A Mathematical model of cutaneous leishmaniasis

A SIS model for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is developed and analyzed. The model contains a human population of incidental hosts, along with animals that are the reservoir hosts and the sandfly vector. Reproductive rates for the persistence of the infection are derived from the model. Conditions for the existence of endemic and disease-free equilibrium are obtained. The stability analysis of the disease-free equilibrium is investigated and numerical simulations for the model are provided

Oxygenate Reactions over PdCu and PdAg Catalysts: Influence of Electronic and Geometric Effects

Bimetallic catalysis is a promising way to tune the catalytic properties of heterogeneous catalysts. In particular, bimetallic catalysts are extensively used to enhance the selectivity of monometallic catalysts in a variety of contexts, from oxidation catalysis to oxygenate coupling. In this work, we investigate PdxCuy/SiO2 and PdxAgy/SiO2 catalysts in the context of oxygenate upgrading for biofuels. We measure the rates of decarbonylation and hydrogenation of butyraldehyde, the reactive intermediate for Guerbet condensation and correlate them with the properties of the catalysts via a range of characterization efforts. Temperature-programmed reduction and chemisorption experiments are conducted to study the preparation temperature-induced reactivity and dispersion trends of the catalysts respectively. Most importantly, data obtained from operando EXAFS and XANES evinced variations in the surface composition of the catalysts. The data for PdxCuy/SiO2 show clear dominance of geometric (ensemble) effects over the improved selectivity in the kinetics. More significantly, the electronic effects of alloying are observed to modify the chemical reactivity of metallic surfaces. However, the PdxAgy/SiO2 catalysts did not follow the same trend. We attribute this to the lack of electron exchange is observed between Pd and Ag. We use the implications of these findings to provide valuable design principles for oxygenate catalysis

Urban Resources: Banking on cities for secondary resources to release the pressure on natural environment and progress towards Environmentally Sustainable urban integrated systems

This thesis seeks to explore the concept of Circular Economy and its integration into urban planning as a tool of implementation. The goal of this thesis is to develop environmentally sustainable cities. To develop environmentally sustainable cities, the thesis focuses on two major resource flows in the city: food and water, whose waste streams and high demand are causing damage to the environment. The thesis has developed regional strategies for both the resource flows in decentralized systems and centralized systems. It has emphasized the integration of socio-ecological systems and socio-technical systems that are required in order to successfully implement a circular economy in developing countries. The strategies and the spatial design are elaborated in two pilot projects which have different challenges.Urban MetabolismArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Urbanis

Antiseizure, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medication prescribing in elderly nursing home residents

The incidence of epilepsy is highest in the elderly and the prevalence of epilepsy is higher in nursing home residents than in other cohorts. Co-medications that act in the central nervous system (CNS) are frequently prescribed in this population. The objective was to identify the most commonly prescribed antiseizure drugs (ASDs) and determine the frequency of use of antipsychotic and antidepressant medications in elderly nursing home residents receiving ASDs. Data were obtained from a pharmacy database serving 18,752 patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin nursing homes. Prescribing information was available on ASD, antidepressant, and antipsychotic drugs on one day in October 2013. The frequency distribution by age, formulation, trademarked/generic drugs, route of administration, and multiple drug combinations were determined. Overall, 66.8% of 18,752 residents received at least one CNS-active drug as classified by the Generic Product Identifier classification system. For those 65years and older, ASDs were prescribed for 14.3% residents. Gabapentin comprised 7.3%; valproate 3.0%; levetiracetam 1.8%; and phenytoin 0.9%. An antidepressant was used in 64.2% of persons prescribed an ASD. Antidepressant use varied for specific ASDs and ranged from 50 to 75%. An antipsychotic medication was used in 30% of persons prescribed an ASD and ranged from 16.8 to 54.2% for specific ASDs. Both antidepressant and antipsychotic use occurred in 22.2% of persons prescribed an ASD, respectively. The pattern of CNS-active drug use has changed from previous years in this geographic region. Use of phenytoin has declined markedly, but antidepressant use has increased substantially. The CNS side effect profile of these medications and the possible long-term consequences in this population can greatly complicate their therapy