Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mirror neurons in the tree of life: mosaic evolution, plasticity and exaptation of sensorimotor matching responses

Considering the properties of mirror neurons (MNs) in terms of development and phylogeny, we offer a novel, unifying, and testable account of their evolution according to the available data and try to unify apparently discordant research, including the plasticity of MNs during development, their adaptive value and their phylogenetic relationships and continuity. We hypothesize that the MN system reflects a set of interrelated traits, each with an independent natural history due to unique selective pressures, and propose that there are at least three evolutionarily significant trends that gave raise to three subtypes: hand visuomotor, mouth visuomotor, and audio–vocal. Specifically, we put forward a mosaic evolution hypothesis, which posits that different types of MNs may have evolved at different rates within and among species. This evolutionary hypothesis represents an alternative to both adaptationist and associative models. Finally, the review offers a strong heuristic potential in predicting the circumstances under which specific variations and properties of MNs are expected. Such predictive value is critical to test new hypotheses about MN activity and its plastic changes, depending on the species, the neuroanatomical substrates, and the ecological niche.
Corporate Debt Overhang in Croatia: Micro Assessment and Macro Implications

High corporate sector leverage has often been highlighted as one of the major impediments to economic recovery. We conduct a debt sustainability analysis for Croatian corporates based on firm-level data. The analysis shows that around one third of the corporate debt in Croatia is unsustainable, thus pointing to sizeable deleveraging needs. By relating the estimated firm-level debt overhang indicator with investment activity, we find that over-indebted firms have reduced their investment to a greater extent than those without debt overhang. This especially holds among exporters and domestically owned private companies, whose higher sensitivity to unsustainable debt probably explains why they are less debt burdened. Our paper contributes to the existing literature by showing that, in the case of Croatia, the estimated firm-level debt sustainability thresholds, unlike the aggregate thresholds, capture the asymmetrically negative effect of debt overhang on investment. The estimated size and impact of the debt overhang in Croatia warrant policy engagement that would include more efficient bankruptcy procedures, swifter balance sheet clean-up supported by specific tax treatments, enhanced restructuring of unsustainably indebted state-owned companies as well as a comprehensive policy strategy for improving business climate and competitiveness.
Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Disclosure: The Moderating Role of Cultural Values

Abstract The principles of sustainable development argue that organizations should make decisions not only based on economic or financial factors but also based on the long-term social and environmental consequences. The Code on Corporate Governance is one of the drivers for corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in Malaysia. Additionally, the way managers execute their responsibilities may be affected by their own tradition, beliefs, values, and culture. Thus, this chapter aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance characteristics and CSR disclosure and to investigate the influence of cultural values (Board’s Culture Domination) on the relationship between corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. A sample of 150 companies from the main board of Bursa Malaysia for year ended 2006 are chosen for the purpose of this study due to the year of the introduction of Bursa Malaysia CSR Framework. Based on available data, a CSR index is constructed. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between the CSR disclosure index and the independent variables and also the moderating effect of Board’s Culture Domination. Results show that government ownership and audit committees have a positive and significant influence on CSR disclosure. Furthermore, the findings show that the Board’s Culture Domination moderate the relationship between audit committee, number of shareholders, foreign ownership, and CSR disclosure.
Trastuzumab plus docetaxel in HER‐2/neu‐positive prostate carcinoma

Overexpression of the HER‐2/neu oncoprotein has been reported to occur in ≤ 60% of patients with prostate carcinoma and to correlate with shortened survival. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody to the HER‐2 receptor and has activity against HER‐2–positive breast carcinoma, more so when combined with a taxane. The authors screened for HER‐2 overexpression in patients developing hormone‐refractory prostate carcinoma (HRPC) and conducted a Phase II trial of trastuzumab plus docetaxel in HER‐2–positive patients.
Microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi antibodies in rabbit urine samples

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular parasite that belongs to the phylum Microsporidia ([Canning and Varva 2000][1]). The parasite is distributed worldwide and is able to infect a variety of mammals, including rabbits, rodents, carnivores, monkeys and human beings ([Mathis and
Finance and Innovative Investment in Environmental Technology: The Case of Sweden

This report discusses how financing difficulties can affect private sector innovation investments in environmental technology applied to the Swedish setting. Innovative investments are often intangible, the outcomes are highly uncertain, and information asymmetries between entrepreneurs and outside investors are potentially severe. These factors make external finance costly and drive investment in environmental technology below its socially desirable level. Recent evidence from the literature on financing and innovation suggests that financing constraints on innovation are likely economically significant. Therefore, policies and financial developments that affect the availability of finance can have important effects on economy wide rates of environmental technology innovation.
University of Groningen Visual and auditory temporal integration in healthy younger and older adults

