April Fools Day

 
April Fools' Day aka All Fools' Day is an informal holiday celebrated every year on April 1. It is widely recognized and celebrated in various countries as a day when people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. Some jokes are mild while some can be very serious because incidence have occurred where people actually get into fights over humor that has been taken a little bit too far.

United Kingdom

In the UK, an April fool joke is revealed by shouting "April fool!" at the recipient, who becomes the "April fool". A study in the 1950s, by folklorists Iona and Peter Opie, found that in the UK, and in countries whose traditions derived from the UK, excluding Australia, the joking ceased at midday. A person playing a joke after midday is the "April fool" themselves. In Scotland, April Fools' Day is traditionally called Hunt-the-Gowk Day ("gowk" is Scots for a cuckoo or a foolish person), although this name has fallen into disuse. The traditional prank is to ask someone to deliver a sealed message requesting help of some sort. In fact, the message reads "Dinna laugh, dinna smile. Hunt the gowk another mile". The recipient, upon reading it, will explain he can only help if he first contacts another person, and sends the victim to this person with an identical message, with the same result

Iran

In Iran, jokes are played on the 13th day of the Persian new year (Nowruz), which falls on April 1 or April 2. This day, celebrated as far back as 536 BC, is called Sizdah Bedar and is the oldest prank-tradition in the world still alive today; this fact has led many to believe that April Fools' Day has its origins in this tradition.

Poland

In Poland, prima aprilis ("1 April" in Latin) is a day full of jokes; various hoaxes are prepared by people, media (which sometimes cooperate to make the "information" more credible) and even public institutions. Serious activities are usually avoided. This conviction is so strong that the anti-Turkish alliance with Leopold I signed on April 1, 1683, was backdated to March 31.

April fish

In Italy, France, Belgium, and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada, April 1 tradition is often known as "April fish" (poisson d'avril in French or pesce d'aprile in Italian). This includes attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed. Such fish feature prominently on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fools' Day postcards.

In 1957, the BBC pulled a prank, known as the Swiss Spaghetti Harvest prank, where they broadcast a fake film of Swiss farmers picking freshly-grown spaghetti. The BBC were later flooded with requests to purchase a spaghetti plant, forcing them to declare the film a prank on the news the next day

December 28, the equivalent day in Spain and Ibero-America, is also the Christian day of celebration of the "Day of the Holy Innocents". The Christian celebration is a holiday in its own right, a religious one, but the tradition of pranks is not, though the latter is observed yearly. After somebody plays a joke or a prank on somebody else, the joker usually cries out, in some regions of Ibero-America: Inocente palomita que te dejaste engañar ("You innocent little dove that let yourself be fooled").

In Mexico, the phrase is ¡Inocente para siempre! which means "Innocent forever!". In Argentina, the prankster says ¡Que la inocencia te valga!, which roughly translates as a piece of advice on not to be as gullible as the victim of the prank. In Spain, it is common to say just ¡Inocente! (which in Spanish can mean "Innocent!", but also "Gullible!").

Masters Degree Vs Doctoral (Ph.d)

 
When students attend college they mainly stop at the bachelors degree level because some might not see the importance of a masters or doctoral degree or they might feel its too expensive and hard to attain. Well the choice is up to you and it should not be too difficult to decide, once you understand the differences among the two major degree types and how it will aid your future. When considering the merits of a masters versus a doctoral degree, bear in mind that both will give you in-depth training in a specialized field. The usefulness of each degree depends on your academic and career interests. The higher the degree, the longer it takes to earn and the more specialized is its focus. For that reason, it's best to first look at what a doctorate is. Once you understand the relatively narrow scope and use of a doctorate, you may have an easier time understanding the masters by comparison.

The most common doctorate is the Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D. Ph.D.s and other research doctorates prepare students to initiate new projects that add to the collective knowledge base of the field. Candidates for and holders of Ph.D.s often seek careers as professors and researchers, but many also go on to varied roles in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors.
Going to graduate school for any degree and in any field, you should be prepared for a different experience from your undergraduate years. When you enroll in a graduate degree program, it's best to be motivated by professional and academic goals, and in many fields, to have a few years of work experience under your belt.

