Root cause analysis for resilient production systems through Industry 4.0 technologies

Creating and developing resilient production systems is critical if manufacturing companies are to thrive in a globally competitive market. Being flexible and agile, resilient systems can avoid, withstand, adapt to and recover from disturbances. A crucial ability is learning from experienced disturbances so they can be avoided in future. This is commonly done in manufacturing companies by performing a root cause analysis. However, the current practiceof root cause analysis lacks efficiency and effectiveness, which contributes to the high reoccurrence of disturbances encountered daily by manufacturing companies. Fortunately, with the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies, the process of root cause analysis is expected to change greatly. With the aim of supporting practitioners in improving their root cause analysis processes, this research focuses on: (1) describing the current challenges; (2) describing the requirements for new technological solutions; and (3) identifying and designing new technological solutions, given the context of Industry 4.0. To do so, a qualitative approach was adopted, inspired by design science research (DSR) and based on six studies involving manufacturing companies and technology providers.Regarding the main challenges, the results of this research indicate that manufacturing companies are still performing unstructured root cause analysis, relying on experts to identify root causes and struggling to know how to analyse and integrate relevant data effectively. Furthermore, regarding requirements, the results of this research indicate that technological solutions for root cause analysis should be data-driven and easy to use. They should integrate different data sources, allow secure collaboration and support employee learning. Based on the requirements, the results of this research indicate that the leading technological solutions involve such things as data analytics, the development of thesauruses of disturbances and their causes, the design of specific data architectures and systems for root cause analysis and the design of platforms for stronger collaboration. Finally, in this research, specific high-level designs are proposed for an application to support root cause analysis of machine stops; and a collaborative platform for root cause analysis at the value-chain level. This research has practical and theoretical implications. Its results may be used directly by practitioners to gaininsight into potential improvements to their practices and as input for developing specific root cause analysis applications. The results of this research also advance knowledge in the field of root cause analysis by providing empirical evidence of challenges, requirements and solutions

Virus da doença de Newcastle: Algumas características biológicas de 12 amostras isoladas no Brasil

Twelve Brazilian isolates of NDV were studied through evaluation of their biological properties. Three lentogenic, three mesogenic and six velogenic strains of NDV were identified according to their ICPI. They were differentiated from one another by the comparison of the thermostability, elution time and ability to agglutinate horse RBC. Among the lentogenic strains, two isolates resembled the LaSota vaccinal strain and one the B1 strain. None of the isolates resembled the 2C Ulster strain. The mesogenic sample obtained from turkeys could be differentiated from the two mesogenic chicken isolates. The velogenic sample were divided into 4 groups: rapid eluters - thermostable - (+) HA for horse RBC (one sample); rapid eluters thermostable - (-)HA for horse RBC (3 samples); rapid eluters - thermosensibIe - (-)HA for horse RBC (one sample); slow eluters - thermosensibIe (-)HA for horse RBC (one sample).Foram estudadas algumas propriedades biológicas de 12 amostras de vírus da Doença de Newcastle (VDN), isoladas no Brasil. De acordo com o índice de patogenicidade intracerebral (IPIC), três amostras foram consideradas lentogênicas, três mesogênicas e 6 velogênicas. As amostras fora m diferenciadas entre si pela comparação da termoestabilidade, tempo de eluição e a habilidade de aglutinar hemácias de cavalo. Dentre as amostras lentogênicas dois dos isolados se assemelharam à amostra vacinal La Sota e um à amostra B 1. Nenhum dos isolados se assemelhou á amostra 2C Ulster. O isolado mesogênco obtido de perus pode ser diferenciado dos dois outros isolados mesogênicos obtidos de galinhas. As amostras velogênicas foram divididas em 4 grupos: eluição rápida - termoestabilidade - HA (+) para hemácias de cavalo (uma amostra); eluição rápida - termoestabilidade - HA (-) para hemácias de cavalo (três amostras); eluição rápida - termosensibilidade - HA (-) para hemácias de cavalo (uma amostra); eluição lenta - termosensibilidade - HA (-) para hemácias de cavalo (uma amostra)

