Flavio Briatore's wife Elisabetta Gregoraci's sexiest pictures

Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore's model wife Elisabetta Gregoraci's sexiest pictures collection. (Click on the pictures to enlarge)

Ultimate Explanations of the Universe

Why is there something rather than nothing? What was the origin of the universe? What is the future of the universe? Is the universe finite or infinite? Is our universe the only logically possible universe? Are there other universes? What is the relationship between life and the universe?

These fundamental metaphysical questions have always exerted a fascination for mankind, but over the past hundred years physical cosmology has begun to provide scientific answers to these questions, answers formulated using well-defined mathematical concepts, and verified by astronomical observation.

In more recent decades, however, a sub-industry has developed which produces cosmological theories and models lacking any empirical substantiation. The audience for such highly speculative cosmology consists not only of physicists and cosmologists, but the public-at-large. There is a shop-front for this brand of cosmology, composed of popular science programmes on TV, books such as Stephen Hawking's Brief History of Time, and articles in magazines such as Scientific American and New Scientist.

There is a problem with the manner in which this type of cosmology is presented to the public, and it conforms with Ben Goldacre's characterisation of the way in which all science is treated by the media:

On this template, science is portrayed as groundless, incomprehensible, didactic truth statements from scientists, who themselves are socially powerful, arbitrary, unelected authority figures. They are detached from reality; they do work that is either wacky or dangerous, but either way, everything in science is tenuous, contradictory, probably going to change soon and, most ridiculously, 'hard to understand'. (Bad Science, p225).

Cosmology is presented in the media as being beyond the understanding of the public, and beyond their ability to engage in critical appraisal. The concepts and reasoning are rarely properly explained, and almost never subjected to critical analysis. In the case of speculative cosmology, the ideas are also presented in a credulous and philosophically naive manner.

As an antidote to this comes Ultimate Explanations of the Universe, the latest book by Michael Heller, Polish physicist, philosopher, priest, and winner of the million-pound 2008 Templeton Prize. The text offers a critical guide to all the big philosophical issues in cosmology: eternal universes, cyclic universes, the heath death of the universe, quantum creation out of nothing, inflation, the anthropic principle, cosmological natural selection, theories of everything, and multiverses. The text is quite dense, but the book is still accessible to anyone with an interest in such ultimate questions, and will assist non-specialists seeking to assess the metaphysical credentials of modern cosmology.

Hamilton's girl Nicole Scherzinger hottest pictures

Mclaren F1 ace race driver Lewis Hamilton's girl friend Nicole Scherzinger's sexiest photos ever... ( Click on the pictures to enlarge)

Bugatti by JMV Designs!

Even if the exotic French automaker Bugatti has yet to announce the fate of a successor for the Veyron super car, that hasn’t stopped outside sources from dreaming up their own next generation 250 MPH+ dream machine. Take these renderings from the Canadian John Mark Vicente, a graduate of the Communication Design program at Emily Carr University. His creation is called called Renaissance and these wild computer aided renderings take all of the current Bugatti’s design cues that have become synonymous with the 1001 HP Veyron like the overall double bubble shape and signature twin air scoops protruding through the roof in order to ingest clean air at insanely fast speeds.

John Mark takes the Veyron to the next level with a full iRobot treatment by adding a new aggressive nose with much more angular LED headlamps, snarling snout and a more pronounced diffuser that looks to have been made from carbon fiber. Speaking of the lightweight wavy black stuff, the Renaissance also shows off its carbon construction with the A-pillars that sweep back into the forward section of the roof as well as with its rear flanks. Out back the forward thinking Bugatti trades in the Veyron’s curves for a much more angular rear end that matches the nose, while the larger diameter rims dress the would be super car up from every angle.

Force India - Kingfisher Calender 2010

The much awaited Force India - Kingfisher Calendar 2010 released. This calender features hottest girls who are the winners of Kingfisher Reality show called
"Calender girl hunt 2010 " ( Click on Pictures to enlarge)

Ralf Shumacher wants to return in F1!!!!

Ralf Schumacher wants to emulate his brother Michael by making a return to Formula One next season.

The younger Schumacher last raced in 2007 for Toyota and has raced in the German DTM touring cars for the last two years for Mercedes. But Schumacher told German newspaper Bild that he is ready to give up his DTM seat if an attractive F1 seat was to be offered to him.

