Medical and Assistive Health Technology: Meeting the Needs of Aging Populations.

Purpose Of The Study: To identify policy gaps in the delivery and availability of assistive health technology (AHT) and medical devices (MD) for aging populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Design And Methods: The findings presented in this paper are the results of several narrative overviews. They provide a contextual analysis of the conclusions and evidence from WHO commissioned research and expert consultations in 2013 and 2014, as well as a synthesis of literature reviews conducted on AHT and MD.

Informing the Australian government on AT policies: ARATA's experiences.

Unlabelled: This article describes the development and dissemination of an evidence-based Policy Statement and Background Papers by the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA). An experienced project team was engaged to conduct literature reviews and member consultations, develop resources and implement a targeted advocacy strategy that included a policy launch and meetings with government officials. The Policy Statement and Background Papers have enabled ARATA to represent the views of Assistive Technology (AT) Practitioners in consultations around the National Disability Insurance Scheme and other AT-related inquiries.

Validating a change of technique proposed in draft ISO7176-16 ignitability testing on wheelchair materials.

To investigate whether (1) the changes to the angle of application of the ignition source to the sample surface, and (2) more precise failure criteria, would result in similar outcomes (in terms of pass/fail criteria) when assessing samples in accordance with ISO CD 7176-16:2010. Time before smouldering/fire/smoke had ceased following withdrawal of the flame as well as area of burn damage were recorded. Changing the angle of application of the ignition source (45 degrees compared to 0 degrees) did not appreciably affect the ongoing smouldering/smoking of samples, but did result in increased measured burn damage for most samples.

Investigating the effects of varying the angle of application and increasing the ignition source flow rate during ISO ignitability testing on foam and vinyl.

To investigate how, and to what extent, the following factors influence burn damage: (1) the angle of application of the ignition source to the sample surface, and (2) the flow rate for the ignition source, when assessing samples in accordance with ISO 8191-2:1988. Varying the ignition source flow rate and the angle of application of the ignition source to the sample undergoing testing, which are both variations on the existing procedure outlined in the Standard ISO 8191-2:1988. Burn damage as measured by the depth (if applicable) and greatest horizontal and vertical dimensions.

Profiling of bioactive compounds in cultivars of Runner and Valencia peanut market-types using liquid chromatography/APCI mass spectrometry.

Peanuts are classified into four market-types (Runners, Spanish, Virginia and Valencia). Studies on their phytochemical composition have focused mainly on market-types other than Valencia. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the phytochemical composition of cultivars of Valencia and Runner market-types.

In vitro absorption of dietary trans-resveratrol from boiled and roasted peanuts in Caco-2 cells.

Previous studies on the transport and absorption of resveratrol (3,5,4-O-trihydroxystilbene) were done using the pure compound. In this study, the absorption of resveratrol in digested peanut micellar from boiled and roasted peanuts was investigated using a human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayer. The amount transported and rate of transport of both resveratrol glycosides and its hydrolytic product were quantified by a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with mass spectrometric detection.

Peanut skin color: a biomarker for total polyphenolic content and antioxidative capacities of peanut cultivars.

Attempts to establish a relationship between peanut skin color (PSC) and total flavonoid (TF) content have produced inconclusive results. This study investigated the potential of PSC as a biomarker for polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. Peanut cultivars were objectively evaluated for their skin color, total phenolic (TP), flavonoid (TF), proanthocyanidin (TPC) contents and antioxidant capacities (AC).

Developing a national research and development centre in assistive technologies for independent living.

Assistive technology (AT) plays a pivotal role in the lives of people who require assistance with one or more aspects of daily living. Ranging from simple devices such as an augmented fork to complex devices like a power wheelchair with integrated environmental control, AT is a broad term to describe a range of products and services that provide assistance. Historically used in the "disability sector", in recent years AT devices have merged into the ageing sector as more Australians develop an impairment through "age-related disability", creating a larger market for equipment that provides independence or restores lost/reduced functionality.

Effect of frequency and duration of ultrasonication on the extraction efficiency of selected isoflavones and trans-resveratrol from peanuts (Arachis hypogaea).

Plant derived phytochemicals have been the focus of recent research due to their health promoting effects. Previous studies to estimate the levels of these bioactive compounds made use of traditional solvent extraction procedures such as homogenization and soxhlet (reflux) methods. Recently, the ultrasonication technique has been shown to be an efficient non-thermal extraction method.

Changes in the phytochemical composition and profile of raw, boiled, and roasted peanuts.

Peanuts are consumed mostly as processed products. Although the effect of processing on isoflavone composition of legumes has been extensively studied, there has been no such study on peanuts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of processing (boiling, oil- and dry-roasting) on the phytochemical composition of peanuts.

Research into telecommunications options for people with physical disabilities.

People with a disability do not have equitable access to the modern telecommunication medium. Many experience difficulty typing, handling the phone, dialing, or answering calls. For those who are unable to speak, the only option is to type messages using whatever functional control site exists on their body.

Comparison of extraction methods for the quantification of selected phytochemicals in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea).

Peanuts have been reported to contain bioactive phytochemicals, particularly isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, and biochanin A) and trans-resveratrol. Currently, limited data are available regarding the levels of these bioactive compounds in peanuts with variations in reported levels. The purpose of this study was to compare four methods of extraction [stirring, sonication, Soxtec, and microwave-assisted sonication (MAS)] for runner peanuts.

Telecommunications access--matching available technologies to people with physical disabilities.

People with a disability do not have equitable access to the modern telecommunication medium. Many experience difficulty typing, handling the phone, dialling or answering calls. For those who are unable to speak, the only option is to type messages using whatever functional control site exists on their body.