This is a question that sports bettors ask me every week.
A few people will tell you about some complicated formulas, but I like to keep things simple.
My main rule is to bet an average of 2% of your balance on each bet. As simple as that!
By “capital” I mean the total amount you have invested in your sports betting account.
For example, let's assume that the balance in your account #1 is $500, you also hold $300 with a second accountant and an additional $200 with a third. In such a case, your total principal amount would be $1000.
If you follow my rule and have a total of $1,000, that means you are putting an average of $20 on the table for each bet (or 2% of your $1,000).
Of course, using this method will increase your bet total if you are successful. And if you lose money, your balance will decrease and so will your bet amount.
I would like to add one more important piece of information: depending on your confidence in each bet, you can bet between 1% and 4% of your balance.
No matter how much you like a particular choice, and even if you think it is a guaranteed win, never bet more than 4% of your total on a single bet! This is a big mistake that amateurs make and you don't want to make it.
The American company Intuitive Machines, the first private company to land on the moon, announced on Friday that its probe probably landed on the side of the moon rather than landing vertically on the moon, but that scientific data and images show this nevertheless allow should be restored.
Intuitive Machines' 14-foot-tall Odysseus probe landed on the moon at 11:23 p.m. Thursday, becoming the first American device to do so in more than 50 years.
But twists and turns, particularly a navigation system failure, made the final descent difficult.
“We believe that Odysseus caught his foot on the surface and the lander rolled over,” Steve Altemus, CEO and co-founder of Intuitive Machines, said at a press conference.
Using a model of the lander, he showed the device on one side, but with the upper part likely resting on a rock so it could be partially raised, according to analysis by the young Houston, Texas-based company founded in 2013.
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Odysseus' ground operations are expected to last at most about seven days before night falls at the moon's south pole.
Photo: Portal / Intuitive Machines
The lander still produces energy thanks to its solar panels and can therefore function, Mr. Altemus said, specifying that a NASA probe in lunar orbit this weekend should try to take photos that could confirm Odysseus' exact location.
The company said Thursday evening that the plane landed upright, but that claim was based on incorrect data, the CEO added.
A half-hearted mission
In particular, the device carries scientific instruments for NASA, which wants to explore the south pole of the moon before sending its astronauts there as part of its Artemis missions.
Fortunately, most of the cargo carried by the lander is on the side away from the lunar surface, Altemus said.
However, some antennas are aimed at the ground, which limits data transmission capabilities.
Another disappointment: A small, camera-equipped machine called EagleCam, developed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, was supposed to be thrown from the moon at the last moment to photograph the landing from the outside.
Unfortunately, due to the complications that arose during this phase, the use of EagleCam has been postponed, the university announced on Friday. An operation during the ground mission is now planned, which could make it possible to obtain an external view of the lander.
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The mission, called IM-1, is considered a success by NASA, which awarded Intuitive Machines a $118 million contract to transport six scientific instruments to the moon.
Photo: AFP / VIA GETTY IMAGES / GREGG NEWTON
While the moon landing wasn't perfect, it still represents a success for NASA, which awarded Intuitive Machines a $118 million contract to transport six scientific instruments during this mission, named IM-1.
One of them probably saved the trip. The lunar navigation system did not work as expected, so the company had to improvise.
During an additional lunar tour added just before the dreaded descent, employees programmed a NASA laser system at the last minute to control the lander.
This system, which is intended to improve the precision of landings, was to be activated in space for the first time in a test on this mission. But eventually it was successfully used as a primary navigation system.
Odysseus' ground operations are expected to last at most about seven days before night falls at the moon's south pole.
Private companies and the moon
Intuitive Machines received congratulations Thursday from around the world, including from rival companies that recently unsuccessfully attempted the maneuver themselves: upstart Japanese company ispace, which crashed on the moon last year, and American company Astrobotic, which failed to reach the lunar star in January.
