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A study of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine awareness and uptake among individuals aged 65 and over in the Gozo community attending Victoria Health Centre and Gozo community clinics
Get PDFBACKGROUND: This study assessed awareness and uptake
of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
among individuals aged 65 and over attending
the Victoria Health Centre and Gozo community
clinics.METHOD: A total of 150 eligible participants, representing a
diverse elderly population, were surveyed using
a structured questionnaire between October and
November 2024.RESULTS: Findings revealed a low pneumococcal vaccine
uptake rate of 6.76%, with lack of awareness
(72.6%) identified as the primary barrier.
Although healthcare professionals play a
vital role in influencing vaccine decisions,
mass media emerged as the leading source of vaccine information, surpassing direct
physician recommendations. This study found no
significant association between vaccine uptake
and chronic disease status, gender, or education
level, although higher education was linked to
greater awareness (p= <0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results highlighted the need for a multifaceted
public health strategy, including enhanced
physician engagement, targeted awareness
campaigns, improved accessibility, and
educational outreach to address misconceptions.
Limitations of this study included the small sample
size, convenience sampling, and potential biases
in self-reported responses. Strengthening public
health education and physician-led interventions
is critical to improving pneumococcal vaccine
coverage among Gozo’s aging population.peer-reviewe
The impact of cyberthreats on the security of important sectors of the economy on the example of the healthcare sector
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact of cyberthreats on the
functioning of key sectors of the economy, with particular emphasis on the healthcare sector,
as well as to present effective strategies for counteracting these threats.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In the first part of the article, the most common
cyberattacks in sectors of the economy based on digital technologies are characterized, with
particular emphasis on healthcare as one of the most vulnerable areas. Next, the impact of
cyberattacks on the functioning of medical facilities is analysed, focusing on the
consequences related to ransomware attacks, data breaches, and threats to medical devices.
The following section presents strategies for counteracting threats, legal regulations, and
prospects for the development of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. The research
problem is formulated as follows: Which cyberthreats pose the greatest risk to the healthcare
sector and what strategies can effectively minimize their impact on the functioning of
institutions? The hypothesis assumes that the increasing digitization of the healthcare sector
makes medical facilities targets for cyberattacks, and effective protection against them
requires the implementation of comprehensive strategies encompassing security
technologies, legal regulations, and the education of medical staff. The study is based on
theoretical methods, including the analysis of subject literature, cybersecurity reports, and
case studies of attacks on healthcare institutions.FINDINGS: The main conclusion drawn from the research material is that effective protection
of the healthcare sector against cyberthreats requires a multifaceted approach, which
includes investments in modern technologies, the implementation of legal regulations, and
raising cybersecurity awareness among medical personnel.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study results are of significant importance for organizations in
the medical sector. Health must be protected, and awareness of cyberthreats among medical
staff should be raised. Those responsible for the security of systems face a major task not
only to properly secure data but also to respond effectively when problems arise.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper examines the impact of cyberthrets on the healthcare sector
as a part of critical infastructure. It identifies specific risks of cyberattacts on healthcare
institution and offers practical solutions to enhance the sector’s cybersecurity resilience.peer-reviewe
The armed forces of the European Union and the conflict in Ukraine : selected aspects
Get PDFPURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present the international circumstances that
led to the creation of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and the
establishment of EU Battlegroups as part of the future EU Armed Forces, analyze
threats to European security (including Russia's aggression against Ukraine) and
their impact on the need to build a common European military capability, define the
conditions that future EU Armed Forces must meet, and indicate the role of
Battlegroups in the European security system.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This article discusses the evolution of European
security policy after the Cold War, a chronology of political decisions leading to the
creation of EU military structures (from the Maastricht Treaty, through Amsterdam
and Nice, to the concept of EU Battlegroups), an analysis of military, asymmetric, and
hybrid threats, organizational, legal, and operational requirements for the EU Armed
Forces, the role of Battlegroups as a rapid response tool, the potential role of the EU
in ending the conflict in Ukraine. This article is a review and analysis, utilizing an
analysis of EU strategic documents (European Security Strategy, Headline Goal, EU
Military Rapid Response Concept), an analysis of international treaties (Maastricht,
Amsterdam, Nice), a review of the literature on contemporary conflicts, military, and
security, a comparative analysis of past and present assumptions regarding the
construction of EU armed forces. The article is based on the method of political and
strategic analysis, including the identification of threats, the assessment of military
potential and the analysis of political and organizational assumptions.FINDINGS: Key findings: threats to Europe have changed in nature – asymmetric and
