Skeleton key: Diverse complex networks have similar skeletons

ScienceDaily (June 1, 2012) ? Northwestern University researchers are the first to discover that very different complex networks -- ranging from global air traffic to neural networks -- share very similar backbones. By stripping each network down to its essential nodes and links, they found each network possesses a skeleton and these skeletons share common features, much like vertebrates do.

Mammals have evolved to look very different despite a common underlying structure (think of a human being and a bat), and now it appears real-world complex networks evolve in a similar way.

The researchers studied a variety of biological, technological and social networks and found that all these networks have evolved according to basic growth mechanisms. The findings could be particularly useful in understanding how something -- a disease, a rumor or information -- spreads across a network.

This surprising discovery -- that networks all have skeletons and that they are similar -- was published this week by the journal Nature Communications.

"Infectious diseases such as H₁N₁ and SARS spread in a similar way, and it turns out the network's skeleton played an important role in shaping the global spread," said Dirk Brockmann, senior author of the paper. "Now, with this new understanding and by looking at the skeleton, we should be able to use this knowledge in the future to predict how a new outbreak might spread."

Brockmann is associate professor of engineering sciences and applied mathematics at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and a member of the Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO).

Complex systems -- such as the Internet, Facebook, the power grid, human consciousness, even a termite colony -- generate complex behavior. A system's structure emerges locally; it is not designed or planned. Components of a network work together, interacting and influencing each other, driving the network's evolution.

For years, researchers have been trying to determine if different networks from different disciplines have hidden core structures -- backbones -- and, if so, what they look like. Extracting meaningful structural features from data is one of the most challenging tasks in network theory.

Brockmann and two of his graduate students, Christian Thiemann and first author Daniel Grady, developed a method to identify a network's hidden core structure and showed that the skeletons possess some underlying and universal features.

The networks they studied differed in size (from hundreds of nodes to thousands) and in connectivity (some were sparsely connected, others dense) but a simple and similar core skeleton was found in each one.

"The key to our approach was asking what network elements are important from each node's perspective," Brockmann said. "What links are most important to each node, and what is the consensus among nodes? Interestingly, we found that an unexpected degree of consensus exists among all nodes in a network. Nodes either agree that a link is important or they agree that it isn't. There is nearly no disagreement."

By computing this consensus -- the overall strength, or importance, of each link in the network -- the researchers were able to produce a skeleton for each network consisting of all those links that every node considers important. And these skeletons are similar across networks.

Because of this "consensus" property, the researchers' method does not have the drawbacks of other methods, which have degrees of arbitrariness in them and depend on parameters. The Northwestern approach is very robust and identifies essential hubs and links in a non-arbitrary universal way.

The Volkswagen Foundation supported the research.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Northwestern University. The original article was written by Megan Fellman.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Daniel Grady, Christian Thiemann, Dirk Brockmann. Robust classification of salient links in complex networks. Nature Communications, 2012; 3: 864 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1847

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Edwards advised to keep low profile before 2nd act

FILE - In a Thursday, May 31, 2012 file photo, former presidential candidate John Edwards speaks outside a federal courthouse as his daughter, Cate Edwards, left, and father Wallace Edwards, listen after his campaign finance fraud case ended in a mistrial, in Greensboro, N.C. Edwards survived his campaign corruption trial and immediately started talking about his future, saying he wants to become a better father to his four kids and help the poor again, particularly children. But with his image and reputation shattered because he impregnated his mistress while his wife was dying of breast cancer, will the public need time to forgive the good-looking, smooth-talking former presidential candidate? Could he become a television commentator? Is a book or movie deal in his future, or will he fade away to family life and low-profile charity work? (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

FILE - In a Thursday, May 31, 2012 file photo, former presidential candidate John Edwards speaks outside a federal courthouse as his daughter, Cate Edwards, left, and father Wallace Edwards, listen after his campaign finance fraud case ended in a mistrial, in Greensboro, N.C. Edwards survived his campaign corruption trial and immediately started talking about his future, saying he wants to become a better father to his four kids and help the poor again, particularly children. But with his image and reputation shattered because he impregnated his mistress while his wife was dying of breast cancer, will the public need time to forgive the good-looking, smooth-talking former presidential candidate? Could he become a television commentator? Is a book or movie deal in his future, or will he fade away to family life and low-profile charity work? (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) ? Now that he has survived his campaign corruption trial, John Edwards may face an even tougher fight to regain the public's respect.

Image experts and friends recommended that the disgraced former Democratic presdential candidate put his public and political life on hold for a few years. The details of his affair and child with his mistress that were replayed at his trial are too fresh, they say.

