DIEP seminar by Leonardo Di Gaetano
The Effect of Higher‑Order Interactions on Structure, Percolation, and Dynamical Fluctuations of Networks
This talk presents two recent studies on the role of higher-order interactions in complex networks. In the first part, we introduce a hidden-variable formalism for temporal higher-order networks that captures key structural properties of a broad class of generative random processes—such as hyperdegree distributions and correlations—and allows for analytical estimates of percolation thresholds. We show that neglecting group interactions leads to systematic biases in structural and temporal metrics.
In the second part, we focus on dynamics. Using large deviation theory, we investigate rare events and dynamical fluctuations under the influence of higher-order interactions. We demonstrate how group interactions modulate fluctuation spectra, in particular suppressing trajectories that deviate significantly from typical behavior. These effects emerge in both quenched and annealed settings, corresponding respectively to static network realizations and ensembles of time-varying structures. The mathematical framework developed here is not limited to higher-order systems and can be extended to study the predictability and fluctuation structure of a wide class of network dynamics.
Originally from Sicily, Leonardo Di Gaetano has a background in theoretical physics and holds a PhD in Network and Data Science from Central European University. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher with dual affiliations at the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone and the Centre de Physique Théorique at Aix‑Marseille Université. His research lies at the intersection of network science and neuroscience, with a focus on the theoretical foundations of network models and their application to brain dynamics.
L. Di Gaetano, F. Battiston, M. Starnini, Phys. Rev. Lett. 132, 037401 (2024)
L. Di Gaetano, G. Carugno, F. Battiston, F. Coghi, Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 107401 (2024)
If you wish to attend this seminar online, please send an email to f.a.nobregasantos@uva.nl to receive the zoom-link.