Creativity, concept maps and TIC in education

Los mapas conceptuales, además de ser unas herramientas que nos permiten representar el conocimiento de manera gráfica y fomentar los aprendizajes, también pueden desarrollar la creatividad. En este trabajo mostramos diferentes relaciones existentes entre el proceso de construcción de mapas conceptuales y la creatividad humana. También se resalta la importancia del aprendizaje significativo y se profundiza en los diferentes principios que guían la creación de mapas conceptuales. Finalmente se presenta el software Cmaptools como una herramienta a tener en cuenta en los centros educativos ya que su utilización planificada puede tener resultados significativos en la mejora de los aprendizajes.Concept maps besides being tools that allow us to represent graphically the knowledge and encourage learning, can also develop creativity. In this paper we show different relationships between the process of concept map construction and human creativity. It also highlights the importance of meaningful learning and explores the different principles that guide the creation of conceptual maps. Finally the CmapTools software is presented as a tool to consider in education and because it´s use can have significant results in improving learning

Integration of ICT, metacognitive tools and research in science and environmental education. Case study: availability of water, from basin of Patagonia northwestern and its relationship with solar activity

Este trabajo muestra una innovación educativa desarrollada en una escuela agrotécnica que participa en redes colaborativas internacionales de educación ambiental como The GLOBE Program y Environment On-Line que se basan en la realización de mediciones ambientales, investigación y comunicación utilizando las TIC. Para el análisis de la información, el procesamiento, el diseño y ejecución de la investigación los alumnos utilizaron herramientas metacognitivas (mapas conceptuales y la UVE de Gowin). Luego elaboraron una presentación multimedia para difundir su investigación. Se realiza una encuesta sobre la metodología de trabajo empleada y se analizan los resultados obtenidos en cuanto a habilidades y conocimientos adquiridos en el trabajo de investigación.This work shows an educational innovation developed in an agrotechnical school, involved collaborative international networks, of environmental education, as The GLOBE Program and Environment On-Line which are based on the realization of environmental measurements, research and communication using ICT. For data analysis, processing, design and execution of research, students used metacognitive tools (concept maps and Gowinʼs Vee). After, they developed a multimedia presentation to disseminate their research. We performed a survey on the methodology employed and analyzed the results in terms of skills and gained knowledge during the research work

Exploración de preconceptos : comparación de la información proporcionada por mapas conceptuales y gráficos

Se realiza una exploración de preconceptos, en alumnos de nivel medio de una escuela agrotécnica, previamente a la enseñanza del tema poblaciones de sal mónidos, necesidades de hábitat y su uso sustentable. Para realizar la exploración se re alizan preguntas y se anotan los conceptos en el pizarrón. Con estos conceptos cada alumno realiza un mapa conceptua l. También se cuenta el número de conceptos utilizados en los mapas conceptuales y se realizan gráficos. Se compara la información que proporcionan al profesor ambas herramientas ( mapas conceptuales y gráficos) en la exploración de preconceptos.An exploratory study on students' preconcepts was carried out in a sec ondary level agrotechnical school before teaching the subject salmonid populations, habit at needs and their sustainable use. In order to do that questions were posed to the students a nd their answers were placed in the blackboard. Then each student drew a concept map with the concepts us ed in the answers. In addition, the number of concepts was taken into account and some graphics we re drawn. Finally, a comparison was made between these tools (concept maps and graphics) r egarding the information they provide to the teacher about students' previous knowledge

Exploración de preconceptos: comparación de la información proporcionada por mapas conceptuales y gráficos

Se realiza una exploración de preconceptos, en alumnos de nivel medio de una escuela agrotécnica, previamente a la enseñanza del tema poblaciones de salmónidos, necesidades de hábitat y su uso sustentable. Para realizar la exploración se realizan preguntas y se anotan los conceptos en el pizarrón. Con estos conceptos cada alumno realiza un mapa conceptual. También se cuenta el número de conceptos utilizados en los mapas conceptuales y se realizan gráficos. Se compara la información que proporcionan al profesor ambas herramientas (mapas conceptuales y gráficos) en la exploración de preconceptos

Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Bacterial Detection in the Dairy Industry

[EN] This article discusses the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate classification methods for detecting bacterial contamination in milk in the dairy industry. In the first experiment, the study found that NIR was accurate and reliable in detecting the presence of biofilms in milk. Our results showed that the technology was effective in distinguishing between contaminated and uncontaminated samples with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) greater than 99%. It was also effective in classifying the samples belonging to different strains. In a second experiment, we used the same methodology to assess their effectiveness in detecting bacterial contamination proportions in milk. Our results showed that the technology was effective in classifying milk samples contaminated with four different bacteria and uncontaminated controls with an AUC greater than 97%. Moreover, results were still good when data from all bacteria were analyzed together, even at low bacterial concentrations, obtaining an average precision of 70%. These results demonstrate the potential of this technology to be used as a rapid and accurate method for identifying bacterial contamination in the dairy sector.SIPrincipado de Asturia

Microwave-assisted extraction of phenolic acids and flavonoids and production of antioxidant ingredients from tomato: a nutraceutical-oriented optimization study

The production of natural extracts requires suitable processing conditions to maximize the preservation of the bioactive ingredients. Herein, a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process was optimized, by means of response surface methodology (RSM), to maximize the recovery of phenolic acids and flavonoids and obtain antioxidant ingredients from tomato. A 5-level full factorial Box-Behnken design was successfully implemented for MAE optimization, in which the processing time (t), temperature (T), ethanol concentration (Et) and solid/liquid ratio (S/L) were relevant independent variables. The proposed model was validated based on the high values of the adjusted coefficient of determination and on the non-significant differences between experimental and predicted values. The global optimum processing conditions (t=20 min; T=180 ºC; Et=0 %; and S/L=45 g/L) provided tomato extracts with high potential as nutraceuticals or as active ingredients in the design of functional foods. Additionally, the round tomato variety was highlighted as a source of added-value phenolic acids and flavonoids.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2014), REQUIMTE (UID/QUI/50006/2013 - POCI/01/0145/FERDER/007265), J. Pinela (SFRH/BD/92994/2013) and L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015); FCT/MEC and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to LSRE (UID/EQU/50020/2013), and to QREN, ON2 and FEDER (NORTE-07-0162-FEDER-000050); to the Xunta de Galicia for financial support for the post-doctoral researcher of M.A. Prieto

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants from a surplus tomato crop by response surface methodology

Tomato is the second most important vegetable crop worldwide and a rich source of industrially interesting antioxidants. Hence, the microwave-assisted extraction of hydrophilic (H) and lipophilic (L) antioxidants from a surplus tomato crop was optimized using response surface methodology. The relevant independent variables were temperature (T), extraction time (t), ethanol concentration (Et) and solid/liquid ratio (S/L). The concentration-time response methods of crocin and β-carotene bleaching were applied, since they are suitable in vitro assays to evaluate the antioxidant activity of H and L matrices, respectively. The optimum operating conditions that maximized the extraction were as follows: t, 2.25 min; T, 149.2 ºC; Et, 99.1 %; and S/L, 45.0 g/L for H antioxidants; and t, 15.4 min; T, 60.0 ºC; Et, 33.0 %; and S/L, 15.0 g/L for L antioxidants. This industrial approach indicated that surplus tomatoes possess a high content of antioxidants, offering an alternative source for obtaining natural value-added compounds. Additionally, by testing the relationship between the polarity of the extraction solvent and the antioxidant activity of the extracts in H and L media (polarity-activity relationship), useful information for the study of complex natural extracts containing components with variable degrees of polarity was obtained.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2014), REQUIMTE (UID/QUI/50006/2013) and J. Pinela (SFRH/BD/92994/2013); to FCT/MEC and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to LSRE (UID/EQU/50020/2013), and to QREN, ON2 and FEDER (Project NORTE-07-0162-FEDER-000050); to the Xunta de Galicia for financial support for the post-doctoral researcher of M.A. Prieto

