Improving decision making in product modularization by game-based management training

To deal with the complexity caused by a constantly increasing need for product customization many companies have adopted a product modularization strategy. Product modularization has the potential to give benefits both in the design of products, in manufacturing as well as in the supply chain. But, it poses great challenges in its implementation, which includes complex decision-making that will affect the whole value-chain. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a game-based approach can be used for academic education, and management training, with the aim of improving decision-making in product modularization. This by visualizing, and practice, the complex interplay between product, manufacturing and supply chain architecture. The paper describes the development of the LEGO Exploratorium game set up, based on the LEGO minifigures, and how it has been used for both teaching engineering students and in company workshop. Using this game set up will increase companies’ possibilities to develop modularized products that are designed for both efficient manufacturing and supply chain management

Práticas no ensino de criação publicitária: entre a institucionalização e a busca por ludicidade

Este artigo resulta de uma pesquisa de maior amplitude, que contempla a coleta de materiais didáticos e a gravação em áudio e vídeo de aulas de disciplinas cuja finalidade é o ensino de criação publicitária, na Universidade de São Paulo (USP), na Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) e na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM). Ao longo desta, pleiteamos compreender as práticas pedagógicas vigentes nas disciplinas da área; examinar os procedimentos didático-pedagógicos empregados por professores; identificar se há, nas Instituições de Ensino Superior investigadas, experiências de aprendizagem inovadoras; e, por fim, propor alternativas didáticas. Aqui procuramos discutir a formação do habitus dos professores da área, os saberes necessários ao seu labor e a busca pela necessária ludicidade em um contexto de práticas institucionalizadas

Publicidade, institucionalidade e formação publicitária

Propositions set forth in this article encompass the first phase of the interinstitutional research project on the teaching of advertising and creation. They echo works developed with Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (RS), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (PE), and Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (RS). At this stage, the main goal was to explore those teaching practices deemed institutionalized, which are fundamental for the understanding of certain pedagogical characteristics that are favourable to a sense of ‘innovation’ in teaching dynamics related to issues of creativity. Theoretical inputs by Piaget, Edgar Morin, and Vygotsky are especially considered regarding guidance processes, in which three specific dimensions are put in place: interaction, techniques, and conditions of ambience, equally tensioned by Berger and Luckmann’s projections as well as other texts by collaborating researchers, who have carried out a longitudinal study in every region of Brazil, but the North.Las reflexiones apuntadas en este artículo comprenden la primera fase de la investigación interinstitucional con la temática de la enseñanza de creación publicitaria y repercuten los trabajos ejercidos junto a la Escuela Superior de Propaganda y Marketing (RS), Universidad Federal de Pernambuco (PE) y en la Universidad Federal de Santa Maria (RS). El principal objetivo en esta etapa fue explorar las prácticas de enseñanza consideradas institucionalizadas, fundamentales para la comprensión de determinadas características pedagógicas y favorables al sentido de “innovación” en las dinámicas de la enseñanza vinculadas a las materias de creatividad. En particular, se consideran las proposiciones teóricas de Piaget, Edgar Morin y Vygotsky frente a los procesos de orientación, en que se plantean en perspectiva tres dimensiones específicas: la interacción, las técnicas y las condiciones de ambientes, igualmente previstas por las proyecciones de Berger & Luckmann y otros textos de los investigadores colaboradores, que harán un estudio longitudinal abarcando todas las regiones de Brasil, con excepción de la región Norte.As reflexões apontadas neste artigo compreendem a primeira fase da pesquisa interinstitucional com a temática do ensino de criação publicitária e repercutem os trabalhos exercidos na Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (RS), na Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (PE) e na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (RS). O objetivo principal nesta etapa foi explorar as práticas de ensino consideradas institucionalizadas, fundamentais para compreensão de determinadas características pedagógicas favoráveis ao senso de “inovação” nas dinâmicas do ensino ligado às matérias de criatividade. Em especial, consideram-se as proposições teóricas de Piaget, Edgar Morin e Vygotsky quanto aos processos de orientação, em que se coloca em perspectiva três dimensões específicas: interação, técnicas e condições de ambiência, igualmente tencionadas pelas projeções de Berger e Luckmann e outros textos dos pesquisadores colaboradores, que farão um estudo longitudinal abarcando todas as regiões do Brasil, com exceção da região Norte

Effects of the Commercial Flame Retardant Mixture DE-71 on Cytokine Production by Human Immune Cells

INTRODUCTION:Although production of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is now banned, release from existing products will continue for many years. The PBDEs are assumed to be neurotoxic and toxic to endocrine organs at low concentrations. Their effect on the immune system has not been investigated thoroughly. We aimed to investigate the influence of DE-71 on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with Escherichia Coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohaemagglutinin-L (PHA-L). MATERIAL AND METHODS:PBMCs isolated from healthy donors were pre-incubated with DE-71 at various concentrations and subsequently incubated with the monocyte stimulator LPS, or the T-cell activator PHA-L. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17A, and IL-17F were quantified in the supernatants by Luminex kits. RESULTS:At non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.01-10 μg/mL), DE-71 significantly enhanced secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8, IL-10, and TNF-α (p<0.001-0.019; n = 6) from LPS-stimulated PBMCs. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-17F (p = <0.001-0.043; n = 6) secretion were enhanced from PHA-L-stimulated PBMCs as well. Secretion of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL-8 and IL-6 was not significantly affected by DE-71. CONCLUSIONS:We demonstrate an enhancing effect of DE-71 on cytokine production by normal human PBMCs stimulated with LPS or PHA-L ex vivo

Modulation of neuropeptide Y levels is impaired in crack withdrawal patients

Introduction: The dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has a key role in drug addiction susceptibility. In addition to the well-known relationship between cortisol and the HPA axis, other molecules are involved with stress response and could modify the HPA activation, such as the neuropeptide Y (NPY), which has anxiolytic proprieties. There are few studies evaluating the effect of NPY levels on addiction, especially in crack cocaine dependence. Objective: To evaluate NPY in crack users during early withdrawal to determine its relationship with drug use and cortisol levels. Methods: We analyzed 25 male inpatient crack users. Serum NPY levels were measured at admission and discharge (mean of 24 days). Morning salivary cortisol was measured at admission. Results: Serum NPY levels at admission and discharge were very similar. Lower NPY levels at discharge were associated with higher lifetime crack use. Also, a negative correlation was found between morning cortisol and delta NPY (NPY discharge – NPY admission). Conclusion: These preliminary findings indicate that crack use influences the modulation of NPY levels and modifies stress response. The NPY pathway may play an important role in the pathophysiology of crack addiction, and the anxiolytic effect of NPY may be impaired in crack users. Future studies should consider NPY as a measurable indicator of the biological state in addiction

Cytotoxicity evaluation of haloperidol, clozapine and a new molecule with antipsychotic potential, PT-31, in NIH-3T3 cells

Schizophrenia is an illness that affects 26 million people worldwide. However, conventional antipsychotics present side effects and toxicity, highlighting the need for new antipsychotics. We aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of haloperidol (HAL), clozapine (CLO), and a new molecule with antipsychotic potential, PT-31, in NIH-3T3 cells. The neutral red uptake assay and the MTT assay were performed to evaluate cell viability and mitochondrial activity, morphological changes were assessed, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection was performed. HAL and CLO (0.1 μM) showed a decrease in cell viability in the neutral red uptake assay and in the MTT assay. In addition, cell detachment, content decrease, rounding and cell death were also observed at 0.1 μM for both antipsychotics. An increase in ROS was observed for HAL (0.001, 0.01 and 1 μM) and CLO (0.01 and 1 μM). PT-31 did not alter cell viability in any of the assays, although it increased ROS at 0.01 and 1 μM. HAL and CLO present cytotoxicity at 0.1 μM, possibly through apoptosis and necrosis. In contrast, PT-31 does not present cytotoxicity to NIH-3T3 cells. Further studies must be performed for a better understanding of these mechanisms and the potential risk of conventional antipsychotics

The flame retardant DE-71 (a mixture of polybrominated diphenyl ethers) inhibits human differentiated thyroid cell function <i>in vitro</i>

Normal thyroid function is essential for general growth and metabolism, but can be affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used worldwide to reduce flammability in different materials and are suspected to be EDCs. The production of the commercial Penta- and OctaBDE mixtures is banned, but DecaBDEs and existing products may leak PBDEs into the environment. Our aim was to investigate the effect of the PentaBDE mixture DE-71 on human thyroid cells in vitro.Primary human thyroid cells were obtained as paraadenomatous tissue and cultured in monolayers. The influence of DE-71 on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and thyroglobulin (Tg) production was examined in the culture medium by competitive radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis of thyroid-specific genes was performed on the exposed cell cultures. PBDE concentrations were determined in cellular and supernatant fractions of the cultures.DE-71 inhibited Tg-release from TSH-stimulated thyrocytes. At 50 mg/L DE-71, mean Tg production was reduced by 71.9% (range: 8.5-98.7%), and cAMP by 95.1% (range: 91.5-98.8%) compared to controls). Expression of mRNA encoding Tg, TPO and TSHr were significantly inhibited (p<0.0001, p = 0.0079, and p = 0.0002, respectively). The majority of DE-71 added was found in the cell fraction. No cytotoxicity was found.DE-71 inhibited differentiated thyroid cell functions in a two phase response manner and a concentration-dependent inhibition of Tg and cAMP production, respectively, as well as expression of mRNA encoding Tg, TPO and TSHr. Our findings suggest an inhibiting effect of PBDEs on thyroid cells