White Stick Research Articles

Overcoming obstacles in rare disease clinical trials

Overcoming obstacles in rare disease clinical trials With an urgent need to develop new treatments for people with rare diseases, the University of Birmingham’s Professor Timothy Barrett explains how a new consortium will provide a step change in the delivery of rare disease clinical trials. Amina was diagnosed with diabetes when she was four years old. Her parents were told she had type 1 diabetes, the commonest form in childhood, and learnt to inject her with insulin several times a day. They had many sleepless nights checking her blood glucose in case it went too low. Unfortunately, aged ten years, she began to lose her vision, and family photos showed her on holiday at the seaside using a white stick. She was diagnosed with Wolfram syndrome, a rare genetic disease. This is a progressive degenerative disorder without treatment, and people die prematurely from complications.

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.

Low-cost electronic bamboo walking stick: an innovative assistive mobility aid for the blind

Present-day advancements in embedded systems have uncovered a wide area of innovation in inexpensive supportive systems for the visually impaired. Right from the uncomplicated white cane up to the most exceptional electronic walking stick, many designs have been proposed aiming at assisting and protecting visually challenged persons. This paper aims at contributing to these assistive aids by designing a bamboo stick sensor-based unit with ultrasonic and water detection sensors which is robust, cheap, and easily operated for the deprived blind person. Thus, improving the usefulness of the current white stick to consolidate both above-knee and below-knee deterrent identifications. The developed bamboo stick simply operates using ultrasound sensors for sensing the impediments before contact and a water detection sensor for water detection on the pathway. It offers vibration and different sound feedbacks to the operator per the spot of the obstacle. The results obtained by trial from a volunteer who walked an obstructed path blindfolded were excellent. The results ensure quick detection, safety and enhance the speed of mobility of the user. The simulations performed were accurate and relevant to the ultimate goal of the paper. The electronic bamboo walking stick developed can be used to guide the visually impaired in an indoor or outdoor environment.

The History of Things in Ralf Andtbacka'sWunderkammer

The History of Things in Ralf Andtbacka's<i>Wunderkammer</i>

‘Stop Measuring Black Kids with a White Stick’: Translanguaging for Classroom Assessment

In this conceptual paper, we explore the opportunities and challenges that translanguaging may provide for students from Australian Aboriginal backgrounds and their teachers. We use examples taken from Australian Aboriginal students who may speak Standard Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, creoles (Kriol being the common one across the north of Australia) and traditional languages (e.g. Kija, Martu). We begin by examining the concept of translanguaging and show how Australian Aboriginal students can move fluidly between their various linguistic resources, dialects and repertoires to make meaning, express their thoughts, understandings and feelings, create their identities, and do so in often playful and creative ways. The principles of fair and valid assessment are explored and the role that translanguaging can fulfil for assessment purposes is considered. We also document some of the social, cultural and linguistic biases that underpin aspects of assessment, and make suggestions for improvement. In particular, we examine how teachers could approach assessment so that students with Aboriginal backgrounds are able to draw on their full linguistic repertoire and, in this way, address the issues surrounding discriminatory assessment practices that are founded on monolingual mindsets. We also take up the gauntlet to ‘stop measuring black kids with a white stick’ and seek positive and embracing ways for all students with Aboriginal backgrounds to engage in assessment practices.

A Survey on an Intelligent System for Persons with Visual Disabilities

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), At least 2.2 billion individuals worldwide have near or far vision impairment out of 7.9 billion populations. In at least 1 billion cases, or about half of them, vision impairment might have been prevented or is currently untreated. The primary causes of vision impairment and loss are uncorrected errors and eye disorders. The majority of persons over the age of Fifty have visual impairment or blindness. Visual impairment or visual misfortunes are two terms that might be used to describe visual handicaps. This impairment makes it difficult for them to go about their daily activities such as shopping, strolling, mingling, and driving. The white stick is regarded as a symbol of opportunity, liberty, and security. In this paper, we attempted to discuss a comprehensive study of all the equipment and systems related to the simplification of visually impaired people's daily lives. Those devices can be portable or wearable or could be a system to detect objects. The emphasis was on the striking characteristics of that equipment, as well as the analysis was conducted predicated on a few variables such as power usage, mass, economics, and client. The aim was always to lay the groundwork for future researchers in the area by developing a handheld device or an efficient algorithm to protect visually impaired people.

Perfil Químico e Análise Antioxidante in vitro do extrato e fração de Auxemma glazioviana Taub.

