Assessing Algorithmic Thinking Skills in Early Childhood Education

This chapter presents part of a wider project aimed at developing computational thinking assessment instruments for first and second grade primary school students. The applicability of the specific proposed tool, which concerns merely the algorithmic thinking (AT), was tested within the Environmental Study course (ESc). The main pillar of the work is the computational environment PhysGramming. The assessment of AT was based on mental tasks involving puzzles which require AT abilities. The AT test comprised of four puzzles with 4, 6, 9, and 12 pieces respectively, and the puzzle-solving performance was measured at the nominal level (success/failure). Latent class analysis (LCA), a robust multivariate method for categorical data, was implemented, which distinguished two clusters/latent classes corresponding to two distinct levels of AT. Moreover, LCA with covariates, such as gender, grade, achievement in ESc, and the use of plan revealed the association of the above variables with the AT skill-levels. Finally, the results and their implications for theory and practice are discussed.

As Unidades de Paisagem no município de Areado, sul de Minas Gerais: uma proposta de estudo ambiental integrado a partir da concepção geossistêmica

A paisagem se apresenta como uma unidade de investigação de significativa importância no que tange aos estudos ambientais. Dessa forma, o agrupamento de suas variáveis em unidades pode avultar como estratégia metodológica para compreensão das estruturas e dinâmicas espaciais, e nesse sentido a concepção geossistêmica, aqui trabalhada segundo os pressupostos russo-soviéticos, fornece o aporte teórico-metodológico adequado. Desse modo, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo interpretar, classificar, cartografar e discutir os aspectos estruturais da paisagem no município de Areado (sul de Minas Gerais) a partir da abordagem geossistêmica. Para tal, foi necessário por intermédio do Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) reunir um banco de dados com variáveis chave e complementares, que se referem às seguintes variáveis: solo, geologia, unidades geomorfológicas, uso e cobertura da terra. Tais variáveis foram individualizadas em grupos de fácies segundo a proposta de hierarquização dos geossistemas de Sochava (1977,1978). Dessa forma, obteve-se 14 tipologias geossistêmicas que representam em grande parte a estrutura da paisagem, reunidos em duas classes de fácies, que retratam as principais organizações geomorfológicas regionais definidas pelas superfícies altimontanas e intermontanas. Os resultados obtidos podem subsidiar diretamente programas de planejamento territorial e governança do patrimônio ambiental, garantindo a manutenção dos serviços ambientais existentes e orientando da forma mais parcimoniosa possível os usos econômicos do espaço. The Landscape Units in the municipality of Areado, south of Minas Gerais: a proposal for an integrated environmental study from the geosystemic conception A B S T R A C TThe landscape presentes itself as an investigation unity of significant importance with regard to environmental studies. Thus, the grouping of its variables into units can enlarge as a methodological strategy towards the comprehension of the spacial structures and dynamics, and in this sense the geosystemic conception, considereded here according to the Russian-Soviet assumptions, provides the appropriate theoretical and methodological support. Thereby, this present research aims to interpret, classify, map, discuss the structural aspects of the landscape in the municipality of Areado (south of Minas Gerais) from the geosystemic approach. For that purpose, it was necessary through the Geographic Information System (GIS) to gather a database with key and complementary variables, which refer to the following variables: soil, geology, geomorphological units, land use cover. Such variables were individualized in groups of facies according to the geosystems hierarchization proposal of Sochava (1977, 1978). Thus, fourteen geosystemic typologies were obtained, which largely represent the landscape structure, gathered in two classes of facies, that retract the main regional geomorphological organizations defined by the altimontana and intermontana surfaces. The obtained results may directly subsidize programs of territorial planning and governance of environmental heritage, ensuring the maintenance of existing environmental services and guiding in the most parsimonious way possible the economic uses of space.Key words: landscape, geosystem, environmental analysis, management, planning.

AMINO ACID COMPOSITION AND ANTI-TYROSINASE ACTIVITY OF METABOLITES FROM EDIBLE Pleurotus SPECIES FOR THEIR NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Mushrooms are being extensively researched due to their nutritional value and medicinal importance. The genus Pleurotus is the second most cultivated mushroom and is known for its high nutritional value, therapeutic properties, taste, flavor, as well as their application in biotechnology and environmental study. Also, tyrosinase is prevalent in most living organisms. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of monophenols to ortho-quinones in a two-step reaction process. This study was aimed to assess the amino acid composition and anti-tyrosinase activity of metabolites obtained from edible Pleurotus species. Assessment of the nutritional content and inhibitory studies of mushroom tyrosinase produced from four Pleurotus strains was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The results of the study showed that seventeen different amino acids were identified in the crude and partially purified protein metabolites. Also, the crude extract metabolite had the highest quantity of amino acids than the partially purified. The highest and lowest amino acids value Glutamic acid (1343.26 µmol/mL) and valine (0.34 µmol/mL). The anti-tyrosinase inhibition studies of the four Pleurotus strains showed varying results from significantly inhibitory effects to slightly inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase. The highest inhibition was 14.86% (Pleu-W), while the lowest inhibition was 51.42% (Plof-30) respectively. The high point of this study is that the Pleurotus species contains a significant number of amino acids and also, they possess good anti-tyrosinase activity. Therefore, these are a good source of nutritional and therapeutic metabolites and these can be explored further for their nutritional and medicinal importance to man.

Improvements of 210Po determination method in thermal water samples

Determination of naturally radionuclides have been known well as an important topic in environmental study in recently. One of the most toxic radioisotope in nature, a daughter product of 238U decay chain is 210Po (polonium). The improvement and optimizations methods for determination of this attractive isotope are still presenting so far. In this paper, a new improved method was elaborated for 210Po determination in thermal water sample. In the proposed method, analytical optimization of spontaneous/auto deposition does not use Teflon cup, magnetic stirring or any preparing equipment/item only normal glass and a side of square silver. In addition, the optimization was neglected with absent of purification of polonium (Liquid-liquid extraction methods/Ion exchange chromatography/Extraction chromatographic separations). The outcome of optimal procedure were simplify, less time consuming, great reduction of costs with chemical recovery >80% and could apply for any liquid environmental samples.

Prevalence, Genetic Structure, and Antifungal Susceptibility of the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii Species Complex Strains Collected from the Arboreal Niche in Poland

Fungi belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex (CNGSC) are etiological agents of serious and not infrequently fatal infections in both humans and animals. Trees are the main ecological niche and source of potential exposition concerning these pathogens. With regard to epidemiology of cryptococcosis, various surveys were performed worldwide, enabling the establishment of a map of distribution and genetic structure of the arboreal population of the CNGSC. However, there are regions, among them Central and Eastern Europe, in which the data are lacking. The present study shows the results of such an environmental study performed in Wrocław, Poland. The CNGSC strains were detected in 2.2% of the tested trees belonging to four genera. The obtained pathogen population consisted exclusively of C. neoformans, represented by both the major molecular type VNI and VNIV. Within the tested group of isolates, resistance to commonly used antimycotics was not found, except for 5-fluorocytosine, in which about 5% of the strains were classified as a non-wild type.

Hydrological and Environmental Study on Surface Water Characterization in a Locality in North Eastern India

Rapid industrialization, road cutting, excavation and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture practices are causing varied pollution in aquatic environment, leading to deterioration of water quality and depletion of aquatic biota. Due to use of this contaminated water, human population suffers from various water borne diseases. It is therefore necessary to check water quality at a regular interval of time to determine whether it is good for consumption or other purpose such as irrigation, industrialization etc. In this study paper, hydrological and environmental characterization of surface water was done by different water quality parameters conducted in water samples at Kamle District of Arunachal Pradesh, India, reported for both pre- and post-monsoon periods. The physical and chemical water parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total dissolved solids, nitrate, and phosphate were analyzed and are studied. Water quality index was then determined by using National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) method. Based on these data, the surface water from different sources is classified as unacceptable, poor, medium, good and excellent.

Environmental Amelioration Through Nutrient Calibration: Maximizing Carbon Sequestration in Hydroponic Greenhouse Production of Lactuca Sativa in Lahore’s Spring

This study explores the applicability of internationally prescribed nutrient recipes to greenhouse hydroponic production in Lahore. Lactuca sativa was hydroponically grown at different nutrient concentrations to uncover optimum nutrition for maximum foliage cover. Conclusions were based on visual analysis of foliage cover, as laboratory analysis of trial plants was beyond the scope of this environmental study. Nutrient levels that displayed the best foliage cover in Lahore-based greenhouse during spring weather were different from concentrations kept in US- or Europe-based hydroponic greenhouses. Plant trials conducted for this article explain the adjustments that must be made to hydroponic recipes discussed in international literature; if they are to be used in polyhouse hydroponic production in Lahore’s warmer climate.

A Research on Polyamide6.6/Polyurethane Blends in Finishing Process Which Are Used for Sportswear

In this work, softeners obtained from various companies were applied to the polyamide6.6/polyurethane fabrics which are used in sportswear industry using impregnation and exhaustion methods; water vapor permeability were determined for humidity control, air permeability and capillarity tests of these fabrics were studied. In addition, the wool hydrolysate obtained from the waste wool was also applied to these fabrics by using exhaustion method and the fabric properties were compared. In order to investigate the washing resistance of the process, experiments were performed with 1% and 3% potassium aluminum sulfate KAl(SO₄)2 and aluminum sulfate Al2(SO4) under the same conditions. The chemical and morphological surface properties of the fabrics were examined by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was observed that the capillarity, water vapor and air permeability, and handle values of fabrics treated with wool hydrolysate were better and more resistant to consecutive washings than the fabrics treated with commercial recipes. Furthermore, this process did not have a side effect on the color difference and whiteness values of the fabrics treated with wool hydrolysate. Thus, an example of sustainable, economical and environmental study was done.