Our development is continuous from the moment we were conceived until the last seconds of our stay.
Nothing comes from nothing. And everything will eventually go to nothing. But unless we have turned into void everything would still be subject to improvement. If we have missed in childhood all the developments we were bound to undergo then adulthood is never too late to give them a shot. All it would take is to gather everything in one heap and toss them all in one try with fingers crossed hoping that all would end well.?
The end is never the end of it all though. Depending on your treatment of things, the end might as well be considered as the beginning. The start of a new trial.
All we need is to take the positive attitude and make ourselves believe that some things are meant to fail on our first trials and then luck would follow us.
Our route for development is always towards a specific goal.
And since nothing comes from nothing, it is unarguable that we were innately confident. We were all entitled to confidence unless we turn away from this gift, which by the way is the normal reaction of most people who have failed on their initial shot.
Self confidence roots from our inner drive to excel, to show the world how well a man should treat life and how to manipulate the attributes that one is endowed with.
From our birth comes the weak foundation of our inner self confidence. We are then responsible of intensifying this fortress as we age. Being unable to do so is a form of disregard towards the precious gifts that accompany self confidence.?
If you failed to develop your self confidence as a child then think of it as a loss that you must learn from.
Now, all you have to do is to muster all strength so you can start anew. You have a lifetime to change the course of your life, you have been given all the stock you need to get your world moving. Only if you would realize how beautiful your blueprints are then you could appreciate the worth you have.
If being you, as the created manifestation of God?s love is not enough for to convince you of how worthy you are, then think only of this- God took time to conceptualize everything that you are now.
Imagine, the Divine Being gave you the favor of His eternity. Then you, the creature would put all these to waste because you had failures that you cant get over with? Because you had failures that let you see the imperfections you created for yourself? Because your failures caused you to be less confident of your own beauty? Think again. Heap all your memories and let the best times shine and you will see how wonderfully you were created.
If you do not believe in all these then you might come to realize that for your own sake and happiness, you have to encourage yourself and continue the development that has for long been stunted.
Developing self confidence is never that hard to do if you truly believe that you can develop. The problem though is that you are creating too many walls against yourself and the development even before you have started your attempts. These walls would not only hamper you to see the other side of yourself but would also cause you not to jump over your present negative domain.
Self Improvement Articles Private Label Rights Ebook Shop
9to5mac says it has sources claiming a new Apple TV will arrive alongside the new iPad next week, and that it will feature a variant of the A5 processor capable of handling 1080p video. Can you say full HD AirPlay Mirroring? More »
My wife has a preferred local hair salon that she visits less frequently than she?d like, mostly due to exorbitant, premium costs. I know how the saying goes, ?You get what you pay for.? Heck, I?ve even heard myself echoing this over the years on occasion. This salon, on the surface, seems to be a good illustration of that saying with several talented employees decked out in New York black, a comfortable luxurious, leather-couched atmosphere including champagne while you wait, and a steady stream of seemingly, well-to-do clients. However, as of recently, a new reason for even less frequent visits from my wife has confusingly emerged?the hair salon either is not interested in her business or they are just ?too busy.? I?ll give them the benefit of the doubt by assuming the latter and try to prove that. Here?s goes?
Example 1: The past two times my wife has tried to ?book? an appointment to give said-hair-salon her business, they responded saying they were booked solid through the next six (yes, six!) weeks. To make an appointment for a time that was convenient to my wife?s schedule would mean booking two-plus months out. The hair salon, however, was not empathetic yet happy to put her on the wait list for ?cancellations.? If she wanted a real appointment it?d have to wait until May. In layman?s terms that means ?after-season? when business is expectantly slower. Knowing how quickly hair grows and changes, and how important events call for hair-done-right, this seems extraordinary and not acceptable.
Example 2: After actually making her last appointment which included my wife AND our daughter (side note: the visit would have amounted to over $250 in hair treatment!) which she also had to wait weeks to secure that appointment, the salon had the cahonas to call the day of the appointment and ask to reschedule, for reasons ?unknown.? Really? Wait several weeks to spend over $250 for about 1 hour?s time and then have to reschedule and wait another several weeks?
Both of these examples made it obvious to me that, not only is the salon supposedly ?too busy? but they are not interested in lower priority customers during their peak season. It has left my wife, a potential regular customer?during both peak and off-peak seasons, mind you?despondent and furious. She pays the suggested rate card, tips well, and is a relatively easy, younger head of hair to work on. I mean, how different is a high-priority head, or customer, different from hers?
This hair salon?s poor treatment of, and lack of capacity for, a potential higher-valued customer?
Take a pause to do the math quickly here folks: + frequency + retention ? cost to serve customer = + profitability + lifetime value
?led me to think through the concept of capacity and how its impact on customer service may be overlooked by this salon and others, perhaps in advertantly.
Capacity, Further Defined Capacity, according to dictionary.com can be defined with relevance to our topic as:
The ability to receive or contain: This hotel has a large capacity.
The maximum amount or number that can be received or contained; cubic contents; volume: The inn is filled to capacity. The gasoline tank has a capacity of 20 gallons.
So, in a service business, capacity would mean the maximum number of person-hours that can be retained to perform specific service tasks and/or projects. This makes sense in the hair salon example mentioned earlier. There are only so many stylists that work for the hair salon, with so many available time slots for appointments within one given day. Once all of those slots are booked, it pushes available time slots further into the future. Premium time slots are more coveted and book easily whereas others, off-peak or off-season, are likely more available and accessible.
Capacity and Its Impact on Service It?s interesting to note the impact of capacity on customer service. Take a restaurant with a host, five waiters, two chefs and a wine steward, for example. If you walk into that restaurant and as the dinner evening?s first and only customer, it?s likely you will get premium level service from several, if not all, of that staff. The table will be sharply made. Your order will be taken expeditiously. Food will be prepared quickly and served hot. And, it will be a comfortable, high-touch dining experience. Fill that restaurant to capacity and it is likely service levels will change. Now, take that same filled restaurant and subtract three of the wait staff, one chef and the wine steward, and service really starts to diminish. The business and customers suddenly become, at risk for loss (i.e customers leaving, poor referrals, etc.).
At or beyond capacity does not have to necessarily equate to poor customer service. Remember, customers who have an affinity for your brand, product or service also have a threshold for their expectations. Seinfeld?s Soup Nazi was a great example of this. Customers would wait in excessive lines and be treated inconsiderately to experience an extraordinary bowl of soup, taken to go, nonetheless. It created fear and anxiety among many customers. Truth be told, it was the Soup Nazi?s exceptional product, not the wait or poor treatment, that customers desired the most. Had he improved the waiting experience by providing new soup samples, wi-fi for the busy professional, and/or compliments to each customer, it is possible demand and loyalty would have excelled. He might have even been able to charge a higher premium for his soup and generate higher profitability with the same level of personnel and infrastructure; capacity.
The Soup Nazi?s capacity and impact on customer service placed his business at risk. This was further illustrated when Elaine got a hold of his recipes. Had she opened up a soup kitchen down the street promoting the same Soup Nazi product, yet with no wait, kinder service and at better prices, she might have very well stolen some or all of the Soup Nazi?s business. It?s important to constantly remind yourself that:
Customers have choices.
Competition is formidable.
And, most businesses depend on how defendable a product or service you have, for the customer threshold on service, pricing and other factors.
Capacity-Service Tips Here are a few tips to keep your capacity and its impact on service in check to optimize your business:
Prioritize Your Customers Yet Treat Them All As VIPs: know the average revenue and/or profitability of each customer and their lifetime value (including referral value), yet treat them all as important VIPs. Low revenue generating customers can become high revenue generating customers and/or the best referrals. Don?t take any customer, and their potential for business, for granted. Take time to recognize customers and their value for your business (without customers there is no business). Be polite and thank them profusely for choosing your business.
Be Honest and Forthright. Make an Effort by Giving Alternatives to Satisfy Their Buying Need: If you?re at/beyond capacity, be sure to tell your customers, but not at the expense of making them feel unimportant. Something like this, goes a long way, ?Mrs. Customer, I?m sorry to inform that we?re currently at capacity and cannot accept your reservation during the time that you want. Your business is extremely important to us. Here are a few alternatives that may satisfy you.? Offer a discount or other incentive for the inconvenience so not to lose their business. Make the effort to retain your customers as this could be your last chance to do so. And, it costs more, generally, to acquire a customer than it does to retain an existing one.
Manage Demand, Service Capacity and Resulting Profitability, Carefully and Regularly: If your problem is high demand beyond capacity and you are not interested in increasing capacity (via technology, more employees, etc.) for whatever reason, you may consider raising your rates or not taking on new clients to prevent your business from becoming at risk. Don?t be afraid to drive demand to accommodate capacity with price, service and other functions. Rental properties have peak rates, for example, when demand is most high. This might take some testing but could be well worth it.
To reiterate, your customers have choices. Competition is formidable. And, unless your product or service is 100% defendable, decreasing service because of capacity could put your business at risk. Manage your business? capacity and service levels to help acquire, retain and grow the most profitable customer relationships and, ultimately, achieve business success.
About the Author
Angelo Biasi is General Manager of SMART Marketing Solutions, LLC, a leading full-service integrated marketing company in Florida and New York since 2001. He has helped create and execute marketing plans and integrated marketing solutions for companies such as Playtex, Bic, Rogaine, Tauck, and over 35 colleges and universities, to name a few. Angelo has an MBA in Marketing from the University of Connecticut and teaches Marketing at New York University where he has for over six years. He has been quoted and/or featured in USA Today, Mobile Marketer magazine, Mobile Commerce Daily, Luxury Marketing magazine, BNET TV and Business Currents magazine, to name a few. For more information or to learn more, email him at abiasismartmarketingllccom??(abiasismartmarketingllccom)??, visit www.smartmarketingllc.com, call him at 239.963.9396 and follow him on Twitter @angbiasi.
Filed Under Category Health & Well-Being by Mellon
Given that 1980 real details of your Herbalife belgirr home business opportunity have been starting eye as well as heads all over the place. Founder Mark Barnes centered the corporation on high quality diet products which help improve overall health, anf the husband additionally offered a fantastic home based business by getting folks an opportunity to personal a business as well as generate extra cash at the same time. Therefore forever joining ?two very hot subjects?? health and funds!
The genuine info about your herba belgie home business opportunity commence with the genuine good results of these products. As a innovator inside overall wellness business globally, and traded about the Lse, Herbalife?s items are the consequence of combination of research and research carried out from his or her study facilities (throughout Los Angeles around the university regarding UCLA) The middle pertaining to Man Diet.
Which has a long list of significant doctors which hang up their particular shingle at Herbalife belgirr, the corporation offers this sort of famous professionals since Nobel Winning prize successful Medical professional. Louis Ignarro and also Movie director of the UCLA Heart with regard to Human being Nutrition Generate. David Heber, that is also the Chairman of the Herbalife belgirr Healthcare Advisory Table.
It Starts With Items that Are generally ?In Demand?
Herbalife?s items have invariably been your central source of good results for your company and its particular suppliers. Right after more than Three decades the product or service line has grown to incorporate:
Weight reduction Energy & Conditioning Precise Nourishment Personalized Attention And also is really a real fact concerning the Herbalife belgirr income opportunity? all of these groups tend to be ?boom industries? in today?s market and are precisely why Herbalife?s business opportunity hasn?t recently been better.
The Pay plan Which ?Leads the actual Industry?
Primary your network marketing business with an considerable compensation plan, Herbalife?s home business opportunity permits vendors to make a few further money a month? or even, to become economically impartial. However, soon after greater than 3 decades the basics with the enterprise stays quite easy, you need to simply
market the merchandise locate as well as train other individuals to complete the same The more effective you might be at doing those 2 issues, the more expensive your own profit/income will probably be.
Herbalife mlm benefits its marketers who are profitable at instruction ?new distributors? with the possiblity to make a huge ?passive income?. It has brought numerous marketers to produce genuinely progressive and innovative advertising programs, including on the internet techniques that could easily be educated to be able to anyone who would prefer to learn.
The actual details of the Herbalife income opportunity are usually this kind of: they are a solid company using fantastic items that will be in popular. And also, due to a effective comp plan, they?ve got successful marketing and advertising systems which allow anyone to learn how to be successful from his or her business.
But if your Computer has started to move exceptionally bit by bit or maybe if you?ll find products who can?t introduce, you will considering washing the registry of the Computer.
Having practice variant, technology not only in order to clean the device and be able to after a sample of period of time is over, you could decide if they should afford the total method or you can avoid utilizing it.
This is a great option however , such backpacks are definitely not the most beneficial. In the event that free trial gets outdated, then you?ll definitely be forced to pay to have it in order to clean the laptop.
The nice thing about by means of such programs is because they will tell you no matter if there exists any kind of file corruption in your body.
Those software provide you with the best results. I personally been able to clean way up a laptop as a result of downloading premium quality registry cleaner software package along with will can?t help but recommend them.
Very little will be more exasperating along with frustrating when compared to a impede laptop. Supplanted for the people folks that usage their particular pc?s on a regular basis. The good media is you can obtain registry cleaner without spending a dime as well as substantially develop your personal computer?s efficiency. All website page you actually check out on the web is noted with a device registry. The reason for this is often who storage the details enable you to come back to who exact same website page much faster.
Remember the fundamental computer file pack along with contemplate the whole set of recordsdata muddled along with due to arrangement. And this is what is situated in a laptop having stored data.
Over time making use of them, types along with waste material around the recordsdata find yourself muddled while you start out the device, acquiring every one of these equipment to build these guys collectively swallows a number of years. Most of these important aspects will be insured in a good many critiques. Learning how to diagnostic along with clean your computer can help you significantly when making of course the program works much faster and is particularly secure.
Start looking on your software package you wish to clean up the hard disk as well as way up a typical diary for cleaning this.
This really is prejudicial . if you use loads of software package on your personal computer. Mostly, setting up brand new software with your Computer can create item listings in your registries. For instance, if someone makes a miscalculation along with find yourself adjusting a key setting up, you possibly can make your computer get it wrong. As well, quite often that there?re numerous such item listings, and going by these guys individually might not be possible even when you have all any time on the globe.
Because of this you will have a system from knowing in the event clean my pc is a great one prior to you acquire them. By using critiques, this is extremely important all too easy to execute, because you can rely upon a goes through from individuals that have obtained to work with such software just before. Once you?ve got finished this, you?ll notice it easier to find the method that you really feel is definitely most suitable. It is a easy route to take with regards to executing this kind of choices. One which I am just by means of at this moment known as Registry Simple, amongst the software i always contain saved during the past year well before a laptop was approximately to break down underneath the excess fat of all disproportionate item listings this were slowing the program.
Many people who use computers can marvel so why the require a good Home windows registry cleaner along with antivirus software package, spyware and adware along with spyware reduction software, along with efficiency bettering software package.
If this gets bloated having out of date details, redundant item listings along with problems, it can ruin development device. Owners may see impede efficiency, software can can?t opened altogether along with problems can arise with booting up the device. With for the worst situation predicaments, strategies may not additionally finished a running shoe system. While computer authorities may well manage a registry yourself to mend these complaints, naive participants should not undertake handbook registry resolve from additionally minimal problems itself because of the prospects for destruction.
Specialized resolve retail outlets will be both equally pricey. Happily, laptop managers have an low cost solution. Your Home windows registry cleaner is inexpensive when held up against pro computer services.
Little or no computer pc specialist should teach Computer keepers to simply get their particular laptop rear to get a free sort out immediately the require registry maintenance. What direction to go when your laptop accidents is often the topic that individuals ask ourselves, after you are earning a living blissfully take a look at a rapid development is not earning a living.
First of all you execute is definitely restart the pc the machine. You can find methods in order to restart the pc the program. The main delicate way is pushing Deal with, Alternative along with Get rid of recommendations at the same time.
Marketing such recommendations along with hang around and listen to regardless of whether it reboots. It must return the favor the expense of responding within the pc style keyboard. This strategy is considered the most trustworthy given that it is not going to permit the laptop in order to rot a glass windows registry or software package. Right after the laptop is definitely turned off, afterward machine them. This might increase the risk for glass windows computer file registry that they are ruined and as well any kind of unsaved results are wasted.
There isn?t a scratches to the software program to be able to a motorists. An alternative choice is wanting to start a Home windows by means of dependable marketing function. Although the composition is definitely with dependable function, by means of device re establish is considered the up coming most desirable phase. The unit re establish characteristic quite often helps save any kind of aged Home windows registry in the instance of any kind of occurrences to your model.
Supplied you provide a re establish device to help save the whole set of computer software they will be easily reloaded and also computer starts out earning a living ever again. Thinking of looking at laptop damage that is leaving you frustrated and able to admit defeat. Dealing with error subsequently after error subsequently after error will be exceedingly frustrating. Your scanner system relocated together in a great rate determined numerous others troubles as opposed to the remaining 231 programs certified. But if your laptop is definitely experiencing grumpy load times along with molasses paced network gears, or maybe hardly performing arts how you will imagine it must, Registry Simple should repair it just about all for your needs.
With pc?s, as time goes by from utilization them get hold of extraneous clutters, unnecessary computer file format along with achievable spyware that contributes within the slowness on the laptop.
Random access memory clutters eats away at the computer?s memory which in turn will do not a single thing on your laptop and causes usual laptop problems which include stay pros, blue screen of death problems, error messages, snowy way up, along with slowness on device. You can find distinct makes from registry cleaner software package that one can usage with regard to their pc?s. Computer Registry cleaner critiques along with registry cleaner review are methods from realizing might be a little more acceptable for utilization for use on your laptop.
According to numerous critiques, CCleaner is considered the most traditional software package since it works extremely well along with saved without spending a dime. An extra efficiency software package which is known for it really is history in keeping with numerous software package review is definitely Registry Repair shop.
The best Device Regarding Computer Registry Cleaner Evaluations One other popular product that is known for them efficiency in keeping with Computer registry cleaner critiques is definitely Software program.
Gone are generally the days any time little children performed concerning in areas in the summer. The youngsters of modern day age relax by simply actively playing games on their computers as well as PlayStations. The gaming way of life is no more related to youngsters and has turn out to be an anger of all age groupings. Internet has gotten this world simply by hurricane, and also the craving can be hard to avoid. Online free games can become of various formats, based on your current personal selection. The categories to select from are motion, puzzles, adventure, car racing and so on. These are an quick addiction and so are hard to get around.
Nearly all of these are usually free, however, many of these types of do demand a numerous individual policy for which in turn the players require to form a team. These kinds of multiple user games can end up being enjoyed using Wireless connections amid teams in a distinct place or even can also be performed by users from many different locations. A few of the very interesting characteristics they supply tend to be point out of the art appear quality which usually virtually places the player in a make-believe world. The high technology graphics are also critical sides which usually appeals to the users towards these kinds of online games.
The games can become down loaded then played out where as a number of of the games need online support to find a way to enjoy the games. The games are often multi level games and thus preserve the focus of the player by varying the problems of each and every level.
Online games are getting to be a present preoccupation of the game frenzy and technology informed customers. These types of players decide on the greatest games dependent on the quality of the visuals and also adventure level. The images practically makes it impossible to identify involving the virtual and real world. By using these advancement in the online gaming market, it is also a great potential customer for an business enterprise.
