Applying Laplace transformation on epidemiological models as Caputo derivatives

Nikolaos Gkrekas

Matematičeskaâ biologiâ i bioinformatika, Tome 19 (2024) no. 1, pp. 61-76.

Résumé

This paper delves into the application of fractional calculus, with a focus on Caputo derivatives, in epidemiological models using ordinary differential equations. It highlights the critical role Caputo derivatives play in modeling intricate systems with memory effects and assesses various epidemiological models, including SIR variants, demonstrating how Caputo derivatives capture fractional-order dynamics and memory phenomena found in real epidemics. The study showcases the utility of Laplace transformations for analyzing systems described by ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with Caputo derivatives. This approach facilitates both analytical and numerical methods for system analysis and parameter estimation. Additionally, the paper introduces a tabular representation for epidemiological models, enabling a visual and analytical exploration of variable relationships and dynamics. This matrix-based framework permits the application of linear algebra techniques to assess stability and equilibrium points, yielding valuable insights into long-term behavior and control strategies. In summary, this research underscores the significance of Caputo derivatives, Laplace transformations, and matrix representation in epidemiological modeling. We assume that by using this type of methodology we can get analytic solutions by hand when considering a function as constant in certain cases and it will not be necessary to search for numerical methods.