Assessing the reliability of medical resource demand models in the context of COVID-19.

Background: Numerous medical resource demand models have been created as tools for governments or hospitals, aiming to predict the need for crucial resources like ventilators, hospital beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and diagnostic kits during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the reliability of these demand models remains uncertain.

Methods: Demand models typically consist of two main components: hospital use epidemiological models that predict hospitalizations or daily admissions, and a demand calculator that translates the outputs of the epidemiological model into predictions for resource usage.

Validation framework for epidemiological models with application to COVID-19 models.

Mathematical models have been an important tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example to predict demand of critical resources such as medical devices, personal protective equipment and diagnostic tests. Many COVID-19 models have been developed. However, there is relatively little information available regarding reliability of model predictions.

Modeling the immune system response: an application to leishmaniasis.

In this paper, we present a mathematical model of the immune response to parasites. The model is a type of predator-prey system in which the parasite serves as the prey and the immune response as the predator. The model idealizes the entire immune response as a single entity although it is comprised of several aspects.

Thermal detection of a prevascular tumor embedded in breast tissue.

This paper presents a mathematical model of heat transfer in a prevascular breast tumor. The model uses the steady state temperature of the breast at the skin surface to determine whether there is an underlying tumor and if so, verifies whether the tumor is growing or dormant. The model is governed by the Pennes equations and we present numerical simulations for versions of the model in two and three dimensions.

A mathematical model of the compression of a spinal disc.

A model is developed of the stress-strain response of an intervertebral disc to axial compression. This is based on a balance of increased intradiscal pressure, resulting from the compression of the disc, and the restraining forces generated by the collagen fibres within the annulus fibrosus. A formula is derived for predicting the loading force on a disc once the nucleus pressure is known.

Comparison of the energy-response factor of LiF and Al2O3 in radiotherapy beams.

A Monte Carlo study of the energy-response factor of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and lithium fluoride (LiF) TLDs in kilovoltage and megavoltage photon beams relative to 60Co gamma rays has been performed using EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulations. The sensitive volume of the detector was simulated as a disc of diameter 2.85 mm and thickness 1 mm.

Energy response of an aluminium oxide detector in kilovoltage and megavoltage photon beams: an EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulation study.

A Monte Carlo study of the energy response of an aluminium oxide (Al(2)O(3)) detector in kilovoltage and megavoltage photon beams relative to (60)Co gamma rays has been performed using EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulations. The sensitive volume of the Al(2)O(3) detector was simulated as a disc of diameter 2.85 mm and thickness 1 mm.