3 P.M. Happiness Updates

3 P.M. Happiness Updates At my former job, as a regional manager for a large telecom company, we sent midday sales updates every day at 3 p.m. Nobody enjoyed this ritual. We didnt look forward to sifting through the numbers, adding them up, formatting an email, and sending it to our bosses. We especially didnt enjoy sending these updates when sales were poor, because we knew it would earn us a phone call from the boss. And god forbid if you were late sending the update: that was an unforgivable sin. It was all very stressful. On a cold day in January, around 2:50 p.m, I was sitting next to my boss in his office as the sales numbers started pouring in from my various stores. Knowing sales had been slow lately, he said, I hope we can report something that makes us happy at 3 p.m. I wrote down that sentence as soon as he said it. He wanted some sales numbers that would make us happy, but I heard something more profound. You see, regardless of the sales numbers, and regardless of whats going on in our lives, we have many things that make us happy. If the sales numbers are down, if life is throwing you a curveball, or if it feels like nobody cares about you, it is difficult to find something to be happy about: but you know, deep down, you have so much to be grateful forâ€"you have so much to be happy about. So for the rest of the month (March 2011), starting today, Im going to send a 3 p.m. Happiness Update via Twitter. It will contain one thing that makes me happy, grateful, or thankful that day. Care to join me? What are you happy about today? Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.