This mission is the first for Intuitive Machines, but the second for NASA's new lunar delivery program called CLPS, following Astrobotic's failure last month.
Instead of sending scientific instruments and associated vehicles to the moon, the American space agency decided to contract this service from private companies.
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NASA's Artemis program aims to send astronauts to the lunar surface sometime in 2026.
Photo: getty images/istockphoto / abriendomundo
This strategy should allow him to make the trip more often and for less money. But also to stimulate the development of a lunar economy that can support a sustainable human presence on the Moon, one of the goals of NASA's Artemis program.
In total, four more US lunar missions are officially planned this year as part of the CLPS program, including two more from Intuitive Machines.
On the afternoon of April 8, 2024, southern Quebec will be plunged into darkness due to a total solar eclipse, a rare phenomenon that only occurs in a specific location once every 375 years. Julie Bolduc-Duval, graduate in astronomy, and Joël Leblanc, science journalist, offer curious readers a book that addresses the topic and provides practical information for observing this special event in complete safety: Solar Eclipse: When the sun performs its circus.
Her book is designed as a tool that aims to democratize the understanding of eclipses. As recently as 2017, students across the United States were forced to remain in class without the unprecedented opportunity to observe an event that some considered too dangerous.
The authors demystify eclipses in their book. They tell of the many scientific discoveries, the false beliefs on the subject, and the observations of scientists over the centuries. They point out that Europeans have studied the phenomenon, but it has also been noticed in China, Iraq and even North America, particularly by indigenous populations.
Your book is relevant, interesting and very popular. Everything is explained clearly to understand the phenomenon and know the entire history of eclipses throughout the centuries.
Inform the population
“Our goal was actually to democratize the eclipse so that everyone knew about it. It is such an extraordinary event!” comments astronomer Julie Bolduc-Duval in an interview.
She learned a lot while working on this project. “What fascinated me was how long it took us to understand what eclipses were and to be able to predict them. But once we knew what they were, we used them to better understand our world.”
The astronomer, a graduate of the University of Victoria in British Columbia, recalls that the April 8 total solar eclipse was a rare event. “I experienced this in 2017 and was already working in scientific communication. I said to myself: I have to prepare the schools in eastern Canada for this moment!” exclaims the scientist, who has been working on this topic for three years.
“Everyone needs to realize how extraordinary this will be for a moment. I will remember this for the rest of my life! I really hope that in 2024 everyone can experience it and the weather will be nice… but that's a variable we can't control. We will see darkness in broad daylight: there is still something interesting to experience!”
Indigenous knowledge
The scientist explains that a video will soon be released with Innu astrophysicist Laurie Rousseau-Nepton about indigenous knowledge of eclipses. This video complements the explanations in the Eclipse book.
“Eclipses were frightening: they were like a monster devouring the sun. But in the First Nations case it was something positive: it was seen as a rapprochement between a man and a woman,” she says.
“Often the sun is the man and the moon is the woman, or vice versa, depending on the culture. It was a positive thing: we gave them their privacy and they didn't have to look. The theme of not burning your eyes was incorporated into the story. I think it's great! It’s a different way of imparting knowledge.”
The security problem
Additionally, Julie reminds us that the most important thing for safety reasons is to remember that you should never look directly at the sun with your naked eye.
“The issue of security should not take up all the space, because it is an extraordinary event that people can witness.” It happens once in a lifetime!”
Solar Eclipse: When the sun performs its circus
Julie Bolduc-Duval and Joël Leblanc
Multiworld editions
156 pages
Joël Leblanc has been a science journalist for almost 25 years.
He trained in paleontology at the University of Laval and the University of Quebec in Rimouski.
He produces reports for Québec Science and Radio-Canada Radio.
Julie Bolduc-Duval holds a degree in astronomy from the University of Victoria, British Columbia.
She worked at the Federal Astrophysical Observatory.
She is dedicated to science education in Quebec and serves as the program's general director Discover the universe.
