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The commitment to a more sustainable world in social and environmental terms requires product design and development (PDD) models that will help achieve this goal. Based on a dialogue between theory and practice, this paper presents the reflections that led to such a sociotechnical model, including its main principles: Ergonomics Quality in Design (EQUID) 4.0. It is grounded on a broad concept of ergonomics and human factors (E/HF), going beyond the traditional, narrow view of E/HF in PDD. EQUID 2.0 included the organisational dimension in the design process but left its role only in the immediate sphere of product design. EQUID 4.0 recognises that E/HF quality in the design process depends on a higher level, i.e. the organisation itself and integrates the contributions of preceding versions in an expanded E/HF concept: one that proposes that E/HF should always include not just the social but also the environmental dimension of sustainability. THEORETICAL RELEVANCE: If a tool or method that aims to contribute to inserting E/HF into production spheres is to be proposed, there is a need to establish a conceptual framework derived from a dialogue between E/HF theory and practice in relation to quality, sustainability, and product design and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, partial reductive amination of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with gaseous ammonia over iridium supported on γ‐Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2 and carbon has been studied. The influence of the support and pressure was investigated in the valorization under mild conditions of HMF to 5‐(aminomethyl)‐2‐furanmethanol (AMFM). The catalysts were characterized by TEM, SEM‐EDS, N2 sorption Isotherms, TGA, CO‐Chemisorption, TPR, XRD, NH3‐TPD, ICP‐AES and XPS. The maximum activity and high rates were obtained for all catalytic systems. At 50 minutes of the reaction the Ir/C catalyst achieved 93 % of conversion and exhibited the highest yield and selectivity of 92 % and 99 % respectively, to the desired product 5‐(aminomethyl)‐2‐furanmethanol. The main properties that influence activity and selectivity are related to the amount of iridium on the surface and catalyst acidity. After the third cycle, 63 % and 59 % of selectivity and yield to AMFM respectively at 93 % of conversion were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious-contagious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body. BCG or Bacille Calmette-Guerin is a vaccine against tuberculosis disease. It is a preparation of live attenuated bacteria derived from a culture of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (Mycobacterium bovis). The BCG vaccine, in addition to its specific protective effect against tuberculosis, stimulates trained innate immunity, resulting in protective effects against other infectious and non-infectious diseases other than tuberculosis. Specific protection against the disease is carried out with BCG vaccination in the newborn. This is a basic review of benefit concepts of this vaccine to avoid tuberculosis and its application in other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic devices are small tools mostly consisting of one or more channels, with dimensions between one and hundreds of microns, where small volumes of fluids are manipulated. They have extensive use in the biomedical and chemical fields; however, in prebiotic chemistry, they only have been employed recently. In prebiotic chemistry, just three types of microfluidic devices have been used: the first ones are Y-form devices with laminar co-flow, used to study the precipitation of minerals in hydrothermal vents systems; the second ones are microdroplet devices that can form small droplets capable of mimic cellular compartmentalization; and the last ones are devices with microchambers that recreate the microenvironment inside rock pores under hydrothermal conditions. In this review, we summarized the experiments in the field of prebiotic chemistry that employed microfluidic devices. The main idea is to incentivize their use and discuss their potential to perform novel experiments that could contribute to unraveling some prebiotic chemistry questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coumarins have attracted intense interest in recent years due to their apoptogenic effects. The aim of the present study was to determine whether 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) induces changes in caspase-3 (C.3) activity in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. A range of analytical techniques, including colorimetric and fluorometric assays, western blotting, single-cell microinjection, fluorescence microscopy and image analysis were conducted to elucidate the effects of 7-HC. A 24-h exposure to 1.85 mM 7-HC induced a 65% increase in C-3 activity, and a notable conversion of procaspase-3 to C.3, in addition to poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, morphological changes associated with apoptosis were observed. Exposure of the cells to 7-HC for 3 or 6 h increased calcium conductance by 27%. By performing the single-cell microinjection of a specific fluorescent substrate of C-3 into previously 7-HC-exposed cells, a typical enzymatic kinetic profile of C-3 activation was identified a number of hours prior to the morphological and biochemical changes associated with apoptosis being observed. These results suggest that the rapid in vivo activation of C-3 is induced by 7-HC, the most relevant biotransformation product of coumarin in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Peru has the second-highest diversity of birds in the world, but little is known about the interactions between birds and plastic waste. To fill this knowledge gap, we searched the scientific literature, collected information from social networks such as Facebook and databases such as Macaulay Library and iNaturalist and solicited records through messaging with researchers and bird enthusiasts. We found 119 bird interactions with plastic debris involving 39 species from 20 families, with the red-legged cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi and the neotropical cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus being the most affected species. By type of interaction category, plastic waste in nests was the most abundant, followed by entanglement, capture and handling and ingestion. Ropes, nets and soft plastics such as bags were the most frequently reported types of waste. As our methodology has limitations, it is probable that other species that also interact with plastic waste have not been reported, so we recommend further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dramatic losses caused by pathogens in crops are worrying. As a consequence, it is necessary to look for more relevant alternatives for plant disease management. The need to design new research methodologies with participative approach to explore farmers' knowledge emerges. Ethnophytopathology can be a useful tool in plant disease management because of its particular methodology. In the municipality of Nuquí (Chocó, Colombia), characterized by an average annual rainfall of 6,109 mm and an average annual temperature of 25.8°C, interviews were conducted with the community to obtain information about rice cultivation which is the basis of their food. During the time spent with the panguinense community, a participative research methodology was implemented. It was found that producers have rice cultivations free of diseases and also carry out activities that may prevent pathogens. Farmers manage the crops according to their customs and the environment around them. The culture of this community and its members' perceptions related with plant health provided ancestral or traditional knowledge not explored previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study focussed on the work system design to be used by a colombian food sector company for distributing products. It considered the concept of participative ergonomics, where people from the commercial, logistics, operation, occupational health areas worked in conjunction with the industrial designers, ergonomists who methodologically led the project. As a whole, the project was conceived as having five phases: outline, diagnosis, modelling the process, scalability, instrumentation. The results of the project translate into procedures for selecting, projecting a new distribution centre, the operational process model, a description of ergonomic systems that will enable specific work stations to be designed, the procedure for adapting existing warehouses. Strategically, this work helped optimise the company''s processes and ensure that knowledge would be transferred within it. In turn, it became a primary prevention strategy in the field of health, aimed at reducing occupational risks, improving the quality of life at work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the main causes of blindness in children in Latin America. This retinopathy characterized by abnormal vascular proliferation of the retina due to proangiogenic factors, which imply a formation of structurally deficient new vessels that generate tractional retinal detachment. Since ROP is a sequentially progres-sive pathology, it requires the implementation of screening systems. The importance of screening in patients with risk factors will be described to detect it in opportune stages that allow to grant a better prognosis. Currently, tools such as Retcam, developed by Clarity Medical Systems, consists of a computer image acquisition system with five lenses to collect characteristics of the anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve in real time, being a valuable resource for ROP screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative-interpretive study reflects on the experience of two MSMEs that adapted rapidly to meet the need for protection products and maintain their production in the midst of confinement decreed by the city and country authorities, as a containment measure for the pandemic caused by the Covid-19, and where design was a key factor. The different experiences are organized taken the Product sociotechnical Cycles (PstC) model as a conceptual basis, analyzing the case studies from the organizational capabilities of industrial design, as well as from design-driven innovation. The article ends by summarizing the learnings, emphasizing the value of design with a strategic focus, in these processes of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate lifestyle habits and nutritional status related to different university careers. Material and methods.A descriptive cross-sectional study of 800 participants; based on a validated survey for the registration of the student's data of different faculties of the Simón Bolívar University of Barranquilla, Colombia. Basic student data, lifestyle information and anthropometric measurements were included to categorize them by BMI according to the WHO. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The data were analyzed statistically (p <0.001). Results. 38 are excluded, leaving a total of 762 students analyzed and distributed as follows; n = 432 Health students, n = 131 Law students and n = 199 Techniques students. The female sex represents the majority of the participants with a total of 430 (56.3%) vs. 332 (43.6%) male. In the Healthcareers faculty, women represented the same majority with a total of 269 (62.3%) vs. 163 (37.7%) male; likewise, it happened in the university career of Law 86 (65.6%) women vs. 45 (34.4%) of the masculine sex, otherwise in the Techniques, where the feminine sex represented the smaller population with 73 (36.7%) vs. 126 (63.3%) of the male sex; p<0.001. Totals average age was 19.2 +/- 2.3 years; in the health group was 19.6 +/- 2.2 years, in Law were 19.4 +/- 3.1 years and 18.3 +/- 1.6 years in Techniques; p<0.001. Regarding BMI, the total average was 23.1 +/- 4.3 kg/m2, and their distribution in the different races was not significant; p=0.866. As for the waist / height ratio, the total average of the students was 45.5 +/- 7.3cm, with the Technical faculty expressing a higher value with an average of 47.1 +/- 5.7cm; p<0.001. The hip / waist variable had a total average of 1.25 +/- 0.28, being the law career the one that expressed the lowest value with an average of 1.18 +/- 0.16 against the total population; p<0.001. Health students have a lower sleep habit, they sleep 2.9 +/- 0.7 hours per day; p<0.001. Conclusion. At Simón Bolívar University in Barranquilla, Colombia; Law students are older in chronological age and those in the Techniques are smaller. There are almost two (1.8) women studying Law and much less (0.3) in Technical careers per each Health student. The BMI is slightly higher in Law and slightly lower in the Techniques compared to Health students and just the opposite of the waist / height index and the hip / waist index. Law students do more physical activity than Health-careers, students and equal those of Techniques. The students of Law and Techniques sleep much more than the Health-careers. There is no difference in the number of meals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article conceptualises a new multidisciplinary field by establishing the elements of an ‘ergonomic system’ (human beings, physical space and object/machine) and defining the term ‘surroundings’ (PESTE factors) while emphasising the ecological aspects of human activities. The definition of ergoecology is explained by an etymological analysis of the names of the contributing disciplines (ergonomics and ecology). The new multidiscipline combines and extends the scope of the two foundational disciplines using new principles, notions and concepts, such as ‘built environment’, ‘surroundings’, ‘ergoecology’, ‘ecoefficiency’ and ‘ecoproductivity’. The aim of ergoecology is to provide tools for confronting twenty-first century challenges. In line with the sustainability movement, we believe in the importance of using ecologic and ergonomic perspectives (in their broadest sense) to develop action aimed towards environmental preservation and the development of sustainable products, processes and service designs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]