Back-translation Process Research Articles

French Translation and Validation of the Rating-of-Fatigue Scale

BackgroundThe Rating of Fatigue (ROF) scale can measure changes in perceived fatigue in a variety of contexts.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to translate and subsequently validate the ROF scale in the French language.MethodsThe study was composed of three phases. Phase 1 involved a comprehensive translation, back-translation, and consolidation process in order to produce the French ROF scale. During phase 2, the face validity of the French ROF scale was assessed. A cohort of 60 native French speaking participants responded to a range of Likert scale items which probed the purposes of the ROF scale and what it is intended to measure. During phase 3, the convergent and divergent validity of the ROF scale was assessed during ramped cycling to exhaustion and 10 min of resting recovery.ResultsThe results from phase 1 demonstrated comparability and interpretability between the original and back-translated ROF scale. In phase 2, participants reported a high face validity, with a score of 3.48 ± 0.70 out of 4 when given the item probing whether the scale “measures fatigue”. This score further improved (3.67 ± 0.57, P = 0.01) after participants read the accompanying instructions. Participants were able to distinguish the purposes of the scale for measuring fatigue rather than exertion. In phase 3, strong correlations were found between ROF and heart rate (HR) both during exercise (r = 0.91, P < 0.01) and recovery (r = 0.92, P < 0.01), while discriminant validity between ROF and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was found during recovery.ConclusionThe present study permits the applications of the ROF scale in the French language.

Translation and validation of the Greek version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) in patients with chronic low back pain

Purpose To translate and validate the Greek version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Materials and methods The Greek SSS-8, created through forth and back translation and cultural adaption processes, was handed over to 145 patients recruited using simple random sampling. Test–retest, composite, and internal consistency reliability were assessed. Construct validity was examined by assessing correlations with Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) instruments. Structural validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent, discriminant, and known group validity were also evaluated. Results The response rate was 95.1% (138 subjects, mean age 43.2 ± 11.7) and the overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.831. Test–retest reliability assessment revealed excellent results (Pearson's r > 0.996; Lin’s concordance coefficient > 0.995; intraclass correlation coefficient >0.995, all p < 0.001). Composite reliability scores for the pain, cardiopulmonary, and fatigue domains were 0.712, 0.787, and 0.567, respectively. The correlation analyses indicated good construct validity. CFA revealed excellent fit results and known group validity output indicated a linear increasing trend in the severity of somatic symptom disorders (SSDs), depression, and anxiety with higher PHQ-15, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores (Jonckheere-Terpstra test, p value < 0.001). Conclusions The Greek SSS-8 was shown to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring SSDs in patients with CLBP. Implications for Rehabilitation According to the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2017, LBP was one of the leading causes of disability for both sexes combined since 1990. Strategies to identify SSDs in patients with LBP at an earlier stage are essential both for the provision of an optimal targeted treatment and for minimizing its direct and indirect economic burden. The Greek SSS-8 is a standardized and validated instrument, which its utilization will enhance the physical therapy assessment process in the Greek population. Not only is the SSS-8 an easy-to-use and highly accurate diagnostic tool for detecting SSDs, but also a short alternative to PHQ-15 in settings with limited assessment time.

The Brazilian version of the DOS for the detection of orthorexia nervosa: transcultural adaptation and validation among dietitians and Nutrition college students.

Orthorexia nervosa has been receiving considerable attention and several tools have been developed to assess it, for instance, the "Düsseldorf Orthorexie Scale" (DOS). Such scale is a validated test to measure orthorexic eating behavior and it has shown good psychometric properties. Therefore, this study aimed to transculturally adapt and validate the Brazilian version of the DOS (DOS-BR). DOS-BR was obtained using the back-translation process after two reviews done by a focus group and after running a pilot-test (n = 64). A self-report questionnaire was administered to a sample of Brazilian dietitians and Nutrition college students (n = 486). To examine the factor structure of the DOS-BR, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. The ordinal alpha was examined. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in a sub-sample (n = 159). Convergent validity was assessed by conducting correlation analyses between the DOS-BR and other theoretically related tools (EAT-26 and OCI-R) within the sub-sample. A three-factor structure was revealed for the DOS-BR properly fitted (KMO = 0.787). The test showed good internal consistency with an ordinal alpha of 0.795, and it also had excellent test-retest reliability of 0.776. DOS-BR median score was 17 (14-22) in Measurement 1 and 19 (17-22) in Measurement 2. The total score had a positive and moderate correlation with eating disorders symptoms (0.488) and a positive and weak correlation with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (0.224). The DOS-BR was culturally and psychometrically adequate for the samples of Brazilian Nutrition-related subjects. The tool is indicated as a reliable alternative to evaluate orthorexia nervosa in Brazilian scenery. Descriptive (cross-sectional) study, Level V.

The Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Family Health Climate Scale (FHC-Scale) in Female Students and Their Mothers in Iran 2019.

Objectives This study examined the validity and reliability of the Family Health Climate Scale (FHC-Scale) among Iranian families. Second, can it be attributed to other family members by measuring the health climate in one person? Method In total, 261 female students and 196 mothers completed the FHC-Scale. The study instrument was a Persian version of the FHC-Scale prepared through a translation and back-translation process. Results The results showed that the Persian version of the FHC-Scale is acceptable. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for FHC-PA in female students and their mothers, respectively, was 0.88 and 0.86 for the whole scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for FHC-NU in female students and their mothers, respectively, was 0.83 and 0.92 for the whole scale. The CVI values for all the items were equal to or above 0.8, and the CVR value for the total scale was 0.90. Conclusion The Persian version of the FHC-Scale is therefore an effective tool for evaluating the different dimensions of family health climate in the Iranian population.

Dutch Translation and Validation of the FACE-Q Rhinoplasty Module.

FACE-Q was developed by Klassen et al in 2010 as a validated psychometric evaluation instrument for patients undergoing aesthetic surgery. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the FACE-Q rhinoplasty module into a Dutch version of the FACE-Q questionnaire conceptually equivalent to the original English version. "Satisfaction with nose" and "satisfaction with nostrils" questionnaires were used and translated from English into Dutch. The translation process and cross-cultural adaptation were conducted in accordance to the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research and World Health Organization guidelines. Psychometric validation was performed prospectively on a patient cohort of 30 patients. Each step in the translation process allowed us to make changes to achieve a conceptual translation equivalent to the original version. Psychometric validation revealed highly significant values for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness. The use of international translation guidelines, with a strict translation-back-translation process, led to a Dutch version of the FACE-Q rhinoplasty module. Statistical validation proved the conceptual correspondence with the original English version. The FACE-Q rhinoplasty module is an adequate instrument for determining successful aesthetic surgery based on patient satisfaction. This tool measures twofold: the degree of success with respect to the patient as well as being an assessment tool for the surgeon. We hope this will provide an additional tool to the clinician evaluating the Dutch-speaking rhinoplasty patient.

Caring Behaviors Inventory-24: translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric testing for use in a Swedish context

BackgroundPatients’ health and wellbeing are promoted when nurses successfully conceptualize caring in clinical practice. Measuring caring behaviors can advance knowledge about caring and has potential to improve caring practices and the outcomes of care. The Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 (CBI-24) is an empirical instrument for measuring caring, developed to determine perceptions of caring among patients and nurses. Since the instrument was not available in Swedish, the aim of this study was therefore to translate into Swedish and cross-culturally adapt CBI-24 for a Swedish healthcare context, and to psychometrically analyze the Swedish version of CBI-24.MethodsThe study used a traditional forward and back translation process in six stages: (1) two simultaneous translations by bilingual experts; (2) expert review committee synthesis; (3) blind back translation; (4) expert review committee deliberations; (5) pre-testing with cognitive interviews, and (6) psychometric evaluations.ResultsThe translation process was systematically conducted and entailed discussions regarding semantic, idiomatic, experiential and conceptual equivalence. The cognitive interviews generated thoughts and reflections, which resulted in adjusting three items of the CBI-24 SWE. For psychometric analyses, 234 persons answered the questionnaire. Results indicated acceptable overall model fit in the χ2-value for the confirmatory factor analysis, while for the heuristic goodness-of-fit indices, the comparative fit index (CFI) and the standardized mean square residual (SMSR) indicated good model fits, and the root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) indicated an acceptable fit.ConclusionsCBI-24 SWE has been shown to be a psychometrically acceptable instrument for use in Swedish research contexts. Further studies regarding the clinical usefulness of the instrument may be in order. In particular, CBI-24 SWE should be evaluated among nurses in rural areas.

