Title
Routes Obey Hierarchy In Complex Networks
Abstract
characteristics of real life networks (many biological, social, transportation and organizational networks) on a strong empirical basis. However our knowledge about the operational paths used in these networks is very limited, which prohibits the proper understanding of the principles of their functioning. Today, the most widely adopted hypothesis about the structure of the operational paths is the shortest path assumption. Here we present a striking result that the paths in various networks are significantly stretched compared to their shortest counterparts. Stretch distributions are also found to be extremely similar. This phenomenon is empirically confirmed on four networks from diverse areas of life. We also identify the high-level path selection rules nature seems to use when picking its paths.
Year
DOI
Venue
2017
10.1038/s41598-017-07412-4
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Field
DocType
Volume
Network science,Shortest path problem,Computer science,Evolving networks,Artificial intelligence,Complex network,Phenomenon,Hierarchy
Journal
7
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
1
2045-2322
0
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.34
5
10