@misc{OPUS4-2287, title = {22/2025 Zehnte {\"A}nderungssatzung zur Satzung {\"u}ber die Ausgestaltung des Auswahl- und Zulassungsverfahrens in zulassungsbeschr{\"a}nkten Studieng{\"a}ngen der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 28.10.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {22}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22871}, pages = {3}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Kazimli2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kazimli, Farid}, title = {Origami Applications in Engineering}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22848}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {68}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis explores how origami-inspired modular structures—specifically uniformly thick, load-carrying designs—can be prototyped using accessible 3D printing work flows. We focus on translating geometric folding principles into real materials and hinges suitable for repeated deployment by designing printable panels and connectors, and by validating performance with a bar-and-hinge simulation approach. Physical prototypes are fabricated and tested for packing ratio, deployment re peatability, and stiffness-to-mass. Results indicate that thick-panel origami can be produced with consumer 3D printers while retaining compact storage, rapid deployment, and promising structural behavior. The work outlines a practical path toward portable, reusable, and more sustainable engineering systems that minimize material use, support repair and reuse through modularity, and simplify logistics through high packing ratios.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{AlSela'2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Al Sela', Subhi Moh'd S.}, title = {Application of Carbon Fiber and Advanced Composites in Restorative Dentistry: A Study in Material Efficiency, Manufacturing viability, Market Potential and Innovation.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22823}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {50}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This work presents a multidisciplinary evaluation of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone (CF-PEEK) as a core material for hybrid dental crowns, combined with lithium disilicate (E-max) veneers. The objective was to assess the mechanical, manufacturing, and economic feasibility of introducing CF-PEEK into restorative dentistry through an engineering-driven approach. A systematic literature review compared the elastic modulus, flexural strength, and density of CF-PEEK with conventional materials such as zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Results show that CF-PEEK exhibits a modulus close to natural dentin and lower density, offering improved biomechanical compatibility and reduced stress transmission. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) was identified as the most flexible and sustainable production method, minimising material waste and enabling customised crown fabrication. The study concludes that the CF-PEEK + E-max hybrid crown is mechanically viable and aligns with sustainability goals, though improvements in bonding, colour masking, and clinical validation remain necessary. This approach demonstrates how industrial engineering tools including TRIZ, QFD, and KANO can effectively guide innovation in dental materials and workflows.}, language = {en} } @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} } @misc{OPUS4-2281, title = {21/2025 Vierte {\"A}nderungssatzung zur Pr{\"u}fungsordnung f{\"u}r den Masterstudiengang Gesundheitswissenschaften und -management der Fakult{\"a}t Life Sciences an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 21.05.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {21}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22814}, pages = {6}, language = {de} } @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} } @misc{OPUS4-2278, title = {20/2025 Zweite {\"A}nderungssatzung zur Pr{\"u}fungsordnung f{\"u}r den Bachelorstudiengang Infotronic Systems Engineering der Fakult{\"a}t Kommunikation und Umwelt an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 23.06.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {20}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22782}, pages = {6}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Usluer2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Usluer, Egehan}, title = {Applying Different Path Planning Algorithms to a Mini Mars Rover for an Uncharted Maze}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22775}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {69}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis explores how an already built Mini Mars Rover can autonomously navigate an uncharted maze, first by mapping it and then by applying different pathfinding strategies. The Mini Mars Rover uses IR sensors for wall detection, encoder-based odometry for tracking movement, an IMU for heading corrections, for input for more accurate localization. The strategy combines exploration techniques with practical path execution on real hardware, focusing on the challenges that come up when algorithms meet the physical world. Exploration applied by using a combination of Breadth-First Search (BFS) with the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) approach, as well as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) strategy. Although both methods showed promising results in simulation, in hardware testing same results were not gathered. For the path planning, three pathfinding algorithms Flood Fill, Dijkstra's, and A* are implemented and compared. The results of those algorithms and the strategy to adopt them into the robot is implemented. The project demonstrates a possibility of adaptation of those algorithms and their feasibility. The Mini MarsRover serves as a solid base for further development and improvements.}, language = {en} } @misc{OPUS4-2276, title = {19/2025 Vierte {\"A}nderungssatzung zur Pr{\"u}fungsordnung f{\"u}r den Bachelorstudiengang Environment and Energy der Fakult{\"a}t Kommunikation und Umwelt an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 08.08.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {19}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22769}, pages = {5}, language = {de} } @misc{OPUS4-2275, title = {18/2025 Pr{\"u}fungsordnung f{\"u}r den Masterstudiengang Information Engineering and Computer Science der Fakult{\"a}t Kommunikation und Umwelt an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 14.08.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {18}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22753}, pages = {8}, language = {de} } @misc{OPUS4-2274, title = {17/2025 Erste {\"A}nderungssatzung zur Fakult{\"a}tsordnung der Fakult{\"a}t Technologie und Bionik der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 16.06.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {17}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22748}, pages = {3}, language = {de} } @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} } @misc{Mietz2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Mietz, Selma}, title = {Entwicklung eines kardiovaskul{\"a}ren Pr{\"a}ventionskonzeptes f{\"u}r den Kreis Kleve auf Grundlage eines 10- Jahres Vergleiches des Patientenkollektivs mit ST-Hebungs-Myokardinfarkt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22708}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {104}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Trotz des medizinischen Fortschrittes geh{\"o}ren kardiovaskul{\"a}re Erkrankungen weiterhin zu den f{\"u}hrenden Todesursachen in Deutschland. Der akute Herzinfarkt mit ST- Streckenhebung ist eine m{\"o}gliche Manifestationsform. Zu den Risikofaktoren f{\"u}r die Entstehung von Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen z{\"a}hlen viele modifizierbare Parameter (Nikotinkonsum, {\"U}bergewicht, Bewegungsmangel usw.), so dass das Risiko an einem Herzinfarkt zu erkranken, zumindest teilweise beeinflussbar ist. Mit dem „Gesunde[n]-Herz-Gesetz" wollte die 24. Bundesregierung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland auf diese Mechanismen aufmerksam machen und Pr{\"a}ventionsprogramme zur Reduktion kardiovaskul{\"a}rer Risikofaktoren etablieren. Die vorgestellte Arbeit befasst sich mit dem kardiovaskul{\"a}ren Risikoprofil sowie demographischen Daten der Herzinfarkt-Patienten in der Kardiologie des katholischen Karl-Leisner-Klinikums (St. Antonius Hospital Kleve und Marienhospital Kevelaer) im Vergleich der Jahre 2014 und 2024. Es soll untersucht werden, wie das Risikoprofil der Herzinfarkt-Patienten in den beiden Krankenh{\"a}usern aussieht, und wie es sich im Vergleich der letzten 10 Jahre ver{\"a}ndert hat. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, herauszufinden welches Patientenkollektiv in den kardiologischen Abteilungen des katholischen Karl-Leisner-Klinikums von Herzinfarkten betroffen ist, um gezielt Pr{\"a}ventionsmaßnahmen abzuleiten. Hierf{\"u}r wurden die Krankenakten aller Patienten, die im Jahr 2014 im Krankenhaus Kleve sowie im Jahr 2024 in den Krankenh{\"a}usern Kleve und Kevelaer mit einem ST-Hebungsmyokardinfarkt behandelt wurden, eingeschlossen. Mittels Student's T-Test und Mann-Whitney-U-Test wurden demographische Parameter, Laborwerte und weitere kardiovaskul{\"a}re Risikofaktoren zwischen den beiden Zeitr{\"a}umen verglichen. Es zeigt sich eine signifikante Zunahme von Gesamtcholesterin und LDL-Cholesterin im Jahr 2024 verglichen zu 2014. Außerdem besteht die Tendenz zur Abnahme der Nierenfunktion zwischen den untersuchten Jahren. Im Hinblick auf weitere Risikofaktoren wie manifeste Atherosklerose, Diabetes mellitus und arterielle Hypertonie zeigt sich eine Tendenz zur Entwicklung eines multimorbiden Patientenkollektives. Als Ansatzpunkte zur Optimierung des Risikoprofils seien Maßnahmen zur Raucherentw{\"o}hnung, Reduktion von Bewegungsmangel sowie eine Verbesserung der Gesundheitsvorsorge und -aufkl{\"a}rung zu nennen.}, 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{Simsek2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Simsek, Seyda}, title = {The Impact of Increasing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management on Employees}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22687}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {58}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This study examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in human resource management (HRM) and its effects on employees, considering both operational benefits and the ethical, social, and psychological implications. Its analyzes real-world applications of AI in recruiting, performance management, talent development, and HR administration using qualitative secondary data from academic papers, industry publications, and case studies published between 2018 and 2024. To examine employee experiences, organizational issues, and ethical implications, a combined analytical approach is used, which incorporates the Technology Acceptance Model, Job Demand-Control Model, human-centered AI concepts, and the European Commission's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. While AI can increase effectiveness, reliability, and strategic HR results, the findings highlight concerns about algorithmic bias, reduced human engagement, and risks to employee autonomy and well-being. This paper addresses the significance of organizational planning, transparency, and responsible oversight in AI implementation, highlighting that technology should supplement rather than replace human judgment. The study offers an understanding of the human-centered and ethical aspects of AI in HRM, as well as insights for organizations seeking to use AI responsibly while maintaining employee trust and engagement.}, language = {en} } @misc{OPUS4-2266, title = {16/2025 Zugangspr{\"u}fungsordnung f{\"u}r Bildungsausl{\"a}nderinnen und -ausl{\"a}nder f{\"u}r den Studiengang International Business and Management an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 04.08.