@article{ThomessenThomaBraun2023,
  author    = {Thomessen, Karolin and Thoma, Andreas and Braun, Carsten},
  title     = {Bio-inspired altitude changing extension to the 3DVFH* local obstacle avoidance algorithm},
  series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  journal   = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Wien},
  issn      = {1869-5590 (Online)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s13272-023-00691-w},
  pages     = {11 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Obstacle avoidance is critical for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating autonomously. Obstacle avoidance algorithms either rely on global environment data or local sensor data. Local path planners react to unforeseen objects and plan purely on local sensor information. Similarly, animals need to find feasible paths based on local information about their surroundings. Therefore, their behavior is a valuable source of inspiration for path planning. Bumblebees tend to fly vertically over far-away obstacles and horizontally around close ones, implying two zones for different flight strategies depending on the distance to obstacles. This work enhances the local path planner 3DVFH* with this bio-inspired strategy. The algorithm alters the goal-driven function of the 3DVFH* to climb-preferring if obstacles are far away. Prior experiments with bumblebees led to two definitions of flight zone limits depending on the distance to obstacles, leading to two algorithm variants. Both variants reduce the probability of not reaching the goal of a 3DVFH* implementation in Matlab/Simulink. The best variant, 3DVFH*b-b, reduces this probability from 70.7 to 18.6\% in city-like worlds using a strong vertical evasion strategy. Energy consumption is higher, and flight paths are longer compared to the algorithm version with pronounced horizontal evasion tendency. A parameter study analyzes the effect of different weighting factors in the cost function. The best parameter combination shows a failure probability of 6.9\% in city-like worlds and reduces energy consumption by 28\%. Our findings demonstrate the potential of bio-inspired approaches for improving the performance of local path planning algorithms for UAV.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FalkenbergKohnBottetal.2023,
  author    = {Falkenberg, Fabian and Kohn, Sophie and Bott, Michael and Bongaerts, Johannes and Siegert, Petra},
  title     = {Biochemical characterisation of a novel broad pH spectrum subtilisin from Fictibacillus arsenicus DSM 15822ᵀ},
  series = {FEBS Open Bio},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {FEBS Open Bio},
  number    = {11},
  publisher = {Wiley},
  address   = {Hoboken, NJ},
  issn      = {2211-5463},
  doi       = {10.1002/2211-5463.13701},
  pages     = {2035 -- 2046},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Subtilisins from microbial sources, especially from the Bacillaceae family, are of particular interest for biotechnological applications and serve the currently growing enzyme market as efficient and novel biocatalysts. Biotechnological applications include use in detergents, cosmetics, leather processing, wastewater treatment and pharmaceuticals. To identify a possible candidate for the enzyme market, here we cloned the gene of the subtilisin SPFA from Fictibacillus arsenicus DSM 15822ᵀ (obtained through a data mining-based search) and expressed it in Bacillus subtilis DB104. After production and purification, the protease showed a molecular mass of 27.57 kDa and a pI of 5.8. SPFA displayed hydrolytic activity at a temperature optimum of 80 °C and a very broad pH optimum between 8.5 and 11.5, with high activity up to pH 12.5. SPFA displayed no NaCl dependence but a high NaCl tolerance, with decreasing activity up to concentrations of 5 m NaCl. The stability enhanced with increasing NaCl concentration. Based on its substrate preference for 10 synthetic peptide 4-nitroanilide substrates with three or four amino acids and its phylogenetic classification, SPFA can be assigned to the subgroup of true subtilisins. Moreover, SPFA exhibited high tolerance to 5\% (w/v) SDS and 5\% H₂O₂ (v/v). The biochemical properties of SPFA, especially its tolerance of remarkably high pH, SDS and H₂O₂, suggest it has potential for biotechnological applications.},
  language  = {en}
}