Sustainability and Walmart - 1602 Words

Walmart Stores, Inc. Strategic Initiative Preston Burrell, Sue Ford, Ketia Francois, Chris Hiniker, George Lance FIN370 July 29, 2013 Laura Haase Walmart’s Strategic Initiative Strategic planning is a goal of most if not all companies that exist. Some may use this form of planning on a small scale and meet about things such as improving satisfaction ratings or improving the company’s website. Others meet about larger goals that can change and improve the image and branding of a company. That is the case with Walmart. According to Walmart (2013), the company has been issuing a Global Responsibility Report since 2005. This report covers many areas of importance to Walmart such as talent development, healthier foods,†¦show more content†¦The company has created SVN networks to get feedback from internal and external stakeholders. They come together to develop solutions and deliver tangible results that made a difference for the business. According to â€Å"Walmart, 2013†, â€Å"Those suppliers who partner with us in building a responsible supply chain will be the suppliers who will grow with us† (Sustainability Index). Walmart’s strategic planning initiatives ensure a vast influence of their financial planning. Though Walmart places a massive significance on valuing its goods at very low-slung prices, this also marks their extra actions to be well-organized in a particular mode to exploit on the general earnings (â€Å"Walmart†, 2009). The company’s pricing policy has prepared employers in to be the marketplace forerunner in the United States. The tactical preparation creativities of the organization rely an outcome based on its values and total trades. This company consumes segment growth that can be exposed to different supplies that will broaden Walmart’s current stores, and alter the locations of the company distribution centers. In this case it creates a panel that requires a large amount of sum of principal. The high cost load for the extension of their stores has to be less; these initiatives have proven to be highly active on a complete foundation (â€Å"Wal mart†, 2009). Though this might not build a short-rangeShow MoreRelatedWalmart‚Äà ´s Sustainability Strategy1028 Words   |  5 PagesWalmart’s Sustainability Strategy Why Walmart announces sustainability strategy? There is no need to introduce its background anymore; I think everyone knows the super supermarket leader’s name which is called Walmart. Here is the point that in this case why the CEO of Walmart Scott announced to do the business sustainability strategy in 2005. The sustainability will be the most focused in the 21century when the environment get worse every day. This strategy seems that Walmart will increaseRead MoreWalmart s Environmental Impact On Sustainability1701 Words   |  7 Pagesevaluate their products relates directly to Walmart’s environmental impacts. Just looking at this aspect of this business, Walmart can be classified as a supplier. The goods they buy are then sold to the consumer through Walmart. Walmart is pursuing this project by asking their suppliers to fill out information for their Sustainability Index. Their GRI states, â€Å"The Sustainability Index gathers and analyzes information across a product’s life cycle—from sourcing, manufacturing and transporting, to sellingRead MoreSustainability Strategy For Walmart Wal Mart2465 Words   |  10 Pages2014 ï ¿ ¼Ã¯ ¿ ¼Ã¯ ¿ ¼ SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY FOR WALMART Walmart has initiated its sustainability efforts aimed towards hundred percent renewable energy, zero waste and product sustainability. The company has successfully identified its pain points and already achieved success in achieving quick internal process improvements. The company also envisioned and established broader strategy to make sustainability a core of its operations and business model. In my role as the leader of the global sustainability effortRead MoreEssay about Sustainability: Walmart vs. Starbucks734 Words   |  3 PagesBusiness Models: Walmart vs. Starbucks Introduction Sustainability has become a great topic of interest in many arenas. Particularly, leading organizations are recognizing sustainability needs to be an essential aspect of their long term strategies. With this recognition, better business practices are being sought by investors as well as sustainability is becoming a driving force for better efficiencies and innovation. Two organizations, Wal-Mart andRead MoreEssay on Csr: Sustainability Practices- Walmart vs. Starbucks1815 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"Sustainability: Actions Speak Louder Than Words† SUSTAINABILITY: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS Introduction The purpose of this work is to analyze the mission, values, and core competencies relating to sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line of the corporations Wal-Mart and Starbucks. By analyzing the key differences not only in their values, but the application of their stated values, they can then be judged as to the superiority of their systemic approaches to sustainabilityRead MoreWalmart Supply Chain1004 Words   |  5 PagesHow should Wal-Mart rationalize its seafood supply chain to reduce costs and promote sustainability? Walmart has a large retail seafood business and it is always a challenge to reduce cost and promote sustainability. With upward trend for the demand of sea-food, depletion of the seafood supply is inevitable unless Walmart have a deep engagement of their supply chain. One strategy that Walmart wants to promote to their suppliers is for all of them to take up the Marine Stewardship Council’s certificationRead MoreWhy Sustainability Is Now The Key Driver Of Innovation1374 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness Review (HBR) article, â€Å"Why Sustainability is now the Key Driver of Innovation†, the contributors argue against the common view: that as businesses become more environmentally friendly they become less competitive and profitable (Nidumolu, Prahalad, Rangaswami, 2009) The contributors go on to say that companies who initiate environmental sustainability will develop competencies that competitors won’t be able to match and that ultimately, â€Å"sustainability wi ll always be an integral part ofRead MoreSustainability in Australian Business: Principles and Practice1420 Words   |  6 PagesThe Relevance of Sustainability in Marketing Decision Making Introduction Sustainable marketing calls for socially and environmentally responsible actions that meet the present needs of consumers and businesses while preserving and enhancing the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Kotler amp; Armstrong 2012, p. 582). The aim of sustainable marketing is to satisfy the customer’s the needs and wants while also putting high emphasis on the environment and the social issues and thusRead MoreWalmart s Mission Statement : Walmart And Starbucks Essay1560 Words   |  7 PagesWalmart and Starbucks are both huge multinational corporations. Walmart is the largest retailers in regards to revenue and the largest private employer in the world. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse around the world and has over 17,000 stores in over 50 countries. In regards to sustainability and the triple bottom line, these two companies have different strategies. This is clear in their mission statements. Walmart’s mission statement is â€Å"saving people money so they can live better† (FergusonRead MoreWalmarts Sustainable Business Development1666 Words   |  7 PagesWalmart’s Sustainable Business Development The purpose of this paper is to introduce you to the role of sustainable business philosophies and practices of Walmart as well as looking at Walmart’s strategic management perspectives and what type of impact and influences they have on the external forces in the industry. While also focusing on Walmart’s concept of value creation applied to SBD (sustainable business development) and their strategies. Defining Sustainable business philosophies are a system

