32 research outputs found
Threshold-limited spreading in social networks with multiple initiators
A classical model for social-influence-driven opinion change is the threshold
model. Here we study cascades of opinion change driven by threshold model
dynamics in the case where multiple {\it initiators} trigger the cascade, and
where all nodes possess the same adoption threshold . Specifically, using
empirical and stylized models of social networks, we study cascade size as a
function of the initiator fraction . We find that even for arbitrarily high
value of , there exists a critical initiator fraction beyond
which the cascade becomes global. Network structure, in particular clustering,
plays a significant role in this scenario. Similarly to the case of single-node
or single-clique initiators studied previously, we observe that community
structure within the network facilitates opinion spread to a larger extent than
a homogeneous random network. Finally, we study the efficacy of different
initiator selection strategies on the size of the cascade and the cascade
window
An Analysis of the Matching Hypothesis in Networks
The matching hypothesis in social psychology claims that people are more
likely to form a committed relationship with someone equally attractive.
Previous works on stochastic models of human mate choice process indicate that
patterns supporting the matching hypothesis could occur even when similarity is
not the primary consideration in seeking partners. Yet, most if not all of
these works concentrate on fully-connected systems. Here we extend the analysis
to networks. Our results indicate that the correlation of the couple's
attractiveness grows monotonically with the increased average degree and
decreased degree diversity of the network. This correlation is lower in sparse
networks than in fully-connected systems, because in the former less attractive
individuals who find partners are likely to be coupled with ones who are more
attractive than them. The chance of failing to be matched decreases
exponentially with both the attractiveness and the degree. The matching
hypothesis may not hold when the degree-attractiveness correlation is present,
which can give rise to negative attractiveness correlation. Finally, we find
that the ratio between the number of matched couples and the size of the
maximum matching varies non-monotonically with the average degree of the
network. Our results reveal the role of network topology in the process of
human mate choice and bring insights into future investigations of different
matching processes in networks
Competition and dual users in complex contagion processes
We study the competition of two spreading entities, for example innovations,
in complex contagion processes in complex networks. We develop an analytical
framework and examine the role of dual users, i.e. agents using both
technologies. Searching for the spreading transition of the new innovation and
the extinction transition of a preexisting one, we identify different phases
depending on network mean degree, prevalence of preexisting technology, and
thresholds of the contagion process. Competition with the preexisting
technology effectively suppresses the spread of the new innovation, but it also
allows for phases of coexistence. The existence of dual users largely modifies
the transient dynamics creating new phases that promote the spread of a new
innovation and extinction of a preexisting one. It enables the global spread of
the new innovation even if the old one has the first-mover advantage.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure
Optimal information diffusion in stochastic block models
We use the linear threshold model to study the diffusion of information on a
network generated by the stochastic block model. We focus our analysis on a two
community structure where the initial set of informed nodes lies only in one of
the two communities and we look for optimal network structures, i.e. those
maximizing the asymptotic extent of the diffusion. We find that, constraining
the mean degree and the fraction of initially informed nodes, the optimal
structure can be assortative (modular), core-periphery, or even disassortative.
We then look for minimal cost structures, i.e. those such that a minimal
fraction of initially informed nodes is needed to trigger a global cascade. We
find that the optimal networks are assortative but with a structure very close
to a core-periphery graph, i.e. a very dense community linked to a much more
sparsely connected periphery.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure