@article{KuchlerGuenthnerRibeiroetal.2023, author = {Kuchler, Timon and G{\"u}nthner, Roman and Ribeiro, Andrea and Hausinger, Renate and Streese, Lukas and W{\"o}hnl, Anna and Kesseler, Veronika and Negele, Johanna and Assali, Tarek and Carbajo-Lozoya, Javier and Lech, Maciej and Adorjan, Kristina and Stubbe, Hans Christian and Hanssen, Henner and Kotliar, Konstantin and Haller, Berhard and Heemann, Uwe and Schmaderer, Christoph}, title = {Persistent endothelial dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome and its associations with symptom severity and chronic inflammation}, volume = {26}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Dordrecht}, doi = {10.1007/s10456-023-09885-6}, pages = {547 -- 563}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is a lingering disease with ongoing symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive impairment resulting in a high impact on the daily life of patients. Understanding the pathophysiology of PCS is a public health priority, as it still poses a diagnostic and treatment challenge for physicians. Methods In this prospective observational cohort study, we analyzed the retinal microcirculation using Retinal Vessel Analysis (RVA) in a cohort of patients with PCS and compared it to an age- and gender-matched healthy cohort (n = 41, matched out of n = 204). Measurements and main results PCS patients exhibit persistent endothelial dysfunction (ED), as indicated by significantly lower venular flicker-induced dilation (vFID; 3.42\% ± 1.77\% vs. 4.64\% ± 2.59\%; p = 0.02), narrower central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE; 178.1 [167.5-190.2] vs. 189.1 [179.4-197.2], p = 0.01) and lower arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR; (0.84 [0.8-0.9] vs. 0.88 [0.8-0.9], p = 0.007). When combining AVR and vFID, predicted scores reached good ability to discriminate groups (area under the curve: 0.75). Higher PCS severity scores correlated with lower AVR (R = - 0.37 p = 0.017). The association of microvascular changes with PCS severity were amplified in PCS patients exhibiting higher levels of inflammatory parameters. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that prolonged endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of PCS, and impairments of the microcirculation seem to explain ongoing symptoms in patients. As potential therapies for PCS emerge, RVA parameters may become relevant as clinical biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy management.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Kleen2023, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kleen, Mareike}, title = {Pendelleuchte aus Glas}, publisher = {FH Aachen}, address = {Aachen}, pages = {127 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Glas ist seit jeher ein faszinierender Werkstoff. Es findet Anwendung in zahlreichen Gebieten und bietet als Material f{\"u}r Leuchten eine besondere Eleganz. Die Pendelleuchte „Calice di fiori" vereint handwerkliche Kunstfertigkeit und komfortables Design. Sie ist aus mundgeblasenem Glas gefertigt und verleiht durch ihre F{\"a}rbung eine kraftvolle und dynamische Atmosph{\"a}re im Raum. Das besondere Merkmal der Pendelleuchte ist eine {\"O}ffnung, die eine einfache und intuitive Montage erleichtert. Die Pendelleuchte ist mit energieeffizienten LEDs ausgestattet und l{\"a}sst sich mit einem Smart-Home-System bedienen. Die Lichtintensit{\"a}t und Lichtfarbe k{\"o}nnen den individuellen Bed{\"u}rfnissen angepasst werden. „Calice di fiori" mit schnell abnehmbarem Leuchtenschirm f{\"u}gt sich in modern eingerichtete R{\"a}ume ein und bringt einen Hauch Bl{\"u}tenflair mit sich.}, language = {de} } @article{NiedermeierPennerUsherovichetal.2023, author = {Niedermeier, Jana and Penner, Crystal and Usherovich, Samuel and B{\´e}langer-Champagne, Camille and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Hoehr, Cornelia}, title = {Optical Fibers as Dosimeter Detectors for Mixed Proton/Neutron Fields - A Biological Dosimeter}, series = {electronics}, volume = {12}, journal = {electronics}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-9292}, doi = {10.3390/electronics12020324}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In recent years, proton therapy has gained importance as a cancer treatment modality due to its conformality with the tumor and the sparing of healthy tissue. However, in the interaction of the protons with the beam line elements and patient tissues, potentially harmful secondary neutrons are always generated. To ensure that this neutron dose is as low as possible, treatment plans could be created to also account for and minimize the neutron dose. To monitor such a treatment plan, a compact, easy to use, and inexpensive dosimeter must be developed that not only measures the physical dose, but which can also distinguish between proton and neutron contributions. To that end, plastic optical fibers with scintillation materials (Gd₂O₂S:Tb, Gd₂O₂S:Eu, and YVO₄:Eu) were irradiated with protons and neutrons. It was confirmed that sensors with different scintillation materials have different sensitivities to protons and neutrons. A combination of these three scintillators can be used to build a detector array to create a biological dosimeter.}, language = {en} } @article{CheenakulaPaulsenOttetal.2023, author = {Cheenakula, Dheeraja and Paulsen, Svea and Ott, Fabian and Gr{\"o}mping, Markus}, title = {Operational window of a deammonifying sludge for mainstream application in a municipal wastewater treatment plant}, series = {Water and Environment Journal}, volume = {38}, journal = {Water and Environment Journal}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Chichester}, issn = {1747-6593}, doi = {10.1111/wej.12898}, pages = {59 -- 70}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present work aimed to study the mainstream feasibility of the deammonifying sludge of side stream of municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) in Kaster, Germany. For this purpose, the deammonifying sludge available at the side stream was investigated for nitrogen (N) removal with respect to the operational factors temperature (15-30°C), pH value (6.0-8.0) and chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratio (≤1.5-6.0). The highest and lowest N-removal rates of 0.13 and 0.045 kg/(m³ d) are achieved at 30 and 15°C, respectively. Different conditions of pH and COD/N ratios in the SBRs of Partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) significantly influenced both the metabolic processes and associated N-removal rates. The scientific insights gained from the current work signifies the possibility of mainstream PN/A at WWTPs. The current study forms a solid basis of operational window for the upcoming semi-technical trails to be conducted prior to the full-scale mainstream PN/A at WWTP Kaster and WWTPs globally.