IRF: Institutional Repository FHNW

Welcome to the publication and research database of the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.

The institutional repository contains publications, projects and student theses.

Further information can be found in the IRF manual (available in German).

 

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Me²: Co-designing deepfake encounters with one's child self in XR
(ACM, 13.04.2026) Frund, Roxane Laetitia; Zybinska, Paulina; Wiesendanger, Jonas; Brandenberger, Diego; Márquez Segura, Elena; Rühlmann, Charlotta; Kivelitz, Laura; Kleim, Birgit; Lenggenhager, Bigna; Roel Lesur, Marte
Mental-health interventions often rely on imaginary self-dialogues. However, sustaining mental imagery can be a barrier for some people. XR approaches to overcome this often involve complex technical efforts to personalize content, which might hinder clinical adoption. Here, we present Me², a deepfake-enabled XR system that requires only a single childhood photograph to support encounters with one’s younger self: enabling users to verbally and tactilely comfort a hyperrealistic, emotionally expressive child replica, and subsequently switch perspectives to receive that comfort themselves. We report on a co-design process with psychotherapists, a multidisciplinary team, and naive participants, describing emerging technology and study protocols highlighting trade-offs between clinical efficacy and adoption feasibility. The final design incorporates minimal haptic feedback solution and control over emotional expressions, resulting in feelings of embodiment, emotional engagement and increased self-compassion in naïve participants.
04B - Conference paper
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Defined microbiota modulates host metabolome and skeletal adaptation to diet‐induced obesity
(Wiley, 21.04.2026) Scalise, Melanie Cristine; Simon, Mathieu; Bernhardt, Jasmin; Trümpi, Ora; Hettich, Timm; Gaugler, Stefan; Saulacic, Nikola; Gantenbein, Benjamin; Zysset, Philippe; Balmer, Maria Luisa
The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a regulator of host metabolism and bone physiology. However, how microbial colonization integrates systemic metabolic cues with skeletal remodeling under metabolic stress remains unclear. We used germ-free (GF) and gnotobiotic C57BL/6J mice colonized with the defined 12-member Oligo-Mouse-Microbiota (Oligo-MM12) to dissect microbiota-dependent bone adaptation during high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obesity. Micro-CT analysis revealed that only colonized mice exhibited structural adaptations, namely increased cortical thickness and trabecular area, in response to HFD, whereas GF mice failed to remodel their skeleton despite broadly comparable weight gain trajectories and adiposity. Serum metabolomics uncovered distinct microbiota-specific metabolic signatures. GF mice accumulated bone-relevant metabolites including lysine, uridine, DHA, and pyruvate, suggesting altered systemic handling of bone-relevant metabolites, whereas colonized mice displayed reduced circulating levels associated with skeletal remodeling. These metabolic patterns correlated with reduced β-CTX levels in colonized mice, indicative of microbiota-mediated suppression of bone resorption. Our findings identify the gut microbiota as a key determinant of skeletal adaptation to diet-induced obesity, presumably acting through systemic metabolic reprogramming and modulation of bone turnover. The defined-microbiota mouse model provides a powerful framework to disentangle the gut–bone axis at a systems and metabolic level.
01A - Journal article
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Validation and comparative analysis of a contemporary non-contact corneal aesthesiometer
(MDPI, 20.04.2026) Xue, Ally L.; Britten-Jones, Alexis Ceecee; Zhuang, Dian; Jennings, Catherine J.; Müntz, Alex; Misra, Stuti L.; Downie, Laura E.; Craig, Jennifer P.
Background: Corneal sensitivity is a key indicator of ocular surface health. This prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated agreement between corneal sensitivity thresholds obtained from equivalent stimulus settings on a contemporary, enhanced dual-temperature non-contact corneal aesthesiometer (NCCA) and a previously validated (standard) device. Methods: Central corneal sensitivity thresholds were measured in the right eyes of healthy participants using both devices. Participants with previous ocular surgery, laser treatment, trauma, contact lens wear, diabetes, or peripheral neuropathy were excluded. Sensitivity thresholds were determined using a forced-response, double-staircase protocol. Inter-device agreement was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis, and consistency was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: Median corneal sensitivity thresholds in 51 healthy participants (32 female, 19 male; mean age: 33 ± 14 years) did not differ between enhanced (0.23 [0.18 to 0.38]) and standard (0.25 [0.15 to 0.35]) NCCA instruments (p = 0.73). Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated moderate inter-device agreement, with a mean difference of −0.01 mbar (95% limits of agreement: −0.41 to 0.39 mbar). Linear regression analysis identified greater measurement discrepancies at higher thresholds (p < 0.05), indicating greater variability in individuals with reduced corneal sensitivity. Conclusions: The enhanced NCCA yields reliable corneal sensitivity measures for a room-temperature stimulus and acceptable agreement with the existing (standard) model.
01A - Journal article
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Digitale Teilhabe in der Bildung
(Artiset , 2026) Ackermann, Silvano; Bolfing, Anton
01B - Magazine or newspaper article
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04A - Book part