18 research outputs found
Parameter Identification in a Tuberculosis Model for Cameroon
A deterministic model of tuberculosis in Cameroon is designed and analyzed with respect to its transmission dynamics. The model includes lack of access to treatment and weak diagnosis capacity as well as both frequency-and density-dependent transmissions. It is shown that the model is mathematically well-posed and epidemiologically reasonable. Solutions are non-negative and bounded whenever the initial values are non-negative. A sensitivity analysis of model parameters is performed and the most sensitive ones are identified by means of a state-of-the-art Gauss-Newton method. In particular, parameters representing the proportion of individuals having access to medical facilities are seen to have a large impact on the dynamics of the disease. The model predicts that a gradual increase of these parameters could significantly reduce the disease burden on the population within the next 15 years.IMU Berlin Einstein Foundation Progra
Interspecific variation in leaf traits, photosynthetic light response, and whole-plant productivity in amaranths (Amaranthus spp. L.)
Photosynthetic light response curve parameters help us understand the interspecific variation in photosynthetic traits, leaf acclimation status, carbon uptake, and plant productivity in specific environments. These parameters are also influenced by leaf traits which rely on species and growth environment. In accessions of four amaranth species (Amaranthus. hybridus, A. dubius, A. hypochondriacus, and A. cruentus), we determined variations in the net photosynthetic light response curves and leaf traits, and analysed the relationships between maximum gross photosynthetic rate, leaf traits, and whole-plant productivity. Non-rectangular hyperbolae were used for the net photosynthesis light response curves. Maximum gross photosynthetic rate (Pgmax) was the only variant parameter among the species, ranging from 22.29 to 34.21 ÎŒmol mâ2 sâ1. Interspecific variation existed for all the leaf traits except leaf mass per area and leaf inclination angle. Stomatal conductance, nitrogen, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents, as well as leaf area correlated with Pgmax. Stomatal conductance and leaf nitrogen explained much of the variation in Pgmax at the leaf level. At the plant level, the slope between absolute growth rate and leaf area showed a strong linear relationship with Pgmax. Overall, A. hybridus and A. cruentus exhibited higher Pgmax at the leaf level and light use efficiency at the whole-plant level than A. dubius, and A. hypochondriacus. Thus, A. hybridus and A. cruentus tended to be more efficient with respect to carbon assimilation. These findings highlight the correlation between leaf photosynthetic characteristics, other leaf traits, and whole plant productivity in amaranths. Future studies may explore more species and accessions of Amaranthus at different locations or light environments
Cropping Practices and Effects on Soil Nutrient Adequacy Levels and Cassava Yield of Smallholder Farmers in Northern Zambia
Cassava is a staple food and a major source of income for many smallholder farmers. However, its yields are less than 6 t ha-1 compared to a potential yield of 20-25 t ha-1 in Zambia. Understanding cropping practices and constraints in cassava production systems is imperative for sustainable intensification. Therefore, a survey of 40 households each with three fields of cassava at 12, 24, and 36 months after planting (MAP) was conducted. Analyzed soil data, leaf area index (LAI), intercepted photosynthetically active radiation, and management practices from 120 fields were collected and subjected to descriptive statistics. To explain yield differences within the same cassava growth stage group, the data were grouped into low- and high-yield categories using the median, before applying a nonparametric test for one independent sample. Stepwise regressions were performed on each growth stage and the whole dataset to determine factors affecting tuber yield. Cassava intercropping and monocropping systems were the main cropping systems for the 12 and 24-36 MAP, respectively. Cassava yields declined by 209 and 633 kg ha-1 at 12 and 36 MAP due to soil nutrient depletion for each year of cultivation