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SMEs are perceived as more exposed to the consequences of external shocks. The purpose of our work is to examine whether the ERM sophistication or corporate governance mechanisms could be relevant in resistance to COVID-19 shock in the SMEs. In particular, we hypothesize that the SMEs with greater degree of ERM sophistication and stronger CG mechanisms will have a clearer understanding about the severity of the impacts from COVID-19. Our empirical evidence is based on the results of a survey conducted within a large sample of SMEs operating in Poland and in Germany within different experimental settings. We have found that the ERM and CG sophistication influence the perception of COVID-19 interruptions and will alert companies to adjust their business strategy and organizational structure to better cope with effects of the current crisis. The proposed framework can also be a valuable tool for consultants to use to enhance the ERM systems in SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell surface cortical actin is a regulatory target for viral infection. We aimed to investigate the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on host cell cortical stiffness, an indicator of cortical actin structure. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein induced a reduction in cortical stiffness in ACE2-expressing cells. The interaction of RBD with ACE2 caused the inactivation of Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) proteins. We further investigated the effects of the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants, BA.1 and BA.5. These RBDs influenced cortical stiffness depending on their affinity for ACE2. Our study provides the first evidence that the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein with ACE2 induces mechanobiological signals and attenuates the cortical actin., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Human Cell Society.)

Electronic resource reviews written by librarians are a valuable way to identify potential content platforms and stay current on new resources. Resource-focused articles can also assist with learning about useful features, training others, and marketing to potential user groups. However, articles evaluating or highlighting innovative uses of resources may be published in disparate journals or online platforms and are not collocated. Small or solo-staffed libraries may not subscribe to library and information sciences databases or journals that contain reviews of electronic resources. And many of these reviews or other useful articles are open access. With this in mind, the main aim of the LERRN citation database was to create a freely available citation database that brings together electronic resource reviews and other content that can assist librarians in appraising and using electronic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this contribution is to assess and evaluate the degree to which project risk management is currently applied in companies at the global level based on empirical research. More specifically, it aims to assess the degree to which project risk management is applied during the initiation and planning phases of projects. In 2019, global empirical research was carried out in 31 countries in Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, and America. In total, 1,143 project managers participated. The research was conducted on the basis of an online questionnaire survey. For the quantitative data analysis, mathematical and statistical data assessment tests were used to process the obtained data. Although the results reveal an increasing interest among top managers in the application of project risk management, they also show that project managers do not apply risk management to every project. The results of this contribution are applicable to managers and project managers in enterprises around the world, especially in European countries. Results highlighted the importance of project risk management and enhancing its application. In this way, managers can potentially reduce the time and financial losses that may affect the successful project realization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To identify the predictive parameter among preoperative measurements that best predicts postoperative visual outcome in the epiretinal membrane (ERM).Methods: Thirty-three consecutive patients with idiopathic unilateral ERM patients between 2015 and 2018 were enrolled. Nineteen healthy normal eyes were selected as an independent age-matched group. Based on preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT), we further divided the patients with ERM into two groups: type 1, loosely attached ERM, and type 2, tight adherent ERM. We documented the vision and thickness of various retinal layers: nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer retinal layer (ORL), and retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch complex layer before and after the surgery. The association between postoperative visual acuity and these variables was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.Results: All retinal layers of ERM eyes were thicker than the normal eyes (P < 0.05). Among ERMs, we identified 11 eyes with type 1 adhesions and 22 eyes with type 2 adhesions. The preoperative GCL + IPL layers were significantly thicker in type 2 patients than in type 1 patients (93.67 ± 33.03 um vs 167.71 ± 13.77 um; P = 0.023). Greater GCL + IPL thickness was correlated with a worse postoperative visual acuity and multiple linear regression analysis showed that GCL + IPL thickness was an independent predictor of postoperative visual acuity (VA) (beta value = 0.689; P = 0.012). A greater thickness of GCL + IPL layers of type 2 patients had worse postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (P = 0.028). Ectopic inner foveal layers with disappearance of fovea pit were persistently presented in OCT profiles of both groups.Conclusion: Idiopathic ERM demonstrated significantly thicker inner retinal layers (GCL + IPL and INL). However, the ORL thickness was similar between the normal eyes and ERM eyes. The preoperative GCL + IPL layers were significantly thicker in patients with type 2 ERM than that in patients with type 1 ERM. The increase in GCL + IPL thickness was significantly correlated with worse postoperative visual outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing business volatility has revealed the inadequacy of traditional risk management approaches. Enterprise risk management (ERM) is the result of this integrated approach to