Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University

Abstract Young adults frequently face mental health challenges due to high expectations, self-doubt, and uncertainties about the future. With advancements in digital communication, artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational agents (CAs) could play a role for those struggling with grief, anxiety or loneliness. This study investigates the current use of CAs (e. g. ChatGPT, Siri) for mental health purposes and the preferred communication modes among young adults in Germany. A quantitative online survey was conducted from August 6 to September 17, 2023, involving 216 participants aged 18 to 27 (120 females, 95 males, 1 non-binary). The findings reveal that 82 % of respondents use CAs, with 17 % having asked help from these agents when feeling depressed or anxious. While verbal communication is preferred for sharing grief with humans, written interaction is favoured when engaging with CAs. Notably, participants with preexisting anxiety or psychological distress showed an increased tendency to communicate about it and a stronger preference for writing about their concerns. These findings suggest that CAs could be a valuable tool for mental health support, especially for young male adults who may be less inclined to openly share their concerns. Further exploration is needed to understand the evolving role of CAs in mental health support, particularly in how to interact with them effectively.

The importance of the issue is reflected, for example, by the inclusion of sexual violence as a special focus and issue of concern in international human rights and humanitarian law standardsfoot_0 . The term "sexual violence" can be used regarding different situations, ranging from sexual assault, rape and sexual torture to harassment and other forms of sexual violence, all unfortunately common events in apparently "lawless" conflict-and postconflict settings and common even in early records of that events, or even as a systematic strategy of terror (Geller & Rauch, 1994;Guinan, 1993;Marusic, 1994;Swiss & Giller, 1993). "Virginity testing", forced marriage, domestic violence, or FGM (Wenzel et al., 2021) also should be considered in this context, though they most commonly occur in "everyday" settings, but also with increased frequency in conflict environments.Sexual violence has become a key question in the context of setting limits in armed conflicts, also considering its increasing global frequency. This rise in frequency can be attributed not only to the growing number of such conflicts and deterioration of human rights standards in some countries, but also to its increased use by state and non-state actors such as ISIS. The last was explored, for example, by Kizilhan et al. (Kizilhan, 2018;Kizilhan et al., 2023) in regard to the persecuted Kurdish Yezidi minority of Iraq in the context of the ongoing genocidal environment experienced by this group.The persistent work of the international courts to prosecute the crime of sexual violence is a good additional indicator of the attention given internationally to the criminal aspects of sexual violence perpetrated in conflicts, together with the establishment of specialized expert teams by the UN.In this context, it should be considered that collection of data in armed conflict or similar situations can be a major challenge, because of the re-traumatisation risk of victims, but also because of the often disorganized or even dangerous research environments. The courage and dedication of researchers, as well as the victims giving testimony in such situations, lend additional importance to the results.The authors in this special issue, therefore, take up insufficiently covered questions and situations in that important field.Tsion et al. report on the recent explosive situation in the Amhara region of Ethiopia using a multicenter-based cross-sectional design (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1456909/f ull).Green et al report on the situation of health care workers supporting Rohingya victims of sexual and other violence in the vast refugee camp of Cox`s Bazaar, one of the largest global camps, drawing attention to that largely neglected crisis point (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/publichealth/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1458680/full). Kidie et al. use a mixed methods approach, probably the best strategy to better understand both the scope and the experience of victimization after sexualized violence, again using a group of survivors in the emerging Ethiopian crisis region (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womenshealth/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2024.1340038/full).Baroudi et al (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/publichealth/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1471471/full) demonstrated the prevalence of sexual violence as a problem to be addressed also in those persons living in exile, usually after escaping the original war and persecution environments.The editors hope that the results from the research presented in this special volume will further underline the need to fight against any form of sexual violence, especially in

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder is a common diagnosis among adolescents. Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment. Digital health interventions, such as apps, could contribute to treatment. Advantages could be easy accessibility and availability, reduced time for face-to-face therapy, and the ability to intensify therapy by incorporating it into the patients’ everyday lives. Challenges such as low adherence rates are common in digital health interventions. Therefore, they need to undergo rigorous testing for feasibility and effectiveness.ObjectiveAn evaluated, cognitive behavioral therapy–based face-to-face therapy program for depression in adolescents was transformed into an app called e-MICHI. This study examined its feasibility and efficacy for use in blended therapy in outpatient settings.MethodsAdolescents aged 12 to 18 years with major depressive disorder receiving outpatient care were recruited from 2 university hospitals (n=36 included in analysis). The e-MICHI intervention combined daily app engagement over 6 weeks with 3 face-to-face sessions with a therapist. Feasibility was measured using various variables, including an adherence score (0=no or little patient engagement to 3=excellent engagement) and engagement rates (number of modules completed, number of messages sent by participants via the in-app messenger), satisfaction ratings from both participants and therapists, as well as participants’ ratings of the usefulness of the antidepressant strategies covered in the app and the transfer of these strategies to everyday practice. Trends of efficacy were evaluated from multiple perspectives (participant self-rating, independent rater, or therapist), using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised, and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale. Feasibility metrics were assessed by analyzing their central tendency and dispersion, efficacy data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA.Resultse-MICHI was positively evaluated by both participants and therapists (participants: mean 7.3, SD 1.2 and therapists: mean 7.3, SD 1.1, on a scale from 0=bad to 10=excellent). Participants demonstrated high adherence rates (nearly 80%, n=25, received a “good” or “excellent” adherence score) and showed overall good engagement (app modules completed [maximum 6]: mean 5.03, SD 1.27 and messages sent via messenger: mean 23, SD 22.1). Participants rated the psychoeducational content of the app as particularly useful and reported consistent practice of the e-MICHI strategies in everyday life. Use of the app was associated with a significant reduction of depressive symptoms (before app use vs 3-month follow-up, Beck Depression Inventory-II: mean −6.76, SD 11.49, P=.01; Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised: mean −16.45, SD 16.76, P<.001; Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale: mean −1.1, SD 1.24, P<.001).ConclusionsWhile acknowledging its limitations, such as the small number of participants and the limited validity concerning efficacy, this study confirms the feasibility of e-MICHI for treating adolescent depression in outpatient settings.

Abstract Background Chronic knee pain is a common problem in volleyball athletes. Interaction of those risk factors are not well understood, especially in females. The aim of this study was to establish gender specific reference values for risk factors, their relative importance for knee pain and their interaction in female volleyball players (n = 62). Methods Range of motion (ROM) of dorsiflexion, knee flexion and hip joint was assessed with a mobile application and strength values of hip and knee were measured with an isokinetic dynamometer (ISOMED2000). Information gain of variables on knee pain were determined and interaction between variables were accessed with association rules including discretization. Results Foot posture index (FPI) and dorsiflexion ROM have the highest information gain, followed by hip internal ROM and external rotation ROM as well as hip abduction strength. Based on discretization following categories have a high occurrence of knee pain: FPI &gt; 3, dorsiflexion ROM &lt; 41°, knee flexion ROM (&lt; 136°), hip internal rotation ROM &lt; 38°, hip external rotation strength &lt; 0.8 Nm/kg, hip abduction strength &lt; 1.4 Nm/kg. Association rules revealed that quadriceps strength is only important if dorsiflexion ROM is below 41° and should exceed 3.6 Nm/kg. High FPI values combined with low ROM such as dorsiflexion (70%), knee flexion (75%) and hip internal rotation (80%) increase likelihood of knee pain. Furthermore, interactions between low strength and ROM increase likelihood of knee pain (100%). Conclusion We conclude, that the combination of categories with high occurrence of knee pain leads to an even further increased likelihood of knee pain, which does not happen in low risk-categories. In order to prevent knee pain various deficits should be prevented in order to minimize the chances of knee pain.

Digitalization is permanently transforming communication and purchasing processes in stationary retail, reshaping work requirements and demanding sector-specific employee competencies. According to the resource- and competence-based view, these competencies are key to generating competitive advantages. This study develops a competency model for employees in stationary retail, addressing digitalization-driven changes in requirements. Unlike prior research focused on Industry 4.0 or cross-industry contexts, an industry-specific context of stationary retail has, to our best knowledge, received no scientific attention yet. Therefore, this study uses a qualitative approach. Based on 26 interviews with managers, employees, and human resources managers, the study shows that digitalization in stationary retail has changed demands on employees in IT, cooperation, work organization, and customer interaction. All four action competencies (professional, methodological, social, personal) are essential to cope well with these new requirements. Le competenze dei lavoratori del futuro nel commercio al dettaglio fisico con l’uso del digitale. La digitalizzazione sta trasformando in modo permanente i processi di comunicazione e di acquisto nel settore della vendita al dettaglio, ridisegnando i requisiti di lavoro e richiedendo competenze specifiche ai dipendenti del settore. Secondo la visione basata sulle risorse e sulle competenze, queste competenze sono risorse centrali per generare vantaggi competitivi. Questo studio sviluppa un modello di competenze per i dipendenti del settore del commercio al dettaglio, che affronta i cambiamenti dei requisiti indotti dalla digitalizzazione. A differenza di precedenti ricerche incentrate sull’Industria 4.0 o su contesti intersettoriali, il contesto specifico del commercio al dettaglio non ha ancora ricevuto alcuna attenzione scientifica, per quanto ne sappiamo. Pertanto, questo studio adotta un approccio qualitativo. Sulla base di 26 interviste a manager, dipendenti e responsabili delle risorse umane nel settore del commercio al dettaglio, lo studio empirico mostra che la digitalizzazione nel settore del commercio al dettaglio ha cambiato le esigenze dei dipendenti in materia di IT, cooperazione, organizzazione del lavoro e clienti. Tutte e quattro le competenze (professionali, metodologiche, sociali, personali) sono essenziali per affrontare questi nuovi ambienti di lavoro.

