Introduction to Focus Issue: Synchronization and Cascading Processes in Complex Networks

Abstract

The study of collective dynamics in complex networks has emerged as a next frontier in the science of networks. This Focus Issue presents the latest developments on this exciting front, focusing in particular on synchronous and cascading dynamics, which are ubiquitous forms of network dynamics found in a wide range of physical, biological, social, and technological systems.

Robust autoassociative memory with coupled networks of Kuramoto-type oscillators

“…Its occurrence spreads over all scientific disciplines, with applications in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and even in social sciences. The study of synchronization behavior has been correspondingly intense during the last two to three decades, the state of the art being summarized in recent textbooks, monographs and focus issues [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…Its occurrence spreads over all scientific disciplines, with applications in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and even in social sciences. The study of synchronization behavior has been correspondingly intense during the last two to three decades, the state of the art being summarized in recent textbooks, monographs and focus issues [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].A particularly intriguing area where synchronization often occurs is neuroscience. The synchronization of neural oscillators controls vital functions but is responsible for neural diseases as well.…”

Conedy: A scientific tool to investigate complex network dynamics

“…Apart from the merit of understanding structure and evolution of complex networks, such model networks a) Electronic mail: alexander@rothkegel.de b) Electronic mail: klaus.lehnertz@ukb.uni-bonn.de have inspired many studies of dynamics on networks, in which each node is associated with a dynamical system. These studies include investigations of disease spreading 2,9-11 , of neural network dynamics [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] , of noise-induced phenomena [19][20][21] and of synchronization phenomena [22][23][24][25][26][27] .…”