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Eliminate Fear With Surgery

By RD Bentley on July 28, 2011 in

Certain stimulus can produce fear even in the bravest of people. In a circumstance where one might experience what is known as fear conditioning, the stimulus would produce a response within the body. This expression of fear would trigger a number of physical and emotional reactions. Such as: heart rate, breathing, muscle response, sweating, etc.

Could it be possible that there is a portion of the brain that is responsible for this emotion that we label as fear? What if scientists were able to locate that part of the brain specifically? What if surgeons could remove that section of the brain successfully, without causing any damage to the remaining part of the brain? This would effectively remove the fear that most of us experience.

Researchers have discovered that one particular patient (they refer to her as SM) doesn’t respond to fear like a normal human being would. It almost seems impossible doesn’t it?

The amygdala is an almond shaped part of the brain that is thought to produce the experience of fear in an average person. The patient called SM, a female, has bilateral amygdala damage. She is approximately 44 years old.

Her other emotions are completely normal. She has the normal facilities that an average adult would possess, such as IQ, memory, language, and perception. However, SM is severely impaired in relation to fear conditioning, recognition, facial expressions, and a sense of immediate danger. She doesn’t react to fear.

Justin S. Feinstein, Ralph Adolphs, Antonio Damasio, and Daniel Tranel performed a scientific investigation. The group tried three varied experiments that were designed to induce fear in the patient. The results of the study are very interesting, to say the least.

On the three tests that were exhibited, SM showed little to no fear on all occasions. But the study does state that it would be a false claim to say that SM is emotionless or unable to experience emotion.

The part of the human brain that we call the amygdala may be the sole unique component that provides the human species with a very important mechanism — fear. If you could eradicate all the phobias in your life, would you possibly consider it?

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Multitasking At The Mall

By RD Bentley on July 27, 2011 in

[Uploaded Jan 14, 2011]
It’s probably not a very good idea to text and walk at the same time. Especially if there are security cameras nearby to record your fall. A woman fell into a fountain while walking and texting in the Berkshire Mall, located in a suburb near Reading, Pennsylvania. The incident went viral on YouTube a short time later.

Fountain Lady discussed the mishap with ABC journalist George Stephanopoulos. Her lawyer said that she should at least get an apology because the YouTube video had embarrassed the woman.

It turned out that the fountain-faller (Cathy Cruz Marrero) was a Berkshire Mall employee herself. According to SFGate, Fountain Lady “was charged in late 2009 with running up bills of more than $5,000 on a coworker’s credit account at Target and Zales.”

The security guard who posted the video was fired at some point later.

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What If The Cops Grab My Smartphone?

By RD Bentley on July 27, 2011 in ,

Can police search your digital possessions? Such as a personal computer, cell phones, laptop, etc. Just what are your rights when the police come knocking on your door and demand to grab your smartphone?

KNOW YOUR DIGITAL RIGHTS

Don’t consent to a search

  • Just say no. Tell the police to come back with a search warrant.
  • If you voluntarily agree to let the police search, they won’t legally need a search warrant. They will be able to search your house, computer, cell phones, etc.

    • Always ask to see a search warrant

  • If the police do in fact have a search warrant, you have a right to see it.
  • Make sure the police only search the area(s) where the warrant allows them to do so. They are not permitted to search other areas.

    • You do have the right to remain silent

  • You don’t have to say a word to the police or help them while they are searching.
  • You don’t have to give your encryption keys or passwords to the police.
  • If you do decide to talk to the police, you have to tell the truth. Lying can be held against you.
  • Once police are allowed to search your home you can not interfere in any way.

    • Talk to a lawyer

  • Always get a lawyer first, if the situation permits you to do so. Get a lawyer when police want to talk to you, or when police want to search your home, business, or any electronic device.
  • A lawyer is best suited to deal with the police. The lawyer may be able to retrieve your electronic device that the police got from you. Always get a lawyer.

