Voting on NASA's New Space Suit Coming to a Close

The concept of development takes new heights as NASA finishes open voting on its next generation of space suits. In 2012 NASA released the Z-1 design which looks a little like Buzz Lightyear’s outfit (1). The design was voted on by 200,000 people from around the world. It blends the old features with new features to create greater levels of functionality. Developers are not ready to move to infinity and beyond but are making a small step in that direction.

The public could choose between the Biomimicry, Technology, and Trends in Society designs (2). The Z-2 will be the next generation to be bested around 2020. Tests will be conducted to Neural Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). The suits will be better than ones developed in the past and contain features like pressurization, breathable atmospheres, regulate carbon dioxide, and controlled temperature and waste (3). 

In 2013 the ILC, the primary suit vendor, won $4.4 million contract to partner with Philadelphia University to develop, design and test the suit (4).  The goal is to move into the next level of development for Mars missions and ensure that the suits are safer, economic, and extremely functional. The hope is to develop a stronger space program. 

Why is this important? Space is still the next frontier. Not much has changed from Armstrong’s moon landing. It is still a step for mankind.  Modern science is moving into greater detail here on Earth as well as in outer space. Telescopes, private investments, interstellar mapping, and other developments in technology are making space travel an important function of scientific effort. When we someday make our way out there we may find things that may be useful for further science and development. 

You may see the designs here http://jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2/

Call for Papers: Global Interdisciplinary Business-Economics Advancement Conference

May 15^th-18^th, 2014
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Conference

Welcome to the official website of the Global Interdisciplinary Business-Economics Advancement Conference (GIBA 2014), which will be held during May 15-18, 2014, in city of Clearwater Beach, Tampa, Florida, USA. GIBA 2014 aims to bring together researchers, scientists, scholar and scholar students to exchange and share their experiences, new ideas, and research results about all aspects of Business and Economics, and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted.This conference is organized and sponsored by University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee,USA.

The conference will be held every year to make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences in these topics and related areas. English is the official language of the conference.We welcome paper submissions.

Prospective authors are invited to submit full  or abstract only (and original research) papers (which is NOT submitted/published/under consideration anywhere in other conferences/journal) in electronic format through the EasyChair system. All papers will be double-blind reviewed by experts in the relevant fields.

http://gibaconference.org/

Convenient Practice and Nighttime Lighting at Mission Bay Golf Course

There are few things to ask for beyond fountains, golf courses, and sunny beaches. California life is all about the outdoors and recreational fun. The Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center offers a touch of that life with their 18-hole executive golf course and exclusive night time lighting. Located just a few blocks from Mission Bay and the local De Anza Cove Park it is possible to enjoy the waterfront and a round of golf all in the same afternoon. 

Seeking summer and the smell of freshly cut grass isn’t hard in San Diego. Just head down to the water and take a right-or something like that. Splicing to the left or to the right? You may need to adjust your swing and hit balls over and over until you internalize the right swing. No point in embarrassing yourself in public if you only need a little practice.

Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice center offers an excellent driving range into a sand covered field. The sand plumes help in determining precisely where the ball landed and the yardage of your hit. The mats are well taken care of and there is a putting green available for practice on your short game. It doesn’t take but a half hour to stop in and hit a medium bucket of balls for $8.50. 

Some people love golf and others hate it. You might love it when the ball makes its way perfectly down the fairway. You may hate it when your ball mysteriously gets drawn to that batch of trees or duck covered pond. No matter what type of relationship you have with golf you won’t suffer from the social, physical, naturalistic and recreational outlets it provides.

Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center

2702 N Mission Bay Dr

San Diego, CA 92109

http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/mbgolf.shtml

Tee times are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Innovating Products and Services with the Internet

Innovation occurs when individuals have a need for specific products and information. The internet has fostered a greater transference of information and we now see product innovation growing at a faster pace than at any point in history. This innovation isn’t always company fostered and can generate organically from consumers. A study by Takeyasu & Sotaro (2014) helps support the notion that innovation and consumption are related. In their study they reviewed 1,000 music users to determine how consumption and innovation are interrelated.

Innovation comes through companies or through consumers. The concepts of user generated content and user innovation have made their way into the field. Users actively engage in the creation process and further the development of products, concepts, and ideas. The Internet has raised the communication levels to new heights and allows users to build on existing products.

In the past, research was primarily focused on the innovation of individuals and organizations. Greater focus is now on how outside entities and inter-organizational relations produce innovation (Chesbrough, 2003). Organizations that work with other organizations and interested parties in the co-builder process may also experience higher levels of innovative development.

There are generally two ways to use the internet to gather information for product and service improvement. Innovators first need the tools which simplifies and assists users in developing products and services (Franke & von Hippel, 2003). Secondly, they need the feedback from other users to build knowledge (Mallapragada, et. al, 2012).

Organizations that seek to co-collaborate with either other organizations or with users need to have the proper platforms that create ease of use. This ease of use will encourage greater communication between members. Then they will need the users to actively engage in the process of sharing knowledge and building off of each others ideas.

The researchers found in their music and innovation study that those users who consumed music heavily also were more likely to innovate. In addition, as users interacted heavily with this music they either focused more on innovation or consumption. The implications of study help organization decision-makers find ways to allow consumers to become part of the planning and developing process.

The study lends support to two concepts. Companies may collaborate using electronic means to build better products for revenue generation (i.e. projects) or lowering transact costs (i.e. supplier networks). Companies should consider collaborating with other companies that have like needs or with consumers who use the products. These users are not passive but will often be actively engaged in the co-creation process. 

Chesbrough, H. (2003). Open innovation: The new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

Franke, N., & von Hippel, E. (2003). Satisfying heterogeneous user needs via innovation toolkits: The case of Apache security software. Research Policy, 32(7), 1199–1215.

Mallapragada, G., Grewal, R., & Lilien G. (2012). User-generated open source products: Founder’s social capital and time to product release. Management Science, 31(3), 474–492.

Takeyasu, I & Sotaro, K. (2014). The relationship between innovation and consumption of Internet Users. Annals of Business Administrative Science, 13 (1).

Healthy Mediterranean Food and Traditional Entertainment at Haritna’s Restaurant

Haritna Restaurant offers authentic Mediterranean food at a price that is affordable for individuals and families. From their homemade bread to their charbroiled chicken you will find their food tantalizing and full of flavor. Listen to the live music, watch the belly dancers, have a hookah on the covered deck, and eat till your hearts full in this traditional Palestinian environment.

Haritna’s is a cross between a lounge and a restaurant. One can order tea and play chess with others or eat a full course meal. Perhaps you will be more interested in having a drink and hookah on the patio. The restaurant is affordable to most people and offers a relaxed environment without the need of the formalities of a suit and tie. 

According to Mayo clinic traditional Mediterranean diet is healthy, reduces risks of heart disease, incidents of cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s (1). An analysis of 1.5 million people who ate the Mediterranean diet reaped better health and lower risks of disease. The use of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and olive oil was low in carbohydrates and bad fats.

Traditional Palestinian food incorporates lentils, rice, meat and fish. The type of food offered ranges from where it originated. Kibbee and various charbroiled meats are most common dishes.  You may want to try the Middle Eastern salad called Tabbouleh. The offerings fit within the family of Mediterranean. 

7303 El Cajon Blvd.
La Mesa, CA 91942

http://www.haritnarestaurant.com/