Auxemma glazioviana Taub. (Boraginaceae), conhecida como “pau branco”, está distribuída nos estados do Ceará e Rio Grande do Norte e é utilizada tradicionalmente no tratamento de cortes e feridas. As distintas atividades biológicas estão associadas a presença de quinonas, composto químico de ampla ocorrência na espécie. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar as principais classes de metabólitos secundários, quantificar o contéudo total de polifenóis, obter a fração quinona (FQ) e avaliar o potencial antioxidante do extrato etanólico de A. glazioviana e da fração obtida. A partir do extrato foi realizada uma triagem fitoquímica e a quantificação de polifenóis totais. A obtenção e caracterização da fração quinona foi feita por meio de técnicas cromatográficas. O potencial antioxidante do extrato e da fração foi determinado pelos métodos, DPPH●; captura de radical livre ABTS●+, determinação do poder de redução do íon Fe3+ (FRAP) e capacidade antioxidante relativa (CAR). A prospecção química do extrato etanólico revelou a presença de flavonoides. A quantificação de polifenóis totais foi de 4,4822 mg AG/g.extrato. Nas análises antioxidantes, extrato e fração apresentaram resultados significativos, em que o EECCAG foi mais eficiente quando comparado a FQ. Os dados mostram que o EECCAG é potencialmente mais eficiente quanto a atividade antioxidante.

Blind People’s Multiple Identity And Impression Management In Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

This research aims to uncover the multiple identities of 40 blind people and develop a model of their impression management that may be different from the impression management of nondisabled people. Blind people as subjects of this study are those who experience blindness in adulthood but were able-bodied before. Changes in physical conditions are followed by psychological changes that affect the way they communicate with their social environment, which is marked by impression management efforts. Using an interpretive perspective, more specifically a dramaturgical approach relying largely on observation as its method, the study reveals that the blind’s impression management is related to their self-confidence. The lower self-confidence they possess, the higher effort of impression management they make. The blind’s impression management is conducted in two strategies: first, by not using a personal front like black eyeglasses and a white stick; and secondly, by involving a performance team. These findings reinforce the distinction between the blind and the able-bodied people in their impression management. The nondisabled people usually use the personal front when managing the impression on the front stage. Based on finding that the blind’s impression management is distinctive in nature, this study has enriched Goffman's dramaturgical theory.

SAJAK-SAJAK BADARUDDIN H.O. BERTEMAKAN KETUHANAN: ANALISIS PENDEKATAN DAKWAH

This paper analyses the poems of Badaruddin H.O., a famous poet of Bruneiwhose work is Islamic-themed with particular reference to God. The worksexamined include “Although Your Home In The Hereafter” (Meski RumahMu Di Akhirat), “Istighfar Rejab” (Istighfar Rejab), “This Is Not My Baby”(Ini Zat Bukan Bayangku), “Tsunami’s Episodes” (Episod-Episod Tsunami),“It’s Fate” (Takdir Itu Begini), “In The Holy Night of Ramadan” (Di MalamKudus Ramadan), and “White Stick” (Tongkat Putih). His poems are thenanalysed through a da’wah (missionizing) theoretical approach, which identifiesda’wah elements that display the majesty of God, and the gentle language stylethat conveys the religious message. Keywords: Malay methodology, da’wah, prophecy, rukun Islam, rukun Iman.

The contribution of technologies to the inclusion of the student whit a visual disability: the "smart stick for blind people"

Taking into consideration the complexity of the new, heterogeneous, and different training needs currently present in the classrooms, the school is called to respond them in an effective and concrete way through inclusive educational approaches centered on the students, none excluded. On this basis, the authors, supporting the importance of technology in innovative teaching, propose the design and construction of an intelligent white stick through an inclusive cooperative methodology. The presented device, presented in this paper, is inspired by an open and collaborative teaching, enhancing a responsible digital education, accepting the training needs of all the students present in the classroom, specifically the blind student, and the recognition of the diversity in view of the reduction of disability.

ULTRSONIC BLIND WALKING STICK FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

The man kind has been suffering with many diseases and abnormalities. Blindness is one of the disabilities which is very common and difficult to treat. The main motive of this paper is to help the blind people with a good and easy to use blind walking stick that uses a microcontroller to detect obstacles in front of him with many additional features which are quite cost effective. The stick will be meant for the rehabilitation of the blind people. The product is based on the distance measurement property of the ultrasonic sensors. It will measure the distance and velocity of the obstacle in the way of the person and will alarm the person about any obstacle (moving/stationary). The stick will allow detection of obstacles on the ground, holes and pits, uneven surfaces, steps, and other typical obstacles in the path of the person. Since the device is incorporated with wireless module it will be very handy and will be much easier to use as compared to the similar products available in the market. The white cane or stick is mostly preferred by the blind people for walking. But the limitation to the white cane is that the information obtained by the blind user is only by touching the objects by the tip of the cane, which is not completely reliable. Through this proposed paper we offer to give a solution which overcomes the limitations of the ordinary white cane. The ultrasonic blind walking stick is fully automated, comfortable to use and cheap. In other words, it is quite economic over the conventional method.

