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Stretching boundaries of critical education : past, present and future possibilities [Book review]
No full textFull bibliographic record: Carmel Borg and Peter Mayo (Eds.) (2025). Stretching boundaries of critical
education: Past, present and future possibilities. Faculty of Education, University
of Malta. ISBN: 978-9918-20-334-5.What do I profess? I was once thus questioned at Heathrow Airport by an
immigration officer, having jotted down ‘professor’ as my employment on an
immigration form. It is not an easy question to answer, especially on the fly.
As one of so many educators, I often worry and think about how best to engage
with my classroom, and its human subjects, shaping this amalgam into an
exciting and energising experience, with productive consequences beyond the
lecture itself. But: what if my students are just interested in securing a grade
and getting on with their lives? What does ‘education’ really mean to these
persons? And do I bother to publish for my own self-aggrandisement,
especially when so many students don’t read, even if they had time to do so?
These hard questions keep piling up. We never successfully address them; and
they never go away. But we can try and get to better grips with them by
venturing in either of two directions: upstream, to better understand the
contexts and dynamics that have led to the contemporary classroom; and
downstream, to scrutinise how to foster specific educational settings that build
respectful, dialectical, peer-to-peer conversations; that liberate and empower
those involved. (Calling those involved ‘students’ here is quite unsavoury.) [excerpt]peer-reviewe
The role of Tecovirmat (ST-246) as a potential antiviral agent against monkeypox infection : a systematic review
Full text linkINTRODUCTION: Since May 2022, the incidence of monkeypox caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) has increased in several non-endemic countries such as United States, England, Singapore, and Indonesia. Until now, there is no definitive therapy for monkeypox. Tecovirimat is reported to have antiviral effects against MPXV.OBJECTIVE: To determine the potensial activity of tecovirimat as an antiviral therapy against monkeypox infection.METHODS: We followed the PRISMA guidelines to search literature through several databases: ProQuest, PubMed, EBSCOhost, SAGE, and Taylor&Francis from inception to May 20th, 2023. Titles and abstracts were reviewed to assess relevance. The inclusion criteria used were original articles, written in English, and assessed the activity of tecovirimat in monkeypox infection.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From 558 studies, 15 studies that met the inclusion criteria were taken. There are studies in vitro (n=1), in vivo (n=8), case reports (n=2), case series (n=2), cross-sectional (n=1), and retrospective observational (n=1) published between 2009 and 2022. Tecovirimat was found to have 50% effective concentration of (EC50) 1000-fold decrease (p<0.05)] in viral load was found in subjects treated with tecovirimat. Symptoms and skin lesions improved after administration of tecovirimat on days 2 to 3 with a dose of 600 mg, twice a day, for 14 consecutive days. The only reported side effects were mild headache and softer stool consistency.CONCLUSION: Tecovirimat is an effective antiviral therapy and has no significant side effects in monkeypox infection.peer-reviewe
Sustainable marketing : integrating environmental values into customer communication
Full text linkPURPOSE: This article investigates how companies can meaningfully incorporate
environmental values into their communication with customers to promote eco-friendly
behaviors, strengthen brand reputation, and foster lasting consumer relationships.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Grounded in recent academic research, the study highlights
the significance of CSR initiatives, eco-branding strategies, and digital transformationparticularly through green storytelling, sustainability-focused advertising, and interactive
tools such as social media and the metaverse. It explores how trust, authenticity, and the
credibility of green messages influence consumer choices across key sectors like fashion,
transport, and retail.FINDINGS: The research underscores the importance of internal alignment and employee
engagement in delivering consistent and trustworthy sustainability messages and it considers
the potential of new technologies-like intelligent reflecting surfaces and AI-driven
communication-to personalize environmental messaging.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article offers a practical framework and guidance for marketers
and policymakers committed to sustainable development.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: In the face of growing environmental concerns and a more
environmentally aware public, sustainable marketing is no longer optional, it has become a
strategic imperative.peer-reviewe
First insights into the mitochondrial DNA diversity of the Italian sea-slater across the strait of Sicily
Full text linkThe Strait of Sicily represents a biogeographically rich and complex region. The diverse geological origin and past continental connection of its islands have shaped a highly heterogeneous fauna, mainly composed of both African and European taxa. The Italian sea-slater, Ligia italica (Fabricius, 1798), is a small isopod inhabiting rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and Atlantic Ocean. Despite its wide distribution, the phylogeography of this species is poorly understood, with limited available data suggesting a remarkable level of cryptic diversity. In this study, we investigated the mitochondrial genetic diversity (COX1) of L. italica across nine Italian and Maltese islands across the Strait of Sicily, aiming to clarify the biogeographic patterns underlying the distribution of these insular populations. Our results reveal an unexpectedly high genetic diversity within our study area, with eight different haplogroups, each characterized by low internal genetic variation and mutual distances ranging from 5.5% to 17.9%. These values are comparable to those associated with species-level rank within the genus Ligia. Overall, the phylogenetic relationships between the lineages appear well supported; however, the same relationships are not clearly correlated with geographic proximity or connectivity among the sampled localities. The distribution patterns of some of the detected haplogroups suggest possible passive dispersal mechanisms (e.g., rafting), while others indicate more intricate biogeographic scenarios. The overall diversity of L. italica within the Strait of Sicily, as well as the unclear origin of some insular populations, cannot be fully explained with the current data. In particular, the high genetic structure observed within the Maltese Archipelago, may partially reflect human-mediated dispersal (e.g., maritime transport), possibly involving source populations that remain unsampled or genetically uncharacterized. Our results highlight that the Strait of Sicily can be considered a diversity hot spot for L. italica and support the designation of this taxon as a putative species complex, with a cryptic diversity worthy of an exhaustive taxonomic revision.peer-reviewe
