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Stories in Proof that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Champagne and sparkling wine
What’s in a name? In the case of Champagne, a bubbly brouhaha. By international agreement, Champagne is produced exclusively in France’s 76,000-acre—132 square-mile—Champagne region using one specific method—méthode champenoise, also known as traditional method.
By Gus Clemens6 months ago in Proof
Champagne: Commodifying the women who built an empire
"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!" Dom Pérignon, the French monk (incorrectly) attributed to discovering champagne, is romantically remembered exclaiming this as he sipped on the effervescent beverage in the 17th century (Epstein, 2011). Pérignon was followed by many other men in characterizing the refined beverage that is enjoyed at celebrations all over the world. In thinking of champagne, one might, as Becky Sue Epstein reminisced in her history on champagne, imagine popular male characters like James Bond enigmatically sipping on champagne, or male athletes popping a bottle open in celebration. Champagne is a drink synonymous with starry skies, black cocktail dresses, and the flowery words on a page of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. He even famously wrote, "I'll drink your champagne. I'll drink every drop of it, I don't care if it kills me." It is universally accepted as a mood setter, an aphrodisiac as Catherine the Great was convinced (Epstein, 2011). It is recognized as a toast to celebration and accomplishment, Epstein (2011) writing, “champagne continues to be the beverage that signals special occasions and celebrations, no matter what the climate or the economy is like – in life as well as on screen” (p. 11). Historically, champagne has represented this idea of celebration since is acceptance in the 17th century, however, it has celebrated men and sexualized women despite the feminist champions who built the champagne empire as a whole.
By Talia Nicole2 years ago in Proof
"In What Furnace Was Thy Brain?"*
*From "The Tyger" by William Blake Most amino acids build proteins. Undeniably important, they are the basis of the body's structure. Nevertheless, some amino acids have other roles, roles that help sew together the vast complex of protein structures into a seamlessly moving, thinking creature.
By D. Thea Baldrick2 years ago in Proof
The Many Faces Of Fire Water
Moonshine is a high-proof liquor with a rich history. It gets its name from the illegal practice of making it. There are no rules to creating moonshine. Just four ingredients; cornmeal, sugar, water, and yeast, and simple equipment. It doesn’t require time to mature like wine, so it can be drunk on the same day it was bottled. The simplicity of making it is what attracts a lot of people to brew it at home. This smooth, slightly sweet, beverage began in Britain around the 15th century and is still being made today, despite its illegal status in most states. June 5th is the day we honor moonshine. So, today we’ll discuss its many uses outside of having a good time.
By M.L. Lewis2 years ago in Proof
10 No-Fuss Cocktails for St. Patrick's Day
Every year for St. Patrick's Day, my husband and I celebrate in a rather heretical fashion: the American way. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is not a boozy holiday, but a religious reminder of Saint Patrick and all of his kind deeds. Like most holidays, this Americanized Irish celebration has strayed far from the original intention and meaning, and been replaced with a favored popular pastime; drinking. So, in celebration, I have for you ten of our favorite easy to make cocktails to enjoy at home.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Proof
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Pure Clean Houston Exceptional House and Office Cleaning Services
Cleaning and organizing your surroundings is crucial for offices and homes alike. Cleanliness not only boosts the visual look but also helps create an improved and healthier ambience. House and Office Cleaning Company in Houston are aware of the importance of having a spotless environment. We will offer exceptional cleaning services that are tailored to your requirements. If you need a thorough home or meticulous office cleaning, our team is prepared to deliver exceptional outcomes with care and professionalism.
By House And Office Cleaning Service Houston4 days ago in Proof
The future of energy storage beyond lithium ion. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
Over the past decade, prices for solar panels and wind farms have reached all time lows, leading to hundreds of gigawatts worth of new renewable energy generation. As the saying goes though, the wind isn't always blowing and the sun isn't always shining.If, for example, it's a beautiful sunny day and we've got a super abundance of electricity, we can't use it. The question of how to firm renewables, that is, ensuring there's always energy on demand no matter the time of day or weather, is one of the biggest challenges in the industry. We need a good way to store energy for later. And the main option right now is lithium ion batteries. You see them in products like Tesla's home battery, the Powerwall and utility-scale system, the Powerpack. But though lithium ion is dropping in price, experts say it will remain too expensive for most grid-scale applications. To get to battery for the electrical grid, we need to look at a further cost reduction of 10 to 20x. Right now, lithium ion batteries just can't store more than four hours worth of energy at a price point that would make sense. Plus, they pose a fire risk and their ability to hold a charge fades over time. To address this, there's acadre of entrepreneurs experimenting with a variety of different solutions. Now we're seeing flow batteries, which are liquid batteries, and we're seeing other forms of storage that are not chemical or battery-based storage.And each has serious potential. We looked at materials on the periodic table that were actually going to be cost competitive from day one. Primus Power's flow battery is a workhorse. Thermal energy storage has a pretty unique opportunity to be extremely low cost.Our solution will last 30 plus years without any degradation in that performance.Which technologies prevail remains to be seen. But one thing is clear. For renewables to truly compete with fossil fuels, we need to figure out a better way to store energy. From 2000 to 2018, installed wind power grew from 17,000 megawatts to over 563,000 megawatts. And solar power grew from a mere 1,250 megawatts to485,000 megawatts. And it's not stopping there. Renewables are expected to grow an additional 50 percent over the next five years.We know today that solar P.V. and wind are the least expensive way to generate electricity. In particular, the price of solar photovoltaics has plummeted far faster than all forecasts predicted, after China flooded the market with cheap panels in the late 2000s. All the Wall Street analysts did not believe that solar was going to ever stand on its own without subsidies. Well, a few years later, even the most conservative analysts started realizing that actually solar was going to become economic in most parts of the world pretty quickly. And as solar has gotten cheaper, so too have lithium ion batteries, the technology that powers electric vehicles, our cell phones and laptops. And thanks to improved manufacturing techniques and economies of scale, costs have fallen 85 percent since 2010. Now, wind or solar plus battery storage is oftentimes more economical than peaker plants, that is, power plants that only fire when demand is high. Tesla, for example, built the world's largest lithium ion battery in Australia, pairing it with a wind farm to deliver electricity during peak hours. But this doesn't mean lithium ion is necessarily economical for other grid applications. We don't really see the cost structure coming down to the point where it can serve those tens to hundreds of hours applications. The future of power energy is therefore good .
By Timothy Mwiti10 days ago in Proof
Nigeria Repatriates 190 Citizens from UAE.
The Federal Government of Nigeria recently concluded a successful repatriation operation, bringing back 190 Nigerian citizens from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The returnees landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja early on a Tuesday morning, marking the culmination of a meticulous process overseen by a coalition of government officials, predominantly led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
By Chiamaka Maclorita10 days ago in Proof
PROOFREADING TUTORIAL. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
So, what’s the big deal about proofreading? Good writing is about a lot more than good grammar, just like basketball is about more than good dribbling. So why this obsession over typos, misspellings and grammar slips? Two reasons. First, judgment. Someone who doesn’t know a dangling participle from a dangling dinner guest can spot a typo. That typo can then be used to negatively judge you, your writing, even your intelligence. Don’t believe me? Here’s an article from the Harvard Business Review entitled “I Won’t Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar.” Author Kyle Wiens is CEO of iFixit. This CEO writes: People who mix up their “its” and “it’s” deserve to be passed over for a job, even if they are otherwise qualified for the position. I have a ‘zero tolerance approach’ to grammar mistakes that make people look stupid. Although there is no known relationship between obviously does not prevent others, whether employers or professors, from judging you based on easy-to-spot surface errors. This second reason might surprise you: It’s impossible too oops! need to correct