English

Local symmetries in complex networks

Disordered Systems and Neural Networks 2008-06-29 v3 Physics and Society Quantitative Methods

Abstract

Symmetry -- invariance to certain operators -- is a fundamental concept in many branches of physics. We propose ways to measure symmetric properties of vertices, and their surroundings, in networks. To be stable to the randomness inherent in many complex networks, we consider measures that are continuous rather than dichotomous. The main operator we suggest is permutations of the paths of a certain length leading out from a vertex. If these paths are more similar (in some sense) than expected, the vertex is a local center of symmetry in networks. We discuss different precise definitions based on this idea and give examples how different symmetry coefficients can be applied to protein interaction networks.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0608695,
  title  = {Local symmetries in complex networks},
  author = {Petter Holme},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0608695},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

Presented at (and submitted to the proceedings of) Dynamics Days Asia Pacific 4

R2 v1 2026-07-22T11:36:31.455Z