THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY INDICATORS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Survey research was used to conduct a formative evaluation of Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) by 120 leaders in the field of assistive technology. Survey respondents represented five different types of assistive technology interest and responsibilities: consumers of assistive technology services and family members, district and regional assistive technology leaders, state and national assistive technology leaders, assistive technology leaders in higher education, and assistive technology policy leaders. Respondents reviewed QIAT and completed either print or online electronic versions of a survey in which they provided their perspectives on the need for quality indicators, the importance of each quality indicator contained in QIAT, the clarity of each accompanying intent statement, and the usefulness of QIAT to people with assistive technology interests and responsibilities similar to their own. Results of this investigation suggested that quality indicators are needed to guide the development and delivery of assistive technology services, that the 39 quality indicators contained in QIAT are important, and that QIAT would be useful to people with varied interests and responsibilities in assistive technology. The perceptions of the majority of the participants about QIAT were positive. Analysis of the rankings indicated that every quality indicator contained in QIAT was considered important by greater than 92% of the participants and every intent statement was considered clear by greater than 82% of the participants. Results also indicated that participants believed that some revisions in the wording and reordering of the items contained in QIAT would increase clarity and that the identification and development of training and products aligned to QIAT could aid in the development and delivery of effective assistive technology services. Proposed revisions were made in QIAT as a result of respondent recommendations. Implications for practice, future development, and additional research also were proposed

Untargeted Bioassay Strategy for Medicinal Plants: In Vitro Antidiabetic Activity and 13C NMR Profiling of Extracts from Vitex negundo L

Bioassay-guided fractionation is the principal method for the identification of active constituents in medicinal plants. By design, this method aims to identify the most active compound in a complex mixture with the objective of discovering novel drug candidates. Described here is a complementary method for the identification of known bioactive compounds in medicinal plants which is untargeted and which takes advantage of the large NMR database of known natural products and availability of statistical software. This untargeted bioassay strategy is demonstrated as a proof of principle in the determination of the antidiabetic compounds in Vitex negundo L. Crude methanol and ethanol extracts, and chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of V. negundo L. were prepared and tested for their in vitro antidiabetic potential using the glucose diffusion retardation assay and the in vitro starch-amylase inhibition assay. The same crude extracts and fractions were profiled using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The 13C NMR spectra of twelve known compounds from the semi-polar fraction of V. negundo – two iridoids, seven iridoid glucosides, two flavonoids and one flavonoid C-glucoside – were matched from the 13C NMR spectra of the extracts and fractions. The 13C NMR match factor values of the twelve compounds were used in the multivariate correlation analysis with antidiabetic activity using the glucose diffusion retardation activity and the starch-amylase inhibition assay. This method was able to correlate the seven iridoid glucosides with the antidiabetic activity, a result that would have been difficult to obtain using bioassay-guided fractionation

Competency of Teachers and Laboratory Environment in an Online Setting as Predictors of Science Process Skills of Students: A Convergent Design

This study determined the influence of the competency of teachers and the laboratory environment in an online setting on the students’ science process skills using mixed methods approach-convergent design. Participants of the study were 2nd year students from different Higher Education Institutions in Region XI, Philippines. Further, to gather data relative to the research questions, the researcher used adapted survey tools and an interview guide. Results showed that students always observed the competence of their teachers, with a favorable laboratory environment in an online setting leading to the acquisition of science process skills. Furthermore, regarding the relationship of variables, the study revealed that the competency of teachers did not have a significant relationship with students’ science process skills. At the same time, there was a considerable correlation between the laboratory environment in an online setting and students’ science process skills. The students’ lived experiences in acquiring science process skills formed essential themes. Moreover, there was a merging-converging nature of the competency of teachers and the laboratory environment in an online setting and a merging-diverging character on students’ science process skills and significant influence of the variables under study. Results of the study will help the teachers identify the factors that can affect the acquisition of science process skills of students in an online learning environment and develop intervention programs to ensure globally competitive graduates. It is further believed that this study will benefit the institution, teachers, and most especially the students who were the main reason for the teaching and learning process. Hence, future studies may be conducted by academic scholars or researchers based on the information gathered from this research. Areas of interest can be other factors that affect the students’ acquisition of science process skills and utilize a comparative study involving different courses with chemistry laboratory subjects

13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Phytochemical Profiling of the In Vitro Antidiabetic Potential of Vitex negundo L.

Vitex negundo has been known since ancient times as a medicinal plant. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of methanol and ethanol extracts, and ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous fractions of Vitex negundo using an in vitro model to test glucose diffusion and to determine the phytochemical profile of the extracts and fractions using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The chloroform fractions, ethyl acetate-EtOH and ethyl acetate-MeOH gave the highest inhibitory effect on both the diffusion activities in vitro. Retardation of glucose diffusion suggests that negundo has the potential to lower postprandial glucose. Correlation analysis of the 13C NMR profile with retardation activity suggests that compounds containing glycosidic residues may be responsible for the glucose retardation activity. This is the first example where activity has been correlated with specific structural features of compounds from a crude extract using 13C NMR chemical shifts to assist in the identification of active compounds

Issues and Challenges Faced by Persons with Disabilities in Basco, Batanes

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are one of the concerns of society. But due to prejudice, they are put in a disadvantageous position. Since then, there have always been issues in employment, social roles, and accessibility to education. These have led to self-doubt and inferiority, resulting in negative attitudes from non-PWDs. The study aimed to explore the issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Basco, Batanes, Philippines. This study used a qualitative research design. The researchers used purposive sampling and gathered data from eight (8) qualified participants. The researchers determined the issues and challenges they faced across the four areas of their lives. First, they face difficulties at work and looking for work because of their condition and the prejudice they receive in the work environment. Second, they faced problems in school due to poverty and discrimination from classmates. Third, they receive discrimination and stereotyping from their community. Lastly, the majority of the participants receive support from their families. However, they also faced financial problems, especially with their medication

Effects of whey protein alone or as part of a multi-ingredient formulation on strength, fat-free mass, or lean body mass in resistance-trained individuals: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Even though the positive effects of whey protein-containing supplements for optimizing the anabolic responses and adaptations process in resistance-trained individuals have been supported by several investigations, their use continues to be controversial. Additionally, the administration of different multi-ingredient formulations where whey proteins are combined with carbohydrates, other protein sources, creatine, and amino acids or derivatives, has been extensively proposed as an effective strategy to maximize strength and muscle mass gains in athletes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically summarize and quantify whether whey protein-containing supplements, administered alone or as a part of a multi-ingredient, could improve the effects of resistance training on fat-free mass or lean body mass, and strength in resistance-trained individuals when compared with other iso-energetic supplements containing carbohydrates or other sources of proteins. METHODS: A structured literature search was conducted on PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Libraries, US National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar databases. Main inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trial study design, adults (aged 18 years and over), resistance-trained individuals, interventions (a resistance training program for a period of 6 weeks or longer, combined with whey protein supplementation administered alone or as a part of a multi-ingredient), and a calorie equivalent contrast supplement from carbohydrates or other non-whey protein sources. Continuous data on fat-free mass and lean body mass, and maximal strength were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Data from nine randomized controlled trials were included, involving 11 treatments and 192 participants. Overall, with respect to the ingestion of contrast supplements, whey protein supplementation, administered alone or as part of a multi-ingredient, in combination with resistance training, was associated with small extra gains in fat-free mass or lean body mass, resulting in an effect size of g = 0.301, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.032-0.571. Subgroup analyses showed less clear positive trends resulting in small to moderate effect size g = 0.217 (95% CI -0.113 to 0.547) and g = 0.468 (95% CI 0.003-0.934) in favor of whey and multi-ingredient, respectively. Additionally, a positive overall extra effect was also observed to maximize lower (g = 0.316, 95% CI 0.045-0.588) and upper body maximal strength (g = 0.458, 95% CI 0.161-0.755). Subgroup analyses showed smaller superiority to maximize strength gains with respect to the contrast groups for lower body (whey protein: g = 0.343, 95% CI -0.016 to 0.702, multi-ingredient: g = 0.281, 95% CI -0.135 to 0.697) while in the upper body, multi-ingredient (g = 0.612, 95% CI 0.157-1.068) seemed to produce more clear effects than whey protein alone (g = 0.343, 95% CI -0.048 to 0.735). LIMITATIONS: Studies involving interventions of more than 6 weeks on resistance-training individuals are scarce and account for a small number of participants. Furthermore, no studies with an intervention longer than 12 weeks have been found. The variation regarding the supplementation protocol, namely the different doses criteria or timing of ingestion also add some concerns to the studies comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Whey protein alone or as a part of a multi-ingredient appears to maximize lean body mass or fat-free mass gain, as well as upper and lower body strength improvement with respect to the ingestion of an iso-energetic equivalent carbohydrate or non-whey protein supplement in resistance-training individuals. This enhancement effect seems to be more evident when whey proteins are consumed within a multi-ingredient containing creatine

THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY INDICATORS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Survey research was used to conduct a formative evaluation of Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) by 120 leaders in the field of assistive technology. Survey respondents represented five different types of assistive technology interest and responsibilities: consumers of assistive technology services and family members, district and regional assistive technology leaders, state and national assistive technology leaders, assistive technology leaders in higher education, and assistive technology policy leaders. Respondents reviewed QIAT and completed either print or online electronic versions of a survey in which they provided their perspectives on the need for quality indicators, the importance of each quality indicator contained in QIAT, the clarity of each accompanying intent statement, and the usefulness of QIAT to people with assistive technology interests and responsibilities similar to their own. Results of this investigation suggested that quality indicators are needed to guide the development and delivery of assistive technology services, that the 39 quality indicators contained in QIAT are important, and that QIAT would be useful to people with varied interests and responsibilities in assistive technology. The perceptions of the majority of the participant

Evaluation of the In Vitro antidiabetic potential of Vitex Negundo L. and its fractions using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance phytochemical profiling

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism. Plants are rich sources of potential hypoglycemic agents to control blood glucose. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of crude methanol and ethanol extracts, and ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous fractions of Vitex negundo, L. on the diffusion of glucose through the intestinal lumen into the blood stream using an in vitro membrane model and to determine the phytochemical profile of the extracts and fractions using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The diffusion of glucose (from 7, 10 and 15 mM concentrations) into the external solution through a dialysis membrane tubing was measured using the dinitrosalicylic acid method at time intervals. At 1% extract concentration, the chloroform-EtOH fraction showed the highest retardation activity compared to the control with mean glucose diffusion retardation index (%GDRI) values of 60% and 39% at 7 mM and 10 mM glucose, respectively. At 2% extract concentration, almost all extracts had negative GDRI values, except for ethyl acetate-MeOH and aqueous-MeOH at 10 mM and 15 mM glucose. The crude ethanol and methanol extracts retarded the diffusion in the starch-amylase system at both extract concentrations. Retardation of glucose diffusion suggests that V. negundo has the potential of lowering postprandial glucose in the blood. Correlation analysis of the 13C NMR profile with retardation activity suggests that compounds containing glycosidic residues may be responsible for the glucose retardation activity. This is the first example where activity has been correlated with specific structural features of compounds from a crude extract using 13C NMR chemical shifts to assist in the identification of active compounds

13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Phytochemical Profiling of the In Vitro Antidiabetic Potential of Vitex negundo L.

Vitex negundo has been known since ancient times as a medicinal plant. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of methanol and ethanol extracts, and ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous fractions of Vitex negundo using an in vitro model to test glucose diffusion and to determine the phytochemical profile of the extracts and fractions using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The chloroform fractions, ethyl acetate-EtOH and ethyl acetate-MeOH gave the highest inhibitory effect on both the diffusion activities in vitro. Retardation of glucose diffusion suggests that negundo has the potential to lower postprandial glucose. Correlation analysis of the 13C NMR profile with retardation activity suggests that compounds containing glycosidic residues may be responsible for the glucose retardation activity. This is the first example where activity has been correlated with specific structural features of compounds from a crude extract using 13C NMR chemical shifts to assist in the identification of active compounds

Pneumatic Conveying Technology: Recent Advances and Future Outlook

Pneumatic conveying is a vital technology for delivering bulk solids, powders, and granular materials in various industries. Significant advances in pneumatic conveying technology have occurred in recent years, spurred by the demand for sustainable and energy-efficient industrial processes. This paper explores the current advances in pneumatic conveying technology and their implications for the industry. First, the principles of pneumatic conveying are discussed. Then, two significant advances in pneumatic conveying technology are highlighted. Schenck Process, for example, has created the Enhanced Dilute Phase Pneumatic Conveying (EDIP) system, the E-Finity continuous dense phase system, and high-pressure systems utilizing Lontra’s LP2 Compressor Blower. Second, Palamatic Process provides dense-phase vacuum conveying cyclones as well as powder pumps for nonabrasive dense-phase vacuum conveying. Several research gaps in pneumatic conveying technology are identified in the paper, including the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the optimization of multiphase flow behavior, energy efficiency and sustainability, material degradation, and particle damage, handling of cohesive and difficult-to-convey materials, scale-up and design optimization, and real-time monitoring and control systems. The future outlook highlights the potential of sustainable practices to advance pneumatic conveying technology further. The integration of these technologies can lead to improved performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability in pneumatic conveying systems