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In her late teens, Jillian Lauren was snapping up luxurious evening gowns and lingerie on shopping sprees at Chanel and Louis Vuitton. She was driven to shops by private chauffeurs and escorted inside by hired security guards; the shop girls scrambled to get her whatever she desired. Her evenings involved wildly elaborate parties, complete with bottomless bottles of expensive champagne and endless heaps of caviar.
What sounds like an episode of MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" was Lauren's life at age 18, only she wasn't so much the guest of honour as she was the high-priced entertainment. Back in the early '90s, the young New York University drop-out was a harem girl of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan of Brunei. Lauren, now a wife and mother, is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, about her experience as a high-class prostitute.
So how did a young girl from Jersey end up half-way around the world in a palace vying for the attention of a playboy Prince with two-dozen other call girls? A series of rebellious choices, most likely fueled in part by a troubled childhood, saw Lauren go from college student to part-time stripper to live-in working girl within a year. At first she thought she was going to Singapore for a two-week stint as company to a wealthy businessman, but when the plane landed in Brunei she was told otherwise. While she admits she was taken by surprise she also says she had the choice to leave. Lauren stayed six months before going back to New York City only to return for another six month period a short time later.
While some may hear her story and think Lauren was misled by those who brought her to Brunei, she takes full responsibility for her decision to stay.
"I was never hoodwinked by anyone and I walked into the situation in Brunei with my eyes wide open. In fact, I think that the people who led me into that line of work were pretty forthright and respectful. Probably more so than most women who enter the sex industry at a young age," says Lauren. "At the same time, I sometimes look back and bemoan my lack of role models. However, I was so headstrong and independent that even if someone had been around to talk sense to me, I probably would have done exactly the opposite."
What attracted her to Brunei at first was the promise of something better, a fantasy life beyond her wildest comprehension. The willful teen was all about taking chances and seeing where life would take her. She'd had enough of the mundane, often suffocating suburban life of her childhood and was struggling to find her place at university in New York. The unknown, with all its possibilities, was more appealing at the time.
"I had absolutely no idea where I was heading. I was running entirely on the boldness of youth and my utter ignorance of consequences. If you had told me where my life would lead when I was first traveling to my dorm at New York University at the age of 16, I wouldn't have believed you in a million years," says the author.
Where Lauren found herself after arriving in the desert country was a richly appointed palace with a large house staff and a constant party atmosphere. The girls slept in their own private rooms, ordered whatever they desired from the palace kitchen and had full access to a state-of-the-art gym. In the evenings they'd dress up for parties – the guest list was always comprised of the Prince's well-heeled friends – that started at 11 p.m. and didn't wind down until dawn. The sex part didn't even come into play until two weeks into her journey when the Prince, who selected whatever girl he wanted for an hour or for the night, chose her. This open selection process encouraged an often bloodthirsty nature among the girls; there was a sense of power that came with being the Prince's favorite, though once attained keeping that intangible title was an entirely different effort. Not exactly Pretty Woman, not that prostitution ever is, says Lauren.
"In Some Girls, I'm pretty clear about where I stand on [that movie]. I say that the part about not kissing tricks is true and the rest is an insulting crock. It's the absolute worst manifestation of the Cinderella story – presented with no sense of consciousness or irony," says Lauren. "There is no attempt at all made to deconstruct the myth, to make it relevant in some way to the complexity of modern relationships and power dynamics. What is the message, really? That we're whores until we're validated by a rich man, at which point we transform magically into princesses?"
The experience eventually led Lauren to a better understanding of herself, and while she says she would never go back to that life she's clear that she doesn't regret what it did for her emotional and spiritual growth. After leaving Brunei she went to college, struggled with drug addiction and worked a series of odd jobs before working her way through the past (a process that started only after she started "loving and trusting" herself) into the life she knows today. Lauren is now a successful author and journalist living in Los Angeles with musician husband Scott Shriner (bassist for Weezer). They are doting parents to son Tariku, who they adopted two-and-a-half years ago in Ethiopia. She credits her experience in part to helping her be a better wife and mother.
"The real lessons for me were learned as I looked back and reflected. I was able to discover a different level of compassion for both myself and for the other people who shared my story. I looked at pictures of myself from that time and I said, What was so wrong with me? Why did I hate myself so much? I was beautiful. I was hopeful. I was brave. I was adorable. I can see it now clear as day, but I couldn't see it then. The story is about struggling to love yourself and learning to forgive yourself. I can't think of a lesson that I use more as a mother, wife and friend than forgiveness."
Some Girls: My Life in a Harem is available at Amazon UK. Lauren's second book, Pretty, will be released in August. Learn more at her website: http://www.jillianlauren.com/


