Phase transitions for information diffusion in random clustered networks

Abstract

We study the conditions for the phase transitions of information diffusion in complexnetworks. Using the random clustered network model, a generalisation of the Chung-Lurandom network model incorporating clustering, we examine the effect of clustering underthe Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) epidemic diffusion model with heterogeneouscontact rates. For this purpose, we exploit the branching process to analyse informationdiffusion in random unclustered networks with arbitrary contact rates, and provide noveliterative algorithms for estimating the conditions and sizes of global cascades,respectively. Showing that a random clustered network can be mapped into a factor graph,which is a locally tree-like structure, we successfully extend our analysis to randomclustered networks with heterogeneous contact rates. We then identify the conditions forphase transitions of information diffusion using our method. Interestingly, for variouscontact rates, we prove that random clustered networks with higher clustering coefficientshave strictly lower phase transition points for any given degree sequence. Finally, weconfirm our analytical results with numerical simulations of both synthetically-generatedand real-world networks.