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Background: This study compared the rate of thromboembolic events during carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) with and without embolic protection devices (EPDs). We reviewed literature to find studies comparing embolic event rates during CAS with and without EPDs and conducted a meta-analysis to determine the safer approach. Methods: The Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were thoroughly searched following PRISMA guidelines. Each estimation was executed using random-effects models. The I2 index was used to assess the heterogeneity among the studies. Egger and Begg’s tests were applied to evaluate publication bias. Stata version 14.2 was used for statistical analysis. Results: For 25% of patients, an EPD was used during CAS, and for 75% it was not. Of the patients undergoing CAS, the prevalences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and cigarette smoking were 81%, 37%, 39% and 43%, respectively. In total, of the patients included 52% were symptomatic and 48% were asymptomatic. The mortality rate reduced from 2% in the no-EPD subgroup to 1% in the EPD subgroup. The occurrence of all other complications was also reportedly higher in patients who did not receive an EPD, including major stroke and myocardial infarction, except for minor events, which were reported to be almost the same in both subgroups. Conclusions: We found that the use of an EPD can help reduce the occurrence of thromboembolic complications of CAS, including myocardial infarction, major stroke, and death. Altogether, our results suggest that the benefits of using an EPD during CAS outweigh its risks.

Abstract Objective: The cardioprotective effects of nuts are well established. However, the positive impacts of nuts in preventing CVD at a younger age, a condition known as premature coronary artery disease (PCAD), is still debated. Therefore, we aim to determine the association between nuts and PCAD occurrence and its severity in different Iranian ethnicities. Design: This case–control study was conducted within the framework of the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD) study, an ongoing multi-centric study on Iranian patients of different ethnicities. Setting: This multi-centric case–control study was conducted in among 3253 persons under the age of 70 years in women and 60 years in men from different ethnicities in Iran. Participants: Information on nut consumption was collected using a validated FFQ. Subjects were selected from among the candidates for angiography. Cases were those whose coronary angiography showed stenosis of more than 75 % in at least one vessel or more than 50 % of the left main artery, while the control group participants had normal angiography results. Results: In the crude model, compared to the first quartile, the highest quartile of nut consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of PCAD (OR = 0·26, 95 % CI (0·21, 0·32); P for trend = 0·001). In the top quartile of nut intake, a substantial decrease in PCAD was observed after controlling for putative confounders (OR = 0·32; 95 % CI (0·24, 0·43); P for trend = 0·001). Additionally, a 75 % decrease in the risk of severe PCAD was observed in the participants in the highest quartile of nut intake. Conclusion: A significant inverse association was observed between nut intake and the risk and severity of PCAD in the Iranian population. Large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.

Key Clinical Message Our case demonstrated that thrombotic complications such as coronary thrombosis and left ventricular clot could occur even in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients with nonspecific symptoms which indicates the mysterious face of COVID‐19. This complex process highlights the necessity of screening patients for COVID‐19 disease even with nonspecific cardiac symptoms.

Abstract Background Diverse ethnic groups that exist in Iran may differ regarding the risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and family history of non-communicable disease. Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) is more endemic in Iran than before. This study sought to assess the association between ethnicity and lifestyle behaviors in eight major Iranian ethnic groups with PCAD. Methods In this study, 2863 patients aged ≤ 70 for women and ≤ 60 for men who underwent coronary angiography were recruited in a multi-center framework. All the patients’ demographic, laboratory, clinical, and risk factor data were retrieved. Eight large ethnicities in Iran, including the Farses, the Kurds, the Turks, the Gilaks, the Arabs, the Lors, the Qashqai, and the Bakhtiari were evaluated for PCAD. Different lifestyle components and having PCAD were compared among the ethnical groups using multivariable modeling. Results The mean age of the 2863 patients participated was 55.66 ± 7.70 years. The Fars ethnicity with 1654 people, was the most subject in this study. Family history of more than three chronic diseases (1279 (44.7%) was the most common risk factor. The Turk ethnic group had the highest prevalence of ≥ 3 simultaneous lifestyle-related risk factors (24.3%), and the Bakhtiari ethnic group had the highest prevalence of no lifestyle-related risk factors (20.9%). Adjusted models showed that having all three abnormal lifestyle components increased the risk of PCAD (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.06). The Arabs had the most chance of getting PCAD among other ethnicities (OR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.40–3.65). While, the Kurds with a healthy lifestyle showed the lowest chance of getting PCAD (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.05–3.67)). Conclusions This study found there was heterogeneity in having PACD and a diverse distribution in its well-known traditional lifestyle-related risk factors among major Iranian ethnic groups.