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {16}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22662}, pages = {6}, language = {de} } @misc{OPUS4-2265, title = {15/2025 Erste {\"A}nderungssatzung zur Einschreibungsordnung der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 06.08.2025}, volume = {2025}, number = {15}, organization = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22655}, pages = {3}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Aldorino2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Aldorino, Bryan}, title = {Design, Development, and Testing of a Vision-Based Calibration System for Liquid Handling Robot}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22637}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {87}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis presents the development of a vision-based calibration routine for an open-source liquid handling system, addressing the challenge of integrating reliable labware detection into an existing robotic platform with minimal hardware redesign. The study adopts an experimental, prototype-driven approach, evaluating multiple proof-of-concept configurations before selecting a top-mounted camera solution as the most viable. The implemented system employs OpenCV's ArUco marker detection to locate labware, combined with a closed-loop tracking routine that iteratively aligns the camera's principal point with the detected tag. Alternative approaches, such as rule-based detection with a side-mounted camera, provided valuable insight into system constraints including lighting sensitivity, and variability of labware. The chosen final setup demonstrated reliable calibration output in the form of labware position and orientation data, stored in .JSON format for integration into higher-level control software. The system proved capable of reliable marker-based calibration under controlled conditions. Furthermore, the results highlight both the strengths of the approach such as modularity and adaptability, and its limitations, particularly possible interference due to glare and relatively high setup time. Future work includes integrating object detection models, multi-camera systems for improved pose estimation, and extending the system towards real-time quality control in laboratory automation.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Wienands2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Wienands, Noa Lilly}, title = {The Motivation behind the International Mobility of German University Graduates and Students: A focus on Economic Perceptions and Aspirations for Cultural and Professional Growth}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22620}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {89}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the motivations behind the international mobility of German university students and graduates focusing on the role of economic conditions, personal motives, the labor market and perceived career opportunities. It evaluates how the assessment of these aspects influences the willingness to pursue a life and career abroad through a review of existing literature and an online survey conducted by the author. The theoretical background draws on Push-Pull Theory to present migration motives, Neoclassical Economics and the New Economics of Labor Migration to highlight economic reasons and the evaluation of cost and benefits, and Expectancy-Value Theory and Self-Determination Theory to examine the connection of expectations and intrinsic motivations and values related to migration intentions. The data of the survey, conducted among German university students and graduates shows that the economic assessment is not a main motivator for a life abroad but a mix of socioeconomic factors can increase the willingness to go abroad. The study highlights the importance of personal reasons, especially personal growth and cultural experience as it increases the willingness among educated Germans to migrate. Professional growth particularly, if evaluated as better abroad as well as a bad assessment of the German labor market increase the willingness for international mobility. The thesis contributes to a better understanding on the dynamics behind the international mobility intentions among highly skilled individuals in Germany.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Mughal2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Mughal, Abdul Qadir}, title = {Design and Development of an Automated Hyperspectral Imaging System for Plant Monitoring}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22614}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {114}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis presents the design and construction of a prototype automated plant monitoring system that integrates hyperspectral imaging with a custom linear motion structure for greenhouse applications. Controlled by an Arduino-driven stepper motor, the system positions two hyperspectral cameras (covering visible-near-infrared and short-wave infrared ranges) and a stereo RGB camera along a linear guide to capture consistent and repeatable measurements. Calibration and data acquisition are managed by specialized software, enabling detection of early drought stress indicators such as pigment and water content changes before visible symptoms occur. Assembled and tested at Fraunhofer IGD, the prototype demonstrated reliable operation and consistent spectral data collection, providing a versatile foundation for future enhancements including automated workflows, machine learning-based analysis, and application in diverse agricultural settings.