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The perceptions of older persons on exercise
Get PDFOlder people are encouraged to remain physically
active and engage in exercise to remain independent.
An understanding of exercise for older people is needed
when promoting exercise in this age group. The study
aimed to explore older persons' perceptions of exercise in a
Maltese community. It included exploring the incentives
to commence/or continue to exercise, and barriers
to exercising. An Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA) was used for data analysis to obtain
an in-depth perspective from the participants about
exercise. Participants were recruited from an activity
day centre and were all residents from one village. Data
was collected between July and August 2020 through
semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded
and transcribed. These were used to obtain an in-depth
perspective about their exercise perceptions. Purposeful
quota sampling was employed, with a sample size of
nine participants determined based on data saturation. Data coding followed transcript review, leading to the
identification and discussion of emergent themes. The
study included nine participants between the ages
of 64 and 88; six females and three males. Five main
themes emerged i) Perceptions of One's Own Ability,
ii) Knowledge on Exercise, Exercising Preference, iii)
Adjusting to New Circumstances, iv) Accessibility and
v) Opportunities to Exercising. This study showed that
older persons had different views and opinions about
exercise. Reasons why they wanted to initiate exercising
and what kept them doing so varied based on their
perceptions. These preferences need to be considered
when promoting exercise with older persons.peer-reviewe
Human dignity in Christian thought and concepts of human nature in economics
Get PDFPURPOSE: This article aims to analyse the understanding of human dignity in contemporary
schools and currents of economic thought.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors, drawing on the rich tradition of the concept
developed by Christian thought, have formulated their own concept of human dignity, which
served as a basis for analysing various concepts of human nature in economics. Images of
human nature play a key role in shaping economic assumptions and enable the creation of
theories in this field. In turn, human dignity is inextricably linked to the concept of human
nature.FINDINGS: The analyses conducted allowed us to prove the thesis that the perception of
human nature concerning its dignity in contemporary schools and currents of economics is
heterogeneous. Numerous weaknesses were also demonstrated regarding the perception of
human nature and human dignity within the dominant concept of homo oeconomicus.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The concept of human dignity not only arouses considerable interest
among theologians and philosophers but also among scholars from other disciplines,
including lawyers, historians, sociologists, and psychologists.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It plays a fundamental role in understanding social life and guiding
political actions. Since economics is a social science, a question arises as to whether and
how it incorporates the issue of human dignity into its theories.peer-reviewe
Wellbeing and policy : evidence for action
Get PDFThe first video is a promo for the book launch of Wellbeing and Policy: Evidence for Action.The second video is a broadcast from the launch event of the book Wellbeing and Policy: Evidence for Action.The third video is a recording of Prof. Marie Briguglio's interview on Campus fm's Summer Breakfast show about the book Wellbeing and Policy: Evidence for Action.As wellbeing becomes an increasingly explicit policy goal in countries across the world, the demand for evidence upon which to base intervention is growing. Featuring 41 contributing authors from 18 countries, this book surveys and synthesizes recent developments in wellbeing science and policy to highlight key lessons learned and to offer actionable insights for policy-making. Opening with a foreword by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and an introductory chapter surveying the fundamentals of wellbeing policy, the book reviews the links between wellbeing and various domains, including income, work, health, family, altruism and empathy, ageing, gender, education, housing, environment, crime, democracy, migration, religion, digital technology, and art, culture, and creativity. The book also examines the state of the art on wellbeing policy frameworks in diverse contexts, including developed and developing countries, small and large states, across the world, documenting interventions by governmental, private, or non-governmental organizations. Case studies include Bhutan, New Zealand, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Malta. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in progressing towards a wellbeing economy including policy-makers, academics, and students in economics, public policy, public administration, and behavioural and political science.peer-reviewe
Investigating the factors influencing augmented reality adoption in blended learning environments for mechanical engineering degree students at the University of Malta
Get PDFThis study investigates the acceptance and
utilization of Augmented Reality technology among mechanical
engineering students in higher education at the University of
Malta, utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology model and the Community of Inquiry framework.
The research was conducted in three phases: developing lecture
scenarios incorporating AR elements, delivering these scenarios,
and analyzing the data using structural equation modelling with
SPSS and AMOS. Findings reveal that Performance Expectancy,
Effort Expectancy, Hedonic Motivation, and Cognitive Presence
significantly influence Behavioral Intention, while Social
Influence, Habit, and Price Value do not. Moreover, Facilitating
Conditions and Behavioral Intention significantly influence Use
Behavior. Most notably, Cognitive Presence from the COI
framework emerges as a critical element, highlighting the
significance of fostering learners’ cognitive engagement to
promote AR technology adoption in blended learning
environments.peer-reviewe
Historical gardens as green refugia in the urban fabric : a case study from Villa Guardamangia in Malta
Get PDFThis case study utilised data collected during an ecological survey of the historical garden of Villa
Guardamangia in Pietà, Malta, which served as a residence of British royalty during colonial rule.
