OWA analysis for ecological capability assessment in watersheds

Fuzzylogic computes a multi-criteria evaluation by means of either a Boolean analysis, Weighted Linear Combination [WLC] and Ordered Weighted Averaging [OWA] of factor images. OWA works with standardized factor images and employs a variant of the WLC. It takes into account the risk associated with the decision and degree of tradeoff associated with the variables in the analysis. In this research, for Ecological Capability Assessment and watersheds management in study area, we have studied 22 biological and physiological factors. For ecological capability evaluation, the method of OWA was deployed. This method involves criterion weights and order weights. The generality of OWA is related to its capability to implement different combination operators by selecting appropriate order weights. By specifying suitable order weights, it is possible to change the form of aggregation from the minimum-type combination through all intermediate types including the conventional weighted linear combination, to the maximum-type combination. The paper focuses on the OWA method as well as an approach for integrating Geographic Information System [GIS] and OWA. OWA has been developed as a generalization of multi-criteria combination. The OWA concept has been extended to the GIS applications as part of a decision support module in GIS. In this study to obtain the criteria weights, comparisons were made by evaluating 22 criteria against each other, therefore we attained comparable data via the technique of Analytical Hierarchy Process [AHP] and five scenarios of OWA method were used. The results of field studies, third scenario for the study area proposed

[Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation among Sistan and Baloochestan province blood donors about HIV/AIDS]

Transfusion transmitted HIV is an important issue in every transfusion center. Despite recent improvements in laboratory screening techniques and formulation of rigid standards for blood safety, the risk of HIVcontaminated blood products remains as a potential problem. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation among voluntary blood donors about HIV/AIDS. This is a cross-sectional study in which data were collected through questionnaires.We studied knowledge, attitude and behavior of 440 voluntary blood donors about HIV/AIDS in Sistan and Balouchestan province. Voluntary blood donors' knowledge and attitude were evaluated and their correlation with different variables were compared. The data were analyzed with Chi- Square, ANOVA, Kruscal Wallis and Spearmans rho using SPSS 14. Our results showed that the knowledge levels of 55% of voluntary blood donors about HIV/AIDS were good, 29.5% intermediate, and 15.5% poor. Seventy point one percent of population in the study had positive attitude, 56.9% had neutral attitude and 25.9% negative attitude about HIV/AIDS. The correlation between sex, marriage status, educational status, job, type of donation [voluntary or familial], times of donation [first, repeated and regular repeated] with knowledge and attitude was statistically significant. Relatively high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS especially in regular repeated donors can be due to acquired information during consultation sessions. Therefore, repeated and regular repeated donors can help improve the blood safety.These findings also highlight the importance of more accurate consultation and the provision of necessary training on HIV/AIDS to voluntary blood donors