Distance Categories Research Articles

Identifying anxiety and sleep problems, associated factors and sex differences in endurance and ultra-endurance runners

BackgroundAnxiety and sleep problems may negatively impact health and athletic performance.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey study in endurance (≥21.1–42.2 km) and ultra-endurance runners (≥42.2 km), screening for anxiety and sleep problems, assessing potential associated factors and sex differences. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, testing of group differences with the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, and Dunn’s post-hoc tests, allowing for Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, predictive techniques, and regression analysis.ResultsA total of 601 runners participated (female n = 222; male n = 379; mean age 42.8 ± 10.1 years). Overall, 13.5% screened positive for anxiety (female 16.2% compared to men 11.9%; n.s.) and 28.8% for sleep problems (female 32.9% compared to men 26.4%; n.s.). Anxiety and sleep problems were observed significantly more often in half marathon runners (25.2%; (p < 0.001) and 38.3%, (p = 0.02), respectively) compared to marathon (9.8 and 28.4%) and ultramarathon distance runners (11.1 and 28.2%). No statistical differences were found between sexes and performance levels (elite versus non-elite). Associated factors for anxiety included sleep problems (p < 0.001), younger age (<29 years; p < 0.001), years practicing the sport (>10 years; p = 0.006), and distance category (p = 0.03). Associated factors for sleep problems included anxiety (p < 0.001), competition frequency (>4 per year; p = 0.006), and injury-related absences (p = 0.001).ConclusionMental health issues, such as anxiety and sleep problems are common in endurance and ultra-endurance runners and positive screening for anxiety co-existed and was associated with positive screening for sleep problems. This study demonstrates that identifying and screening for anxiety and sleep problems is important, as well as the need for creating awareness, education, preventative strategies, and support services.

Mirror-based perception: are male drivers accurately estimating the distance and speed of motorized two-wheelers?

Objective Improving safety during interactions between motorized two-wheelers (MTWs) and cars is one of the critical aspects for enhancing the road traffic environment. As reported, the most frequent MTW crashes occur when cars pull out in front of an oncoming MTW, often due to conspicuity issues and driver perception errors. While existing studies have focused on perceptual error estimation from pedestrians’ and drivers’ perspective using static visual images and short video clips, the current instrumented vehicle-based study attempts to examine drivers’ perceptions in estimating distance (Experiment 1) and speed (Experiment 2) of an approaching MTW while checking side- view mirrors in dynamic traffic environments. Methods A total of 28 licensed professional car drivers of varying ages were considered for this study. For data collection a camera was mounted on the MTW; and two cameras, a VBOX data logger with GPS, were installed in the car. The glance duration data were collected using driver-facing camera. Additionally, non-parametric test methods were adopted to analyze the mirror effect on drivers’ perception. Results The results of the study indicate that drivers generally tend to overestimate distances while underestimating speeds of motorcycles. Both the distance and speed estimation accuracy decrease with increasing driving speed as well as the longitudinal gap between the vehicles. The perception errors are observed to be more significantly noticeable at higher speeds exceeding 40 kmph or when the MTW is in the farthest distance category. Interestingly, our study also indicates that shorter mirror glance duration may contribute to these higher perception errors. The results were consistent for both the side-view mirrors, although the errors were more pronounced in the passenger’s side mirror, highlighting the possible impact of longer eye-to-mirror distance. Conclusions Due to perception errors, MTW riders often think that they had ample time and space for maneuvers, leading to risky decision-making and increasing potential collisions. Our findings emphasize the effect of mirror usage in decision-making tasks while driving, underscoring the necessity for enhanced driver training programs and redesigned mirror curvature to make a safer road environment.

Cow factors to address when performing avoidance distance tests at the feeding rack.

Cow factors to address when performing avoidance distance tests at the feeding rack.

