Nonstandard n-distances based on certain geometric constructions

in Beiträge zur Algebra und Geometrie (2023), 64(1), 107-126

The concept of n-distance was recently introduced to generalize the classical definition of distance to functions of n arguments. In this paper we investigate this concept through a number of examples ... [more ▼]

The concept of n-distance was recently introduced to generalize the classical definition of distance to functions of n arguments. In this paper we investigate this concept through a number of examples based on certain geometrical constructions. In particular, our study shows to which extent the computation of the best constant associated with an n-distance may sometimes be difficult and tricky. It also reveals that two important graph theoretical concepts, namely the total length of the Euclidean Steiner tree and the total length of the minimal spanning tree constructed on n points, are instances of n-distances. [less ▲]

Reducibility of n-ary semigroups: from quasitriviality towards idempotency

in Beiträge zur Algebra und Geometrie (2022), 63(1), 149-166

Let $X$ be a nonempty set. Denote by $\mathcal{F}^n_k$ the class of associative operations $F\colon X^n\to X$ satisfying the condition $F(x_1,\ldots,x_n)\in\{x_1,\ldots,x_n\}$ whenever at least $k$ of the ... [more ▼]

Let $X$ be a nonempty set. Denote by $\mathcal{F}^n_k$ the class of associative operations $F\colon X^n\to X$ satisfying the condition $F(x_1,\ldots,x_n)\in\{x_1,\ldots,x_n\}$ whenever at least $k$ of the elements $x_1,\ldots,x_n$ are equal to each other. The elements of $\mathcal{F}^n_1$ are said to be quasitrivial and those of $\mathcal{F}^n_n$ are said to be idempotent. We show that $\mathcal{F}^n_1=\cdots =\mathcal{F}^n_{n-2}\subseteq\mathcal{F}^n_{n-1}\subseteq\mathcal{F}^n_n$ and we give conditions on the set $X$ for the last inclusions to be strict. The class $\mathcal{F}^n_1$ was recently characterized by Couceiro and Devillet \cite{CouDev}, who showed that its elements are reducible to binary associative operations. However, some elements of $\mathcal{F}^n_n$ are not reducible. In this paper, we characterize the class $\mathcal{F}^n_{n-1}\setminus\mathcal{F}^n_1$ and show that its elements are reducible. We give a full description of the corresponding reductions and show how each of them is built from a quasitrivial semigroup and an Abelian group whose exponent divides $n-1$. [less ▲]

On the best constants associated with n-distances

in Acta Mathematica Hungarica (2020), 161(1), 341-365

We pursue the investigation of the concept of n-distance, an n-variable version of the classical concept of distance recently introduced and investigated by Kiss, Marichal, and Teheux. We especially focus ... [more ▼]

We pursue the investigation of the concept of n-distance, an n-variable version of the classical concept of distance recently introduced and investigated by Kiss, Marichal, and Teheux. We especially focus on the challenging problem of computing the best constant associated with a given n-distance. In particular, we define and investigate the best constants related to partial simplex inequalities. We also introduce and discuss some subclasses of n-distances defined by considering some properties. Finally, we discuss an interesting link between the concepts of n-distance and multidistance. [less ▲]

On idempotent n-ary uninorms

in Torra, Vicenç; Narukawa, Yasuo; Pasi, Gabriella (Eds.) et al Modeling Decisions for Artifical Intelligence (2019, July 24)

In this paper we describe the class of idempotent n-ary uninorms on a given chain.When the chain is finite, we axiomatize the latter class by means of the following conditions: associativity ... [more ▼]

In this paper we describe the class of idempotent n-ary uninorms on a given chain.When the chain is finite, we axiomatize the latter class by means of the following conditions: associativity, quasitriviality, symmetry, and nondecreasing monotonicity. Also, we show that associativity can be replaced with bisymmetry in this new axiomatization. [less ▲]

Single-peakedness in aggregation function theory

Presentation (2019, May 14)

Due to their great importance in data fusion, aggregation functions have been extensively investigated for a few decades. Among these functions, fuzzy connectives (such as uninorms) play an important role ... [more ▼]

Due to their great importance in data fusion, aggregation functions have been extensively investigated for a few decades. Among these functions, fuzzy connectives (such as uninorms) play an important role in fuzzy logic. We establish a remarkable connection between a family of associative aggregation functions, which includes the class of idempotent uninorms, and the concepts of single-peakedness and single-plateaudness, introduced in social choice theory by D. Black. Finally, we enumerate those orders when the underlying set is finite. [less ▲]

Characterizations of idempotent n-ary uninorms

in 38th Linz Seminar on Fuzzy Set Theory (2019, February 05)

In this paper we provide a characterization of the class of idempotent n-ary uninorms on a given chain. When the chain is finite, we also provide anaxiomatic characterization of the latter class by means ... [more ▼]

In this paper we provide a characterization of the class of idempotent n-ary uninorms on a given chain. When the chain is finite, we also provide anaxiomatic characterization of the latter class by means of four conditions only: associativity, quasitriviality, symmetry, and nondecreasing monotonicity. In particular, we show that associativity can be replaced with bisymmetry in this axiomatization. [less ▲]

An n-ary generalization of the concept of distance

Scientific Conference (2018, July 03)

A generalization of the concept of distance based on the simplex inequality

in Beitraege zur Algebra und Geometrie = Contributions to Algebra and Geometry (2018), 59(2), 247266

We introduce and discuss the concept of \emph{$n$-distance}, a generalization to $n$ elements of the classical notion of distance obtained by replacing the triangle inequality with the so-called simplex ... [more ▼]

We introduce and discuss the concept of \emph{$n$-distance}, a generalization to $n$ elements of the classical notion of distance obtained by replacing the triangle inequality with the so-called simplex inequality \[ d(x_1, \ldots, x_n)~\leq~K\, \sum_{i=1}^n d(x_1, \ldots, x_n)_i^z{\,}, \qquad x_1, \ldots, x_n, z \in X, \] where $K=1$. Here $d(x_1,\ldots,x_n)_i^z$ is obtained from the function $d(x_1,\ldots,x_n)$ by setting its $i$th variable to $z$. We provide several examples of $n$-distances, and for each of them we investigate the infimum of the set of real numbers $K\in\left]0,1\right]$ for which the inequality above holds. We also introduce a generalization of the concept of $n$-distance obtained by replacing in the simplex inequality the sum function with an arbitrary symmetric function. [less ▲]

Joint signature of two or more systems with applications to multistate systems made up of two-state components

in European Journal of Operational Research (2017), 263(2), 559-570

The structure signature of a system made up of n components having continuous and i.i.d. lifetimes was defined in the eighties by Samaniego as the n-tuple whose k-th coordinate is the probability that the ... [more ▼]

The structure signature of a system made up of n components having continuous and i.i.d. lifetimes was defined in the eighties by Samaniego as the n-tuple whose k-th coordinate is the probability that the k-th component failure causes the system to fail. More recently, a bivariate version of this concept was considered as follows. The joint structure signature of a pair of systems built on a common set of components having continuous and i.i.d. lifetimes is a square matrix of order n whose (k,l)-entry is the probability that the k-th failure causes the first system to fail and the l-th failure causes the second system to fail. This concept was successfully used to derive a signature-based decomposition of the joint reliability of the two systems. In the first part of this paper we provide an explicit formula to compute the joint structure signature of two or more systems and extend this formula to the general non-i.i.d. case, assuming only that the distribution of the component lifetimes has no ties. We also provide and discuss a necessary and sufficient condition on this distribution for the joint reliability of the systems to have a signature-based decomposition. In the second part of this paper we show how our results can be efficiently applied to the investigation of the reliability and signature of multistate systems made up of two-state components. The key observation is that the structure function of such a multistate system can always be additively decomposed into a sum of classical structure functions. Considering a multistate system then reduces to considering simultaneously several two-state systems. [less ▲]

On quasitrivial and associative operations

Presentation (2017, October 25)