Mexican Americans Perspectives on Death and Dying Essay

Mexican Americans: Death and Dying Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States, and the majority of them are Mexican in origin (Kemp, 2001). The Roman Catholic Church plays a vital role in the culture and daily life of many Mexican Americans. Consequently, healthcare personnel must become culturally competent in dealing with the different beliefs possessed by these individuals. Nurses must have the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver care that is congruent with the patient’s cultural beliefs and practices (Kearney-Nunnery, 2010). The ways that a nurse cares for a Mexican American patient during the process of dying or at the critical time of death is especially important. The purpose of this paper is to examine†¦show more content†¦Multiple family members gather together to give care to the loved one from far and near. The father or the oldest male relative holds the greatest power in most families to make health-related decisions for an ill loved one. Family members feel responsible for bathing, changing, and feeding their loved one daily even during hospital stays (Taxis, 2008). In addition, prayer and ritual are also critical components of the dying process. Family members may pray with the patient at the bedside, at a home altar, or at church. At times, candles are kept lit for 24 hours a day as a symbol of continuous worship. Clergy members may visit to offer spiritual support. As the ill loved one approaches death, the sacrament of anointing of the sick is administered by a priest or lay member (Kemp, 2001). Mexican American families use religious beliefs in the afterlife to help them cope with this emotional process. When death occurs, Mexican Americans are not uncomfortable with the presence of the body of a loved one. Frequently, family members desire to assist with cleaning and arranging the body before the funeral. However, the most important part of this process is to ensure that the body is shown respect b y everyone involved. Although autopsy and organ donation are allowed in Mexican American culture, many families prefer that neither occur. Also, stoicism is no longer expected at the funeral;Show MoreRelatedRacism: The Root Of All Evil1022 Words   |  5 Pagespeople of color or of different beliefs. In the United States, Native Americans, the indigenous people, were the first to experience this violence, followed by black Africans, and later to various degrees, other people of color as they immigrated to the United States (Ponds, 23). Thousands of Latin-Americans immigrate to the United States every year. Besides the risk of dying in the process of crossing the border, Latin-Americans migrants deal with many other problems, such as violence, socio-economicRead MoreThe Great Stories By Edgar Allan Poe1238 Words   |  5 PagesHaving seen death and understanding the feeling it brings, Poe had an easy time writing the great stories/poems that we know today. In the years of 1835-1845 the United States was in the process of expanding their nation and fixing the economy. The expansion of the United States continued with the annexation of California and the annexation of the Republic of Texas. In 1845 the annexation of Texas from Mexico finally took place after the Texas Revolution. Then in 1848 the Mexican-American war endedRead MoreSylvia Plaths Lady Lazarus1281 Words   |  6 Pagesin London, England due to her battle with suicide. The poem relates to her life and also her perspective of the world. As a matter of fact, critics often characterized her as â€Å"extreme,† due to the deep emotional issues that she would write about. As time has passed, Plath is often referred to as a â€Å"cult figure.† â€Å"Lady Lazarus† is one of Plath’s most popular works. To make it simple this poem is about death and her suicidal experiences. (Sanazaro) â€Å"Lady Lazarus† by Sylvia Plath is a very complex poemRead MoreAn Allegorical Reflection on the Mexican Revolution4344 Words   |  18 PagesReflection on The Mexican Revolution Gender, Agency, Memory, and Identity in Like Water for Chocolate Leah A. Cheyne, barwench99@hotmail.com April 30, 2003 Alfonso Arau’s Like Water for Chocolate (1993) can be read as an allegorical examination of the Mexican Revolution, tracing the effects of the conflicting ideologies underlying the revolution through the displacement onto the family structure. At once removed and central to understanding the narrative, this portrayal of the Mexican RevolutionRead MoreNorth Asi A Relationship With The Western Countries1487 Words   |  6 Pagescountries find a new good to trade with China, opium, the Chinese people realize that the â€Å"the wicked barbarians beguile the Chinese people into a death trap† on account of opium killing so many of the Chinese. Fig. 9 shows the effects that opium can have on a person through the man laying down, which could represent a long-time user growing weak and dying. Instead of stopping trade, some Chinese want to be isolated and stop foreigners from coming into their country. When Japan isolated itself fromRead MoreUncle Tom s Cabin, By Harriet Beecher Stowe1494 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Stowe was set on displaying the wrongs of slavery, and Americans in the south. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a tragic story that displays the life of Uncle Tom, a man of Christian values, honest integrity, and unfailing kindness, taken away from his â€Å"cabin† / family, dying as a result of a slave owner’s menacing behavior. Stowe’s novel is a master of influence. Her novel changed the American public view of slavery. Her impactful statements showed the public how they â€Å"stand hereRead MoreThe Texas Revolution: Its Many Faces3195 Words   |  13 Pagestheir opinions on the events which led, maintained and finished this historical event. In the Texas Revolution of 1835-36, American colonists in Texas secured the independence of that area from Mexico and subsequently established a republic. Since the 1820s many settlers from the United States had colonized Texas; by the 1830s they far outnumbered the Texas Mexicans. Mexican dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna attempted to reverse this trend by such measures as abolishing slavery and enforcingRead MoreDeath Anxiety2491 Words   |  10 Pagesare all bound to encounter, stress and death. Stress is something that affects each and every human, each and every day. Some of us may have higher levels of stress than others. One reaction to stress m ay be anxiety. Anxiety is a physiological, as well as a psychological state. Anxiety may be viewed as a â€Å"more intense† form of stress. Each person will differ when it comes to their own personal causes of anxiety but quite a common worrisome form is that of death anxiety. Every living human being willRead MoreThe Death Of An Individual2107 Words   |  9 Pagesthis semester, for many cultures and religions, the death of an individual is not quite the end. There are still many things done after the death, from preserving the body to never even mentioning that deceased individual’s name again. Life styles tend to influence death styles. Religious beliefs are the primary way to understand how societies frame the explanation, grief management and societal impact of the loss of an individual. In the case of death, although the focus is on the dead individual -Read MoreCrash Review2551 Words   |  11 Pagessensitivity. The film alludes to the possibility Rick might b e having an affair with his black assistant. Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock) is Ricks wife, whose racial prejudices escalate after she and her husband experience a carjacking. When a tattooed, Mexican-American locksmith changes the locks to her house, she insists that the locks be changed again in fear that he is keeping an extra copy of their house key. Following an accident in her home, she comes to the realization that the person who is her only

