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In this study, novel numerical methods are presented for solving nonlinear Fisher equations. These equations have a wide range of applications in various scientific and engineering fields, particularly in the biomedical sciences for determining the size of brain tumors. The challenges posed by the nonlinearity of the equations are effectively addressed through the development of numerical techniques. The nonlinearity is tackled using a combination of the method of lines and backward differentiation formulas of varied orders. This method is unconditionally stable, and its accuracy is evaluated using error norms. The methods are successfully validated against test problems with known solutions, demonstrating their superiority through comparative analyses with existing methodologies in the literature.

In this work, the dynamics of a food chain model with disease in the predator and the Allee effect in the prey have been investigated. The model also incorporates a Holling type-III functional response, accounting for both disease transmission and predation. The existence of equilibria and their stability in the model have also been investigated. The primary objective of this research is to examine the effects of the Allee parameter. Hopf bifurcations are explored about the interior and disease-free equilibrium point, where the Allee is taken as a bifurcation point. In numerical simulation, phase portraits have been used to look into the existence of equilibrium points and their stability. The bifurcation diagrams that have been drawn clearly demonstrate the presence of significant local bifurcations, including Hopf, transcritical, and saddle-node bifurcations. Through the phase portrait, limit cycle, and time series, the stability and oscillatory behaviour of the equilibrium point of the model are investigated. The numerical simulation has been done using MATLAB and Matcont.

Purpose: Prior literature on the cultural determinants of cash holdings focuses on time-invariant cultural variables measured at the geographical level. These measures of culture do not capture the firm-level variation in corporate culture. Using a validated time-variant measure of firm-level corporate culture, specifically teamwork, we examine the effect of teamwork on a firm's cash holdings. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, we explore the effect of corporate teamwork culture on firms' cash holdings. Using sudden CEO turnover as an exogenous shock to a firm's teamwork culture, we find teamwork increases cash holdings. Also, we test and find two channels—financial constraint and agency—and two new labour-related channels—human capital quality and labour inefficiency—through which teamwork culture affects cash holdings. Our results are robust to endogeneity tests. Findings: We find that teamwork increases the cash holdings of firms. We find that a firm with a high teamwork culture has higher cash holdings: an increase of one standard deviation in teamwork leads to a 14.6% rise in the mean cash holdings. Originality/value: To our knowledge, our study is the first to introduce the firm-level teamwork cultural construct as a determinant of cash holdings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel numerical approach, which is based on the Method of Lines. This method semi-discretizes the problem and produces a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in time. To solve this system, a stiff solver, BDF2, is used, which yields very precise results. The linearization is handled by the Taylor series method. To validate the numerical method, various test examples are considered. These formulas find extensive applications across various scientific and engineering domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider estimation of reliability in a multicomponent system when data are observed under Type-II censoring. Various estimates of this parametric function are derived when stress and strength (SS) variables follow inverse exponentiated distributions with a common scale parameter. We first obtain maximum likelihood estimate of the reliability. Then, approximate confidence intervals are obtained based on asymptotic theory. Further useful pivotal quantities are constructed and in sequel alternative estimates of the reliability are derived. The case where all parameters of SS components are unknown is also studied and various estimates for the reliability are proposed. Equivalence testing between model parameters is discussed as well. Performance of all estimates is compared using simulations and comments are derived. We analyze two real data sets for illustration purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study was conducted to identify associated factors of severe wasting among mothers. Methodology: A prospective 12 months' study was conducted in 30 randomly selected villages of Khutpani Block of West Singhbhum with a sample of 600 households with children between 0 and 3 years of age using the prevalence of wasting in West Singhbhum district National Family Health Survey, precision of 0.05, design effect of 2 and accounting for error of 10%. Data on socioeconomic status, maternal anthropometry mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, gender-based violence, and food security were collected. Data collection was done between July 2017 and June 2018. Results: Wasting and severe wasting prevalence using MUAC criteria among mothers were found to be 60% and 17%, respectively. The study showed higher rate of severe maternal wasting among households facing poverty, food insecurity, poor WASH practices especially related to hand washing and toilet use and women who faced gender-based violence. Conclusion: Nonnutritional interventions addressing poverty, household food insecurity, gender violence, and WASH practices are required to address maternal wasting, in addition to existing nutritional programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite 55% children aged 0-6 months being exclusively breastfed in India, 0.26 million children die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia that can be prevented through early initiation of and exclusive breastfeeding (EIBF). A study was conducted to assess the factors associated with EIBF in 20 villages from the District Khagaria (State Bihar). Method: The cross-sectional study was carried out from Jan-March 2017 with a sample of 288 married women who had delivered in last 1 year. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors of EIBF. Results: Analyses show that institutional delivery (aOR: 2.69; CI 1.22 to 5.93; p<0.05) and delivery with normal mode (aOR: 4.61; CI 1.74 to 12.18; p<0.01) were significant contributors of EIBF. Additionally, likelihoods of EIBF were lower when the delivery was performed in a private institution (OR 0.28, CI 0.14 to 0.59; p<0.001) and by a doctor (OR 0.33, CI 0.18 to 0.60; p<0.001). Besides, higher birth order (OR 2.00, CI 0.98 to 4.10; p<0.05) was also found to be significantly associated with EIBF. Conclusion: System level efforts are needed to promote EIBF, along with improved training and reinforcement in doctors for breastfeeding. Reduction in caesarean section rates can positively contribute to EIBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]