OPUS THD (Technischen Hochschule Deggendorf)
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126 research outputs found
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From aspirations of citizen power to the persistence of tokenism: a systematic review of citizen participation in destination governance
No full textAmid increasing democratic vulnerabilities and eroding trust in public institutions, citizen participation has become a matter of paramount societal importance. This study presents the view that citizen participation is a foundational element of future-oriented destination governance, yet remains marginalized compared with its central positioning in the theory of regional governance. This disparity is traced to the disciplinary origins of destination governance, rooted primarily in the economic discourse with a short-term emphasis on competitiveness and market efficiency over long-term societal interests. The study examines the rationale for integrating citizen participation into destination governance through a narrative review and assesses the extent to which participatory processes enable meaningful citizen engagement through a systematic review of 59 studies, using Arnstein's Ladder of Citizen Participation as an underlying framework. Two complementary rationales are identified, corresponding to a socio-spatial perspective, which views destinations as dynamic living spaces shaped by interactions among local communities, visitors, and other stakeholders; and an economic perspective, which positions citizens as co-creators of tourism value and emphasizes the long-term potential of participation to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of destination governance. Findings of the systematic review reveal that citizen participation remains largely tokenistic, without genuine redistribution of decision-making power. Participatory processes vary considerably in duration and design, spanning from one-time initiatives to institutionalized mechanisms embedded within governance structures. While the study provides an integrated understanding of citizen participation in destination governance, its scope is bounded by the nature of a systematic review. Advancing citizen participation in destination governance requires replacing rhetorical commitment with targeted power-sharing and transparent information flows, underpinned by political goodwill that enables local communities to responsibly co-determine the future development of destinations that simultaneously serve as their living spaces
Adapting Voice Assistant Technology for Older Adults: A Comprehensive Study on Usability, Learning Patterns, and Acceptance
No full textThis study investigates the integration, usability, and learning patterns associated with voice assistant technology among older adults, focusing on the “Amazon Echo Show 10, 3rd generation” as a case study. Conducted with 32 participants aged 55 and above in senior and complementary households, this research employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative interviews and quantitative voice command logging over a twelve-week period. Our findings reveal a high level of learnability and usability of the voice assistant, with 90% of participants finding the device easy to learn and use. The study further explores the patterns of voice assistant use, highlighting a preference for listening to music and seeking information, predominantly on weekends. Despite initial reservations, participants reported a high satisfaction level, with most not feeling monitored by the device. Key recommendations for manufacturers include prioritizing the design and user experience to cater to older adults’ needs, aiming to enhance their digital inclusion and participation. This study contributes to the human–computer interaction (HCI) field by providing insights into older adults’ interactions with voice assistant technology, emphasizing the importance of designing accessible and user-friendly digital solutions for the aging population
Multilevel Meta‐Analysis of Treatment Options for Patients With Iliopsoas Impingement Syndrome After Total Hip Arthroplasty
No full textObjective
Iliopsoas impingement (IPI) syndrome is a significant complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA), often leading to pain and reduced hip function. Despite its clinical relevance, the optimal treatment strategy remains unclear, with varying success rates reported across different interventions. This study aims to compare four treatment options (endoscopic, acetabular cup revision, open tenotomy and conservative management) for patients with IPI syndrome after THA by comparing outcomes in terms of function, pain, complications, and reoperations through a multilevel meta‐analysis.
Methods
A literature search was conducted in the following databases until 30 November 2024: PubMed, CENTRAL, Epistemonikos, and Embase. A frequentist multilevel meta‐analysis was performed using a random effects model with an inverse variance and restricted maximum likelihood heterogeneity estimator with Hartung‐Knapp adjustment. Means with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated separately in the four treatment groups. Then, a test for subgroup differences in multilevel meta‐analysis was performed to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between the means of the four groups.
Results
The systematic review included 15 studies with 425 patients. The test for subgroup differences showed no statistically significant difference between the four treatment subgroups in Harris Hip Score (HHS) post‐intervention (F = 2.0; df = 3, 7; p = 0.20), in HHS difference (F = 2.0; df = 3, 6; p = 0.22), and in functional minimal clinically important differences (MCID) post‐intervention (F = 1.0; df = 3, 2; p = 0.42). The conservative management group exhibited the lowest mean HHS (70.3 points).
Conclusions
Surgical interventions, including endoscopic tenotomy, acetabular cup revision, and open tenotomy, are effective in achieving meaningful functional improvements in IPI patients. While conservative management was the least effective of all treatment groups, the differences did not reach statistical significance
Postless versus traditional hip arthroscopy: A multilevel meta‐analysis of current evidence on efficacy and safety
No full textPurpose
To date, no meta‐analysis has systematically compared postless and post‐assisted hip arthroscopy (HAS). This underscores the need for a structured synthesis of current evidence. To address this gap, a multilevel meta‐analysis was conducted to systematically compare outcomes and complication rates of HAS performed with and without a perineal post.
Methods
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Epistemonikos, and CENTRAL was completed on 20 July 2025. A frequentist multilevel meta‐analysis with random‐effects modelling and Hartung–Knapp adjustment was conducted. Outcomes were summarised as pooled mean differences and proportions with 95% confidence intervals.
Results
Eight primary studies including 1880 hips were analysed. The pooled nerve injury rate was higher in the traditional HAS group (7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01–0.36) compared to the postless group (3%; 95% CI: 0.00–0.20), with a significant subgroup difference ( F = 10.81; p < 0.01). Mean traction time was longer in the traditional group (58.5 min) than in the postless group (52.2 min), also with a significant difference ( F = 32.96; df = 1.50; p < 0.01). Other subgroup comparisons showed no significant differences.
Conclusion
While trends suggest potential advantages of postless hip arthroscopy in certain outcomes, the evidence remains limited by study heterogeneity and design. These results support its growing clinical use, though further prospective comparative studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
Level of Evidence
Level II, systematic review and meta‐analysis
Determining the optimal choice of attenuation filters and propagation distance for polychromatic phase‐contrast micro‐computed tomography of a multi‐material electromotor using synchrotron radiation
No full textOptimizing phase‐contrast micro‐computed tomography (µCT) for a given object is not trivial if the radiation is polychromatic and the object multi‐material. This study demonstrates how an optimal combination of propagation distance and mean energy (set by attenuation filters) may be derived for such an object (an electromotor scanned on beamline BM18 at ESRF in Grenoble, France). In addition to appropriate image quality metrics, it is mandatory to define a task. In that respect, raising Emean from 100 keV to 164 keV mitigates beam hardening by metal parts, yet raising Emean further to 230 keV deteriorates CNR2 (where CNR is contrast‐to‐noise ratio) due to higher image noise. Propagation distances between d = 2 m and 25.3 m are evaluated crosswise with energy. While longer propagation distances generally yield higher CNR2, shorter distances appear favorable when discerning plastic near metal parts. SNR2 (where SNR is signal‐to‐noise ratio) power spectra and modulation transfer (MTF) are evaluated independently from two‐dimensional projections supporting volume image analysis for which image sharpness depends strongly on the digital filters (Paganin and Wiener) which are applied along with filtered back‐projection. In summary, optimizing synchrotron µCT scans remains a very complex task which differs from object to object. A physically accurate model of the complete imaging process may not only allow for optimization by simulation but also ideally improve CT image reconstruction in the near future
Overlooked sources of inspiration in biomimetic research
No full textBiomimetics draws inspiration from biological organisms, yet only a small fraction of Earth’s biodiversity has been explored for innovation. This study examines the biological models used in biomimetic research. Using GPT-4o, we analyzed 74,359 publications and identified 31,776 biological models, revealing distinct taxonomic distribution patterns. Our findings highlight a reliance on a narrow set of animal taxa; fewer than 23% of identified models were resolved at the species level—corresponding to 1,604 species; and broad taxonomic classifications (e.g., phylum, class) were more frequently cited. Despite the rapid growth of biomimetics, the exploration of new model taxa falters. Researchers tend to focus on one model per study, potentially limiting the field’s capacity to leverage evolutionary insights. To promote diversity and innovation in biomimetics, we advocate for stronger collaboration with biologists to integrate underutilized yet well-researched taxa, specify biological inspirations at the species level to enhance evolutionary insights, and—where appropriate—incorporate multiple models, enabling the use of comparative methods
Artificial intelligence-guided distal radius fracture detection on plain radiographs in comparison with human raters
No full textBackground
The aim of this study was to compare the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting distal radius fractures (DRFs) on plain radiographs with the performance of human raters.
Methods
We retrospectively analysed all wrist radiographs taken in our hospital since the introduction of AI-guided fracture detection from 11 September 2023 to 10 September 2024. The ground truth was defined by the radiological report of a board-certified radiologist based solely on conventional radiographs. The following parameters were calculated: True Positives (TP), True Negatives (TN), False Positives (FP), and False Negatives (FN), accuracy (%), Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, F1 score, sensitivity (%), specificity (%), Youden Index (J Statistic).
Results
In total 1145 plain radiographs of the wrist were taken between 11 September 2023 and 10 September 2024. The mean age of the included patients was 46.6 years (± 27.3), ranging from 2 to 99 years and 59.0% were female. According to the ground truth, of the 556 anteroposterior (AP) radiographs, 225 cases (40.5%) had a DRF, and of the 589 lateral view radiographs, 240 cases (40.7%) had a DRF. The AI system showed the following results on AP radiographs: accuracy (%): 95.90; Cohen’s Kappa: 0.913; F1 score: 0.947; sensitivity (%): 92.02; specificity (%): 98.45; Youden Index: 90.47. The orthopedic surgeon achieved a sensitivity of 91.5%, specificity of 97.8%, an overall accuracy of 95.1%, F1 score of 0.943, and Cohen’s kappa of 0.901. These results were comparable to those of the AI model.
Conclusion
AI-guided detection of DRF demonstrated diagnostic performance nearly identical to that of an experienced orthopedic surgeon across all key metrics. The marginal differences observed in sensitivity and specificity suggest that AI can reliably support clinical fracture assessment based solely on conventional radiographs
Individual Health Management (IHM) for Stress—A Randomised Controlled Trial (TALENT II Study)
No full textBackground/Objectives:
Stress is a pervasive modern challenge that contributes to serious health problems and affects a significant proportion of the population. This study examines whether an Individual Health Management (IHM) programme incorporating elements of traditional Chinese medicine is effective in reducing stress.
Methods:
Participants experiencing stress were enrolled in a monocentric randomised controlled trial. The intervention group received the IHM programme and was monitored for 12 months. After six months, a primary comparison was conducted with a waitlist control group, who then also received the intervention. Additional crossover analyses were employed. The main outcome measure was the change in subjective stress (as measured by the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, PSQ) from baseline after six months. Secondary outcomes included further parameters related to stress and mental load.
Results:
The intervention group achieved normal stress levels, with a 41% reduction, while the control group experienced a 9% reduction. The adjusted mean difference in PSQ scores between the two groups was −21.02 (95% CI: −27.34, −14.70), accounting for baseline values and gender. This is the ANCOVA result for the ITT population at the 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes also improved significantly.
Conclusions:
The IHM has multiple moderate to strong effects on mental health, resulting in clinically normal distress scores that can persist for up to one year
Analysis of Low-Signal Behavior in Electric Motors for Auto-Motive Applications: Measurement, Impedance Evaluation, and Dummy Load Definition
No full textThis study investigates the low-signal behavior of electric motors in automotive applications, emphasizing impedance measurement, evaluation, and the definition of a simplified dummy load. A comprehensive experimental analysis was conducted on two induction motors with different power ratings (300 W and 45 kW), exploring the influence of winding topology, rotor position, and excitation amplitude on the impedance response. A simplified equivalent circuit model (ECM), derived solely from terminal impedance measurements, was developed and validated to construct a practical dummy load. This model facilitates realistic simulations without requiring detailed internal motor specifications. Experimental results confirm that the dummy load accurately replicates the measured impedance characteristics in the low-to-mid frequency range, demonstrating its effectiveness for electromagnetic interference (EMI) prediction and system-level simulations in automotive electric drive system
Being an observer of one’s own life—a meta-synthesis on the experience of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units
No full textBackground
The experience of patients under mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit is described as complex and multifaceted, but an overarching and in-depth understanding of the experience is still missing.
Aim
To provide an in-depth analysis and synthesis of patients’ experience when being mechanically ventilated in intensive care units.
Methods
We conducted a meta-synthesis according to the methodological recommendations of Sandelowski and Barroso. Our systematic literature search in Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane was complemented by hand and citation searches. We included only qualitative studies with a rich description of conscious patients’ experience under mechanical ventilation. Studies on children, step-down units, noninvasive ventilation and non-scientific journal articles were excluded. After the title, abstract and full-text screening by three reviewers, we performed initial, axial and selective coding and in-depth analysis in MAXQDA. The synthesis was supported by multiple discussion rounds.
Results
Of the 2,563 records identified, 20 studies were included in our synthesis. This revealed the central phenomenon of patients being observers of their own lives. They are yearning for a stable picture of reality and developing various situation-specific needs. Finally, patients are finding ways to deal with the situation. These concepts are interwoven in time and are experienced repeatedly in different dimensions.
Conclusion
Patients under mechanical ventilation are highly perceptive. Healthcare professionals are particularly responsible for patients. They should reflect on their role in intensive care and must be sensitized to patients’ differentiated experience.
Registration, Protocol: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/G8Q6