Multiple roots of systems of equations by repulsion merit functions

In this paper we address the problem of computing multiple roots of a system of nonlinear equations through the global optimization of an appropriate merit function. The search procedure for a global min- imizer of the merit function is carried out by a metaheuristic, known as harmony search, which does not require any derivative information. The multiple roots of the system are sequentially determined along several ite- rations of a single run, where the merit function is accordingly modified by penalty terms that aim to create repulsion areas around previously computed minimizers. A repulsion algorithm based on a multiplicative kind penalty function is proposed. Preliminary numerical experiments with a benchmark set of problems show the effectiveness of the proposed method.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Testing Nelder-Mead based repulsion algorithms for multiple roots of nonlinear systems via a two-level factorial design of experiments

This paper addresses the challenging task of computing multiple roots of a system of nonlinear equations. A repulsion algorithm that invokes the Nelder-Mead (N-M) local search method and uses a penalty-type merit function based on the error function, known as 'erf', is presented. In the N-M algorithm context, different strategies are proposed to enhance the quality of the solutions and improve the overall efficiency. The main goal of this paper is to use a two-level factorial design of experiments to analyze the statistical significance of the observed differences in selected performance criteria produced when testing different strategies in the N-M based repulsion algorithm. The main goal of this paper is to use a two-level factorial design of experiments to analyze the statistical significance of the observed differences in selected performance criteria produced when testing different strategies in the N-M based repulsion algorithm.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT

Hydroalcoholic extract and seed of Foeniculum vulgare improve folliculogenesis and total antioxidant capacity level in F1 female mice offspring

Background: Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) is traditionally suggested for the fertility improvement in Iranian lore due to its antioxidant and phytoestrogen compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of fennel seed and its hydroalcoholic extract on the serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and folliculogenesis in offspring exposed to either of the treatments in utero and 56 days after birth (PND 56). Methods: Pregnant NMRI mice were randomly divided into 5 groups of 7: Extract-treated groups received 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day fennel extract (FE), seed-treated groups received 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day fennel seed (FS), and the control group (CTL) received no treatment. The treatments started from pregnancy day 1 and continued until PND 56. Body and right ovary weights and ovary dimensions were recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin stained ovary sections were prepared to calculate the proportion of different follicles. The level of TAC in the serums was also measured by fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching. Results: A marked rise in the body and ovary weights of treated mice was observed compared to the CTL group. The mean number of primordial, primary, pre-antral, and pre-ovulatory follicles as well as corpus luteum size in the treated offspring was significantly higher compared to those of CTL offspring. The atretic follicle number was nonsignificantly lower in either of the treatment groups compared with that in the CTL. However, treatment of animals with 500 mg/kg FE showed a more pronounced effect. Animals in FS500, FE500 and FE1000 groups had a significantly higher level of serum TAC compared to the CTL group. Conclusions: Fennel extract and seed administration in pregnancy and lactation period improve offspring's folliculogenesis. Higher level of TAC in the serum of offspring might have positively altered the folliculogenesis milieu. © 2020 The Author(s)

Earthquake damage detection in Tehran’s water distribution system

Iran is located in the one of world's large seismicity zones called ALPA (AlpHimalaya) and the mega city Tehran has is in a particularly dangerous situation. In a destructive earthquake, considerable damage occurs in buried structures such as the urban water supply system. In this study, the following objects are investigated: review of the damage analysis and seismic design of the water networks, review of the seismic information for water distribution systems, earthquake damage detection in water distribution systems, using an artificial neural network (ANN) and a general back error propagating perception to detect pipelines damaged due to earthquakes. The failure points are obtained by using the amount of water discharged from the tanks. The states probable failures have to be computed, the mathematical model for different states of pipe failure by which the damaged pipes could be detected through a back analysis. Since there are various types of failure, therefore, the ANN has been applied. Through a parametric study, different geometry, shape diameters and pressure of the water network are surveyed and the best network architecture for each case is obtained. The peak responses and phase delays are assumed to be network outputs. The network is trained in a supervised manner. The study shows the efficiency and capability of the ANN for modelling the observed nonlinear behaviour

Evaluation of expression and serum concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone as a follicle growth marker following consumption of fennel and flaxseed extract in first-generation mice pups

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the expression and serum level of AMH in first-generation female mice pups following fennel and flaxseed consumption. Methods: Twenty pregnant NMRI mice were allocated into four groups including control (CTL), fennel (FV), flaxseed (LU) and FV+ LU. Sixty-four female offsprings after lactation period, received the same regimen as their mothers for 56 and 240 days. The ovarian follicles development, serum concentration of AMH, as well as gene and protein expression of AMH were evaluated in the female offsprings at post-natal day 56 (PND56) and 240 (PND240). Results: The number of total growing follicles were raised in the FV group in compression to the all experimental groups. In contrast, LU group showed a marked decrease in their numbers. The highest level of serum AMH was seen in the FV-diet mice, whereas LU negatively affected it. The expression level of AMH also increased in the FV and FV + LU groups, while a reduction was observed in the LU group. As well, IHC data showed that the number of AMH-positive cells in almost ovarian follicles of FV and FV + LU-treated mice was in compared to those of the LU group. Conclusions: The overall effect of fennel treatment (alone and in combination with flaxseed) on ovary might be maintain primordial follicle storage through increased expression and serum level of AMH. © 2021, The Author(s)

"Two Novel Mutations and Predominant 35delG Mutation in the Connexin 26 Gene (GJB2) in Iranian Populations"

Mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding Connexin 26 (Cx26) protein are a major cause for autosomal recessive non syndromic and sporadic deafness in many populations. In this study we have investigated the prevalence of the GJB2 gene mutations using nested PCR pre screening strategy and direct sequencing method. Two hundred and sixty autosomal recessive non syndromic and sporadic deaf subjects from 199 families in two provinces of Iran (Gilan and Khorasan) were studied. Altogether 14 different genetic variants were identified from which 2 were novel variant (327delG+G109G and 431insC). Eight GJB2 mutations including 35delG, 235delC, W77X, R127H, M34T, V27I+E114G, L90P and delE120 were also found in 54 of 199 families (27%). Four polymorphysms V27I, S86T, V153I and G160S also were detected. Thirty two of 199 families were observed to have GJB2 mutations in both alleles (16%). The most common mutation was 35delG so that 43 out of 55 GJB2 mutations (78.2%) contained 35delG mutation