Bayesian Factor Analysis as a Variable-Selection Problem: Alternative Priors and Consequences

Factor analysis is a popular statistical technique for multivariate data analysis. Developments in the structural equation modeling framework have enabled the use of hybrid confirmatory/exploratory approaches in which factor-loading structures can be explored relatively flexibly within a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) framework. Recently, Muthén & Asparouhov proposed a Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) approach to explore the presence of cross loadings in CFA models. We show that the issue of determining factor-loading patterns may be formulated as a Bayesian variable selection problem in which Muthén and Asparouhov's approach can be regarded as a BSEM approach with ridge regression prior (BSEM-RP). We propose another Bayesian approach, denoted herein as the Bayesian structural equation modeling with spike-and-slab prior (BSEM-SSP), which serves as a one-stage alternative to the BSEM-RP. We review the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of both approaches and compare their empirical performance relative to two modification indices-based approaches and exploratory factor analysis with target rotation. A teacher stress scale data set is used to demonstrate our approach.     

Work-to-Life Spillover Effect of Leader–Member Exchange in Groups: The Moderating Role of Group Power Distance and Employee Political Skill

While prior studies have focused on the effect of leader–member exchange (LMX), representing a dyadic differentiated exchange relationship between a leader and followers, on employees’ job-related outcomes, how LMX at the group level influences one’s life domain has been ignored. The present study shifted attention to the relationship between LMX mean and employee life satisfaction as well as the boundary conditions. Using a sample of 471 employees from 53 groups and hierarchical linear modeling, we examined the cross-level main effect of LMX mean on life satisfaction and the moderation of group power distance and individual political skill. The results revealed that LMX mean had a work-to-life spillover effect on employee life satisfaction. Employee political skill positively moderated the relationship between LMX mean and life satisfaction, whereas group power distance negatively moderated the relation. Theoretical and practical implications were further discussed.     

Criminal law,multicultural jurisdictions and cultural evidence

This article investigates whether providing minority groups with power over criminal law can create injustices that target lesbians, gays and bisexuals within those groups. In order to carry out the task of evaluating to what extent providing power over criminal law to minority groups can result in negative consequences for lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals, this paper assesses the work of Ayelet Shachar. I contend that her model leaves lesbians, gays and bisexuals within minorities vulnerable because her division of jurisdictions collapses when put into practice; additionally, her principles do not provide normative guidance for avoiding jurisdictions that criminalise homosexuality, and that protect lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals from violence. This rejection of transformative accommodation, however, does not mean that cultural evidence is irrelevant for criminal procedures. Rather, I assert that cultural evidence is relevant for trials and including it does not jeopardise the interests of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.     

Differences in the micromechanical properties of dendrites and interdendritic regions in superalloys

Statistical analysis of white-light interferometry (WLI) experiments performed on Ni-based single-crystal superalloys (SX) have revealed a different height distribution between the dendritic cores (DCs) and the interdendritic regions (IRs) of the polished samples. The micromechanical property difference is largely ascribed to the uneven distribution of the alloying elements. In this context, possible reasons for this difference are discussed by comparing with different experiment results obtained by previous researchers, and a proposal forecasting the hardness ratio of IRs/DCs is put forward.     

Health-Related Quality of Life of Young Chinese Civil Servants Working in Local Government: Comparison of SF-12 and EQ5D

Applied Research in Quality of Life - As the occupational group that delivers public services, civil servants confront a particular working property and environment. Previous studies indicate that...     

Maternal Child‐rearing Practices in Hong Kong and Beijing Chinese Families: A Comparative Study

The present study aimed to examine the child‐rearing practices in Chinese families in Beijing and Hong Kong. The sample consisted of 89 mothers in Beijing and 45 mothers in Hong Kong. The mothers were instructed to respond to the Child‐rearing Practice Report (CRPR) in Q‐sort format. Some of the item clusters were combined to produce the authoritarian and authoritative disciplinary styles. The results indicated that mothers in Hong Kong were more likely to adopt an authoritarian child‐rearing pattern than mothers in Beijing; however, the two groups did not differ in authoritative child‐rearing style. The results also showed that mothers in Hong Kong controlled their children more than their counterparts in Beijing, and they were less inclined to show affection towards their children; mothers in Beijing emphasized their children's achievement much more than their Hong Kong counterparts. The findings suggest that Chinese parental disciplinary styles may be quite different in various regions of Chinese societies. Such variance across different geopolitical locations within the same cultural background has been ignored in past cross‐cultural research.     

关于我国高等师范院校公共课心理学教材整体改革的构想

本文在作者实践基础上,从建设新时期具有我国特色的高师公共课心理学教材的高度,提出四点改革构想:1.在教材体系上,围绕师范生今后“教书”和“育人”工作组织心理学基本内容,形成有机联系的“双主线’结构;2.在教材内容上,突出“三个性”——以强调心理学内容对中学教育实践指导意义的实用性,带动理论阐述上的针对性和实践运用上的可操作性;3.在教材论述上,兼顾师范生的认识规律,采用现象—规律—运用的“三段法”程式;4.在教材编写上,提倡专家、高师公共课心理学教师和中学优秀教师“三结合”原则。     

“Equal Discipleship”

Feminist theology is known for its various critical principles and methods of biblical interpretation. In the process of doing feminist biblical interpretation, feminist theologians have started to build their theological frameworks. This article takes the feminist biblical scholar Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and her construction of the New Testament as an example. In her book Discipleship of Equals, Schüssler Fiorenza put forward the important viewpoint of “equal discipleship.” This viewpoint provides a dialogue between Schüssler Fiorenza and the theological concerns of women in China. Like Schüssler Fiorenza, Chinese theologians have also noted the testimonies of Chinese women Christians in the development of the church. These can help female Christians realize who they are and the significance of being a member of the church. Christian Chinese traditional culture still influences the understanding of women's identity. This will be a significant challenge and task in practising Chinese feminist theology.