A Novel Integration Method for D Numbers Based on Horizontal Comparison

D numbers theory is an extension of Dempster–Shafer evidence theory. It eliminates the constraints of mutual exclusion and completeness under the frame of discernment of Dempster–Shafer evidence theory, so it has been widely used to deal with uncertainty modelling, but if it cannot effectively deal with the problem of missing information, sometimes unreasonable conclusions will be drawn. This paper proposes a new type of integration representation of D numbers, which compares the data of multiple evaluation items horizontally, and can reasonably fill in missing information. We apply this method to the user experience evaluation problem of online live course platform to verify the effectiveness of this method.

Evaluation method of fault indicator status detection based on hierarchical clustering

In order to solve the evaluation problem of fault indicator arrival detection and operation detection, an evaluation method of fault indicator status detection based on hierarchical clustering is proposed. Firstly, the evaluation model for status detection of fault indicator in distribution network is established. Then, through the fault indicator state detection single result table and the fault indicator operation state detection result table, the single equipment evaluation of fault indicator status detection is described in detail. Secondly, through the fault indicator state detection manufacture result table and the fault indicator state detection manufacture evaluation value, the manufacturer equipment evaluation of fault indicator status detection is described in detail. Finally, through the fault indicator state detection itemized result table and fault indicator state detection itemized evaluation value, the itemized equipment evaluation of fault indicator status detection is described in detail. The case analysis shows that the method is effective and feasible, can meet the actual needs of the site, and has positive significance.

Modified Representations for the Close Evaluation Problem

When using boundary integral equation methods, we represent solutions of a linear partial differential equation as layer potentials. It is well-known that the approximation of layer potentials using quadrature rules suffer from poor resolution when evaluated closed to (but not on) the boundary. To address this challenge, we provide modified representations of the problem’s solution. Similar to Gauss’s law used to modify Laplace’s double-layer potential, we use modified representations of Laplace’s single-layer potential and Helmholtz layer potentials that avoid the close evaluation problem. Some techniques have been developed in the context of the representation formula or using interpolation techniques. We provide alternative modified representations of the layer potentials directly (or when only one density is at stake). Several numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the technique in two and three dimensions.

Identifying Influencing Factors of Regional Agricultural Drought Vulnerability Based on PSR-TGRC Method

Regional agricultural drought vulnerability (RADV) is a complex nonlinear problem caused by the interaction of multiple factors, and an objective and systematic method is proposed by this paper to identify its influencing factors, which plays an important role in preventing and regulating the risks of regional agricultural drought. Firstly, to provide a reference for the evaluation problem in selecting the number of factors, the influencing factors affecting RADV are revealed by using the method of phase space reconstruction (PSR). Secondly, to rank the importance of influencing factors, a grey trend relational analysis (TGRA) method is proposed, considering the dynamic development relationship between the RADV index and the influencing factors and integrating the absolute and relative variation of sequences in each corresponding period. Finally, to reduce the collinearity between the influencing factors, a grey trend relational clustering (TGRC) analysis method is proposed. According to the above steps, the process of identifying factors based on PSR-TGRC method is formed. Taking Henan Province as an example, 14 main influencing factors and their effects on RADV are identified from all 42 factors, and the identification results which are consistent with the actual drought relief work show the rationality and practicality of PSR-TGRC method and provide theoretical support for formulating strategies of regional agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation.

Service Quality Evaluation of Terminal Express Delivery Based on an Integrated SERVQUAL-AHP-TOPSIS Approach

With the rapid development of e-commerce and information technology, the express package volume in the Chinese market keeps an explosively increasing tendency. Terminal delivery plays a significant role on the business and reputation promotion of express brand. To identify the service quality of delivery service, an integrated SERVUQAL-AHP-TOPSIS approach is developed to evaluate the quality of service (QoS) of the city express industry. Firstly, the QoS criteria system is established through SERVQUAL-based dimensions. Secondly, the AHP method is employed to derive the relative weights of criteria. Then, the two stages are embedded into the TOPSIS steps to evaluate the service quality of the express alternative. An application case study is conducted following the detailed steps of the proposed integrated decision-making framework, and results demonstrate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed approach on the QoS of terminal delivery evaluation problem.

An Evaluation Model of the Online Learning Effect Based on Fuzzy Mathematics

This study derived an evaluation model that overcomes the various problems in the evaluation of online learning effect. Firstly, the influencing factors in the online learning process were discussed in the paper, pointing out the direction to enhance the online learning effect. Next, a multidimensional evaluation index system was established for online learning effect. Meanwhile, the evaluation of online learning effect was treated as a fuzzy evaluation problem with multiple attributes, and an improved evaluation model for online learning effect was proposed based on fuzzy mathematics theory. The proposed model can evaluate the online learning effect effectively, and enjoy a good prospect of application.

Evaluation of Nursing Homes Using a Novel PROMETHEE Method for Probabilistic Linguistic Term Sets

Aging has become a serious social problem in China. Traditional informal long-term care is hard to sustain because of the reduction in family size and elders’ children migration to big cities. The institution offering services for the disabled elders has been a tendency. There exists a strange phenomenon: some nursing homes are difficult to enter for most disabled elders, while the other ones must search for elders to maintain operation. Therefore, for the evaluation of nursing homes, two problems should be considered: (1) selecting suitable nursing homes for disabled elders; (2) obtaining the key factors influencing the selection of elders and helping nursing homes improve their services based on the key factors. First, we propose a new DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method for PLTSs to solve the second problem. Then, we present a novel PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Methods for Enrichment Evaluations) method to rank the alternatives and make a sensitivity analysis for criteria. Finally, we illustrate our proposed methods to an evaluation problem in Zhenjiang City by a case study. Based on the case study, we can obtain that our proposed methods are effective and practicable.

Multiattribute Decision-Making Method with Intuitionistic Fuzzy Archimedean Bonferroni Means

The Bonferroni mean (BM) can portray the inter-relationships among the arguments, which is based on algebraic norm. Archimedean norm is the generalization of algebraic norm. In this work, the intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) BMs on the basis of the Archimedean norm are investigated, including the Archimedean norm-based IF arithmetic BM (AN-IFABM) and the Archimedean norm-based IF geometric BM (AN-IFGBM). Then, we discuss their typical properties and several particular cases of the AN-IFABM and AN-IFGBM in detail. Moreover, we design the Archimedean norm-based IF weighted arithmetic BM (AN-IFWABM) and the Archimedean norm-based IF weighted geometric BM (AN-IFWGBM) to consider the importance of each argument and their interconnections. Applying the proposed extensions, an approach is designed to cope with the multiattribute decision-making (MADM) problems. Finally, an efficiency evaluation problem of some public companies in China is analyzed by the proposed approach to demonstrate its applicability and validity.