Measurement survey using acoustic measurement network and sound environment evaluation system by experience sampling

The use of open-plan offices is increasing as they are effective in improving intellectual productivity by fostering a communication among workers. Previous research on the relationship between the indoor sound environment and intellectual productivity has mostly reported the impact of the sound environment on the tasks that individuals work on. However, there has been no research on the impact of sound environment on office spaces where multiple workers are actually working. In this study, we developed a system that can analyze the individual characteristics of workers in relation to the sound environment by simultaneously measuring their evaluation to the sound environment and the sound environment of the office. The system collected workers' evaluation of their impressions to the sound environment through a regular questionnaire using the experience sampling method. At the same time, it measured the sound environment of the office with multiple small measurement devices. The obtained sound environment evaluation data and the acoustic data of the office were stored in a single database. Finally, this system was run in a working environment to evaluate the sound environment on a trial basis.

Study on psychological evaluation model of a good conversation in knowledge creative activity by multiple people

In recent years, Japanese companies are focusing on enhancing the knowledge creative activities of office workers, and the way of working in the office is shifting from the conventional divisional routine work to collaborative and creative work. On the other hand, office spaces are becoming quiet, and the number of extremely quiet them with noise levels below 40 dB is increasing. Previous studies have reported that a sound environment that is too quiet gives the worker the impression that it is difficult to have a conversation, further accumulation of research results is desired for the construction of a sound environment that enhances knowledge creative activities. Therefore, in this study, focusing on the relationship between sound environment and intellectual productivity, we investigated a sound environment suitable for knowledge creation activities by multiple people. Psychoacoustic experiments were conducted to examine the effects of sound pressure level (signal-to-noise ratio), type of sound and reverberation time of meeting room on the impression of "good conversation". Furthermore, using the psychological evaluation data of the experimental participants, the causal model of psychological evaluation of "good conversation" was examined by multiple regression analysis, and the psychological factors that contribute to the impression of it was clarified.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF PRODUCTIVE AND UNPRODUCTIVE PATTERNS OF METACOGNITIVE REGULATION OF STUDENTS

This article describes the results of an empirical study focused on patterns of metacognitive regulation which are regularly recurring stable mental programs aimed at achieving high levels of intellectual performance manifesting themselves as particular behavior patterns which can be observed. We hypothesized that: 1) manifestation of productive patterns of metacognitive regulation is associated with approach achievement motivation, high self-efficasy and positive emotional profile; 2) manifestation of unproductive patterns of metacognitive regulation is associated with avoidance achievement motivation, low self-efficasy and negative emotional profile. Students and PhD students of different Russian colleges and universities (n=156, mean age = 20, 32 males) participated in our study. To test our hypotheses we asked the participants to fill out the following questionnaires: 1) «Features of intellectual performance» questionnaire (by D.N. Makarova, M.V. Osorina); 2) «Approach and avoidance achievement motivation» questionnaire (by A.A. Rean); 3) «Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale» (GSES) questionnaire (by R. Schwarzer, M. Jerusalem, adapted by V.G. Romek); 4) «Emotinal profile of intellectual performance» questionnaire (by A.A. Zhukova, M.V. Osorina). We used SPSS software to conduct factor analysis (maximum likelihood method with varimax rotation) and nonparametric test (Kruskal-Wallis test). We obtained the following results: 1) 8 factors incorporating alike patterns were extracted; 2) significant differences between distributions of factor scores of participants with different levels of self-efficasy were revealed (for 3 factors); 3) significant differences between distributions of factor scores of participants with different types of motivation were found (for 2 factors). Therefore we can conclude that our hypotheses were partly refuted. The acquired data speaks in favor of one way connections: 1) between manifestation of productive patterns of metacognitive regulation and high self-efficasy and positive emotional profile; 2) between manifestation of unproductive patterns of metacognitive regulation and low self-efficasy and negative emotional profile. However, the results we obtained on relationship between patterns of metacognitive regulation and type of achievement motivation (approach versus avoidance) cannot be interpreted clearly. It is possible that the association between these two phenomena is non-linear or non-existent. In both cases further research is needed. Practical value of this study is that the results can be used for diagnostics of intellectual productivity of young adults, consulting and creating training programs on this subject. However, as the homogeneity of the sample is the main limitation of this study, further research on a bigger and more heterogeneous sample will shed more light on the associations in question and possibly help to create an improved version of our questionnaire aimed at revealing the patterns of metacognitive regulation.

PEMIKIRAN FAZLUR RAHMAN TENTANG MODERNISASI PENDIDIKAN ISLAM

The idea put forward by Fazlur Rahman on Modernization of Islamic Education, namely: 1. Educational Objectives, Fazlur Rahman argues that the purpose of Islamic education must be oriented to the life of the world and the hereafter as well as sourced from the Qur'an. The psychological burden of Muslims in facing the West must be immediately eliminated to eliminate the psychological burden. Fazlur Rahman suggested that a comprehensive and historically comprehensive Islamic study be conducted on the development of Islamic disciplines such as theology, law, ethics, Hadith, social sciences, and philosophy, by holding on to the Qur'an as an appraiser. 2. The Education System, according to Fazlur Rahman, is to eliminate the dichotomy by integrating general science and religion 3. Students, Fazlur Rahman suggests that students must be given Qur'anic lessons, and students are given material in the disciplines of Islamic sciences 4. Educator, Fazlur Rahman offers several ideas, namely, recruiting students who have the best talent for Islam, educators must be trained at the center of Islamic studies abroad, and encourage educators to produce Islamic works creatively. 5. Educational facilities, Fazlur Rahman suggested that each library in an educational institution be equipped with Arabic and English-language books. According to Fazlur Rahman, in essence all the problems of "modernizing" Islamic education, namely making it capable of creative Islamic intellectual productivity in all fields.

Hypertensive crisis as cerebrovascular disease risk factor

Objective. To assess main epidemiological indicators for hypertensive crises (HC) in the population of productive age and to study possible correlations of crisis associated arterial hypertension (AH) with clinical and instrumental phenomenon of chronic cerebrovascular diseases. Materials and methods. Data of several studies presented: cross-sectional studies of 726 people aged 35-64 and 415 people aged 40-59. Observational cohort study of 109 patients aged 57.4±5.8 with uncomplicated AH. For the detection of HC in anamnesis, there were used special criteria which widens standard HC definition for additional account of light and mild severity cases. Results. Overall AH prevalence was 45% (95% CI 41-51), in men - 48% (40.2-55.9), in women - 45% (38.4-51.6). History of HC in anamnesis was 11.8% (95% CI 9-15.2), in men 8.8% (5.4-14) and in women - 13.8% (10-18.7). Proportion of HC associated AH defined at the level of 25-30% of all AH cases. The most prevalence of HC associated AH was found in people with “high normal” (130-139/85-89) arterial pressure - 37%. Prevalence of the complaints on headaches, dizziness, poor memory and lower intellectual productivity was higher in people with HC. Chronic cerebrovascular disease was found 2-fold frequently in HC associated AH. But in generally analysis of possible correlations of HC with clinical and instrumental phenomenon of chronic cerebrovascular diseases didn’t revealed any statistically significant differences. Conclusion. HC burden for healthcare system is serious, because it is important risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases and associated with significant lowering of the quality of life. Prevalence of the HC cases with light and mild severity is underestimated. Despite that the study of the most prevalent forms of HC (rare, light and mild severity) didn’t find any associations with morphological or persistent clinical pathology, functional phenomenon were found statistically significant frequently.