Introduction Recording sap flow in plants is essential to understanding water usage, especially for herbaceous species like tomatoes. While plant physiology research has progressed, there remains a gap in applying sap flow sensor data to these species. In this study, the predictive capabilities of Recurrent …

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and bone abnormalities. The key enzyme in homocysteine metabolism, cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) is recognized as a target for new homocysteine-lowering therapies including enzyme replacement and gene therapy. …

Manual crack inspection is labor-intensive and impractical at scale, prompting a shift toward AI-based segmentation methods. We present a novel crack segmentation model that leverages the Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2) through transfer learning to detect cracks on masonry surfaces. Unlike prior approaches …

There is a wide range of literature suggesting that implicit learning is more effective than explicit learning when acquiring motor skills. However, the acquisition of nursing skills in educational settings continues to rely heavily on detailed protocols and explicit instructions. This study aimed to …

In this thesis, we focus on developing behaviours for socially interactive agents (SIAs). The context in which the agent is used is a self-regulated learning system for children. We focus on personalising learning objectives and interaction content within an intelligent tutoring system (ITS). We envision …

Chapter 1: General introduction. A specific group of people with disabilities includes individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). However, individuals with PIMD form a heterogeneous group regarding the origins of their underlying conditions leading to profound disabilities …

It has become increasingly clear that news avoidance is a multidimensional phenomenon consisting of both intentional news avoidance and low news use, yet knowledge about the longitudinal dynamics between these dimensions is still lacking. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies investigating the relationship …

Urban areas, particularly those surrounding universities, can present promising opportunities for small food businesses due to the high concentration of students seeking convenient and affordable lunch options. In Augsburg, Germany, Feinkost Glück, a family-run delicatessen and catering company, has …

Cross-linguistic interaction is a prominent issue in third language (L3) acquisition. The belief that typological similarities are the driving force behind transfer source languages has been rebutted repeatedly. For example, notwithstanding the fact that Dutch–German grammatical parallels are much stronger …

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes hiring, organizations increasingly rely on AI-enhanced selection methods such as chatbot-led interviews and algorithmic resume screening. While AI offers efficiency and scalability, concerns persist regarding fairness, transparency, and trust. This qualitative …