scholarly journals Influence of number of individuals and observations per individual on a model of community structure

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252471
Author(s):  
Julia Sunga ◽  
Quinn M. R. Webber ◽  
Hugh G. Broders

Social network analysis is increasingly applied to understand animal groups. However, it is rarely feasible to observe every interaction among all individuals in natural populations. Studies have assessed how missing information affects estimates of individual network positions, but less attention has been paid to metrics that characterize overall network structure such as modularity, clustering coefficient, and density. In cases such as groups displaying fission-fusion dynamics, where subgroups break apart and rejoin in changing conformations, missing information may affect estimates of global network structure differently than in groups with distinctly separated communities due to the influence single individuals can have on the connectivity of the network. Using a bat maternity group showing fission-fusion dynamics, we quantify the effect of missing data on global network measures including community detection. In our system, estimating the number of communities was less reliable than detecting community structure. Further, reliably assorting individual bats into communities required fewer individuals and fewer observations per individual than to estimate the number of communities. Specifically, our metrics of global network structure (i.e., graph density, clustering coefficient, Rcom) approached the ‘real’ values with increasing numbers of observations per individual and, as the number of individuals included increased, the variance in these estimates decreased. Similar to previous studies, we recommend that more observations per individual should be prioritized over including more individuals when resources are limited. We recommend caution when making conclusions about animal social networks when a substantial number of individuals or observations are missing, and when possible, suggest subsampling large datasets to observe how estimates are influenced by sampling intensity. Our study serves as an example of the reliability, or lack thereof, of global network measures with missing information, but further work is needed to determine how estimates will vary with different data collection methods, network structures, and sampling periods.

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. Clemente ◽  
F. M. L. Martins

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyse the general properties of the network of elite football teams that participated in UEFA Champions League 2015–2016. Analysis of variance of the general network measures between performances in competition was made. Moreover, the association between performance variables (goals, shots, and percentage of ball possession) and general network measures also was tested. The best sixteen teams that participated in UEFA Champions League 2015–2016 were analysed in a total of 109 official matches. Statistically significant differences between maximum stages in competition were found in total links (p = 0.003; ES = 0.087), network density (p = 0.003; ES = 0.088), and clustering coefficient (p = 0.007; ES = 0.078). Total links (r = 0.439; p = 0.001), network density (r = 0.433; p = 0.001) and clustering coefficient (r = 0.367; p = 0.001) had a moderate positive correlations with percentage of ball possession. This study revealed that teams that achieved the quarterfinals and finals had greater values of general network measures than the remaining teams, thus suggesting that higher values of homogeneity in network process may improve the success of the teams. Moderate correlations were found between ball possession and the general network measures suggesting that teams with more capacity to perform longer passing sequences may involve more players in a more homogeneity manner.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camellia Sarkar ◽  
Saumya Gupta ◽  
Rahul Kumar Verma ◽  
Himanshu Sinha ◽  
Sarika Jalan

