bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single-Molecule FRET at 10 MHz Count Rates
Authors: Grabenhorst Lennart , Sturzenegger Flurin , Hasler Moa , Schuler Benjamin , Tinnefeld Philip 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA bottleneck in many studies utilizing single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) is the attainable photon count rate as it determines the temporal resolution of the experiment. As many biologically relevant processes occur on timescales that are hardly accessible with currently achievable photon count rates, there has been considerable effort to find strategies to increase the stability and brightness of fluorescent dyes. Here, we use DNA nanoantennas to drastically increase the achievable photon count rates and to observe fast biomolecular dynamics in the small volume between two plasmonic nanoparticles. As a proof of concept, we observe the coupled folding and binding of two intrinsically disordered proteins which form transient encounter complexes with lifetimes on the order of 100 μs. To test the limits of our approach, we also investigated the hybridization of a short single-stranded DNA to its complementary counterpart, revealing a transition path time of 17 μs at photon count rates of around 10 MHz, which is an order-of-magnitude improvement when compared to the state of the art. Concomitantly, the photostability was increased, enabling many seconds long megahertz fluorescence time traces. Due to the modular nature of the DNA origami method, this platform can be adapted to a broad range of biomolecules, providing a promising approach to study previously unobservable ultrafast biophysical processes.
Recovery of fibroblasts from membrane attack byS. aureusα-toxin does not depend on acid sphingomyelinase but involves macropinocytosis
Authors: von Hoven Gisela , Neukirch Claudia , Neukirch Carolin , Meyenburg Martina , Ritz Sandra , Husmann Matthias 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDamage of the plasma membrane by mechanical stress or pore forming proteins, like streptolysin O, may trigger Ca2+influx-dependent repair mechanisms. Ca2+influx-dependent lysosomal exocytosis, leading to release of acid sphingomyelinase, remodeling of the plasma membrane and caveolar endocytosis of membrane lesions, is reportedly involved in membrane repair after both mechanical damage or perforation by streptolysin O. Although the small β-barrel pore formingS. aureusα-toxin may also increase cytosolic Ca2+concentration in certain cell types, and reportedly lead to release of acid sphingomyelinase from endothelial cells, evidence for a role of this response for membrane repair after attack by α-toxin is lacking. We exploited fibroblasts expressing dysfunctional acid sphingomyelinase to investigate whether this enzyme is required for membrane repair afterS. aureusα-toxin attack. Because α-toxin-dependent loss of cellular ATP and externalization of phosphatidylserine were reversible, membrane damage by this pore former triggered an effective repair response in these cells. Although α-toxin depolarized the plasma membrane, it did not cause a simultaneous increase of [Ca2+]i. Consistently, there was no release of β-hexosaminidase, a marker of lysosomal exocytosis. Acid sphingomyelinase-deficient fibroblasts internalized α-toxin, which however did not co-localize with caveolin-1, but with FITC-dextran 70kDa, a cargo of macropinosomes. Inhibition of actin polymerization or sterol synthesis prevented recovery from α-toxin-dependent membrane damage. Therefore, we conclude that defense of fibroblasts against α-toxin does not depend on rapid calcium-influx, lysosomal exocytosis, and functional acid sphingomyelinase, but involves ongoing cholesterol synthesis and macropinocytosis.
Depletion of tropomyosin 1.6 promotes matrix-degrading phenotype in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast
Authors: Wu Ching Lung , Lee Gang Hui , Chen Bo Yu , Kuo Cheng Hsiang , Chan Ting Ting , Wang Yang Kao , Wong Tzyy Yue , Tang Ming Jer 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFibroblasts can be transformed into myofibroblasts under pro-fibrotic conditions, which is characterized by increased contractility and reduced matrix degradation. The relationship between contractile activity and matrix degradation is not fully understood. We found that TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation occurs on a culture dish, favoring stress fiber formation and inhibiting podosome structures due to high matrix stiffness. To mimic physiological conditions, we cultured fibroblasts on collagen gel. Blocking actomyosin signaling significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation. Tpm1.6, an actomyosin-associated contractile unit, was specifically upregulated by TGF-β1 on soft collagen substrates. Depletion of Tpm1.6 attenuated TGF-β1-induced increase of α-SMA, N-cadherin, and β1-integrin, indicating its crucial role in early myofibroblast activation during fibrosis progression. Tpm1.6 depletion reduced TGF-β1-induced cell contractility and enhanced collagen degradation. Notably, in Tpm1.6-depleted fibroblasts, TGF-β1 triggered formation of distinct α-SMA dot structures enriched with MMP9, promoting collagen degradation. Our study highlights the pivotal role of Tpm1.6 in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation and collagen degradation. Depletion of Tpm1.6 triggers robust collagen degradation through distinct α-SMA dots, presenting a potential therapeutic approach for chronic kidney disease.
Multiple modes of DNA compaction by protamine
Authors: Ahlawat Vikhyaat , Zhou Huan-Xiang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn sperm cells, protamine replaces histones to compact DNA 10-20 times more than in somatic cells. To characterize the extreme compaction, we employed confocal microscopy and optical tweezers to determine the conformations and stability of protamine-bound λ-DNA. Confocal images show increasing compaction of λ-DNA at increasing protamine concentration. In the presence of protamine, single λ-DNA molecules form bends and loops that unravel at 10-40 pN forces as well as coils that shorten the contour length by up to 40% and withstand forces strong enough (∼55 pN) for strand separation. Strand separation nucleates coils, indicating protamine insertion into DNA bases. Protamine may participate in both local and higher-order chromatin organization, leading to extreme compaction and global transcription silencing.One-Sentence SummaryProtamine compacts sperm DNA in multiple modes, producing bends and loops but also coils that may block transcription.
Kinetics and dynamics of single-molecule multivalent interactions revealed by plasmon-enhanced fluorescence
Authors: Okholm Kasper R. , Nooteboom Sjoerd W. , Lamberti Vincenzo , Dey Swayandipta , Zijlstra Peter , Sutherland Duncan S. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMultivalency as an interaction principle is widely utilized in nature. It enables specific and strong binding by multiple weak interactions through enhanced avidity and is a core process in immune recognition and cellular signaling and a current concept in drug design. Rapid binding and unbinding of monovalent constituent interactions during multivalent binding creates dynamics that require a single-molecule approach to be studied. Here, we use the high signals from plasmon enhanced fluorescence of nanoparticles to extract binding kinetics and dynamics of multivalent interactions on the single-molecule level and in real-time. We study mono-, bi-and trivalent binding interactions using a DNA Holliday Junction as a model construct with programmable valency. Furthermore, we introduce a model framework for binding kinetics that involves the binding restriction during multivalent interactions to take into account the structural conformation of multivalent molecules allowing quantitative comparison. We used this approach to explore how length and flexibility of the DNA ligands affect binding restriction and binding strength, where overall binding strength decreased with spacer length. For trivalent systems increasing spacer length was found to activate binding in the trivalent state giving insight into the design of multivalent drug or targeting moieties. Interestingly we could exploit the rapidly decaying near fields of the plasmon that induce a strong dependence of the signal to position of the fluorophore to observe binding dynamics during single multivalent binding events.
Entrepreneurial orientation, social media and SME performance: an emerging economy perspective
Authors: Anim Patrick Amfo , Arthur Emmanuel , Amoako George Kofi 
Published: December 2023