that typo) impossible to accurately proofread your own writing. This fact makes it likely you’ll leave some type of error unless you take active measures. Why can’t you proofread your own work accurately? When writing, your mind creates a mental image of meaning that you attempt to transfer to the page. The catch is, while your mental image may be perfect, what ends up on the page may not be. When someone else reads your writing, the process happens in reverse: The reader looks first at the words on the page and then constructs a mental image. What a difference! You, the writer, have lying on top of the page, like a piece of wax paper, your perfect mental image that can prevent you from seeing clearly what’s there. The reader, on the other hand, sees the cold reality of the page, black squiggles on a white background, without any filter. That’s why the first proofreading tip is to ICE IT--put the writing away until your mental image has faded and no longer obscures the reality of what’s on the page. But the problem with ICE IT is time--It can take days or weeks for the mental image to fade enough. Few people, least of all students, have that time. We need tools we can apply immediately. One of the best is text-to-speech. These software programs let you hear what you wrote in someone else’s voice. In other words, you get to process your writing as a listener, not its creator. There are literally 100s of free text-to-speech programs out there that do the job. Our favorite is NaturalReader.com. It’s free, web-based (nothing to download) and offers drag and drop simplicity. NaturalReader can read 10 types of documents, has 18 English voices, and speed control in its free version. Many other text-to-speech programs can be found at review sites like TechRadar.com and elearning.com. The bottom line: Listening to someone else read your document helps you know what is and isn’t on the page. Another exciting technology for writers is the new AI-based spelling, style and grammar checkers. “Wait a minute,” you say, “Microsoft Word has offered its built-in auto checker since 1995!” And you’re right. But Word’s checker uses simple algorithms based on matching. Today’s advanced grammar, spelling and style checkers use artificial intelligence to understand the context of what is written, to make predictions and give insights about your writing. There’s no comparison between the simple spellcheckers of old and today’s advanced systems. Currently there are two of these products—Grammarly and Ginger.
By Timothy Mwiti12 days ago in Proof
Why the US needs Russian uranium
Why the US needs Russian uranium The blade glides smoothly as the paper and plastic crinkle in the background, accompanied by upbeat music. - [Woman] Matt, what is the reason behind having a piece of uranium ore in the studio? - It's simply because it's fascinating. It has a mysterious allure to it, and it was omitted from a significant list that made headlines. - Today, I am making an announcement regarding the prohibition of Russian oil, gas, and energy imports. - The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has shed light on a lesser-known issue in the nuclear fuel supply chain, which could have significant implications for the future of nuclear power in the United States. (counter clicks) (upbeat music) In light of the Ukraine crisis, the U.S. and other nations have imposed sanctions on Russia, targeting energy resources such as oil and gas, but not uranium. - Russia plays a crucial role in the global nuclear energy sector, especially in terms of the uranium supply chain. - Justine Calma is a. The U.S. has the ability to easily distance itself from Russian oil and gas, but has struggled to do the same with uranium due to our significant reliance on Russia for this resource. Uranium is a popular nuclear fuel because its isotope, U-235, can be easily split during fission, resulting in the release of a large amount of energy. Despite the ongoing debate surrounding nuclear power, it still accounts for approximately half of the carbon-free electricity generated in the U.S. The Biden administration is currently making substantial investments in nuclear energy in order to achieve the country's climate objectives, which is why uranium is a topic of discussion. When discussing nuclear power, it all begins with uranium ore, which is radioactive in nature. This is why we are wearing protective gloves. We have consulted with experts on the proper handling of this material and are taking all necessary precautions, but it is important to note that this should not be attempted at home. The majority of uranium ore, like the sample shown here, contains very little uranium. Low-grade uranium ore typically only contains around 0.1% uranium, with the remainder consisting of ordinary rock along with elements such as lead, thorium, and others.Bismuth is slowly decaying into uranium, but it's actually the daughter products that are setting off our Geiger counter. We require a more sensitive device to detect the uranium. Somewhere in this sample, there is a small amount of uraninite, a mineral rich in uranium, which is essentially a concentrated form of uranium. This mineral is just one of many that contain uranium, but most of the uranium in these minerals is not suitable for fuel. Naturally occurring uranium has very low levels of U-235. The bottom line is that a large amount of uranium ore is needed to produce a small amount of fuel, and a significant amount of effort is required to make this happen. To be used as nuclear fuel, uranium must undergo a conversion and enrichment process, which involves packing a large amount of U-235 into a small space.Uranium must be mined, processed into yellow cake, converted into a gas, enriched to increase U-235 concentrations, and then fabricated into fuel rods. This complex process is outsourced to a few countries such as France, Russia, and China. However, there are security concerns throughout the supply chain, as enriched uranium can be used for both nuclear energy and weapons. With the growing demand for nuclear power, the supply chain is under scrutiny, especially in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on U.S.