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WeinbachAlCabirZanderetal., author = {Weinbach, Heike and Al Cabir, Yasmin and Zander, Margherita and Swiderek, Thomas and Stroop, Nicola and N{\"u}renberg, Denise and Knippert, Max}, title = {Ver{\"a}nderung ist m{\"o}glich - Kinderarmut in Deutschland und im Kreis Kleve}, editor = {Weinbach, Heike and Al Cabir, Yasmin}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22467}, pages = {122}, abstract = {Die Publikation zum Thema Kinderarmut ist eine Dokumentation einer Vortragsreihe im Rahmen der Mittwochsakademie der Fakult{\"a}t Gesellschaft \& {\"O}konomie der Hochschule Rhein-Waal. In den Beitr{\"a}gen werden die Konstanz und die Regionalit{\"a}t von Kinderarmut thematisiert sowie L{\"o}sungsans{\"a}tze dargestellt, die sowohl individuell als auch strukturell Sinn machen. Die Beitr{\"a}ge repr{\"a}sentieren Perspektiven auf Kinderarmut aus Theorie und Praxis. Die Ziele dieser Publikation sind die Bereitstellung von Wissen und Anregungen f{\"u}r umsetzbare Handlungen.}, language = {de} } @misc{Afzal2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Afzal, Umair}, title = {AI-Driven Comic Generation: Exploring the Creative Potential of Generative AI in Digital Storytelling}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22581}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {111}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Creative sectors have accepted AI into their industry for establishing modern methods of generating digital content. This study introduces a novel AI-based framework based on AI technology, using GANs along with Stable Diffusion models to automate comic development. This study looks at juxtaposing narrative outlining through text with automated visual generation toward an integrated system that produces adaptable comic panels with appropriate visual structure. The research methodology that the project has followed can be built on three cornerstones: advanced GAN schemes for text generation and pre-processing, followed by image synthesis through Stable Diffusion. A specially developed algorithm for speech bubbles determined the optimal placement of that text, so it would function well and maintain a semblance of beauty. By iteratively refining and tuning the model, this system was evaluated. Initial observations regarding visual coherence and narrative alignment were hopeful, but further tests using quantitative metrics-for instance, FID for images and BLEU for text, as well as broader user feedback-would be needed to validate the efficacy of the model entirely. The impediments were, however, GAN mode collapse, irregular speech-bubble layout, and inconsistent artistic styles. Further research would uncover the potential role of AI systems in easing the comic generation process for creators, educators, and designers of digital content to enhance accessibility and efficiency. This method shows promising applicability in various domains like automated narratives, customizable comics, and educational material. Further along the way, the scientists plan to improve panel storytelling, create an intuitive interface, and expand the dataset to include more artistic styles. Such enhancements could maximize the gain from automated comic conception.}, 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} } @misc{Fazlikhani, author = {Fazlikhani, Ghazaleh}, title = {Appendix Files of the Master's Thesis "Experimental Determination of Microbial Preservation in Cosmetic Formulations Using Modified ISO 11930 Methods"}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22557}, abstract = {This dataset contains the appendix files of the Master's Thesis "Experimental Determination of Microbial Preservation in Cosmetic Formulations Using Modified ISO 11930 Methods." The files include raw experimental data in Excel format, covering microbial counts, preservative efficacy testing, and neutralizer validation across different formulations and bacterial strains. These supplementary materials provide detailed numerical results that support the analyses and figures presented in the main thesis document. They ensure transparency and reproducibility of the study by granting access to the complete underlying data.}, language = {en} } @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} } @misc{Tewes, author = {Tewes, Thomas}, title = {Luminescence and Raman spectroscopic data of bacteria with and without exposure to water-soluble polymers (WSPs)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22486}, abstract = {Data from luminescence measurements of bacteria exposed to water-soluble polymers (WSPs), as well as Raman spectra of bacteria with and without contact to the WSPs. Polyacrylamide (PAM) - tested in different molecular weights (e.g., 40,000 g/mol, 150,000 g/mol, 15,000,000 g/mol). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) - investigated at molecular weights such as 8,000 g/mol, 20,000 g/mol, and 35,000 g/mol. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) - studied at molecular weights like 16,000 g/mol, 47,000 g/mol, and 61,000 g/mol. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) - analyzed in molecular weights such as 24,000 g/mol, 40,000 g/mol, and 360,000 g/mol. The used bacteria was Aliivibrio fischeri.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {-, Monish Suresh}, title = {Buck Converter Control using Gaussian Process Regression}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22458}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {56}, year = {2025}, abstract = {In this bachelor thesis, I investigate the feasibility of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) (Williams and Rasmussen 2006) in the control of a buck converter (R. W. Erickson and aksimovic 2020). I develop a prototype digital controller for a buck converter, which uses a trained GPR model to predict the PWM duty cycle required to obtain a desired output voltage. I use an Analog Discovery 2 (AD2) (Digilent Inc. n.d.) as an interface between the GPR controller and the buck converter hardware by providing real-time voltage measurements to the controller and generating the PWM signal. I compare the performance of the GPR controller with the TPS629210DRLR Integrated Circuit (IC) (Texas Instruments 2022), which uses an analog control method and serves as the reference performance standard. I compare the performance of the GPR controller and the IC based on their ability to maintain a target voltage during a load change involving an RC load. The results are evaluated based on the voltage regulation accuracy and load voltage settling time. The results show that both controllers are able to set the load voltage within 1\% of the target value. However, the GPR controller has a settling time around 3 times longer than the analog controller. The longer settling time is due to latencies from communication with the AD2 and the time required for duty cycle computation. Despite this, the settling time difference is short enough to consider the digital GPR controller competitive to the reference analog control method, especially since the current prototype is not optimized to reduce these latencies. The findings of this thesis highlight both the potential and limitations of the digital control of a buck converter.