Purpose This study examines the role of social media adoption (SMA), opportunity recognition (OR) and opportunity exploitation (OE) in mediating the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and the performance of newly established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies, with a particular emphasis on Ghana.Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a post-positivist philosophical stance and uses a quantitative approach and a survey design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 336 SME owners and managers from Ghana’s manufacturing, trading and service sectors. Questionnaires were administered to source the empirical data for this study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the proposed hypotheses.Findings The results reveal that EO positively and significantly influences the performance of new-born SMEs. SMA, OR and OE partially mediated this relationship.Practical implications This study is a wakeup call to policymakers, practitioners, managers and owners of recently established businesses. Policymakers should provide support and resources for newly established SMEs to adopt effective social media marketing strategies, bolstering their online presence and customer engagement. Simultaneously, they should invest in entrepreneurship education and create an environment conducive to innovation to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among fresh SMEs. Business owners and managers should proactively monitor market trends and consumer preferences, adapting their strategies to identifying and seizing emerging opportunities.Originality/value This study introduces a significant novelty to previous literature and one of the first to employ the dynamic capability theory to examine the interplay between EO, SMA, OR and OE in influencing the performance of new SMEs in the context of emerging markets. Furthermore, it extends the scope of understanding of the mechanisms through which SMEs can prosper in these dynamic environments. This unique combination of theoretical framework, comprehensive variables and contextual focus sets this study apart from existing research, enriching the literature on SME performance in emerging markets.
Crisis leadership in Sigmoid Group: proactiveness for business continuity
Authors: Vijayaraghavan Padhmanabhan , Correa Frederick Sidney 
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes
After completion of the case study, students will be able to describe the crisis types and the various phases in mapping a crisis and outline appropriate actions during each phase; identify stakeholders in the context of change management initiatives and map them through their power, influence and interest needs; identify the needs and resistance present in change management initiatives through the systems-thinking perspective; recognize the leadership competencies for an effective crisis management approach; and identify the way to conduct challenging conversations with important stakeholders whose support and influence are required.

