Linux distributions for the blind include Oralux and Adriane Knoppix. More and more, screen readers are being bundled with operating system distributions. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows come with the rather basic Narrator. The Macintosh OS also comes with a built-in screen reader, called VoiceOver. Screen readers are a form of assistive technology potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, or learning disabled, often in combination with other AT such as screen magnifiers. Only a small fraction of this population, when compared to the sighted community, have Internet access.

Web browsers, word processors, icons and windows and email programs are just some of the applications used successfully by screen reader users. The movement towards greater web accessibility is opening a far wider number of websites to adaptive technology, making the web a more inviting place for visually impaired surfers. The latter developed in part by Knopper who has a visual impairment. Further functionality remains limited compared to equivalent desktop applications, the major benefit is to increase the accessibility of said websites. Near 4 percent of those deemed legally blind, by any measure, have no vision. Screen reader choice is contentious: differing priorities and strong preferences are common. This interpretation is then represented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a braille output. Most legally blind people 57 percent do not use computers. The rest have some vision, from light perception alone to relatively good acuity. A persons choice of screen reader is dictated by many factors, including platform and the role of organizations like charities, schools, and employers.

The console-based Oralux Linux distribution ships with three screen-reading environments: Emacspeak, Yasr and Speakup. While Apple Mac OS X includes VoiceOver, a more feature-rich screen reader. A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen.

Access technology such as screen readers and Screen magnifiers enable the blind to use mainstream computer applications. Experimental approaches in sensory substitution are beginning to provide access to arbitrary live views from a camera.

The open source GNOME desktop environment long included Gnopernicus and now includes Orca. Next month nonprofit worker Anthony Loeff is writing about screen readers for visually impaired people Indeed, using a screen reader is, according to some users, considerably more difficult than using a GUI and many applications have specific problems resulting from the nature of the application. The primary audience for such applications is those who have difficulty reading because of learning disabilities or language barriers. Later versions of Microsoft Windows include an Accessibility Wizard and Magnifier for those with partial vision, and Microsoft Narrator, a simple screen reader. Screen readers can be assumed to be able to access all display content that is not intrinsically inaccessible.

There are also open source screen readers, such as the Linux Screen Reader for GNOME and NonVisual Desktop Access for Windows

Posted by admin as Health Tips, Medical Tips + More, School of Software at 12:40 AM CDT

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“As an arthritis specialist, one area that I see people complain about more often than almost any other, is their feet.” So says Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of The Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. “This is too bad because there are many treatments that can be helpful,” Dr. Wei adds.

The foot is made up of 26 bones and 39 muscles…
The foot and ankle are designed to bear weight. The multiple joints in the feet are capable of adjusting to almost any terrain and the padding in the feet are designed to absorb shock.. The ankle joint allows the foot to move up and down, side to side, and inward and outward (inversion and eversion).

Not All Foot Pain Comes From The Foot!
Careful examination of the low back, hip, and knee should be performed because pain from these areas may affect the foot and ankle. In particular, pinched nerves in the low back can cause foot pain and weakness.

Ankle sprains are common- 25,000 people sprain an ankle every day!
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and prevent instability.
Treatment of an acute sprain consists of rest, ice compression and elevation (”RICE”). Exercises to help stabilize and strengthen the ankle should be started.

Arthritis of the ankle may cause recurrent pain and swelling.
Pain from arthritis typically is made worse by weight-bearing particularly on uneven ground. What this means is you should try to avoid excessive walking or running on uneven ground. Anti-inflammatory medication and proper foot support can do wonders.

Pain in the ball of the foot has many causes…

• Foot strain occurs when a person “overdoes it.” And the treatment is pretty straightforward. Rest.
• Morton’s neuroma (a benign nerve tumor usually located between the 3rd and 4th toes)
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome (pinched nerve in the ankle)
• Arthritis.

Other common causes of foot pain include:

• Stress fractures may occur after excessive walking.
• Achilles tendonitis causes pain in the back of the heel. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medicines, rest, a heel lift, and gentle stretching.
• Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the bottom of the heel. Treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatory medication, heel cup, orthotics, stretching, and local steroid injection.
• Flat foot.