Perceptual discrimination and categorization of vowels in different levels of foreign language instruction

This paper reports on the development of L2 English vowel pair perception by adult L1 Spanish/Basque speakers of differing levels of English instruction. This study focuses on vowel pairs /i-ɪ/, /u-ʊ/ and /ʌ-ɔ/, with differing levels of proximity to native categories. Results of two perceptual tasks show that learners are influenced by their native categories, but that regardless of level, they can still modify their representations. However, the success in categorization varies by sound based on acoustic distance and multiple category competition.

Greater distance traveled for renal trauma care is not associated with higher rates of intervention.

Trauma patients frequently may be transported significant distance to receive care at a level one trauma center. Increasing distance may cause delays in care. We sought to investigate whether distance traveled for level 1 trauma care affected rates of intervention for renal trauma. We queried our institutions reportable trauma database from the years 2015 to 2022. This data was filtered for all patients that had ICD codes pertaining to renal trauma. All renal trauma patients with zip codes where they sustained their injury were included. We then calculated the distance traveled to our hospital via Google Maps for each patient. We aggregated diagnosis codes for percutaneous angioembolism and nephrectomy. Injury severity scores (ISS) were collected. We divided patients into two groups based on distance traveled (0-30 miles and 31 + miles). We also analyzed the number of angioembolizations and open renal surgery completed for each mile distance category and analyzed for a difference between the groups. Our database yielded 307 cases of renal trauma that met inclusion criteria. We found no difference in rates of percutaneous angioembolism and open renal surgery between patients that traveled different distances for renal trauma care. Few studies have assessed distance traveled for trauma care and need for intervention. Our findings that an increased travel distance did not lead to a significantly increased risk for intervention are reassuring. Based on these findings, distance traveled for appropriate trauma care may not be a factor when deciding on transfers for renal trauma.

Abstract 4137823: Influence of Hospital and Cardiac Rehabilitation Facility Proximity on Enrollment Rates Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Background: Participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is enhanced by proximity to CR facilities and communication between inpatient and outpatient settings but may become fragmented when patients are distant from their discharging hospital and nearest CR facility. Research Question: This study investigates how patient distance to both hospitals and CR facilities impacts the rates of CR participation. Methods: This study included 100% Medicare fee-for-service claims for beneficiaries with 12 months of continuous Part A/B coverage who had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacements (SAVR or TAVR) between 07/2016-12/2018, excluding patients discharged to hospice or died within 30 days. Google Maps defined travel distances from the patient to hospital and CR facility locations using geographic centroids of ZIP codes, which were then categorized into quartiles. CR enrollment was defined as attending at least one session within one year of discharge. Logistic regression models estimated marginal CR enrollment rates across both hospital and CR facility distance categories adjusting for patient, hospital, and regional factors. Results: The study included a total sample of 501,049 beneficiaries undergoing PCI (62%), CABG (19%), SAVR (7%), and/or TAVR (15%). The median travel distance to the hospital was 18.6 miles (IQR 8.2-43.3 miles) and to the CR facility was 7.7 miles (IQR 2-15.3 miles). A total of 188,963 (37.7%) beneficiaries attended at least one CR session, which varied across categories of distance to hospital (Q1: 36.8% to Q4: 37.5%) and CR facility (Q1: 44.7% to Q4: 30.0%, p<0.01). Adjusted CR enrollment rates improved when beneficiaries lived farther from their admitting hospitals but closer to CR facilities (Figure 1), with the highest enrollment for those located farthest from their admitting hospital but closest to the CR facility (47.5%) and lowest enrollment among those closest to the hospital but farthest from the CR facility (20.6%). Conclusions: Greater distance to the admitting hospital was associated with higher CR enrollment, while greater distance to the CR facility was associated with lower enrollment among eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Addressing geographic barriers to CR participation may require tailored solutions based on patient proximity to hospitals and CR facilities.

