Performing Personal Hygiene Rituals Without Gravity

Performing Personal Hygiene Rituals Without Gravity There are many things we take for granted here on Earth that take on a whole new aspect in orbit. On Earth, we expect our food to stay on our plates. Water stays in containers. And, we always have an ample supply of air to breathe. In space, all those activities are a lot more difficult and require careful planning. Thats because of the microgravity environments that astronauts live in on orbit. Astronaut Ed Lu uses chopsticks to hold his food and a drink packet to keep fluids from escaping before he drinks them.   NASA The Complexity of Life in Space All human missions have to deal not only with feeding and housing astronauts, but taking care of their other bodily needs. In particular, for long-duration missions, the management of ordinary daily habits becomes even more important since these activities require sanitary conditions to operate in the weightlessness of space. Space agency folks around the world spend a lot of time designing such systems. Taking a Shower There used to be no way to take a shower on an orbital craft, so astronauts had to make do with sponge baths until they returned home. They washed with wet washcloths and utilized  soaps that do not require rinsing. Keeping clean in space is as important as it is at home, and even doubly so since astronauts at times spend long hours in space suits wearing diapers so they can stay outside and get their work done.   Astronaut Karen Nygard shows how an astronaut can do a shampoo in space. NASA Things have changed and nowadays, there are shower units on the International Space Station. Astronauts jump into a round, curtained chamber to shower. When theyre done, the machine suctions up all the water droplets from their shower.  To provide a little privacy, they extend the curtain of the WCS (Waste Collection System), the toilet or bathroom. These same systems may well be used on the Moon or an asteroid or Mars when humans get around to visiting those places in the near future.   Brushing Teeth Its not only possible to brush your teeth in space, but its also essential since the nearest dentist is a few hundred miles away if somebody gets a cavity. But, tooth brushing presented a unique problem for astronauts during early space travel. Its a messy operation- they cant really just spit in space and expect the environment to stay tidy. So, a dental consultant with NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston developed a toothpaste, now marketed commercially as NASADent, that can be swallowed. Foamless and ingestible, it has been a major breakthrough for the elderly, hospital patients, and others who have trouble brushing their teeth.   Astronauts who can not bring themselves to swallow the toothpaste, or who have brought their own favorite brands, sometimes spit into a washcloth. Using the Toilet One of the most-asked questions that NASA receives is about bathroom rituals. Every astronaut gets asked the question, How do you go to the bathroom in space? The answer is, very carefully. Since there is no gravity to either hold a toilet bowl full of water in place or pull human wastes down, designing a toilet for zero-gravity was no easy task. NASA had to use air flow to direct urine and feces.   The toilets on the International Space Station  are designed to look and feel as similar to those on Earth as possible. However, there are some important differences. Astronauts must use straps to hold their feet against the floor and pivoting bars swing across the thighs, ensuring the user remains seated. Since the system operates on a vacuum, a tight seal is essential. Beside the main toilet bowl, there is a hose, which is utilized as a urinal by men and women. It can be used in a standing position or can be attached to the commode by a pivoting mounting bracket for use in a sitting position. A separate receptacle allows for disposal of wipes. All units use flowing air instead of water to move waste through the system. The human waste is separated and solid wastes are compressed, exposed to vacuum, and stored for later removal. Wastewater is vented to space, although future systems may recycle it. The air is filtered to remove odor and bacteria and then returned to the station. This is the toilet device used onboard the Russian Soyuz craft.   Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA-4.0 Future waste-removal systems on long-term missions may involve recycling for onboard hydroponics and gardens systems or other recycling requirements. Space bathrooms have come a long way from the early days when astronauts had pretty crude methods to handle the situation. Fast Facts Personal hygiene tasks in space are a lot more complex than here on Earth. The low-gravity environment requires more care.Shower systems have been installed on space stations, but they require very careful attention to make sure water does not stray into the crew compartments and electronics.Toilet facilities use suction and other devices to direct materials for safe storage and away from the walls and electronics. Edited and updated by  Carolyn Collins Petersen.

Benjamin O. Davis - Tuskegee Airmen - World War II

Benjamin O. Davis - Tuskegee Airmen - World War II Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. (born December 18,  1912  at Washington, DC)  earned fame as the leader of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He had a decorated thirty-eight-year career before he retired from active duty. He died on July 4, 2002, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with much distinction. Early Years Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was the son of Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. and his wife Elnora.  A career US Army officer, the elder Davis later became the services first African-American general in 1941. Losing his mother at age four, the younger Davis was raised on various military posts and watched as his fathers career was hampered by the US Armys segregationist policies. In 1926, Davis had his first experience with aviation when he was able to fly with a pilot from Bolling Field. After briefly attending the University of Chicago, he elected to pursue a military career with the hope of learning to fly. Seeking admission to West Point, Davis received an appointment from Congressmen Oscar DePriest, the only African-American member of the House of Representatives, in 1932. West Point Though Davis hoped that his classmates would judge him on his character and performance rather than his race, he was quickly shunned by the other cadets. In an effort to force him from the academy, the cadets subjected him to the silent treatment. Living and dining alone, Davis endured and graduated in 1936. Only the academys fourth African-American graduate, he ranked 35th in a class of 278. Though Davis had applied for admission to the Army Air Corps and possessed the requisite qualifications, he was denied as there were no all-black aviation units. As a result, he was posted to the all-black 24th Infantry Regiment. Based at Fort Benning, he commanded a service company until attending the Infantry School. Completing the course, he received orders to move to Tuskegee Institute as a Reserve Officers Training Corps instructor. Learning to Fly As Tuskegee was a traditionally African-American college, the position allowed the US Army to assign Davis somewhere where he could not command white troops. In 1941, with World War II raging overseas, President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress directed the War Department to form an all-black flying unit within the Army Air Corps. Admitted to the first training class at nearby Tuskegee Army Air Field, Davis became the first African-American pilot to solo in an Army Air Corps aircraft. Winning his wings on March 7, 1942, he was one of the first five African-American officers to graduate from the program. He would be followed by nearly 1,000 more Tuskegee Airmen. 99th Pursuit Squadron Having been promoted to lieutenant colonel in May, Davis was given command of the first all-black combat unit, the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Working up through the fall of 1942, the 99th was originally scheduled to provide air defense over Liberia but later was directed to the Mediterranean to support the campaign in North Africa. Equipped with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, Davis command began operating from Tunis, Tunisia in June 1943 as part of the 33rd Fighter Group. Arriving, their operations were hampered by segregationist and racist actions on the part of 33rds commander, Colonel William Momyer. Ordered to a ground attack role, Davis led his squadron on its first combat mission on June 2. This saw the 99th attack the island of Pantelleria in preparation for the invasion of Sicily. Leading the 99th through the summer, Davis men performed well, though Momyer reported otherwise to the War Department and stated that African-American pilots were inferior. As the US Army Air Forces were assessing the creation of additional all-black units, US Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall ordered the issue studied. As a result, Davis received orders to return to Washington in September to testify before the Advisory Committee on Negro Troop Policies. Delivering impassioned testimony, he successfully defended the 99ths combat record and paved the way for the formation of new units. Given command of the new 332nd Fighter Group, Davis prepared the unit for service overseas. 332nd Fighter Group Consisting of four all-black squadrons, including the 99th, Davis new unit began operating from Ramitelli, Italy in late spring 1944. Consistent with his new command, Davis was promoted to colonel on May 29. Initially equipped with Bell P-39 Airacobras, the 332nd transitioned to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in June. Leading from the front, Davis personally led the 332nd on several occasions including during an escort mission which saw Consolidated B-24 Liberators strike Munich. Switching to the North American P-51 Mustang in July, the 332nd began to earn a reputation as one of the best fighter units in the theater. Known as the Red Tails due to the distinctive markings on their aircraft, Davis men compiled an impressive record through the end of the war in Europe and excelled as bomber escorts. During his time in Europe, Davis flew sixty combat missions and won the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Postwar On July 1, 1945, Davis received orders to take command of the 477th Composite Group. Consisting of the 99th Fighter Squadron and the all-black 617th and 618th Bombardment Squadrons, Davis was tasked with preparing the group for combat. Beginning work, the war ended before the unit was ready to deploy. Remaining with the unit after the war, Davis shifted to the newly formed US Air Force in 1947. Following President Harry S. Trumans executive order, which desegregated the US military in 1948, Davis aided in integrating the US Air Force. The next summer, he attended the Air War College becoming the first African-American to graduate from an American war college. After completing his studies in 1950, he served as chief of the Air Defense Branch of Air Force operations. In 1953, with the Korean War raging, Davis received command of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing. Based in Suwon, South Korea, he flew the North American F-86 Sabre. In 1954, he shifted to Japan for service with the Thirteenth Air Force (13 AF). Promoted to brigadier general that October, Davis became vice commander of 13 AF the following year. In this role, he aided in rebuilding the Nationalist Chinese air force on Taiwan. Ordered to Europe in 1957, Davis became chief of staff for the Twelfth Air Force at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. That December, he began service as chief of staff for operations, Headquarters US Air Forces in Europe. Promoted to major general in 1959, Davis returned home in 1961 and assumed the office of Director of Manpower and Organization. In April 1965, after several years of Pentagon service, Davis was promoted to lieutenant general and assigned as chief of staff for the United Nations Command and US Forces in Korea. Two years later, he moved south to take command of the Thirteenth Air Force, which was then based in the Philippines. Remaining there for twelve months, Davis became deputy commander in chief, US Strike Command in August 1968, and also served as commander-in-chief, Middle-East, Southern Asia, and Africa. On February 1, 1970, Davis ended his thirty-eight-year career and retired from active duty. Later Life Accepting a position with the US Department of Transportation, Davis became Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Environment, Safety, and Consumer Affairs in 1971. Serving for four years, he retired in 1975. In 1998, President Bill Clinton promoted Davis to general in recognition of his achievements. Suffering from Alzheimers disease, Davis died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on July 4, 2002. Thirteen days later, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery as a red-tailed P-51 Mustang flew overhead. Selected Sources US Air Force: General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.Aviation History: Benjamin DavisNational Park Service: Benjamin O. Davis