Portuguese adaptation of the S3-non-invasive ventilation (S3-NIV) questionnaire for home mechanically ventilated patients

Short, valid and easy to use tools are needed to monitor non-invasive ventilation in clinical practice and for organization of home mechanical ventilation services. The aim of this study was to develop a professional translation and cultural adaptation of the Portuguese S3 non-invasive ventilation questionnaire.234 stable patients (128 male patients, 53.8%) with a mean age of 69.3 years under long-term home non-invasive ventilation were recruited from a single-center outpatient clinic. The most frequent diagnostic groups were obesity hypoventilation syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and restrictive chest wall disorders.The Portuguese version of the questionnaire was obtained using translation back-translation process with two professional translators. Internal consistency for the total score was good (Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.76) as well as for the “respiratory symptoms” and the “sleep and side effects” domains (Cronbach’s α coefficient=0.68 and Cronbach’s α coefficient=0.72, respectively). An exploratory factor analysis was performed leading to an explained variance of 54.6%, and resulted in 3 components.The Portuguese version of the S3-NIV questionnaire is a simple and valid tool for the routine clinical assessment of patients receiving home NIV.

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire in Older People

BackgroundActivities and participation play important roles in the maintenance of healthy aging. The maintenance of these factors optimizes social life to increase the quality of life with aging. However, there is a lack of questionnaires in Turkish to evaluate activity and participation among older people. This study translated and cross-culturally adapted the Oxford Participation and Activities Questionnaire (Ox-PAQ) into Turkish and investigated its psychometric properties in the older adult population. MethodsThe Turkish version of the Ox-PAQ was produced after a translation and back-translation process. The Ox-PAQ was administered to 230 and 60 individuals for construct validity and reliability analyses, respectively. To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish Ox-PAQ, the questionnaire was reapplied 7 days after the first interview. Cronbach’s alpha (α) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. The Ox-PAQ was compared to the Short Form-12 and the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living Scale to determine its validity.ResultsThe Turkish Ox-PAQ showed excellent internal consistency (α=0.98) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.98, 0.96, and 0.97 for the subscales of routine activity level, social engagement, and emotional well-being, respectively). In the validity analysis, factor analysis demonstrated a probable structure of the three factors that together explained 66.35% of the total variance. The Turkish Ox-PAQ was correlated with the other comparison measures used in this study. ConclusionThe Turkish Ox-PAQ is a reliable and valid questionnaire to evaluate the participation and activity levels of older people (Clinical Trial Number: NCT04368754).

The Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of an Arabic Version of the Reminiscence Functions Scale

The Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS), a 43 item reliable and valid scale, measures eight specific reasons as to why individuals reminisce: (a) identity (b) death preparation; (c) problem-solving; (d) bitterness revival; (e) boredom reduction; (f) intimacy maintenance; (g) conversation; and (h) teach/Inform others. Research indicates that certain reminiscence functions have a positive impact on the mental-health and well-being of older adults. However, no known studies have been conducted in Arab countries examining the relationship between reminiscence functions and mental health outcomes due to the lack of an Arabic version of the RFS. The purpose of this study was to translate the RFS from English to Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic), back-translate from Arabic to English, and compare the two English versions for equivalence and accuracy through a multi-step translation method. A team of bilingual, bicultural, Arabic speaking experts assembled to conduct the forward, back translation and harmonization process. In the next step, professionals with expertise in linguistics communication sciences and disorders, Arabic literature, geriatric nursing, and medicine reviewed the translated documents to assess the content (relevant to the target culture) and semantic equivalencies (similarity of meaning in the target culture). Challenges that occurred during the study included finding nuanced translation equivalences for Likert scale responses, translation of idioms such as “when time is heavy on my hands”, and logistical issues such as coordinating virtual meetings for the team of experts. Lessons learned during the translation process and implications for use of the RFS-Arabic version with Jordanian older adults will be presented.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Analysis of the Attitudes Towards Homelessness Inventory for Use in Sweden.