Case overview/synopsis
Stella Fernandez, the vice president of human resources management in a family-managed business organization, was disturbed by the media reports on rising number of cases of COVID-19 infection in India during the first week of March 2020. She thought that a continued rise in the number of infection cases could affect the business continuity as well as the safety of the employees. In her opinion, a faster introduction of a work-from-home policy could help to reduce the impact of the potential crisis. Fernandez understood that without the senior management team’s consent, she could not drive the information technology team to implement the work-from-home measure. However, she felt that there could be challenges in convincing the senior management team, who did not treat this outbreak to be of grave importance. Anticipating the unfavourable reaction, Fernandez planned her approach carefully by identifying and convincing influential members to support this change management initiative; nevertheless, to her dismay, her meticulous plan failed to convince the powerful members of the team, who continued to resist the change proposed by her. Disappointed and surprised by their reaction, Fernandez wondered what she could have done to make the senior management team to accept her proposal.

Complexity academic level
This case study is designed for use in undergraduate- or graduate-level programmes.

Supplementary material
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 6: Human resource management.
Foresight study about the use of blockchain to prevent employees’ psychological distress: research avenues and insights for HRM practitioners
Authors: Hamouche Salima , Chabani Zakariya , Shamout Mohamed Dawood 
Published: December 2023

Purpose
The prevention of mental health issues at work represents a significant challenge for organizations. The transformation of workplaces whose future promises to be virtual or hybrid can make the anticipation and prevention of these health issues more challenging, considering the potential distance that it may create between employees and their employers. The recent health crisis undermined individual mental health but also highlighted the importance of new technologies which greatly paved the way for the future of workplaces. This paper aims to examine these new technologies, specifically the use of blockchain technologies in organizations to predict and prevent mental health issues at work, specifically psychological distress, in times of crisis, and beyond. It addresses the main challenges and opportunities and presents research avenues as well as insights for human resource management (HRM) practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a viewpoint that addresses the use of blockchain technology in the prevention of employees’ mental health at work in times of crisis and beyond. Literature was used to support this viewpoint and highlight the importance of addressing mental health issues at work and preventing their occurrence in the future.

Findings
Blockchain is one of the disruptive new technologies that can be used as a strategic tool for organizations to prevent mental health issues among employees in the workplace in times of crisis, and beyond. It facilitates the collaboration between employees, their organization, healthcare and employee assistance program (EPA) providers, as well as insurance companies. In this context, a specific type of blockchain should be used to support this type of collaboration.

Practical implications
Blockchain can generate both opportunities and challenges for the prevention of mental issues at work. It can transform the future of workplaces and help organizations as well as healthcare and EPA providers to anticipate potential employees’ mental health issues in 2019. Organizations need to address their readiness to implement this new technology and the possible reluctance of their employees to use it. This paper presents insights for managers and HRM practitioners.

Originality/value
The studies that have addressed the use of blockchain in organizations to prevent employees’ mental health issues are sparse. This paper is an attempt to address this gap and examine the challenges as well as the opportunities associated with the use of this disruptive new technology that can significantly reshape the future of workplaces.
Corporate ethical values disclosure: evidence from Malaysian and Indonesian top companies
Authors: Joseph Corina , Cahaya Fitra Roman , Yusuf Sharifah Norzehan Syed , Probohudono Agung Nur , Kurniawati Estetika Mutiaranisa 
Published: December 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the extent of ethical values information disclosure on the top 100 Malaysian and Indonesian companies’ annual reports using coercive isomorphism under the institutional theory.

Design/methodology/approach
Using the content analysis, the presence or exclusion of ethical values information disclosed on 100 Malaysian and Indonesian companies’ annual reports using a newly developed Ethical Values Disclosure Index is carried out.

Findings
The results of the analysis found that Indonesian companies on average disclosed 31 items under study compared to 27 items disclosed by the companies in Malaysia. The results suggest that Indonesian companies are more vigilant in the code of ethics, companies policy on ethical issues, monitoring program and accountability, ethical performance, ethical infrastructure and organizational responsibility aspects, whereas their Malaysian counterparts are better in reporting governance and integrity committee or board of directors.

Research limitations/implications
The findings may not be applicable to other countries in the same region, nevertheless, revealed the importance of adequate ethical values disclosure in determining the level of ethical behavior.

