COSIN: Coevolution and self-organization in dynamical networks

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 02.0234
• Projekttitel Englisch: COSIN: Coevolution and self-organization in dynamical networks

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

Forecasting; Information Processing; Information Systems; Innovation; Technology Transfer

Alternative Projektnummern (Englisch)

EU project number: IST-2001-33555

Forschungsprogramme (Englisch)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.2.8 Generic R&D activities

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

See abstract

Weitere Hinweise und Angaben (Englisch)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
EPF Lausanne SB ITP LBS
BSP 723 (Bât. sciences physiques UNIL)

Abstract (Englisch)

In this project we want to develop statistical models to describe networks growth and evolution. These models will be based on agents interactions and inspired to the theory of Self-Organization and Fractal Growth. At the same time we are thinking to collect data mainly for Internet and World Wide Web structure in order to validate the models and we want to devise visualization tools in order to analyze large data sets both from numerical simualtions and from real-world data. Application to social andconomic networks will be also considered.

Objectives:
The aim of this project is to develop a unified set of Complex Systems theoretical methodologies for the characterization of Complex Networks, helping addressing fundamental question about stability, efficiency and functionality of these networks. We shall concentrate the research activity on the structures originated by the interplay of different agents in information society as the Internet network, the World Wide Web structure and the social and economic networks. In particular we intend to find a set of new tools for the analysis and the simulation of very large networks; devise efficient algorithms for measuring the relevant characteristics of such networks and for visualizing their evolution at different scales. We shall also show that such tools can help in addressing the real-world problems faced in ITS technology as well as in the social studies.

Work description:
(The study of the dynamics of complex networks requires an interdisciplinary approach that will use methodologies developed in different areas. Complex Systems theory is the natural candidate framework for the study of such networks. It provides a unified language and a set of operative tools to address the fundamental issues involved in the study of such systems. In this framework we want to devise common methodologies for running empirical simulations, computing the relevant quantities on the simulated models and on real samples and visualizing the evolution of networks even on very large dimensions. The unifying feature of these networks is that their global structure and dynamical evolution are the result of locally interacting agents distributed in the system. Shape of the network and agent requests coevolve to form the final structure. We plan to devise new stochastic models for Internet to be validated through an extensive comparison with a multiview observation from different locatios. We also want to devise content sensitive stochastic models of the world Wide Web where documents link to other documents that are relevant for a common subject of interest. The study of such large networks require the development of ad-hoc visualization algorithms and data structures for drawing and browsing virtually infinite structures rapidingly evolving in time. We shall also consider the analysis of social and economic networks as cyber communities, correlations between stocks and firm etc. We finally want to test the existing models for the Internet and the World Wide Web by comparing the behaviour of suitable quantities identified through theoretical analysis and large computer simulations. In particular we refer to the various frequency distributions observed in real samples as the degree distribution, the number of hops required to reach boundary of the system etc.

Datenbankreferenzen (Englisch)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 02.0234