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Mapping the ecosystem : relational dynamics of Malta's women’s organisations
Get PDFThis paper presents the landscape of women’s organisations (WOs) in Malta and Gozo exploring their relationships as part of civil society and their role in the public sphere. It focuses on WOs active in 2021, when civil society was recognised for its influence on national leadership in Malta. WOs play an integral role in this landscape, contributing to feminist and gender-related advocacy as well as wider societal issues. Sociological literature increasingly views civil society as a networked ecosystem that links organisations with varied interests, strategies, and networks. This study investigates the relational dynamics among WOs and their relations with institutions, addressing three key questions: (i) what are the relations of WOs with institutions?; (ii) how, if at all, does the structure of relations among WOs contribute to the making of an ‘ecosystem’?; and (iii) what are the main factors which facilitate or hinder collaborations among WOs? This research builds on Diani’s (2015) modes of collective action, applying both aggregative and relational approaches, along with social capital theory, to understand the significance of the bonds formed by these WOs. Based on surveys and qualitative interviews with 52 WOs in Malta and Gozo in early 2021, the study maps the complex web of relations within this ecosystem. The findings suggest that women’s organisations coordinate through different coalitions across different issues. The ecosystem of WOs remains vulnerable to fragmentation, particularly around contentious topics like abortion, despite the overall strength of bridging social capital in promoting trust and collaboration.peer-reviewe
Loneliness in the Maltese population : a comparison of data from 2019 and 2022
Get PDFLoneliness is a complex and multifaceted experience resulting from a person’s subjective
assessment of the gap between their desired and actual social connections. This study
presents an analysis of prevalence rates and correlates of loneliness amongst Maltese
individuals aged 11 years and older (n = 658). Data collected in 2022 allowed for a follow
up on a first ever study investigating loneliness in Malta in 2019 (n = 1,009) and makes
comparisons to understand how loneliness prevalence rates have changed over time and
in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that in 2022, 54.6% of the sample
reported some degree of loneliness. The sociodemographic characteristics that were
significantly associated with the highest levels of loneliness were age (11–19 years and
55+), lower levels of education, being widowed, retired, low household income, decreased
sense of neighborhood belonging, poor general health, poor coping abilities and
not feeling positive about life. Compared to 2019, mean overall loneliness scores were
significantly higher in 2022. The most marked increases were observed amongst the
youngest groups (11–19 years and 20–34 years), those with the lowest and the highest
educational levels, those with a weaker sense of neighborhood belonging and those with
poorer coping abilities. The paper makes some recommendations for further research,
policy and practice in view of the findings.peer-reviewe
Disseminating your action research : a practical guide to sharing the results of practitioner research [Book review]
No full textIn ELT, as in other aspects of education, teacher research is recognised as an important form of inquiry because it enables practitioners to search for answers to the questions they might have about the phenomena that occur in their own classrooms. When teachers choose to engage in research, they learn about their practices, their learners, and their professional identity. Given the organic nature of its processes and the bottom-up direction of the inquiry, teacher research is a powerful form of professional learning. Without having to rely on the direction provided by those outside the classroom, teachers can use research to generate knowledge that is meaningful for them and useful for those within the immediate learning environment, i.e., themselves and their learners. In addition, while this research-derived knowledge is primarily valuable because it is directly relevant to teachers’ and learners’ needs, it might also resonate with other practitioners.peer-reviewe
Mycelium-based composites : an updated comprehensive overview
Get PDFMycelium-based composites hold significant potential as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials, offering innovative solutions to the escalating challenges of global warming and climate change. This review examines their production techniques, advantages, and limitations, emphasizing their role in addressing pressing environmental and economic concerns. Current applications span various industries, including manufacturing and biomedical fields, where mycelium-based composites demonstrate the capacity to mitigate environmental impact and enhance economic sustainability. Key findings highlight their environmental benefits, economic viability, and versatile applications, showcasing their potential to revolutionize multiple sectors. However, challenges such as consumer acceptance, intrinsic variability, and the need for standardized guidelines persist, underscoring the importance of further research and innovation. By optimizing material properties and refining production processes, mycelium-based composites could pave the way for widespread adoption as sustainable materials, contributing to a greener and more environmentally conscious future.peer-reviewe
Monitoring sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity around the Maltese islands using sentinel-2 imagery and the random forest algorithm
Get PDFMarine regions are undergoing rapid evolution, primarily driven by natural and anthropogenic activities. Safeguarding these ecosystems necessitates the ability to observe their physical features and control processes with precision in both space and time. This demands the acquisition of precise and up-to-date information regarding several marine parameters. Thus, to gain a comprehensive understanding of these ecosystems, this study employs remote sensing techniques, Machine Learning algorithms and traditional in situ approaches. Together, these serve as valuable tools to help comprehend the distinctive parametric characteristics and mechanisms occurring within these regions of the Maltese archipelago. An empirical workflow was implemented to predict the spatial and temporal variations in sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature from 2022 to 2024. This was achieved by leveraging Sentinel-2 satellite platforms, the random forest Machine Learning algorithm, and in situ data collected from sea gliders and floats. Subsequently, the numerical data generated by the random forest algorithm were validated with different error metrics and converted into visual representations to illustrate the sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature variations across the Maltese Islands. The random forest algorithm demonstrated strong performance in predicting sea surface salinity and sea surface temperature, indicating its capability to handle dynamic parameters effectively. Additionally, the parametric maps generated for all three years provided a clear understanding of both the spatial and temporal changes for these two parameters.peer-reviewe
Evaluation of oxytocin use during labour
Get PDFIntroduction: Globally, there is a general lack of uniformity in oxytocin use with variation in the concent rations adopt ed, administration patterns (doses, rate, duration of infusion) for t he induction and augmentation of labour. This study aimed to develop a Best Practice Implementation Strategy for OT use during labour in a local hospital. Method: The study was carried out at t he Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) and at the Directorate of Pharmacy, MDH in 2024. A suitable quality metric tool for the safe use of OT was ident ified to carry out a gap analysis exercise. A google search was undertaken to identify t ools t hat can be used in clinical practice. The keywords used were 'Oxytocin' and 'Toolkit'. Two relevant toolkits were found; 'Safe Medication Administration: Oxytocin' by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Perinatal Care, 2017 and 'Safe Administration of Oxytocin Implementation Toolkit' Pharmacy Education 25(4) 1 - 121 Hospital pharmacy by the PCMCH, 2022. After carrying out the gap analysis, a Best Practice Strategy was developed and validated by an expert panel consisting of four obstet ricians, two senior midwives and two pharmacists. Results: The PCMCH toolkit was deemed the most suitable to use in performing the local gap analysis as it was developed in 2019, updated in January 2022 and evaluated in March 2023, making it the most recent. Risk minimisation strategies already in place pertaining to OT use were appraised. From the 27 criteria listed in the PCMCH toolkit, 5 were unmet, 8 were partially met and 14 were met. The strategy developed focused on optimising practice through the development of checklists to support documentation to reduce risk of errors particularly between shift changes. The expert panel confirmed the practicality and applicability of the proposed st rategy. Subsequently sessions were carried out with midwives working at labour ward to disseminate the strategy, create awareness on safe use of OT practices and faci litate the implementation of the identified checklists to enhance documentation practices. Conclusion: This study provided an evaluation of current practices of OT use in the labour ward with a focus on patient safety and risk minimisat ion. The developed Best Practice Implementation Strategy addresses the gaps identified and st rengthens good practices in ensuring standardised patient safety practices. The approach adopted in this study could be repeated in future practice research to evaluate practice and identify updates required in the strategy and health professionals re-training. Moreover the adoption of the use of Artificial intelligence could be considered in t he future to aid in predicting patients at risk for example of the occurrence of foetal hypoxia, so t hat prevent ive clinical decisions can be made to reduce risk for both mother and baby.peer-reviewe
Posthuman conceptualisations of young people’s sexualities