The Canadian Astronomical Society awarded him the 2020 Qilak Prize for his exceptional work in training astronomy educators from elementary school to university.
▶ To see maps of areas where the eclipse will be total (the band of totality) and safety tips: eclipsequebec.ca
“Here is a list of items you should not use when viewing a solar eclipse:
– ordinary sunglasses (even several pairs on top of each other, as they are designed to see everything that is dangerous during a solar eclipse)
– an old CD or DVD
– an old overexposed photo film (i.e. completely black)
– an x-ray
– an aluminized survival blanket
– a pack of chips etc.
These objects can inspire confidence because the objects in question are both opaque and transmit sunlight, but actually transmit too much of it. Seeing the sun dim or not feeling unwell is not a guarantee of safety.”
– Joël Leblanc and Julie Bolduc-Duval, Eclipse: When the Sun Does Its Circus, Éditions Multi Monde
A research team from Laval University worked for four years with the companies Yoplait and General Mills with the aim of improving the composition of yogurt by reducing additives while maintaining texture.
In North America, it is common to use active ingredients that control the texture of yogurts, so-called additives, such as starch, gelatin or pectins. They allow you to influence the texture of food. However, today consumers are becoming more informed and more interested in the composition of the food they eat. In this regard, manufacturers are trying to improve their products to meet demand.
U.S. market leaders Yoplait France and General Mills turned to the University of Laval to conduct a research project to improve their yogurt. “The Milk Science and Technology Research Center has existed for over 35 years. We are internationally known for our expertise,” says Sylvie Turgeon, researcher and full professor in the Department of Food Sciences at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Laval.
She explains that thanks to work about fifteen years ago, we know that there are bacteria that can be used in yogurt and that naturally produce a thickener. The idea is to avoid the addition of additives and replace them with the natural action of selected bacteria, thereby simplifying the yogurt recipe.
A demanding scientific process
Although yogurt is a staple food, studying its texture and composition requires cutting-edge scientific research. “The first step is to identify the strains of interest,” explains Steve Labrie, a researcher and full professor in the Department of Food Science who is leading this research project. “We studied more than 500 bacteria using our genomic tools that allow us to identify genes in the laboratory and selected the best microorganisms that can reproduce texture instead of additives. » This is also where the originality of the project lies, explains Sylvie Turgeon.
Once the candidates are selected, tests are carried out in the laboratory: the results are analyzed and textures such as viscosity, strength or adhesion are measured. Tests are then carried out under real conditions with industrial partners, which allows us to check whether the laboratory tests are meaningful.
“The partner's work in the pilot plant is more representative of reality than if we do it ourselves on a laboratory scale,” explains Ms. Turgeon. Collaborating with industrial partners has an advantage for researchers and students: the former can compare their research results with a concrete environment, while industrialists benefit from expertise and laboratory research that they could not have carried out themselves, adds Mr. Labrie.
A collaboration that changes things
The partnership between Laval University, Yoplait France and General Mills has numerous benefits. For example, the work was carried out by one of the university students who spent six months with the partner in the pilot plant to follow the project, says Sylvie Turgeon happily. “Thanks to the partnership, the potential for impact is greater, but the research is also more relevant and the students' education is significantly enriched by the internships, but also by the discussions during the project.” »
Steve Labrie is also excited when he talks about this win-win collaboration. “It is a success for the education of students, the research programs of our centers and for the partners. We are particularly proud of the result. »
Financing a project of this magnitude was also possible thanks to the partnership, explains Sylvie Turgeon. “The level of funding we were able to obtain was only possible thanks to the financial and physical investments made by the partners. » The project also received financial support from Génome Québec-Genome Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and MITACS, without which the research project could not have been carried out.
The implementation of the results is now in the hands of the manufacturers. Although the project is complete, the team travels around the world to present it: after Chicago and Europe in 2023, the project will be presented at a major dairy congress in France next fall.
This content was created by Le Devoir's Special Publications team, reporting to Marketing. The editors of Le Devoir did not take part.
OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot and Google's Gemini are the hottest generative AI applications in Canada today. You can use the basic versions for free, but you have to pay to access the more powerful versions. Therefore, it is important to make the right choice.
How much does it cost ?
Google is “selling” Gemini Advanced – which, to better mix its users, offers access to a language model called Gemini Ultra 1.0 – for $27 a month, after the first two months are free. The subscription includes 2 terabytes of cloud storage and a few other services. It will soon allow Gemini to be used in the Workspace suite, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet and Gmail messaging.
ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI's most advanced version of AI, also costs $27 per month. At this price, generative AI can surf the web, create images with its companion tool Dall-E, and use a variety of other plug-ins.
Copilot was developed by Microsoft based on GPT, OpenAI's extended language model that supports ChatGPT. Copilot Pro also costs $27 per month and promises the best version of GPT to use in the office suite.
How it works ?
ChatGPT is available on the Internet or via a mobile application of the same name on iPhone and Android. We interact mainly in writing or can speak to him, even in French. On a mobile phone, you can create shortcuts on the home screen to automate certain tasks. GPT-3.5 is the standard language model. You have to pay to use GPT-4, which is much better. We expect GPT 4.5 in the fall.
Copilot Pro promises priority access to the GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo language models even during rush hour. This is a chat optimized version of it. Copilot focuses on online research and provides short, illustrated answers with verifiable sources. Copilot Pro is more at home in the office suite. He can design texts in Word or spreadsheets in Excel. Still, it's worth reading again. Copilot is available as a web version or as an application for Windows, Mac and mobile devices.
Google's Gemini lives on the web and has an experimental application for Android. It then replaces the Google Assistant. In April we expect Gemini 1.5, which can record 700,000 words, 11 hours of sound clips or an hour of video at once. Google believes a filmmaker could use it to predict moviegoer ratings, or that a company could upload its financial data to automate much of its accounting.
The best AI?
Which AI is the best? It depends on. Especially because they are constantly evolving and the mistakes or untruths made one day are erased and corrected the next…
However, keep in mind that none of these AIs are good at math, as all three are probabilistic language models and not voice-controlled calculators.
ChatGPT captures nuances poorly and often makes mistakes. The schoolwork assigned to him is likely to be full of errors that are easy for an experienced teacher to spot. ChatGPT Plus is more accurate. He may be asked to summarize the texts transmitted in small portions, maximum 4000 characters at a time. You can add entire attachments, e.g. B. Submit PDFs. The images produced are well done, but you need to express your thoughts well to achieve the desired result.
Copilot limits its interaction to 2000 characters per text and five reminders per conversation. Copilot Pro doubles its power, but responses are generally short. We have the impression that we have a search engine in our hands, whose often illustrated answers then enable us to explore the cited sources. Copilot Pro comes in handy in Office, where it can summarize texts in Word or email conversations in Outlook and, as a bonus, offers improvements to our own creations.
Geminis seem to have the most accurate answers, even to the wrong questions asked to catch them out. We can't wait to see Gemini 1.5, as the version launched in Canada in early February is already running very well. Gemini Advanced answers questions faster than its two competitors and provides hyperlinks when necessary. Integration with Docs, Sheets and other applications is not yet complete, but you create the documents yourself following the instructions and that's it. Following his instructions, we were able to produce, in three minutes, a spreadsheet showing the quarterly financial results of a large Montreal company since its public listing five years ago.
And the others ?
These three do not have a monopoly on generative AI. For example, the company Anthropic offers Claude AI, an AI that is more ethical and less creative than ChatGPT, but is not officially accessible from Canada. Meta has its own language model called Llama, which has limited public access. Cohere, a Canadian AI, is aimed at the business market and is also not directly available to the public.