risk measurement and management (ERM). ERM disclosures have previously been studied using a book-based approach, which did not provide accurate or complete information. But this paper looked at how risk management affects employee performance at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A questionnaire was used to gather data from 311 respondents operating in ADNOC. Smart-PLS is used to test the hypotheses underlying the proposed study. ERM was found to have a significant impact on employee productivity, according to the findings of the study. Employee performance was significantly influenced by ERM as an independent variable, which in turn was mediated by organisational culture (OC). Enterprise risk management implementation has a significant impact on the performance of oil and gas sector employees, according to the findings of this study. Additionally, the study's findings indicated a theoretical contribution to the field of enterprise risk management implementation. Furthermore, it demonstrated a practical improvement in the oil and gas sector's risk management and employee performance in the UAE's ADNOC National Petroleum Corporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalisation and hyperconnectivity affect organisational resilience with threats such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic or large-scale cyberattacks. To strengthen organisational resilience capabilities, a framework such as enterprise risk management (ERM) is necessary so as to enable holistic risk management. Specifically, in this paper, we analyse the role of security, which has great potential in crisis management and makes it possible to follow up businesses integrated in enterprise security risk management (ESRM). This paper examines, for the first time in the literature, the output of scientists on ESRM. After analysing 463 articles from the period between 1986 and 2019, it is concluded that Security Risk Management is a subject area on its own and is closely linked to ERM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia is a disease in which memory, thought, and behavior-related disorders progress gradually due to brain damage caused by injury or disease. It is mainly caused by Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia and several other risk factors, including genetic factors. It is difficult to treat as its incidence continues to increase worldwide. Many studies have been performed concerning the treatment of this condition. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are attracting attention as pharmacological treatments to improve the symptoms. This review discusses how ROCK and PDE-5 affect Alzheimer's disease, vascular restructuring, and exacerbation of neuroinflammation, and how their inhibition helps improve cognitive function. In addition, the results of the animal behavior analysis experiments utilizing the Morris water maze were compared through meta-analysis to analyze the effects of ROCK inhibitors and PDE-5 inhibitors on cognitive function. According to the selection criteria, 997 publications on ROCK and 1772 publications on PDE-5 were screened, and conclusions were drawn through meta-analysis. Both inhibitors showed good improvement in cognitive function tests, and what is expected of the synergy effect of the two drugs was confirmed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic resources undergo various changes during their lifecycle from evaluation, to acquisitions, to renewal or cancelation. To keep users abreast of these changes, effective communication is necessary between the electronic resources librarian and the library team. Effective communication is equally important between the electronic resources librarian and library users. At Queens College Library, the Library Team consisting of faculty librarians and staff are alerted to electronic resources changes through emails and posts to a Microsoft Teams library channel. Those lifecycle changes communicated to the Library Team are also featured on a public Electronic Resources Status (ERS) Dashboard, accessible to anyone. The ERS Dashboard and related policies and workflows have helped to streamline communication with the Library Team and users. The author details the techniques used in communicating electronic resources lifecycle changes to the Library Team and users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contaduría y Administración is the property of Facultad de Contaduria y Administracion-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Jurnal Sosial Humaniora is the property of Universitas Djuanda and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article aims at summarizing the existing risk management strategies helping to prevent bankruptcy and liquidation of enterprises, taking into account modern environmental challenges and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of business units. As a result of the study, tactical and strategic methods of risk management were identified. The components of the risk management process are identified in accordance with international standards. The main types of enterprise management strategies in crisis situations are described, highlighting the ERM approach, together with its main differences and advantages for its use at enterprises. Statistical data on the number of business entities in Ukraine and the number of bankruptcy proceedings in 2016-2020 are analyzed. It is emphasized that the goals and main tasks of the state policy of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine for 2021-2023 include the introduction of transparent bankruptcy procedures, which will quickly restore the debtor's solvency or fairly distribute the bankrupt's assets among creditors. Changes to the procedure for initiating bankruptcy proceedings of a legal entity, defined by the Bankruptcy Procedure Code of Ukraine, are suggested. Threats to businesses engaged in foreign economic transactions are presented based on an overall assessment of the global impact of risk scenarios on business (GBI). It is proven that the rationalization of strategic planning instruments and the implementation of a systemic approach to the crisis management of an entity, in general, and its financial and economic activities, in particular, influence greatly the effectiveness of restoring the financial solvency of that entity in a crisis situation. Determining the effectiveness of state support programs for carrying out business activity in the pandemic, and assessing the medium-term effectiveness of measures taken by government agencies make up the directions for further research.

