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Objectives: We explored the influence of study partner (SP) characteristics on SP-reported neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) presence across the neurocognitive spectrum and on the prognostic utility of mild behavioral impairment (MBI). Design, setting, and participants: We performed cross-sectional (n = 26,748) and longitudinal (n = 12,794) analyses using participant-SP dyad data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Participants were cognitively normal (CN; n = 11,951) or had mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 5686) or dementia (n = 9111). Measurements: SPs rated NPS using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic regression to model the association between SP characteristics (age, sex, and relationship to participant [spouse, child, and other]) and NPS status (outcome). Cox regressions assessed SP characteristics as moderators of MBI associations with incident dementia or as predictors of incident dementia in MBI + participants only. Results: Among CN persons, younger, female, and spouse SPs reported NPS more frequently. In MCI, younger SPs and those who were spouses or children of participants reported higher NPS odds. For dementia participants, NPS odds were higher in female and spouse SPs. MBI associations with incident dementia were slightly weaker when SPs were older but did not depend on SP sex or relationship to participant. Among MBI + participants with spouse or child SPs, hazard for dementia was higher when compared to MBI + participants with other SPs. Conclusions: SP age, sex, and relationship to participant influence NPS reporting across the neurocognitive spectrum, with potential implications for MBI prognosis. Considering SP characteristics may enhance the accuracy of NPS assessments, which may facilitate therapy planning and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miguel de Cervantes had firsthand experience with spying techniques in North Africa, first as a captive in Algiers and later as a royal envoy on a secret mission in Oran. In this paper, I examine how the author articulated his knowledge on espionage in "La gitanilla" ("The Little Gypsy") (1613). Firstly, I propose that, by 1610, Cervantes found himself in an auspicious geopolitical context to bring to light, in the fictional realm, his knowledge on intelligence. Secondly, I argue that, in his novella, a group of Gypsy girls reveal practices and skills commonly associated with real seventeenth-century spies. Also, I claim that Preciosa and Andrés can be understood as ideal informants. In this way, I conclude that, although Cervantes had little direct participation in the Spanish intelligence services, his proximity has left important traces on his fictional work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When conducting universal social and emotional learning (SEL) screening, schools need clear decision-making guidelines for selecting informants. The current study examined informant profiles for screening SEL functioning using latent profile analysis with the student and teacher forms of the SSIS SEL Brief Scales for 536 students in grades 3–7. Teacher and student models each had three profiles emerge with roughly similar meanings of the profiles (Developing, Competent, and Advanced profiles), although a larger percentage of students were identified in the developing profile for the student rater. Profile categories aligned for 42% of students, with the most disagreement according between the Competent and Advanced SEL categories. For the teacher and student combined model, five profiles emerged (Competent-Developing, Developing-Competent, Competent-High Competent, Competent-Competent, and Advanced-Competent), with one profile indicating informant agreement. We explore gender and grade setting covariates and discuss implications for multi-informant research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) trials require enrollment with an informant. METHODS: We assessed relationships between informant replacement and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living (ADCS‐ADL) scores across four AD trials. Using generalized estimating equations, we examined associations between replacement and change in ADCS‐ADL between successive visits. We used analysis of covariance to estimate the association between replacement and 18‐month change from baseline, and an F‐test to compare the variance of this change. RESULTS: Among 1336 participants, 63 (≈5%) experienced replacement. Between‐visit mean change in ADCS‐ADL was 2.44 points lower comparing replacement to stable informants (95% confidence interval [CI]: –3.91, –0.98). The difference in between‐visit mean absolute change was 2.38 points (95% CI: 1.24, 3.52). Replacement was not significantly associated with an 18‐month change from baseline. The ratio of variances (replacement/stable) was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.99). DISCUSSION: Informant replacement is associated with bias and increased variability between visits and increased variance for overall ADCS‐ADL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) trials require enrollment with an informant. METHODS We assessed relationships between informant replacement and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living (ADCS‐ADL) scores across four AD trials. Using generalized estimating equations, we examined associations between replacement and change in ADCS‐ADL between successive visits. We used analysis of covariance to estimate the association between replacement and 18‐month change from baseline, and an F‐test to compare the variance of this change. RESULTS Among 1336 participants, 63 (≈5%) experienced replacement. Between‐visit mean change in ADCS‐ADL was 2.44 points lower comparing replacement to stable informants (95% confidence interval [CI]: –3.91, –0.98). The difference in between‐visit mean absolute change was 2.38 points (95% CI: 1.24, 3.52). Replacement was not significantly associated with an 18‐month change from baseline. The ratio of variances (replacement/stable) was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.99). DISCUSSION Informant replacement is associated with bias and increased variability between visits and increased variance for overall ADCS‐ADL.