Students entering a Ph.D. program have already earned a bachelor's degree, and sometimes also a masters degree (depending on the Ph.D. program). Because of the nature of specialization, Ph.D. programs tend to be smaller than masters programs.
Ph.D. candidates begin by taking courses and exams, go on to taking advanced seminars and designing dissertation research, and complete their requirements by researching, writing, and defending a dissertation. A dissertation is the doctoral-level thesis, the culmination of a Ph.D. candidate's research into a topic, and typically the major requirement of earning the doctorate. Unfortunately, failure to complete the dissertation is a major reason some doctoral candidates don't complete their studies, but may claim "ABD" (All But Dissertation) on their resumes.
Doctorates may take up to eight years to earn—depending on the program, whether the student has already completed a masters degree (or is coming straight from undergraduate), and how long the student takes to write the dissertation.

A Ph.D. typically demonstrates a person's competence in research and qualifies them to become professors. It can also prepare them to play other roles (such as developing policy) in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Doctoral study offers a unique opportunity for an individual to conduct intensive and prolonged research on a very particular topic, which often leads to publication. Other reasons exist to get a Ph.D.—such as the desire to be called "Doctor," or the romantic notion of being a Ph.D. candidate at a prestigious institution—but these reasons pale in the light of the hard work and long years it takes to earn the distinction, if your professional goals do not require it.

Masters degrees are more versatile than doctoral degrees, and have a wide range of professional and academic applications. Research masters degrees are typically for academic and applied research disciplines. Examples of the research masters degree include Master of Arts in History, Master of Arts in Comparative Literature, and Master of Science in Biology. In some fields, earning a research masters degree without going on to earn a Ph.D. severely restricts your professional options. If you are considering a research masters degree, discuss your educational options and career trajectory with professors or professionals in your field.
Professional masters degrees prepare a person to do professional work by introducing practical skills and frameworks for understanding issues in their field. Professional masters degrees may also qualify a person to practice in their field (Master of Social Work, Master of Architecture, or Master of Art in Teaching, for example).

Masters programs typically take one to three years. Students entering a masters degree program have already earned a bachelors degree, and so masters candidates take advanced-level courses and seminars. In some programs, students go on to research, write, and defend a masters thesis. In professional masters programs, the thesis is often replaced by final projects and exams.
The variety of masters degrees is vast, as are the purposes and uses of each. Masters degrees prepare a person for a range of pursuits through specialized study of a field.
Research masters enhance a student's research skills, prepare them for a Ph.D. program, and may help qualify them to teach in elementary, secondary, and community education settings. Professional masters degrees teach students skills they will need as practitioners in their respective fields, and may lead to credentials necessary to practice in the field.

Meat Vs Vegetarian Diet

 
People everywhere tend to be trying the vegetarian diet because of the importance of veggies over meat. If you listen to the radio or even turn on the TV, most commercials are focusing on weight loss through proper dieting and exercise but is there any weight to either of these eating ways? Is one better than the other? .

All-meat pros 
Meat is the best source of protein, which the body needs to function optimally. Red meat is also a good source of iron, vitamin B, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin.

All-meat cons
Meats have high levels of saturated fat and can raise cholesterol, Because of it’s high-fat content, red meat has been linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. And processed meat is loaded with sodium, which can raise blood pressure.

Although it’s often thought of as the healthier option, chicken and turkey have been found to be more strongly associated with weight gain than eating red or processed meat, a new study finds that If you’re just eating protein, you’re not getting carbohydrates, which you need for energy, so instead you’re burning fat. But that’s not as good as it sounds—this process is called ketosis and it can result in muscle and joint pain. High-protein diets can also result in a strain on your kidneys and dehydration. You’ll lose water from your muscles and lose muscle mass.Archaeobiologists have found remnants of date palms, seeds and legumes(including peas and beans) stuck in the teeth of people, who were once thought to be strictly meat-eating humans.

