Identification and Modeling of College Students’ Psychological Stress Indicators for Deep Learning

Aiming at the problems of low accuracy of recognition results, long recognition time, and easy interference in traditional methods, a deep learning-oriented recognition modeling method of college students' psychological stress indicators is proposed. First, the ECG signal is collected by the ECG signal acquisition system, and the wavelet transform method is used to denoise the collected ECG signal. Then, the sequential backward selection algorithm is used to select the features of psychological stress indicators to reduce the feature dimension. Finally, based on the convolutional neural network in deep learning technology, a mental pressure indicator recognition model is established and the model parameters are optimized to realize the recognition of college students’ mental pressure indicators. Experimental results show that the method in this paper has high recognition accuracy, has high recognition efficiency, is not susceptible to interference, and has certain feasibility and effectiveness.

Psychological, Physical, and Heat Stress Indicators Prior to and after a 15-Minute Structural Firefighting Task

Firefighters work in strenuous conditions for prolonged periods wearing up to 20 kg of personal protective equipment. This often contributes to significant heat and cardiovascular strain. This study examined the relationships between psychological and physical measures taken prior to undertaking a 15 min firefighting task, and the occurrence of heat stress and high levels of fatigue following the task. Nine qualified firefighters completed a 15 min “live burn” scenario designed to mimic a fire started by a two-seater couch in a lounge room and completed simulated tasks throughout the duration. Logical reasoning, speed and accuracy, general motivation and fatigue, and physical and mental effort were recorded pre-scenario, and at 0- and 20-min post-scenario. General motivation and fatigue scores at 0- and 20-min post-scenario were highly correlated with each other (rs = 0.90; p = 0.001). The general motivation and fatigue scores, at 0- and 20-min post-scenario, were also strongly related to pre-task logic/reasoning test scores (Post 0 rs = −0.77, p = 0.016; Post 20 rs = −0.87, p = 0.002). Firefighters with lower logical reasoning and speed and accuracy scores were more susceptible to fatigue and impaired cognition when exposed to rises in core temperature and heat stress.

Palm oil extracts protected against cadmium chloride poisoning via inhibition of oxidative stress in rats

Background The probable mechanism of an earlier reported capacity of palm oil extracts to confer protection against high dose cadmium poisoning in rats was reported in this study. Similar experimental design earlier reported by us was retained. Rats therefore were sacrificed at intervals of twelve; twenty four and forty eight hours post CdCl2 insult. Results Oxidative stress and antioxidant status (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione) were assessed in tissues (liver, kidney, heart, brain, muscle) and serum. Oxidative stress indicators showed a significantly (p < 0.05) increased lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant defence systems occasioned by drop in catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes (serum, liver, heart, brain and kidneys) of the rats. Also observed were significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione over time. Pre-administration of rats with the crude palm oil and its extracts modulated cadmium mediated depletion of the antioxidant capacities of rats acutely exposed to cadmium and rising lipid peroxidation profile. Conclusions Regulation of stress and antioxidant response was the underlying mechanism by which the extracts conferred protection against high dose cadmium insult thus suggesting its potential as a viable therapeutic target against its deleterious effects. Graphical Abstract

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Whistle Modulation during a Trawl Bycatch Event in the Adriatic Sea

Marine mammal vocal elements have been investigated for decades to assess whether they correlate with stress levels or stress indicators. Due to their acoustic plasticity, the interpretation of dolphins’ acoustic signals of has been studied most extensively. This work describes the acoustic parameters detected in whistle spectral contours, collected using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), in a bycatch event that involved three Bottlenose dolphins during midwater commercial trawling. The results indicate a total number of 23 upsweep whistles recorded during the bycatch event, that were analyzed based on the acoustic parameters as follows: (Median; 25th percentile; 75th percentile) Dr (second), total duration (1.09; 0.88; 1.24); fmin (HZ), minimum frequency (5836.4; 5635.3; 5967.1); fmax (HZ), maximum frequency, (11,610 ± 11,293; 11,810); fc (HZ), central frequency; (8665.2; 8492.9; 8982.8); BW (HZ), bandwidth (5836.4; 5635.3; 5967.1); Step, number of step (5; 4; 6). Furthermore, our data show that vocal production during the capture event was characterized by an undescribed to date combination of two signals, an ascending whistle (upsweep), and a pulsed signal that we called “low-frequency signal” in the frequency band between 4.5 and 7 kHz. This capture event reveals a novel aspect of T. truncatus acoustic communication, it confirms their acoustic plasticity, and suggests that states of discomfort are conveyed through their acoustic repertoire.

Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Relaxation Techniques on Psychological, Physiological, and Biochemical Stress Indicators

Various relaxation techniques could benefit from merging with virtual reality (VR) technologies, as these technologies are easily applicable, involving, and user-friendly. To date, it is unclear which relaxation technique using biofeedback combined with VR technology is the most effective. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of brief VR-based biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques including electroencephalographic biofeedback, mindfulness-based biofeedback, galvanic skin response biofeedback, and respiratory biofeedback. Forty-three healthy volunteers (age 34.7 ± 7.2 years), comprising 28 (65%) women and 15 (35%) men, were enrolled in the study. All the participants were exposed to four distinct relaxation sessions according to a computer-generated random sequence. The efficacy of relaxation methods was evaluated by examining psychological, physiological, and biochemical stress indicators. All VR-based relaxation techniques reduced salivary steroid hormone (i.e., cortisol, cortisone, and total glucocorticoid) levels and increased galvanic skin response values. Similarly, all interventions led to a significantly reduced subjectively perceived psychological strain level. Three out of the four interventions (i.e., electroencephalographic, respiratory, and galvanic skin response-based biofeedback relaxation sessions) resulted in a decreased self-reported fatigue level. We suggest that newly developed VR-based relaxations techniques are potential tools for stress reduction and might be particularly suitable for individuals who are not capable of adhering to a strict and time-consuming stress management intervention schedule.