Multinational buainess Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Multinational buainess - Essay Example At the present economic environment such theories and models are considered to be very important as the importance of multinational organizations to the global economy has increased significantly. Dunning’s eclectic paradigm theory is one of the most widely discussed theories in the world of international production. This paper attempts to present a clear description of this theory and several of its dimensions. The paper also includes a proper analysis of the criticisms that the Dunning’s model has faced over the years. There are several other theories on the similar subject and Dunning’s theory can be compared with those to analysis the effectiveness of it. This paper includes such a comparative analysis that is likely to help an individual to have a clear conception regarding the entire picture of such theories. Academic Literature John H Dunning is famous in the international business arena for his ‘Eclectic Paradigm’ theory. It is actually the i ntegration of several theories on internationalization. It covers many mainstream theories such as Ohlin and Heckscher’s ‘factor endowment theory’, Coase’s ‘trasaction cost theory’, Hymer’s ‘monopolistic advantage theory’ and ‘internalization theory’ of Casson and Buckley. In 1976, Dunning presented the core concept of eclectic paradigm at Nobel Symposium which is located in Stockholm. The theory explains precisely why a firm should go global. Dunning attempted to provide a clear and complete explanation regarding international production. He has consistently supplemented and improved his theory in accordance to various developments in the global economic environment and also in accordance to several constructive criticisms. Dunning opined that there are three conditions that have significant influence over the firm’s decision regarding transnational production. In other words, a firm will involve in â⠂¬Ëœinternational production’ if these three conditions are met. The three conditions are 1) ‘ownership-specific advantages’, 2) ‘internalization advantages’ and 3) ‘location specific advantages’ (Dicken, 2007). Each of them is properly described below. Ownership-Specific Advantages According to Dunning, an organization must have some ownership specific advantages which are not possessed by the rival organizations of other countries. The basis of this theory of Dunning lies in the ‘Monopolistic Advantage Theory’ that was developed by Hymer. According to Dunning, ownership specific advantages â€Å"must be sufficient to compensate for the costs of setting up and operating a foreign value-adding operation in addition to those faced by indigenous producers or potential producers† (Dunning, 1981). These advantages are like ‘internal assets’ of a firm which is the sole owner of them. Ownership specific advanta ges can be gained from the factors like technology, knowledge, internal brands, human resources etc. (Dicken, 2007). In the words of Dunning, ownership specific advantages â€Å"need not arise from multinationality† (Perry, 1992). These advantages

