Characterizing Episodes of Lucidity in Dementia: Observational and Applied Computational Linguistics Approaches

Though episodes of lucidity (EL) in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD), reportedly more common near end of life, have significant implications for care, they are poorly understood due to underdeveloped methodological approaches for capturing and measuring these events. This prospective observational study addresses these gaps through audiovisual observation among persons with ADRD surrounding end of life to inform data-driven definitions for EL and distinguish EL from routine fluctuations in ADRD. Audiovisual observation is well-suited to addressing gaps in operationalization of EL, providing an objective data source to assess verbal and nonverbal communication, the primary means through which EL are evidenced. Our study is designed to establish optimal procedures for capturing audiovisual data of targeted populations and timeframes to maximize opportunities for detecting EL. Operationalization of EL will be informed by computational linguistic and behavioral-event coding of linguistic and non-linguistic communication features of EL and associated temporal qualities.

A standardized behavioral event equally impacts the activity of cortical visual areas and layers

Multiple recent studies have shown that motor activity greatly impacts the activity of primary sensory areas like V1. Yet, the role of this motor related activity in sensory processing is still unclear. Here we further dissect how these behavior relevant signals are broadcast to different layers and areas of visual cortex. To do so, we leveraged a standardized motor behavior fidget event in behavioral videos of passively viewing mice. A large two-photon Ca2+ imaging database of neuronal responses uncovered four neural response types during fidgets that are surprisingly consistent in their proportion and response patterns across all visual areas and layers of the visual cortex. Indeed, the layer and area identity could not be decoded above chance level based only on neuronal recordings. The broad availability of standardized behavior signals could be a key component in how the cortex selects, learns and binds local sensory information with relevant motor outputs.

DEFINING THE IDEAL COMPETENCY MODEL FOR THE UNITED NATIONS MILITARY OBSERVERS (STUDY ON THE INDONESIAN MILITARY OBSERVERS)

<p>A military observer is a military officer from a certain country who is deployed as part of a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. The purpose of this study is to define an ideal competency model for the UN military observers of the Indonesian military by considering certain characteristics embedded in superior military observers that distinguish them from the non-superior ones. This study applied several data collecting techniques such as behavioral event interviews, observation, and library study. Two types of analysis, namely: content analysis and discriminant analysis are utilized to create data weighting and to discover the differentiating characteristics. From this study, it can be concluded that there is a very close and significant relationship between the competency and performance of the UN military observers from Indonesia. Those in the superior category do have three strong differentiating competencies, namely: initiative, relationship building, and impacts and influence production. And then this study also found an ideal competency model for a UN military observer, where the model consists of the three competencies plus eight other competencies, namely: team working, self-controlling, local language skill, local culture knowledge, vehicle driving skill, military knowledge and skills, diplomacy and negotiation skills, and administrative skills.</p><p>Keywords: Competency, Competency model, Military observer, Recruitment, UN Peacekeeping</p>

Competencies for effective public middle managers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate a set of competencies that characterizes effective public middle managers.Design/methodology/approachA total of 20 middle managers from several public agencies were interviewed in person using the behavioral event interview technique. In all, 80 stories were deductively coded based on the existing National Civil Service Agency’s managerial competency dictionary and inductively examined through a thematic analysis to discover new themes.FindingsThis study’s findings suggest that communication, organizing, information seeking, analytical thinking and planning competencies are common competencies, but essential for effective public middle managers. Conversely, achievement orientation, leadership, directiveness, persuasiveness and innovation are competencies that characterize effective public middle managers and distinguish them from average performers. In addition, some other new competencies inductively obtained using a thematic analysis are also important for effective public managers: adherence to laws and regulations, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and technical competencies (technology management, human resource management and financial management).Research limitations/implicationsThe research was undertaken using 20 samples divided into superior and average performers; thus, it is limited to developing competency levels to new competencies.Originality/valueThis study identifies the competencies necessary for effective middle managers within the public sector context. Conducting behavioral event interviews with two distinct groups provides empirically unique behavioral evidence of competencies that characterize effective public middle managers and enables to discover new competencies.

Behavioral Event Interview

The behavioral interview is used to bring forth the understanding of the competencies of a person. The interviews and aptitude tests we conduct will tell us about the educational and expertise factors of the interviewee's life. To understand specific components of his/her talents there is a requirement for a much more guiding narrative technique which will help the interviewee recount the specific acts he/she has done with respect to the competency the interviewer is looking for. There are certain preparations required for this as well. This chapter outlines the procedure for conducting the BEI with the competency clusters given. It also attempts to explain competencies and the process of how it can be used.