arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Delfim F. M. Torres.
We investigate local fractional nonlinear Riccati differential equations (LFNRDE) by transforming them into local fractional linear ordinary differential equations. The case of LFNRDE with constant coefficients is considered and non-differentiable solutions for special cases obtained.
We propose a new mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Global stability of the unique endemic equilibrium is proved. Then, based on data provided by the "Progress Report on the AIDS response in Cape Verde 2015", we calibrate our model to the cumulative cases of infection by HIV and AIDS from 1987 to 2014 and we show that our model predicts well such reality. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is done for the case study in Cape Verde. We conclude that the goal of the United Nations to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is a nontrivial task.
We propose a mathematical model for cholera with treatment through quarantine. The model is shown to be both epidemiologically and mathematically well posed. In particular, we prove that all solutions of the model are positive and bounded; and that every solution with initial conditions in a certain meaningful set remains in that set for all time. The existence of unique disease-free and endemic equilibrium points is proved and the basic reproduction number is computed. Then, we study the local asymptotic stability of these equilibrium points. An optimal control problem is proposed and analyzed, whose goal is to obtain a successful treatment through quarantine. We provide the optimal quarantine strategy for the minimization of the number of infectious individuals and bacteria concentration, as well as the costs associated with the quarantine. Finally, a numerical simulation of the cholera outbreak in the Department of Artibonite (Haiti), in 2010, is carried out, illustrating the usefulness of the model and its analysis.
We develop the Benkhettou-Hassani-Torres fractional (noninteger order) calculus on time scales by proving two chain rules for the $α$-fractional derivative and five inequalities for the $α$-fractional integral. The results coincide with well-known classical results when the operators are of (integer) order $α= 1$ and the time scale coincides with the set of real numbers.
This paper presents a collection of useful formulas of dynamic derivatives on time scales, systematically collected for reference purposes. As an application, we define trigonometric and hyperbolic functions on time scales in such a way the most essential qualitative properties of the corresponding continuous functions are generalized in a proper way.
We present a method to solve fractional optimal control problems, where the dynamic depends on integer and Caputo fractional derivatives. Our approach consists to approximate the initial fractional order problem with a new one that involves integer derivatives only. The latter problem is then discretized, by application of finite differences, and solved numerically. We illustrate the effectiveness of the procedure with an example.
We propose and investigate a delayed model that studies the relationship between HIV and the immune system during the natural course of infection and in the context of antiviral treatment regimes. Sufficient criteria for local asymptotic stability of the infected and viral free equilibria are given. An optimal control problem with time delays both in state variables (incubation delay) and control (pharmacological delay) is then formulated and analyzed, where the objective consists to find the optimal treatment strategy that maximizes the number of uninfected $CD4^{+}$ T cells as well as CTL immune response cells, keeping the drug therapy as low as possible.
A discrete version of the symmetric duality of Caputo-Torres, to relate left and right Riemann-Liouville and Caputo fractional differences, is considered. As a corollary, we provide an evidence to the fact that in case of right fractional differences, one has to mix between nabla and delta operators. As an application, we derive right fractional summation by parts formulas and left fractional difference Euler-Lagrange equations for discrete fractional variational problems whose Lagrangians depend on right fractional differences.
We introduce delays in a tuberculosis (TB) model, representing the time delay on the diagnosis and commencement of treatment of individuals with active TB infection. The stability of the disease free and endemic equilibriums is investigated for any time delay. Corresponding optimal control problems, with time delays in both state and control variables, are formulated and studied. Although it is well-known that there is a delay between two to eight weeks between TB infection and reaction of body's immune system to tuberculin, delays for the active infected to be detected and treated, and delays on the treatment of persistent latent individuals due to clinical and patient reasons, which clearly justifies the introduction of time delays on state and control measures, our work seems to be the first to consider such time-delays for TB and apply time-delay optimal control to carry out the optimality analysis.
Isoperimetric problems consist in minimizing or maximizing a cost functional subject to an integral constraint. In this work, we present two fractional isoperimetric problems where the Lagrangian depends on a combined Caputo derivative of variable fractional order and we present a new variational problem subject to a holonomic constraint. We establish necessary optimality conditions in order to determine the minimizers of the fractional problems. The terminal point in the cost integral, as well the terminal state, are considered to be free, and we obtain corresponding natural boundary conditions.
Invariant conditions for conformable fractional problems of the calculus of variations under the presence of external forces in the dynamics are studied. Depending on the type of transformations considered, different necessary conditions of invariance are obtained. As particular cases, we prove fractional versions of Noether's symmetry theorem. Invariant conditions for fractional optimal control problems, using the Hamiltonian formalism, are also investigated. As an example of potential application in Physics, we show that with conformable derivatives it is possible to formulate an Action Principle for particles under frictional forces that is far simpler than the one obtained with classical fractional derivatives.
We consider fractional generalizations of the ordinary differential equation that governs the creep phenomenon. Precisely, two Caputo fractional Voigt models are considered: a rheological linear model and a nonlinear one. In the linear case, an explicit Volterra representation of the solution is found, involving the generalized Mittag-Leffler function in the kernel. For the nonlinear fractional Voigt model, an existence result is obtained through a fixed point theorem. A nonlinear example, illustrating the obtained existence result, is given.
We develop and analyse a numerical method for the time-fractional nonlocal thermistor problem. By rigorous proofs, some error estimates in different contexts are derived, showing that the combination of the backward differentiation in time and the Galerkin spectral method in space leads, for an enough smooth solution, to an approximation of exponential convergence in space.
We derive the Helmholtz theorem for nondifferentiable Hamiltonian systems in the framework of Cresson's quantum calculus. Precisely, we give a theorem characterizing nondifferentiable equations, admitting a Hamiltonian formulation. Moreover, in the affirmative case, we give the associated Hamiltonian.
We study, using an optimal control point of view, higher-order variational problems of Herglotz type with time delay. Main results are higher-order Euler-Lagrange and DuBois-Reymond necessary optimality conditions as well as a higher-order Noether type theorem for delayed variational problems of Herglotz type.
We prove existence of positive solutions to a nonlinear fractional boundary value problem. Then, under some mild assumptions on the nonlinear term, we obtain a smart generalization of Lyapunov's inequality. The new results are illustrated through examples.
We present a mathematical analysis of the early detection of Ebola virus. The propagation of the virus is analysed by using a Susceptible, Infected, Recovered (SIR) model. In order to provide useful predictions about the potential transmission of the virus, we analyse and simulate the SIR model with vital dynamics, by adding demographic effects and an induced death rate. Then, we compute the equilibria of the model. The numerical simulations confirm the theoretical analysis. Our study describes the 2015 detection of Ebola virus in Guinea, the parameters of the model being identified from the World Health Organization data. Finally, we consider an optimal control problem of the propagation of the Ebola virus, minimizing the number of infected individuals while taking into account the cost of vaccination.
We formulate a coherent approach to signals and systems theory on time scales. The two derivatives from the time-scale calculus are used, i.e., nabla (forward) and delta (backward), and the corresponding eigenfunctions, the so-called nabla and delta exponentials, computed. With these exponentials, two generalised discrete-time Laplace transforms are deduced and their properties studied. These transforms are compatible with the standard Laplace and $Z$ transforms. They are used to study discrete-time linear systems defined by difference equations. These equations mimic the usual continuous-time equations that are uniformly approximated when the sampling interval becomes small. Impulse response and transfer function notions are introduced. This implies a unified mathematical framework that allows us to approximate the classic continuous-time case when the sampling rate is high or to obtain the standard discrete-time case, based on difference equations, when the time grid becomes uniform.