Influence maximization in complex networks through optimal percolation

Understand

The whole frame of interconnections in complex networks hinges on a specific set of structural nodes, much smaller than the total size, which, if activated, would cause the spread of information to the whole network [1]; or, if immunized, would prevent the diffusion of a large scale epidemic [2,3].

• Localizing this optimal, i.e.
• minimal, set of structural nodes, called influencers, is one of the most important problems in network science [4,5].
• Despite the vast use of heuristic strategies to identify influential spreaders [6-14], the problem remains unsolved.