@masterthesis{Feider2026, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Feider, Vivien}, title = {Einfluss von Ern{\"a}hrungswissen auf Ern{\"a}hrungsverhalten und K{\"o}rpergewicht im Kontext der Krebsprim{\"a}rpr{\"a}vention bei Studierenden}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Einleitung: Krebs ist sowohl in Deutschland als auch weltweit eine der h{\"a}ufigsten Todesursachen. Zur Entstehung von Krebs tragen genetische Faktoren und Lebensstilfaktoren bei. In der Phase des jungen Erwachsenenalters werden die im Kindesalter etablierten Ern{\"a}hrungsgewohnheiten und Verhaltensmuster infrage gestellt. Der neue Lebensabschnitt und die dadurch eintretende eigenst{\"a}ndige Verantwortung f{\"u}r Einkauf und Zubereitung von Mahlzeiten kann zu Ver{\"a}nderungen der Gewohnheiten f{\"u}hren. Bisher gibt es in Deutschland nur wenige bis keine Studien, die die Ern{\"a}hrungsgewohnheiten, das K{\"o}rpergewicht und das Ern{\"a}hrungswissen in Bezug auf das Krebsrisiko bei Studierenden erfassen. Methodik: Im Rahmen dieser Bachelorarbeit werden Studierende der Hochschule Rhein Waal in Kleve zu ihrem Wissen {\"u}ber ern{\"a}hrungsspezifische Krebsrisiken und {\"U}bergewicht als Krebsrisikofaktor sowie zu ihrem individuellen Ern{\"a}hrungsverhalten und K{\"o}rpergewicht befragt. Die Befragung erfolgt online {\"u}ber einen Fragebogen, der im Rahmen der Bachelorarbeit entwickelt wurde und an bereits standardisierten Frageb{\"o}gen orientiert ist. Die Daten werden mit deskriptiver Statistik und Korrelationsanalysen ausgewertet, um Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen Ern{\"a}hrungswissen, Ern{\"a}hrungsverhalten und BMI zu identifizieren. Ergebnisse: Bei der untersuchten Stichprobe an Studierenden k{\"o}nnen signifikante geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede im Wissen {\"u}ber ern{\"a}hrungsspezifische Krebsrisiken erkannt werden, wobei weibliche Studierende {\"u}ber ein signifikant h{\"o}heres (p = 0,0066) Wissen als die kombinierte Gruppe aus m{\"a}nnlichen und diversen Studierenden verf{\"u}gen. Im Wissen {\"u}ber {\"U}bergewicht als Krebsrisikofaktor k{\"o}nnen keine signifikanten (p = 0,3513) geschlechtsspezifischen Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Ein h{\"o}heres Wissen {\"u}ber Ern{\"a}hrung und ern{\"a}hrungsbedingte Krebsrisiken geht mit einem ges{\"u}nderen Ern{\"a}hrungsverhalten einher (p = 0,0009). Zwischen Wissen {\"u}ber {\"U}bergewicht als Krebsrisiko und BMI besteht keine signifikante negative Korrelation (p = 0,8662). Diskussion: Die Ergebnisse zum Wissen {\"u}ber ern{\"a}hrungsspezifische Krebsrisiken und zum Einfluss von Wissen auf das Ern{\"a}hrungsverhalten best{\"a}tigen Zusammenh{\"a}nge, die bereits in internationalen Studien beschrieben wurden. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen Wissen {\"u}ber {\"U}bergewicht als Krebsrisikofaktor und BMI von Studierenden wurde bislang nicht untersucht. Zudem wird der Bedarf, bestehende Wissensl{\"u}cken durch Pr{\"a}ventions- und Bildungsmaßnahmen zu schließen, um {\"U}bergewicht und ungesunde Ern{\"a}hrungsgewohnheiten sowie deren gesundheitliche Folgen zu verhindern, verdeutlicht.}, language = {de} } @misc{Flakowski2026, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Flakowski, Lena Antonia}, title = {Digitale Gesundheitsangebote der Krankenkassen: Einfluss auf die Steuerung des Gesundheitsverhaltens und die medizinische Versorgung aus Sicht der Versicherten}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Hintergrund: Die Digitalisierung des Gesundheitswesens schreitet zunehmend voran und digitale Gesundheitsangebote der Krankenkassen gelten als ein wichtiger Ansatz f{\"u}r eine effizientere und nutzerorientierte Gesundheitsversorgung. Trotz ihres großen Potenzials zeigen bisherige Studien, dass diese Angebote bislang nur unzureichend genutzt werden. Außerdem wurde die Perspektive der Versicherten dabei bisher nur begrenzt untersucht. Ziel: Ziel dieser Masterarbeit ist es zu analysieren, wie digitale Gesundheitsangebote der Krankenkassen aus Sicht der Versicherten wahrgenommen werden und welchen Einfluss sie auf die Steuerung des gesundheitsbezogenen Verhaltens sowie auf den Zugang zu der medizinischen Versorgung haben. Dabei stehen insbesondere die Bekanntheit, Nutzung und Bewertung dieser Angebote sowie der Zusammenhang mit der digitalen Gesundheitskompetenz im Fokus. Methodik: Methodisch basiert die Arbeit auf einem Mixed-Methods-Ansatz. Zun{\"a}chst wurden qualitative leitfadengest{\"u}tzte Interviews mit Versicherten durchgef{\"u}hrt, um ein vertieftes Verst{\"a}ndnis individueller Wahrnehmungen und Erfahrungen zu gewinnen. Erg{\"a}nzend wurde eine Online-Befragung durchgef{\"u}hrt. Die Datenauswertung erfolgte mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse sowie verschiedener statistischer Verfahren. Theoretisch st{\"u}tzt sich die Arbeit unter anderem auf das Health Belief Model, das Technology Acceptance Model sowie das Konzept der eHealth Literacy. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse basieren auf 10 durchgef{\"u}hrten Interviews und 172 ausgef{\"u}llten Online-Frageb{\"o}gen. Es zeigt sich, dass digitale Gesundheitsangebote vielen Versicherten bekannt sind und {\"u}berwiegend positiv bewertet werden aber die tats{\"a}chliche Nutzung hinter der Bekanntheit zur{\"u}ckbleibt. Besonders ausgepr{\"a}gt ist dieser Unterschied bei Angeboten wie der elektronischen Patientenakte und digitalen Gesundheitsanwendungen. Eine zentrale Rolle f{\"u}r Bekanntheit und Nutzung spielen die digitale Gesundheitskompetenz, die Selbstwirksamkeit sowie externe Hinweise auf die Angebote, insbesondere durch {\"A}rzte. Zudem zeigen sich deutliche Unterschiede zwischen gesetzlich und privat Versicherten. Digitale Gesundheitsangebote werden insgesamt als unterst{\"u}tzend f{\"u}r das Gesundheitsverhalten wahrgenommen und tragen aus Sicht der Versicherten vor allem zu einer schnelleren, jedoch nicht zwingend zu einer einfacheren medizinischen Versorgung bei. Schlussfolgerung: Zusammenfassend verdeutlicht die Arbeit, dass digitale Gesundheitsangebote aus Sicht der Versicherten ein hohes Potenzial zur Unterst{\"u}tzung der Gesundheitsversorgung besitzen. Um dieses Potenzial besser auszusch{\"o}pfen, sind jedoch gezielte Maßnahmen erforderlich, insbesondere zur F{\"o}rderung der digitalen Gesundheitskompetenz, zum Abbau konkreter Nutzungsh{\"u}rden sowie zur st{\"a}rkeren Integration und Empfehlung digitaler Angebote im Versorgungsalltag.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Ko2026, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Ko, Tin Long}, title = {The advancement of the ball point game}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Lean management concepts are dynamic, yet students often meet them as static definitions. This thesis advances the Ball Point Pen Game into a production simulation that exposes bottlenecks, queues, work-in-process accumulation and defects while keeping the pen-assembly task simple and standardised. Using design-based research, one design-test-reflect cycle was executed: redesign requirements were derived from Lean and lean-game education literature, implemented as roles, control rules and learning objectives, and piloted in class. The revised game increases complexity without adding product difficulty by introducing an explicit order-release rhythm (takt), separated material and information flows, visual control, and progressive pull logic across three rounds. Across rounds, batch size is reduced stepwise, supermarket/Kanban replenishment is introduced, and a simple poka-yoke prevents assembly errors. A pilot execution with seven students evaluated the redesign using a single-group pre-post knowledge test, a post-game perception questionnaire, and in-game KPIs (throughput, lead time, WIP and defects) supported by observation notes. Results are interpreted as exploratory due to the small sample and lack of a control group. Participants reported high engagement and that game discussions helped translate observations into improvement actions, aligning with prior evidence that simulation games can support understanding and transfer in Lean education. However, implementation deviations required by the small group (role merging and ad-hoc facilitation changes) reduced instruction clarity for at least one participant. The thesis delivers a reusable player/instructor manual plus design rationales and measurement procedures to guide the next test and a larger evaluation with stronger internal validity.}, language = {en} } @misc{BedoyaGiraldo2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Bedoya Giraldo, Leidy Johanna}, title = {Farmer Experiences and Responses to Agroforestry Interventions in San Mart{\´i}n, Peru: Exploring Social Group Perspectives Including Women's Voices Across Social Groups}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Smallholder agroforestry systems are central to sustainable land-use transitions in the Peruvian Amazon, yet little is known about how farmers themselves perceive these systems or how such perceptions shape long-term management. This study examines how indigenous, non-indigenous, and female smallholder farmers in San Mart{\´i}n, Peru, perceive the benefits and challenges of agroforestry interventions and how these perceptions influence system maintenance, adaptation, and sustainability. The research is guided by the question: How do farmers in San Mart{\´i}n perceive the benefits and challenges of agroforestry interventions, and how do these perceptions shape their adaptive decisions over time? Using a qualitative, comparative case-study design, data was collected through 50 semi-structured interviews and three participatory focus group discussions. The Group Concept Mapping methodological approach used enabled farmers to identify, cluster, and prioritize benefits, challenges, and adaptations using their own categories and reasoning. Findings reveal two main pathways shaping agroforestry trajectories. A maintenance pathway emerges when farmers perceive tangible ecological and labor-related benefits, such as soil improvement, reduced weeding, and microclimate regulation, particularly when market and legality conditions allow value to be captured. An adaptation pathway is triggered when challenges, such as excessive shade, crop-tree competition, legality barriers, or uncertain markets, are perceived as immediate constraints, prompting pruning, thinning, or removal of timber species. These pathways are influenced by organizational support, training access, gendered participation, and tenure conditions. The study highlights the need for long-term technical support, participatory system design, gender-inclusive training, and stronger institutional support for timber legality. The insights are intended to contribute to the development of the SMART platform, offering evidence to strengthen future agroforestry interventions in San Mart{\´i}n.}, language = {en} } @misc{Heesen2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Heesen, Lisa}, title = {Anforderungsorientiertes BGM f{\"u}r Flughafenfeuerwehren: Konzeption eines gesundheitsf{\"o}rderlichen Maßnahmenpaketes nach EASA-Vorgaben am Airport Weeze}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Hintergrund: Flughafenfeuerwehren sind spezifischen physischen und psychischen Belastungen ausgesetzt, die sich besonders durch Schichtarbeit und seltene, aber hochintensive Einsatzlagen auszeichnen. Trotz der zunehmenden Bedeutung eines Betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements (BGM) existieren insbesondere an kleinen und mittleren Regionalflugh{\"a}fen bislang wenig systematische und arbeitsplatzspezifische Gesundheitskonzepte. Die Anforderungen an Gesundheit und Einsatzf{\"a}higkeit der Flughafenfeuerwehren werden zudem durch die Vorgaben der Europ{\"a}ischen Agentur f{\"u}r Flugsicherheit (EASA) maßgeblich mitbestimmt. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Belastungs- und Bedarfsprofil der Flughafenfeuerwehr am Airport Weeze zu erfassen und darauf basierend ein ganzheitliches und EASA-konformes Maßnahmenkonzept zur Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung und Erhaltung der Einsatzf{\"a}higkeit zu entwickeln. Methode: Die Untersuchungen erfolgten im Rahmen eines Mixed-Methods-Designs. Insgesamt 28 der 37 angestellten Einsatzkr{\"a}fte wurden mittels eines teilstandardisierten Fragebogens zu physischen und psychischen Belastungsfaktoren, Trainings- und Erholungsverhalten sowie der Akzeptanz und den W{\"u}nschen zu gesundheitsbezogenen Maßnahmen befragt. Erg{\"a}nzend wurde eine systematische Dokumenten- und Umfeldanalyse sowie eine SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)-Analyse durchgef{\"u}hrt, um strukturelle Ressourcen, Barrieren und Entwicklungspotenziale zu identifizieren. Ergebnisse: Die Auswertung zeigt eine heterogene Alters- und Diensterfahrungsstruktur. Belastungsschwerpunkte wurden im Dienst durch Schichtdienst, L{\"a}rmexposition und sitzende T{\"a}tigkeiten verzeichnet. Gleichzeitig existieren L{\"u}cken in der Erfassung psychischer Belastungen und in der systematischen Dokumentation des Dienstsports. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus wurde festgestellt, dass bislang keine einheitlichen Trainings- oder Testungsverfahren f{\"u}r den Dienstsport vorhanden sind, sodass die k{\"o}rperliche Leistungsf{\"a}higkeit der Einsatzkr{\"a}fte nicht regelm{\"a}ßig {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft oder gezielt gef{\"o}rdert wird. Die Einsatzkr{\"a}fte {\"a}ußerten ein hohes Interesse an strukturierten Trainings-, Resilienz- und Teammaßnahmen sowie den Bedarf an niederschwelligen Unterst{\"u}tzungsangeboten. Jedoch wurde eine geringe Bereitschaft zur aktiven Mitgestaltung verzeichnet. Schlussfolgerung: Auf Grundlage der Analyse wurde ein modular aufgebautes und EASA-konformes BGM-Konzept entwickelt. Das Konzept umfasst eine j{\"a}hrliche sportmedizinische Leistungsdiagnostik, individualisierte Trainingspl{\"a}ne, Peer-Support-Strukturen, Maßnahmen zur Resilienzf{\"o}rderung, Schulungen f{\"u}r F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}fte sowie partizipative Team- und Kommunikationsformate. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus bietet es einen praxisorientierten Ansatz zur strukturierten Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung in sicherheitsrelevanten Einsatzbereichen und kann unter Ber{\"u}cksichtigung lokaler Rahmenbedingungen auf andere Regionalflugh{\"a}fen {\"u}bertragen werden.}, language = {de} } @misc{Ahmed2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Ahmed, Syed Nasif Uddin}, title = {Designing a Launching System for a Robotic Boat}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Based on the learning in this degree program, the author was tasked with developing a transport system for the current research boat, called Roboboat. The aim was to examine the components and reverse engineer them to calculate the mechanics of the boat. Because no design or measurement data were available, this thesis began by modeling the boat. After modeling, a literature review was conducted, and a launch system was designed with a focus on utility and cost-effectiveness. This report presents the design process, calculates the stress and strain on the design elements, and presents the concept of a launch system. Finally, the stability of the boat is calculated, and the mathematical validation of Roboboat is presented.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Terhardt2026, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Terhardt, Isabel}, title = {Nachhaltiger Sonnenschutz f{\"u}r die Haare: Produktentwicklung und experimentelle Methodenfindung zur Bewertung der Lichtschutzwirkung}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2026}, abstract = {Human hair is significantly affected by UV radiation. UVA and UVB radiation in particular cause hair to become drier and more porous, making it more prone to structural damage. These effects can be attributed to the breakdown of the hair protein keratin. Suitable in vitro and ex vivo models were used to demonstrate the degradation of hair keratin by UV radiation and to illustrate this visually using real strands of hair. The aim of this work was to develop physically effective protection for hair against UV radiation and to demonstrate the protective effect of such sunscreen products on hair keratin using a specially developed methodology. In line with the current trend toward "skinification" concepts and formulation approaches from facial care were transferred to the hair care sector. For this purpose, a sun protection spray with modern oil-soluble and water-soluble UV filters was developed. Particular attention was paid to the optimal solution of the UV filters in an aqueous O/W emulsion and the subsequent sprayability of the emulsion in order to be able to apply the product evenly to the hair. The aspect of sustainability also played an important role in the selection of raw materials and the manufacturing process. In vitro tests were performed on specially manufactured keratin-containing agarose plates, irradiated with UV light, and then evaluated photometrically using a BCA assay. The samples treated with the product showed a significantly higher keratin content compared to untreated samples, indicating a protective effect against UV-induced keratin degradation. In addition, ex vivo tests on real hair strands confirmed a positive effect of the product treatment on the appearance and feel of the hair. The methodology developed represents an innovative approach to investigating the protective effect of hair sunscreen products on hair keratin and provides a basis for further research and product development. However, adjustments and optimizations of the formulation are necessary for standardization of the methodology.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{GravenhorstArias2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Gravenhorst Arias, Valentina}, title = {Betalain accumulation and biosynthetic gene expression in grain Amaranth species exposed to salt stress}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Amaranth species have gained renewed interest as a nutritional pseudocereal, with increased climate resilience and a high content of bioactive compounds, such as betalains. These nitrogen-containing pigments contribute to stress tolerance and have applications as natural colorants and food supplements due to their antioxidant properties. This study investigated the effect of high salt stress (200mM NaCl) on growth, physiological performance, betalain accumulation, pigment composition, and gene expression in six Amaranth accessions over a 14-day period of exposure. Phenotypic observations revealed visible stress symptoms, such as reduced growth and leaf senescence, whereas physiological parameters such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and internal CO2 concentration remain unaffected by salinity. Spectrophotometric quantification showed an increase in betalain concentrations after the 14-day testing period in all genotypes, salt treatment showed minor inconsistent effects. The total betalain concentration was quantified, the results per accession are for Ama 104 3.013 mg/100 g FW, Ama 124 2.944 mg/100 g FW, Ama 154 4.088 mg/100 g FW, Ama 157 4.735 mg/100 g FW, Ama 162 2.227 mg/100 g FW, Ama 169 18.248 mg/100 g FW. Characterization of betalains with HPLC-DAD-MS analysis confirmed the presence of amaranthine and isoamaranthine as the dominant betalain present in Amaranth leaves, which is consistent with the known betalain presence of grain amaranth species; no betaxanthins were detected. Gene expression analysis of CYP76AD2, DODA2, DODAα2, and SOS1 revealed no significant transcriptional induction under salt stress after the 14-day salt stress treatment. These results may suggest that betalain accumulation occurred due to normal developmental regulation rather than a salinity effect. However, analysis 24-48 after salt stress induction is recommended to conclude. The combined results reveal variation in pigment levels and salinity-stress response and demonstrate the resilience of grain amaranth to increased salinity exposure. The variation in pigment accumulation indicates the importance of selecting high-betalain accessions for industrial applications at an early stage. Future research should focus on early transcriptional levels and regulatory mechanisms to better understand stress response in the betalain pathway of these amaranth accessions.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Bhalla2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Bhalla, Kushagra}, title = {Strategic Obsolescence Management: Developing a Process-Oriented and Financially Viable Concept}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Industrial machinery is designed for long operating periods, but many electronic and mechatronic components used in these systems are discontinued after a short product lifecycle. This situation causes challenges for Strama-MPS, especially in the Global Service division, where long-term spare-parts availability and reliable customer support are required. When components are no longer available, urgent procurement, redesigns under time pressure, longer downtimes and higher service costs put additional load on internal departments and can negatively affect customer relationships. This thesis develops a structured and financially viable approach to obsolescence management for Strama-MPS. The current situation was analysed using expert interviews and SAP and PRO.FILE data for the period 2018 to September 2025. The evaluation of more than 13,000 obsolete materials showed fragmented communication, insufficient lifecycle documentation and that only a few large suppliers systematically send PCN notifications, while many others do not. To summarise the results, a Power BI dashboard was created that shows portfolio age, part criticality, successor availability and supplier concentration. The analysis identified an average part age of 6.75 years, a cost-at-risk of around €1 million and a high-risk group mainly consisting of electrical and control components. In a second step, the active parts portfolio was evaluated to identify future risks. Using manually cleansed Excel files and Power BI models, a lifecycle forecast was developed for the period 2026-2029. It highlights early-warning patterns in connectors, sensors, I/O modules and control units with short technology cycles and high dependency. These results enable earlier evaluation of alternatives, more controlled last-time-buy decisions and more proactive customer communication. Based on these findings, the thesis proposes a target framework in line with DIN EN IEC 62402:2025-05. It defines responsibilities, decision and communication paths, and workflows between the relevant departments. A dedicated Obsolescence Manager is assigned as the central process owner and is supported by SmartPCN-compatible input formats, lifecycle dashboards and an implementation plan that starts with an internal pilot and later includes the roll-out of PCN Global as the OM software. The strategic options were assessed using an MCDA, comparing reactive, proactive and strategic approaches. The results show that a dedicated role combined with suitable software offers a good balance between cost control, early-warning capability and acceptance. The financial analysis indicates that the concept can pay back within the first year by reducing emergency sourcing, redesign work and service delays, while also improving collaboration, decision quality and long-term service performance. Overall, the proposed structure provides a clear basis for more consistent and reliable lifecycle handling across the organisation.