BackgroundHomelessness is an increasing problem worldwide, and the origins of homelessness in high‐income countries are multifaceted. Due to stigma and discrimination, persons in homelessness delay seeking health care, resulting in avoidable illness and death. The Attitudes Towards Homelessness Inventory (ATHI) was developed to cover multiple dimensions of attitudes toward persons in homelessness and to detect changes in multiple segments of populations. It has, however, not previously been translated to Swedish.AimsThe aim of the present study was to translate, cross‐culturally adapt, and psychometrically test the ATHI for use in a Swedish healthcare context.MethodsThe project used a traditional forward‐ and back‐translation process in six stages: (1) two simultaneous translations by bilingual experts; (2) expert review committee synthesis; (3) blind back‐translation; (4) expert review committee deliberations; (5) pre‐testing with cognitive interviews including registered nurses (n = 5), nursing students (n = 5), and women in homelessness (n = 5); and (6) psychometric evaluations. The final ATHI questionnaire was answered by 228 registered nurses and nursing students in the year 2019.ResultsThe translation process was systematically conducted and entailed discussions regarding semantic, idiomatic, experiential, and conceptual equivalence. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine if the collected data fitted the hypothesized four‐factor structure of the ATHI. Overall, it was found that the model had an acceptable fit and that the Swedish version of ATHI may be used in a Swedish healthcare context.Linking Evidence to ActionThe ATHI has been shown to be a psychometrically acceptable research instrument for use in a Swedish healthcare context. The systematic and rigorous process applied in this study, including experts with diverse competencies in translation proceedings and testing, improved the reliability and validity of the final Swedish version of the ATHI. The instrument may be used to investigate attitudes toward women in homelessness among nursing students and RNs in Sweden.

Multinational Appraisal of the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12).

The Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) assesses patient-reported health-related quality of life. A multinational collaborative project was performed to translate and appraise the psychometric properties of the COMQ-12 across Europe, Asia, and South America. Eight otology units from seven countries (China, Colombia, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Turkey) created native versions of the COMQ-12 by the process of translation and back-translation. Questionnaire reliability was assessed on the basis of internal consistency by calculating Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify underlying correlations between individual questionnaire items. This study included 478 participants from 8 countries. Calculated values for Cronbach's coefficient alpha were between 0.71 and 0.90. Exploratory factor analysis allowed the identification of three dominant factors, the primary factor (related to hearing problems) explaining 42% of the total variance, the secondary factor (related to daily activities) explaining 30% of the variance, and the third factor (related to acute disease activity) explaining 28% of the variance. This is a large study of patients with chronic otitis media, from centers from within many different countries spanning Europe, Asia, and South America. This study supports the use of the COMQ-12 within the individual countries where it was tested.

Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Organizational Performance Metric safety culture questionnaire

Safety positive performance indicators (PPI) reflect key aspects of safety culture; some of them also have predictive validity for occupational injuries. This is the case of the Organizational Performance Metric (OPM), developed by the Canadian Institute for Work & Health (IWH), a short, widely validated international English language questionnaire. The objective of this study was to obtain a transculturally adapted Spanish language version ofthe OPM, and to analyze its statistical reliability, validity and internal consistency. After a translation and back translation process was performed by an expert panel, 478 questionnaires were completed in Navarra, Spain. We calculated the Cronbach alpha coefficient, bivariate correlations and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and performed exploratory factorial analysis of all eight items. Data show the new tool has high reliability (Cronbach alpha==0.863) and internal validity (ICC=0.842). The factorial analysis confirmed a single latent factor among the eight items of the questionnaire. the adapted questionnaire (OPM-Esp) constitutes a valid instrument for use as an indicator of safety performance in Spanish companies. Its brevity and simplicity make it especially useful in the work environment. Its ability to predict occupational injuries should be tested in the Spanish context.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the performance-based test – Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration®

Background The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration ® (EASI) is a performance-based assessment tool, aiming to assess sensory perception, sensory reactivity, postural/ocular/bilateral integration, and praxis in children aged 3–12 years. These types of tests are currently not available in Swedish. A structured, multistep process of translation is crucial for maintaining equivalence between the source and target version of a test. Objective Develop a culturally adapted Swedish research version of the EASI for use in the forthcoming international normative data collection. Method The translation process followed the first four stages in recommended guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Each subtest was translated by two occupational therapists and merged into one Swedish version. That version was reviewed by clinical paediatric occupational therapists in focus groups. The meetings were recorded, transcribed and a content analysis was conducted. One subtest was then subjected to a back-translation process. Result Some discrepancies regarding semantic equivalence were found and adapted through all stages. No discrepancies regarding idiomatic or conceptual equivalence were found. Revisions due to the translation process have been incorporated into the final research version of the EASI. Conclusion A first, culturally adapted research version of the EASI is ready for the Swedish normative data collection.

