https://doi.org/10.1140/epjds/s13688-026-00663-0
Research
Modeling memory in time-respecting paths on temporal networks
ISI Foundation, Via della Rocca, 20, 10123, Turin, Italy
a
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Received:
21
November
2025
Accepted:
3
May
2026
Published online:
12
May
2026
Abstract
Human close-range proximity interactions are the key determinant for spreading processes like knowledge diffusion, norm adoption, and infectious disease transmission. These dynamical processes can be modeled with time-respecting paths on temporal networks. Here, we propose a framework to quantify memory in time-respecting paths and evaluate it on several empirical datasets encoding proximity between humans collected in different settings. Our results show strong memory effects, robust across settings, model parameters, and statistically significant when compared to memoryless null models. We further propose a generative model to create synthetic temporal graphs with memory and use it to show that memory in time-respecting paths decreases the diffusion speed, affecting the dynamics of spreading processes on temporal networks.
Key words: Temporal networks / Human proximity / Memory / Time respecting paths / Generative models
Handling Editor: Paolo Barucca
© The Author(s) 2026
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