The function of a network is affected by its structure. For example, the presence of highly interactive individuals, or hubs, influences the extent and rate of information spread across a network. In a network of inte...The function of a network is affected by its structure. For example, the presence of highly interactive individuals, or hubs, influences the extent and rate of information spread across a network. In a network of interactions, the duration over which individual variation in interactions persists may affect how the network operates. Individuals may persist in their behavior over time and across situations, often referred to as personality. Colonies of social insects are an example of a biological system in which the structure of the coordinated networks of interacting workers may greatly influence information flow within the colony, and therefore its collective behavior. Here I investigate the effects of persistence in walking patterns on interaction networks us- ing computer simulations that are parameterized using observed behavior of harvester ants. I examine how the duration of persis- tence in spatial behavior influences network structure. Furthermore, I explore how spatial features of the environment affect the relationship between persistent behavior and network structure. I show that as persistence increases, the skewness of the weighted degree distribution of the interaction network increases. However, this relationship holds only when ants are confined in a space with boundaries, but not when physical barriers are absent. These findings suggest that the influence of animal personalities on network structure and function depends on the environment in which the animals reside [Current Zoology 61 （1）： 98-106, 2015].展开更多
The authors extend the Gazi＇s swarm model with local neighbor rules and the dynamic communication topology, and study its aggregation properties. Results of analysis show that all agents in the models aggregate and e...The authors extend the Gazi＇s swarm model with local neighbor rules and the dynamic communication topology, and study its aggregation properties. Results of analysis show that all agents in the models aggregate and eventually form a cohesive cluster of finite size around the swarm center or the appointed point. Finally, simulations are provided to testify some of the results. Models in the paper are more applicable to the reality for the advantage that each agent only needs the partial information of the entire dynamic system when making motion decision.展开更多
文摘The function of a network is affected by its structure. For example, the presence of highly interactive individuals, or hubs, influences the extent and rate of information spread across a network. In a network of interactions, the duration over which individual variation in interactions persists may affect how the network operates. Individuals may persist in their behavior over time and across situations, often referred to as personality. Colonies of social insects are an example of a biological system in which the structure of the coordinated networks of interacting workers may greatly influence information flow within the colony, and therefore its collective behavior. Here I investigate the effects of persistence in walking patterns on interaction networks us- ing computer simulations that are parameterized using observed behavior of harvester ants. I examine how the duration of persis- tence in spatial behavior influences network structure. Furthermore, I explore how spatial features of the environment affect the relationship between persistent behavior and network structure. I show that as persistence increases, the skewness of the weighted degree distribution of the interaction network increases. However, this relationship holds only when ants are confined in a space with boundaries, but not when physical barriers are absent. These findings suggest that the influence of animal personalities on network structure and function depends on the environment in which the animals reside [Current Zoology 61 （1）： 98-106, 2015].
基金Project Operation and Simulation of Emergency Response Logistics Network in the System of Anti-bioterrorism supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.70671021.
文摘The authors extend the Gazi＇s swarm model with local neighbor rules and the dynamic communication topology, and study its aggregation properties. Results of analysis show that all agents in the models aggregate and eventually form a cohesive cluster of finite size around the swarm center or the appointed point. Finally, simulations are provided to testify some of the results. Models in the paper are more applicable to the reality for the advantage that each agent only needs the partial information of the entire dynamic system when making motion decision.
