Global stability and a non-standard finite difference scheme for a diffusion driven HBV model with capsids

A diffusion driven model for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, taking into account the spatial mobility of both the HBV and the HBV DNA-containing capsids is presented. The global stability for the continuous model is discussed in terms of the basic reproduction number. The analysis is further carried out on a discretized version of the model. Since the standard finite difference (SFD) approximation could potentially lead to numerical instability, it has to be restricted or eliminated through dynamic consistency. The latter is accomplished by using a non-standard finite difference (NSFD) scheme and the global stability properties of the discretized model are studied. The results are numerically illustrated for the dynamics and stability of the various populations in addition to demonstrating the advantages of the usage of NSFD method over the SFD scheme.     

Non-standard finite difference method applied to an initial boundary value problem describing hepatitis B virus infection

In this paper, two non-standard finite difference (NSFD) schemes are proposed for a mathematical model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with spatial dependence. The dynamic properties of the obtained discretized systems are completely analyzed. Relying on the theory of M-matrix, we prove that the proposed NSFD schemes is unconditionally positive. Furthermore, we establish that the NSFD method used preserves all constant steady states of the corresponding continuous initial boundary value problem (IBVP) model. We prove that the conditions for those equilibria to be asymptotically stable are consistent with the continuous IBVP model independently of the numerical grid size. The global asymptotical properties of the HBV-free equilibrium of the proposed NSFD schemes are derived via the construction of a suitable discrete Lyapunov function, and coincides with the continuous system. This confirms that the discretized models are dynamically consistent since they maintain essential properties of the corresponding continuous IBVP model. Finally, numerical simulations are performed from which it is demonstrated that the proposed NSFD method is advantageous over the standard finite difference (SFD) method.     

Discretization of an eco-epidemiological model and its dynamic consistency

In this paper, we discretize a continuous-time eco-epidemiological model by non-standard finite difference (NSFD) scheme as well as standard Euler forward scheme. Dynamical properties of both the systems are explored and compared with their continuous-time model. We show that the solution of NSFD system remains positive for all positive initial values. Fixed points and their local stability properties are shown to be identical with that of the continuous model, indicating its dynamic consistency. Dynamics of the Euler model, however, depend on the step–size and therefore dynamically inconsistent. Solutions in this latter method may be negative and allows numerical instabilities, leading to chaos. Extensive numerical simulations have been performed to validate the theoretical results.     

Global Aspects of Age-Structured Cigarette Smoking Model

Smoking impacts health and as a result creates several problems related to age which means smoking has a strong correlation with age. Keeping this problem in view, we consider the global asymptotic properties of age-structured smoking model. First, we formulate the model and present the existence and uniqueness of solution. Then we discuss the equilibrium points and construct the Lyapunov function to examine global stability of the free smoking and positive smoking equilibrium points. Finally, we fixed the age factor and use the non-standard finite difference (NSFD) scheme for numerical solutions and compare our results obtained with RK4 and ODE45 graphically with the help of MATLAB.     

A predator-prey model with Beddington-DeAngelis functional response: a non-standard finite-difference method

In this paper, we transform a continuous-time predator-prey model with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response into a discrete-time model by nonstandard finite difference scheme (NSFD). The NSFD model shows complete dynamic consistency with its continuous counterpart for any step size. However, the discrete model of same continuous system obtained by Euler forward method shows dynamic inconsistency for larger step size. Extensive numerical simulations have been done to compare the dynamics of NSFD system and Euler system. Our analysis reveals that dynamics of NSFD model is independent of the step-size, whereas the dynamics of the standard discrete model completely depends on the step-size and produces spurious dynamics like chaos.     

Stability properties of a nonstandard finite difference scheme for a hantavirus epidemic model

This paper studies the stability properties of a nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme used to simulate the dynamics of a mouse population model in hantavirus epidemics. It is shown that this difference scheme and the underlying system of differential equations have the same dynamics. The proof uses the fact that the total population obeys the logistic equation, as well as techniques from calculus, graphical analysis, and dynamical systems.     

