From sparse to dense and from assortative to disassortative in online social networks

Inspired by the analysis of several empirical online social networks, we propose a simple reaction-diffusion-like coevolving model, in which individuals are activated to create links based on their states, influenced by local dynamics and their own intention. It is shown that the model can reproduce...

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Published inScientific reports Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 4861
Main Authors Li, Menghui, Guan, Shuguang, Wu, Chensheng, Gong, Xiaofeng, Li, Kun, Wu, Jinshan, Di, Zengru, Lai, Choy-Heng
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Nature Publishing Group 06.05.2014
Subjects
Biological Evolution
Humans
Internet
Models, Theoretical
Motivation
Online Systems
Social interactions
Social Networking
Social networks
Social organization
Social Support
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Summary:Inspired by the analysis of several empirical online social networks, we propose a simple reaction-diffusion-like coevolving model, in which individuals are activated to create links based on their states, influenced by local dynamics and their own intention. It is shown that the model can reproduce the remarkable properties observed in empirical online social networks; in particular, the assortative coefficients are neutral or negative, and the power law exponents γ are smaller than 2. Moreover, we demonstrate that, under appropriate conditions, the model network naturally makes transition(s) from assortative to disassortative, and from sparse to dense in their characteristics. The model is useful in understanding the formation and evolution of online social networks.
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/srep04861