Adaptive Working Set Model for Memory Management and Epidemic Control: A Unified Approach

The Working Set concept, originally introduced by P. Denning for memory management, defines a dynamic subset of system elements actively in use. Designed to reduce page faults and prevent thrashing, it has proven effective in optimizing memory performance. This study explores the interdisciplinary potential of the Working Set by applying it to two distinct domains: virtual memory systems and epidemiological modeling. We demonstrate that focusing on the active subset of a system enables optimization in both contexts—minimizing page faults and containing epidemics via dynamic isolation. The effectiveness of this approach is validated through memory access simulations and agent-based epidemic modeling. The advantages of using the Working Set as a general framework for describing the behavior of dynamic systems are discussed, along with its applicability across a wide range of scientific and engineering problems.