BackgroundUltra-processed foods (UPF) consumption may affect the risk of PCAD through affecting cardio metabolic risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the association between UPFs consumption and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD).MethodsA case–control study was conducted on 2,354 Iranian adults (≥ 19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 110-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and foods were classified based on the NOVA system, which groups all foods according to the nature, extent and purposes of the industrial processes they undergo. PCAD was defined as having an stenosis of at least single coronary artery equal and above 75% or left main coronary of equal or more than 50% in women less than 70 and men less than 60 years, determined by angiography. The odds of PCAD across the tertiles of UPFs consumption were assessed by binary logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the top tertile of UPFs were twice as likely to have PCAD compared with those in the bottom tertile (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.97–3.23). Moreover, those in the highest tertile of the UPFs consumption had more than two times higher risk for having severe PCAD than those in the first tertile (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 2.16–3.22). In addition, there was a significant upward trend in PCAD risk and PCAD severity as tertiles increased (P-trend

Background: Statins use is the most important treatment for high LDL cholesterol in patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Previous reports have shown racial and gender differences in statin use in the general population, but this wasn't studied in premature CAD based on different ethnicities. Methods and results: Our study includes 1917 men and women with confirmed diagnosis of premature CAD. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the high LDL cholesterol control in the groups and the OR with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported as the effect size. After adjustment for confounders, the odds of controlling LDL in women taking Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin were 0.27 (0.03, 0.45) lower in comparison with men. Also, in participant who took 3 types of statins, the odds of controlling LDL were significantly different between Lor and Arab compared with Fars ethnicity. After adjustment to all confounders (full model), the odds of controlling LDL were lower for Gilak in Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin by 0.64 (0.47, 0.75); 0.61 (0.43, 0.73); 0.63 (0.46, 0.74) respectively and higher for Arab in Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin by 4.63 (18.28, 0.73); 4.67 (17.47, 0.74); 4.55 (17.03, 0.71) respectively compared to Fars. Conclusions: Major differences in different gender and ethnicities may have had led to disparities in statin use and LDL control. Awareness of the statins impact on high LDL cholesterol based on different ethnicities can help health decision-makers to close the observed gaps in statin use and control LDL to prevent CAD problems.

Objective(s): Unstable angina (UA) is a form of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that affects more than a third of the population before age 70. Due to the limitations of diagnostic tests, appropriate identification of UA is difficult. In this study, we proceeded to investigate metabolite profiling in UA patients compared with controls to determine potential candidate biomarkers. Materials and Methods: Ninety-four plasma samples from UA and 32 samples from controls were analyzed based on 1H NMR spectroscopy. The raw data were processed, analyzed, and subjected to partial least squares-discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), a supervised classification method with a good separation of control and UA patients was observed. The most important variables (VIP) ≥1 were selected and submitted to MetaboAnalyst pathway enrichment to identify the most important ones. Results: We identified 17 disturbed metabolites in UA patients in comparison with the controls. These metabolites are involved in various biochemical pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and lysine degradation. Some of the metabolites were deoxycorticosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, androstanedione, etiocholanolone, estradiol, 2-hydroxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestrone, 2-methoxyestradiol, and 2-methoxyestrone. In order to determine test applicability in diagnosing UA, a diagnostic model was further created using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. The areas under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and precision were 0.87, 90%, 65%, and 91%, respectively, for diagnosing of UA.Conclusion: These metabolites could not only be useful for the diagnosis of UA patients but also provide more information for further deciphering of the biological processes of UA.

