
---
title: "Model Equations Reference"
output: rmarkdown::html_vignette
vignette: >
  %\VignetteIndexEntry{Model Equations Reference}
  %\VignetteEngine{knitr::rmarkdown}
  \usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
---

```{r, include = FALSE}
knitr::opts_chunk$set(
  collapse = TRUE,
  comment = "#>"
)
```

# Introduction

rumenGP implements a collection of nonlinear models for
describing cumulative gas production during in vitro rumen
fermentation.

This vignette summarizes:

- Model equations
- Parameter definitions
- Biological interpretation
- Advantages
- Limitations
- Typical applications

Throughout this vignette:

\[
V(t)
\]

represents cumulative gas production at time:

\[
t
\]

---

# Single-Pool Models

## Brody

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
A
\left(
1
-
b
e^{-kt}
\right)
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| b | Integration constant |
| k | Fractional rate constant |

### Advantages

- Simple and robust
- Stable convergence
- Easy interpretation

### Limitations

- No lag parameter
- Limited flexibility

---

## Ørskov and McDonald

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
VF
+
b
\left(
1-e^{-kt}
\right)
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| VF | Initial gas volume (intercept) |
| b | Fermentable fraction |
| k | Fractional rate constant |

### Advantages

- Widely used in ruminant nutrition
- Simple biological interpretation

### Limitations

- No explicit lag phase

---

## EXP0

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
V_f
\left(
1-e^{-kt}
\right)
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| Vf | Asymptotic gas production |
| k | Fractional rate constant |

### Advantages

- Very simple
- Fast convergence

### Limitations

- No lag phase
- Limited flexibility

---

## EXPL

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
V_f
\left(
1-e^{-k(t-\lambda)}
\right)
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| Vf | Asymptotic gas production |
| k | Fractional rate constant |
| λ | Lag time |

### Advantages

- Explicit lag parameter
- Easy interpretation

### Limitations

- Less flexible than sigmoidal models

---

## Gompertz

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
A
\exp
\left[
-
\exp
\left(
\frac{\mu e}{A}
(\lambda-t)
+
1
\right)
\right]
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| μ | Maximum gas production rate |
| λ | Lag time |

### Advantages

- Explicit lag and growth-rate parameters
- Excellent flexibility
- Widely used in gas production studies

### Limitations

- More complex than exponential models

---

## Logistic

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
\frac{A}
{
1+\exp
\left[
2+
4k(\lambda-t)
\right]
}
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| k | Fractional rate constant |
| λ | Lag time |

### Advantages

- Sigmoidal behavior
- Stable convergence

### Limitations

- Assumes symmetric sigmoid shape

---

## Mitscherlich

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
A
\left[
1
-
\exp
\left(
-k(t-\lambda)
-
d
\left(
\sqrt{t+0.001}
-
\sqrt{\lambda+0.001}
\right)
\right)
\right]
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| k | Fractional rate constant |
| d | Shape parameter |
| λ | Lag time |

### Advantages

- Flexible curve shape
- Explicit lag phase

### Limitations

- More parameters
- Increased parameter correlation

---

## LE0 (Logistic-Exponential Without Lag)

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
\frac{
A
\left(
1-e^{-kt}
\right)
}
{
1+\exp
\left[
\ln\left(\frac{1}{d}\right)-kt
\right]
}
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| k | Fractional rate constant |
| d | Shape parameter |

### Advantages

- Flexible shape
- No lag parameter required

### Limitations

- More complex than simple exponential models

---

## LEL (Logistic-Exponential With Lag)

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
\frac{
A
\left(
1-e^{-k(t-\lambda)}
\right)
}
{
1+\exp
\left[
\ln\left(\frac{1}{d}\right)
-
k(t-\lambda)
\right]
}
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| k | Fractional rate constant |
| d | Shape parameter |
| λ | Lag time |

### Advantages

- Flexible shape
- Explicit lag phase

### Limitations

- Additional complexity may affect convergence

---

## Michaelis-Menten

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
A
\frac{t^{c}}
{
t^{c}+K^{c}
}
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| A | Asymptotic gas production |
| K | Half-time parameter |
| c | Shape parameter |

### Advantages

- Flexible
- Strong biological interpretation

### Limitations

- Shape parameter may be difficult to interpret biologically

---

## Groot

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
\frac{VF}
{
1+\left(\frac{b}{t}\right)^k
}
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| VF | Asymptotic gas production |
| b | Half-time parameter |
| k | Shape parameter |

### Advantages

- Excellent flexibility
- Widely used in rumen gas production studies

### Limitations

- Requires positive incubation times

---

# Multi-Pool Models

## Dual Logistic

### Equation

\[
V(t)
=
\frac{V_{1F}}
{
1+\exp
\left[
2-4k_1(t-\lambda)
\right]
}
+
\frac{V_{2F}}
{
1+\exp
\left[
2-4k_2(t-\lambda)
\right]
}
\]

### Parameters

| Parameter | Description |
|------------|------------|
| V1F | Gas volume from rapidly fermentable fraction |
| V2F | Gas volume from slowly fermentable fraction |
| k1 | Rate constant of rapid fraction |
| k2 | Rate constant of slow fraction |
| λ | Lag time |

### Advantages

- Represents multiple fermentation pools
- Biologically meaningful decomposition

### Limitations

- More parameters
- Greater convergence challenges

---

# Model Equivalence

## Groot and Michaelis-Menten

The Groot and generalized Michaelis-Menten models are
mathematically equivalent.

Parameter correspondence:

\[
VF = A
\]

\[
b = K
\]

\[
k = c
\]

Both formulations produce identical fitted values and
model diagnostics when convergence is achieved.

Researchers may select either model according to the
terminology commonly used in their field.

---

# Choosing a Model

A practical progression is:

## Simple Models

- EXP0
- Brody
- Ørskov and McDonald

Use when:

- Data show monotonic behavior
- Lag is negligible
- Simplicity is preferred

---

## Lag Models

- EXPL
- Logistic
- Gompertz
- Mitscherlich

Use when:

- A lag phase is biologically expected
- Initial microbial adaptation is important

---

## Flexible Sigmoidal Models

- LE0
- LEL
- Groot
- Michaelis-Menten

Use when:

- Fermentation profiles display sigmoidal behavior
- Greater flexibility is needed

---

## Multi-Pool Models

- Dual Logistic

Use when:

- Fast and slow fermenting fractions are expected
- Substrate heterogeneity is important

---

## Custom Models

Researchers can also define their own equations using:

```r
fit_custom()
```

See:

```r
vignette("custom-models")
```

for additional details.

---

# Summary

rumenGP provides a diverse collection of nonlinear
kinetic models ranging from simple exponential
equations to flexible multi-pool formulations.

Model choice should be guided by:

- Biological plausibility
- Goodness of fit
- Parameter interpretability
- Convergence stability
- Research objectives

Researchers are encouraged to compare multiple models
before selecting a final representation of fermentation
kinetics.
