A guide to temporal networks (Q2836181)

The main topic of the book is the study of ``\dots the combination of complexity of network structure and complexity induced by temporal behaviour of the network.'' The authors propose to provide an ``entry point to the mathematical and computational analysis of temporal networks.''NEWLINENEWLINEBecause of the importance of adding to the well-established class of static network models and their theory the component of evolution over time the book is timely and can be recommended in my view as a starting point for newcomers in the field. The authors emphasize that they deal with a restricted subset of the fast developing field only and provide hints to further material which is provided in recent survey papers.NEWLINENEWLINEThe focus of the authors interest is to offer ``an introduction to tools required for analysing temporal networks and focus on a selection of models and algorithms.'' Due to the obvious concentration on a streamlined introductory text, the advanced reader will miss several standard parts and models from the field of static networks and their theory, the authors themselves point on omission of, e.g., the ``\dots Watts-Strogatz model, small-world effects, degree correlation, much of centrality measures, much of percolation, spatial networks and much of multilayer networks.''NEWLINENEWLINENevertheless, in my opinion under the constraints of no more than 240 pages there is a wealth of material which will encourage the interested newcomer to enter the field by and with this overview on temporal networks. Clearly, a reader would benefit from being familiar with (some) static network models and their theory, but in my view this it not a necessary prerequisite for using this book as a starting point for undertaking research in the field of time-dependent network behaviour.NEWLINENEWLINEThe chapter headings are: 1. Introduction (6 pages); 2. Mathematical toolbox (28 pages); 3. Static networks (35 pages); 4. Analysis of temporal networks (68 pages); 5. Models of temporal networks (34 pages); 6. Dynamics on temporal networks (40 pages); Three short appendices with supporting material (6 pages). The list of references encompasses more than 250 entries.NEWLINENEWLINEThe headings of the subsections of the central Chapter 4 indicate the main methodological topics of the book. These are:NEWLINENEWLINETemporal walks and paths, Components, Temporal coherence of a triangle, Centrality, Statistical properties of event times, Null models and randomisation procedures, Temporal motifs, Detection of change points and anomalies, Link prediction, Communities in temporal networks.NEWLINENEWLINEThe models of temporal networks in this book are subject to random influences of different character. We find general simple stochastic temporal networks, where random events change the structure of the network, activity driven models, self-exciting processes, Markovian log-linear models, memory networks, and metapopulation models. A closer connection to OR models is mentioned via networks of priority queues, which are only sketched, while single priority queues are investigated in detail. The standard network models of OR, e.g., time-dependent Petri nets and queueing networks are not considered in detail.NEWLINENEWLINEThe problem of time dependent dynamics is presented with examples from random walks on networks and epidemic processes. The (stochastic, often Markovian) dynamics of the networks are exogenously determined. So an adaptive co-evolution of the networks' structure and of the internal state of the nodes is not considered.