Synopsis of an engineering solution for a painful problem Phantom Limb Pain

This paper is synopsis of a recently proposed solution for treating patients who suffer from Phantom Limb Pain (PLP). The underpinning approach of this research and development project is based on an extension of “mirror box” therapy which has had some promising results in pain reduction. An outline of an immersive individually tailored environment giving the patient a virtually realised limb presence, as a means to pain reduction is provided. The virtual 3D holographic environment is meant to produce immersive, engaging and creative environments and tasks to encourage and maintain patients’ interest, an important aspect in two of the more challenging populations under consideration (over-60s and war veterans). The system is hoped to reduce PLP by more than 3 points on an 11 point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), when a score less than 3 could be attributed to distraction alone

Improving usability in pan gateways by means of a novel Bluetooth pairing method

This thesis investigates the usability issues surrounding an implementation of the Personal Area Network (PAN) Gateway, a new concept in mobile communications. The PAN Gateway device consists of a GSM/GPRS modem and a Bluetooth modem. The Bluetooth modem is used to link mobile devices to form a PAN and the GSM/GPRS modem is used to link the PAN to external networks. The possible Man Machine Interfaces for the PAN Gateway are discussed together with the usability of existing Bluetooth devices. A weakness was discovered in the usability and security of Bluetooth Pairing in existing mobile devices and this led to the development of the "Touch and Find" system and the Pairing Link Protocol. The "Touch and Find" system interacts with the Bluetooth stack and allows simple, intuitive pairing of Bluetooth devices via a serial link. A full duplex serial link was implemented using simple electrical contacts to provide the link. Inductive coupling and infrared solutions were also developed. The Pairing Link Protocol specifies the signal flow for the "Touch and Find" process. The "Touch and Find" system that was implemented using simple electrical contacts shows how simple Bluetooth pairing can be. Pairing is simply carried out by briefly touching together the devices to be paired. The "Touch and Find" system was implemented in C on Borland C++ and used in conjunction with TTPCom's Bluetooth development system, which consists of a "Mad Cow" evaluation board and Genie - a Bluetooth development tool. The research carried out demonstrates the feasibility of the "Touch and Find" system over a variety of physical mediums. The system greatly improves the usability of Bluetooth Pairing, thus improving the "Out of Box" experience. It is likely that the Inductive solution can be extended to enable battery charging across the "Touch and Find" Inductive interface, further enhancing the "value added" capabilities of this system

Bi-directional communication interface for microprocessor-to-system/370

The design and operation of a bi-directional communication interface between a microcomputer and the IBM System/370 is documented. The hardware unit interconnects a modem to interface to the S/370, the microcomputer with an EIA I/O port, and a terminal for sending and receiving data from either the microcomputer or the S/370. Also described is the software necessary for the two-way interface. This interface is designed so that no modifications need to be made to the terminal, modem, or microcomputer

Polyhedral Analysis using Parametric Objectives

The abstract domain of polyhedra lies at the heart of many program analysis techniques. However, its operations can be expensive, precluding their application to polyhedra that involve many variables. This paper describes a new approach to computing polyhedral domain operations. The core of this approach is an algorithm to calculate variable elimination (projection) based on parametric linear programming. The algorithm enumerates only non-redundant inequalities of the projection space, hence permits anytime approximation of the output

Synopsis of an engineering solution for a painful problem: Phantom limb pain

This paper is synopsis of a recently proposed solution for treating patients who suffer from Phantom Limb Pain (PLP). The underpinning approach of this research and development project is based on an extension of "mirror box" therapy which has had some promising results in pain reduction. An outline of an immersive individually tailored environment giving the patient a virtually realised limb presence, as a means to pain reduction is provided. The virtual 3D holographic environment is meant to produce immersive, engaging and creative environments and tasks to encourage and maintain patients' interest, an important aspect in two of the more challenging populations under consideration (over-60s and war veterans). The system is hoped to reduce PLP by more than 3 points on an 11 point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), when a score less than 3 could be attributed to distraction alone. Copyright © 2014 SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications. All rights reserved.Published versio