Web sites to acquire and also participate in these kinds of online games are generally mushrooming in the market along with only the finest can sustain the lots of competition in phrases of acceptance. A standard gamer stays at minimum two to three hours gaming everyday on an common. Though the online gaming scenario is actually booming, mental health expert around the world are usually worried of the outcomes of internet games on the players. With the significantly of time and energy dedicated to these kinds of games, the players are generally shedding picture of the real world and also dropping directly into the virtual world of the games. Hate it as well as have fun here, online gaming will be here to stay.
To learn more, visit jeux de naruto as well as naruto
? What do you get when you combine lots of water, lots of color, a touch of fire and a ton of alcohol? Just another Thursday afternoon at Sattya! Seriously, where have you been? You?re totally missing out. ? But if you?ve got one of those ?jobs? or ?lives? and can?t really handle these excessive and almost irresponsible levels of fun on a regular basis, fortunately there?s one day set aside for you to partake. That?s right folks, Holi is coming. ? Everyone wants to participate but everyone?s wondering where the real action?s at. Well search no further, because all day on March 8th, Sattya will have it all. ? ALL DAY BBQ! On the Street Holi Water Color Fight (starts at 11:00am): - No rules, all-holds-barred street mayhem - Balloons and colors for sale - Water refill station - Music - Free wall for painting ? Inside Sattya: - Neutral ground (NO COLORS/WATER ALLOWED) - Rooftop chillout space - Barbecue grill - Drinks and snacks ? And later in the evening, once you?ve cleaned yourself off and you want to relax, join us on our rooftop for music and video, food and drinks, and a movie. You can?t lose. Unless you get green on you. Then you?ve clearly lost, and all the might of Krishna and Vishnu and Baby Jesus will come crashing down on you. Or something.
Media Note: Media planning to cover the address, must please RSVP to jfalk@umn.edu.
Contacts:
Jeff Falk, University News Service, jfalk@umn.edu, (612) 626-1720
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler will give his first State of the University Address at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in Coffman Memorial Union Theater, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis.
The speech, ?Balances,? will outline Kaler?s vision and priorities for Minnesota?s land-grant public research university, expanding on his signature themes of driving excellence in and access to the U?s teaching, research and community engagement. Particular priorities Kaler plans to address include his efforts to push for the state's reinvestment in higher education, stemming the rise in tuition and student debt and improving the university?s operational excellence.
A question and answer session will follow the speech.
The address can be viewed online at www.livestream.com/umntv. Interactive broadcasts will also be shown at the following sites: ???? 101 Dowell Hall, 2900 University Ave., University of Minnesota, Crookston ???? 173 Kirby Plaza, 1208 Kirby Dr., University of Minnesota, Duluth ???? Studio A, Humanities Fine Arts Building, University of Minnesota, Morris ???? 419 University Square, 111 Broadway Ave. S., University of Minnesota, Rochester ???? Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton
Kaler?s term as the university?s 16th president began on July 1, 2011. For more information about Kaler and his priorities, visit www.umn.edu/president.
Tags:
All administrative: President, Provost, etc.
Here is a great tip for finding out if you will like living in your new neighborhood. Before writing an offer on one of the homes for sale in Goshen neighborhoods, take a ride or a walk down the streets around 6:00 at night when neighbors are getting home and ask them how they like it.
If you don?t have time to do home repairs on a house, you may consider buying one of the condos for sale in KY. When you buy a condo you buy a Goshen real estate investment without having to maintain the exterior of the building in most condo communities. Some Goshen condos have a community pool or clubhouse or party room. Many Goshen realtors have studied negotiation tips to get the best deal for you when you make an offer on one of the houses for sale in Goshen. Another tip to get your house offer accepted is to provide a mortgage loan preapproval letter with your offer. Many factors should be considered in the decision to buy a home in Goshen. There are many homes for sale in KY, and mortgage rates are extremely low. It might be the perfect time to buy a house. First consider this- How long will you be there before you sell your house? How much work are you willing to do to get a good deal? When looking at condos for sale in Goshen pay attention to the condo owners association or home owners association fees and master deed and regulations. You may decide to buy in one condo community over another due to the COA fee or HOA restrictions for the neighborhood. Ask your Goshen real estate agent to get the documents for you. Some areas of Goshen have newer homes built by large building companies that are very affordable new houses, and some neighborhoods of new construction houses are custom built homes with higher prices and more upscale finishes.
Sell House Now Real Estate Park Hills, Kentucky
Buying A House Real Estate Foreclosures Florence, Kentucky
House On Sale Real Estate Foreclosures Louisville, Kentucky
House Purchase Real Estate Listings Crestwood, Indiana
House 4 Sale Real Estate Foreclosures Hebron, KY
Houses 4 Sale Real Estate Listings Park Hills, Kentucky
Buying A House Real Estate Listings Goshen, Kentucky
Houses On Sale Real Estate Florence, Kentucky
House Sales Real Estate Values St. Matthews, Indiana
Houses 4 Sale Mls Real Estate Listings Floyds Knobs, IN
Houses For Sale Real Estate Values Erlanger, KY
Houses For Sale Real Estate Listings Sellersburg, Indiana
[unable to retrieve full-text content]AP - A retired British businessman accused of plotting to sell missile components to Iran headed to the United States Friday to face charges after failing to overturn an extradition order.
ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2012) ? As scientists continue developing climate change projection models, paleontologists studying an extreme short-term global warming event have discovered direct evidence about how mammals respond to rising temperatures.
In a study appearing in Science Feb. 24, researchers from eight institutions led by scientists from the University of Florida and University of Nebraska found a correlation between temperature and body size in mammals by following the evolution of the earliest horses about 56 million years ago: As temperatures increased, their body size decreased.
"Horses started out small, about the size of a small dog like a miniature schnauzer," said co-author Jonathan Bloch, associate curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus. "What's surprising is that after they first appeared, they then became even smaller and then dramatically increased in size, and that exactly corresponds to the global warming event, followed by cooling. It had been known that mammals were small during that time and that it was warm, but we hadn't understood that temperature specifically was driving the evolution of body size."
Sifrhippus, the earliest-known horse, first appeared in the North American fossil record during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. During this 175,000-year climate event, increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and oceans caused average global temperatures to rise 10 to 20 degrees. By analyzing the size and isotopes of fossils collected in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, researchers traced the evolution of Sifrhippus from an estimated 12-pound animal that shrank during a 130,000-year period about 30 percent to 8.5 pounds -- the size of a small house cat -- then increased to about 15 pounds during the next 45,000 years.
