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Delfim F. M. Torres

Publications and source records attributed to Delfim F. M. Torres.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
arXiv2015

Mathematical Modelling, Simulation, and Optimal Control of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

The Ebola virus is currently one of the most virulent pathogens for humans. The latest major outbreak occurred in Guinea, Sierra Leonne and Liberia in 2014. With the aim of understanding the spread of infection in the affected countries, it is crucial to modelize the virus and simulate it. In this paper, we begin by studying a simple mathematical model that describes the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Then, we use numerical simulations and available data provided by the World Health Organization to validate the obtained mathematical model. Moreover, we develop a new mathematical model including vaccination of individuals. We discuss different cases of vaccination in order to predict the effect of vaccination on the infected individuals over time. Finally, we apply optimal control to study the impact of vaccination on the spread of the Ebola virus. The optimal control problem is solved numerically by using a direct multi-shooting method.

q-bio.PE↗
arXiv2015

Nonsymmetric and Symmetric Fractional Calculi on Arbitrary Nonempty Closed Sets

We introduce a nabla, a delta, and a symmetric fractional calculus on arbitrary nonempty closed subsets of the real numbers. These fractional calculi provide a study of differentiation and integration of noninteger order on discrete, continuous, and hybrid settings. Main properties of the new fractional operators are investigated, and some fundamental results presented, illustrating the interplay between discrete and continuous behaviors.

math.CA↗
arXiv2015

Pressure Responses of a Vertically Hydraulic Fractured Well in a Reservoir with Fractal Structure

We obtain an analytical solution for the pressure-transient behavior of a vertically hydraulic fractured well in a heterogeneous reservoir. The heterogeneity of the reservoir is modeled by using the concept of fractal geometry. Such reservoirs are called fractal reservoirs. According to the theory of fractional calculus, a temporal fractional derivative is applied to incorporate the memory properties of the fractal reservoir. The effect of different parameters on the computed wellbore pressure is fully investigated by various synthetic examples.

physics.flu-dyn↗
arXiv2015

Variational problems of Herglotz type with time delay: DuBois-Reymond condition and Noether's first theorem

We extend the DuBois-Reymond necessary optimality condition and Noether's first theorem to variational problems of Herglotz type with time delay. Our results provide, as corollaries, the DuBois-Reymond necessary optimality condition and the first Noether theorem for variational problems with time delay recently proved in [Numer. Algebra Control Optim. 2 (2012), no. 3, 619-630]. Our main result is also a generalization of the first Noether-type theorem for the generalized variational principle of Herglotz proved in [Topol. Methods Nonlinear Anal. 20 (2002), no. 2, 261-273].

math.OC↗
arXiv2015

A TB-HIV/AIDS coinfection model and optimal control treatment

We propose a population model for TB-HIV/AIDS coinfection transmission dynamics, which considers antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection and treatments for latent and active tuberculosis. The HIV-only and TB-only sub-models are analyzed separately, as well as the TB-HIV/AIDS full model. The respective basic reproduction numbers are computed, equilibria and stability are studied. Optimal control theory is applied to the TB-HIV/AIDS model and optimal treatment strategies for co-infected individuals with HIV and TB are derived. Numerical simulations to the optimal control problem show that non intuitive measures can lead to the reduction of the number of individuals with active TB and AIDS.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Computing Hadamard type operators of variable fractional order

We consider Hadamard fractional derivatives and integrals of variable fractional order. A new type of fractional operator, which we call the Hadamard-Marchaud fractional derivative, is also considered. The objective is to represent these operators as series of terms involving integer-order derivatives only, and then approximate the fractional operators by a finite sum. An upper bound formula for the error is provided. We exemplify our method by applying the proposed numerical procedure to the solution of a fractional differential equation and a fractional variational problem with dependence on the Hadamard-Marchaud fractional derivative.

math.CA↗
arXiv2014

A Time-Scale Variational Approach to Inflation, Unemployment and Social Loss

Both inflation and unemployment inflict social losses. When a tradeoff exists between the two, what would be the best combination of inflation and unemployment? A well known approach in economics to address this question consists to write the social loss as a function of the rate of inflation $p$ and the rate of unemployment $u$, with different weights, and then, using known relations between $p$, $u$, and the expected rate of inflation $π$, to rewrite the social loss function as a function of $π$. The answer is achieved by applying the theory of the calculus of variations in order to find an optimal path $π$ that minimizes the total social loss over a given time interval. Economists dealing with this question use a continuous or a discrete variational problem. Here we propose to use a time-scale model, unifying available results in the literature. Moreover, the new formalism allow us to obtain new insights to the classical models when applied to real data of inflation and unemployment.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

An Optimal Control Approach to Herglotz Variational Problems

We address the generalized variational problem of Herglotz from an optimal control point of view. Using the theory of optimal control, we derive a generalized Euler-Lagrange equation, a transversality condition, a DuBois-Reymond necessary optimality condition and Noether's theorem for Herglotz's fundamental problem, valid for piecewise smooth functions.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Multiobjective approach to optimal control for a tuberculosis model

