A Mathematical Model for the Transmission Dynamics of Lymphatic Filariasis with Intervention Strategies.

This manuscript considers the transmission dynamics of lymphatic filariasis with some intervention strategies in place. Unlike previously developed models, our model takes into account both the exposed and infected classes in both the human and mosquito populations, respectively. We also consider vaccinated, treated and recovered humans in the presented model. The global dynamics of the proposed model are completely determined by the basic ([Formula: see text]) and effective reproduction numbers ([Formula: see text]). We then use Lyapunov function theory to find the sufficient conditions for global stability of both the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium. The Lyapunov functions show that when the basic reproduction number is less than or equal to unity, the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, and when it is greater than unity then the endemic equilibrium is also globally asymptotically stable. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the effects of the intervention strategies and key parameters to the spread of lymphatic filariasis. The numerical simulations support the analytical results and illustrate possible model behavioral scenarios.

Microscale Gaseous Slip Flow in the Insect Trachea and Tracheoles.

An analytical investigation into compressible gas flow with slight rarefactions through the insect trachea and tracheoles during the closed spiracle phase is undertaken, and a complete set of asymptotic analytical solutions is presented. We first obtain estimates of the Reynolds and Mach numbers at the channel terminal ends where the tracheoles directly deliver respiratory gases to the cells, by comparing the magnitude of the different forces in the compressible gas flow. The 2D Navier-Stokes equations with a slip boundary condition are used to investigate compressibility and rarefied effects in the trachea and tracheoles. Expressions for the velocity components, pressure gradients and net flow inside the trachea are then presented. Numerical simulations of the tracheal compressible flow are performed to validate the analytical results from this study. This work extends previous work of Arkilic et al. (J Microelectromech Syst 6(2):167-178, 1997) on compressible flows through a microchannel. Novel devices for microfluidic compressible flow transport may be invented from results obtained in this study.

Gas Exchange Models for a Flexible Insect Tracheal System.

In this paper two models for movement of respiratory gases in the insect trachea are presented. One model considers the tracheal system as a single flexible compartment while the other model considers the trachea as a single flexible compartment with gas exchange. This work represents an extension of Ben-Tal's work on compartmental gas exchange in human lungs and is applied to the insect tracheal system. The purpose of the work is to study nonlinear phenomena seen in the insect respiratory system. It is assumed that the flow inside the trachea is laminar, and that the air inside the chamber behaves as an ideal gas. Further, with the isothermal assumption, the expressions for the tracheal partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide, rate of volume change, and the rates of change of oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration are derived. The effects of some flow parameters such as diffusion capacities, reaction rates and air concentrations on net flow are studied. Numerical simulations of the tracheal flow characteristics are performed. The models developed provide a mathematical framework to further investigate gas exchange in insects.

Mapping of error cells in clinical measure to symmetric power space.

During the refraction procedure, the power of the nearest equivalent sphere lens, known as the scalar power, is conserved within upper and lower bounds in the sphere (and cylinder) lens powers. Bounds are brought closer together while keeping the circle of least confusion on the retina. The sphere and cylinder powers and changes in these powers are thus dependent. Changes are depicted in the cylinder-sphere plane by error cells with one pair of parallel sides of negative gradient and the other pair aligned with the graph axis of cylinder power. Scalar power constitutes a vector space, is a meaningful ophthalmic quantity and is represented by the semi-trace of the dioptric power matrix. The purpose of this article is to map to error cells for the following: coordinates of the dioptric power matrix, its principal powers and meridians and its entries from error cells surrounding powers in sphere, cylinder and axis. Error cells in clinical measure for conserved scalar power now contain more compensatory lens powers. Such cells and their respective mappings in terms of most scientific and alternate clinical quantities now image consistently not only to the cells from where they originate but also to each other.

Conversion of statistics calculated from the coordinates of the power matrix to those of principal meridional representation of power.

Principal meridional powers of thick astigmatic systems, like the eye, are not necessarily at right angles. The consequence is a class of phenomena included in the category commonly described as irregular astigmatism. The conventional principal meridional representation of power, however, is unsuited to quantitative analysis. The coordinates of the power matrix are scalars well suited to quantitative analysis. In a sizeable sample of such data it would be tedious to contemplate all the individual observations to obtain knowledge of the material. A standard summary in a manageable form is needed for concise reliable description to deal with all of the data. This paper is concerned with measures of dispersion of a data sample of coordinates of the power matrix, conversion to dispersion of principal meridional representation of power (or any other clinical or scientific power representation), and the nature of the dispersion.