Multichannel ultrasonic range finder for blind people navigation

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a multichannel ultrasonic range finder which was designed for the navigation system for blind people. A substantial number of consultations with blind people in the Blind People Centre in Krakow have shown that the navigation and obstacle detection with a help of a white stick only, is not sufficient enough to assure a high safety level. Electronic aids which are being designed for blind people should be mobile, comfortable and low-powered. That is why the MOBIAN© (a mobile safety system for the blind) project is being carried out by the authors to create a highly reliable safety navigation system for blind people. It could not only improve blind people quality of life but also their safety, especially when they are walking in unknown areas. As a part of this project, the multichannel ultrasonic range finder was designed, produced and tested. The tests have proven the device is capable of detecting objects from different directions in a range over 4 m. The device interface is easy to manage and can be controlled by almost any microcontroller or FPGA chip. The designed range finder is to be implemented in the electronic assistant project for blind people. Other systems, including the industrial ones, for instance, mobile robots or gates that count people entries, could benefit from this multichannel range finder. Usually, some low-cost ultrasonic range finders use two transducers for each channel (a transmitter and a receiver). The designed device employs only one transducer per channel which minimizes the end-device size and cost and at the same time provides with the main functionality. Novelty of this device is its multichannel design and the emplacement of the ultrasonic transducers, which can be used due to the application of the multichannel analog multiplexer. Thus, it is possible to detect obstacles, even the inclined ones, with higher reliability and increase the safety of blind people while walking. Also, this design and the transducers’ placement allow to detect obstacles much quicker, when the blind user suddenly turns.

Smart Portable Navigation System 개발 및 1:N 서비스 구현

기존의 개발된 시각 장애인을 위한 길 안내 서비스를 위한 보조기구는 지팡이에 장착된 RFID 태그를 이용, 표지블록과 RF통신을 하는 정도의 간단한 보행 안내 서비스였습니다. 이는 RFID의 리더기의 인식거리가 짧고, 명확한 장애물의 위치, 크기 및 형태를 판단 할 수 없다. 이에 위험 사항이나 길안내 중 경로 이탈 발생 시 대책방안이 시급히 필요하다. 오늘 날 스마트 디바이스 개발로 인해 사용자들에게 다양한 혜택과 편리성을 제공 하고 있다. 이에 안드로이드 플랫폼 Client 와 Server(PC)간의 소켓 스트림을 이용, 실시간 영상정보와 음성, 위치정보를 전송하여 시각장애인의 위험 상황에 즉각적인 조치를 취할 수 있는 시스템 및 1:N 서비스를 구현하고자 한다. The current Navigation System for the Visually Impaired Person has a short and limited communication distance and can't receive enough information from Visually Impaired Person to assist directly. In addition, because the path is dangerous and incomplete for the Visually Impaired Person, moving with White Stick is still inconvenient and dangerous. To solve this problem we implement communication that can send and receive video, voice, location information between the Visually Impaired Person's Smart Portable Navigation System Development and assistant's PC.

Middle ear foreign body causing cholesteatoma and external auditory canal granuloma: a case report

ObjectivePatients with unilateral ear discharge and hearing loss often have external or middle ear diseases. We present a 55–year–old man who suffered from persistent ear discharge and hearing loss in the left ear. Local findings showed that his left ear canal was filled with a large amount of granulation tissue, with purulent, foul–smelling discharge. Computed tomography indicated left middle ear cholesteatoma and mass shadow in the left external auditory canal. Modified radical mastoidectomy was performed. A piece of white plastic stick was found in the middle ear during the operation. Foreign body–induced cholesteatoma and external auditory canal granuloma in adults are very rare. We present this rare case so that these conditions can be better recognized and understood.

Cobalt spot test used for diagnosis of occupationally-related exposure to cobalt-containing powder

A cobalt spot test was recently developed (1). Testing for cobalt release is performed by dipping a white cotton stick into a clear yellow cobalt test solution containing nitroso R salt, followed by rubbing of the cotton stick for 20–30 seconds against the test item. A colour change from yellow to red–orange indicates a positive test reaction. The spot test detects approximately 8 ppm cobalt in a solution (1, 2). The cobalt spot test has proven to be useful for screening purposes, and we have shown that surprisingly few jewellery items, hair clasps, mobile phones and work tools release cobalt in significant amounts (3–5). We have also used the cobalt test in the diagnostic work-up of patients with allergic cobalt dermatitis, but have only identified cobalt release in very few cases (6). Here, we report a novel use of the cobalt spot test in a patient with allergic cobalt dermatitis in whom exposure resulted from a powdered product.

