BACKGROUND This paper presents a new agent-based model (ABM) for investigating T. b. rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis (rHAT) disease dynamics, produced to aid a greater understanding of disease transmission, and essential for development of appropriate mitigation strategies. METHODS The ABM was developed to model rHAT incidence at a fine spatial scale along a 75 km transect in the Lu...

This paper describes the use of validation methods in model building. We address issues associated with the increasing complexity of models that is in part a response to the growing popularity of Agent-Based Models (ABM), commonly used to study cognitive, natural, and social phenomena. The first section of this manuscript discusses model categories and attributes. The second section discusses t...

One of the most studied issues in production planning or inventory management is to get the lowest possible cost with the satisfied service rate (less waiting time). Analyzing and comparing two main stream methods which are used for solving complex system – System Dynamics Model(SDM) and Agent Based Model (ABM), studying the characteristics of these two methods, and attempting to transfer a com...

Agent-based modeling (ABM) is quickly becoming a choice tool for researchers, as it is very adept at modeling natural phenomena. Spatial data has the ability to further increase the usefulness of an ABM. One way that this can be achieved is through the inclusion of geographical information system (GIS) data. Such integration between ABM and GIS may sound trivial, but it is difficult to do effec...

This paper describes an integration framework that allows development of simulations where the cognitive reasoning and decision making is programmed and executed within an existing BDI (Belief, Desire, Intention) system, and the simulation is played out in an existing ABM (Agent Based Modelling) system. The framework has a generic layer which manages communication and synchronisation, a system ...

BACKGROUND Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) remains an important cause of mortality among African children. Epidemiologic data with regard to ABM infection are necessary for prioritizing public health interventions. METHODS We strengthened hospital-based surveillance of ABM among children admitted to Manhiça District Hospital (Maputo, Mozambique). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collec...

This study examines how industrial characteristics at home affect Chinese overseas acquisition activities from an industry-level resource-based view. Analyzing data on 512 Chinese overseas acquisition deals across 36 industries in 60 countries over 2003–2008, we find that: (1) firms in industries with higher levels of technology intensity are more likely to acquire foreign firms, while firms in...

OBJECTIVE Factors influencing long-term viability of an intermediated regional food supply network (food hub) were modeled using agent-based modeling techniques informed by interview data gathered from food hub participants. BACKGROUND Previous analyses of food hub dynamics focused primarily on financial drivers rather than social factors and have not used mathematical models. METHOD Based ...

Unit activity was recorded from cells and cell clusters in the amygdala and striatum in response to electrical stimulation of the medial geniculate body (MGB) in rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate. Responses were mostly excitatory and were evoked against a relatively silent background (i.e., the units seldom fired between stimuli). The shortest latency responses were recorded in the caudate...

Multilevel Models (MLM) have pioneered the analysis of hierarchical data of two or more levels. Agent-Based Models (ABM) are also used to analyse social phenomena in which there are two or more levels involved. This paper addresses a comparison between MLM and ABM. To provide a basis of comparison, we focus on differential school effectiveness analysis, where MLM has been well studied, using da...