Famílias de crianças com perturbações do espectro do autismo: contributos para a compreensão das suas necessidades

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação - Especialização em Intervenção PrecoceEste estudo pretende ser um contributo para a compreensão das Necessidades e Expectativas das famílias de crianças com Perturbações do Espectro do Autismo (PEA). Para responder aos objetivos propostos foi definida uma amostra de dez famílias, subdividida em dois grupos de participantes: famílias de crianças com Perturbações do Espectro do Autismo apoiadas por equipas de Intervenção Precoce e famílias de crianças com espectro do autismo apoiadas pelo Programa Son-Rise. As metodologias utilizadas para compreender as necessidades das famílias com crianças com P.E.A. e as formas como respondiam a essas necessidades, incluindo iniciativas na busca de informação e apoios, foram a entrevista e as grelhas de avaliação das necessidades da família. Para compreender a Satisfação em relação aos apoios recebidos, foram realizados questionários de satisfação da qualidade dos serviços de Intervenção Precoce (I.P.) . Verificou-se que não existiam diferenças significativas nos dois grupos, relativamente ao tipo de necessidades sentidas, sendo estas comuns a todos os participantes e mesmo a famílias de crianças com outros tipos de perturbação. No entanto, foram notórias diferenças em relação à perceção dos programas de apoio e à satisfação das famílias com os mesmos. O grupo de famílias Son-Rise descreveu o programa como um apoio à família, que a envolveu e deu autonomia para a sua implementação em casa. Este grupo referiu ainda que o programa lhes proporcionou trocas de experiências com outras famílias na mesma situação e lhes deu esperança. Por outro lado, o grupo de famílias da Intervenção Precoce referiu-se ao tipo de ajuda recebido como tendo sido direcionado à criança e não à família sendo, por isso, insuficiente. Acerca da utilidade e eficácia do programa de intervenção, para o grupo de participantes Son-Rise, a ajuda que obteve do programa foi bastante útil e superou as expectativas iniciais, enquanto que, para o grupo de participantes apoiados pela Intervenção Precoce, a ajuda foi útil, mas não superou as expectativas.As expectativas apontadas pelos dois grupos de participantes centravam-se nas áreas da comunicação, da autonomia e da capacidade da criança levar uma vida normal, alcançando a felicidade e a cura total.ABSTRACT This study sought to be a contribution to understanding the needs and expectations of families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). To meet the proposed objectives we selected 10 families, which were divided into two groups of participants: families of children with ASD supported by Early Intervention (EI) teams and families of children with ASD supported by the "Son-Rise Program". The methodology used to understand the needs of families with children with ASD and the ways they respond to those needs, including initiatives in seeking information and support, was the interview. To understand the satisfaction with the support received, the participant families answered a satisfaction survey and filled an evaluation inventory of families’ needs. Results showed that in the group of families supported by the Son- Rise , needs more pointed clung to the dimensions of Information (which services they may have access in the future) Family and Social Support . In the group of families supported by the Early Intervention the needs identified were related to Information (service currently provided to the child), the Financial sector and support for the explanation of the problem to others. The group of Son- Rise families described the program as a family support, that involved and gave autonomy to implement at home. This group also noted that the program gave them exchange experiences with other families in the same situation and gave them hope. On the other hand, the group of EI families referred to the type of help received as being directed to the child and not the family and is therefore insufficient. About the usefulness and effectiveness of the intervention program, the group of Son-Rise participants, the help they got from the program was very useful and exceeded the initial expectations, while for the group of participants supported by the Early Intervention, assistance was helpful, but not exceeded the expectations. The expectations identified by the two groups of participants were focused in the areas of communication, autonomy and the child's ability to lead a normal life, achieving happiness and total healing

A review of the advances and challenges in measuring the thermal conductivity of nanofluids

Fluids containing colloidal suspensions of nanometer-sized particles (nanofluids) have been extensively investigated in recent decades with promising results. Driven by the increase in the thermal conductivity of these new thermofluids, this topic has been growing in order to improve the thermal capacity of a series of applications in the thermal area. However, when it comes to measure nanofluids (NFs) thermal conductivity, experimental results need to be carefully analyzed. Hence, in this review work, the main traditional and new techniques used to measure thermal conductivity of the NFs are presented and analyzed. Moreover, the fundamental parameters that affect the measurements of the NFs’ thermal conductivity, such as, temperature, concentration, preparation of NFs, characteristics and thermophysical properties of nanoparticles, are also discussed. In this review, the experimental methods are compared with the theoretical methods and, also, a comparison between experimental methods are made. Finally, it is expected that this review will provide a guidance to researchers interested in implementing and developing the most appropriate experimental protocol, with the aim of increasing the level of reliability of the equipment used to measure the NFs thermal conductivity.This work has been funded by Portuguese national funds of FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through the base funding from the following research units: UIDB/00532/2020, UIDB/04077/2020, UIDP/04077/2020 and UIDP/04436/2020. The authors are also grateful for the funding of FCT through the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171, PTDC/EME-TED/7801/2020, POCI-01-0145- FEDER-016861, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028159, funded by COMPETE2020, NORTE2020, PORTUGAL2020, and FEDER

Recent developments on the thermal properties, stability and applications of nanofluids in machining, solar energy and biomedicine

In this review work, the recent progress made in the use of nanofluids (NFs) applied in three specific areas will be presented: machining, solar energy, and biomedical engineering. Within this context, the discussions will be guided by emphasizing the thermal and stability properties of these fluids. In machining, NFs play a prominent role in the processes of turning, milling, drilling, and grinding, being responsible for their optimization as well as improving the useful life of the tools and reducing costs. In the solar energy field, NFs have been used in the thermal management of the panels, controlling and homogenizing the operating temperature of these systems. In the biomedical area, the advantages of using NFs come from the treatment of cancer cells, the development of vaccines before the improvement of diagnostic imaging, and many others. In all lines of research mentioned in this study, the main parameters that have limited or encouraged the use of these fluids are also identified and debated. Finally, the discussions presented in this review will inspire and guide researchers in developing new techniques to improve the applications of NFs in several fields.This research was partially funded by the Portuguese national funds of FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through the base funding from the following research units: UIDB/00690/2020 (CIMO), UIDB/04077/2020 (MEtRICs), and UIDB/00532/2020 (CEFT). The authors are also grateful for the funding of ANI and CIMO through the projects POCI-01-02B7-FEDER-069844 and CMFPE3- EXPL2021CIMO_01, respectively. The authors also acknowledge partial financial support from the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171 (PTDC/EMD-EMD/30171/2017), PTDC/EME-TED/7801/ 2020 and EXPL/EME-EME/0732/2021 funded by the NORTE 2020 Portugal Regional Operational Programme, under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)

Thermal conductivity of nanofluids: a review on prediction models, controversies and challenges

In recent years, the nanofluids (NFs) have become the main candidates for improving or even replacing traditional heat transfer fluids. The possibility of NFs to be used in various technological applications, from renewable energies to nanomedicine, has made NFs and their thermal conductivity one of the most studied topics nowadays. Hence, this review presents an overview of the most important advances and controversial results related to the NFs thermal conductivity. The different techniques used to measure the thermal conductivity of NFs are discussed. Moreover, the fundamental parameters that affect the NFs thermal conductivity are analyzed, and possible improvements are addressed, such as the increase of long-term stability of the nanoparticles (NPs).The most representative prediction classical models based on fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and experimental fittings are presented. Also, the recent statistical machine learning-based prediction models are comprehensively addressed, and the comparison with the classical empirical ones is made, whenever possible.This work has been funded by Portuguese national funds of FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through the base funding from the following research units: UIDB/00532/2020 (Transport Phenomena Research Center–CEFT), UIDB/04077/2020 (MEtRICs) and UIDP/04436/2020.The authors are also grateful for the funding of FCT through the projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016861, POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-028159, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-029394, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171, funded by COMPETE2020, NORTE2020, PORTUGAL2020, and FEDER

A review of novel heat transfer materials and fluids for aerospace applications

The issue of thermal control for space missions has been critical since the early space missions in the late 1950s. The demands in such environments are heightened, characterized by significant temperature variations and the need to manage substantial densities of heat. The current work offers a comprehensive survey of the innovative materials and thermal fluids employed in the aerospace technological area. In this scope, the materials should exhibit enhanced reliability for facing maintenance and raw materials scarcity. The improved thermophysical properties of the nanofluids increase the efficiency of the systems, allowing the mass/volume reduction in satellites, rovers, and spacecraft. Herein are summarized the main findings from a literature review of more than one hundred works on aerospace thermal management. In this sense, relevant issues in aerospace convection cooling were reported and discussed, using heat pipes and heat exchangers, and with heat transfer ability at high velocity, low pressure, and microgravity. Among the main findings, it could be highlighted the fact that these novel materials and fluids provide enhanced thermal conductivity, stability, and insulation, enhancing the heat transfer capability and preventing the malfunctioning, overheating, and degradation over time of the systems. The resulting indicators will contribute to strategic mapping knowledge and further competence. Also, this work will identify the main scientific and technological gaps and possible challenges for integrating the materials and fluids into existing systems and for maturation and large-scale feasibility for aerospace valorization and technology transfer enhancement.This work has been funded by FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through the base funding from the following research units: UIDP/50009/2020-FCT and UIDB/50009/2020-FCT, UIDB/00532/2020, LA/P/0045/2020, UIDB/04077/2020, and UIDP/04077/2020. The authors are also grateful for FCT funding through 2022. 03151.PTDC, PTDC/EME-TED/7801/2020, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016861, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028159, 2022. 02085.PTDC (https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.02085.PTDC, accessed on 25 March 2024), funded by COMPETE2020, NORTE2020, PORTUGAL2020, and FEDER. Glauco Nobrega was supported by the doctoral grant PRT/BD/153088/2021, financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the MIT Portugal Program. Pinho D. and Susana O. Catarino thank FCT for her contract funding provided through 2021.00027.CEECIND, 2020.00215.CEECIND (DOI: https://doi.org/10.54499/2020.00215.CEECIND/CP1600/CT0009, accessed on 25 March 2024), respectively. The authors are also grateful to the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Avenida D. Carlos I, 126, 1249–074 Lisboa, Portugal, for partially financing the Project “Estratégias interfaciais de arrefecimento para tecnologias de conversão com elevadas potências de dissipação”, ref. PTDC/EMETED/7801/2020, Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e o Desenvolvimento (IST-ID). José Pereira also acknowledges FCT for his PhD fellowship (Ref. 2021. 05830.BD). The authors are also grateful for FCT funding through 2022.03151.PTD and LA/P/0083/2020 IN + -IST-ID. The authors are also grateful for FCT funding through 2022.03151.PTD and LA/P/0083/2020 IN + -IST-ID and through UIPD/50009/2020-FCT and UIDB/50009—FCT. Ana Moita also acknowledges FCT for partially financing her contract through CEECINST/00043/2021/CP2797/CT0005, doi:https://doi.org/10.54499/CEECINST/00043/2021/CP2797/CT0005, accessed on 25 March 2024. The authors also acknowledge Exército Português for their support through projects CINAMIL Desenvolvimento de Sistemas de Gestão Térmica e Climatização de equipamento NBQ and COOLUAV—Sistema de arrefecimento da componente eletrónica e baterias em veículos militares não tripulados

Reaction of sweet potato genotypes to the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica).

The objective of this work was to characterize the resistance level of one Embrapa pre-commercial genotype of sweet potato to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica

Fontes orgânicas de nutrientes em sistemas de produção de batata.

Nos últimos anos, diminuiu muito o número de bataticultores na região da Quarta Colônia, no centro do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), devido ao elevado risco econômico na produção da batata. A partir de uma demanda da Associação dos Produtores de Batata da Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul (ASBAT), foram instalados experimentos visando a avaliar, técnica e economicamente, fontes orgânicas alternativas à adubação mineral tradicional dos produtores de batata, objetivando diminuir os custos de produção e o impacto do seu cultivo no ambiente. Foram estabelecidas rotações envolvendo culturas comerciais e plantas de cobertura de solo para o cultivo da batata na safra e na safrinha. As fontes de nutrientes foram camas de frango e de suínos e adubo mineral tradicionalmente utilizado pelos bataticultores. Os resultados mostraram que a utilização de fontes orgânicas de nutrientes no cultivo da batata é uma alternativa viável técnica e economicamente. Contudo, sua eficiência pode ser maximizada quando associada com a adubação mineral, especialmente para aumentar a quantidade de nitrogênio disponível desde o início do ciclo da cultura e isso é particularmente importante quando do uso da cama de suínos. A cama de frango, por conter maior quantidade de nutrientes, é uma alternativa melhor do que a cama de suínos, tanto técnica quanto economicamente

Numerical optimization of a microchannel geometry for nanofluid flow and heat dissipation assessment