Correlation Between Shoulder Pain Severity, Acromion Morphology, and Acromiohumeral Distance Using MRI: A Study at Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan in 2022

Background: Studies have shown that rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are the most common cause of shoulder pain and restricted movement. The acromion is a posterior shoulder landmark. Specific acromion morphologies may predispose individuals to rotator cuff tears. Furthermore, studies have found a correlation between supraspinatus tendon tears and acromiohumeral distance. This study examines how shoulder pain assessed with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score relates to acromion morphology and acromiohumeral distance on MRI at Haji Adam Malik Hospital in 2022.Methods: This descriptive analytical study employed a cross-sectional approach. A total of 38 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of shoulder pain underwent shoulder MRI examinations and were assessed using the ASES score. Statistical analysis included assessing data normality and performing Spearman correlation analysis. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.Results: In this study of 38 patients, most participants were women with an average age of 54.66 years. The most common acromion type was type 1 (flat), and the most frequent acromiohumeral distance category was normal. There was no correlation between acromion type and ASES scores, but a moderate correlation was found between the scores and acromiohumeral distance (p=0.016). A positive correlation was observed between type III acromion and ASES score. Conclusion: Shoulder pain based on ASES score has a moderate correlation with acromiohumeral distance and acromion type III variation has a positive correlation although there is no significant correlation was found between shoulder pain and acromion type.

Frekuensi konsumsi dan kontribusi zat gizi makro jajanan Korea di pusat kuliner Yogyakarta

Consumption frequency and nutritional contribution of Korean snacks in culinary centers in YogyakartaBackground: The trend of Korean snacks in Indonesia makes people more consumptive. The Korean wave influences this through the popularity of K-pop and K-drama artists from social media platforms. The increasing consumption pattern of Korean snacks has made people less aware of the frequency limits of consumption and the nutritional content of Korean snacks. Objectives: This study aims to see the difference between consumption frequency and nutritional intake and analyze Korean snacks' nutritional contribution to visitors to Yogyakarta's culinary centers.Methods: This research is a quantitative descriptive design study with a cross-sectional approach involving 110 subjects with an average age of 18-30 years. The subject selection used the accidental technical sampling method. The questionnaire using the SQ-FFQ has been validated in previous research. The frequency of consumption of Korean snacks is categorized into three, namely rarely (1-3x/month), sometimes (1-2x/week), and often (≥3x/week). Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires directly at the research location. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate analysis with the one-way ANOVA test. Results: The characteristics of respondents are that the majority are female (89.1%). The average consumer age group is 21-30 (56.3%). The distance from the residence and location of the culinary center is mainly in the distance category > 3 km (63.6%). The contributions of energy (44.5%), carbohydrates (64.5%), protein (73.6%), and fat (67.3%) from Korean snacks exceeded the intake limit. There is a significant difference between consumption frequency and nutritional intake of Korean snacks (p<0.05).Conclusions: Frequency of consumption shows a significant difference between the contribution of energy and macronutrients. The contribution of nutrients to visitors was found still to exceed the limit for food intake from snacks.

Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding for precise species identification in ichthyoplankton samples

Ichthyoplankton monitoring is crucial for stock assessments, offering insights into spawning grounds, stock size, seasons, recruitment, and changes in regional ichthyofauna. This study evaluates the efficiency of multi-marker DNA metabarcoding using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene markers, in comparison to morphology-based methods for fish species identification in ichthyoplankton samples. Two transects with four coastal distance categories were sampled along the southern coast of Portugal, being each sample divided for molecular and morphological analyses. A total of 76 fish species were identified by both approaches, with DNA metabarcoding overperforming morphology—75 versus 11 species-level identifications. Linking species-level DNA identifications with higher taxonomic morphological identifications resolved several uncertainties associated with traditional methods. Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding improved fish species detection by 20–36% compared to using a single marker/amplicon, and identified 38 species in common, reinforcing the validity of our results. PERMANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in species communities based on the primer set employed, transect location, and distance from the coast. Our findings underscore the potential of DNA metabarcoding to assess ichthyoplankton diversity and suggest that its integration into routine surveys could enhance the accuracy and comprehensiveness of fish stock assessments.

Multimodal text-image synergy in representing interpersonal relations in picture books

Picture books as multimodal narratives contain rich data for analysis of multimodal meaning-making. Verbal and visual modes offer various choices for representing different interpersonal relations. In this paper, I focus on the following research question: how visual and verbal resources are used to construct interactive meanings between the reader and characters and between the characters of picture books. In my analysis, I follow Halliday’s social semiotic approach to language within systemic-functional linguistics, according to which every semiotic system operates at three levels corresponding to ideational, interpersonal and textual metafunctions. I focus on the interpersonal level, using methodology and typologies from Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006) visual grammar, further developed by Painter, Martin, and Unsworth (2012) for the analysis of picture books. Visual resources used for representing interpersonal relations are connected with the categories of contact, social distance, attitude, pathos, affect, ambience, and graduation. Verbal means of realizing interpersonal relations include, among others, mood structures and attitudinal lexis. Martin and White’s (2005) appraisal theory is applied to classify appraisal resources according to three systems: attitude, engagement and graduation. I have analysed interpersonal text-image relationship in two picture books: The Paper Bag Princess by Munsch (2005) and Snow White in New York by French (1989). The analysis of visual resources at the interpersonal level has demonstrated a predominance of long shots, direct eye contact with a reader is rare with the exception of several close-ups. Front-on images situate characters in an equal position with readers, creating a sense of involvement. Overall, the interactions between the visual and verbal components create a synergetic effect in representing interpersonal relations in picture books.

Unveiling the Development of Sprint Athletes: Percentile Patterns, Peak Performance Age, and a Performance Progression Model.

The purpose of this study was to provide percentile curves, peak performance age for all sprint distances, and two linear regression models in order to analyse the individual trajectories of Spanish sprinters to explain the achievement of the senior category. A retrospective analysis was undertaken using rankings of the Spanish Athletics Federation. We analysed 4398 sprint athletes between 2004 and 2021. Our results show that the percentile curves are farther apart as the distance increased. Peak performance age was reached earlier in males than females in all distance categories (25.31 ± 0.12 and 25.79 ± 0.70 years for 100 m, 25.45 ± 0.16 and 27.40 ± 0.31 years for 200 m, and 25.61 ± 0.24 and 27.46 ± 2.28 years for 400 m in males and females, respectively). The two linear regressions display the importance of consistent high performance in junior categories (p < 0.01; β = -1.92 and p = 0.15; β = -1.22, respectively) together with the best results in the U23 category (p < 0.001; β = 0.51 and p < 0.001; β = 0.51, respectively) to achieve participation in the senior category. We conclude that as the running distance increases, the differences between percentiles also increase, the peak performance age occurs earlier in Spanish sprinters than shown in previous research for all sprint distances, and attaining the senior category depends upon achieving the best results in previous categories and gaining extensive experience (consistent high-performance participation) in the event.

UPMatch: Enhancing Semi-Supervised Medical Image Classification through Contrastive Learning with Unreliable Pseudo Labels.

Pseudo-labeling based semi-supervised learning (SSL) framework has proven highly successful in medical image analysis (MIA) by addressing the problem of a shortage of labeled samples. However, the existing SSL methods use a fixed or flexible confidence threshold to filter reliable samples, leaving large number of unlabeled samples unused. This is a more serious issue in MIA because of the low inter-class distance and imbalanced categories. We argue that effectively mining useful information hidden in ambiguous unlabeled sample is the key to improve model performance, so we propose UPmatch, a new pseudo labeling-based SSL framework. Our framework introduces a contrastive unreliable pseudo label learning module (CUPM) that incorporates unreliable pseudo label samples into the training process. Additionally, we propose an informative sample selection strategy (ISSS) that selects samples used in contrastive learning iteratively in each mini-batch. Our experiments on TissueMNIST and ISIC2019 dataset with various training settings demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed strategy.

