Many people use tanning beds (also known as sun beds or solariums) to attain a tan all year round. They operate by producing ultraviolet radiation, which darkens a pigment in the skin called melanin to provide a tan. Sun beds produce mainly UV-A rays, along with some UV-B rays. For years scientists thought that UV-A radiation didn't damage the skin, but it's now known that these rays are harmful and result in long-term damage, penetrating the deep layers of the skin to destroy the collagen and elastin fibers, which causes the skin to age more rapidly and results in wrinkles and freckles on the skin. The rays can also bring about an increased risk of contracting skin cancer.
While the UV-A undoubtedly provide a tan, they don't stimulate skin cells to produce a thicker epidermis, unlike UV-B rays from the sun, which means that the tan from UV-A rays doesn't provide any extra protection from further exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In fact, by prematurely aging the skin, UV-A rays damage the regenerative cells in the skin, causing it to be more susceptible to the harmful UV-B rays when the skin is later exposed to the sun.
It has recently been suggested that using tanning beds might be addictive, in that the rays they use increase the production rate of endorphins in the brain, providing the user with a pleasurable sensation.
Because sun beds have been in use for only a few years, the extent of the damage they cause is not yet fully known. However, skin specialists claim that no tan is healthy and that sun beds should be avoided, especially by people with fair complexions.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
How Do People Count Cards In Casinos?
Card counting is a practice that has been occurring in casinos since the 1960s, when books were first published on the topic. Some people, particularly teams of mathematically minded MIT students, made millions by using card counting techniques. The practice of card counting involves the player counting cards to gain an advantage over the casino, enabling them to beat the odds and increase their winnings. Many people think that card counting involves memorizing every card that is played so that the next card to be played is definitively known, but this is inaccurate; card counting is actually the process of remembering how many high-numbered cards have been played in relation to low-numbered cards, which gives the player an indication of the type of cards that are left in the deck.
There have been more than a hundred card-counting techniques, although complex systems of card counting are prone to human error. The most common and successful simple method used is the "Hi-Lo Count." In this system, only one number needs to be remembered at any time. "Plus one" is assigned to cards two, three, four, five and six and "minus one" is assigned to cards ten, jack, queen, king and ace. "Zero" is assigned to seven, eight and nine, which are known as neutral cards. The player counts the cards as they are played by adding or subtracting one for each card, depending on it's assigned value. A overall positive value means that there is likely to be a greater proportion of high cards in the deck. This gives the player an advantage in blackjack, for instance---a game in which counting systems are most commonly used---because the dealer is more likely to receive a high card and go bust above twenty-one (the dealer being required by the rules not to sit below seventeen). When the decks are reshuffled, the count begins again from zero.
Card counting does not help a player to win more hands; it simply means that he or she alter the size of his or her bet, depending on the count. If the count is low (i.e., below zero), the player will bet low. If the count is high (generally plus two or more), the player will bet high. In the long run, this should result in the player winning more money than he or she loses.
While card counting isn't illegal, unless a hidden mechanical device is used, the casino environment makes counting more difficult. The number of decks used per shuffle has increased, the casinos are noisy and full of distractions, and surveillance systems monitor notorious card counters, who, once spotted, are then removed or refused entry to casinos.
There have been more than a hundred card-counting techniques, although complex systems of card counting are prone to human error. The most common and successful simple method used is the "Hi-Lo Count." In this system, only one number needs to be remembered at any time. "Plus one" is assigned to cards two, three, four, five and six and "minus one" is assigned to cards ten, jack, queen, king and ace. "Zero" is assigned to seven, eight and nine, which are known as neutral cards. The player counts the cards as they are played by adding or subtracting one for each card, depending on it's assigned value. A overall positive value means that there is likely to be a greater proportion of high cards in the deck. This gives the player an advantage in blackjack, for instance---a game in which counting systems are most commonly used---because the dealer is more likely to receive a high card and go bust above twenty-one (the dealer being required by the rules not to sit below seventeen). When the decks are reshuffled, the count begins again from zero.
Card counting does not help a player to win more hands; it simply means that he or she alter the size of his or her bet, depending on the count. If the count is low (i.e., below zero), the player will bet low. If the count is high (generally plus two or more), the player will bet high. In the long run, this should result in the player winning more money than he or she loses.
While card counting isn't illegal, unless a hidden mechanical device is used, the casino environment makes counting more difficult. The number of decks used per shuffle has increased, the casinos are noisy and full of distractions, and surveillance systems monitor notorious card counters, who, once spotted, are then removed or refused entry to casinos.
Who Wrote The BIBLE, And When?
The question of who wrote the Bible and when has been debated by scholars for centuries. Most people agree that the current version of the Bible is based on older written sources that have been lost. It is also generally accepted that the Bible is an accurate, factual account of events written in the time that they took place.
A common view is that the Old Testament was written at various times between approximately 1500 BC and 500 BC. The different books are likely to have been written by the different people to whom they are attributed, such as Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Some books of unknown origin, such as Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus, are thought to have been written by Moses or Ezra the scribe, who studied official records and made books from them. It is thought that the New Testament was written between about AD 50 and AD 100. As with the Old Testament, many believe that the different books and chapters of the New Testament were written by those to whom they are attributed, such as Mark, Mathew, John, Luke and Paul, men who are said to have been contemporaries of Jesus.
The men who wrote the Bible came from many walks of life. Peter and John, for instance, were fishermen, while David was the king of Israel and Mathew was a tax collector.
In total, it is thought that over forty people contributed to the writing of the Bible over a period of about 1,500 years.
A common view is that the Old Testament was written at various times between approximately 1500 BC and 500 BC. The different books are likely to have been written by the different people to whom they are attributed, such as Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Some books of unknown origin, such as Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus, are thought to have been written by Moses or Ezra the scribe, who studied official records and made books from them. It is thought that the New Testament was written between about AD 50 and AD 100. As with the Old Testament, many believe that the different books and chapters of the New Testament were written by those to whom they are attributed, such as Mark, Mathew, John, Luke and Paul, men who are said to have been contemporaries of Jesus.
The men who wrote the Bible came from many walks of life. Peter and John, for instance, were fishermen, while David was the king of Israel and Mathew was a tax collector.
In total, it is thought that over forty people contributed to the writing of the Bible over a period of about 1,500 years.
Monday, April 6, 2015
How Did The Word "SHIT" Originate?
It is claimed by some that the word "shit" originates in the sixteenth century, when manure was transported by ship. The dry manure weighed little and was stowed below deck. When mixed with water, however, it gained in weight and began to ferment, producing methane gas, which, when exposed to a naked flame (that of a lantern, for instance), would ignite, causing explosions and fires. Because of these accidents, crates of manure were labeled "Ship High In Transit" to indicate that the crates were to be stowed above the deck, so that any water that the ship took on would not come into contact with them. It was assumed by many that the word "shit" was an acronym derived from this labeling convention. However, this theory has since been discovered to be a complete falsehood that can be traced to an Internet posting in 1999 and that has been perpetrated ever since. The word "shit" is from the Middle English word 'shitten" which in turn derived from the Old English word "scitan," from besciten, which meant "to be covered with excrement" and is in turn thought to originate from the Indo-European root skei. The word can also be traced back to Germanic languages at the time of the Roman Empire. The word "shite," meanwhile, is a variant form of the word that is found in some dialects in Ireland and Scotland, as well as in colloquial English.
Why Do Bottles Of TEQUILA Contain WORMS?
It's a common misconception that tequila bottles contain worms; indeed, it is legally forbidden for bottles of tequila to contain worms. In fact, it is the drink mescal---similar to tequila and also made in Mexico---that contains the worm. A number of brands of brands of mescal contain worms.
The worm traditionally used for such a purpose is actually the caterpillar Hipopta agavis, which lives in the stems of agave plants, from which mescal is made. These reddish-colored worms can be quite rare and at times white worms from the leaves of the plant are used instead.
The practice of adding such worms to bottles of mescal has been in existence since the 1940s, when a Mexican named Jacobo Lozano Paez, while tasting the drink, found that the addition of the worm changed the taste and color. He then decided to include the worm as a marketing gimmick. Despite popular belief, this practice hasn't been a Mexican tradition for centuries.
The worm is supposed to be eaten, traditionally being considered a delicacy by Mexicans, and is thought by some to have aphrodisiac qualities, while others believe that the worm gives strength to those who eat it and that it is an hallucinogenic. Apart from any psychological effects the worm might have, however, in reality it's merely a worm filled with alcohol.
The worm traditionally used for such a purpose is actually the caterpillar Hipopta agavis, which lives in the stems of agave plants, from which mescal is made. These reddish-colored worms can be quite rare and at times white worms from the leaves of the plant are used instead.
The practice of adding such worms to bottles of mescal has been in existence since the 1940s, when a Mexican named Jacobo Lozano Paez, while tasting the drink, found that the addition of the worm changed the taste and color. He then decided to include the worm as a marketing gimmick. Despite popular belief, this practice hasn't been a Mexican tradition for centuries.