In this study, a numerical approach was carried out to analyze the effects of different geometries of microchannel heat sinks on the forced convective heat transfer in single-phase flow. The simulations were performed using the commercially available software COMSOLMultiphysics 5.6® (Burlington, MA, USA) and its results were compared with those obtained from experimental tests performed in microchannel heat sinks of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Distilled water was used as the working fluid under the laminar fluid flow regime, with a maximum Reynolds number of 293. Three sets of geometries were investigated: rectangular, triangular and circular. The different configurations were characterized based on the flow orientation, type of collector and number of parallel channels. The main results show that the rectangular shaped collector was the one that led to a greater uniformity in the distribution of the heat transfer in the microchannels. Similar results were also obtained for the circular shape. For the triangular geometry, however, a disturbance in the jet impingement was observed, leading to the least uniformity. The increase in the number of channels also enhanced the uniformity of the flow distribution and, consequently, improved the heat transfer performance, which must be considered to optimize new microchannel heat sink designs. The achieved optimized design for a heat sink, with microchannels for nanofluid flow and a higher heat dissipation rate, comprised a rectangular collector with eight microchannels and vertical placement of the inlet and outlet.This work has been funded by Portuguese national funds of FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through base funding from the following research units: UIDB/00532/2020 (Transport Phenomena Research Center-CEFT), UIDB/04077/2020 (MEtRICs) and UIDP/04436/2020. The authors are also grateful for the funding of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia-FCT through the projectsLISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-030171/NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171 (PTDC/EMESIS/30171/2017), funded by COMPETE2020, NORTE2020, PORTUGAL2020, and FEDER. The authors also acknowledge FCT for partially financing the research under the framework of the project JICAM/0003/2017. Finally, I. Gonçalves acknowledges FCT for supporting her PhD fellowship, ref.: 2020.08646.B

Organ-on-a-chip platforms for drug screening and delivery in tumor cells: a systematic review

The development of cancer models that rectify the simplicity of monolayer or static cell cultures physiologic microenvironment and, at the same time, replicate the human system more accurately than animal models has been a challenge in biomedical research. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices are a solution that has been explored over the last decade. The combination of microfluidics and cell culture allows the design of a dynamic microenvironment suitable for the evaluation of treatments’ efficacy and effects, closer to the response observed in patients. This systematic review sums the studies from the last decade, where OoC with cancer cell cultures were used for drug screening assays. The studies were selected from three databases and analyzed following the research guidelines for systematic reviews proposed by PRISMA. In the selected studies, several types of cancer cells were evaluated, and the majority of treatments tested were standard chemotherapeutic drugs. Some studies reported higher drug resistance of the cultures on the OoC devices than on 2D cultures, which indicates the better resemblance to in vivo conditions of the former. Several studies also included the replication of the microvasculature or the combination of different cell cultures. The presence of vasculature can influence positively or negatively the drug efficacy since it contributes to a greater diffusion of the drug and also oxygen and nutrients. Co-cultures with liver cells contributed to the evaluation of the systemic toxicity of some drugs metabolites. Nevertheless, few studies used patient cells for the drug screening assays.This work has been supported by the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171 (project reference PTDC/EME-SIS/30171/2017), NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-029394 (project reference PTDC/EMDEMD/29394/2017), through the COMPETE2020, the Lisb@2020, the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte–Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), and through FEDER and FCT, project references EXPL/EMD-EMD/0650/2021 and PTDC/EEI-EEE/2846/2021. The authors also acknowledge the partial financial support within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, UIDB/04077/2020, UIDB/00690/2020, UIDB/04436/2020. This work was also funded by AMED-CREST Grant Number JP20gm1310001h0002. Raquel O. Rodrigues (R.O.R.) thanks FCT for her contract funding provided through 2020.03975.CEECIND

Influência da parte da haste na propagação rápida da mandioca

A study was carried out in order to determine the influence of cuttings from different parts of the main stem (basal, medium and apical) of two cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta Crantz), on their germination and number of sprouts. The experimental design was the split-plot with five replications. The best results were obtained with the medium and basal cuttings, but even the apical ones could be used in substitution for the usual method. There was no significant difference between the cultivars used.Foram feitos estudos sobre a brotação e número de cortes, utilizando-se manivas de diferentes partes de haste principal de duas cultivares de mandioca, (Manihot esculenta Crantz) multiplicadas através de propagação rápida. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas e cinco repetições, tendo nas parcelas principais duas cultivares (BGM-2 e BGM-116), e nas subparcelas três diferentes partes da haste (inferior, média e apical). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que quando se utiliza o terço apical da haste principal da planta, a brotação e o número de brotos por estaca diminuem, mas sua utilização mostrou-se viável para este tipo de propagação, quando comparado com o método tradicional. Não foram observadas diferenças entre cultivares, no que diz respeito à percentagem de germinação e número de cortes