@inproceedings{SchobertGmeinerFrankeetal.2025, author = {Schobert, Marvin and Gmeiner, Christian and Franke, J{\"o}rg and Schuderer, Peter}, title = {BPMN2.0 for the formal specification of discrete event simulation models}, volume = {2025}, booktitle = {Simulation in Produktion und Logistik 2025}, editor = {Rank, Sebastian and K{\"u}hn, Mathias and Schmidt, Thorsten}, publisher = {Technische Universit{\"a}t Dresden}, address = {Dresden}, isbn = {978-3-86780-806-4}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.25368/2025.285}, pages = {52-1 -- 52-10}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Discrete Event Simulation (DES) is essential for planning in logistics, material flow, and production but remains time- and knowledge-intensive due to fragmented modelling practices and tool-specific requirements, as noted in VDI 3633 and VDI 4465. This paper proposes addressing these challenges by transferring concepts from Business Process Management, leveraging its formal modelling languages and validation frameworks. A style guide based on the Business Process Model and Notation 2.0 (BPMN) is introduced, structured around the principles of correctness, completeness, consistency, and clarity to support both communication and simulation. These principles enable reusable, verifiable process models suitable for execution in different DES tools, which serves as a step towards automated experimentation and verification. Through a first-ever evaluation of state of the art approaches against those principles, this work contributes to the ongoing definition of a semi-formal BPMN modelling layer developed in the ASIM SPL working group for formal methods in procedural models.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchrageSchudererBarthetal.2025, author = {Schrage, Tobias and Schuderer, Peter and Barth, Martin and Franke, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Konzeptionierung und Integration eines KI-basierten Autoklavenmodells in ein simulationsbasiertes Entscheidungsunterst{\"u}tzungssystem in der Kalksandsteinproduktion}, booktitle = {Simulation in Produktion und Logistik 2025}, editor = {Rank, Sebastian and K{\"u}hn, Mathias and Schmidt, Thorsten}, publisher = {Technische Universit{\"a}t Dresden}, address = {Dresden}, isbn = {978-3-86780-809-5}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.25368/2025.288}, pages = {55-1 -- 55-10}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The calcium silicate brick (CSB) industry faces increasing pressure to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its production processes, especially due to the high energy consumption and CO₂ emissions associated with autoclaving. To support operational and strategic decision-making, a simulation-based decision support system (DSS) has been developed, utilizing a modular material flow simulation framework. However, the energy-intensive steam curing process in autoclaves remains insufficiently represented in existing simulation models. This paper presents a methodological approach for integrating an AI-based optimization agent for autoclave systems into the existing DSS used in CSB production. A review of current techniques for coupling AI assistance systems with discrete event simulation in production and logistics, within the building materials sector, provides the foundation. Building on this, the autoclaving process is modeled using a hybrid approach, combining thermodynamic domain knowledge with machine learning methods. This contribution highlights how the combination of simulation-based production planning and intelligent process modelling can drive digital transformation in energy-intensive industries.}, language = {de} } @unpublished{KoenigPaulaQuaschneretal.2023, author = {K{\"o}nig, Thomas and Paula, Daniel and Quaschner, Stefan and Schweiger, Hans-Georg}, title = {Influence of Blind Spot Assistance Systems in Heavy Commercial Vehicles on Accident Reconstruction}, publisher = {Preprints}, address = {Basel}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.1308.v1}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Accidents between right-turning commercial vehicles and crossing vulnerable road users (VRU) in urban environments often lead to serious or fatal injuries and therefore play a significant role in forensic accident analysis. To reduce the risk of accidents, blind spot assistance systems have been installed in commercial vehicles for several years, among other things, to detect VRUs and warn the driver in time. However, since such systems cannot reliably prevent all turning accidents, an investigation by experts must clarify how the accident occurred and to what extent the blind spot assistance system influenced the course of the accident. The occurrence of the acoustic warning message can be defined as an objective reaction prompt for the driver, so that the blind spot assistance system can significantly influence the avoidability assessment. In order to be able to integrate the system into forensic accident analysis, a precise knowledge of how the system works and its limitations is required. For this purpose, tests with different systems and accident constellations were conducted and evaluated. It was found that the type of sensor used for the assistance systems has a great influence on the system's performance. The lateral distance between the right side of the commercial vehicle and the VRU as well as obstacles between them and the speed difference can take great influence on the reliability of the assistance system. Depending on the concrete time of the system's warning signal the accident can be avoided or not by the driver when reacting on this signal.}, language = {en} } @article{HaidenRichter2025, author = {Haiden, Michael and Richter, Florian}, title = {Autonomous weapons: considering the rights and interests of soldiers}, volume = {27}, pages = {53}, journal = {Ethics and Information Technology}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1388-1957}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-025-09859-w}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The development of autonomous weapons systems (AWSs), which would make decisions on the battlefield without direct input from humans, has the potential to dramatically change the nature of war. Due to the revolutionary potential of these technologies, it is essential to discuss their moral implications. While the academic literature often highlights their morally problematic nature, with some proposing outright banning them, this paper highlights an important benefit of AWSs: protecting the lives, as well as the mental and physical health of soldiers. If militaries can avoid sending humans into dangerous situations or relieve drone operators from tasks that lead to lifelong trauma, this obviously appears morally desirable - especially in a world where many soldiers are still drafted against their will. Nonetheless, there are many arguments against AWSs. However, we show that although AWSs are potentially dangerous, criticisms apply equally to human soldiers and weapons steered by them. The combination of both claims makes a strong case against a ban on AWSs where it is possible. Instead, researchers should focus on mitigating their drawbacks and refining their benefits.}, language = {en} } @article{KruegelUhlBalcombe2021, author = {Kr{\"u}gel, Sebastian and Uhl, Matthias and Balcombe, Bryn}, title = {Automated vehicles and the morality of post-collision behavior}, volume = {23}, journal = {Ethics and Information Technology}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1572-8439}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-021-09607-w}, pages = {691 -- 701}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We address the considerations of the European Commission Expert Group on the ethics of connected and automated vehicles regarding data provision in the event of collisions. While human drivers' appropriate post-collision behavior is clearly defined, regulations for automated driving do not provide for collision detection. We agree it is important to systematically incorporate citizens' intuitions into the discourse on the ethics of automated vehicles. Therefore, we investigate whether people expect automated vehicles to behave like humans after an accident, even if this behavior does not directly affect the consequences of the accident. We find that appropriate post-collision behavior substantially influences people's evaluation of the underlying crash scenario. Moreover, people clearly think that automated vehicles can and should record the accident, stop at the site, and call the police. They are even willing to pay for technological features that enable post-collision behavior. Our study might begin a research program on post-collision behavior, enriching the empirically informed study of automated driving ethics that so far exclusively focuses on pre-collision behavior.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{KettelgerdesHillmannHirmeretal.2023, author = {Kettelgerdes, Marcel and Hillmann, Tjorven and Hirmer, Thomas and Erdogan, H{\"u}seyin and Wunderle, Bernhard and Elger, Gordon}, title = {Accelerated Real-Life (ARL) Testing and Characterization of Automotive LiDAR Sensors to facilitate the Development and Validation of Enhanced Sensor Models}, publisher = {arXiv}, address = {Ithaca}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2312.04229}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In the realm of automated driving simulation and sensor modeling, the need for highly accurate sensor models is paramount for ensuring the reliability and safety of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Hence, numerous works focus on the development of high-fidelity models of ADAS sensors, such as camera, Radar as well as modern LiDAR systems to simulate the sensor behavior in different driving scenarios, even under varying environmental conditions, considering for example adverse weather effects. However, aging effects of sensors, leading to suboptimal system performance, are mostly overlooked by current simulation techniques. This paper introduces a cutting-edge Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test bench designed for the automated, accelerated aging and characterization of Automotive LiDAR sensors. The primary objective of this research is to address the aging effects of LiDAR sensors over the product life cycle, specifically focusing on aspects such as laser beam profile deterioration, output power reduction and intrinsic parameter drift, which are mostly neglected in current sensor models. By that, this proceeding research is intended to path the way, not only towards identifying and modeling respective degradation effects, but also to suggest quantitative model validation metrics.}, language = {en} } @article{BehbehaniGlenSTayloretal.2017, author = {Behbehani, Mehri and Glen, Adam and S. Taylor, Caroline and Schuhmacher, Alexander and Claeyssens, Frederik and W. Haycock, John}, title = {Pre-clinical evaluation of advanced nerve guideconduits using a novel 3D in vitro testing model}, volume = {4}, pages = {123}, journal = {International Journal of Bioprinting}, number = {1}, publisher = {AccScience Publishing}, address = {Singapur}, issn = {2424-8002}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.18063/IJB.v4i1.123}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Autografts are the current gold standard for large peripheral nerve defects in clinics despite the frequentlyoccurring side effects like donor site morbidity. Hollow nerve guidance conduits (NGC) are proposed alternatives toautografts, but failed to bridge gaps exceeding 3 cm in humans. Internal NGC guidance cues like microfibresare believed to enhance hollow NGCs by giving additional physical support for directed regeneration of Schwann cellsand axons. In this study, we report a new 3D in vitro model that allows the evaluation of different intraluminal fibrescaffolds inside a complete NGC. The performance of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) microfibres inside 5 mmlong polyethylene glycol (PEG) conduits were investigated in neuronal cell and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) culturesinvitro. Z-stack confocal microscopy revealed the aligned orientation of neuronal cells along the fibres throughout thewhole NGC length and depth. The number of living cells in the centre of the scaffold was not significantly different tothe tissue culture plastic (TCP) control. For ex vivo analysis, DRGs were placed on top of fibre-filled NGCs to simulatethe proximal nerve stump. In 21 days of culture, Schwann cells and axons infiltrated the conduits along the microfibreswith 2.2 \± 0.37 mm and 2.1 \± 0.33 mm, respectively. We conclude that this in vitro model can help define internal NGCscaffolds in the future by comparing different fibre materials, composites and dimensions in one setup prior to animal testing.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuhmacherHinderBriefetal.2025, author = {Schuhmacher, Alexander and Hinder, Markus and Brief, Elazar and Gassmann, Oliver and Hartl, Dominik}, title = {Benchmarking R\&D success rates of leading pharmaceutical companies: an empirical analysis of FDA approvals (2006-2022)}, volume = {30}, pages = {104291}, journal = {Drug Discovery Today}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1878-5832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104291}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Previous analyses provide an industry benchmark of ∼10\% for the success rate in clinical development. However, prior analyses were limited by a narrow timeframe, a diverse research focus, biases in phase-to-phase transition methodology or a focus on specific use cases. We calculated unbiased input:output ratios (Phase I to FDA new drug approval) to analyze the likelihood of first approval using data from clinicaltrials.gov, encompassing a total of 2092 active ingredients, 19 927 clinical trials conducted by 18 leading pharmaceutical companies (2006-2022) and 274 new drug approvals. Our study reveals an average likelihood of first approval rate of 14.3\% across leading research-based pharmaceutical companies, broadly ranging from 8\% to 23\%.}, language = {en} } @article{GermannSchuhmacherHarrisonetal.2013, author = {Germann, Paul-Georg and Schuhmacher, Alexander and Harrison, Juan and Law, Ronald and Haug, Kevin and Wong, Gordon}, title = {How to create innovation by building the translation bridge from basic research into medicinal drugs: an industrial perspective}, volume = {7}, pages = {5}, journal = {Human Genomics}, number = {1}, publisher = {BioMedCentral}, address = {London}, issn = {1479-7364}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-7364-7-5}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @article{SchuhmacherGrinchenkoGassmannetal.2025, author = {Schuhmacher, Alexander and Grinchenko, Kyrylo and Gassmann, Oliver and Hartl, Dominik and Hinder, Markus}, title = {A case study assessing the impact of M\&A and licensing on FDA drug approvals of leading pharmaceutical companies}, volume = {30}, pages = {104306}, journal = {Drug Discovery Today}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1878-5832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104306}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Despite a recent increase in FDA new drug approvals, leading pharmaceutical companies continue to face R\&D productivity challenges. This highlights the need to better understand the context of their R\&D concepts and related R\&D outputs. Consequently, we conducted a systematic assessment of the impact of R\&D expenditures, R\&D intensities, mergers \& acquisitions (M\&A) deals and licensing agreements on new drug approvals of leading pharmaceutical companies between 2012 and 2021. Our analysis provides key insights into differentiating R\&D factors: whereas R\&D expenditures and the number of M\&A deals correlate with the number of new drug approvals, our analysis shows no correlation with R\&D intensity or the number of licensing agreements.}, language = {en} } @article{Schuhmacher2024, author = {Schuhmacher, Alexander}, title = {Pharma innovation: how evolutionary economics is shaping the future of pharma R\&D}, volume = {29}, pages = {104222}, journal = {Drug Discovery Today}, number = {12}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1878-5832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104222}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This paper describes the theory of evolutionary economics in the context of pharmaceutical R\&D. In this context, the R\&D productivity crisis acts as a key selection mechanism, and R\&D, technology and industry trends provide mechanisms of variation. Drawing on today's prevailing business model among leading pharmaceutical companies, the biotech-leveraged pharma company (BIPCO), I propose two new value creation logics: the technology-investigating pharma company (TIPCO) and the asset-integrating pharma company (AIPCO). Although some companies already share aspects of these business models, it is not yet clear, in terms of evolutionary economics, what the ultimate outcome of the evolutionary process in pharma R\&D will be.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuhmacherGassmannHinderetal.2024, author = {Schuhmacher, Alexander and Gassmann, Oliver and Hinder, Markus and Hartl, Dominik}, title = {Comparative analysis of FDA approvals by top 20 pharma companies (2014-2023)}, volume = {29}, pages = {104128}, journal = {Drug Discovery Today}, number = {9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1878-5832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104128}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This article addresses the research and development (R\&D) productivity challenge of the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-related new drug approvals of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies (2014-2023). We evaluated the degree of innovation in new drugs to determine the innovativeness of these leading companies. A key finding of our analysis is the decline in the number of new drugs approved by the FDA for these leading companies over the investigated time period. This trend suggests that some of the leading companies are losing ground in R\&D innovation, raising concerns about their ability to sustain competitive advantage, ensure long-term market success, and maintain viable business models.}, language = {en} } @article{KwisdaKremerSievertsenetal.2025, author = {Kwisda, Sebastian and Kremer, Malte and Sievertsen, Niels and Gassmann, Oliver and Hartl, Dominik and Schuhmacher, Alexander}, title = {Does pharma R\&D need a strategic reset? Adapting to a changing US landscape}, volume = {30}, pages = {104442}, journal = {Drug Discovery Today}, number = {9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1878-5832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104442}, year = {2025}, abstract = {R\&D productivity has long challenged research-based pharmaceutical companies, raising concerns about the sustainability of their research-driven business models. These firms have traditionally relied on the U.S. as a stable hub for biomedical innovation, skilled talent, and high-price markets—supporting the biotech-leveraged pharma company (BIPCO) model However, recent geopolitical shifts—especially under the new Trump administration, including FDA budget cuts, reduced U.S. research funding, and pharmaceutical tariffs—are destabilizing this foundation. The once-reliable "safe harbor" is no longer secure. As a result, pharma R\&D now faces strategic risks beyond its prior scope. With the weakening of the U.S.-centered innovation model, companies must rethink R\&D pipelines, secure key technologies, maintain global clinical networks, and adjust supply chain and tax strategies. The viability of the current R\&D model—rooted in U.S. leadership and premium markets—is now uncertain, requiring urgent strategic realignment.}, language = {en} } @article{JamadarSekharYadaetal.2025, author = {Jamadar, Mohammad I. and Sekhar, Ravi and Yada, Vijay Ramarao and Rairikar, Sandeep D. and Thipse, Sukrut}, title = {Emission Testing of Flex Fuel Vehicles up to M100/E100: Upgradation of Existing Test Facility for Vehicles below 3.5-ton GVW for Testing Methanol or Ethanol Operated Vehicles}, volume = {58}, journal = {Journal Europ{\´e}en des Syst{\`e}mes Automatis{\´e}s​}, number = {8}, publisher = {IIETA}, address = {Edmonton}, issn = {2116-7087}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.18280/jesa.580816}, pages = {1721 -- 1732}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This paper is focused on enhancing the existing dilute emission measurement system to accommodate the emission testing of vehicles operating with gasoline blends with methanol and ethanol, dedicated M100/E100 etc. India is moving towards achieving the E20 blend on the pan-country level by April 2025 with the initiations of NITI Aayog and exploring alternate fuels like 100\% methanol and ethanol. Government of India is now focused on introducing the flex fuel vehicle (FFV) technology that supports the usage of higher ethanol blends. As per CMVR guidelines for M and N category vehicles with a gross vehicle weight less than 3,500 kg; a dilute emission measurement system is used to evaluate tailpipe pollutants and fuel economy. Most of the present emission systems are compatible with testing the vehicle till M15 and E20 blends. Beyond this percentage, usage of a test facility for M100, E100, and other flex-fuel vehicles, require certain modifications in existing test facility to maintain the precision and reliability of the results considering higher water content in exhaust and effect of condensation on emission measurement due to dilution. The modifications needed, implementation and their impact are experimentally briefed in the present paper.}, language = {en} } @article{DenkFroehlingBrunneretal.2024, author = {Denk, Florian and Fr{\"o}hling, Felix and Brunner, Pascal and Huber, Werner and Margreiter, Martin and Bogenberger, Klaus and Kates, Ronald}, title = {Influence of gaze strategies and cognitive load on safeguarding performance of motorists in right-turning scenarios involving potential conflicts with vulnerable road users}, volume = {2025}, journal = {Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour}, number = {109}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-5517}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.11.012}, pages = {32 -- 49}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In urban traffic, while the fraction of collisions involving Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) is low, their importance is high due to the higher injury risk for VRU. Their infrequent occurrence on average (compared with far more common individual perceptual and behavioral errors by both drivers and VRUs) reflects an underlying fault tolerance in traffic processes. However, the degree of fault tolerance varies among traffic situations. The underlying perceptual and cognitive processes involved are complex and can require a high level of attention and concentration, particularly in situations with intersecting trajectories. These processes can occasionally fail, leading to collision risk. The situation of right-turning motorists (in right-hand-drive countries) encountering cyclists moving straight on a bike lane (with right of way) has a particularly low error tolerance, since motorists must actively scan for cyclists approaching from behind. In order to develop, test and assess solutions that mitigate collision risk in this situation, the behavior-related causation mechanisms need investigation. This is the focus of this article. We conducted a trial on our closed test track with n = 35 subjects. The experiment was designed as a within-subject design with three independent factors: maneuver, target velocity, and cognitive load in an n-back task. The trial included observations of participants' gaze control. A primary research focus was the quality and efficiency of the safeguarding gaze behavior of participants in order to draw conclusions on the causation mechanisms of collisions in this situation. For this purpose we define metrics in order to quantify the quality and efficiency of a specific gaze behavior. Furthermore, we studied the effect of factors cognitive load and target velocity on safety and secondary (n-back) task performance. Remarkably, only four out of 35 participants reached a collision risk of 0\% relating to the defined quality metric. Furthermore, we identified four distinct gaze strategy groups through hierarchical clustering, where one group performed particularly few glances overall. This group showed significant differences with respect to the defined quality metric whereas the other groups showed only slight differences to each other. The results have implications on subsequent crash causation model development.}, language = {en} } @inbook{BechtholdChugunovaFriessetal.2021, author = {Bechthold, Laura and Chugunova, Marina and Friess, Svenja and Hoisl, Karin and Rose, Michael E.}, title = {Women in Creative Labor: Inventors, Entrepreneurs and Academics}, booktitle = {Fundamental Questions: Gender Dimensions in Max Planck Research Projects}, editor = {Weber, Ulla}, publisher = {Nomos}, address = {Baden-Baden}, isbn = {978-3-8487-7096-0}, doi = {doi.org/10.5771/9783748924869-135}, pages = {135 -- 154}, year = {2021}, abstract = {This article provides an overview of the latest empirical research on the gender gap in knowledge-intensive occupations from an economics perspective. It studies contributing factors both from an institutional and behavioral perspective, and considers potential solutions. The persisting gender gap is not only an issue of social fairness; it also hampers innovation and has direct negative implications for individual productivity as well as economic growth. The overview of the existing gender literature, as well as our own research, emphasize that it is imperative to fight the gender gap with well-tailored policies and to support gender equality at the institutional and personal level.}, language = {en} } @article{PanchalPatelGohil2023, author = {Panchal, Dhruv and Patel, Bhavesh and Gohil, Hardik}, title = {Experimental Investigation on Performance Characteristics of Dry Centrifugal Clutch with Grooved Friction Liners}, volume = {20}, journal = {International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering}, number = {1}, publisher = {Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Publishing}, address = {Pekan}, issn = {2180-1606}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.15282/ijame.20.1.2023.01.0786}, pages = {10152 -- 10164}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The deteriorated condition of friction liners after prolonged use is one of the primary causes of judder in centrifugal clutches. The friction characteristics can be retained by generating specific textures or grooves on the friction liner. An attempt has been made to study the characteristics of centrifugal clutch using grooved friction liners. A test cycle for centrifugal clutch has been developed using a number of engagements as the basis. A vehicle test bench was used for the experiment where the developed test cycle was automated. The performance characteristics of the centrifugal clutch have been recorded and analyzed with normal friction liners and grooved friction liners for 100 test cycles. For this study, the groove area ratio was retained at 0.15, and the grooves were cut at 90°. After completing 100 test cycles, the clutch with a grooved friction liner exhibited better characteristics. After completing 100 test cycles, the surface roughness reduction at the leading section of the grooved friction liner and normal friction liner has been found to be 6.44\% and 8.11\%, respectively. The thickness reduction at the leading section of the grooved friction liner and normal friction liner has been reported to be 3.73\% and 4.98\%, respectively. Throughout the run of 100 test cycles, the higher clutch housing temperature has been witnessed in the case of a clutch with a grooved friction liner. At the 100th test cycle, the clutch torque with a grooved friction liner was 15.22\% more than the clutch torque with a normal friction liner. Even after prolonged use, the clutch with grooved friction liner exhibited better judder characteristics and also provided higher fuel economy for vehicles.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KelerDenkBrunneretal.2021, author = {Keler, Andreas and Denk, Florian and Brunner, Pascal and Grigoropoulos, Georgios and Malcom, Patrick and Bogenberger, Klaus}, title = {Varying Bicycle Infrastructures}, subtitle = {an Interconnected Simulator Study for Inspecting Motorist-Cyclist Conflicts}, publisher = {Zenodo}, address = {Genf}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5513664}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this research, we estimate the influence of different bicycle infrastructure on the severity of motorist-cyclist conflicts via an interconnected simulator study. Our focus is a specific conflict type: motorist is turning at an intersection and the cyclist is going straight, crossing the intersection based on previous evaluations from literature. Additionally, we reason on previously-conducted bicycle simulator studies and adapt specific methodological components of investigation area depiction in VR and scenario definition. In the end, we present four scenarios of a case study based on a signalized intersection in Ingolstadt, Germany, where we inspect motorist-cyclist conflicts in an interconnected simulator environment. After every simulator run both test subjects will be teleported to specific starting positions.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RodriguezArozamenaMatutePerezetal.2024, author = {Rodr{\´i}guez-Arozamena, Mario and Matute, Jose and P{\´e}rez, Joshu{\´e} and Ozbay, Burcu and Tezcan, Deryanur and Begecarslan, Enes and Mutlukaya, Irem and Mayer, Kevin and Volkersdorfer, Tina and Hof, Hans-Joachim}, title = {TRA2024 Poster - A Fail-Safe Decision Architecture for CCAM Applications}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Transport Research Arena (TRA2024) Conference}, publisher = {Zenodo}, address = {Genf}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10995953}, year = {2024}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{NadriAlvarezBoschetal.2022, author = {Nadri, Chihab and Alvarez, Ignacio and Bosch, Esther and Oehl, Michael and Braun, Michael and Healey, Jennifer and Jallais, Christophe and Ju, Wendy and Li, Jingyi and Jeon, Myounghoon}, title = {Empathic vehicle design: Use cases and design directions from two workshops}, pages = {456}, booktitle = {CHI'22: Extended Abstracts of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}, editor = {Diniz Junqueira Barbosa, Simone and Lampe, Cliff and Appert, Caroline and Shamma, David}, publisher = {ACM}, address = {New York}, isbn = {978-1-4503-9156-6}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1145/3491101.3519623}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Empathic vehicles are expected to improve user experience in automated vehicles and to help increase user acceptance of technology. However, little is known about potential real-world implementations and designs using empathic interfaces in vehicles with higher levels of automation. Given advances in affect detection and emotion mitigation, we conducted two workshops (N1 =24, N2 = 22, Ntotal = 46) on the design of empathic vehicles and their potential utility in a variety of applications. This paper recapitulates key opportunities in the design and application of empathetic interfaces in automated vehicles which emerged from the two workshops hosted at the ACM AutoUI conferences.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{PagonisHartungWuetal.2024, author = {Pagonis, Panagiotis and Hartung, Kai and Wu, Di and Georges, Munir and Gr{\"o}ttrup, S{\"o}ren}, title = {Analysis of Knowledge Tracing performance on synthesised student data}, publisher = {arXiv}, address = {Ithaca}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2401.16832}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Knowledge Tracing (KT) aims to predict the future performance of students by tracking the development of their knowledge states. Despite all the recent progress made in this field, the application of KT models in education systems is still restricted from the data perspectives: 1) limited access to real life data due to data protection concerns, 2) lack of diversity in public datasets, 3) noises in benchmark datasets such as duplicate records. To resolve these problems, we simulated student data with three statistical strategies based on public datasets and tested their performance on two KT baselines. While we observe only minor performance improvement with additional synthetic data, our work shows that using only synthetic data for training can lead to similar performance as real data.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HartungJaegerGroettrupetal.2022, author = {Hartung, Kai and J{\"a}ger, Gerhard and Gr{\"o}ttrup, S{\"o}ren and Georges, Munir}, title = {Typological Word Order Correlations with Logistic Brownian Motion}, pages = {2022.sigtyp-1.3}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 4th Workshop on Computational Typology and Multilingual NLP (SIGTYP 2022)}, editor = {Vylomova, Ekaterina and Ponti, Edoardo and Cotterell, Ryan}, publisher = {Association for Computational Linguistics}, address = {Stroudsburg}, isbn = {978-1-955917-93-3}, url = {https://aclanthology.org/2022.sigtyp-1.3}, pages = {22 -- 26}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this study we address the question to what extent syntactic word-order traits of different languages have evolved under correlation and whether such dependencies can be found universally across all languages or restricted to specific language families.To do so, we use logistic Brownian Motion under a Bayesian framework to model the trait evolution for 768 languages from 34 language families. We test for trait correlations both in single families and universally over all families. Separate models reveal no universal correlation patterns and Bayes Factor analysis of models over all covered families also strongly indicate lineage specific correlation patters instead of universal dependencies.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuhmacherGassmannKwisdaetal.2025, author = {Schuhmacher, Alexander and Gassmann, Oliver and Kwisda, Sebastian and Kremer, Malte and Hinder, Markus and Hartl, Dominik}, title = {The R\&D productivity challenge: transforming the pharmaceutical ecosystem}, volume = {30}, pages = {104494}, journal = {Drug Discovery Today}, number = {11}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1878-5832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104494}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The persistent decline in pharmaceutical R\&D productivity has been extensively analyzed and debated for over two decades, with profound implications for the structure and strategy of the pharmaceutical industry. This systemic challenge forced many leading companies to adapt their R\&D models, influencing internal capabilities and external innovation strategies. In response, the industry has evolved into a complex, interdependent biopharmaceutical ecosystem encompassing large pharmaceutical corporations, biotech innovators and specialized service providers. Although R\&D productivity affects all research-driven companies, its consequences are particularly pronounced for large pharmaceutical firms, because the scale and capital intensity of their R\&D activities make productivity a crucial determinant of long-term competitiveness and sustainability. By contrast, other stakeholders are only partially adversely affected, whereas some can even obtain value from it.