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of stable angina from unstable angina is important because they need different approaches. Few studies have been conducted to assess the diagnostic value of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in differentiating these two diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of hs-CRP levels for differentiating stable angina from unstable angina. METHODS: After signing the consent form, patients with unstable angina who referred to Tohid Hospital emergency in Sanandaj, Iran, and patients with stable angina who referred to the special clinic of the hospital were evaluated. Disease was confirmed by a cardiologist. Morning serum hs-CRP was tested using MONOBIND laboratory kit (USA). Data were analyzed by SPSS using Student’s independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, Fisher exact test, and receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: hs-CRP levels in patients with stable angina and unstable angina were 1.6 (± 1.18) and 2.35 (± 1.30) mg/l, respectively (P = 0.025). The hs-CRP level ≥ 2.31 mg/l was the best cut-off point for differentiating stable from unstable angina. At this cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 73%, respectively. Area under the curve was calculated to be 0.679 (95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.81) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: hs-CRP level is helpful for differentiating patients with stable angina from those with unstable angina. It is recommended to consider the hs-CRP level of 2.31 mg/l as the best cut-off point.

BACKGROUND: Differentiating between unstable angina and myocardial infarction (MI) is clinically important as they require different treatments. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has recently been recognized as prognostic factor in acute coronary syndrome. Since this biomarker may indicate the prognosis of heart disease, identifying its diagnostic value will be clinically important. This study investigated the diagnostic value of the level of hs-CRP in differentiating MI from unstable angina. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from all patients with suspected MI or unstable angina at the time of referral. The patients were put in one of the two groups based on final diagnosis. The exclusion criteria were infectious diseases, immune system diseases, history of a recent surgery or trauma, kidney failure, liver failure, cancers, and use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Data was entered in SPSS and analyzed by independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U and chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. ROC curve was used to determine hs-CRP cut-off point. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated at the cut-off point. RESULTS: Overall, 60 patients (30 patients with MI and 30 patients with unstable angina) were studied. Hs-CRP level was 3.68 ± 0.86 mg/l in patients with MI and 2.35 ± 1.30 mg/l in patients with unstable angina (P < 0.001). The best cut-off point for differentiating unstable angina from MI was hs-CRP levels equal to or greater than 3.27 mg/l. At this cutoff point, the sensitivity and specificity were both 77%. CONCLUSION: Patients with MI had higher levels of hs-CRP than subjects with unstable angina. Hs-CRP levels equal to or higher than 3.27 mg/l are more likely to be associated with MI. It is recommended to test this biomarker in all patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: We aimed to evaluate subepicardial and subendocardial left ventricular (LV) functions in patients with single coronary artery lesion at early stage after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Patients with left anterior descending (LAD) lesion (n = 40) were evaluated. Patients un-derwent PCI and at least one coronary stent was placed. After PCI, the pulsed-wave tissue doppler im-aging (pw-TDI) parameters taken from subepicardial and subepicardial layers were compared among the them. Finding: The systolic and diastolic pw-TDI parameters were apparently different between the patient after PCI, while the systolic pw-TDI parameters did not change. The diastolic pw-TDI parameters taken from both subepicardial (circumferential contraction) and subendocardial layers (longitudinal contraction) improved after PCI. After PCI, it was shown that while Ea velocity (P = 0.012) taken from the subendocardial layer increased, IVRa velocity (P < 0.001) taken from the subepicardial layer decreased. Conclusion: In our study, left ventricular, left atrium, and aortic valve diameter increase in patients with coronary artery disease. The systolic and diastolic functions were impaired at subendocardial and subepicardial layers. These dysfunctions can be easily presented with pw-TDI. Although systolic dys-function persists, diastolic dysfunction improves at early stage after PCI. Key words: Angioplasty, Percutaneous Coronary, Echocardiography, Doppler, Tissue doppler imag-ing.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate subepicardial and subendocardial left ventricular (LV)functions in patients with single coronary artery lesion at an early stage after percutaneouscoronary intervention (PCI).METHODS: Patients with left anterior descending (LAD) lesion (n = 40) were evaluated.Subjects underwent PCI and at least one coronary stent was placed. Before and one month afterPCI, patients underwent echocardiography. The ordinary Doppler indicators including E wavedeceleration time, A velocity and E velocity as well as the pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging(PW-TDI) parameters (Aa, Ea and Sa velocity) were measured. The findings before and afterintervention were compared.RESULTS: E wave deceleration time was the only factor that significantly improved in ordinaryDoppler and other parameters such as A velocity and E velocity did not show any changes.Among TDI parameters, Aa velocity and Ea velocity in septum area improved significantly butdespite an increase in Sa velocity in septum, it was not statistically significant. Ea velocitysignificantly improved in lateral area but Aa and Sa velocity insignificantly increased.CONCLUSION: In patients with coronary artery disease, the systolic and diastolic function isimpaired. It is simply diagnosable by TDI. Although the systolic function impairment isremained after PCI, the diastolic function considerable improved after angioplasty. Our studyshowed that diastolic function of left ventricle improved over time. In contrast with otherstudies, in this study, Aa velocity significantly improved one month after revascularization.Keywords: Angioplasty, Percutaneous Coronary, Echocardiography, Doppler, Tissue Doppler

