Publications
Mathematical modelling of Toxoplasma gondii transmission: a systematic review Institute of Tropical Medicine
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that can infect virtually all warm-blooded animals. It is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a significant public health issue worldwide. Mathematical models are useful to study the transmission dynamics of T. gondii infection in different settings, and may be used to compare the effectiveness of prevention measures.
Methods: To obtain an overview of existing ...
Evaluation of rodent control to fight Lassa fever based on field data and mathematical modelling Hasselt University University of Antwerp
The Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) is the reservoir host of Lassa virus, an arenavirus that causes Lassa haemorrhagic fever in humans in West Africa. Because no vaccine exists and therapeutic options are limited, preventing infection through rodent control and human behavioural measures is currently considered to be the only option. In order to assess the efficacy of rodent control, we performed a 4-year field experiment in rural ...
Mathematical modelling and phylodynamics for the study of dog rabies dynamics and control: A scoping review KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Rabies is a fatal yet vaccine-preventable disease. In the last two decades, domestic dog populations have been shown to constitute the predominant reservoir of rabies in developing countries, causing 99% of human rabies cases. Despite substantial control efforts, dog rabies is still widely endemic and is spreading across previously rabies-free areas. Developing a detailed understanding of dog rabies dynamics and the impact of ...
Normative, positive and econometric mathematical programming as tools for incorporation of multifunctionality in agricultural policy modelling Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Enlarging the scope of agricultural policy analysis, with contemporary issues such as multifunctional farming, means that conventional models should be adjusted. Starting from the intrinsic nature of multifunctionality, we show that the link between farm and policies is becoming increasingly important in the general framework of model-based policy impact analysis. This argues for the use of farm-level programming models. The paper presents three ...
Advances in mathematical modelling of postharvest refrigeration processes KU Leuven
Purpose of review: This review summarises advances in the application of mathematical models for predicting and optimising fluid flow, heat and mass transfer and associated phenomena during postharvest refrigeration of horticultural products. Findings: There has been an interest in the use of mathematical models for optimising postharvest refrigeration systems operation and design. These mathematical models are applied to predict the physical ...
Mathematical modelling of anaerobic digestion of biomass and waste: Power and limitations KU Leuven
Anaerobic digestion is an excellent technique for the energetic valorisation of various types of biomass including waste forms. Because of its complex nature, the optimisation and further process development of this technology go hand in hand with the availability of mathematical models for both simulation and control purposes. Over the years, the variety of mathematical models developed has increased as have their complexity. This paper reviews ...
A step towards new irrigation scheduling strategies using plant-based measurements and mathematical modelling Ghent University
Because of the increasing worldwide shortage of freshwater and costs of irrigation, a new plant-based irrigation scheduling method is proposed. In this method, two real-time plant-based measurements (sap flow and stem diameter variations) are used in combination with a mathematical water flow and storage model in order to predict the stem water potential. The amount of required irrigation water is derived from a time integration of the sap flow ...
Quantification of plasma cell dynamics using mathematical modelling Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Plasma cells (PCs) are the main antibody-producing cells in humans. They are long-lived so that specific antibodies against either pathogens or vaccines are produced for decades. PC longevity is attributed to specific areas within the bone marrow micro-environment, the so-called 'niche', providing the cells with required growth and survival factors. With antigen encounters, e.g. infection or vaccination, new PCs are generated and home to the ...
The long lifespan and low turnover of human islet beta cells estimated by mathematical modelling of lipofuscin accumulation. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Aims/hypothesis Defects in pancreatic beta cell turnover are implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by genetic markers for diabetes. Decreased beta cell neogenesis could contribute to diabetes. The longevity and turnover of human beta cells is unknown; in rodents <1 year old, a half-life of 30 days is estimated. Intracellular lipofuscin body (LB) accumulation is a hallmark of ageing in neurons. To estimate the lifespan of human ...