Validation of the Italian Version of the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10).

Based on Salovey and Mayer's conceptualization of emotional intelligence, Davies and colleagues developed the BEIS-10 scale, a 10-items self-report questionnaire that explores individual dispositions that people have about exploring one's own and others' emotions. To date, no studies assess the validity of the BEIS-10 scale in the Italian context. This article aims to fill this gap, exploring the validity, reliability, and construct validity of the Italian version of this scale. 244 Italian adults participated in the study and 67 respondents completed a second administration of the scale after two-weeks. The recommended statistical procedures were followed to validate the Italian version of the BEIS-10 scale and, after a back-translation process and a pilot testing, the five-factor structure of the scale was tested through a confirmatory factor analysis. Results highlighted that the five-factor model of emotional intelligence proposed by Davies and colleagues (2010) is confirmed in the Italian population. Data showed good reliability, good stability over time, and evidence of construct validity of the BEIS-10 scale. The BEIS-10 scale could be completed in a couple of minutes and it is particularly useful for collecting data in contexts in which time is an issue.

Incontinence Quiz: Translation, validation, and reproducibility in Portuguese women.

The purpose of the present study was to translate and validate the Incontinence Quiz (IQ) questionnaire into a Portuguese version. The Portuguese version of the 14-item Incontinence Quiz was prepared following translation and back-translation procedures and was tested on a pilot group of 10 women. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and construct validity (using two indicators: education level and being a qualified health professional) were assessed in 141 women from the staff of two higher education institutions. Participant's socio-demographic characteristics were collected by questionnaire. The translation and back-translation process was performed without constraints. Cronbach's α ranged from 0.696 (Item 13) to 0.748 (Item 6), and global Chronbach's α was .740. ICC values for the IQ total score were .78,.57, and.79 for correct, wrong, and do not know answers, respectively. Both economic indicators were positively associated with the percentage of correct answers. Validity and reliability of the translated Portuguese IQ were achieved which will allow the comparison of results with studies in other cultures.

Theoretical asthma self-management program for Taiwanese adolescents with self-efficacy, outcome-expectancy, health behaviour, and asthma symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe asthma prevalence of Taiwanese adolescents continued to rise. With physical and psychological changes in adolescents, managing asthma can be quite challenges and affect social, emotional and physical wellbeing. Adolescents with high self-efficacy levels are more likely to be involved in prevention and management activities. The aim of this study was to develop an effective asthma self-management program taking account for adolescents' developmental stages and based on Bandura's self-efficacy model. MethodsA two-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled trial was used. The outcomes were self-efficacy, outcome-expectancy, asthma prevention and self-management behaviour, and controlling asthma symptoms. Translation and back-translation process were used for original tools in English. Good consistent reliabilities of Chinese versions tools were identified. A t-test or Mann-Whiney U test was employed to determine any mean differences of outcome variables between groups overtime. ResultsA sample of 83 patients completed the study. The mean age was 14.2 years (SD = 1.8). Approximately 56.6% of the participants were males. 73% of participants (n = 61) had a mild to intermittent level of asthma severity. Significant improvements were found on self-efficacy, t = −2.8; outcome-expectancy, U = 646, prevention behaviours, t = −3.5, and management behaviours, t = −3.2, but non-significant results for the outcome of asthma control, U = 716. ConclusionsThe results provided evidence to support the efficacy of the asthma self-management program. The findings indicated the program improved adolescents’ self-confidence in managing their asthma symptoms. Future clinical practice should consider delivering an educational program using multifaceted and interactive learning strategies.

