Open Form Research Articles

The impact of crowdsourcing and user-driven innovation on R&D departments’ innovation activity: Application of multivariate correspondence analysis

Research background: In enterprise practices, innovation management is taking on more and more open forms. New, creative sources of inspiration are being sought. More and more companies are opening up to cooperation with external people or entities, thus entering a path of open innovation and crowdsourcing. This development is facilitated by increasingly large numbers of online and virtual communities. The idea is to use the potential of the crowd — collective intelligence and creativity. As the strategy is still developing, knowledge in this area is limited. There is a paucity of research on the impact of crowdsourcing on R&D departments and their innovative activities. Purpose of the article: The study aims to determine whether the use of customer support in the form of crowdsourcing affects the innovative activities of R&D departments that implement user-driven innovation (UDI). Methods: An original questionnaire was used for the study. Fifty-seven R&D departments in Poland participated in the research. A correspondence analysis, performed on the basis of the Burt matrix, was applied for the analysis. The authors also used Cramer's V correlation coefficients. Examination of the acquired correlation coefficients reveals the existence of four distinct categories of enterprises regarding the usage of crowdsourcing and implementation of product innovations, completed R&D projects, employment in R&D departments, and percentage of revenue allocating in R&D works. Findings & value added: Research has shown that R&D departments positively evaluate the effects of using UDI in market research analyses of customer purchasing behavior. It helps to create or improve products or services offered on the market, especially in the field of customization, using the information from national research and development units at the same time. Their purpose is mainly to increase the product range. The findings can help academics and practitioners improve the body of knowledge about the determinants of innovation activity, especially concerning relationships with customers and user-driven innovation practices.

Glycerol 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase: Role of the Protein Conformational Change in Activation of a Readily Reversible Enzyme-Catalyzed Hydride Transfer Reaction.

Kinetic parameters are reported for glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH)-catalyzed hydride transfer from the whole substrate glycerol 3-phosphate (G3P) or truncated substrate ethylene glycol (EtG) to NAD, and for activation of the hydride transfer reaction of EtG by phosphite dianion. These kinetic parameters were combined with parameters for enzyme-catalyzed hydride transfer in the microscopic reverse direction to give the reaction equilibrium constants Keq. Hydride transfer from G3P is favored in comparison to EtG because the carbonyl product of the former reaction is stabilized by hyperconjugative electron donation from the -CH2R keto substituent. The kinetic data show that the phosphite dianion provides the same 7.6 ± 0.1 kcal/mol stabilization of the transition states for enzyme-catalyzed reactions in the forward [reduction of NAD by EtG] and reverse [oxidation of NADH by glycolaldehyde] directions. The experimental evidence that supports a role for phosphite dianion in stabilizing the active closed form of the GPDH (EC) relative to the ca. 6 kcal/mol more unstable open form (EO) is summarized.

Effect of spirocyclization of xanthene dyes on linear and nonlinear optical properties by considering D-π-A and D-A-D Systems: DFT and TD-DFT approach

Spirocyclization, a unique feature of xanthene dyes, makes it a promising candidate for developing fluorescent ratiometric probes for sensing, imaging, tracking, and labeling. How will this feature of xanthene dyes influence the linear and nonlinear optical properties? To examine the effect of spirocyclization of xanthene dyes, we have selected both the open-close form of rhodamine B and π-extended xanthene dyes substituted with thienyl and thieno[3,2-b]thienyl group at position 3 and 6. Here, rhodamine B will serve as the (Donor)D-π-A(Acceptor) system and thiophene-substituted xanthene dyes will serve as the D-A-D system. The geometry optimization of the close-open form of xanthene dyes at B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) and CAM-B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) revealed that the open form is energetically more stable in the S0 state than the closed form. The vertical excitation energy (ΔE), from Time-Dependent-Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculation at B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p), CAM-B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p), ωB97XD/6–311++G(d,p) revealed that (ΔE)open < (ΔE)close. Further, the open form of xanthene dyes displays red-shifted absorption compared to the closed form. The λVt of xanthene dyes (open-close forms) is mainly assigned to HOMO → LUMO transition (S0 → S1) with % orbital contribution for open form ∼ 90 % and close form ∼ 60 %. The oscillator strength of xanthene dyes is obtained in the range of 0.01 – 1.74. The λVt of xanthene dyes is in agreement with experimental absorption. The static polarizability (α0), first-order hyperpolarizability (β0), second-order hyperpolarizability (γ), molecular hyperpolarizability (µβ0), and frequency-dependent hyperpolarizability (β1064), of the open form of xanthene dyes, were found to be higher than the close form. Thus, the open form of xanthene dyes will show superior linear and nonlinear optical properties than the closed form. The thienyl[3, 2-b] thieno substituted xanthene dye with red-shifted absorption shows higher α0, β0, γ, µβ0, β1064, and γ values, show better linear and NLO properties than thienyl and diethylamine substituted xanthene dyes.

