Literature search of key factors for the development of generic and specific maturity models for industry 4.0

The adequacy of business models to Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is an urgent requirement and a clear concern. Ways to recognize the relative position of a company and ways to evolve towards this new paradigm are an important step both for researchers and professionals. In general, most small and medium enterprises (SME) do not have their own resources or do not have the means to be fully supported by consultancies, to develop a specific model, and they do not recognize themselves as ready to initiate any action to adapt to this new paradigm. Based on the idea of identification of directions and opportunities of research about the conditions for the adoption of approaches involving readiness assessment, implementation framework, roadmap and maturity model, the main objective of this article is the identification of factors for the development of specific maturity models, oriented towards unique conditions, located in specific contexts, and that can cover both the need for self-diagnosis of the level of preparation, as well as the actions that aim to achieve a progressive reconfiguration and guided by continuous improvement towards Industry 4.0. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 67 articles was conducted and resulted in the identification of two approaches to address maturity models, which are the application of existing generic models and the process of building specific ones focused on the peculiarities of certain contexts. Moreover, this work points out five factors for development of a specific maturity model: context characterization, conceptual characterization, interaction with practitioners and experts, development of surveys, and qualitative research. Additionally, this work identified the need for development of methodologies that can be applied in a more autonomous way for the development of specific maturity models.This work has been supported by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D UnitsProject Scope UIDB/00319/2020

Effective communication in eliciting and responding to suicidal thoughts: a systematic review protocol

Background In the UK, over 6500 people die by suicide each year. In England alone, this is one person every 2 h. Professionals assess risk of suicide in face-to-face contacts with people potentially at risk. The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide found that most people who took their life were classified as ‘low risk’ in their final contact with mental health services. Training for front-line staff in reducing suicide is a NHS priority. While there is considerable evidence on what to assess when exploring suicidal ideation, there is little evidence on how to ask sensitive questions to effectively identify suicide risk and how to respond in the treatment encounter to reduce patient distress and suicidal ideation. This is critical for identifying risk and putting appropriate care in place. Methods An electronic search will be conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases. Controlled studies of effectiveness will be identified using a predefined search strategy. The focus will be on suicidal thoughts/feelings rather than self-harm without intent to die. Two authors will independently screen articles using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and relevant data will be extracted using the Cochrane Collaboration data extraction form for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Discrepancies between the two authors will be resolved by consensus or by consulting a third author at all levels of screening. We will assess the quality of evidence as well as risk of bias. A meta-analysis will be conducted if participants, interventions and comparisons are sufficiently similar, and we will perform the meta-analysis using Stata data analysis and statistical software. Discussion The results of this systematic review will be used to guide training and practice for health care professionals

Endophytes for Improving Ryegrass Performance: Current Status and Future Possibilities

The endophyte N. lolii was introduced naturally into New Zealand and Australia when perennial ryegrass seed was brought into these countries. Although the presence of the endophyte was recognised early in the 19th Century, its effects were only discovered in the early 1980s when it was found that these Wild-type strains of endophyte caused ryegrass staggers, a neuromuscular condition of grazing animals (Fletcher and Harvey 1981), and that they also protected their hosts from the effects of Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) a serious pest of ryegrass in New Zealand (Prestidge et al. 1982). These endophytes form systemic infections in the above-ground parts of their host plants, have no external stage and are maternally transmit-ted in seed. They produce alkaloids which have effects on herbivores, including sheep, cattle and invertebrates. Although all the alkaloids known to be produced by the endophytes have bioactivity against insects, not all are toxic to livestock. Research in New Zealand has focused on exploiting these endophytes for their natural biological control properties while minimising any effects on livestock

Evaluating patient and public involvement in health research: from theoretical model to practical workshop