A non‐standard finite difference scheme for an advection‐diffusion‐reaction equation

In this note, a non‐standard finite difference (NSFD) scheme is proposed for an advection‐diffusion‐reaction equation with nonlinear reaction term. We first study the diffusion‐free case of this equation, that is, an advection‐reaction equation. Two exact finite difference schemes are constructed for the advection‐reaction equation by the method of characteristics. As these exact schemes are complicated and are not convenient to use, an NSFD scheme is derived from the exact scheme. Then, the NSFD scheme for the advection‐reaction equation is combined with a finite difference space‐approximation of the diffusion term to provide a NSFD scheme for the advection‐diffusion‐reaction equation. This new scheme could preserve the fixed points, the positivity, and the boundedness of the solution of the original equation. Numerical experiments verify the validity of our analytical results. Copyright © 2014 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exact finite-difference schemes for first order differential equations having three distinct fixed-points

We construct nonstandard finite-difference (NSFD) schemes that provide exact numerical methods for a first-order differential equation having three distinct fixed-points. An explicit, but also nonexact, NSFD scheme is also constructed. It has the feature of preserving the critical properties of the original differential equation such as the positivity of the solutions and the stability behavior of the three fixed-points.     

Optimized composite finite difference schemes for atmospheric flow modeling

In this paper, we use some finite difference methods in order to solve an atmospheric flow problem described by an advection–diffusion equation. This flow problem was solved by Clancy using forward‐time central space (FTCS) scheme and is challenging to simulate due to large errors in phase and amplitude which are generated especially over long propagation times. Clancy also derived stability limits for FTCS scheme. We use Von Neumann stability analysis and the approach of Hindmarsch et al. which is an improved technique over that of Clancy in order to obtain the region of stability of some methods such as FTCS, Lax–Wendroff (LW), Crank–Nicolson. We also construct a nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme. Properties like stability and consistency are studied. To improve the results due to significant numerical dispersion or numerical dissipation, we derive a new composite scheme consisting of three applications of LW followed by one application of NSFD. The latter acts like a filter to remove the dispersive oscillations from LW. We further improve the composite scheme by computing the optimal temporal step size at a given spatial step size using two techniques namely; by minimizing the square of dispersion error and by minimizing the sum of squares of dispersion and dissipation errors.     

Numerical treatment for nonlinear Brusselator chemical model

Nowadays, numerical models have great importance in every field of science, especially for solving the nonlinear differential equations, partial differential equations, biochemical reactions, etc. The total time evolution of the reactant species which interacts with other species is simulated by the Runge-Kutta of order four (RK4) and by Non-Standard finite difference (NSFD) method. A NSFD model has been constructed for the biochemical reaction problem and numerical experiments are performed for different values of discretization parameter h. The results are compared with the well-known numerical scheme, i.e. RK4. The developed scheme NSFD gives better results than RK4.     

A note on an NSFD scheme for a mathematical model of respiratory virus transmission

We construct a non-standard finite difference (NSFD) scheme for an SIRS mathematical model of respiratory virus transmission. This discretization is in full compliance with the NSFD methodology as formulated by Mickens. By use of an exact conservation law satisfied by the SIRS differential equations, we are able to determine the corresponding denominator function for the discrete first-order time derivatives. Our scheme is dynamically consistent with the SIRS differential equations, since the conservation laws are preserved. Furthermore, the scheme is shown to satisfy a positivity condition for its solutions for all values of the time step size.     

Nonstandard finite difference method revisited and application to the Ebola virus disease transmission dynamics

We provide effective and practical guidelines on the choice of the complex denominator function of the discrete derivative as well as on the choice of the nonlocal approximation of nonlinear terms in the construction of nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes. Firstly, we construct nonstandard one-stage and two-stage theta methods for a general dynamical system defined by a system of autonomous ordinary differential equations. We provide a sharp condition, which captures the dynamics of the continuous model. We discuss at length how this condition is pivotal in the construction of the complex denominator function. We show that the nonstandard theta methods are elementary stable in the sense that they have exactly the same fixed-points as the continuous model and they preserve their stability, irrespective of the value of the step size. For more complex dynamical systems that are dissipative, we identify a class of nonstandard theta methods that replicate this property. We apply the first part by considering a dynamical system that models the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The formulation of the model involves both the fast/direct and slow/indirect transmission routes. Using the specific structure of the EVD model, we show that, apart from the guidelines in the first part, the nonlocal approximation of nonlinear terms is guided by the productive-destructive structure of the model, whereas the choice of the denominator function is based on the conservation laws and the sub-equations that are associated with the model. We construct a NSFD scheme that is dynamically consistent with respect to the properties of the continuous model such as: positivity and boundedness of solutions; local and/or global asymptotic stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium points; dependence of the severity of the infection on self-protection measures. Throughout the paper, we provide numerical simulations that support the theory.     

