Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks
Directed networks are essential for representing complex systems, capturing the asymmetry of interactions in fields such as neuroscience, transportation, and social networks. Directionality reveals how influence, information, or resources flow within a network, fundamentally shaping the behavior of...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/1/86 |
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| author | Marián Boguñá M. Ángeles Serrano |
| author_facet | Marián Boguñá M. Ángeles Serrano |
| author_sort | Marián Boguñá |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Directed networks are essential for representing complex systems, capturing the asymmetry of interactions in fields such as neuroscience, transportation, and social networks. Directionality reveals how influence, information, or resources flow within a network, fundamentally shaping the behavior of dynamical processes and distinguishing directed networks from their undirected counterparts. Robust null models are crucial for identifying meaningful patterns in these representations, yet designing models that preserve key features remains a significant challenge. One such critical feature is reciprocity, which reflects the balance of bidirectional interactions in directed networks and provides insights into the underlying structural and dynamical principles that shape their connectivity. This paper introduces a statistical mechanics framework for directed networks, modeling them as ensembles of interacting fermions. By controlling the reciprocity and other network properties, our formalism offers a principled approach to analyzing directed network structures and dynamics, introducing new perspectives and models and analytical tools for empirical studies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bac679fca26a49119741966da1974e9c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj-art-bac679fca26a49119741966da1974e9c2025-01-24T13:31:57ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002025-01-012718610.3390/e27010086Statistical Mechanics of Directed NetworksMarián Boguñá0M. Ángeles Serrano1Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainDirected networks are essential for representing complex systems, capturing the asymmetry of interactions in fields such as neuroscience, transportation, and social networks. Directionality reveals how influence, information, or resources flow within a network, fundamentally shaping the behavior of dynamical processes and distinguishing directed networks from their undirected counterparts. Robust null models are crucial for identifying meaningful patterns in these representations, yet designing models that preserve key features remains a significant challenge. One such critical feature is reciprocity, which reflects the balance of bidirectional interactions in directed networks and provides insights into the underlying structural and dynamical principles that shape their connectivity. This paper introduces a statistical mechanics framework for directed networks, modeling them as ensembles of interacting fermions. By controlling the reciprocity and other network properties, our formalism offers a principled approach to analyzing directed network structures and dynamics, introducing new perspectives and models and analytical tools for empirical studies.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/1/86complex networksdirected networksmaximum entropyFermi statisticsreciprocity |
| spellingShingle | Marián Boguñá M. Ángeles Serrano Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks Entropy complex networks directed networks maximum entropy Fermi statistics reciprocity |
| title | Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks |
| title_full | Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks |
| title_fullStr | Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks |
| title_short | Statistical Mechanics of Directed Networks |
| title_sort | statistical mechanics of directed networks |
| topic | complex networks directed networks maximum entropy Fermi statistics reciprocity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/1/86 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marianboguna statisticalmechanicsofdirectednetworks AT mangelesserrano statisticalmechanicsofdirectednetworks |