© 2017 The Authors Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Background: There is a growing literature on evaluating aspects of patient and public involvement (PPI). We have suggested that at the core of successful PPI is the dynamic interaction of different forms of knowledge, notably lay and professional. We have developed a four-dimensional theoretical framework for understanding these interactions. Aim: We explore the practical utility of the theoretical framework as a tool for mapping and evaluating the experience of PPI in health services research. Methods: We conducted three workshops with different PPI groups in which participants were invited to map their PPI experiences on wall charts representing the four dimensions of our framework. The language used to describe the four dimensions was modified to make it more accessible to lay audiences. Participants were given sticky notes to indicate their own positions on the different dimensions and to write explanatory comments if they wished. Participants’ responses were then discussed and analysed as a group. Results: The three groups were distinctive in their mapped responses suggesting different experiences in relation to having a strong or weak voice in their organization, having few or many ways of getting involved, addressing organizational or public concerns and believing that the organization was willing to change or not. Discussion: The framework has practical utility for mapping and evaluating PPI interactions and is sensitive to differences in PPI experiences within and between different organizations. The workshops enabled participants to reflect collaboratively on their experiences with a view to improving PPI experiences and planning for the future

Is it worth it? Patient and public views on the impact of their involvement in health research and its assessment : a UK-based qualitative interview study

Funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust University of Oxford Applied Health Research and Care OxfordPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Net Yield Efficiency:Comparing Salad and Vegetable Waste between Community Supported Agriculture and Supermarkets in the UK

Food security is high on the global agenda. Two factors make it particularly pressing: the continuing rise in the global population, and the failure to adequately feed the current one. An area that has been the focus of much recent attention has been food waste; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that as much as a third of all food is lost or wasted. This paper argues that by taking a food system approach that accounts for yields as well as loss and waste in distribution and consumption, we can compare the contribution of different food systems to food security. A novel concept of “net yield efficiency” (NYE) is introduced that accounts for this. We present an illustrative case study of the levels of fresh vegetable and salad waste in the supermarket-controlled food system compared with a commu­nity supported agriculture (CSA) scheme. This case study explores whether the CSA and its members are less wasteful than the supermarket system. The study found that when all stages of the food system were measured for waste, the CSA dramatically outperformed the supermarket system, wasting only 6.71% by weight compared to 40.7–47.7%. Even accounting for difficulties in estimating waste, the findings underline the differences between these systems. On this basis, the paper argues that the NYE measure provides a more accurate picture of food system performance than current measures, which tend to focus on yield alone

Systematic review of cognitive-behavioural therapy for social anxiety disorder in psychosis

Background: Social anxiety is highly prevalent among people with psychosis and linked with significant social disability and poorer prognosis. Although cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown to be effective for the treatment of social anxiety in non-psychotic populations, there is a lack of evidence on the clinical effectiveness of CBT for the treatment of social anxiety when this is co-morbid in psychosis. Methods: A systematic review to summarise and critically appraise the literature on the effectiveness of CBT interventions for the treatment of social anxiety in psychosis. Results: Two studies were included in the review assessing the effectiveness of group CBT for social anxiety in schizophrenia, both of poor methodological quality. Preliminary findings suggest that group-based CBT is effective in treating symptoms of social anxiety, depression and associated distress in people with schizophrenia. Conclusion: The evidence-base is not robust enough to provide clear implications for practice about the effectiveness of CBT for the treatment of social anxiety in psychosis. Future research should focus on methodologically rigorous randomised controlled trials with embedded process evaluation to assess the effectiveness of CBT interventions in targeting symptoms of social anxiety in psychosis and identify mechanisms of change

'Men give in to chips and beer too easily': How working-class men make sense of gender differences in health

This article, based on qualitative research with working-class men, explores men's perceptions and experiences regarding gender differences in health. It demonstrates how men put forward a range of behavioural/cultural, materialist/structural and psychosocial factors, which were believed to differently impact men's health compared to women. A common theme underpinning their explanations was the ways in which men and women were located within two distinct gender categories. These characterisations were used to explain why health-damaging beliefs and behaviours were more prevalent among men and also why men were better suited for certain kinds of jobs, albeit with potential costs to their health. Men also believed that women were protected from the damaging physical and emotional impact of manual employment because of their primary role within the home and because they were less emotionally robust, which required men to shield women from the stresses they experienced. However, men's emotional withdrawal can also be viewed as another example of how men use whatever resources are available to achieve and maintain dominance over women. Finally, the article demonstrates how a gender- and class-based approach can capture the impact of men's health-related practices alongside the broader cultural and structural influences on men's health