"Plant a small garden, tend that garden and wait and listen," said Wade Smith, an attorney who hired Edwards when he was a young attorney and represented him before the trial.

Then a number of things might be possible ? a legal career representing breast cancer patients, and the poor, or life as a stay-at-home father. But not a career in politics, ever.

"I think John Edwards has no political future. Nada, zip," said Emory University political science professor Merle Black. "I can't think of any Democrat in the country that would want to be on the same stage with John Edwards."

Jurors said they put aside Edwards' transgressions and focused on prosecutors' lack of evidence when they acquitted him on one count of illegally accepting campaign contributions and deadlocked on five other charges. Edwards was accused of orchestrating a plan to use money from campaign donors to hide his mistress, Rielle Hunter, while he ran for the White House.

Only time will tell if he can rehabilitate his image from sex scandals like other high-profile politicians, such as former President Bill Clinton, ex-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

"I would tell him to disappear and take care of his family," said Gary Pearce, a former political consultant who helped Edwards win a U.S. Senate seat in 1998. "There is arguably no man in public life more despised than he is."

Edwards wasn't specific about his future plans as he spoke Thursday outside the federal courthouse in Greensboro.

"I don't think God's through with me," Edwards said. "I really believe he thinks there's still some good things I can do and whatever happens with this legal stuff going forward, what I'm hopeful about is all those kids that I've seen, you know in the poorest parts of this country and some of the poorest parts in the world that I can help them."

Friends said they were not exactly sure what he had in mind when he mentioned the poor. He helped develop the University of North Carolina School of Law's Center for Poverty, Work and Opportunity, which helps advocates for proposals and policies to lessen poverty across the nation.

Edwards also spoke about his current daily routine ? making breakfast and sending his 14-year-old daughter Emma Claire and his 12-year-old son Jack to school. He even mentioned his late 16-year-old son Wade, who died in a 1996 auto accident. And he talked publicly about his daughter with Hunter for the first time, saying he loved Frances Quinn Hunter "more than any of you can ever imagine."

His relationship with Hunter is less clear. After Edwards finished his statement, a tabloid reporter asked Edwards if he still loved Hunter and whether he planned to marry her. Edwards bowed his head slightly and turned away without acknowledging the question. His daughter, Cate, who looks much like her mother, shot the reporter a steely gaze.

No one answered the door at Hunter's home in Charlotte after the mistrial was declared. Edwards has said he has been providing financial support for his daughter with Hunter ever since he acknowledged he was her father in 2010.

His personal financial worth isn't known. While he made millions as a personal injury lawyer, he hasn't practiced law in more than a decade and his law license is inactive.

Media consultant Bill Hillsman, president of North Woods Advertising in Minneapolis, said Edwards could do pro bono legal work for breast cancer, the disease that killed his wife, Elizabeth, or work on poverty issues.

Edwards can rehabilitate his image, Hillsman said. "I'm certain of it on a national scale," he said. "I don't know if he could do that in North Carolina."

According to testimony at his trial, Edwards has spoken to friends about his dream of opening a law firm specializing in representing low-income and indigent clients.

Black, of Emory, said it might be difficult for Edwards to practice law again because opposing lawyers could talk about his public lies about the Hunter affair.

Whatever he does, Edwards should eschew cameras, microphones and Twitter, said Harlan Loeb, a crisis management expert in Chicago. Edwards could change his public story by the work he does out of the spotlight, he said.

"He needs to do a considerable amount of work over a sustained period of time," Loeb said.

It might take even longer for people to forget how far the U.S. senator, vice presidential nominee and Democratic presidential contender fell from grace.

"We had such high hopes of him. He represented regular people against corporations. He was long married to a woman who didn't look like a trophy wife," said celebrity attorney Gloria Allred. "He had charisma, personality, commitment and experience. He had so much farther to fall so the disappointment is much greater."

Smith, Edwards' friend for about 30 years, said there's still hope, and forgiveness ahead, for Edwards.

"The people of this country are a forgiving people and they understand that folks make terrible mistakes, that people get themselves in awful messes," Smith said.

"He has a lot going for him, a lot of ability. The time will come when there will be things for him to do that will be worthwhile, and he will know what they are if he will be quiet and listen."

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Associated Press writer Johnny Clark in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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Martha Waggoner can be reached at http://twitter.com/mjwaggonernc . Follow AP writer Michael Biesecker at twitter.com/mbieseck.

Associated Press

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Ben Harvey: The Six Pack: Summer Kickoff (AUDIO)

The Six Pack is a new-school, cutting-edge radio show hosted by DJ Ben Harvey and comedian Dave Rubin. Distributed online and on SiriusXM, the show gives you a weekly dose of hot topics, celebrity guests, and brand new music, all packaged in six convenient parts. Ben and Dave take you on a journey through what's trending now, from news to views to dudes. Previous guests include Joy Behar, Andy Cohen, Fran Drescher, Steve-O, Congressman Barney Frank and many more.

