Nonlocal evolution of weighted scale-free networks

TL;DR

This paper presents a nonlocal evolution model for weighted scale-free networks, explaining nonlinear strength-degree scaling and generating power-law distributions through a generalized nonlinear preferential attachment scheme.

Contribution

It introduces a globally updating evolution approach based on nonlocal packet transport, extending previous strength-driven models to produce power-law behaviors.

Findings

Nonlinear strength-degree scaling explained by nonlocal packet transport

Power-law degree and strength distributions generated by the model

Generalization of strength-driven evolution to nonlinear preferential attachment

Abstract

We introduce the notion of globally updating evolution for a class of weighted networks, in which the weight of a link is characterized by the amount of data packet transport flowing through it. By noting that the packet transport over the network is determined nonlocally, this approach can explain the generic nonlinear scaling between the strength and the degree of a node. We demonstrate by a simple model that the strength-driven evolution scheme recently introduced can be generalized to a nonlinear preferential attachment rule, generating the power-law behaviors in degree and in strength simultaneously.