@masterthesis{Herrmann2023,
  type      = {Bachelor Thesis},
  author    = {Herrmann, Luna},
  title     = {Blind Shopping},
  publisher = {FH Aachen},
  address   = {Aachen},
  pages     = {104 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Das Einkaufen in Einkaufszentren oder Ladenstraßen ist f{\"u}r Menschen ohne Sehbehinderung eine selbstverst{\"a}ndliche T{\"a}tigkeit. F{\"u}r Menschen mit Sehbehinderung gibt es bis heute keine M{\"o}glichkeit, sich ohne Hilfe von Familienmitgliedern, Freund:innen oder Pflegepersonal in einem Einkaufszentrum zurechtzufinden. Genau dieses Problem l{\"o}st "NAVON.". Er ist ein intelligenter und smarter Blindenstock, welcher durch Ultraschalldistanzsensoren fr{\"u}hzeitig Hindernisse erkennt und die M{\"o}glichkeit bietet, den Betroffenen durch das Einkaufszentrum zu lotsen. Die Logik des Systems liegt innerhalb des Handgriffs, welcher die wichtigsten Einstellungen bzgl. Sprache und haptischer Bedienelemente steuert. Ebenfalls gibt er dem Betroffenen auch ein haptisches Feedback, um Hindernisse fr{\"u}hzeitig umgehen zu k{\"o}nnen. "NAVON." ist ein wichtiger Ansatz f{\"u}r eine neue Kategorie von Produkten und Blindenst{\"o}cken. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus birgt das Konzept auch weitere Potenziale f{\"u}r {\"o}ffentliche Geb{\"a}ude ({\"A}mter, Krankenh{\"a}user, etc..).},
  language  = {de}
}
@masterthesis{Philippen2023,
  type      = {Bachelor Thesis},
  author    = {Philippen, Jule},
  title     = {bond(ed) : ein Projekt zum Kontaktabbruch in Familien},
  publisher = {FH Aachen},
  address   = {Aachen},
  school      = {Fachhochschule Aachen},
  pages     = {119 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Eines haben wir alle gemeinsam - Eine Familie. Die Bachelorarbeit „bond(ed)" ist ein Projekt zum Kontaktabbruch in Familien. Famili{\"a}re Kontaktabbr{\"u}che sind heute keine Seltenheit mehr. Jede:r kennt jemanden, der davon betroffen ist, und doch wird nur selten dar{\"u}ber gesprochen. Schamgef{\"u}hl, Angst und das Gef{\"u}hl von Versagen spielen hierbei eine entscheidende Rolle. Doch wie kann es so weit kommen? Neun Personen haben sich bereit erkl{\"a}rt, ihre sehr pers{\"o}nlichen und emotionalen Geschichten zu teilen. Im Zuge dessen sind Fotos im jeweiligen Zuhause und in Interviewform niedergeschriebene Gespr{\"a}che entstanden, welche unabh{\"a}ngig voneinander in zwei B{\"u}chern zu betrachten sind. Das Projekt „bond(ed)" soll famili{\"a}ren Kontaktabbr{\"u}chen eine Plattform bieten und mit einem Tabuthema brechen. Es soll mit Vorurteilen aufr{\"a}umen und ein Gef{\"u}hl von Zusammengeh{\"o}rigkeit bei den Betroffenen wecken.},
  language  = {de}
}
@masterthesis{Thoennissen2023,
  type      = {Bachelor Thesis},
  author    = {Thoennißen, Amber Katharina},
  title     = {Boys will be boys},
  publisher = {FH Aachen},
  address   = {Aachen},
  pages     = {236 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {"boys will be boys" erkundet bestehende Meinungen zum Thema M{\"a}nnlichkeit und versucht Alternativen zu finden: Wege, die M{\"a}nnlichkeit gehen und Richtungen, in die sich M{\"a}nnlichkeit ver{\"a}ndern kann. Auf 236 Seiten wird das Thema von so vielen Seiten wie irgendwie m{\"o}glich beleuchtet. Es gibt sowohl sehr pers{\"o}nliche, subjektive Besch{\"a}ftigung mit dem Thema als auch eine objektive, wissenschaftliche Herangehensweise. Das Buch ist vor allem mit typografischen Elementen gestaltet worden, wobei in Inhalt und Typografie viel Wert auf Niedrigschwelligkeit gelegt wurde. Außen ist ein partieller Relieflack aufgetragen worden, innen hat das Buch bedrucktes Vorsatzpapier. Ziel des Projektes war es, M{\"a}nnlichkeit und die verschiedenen Meinungen dazu m{\"o}glichst verst{\"a}ndlich wiedergeben zu k{\"o}nnen, um so einen Dialog zum Thema anzuregen.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{Pfaff2023,
  author    = {Pfaff, Raphael},
  title     = {Braking distance prediction for vehicle consist in low-speed on-sight operation: a Monte Carlo approach},
  series = {Railway Engineering Science},
  volume    = {31},
  journal   = {Railway Engineering Science},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {SpringerOpen},
  issn      = {2662-4753 (eISSN)},
  doi       = {10.1007/s40534-023-00303-7},
  pages     = {135 -- 144},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The first and last mile of a railway journey, in both freight and transit applications, constitutes a high effort and is either non-productive (e.g. in the case of depot operations) or highly inefficient (e.g. in industrial railways). These parts are typically managed on-sight, i.e. with no signalling and train protection systems ensuring the freedom of movement. This is possible due to the rather short braking distances of individual vehicles and shunting consists. The present article analyses the braking behaviour of such shunting units. For this purpose, a dedicated model is developed. It is calibrated on published results of brake tests and validated against a high-definition model for low-speed applications. Based on this model, multiple simulations are executed to obtain a Monte Carlo simulation of the resulting braking distances. Based on the distribution properties and established safety levels, the risk of exceeding certain braking distances is evaluated and maximum braking distances are derived. Together with certain parameters of the system, these can serve in the design and safety assessment of driver assistance systems and automation of these processes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@masterthesis{Hetterle2023,
  type      = {Bachelor Thesis},
  author    = {Hetterle, Lukas},
  title     = {Breathe},
  publisher = {FH Aachen},
  address   = {Aachen},
  pages     = {113 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Ein nachhaltiges, autonomes Fahrzeug, das in einer extrem schnellen und hektischen Welt, gepr{\"a}gt durch Digitalisierung und Urbanisierung, einen Moment der Ruhe bieten soll; eine Pause von der st{\"a}ndigen Flut von Eindr{\"u}cken und Informationen. Ein immersives Design, das meditative und kreative Prozesse unterst{\"u}tzt und Mensch-Mensch sowie Mensch-Natur Begegnungen f{\"o}rdert.},
  language  = {de}
}
@masterthesis{Vetter2023,
  type      = {Bachelor Thesis},
  author    = {Vetter, Cara Niambi},
  title     = {BRIDGE - Ein Magazin {\"u}ber Transkulturen in Deutschland},
  publisher = {FH Aachen},
  address   = {Aachen},
  school      = {Fachhochschule Aachen},
  pages     = {51 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {In Folge der Globalisierung und der Zuwanderung von verschiedensten ethnischen Gruppen und deren Kulturen entstehen in Deutschland immer mehr sogenannte Transkulturen. Um diesen mehr Aufmerksamkeit zu schenken und zur Verst{\"a}ndigung verschiedenster Gruppen beizutragen, wurde das Konzept dieser Bachelorarbeit: „BRIDGE: Ein Magazin {\"u}ber Transkulturen in Deutschland" entwickelt, welches sich mit den Schnittstellen der Deutschen und anderen Kulturen auseinandersetzt. Diese Transkulturen sollen jeweils repr{\"a}sentativ und aufkl{\"a}rend dargestellt werden. Jede Ausgabe wird eine dieser Transkulturen portr{\"a}tieren und zeigen, wie diese in Deutschland besteht. F{\"u}r die erste Ausgabe, welche im Rahmen der Bachelorarbeit ausgearbeitet wurde, fiel die Entscheidung auf die Deutsch-Habesha-Kultur, die eine V{\"o}lkergruppe aus {\"A}thiopien und Eritrea darstellt.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{WaldvogelFreylerHelmetal.2023,
  author    = {Waldvogel, Janice and Freyler, Kathrin and Helm, Michael and Monti, Elena and St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Gollhofer, Albert and Narici, Marco V. and Ritzmann, Ramona and Albracht, Kirsten},
  title     = {Changes in gravity affect neuromuscular control, biomechanics, and muscle-tendon mechanics in energy storage and dissipation tasks},
  series = {Journal of Applied Physiology},
  volume    = {134},
  journal   = {Journal of Applied Physiology},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {American Physiological Society},
  address   = {Bethesda, Md.},
  issn      = {1522-1601 (Onlineausgabe)},
  doi       = {10.1152/japplphysiol.00279.2022},
