Depression, anxiety, stress and satisfaction with life: moderating role of interpersonal needs amongst university students

© 2022 Ooi, Khor, Tan and Ong. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Depression, anxiety, and stress are ranked among the top mental health concerns faced by university students in recent times perpetuated by the proliferation of digitalization. Thus, this study was performed to assess the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life, with interpersonal needs (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) as moderators. A cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling method was conducted among 430 Malaysian private university students (Mean aged= 20.73 years; SD = 1.26 years). A self-administered questionnaire comprising the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire were used. Students who experienced lower depression and anxiety reported higher satisfaction with life under the influence of low perceived burdensomeness. Perceived burdensomeness, when coupled with depression (β = 0.76, p < 0.01) and anxiety (β = 0.79, p < 0.01), contributed 15.8% of variance in satisfaction with life. Students who experienced stress reported higher satisfaction with life under the influence of high thwarted belongingness (β = 0.73, p < 0.01), contributing 17.3% of the variance in satisfaction with life. For university students who experienced depression and anxiety symptoms, mental health practitioners may need to be cognizant of how to support students' education and management of their perceived burdensomeness perceptions.Peer reviewe

EFFECT OF NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING ON BALANCE AMONG UNIVERSITY ATHLETES

Background: Proprioceptive deficiency followed by lateral ankle sprain leads to poor balance is not uncommon. It has been linked with increased injury risk among young athletes. Introducing neuromuscular training programs for this have been believed as one of the means of injury prevention. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the effects of six weeks progressive neuromuscular training (PNM Training) on static balance gains among the young athletes with a previous history of ankle sprains. Methods: This study was an experimental study design, with pre and post test method to determine the effects of PNM Training on static balance gains. All data were collected at university’s sports rehabilitation lab before and after six weeks of intervention period. There were 20 male and female volunteer young athletes (20.9 ± 0.85 years of age) with a previous history of ankle sprain involving various sports were recruited from the University community. All the subjects were participated in a six week PNM Training that included stability, strength and power training. Outcome measures were collected by calculating the errors on balance error scoring system made by the athletes on static balance before and after the six weeks of intervention period. Static balance was tested in firm and foam surfaces and recorded accordingly. Results: The researchers found a significant decrease (2.40 ± 0.82) in total errors among the samples at the post test compared with their pre test (P >0.05). Conclusions: The study demonstrates that a PNM Training can improve the static balance on both the firm and foam surfaces among the young athletes with a previous history of ankle sprains

Facile Synthesis of Self-Assembled Cobalt Oxide Supported on Iron Oxide as the Novel Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Electrochemical Water Electrolysis

We report, for the first time, a facile, scalable, and cost-effective method for the synthesis of high-performance and monodispersed hexagonally shaped cobalt oxide platelets supported on iron oxides (Fe₃O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃) as the electrocatalyst systems for water electrolysis. The Fe₃O₄ was synthesized in the absence of an inert environment and organic solvent, using a modified coprecipitation procedure. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of average size 15 nm served as the best catalyst support for Co₃O₄, in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A current density of 10 mA/cm² was achieved, at −0.36 and 1.64 V for the HER and OER [versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)], respectively, for the Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ system, in 0.1 M KOH with low total catalyst loading of 250 μg/cm² (or 100 μg_Co₃O₄/cm²). Compared to those using the same total loading of unsupported Co₃O₄ catalyst, the overpotentials of Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ catalyst decreased by 0.22 and 0.06 V for the HER and OER, respectively. Despite low nonprecious metal loading, the Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ system showed high OER kinetics with low Tafel slope of 63 mV/dec. Chronoamperometry tests performed, at 1.62 and −0.30 V for the OER and HER, respectively, on the Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ catalyst demonstrated extremely stable OER over a period of 8 h. FESEM images of Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ revealed that the Co₃O₄ platelets were self-assembled into edge-on orientation on the Fe₃O₄ support. This largely accounted for the high catalytic activities observed because of the large total exposed surface area of Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ for catalytic reactions, in addition to electrochemical and morphological effects. Despite negating the need for specially tailored morphologies, Co₃O₄/Fe₃O₄ demonstrated enhanced electrochemical performance and stability. This may serve as a cost-effective route to the large-scale commercialization of electrolyzers and fuel cells via facile synthesis of nonprecious metal oxides as the catalyst–support system for enhanced electrochemical water electrolysis

Pendekatan pengajaran, gaya belajar dan jenis penilaian dalam mata pelajaran sains sukan di sekolah menengah

