Temporal Distance Research Articles

Emotional state dynamics impacts temporal memory

ABSTRACT Emotional fluctuations are ubiquitous in everyday life, but precisely how they sculpt the temporal organisation of memories remains unclear. Here, we designed a novel task – the Emotion Boundary Task – wherein participants viewed sequences of negative and neutral images surrounded by a colour border. We manipulated perceptual context (border colour), emotional-picture valence, as well as the direction of emotional-valence shifts (i.e., shifts from neutral-to-negative and negative-to-neutral events) to create events with a shared perceptual and/or emotional context. We measured memory for temporal order and temporal distances for images processed within and across events. Negative images processed within events were remembered as closer in time compared to neutral ones. In contrast, temporal distances were remembered as longer for images spanning neutral-to-negative shifts – suggesting temporal dilation in memory with the onset of a negative event following a previously-neutral state. The extent of negative-picture induced temporal dilation in memory correlated with dispositional negativity across individuals. Lastly, temporal order memory was enhanced for recently-presented negative (versus neutral) images. These findings suggest that emotional-state dynamics matters when considering emotion-temporal memory interactions: While persistent negative events may compress subjectively remembered time, dynamic shifts from neutral-to-negative events produce temporal dilation in memory, with implications for adaptive emotional functioning.

Comparative Analysis of the "H"-shaped Symbol from Göbekli Tepe and the Ritual "Binocular-shaped" Ceramics of the Trypillia Culture in Light of Ancient Farmers' Cosmological Beliefs

This article is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the sacred "H"-shaped symbolism, which originates from the ancient temple complex of hunter-gatherers and early farmers of the Near East – Göbekli Tepe. The research identifies and analyzes a similar symbol found in the religious complex of ancient farmers in the territory of modern Ukraine, specifically in the Trypillia culture and its ceramic artifacts known as "Trypillia binoculars." A comparative analysis of these symbols is conducted within the context of the cosmological beliefs of early farming societies in Asia and Europe. Special attention is given to interpreting this symbolism as a reflection of complex religious and philosophical concepts related to the cyclicality of nature, the movement of celestial bodies, and the unity of heaven and earth. The research examines the architectural features of Göbekli Tepe, particularly the arrangement of the T-shaped columns, and their potential astronomical purpose. The author hypothesizes a connection between the physical structure of the temple complex, its T-shaped columns, and the formation of abstract "H"-type symbols. Parallels are drawn between the symbolism of Göbekli Tepe and the ritual artifacts of the Trypillia culture, allowing the hypothesis of shared cosmological concepts between various early farming cultures, despite significant geographical and temporal distances. This article offers a new perspective on the development of religious thought in ancient societies, highlighting the depth and complexity of their spiritual ideas. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the cultural connections and exchange of ideas between ancient civilizations of the Near East and Europe.

Plot-Motivational Parallels in Heroic Epics of Yakuts, Karachays, and Balkars: Trials of Epic Hero

This article explores the plot and motivational parallels present in the heroic epics of the Karachay-Balkar and Yakut traditions. It focuses on a central theme that is vital to the genre: the trials faced by the epic hero. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the unique features of overlapping plot motifs within these two Turkic narrative traditions, thereby illuminating their thematic and poetic characteristics. The research draws on a representative corpus of heroic epic recordings from the Yakuts, Karachays, and Balkars, collected throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as narratives from other Turkic and Mongolicspeaking communities. Despite the significant geographical and temporal distances between these traditions, the analysis reveals a noteworthy number of coinciding plot situations and motifs. This study delves into the nuances of their representation and variation, tracing potential folkloric connections and origins. Particular attention is given to specific plots, such as “shooting at a distant celestial object,” “the hero’s temptation by a group of antagonists,” and “the stone that crumbles beneath the feet of the true hero.” The textual analysis concludes that there is a remarkable similarity in the concept of the epic hero across these traditions, alongside a rich variety of plots and motifs that likely trace back to a common source in Central Asia.

Elements of episodic memory: insights from artificial agents.

Many recent artificial intelligence (AI) systems take inspiration from biological episodic memory. Here, we ask how these 'episodic-inspired' AI systems might inform our understanding of biological episodic memory. We discuss work showing that these systems implement some key features of episodic memory while differing in important respects and appear to enjoy behavioural advantages in the domains of strategic decision-making, fast learning, navigation, exploration and acting over temporal distance. We propose that these systems could be used to evaluate competing theories of episodic memory's operations and function. However, further work is needed to validate them as models of episodic memory and isolate the contributions of their memory systems to their behaviour. More immediately, we propose that these systems have a role to play in directing episodic memory research by highlighting novel or neglected hypotheses as pursuit-worthy. In this vein, we propose that the evidence reviewed here highlights two pursuit-worthy hypotheses about episodic memory's function: that it plays a role in planning that is independent of future-oriented simulation, and that it is adaptive in virtue of its contributions to fast learning in novel, sparse-reward environments. This article is part of the theme issue 'Elements of episodic memory: lessons from 40 years of research'.

B - 35 Recall of the Injury Event in Moderate–Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective Autobiographical recall can be impoverished in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We explored whether the recall of the TBI event was unique to this trend since the event is both self-defining and traumatic. Methods We recruited 30 non-injured comparison participants (NC) and 30 participants in the chronic phase of a moderate–severe TBI from the Brain Injury Patient Registry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Participants in the TBI group recalled their TBI event and a self-selected event from 0–5 years before the TBI. The NC group recalled a self-selected event that matched the pre-injury’s temporal distance. We used the Autobiographical Interview scoring system to test whether events differed in the amount and type of details. Results Compared to the pre-injury event, the injury event had a higher number of episodic-like, p = 0.002, and external details (e.g., repetition and meta-comments), p = 0.011. The injury and pre-injury events had a similar proportion of episodic-like details (relative to all details), p = 0.295, indicating events were similarly supplemented with extraneous/inferential information. Further, the pre-injury event of the TBI group had a smaller number of episodic-like details, p < 0.001, and a lower proportion of episodic-like details, p = 0.002, than the events from the NC group. Conclusion Whereas the recall of injury events may be unique due to their higher number of episodic-like details, they were also similar to general autobiographical memory recall in the preponderance of supplementary details. A confluence of factors, like personal relevance, compromised encoding due to loss of consciousness at the time of injury, and general difficulties in retrieval, may explain the findings.

Utilizing Photometry from Multiple Sources to Mitigate Stellar Variability in Precise Radial Velocities: A Case Study of Kepler-21

We present a new analysis of Kepler-21, the brightest (V = 8.5) Kepler system with a known transiting exoplanet, Kepler-21 b. Kepler-21 b is a radius valley planet (R = 1.6 ± 0.2R ⊕) with an Earth-like composition (8.38 ± 1.62 g cm–3), though its mass and radius fall in the regime of possible “water worlds.” We utilize new Keck/High-Resolution Echelle Spectrometer and WIYN/NEID radial velocity (RV) data in conjunction with Kepler and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry to perform a detailed study of activity mitigation between photometry and RVs. We additionally refine the system parameters, and we utilize Gaia astrometry to place constraints on a long-term RV trend. Our activity analysis affirms the quality of Kepler photometry for removing correlated noise from RVs, despite its temporal distance, though we reveal some cases where TESS may be superior. Using refined orbital parameters and updated composition curves, we rule out a water world scenario for Kepler-21 b, and we identify a long-period super-Jupiter planetary candidate, Kepler-21 (c).

Anticipated variability increases generalization of predictive learning

We show that learners generalized more broadly around the learned stimulus when they expected more variability between the learning set and the generalization set, as well as within the generalization set. Experiments 1 and 3 used a predictive learning task and demonstrated border perceptual generalization both when expected variability was manipulated explicitly via instructions (Experiment 1), and implicitly by increasing temporal distance to the anticipated application of learning (Experiment 3). Experiment 2 showed that expecting to apply learning in the more distant future increases expected variability in the generalization set. We explain the relation between expected variability and generalization as an accuracy-applicability trade-off: when learners anticipate more variable generalization targets, they “cast a wider net” during learning, by attributing the outcome to a broader range of stimuli. The use of more abstract, broader categories when anticipating a more distant future application aligns with Construal Level Theory of psychological distance.

Working Around the Clock: Temporal Distance, Intrafirm Communication, and Time Shifting of the Employee Workday

This paper examines the effects of temporal distance generated by time zone separation on communication in geographically distributed organizations. We build on prior research, which highlights time zone separation as a significant challenge, but argue that employees may time shift—move work-related communication to outside of regular business hours—to counteract temporal distance. We propose a theory in which employees’ tendency to time shift depends on the demands of their tasks and collaborative relationships and individuals’ ability to supply work outside of regular business hours. Analyzing communication-level data from 12,038 employees of a large multinational firm and using cities’ shifts to/from daylight saving time for identification, we find that temporal distance leads to sizable but smaller than expected reductions in volumes of rich, synchronous communication between employees. Consistent with our arguments, increased temporal distance significantly increases time shifting of work-related communication, especially among workers whose jobs are nonroutine and interactions in strong collaborative relationships. We further document that female employees and employees based in countries with stricter legal work hour limits engage in significantly less time-shifted communication. Our study improves understanding of a ubiquitous source of collaboration friction. It also sheds light on a potential source of inequities in workplace outcomes stemming from differences in individuals’ ability to work outside of regular business hours. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2023.17558 .

Don't say it's over: The perceived epidemic stage and COVID preventive behaviour.

Little is known about the perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic's dynamic and its effect on self-protective behaviour. Using survey data from 1343 university students we explored how the perceived temporal distance to the COVID pandemic peak associates with risk perception and the adherence of preventive behaviours. Results show that individuals differ in their perception of the pandemic stage despite being in the same environment. The belief that the COVID peak is in the past was associated with less perceived risk and decreased self-protection. A high COVID-19 media involvement and trust in the authorities were associated with higher perceived risk and preventive behaviour implementation. Overall, the perception that the pandemic wave is in its final stages could be an independent predictor of more risky behaviour. Thus, the communication of the pandemic dynamic should be provided by policy makers with caution to avoid the possibility of discounting the risk.

Stroke Risk After Emergency Department Treat-and-Release Visit for a Fall.

Previous cohort studies of hospitalized patients with a delayed diagnosis of ischemic stroke found that these patients often had an initial emergency department (ED) diagnosis of a fall. We sought to evaluate whether ED visits for a fall resulting in discharge to home (ie, treat-and-release visits) were associated with increased short-term ischemic stroke risk. A case-crossover design was used to compare ED visits for falls during case periods (0-15, 16-30, 31-90, and 91-180 days before stroke) and control periods (equivalent time periods exactly 1 year before stroke) using administrative data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project on all hospital admissions and ED visits across 10 states from 2016 to 2020. To identify ED treat-and-release visits for a fall and patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke, we used previously validated International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Among 90 592 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke, 5230 (5.8%) had an ED treat-and-release visit for a fall within 180 days before their stroke. Patients with an ED treat-and-release visit for a fall were older (mean age, 74.7 [SD, 14.6] versus 70.8 [SD, 15.1] years), more often female (61.9% versus 53.4%), and had higher rates of vascular comorbidities than other patients with stroke. ED treat-and-release visits for a fall were significantly more common in the 15 days before stroke compared with the 15-day control period 1 year earlier (odds ratio, 2.7 [95% CI, 2.4-3.1]). The association between stroke and a preceding ED treat-and-release visit for a fall decreased in magnitude with increasing temporal distance from stroke. ED treat-and-release visits for a fall are associated with significantly increased short-term ischemic stroke risk. These visits may be opportunities to improve stroke diagnostic accuracy and treatment in the ED.

Exploring perceived learning effectiveness in virtual reality health communication through the lens of construal level theory

BackgroundVirtual reality is increasingly being used for health communication. This study aimed to propose and test an integrated model of the determinants of perceived learning effectiveness in virtual reality (VR) within health communication. It proposes that psychological distance negatively affects immersion, flow, and presence, positively affecting perceived learning effectiveness.MethodsThe Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Method (F-DEMATEL) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the proposed model. Data for the F-DEMATEL study were collected from 20 participants, whereas data for the SEM study were collected from 1104 participants, with 775 included in the final analysis.ResultsThe results of the F-DEMATEL study revealed that the three dimensions of psychological distance, emotional distance, spatial distance, and social distance are causal factors. In contrast, temporal, technical, and hypothetical distance are effect factors. The SEM results confirmed the negative effects of psychological distance on flow and presence and the positive effects of immersion and presence on perceived learning effectiveness. In addition, the mediating role of presence was confirmed.ConclusionsThe results suggest that interrelationships among the factors can enhance the perceived learning effectiveness of health communication from VR. The crucial role of ensuring low psychological distance and high engagement in VR communication is also confirmed, providing crucial implications for VR communication practitioners.

