title: From sparse to dense and from assortative to disassortative in online social networks.
abstract: Inspired by the analysis of several empirical online social networks, we propose a simple reaction-diffusion-like coevolving model, in which individuals are activated to create links based on their states, influenced by local dynamics and their own intention. It is shown that the model can reproduce the remarkable properties observed in empirical online social networks; in particular, the assortative coefficients are neutral or negative, and the power law exponents γ are smaller than 2. Moreover, we demonstrate that, under appropriate conditions, the model network naturally makes transition(s) from assortative to disassortative, and from sparse to dense in their characteristics. The model is useful in understanding the formation and evolution of online social networks.
authors.affiliation: 1] Beijing Institute of Science and Technology Intelligence, Beijing, 100044, P. R. China [2] School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China [3] Temasek Laboratories, National University of Singapore, 117508, Singapore [4] Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear & Complex Systems (Singapore), National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, 119260, Singapore.
authors.forename: Menghui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China [2] State Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shuguang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Beijing Institute of Science and Technology Intelligence, Beijing, 100044, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Chensheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: 1] Temasek Laboratories, National University of Singapore, 117508, Singapore [2] Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear & Complex Systems (Singapore), National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, 119260, Singapore.
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: 1] Temasek Laboratories, National University of Singapore, 117508, Singapore [2] Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear & Complex Systems (Singapore), National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, 119260, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jinshan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zengru
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Di
authors.affiliation: 1] Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear & Complex Systems (Singapore), National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, 119260, Singapore [2] Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 117542, Singapore [3] Yale-NUS College, Singapore, 138614, Singapore.
authors.forename: Choy-Heng
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009862:Online Systems; D060756:Social Networking; D012944:Social Support