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Constraints and entropy in a model of network evolution

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posted on 2023-06-09, 07:44 authored by Philip Tee, Ian WakemanIan Wakeman, George ParisisGeorge Parisis, Jonathan Dawes, Istvan Kiss
Barab´asi-Albert’s ‘Scale Free’ model is the starting point for much of the accepted theory of the evolution of real world communication networks. Careful comparison of the theory with a wide range of real world networks, however, indicates that the model is in some cases, only a rough approximation to the dynamical evolution of real networks. In particular, the exponent ? of the power law distribution of degree is predicted by the model to be exactly 3, whereas in a number of real world networks it has values between 1.2 and 2.9. In addition, the degree distributions of real networks exhibit cut offs at high node degree, which indicates the existence of maximal node degrees for these networks. In this paper we propose a simple extension to the ‘Scale Free’ model, which offers better agreement with the experimental data. This improvement is satisfying, but the model still does not explain why the attachment probabilities should favor high degree nodes, or indeed how constraints arrive in non-physical networks. Using recent advances in the analysis of the entropy of graphs at the node level we propose a first principles derivation for the ‘Scale Free’ and ‘constraints’ model from thermodynamic principles, and demonstrate that both preferential attachment and constraints could arise as a natural consequence of the second law of thermodynamics.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems

ISSN

1434-6028

Publisher

Springer

Volume

90

Page range

226

Department affiliated with

  • Informatics Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-08-31

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-11-20

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-08-31

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