Risk culture is an important subset of organizational culture that Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program managers should assess. Insights into the organization's risk culture can be found in behavioral metrics. Valuable behavioral metrics are present in workforce climate assessments such the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). Training evaluation frameworks, such as the Kirkpatrick Model, set the foundation for collecting and analyzing behavioral metrics. These sources of behavioral metrics should be utilized in making ERM program decisions, especially regarding risk management policies, training, and communications. A good risk culture assessment offers clues into the risk mentality of decision makers in the organization. ERM program managers would serve their organizations well by knowing the risk mentality of people before important decisions are made.

Currently, aquaculture production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a multibillion dollar industry; nevertheless, the development of this sector has not been exempt from pitfalls related to the recurrent presence of pathogens of bacterial origin. This is the case of Yersinia ruckeri, the etiologic agent of the infectious pathology known as Enteric Red Mouth Disease (ERM), causing serious economic losses that can be as high as 30–70% of production. Although several studies have been performed regarding pathogen features and virulence factors, more information is needed about the host defense mechanism activation after infection. Given this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate rainbow trout's short-term innate immune response against infection with Y. ruckeri. A series of factors linked to the innate immune response were evaluated, including determination of hematological parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, and analysis of the expression of immune-related genes. Results showed a significant decrease in several hematological parameters (white blood cell count, hematocrit, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and thrombocytes) and oxidative stress indicators (SOD) between the control and infected groups. In addition, there were significant differences in the level of gene expression between infected individuals and the control group. Most of these genes (il-1β, il-8, il-10, tnf-α1, tnf-α2, socs3, mmp-9, cath, hsp-70, saa, fer, pcb) were upregulated within the first 24 h following infection. Results from this study showed more insights into the short-term immune response of rainbow trout to infection with Y. ruckeri, which may be useful for the establishment of biomarkers that may be used for the early detection of ERM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to find out how the influence of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), innovation on Sustainable Finance in banking companies listed on the IDX for the 2017-2020 periods. By using a sample of 42 banking companies during the study period, then doing a regression analysis of the existing empirical model and MRA considering that this study uses moderating variables, then the panel data processing is carried out, then data processing from the sample used is carried out. The results obtained that ERM has a significant positive effect on SF, innovation has a significant positive effect on SF, IC has a significant positive effect on SF, while IC is unable to moderate a significant positive relationship between ERM and SF and IC is also unable to moderate a significant positive relationship between innovation and SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Long-term protection following nasal vaccination in teleosts has not previously been evaluated. • Intranasal (I.N.) vaccination was shown to be safe to at least 12 mo post-vaccination in rainbow trout" • I.P. but not I.N. delivery of ERM bacterin induced significant protection 6 mo post-vaccination. • I.N.-vaccinated fish with live attenuated IHNV vaccine showed the lowest mortality 6 mo post-vaccination. • Spleen repertoire analyses confirmed unique expansions of VH-JH rearrangements depending on the vaccine and delivery route. Previous research demonstrated that bacterial and viral vaccines delivered via the nasal route in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at 7 and 28 days post-vaccination are highly protective (>95% protection). Long-term protection following nasal vaccination in teleosts has not been evaluated. The goal of this study was to assess efficacy and immune responses at 6 months (mo) post-vaccination (mpv), and long-lasting immune responses at 12 mpv of two different vaccines: an inactivated enteric red mouth disease (ERM) Yersinia ruckeri bacterin and a live attenuated infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) vaccine. Juvenile rainbow trout were vaccinated for Y. ruckeri via intraperitoneal (I.P.) and intranasal (I.N.) routes, and for IHNV by intramuscular (I.M.) and I.N. routes, then challenged at 6 mpv. Immune responses were determined at 6 and 12 mpv. ERM vaccine I.P. delivery elicited significantly higher serum IgM-specific titers that remained elevated compared to mock-vaccinated fish at 6 mpv. By 12 mpv, antibody titers to Y. ruckeri were not significantly different across all treatments. Following Y. ruckeri challenge at 6 mpv, a significant difference in cumulative percent mortality (CPM) was found for I.P.