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{SuciuBock2025, author = {Suciu, Tobias and Bock, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {A Practical Approach to Multivariate Time Series Anomaly Detection in Automotive Bus Systems Testing}, titleParent = {Research Square}, publisher = {Research Square}, address = {Durham}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7778102/v1}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The increasing complexity of modern vehicles and their testing procedures generates vast amounts of multivariate time series data, making manual anomaly detection during automotive testing increasingly challenging. This article investigates the application of deep learning algorithms for automated anomaly detection in automotive bus data collected during dynamic driving scenarios. Three distinct architectures are implemented and compared: a CNN-based forecasting approach (DeepAnT), an LSTM-based model (LSTM-AD), and a Convolutional Autoencoder (CAE). Real-world driving data collected across various scenarios, ranging from normal operation to extreme maneuvers, is employed. Through evaluation across seven distinct test scenarios, findings reveal that while each architecture demonstrates specific strengths, their effectiveness varies significantly based on anomaly type and driving context. DeepAnT shows the most consistent performance across different scenarios, while LSTM-AD achieves superior detection capability for complex temporal patterns, particularly in scenarios involving coordinated changes across multiple features. The CAE excels at identifying pronounced deviations but shows limitations in detecting subtle anomalies. This study demonstrates that while deep learning models effectively detect anomalies in automotive time series data, their practical implementation requires careful consideration of specific use cases, emphasizing the critical role of data preprocessing and threshold calculation in ensuring reliable anomaly detection.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MangerAlbrechtRiener2024, author = {Manger, Carina and Albrecht, Kathrin and Riener, Andreas}, title = {Explanation Needs in Automated Driving: Insights from German Driving Education and Vehicle Acquisition}, booktitle = {MuC'24: Proceedings of the 2024 Conference on Mensch und Computer}, editor = {Maedche, Alexander and Beigl, Michael and Gerling, Kathrin and Mayer, Sven}, publisher = {ACM}, address = {New York}, isbn = {979-8-4007-0998-2}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1145/3670653.3670679}, pages = {288 -- 298}, year = {2024}, abstract = {As driving assistance driving systems become increasingly advanced, a correct understanding of the functionality of these systems is crucial for safe use. In this work we explored drivers' explanation needs and current explanation methods from an important but underlooked perspective: driver training and vehicle acquisition. In a two-step approach, we conducted expert interviews with n = 7 driving instructors and vehicle salespeople in Germany and validated these results with an online survey of n = 105. Our results show that Driver Assistance Systems (DASs) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADASs), are currently covered in both driver training and vehicle acquisition but to a varying extent and in a very application-oriented manner. A drivers' tendency for preferring comparative explanations that build upon knowledge about similar systems was found. Based on the combined results, we emphasize the need for mandatory and standardized explanation methods to ensure a safe transition to automated driving.}, language = {en} } @article{MehtaLambaSinhaetal.2025, author = {Mehta, Kedar and Lamba, Ravita and Sinha, Sunanda and Kumar, Nand}, title = {BIPV in India: Opportunities, challenges, and pathways for urban planning and smart cities}, volume = {2025}, pages = {100133}, journal = {Solar Compass}, number = {15}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2772-9400}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solcom.2025.100133}, year = {2025}, abstract = {As India urbanizes rapidly, sustainable energy solutions have become a priority to meet rising energy demands and mitigate environmental impacts. Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) offer a promising approach to harness solar energy within urban infrastructure, transforming buildings into renewable energy assets. Unlike conventional rooftop PV systems, BIPV maximizes urban space utilization while enhancing architectural aesthetics and energy efficiency. However, the adoption of BIPV in India remains limited due to factors such as regulatory barriers, lack of standardized designs, and high initial costs. This study uses SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths) analyses to assess the potential, opportunities, and challenges of BIPV in India's urban planning. It then discusses policy implications and offers practical recommendations for implementation in Indian cities. Key findings of this study indicate that BIPV adoption in India can significantly contribute to urban sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, improving energy self-sufficiency, and lowering long-term operational costs. The SWOT and TOWS analysis reveal that while BIPV presents opportunities for smart urban integration, challenges such as high initial investments and lack of awareness must be addressed through targeted policies and incentives. Additionally, global case studies highlight successful BIPV implementations, providing valuable lessons for India's urban planning strategies.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{EscherPeintnerRiener2024, author = {Escher, Bengt and Peintner, Jakob and Riener, Andreas}, title = {The Significance of the Bystander Effect on Personal Responsibility in Critical Situations in Shared Automated Vehicles}, booktitle = {16th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, September 22-25, 2024, Stanford, USA, Main Conference Proceedings}, publisher = {ACM}, address = {New York}, isbn = {979-8-4007-0510-6}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1145/3640792.3675704}, pages = {384 -- 394}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Shared Automated Vehicles (SAVs) present a promising solution for future urban mobility. However, SAVs will reach the limits of their capabilities in some edge cases. Similar to personal AVs, passengers in SAVs might be utilized for this purpose, thus, methods for interaction between passengers and the automation or a teleoperator need to be explored. This study investigates whether the presence of other passengers leads to more passive behavior in critical situations (bystander effect). The results did not show significant differences in the participants' behavior depending on whether the ride was experienced alone or with other passengers. However, the qualitative data indicate that the presence of other passengers can trigger psychological processes that promote a bystander effect. The findings emphasize the importance of considering group effects in the context of SAVs. By understanding these dynamics, we aim to help design SAVs to promote safer and more inclusive future transport systems.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{OkumusRamicKugele2025, author = {Okumus, Fazli Faruk and Ramic, Amra and Kugele, Stefan}, title = {A Systematic Mapping Study on Contract-based Software Design for Dependable Systems}, publisher = {arXiv}, address = {Ithaca}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2505.07542}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Background: Contract-based Design (CbD) is a valuable methodology for software design that allows annotation of code and architectural components with contracts, thereby enhancing clarity and reliability in software development. It establishes rules that outline the behaviour of software components and their interfaces and interactions. This modular approach enables the design process to be segmented into smaller, independently developed, tested, and verified system components, ultimately leading to more robust and dependable software. Aim: Despite the significance and well-established theoretical background of CbD, there is a need for a comprehensive systematic mapping study for reliable software systems. Our study provides an evidence-based overview of a method and demonstrates its practical feasibility. Method: To conduct this study, we systematically searched three different databases using specially formulated queries, which initially yielded 1,221 primary studies. After voting, we focused on 288 primary studies for more detailed analysis. Finally, a collaborative review allowed us to gather relevant evidence and information to address our research questions. Results: Our findings suggest potential avenues for future research trajectories in CbD, emphasising its role in improving the dependability of software systems. We highlight maturity levels across different domains and identify areas that may benefit from further research. Conclusion: Although CbD is a well-established software design approach, a more comprehensive literature review is needed to clarify its theoretical state about dependable systems. Our study addresses this gap by providing a detailed overview of CbD from various perspectives, identifying key gaps, and suggesting future research directions.}, language = {en} } @article{deBorbaVaculinMarzbanietal.2023, author = {de Borba, Thiago and Vaculin, Ondrej and Marzbani, Hormoz and Jazar, Reza}, title = {Increasing Safety of Automated Driving by Infrastructure-Based Sensors}, volume = {11}, journal = {IEEE Access}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {2169-3536}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3311136}, pages = {94974 -- 94991}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This paper describes the development of an intelligent infrastructure, a test field, for the safety assurance of automated vehicles within the research project Ingolstadt Innovation Laboratory (IN2Lab). It includes a description of the test field architecture, the RoadSide Units (RSU) concept based on infrastructure-based sensors, the environment perception system, and the mission control system. The study also proposes a global object fusion method to fuse objects detected by different RSUs and investigate the overall measurement accuracy obtained from the usage of different infrastructure-based sensors. Furthermore, it presents four use cases: traffic monitoring, assisted perception, collaborative perception, and extended perception. The traffic monitoring, based on the perception information provided by each roadside unit, generates a global fused object list and monitors the state of the traffic participants. The assisted perception, using vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, broadcasts the state information of the traffic participants to the connected vehicles. The collaborative perception creates a global fused object list with the local detections of connected vehicles and the detections provided by the roadside units, making it available for all connected vehicles. Lastly, the extended environment perception monitors specific locations, recognizes critical scenarios involving vulnerable road users and automated vehicles, and generates a suitable avoidance maneuver to avoid or mitigate the occurrence of collisions.