All-vegetarian pros
Vegetarians generally have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure, several forms of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity because these diets are usually lower in fat and higher in fiber. Vegetarians as a group are often healthier, as they tend to be nonsmokers and drink less alcohol.

All-vegetarian cons
A vegetarian diet will result in a quicker weight loss because it tends to be low in calories. You may lose weight but you also may lack energy.  You’ll get more vitamins, minerals and nutrients but you probably won’t get enough calcium (from dairy) or essential fatty acids (from fish) or folic acid (from grains). Also noticeably absent from most vegetarian menus: Protein, which protects your immune system and builds muscle mass. If you’re on a vegetarian diet long enough, you could suffer from malnutrition. That’s not to say that an all-vegetarian diet can’t be done—people clearly do it. You just need to work harder to make sure you’re getting a balance of all the necessary vitamins. The takeaway Both of these diets would be lacking nutrients, but the vegetarian diet would at least have a few more nutrients. Your body needs a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

The American Cancer Society suggests that each of your meals be two-thirds plant-based. That means the bulk of breakfast, lunch and dinner should be made up of fruits, vegetables, beans or grains. The other one-third should be meat (about three ounces per meal and no more than 18 ounces each week). When picking meat, choose the leanest cuts of meat and opt for low-fat cooking methods (such as baking instead of frying), and keep processed meats at a minimum, as they’re high in sodium. When it comes to veggies, you want to eat about 2 ½ cups a day—or 17 ½ cups each week. For balance, eat 1 ½ cups of dark-green vegetables, 5 ½ cups of red and orange vegetables, 1 ½ cups of beans and peas, 5 ½ cups of starchy vegetables and 4 cups other types of vegetables in a week.

Bugatti

Bugatti is a French car manufacturer and was founded in 1909. The company was known for its engineering in automobiles and for the artistic designs with the Type 57SC Atlantic being a fine example. The manufacturer has also has a lot of success on the race track and won the Monaco GP in 1930 for the first time. The manufacturer went into financial trouble after the death of its owner and after the WWII and only after it was bought by Volkswagen did it come back into prominence.

Below is a list of bugatti cars from the most expensive to the lowest by Topcarrating.com

 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport - US$4,000,000


Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse - US$3,000,000


  Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - US$2,550,000


Bugatti Veyron Mansory Linea Vincero- US$2,200,000


Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept  -  US$2,150,000


Bugatti EB118 Concept - US$2,000,000



Bugatti EB218 Concept - US$2,000,000


Bugatti EB18/3 Chiron Concept - US$2,000,000



Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport-US$1,900,000


  Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport Dauer - US$1,800,000


Bugatti EB 110 SuperSport - US$1,600,000


Bugatti EB 110 GT - US$1,200,000

Blue Mountains (Jamaica)

 
The Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range in Jamaica. They include the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2256 m (7402 ft) From the summit, accessible via a walking track, both the north and south coasts of the island can be seen.
As one of the longest continuous valley ranges in the Caribbean, the Blue Mountains dominate the eastern third of Jamaica, while bordering the eastern parishes of Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary and St. Andrew to the south. Part of the Blue Mountains is contained in the Blue Mountain John Crow Mountain National Park established in 1992.

The island's average rainfall, which is much greater in the mountain areas facing the north and east, is 1,960 millimetres (77.2 in) per year. Where the higher elevations of the Blue Mountains catch the rain from the moisture-laden winds, rainfall exceeds 5,080 millimetres (200 in) per year, with some areas recording totals of more than 7,620 millimetres (300 in). This climatic diversity has enabled a higher rainfall yield that feeds the lush vegetation, which would include the towering trees and more than 500 species of unique flowering plants.