Practical implications
Companies in Indonesia are coercively pressed by various influential stakeholder groups to address ethical issues. The less disclosure regarding corporate ethical behavior may indicate that unethical practices continue to be a problem in the Malaysian corporate sector.

Originality/value
This paper adds to the literature by examining the elements of ethical values adapted mainly from the professional bodies that regulate the accounting profession and other organizations using the institutional theory, particularly in two countries.
Consumer patronage intention: role of multi-sensory and atmospheric experiences in retail
Authors: Pal Divyanshi , Srivastava Kavita 
Published: December 2023

PurposeIn a consumer-driven world, captivating experiences are increasingly vital and retailers prioritise them for consumers. This study aims to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework that explores the impact of a consumer's multi-sensory and atmospheric experiences on their intention and commitment to a mall, with perceived value acting as a mediating factor.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a descriptive quantitative research approach and utilised a self-administered mall-intercept survey. A total of 380 shoppers participated in and responded to the survey administered at the mall. The collected responses are analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsStudy findings show that experiences significantly influence consumers' intentions to patronise shopping malls, leading to their commitment. The study reveals a strong impact of atmospheric experience on multi-sensory experiences. Furthermore, perceived value mediates the relationship between consumers' experiences and their mall patronage intention.Originality/valueThe research sheds light on the significance of atmospheric elements in creating sensory experiences for consumers. Additionally, the study introduces the concept of “props” as essential components of the atmospheric experiences in retail stores and malls. Furthermore, the study advances inference theory by exploring the effects of these sensory and atmospheric experiences within the shopping mall environment.
The art of the possible? Supporting a patient safety culture in mental healthcare to maximise safety
Authors: Wood David P. , Nathan Rajan , Robinson Catherine A. , McPhillips Rebecca 
Published: December 2023

Purpose
The current national patient safety strategy for the National Health Service (NHS) in England states that actions need to be taken to support the development of a patient safety culture. This includes that local systems should seek to understand staff perceptions of the fairness and effectiveness of serious incident management. This study aims to explore the perspectives of patient safety professionals about what works well and what could be done better to support a patient safety culture at the level of Trust strategy and serious incident governance.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 15 professionals with a role in serious incident management, from five mental health trusts in England, were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis and qualitative description were used to analyse the data.

Findings
Participants felt that actions to support a patient safety culture were challenging and required long-term and clinical commitment. Broadening the scope of serious incident investigations was felt to be one way to better understand patient safety culture issues. Organisational influences during the serious incident management process were highlighted, informing approaches to maximise the fairness and objectivity of investigation findings.

Originality/value
The findings of this study offer original insights that the NHS safety system can use to facilitate progression of the patient safety culture agenda. In particular, local mental health trusts could consider the findings in the context of their current strategic objectives related to patient safety culture and operational delivery of serious incident management frameworks.
Effect of recycled powder and gear profile into the functionality of additive manufacturing polymer gears
Authors: Calignano Flaviana , Bove Alessandro , Mercurio Vincenza , Marchiandi Giovanni 
Published: December 2023

Purpose
Polymer laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P) is an additive manufacturing technology that is sustainable due to the possibility of recycling the powder multiple times and allowing the fabrication of gears without the aid of support structures and subsequent assembly. However, there are constraints in the process that negatively affect its adoption compared to other additive technologies such as material extrusion to produce gears. This study aims to demonstrate that it is possible to overcome the problems due to the physics of the process to produce accurate mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach
Technological aspects such as orientation, wheel-shaft thicknesses and degree of powder recycling were examined. Furthermore, the evolving tooth profile was considered as a design parameter to provide a manufacturability map of gear-based mechanisms.

Findings
Results show that there are some differences in the functioning of the gear depending on the type of powder used, 100% virgin or 50% virgin and 50% recycled for five cycles. The application of a groove on a gear produced with 100% virgin powder allows the mechanism to be easily unlocked regardless of the orientation and wheel-shaft thicknesses. The application of a specific evolutionary profile independent of the diameter of the reference circle on vertically oriented gears guarantees rotation continuity while preserving the functionality of the assembled mechanism.

Originality/value
In the literature, there are various studies on material aging and reuse in the PBF-LB/P process, mainly focused on the powder deterioration mechanism, powder fluidity, microstructure and mechanical properties of the parts and process parameters. This study, instead, was focused on the functioning of gears, which represent one of the applications in which this technology can have great success, by analyzing the two main effects that can compromise it: recycled powder and vertical orientation during construction.