Robustness Elasticity in Complex Networks

Network robustness refers to a network's resilience to stress or damage. Given that most networks are inherently dynamic, with changing topology, loads, and operational states, their robustness is also likely subject to change. However, in most analyses of network structure, it is assumed that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one Vol. 7; no. 7; p. e39788
Main Authors: Matisziw, Timothy C., Grubesic, Tony H., Guo, Junyu
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Public Library of Science 10.07.2012
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:
Algorithms
Biology
Complex systems
Computer Science
Data models
Earth Sciences
Elasticity
Elasticity of demand
Engineering
Environmental engineering
Information Theory
Internet
Mathematical programming
Mathematics
Neural Networks (Computer)
Physics
Researchers
Robustness (mathematics)
Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social networks
Social sciences
Telecommunications systems
Temporal variations
Topology
United States > US
Missouri
ISSN:1932-6203, 1932-6203
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Network robustness refers to a network's resilience to stress or damage. Given that most networks are inherently dynamic, with changing topology, loads, and operational states, their robustness is also likely subject to change. However, in most analyses of network structure, it is assumed that interaction among nodes has no effect on robustness. To investigate the hypothesis that network robustness is not sensitive or elastic to the level of interaction (or flow) among network nodes, this paper explores the impacts of network disruption, namely arc deletion, over a temporal sequence of observed nodal interactions for a large Internet backbone system. In particular, a mathematical programming approach is used to identify exact bounds on robustness to arc deletion for each epoch of nodal interaction. Elasticity of the identified bounds relative to the magnitude of arc deletion is assessed. Results indicate that system robustness can be highly elastic to spatial and temporal variations in nodal interactions within complex systems. Further, the presence of this elasticity provides evidence that a failure to account for nodal interaction can confound characterizations of complex networked systems.
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Conceived and designed the experiments: TCM THG JG. Performed the experiments: TCM THG JG. Analyzed the data: TCM THG JG. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: TCM THG JG. Wrote the paper: TCM THG JG.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0039788