Engaging students with profound and multiple disabilities using humanoid robots

Engagement is the single best predictor of successful learning for children with intellectual disabilities yet achieving engagement with pupils who have profound or multiple disabilities (PMD) presents a challenge to educators. Robots have been used to engage children with autism but are they effective with pupils whose disabilities limit their ability to control other technology? Learning objectives were identified for eleven pupils with PMD and a humanoid robot was programmed to enable teachers to use it to help pupils achieve these objectives. These changes were evaluated with a series of eleven case studies where teacher-pupil dyads were observed during four planned video recorded sessions. Engagement was rated in a classroom setting and during the last session with the robot. Video recordings were analysed for duration of engagement and teacher assistance and number of goals achieved. Rated engagement was significantly higher with the robot than in the classroom. Observations of engagement, assistance and goal achievement remained at the same level throughout the sessions suggesting no reduction in the novelty factor

Influência do tipo de coleta (comum ou seletiva) na reciclagem de filmes de poliolefinas pós-consumo

Filmes de polipropileno (PP) e de polietilenos de alta (HDPE) e baixa densidades (LDPE) foram estudados avaliando-se a presença de impurezas e o efluente da lavagem de seus resíduos provenientes tanto de coleta comum (resíduos misturados) quanto seletiva (resíduos separados). Os resultados apontam que os filmes estavam impregnados com, no mínimo, 30% de impurezas quando provenientes de coleta comum e com, no máximo, 10% quando de coleta seletiva. Esses resultados, associados aos da turbidez do efluente de lavagem, indicam que dos filmes de coleta seletiva, preferidos pelos recicladores, se obtém pelo menos 20% mais material e tem-se uma lavagem mais fácil, por envolver praticamente só a retirada de sólidos, ao contrário da coleta comum, associada a resíduos úmidos impregnados. Os efluentes foram também avaliados segundo sólidos totais, sólidos sedimentáveis e o teor de nove metais. Os resultados indicaram que os dois tipos de coleta geram efluentes semelhantes e que no máximo duas etapas devem ser suficientes para seus tratamentos: decantação e diluição do efluente no corpo d'água receptor.Polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) films were studied according to the way their wastes are collected (segregated from or mixed with other residues) by evaluating the amount of impurities and the washing wastewater. It was found that the films from mixed collection presented at minimum 30% of impurities, while the films from segregated (or curbside) collection presented at maximum 10% of impurities. The amount of impurities and the wastewater turbidity indicated that 20% more material can be obtained from the films of segregated colletion, preferred by recyclers, in addition to having a simpler washing process because it only involves solids removal, unlike mixed collection which is associated with the impregnation of wet wastes. The effluents were also evaluated according to the total amount of solids, sediments and concentration of nine metals. The results showed that both types of collection generated similar wastewaters and their treatment requires two steps at the most: sedimentation and effluent dilution in the water body.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP