EPJ ST Special Issue: Routes to Synchronization and Collective Behavior in Higher-Order Networks

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Published on 07 June 2023

Guest Editors: Sajad Jafari, Fatemeh Parastesh, Eckehard Schӧll

Real networks are composed of many interconnected dynamical systems. Network science has provided efficient tools and platforms for studying these networks. However, recent developments have shown that classical networks are not beneficial enough for investigating complex dynamics and behaviors in special cases. It has been revealed that the links are not limited to connecting two nodes but more nodes. Therefore, the interactions can go beyond pairwise connections, constructing group interactions or higher-order interactions whose introduction to the network helps to reach further developments. The higher-order interactions have been found in diverse fields, including neurology, social science, and ecology, and significantly influence their emergent behaviors. Consequently, the study of higher-order interactions has recently been the focus of many scientists.

The introduction of higher-order interactions requires appropriate mathematical frameworks rather than classical ones. It has been shown that the simplicial complexes and hypergraphs are proper representations for incorporating non-pairwise interactions. Considering these interactions can lead to the formation of emergent collective dynamics, which could not be formed in traditional networks. Although the concept of higher-order interactions was introduced many years ago, recent studies have revealed novel developments and exciting results, attracting more attention. Hence, this special issue is devoted to the current state of the art regarding collective behaviors in networks with higher-order interactions. We want to point out the directions of further studies.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

• Structure and dynamics of the hypergraphs and simplicial complexes
• Collective dynamics, including different synchronization and chimera patterns
• Stability analysis
• Applications to natural, socioeconomic, and technological systems, like for instance, complex contagions, neuroscience, supply networks, social networks,…
• Random-walks
• Robustness to noise
• Evolutionary games

The Guest Editors would like to cordially invite further authors to submit their original research papers for this special issue along the lines described above. An extended description of the critical aspects/open problems of the methods presented will be a stringent criterion of pre-selection of papers to be sent to referees. Articles may be one of four types: (i) minireviews (10-15 pages), (ii) tutorial reviews (15+ pages), (iii) original paper v1 (5-10 pages), or (iv) original paper v2 (3-5 pages). More detailed descriptions of each paper type can be found in the Submission Guidelines. Manuscripts should be prepared using the latex template (preferably single column layout), which can be downloaded here.

Articles should be submitted to the Editorial Office of EPJ ST via the submission system, and should be clearly identified as intended for the topical issue “Routes to Synchronization and Collective Behavior in Higher-Order Networks”.

Guest Editors:

Sajad Jafari (lead guest editor), Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran,
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Fatemeh Parastesh, Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran,
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Eckehard Schӧll, Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstrasse 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg A 31, 14473 Potsdam, Germany,
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Open Access: EPJST is a hybrid journal offering Open Access publication via the Open Choice programme and a growing number of Transformative Agreements which enable authors to publish OA at no direct cost (all costs are paid centrally).