}, language = {en} } @techreport{OPUS4-2244, title = {Days of Antidiscrimination 4}, editor = {Zimenkova, Tatiana and Baumgart, Luisa Emelie and Ascani, Katrin}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22448}, pages = {32}, abstract = {This brochure shows the results and impressions of the five-day event "Days of Antidiscrimination 4" at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, which took place from April 15 to April 19, 2024. The Vice-President for Internationalisation and Diversity and the AStA jointly organized this exchange of all university members and, with this report, make visible the voices of the participants, the expertise of the academics and activists and the contributions of the students.}, 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} } @misc{Malani, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Malani, Ajaykumar}, title = {Development of a Key Performance Indicator Based Method for the Evaluation of Scan Strategies}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22414}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {76}, abstract = {In the Laser powder bed fusion of metal, the laser beam melts and fuse the powder material to produce the part layer by layer. The scan strategy, which defines the pattern in which the laser moves on the powder bed, affects the mechanical properties, residual stress and quality of the parts. There are many scanning strategies and it is difficult to select the appropriate scanning strategy based on the required quality of the parts. In this thesis, key performance indicators related to scanning strategy are developed, based upon the literature, which can influence the quality of the parts like high density and low surface roughness. The developed KPI is used to evaluate the scanning strategy of printed parts and their results on surface roughness and density. The developed KPIs are integrated into custom software to collect the data for evaluation of scanning strategy. The correlation analysis is also performed to understand the relation between developed KPI and quality of the parts (surface roughness and density). The results shows that developed method can be used for evaluation of the scanning strategy but it needs to be further improved to get more accurate results.}, language = {en} } @misc{Siddireddy2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Siddireddy, Pradeep Chand}, title = {Energy-Efficient Design of Filament Spooling Machines for Sustainable 3D Printing Workflows.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22408}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {73}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The Thesis encompasses a comprehensive design framework, incorporating detailed calculations for motor selection, tensioning system design, and guide mechanism optimization. The design prioritizes energy efficiency through the implementation of high-efficiency motors, optimized control algorithms, and energy-saving features.}, 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{Hadi2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Hadi, Abdul}, title = {Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Capital Market Efficiency and Investment Behavior: A Comparative Analysis of Investors in Developed and Emerging Markets}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22350}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {73}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on capital market efficiency and investor behavior, with a comparative lens on developed and emerging markets. It investigates how AI technologies—such as machine learning, robo-advisors, and algorithmic trading—are reshaping investment strategies, reducing behavioral biases, and influencing market dynamics. The study integrates theoretical frameworks, including the Efficient Market Hypothesis, Behavioral Finance, and the Adaptive Markets Hypothesis, to contextualize AI's role in modern finance. A mixed-methods approach combines literature review, empirical analysis, and survey data from Germany, India, and Pakistan to assess regional disparities in AI adoption, trust, and effectiveness. Findings reveal that while AI enhances decision-making and market efficiency, its benefits are unevenly distributed due to infrastructural, regulatory, and digital literacy gaps. German investors exhibit higher trust and adoption rates, leading to more efficient and diversified investment behavior, whereas emerging markets face barriers such as limited access and awareness. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations to foster inclusive AI integration and outlines future research directions to bridge the digital divide in global financial systems}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Bhatt2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Bhatt, Revant Nitin}, title = {Characterization and Optimization of Process Parameters for Polycaprolactone-based Medical Scaffolds for a Magnetic Planar Drive-based 3D Printer}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22330}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {71}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis investigates the optimization of process parameters for a Magnetic Planar Drive (MPD)-based 3D printer to fabricate Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds for medical applications. The study aims to identify an optimal set of parameters that ensures high-dimensional accuracy while maintaining structural integrity. A systematic experimental methodology was adopted, beginning with a full-factorial design to establish baseline parameters for printing temperature (170°C), printing speed (15 mm/s), and nozzle diameter (0.4 mm). A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to optimize critical parameters, specifically layer height, raster width, and mover levitation height. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) identified layer height as the most dominant factor influencing dimensional accuracy (p < 0.0001), while raster width and mover levitation had lesser effects. The experimental validation of the optimization results revealed discrepancies between the numerically and empirically optimized parameter sets. Although the numerically optimized settings had a theoretically superior accuracy of 98.29\%, their practical implementation led to structural failures, specifically the collapse of scaffold bridges. In contrast, the empirically optimized set (layer height: 0.2 mm, raster width: 0.45 mm, mover levitation height: 2.25 mm) consistently achieved a mean dimensional accuracy of 97.14\% while maintaining stable printability. The findings demonstrate the potential of MPD-based 3D printing for fabricating medical scaffolds and establishing a validated parameter set.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Mueller2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {M{\"u}ller, Anna}, title = {The Dialectic of Enlightenment \& Gender Equality : Potentials of Critical Theory for the Re- and Deconstruction of Women's Roles in a Patriarchal Society}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22319}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {59}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the ambivalent nature of a supposedly enlightened society using the tools of Critical Theory. The work employs the dialectical method, drawing on Horkheimer and Adorno's 'Dialectic of Enlightenment' to analyze the contradictory development of gender relations within a seemingly rational and emancipated modernity. The central thesis posits that the ideals of the Enlightenment—devoted to liberty, reason, and equality—dialectically reverse into their opposites. The focus lies on the social role of women, who experience societal subjugation as a result. Through a historical analysis of Early, High, and Late Enlightenment, two structural concepts are identified that emerge from Enlightenment thought: (1) the categorically dichotomized production of knowledge, and the (2) transition from monarchical to physiocratic bourgeois systems. It is shown how a complementarity of the sexes is legitimized on the basis of categorial-dichotomized knowledge production, which is divided into dichotomized social spheres in the sense of an equal society on the basis of their supposedly natural abilities. This creates a dialectical moment that places women in a seemingly natural, but actually ideologically shaped position of subjugation. The third part of the thesis applies Negative Dialectics to deconstruct prevailing gender relations. It questions the foundations of dichotomous knowledge production and explores the compatibility of feminist theories with Critical Theory. Furthermore, it critically engages with identity politics. The aim is to rethink the concept of "woman" from a dialectical-feminist perspective and to outline possibilities for a more equitable societal order beyond rigid categorical designations.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{MoncadaTorres2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Moncada Torres, Valentina Bernardita}, title = {Identifying Policy Opportunities for the Costa Rican Cocoa Market: A Comparative Analysis with the Dominican Republic}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22308}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {68}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Cocoa is a crop native to Costa Rica that once thrived as one of the country's principal exports. Its decline began in the late 1970s following severe disease outbreaks and has been further affected by a lack of sustained institutional support. This thesis presents a comparative analysis of the cocoa sectors in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic due to the latter's good positioning in the global cocoa market. It aims to identify policy opportunities that could support the revitalization of Costa Rican cocoa production. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders across both countries and thematically analysed according to six key areas: general characteristics, exports and market access, labour conditions, public policy and framework, support framework, and growth potential. Findings suggest that the Dominican Republic's success is due to continued governmental prioritization and support, alongside the presence of strong producer associations that facilitate access to post-harvest infrastructure, international markets, and organic certification. In contrast, Costa Rica's sector remains fragmented, with limited coordination, restricted market access, and minimal governmental support. Nonetheless, recent increases in global cocoa prices and renewed institutional interest have created favourable conditions for reactivating and strengthening the sector. This study highlights the need for strengthened producer organization and culturally grounded support for Indigenous cocoa producers. The broader aim of the study is to enable producers to improve their quality of life through increased profitability.}, language = {en} } @misc{Malani2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Malani, Ajaykumar Jayasukhbhai}, title = {Development of a Key Performance Indicator Based Method for the Evaluation of Scan Strategies}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22293}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {76}, year = {2025}, abstract = {In the Laser powder bed fusion of metal, the laser beam melts and fuse the powder material to produce the part layer by layer. The scan strategy, which defines the pattern in which the laser moves on the powder bed, affects the mechanical properties, residual stress and quality of the parts. There are many scanning strategies and it is difficult to select the appropriate scanning strategy based on the required quality of the parts. In this thesis, key performance indicators related to scanning strategy are developed, based upon the literature, which can influence the quality of the parts like high density and low surface roughness. The developed KPI is used to evaluate the scanning strategy of printed parts and their results on surface roughness and density. The developed KPIs are integrated into custom software to collect the data for evaluation of scanning strategy. The correlation analysis is also performed to understand the relation between developed KPI and quality of the parts (surface roughness and density). The results shows that developed method can be used for evaluation of the scanning strategy but it needs to be further improved to get more accurate results.}, language = {en} } @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} } @masterthesis{Nguyen2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Nguyen, Minh Duy}, title = {Development of an arduino-controlled smart storage rack for component reels using MQTT and RS485 communication protocols}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22237}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {64}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis represents the development of an innovative storage rack system designed to manage electronic component reels in the manufacturing environment efficiently. The system integrates multiple custom-designed PCBs equipped with many LEDs and sensors, each assigned to individual storage slots. Each storage slot is equipped with an LED and an infrared (IR) sensor. The sensors detect the presence of reels, while the LEDs provide visual guidance for storing or locating specific reels. To manage multiple sensors efficiently, a multiplexing method is used, allowing each Arduino Pro Mini to control up to 16 sensors with fewer pins. Multiple Arduino Pro Mini microcontrollers are deployed across different rack sections and communicate with a central master controller using the RS485 protocol. The master controller, based on an ESP32, connects to an MQTT broker to send and receive data from a storage management system. Users interact with the system through a web interface. When storing a reel, the user scans it into the online system, which then activates an LED to indicate the appropriate storage slot. When retrieving a reel, the system highlights its location via the corresponding LED. Sensors are used to confirm the presence or absence of reels within the slots ensuring accurate tracking of stored items in real time. The system is modular and scalable. In this thesis, the prototype demonstrates two levels of storage racks, each independently controlled and networked, validating the communication between multiple slave units and a master. Additionally, because of the different sizes of the reel, the design includes removable metal dividers between slots. When storing larger reels, dividers can be removed, and this change is also updated via MQTT to the online system. Power is supplied through a 5V, 30A power supply, ensuring stable operation of all electronic components. Overall, the results confirm that the system achieves reliable performance in both hardware and communication aspects, offering a practical and scalable solution for modern electronic component inventory management.}, language = {en} } @misc{DobariyaBockmuehl, author = {Dobariya, Binal and Bockm{\"u}hl, Dirk P.}, title = {Comparative analysis of microbial community on apricot kernel shells and walnut shells influenced by post-harvest conditions.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22214}, abstract = {Apricot kernel shells (AKS) and walnut shells (WS) are byproducts from fruit processing lines and may serve as sustainable alternatives to microplastics in industrial applications due to their high content of natural polymers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Their use necessitates understanding the associated microbial risks to secure the quality of raw materials. This study investigates microbial communities on AKS and WS collected from Kyrgyzstan over a three-year period of harvests (2022-2024), using culture-dependent total viable count (TVC) as well as culture-independent shotgun metagenomic sequencing to explore the taxonomic and functional profile of microorganisms present on the shells. Results indicated higher microbial loads in more recent harvests with a dominance of Proteobacteria on WS comprising Pantonea agglomerans and Xanthomonas arboricola. On AKS, the phylum Firmicutes was prevalent emphasizing on Weissella confusa and Weissella cibaria. Incubation at humid conditions increased the fungal diversity in particular, especially Rhizopus microsporus in WS and Pichia membranifaciens in AKS, highlighting storage humidity as a critical factor which may induce microbial shifts. Functional metagenomic profiling based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database, highlighted metabolic and relational pathways of microbial community present on AKS and WS. Furthermore, microbial similarities between shell samples and their respective storage environments suggest that handling and storage practices may significantly affect contamination profiles.