}, language = {en} } @misc{Friesen2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Friesen, Emilie}, title = {Optimierung des administrativen und pflegerischen Aufnahmeprozesses in einer Akutklinik - Eine praxisorientierte Prozessanalyse}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Das deutsche Gesundheitswesen steht vor einer Vielzahl von Herausforderungen. Die durch den demografischen Wandel ausgel{\"o}ste Alterung der Bev{\"o}lkerung verursacht einen wachsenden Versorgungsbedarf und verst{\"a}rkt parallel dazu den bereits bestehenden Fachkr{\"a}ftemangel. Bei gleichzeitig abnehmenden Kapazit{\"a}ten sowie steigenden Kosten entsteht ein Kostendruck, der sich in negativen Jahreszahlen und Krankenhausinsolvenzen {\"a}ußert. Krankenh{\"a}user stehen demnach vor der Aufgabe, ihre Strukturen und Prozesse effizienter zu gestalten, um trotz begrenzter Ressourcen die Patientenversorgung sicherzustellen. Prozessoptimierungen bieten hierbei den entscheidenden Ansatz, um diesen Anforderungen entgegenzuwirken. Die vorliegende Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Optimierung des administrativen und pflegerischen Aufnahmeprozesses der Klinik {\"O}schelbronn. Zur Erhebung des Ist-Zustands wurden halbstrukturierte Interviews mit sechs Mitarbeitern1 entlang des Aufnahmeprozesses durchgef{\"u}hrt. Die Prozesse wurden mittels Business Process Model and Notation visualisiert und anschließend analysiert. Als theoretischer Rahmen wurde das Lean Management gew{\"a}hlt. Die Analyse der Schwachstellen orientierte sich an den grundlegenden Lean Prinzipien und der Identifikation von Muda (Verschwendung), Mura (Ungleichm{\"a}ßigkeit) und Muri ({\"U}berlastung). Anschließend wurden Maßnahmen entwickelt und der optimierte Soll-Prozess visualisiert. Im Rahmen der Analyse konnten strukturelle, digitale und kommunikative Schwachstellen herausgearbeitet werden. Diese Schwachstellen konnten den Handlungsfeldern Prozesssteuerung und Planung, Digitalisierung und Informationsmanagement zugeordnet werden. Die Maßnahmen zielen unter anderem auf die Reduktion von Prozessungleichm{\"a}ßigkeiten, insbesondere durch klare Strukturen, und auf die Verbesserung der internen und externen Informationsweitergabe ab. Erg{\"a}nzend sollen digitale L{\"o}sungen zur Prozessvereinfachung und zur Reduktion des administrativen Aufwands beitragen. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass Handlungsspielr{\"a}ume bestehen, um Prozesse effizienter zu gestalten und Ressourcen einzusparen. Den aktuellen Herausforderungen des deutschen Gesundheitswesens kann demnach in gewissem Maße eigenst{\"a}ndig begegnet werden, um die internen Strukturen zu st{\"a}rken.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Arslan2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Arslan, Yesim}, title = {Evaluation of Urban Consumer Behaviour in D{\"u}sseldorf: Practical Implications for Strengthening Farmer-Consumer Relationships}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This study examines how to strengthen the relationship between urban consumers and local farmers in D{\"u}sseldorf through direct purchase. The background of climate change, long supply chains, and growing consumer detachment from food production form the motivation to bring consumers and agricultural producers closer together, especially in urban areas such as D{\"u}sseldorf. Therefore, this study explores which factors influence consumer willingness (intention) and actual purchasing behavior of regional products. The work is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior model (TPB), extended by the additional variable trust and uses a mixed-method approach, which combines literature review, an online survey (n=150), and two semi-structured interviews with local farmers. The statistical results show that attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control, and trust do not significantly influence regional purchasing intention or actual behavior. The only significant effect can be seen on the willingness to pay higher prices for regional products in different age groups. Older consumers (>36) show significantly higher willingness to pay higher prices than younger consumers (<35). Furthermore, the findings show a clear attitude-behavior gap, where interest or positive attitude towards regional products cannot be translated into real purchasing behavior of regional products. Additional descriptive results show that prices, convenience, and product variety influences grocery choices the most, and social media and recommendations from friends/family are most relevant information sources. Based on these insights, this study develops implications for farmers, consumers, and the city with the goal of strengthening the relationship between local farmers and urban consumers. Key recommendations include hybrid approaches by combining stronger digital visibility with strong personal interaction. Additionally, target group specific actions for younger and older consumers are presented as well as models that combine flexibility with direct exchange such as hybrid CSA. All in all, to strengthen the relationship between urban consumers and local producers cultural and structural changes are required, in which consumers, producers and the city itself share common responsibility.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Ganev2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Ganev, Ivan}, title = {Design and Implementation of a Virtual Gearbox}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis represents the design and implementation of a virtual gearbox functionality as a system with an end goal to be used on the Electric Gokart platform. The design includes a 3-part solution consisting of: - Human-machine interface (HMI) - that is a physical hardware as a separate unit with its own housing - Intermediary software for transfer of input information and output feedback of the user - as software code - Control Model - MATLAB Simulink model to be run on the main computer of the platform to facilitate the motion control Due to the system complexity and multidomain solution the work has been broken down and documented to focus on a specific aspect for each deliverable. The human machine interface focuses on the hardware aspect of the functionality - research on and evaluation of different components for the input, feedback and communication and the impact of each component to the further development of the intermediary software. The software part is focused on choosing and implementing an efficient and logical handling of the sampling and relay of information to prevent the potential problem of communication network overload. And finally, the Simulink Control Model will focus on investigating input information, processing and motion control realised via torque control. The information is to be used used in developing a system response model evaluating it on the prototype and allowing tuning via system identification in the MATLAB Simulink development environment.}, language = {en} } @misc{Heesen2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Heesen, Jacquelin}, title = {Eine qualitative Studie zur beruflichen Teilhabe im deutschen Arbeitskontext: Wahrnehmungen, Herausforderungen und Handlungsspielr{\"a}ume bei (potenzieller) Demenz am Arbeitsplatz}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {293}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Demenz wird {\"u}berwiegend als altersassoziiertes Gesundheitsproblem betrachtet, kann jedoch auch bereits vor dem 65. Lebensjahr auftreten. Angesichts der allgemein prognostizierten Zunahme von Demenzerkrankungen und des steigenden gesetzlichen Renteneintrittsalters erh{\"o}ht sich die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Menschen mit beginnender Demenz noch aktiv am Erwerbsleben teilnehmen. W{\"a}hrend international bereits erste empirische Erkenntnisse zum Umgang mit demenziell erkrankten Mitarbeitenden vorliegen, besteht f{\"u}r den deutschen Arbeitskontext bislang eine Forschungsl{\"u}cke. Um diese L{\"u}cke zu adressieren, wurde im Rahmen der vorliegenden Untersuchung ein exploratives Stimmungsbild zur Wahrnehmung, Sensibilisierung und Handlungsbereitschaft im Umgang mit (potenziell) an Demenz erkrankten Mitarbeitenden erhoben. Hierzu wurden qualitative, halbstrukturierte Expert:inneninterviews mit Fachpersonen aus dem Betrieblichen Gesundheits- und Eingliederungsmanagement sowie aus der Demenzberatung durchgef{\"u}hrt und mithilfe der inhaltlich-strukturierenden qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz ausgewertet. Zur Ber{\"u}cksichtigung der Perspektive von Menschen mit Demenz wurden dar{\"u}ber hinaus Interviews mit Betroffenen und ihren Angeh{\"o}rigen, die im Rahmen der Studie STELDA (Untersuchung zu Stigmatisierungserfahrungen von Menschen mit Demenz und ihren Angeh{\"o}rigen) erhoben wurden, im Zuge einer Sekund{\"a}ranalyse erneut analysiert, um vertiefende Einblicke aus der Betroffenenperspektive in das Thema Demenz am Arbeitsplatz zu erhalten. Die Untersuchung verdeutlicht, dass Demenz im betrieblichen Kontext bislang kaum thematisiert wird. Es zeigt sich ein deutlicher Sensibilisierungs- und Informationsbedarf sowie begrenzte strukturelle Voraussetzungen f{\"u}r die Weiterbesch{\"a}ftigung betroffener Mitarbeitender. Gleichzeitig bestehen Potenziale innerhalb etablierter BGM- Strukturen und im Ausbau der Zusammenarbeit mit externen Beratungsstellen, die eine verbesserte Unterst{\"u}tzung erm{\"o}glichen k{\"o}nnten. Auf Grundlage der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse wurden praxisorientierte Handlungsempfehlungen formuliert, die darauf abzielen, die berufliche Teilhabe von Menschen mit Demenz im deutschen Arbeitskontext zu f{\"o}rdern.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Kumar2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kumar, Vivek}, title = {Assessing Sustainability Reporting Obligations and Regulatory Compliance for LINEG: An Analysis of EMAS Alignment with Emerging EU Directives.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis assesses the preparedness of LINEG, a German public water utility, for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It evaluates the extent to which LINEG's EMAS-based environmental disclosures align with CSRD/ESRS and where extensions are required to meet comprehensive ESG obligations. The analysis is grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Valente's Stage Model to connect accountability expectations with organizational sustainability maturity. Methodologically, a qualitative case study and qualitative content analysis are applied to LINEG's EMAS statements and relevant regulatory texts, using deductive categories derived from CSRD/ESRS and SASB, complemented by inductive coding to capture LINEG-specific themes. Peer utilities are referenced to contextualise findings. Findings show a strong environmental foundation— externally validated data on energy, emissions, water, and biodiversity—indicating partial readiness for ESRS E-standards. However, material gaps remain in social and governance areas (e.g., workforce metrics, affordability and service quality indicators, stakeholder engagement processes, and board-level oversight of sustainability). Applying Valente's model positions LINEG between Defensive and Isolated stages: largely compliancedriven, with initiatives not yet embedded across strategy and governance. The thesis proposes a roadmap to consolidate environmental disclosures into ESRS structures, conduct a double-materiality assessment, expand S and G indicators, formalise stakeholder engagement, and assign clear governance responsibilities. Limitations arise from a single-case, document-based approach and the evolving German transposition of CSRD, which may adjust timelines and specific requirements once fully enacted.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{MohajeriNejad2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Mohajeri Nejad, Mostafa}, title = {Development and implementation of an adaptive control system for automizing and optimizing the performance of a rolling fluid (setur) hydro-turbine}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis presents the design and implementation of an automated control system for a laboratory-scale SETUR (Sedlacek's Blade-less Rolling Fluid Turbine) hydro turbine test rig. The goal was to enable precise and repeatable experiments by automating the regulation of the turbine's water level and data acquisition process. The developed system integrates multiple sensors, including discrete liquid level sensors, pressure transducers, and a flow meter, interfaced with an Arduino-based controller. A PID-based control algorithm with gain scheduling was designed to adapt to the nonlinear flow dynamics across different operating regimes of the turbine. The control loop operates at a 0.5 s sampling rate and employs layered signal filtering and calibration routines to compensate for sensor noise, offset, and scaling errors. The complete hardware setup includes signal conditioning circuits for analog sensors, digital communication for actuator control, and real-time data monitoring via serial output. Experimental results demonstrate that the system achieves stable water-level regulation within approximately two minutes after pump activation and maintains steady-state operation without overshoot or sustained valve saturation. The overall measurement uncertainties were quantified as ±3.06 \% FS for pressure and ±5.2 \% FS for flow, meeting the predefined accuracy requirement of ≤ 5 \% FS. The developed automation platform provides a reliable foundation for further research on the SETUR turbine, including efficiency characterization, advanced control development, and future integration of IoT-based supervisory monitoring and data analysis tools.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Tariq2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Tariq, Suleman}, title = {Optimising Heat Loss Reduction and Facilitating the Transition to Biogas in Industrial Applications.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This study has evaluated the heat loss potential and energy consumption at the industrial level. Notably, heat loss on a large scale at the industrial level has been recognized as neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. Moreover, the continued use of fossil fuels (natural gas) has been reviewed as unsustainable due to their adverse effect and limited availability, posing challenges for the present and future. Heat loss is optimized at the continental production site in Villingen-Schwenningen. Heat loss through exhaust fans, which extract heat from inside the building and release it to the environment to maintain the internal temperature, has been analysed. The released heat is lost in the environment. To recover this energy loss, the integration of a plate-to-plate heat exchanger is proposed. This approach recovers the rejected heat to preheat the incoming fresh air supply, replacing the traditional heat coil operated on natural gas. Additionally, the transition of natural gas to biogas has been explored. The district heating twin pipe (DN 80) is considered for the smooth flow of thermal energy. For this project, a financial analysis of return on investment (ROI) for 10 years is conducted, the thermal energy flow rate over 2.1km, and heat loss during the transfer phase are calculated. The results have shown significant importance for the recovered energy by integration of a plate-to-plate heat exchanger; yearly, 1.2 GW of energy can be recovered, reducing the consumption of natural gas and making a complete transition towards biogas, economically and environmentally beneficial.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Floeren2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Fl{\"o}ren, Marie Catherine}, title = {Immersives Erleben Ein Einblick in das Immersionsverst{\"a}ndnis der Anbieter:innen immersiver Besucherattraktionen}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Immersive experiences have been gaining popularity for the past few years within the tourism industry. This bachelor thesis aims to collect and present the understanding of the word immersion as it is interpreted by different organizers of immersive experiences within the tourism industry. Further, this thesis seeks to collect strategies and artistic methods used in the creation of immersive events and attractions to understand which are used to facilitate an immersive experience for the visitors. Moreover, looking to the future, the thesis also intends to garner possible future developments within the immersive industry, as predicted by the organizers interviewed for this thesis. To answer these questions, five organizers and designers of different immersive experiences were interviewed. The results show that the understanding of the term immersion differs between different organizers. It was possible to identify that the individual definitions range from overly spatial and design-oriented to strongly narrative-oriented, as well as an immersion as the absorption of an environment or the participation within the environment. Furthermore, it was possible to identify multiple strategies used in immersive experiences, some of which have not yet been found in current research. The interviewed organizers suggest that immersive design will be a trend within the tourism industry. However, they also state that the term is currently already being overused and diluted in its meaning. This work establishes a basis on which future research can expand by further investigating the definition of the term 'immersion' within the tourism industry.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Vasovic2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Vasovic, Luka}, title = {Development, Controller Design and Validation of a Torque Vectoring System for an All-Wheel Drive Electric Go-Kart}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis investigates the design and simulation-based evaluation of a yaw-rate control system using torque vectoring for an all-wheel-drive electric go-kart with independently driven wheels. The work is conducted within a purely model-based framework, employing MATLAB and Simulink to replicate the vehicle dynamics and control interactions in a controlled virtual environment. Torque vectoring describes the distribution of drive torque between individual wheels to influence the yaw moment of the vehicle. This enables targeted improvements in stability, responsiveness, and cornering performance beyond what is achievable with steering input alone. In this study, yaw rate is selected as the primary control variable. A reference yaw rate is derived from the linear bicycle model, and the control objective is to minimize the error between the reference and the simulated actual yaw rate by applying corrective yaw moments through differential torque allocation. A Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller is implemented to track the reference yaw rate. Gain tuning is performed using MATLAB's PID Tuner, leveraging the system transfer function extracted from the simulation model. The complete control system is integrated into a modular Simulink model of the go-kart, which incorporates the 2-DOF bicycle model for lateral and yaw dynamics, as well as subsystems for maneuver generation and torque vectoring logic. Controller performance is assessed through standard vehicle dynamics test maneuvers, including ramp steer, step steer, and double lane change. For each maneuver, simulations are performed both with and without torque vectoring, allowing quantitative comparison of yaw rate tracking accuracy, stability, and trajectory. The results demonstrate that torque vectoring substantially improves yaw rate tracking and reduces the understeer tendency of the simulated vehicle, particularly during transient maneuvers. Even in a simplified small-scale vehicle model, the benefits of active yaw moment control are evident, underscoring the relevance of torque vectoring for enhancing dynamic performance in electric vehicles with independent wheel actuation. The modular simulation framework developed in this work also provides a foundation for future experimental validation on the physical research platform as well as further developments on the simulation model.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Ziriko2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Ziriko, Ponsiano}, title = {Provenance influence on African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) mycorrhization potential.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) tree parts are mostly harvested for nourishment and economic purposes. However, the products are only extracted from the wild and are threatened by depletion which necessitates research into the species domestication and cultivation. Mycorrhization involves promoting foreign and native mycorrhiza linkages to improve the roots' efficiency in nutrients and moisture acquisition. While origin can impact the development of A. digitata, its impact on the species mycorrhization potential is not well understood, and was investigated in this thesis. A. digitata plants were grown from seeds of semi-arid, sub-humid and humid zone origins of Benin inside a controlled climate chamber. The seedlings from each origin received native soil, commercial mycorrhiza fungi (alternative) and control treatments. Growth parameters were determined before treatments application and at termination. Models combining the effects of treatment, zone origin, unique tree characteristics and block arrangement were used for statistics. Only seedlings of the humid zone origin had significantly higher initial leaf count than counterparts from other origins. Insignificant differences among origins and treatments were observed for all the other parameters. Inconsistent significant interaction of treatment and origins was observed for final leaf count, stem diameter, root collar diameter, fresh taproot and dry lateral root weights. The results indicated A. digitata seedlings' ability to show morphological similarities when grown under uniform conditions irrespective of the genetic variations which might exist among seedlings. These growth trends were not 1 affected by the presence of commercial and native microbes. Inconsistent interaction effects warrant further investigation to ascertain specific individual tree seedlings which might have been significantly impacted by treatments.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Koch2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Koch, Daniel}, title = {Emotionserkennung {\"u}ber den Einsatz von Messinstrumenten.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Die zuverl{\"a}ssige Erkennung von Emotionen mittels Herzfrequenzvariabilit{\"a}t ist eine große methodische Herausforderung, da Verfahren von der Emotionsinduktion {\"u}ber die Datenbereinigung bis zur Modellierung stark voneinander abweichen. In diesem Method-Paper wurden die verschiedenen methodischen Entscheidungen systematisch dargestellt und anhand eines exemplarischen Studiendesigns verdeutlicht. Die Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass bisher kein einheitliches methodisches Vorgehen definiert wurde. Demnach sollten das Studiendesigns an die gew{\"u}nschten Anwendungssituationen angepasst werden. Untersuchungen im Rahmen der Emotionsforschung sollten demnach mit einer festen Zielsetzung und umfassender Planung erstellt werden.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Boulmane2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Boulmane, Aya}, title = {Development of a Web-Based Tool for Estimating Lifecycle CO₂ Emissions of Electric vs. Diesel Vehicles in Germany}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Due to rapid technological development, the transport sector has emerged as one of the most difficult areas to reduce decarbonization, balancing its high global greenhouse gas emissions. In Germany, the shift from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs) has become a key focus of national and EU climate policies. Nevertheless, the transition to EVs is associated with a multitude of factors that need to be considered, including emissions from manufacturing, the energy used during operations, and post-operational treatment. This thesis focuses on the design, development, and refinement of a web-based CO₂ Lifecycle Emission Calculation tool that compares cradle-to-grave emissions of EVs and diesel ICEVs based on different driving scenarios in Germany. It is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Methodology as indicated in ISO 14040/14044. With the tool, the manufacturing, operational, and end-of-life emissions are estimated based on validated datasets from peer-reviewed literature and authoritative bodies (IPCC, IEA, UBA). The tool's modular structure, which was developed in Python with the Streamlit framework, also allows for other languages to be added, selection of the region's grid mix, scenario comparisons, and results visualization in multi-level dashboards. Findings of the literature review show that the tool is accurate for both types of vehicles as the known lifecycle emissions ranges for both types are captured. Carbon payback periods for EVs ranged from less than three years to over eight years depending on the grid context, from renewable-rich to coal-intensive. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that both grid CO₂ intensity and annual mileage hold the greatest influence over lifecycle results. This research contributes to sustainability as it fills the void that exists between academic LCA models and consumer-facing applications with a transparent, reproducible, and user-configurable decision-support tool. Improvements can be made by incorporating real-time grid emission data, expanding the vehicle datasets, and including additional CO₂ environmental impact categories.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Boettcher2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {B{\"o}ttcher, Lena}, title = {Prototypische Entwicklung einer Low-Code-Anwendung zur Visualisierung statistischer Kennzahlen und Analyse ihrer Aussagekraft f{\"u}r die Finanzverwaltung.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Diese Bachelorarbeit stellt dar, wie statistische Kennzahlen f{\"u}r die Finanzverwaltung m{\"o}glichst aussagekr{\"a}ftig visualisiert und analysiert werden k{\"o}nnen, um statistische Eigenschaften großer Datenmengen intuitiv und schnell verst{\"a}ndlich nutzbar zu machen. Mit einer Low-Code-Plattform wurde ein Prototyp entwickelt, der diese Anforderungen realisiert und mit geringen Programmierkenntnissen erweitert werden kann. Diese Arbeit nutzt den Design Science Research (DSR)-Ansatz und erl{\"a}utert ihn. Die Phasen der Demonstration der Nutzung und der Evaluation des Prototyps dieses Ansatzes wurden zusammengefasst. In dieser zeigte sich, dass die visualisierten statistischen Kennzahlen kontextbezogen eine hohe Aussagekraft besitzen k{\"o}nnen. Eine ganzheitliche Analyse, die auf anwendungsfallbezogenem Datenwissen basiert, bildet die Grundlage f{\"u}r eine fundierte Interpretation. In Zusammenhang mit der Betrachtung und kombinierten Interpretation mehrerer statistischer Kennzahlen k{\"o}nnen so Fehlinterpretationen vermieden und der Gewinn zus{\"a}tzlicher Erkenntnisse gef{\"o}rdert werden. Die erzeugten Visualisierungen erm{\"o}glichen eine strukturierte Auswertung großer Datenmengen, setzen jedoch teilweise statistische Grundkenntnisse bei den Nutzenden voraus, die diese Ausarbeitung vermittelt.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Elmessiry2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Elmessiry, Abdalrahman}, title = {implementation and investigation of a distributed robotic chess system}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis presents and evaluates a distributed robotic system that successfully integrates a native Windows chess engine (Fritz 19) with a containerized ROS2-based robot control system, operating on a single host computer. The architecture is designed to solve the common challenge of bridging disparate operating systems in real-time robotics. Performance analysis over 35 moves demonstrates the architecture's high reliability, achieving a 100\% success rate in the software pipeline from command generation to execution planning. The study quantifies the system's primary performance bottleneck, showing that the physical robot movement averaged 22.6 seconds, while the underlying communication latency was negligible at 2.89 ms. This highlights a crucial distinction between computational speed and the challenges of physical manipulation. Compared to existing human-robot chess systems, which typically operate within a single OS or rely heavily on computer vision, this work contributes a validated architectural alternative. Its primary contribution is a single-host framework that integrates a native Windows application with a containerized ROS2 system. This provides a robust solution for developers needing to bridge disparate software ecosystems in real-time robotics and establishes a performance baseline demonstrating that such integration is highly efficient.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Heidenreich2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Heidenreich, Kathrin Lilli}, title = {Assessing National Resilience to Hybrid Threats: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of European Countries}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Hybrid threats pose a growing challenge to European security, targeting state vulnerabilities through combined military and non-military means. Resilience has become the key strategy to counter these threats, yet little empirical research explains why some countries are more resilient than others. This thesis uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis on 36 European countries to identify which conditions lead to national resilience. Findings show that resilience results from specific combinations of factors: strategic prioritization of hybrid threats, prior exposure to attacks, EU and NATO membership, and the absence of Soviet-era legacies. The study recommends states develop clear strategies, institutionalize learning from past incidents, and strengthen multilateral cooperation.}, language = {en} } @misc{Ghosh2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Ghosh, Anup Kumar}, title = {Analyzing individual chickens' life data to predict egg and growth performance}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The 2022 ban on killing male chicks, implemented in Germany and France, tackled ethical problems within egg-laying hen farming. Because of this policy, alternative poultry production methods were created to better meet animal welfare guidelines. To meet this challenge, the University of Bonn launched research into dual-purpose chickens, specifically the British Ixworth breed. Integrating male and female chicken farming offers a new, innovative solution to ethical and sustainability issues in traditional farming by combining egg and meat production. The importance of this research for revolutionizing poultry farming cannot be overstated (Becker et al., 2023). A University of Bonn research team is studying this alternative farming method to determine its productivity and viability. To meet industry needs while prioritizing animal welfare, they evaluate dual-purpose chicken potential by analysing egg (number and weight) and meat (weight) yields. This thesis has four sections, exploring different facets of dual-purpose chickens across four generations via diverse statistical and machine learning methods. First, it examines existing research on various facets of analysing and forecasting individual chicken egg and growth data. It further explores Becker et al.'s 2023 study, "The British Ixworth: individual growth and egg production of a purebred dual-purpose chicken." Moreover, the linear regression, SVR, KNN, and decision tree models were applied to this data for advanced analysis and prediction. The thesis's second part details the methodology, including requirements analysis and dataset preparation. This thesis's third section details how data from four generations of chicken life were analysed to predict future egg production and individual chicken growth. Across generations, individual chickens' average body weight and egg weight all showed an increase in the results. Predictions from linear regression and decision tree models show an increase in individual chickens' growth across generations to come. Egg production forecasts were better with the KNN model. This research will use advanced statistical methods and machine learning to model and assess the generational performance of dual-purpose chickens. These tools will forecast future egg and meat production, thus giving key insights to enhance breeding programs. This research aims to optimize dual-purpose chicken production for growth and egg-laying performance. The researchers eagerly anticipate the results, which will help to shape their future poultry farming projects.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Thissen2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Thissen, Erik}, title = {Entwicklung eines prototypischen Tools zur Automatisierung der Erstellung von Linked Open Data aus Open Data Datens{\"a}tzen}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Linked Data has become an increasingly important publication format for structured information. This thesis explores the extent to which the conversion of Open Data into Linked Open Data can be automated and identifies the main challenges and sources of error. The creation of a prototypical tool was used to gain insights into these challenges and sources of error during the conversion to Linked Data. These were then analyzed and solutions to these problems created. The resulting tool was evaluated with different Open Data datasets. The results show that it is able to partially automate the process of converting Open Data to Linked Open Data and that it succeeded in eliminating key barriers, like the necessary programming skills, currently needed to create Linked Data. This prototype contributes towards decreasing the barrier of entry to create Linked Data and indicates that further research could lead towards the fully automatic conversion to RDF.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Olgun2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Olgun, Ismail}, title = {Standardisierung der REST-Services in der IT-Landschaft des BLB NRW}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Standardisierung der REST-Services in der IT-Landschaft des BLB NRW}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Rademacher2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Rademacher, Jens}, title = {Evaluierung eines Onboarding-Konzepts im Rettungsdienst mit Handlungskonzeptempfehlung}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Der Rettungsdienst in Deutschland steht angesichts steigender Einsatzzahlen, des demographischen Wandels und ver{\"a}nderter Erwartungen an Arbeitgeber:innen vor der zunehmenden Herausforderung ausreichend Fachkr{\"a}fte zu gewinnen und zu halten. Vor diesem Hintergrund gewinnt Personalmarketing zunehmend an Bedeutung. Der Erstkontakt im Rahmen des Onboardings ist ein entscheidender Faktor, um Integration, Zufriedenheit und langfristige Mitarbeiterbindung zu sichern. Im Rahmen dieser Bachelorarbeit wurde beim Deutschen Roten Kreuz - Kreisverband Neuss e.V. (DRK-Neuss), ein neues Onboarding-Konzept f{\"u}r angehende Rettungssanit{\"a}ter:innen entwickelt und im Ausbildungszeitraum August bis September 2024 mit 17 neuen Mitarbeitenden erprobt. Ziel war es, das Konzept mithilfe qualitativer Interviews nach Mayring zu evaluieren und Handlungsempfehlungen f{\"u}r eine systematische Einarbeitung im Rettungsdienst abzuleiten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass insbesondere fehlende Standardisierung, inkonsistente Kommunikation und uneinheitliche Betreuung Schw{\"a}chen im bisherigen Prozess darstellen. Gleichzeitig wurden positive Ans{\"a}tze wie die Einf{\"u}hrung eines Begr{\"u}ßungstages und die individuelle Betreuung hervorgehoben. Die Arbeit leitet konkrete Empfehlungen ab, u. a. zur Einf{\"u}hrung eines Paten-Systems, strukturierte Checklisten sowie klare Verantwortlichkeiten im Einarbeitungsprozess. Ein durchdachtes Onboarding ist essenziell, um neue Mitarbeitende effektiv einzugliedern und den Rettungsdienst des DRK-Neuss zukunftssicher im Personalbereich aufzustellen.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Stolbova2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Stolbova, Kristina}, title = {What is the impact of the level of democracy on voter turnout among youth?}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {In the last decades, two disturbing trends have been developing simultaneously: a declining state of democracy worldwide and a growing electoral disengagement of youth (18-24 years old). The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the level of democracy and youth voter turnout. Gathering secondary data from publicly available data sets and reports (the CSES, Afrobarometer, and the Economist Intelligence Unit), I conduct six correlation analyses between the level of democracy (and its components) and voter turnout among youth. As a result, I find a significant positive association between the level of democracy and youth turnout. Among the components of democracy, functioning of government demonstrates the most significant positive correlation with electoral participation among youth. I conclude that autocratisation could serve as an explanans of youth growing abstention from voting. At the same time, this suggests a potential for the level of democracy to boost the electoral behaviour of youth by influencing the functioning of government. While further research is needed to establish the causal relationship, this study lays a relevant foundation for it.