We consider nonequilibrium phase transitions, such as epidemic spreading, in weighted scale-free networks, in which highly connected nodes have a relatively smaller ability to transfer infection. We solve the dynamical mean-field equations and discuss finite-size scaling theory. The theoretical predictions are confronted with the results of large scale Monte Carlo simulations on the weighted Barabási-Albert network. Local scaling exponents are found different at a typical site and at a node with very large connectivity.

• Received 26 April 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.73.036116