No Link Between Autism and Vaccination Free Essays

According to the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association, autism is a developmental disability, manifesting itself before the age of three, and resulting from a disorder of the central nervous system.   The developmental disability is diagnosed with the use of specific criteria for impairments in the areas of communication, basic social interaction, the interests of affected individuals, and their imagination as well as activities.   Autistic children are known to be slow at basic processes like language acquisition that healthy children are known to learn quickly (â€Å"Autism†). We will write a custom essay sample on No Link Between Autism and Vaccination or any similar topic only for you Order Now The causes of autism are controversial, which is why it is possible for people to formulate a host of theories on the causes of this developmental disability (â€Å"Autism†).   A British study published in February 1998 was misinterpreted by countless people who believed that the data provided proof that the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine was responsible for autism in children.   The study was conducted by a team of thirteen scientists with Dr. Andrew Wakefield of Oxford University as the team leader. After it was discovered that parents had begun to fear the MMR vaccine because a debate had been waged with regards to the data presented in their study, ten of the thirteen authors of the study report made the following statement which was published on the BBC website: â€Å"We wish to make it clear that in this paper no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism, as the data were insufficient† (Jackson). The demand for vaccination fell in the United Kingdom after the data in the above mentioned study had been misunderstood, and the misinterpreted information had been publicized.   This meant that children could no longer be protected from measles, mumps, and rubella.   In point of  fact, it was found that a significant number of families had entirely given up on the idea of vaccination for their children. Some parents had opted for single vaccines rather than the MMR at the time, but health organizations and the UK government warned that even single vaccines put children at risk (Burke).   What is more, even some doctors in the United States had begun to believe that the MMR vaccination was responsible for autism.   Globalization had spread the rumor overseas.   According to Dr. Mary Megson from Virginia, The segment of children with â€Å"regressive autism,† the form where children develop normally for a period of time then lose skills and sink into autism, most commonly at 18-24 months of age, is increasing at a phenomenal rate.   I am seeing several children in the same family affected, including in the last week four cases of â€Å"autistic regression† developing in four-year-old children after their MMR and DPT vaccination.   In the past, this was unheard of. The doctor from Virginia advised that the implementation of safe vaccine policies should become a first priority, seeing that vaccination cannot be kept away from children (Megson).   The doctor had believed that there was definitely a link between autism and vaccination.   As a matter of fact, many doctors believed what Dr. Megson had believed.   This is because the link between MMR vaccination and autism was that of â€Å"coincidental-timing.†Ã‚   In other words, the symptoms of autism began to occur around the same time as the vaccination. Hence, parents began to falsely believe that the vaccine was indeed responsible for autism.   Dr. Ken Haller, who works as a primary care pediatrician with the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital explained  the false belief thus: â€Å"When something terrible happens to a child, everyone wants a reason for it†¦Ã‚   As a physician, it’s very difficult for me, when I see a kid who’s diagnosed with autism or a seizure disorder, to say we have no idea why this happened.   But people want to grasp onto something; that’s human nature. (Jackson)† The â€Å"insufficient† data in the study conducted by Dr. Wakefield and his colleagues could not find a link between autism and vaccination.   So, two different groups of investigators in the United States attempted to find out whether there was truly a link between autism and vaccination.   Dr. James A. Kaye and his colleagues at the Boston University used the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database to find out whether 254 boys suffering from autism in their study were actually suffering because of MMR vaccination. Dr. Loring Dales and her colleagues at the California Department of Health Services in Berkeley performed a similar study during the same time.   