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Ten years of ‘Why small states offer important answers to large questions’
Get PDFThis response reflects on the twenty-four contributions to the 10-year symposium on
our article “Why small states offer important answers to large questions”. We are honoured by
the number, diversity and quality of the contributions. Our response covers the story of the article,
including our initial aims in writing it, as well as patterns and themes we observe in the
symposium. We reflect on the sense of marginalisation that appears to be a common experience
of small state scholars; the challenges of trying to answer ‘important questions’ from the
perspective of small states; our positionality as outsider researchers; and the innovative form of
‘non-traditional’ area studies that the SST community practices. We conclude with heartfelt
thanks to all the contributors for their generosity and insight.peer-reviewe
Truth may not be self-evident, but it is demonstrable : a pragmatic proposition grounded in the philosophy of logic of Geach and Quine
Get PDFSelf-evidence and demonstrable truths are recurring themes in philosophy, logic and ethics. This article addresses these notions in the work of Peter Geach and Willard Quine, namely, Reason and Argument and The Web of Belief, respectively. It concludes by referring to the case of a planning permission for a tourist mega-complex development project at Ramla l-Ħamra Valley, Gozo, the mythical island of Ogygia, the abode of Atlas’ daughter Calypso, in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey.The arguments for the revocation of this permit were grounded on the philosophy of logic of Geach and Quine, namely that truth may not be self-evident, but it is demonstrable.peer-reviewe
Leveraging complex event processing for monitoring and automatically detecting anomalies in Ethereum-based blockchain networks
Get PDFBlockchain is a relatively recent technology that provides immutability, traceability and transparency of
information, thus building trust in the digital society. Blockchain networks generate a large amount of
logs which capture and describe data flowing through the network in the form of transactions, blocks and
events. Monitoring these blockchain data from the off-chain world is needed to detect anomalies with the
aim of mitigating the risks that may arise as a result of using blockchain technology. However, the realtime
monitoring of these logs by off-chain systems has become a challenge from the beginning of 2018
when the blockchain networks reached a high number of daily transactions. In this paper, we propose
a portable, maintainable and easily configurable architecture integrating blockchain and complex event
processing technologies that allows for both the real-time monitoring of logs generated in Ethereum Virtual
Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain networks and the automatic detection of anomalies in these networks
by matching event patterns. This architecture was tested by using vast amounts of blockchain data already
publicly registered in Ethereum and Polygon networks. The results demonstrate that the proposed architecture
is able to automatically detect anomalies which occur in different blockchain networks, making analytics of
blockchain data possible by off-chain systems.peer-reviewe
Editorial : exploring innovations and key insights in healthcare
Get PDFOn behalf of the Editorial Team of Scientific Letters, we are pleased to announce the publication of the
journal’s third issue. The 2024 edition of Scientific Letters presents a diverse array of research that highlights significant advancements in health, dentistry, and clinical treatments.
Cancer continues to be a major area of concern in medical research, and this issue of Scientific Letters
presents important findings. Henriques et al. explore the clinical relevance of p31comet in head and neck
squamous cell carcinoma, shedding light on a potential biomarker for cancer progression [1]. In another
study, the same authors investigate the role of p31comet in enhancing cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in oral
squamous cell carcinoma, presenting a promising avenue to improve cancer therapy effectiveness [2].
Both studies contribute to ongoing efforts to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind
cancer and the identification of new targets for therapy.peer-reviewe
Women-up : innovación, perspectivas y avances en la equidad de género en el deporte
No full textEste estudio analizó la participación de mujeres universitarias en actividades físicas
y deportivas, explorando cómo las estructuras y políticas universitarias influyen
en su implicación. La muestra incluyó a 139 mujeres de una universidad, quienes
completaron un cuestionario sobre sus hábitos de actividad física y percepción de las
oportunidades deportivas en el campus. Los resultados revelaron una discrepancia
significativa entre la intención de las participantes de mantenerse activas y su
práctica física real, influenciada en gran medida por la falta de accesibilidad a
instalaciones deportivas adecuadas, horarios flexibles y programas diseñados
específicamente para mujeres. Este estudio destaca la importancia de un entorno
universitario inclusivo y adaptado, y sugiere que las instituciones de educación
superior deberían implementar políticas deportivas con perspectiva de género para
promover la actividad física regular y el bienestar entre las mujeres.This study examined the participation of female university students in physical and
sports activities, exploring how university structures and policies influence their
involvement. The sample consisted of 139 women from a university who completed
a questionnaire on their physical activity habits and their perception of sports
opportunities on campus. The results revealed a significant discrepancy between
participants’ intention to remain active and their actual physical engagement,
largely influenced by limited accessibility to adequate sports facilities, inflexible
schedules, and programs specifically designed for women. This study underscores
the importance of an inclusive and adaptable university environment and suggests
that higher education institutions should implement gender-sensitive sports policies
to promote regular physical activity and well-being among women.peer-reviewe
: insights into the entrance of the Roman harbour of Sebastos as obtained through high-resolution multimodal remote sensing surveys
Get PDFThis article presents the results of high-resolution multimodal remote sensing
surveys which were performed in the Roman city of Caesarea Maritima at the sunken
Herodian harbour of Sebastos. A joint team of scholars from the Universities of Malta
and Haifa conducted the surveys at the area of the harbour’s entrance in order to answer
questions related to its original architecture, long-term functioning, and gradual degradation
processes. The core methodology employed comprised teams of divers performing
a meticulous photogrammetric survey in order to generate a high-resolution 3D plan of
the harbour’s entrance. The results present two different architectural styles on either
side of the harbour entrance, which suggests two different building stages, potentially
deriving from a late renovation attempt. The current state of the entrance channel, still deep
and wide enough for the passage of vessels despite collapse and sedimentation processes,
suggests the long-term functionality of the entrance, even while other parts of the harbour
have structurally deteriorated and gone out of use.peer-reviewe
GenAI for self-directed individual and collaborative learning in the training of conference interpreters for the European Union institutions
Get PDFStudents pursuing studies in conference interpreting with a view to taking the European Union’s
interinstitutional accreditation test are generally required to invest in self-directed individual and
collaborative learning to complement their in-class training. Digital technologies may prove
beneficial in this regard. The present paper discusses the four main digital technologies in the
interpreting workflow, viz., computer-assisted interpreting training (CAIT) tools, computer-assisted
or computer-aided interpreting (CAI) tools, remote or distance interpreting, and machine
interpreting. While there may be some overlap, generative AI (GenAI) is proposed as a fifth, distinct
category. Four piloted GenAI-based proposals are put forward to complement in-class training, along
with their learning outcomes and suggested assessment method. In addition, the importance of
critical AI literacy is addressed as a key skill for both trainers and students in preparing for institutional
interpretation in the 21st century. Finally, the paper presents the results of a small-scale survey among
students, gauging their experiences using GenAI for individual and collaborative tasks in the
framework of a postgraduate program training students for the EU’s interinstitutional accreditation
test. While limited in size and scope, the survey provides insight into student engagement with this
new technology and supports further curriculum refinement.peer-reviewe
The dark side of EU mobility growth
No full textPURPOSE: The aim of the publication is to determine synthetic indicators for assessing the
intensity of the adverse impacts of the transport sector in the EU Member States. The aim is
therefore to fill a research gap by quantitatively assessing the aforementioned indicators
across all EU Member States, thus enabling the identification of replicable patterns, national
specificities and the degree of dispersion of negative transport impacts.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A multidimensional comparative analysis - Hwlwig's medel
- was used to meet the objective, reflecting the possibility of developing a synthetic indicator
combining three key dimensions of negative transport impacts. Secondary data from
European monitoring (CO₂ emissions, transport energy consumption, road fatalities) were
analysed, converted to per capita values and then aggregated into a single scale for
assessing socio-environmental burden.FINDINGS: The indicator developed, which is synthetic in nature, shows differences between
EU countries. The best results are achieved by Germany, Denmark, Estonia and Finland,
among others, which simultaneously reduce emissions, manage energy rationally and
maintain a high level of safety. The value of the index also indicates countries with an urgent
need to modernise and reform their transport systems, such as Romania.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of the survey can serve decision-makers as a tool to
identify: (1) good management practices and (2) areas in need of financial and (3) legislative
support. The proposed synthetic indicator facilitates comparing the effectiveness of transport
policies and monitoring progress towards sustainability and sustainable mobility goals.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study fills a gap in the literature by integrating the environmental
and social costs of transport into a single, comparative measure for all EU countries. Such a
holistic view of the three main dimensions of transport impacts is rare and adds value to the
design of integrated transport policies.peer-reviewe
Beyond the silence : prioritizing teachers’ mental health in educational research, practice and policy
No full textTeacher mental health is a critical yet under-addressed dimension of educational quality and sustainability. While educators are widely recognised as key agents of student well- being, their own mental health remains relatively marginalised in research, institutional practices, and policy. This discussion paper highlights the urgent need to rethink how teacher mental health is conceptualised and addressed within education systems. Rather than viewing it as a private concern to be managed individually, it needs to be understood as a collective responsibility that requires institutional commitment and structural support. Adopting a narrative and integrative approach, the present paper draws on peer- reviewed studies selected from major scientific databases, alongside international evidence-based programmes and policy frameworks, to explore the key structural, relational, and organisational factors that shape educators’ mental health. Particular attention is paid to the emotional costs of teaching and the clinical consequences of chronic stress. The paper calls for policy reforms that embed teachers’ mental health into professional standards, quality assurance frameworks, and leadership training.peer-reviewe
Requirements and challenges of supplementary breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts across Europe : a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey
No full textIntroduction: Women with dense breast tissue are at increased risk for breast cancer, and standard mammography often fails to detect cancer in this population. Supplementary screening modalities offer improved detection, yet practices across Europe remain inconsistent. This study explores the requirements for implementing supplementary breast cancer screening across Europe by surveying current guidance and practices, examining workforce awareness and perceptions of existing protocols, identifying barriers to practice change, and evaluating staff willingness to adopt these screenings. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional survey was distributed online to radiographers and radiologists in breast cancer screening units across Europe. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Friedman and Chi–Square tests, were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data from openended questions were analysed using content analysis. Results: Eighty-three respondents from 39 countries responded over a six-month period. The majority (95.2 %) of respondents worked in breast screening programs. Hand-held ultrasound (45.8 %), Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (32.5 %), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (22.9 %) were the most used supplementary modalities. Main barriers included waiting lists (mean = 3.99), cost (mean = 3.98), and workload (mean = 3.95). Only 34.9 % of the respondents recorded breast density. Awareness of guidelines varied significantly by profession (p = 0.009). Themes from open-ended responses highlighted technological needs, staffing gaps, training needs, and cost barriers. Conclusion: Despite high awareness, implementation of supplementary screening remains limited due to systemic barriers. Standardized guidelines, resource investment, and targeted education are needed to ensure equitable breast cancer screening across Europe. Implications for practice: Addressing disparities in training, resources, and guideline implementation is essential to support healthcare professionals in delivering effective supplementary screening for women with dense breasts. These findings can inform the development of standardized protocols and targeted professional education across Europe.peer-reviewe