Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks

Abstract We introduce multi-location networks to model the real-world phenomena of nodes existing in multiple places simultaneously. A multi-location network contains a set of locations. Each location can have a different set of nodes, but nodes can be present in multiple locations at once. In contr...

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Main Authors: Siddhanth Sabharwal, Yuguo Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Network Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-025-00690-2
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author Siddhanth Sabharwal
Yuguo Chen
author_facet Siddhanth Sabharwal
Yuguo Chen
author_sort Siddhanth Sabharwal
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We introduce multi-location networks to model the real-world phenomena of nodes existing in multiple places simultaneously. A multi-location network contains a set of locations. Each location can have a different set of nodes, but nodes can be present in multiple locations at once. In contrast, a multiplex network contains a set of layers, where each layer shares the same set of nodes. By combining these two structures, a multi-location multiplex network (MLMN) enables nodes to appear in various locations and connect through multiple edge types. For example, in a species interaction MLMN, locations could correspond to continents, while layers represent different types of interactions, such as predation and competition. Some species may inhabit multiple continents, with interactions varying by location. Analyzing the evolution of MLMNs poses substantial challenges due to the complexity of integrating location and edge type. Traditional dynamic network logistic regression models often aggregate data across these structures, leading to information loss. In this paper, we extend dynamic network logistic regression to accommodate MLMNs, improving the estimation of factors driving changes in such networks. Our approach predicts node presence in each location and the formation of edges across different layers at each location. We provide theoretical guarantees for the model, including global optimality, consistency, asymptotic normality, and asymptotic efficiency of the estimated parameters. The model’s finite sample performance is evaluated through simulations. Additionally, a case study is conducted using a dataset from Equinix, a 2024 Fortune 500 company and one of the world’s largest data center operators. Our findings highlight the strong impact of location on node presence and link formation, showcasing the practical relevance of understanding multi-location structures to capture complex network dynamics.
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spelling doaj-art-0ba42053dd9d4bbc9450ef65233402e62025-08-20T03:45:57ZengSpringerOpenApplied Network Science2364-82282025-07-0110115210.1007/s41109-025-00690-2Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networksSiddhanth Sabharwal0Yuguo Chen1Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignAbstract We introduce multi-location networks to model the real-world phenomena of nodes existing in multiple places simultaneously. A multi-location network contains a set of locations. Each location can have a different set of nodes, but nodes can be present in multiple locations at once. In contrast, a multiplex network contains a set of layers, where each layer shares the same set of nodes. By combining these two structures, a multi-location multiplex network (MLMN) enables nodes to appear in various locations and connect through multiple edge types. For example, in a species interaction MLMN, locations could correspond to continents, while layers represent different types of interactions, such as predation and competition. Some species may inhabit multiple continents, with interactions varying by location. Analyzing the evolution of MLMNs poses substantial challenges due to the complexity of integrating location and edge type. Traditional dynamic network logistic regression models often aggregate data across these structures, leading to information loss. In this paper, we extend dynamic network logistic regression to accommodate MLMNs, improving the estimation of factors driving changes in such networks. Our approach predicts node presence in each location and the formation of edges across different layers at each location. We provide theoretical guarantees for the model, including global optimality, consistency, asymptotic normality, and asymptotic efficiency of the estimated parameters. The model’s finite sample performance is evaluated through simulations. Additionally, a case study is conducted using a dataset from Equinix, a 2024 Fortune 500 company and one of the world’s largest data center operators. Our findings highlight the strong impact of location on node presence and link formation, showcasing the practical relevance of understanding multi-location structures to capture complex network dynamics.https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-025-00690-2Complex networksDynamic networkLogistic regressionMulti-locationMultiplex
spellingShingle Siddhanth Sabharwal
Yuguo Chen
Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks
Applied Network Science
Complex networks
Dynamic network
Logistic regression
Multi-location
Multiplex
title Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks
title_full Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks
title_fullStr Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks
title_full_unstemmed Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks
title_short Estimation and prediction in dynamic multi-location multiplex networks
title_sort estimation and prediction in dynamic multi location multiplex networks
topic Complex networks
Dynamic network
Logistic regression
Multi-location
Multiplex
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-025-00690-2
work_keys_str_mv AT siddhanthsabharwal estimationandpredictionindynamicmultilocationmultiplexnetworks
AT yuguochen estimationandpredictionindynamicmultilocationmultiplexnetworks