A new application of an evolving tree to failure mode and effect analysis methodology

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a popular safety and reliability analysis methodology for examining potential failure modes of products, process, designs, or services, in a wide range of industries. Despite its popularity, there are a number of limitations of FMEA, and two highlighted issues are the bulky FMEA form and its intricacy of use. To overcome these shortcomings, we introduce the idea of visualisation pertaining to the failure modes or control actions in FMEA. A visualisation model with an incremental learning feature, i.e., the evolving tree (ETree), is adopted to allow the failure modes or control actions in FMEA to be clustered and visualized. The failure modes or control actions are grouped and visualized with consideration of their Severity, Occurrence, and Detection scores. Our proposed approach allows the failure modes or control actions to be mapped into a tree structure for visualisation. The devised approach is evaluated with a benchmark problem. The experiments show that the control actions of FMEA can be visualised through the tree structure, which provides a quick and easily understandable platform of the FMEA spreadsheet to facilitate decision making tasks.

Intradialytic hypotension prevention and management knowledge and practices: Results from a survey of Australian and New Zealand nephrology nurses

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) remains the most frequent serious side effect of hemodialysis, increasing morbidity in patients on hemodialysis. Nephrology nurses have a critical role in the prevention and management of IDH. The aim of this study was to investigate nephrology nurse knowledge and practice habits in the prevention and management of IDH. This was an explorative cross-sectional design, web-based survey of Australian and New Zealand nephrology nurses (n = 173). IDH definitions, blood pressureinterpretation, and IDH interventions were inconsistent and not always evidencebased.Demographic characteristics had little impact on the variation in responses. A universal definition for IDH may improve early recognition of the problem. Formal guidelines in considering individualized interventional strategies for asymptomaticepisodes prior symptomatic IDH occurrence may improve outcomes for patients on hemodialysis

A new and improved strategy combining a dispersive-solid phase extraction-based multiclass method with ultra high pressure liquid chromatography for analysis of low molecular weight polyphenols in vegetables

This paper reports on the development and optimization of a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) based extraction technique coupled with a clean-up dispersive-solid phase extraction (dSPE) as a new, reliable and powerful strategy to enhance the extraction efficiency of free low molecular-weight polyphenols in selected species of dietary vegetables. The process involves two simple steps. First, the homogenized samples are extracted and partitioned using an organic solvent and salt solution. Then, the supernatant is further extracted and cleaned using a dSPE technique. Final clear extracts of vegetables were concentrated under vacuum to near dryness and taken up into initial mobile phase (0.1% formic acid and 20% methanol). The separation and quantification of free low molecular weight polyphenols from the vegetable extracts was achieved by ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) equipped with a phodiode array (PDA) detection system and a Trifunctional High Strength Silica capillary analytical column (HSS T3), specially designed for polar compounds. The performance of the method was assessed by studying the selectivity, linear dynamic range, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, trueness, and matrix effects. The validation parameters of the method showed satisfactory figures of merit. Good linearity (View the MathML sourceRvalues2>0.954; (+)-catechin in carrot samples) was achieved at the studied concentration range. Reproducibility was better than 3%. Consistent recoveries of polyphenols ranging from 78.4 to 99.9% were observed when all target vegetable samples were spiked at two concentration levels, with relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) lower than 2.9%. The LODs and the LOQs ranged from 0.005 μg mL−1 (trans-resveratrol, carrot) to 0.62 μg mL−1 (syringic acid, garlic) and from 0.016 μg mL−1 (trans-resveratrol, carrot) to 0.87 μg mL−1 ((+)-catechin, carrot) depending on the compound. The method was applied for studying the occurrence of free low molecular weight polyphenols in eight selected dietary vegetables (broccoli, tomato, carrot, garlic, onion, red pepper, green pepper and beetroot), providing a valuable and promising tool for food quality evaluation.