until field abandonment at 8-9 years. Fresh cassava yields ranged from 3.51-8.51, 13.52-25.84, and 16.92-30.98 t ha-1 at 12, 24, and 36 MAP, respectively. For every one unit increment in exchangeable K (cmol (+)/kg soil), cassava yield increased by 435, 268, and 406 kg ha-1 at 12, 24, and 36 MAP, respectively. One unit increment of magnesium (cmol (+)/kg soil) gave the highest yield increase of 525 kg ha-1 at 24 MAP. The low levels of soil organic carbon explained the deficient nitrogen in cassava fields, which limits the LAI growth and consequently reduced intercepted radiation and low yields. The effect of exchangeable K on growth was limited by the moderate availability of Mg and low N, thus the need for balanced fertilizer regimes. © 2021 Peter Kaluba et al
Physiological and Morphological Responses of Cassava Genotypes to Fertilization Regimes in Chromi-Haplic Acrisols Soils
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performances of three cassava genotypes on yield, physiology and morphological traits under different fertilization regimes. A field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design for two consecutive seasons in the Mansa district of the Luapula Province of Northern Zambia in the highly weathered Chromi-haplic Acrisol soils. Four fertilization regimes, control-M3, lime-M1, NPK fertilizer-M4 and NPK fertilizer + lime-M2 were the main plots, while three varieties (Mweru-V1, Bangweulu-V2 and Katobamputa (local)-V3) were subplots. Periodic measurements of leaf area index, light interception, yield and yield components from 75 days after planting (DAP) up to 410 DAP and daily weather measurements of data were recorded. Fertilization significantly increased the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and light extinction coefficient (K) in two seasons compared to the control. Significant fertilization regimes and varietal effects were observed for seasonal LAI, stem yield, root yield, biomass, harvest index (HI), tuber number, root diameter, plant height and SPAD (chlorophyll index). A significant yearâs effects on root yield, yield components and physiological performances were observed while significant fertilization Ă variety interaction was observed on seasonal LAI, tuber number, root diameter, plant height and SPAD. Significant fertilization Ă year interaction effects were observed on root yield, yield components and physiological performances. Variety Ă year interaction was significant for seasonal LAI, stem yield, harvest index and plant height and no three-way interactions were observed on all the traits. NPK fertilizer + lime and NPK fertilizer treatments may be adopted to increase the response of cassava varietal yield, physiology and morphological traits in low soil nutrient conditions under high rain-fed conditions
Ein mathematisches Modell fĂŒr Tuberkulose in Kamerun
This thesis firstly presents a nonlinear extended deterministic model for the
transmission dynamics of tuberculosis, based on realistic assumptions and data
collected from the WHO. This model enables a comprehensive qualitative
analysis of various aspects in the outbreak and control of tuberculosis in
Sub-Saharan Africa countries and successfully reproduces the epidemiology of
tuberculosis in Cameroon for the past (from 1994-2010). Some particular
properties of the model and its solution have been presented using the
comparison theorem applied to the theory of differential equations. The
existence and the stability of a disease free equilibrium has been discussed
using the Perron-Frobenius theorem and Metzler stable matrices. Furthermore,
we computed the basic reproduction number, i.e. the number of cases that one
case generates on average over the course of its infectious period. Rigorous
qualitative analysis of the model reveals that, in contrast to the model
without reinfections, the full model with reinfection exhibits the phenomenon
of backward bifurcation, where a stable disease-free equilibrium coexists with
a stable endemic equilibrium when a certain threshold quantity, known as the
basic reproduction ratio (), is less than unity. The global
stability of the disease-free equilibrium has been discussed using the
concepts of Lyapunov stability and bifurcation theory. For a theoretical
bifurcation analysis, rather than numerical computations, we have analyzed
some polynomials using the Descartes sign rule. All these theoretical tools
were successfully used within the study of endemic equilibria also besides the
center manifold theory. The models incorporate the critical roles of health
care workers, transmission heterogeneity and super-spreading events. With the
help of a sensitivity analysis using data of Cameroon, we identified the
relevant parameters which play a key role for the transmission and the control
of the disease. This was possible applying sophisticated numerical methods
(POEM) developed at ZIB. Using advanced approaches for optimal control
considering the costs for chemoprophylaxis, treatment and educational
campaigns should provide a framework for designing realistic cost effective
strategies with different intervention methods. The forward-backward sweep
method has been used to solve the numerical optimal control problem. The
numerical result of the optimal control problem reveals that combined effort
in education and chemoprophylaxis may lead to a reduction of 80\% in the
number of infected people in 10 years. The mathematical and numerical
approaches developed in this thesis could be similarly applied in many other
Sub-Saharan countries where TB is a public health problem.In der vorliegendenen Arbeit wird ein nichtlineares deterministisches Modell
fĂŒr die Ăbertragungsdynamik der Tuberkulose basierend auf epidemiologischen
Konzepten und Daten der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) entwickelt. Das
Modell ermöglicht eine detaillierte qualitative Analyse des Ausbruchs, der
Ausbreitung und der Kontrolle von Tuberkulose in subsaharischen afrikanischen
LĂ€ndern und reproduziert den Verlauf der Tuberkulose-Epidemie in Kamerun von
1994 bis 2010. Spezielle Eigenschaften des Modells und seiner Lösungen werden
mithilfe von VergleichssĂ€tzen fĂŒr Differentialgleichungen abgeleitet; Existenz
und StabilitÀt eines krankheitsfreien Gleichgewichts werden unter Verwendung
des Satzes von Perron-Frobenius und den Eigenschaften von Metzler-Matrizen
analysiert. Die globale StabilitÀt des krankheitsfreien Gleichgewichts wird
mittels der Konzepte der Lyapunov-StabilitÀt und der Bifurkationstheorie
diskutiert. Die fĂŒr das Studium des Verlaufs von Infektionsepidemien
grundlegende Kennziffer ist die basisreproduktionszahl, d.h. die Zahl von
weiteren Infektionen, die im Mittel von einem Infizierten wÀhrend seiner
infektiösen Periode verursacht wird. Die Analyse des Modells zeigt, dass die
BerĂŒcksichtigung von Reinfektionen zu einer rĂŒckwĂ€rtsgerichteten Bifurkation
fĂŒhrt, d.h. ein stabiles krankheitsfreies Gleichgewicht koexistiert mit einem
stabilen endemischen Gleichgewicht, in dem die Basisreproduktionszahl kleiner
als eins ist. Die theoretischen Methoden werden zur Untersuchung endemischer
GleichgewichtszustÀnde verwendet, ebenso wie die Theorie der
Zentrumsmannigfaltigkeiten. Die Modelle berĂŒcksichtigen auch die kritische
Rolle des Gesundheitspersonals, die ĂbertragungsheterogenitĂ€t und sogenannte
âsuper-spreading Eventsâ. Durch eine SensitivitĂ€tsanalyse mit Hilfe von am ZIB
entwickelter Verfahren (POEM/BioParkin) anhand realer Daten aus Kamerun lassen
sich die Modellparameter identifizieren, die eine SchlĂŒsselrolle fĂŒr die
Ăbertragung und Kontrolle der Tuberkulose innehaben. FĂŒr die Entwicklung
wirksamer und kosteneffektiver Strategien zur BekÀmpfung der Tuberkulose
werden Methoden des Optimalsteuerung verwendet. Hierbei werden Kosten fĂŒr
Chemoprophylaxe, Behandlung und AufklĂ€rungskampagnen berĂŒcksichtigt. Zur
Lösung der Optimalsteuerungsprobleme wird ein Forward-Backward-Sweep-Ansatz
eingesetzt. Die numerischen Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine kombinierte Strategie
in AufklÀrung und Chemoprophylaxe zu einer Reduktion der Zahl infizierter
Personen um 80\% in 10 Jahren fĂŒhren könnte. Die mathematischen und
numerischen AnsÀtze, die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit entwickelt wurden, könnten
auf viele andere subsaharische LĂ€nder ĂŒbertragen werden, in denen Tuberkulose
eines der gröĂten Gesundheitsproblem darstellt
A Modeling Approach to Quantify the Effects of Stomatal Behavior and Mesophyll Conductance on Leaf Water Use Efficiency