The worm is supposed to be eaten, traditionally being considered a delicacy by Mexicans, and is thought by some to have aphrodisiac qualities, while others believe that the worm gives strength to those who eat it and that it is an hallucinogenic. Apart from any psychological effects the worm might have, however, in reality it's merely a worm filled with alcohol.
What is COCA-COLA Made From And Did It Contain COCAINE?
Since its invention, the ingredients of Coca-Cola have been kept a long-guarded secret, which has both prevented others from copying the exact formula and, over the years, enhanced the public's perception of what a unique product Coca-Cola is.
Coca-Cola was named in 1886 because of its two main ingredients: kola nuts and extract of coca leaves---i.e, cocaine, which the drink did contain until 1929, although in very small amounts.
The exact balance of the recipe, however, has never been disclosed to the public, and the original copy of it is locked in the vault of the Sun Trust Bank in Atlanta. It has commonly been said that only two executives originally knew the formula, and that each of them knew only half of it. In fact, Coca-Cola Company does have a rule that only executives can know the formula, but each knows the entire formula. When air travel became popular, it became company policy not to allow both of the executives to fly on the same plane.
While the exact recipe of Coke remains a mystery, it is generally accepted that it comprises the following key flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, lime, lemon, orange, coriander, caramel, cocoa, neroli aand vanilla.
Coca-Cola was named in 1886 because of its two main ingredients: kola nuts and extract of coca leaves---i.e, cocaine, which the drink did contain until 1929, although in very small amounts.
The exact balance of the recipe, however, has never been disclosed to the public, and the original copy of it is locked in the vault of the Sun Trust Bank in Atlanta. It has commonly been said that only two executives originally knew the formula, and that each of them knew only half of it. In fact, Coca-Cola Company does have a rule that only executives can know the formula, but each knows the entire formula. When air travel became popular, it became company policy not to allow both of the executives to fly on the same plane.
While the exact recipe of Coke remains a mystery, it is generally accepted that it comprises the following key flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, lime, lemon, orange, coriander, caramel, cocoa, neroli aand vanilla.
Why is New York City called "THE BIG APPLE"?
The origin of New York City's most famous nickname has been the subject of conjecture for many years. One view is that one New York gentleman's guidebook to the houses of ill repute in the nineteenth century referred to New York as having the best "apples" (in this usage, a euphemism for prostitutes) in the world. Given that New York claimed to have the most and best brothels, it was inevitably called "the Big Apple." A second view is that the name was derived from a 1909 book by Edward S. Martin entitled The Wayfarer In New York, which made a reference to New York being the Big Apple and receiving more than its share of the "national sap." However, there is no evidence to suggest that either of these two sources had any influence on the popularity or spread of the term.
Many people believe that the name stems from a term used by jazz musicians to refer to New York, although it is thought that they did not begin the trend. That honor is believed to fall to John Fitzgerald, a horseracing journalist for the New York Morning Telegraph, who in 1921 wrote an article in which he referred to New York races around "the Big Apple." Fitzgerald claimed that he overheard the term being used by some African-American stable hands in New Orleans, who referred to every jockey's dream being to race in New York because "there's only one Big Apple. That's New York." The name was then popularized by jazz musicians in the 1930s because New York---and, in particular, Harlem---was the best place to perform and thought to be the jazz capital of the world.
In 1971, a New York advertising campaign adopted the name "The Big Apple" (using a logo featuring red apples) in an attempt to increase tourism to the city by portraying it as a bright and lively place rather than an urban netherworld rife with crime. Since then, the city officially been known as the Big Apple throughout the world. In 1997, the corner of Fifty-fourth Street and Broadway, where John Fitzgerald lived for twenty-nine years, was named Big Apple Corner as a tribute to the man.
Many people believe that the name stems from a term used by jazz musicians to refer to New York, although it is thought that they did not begin the trend. That honor is believed to fall to John Fitzgerald, a horseracing journalist for the New York Morning Telegraph, who in 1921 wrote an article in which he referred to New York races around "the Big Apple." Fitzgerald claimed that he overheard the term being used by some African-American stable hands in New Orleans, who referred to every jockey's dream being to race in New York because "there's only one Big Apple. That's New York." The name was then popularized by jazz musicians in the 1930s because New York---and, in particular, Harlem---was the best place to perform and thought to be the jazz capital of the world.
In 1971, a New York advertising campaign adopted the name "The Big Apple" (using a logo featuring red apples) in an attempt to increase tourism to the city by portraying it as a bright and lively place rather than an urban netherworld rife with crime. Since then, the city officially been known as the Big Apple throughout the world. In 1997, the corner of Fifty-fourth Street and Broadway, where John Fitzgerald lived for twenty-nine years, was named Big Apple Corner as a tribute to the man.
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