As people age, they tend to integrate successive visual stimuli over longer intervals than younger adults. It may be expected that temporal integration is affected similarly in other modalities, possibly due to general, agerelated cognitive slowing of the brain. However, the previous literature does not provide convincing evidence that this is the case in audition. One hypothesis is that the primacy of time in audition attenuates the degree to which temporal integration in that modality extends over time as a function of age. We sought to settle this issue by comparing visual and auditory temporal integration in younger and older adults directly, achieved by minimizing task differences between modalities. Participants were presented with a visual or an auditory rapid serial presentation task, at 40–100 ms/item. In both tasks, two subsequent targets were to be identified. Critically, these could be perceptually integrated and reported by the participants as such, providing a direct measure of temporal integration. In both tasks, older participants integrated more than younger adults, especially when stimuli were presented across longer time intervals. This difference was more pronounced in vision and only marginally significant in audition. We conclude that temporal integration increases with age in both modalities, but that this change might be slightly less pronounced in audition.
Towards a Psychology of Entrepreneurship: An Action Theory Perspective

This contribution discusses a theory of entrepreneurship, its empirical base and its implications. First, it argues that a psychological approach is necessary to understand entrepreneurship. Second, it argues that any theory of entrepreneurship should use active actions as a starting point – entrepreneurship is the epitome of an active agent in the market (rather than a reactive agent). Third, it discusses an action regulation theory to better understand the psychology of entrepreneurship. Fourth, it provides examples how this theory can help to understand entrepreneurial success. Finally, I suggest intervention programs to help entrepreneurs to be successful at growing their organizations.
Adult intussusception: experience in Singapore

Introduction: Gastrointestinal intussusception is an uncommon clinical entity in adults and is interestingly distinct from its paediatric form. In adults an identifiable lead lesion is found in the majority of cases, of which a significant percentage are malignant. Its treatment is thus different from that of paediatric intussusception. The present study reviews our experience of treating adult intussusception.
Effect of Various Xenobiotics on Hatching Success of Spodoptera exigua Eggs as Compared to a Natural Plant Extract

The effects of fenitrothion, carbaryl, and mancozeb, present in polluted water and plant extracted glycoalkaloids, were examined on hatching success of Spodoptera exigua eggs. All chemicals produced a significant decrease in hatching success, which was correlated with chemical concentration. One of the most interesting aspects of this study relates to the biological activity of glycoalkaloids.
Metabolic Effects of Estrogen and / or Insulin in Ovariectomized Experimentally Diabetic Rats

Postmenopausal adverse metabolic changes increase cardiovascular risk and impair quality of life. This study was planned to evaluate the benefits gained by estradiol treatment alone and insulin treatment alone versus combination of these two hormonal therapies on the metabolic derangements accompanying estrogen deficiency with diabetes. Rats were divided into five groups: control sham-operated group, ovariectomized streptozotocin diabetic group (OVX-STZ), estradiol-treated OVX-STZ diabetic group that received daily subcutaneous injection of estradiol (50µg/kg) for 4 weeks, insulin-treated OVX-STZ diabetic group that received daily subcutaneous injection of insulin (10 or 20 IU/kg) for 2 weeks and combined estradiol-treated, insulin-treated OVX-STZ diabetic group. Rats in all groups were subjected to determination of body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose, plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, insulin, estradiol, leptin and malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, in vitro glucose uptake by the diaphragm and glucose output by both kidneys were measured. Insulin treatment alone increased peripheral glucose uptake, reduced renal gluconeogenesis, normalized blood glucose and plasma total cholesterol, decreased triglycerides, LDL-c and atherogenic index and increased HDL-c. Plasma MDA was reduced however, still higher than controls. Estrogen therapy alone lowered blood glucose although not fully normalized, increased peripheral glucose uptake and decreased renal gluconeogenesis, reduced plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-c and MDA and elevated HDL-c as compared to untreated groups, yet, not completely normalized. Combined estradiol and insulin therapy returned all measured parameters towards control values with complete normalization of peripheral glucose uptake and blood glucose levels as well as plasma triglycerides, HDL- c, atherogenic index and MDA, while BMI, gluconeogenesis, total cholesterol and LDL-c approached control values although still not fully normalized. It is concluded that either insulin or estrogen therapy provided only partial improvement of the metabolic error of estrogen deficiency with diabetes while the best cure was found with combined estradiol and insulin therapy which achieved successful optimization of weight gain, reduced adiposity, tight glycemic control, alleviated dyslipidemia and normal oxidative state. Thus, insulin therapy together with hormonal replacement therapy as a coadjuvant might be the most advisable line of treatment in postmenopausal diabetic women.
Genetic and Environmental Basis in Phenotype Correlation Between Physical Function and Cognition in Aging Chinese Twins