The present results reveal a pedologically depleted and floristically impoverished habitat which
nevertheless supports at least 16 species of terrestrial gastropod, 15 of which are native, and three
endemic. Beyond highlighting the ecological resilience of native organisms, the findings stress the
importance of incorporating and maintaining green refugia within the urban fabric.non peer-reviewe
Passive barriers for improved air quality in pedestrian zones at adult and child breathing height
Get PDFPedestrians are increasingly affected by air pollution, primarily due to vehicular emissions in densely populated
areas. This issue motivates the exploration of passive solutions to improve air quality in pedestrian zones
at heights relevant to adults and children. Existing literature indicates a significant gap in understanding
the effectiveness of low lying barrier configurations in mitigating pollutant concentrations within pedestrian
zones. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the impact of different barrier designs at both
adult and child breathing levels and to assess whether their inclusion applies to both the leeward and the
windward pedestrian zones. We employed a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology, validated
with site measurements, to simulate the aerodynamic effects of various barrier configurations on gaseous (NO2
) pollutant dispersion in a typical urban street canyon. The barriers examined include fully vegetative, mixed
solid-vegetative barriers and their segmented variants. Key results from our simulations indicate that fully
vegetative barriers significantly reduce pollutant concentrations at both child and adult breathing heights by
70% and 50%, while partly solid barriers cause stagnation points that are detrimental particularly to children.
The impact of this research is particularly relevant to urban planners seeking to implement effective green
infrastructure in street canyon-like urban zones.peer-reviewe
Target delineation error assessment for patients treated to the larynx with VMAT : a quantitative study performed at a local Maltese radiotherapy department
Get PDFIntroduction: Target volume delineation error (Σdelin)
affects the accuracy of radiation therapy, but it is often
not incorporated in studies measuring the Planning
Target Volume (PTV) margin. The aim of this study
was to assess the impact of Σdelin on the PTV margin for
patients receiving treatment with Volumetric-Modulated
Arc Therapy (VMAT) to the larynx in a radiotherapy
department.Methods: Six clinical oncologists were asked to delineate
the Clinical Target Volume (CTV) of five patients
receiving treatment to the larynx with VMAT. Van Herk’s
formula was used to measure the PTV margin based on
target volume delineation error. All data were collected
and analysed to measure the Σdelin and the PTV margin.Results: The PTV margin based on Σdelin was 5.6 mm, 11.1
mm, and 4.5 mm, in the left-right (X), superior-inferior
(Y) and anterior-posterior (Z) directions respectively. The
standard deviation (SD) in the X and Z direction was 3.47
mm, and the SD in the Y direction was 6.92 mm.Conclusion: The PTV margin calculated based on the
evaluation of Σdelin was considerably larger than the
margin currently used (5mm). If the resulting margin
was implemented it would increase radiation induced
side-effects.peer-reviewe
Returns to quantity and quality schooling in SIDS in the context of vulnerability
Get PDFThis study investigates the differential private returns to education quantity (mean years of schooling) and quality (Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling, LAYS) in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within a pooled OLS framework, leveraging World Bank data for 2017, 2018, and 2020. Recognizing that SIDS face unique vulnerabilities and resource constraints that impact their educational systems, the analysis incorporates measures of economic and structural vulnerability to isolate the distinct wage effects of schooling quantity versus quality. Results indicate that LAYS exhibits significantly higher returns than mean years of schooling, underscoring the importance of learning outcomes in driving labour market success. The findings align with recent evidence that highlights the limitations of merely increasing school enrolment without addressing the quality of education, and it emphasises the need for policy interventions that bridge the schooling-learning gap. By explicitly accounting for SIDS’ vulnerabilities and demonstrating the higher returns to quality-adjusted education, this research provides crucial insights for policymakers seeking to optimise scarce resources and enhance human capital development in these uniquely challenged economies.peer-reviewe
From industrial resource to scientific heritage : a holistic approach for the Czarnogłowy (Zarnglaff) quarry and its role in the geological and paleontological landscape of Northern Poland
No full textPURPOSE: This article presents the geology, research history, and current state of the
Czarnogłowy quarry—one of the most significant Mesozoic sites in Western Pomerania,
Poland.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: As a rare in situ exposure of pre-Quaternary rocks in the
region, the quarry represents a valuable geological resource. Over a 60-year period, the site
was extensively exploited for limestone, culminating in the establishment of Pommersche
Kalksteinwerke Zarnglaff, once one of the largest limestone production plants in Pomerania.
Following its post-war industrial decline, the quarry transitioned from an economic resource
to a scientific and educational one. Generations of German and later Polish geologists and
paleontologists have studied the site, documenting a wealth of fossil material, including
ammonites, echinoids, brachiopods, and vertebrate remains—particularly marine reptiles
such as Machimosaurus and Steneosaurus.FINDINGS: Today, the flooded quarry forms a lake, repurposed as a local recreational area,
illustrating the transformation of natural resource sites over time.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article highlights the need to preserve and protect historically
significant geological sites like the Czarnogłowy quarry, which remain valuable for
educational purposes and limited paleontological research, despite being no longer actively
mined.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper provides a uniquely comprehensive synthesis of geological,
paleontological, and historical data on the Czarnogłowy site, integrating archival sources,
fossil collections, and field observations that are rarely combined in existing literature.peer-reviewe
CoDeMap : a classification scheme for benthic habitats from the coast to the deep sea in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
Get PDFThe spatial representation of benthic habitats is essential across various
applications, such as biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem management and
conservation, and maritime spatial planning. In this context, classification
schemes provide a universally understandable framework to characterize and
chart the seafloor. This work introduces the Coast to Deep Mapping (CoDeMap)
classification scheme for benthic habitats from the coast to the deep-sea
environments. It consists of three main components (Morphology, Substrate
and Biology) and it is conceived as a practical tool for users from various
backgrounds who need to organize and interpret marine observational data, as
well as characterize and map seafloors. While primarily developed for the
Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, CoDeMap serves as a foundational
framework that can be adapted to address any current or future similar
request worldwide.peer-reviewe