Use Of Cane Research Articles

Exploring the Challenges Faced by Disadvantage Students in Schools in Sierra Leone: Case Study -Marginalized Students from Low-Income Families

The Sierra Leone National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools is the first attempt by the Government of Sierra Leone to provide a roadmap for the day-to-day work of schools and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Disadvantaged student refers to vulnerable, marginalized, and excluded children from accessing free, quality, and inclusive education. This study explores the challenges disadvantaged students face, specifically marginalized learners from low-income families. The study participants were marginalized male and female students from low-income families and their classroom teachers. The data for this study was obtained from primary and secondary sources. Secondary data sources for this study were obtained from published and unpublished sources. From the results, it was concluded that marginalized students from low-income families are significant in inclusion education. The result also indicates that more female participants are taking part in the study, marginalized students from low-income backgrounds are faced with challenges attending school and attending lessons, faced with challenges in participating in lessons, completing homework or exams, feel left out, and unsafe in school. It was recommended that School authorities make the school safe by declaring and ensuring zero tolerance to the use of canes, School Related Gender-Based Violence, train teachers in inclusive learning, boost female students to attend school, participation by including all marginalized students, and decrease exclusion, ensure that girls have the opportunity to receive free primary and secondary education, improve on electricity across the country, and enforce total ban on extra lessons, school picnic, and other activities that could be possible barriers to impede students learning.

Comparison of the Transistor Channel Length and Performance Parameters of a Fully Differential Operational Amplifier

Today's practical applications require an amplifier with high-performance specifications. Researchers have been trying to design small size transistors to get more performance. Reduce the scale of transistor sizes in operational amplifiers (op-amps) to obtain better values for the performance characteristics are important. The main objective of this study was to understand the relationship between the performance parameters of a fully differential amplifier and the channel length of the transistors. In this study, fully differential op-amp performance metrics were examined and contrasted with their channel lengths utilizing a common 1.8V power supply. The graphs were plotted using Python software. The outcome demonstrates that, as the transistor's channel length decreases, the gain and unity gain band width of the fully differential op-amp increase. This demonstrates how reducing the transistor's size allows for high amplification devices. There for to obtain amplified signal one cane use small size transistors. The totally differential op-amp's power dissipation and settling time are also decreased as the transistor's channel length is decreased. This shows that in order to create fully differential op-amps that operate for long periods of time, the transistor size needs to be decreased. Therefore in this work we can understand that to get an op-amp which operates better we must reduce their size as much as possible.

Examination of factors associated with self-reported cane use among community-dwelling older adults

Examination of factors associated with self-reported cane use among community-dwelling older adults

A Narrative Review on the Current Insights and Future Directions for the Reduction of Medial Joint Load in Walking Associated with Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition affecting millions of people globally. Recent research suggests that prolonged loading (forces) on the knee can be a potential factor affecting articular cartilage and deform knee structures, ultimately leading to the development and progression of medial knee OA. Hence, reducing loading is a common theme in preventing and managing medial knee OA. Current non-pharmacological interventions known to reduce knee include the use of canes, laterally wedged insoles, knee braces, muscle strengthening exercises, and gait modifications. More recently, gait modifications have incorporated the use of augmented feedback from knee kinetic forces to reduce knee loads. This article aims to explore the influences of loading on the knee and techniques for adjusting these loads relative to medial knee OA. The secondary objective is to provide insight into future directions for the comprehensive management of knee OA.

Evaluation of Chopped Sugarcane Storage in Different Periods of the Season and Their Influence on the Sugar and Ethanol Process

Sugarcane storage has been studied because of the impact of industrial processes. However, the impact of the use of chopped green cane has not been fully characterized. In particular, there was a lack of information on the influence of the harvest season period on cut stalk storage in the “stock on wheels” model. The present work evaluated the effects of chopped sugarcane storage during the beginning, middle, and final harvest seasons on the quality of intermediate sugar and ethanol processing and products during two seasons. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plots (4 × 3) and four replicates. The primary treatments were sugarcane stored for 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h and 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h for the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons. The second treatment included the following seasonal periods: the beginning, middle, and end of sugarcane harvest. The intermediate sugar process was evaluated using extracted juice, a clarification process, clarified juice, and syrup. On the other hand, the quality of the wort, fermentation process, and wine were evaluated for ethanol production. The results revealed that the weight loss of the chopped sugarcane gradually increased. Weight loss is more intense depending on the period of the season when the weather conditions are drying. In terms of the quality of the process and products, a reduction in starch levels was detected with storage of the extracted juice and syrup, probably due to the metabolism of the chopped sugarcane. The maximum storage time of 24 h for sugar‐ and ethanol‐containing products seems possible without reducing the quality of the process or products. However, the continuous weight loss with increasing storage time should reduce the quantity of products obtained.