Two more school service centers decided to postpone class days to give their students a day off to prepare for the total solar eclipse that will take place in Quebec on April 8, despite protests from the education minister.
• Also read: The list of schools closed due to the April 8 solar eclipse is growing
• Also read: Solar eclipse of April 8th: Schools should not be closed, argue science speakers
The Mille-Îles School Service Center, which serves more than 46,000 students in 16 cities in the northern part of Montreal, announced in an email to parents that April 8 will be an education day for safety reasons.
Under these conditions, it is impossible to ensure the safety of children on the bus ride home, school authorities added.
The daycare center remains open on this day, but parents must pick up their children on site. No child is allowed to go home for fear of staring at the sun.
The Affluents school service center, which brings together around 50,000 students in Lanaudière, came to a similar conclusion on Friday.
Because school authorities were unable to “provide adequate care to all of our students during the eclipse,” they decided to move the school day from April 19 to April 8.
Here too, the daycare centers remain open.
Earlier this month, Education Minister Bernard Drainville urged schools to remain open during the solar eclipse and take the opportunity to educate students about this astronomical phenomenon.
Since then, the list of school service centers choosing to close their doors has continued to grow.
Two more school service centers have decided to postpone class days to give their students a day off in view of the total solar eclipse that will take place on April 8 in Quebec, despite the protests of the Minister of Education.
• Also read: The list of schools closed due to the solar eclipse on April 8th is growing
• Also read: Solar eclipse of April 8th: Schools should not be closed, argue science speakers
The Mille-Îles School Service Center, which serves more than 46,000 students in 16 cities in northern Montreal, announced in an email to parents that April 8 will be declared Education Day for safety reasons.
“The risks to the eyes if [l’éclipse est] can be observed without appropriate equipment are very important. Therefore, appropriate adult supervision is required to ensure that children can watch the eclipse safely,” the service center argued.
Under these conditions, it is impossible to ensure the safety of children on the bus ride home, school authorities added.
The daycare center will remain open on this day, but parents must pick up their children indoors. No child is allowed to go home for fear of staring at the sun.
The Affluents School Service Center, which brings together around 50,000 students in Lanaudière, came to a similar conclusion on Friday.
Since school authorities were unable to “provide adequate supervision for all of our students during the eclipse,” they decided to move the school day from April 19 to April 8.
Here too, the daycare centers remain open.
Earlier this month, Education Minister Bernard Drainville urged schools to remain open during the solar eclipse and take the opportunity to educate students about this astronomical phenomenon.
Since then, the list of school service centers choosing to close their doors has continued to grow.
After a long break, the Vocalys Ensemble presents the PACEM concert on February 24th in the Franciscan Chapel, today's shrine to the Good Father Frédéric.
The Ensemble Vocalys, led by its founder Raymond Perrin, will be accompanied on this occasion by the soprano Peggy Bélanger and a chamber orchestra.
On this occasion, works will be performed that call for an end to the conflicts of our time, including “The Fruit of Silence” based on a text by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This work for choir and string orchestra is by Pēteris Vasks, a composer from Latvia, a country on the edge of the Russian-Ukrainian front.
This concert is also scheduled on the same day as the second anniversary of the Russian invasion
Ukraine.
The main piece of the concert, Requiem for the Living, is by the American composer Dan Forrest. “It is a moving observation of the need for all people to bring about a peace that the great composers have previously reserved for the dead in their requiems. Featuring Dan Forrest, the text of the Requiem underscores the need for immediate peace to prevent the destruction of our world. However, the work is infused with light and positive energy, as well as doubts about the looming threats to the future of the planet,” Vocalys says in a press release.
The vocal ensemble will complement this program with works by Mendelssohn, Hawes, Ticheli and Jenkins.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available in advance for $25 ($12 for students) at the box office in the J. Antonio Thompson Room or by calling 819 380-9797. Tickets are also available at the door the day of the concert for $30. (MEBA)