Mathematical modelling can help to explain the nature and dynamics of infection transmissions, as well as support a policy for implementing those strategies that are most likely to bring public health and economic benefits. The paper addresses the application of optimal control strategies in a tuberculosis model. The model consists of a system of ordinary differential equations, which considers reinfection and post-exposure interventions. We propose a multiobjective optimization approach to find optimal control strategies for the minimization of active infectious and persistent latent individuals, as well as the cost associated to the implementation of the control strategies. Optimal control strategies are investigated for different values of the model parameters. The obtained numerical results cover a whole range of the optimal control strategies, providing valuable information about the tuberculosis dynamics and showing the usefulness of the proposed approach.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

A General Delta-Nabla Calculus of Variations on Time Scales with Application to Economics

We consider a general problem of the calculus of variations on time scales with a cost functional that is the composition of a certain scalar function with delta and nabla integrals of a vector valued field. Euler-Lagrange delta-nabla differential equations are proved, which lead to important insights in the process of discretization. Application of the obtained results to a firm that wants to program its production and investment policies to reach a given production rate and to maximize its future market competitiveness is discussed.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Seasonality effects on Dengue: basic reproduction number, sensitivity analysis and optimal control

Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted from an infected human to an Aedes mosquito, during a blood-meal. Dengue is still a major public health problem. A model for the disease transmission is presented, composed by human and mosquitoes compartments. The aim is to simulate the effects of seasonality, on the vectorial capacity and, consequently, on the disease development. Using entomological information about the mosquito behavior under different temperatures and rainfall, simulations are carried out and the repercussions analyzed. The basic reproduction number of the model is given, as well as a sensitivity analysis of model's parameters. Finally, an optimal control problem is proposed and solved, illustrating the difficulty of making a trade-off between reduction of infected individuals and costs with insecticide.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Solving Abel integral equations of first kind via fractional calculus

We give a new method for numerically solving Abel integral equations of first kind. An estimation for the error is obtained. The method is based on approximations of fractional integrals and Caputo derivatives. Using trapezoidal rule and Computer Algebra System Maple, the exact and approximation values of three Abel integral equations are found, illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

math.CA↗
arXiv2014

Dengue in Madeira Island

Dengue is a vector-borne disease and 40% of world population is at risk. Dengue transcends international borders and can be found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas. A model for dengue disease transmission, composed by mutually-exclusive compartments representing the human and vector dynamics, is presented in this study. The data is from Madeira, a Portuguese island, where an unprecedented outbreak was detected on October 2012. The aim of this work is to simulate the repercussions of the control measures in the fight of the disease.

q-bio.PE↗
arXiv2014

Sobolev Type Fractional Dynamic Equations and Optimal Multi-Integral Controls with Fractional Nonlocal Conditions

We prove existence and uniqueness of mild solutions to Sobolev type fractional nonlocal dynamic equations in Banach spaces. The Sobolev nonlocal condition is considered in terms of a Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative. A Lagrange optimal control problem is considered, and existence of a multi-integral solution obtained. Main tools include fractional calculus, semigroup theory, fractional power of operators, a singular version of Gronwall's inequality, and Leray-Schauder fixed point theorem. An example illustrating the theory is given.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Duality for the left and right fractional derivatives

We prove duality between the left and right fractional derivatives, independently on the type of fractional operator. Main result asserts that the right derivative of a function is the dual of the left derivative of the dual function or, equivalently, the left derivative of a function is the dual of the right derivative of the dual function. Such duality between left and right fractional operators is useful to obtain results for the left operators from analogous results on the right operators and vice versa. We illustrate the usefulness of our duality theory by proving a fractional integration by parts formula for the right Caputo derivative and by proving a Tonelli-type theorem that ensures the existence of minimizer for fractional variational problems with right fractional operators.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Cost effectiveness analysis of optimal control measures for tuberculosis

We propose and analyse an optimal control problem where the control system is a mathematical model for tuberculosis that considers reinfection. The control functions represent the fraction of early latent and persistent latent individuals that are treated. Our aim is to study how these control measures should be implemented, for a certain time period, in order to reduce the number of active infected individuals, while minimizing the interventions implementation costs. The optimal intervention is compared along different epidemiological scenarios, by varying the transmission coefficient. The impact of variation of the risk of reinfection, as a result of acquired immunity to a previous infection for treated individuals on the optimal controls and associated solutions, is analysed. A cost-effectiveness analysis is done, to compare the application of each one of the control measures, separately or in combination.

math.OC↗
arXiv2014

Optimal control with time-delays via the penalty method

We prove necessary optimality conditions of Euler-Lagrange type for a problem of the calculus of variations with time delays, where the delay in the unknown function is different from the delay in its derivative. Then, a more general optimal control problem with time delays is considered. Main result gives a convergence theorem, allowing to obtain a solution to the delayed optimal control problem by considering a sequence of delayed problems of the calculus of variations.

math.OC↗