"This is the highest-resolution terrestrial record of its kind from anywhere in the world and it shows how climate changed in Wyoming at that time," said lead author Ross Secord, who began geochemical analysis of the horse teeth and other mammals as a postdoctoral researcher with Bloch before joining the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2008. "When Jon and I started plotting oxygen data from the mass spectrometer, we could immediately see that the shifts in size of horses and temperature were mirror images of each other."
Bloch said the project began about seven years ago when former UF student and study co-author Stephen Chester, now an anthropology doctoral candidate at Yale University, measured horse teeth that seemed to be too large for their age and became smaller through the geologic section. The findings raise important questions about how animals might respond to future rapid climate change.
"We're seeing about a third of the mammals getting smaller and some of them getting a lot smaller, by as much as half of their original body size," Secord said. "Because warming happened much slower during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, mammals had more time to adjust their body size. So, it's not clear that we're going to see the same thing happening in the near future, but we might."
Philip Gingerich, who first recorded the phenomenon of decreasing body size during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum in 1989, said the study documentation clearly demonstrates the relationship between temperature and body size. He agrees this may occur as a result of current warming patterns.
"I joke about this all the time -- we're going to be walking around 3 feet tall if we keep going the way we're going," said Gingerich, a researcher at the University of Michigan and director of its Museum of Paleontology. "Maybe that's not all bad and if that's the worst it gets, it will be fine. You can either adapt, or you go extinct, or you can move, and there's not a lot of place to move anymore, so I think it's a matter of adaptation and becoming smaller."
Researchers also analyzed correlations with aridity and carbon dioxide levels but found temperature to be the most likely driving factor in body size. Although little is known about how animals arrived in North America at that time, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum is a significant event in geologic time in terms of mammalian history, Bloch said.
"The PETM is really important because it marks the beginning for the first appearance of several major groups of mammals, including crown-group primates (ancestors of modern primates) and the first even- and odd-toed modern ungulates (mammals with hooves)," Bloch said. "This sets the scene for the entire diversity of animals we see on the planet today."
Study co-authors include Doug Boyer of Brooklyn College, Aaron Wood of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the Florida Museum, Scott Wing of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Mary Kraus of the University of Colorado, Francesca McInerney of Northwestern University and John Krigbaum of UF.
Recommend this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +1:
Other bookmarking and sharing tools:
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Florida, via Newswise.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
R. Secord, J. I. Bloch, S. G. B. Chester, D. M. Boyer, A. R. Wood, S. L. Wing, M. J. Kraus, F. A. McInerney, J. Krigbaum. Evolution of the Earliest Horses Driven by Climate Change in the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Science, 2012; 335 (6071): 959 DOI: 10.1126/science.1213859
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
It is possible to try looking in numerous sites web discover a wide variety of black jack Online Blackjack ideas, these all are meant to allow you to increase your sport, your system, and in the long run, your winnings. However, the top on the internet black jack word of advice Online Blackjack that many of us can provide you with will be to see the sport. Greater you recognize the overall game, the greater you will be able to organize your tactics and work at complete palm.
On line black jack is expanding in acceptance. It?s turning into numerous customers? popular technique of moving plenty of time if they?re bored stiff and looking for something to perform. Our initially on the internet black jack word of advice will be to remember you will find a denote the overall game. Confident 21 fork out much more, although the authentic item of black jack, if you need to acquire, will be to overcom your seller. The article is just not to see how shut you can obtain to 21 without having covering, really it is to get over your seller and acquire some funds. Our secondly on the internet black jack word of advice will be to observe many people. If you notice somebody that is making quite a number of money in wins, they have to be trying to play properly. View them closely, observe their conclusions, aim to figure out why they?ve created that decision, and understand something from the advantages. Our 3 rd on the internet black jack word of advice, insurance plans are fundamentally for suckers. If you?re counting playing cards and determine what is there, well listen consider the insurance policy, or else keep away from it. Our 4th on the internet black jack word of advice is Blackjack online relating to chips. Should you get 10 by no means, separated, if you get eights or aces, separated them no matter what playing cards the dealer has. Our sixth on the internet Blackjack Online word of advice is in relation to dual downs. Its also wise to dual all the way down inside the subsequent scenarios. When you?ve got a seven as well as the seller has a several, three, all 5, or 6-8, dual all the way down. When you?ve got a ten as well as the seller is just not displaying an _ design or simply a twenty, dual all the way down. When you?ve got an 14 as well as the seller is just not displaying an _ design, dual all the way down. Our sixth on the internet black jack word of advice is in relation to standing up. You should get up on these things scenarios. When you?ve got a difficult teen, although the seller is displaying a eight or reduced, remain. When you?ve got 13 as a result of 17 and are generally hard, although the seller is displaying 6-8 or reduced, remain. When you?ve got a difficult twelve as well as the seller is displaying three, all 5, or 6-8, remain. Next, we have an on the internet black jack word of advice relating to hammering. It is recommended to strike inside the subsequent scenarios. When you?ve got a difficult twelve, although the seller is displaying two, several, eight, or maybe more, strike. When you?ve got a 13 as a result of 17 in fact it is hard, although the seller is displaying any unit card in between eight and _ design, strike. Our ultimate on the internet black jack word of advice is that you need to remember, the dealer need to remain at 17 and up and has to strike at 16 or a smaller amount. These pointers need to allow you to plan your moves within the on the internet black jack dining room table.
This entry was posted on February 22, 2012, 4:19 pm and is filed under Health & Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
LONDON (AP) ? U.K. lender Royal Bank of Scotland saw its loss in 2011 swell by 78 percent as it booked large provisions for Greek debt and compensation for customers missold payment protection insurance.
The bank, in which the government holds an 82 percent stake following its near-collapse in 2008, on Thursday reported a worse-than-expected net loss of 2 billion pounds ($3.1 billion) for 2011, compared with a loss of 1.13 billion pounds the previous year. Income was down 11 percent to 26.6 billion pounds largely on the back of a 25 percent fall in revenue at its global banking and markets division.
Chief Executive Stephen Hester nonetheless said the effort to turn RBS round was "well ahead of schedule," and described the larger loss as a result of defusing "the largest balance sheet risk time bomb ever assembled in history."
"The irony is, the faster and more successful we go in defusing that balance sheet time bomb, the greater the losses," Hester said in a BBC radio interview.
"In three years since I took over, we have reduced the balance sheet of RBS by 700 billion pounds of assets, which to put in context is something like twice the size of the total debt of Greece," he added.
RBS shares were up 4.5 percent at 28.27 pence in late morning trading on the London Stock Exchange, rebounding from an early drop.
Gary Greenberg, analyst at Shore Capital, said the biggest disappointment was the decline in revenues, though he backed RBS' emphasis on rebuilding its balance sheet over profitability as "the correct strategy."