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U.S. trade representative tours New Balance factory
Ambassador Michael Froman meets with workers in Norridewock
The United State's chief trade negotiator toured the New Balance this morning to spotlight American job creation Monday morning.
U.S. trade representative Michael Froman talked to the workers about a global trade agreement that is creating concern with many involved in manufacturing in America.
Froman delivered some encouraging numbers to the New Balance workers.
"Your exports are growing at twice the rate of the Maine economy, almost three times the rate of the U.S. economy, so it's a powerful driver for growth and job creation right here in Maine," said Froman.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership aims to strengthen the U.S. economy by increasing exports to Asian markets.
"That's what trade policy is all about if its done right, make sure that we open markets for our exports, add to jobs here in the United States and make sure that our rights are fully enforced," said Froman.
However, New Balance workers fear for their jobs, saying the trade policy would cause a flood of cheaper Asian products to be sold in America and would crowd out American-made products.
New Balance CEO Robert DeMartini echoed his workers' concerns.
"We're asking the administration to do everything they can to focus their attention on jobs in America, not jobs in Asia," said DeMartini.
Independent Sen. Angus King, who invited Froman to tour New Balance, said he wants to make sure that the Trans-Pacific Partnership gives American workers a fair chance.
"This company is exporting into Asia, and we want to make sure those markets are open. But we also want to protect made in America, so this is a peculiar case where one narrow change in one tariff could wipe out all of these jobs," said King
"What I can commit to you is that as I listen to them and I listen to you, my job is to maximize the impact of trade agreements particularly on U.S. jobs and U.S. manufacturing jobs, and our job is to strike a balance that meets the needs and minimizes the risk of all American firms and workers," said Froman.
The Tran-Pacific Partnership is still under negotiation with 11 countries. Froman said the administration plans to have to resolved before the end of the year.

subset: commoncrawl


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Here it is, our annual attempt to organize an exceptional year of television into some sort of hierarchy. We've chosen 10 "best" shows because those are the rules. But because this year was so terrific for TV fans, we have also included some honorable mentions — 21 of them, to be exact.
Photo: NBC / David Giesbrecht/NBC
What was on your television 10 best list this year?


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The Swish Oak Flooring range comprises of multidirectional constructed engineered boards that provide all the benefits of being structurally robust. This assembly increases the boards' resistance to expansion and contraction from changes in humidity and temperature reducing warping or cupping. Hence these engineered boards are superior to solid oak flooring in both durability and stability.
Fabulous attractive wide 220mm planks create the impression of a more spacious interior, whilst adding a sophisticated, warm and inviting feel to your environment.
All Swish Oak Flooring come pre-finished thus there is no messy and timely on-site sanding or staining required.
A grade commercial quality FSC sustainable raw materials
UV Matt lacquered/ Oiled coatings for tough and longer lasting finishes
Ultra low VOCs that meet EO international standards for high indoor air quality
ABCD Valinge 5G click
Comprehensive quality control systems of 23 inspection checks for guarantee of excellence.
Colour: Paris Natural Oak
Type: Engineered oak Floating Floor
Thickness: 14/4mm
Width: 220mm
Length: 2200mm
Surface Finish: 9 layers UV coatings Matt
Edging: Micro-Bevelled Edge
Profile: Valinge 5G lock
Installation Method: Floating, glueless on top of underlay
Pack Size: 2.905m2
Pack Weight: 25 kg
Boards Per Pack: 6
VOC Rating: E0 <0.01ppm
No customer comments for the moment.
Product Name: Country Smoked Oak
Product Width: 220.00 cm
Product Height: 15.00 cm
Product Depth: 22.00 cm
Product Weight: 26.00 kg


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Shark Conservation Project kicks off in Fiji
Projects Abroad's Shark Conservation Project has begun in Fiji with 26 volunteers confirmed for the month of January 2014. Currently, 13 volunteers have already begun their dive lessons with Beqa Adventures dive instructors. Beqa Adventures is responsible for teaching the volunteers how to dive and guiding them through the whole process of shark tagging.
The Shark Conservation Project in Fiji forms part of Projects Abroad's Global Shark Campaign , which gives people from various backgrounds and ages the chance to help with the conservation of sharks and marine life. Projects Abroad are embarking on a campaign in 18 countries across four continents to raise awareness on shark conservation.
The volunteers are particularly focused on their mission to add to the knowledge base of shark movements and to increase numbers through mangrove conservation. French volunteer Vinciance Leloutre feels excited about the whole program, "I'm actually an advanced diver so I've been shark diving before and I absolutely love it. This is my passion," she said.
Marine Biologist and Field Coordinator Erik Lindstrom ensure that volunteers are well trained in diving and have completed their assignments and presentations beforehand. Project Manager Andy Hill is ensuring that all incoming volunteers are prepared for their schedule the next day. Country Director Ingrid Sprake is completely hands-on with the project and is responsible for training each volunteer in the Shark Conservation Diver Specialty Course before they go on a shark dive.
"It's absolutely fantastic to finally meet all the volunteers in person. The team and I are all very excited to see the results of everyone's hard work as we work towards the salvation of the sharks, "said Ingrid.
It is important that volunteers are trained physically and mentally before the shark diving begins. Those who are not already certified are currently undergoing dive training. We thank the Shark Conservation volunteers for taking the time to make a difference by participating in the Global Shark Campaign .


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If you are planning, or going to, an adult Halloween party then why not turn it into a Hot Halloween affair with a sexy theme, or at least a sexy interlude later in the evening. What can you do, though, to add a bit of spice to the every year nightmare fest, without drifting too far from the original Halloween themes and practices?
Halloween Costumes
To achieve a sexy Halloween atmosphere for your party, you can make use of many of the usual Halloween props. If you are the host or hostess, then all is under your control. If your friends are hosting the party, then you could always take the initiative, propose the sensual ambience, and then offer to help get it all set up.
Creating a sexy atmosphere for Halloween is not necessarily that difficult, as lighting can play an foremost role in both a frightening Halloween scene set, and also a romantic and seductive atmosphere. So, if your home, or one room of your home, is set for a original Halloween scene, with low lights, and secret horrors, it need only take one catalyst to turn that very same atmosphere into a sensual one.
As far as the lighting goes, some Halloween props are ideal for this dual role. Strips of black lights can be very effective at creating nightmare effects, illuminating fluorescent paint graphics, and they can also make white surfaces glow and dark surfaces disappear. But those same lights, charged by the sexiness of the atmosphere, can be sensual too.
The same applies to strobe lights. Pulsating in the darkness or subdued light, they can create some strange effects against the walls and ceiling, where you may have your Halloween scene setters, wall and mirror grabbers, and hanging decorations. They can also help to furnish the mood for a more sensual interlude later.
There are two more types of lighting that can be thorough for the sexy and scary Halloween atmosphere. Glow bulbs are a great innovation for some actually weird lighting effects. When exposed to any light source, the special silicone film shines a vivid neon, and these can be especially effective with strobe lights shining on them intermittently. Finally, never forget the candles, linked with romantic evenings, seduction, witches brewing their evil brews, and vampires drooling over their poor victim in the dungeon, about to sink those fangs into her defenceless neck. In fact, candles can be the greatest lighting prop for any Halloween party.
Dressing For A Sexy Halloween Party
If you are appealing people to your home for a Halloween party, then you can propose them in expand that it will be a sexy theme. In other words, "please come dressed in the sexiest Halloween costume you can find".
Finding that outfit will be much easier for the women than the men. The sexy costumes sold online all seem to be for women, but come on guys, use your imagination, I am sure it will be appreciated.
Popular girls' and women's costumes that are most beloved with the guys can also serve for Halloween. Seductive woman cop costumes, and this year especially, sexy pirate costumes are the vogue. There are loads more ideas to choose from, though, along with seductive schoolgirls, revealing nurse's uniforms, French maids. With a more Halloween touch, vampires, wizards and witches can be transferred into alluring and irresistible women with the right costume, and yes, you can find them. The only qoute for the ladies is selecting from such a vast range of possibilities.
Adding the Sexy Catalysts to the Party
You have the lighting set up for nightmare or sensuality; your guests have taken the request seriously and turned up dressed to kill in their alluring, tantalizing, evocative and seductive costumes. With all that sexiness on view and display, it would actually be a sexy Halloween party. But what else could you do to take that sexiness to a higher level?
One thing you could do is to play some nightmare dance music, if you can find it; if not, some other fun dance music will do. Then, have a sexy dancing contest for men and women. With the strobe lighting and revealing costumes, that could be an enjoyable prelude to a party game, such as Pervartistry, an adult, but tasteful, form of charades which is sure to take the sexy mood up to a new level. Just dream playing that game, and the dancing, in a sexy Greek toga or other sexy Halloween costume!
Whatever you decide, have fun!All Set For a Sexy Halloween Party


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Reduce Temperature states:
You can reduce temperatures in a spherical area centered on any point within range. The diameter of the sphere is 1m for each point in your ... pool. ... +1 difficulty for every 5 C of temperature drop.
This power can be absurdly powerful with a little creativity, depending on how the physics of the thing work.
Reading the power, it's clear that it is intended to eliminate energy in an atmospheric area of potentially quite large scope.
I'm not interested in questions of balance, but on defining the power such that it's possible to imagine what can and cannot be done with it.
I would like the proposed framework to be able to answer the following questions:
- Would it make sense for this power to eliminate energy or move it? Eliminating energy violates physics rather badly. Moving it... makes the power kinda silly. The power is also remarkably stackable in both of these interpretations. Moving energy around means the power acts as a kind of "maxwell's demon"
- Does the energy transfer apply across the globe as a single entity or does it emanate from the center?
- What states of matter can it effect?
- Do enclosed regions block the effects of the power?
On one extreme, it's quite trivial to shatter buildings with a few minutes of concentration. On the other, you're a not hugely effective air-conditioner. I'm looking for the most self-consistent interpretation (one that breaks the fewest laws of physics).


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Smith recieves Career Development Award from Human Frontier Science Program
Spencer Smith, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, has received a Career Development Award from the Human Frontier Science Program, an international organization funded by the governments of the G7 nations.
Spencer Smith, PhD, has been awarded a Career Development Award (CDA) from the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP).
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is an international organization funded by the governments of the G7 nations, Australia, India, Republic of Korea, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and the non-G7 members of the European Union, who are represented by the European Commission.
"The Career Development Award (CDA) funds HFSP fellows who return to their home country or move to an HFSP member country to establish their independent laboratory. It is the primary funding mechanism offered by HFSP that aims at encouraging repatriation of postdoctoral researchers after the fellowship tenure abroad."
The award provides $300,000 of support over a 3-year period.
Link to information about fellowship: http://www.hfsp.org/funding/career-development-awards.


text: Do you plan to sell your home? Are you looking at factors that will increase your home value? One of the most important factors a buyer considers when buying a new home is its floor. It is true that hardwood floors will increase your home value. So if a carpet covers your hardwood floors, then consider removing it. And if you do not have wooden flooring, installing it would be a wise idea. Continue reading


