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Intergenerationality and social change through popular education in a neoliberal world : a case study of popular schools in Rome
No full textThis article focuses on popular education as a means of intergenerational education for social transformation against the neocolonial neoliberalism imposed by the “West”. The intergenerational nature of popular education has received little attention, yet it is truly relevant, especially today. Indeed, the current political and economic context is witnessing the spread of new political movements in the Global ‘North’, and even more so in regions like ‘Southern’ Europe, in which young and older educators develop intercultural relationships with children and adolescents from ethnic minorities, often from working-class backgrounds. The relationship between educators and students can challenge common sense steeped the Neoliberal Ideology, as evidenced by the illustrative example of the popular schools in Rome.peer-reviewe
Critical infrastructure security management in the era of cyber threats
No full textPURPOSE: This article analyses contemporary cyber threats against critical infrastructure and
identifies effective strategies for managing its security under conditions of increasing
digitisation. The study focuses on assessing the impact of attacks on the energy,
transportation, water supply, and healthcare sectors and identifying institutional and
legislative measures to strengthen the resilience of these systems.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The paper uses theoretical methods, including literature
analysis, cybersecurity industry reports and case studies of selected incidents that affected
critical infrastructure in 2023-2025. The first part characterises the main types of cyber
attacks (ransomware, DDoS, APT) and the sectors most vulnerable to disruption. This
follows an analysis of the consequences of selected attacks on state and private
infrastructure operations. The final section presents a systemic approach to security
management, including the concepts of resilience, redundancy, business continuity and
legislative solutions such as the NIS2 directive and national infrastructure protection
programs. The research problem was formulated: What cyber threats pose the most
significant challenge to critical infrastructure security, and what strategies can ensure
adequate protection? The hypothesis is that effective protection of critical infrastructure
requires integrated actions based on technology, regulation and cross-sector and
international coordination.RESULTS: The conclusions of the analysis indicate that critical infrastructure remains one of
the most common targets of cyberattacks, and their effects are often cascading and crossborder. Protecting these assets requires a systems approach that combines threat detection
technologies, business continuity planning, collaboration between operators and security
services, and regulatory alignment with the dynamically changing threat landscape.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings are essential for state security institutions, critical
service operators and policymakers. Adequate infrastructure protection requires
technological investment and awareness-building among management and operational staff, as well as regular training, resilience testing and security audits. Lessons can be used in the
design of public policies and the development of crisis management plans.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article brings value by comprehensively addressing the problem of
critical infrastructure security management in the context of growing cyber threats. It
combines technological, institutional and legal analysis to formulate practical
recommendations for national and international protection systems. It emphasises the need to
strengthen cross-border cooperation and harmonise protection standards within structures
such as the European Union and NATO.peer-reviewe
Psychiatric NHS in Gozo during COVID-19
No full textBACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the daily lives of the population, resulting in psychological burden and difficulties in coping; having direct effects on mental wellbeing and, by extension, mental health services. This study investigates the impact COVID-19 had on psychiatric national health services in Gozo.METHODS: Data of psychiatric services utilisation during the study period was gathered from Gozo General Hospital records and cross-referenced with e-medical records. Data was stratified and statistically analysed comparing pre- and post-COVID groups.RESULTS: 3,462 participants were recruited. Despite a 34% decrease in total inpatient cases (n=199 to n=98), an overall increase in new cases (p=0.008) was reported. Voluntary admissions decreased (p=0.001) against a numerically stable involuntary cohort. 2912 patients utilised out-patient services. New cases dropped by 35.9% while follow-up cases increased (p=<0.001) from 41.7% to 77.6%. Multiple follow-up appointments increased from 85.27% to 93.33%. There was an increase (p=<0.001) in both new (21.3% to 39.8%) and follow-up (17.5% to 38.7%) cases in liaison psychiatry despite a 26.4% drop in the total caseload.CONCLUSION: This study highlights the impact COVID-19 had on psychiatric services in Gozo; accentuating challenges imposed by the pandemic, increased mental health needs and how service and policy implementation affected workload. Studies analysing the long-term effects of the pandemic and the ongoing changes in the mental health needs are necessary.peer-reviewe
An audit on thyroid scintigraphy scan requests in benign thyroid disease
No full textBACKGROUND: Thyroid scintigraphy has a useful role in the assessment of the thyrotoxic patient, particularly when thyrotoxicosis coexists with thyroid nodularity and when TSH- receptor antibody (TRAB) is negative. The aim of this audit was to assess the indication for thyroid scintigraphy in the assessment of patients locally, with reference to the European Thyroid Association (ETA) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.METHODS: All scintigraphy scans carried out in adult patients with benign thyroid disease at Mater Dei Hospital in Malta, between January 2019 to December 2021, were analysed. The indications for the investigation and the imaging results were assessed using the hospital’s electronic records, as were the thyroid function tests, TRAB levels, and thyroid ultrasound scans if available.RESULTS: In 55.95% of thyrotoxic subjects, there was no valid indication for thyroid scintigraphy, according to the ETA and NICE guidelines. 37.96% of these patients inappropriately referred for scintigraphy did not have a TRAB level checked prior to the scan date whilst 20.37% had a positive TRAB and no known thyroid nodules. 10.18% of scans were inappropriately ordered in euthyroid patients with thyroid nodules or euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia.CONCLUSION: TRAB levels should be checked in new-onset thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid scintigraphy is useful in the differential diagnosis of the thyrotoxic patient when there are co-existing thyroid nodules, especially if TRAB is negative. It is not recommended in the thyrotoxic patient with a positive TRAB and no known thyroid nodules or in the assessment of euthyroid patients with thyroid nodules.peer-reviewe
AI-enabled tactical FMP hotspot prediction and resolution (astra) : a solution for traffic complexity management in en-route airspace
No full textThe air traffic growth expected for future years will likely cause an imbalance between traffic demand and available capacity. This could lead to increased airspace congestion, heightened complexity, and a higher workload for controllers attempting to manage the situation. Nowadays, available tools can identify 4D Area of Relatively High Air Traffic Control Complexity (4DARHAC) events up to 20 min before they occur. Nonetheless, state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence applications can significantly increase this prediction horizon. Powered by a combination of different Machine Learning models, the ASTRA solution aims to both detect and provide resolution strategies for 4DARHACs up to 1 h before onset. To validate ASTRA’s operational concept, a series of workshops and interviews with Flow Management Position operators were conducted, focusing on assessing the initial concept and identifying end user needs. The feedback collected was validated by a board of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and transformed into a concrete set of functional and non-functional requirements. Overall, ASTRA’s operational concept was endorsed as a promising solution for reducing airspace complexity while alleviating operator workload during the tactical phase of operations. Experts further highlighted the importance of integrating ASTRA with existing Flow Management Position software tools to maximize its operational impact and facilitate adoption.peer-reviewe
Leveraging digital technologies to enhance patient safety
No full textAims This study aims to examine how digital technologies can be safely and effectively integrated into clinical practice to
enhance patient safety, with a particular focus on emergency department triage.
Background Patient safety remains a persistent challenge in high-pressure environments such as emergency care. The complexity of clinical workflows, cognitive demands on healthcare professionals, and system-level constraints often contribute
to patient safety risks. While digital tools such as Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) offer promise, their impact
depends on how well they align with real-world decision-making processes.
Methods A Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) was conducted with triage nurses in the emergency department (ED) of Malta’s
main acute hospital. The study involved semi-structured interviews and direct observations to elicit the cognitive challenges,
decision strategies, and contextual constraints experienced during triage. Findings were synthesised into a Cognitive Demands
Table to identify sources of risk and variation in decision-making.
Results The CTA revealed key challenges affecting patient safety at triage, including cognitive overload, incomplete information, reliance on intuition, protocol deviations, communication gaps, and fatigue. These findings informed the development
of a conceptual framework comprising six pillars essential for safe digital integration: governance and policy alignment,
human-centred design, clinical validation, digital literacy, interoperability, and continuous monitoring.
Conclusion Digital technologies have the potential to significantly improve patient safety, but their effectiveness depends on
thoughtful integration into clinical environments. This study highlights the importance of designing digital systems that are
context-aware, ethically governed, and co-developed with end users. The proposed framework offers practical guidance for
healthcare leaders, developers, and policymakers seeking to embed safety into the digital transformation of care.peer-reviewe
Evidence-Based Approaches to Integrated Care
Get PDFFalls are a major concern for older persons living in residential care home settings, often leading to significant injuries, and affecting their quality of life. Falls management is part of the governance framework at all levels of care in a healthcare system: macro, meso and micro levels. Residential care homes should implement a holistic and comprehensive falls management system to reduce the rate of falls and prevent fall-related injuries. This study aimed to develop a falls management framework for older persons living in the Maltese residential care home setting, which is currently lacking. A critically appraised topic (CAT) of the literature was conducted to build a conceptual falls management framework. The conceptual framework was evaluated by comparison with different international falls management frameworks. Evidence from stakeholders at different levels (regulators, care home managers, healthcare professionals and residents) was collected. Participants prioritised the elements, categories and components represented in the conceptual model. The participants older persons had a different perspective compared to the other stakeholders, when prioritising the elements. The results were used to develop an evidence-based falls management framework for Malta.peer-reviewe
Analyzing labor market dynamics in industry 4.0 : an economic and sociological bibliometric study
Get PDFPURPOSE: The article examines the vast literature on the labour market in the context of
Industry 4.0, as well as highlights main contemporary research streams on this issue. This
encompasses an examination of the impact of Industry 4.0 on labour markets, including the
key technological elements of Industry 4.0 integrated with the labour landscape, as well as
identifying opportunities and challenges.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The article presents findings from a comprehensive
bibliometric analysis which allowed to gather a sample of 3,815 publications until July 2023.FINDINGS: The results show a growing research interest in studies on the labour market and
Industry 4.0. Findings reveal the following challenges job preservation; the necessity of
retraining employees; occupational safety integration; skill polarization and the increased
demand for highly skilled employees.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: In contrast, benefits include supporting workers in a production
environment; enhancing the effectiveness of the training system; supporting occupational
health, safety, productivity and improving ergonomics in the workplace.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The originality of this study lies in a comprehensive examination of the
relationship between the labour market and Industry 4.0. What is more, our research is not
limited to one discipline as was the case with other studies.Supported by funds granted by the Minister of Science of the Republic of
Poland under the „Regional Initiative for Excellence” Programme for the implementation of
the project “The Poznań University of Economics and Business for Economy 5.0: Regional
Initiative – Global Effects (RIGE)”.peer-reviewe
Marginal voices : sub-state units and symbolic exclusion in the Eurovision song contest
Get PDFThe Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is celebrated for showcasing songs that represent nations and fostering a sense of transnational unity. The contest is centred on European entrants, but has expanded to include several other nation-states as determined by the rules of the organising body. However, the non-participation of Europe's various subnational jurisdictions, or ‘sub-state units’ (SSUs), including (semi-)autonomous territories/regions and microstates, raises questions about cultural sovereignty, hegemony and symbolic exclusion. This article explores the dynamics of exclusion within the ESC, focusing on the mechanisms that preclude SSUs from participating. Through a study of the ESC’s regulatory practices, the UK and other British jurisdictions, the article argues that exclusion is not merely a matter of logistical constraints, but a reflection of deeper geopolitical realities. The findings underscore the need for a more inclusive approach in international arenas, one that recognises and values the voices of all European entities, regardless of size or political status.peer-reviewe
Why small states offer answers to important questions in international relations : rethinking power and agency
Get PDFThis essay illustrates the importance of small state studies for answering important
questions in international relations, such as ‘what is power?’ and ‘what is agency?’.
Understanding small state agency as graded and contingent, it argues that a relational
perspective on power and agency grounded in the study of small states is key for creating a
more pluralist and nuanced understanding of both the challenges and opportunities of
individual states and the fabric of international relations. A relational perspective allows us to
analyse concrete challenges and opportunities for small states navigating asymmetrical
relationships with stronger actors inside and outside international institutions, and to explore
the nature, dynamics, and impact of relations in international relations more generally.peer-reviewe