Impairments included 850 million pounds for compensating people who were missold payment protection insurance on loans taken out with the bank, and 1.1 billion pounds for Greek debt. That was offset by a 1.8 billion-pounds gain on the fair value of the bank's own debt.
RBS set aside 785 million pounds for staff bonuses, down 43 percent from 2010.
Treasury chief George Osborne said the government was pleased that RBS had reduced its bonus pool, "but our main interest should be to get back as much money as possible for taxpayers."
The break-even price on the government's investment in RBS is about 50 pence per share. Chairman Philip Hampton said "there are no shortcuts" to rebuilding a company saved by the 2008 45.5 billion pounds bailout, the world's most expensive bank rescue.
"We all understand that a company that is making losses at the bottom line tests the patience of those who depend on it," Hampton said.
"However, the restructuring task we have undertaken at RBS is unique in its scale and complexity, and needs to be phased in line with our ability to fund and execute it," he said.
In the fourth quarter, RBS reported a net loss of 1.8 billion pounds, compared with a profit of 1.2 billion pounds in the previous three months. Income was down 6 percent to 5.9 billion pounds.
RBS' insurance division, which it must sell to comply with conditions for its bailout, returned to profit last year. Operating profit of 454 million pounds reversed a loss of 295 million pounds in 2010; net claims fell from 4 billion pounds to 2.8 billion pounds.
The bank hopes to spin off the division through a market flotation later this year.
RBS is the second big British bank to report annual results. Barclays earlier announced a 15 percent fall in net profit to 3 billion pounds, and part-nationalized Lloyds Banking Group publishes its results on Friday.
Operating losses at RBS' Ulster Bank division, based in Northern Ireland, were up 35 percent to just over 1 billion pounds as impairments grew in its mortgage book.
As more and more families are either voluntarily leaving their Florida homes or are being forced out by foreclosure, some Florida investors are seeing the housing crisis as an opportunity. As the tide goes out on home ownership, the tide comes in on home rental.
Residential real estate investors are able to purchase properties to renovate and turn into rental homes, rather than 'flipping' the property as was more common during the housing boom at what many consider bargain prices. Investment properties that become rentals are offering a better return on their money for some commercial owners than even banks or the stock market.
"The banks are paying 0 percent interest," lamented one investor. But he's made offers on residential real estate where he projects, "[T]he rent stream will return 25 percent on my investment."
The good news for homeowners is that these real estate investors are helping to unclog the real estate market. Despite the bargain prices that many people report finding on these investment properties, an occupied rental property may make a much better neighbor than a vacant home that is no longer maintained.
In terms of investment property, one investor in the Tampa Bay area considers this to be, "[T]he most intense buyer's market that I have seen in 35 years of owning real estate."
But, investing in Florida real estate with the intention of managing rental property is not for everyone. Few banks will offer financing to even what might be considered the most qualified buyers. The investors who can truly make it in this market are those who can come to the table with cash and are willing to pay over the asking price on a property.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, "More investors put cash in rental homes," Katherine Snow Smith, Feb. 19, 2012
Becoming a main Canadian City, Calgary experiences many adjustments day immediately after day. The metropolis is going through a continuous development in a number of factors and this has led towards the growing need for houses all more than the city. Due to the increased advancement and work prospects within the metropolis, discovering a Calgary household has turn into highly aggressive than ever before prior to. Prior to looking on Calgary real estate for sale, you?ll find couple of things you obtained to understand in regards to the circumstances prevailing in actual estate market.
As per the current pattern in Calgary, even if homes are out there at more affordable costs, most of the people find it complicated to afford a new home. Financial downfall in many factors take place to be the cause for this existing situation. Like last yr, this yr also Calgary marketplace is encountering a substantial fall. The decline charge has fallen to 50%, which indicates that there?s a hefty loss in sellers markets. With this particular heavy blow inside the Calgary real estate market, the financial circumstances current within the city also experience a fast change. Most of the banks in Calgary do not provide loans and therefore there has occurred a tightening in credit score regulations.
To be able to get rid of this existing essential situation in Calgary, you?ll find a number of issues a seller requirements to look after. The foremost factor that matters is organized pre-planning and planning. You?ll want to strategy nicely before purchasing or promoting the property. As within the situation of Calgary actual estate for sale, make certain that there is no difficulty in selling home and is legally verified. The subsequent crucial thing which is of equal concern is the cost. Allow it be promoting or buying, be sure that you are profited with the cost. The ultimate thing to get performed is to opt for the best place and individual for marketing and advertising. For that previous couple of months, Calgary real estate has turn into unfair and unpredictable. Consequently, as a way to discover the very best Calgary real estate for sale, employing a professional agent or realtor is the substantial thing you obtained to complete. Only this might enable you to in attaining a smooth purchasing and selling procedure. A number of decades back, there were houses out there in Calgary at cheaper and finer prices. But issues have altered a great deal now. On hiring a expert agent, issues may be accomplished easier and Calgary houses might be purchased or marketed at respectable costs.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 5:24 am and is filed under Real Estate Marketing.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
My family and i are very voracious people. In our house absence a good book to read is almost an offense. Unlike a lot with readers today who implement digital book readers for instance the Amazon Kindle, we enjoy hard replica books. But that enjoyment has an cost, and that cost is best places to store the books. You see we have books yet to always be read, those that have long been read, enjoyed and maybe learn again someday, and those that were so enjoyable that many of us can?t part with. To help alleviate the storage issue we chose to build a floor to ceiling book case in the family room. Over the next several posts, I will take you throughout the steps involved in developing and installing the bookcase.
Our home is your 1970?s split level. The main level has been built at grade levels, and the family home and laundry/utilities room are built below grade. The walls on this specific lower level are combining cinder blocks and studded the wall surfaces. The cinder blocks bring the walls on the floor level to your height of 31? where conventional framing gets control, bringing the walls for a natural 8?. The cinder blocks are wider versus studded walls. This difference in width creates a step in the wall. The builder of the house decided to highlight the following offset by creating a shelf presents itself the cinder blocks. This shelf was built from 3/4? particle board, YUK. This ?wonderful? wall procedure covered two adjacent walls in this family room, The remaining two the wall surfaces were built we old fashioned framing floor to hall.
