Modeling Information Popularity Dynamics via Branching Process on Micro-Blog Network

Predicting and modeling of items popularity on web 2.0 have attracted great attention of many scholars. From the perspective of information competition, we propose a probabilistic model using the branching process to characterize the process in which micro-blogging gains its popularity. The model is analytically tractable and can reproduce several characteristics of empirical micro-blogging data on Sina micro-blog, the most popular micro- blogging system in China. We find that the information competition on micro-blog network leads to the decay of information popularity obeying power law distribution with exponent about 1.5, and the value is similar to the exponent of degree distribution of micro-blog network. Furthermore, the mean popularity is decided by the probability of innovating a new message. Our work presents evidence supporting the idea that two distinct factors affect information popularity： information competition and social network structure.

Can we have a general theory of financial innovation processes? A conceptual review

Introduction:Since the financial crisis of 2008,the theory of financial innovation has been a focus at a time of re-evaluation and re-conceptualization.However,little has been done to evaluate the current state of research considering the increasing complexity of financial innovation.This paper examines the hypothesis of a general theory that encompasses increasing complexities in the financial innovation process.Methods:The paper begins with an overview of the definitions,the features,and the classification schemes of financial innovation.Additionally,the paper reviews the existing literature on the main objects of study in financial innovation and groups the findings under four main concepts.A conceptual analysis is presented that evaluates current approaches to the study of the financial innovation process and the difficulties inherent in constructing a single general theory.The paper proposes a framework based on a meta-theory of financial innovation as a better approach to understanding the inherent complexities and diversities affecting financial innovations.Discussion:(1)Financial innovations present diversities and complexities that make it infeasible to build a unifying general theory to explain their development.(2)The current state of research on financial innovation theories is limited and requires additional input.(3)A meta-theory that identifies,classifies,and connects theories of development for financial innovations is better suited to explaining the complexity of financial innovation processes.

Preface

Complex networks are ubiquitous in our lives. Representative examples are the Internet, social networks, biological networks, E-commerce networks, electrical power grids, and larger-scale engineering systems. It is well known that the Internet has been a powerful engine for our societal evolution and technological innovation. Nowadays, network science and engineering faces fundamental challenges, such as understanding the complexity of various large-scale networks, developing new architectures and exploiting new substrates, and enabling new applications and new economics. To a better future, the complex networks in our lives will need to be better： more accessible, more reliable, more predictable, and more secure.