Background: Excessive body fat is associated with increasing risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Some fat cell mediators such as adiponectin and leptin have been recognized as possible new IHD risk factors. We assessed the association of fat cell’s size and number, serum leptin and adiponectin with IHD. Methods: The study was designed as a “case control” study in 40 to 60 years old patients with ischemic heart disease symptoms underwent coronary angiography. The cases had significant stenosis in coronary angiography. The control subjects had normal angiography. Serum lipid levels, adiponectin, leptin, and insulin were examined in all cases and controls by Enzymayic method. The biopsies from abdominal and gluteal fat tissue regions were fixed and stained using the Hematoxilin-eosin method. Slides were photographed with a microscopic digital camera. Fat cell’s size and number were assessed using Image tool V3 software. Data were analyzed with SPSS software. Findings: There were no significant difference between cases and controls in fat cell’s size and number, serum leptin and adiponectin. However, serum leptin was correlated not only to waist circumference (r = 0.31, P = 0.036), but also to body mass index (r = 0.32, P = 0.033). Conclusion: Although Leptin and adiponectin are correlated with obesity and are introduced as IHD risk factors; they showed no association with ischemic heart disease in our study. More investigation is required to confirm this relationship in the Iranian population.

خلاصه مقدمه: تنگی شریان کلیوی (Renal Artery Stenosis یا RAS) یکی از علل اصلی افزایش فشار خون ثانویه می‎باشد و شایع‎ترین علت آن‎ را آترواسکلروز تشکیل می‎دهد. به تازگی آنژیوپلاستی شریان کلیوی (Percutaneous Transluminal Renal Angioplasty یا PTRA) روش انتخابی خوبی برای درمان این اختلال شده است. در این مطالعه نتایج این روش در نمونه‎ای از بیماران مراجعه کننده به درمانگاه‎های تخصصی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اصفهان ارزیابی شد. روش‌ها: 32 بیمار با تنگی شریان کلیوی و فشار خون مقاوم به درمان انتخاب شده، تحت عمل PTRA قرار گرفتند و سپس به مدت چهار هفته توسط متخصص قلب پی‎گیری شدند. پیامدهای اصلی در پی‎گیری شامل اندازه گیری فشار خون، تعیین عملکرد قلبی و شدت درد قفسه‎ی صدری و کراتنین سرم بود. داده‎ها پس از جمع آوری توسط مدل آنالیز واریانس با تکرار اندازه گیری و آزمون Friedman تحت تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته‌ها: فشار خون سیستولیک به طور معنی‎داری از 4/199 میلی‎متر جیوه قبل از عمل به 2/142 میلی‎متر جیوه در 4 هفته بعد از عمل کاهش می‎یابد. این کاهش در فشار خون دیاستولیک هم از 114 میلی‎متر جیوه به 2/89 میلی‎متر جیوه مشهود بود. به طور معنی‎داری، کلاس عملکرد قلبی افزایش و درد قفسه‎ی سینه کاهش یافت، اما سطح کراتنین سرم تغییر معنی‎داری از خود نشان نداد. نتیجه‌گیری: PTRA یک روش سودمند برای درمان افزایش فشار خون ناشی از تنگی شریان کلیوی می‎باشد. این روش از طریق کاهش فعالیت سیستم رنین-آنژیوتانسین-آلدوسترون و کاهش فعالیت نوروهورمونال باعث کاهش فشار خون و مورتالیتی و موربیدیتی قلبی عروقی و بهبود عملکرد کلیوی می‎گردد. همچنین این روش باعث کاهش نیاز بیماران به داروهای ضد فشار خون می‎شود که از نظر اقتصادی مقرون به صرفه است. واژگان کلیدی: آنژیوپلاستی شریان کلیوی، تنگی شریان کلیوی، فشار خون بالا.

