2016/02/01 by T. Verma, F. Russmann, N. A. M. Araújo +2
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.soc-ph #physics.data-an
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/ncomms10441
published as Nature Communications 7, 10441 (2016)
arxiv created 2016/02/01 · arxiv updated 2016/02/17
A number of important transport networks, such as the airline and trade networks of the world, exhibit a characteristic core-periphery structure, wherein a few nodes are highly interconnected and the rest of the network frays into a tree. Mechanisms underlying the emergence of core-peripheries, however, remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that a simple pruning process based on removal of underutilized links and redistribution of loads can lead to the emergence of core-peripheries. Links are assumed beneficial if they either carry a sufficiently large load or are essential for global connectivity. This incentivized redistribution process is controlled by a single parameter which balances connectivity and profit. The obtained networks exhibit a highly resilient and connected core with a frayed periphery. The balanced network shows a higher resilience than the World Airline Network or the World Trade Network, revealing a pathway towards robust structural features through pruning.