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And actually, are they suited for anything else then GRADOS? Just wondering.
ECP Audio L-2 Headphone Amplifier
Editor's Note: I want to personally thank Nate for writing this article. Both he and Doug are long-time headphone DIYers. Both are very competent headphone amp builders. Getting to read Nate's thoughts here is much like opening a little window into the heart of Headphonedom. I am very pleased to present Nate's thoughts on Doug's ECP Audio L-2 parafeed headphone amp. Thanks a bunch, Nate. (Next beer's on me!)
The ECP Audio L-2 Headphone Amplifier ($2495)
I met owner/designer Doug Savitsky (the man behind ECP Audio) long ago through the DIY Audio forum at Head-Fi. We shared a common love of building things and were both passionately involved in the headphone DIY community. It was at CanJam 2010 in Chicago that I got my first glimpse of where Doug's passion was going to be focused for the foreseeable future. At the time he'd made the decision to branch out from simply designing and building DIY projects for fun and have a go at a commercial venture. He had already been working with several designs and had the results along with him in prototype form. Based on the brief audition that I had with two of those prototypes I eagerly awaited the finished product and made a mental note to make sure that I got to listen to them.
Fast forward to late 2011 and ECP Audio's official launch of two headphone amplifiers: the DSHA-1, a fully differential (balanced) solid-state design, and the L-2, a single-ended-parafeed tube design. It has been my distinct pleasure to sample the L-2 for the last few months and in that time I've come to truly appreciate what ECP has accomplished with the L-2 and what an exceptional piece it is. I recently encountered Dieter Rams 10 Principles for Good Design and it struck me that it was the perfect analysis tool for this review. Don't worry, I won't use all 10.
Good Design Is Innovative -- "The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted."
I've had the good (?) fortune to go poking around a fair number of commercial headphone amplifiers in my time in this hobby, mostly as a result of said amplifier suffering some sort of failure and me attempting to repair it for someone. What I've encountered in that time is a number of similar designs out there, each packaged by their respective manufacturer in slightly different ways. That's not a bad thing, per se, but it does mean that we as the consumer are not always experiencing the variety of amps we might think we are. In this respect ECP has chosen the road less traveled for the L-2.
The fully transformer-coupled (input and output) spud/parafeed design, utilizing a single 6S45pi tube for both voltage and current gain, is pretty unique and not something that I've seen from any other major headphone manufacturer. But the innovative tech doesn't stop there. Instead of using a typical approach, the L-2 implements modern parts like a shunt-regulated biasing arrangement along with a cascaded MOSFET plate load. Both address typical shortfalls in tube amplifier design that date back the better part of century. The over-arching premise here is that headphones are particularly sensitive and that noise introduced by the amplification stage is a direct detriment to successful performance. I agree, and to that end ECP has done a fantastic job with the L-2. I've used it with both closed and open headphones of varying impedances and sensitivities, and the claims that are made on ECP's website are accurate--flip the on switch and you are greeted with precisely nothing. Big plus up for the L-2, but wait, it gets better.
Good Design is Aesthetic -- "...well-executed projects can be beautiful."
The L-2 is, quite simply, beautiful. Some will call it plain, or perhaps industrial, but the approach that ECP has taken is extremely well executed. Buyers are permitted a choice of several exotic hardwoods for the side panels and the rest of the chassis is tastefully brushed aluminum with not a hint of bling save for the ECP badge located front-center of the top panel. I'd call the overall look "understated elegance." But rest assured, the beauty is not skin deep. I've had a peek under the hood and the care with which the circuit was arranged is evident. From the Lundhal input transformers, through the V-cap coupling caps, all the way to the custom designed Electra-Print output transformers, the L-2 is as pretty (to this nerd's eye anyway) on the inside as it is on the outside.
The power supply is a somewhat more utilitarian enclosure, constructed entirely of anodized aluminum with the power umbilical connection on the front and the IEC inlet around back. It also possesses the signature ECP badge on the top panel, which is a nice touch that ties the two pieces together. ECP refers to its products as craft-made and this should not be viewed as a sacrifice or compromise. If anything the build quality evident in the sample unit I was provided is easily the equal of any commercial product I've come across.
My immediate concern would be the price rather than what they are designed to drive. Would be nice to have at least a couple of basic specs for your two and a half grand...
Any chance of future measurements? :D
Anybody know where I can buy some time?
I usually stay well clear of amplifier reviews, but this one was well worth the read. Good job Nate.
No doubt some measurements would be interesting on an educational level, but I wouldn't expect anything revolutionary in the way of transparency. Tube amplifiers are often designed with other goals in mind.
I just got to say that this is one of the best looking amplifiers I've ever seen. TTVJ/Millett could learn a thing or two from Doug, I think ;)
Thanks for the specs: seem somewhat typical for a SE amp, although I really did expect higher output power: with orthodynamics all the rage recent designs seem to go vastly overkill on that front (6W into 32 ohms! Acheive 130db peaks!), but this is genuinely ill-suited to driving orthodynamics IMHO. As you say, that wasn't really a design target though...
As someone from the Audio Critic school of thought when it comes to audio reproduction, I don't feel my extended opinions on expensive SE amps would be very constructive, so I'll just say: nice review (and comment on how damn nice that casework is)!
Peter Aczel, yay!
I can speak from first-hand experience that Doug's amps work well with both Audeze and Ultrasone phones. We already know that they're great with Grados.
I recently flew to Chicago to audition Doug's amps for use with Audeze LCD-3s; and I came away thinking that both the L-2 and DSHA-1 showed superb synergy with Audeze's phones.
I brought some Ultrasone Pro900s along just for giggles, and they were easily driven to listening levels that transcend discretion.
I ultimately purchased a DSHA-1 because of a personal preference for SS topology (I don't know jack about tube rolling).
I have the front switch on the DSHA-1 set for hi gain; but with the volume control only set at the 9 o'clock position, the output levels are more than loud enough for my '50 something' ears when listening to classical, jazz, hard rock or dub step.
What a great review Nate!
It was enlightening and not too much technical detail to get me lost in the design details. It made me want to give this amp a listen.
It looks great and I would love to hear one at a future meet.
A straightforward, no BS review. Well thought out and well written.
I was also impressed with the prototypes presented at CanJam 2010.
ECP audio seems to be old school in as far as their reason for being...passion!
I just want to add that the L2 is a match made in heaven for the HD800 as well. The combo sound sweet and very liquid through out the range. The HD800's treble energy is tamed down by the ECP L2 so it is very easy on the ears. Bass is tactile with good sense of low level details. Super quiet background. Easily one of the best amp around for the HD800 (if you are lucky enough to find one used!).