Muscle strengthening exercises and orthotics are helpful.
Two other common problems are:

• Osteoarthritis, particularly common in the big toe. The big toe will point out to the side. When bursitis alongside the great toe joint develops, this condition is referred to as a bunion. Treatment involves proper padding and footwear. In extreme cases, surgery is required.
• Neuropathy. This painful condition is particularly common in diabetics. This occurs when the small nerves in the feet are damaged. Symptoms include burning, tingling, and pain in the feet - worse at night.

Well fitted orthotics (arch supports) can alleviate not only foot and ankle pain but pain in the knees, hips, low back, and neck!!

We often take the ability to walk for granted. This ability involves the use of two engineering marvels- our feet and ankles. Because of the tremendous amount of force transmitted to the feet with walking, unique problems may develop. Attention to proper preventative care, i.e., comfortable shoes, sox, hygiene, support, along with proper prompt medical care can really put the brakes on foot pain.

Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 10:21 AM CDT

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Alcoholism is a disease in which drinkers have lost the ability to control their drinking, leading to physical and mental harm and loss of ability to behave in a socially acceptable manner. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, pathological condition that affects the nervous and digestive system, caused by the inability to stop drinking despite adverse consequences such as loss of job, family, and health. The disease is potentially fatal, however the most disturbing and debilitating part of alcoholism is the loss of self-respect, the possible job loss, and the toll it takes on the alcoholics family. There is also indication that there may be a genetic component with alcoholism.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence defines alcoholism as characterized by “impaired control over dinking…and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.” This means that for many alcoholics, they are unable to make a decision to stop drinking without the help of others.

Symptoms of the disease include but are not limited to sneaking drinks, lying about the amount consumed, irritability when alcohol is not available, mood swings, loss of appetite, a puffiness of the face, job loss and a high number of traffic tickets.

Family members need to develop an awareness of the disease and talk with the alcoholic. Most alcoholics are in denial and talking to the person about their disease can be very difficult. Choose a time when the person is sober. In addition, talking to the person after an alcoholic problem as occurred, such as a family argument, or a drunken driving ticket, for example, may be a good time to talk. Unfortunately waiting for a problem to occur from alcoholic behaviors can have serious consequences.

Family members coping with an alcoholic or addict can cause a great deal of stress in the family life. Therefore, there are support groups for Al-Alteen for children and teenagers. Al-Anon is for the spouse or loved one that has to cope with an alcoholic. These groups teach family members on how to cope with the alcoholic and process their emotions.

There are studies that want you to believe that alcoholism is not a disease. They are wrong. Alcoholism is a disease and while there is no cure, it is treatable. If it were not a disease, insurance companies would not pay for treatment.

For more information, visit: http://www.AlcoholismInfoCenter.com

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 7:03 PM CDT

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There are many different types of bicycles available on the market today, the comfort bicycle, which is used by many recreational bike riders, a trail bike or light duty mountain bike, crusier bikes, recumbent bikes and heavy duty mountain bikes. No matter which type of bike, or biking interests you biking is a great way to increased stamina, improved cardiovascular strength and all around better fitness.

Recumbent bikes have become very popular for the middle aged and older riders. On a recumbent bike you have a very comfortable seat that you can lean back in, quite like sitting in your favorite reclining chair. Your butt is very comfortably cushioned. Your feet are out in front of you, quite like when you’re driving your car. Recumbent bikes are the fastest type of bicycle. One reason is that with your legs extended forward and pedaling in front of you, you are able to move much more weight with much less effort than on a conventional bike where your legs are underneath of you. Beginning recumbent riders will tell you it takes a while to develop what are called “recumbent muscles” but once you do you’ll never go back to an ordinary bicycle.

Mountain biking is a popular activity that is enjoyed by a wide age range of people. Heavy duty mountain bikes can be quite costly, so it may be best to go to talk to a mountain biking organization about bike rental. You may only decide you need a light duty mountain bike which would also be good for regular riding. Not all mountain biking trails are killers and for experts only - they had to start somewhere too! Mountain biking trails are rated somewhat like ski trails, the easiest is green, an intermediate is blue and difficult trails are pink. Go slowly, mountain biking can be hard on the joints, and you’ll need to learn how to handle the bike to minimize chance of injury.

Whichever type of bicycle you choose, just do it! Biking is a great way to achieve an aerobic work out and burn calories at the same time. The best part is that anyone can ride a bike and it’s a great family recreation to be enjoyed together.

This article courtesy of www.bicycle-repairs.com

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 5:00 AM CDT

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The American Association of Plastic Surgeons recommends that
patients undergo a series of physical examinations before the
liposuction surgery. The purpose of these exams is to determine
whether or not the patient is in good enough health to have the
procedure performed, and to rule out any underlying medical
issues that may complicate the surgery. It is extremely
important for a patient to thoroughly discuss any health issues,
including the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs,
and/or herbal remedies currently used. Supplying the physician
with a detailed medical history will give both patient and
surgeon a better understanding of what the specific risk factors
may be.

Once a patient has decided to follow through with liposuction
surgery, he or she should be presented with all of the available
options. These include traditional liposuction, tumescent
liposuction (a procedure resulting in less blood loss and other
complications), as well as various choices for anesthesia. A
reputable physician will inform the patient long the surgery
will last, how many incisions will be made, probable amount and
severity of scarring, and how long the expected recovery time
may be.

The surgeon will outline the areas to be treated with a marker.
After anesthesia is administered and has taken effect, the
doctor will make a small incision in the skin. A hollow steel
tube is then inserted, and a vacuum is used to suction out the
fatty tissue. Since much fluid is lost through this procedure,
it is necessary for the patient to have an IV to replace
diminished fluids and to prevent dehydration.

In order to reduce pain and discomfort, the patient will receive
either local or general anesthesia. If the surgeon uses the
tumescent technique, the fluid used to promote swelling of the
fat pockets may be the only method of anesthesia. Intravenous
sedation, epidural blockage and general anesthesia are the most
common pain-reducing methods. Since liposuction is a surgical
procedure, the patient’s blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels
will be monitored closely.

Doctors recommend that on the day the procedure is to be
performed, the patient have someone drive him or her to the
hospital or doctor’s office. Unless performed on an outpatient
setting (for smaller liposuction surgeries), any type of
surgical procedure will require a hospital stay, so it is also
important to pack a bag that contains anything the patient will
need during the stay. Even if the procedure is performed in an
outpatient setting, the patient will likely be too tired,
uncomfortable or groggy from the surgery to drive home alone.

Depending on the amount of fat removed and the physical location
of the surgery, the patient may be able to leave within a few
hours, although some may require a night or so of hospital stay.
Recovery time should be discussed before liposuction so that the
patient will have a realistic timeframe of when he or she can
return to work or other normal activities.

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 4:03 AM CDT

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Did you know that the indoor air is at least six times more
contaminated than the outdoor air? Unfortunately, you cannot
clean the outdoor air but what you can do is to improve the
quality of the indoor air. The only device that could help you
do this is an air purifier. It eliminates the indoor air from
various contaminants, such as simple dust, volatile gases,
pollen, pet dander and dust mites. More sophisticated air
cleaning devices can even rid of dangerous bacteria and viruses
leaving your house a healthy place to live at.

You might be asking yourself why you should waste your money on
an air purifier. And you would be surprised what indoor air
contaminants do to your health. They irritate your respiratory
system and with time may cause a lot of disorders. So, buying an
air purifier that would clean the indoor
air of your house is not a waste of money. On the contrary,
preventing serious health disorders from occurring can actually
save your money and time.

Those, who suffer from allergies or asthma and other respiratory
diseases, know how poor indoor air quality affects their health.
Indoor air pollutants may aggravate the symptoms of these
diseases. It is not true that closing all the windows and doors
helps the indoor air keeping clean and healthy. All the
contaminants from the outdoor are brought to your home by
heating and cooling systems. All of these contaminants
accumulate in your living environment putting you and your
family in danger. The only way to change that is to buy a
residential air purifier.

A lot of trials have been made in order to find out whether air
purifiers can reduce health effects or not. The trials have
showed that the use of air purifiers definitely reduces certain
health effects. These include minor effects, such as eye and
lung irritation. In addition, air cleaning devices may reduce
the risk for some serious disorders, such as cancer and
decreased lung function. Those who cannot bear the tobacco smoke
in their living environment should also consider buying an air
purifier. Most air purifiers eliminate cigarette smoke from the
indoor air, reducing not only disgusting smell but also serious
health effects.

Children are extremely sensitive to airborne pollutants
therefore those, who care about their children’s health, should
seriously consider using an air purifier in their environment.
Pet danders, pollen, volatile organic compounds, cigarette smoke
are only few mentioned contaminants that may affect children’s
health and cause serious illnesses. Since children are exposed
to dangerous airborne compounds from the early childhood, they
may get serious diseases, such as asthma, various allergies,
lung irritation and even lung cancer in the end.

Anyone who cares to breathe the air that is clean, healthy, and
free of various pollutants and allergens should buy an air purifier for their
homes. It may be either portable or non-portable, depending on
the area coverage. Especially those, who are extremely sensitive
to the indoor air pollution, should consider having an air
purification system. Such are asthma sufferers, people who have
allergies, children, youth and the elderly people. Poor quality
of the indoor air affects these people the most. In the end, it
is of course your individual decision you have to make on the
use of air purifiers. Most health organizations recommend people
to use air purification systems to improve their indoor air
quality. There are various factors one should consider before
making one’s decision on an air purifier. But what really
matters the most is what you cannot see or feel - the indoor air
quality. You shouldn’t take it for granted.

Use of this article is permitted as long as there are clickable
links back to us at: The
best air purifiers and all credits are given to the author.

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 10:45 AM CDT

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You won’t believe how light and savoury this creamy pasta sauce is. Tasty and nutritious, this dish contains, protein, omega 3’s and calcium. It is ready in less than 15 minutes and serves 3.

Ingredients

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in large skillet, bring to boil chicken broth, sundried tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper. Simmer 2 minutes. Add spinach and cook 2 minutes, just until wilted.
• In large bowl, combine ricotta cheese and salmon. Add spinach mixture and drained pasta. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Hint:
Use any bite-size pasta as desired; fusili, rotini, etc, or to make it more appealing to kids, try macaroni, scoobi-doo pasta,, etc.

Posted by admin as Better Nutrition, Eating Fun, Health Tips at 10:39 AM CDT

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The method know as 3d ultrasound is that can be used during early pregnancy, providing 3 d pictures of the fetus. Most times these ultrasound images are collated and joined together and made into a movie to created a “4d ultrasound”.

Three dimensional scanning works similarly to the usual ultrasound methods except that the ultrasound scanning waves are sent from multiple directions. The waves can be reflected back then captured to provide information to construct a 3 d image in in a similar manner to 3d movies. 3d ultasound scanning was first developed by olaf von ramm and stephen smith in america.

It is important to understand that sonologists everywhere always conjured three-dimensional images of the body in their minds while carrying out 2d scans. However, until recently it was impossible to do this kind of reconstruction on on info using ultrasound. With the advent of 4d baby scans for the first time allowed us a peek into the brain of a sonologist and hence letting us see the images on the ultrasound machine.

3d imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. While there is no information of harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in none essential situations needs to be undertaken with an understanding of the risks involved.

Posted by admin as Health Tips, Kiddie Stuff, Medical Tips + More at 1:15 PM CDT

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Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

Rats given varying doses of aspartame — the second most widely
used artificial sweetener in the world — experienced a
statistically significant increase in the incidence of malignant
tumors, lymphomas and leukemias in a study slated for
publication in Environmental Health Perspectives.