This study was an attempt to analyze a collection of data from a second language speaker of English. The data was collected through an interview with an informant, who was an Arab male student in his first year of graduate studies at an American university. The interview lasted about 15 minutes and was recorded in English. The purpose of the interview was to pinpoint the utterances, phrases, or dialogues that contained interlanguage features and explain why those forms might exist. The interlanguage utterances were categorized by topic depending on the type of feature produced. The groups were classified in the following manner: the use of the 3rd person singular -s, the use of the plural -s, and the use of articles. These forms were then analyzed by considering the possible underlying rule for each feature and developing a pattern by comparing each feature to its correct counterpart. The resulting patterns revealed two main reasons for interlanguage data: attributions to the informant's native language and particular sentence structures in English. The study concludes with suggested future experiments and investigations of the most noticeable interlanguage features as well as suggestions for English language instructors and general teaching practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the measurement invariance of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (for both long [APQ-lg] and short [APQ-9] forms) across age, gender, clinical status, and informant (i.e., parent vs. child reports). The sample was composed of adolescents (community sample: N = 1,746; clinical sample: N = 166) and parents (N = 149). The analyses were conducted in R. Measurement invariance was assessed via multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, equivalence test, and subsampling approach. The original model of APQ-lg (five factors) showed a significantly better fit than other concurrent models (five concurrent models were specified, based on prior literature). For APQ-lg, we found measurement invariance across gender and partial measurement invariance across age, clinical status, and informant. For APQ-9, we confirmed the measurement invariance across gender and clinical status, while across age and informant partial measurement invariance was attested. Overall, our study indicated that APQ-lg and APQ-9 are two valid tools for measuring parenting practices with some caveats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Informant-based questionnaires may have utility for cognitive impairment or dementia screening. Reviews describing the accuracy of respective questionnaires are available, but their focus on individual questionnaires precludes comparisons across tools. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews to assess the comparative accuracy of informant questionnaires and identify areas where evidence is lacking. Methods: We searched six databases to identify systematic reviews describing diagnostic test accuracy of informant questionnaires for cognitive impairment or dementia. We pooled sensitivity and specificity data for each questionnaire and used network approaches to compare accuracy estimates across the differing tests. We used grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) to evaluate the overall certainty of evidence. Finally, we created an evidence 'heat-map', describing the availability of accurate data for individual tests in different populations and settings. Results: We identified 25 reviews, consisting of 93 studies and 13 informant questionnaires. Pooled analysis (37 studies; 11 052 participants) ranked the eight-item interview to ascertain dementia (AD8) highest for sensitivity [90%; 95% credible intervals (CrI) = 82–95; 'best-test' probability = 36]; while the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) was most specific (81%; 95% CrI = 66–90; 'best-test' probability = 29%). GRADE-based evaluation of evidence suggested certainty was 'low' overall. Our heat-map indicated that only AD8 and IQCODE have been extensively evaluated and most studies have been in the secondary care settings. Conclusions: AD8 and IQCODE appear to be valid questionnaires for cognitive impairment or dementia assessment. Other available informant-based cognitive screening questionnaires lack evidence to justify their use at present. Evidence on the accuracy of available tools in primary care settings and with specific populations is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To update the characteristics of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their informants in Taiwan and compare them from 12 years ago. Methods: 1218 patients with AD and their informants were recruited from six hospitals in Taiwan. The uniform data set version 3.0 (UDS3, form A1-A3) were administered. Results: Compared with the first registration from 2010-2012 (n = 691), the mean clinical dementia rating sum of boxes score was significantly lower, more patients living independently, and more informants not living together with the patients. A total of 11.2%, 4.1%, 12.8%, and 0.5% of the patients had a reported history of cognitive impairment in their mothers, fathers, siblings, and children, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with the data from 2010, patients have been diagnosed at a milder disease stage, and their informants used telephone contact more frequently instead of living with the patients. Family histories of cognitive impairment in patients with AD remain frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify cognitive disorders in older people by conducting a survey of their relatives (close people) by the Arizona Questionnaire. Material and methods: The study involved people who had relatives (close ones) aged 60-74 years old. Three hundred and eighty respondents took part in the survey. Results: Summing up all the points obtained during the survey of relatives 4-13 points 78.7% (n=299), which may indicate the presence of moderate cognitive disorders that are better not to be ignored (suggests going to the doctor) and above 13 points 6% (n=23) indicates a fairly high probability of dementia (urgent need to seek medical help). Our study revealed that family status (p Conclusion: As a result of survey informants, it was revealed that most of the olders, whose relatives have been surveyed, may be at risk of cognitive impairment and further testing is needed.

Background: The history from a relative or caregiver is an important tool for differentiating neurodegenerative disease. We characterized patterns of caregiver questionnaire responses, at diagnosis and follow-up, on the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory (CBI)., Methods: Data-driven multivariate analysis (n = 4952 questionnaires) was undertaken for participants (n = 2481) with Alzheimer's disease (typical/amnestic n = 543, language n = 50, and posterior cortical n = 50 presentations), Parkinson's disease (n = 740), dementia with Lewy bodies (n = 55), multiple system atrophy (n = 55), progressive supranuclear palsy (n = 422), corticobasal syndrome (n = 176), behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (n = 218), semantic (n = 125) and non-fluent variant progressive aphasia (n = 88), and motor neuron disease (n = 12)., Results: Item-level support vector machine learning gave high diagnostic accuracy between diseases (area under the curve mean 0.83), despite transdiagnostic changes in memory, behavior, and everyday function. There was progression in CBI subscores over time, which varied by diagnosis., Discussion: Our results highlight the differential diagnostic information for a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases contained in a simple, structured collateral history., Highlights: We analyzed 4952 questionnaires from caregivers of 2481 participants with neurodegenerative disease. Behavioral and neuropsychiatric manifestations of neurodegenerative disease had overlapping diagnostic boundaries. Simple questionnaire response patterns were sufficient for accurate diagnosis of each disease. We reinforce the value of a collateral history to support a diagnosis of dementia. The Cambridge Behavioural Inventory is sensitive to change over time and suitable as an outcome measure in clinical trials., (© 2024 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)

Background: The number of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has increased dramatically in Asia., Objective: To update the demographic characteristics of patients with AD and their informants in eight Asian countries and compare them from 12 years prior., Methods: The A1-A3 components of the Uniform Dataset (UDS), version 3.0, were administered in Taiwan, Beijing, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Data were compared with patients with AD in the first registration using the UDS version 1.0 from 2010-2014 in the same regions., Results: A total of 1885 patients with AD and their informants were recruited from 2022 to 2024 and were compared with 2042 patients recruited a decade prior. Each country had its own unique characteristics that changed between both eras. The mean age of the patients and informants was 79.8±8.2 years and 56.5±12.1 years, respectively. Compared with the first registration, the patients were older (79.8 vs 79.0, p=0.002) and had worse global function (mean CDR-SB scores 6.1 vs 5.8, p<0.001); more informants were children (56 % vs. 48 %, p<0.001), and their frequency of in-person visits increased significantly if not living together. A total of 11 %, 4.5 %, 11 %, and 0.4 % of the patients had a reported history of cognitive impairment in their mothers, fathers, siblings, and children, respectively; all percentages, except children, increased significantly over the past decade., Conclusion: The present study reports the heterogeneous characteristics of patients with AD and their informants in Asian countries, and the distinct changes in the past decade. The differences in dementia evaluation and care between developing and developed countries warrant further investigation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflict of interest to report., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Law enforcement agencies in the UK are embracing evidence-based policing and recognise the importance of human source intelligence (HUMINT) in the decision-making process. A review of the literature identified six categories likely to impact the handling of a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) or an informant: (a) handler personality traits; (b) informant motivation; (c) rapport; (d) gaining cooperation; (e) obtaining information, and (f) detecting deception. This study sought to identify which of these categories current HUMINT practitioners considered the most when planning and conducting a meeting with an informant. A bespoke online survey was designed and disseminated to 34 practitioners using purposive and snowball sampling. Directed content analysis and thematic content analysis were conducted. Results indicate that practitioners appear most concerned with gaining co-operation (d) and detecting deception (f). Results also found an inter-connectivity between the six categories, with informant handlers often having to balance competing requirements. Implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study elucidates the falsity of business research in relying on either respondents or informants alone for data collection, and argues that with the biased data, business research cannot provide unbiased solutions. We compare 400 reports (200 respondents and 200 informants) on the workplace deviance and assess the goodness of both the techniques. Analysis of variance and posthoc (descriptive discriminant analysis) indicate significant disparities between the two approaches across all items. In the informant's role, people tend to overreport, whereas in the respondent's part they underreport an undesirable behavior. Further, we find that conventional techniques for assessing the construct's validity and common-method bias neither assures realistic measurement nor eliminate the response bias. Drawing on the theory of psychological projection, we propose a hybrid approach that curtails some of the main biases in data and measurement. Qualitative confirmation through informal interviews with managers in the investigated firms validates the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past years, game-theoretic modeling for security and public safety issues (also known as security games) have attracted intensive research attention and have been successfully deployed in many real-world applications for fighting, e.g., illegal poaching, fishing and urban crimes. However, few existing works consider how information from local communities would affect the structure of these games. In this paper, we systematically investigate how a new type of players – strategic informants who are from local communities and may observe and report upcoming attacks – affects the classic defender-attacker security interactions. Characterized by a private type, each informant has a utility structure that drives their strategic behaviors. For situations with a single informant, we capture the problem as a 3-player extensive-form game and develop a novel solution concept, Strong Stackelberg-perfect Bayesian equilibrium, for the game. To find an optimal defender strategy, we establish that though the informant can have infinitely many types in general, there always exists an optimal defense plan using only a linear number of patrol strategies; this succinct characterization then enables us to efficiently solve the game via linear programming. For situations with multiple informants, we show that there is also an optimal defense plan with only a linear number of patrol strategies that admits a simple structure based on plurality voting among multiple informants. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments to study the effect of the strategic informants and demonstrate the efficiency of our algorithm. Our experiments show that the existence of such informants significantly increases the defender's utility. Even though the informants exhibit strategic behaviors, the information they supply holds great value as defensive resources. Compared to existing works, our study leads to a deeper understanding on the role of informants in such defender-attacker interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Various informant-based questionnaires are used in clinical practice to screen for pre-stroke cognitive problems. However, there is no guidance on which tool should be preferred. We compared the validity of the two most commonly used informant-based tools.Methods: We recruited consecutively admitted stroke patients. Patients' informants completed the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly Short Form (IQCODE-SF, 16-item) and Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8). We assessed construct validity (accuracy) against a semi-structured clinical interview for dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), describing test accuracy metrics and comparing area under ROC curves (AUROC). We described criterion validity by evaluating associations between test scores and neuroimaging markers of dementia and overall 'brain frailty'. Finally, we described prognostic validity comparing ROC curves for 18-month clinical outcomes of dementia, death, stroke, and disability.Results: One-hundred-thirty-seven patient-informant dyads were recruited. At usual clinical cut-points, the IQCODE-SF had comparable sensitivity to the AD8 (both = 92%) for pre-stroke dementia, but superior specificity (IQCODE-SF: 82% vs. AD8: 58%). Youden index suggested that the optimal AD8 threshold for diagnosis of dementia is ≥4. The IQCODE-SF demonstrated stronger associations with markers of generalised and medial-temporal lobe atrophy, neurovascular disease, and overall brain frailty. IQCODE-SF also demonstrated greater accuracy for predicting future dementia (IQCODE-SF AUROC = 0.903, 95% CI = 0.798-1.00; AD8 AUROC = 0.821, 95% CI = 0.664-0.977).Conclusions: Both IQCODE-SF and AD8 are valid measures of pre-stroke dementia. Higher cut points for AD8 may improve performance in the acute stroke setting. Based on consistent superiority across a range of validity analyses, IQCODE-SF may be preferable to AD8 for pre-stroke dementia screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, the use of different means of investigation is enabling the authorities to clarify the facts and to arrest the perpetrator of the crime more quickly and effectively, within the different means of investigation available to police authorities, one of which and the most common in all countries is the police informer, being a person of particular importance during the police investigation, as he or she provides confidential and essential information in order to learn important facts about the crime and its perpetrators. The problem with this research tool is that it is not uniform in its treatment, in different countries, the informant is treated differently, and as a result of this, the product or the investigation that is offered to the judges, as a result of these confidences, is different. Likewise, when working with police informants, it is very important to take into account a series of precautions so as not to violate any human rights, as well as not to being manipulated by the informer. As an example of the above, this article studies the treatment of police informants in different countries, considering the legislation of each one, sentences and documents that establish the guidelines for the use of police informants.