Optical Device Indicating a Safe Free Path to Blind People

An active optical pathfinder using a LED and a photodiode is implemented as an electronic travel aid to improve the mobility of persons who are blind. The protected path is optimized by using radiometric calculations. Protection zones for typical configurations of obstacles are studied: an opening, a side panel, a front panel, and a post. The results in real configurations such as parked cars, trees, and dustbins are presented too. Finally, we explain how the device can be used in real life by visually impaired people, in conjunction with the typical white stick.

시각장애인을 위한 M2M 기반의 지능형 보행보조시스템

시각장애인들이 주로 사용하고 있는 백색 지팡이(White Stick)는 지상의 부유장애물에 대한 감지가 어려울 뿐만 아니라, 보행중인 시각장애인에게 현재 위치정보와 응급상황 발생시 효과적인 보호 조치를 제공하는데 문제점이 있다. 본 논문에서는 이와 같은 문제점을 해결하여 시각장애인들이 보다 안전하고 편리한 보행을 할수 있는 사물지능통신(M2M : Machine-to-Machine) 기반의 지능형 보행보조시스템을 제안한다. 제안하는 시스템은 시각장애인이 사용하는 보행보조지팡이와 이동통신망을 통하여 다수의 보행보조지팡이 사용자를 원격 지원하는 서버로 구성된다. 보행보조지팡이는 초음파센서와 문자-음성 변환기술 등을 이용한 장애물 감지 및 인지 가능뿐만 아니라, 서버에서 제공하는 지리정보와 GPS(Global Positioning System) 수신 장치 등을 이용한 현재위치 알림 및 확인, 위급상황 대처 기능 등을 제공한다. 서버는 지리정보 제공뿐만 아니라, 보호자나 구호기관에 위급상황 발생위치 알림, 보행 동안의 주요 정보(장소 시간 및 횟수 등)를 제공한다. 제안 시스템의 시제품을 통한 기능 및 성능 시험 결과 만족스런 결과를 얻을수 있었다. The white stick mainly used for visually impaired person has difficulty in providing location information and effective countermeasures for emergency situations encountered during walking as well as detecting floating obstacles on the ground. In this paper, we propose a machine-to-machine based intelligent walking assistance system for safe and convenient walking of the visually impaired. The proposed system consists of a walking assistance stick used by the visually impaired and a server supporting multiple stick users in remote places through mobile communication networks. The stick equipped with ultrasonic sensors, GPS(global positioning system) receiver and vibrator not only detects floating obstacles, but also offers stick users with present location identification utilizing a text-to-voice conversion technology. Besides providing geographic information, the server notifies the emergency locations of users to guardian and aid agency, and it provides log information during walking such as the place, time and the number of accidents. Test results with a developed prototype system have shown that the system properly performs the functions and satisfies overall system performance.

A patient's diary: episode 17 — Eyes on the blink

I don't know why it is but life these days seems to bring one health problem after another. My pancreas has at last settled down (thanks to those excellent little enzyme tablets from the health food shop) and I thought I would be able to emerge from the shadow of the valley of Illness onto the sunlit uplands of Health. But alas, it was not to be. Last night the Eye Trouble started. At first I thought I was looking at a couple of black spots on the white bedroom wall (just between the wardrobe and the Canaletto). But then, when I moved my eyes, the spots moved as well! I switched my gaze to another part of the wall and, to my dismay, the black spots arrived there too, a fraction of a second later. They were following me round the room just like that picture of the Laughing Cavalier. I tried cleaning my glasses but that made no difference; I gave my eyes a vigorous rub which made them feel rather sore; but when I opened them again, the horrid spots were still there, dancing mischievously about. Well, naturally I feared the worst. A haemorrhage or a semidetached retina, tapping along with a white stick or maybe a guide dog, and I've never really got on with dogs.

Crystal structure of the PH1932 protein, a unique archaeal ArsR type winged‐HTH transcription factor from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3

Crystal structure of the PH1932 protein, a unique archaeal ArsR type winged‐HTH transcription factor from <i>Pyrococcus horikoshii</i> OT3

Correct and spurious calibration of the Oxicom™ oximeter

Oxicom oximeters are widely used in cardiac catheterization laboratories. To calibrate the Oxicom oximeter, samples of oxygenated and deoxygenated whole blood are first analyzed on a CO-Oximeter, and then the Oxicom is adjusted to agree with the CO-Oximeter's readings. Subsequently, the Oxicom's calibration is confirmed at frequent intervals by taking readings from a white plastic stick that is inserted into the instrument to simulate a blood sample. The data in this report demonstrate that the readings from the white plastic "test simulator" failed to detect an out-of-calibration condition. By contrast, when the Oxicom was carefully adjusted to agree with a CO-Oximeter's readings on arterial and venous blood, a linear calibration curve resulted, and the Oxicom achieved its specified accuracy (2.5%). The precautions necessary to calibrate the Oxicom correctly are enumerated in the text.