The Blue Mountains are home to the world's second largest butterfly and the largest in the Americas, the Homerus swallowtail (Papilio homerus). The Jamaican Coney (Geocapromys brownii), a type of rodent, and the Jamaican boa (Epicrates subflavus) are also found there. More than 200 species of birds live in the Blue Mountains, and most are exclusively neotropical

The famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated between 2,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level,while higher slopes are preserved as forest. Visitors from all over the world come to experience the beauty, the flora and the fauna that this area has to offer.

Tablets Vs Laptops

 
With so many gadget choices on the market these days, it can be very difficult for consumers to decide where to sink their money. Laptops and tablets are wildly popular within different groups and demographics, mostly because they deliver specialized experiences to their users but almost every place in Jamaica that i visit i realize that people especially ages 25-40 use a tablet for their day to day activities. Is it that tablets are better or people just go for the newer gadgets? Well i did a research and see what i found below.

A laptop is generally characterized as a mobile personal computer a device on which you can perform all the tasks available on a desktop but in a mobile, light, compact fashion. Laptops have become lighter and smaller over the years, but have made significant strides in power, functionality and performance. For many users, laptops have become their preferred computing device because it allows them to complete all the tasks they would need on a desktop but with the convenience of mobility and flexibility.

Tablets, on the other hand, are currently the pinnacle of mobile technology. They are compact, very lightweight and extremely easy to carry. However, they do not possess the processing power of a laptop. Their functionality as a computing device is very limited, although sufficient for some people’s uses. Tablets can be ideal for those who browse the Web casually, such as read the news or popular websites, and those who play “lightweight” games, or want to watch TV or films while traveling. Additionally, tablets can be used in a variety of specialized careers like design and music.

Oftentimes, designers use tablets to transfer drawings on tablets into design software and programs. Tablets have also been popping up as essential hardware for music producers and traveling DJs, who use the devices for everything from mobile production to live sequencing and mixing in their shows. Many music production programs and hardware designers are creating applications for tablets so DJs can use their favorite studio equipment away from home.

Despite these advances in some niche professions, tablets are often not suitable for hardcore gamers, presentation arrangement and creation, or heavy researching -- tasks sought after by a larger portion of the population.

When trying to decide between a tablet and laptop, remember that there is not necessarily a “winner,” only a more preferable choice for your specific needs. Both laptops and tablets offer extremely convenient and powerful features, but the most efficacious for you will be based upon the tasks you seek to complete by the device.

First, think about what tasks will be imperative for the device to allow you to perform. For example, perhaps you travel often for leisure, like to read the news and books, and only occasionally view films while en route to your next destination. While a laptop might be nice in the off-chance you pick up a design side project, engage in academic research, or the like, this device is probably a costly, inconvenient option. A tablet would be much better suited for your needs, particularly because it is such an easy device to travel with.

Second, think about how much you are interested in spending. While tablets often have less functionality than a laptop, they tend to be much cheaper. You should think about the “more-bang-for-your-buck” element here, as casual computer users and Internet browsers will prefer the cheaper option despite a more limited scope of work available to explore. Even on the low end, laptops can be costly and one should carefully weigh convenience and function to price. Overall, there is no “right” answer to the laptop vs. tablet debate, only well-researched, smartly-made purchases.

How to make Glass Using a Furnace or Kiln

Making glass is a very ancient process, with archaeological evidence of glass making dating back to before 2500 BC. Once a rare and prized art, manufacturing glass has become a common industry. Glass products are used commercially and in the home as containers, insulators, reinforcing fiber, lenses and decorative art. While the materials used to make them may vary, the general process for how to make glass is the same and is described below

Obtain silica sand. Also called quartz sand, silica sand is the primary ingredient in making glass. Glass without iron impurities is sought for clear glass pieces, as the iron will cause the glass to appear greenish when present.