Abstract Background Robust diagnosis of dementia requires an understanding of the accuracy of the available diagnostic tests. Informant questionnaires are frequently used to assess for dementia in clinical practice. Recent systematic reviews have sought to establish the diagnostic test accuracy of various dementia informant screening tools. However, most reviews to date have focused on a single diagnostic tool and this does not address which tool is ‘best’. A key aim of the overview of systematic reviews is to present a disparate evidence base in a single, easy to access platform. Methods We will conduct an overview of systematic reviews in which we ‘review the systematic reviews’ of diagnostic test accuracy studies evaluating informant questionnaires for dementia. As an overview of systematic reviews of test accuracy is a relatively novel approach, we will use this review to explore methods for visual representation of complex data, for highlighting evidence gaps and for indirect comparative analyses. We will create a list of informant tools by consulting with dementia experts. We will search 6 databases (EMBASE (OVID); Health and Psychosocial Instruments (OVID); Medline (OVID); CINAHL (EBSCO); PSYCHinfo (EBSCO) and the PROSPERO registry of review protocols) to identify systematic reviews that describe the diagnostic test accuracy of informant questionnaires for dementia. We will assess review quality using the AMSTAR-2 (Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews) and assess reporting quality using PRISMA-DTA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies) checklists. We will collate the identified reviews to create an ‘evidence map’ that highlights where evidence does and does not exist in relation to informant questionnaires. We will pool sensitivity and specificity data via meta-analysis to generate a diagnostic test accuracy summary statistic for each informant questionnaire. If data allow, we will perform a statistical comparison of the diagnostic test accuracy of each informant questionnaire using a network approach. Discussion Our overview of systematic reviews will provide a concise summary of the diagnostic test accuracy of informant tools and highlight areas where evidence is currently lacking in this regard. It will also apply network meta-analysis techniques to a new area.

Although subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early risk marker of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), research on SCD among Hispanics/Latinos/as/x (henceforth Latinos/as) living in the U.S. is lacking. We investigated if the cross-sectional relationship of self-reported SCD with objective cognition varies as a function of ethnic background (Latinos/as versus Non-Hispanic Whites [NHWs]). Secondary analyses conducted solely within the Latino/a group investigated if informant reported SCD is associated with objective cognition and whether self-reported SCD is related to markers of brain health in a sub-sample of Latinos/as with available MRI data. Eighty-three participants (≥60 years of age) without dementia (35 Latinos/as; 48 NHWs) completed the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) and the Subjective Cognitive Decline-Questionnaire (SCD-Q). Additionally, 22 Latino/a informants completed the informant-version of the SCD-Q. Hierarchical regression models investigated if ethnicity moderates the association of MDRS and SCD-Q scores after adjusting for demographics and depressive symptoms. Correlational analyses within the Latino/a group investigated self- and informant-reported associations of SCD-Q scores with objective cognition, and associations of self-reported SCD-Q scores with medial temporal lobe volume and thickness. Latinos/as had lower education and MDRS scores than NHWs. Higher SCD-Q scores were associated with lower MDRS scores only in Latinos/as. Within the Latino/a group, self, but not informant reported SCD was related to objective cognition. Medium to large effect sizes were found whereby higher self-reported SCD was associated with lower entorhinal cortex thickness and left hippocampal volume in Latinos/as. The association of SCD and concurrent objectively measured global cognition varied by ethnic background and was only significant in Latinos/as. Self-reported SCD may be an indicator of cognitive and brain health in Latinos/as without dementia, prompting clinicians to monitor cognition. Future studies should explore if SCD predicts objective cognitive decline in diverse groups of Latinos/as living in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of COVID-19 on informant use and management, during the peak of the imposed Government lockdown measures was felt across English and Welsh police Dedicated Source Units. Within these restrictions, staff managing informants had to develop and then implement new strategies that delivered safe, yet effective, informant handling capacity and capability. Based on a survey of 205 respondents directly involved in the handling, control or authorisation of informants, this article examined their perceptions of the effect of COVID-19 in this highly specialised policing activity. The research findings revealed five broad themes associated with the impact of COVID-19 on informant management practices: (i) health protection; (ii) governance; (iii) innovation and technology; (iv) recruitment, communication and informant development and (v) tradecraft and intelligence. The article explored the organisational responses to initiating and maintaining informant-handler relationships and ensuring the flow of intelligence within this unique operational environment. Participants perceived that handler-informant relationships were strengthened, and also indications of a willingness to adapt policy and procedure associated with the informant management cycle: targeting, initial recruitment contact, assessment and evaluation, tasking and deployment and payment of informant rewards. It also highlighted a wider consensus that there was further scope for enhancing resilience to similar future pandemics including the use of enabling technology and responsive policy adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been measured in a variety of sample-types (e.g., community or forensic) and from the perspective of different informants (e.g., self-report or parent-report) using the inventory of callous-unemotional traits total score (ICU-T). Although the positive association between CU traits and antisocial behavior is uncontroversial, the degree to which sample-types are different from each other has received little attention despite such knowledge being important for generalization and interpretation of research findings. To address this gap in the literature, we estimated the implied distribution of the ICU-T across sample-types, informants, and their interaction using meta-analytic models of sample means and variances. In unconditional models, we found that sample-type significantly moderated mean ICU-T scores but not variance, while informant significantly moderated the variance of ICU-T scores but not means. There was also a significant interaction between sample-type and informant. Mean parent-reported ICU-T scores were significantly lower than self-reported scores in community samples, but not significantly different in samples with elevated levels of antisocial behavior. Implications of our findings include improved research efficiency, the need for different ICU-T norms across informants, and greater understanding of informant biases. • Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are measured across sample-types and informants. • It is unknown how much sample-types differ on CU traits distribution. • Informant discrepancies may also change across sample-types. • We performed meta-analyses of mean and variance of a CU trait measure. • Significant interaction of sample-type and informant was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Memory complaint (MC) is common in older adults and can be confirmed by people close to them, such as family members and caregivers. Studies show an association between MC and cognitive impairment and, hence, physical vulnerability may exacerbate MC. However, the relationship between MC and physical vulnerability is not yet clear in the literature.