The gut microbiota contributes to the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism in various human functional states through a variety of formed metabolites that can be used as energy substrates or are signaling and regulatory molecules. The review presents the results of studies on the effects of bacterial short-chain fatty acids on signaling pathways regulating skeletal muscle metabolism and providing increased physical performance and improved human health.

Optimal Metrics Investigation for Human Functional States Differences Assessment Based on EEG Signal Analysis

Introduction. The article examines biosocial correction of the psycho-emotional status and behavior of individuals with high levels of neuropsychological stress. The purpose of the article is to reveal the psychophysiological criteria of human functional states, to summarize the data from scholarly literature and experimental research, and to propose and substantiate the psychophysiological correction method to ensure biosocial safety. Materials and Methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the psychophysiological approach and its basic principles. Psychophysiological examinations included electroencephalography, computer testing of psychomotor reactions of varying complexity (D. A. Morocco), self-assessment of activity, well-being and mood indicators (Doskin’s inventory), Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, as well as indicators of heart rate structure variability (R. M. Bayevsky). The research sample consisted of undergraduates and postgraduates aged between 18 and 28 years (n = 37, 24 ± 3 years). The participants were distributed into two groups. The first group comprised individuals regularly engaged in psychophysical self–regulation; the second group consisted of people who were not engaged in psychophysical self–regulation . Statistical processing of the obtained results was conducted using a computer package of application programs Statistica 10.0 and SPSS. Results. The article provides a theoretical overview and experimental data on the problem of biosocial causes of inadequate reactions of individuals with a high level of neuropsychological stress. The possibilities of biosocial correction of psycho-emotional status and human behavior are shown. The study has revealed the improvements in functional state of optimal adaptation after regular classes on the theory and practice of self-regulation techniques, including relaxation. The authors summarized current indicators of psychophysiological status and demonstrated the effectiveness of remedial training in restoring the optimal neuropsychological status required for an individual's biosocial safety. Conclusions. The article concludes that in order to ensure the biosocial security of an individual, it is necessary to teach methods of psychophysical self-regulation in order to normalize the psychophysical state, reduce the level of neuropsychological stress, and, consequently, the risks of non-adaptive behavior, which is particularly important for young adults.

The issues of psychological adaptation of a person to the extreme conditions of the Arctic continue to be relevant at the present time. Dynamic monitoring of human functional states is an effective technology that allows timely identification of the level of human adaptation to the conditions of the North and implementation of preventive measures to maintain health in extreme working conditions. The aim of the study is to identify and describe the relationship of individual-personal qualities and the dynamics of the functional states of the participants of the marine Arctic expedition. Methods. Psychophysiological testing using the device UPFT-1/30-«Psychophysiolog» (variational cardiointervalometry, complex visual-motor reaction); color preference test (M. Luscher, adapted by L. N. Sobchik) with calculation of interpretation coefficients by G. A. Aminev; Five-factor personality questionnaire (R. McCrae and P. Costa, adapted by A. B. Khromov); statistical methods: descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, correlation analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The study was conducted daily in the morning and evening for 20 days on the research vessel Mikhail Somov in June 2021. The study involved 39 people, including participants in the scientific and educational expeditionary project “Arctic Floating University–2021”. Results. The dynamics of psychophysiological and projective psychological parameters of the functional states of the expedition members as a whole is characterized by favorable levels, which indicates their adaptation to the conditions of high latitudes. According to the results of the correlation analysis, statistically significant relationships were revealed between the dynamics of functional states and such individual-personal qualities as: extraversion − introversion and attachment − separation. Conclusion. The results of the study are consistent with the data of previous expeditions of the “Arctic floating university” and other polar expeditions. The revealed interrelations of functional states with different personality characteristics of the participants testify in favor of the complex nature of the study using different groups of diagnostic methods.

