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Checklist and synonymy of Cnidaria and Ctenophora recorded from Maltese waters
Get PDFThis paper presents an updated checklist of Cnidaria and Ctenophora species documented in Maltese
waters, which consists of approximately 160 species. Five species of Ctenophora account for around
15% of the total Mediterranean diversity, while the figure for Cnidaria represents approximately 20%
of the Mediterranean total. These are significant figures when considering the historical lack of
dedicated research and the inherent challenges in species-level identification within these
morphologically diverse groups. This provisional checklist functions as a foundation for future
investigations aimed at expanding knowledge about the fauna of the sea surrounding the Maltese
Islands.peer-reviewe
CHeriSH coastal heritage and safeguards against hazards
Get PDFCHeriSH develops a strategy for risk assessment of coastal cultural heritage towards climate hazards and impacts through structural vulnerability and cultural significance analysis. The strategy assesses exposed coastal landscapes and hazards, the impacts on heritage assets and the vulnerabilities within a multi-risk environment. The proposed strategy is divided into three stages: i) a qualitative analysis of cultural significance and mapping of hazard impacts and vulnerabilities, ii) quantification and rating of cultural significance and vulnerabilities, together with a multi-hazard comparative risk analysis and iii) a heritage ‘risk to value’ assessment where risk and cultural significance are superimposed. The objective of CHeriSH is to support policymakers in their assessment and management of the vulnerabilities, risks, and cultural significance of exposed coastal heritage assets. The results are compiled in a Certificate of Vulnerability, summarising the hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposures with numerical values and colour codes. It will include the Heritage ‘Risk to Value’ Map, cross-referencing cultural significance with risk factors and providing recommendations for targeted preservation strategies, preventive conservation, and monitoring. The results will support policymakers in resource allocation, assessing and managing the vulnerabilities, and informing targeted preservation and adaptation strategies. The framework is being co-designed with key entities and policy-makers to ensure that it will serve their needs and challenges. As part of Climate-MATCH (TSI-2023-COMMONCOAST 101145916), funded by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Structural Reform Support following a request from the Public Works Department of the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, and the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Change.peer-reviewe
Naphthalimide–organometallic hybrids as multi-targeted anticancer and luminescent cellular imaging agents
Get PDF1,8-Naphthalimides with an organometallic moiety with anticancer and luminescence or photoactive
properties are reviewed. Primarily highlighted are 1,8-naphthalimide complexes with iron, platinum, and
ruthenium, while honourable mentions are given to iridium, rhenium and rhodium complexes. The
cytotoxicity, mechanism of action and cell selectivity of the compounds are discussed alongside their
photophysical properties for monitoring interactions with biomolecules, most notably DNA, by
absorption, fluorescence and dichroism spectroscopy. The luminescence properties provide additional
insight regarding the cellular uptake and location of the intelligent agents within both cancer and healthy
cells. The versatility of this emerging hybrid class of molecules earmarks them as multi-functional
therapeutic and cellular imaging agents. The review concludes with suggestions for designing more
effective multi-targeting cytotoxic agents with improved biocompatibility and imaging in hopes of
enhancing their clinical potential.peer-reviewe
The effect of external beam radiotherapy on the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients in Malta
No full textGlobally, patients undergoing head and neck (HN)
external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) experience
debilitating side effects, which often result in a diminished
quality of life (QoL). This study was conducted in Malta,
and it aimed to highlight which QoL domains are mostly
affected by EBRT to the HN, and whether or not the
extent of the QoL decline is affected by demographic
factors. A quantitative, non-experimental, analytic,
longitudinal and prospective design was conducted
with 17 participants undergoing HN EBRT. Participants
completed the European Organisation for Research and
Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and EORTC
QLQ HN43 questionnaires during the first and last weeks of treatment. Additionally, demographic data were
collected through a set of 12 questions in the first phase
of the study. Out of the 17 patients that were approached,
only 11 completed the questionnaires. Seven participants
reported a decrease in overall QoL, especially in the
emotional domain. Treatment types and combinations
had a significant impact on QoL, with those receiving
combined therapies showing the most significant
changes. However, 3 participants reported no decline
in QoL, particularly those who had localized treatment
without lymph node (LN) involvement. Gender and age
did not seem to affect QoL among the participants. This
study indicates that patients with HN cancer experience a
deterioration in their overall QoL from the beginning to
the end of EBRT. The extent of this decline is influenced
by clinical variables, such as treatment site and type of
treatment prescribed. Holistic support needs to be given
to HN cancer patients undergoing EBRT, so as to target all
the QoL domains that are affected by HN EBRT.peer-reviewe
Diverse level generation via machine learning of quality diversity
Get PDFCan we replicate the power of evolutionary algorithms in discovering good and diverse game content via generative machine learning (ML) techniques? This question could subvert current trends in procedural content generation (PCG) and beyond. By learning the behavior of quality-diversity (QD) evolutionary algorithms through ML, we stand to overcome the computational challenges inherent in QD search and ensure that the benefits of QD search are reproduced by efficient generative models. We introduce a novel, end-to-end methodology named Machine Learning of Quality Diversity (MLQD) which is executed in two steps. First, tailored QD evolution creates large and diverse training datasets from the ground up. Second, sophisticated ML architectures such as the Transformer learn the datasets’ underlying distributions, resulting in generative models that can emulate QD search via stochastic inference. We test MLQD on the use-case of generating strategy game map sketches, a task characterized by stringent constraints and a multidimensional feature space. Our findings are promising, demonstrating that the Transformer architecture can capture both the diversity and the quality traits of the training sets, successfully reproducing the behavior of a range of tested QD algorithms. This marks a significant advancement in our quest to automate the creation of high-quality, diverse game content, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in PCG and generative AI at large.peer-reviewe
