Quasi-Newton-Based Preconditioning and Damped Quasi-Newton Schemes for Nonlinear Conjugate Gradient Methods

In this paper, we deal with matrix-free preconditioners for Nonlinear Conjugate Gradient (NCG) methods. In particular, we review proposals based on quasi-Newton updates, and either satisfying the secant equation or a secant-like equation at some of the previous iterates. Conditions are given proving that, in some sense, the proposed preconditioners also approximate the inverse of the Hessian matrix. In particular, the structure of the preconditioners depends both on low-rank updates along with some specific parameters. The low-rank updates are obtained as by-product of NCG iterations. Moreover, we consider the possibility to embed damped techniques within a class of preconditioners based on quasi-Newton updates. Damped methods have proved to be effective to enhance the performance of quasi-Newton updates, in those cases where the Wolfe linesearch conditions are hardly fulfilled. The purpose is to extend the idea behind damped methods also to improve NCG schemes, following a novel line of research in the literature. The results, which summarize an extended numerical experience using large-scale CUTEst problems, is reported, showing that these approaches can considerably improve the performance of NCG methods

Qualite des eaux souterraines et risque de pollution en milieu semi-aride. Cas de la cuvette de Cheria (NE Algerien)

Water shortage has become a key problem for all countries and particularly for those in development. In fact, the increase of the populations and the development of urbanism, industries and cultivated land lead to a degradation of the quality of the groundwater and a very significant reduction of the reserves that constitute at times the only source of water for human consumption. After the analisis of the situation of the land, the present work comes in an important moment to establish the characteristics of the complex aquifer of the plateau of Chéria in Algeria and the risks of contamination of the groundwater. This study, which relies in the recent causes of contamination takes into account several factors. We can mention the contamination by blackwaters (waste), the impact of livestock and the climatic conditions. The exploitation of the groundwater from carbonated aquifers, is today the only source that responds to the needs of water for the industrial, human, and agricultural comsumption in the region. In recent years there has been an increase in agricultural and agricultural-related activity. The first results show the existence of a lowering of the piezometric level, as well as important concentrations in nitrates due to anthropic activity which are leading to a deterioration of the quality of drinking water in Chéria.La escasez de agua se ha convertido en un problema crucial para toda la Sociedad y en particular para los paises en vias de desarrollo. En efecto, el crecimiento de la población y el urbanístico, de la industria y de los cultivos pueden conducir a una degradación de la calidad de las aguas subterráneas y una significativa reducción de las reservas que, a menudo, constituyen la única fuente de agua de consumo humano. En este trabajo se evalúan las características del complejo acuífero de la cuenca de Chéria (Argelia) basado en un inventario de las fuentes de contaminación teniendo en cuenta diversos factores, como son la contaminación por aguas residuales, el impacto debido al ganado y las condiciones climáticas. Esto es necesario ya que la explotación de las aguas subterráneas a partir de acuíferos carbonatados es actualmente la única fuente de agua de consumo humano, industrial y agrícola de la región, donde se ha producido un fuerte incremento de consumo en los últimos años. Los resultados de este estudio demuestran la existencia de un descenso del nivel piezométrico y de concentraciones elevadas de nitratos debido a la actividad antrópica, con valores de 80 a 120 mg/l

Early holocenic and historic mtDNA african signatures in the iberian peninsula: The andalusian region as a paradigm

Determining the timing, identity and direction of migrations in the Mediterranean Basin, the role of "migratory routes" in and among regions of Africa, Europe and Asia, and the effects of sex-specific behaviors of population movements have important implications for our understanding of the present human genetic diversity. A crucial component of the Mediterranean world is its westernmost region. Clear features of transcontinental ancient contacts between North African and Iberian populations surrounding the maritime region of Gibraltar Strait have been identified from archeological data. The attempt to discern origin and dates of migration between close geographically related regions has been a challenge in the field of uniparental-based population genetics. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies have been focused on surveying the H1, H3 and V lineages when trying to ascertain north-south migrations, and U6 and L in the opposite direction, assuming that those lineages are good proxies for the ancestry of each side of the Mediterranean. To this end, in the present work we have screened entire mtDNA sequences belonging to U6, M1 and L haplogroups in Andalusians--from Huelva and Granada provinces--and Moroccan Berbers. We present here pioneer data and interpretations on the role of NW Africa and the Iberian Peninsula regarding the time of origin, number of founders and expansion directions of these specific markers. The estimated entrance of the North African U6 lineages into Iberia at 10 ky correlates well with other L African clades, indicating that U6 and some L lineages moved together from Africa to Iberia in the Early Holocene. Still, founder analysis highlights that the high sharing of lineages between North Africa and Iberia results from a complex process continued through time, impairing simplistic interpretations. In particular, our work supports the existence of an ancient, frequently denied, bridge connecting the Maghreb and Andalusia.Financial support was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Competitiveness through Research Project CGL2010-15191/BOS granted to RC and International Mobility Program Acciones Integradas Hispano-Portuguesas (PRI-AIBPT-2011-1004) granted to RC (Spain) and LP (Portugal) (http://www.mineco.gob.es/portal/site/mineco/idi). The E.C. Sixth Framework Programme under Contract n° ERAS-CT-2003-980409 (EUROCORES project of the European Science Foundation) also provided financial support to JMD for North African population research. CLH has a predoctoral fellowship granted by Complutense University. PS is supported by FCT Investigator Programme (IF/01641/2013). IPATIMUP (https://www.ipatimup.pt/) integrates the Instituto the Investigação em Saúde (i3S) Research Unit, which is partially supported by FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. IPATIMUP is funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors - COMPETE and National Funds through the FCT - under the project PEst-C/SAU/LA0003/2013. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

