Feature-enriched core percolation in multiplex networks

Percolation models have long served as a paradigm for unraveling the structure and resilience of complex systems comprising interconnected nodes. In many real networks, nodes are identified by not only their connections but nontopological metadata such as age and gender in social systems, geographical location in infrastructure networks, and component contents in biochemical networks. However, there is little known regarding how the nontopological features influence network structures under percolation processes. In this paper we introduce a feature-enriched core percolation framework using a generic multiplex network approach. We thereby analytically determine the corona cluster, size, and number of edges of the feature-enriched cores. We find a hybrid percolation transition combining a jump and a square root singularity at the critical points in both the network connectivity and the feature space. Integrating the degree-feature distribution with the Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern copula, we show the existence of continuous and discrete percolation transitions for feature-enriched cores at critical correlation levels. The inner and outer cores are found to undergo distinct phase transitions under the feature-enriched percolation, all limited by a characteristic curve of the feature distribution