Human Error Probability Assessment During Maintenance Activities of Marine Systems

BACKGROUND: Maintenance operations on-board ships are highly demanding. Maintenance operations are intensive activities requiring high manemachine interactions in challenging and evolving conditions. The evolving conditions are weather conditions, workplace temperature, ship motion, noise and vibration, and workload and stress. For example, extreme weather condition affects seafarers' performance, increasing the chances of error, and, consequently, can cause injuries or fatalities to personnel. An effective human error probability model is required to better manage maintenance on-board ships. The developed model would assist in developing and maintaining effective risk management protocols. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop a human error probability model considering various internal and external factors affecting seafarers' performance. METHODS: The human error probability model is developed using probability theory applied to Bayesian network. The model is tested using the data received through the developed questionnaire survey of >200 experienced seafarers with >5 years of experience. The model developed in this study is used to find out the reliability of human performance on particular maintenance activities. RESULTS: The developed methodology is tested on the maintenance of marine engine's cooling water pump for engine department and anchor windlass for deck department. In the considered case studies, human error probabilities are estimated in various scenarios and the results are compared between the scenarios and the different seafarer categories. The results of the case studies for both departments are also compared. CONCLUSION: The developed model is effective in assessing human error probabilities. These probabilities would get dynamically updated as and when newinformation is available on changes in either internal (i.e., training, experience, and fatigue) or external (i.e., environmental and operational conditions such asweather conditions, workplace temperature, ship motion, noise and vibration, and workload and stress) factors.

Benign Subcutaneous Emphysema of the Upper Limb: A Case Report

Subcutaneous emphysema is the presence of gas or air in the subcutaneous tissue plane. The term is generally used to describe any soft tissue emphysema of the body wall or limbs, it can result from benign causes, most commonly secondary to trauma or from a life-threatening infection by gas gangrene or necrotising fasciitis. A case of subcutaneous emphysema involving the upper limb resulting from a trivial laceration to the elbow is reported and the importance of distinguishing between the two causes of subcutaneous emphysema is highlighted.

Caffeine and Total Polyphenol Contents of Market Tea Cultivated and Processed in Bangladesh

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the contents of caffeine and total polyphenol in six brands of market tea cultivated and processed in Bangladesh. Methods: Caffeine and polyphenol contents were determined by solvent extraction (AACC) and the International Organisation for Standardisation Method (ISO) 14502-1 respectively. Results: Caffeine contents of the different tea samples ranged between 0.99 ± 0.17% to 2.08 ± 0.16% (g/100g materials), while that of total polyphenol was from 36.90 ± 1.39% to 17.29 ± 2.30% of gallic acid equivalents (GAE). The order of caffeine concentration in tea samples was found as follows: Organic Black Tea > Taaza Tea > Organic Green Tea > Magnolia Tea > Organic Zinger Tea > Organic Tulsi Tea. The polyphenol concentration in the tea samples was highest in Organic Green Tea followed by Taaza Tea and the rest as follows: Magnolia Tea > Organic Black Tea > Organic Zinger Tea > Organic Tulsi Tea. An indicative difference in amounts of caffeine and polyphenols for different tea brand samples is seen in this study. Conclusion: This systematic screening provides information to producers as well as consumers on the quantities of caffeine and polyphenols in commercial tea available in the markets of Bangladesh.

Assessment of Microbial Load in Made Tea and Antimicrobial Property of Made Tea Infusion

This study aimed to find out that a cup of tea is or is not safe for human health from microbial contamination and to point out the antimicrobial property of made tea liquor. Different made tea brands were collected randomly from different super shop of Dhaka city. The Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC), 2005 was used as official methods of analysis. The Standard Plate Count (SPC) technique was used for total microbial load, yeast and fungal count. Most Probable Number (MPN) technique was used for the enumeration of coliform in tea samples. Bacteria, yeast, mould and coliform were observed before and after boiling in all studied the samples. Before boiling, total microbial load and coliform were found at significantly higher of its’ acceptable limit (p0.05). After boiling, only coliform was observed significantly higher in all except Tetley tea at its’ non-acceptable limit (p<0.05). Fecal coliform was not present at every stage of this study. Made tea liquor has shown to have antimicrobial property. Boiling in tea preparation and its’ liquor antimicrobial property considerably reduced the level of microbial load to safe level for public consumption.

Non-Cereal Food Consumption, Food Insecurity and Nutritional Status of Children and Mothers: A Case Study in Bangladesh

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of food insecurity derived from non-cereal food consumption on nutritional status of children and mothers in a poverty-prone region in Bangladesh. Methods: Data from the Bangladesh Nutritional Surveillance Project, 2005 of Helen Keller International were used to relate non-cereal food consumption and household food insecurity to nutritional status of children and their mothers. Multiple regressions were used to determine the association between the nutritional outcomes and the explanatory variables. In the case of binary and multi-level outcomes, logistic regressions were used as well. Results: Non-cereal dietary diversity was found to have little predictive power on BMI and MUAC of mothers and on the nutritional status of the children. Maternal education is strongly associated with mothers’ and children’s nutritional status. Conclusion: Dietary diversity based on non-cereal food consumption can be a useful tool to investigate the nutritional status of poor households, but more studies are needed to verify these findings.

Food Insecurity and Nutritional Outcome in Children and Mothers of Bangladesh and Some Perceptions to Overcome Malnutrition

To understand the extent of food insecurity in Bangladesh emphasizing on the non cereal food availability and maternal and child nutritional outcome. We conducted systematic review in between 1985 to 2010 by using PubMed and Google Scholar databases as well as archives of relevant journals by hand. Contacting with the author was also performed in the case where original data needed. Results from the evidence it may be sated that despite the growth of cereal production and its availability Bangladesh is still problems with accessing of non cereal foods (e.g., vegetable, fruits, fish, milk, meat, egg etc) as well as the incidence of acute malnutrition in children and mothers were hardnosed in the rural area of Bangladesh.