On the front wall on the town, we decided to eradicate this offset. Well not really eradicate, we decided to build up out the wall so that it has a single degree. Our original plan was to simply get rid of the particle board shelf, exposing the top from the cinder blocks, followed by removing really the sheet rock from your shelf to the floors. Then build a stud wall on the cinder blocks, bring the upper wall out until that it was even with the face of your cinder blocks. Our plan was then to feature another layer of metal sheet rock, adhering it to the cinder blocks over the bottom, and then securing it towards the stud above using common sheet rock screws. When we removed the sheet rock from the lower portion of the wall (in the shelf to the ground), we found an annoying surprise. NO insulation. This was the firstly many surprises we found at home, but that?s a story for another time.
So on to strategy B. I built two surfaces, one was simple 2?4 construction over the bottom of the wall membrane. This wall was secured in the floor using concrete anchors. The spacing of this kind of wall was conventional 16? at center, providing space for R 11 insulation. On top of this specific wall I built a 2nd wall, This one was created from 2X8 studs that were ripped as small as 7?, the width needed to create the upper wall flush considering the lower wall. This wall was secured with the lower wall, the ceiling studs and then the existing upper divider. The upper wall seemed to be then insulated with R23 efficiency, before being covered together with sheetrock that runs within the floor to the ceiling available as one contiguous piece.
While plan B was initially more work, it did provide a powerful unforeseen benefit. With the original manufacture, all of the electrical outlets were installed by the contractor above the shelf. After deconstructing the structure, I understood why this is done, but none the less, it was less as opposed to ideal. Who wants electrical outlets half way the wall. This may be okay within the work shop but not inside your home. So while I possessed the walls open, I took advantage and moved the outlets with their normal location.
Another by product of this upgrade was the windows in your family room. The house came utilizing aluminum windows that leaked out badly in winter not to mention summer. In fact the merely thing these windows did well was to give natural light to enter the household. So as happens practically in most home renovations, one thing leads to a new one, which leads to show, and so on plus on. The two windows that have been located in this outlet were removed and replaced instead with quality casement windows xp. The windows we select are mounted to the outside of the window opening, via a flange. When mounted this technique, there is space out of your inside edge of the window on the face of the complete wall. This space has to get covered. Some modern builders will like to simply run sheet rock out based on the window, but being a carpenter? I couldn?t do that will.
The manufacture of your windows we choose offers trim to protect this area. It is known simply because ?Jam Extenders?. Unfortunately for me, they only offer the in conventional widths, that are sized for whether 2?4 or a 2?6 studded divider. Our walls are a lot of thicker than that, so I built them within my shop. Besides the ones proposed by the manufacturer were manufactured from finger jointed pieces involving stock, not really suitable for the purpose of staining. Again being a woodworker, I prefer stained woodwork more than painted woodworker any day time. So I spent per day making oak jam extenders for the purpose of these windows.
Back to the a built in book case. The adjacent wall, had been built together with the same ?quality? methods for the reason that first wall. No insulation over that cinder blocks, and electrical outlets mounted half way the wall. This wall also featured an aluminum sliding eye-port. This window offered a great view of the side of our neighbor?s home, and leaked just as badly for the reason that two double hung windows which removed from the prominent wall. After a long conversation, oh about 5 minutes long, we elected to remove the window entirely. It was replaced because of the upper half of the book case. The area covered by the cinder blocks was changed into the lower portion of your book case. But enough for presently. How about checking back in a few days for a detailed argument on building and setting the bookcase.
Bagoes Teak Furniture featurea an unique variety of exceedingly high quality Indonesian Furniture, Pattern in addition to develop intended for comfort, style, toughness, and also to have the actual examination of energy, Bagoes Teak Furniture Providing you Very good Prices as well as Products and services.
The Nevada becomes the first state to adopt self-driving car road rules. Msnbc's Alex Witt reports.
By Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit Bureau
The Jetsons would feel right at home in Nevada -- which this month became the first state in the nation to formally approve legislation authorizing the use of autonomous vehicles on its roadways.
The once far-fetched idea is becoming more and more grounded every day as manufacturers work to develop technology that could permit a motorist to plug in a destination and let the vehicle drive there automatically. Indeed, Google has become a leader in autonomous technology, with several prototypes already logging over 160,000 miles in test runs.
While most experts contend the technology is still years away from widespread application, Nevada lawmakers apparently couldn?t wait.? Last summer, lawmakers there ordered state regulators to establish rules covering the use of autonomous vehicles.
The regulations have now been finalized -- and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles will now have to formalize licensing procedures for companies that want to test their vehicles in the state.
?Nevada is the first state to embrace what is surely the future of automobiles,? said Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Director Bruce Breslow in a press release. ?These regulations establish requirements companies must meet to test their vehicles on Nevada?s public roadways as well as requirements for residents to legally operate them in the future.?
The decision to act was apparently driven, at least in part, by Google, which has wanted to ensure that its autonomous vehicle test program wasn?t operating in a legal limbo.? Google formally launched its research and development program in 2010 and has so far recorded not a single collision.
While such vehicles will effectively handle the serious driving chores they will also require someone to be in the position of ?operator,? ready to take over just in case of a technical glitch.? That?s likely one reason why Nevada maintained one key restriction in the new rules.
?There is no exemption for drinking and driving,? cautioned Breslow, meaning the bartender or bouncer won?t be able to toss you in the back seat, hit the Start button and send you speeding home.
On the other hand, regulators did give the operator permission to text and use a handheld cellphone.
The operator, at least for now, will need to have a special license.? And the vehicles will be required to use an airline-style ?black box? to track its operation, with data to be turned over to the state.
Manufacturers will be required to post bonds of between $1 million and $3 million, meanwhile, and they will have to advise the state as to when and where they?ll be testing their vehicles.
Google is just one of the players in the rapidly expanding field.? General Motors has run several tests, including one that required the installation of special sensors in a stretch of Interstate highway north of San Diego.? It has also been working with Pittsburgh?s Carnegie-Mellon University on a self-driving Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, dubbed The Boss.
BMW, meanwhile, has a number of test vehicles in operation, including one that it recently took to the treacherous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, California.
And Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval was given a personal demonstration of what the new law might cover when he was chauffeured in an autonomous Toyota Prius that used radar and other sensors to help guide it to its destination.
Preventing and treating drug use with smartphonesPublic release date: 21-Feb-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Jim Fessenden james.fessenden@umassmed.edu 508-856-2000 University of Massachusetts Medical School
UMass Medical School iHeal project uses emerging technologies to detect drug cravings and intervene
WORCESTER, Mass. Clinical researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) are combining an innovative constellation of technologies such as artificial intelligence, smartphone programming, biosensors and wireless connectivity to develop a device designed to detect physiological stressors associated with drug cravings and respond with user-tailored behavioral interventions that prevent substance use. Preliminary data about the multi-media device, called iHeal, was published online first in the Journal of Medical Toxicology.