Impact of quality of life and geographic distance on radiation adherence in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer residing in rural areas.

e13512 Background: The efficacy of curative-intent chemoradiation in treating cervical cancer is intricately tied to patient adherence to treatment protocols, often influenced by quality of life. In many areas of the world, treatment centers are often located far from where patients live. We sought to evaluate the impact of distance from the hospital and the quality of life on radiation adherence, especially for patients in the Country of Georgia. Methods: A prospective study conducted at Todua Clinic, Tbilisi, Georgia, from May 2023 - January 2024, involved locally advanced cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation. The study was reviewed by the Todua Clinic Research Ethics Board. The questionnaire was offered at a baseline, at a radiation consult. Quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Cervical Cancer Version 4. Distance categories (50-100km, 100-200km, 200-300km) were measured, and patient information was extracted from medical records. Radiation nonadherence was defined as missing ≥2 days of external beam radiotherapy. Inclusion criteria comprised stage II and III cervical cancer, prescribed chemoradiation therapy, and rural residency. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for confounding variables. Results: Out of the total 50 patients who were asked to participate, 22 declined (reasons for declining: 35% -no mood, 15% - too tired, 45% - not interested, 5% found questions inappropriate to answer) and 28 (56%) participated. 53% of patients were deemed adherent to the prescribed treatment. Statistical analyses unveiled an intriguing trend where mean adherence rates increased with distance from the hospital. However, the Chi-squared test yielded a p-value of 0.065, indicating a marginal significance. The breakdown of mean adherence rates by distance revealed 30.8% for 50-100 km, 66.7% for 100-200 km, and 83.3% for 200-300 km. Educational levels did not significantly impact treatment adherence, despite lower educational attainment in more distant rural areas. The analysis of Quality of Life (Score S) exhibited a negative coefficient (-0.01639), suggesting a subtle decrease in the likelihood of treatment adherence as Quality-of-Life scores increased. Conclusions: This study unveils the interplay between living distance, Quality of Life, and radiation adherence in locally advanced cervical cancer patients in the Country of Georgia. Our findings are interesting because, unlike in other countries where adherence tends to drop as distance increases, we noticed that adherence rates went up when patients lived farther away. One possible reason for this is that some patients move temporarily to cities like Tbilisi just for their radiation treatment. However, we recognize the need for a larger group of people to make our results more reliable and better understand their significance.

General Comparative Analysis of Bird-Bat Collisions at a Wind Power Plant in the Department of Rivas, Nicaragua, between 2014 and 2022

From 2014 to 2022, eight monitoring campaigns have been carried out, documenting 119 collisions of birds belonging to 25 species corresponding to 14 families. Of the total collisions, 35 individuals could not be identified because only remains of the animal’s body (feathers) were found, due to the presence of day and night predators. Of the bird species identified, 17 are resident, three are migratory species, two are transient species, one species with transient populations that migrate south, and two species with both resident and migratory populations. During these years, no species with an important conservation category according to the IUCN were reported. Three species are on Nicaragua’s Red List, the migratory species Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) and the resident species Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor), both with the Near Threatened category; and the only migratory hummingbird for Nicaragua, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) with the Vulnerable category. The family with the highest frequency of collided bird species is the pigeons (Columbidae), these being very significant (X2 = 345.20, p &lt; 0.01). The species with the highest frequency of collisions is the Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) species, with these collisions being very significant (X2 = 72.05, p &lt; 0.01). Collisions per month and year show very significant differences, especially for April 2016 (X2 = 41.60, p &lt; 0.01). Tower T13 shows significant collisions in these eight monitoring campaigns (X2 = 36.48, p &lt; 0.05). Bird collision distances show very significant collisions between 0 and 5 m away from the turbines (X2 = 268.96, p &lt; 0.01). No differences were found regarding collisions between large and small birds (X2 = 2.09, p &gt; 0.05). The granivore group presented a very significant frequency of collisions (X2 = 84.00, p &lt; 0.01), as well as a very significant frequency of collisions in the non-passerines birds (X2 = 42.26, p &lt; 0.01). Very significantly higher fatality frequencies were observed in 2016 (X2 = 60.16, p &lt; 0.01). For the period 2014 to 2022 in bats, 134 collisions of bats belonging to 18 species corresponding to four families were observed. Of the total number of collisions, 24 individuals could not be identified because they were in poor condition. No species with important conservation criteria have been recorded according to the IUCN or the Nicaraguan Red List. The Molossidae family is the group with the highest number of very significant collisions (X2 = 53.61, p &lt; 0.01), with the Pallas’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus molossus) being the one that presented very significant collisions (X2 = 199.69, p &lt; 0.01). Very significant collisions occur, with a peak in November 2015 (X2 = 75.19, p &lt; 0.01). Tower T15 presents the highest frequency of collisions, which is very significant (X2 = 39.04, p &lt; 0.01). The frequency of collisions remains very significantly higher in the three distance categories closest to the towers, from 0 to 14.9 m (X2 = 43.64, p &lt; 0.01). The highest frequency for very significant collisions of bats is that of insectivores (X2 = 222.10, p &lt; 0.01). A very significant frequency of collisions was observed in 2015 (X2 = 68.75, p &lt; 0.01). Key periods like fall and spring bird migration should be prioritized when planning collision monitoring plans. Standardized monitoring protocols and implementation of estimated mortality formulas that compensate for the search effectiveness of observers, the search area, and the removal of collisions are also important for not underestimating bird and bat collisions.

Effect of a calibration aid and the intraoral scanner on the registration of a partially edentulous maxilla: An in vitro study

Precise data are a prerequisite for accurately fitting restorations. Therefore, intraoral scanners have to be reliable. Data on differences between the same model of intraoral scanning systems are lacking. This in vitro study evaluated differences in the scanning accuracy of a partially edentulous maxilla between combinations of new intraoral scanners of a single model from the same manufacturer (Primescan; Dentsply Sirona) and several calibration aids. The in vitro reference model simulated a maxilla with 6 prepared teeth for a complete arch fixed partial denture. Five precision ceramic balls were used to detect dimensional deviation between the reference model and the scan. Distances were divided into 4 categories, from short distances between 2 neighboring precision balls to the cross-arch distance with the scan path comprising all 5 balls. For each combination of 4 new intraoral scanners and their respective calibration aids, 12 model registrations were generated. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA (α=.05). Distance deviations increased with increasing scan path length and were significantly affected by the covariates "scanner" (P≤.023) and, for 3 of 4 distance categories, the "calibration aid" (short, medium, and long distances: P≤.013). For short and medium distances, acceptable scanning results were achieved for all test groups. The largest deviation was 539µm for the cross-arch distance. Scanning accuracy depends on the scanner and the calibration aid used, in particular, for spans exceeding a single quadrant.

Accuracy of self-reported distance to nearest unconventional oil and gas well in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia residents and implications for exposure assessment.

Self-reported distances to industrial sources have been used in epidemiology as proxies for exposure to environmental hazards and indicators of awareness and perception of sources. Unconventional oil and gas development (UOG) emits pollutants and has been associated with adverse health outcomes. We compared self-reported distance to the nearest UOG well to the geographic information system-calculated distance for 303 Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia residents using Cohen's Weighted Kappa. Agreement was low (Kappa = 0.18), and self-reports by Ohioans (39% accuracy) were more accurate than West Virginians (22%) or Pennsylvanians (13%, both p < 0.05). Of the demographic characteristics studied, only educational attainment was related to reporting accuracy; residents with 12-16 years of education were more accurate (31.3% of group) than those with <12 or >16 years (both 16.7%). Understanding differences between objective and subjective measures of UOG proximity could inform studies of perceived exposures or risks and may also be relevant to adverse health effects. IMPACT: We compared objective and self-reported measures of distance to the nearest UOG well for 303 Appalachian Basin residents. We found that residents' self-reported distance to the nearest UOG well had limited agreement with the true calculated distance category. Our results can be used to inform the collection and contextualize the use of self-reported data in communities exposed to UOGD. Self-reported metrics can be used in conjunction with objective assessments and can be informative regarding how potentially exposed populations perceive environmental exposures or risks and could provide insights into awareness of distance-related policies, such as setbacks.

Wind Farms and Power Lines Reduced the Territory Status and Probability of Fledgling Production in the Eurasian Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

Wind power is commonly used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but often has negative effects on biodiversity. In this study, I investigated the effects of wind farm and power line construction on the territory status of the Eurasian goshawk Accipiter gentilis, whether fledglings were produced or not, and the number of fledglings. Included were 55 goshawk territories investigated before and after the construction period. I found that the territory status declined significantly in the influence area within 3 km from the disturbance compared to the control area more than 7 km away. Interestingly, the decline in territory status was similar in the distance categories 0–1 km, 1–2 km, and 2–3 km, while there was nearly no change in territory status in the control area, thus indicating that the influence area from this kind of disturbance was minimum 3 km from the nest. The number of breeding pairs declined significantly during the construction period only in the influence area. Possible reasons might be higher mortality caused by collisions with power lines, desertion, avoidance of the areas with noise and disturbance from the constructions, and possible indirect effects caused by reductions in prey species. I found no effects of the construction on the number of fledglings.

Association between abstraction level and time: Are future and past more abstract than the present?

Construal level theory suggests that objects or events are represented differently depending on their psychological distance from ourselves. Specifically, objects and events should be represented more abstractly the farther they are removed from direct experience through distance in the spatial, temporal, social, or hypotheticality domains. Bar-Anan et al. reported a key finding supporting this assumed association of the various distance dimensions and abstraction level. In their study, participants responded faster in an Implicit Association Task when temporally near and concrete concepts, as well as temporally far and abstract concepts, were mapped to the same rather than different response keys. In this study, we conceptually replicated this basic finding when employing temporal adverbs relating to present versus future time, and nouns referring to concrete versus abstract concepts (Experiment 1). Evidence for such an association, however, was largely absent (and significantly weaker than in Experiment 1) when temporal adverbs relating to the past were employed as instances of the large temporal distance category (Experiment 2). We propose that the uncertainty associated with the future, as opposed to the past, might play an important role in this temporal asymmetry by increasing psychological distance.

Training for shorter ultra-trail races results in a higher injury rate, a more diverse injury profile, and more severe injuries: 2022 Mac ultra races

Training for shorter ultra-trail races results in a higher injury rate, a more diverse injury profile, and more severe injuries: 2022 Mac ultra races

Estimating Cloud Computing Round-Trip Time (RTT) Using Fuzzy Logic for Inter-Region Distances

Cloud computing is widely considered a transformative force in the computing world and is poised to replace the traditional office setup as an industry standard. However, given the relative novelty of these services and challenges such as the impact of physical distance on Round-Trip Time (RTT), questions have arisen regarding system performance and associated billing structures. The primary objective of this study is to address these concerns. We aim to alleviate doubts by leveraging a fuzzy logic system to classify distances between regions that support computing services and compare them with the conventional web hosting format. To achieve this, we analyse the responses of one of these services, like Amazon Web Services, across different distance categories (near, medium, and far) between regions and strive to conclude overall system performance. Our tests reveal that significant data is consistently lost during customer transmission despite exhibiting superior round-trip times. We delve into this issue and present our findings, which may illuminate the observed anomalous behaviour.