\ Objective: to investigate the association between MC, cognitive impairment, and physical vulnerability. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 100 older adults with a mean age of 65 years or over. The Memory Complaint Scale (MCS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Vulnerable Elderly Research-13 (VES-13), Geriatric Depression Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. Results: participants were divided into two groups according to results on the MCS-A (elderly) and MCS-B (informant). Correlations were found between the MCS-A and the MMSE (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=.048/ρ=.199), and ACE-R/Attention-Orientation (p=.026/ρ=.223). For the MCS-B, correlations were found with total score on the ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) and the ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=0.003/ρ=-.291). Conclusion: MC reported by the informant indicate the need to assess, in more depth, the cognition of the older adult. Thus, for clinical practice, screening of MC through an informant is advised.

Translating into a non-mother tongue (L2 translation) has received increasing attention from translation scholars over the past two decades in response to the growing proportion of this direction in translation markets in most parts of the world. One of the aspects of L2 translation that remains a relatively uncharted territory is the role of native speakers. Although they are normally involved in relatively few translations from a language of limited diffusion into a major language directly as translators, native speakers need not be entirely absent from L2 translation as it has been suggested that they can assume diverse roles in the process and that cooperation with native speakers brings obvious benefits to L2 translators. The present study aims at providing a more complex picture of the native speaker’s role(s) in L2 translation, drawing on the results of a recent project on the qualitative and sociological aspects of L2 translation. By focusing on the questionnaires that the 40 subjects, professionals and advanced translator trainees, submitted before participating in a translation experiment, the study intends to shed more light on the views, preferences and habits of Czech translators regarding their cooperation with native speakers, discussing the possibilities as well as limitations of native-speaker participation in L2 translation.

The International Classification of Diseases-11th Edition (ICD-11) includes a dimensional trait model of personality disorder. The Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (PiCD) was the first self-report measure developed for its assessment. The present study examines the validity of an informant-report version of the PiCD, the Informant-Personality Inventory for ICD-11 (the IPiC), and is the first study to test self–other agreement, ratings from close others, and the criterion validity of both the IPiC and the PiCD for several popular and well-validated measures of life functioning: Life and romantic relationship satisfaction, social support, physical and mental health, depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms, and cognitive decline. The present study is also the first to examine the IPiC and PiCD in a sample of older adults in the community. Results suggest that the IPiC and the PiCD show moderate self–other agreement, are associated significantly with several important life functioning areas, and have structural validity even at the item level. Further replication and validation are necessary for these instruments, but the IPiC and the PiCD have shown strong validation evidence to date, now including evidence of consensual and criterion validity, in addition to structural validity. Public Significance Statement: This study provides convergent, criterion, and structural validity for the self-report and informant-report Personality Inventories for ICD-11. It further shows that the ICD-11 personality traits are associated with important life variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, the use of different means of investigation is enabling the authorities to clarify the facts and to arrest the perpetrator of the crime more quickly and effectively, within the different means of investigation available to police authorities, one of which and the most common in all countries is the police informer, being a person of particular importance during the police investigation, as he or she provides confidential and essential information in order to learn important facts about the crime and its perpetrators. The problem with this research tool is that it is not uniform in its treatment, in different countries, the informant is treated differently, and as a result of this, the product or the investigation that is offered to the judges, as a result of these confidences, is different. Likewise, when working with police informants, it is very important to take into account a series of precautions so as not to violate any human rights, as well as not to being manipulated by the informer. As an example of the above, this article studies the treatment of police informants in different countries, considering the legislation of each one, sentences and documents that establish the guidelines for the use of police informants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is a temperament trait characterized by extreme fear in the face of novelty. BI has been associated with the development of mental disorders. However, there is a lack of research examining the socioemotional and behavioral characteristics of behaviorally inhibited children both in family and school settings. For a more comprehensive and in-depth overview of children’s behavior in each of these contexts, this study has collected data from both parents (mother and father – family setting) and from teachers (educational environment). The sample consisted of 109 children aged between four and six years old. Multi-informant approach was used: all fathers, mothers and teachers completed both the Preschool Behavioral Inhibition Scales, the Child Behavior Checklist for parents and teachers, and the Behavior Assessment System for Children and Adolescents. Our findings revealed that children classified as BI exhibit less socioemotional and behavioral adjustments than their uninhibited peers both in family and school contexts. Further, the shyness variable seemed to be strongly associated with behavioral inhibition, regardless of informant and context.

