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Application of machine learning algorithms in predicting indoor residential PM2.5 concentrations
No full textRecently Machine Learning (ML) has been amply used in environmental research for prediction purposes, but only a limited number of studies have been employed to predict indoor residential fine particulate matter, PM2.5 concentrations. PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs and has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, with long term exposure associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The use of ML can provide a better estimate of residential PM2.5 concentrations which usually is a significant contributor to personal exposure, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions who tend to spend most of their time inside their homes. This study used ML algorithms (General Linear Model (GLM) with Lasso regularisation and Tree-based algorithms, RF and XGBoost) to predict indoor PM2.5 concentrations at six-hourly averages in the Maltese Islands using outdoor residential PM concentrations and several meteorological parameters. Continuous PM sampling using aerosol spectrometers was carried out at six non-smoking residences in Malta and Gozo. A repeated 10-fold cross-validation was carried out on the training dataset, with hyperparameter tuning using grid search. Hyperparameter tuning used the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) as the evaluation metric. Five sampling sites showed low indoor PM contributions and the GLM for these sites showed good performance indicators for the testing data, but serial correlation at lag-1 was recorded. For these sites, RF and XGBoost showed very good performance indicators with an Index of Agreement (IOA) of 0.92 and 0.93, respectively, with the most important predictor variable being the outdoor PM1 fraction. The RF regression model gave the lowest RMSE (30.65 μg m−3) and the highest index of agreement (IOA) (0.66) when the models were tested with the data from all sampling sites, which included a site with a PM2.5 I/O ratio of 5.2, where the high indoor PM generation was primarily associated with emissions from cooking and the indoor relative humidity was suggested as a good predictor variable for such a scenario. This study showed the significant impact of outdoor PM1 on indoor PM2.5 levels at sites with limited indoor fine PM sources. At sites with significant indoor generation from cooking, indoor PM2.5 was 3.6 times the short-term (24-h) AQG of the WHO, indicating that regulations on extraction systems for domestic kitchens would minimise very high exposures of home dwellers to indoor fine PM.peer-reviewe
Book reviews [International Journal of Emotional Education, 17(2)]
No full textAs the new Book Reviews Editor, I would like to introduce myself and extend my warmest thanks to Helen Cowie, the previous editor, for her inspiring work over the past few years. As a resilience researcher and lecturer in social-emotional learning (SEL), I am passionate about promoting concepts, theories, and insights that support the well-being of students and teachers and their ability to reach their potential in education. This shapes my approach to this column, which aims to promote a resilient, inclusive environment for all actors in education. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Evidence-based management : practice implications for optimising decisions
No full textEvidence-Based Management encompasses a series of knowledge-oriented practices aimed at improving decision quality. It achieves this by assessing and critically evaluating various evidence sources, including professional expertise, organisational data, scientific literature, and stakeholder values and intentions. By intelligently integrating these resources and adopting a more rational approach, the sustainability and management of risks in decision quality are enhanced. This article provides a high-level overview of EBMgt, utilising the principles of the PICOC framework and the 6As approach to clarify the general process of assessing the best actions based on the available evidence and its quality. Ultimately, EBMgt is not a strict formula; it demands leadership qualities in decision-making to ensure thorough exploration of options and to avoid biased selection strategies that could undermine potential courses of action.peer-reviewe
Malta cultural annual 2024/annwarju kulturali Malti 2024
No full textMaltese surnames constitute an important element of Malta’s cultural heritage and identity. Employing different sources, migration and family historian Mark Caruana of Sydney has over the years compiled very useful data which reliably quantifies the incidence of Maltese family names extant in the USA and Australia. This paper seeks to establish the relative correspondence between local statistical records based on contemporary census results and the investigations undertaken by Caruana. From a cultural point of view, the most apparent and admittedly fascinating observation one can make is that Caruana’s inventories almost mirror the cognominal frequency list emanating from local census taking. This remarkable symmetry only confirms that the distribution of surnames among people of Maltese descent in the USA and Australia perfectly reflects the relative distribution in their country of origin (Malta). From Caruana’s intriguing lists one can also observe that some Maltese surnames have undergone a process of Anglicisation. One can also discern a host of family names which are no longer extant in Malta. This means that some Maltese migrants ironically bear surnames which today are locally untraceable. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
The value of retargeted advertisements : an empirical study on young people
No full textYoung people are growing up in a digital era where the Internet permeates all aspects
of daily life, making online advertising increasingly pervasive. Advertising has become
more targeted, automated, and personalised due to advancements in AI technology.