Cloud computing and IT management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cloud computing and IT management - Essay Example Rapid developments in the fields of computers and communications technologies have enabled information technology to secure a commanding position in all walks of life ranging from financial transactions through entertainment to water supplies. Surprisingly, healthcare systems – a domain of high social relevance, world over can be considered as laggards in adopting information technologies (Braa et al. 1). The prime issues those are challenging healthcare IT are (Hersh, 2273): Despite these challenges, forward looking and IT savvy clinicians are trying their best to lead the adoption drive in their respective healthcare set ups, the day is not far when IT applications in healthcare will merge into mainstream healthcare delivery systems. Telemedicine (use of information technologies like internet to deliver healthcare services at a distance) is one applications of HealthIT that has the potential to not only address some of the intransigent healthcare issues but is also promising enough from a business perspective. Telemedicine enables delivery of healthcare services and medical education from one geographical location to another primarily to address challenges like uneven distribution and shortage of infrastructural and human resources. Tertiary hospitals can set up peripheral hospitals in remote and isolated areas these and these peripheral hospitals can have telemedicine linkages via internet with the tertiary level (referral) hospital primarily to extend the reach of specialized medical services to remote and isolated cases. This type of business concept has been used by a number of healthcare service providers around the globe. Slowly and steadily such services are not only bridging the digital divide but are also acting as pathways for revenue generation. 2. Brown, E.D. "Risks and issues in Cloud Computing." Eric D Brown: Technology, Strategy, People and Projects 2 Feb 2009: n. pag. Web. 4 Nov 2009.

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The Monster

The monster, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, is the nameless creature whose physical grotesqueness and murderous deeds label him as the embodiment of evil, when in actuality he is a remarkably sensitive and benevolent being. The monster is Victor Frankenstein’s creation, assembled from old body parts and strange chemicals, brought to life by supernatural means. He enters life with the strength of a giant, yet an infant mind. He is abandoned by his own creator and rejected by society. His feelings are the deepest of any characters in this novel, as well as the most conflicted. He states, â€Å"I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other† (Shelley 104) Mary Shelley aims to portray the monster as more of a human with humane characteristics. Unknown to them, the monster collects firewood for the De Laceys and leaves it at their door. He even saves a girl from drowning, but his good deed is rejected and he is beaten for his outward appearance. The monster is also an extremely intelligent creature. He persuaded Victor to hear his story about how he learned and acquired knowledge through reading and observing the De Laceys. However, his education only made him more aware of his isolation. The monster also desires love and companionship like any human. He ask of Victor, â€Å"I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create† (Shelley 146) It is his loneliness and rejection by society that makes him so malicious but he might have been a different creature if only his desire for a female companion was satisfied. Unfortunately the monster’s mere physical ugliness is the reason society does not accept him. After being so cruelly rejected, he is enthralled with a desire for revenge. He murders Victor’s loved ones because he himself is denied closeness with anyone and wants to make Victor suffer like he did. However, even after his creator’s death, the monster is only somewhat relieved. He had taken full revenge on Victor but had also ruined his only relationship with another person. The monster’s life is intertwined with his creator and he is nothing without Victor. He asserts, â€Å"He is dead who called me into being; and when I shall be no more, the very remembrance of us both will speedily vanish. I shall no longer see the sun or stars, or feel the winds play on my cheeks. Light, feeling, and sense will pass away; and in this condition must I find my happiness† (Shelley 224-225) The monster is as much a part of Frankenstein as he is his own being, so after Victor’s death he seeks to find peace in death.

