An accelerated incremental algorithm to trace the nonlinear equilibrium path of structures

This paper deals with the convergence acceleration of iterative nonlinear methods. An effective iterative algorithm, named the three-point method, is applied to nonlinear analysis of structures. In terms of computational cost, each iteration of the three-point method requires three evaluations of the function. In this study the effective functions have been proposed to accelerate the convergence process. The proposed method has a convergence order of eight, and it is important to note that its implementation does not require the computation of higher order derivatives compared to most other methods of the same order. To trace the equilibrium path beyond the limit point, a normal flow algorithm is implemented into a computer program. The three-point method is applied as an inner step in the normal flow algorithm. The procedure can be used for structures with complex behavior, including: unloading, snap-through, elastic post-buckling and inelastic post-buckling analyses. Several numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency and performance of the new method. Results show that the new method is comparable with the well-known existing methods and gives better results in convergence speed

The effects of high-intensity interval training and saffron aqueous extract supplementation on alterations of body weight and apoptotic indices in skeletal muscle of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice with cachexia

Exercise training and antioxidant supplementation may improve unintentional weight loss and programmed cell death associated with cancer cachexia. The aim of this study was to examine the alterations of body weight and apoptotic indices in skeletal muscle of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice with cachexia following 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and saffron aqueous extract (SAE) supplementation. Female BALB/c mice following induction of breast cancer were divided into (i) controls, (ii) HIIT, (iii) SAE, (iv) HIIT+SAE, and (v) sham groups. Mice were euthanized and gastrocnemius muscle was collected after intervention. The control group elicited a significant weight reduction during third and fourth weeks of tumor injection, while other treatments such as HIIT and SAE, but not HIIT+SAE, showed that they counteracted this adverse event. Furthermore, HIIT and SAE treatments (not HIIT+SAE) demonstrated reduced caspase-3 and Bax levels compared with the control group. The level of Bcl-2 was elevated following both HIIT and SAE treatments compared with the control group. Finally, the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax was significantly higher in both HIIT and SAE groups, but was lower in HIIT+SAE group compared with sham group. It is likely that either HIIT or SAE intervention alone (not HIIT+SAE) represents a readily applicable approach in the regulation of muscle wasting and apoptosis in cancer cachexia. Novelty HIIT is associated with a reduced risk of cancer-related muscle wasting. SAE enhances the improvement of muscle loss and apoptotic indices. Combination of HIIT and SAE does not improve cancer-related loss of muscle mass and mediate apoptotic activation.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author