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Well, I was supposed to begin a 90-day transformation on August 15 with a personal trainer I hired and was paying big $$$$ for. God sure has a sense of humor!!! On August 14, I mowed our yard and our neighbors yard and then hopped on my elliptical to get in a cardio workout. My workout quickly ended as the smell of grass and gasoline made me nauseous and sent me dry heaving in the backyard.
The next morning I had professional development with my school district and just wanted to make sure I wasn't..... well, you know. I took 2 tests in a public bathroom and they were both positive. I couldn't believe my eyes! We weren't planning to start trying until after my transformation, but God obviously has a different plan for us. Oh, he wants me to transform alright, just not the way I thought I would. So, everything with my trainer is on hold until after this baby is born.
I'll be 16 weeks on Tuesday and everything is going great this time. I've been horribly sick (Praise the Lord!), it has a healthy heartbeat, and is growing like crazy. I pray like crazy for this child. God is in control!


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More Americans got health insurance coverage in 2011 as young adults jumped onto their parent's health insurance plans, the U.S. government said Wednesday. More people also got public health insurance under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The number of people going without health insurance fell, from around 50 million in 2010 to 48.6 million in 2011, the Census Bureau's David Johnson said. In 2010, 16.3 percent of the population went without health insurance. In 2011, that fell to 15.7 percent of the population, the Census said in its latest report on poverty, employment and health insurance.
One of the main goals of the 2010 health reform was to get more people covered by health insurance, but most of the provisions meant to do that don't kick in until 2014. One of the most popular requirements did, however – the requirement that health insurance companies let parents keep their adult children on their plans until they're 26. Johnson said the numbers show 500,000 young adults took advantage of that.
"You can see a lot of the fall is due to the 19-25 year-old age group," Johnson told reporters on a conference call. "We also see a large increase in coverage for public coverage. I think those two things are driving the uninsured rate falling."
About a million more people got coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and military health care, the report shows.
The Census report suggests that people stopped losing health insurance because they lost their jobs – the report shows more people were working full-time in 2011, compared to 2010.
"This is the first time in the last 10 years that the rate of private insurance coverage has not decreased," Johnson said. As has been the case for years, most Americans are covered by a private plan -- about 55 percent were in 2011.
Liberal groups said the data showed that fears health care reform would cause employers to stop offering health care coverage are unfounded.
"In fact, the law has expanded coverage, even as we are still recovering from an economic downturn," said Neera Tanden, a former adviser to the Obama administration who is now president of the Center for American Progress. "These numbers also underscore just how important it is to move forward with implementation of the rest of the law, especially Medicaid expansion which will cover millions of low-income Americans."
Looking at the numbers another way, 260.2 million people had health insurance in 2011, up from 256.6 million in 2010.
Even critics of the administration said the numbers were good news. Devon Herrick of the National Center for Policy Analysis said 30 million Americans would remain without health insurance even after the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented.
"This is largely because the penalties for forgoing health coverage are less than the cost of coverage," Herrick said in a statement.
"Moreover, maybe up to one-third of businesses will find it to their advantage to drop the employee health plan once their workers have access to subsidized coverage in the state Health Insurance Exchanges. Another unintended consequence of the ACA is that many people will quite rationally wait until they become sick to enroll in health coverage due to new federal regulations that require insurers to accept all applicants regardless of health status."
Many studies show that people who go without health insurance have poorer health in general. They go without regular checkups and wait until there's an emergency, such as a heart attack or a stroke, to get medical care. This ends up costing everybody more, because it's far more expensive to treat someone for a heart attack, for instance, than to see them early and prescribe cholesterol or blood-pressure drugs.
Physicians for a National Health Program, a group that advocates for universal health insurance, says the Census numbers show 48,000 Americans died needlessly in 2011.
"The estimated death toll is based on a peer-reviewed Harvard study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2009, widely cited during the health reform debate, which found that for every 1 million persons who were uninsured there were about 1,000 related, preventable deaths," the group said in a statement.
"We should adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward lack of health coverage," the group's Dr. Steffie Woolhandler said. "Today's Census Bureau report underscores the urgency of going beyond the federal health law and swiftly implementing a single-payer, improved-Medicare-for-all program."
Related links:
Supreme Court ruling leaves the poorest at risk of losing health insurance
Workers opt out of company health plans


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Total RNA was purified in duplicate from various mouse tissues (10 mg per sample) using the RNeasy Plus Mini Kit or kits from other suppliers. Real-time PCR assays for c-jun were performed to determine the amount of DNA contamination in the purified RNA.
A short workflow enables RNA purification with genomic DNA removal in less than 25 minutes.


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During installation, do not connect the transmitter to the PC until all other connections in the system have been made. The other connections in this system would include the Cat5e/6 cable between the transmitter and receiver, a USB hub placed at the receiver, an interactive whiteboard, or any other USB device that would be connected to the receiver. Connecting the transmitter to the computer without first making other connections may result in damage to the Superbooster.
Decora® is a registered trademark of Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. This product is not manufactured or endorsed by the Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.