Ellagitannin-rich bioactive extracts of Tuberaria lignosa: insights into the radiation-induced effects in the recovery of high added-value compounds

Ellagitannins are polyphenols responsible for a number of bioactivities and health-promoting effects. These industrially important molecules can be affected by post-harvest treatments and recovery processes, but little is known about the irradiation-induced effects on their integrity, bioactivity and extractability. Herein, the impact of gamma radiation on the production of ellagitannin-rich extracts was investigated using Tuberaria lignosa as a case study. These effects were compared with those induced in flavonoids and organic acids. The extracts were particularly rich in hydrophilic antioxidants (measured by in vitro assays). The recovery of different phytochemicals was favoured by longer extraction times. Ellagitannins (mainly punicalagin derivatives) were extracted better from samples irradiated at 5 kGy and were not significantly affected by the 10 kGy dose. However, the total contents of flavonoids and organic acids were decreased by the consequent increase in irradiation dose. Therefore, this study supports the use of gamma radiation for processing T. lignosa, aiming to obtain ellagitannin-rich bioactive extracts.The authors are grateful to the PRODER research project no. 53514 AROMAP for financial support of the work; to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013); to FCT/MEC for financial support to REQUIMTE/LAQV (UID/QUI/50006/2013 - POCI/01/ 0145/FERDER/007265); to FCT for the grants attributed to J. Pinela (SFRH/BD/92994/2013; funded by the European Social Fund and MEC through Programa Operacional Capital Humano (POCH)) and L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015); to the Xunta de Galicia for financial support to M. A. Prietoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cold extraction of phenolic compounds from watercress by high hydrostatic pressure: Process modelling and optimization

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) was applied to the extraction of phenolic compounds from watercress (Nasturtium officinale). The process was optimized by response surface methodology using a five-level central composite design combining the independent variables of processing time (t, 1.5–33.5 min), pressure (P, 0.1–600 MPa) and solvent (S, 0–100% of ethanol, v/v). The individual and grouped phenolic compounds, analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, and the extraction yield were used as response variables. The theoretical models were fitted to the experimental data, statistically validated, and used in the prediction and optimization steps. The optimal HHP conditions for the extraction of phenolic compounds were: t = 3.1 min, P = 600 MPa and S = 100%, and originated 64.68 ± 2.97 mg/g of extract. This study highlighted the HHP as a promising technology to cold extract phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids) from watercress in a selective way using a green solvent and reduced extraction times.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Valorisation of tomato wastes for development of nutrient-rich antioxidant ingredients: A sustainable approach towards the needs of the today's society

Nutrient-rich antioxidant ingredients were produced from tomato fruit wastes using a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process. Different conditions of extraction time (t), temperature (T), ethanol concentration (Et) and solid/liquid ratio (S/L) were combined in a circumscribed central composite design and optimized by response surface methodology. The model was statistically validated and used for prediction in the experimental range. Under the global optimal MAE conditions (t = 20 min, T = 180 °C, Et = 47.4% and S/L = 45 g/L), it was possible to obtain an extraction yield of 75.5% and ingredients with high levels of sugars, proteins, phenolics, and flavonoids, and interesting antioxidant properties measured via ABTS[rad] + scavenging activity and oxidative haemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was lower compared to the one of commercial food additives. However, the sustainably developed ingredients may be used in the fortification and functionalisation of food, as well as for incorporation in feed products. Industrial relevance This study addresses current needs of the agri-food sector, namely the recycling of plant wastes and production of valuable extracts for the food/feed industry. A MAE process was developed and optimized to maximize the recovery of nutrients and antioxidants from tomato fruit wastes. The optimum processing conditions established in this study allowed a high extraction yield and reduced solvent consumption. MAE can be considered as a sustainable alternative to conventional extraction methods. These findings will contribute to promote a more sustainable bioeconomy in the agro-food sector.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio