Research Article
An Agent-Based Epidemic Simulation of Social Behaviors Affecting HIV Transmission among Taiwanese Homosexuals
Table 3
Properties and methods for each simulation component.
| Component | Properties | Methods |
| Observer | Higher in class hierarchy. | Uses information from classes lower in the hierarchy to create screen display. |
| World | Two-dimensional lattice containing agents. | Defines social network structure. Can be influenced by agent behavior. |
| Scheduler | Defines time in one-month units. | Defines events that happen to each agent during each time unit and ensures that rules are followed. |
| Rules | Rules applied to simulation pertaining to contamination, HIV evolution, epidemiological progress status, and so forth. | Communicates rules to schedulers and agents. |
| Agent | One agent represents one human individual. | Changes status according to epidemic model parameters, capable of interacting with other agents. |
| Agent behavior | Behavioral rules based on statistical data from surveys. | Controls agent behaviors (e.g., number of contacts, condom usage). |
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