TUTORIAL SESSION

Computational Human Physiology - Computational Study of Physiological Heat Regulation

Dr. Vinod Prakash Saxena
Sagar Institute of Research, Technology & Science, India
vinodpsaxena@gmail.com

Abstract

The presentation will be divided into following three parts:
(i) Physiological Background related to thermoregulation in a human body at rest. This will give a comprehensive system description and cover cardio-vascular circulation and its role in preserving the vital organs within a prescribed range of temperature. It will emphasize the role of outer layers of the body including skin, in neutralizing the effect of ever changing atmospheric conditions including ambient temperature and airflow, if any. This will describe constituent processes such as perspiration, evaporation and bio-chemical activity in the living cells.
(ii) Mathematical modeling of heat regulation process in outer parts of human body will be taken up during second part of the presentation. This will include the revision of existing models and modification to incorporate the abnormal cases of atmospheric conditions. The role of micro-circulation will be an important feature along with the anatomy of the region. These models will be presented depicted in terms of governing parabolic type partial differential equations and supporting boundary and interface conditions.
(iii) Third part of the presentation will envisage the development of computational techniques for the solution of the specific models. This will include through discussion on the flexibility of various physical and biological parameters like perspiration rate, metabolic rate, thermal conductivity and blood flow rate. The techniques will be chosen in such a manner that the softness of the biological parameters is retained. The presentation of the solutions will be put in such a manner that it is user friendly.

Objectives

(i) To motivate new researchers in computational Biology.
(ii) To emphasis use of computational techniques in Physiological Systems.
(iii) To attract medical experts in computational techniques and their real life applications.

Timeline

(i) Physiological Background-1 hour.
(ii) Mathematical Modelling -1 hour.
(iii) Computational Techniques – 1 hour.

Background Knowledge Expected of the Participants

(i) Graduates with knowledge of Applicable Partial Differential Equations and their solutions. Supporting knowledge of finite Element and Numerical Methods will be useful.
(ii) Some knowledge of Mathematical Modelling in Biological Sciences will be preferred.
(iii) Knowledge of Human Physiological system, including cardiovascular circulation and heat regulation is desired.

Qualifications of the Instructor(s)

* Published work in the area of tutorials. The proposed main instructor (Prof. V.P. Saxena) has published a large number of research papers .
* Experience of Guiding Research. Almost twenty seven persons have completed Ph.D thesis under the proposed instruction.