The Library
How much do we care about biting insects? : modelling the dynamics of vector-borne diseases
Tools
Rock, Kat S. (2014) How much do we care about biting insects? : modelling the dynamics of vector-borne diseases. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
|
PDF
WRAP_THESIS_Rock_v2_2014.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (3872Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2734312~S1
Abstract
Mathematical models of disease can aid understanding of, and provide a framework for, the study of disease spread and control. Vector-borne diseases are not only amongst the most significant diseases but also require tailored mathematics to model the specific biological interactions important in their spread. A key model in vector-borne epidemiology is the Ross-Macdonald ODE model. Simplification of this model using the quasi-equilibrium assumption (QEA) allowed stability and bifurcation analysis to be performed. The QEA was then used to examine the effect of avian malaria upon the Hawaiian honeycreeper, including ecological factors such as predation and climate change.
In contrast, amendments to the Ross-Macdonald model can incorporate higher levels of biological detail, specifically age and bite structure in the vector population. This was facilitated via a PDE model which led to the better understanding of biological mechanisms upon disease transmission and control. Disease-free analytic solutions of the PDE were derived, however the complexity introduced by disease necessitated the use of numerical analysis in order to solve the system. This novel PDE model enabled the study of human African trypanosomiasis. Effects of starvation and teneral susceptibility of tsetse were introduced in a way which is not possible using ODE models. This provides a new framework capable of investigating the impact of these on the control of disease.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subjects: | Q Science > QA Mathematics Q Science > QL Zoology |
||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Communicable diseases -- Transmission -- Mathematical models, Avian malaria -- Mathematical models, Hawaiian honeycreepers -- Mathematical models | ||||
Official Date: | March 2014 | ||||
Dates: |
|
||||
Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Mathematics Institute | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Keeling, Matthew James ; Wood, D. A. (David A.) | ||||
Description: | This is an abridged version for electronic use; please see the official URL for details on how to access the full version |
||||
Extent: | x, 211 leaves : illustrations, charts | ||||
Language: | eng |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |
Downloads
Downloads per month over past year