24762 research outputs found
Sort by
Systems of knowledge : a pedagogy of the privileged or of the oppressed?
No full textFuelled by the hegemonic neoliberal agenda, education policy in Malta is progressively becoming subservient to the needs of capital, leading to the further commodification of learning in an increasingly credential society. At the same time, the conventional pedagogical discourse of education policy is that learning should serve as an inclusive liberating force for creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem solving. This dichotomy between theory and praxis in education policy is particularly evident in the pedagogy of Systems of Knowledge, as its revolutionary potential as a progressive force for social change is appropriated by the commodification of learning, accreditation and market forces. The superficial and inapt application of critical praxis in terms of both pedagogical content and processes, infer the subordination of progressive and liberal ideals to neoliberal policies, demeaning Systems of Knowledge into another commodified tool of the privileged over an emancipatory vehicle for liberation and social justice. In this context, the paper questions; is Systems of Knowledge truly a pedagogy of the oppressed or another oppressive apparatus for the privileged?peer-reviewe
On taking the ‘five ways’ seriously as ways
No full textSo much ink has been spilt over Thomas Aquinas’ five ways! So much that one
could fairly question whether any further reflections could be useful. My
stance, in this article, is to reflect on the dynamism intrinsic to the quinque viae.
It is to take seriously the claim that they are ways. And it is to understand this
in the literal sense of their being journeys. So this paper seeks to elucidate what
light could be shone on our lives if we were to take up Thomas Aquinas’ broad
invitation to undertake a personal journey.
This personal journey is, at its core, an intellectual one. After all, these ways are
meant to be demonstrations of the ‘to be’ of God. To Aquinas, it is clear that the
‘to be’ of God (Deus esse) is not self-evident or directly intuitively apprehensible
to us – whether saints or sinners. So we need to undertake a journey, with
different possible ways being proposed. This needs to be unpacked.peer-reviewe
The changing dynamics of crypto regulation
No full textThis article studies the evolving international regulatory landscape for crypto-assets and highlights the necessity of harmonised and proportionate regulatory frameworks to foster innovation while ensuring market integrity, consumer protection, and financial stability. Efforts at both international and regional levels are examined, including comprehensive regulations like the EU's MiCA Regulation and regulatory initiatives in the US. The aim of the article is to briefly review the prudential and conduct regulatory developments at the international level, within the EU, and in the US, concerning crypto-asset regulation, and to highlight the importance of a harmonised and proportionate approach to ensure a stable and fair market environment while fostering innovation.peer-reviewe
Towards sustainability and resilience of modular energy islands
No full textModular energy islands represent an innovative solution designed to support the global transition towards renewable energy, combining sustainability and resilience. These islands integrate renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar power, and energy storage technologies to provide reliable, self-sufficient energy generation in isolated or grid-connected systems. Their modular nature allows for scalability and adaptability to local conditions, rendering them a critical element for addressing energy-related challenges. The objectives of this narrative review are to provide an analysis of the methodologies and tools used to assess the sustainability and resilience of modular energy islands. This review explores the potential of modular energy islands to meet prevalent and future energy challenges, focusing on their scalability, flexibility, and ability to integrate multiple renewable energy sources. In addition, it highlights the novel approach of combining sustainability and resilience metrics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of modular energy islands’ advantages. The review addresses that gap by exploring how the two concepts interact in the development of modular energy solutions. It focuses on the methodologies used to assess both sustainability and resilience, such as LCA for environmental impacts and FMEA for resilience assessment. The combination of these tools provides deeper insights on the benefits and limitations of modular energy islands compared to traditional energy systems. Two key components which are vital to their implementation: power systems and their stability, and energy storage, are discussed with reference to sustainability and resilience of modular floating energy islands.peer-reviewe
The provision for autistic learners in primary schools in Malta : a SWOT analysis of teaching and learning
No full textThis paper presents the findings of one of the themes explored in a study which aimed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOTs) related to three key themes within support for autistic learners in Maltese primary schools: teaching and learning, collaboration with parents, and educator training. Using the Ecology of Inclusive Education Framework proposed by Anderson, Boyle, and Deppeler (2014), which reconceptualises Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Framework for the field of inclusion, this paper presents the SWOT analysis of the theme ‘teaching and learning. Data was collected through a sequential explanatory research design that combined quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample included educators working in primary schools across Malta. Findings highlight instructional adaptations, including visual supports, digital tools, and peer preparation programs, as strengths of the provision. However, weaknesses include a lack of resources, overcrowded and sensory-overstimulating classrooms, and limited teacher involvement in developing adaptations due to inadequate training. Opportunities
are framed around creating quiet spaces and fostering collaboration with external specialists. Threats involve uncertainty regarding the implementation of inclusion policies and inconsistent practices. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of ecologically informed strategies that prioritise training, resources, and physical
interventions to enhance inclusive teaching practices and foster meaningful participation for autistic learners.peer-reviewe
Multiple disciplinary engagement on artificial intelligence in healthcare