hybrid conflicts have replaced classic bloc confrontation, Russia's aggression against
Ukraine has exposed significant gaps in European defense capabilities and
accelerated the discussion about the EU's own armed forces, the EU Battlegroups are
a key element of the planned structure of the EU Armed Forces – they are mobile, flexible, and prepared for a wide range of operations (from humanitarian to
stabilization), the EU has a legal and organizational framework, but has still not
implemented the full use of Battlegroups in operations, to achieve operational
readiness, the Battlegroups must meet five key criteria: a common threat perception,
a political mandate, legal arrangements (SOFA/ROE), technical and structural
capabilities, and alternative operational plans, the EU can play a significant role in
ending the war in Ukraine, particularly in terms of ceasefire supervision and
peacekeeping missions.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article leads to the following consequences for
international practice: the need to increase defense spending and develop the arms
industry in Europe, the need for better integration of command structures and
common operational procedures, the need to strengthen EU cooperation with NATO
and the UN, especially in the context of operational mandates, the EU Battlegroups
may become the EU’s main tool in crisis operations – also outside Europe, the EU
gains the ability to shape its own security policy, independent (though
complementary) to the USA and NATO.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This article is distinguished by its comprehensive presentation of
the evolution of European security policy, combining theoretical analysis (treaties,
strategic concepts) with an assessment of contemporary conflicts (Ukraine),
identifying detailed operational conditions for the functioning of EU Battlegroups,
and attempting to define the role of the EU Armed Forces in the future international
security order. Its scholarly value lies in its synthetic presentation of the processes
leading to the development of European military potential, its in-depth analysis of the
importance of EU Battlegroups in European security, its current contextualization of
the issue in the context of the war in Ukraine, and its demonstration of the practical
limitations and possibilities of EU defense policy. The article can serve as a resource
for research on CSDP and EU security reform, for analyses of European strategic
autonomy, and for decision-makers involved in EU operational planning and EUNATO cooperation.peer-reviewe
Modular floating energy islands with green hydrogen integration : design of a small-scale P2X scheme
Get PDFThe climate crisis and rising carbon emissions make the integration of renewable energy systems into electricity grids worldwide inevitable. In this context, modular floating energy islands (MFEI) provide innovative solutions for hybrid systems with high renewable energy penetration. This study explores the simultaneous use of various renewable resources, such as solar, wind, tidal, and wave energy, through small-scale MFEI structures that can be situated in seas and lakes. Thanks to their modular design, these systems offer benefits like scalability, portability, and ease of maintenance, allowing for flexible and adaptive developments in the energy infrastructure. As highlighted in recent literature (e.g., the North Sea Wind Power Hub and EU H2Ocean projects), offshore structures for green hydrogen production support energy storage and carbon-free fuel conversion within the Power-to-X (P2X) framework. This study evaluates the potential of photovoltaic (PV)-supported hydrogen production in MFEI structures through numerical analyses. The results emphasize the strategic role of these structures in enhancing energy security, coastal protection, and reducing carbon emissions by producing significant amounts of hydrogen. This hydrogen can be used for various purposes, including re-electrification, industrial applications, heating, and agriculture. Future research should focus on real-time data optimization, AI-supported system management, and integrated hydrogen consumption scenarios.peer-reviewe
[Book review] Iride Valenti, Vocabolario storico-etimologico dei gallicismi nel siciliano. Palermo, Centro di studi filologici e linguistici siciliani
No full textIl Vocabolario storico-etimologico dei gallicismi nel siciliano (VSEGS) di Iride
Valenti, già autrice di molti altri saggi sul tema, si inserisce a pieno titolo in questo
filone di lavori e costituisce un’opera che, oltre a fornire un vocabolario vero e proprio,
esplora l’origine, l’evoluzione e l’uso dei gallicismi nel contesto storico della Sicilia,
non senza aver prima aver presentato il quadro teorico su cui si basa la raccolta di
questi elementi. Il volume arricchisce la disciplina soprattutto da un punto di vista
diacronico ed etimologico, fornendo un prezioso apporto alla documentazione dei
gallicismi e alla storia linguistica della Sicilia. Esso si inserisce nella collana Lessici
Siciliani, diretta da Giovanni Ruffino e pubblicata dal Centro di Studi filologici e
linguistici siciliani, nell’ambito della quale si collocano fondamentali lavori su
onomastica (personale e dei luoghi), etimologia e contatto interlinguistico, lessicografia
antica, descrizione lessicografica di singole varietà.peer-reviewe
Paċi, ġustizzja soċjali u edukazzjoni
No full textIl-kunċetti ta’ paċi, ġustizzja soċjali u edukazzjoni huma marbuta mill-qrib u jikkostitwixxu qafas essenzjali għal riflessjoni dwar il-preżent u
l-futur tal-umanità. Il-paċi hija spiss mifhuma bħala n-nuqqas ta’ gwerra
jew ta’ kunflitt armat, dik li Galtung (1969) jirreferi għaliha bħala paċi
negattiva (negative peace). Madankollu, dan il-mod normalizzat ta’ kif
inħarsu lejn il-paċi jħalli barra dimensjonijiet oħra relatati mal-istrutturi
soċjali u l-inugwaljanzi li jipperpetwaw sitwazzjonijiet ta’ vjolenza
indiretta u strutturali (Borg & Grech, 2017). F’dan is-sens, il-paċi ma
tistax tiġi mifhuma b’mod sħiħ jekk ma tkunx imwaħħda mal-ġustizzja
soċjali, jiġifieri mal-ħolqien ta’ kundizzjonijiet soċjali u ekonomiċi
fejn il-bnedmin kollha jistgħu jgħixu b’dinjità u bil-bibien tal-aċċess u
l-inklużjoni miftuħin beraħ (Nussbaum, 2011).peer-reviewe
Application of taxonomic measures to bankruptcy prediction
Get PDFPURPOSE: The paper aims to propose new method of bankruptcy prediction. In our research