-vaccinated fish but not I.N.-vaccinated fish. I.M. and I.N. vaccination with live attenuated IHNV did not result in significant specific serum IgM titers at 6 or 12 mpv. Yet, I.N.-vaccinated fish showed the lowest CPM 6 mpv indicating long-term protection that does not correlate with systemic IgM responses. Repertoire analyses confirmed unique expansions of VH-JH rearrangements in the spleen of rainbow trout 12 mpv that varied with the type of vaccine and route of vaccination. Combined, these data demonstrate that I.N. vaccination with a live attenuated viral vaccine confers long lasting protection, but I.N. ERM vaccination does not and booster before 6 mpv is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two years after the onset of the COVID-19 health pandemic, electronic resources librarians are assessing how the work in their libraries has changed and determining if certain modifications made to services and workflow processes are, in fact, transformational. The authors detail how service changes and telework during the pandemic affected e-resources workflows and interdepartmental collaboration in two academic libraries, and how these experiences will have an effect in improving their organizational cultures and the patron experience moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has emerged a significant change starting from the way firms manage their complex portfolio of risks. ERM and capital allocation have gained more attention recently, especially in insurance industry since insurers intend to manage capital costs through risk management. Previous studies have shown that ERM has helped insurers in improving the firm's value through better risk-based decision making and capital allocation. The study aims to examine whether the implementation of ERM influenced firm value in non-life insurance companies in Albania. The sample of this study is the population itself including all the non-life insurance companies which have implemented ERM. The methodology in this paper includes quantitative methods, using secondary data of ten years, where indicators that measure firm's value were calculated to detect if they have been impacted from the usage of ERM, taking the year 2015 as the year where these companies implemented ERM in their risk management practices. The study does not prove that ERM has yet increased the firm's value, which can be interpreted from the short time horizon, only five years from its implementation, since is proved that the effects of ERM on firm values are detectable in long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic With ERM functions having developed significantly in some industries - particularly in the financial sector - over the last decade, it is important to acknowledge that there were several successes in company responses to COVID-19. Case Study 4: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and scenario testing - an i... The risk management function within insurance and reinsurance companies (hereafter referred to collectively as " I insurance companies i ") gained a central role due to an increasingly onerous regulatory environment and also due to dealing with ongoing emerging risks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and severe weather events among others. The purpose of this research paper is to explore enterprise risk management lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in preparation for potential future pandemics, as well as other "grey rhino" or "black swan" events. Explanation of the firm's risk profile generated prior, during and post-COVID-19 lockdown based on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [17]) definition of pandemic cycle, highlighting the main risk and profit and loss (P&L) drivers and their evolution over the pandemic cycle. Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Risk Management; ERM; Actuarial EN COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Management ERM Actuarial 1 51 51 02/06/23 20220101 NES 220101 1. [Extracted from the article]

Surface stiffness is a unique indicator of various cellular states and events and needs to be tightly controlled. α-Mangostin, a natural compound with numerous bioactivities, reduces the mechanical stiffness of various cells; however, the mechanism by which it affects the actin cytoskeleton remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying α-mangostin activity on the surface stiffness of leukocytes. We treated spherical non-adherent myelomonocytic KG-1 cells with α-mangostin; it clearly reduced their surface stiffness and disrupted their microvilli. The α-mangostin-induced reduction in surface stiffness was inhibited by calyculin A, a protein phosphatase inhibitor. α-Mangostin also induced KG-1 cell adhesion to a fibronectin-coated surface. In KG-1 cells, a decrease in surface stiffness and the induction of cell adhesion are largely attributed to the dephosphorylation of ezrin/radixin/moesin proteins (ERMs); α-mangostin reduced the levels of phosphorylated ERMs. It further increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity. α-Mangostin-induced KG-1 cell adhesion and cell surface softness were inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF109203X. The results of the present study suggest that α-mangostin decreases stiffness and induces adhesion of KG-1 cells via PKC activation and