Clustering of the structures by using "snakes-&-dragons" approach, or correlation matrix as a signal

PLoS One. 2019 Oct 10;14(10):e0223267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223267. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Biological, ecological, social, and technological systems are complex structures with multiple interacting parts, often represented by networks. Correlation matrices describing interdependency of the variables in such structures provide key information for comparison and classification of such systems. Classification based on correlation matrices could supplement or improve classification based on variable values, since the former reveals similarities in system structures, while the latter relies on the similarities in system states. Importantly, this approach of clustering correlation matrices is different from clustering elements of the correlation matrices, because our goal is to compare and cluster multiple networks-not the nodes within the networks. A novel approach for clustering correlation matrices, named "snakes-&-dragons," is introduced and illustrated by examples from neuroscience, human microbiome, and macroeconomics.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Algorithms*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computer Simulation
  • Female
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbiota
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.