we construct composite measures of financial efficiency using taxonomic distance to the
distinguished pattern.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In our study we use the sample of 136 Polish
manufacturing non-public companies. Half of them are bankrupts (i.e. filed for bankruptcy
with the court in years 2019 – 2022), whereas the rest of them run their business and are
companies with a similar amount of assets as bankrupts. Data used in research has been
acquired from the Emerging Markets Information Service EMIS, which contains financial
reports information one year prior to the bankruptcy filing. According to the value of these
measures calculated for all analyzed companies they are classified to two classes.FINDINGS: The study shows that taxonomic measures are useful for predicting corporate
bankruptcy. Identifying a grey zone improves classification accuracy within specific clusters,
even though it slightly lowers overall model performance. The results also highlight company
size—measured by asset value and structure—as a key factor distinguishing bankrupt firms
from those that remain solvent.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of our experiments show that level of recognition of both
groups of companies is quite high but it depends on the selected pattern.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study highlights that the taxonomic measures applied are simpler
than many other bankruptcy prediction methods, making them more accessible. Their
straightforward nature enables use by managers of smaller firms that do not have dedicated
financial staff. As a result, these measures offer a practical tool for monitoring bankruptcy
risk in resource-constrained organizations.peer-reviewe
On the edge
No full textWhenever I heard my grandfather start a sentence in this way, I knew that he
would be recollecting some wartime adventure. He was a Chief Petty Officer
with the Royal Navy during World War II. The ships on which he was assigned
called in several ports around the world. This is one reason why ports fascinate
me, and this is where I developed my interest in geography. He used to talk about
visiting the port of Alexandria, Egypt, and how he experienced the hustle and
bustle of the souks. As a child, I would daydream about the vibrant colours, the
fragrant smells and the lively atmosphere that there would be. He talked about
passing through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar while travelling to Portsmouth,
crossing the Atlantic to reach the Caribbean Islands and recounting the time
when he navigated through the Bermuda Triangle. I was curious albeit relieved
as to why his ship did not go missing there. Such and similar experiences were
possible because of Malta’s geo-strategic location, which led the archipelago to
serve as a hub for the British Navy for one and a half centuries.peer-reviewe
Network of intangible resources on the example of technology sector
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of the article is to examine the impact of corporate intangible resources,
such as goodwill, intangible assets, research and development (RandD), and marketing on
corporate financial performance (ROA, ROE) in technology enterprises from index SandP
500.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Intangible resources have been defined by four independent
variables and corporate financial performance by two dependent variables. Additionally,
there have been used two control variables: size and leverage. Author has used Fixed Effects
Model (FEM) to examine the impact of intangible resources on financial performance.FINDINGS: Research results show that intangible resources such as intangible assets have the
significant impact on ROA and ROE in tecdhnology enterprises from index SandP 500
during the analyzed period from 2019 to 2023 (p < 0,05). Confirmation of the positive
impact indicates that intangible resources can be a key and decisive element in the process of
maximizing profit.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The analysis reveals that a key component of the network of
intangible resources—intangible assets—significantly enhances financial performance,
emphasizing their importance in corporate strategies for technology firms listed on the
SandP 500. Conversely, goodwill and marketing show a less immediate financial impact,
suggesting a need to reassess related expenditures and focus on efficiency and profitability.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper’s original contribution lies in presenting a model estimating
the impact of intangible resources on corporate financial performance. The study highlights
the importance of a firm’s intangible resources in organizational performance and provides
a broader perspective to investigate the influence of other intangible resources on financial
outcomes.peer-reviewe
The relations between induced emotions and humor among employees working in HR departments
Get PDFPURPOSE: Studies show that there is a relationship between induced emotions and humor
style for HR employees.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In accordance with Martin's theory (2003) postulating the
existence of five types of humor: affiliative, ego-serving, aggressive and depreciating, the
HSQ questionnaire was used to check the type of humor among people belonging to groups
in which one of the emotions had been previously induced: sadness, disgust, satisfaction and
joy, and the control group. The independent variable was film presentations eliciting four
types of emotions: disgust, sadness, satisfaction and joy. A total of 112 people were examined
working in HR department.FINDINGS: The results obtained in this study show that inducing emotions such as joy or
sadness are associated with a decrease or increase in the level of "affiliative" and aggressive
humor. Experienced emotions can affect the way in which tasks are solved and,
consequently, the results obtained.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results obtained may help in the selection of employees and
personnel economy.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: First, the experienced emotions can affect the way in which tasks are
solved and, consequently, the results obtained. Their influence is so strong that it may be
related to changes in humor style.peer-reviewe