ERM dephosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of an information system and communication technology has an impact on the health service sector in the form of electronic-health or e-health. One of the e-health applications is a Clinic SIM and electronic medical records. Not only provides information for the academic communities, but Udayana University Clinic also serves BPJS Kesehatan patients since 2014. After occupying a new building, there have been various obstacles related to the implementation of the management information system. Which it is still being done manually and limited space to store medical record files. One of the efforts to overcome this problem is by implementing a Clinic SIM and ERM. Before the implementation of these activities, a feasibility study was proposed on the application of CSIM and ERM integrated BPJS Healthcare. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of implementing Clinic SIM and ERM which are integrated with Pcare-BPJS at Udayana University Clinic. This study used a qualitative research design. Data collection was started between December 2019 and January 2020 using the in-depth interview method on 9 informants. This study informs that the application of Clinic SIM and ERM integrated BPJS Kesehatan meets the feasibility aspect based on acceptance, demand, integration, and practicality. Conclusion: the obstacles in this study are related to the implementation aspect due to lack of human resources, infrastructure, implementation methods, budget, and minimal application of Clinic SIM and ERM.

This paper evaluates the effect of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) on the performance and the financial stability of a sample of non-financial Spanish listed companies. The information about ERM is taken from the annual reports, management reports and annual corporate governance reports disseminated over four years (2012−2015). The data on performance and financial stability have been obtained through the SABI (Iberian Balance Sheet Analysis System) and Morningstar Direct. The results obtained show that the adoption of ERM is not associated with a change in the performance of Spanish companies (measured through the return on equity, return on assets and Tobin’s Q) nor does it reduce the probability of bankruptcy. Having a chief risk officer (CRO) can actually reduce performance, although it can improve the degree of financial health measured as the distance to default. Regarding the relationship between the hedging of risks on the profitability and the level of risk, we find evidence of improvement through the hedging of exchange risk.

Abstract Background The intracellular ROCK signaling pathway is an important modulator of blood pressure and of cardiovascular and renal remodeling when Rho-kinase activity is increased. Besides, in preclinical models of diabetes, ROCK activation has also a role in abnormal glucose metabolism as well as in subsequent vascular and myocardial dysfunction. In humans, there are a few data assessing ROCK activation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and no studies assessing upstream/downstream components of the ROCK pathway. We assessed here levels of ROCK activation and some of the RhoA/ROCK cascade molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in T2D patients under current treatment. Methods Cross-sectional observational study comparing 28 T2D patients under current antidiabetic treatment with 31 consecutive healthy subjects, matched by age and gender. Circulating levels of malondialdehyde, angiotensin II and inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were determined in all subjects. ROCK activation in PMBCs, upstream and downstream cascade proteins, and levels of the proinflammatory molecules VCAM, ICAM-1 and IL-8 were determined in their PMBCs by Western blot. Results Compared to healthy controls, ROCK activation in T2D patients measured by 2 direct ROCK targets in PBMCs was increased by 420 and 570% (p

In mammalian fertilization, the link between the oocyte plasma membrane and underneath cytoskeleton has often been associated to key elements of successful gamete fusion, like microvilli shaping or CD9 function, but its effective role has poorly been studied. EWI-2 and EWI-F as cis partners of CD9, and ERM proteins (Ezrin, Radixin and Moesin) that both attach to the actin cytoskeleton and to the EWI are part of the molecules that make the link between the oocyte membrane and its cytoskeleton. This study aims to assay through siRNA inhibition, the involvement of these ERM and EWI molecules in mouse fertilization, their role in the microvilli morphology of the egg but also their possible contribution to the cortical tension, a parameter that reflects the mechanical behavior of the oocyte cortex. Whereas inhibiting separately the expression of each protein had no effect on fertilization, the combined inhibition of either EWI-2/EWI-F or the three ERM triggered a significant decrease of the fertilization index. This inhibition seems to correlate with an increase in the radius of curvature of the oocyte microvilli. It also causes a decrease of the oocyte cortical tension. These results show the importance of EWI-2 and EWI–F and ERM proteins in the smooth running of a fertilization event and support their involvement in the microvilli architecture of the oocyte and in its mechanical properties.

