This book deals with the prediction of possible future scenarios concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the well-known SIR model by Kermack and McKendrick a compartment model is established. This model comprises its own assumptions, transition rates and transmission dynamics, as well as a corresponding system of ordinary differential equations. Making use of numerical methods and a nonstandard-finite-difference scheme, two submodels are implemented in Matlab in order to make parameter estimations and compare different scenarios with each other.

The book is a comprehensive, self-contained introduction to the mathematical modeling and analysis of infectious diseases. It includes model building, fitting to data, local and global analysis techniques. Various types of deterministic dynamical models are considered: ordinary differential equation models, delay-differential equation models, difference equation models, age-structured PDE models and diffusion models. It includes various techniques for the computation of the basic reproduction number as well as approaches to the epidemiological interpretation of the reproduction number. MATLAB code is included to facilitate the data fitting and the simulation with age-structured models.

This second edition of Nonstandard Finite Difference Models of Differential Equations provides an update on the progress made in both the theory and application of the NSFD methodology during the past two and a half decades. In addition to discussing details related to the determination of the denominator functions and the nonlocal discrete representations of functions of dependent variables, we include many examples illustrating just how this should be done.Of real value to the reader is the inclusion of a chapter listing many exact difference schemes, and a chapter giving NSFD schemes from the research literature. The book emphasizes the critical roles played by the 'principle of dynamic consistency' and the use of sub-equations for the construction of valid NSFD discretizations of differential equations.

Given the widespread interest in macroscopic phenomena in liquid crystals, stemming from their applications in displays and devices. The need has arisen for a rigorous yet accessible text suitable for graduate students, whatever their scientific background. This book satisfies that need. The approach taken in this text, is to introduce the basic continuum theory for nematic liquid crystals in equilibria, then it proceeds to simple application of this theory- in particular, there is a discussion of electrical and magnetic field effects which give rise to Freedericksz transitions, which are important in devices. This is followed by an account of dynamic theory and elementary viscometry of nemantics Discussions of backflow and flow-induced instabilities are also included. Smetic theory is also briefly introduced and summarised with some examples of equilibrium solutions as well as those with dynamic effects. A number of mathematical techniques, such as Cartesian tensors and some variational calculus, are presented in the appendices.

The main purpose of this book is to provide a concise introduction to the methods and philosophy of constructing nonstandard finite difference schemes and illustrate how such techniques can be applied to several important problems. Chapter I gives an overview of the subject and summarizes previous work. Chapters 2 and 3 consider in detail the construction and numerical implementation of schemes for physical problems involving convection-diffusion-reaction equations, that arise in groundwater pollution and scattering of electromagnetic waves using Maxwell's equations. Chapter 4 examines certain mathematical issues related to the nonstandard discretization of competitive and cooperative models for ecology. The application chapters illustrate well the power of nonstandard methods. In particular, for the same accuracy as obtained by standard techniques, larger step sizes can be used. This volume will satisfy the needs of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who wish to know how to construct nonstandard schemes and see how these are applied to obtain numerical solutions of the differential equations which arise in the study of nonlinear dynamical systems modeling important physical phenomena.

This book is designed to be a practical study in infectious disease dynamics. The book offers an easy to follow implementation and analysis of mathematical epidemiology. The book focuses on recent case studies in order to explore various conceptual, mathematical, and statistical issues. The dynamics of infectious diseases shows a wide diversity of pattern. Some have locally persistent chains-of-transmission, others persist spatially in ‘consumer-resource metapopulations’. Some infections are prevalent among the young, some among the old and some are age-invariant. Temporally, some diseases have little variation in prevalence, some have predictable seasonal shifts and others exhibit violent epidemics that may be regular or irregular in their timing. Models and ‘models-with-data’ have proved invaluable for understanding and predicting this diversity, and thence help improve intervention and control. Using mathematical models to understand infectious disease dynamics has a very rich history in epidemiology. The field has seen broad expansions of theories as well as a surge in real-life application of mathematics to dynamics and control of infectious disease. The chapters of Epidemics: Models and Data using R have been organized in a reasonably logical way: Chapters 1-10 is a mix and match of models, data and statistics pertaining to local disease dynamics; Chapters 11-13 pertains to spatial and spatiotemporal dynamics; Chapter 14 highlights similarities between the dynamics of infectious disease and parasitoid-host dynamics; Finally, Chapters 15 and 16 overview additional statistical methodology useful in studies of infectious disease dynamics. This book can be used as a guide for working with data, models and ‘models-and-data’ to understand epidemics and infectious disease dynamics in space and time.

This book offers a comprehensive and in-depth overview of how public policy is shaping gender equality in Europe.