Only two subscales of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire are culturally relevant for people with chronic low back pain in Nigerian Igbo populations: a cross-cultural adaptation and validation study

Background Pain coping strategies are important in the chronicity of low back pain and the associated disability. However, their exact influence is unknown in many African contexts such as rural Nigeria due to lack of outcome instruments with which to measure them. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and psychometrically test the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) in Igbo populations in Nigeria. Methods The CSQ was forward and back translated by clinical and non-clinical translators; evaluated by an expert review committee. The translated measure was piloted amongst twelve rural Nigerian dwellers with chronic low back pain (CLBP) using the think-aloud cognitive interviewing style. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient—ICC and Bland–Altman plot), and minimal detectable change were examined amongst 50 people with CLBP in rural and urban Nigerian populations. Construct validity was determined by assessing the correlations between the adapted CSQ and measures of disability, pain intensity, fear avoidance beliefs, and illness perceptions using Spearman’s correlation analyses with 200 adults with CLBP in rural Nigeria. Exploratory factor analyses using Kaiser criterion (eigenvalue) and parallel analysis as methods for determining dimensionality were conducted with the same sample. Results Fourteen out of 42 items were routinely adopted in this population including all items of catastrophising subscale, and all but one item of praying and hoping subscale. Catastrophising and praying and hoping subscales had the highest Cronbach’s alpha. All subscales had high ICCs with Bland–Altman plots that showed good agreement. All coping strategies were positively correlated with self-reported disability and pain intensity with catastrophising subscale having the highest values. Seven-factor and three-factor structures were produced with the Kaiser criterion and parallel analysis, with different items from the original CSQ, except for catastrophising. Conclusions Catastrophising and praying and hoping may be the relevant coping strategies in this population. More culturally relevant measures of pain coping strategies that include adaptive coping strategies may need to be developed for African contexts such as rural Nigeria.

Application of Feature Extraction Methods for Chemical Risk Classification in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The features that are used in the classification process are acquired from sensor data on the production site (associated with toxic, physicochemical properties) and also a dataset associated with cybersecurity that may affect the above-mentioned risk. These are large datasets, so it is important to reduce them. The author’s motivation was to develop a method of assessing the dimensionality of features based on correlation measures and the discriminant power of features allowing for a more accurate reduction of their dimensions compared to the classical Kaiser criterion and assessment of scree plot. The method proved to be promising. The results obtained in the experiments demonstrate that the quality of classification after extraction is better than using classical criteria for estimating the number of components and features. Experiments were carried out for various extraction methods, demonstrating that the rotation of factors according to centroids of a class in this classification task gives the best risk assessment of chemical threats. The classification quality increased by about 7% compared to a model where feature extraction was not used and resulted in an improvement of 4% compared to the classical PCA method with the Kaiser criterion, with an evaluation of the scree plot. Furthermore, it has been shown that there is a certain subspace of cybersecurity features, which complemented with the features of the concentration of volatile substances, affects the risk assessment of chemical hazards. The identified cybersecurity factors are the number of packets lost, incorrect Logins, incorrect sensor responses, increased email spam, and excessive traffic in the computer network. To visualize the speed of classification in real-time, simulations were carried out for various systems used in Industry 4.0.

Adaptation and validation of the Nigerian Igbo Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in patients with chronic low back pain

Introduction Social support may be important in the perpetuation of symptoms in chronic low back pain (CLBP). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) is one of the best measures of social support with applicability in Africa. Aims The aims of this study were to translate, culturally adapt, test–retest, and assess cross-sectional psychometric properties of the Igbo-MSPSS. Methods Forward and backward translation of the MSPSS was done by clinicians and non-clinician translators and evaluated by a specialist review committee. The adapted measure was piloted amongst twelve adults with CLBP in rural Nigeria. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficient were used for investigating internal consistency. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC: two-way random effects model, average of raters’ measurements, absolute definition of agreement) reflecting both the degree of correlation and agreement between measurements was used for the statistical investigation of test–retest reliability. Criterion validity of the adapted measure was investigated with the eleven-point box scale, back performance scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule amongst 200 people with CLBP in rural Nigeria using Spearman’s correlation analyses. Exploratory factor analyses conducted using Kaiser criterion and parallel analysis as methods for determining dimensionality were used to determine the structural validity of the adapted measure amongst the same sample of 200 rural dwellers. Results Igbo-MSPSS had excellent internal consistency (0.88) and ICC of 0.82. There were moderate correlations with measures associated with the social support construct. The same item–factor pattern in the three-dimensional structure (with Kaiser criterion) as in the original measure and a two-dimensional structure (with parallel analysis) were produced. Conclusions Igbo-MSPSS is a measure of social support with some evidence of validity and reliability and can be used clinically or for research. Future studies are required to confirm its validity and reliability.

