**2. Materials and Methods**

The coatings were deposited by magnetron sputtering in the direct current mode. The sputtered composite target TaZrSiB—with element composition of 70.8 wt.% Ta, 18.6 wt.% Si, 7.4 wt.% Zr, and 2.9 wt.% B, and phase composition of TaSi2-Ta3B4-(Ta,Zr)B2, 120 mm diameter, and 6 mm thickness—was produced by hot pressing on DSP-515 SA installation ("Dr. Fritsch", Germany). The feedstock powders for hot pressing were fabricated by the ball-milling of the combustion products of a reactive mixture of Ta, Zr, Si, and B. The details of the combustion synthesis protocol can be found elsewhere [31].

VK-100-1 grade alumina plates (99.7% Al2O3, JSC Policor, Kineshma, Ivanovo region, Russia), and alumina discs VOK (VNIITS, Russia) and VT-1-0-grade (OAO Conmet, Moscow, Russia) were used as the substrates. Before deposition, the substrates were ultrasonically cleaned in isopropanol at a frequency of 22 kHz for 5 min using the UZDN-2T installation (JSC «UKRROSPRIBOR», Ukraine). Additional cleaning via ion etching was performed right before the coating deposition using the slit-type ion source (Ar+ ions, 2 keV) for 20 min. The coatings were deposited under the following conditions: 80 mm distance between the substrate and the target, 10−3 Pa residual pressure, and 0.1–0.2 Pa working pressure in the vacuum chamber. Ar (99.9995%) was used as the working gas, as well as its mixtures with N2 (99,999%) and C2H4 (99.95%). The gas flow rate (Table 1) was controlled by the gas supply system ELTOCHPRIBOR, LTD (Moscow, Russia). The constant current (1 kW power) was supplied to the magnetron using Pinnacle+ source (Advanced Energy, Fort Collins, CO, USA) during the whole deposition duration (40 min). Experiments were conducted without applying a bias voltage to the substrate. The schematics of the installation are given in the work [32].

**Table 1.** Composition, thickness, and deposition rate of coatings.

The elemental composition and structure of coatings were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using the S-3400 microscope (Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) equipped with the energy dispersive spectroscopy add-on (EDS) Noran-7 Thermo. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was performed on a D2 Phaser Bruker diffractometer using CuKα radiation. Elemental distribution profiles across the thickness of the coating were studied by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) using Profiler 2 installation ("Horiba Jobin Yvon", Longjumeau, France). Studies of the fine structure were performed using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR TEM) JEM-2100 Jeol. The foils for HR TEM were prepared using the ion-beam etching unit PIPS II System (Gatan, Pleasanton, CA, USA) and FIB (FEI Quanta 200 3D FIB instrument, Hillsboro, OR, USA). The coatings' mechanical properties were tested at a load of 2 mN on a nano-hardness tester (CSM Instruments, Peuseux, Switzerland) equipped with a Berkovich indenter. The tribological performance of the coatings was tested on an automated friction machine Tribometer (CSM Instruments) using a «pin-on-disc» scheme and a normal load of 1 N. Balls (d = 6 mm) made of alumina (hardness 19 GPa) and 100Cr6 grade steel (hardness of 8 GPa) were used as the counterparts for tribological experiments. Wear tracks were studied using an optical profiler Wyko-1100NT (Veeco, Plainview, NY, USA). To assess the coatings oxidation resistance, step-by-step annealing was performed in the air in a muffle furnace SNOL 7.2/1200 (Umega, Ukmerge, Lithuania) with a step of 200 ◦C, a maximum temperature of 1200 ◦C, and 1 h exposure. The specimens were inserted into a furnace heated to a given temperature T, dwelled during 1 h in the air, and afterward ejected from the furnace and cooled to 20 ◦C. The temperature was increased using 200 ◦C steps, and 1000 ◦C was the highest temperature the coatings could endure for 1 h without complete oxidation. At 1200 ◦C, all coatings were completely oxidized after 1 h long experiment; therefore, the oxidation duration for the test at this temperature was decreased to 10 min. Annealed coatings were studied by SEM and EDS. A more detailed description of the employed methods and equipment can be found elsewhere [33].