    • For more tips you can visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

    Photo Credit:

    Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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    The Impact Of The Apple iPad

    By RD Bentley on July 27, 2011 in

    Apple iPad 2 MC769LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi, Black) NEWEST MODEL<br />

    What is your favorite newspaper or news site on the internet? What countries are doing the most surfing on the internet using the computer? What countries are using the iPad the most?

    Reading Newspaper With Computer
    1. Argentina – 98.6%
    2. Brazil – 98.1%
    2. Germany – 98.1%
    3. France – 97.1%
    4. India – 96.9%
    5. Spain – 96.3%
    6. Canada – 95.5%
    7. Chile – 95.4%
    8. Australia – 94.6%
    9. United States – 93.3%
    10. Japan – 93.0%
    11. Singapore – 91.2%
    12. United Kingdom – 90.2%

    Surfing With iPad
    1. Canada – 33.5%
    2. Brazil – 31.8%
    3. Germany – 29.4%
    4. Spain – 27.4%
    5. France – 26.9%
    6. Singapore – 26.2%
    7. Australia – 25.9%
    8. United States – 21.8%
    9. United Kingdom – 21.3%
    10. Chile – 12.9%
    11. Argentina – 12.4%
    12. Japan – 11.3%
    13. India – 4.0%
    [Source: Comscore]

    Tablets are changing market trends. According to comscore, the iPad is the most used tablet device in the world. The iPad dominates tablet devices with more than 89% of the market share. Obviously, the second list shows you which countries are using the Apple iPad the most.

    The survey highlights that web surfers are not just using the desktop only anymore. Web surfers are using tablets, mobile phones, and other handheld devices. The tablet seems to be the most dominant force when not using the computer.

    Ever since Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad 2, the second generation of iPad has taken the world by storm. Apple CEO Steve Jobs came back from medical leave to present the 2nd generation of the iPad tablet. The iPad 2 is thinner, faster, and it comes with two cameras. If you’re considering buying an Apple tablet, make sure you go with the iPad 2.

    Just read the Apple iPad 2 reviews and you’ll see how popular this household gadget really is.

    The new tablet adds front- and rear-facing cameras, which allow FaceTime video calls with the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod Touch and Macintosh computers.

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    Presentation Is Everything On Your Blog

    By RD Bentley on July 26, 2011 in

    data cake
    Image by EpicGraphic

    Be innovative. Be creative. Find the one idea or strategy that your competitors have overlooked. Nothing is impossible if you think outside the box. It’s only been slightly more than a decade ago since legendary websites like Amazon.com were born. Look where they are now.

    It’s about planning and marketing. It’s about richer content and more value added to the community. An important part is knowing who the customer is. Then focus on customer satisfaction and product quality.

    Measure the customer’s needs. Go above and beyond the level to satisfy the customer. You can fire the customer and the customer can fire you. It’s always a two way street.

    Whether you’re promoting a peanut butter sandwich or a Mercedes, presentation is everything. You might say it’s the most important part. It’s not enough to have just any website, your website has to look good. It has to pass the test.

    Extend the boundaries that are placed before you. Find the gap between the product and the buyer. Find the angle that others have missed. Use nontraditional advertising — it works!

    Even in a struggling economy, startups are popping up everywhere. Some will make it and some won’t. One thing is for sure, if you don’t try you won’t succeed. The climb up the mountain is treacherous, but the view is spectacular and certainly rewarding.

    Gather information thoroughly. Analyze. Research. Analyze again. If you don’t know how to do it, find someone that does. Find the right data.

    Purchase the right software to enhance your page. The top selling products for web designers can be found in packages with companies like Adobe.

    There are talkers and there are doers. Which one are you going to be?

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    Facebook Is Coming To Television

    By RD Bentley on July 26, 2011 in

    So you think that cable TV is dead, right? The telecommunications industry is ready to challenge that mindset. The magic silver bullet — they’re promoting the digital frontier.

    The future of television is actually happening right now. The big wheels of commerce have been churning new ideas for the last four years plus. The nextgen revolution has begun. Marketing will offer a whole new consumer experience. A digital experience.

