Fig 1. Sample perishability: Changes in population as sample ages

 

Fig 2. Microbial population succession in Milk. Source: CAERT

 
 

Today, I’m returning to the sampling issue that I introduced in Part 2.  In particular, I’ll focus on the concept of sample perishability – the tendency for the contents or…

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I introduced predictive maintenance (PdM) in my last post. Because I didn’t mention preventive maintenance (PM) in that post, I used “PM” as an abbreviation for PdM. After reading Part 4, one of my readers asked me to explain the difference between PM and PdM. I’ll oblige that reader in this post.
The very first collateral duty I was assigned when I reported aboard my first ship, as a fresh-caught Ensign, in January 1971, was to implement the Navy’s new Material Maintenance…

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Are we like the drunk who looks for his keys under the lamppost (if you don’t now this shaggy dog story, he had dropped them in the nearby dark ally, but chose to look where there was more light…)?

In my last What’s New post I quoted Daniel Kahneman: “What you see is all there is (WYSIATI).”  In this post I’ll explore the concept a bit further.  First, I will review some of the essential concepts I’ve covered in my three most recent, previous posts.  Apropos of…

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I’m starting this post with an illustration from one of my recent presentations (click on the image to enlarge it). The quote is from Daniel Kahneman’s book: Thinking, Fast and Slow. It reminds us of how often our perceptions are much more limited than we realize. Let’s turn to the circles to the right of the quote.

(more…)

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In his 1967 book, “The Use of Lateral Thinking” Edward di Bono introduced the concept identified in the book’s title. He contrasted “lateral thinking” against “linear thinking” and argued that successful resolution of any challenge required both types of thinking. What does this have to do with detecting microbes in fuel systems. Standard Practices, such as PEI’s RP900 “Recommended Practices for the Inspection and Maintenance of UST Systems”, are examples of excellent linear…

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