The Five Colleges are committed early implementers of FOLIO and beta adopters of EBSCO's implementation and hosting services. We implemented the Agreements, eHoldings, Users, and Organizations apps in FOLIO during the summer of 2020 and will go-live on apps to replace our ILS (Integrated Library System) by summer of 2022. Implementing the Agreements, eHoldings, Users, and Organizations apps took a significant amount of work as the management of this information and content has never been centralized or shared until now in our consortia. In this article we chronicle our path to build trust, construct a common understanding of methodology and terminology, and how we successfully migrated during a global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical stiffness is closely related to cell adhesion and rounding in some cells. In leukocytes, dephosphorylation of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins is linked to cell adhesion events. To elucidate the relationship between surface stiffness, cell adhesion, and ERM dephosphorylation in leukocytes, we examined the relationship in the myelogenous leukemia line, KG-1, by treatment with modulation drugs. KG-1 cells have ring-shaped cortical actin with microvilli as the only F-actin cytoskeleton, and the actin structure constructs the mechanical stiffness of the cells. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and staurosporine, which induced cell adhesion to fibronectin surface and ERM dephosphorylation, caused a decrease in surface stiffness in KG-1 cells. Calyculin A, which inhibited ERM dephosphorylation and had no effect on cell adhesion, did not affect surface stiffness. To clarify whether decreasing cell surface stiffness and inducing cell adhesion are equivalent, we examined KG-1 cell adhesion by treatment with actin-attenuated cell softening reagents. Cytochalasin D clearly diminished cell adhesion, and high concentrations of Y27632 slightly induced cell adhesion. Only Y27632 slightly decreased ERM phosphorylation in KG-1 cells. Thus, decreasing cell surface stiffness and inducing cell adhesion are not equivalent, but these phenomena are coordinately regulated by ERM dephosphorylation in KG-1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library electronic resource management involves administering several complex workflows. The authors share their experiences as librarians at Malmö University, Sweden, in participating in a system development project for the Electronic Resource Management System ROAM, from initial discussions to implementation. An awareness of internal and external processes grounded in Techniques for Electronic Resource Management Systems (TERMS) proved to be essential in guiding the various implementation stages. Future challenges for ROAM are considered, mainly concerning integrations with other systems and usage statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eye is regarded as an immune privileged site. Since the presence of a vasculature would impair vision, the vasculature of the eye is located outside of the central light path. As a result, many regions of the eye evolved mechanisms to deliver immune cells to sites of dysgenesis, injury, or in response to the many age-related pathologies. While the purpose of these immune responses is reparative or protective, cytokines released by immune cells compromise visual acuity by inducing inflammation and fibrosis. The response to traumatic or pathological injury is distinct in different regions of the eye. Age-related diseases impact both the anterior and posterior segment and lead to reduced quality of life and blindness. Here we focus attention on the role that inflammation and fibrosis play in the progression of age-related pathologies of the cornea and the lens as well as in glaucoma, the formation of epiretinal membranes, and in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to measure the impact of the components of the internal control structure according to the updated COSO framework in reducing or reducing data risks in the financial statements, which contributes to improving the quality of accounting information. The study was conducted on a group of companies registered in the Iraq Stock Exchange, and the questionnaire questions were distributed to the study sample amounting to (120) and (110) forms were retrieved from them, which is equivalent to (92). The researcher reached the most important conclusions, the most important of which is that the individuals working in the study sample companies have a good level and awareness of the control environment as an essential aspect of the internal control system. The researcher made recommendations, and it is for the study sample companies to realize the importance and efficacy of the internal control system and its impact on reducing financial risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Many regulators, rating agencies, executives and academics have advocated a new approach to risk management: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). ERM proposes the integrated management of all the risks an organization faces, which inherently requires alignment of risk management with corporate governance and strategy. Academic research on ERM is still in its infancy, with articles largely in accounting and finance journals but rarely in management journals. We argue that ERM offers an important new research domain for management scholars. A critical review of ERM research allows us to identify limitations and gaps that management scholars are best equipped to address. This paper not only identifies how management scholars can contribute to ERM research, but also points out why ERM research (and practice) needs management research for its development.