Port service quality (PSQ) and customer satisfaction: an exploratory study of container ports in Vietnam

Purpose This study aims to investigate the concept of port service quality (PSQ) and examine its influence on customer satisfaction in the container port sector in Vietnam. Despite the importance of the maritime industry in which port is a critical sector in the national economy, there has been no research so far which examines what PSQ entails and how it affects customer satisfaction in the context of Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach Following a literature review, a conceptual model of PSQ and its influence on customer satisfaction was proposed. A survey questionnaire was then developed and piloted with senior executives who are working in various container shipping lines and logistics companies in Vietnam. The questionnaire was first designed in English and then refined through the process of translation and back-translation to ensure language non-discrepancies. The survey was administered to 200 members of Vietnam Shipowners’ Association, Vietnam Logistics Associations and Vietnam Shippers’ Council. By the cut-off date, 108 questionnaires were received, in which 99 valid replies were used for further analysis. Findings Results from this study reveal that PSQ is a construct of 4 factors and 16 items, and that enhanced PSQ will positively influence customer satisfaction, in which the outcomes of port service performance and its image would have the greatest impact. Interestingly, most items relating to social and environmental responsibility were dropped, and this result is expected in the context of a developing country like Vietnam. Originality/value Findings from this research may enhance port managers’ understanding on areas of PSQ to improve so as to meet and exceed their customers’ satisfaction.

Translation and Validation of the Caffeine Expectancy Questionnaire in Brazil (CaffEQ-BR)

Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used stimulant of the central nervous system. Caffeine is present in coffee and other beverages such as tea, soft drinks, and cocoa-based foods. The caffeine expectancy questionnaire was developed to investigate the effects of caffeine expectations and thus contribute to knowledge about its usage and subjective effects (response expectancies). This study aimed to evaluate caffeine expectation psychometrically in a sample of the Brazilian population. The original version of the “Caffeine Expectancy Questionnaire (CaffEQ)” was translated and validated into Brazilian-Portuguese and adapted to Brazilian culture to be used in the Brazilian adult (19–59 y) population. After the translation and back-translation processes of the original CaffEQ questionnaire, the content and semantic validation were performed by a group of experts. The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the questionnaire consists of 47 items, in seven factors, which assess subjective perceptions about the effects of caffeine. Interobserver reproducibility and internal consistency of the questionnaire were tested with a convenience sample (n = 50) of Brazilian adult consumers of caffeine sources, who completed the Brazilian CaffEQ (CaffEQ-BR) on two occasions separated by 24 h. All of the 47 questions were adequate regarding reliability, clarity, and comprehension. Psychometric properties could be replicated consistently. Appropriate internal consistency and validation were confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha (α) 0.948, and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.976 was observed. The CaffEQ-BR was applied using a web-based platform to a convenience sample of Brazilian adults from all 27 Brazilian states (n = 4202 participants), along with measures of sociodemographic and caffeine consumption data. Factor validity was verified by confirmatory factor analysis. The seven factors presented a good fit for Root Mean Square Error of Approximation—RMSEA = 0.0332 (95% CI: 0.0290–0.0375). By confirming the validity and reliability of CaffEQ-BR, a useful tool is now available to assess caffeine expectations in the Brazilian adult population.

Psychometric properties of an Arabic-language health literacy assessment scale for adolescents (HAS-A-AR) in Palestine

ObjectivesHealth literacy research in Palestine is limited, and a locally validated tool for use among adolescents has been unavailable until now. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt health literacy assessment...

Encoding electromagnetic transformation laws for dimensional reduction

AbstractElectromagnetic phenomena are mathematically described by solutions of boundary value problems. For exploiting symmetries of these boundary value problems in a way that is offered by techniques of dimensional reduction, it needs to be justified that the derivative in symmetry direction is constant or even vanishing. A generalized notion of symmetry can be defined with different directions at every point in space, as long as it is possible to exhibit unidirectional symmetry in some coordinate representation. This can be achieved, for example, when the symmetry direction is given by the direct construction out of a unidirectional symmetry via a coordinate transformation which poses a demand on the boundary value problem. Coordinate independent formulations of boundary value problems do exist but turning that theory into practice demands a pedantic process of backtranslation to the computational notions. This becomes even more challenging when multiple chained transformations are necessary for propagating a symmetry. We try to fill this gap and present the more general, isolated problems of that translation. Within this contribution, the partial derivative and the corresponding chain rule for multivariate calculus are investigated with respect to their encodability in computational terms. We target the layer above univariate calculus, but below tensor calculus.