Both of these studies eventually showed that there is no link whatsoever between autism and vaccination.   The results of both of these studies actually showed that while the use of vaccination remained constant over time, the cases of autism increased dramatically among children without vaccination being responsible for the increase (Kubetin). Although it had already been clearly proven that there is definitely no link between autism and vaccination, the developed world where the debate on autism and vaccination had been waged was seeking a truly comprehensive study to show whether there really is a link between autism and vaccination, or not.   K. Madsen, A. Hvii, and M. Vestergaard report on exactly the kind of study that was being sought and finally conducted on Danish children: This is the most direct evaluation of whether MMR causes autism published to date. Though all epidemiological studies conducted in recent years have found no association between the MMR vaccine and onset of autism, design limitations have left some doubt about this issue.   This historical cohort included all Danish children born between 1991 and 1998 when prevalence rates for autism and autistic spectrum disorders were increasing.   Because of the thoroughness of the Danish system of registration, ascertainment of vaccination status and health problems was remarkably accurate and complete.   Since the cohort was composed of the entire population, both vaccinated and unvaccinated children had the same risk of autism prior to exposure to the vaccine.   Nearly all children were accounted for at the end of the study period.   Specialists using the same diagnostic classification system made the diagnosis of autism in a uniform manner. No doubt, this was the comprehensive study with ‘sufficient data’ that parents were seeking the results of.   The design of the study was virtually immaculate.   Most importantly, the study showed once again that there was no difference in the risk of autism in the children that were vaccinated verses those that were not vaccinated.   Moreover, the cases considered as part of the study were not clustered at any point after the immunization.   Madsen et al. report that the registry data that was used did not contain information on children that were suffering from developmental regression.   Hence, the issue that there might be children who show vulnerability to vaccination, could not be ruled out.   If there is a group of such children, the risk for vaccinated  children would be greater than 1.   However, the opposite turned out to be true – that is, there is definitely no risk of autism in children especially because of vaccination. Because the size of the sample of children studied was extraordinarily large, and there was no evidence to show that there is a link between autism and vaccination, Madsen et al. concluded that parents should fearlessly continue to vaccinate their children in order to avoid future outbreaks of disease.   Given that parents had previously only trusted false interpretations of the British study that had seemed to show a link between autism and vaccination, it is now time to give up the false belief entirely.   Science is based on real facts, which is why we all trust scientific information. We have been shown through several studies that there is certainly no link between autism and vaccination.   There have been more studies of the same kind with the same results that we have not discussed.   Future studies may similarly show that there is no link between autism and vaccination.   Even so, parents cannot keep their children from immunization waiting for future studies of the same kind, churning out the same results.   The future of children is at stake without vaccination.   The scientific evidence that has been found thus far is sufficient. Works Cited â€Å"Autism.† (2007). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism. (4 April 2007). Burke, Maria. â€Å"Every parent’s choice? Autism and vaccination — the jury’s out.† Chemistry and Industry (2002, February 18). Jackson, Harry Jr. â€Å"Debate on autism and vaccination started after British medical study.† St. Louis Post-Dispatch (2004, May 28). Kubetin, Sally Koch. â€Å"MMR Vaccination Not Tied to Rise in Autism Rate.† Clinical Psychiatry News (2001, July 1). Madson, K., A. Hvii, and M. Vestergaard. â€Å"There is little evidence that combined vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella is associated with autism.† Evidence-Based Mental Health (2003, May 1). Megson, Mary. â€Å"Autism and Vaccinations.† The Weston A. Price Foundation (2004, March 16). Retrieved from http://www.westonaprice.org/children/index.html. (3 April 2007).          How to cite No Link Between Autism and Vaccination, Essay examples

