Detailed-level modelling of influence spreading on complex networks

Abstract

Abstract The progress in high-performance computing makes it increasingly possible to build detailed models to investigate spreading processes on complex networks. However, current studies have been lacking detailed computational methods to describe spreading processes in large complex networks. To fill this gap we present a new modelling approach for analysing influence spreading via individual nodes and links on various network structures. The proposed influence-spreading model uses a probability matrix to capture the spreading probability from one node to another in the network. This approach enables analysing network characteristics in a number of applications and spreading processes using metrics that are consistent with the quantities used to model the network structures. In addition, this study combines sub-models and offers a comprehensive look at different applications and metrics previously discussed in cases of social networks, community detection, and epidemic spreading. Here, we also note that the centrality measures based on the probability matrix are used to identify the most significant nodes in the network. Furthermore, the model can be expanded to include additional properties, such as introducing individual breakthrough probabilities for the nodes and specific temporal distributions for the links.

Keywords

• Network spreading model
• Social network
• Complex network
• Computational social science
• Community detection
• Centrality measure