Experimental Center El Remanso ECER in Choachi-Colombia. A Laboratory Eco-Village to Learn and Co-build a Circular Learning

AbstractThe purpose of this article was to show the progress in the implementation of an Eco-Village that incorporated elements of bioconstruction with the use of bamboo-guadua cane framed in a circular design and integrated planning approaches for the increasing resilience in an area of high seismic risk in the Colombian Andes Mountains. Likewise, it included energy transition elements advancing towards decarbonization with the use of solar panels for electricity generation and water heating. At the same time, it integrated clean production linked to regenerative agriculture and circular bioeconomy using closed water circuits from bioprospection purification processes in internal treatment plants, equally, waterless toilets that allow the use of human waste as an input for composting and urine mixed with water for nitrogen fixation in permaculture gardens. Likewise, Experimental Center El Remanso ECER has allowed the application of Interdisciplinary education related to Ecological Engineering Education. The project is framed in the concepts and theories of bioeconomy and degrowth (Georgescu-Roegen, Latouche). An exploratory qualitative methodology was considered based on the participatory action research PAR proposals of Fals Borda. In addition to, the meeting with the traditional knowledge of the indigenous people and the peasant communities of the area in the production and cooking of food and the recovery of soils and ecosystems, as well as, the implementation of associativity processes related to the design and execution of tourist routes. As result of the research, the importance of co-creation, respect for ancestral knowledgement and the dialogue of knowledges are recognized, among others. The used of the small sample size of the different information access instruments were recognized as a limitation in the research. However, future actions linked to the results of the implementation of the PAR are been planned.

Enhancing navigation and obstacle avoidance with a vibrotactile device as secondary electronic travel aid

People with visual impairments commonly rely on the use of a white cane to navigate and avoid obstacles. Although this analog tool is highly reliable and easy to use, its drawback is the impossibility to anticipate obstacles beyond reach and routes, as well as obstacles above waist level. Electronic travel aids (ETAs) and sensory substitution devices (SSDs) are new technological solutions designed to enhance the tactile and/or auditory capabilities to access the information needed to overcome those drawbacks. In the present study, 25 individuals with visual impairments used the T-Sight, a vibrotactile SSD, and/or the white cane in a navigation task involving obstacle avoidance. While the performance achieved with the device, measured by the number of collisions and walking speed, did not surpass the white cane, the SSD did have a positive impact on ambulation. Participants reduced the number of white cane touches towards environmental obstacles and performed obstacle avoidance maneuvers earlier. These results demonstrate the potential of vibrotactile devices to address the limitations of the white cane.

Lived Experiences of Learning to Use a Long Cane: The Importance of Integrating Perceptual, Existential, and Social Dimensions for Active Cane Use.

How do people who are blind or visually impaired experience learning to use a long cane? This question is of paramount importance for planning and delivering rehabilitation programs and orientation and mobility (O&M) training. Until now, research into learning to use a long cane has focused primarily on technical and professional aspects, paying little attention to the lived experience of the learning activities that are offered in the field of O&M. This extensive qualitative study adopts a lifeworld phenomenological approach and sets out to examine the pedagogical processes within rehabilitation, focusing on the learning experiences of people with impaired vision. The methods used included participant observation during O&M training sessions and recurrent narrative interviews with three research subjects. The results show that learning to use the long cane has perceptual, existential, and social dimensions which are intertwined processes that relate to mind and body, body-world relations, and human existence and society. Learning to use a long cane has in this study been interpreted as embedded with cultural meaning about disability. Further, the habitual use of the cane promotes adaptation to visual impairment but also to build new body-world relations. The lifeworld theory and its methodology have contributed to theoretical evidence and rigor throughout. The results bring new interpretations to the field of O&M and are a relevant basis and valuable for pedagogical rehabilitation as it highlights the importance of taking the individual's lifeworld and needs into consideration when teaching someone how to use a long cane.

A scoping review of cane use in people who have had a stroke

BACKGROUND: Various types of canes are frequently utilised in stroke rehabilitation to support walking ability by compensating for hemiplegic gait. However, Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) design varies considerably in the area of cane use following stroke and there is no scoping review published to date on this topic. Thus, it is crucial for better evidence informed clinical care and future research that RCT evidence regarding specific assistive walking devices is examined. OBJECTIVES: Identify and map the types of canes that currently exist and review their impact on the rehabilitation of functional mobility post-stroke. METHOD: The following databases were searched: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL in Ebsco. Two authors independently screened 425 titles, identifying 16 RCT studies for inclusion in the review. RESULTS: 16 studies were selected for review. Five different cane designs were identified, including one-point cane, three-point cane, quad cane, weight-supported feedback cane, and rolling cane. Twelve studies were crossover RCT and four were parallel RCT. Stroke phase varied widely among subjects included in the studies and outcome measures utilised and resultant findings are heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: More evidence is required to clearly indicate the effect of canes on people who have had a stroke and parallel long-term RCTs with follow-up assessment are lacking. Furthermore, there is a lack of research examining variations in new cane designs that specifically target motor function in people who have had a stroke at specific stages. Future research should aim to address the identified inconsistencies and knowledge gaps to facilitate novel and evidence-informed clinical care regarding assistive walking devices for post stroke rehabilitation.

Effect of Proper Use of Cane and Physical Therapy Management to Reverse Hamstrings Tightness and Abductors Weakness Due to Improper Use in Knee and Hip OA Patients

Effect of Proper Use of Cane and Physical Therapy Management to Reverse Hamstrings Tightness and Abductors Weakness Due to Improper Use in Knee and Hip OA Patients

School Discipline And Academic Performance In Social Studies Among Secondary School Students In South South Educational Zone, Nigeria

The study investigated school discipline and academic performance in social studies among secondary school students in South South Educational Zone, Nigeria. The study tested three null hypotheses, collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select a sample of 200 students, from a population of 4,320 junior secondary school students in the area. The instruments used for data collection was a questionnaire and social studies achievement test that were designed and administered by the researcher. The null hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance using Independent t-test statistical technique. Findings from the study revealed that, time management, administration of punishment and administration or school rules and regulations significantly influence secondary school students’ academic performance in social studies in South South Educational Zone respectively. It was thus concluded that time management, administration of punishment and administration of school rules and regulations significantly influence secondary students’ academic performance in social studies. It was recommended that, secondary school students should endeavour to manage their time properly by developing a personal timetable that will incorporate all their domestic, school and leisure activities; and corporal punitive measures such as manual labour and use of cane should not be employed in administering punishment to students.

Juvenile Delinquency: The Rise of Moral Decadence in Cameroon Schools

In this paper, we point out the fundamental causes of moral decadence in Cameroon schools by juveniles and seek the extent to which such moral decadence has on the future of Cameroon. As human rights and technology continues to reshape the society, this article states that the application of laws following children rights and western cultures without considering the culture of the people of Cameroon as far as education is concerned is inherent to human condemnation. The implementations of such laws and cultures affected our students and they portray immoral acts such as fighting, smoking, sex party and beating of teachers in secondary schools. In Cameroon, the school is a center of formation and a child learns with a cane. So, taken away the canes from the teachers destroy the teaching culture of Cameroon which is a succinct way to discipline a child. The teacher who is the actor of formation has a formative tune through the cane to fight against acts of moral decadence particularly that of drugs and sex party. The formative punishment is required in our schools via the use of canes by teachers. This human condemnation has future consequences that will emerge probably. In this article, we advanced some methods that can be used to return a peaceful citadel of learning in our schools and the society. The study emphasizes the significance of moral values in school.

Inaccessibility maps to support sighted people using visually impaired people’s white cane data

BACKGROUND: Visually impaired people have been considered only as “receivers” of support; however, few studies have considered them as “givers” of support to sighted people. OBJECTIVE: To support the walking of sighted people using information available specifically to the visually impaired. METHODS: Utilizing white cane usage data of visually impaired people to create inaccessibility maps for sighted people. RESULTS: A user study conducted with elderly people and their stakeholders, who had high accessibility needs found that the maps were generally useful as long as they were within the user’s area of interest. CONCLUSIONS: Although the proposed method should be practically beneficial to users, the information detected by the system should be expanded from white cane use data, its accuracy, and more data collected from visually impaired people.

Mechanism of Knee Adduction Moment Reduction Through Contralateral Cane Use in Healthy Subjects

Mechanism of Knee Adduction Moment Reduction Through Contralateral Cane Use in Healthy Subjects

Development and validation of a white cane use perceived advantages and disadvantages (WCPAD) questionnaire

BackgroundThe white cane is globally an important tool in orientation and mobility for blind and visually impaired people, but it is not often used. The goal of this study was to develop and validate the white cane use perceived advantages and disadvantages (WCPAD) questionnaire for detecting effective factors in the use or non-use of canes.MethodThe initial questionnaire items were extracted through semi-structured interviews with 21 blind or severely impaired vision individuals under two main themes, the perceived advantages, and disadvantages of using a white cane. Linguistic validity and writing evaluation with seven experts, face validity with 23 blind persons, content validity ratio (CVR), and content validity index (CVI) were used for assessment of validity. Internal and external reliability assessment was done using Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Explanatory factor analysis was conducted to identify the factors of the questionnaire; then, corrected item-total correlations, convergent and discriminant validity, and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were done, and model fit indices were reported. A total of 320 blind and severe visual impaired individuals (138 males and 182 females) participated in the study. The final questionnaire contained 12 questions in perceived advantages and 21 in perceived disadvantages.ResultsThree factors (social participation, mobility, and culture) extracted for perceived advantages which explained 67.95% of the total variance, Cronbach-α for the three extracted factors was between 0.75 and 0.91. Four factors (social, safety, ergonomics, and family) for perceived disadvantages were extracted which explained 50.98% of the total variance. Cronbach-α for the four extracted factors was from 0.75 to 0.88. CFA confirmed the final models for perceived advantages and disadvantages.ConclusionWCPAD questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and the factors obtained from factor analysis can measure the reasons for using or otherwise of white canes.

Living with an iconic aid

There are plenty of objects that are conspicuous in the way they signal to the surroundings that the user has some kind of physical impairment. Most obvious are perhaps wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, hearing aids and crutches. These objects can be described as aids in the sense that the purpose is either to mitigate the effects of reduced physical abilities or to compensate for the loss of a sensory faculty. The focus of this article concerns an object that both increases mobility and replaces such a faltering capacity. It might even be the most iconic of all aids: the mobility cane, also known as the white cane, long cane or white stick. Based on the work at a Swedish Low Vision and Resource Centre, this article discusses the use of the white cane among people with severe and progressive visual impairment. The fact is that this aid, which for an outsider would easily seem to be a rather natural choice, can arouse completely different feelings in somebody who has a severe visual impairment. It is a well-known circumstance amongst low visions teachers and therapists that persons with acquired or progressive sight impairment are often not quite happy about using the aid. Therefore, the aim of the article is to utilize notions of everyday experiences to gain further insights into why the white cane for many of its potential users are associated with strong feelings of both personal ambiguity and social stress. In order to highlight these emotional, and still cultural and political, tensions, the discussion is grounded in critical disability studies and informed by ableism, stigma, and passing as theoretical concepts.

Comparison of gait between walking up and down an incline with a walking device in older adults

To identify the gait differences between cane and rolling walker (RW) use on incline and how these walking devices were received and used, 26 qualified older adults walked randomly on downward and upward with a cane and a RW respectively. With the RW use, downward walking show a faster velocity, higher cadence, less stance time, bigger steps and strides than upward walking (p≤.05); but no differences were seen with cane use. When comparing walking between a RW and a cane, those using a cane had faster velocity, larger step and stride lengths (P≤.01) but only during the upward condition. Incline surface plays a critical role in gait differences when walking with walking device. Geriatric professionals need to know the changes in gait that result from the type of device being used and need to incorporate this knowledge in the education provided to older adults for proper use of a walking device.

