Protein Crystallization under the Presence of an Electric Field

This book entitled “Protein Crystallization under the Presence of an Electric Field” covers recent trends and original contributions on the use of electric fields (internal and external) for applications for nucleation control and the effect on the kinetics of crystallization processes. This book also includes basic strategies for growing crystals of biological macromolecules for characterization via X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as using modern X-ray-free electron-lasers. There are six main topics covered on this book, including recent insights into the crystallization process from nucleation and growth peculiarities, when using different kinds of electric fields; the effect of external electric fields on the kinetics of the dislocation-free growth of model proteins; the use of very strong external electric fields for the crystallization of a model protein glucose isomerase; and the use of alternant electric fields using different kinds of pulses and their combination with strong magnetic fields. There are also contributions related to applications in developing electron-transfer devices as well as graphene-based platforms for electrocrystallization and in situ X-ray diffraction characterization

Exploring the Relative Sustainability Efficiency of Organizations: A DEA Approach

We examine the relative sustainability of the organizations named as industry leaders in the 2017 DJSI index using the economic, social and environmental sustainability dimensions and the overall score assigned to each. Our study seeks to use these scores to examine the relative efficiency of the organizations assigned as industry leaders in the DJSI. In particular, we seek to assess the extent to which their dimensional sustainability scores were instrumental in producing their overall scores as well to understand what improvements in dimensional scores would be necessary for improved outputs. We use data envelope (DEA) to examine our questions. Our research has implications for both academic research and practice. The main contribution to research is the proposed application of the DEA method to the sustainability area for benchmarking and improving organizations’ sustainability scores. Our findings have similar implications for organizations, especially for conglomerates with companies that operate in multiple industries

R-symmetry and Supersymmetry Breaking at Finite Temperature

We analyze the spontaneous $U(1)_R$ symmetry breaking at finite temperature for the simple O'Raifeartaigh-type model introduced in [1] in connection with spontaneous supersymmetry breaking. We calculate the finite temperature effective potential (free energy) to one loop order and study the thermal evolution of the model. We find that the R-symmetry breaking occurs through a second order phase transition. Its associated meta-stable supersymmetry breaking vacuum is thermodynamically favored at high temperatures and the model remains trapped in this state by a potential barrier, as the temperature lowers all the way until T=0.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures - Minor revisions, references added. To appear in JHE

Social Empowerment in Mexican Violent Contexts through Media Competence

En las actuales ecologías mediáticas la adquisición de saberes digitales, manejo de dieta de medios y dominios generales de las TIC son fundamentales para el desarrollo y el empoderamiento de las audiencias, en particular, al considerar los desafíos políticos y sociales de entornos como el latinoamericano. Así, el estudio de la competencia mediática es urgente para dimensionar las necesidades y características de estas comunidades. La presente investigación analiza la dimensión axiológica e ideológica de la competencia mediática durante un proceso electoral en el noroeste de México, región que se ha caracterizado por la violencia relacionada con el crimen organizado. A partir de un instrumento diseñado para evaluar dicha competencia, se seleccionaron 23 ítems que remiten a la dimensión señalada, este se aplicó por medio de un muestreo probabilístico a 385 sujetos divididos en nativos, inmigrantes y analfabetos digitales. Tras un análisis factorial exploratorio se identificaron siete factores que conforman la dimensión axiológica e ideológica. Se exploraron las puntuaciones intra e intergrupos y se encontraron puntuaciones bajas en componentes que aluden a la participación ciudadana y a la movilización social; asimismo, tres de los siete factores presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas, siendo los nativos digitales quienes reportaron valores más bajos. Así, se pone en evidencia la necesidad de buscar nuevas estrategias para que los ciudadanos adquieran la competencia mediática y que así el prosumo se vuelva una herramienta de empoderamiento socialThe acquisition of digital skills, media diet management, and general knowledge of ICT, is essential for the development and empowerment of audiences in the current media ecology, particularly considering the political and social challenges of the Latin American environment. In that sense, the study of media competence is urgent for sizing up the needs and characteristics of these communities. This work analyses the axiological and ideological dimension of media competence during an electoral process in northwestern Mexico, a region that is generally subject to violence related to organized crime. Twenty-three items pertaining to this dimension were selected from an instrument designed to evaluate media competence, which were applied to a probability sample of 385 subjects divided by digital natives, digital migrants, and digital illiterates. After an exploratory factor analysis, seven factors were identified. The intra and inter-group scores were explored, lower scores were found in components that allude citizens’ participation and social action; likewise, three of seven factors showed statistically significant differences, being digital natives who reported a lower score. Therefore, the need to search for new strategies for citizens to acquire media competence is evident, in order for pro-summing to become a social empowerment too

White sands missile range non-track optics: streamlining the process of conducting business for improved customer support

Budget overruns and scheduling difficulties within the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) test community have become more prevalent of late. Two of the biggest customer complaints have been that WSMR is too expensive, and that the scheduling process is slow and inflexible; the WSMR Non-track Optics organization has been suggested as the main contributor to these problems. WSMR Non-track Optics manages multiple types of specialized static cameras, networking instrumentation, and vehicles to transport and control its equipment, but has shown itself unable to support numerous test activities scheduled during the same timeframe. The focus of this thesis is to define the process whereby requirements for Non-track Optics support are routed, identify process inefficiencies within the organization, and recommend solutions for the Non-track Optics organization to successfully adopt the pull method, where the ability to set-up instrumentation and support exactly what the customers want, when they need it, is achieved within budget. In identifying and addressing these inefficiencies, solutions can be applied resulting in WSMR becoming a more affordable and customer-oriented test range.http://archive.org/details/whitesandsmissil1094538887DoD Civilian, Department of the Army WSMRDoD Civilian, Department of the Army JIEDDOApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Creating Strategies for Enhancing Complex New Product Development: Cluster Analysis of DEA Results

Firms need to constantly innovate to survive and remain competitive in the marketplace. Despite this, little research has examined the dynamics that affect innovation in large-scale, complex organizations that leverage multiple teams. This study utilizes data envelopment analysis output from a sample of new product development teams to create clusters based on how teams need to change communication-related inputs to increase creative efficiency. The study results exemplify how this approach can provide recommendations that sets of teams can implement, optimizing the use of resources compared to making individual adjustments. Implications are provided for new product development and large multinational enterprises

Cybersecurity Certificate Selection Process: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Organizations that face the threat of cyberattacks protect against those threats, in part, by hiring cybersecurity professionals who have both relevant experience and information security/cybersecurity certifications. Cybersecurity certificates vary in many aspects, involve costs, and offer associated potential financial returns. Given the large number of cybersecurity certificates available, the decision of which one(s) to pursue may not necessarily be straightforward. In this paper, we illustrate the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for cybersecurity certificate selection. Our analysis identifies six of 18 certifications considered that demonstrate a maximal relative efficiency, and we analyze why the other certifications are relatively inefficient

New Product Development Creativity: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Innovation is critical for firm competitiveness and survival. A crucial part of innovation is team brainstorming and idea generation. Using a sample of one hundred and twenty-eight new product development managers in the United States, we examine communication factors that support the highest levels of efficiency for generating novel, useful, and manufacturable ideas during the initiation stage of the new product development process. The efficiency of new product development managers in achieving desirable creativity levels when examining these factors is assessed using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The study results provide practical recommendations to enhance team creative output by adjusting input values based on the performance of the most efficient units

Predicción a corto plazo de la energía generada por una placa solar

Proyecto que intenta predecir la radiación solar que habrá en un punto en un intervalo de tiempo definido utilizando modelos predictivos