On the origin of the invasive olives (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae).

The olive tree (Olea europaea) has successfully invaded several regions in Australia and Pacific islands. Two olive subspecies (subspp. europaea and cuspidata) were first introduced in these areas during the nineteenth century. In the present study, we determine the origin of invasive olives and investigate the importance of historical effects on the genetic diversity of populations. Four invasive populations from Australia and Hawaii were characterized using eight nuclear DNA microsatellites, plastid DNA markers as well as ITS-1 sequences. Based on these data, their genetic similarity with native populations was investigated, and it was determined that East Australian and Hawaiian populations (subsp. cuspidata) have originated from southern Africa while South Australian populations (subsp. europaea) have mostly derived from western or central Mediterranean cultivars. Invasive populations of subsp. cuspidata showed significant loss of genetic diversity in comparison to a putative source population, and a recent bottleneck was evidenced in Hawaii. Conversely, invasive populations of subsp. europaea did not display significant loss of genetic diversity in comparison to a native Mediterranean population. Different histories of invasion were inferred for these two taxa with multiple cultivars introduced restoring gene diversity for europaea and a single successful founder event and sequential introductions to East Australia and then Hawaii for cuspidata. Furthermore, one hybrid (cuspidata x europaea) was identified in East Australia. The importance of hybridizations in the future evolution of the olive invasiveness remains to be investigated

Consanguinity and reproductive health among Arabs

Consanguineous marriages have been practiced since the early existence of modern humans. Until now consanguinity is widely practiced in several global communities with variable rates depending on religion, culture, and geography. Arab populations have a long tradition of consanguinity due to socio-cultural factors. Many Arab countries display some of the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in the world, and specifically first cousin marriages which may reach 25-30% of all marriages. In some countries like Qatar, Yemen, and UAE, consanguinity rates are increasing in the current generation. Research among Arabs and worldwide has indicated that consanguinity could have an effect on some reproductive health parameters such as postnatal mortality and rates of congenital malformations. The association of consanguinity with other reproductive health parameters, such as fertility and fetal wastage, is controversial. The main impact of consanguinity, however, is an increase in the rate of homozygotes for autosomal recessive genetic disorders. Worldwide, known dominant disorders are more numerous than known recessive disorders. However, data on genetic disorders in Arab populations as extracted from the Catalogue of Transmission Genetics in Arabs (CTGA) database indicate a relative abundance of recessive disorders in the region that is clearly associated with the practice of consanguinity

Maternal morbidity and the use of medicinal herbs in the city of Marrakech, Morocco

79-85This study is conducted to examine maternal morbidity and the use of medicinal herbs. A total of 181 women, aged 17-45 yrs gave birth in the last 5 yrs preceding the survey, were enrolled. The study was conducted in Marrakech city, Morocco. The rate of maternal morbidity was 38.1%, while 42% of women used medicinal herbs, 48.3% of them after the delivery. Medicinal plants are mostly used by women and consumed as infusion decoction seeking postpartum recovery and getting back in shape. The results show statistical associations between some socio-demographic and health variables and the medicinal herbs utilization. Woman’s educational level (illiteracy), primiparous women and the postpartum period were associated with the use of medicinal herbs.</span

Behaviour of GFRP tube reinforced concrete columns under eccentric loading

This study investigated the behaviour of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) tube reinforced concrete columns under eccentric loading. A total of four reinforced concrete columns with 240 mm in diameter and 800 mm in height were cast and tested under concentric or eccentric loading conditions. The first column was the reference column which was reinforced with steel helix and longitudinal steel bars, and the other three identical columns were reinforced with GFRP tubes. The cover thickness was 28 mm on the sides and 20 mm at the top and bottom ends. All the columns were made from normal strength concrete (compressive strength of 35 MPa). The reference column was subjected to concentric loading. For the other three GFRP tube reinforced concrete columns, one column was subjected to concentric loading, while the other two columns were subjected to eccentric loading with eccentricities of 25 mm and 50 mm. It has been shown that GFRP tube reinforced concrete column obtained higher load carrying capacity than steel reinforced concrete column under concentric loading. Eccentric loadings dramatically reduced the load carrying capacity of GFRP tube reinforced concrete columns