}, language = {en} } @misc{Torabizadeh2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Torabizadeh, Mohammad}, title = {Evaluating Tool Support for User-Centric Requirements Engineering in Software Development: A Jira-Based Approach}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {30}, year = {2025}, abstract = {User requirements are important for a successful software development process, yet their effective integration throughout the development lifecycle remains challenging. This study evaluates requirements engineering (RE) tools and addresses the gap in the requirements engineering process and the systematic integration of user requirements into development processes. After literature review and expert evaluations, a framework was established for the evaluation of RE tools across key dimensions. This evaluation revealed significant limitations in requirements management and analysis capabilities. A Jira-based prototype was developed using Atlassian Forge, consisting of an Issue Panel for requirement-to-issue linkage and a Global Page for the rest of the requirement engineering process, with its main goal being to integrate user requirements in the software development lifecycle. Testing with 16 participants proved high satisfaction (mean of 4.382/5) and effectiveness in integrating requirements into development workflows (mean of 4.438/5). The study also provides areas for future improvements, useful for the future work to be done in the field.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{deCarvalho, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {de Carvalho, Ben}, title = {Assessment of Emissions from Pig Transportation using the GLEC-Framework}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {70}, abstract = {With the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the EU-Taxonomy, the European Union has introduced mandatory sustainability reporting for certain companies to which slaughterhouses and food retailers belong to. Any emission causing practices along the complete supply chain have to be reported on, so that stakeholders and investors have better access to information for their assessment of the respective companies. In the area of animal production, the current literature deems emissions from live-animal transports as negligible, thus the majority of research focused mainly on assessing emission from on-farm operations. In conjunction with the development of an emissions calculator for live-animal transports, this paper deployed the in 2023 released Global-Logistics-Emissions-Council-Framework v3 for the first time to different exemplary transportation scenarios of live-pigs (Sus scrof domesticus) in Germany. The results showed that indeed the contribution of live-animal transport to the total emissions of animal products is significantly low. However, the assessed emissions are still a valuable parameter for sustainability reports as more data enables more accurate evaluations by stakeholders.}, language = {en} } @misc{Muthyapaga2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Muthyapaga, Sujit Kumar}, title = {Enhancing Plastic Degradation in Anaerobic Environments Using Biodigesters and qualitative quantitative analysis of biogas.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Plastic pollution has been one of the significant challenges worldwide. We must develop innovations and recycling technologies with millions of tons of plastic produced annuallyThe amount of plastic waste in landfills, seas, and ecosystems has been seriously degrading the environment. New innovative ideas for reducing plastic waste, such as biodigesters and composting methods, are being utilized worldwide. This research examines options such as anaerobic biodigesters and composting techniques to improve plastic breakdown in controlled atmosphere conditions. In anaerobic digestion, digestion happens with the help of microbial organisms as they help break down the organic materials without oxygen and break down the plastics, simultaneously generating renewable energy resources. This research evaluates polymers developed through a blown film extrusion process at different temperatures, such as Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT), Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxy hexanoate(PHBH), Bioplast GF 106, and Ecovio, under anaerobic conditions. The degradation results of polymers after a specific period were analyzed based on their mechanical and chemical properties. The research aimed to assess the rates and effectiveness of plastic decomposition in biodigesters compared to conventional degradation methods while also exploring the viability and scalability of biodigesters for managing plastic waste. This research provides information on the degradation of polymers under anaerobic conditions and how the temperature produced affects their degradation, along with methane production. This information could inform future strategies and regulations focused on decreasing plastic pollution and improving sustainability.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Dierkes2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Dierkes, Annika Marie}, title = {{\"U}ber Kochbox Prototypen f{\"u}r eine ges{\"u}ndere und nachhaltigere Lebensmittelauswahl im Supermarkt}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Helou2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Helou, Ziad}, title = {Opportunities and challenges for the solar industry in Lebanon.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Lebanon faces a significant energy crisis characterized by unreliable electricity supply, political instability, and outdated infrastructure. This thesis explores the potential of solar energy as a sustainable solution to address these challenges, focusing on economic, technical, and regulatory barriers while drawing comparative insights from Cyprus's renewable energy model. The research examines three primary questions regarding the economic and technical challenges hindering solar energy adoption in Lebanon, the lessons that can be learned from Cyprus to inform solutions, and the comprehensive strategies that can support the development of Lebanon's solar energy sector. The findings reveal that while Lebanon has experienced rapid growth in solar energy adoption, the sector is undermined by systemic issues such as low-quality imports, skill gaps, insufficient grid infrastructure, and the dominance of diesel generators. Comparative analysis with Cyprus underscores the importance of robust regulatory frameworks, financial accessibility, public-private partnerships, and accreditation systems for solar installers. Additionally, the analysis highlights the critical role of improving capacity factors in Lebanon, with findings showing that even a 1\% increase could supply power to over 16,000 homes, emphasizing the potential efficiency gains for Lebanon's solar energy sector. The thesis also evaluates Lebanon's progress toward its 2030 renewable energy targets, noting that while the country appears to have met these targets in percentage terms, the achievement is largely a result of reduced electricity generation rather than genuine renewable capacity growth. Recommendations include enforcing quality standards, establishing national accreditation systems, addressing corruption, and leveraging international funding for infrastructure modernization and workforce development. This research emphasizes that Lebanon's transition to renewable energy is not only a technical and economic endeavor but also a pathway to greater energy independence and environmental sustainability.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Kong2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kong, Xin}, title = {Brief Introduction to Chinese Economy and its Relationship with World Commodity Prices}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the intricate relationship between China's economic development and global price dynamics across various industries. Since the implementation of economic reforms in 1978, China has transitioned from a largely agrarian society to a global industrial powerhouse, profoundly influencing international markets. This study investigates how China's rapid industrialization and expanding demand for raw materials, such as oil, steel, and copper, have led to price fluctuations worldwide, contributing to rising commodity prices while simultaneously driving down costs in the consumer goods sector through low-cost manufacturing exports. By reviewing existing literature and analyzing economic data, this research seeks to identify the key mechanisms linking China's economic activities to global price changes. This study provides insights into the potential impacts of similar developmental trajectories in other emerging economies, illustrating how economic policies, resource demands, and export-driven manufacturing contribute to shaping global market trends. Findings from this thesis can aid policymakers, economists, and business leaders in anticipating future global economic patterns driven by rising emerging economies.}, language = {en} } @misc{SarmientoGonzalez2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Sarmiento Gonzalez, Maria Angelica}, title = {Sustainable commercialization of Baru in the Cerrado: mapping its Value Chain for rural livelihood enhancement}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Land-use transformation and insufficiently protected areas have led to extensive deforestation and conversion of native vegetation for croplands and pastures in the Cerrado, Brazil's second-largest ecosystem and one of the world's biggest biodiversity hotspots. The sustainable harvesting and commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) offer a potential alternative, contributing to sustainable development by enhancing rural livelihoods, promoting environmental conservation, fostering economic diversification, empowering vulnerable socio-economic groups, and encouraging sustainable resource management. Among Cerrado's promising NTFPs is the Baru nut (Dipteryx alata), a nutrient-dense product rich in protein, fiber, zinc, and healthy oils, with potential therapeutic applications for various health issues. Its unique composition and versatility present an opportunity for sustainable commercialization that enhances rural livelihoods while promoting health benefits. Incorporating Baru-related products into local, national, and international markets could diversify economic opportunities while maintaining environmentally sustainable practices in both production and commercialization. Despite its potential, research on Baru remains scarce, creating a knowledge gap in the dynamics and challenges of its value chain. This study addresses this gap by employing a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the financial performance of each stage of the Baru value chain and identify existing challenges and market opportunities. Focused on Arinos, Minas Gerais, the research incorporates 29 interviews with local value chain actors, 14 supplementary interviews with institutional stakeholders, and secondary data analysis. The findings reveal a fragmented and predominantly informal value chain at the local level, faced with challenges such as physically intensive work, unreliable demand, power imbalances, low-profit margins, and limited institutional support. This research proposes strategies to foster collaboration, equity, transparency, and sustainable development of Baru's value chain and contributes to a deeper understanding of this NTFP.