The Kalmyk Folklore Corpus is a scholarly publication of unique and vivid folklore compositions. Inter alia, it aims to introduce newly discovered records into scientific discourse. Kalmyk fairy tales are noted for their vivid originality, and most complete patterns of the diverse fairy tale genres have been included in the Corpus. Plots of household tales were compared to those of the Comparative Directory of Plots developed for the classification East Slavic fairy tales. The paper concludes that world-wide distributed plots within the considered materials contain some peculiar Kalmyk cultural features that manifest themselves in the structure, characters, poetics, and style.

Abstract Background Life event assessment is an important part in psychological autopsy, and how to integrate its proxy data from two informants is a major methodological issue which needs solving. Methods Totally 416 living subjects and their two informants were interviewed by psychological autopsy, and life events were assessed with Paykel’s Interview for Recent Life Events. Validities of integrated proxy data using six psychological autopsy information reconstruction methods were evaluated, with living subjects’ self-reports used as gold-standard criteria. Results For all the life events, average value of Youden Indexes for proxy data by type C information reconstruction method (choosing positive value from two informants) was larger than other five methods’. For family life related events, proxy data by type 1st information reconstruction method were not significantly different from living subjects’ self-reports (P = 0.828). For all other life events, proxy data by type C information reconstruction method were not significantly different from the gold-standard. Conclusions Choosing positive value is a relatively better method for integrating dichotomous (positive vs. negative) proxy data from two informants in life event assessment in psychological autopsy, except for family life related events. In that case, using information provided by 1st informants (mainly family member) is recommended.

Despite the importance of human source intelligence very little has been written about the selection of police officers to undertake the specialist role of handler, and approaches to training in this specialist area. This research examined the nature of handling and the core attributes of effective human source handlers as perceived by 22 experienced handlers. Participants described handling as characterised by relationship alliance, task alliance and technique. Participants also identified attributes associated with the effective handling of human sources. Findings have important implications for the selection and training of officers for the role of human source handler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edward Craig and Michael Hannon agree that the function of knowledge is to enable us to identify informants whose word we can safely take. This requires that knowers display a publicly recognizable mark. Although this might suffice for information transfer, I argue that the position that emerges promotes testimonial injustice, since the mark of a good informant need not be shared by all who are privy to the facts we seek. I suggest a way the problem might be alleviated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral inhibition is a temperament trait characterized by extreme fear in the face of novelty. Behavioral inhibition has been associated with the development of mental disorders. However, there is a lack of research examining the socioemotional and behavioral characteristics of behaviorally inhibited children both in family and school settings. For a more comprehensive and in-depth overview of children's behavior in each of these contexts, this study has collected data from both parents (mother and father-family setting) and from teachers (educational environment). The sample consisted of 109 children aged between 4 and 6 years old. Multi-informant approach was used: all fathers, mothers and teachers completed both the Preschool Behavioral Inhibition Scales, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for parents and teachers, and the Behavior Assessment System for Children and Adolescents (BASC). Our findings revealed that children classified as behavioral inhibition exhibit less socioemotional and behavioral adjustments than their uninhibited peers both in family and school contexts. Further, the shyness variable seemed to be strongly associated with behavioral inhibition, regardless of informant and context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Relative to dementia, little is known about informant bias in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We investigated the influence of informant demographic and relational characteristics on reports of everyday functioning using the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ). Method: Four thousand two hundred eighty-four MCI participants and their informants from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set were included. Informants were stratified according to cohabitation, relationship, visit frequency, race/ethnicity, education, and sex. Informant-rated Mean FAQ score was compared across these groups using univariate general linear model analyses and post hoc tests. Interactions were tested between informant variables. The predictive contribution of informant variables to FAQ score was explored using hierarchical linear regression. Analyses covaried for participant cognition using a cognitive composite score, and for participant age, sex, and depression. Results: After controlling for participant cognition, depression, age, and sex, informant-rated FAQ scores varied significantly across all informant variables (p's <.005, ηp2's ≤.033) except sex and visit frequency. FAQ scores were higher (more impaired) among informants who cohabitate with the participant, among paid caregivers, spouses, and adult children, and among informants with higher levels of education. Scores were lowest (less impaired) among Black/African American informants as compared to all other racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions: Demographic and relational characteristics of informants influence the perception and reporting of instrumental activities of daily living in adults with MCI. As everyday functioning is crucial for differential diagnosis and treatment outcome measurement, it is important to be aware of sources of informant report discrepancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research literature on personality development is based mostly on self-report studies and on samples in younger adulthood. The present multimethod study examines self-other agreement on longitudinal personality change and convergence between self- and informant-reports of longitudinal and retrospective personality change in older adulthood. It provides a rare validation test of longitudinal measurements of personality change. A representative community sample of 1,630 older adults (Mage = 62.5) and their informants completed self- and informant-personality assessments across three waves that were on average 6.5 years apart. Self- and informant-reports of retrospective personality change were collected at the third wave. Latent growth modeling was used to examine longitudinal personality change, longitudinal self-other agreement on personality change, and convergence between longitudinal and retrospective personality change in each five-factor model domain. Older adults in the present study reported less change than has been found in younger samples; however, both self- and informant-reports indicated declines in extraversion. Results showed strong self-other agreement on longitudinal personality change in all 5-factor model domains, moderate correspondence between longitudinal and retrospective-reports of change within-method (i.e., within