STAR: Speech Therapy with Augmented Reality for children with autism spectrum disorders

Graphics based systems of Augmented and Alternative Communication are widely used to promote communication in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This study discusses an integration of Augmented Reality in communication interventions, by relating elements of Augmented and Alternative Communication and Applied Behaviour Analysis strategies. An architecture for an Augmented Reality based interactive system to assist interventions is proposed. STAR provides an Augmented Reality tool to assist interventions performed by therapists and support for parents to join in and participate in the child’s intervention. Finally we report on the usage of the Augmented Reality tool in interventions with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate): A new star polymer

Multiarm star polymers are attractive materials due to their unusual bulk and solution properties. They are considered analogues of dendrimers with a wide range of applications, such as drug delivery, membranes, coatings and lithography.1 The advent of controlled polymerization made possible the existence of this unique class of organic nanoparticles (ONPs).2 Two major synthetic strategies are usually employed in the preparation of star polymers, the core-first and arm-first approaches. The core-first approach involves a controlled living polymerization using a multiarm initiator core while the arm-first methodology is based in the quenching of living polymers with multifunctional coupling agent or bifunctional vinyl compounds. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of a new star polymer, the multiarm star poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The tetra-armed star polymer was prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization using the core-first approach. The RAFT chain-transfer agent (RAFT CTA) pentaerythritol tetrakis[2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropionate] was used as multiarm initiator core were 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was polymerized using AIBN as radical initiator. Structural characterization was performed by 1H NMR and FTIR. The new polymer is able to uptake large quantities of organic solvents, forming gels. The rheological behavior of these gels was also investigated.

On mappings preserving the sharp and star orders

The present paper is devoted to the study of linear maps preserving certain relations, such as the sharp partial order and the star partial order in semisimple Banach algebras and C*-algebras.

Compromisso organizacional e satisfação com o trabalho: um estudo com duas unidades hoteleiras portuguesas

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia