title: Simulation of stochastic micropopulation models--II. VESPERS: epidemiological model implementations for spread of viral infections.
abstract: This second paper concerning stochastic micropopulation simulations describes VESPERS, which can serve as a framework for simulation models of the epidemic spread of infection. The versions described are implemented using the simulation shell, SUMMERS, which includes the generic commonalities of several micropopulation models. Population members in VESPERS move through states related to the individual's status relative to the infective agent. Features of the models include mixing groups, member demographics, susceptibility and infectiousness, and co-circulation of infectious agents. The sensitivity of the simulation outcomes to quantitative features of the model has been analyzed. The user can select reports of desired distributions and averages of simulation outcomes.
authors.affiliation: National Micropopulation Simulation Resource, Health Computer Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gatewood
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhuo
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seaholm
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ackerman
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012931:Social Environment; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission