Abstract

We present a simple and general framework to simulate statistically correct realizations for a system of non-Markovian discrete stochastic processes. We give the exact analytical solution and a practical an efficient algorithm alike the Gillespie algorithm for Markovian processes, with the difference that now the occurrence rates of the events are stochastic processes themselves. We use our non-Markovian stochastic simulation methodology to investigate the effects of non-exponential inter-event time distributions in two case studies, the susceptible-infected-susceptible model of epidemic spreading and biochemical reactions with time delays. Strikingly, our results unveil the drastic effects that very subtle differences in the modeling of non-Markovian processes have on the global behavior of complex systems, with important implications for their understanding and prediction.

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