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The impact of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in healthcare : a narrative review
Get PDFClustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) are deoxyribonucleic acid segments that can be used in gene editing to provide a defence mechanism against viral DNA in prokaryotes. Compared to other genome editing techniques, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is simpler, more accessible, and highly efficient for precise DNA modifications. This review examines CRISPR’s applications, particularly its potential in treating hereditary and chronic diseases. CRISPR technology offers advancement in treating diseases such as sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, haemophilia, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. CRISPR enhances detection methods for infectious diseases like tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B. By integrating CRISPR technology into healthcare, significant advancements can be made in the treatment and prevention of genetic diseasespeer-reviewe
Psychometric properties of the ethical safety questionnaire in acute healthcare environments - a cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Ethical safety supports the development of ethical competencies and sound decision-making,
central to good healthcare practice. The Ethical Safety Questionnaire (ESQ) evaluates ethical safety in healthcare
environments, based on three subscales; Ethical Autonomy, Ethical Respect, and Ethical Trust. The objective of this study
was to determine the psychometric properties of the ESQ in acute healthcare environments.Methods: The domain development of the ESQ was carried out in Finland in 2019. The ESQ was translated into
English, Latvian and Swedish. To determine the validity of the ESQ, a cross-sectional design was used. Data was
collected from nurses and physiotherapists (n = 275) in Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Malta, using purposive sampling.
The validation (in all languages) consisted of an exploratory factor analysis, Rasch analysis and network analysis. This
assessed the ESQ for internal consistency and construct validity. Ethical approval was granted from all participating
countries in accordance with national law and the Declaration of Helsinki.Results: The internal consistency for the three subscales of the ESQ, Ethical Autonomy, Ethical Respect, and Ethical Trust,
was satisfactory, with Cronbach’s α coefficients (> 0.7) and McDonald’s omega coefficients (> 0.7). All corrected itemtotal
correlations among the items of the ESQ were high, exceeding 0.6. Thus, the ESQ exhibits acceptable levels of
internal consistency and construct validity.Conclusions: The results suggest that the ESQ is a reliable tool for evaluating ethical safety in healthcare
environments. However, the two general items in the ESQ can be omitted without loss of scale validity.peer-reviewe
Turnover intentions in manufacturing enterprises : a mixed methods study
Get PDFPURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the work
atmosphere and the reasons for leaving among production workers. Additionally, the study
aimed to investigate whether there was a correlation between gender and hygiene factors
and the reasons for leaving.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This is an exploratory, bespoke study. Data triangulation
was used and a case study supported by a quantitative study was conducted. In the
qualitative study, a manager was interviewed on the basis of a questionnaire. In the
quantitative study, the motives of the employees deciding to leave their jobs were
investigated, N=89. Pearson's χ2
test was used to examine the relationship. Cramer's V effect
size measure was used to determine the strength of the association between qualitative
variables.FINDINGS: Qualitative research has found that difficult working conditions and a reluctance
to induct new employees translates into a negative working atmosphere. Reducing staff
turnover should receive more attention from decision-makers at the highest levels, and the
transfer of more motivational tools to lower management levels seems to be becoming not
only a good solution, but a necessity. The quantitative study showed that work atmosphere
was important in relation to the reasons for leaving a job, especially when it came to leaving
a job due to stress, unequal treatment of employees and poor team relations. Men were more
likely to leave their jobs due to a feeling of being undervalued or due to a lack of
development and promotion opportunities than women.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Staff turnover is a natural phenomenon in companies, but it
generates costs for training new staff and affects productivity and the working environment.