• Wear a face mask if handling extremely fine-grain silica sand. If inhaled, it can irritate the throat and lungs.
• Silica sand is available from online retailers. It is fairly cheap, if you want to operate on an industrial scale, specialty retailers can offer competitive rates on large orders - sometimes lower than US$100 per ton.
• If it is not possible to find sand sufficiently free of iron impurities, their tinting effect can be countered by adding small amounts of manganese dioxide. Or, if you want greenish glass, leave the iron in!

Add sodium carbonate and calcium oxide to the sand. Sodium carbonate (commonly called washing soda) lowers the temperature necessary to make glass commercially. However, it permits water to pass through the glass, so calcium oxide, or lime, is added to negate this property. Oxides of magnesium and/or aluminum may also be added to make the glass more durable. Generally, these additives take up no more than 26 to 30 percent of the glass mixture.
Add other chemicals, depending on the glass's intended purpose. The most common addition for decorative glass is lead oxide, which provides the sparkle in crystal glassware, as well as the softness to make it easier to cut and also lowers the melting point. Eyeglass lenses may contain lanthanum oxide because of its refractive properties, while iron helps glass absorb heat.

• Lead crystal can contain up to 33 percent lead oxide; however, the more lead oxide, the more skill required to shape the molten glass, so many lead crystal makers opt for less lead content.

Add chemicals to produce a desired color in the glass, if any. As noted above, iron impurities in quartz sand make glass made with it appear greenish, so iron oxide is added to increase the greenish tint, as is copper oxide. Sulfur compounds produce a yellowish, amber, brownish or even blackish tint, depending on how much carbon or iron is also added to the mixture.

Place the mixture in a good heat-resistant crucible or holder. The container should be able to withstand the extremely high temperatures within the kiln - depending on your additives, your glass mixture may melt at a range of temperatures between 1,500 and 2,500 degrees Celsius. Your container should also be easily grasped with metal hooks and poles.

Melt the mixture into a liquid. For commercial silica glass, this is done in a gas-fired furnace, while specialty glasses may be created using an electric melter, pot furnace or kiln.

• Quartz sand without additives becomes glass at a temperature of 2,300 degrees Celsius (4,172 degrees Fahrenheit). Adding sodium carbonate (soda) reduces the temperature needed to make glass to 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,732 degrees Fahrenheit).

Homogenize and remove bubbles from the molten glass. This means stirring the mixture to a consistent thickness and adding chemicals such as sodium sulfate, sodium chloride or antimony oxide.

Shape the molten glass. Shaping the glass can be done in one of several ways:

• The molten glass can be poured into a mold and let cool. This method was used by the Egyptians, and it is also how many lenses are created today.
• A large amount of molten glass can be gathered at the end of a hollow tube, which is then blown into while the tube is turned. The glass is shaped by the air entering the tube, gravity pulling on the molten glass and whatever tools the glassblower uses to work the molten glass.
• The molten glass can be poured into a bath of molten tin for support and blasted with pressurized nitrogen to shape and polish it. Glass made by this method is called float glass, and it is how glass panes have been made since the 1950s.

Let the glass cool. Don't leave the glass anywhere where it will be disturbed or where dust, leaves, or water might fall on it. Introducing cool materials to hot glass can cause the glass to crack.

Heat-treat the glass to strengthen it. This process is called annealing, and it removes any stress points that may have formed in the glass during cooling. Glass that has not been annealed is significantly weaker. Once this process is completed, the glass can then be coated, laminated or otherwise treated to improve its strength and durability.

• The precise temperature for annealing can vary based on the precise composition of the glass from as low as 750 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rate at which the glass must cool may also change - generally, larger pieces of glass must cool more slowly than smaller pieces. Research proper annealing methods before beginning.
• A related process is tempering, in which shaped and polished glass is placed in an oven heated to at least 600 degrees Celsius (1,112 degrees Fahrenheit) and then quick-cooled ("quenched") with blasts of air at high pressure. Annealed glass breaks into shards at 6,000 pounds per square inch (psi), while tempered glass breaks into small pieces at no less than 10,000 psi and usually at around 24,000 psi.