Literary theory between contingency and contiguity: Yakov Druskin’s “Law of Heterogeneity”

The notion of chance epitomizes the limits and challenges of any theory’s struggle for control over itself as well as over its objects. Although contemporary literary theory has adapted its terminology and conceptual framework in line with the emergence of dynamic, “open forms” (Wölfflin in Principles of art history: The problem of the development of style in later art, Dover Publications Inc, New York, 1986), chance has nevertheless remained a highly problematic category to come to terms with. How can literary theory embrace chance? The paper approaches this question in three steps. First, it reconstructs three basic poetological propositions against whose backdrop contingency gains profile: the proposition of causal connections as a means to transform literature into a realm of necessity, the proposition of form as means to reduce arbitrariness, and the proposition of control as a means to protect the aesthetic object against the risks of external intrusions. The second part of the paper discusses a largely forgotten but highly relevant approach to the problem of contingency by Yakov Druskin. Druskin links the function of contingency in theoretical investigation with concepts of contiguity and proximity, first of all touch. His fragmentary sketch of a “law of heterogeneity” represents a paradoxical attempt to theorize contingent obstruction as a privileged systematic device to establish physical contact. The third part of this paper unpacks the implicit urge to rethink the traditions of theory formation itself through the “law of heterogeneity.” It argues that Druskin’s law introduces a different type of theory, one which is deeply indebted to the tactile, thus challenging the ocularcentrism of theoría.

Causes and Effects of Unemployment in India: With Special Reference to Rural Areas of Yamuna Nagar District of Haryana

In underdeveloped countries unemployment is both open and disguised. Presently like all other underdeveloped countries, India suffers mainly from structural unemployment which exists in open and disguised forms. Unemployment which prevails in India is definitely structural in nature. During the 1951-2011 period, population in India increased at an alarming rate of around 2.1% per annum and with it the number of people coming to the labour market in search of jobs also rose rapidly. But due to slow economic growth rate, employment opportunities did not increase most of the time correspondingly, which results into an increase in the volume of unemployment. Apart from structural unemployment, there is Keynesian involuntary unemployment prevails in India. The present paper defines the situation of unemployment in India with special reference to rural areas of Haryana. Haryana is a state where agriculture and Industrial Sector and Service sector all have shown a good performance in the Gross Domestic Product. Since its creation, the economic growth of Haryana is very high. But it is also true that Haryana is also facing the problem of unemployment. The level of development of a country determines the extent of employment or unemployment. Therefore, when a country makes progress size and its production expands, the employment opportunities grow. During the past three decades, the production has expanded in all the sectors of the Indian economy. Absolute level of employment has grown in response to these developments, but was not found enough to remove the unemployment in the economy. However, during the planning period, unemployment in absolute terms has increased, not in a single state but in whole country. This present paper defines the unemployment situation that prevails in India with special reference to Haryana.

Predictors of Change in Creative Thinking Abilities in Young People: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACTPrevious research has examined how creative potential develops during childhood and has identified peaks, slumps, and bumps during maturation. However, little is known about the causes of such changes. This study employed a longitudinal approach to assess predictors of change in creative ideation over 2 years in young people (N = 76) aged 14–20 years old at the first time point. The analysis employed frequentist and Bayesian methods to evaluate the effect of individual factors, such as openness to experience (assessed using the BFI‐10 short form), and contextual factors, such as pursuing creative hobbies (measured with a leisure questionnaire). Openness at the first time point and change in openness over time predicted change in peak originality. Engagement in creative hobbies at the first time point predicted change in fluency. The findings support the contribution of individual factors, in the form of openness to experience, and contextual factors, in the form of engagement in creative hobbies, in the development of divergent thinking abilities in mid‐adolescence and young adulthood. Altogether, this study suggests that interventions aimed at increasing time spent on creative activities and promoting openness to experience may enhance divergent thinking abilities, which are essential components of creative potential.

