Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences

Gender equity remains critical for sustainable supply chains. As organisations integrate sustainability from compliance-driven obligations into strategy and innovation, the potential for sustainable supply chain management to catalyse gender equity and responsible marketing has never been greater. This chapter explores how technology, transparency, and stakeholder engagement identify, measure, and address gender disparities across global supply networks. The narrative uses empirical evidence and case studies to show why and how a persistent focus on gender equity is vital and a key driver for transformative marketing and long-term value creation. Integrating technology-driven transparency in sustainable supply chain management enables rigorous gender-disaggregated data collection and verification. At the same time, collaborative frameworks and policy innovations create pathways for systemic change. The analysis concludes by outlining research directions and practical policy, practice, and scholarship recommendations in the inclusive, sustainable global value creation era.

Climate change is not only a technical and environmental challenge but also an emotional and psychological one that affects public engagement, policy acceptance, and long-term sustainability. This study presents a conceptual framework based on the Kübler-Ross model from psychotherapy to explore emotional responses to climate change: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Based on a thematic analysis of the interdisciplinary secondary literature and illustrative cases, we analyse how these emotional dynamics influence climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Each stage reveals specific psychological barriers and entry points for communication, resilience-building, and policy design. We argue that emotional readiness is a critical yet underacknowledged factor in sustainable development and societal transformation. Addressing emotional dimensions can support mental health, increase acceptance of climate measures, and improve the alignment between sustainability strategies and public responses. Our findings emphasise the importance of tailoring sustainability communication and policies to different emotional stages to foster inclusive, effective, and lasting climate action.

Zusammenfassung In der Frage nach Hindernissen und Gelingensbedingungen von Beteiligungsprozessen in Kinder- und Jugendhilfediensten findet die Rolle von Emotionen und Macht nur selten eine explizite Berücksichtigung. Dies gilt insbesondere für einen systematischen Blick auf die Perspektive von Nutzer*innen. Über die Analyse von Interviews und Workshops mit Jugendlichen in Österreich argumentiert der Beitrag, dass strukturell erzeugte emotionale Teilhabebarrieren partizipative Bestrebungen erschweren oder verhindern. In direkten Interaktionen mit den Fachkräften zeigt sich ein über unterschiedliche Machtmechanismen hergestelltes Abhängigkeitsfeld, in dem vertrauensvolle oder angstbesetzte Beziehungen als teilhabefördernde oder -blockierende Praktiken auftreten. In stärker organisationalen Zusammenhängen werden vor allem eine fehlende Zugänglichkeit und zu starke Formalisierung als systemische Probleme deutlich gemacht. Beispiele von schriftlichen Anfragen, Fallakten und Haussitzungen illustrieren, wie ein enger Partizipationsrahmen und ein normativ gesetztes Expert*innen-Wissen als emotionale Hemmschwellen wirksam werden und Frustrations‑, Enttäuschungs- oder Resignationserscheinungen evozieren. Auf dieser Basis skizziert der Artikel abschließend einige Möglichkeiten und Vorschläge, diese Hindernisse im Sinne einer responsiven Kinder- und Jugendhilfe abzubauen.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the subjective assessments of strong and weak muscles in the Functional Myodiagnosis muscle test (FMD-MT) can be objectively and reproducibly verified using physically measurable parameters. Additionally, we sought to evaluate the reliability of the manual muscle test in order to reinforce the scientific evidence supporting this accepted, yet not widely adopted, complementary medicine method. Methods: In a crossover observational study, three experienced medical practitioners conducted the FMD-MT of the rectus femoris muscle on 24 healthy participants using a specially designed therapy bench, with all measurements recorded via an oscillogram. The study investigated the force-time integral, joint angle change, additional force load, mean force turning point 1, as well as the interrater reliability and validity of both examiner assessments and instrumental analyses for the two muscle reaction variants: strong and weak. Results: A significant difference between the response pattern of strong and weak muscles was identified for the force-time integral (p = 0.005), the change in joint angle (p < 0.001), and the additional force load (p = 0.001). No difference between strong and weak muscles could be detected regarding the force turning point 1 (p = 0.972). The examiners demonstrated 100% accuracy in identifying weak muscle reactions as weak, and 99.2% accuracy in identifying strong muscle reactions as strong (p = 0.316). The overall intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.984. The oscillogram correctly visualized weak muscle reactions in weak muscles with an accuracy of 81.7%, and strong muscle reactions in strong muscles with an accuracy of 86.7% (p = 0.289). Conclusions: The Functional Myodiagnosis muscle test (FMD-MT) enables a clear and objective differentiation between strong and weak muscles, with statistically significant differences observed in the force-time integral, additional force load, and joint angle changes. Under rigorously standardized testing conditions, the FMD-MT of the rectus femoris muscle demonstrates a validity rate of 99.6% and an excellent reliability (ICC 0.984). Consequently, the FMD muscle test proves to be a reliable, reproducible, and objective diagnostic method. Trial registration: German Register of Clinical Studies U1111-1212-6622.

Unlocking circular economy value through trusted and decentralised data sharing Discover how the JIDEP project evidences unlocking circular economy value through trusted and decentralised industrial data sharing. Europe’s transition to a greener and more digital economy depends on smarter, more efficient use of industrial data. The JIDEP project, completed in May 2025, showed how secure, decentralised data sharing can drive circular innovation across sectors like wind energy, automotive, and electronics. With the Joint Industrial Data Exchange Pipeline (JIDEP) project now concluded, it leaves behind a powerful vision: enabling circular industry by making high-value material and product data accessible, secure, and shareable across sectors. Funded by Horizon Europe, the three-year initiative brought together 13 partners across seven countries to build and demonstrate a platform where manufacturers, recyclers, and technology providers could collaborate through trusted, decentralised data exchange.

Modern telecommunication networks increasingly adopt hybrid architectures that enable the coexistence of various optical access technologies. This paper presents the design and simulation of a hybrid photonic network combining Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (DWDM-PON) and Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) in the OptiSystem environment. The goal was to verify whether these technologies can be integrated without mutual interference and to extend the network reach using Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs). Simulation results demonstrate that coexistence is feasible under appropriate configurations, with transmission quality evaluated through BER analysis and spectral characteristics. However, the presence of Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) noise generated by SOAs highlights the need for further research into optimizing hybrid network configurations.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the major cause of death worldwide, leading to a significant socioeconomic burden. Although secondary prevention is a cornerstone in chronic disease management, adherence to guideline recommendations in this regard often falters, leading to suboptimal outcomes. While eHealth technologies are promising for improving treatment adherence, they also represent a new approach to secondary prevention. However, a common critique is that extensive digitalization may not adequately address the needs of older adults with chronic medical conditions.ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze eHealth literacy, digital use patterns, and general attitudes toward digital technologies in a collective of patients with cardiovascular disease to identify potential obstacles in implementing mobile health technologies in secondary preventive therapy.MethodsThis survey-based study was a part of the baseline examination of the PreventiPlaque trial. It involved 240 participants with known coronary artery disease. The assessment evaluated their current understanding of the general use of digital devices. The questionnaire covered aspects such as the duration of daily use, personal attitudes, and the perceived burden associated with digital media. eHealth literacy was assessed within the target population and general demographic data were gathered, focusing on cardiovascular comorbidities and risk factors.ResultsThe analysis revealed an average age of 61.9 (SD 8.9) years, with 59.9% (n=144) of the participants being male. Overall, 37.3% (n=90) of the participants had previous knowledge of digital health interventions, while only 17.8% (n=41) had used them. Despite the generally low practical application within this study population, there was a high level of confidence in handling digital devices, with 61.9% (n=149) expressing themselves as either rather confident or very confident. Regarding the levels of eHealth literacy among the participants, 71.2% (n=170) claimed to be familiar with locating health information on the internet, and 64% (n=153) of participants felt capable of critically evaluating its quality. These levels of digital confidence were consistent across all age groups. Moreover, internet use rates remained high even among the older participants, with 80% (n=192) of those participants older than 75 years using the internet for 1-3 hours a day.ConclusionsThe study unveiled a notable confidence level among participants regarding the use of digital devices, coupled with a favorable attitude toward digital media evident across all age brackets. Remarkably, internet use rates remained high, even among older participants. The actual utilization of digital health interventions was relatively low, potentially stemming from challenges in locating reliable sources. These findings emphasize the prospect of future eHealth interventions customized to the distinct needs and preferences of patients in cardiovascular disease management. Recognizing the incongruity between confidence in device use and the restricted adoption of digital health tools can guide the development of focused interventions to narrow this divide.