Historical and recent records of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, (Hermann, 1779) from Maltese waters
No full textThe Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, has only extremely rarely been recorded from Maltese waters as a vagrant but there have been at least two sightings in the past three years. Here we collect together and review documented historic and recent records of the monk seal from Maltese waters aiming to make this information more accessible to a broader audience, as much of it is currently only available through social and news media.peer-reviewe
Towards a Realtime FRB pipeline at the northern cross radio telescope
Full text linkFast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are among the most intriguing astrophysical phenomena, requiring high-throughput, low-latency detection systems to capture their fleeting signatures. This paper presents the design and implementation of a real-time FRB detection pipeline tailored for the Northern Cross Radio Telescope, which is undergoing a major digital upgrade. Leveraging GPU-accelerated beamforming and transient search algorithms, the system integrates a scalable software architecture capable of processing wide-field data streams in the 400–416 MHz band. We describe the pipeline’s modular components, including the data reception, the GPU-based beamforming and correlation, and a proposed orchestration framework for transmitting the synthesised beams to remote memory for downstream scientific applications. Preliminary benchmarks demonstrate significant performance over the acquisition times, enabling real-time processing across multiple synthesised beams.peer-reviewe
Environmental governance in Malta : a trajectory and reflections on shaping institutions for policy learning
Full text linkThis paper begins by charting the trajectory of Malta's political, policy and institutional innovation in relation to environmental
issues since the Islands gained independence in 1964. It examines the growth of the Maltese environmental movement postindependence
and the creation of governing institutions in response to public concern and international momentum. It then
provides an analysis of the current situation in terms of issues, attitudes and narratives, particularly in relation to the construction
and transport sectors. The paper reviews international practices and challenges in terms of environmental policy
integration and democratic innovations, as well as positive experiences from the Maltese context. It concludes with some reflections,
drawing on the roles of knowledge, public reason and social trust in environmental governance. This paper may be
especially relevant to the study of governing institutions operating under conditions of intense pressure and the clientelist
politics typical of small, densely‐populated jurisdictions.peer-reviewe
Incidence and survival of European adolescents and young adults diagnosed with sarcomas : EUROCARE-6 results
Full text linkBackground: Epidemiological data for sarcoma in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and across age groups are
limited. We aim to: 1) update sarcoma incidence, survival, and changes over time in European AYAs; 2) provide
an updated comparison of sarcoma survival in AYAs versus children and mature adults.
Methods: We calculated crude incidence rates (IR) per 100,000 European population per year from 2006 to 2013.
Using the period approach, we calculated 5-year relative survival (RS) for the follow-up period 2010–2014. We
estimated changes in incidence and survival for bone sarcoma (BS) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) subtypes in
AYAs in the years 2000–2013.peer-reviewe
Critical infrastructure security in the face of contemporary threats
Full text linkPURPOSE: The aim of the research, the conclusions of which are presented in this
article, was to determine the position and role of Poland's critical infrastructure in
the context of military and hybrid threats from the Russian Federation and Belarus.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The main research problem was formulated as the
question: Which critical infrastructure systems are most significant given the
dynamic changes in Poland's contemporary security environment? The research
process employed both theoretical and empirical methods characteristic of the social
sciences, including source analysis and diagnostic surveys (Wiśniewski). Data were
collected through a survey of a representative sample of 395 individuals from across
Poland. The study focused on the state's critical infrastructure systems—key services
ensuring the population's security under contemporary threat conditions.FINDINGS: The research results indicate significant public interest in the issue of
critical infrastructure protection in Poland. Respondents appreciated the importance
of all sectors providing key services, with the highest indications observed in areas
directly related to meeting basic existential needs, such as water, food, and energy
systems and services. Respondents also rated the need to maintain effective rescue
systems relatively high. According to the authors, this opinion may have been
influenced by the ongoing war near Poland's eastern border. After several decades
of peace in Europe, the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine has made
the public aware that military threats remain real and that appropriate preparations
are necessary.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The practical implications primarily involve highlighting
public expectations regarding critical infrastructure security for both central and
local government administrations under conditions of hybrid actions and military
threats from the Russian Federation.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The research findings consider new challenges in the security
environment of Central and Eastern Europe and may be applicable in other
countries in the region.peer-reviewe
Multimodality in face-to-face teaching and learning : contemporary re-evaluations in theory, method, and pedagogy
No full textThe goal of this Research Topic is to explore ways in which authors seek to answer any of the following four areas of concern:• How can multimodal encounters in face-to-face teaching and learning contexts be re-evaluated, and how can pedagogical interventions address modes other than language which are often still overlooked in pre-service teacher training?• As multimodality is ever-growing in theory and practice, which multimodal pedagogical approaches adopted in face-to-face teaching and learning contexts need to be re-discovered?• In teaching/learning contexts in which face-to-face learning continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, in what ways have multimodal teaching and learning practices changed in response to the pandemic, and how are these changes still embodied now?• What multimodal practices of online pedagogies have been adapted to post-pandemic face-to-face teaching, and how do their affordances inscribe their effects on the embodied classroom?peer-reviewe