Book reviews [International Journal of Emotional Education, 17(1)]
No full textIn this issue we take two different perspectives on the recently published monograph by Paul Downes, Towards a concentric spatial psychology for social and emotional education: Beyond the interlocking spatial pillars of modernism. Because the book offers a complex new way of looking at concentric spatial psychology and how this model might apply to contexts of social and emotional education, we invited two reviewers, Dr Daniel Stolfi, an anthropologist and psychotherapist, and Prof Paul Bartolo, a psychologist and educator with a special interest in social and emotional education, to give their different perspectives on the book. The outcome is two fascinating interpretations of the model, illustrated in unique ways that spark the reader’s interest. We end with a review by Prof. Gillean McLuskey of the recent book by Joan Mowat, entitled Building community to create equitable, inclusive and compassionate schools through relational approaches. This is a topic dear to the hearts of most readers of IJEE. The book integrates practical strategies with policy-making and theoretical insights. As you will see, true acceptance of diversity as well as commitment to equity and inclusiveness permeate the three reviews.peer-reviewe
Creative freedom versus conventional norms in SDH : the case of Stranger Things
Get PDFThis study focuses on creative practices in media accessibility. It examines
the differences between the conventional approach to subtitling for the D/deaf and
hard-of-hearing (SDH) and an emergent creative approach experimented with by
Netflix, with a special focus on the descriptive quality of SDH tags. It explores the
extent to which SDH subtitlers steer away from standard norms and practices when
granted creative freedom by the client and the extent to which their authorial input is
visible. A secondary aim is to observe whether there is also an element of authorial
intent suggesting the possibility of some kind of agenda. To this end, this study
engages in an in-depth comparative analysis of two episodes of the Netflix TV series
Stranger Things, one belonging to the first season, following the conventional
approach, and the other to the fourth season, in which subtitlers were given free rein.
The SDH tags in each episode were singled out, quantified, and categorized according
to Chaume’s (2004) taxonomy of filmic signifying codes (linguistic, paralinguistic,
musical, special effects, sound arrangement, photography, mobility, planning). The
analysis also reveals which categories are impacted the most by the creative input.
The main findings reveal how subtitlers adopting this freer approach tend to stress the
communicative meaning of the SDH tags, enhancing the hearing-impaired users’
experience. To achieve this, they use a vaster number and variety of adjectives
(compared to conventional practices) while trying to create terms that resonate on a
sensory level with the specific genre and plot.peer-reviewe
The FIAU judgments ; a critical legal analysis
Get PDFIn this article Prof. Tonio Borg examines the Constitutional Court’s
judgments of 18 November 2024 in the XNT and Phoenix cases, which
reversed earlier rulings declaring FIAU’s fining powers
unconstitutional and introduced a controversial shift in
jurisprudence by validating administrative sanctions imposed by
non-judicial bodies, so long as an appeal to a court exists. This
interpretation departs from prior case law affirming that criminal
matters must be adjudicated by a court of law from the outset, as
required by article 39 of the Constitution, and risks undermining
constitutional guarantees of fair hearing and judicial independence.peer-reviewe
ESG reporting in the logistics chain
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of the article is to analyse and assess the problems associated with the
implementation of ESG reporting requirements by state institutions and companies.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research methodology was based on a critical analysis
of the literature and a comparative analysis over time and space of various ESG reports
published by companies. Moreover, the research methodology was based on a mixed
approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, including the analysis of ESG
reports and interviews.FINDINGS: The results indicate that the new requirements and obligations imposed on
enterprises under ESG reporting require the development of methods for measuring
environmental impact factors and their implementation, which include the development of
technical and organisational guidelines for measurement methods and methods for reporting
the results. From a systemic point of view, the reporting obligation should take into account
the bi-directional data flows embedded in the cost centres of the logistics chain. The
undefined legal reporting standards and methods for measuring environmental impact
factors leave room for interpretation and the measurement may be subject to errors, which
may result in the liability of reporters in the future.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article identifies the essential elements of assessment that
should be included in an ESG report. It first identifies: the subject of the environmental,
social and corporate governance assessment, their scope and the form of the study and
assessment of the company under review. An important element of the article is also a
proposal for the examination of the criteria necessary for the correct preparation of the ESG
report.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study findings emphasize the need for further research into the
problems of ESG reporting, and preparing methods and principals which will enable reports
to be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the CSRD directive.peer-reviewe
A performance comparison between different PWM techniques for the hybrid inverter drive
Get PDFVariable Speed Drives (VSDs) allow energy
savings for loads where operation below the grid
frequency may be required. However, when
operating the motor load at the grid frequency,
they introduce, compared to grid-connected
operation, energy losses and Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI). The Hybrid Inverter Drive
(HID) offers maximum efficiency at either mode
of operation. With the HID the motor load is
operated in inverter-driven mode for motor
frequencies below grid frequency and operated in
direct grid-connected mode for operation at grid
frequency. This eliminates inverter losses and
EMI at the grid frequency. In previous work [5],
the HID and its semi-closed transitions were
introduced. A performance comparison of the
HID operation using pure Sinusoidal PWM
(SPWM), Space Vector PWM (SVPWM) and the
injection of the DC-link mid-point voltage into
the SPWM reference signals during semi-closed
transitions is presented in this paper. The HID is
modelled in MATLAB Simulink.peer-reviewe