-Russia relations.One possible solution to the issue at hand could be the establishment of a strategic uranium reserve. This reserve would essentially consist of a stockpile of uranium intended to supply our power plants in case of emergencies. For instance, if the ongoing war persists, we could potentially tap into our strategic uranium reserve. The conflict also poses a threat to the development of next-generation nuclear reactors. While most current plants operate on fuel enriched to 5% of U-235, newer reactors under development require levels as high as 20%. The increased concentration of U-235 in the fuel enhances efficiency, enabling the construction of smaller reactors compared to the large-scale ones in operation today. By reducing the size of reactors, we can also reduce costs, which have been a major obstacle to the expansion of nuclear energy. Presently, Russia is the sole country capable of commercially producing this advanced fuel. However, the U.S. is in the process of establishing its own production facility to address this challenge.The development of NextGen fuel is underway, but significant time will be required to make a substantial impact on American uranium independence. As efforts are made to accumulate and enrich uranium, some suggest that the United States should also resume mining operations, despite its checkered history. Between the 1940s and 1980s, mining companies extracted large quantities of uranium ore in the Western U.S., leading to long-lasting environmental consequences that the EPA is still working to address. Numerous indigenous communities oppose the resumption of mining activities on or near their territories, which remain contaminated with hazardous waste. For instance, the Navajo Nation is dealing with the aftermath of hundreds of uranium mines that have been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, due to water contamination and other legacies of past mining operations. The challenges associated with nuclear power extend beyond mining, encompassing the storage of radioactive waste and the risk of meltdowns, underscoring the high stakes involved. The Biden administration has recently outlined a target of achieving 100% carbon-free energy by 2035, with nuclear power being a key component of this objective. Consequently, the ongoing debate surrounding nuclear power is likely to become more intense as these issues are addressed. It is undeniable that climate change poses a critical global crisis that demands immediate action.The current crisis we are facing is leading to significant debates on how to address it, with nuclear energy being a key point of contention. Advocates for nuclear energy argue that beggars can't be choosers - we need carbon-free energy, and nuclear energy provides a viable option despite its imperfections. The debate surrounding this issue is unlikely to be resolved in the near future, so it seems we will have to rely on nuclear energy for the time being. Can I wash my hands now? You guessed it, Russia.
By Kevon Thompson 17 days ago in Proof
THE MYSTERY OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE REVEALED!!
1. Over the previous five decades, 3,000 ships and 100 planes have mysteriously t within a specific area of the Atlantic Ocean known as the Bermuda Triangle.I Despite its infamous reputation, a recent science show on the Science Channel claims to have solved the mystery behind the Bermuda Triangle. 2. The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the North Atlantic Ocean bordered by the southeastern coast of the U.S, Bermuda, and islands such as Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. The area has a triangular shape with disputed boundaries ranging from 500,000 to 1,510,000 square miles. 3. Contrary to popular belief, the Bermuda Triangle does not have a significantly higher rate of disappearances compared to other regions of the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, a study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund in 2013 concluded that it is not one of the top 10 most dangerous shipping areas globally. The region sees heavy maritime and air traffic, and does not pose a higher risk for vessels and aircraft. Over the past 50 years 3 000 ships and 100 planes have gone missing in a mysterious stretch of water in the atlantic ocean .One minute they are there the next they vanished .They all have one thing in common; they all ventured into the bermuda triangle. The mystery behind the bermuda triangle might have finally been solved at least that's what a science channel show claims. The bermuda triangle is a region of the north atlantic ocean roughly bounded by the southeastern coast of the u.s, bermuda and the islands of the greater antilles ,cuba ,hispaniola ,jamaica and puerto rico . The exact boundaries of the bermuda triangle are not universally agreed upon .Approximations of the total area range between five hundred thousand and one million five hundred and ten thousand square miles. By all approximations, the region has a vaguely triangular shape . The bermuda triangle does not appear on any world maps and the us board on geographic names does not recognize the bermuda triangle as an official region of the atlantic ocean .Despite its reputation the bermuda triangle does not have a high incidence of disappearances .Disappearances do not occur with greater frequency in the bermuda triangle than in any other comparable region of the atlantic ocean .In 2013 the world wildlife fund conducted an exhaustive study of maritime shipping lanes and determined that the bermuda triangle is not one of the world's 10 most dangerous water bodies for shipping. The bermuda triangle sustains heavy daily traffic both by sea and by air and is one of the most heavily traveled shipping lanes in the world . The egonic line sometimes passes through the bermuda triangle; The agonic line is a place on earth's surface where true north and magnetic north align and there is no need to account for magnetic declination on a compass. The bermuda triangle is subject to frequent tropical storms and hurricanes ;the gulf stream, a strong ocean current known to cause shark changes in local weather, passes through the bermuda triangle. The deepest point in the atlantic ocean the milwaukee depth is located in the bermuda triangle ; The puerto rico trench reaches a depth of four hundred and ninety three feet (eight thousand , three hundred and eighty meters) at the milwaukee depth so the bermuda triangle which was again another enigma of the previous generation is not anymore these days. Nobody, and no ships go and crash in burmuda triangle. It's a difficult to navigate place .There was a documentary in the news channel showing how difficult it is to navigate the bosphorus{ the water body between two parts of istanbul in turkey } is called bosphorus, so it's a difficult place to navigate there are eight radar stations which helps the ships through these days . Earlier many ships used to crash into something or the other but now there are eight radar stations guiding them through .Because it's a little complicated, it's like there will be some road bends where every other day there will be an accident .People will immediately say there is some ghost waiting here causing accidents gathering more ghosts . It's just a an upcoming road ,like this is a climb sharp bend it's a railway track below a sharp bend like this and it goes off this way people come and every day crash into this culvert board's leading to dangerous accidents . people think they must cause an accident ;i don't know how many hundreds and hundreds of people have gotten killed on this band. It was famous so similarly bermuda triangle is just a difficult place to navigate because it's an old volcanic spot there are spears underneath like small peaks underneath the sea. One should know how to navigate.This keeps happening around the italian coast also because some places are not easy to navigate and negotiate ,it takes a certain skill and today these things have come down dramatically .Nobody goes and disappears into Bermuda triangle because every ship has gadgets which show everything; there are sonar readers ,there are radars and radio altimeters and everything which shows you a million things so people don't crash anymore. When captains of the ship were taking the ships into these kind of situations with only their visual and their own sensory capabilities ,there was every chance for this to happen, so people are always looking for intrigue .This is not a bad thing because these are all aspiring students of mysticism .Because they didn't find a way they invented something, instead of discovering something they invented something so you don't invent anything the important thing is you discover something. Discovery means it's about truth. Invention means you made it up; don't make up anything it's important to open the doors in the existence not to imagine something .A team of american scientists from the university of colorado analyzed satellite weather images of this notorious area and noticed a series of unusual hexagonal clouds on them; the meteorologists theorized that these clouds might act like real air bombs .It's believed they are the main cause of the deadly blasts of air which can easily exceed 170 miles per hour .These hurricane force winds literally blow up the air and can generate waves of more than 45 feet in length (no ship can survive such a storm and no aircraft can withstand such a wind) .The announcement of this theory has motivated a lot of further research .Scientists from all over the globe are trying to figure out what would be the cause of such anomalies.Do you know any other mystery of the bermudas?be free to share it in the coments .
By Trending breaking news18 days ago in Proof
SURVIVORS AND SORCERY
History often unfolds with bizarre twists and unexpected tales that defy conventional narratives. Some stories, veiled in obscurity, hold eerie turns that captivate the imagination. One such tale is that of Violet Jessop, a remarkable figure whose life journey was a testament to resilience from an early age.
By Norden Lucas22 days ago in Proof
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