Prioritisation of root cause analysis in production disturbance management

Purpose: Manufacturing companies struggle to manage production disturbances. One step of such management deals with prioritising those disturbances which should undergo root cause analysis. The focus of this work is on two areas. First, investigating current challenges faced by manufacturing companies when prioritising root cause analysis of production disturbances. Second, identifying the stakeholders and factors impacted by production disturbances. Understanding the current challenges and identifying impacted stakeholders and factors allows the development of more efficient prioritisation strategies and, thus, contributes to the reduction of frequency and impact of disturbances. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the intended purpose of this research, a qualitative approach was chosen. A series of interviews was conducted with practitioners, to identify current challenges. A series of focus groups was also held, to identify the impacted stakeholders and factors by disturbances. Findings: Various challenges were identified. These are faced by manufacturing companies in their prioritisation of production disturbances and relate to the time needed, criteria used, centralisation of the process, perspective considered and data support. It was also found that a wide range of stakeholders is impacted by production disturbances, surpassing the limits of production and maintenance departments. Furthermore, the most critical factors impacted are quality, work environment, safety, time, company results, customer satisfaction, productivity, deliverability, resource utilisation, profit, process flow, plannability, machine health and reputation. Originality/value: The current situation regarding root cause analysis prioritisation has not been identified in previous works. Moreover, there has been no prior systematic identification of the various stakeholders and factors impacted by production disturbances

AIP1 is a novel Agenet/Tudor domain protein from Arabidopsis that interacts with regulators of DNA replication, transcription and chromatin remodeling

Background: DNA replication and transcription are dynamic processes regulating plant development that are dependent on the chromatin accessibility. Proteins belonging to the Agenet/Tudor domain family are known as histone modification "readers" and classified as chromatin remodeling proteins. Histone modifications and chromatin remodeling have profound effects on gene expression as well as on DNA replication, but how these processes are integrated has not been completely elucidated. It is clear that members of the Agenet/Tudor family are important regulators of development playing roles not well known in plants. Methods: Bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses of the Agenet/Tudor Family domain in the plant kingdom were carried out with sequences from available complete genomes databases. 3D structure predictions of Agenet/Tudor domains were calculated by I-TASSER server. Protein interactions were tested in two-hybrid, GST pulldown, semi-in vivo pulldown and Tandem Affinity Purification assays. Gene function was studied in a T-DNA insertion GABI-line. Results: In the present work we analyzed the family of Agenet/Tudor domain proteins in the plant kingdom and we mapped the organization of this family throughout plant evolution. Furthermore, we characterized a member from Arabidopsis thaliana named AIP1 that harbors Agenet/Tudor and DUF724 domains. AIP1 interacts with ABAP1, a plant regulator of DNA replication licensing and gene transcription, with a plant histone modification "reader" (LHP1) and with non modified histones. AIP1 is expressed in reproductive tissues and its down-regulation delays flower development timing. Also, expression of ABAP1 and LHP1 target genes were repressed in flower buds of plants with reduced levels of AIP1. Conclusions: AIP1 is a novel Agenet/Tudor domain protein in plants that could act as a link between DNA replication, transcription and chromatin remodeling during flower development

Estudo da patogenia do vírus da raiva por meio de amostras ERA e PV administradas por via oral em hamsters (M. auratus)

Hamsters orally inoculated with ERA and PV strains of rabies virus were sacrificed at 24, 48, 72 hours, 21 and 30 days after inoculation. Brain fragments were examined by Fluorescent Antibody test (FAT) and heminested PCR (hn-PCR). Fragments from stomach, blood, heart, and lung were examined only by hn-PCR. Sera of other hamsters, similarly inoculated, obtained at 30th day after inoculation were submitted to mouse neutralization test. The hamsters were challenged intracerebrally with CVS strain with 10(2.7)mouse LD50/0.03mL, 45 days after inoculation. Brains examined by FAT were negative. The hn-PCR detected the presence of rabies virus RNA in the lung of one animal inoculated with ERA, and in the brain, stomach, blood, and lung of PV-infected animals. The orally inoculated virus was capable to infect and replicate in several organs and tissues; however, none of the challenged hamsters did survive after challenge.Hamsters inoculados oralmente com as amostras de vírus rábico ERA e PV foram sacrificados após 24, 48 e 72 horas, 21 e 30 dias. Fragmentos do cérebro foram analisados através da imunofluorescência direta (IFD) e heminested-PCR (hn-PCR). Os fragmentos do estômado, sangue, coração e pulmão foram examinados somente com a técnica de hn-PCR. Soros de outros hamsters, inoculados de modo similar e obtidos 30 dias após a inoculação, foram submetidos ao teste de soroneutralização (SNT) em camundongos. No 45º dia pós-inoculação, os hamsters foram desafiados intracerebralmente com a amostra CVS, contendo 10(2,7)DL50 em camundongos/0,03 mL. Os fragmentos do cérebro foram todos negativos ao teste de imunofluorescência. A hn-PCR detectou a presença de RNA do vírus da raiva no pulmão de um animal inoculado com a amostra ERA e, no cérebro, estômago, sangue e pulmão de hamsters inoculados com a amostra PV. As amostras de vírus inoculadas oralmente foram capazes de se replicar em diferentes órgãos, no entanto, todos od hamsters morreram ao desafio, indicando uma resposta imunológica insuficiente