Global stability and travelling waves of a predator-prey model with diffusion and nonlocal maturation delay

In this paper, a diffusive predator-prey system with nonlocal maturation delay is investigated. By analyzing the corresponding characteristic equations, the local stability of each of uniform steady states of the system is discussed. Sufficient conditions are derived for the global stability of the positive steady state and the semi-trivial steady state of the system by using the method of upper–lower solutions and its associated monotone iteration scheme, respectively. The existence of travelling wave solution of the system is established by using the geometric singular perturbation theory. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the theoretical results.     

Stability analysis of diffusive predator-prey model with modified Leslie-Gower and Holling-type III schemes

The stability of a diffusive predator-prey model with modified Leslie-Gower and Holling-type III schemes is investigated. A threshold property of the local stability is obtained for a boundary steady state, and sufficient conditions of local stability and un-stability for the positive steady state are also obtained. Furthermore, the global asymptotic stability of these two steady states are discussed. Our results reveal the dynamics of this model system.     

Stability Analysis of Diffusive Predator-Prey Model with Modified Leslie-Gower and Holling-Type II Schemes

The stability of a diffusive predator-prey model with modified Leslie-Gower and Holling-type II schemes is investigated. A threshold property of the local stability is obtained for a boundary steady state, and sufficient conditions of local stability and un-stability for the positive steady state are also obtained. Furthermore, the global asymptotic stability of these two steady states are discussed. Our results reveal the dynamics of this model system.     

A note on a diffusive predator-prey model and its steady-state system

In this note, a diffusive predator-prey model subject to the homogeneous Neumann bound- ary condition is investigated and some qualitative analysis of solutions to this reaction-diffusion system and its corresponding steady-state problem is presented. In particular, by use of a Lyapunov function, the global stability of the constant positive steady state is discussed. For the associated steady state problem, a priori estimates for positive steady states are derived and some non-existence results for non-constant positive steady states are also established when one of the diffusion rates is large enough. Consequently, our results extend and complement the existing ones on this model.     

Global dynamics of an age-structured cholera model with both human-to-human and environment-to-human transmissions and saturation incidence

In this paper, an age-structured cholera model with both human-to-human and environment-to-human transmissions and saturation incidence is proposed. In the model, we consider the infection age of infectious individuals and the biological age of pathogen in the environment. It is verified that the global dynamics of the model is completely determined by the basic reproduction number. Asymptotic smoothness is verified as a necessary argument. By analyzing corresponding characteristic equations, we discuss the local stability of each of feasible steady states. Uniform persistence is shown by using the persistence theory for infinite dimensional dynamical system. The global stability of each of feasible steady states is established by using suitable Lyapunov functionals and LaSalle’s invariance principle. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the theoretical results.     

Numerical solutions of Burgers–Huxley equation by exact finite difference and NSFD schemes

In this paper, numerical solution of the Burgers–Huxley (BH) equation is presented based on the nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme. At first, two exact finite difference schemes for BH equation obtained. Moreover an NSFD scheme is presented for this equation. The positivity, boundedness and local truncation error of the scheme are discussed. Finally, the numerical results of the proposed method with those of some available methods compared.     

Square-root dynamics of a giving up smoking model

The paper presents a new giving up smoking model for which interaction term is square root of potential and occasional smokers of model presented in Zaman (2011) [15]. First, we will show formulation of the model. Then we will discuss local and global stability of the model and its general solutions. The non-standard finite difference method (NSFD) is used to solve the new giving up smoking model. Both non-negativity and conservative law for differential equations system are discussed. Numerical results are presented graphically and compared well with those obtained by Runge–Kutta fourth-order method (RK4) and ODE45.     

Lyapunov direct method for investigating stability of nonstandard finite difference schemes for metapopulation models

In this paper nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes of two metapopulation models are constructed. The stability properties of the discrete models are investigated by the use of the Lyapunov stability theorem. As a result of this we have proved that the NSFD schemes preserve essential properties of the metapopulation models (positivity, boundedness and monotone convergence of the solutions, equilibria and their stability properties). Especially, the basic reproduction number of the continuous models is also preserved. Numerical examples confirm the obtained theoretical results of the properties of the constructed difference schemes. The method of Lyapunov functions proves to be much simpler than the standard method for studying stability of the discrete metapopulation model in our very recent paper.