self- or informant-report), modest self-other agreement on retrospective-reports, and little association between longitudinal and retrospective change across-method (i.e., between self- and informant-reports). Findings provide validation evidence for both longitudinal and retrospective assessments of personality change, indicate that informants provide unique perspectives on personality change, and could have potentially important implications for research, assessment, and clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In an effort to intervene earlier in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), clinical trials are testing promising candidate therapies in preclinical disease. Preclinical AD trial participants are cognitively normal, functionally independent, and autonomous decision-makers. Yet, like AD dementia trials, preclinical trials require dual enrollment of a participant and a knowledgeable informant, or study partner. Main text The requirement of dyadic enrollment is a barrier to recruitment and may present unique ethical challenges. Despite these limitations, the requirement should continue. Study partners may be essential to ensure participant safety and wellbeing, including overcoming distress related to biomarker disclosure and minimizing risk for catastrophic reactions and suicide. The requirement may maximize participant retention and ensure data integrity, including that study partners are the source of data that will ultimately instruct whether a new treatment has a clinical benefit and meaningful impact on the population health burden associated with AD. Finally, study partners are needed to ensure the scientific and clinical value of trials. Conclusions Preclinical AD will represent a new model of care, in which persons with no symptoms are informed of probable cognitive decline and eventual dementia. The rationale for early diagnosis in symptomatic AD is equally applicable in preclinical AD—to minimize risk, maximize quality of life, and ensure optimal planning and communication. Family members and other sources of support will likely be essential to the goals of this new model of care for preclinical AD patients and trials must instruct this clinical practice.

Supportive school services are a primary service modality for youth with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder, as well as co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and low intellectual abilities, interfere with academic achievement and therefore influence decisions about school services. Therefore, we examined the association of parent, teacher, and clinician ratings of autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring psychiatric symptom severity and intellectual functioning with school services. In total, 283 youth with autism spectrum disorder were assessed with clinical evaluation via the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and parent and teacher versions of the CASI-4R (Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory). Full Scale Intelligence Quotient scores were obtained from case records. Clinical and teacher evaluations of autism spectrum disorder severity predicted services and were more strongly associated with school services than parent ratings. Teacher ratings were only associated with common school services (e.g. speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and/or social skills training) frequency at medium and high levels of clinician-rated autism spectrum disorder severity. Higher IQ and parent-rated externalizing symptoms predicted lower likelihood of receiving school services, whereas internalizing symptoms were not predictive of school services. Autism spectrum disorder symptoms may overshadow externalizing and internalizing symptoms when considering school service supports. Results highlight the importance of evaluating autism spectrum disorder severity via multiple sources, especially in cases of unclear symptom presentation, when examining correlates of school services for youth with autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dementia diagnoses are typically made where there is a significant, progressive decline in cognitive functioning. Evidence of such decline is increasingly established through information provided by informants. However, some studies demonstrate that informant reports may not always be accurate and may be biased by extraneous factors. This review aimed to elucidate factors that have been identified as potentially having some influence on informant reports of cognitive decline. Method: A search of PsychInfo, ASSIA, PubMed and Web of Science databases identified 13 peer-reviewed studies that met criteria for inclusion in the review. Results: Reviewed studies provide some evidence for associations between informant-reported cognitive decline and demographic characteristics (patient age, education, ethnicity and informant gender), clinical factors (dementia severity, diagnosis, behavioural disturbance, everyday functioning) and psychological factors (patient depressive symptoms and neuroticism, informant psychological distress and burden). Several methodological limitations of the evidence base were identified. Conclusion: Findings suggest that informant-reported cognitive decline may not always be wholly reliable in that information holds potential to be influenced by both patient and informant characteristics. Clinical and empirical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a retrospective chart review, 39 patients referred for a clinical neuropsychological examination were identified as showing either mild cognitive impairment of the amnestic type (MCI-A; N = 21) or subjective memory complaints but with normal memory function (SMC; N = 18). During the clinical interview, patients and informants were routinely asked to make subjective ratings regarding the patient's cognitive and affective functioning in everyday life. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these two patient groups (and their informants) significantly differed in their subjective reports about level of cognitive and affective difficulties. It was predicted that SMC patients would report higher levels of cognitive and emotional dysfunction than MCI-A patients. It was further predicted that MCI-A patients would underreport cognitive difficulties (compared to informant reports); SMC patients would demonstrate the opposite pattern. Results supported these predictions and suggest that routine assessment of subjective experiences of patients in conjunction with informant ratings may aid clinical diagnosis, particularly when the primary complaint is a decline in memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translating into a non-mother tongue (L2 translation) has received increasing attention from translation scholars over the past two decades in response to the growing proportion of this direction in translation markets in most parts of the world. One of the aspects of L2 translation that remains a relatively uncharted territory is the role of native speakers. Although they are normally involved in relatively few translations from a language of limited diffusion into a major language directly as translators, native speakers need not be entirely absent from L2 translation as it has been suggested that they can assume diverse roles in the process and that cooperation with native speakers brings obvious benefits to L2 translators. The present study aims at providing a more complex picture of the native speaker's role(s) in L2 translation, drawing on the results of a recent project on the qualitative and sociological aspects of L2 translation. By focusing on the questionnaires that the 40 subjects, professionals and advanced translator trainees, submitted before participating in a translation experiment, the study intends to shed more light on the views, preferences and habits of Czech translators regarding