as the size of organizations that use such technology. Therefore, it is important to understand which architecture of 5G-radio access networks (RANs) is best for a given purpose; this requires an evaluation platform for assessment. This paper tackles this problem by presenting a novel multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) solution based on a new integrated fuzzy set. The proposed integrated approach, which is based on a Type-2 neutrosophic fuzzy environment, is developed to address the application challenges of 5G-RANs architecture evaluation, as also to face the MCDM theoretical challenge represented by ambiguities and inconsistencies among decision makers within the decision making context of the presented case study. Many MCDM techniques for weighting and selection were presented from the literature, yet many of them still suffer from inconsistencies and uncertainty. Therefore, the chosen methods in this research are unique in a way that previous issues are addressed, making them suitable for integration with Type-2 neutrosophic fuzzy environment, and therefore creating a more robust decision platform for the presented challenge in this research, as a theoretical contribution. First, a new "Type-2 Neutrosophic Fuzzy-Weighted Zero-Inconsistency" (T2NN-FWZIC) technique is formulated for weighting the evaluation criteria of RAN architectures. Second, another new method, namely, "Type-2 Neutrosophic Fuzzy Decision by Opinion Score Method" (T2NN-FDOSM), was formulated to select the optimal RAN architecture using the obtained weights. The weighting results by T2NN-FWZIC for the (n = 25) evaluation criteria revealed that (C 21 latency and C 22 reliability) as the most important criteria, with 0.06 value for each as opposed to (C 15 Data Processing) as the lowest weighted criteria with 0.0186 value. As for T2NN-FDOSM, a total of four 5G-RAN architectures were evaluated, including "virtualized cloud RAN" coming as the optimal one, followed by "fog RAN," "cloud RAN," and finally "heterogeneous cloud RAN." The results were confirmed by carrying out a sensitivity analysis. The outcome of this study can be used to assist future 5G-RAN developments according to business needs and to establish an assessment platform for 5G technology in different domains and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metaverse is defined as a fictional universe that could serve as a simulation environment of reality. Beginning in the past with games, it becomes increasingly integrated into human life as time passes. Metaverse usage is inevitable in every aspect of life. One of its potential application areas could be urban transportation. A novel fuzzy trigonometric based on the combination of the Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) and Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) is proposed to rank three alternatives with twelve criteria under four major aspects: managerial, safety, user, and urban mobility. In the first stage, fuzzy FUCOM methods are used to calculate the weights of the criteria. In the second stage, the fuzzy trigonometric based CoCoSo method is applied to evaluate and rank the alternatives. The proposed model enables the nonlinear processing of complex and uncertain information using fuzzy trigonometric functions. The findings demonstrate focusing on a particular age group can make it easier to integrate the metaverse with urban transportation. The findings of this study have the potential to serve as a guide for decision-makers. The metaverse-based applications could be started by policymakers, which is a promising opportunity with potential boundaries beyond human comprehension making this statement weaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), as a powerful and effective risk assessment tool in reliability and safety analysis, has been extensively applied in different fields to enhance the reliability of a system. However, the traditional FMEA method has exposed some significant defects in practical applications. Furthermore, the risk ranking of failure modes is not convenient for subsequent maintenance strategies, and the interactions between risk criteria are not considered in most multiple criteria decision making (MCDM)-based methods. In this paper, we construct a novel FMEA model based on criteria importance through the inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) method and three-way decisions to improve the performance of the conventional FMEA method and aid making a maintenance plan. Firstly, we introduce the decision-theoretic rough sets (DTRSs) into an interval 2-tuple linguistic (I2TL) environment to define interval 2-tuple linguistic decision-theoretic rough sets (I2TLDTRSs). Secondly, the CRITIC method is employed to calculate the weight of risk criteria. Thirdly, the conditional probability is obtained by a similarity-based method with the help of the ideas of the TOPSIS approach, and a relative loss function is designed by introducing risk avoidance coefficient. Fourthly, the classification of failure modes is derived according to the three-way decision rules. Finally, two numerical examples of the train door system are given to verify the effectiveness and practicality of the presented model. The presented model both extends the theory and application of three-way decisions and provides a solution beneficial for making a maintenance strategy to reduce the risk of failure modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]