Our goal is to describe the collective motion of organisms in the presence of fluctuations. Therefore, we discuss biologically inspired, inherently non-equilibrium models consisting of self-propelled particles. In our models the particles corresponding to organisms locally interact with their...

In this paper we discuss the problem of information losses in organizations and how they depend on the organization network structure. Hierarchical networks are an optimal organization structure only when the failure rate of nodes or links is negligible. Otherwise, redundant information links...

Several types of stochastic equations are important in thermodynamics, chemistry, evolutionary biology, population dynamics and quantitative social science. For systems with pair interactions four different types of equations are derived, starting from a master equation for the state space:...

In this paper, we present a versatile method for the investigation of interaction networks and show how to use it to assess effects of indirect interactions and feedback loops. The method allows to evaluate the impact of optimization measures or failures on the system. Here, we will apply it to...

In this special issue, an overview of the Thematic Institute (TI) on Information and Material Flows in Complex Systems is given. The TI was carried out within EXYSTENCE, the first EU Network of Excellence in the area of complex systems. Its motivation, research approach and subjects are...

We present a gas-kinetic (Boltzmann-like) traffic equation that is not only suited for low vehicle densities, but also for the high-density regime, as it takes into account the forwardly directed interactions, effects of vehicular space requirements like increased interaction rates, and effects...

China's New Silk Road (aka Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)) will invest a 1 trillion USD budget across Asia, Africa and Europe. As BRI wants to contribute also to sustainable development, the authors argue that only open digital participation of all citizens, corporations and governments and the...