Abstract In this study, the capabilities of classical and novel integrated machine learning models were investigated to predict sediment discharge (Qs) in free-flow flushing. Developed models include Multivariate Linear Regression (MLR), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH), and four hybrid forms of GMDH and Support Vector Regression (SVR) in combination with Henry Gas Solubility Optimization (HGSO) and Equilibrium Optimizer (EO) algorithms. The number of 160 datasets that were applied to assess these models was extracted from the Janssen (PhD’s Thesis, Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering. University of California, 1999) experimental study. Input parameters to predict Qs included the water level in the reservoir (hw), bed level in the flushing channel (hb), outflow (Qout), inflow (Qin), and elapsed time of flushing (T). The performance of all models was evaluated by four statistical indices of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), correlation coefficient (R2), and Mean absolute relative error (MARE). Evaluation of results demonstrated that the HGSO and EO algorithms could enhance the accuracy of the GMDH model (up to 26% and 22% in terms of RMSE), respectively. According to statistical criteria, the SVR-EO and SVR-HGSO provided the highest accuracy in both training (R2 = 0.98) and validation phases (R2 = 0.96). Moreover, among the developed models, the GMDH-HGSO algorithm provided excellent fitness to the observed data (R2 = 0.96, RMSE = 22.37, MAE = 15.65, and MARE = 0.26). The results indicated the high efficiency of the HGSO and EO algorithms in improving the accuracy of the GMDH and SVR models. However, among the developed models, the GMDH-HGSO is the most accurate model and is recommended for sediment transport modelling.

Abstract Simultaneous optimization of several competing objectives requires increasing the capability of optimization algorithms. This paper proposes the multi-objective moth swarm algorithm, for the first time, to solve various multi-objective problems. In the proposed algorithm, a new definition for pathfinder moths and moonlight was proposed to enhance the synchronization capability as well as to maintain a good spread of non-dominated solutions. In addition, the crowding-distance mechanism was employed to select the most efficient solutions within the population. This mechanism indicates the distribution of non-dominated solutions around a particular non-dominated solution. Accordingly, a set of non-dominated solutions obtained by the proposed multi-objective algorithm is kept in an archive to be used later for improving its exploratory capability. The capability of the proposed MOMSA was investigated by a set of multi-objective benchmark problems having 7 to 30 dimensions. The results were compared with three well-known meta-heuristics of multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D), Pareto envelope-based selection algorithm II (PESA-II), and multi-objective ant lion optimizer (MOALO). Four metrics of generational distance (GD), spacing (S), spread (Δ), and maximum spread (MS) were employed for comparison purposes. The qualitative and quantitative results indicated the superior performance and the higher capability of the proposed MOMSA algorithm over the other algorithms. The MOMSA algorithm with the average values of CPU time = 2771 s, GD = 0.138, S = 0.063, Δ = 1.053, and MS = 0.878 proved to be a robust and reliable model for multi-objective optimization.

Abstract Deriving optimal operation policies for multi-reservoir systems is a complex engineering problem. It is necessary to employ a reliable technique to efficiently solving such complex problems. In this study, five recently-introduced robust evolutionary algorithms (EAs) of Harris hawks optimization algorithm (HHO), seagull optimization algorithm (SOA), sooty tern optimization algorithm (STOA), tunicate swarm algorithm (TSA) and moth swarm algorithm (MSA) were employed, for the first time, to optimal operation of Halilrood multi-reservoir system. This system includes three dams with parallel and series arrangements simultaneously. The results of mentioned algorithms were compared with two well-known methods of genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The objective function of the optimization model was defined as the minimization of total deficit over 223 months of reservoirs operation. Four performance criteria of reliability, resilience, vulnerability and sustainability were used to compare the algorithms’ efficiency in optimization of this multi-reservoir operation. It was observed that the MSA algorithm with the best value of objective function (6.96), the shortest CPU run-time (6738 s) and the fastest convergence rate (

