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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Is there a connection between Fast food and obesity?
The answer to the above question is a big yes! Research scientists say that:
“fast foods increase the risk of obesity in regular consumers by encouraging intentional overeating.”
Fast food and obesity are closely linked. Studies have shown that fast foods are very high in energy density (the amount of calories different foods contain weight for weight) and these high density foods can cause people to accidentally eat more calories than they need.
A typical fast food meal has an energy density 150% more than an average traditional meal. A fast food meal contains many more calories than a similar-sized portion of a healthy meal.
Many supermarket ready-meals and convenience foods are also very energy dense. To stem the tide of obesity, it’s important that we don’t just swap one unhealthy meal for another.
Fast foods also contain high amount of sodium(salt), oil, refined sugar and refined flour which are no good to the body. This combination of the foods is the most health harming and causes obesity.
Ayurveda medical science says that refined sugar causes obesity, acidity, dental cavities, osteoporosis, high cholesterol levels, migraine, kidney deseases etc. and leads to metabolic disorders.
Fried fast foods cause acidity and indigestion. Refined flour is made by removing the outer cover of the grain. This reduces the nutritional value of the grains by removing fibre. Foods deficient in fibre give rise to constipation and irregular bowel habits.
Many diet and weight loss programs which advice fast foods for weight loss are greatly mistaken in their approach.You are advised to always keep away from such fad diet plans.
Health and weight loss can be easily achieved by following a healthy weight loss program which recommends lots of health foods like fresh fruits,vegetables etc. in your daily diet.
You can get more cutting edge fat burning secrets in my Free 5 day email ecourse by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com/weightlossltr.htm
Rajesh Shetty.
Expert in weight loss principles of Ayurveda Medical Science
and Author of the Best selling book,
“Proven weight loss secrets revealed”.
http://www.eweightlosstips.com/weightlossltr.htm
Posted by admin as Medical Tips + More at 7:40 PM CDT
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Every Monday millions of people will be starting a diet, and 95
to 98% of them will fail to lose weight. In fact, many of the
dieters will abandon their diets by Monday lunchtime.
“Most diets are doomed to fail” says Shola Osho, Weight Loss
expert and successful dieter. “Diets immediately put people in a
deprivation mindset. They list a range of foods you can’t eat,
which only increases your desire to eat them. Even if you do
lose weight, this weight is quickly regained because the diets
reduce your body’s ability to cope with the foods you used to
enjoy.”
The 7 Secrets To Permanent Weight Loss are:
1. Abandon the thought of being on a diet and make a permanent
change to the way you eat instead
2. Cut out so-called “Diet foods” and “Diet Drinks”
3. Incorporate all the foods you enjoy into your eating plan
4. Eat freely from a list of foods that help you lose weight
5. Change your attitude towards your body and food
6. Increase your intake of water
7. Introduce gentle exercise into your daily regime
Posted by admin as Medical Tips + More at 1:57 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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Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer. Every year it kills more than 30,000 American males.
There are two different types of the cancer - an aggressive and deadly one and the other a slower-growing and less harmful one. Making possible prostate cancer detection and its severity anticipation is the way to save thousands of men a year from surgery (treatment) they don’t need. The big problem is not the surgery itself, but the situation they will face the side effects of that treatment such as impotence, bladder control troubles and possible worst conditions.
To be able for this performance, doctors use varying techniques. The newest methods involve 3-D mapping, a biopsy method in which a grid is placed over the prostate to evaluate the amount of cancer and its precise location. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is another possibility to detect the severity of prostate cancer. Because PSA can reveal how quickly the cancer changes over time, specialists hope that they will be soon able to anticipate the more aggressive form of prostate cancer.
In the context of accuracy, more typical methods have recently been the subject of debate. One of panel conclusion was that the still standard biopsy helps doctors determine whether cancer is present.
Prostate cancer patients should be very interested in doctor’s abilities and methods to determine the severity of their illness. They need a right evaluation of stage and progression of cancer as more men die with prostate cancer than of it.
Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues affecting men such as prostate cancer
Posted by admin as Medical Tips + More at 5:52 AM CDT
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Eastern philosophy and medicine, originating in ancient India and China, have traditionally regarded body structures and the life processes occurring within as inseparable. Their terminology resides halfway between structure and function and identifies certain entities in the human body, representing the flow of life energy and, in some sense, conduits for that flow that do not correspond to anatomical structures recognized by Western science and medicine. The chakras are the energy centers in a person’s biological field and are responsible for his or her physiological and psychological condition as well as certain groups of organs. All vital functions of the human body are determined by energy that spins in the chakras. These can be defined as “whirlpools referred,” and in Indian, they are considered “energy bursts” or “wheels.”
The process of energy transformation happens exactly in these centers. Vital energy, along with blood, circulates around the meridians in the chakras and fuels all organs and systems in the human body. When the circulation in these meridians stagnates, the human body becomes susceptible to various disorders. An excellent preventative method, designed explicitly to battle such stagnation is Chi Gun, an ancient Chinese method for self-healing which activates the energy centers. Chi Gun teaches people to release the energy themselves by massaging specific areas corresponding to the different chakras.
There are 49 chakras mentioned in the Vedic Canons, seven of which are basic; 21 are in the second circle, and 21 in the third circle. According to the Vedis, there are multiple energy channels leading to different locations from the chakras. Three of these channels are basic. The first one, called “shushumna,” is hollow and is concentrated in the spine. The other two energy pathways, “ida” and “pingala”, are located on either side of the spine. These two channels are the most active in most people, while “shushumna” remains stagnant.
The seven basic chakras spin at high speeds in the body of healthy individuals but slow down in times of sickness or with advancing age. When the body is in a harmonious balance, the chakras remain partially open. Closed chakras are unable to receive energy, leading to various disorders.
The first basic chakra, “Muladhara,” is located at the base of the spine in the tailbone area. Life energy, which is at the core of a strong and healthy immune system, is stored in this chakra. It is impossible for a person to become sick, old or even to die, before exhausting his or her reserves of this vital energy. The very will for life is controlled by Muladhara. It is also in charge of the bones and joints, the teeth, the nails, the urinogenital system and the large intestine. The first symptoms of a malfunctioning Muladhara are unreasonable fear, faintness, lack of security or faith in the future, leg and foot problems, and intestinal disorders.
The interrupted activity of the Muladhara chakra causes lack of energy, digestive problems, diseases of the bones and spine, and nervous tension among others.
The second chakra, “Svadhistana,” is located at the level of the sacrum, three or four fingers below the belly button. This chakra regulates the pelvis, the kidneys and sexual functions. We also feel other peoples’ emotions through this chakra. Symptoms of a malfunctioning “Svadhistana” are kidney problems, cystitis and arthritis.
The third chakra, “Manipura,” is found in the solar plexus area. This chakra is the center for storing and distributing energy produced by digestion and breathing. It is responsible for vision, the gastrointestinal system, the liver, the gall bladder, the pancreas and nervous system. Symptoms of a stagnant “Manipura” are as follows: increased and constant worrying, as well as stomach, liver and nervous disorders.
The fourth chakra, “Anahata,” also called the heart chakra, is located in the chest area. We generate and receive love through this chakra. It is in charge of the heart, the lungs, the bronchi, the hands and the arms. Symptoms of stagnation include depression and cardiovascular imbalances.
The fifth chakra, “Vishudha,” is located at the throat level and is the center of analytical skills and logic. This chakra sustains the skin, organs of hearing, along with the trachea and lungs. Symptoms include a lack of emotional stability, discomfort in the cervical spine, soar throats, difficulties communicating, and esophagus and thyroid ailments.
The sixth chakra, “Adjna,” is located between the eyebrows and is called the “third eye.” Here is the throne for the human brain. “Adjna” circulates energy to the head and pituitary gland and is also responsible for determining our harmonious development. If a person’s “third eye” ceases to function properly, one might notice a decrease in intellectual ability, headaches and migraines, earaches, olfactory illnesses, and psychological disorders.