Design and evaluation of thermal insulation of air layer for sentry building envelopes

The prevalence of small-scale structures, such as sentry buildings, has become widespread, with many of these buildings exposed to the outdoor environment and exhibiting suboptimal thermal insulation in their envelopes. Through a comprehensive study of outdoor disturbances, the most unfavourable envelope was identified. In light of this finding, we have designed static air layer sentry buildings (SAL-SB) and dynamic air layer sentry buildings (DAL-SB). The study conducted experiments and numerical simulations to evaluate the impact of air layer thickness, vent opening forms, and inlet velocities on the thermal insulation of sentry buildings. The results showed that both the SAL and DAL effectively improved thermal insulation, and a thickness of 25 cm has been found to offer the best thermal insulation. However, considering the balance between thermal insulation and cost-effectiveness, a thickness of 15 cm is recommended. Additionally, for DAL, an inlet velocity of 3 m/s is the threshold for switching the heat transfer direction on the roof. These findings provide novel insights into enhancing the thermal environment.

The Possibility of Applying Total Quality Management at the Higher Institute of Science and Technology – SUSA

In this study, an attempt was made to determine the possibility of applying total quality management in the Higher Institute of Science and Technology (SUSA) and to explain what needs to be done to create high-quality and qualified education and educational institutions in individuals and regions. Institutional aspects of education management. Within this framework, a number of domains from different sources are defined, different characteristics are highlighted, and efforts to improve the understanding of quality are discussed. The management model will enable educational institutions to survive under the conditions of global competition, cooperation should be developed in the form of innovation, modernity, liberalism, openness, development, change and catch-up. Quality is most clearly defined as customer satisfaction. In educational institutions, especially educational administrators, lecturers, teaching assistants, students, parents and educational institutions, the purpose is to improve the quality of lecturers as an overall environmental education.

Finite Element Analysis of Castellated Beams with Different Web Openings

Due to the recent developments in design optimization techniques and advanced construction technologies, uses of castellated beams have become very popular. Castellated beams because of their high strength to weight ratio and low maintenance and painting cost have effectively replaced built-up girders in light to medium constructions for medium to long spans. Longitudinal cuts in the form of openings along the web of castellated beams also results in stronger and stiffer beams than their parent beams without any increase in the self-weight. In this study, attempts are made to compare the behavior of castellated beams with their parent beams. Studies on effect of different web openings on deflection are carried out using finite element analysis.

Function Of Notary In The Appointment Of Extra-Marital Children As Testamento Heirs

In inheritance law, it has been regulated regarding inheritance for extra-marital children differently in accordance with the principles regulated by civil inheritance law which certainly rests on justice. In a condition where an extra-marital child who does not get recognition, can get inheritance through testamentair or will. The granting of a will containing efrstelling in the form of an openbaar testament to an unrecognized extra-marital child is an effort to fulfill a sense of justice. Justice is basically a relative thing, which does not always have to be the same, something can be said to be fair if it has done something according to the appropriate provisions. As the concept of distributive justice put forward by Aristotle, namely justice that gives everyone a portion according to their achievements. This legal research method is normative legal research. The approaches in this research are statutory, and conceptual approaches. The results of this study state that wills containing efrsteling against unrecognized extra-marital children in the form of openbaar terstamen have provided a sense of justice. This is because the Openbaar testament to an unrecognized extra-marital child has fulfilled the provision of rights to all heirs including extra-marital children who get a share in the inheritance, in other words, the principle of justice has been fulfilled due to the openness of the testator made before a notary and in the presence of witnesses. The notary plays a role in providing legal counseling to the person who will make a testament on an extra-marital child. The granting of Openbaar Testamen to extra-marital children has fulfilled a sense of justice. This is because the Openbaar Testament is an open form of testament so that the child outside of marriage can know the part to which he is entitled.

DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF LOAD ON PROTECTIVE STRUCTURES OF CIVIL DEFENSE AGAINST THE INFLUENCE OF A SHOCK WAVE ACCORDING TO DBN V.2.2-5:2023

The main types of explosions and their differences between each other are considered, as well as the difference in excess pressure in the air shock wave is shown. The definition of the calculated load on various load-bearing elements depending on the type of building, its location and structural inhomogeneities of building structures according to DBN B.2.2-5:20023 [1] is given. One of the extreme effects, the danger of which must be taken into account when designing protective structures of civil protection, is an external explosion, which can be caused by both man-made and military factors. The explosion generates a whole complex of loads and impacts. The pressure at the front of the air shock wave, as well as the duration of the compression and rarefaction phases, depend on the amount of explosives and the distance to the center of the explosion or cloud boundary. In general, a detonation explosion is characterized by the possibility of significant pressure on the front of the air shock wave and the short duration of the action (tenths and even hundredths of a second). The air shock wave, when interacting with the structure, affects its above-ground and underground parts. This process is complex: at the beginning of the interaction process, the air shock wave affects the external structures of the above-ground part of the building and the surface of the soil in front of the building, causing a compression wave in it, which, in turn, affects the front outer face of the underground part. Further, the air shock wave, passing through the structural inhomogeneities of building structures in the form of window and door openings, affects the internal load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures of the building, as well as the covering of the underground part. At the same time, compression waves in the soil affect the side and rear walls of the underground part.

Cryo-EM structure and functional basis of prothrombin recognition by a type I antiprothrombin antiphospholipid antibody

AbstractAntiprothrombin antibodies are found in antiphospholipid patients, but how they interact with prothrombin remains elusive. Prothrombin adopts closed and open forms. We recently discovered type I and type II antibodies and proposed that type I recognizes the open form. In this study, we report the discovery and structural and functional characterization in human plasma of a type I antibody, POmAb (prothrombin open monoclonal antibody). Using surface plasmon resonance and single-molecule spectroscopy, we show that POmAb interacts with kringle-1 of prothrombin, shifting the equilibrium toward the open form. Using single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we establish that the epitope targeted by POmAb is in kringle-1, comprising an extended binding interface centered at residues R90-Y93. The 3.2-Å cryo-EM structure of the complex reveals that the epitope overlaps with the position occupied by the protease domain of prothrombin in the closed state, explaining the exclusive binding of POmAb to the open form. In human plasma, POmAb prolongs phospholipid-initiated and diluted Russell’s viper venom clotting time, which could be partly rescued by excess phospholipids, indicating POmAb is an anticoagulant but exerts a weak lupus anticoagulant effect. These studies reveal the structural basis of prothrombin recognition by a type I antiphospholipid antibody and uncover an exciting new strategy to achieve anticoagulation in human plasma.

Mechanism of Proton Transfer through the D1-E65/D2-E312 Gate during Photosynthetic Water Oxidation.

In photosystem II, the D1-E65/D2-E312 dyad in the Cl-1 channel has been proposed to play a pivotal role in proton transfer during water oxidation. However, the precise mechanism remains elusive. Here, the proton transfer mechanism within the Cl-1 channel was investigated using quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. The molecular vibration of the E65/E312 dyad and its deuteration effect revealed that the recently suggested stepwise proton transfer, i.e., initial proton release from the dyad followed by slow reprotonation, does not occur in the Cl-1 channel. Instead, proton transfer is proposed to take place via a conformational change at the E65/E312 dyad, acting as a gate. In its closed form, a proton is trapped within the dyad, preventing forward proton transfer. This closed form converts into the open form, where protonated D1-E65 provides a hydrogen bond to the water network, thereby facilitating fast Grotthuss-type proton transfer.

Interannual Variability in the Onset Time Distribution of the Open Water in the Kara Sea