Interactive Effects of Brassinosteroids and Timber Waste Biochar Enhances the Drought Tolerance Capacity of Wheat Plant

Drought stress is among the major constraints that threat agricultural productivity within the arid and semi-arid regions, worldwide. In this study, wheat (a strategic crop) was selected to test its growth under drought stress and the mechanisms beyond this adaptation while considering two factors, i.e., (1) deficit irrigation at 35% of the water holding capacity (WHC) versus 75% of WHC (Factor A) and (2) the following safe treatments: the control treatment (C), amending soil with biochar (BC) at a rate of 2%, foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide at two different levels (1 (BR1) or 3 (BR2) μmol) and the combination between BC and BR treatments. The obtained results were statistically analyzed, and the heat-map conceits between measured variables were also calculated by using the Python software. This investigation took place under the greenhouse conditions for 35 days following a complete randomized design and all treatments were replicated trice. Results obtained herein revealed that drought stress decreased all studied vegetative growth parameters (root and shoot biomasses) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total contents while increased oxidative stress indicators. All additives, specifically the combined ones BR1+BC and BR2+BC, were effective in increasing growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments and ion assimilation by wheat plants. They also upraised the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants while decreased stress indicators. Furthermore, they increased Ca, P and K content within plants. It can therefore be deduced that the integral application of BR and BC is essential to mitigate drought stress in plants.

Performance Evaluation of AquaCrop Model in Processing Tomato Biomass, Fruit Yield and Water Stress Indicator Modelling

A three-year long experiment was conducted on open-field tomato with different levels of water shortage stress. Three different water supply levels were set in 2017 and four levels for 2018 and 2019. Biomass and yield data were collected, along with leaf-temperature-based stress measurements on plants. These were used for calibration and validation of the AquaCrop model. The validation gave various results of biomass and yield simulation during the growing season. The largest errors in the prediction occurred in the middle of the growing seasons, but the simulation became more accurate at harvest in general. The prediction of final biomass and yields were good according to the model evaluation indicators. The relative root mean square error (nRMSE) was 12.1 and 13.6% for biomass and yield prediction, respectively. The modeling efficiency (EF) was 0.96 (biomass) and 0.99 (yield), and Willmott’s index of agreement (d) was 0.99 for both predicted parameters at harvest. The lowest nRMSE (4.17) was found in the simulation of final yields of 2018 (the calibration year). The best accuracy of the validation year was reached under mild stress treatment. No high correlation was found between the simulated and measured stress indicators. However, increasing and decreasing trends could be followed especially in the severely stressed treatments.

An Instrumental Variable Probit Modeling of COVID-19 Vaccination Compliance in Malawi

COVID-19 remains a pressing development concern in Malawi. The third wave of viral infection upsurge raised significant concerns on people’s compliance with preventive methods already introduced by the government, among which vaccination is notable. This study analysed the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination compliance in Malawi. The data were the ninth round of the telephone-based survey that was conducted by Malawi National Statistical Office (NSO) in 2021. The data were analysed with Instrumental Variable Probit model. The results showed that awareness of COVID-19 vaccines arrival was very high (98.19%). Additionally, 11.59% and 60.71% were already vaccinated and planning to be vaccinated, respectively. The Probit regression results showed that age of household heads, need of medical services, being worried of contracting COVID-19 and wearing of masks increased the probability of vaccination compliance, while stress indicators, being employed and not worried at all of contracting COVID-19 reduced it. It was concluded that drastic behaviour change would be needed to address corona virus pandemic in Malawi. There is the need to ensure equity across different age groups in access to vaccines. Further, interventions to ensure proper assessment of an individual’s COVID-19 risk and address psychological and emotional stress that are associated with ongoing pandemic would enhance vaccination compliance.

Palm oil extracts’ protected against cadmium chloride poisoning via inhibition of oxidative stress in rats”

Background: The probable mechanism of an earlier reported capacity of palm oil extracts to confer protection against high dose cadmium poisoning in rats was reported in this study. Similar experimental design earlier reported by us was retained. Rats therefore were sacrificed at intervals of twelve; twenty four and forty eight hours post CdCl2 insult. Results: Oxidative stress and antioxidant status (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione) were assessed in tissues (liver, kidney, heart, brain, muscle) and serum. Oxidative stress indicators showed a significantly (p<0.05) increased lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant defence systems occasioned by drop in catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes (serum, liver, heart, brain and kidneys) of the rats. Also observed were significant (p<0.05) reduction in the non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione over time. Pre-administration of rats with the crude palm oil and its extracts modulated cadmium mediated depletion of the antioxidant capacities of rats acutely exposed to cadmium and rising lipid peroxidation profile. Conclusions: Regulation of stress and antioxidant response was the underlying mechanism by which the extracts conferred protection against high dose cadmium insult thus suggesting its potential as a viable therapeutic target against its deleterious effects.