In many developing countries, orientation and mobility (O&M) services and programs are inadequate. A survey of 296 visually impaired Nigerians was conducted in 2018 to assess availability of, and experiences with, O&M services and training. Three-fourths of those sampled were blind. O&M items were analyzed by vision status. Persons with partial sight were more likely than blind persons to use a cane without the assistance of a human guide and less likely to ask for help if lost and unaccompanied. However, they did not express more confidence in their ability to travel independently, suggesting a sense of stigmatization. Level of confidence was positively associated with the extent of training and degree of skill in both orientation and mobility, supporting the importance of training with sufficient intensity. Analysis revealed that many partially sighted individuals were substituting another device for a white cane, yet reporting either not wanting or needing a white cane, implying a perception of stigmatization. Among those owning white canes, blind persons reported more difficulty navigating independently, citing primarily physical impediments and adverse topographic conditions. Recommendations are made for local manufacture of white canes, improvements in physical infrastructure, and establishment of a national registry of all persons with disabilities.

that glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity, in particular long-term depression (LTD), is important for elimination of synaptic contacts in brain synaptic changes during pregnancy. Synaptic changes influenced differently by development, sensory

Synaptic plasticity is a biological system of specific pattern of synaptic activity result in changes in synaptic strength. This influence puberty, pregnancy hormones, sensory experiences, and brain disorders. Long-term synaptic plasticity is accompanied by protein synthesis and trafficking, leading to structural changes of the synapse. Increasing evidence connects the terminal synaptic changes with potential propagation in adolescent and pregnancy. We investigate on the synaptic structural plasticity, which has mainly been studied with in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. We also discuss how a different type of synapses, the multi-contact synapses associated with pregnancy

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BackgroundVision is not a requirement for independent mobility. Students with visual impairment faces more challenges in their studies compared with sighted peers as a result of gap in speed, volume and distance of obtaining information which cannot be adequately quantified resulting in mobility related injury such as head-level, strips and fall.MethodThirty undergraduates with visual impairments were surveyed and interviewed on frequency, nature and causes of head-level and fall injuries they encountered at the university. Mobility related injury questionnaire was administered using purposive sampling technique. The questionnaire has four themes: demographical information, travel habits, head-level accidents and trip/fall accidents. Data were computed with SPSS version 20.Results73.3 percent of the participants were male while 26.7 percent were female. 80 percent of the respondents stated that they use mobility aids, out of which 66.7 percent are cane and sighted guide users. 22 (73.3%) of respondents reported to have prior knowledge of orientation and mobility, while 10 (33.3%) has not receive lecture in orientation and mobility since their enrolment at the institution. Majority of the participants has encountered head-level injury with 22 (73.3%) and 8 (26.7%) affirmed that the injury is with medical consequences and bed rest respectively. 28 (93.3%) of trip and fall had resulted in person with visual impairment changing their walking strategy and 53.3 percent claimed that their confidence as an independent traveller is not affected by the fall. There is a significant association between independent traveller confidence and having the opportunity to have received lectures in O& M since enrolled at the university (r = −0.189, ∞=0.5).ConclusionThe interview enabled us to see the risk involve in independent mobility experienced by students with various degree of vision loss. Head level injury and fall which learners experience more often needs to be addressed by the school authority.