IntroductionResearch data indicate the necessity of efficient human functional states’ (HFS) self-regulations for successful work execution, and not only for those professionals, who work under extreme work conditions; efficient HFS self-regulation is discussed as one of the key professional competences in socionomic jobs as well (Friedman, 2003; Landy & Conte, 2021). Moreover, ability of efficient HFS self-regulation could be viewed as a differentiative competence for separation of professionals with normal and high work achievements (Spencer L. & Spencer S., 1993).ObjectivesThe empirical study was targeted to investigate HFS self-regulation efficiency as a predictor of work success under long-term innovation stress.MethodsThe longitudinal research was conducted in college teachers (n=50) during the period of organizational innovations. The empirical data were obtained by the diagnostic set of methods for self-assessment of attitudes towards innovations as a factor of long-term work strain, coping strategies and self-regulation means, chronic fatigue and burnout as the main consequences of long-term stress manifestations (Hobfoll, Dunahoo, Ben-Porath & Monnier, 1994; Leonova, 2012).ResultsThe significant diversity in the level of HFS self-regulation efficiency in teachers with different work success has been found (p<0,05). Teachers with the highest level of work results have a well-developed system of self-regulation means, which allows them to cope with innovation stress.ConclusionsThe empirical data revealed patterns of effective self-regulation means, which are adequate to situational requirement, professional norms and rules of organizational behavior. Obtained results formed the basis for the elaboration of training course for HFS self-regulation skills development.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Relevance. Physiologically adequate and up-to-date methods are needed for diagnosing functional states in humans during occupational activities.Intention – Analysis of priority studies of domestic physiological schools in the field of diagnostics of human functional states and identification of priority studies, which are associated with the expected progress in the subject area.Methodology. On the basis of a systematic approach, there were reviewed fundamental studies of Russian physiological schools defining key approaches to the diagnosis of human functional states: from the foundations of the natural science research of human states in the process of activity, laid down by I.M. Sechenov, to the achievements of the modern Russian physiological school, one of the leaders of which is Academician A.D. Nozdrachev.Results and Discussion. The features of physiological diagnostics of functional states are shown, an important role of complex interdisciplinary approaches for solving problems of diagnostics based on the results of physiological studies is emphasized. The emphasis is made on the fact that methods for diagnosing human conditions in the process of activity should be guided by the dominant corresponding to each functional state, and take into account that various functional systems of the body are mobilized to ensure this state, with individually specific degree of their involvement in the formation of a functional state. At the same time, when diagnosing functional states it is necessary to take into account complex impacts of occupational factors and use approaches specific for socio-professional groups with the fullest possible consideration of their occupational tasks.Conclusion. It has been shown that methods for diagnosing functional states require development and improvement based on the results of fundamental physiological research, which determine approaches to the diagnosis of human states in the process of activity.

IntroductionSelf-regulation of emotions is viewed as one of the key skills in various socionomic professions (Kuznetsova & Titova, 2016; Spencer & Spencer, 2008), including psychology. Emotional intelligence (EI) can be seen as a vital competence for counseling psychologists, as well as a factor in an efficient human functional state’s (HFS) self-regulation under stressful work conditions.ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the EI level in psychologists involved in a long-term relief programme for people affected by an industrial accident, and to reveal interrelations between EI and the efficiency of acquisition of new self-regulation skills.MethodsThe training course was designed for psychologists (n=15) in order to develop new stress-management counseling skills. It included: progressive relaxation, ideomotor and visualization exercises; autogenic formulae. Data were obtained from HFS evaluation questionnaires (Leonova, Zlokazova, Kachina & Kuznetsova, 2013), and the EI inventory (Manoylova, 2004).ResultsThe mean EI level was high among the psychologists, although there were variations. Data confirmed rapid progress in the acquisition of self-regulation skills, and demonstrated a prolonged effect of stress (p=0,052) and fatigue (p<0,001) reduction (Friedman’s test). The EI level showed correlations (Spearman’s test) with HFS measures: by the end of the course psychologists with a higher EI reported higher psychological comfort (p<0,05) and lower acute fatigue (p<0,01) after relaxation exercises.ConclusionsAlthough the sample size was small, the data, obtained from described above unique group of counseling psychologists, helped reveal the link between EI and efficient HFS self-regulation.

