A novel improved accelerated particle swarm optimization algorithm for global numerical optimization

Meta-heuristic algorithms are efficient in achieving the optimal solution for engineering problems. Hybridization of different algorithms may enhance the quality of the solutions and improve the efficiency of the algorithms. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel, robust hybrid meta-heuristic optimization approach by adding differential evolution (DE) mutation operator to the accelerated particle swarm optimization (APSO) algorithm to solve numerical optimization problems. A novel hybrid method is proposed and used to optimize 51 functions. It is compared with other methods to show its effectiveness. The effect of the DPSO parameters on convergence and performance is also studied and analyzed by detailed parameter sensitivity studies

Possibility study of areas with potential cultivation of saffron in Kashmar plain using GIS

Saffron as the most expensive agriculture and medicinal product of world, is a plant in Consider to aridity resistant has interesting role in social and economical status of arid and semi arid of southern and Razavi Khorasan provinces. The aim of this paper, is determining the suitable area in Saffron cultivation with regards to effective factors. The climatic elements data were obtain from Khorasan Razavi Meteorological Organization for 1989-2012 periods. The topographic data including; relief, slope, aspect and TIN layers extracts from 1: 50000 topographic maps of the region. The land use and vegetation land cover maps were prepared using 1: 50000 maps of National soil and water Research Institute. The spatial analysis facilities of GIS were used for numerical calculation and drawing the requiring maps. A spatial geo database from region was established then spatial and description data entered on this database. Using by AHP software each layer weighted by its importance. Finally, by overlaying analysis in ArcGIS, cultivated area were classified by its capabilities .The results showed that Central and Southern Kashmar plain are the best capabilities for Saffron cultivation that in present statues, these lands specified to dry farming, irrigated farming, semi condense and condense rangelands

A Comparative Study on the Life-Saving Radioprotective Effects of Vitamins A, E, C and Over-the-Counter Multivitamins

Introduction: Oral intake of vitamins which present antioxidant characteristics can protect living organisms against oxidative damage caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. It was previously reported that administration of high levels of vitamin C can lead to increased DNA damage through production of hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide by the Fenton reaction. However, our early experiments did not confirm this hypothesis. The main goal of this study was to determine if high doses of Vit C can show life-saving radioprotective effects. Materials and Methods: Phase I: Seventy two male Balb/c mice weighing 20-25g were randomly divided into six groups of 12 animals each. Group I; Vit E for five days, Groups II and III; Vit C and Vit A. Group 4; all three vitamins. Group V; an over-the-counter multivitamin. Group VI; none of the above. Phase II: 120 male BALB/c mice weighing 20-25g were randomly divided into 12 groups of 10 each. Group I; Vit A for five days. Groups II-IV; Vit C 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, respectively. Group V-VII; Vit E at daily doses of 200 iu/kg, 400 iu/kg, 800 iu/kg, respectively. Group VIII and IX; all three vitamins at low and high doses, respectively. Group X; an over-the-counter multivitamin. Group XI; controls group and Group XII; received pure olive oil. All animals (Phases I and II) were exposed to a lethal dose of gamma rays and the survival rates of the animals were monitored and recorded continuously for 16 days after exposure. Results: Phase I: 14 days after irradiation the survival rate for control group was 33.33%, while the survival rates for the 1st to 5th groups were 45.45%, 81.81%, 50%, 57.14%, and 9.09% , respectively. Phase II: The survival rates in the control group and the group that only received pure olive oil, were 50% and 60%, respectively. Survival rate in the animals received Vit C at daily doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, were 90%, 90% and 90%, respectively. Log rank (Mantel-Cox) test showed statistically significant differences between the survival rates in control irradiated mice (no vitamins) and mice received Vit C at daily doses of 200 mg/kg (P=0.042), 400 mg/kg (P=0.042) and 800 mg/kg (P=0.042). Conclusion: Altogether, findings of this study showed that even high doses of Vit C can show life-saving radioprotective effects. The significant radioprotective effect of Vit C at doses used in this study, opens new horizons in developing non-toxic, cost effective, easily available radioprotectors in life-threatening situations such as exposure to lethal doses of ionizing radiation. The radioprotective effect of Vit A and Vit E seem to be less efficient compared to that of Vit C