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Kauffmann2023, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kauffmann, Michael}, title = {OpenCouch : Therapiesuche leicht gemacht.}, publisher = {FH Aachen}, address = {Aachen}, school = {Fachhochschule Aachen}, pages = {175 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die Auswirkungen psychischer Erkrankungen stellen ein zunehmendes Thema in unserer Gesellschaft dar. Allein in Deutschland erkranken jedes Jahr ein Viertel aller Menschen psychisch. Besonders seit der Pandemie w{\"a}chst die Nachfrage nach psychotherapeutischer Behandlung stetig an, wodurch die Wartelisten in den Praxen immer l{\"a}nger werden. Betroffene m{\"u}ssen oft ein halbes Jahr oder l{\"a}nger auf einen Therapieplatz warten und sind gezwungen zu nehmen, was gerade frei ist. Dabei ist es f{\"u}r den Therapieerfolg essenziell, dass nicht nur die Therapie auf einen abgestimmt ist, sondern auch die Chemie zwischen Therapeut:in und Patient:in passt. OpenCouch ist eine Anwendung, die Betroffene bei der Therapieplatzsuche unterst{\"u}tzen soll, indem sie Informationen und Tools zur Verf{\"u}gung stellt, um trotz der geringen Verf{\"u}gbarkeit einen Therapieplatz finden zu k{\"o}nnen, der einen Behandlungserfolg garantiert.}, language = {de} } @article{BergPostweilerSteuerDankertLeichtScholten2023, author = {Berg-Postweiler, Julia and Steuer-Dankert, Linda and Leicht-Scholten, Carmen}, title = {One size does not fit all: Applying antibias trainings in academia}, series = {The International Journal of Organizational Diversity}, volume = {24}, journal = {The International Journal of Organizational Diversity}, number = {1}, publisher = {Common Ground Research Networks}, issn = {2328-6261 (Print)}, doi = {10.18848/2328-6261/CGP/v24i01/1-23}, pages = {1 -- 23}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Antibias training is increasingly demanded and practiced in academia and industry to increase employees' sensitivity to discrimination, racism, and diversity. Under the heading of "Diversity Management," antibias trainings are mainly offered as one-off workshops intending to raise awareness of unconscious biases, create a diversity-affirming corporate culture, promote awareness of the potential of diversity, and ultimately enable the reflection of diversity in development processes. However, coming from childhood education, research and scientific articles on the sustainable effectiveness of antibias in adulthood, especially in academia, are very scarce. In order to fill this research gap, the article aims to explore how sustainable the effects of individual antibias trainings on participants' behavior are. In order to investigate this, participant observation in a qualitative pre-post setting was conducted, analyzing antibias training in an academic context. Two observers actively participated in the training sessions and documented the activities and reflection processes of the participants. Overall, the results question the effectiveness of single antibias trainings and show that a target-group adaptive approach is mandatory owing to the background of the approach in early childhood education. Therefore, antibias work needs to be adapted to the target group's needs and realities of life. Furthermore, the study reveals that single antibias trainings must be embedded in a holistic diversity management approach to stimulate sustainable reflection processes among the target group. This article is one of the first to scientifically evaluate antibias training effectiveness, especially in engineering sciences and the university context.}, language = {en} } @misc{SteuerDankertBergPostweilerLeichtScholten2023, author = {Steuer-Dankert, Linda and Berg-Postweiler, Julia and Leicht-Scholten, Carmen}, title = {One does not fit all: applying anti-bias trainings in academia}, series = {Twenty-third international conference on diversity in organizations, communities \& nations June 22 - 23, 2023 Toronto Metropolitan University, Rogers Communication Centre Toronto, Canada}, journal = {Twenty-third international conference on diversity in organizations, communities \& nations June 22 - 23, 2023 Toronto Metropolitan University, Rogers Communication Centre Toronto, Canada}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Anti-bias trainings are increasingly demanded and practiced in academia and industry to increase employees' sensitivity to discrimination, racism, and diversity. Under the heading of "Diversity Management", anti-bias trainings are mainly offered as one-off workshops intending to raise awareness of unconscious biases, create a diversity-affirming corporate culture, awake awareness of the potential of diversity, and ultimately enable the reflection of diversity in development processes. However, coming from childhood education, research and scientific articles on the sustainable effectiveness of anti-bias in adulthood, especially in academia, are very scarce. In order to fill this research gap, the paper explores how sustainable the effects of individual anti-bias trainings on the behavior of participants are. In order to investigate this, participant observation in a qualitative pre-post setting was conducted, analyzing anti-bias trainings in an academic context. Two observers actively participated in the training sessions and documented the activities and reflection processes of the participants. Overall, the results question the effectiveness of single anti-bias trainings and show that a target-group adaptive approach is mandatory due to the background of the approach in early childhood education. Therefore, it can be concluded that anti-bias work needs to be adapted to the target group's needs and reality of life. Furthermore, the study reveals that single anti-bias trainings must be embedded in a holistic diversity management approach to stimulate sustainable reflection processes among the target group. This paper is one of the first to scientifically evaluate anti-bias training effectiveness, especially in engineering sciences and the university context.