OPUS Publikationsserver der Hochschule Rhein-Waal
Not a member yet
1076 research outputs found
Sort by
Evaluating Tool Support for User-Centric Requirements Engineering in Software Development: A Jira-Based Approach
No full textUser requirements are important for a successful software development process, yet their effective integration throughout the development lifecycle remains challenging. This study evaluates requirements engineering (RE) tools and addresses the gap in the requirements engineering process and the systematic integration of user requirements into development processes. After literature review and expert evaluations, a framework was established for the evaluation of RE tools across key dimensions. This evaluation revealed significant limitations in requirements management and analysis capabilities. A Jira-based prototype was developed using Atlassian Forge, consisting of an Issue Panel for requirement-to-issue linkage and a Global Page for the rest of the requirement engineering process, with its main goal being to integrate user requirements in the software development lifecycle. Testing with 16 participants proved high satisfaction (mean of 4.382/5) and effectiveness in integrating requirements into development workflows (mean of 4.438/5). The study also provides areas for future improvements, useful for the future work to be done in the field
Comparative analysis of microbial community on apricot kernel shells and walnut shells influenced by post-harvest conditions.
No full textApricot 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
Prototypische Entwicklung einer Low-Code-Anwendung zur Visualisierung statistischer Kennzahlen und Analyse ihrer Aussagekraft für die Finanzverwaltung.
No full textDiese Bachelorarbeit stellt dar, wie statistische Kennzahlen für die Finanzverwaltung möglichst aussagekräftig visualisiert und analysiert werden können, um statistische Eigenschaften großer Datenmengen intuitiv und schnell verständlich 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 erläutert 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 können. Eine ganzheitliche Analyse, die auf anwendungsfallbezogenem Datenwissen basiert, bildet die Grundlage für eine fundierte Interpretation. In Zusammenhang mit der Betrachtung und kombinierten Interpretation mehrerer statistischer Kennzahlen können so Fehlinterpretationen vermieden und der Gewinn zusätzlicher Erkenntnisse gefördert werden. Die erzeugten Visualisierungen ermöglichen eine strukturierte Auswertung großer Datenmengen, setzen jedoch teilweise statistische Grundkenntnisse bei den Nutzenden voraus, die diese Ausarbeitung vermittelt
Days of Antidiscrimination 4
No full textThis 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
Design, Development, and Testing of a Vision-Based Calibration System for Liquid Handling Robot
No full textThis 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
Development, Controller Design and Validation of a Torque Vectoring System for an All-Wheel Drive Electric Go-Kart
No full textThis 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
20/2025 Zweite Änderungssatzung zur Prüfungsordnung für den Bachelorstudiengang Infotronic Systems Engineering der Fakultät Kommunikation und Umwelt an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 23.06.2025
No full textDevelopment of an ML-based multivariate anomaly detection model for beehive monitoring using sensor and environmental data.
No full textAnomaly detection is an important aspect of beehive monitoring, enabling beekeepers to take timely action and preventing economic losses caused by the decline of the bee population. Most existing beehive monitoring systems lack machine learning (ML) capabilities for anomaly detection and rely on threshold-based methods or expensive, complex designs. This thesis utilized the DigiBee prototype, a cost- effective monitoring system, to develop an ML-based anomaly detection model using Isolation Forest. Data on temperature, humidity, sound, vibration, and weight from four active beehives was collected between May 1, 2024, and July 25, 2024, alongside environmental data—temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation—from nearby meteorological stations. Exploratory data analysis revealed several limitations: uniform outputs from vibration sensors, calibration errors in weight sensors, and multiple gaps during the data collection period. Correlation analysis indicated a limited influence of external weather variables on internal beehive conditions, while internal sensor parameters displayed stronger correlations with each other. Five models were developed, using either beehive data alone or a combination of beehive and weather data. Results showed that beehive-specific models achieved higher accuracy in detecting localized anomalies, whereas models combining data from multiple beehives generalized better but underrepresented hive-specific issues. Models incorporating weather parameters, especially precipitation, introduced noise and unnecessary dimensions, which, when excluded, improved the model’s prediction by focusing on hive-specific patterns and ensuring anomaly detection remained contextually relevant
Drawbacks of law enforcement in the Euregio Rhine-Waal: the case of work migrants' exploitation in the border region
No full textThis thesis examines the challenges of enforcing labor protection for migrant workers in the Euregio Rhine-Waal, a dynamic cross-border region extended across Germany and the Netherlands. The study addresses three core research questions: the specific difficulties faced by migrant workers in accessing adequate housing, fair labor rights, and social security; the role of EU directives and Member State discretion in shaping labor protections; and the enforcement gaps impacting workers’ rights and well-being. A qualitative approach was applied, focusing on the analysis of EU regulations, national policies, and case studies to identify systemic barriers and regulatory inconsistencies. The findings reveal significant disparities in housing standards, labor conditions, and access to social security, driven by divergent interpretations of EU directives by Germany and the Netherlands. Additionally, the lack of coordinated cross-border enforcement amplifies these issues, leaving many migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation. The study concludes that addressing these challenges requires enhanced cross-border cooperation, greater regulatory alignment, and targeted policy reforms to bridge the enforcement gaps. These recommendations aim to uphold the EU’s core value of free movement while ensuring social equity for migrant workers. This research contributes to the broader discourse on labor mobility by highlighting the interplay between legal frameworks and social justice in cross-border regions
A WOMAN’S PLACE – ANALYSES OF FEMALE LITERATURE
No full textUnleashed Minds: A Woman’s Place on Her Own Narrative is a design-driven exploration of how women writers have historically challenged societal expectations through literature. The project examines the works of Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Emily Brontë, and Sylvia Plath, among others, analyzing how their narratives subvert traditional roles and redefine themes of love, identity, and autonomy. Interwoven with contemporary reflections, interviews, and cultural references, the book bridges past and present, demonstrating the enduring relevance of these feminist perspectives.
Beyond textual analysis, the project integrates visual storytelling as a critical tool for interpretation. The design of the book reinforces its themes through intentional typography pairings, a muted blue color scheme, and abstract imagery composition derived from historical paintings of women in positions of power, longing, or introspection. Black rectangles symbolize censorship, while scattered ink-like dots highlight both presence and absence—the stories told and those erased. Gradients subtly disrupt the running text, visually mirroring the fading and resurfacing of female voices over time.
By combining literary scholarship with graphic design, Unleashed Minds is both an academic investigation and a tactile experience, reinterpreting feminist narratives through form and content. The project stands as a complete and cohesive work, emphasizing the power of design in reshaping and reclaiming women’s place in storytelling