According to the study's authors, many behavioral interventions used to treat patients are ineffective outside of the controlled clinical settings where they are taught. This failure can be attributed to several factors, including a patient's inability to recognize biological changes that indicate increased risk of relapse and an inability to change their behaviors to reduce health risk.
Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine at UMass Medical School and lead author of the study, worked with colleagues at UMMS and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to design a mobile device using so-called "enabling technologies" that could be used to make behavioral interventions for substance abusers more effective outside the clinic or office environments. The result of their work, iHeal, combines sensors to measure physiological changes and detect trigger points for risky health behaviors, such as substance use, with smartphone software tailored to respond with patient-specific interventions.
Individuals with a history of substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder were asked to wear an iHeal sensor band around their wrist that measures the electrical activity of the skin, body motion, skin temperature and heart rate all indicators of stress. The band wirelessly transmits information to a smartphone, where software applications monitor and process the user's physiological data. When the software detects an increased stress level, it asks the user to annotate events by inputting information about their perceived level of stress, drug cravings, and current activities. This information is then used to identify, in real-time, drug cravings and deliver personalized, multimedia drug prevention interventions precisely at the moment of greatest physiological need.
Boyer and his teams examined the iHeal system architecture, as well as preliminary feedback from initial users, to identify key attributes and assess the device's viability. Their analyses suggest a number of technical issues related to data security, as well as the need for a more robust and less stigmatizing version before the device could be worn in public.
###
About the University of Massachusetts Medical School
The University of Massachusetts Medical School, one of the fastest growing academic health centers in the country, has built a reputation as a world-class research institution, consistently producing noteworthy advances in clinical and basic research. The Medical School attracts more than $277 million in research funding annually, 80 percent of which comes from federal funding sources. The mission of the Medical School is to advance the health and well-being of the people of the commonwealth and the world through pioneering education, research, public service and health care delivery with its clinical partner, UMass Memorial Health Care. For more information, visit www.umassmed.edu.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Preventing and treating drug use with smartphonesPublic release date: 21-Feb-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Jim Fessenden james.fessenden@umassmed.edu 508-856-2000 University of Massachusetts Medical School
UMass Medical School iHeal project uses emerging technologies to detect drug cravings and intervene
WORCESTER, Mass. Clinical researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) are combining an innovative constellation of technologies such as artificial intelligence, smartphone programming, biosensors and wireless connectivity to develop a device designed to detect physiological stressors associated with drug cravings and respond with user-tailored behavioral interventions that prevent substance use. Preliminary data about the multi-media device, called iHeal, was published online first in the Journal of Medical Toxicology.
According to the study's authors, many behavioral interventions used to treat patients are ineffective outside of the controlled clinical settings where they are taught. This failure can be attributed to several factors, including a patient's inability to recognize biological changes that indicate increased risk of relapse and an inability to change their behaviors to reduce health risk.
Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine at UMass Medical School and lead author of the study, worked with colleagues at UMMS and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to design a mobile device using so-called "enabling technologies" that could be used to make behavioral interventions for substance abusers more effective outside the clinic or office environments. The result of their work, iHeal, combines sensors to measure physiological changes and detect trigger points for risky health behaviors, such as substance use, with smartphone software tailored to respond with patient-specific interventions.
Individuals with a history of substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder were asked to wear an iHeal sensor band around their wrist that measures the electrical activity of the skin, body motion, skin temperature and heart rate all indicators of stress. The band wirelessly transmits information to a smartphone, where software applications monitor and process the user's physiological data. When the software detects an increased stress level, it asks the user to annotate events by inputting information about their perceived level of stress, drug cravings, and current activities. This information is then used to identify, in real-time, drug cravings and deliver personalized, multimedia drug prevention interventions precisely at the moment of greatest physiological need.
Boyer and his teams examined the iHeal system architecture, as well as preliminary feedback from initial users, to identify key attributes and assess the device's viability. Their analyses suggest a number of technical issues related to data security, as well as the need for a more robust and less stigmatizing version before the device could be worn in public.
###
About the University of Massachusetts Medical School
The University of Massachusetts Medical School, one of the fastest growing academic health centers in the country, has built a reputation as a world-class research institution, consistently producing noteworthy advances in clinical and basic research. The Medical School attracts more than $277 million in research funding annually, 80 percent of which comes from federal funding sources. The mission of the Medical School is to advance the health and well-being of the people of the commonwealth and the world through pioneering education, research, public service and health care delivery with its clinical partner, UMass Memorial Health Care. For more information, visit www.umassmed.edu.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
MICHIGAN CITY ? The Drum Corps International show, Super Boat Grand Prix, Labor Dayz, Hoosier Coho fishing tournament and post Fourth of July fireworks show are just some of the [?]
Roll of the dice can still beat the iPad: Survey finds half of families still play board games
In the age of the iPad, traditional pastimes like board games and I Spy are proving remarkably resilient, as over half of families still gather round to play games together and [?]
App Wrap: "Game Changer" and "Duo Pink"
YNN highlights the coolest and newest apps for your cell phone or mobile device in the twice-weekly segment "App Wrap." YNN's Adam Balkin filed the following repo [?]
I Spy can still beat the iPad: Survey finds half of families still play board games
In the age of the iPad, traditional pastimes like board games and I Spy are proving remarkably resilient, as over half of families still gather round to play games together and [?]
A shocking new way to play: face to face
Friday nights are (board) game nights at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill with a new club that plays a variety of the hottest new games. The club is also open to th [?]
Gamers help out wounded woman
More than 30 people gathered Saturday in the basement of Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 S.W. Gage, to play nontraditional board games to raise money for a woman injured in a shooti [?]
Board games gain popularity
Board games are becoming ?cool? again.? Since the recent recession, board game companies have seen an influx in sales as people are deciding to stay home and look for activities [?]
Blizzard OKs WoW and StarCraft-based Board Games
If you can't get enough of Blizzard's PC games, you could always turn to themed Monopoly and Risk board games for an additional real-world dose. [?]
Saban Brands and Pressman Toy Team Up to Introduce Board Games Based on Power Rangers Samurai TV Series for 2012
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --?Pressman Toy Corporation, known for delighting families with classic games and innovative licensed products for nearly 100 years, announc [?]
World of Warcraft Monopoly, Starcraft Risk inbound
Board games based on popular Blizzard franchises due beginning this May at retail; player pieces for Monopoly set put to vote on Facebook. [?]
smartmarketingllc
com
![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](http://www.eurekalert.org/images/back2e.gif){kind=small}
Public release date: 21-Feb-2012
Share ]