Possible causes of staff turnover should be identified in order to avoid and reduce their
impact on operations. The authors provided the author's definition of organisational climate
and organisational atmosphere. There are few studies that deal directly with departures
juxtaposed with the prevailing atmosphere. The results of this study can set a path for
managers to retain employees.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study provides a novel perspective by directly linking the work
atmosphere to employee turnover in the manufacturing sector, a relationship that is often
overlooked in existing literature. By combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, the
research offers a multidimensional view of how specific aspects of the organizational climate influence employees' decisions to leave. The inclusion of gender as a variable in the analysis
of hygiene factors and motivational elements adds depth to the findings and highlights
differences in departure motivations. The study also addresses challenges related to the
presence of Ukrainian citizens in the Polish labor market, offering insights into integration
issues and their impact on organizational climate.The publication was co-financed from the subsidy granted to the Krakow university
of Economics (060/ZZP/2024/POT).peer-reviewe
A data driven approach to understand patterns of children as victims of road injury crashes, case study : Malta
No full textIn 2020, the European Union (EU) reported 336 child fatalities, 46% were car
occupants, 13% were cyclists and 32% were pedestrians (European Commision Directorate General
for Transport, 2022). Children are disproportionately affected by road crashes due to their physical
and cognitive constraints (Savelsbergh et al., 2013). The predominant pattern of road fatalities
among children across the EU peaks between 12pm and 8pm (European Commision Directorate
General for Transport, 2022).peer-reviewe
Conference Proceedings of DiGRA 2025: Games at the Crossroads
No full textDespite the growing number of female gamers, their participation in game jams remains disproportionately low. This research seeks to understand and address some of the underlying barriers that prevent women from fully engaging in these events, often dominated by male participants and shaped by a masculine culture. Building on a 2019 study conducted in Brazil, this research replicates parts of the survey at the 2023 University of Malta Game Jam while incorporating qualitative questions, to further explore participants' motivations, experiences, and perceptions of game jams. The study found that 62% of participants were attending their first Game Jam and the primary motivators for both genders were learning (85%) and taking on a personal challenge (82%). A clear gender disparity was noted in role distribution during game development, with female participants primarily assuming creative, design-focused positions and male participants predominantly leading in the technical programming roles. 55% of the participants, the majority of whom were women, had witnessed or heard of situations where women felt uncomfortable during the event, with many citing hostile environments and technical insecurities as significant deterrents. On the positive side, 85% of all participants perceived the event as a valuable learning experience and 65% enjoyed the competition. However, only 30% of women saw it as a place to foster friendships, compared to 76% of men. Female and Male respondents had similar and diverging suggestions on how to make game jams more inclusive. These results highlight the need for targeted initiatives to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment within game jams. However, this may be challenging due to the differing experiences of women and men.peer-reviewe
European Social Policy Analysis Network
Get PDFIn Malta the 2023 European Union Labour Force Survey data suggested that there were around 4,500 domestic workers (i.e. 1.5% of all workers). They were predominantly women, and they were primarily third-country nationals. Administrative data understate the number of domestic workers. A growing demand for domestic services is driven by a steady rise in female employment and the existence of state subsidies for care. While there is no precise definition of domestic work, two subsidiary laws define six different groups of domestic workers and their working conditions. These laws only cover domestic workers in two-party arrangements (i.e. directly employed by households). Domestic workers in three-party arrangements are covered by general labour legislation. Domestic workers in two-party arrangements enjoy conditions that are not inferior to general labour law, except that if domestic workers lose their employers’ confidence, they may be summarily dismissed without a notice period or compensation. Malta has ratified International Labour Organization Convention 189, which calls on countries to provide fair recruitment and working conditions to domestic workers. Care and cleaning work are believed to be the most widespread domestic services. In two-party agreements, cleaning work is often undeclared, while a generous state subsidy helps to ensure that care work is declared. Three-party agreements have become common, often subsidised by the state for eligible beneficiaries. Employment agencies play an important role in domestic work, particularly in procuring, or temping out, migrant domestic workers; the law regulating these agencies has been overhauled. Some domestic workers in three-party arrangements in larger organisations benefit from collective agreements, but this is far less likely in smaller organisations or two-party arrangements. Domestic workers in declared employment are as entitled as other workers to social security benefits, subject to meeting general contributory requirements. The same is true for self-employed domestic workers. However, the sizeable number of undeclared domestic workers fall outside social and labour protection. This applies mainly to domestic cleaners, for whom the costs and administrative burden of self-employment are seen to outweigh its benefits; and to their employers, for whom the various obligations to register and employ a part-time domestic worker are too complex. In respect of labour law, the difficulty in conducting inspections in private households makes detection of abuse, and compilation of evidence, quite difficult. Undeclared work in Malta is estimated to be high in general, but no specific data exist for domestic services. The Special Eurobarometer 498 illustrated that far more care and cleaning services were purchased than were registered in declared employment. Investigative capacities and penalties are low. Reforms to working conditions regulations should help to make declared work more beneficial, as do carers’ subsidies, in-work benefits and the tapering of benefits (for those taking up work on at least the minimum wage). Other measures include reforms allowing the payment of social security contributions on various part-time jobs, and the reduction of income tax on part-time work. The improved regulation of employment agencies should also help domestic workers. Public debate on the poor working conditions of migrants has intensified, although rarely related to domestic work. The prospective introduction of a skills card for migrant carers is controversial in terms of its fairness and effectiveness. The situation of domestic workers in Malta could be further improved by: regulatory amendments that provide for the specific risks faced by domestic workers; simplified administrative requirements that help undeclared domestic workers and their employers to move into social and labour protection; improved enforcement capacity and penalties; training; and a code of practice that clarifies the rights and responsibilities of all parties in domestic work. A joined-up approach is needed in respect of the protection of foreign domestic workers.peer-reviewe
Identification of CSR predictors in the context of EU countries competitiveness : empirical analysis
Get PDFPURPOSE: This paper attempts to empirically identify predictors of corporate social
responsibility (CSR) and assess their importance for the competitiveness of EU countries.