No full textBackground: Technological advancements are transforming pharmaceutical and medicinal sciences, reinforcing the potential of innovative technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (Al), to become a steady member of the healthcare team. Whilst being widely considered as a promising approach, the integration of Al in public health practices is often linked to substantial challenges which may not be addressed by any one discipline in isolat ion. Multiple stakeholders reached out to the Malta Medicines Authority (MMA) through the MMA Academy for Patient Centred Excellence and Innovation in Regulatory Sciences, expressing interest in the field and urging initiatives to further explore the developing landscape. In response, an educational webinar was organised to provide a platform for professionals to exchange insights, discuss concerns and gauge the way forward. Method: The content of the webinar was designed by experts with different backgrounds, including data science, immersive technologies, informat ion management, as well as policy, regulatory, legal and clinical specialists. The disseminated invitation attracted registration by 133 individuals from public (46) and private (67) entities. Registrants were encouraged to submit questions which t hey wish to have addressed in the panel discussion scheduled towards t he end of the one-hour webinar. The panel was intended to complement the keynote sessions on the current state-of-play, Al applications in healthcare, prompt engineering, causes of apprehension, risks, key models of data protection, ethica I considerations, regulations, national strategies and future outlooks. The webinar, entitled Stakeholder Engagement on Al in Healthcare, was delivered in December 2024 and feedback collected thereafter via an evaluation tool using a five-point Likert scale. Results: Eighty-nine (89) local and international participants attended the webinar, with their areas of practice ranging across pharmacy, clinical, public health, industry, academia, regulatory sciences and information technology. By bringing together representatives from different spheres, t he webina r offered multiple disciplinary engagement on diverse elements of an ever-evolving field. The exchange of views touched upon the underutilization of healthcare data, which might be fragmented, incomplete or trapped, hindering its possible use to improve patient outcomes. The need for collaboration, also beyond healt hcare settings, was emphasised, highlighting that at this stage, innovative tools may be implementable in some scenarios, such as pharmacovigilance, while furt her developments are necessitated for other contexts such as rare diseases. Questions raised and points discussed with t he panellists included the upfront effort required to collate data, facilitators that could enable healthcare professionals to leverage Al in their daily practice, regulatory flexibi lity to support the unlocking of Al's full potential while protecting t he public, and harmonisation across jurisdictions. Feedback gathered from participants was largely positive, with 86% of respondents indicating that they would recommend such webinar to colleagues and consider attending a similar educational initiative in the future. Conclusion: The positive response and collective engagement on this initiative augur well for further outreach endeavours, Conclusion: The positive response and collective engagement on this initiative augur well for further outreach endeavours, sustaining the commitment of the MMA Academy to continue serving as catalyst for innovation, collaboration and dissemination. Consolidated efforts are due for embracing the shift from promise to practice, t ranslating artificial intelligence into true health value for our patients.peer-reviewe
The impact of global stock market indices on national GDP : an empirical analysis of the S&P 500, CAC 40, and Nikkei 225 (2014-2023)
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between three prominent global stock market indices, Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500), Cotation Assistée en Continu 40 (CAC 40), and Nikkei 225 and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United States, France, and Japan, respectively, over the period from 2014 to 2023. This research uses empirical analysis where the correlation and regression analysis of these three investment market indices and the GDP of those three nations is done. Based on the results of this research, we can say that the S&P 500 index has a significant impact, explaining approximately 80% of the variation in the GDP of the United States, while the other two indices, Nikkei 225 and CAC 40 have shown a positive statistical relationship with the GDP of Japan and France, accounting for 42% and 51% of GDP variance, respectively. This research also examines some of the roles of factors, such as the power of financial markets as economic indicators, while acknowledging the role of other macroeconomic indicators, including unemployment and inflation. Adjustments for inflation and currency ensure consistency across datasets. These results can be used to create strategies that develop stability and economic growth, improving risk management and the development of investment strategies. This study also reflects the function of fiscal regulations in eliminating the negative influences of unstable markets on financial performance. It is recommended that future researchers use other macroeconomic indicators such as unemployment rates, inflation and research in other countries to obtain a more detailed picture about aspects which can impact economic growth.peer-reviewe
Are religious and non-religious justifications of coercive laws qualitatively different?
No full textIn this article, I intend to examine whether religious justifications in practical
reasoning are qualitatively different from non-religious ones. The issue dealt
with in this article forms part of the broader debate on the role and moral
admissibility of religious arguments supporting coercive laws in secular, liberal,
and pluralistic states. This debate has often been referred to as the exclusivisminclusivism
debate, with exclusivism arguing for the moral inappropriateness
of religious justifications and inclusivism maintaining the exact opposite. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
GDPR v. open neuroimaging : the case of Europe’s data sharing dilemma
No full textMomentum toward open science has spurred the widespread adoption of data-sharing standards, platforms, and large-scale initiatives across the international neuroimaging community. Within Europe, however, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes strict conditions whenever these data qualify as “personal data,” creating tension with the goals of open science. This commentary aims to clarify how the GDPR and related national laws affect the legality and practicality of sharing human neuroimaging data. We offer some suggestions on the way forward. Due to the definitions laid out within the GDPR, MRI datasets almost invariably constitute personal data. Consequently, researchers must first establish a legal basis for processing such data, second, satisfy core data protection principles, third, meet extensive information and participant-rights obligations and finally navigate stringent rules for cross-border transfers. We discuss how consent, while ethically essential, seldom meets the Regulation’s requirement for specificity in large-scale data sharing contexts. Public interest processing paired with the scientific-research derogation is often the only workable pathway, yet this depends on heterogeneous Member State laws. We argue that this patchwork legal framework disproportionately burdens smaller institutions and complicates international collaboration. Achieving GDPR-compliant open neuroimaging is possible but not yet routine. Sustainable data sharing requires long-term centrally funded infrastructure that abstracts away cross-border liability, and targeted programmes to supply legal and technical support to smaller institutions. Without these, compliance barriers will continue to exclude less-resourced centres, threatening the inclusivity of European neuroscience.peer-reviewe
Night Parade of 100 Demons : adapting Japanese folklore to game musicking research
No full textThis paper presents Night Parade of 100 Demons (Oliva,
2024), a research-oriented mobile game designed to foster
musical improvisation, here identified as an under practiced
form of game musicking (Oliva, 2019, 2023). It consists of
four minigames each starring a different yōkai, mischievous
creatures of Japanese folklore. Each yōkai is the
protagonist of a musical, playful vignette, inspired by
popular yokai legends.peer-reviewe