The aim of this study is to identify teachers’ teaching approach, students’ learning style, and types of evaluation of Form 4 sport science subject in secondary schools. The study also meant to identify the relationship between students’ learning style with their achievement in sport science subject. Samples consist of 208 teachers who thought in sport science subject and 2729 of students who participate in the sport science subject at selected secondary schools. Instruments used in the study consist of questionnaires for teachers and students with reliability of α = .962 and α = .799 respectively. The results showed that teachers’ teaching approach based on teaching management strategy was at medium level while its teaching techniques and teachers’ content knowledge on sport science were at high level. This study also found that students acquired a high interest towards sport science subject but at of a medium level on perceptual learning style which involve visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic. The evaluation styles chosen for measuring students’ learning achievement was written test, practical test, oral test, semester examination, project, and performance evaluation. Students’ learning achievement of Form 4 sport science subject was 9.2% scored grade A, 21% grade B, 38% grade C, and 18.5% grade D. Learning factor has a low significant relationship (r = .17**, p < .00) with students’ achievement in form 4 sport science subject. In conclusion, teachers’ teaching approach should anticipate with students’ learning styles and include varieties of evaluation process to evaluate students’ learning achievement in sport science subject

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIAN NATIONAL CRICKET BATSMEN

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the morphological characteristics and physical strength of the Malaysian cricket batsmen. Methods: Twenty four top order batsmen from the Malaysian senior, under-19s and under-16s cricket team were recruited for the study. Twenty six anthropometric, four somatotype and two physical strength variables were measured from all participants. Stature were measured by using stadiometer, calipers for skin-fold, non-stretch tape for girth, sliding caliper for segmental lengths and circumferences (breadths) and dynamometers for hand grip and back strength. Cater and heath (1990) equation was used to find the somatotype variables of height-weight ratio, endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyses significant between group differences in the variables. Results: The senior batsmen were significantly higher than under-19s and under-16s in body mass, relax and flex arm girths, forearm girth, chest girth, waist girth, calf girth, bi-acromial breadth, transvers breadth and hand grip strength. Both senior and under-19s batsmen were significantly higher than under-16s batsmen in arm span, total arm length, humerus and femur breadths. The under-16s batsmen were also significantly lesser than senior in hip girths, hand lengths and bi-ilocrist breadth, and from under-19s in sitting height and total leg length. Conclusion: Senior batsmen were significantly higher in the anthropometric measurement of girths, breadth and lengths than U-16 because of 10 years age difference. Future research is essential to confirm the relationship between the anthropometric characteristics of batsmen with the batting technique and performance

Kinanthropometric differences between 1997 World championship junior elite and 2011 national junior elite triathletes

OBJECTIVES: In 1997, anthropometry measures were made to determine the body size and shapes of both senior and junior elite triathletes. Since then, the junior event distance has changed and the optimal morphology of participants may have evolved. Thus the objective of this study was to compare the morphology of 1997 World championship junior elite triathlon competitors with junior elite competitors in 2011. DESIGN: Comparative study of junior elite triathlete kinanthropometry. METHODS: Twenty-nine males and 20 females junior elite competitors in the 1997 Triathlon World Championships underwent 26 anthropometric measurements. Results were compared with 28 male and 14 female junior elite triathletes who competed in the 2011 Australian National Junior Series, as qualifying for 2011 Triathlon World Championships. Comparisons were made on the raw scores, as well as somatotype, and body proportional scores. RESULTS: Both male and female junior elite triathletes in the 2011 group were significantly more ectomorphic than their 1997 counterparts. The 2011 triathletes were also proportionally lighter, with significantly smaller flexed arm and thigh girths, and femur breadths. The 2011 males recorded significantly longer segmental lengths and lower endomorphy values than the 1997 junior males. CONCLUSIONS: Junior elite triathlete morphology has evolved during the past 14 years possibly as a result of changing race distance and race tactics, highlighting the importance of continually monitoring and updating such anthropometric data

Protein supplementation versus standard feeds in underweight critically ill children : A pilot dual-centre randomised controlled trial protocol

Introduction Protein-energy malnutrition, increased catabolism and inadequate nutritional support leads to loss of lean body mass with muscle wasting and delayed recovery in critical illness. However, there remains clinical equipoise regarding the risks and benefits of protein supplementation. This pilot trial will determine the feasibility of performing a larger multicentre trial to determine if a strategy of protein supplementation in critically ill children with body mass index (BMI) z-score ≤-2 is superior to standard enteral nutrition in reducing the length of stay in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods and analysis This is a randomised controlled trial of 70 children in two PICUs in Singapore. Children with BMI z-score ≤-2 on PICU admission, who are expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, will be randomised (1:1 allocation) to protein supplementation of ≥1.5 g/kg/day in addition to standard nutrition, or standard nutrition alone for 7 days after enrolment or until PICU discharge, whichever is earlier. Feasibility outcomes for the trial include effective screening, satisfactory enrolment rate, timely protocol implementation (within first 72 hours) and protocol adherence. Secondary outcomes include mortality, PICU length of stay, muscle mass, anthropometric measurements and functional outcomes. Ethics and dissemination The trial protocol was approved by the institutional review board of both participating centres (Singhealth Centralised Institutional Review Board and National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board) under the reference number 2020/2742. Findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Trial registration number NCT04565613.publishedVersionPeer reviewe