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Impulse control disorders following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease : a retrospective analysis
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is considered in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) when there is suboptimal control of motor symptoms. While effective at improving some of these symptoms, its effect on impulsive behaviour can be variable. This retrospective analysis examines the incidence of post-operative impulse control disorders (ICDs) in PD patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS surgery between January 2011 and December 2018.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire based on the DSM-5 criteria was used for data collection.RESULTS: The patient cohort involved a total of 38 patients. Questionnaires were returned by 36 patients (95%). Seven patients (19%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for ICDs, while six patients (17%) showed features of ICDs that did not fulfill diagnostic criteria.CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of our patient cohort reported impulsive behaviour following STN- DBS surgery. This finding therefore warrants evaluation during the follow up visits of such patients.peer-reviewe
HEARTS guide : a guide for the introduction of culturally sensitive and community-based mental health promotion in higher education
No full textThe Higher Education Action Response for Trauma
Support (HEARTS) is an Erasmus+ project (Project
Number: 2023-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000158841) which
sought to develop innovative methods and strategies
for mental health promotion in higher education,
focusing primarily on trauma prevention and support,
with a particular interest in those belonging to minority
groups.The HEARTS project seeks to increase the quality of
mental health promotion in higher education institutions,
while addressing common needs and priorities.
It also aims to promote the inclusion of vulnerable
groups who are more susceptible to discrimination,
exclusion and marginalisation, such as persons with
disabilities, those from migrant backgrounds, those
fleeing war, victims of violence, those facing gender
inequalities, socio-economic difficulties and other potential
sources of discrimination based on sex, racial or
ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual
orientation. It aims to help create inclusive learning
environments in higher education institutions and inclusive
spaces in the broader community, build capacity
for transnational cooperation among higher education
institutions in addressing mental mental health
promotion and enable change among higher education
communities through training and accessible resources
that promote awareness and resilience-building
in mental health.peer-reviewe
Developing student writing skills in universities : is GenAI an aid or a hindrance?
Full text linkMuch is being said and written about the benefits that AI brings to the
workplace. Similarly, many express concerns about the negative impacts
that reliance and inappropriate use of AI has on skill development
particularly in universities.
This essay focuses on the impact of GenAI on the development of
students’ written communication skills. I contend that student use of
GenAI needs careful management by academics and university
authorities to bring about the maximum benefits to the learning process.
Various online news portals claim that AI is being used extensively by
students in many universities (Bloomberg, 2025). A survey on academic
integrity in higher education in the UK found that thousands of students
were caught misusing ChatGPT and other AI tools in recent years
(Goodier, 2025). In 2023-24, five for every thousand students were found
to have cheated using AI tools. Experts claim that these findings are the
tip of an iceberg. An educator at a high school on British Columbia
claimed that there has been an incremental increase in student usage of
AI until this year when it just “exploded” (Perkel, 2025). He claims that
“literally all students are using it this year.” [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Staying with the tide : a story of climate (im)mobility in Fiji
No full textCoastal communities in Small Island Developing States are facing relocation due to the damage caused by sea level rise. Salawai (a pseudonym) is a small coastal community in Vanua Levu, Fiji Islands, that experiences issues in relocating due to traditional obligations people have towards sacred sites in their village. Due to the salinisation of the soil, crops do not grow anymore and the reef resources are depleting and will not sustain the community's needs without proper management. With little support from the government and stakeholders, the village is rebuilding its knowledge and proposing a coping strategy. Cultural attachment to the village site remains strong; but many fear the impacts of climate change and are considering moving out, leaving behind ancestral connections and traditional knowledge. Based on current ethnographic fieldwork in Fiji among coastal communities, this paper looks at how relocating communities engage creatively with the ocean as the place in which the problem lies next to the solution. It also reflects on how island peoples can learn from each other in times of climate change and transformation.peer-reviewe
Risks and opportunities of digitalisation in pharmaceutical ecosystems : a SWOT analysis approach