Trichodina colisae (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae): new parasite records for two freshwater fish species farmed in Brazil

Tricodinídeos são protozoários ciliados móveis com ampla distribuição mundial; são considerados um dos agentes parasitários que mais acometem peixes cultivados. No Brasil, a maioria dos tricodinídeos que parasitam importantes espécies de peixes cultivados são desconhecidos, o que requer mais estudos taxonômicos com esse grupo de parasitos. Este estudo caracteriza morfologicamente Trichodina colisae Asmat & Sultana, 2005 de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) e do híbrido patinga (P. mesopotamicus × P. brachypomus) cultivados, respectivamente, no Centro-Oeste e Sudeste do Brasil. Foram feitas montagens a fresco do raspado de muco da pele, nadadeiras e brânquias, fixados com metanol e, posteriormente, impregnados com nitrato de prata e coradas com Giemsa para avaliação em microscopia óptica. O presente estudo relata não só a segunda ocorrência de T. colisae no mundo, mas também a primeira ocorrência na América do Sul.

Description of the female and new records of Triatoma baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, 2000 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with a key to the species of the Triatoma matogrossensis subcomplex

Triatoma baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, 2000, a species similar to Triatoma williami Galvao, Souza & Lima, 1967 and belonging to the T. matogrossensis subcomplex, was described based on a male specimen collected in a sylvatic environment, near a cave, in Bonito county, Bodoquena mountain range, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In the present work we describe the female of T. baratai, captured in a chicken house, in Nioaque county, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Furthermore, we recorded the occurrence of T. baratai in domiciles and peridomestic environment in another four municipalities (Bodoquena, Bela Vista, Corumba, and Miranda), extending its geographical distribution. Finally, we present a key to the species of the Triatoma matogrossensis subcomplex.

Alien shrimps in evidence: new records of the genus Athanas Leach, 1814 on the coast of So Paulo, southern Brazil (Caridea: Alpheidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Possible New Syndrome: Left Ventricular Noncompaction, Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, and Developmental Delay in a Brazilian Child

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Occurrence of Tetrameres confusa (Nematoda, Tetrameridae) in Ara ararauna (Psittacidae)

Relata-se a ocorrência de Tetrameres confusa Travassos 1917 (= T. americana (Cram, 1927) Baylis, 1929) (Nematoda, Tetrameridae) em um novo hospedeiro, Ara ararauna Linnaeus, 1758 (Aves, Psittacidae). Este é o primeiro registro da ocorrência do nematódeo em psitacídeos no Brasil.

A new ovarian response prediction index (ORPI): implications for individualised controlled ovarian stimulation

Background: The objective was to present a new ovarian response prediction index (ORPI), which was based on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC) and age, and to verify whether it could be a reliable predictor of the ovarian stimulation response.Methods: A total of 101 patients enrolled in the ICSI programme were included. The ORPI values were calculated by multiplying the AMH level (ng/ml) by the number of antral follicles (2-9 mm), and the result was divided by the age (years) of the patient (ORPI=(AMH x AFC)/Patient age).Results: The regression analysis demonstrated significant (P<0.0001) positive correlations between the ORPI and the total number of oocytes and of MII oocytes collected. The logistic regression revealed that the ORPI values were significantly associated with the likelihood of pregnancy (odds ratio (OR): 1.86; P=0.006) and collecting greater than or equal to 4 oocytes (OR: 49.25; P<0.0001), greater than or equal to 4 MII oocytes (OR: 6.26; P<0.0001) and greater than or equal to 15 oocytes (OR: 6.10; P<0.0001). Regarding the probability of collecting greater than or equal to 4 oocytes according to the ORPI value, the ROC curve showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 and an efficacy of 88% at a cut-off of 0.2. In relation to the probability of collecting greater than or equal to 4 MII oocytes according to the ORPI value, the ROC curve had an AUC of 0.84 and an efficacy of 81% at a cut-off of 0.3. The ROC curve for the probability of collecting greater than or equal to 15 oocytes resulted in an AUC of 0.89 and an efficacy of 82% at a cut-off of 0.9. Finally, regarding the probability of pregnancy occurrence according to the ORPI value, the ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.74 and an efficacy of 62% at a cut-off of 0.3.Conclusions: The ORPI exhibited an excellent ability to predict a low ovarian response and a good ability to predict a collection of greater than or equal to 4 MII oocytes, an excessive ovarian response and the occurrence of pregnancy in infertile women. The ORPI might be used to improve the cost-benefit ratio of ovarian stimulation regimens by guiding the selection of medications and by modulating the doses and regimens according to the actual needs of the patients.