The seventh chakra, “Sahasrara,” is found at the very top of the head and represents the apex where an individual’s energy vibrates with the highest frequency. It is considered a spiritual center and the entrance to the body for cosmic energy. A stagnant “Sahasrara” can result in a decrease in or lack of inner wisdom, as well as a lack of basic intuition.
With this basic knowledge of the first seven chakras, we can address the question: “How do we use this information to locate the causes of our troubles and problems, and with the help of Eastern Medicine, learn to control the functions of the chakras ourselves?”.
From the perspective of Eastern Medicine, our health depends on the distribution of our energy-consciousness informational field. A shortage of energy inevitably causes ailments. According to Tibetan Medicine, the only difference between youth and old age, and between a sick and healthy individual, is the difference in the rotating speed of the whirlpool energy centers of the chakras. If these different speeds are balanced, old people will rejuvenate and sick people will heal. Therefore, the best way to preserve and keep our health, youth and vitality is to restore and maintain a balanced movement of the energy centers.
The easiest way to keep the chakras balanced is through a set of physical exercises. Yannis called these not simply exercises, but rituals. These rituals allow the human body to mold its energy centers to an ideal level of function. The seven rituals, one for each chakra, must be performed together every morning and when not possible, in the evening. Skipping rituals unbalances energy distribution, and so for the best results, no more than one day per week should be missed. The daily chakra rituals are necessary not only for revitalizing the body, but also for achieving success in every facet of life. “Once you learn how to transform your energy, you will also become happier,” concluded Yannis.
For learning these rituals (which have transformed many peoples’ lives throughout the world), seeing them in action is much more effective than trying to follow written descriptions or diagrams. A DVD, available from Helix 7, Inc. (www.FeelingOfHappiness.com), includes actual demonstrations of these rituals.
Another method of keeping the chakras balanced and in their optimal half-open state is meditation. Meditative methods are universal to the human experience; they have accumulated over the ages through many different cultures and have proven their value in attaining peace, clarity, equanimity and in transcending despair. People who meditate on a regular basis are usually calmer, more secure, more joyful and more productive human beings. They are more effective in their everyday lives because they use their mental and physical potential, abilities and skills to their fullest extent. All too often, we humans fail to realize the great latent powers which are, as yet, unawakened in our bodies. We must learn how to revive and utilize them. This can only be achieved through meditation. Eastern men of wisdom, who believed meditation to be a vital necessity, stumbled on this discovery more than 1000 years ago. They learned to influence their inner organs and control their metabolism with the power of their minds. Meditation is to the mind what exercise is to the body; mental strength can be built up just like physical strength. Just as in athletics, it is important for an individual to train his or her body, it is important for an individual to train his or her mind through meditation.
The best time for meditation is early morning, preferably at dawn. Do not meditate when you are sad, aggravated, desperate or sick, because these intense emotional and physiological distractions make an enlightened state of mind impossible. For an effective meditation session, it is preferable to arrange for the undistracted silence of a quiet, clean room with flowers, or the soothing sounds of Mother Nature - near a lake, river, waterfall, woods or fields.
Many different mental practices, having their origin in historical traditions, fall under the general heading of “meditation.” These paths of mental development can involve emotional and intellectual facets and may also be coordinated with specific movements. Meditation can be structured or unstructured, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer writes in his book Real Magic, “The process of meditation is nothing more than quietly going within and discovering that higher component of yourself … Learning to meditate is learning how to live rather than talking about it…”
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World Renown author, Dick Derrick, has 20 years practical
experiance combining centuries-old Eastern philosophy and
healing with modern scientific findings to inspire and
encourage you to achieve happiness and harmony in your life.
http://www.FeelingOfHappiness.com/
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Posted by admin as Medical Tips + More at 6:06 AM CDT
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