ReLiPh: rehabilitation for lower limb with phantom pain

O membro fantasma ou sensação fantasma, ao longo dos anos, têm se destacado por ser originada de diferentes causas. Pesquisas e estudos mostram que, após uma amputação, na maioria dos casos, experienciam a sensação de membro fantasma e em muitos desses casos dolorosos. A presente tese baseia-se em uma pequena parte deste amplo tópico. Baseada na terapia de espelho usada na reabilitação e tratamento da dor fantasma. Ao longo do projeto, nós estudamos quais são os componentes mais relevantes para a reorganização/reestruturação, a fim de eliminar os sintomas negativos e futuros distúrbios/perturbações. Associada na relação do cérebro com o corpo, ou seja, as imagens formadas pelo cérebro em relação ao corpo físico desempenhando um papel crucial na relação do membro fantasma e da dor no membro fantasma, bem como no processo de cura e tratamento através de exercícios e no relacionamento da imagem que o cérebro tem do corpo físico. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo na construção de uma nova abordagem tecnológica, baseando-se nos princípios e critérios utilizados na terapia de espelho. A metodologia assenta na criação de um ambiente de realidade virtual controlado por um dispositivo que captura a atividade muscular em tempo real. Implementado num jogo baseado em movimentos/exercícios simples e naturais, sem uso de força ou esforço. Os elevados resultados verificados e testados, em indivíduos saudáveis e em um estudo de caso, na redução da dor fantasma, gerando um interesse e motivação, além de um melhor senso de presença e foco durante o seu uso. Concluindo, o projeto abre novas direções futuras de como novas abordagens tecnológicas podem ser usados nas pesquisas médicas na área do membro e na dor fantasma, em ambientes controlados e contextualizados. Melhorando a eficácia e eficiência, garantindo uma maior flexibilidade nos diferentes casos de amputação.The phantom limb or phantom sensation, over the years, has stood out being originated from different causes. Research and studies show that after an amputation, in most cases, they experience the sensation of a phantom limb and in many of those painful feelings. This thesis is based on a small part of this wide topic. Based on the mirror therapy used in rehabilitation and treatment for phantom pain. Throughout the project, we study what are the most relevant components to reorganization/restructuring in order to eliminate negative symptoms and future disturbances. Moreover it is established in the relationship of the brain with the body, that the images formed by the brain in relation to the physical body play a crucial role in the relationship with the phantom limb and phantom limb pain, as well as in the process of healing and treatment throughout exercises and the relationship of the image that the brain has to the physical body. This dissertation aims to build a new technological approach, based on the principles and criteria used in mirror therapy. The methodology is based on the creation of a virtual reality environment controlled by a device which captures the muscle activity in real time. Implemented in a game based on natural and simple effortless exercises without the use of strength. The high results verified and tested, in healthy subjects and in a case study, to reduce phantom pain, generating an interest and motivation, as well as a better sense of presence and focus during its use. In conclusion, the project opens up new future directions of how new technological approaches can be used in medical research in the field of phantom limbs and in phantom pain, in a controlled and contextualized environments and/or movements. Improving effectiveness and efficiency ensuring greater flexibility in different cases of amputation

Evaluation of the Assessment is for Learning programme

The Assessment is for Learning Development Programme (AifL) was designed tobring together the various purposes of assessment into a single coherent frameworkwhich would answer questions of accountability, standards and the monitoring ofprogress and performance, but which also emphasised the role of assessment insupporting individual pupils' learning in the classroom

The Ontario Leadership Framework and Leadership Interactions in a Sustained Working Group in Ontario Education

This study investigated the prevalence of the five Core Leadership Capacities (CLCs) in the Ontario Leadership Framework (OLF) in the work of teachers and administrators charged with developing an integrated Grade 10 curriculum incorporating student use of emergent electronic and web-based technologies. Retrospective interviews were conducted with members of this group --known as the Futures Forum Project (FFP)-- to elucidate and explore their professional interactions for traces of the CLCs. The researcher concluded that the CLCs were not used as an intentional framework for leadership, but did detect traces of distributed leadership closely linked to exchange theories of power. These and related findings invite critical examination of the OLF and its constituent CLCs as a defensible framework for the development of autonomous professionalism amongst school and system leaders