"I have noticed that the Formula One fire is once again burning within me," he said. "I can understand Michael's decision 100 per cent and I would not have hesitated for a second. You can't stop the passion: racing was and is our life and we have always looked for challenges."

Schumacher won six grand prix in nine years and admitted his reputation had been damaged by his lacklustre spell at Toyota. The 34-year-old also confirmed he had already turned down an offer to race for one of F1's four new teams next season.

"The challenge must be the right one," he said. "There is no point signing a second-best contract, and it's not about the money but whether together we would be able to achieve something. For me the Toyota years are in the past. I know what I can do and I feel good and ready."

Bat Limo in real!!!!

The closest thing to a real life Gotham City we have right now is New York City, and it only seems appropriate that you’d find at least one Batmobile patrolling the Big Apple’s streets these days.

This one - while sporting the look of the iconic Batmobile of the two Tim Burton-directed Batman movies of the early 90’s – though, is a little bit more stretched than what we’re used to from the Caped Crusader’s official ride.

But then again, this is New York City, a place where the only thing predictable about it is its unpredictability; spotting the BatLimo running around its streets is hardly surprising to us.

We’re just disappointed that those flame burners are just for decorations; it would’ve been awesome if they actually worked.

Tamara Ecclestone almost nude pose

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's daughter the hot Tamara Ecclestone posed almost nude for PETA. She looks damn sexxy...(Click on the picture to Enlarge)

Next Lambo Superleggera

According to rumours hardcore version of LP560-4 is planned soon. The name of the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera successor will be LP570-4 SV and it packs less weight, only 10hp more and a stripped-down interior. Reworked front suspension and CC brakes are expected also.

The brand new supercar will feature a new front spoiler with similar style as the LP670-4 SV and a large rear wing like the Supertrofeo G. That is really it, nothing revolutionary.

Dealers and VIP customers will be able to see the hardcore version of the current Gallardo at a presentation event next January. The public unveiling is expected for the Geneva Motor Show 2010. Deliveries to customers start from May 2010.

But this isn’t the complete story! This SV-version will not be the last version in the Gallardo LP560-4 series, a fifth and final hardcore rearwheel drive version will come later next year or early 2011 to keep production running until 2012 when the Gallardo successor is expected.

So prepare yourself for a LP570-4 SV in 2010 and a LP590-2 SV in 2011!

Hot couple Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger are going for a split?

Based on our sources Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Sherzinger's relationship is on rocks. The couple have not seen each other for tha past 3 weeks. Both are busy on their commitments and not getting time for each other. Lewis spoke person denied all the rumors but we heard that they have had few problems in their love life... All the best to Lewis and Nicole and we hope they will remain as the hottest couple in F1 2010 season too :)

Christmas with Thomas Covenant

Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever could feel the wild magic pulsing in his veins. He was the wielder of the white chocolate ring, and its argent fire had the power to destroy or redeem Christmas. This was the conundrum, the dilemma, the paradox.

The vitality of the pagan winter solstice, the seminal life-force and spirit of Christmas, had been corrupted, first by the bane of religious revelation, scripture and liturgy, then by the malefic puissance of commercialisation, and finally by the insidious constriction and life-draining encroachment of Health and Safety bureaucracy. The wild magic had the capability to destroy this suppurating putrefaction, but also to destroy the Arch of Time, releasing Lord Mandelson the Despiser from his chancrous demesne.

Covenant knew he had to wield the wild magic, but also knew that he couldn't control it. As rapacious commercial Ravers stalked the land, disseminating their incentives to gluttony and avarice, now came the final desecration: the conical, synthetic Poole-centre Christmas tree.

For a brief moment, Covenant thought he descried Lord Mandelson's carious yellow eyes from inside the tree. Instantly, his skin was enveloped in formication, and an eldritch nimbus formed around his body. As coruscations began to lance outwards, Covenant could feel the argent fire gathering itself, ready to blaze across the land in a conflagration of destruction. The Yuletide Log of Law had been broken, the Earthpower had been sundered from the people, and unless Thomas Covenant could find the point of balance, the Arch of Time itself was in peril.