}, language = {en} } @misc{Pozdnyakova2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Pozdnyakova, Olga}, title = {Exploring the Impact of Ecolabel Elements on Consumer Product Perception and Purchase Intention}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Ecolabelling is a tool that aims to engage consumers in making more sustainable choices, by communicating the environmental characteristics of a product. Previous studies have emphasized the significant impact of design and ecolabel elements in capturing consumers' attention and influencing their preferences. However, only a limited number of studies have explored the effect of individual ecolabel elements and their orchestration in regard to visual attention and consumers perception, particularly in the context of textile products. The aim of the present study was to provide new insights into effective ecolabel design practices by investigating the influence of color, visual symbol, and text on consumers' visual attention, environmental product perception and purchase intention. The current study employed a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The integrated methods included a review of existing ecolabels in the textile industry, an eye tracking experiment with sixteen custom-designed ecolabels, questionnaires, interviews, and a card sorting task. Visual attention was measured with the eye tracking, while other methods were employed to deepen the understanding of consumers' perception and reasoning behind their decision-making. The results of the study revealed that the green ecolabels with natural symbols, such as Cotton and Leaf, received the highest environmental friendliness and purchase intention ratings, with the green Cotton ecolabel demonstrating the highest rate of visual attention engagement. In contrast, blue ecolabels were perceived as less environmentally friendly, particularly those with the visual symbols unrelated to nature. In addition, precise environmental claims with numerical data, such as "90\% Organic cotton", in combination with a website link, had a positive impact on trust and environmental perception. However, their role in visual attention and environmental perception was found to be less significant compared to the color and visual symbol. The findings contribute to textile research, highlighting the importance of the ecolabel context, visual symbol and color in ecolabel design, and providing new insights about visual attention patterns. The study outlines practical recommendations that can be utilized by professionals developing or redesigning ecolabels, in order to effectively communicate the characteristics of sustainable products.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Kisters2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kisters, Sina}, title = {Belastungen im Berufsalltag einer p{\"a}dagogischen Fachkraft und der professionelle Umgang mit Diesen}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {P{\"a}dagogische Fachkr{\"a}fte sind in ihrem Berufsalltag mit vielf{\"a}ltigen Belastungen konfrontiert, darunter hoher Zeitdruck, Personalmangel und steigende berufliche Anforderungen. Diese Faktoren f{\"u}hren zu erheblichen psychischen und physischen Beanspruchungen, die sich auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit und die p{\"a}dagogische Qualit{\"a}t auswirken k{\"o}nnen. Ziel dieser Bachelorarbeit ist es, individuelle und institu-tionelle Strategien zur Bew{\"a}ltigung dieser Belastungen zu untersuchen. Mithilfe einer anonymen Onlineumfrage und eines Experteninterviews wurden so-wohl pers{\"o}nliche als auch strukturelle Bew{\"a}ltigungsmechanismen erfasst. Die Er-gebnisse zeigen, dass Fachkr{\"a}fte vor allem auf soziale Unterst{\"u}tzung, sportliche Aktivit{\"a}ten und informelle Gespr{\"a}che mit Kolleginnen und Kollegen setzen, w{\"a}h-rend professionelle Hilfsangebote wie Supervision oder Coaching selten genutzt werden. Institutionelle Maßnahmen wie Fortbildungen und Teambuilding-Aktivit{\"a}ten werden zwar als hilfreich wahrgenommen, sind jedoch h{\"a}ufig unzureichend vor-handen. Theoretisch unterstreichen die Ergebnisse die Bedeutung von Schutzfaktoren wie Resilienz, sozialer Unterst{\"u}tzung und einer positiven Arbeitsumgebung. Praktisch ergibt sich daraus die Notwendigkeit, betriebliche Gesundheitsf{\"o}rderung auszu-bauen, Arbeitsbedingungen durch bessere Personalbemessung und flexible Struk-turen zu optimieren und Leitungskr{\"a}fte gezielt in der F{\"o}rderung eines gesunden Arbeitsklimas zu schulen. Nur durch eine Kombination individueller und institutio-neller Maßnahmen kann langfristig eine nachhaltige Verbesserung der Arbeitsbe-dingungen p{\"a}dagogischer Fachkr{\"a}fte erreicht werden.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Nguyen2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Nguyen, Duc Huy Quang}, title = {Debugging and Analyzing USB Communication on a Custom USB-LORA Board Using Open-Source USB Tracing Tools}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis presents a method and highlights the effectiveness of Universal Serial Bus (USB) tracing tools (USB sniffers) to debug and analyze USB communication during the development of a custom USB board. The custom board in this project, referred to as the USB2LORA board, is a printed circuit board (PCB) that integrates a FT232H USB 2.0 high-speed chip with a wireless LoRa transceiver. The primary objective of this thesis is to investigate how effective USB sniffer is in debugging and analyzing USB traffic between a USB device and a USB host, verifying the USB traffic against the standard, and detecting potential anomalies in communication. Using the USB sniffer, I successfully captured the essential USB communication processes, including the host's recognition of the USB2LORA boards, retrieval of its configuration details, and the exchange of control commands and data between the USB2LORA boards and the USB host. During the recognition phase, the host requested and retrieved information about the USB2LORA board, containing its configuration, the type of data it can send and receive, and details about the buffers used to store or prepare the data during USB transmission. In subsequent data exchange phases, the results show that the host effectively sent control commands to configure the USB chip and to initiate communication with the wireless transceiver. The observed USB traffic aligned well with the USB standard and confirmed the correct behavior of the USB2LORA boards. Overall, the incorporation of a USB sniffer into the development and verification process of a custom USB board allows effective debugging of USB traffic and ensures adherence to the USB specification. Moreover, it enables developers to confirm the expected behavior of their software and their USB peripheral board as well as detect any anomalies in the communication.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Nguyen2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Nguyen, Duong Hoang Phuong}, title = {Decolonizing French loanwords in Vietnamese}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {For nearly a century, Vietnam was under French rule, a period that saw the introduction of new concepts, foods, clothing, and occupations. However, these objects were never meant for good, but rather instruments of colonial control. Over time, the local population adopted their names into everyday language, turning them into loanwords. Today, while most traces of the colonial era have faded, these loanwords persist. This raises a crucial question: Do loanwords serve as remnants of colonialism? And what role can a designer play in reclaiming them?}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Sommerfeld2024, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Sommerfeld, Jakub Jerzy}, title = {Analysis of Health Literacy among Young Adults}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This study investigates several key questions related to health literacy, text difficulty, and AI-generated content. Our research explores whether there is a statistical significance in the perceived difficulty of texts based on their authorship (human-translated to layman language, AI-translated, and original excerpts from a medical book), the correlation between participants' evaluations of text difficulty and quantitative analysis of these texts using JASNOPIS, and the relationship between health literacy levels and the ability to recognise AI-generated work. Additionally, the study examines the impact of exposure to AI-made writing on recognising AI-generated content and the relationship between health literacy levels and perceived text difficulty. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 94 participants, collecting data through online questionnaires between September 19, 2024, and October 9, 2024. Key findings include significant correlations between average perceived difficulty and several JASNOPIS variables. The study also highlights the lack of a significant relationship between exposure to AI-made writing and the ability to recognise AI-generated work. However, the findings indicate that individuals who scored higher on health literacy tests perceived the texts to be easier. The implications of this research emphasise the importance of enhancing health-related and educational materials using plain language principles to improve accessibility and comprehension. Future studies should consider using more objective measures to avoid the influence of personal biases.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Marchesi2024, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Marchesi, Elena}, title = {The Role of Demographic Factors in Journalistic Trust Post-COVID-19: A Questionnaire Analysis}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly reshaped many aspects of society worldwide, including public trust in science and journalism. This thesis investigates both reasons and demographic factors (e.g., age, education, political orientation, etc.) influencing these trust dynamics as a result of the pandemic. Two countries with distinct cultural and socioeconomical differences are considered: Germany and Nigeria. Through a mixed-methods analysis of a pre-tested, pre-registered, cross-sectional online survey conducted in Germany and Nigeria in February 2023, several patterns are identified. The COVID-19 pandemic drove an increase in trust in science in both countries, while a marginal increase in trust in journalism was observed in Nigeria and a substantial decrease in Germany; this decline affected all demographics in the latter country. The thesis concludes with an outlook on further research. This includes conducting follow-up interviews to additionally explore reasons behind reported trust changes as well as the relationship between demographic factors and trust levels; performing a larger-scale survey with the aim of statistical significance and generalisability is further recommended.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Melnic2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Melnic, Snejana}, title = {Drawbacks of law enforcement in the Euregio Rhine-Waal: the case of work migrants' exploitation in the border region}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the challenges of enforcing labor protection for migrant workers in the Euregio Rhine-Waal, a dynamic cross-border region extended across Germany and the Netherlands. The study addresses three core research questions: the specific difficulties faced by migrant workers in accessing adequate housing, fair labor rights, and social security; the role of EU directives and Member State discretion in shaping labor protections; and the enforcement gaps impacting workers' rights and well-being. A qualitative approach was applied, focusing on the analysis of EU regulations, national policies, and case studies to identify systemic barriers and regulatory inconsistencies. The findings reveal significant disparities in housing standards, labor conditions, and access to social security, driven by divergent interpretations of EU directives by Germany and the Netherlands. Additionally, the lack of coordinated cross-border enforcement amplifies these issues, leaving many migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation. The study concludes that addressing these challenges requires enhanced cross-border cooperation, greater regulatory alignment, and targeted policy reforms to bridge the enforcement gaps. These recommendations aim to uphold the EU's core value of free movement while ensuring social equity for migrant workers. This research contributes to the broader discourse on labor mobility by highlighting the interplay between legal frameworks and social justice in cross-border regions.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Klose2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Klose, Hanna Lara Sophie}, title = {Development of an Online Presence for Northstar Roleplay}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {In this thesis, the multiplayer modification RedM and the competitors on it, have been explored in order to establish an online presence that distinguishes Northstar Roleplay from other RedM servers. The project encompasses the development of a clean, visually appealing website designed to present key server features, rules, professions, and the underlying vision, making it the main resource to attract potential new players. Additionally, a comprehensive tutorial video was produced to streamline the onboarding process, offering clear, step-by-step guidance and a personal introduction to the server. An automatic whitelist system was also conceptualized to ensure that new players read and understand the server rules before joining; however, technical challenges prevented its full implementation. Still, the website and video tutorial lay the foundation for the professional online presence of Northstar Roleplay.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Knoblich2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Knoblich, Roger}, title = {F{\"u}hrt die Einf{\"u}hrung von Scrum in einem Unternehmen zu einer Steigerung der psychologischen Sicherheit bei den Mitarbeitenden? Inwieweit hat dies Effekte auf die affektive Bindung sowie die Mitarbeitendenzufriedenheit?}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Fr{\"u}here Studien, insbesondere die Metaanalyse von Frazier et al. (2017), zeigen, dass psychologische Sicherheit eine Schl{\"u}sselrolle f{\"u}r Arbeitszufriedenheit und organisationales Commitment spielt. Der Einfluss agiler Arbeitsweisen wurde in diesem Zusammenhang jedoch bisher kaum untersucht. Diese Studie widmet sich der Frage, wie agile Arbeitsweisen, insbesondere das Scrum-Rahmenwerk, die psychologische Sicherheit, das affektive Commitment und die Arbeitszufriedenheit beeinflussen. In einem mittelst{\"a}ndischen Unternehmen wurde eine Intervention im Rahmen einer Studie mit Pre-Posttest-Design (N = 37) durchgef{\"u}hrt. Eine Interventionsgruppe arbeitete nach dem Scrum-Rahmenwerk, einschließlich zweiw{\"o}chiger Sprints und agiler Events, w{\"a}hrend die Kontrollgruppe ohne agiles Rahmenwerk arbeitete. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass psychologische Sicherheit ein signifikanter Pr{\"a}diktor der Arbeitszufriedenheit und des Commitments war - jedoch nur im Pr{\"a}test. Agiles Projektmanagement erh{\"o}hte die psychologische Sicherheit nicht signifikant, was auf die moderierende Rolle von Stress und organisatorischen Rahmenbedingungen hinweisen k{\"o}nnte. Affektives Commitment erwies sich hingegen {\"u}ber beide Messzeitpunkte hinweg als stabiler Einflussfaktor auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit. Die vorliegende Arbeit liefert weitere Einblicke in die Bedeutung von psychologischer Sicherheit und Commitment in agilen Arbeitskontexten, betont jedoch, dass deren Entwicklung nicht automatisch durch agile Arbeitsweisen gef{\"o}rdert wird. Aufgrund methodischer Limitationen sollten die Ergebnisse differenziert betrachtet werden. Die Befunde bieten praktische Anhaltspunkte, dass erg{\"a}nzende Maßnahmen wie systemisches Stressmanagement zur Reduzierung von Stress auf organisationaler und individueller Ebene sowie Weiterbildungen f{\"u}r F{\"u}hrungskr{\"a}fte, die Vertrauen und Teamstabilit{\"a}t f{\"o}rdern, notwendig sind, um die potenziellen Vorteile agiler Methoden vollst{\"a}ndig zu auszusch{\"o}pfen.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Galesloot2024, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Galesloot, Ben}, title = {Comparative Analysis of Dry and Wet Total Mixed Ration Uptake in Calves: A Study on Feed Intake, Growth, and Health Parameters}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {94}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This study investigates the effects of dry and wet Total Mixed Ration (TMR) restrictive feeding on the feed intake, growth, and health parameters of Holstein Friesian (Bostaurus) calves. Conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Bedburg-Hau, Germany, the research involved 40 calves divided into eight groups (n1, 2 = 14, n3, 4 = 6, and n5, 6, 7, 8 = 20) with dry TMR provided to odd-numbered groups and wet TMR to even-numberedgroups. The experiment monitored daily feed intake and health parameters from birth to at least six weeks of age for heifer calves from two groups and from birth to three weeks of age from further two groups, and from birth to four weeks for bull calves, alongside weekly assessments of growth progression. T-test results did not reveal significant differences among the examined parameters when various groups were compared head-to-head. However, observable differences were noted, specifically in the amount of feed intake during the first few weeks, where calves fed dry TMR showed increased feed intake. Additionally, calves fed dry TMR exhibited less susceptibility to digestive disorders and a subsequent need for clinical treatment. Regarding sustainability, dry TMR showed advantages in ease of handling and storage, reducing time investment and feed waste. Wet TMR showed advantages in palatability and feed intake nearing the 5-week mark of the calves' age. However, wet TMR posed challenges, in terms of time required for its preparation. These findings provide insights into optimizing calf nutrition, promoting sustainable dairy farming practices, and addressing the challenges of different feed alternatives.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{BarbosaRimoli2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Barbosa Rimoli, Marcele}, title = {A WOMAN'S PLACE - ANALYSES OF FEMALE LITERATURE}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Unleashed Minds: A Woman's Place on Her Own Narrative is a design-driven exploration of how women writers have historically challenged societal expectations through literature. The project examines the works of Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Emily Bront{\"e}, and Sylvia Plath, among others, analyzing how their narratives subvert traditional roles and redefine themes of love, identity, and autonomy. Interwoven with contemporary reflections, interviews, and cultural references, the book bridges past and present, demonstrating the enduring relevance of these feminist perspectives. Beyond textual analysis, the project integrates visual storytelling as a critical tool for interpretation. The design of the book reinforces its themes through intentional typography pairings, a muted blue color scheme, and abstract imagery composition derived from historical paintings of women in positions of power, longing, or introspection. Black rectangles symbolize censorship, while scattered ink-like dots highlight both presence and absence—the stories told and those erased. Gradients subtly disrupt the running text, visually mirroring the fading and resurfacing of female voices over time. By combining literary scholarship with graphic design, Unleashed Minds is both an academic investigation and a tactile experience, reinterpreting feminist narratives through form and content. The project stands as a complete and cohesive work, emphasizing the power of design in reshaping and reclaiming women's place in storytelling.}, language = {en} } @misc{Syed2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Syed, Zaid Saleem}, title = {Development of an ML-based multivariate anomaly detection model for beehive monitoring using sensor and environmental data.}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Anomaly detection is an important aspect of beehive monitoring, enabling beekeepers to take timely action and preventing economic losses caused by the decline of the bee population. Most existing beehive monitoring systems lack machine learning (ML) capabilities for anomaly detection and rely on threshold-based methods or expensive, complex designs. This thesis utilized the DigiBee prototype, a cost- effective monitoring system, to develop an ML-based anomaly detection model using Isolation Forest. Data on temperature, humidity, sound, vibration, and weight from four active beehives was collected between May 1, 2024, and July 25, 2024, alongside environmental data—temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation—from nearby meteorological stations. Exploratory data analysis revealed several limitations: uniform outputs from vibration sensors, calibration errors in weight sensors, and multiple gaps during the data collection period. Correlation analysis indicated a limited influence of external weather variables on internal beehive conditions, while internal sensor parameters displayed stronger correlations with each other. Five models were developed, using either beehive data alone or a combination of beehive and weather data. Results showed that beehive-specific models achieved higher accuracy in detecting localized anomalies, whereas models combining data from multiple beehives generalized better but underrepresented hive-specific issues. Models incorporating weather parameters, especially precipitation, introduced noise and unnecessary dimensions, which, when excluded, improved the model's prediction by focusing on hive-specific patterns and ensuring anomaly detection remained contextually relevant.}, language = {en} } @misc{Bhattarai, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Bhattarai, Anish}, title = {Digitizing the Bait Lamina Method: Facilitating Autonomous Learning and Data Processing in Ecological Research}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, abstract = {In recent years, digital tools in soil science have evolved to modernize and streamline traditional approaches by fostering greater learning engagement and enhancing accessibility. The primary goal of this research is to create an application that intends to facilitate autonomous learning while streamlining data processing, visualization, and reporting for the Bait Lamina Method (BLM). Advanced technologies such as React.js, Tailwind CSS, Vite.js, and several Node.js modules were used to implement essential functionalities. Moreover, to ensure smooth and scalable app delivery, Docker was employed. Furthermore, thorough usability testing was carried out with students from both the school and university to create a sturdy app that satisfies the needs and standards of users. This research utilized a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the app's overall usability, emphasizing efficiency, learnability, dependability, and overall satisfaction. Quantitative analysis included phi coefficient correlation, chi-square testing, and multiple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to measure overall usability and user satisfaction. Meanwhile, qualitative approaches such as theme and sentiment analysis were used to get insight into user experiences, preferences, difficulties, and ideas for improvement. The study demonstrated that understanding the method is a key driver influencing student satisfaction. Therefore, the Bait Lamina App (BLA) immensely facilitated autonomous learning while speeding up data processing, visualization, and administration for the BLM. However, a few small faults and student comments were integrated into the BLA, which improved its use and satisfaction.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Schink, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Schink, Lukas}, title = {Pepper: Der halbautonome, humanoide Service-Roboter}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Integration großer Sprachmodelle in die Steuerung humanoider Roboter, am Beispiel der Anbindung von ChatGPT an den Service-Roboter Pepper. Motivation der Arbeit ist die Frage, wie moderne Sprachmodelle die Interaktionsf{\"a}higkeit {\"a}lterer Roboterplattformen verbessern k{\"o}nnen, sodass Roboter wie Pepper trotz ihres Alters und begrenzter physischer F{\"a}higkeiten in sozialen und bildungsbezogenen Anwendungen relevant bleiben. Ziel der Forschung ist es, Peppers Kommunikations- und Interaktionsm{\"o}glichkeiten durch die Kombination seiner bestehenden und m{\"o}glichen Funktionen mit den Sprachverarbeitungsf{\"a}higkeiten von ChatGPT zu erweitern. Hierzu wurde ein System entwickelt, das kontextbasierte Codes (Actioncodes) verwendet, die es dem Sprachmodell erm{\"o}glichen, Peppers Verhalten dynamisch zu steuern und flexibel auf Situationen zu reagieren. Dazu geh{\"o}rt die technische Anbindung von ChatGPT an die QiSDK, die Implementierung spezifischer Actioncodes sowie die Definition einer Pers{\"o}nlichkeit und kontextuellen Wissensbasis f{\"u}r den Roboter. Das System wurde auf Basis vorangegangener Feldversuche im Labor getestet und evaluiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Integration von ChatGPT Peppers Interaktionsf{\"a}higkeit signifikant verbessert, indem die Kommunikation nat{\"u}rlicher und die Reaktionen des Roboters flexibler werden. Diese Arbeit demonstriert, wie moderne Sprachmodelle dazu beitragen k{\"o}nnen, {\"a}ltere Robotersysteme zu modernisieren und ihre Einsatzm{\"o}glichkeiten erheblich zu erweitern.}, language = {de} }