The study’s authors are calling for an “urgent re-evaluation” of
the current guidelines for consumption of this compound.

“Our study has shown that aspartame is a multipotential
carcinogenic compound whose carcinogenic effects are also
evident at a daily dose of 20 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of
body weight,” the authors write, “notably less than the current
acceptable daily intake for humans.” Currently, the acceptable
daily intake for humans is set at 50 mg/kg in the United States
and 40 mg/kg in Europe.

More Than 200 Million People

Aspartame is found in more than 6,000 products, including
carbonated and powdered soft drinks, hot chocolate, chewing gum,
candy, desserts, yogurt and tabletop sweeteners, as well as some
pharmaceutical products like vitamins and sugar-free cough drops.

More than 200 million people worldwide consume the sweetener. It
has been used for more than 30 years, having first been approved
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1974.

Earlier research on the carcinogenicity of aspartame performed
by its producers has been negative.

In the latest study, investigators administered aspartame to
rats by adding it to a standard diet. They began studying the
rats at eight weeks of age and continued until the spontaneous
death of each rat. This study followed more animals over a
longer period than did earlier research.

Treatment groups received feed that contained concentrations of
aspartame at dosages simulating human daily intakes of 5,000,
2,500, 500, 100, 20 and 4 mg/kg body weight. Groups consisted of
100 males and 100 females at each of the three highest dosages,
and 150 males and 150 females at all lower dosages, as well as
controls.

The experiment ended after the death of the last animal at 159
weeks. At spontaneous death, each animal underwent examination
for microscopic changes in all organs and tissues, a process
different from the aspartame studies conducted 30 years ago and
one that was designed to allow aspartame to fully express any
carcinogenic potential.

Extensive Evidence of Malignancies

The treated animals showed extensive evidence of malignant
cancers, including lymphomas, leukemias and tumors at multiple
organ sites in both males and females.

The increase in lymphomas and leukemias may be related to one of
the metabolites in aspartame — namely methanol — which is
metabolized in both rats and humans to formaldehyde, the authors
speculate. Both methanol and formaldehyde have shown links to
lymphomas and leukemias in other long-term experiments.

“In our opinion, previous studies did not comply with today’s
basic requirements for testing the carcinogenic potential of a
physical or chemical agent, in particular concerning the number
of rodents for each experimental group (40-86, compared to
100-150 in the current study) and the termination of previous
studies at only 110 weeks of age of the animals,” the authors
conclude.

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 12:48 AM CDT

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Bed ulcers/bed sores afflict patients in hospitals throughout the world. Various means of reducing bedsores have been tried, from frequent turning to synthetic padding, but medical research has shown that one of the most effective means of reducing the occurrence of bedsores is the use of natural sheepskin padding.

Generally related to prolonged bed rest, bed ulcers/bed sores can start to form in as few as four hours. There are various causes: localized pressure on the skin; skin-shear and friction; and moisture on the skin surface, often from perspiration. Sheepskin padding addresses these problems.

Always known for comfort, sheepskin is particularly friction-free due to soft, natural fibers that are protected by natural oils. Sheepskin padding reduces pressure on the skin by redistributing weight over a larger surface area than do other materials. The high-density, springy wool fibers of sheepskin are the key to reducing the pressure that causes bed ulcers/bed sores.

Sheepskin padding also reduces moisture on the skin. The fibers can hold between 30 and 36 percent of the sheepskin’s weight in moisture, without feeling damp. With moisture drawn away from the skin and into the fibers, another cause of bed ulcers/bed sores is eliminated.

Sheepskin is durable, as well. Using High Temp grade sheepskin, the treated leather backing is resistant to urine and other fluids, and machine washable and dryable. Washing sheepskin padding or covers with a soap that includes lanolin-sheepskin’s natural oil-will keep it in good condition for years.

Ian Partridge owns a number of websites specialising in Australian Sheepskins, due to interest from the bed ridden patients a website was created called http://www.medicalsheepskins.biz which has more info and links

Posted by admin as Health Tips at 1:54 AM CDT

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