An extended Dai-Liao conjugate gradient method with global convergence for nonconvex functions

Using an extension of some previously proposed modified secant equations in the Dai-Liao approach, a modified nonlinear conjugate gradient method is proposed. As interesting features, the method employs the objective function values in addition to the gradient information and satisfies the sufficient descent property with proper choices for its parameter. Global convergence of the method is established without convexity assumption on the objective function. Results of numerical comparisons are reported. They demonstrate efficiency of the proposed method in the sense of the Dolan-Moré performance profile

The Fragile Coalition and Political Competition UAE and Saudi Arabia in Yemen (2015-2020)

With the aim of defeating the goals of the Yemeni revolution, the Saudi-led Arabic Coalition entered the Yemeni campaign in 2015. But there were clear signs of disagreement among key members of the coalition on the Yemeni scene. The southern regions of Yemen became competition place of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Accordingly, the main question of the article is what are the most important factors of competition between the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni crisis? The hypothesis is that the two actors' different perceptions of the common enemy component and their skeptical attitude about the desired results are the main factors in the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and UAE in Yemen. This article describes the components of competition between the two countries in Yemen through a descriptive-analytical method, and examines the impact of the competition between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi on the political future of Yemen

Multiobjective optimization for force and moment balance of a four-bar linkage using evolutionary algorithms

In this study, force and moment balance of a planar four-bar linkage is implemented using evolutionary algorithms. In the current problem, the concepts of inertia counterweights and physical pendulum are utilized to complete balance of all mass effects, independent of input angular velocity. A proposed multiobjective particle swarm optimization, and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II are applied to minimize two objective functions subject to some design constraints. The applied algorithms produced a set of feasible solutions called pareto optimal solutions for the design problem. Finally, a fuzzy decision maker is utilized to select the best solution among the obtained pareto solutions. The results show that optimal solutions minimize the weights of applied counterweights and eliminate both shaking forces and moments transmitted to the ground, simultaneously

Nutritional assessment and its correlation with anthropometric measurements in hemodialysis patients

One of the most important problems in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is chronic malnutrition. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition using a subjective global assessment (SGA) in HD patients referred to the Valie ASR Hospital, Arak, Iran. In this descriptive analysis study, 190 HD patients were selected with random sampling. SGA and anthropometric and biochemical measurements were assessed in all patients. Data were analyzed with the Chi-square and t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient. P 50% of patients on maintenance HD had mild or moderate malnutrition. There was no case of severe malnutrition. Duration of dialysis treatment and some anthropometric indices (weight, BMI and MAC) also showed a significant correlation with SGA score, which are important to determine the nutritional status of HD patients

Particle Swarm algorithm with Fuzzy decision making for a multi-objective economic and environmental optimization of design of a thermal system

Multi-Objective optimization for designing of a benchmark cogeneration system known as CGAM cogeneration system has been performed. In optimization approach, the thermoeconomic and Environmental aspects have been considered, simultaneously. The environmental objective function has been defined and expressed in cost terms. One of the most suitable optimization techniques developed using a particular class of search algorithms known as; Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm has been used here. This approach has been applied to find the set of Pareto optimal solutions with respect to the aforementioned objective functions. An example of fuzzy decision-making with the aid of Bellman-Zadeh approach has been presented and a final optimal solution has been introduced

Models and components in disaster risk communication: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Risk communication is considered a major factor in disaster risk management by the concerned policymakers and researchers. However, the incoherence of variables affecting risk communication in various studies makes it difficult to plan for disaster risk communication. This study aims to identify and classify the influential components in disaster risk communication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in 2020. Databases included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. In searching for articles, there was no limit on the date of publication and the language of the article. The research addressed both natural and man-made disasters. The Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA) checklist was followed throughout the research, and the quality of the papers was assessed using the mixed methods evaluation tool (MMAT). RESULTS: In searching the articles, 3956 documents were obtained, of which 1025 duplicated articles were excluded. The titles and abstracts of the remaining documents (2931) were examined, of which 2822 were deleted, and the full text of 109 documents was studied for further assessment. Finally, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and reviewing the full texts, 32 documents were considered to extract the data and for quality assessment. On studying the full text of the obtained documents, 115 components were found, which were classified into five groups (message, message sender, message receiver, message environment, message process) and 13 subgroups. In addition, the obtained components were classified as those proposed by the authors of the article and those obtained from disaster risk communication models. CONCLUSION: Identifying the effective components in the disaster risk communication gives a more comprehensive view of risk communication to the disaster managers and executives and provides the decision-makers with an important platform to be able to use the components of risk communication and increase the impact of messages and ultimately increase people's preparedness for disasters in planning operations for the risk communication

Unsaturated fatty acid, cis-2-decenoic acid, in combination with disinfectants or antibiotics removes pre-established biofilms formed by food-related bacteria.

Biofilm formation by food-related bacteria and food-related pathogenesis are significant problems in the food industry. Even though much disinfection and mechanical procedure exist for removal of biofilms, they may fail to eliminate pre-established biofilms. cis-2 decenoic acid (CDA), an unsaturated fatty acid messenger produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is reportedly capable of inducing the dispersion of established biofilms by multiple types of microorganisms. However, whether CDA has potential to boost the actions of certain antimicrobials is unknown. Here, the activity of CDA as an inducer of pre-established biofilms dispersal, formed by four main food pathogens; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enterica and E. coli, was measured using both semi-batch and continuous cultures bioassays. To assess the ability of CDA combined biocides treatments to remove pre-established biofilms formed on stainless steel discs, CFU counts were performed for both treated and untreated cultures. Eradication of the biofilms by CDA combined antibiotics was evaluated using crystal violet staining. The effect of CDA combined treatments (antibiotics and disinfectants) on biofilm surface area and bacteria viability was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy, digital image analysis and LIVE/DEAD staining. MICs were also determined to assess the probable inhibitory effects of CDA combined treatments on the growth of tested microorganisms' planktonic cells. Treatment of pre-established biofilms with only 310 nM CDA resulted in at least two-fold increase in the number of planktonic cells in all cultures. While antibiotics or disinfectants alone exerted a trivial effect on CFU counts and percentage of surface area covered by the biofilms, combinational treatments with both 310 nM CDA and antibiotics or disinfectants led to approximate 80% reduction in biofilm biomass. These data suggests that combined treatments with CDA would pave the way toward developing new strategies to control biofilms with widespread applications in industry as well as medicine

Pediatric hospital admission due to adverse drug reactions: Report from a tertiary center

Objective: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are known as a cause of hospital admission. We have carried out a prospective study to characterize and assess the frequency, probability, preventability, and severity of ADRs, which lead to hospital admission in children. Methods: In a prospective observational study, a cohort of children admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital was randomly screened to assess ADR as the cause of admission from June 2014 to January 2015. ADRs causing admissions were detected based on patients' records, interviewing their parents, and confirmation by medical team. The probability of the ADRs was assessed based on WHO criteria and Naranjo tool. The preventability assessment was performed using Schumock and Thornton questionnaire. Findings: Of the 658 evaluated emergency admissions, 27 were caused by an ADR giving an incidence of 4.1%. Among ADRs, 37.1% were estimated to be preventable. Antibiotics were the most common medication class which caused hospital admission. Conclusion: Pediatric pharmacotherapy still needs evidence-based strategies to improve child care including education, monitoring, planning for medications after ADR occurrence, and implementing preventive measures when applicable