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Application of a Numerical Method and Optimal Control Theory to a Partial Differential Equation Model for a Bacterial Infection in a Chronic Wound

In this work, we study the application both of optimal control techniques and a numerical method to a system of partial differential equations arising from a problem in wound healing. Optimal control theory is a generalization of calculus of variations, as well as the method of Lagrange Multipliers. Both of these techniques have seen prevalent use in the modern theories of Physics, Economics, as well as in the study of Partial Differential Equations. The numerical method we consider is the method of lines, a prominent method for solving partial differential equations. This method uses finite difference schemes to discretize the spatial variable over an N-point mesh, thereby converting each partial differential equation into N ordinary differential equations. These equations can then be solved using numerical routines defined for ordinary differential equations.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:WKU/oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-2487
Date01 May 2015
CreatorsGuffey, Stephen
PublisherTopSCHOLAR®
Source SetsWestern Kentucky University Theses
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceMasters Theses & Specialist Projects

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