    The nextgen television campaign from cable giant Comcast is going to be called xfinity.

    Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast has demonstrated what the features are going to look like. Roberts gave a very professional demonstration at NCTA.

    For starters, the new setup will offer cloud computing integrated with television. Roberts said that there will be over 20,000 choices with xfinity, which is currently under development. Personalization is going to be another selling point.

    The hybridization of television and computing is going to be a gamechanger for sure.

    Your new state-of-the-art remote will use RF. That means the signal will be distributed by a radio signal, not how it is now. You will be able to move all around the house and not chained up in one corner.

    As you flip your new TV switch on, you will be navigating through a 1 Gbps Speed Broadband Connection!

    Options:
    1. See what’s on right now instantly and simultaneously.
    2. Choices of viewing — series, movies, networks, xtras, kids, lifestyles.
    3. On Demand Choices.
    4. New remote that won’t need line of sight.
    5. A quick search button to quickly find subject you want.
    6. Choice of Standard TV or High Def TV.
    7. Split- screen capability while shuffling online with the cloud.
    8. Watch, record, personalize.
    9. Facebook App to share Likes with friends and see what they’re watching.
    10. Consider options instantly without any hesitation.
    11. Hit search button and search while watching your favorite episode.
    12. Last button offers on demand, DVD, or live. Look at last 9 channels.
    13. Favorite My TV just like favorites on a computer.
    14. See what’s recommended for you.
    15. Buy rentals.
    16. Use apps like your mobile.
    17. Check news feeds while viewing.
    18. Friends Trends — Facebook to TV — TV to Facebook.
    19. Social networking on TV.
    20. Purchase and download 23 episodes all at once.

    How about downloading all that in 1 minute and 39 seconds? As was demonstrated by CEO Brian Roberts — over one billion bits per second. That’s a first time. Fast enough?

    Broadband is going to reach unbelievable speeds that are incomparable to anything that most of us have ever seen. The days of waiting for that YouTube video to buffer may be over in the near future.

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    Amazon Gains Access To CBS Library

    By RD Bentley on July 23, 2011 in ,

    CBS AND AMAZON ANNOUNCE DIGITAL VIDEO LICENSING AGREEMENT

    [Press Release -- July 19, 2011]
    NEW YORK and SEATTLE — CBS Corporation [NYSE: CBS.A and CBS] and Amazon.com [NASDAQ: AMZN] today announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement that will enable Amazon customers to stream television shows from CBS’s vast library. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    Amazon Prime customers will be able to instantly watch thousands of episodes from the CBS library at no additional cost to their membership. With the deal, Amazon will add 2,000 episodes to grow the total number of Prime instant videos to more than 8,000 movies and television shows, and offer full seasons for 18 popular television series, including “The Tudors,” “Numb3rs,” “Medium,” the complete “Star Trek” franchise, “Frasier” and “Cheers.” Starting this summer, dozens of CBS shows will also become available to Amazon Instant Video customers.

    “Our new deal with CBS makes Amazon Prime even better for customers,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com CEO. “We’re excited to add thousands of popular CBS programs to our already great selection, all of which stream at no additional cost to Amazon Prime members.”

    “Amazon has created one of the most popular consumer marketplaces in the world, and we are very pleased to make these titles available to their Instant Video and Prime customers,” said Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation. “This new agreement represents another meaningful way for us to realize incremental value for CBS’s content.”

    Amazon Instant Video is a streaming video service that offers customers more than 90,000 movies and television shows available to purchase or rent, and with this CBS content included, will offer more than 8,000 movies and television shows included at no additional cost with an Amazon Prime membership. Customers can instantly watch movies and television shows from Amazon on a Mac, PC or directly on television with any of the 300 compatible devices.

    About CBS Corporation
    CBS Corporation is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW – a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime Networks, Smithsonian Networks and CBS College Sports Network), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Television Studios, CBS Studios International and CBS Television Distribution), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), interactive media (CBS Interactive), music (CBS Records), licensing and merchandising (CBS Consumer Products), video/DVD (CBS Home Entertainment), motion pictures (CBS Films) and sustainable media (EcoMedia). For more information, please visit www.cbscorporation.com.

    About Amazon.com
    Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle, Kindle 3G, Kindle with Special Offers, Kindle 3G with Special Offers and Kindle DX are the revolutionary portable readers that wirelessly download books, magazines, newspapers, blogs and personal documents to a crisp, high-resolution electronic ink display that looks and reads like real paper. Kindle 3G, Kindle 3G with Special Offers and Kindle DX utilize the same 3G wireless technology as advanced cell phones, so users never need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Kindle is the #1 bestselling product across the millions of items sold on Amazon.

    Amazon and its affiliates operate Web sites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, and www.amazon.it. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

    Source: CBS Corporation

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    Shanzhai: Fake Apple Stores In China

    By RD Bentley on July 23, 2011 in

    

    Blogger BirdABroad has been inundated from nearly every major news source in the known western world. She’s an American living in Kunming, China. To her surprise, she walked into an Apple store only to later discover that it was an unauthorized Apple store.

    BirdABroad walked into this fake Apple store, and filmed on July 22, 2011 with the help of her MacBook. Hey, I think they should hire her to be a news reporter. Don’t you think so?

    Are you listening, Steve Jobs?

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    Florida Mosquito Problem Worse This Year

    By RD Bentley on July 23, 2011 in

    There’s an old adage about the mosquito in the state of Florida. Many jokingly call the mosquito the Florida state bird. However, this year the state bird is trying to take over. The reports indicate that the mosquito problem is the worst in ten years. It’s a problem that cities can hardly keep up with, especially in the southern part of Florida. And this is leaving some citizens frustrated.

    There is always great concern that heavy mosquito infestations could increase the likeliness of disease. Awareness of mosquito-borne disease can be very useful.

    Mosquitoes and Disease [Source: University of Florida]
    There are three very important mosquito-borne diseases that occur in Florida: Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and West Nile fever/encephalitis; all of these diseases are caused by viruses that are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Adult female mosquitoes feed on blood for the nutrients it provides for developing the eggs that they will deposit. When mosquitoes feed on blood, they salivate prior to and during feeding. If the mosquito feeds on a bird that is infected with one of the viruses, there is a chance that she will pick up the virus from the bird’s blood. After a couple of weeks, if the virus has survived in the mosquito and increased to high numbers, she is able to infect a new blood host, such as another bird, a human, or a horse. The virus is released through the saliva when she is feeding. If the virus infects a human or horse, for example, there is a possibility that the new host will develop symptoms of encephalitis and become ill; more often, however, these hosts are only slightly ill or experience no symptoms at all and develop antibodies to the virus. Some birds can harbor the viruses with no ill effects. However, West Nile virus has been fatal to many raptors and corvids (blue jays, crows, hawks).

    West Nile Virus
    West Nile (WN) virus is carried by mosquitoes and if transmitted to humans, it can cause severe encephalitis. It is closely related to St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus which is sometimes a problem in Florida. West Nile virus was first isolated in 1937, from a woman in the West Nile province of Uganda in Central Africa. Epidemics of WN have occurred in Israel, France, South Africa, and Romania. West Nile virus was first documented in the United States in New York City (NYC) during an epidemic in August 1999.

    St. Louis Encephalitis
    St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus is a flavivirus that is transmitted to humans and other vertebrates primarily by mosquitoes of the genus Culex . Infection with SLE results in inapparent infection in a variety of birds and mammals with a resultant period of viremia that lasts a matter of days. Humans represent an incidental, deadend host. The clinical spectrum of human SLE infection includes inapparent infection, mild illness (febrile with headache), aseptic meningitis, and encephalitis which can progress to coma and death. Inapparent infection is most common in the young, whereas encephalitis, especially that progressing to coma and death, is more common in the elderly.