Dispositional Greed Scales

In recent years, different scales have been developed to assess individual differences in dispositional greed. We report two studies ( N1 = 300, N2 = 1,000) on the comparative psychometric properties of these scales. We find that all scales are reliable and that they correlate highly, suggesting that all can be used to assess dispositional greed. Exploratory factor analyses, using the Empirical Kaiser Criterion, the Hull method, and Parallel Analysis as extraction methods, were done on the separate scales and all items together. These analyses reveal that there is quite some consistency in the scales, as in both studies a one-factor solution seems to describe the data best. These results imply that these different scales all assess dispositional greed, although the results also suggest that some items may be deleted from the scales.

Differences in External Load Variables Between Playing Positions in Elite Basketball Match-Play

The purpose of this study was to describe the specific demands and structure of interrelationships of external load variables in order to generate a position-related time motion profile in elite basketball. Seventeen professional players from three different playing positions (6 guards, 4 forwards, and 7 centers) were analyzed in five friendly games. Player load per minute (PLmin) was used as an indicator of intensity to compare positions. Furthermore, high and total external variables of jumping (hJUMP and tJUMP), acceleration (hACC and tACC), deceleration (hDEC and tDEC) and change of direction (hCOD and tCOD), respectively, were used for the principal component analysis (PCA). The Kaiser criterion (eigenvalue > 1) was applied, and the Varimax rotation mode was used to extract multiple principal components. PCA showed that all positions had three or four principal components, but the configuration of each factor was different: tCOD, hCOD, hDEC and hJUMP for guards, hCOD, tCOD, tACC and hDEC for forwards, and tJUMP, hJUMP, hDEC and tACC for centers were specifically demanded in match-play. For guards and forwards, a significant correlation was found between COD variables, while for centers tCOD and PLmin had the strongest correlation. When monitoring the external load via tri-axial accelerometers in basketball match-play, each playing position showed specific physical demands. Therefore, these variables must be prioritized in load monitoring programs.

Aggressivness and Autoagressivness in the Web Text: Content Analysis of Pages in the Social Network «VKontakte»

The authors make a supposition that any social network is an array of texts that can be formally analyzed. Relying on the ideas of cultural-historical psychology, the authors consider the text as a model that is used to cognize the world and with the help of which higher mental functions are formed. The network text is analyzed as a semiotic system. The authors have created categories of the content analysis of pages in the social network VKontakte. These categories help to assess a persons aggressiveness and auto-aggressiveness. The respondents were 58 women and 63 men aged from 17 to 23. Complex research into aggressiveness and auto-aggressiveness, and deviant behavior was carried out using V.V. Boikos and A.N. Orels methodologies. The data of the content analysis and the data of both tests were statistically processed. The analysis using Pearsons correlation coefficient demonstrated many interconnections between the presence and the extent of the content analysis categories and the data from the standardized methodologies. A strong direct correlation relationship between the auto-aggressiveness index by V.V. Boikos methodology and reasons for violence (0,72), depression (0,92), auto-aggression (0,63) and isolation (0,63) are similar with the data received applying the self-harming scale methodology by A.N. Orel: there is a strong direct correlation with violence (0,72), depression (0,93), auto-aggression (0,64) and isolation (0,68). The authors found a strong direct correlation between motives for violence and the tendency for aggression and violence index in accordance with A.N. Orels methodology (0,72). By A.N. Orels methodology he authors found a strong direct correlation between the motive for accepting criminal norms and the tendency for delinquent behavior (0,79). A correlation relationship between the motive for eroticism and inability for restraining aggression (0,62) was also revealed. The authors have interpreted correlation relationships. The factor analysis by the Kaiser criterion demonstrated that there are five logically interconnected factors. The research hypothesis has been proved. Prospects for follow-up research have been outlined.

LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

The main objective of this research was to investigate the leisure time activities of elementary school children. This paper investigates the way in which these activities are grouped and their expression. In addition to this, it examined the existence of any difference between these grouped activities in relation to respondents’ gender and school achievements, as well as to their relationship with the children's opinion of their parents’ interest in how they spend their leisure time. For this purpose an instrument has been designed consisting of 22 items of Likert-type (α = .69) which was used for a sample of 246 students of both genders (121 male and 125 female) from 4th and 5th grade (96 from 4th and 150 from 5th grade) from elementary schools in Vranje and Nis. Through factor analysis based on The Guttman-Kaiser Criterion and with the analysis of loadings of certain items, 5 factors have been identified and named as follows: organized extracurricular activities, home-related activities, computer-related activities, pastime, reality shows watching. The discovered differences in the expression of these groups of activities proved to be statistically significant. The results of t-test indicated that girls get more involved in activities at home, while boys rest more. The ANOVA results showed that there was the difference in the expression of activities done at home, as well as the organized extracurricular activities between students with different academic achievement. In the end, the results showed that as parents get less interested in the way their children spend their leisure time, more will their children get engaged in organized extracurricular activities, activities that are carried out at home, and watching sports, resting and using computers.

Identification of correlation structure using rotated factor loadings

This work seeks to identify the correlation structure of variables in terms of few underlying but unobservable factors. The method was applied to age and five different tests results obtained from 200 patients in a hospital. Two factors were identified using the scree plot and the Kaiser criterion. The factor loadings obtained by the method of principal components gave an inadequate fit to the data. An algebraic approach was applied using orthogonal rotation, and the loadings were found to give a clear and interpretable pattern. Consequently, the variables: age, fasting blood sugar and diastolic blood pressure were found to cluster about the first factor F1 called Age-Cardiovascular factor. Similarly, the remaining variables malaria, typhoid and haemoglobin clustered about the second factor F2 and the given name was Hemo-typhomalaria factor. Diagnostic checks were carried out and the factor model generated by the rotated loadings was found to be adequate.

Reliability and Factorial Validity of Non-Specific and Tennis-Specific Pre-Planned Agility Tests; Preliminary Analysis

Agility is an important quality in tennis, yet there is an evident lack of studies focussing on the applicability of tennis-specific agility performances and comparing them to equivalent non-specific agility performances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and factorial validity of three tests of pre-planned agility, performed in specific (with a tennis racquet) and non-specific (without a tennis racquet) conditions. The sample consisted of 33 tennis players (13 males and 20 females; age: 18.3 ± 1.1 years and 18.6 ± 1.3 years; body height: 185.4 ± 51 cm and 169.3 ± 4.2 cm, 74.0 ± 4.4 kg and 61.2 ± 3.1 kg, respectively). The variables comprised three agility tests: a 20-yard test, a T-test and the Illinois test, all performed in both specific and non-specific conditions. Between-subject and within-subject reliability were found to be high (Cronbach Alpha: 0.93 to 0.98; Coefficient of Variation: 3 to 8%), with better within-subject reliability and stability of the measurement for specific tests. Pearson’s product moment correlations between the non-specific and specific agility performances were high (r ≥0.84), while factor analysis extracted only one significant latent dimension on the basis of the Guttman-Kaiser criterion. The results of the 20-yard test were better when the test was conducted in the specific conditions (t-test = 2.66; p < 0.05). For the Illinois test, superior results were recorded in the non-specific conditions (t-test = 2.96; p < 0.05), which can be explained by the test duration (about 20 s) and non-specific locomotion forms such as rotational movements. Considering the findings of the present study, when testing tennis-specific pre-planned agility, we suggest using tests of short duration (less than 10 s) and sport-specific types of locomotion.