Retargeted advertisements are a key example of this evolution, as they specifically
target individuals who have visited a retailer’s website but left without completing a
purchase. This study uses the Advertising Value Model to investigate the relationship
between six advertising factors, the perceived value of retargeted advertisements, and
young people’s attitudes towards them. Despite extensive studies on online advertising,
limited attention has been given to factors influencing young people’s attitudes towards
retargeted advertisements. A self-administered online survey was conducted with 480
respondents, and data were analysed using PLS-SEM. The findings indicate that
interactivity and entertainment positively influence both perceived value and attitude
towards retargeted advertisements. Informativeness, credibility, and personalisation
were only positively associated with advertising value, while irritation showed negative
relationships with attitude. Interestingly, irritation had a more pronounced adverse
effect on men compared with women. The findings contribute to the literature on
retargeted advertisements, perceived value, and young people’s attitudes, offering
practical and social implications for young people, advertisers, policymakers, and
parents/guardians.peer-reviewe
Thirty-five years of standards : the Malta College of Family Doctors, 1990–2025
No full textBACKGROUND: The Malta College of Family Doctors (MCFD) was
founded on 4 April 1990 after early spadework by
Drs Denis Soler, Wilfred Galea and Ray Busuttil on
a bold premise: if family doctors taught, audited,
published and held themselves to account, the
system would in time recognise family medicine
as a speciality.OBJECTIVE: To trace how, over 35 years, a voluntary
professional body became a driver of standards,
training and advocacy in Maltese primary care.METHOD: Narrative historical review (1990–2025),
organised into four phases: foundation (1990s),
infrastructure and recognition (2000–2010),
consolidation (2011–2018), and resilience and
renewal (2019–2025).RESULTS: The College’s early strategy - acting like a specialty
before being treated as one - proved decisive.
Milestones included formal recognition of family
medicine as a speciality in 2003, academic
anchoring at the University of Malta, and the
launch of the Specialist Training Programme in Family Medicine (STPFM), which secured
Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)
accreditation at first visit. Subsequent years saw
maturation of examinations, trainer development
aligned with the principles of the International
Association for Health Professions Education
(AMEE) and the European Academy of Teachers
in General Practice/Family Medicine (EURACT),
and a stronger Journal. During the COVID-19
pandemic, the MCFD preserved standards
through recorded consultations, hybrid CPD and
online governance, achieving “continuity without
compromise”. The College also assumed a clearer
public voice through submissions on euthanasia,
recreational cannabis, mental health and the
national health strategy, and by representing
Malta in international family medicine fora.CONCLUSION: The MCFD helped shift Maltese family medicine
from isolated individual practice to an organised,
internationally benchmarked speciality, with
durable systems for training, assessment and
professional leadership.peer-reviewe
The examination of the effect of water-soluble hydrophobic agents on physical–mechanical parameters and resistance to aggressive environment of concrete
Get PDFThe aim of this research was to examine the effect of water-based hydrophobic impregnations on concrete in order to improve its durability, chemical resistance, and physical–mechanical parameters. The purpose of this research was to prevent as much water evaporation as possible during concrete hydration, which resulted in the improvement in concrete properties including strength, durability, resistance of concrete in high-pressure water, water tightness, etc. Water-based hydrophobic impregnations based on silane and siloxane, epoxy resin, and oil were chosen to achieve improvements in concrete parameters. The comparison of water-based hydrophobic impregnations with solvent-based hydrophobic impregnations was also performed using the determination of absorbency, water pressure penetration depth, watertightness, concrete penetration depth, and resistance to aggressive environment. The concrete microstructure was observed using a digital microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Samples with hydrophobic agents exhibited a higher contact angle, lower absorbency, and higher resistance to aggressive environment, when compared to the untreated surfaces, confirming the water repellency of the water-soluble hydrophobic impregnations. The positive effect of hydrophobic agents in the compressive strength was also recorded. Furthermore, the benefit of the addition of 0.1 wt.% of nanocellulose into the hydrophobic impregnations was observed. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the addition of nanocellulose to water-soluble hydrophobic impregnations reduced the depth of pressurized water seepage and increased the compressive strength of the concrete after 28 days by 2 MPa.peer-reviewe
Effects of local urban characteristics and driving behaviour on injuries among pedestrians and cyclists in Malta
Get PDFCities across the world are seeking to establish more sustainable urban environments and safer and greener transport systems.
This with a view to reduce road accidents, tackle congestion, reduce air and noise pollution and improve overall public health
and liveability. Within these aspirations, improving the walking and cycling environments and reducing road accident injuries
among these vulnerable road users would serve to support and encourage greener modes of transport and more sustainable cities.
Pedestrians and cyclists are disproportionally often the victims of road accidents. As vulnerable groups, understanding the
factors that influence the number and that affect the severity of injury, can greatly contribute to several targets and commitments
which cities and even countries have adhered to in the past whether for health, environment or societal goals. Research in island
contexts are particularly important due to the increase in car dependence across a number of developing and developed island
states and the increasing risk exposure for pedestrians and cyclists. This study examines the pedestrian and cycling road accident
injuries in Malta using an extensive database of injuries for the period 2005 and 2021 and analyse, using a Poisson panel random
effects model, the relationship between local population, urban land use characteristics and driving behaviour, and how they
affect injury severity. The analysis is done at local level using a number of variables in the model to determine effects. These
include the population of each locality, local land use characteristics such as the presence of (main) commercial activity, a health
centre or an industrial estate that have an impact on the number of those walking and cycling, and the number of speeding
contraventions issued over time in various locations around the islands as a proxy for driving behaviour. Furthermore, the study
presents the islands case study and describes road accident injury trends over time and in context. Findings point towards a link
between slight and grievous injuries and commercial, health and industrial activities. Strong links are also found with population
changes. Speeding is only linked to grievous injuries. Fatal accidents are related to the location of industrial activity and
population. The paper concludes with some recommendations to improve road safety conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.peer-reviewe
Book Review: Pan, F. (Ed.). (2024). AI in Language Teaching, Learning, And Assessment. Pennsylvania: IGI Global
Get PDFThe book AI in Language Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, edited by Fang Pan, provides a comprehensive exploration of the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in language education. This review critically examines the book's discussion of generative AI tools, adaptive assessment systems, and personalised learning materials, highlighting its balanced approach to the opportunities and challenges AI presents. The text delves into key areas such as enhancing student engagement, supporting differentiated instruction, and addressing ethical considerations like equity and bias. While the book is a significant contribution to the field, offering practical insights for educators and researchers, it could further address the impact of socioeconomic disparities on AI adoption in under-resourced contexts. Ultimately, the work serves as a timely and indispensable resource for advancing the use of AI in applied linguistics, fostering both innovation and critical reflection in language education.peer-reviewe
Implementing a crucial cog in the criminal justice system – electronic monitoring
Get PDFThis paper reflects on the evolution and implementation of Electronic Monitoring (EM) over the years in Malta; tracing its origins from stalled attempts in 2012 to its current state as a structured initiative. EM was initially excluded from parole reforms due to financial concerns and limited foresight. However, EM has now been integrated into a comprehensive system aimed at enhancing public safety and victim protection. Key milestones include the implementation of the Malta Police Transformation Strategy, the establishment of a Victims Support Agency, reforms to Probation and Parole Services, and the adoption of advanced spatial and monitoring technologies.
EM in Malta shall employ a unique three-pronged approach inspired by the Portuguese model, utilizing ankle monitors, home perimeter technologies, and dynamic monitoring systems that track proximity between offenders and victims. This multifaceted setup prioritises victim safety while imposing stringent compliance measures on offenders. The effectiveness of the system hinges on technological reliability, adherence by users, and the support of a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
Although the EM system is robust and internationally benchmarked, its success depends on responsible use by both offenders and victims, raising critical questions about voluntary victim participation and offender compliance. The initiative aims to balance technological innovation with social and legal considerations, with the final steps awaiting parliamentary approval and phased implementation to ensure sustainable and secure outcomes.peer-reviewe