Hard coastal defences along the Dutch–Belgian North Sea coast are nearing the end of their design life and carry significant ecological costs. Salt marsh Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) provide a self-sustaining alternative. However, existing asset-management (AM) standards continue to view them as "nice-to-have" …

This thesis investigates the restoration and structural reinforcement of a historically protected 19th-century residential building on the island of Hydra, Greece. Undertaken within the strict constraints of Greek heritage law (ΦΕΚ 594Δ/1978), the project aims to enhance structural safety and environmental …

AIM: To extract and interpret quantitative data exploring the effectiveness of family health conversations (FHCs) on family functioning, perceived support, health-related quality of life, caregiver burden and family health in families living with critical or chronic health conditions. BACKGROUND: Addressing …

As more and more older adults prefer to stay in their homes as they age, there’s a need for technology to support this. A relevant technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven lifestyle monitoring, utilizing data from sensors placed in the home. This technology is not intended to replace nurses …

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 …

Surviving a burn can dramatically alter a child’s life, yet few studies examined long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study assessed HRQL 5–7 years post-burn in children with mild/intermediate and severe burns and identified associated factors. Parents of children (5− < 18 years) who …

Pregnancy and early parenthood mark a transformative period where women become caregivers and assume a new role with new responsibilities. While often portrayed positively, the transition to motherhood can be overwhelming. This is especially true for women living in adverse circumstances, presenting …

Background: As more and more older adults prefer to stay in their homes as they age, there’s a need for technology to support this. A relevant technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven lifestyle monitoring, utilizing data from sensors placed in the home. This technology is not intended to replace …

As Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication technologies gain prominence, ensuring human safety from radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) becomes paramount. This study critically examines human RF exposure in the context of ITS-5.9 GHz V2X connectivity, employing a combination of numerical …

Background: Burn scar maturation can take several years but is generally studied shortly after injury. Therefore, we investigated patient-reported scar quality up to 5–7 years post-burn. Methods: Patients with ≤ 20 % total body surface area burned completed the Patient Scale of the Patient and Observer …