their cooperation with native speakers, discussing the possibilities as well as limitations of native-speaker participation in L2 translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most efficient measures of crime counteraction is timely reporting law enforcement agencies during which a special role is dedicated to persons (informants). They provide assistance to authorized subjects in the sphere of corruption counteraction by giving operative significant information. Thus the article is aimed at the analysis of law enforcement bodies and special services of the USA experience concerning work with confidential sources. The latest tendencies of the US police activities are concentrated on the attraction of citizens to cooperation with police. Such cooperation is efficient in prevention of most hard crimes due to informants' assistance, i.e. people who display desire to cooperate with police. Scientists D. Sunshine and T. Tyler consider that the nature of relations between police and publicity has a great influence on the efficiency of crime counteraction, local citizens' welfare. The authors draw attention to the importance of establishing benevolent relations between police and local population. The given article also reveals the USA law enforcement agencies experience of institute of confidential cooperation using. Using of operative sources of information remains the most efficient tools for detection, suspension, disclosure and investigation of crimes in the whole world. With the aim of achievement of accuracy in terminology it is conducted the identification of different kinds of informants depending on their role and law enforcement institution they collaborate with. Conclusions. Actions in favor of society are a important element of informationship as social institute. The results of conducted analysis testify that the modern understanding of institute of confidential cooperation in the USA is grounded on the following principles: - the object of message is information about any abuses, violations, immoral behavior that may cause significant violations of rights and duties of citizens, damage to society or separate citizens and other public interests; - the motive of moral informant is the protection of public interests durante absentia personal direct interest in the results of investigation of the claim he has made; - informant has to be sure in the truthfulness of information he provides; - the sphere of informationship activity has to be as public as private sphere if its activity can influence the rights and duties of citizens and public interests. Thus the promising trend of further scientific researches has to be analysis of experience of the given problem solving in the other leading countries of international community with the aim of its consideration in domestic practice.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) trials require enrollment with an informant., Methods: We assessed relationships between informant replacement and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scores across four AD trials. Using generalized estimating equations, we examined associations between replacement and change in ADCS-ADL between successive visits. We used analysis of covariance to estimate the association between replacement and 18-month change from baseline, and an F- test to compare the variance of this change., Results: Among 1336 participants, 63 (≈5%) experienced replacement. Between-visit mean change in ADCS-ADL was 2.44 points lower comparing replacement to stable informants (95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.91, -0.98). The difference in between-visit mean absolute change was 2.38 points (95% CI: 1.24, 3.52). Replacement was not significantly associated with an 18-month change from baseline. The ratio of variances (replacement/stable) was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.99)., Discussion: Informant replacement is associated with bias and increased variability between visits and increased variance for overall ADCS-ADL., Competing Interests: Ms. Nishida, Dr. Nuño, Dr. Grill, and Dr. Gillen have no conflicts of interest to report. Author disclosures are available in the supporting information., (© 2023 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)

The purpose of this article is to give a philological edition of a short oral text in the oïlic dialect of the Franche-Comté (Saint-Sauveur, Haute -Saône), known through a transcription by Paul Passy (1896). The notes aim towards a detailed explanation of the text's meaning. A brief linguistic analysis shows how influenced by French is the Saint-Sauveur vernacular. The commentary shows that the informant turns upside down his relationship with the linguist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Agreement on personality traits is moderated by relationship satisfaction. • Wives’ relationship satisfaction moderates agreement on husbands’ self-regulatory traits. • Husbands’ relationship satisfaction moderates agreement on wives’ emotionality traits. • Greater relationship satisfaction is related to greater agreement on personality traits. Abstract Although adult personality is usually assessed via self-report, knowledgeable informants provide useful information on others’ traits. While self-informant agreement on personality is highest among spouses, agreement varies across couples, potentially moderated by relationship satisfaction. It remains unclear whether relationship satisfaction impacts trait agreement generally or for specific traits. Further, moderation of agreement by satisfaction may differ depending on the informant’s role (i.e., husband/wife). We examined whether informant relationship satisfaction moderated informant-self agreement on normative and non-adaptive personality traits in 376 heterosexual couples. Spouses showed low actual personality similarity but higher assumed similarity. Self-informant agreement was significant, albeit modest, for many traits. Agreement for specific traits was moderated by relationship satisfaction, varying by informant’s role. Implications for personality assessment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rating scales typically provide normative tables arranged according to child age, child gender, and type of informant, which facilitates addressing the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders developmental deviance requirement for diagnosing ADHD. Missing, however, is any consideration of the gender of the informant. The purpose of this paper was to conduct an exploratory examination of informant gender via secondary analyses of a large data set used to standardize the ADHD Rating Scale-5. Two (informant gender) by two (child gender) ANOVAs were conducted separately for parents and teachers using inattention (IN) symptoms, hyperactive-impulsive (HI) symptoms, the total impairment score related to IN, and the total impairment score for HI as dependent variables. Results showed that female parents rated male children significantly higher on both IN symptoms and impairment related to IN than did male parents. Female teacher ratings were also significantly higher than male teacher ratings for male children in terms of HI symptoms and with respect to impairment ratings related to both HI and IN. A significantly higher percentage of female parents (7.7%) identified male children as being at risk for ADHD relative to male parents (4.1%). This same pattern emerged for female teachers (11.9%) versus male teachers (5.3%). Such results suggest that informant gender may play a clinically meaningful role in assessing ADHD in children and adolescents, which is consistent with the developmental literature addressing gender stereotypes in children. Future research is needed to determine whether similar informant gender differences exist in other rating scale measures of ADHD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]