Get PDFPosthumanism holds a direct focus on materiality and centralises the role of nonhuman, agents in the understanding of phenomena. The aim of this paper is to locate the understanding of young people's sexualities within posthuman perspectives. Specifically, the paper refers mainly to Karen Barad’s work to conceptualise the understanding of young people's sexual selves. The presence of numerous sexuality discourses that surround their lives is acknowledged as a starting point in the understanding of their sexual relations. The recognition that matter and discursive formations in language are intertwined has led to a conceptual shift that is influencing conceptualisations of young people’s sexualities, and how research on young people's sexual selves is framed and conducted. The paper argues that the posthuman turn provides a productive framework for understanding the multi-faceted complexities surrounding the sexualities of young people.peer-reviewe
Opportunities for ESG reporting in railway electric power supply enterprises based on annual reports
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to analyse the implementation status of ESG reporting in
railway electric power companies in Poland.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study employed a qualitative approach based on
content analysis and comparative analysis of reporting documents from four railway electric
power supply enterpris in Poland.FINDINGS: The findings indicate a notable inconsistency in the level and structure of ESG
reporting among the analysed companies operating in the railway electric power and
transport sectors. Only one of the four companies, PKP CARGO S.A., has published a
standalone ESG report for 2023. PGE Energetyka Kolejowa provided ESG-related content
within the integrated report of the PGE Group, which limits the granularity of sector-specific
insights. PKP PLK S.A. and PKP Intercity S.A. have not yet produced independent ESG
disclosures.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study have significant practical relevance for
railway electric power companies that will be required to comply with the CSRD directive as
well as GRI and ESRS standards. The study can support ESG reporting teams in structuring
their reports and identifying information gaps. Moreover, the conclusions drawn from the
analysis provide a foundation for implementing procedures for monitoring and collecting
non-financial data in the environmental, social, and governance areas.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study focuses on a narrowly defined yet strategically important
sector—railway electric power supply—which has so far been only marginally represented in
the ESG literature.peer-reviewe
Small elite network and less formal governance structure : efficient knowledge sharing and rapid policy responses?
Get PDFThis paper analyzes whether the seven Nordic countries, by virtue of their limited administrative size and less formalized governance arrangements, were particularly well-suited to fostering rapid knowledge sharing and adaptive policy responses during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cases reveal a spectrum of governance arrangements, with informality and social intimacy most pronounced and impactful in the smallest jurisdictions (Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland), hybrid models dominating in mid-sized states (Finland, Norway, and Denmark), and formal structures prevailing in larger systems (especially Sweden). Our findings suggest that, while informal governance and elite proximity proved invaluable in certain contexts, their effectiveness depended heavily on structural factors unique to each state. Administrative size matters as a key variable that interacts with governance design, expert integration, and political leadership to shape crisis response outcomes. Smallness, when understood not merely as constraint but as a distinct administrative condition, can be a potent asset in navigating complex crises; if, however, it is accompanied by the right balance of informality, coordination, and institutional coherence.peer-reviewe
Novel archaeological and palaeontological findings in cave and palaeoriver landscapes of inland northeast Arabia
Get PDFKnowledge about environmental change and the evolutionary history of hominins
in Arabia has been rapidly developing over the last two decades. Interdisciplinary
research on humans and environments across the vast and heterogenous landmass
of the Arabian Peninsula remains, however, highly spatially uneven. Here we present
the results of archaeological, hydro-geological, and palaeontological research
in inland northeastern Arabia, a poorly studied area with diverse landscape features
including caves, palaeorivers, and chert outcrops. Hominin use of the landscape
appears to be sparse in comparison to other regions of Arabia, though archaeological
evidence spanning from the Lower Palaeolithic to the historic era was identified,
including finds from the Middle Palaeolithic, which is the most well represented
period. The caves of inland northeast Arabia contain a rich record of past climate
change in the form of speleothems, as well as abundant faunal assemblages. Our
survey results highlight the significant potential of these records to cast light on environmental, faunal, and cultural changes over time while demonstrating regional variation across Arabia.peer-reviewe