Contagion dynamics on adaptive multiplex networks with awareness-dependent rewiring*

Abstract

Over the last few years, the interplay between contagion dynamics of social influences (e.g., human awareness, risk perception, and information dissemination) and biological infections has been extensively investigated within the framework of multiplex networks. The vast majority of existing multiplex network spreading models typically resort to heterogeneous mean-field approximation and microscopic Markov chain approaches. Such approaches usually manifest richer dynamical properties on multiplex networks than those on simplex networks; however, they fall short of a subtle analysis of the variations in connections between nodes of the network and fail to account for the adaptive behavioral changes among individuals in response to epidemic outbreaks. To transcend these limitations, in this paper we develop a highly integrated effective degree approach to modeling epidemic and awareness spreading processes on multiplex networks coupled with awareness-dependent adaptive rewiring. This approach keeps track of the number of nearest neighbors in each state of an individual; consequently, it allows for the integration of changes in local contacts into the multiplex network model. We derive a formula for the threshold condition of contagion outbreak. Also, we provide a lower bound for the threshold parameter to indicate the effect of adaptive rewiring. The threshold analysis is confirmed by extensive simulations. Our results show that awareness-dependent link rewiring plays an important role in enhancing the transmission threshold as well as lowering the epidemic prevalence. Moreover, it is revealed that intensified awareness diffusion in conjunction with enhanced link rewiring makes a greater contribution to disease prevention and control. In addition, the critical phenomenon is observed in the dependence of the epidemic threshold on the awareness diffusion rate, supporting the metacritical point previously reported in literature. This work may shed light on understanding of the interplay between epidemic dynamics and social contagion on adaptive networks.