ABSTRACTIntegrating network theory approaches over longitudinal genome-wide gene expression data is a robust approach to understand the molecular underpinnings of a dynamic biological process. Here, we performed a network-based investigation of longitudinal gene expression changes during sporulation of a yeast strain, SK1. Using global network attributes, viz. clustering coefficient, degree distribution of a node, degree-degree mixing of the connected nodes and disassortativity, we observed dynamic changes in these parameters indicating a highly connected network with inter-module crosstalk. Analysis of local attributes, such as clustering coefficient, hierarchy, betweenness centrality and Granovetter’s weak ties showed that there was an inherent hierarchy under regulatory control that was determined by specific nodes. Biological annotation of these nodes indicated the role of specifically linked pairs of genes in meiosis. These genes act as crucial regulators of sporulation in the highly sporulating SK1 strain. An independent analysis of these network properties in a less efficient sporulating strain helped to understand the heterogeneity of network profiles. We show that comparison of network properties has the potential to identify candidate nodes contributing to the phenotypic diversity of developmental processes in natural populations. Therefore, studying these network parameters as described in this work for dynamic developmental processes, such as sporulation in yeast and eventually in disease progression in humans, can help in identifying candidate factors which are potential regulators of differences between normal and perturbed processes and can be causal targets for intervention.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Michels ◽  
Nabin Koirala ◽  
Sergiu Groppa ◽  
Roger Luechinger ◽  
Andreas R Gantenbein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Migraine is a primary headache disorder that can be classified into an episodic (EM) and a chronic form (CM). Network analysis within the graph-theoretical framework based on connectivity patterns provides an approach to observe large-scale structural integrity. We test the hypothesis that migraineurs are characterized by a segregated network. Methods: 19 healthy controls (HC), 17 EM patients and 12 CM patients were included. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were computed, and topology was analyzed using a graph theory analytical framework and network-based statistics. We further used support vector machines regression (SVR) to identify whether these network measures were able to predict clinical parameters. Results: Network based statistics revealed significantly lower interregional connectivity strength between anatomical compartments including the fronto-temporal, parietal and visual areas in EM and CM when compared to HC. Higher assortativity was seen in both patients’ group, with higher modularity for CM and higher transitivity for EM compared to HC. For subcortical networks, higher assortativity and transitivity were observed for both patients’ group with higher modularity for CM. SVR revealed that network measures could robustly predict clinical parameters for migraineurs. Conclusion: We found global network disruption for EM and CM indicated by highly segregated network in migraine patients compared to HC. Higher modularity but lower clustering coefficient in CM is suggestive of more segregation in this group compared to EM. The presence of a segregated network could be a sign of maladaptive reorganization of headache related brain circuits, leading to migraine attacks or secondary alterations to pain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Michels ◽  
Nabin Koirala ◽  
Sergiu Groppa ◽  
Roger Luechinger ◽  
Andreas R. Gantenbein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Migraine is a primary headache disorder that can be classified into an episodic (EM) and a chronic form (CM). Network analysis within the graph-theoretical framework based on connectivity patterns provides an approach to observe large-scale structural integrity. We test the hypothesis that migraineurs are characterized by a segregated network. Methods 19 healthy controls (HC), 17 EM patients and 12 CM patients were included. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were computed, and topology was analyzed using a graph theory analytical framework and network-based statistics. We further used support vector machines regression (SVR) to identify whether these network measures were able to predict clinical parameters. Results Network based statistics revealed significantly lower interregional connectivity strength between anatomical compartments including the fronto-temporal, parietal and visual areas in EM and CM when compared to HC. Higher assortativity was seen in both patients’ group, with higher modularity for CM and higher transitivity for EM compared to HC. For subcortical networks, higher assortativity and transitivity were observed for both patients’ group with higher modularity for CM. SVR revealed that network measures could robustly predict clinical parameters for migraineurs. Conclusion We found global network disruption for EM and CM indicated by highly segregated network in migraine patients compared to HC. Higher modularity but lower clustering coefficient in CM is suggestive of more segregation in this group compared to EM. The presence of a segregated network could be a sign of maladaptive reorganization of headache related brain circuits, leading to migraine attacks or secondary alterations to pain.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Michels ◽  
Nabin Koirala ◽  
Sergiu Groppa ◽  
Roger Luechinger ◽  
Andreas R Gantenbein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Migraine is a primary headache disorder that can be classified into an episodic (EM) and a chronic form (CM). Network analysis within the graph-theoretical framework based on connectivity patterns provides an approach to observe large-scale structural integrity. We test the hypothesis that migraineurs are characterized by a segregated network. Methods: 19 healthy controls (HC), 17 EM patients and 12 CM patients were included. Cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were computed, and topology was analyzed using a graph theory analytical framework and network-based statistics. We further used support vector machines regression (SVR) to identify whether these network measures were able to predict clinical parameters. Results: Network based statistics revealed significantly lower interregional connectivity strength between anatomical compartments including the fronto-temporal, parietal and visual areas in EM and CM when compared to HC. Higher assortativity was seen in both patients’ group, with higher modularity for CM and higher transitivity for EM compared to HC. For subcortical networks, higher assortativity and transitivity were observed for both patients’ group with higher modularity for CM. SVR revealed that network measures could robustly predict clinical parameters for migraineurs. Conclusion: We found global network disruption for EM and CM indicated by highly segregated network in migraine patients compared to HC. Higher modularity but lower clustering coefficient in CM is suggestive of more segregation in this group compared to EM. The presence of a segregated network could be a sign of maladaptive reorganization of headache related brain circuits, leading to migraine attacks or secondary alterations to pain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesa Kuikka

AbstractWe present methods for analysing hierarchical and overlapping community structure and spreading phenomena on complex networks. Different models can be developed for describing static connectivity or dynamical processes on a network topology. In this study, classical network connectivity and influence spreading models are used as examples for network models. Analysis of results is based on a probability matrix describing interactions between all pairs of nodes in the network. One popular research area has been detecting communities and their structure in complex networks. The community detection method of this study is based on optimising a quality function calculated from the probability matrix. The same method is proposed for detecting underlying groups of nodes that are building blocks of different sub-communities in the network structure. We present different quantitative measures for comparing and ranking solutions of the community detection algorithm. These measures describe properties of sub-communities: strength of a community, probability of formation and robustness of composition. The main contribution of this study is proposing a common methodology for analysing network structure and dynamics on complex networks. We illustrate the community detection methods with two small network topologies. In the case of network spreading models, time development of spreading in the network can be studied. Two different temporal spreading distributions demonstrate the methods with three real-world social networks of different sizes. The Poisson distribution describes a random response time and the e-mail forwarding distribution describes a process of receiving and forwarding messages.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Ubaldi ◽  
Raffaella Burioni ◽  
Vittorio Loreto ◽  
Francesca Tria

AbstractThe interactions among human beings represent the backbone of our societies. How people establish new connections and allocate their social interactions among them can reveal a lot of our social organisation. We leverage on a recent mathematical formalisation of the Adjacent Possible space to propose a microscopic model accounting for the growth and dynamics of social networks. At the individual’s level, our model correctly reproduces the rate at which people acquire new acquaintances as well as how they allocate their interactions among existing edges. On the macroscopic side, the model reproduces the key topological and dynamical features of social networks: the broad distribution of degree and activities, the average clustering coefficient and the community structure. The theory is born out in three diverse real-world social networks: the network of mentions between Twitter users, the network of co-authorship of the American Physical Society journals, and a mobile-phone-calls network.


Urban Studies ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (13) ◽  
pp. 2749-2769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter Jacobs ◽  
Hans Koster ◽  
Peter Hall

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni G. Christodoulou ◽  
Vangelis Sakkalis ◽  
Vassilis Tsiaras ◽  
Ioannis G. Tollis

This paper presents BrainNetVis, a tool which serves brain network modelling and visualization, by providing both quantitative and qualitative network measures of brain interconnectivity. It emphasizes the needs that led to the creation of this tool by presenting similar works in the field and by describing how our tool contributes to the existing scenery. It also describes the methods used for the calculation of the graph metrics (global network metrics and vertex metrics), which carry the brain network information. To make the methods clear and understandable, we use an exemplar dataset throughout the paper, on which the calculations and the visualizations are performed. This dataset consists of an alcoholic and a control group of subjects.


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