Intro - chief guest free essay sample

It is indeed an honor and privilege for me to introduce to you our Guest of Honor. He brings in the vigor and idealism of youth which we believe are essential to infuse new ideas and transparency in every aspect of life . His experience and credentials is just tremendous! He has a doctorate in (Economics), from the prestigious Harvard University under Nobel Laureate Simon Kuznets, and has held various positions too . To mention a few he *was an assistant/ associate professor at Harvard university. *Faculty Summer School, Harvard University . * Visiting Scholar and Professor, Department of Economics, Harvard University. When he was associate professor, he was invited by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen for a reader’s chair on Chinese studies at Delhi School of Economics. Thereafter he became the *Visiting Professor of Economics, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi Later ,he became the Professor of Economics, Indian Institute of Technology,Delhi He has been the backbone for the Indian Government serving at various Positions : Assistant Economics Affairs Officer, United Nations Secretariat, New York. We will write a custom essay sample on Intro chief guest or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page * Member of Parliament * Member, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi * Member, Control of Capital Issues Committee, Ministry of Finance. * Member, Court of Benares Hindu University (1974) and Santiniketan (1982-84). * Member, Council of IITs, Govt. of India *Cabinet Minister of Commerce, Law and Justice,1990-91. * Chairman : Commission of Labour Standards and International Trade,Government of India. He is Currently the President of Janata Party . *Chairman, Centre for National Renaissance, New Delhi *Chairman, Board of Governors , School of Communications and Management Sciences (SCMS) , kerala. He has authored many Books among which * Economic Planning in India – An Alternative Approach * Economic Growth of China and India, * Building a New India: An Agenda for Renaissance, * India’s Labour Standards and the WTO Framework. * The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi Unanswered Questions and Unasked Queries * South Asia in the New Millennium * India’s China Perspective *Economic Reforms and Performance in China and India * Hindus Under Siege: The Way Out *Rama Setu: Symbol of National Unity *Terrorism in India: A Strategy of Deterrence * Corruption and Corporate Governance in India: Satyam, Spectrum, Sundaram * The Foundations of Index Number Theory. Have been very successful.  He has also published several articles and research paper some of which are Can India make it? Indias path to sustained growth , Economic growth and income distribution in a developing nation , Nuclear policy for India, Plan for full employment. He brings to us not only his invaluable experience and academic training but a lineage of brave , innovative , and forward looking forebears.

Whats the Best Food to Eat Before a Test

Whats the Best Food to Eat Before a Test Proper nutrition is important, and doubly so on important days like when you take a test. Keeping up your energy during the exam is crucial to your success. Ever had one of those times when youre staring at the sheet and are just drawing a blank, even though you know for sure youve studied this? It might be because you didnt pay proper attention to what you ate, and it resulted in your blood sugar flatlining at the worst moment. Heres a little guide on how to avoid it happening again. Eat Light the Night Before If youre cramming the night before a test (like any proper student would), it might be hard not to get pizza as a way of rewarding yourself. You should consider putting off that reward until you actually write the test, though. Its best to wake up hungry and not with that pregnant feeling everyone gets when eating right before going to bed. Drink Water First thing you should do for energy is drink water. Americans, as a whole, dont drink enough liquids, if you discount for sugary drinks. A glass of cold water on an empty stomach is a great way to start the day and boost your metabolism – which means youll have more energy throughout the day. Eat Your Vitamins Starting your day right means getting all the vitamins your body is going to need throughout the day. Consider, at the least, fish oil and a vitamin B supplement. Fish oil is great for energy boosting, as well as increasing metabolism and clearing up skin, and without sufficient B12, your body is not going to have proper energy reserves, and thats just two of them. Getting a blood test from your doctor will tell you better what daily supplements you should be taking. Caffeine and Energy Drinks Unless youre a total, complete addict, youll want to go without coffee and especially energy drinks. Drinking them gives an energy boost, but the crash or comedown is not worth it, especially if it happens while youre taking your test. If you absolutely cannot start the day without a beverage to bolster your energy, try green tea. It has lower amounts of caffeine, but does have anti-oxidants that coffee lacks. Eat Breakfast The most important meal of the day. If youre one of those people who doesnt have their first meal until lunchtime, you should think about having a proper breakfast. This will provide you with the energy boost you get from coffee, and sustain you until you have lunch. Since breakfast is the most vital meal of the day, you should be all that choosier with what you eat. Try and avoid sugary cereals. Yes, theyre pretty much the best, and you might say, why even wake up if I cant have my sugar fix right away? The same reason as coffee: sugar, as well as all carbs, gets you going fast, and you crash just as hard. Its the thing that metabolizes the fastest, so it wont sustain you for very long, and, as has been said above, were trying to avoid that crash. Instead of Lucky Charms, try something thats high in fat and protein. Eggs with hummus, for instance. Some sort of lean meat, like grass-fed beef or salmon is also a great way to start the day. Try it with some avocado for those healthy omega acids, and eat it on an English muffin to avoid being completely boring with your food choices. If youre a vegan, try mixing quinoa or chickpeas with some spinach or kale, add some nuts, and dress with vinegar for a morning salad. Whatever youre eating on exam day, be conscious of how long its going to sustain you for. You know your body best, and if you know a Red Bull in the morning and a Red Bull before the test is going to get you through it, then, by all means, indulge. Keep in mind, though, youre not going to be 20 forever, and at some point youre going to have to think about how healthy the choices youre making are. Until then, have fun.