Abstract Open water in ice-covered oceans is an essential condition for shipping and resource exploitation. We investigate the interannual and spatial variations of the open water onset time in the Kara Sea (KS) and the underlying mechanisms through analyzing satellite-based observations and model simulation results. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on the satellite sea ice concentration during 1979–2020 reveals two primary spatial distribution patterns of the open water onset time. The first mode EOF1 shows the coherent advance or delay of the open water onset time within the KS, which is consistent with the multiyear-averaged state. The second mode EOF2 exhibits a seesaw pattern between the southwest and middle regions, which represents the regional difference of the open water onset time within the KS. In 1997 with significant anomaly in EOF2, analysis of the model simulation reveals that the strong easterly wind-induced ice transport is the main reason for the earlier opening in the middle region and delayed opening in the southwestern region. When compared with the multiyear-averaged state, this dynamic process causes a noticeable redistribution of local sea ice in the early melting season (May to June), with much more ice in the southwestern region, thence influences the regional onset time of open water. A similar situation also occurred in the years 1985, 2001, and 2004, as these years presented stronger easterly wind energy accumulated over May to June, which cause earlier opening in the middle region and later opening in the southwestern region. Significance Statement Variability of the open water in the Arctic Ocean has a significant impact on climate and ecosystem variability and also human activities. This study focuses on understanding why the onset time of open water was asynchronous over the Kara Sea. Generally, the open water first forms in the western region of the Kara Sea under the influences of warm inflow from the Barents Sea and river runoff. However, when strong easterly winds prevail across the whole region at the beginning of the melting season, sea ice is transported from east to west, resulting in the advanced opening in the middle and delayed opening in the southwest regions. This finding points out that wind can combine with surface and lateral heat fluxes to influence the interannual variability in the distribution of the open water onset time in the Kara Sea.

Competitive Charge Separation Pathways in a Flexible Molecular Folda-Dimer.

We report the photophysical properties of a molecular folda-dimer system PDI-AnEt2-PDI, where the electron-donating N,N-diethylaniline (AnEt2) moiety bridges two electron-accepting perylene diimide (PDI) chromophores. The conformationally flexible PDI-AnEt2-PDI adopts either an open (two PDIs far apart) or folded (two PDIs within π-stacking distance) conformation, depending on the solvent environment. We characterized the photoinduced charge separation dynamics of both open and folded forms in solvents of varying polarity. The open form undergoes charge separation to give PDI•--AnEt2•+-PDI (Bridge electron transfer) independent of solvent polarity. The folded form exhibits two charge separation photoproducts, yielding both PDI•--AnEt2•+-PDI and PDI•--AnEt2-PDI•+, the latter of which is formed via symmetry-breaking charge separation (SBCS) between the two π-stacked PDI chromophores. Our results further indicate that the conformational flexibility of the folda-dimer leads to unexpected excimer formation in some open form conditions. In contrast, no excimer formation is observed in the folded form, indicating that this geometry preferentially yields the SBCS instead. Our results provide insight into how conformationally flexible folda-dimer systems can be designed and built to tune competitive photophysical pathways.

REGISTER BAHASA SEBAGAI BENTUK BUDAYA KOMUNIKASI DALAM KOMUNITAS PEMAIN PUBG

Language register research can track the evolution of registers over time and changes in games or in their communities of players. Language registers can be found in any community, one of which is the PUBG player community. This research can provide a deeper understanding of how communication in the PUBG game environment creates a certain culture and norms among players. By understanding language registers, researchers can explore sociolinguistic aspects that create identity and togetherness in the gaming community. The aim of the first research was to find the language register contained in three videos with the same title belonging to the Milyhya channel entitled "Sebuah Candaan Jelek". Then, the second objective is to classify the language registers found into several register functions. The method used in this research is a qualitative descriptive method. The object of this research is the PUBG community in the video "Sebuah Candaan Jelek". The technique used by this researcher is the transcription/note taking technique which is used to record the results of the conversation. Based on the presentation of research results and discussion, it is concluded that there are three forms of register used by the PUBG community in the video "Sebuah Candaan Jelek” which includes the lingual form, the limited selingkung form, and the open selingkung form.

Fragment-based screening targeting an open form of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease binding pocket.

To identify starting points for therapeutics targeting SARS-CoV-2, the Paul Scherrer Institute and Idorsia decided to collaboratively perform an X-ray crystallographic fragment screen against its main protease. Fragment-based screening was carried out using crystals with a pronounced open conformation of the substrate-binding pocket. Of 631 soaked fragments, a total of 29 hits bound either in the active site (24 hits), a remote binding pocket (three hits) or at crystal-packing interfaces (two hits). Notably, two fragments with a pose that was sterically incompatible with a more occluded crystal form were identified. Two isatin-based electrophilic fragments bound covalently to the catalytic cysteine residue. The structures also revealed a surprisingly strong influence of the crystal form on the binding pose of three published fragments used as positive controls, with implications for fragment screening by crystallography.