}, language = {en} } @article{AfrajVaculinBoehmlaenderetal.2025, author = {Afraj, Shahabaz and Vaculin, Ondrej and B{\"o}hml{\"a}nder, Dennis and Hynč{\´i}k, Luděk}, title = {Vehicle crash simulation models for reinforcement learning driven crash-detection algorithm calibration}, volume = {12}, pages = {17}, journal = {Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences}, number = {1}, publisher = {SpringerOpen}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2213-7467}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40323-025-00288-4}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The development of finite element vehicle models for crash simulations is a highly complex task. The main aim of these models is to simulate a variety of crash scenarios and assess all the safety systems for their respective performances. These vehicle models possess a substantial amount of data pertaining to the vehicle's geometry, structure, materials, etc., and are used to estimate a large set of system and component level characteristics using crash simulations. It is understood that even the most well-developed simulation models are prone to deviations in estimation when compared to real-world physical test results. This is generally due to our inability to model the chaos and uncertainties introduced in the real world. Such unavoidable deviations render the use of virtual simulations ineffective for the calibration process of the algorithms that activate the restraint systems in the event of a crash (crash-detection algorithm). In the scope of this research, authors hypothesize the possibility of accounting for such variations introduced in the real world by creating a feedback loop between real-world crash tests and crash simulations. To accomplish this, a Reinforcement Learning (RL) compatible virtual surrogate model is used, which is adapted from crash simulation models. Hence, a conceptual methodology is illustrated in this paper for developing an RL-compatible model that can be trained using the results of crash simulations and crash tests. As the calibration of the crash-detection algorithm is fundamentally dependent upon the crash pulses, the scope of the expected output is limited to advancing the ability to estimate crash pulses. Furthermore, the real-time implementation of the methodology is illustrated using an actual vehicle model.}, language = {en} } @article{deBorbaVaculinMarzbanietal.2025, author = {de Borba, Thiago and Vaculin, Ondrej and Marzbani, Hormoz and Jazar, Reza}, title = {Increasing Safety of Vulnerable Road Users in Scenarios With Occlusion: A Collaborative Approach for Smart Infrastructures and Automated Vehicles}, volume = {13}, journal = {IEEE Access}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {2169-3536}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3527865}, pages = {8851 -- 8885}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The impact of Automated Vehicles (AVs) on road traffic safety has become the focus of discussions among governmental organizations, academia, stakeholders, and OEMs. Questions about how safe the automated driving features should be and how the road infrastructure should be improved for the arrival of this new technology must be clarified to enable full acceptance by the customers and society and prepare the mobility of future cities. The fundamental architecture of automated vehicles comprises perception, planning, decision, and actuation. The operation of the perception system, which is responsible for understanding the environment in which the vehicle is inserted, relies mainly on the onboard sensors. However, the available ranging and vision sensors, e.g., LiDAR, radar, and camera, have several limitations. Scenarios with occlusion present a real challenge for state-of-the-art perception systems. The occlusion, caused by obstructing the sensors' detection field, limits the vehicle's perception ability and inhibits the detection of other road users in the surroundings, especially Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs). Infrastructure composed of Roadside Units (RSUs) equipped with infrastructure-based sensors can overcome the perception limitations of a system based solely on onboard sensors by monitoring the road environment with a larger field of view and reduced sensitivity to occlusion. This paper presents a collaborative approach for smart infrastructures and automated vehicles for vulnerable road users' collision avoidance. The proposed extended perception system comprises four main modules: traffic monitoring, long-term motion prediction, collision risk assessment, and trajectory planning. In the event of a safety-critical scenario, the infrastructure generates a safe and comfortable evasive maneuver to avoid a possible collision. Hence, the proposed approach provides a complete solution to overcome scenarios with occluded VRUs. It allows AVs to react to a critical situation with a longer time-to-collision than other systems relying only on onboard sensors, increasing the chance of successful avoidance even when implementing smoother maneuvers. This contributes considerably to the safe and comfortable operation of automated vehicles.}, language = {en} } @article{DoenmezVaculindeBorba2024, author = {D{\"o}nmez, {\"O}mer and Vaculin, Ondrej and de Borba, Thiago}, title = {A Cost Effective Solution to an Automated Valet Parking System}, volume = {25}, journal = {International Journal of Automotive Technology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1976-3832}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-024-00031-9}, pages = {369 -- 380}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Automated Valet Parking Systems (AVPS) relieve the driver of the entire parking process. Many of the systems known today rely on a combination of automotive sensors with sensors of the infrastructure. For this purpose, parking facilities are equipped with comprehensive sensor technology to support the vehicles in environment sensing and route planning. This approach is comparatively expensive which is why many parking operators don't provide that technology to their customers. This paper proposes a lean AVPS system architecture that requires minimal effort to adapt the infrastructure. At the same time, state-of-the-art vehicle technology is used to make AVPS more profitable overall. At the beginning, an overview will be given describing the state of the art of AVPS. Subsequently, requirements for the AVPS will be elaborated, whereby the system can be designed and implemented in the following. Finally, the presentation of simulation results shows that one doesn't have to extend the infrastructure with sensors to develop a safe and reliable AVPS.}, language = {en} } @article{VaculinGellrichMatawaetal.2020, author = {Vaculin, Ondrej and Gellrich, Michael and Matawa, Robert and Witschass, Steffen}, title = {Testing of automated driving systems}, volume = {17}, journal = {MECCA : Journal of Middle European Construction and Design of Cars}, number = {1}, publisher = {Czech Technical University}, address = {Prag}, issn = {1804-9338}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.14311/mecdc.2020.01.02}, pages = {7 -- 13}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The automated driving requires new testing approaches, which are more complex than the current testing systems. The complexity and requirements for accuracy is important, because of interconnection of virtual with physical testing. This paper presents a generic approach to testing of automated driving functions and demonstrates its implementation on measurement of two scenarios.}, language = {en} } @article{ItzekWeissbachMeintrupetal.2023, author = {Itzek, Andreas and Weißbach, Victoria and Meintrup, David and Rieß, Beate and van der Linden, Mark and Borgmann, Stefan}, title = {Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis stG62647 and Other emm Types in Germany}, volume = {12}, pages = {589}, journal = {Pathogens}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2076-0817}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12040589}, year = {2023}, abstract = {(1) Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is an important β-hemolytic pathogen historically described as mainly affecting animals. Studies epidemiologically assessing the pathogenicity in the human population in Germany are rare. (2) Methods: the present study combines national surveillance data from 2010 to 2022 with a single-center clinical study conducted from 2016 to 2022, focusing on emm type, Lancefield antigen, antimicrobial resistance, patient characteristics, disease severity, and clinical infection markers. (3) Results: The nationwide reported invasive SDSE infections suggest an increasing infection burden for the German population. One particular emm type, stG62647, increased over the study period, being the dominant type in both study cohorts, suggesting a mutation-driven outbreak of a virulent clone. The patient data show that men were more affected than women, although in the single-center cohort, this trend was reversed for patients with stG62647 SDSE. Men affected by stG62647 developed predominantly fascial infections, whereas women suffering from superficial and fascial non-stG62647 SDSE infections were significantly younger than other patients. Increasing age was a general risk factor for invasive SDSE infections. (4) Conclusions: further studies are needed to further elucidate the raised questions regarding outbreak origin, underlying molecular mechanisms as well as sex-dependent pathogen adaptation.}, language = {en} } @article{KubisSchwabWerleetal.2018, author = {Kubis, Lea and Schwab, Julian D. and Werle, Silke D. and Lausser, Ludwig and T{\"u}mpel, Stefan and Pfister, Astrid S. and K{\"u}hl, Michael and Kestler, Hans A.}, title = {A Boolean network of the crosstalk between IGF and Wnt signaling in aging satellite cells}, volume = {13}, pages = {e0195126}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {3}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195126}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Aging is a complex biological process, which determines the life span of an organism. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and Wnt signaling pathways govern the process of aging. Both pathways share common downstream targets that allow competitive crosstalk between these branches. Of note, a shift from IGF to Wnt signaling has been observed during aging of satellite cells. Biological regulatory networks necessary to recreate aging have not yet been discovered. Here, we established a mathematical in silico model that robustly recapitulates the crosstalk between IGF and Wnt signaling. Strikingly, it predicts critical nodes following a shift from IGF to Wnt signaling. These findings indicate that this shift might cause age-related diseases.}, language = {en} } @article{BottDresselBayer2020, author = {Bott, Christoph and Dressel, Ingo and Bayer, Peter}, title = {Paraffin wax as self-sealing insulation material of seasonal sensible heat storage systems—A laboratory study}, volume = {15}, pages = {e0236056}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {7}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236056}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Seasonal heat storage is considered as one of the key elements on the path to a low-emission economy. Embedded in local district heating networks, they raise the share of renewable energies and balance out highly fluctuating supplies of e.g. solar systems or windmills. The technology of seasonal heat storage can be described as almost technically mature, with well-established concepts and some systems being in operation for a considerable time. Nevertheless, the operating experience gained to date also revealed two critical problems. On the one hand, even smallest leakages in sealing foils led to irreparable breakdowns. On the other hand, heat loss in the marginal areas was revealed as a key deficiency, preventing the technology from advancing towards global marketability. This study presents an experimental approach to address these two key issues in the field of seasonal energy storage. Two small-scale laboratory tests were carried out to test paraffin wax as a completely novel component in the marginal area of seasonal storages. This is based on two material properties: As hydrophobic and mobile medium, the warmed and molten paraffin should actively seal the fissures and holes in the event of leakage. Additionally, the latent heat storage properties of the paraffin wax should increase the systems' total storage capacity and reduce lateral heat losses via its low thermal conductivity. With retardation periods from 2.5 to 4 hours, the results show an effective phase change effect of the paraffin wax, which reduces energy losses and allows to buffer short-term, intensive loading and unloading processes. By storing up to 138 kJ/kg energy in the paraffin wax, increased capacities of application-scale pit storages by up to 40.70 MWh are to be expected. Additionally, the self-healing features could be successfully demonstrated: With only small losses of between 1.5 and 17\%, the paraffin wax effectively sealed artificially incised leaks. Thereby, the mechanism was most effective for local defects. Following these positive demonstrations of feasibility, technical design questions still remain, which concern prevention of deformation of the paraffin wax. Once solved, this new component can then provide a path for further optimization of seasonal heat storage technologies.}, language = {en} } @article{YarzaNavarroSchaerEllerSchulzetal.2025, author = {Yarza Navarro-Sch{\"a}r, Vanessa Gabriela and Eller, Eric and Schulz, Marco and Lermer, Eva}, title = {The trust-NPS correlation: The role of trust in promoting customer loyalty in Swiss financial institutions}, volume = {20}, pages = {e0334423}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {11}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334423}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used key performance indicator (KPI) for measuring customer loyalty and guiding customer-centric strategies. While customer trust has been identified as an important influencing factor for NPS, existing research treats trust as a unidimensional construct, leaving the specific trust components that drive customer loyalty behaviors largely unexplored. This study addresses this theoretical gap by examining the relationship between various trust components and NPS in the financial services sector. A survey of 1,370 Swiss consumers assessed trust across ten theoretically-derived dimensions alongside their NPS ratings for five financial service companies. Employing median-split analysis, results demonstrate that high customer trust is associated with a significantly higher NPS (+36.5) compared to low trust (-68.6). Critically, quantile regression analysis revealed heterogeneous effects of trust components across different NPS distribution levels, with ability, experience, and reputation showing consistent positive effects across all quantiles. In contrast, joint interests and continuity emerged as relevant only at higher NPS quantiles, while reciprocity proved significant exclusively at the 25th percentile, demonstrating that distinct trust determinants become salient depending on customers' advocacy levels. These findings challenge prevailing theoretical assumptions about customer trust's homogeneous influence on customer loyalty, revealing instead a differentiated pattern of trust component effects. The study advances trust theory by demonstrating that trust dimensions not only vary in their influence on customer advocacy behaviors but also exhibit different effect patterns across the NPS distribution, contradicting assumptions of uniform trust impact on loyalty outcomes. The results indicate that NPS optimization requires strategic focus on specific trust dimensions, particularly those demonstrating consistent positive associations across quantile levels. This research contributes novel theoretical insights into the conditional trust-loyalty relationship while providing empirically-grounded guidance for customer-centric business strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{MaxUhl2023, author = {Max, Raphael and Uhl, Matthias}, title = {Moral luck in investment contexts: We consciously find unprofitable investments less moral}, volume = {18}, pages = {e0278677}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {1}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278677}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Moral luck refers to whether an actor is morally praised or blamed for an action whose outcome they could not influence. In two studies, we investigated the behavioral importance of this phenomenon in the realm of investments, which has become increasingly subject to ethical evaluations. In our first online experiment, we examined whether people's moral evaluation of an investment decision depended on its arbitrary outcome and whether their interpretation of the nature of the decision was driven by this outcome. Our results showed that profitable investments were considered more moral than unprofitable investments. Moreover, profitable investments were labeled "investments" instead of "speculation" or "gambling" more often than unprofitable ones. In our second study, we asked the subjects to assess investments independent of the outcome. After the outcome was announced, the subjects were given the opportunity to reflect and change their initial decision. The results show that people change the moral evaluation and label of investments when told that it had a bad outcome. This observation was stable across different investment contexts. These findings suggest that we must be careful with the increasing moralization of investment decisions and be sensitive to our cognitive biases.}, language = {en} } @article{HebestreitGroettrupEmdenetal.2012, author = {Hebestreit, Katja and Gr{\"o}ttrup, S{\"o}ren and Emden, Daniel and Veerkamp, Jannis and Ruckert, Christian and Klein, Hans-Ulrich and M{\"u}ller-Tidow, Carsten and Dugas, Martin}, title = {Leukemia Gene Atlas - A Public Platform for Integrative Exploration of Genome-Wide Molecular Data}, volume = {7}, pages = {e39148}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {6}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0039148}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Leukemias are exceptionally well studied at the molecular level and a wealth of high-throughput data has been published. But further utilization of these data by researchers is severely hampered by the lack of accessible integrative tools for viewing and analysis. We developed the Leukemia Gene Atlas (LGA) as a public platform designed to support research and analysis of diverse genomic data published in the field of leukemia. With respect to leukemia research, the LGA is a unique resource with comprehensive search and browse functions. It provides extensive analysis and visualization tools for various types of molecular data. Currently, its database contains data from more than 5,800 leukemia and hematopoiesis samples generated by microarray gene expression, DNA methylation, SNP and next generation sequencing analyses. The LGA allows easy retrieval of large published data sets and thus helps to avoid redundant investigations. It is accessible at www.leukemia-gene-atlas.org.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwanMohanSchmidetal.2025, author = {Schwan, Hannes and Mohan, Nihesh and Schmid, Maximilian and Saha, Rocky Kumar and Klassen, Holger and M{\"u}ller, Klaus and Elger, Gordon}, title = {Sintering for High Power Optoelectronic Devices}, volume = {16}, pages = {1164}, journal = {Micromachines}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-666X}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16101164}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Residual-free eutectic Au80Sn20 soldering is still the dominant assembly technology for optoelectronic devices such as high-power lasers, LEDs, and photodiodes. Due to the high cost of gold, alternatives are desirable. This paper investigates the thermal performance of copper-based sintering for optoelectronic submodules on first and second level to obtain thermally efficient thin bondlines. Sintered interconnects obtained by a new particle-free copper ink, based on complexed copper salt, are compared with copper flake and silver nanoparticle sintered interconnects and benchmarked against AuSn solder interconnects. The copper ink is dispensed and predried at 130 °C to facilitate in situ generation of Cu nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of the metal salt before sintering. Submounts are then sintered at 275 °C for 15 min under nitrogen with 30 MPa pressure, forming uniform 2-5 µm copper layers achieving shear strengths above 31 MPa. Unpackaged LEDs are bonded on first level using the copper ink but applying only 10 MPa to avoid damaging the semiconductor dies. Thermal performance is evaluated via transient thermal analysis. Results show that copper ink interfaces approach the performance of thin AuSn joints and match silver interconnects at second level. However, at first level, AuSn and sintered interconnects of commercial silver and copper pastes remained superior due to the relative inhomogeneous thickness of the thin Cu copper layer after predrying, requiring higher bonding pressure to equalize surface inhomogeneities.}, language = {en} } @article{MeintrupSinger2025, author = {Meintrup, David and Singer, Peter}, title = {A Friendly Guide to the Real Exponential Function}, volume = {132}, journal = {The American Mathematical Monthly}, number = {10}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {1930-0972}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/00029890.2025.2554556}, pages = {1043 -- 1047}, year = {2025}, abstract = {We propose an elementary introduction to the real exponential function of Leonhard Euler that combines ideas of Felix Klein and Adolf Hurwitz and uses an approximation of the primitive of the hyperbola. In this way, we can avoid the difficulties of common approaches yet still obtain classical results.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bilal2025, author = {Bilal, M{\"u}henad}, title = {Entwicklung eines reflexionsmindernden Bildgebungsverfahrens mit homogener Ausleuchtung und konvolutionalen neuronalen Netzen zur Verschleißerkennung und Klassifizierung komplexer, spiegelnder Zerspanungswerkzeuge}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-64997}, pages = {8, 120, XVI}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Im Zuge der Digitalisierung stehen Unternehmen, insbesondere Klein- und Mittelst{\"a}ndische Unternehmen (KMUs), bei der Etablierung von K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz (KI) in industriellen Fertigungsprozessen zunehmend vor großen Herausforderungen. Im letzten Jahrhundert hat die klassische Automatisierung in der Fertigung maßgeblich zur Produktivit{\"a}tssteigerung und damit auch zur Wettbewerbsf{\"a}higkeit von Unternehmen beigetragen. Die Entwicklung und Etablierung von KIgest{\"u}tzter Automatisierung in Unternehmen stellen die n{\"a}chste Stufe der Produktivit{\"a}tssteigerung dar und werden die bisherige regelbasierte, klassische Automatisierung zunehmend abl{\"o}sen. Der Bedarf nach KI-gest{\"u}tzter Automatisierung in der Zerspanungsindustrie, insbesondere in den Bereichen der Werkzeugfertigung und -instandsetzung, gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Das liegt an den steigenden Kundenanforderungen und am demografischen Wandel, aber auch am Fachkr{\"a}ftemangel, an kostenintensiven Messverfahren sowie an zeit- und ressourcenaufwendigen Schulungen, die zur Bedienung komplexer Messverfahren relevant sind. Das stellt eine Gefahr f{\"u}r die Wettbewerbsf{\"a}higkeit der KMUs dar. Klassische Messverfahren wie die Fokusvariation oder triangulationsbasierte Messtechniken liefern zwar eine hohe Genauigkeit, sind jedoch mit erheblichem Zeit- und Kostenaufwand verbunden. Daher eignen sie sich nur bedingt f{\"u}r den Serieneinsatz in der Qualit{\"a}tskontrolle, insbesondere bei der Vermessung von Schneidwerkzeugen im Rahmen stichprobenbasierter Pr{\"u}fungen. Um diese Herausforderungen entgegenzuwirken, wurde im Rahmen dieser Dissertation ein vollst{\"a}ndiges KI-gest{\"u}tztes System zur automatisierten Werkzeuginspektion und -Klassifizierung entwickelt und fundierte Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)-basierte Forschung betrieben. Eine der zentralen Kerninnovationen dieser Arbeit liegt in der Entwicklung einer werkzeugspezifischen Lichtquelle, die gezielt auf die optischen Eigenschaften der zylindrischen Schneidwerkzeuge wie Schaftfr{\"a}ser abgestimmt ist und neue M{\"o}glichkeiten in der bildbasierten Qualit{\"a}tskontrolle von gl{\"a}nzenden Oberfl{\"a}chen er{\"o}ffnet. Die dabei erzeugten hochaufl{\"o}senden Aufnahmen zeichnen sich durch eine hohe Tiefensch{\"a}rfe, Farbtreue und gleichm{\"a}ßige Ausleuchtung aus und erm{\"o}glichen eine zuverl{\"a}ssige Verschleißanalyse. Um die Funktionalit{\"a}t dieses neuen Bildgebungsverfahrens zu demonstrieren, wurde zun{\"a}chst mit regelbasierten Verfahren wie adaptiver Schwellenwertbildung ein Verschleißdetektionsalgorithmus entwickelt und in Gegen{\"u}berstellung mit standardisierten Bildaufnahmen aus der Fertigung erforscht. Die ersten vielversprechenden Ergebnisse f{\"u}hrten zur Anwendung bestehender Architekturen wie Mask Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN). Diese wurden f{\"u}r die Lokalisierung und Detektion von Verschleiß anhand weniger Bilder genutzt. Außerdem wurde ein CNN-basiertes Verfahren f{\"u}r die semantische Segmentierung entwickelt, das in der Lage ist, normalen und abnormalen Verschleiß an hochreflektierenden Schaftfr{\"a}sern mit komplexen Freiformfl{\"a}chen zu detektieren und mit hoher Genauigkeit trennscharf voneinander zu unterscheiden. Bei der semantischen Segmentierung wurden unterschiedliche Ans{\"a}tze f{\"u}r die Modelloptimierung verfolgt, darunter Variationen der Ankerboxen und des Intersection over Union (IoU)-Schwellenwerts bei Mask R-CNN, um die bestm{\"o}gliche Modellperformance zu erhalten. Weitere CNN-basierte Ans{\"a}tze folgten. Hierbei wurden bew{\"a}hrte Architekturen wie U-Net Architecture (UNet) f{\"u}r die Verschleißdetektion modifiziert, aber auch eine kompakte, dimensionsreduzierte Form entwickelt, um normalen von abnormalem Verschleiß mit hoher Genauigkeit zu detektieren und Aussagen {\"u}ber das Verschleißverhalten zu treffen. Dabei wurden unterschiedliche Regularisierungstechniken und Hyperparameteroptimierung angewandt, um die beste Modellleistung an zwei unterschiedlichen hochreflektierenden Werkzeugtypen zu erreichen. Es wurden im Rahmen dieser Arbeit auch die State of the Art (SOTA) CNNs-Architekturen f{\"u}r die Klassifizierung von Werkzeugen erforscht. Hierbei wurde die Auswirkung unterschiedlicher Beleuchtungsbedingungen, der Bildqualit{\"a}t sowie der unterschiedlichen Trainingsstrategien untersucht, um die am besten geeignete Architektur und Trainingsstrategie f{\"u}r eine KI-basierte Werkzeugklassifizierung zu identifizieren.}, language = {de} } @article{MeintrupBorgmannSeidletal.2021, author = {Meintrup, David and Borgmann, Stefan and Seidl, Karlheinz and Stecher, Melanie and Jakob, Carolin E. M. and Pilgram, Lisa and Spinner, Christoph D. and Rieg, Siegbert and Isberner, Nora and Hower, Martin and Vehreschild, Maria and G{\"o}pel, Siri and Hanses, Frank and Nowak-Machen, Martina}, title = {Specific Risk Factors for Fatal Outcome in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients}, volume = {10}, pages = {3855}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, subtitle = {Results from a European Multicenter Study}, number = {17}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173855}, year = {2021}, abstract = {(1) Background: The aim of our study was to identify specific risk factors for fatal outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients. (2) Methods: Our data set consisted of 840 patients enclosed in the LEOSS registry. Using lasso regression for variable selection, a multifactorial logistic regression model was fitted to the response variable survival. Specific risk factors and their odds ratios were derived. A nomogram was developed as a graphical representation of the model. (3) Results: 14 variables were identified as independent factors contributing to the risk of death for critically ill COVID-19 patients: age (OR 1.08, CI 1.06-1.10), cardiovascular disease (OR 1.64, CI 1.06-2.55), pulmonary disease (OR 1.87, CI 1.16-3.03), baseline Statin treatment (0.54, CI 0.33-0.87), oxygen saturation (unit = 1\%, OR 0.94, CI 0.92-0.96), leukocytes (unit 1000/μL, OR 1.04, CI 1.01-1.07), lymphocytes (unit 100/μL, OR 0.96, CI 0.94-0.99), platelets (unit 100,000/μL, OR 0.70, CI 0.62-0.80), procalcitonin (unit ng/mL, OR 1.11, CI 1.05-1.18), kidney failure (OR 1.68, CI 1.05-2.70), congestive heart failure (OR 2.62, CI 1.11-6.21), severe liver failure (OR 4.93, CI 1.94-12.52), and a quick SOFA score of 3 (OR 1.78, CI 1.14-2.78). The nomogram graphically displays the importance of these 14 factors for mortality. (4) Conclusions: There are risk factors that are specific to the subpopulation of critically ill COVID-19 patients.}, language = {en} } @article{MeintrupNowakMachenBorgmann2021, author = {Meintrup, David and Nowak-Machen, Martina and Borgmann, Stefan}, title = {Nine months of COVID-19 pandemic in Europe}, volume = {18}, pages = {6680}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, subtitle = {a comparative time series analysis of cases and fatalities in 35 countries}, number = {12}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126680}, year = {2021}, abstract = {(1) Background: to describe the dynamic of the pandemic across 35 European countries over a period of 9 months. (2) Methods: a three-phase time series model was fitted for 35 European countries, predicting deaths based on SARS-CoV-2 incidences. Hierarchical clustering resulted in three clusters of countries. A multiple regression model was developed predicting thresholds for COVID-19 incidences, coupled to death numbers. (3) Results: The model showed strongly connected deaths and incidences during the waves in spring and fall. The corrected case-fatality rates ranged from 2\% to 20.7\% in the first wave, and from 0.5\% to 4.2\% in the second wave. If the incidences stay below a threshold, predicted by the regression model (R2=85.0\%), COVID-19 related deaths and incidences were not necessarily coupled. The clusters represented different regions in Europe, and the corrected case-fatality rates in each cluster flipped from high to low or vice versa. Severely and less severely affected countries flipped between the first and second wave. (4) Conclusions: COVID-19 incidences and related deaths were uncoupled during the summer but coupled during two waves. Once a country-specific threshold of infections is reached, death numbers will start to rise, allowing health care systems and countries to prepare.}, language = {en} } @article{BorgmannRiessMeintrupetal.2020, author = {Borgmann, Stefan and Rieß, Beate and Meintrup, David and Klare, Ingo and Werner, Guido}, title = {Long-Lasting Decrease of the Acquisition of Enterococcus faecium and Gram-Negative Bacteria Producing Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) by Transient Application of Probiotics}, volume = {17}, pages = {6100}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH)}, number = {17}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176100}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Previously it was shown that application of probiotics stopped the acquisition of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) by patients in an early rehabilitation ward. Once the application of probiotics ended, we examined whether acquisition of VRE reoccurred. Furthermore, we examined whether probiotics altered prevalence of vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium (VSE) and Gram-negative bacteria, which produce extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Although probiotic application ceased in April 2018, VRE-colonized patients rarely presented on that ward until 2019. Probiotic treatment also resulted in a decreased number of patients with VSE and ESBL. While decreased incidence of VRE occurred immediately, decreased VSE and ESBL numbers occurred months later. A probiotic-mediated decrease of VSE and ESBL incidence cannot be explained when assuming bacterial transmission exclusively as a linear cause and effect event. The decrease is better understood by considering bacterial transmissions to be stochastic events, which depend on various driving forces similar to an electric current. We hypothesize that VRE, VSE and ESBL uptake by patients and by staff members mutually reinforced each other, leading staff members to form a bacterial reservoir, similar to a condenser that stores electrical energy. Probiotic treatment then inhibited regeneration of that store, resulting in a breakdown of the driving force.}, language = {en} } @article{BorgmannMeintrupReimeretal.2021, author = {Borgmann, Stefan and Meintrup, David and Reimer, Kerstin and Schels, Helmut and Nowak-Machen, Martina}, title = {Incidence and Death Rates from COVID-19 Are Not Always Coupled: An Analysis of Temporal Data on Local, Federal, and National Levels}, volume = {9}, pages = {338}, journal = {Healthcare}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2227-9032}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030338}, year = {2021}, abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 has caused a deadly pandemic worldwide, placing a burden on local health care systems and economies. Infection rates with SARS-CoV-2 and the related mortality of COVID-19 are not equal among countries or even neighboring regions. Based on data from official German health authorities since the beginning of the pandemic, we developed a case-fatality prediction model that correctly predicts COVID-19-related death rates based on local geographical developments of infection rates in Germany, Bavaria, and a local community district city within Upper Bavaria. Our data point towards the proposal that local individual infection thresholds, when reached, could lead to increasing mortality. Restrictive measures to minimize the spread of the virus could be applied locally based on the risk of reaching the individual threshold. Being able to predict the necessity for increasing hospitalization of COVID-19 patients could help local health care authorities to prepare for increasing patient numbers.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{deAndradeVellosoNogueiraFidelisetal.2023, author = {de Andrade, Mauren Louise S. C. and Velloso Nogueira, Matheus and Fidelis, Eduardo and Aguiar Campos, Luiz Henrique and Campos, Pietro and Sch{\"o}n, Torsten and de Abreu Faria, Lester}, title = {Exploiting GAN Capacity to Generate Synthetic Automotive Radar Data}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 18th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 4}, editor = {Radeva, Petia and Farinella, Giovanni Maria and Bouatouch, Kadi}, publisher = {SciTePress}, address = {Set{\´u}bal}, isbn = {978-989-758-634-7}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5220/0011672400003417}, pages = {262 -- 271}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In this paper, we evaluate the training of GAN for synthetic RAD image generation for four objects reflected by Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radar: car, motorcycle, pedestrian and truck. This evaluation adds a new possibility for data augmentation when radar data labeling available is not enough. The results show that, yes, the GAN generated RAD images well, even when a specific class of the object is necessary. We also compared the scores of three GAN architectures, GAN Vanilla, CGAN, and DCGAN, in RAD synthetic imaging generation. We show that the generator can produce RAD images well enough with the results analyzed.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchwerdSchulte2023, author = {Schwerd, Simon and Schulte, Axel}, title = {Interaction-based Implicit Calibration of Eye-Tracking in an Aircraft Cockpit}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 18th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 2}, editor = {Paljic, Alexis and Ziat, Mounia and Bouatouch, Kadi}, publisher = {SciTePress}, address = {Set{\´u}bal}, isbn = {978-989-758-634-7}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5220/0011657200003417}, pages = {55 -- 62}, year = {2023}, abstract = {We present a method to calibrate an eye-tracking system based on cockpit interactions of a pilot. Many studies show the feasibility of implicit calibration with specific interactions such as mouse clicks or smooth pursuit eye movements. In real-world applications, different types of interactions often co-exist in the "natural" operation of a system. Therefore, we developed a method that combines different types of interaction to enable implicit calibration in operational work environments. Based on a preselection of calibration candidates, we use an algorithm to select suitable samples and targets to perform implicit calibration. We evaluated our approach in an aircraft cockpit simulator with seven pilot candidates. Our approach reached a median accuracy between 2° to 4° on different cockpit displays dependent on the number of interactions. Differences between participants indicated that the correlation between gaze and interaction position is influenced by individual factors such as experience.