OPUS Publikationsserver der Hochschule Rhein-Waal
Not a member yet
1076 research outputs found
Sort by
16/2024 Vierzehnte Änderungssatzung zur Beitragsordnung der Studierendenschaft der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 30.10.2024
No full text20/2024 Ordnung über die Auslaufplanung für den Bachelorstudiengang „Mechatronic Systems Engineering B.Sc.“ der Fakultät Technologie & Bionik an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 17.10.2024
No full textOpportunity and Risk. A critical Assessment of the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
No full textThe literature review at hand addresses the following research question: “Does artificial intelligence and its future development potentially pose a significant threat to individuals’ well-being and humanity’s ethical values?”. For providing answers to the topic at hand, three hypotheses are investigated in detail out of which H0: “Artificial intelligence does pose a significant potential threat to individuals well-being and humanity’s ethical values.” is accepted in accordance with evaluation of findings gathered from 121 sources overall. Threats of artificial intelligence were identified in overall five fields of application, namely medical science, transport industry, potential militarization, surveillance as well as in interaction of artificial intelligence with consumers, for which the natural language processing model ChatGPT was investigated. Regarding medical sciences, threats include potential dehumanization effects through care robots equipped with artificial intelligence. In the transport industry, multiple issues may arise with autonomously operating vehicles while in potential military application of artificial intelligence, research is conducted in multiple countries. Regarding surveillance, artificial intelligence severely facilitates the implementation of social credit systems, as for instance seen in China. Additionally, human nature is embedded in the context of continuous development of artificial intelligence with aim of establishing a first approximation to guidelines of potentially needed limitations of further development of artificial intelligence.
It is concluded that, for implementing specific limitations on development of artificial intelligence, more research is needed for identifying the most suitable approach of limiting further development of artificial intelligence
Assessing the Impact of Pyrolysis Biochar Derived from Sewage Sludge on Growth Responses and Plant Compatibility across Various Plant Species
No full textSewage sludge, a byproduct of municipal wastewater treatment, poses challenges in disposal due to its increasing global production. The pyrolysis process is explored to address this issue, converting sewage sludge into biochar with advantages such as eliminating pathogens, reducing odors, and stabilizing organic carbon. This research underscores the environmental benefits of utilizing biochar as a soil amendment, given its porous structure, carbon and nutrient retention capacity, and potential to enhance plant development and soil quality. By evaluating the impact of pyrolysis biochar from sewage sludge on plant growth and compatibility, the research aims to provide valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices and waste management strategies.
Pot trials were conducted in the university greenhouse, incorporating findings from a range of prior studies as a guiding framework. Diverse plant species were selected for experimentation, aiming to assess both plant compatibility and the influence of pyrolyzed biochar. This research investigates the contextual influence of sewage sludge biochar on water-holding capacity (WHC) across different soil types. Contrasting effects were observed, with silty clay loam experiencing decreased WHC and sandy loam exhibiting an increase, highlighting the soil- specific impact of biochar on water retention. Gaseous toxicity and phytotoxicity tests confirmed the absence of harmful gases, challenging previous findings. Plant compatibility tests underscored species-specific responses, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches when utilizing biochar as a soil amendment. Germination tests supported the idea that biochar does not adversely affect seed germination. Root analysis revealed biochar-induced fine root proliferation, suggesting enhanced nutrient availability for plants. In the context of Rhizobium inoculation, common beans in the biochar medium have exhibited smaller dimensions, influenced by the interaction between biochar and Rhizobium inoculation rates. This study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted impacts of sewage sludge biochar in diverse agricultural contexts
The Environmental Impact of Urban Agricultural Technologies Determined Using Life Cycle Assessment Method – A Systematic Review
No full textUrban Agriculture (UA) is identified as a sustainable solution to address urban food security challenges compounded by the exponential increase in urban population. Moreover, UA largely mitigates the negative impacts associated with conventional agriculture systems such as soil degradation, high resource usage, crop sensitivity towards climate change, and high fertilizer usage. UA is often complimented for its significant potential for producing higher yield nevertheless, for extensive use of UA, an in-depth understand- ing of its environmental impacts is required. For any UA methodology, environmental performance acts as a promising factor in promoting agriculture sustainability. This study performs critical analyses of available literature on UA techniques using Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA). LCA provides a comprehensive understanding of UA’s environmental footprint across different stages of its life cycle. LCA facilitates the quantification of eco- logical impacts associated with various UA approaches, including vertical farming, roof- top farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. This study utilizes a systematic review methodology, incorporating the PRISMA model, to conduct a comprehensive data collection process aimed at identifying the LCA of diverse UA methods and their associated impacts. The review addresses the following questions: How does LCA help in quantifying the environmental impacts of UA? What is the environmental performance of different UA techniques?
The findings demonstrated that nearly every form of UA exhibited a notable advantage in yield, and efficiency in water usage and land usage. Specifically, aeroponics stands out for its superior performance in yield and water usage efficiency, albeit with elevated energy demands. Hydroponics and aquaponics showcase advantages in reduced water usage and fertilizer requirements. Vertical farms, due to their structural and Controlled Environment (CE) prerequisites, present as energy-intensive systems with higher Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. In contrast, rooftop farms, making use of under-utilised urban spaces, emerge as a balanced system with moderate energy consumption and GHG emissions.