**4. Pilot Project in Antwerp**

An important issue is the conversion of the results obtained in the laboratory to real applications. In order to see the influence of photocatalytic pavements in "real conditions", a first pilot section of 10.000 m² of photocatalytic pavement blocks was constructed in 2004–2005 on the parking lanes of a main axe in Antwerp [2]. Figure 5 depicts a view of the parking lane, where the photocatalytic concrete pavement blocks have been applied. Only the wearing layer (upper 5–6 mm) of the blocks contains anatase TiO2 mixed in the mass of the concrete layer. The exact composition could not be given by the manufacturer (Marlux, Tessenderlo, Belgium) at that time in view of confidentiality. In spite of the fact that the surface applied on the Leien of Antwerp is quite important, one has to notice the relatively small width of the photocatalytic parking lanes in comparison with the total street: 2 × 4.5 m *versus* a total width of 60 m.

**Figure 5.** Separate parking lanes at the Leien of Antwerp with photocatalytic pavement blocks.

In order to check the durability of the photocatalytic efficiency, pavement blocks were taken from the lane after different periods of exposure and measured in the laboratory with and without washing of the surface. Some of the results are presented in Figure 6. They indicate a good durability of the efficiency towards NO*x* abatement. The deposition of pollutants on the surface leads to a decrease in efficiency which can be regained after washing. Recently repeated measurements in 2010 indicate that even after more than five years of service life, the photocatalytic efficiency of the pavers is still present [22].

Besides the tests in the lab, on site measurements were also carried out. Since no reference measurements without photocatalytic material (prior to the application) exist, the interpretation of these results is rather difficult. Especially the influence of traffic, wind speed, light intensity and relative humidity are playing an important role. Detailed results can be found in [2]. In brief, the field measurements suggested a decrease in NO*x* concentration at the sites with photocatalytic materials, where a levelling out of the pollution peaks is visible. In any case, precaution has to be taken with the interpretation of data since these results are momentary and limited over time. However, at least, they gave an indication of the efficiency of the photocatalytic pavement materials *in situ*, and a basis to work on for future applications.

**Figure 6.** NO*x* reduction measured on two pavement blocks, before (hatched) and after (colored) washing the surface, taken on different locations (house nr. 30, 35, 37, 42, 48, 53) and at different times at the Amerikalei in Antwerp.


**Occupational Therapy in Autism**

Gonca Bumin, Meral Huri, Sinem Salar and Hulya Kayihan

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/59168

#### **1. Introduction**

Autism, a developmental disability, is defined by behavioural characteristics. Primary features of autism are described as problems in language skills, plays and social interaction [1]. It is considered a spectrum disorder, as the abilities of children with autism may very greatly from one child to another [2]. Symptoms begin during early childhood and distinctive incompetence and limited, repetitive behaviours are seen in socio-communicative field. In addition to these primary features, individuals with autism generally have sensory processing and sensory integration dysfunction, which affect adaptive behaviour and participating daily activities. Many children with autism are unable to register many of the sensations from their environ‐ ment. They cannot integrate those sensations to form a clear perception of space. Atypical sensory registration and orientation can interfere with the processes of inhibition and facili‐ tation in sensory systems. Some self-stimulatory behaviour is the expression of a sensory need in children with autism. Assessing sensory integrative functioning in children with autism is critical for planning and implementing effective intervention in occupational therapy [3-5]. As far as motor functions are concerned, motor impairments have been reported in children with autism. The studies shown that problems are observed in coordination, posture and balance control, locomotion and motor preparation in individuals with autism [6-10].

Due to sensory integration dysfunction, individuals with autism have difficulty fulfilling the roles they are expected to accomplish in their life and they can display behaviours that can hinder their participation in daily life. The primary aim of occupational therapy practices is to ensure that the individuals with autism participate in communal life through minimiz‐ ing the difficulties in the daily activities they experience at home, school or in communal life and maximizing their independency. Occupational therapists believe that the individu‐ al with autism's community participation can be increased through their participation in

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meaningful and purposeful activities they have in their daily roles and aims to achieve. They also make use of client-centred and holistic therapeutic interventions both in analysing and evaluating the problems which individuals with autism face and in their treatment and support system.

Occupational therapy interventions, which are designed according to standardized assess‐ ment tests, questionnaires, skilled observations, provide considerable advantage in dealing with the problems individuals with autism and their families face in daily life.

This chapter will give information on standardized assessment tests and practices applied in occupational therapy interventions such as sensory integration therapy, auditory integration training, activities of daily living training, play therapy, social skills training, cognitive behavioural therapy, school based intervention, recreational activities and sports and voca‐ tional rehabilitation.