No full textIntroduction: The pharmaceutical industry (PI) is undergoing rapid digital transformation, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), robotisation, and electronic
prescribing systems to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and improve patient care. The process of digitalisation poses challenges, with
cybersecurity being a significant concern. Digitalisation presents a clear chance to achieve a competitive edge in the pharmaceutical sector,
offering efficiency and cost-effectiveness in areas such as community pharmacies and manufacturing.Aim: To identify the risks and opportunities of pharma digitalisation ecosystems.peer-reviewe
How does experience in M&A transactions affect the process of integration and the effectiveness of acquisitions? : evidence from the Polish capital market
No full textPURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the importance of the CEOs’ personal
experience and also the experience of the companies involved in the transactions on how
post-merger integration is conducted.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research in the article examined 58 acquisition
transactions, which are part of a larger study on acquisition processes carried out on the
Polish capital market. The sample was selected purposively, meaning that the cases were
chosen based on criteria such as typicality, diversity, accessibility, and uniqueness. Among
the 58 transaction in the sample, 18 were conducted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, while
40 were carried out on the private market. In the surveyed group, 35 transactions occurred
in the Industrial Goods and Services sector, 12 in the Agri-Food sector, and 7 in the
Technology, Media, Telecommunications (TMT) sector. The remaining 4 transactions were
completed in the Medical Services (2), Real Estate (1), Tourism and Hotel industry (1).FINDINGS: The analysis showed a positive relationship between the companies' experience in
acquisition processes and the integration process (R=0.40) as well as between the
experience of CEOs in conducting acquisitions and the integration process (R=0.46). The
primary motivation for the transaction in each of the examined cases was the acquisition of a
customer portfolio, a distribution channel, as well as a portfolio of products or services.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Experience in M&A means that companies develop practices that
they use in subsequent transactions in the pre-transaction, transaction, and post-transaction
phases. Companies with acquisition experience are more likely to implement the integration
process based on an integration plan.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Experience is only one of the parameters that may be taken into
consideration in the analysis. Therefore, it is crucial to continue research into the factors
that influence the integration process and the effectiveness of the transaction.peer-reviewe
Media, arts & design anthology III : what if we can be heroes, just for one day?
No full textTraditional educational systems often struggle to cater to the diverse learning needs and requirementsof individual students. This one-size-fits-all approach can hinder unique development, disengage learners, and exacerbate existing inequalities within the classroom. This paper presents DAVE (Digital Autonomous Virtual Educator), a personalized AI tutoring system designed to seamlessly integrate within the engaging FAIE learning application used in Maltese primary schools. DAVE leverages the power of LargeLanguage Models (LLMs) and an advanced automated prompt engine to provide tailored support and adaptive feedback in mathematics. By analyzing real-time academic data from FAIE, DAVE adapts learning materials and offers personalized explanations and exercises, creating a dynamic and responsive learning environment. Through evaluations involving students in educational situations comparing DAVE with a commercially available LLM-powered chatbot, results demonstrated DAVE's significant impact on student learning outcomes, particularly for students with lower mathematical proficiency. Students utilizing DAVE achieved improved results on mathematics worksheets and reported higher user satisfaction, emphasizing DAVE's helpfulness, clear explanations, and personalized support. These findings underscore DAVE's potential to bridge the learning gap, promote educational equity, and foster a more engaging and effective learning experience for all students. The seamless integration of DAVE within the FAIE platform minimizes disruption to existing workflows and maximizes student engagement. This research helps to highlight the potential of AI-powered educational tools to transform the learning landscape, offering personalized support, mitigating misinformation, and empowering students to achieve greater academic success.peer-reviewe
Sustainable 3D concrete printing : utilising industrial by-products and alkali-activated materials for low-carbon construction
Full text linkIn the past decade Additive Manufacturing of concrete has developed rapidly in the construction industry. This technology has addressed several challenges associated with old traditional casting methods, including eliminating the need for formwork, significantly reducing costs and labour intensity for projects. Additionally, it provides flexibility in creating complex architectural designs. However, the primary concern in 3D concrete printing is the substantial carbon emissions resulting from the heavy use of cement in the mixture (2-3 times higher than conventional concrete). A primary solution to address the impact of 3D printing material, and reduce the cement content in the concrete mix is achieved by utilising industrial by-products and/or recycled waste material as supplementary cementitious materials. The 3DConcrete Project (Research Excellence Programme, Xjenza Malta) addresses the development of low-carbon concrete for 3D concrete printing by incorporating Maltese globigerina limestone waste as a partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement to reduce the carbon footprint, without compromising on the required performance of the 3D printed elements. Furthermore, alkali-activated materials (AAMs) can be considered as promising alternative to cement. AAMs can be formed through a chemical reaction between a solid material rich in aluminosilicates with an alkaline solution. Specific sources of Construction and Demolition Waste with the right composition are exploited as ingredients for AAMs as an alternative to cement-based materials. The SMACORT project (TUBITAK, Xjenza Malta) investigates alkali-activated materials based on waste concrete developed for 3D concrete printing of facade cladding elements with enhanced performance. Ultimately, this study develops a novel type of 3D-printed concrete that offers both economic and environmental benefits, providing a promising solution for sustainable and low-carbon construction using 3D concrete printing.peer-reviewe
Small countries, big insights : the role of small states in shaping global public health
Full text linkSmall states, defined by the World Health Organization as countries with
populations under two million, are often overlooked in the scientific landscape but provide
critical insights into public health. Their centralised healthcare systems, compact populations,
and ability to conduct national representative studies enable them to act as pilot sites for
scalable health interventions. This article highlights the contributions of small states to
managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and implementing rapid public health policies.
Examples from Malta and Cyprus demonstrate their agility during crises like the COVID-19
pandemic, showcasing effective vaccination strategies and adaptable governance. Despite
challenges in achieving robust sample sizes, small states produce high-quality data that informs
global public health strategies. By translating knowledge efficiently into action, they serve as
models for larger nations, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping resilient and responsive
health systems on a global scale.peer-reviewe
The diagnostic accuracy of an abbreviated vs. a full MRI breast protocol in detecting breast lobular carcinoma : a single-center ROC study
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Abbreviated breast MRI protocols have been proposed as a faster and more cost-effective alternative to standard full protocols for breast cancer detection. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of an abbreviated protocol with that of a full protocol in identifying lobular breast carcinoma using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. The diagnostic performance was evaluated against a gold standard comprising biopsy-proven lobular carcinoma or negative follow-up imaging, using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis and performance metrics such as sensitivity and specificity.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 breast MRI examinations performed between January 2019 and December 2021. Of these, 20 cases had biopsy-confirmed lobular carcinoma, and 15 were determined to be normal based on at least 12 months of negative follow-up imaging. Two radiologists independently reviewed the images using only the abbreviated protocol, blinded to the original reports. Their findings were then compared with the initial full-protocol MRI reports. BI-RADS categories 1 and 2 were considered negative for malignancy, while BI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were considered positive.Results: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 1.0 for the full protocol and 0.920 and 0.922 for Radiologists A and B, respectively, using the abbreviated protocol. All malignant lesions were correctly identified by both radiologists across both protocols, resulting in a sensitivity of 100%. However, the abbreviated protocol demonstrated significantly lower specificity (73.3% for Radiologist A and 53.5% for Radiologist B) compared to 100% specificity with the full protocol (p < 0.05). Lymph node involvement was correctly identified in 6–7 of 7 cases, though Radiologist A reported four false positives. Lesion laterality and count matched histopathology in 75–90% of cancer cases depending on protocol. Lesion localization was accurate in 60–80% of cases using the abbreviated protocol, though size comparisons were limited due to the incomplete radiological documentation of dimensions.Conclusions: While the abbreviated MRI protocol achieved diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity comparably to the full protocol, it demonstrated reduced specificity. These findings suggest that abbreviated MRI breast protocol may be a viable screening tool, although the higher false-positive rate should be considered in clinical decision-making.peer-reviewe