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Speaking home, speaking host : family language policies in a migrant context
No full textMigration experiences, integration into the host society, and the desire to maintain the heritage language and culture significantly shape the family language policies of migrant families. While some prioritise their heritage language at home, motivated by the belief that it is essential for maintaining family ties and cultural identity, other families adopt a more balanced or mixed language policy, using both the heritage language and the host society’s dominant language in different contexts. This study explores the language practices of migrant families in Malta, a bilingual country with Maltese and English as its co-official languages, which is becoming increasingly multilingual as newcomer families settle on the island. Thirty-two migrant parents with children attending various state schools participated in this research by responding to an online survey about their home language practices and their attitudes towards learning the languages of schooling, Maltese and English. Findings reveal a multilingual approach in all respondents’ home environments. Parents believe that learning the host country’s language, particularly English, is crucial for better integration and to secure academic success for their children. The study highlights the complex dynamics of language policy in migrant families, balancing the need for integration with the desire to sustain cultural identity.peer-reviewe
Genomic investigations of successful invasions : the picture emerging from recent studies
Get PDFInvasion biology aims to identify traits and mechanisms that contribute to successful invasions, while also providing
general insights into the mechanisms underlying population expansion and adaptation to rapid climate and habitat
changes. Certain phenotypic attributes have been linked to successful invasions, and the role of genetics has been critical
in understanding adaptation of invasive species. Nevertheless, a comprehensive summary evaluating the most common
evolutionary mechanisms associated with successful invasions across species and environments is still lacking. Here we
present a systematic review of studies since 2015 that have applied genomic tools to investigate mechanisms of successful
invasions across different organisms. We examine demographic patterns such as changes in genomic diversity at the population
level, the presence of genetic bottlenecks and gene flow in the invasive range. We review mechanisms of adaptation
such as selection from standing genetic variation and de novo mutations, hybridisation and introgression, all of which
can have an impact on invasion success. This comprehensive review of recent articles on the genomic diversity of invasive
species led to the creation of a searchable database to provide researchers with an accessible resource. Analysis of this
database allowed quantitative assessment of demographic and adaptive mechanisms acting in invasive species. A predominant
role of admixture in increasing levels of genetic diversity enabling molecular adaptation in novel habitats is
the most important finding of our study. The “genetic paradox” of invasive species was not validated in genomic data
across species and ecosystems. Even though the presence of genetic drift and bottlenecks is commonly reported upon
invasion, a large reduction in genomic diversity is rarely observed. Any decrease in genetic diversity is often relatively
mild and almost always restored via gene flow between different invasive populations. The fact that loci under selection
are frequently detected suggests that adaptation to novel habitats on a molecular level is not hindered. The above findings
are confirmed herein for the first time in a semi-quantitative manner by molecular data. We also point to gaps and potential
improvements in the design of studies of mechanisms driving rapid molecular adaptation in invasive populations.
These include the scarcity of comprehensive studies that include sampling from multiple native and invasive populations,
identification of invasion sources, longitudinal population sampling, and the integration of fitness measures into genomic
analyses. We also note that the potential of whole genome studies is often not exploited fully in predicting invasive potential.
Comparative genomic studies identifying genome features promoting invasions are underrepresented despite their
potential for use as a tool in invasive species control.peer-reviewe
Marshmallows, fun, and constellations : a mixed-methods evaluation of a STEAM astronomy workshop
Get PDFThis study evaluates a STEAM-based astronomy workshop for children, delivered at two science engagement events in Malta: Science in the City 2023 and Unconventional Science Careers Days 2023. The workshop integrated storytelling, mythological narratives, creative making activities, and digital tools within the 5E instructional model and the creative pedagogy CREATIONS, with constellations as the central theme. Using a mixed-methods approach, we collected survey data from 122 participants (aged M=10, SD=2.4) and practitioner observations. Quantitative analysis showed that most children (80.3%) found the workshop easy to understand, though 91.8% reported not learning new content. Despite this, 51.6% expressed strong interest in learning more about astronomy, and 55.7% wanted similar school workshops. Significant differences emerged by setting: open-air festival participants reported higher levels of enjoyment and clarity than classroom-based participants. Qualitative analysis revealed children emphasized astronomy knowledge, enjoyment, and creative processes, often linking learning to personal contexts such as zodiac signs. Practitioner observations highlighted parental involvement as both supportive and potentially intrusive. These findings suggest STEAM workshops emphasising artistic processes, can stimulate curiosity, engagement, and cultural relevance in astronomy education, while underscoring the importance of facilitator training and careful scaffolding to balance creativity with conceptual accuracy. The study contributes to research on non-formal STEAM learning by demonstrating the potential and challenges of integrating arts, storytelling, and science in astronomy education.peer-reviewe
Quality of life in adults with transposition of the great arteries with a systemic right or left ventricle
Get PDFAdvances in medical and surgical care have improved survival in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), shifting focus towards quality of life (QoL). This study evaluates QoL in adults with TGA, including congenitally corrected TGA (ccTGA) and patients with dextro-TGA (d-TGA), by comparing patients with a systemic right ventricle (sRV) and systemic left ventricle (sLV), while identifying mediating factors. Methods This cross-sectional study, part of the APPROACH-IS II study, included 798 adults with TGA from 42 centers worldwide. QoL was assessed using a linear analogue scale (0–100). Regression models identified variables associated with QoL, and mediation analysis examined the effect of sRV on QoL. Results Among participants (median age 34 years, 44.9% women), 504 patients (63.2%) had an sRV (ccTGA or d-TGA with atrial switch), while 294 patients (36.8%) had an sLV (ccTGA with double switch operation or Rastelli and d-TGA with arterial switch or Rastelli). Patients with an sRV reported lower QoL (75 [IQR: 60-85]) compared to those with an sLV (80 [IQR: 70-90], p <0.001). The negative effect of sRV on QoL was mediated for 59% by ventricular dysfunction (B=-2.37, 95%CI: [-3.38- -1.21], p <0.001). Poorer QoL was independently associated with Asian race, employment status (job-seeking, unemployed, or disabled), less social support, New York heart association functional class ≥II, ventricular dysfunction, a greater number of interventional catheterizations and depression/anxiety. Conclusions TGA patients with an sRV experience lower QoL than those with an sLV, mediated mainly by ventricular dysfunction.peer-reviewe
Exploring structures in languages and language contact
No full textThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it classifies Maltese stative
verbs into four distinct groups based on their morphological characteristics, especially their ability to form the perfect. Second, it demonstrates that, despite their
formal differences, these verbs share particular morphological and syntactic traits.