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We are working with customers around the world. These examples show how we listen to their challenges and work hard to help them save money, increase productivity, improve safety, and reduce downtime.
PowerFlex 7000 medium-voltage drive technology has been instrumental in saving electricity and reducing emissions at a major chemical plant in Bulgaria
U.S. nonprofit organization combines its life-saving mission with modern manufacturing to help end malnutrition worldwide.
Smart manufacturing is the gateway to digital transformation. Read how a metal manufacturer looked to Rockwell Automation to help them connect disparate company divisions.
Kazakhaltyn uses integrated architecture to ensure the success of its production expansion programme.
Training for smart manufacturing talent starts from education. Industry-Academia collaboration can facilitate the next generation of smart manufacturing talent.
Upgrading air compressor control system helps plant use energy-intensive machines more efficiently while supporting Toyota's zero-emissions goals.
This efficient solution from Harmony Enterprises fills market gap with a durable, space-saving design – and exceptional 12- to-18 month expected ROI.
New Smart plant operated by Valtalia quadruples recycled material capacity.
Rockwell Automation solutions are the choice of Bi-Esse for its brand new automated warehouse.
Taiwan pulp molding equipment manufacturer turned to Rockwell Automation for support on improving their product competitiveness.
XYP's Automatic Shrink Label Inserting Machines incorporate smart machine technologies from Rockwell Automation to help improve productivity and profitability.
First-of-its-kind ore handling solution puts safety first at one of the world's largest copper and gold mines.
DT Engineering designs unique system that pushes the boundaries of independent cart technology. Achieves precise synchronization for dispensing/filling applications.
Wonderful Pistachios built a new production facility to meet demand. With a control system from Rockwell Automation, the facility produces 5.6 million pounds daily.
The logistics company is improving flexibility, safety and efficiency by moving operators from the cab to the control room.
Redesigned DuraKut dicer from Marlen is easier to use – and meets sanitary challenges and new consumer demands head-on. Features an icon-based HMI to speed training.
Innovative conveying system from MagneMotion reduces cost and improves flexibility in medical device automated assembly system.
To position automakers for greater success, 3V Automation worked with Rockwell Automation to implement the latest digital technologies for smart machines and equipment.
After 15 years of active service, the Danish Navy needed to re-fit and modernise technology aboard the Absalon-class support ship.
City of Tacoma wastewater treatment plant migrates to modern DCS and production intelligence software, gains crystal clear view into operations.
An oil-processing plant – with data collection and handling challenges in its loading ramps – employs Smartech Automation to develop a new fully integrated control solution
In multiphase plant expansion, OEM Qualtech transforms manual dairy with a completely automated process.
Scalable SIS helps the specialty chemical producer meet acceptable risk level and expand with future plant growth.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) requires rethinking how things like automobiles are made. This Korean company upgraded its control system to realize substantial benefits.
When space is tight, manufacturers need flexible storage systems that make fast pick and place a priority.
Rockwell Automation solutions help on the predictive maintenance of machines at the Oum Azza water treatment plant from Acciona Agua.
Leigh Creek Energy uses the latest process control and automation technology for syngas production.
Bosch Packaging, a global leader in providing packaging solutions in food and pharmaceutical segment, reduces the time required for machine manufacturing.
Winstone Wallboards reaps the rewards of a new smart safety solution to help grow capacity and reliability at the plaster mill.
Boral recently invested in an intelligent motor control solution to improve uptime and leverage the longevity and compliance provided by the latest motor control technology.
Data sharing revolutionises maintenance at Hydro Extrusion & Components Nenzing, where centrally controlled operational data enhances maintenance operations.
Leonardo deploys PlantPAx DCS based on its modularity and openness, coupled with Rockwell Automation experience in naval, oil & gas processing and energy applications.
AKD implemented the latest connected technologies to increase recovery, improve safety and reduce downtime.
Pet food production takes on a new level of automated technology to supply Australian pet food ingredients to the world.
Complex and challenging control system upgrade improves reliability and optimises plant performance.
Migration to a PlantPAx distributed control system helps city increase wastewater capacity, streamline control and training, and minimize overtime.
Iscador reduces energy use and harmonics in high-RPM pharma manufacturing application.
East Coast flour mill gains unprecedented operational efficiencies, increased uptime and safety improvements by switching to advanced control platform.
Sleeman Breweries needed to meet consumer demand. With an updated process automation system, Sleeman increased production capacity by 50 percent.
Automated seating system design for Adelaide Convention Centre reduces the requirement for manual handling while also providing the capability for faster changeover times.
Upgrade to legacy drive control equipment on paper machine winder helps avoid any potential for downtime while also future proofing Visy's Tumut plant.
Faster, easier integration is now possible in this revolutionary approach to auto body assembly based on independent cart technology.
Thanks to deployment of the industry-proven PlantPAx DCS, the particulate emissions at a Romanian fossil-fuel power plant are now compliant with national targets.
Off-site support augments on-site maintenance team and helps optimize asset performance.
Sinhyung Engineering selected a single controls supplier to help meet the changing demands of its end users and create flexible, scalable machines.
Livetech implemented a secondary packaging line for Galbusera-Tre Marie, an Italian brand with a long history in bakery industry. Flexibility and delicacy were key.
Hanyang Packaging and Engineering used Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture to increase productivity and keep up with market demand.
Next generation, fully integrated, single-platform control, alarming and reporting architecture delivers clear results for water-treatment company.
Bibit software solutions and Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture made it possible for this well-known coffee producer to obtain important food safety certification.
Rockwell Automation creates new NSF-Certified HMI for food industry. Stands up to extreme IP69K operational and wash down practices.
