165,728 research outputs found
Synchronizability determined by coupling strengths and topology on Complex Networks
We investigate in depth the synchronization of coupled oscillators on top of
complex networks with different degrees of heterogeneity within the context of
the Kuramoto model. In a previous paper [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 034101 (2007)],
we unveiled how for fixed coupling strengths local patterns of synchronization
emerge differently in homogeneous and heterogeneous complex networks. Here, we
provide more evidence on this phenomenon extending the previous work to
networks that interpolate between homogeneous and heterogeneous topologies. We
also present new details on the path towards synchronization for the evolution
of clustering in the synchronized patterns. Finally, we investigate the
synchronization of networks with modular structure and conclude that, in these
cases, local synchronization is first attained at the most internal level of
organization of modules, progressively evolving to the outer levels as the
coupling constant is increased. The present work introduces new parameters that
are proved to be useful for the characterization of synchronization phenomena
in complex networks.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures and 1 table. APS forma
Coupled effects of local movement and global interaction on contagion
By incorporating segregated spatial domain and individual-based linkage into
the SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) model, we investigate the coupled
effects of random walk and intragroup interaction on contagion. Compared with
the situation where only local movement or individual-based linkage exists, the
coexistence of them leads to a wider spread of infectious disease. The roles of
narrowing segregated spatial domain and reducing mobility in epidemic control
are checked, these two measures are found to be conducive to curbing the spread
of infectious disease. Considering heterogeneous time scales between local
movement and global interaction, a log-log relation between the change in the
number of infected individuals and the timescale is found. A theoretical
analysis indicates that the evolutionary dynamics in the present model is
related to the encounter probability and the encounter time. A functional
relation between the epidemic threshold and the ratio of shortcuts, and a
functional relation between the encounter time and the timescale are
found
The role of homophily in the emergence of opinion controversies
Understanding the emergence of strong controversial issues in modern
societies is a key issue in opinion studies. A commonly diffused idea is the
fact that the increasing of homophily in social networks, due to the modern
ICT, can be a driving force for opinion polariation. In this paper we address
the problem with a modelling approach following three basic steps. We first
introduce a network morphogenesis model to reconstruct network structures where
homophily can be tuned with a parameter. We show that as homophily increases
the emergence of marked topological community structures in the networks
raises. Secondly, we perform an opinion dynamics process on homophily dependent
networks and we show that, contrary to the common idea, homophily helps
consensus formation. Finally, we introduce a tunable external media pressure
and we show that, actually, the combination of homophily and media makes the
media effect less effective and leads to strongly polarized opinion clusters.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figure
Complex networks analysis in socioeconomic models
This chapter aims at reviewing complex networks models and methods that were
either developed for or applied to socioeconomic issues, and pertinent to the
theme of New Economic Geography. After an introduction to the foundations of
the field of complex networks, the present summary adds insights on the
statistical mechanical approach, and on the most relevant computational aspects
for the treatment of these systems. As the most frequently used model for
interacting agent-based systems, a brief description of the statistical
mechanics of the classical Ising model on regular lattices, together with
recent extensions of the same model on small-world Watts-Strogatz and
scale-free Albert-Barabasi complex networks is included. Other sections of the
chapter are devoted to applications of complex networks to economics, finance,
spreading of innovations, and regional trade and developments. The chapter also
reviews results involving applications of complex networks to other relevant
socioeconomic issues, including results for opinion and citation networks.
Finally, some avenues for future research are introduced before summarizing the
main conclusions of the chapter.Comment: 39 pages, 185 references, (not final version of) a chapter prepared
for Complexity and Geographical Economics - Topics and Tools, P.
Commendatore, S.S. Kayam and I. Kubin Eds. (Springer, to be published
The Naming Game in Social Networks: Community Formation and Consensus Engineering
We study the dynamics of the Naming Game [Baronchelli et al., (2006) J. Stat.
Mech.: Theory Exp. P06014] in empirical social networks. This stylized
agent-based model captures essential features of agreement dynamics in a
network of autonomous agents, corresponding to the development of shared
classification schemes in a network of artificial agents or opinion spreading
and social dynamics in social networks. Our study focuses on the impact that
communities in the underlying social graphs have on the outcome of the
agreement process. We find that networks with strong community structure hinder
the system from reaching global agreement; the evolution of the Naming Game in
these networks maintains clusters of coexisting opinions indefinitely. Further,
we investigate agent-based network strategies to facilitate convergence to
global consensus.Comment: The original publication is available at
http://www.springerlink.com/content/70370l311m1u0ng3
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