In this study, the capability of the recently introduced moth swarm algorithm (MSA) was compared with two robust metaheuristic algorithms: the harmony search (HS) algorithm and the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA). First, the performance of these algorithms was assessed by seven benchmark functions having 2–30 dimensions. Next, they were compared for optimization of the complex problem of four-reservoir and 10-reservoir systems operation. Furthermore, the results of these algorithms were compared with nine other metaheuristic algorithms. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the appropriate values of the algorithms’ parameters. The statistical indices coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), normalized MSE (NMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Willmott’s index of agreement (d) were used to compare the algorithms’ performance. The results showed that MSA was the superior algorithm for solving all benchmark functions in terms of obtaining the optimal value and saving CPU usage. ICA and HS were ranked next. When the dimensions of the problem were increased, the performance of ICA and HS dropped but MSA has still performed extremely well. In addition, the minimum CPU usage and the best solutions for the optimal operation of the four-reservoir system were obtained by MSA, with values of 269.7 seconds and 308.83, which are very close to the global optimum solution. Corresponding values for ICA were 486.73 seconds and 306.47 and for HS were 638.61 seconds and 264.61, which ranked them next. Similar results were observed for the 10-reservoir system; the CPU time and optimal value obtained by MSA were 722.5 seconds and 1,195.58 while for ICA they were 1,421.62 seconds and 1,136.22 and for HS they were 1,963.41 seconds and 1,060.76. The R2 and RMSE values achieved by MSA were 0.951 and 0.528 for the four-reservoir system and 0.985 and 0.521 for the 10-reservoir system, which demonstrated the outstanding performance of this algorithm in the optimal operation of multi-reservoir systems. In a general comparison, it was concluded that among the 12 algorithms investigated, MSA was the best, and it is recommended as a robust and promising tool in the optimal operation of multi-reservoir systems. HIGHLIGHTS This is the first application of robust MSA in the optimization of water resources.; The capability of 11 metaheuristic algorithms in optimization of multi-reservoir systems was compared.; MSA was the superior model in terms of CPU time and obtaining the optimal solution.;

Multi-reservoir system operation is a challenging and complex task, because of the curse of uncertainties, nonlinearities, dimensionalities and conflicts among the various contradictory objectives. Contemporaneous optimization of such competing objectives needs improving the capability of existing optimization algorithms. This study reports the first application of the recently-introduced multi-objective moth swarm algorithm (MOMSA) in optimization of long-term operation of the large Karun multi-purpose multi-reservoir system. In this algorithm, the decision variables were defined in such a way that the algorithm synchronization capability has improved. Furthermore, a robust mechanism (crowding distance mechanism) with high exploratory capability was employed to select the most efficient solutions within the population. To evaluate the algorithm's efficiency, the results of MOMSA were compared with two well-known multi-objective algorithms of the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) and the strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm-II (SPEA-II). To compare the capability of these algorithms, a set of statistical indices including the generational distance (GD), the spacing (S), the spread (Δ), and the maximum spread (MS), along with four reservoir's performance evaluation indicators of the reliability (Rel), the vulnerability (Vul), the resiliency (Res), and the sustainability index were employed. The results demonstrated the superior performance of the MOMSA in solving the Karun multi-reservoir system problem with GD = 259.64, S = 3574.69, Δ = 0.755 and MS = 18420.8. The MOMSA, with the optimized average annual energy production of 15669.7 GW, outperformed the NSGA-II (7569.1 GW) and SPEA-II (9026.3 GW) algorithms. Furthermore, the developed algorithm could supply the downstream demands with a sustainability index of 86.73%, while the corresponding values for the NSGA-II, the SPEA-II and the real operating conditions were 22.73%, 46.09% and 78.87%, respectively. In addition, among the utilized algorithms, the MOMSA demonstrated the best results for flood control purpose. The superior performance of MOMSA will ensure it as a robust algorithm in the optimization of complex and large-scale problems.

Friction factor is an important hydraulic parameter for design of pipeline systems. There are several formulations for calculating the friction factor, among which Colebrook–White equation is the most accurate and repute formula. Owing to the implicit nature of friction factor in Colebrook–White equation, iterative methods are required to calculate this factor. In this study, Regula Falsi iterative numerical scheme was used to solve the implicit nonlinear equation of friction factor in the Mathematica programming tool. Case examples including different series and parallel pipeline systems were presented and solved. The results indicated high capability of Regula Falsi method in solving both the parallel and series systems. It was found that the solution by Mathematica differ significantly from conventional methods and can be desirably used for solving different hydraulic problems. The use of Mathematica with its huge features permits the researchers to be more professional in formulations of engineering problems and interpretations of results.