Longitudinal Relationship between Mobility Device Use, Falls and Fear of Falling (FOF) Differed by Frailty Status among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

This study examined the longitudinal relationship between mobility device use, falls and fear of falling (FOF) among community-dwelling older adults by frailty status over a one-year follow-up. A longitudinal cohort study. Communities in the United States. Community-dwelling older adults from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative survey of Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States (N=5,896). Based on yes or no response to the corresponding items for the variables, fall-related outcomes were determined separately including falls and FOF. Falls were assessed by asking participants whether they had a fall and if they had fallen down more than one time. FOF was measured by asking participants whether they worried about falling and if this worry ever limited activities. Mobility device use was determined by asking whether participants used any type of mobility devices and the number of devices used, including cane, walker, wheelchair and scooter. Frailty was assessed using the frailty phenotype. Multinomial logistic regression models were conducted to examine the association between mobility device use and fall-related outcomes among older adults by frailty status. At Year 1, 28.6% of participants reported using mobility devices. Among robust participants, using one mobility device had 3.58 times higher risks of FOF with fear-related activity restriction (FAR) than non-device users (95% CI: 1.10-11.65). Cane-only robust users had 5.94 and 2.18 times higher risks of FOF with and without FAR (95% CI: 1.80-19.57; 95% CI: 1.12-4.22) than non-device users. Among pre-frail participants, using one mobility device was associated with recurrent falls and FOF with FAR (RRR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.30-3.14; RRR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.25-3.63). Using ≥2 devices was associated with one fall (RRR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.30-3.33), recurrent falls (RRR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.62-5.25) and FOF with FAR (RRR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.34-6.02). Pre-frail cane-only users were more likely to have one fall (RRR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.06-2.32), recurrent falls (RRR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.48-3.77) and FOF with FAR (RRR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.12-3.87) than non-device users. The number of mobility device used and the use of canes failed to be significantly associated with fall-related outcomes among frail participants. The number of mobility devices used and the only use of canes were associated with fall-related outcomes among robust and pre-frail individuals. Further research is needed to develop targeted strategies for preventing falls and FOF among older adults with mobility device use, particularly for those in the early stages of frailty.

Characterization of Some Stilbenoids Extracted from Two Cultivars of Lambrusco-Vitis vinifera Species: An Opportunity to Valorize Pruning Canes for a More Sustainable Viticulture.

Pruning canes from grape vines are valuable byproducts that contain resveratrol and other health-boosting stilbenoids. This study aimed to assess the effect of roasting temperature on the stilbenoid content of vine canes by comparing two Vitis vinifera cultivars, Lambrusco Ancellotta and Salamino. Samples were collected during different phases of the vine plant cycle. One set was collected in September after the grape harvest and was air-dried and analyzed. A second set was obtained during vine pruning in February and evaluated immediately after collection. The main stilbenoid identified in each sample was resveratrol (~100-2500 mg/kg), with significant levels of viniferin (~100-600 mg/kg) and piceatannol (~0-400 mg/kg). Their contents decreased with increasing roasting temperature and residence time on the plant. This study provides valuable insights into the use of vine canes in a novel and efficient manner, which could potentially benefit different industries. One potential use involves the roasted cane chips to accelerate the aging of vinegars and alcoholic beverages. This method is more efficient and cost-effective than traditional aging, which is slow and unfavorable from an industrial perspective. Furthermore, incorporating vine canes into maturation processes reduces viticulture waste and enhances the final products with health-promoting molecules, such as resveratrol.

Design of One-Leg Cane Handle Using AHP-TOPSIS Comparative Study to Improve The Mobility of The Elderly

The number of elderly people in Indonesia has increased significantly. Indonesia has an elderly population of 29 million or 11% of the total population, and around 39% of the population or 11.5 million live with disabilities. The elderly who experience disabilities caused by physical and cognitive changes can decrease their quality of life. Disability in the elderly is caused by the weakening of the lower extremity muscles, resulting in decreased balance and walking stability. Appropriate walking aids for the elderly are crucial in improving balance and stability to reduce the risk of falling. The most commonly used mobility aid for the elderly is a cane, but the use by the elderly is mostly not appropriately instructed, where up to 70% use the wrong cane handle and use it incorrectly. As a result of incorrect use of canes and inadequate instructions, 30-50% of the elderly stop using the cane after receiving it. So, to keep the elderly using the cane, this study tries to design a cane handle with a comparative study using the AHP-TOPSIS Method. The purpose of designing a cane handle is to mantain the balance and stability of the elderly for mobility to improve quality of life and keep the elderly using a cane to reduce the risk of falling. The output obtained is a visualization of the concept & prototype of the improved cane handle design. The improved cane handle is simulated using Autodesk Inventor software with a loading of 150 N. The maximum stress analysis result is 25.31 Mpa, the maximum displacement analysis is 0.2273 mm, and the safety factor value is 7.54 ul.