2013 Nissan GT-R Hybrid

A few days ago we announced that the next generation Nissan GT-R set to be unveiled in 2013 will be offered straight from the factory with a hybrid drivetrain option, and it might not be quite as new as you think. Thanks to our friends at Inside Line. we have learned that the future hybrid GT-R was on display earlier this year in Geneva and was shown under the guise of the Infiniti Essence concept. When we finally see Nissan’s new lines for the next generation GT-R super car its design will clearly have been inspired by the luxury concept. However the new Nissan GT-R is also said to carry over much more than just body lines, it is rumored that the hybrid power trin unit from the Essence concept will find a new home in the production car GT-R.

Now the Nissan GT-R has quite a legacy to live up to, and despite coming from an unproven vision, the gas/electric combination of internal combustion and wires wrapped around magnets that can be found under the skin of Infiniti’s last concept should be more then adequite to get the job done. The Essence showcar is powered by boosted 3.7 Liter V6 engine producing 440 HP combined with a 160 HP electric motor for a total of 600 HP. The current GT-R only makes 480 HP, a number which by no means should be considered minimal, and Nissan’s engineers spent a lot of time developing the GT-R’s VR38DETT power plant with its plasma sprayed cylinder liners and twin turbocharged setup the greener GT-R will most likely retain its current 3.8 Liter V6 and simply integrate it into the Essence’s electrified power train. This means that producing a maximum output of over 600 HP should be no problem for the next generation super car, meaning well more then 100 HP more than the current GT-R while fuel economy is improved closer to the 30 MPG range.

Pricing for the next generation Nissan GT-R hybrid will be in the neighborhood of $100,000 but we are still awaiting a gas/electric Spec V.

The return of Dick Dastardly

So Michael Schumacher is coming out of retirement to race for Mercedes in 2010. After all the cheating and politics that's marred Formula One since Michael left the stage at the end of 2006, the return of such a pure and noble spirit will surely inject a breath of fresh air into the sport. And it's nice to see that Michael's neck has mended properly now that he'll be able to test the car he's going to race...

Much emphasis has been placed upon the fact that Michael will be re-united at Mercedes with Ross Brawn, his trusted friend and erstwhile Ferrari technical director. From a politically strategic perspective, however, Michael will also be not disadvantaged by the presence of Jean Todt as newly-installed President of the FIA. Todt and Schumacher also share a great deal of mutual respect, and given Todt's apparent grudge with Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, it doesn't take an excess of imagination to conceive that Schumacher and Mercedes may be given, let's say, the benefit of the doubt in any marginal technical or sporting decisions next year.

Still, with the prospect of Hamilton, Schumacher and Alonso going wheel-to-wheel in 2010, March 14th simply can't come around quickly enough.

Land Rover Freelander 2

Land Rover UK has added a new model to it Freelander 2 line-up: the Freelander 2 Sport version which will go on sale in January 2010 at a price of £26,695. The new model will be available in two different trims and two exterior colors: Santorini Black and Lago Grey.

The Sport version will be distinguished by exclusive 19" limited edition diamond-turned alloy-wheels, a unique two-tone interior together with a rear spoiler, color-keyed exterior trim and matching door handles and mirror casings.

Snow and Bayesian probability

I was due to deliver a presentation today on the application of Bayesian probability to measurement science. Sadly, that won't now be possible.

Still, I'm sure Blogger won't mind me using their resources instead. The basic idea is that there's a distinction between true values x and measured values y.

You start off with a prior probability distribution over the true values. You then have a likelihood function, which gives you the probability
P(y|x) of measuring any value y given a hypothetical true value x.

When you perform an actual measurement, and obtain a particular measured value y, Bayes's theorem specifies a posterior distribution over the true values. This new distribution can then be set as the prior distribution for the next cycle, and so on. The Bayesian technique is simply a way of representing how knowledge changes and improves in the light of new evidence.

In the example represented graphically below, the prior distribution is the steep downward curve, a so-called inverse prior. This shows that prior to performing a measurement, the lowest values have the highest probability. (Technically, you need to truncate this distribution to ensure the total probability is equal to 1).

The graph represents the case where you perform an actual measurement, and find that the value is equal to 4 in whatever units are being used. The likelihood function P(y|x) in this example provides a normal distribution over the true values x for a fixed measured value y=4. Bayes's theorem then yields the posterior distribution, which in this case is also basically a normal distribution, but shifted slightly away from 4 towards 0, by the influence of the prior distribution.

Gemballa MIG-U1

When we hear the world Gemballa thoughts of highly modified Porsche Cayennes and super tuned Carrera GTs, however it comes at no surprise that this Gundam winged Ferrari Enzo super car comes from the same stable as Tornados and Miarges. The MIG U1 is a limited edition creation, and it was made specifically for the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group of Dubai, Gemballa’s newest Distributor for the Middle East market and boy is it special.

Gemballa is remaining a bit tight lipped about the specifics surrounding the MIG U1 and won’t reveal any of the tuned super car’s official details until the invitation only launch in Dubai. The kit looks like it started as a take on Ferrari’ FXX program and then morphed into something more reminiscent of a stealth bomber with its pronounced wing and assortment of scoops all covered in a coat of Championship White. On the inside, the Enzo’s business only attitude has been given a bit of a plush makeover with special quilted red Alcantara covering the seats, steering wheel and interior trim as well as an in dash LCD screen to control the MIG’s in car entertainment system.

Snow in North Hampshire and the Thames Valley

Moving a hundred yards in ninety minutes of gridlock, I abandon my car, and with a surge of adrenalin make for home on foot. A thick confetti of snow fills the air, and a fey light dwindles into a leaden darkness. Depleted of colour and reverberation, an eerie quiet smothers suburbia.

The chromatic uniformity is punctuated only by the twinkling hues of residential christmas illuminations. Striding past up-market properties where town blends into countryside, a couple of small replica reindeer stand in a front garden, their shapes traced by amber lights, exquisitely beautiful now in the deepening snowfield.

And then into the countryside, with no pavement, no light, and only the occasional car, rolling gingerly past in 2nd gear, to disturb the sonic claustrophobia. I am totally at the mercy of these drivers. Hemmed in between the snow-laden hedgerows, there is no escape-route; if one of these cars loses control, I will be smacked off my feet, my legs crushed, crumpled and shattered.

Finally, striding through drifts deeper than my shoes, I reach the farmhouse, and the light, warmth, sound and colour of home. All I need to do now, is do it all again tomorrow to retrieve my car...

Concept Climax

The British automaker Climax Cars has announced their intention to launch a new sports car that will compete with other limited production models like the Ariel Atom V8 and Caparo T1. The new sports car is called Climax Sports Racer and will be limited to only 200 units, wearing a price tag starting at £92,000. The Climax Sports Racer is a stripped down race inspired performance vehicle that combines the latest in automotive technology along with dramatic hand crafted aluminium bodywork.

The Climax Sports Racer will be powered by a 4.6 Liter V8 driving the rear wheels and making up to 345 HP and can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 170 MPH. A more powerful Climax Sports Racer S will come equipped with a supercharger and produce up to 450 HP for an even more electrifying high performance experience. The Climax’s chassis will be made from extremely light weight extruded aluminum which provides the car with exceptional handling and is equipped with a fully adjustable suspension to optimize the car’s set up for either road or track. The Sports Racer can be specified with options that include ceramic brakes, sequential and paddle shift gearboxes, engine power upgrades and full racing harnesses.

Snow and entropy

Snowfall not only evokes the predictable platitudinous admonitions to "only travel if it's absolutely necessary", but from a more recondite perspective, also partially preserves the entropy of light.

Snow, of course, is white in colour, so it reflects all the colours of the spectrum. In contrast, the normal landscape, consisting of greens and browns and greys, absorbs all the other colours of the spectrum, and in each case reflects just one visible component of the sunlight impinging upon it (the absorbed energy is re-radiated in the infrared). Snow therefore preserves the spectral information in sunlight which is otherwise destroyed by the natural landscape concealed beneath.

Moreover, snow which has frozen overnight will sparkle in sunlight the next day, consisting as it does of numerous ice crystals. In effect, the surface of the snow consists of millions of tiny mirrors, each oriented at a different angle. Each tiny mirror reflects sunlight in a different direction, from a unique position, so the snow sparkles as the observer moves about and the line of sight intersects the reflected sunlight from differently positioned and oriented crystal facets.

A mirrored surface is distinguished from a white, non-mirrored surface simply by virtue of the smoothness of the former. A smooth surface permits the specular reflection of light, in which the directional information in the light is preserved, whilst an irregular surface results in diffuse reflection, which destroys the directional information. A mirrored surface therefore prevents the entropy of light from increasing by virtue of preserving both the spectral information and the directional information in the light. The blanket of sparkling white snow which covers a landscape, therefore operates as a mechanism to reduce the increasing entropy of light.

But do wrap up warm, because the wind will make it feel even colder.