Design of modelling and online simulation for energy systems in papermaking mill

This paper presents a general framework of modelling and online simulation for papermaking mill’s energy systems. The energy flow models of thermal power plant, DIP and paper machine for a papermaking mill was designed and implemented an online simulation. The traditional offline, closed and scattered modelling and simulation methods were changed into online, open and integrated forms. Through the analysis of energy systems of papermaking mills, the framework has implemented the followings. The unit (equipment) models were established, it can analyse the energy of energy flow material. The corresponding material flow models library was developed. The craftwork models were designed and the energy flow models library was developed of thermal power plant, DIP and paper machine. The mathematical models of unit (equipment), energy flow, exergy flow, thermal power plant, DIP and paper machine were built. The material properties database was developed. General simulation software architecture and online simulation software architecture were designed. The framework implemented online simulation, analysis, diagnosis and optimization for energy systems of whole papermaking mill. The practical application results are fine when the framework was applied in Guangzhou Paper Group Co., Ltd., and Gold East Paper (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. The practical application results indicate that the emulation, simulation, analysis, diagnosis and optimization of material flow and energy flow for papermaking mill whole production process can be implemented by online simulation, and the purposes of maximizing the utility efficiency of material and energy resource, reducing resource, reusing and recycling can be achieved.

Single Ion Pair Is Essential for Stabilizing SHP2's Open Conformation.

Src-homology-2-domain-containing PTP-2 (SHP2) is a widely expressed signaling enzyme whose misregulation is associated with multiple human pathologies. SHP2's enzymatic activity is controlled by a conformational equilibrium between its autoinhibited ("closed") state and its activated ("open") state. Although SHP2's closed state has been extensively characterized, the putative structure of its open form has only been revealed in the context of a highly activated mutant (E76K), and no systematic studies of the biochemical determinants of SHP2's open-state stabilization have been reported. To identify amino-acid interactions that are critical for stabilizing SHP2's active state, we carried out a mutagenic study of residues that lie at potentially important interdomain interfaces of the open conformation. The open/closed equilibria of the mutants were evaluated, and we identified several interactions that contribute to the stabilization of SHP2's open state. In particular, our findings establish that an ion pair between glutamate 249 on SHP2's PTP domain and arginine 111 on an interdomain loop is the key determinant of SHP2's open-state stabilization. Mutations that disrupt the R111/E249 ion pair substantially shift SHP2's open/closed equilibrium to the closed state, even compared to wild-type SHP2's basal-state equilibrium, which strongly favors the closed state. To the best of our knowledge, the ion-pair variants uncovered in this study are the first known SHP2 mutants in which autoinhibition is augmented with respect to the wild-type protein. Such "hyperinhibited" mutants may provide useful tools for signaling studies that investigate the connections between SHP2 inhibition and the suppression of human disease progression.

Significance of the Disulfide Bridge in the Structure and Stability of Metalloprotein Azurin.

Metalloproteins make up a class of proteins that incorporate metal ions into their structures, enabling them to perform essential functions in biological systems, such as catalysis and electron transport. Azurin is one such metalloprotein with copper cofactor, having a β-barrel structure with exceptional thermal stability. The copper metal ion is coordinated at one end of the β-barrel structure, and there is a disulfide bond at the opposite end. In this study, we explore the effect of this disulfide bond in the high thermal stability of azurin by analyzing both the native S-S bonded and S-S nonbonded (S-S open) forms using temperature replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD). Similar to experimental observations, we find a 35 K decrease in denaturation temperature for S-S open azurin compared to that of the native holo form (420 K). As observed in the case of native holo azurin, the unfolding process of the S-S open form also started with disruptions of the α-helix. The free energy surfaces of the unfolding process revealed that the denaturation event of the S-S open form progresses through different sets of conformational ensembles. Subsequently, we compared the stabilities of individual β-sheet strands of both the S-S bonded and the S-S nonbonded forms of azurin. Further, we examined the contacts between individual residues for the central structures from the free energy surfaces of the S-S nonbonded form. The microscopic origin of the lowering in the denaturation temperature is further supplemented by thermodynamic analysis.