Cited by 5,119Complex Network Analysis TechniquesGraph theory and applicationsComplex Systems and Time Series Analysis

Efficient behavior of small-world networks

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Latora, Vito, Marchiori, Massimo·2001·Physical Review Letters

Abstract

We introduce the concept of efficiency of a network as a measure of how efficiently it exchanges information. By using this simple measure, small-world networks are seen as systems that are both globally and locally efficient. This gives a clear physical meaning to the concept of "small world," and also a precise quantitative analysis of both weighted and unweighted networks. We study neural networks and man-made communication and transportation systems and we show that the underlying general principle of their construction is in fact a small-world principle of high efficiency.

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Crossref · 10.1103/physrevlett.87.198701

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  • Global efficiency is the inverse of path length but has a greater relative contribution from short-distance connections.

    “A related measure is global efficiency, which is the inverse of path length, 60 but which has a greater relative contribution from short-distance connections. 1”
  • Local efficiency predominantly reflects short-range connections between neighboring brain regions that facilitate localized information processing.

    “local efficiency predominantly reflects short-range connections between neighboring brain regions that facilitate localized information-processing”

    From Developmental Changes in Organization of Structural Brain Networks (2013) · cites this paper as Latora and Marchiori 2001

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Research works printed but not linked: 17

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Authors
Latora, V., & Marchiori, M.
Affiliations
Université Paris-Sud (FR)
Venue
Physical Review Letters
Published
2001-10-17
Volume
87
Issue
19
Pages
198701-198701
ISSN
  • 0031-9007 (ISSN-L)
  • 1079-7114
OpenAlex
W2060464767
Cited by
5,119
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 306 · 2025: 342 · 2024: 332 · 2023: 341 · 2022: 347 · 2021: 388 · 2020: 373 · 2019: 287 · 2018: 331 · 2017: 246 · 2016: 263 · 2015: 230 · 2014: 203 · 2013: 246 · 2012: 153
FWCI
10.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Physical Review Letters (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • Technische Universität Dortmund Eldorado (Technische Universität Dortmund) (submittedVersion)
  • Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
  • Technische Universität Dortmund Eldorado (Technische Universität Dortmund)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Network Analysis Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Geometry and Topology › Graph theory and applications
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis
Keywords
small-world networks, network efficiency, information sharing, weighted networks, unweighted networks, artificial neural networks, communication networks, transportation networks, network topology
MeSH terms
Brain, Models, Chemical, Models, Neurological, Models, Theoretical, Social Support, Transportation

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