Interdependent and competitive dynamics in multilayer networks: synchronization and epidemics

Since 2010, research on interdependent networks of networks, has demonstrated relevant new percolation phenomena including cascading failures and abrupt discontinuous transitions [1, 2]. However, this approach is limited to cases where connectivity can be taken as a proxy for functionality. Here, we present new research on interacting network dynamics exhibiting a wide range of new phenomena which are observed in the real-world but absent in previous models. By extending the concept of connectivity and dependency links to dynamical processes, we are able to shed light on real-world complex systems from social networks to the brain. We demonstrate our approach by implementing interdependent and competitive synchronization based on the Kuramoto model [3, 4] and SIS epidemics. This new framework provides a key missing link in the modeling of real-world multilayer networks. The talk is based on our recent manuscript [5].


[1] S.V. Buldyrev et al., Nature, 464, 1025 (2010).
[2] M.M. Danziger et al., in Interconnected Networks, Springer, (2016).
[3] X. Zhang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 114, 038701 (2015).
[4] M.M. Danziger et al., 26, 065307 (2016).
[5] M.M. Danziger et al., arXiv:1705.00241 (Nature Physics, in press, 2018)