The study aims to determine factors that facilitate the implementation of CSR practices and
to examine the spatial variation in the level of CSR across EU countries in the context of
regional competitiveness.METHODOLOGY: This article analyzes the spatial variation in the level of advancement of CSR
activities across EU countries. Six predictors related to CSR were first selected, followed by
calculations using basic descriptive statistics. The source data was obtained from the
Eurostat database. The Hellwig method was then used as a tool for the synthetic assessment
of multidimensional phenomena. In the analysis, using this method, a synthetic measure was
calculated for individual EU countries based on selected diagnostic variables related to CSR
aspects. This allowed for comparison and grouping of EU countries – identifying leaders and
countries with lower levels of advancement in CSR activities.RESULTS: Analysis of synthetic metrics allowed for the assessment and comparison of
corporate social responsibility levels across EU countries. The results revealed significant
variation across countries, with a clear predominance of Western European countries, such
as Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which achieved higher CSR indicators. However,
Central and Eastern European countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia, ranked
last, achieving very low levels of CSR.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research provided a synthetic understanding of the complex
aspects of CSR and identified EU countries requiring particular strengthening and
intensification of sustainable development efforts, with particular emphasis on the need to
implement CSR policies and practices.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article contributes to the literature by empirically determining the
quantification of predictors enables a quantitative assessment of the CSR levels in EU
countries and provides a starting point for further in-depth research.peer-reviewe
EEG responses to upper limb pinprick stimulation in acute and early subacute 2 motor and sensorimotor stroke : a proof of concept
Get PDFElectroencephalogram (EEG) during pinprick stimulation has the potential to unveil neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor impairments post-stroke. A proof-of-concept study explored event-related peak pinprick amplitude and oscillatory responses in healthy controls and in people with acute and subuacute motor and sensorimotor stroke, their relationship, and to what extent EEG somatosensory responses can predict sensorimotor impairment. In this study, 26 individuals participated, 10 people with an acute and early subacute sensorimotor stroke, 6 people with an acute and early subacute motor stroke, and 10 age-matched controls. Pinpricks were applied to the dorsa of the impaired hand to collect somatosensory evoked potentials. Time(-frequency) analyses of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) data at electrodes C3 and C4 explored peak pinprick amplitude and oscillatory responses across the three groups. Also, in stroke, (sensori-)motor impairments were assessed with the Fugl Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA) and Erasmus modified Nottingham Sensory Assessment (EmNSA) at baseline and 7 to 14 days later. Mixed model analyses were used to address objectives. It was demonstrated that increased beta desynchronization magnitude correlated with milder motor impairments (R2 adjusted=0.213), whereas increased beta resynchronization and delta power were associated to milder somatosensory impairment (R2 adjusted=0.550). At the second session, larger peak-to-peak SEP amplitude and beta band resynchronization at baseline were related to greater improvements in EMNSA and FMA scores, respectively, in the sensorimotor stroke group. These findings highlight the potential of EEG combined with somatosensory stimuli to differentiate between sensorimotor and motor impairments in stroke, offering preliminary insights into both diagnostic and prognostic aspects of upper limb recovery.peer-reviewe
What we owe the dead : designing fiction as philosophical output
Get PDFThis article reflects on the cultural and heuristic implications of formulating and communicating philosophical thinking through alternative forms of writing that depart from the academic writing canon. He does so by presenting his two theory-fiction books, The Clouds (Routledge, 2023) and What We Owe the Dead (Set Margins’, 2025), which creatively engage with hybrid forms of textuality. These two experimental pieces play with different forms of philosophical texts, inviting readers to share in and co-participate in the critical speculation designed by the author.peer-reviewe
Judicial protection in immigration detention : challenges and solutions in the Mediterranean region of the European Union
Get PDFThe European Court of Human Rights' judgement in J.B. v. Malta (no. 1766/23, 22 October 2024) highlights significant shortcomings in the review of immigration detention under Article 5 § 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case exposed the systemic deficiencies of Malta’s Immigration Appeals Board, including its lack of independence, procedural inefficiencies, and limited scope of review. These failings are emblematic of broader rule of law deficiencies, illustrating how systemic issues in governance and judicial structures deeply undermine the effectiveness of immigration detention oversight mechanisms. This issue is particularly pressing in the context of the growing normalisation of immigration detention, which is likely to be exacerbated by the EU Pact on Migration. This trend highlights the urgent need for robust oversight mechanisms, particularly in Mediterranean States located at the external borders of the EU, which are likely to increase their use of detention. Building on the analysis from the J.B. judgment, this Article seeks to assess the effectiveness of judicial protection mechanisms across Mediterranean states under both the ECHR and relevant EU law. By analysing structures, practices, and relevant jurisprudence, the Article seeks to identify models that best ensure the independence and efficiency necessary for meaningful and timely reviews of immigration detention, from the perspective of the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration.peer-reviewe