Bayesian and Maximum-Likelihood Modeling and Higher-Level Scores of Interpersonal Problems With Circumplex Structure

Difficulties in interpersonal behavior are often measured by the circumplex-based Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. Its eight scales can be represented by a three-factor structure with two circumplex factors, Dominance and Love, and a general problem factor, Distress. Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis is well-suited to evaluate the higher-level structure of interpersonal problems because circumplex loading priors allow for data-driven adjustments and a more flexible investigation of the ideal circumplex pattern than conventional maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis. Using a non-clinical sample from an online questionnaire study (N = 822), we replicated the three-factor structure of the IIP by maximum likelihood and Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis and found great proximity of the Bayesian loadings to perfect circumplexity. We found additional support for the validity of the three-factor model of the IIP by including external criteria-Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism from the Big Five and subclinical grandiose narcissism-in the analysis. We also investigated higher-level scores for Dominance, Love, and Distress using traditional regression factor scores and weighted sum scores. We found excellent reliability (with Rtt ≥ 0.90) for Dominance, Love, and Distress for the two scoring methods. We found high congruence of the higher-level scores with the underlying factors and good circumplex properties of the scoring models. The correlational pattern with the external measures was in line with theoretical expectations and similar to the results from the factor analysis. We encourage the use of Bayesian modeling when dealing with circumplex structure and recommend the use of higher-level scores for interpersonal problems as parsimonious, reliable, and valid measures.</jats:p

Data_Sheet_1_Bayesian and Maximum-Likelihood Modeling and Higher-Level Scores of Interpersonal Problems With Circumplex Structure.PDF

Difficulties in interpersonal behavior are often measured by the circumplex-based Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. Its eight scales can be represented by a three-factor structure with two circumplex factors, Dominance and Love, and a general problem factor, Distress. Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis is well-suited to evaluate the higher-level structure of interpersonal problems because circumplex loading priors allow for data-driven adjustments and a more flexible investigation of the ideal circumplex pattern than conventional maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis. Using a non-clinical sample from an online questionnaire study (N = 822), we replicated the three-factor structure of the IIP by maximum likelihood and Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis and found great proximity of the Bayesian loadings to perfect circumplexity. We found additional support for the validity of the three-factor model of the IIP by including external criteria-Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism from the Big Five and subclinical grandiose narcissism-in the analysis. We also investigated higher-level scores for Dominance, Love, and Distress using traditional regression factor scores and weighted sum scores. We found excellent reliability (with Rtt ≥ 0.90) for Dominance, Love, and Distress for the two scoring methods. We found high congruence of the higher-level scores with the underlying factors and good circumplex properties of the scoring models. The correlational pattern with the external measures was in line with theoretical expectations and similar to the results from the factor analysis. We encourage the use of Bayesian modeling when dealing with circumplex structure and recommend the use of higher-level scores for interpersonal problems as parsimonious, reliable, and valid measures.</p

National Survey of Fertility Barriers: Methodology Report for Wave 1

This methodology report provides information on the first wave of the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB). This nationally representative telephone survey of women age 25-45 was funded by grant R01-HD044144 from the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) entitled “Infertility: Pathways and Psychological Outcomes.” Professor Lynn K. White was the Principal Investigator for the first two years of the project. Following her retirement, Professor David R. Johnson assumed this role. The survey was conducted between 2004 and 2007 and includes completed interviews with 4,712 women age 25 to 45 and 936 of their partners. The data were collected by the Survey Research Center at The Pennsylvania State University and the Bureau of Sociological Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Bureau of Sociological Research is currently in the field re-interviewing the respondents three years after their initial interview. The field work on the second wave is not expected to be completed until the end of 2009. The documentation in this report is directed towards researchers who are interested in conducting analyses of the public release version of these data. The data are being released and are archived with the Population Research Institute at Penn State University. Inquiries about the NSFB should be directed to the study Principal Investigator Professor David R. Johnson at Penn State University ([email protected]) or to Professor Julia McQuillan, a project investigator at the University of Nebraska ([email protected]). Contents Research Procedures Study Design and Sample Selection The Survey Interview Schedules Obtaining Interviews and Response Rate Analysis Representativeness and Calculation of Sample Weights Management of the Study Appendices: A. Proposal B. Letters Sent to Respondents C. Survey Interview Schedules and Frequencies D. Planned Missing Design Information E. Response Rate Formulas and Calculations F. Interviewer Guides G. Responses to Open-ended Questions H. Constructed Variables Glossary and Sample Syntax I. List of Variables in the Data File J. Comparisons with Select External Measures K. Imputation of Planned Missing Dat

Microfluidic Technique for the Simultaneous Quantification of Emulsion Instabilities and Lipid Digestion Kinetics

Quantifying the impact of environmental physicochemical changes on the microstructure of lipid delivery systems is challenging. Therefore, we have developed a methodology to quantify the coalescence of oil-in-water emulsion droplets during lipid digestion in situ on a single droplet level. This technique involves a custom-made glass microfluidic platform, in which oil droplets can be trapped as single droplets, or several droplets per trap. The physicochemical environment can be controlled, and droplet digestion, as well as coalescence, can be visualized. We show that the exchange of the physicochemical conditions in the entire reaction chamber can be reached in under 30 s. Microparticle image velocimetry allowed mapping of the flow profile and demonstrated the tuneability of the shear profile in the device. The extraction of quantitative information regarding the physical characteristics of the droplets during digestion was performed using an automated image analysis throughout the digestion process. Therefore, we were able to show that oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by proteins coalesced under human gastric conditions. This coalescence delayed the overall lipid digestion kinetics. The droplets that coalesced during digestion were hydrolyzed 1.4 times slower than individually trapped droplets. Thus, the microstructural evolution of lipid delivery systems is a crucial factor in lipid digestion kinetics. This novel technique allows the simultaneous quantification of the impact that the physicochemical environment has on both the lipid droplet microstructure and the lipid release patterns.The authors thank Frederic Carrière for providing rDGL, José Toro-Sierra for providing b-lactoglobulin and Manuel Schuhmacher for generating preliminary results. The Swiss National Foundation (SNF) is acknowledged for funding projects No. 2000-21137941 and No. 200020-159898.FacultyReviewe

Clinical usefulness of biplane transesophageal echocardiography

The clinical usefulness of biplane color Doppler transesophageal echocardiography is illustrated by the results obtained in 300 successive examinations. The additional contribution of the newer longitudinal plane was judged significant or major in 64% of the cases. The method was useful mainly for intraoperative examinations, assessment of native valvular disease, prosthetic valve evaluation, search for tumors, and assessment of endocarditis, congenital heart disease, and aortic disease. In contrast, the longitudinal plane option was not contributory in 68% of the cases of thromboembolism. Typically, the technique aided in the evaluation of mitral valve insufficiency and the detection of paraprosthetic leaks. Lesions located at the level of the ascending aorta, the left and right ventricular outflow tracts, and the interatrial septum were also visualized best. The limitations of the method were negligible and the duration of the examination was not significantly increased in comparison to the monoplane method. When available, biplane transesophageal echocardiography seems to be preferred in most clinical settings.Journal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jFLWNAinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe