The exponential degree distribution in complex networks: Non-equilibrium network theory, numerical simulation and empirical data

The exponential degree distribution has been found in many real world complex networks, based on which, the random growing process has been introduced to analyze the formation principle of such kinds of networks. Inspired from the non-equilibrium network theory, we construct the network according to two mechanisms: growing and adjacent random attachment. By using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test (KST), for the same number of nodes and edges, we find the simulation results are remarkably consistent with the predictions of the non-equilibrium network theory, and also surprisingly match the empirical databases, such as the Worldwide Marine Transportation Network (WMTN), the Email Network of University at Rovira i Virgili (ENURV) in Spain and the North American Power Grid Network (NAPGN). Our work may shed light on interpreting the exponential degree distribution and the evolution mechanism of the complex networks.     

一个描述合作网络顶点度分布的模型

讨论一类社会合作网络以及一些与其拓扑结构相似的技术网络的度分布.建议一个最简化模型，通过解析的方法说明这些网络演化的共同动力学机理，而且说明顶点的度分布和项目度分布之间具有密切的一致关系，而项目所含的顶点数分布对度分布的影响较小；对模型的更一般情况进行数值模拟，说明上述结论具有一定的普遍性.这个模型显示这类广义的合作网络一般具有处于幂函数和指数函数这两种极端情况之间的度分布.简要介绍对一些实际合作网络做统计研究的结果，说明本模型的合理性. 关键词： 合作网络 度分布 项目度分布 项目含顶点数     

Recursive weighted treelike networks

We propose a geometric growth model for weighted scale-free networks, which is controlled by two tunable parameters. We derive exactly the main characteristics of the networks, which are partially determined by the parameters. Analytical results indicate that the resulting networks have power-law distributions of degree, strength, weight and betweenness, a scale-free behavior for degree correlations, logarithmic small average path length and diameter with network size. The obtained properties are in agreement with empirical data observed in many real-life networks, which shows that the presented model may provide valuable insight into the real systems.     

Modeling complex networks with accelerating growth and aging effect

Numerous empirical studies have revealed that a large number of real networks exhibit the property of accelerating growth, i.e. network size (nodes) increases superlinearly with time. Examples include the size of social networks, the output of scientists, the population of cities, and so on. In the literature, these real systems are widely represented by complex networks for analysis, and many network models have been proposed to explain the observed properties in these systems such as power-law degree distribution. However, most of these models (e.g. the well-known BA model) are based on linear growth of these systems. In this paper, we propose a network model with accelerating growth and aging effect, resulting in an emergence of super hubs which is consistent with the empirical observation in citation networks.     

Relationship between degree-rank distributions and degree distributions of complex networks

Both the degree distribution and the degree-rank distribution, which is a relationship function between the degree and the rank of a vertex in the degree sequence obtained from sorting all vertices in decreasing order of degree, are important statistical properties to characterize complex networks. We derive an exact mathematical relationship between degree-rank distributions and degree distributions of complex networks. That is, for arbitrary complex networks, the degree-rank distribution can be derived from the degree distribution, and the reverse is true. Using the mathematical relationship, we study the degree-rank distributions of scale-free networks and exponential networks. We demonstrate that the degree-rank distributions of scale-free networks follow a power law only if scaling exponent λ>2. We also demonstrate that the degree-rank distributions of exponential networks follow a logarithmic law. The simulation results in the BA model and the exponential BA model verify our results.     

A general evolving model for growing bipartite networks

In this Letter, we propose and study an inner evolving bipartite network model. Significantly, we prove that the degree distribution of two different kinds of nodes both obey power-law form with adjustable exponents. Furthermore, the joint degree distribution of any two nodes for bipartite networks model is calculated analytically by the mean-field method. The result displays that such bipartite networks are nearly uncorrelated networks, which is different from one-mode networks. Numerical simulations and empirical results are given to verify the theoretical results.     

Impact of degree heterogeneity on the behavior of trapping in Koch networks

Previous work shows that the mean first-passage time (MFPT) for random walks to a given hub node (node with maximum degree) in uncorrelated random scale-free networks is closely related to the exponent γ of power-law degree distribution P(k) ～ k(-γ), which describes the extent of heterogeneity of scale-free network structure. However, extensive empirical research indicates that real networked systems also display ubiquitous degree correlations. In this paper, we address the trapping issue on the Koch networks, which is a special random walk with one trap fixed at a hub node. The Koch networks are power-law with the characteristic exponent γ in the range between 2 and 3, they are either assortative or disassortative. We calculate exactly the MFPT that is the average of first-passage time from all other nodes to the trap. The obtained explicit solution shows that in large networks the MFPT varies lineally with node number N, which is obviously independent of γ and is sharp contrast to the scaling behavior of MFPT observed for uncorrelated random scale-free networks, where γ influences qualitatively the MFPT of trapping problem.     

A Collaboration Network Model with Multiple Evolving Factors

To describe the empirical data of collaboration networks,several evolving mechanisms have been proposed,which usually introduce different dynamics factors controlling the network growth.These models can reasonably reproduce the empirical degree distributions for a number of well-studied real-world collaboration networks.On the basis of the previous studies,in this work we propose a collaboration network model in which the network growth is simultaneously controlled by three factors,including partial preferential attachment,partial random attachment and network growth speed.By using a rate equation method,we obtain an analytical formula for the act degree distribution.We discuss the dependence of the act degree distribution on these different dynamics factors.By fitting to the empirical data of two typical collaboration networks,we can extract the respective contributions of these dynamics factors to the evolution of each networks.     

基于社团结构的城市地铁网络模型研究

本文运用复杂网络理论, 对我国北京、上海、广州和深圳等城市的地铁网络进行了实证研究. 分别研究了地铁网络的度分布、聚类系数和平均路径长度. 研究表明, 该网络具有高的聚类系数和短的平均路径长度, 显示小世界网络的特征, 其度分布并不严格服从幂律分布或指数分布, 而是呈多段的分布, 显示层次网络的特征. 此外, 它还具有重叠的社团结构特征. 基于实证研究的结果, 提出一种基于社团结构的交通网络模型, 并对该模型进行了模拟分析, 模拟结果表明, 该模型的模拟结果与实证研究结果相符. 此外, 该模型还能解释其他类型的复杂网络(如城市公共汽车交通网络)的网络特性. 关键词： 复杂网络 地铁网络 小世界 社团     

The eight-fold way for optical quasicrystals

Network theory is increasingly employed to study the structure and behaviour of social, physical and technological systems — including civil infrastructure. Many of these systems are interconnected and the interdependencies between them allow disruptive events to propagate across networks, enabling damage to spread far beyond the immediate footprint of disturbance. In this research we experiment with a model to characterise the configuration of interdependencies in terms of direction, redundancy, and extent, and we analyse the performance of interdependent systems with a wide range of possible coupling modes. We demonstrate that networks with directed dependencies are less robust than those with undirected dependencies, and that the degree of redundancy in inter-network dependencies can have a differential effect on robustness depending on the directionality of the dependencies. As interdependencies between many real-world systems exhibit these characteristics, it is likely that many such systems operate near their critical thresholds. The vulnerability of an interdependent network is shown to be reducible in a cost effective way, either by optimising inter-network connections, or by hardening high degree nodes. The results improve understanding of the influence of interdependencies on system performance and provide insight into how to mitigate associated risks.