Librarians from six diverse public and private higher education institutions describe the challenges their libraries have experienced, as well as the operational opportunities that have arisen, in managing electronic resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the environment that precipitated these challenges is temporary, some of the solutions implemented to address them will represent permanent changes to library operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrolide resistance of staphylococci has risen dramatically in recent years generating a real challenge for their treatment as therapeutic options have become very limited. In this study, an antibiogram analysis of one hundred and fifty Staphylococcus sp. isolates collected from various clinical specimens, against erythromycin, azithromycin, spiramycin, and clindamycin was carried out. Out of the 150 collected Staphylococcus sp. isolates, 54 isolates (36%) showed resistance to two or more of the tested macrolides. Inducible macrolide, lincosamides and streptogramin type B resistance phenotype (iMLS) using D-test was identified in 15 of the resistant isolates (27.8%). Molecular detection of major genes coding for macrolide resistance, including erythromycin ribosomal methylase (ermA and ermC), and macrolide-streptogramin resistance gene (msrA) was carried out using PCR. It was found that 51.8, 37.1 and 11.1% of the resistant isolates carried one, two and three types of the resistance genes, respectively. However, ermC was the most frequently occurring gene (81.5%), followed by the msrA gene (42.6%), then the ermA gene (35.2%). In conclusion, the genotypic analysis revealed that the majority of the tested isolates harbored two or more macrolide resistance-coding genes where 36% displayed resistance to at least two of the most common macrolide antibiotics used in the treatment of such important pathogens particularly in patients exhibiting hypersensitivity to penicillins according to several international guidelines. Therefore, it is crucial to carry out more epidemiologic studies to clearly understand the problem of increasing macrolide resistance among Staphylococci and to implement new guidelines for the treatment of such important pathogens, particularly in Egypt.

Abstract Background Macrolides and lincosamides are two leading types of antibiotics commonly used in therapies. The study examines the differences in resistance to these antibiotics and their molecular bases in S. epidermidis as well as in rarely isolated species of coagulase-negative staphylococci such as S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri and S. simulans. The isolates were tested for the presence of the erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), lnu(A), msr(A), msr(B), mph(C), ere(A) and ere(B) genes. Phenotypic resistance to methicillin and mecA presence were also determined. Results The MLSB resistance mechanism was phenotypically found in isolates of species included in the study. The most prevalent MLSB resistance mechanism was observed in S. hominis, S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis isolates mainly of the MLSB resistance constitutive type. Macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B resistance genes were rarely detected in isolates individually. The erm(B), ere(A) and ere(B) genes were not found in any of the strains. The erm(A) gene was determined only in four strains of S. epidermidis and S. hominis while lnu(A) was seen in eight strains (mainly in S. hominis). The erm(C) gene was present in most of S. epidermidis strains and predominant in S. hominis and S. simulans isolates. The examined species clearly differed between one another in the repertoire of accumulated genes. Conclusions The presence of genes encoding the MLSB resistance among CoNS strains demonstrates these genes’ widespread prevalence and accumulation in opportunistic pathogens that might become gene reservoir for bacteria with superior pathogenic potential.

A critical issue in executive control is how the nervous system exerts flexibility to inhibit a prepotent response and adapt to sudden changes in the environment. In this study, force measurement was used to capture “partial” unsuccessful trials that are highly relevant in extending the current understanding of motor inhibition processing. Moreover, a modified version of the stop-signal task was used to control and eliminate potential attentional capture effects from the motor inhibition index. The results illustrate that the non-canceled force and force rate increased as a function of stop-signal delay (SSD), offering new objective indices for gauging the dynamic inhibitory process. Motor response (time and force) was a function of delay in the presentation of novel/infrequent stimuli. A larger lateralized readiness potential (LRP) amplitude in go and novel stimuli indicated an influence of the novel stimuli on central motor processing. Moreover, an early N1 component reflects an index of motor inhibition in addition to the N2 component reported in previous studies. Source analysis revealed that the activation of N2 originated from inhibitory control associated areas: the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), pre-motor cortex, and primary motor cortex. Regarding partial responses, LRP and error-related negativity (ERNs) were associated with error correction processes, whereas the N2 component may indicate the functional overlap between inhibition and error correction. In sum, the present study has developed reliable and objective indices of motor inhibition by introducing force, force-rate and electrophysiological measures, further elucidating our understandings of dynamic motor inhibition and error correction.

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of investment decisions on the relationship between Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and firm value. Two hundred and twenty-four companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for period 2017–2018 were selected as sample by applying Slovin’s formula. We used path analysis and Sobel test to check the mediating effect of investment decisions. Our results show that the implementation of ERM in Indonesia public listed companies is still in the initial stage. In addition, the regression tests show that ERM and investment decisions have a positive effect on firm value. The path analysis and Sobel’s test results show that investment decisions act as partial mediation on the relationship between ERM and firm value. The study suggests that ERM contributes in improving the effectiveness of investment decisions and firm performance. Therefore, the significant role of stakeholders in increasing the maturity level of ERM is very essential, especially in Indonesia, where the level of risk maturity is still at the initial level. Studies that test the influence of risk management maturity on firm value are still rare, especially in developing country. While, Farrell and Gallagher (2019) have tested the relationship between ERM maturity and firm value, nevertheless they have not considered the role of investment decision in the intermediating the relationship between ERM maturity and firm value.

Aim: Resistance to methicillin and Macrolide–Lincosamide and Streptogramins B and their association with erm genes in Staphylococcus aureus are unknown in Nepal. Materials & methods: Nonduplicate nasal swabs from 160 school children were collected from April to September 2018 and processed using standard microbiological procedures. Results: Out of 160 samples, 64 (40%) were S. aureus in which 17 (26.6%) were methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). D-test identified 15 (23.4%) as inducible clindamycin-resistant, which were more prevalent in MRSA (76.4%) than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA; 4.2%). 18.7% of isolates harbored the ermC gene followed by ermA (15.6%) and ermB (3.1%), and were more in MRSA than MSSA. Conclusion: To prevent treatment failure by inducible resistance, D-test must be performed on erythromycin-resistant and/or clindamycin-sensitive isolates.

Dementia is a disease in which memory, thought, and behavior-related disorders progress gradually due to brain damage caused by injury or disease. It is mainly caused by Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia and several other risk factors, including genetic factors. It is difficult to treat as its incidence continues to increase worldwide. Many studies have been performed concerning the treatment of this condition. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are attracting attention as pharmacological treatments to improve the symptoms. This review discusses how ROCK and PDE-5 affect Alzheimer’s disease, vascular restructuring, and exacerbation of neuroinflammation, and how their inhibition helps improve cognitive function. In addition, the results of the animal behavior analysis experiments utilizing the Morris water maze were compared through meta-analysis to analyze the effects of ROCK inhibitors and PDE-5 inhibitors on cognitive function. According to the selection criteria, 997 publications on ROCK and 1772 publications on PDE-5 were screened, and conclusions were drawn through meta-analysis. Both inhibitors showed good improvement in cognitive function tests, and what is expected of the synergy effect of the two drugs was confirmed in this review.