Although the correlation between cognition and physical function has been well studied in the general population, the genetic and environmental nature of the correlation has been rarely investigated. We conducted a classical twin analysis on cognitive and physical function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), handgrip strength, five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), near visual acuity, and number of teeth lost in 379 complete twin pairs. Bivariate twin models were fitted to estimate the genetic and environmental correlation between physical and cognitive function. Bivariate analysis showed mildly positively genetic correlations between cognition and FEV1, r G = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.62], as well as FVC, r G = 0.35 [95% CI: 0.06, 1.00]. We found that FTSST and cognition presented very high common environmental correlation, r C = -1.00 [95% CI: -1.00, -0.57], and low but significant unique environmental correlation, r E = -0.11 [95% CI: -0.22, -0.01], all in the negative direction. Meanwhile, near visual acuity and cognition also showed unique environmental correlation, r E = 0.16 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.27]. We found no significantly genetic correlation for cognition with handgrip strength, FTSST, near visual acuity, and number of teeth lost. Cognitive function was genetically related to pulmonary function. The FTSST and cognition shared almost the same common environmental factors but only part of the unique environmental factors, both with negative correlation. In contrast, near visual acuity and cognition may positively share part of the unique environmental factors.
Incompatibility Groups and the Classification of fi− Resistance Factors

Incompatibility between R factors has been reported by several authors, and four incompatibility groups have already been described by Datta and Hedges among Rfi− factors. The stability of 12 plasmids in pairs was studied after 116 crosses, and five new groups were found, designated 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Each plasmid studied belongs to one single group. Incompatibility between plasmids in pairs is a clear-cut phenomenon, is easy to observe, and can provide a reliable method for recognizing and classifying resistance factors, and for tracing their spread among bacterial species.
Methods For Testing Discriminant Validity

The study presents three methods which can be used to assess discriminant validity for multi-item scales. Q-sorting is presented as a method that can be used in early stages of research, being more exploratory, while the chi-square difference test and the average variance extracted analysis are recommended for the confirmatory stages of research. The paper describes briefly the three methods and presents evidence from two surveys that aimed to develop a scale for measuring perceived risk in e-commerce.
Psychosocial Work Environment and Mental Health: Job-strain and Effort-Reward Imbalance Models in a Context of Major Organizational Changes

Abstract This study explored the association between the twojob-stress models, job-strain and effort-reward imbalance, and mental health outcomes in a working population exposed to major organizational changes. The cross-sectional study was based on 680 subjects, 504 men and 176 women. Psychosocial factors at work included: psychological demands, decision latitude, social support, effort, reward, and overcommitment. Mental health outcomes were depressive symptoms (CES-D) and psychiatric disorders (GHQ-12). Job strain, low decision latitude, effort-reward imbalance, and low reward (especially job instability) were found to be associated with depressive symptoms and/or psychiatric disorders among men. Overcommitment at work was a risk factor for both men and women. Social support at work played a role to reduce depressive symptoms for women. These findings emphasize the deleterious effects of psychosocial work environment on mental health during major organizational changes.
Relationship Between Behavior and Asthma in Children With Atopic Dermatitis

Objective The significance of psychological factors in asthma is a subject of considerable dispute. This study addressed the little investigated question of the potential role of psychological factors in the initial onset of asthma. Materials and Methods Data on the validated, standardized Behavior Screening Questionnaire were obtained prospectively from 35 to 53 months for 150 atopic children who had asthma by age 53 months and for 115 who did not. Results At each age, the children who had asthma by 53 months had more behavior problems. There was no evidence that the subsequent behavior of those children who had asthma became more problematic. However, for those children without asthma by 35 months, an elevated behavior problem score at that age was related to the subsequent onset of asthma by age 53 months. The behavior problem score added significantly to the prediction of asthma onset (OR adjusted: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02–1.29) when known risk factors of asthma and IgE levels for grass pollen and house dust mite at age 17 months were taken into account. Conclusions Behavior problems may precede asthma onset in young atopic children. In this age group, behavior problems are not secondary psychological reactions to asthma onset. They may act as a marker for stress in the child’s life. The presence of behavior problems should alert clinicians that the child may be at increased risk for transition from atopic dermatitis to asthma.
Employee Readiness for Organizational Change: A Case Study in an Export Oriented Manufacturing Firm in Sri Lanka

