Fuzzy-based models' performance on qualitative and quantitative land suitability evaluation for cotton cultivation in Sarayan County, South Khorasan Province, Iran.

Using appropriate models in the land use planning process will help increase the accuracy and precision of decisions made by designers. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare fuzzy-based models (fuzzy set theory, fuzzy-AHP, and fuzzy-ANP) to evaluate the suitability of cotton cultivation in Sarayan region (located in eastern Iran). Twenty-eight land units were selected. Weighted arithmetic means of characteristics were performed in representative soil profiles of each unit. Landform-related characteristics were directly entered into the land suitability evaluation modeling. The land index was calculated using three selective qualitative land suitability model guidelines. Qualitative and quantitative land suitability was estimated. The validity of models was determined by r2, RMSE, GMER, and MAPE indicators between predicted and actual production. Soil texture, pH, calcium carbonate equivalent, drainage, organic matter, salinity and sodicity, slope, and gypsum are the most important, respectively. Also, the fuzzy-ANP method is more efficient than other models due to its higher r2 (0.98) and lower RMSE (4.31) and MAPE (0.56) and GMER (0.99) closer to 1. The value of cotton production using fuzzy, fuzzy-AHP, and fuzzy-ANP methods was calculated as 1085 to 4235, 1235 to 4318, and 1391 to 4452 tons per hectare, respectively. The high efficiency of the fuzzy-ANP model is due to the characteristics of the lands used in the evaluation process that are not independent of each other and this model considers them. Examining these models in different weather conditions and combining with the other computational intelligence methods in future experiments are recommended.

Hepatoprotective effect of Crocus sativus (saffron) petals extract against acetaminophen toxicity in male Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is known to be common and potentially fatal. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract, remaining from Crocus sativus petals (CSP) against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by measuring the blood parameters and studying the histopathology of liver in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wister rats (24) were randomly assigned into four groups including: I) healthy, receiving normal saline; II) Intoxicated, receiving only APAP (600 mg/kg); III) pre-treated with low dose of CSP (10 mg /kg) and receiving APAP (600 mg/kg); IV) pre-treated with high dose of CSP (20 mg/kg) and receiving APAP (600 mg/kg). RESULTS: The APAP treatment resulted in higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin, along with lower total protein and albumin concentration than the control group. The administration of CSP with a dose of 20 mg/kg was found to result in lower levels of AST, ALT and bilirubin, with a significant higher concentration of total protein and albumin. The histopathological results regarding liver pathology, revealed sever conditions including cell swelling, severe inflammation and necrosis in APAP-exposed rats, which was quiet contrasting compared to the control group. The pre-treated rats with low doses of |CSP showed hydropic degeneration with mild necrosis in centrilobular areas of the liver, while the same subjects with high doses of |CSP appeared to have only mild hepatocyte degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Doses of 20 mg/kg of CSP ameliorates APAP-induced acute liver injury in rats. It was concluded that the antioxidant property of CSP resulted in reducing the oxidative stress complications of toxic levels of APAP in intoxicated rats.