Timbuktu, Mali and Today

The word Timbuktu (or Timbuctoo or Tombouctou) is used in several languages to represent a far-away place, but Timbuktu is an actual city in the African country of Mali. Where Is Timbuktu? Located near the edge of the Niger River, Timbuktu is situated near the middle of Mali in Africa.  Timbuktu had a 2014 population of approximately 15,000 (the recent drop more in half due to its 2012–2013 occupation by Al Qaeda). The 2014 estimate is the latest data available. The Legend of Timbuktu Timbuktu was founded by nomads in the 12th century, and it rapidly became a major trading depot for the caravans of the Sahara Desert. During the 14th century, the legend of Timbuktu as a rich cultural center spread through the world. The beginning of the legend can be traced to 1324, when the Emperor of Mali made his pilgrimage to Mecca via Cairo. In Cairo, the merchants and traders were impressed by the amount of gold carried by the emperor, who claimed that the gold was from Timbuktu. Furthermore, in 1354 the great Muslim explorer Ibn Battuta wrote of his visit to Timbuktu and told of the wealth and gold of the region. Thus, Timbuktu became renown as an African El Dorado, a city made of gold. During the 15th century, Timbuktu grew in importance, but its homes were never made of gold. Timbuktu produced few of its own goods but served as the major trading center for salt across the desert region. The city also became a center of Islamic study and the home of a university and extensive library. The citys maximum population during the 1400s probably numbered somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000, with approximately one-quarter of the population composed of scholars and students. The Legend Grows A 1526 visit to Timbuktu by a Muslim from Grenada, Spain, Leo Africanus, told of Timbuktu as a typical trading outpost. Still, the mythical legend of its wealth persisted. In 1618, a London company was formed to establish trade with Timbuktu. Unfortunately, the first trading expedition ended up with the massacre of all its members, and a second expedition sailed up the Gambia River and thus never reached Timbuktu. In the 1700s and early 1800s, many explorers attempted to reach Timbuktu, but none returned. Many unsuccessful and successful explorers were forced to drink camel urine, their own urine, or even blood to attempt to survive the Sahara Desert. Known wells would be dry or would not provide enough water upon an expeditions arrival. Mungo Park, a Scottish doctor, attempted a trip to Timbuktu in 1805. Unfortunately, his expedition team of dozens of Europeans and natives all died or abandoned the expedition, and Park was left to sail along the Niger River, never visiting Timbuktu but merely shooting at people and other objects on the shore with his guns as his insanity increased. His body was never found. In 1824, the Geographical Society of Paris offered a reward of 7,000 francs and a gold medal valued at 2,000 francs to the first European who could visit Timbuktu and return to tell the story of the mythical city. European Arrival in Timbuktu The first European acknowledged to have reached Timbuktu was Scottish explorer Gordon Laing. He left Tripoli in 1825 and traveled for 13 months to reach Timbuktu. On the way, he was attacked by the ruling Tuareg nomads, was shot and cut by swords, and broke his arm. He recovered from the vicious attack and made his way to Timbuktu, arriving in August 1826. Laing was unimpressed with Timbuktu, which had, as Leo Africanus reported, become simply a salt trading outpost filled with mud-walled homes in the middle of a barren desert. Laing remained in Timbuktu for just over one month. Two days after leaving Timbuktu, he was murdered. French explorer Rene-Auguste Caillie had better luck than Laing. He planned to make his trip to Timbuktu disguised as an Arab as part of a caravan, much to the chagrin of proper European explorers of the era. Caillie studied Arabic and the Islamic religion for several years. In April 1827, he left the coast of West Africa and reached Timbuktu a year later, even though he was ill for five months during the trip. Caillie was unimpressed with Timbuktu and remained there for two weeks. He then returned to Morocco and then went home to France. Caillie published three volumes about his travels and was awarded the prize from the Geographical Society of Paris. German geographer Heinrich Barth left Tripoli with two other explorers in 1850 for a trek to Timbuktu, but his companions both died. Barth reached Timbuktu in 1853 and did not return home until 1855. During the interim, he was feared dead by many. Barth gained fame through the publication of five volumes of his experiences. As with previous explorers to Timbuktu, Barth found the city quite the anticlimax. French Colonial Control In the late 1800s, France took over the Mali region and decided to take Timbuktu away from the control of the violent Tuareg. The French military was sent to occupy Timbuktu in 1894. Under the command of Major  Joseph Joffre (later a famous World War I general), Timbuktu was occupied and became the site of a French fort. Communication between Timbuktu and France was difficult, making the city an unhappy place for a soldier to be stationed. Nonetheless, the area around Timbuktu was well protected, so other nomad groups were able to live without fear of the hostile Tuareg. Modern Timbuktu Even after the invention of air travel, the Sahara was unyielding. The plane making an inaugural air flight from Algiers to Timbuktu in 1920 was lost. Eventually, a successful airstrip was established; however, today, Timbuktu is still most commonly reached by camel, motor vehicle, or boat. In 1960, Timbuktu became part of the independent country of Mali. The population of Timbuktu in a 1940 census was estimated at approximately 5,000 people; in 1976, the population was 19,000; in 1987, 32,000 people resided in the city. In 2009, Mali statistical office census estimates put the population at more than 54,000. In 1988, Timbuktu was designated a United Nations World Heritage Site, and efforts were underway to preserve and protect the city and especially its centuries-old mosques. In 2012, due to regional fighting, the city was placed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, where it still remains in 2018.