A Guide to Composite Materials in Boats

A Guide to Composite Materials in Boats Composite materials are broadly defined as those in which a binder is reinforced with a strengthening material. In modern terms, the binder is usually a resin, and the reinforcing material consists of glass strands (fiberglass), carbon fibers or aramid fibers. However, there are other composites too, such as ferrocement and wood resins, which are still used in boatbuilding. Composites offer the advantages of a higher strength-to-weight ratio than traditional wood or steel methods, and they require lower skill levels to produce an acceptable hull finish on a semi-industrial scale. History of Composites in Boats Ferrocement Probably the earliest use of composites for boats was ferrocement. This material was extensively used in the first half of the twentieth century for building low-cost, low-tech barges. Later in the century, it became popular not only for one-off home projects but also for production boatbuilders. A steel frame made of reinforcing rod (known as an armature) forms the hull shape and is covered with chicken wire. It is then plastered with cement and cured. Although a cheap and simple composite, armature corrosion is a common problem in the chemically aggressive marine environment. There are still many thousands of ferro boats in use today, however – the material has enabled many people to realize their dreams. GRP During the Second World War, just after polyester resins were developed, glass fibers became available following the accidental discovery of a production process using blown air on a stream of molten glass. Soon, glass-reinforced plastic became mainstream and GRP boats started to become available in the early 1950s. Wood/Adhesive Composites Wartime pressures also led to the development of cold-molded and hot-molded boatbuilding techniques. These approaches entailed laying thin veneers of wood over a frame and saturating each layer with a glue. High-performance urea-based adhesives developed for aircraft manufacturers were widely used for the new technique of molding boat hulls – typically for PT boats. Some adhesives required baking in an oven to cure and hot-molded hulls were developed, though there were size limitations governed by access to industrial ovens. Modern Composites in Boats Since the 1950s, polyester and vinylester resins have improved steadily and GRP has become the most prevalent composite used in boatbuilding. It is used in shipbuilding too, typically for minesweepers that need non-magnetic hulls. Osmotic problems from which early-generation boats suffered are now a thing of the past with modern epoxy compounds. In the 21st century, volume GRP boat production follows a full industrial production process. Wood/epoxy molding techniques are still in use today, typically for rowing skiffs. Other wood/adhesive composites have evolved since the introduction of high-performance epoxy resins. Strip planking  is one such popular technique for home boat construction: Strips of wood (typically cedar) are laid longitudinally over frames and coated with epoxy. This simple construction offers a cheap and strong build with a fair finish easily achievable by an amateur. At the leading edge of boat building, aramid fiber reinforcing strengthens key areas of sailboats, such as the bows and keel sections. Aramid fiber also provides improved shock absorption. Carbon fiber masts are increasingly common, as they offer major performance and vessel-stability benefits. Sailboats also use composites in their sail construction, with carbon-fiber or glass-fiber tape offering a flexible but dimensionally stable matrix to which synthetic sailcloth is laminated. Carbon fiber has other marine uses too – for example for high-strength interior moldings and furniture on super-yachts. The Future of Composites in Boatbuilding The costs of carbon fiber fall as production volumes increase  so the availability of sheet carbon fiber (and other profiles) is likely to become more prevalent in boat  production. Materials science and composite technology are advancing rapidly, and new composites include carbon nanotube and epoxy mixtures. Recently, a small naval vessel with a hull built using carbon nanotubes was delivered as a concept project. Lightness, strength, durability, and ease of production mean that composites will play an increasing part in boat construction. Despite all the new composites, Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are here to stay for very many years, though it will surely be in partnership with other exotic composites.