}, language = {en} } @misc{Regmi, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Regmi, Khem Raj}, title = {Interactive Visualisation Tool for Teaching Environmental Data: A Guideline of how to set up the tool taking user feedback into account}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-21594}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {77}, abstract = {This thesis will study the creation of an interactive data visualization tool for environmental dataset that concentrates specifically on Nitrate concentrations in groundwater. This project is intended to create a tool for exploratory/experiential learning - one that allows learners to investigate regional data and pursue genuine learning opportunities. The plan is to use regional data in a specific user journey to create this interactive learning experience. The project uses open environmental data: Hygris dataset of LANUV(Landesamt f{\"u}r Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz) related to the regions Kleve and Wesel in Germany, and realizes this with help of python programming language and python streamlit framework, web development tools and data visualization libraries (pandas , plotly.express, streamlite.components.v1). This study explores tailored visualization strategies that address key challenges such as the inherent complexity of environmental datasets and the need for more engaging and comprehensible educational tools. These strategies include deploying interactive visualizations that allow hands-on data exploration, and temporal visualizations. The role of user feedback in refining educational tools for teaching environmental data is examined, particularly in designing effective visualization techniques like line char, bar chart, bubble chart, pie chart, scatter plot and intensity graph for representing groundwater nitrate concentrations. The impact of different visualization techniques on the understanding and interpretation of open environmental data among educators and students is analyzed, with an emphasis on the spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate concentrations over time. This approach aims to increase user engagement and deepen understanding of environmental data, facilitating a more profound embedding of information within learners' cognitive processes.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Chng2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Chng, Ci Ern Katelyn}, title = {Effects of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Growing Media Component and Phosphate Fertiliser on the Cultivation of Potted Ornamental Plants}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22189}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {42}, year = {2025}, abstract = {There is increasing pressure from the German government on its citizens to reduce dependency on phosphate rock and peat, in agriculture and horticulture. This is due to the phosphate rock oligopoly with associated political instabilities, and the environmental consequences of peat harvesting. Past studies on soilless crop cultivation have shown promising outcomes for the phosphorus (P)-rich sewage sludge biochar (SSB) as an answer to these issues. However, SSB remains as one of the least studied biochar types in soilless ornamental cultivation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the viability of SSB as a P fertiliser and growing media component in pot cultivation of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). The addition of SSB at a 10\% (v/v) rate to coco peat (SSB 10) was determined as the best composition. Although it did not outperform the control, SSB 10 plants were not significantly lower than the control plants in height, dry aboveground biomass, and number of poinsettia stems across all three species - except in poinsettia biomass. Other rates (5\%, 15\%, 20\%) had significantly lower values in more than one parameter. Physicochemical characterisation also revealed increased P with increasing SSB rates in the growing media. Contrary to other studies, the pH of all growing media did not exceed ideal growing media pH values (5.3-6.5), further solidifying SSB's viability as a growing media component. The reliability of our results could be improved by recording water uptake of the media, and selection of species with quantifiable aesthetics.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Rigotti2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Rigotti, Roberta}, title = {Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and climate change: Assessing the potential in German agriculture with insights from Italian practices}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22178}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {78}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is a crop loved in the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy, where it has a long tradition holding both cultural and economic value. It has many different uses, from fresh consumption to medicinal use and potential in the energy and cheese-making industry. In northern European countries, such as Germany, artichoke cultivation has not been largely present up until now, mostly due to climate limitations, like very cold winters. However, climate change may offer new opportunities for its introduction. This study wants to assess the viability and potential of artichoke cultivation in Germany under current and future climate conditions, with the support of climate reports and literature sources. Past German trials, together with insights from the Italian artichoke cultivation, are integrated into the analysis to offer a better understanding of potential practices and implications for a future cultivation of the crop in Germany. The study concludes that winter cultivation is unfeasible without proper winter protection practices or the development of reliable frost-resistant varieties. However, annual cultivation with harvest within the same season represents a promising option in most German states. Locally grown artichokes could translate into economic and environmental advantages by answering the increasing interest in fresh, healthy, and regionally sourced products. It would also presents an opportunity for diversifying agricultural production in response to climate change and shifting market demands while also filling a gap in the artichoke offer on the market.}, language = {en} }