In this article, we investigated the relationships between organizational commitment, trust in peers and management and employee change readiness. The effects of demographic factors such as gender, age, and working experience on employees’ organizational commitment, trust in peers and management and their change readiness were also examined. We conducted a cross sectional questionnaire survey to collect data from a sample of 185 randomly selected employees in an export oriented business firm in Sri Lanka. Pearson Productmoment Correlation test was used to test the strength and direction of the relationships in the hypotheses. A Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed to analyse the relationships between demographic variables and the three main variables concerned. This article unveiled that organizational commitment and trust in peers and management were significantly and positively correlated to employee readiness for organizational change. The article also revealed the significant association of certain demographic factors with trust in peers and management and employee readiness.
Characteristics of the Leg Extensors in Male Volleyball Players with Jumper's Knee

The aim of the present study was to characterize the performance ability of the leg extensor apparatus in a group of athletes with jumper's knee and to compare the results with those of a matched control group with out knee symptoms. Patient and control groups (12 players in each) were selected from a population of 141 well-trained male Norwegian volleyball players, of which 55 (39%) satisfied the diagnostic criteria for jumper's knee. The testing program consisted of a standing jump, a countermovement jump, a 15-second rebound jump test, a standing jump with a 20-kg load, and a standing jump with a load corresponding to one-half of the subject's body weight. Jump height and power were measured using a contact mat connected to an electronic timer. The test results of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the con trol group for the countermovement jump (15% in crease), power during rebound jump (41 %), work done in standing jump (12%) and countermovement jump (22%), and the difference between countermovement jump and standing jump (effect of adding eccentric component). Athletes with jumper's knee demon strated better performance in jump tests than uninjured athletes, particularly in ballistic jumps involving eccen tric force generation.
The Marine Fisheries in Bulgaria's Exclusive Economic Zone, 1950–2013

The aim of this study is to reconstruct the total historic catch of Bulgarian marine fisheries in their Exclusive Economic Zone for the time period 1950-2013, including unreported landings, discards, recreational and subsistence catches from the ecosystem. The landings data officially reported by Bulgaria to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the Mediterranean and Black Seas (FAO Area 37) were revised in line with all available information. The reconstructed total catch for 1950-2013 was 1.7 times the (adjusted) baseline data reported by Bulgaria to FAO and 1.5 times the unadjusted data as reported by FAO. This study revealed major deficiencies which exist in the officially reported Bulgarian catch data, foremost being the large amount of unreported industrial catches, especially for the last two decades. Furthermore, the exclusion of some fisheries sectors, notably the absence of data on the subsistence and recreational fisheries in reported data are also noteworthy.
Inter-rater reliability of three adult handwriting legibility instruments.

BACKGROUND/AIM Legibility is important for functional, handwritten communication. Deficits in legibility can impair occupational performance following stroke or trauma. Few instruments are available to assess adult handwriting legibility during rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to compare inter-rater reliability of a new four-point legibility rating instrument with two existing instruments, and describe scale structure and item difficulty of each instrument. METHODS Three trained raters scored 60 handwriting samples using: (i) a Four-Point Scale (FPS); (ii) the modified Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting (mETCH); and (iii) the new modified FPS. Rater concordance and exact agreement were investigated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC(3,1) ), multi-rater kappa (κ) and Krippendorff's alpha (α). Cronbach's alpha was calculated to examine internal consistency reliability, and Rasch modelling was used to examine scale structure and item difficulty. RESULTS Rater concordance for the FPS was fair (ICC(3,1) = 0.37); exact agreement was poor (κ = 0.19; α = 0.19). Rater concordance for the two mETCH subtests was fair to moderate (ICC(3,1) = 0.39-0.50), but with no exact agreement (κ < 0.00). Rater concordance for three subtests of the modified FPS was slight to moderate (ICC(3,1) = 0.16-0.51); exact agreement ranged from nil to fair (κ = -0.06-0.30; α = -0.05-0.30). Rasch modelling confirmed internal consistency of instruments, but was low between-rater consistency (rater severity variability). CONCLUSIONS A reliable instrument for measuring change over time remains elusive. In the meantime, these instruments can be used by individual clinicians to diagnose and rate legibility.