This dairy needed to increase production capacity to meet increasing consumer demand. With PlantPAx DCS, the dairy reduced energy usage and increased production.
With a turnkey serialization solution, biopharma company is creating high-quality, life-saving medicines – and surpassing current and evolving regulatory requirements.
With integrated condition monitoring and unparalleled local support, O&G producer reduced downtime of critical assets by 20 percent.
Easy to use software, best-fit hardware and clear messaging remove the need for technology know-how from operational equation.
Using advanced safety and analytics, Aagard optimizes end of line operations with integrated cartoner-case packer-palletizer system.
Jim Beam implements Model Predictive Control at Clermont, Kentucky distillery to maximize throughput while respecting equipment and process constraints.
Rockwell Automation modernises network at geothermal plant; delivering higher performance, easier diagnostics, enhanced data capture and more robust cybersecurity.
Solvent plant has realized $1 million in new monthly revenue with a modern DCS system and greater batch automation.
To increase efficiency, MCNS selected FactoryTalk VantagePoint to seamlessly integrate systems and organize, correlate and normalize disparate data.
When IT and OT meet, efficiency among processes, people and geographies increases.
Global tyre manufacturer incorporates new features in its productions systems that deliver much more flexibility in terms of tyre-size changes and product handling.
Australia's largest generator of clean renewable energy, Hydro Tasmania, develops industry leading hybrid system on Flinders Island.
Arnott's embarked on a control and HMI system upgrade to deliver increased flexibility and agility for biscuit production.
To safeguard future production of a large-scaled gelatine manufacturing plant, an innovative risk management approach was undertaken to help identify and replace legacy equipment.
With a strong commitment to continuous improvement of current manufacturing assets, Miraka invested in a solution to optimise their milk powder process.
Using the PlantPAx DCS, ZIPPE created a high-availability and powerful batch plant within one year.
A new explosives manufacturing plant in Europe invests in the latest motor control technology from Australia.
End user achieves significant cost savings and simplified start-up.
Arkansas Steel needed to improve workforce utilization and make continuous improvements. Software from Rockwell Automation helped increase yield by at least 3 percent.
A new facility in the Netherlands can produce 7.5 tons of milk powder per hour.
FactoryTalk® ProductionCentre and FactoryTalk® Analytics™ make transparent in real-time, what goes wrong behind the scenes.
Deyu's winding machines help customers achieve higher productivity and lower cost in battery production, and enhance the reliability and energy density.
Tomatic replaces unsupported black-box hardware & software at construction chemical company with modern, integrated, connected process control solution with Industrie 4.0 capabilities.
Connected, integrated control solution delivers greater process precision, enhanced energy management and comprehensive data-capture capabilities at Ukrainian sinter plant.
AT Equipment and Services GmbH, was tasked with the development of a precision control solution for two large permanent-magnet (PM) motors deployed in a dual-chamber shredding unit.
ECONO-PAK was approached by Lotte Wedel to develop a packaging/cartoner machine that would more easily cater for varieties in packaging formats and product counts.
Find out how Rockwell Automation works with Flexicon Corporation to help them achieve a cost-effective, flexible and customizable solution for their machine development.
In a recent clean water treatment project in Denmark, AB Electric A/S was tasked with developing and installing a comprehensive PlantPAx-based control and monitoring solution.
Modernizing a plant in Brazil provided faster maintenance agility, better control of operating costs and gains in flexibility.
Yalong's gearbox assembly machine meets standard requirements for integrated safety, ultimately helping end users ease compliance and reduce costs.
Bharat Forge Aluminiumtechnik provides innovative aluminium forging solutions for the automotive industry.
Chobani deploys the latest control and automation technology to build a new fully automated yogurt manufacturing plant.
Find out how this global company improved energy efficiency and reporting through a single energy monitoring solution.
The Columbia Machine FL6200SW combines high-speed stretch wrap technology with a contemporary, modular and clean-design palletizer.
At Midwest Farmers Cooperative's new ag terminal, a distributed control system enables the co-op to move grain through quickly and reach new markets.
With a standardized system enabled by PlantPAx, the modern DCS, KCC was able to improve efficiency, reduce engineering time, reduce downtime and improve maintenance.
ConnectedProduction well-manager solution helps ARC Resources maintain production levels from aging, depleting wells.
Thanks to Rockwell Automation servo drives and AC drives, Neotecman has reduced the design, installation and setup time of its hydraulic stamping equipment.
A global manufacturer of specialty papers and fibre-based engineered materials, wanted a new machine to connect seamlessly with a plant's existing infrastructure.
Modular control-system design and access to manufacturing intelligence help MCPP accelerate the launch of its first plant in Brazil.
Yalumba implements new state of the art bottling lines to help reduce labour costs, increase production capacity and minimise occupational health and safety issues.
Kraft Heinz increases food-production capacity on production line by 10 percent and reduces quality variability with model predictive control software.
Bilfinger Greylogix creates standardised control environment at Gasunie across 15,500 km gas pipeline network.
With variable pitch, higher speed and greater throughput forming the crux of a new assembly machine, Maga Active turned to Rockwell Automation with its innovative iTRAK® technology.
KUKA evaluated the standard automation systems used in auto manufacturing facilities and saw an opportunity to create a system that would be flexible, efficient and cost effective.
Enabled by EtherNet/IP network, the ControlLogix system helps perform remote management and maintenance tasks.
Although it is called Machine Builder Libraries, the content is not only for OEMs – it is being leveraged by our own internal engineering teams to save design time.
A Rockwell Automation data-analytics solution helps Rockline Industries boost OEE by more than 20 percent.
Optima Control Solutions solves obsolescence issues at leading UK biscuit manufacturer and delivers high quality S88-based batch control solution.
Turkish maritime ship-board control provider leverages proven industrial hardware and software SCADA architecture to revolutionise ship's systems development.