Temporal and social distances of the estimated duration of R&D projects in the biopharma industry

Biopharmaceutical firms' opportunities depend on the accurate estimation of highly acclaimed clinical trial projects duration. To understand how forecasts of the duration differ from the actual duration, this study uses Construal Level Theory (CLT), which places the future estimates on the different levels of distance in estimation errors. This article explores (a) whether the estimated project duration is indeed longer than the actual duration of the project, and (b) how it differs when considering foreign versus domestic projects. A dataset of 24,953 technology projects in two locations make two discoveries. First, the actual duration of completed projects (past) is likely to be 0.26 times longer than the estimated duration of future projects, implying that project sponsors tend to underestimate the project duration. Second, the foreign versus domestic projects likely to be 0.26 times longer than the domestic sponsors projects. Third, foreign and past project further increases the duration by 0.40 times compared to the domestic and past project. The study resolves the duration issue, contributes to the CLT framework by supporting the psychic distance principle and construal levels. It reveals potential errors in the estimation of the unknown future based on the known past.

A Lightweight Machine-Learning Method for Cloud Removal in Remote Sensing Images Constrained by Conditional Information

Reconstructing cloud-covered regions in remote sensing (RS) images holds great promise for continuous ground object monitoring. A novel lightweight machine-learning method for cloud removal constrained by conditional information (SMLP-CR) is proposed. SMLP-CR constructs a multilayer perceptron with a presingle-connection layer (SMLP) based on multisource conditional information. The method employs multi-scale mean filtering and local neighborhood sampling to gain spatial information while also taking into account multi-spectral and multi-temporal information as well as pixel similarity. Meanwhile, the feature importance from the SMLP provides a selection order for conditional information—homologous images are prioritized over images from the same season as the restoration image, and images with close temporal distances rank last. The results of comparative experiments indicate that SMLP-CR shows apparent advantages in terms of visual naturalness, texture continuity, and quantitative metrics. Moreover, compared with popular deep-learning methods, SMLP-CR samples locally around cloud pixels instead of requiring a large cloud-free training area, so the samples show stronger correlations with the missing data, which demonstrates universality and superiority.

Differences in the temporal extension of self-continuity over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This study examined whether the average levels and the temporal extension of self-continuity varied over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three demographically matched adult life-span samples (n = 223 each) were gathered in the U.S. in fall 2016, summer 2020, and winter 2022/23. Participants rated their self-continuity 1/5/10 years into the past and future. Multi-level analyses examined the effects of temporal distance, past/future direction, and assessment time while controlling for demographics. The tendencies to report lower self-continuity for more distant times and for past versus future were weaker during the pandemic, and past/future differences remained after the pandemic. Discussion focuses on the possibility of mid-pandemic slowed time perception, increasing nostalgic self-reflection, and uncertainty about the future.

ANATOMIC OUTCOMES OF LENS-SPARING VITRECTOMY FOR STAGE 3 OR 4 FAMILIAL EXUDATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY.

To report the anatomic outcomes and retinal structure changes from lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV) for eyes with Stage 3 or 4 familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). Overall, 133 consecutive eyes of 119 patients with Stage 3 (51 eyes) or 4 (82 eyes) FEVR who underwent LSV between January 2012 and May 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred twenty-nine eyes (97.0%) achieved traction relief through one LSV operation. The extent of retinal detachment improved in 98 eyes (73.7%), remained stable in 32 eyes (24.1%), and progressed in three eyes (2.3%). At long-term follow-up, 39 (29.3%) and 60 (45.1%) eyes had completely or partially reattached retina, respectively. The median change of venular angle was 3.6° (95% CI, 3.5-10.5; P < 0.001) and -9.9° (95% CI, -15.8 to -4.6; P < 0.001) for temporal and nasal vessels, respectively. The mean disk-fovea distance was 0.3 papillary diameter shorter (95% CI, -0.4 to -0.2; P < 0.001), and the mean temporal venular arcade distance was 0.02 papillary diameter larger (95% CI, -0.16 to 0.21; P = 0.361). These results suggest that LSV can relieve vitreoretinal traction and reattach the retina in late-stage FEVR eyes. Improvements in temporal and nasal venular angle and disk-fovea distance reflect positive retinal structure changes for patients.