Currently in its third year, The Six Pack is one of the top comedy podcasts on iTunes, with listenership in over 70 countries. The Huffington Post will regularly feature episodes of The Six Pack.

Episode #96: "Summer of the Tank Top"

LISTEN:

It's The Six Pack summer kickoff! The Six Pack app is now free, and to celebrate, in this episode we're bringing you some of the best special content the app has to offer. From bonus interviews with people such as Phillip Spaeth (from NBC's Smash) and Mike Manning (from The Real World) to extended interviews with people like Richard Lewis and all-new segments like "Ask Ben and Dave," we think you'll find this whole situation apptastic! Click here to download.

Catch The Six Pack Saturdays on SiriusXM OutQ channel 108 from 1 to 3 p.m. EST and as a weekly podcast on iTunes, sixpackradio.com, and now... HuffPost! Listen to the entire podcast episode here.

Follow The Six Pack on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sixpackradio

Follow Dave Rubin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rubinreport

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John M. Eger: There Is More Than Art in the Art Districts

Arts districts, usually found on the periphery of a city center, are intended to create a critical mass of art galleries, dance clubs, theaters, art cinemas, music venues, and public squares for performances. More often, such places attract restaurants, cafes, and retail shops.

More and more however, cities are thinking about such art and cultural districts as one way to insure the city attracts, nurtures and retains the creative workforce it needs to succeed in the new economy.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) launched a grant program called "Our Town" to encourage new thinking about the role of art and economic development. Toward that end, they funded over 50 sites in cities across the US, many who said they had unique ideas for art and cultural districts. One such effort was in Boston. Starting with a $50,000 grant in 2010, an exciting effort is taking shape called The Boston Innovation District.

Located in the south Boston waterfront, the District has The Institute of Contemporary Art's flagship Museum, a Children's Museum, numerous contributions of Public Art, a bank, advertising agency, and a law firm and importantly, the kind of entrepreneurs and artists proper that fuel the new economy.

In the last two years, the District has boasted, "new life science and technology companies have been moving in at the rate of one every week." As the Boston Globe reported, "100 companies and 3,000 jobs have come in, bringing a laptop-toting crowd to an area long known for its gritty working seaport and artist studios."

Boston's mayor, Thomas M. Menino, recently announced a $5 million plan for an Innovation Center in the Innovation District, "a 9,000-square-foot public gathering and meeting space to be constructed by autumn in what's now a parking lot wedged between Seaport Boulevard and Northern Avenue, near the new Institute of Contemporary Art" according to New England Cable News.

Another such art district is in downtown San Diego. With no NEA grant but with funding from private investors, I.D.E.A. for Innovation, Design, Education and Art has recently begun building an arts district that will stretch over 35 city blocks in East Village. This plan, like the one in Boston, is more than just art, more than just another real estate development too. It represents another powerful model for cities struggling to get on the global information highway.

I.D.E.A also has housing units and offices catering, obviously, to people who live and work in the area but open to anyone who wants the amenities of an arts district and a highly sustainable, livable community. In fact, as the developers believe, it will be Mecca for "scientists, students, engineers, artists, designers and architects, whose economic function and personal passion are to create new ideas, new technology, and new creative content."

I.D.E.A. is also "green." Meant to be a 93-acre sustainable, mixed-use development in Downtown San Diego's East Village neighborhood, it is intended to be an incubator for artists and designers. I.D.E.A touts its "native vegetation, green open space, and permeable pavement filters storm water naturally and prevents contaminated runoff from entering the San Diego Bay. Forward-thinking transit connections include ample bicycle racks and storage throughout the district, innovative bike and car-sharing programs, and access to various bus and light rail connections. A rubber-tired circulator shuttle reduces the number of car trips needed for workers, residents, and visitors."

The projects plans also include "green roofs," "community gardens, edible landscaping, and farmers' markets" and promises to use nothing but "green building materials and technologies that reduce the neighborhood's carbon footprint while saving long-term energy costs and creating healthy environments for workers and residents."

I.D.E.A., like the Innovation District, will transform their cities. The Boston Innovation District and I.D.E.A. are "creative clusters" -- early indicators that creative and innovative communities committed to nurturing an economy and society based on the importance of art and culture are being born and new architectures -- highly walkable, livable, sustainable cities -- are taking shape.

It is becoming clear that art and culture are central to ensuring vibrant economic activity of our cities and the foreshadowing of a whole economy based upon creativity and innovation.

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Follow John M. Eger on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeger62

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