Mathematical analysis of information propagation model in complex networks

Abstract

In virtue of identifying the influence of nodes, the spatial distance of rumor propagation is defined with the partition and clustering in the network. Considering the temporal and spatial propagation characteristics of rumors in online social networks, we establish a delayed rumor propagation model based on the graph theory and partial functional differential equations. Firstly, the unique existence and uniform boundedness of the nonnegative solution are explored. Secondly, we discuss the existence of positive equilibrium points sufficiently. Thirdly, stabilities of the rumor-free and rumor-spreading equilibrium points are investigated according to the linearization approach and Lyapunov function. Finally, we perform several numerical simulations to validate theoretical results and show the influence of time delay on rumor propagation. Experimental results further illustrate that taking forceful actions such as increasing the time delay in the rumor-spreading process can control rumor propagation due to the timely effectiveness of the information.