Notably, they have an actual present time reference in the imperfect, frequently
rely on auxiliary verbs to express tense and modality, and are generally incongruent with progressive constructions, setting them apart from dynamic verbpeer-reviewe
Il-verbi fażiċi fis-sekwenza verbali tal-Malti
No full textF’dan l-artiklu nipprova nuri li sabiex nifhmu aħjar kif taħdem il-katina verbali tal-Malti, nagħmlu tajjeb li nitfgħu ħarsitna fuq klassi waħda ta’ verbi. Għal din ir-raġuni niffoka fuq il-verbi fażiċi li, kif jixhed isimhom, jimmarkaw l-istadju li tkun tinsab fih sitwazzjoni partikolari. Fil-Malti, normalment dawn il-verbi jkunu jirrikjedu verb imraqqad warajhom u b’hekk tinħoloq katina verbali. Huwa b’dan il-mod li l-istudju tal-aspett fażiku u dak tal-katina verbali jistgħu jingħaqdu flimkien fil-Malti. F’dan l-artiklu, ma nħarisx lejn il-verbi fażiċi kollha li nsibu fl-inventarju tal-Malti imma biss lejn beda u reġa’, Ii jesprimu valur ingressiv u valur repetittiv rispettivament. Għalhekk ġbart għadd ta’ eżempji ta’ kull wieħed minn dawn il-verbi f’katina tat-tip V1+V2+V3 sabiex nara nosservax xi tendenzi. Waħda mis-sejbiet prinċipali għandha x’taqsam mat-tip ta’ verbi li jista’ jkollna f’katina tat-tip V1+V2+V3, fejn wieħed mill-verbi jkun beda jew reġa’. Filwaqt li dawn il-verbi fażiċi jistgħu jokkorru f’katina mal-verbi modali u l-verbi lessikali, jistgħu saħansitra jipparteċipaw f’katina b’verbi fażiċi oħra, b’tali mod li żewġ verbi minn tlieta jkunu fażiċi. Barra minn hekk, abbażi tal-imġiba ta’ reġa’ fil-katina verbali, nuri li l-forma aspettwali tal-verbi fil-katina ma tintgħażilx kif ġie ġie imma hija marbuta mal-forma aspettwali tal-verb li jiġi qabel. Għalhekk, nasal nikkonkludi li naraw is-sekwenzi aspettwali li naraw għax kull verb fil-katina jikkmanda lil dak ta’ warajh, b’tali mod li l-V1 jikkmanda lill-V2, u dan jikkmanda lill-V3. Il-V1 biss huwa ħieles, il-għaliex il-forma tiegħu tintgħażel skont iż-żmien li tkun ankrata fih is-sitwazzjoni u mhix marbuta mal-forma ta’ xi verb ieħor.In this article I try to show that the Maltese verb chain may be better understood if one focuses on one class of verbs at a time. For this reason, I focus on verbs that point to a particular phase of a given situation, known as phasal verbs. These verbs typically require an embedded verb to follow in Maltese, such that a verb chain is formed; thus, Maltese presents an opportunity for joint research on phasal aspect and the verb chain. In this article, I only focus on two phasal verbs, namely, beda ‘start’ and reġa’ ‘do again, repeat’, where beda expresses an ingressive value and reġa’ has a repetitive value. I collected a number of examples in which each phasal verb figures in a chain of the type V1+V2+V3, the aim being to observe any tendencies displayed. One of the main findings is related to the types of verbs that may occur as part of a three-verb chain in which beda or reġa’ is present. These two phasal verbs may show up in verb chains which include modal verbs and lexical verbs, but they may also occur with other phasal verbs, such that two verb slots (out of three) are occupied by a phasal verb. Another finding regards the aspectual forms of verbs in the chain. Based on the peculiar behaviour displayed by repetitive reġa’, I show that these aspectual forms are not chosen at random; rather, each verb is assigned an imperfective or perfective form based on the aspectual form of the preceding verb. In other words, V1 governs V2 and V2 governs V3, such that each verb is governed by the preceding one whilst simultaneously bearing on the aspectual form of the following verb. Only V1 is free, in that its aspectual form is assigned based on the temporal grounding of the given situation.peer-reviewe
Intergovernmental coordination in polycrisis times : legal, political and financial dimensions
No full textThe ongoing polycrisis confronting the European Union encompassing migration, security threats, regional
instability, and economic strain, has placed significant pressure on the political, legal, and administrative systems
of member states. This paper explores Malta’s response to these challenges as a case study of democratic resilience
within a small EU member state. Despite its limited size and resources, Malta has demonstrated institutional
adaptability while upholding its constitutional commitments, its neutrality clause, during participation in EU crisis
management frameworks. The study is guided by two core research questions, namely - How has Malta balanced
its national interests and constitutional neutrality with its obligations under EU crisis management frameworks?
In what ways has Malta contributed to the stability and resilience of EU governance during periods of polycrisis?
By analysing Malta’s strategic role in EU migration policy, border security, the Common Security and Defence
Policy (CSDP), and broader crisis response initiatives such as cybersecurity and humanitarian aid, the paper
demonstrates how small democratic states can actively participate in multilateral crisis governance without
compromising their legal autonomy. Malta's experience highlights the institutional flexibility, diplomatic
engagement, and policy influence that small states can employ to contribute to EU crisis management. The findings
offer broader implications for understanding democratic resilience and the potential of small states in addressing
complex, overlapping crises within multilateral frameworks.peer-reviewe
Hunter-gatherer sea voyages extended to remotest Mediterranean islands
No full textThe Maltese archipelago is a small island chain that is among the most remote in the
Mediterranean. Humans were not thought to have reached and inhabited such small
and isolated islands until the regional shift to Neolithic lifeways, around 7.5 thousand
years ago (ka)1. In the standard view, the limited resources and ecological vulnerabilities
of small islands, coupled with the technological challenges of long-distance seafaring,
meant that hunter-gatherers were either unable or unwilling to make these journeys2–4.
Here we describe chronological, archaeological, faunal and botanical data that support
the presence of Holocene hunter-gatherers on the Maltese islands. At this time, Malta’s
geographical configuration and sea levels approximated those of the present day,
necessitating seafaring distances of around 100 km from Sicily, the closest landmass.
Occupations began at around 8.5 ka and are likely to have lasted until around 7.5 ka.
These hunter-gatherers exploited land animals, but were also able to take advantage
of marine resources and avifauna, helping to sustain these groups on a small island.
Our discoveries document the longest yet-known hunter-gatherer sea crossings in the
Mediterranean, raising the possibility of unknown, precocious connections across the
wider region.peer-reviewe
Screw extrusion fused granulate fabrication : trends, materials, extruder classification and future development
No full textThis paper presents a systematic review of fused granulate fabrication (FGF), focusing on the classification of FGF extruders, the determination of materials used, and an analysis of past and present trends to forecast future developments. As a rapidly growing field, FGF is increasingly relevant for advancing a circular economy, making it essential to understand the current level of technological achievement from an academic perspective. This review also aims to identify the research hotspots to facilitate future collaborations and classify existing systems to better guide further developments, highlighting gaps in the literature and emerging trends. The review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, ensuring a comprehensive and methodologically sound analysis. FGF extruders were classified based on screw length and diameter, identifying small-scale extruders (up to 100 mm in length), medium-scale extruders (100–200 mm), and large-scale extruders (over 200 mm). Additionally, we categorized powder-only extruders, which are typically under 7 mm in diameter, specialized for heat-sensitive materials, and predominantly applied in personalized medicine and scaffold production. Our findings reveal that a wide variety of materials, including high-performance polymers, fibre-reinforced composites, elastomers, and direct regrind materials, are being utilized in FGF. Novel designs, such as in-process material mixing, are also emerging. These findings provide an updated overview of the current state of FGF technology, offering valuable insights for policymakers and research groups. By understanding which class of extruders is suitable for specific applications, stakeholders can make more informed decisions, guiding future research and development in the field.peer-reviewe
“Poetry is on its way back up” : a spoken word performer’s contribution to young people’s engagement with poetry
Get PDFThe presence of spoken word poets at school can prove to be engaging for young people, especially if used to complement the work conducted by enthusiastic teachers of poetry. By means of an evaluation of a spoken word residency at an Australian high school, this article discusses some of the opportunities and challenges associated with the attempt to engage young people with the genre. The case study’s research data was collected by means of observation of the residency and semi-structured interviews with the poet leading it and the teacher who organized it. In the article it is argued that while students are encouraged to develop their conceptions of poetry and perceive it as engaging, it is important to democratize participation in spoken word activities and enhance teachers’ own engagement.peer-reviewe