Epidemics are affected by the connectivity of nodes in networks in addition to the cooperation of infection transmission. We investigate quantitatively the effects of node connectivity on transmission dynamics by comparing epidemic diffusion in null models with gradual connection strength. Results show that: (1) the inhomogeneity of network connectivity accelerates the spreading of epidemics, this phenomenon is more significant in the early stage of propagation; (2) the enhancement of connectivity of homogenous nodes restrains epidemic spreading, and the spreading speed correlates negatively with connection strength; (3) the spreading speed of epidemics does not change linearly with the strength of rich-club property, which means that the connectivity among hub nodes does not appreciably affect disease diffusion.

中文翻译：

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网络连通性对流行病的定量影响

除了感染传播的配合外，流行病还受到网络中节点连通性的影响。我们通过比较零模型中的流行扩散与渐进连接强度来定量研究节点连接对传输动力学的影响。结果表明：（1）网络连通性的不均匀性加速了流行病的传播，这种现象在传播初期更为显着；(2)同质节点连通性的增强抑制了疫情传播，传播速度与连接强度呈负相关；(3) 流行病的传播速度不随富俱乐部属性的强弱呈线性变化，这意味着枢纽节点之间的连通性不会明显影响疾病传播。