CDI-Type II: Collaborative Research: Dynamical processes in interdependent techno-social networks

近年来在复杂网络研究中取得的重大进展受到了严重的限制，几乎只关注单个网络的行为。 然而，真实的世界中的大多数网络不是孤立的，而是耦合的，因此依赖于其他网络，而其他网络又依赖于其他网络。真实的网络相互通信，可以交换信息，或者更重要的是，可以相互依赖以实现其正常功能。 一个简单但真实的例子是依赖于计算机网络的发电站网络，而计算机网络又依赖于电力网络。我们的社交网络依赖于技术网络，而技术网络又得到组织网络的支持。令人惊讶的是，将复杂系统作为耦合的相互依赖的网络来分析，改变了网络理论对单个网络所依赖的最基本假设。一个多学科的，数据驱动的研究项目将：1）研究统治相互依赖网络的动态的微观过程，特别关注社会成分; 2）定义新的数学模型/基础理论，用于分析相互依赖网络的鲁棒性/弹性和传染/扩散动态。该项目将通过将耦合网络的理论分析与适当选择的大型数据库的广泛分析相结合，大大扩展对现实复杂网络的理解。这些数据库将被公开，除非在特殊情况下这样做是非法的。这项研究对理解构成现代社会的社会和技术系统具有重要意义。美国科学院最近的一份报告指出，？目前还没有可用的建模和仿真工具可以充分解决在动态相互依赖的不同关键基础设施中同时发生的中断和故障的后果。了解网络的相互依赖性及其对系统鲁棒性以及结构和功能行为的影响对于正确建模许多真实的世界系统和应用程序（从灾难准备到建立有效的组织，再到理解）至关重要宏观经济的复杂性。 除了这些智力目标，该研究项目还包括向公众，特别是K-12学生制定广泛的推广计划。

The significant advances realized in recent years in the study of complex networks are severely limited by an almost exclusive focus on the behavior of single networks. However, most networks in the real world are not isolated but are coupled and hence depend upon other networks, which in turn depend upon other networks. Real networks communicate with each other and may exchange information, or, more importantly, may rely upon one another for their proper functioning. A simple but real example is a power station network that depends on a computer network, and the computer network depends on the power network. Our social networks depend on technical networks, which, in turn, are supported by organizational networks. Surprisingly, analyzing complex systems as coupled interdependent networks alters the most basic assumptions that network theory has relied on for single networks. A multidisciplinary, data driven research project will: 1) Study the microscopic processes that rule the dynamics of interdependent networks, with a particular focus on the social component; 2) Define new mathematical models/foundational theories for the analysis of the robustness/resilience and contagion/diffusive dynamics of interdependent networks. This project will afford the opportunity of greatly expanding the understanding of realistic complex networks by joining theoretical analysis of coupled networks with extensive analysis of appropriately chosen large-scale databases. These databases will be made publicly available, except for special cases where it is illegal to do so.This research has important implications for the understanding the social and technical systems that make up a modern society. A recent US Scientific Congressional Report concludes ?No currently available modeling and simulation tools exist that can adequately address the consequences of disruptions and failures occurring simultaneously in different critical infrastructures that are dynamically inter-dependent.? Understanding the interdependence of networks and its effect on the system robustness and on the structural and functional behavior is crucial for properly modeling many real world systems and applications, from disaster preparedness, to building effective organizations, to comprehending the complexity of the macro economy. In addition to these intellectual objectives, the research project includes the development of an extensive outreach program to the public, especially K-12 students.