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchwerdSchulte2024, author = {Schwerd, Simon and Schulte, Axel}, title = {Evaluating Blink Rate as a Dynamic Indicator of Mental Workload in a Flight Simulator}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 19th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 1}, editor = {Bashford-Rogers, Thomas and Meneveaux, Daniel and Ziat, Mounia and Ammi, Mehdi and J{\"a}nicke, Stefan and Purchase, Helen and Bouatouch, Kadi and Sousa, A. Augusto}, publisher = {SciTePress}, address = {Set{\´u}bal}, isbn = {978-989-758-679-8}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5220/0012319100003660}, pages = {362 -- 368}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This study assesses blink rate as a potential indicator for mental workload (MWL) in a dual task scenario in a flight simulator. Prior research indicated that blink rate decreases as mental workload increases across various tasks and domains. In our study, we aimed to determine if these findings are consistent in a dual task environment within a fast jet simulator. Furthermore, we evaluated blink rate fluctuations caused by the dynamic shifts in MWL as tasks are executed, switched, or completed. To investigate this, we executed a flight simulator experiment involving ten participants. They were tasked with two distinct activities: first, classifying air and ground targets, and second, maintaining a specific flight altitude. The results validated that blink rate decreases with increasing task difficulty. However, when a secondary task imposes significant workload, blink rates did not reliably indicate the primary task's difficulty. We also found that the timing of spontaneous blinks w as influenced by task completion and switches. Specifically, blink rates surged immediately after decision-making points and during transitions between tasks.}, language = {en} } @article{SchoenhoferKomonenSchwarzetal.2026, author = {Sch{\"o}nhofer, Gerhard and Komonen, Pauli and Schwarz, Jan Oliver and Bechthold, Laura}, title = {Futures of Everyday Life: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Future Personas in Scenarios}, volume = {8}, pages = {e70030}, journal = {Futures \& Foresight Science}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2573-5152}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ffo2.70030}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Scenario reports, holding a long-standing tradition in foresight and futures studies, act as an essential document for organizations to prepare for possible, plausible, and alternative futures. Focusing on descriptions and representations of everyday life, we examined 29 future persona narratives from six publications—covering a wide field from public to private sector—through qualitative content analysis. Our guiding question is: How can anthropological perspectives such as cultural relativism or postcolonial discourses contribute to an in-depth, qualitative interpretation depictions of future everyday life? Acknowledging anthropology's colonial origins and its growing commitment to the interests of indigenous and other marginalized groups, we offer alternative readings of prominent scenario reports. Our findings suggest that scenario reports, in addition to anticipating possible futures, construct certain futures based on a systematic analysis of empirical data but also speculative interpretation. The results of these interpretative acts often appear elitist, stereotypical, and technocratic, often replicating dominant societal narratives rather than fostering substantive shifts in how the future is imagined. We therefore call for a more polyphonic representation of futures in scenario writing and foresight work that can produce more discontinuous and transformative images of the future. We understand polyphonic representations as coined by various independent, predominant as well as subaltern perspectives on the same issue at stake while being offered the same amount of space. Therefore, as we will indicate in our analysis, most of the reports referred to are rather monophonic and do not offer discuptive perspectives on the future of everyday life. As an avenue of methodological development, we propose a more nuanced and comprehensive perception of culture and social structures in scenario narrative writing. In addition, ethnographic methods could increase our understanding of how futures are collaboratively constructed and produced by different actors and their respective backgrounds and knowledge in scenario processes.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwerdSchulte2024, author = {Schwerd, Simon and Schulte, Axel}, title = {Triggering Cockpit Alerts Using an Eye-Tracking-Based Measure of Monitoring Performance}, volume = {14}, journal = {Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors}, number = {1}, publisher = {Hogrefe}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {2192-0931}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000263}, pages = {22 -- 37}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This study explored the potential for enhancing pilot performance via an alerting system that adapts according to an eye-tracking-based measure of monitoring. The novel measure combines gaze analysis with system state assessment to estimate the pilot's understanding of the current system state. On this basis, an alerting system was developed to direct pilot attention to unnoticed system state changes, thereby improving system state monitoring. In a flight simulator study involving 10 participants in a generic jet cockpit, we compared the adaptive alerting system with a no-assistance condition. Although alerting improved the participants' performance in two tracking tasks, it adversely impacted performance in a third task. Nonetheless, alerting resulted in a decrease in both variance and mean detection time of critical changes. Participants' subjective ratings were generally positive, yet they criticized the lack of transparency of the alerting mechanism. Alerts triggered based on eye-tracking and system state show potential for improving operator task performance. Nonetheless, for the system to reach its full performance potential, it is critical that the operator understand the principles underlying the alert triggers. False positives and alert design were identified as key areas for improvement to maintain user trust and task flow.}, language = {en} } @article{MaksimovskiFestagFacchi2026, author = {Maksimovski, Daniel and Festag, Andreas and Facchi, Christian}, title = {Adaptive Message Generation Rules for V2X Maneuver Coordination Service}, volume = {14}, journal = {IEEE Access}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {2169-3536}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2026.3652364}, pages = {6417 -- 6437}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Maneuver coordination enables connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) to collaboratively plan, negotiate, and execute driving maneuvers, aiming to enhance safety, traffic flow, and energy efficiency. As part of the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication system, it operates as a dedicated service that relies on detailed, bidirectional interactions between vehicles, unlike traditional broadcast-based V2X services. While maneuver coordination is the focus of ongoing research and standardization, the rules that govern when and how vehicles generate Maneuver Coordination Messages (MCMs) within the Maneuver Coordination Service (MCS) are still not fully defined. These rules are essential for ensuring timely and reliable coordination. This paper proposes three adaptive MCM generation strategies based on the operation mode of the MCS, maneuver priority, and current channel load. The first approach defines MCM rules for intent sharing, maneuver negotiation, and execution phases, factoring in maneuver importance. The second adjusts the frequency of intent MCMs when a negotiation message is received from another vehicle. The third adapts frequency based on real-time channel load during intent sharing. For comparison, two baseline strategies are also evaluated. The proposed rules are tested for highway merging and lane change use cases in traffic scenarios with increasing vehicle density and high channel loads. A comprehensive evaluation is conducted using metrics related to the network, message generation frequency, congestion control, and maneuver coordination. The results demonstrate significantly enhanced channel efficiency and communication reliability across all metrics. For example, under the final approach, maneuver negotiation time is reduced by a factor of five in congested V2X environments.}, language = {en} } @article{ReuthlingerSinha2025, author = {Reuthlinger, Eva and Sinha, Tanja}, title = {Impact Investing from an European Perspective - Do Good and Earn Money?}, volume = {14}, journal = {Copernican Journal of Finance \& Accounting}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nicolaus Copernicus University}, address = {Toruń}, issn = {2300-3065}, doi = {http://dx.doi. org/10.12775/CJFA.2025.005}, pages = {87 -- 109}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Impact Investing provides a promising way to fund sustainable development while balancing financial, social, and environmental goals. This study compares the performance of Impact, Conventional, and ESG Portfolios in the European stock market over more than 10 years, using Markowitz Optimization and Naive Diversification. The findings show that Impact Portfolios yield the highest returns, without sacrificing financial performance when integrating sustainability criteria that go beyond the classical ESG investing.}, language = {en} } @article{ZieherOlcayKefferpuetzetal.2024, author = {Zieher, Simon and Olcay, Ertug and Kefferp{\"u}tz, Klaus and Salamat, Babak and Olzem, Sebastian-Sven and Elsbacher, Gerhard and Meeß, Henri}, title = {Drones for automated parcel delivery: Use case identification and derivation of technical requirements}, volume = {2024}, pages = {101253}, journal = {Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives}, number = {28}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2590-1982}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2024.101253}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Drone-based parcel delivery is a rapidly growing domain posing many technological and operational challenges. Drone technologies have been under increasing levels of investigation and development over the past years. Since the realization of drone-based delivery can only be economically feasible at large scales, it requires processes that address the outstanding challenges holistically. However, the majority of research focuses on individual aspects such as environmental perception, route planning, operational design, and business models without addressing the challenges in the overall system. This paper conducts a quantitative analysis of the requirements for identified use cases that are considered relevant for the upcoming future. We provide a comprehensive technology overview and derive requirements and specifications for the targeted use cases that are not fulfilled by the current state-of-the-art. The use cases are not only related to last-mile delivery but also long-distance (hub-to-hub) logistics as well as courier and express delivery.}, language = {en} }