24762 research outputs found
Sort by
Genomic locus tagged by lung function GWAS SNV rs12477314 (2q37. 3) acts as a regulatory region for a systemic inflammatory phenotype
Get PDFSNV rs12477314 (C>T; 1000G MAF = 0.14), which maps to an intergenic region on 2q37.3, is a genome-wide
significant association
signal for pulmonary function in genome-wide
association study meta-analyses.
Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the
intergenic region in proximity to the sentinel SNV is enriched for histone methylation markers suggestive of active enhancer
regions modifiable by DNA methylation. The aim of this study was to investigate the functionality of putative enhancer/s and
their potential interaction with CpG islands in the genomic region tagged by rs12477314 and their relevance to lung disease, in
particular COPD. Two independent CRISPR/Cas9n-targeted
deletions of the putative enhancer/s were performed in an airway
epithelial cell line (NCI-H460).
Deletion clones were subjected to RNA-Seq,
and differential expression gene (DEG) datasets
were generated using the Cufflinks version 2.2.1 pipeline (p-FDR
< 0.05). Biological pathway analysis was performed using
Qiagen's Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Associations with the blood proteome were explored in UK Biobank. Our results suggest
that the deleted regions are co-acting
enhancers regulating overlapping gene expression patterns. The DEG datasets from the
two genomic deletions are enriched for similar canonical pathways, which may contribute to a pro-inflammatory
phenotype.
Pathway-based
regulatory effects analysis of the two DEG datasets resulted in identifying potential downstream biological processes.
There was overlap between the pathways identified in protein association datasets and the DEG datasets. Our results
suggest that the genomic region tagged by SNV rs12477314 constitutes a regulatory region responsible for regulating biological
pathways conducive to a systemic inflammatory phenotype.peer-reviewe
Quality assurance in public policy decision-making
Get PDFThis article explores the strategic role of Quality Assurance (QA) in enhancing public policy decision-making, with a focus
on Malta’s prevalent public service reform. By defining quality through measurable benchmarks and embedding Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs) into governance frameworks, QA has transformed service delivery into a more
transparent, accountable, and citizen-oriented process. The article highlights the complementary roles of internal and
independent external audits, and stakeholder involvement as essential QA mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on the role of
independent External Quality Assurance (EQA) in reinforcing objectivity, accountability, and good governance. The paper
underscores the significance of stakeholder participation, feedback loops, and systematic follow-up mechanisms in
reinforcing quality outcomes. A key highlight is the shift towards data-driven QA, using artificial intelligence and business
intelligence tools to inform decision-making. By embedding QA, Malta exemplifies how strategic QA fosters effective
governance, enhances service delivery, builds public trust, and ultimately better serves citizens’ needs.peer-reviewe
Timeliness of the financial reporting among Maltese licensed voluntary organisations
Get PDFThe voluntary sector in Malta plays a vital role in supporting communities and delivering essential services. However, delays in financial reporting by voluntary organisations can weaken governance, reduce the usefulness of information, and erode stakeholder trust. This study investigates the financial reporting lag (FRL) among Category 2 and 3 voluntary organisations in Malta from 2018 to 2020 (n = 103), aiming to (i) measure the extent of the lag and (ii) identify the key factors influencing it. A quantitative, hypothesis-driven research design was adopted, employing non-parametric statistical tests and a neural network model to detect both linear and non-linear relationships, marking the first application of neural networks to this topic. Findings reveal that Category 2 organisations consistently exceeded the allowable FRL during the study period, with compliance improving only in 2020 due to extended filing deadlines. Category 3 organisations generally demonstrated better timeliness, except in 2019, when COVID-19 disruptions led to significant delays. Compared with Belgium and the UK, where late filings range between 5% and 24%, Malta’s compliance levels were notably lower, reflecting structural and regulatory challenges. The analysis identified “Year” as the most influential variable, capturing pandemic-related effects, policy changes, and learning curve dynamics. Profitability and equity were also strong predictors, while reliance on donations or grants and liquidity had a moderate impact on the results. The organisation’s category and gearing exerted minimal influence on the model’s predictions. The study provides evidence-based insights to guide regulatory and policy reforms in Malta’s voluntary sector, particularly in light of the recent INPAS, the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard, and ongoing reforms. By integrating neural networks into the analysis of financial reporting timeliness, the research enhances our understanding of the complex factors that shape reporting behaviour. It contributes to strengthening transparency and accountability in Malta’s voluntary sector.peer-reviewe
Essays beyond borders : writing with place
Get PDFThe essays in this collection all begin from a conscious effort to think from, with, and
in a place. They seek to stay, to linger, to absorb, and to be present. They attend to
physical spaces, the sensations they provoke, and the memories they evoke. In so
doing, they inevitably move, digress, and depart as, in their essayistic spirit, they
engage in reflection, contemplation, and a continuous attempt to make sense of
experience.
The places and spaces inhabited by these essays give witness to a range of human
experiences. Some of them are recognisable in their local colours and flavours. The
Maltese stone, with its golden hues and crumbly impermanence recurs, as does the
sun with its never ending and sometimes oppressive brilliance. The essays take us to
places marked by the stamp and weight of history, but they also make us feel the grief
for that which has been or will be lost.
Dust drifts across the digital pages of this collection. It rises from the ruins of the
metaphorical assaults of time but also from the all too real threat of human greed
and destructive wars. The sense of having lost one’s home, even when one is still
living in it, is something that several essays in this collection confront.
Sometimes, even the body that carries us or the mind that we inhabit makes us
experience similar states of dispossession, and it is this distance from ourselves that
provides us with the reflective space needed for thought to appear.
Occasionally, however, the essays make us feel what it means to feel at home in our
bodies and in the spaces we inhabit, and the essayists assay to make their way
through a difficult, but also beautiful world that still demands to be tasted and tested
in its subtle complexity. These essays persevere. They hope. They search, and
sometimes, they find.peer-reviewe
Financial management challenges in enterprises employing remote and hybrid workforces
Get PDFPURPOSE: This paper explores financial management challenges in companies with remote
and hybrid workforces. It examines how flexible work models affect budgeting, reporting,
and transparency. The study aims to identify key factors that influence efficiency in
distributed environments.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A quantitative survey was conducted among managers, HR
staff, and finance professionals with experience in remote or hybrid work. The questionnaire
gathered data on digital tool usage, communication, and financial process effectiveness.
Responses were analyzed to assess the impact of work models on financial outcomes.FINDINGS: Remote and hybrid work improve budget control and financial transparency due
to digital tools like ERP systems. Forecasting and communication across departments
remain major challenges. Respondents also reported lower stress and better work–life
balance in flexible work settings.PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Organizations should strengthen digital infrastructure and use
advanced analytics for better financial forecasting. Clear communication strategies and
employee well-being support are crucial. Remote models require secure systems and
accessible documentation to ensure efficiency.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is one of the first empirical studies on financial management in
remote and hybrid settings. It offers data-driven insights into budgeting, reporting, and
employee outcomes. The findings support strategic decision-making for managers navigating
flexible work environments.peer-reviewe
Jurisdictional struggles between bishop and grand master in Malta in the first half of the seventeenth century
Get PDFThis study examines the jurisdictional disputes between the bishop of Malta and
the grand masters of the Order of St John during the first half of the seventeenth century,
specifically from 1563 to 1650, in the wake of the Council of Trent. It focuses on conflicts
concerning ecclesiastical immunities—personal, real (material), and local—as key points
of tension between spiritual and temporal authority in early modern Malta. By analysing
extensive archival correspondence preserved in the diocesan archive of Malta between the
bishop, the grand master, and the Holy See, the study reconstructs how these immunities
were invoked, negotiated, and contested. It employs a historical–legal methodology,
interpreting these documents within the wider European context of Tridentine reform
and absolutist State building. While established scholarship has highlighted broader
patterns of Church–State conflict in early modern Europe, this study contributes an original
case from the periphery of Catholic Christendom, where both bishop and grand master
were ultimately subject to the papacy. The article is structured around the three traditional
forms of ecclesiastical immunity, each examined as a distinct yet interconnected site of
struggle. It argues that, in Malta, the application of Tridentine reforms served both to
consolidate episcopal authority and to provoke resistance from secular powers, revealing
the complex, mediated nature of ecclesiastical governance. The study ultimately sheds light
on how canonical tradition, papal intervention, and local political configurations shaped
the contested boundaries of sacred and secular jurisdiction.peer-reviewe
Promoting ethical online behaviour : the perspectives of educators, experts and policymakers on cyberbullying in Maltese secondary schools
Get PDFThis research study focuses on Maltese secondary school students’ experiences with
cyberbullying through the perspectives of educators, experts and high-level policymakers.
The literature review delves into the concept of ‘onlife’, highlighting the blurred
boundaries between physical and digital spaces and the impact of technology on
empathy and relationships. It explores Suler’s theory of the online disinhibition effect,
suggesting that the lack of face-to-face interaction and the anonymity in digital spaces
can diminish empathy and facilitate aggressive behaviour, such as cyberbullying. The
research employs a qualitative case-study approach, involving in-depth interviews with
21 participants, including educators, policymakers and experts, as well as document
analysis of national policies. The findings reveal a connection between the perceived
decline in students’ empathy and a rise in cyberbullying cases. Participants emphasised
the difficulties that educators face in addressing incidents occurring beyond school
boundaries, despite their impact within schools. The findings underscore the complexities
of cyberbullying and the role of educational technologies in enabling it. They also highlight the absence of clear policies on cyberbullying and the increasingly blurred
lines between the physical school environment and digital spaces. Educators, especially
teachers and school leaders, were primarily concerned with the operational challenges,
while policymakers and experts focused more on the well-being of victims. The findings
underscore the need for schools to extend their responsibility beyond physical premises.
The study aligns with the online disinhibition effect theory, and calls for comprehensive
strategies in the curriculum and school policies to address cyberbullying effectively.peer-reviewe
Training needed for educators to work with autistic students in mainstream primary schools : the Maltese perspective
Get PDFDue to the high proportion of learners with disabilities
attending mainstream schools in Malta, Maltese educators encounter
various challenges when working with autistic students in inclusive
schools. In this article, the training needed by the senior management
team (SMT), teachers and learning support educators (LSEs) when
working with autistic students in mainstream primary schools in
Malta is discussed in light of research showing that training for
educators can ease the challenges of working with autistic students in
mainstream schools, thus making it a positive experience. Data were
collected through qualitative questionnaires and semi-structured
interviews. All primary school educators in one college were invited
to participate. A total of 172 educators accepted the invitation and
filled out a questionnaire. Nineteen of the 172 participants agreed to
participate in a semi-structured interview. The findings show that
Maltese educators lack training in working with autistic students,
resulting in a number of challenges for them. The findings include
several suggestions put forward by the participants about what
training they need.peer-reviewe
Educational neuroscience meets AI : a framework for secondary science teaching
Get PDFThis study investigates the transformative potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into secondary school science education from an educational neuroscience perspective. A literature review of studies published between 2013 and 2024 was conducted to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities. The thematic analysis of selected sources informed the development of a practical framework that highlights applications and ethical considerations for educators. Findings indicate that AI can personalise learning, promote critical thinking, and enhance teacher-student interactions. However, successful implementation requires alignment with neuroscientific principles, ethical safeguards, and comprehensive teacher training. Challenges include data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and ensuring equitable access to AI technologies. The proposed framework offers actionable strategies for effectively integrating AI into science education, emphasising teacher preparedness, ethical practices, and ongoing evaluation to optimize AI’s impact on student learning. This novel framework bridges AI technology and educational neuroscience, providing valuable insights for educators and policymakers.peer-reviewe
Confirmation of the occurrence of three fish species in Maltese waters based on specimens collected through the EC’s Data Collection Framework
Get PDFBased on the examination of recently available actual specimens, obtained through the reporting required by Member
States for the European Commission’s Data Collection Framework, three fishes whose presence in Maltese waters
was uncertain, are now confirmed as occurring: Dentex maroccanus Valenciennes, 1830, Sphyraena viridensis Cuvier,
1829, and Sphyraena sphyraena Linnaeus, 1758. Accurate species identification is essential for reliable data collection
during routine monitoring activities. It is suggested that in local fisheries records, D. maroccanus was previously
misidentified as D. macrophthalmus, while despite past reports of alien sphyraenids, current findings confirm only
native Mediterranean species of Sphyraena to be present in Maltese waters.peer-reviewe