Robustness in semantic networks based on cliques

Here, we present a study on how the structure of semantic networks based on cliques (specifically, article titles) behaves when vertex removal strategies (i.e., random and uniform vertex removal - RUR, highest degree vertex removal - HDR, and highest intermediation centrality vertex removal - HICR) are applied to this type of network. We propose a method for calculation of the average size of the small components and we identify the existence of a fraction (fp) where the topological structure of the network changes. Semantic networks based on cliques maintain the small-world phenomenon when subjected to RUR, HDR and HICR for fractions of removed vertices less than or equal to fp.