  pages     = {190 -- 202},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {This study evaluates neuromechanical control and muscle-tendon interaction during energy storage and dissipation tasks in hypergravity. During parabolic flights, while 17 subjects performed drop jumps (DJs) and drop landings (DLs), electromyography (EMG) of the lower limb muscles was combined with in vivo fascicle dynamics of the gastrocnemius medialis, two-dimensional (2D) kinematics, and kinetics to measure and analyze changes in energy management. Comparisons were made between movement modalities executed in hypergravity (1.8 G) and gravity on ground (1 G). In 1.8 G, ankle dorsiflexion, knee joint flexion, and vertical center of mass (COM) displacement are lower in DJs than in DLs; within each movement modality, joint flexion amplitudes and COM displacement demonstrate higher values in 1.8 G than in 1 G. Concomitantly, negative peak ankle joint power, vertical ground reaction forces, and leg stiffness are similar between both movement modalities (1.8 G). In DJs, EMG activity in 1.8 G is lower during the COM deceleration phase than in 1 G, thus impairing quasi-isometric fascicle behavior. In DLs, EMG activity before and during the COM deceleration phase is higher, and fascicles are stretched less in 1.8 G than in 1 G. Compared with the situation in 1 G, highly task-specific neuromuscular activity is diminished in 1.8 G, resulting in fascicle lengthening in both movement modalities. Specifically, in DJs, a high magnitude of neuromuscular activity is impaired, resulting in altered energy storage. In contrast, in DLs, linear stiffening of the system due to higher neuromuscular activity combined with lower fascicle stretch enhances the buffering function of the tendon, and thus the capacity to safely dissipate energy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HaegerWirgesTanzmannetal.2023,
  author    = {Haeger, Gerrit and Wirges, Jessika and Tanzmann, Nicole and Oyen, Sven and Jolmes, Tristan and Jaeger, Karl-Erich and Sch{\"o}rken, Ulrich and Bongaerts, Johannes and Siegert, Petra},
  title     = {Chaperone assisted recombinant expression of a mycobacterial aminoacylase in Vibrio natriegens and Escherichia coli capable of N-lauroyl-L-amino acid synthesis},
  series = {Microbial Cell Factories},
  journal   = {Microbial Cell Factories},
  number    = {22},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  issn      = {1475-2859},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12934-023-02079-1},
  pages     = {Article number: 77 (2023)},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background Aminoacylases are highly promising enzymes for the green synthesis of acyl-amino acids, potentially replacing the environmentally harmful Schotten-Baumann reaction. Long-chain acyl-amino acids can serve as strong surfactants and emulsifiers, with application in cosmetic industries. Heterologous expression of these enzymes, however, is often hampered, limiting their use in industrial processes. Results We identified a novel mycobacterial aminoacylase gene from Mycolicibacterium smegmatis MKD 8, cloned and expressed it in Escherichia coli and Vibrio natriegens using the T7 overexpression system. The recombinant enzyme was prone to aggregate as inclusion bodies, and while V. natriegens Vmax™ could produce soluble aminoacylase upon induction with isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), E. coli BL21 (DE3) needed autoinduction with lactose to produce soluble recombinant protein. We successfully conducted a chaperone co-expression study in both organisms to further enhance aminoacylase production and found that overexpression of chaperones GroEL/S enhanced aminoacylase activity in the cell-free extract 1.8-fold in V. natriegens and E. coli. Eventually, E. coli ArcticExpress™ (DE3), which co-expresses cold-adapted chaperonins Cpn60/10 from Oleispira antarctica, cultivated at 12 °C, rendered the most suitable expression system for this aminoacylase and exhibited twice the aminoacylase activity in the cell-free extract compared to E. coli BL21 (DE3) with GroEL/S co-expression at 20 °C. The purified aminoacylase was characterized based on hydrolytic activities, being most stable and active at pH 7.0, with a maximum activity at 70 °C, and stability at 40 °C and pH 7.0 for 5 days. The aminoacylase strongly prefers short-chain acyl-amino acids with smaller, hydrophobic amino acid residues. Several long-chain amino acids were fairly accepted in hydrolysis as well, especially N-lauroyl-L-methionine. To initially evaluate the relevance of this aminoacylase for the synthesis of N-acyl-amino acids, we demonstrated that lauroyl-methionine can be synthesized from lauric acid and methionine in an aqueous system. Conclusion Our results suggest that the recombinant enzyme is well suited for synthesis reactions and will thus be further investigated.},
  language  = {en}
}