The role of temporal distance, conspicuous consumption, and multisensory interfaces on consumer judgments in metaverse

Metaverse has generated considerable interest among marketers and scholars as it offers an unmatched immersive experience to users. Building on the literature on construal theory and conspicuous consumption, this research examines how and why Metaverse interfaces (2D and 3D) influence users’ purchase intentions and shopping experiences in the Metaverse as a self-extension. This research addresses calls for research on the role of multisensory in the Metaverse. First, this research extends and compliments prior work on haptics and multisensory aspects of different interfaces. The limited research on the Metaverse has explored multiple dimensions within Metaverse space. This research explicitly compares Metaverse with smartphone apps, as most consumers use it for online purchases. Our results contrast with earlier findings, suggesting that users prefer VR over apps for purchasing hedonic products. Our findings suggest that consumer prefer using apps over Metaverse for both instant and later consumption. This difference could be attributed to how users access Metaverse (with a headset) instead of VR features on mobile apps. The results highlight the importance of smartphones in online purchases as users are accustomed to apps due to the convenience and easy-to-use user interfaces of shopping apps.

Temporal distance in dual sourcing: A behavioural investigation

AbstractWe explored the influence of temporal distances on order allocation between a low‐cost, less reliable supplier and a reliable, high‐cost supplier. We posited that a far temporal distance increases the preference for the unreliable, low‐cost supplier. We conducted a vignette‐based experiment where participants placed orders between the suppliers with different reliability and cost levels. Our experiment showed that a longer lead time led to larger orders for the low‐cost unreliable supplier. Our insights help explain how temporal distances inherent in supply chains can elicit differing evaluations of suppliers, altering ordering decisions.

CSR communication in hospitality: Fostering hotel guests’ climate (change) engagement

This study aimed to explore effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication strategies to increase hotel guests’ engagement in climate change initiatives. Utilizing regulatory fit theory and construal level theory, three scenario-based experimental designs were devised. These designs empirically analyzed the responses of 1500 hotel guests to 12 different types of CSR communication messages. Framed along goal framing (either gain or loss) and temporal/spatial/social distance (either far or close), these messages allowed guests to articulate their attitudes and behaviors concerning climate change engagement. All three experiments revealed that CSR communication became more persuasive with regulatory fit, leading to increased intentions for green word-of-mouth (green WOM) and a willingness to pay a green premium (green WTPP). To further validate the findings, the study also investigated the moderating effect of temporal/spatial/social distance on message framing. We found that temporal distance amplified the congruence between goal framing and regulatory focus, resulting in heightened green WOM intentions. Social distance also increased this alignment, resulting in heightened green WOM intentions and green WTPP. This study contributes to the literature on hotel guest climate (change) engagement by examining the concept through CSR communication strategies. It offers a valuable perspective on the nexus of guest engagement, CSR, and sustainability, contributing uniquely to theory and practice in these interconnected fields.

Beyond Short-Term Impressions: Construed Temporal Distance, Trustworthiness, and Leader Emergence

Beyond Short-Term Impressions: Construed Temporal Distance, Trustworthiness, and Leader Emergence

Combined perceptual and chemical analyses show no compelling evidence for ovulatory cycle shifts in women's axillary odour.

Although men's attraction to women's body odour has been suggested to vary over the ovulatory cycle, peaking around the fertile window, we still lack methodologically robust evidence corroborating this effect. Further, the chemical underpinnings of male preference for the odour of ovulating women remain unknown. Here, we combined perceptual and chemical analyses to investigate the axillary odour of naturally cycling women over 10 days, covering the gradual change in fertility across the ovulatory cycle with a focus on fertile days. The fertile state was confirmed by urinary ovulation tests as well as salivary oestradiol and progesterone levels. Men rated the scent of unfamiliar women, resembling a first encounter. We used multivariate analyses to relate variation in both odour ratings and chemical composition to female conception probability, temporal distance to ovulation and ovarian hormone levels. Our results provide no evidence that males prefer the odour of fertile women. Furthermore, the volatile analysis indicated no link between axillary odour composition and current fertility status. Together, our results showed no convincing support for a chemical fertility cue in women's axillary odour, questioning the presence of olfactory fertility information that is recognizable during first encounters in modern humans.