HR risks are an essential part of strategy development and execution that have come under ever-sharper focus in recent years, especially as labour shortages and digital transformation trends bring new challenges for management and their workforces. Thus, information on the prevalence and severity of HR risks is essential for a sound debate on strategy and its consequences as part of supervisory boards. Evidence from existing studies shows that HR risks are attracting less attention than other risks, such as financial risks. This discrepancy is in part attributable to the scarcity of empirical evidence on the prevalence of HR risks. This study was therefore conducted on the state of HR risk management as perceived by supervisory board members in Germany; via interviews and a survey, they were asked for their views on the quality of information on HR risks as well as the prevalence of certain HR risk areas. It was found that the participating supervisory board members are not fully satisfied with the information they receive and that motivation and engagement may be the most urgent risks to address. Given the finding that satisfaction with the information on HR risks is significantly positively related to the general quality of cooperation on the supervisory board, this further emphasises the importance of HR risk information for an effective risk governance by the supervisory board.

This paper provides an overview of approaches to develop sustainability strategies in the university context and aims to contribute a participatory strategy development process in universities. In addition to the presentation of generic sustainability strategies and the process for developing a sustainability strategy, quality criteria for well-founded sustainability strategies are explained and the specifics of sustainability strategy development at universities will be examined. Using the example of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Germany as a university with an interlocked theory-practice transfer, a detailed description of its sustainability strategy development process is given. This is followed by a critical reflection on the strategy process and an indication of how the sustainability strategy will be implemented at the DHBW. The paper concludes with an outlook on further research in this context. Sviluppo della strategia di sostenibilità presso l’Università Statale Cooperativa del Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), Germania. Il contributo fornisce una panoramica degli approcci utili a sviluppare strategie di sostenibilità nel contesto universitario. Esso intende contribuire allo sviluppo di strategie partecipative nelle università. Oltre a presentare in termini generali le strategie di sostenibilità, vengono illustrati i criteri di qualità alla base di strategie di sostenibilità e le specificità correlate all’higher education. Utilizzando l’esempio dell’Università statale cooperativa del Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) in Germania, caratterizzata da una forte interconnessione tra teoria e pratica, il contributo intende analizzare il processo di sviluppo della strategia di sostenibilità realizzato nel contesto universitario del DHBW. Segue una riflessione critica sul processo strategico e un’indicazione sugli sviluppi futuri della strategia di sostenibilità presso il DHBW. Il contributo si conclude con una prospettiva su ulteriori ricerche in questo ambito.

IntroductionThe high prevalence of pain in the emergency department (ED) highlights the importance of accurate assessments to provide effective interventions. However, common pain scales such as the Numerical Pain Rating Scale have shown limitations in assessing analgesic requirements and adequacy. The ideal outcome for evaluating a pain scale predicting analgesic requirements would be the ‘need for analgesia’, for which there is no universally accepted definition. Accordingly, the primary aim of this study is to define the ‘need for analgesia’ using an interdisciplinary approach. The secondary aim is to define the ‘adequacy of analgesia’.Methods and analysisA two-stage modified Delphi process will be conducted by a core study group chosen for its expertise in ED pain management. A larger expert panel, identified through a comprehensive search in Scopus and CINAHL databases, will be invited to participate in the study and will be supplemented by patients recruited via international patient organisations or snowballing. In stage 1, the expert panel will complete a written survey to collect potential clinical variables for defining the ‘need for analgesia’ and ‘adequacy of analgesia’. The core study group will elaborate on these variables. In stage 2, the same participants will use a five-point Likert scale to achieve consensus defined as ≥80% of combined agreement on the proposed variables, over a maximum of three rounds. The same process will be used to define the ‘adequacy of analgesia’.Ethics and disseminationThe Ethics Committee of Northwestern and Central Switzerland exempted the project from committee approval under the Human Research Act. Written consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

This study investigates the optimization of two-stage object recognition systems, integral to a variety of applications, through advanced machine learning techniques. While such systems achieve high accuracy, they often suffer from over-parametrization and excessive computational demands. Addressing this, a pruning method tailored for complex architectures like Mask R-CNN was developed, aimed at reducing model complexity and storage without sacrificing accuracy. Employing a Global Kernel Level Filter Pruning strategy, identified by the L1-Norm, the approach strategically eliminated non-essential parameters post-training. This method maintains high recognition accuracy; the experiments demonstrated that accuracy remained robust up to 40\% pruning, achieving a compression ratioof 1.25 and an IoU@0.5 of 0.72. The findings offer valuable insights for the field, presenting a nuanced approach to enhancing Neural Network efficacy while maintaining performance, thereby contributing to the ongoing dialogue in AI optimization.