The environmental impact of UA techniques varies based on factors such as structure, operational components, crop selection, and the integration of innovative technologies, resulting in diverse outcomes when compared to conventional soil-based farms. This review recommended an extensive LCA of UA techniques, innovation to existing methodologies, urban reforms, and increased awareness about UA
Teamvertrauen, Gruppenstimmung und Vertrautheit - Eine Untersuchung der Beziehungen in Projektteams
No full textEin weit verbreiteter Ansatz zur Leistungssteigerung ist die Teamarbeit, wobei Menschen bei der Zusammenarbeit von verschiedenen Faktoren beeinflusst werden und profitieren können. Da die Zusammenarbeit jedoch vielfältiger und komplexer wird, ist das Ziel der Arbeit, den Zusammenhang von ausgewählten erfolgskritischen Faktoren zu untersuchen, um zur effektiveren Teamgestaltung beizutragen. Dabei kommt die Forschungsfrage auf, in welchem Zusammenhang die Konstrukte Vertrautheit, Teamvertrauen und Gruppenstimmung stehen? Hierfür wurde eine Längsschnittstudie mit Psychologiestudierenden durchgeführt. Die Studierenden füllten dafür zu drei Messzeitpunkten einen Online-Fragebogen aus. Abschließend konnte ein Datensatz von N = 134 verzeichnet werden. Um die Daten auf Gruppenebene aggregieren zu können, wurden der rwg sowie der ICC (1) und ICC (2) berechnet. Die Voraussetzung für die Datenaggregation wurde jedoch nicht erfüllt, weshalb die statistische Datenanalyse auf individueller Ebene durchgeführt werden musste. Mittels der Korrelation für Messwiederholung und der linearen Regression wurden die intra- und interpersonellen Zusammenhänge der Konstrukte untersucht. Vertrautheit steht demnach in einem positiven Zusammenhang mit Vertrauen und der positiven Stimmung. Ebenso wurde festgestellt, dass eine positive Stimmung das Ausmaß an Vertrauen begünstigt. Zudem wurde eine Mediation durchgeführt, um die Bedeutung der positiven Stimmung auf den Zusammenhang von Vertrautheit und Vertrauen herauszuarbeiten. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die angenommenen Zusammenhänge und zeigen die Bedeutung von Vertrautheit und positiver Stimmung auf. Es werden Praktische und theoretische Implikationen diskutiert.
Schlüsselwörter: Gruppenstimmung, Vertrautheit, Teamvertrauen, LängsschnittdesignA widely used approach to improving performance is teamwork, whereby people can be influenced and benefit from various factors when working together. However, as collaboration becomes more diverse and complex, the aim of the thesis is to investigate the relationship between selected factors critical to success in order to contribute to more effective team composition. This raises the research question of how the constructs of familiarity, team trust and group affective tone are related. Therefore, a longitudinal study was conducted with psychology students. The students completed an online questionnaire at three measurement points. In the end, a data set of N = 134 was recorded. In order to aggregate the data at group level, the rwg and the ICC (1) and ICC (2) were calculated. However, the requirement for data aggregation was not met, which is why the statistical data analysis had to be carried out at individual level. The intra- and interpersonal correlations of the constructs were examined using the correlation for repeated measures and linear regression. Familiarity was found to be positively related to trust and positive affecctive tone. It was also found that a positive affective tone favors the level of trust. In addition, a mediation was carried out to work out the significance of positive affective tone on the relationship between familiarity and trust. The results confirm the assumed realationships and show the importance of familiarity and positive affective tone. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Keywords: group affective tone, familiarity, team trust, longitudinal desig
Assessing new means of transportation: The role of eVTOLs
No full textThis Bachelor Thesis shows, that when it comes to the emerging industry of eVTOLs, literature reveals that there is a lack of empirical data in order to assess future market adoption of the flight services reliably.
The research question: “Is there a target group for eVTOLs?” is analyzed theoretically with the Disruptive Innovation Theory (Bower and Christensen, 1995) and particularly the Technology Acceptance Model (“T.A.M.”, Davis, 1989).
One-to-one interviews, with potential regular- and premium users of eVTOLs are conducted and strive to verify the Expected results derived from theory, which are then classified as insufficient. The Results show, that there is an interest of potential users in eVTOL flight services. Distinct factors are displayed in the Results section, and while for regular users, trust in the vehicles and safety is important, premium users see time efficiency as a precondition.
Overall, in addition to other factors, there is a lack of knowledge on the subject, which applies to both interview groups
Über die antidepressiven Effekte sportlicher Aktivität: Eine Metaanalyse klinischer Studien zu potenziellen Wirkmechanismen
No full textIn dieser Bachelorarbeit wurde untersucht, wie körperliche Aktivität als adjuvante oder nicht-pharmakologische Therapie bei Depressionen eingesetzt werden kann. Es wurden sowohl die antidepressiven Effekte als auch potenzielle Wirkmechanismen analysiert. Der theoretische Teil beleuchtet Depressionen, neurobiologische Prozesse sowie gängige Behandlungsansätze.
Die Ergebnisse einer systematischen Literaturrecherche zeigen, dass körperliche Aktivität positive Effekte auf depressive Symptome, die maximale Sauerstoffaufnahme (VO2) und die Schlafqualität hat. Insbesondere individuelle Programme sind wirksam.
Es wurden die Vor- und Nachteile der Sporttherapie erörtert, sowie Empfehlungen für zukünftige Forschung gegeben
Innovative Enzymsysteme der Lignin Polymerisation für nachhaltige Holzprodukte
No full textDie Entwicklung nachhaltiger und effizienter 3D-Drucktechnologien ist von zentraler Bedeutung für den Fortschritt in der Fertigung und Industrie. Ein vielversprechender Ansatz ist der Einsatz von Holzmaterialien wie Lignin, einem Abfallstoff der Papier- und Zellstoffindustrie. Zur Verbesserung der mechanischen Eigenschaften solcher Werkstoffe in der Anwendung ist der Einsatz biotechnologischen Komponenten, wie Laccasen, die die Polymerisation von Lignin katalysieren können, von Nutzen.
In der Projektgruppe „BioHolz3D“ des Fraunhofer Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung wird sich dem Prozess gewidmet, durch 3D-Druck neue und nachhaltige Produkte aus enzymatisch verknüpftem Lignin mit weiteren Holzreststoffen zu produzieren. Hierfür wird die Zusammensetzung von Holzmaterialien und deren mögliche Eignung für die additive Fertigung analysiert.
In dieser Thesis werden verschiedene Ansätze verfolgt, um die Optimierung
konventioneller Enzyme und möglichen Enzymalternativen zu erreichen und eine Eignung dieser anhand verschiedener Methoden zu validieren. Nach der Herstellung verschiedener Materialkombinationen von Holzwerkstoffen sollen diese darauf angewendet werden, wobei das Ziel ist, die Ligninpolymerisation bei geringerem Enzymeinsatz zu erhöhen und Ressourcen wie Kosten und Energie einzusparen, um mit Hilfe des Liquid-Desposition-Modeling (LDM) erste Probekörper herzustellen.
Dabei wurden bestehende Prozessschwächen analysiert, Fehlerursachen diskutiert und deren Auswirkungen betrachtet.
Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass die Enzymaktivität der Laccasen aus Trametes versicolor und Aspergillus sp durch Zugabe verschiedener Metallionen gesteigert werden kann. In der Anwendung an einem Modellsubstrat und Lignin zeigte sich, dass Kupfer- und Eisenionen mit der Enzymaktivität korrelieren.
Darauf basierend wurden Testobjekte hergestellt, an denen die Wirkung
nachgewiesen werden konnte.The development of sustainable and efficient 3D printing technologies is of central importance for progress in manufacturing and industry. One promising approach is the use of wood materials such as lignin, a waste material from the pulp and paper industry. To improve the mechanical properties of such materials in application, the use of biotechnological components such as laccases, which can catalyze the polymerisation of lignin, is useful.
The ‘BioHolz3D’ project group at the Fraunhofer Institute für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung is focusing on the process of using 3D printing to produce new and sustainable products from enzymatically combined lignin with other wood residues. To this end, the composition of wood materials and their potential suitability for additive manufacturing are being analyzed.
In this thesis, various approaches are pursued to optimize the efficiency of
conventional enzymes and possible enzyme alternatives, to validate their suitability using various methods. After the production of different material combinations of wood based materials, these are to be applied with the aim of increasing lignin polymerization, reduce the use of enzymes and save resources such as costs and energy in the production of initial test samples using liquid disposition modelling (LDM).
Existing process weaknesses were analyzed, causes of errors discussed and their effects considered.
This work demonstrated that the enzyme activity of the laccases from Trametes versicolor and Aspergillus sp can be increased by adding various metal ions. When applied to a model substrate and lignin, it was shown that copper and iron ions correlate with enzyme activity. Based on this, test objects were produced on which the effect could be demonstrated
ESG Reporting as a Sustainability Performance Measurement in Educational Institutions
No full textThe concept of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is not a new thing. It initially comes from the concept of non-financial reporting and corporate sustainability reporting. Over time this concept emerged as an essential tool in sustainability performance assessment.
This research dives into the dimensions of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting as a pivoting tool for evaluating sustainability performance in educational institutions. The study conducts a case study of the campus Hochschule Rhein-Waal sustainability intending to gain insights into the institution's performance concerning sustainability metrics. The research explores the integration of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 10 principles United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), along with the alignment of variables with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) into a tailored ESG framework for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
In addition to the in-depth examination of campus HSRW sustainability with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) dimensions, assessments of insights on on-campus areas of improvement about the indicators are highlighted. In summary, this study aimed to provide useful information for academic institutions seeking to enhance their sustainability initiatives as sustainability becomes an essential component of higher education