Authors:
Introduces students to hands-on dynamic modeling in the context of disease, and challenges them to use their models and insights to explore interventions that may help restrain contagion
The structure is based on the assumption that modeling is best learned by doing and by then critically evaluating the structure, performance and outcome of the model
Contains generic models of epidemics and chapters on individual diseases, as well as other forms of “pests” for which humanity has devised intervention and control mechanisms, based on the use of STELLA software
Begins with simple models, focusing on the motivation and act of modeling as much as on the specific features of what is modeled, and gradually proceeds to the development of fairly complicated models
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Table of contents (16 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Applications
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Conclusions
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Back Matter
About this book
This book, as others in the MDS series, is geared towards making the modeling of disease attractive to students and those with emerging interests in the subject.
Models help us understand the nonlinear dynamics of real-world processes by using the computer to mimic the actual forces that result in a system’s behavior. The growing complexity of human social systems, from individual behavior to that of entire populations makes us increasingly vulnerable to diseases and pests. The ecology of the disease agents and the pests when considered in this social context only adds to the complexity. The feedbacks, lags in the effects of our preventive actions and the randomness in the environment make understanding of these vulnerabilities seem insurmountable. The amount and pace of modern travel provides virus and pest alike with the means to quickly find new hosts in untouched human populations and the ecosystems.
We thus have compelling reasons to understand the dynamics of these combined systems. This book begins with simple examples of human epidemics and then insect dynamics. Next comes the models of ever more complex models of disease carried by interaction of the two. An invasive species model is followed by insect-ecosystem interactions. The general models of chaos and catastrophe are linked to models of disease and pest. The final model is a spatial dynamic spread of disease among a wild animal population.
By using the STELLA programs (runtime versions and digital forms of all models are available with the book) we show how with a minimum of mathematical preparation and programming experience, these complex processes can be simulated and their emergent properties discovered. The programs run on both Macintosh and PC based machines.
Reviews
From the reviews:
“The authors have written several textbooks that became classical in modeling dynamic systems, comprising various subjects and disciplines. Now they bring an exceptional work specially dedicated to diseases and pests. It is a book that can be very useful for beginners and intermediate or advanced modelers.” (Ruben La Rossa, Integrated Pest Management Bulletin, December, 2010)Authors and Affiliations
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University of Illinois, Urbana
Bruce Hannon
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University of Maryland, College Park
Matthias Ruth
About the authors
Bruce Hannon is Jubilee professor of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is associated with the departments of Geography, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Bioengineering and the National Center for Super Computing Applications and the Illinois Natural History Survey.
Matthias Ruth is Roy F. Weston Chair in Natural Economics, founding Director of the Center for Integrative Environmental Research at the Division of Research, Director of the Environmental Policy Program at the School of Public Policy, and founding Co-Director of the Engineering and Public Policy Program at the University of Maryland.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Dynamic Modeling of Diseases and Pests
Authors: Bruce Hannon, Matthias Ruth
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09560-8
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Medicine, Medicine (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag New York 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-387-09559-2Published: 20 October 2008
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4899-9503-2Published: 06 December 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-09560-8Published: 16 October 2008
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VIII, 290
Topics: Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Simulation and Modeling, Infectious Diseases, Medicine/Public Health, general, Computer Appl. in Life Sciences