Water use efficiency (WUE) is considered as a determinant of yield under stress and a component of crop drought resistance. Stomatal behavior regulates both transpiration rate and net assimilation and has been suggested to be crucial for improving crop WUE. In this work, a dynamic model was used to examine the impact of dynamic properties of stomata on WUE. The model includes sub-models of stomatal conductance dynamics, solute accumulation in the mesophyll, mesophyll water content, and water flow to the mesophyll. Using the instantaneous value of stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and transpiration rate were simulated using a biochemical model and Penman-Monteith equation, respectively. The model was parameterized for a cucumber leaf and model outputs were evaluated using climatic data. Our simulations revealed that WUE was higher on a cloudy than a sunny day. Fast stomata' reaction to light decreased WUE during the period of increasing light (e.g., in the morning) by up to 10.2% and increased WUE during the period of decreasing light (afternoon) by up to 6.25%. Sensitivity of daily WUE to stomata' parameters and mesophyll conductance to 002 was tested for sunny and cloudy days. Increasing mesophyll conductance to CO2 was more likely to increase WUE for all climatic conditions (up to 5.5% on the sunny day) than modifications of stomatal reaction speed to light and maximum stomatal conductance
Environmental triggers for photosynthetic protein turnover determine the optimal nitrogen distribution and partitioning in the canopy
Plants continually adjust the photosynthetic functions in their leaves to fluctuating light, thereby optimizing the use of photosynthetic nitrogen (Nph) at the canopy level. To investigate the complex interplay between external signals during the acclimation processes, a mechanistic model based on the concept of protein turnover (synthesis and degradation) was proposed and parameterized using cucumber grown under nine combinations of nitrogen and light in growth
chambers. Integrating this dynamic model into a multi-layer canopy model provided accurate predictions of photosynthetic acclimation of greenhouse cucumber canopies grown under high and low nitrogen supply in combination with day-to-day fluctuations in light at two different levels. This allowed us to quantify the degree of optimality in canopy nitrogen use for maximizing canopy carbon assimilation, which was influenced by Nph distribution along canopy
depth or Nph partitioning between functional pools. Our analyses suggest that Nph distribution is close to optimum and Nph reallocation is more important under low nitrogen. Nph partitioning is only optimal under a light level similar to the average light intensity during acclimation, meaning that day-to-day light fluctuations inevitably result in suboptimal Nph
partitioning. Our results provide insights into photoacclimation and can be applied to crop model improvement
Results of the sensitivity analysis at the final iterate, i.e. with the final set of parameter values from Table 2: (a) <i>l</i><sub>2</sub> column norms of the scaled sensitivity matrix <i>J</i> and (b) subcondition numbers of parameters.
<p>In fact, all unknown parameters are identifiable for <i>É</i> = 10<sup>â7</sup>. The magnitudes of the sensitivities alone, represented by the column norms, are an indicator for identifiability but generally do not provide information on the correct ordering of parameters.</p
Numbers for diagnosed infectious (<i>I</i>) and total population (<i>N</i>) in Cameroon over the period 1994â2010.
<p>Data published by WHO [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0120607#pone.0120607.ref027" target="_blank">27</a>].</p><p>Numbers for diagnosed infectious (<i>I</i>) and total population (<i>N</i>) in Cameroon over the period 1994â2010.</p
Evolution of model (2) showing the state trajectories for diagnosed infectious individuals (I) and total population (N).
<p>The dot plots represent the year-by-year trend in yearly case reports for Cameroon over the period 1994â2010. Parameter values are defined in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0120607#pone.0120607.t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a> and initial values are presented in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0120607#pone.0120607.t003" target="_blank">Table 3</a>.</p