}, language = {en} } @article{BergmannMoehrenBraunetal.2023, author = {Bergmann, Ole and M{\"o}hren, Felix and Braun, Carsten and Janser, Frank}, title = {On the influence of elasticity on swept propeller noise}, series = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, journal = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, doi = {10.2514/6.2023-0210}, year = {2023}, abstract = {High aerodynamic efficiency requires propellers with high aspect ratios, while propeller sweep potentially reduces noise. Propeller sweep and high aspect ratios increase elasticity and coupling of structural mechanics and aerodynamics, affecting the propeller performance and noise. Therefore, this paper analyzes the influence of elasticity on forward-swept, backward-swept, and unswept propellers in hover conditions. A reduced-order blade element momentum approach is coupled with a one-dimensional Timoshenko beam theory and Farassat's formulation 1A. The results of the aeroelastic simulation are used as input for the aeroacoustic calculation. The analysis shows that elasticity influences noise radiation because thickness and loading noise respond differently to deformations. In the case of the backward-swept propeller, the location of the maximum sound pressure level shifts forward by 0.5 °, while in the case of the forward-swept propeller, it shifts backward by 0.5 °. Therefore, aeroacoustic optimization requires the consideration of propeller deformation.}, language = {en} } @article{MoehrenBergmannJanseretal.2023, author = {M{\"o}hren, Felix and Bergmann, Ole and Janser, Frank and Braun, Carsten}, title = {On the influence of elasticity on propeller performance: a parametric study}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, volume = {14}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1869-5590 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-023-00649-y}, pages = {311 -- 323}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The aerodynamic performance of propellers strongly depends on their geometry and, consequently, on aeroelastic deformations. Knowledge of the extent of the impact is crucial for overall aircraft performance. An integrated simulation environment for steady aeroelastic propeller simulations is presented. The simulation environment is applied to determine the impact of elastic deformations on the aerodynamic propeller performance. The aerodynamic module includes a blade element momentum approach to calculate aerodynamic loads. The structural module is based on finite beam elements, according to Timoshenko theory, including moderate deflections. Several fixed-pitch propellers with thin-walled cross sections made of both isotropic and non-isotropic materials are investigated. The essential parameters are varied: diameter, disc loading, sweep, material, rotational, and flight velocity. The relative change of thrust between rigid and elastic blades quantifies the impact of propeller elasticity. Swept propellers of large diameters or low disc loadings can decrease the thrust significantly. High flight velocities and low material stiffness amplify this tendency. Performance calculations without consideration of propeller elasticity can lead to decreased efficiency. To avoid cost- and time-intense redesigns, propeller elasticity should be considered for swept planforms and low disc loadings.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MoehrenBergmannJanseretal.2023, author = {M{\"o}hren, Felix and Bergmann, Ole and Janser, Frank and Braun, Carsten}, title = {On the determination of harmonic propeller loads}, series = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, booktitle = {AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum}, publisher = {AIAA}, doi = {10.2514/6.2023-2404}, pages = {12 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Dynamic loads significantly impact the structural design of propeller blades due to fatigue and static strength. Since propellers are elastic structures, deformations and aerodynamic loads are coupled. In the past, propeller manufacturers established procedures to determine unsteady aerodynamic loads and the structural response with analytical steady-state calculations. According to the approach, aeroelastic coupling primarily consists of torsional deformations. They neglect bending deformations, deformation velocities, and inertia terms. This paper validates the assumptions above for a General Aviation propeller and a lift propeller for urban air mobility or large cargo drones. Fully coupled reduced-order simulations determine the dynamic loads in the time domain. A quasi-steady blade element momentum approach transfers loads to one-dimensional finite beam elements. The simulation results are in relatively good agreement with the analytical method for the General Aviation propeller but show increasing errors for the slender lift propeller. The analytical approach is modified to consider the induced velocities. Still, inertia and velocity proportional terms play a significant role for the lift propeller due to increased elasticity. The assumption that only torsional deformations significantly impact the dynamic loads of propellers is not valid. Adequate determination of dynamic loads of such designs requires coupled aeroelastic simulations or advanced analytical procedures.}, language = {en} }