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Long-term visitation value for deep exploration in sparse-reward reinforcement learning

Reinforcement learning with sparse rewards is still an open challenge. Classic methods rely on getting feedback via extrinsic rewards to train the agent, and in situations where this occurs very rarely the agent learns slowly or cannot learn at all. Similarly, if the agent receives also rewards that create suboptimal modes of the objective function, it will likely prematurely stop exploring. More

Continuous action reinforcement learning from a mixture of interpretable experts

Reinforcement learning (RL) has demonstrated its ability to solve high dimensional tasks by leveraging non-linear function approximators. However, these successes are mostly achieved by 'black-box' policies in simulated domains. When deploying RL to the real world, several concerns regarding the use of a 'black-box' policy might be raised. In order to make the learned policies more transparent, we

Challenges and Drivers for the Adoption of Improved Solar Drying Technologies in Mango Farming: A Case Study of Smallholder Farmers in Mozambique

Mango production plays a vital role in rural livelihoods in Mozambique, yet post-harvest losses remain high, ranging from 25% to over 50%, due to inadequate preservation methods. Improved solar drying technologies offer a sustainable solution by extending shelf life and enhancing product quality. However, their adoption among smallholder mango farmers remains limited. This study investigates the k

Lignin-Sourced Aromatics for Biodegradable Flexible Copolyesters Mimicking Poly(Butylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate)

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is an important commercial biodegradable flexible copolyester, which is dependent on the fossil-based terephthalates for production. In the present work, two series of PBAT-mimicking copolyesters are synthesized using lignin-sourced aromatic monomers, i.e., methyl 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) vanillate and methyl 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) benzoate, aliphatic dimethy

Measuring the semantic priming effect across many languages

Semantic priming has been studied for nearly 50 years across various experimental manipulations and theoretical frameworks. Although previous studies provide insight into the cognitive underpinnings of semantic representations, they have suffered from small sample sizes and a lack of linguistic and cultural diversity. In this Registered Report, we measured the size and the variability of the seman

The role of flexible labour arrangements in the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining: the case of Rwanda

Over the past fifteen years, Rwanda has made significant progress in formalizing mining rights and the production processes of 3Ts minerals in its artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. However, labour relations remain largely unregulated. This study analyses ASM activities through the production process observations, document reviews, and interviews with key informants involved in the sec

Lawless but not normless : An explorative study on formal and informal control in Darknet forums

Darknet constitutes a part of the internet with a reputation for allowing deviance and criminality. In short, it is often understood as a place where anything goes. Current research on Darknet tends to focus on illicit cryptomarkets, however in this ongoing doctoral research project, I explore how user posts and behaviors are informally and formally controlled and shaped on Darknet forums. Moreove

Threads of Behaviour: Illustrative exploration of incorporating consumer behaviour in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of textile garments

Global clothing consumption is increasing, with many garments having unnecessarily short lifetimes due to low quality materials and manufacturing, often linked to price pressures. Current European Union strategies focus on improving technical durability, product maintenance, and waste collection, but fail to address the role of the consumer for durable garments. A better understanding of drivers a

Vortex formation time in female athletes

Regular, vigorous physical activity can have a significant impact on cardiac function, leading to cardiac morphological alterations that may be challenging to distinguish from pathological changes. Therefore, new screening methods are needed to accurately differentiate between adaptive changes and pathological alterations in athletes. Vortex formation time (VFT) is an emerging method that shows po

Effect of Food Intake on Vortex Formation Time as a Measurement of Diastolic Left Ventricular Function

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess if vortex formation time (VFT) as a measurement of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is affected by food intake and related to age and sex. Methods: Healthy participants were divided into two age groups: younger (median age: 25 years) and older (median age: 68 years). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examinations were performed duri

Toward the Promised Land : Politicisation as a Pathway to Emancipatory Agricultural Transformation in Uganda

Mot bakgrund av tilltagande ekologiska kriser, växande socioekonomiska ojämlikheter och ett klimat i förändring har behovet av att omvandla jordbrukssystem mot hållbarhet och rättvisa blivit alltmer akut. En sådan omvandling hindras emellertid ofta av djuprotade strukturer och institutionella arrangemang som gynnar snävt definierade föreställningar om produktivitet och marknadseffektivitet. DärigeAmid escalating ecological crises, widening socio-economic inequalities, and intensifying climate change, the imperative to transform agricultural systems towards sustainability and equity has become increasingly urgent. Yet suchtransformation is often hindered by entrenched institutional and structural arrangements that privilege narrowly defined notions of productivity and market efficiency, the