Structural-integrative approach to human functional states’ analysis: history and future development

The Dynamics of Functional Brain Networks: Integrated Network States during Cognitive Task Performance

L. S. Vygotsky in his famous methodological essay "The historical meaning of psychological crisis" (1928) emphasized the importance of studying any psychological process or state as a "whole" — that is, as characterized from the subjective and objective sides at the same time. This position is fully relevant for studying the human functional states (FSes). Today the objective psychophysiological diagnostics of human FSes in activities associated with a high risk of technological disasters (in nuclear-power plants, transportation, the chemical industry) are extremely relevant and socially important. This article reviews some new psychophysiological methods of FS assessment that are being developed in Russia and abroad and discusses different aspects of developing integral psychophysiological FS assessment. The emphasis is on distant methods of FS diagnostics: the bioradiolocation method, laser Doppler vibrometry, eye tracking, audio and video recordings, infrared thermography. The possibilities and limitations of the most popular emotion atlases — the Facial Affect Scoring Technique (FAST) and the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) — in developing distant visual-range and infrared-range systems for automated classification of facial expressions are analyzed. A special section of the article concentrates on the problem of constructing an integral psychophysiological FS index. Mathematical algorithms that provide a partition of FS indicators into different FS types are based on various methods of machine learning. We propose the vector approach for construction of complex estimations of the human FSes.

Automated Real-time Classification of Functional States based on Physiological Parameters

Empirical Studies of Human Brain Functional States for Lexical Tones Processing Indicated by Spectral and Temporal Cues

This study investigates the feasibility of using a method based on electroencephalography (EEG) for deriving a driver's mental workload index. The psychophysiological signals provide sensitive information for human functional states assessment in both laboratory and real-world settings and for building a new communication channel between driver and vehicle that allows for driver workload monitoring. An experiment combining a lane-change task and n-back task was conducted. The task load levels were manipulated in two dimensions, driving task load and working memory load, with each containing three task load conditions. The frontal theta activity showed significant increases in the working memory load dimension, but differences were not found with the driving task load dimension. However, significant decreases in parietal alpha activity were found when the task load was increased in both dimensions. Task-related differences were also found. The driving task load contributed more to the changes in alpha power, whereas the working memory load contributed more to the changes in theta power. Additionally, these two task load dimensions caused significant interactive effects on both theta and alpha power. These results indicate that EEG technology can provide sensitive information for driver workload detection even if the sensitivities of different EEG parameters tend to be task dependent. One potential future application of this study is to establish a general driver workload estimator that uses EEG signals.

Self-Regulation Training and Prevention of Negative Human Functional States at Work: Traditions and Recent Issues in Russian Applied Research. Established in 2008, the Russian Psychological Society's Journal «Psychology in Russia: State of the Art» publishes original articles.

The concept of human functional states (HFS) is considered in the framework of activity regulation approach developed in Russian applied psychology. Aimed at the analysis of changes in regulatory mechanisms of on-going activity, structural methods for multilevel assessment of workers' states are discussed. Three different strategies of data integration are proposed regarding the types of essential practical problems. Their usability is exemplified with the help of two empirical studies concerned with reliability of fire-fighters' work in the Chernobyl Zone and effects of interruptions in computerized office environment. A general framework for applied HFS research is proposed in order to develop new ecologically valid psychodiagnostic procedures that can help to create efficient stress-management programs for enhancing human reliability and performance in complex job environment.

To explain the energetic physiologic basis for acupuncture electroconductance effects and for gas discharge visualization (GDV) assessment methods, using a quantum biophysical model of entropy and information flows. The main reservoir of free energy in biologic processes is electron-excited states of complex molecular systems. Communities of delocalized excited pi-electrons in protein macromolecules are the basis of this energy reservoir. Specific structural-protein complexes within the mass of the skin provide channels of heightened electron conductivity, measured at acupuncture points on the surface. Stimulated impulse emissions from the skin are also developed mainly by transport of delocalized pi-electrons. Stimulated by high voltage impulses, optical emissions, with amplification in gaseous discharge, are registered by optical sensors (GDV). This quantum model supports an argument that GDV techniques provide indirect judgment about the level of energy resources at the molecular level of functioning in structural-protein complexes. Several years of GDV research have provided clinical correlations with well-accepted physiologic parameters. For example, postsurgery recovery progress is correlated with GDV parameters and GDV assessments provide independent diagnostic measures of psychophysical reserves in athletes. GDV methods for investigating human functional states, by assessing electro-optical parameters of the skin, are based on the registration of physical processes emerging from electron components of tissue conductivity.

Аналіз факторів впливу на функціональні стани людини в умовах антарктичної експедиції

The present study attempts to understand the functional competence of employees by developing a measure of and analyzing the factors affecting competence. A narrative inquiry method was used. Suggestions are made for a Human Resources Development strategy to improve the functional competence of the employees in a Power Plant in Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh, India.