Dealing with resistance to the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in production disturbance management

Purpose: Resistance is expected to emerge with the implementation and use of new technologies in production systems. This work focuses on identifying sources of resistance to the use of Industry 4.0 technologies when managing production disturbances and suitable managerial approaches to deal with them. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach was chosen in this research. The authors conducted a literature review and a series of interviews. Thirty-one papers from the literature review were analysed, and 16 people from five different companies were interviewed. Findings: The authors identified five different sources of resistance and three managerial approaches to dealing with them. The sources of resistance were based on (1) feelings of over-supervision, (2) unclear values, (3) feelings of inadequacy, (4) concerns about loss of power and jobs and (5) work overload. The three approaches to dealing with resistance are (1) communication, (2) participation and (3) training. Originality/value: This work identifies the sources and strategies to deal with resistance to the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in the management of production disturbances. The managerial literature in this area is limited, and to the authors\u27s knowledge, the specific sources for resistance and strategies to deal with that in this topic have not been systematically investigated before

Experiments on intramuscular inoculation and feeding domestic cats (Felis catus) with brains of mice previously infected by rabies viruses

Nineteen kittens divided into four groups were fed with brains of mice infected with rabies viruses. Each four kittens (group I) received four brains infected with the PV fixed strain; nine kittens (group II) ingested 4-5 brains infected with the field isolate T-9/95, isolated from the Desmodus rotundus vampire bat; two kittens (group III) fed ten T-9/95-infected brains, and four cats consumed 32-37 PV strain-infected brains. One adult male, inoculated into masseter muscle with a 20% T-9/95-infected brain suspension, presented rabies after an incubation period of six days, followed with 8 days of clinical evolution, and died thereafter and this cat was considered as the rabies "positive standard". After observing for 20-230 days, all the cats feeding the rabid brains were submitted to euthanasia, by using Acepran®, Zoletil®, and T-61®. At necropsy, samples of brain, heart, lung, kidney, submaxillary salivary gland, and cervical medulla were collected from all the cats and further submitted to the direct fluorescence antibody test (dFA), mouse inoculation test (MIT) and to the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Brain, cervical medulla, and the submaxillary salivary gland of the positive standard cat were dFA-positive, and brain and cervical medulla were positive for MIT. All specimens of this cat tested by the RT-PCR were found positive. No animals ingesting PV or T-9/95 virus-infected brains developed clinical signs and all materials tested were negative by dFA and MIT. Several specimens, however, showed positive reactions by the RT-PCR technique, but cats were resistant to rabies through the viruses administered orally.Dezenove gatos, divididos em quatro grupos, foram alimentados com cérebros de camundongos infectados com vírus de raiva. Cada um dos quatro gatos (grupo I) receberam quatro cérebros infectados com vírus fixo PV; nove gatos (grupo II) ingeriram 4-5 cérebros infectados com uma amostra de campo T-9/95, isolada do morcego Desmodus rotundus; dois gatos (grupo III) ingeriram 10 cérebros infectados com T-9/95 e quatro gatos (grupo IV) ingeriram 32-37 cérebros infectados com vírus PV. Um macho adulto, inoculado no músculo masséter, com uma suspensão cerebral a 20% da amostra T-9/95, desenvolveu raiva após período de incubação de seis dias, seguidos por oito dias de evolução clínica, morrendo em seguida. Este gato foi denominado de "padrão positivo". Após observação por um período de 20-230 dias, todos os gatos que receberam cérebros foram submetidos à eutanásia, utilizando Acepran®, Zoletil® e T-61®. À necropsia, foram colhidas amostras do cérebro, coração, pulmão, rim, glândula salivar submaxilar e medula cervical e submetidas à prova de imunofluorescência direta (IFD), inoculação em camundongos (IC), e reação em cadeia pela polimerase-transcriptase reversa (RT-PCR). No "padrão positivo", cérebro, medula cervical e glândula salivar foram positivos à IFD e à IC, cérebro e medula cervical foram os positivos. Todos os espécimes do "padrão positivo" foram positivos à RT-PCR. Nenhum animal que ingeriu cérebros contendo amostras de vírus PV ou T-9/95 apresentou sinais clínicos e todos os espécimes testados foram negativos à IFD e IC, no entanto, alguns espécimes reagiram positivamente à RT-PCR, porém, os gatos foram resistentes à raiva com vírus administrados oralmente

Genome-wide analysis of mechanosensitive channel of small conductance (MscS)-like gene family in common bean

Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to mechanical forces produced by osmotic pressure, sound, touch and gravity. In plants, MS have an important role in different biological processes like gravity detection, maintenance of plastid shape and size, lateral root emergence, growth of pollen tube, and plant-pathogen interactions. In this study, homologous mechanosensitive channel of small conductance (MscS)-like gene family in common bean was identified. Nine Phaseolus vulgaris MscS-like (PvMSL) genes were found to be distributed on five chromosomes. A complete overview of PvMSL genes in common bean is presented, including gene structures, chromosome locations, phylogeny, protein motifs and expression pattern. Subcellular localization predictions of PvMSL family revealed their location to plasma and chloroplast membrane. Phylogenetic analysis of nine PvMSL proteins resulted in two main classes. The predicted gene structure, conserved motif, domain and presence of transmembrane regions in each PvMSL strongly supported their identity as members of MscS-like gene family. Four duplicate events of PvMSL genes were discovered in P. vulgaris chromosomes, and tandem and segmental duplication may cause the expansion of PvMSL genes. Furthermore, PvMSL genes displayed differential expression patterns in tissues and organs. This is the first step towards genome-wide analyses of MSL genes in common bean. Thus, the data obtained in this study provide resources to select candidate genes for future functional analyses that will help understand plant growth, development, and function of MSL gene family in P. vulgaris.Key words: Mechanosensitive, phylogenetic analysis, gene duplication, plant, in silico

Improved root cause analysis supporting resilient production systems

Manufacturing companies struggle to be efficient and effective when conducting root cause analyses of production disturbances; a fact which hinders them from creating and developing resilient production systems. This article aims to describe the challenges and enablers identified in current research relating to the different phases of root cause analysis. A systematic literature review was conducted, in which a total of 14 challenges and 17 enablers are identified and described. These correlate to the different phases of root cause analysis. Examples of challenges are “need for expertise”, “employee bias”, “poor data quality” and “lack of data integration”, among others. Examples of enablers are “visualisation tools”, “collaborative platforms”, “thesaurus” and “machine learning techniques”. Based on these findings, the authors also propose potential areas for further research and then design inputs for new solutions to improve root cause analysis. This article provides a theoretical contribution in that it describes the challenges and enablers of root cause analysis and their correlation to the creation of resilient production systems. The article also provides practical contributions, with an overview of current research to support practitioners in gaining insights into potential solutions to be implemented and further developed, with the aim of improving root cause analysis in production systems

In vitro adherence of Candida albicans isolated from patients with chronic periodontitis

Adherence is considered an extremely important virulence factor in yeast. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the adherence to epithelial cells of C. albicans isolated from patients with chronic periodontitis in comparison to healthy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Candida albicans cells isolated from individuals with chronic periodontitis (n=25) and healthy controls (n=25) were included in this study. Suspensions of C. albicans (10(6) cells/mL) and epithelial cells (10(5) cells/mL) were mixed and incubated at 37ºC for 1 h. The number of yeasts adhered to 25 epithelial cells was counted. RESULTS: The number of C. albicans cells adhered to epithelial cells was statistically higher in the chronic periodontitis group than in the control group (Student's t-test, p=0.000). CONCLUSION:The results of the present study suggest a higher Candida adherence of samples isolated from patients with chronic periodontitis