text:
Just a place holder for stuff as I hit it.
- Hibernate / Resume has stopped working. Damn, now it takes me 10 minutes to start up and shutdown at the end of the day. That's time my employer is losing. With Gutsy, Sleep was great. Just shut the lid and leg it out at the end of the day to beat the traffic and pick up the kids. Now I have to stop writing code early. Tracking this, but I'm don't have an idea of when I might get the old functionality back.
- Thunderbird with Lightning 0.8 stopped understanding iCal, VCALENDAR and all remote and local Calendar data disappeared. I eventually narrowed it down to this. With libstdc++5 installed locally, a reinstall of the lightning 0.8 plugin brought all my calendars back. Might be moving more of them into the cloud from now on though.
- IO seems a slower, or the disk is getting spun quite a lot more. That's just a subjective impression though, and I don't have any Bonnie(++) numbers for my laptop before the upgrade.
- Network Manager seems to have a hard time with roaming now. At work, I'm on a LAN all the time. At home, I'm on my LAN or WiFi. Switching at home seems a lot more troublesome that it used to be, and
/etc/init.d/dbus restartas my usual brute force approach seems to stop the NM applet from getting put back into the System Tray. No bug report for that yet, since that sounds a little woolly!


text:
David Chase, who reinvented TV as the creator of "The Sopranos,'' makes an underwhelming debut as a movie writer-director with his ho-hum coming-of-age drama "Not Fade Away.''
Yes, there's a great blues-and-rock soundtrack assembled by his erstwhile Silvio, Steven Van Zandt. And the film certainly nails the nitty-gritty details of its time period — roughly bookended by the assassinations of John Kennedy in 1963 and his brother Robert five years later.
But there's not much to get excited about in this rambling quasi-autobiographical tale of Doug (John Magaro), a teenager who lives in suburban New Jersey with his dad (James Gandolfini), housewife mom (Molly Price) and a little sister (Meg Guzulescu), who oddly delivers the voice-over narration.
Dad, who runs a Pep Boys auto-supply store, gets bent out of shape when the newly longhaired, Cuban-heeled Doug — inspired by the Rolling Stones, hence the film's title — decides to drop out of college.
Doug wants to devote his time to a garage band he's formed with his buddies and fellow Rolling Stones wannabes, lead singer and guitarist Gene (Jack Huston) and the affluent Wells (Will Brill).
The narration tells us at the outset that their dreams of rock stardom will never be realized, so there isn't any suspense on that front.
The group's — and the film's — high point comes when Gene pulls an idiotic stunt during a concert that obliges Doug to take over and deliver a rousing rendition of "Time Is on My Side.''
The acting is OK, but none of the leads has the kind of sizzle that might have turned this into something as special as another film set roughly in the same era, "Diner.''
Nor this year's "The Perks of Being a Wallflower,'' for that matter.
Bella Heathcote ("Dark Shadows''), who plays Gene's underwritten love interest, is loved by the camera in a way the guys just aren't.
Given the Garden State setting, poor Gandolfini is haunted by the ghost of Tony Soprano as Magaro's bellicose dad — more than in any of his other screen roles.
For someone who's spent his entire adult life in Hollywood, Chase surprisingly falls into a frequent trap for first-time filmmakers — including clips from classic films like "Touch of Evil'' and "Blow-Up.''
Such homages are always well-meaning, but in this case they have the effect of making "Not Fade Away'' look like a mopey piece of nostalgia by comparison. One of the biggest WTF endings since the "Sopranos'' finale sure doesn't help.


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Train Perpignan → Milan
Duration 11h44 - From שח417
- Arrival station : Milano centrale (Piazza Duca d'Aosta, 1 20124 Milan)
South of France, in reach of Spain
Perpignan, between Spain and France, it's a whole culture! In 1963, Salvador Dali declared that the railway station of Perpignan was indeed the centre of the whole universe. Is it real or not, nobody knows. Yet one thing is for sure: Perpignan, capital of the Pyrénées Orientales department, is definitely a pleasurable city. Learn more about Perpignan
Fashionable Milan might have shortcomings—but it's worth the trip
Milan, the second largest city in Italy Milan is a main Italian city and regarded as the fashion capital of Europe. Milan is also an transport hub for Italy. The city has an important stake in the finance, commerce, media and sport of Italy. Two of its football teams, Inter Milan and Milan AC, are known throughout the world. Milan is located in the north west of Italy and is home to a number of museums, designers factory shops, churches and other landmarks. Those who love street style would love the Navigli area. In Piazza XXIV Maggio, shoppers will find brands such Custo-Barcellona, Diesel, Miss Sixteen, Gas and Fornarina, alongside second-hand clothes shops, handmade clothes and accessory stores made from silk and other precious materials. The main railway stations of Milan are Milan Centrale and Milan Porta Garibaldi. The two stations are about 1.5 kilometres away from each other. Learn more about Milan
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