    Eastern Equine Encephalitis
    Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a virus disease transmitted to horses and humans by mosquitoes. Birds are the source of infection for mosquitoes. The virus is found along the east coast from New England to Florida, the Gulf Coast, and some midwestern areas. The principal vector in avian populations is the mosquito Culiseta melanura. This mosquito does not feed on humans or horses, but in rare cases the virus can escape from its marsh habitat in other mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals (including horses and humans) and then transmit the virus to mammals, including people. Horses and humans are “dead end” hosts, meaning that they do not develop enough virus in their blood to transmit the virus (therefore sick horses or humans can’t transmit the disease to mosquitoes, only birds can).

    Mosquitoes mostly come out after the heat of the day is over. Which means dusk through dawn. Be aware of this and take all precautions necessary. The best ways to avoid mosquito bites are to avoid infested areas, wear protective clothing, and wear insect repellent.

    Experts say it is very important to use an insect repellent with the ingredient called DEET. This product is one of the most recommended for outdoor campers: Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V, 25% DEET 6 oz.

    Here is more great advice on mosquito repellents.

    Photo Credit:

    Image: moomsabuy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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    Dental Plan Providers Offer Affordable Alternatives

    By RD Bentley on July 21, 2011 in

    [Press Release -- June 17, 2011]
    Plantation, FL – In April of 2011, more than 20 executives from leading organizations and discount dental plan companies gathered in South Florida for a first-of-its-kind open forum to share their insights to help the industry come together to further educate consumers, dentists, and regulators.

    The First Annual Discount Dental Plan Summit, hosted by DentalPlans.com, featured attendees from the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) and Consumer Health Alliance (CHA), executives from CIGNA, Careington, Coverdell and New Benefits, and legal analysts such as Brady Cobb from Tripp Scott.

    While the event provided a platform for industry influencers to discuss ways to boost awareness about discount dental plans, it also gave attendees a chance to collectively exchange views on the major changes health care reform might bring to the dental care arena and what opportunities exist to further benefit and educate key dental care audiences.

    “No matter what happens with health care reform, consumers can continue to access discount dental plans to make dental care more affordable,” said attendee and CHA member Allen Erenbaum of Erenbaum Legal Strategies. “Unfortunately, some consumers are not aware of the ways they can save money at the dentist, which studies have shown to impact long-term health and well-being.”

    For adults, the Affordable Care Act will not require the purchase of specific coverage, such as dental and vision. Currently, health insurance plans offered through employers typically do not offer coverage for dental work. However, more children are expected to be covered for dental services through provisions designed to increase access to oral health.

    Even with a dental insurance plan in place, many consumers are unable to keep up with routine checkups and appointments due to out-of-pocket costs and monetary constraints. In 2009, a Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll found that more than 30 percent of insured Americans, as well as 50 percent of uninsured, skipped necessary dental care visits due to financial burdens.

    Industry discussions and presentations at the First Annual Discount Dental Plan Summit included:

  • An introduction to the Network Relations Department at DentalPlans.com.
  • Challenges and opportunities for today and tomorrow’s discount dental plan customers.
  • How state legislation and health care reform are shaping marketplaces.
  • Best marketing and communication strategies to educate consumers, dentists and regulators.
  • How to create and organize a discount dental plan advisory board.

    • “It was a great opportunity for us to bring together industry influencers and open the discussion,” said Scott Szwiec, VP of Network Relations for DentalPlans.com. “At the end of the day, we all have the same goals and want to help the discount dental industry move forward in the mind of consumers looking to maintain their dental care.”

    The event also featured a keynote presentation from Vistage guest speaker and partner in California-based strategic marketing firm SalesBrain, Dean Minuto, sharing his insights on the application of Neuromarketing and how to better understand and leverage the “buy button” in a consumers’ brain.

    About DentalPlans.com
    A one-stop online shop to save on dental care, DentalPlans.com connects individuals.  DentalPlans.com does offer family plans and also offers significant savings for groups on procedures such as cleanings, braces and root canals. Visitors of DentalPlans.com can compare discount dental plans by ZIP code, view sample savings and find a nearby dentist. The company offers people a choice of affordable alternatives to dental insurance through more than 30 of the leading discount dental plans in the country.

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