The occurrence of porosity in reline acrylic resins. Effect of microwave disinfection

Microwave energy has proved to be an effective method for disinfecting acrylic dentures. However, the effect of microwave heating on the porosity of autopolymerising denture reline resins has not been investigated.The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of microwave disinfection on the porosity of autopolymerised denture reline materials (Kooliner-K, New Truliner-NT, Tokuso Rebase Fast-TR and Ufi Gel Hard-UGH) and a conventional heat-polymerised denture base resin (Lucitone 550-L).Specimens (10 mm x 20 mm x 1 mm) were obtained from the impression surface of the palatal mucosa in a single person and divided into four groups (n = 5). The porosity was evaluated after polymerisation (C1), after two cycles of microwave disinfection (MW2), after seven cycles of microwave disinfection (MW7) and after 7 days storage in water at 37 degrees C (C2). Specimens from group MW7 were exposed to microwave disinfection daily being stored in water at 37 degrees C between exposures. All the replicas were sputter coated with gold and micrographs/digital images were taken of each replica using scanning electron microscopy at magnification x 100. The SEM micrographs were then examined using an image analyser to determine the number of pores. Comparison between materials and groups were made using Kruskal-Wallis tests.MW7 resulted in a significant increase in the number from the pores of material K, but decreased in number in reline material TR and UGH reline resin. The number of pores in materials NT and L remained unaffected following microwave disinfection.Differences in the porosity amongst the materials and for different experimental conditions were observed following microwave disinfection.

Cryptic hammerhead shark lineage occurrence in the western South Atlantic revealed by DNA analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New record of Haplometroides intercaecalis (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) infecting a Brazilian snake

Phalotris matogrossensis (Serpentes, Colubridae) was reported as a new host for Haplometroides intercaecalis ( Digenea, Plagiorchiidae). The host snake was obtained from the municipality of Anastacio, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. One specimen of H. intercaecalis was recovered from the esophagus of the host and identified by the intercecal position of the vitellaria in the pre-acetabular region. This paper describes the second report of the occurrence of this trematode in fossorial snakes of the genus Phalotris in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Occurrence of Amphiorchis solus (Simha & Chattopadhyaya, 1970) (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) Infecting the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas Linnaeus, 1758 (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New reports on parasitism by Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in Brazilian snakes

The occurrence of Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in the esophagus of two Brazilian snakes is reported in the present study. The trematodes were collected from one Micrurus corallinus (Elapidae) and one Phalotris lativittatus (Colubridae); both snakes were found in Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Morphological and morphometric analyses of the trematodes are presented. For the first time Micrurus corallinus has been recorded as a host for H. buccicola and this is the second time that P. lativittatus has been reported as a host for this trematode species.

Endoparasites new to the Neotropical freshwater turtle, Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei (Bour 1973) (Testudines, Chelidae), from central Brazil.

Information on endoparasites infecting Neotropical turtles is scarce. The present paper reports the occurrence of endoparasites in three adult individuals of Vanderhaege's Toad-Headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys vanderhaegei). The records include an undescribed nematode species in the genus Spiroxys, not previously reported for the family Chelidae, and the first South American record of a monogenetic trematode of the genus Neopolystoma.