Center for Complex Networks
Where Complexity Meets Understanding |
Our research explores the fascinating intersection of social media and collective identity. We delve into the influence of automated accounts, or “bots,” on online discourse. These bots can mimic human behavior, but some, known as social bots, have a more concerning purpose: swaying public opinion. To identify these social influencers, we utilize a powerful tool called Botometer. Once unmasked, we analyze the content these bots spread to understand their impact on online conversations and the collective identity they help shape.
Network neuroscience is an attempt to take neuroscience from the study of individual brain units to a network-level investigation. This is promising since the brain is one of the most complex systems, comprising nearly 10 billion neurons connected by about 100 trillion synapses. Thus, as a complex network, interactions among brains’ units are nontrivial for sure. Here our goal is to better understand and computationally model these interactions. Join us on our journey to discover more about the surprising interactions underlying the beauty of complex brain networks!
When we say a complex system, we mean that there is so much information in this system that the usual models derived from reductionism, do not work perfectly. Typically, different models are presented to describe these systems depending on their scale, which predicts the behavior of this system at that scale. Social networks are also known as complex systems, which means that the models presented in this branch can not fully explain the real social systems. However, scientists working in this field have not given up trying to better understand these systems and are trying to build and improve their cognitive methods.
Quantum complex networks are networks in which the nodes, links or other parameters of the network are quantum states. These networks have been identified as a potential solution to non-locality problems, parallel processing that exists in many real phenomena such as brain networks, finance, social and biology, etc. The collective behavior that arises as a result of this entanglement and the systemic risk arising from it in financial market networks are two key areas of interest. Furthermore, quantum mechanics has been employed to develop secure communication channels that are resilient to hacking. Quantum communications present the possibility of providing secure solutions at an enterprise-scale. This entanglement results in the emergence of new quantum transitions within the system, which can be identified through this lens.
The “Physics of AI & AI in Physics” lab focuses on the interplay between artificial intelligence and fundamental physics, where AI techniques and physical models enhance our understanding of both fields. One core area of research is the application of graph convolutional neural networks (GCNNs) to brain networks, allowing for the modeling of complex neural structures and enabling parallel processing similar to quantum systems. These networks also assist in solving inverse problems, where unknown system parameters are inferred from observable data, a challenge that spans across medical imaging, astrophysics, and more.
Drawing on the spin glass model, the lab studies how disordered systems, analogous to those in statistical physics, can improve AI optimization techniques, especially in solving complex decision-making and learning problems. In parallel, quantum networks are examined for their potential in improving AI algorithms, providing new frameworks to tackle large-scale, computationally intensive tasks with unprecedented speed and security.
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The Center for Complex Networks (CCNet) studies complex systems in the real world, where many interacting agents create unexpected large-scale behaviors. We use advanced data analysis techniques to understand these interactions and predict future outcomes. Our research combines insights from physics, mathematics, computer science, neuroscience, and social sciences to tackle problems in areas like finance, social media, and the brain …
Department of Physics, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
t.me/complexity
Room 307, Department of Physics, Shahid Beheshti University.
G. C. Evin, Tehran 19839, Iran
