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The crisis of migration : a policy crisis?
Get PDFThis paper addresses the gap between policy development theory and practice by attempting to analyse and explain the humanitarian crisis of migration across the Mediterranean through a policy crisis. It posits migration as a ‘wicked problem’ which cannot simply be addressed through the traditional linear policy cycle model, which infers a direct link between policy and practice, where policy outcomes directly result from policy objectives. Through a critical appraisal of the policy development process, the paper examines the processes through which the traditional positivist theoretical model of policy development and its claims of effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility, transparency, and evidence-based rationality are despoiled by a policy crisis for the humanitarian migration crisis. This policy crisis is simultaneously characteristic of and characterised by a problematic problem definition, a dichotomy between policy and implementation, and inauthentic evidence-based practice. It is manifested by piecemeal crisis intervention, policy contradictions, and processes of both politicisation and depoliticisation, which compound the migration crisis on both the micro-individual and macro-structural level. This policy crisis underpinned by fragmentation, incongruencies and contradictions suggests more than just a discrepancy between theory and practice, demanding a critical examination of the problem and solution, a re-evaluation of the policy cycle model with its claims of objectivity, cognisance of vested interests, and subversion of the neoliberal agenda which puts profit before people and the economy over well-being and fundamental rights and freedoms. It also demands reappropriation of the theoretical, administrative, yet intrinsically political nature of policymaking in the acknowledgement that only genuine political commitment can offer a glimpse of hope for addressing the humanitarian crisis of migration by closing the gap between policy and practice.peer-reviewe
Interdisciplinary themes of sociolinguistic studies - language learning, technology, and identity in the age of AI and globalization
No full textThis study examines the extent of the applicability of Victor Turner’s ‘communitas’
to ‘liminality’, as experienced by pilgrims to Lourdes, a holy shrine for Christians,
especially for Catholics. The study is based on empirical research conducted in multiple
languages on location at the time when the Covid-19 restrictions were being lifted.
A socio-linguistic approach is used to establish the value scales used by the pilgrims,
using a validated instrument, the Hall-Tonna Values Inventory. The findings point out
that liminal transformations need not always be part of communal experiences, even
if they are superficially perceived to be taking part in the public sphere. The findings
contribute to a further analysis of religion in modern society as perceived by Thomas
Luckmann in his classic work Invisible Religion.peer-reviewe
Auxetic systems fabricated using mycelia-based composites
Get PDFIn an era of increasingly problematic global waste management, innovative materials can hold the key to a circular economy. Within such a context, this work aimed at manufacturing, potentially for the first time, auxetic material (i.e., materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio) using mycelia-based composites (i.e., materials made by growing fungi on a biodegradable substrate). The fabrication of the auxetic biomaterials was undertaken using both direct growth methods in purposely designed molds and through subtractive manufacturing of commercially available mycelia panels. In the former case, various substrates were employed, differing in sawdust granulation and nutrient content. Furthermore, enhancements in the form of scaffolds and hay were considered with the aim of improving the cohesion and elastic properties of the end product. Mechanical testing of the samples produced showed that both manufacturing methods can produce structures capable of exhibiting a negative Poisson’s ratio. At the same time, the intrinsic brittle nature of mycelia-based composites limits the compactness and cohesion of the end products. In this context, the different methodologies employed to improve these properties yielded some promising results. Thus, while this work showed that indeed auxetic biomaterials can be fabricated, the manufacturing methods still require further improvement to produce better-performing specimens.peer-reviewe
A novel human-centred approach using Axiomatic Design and Kansei engineering for designing physically and cognitively safe human-robot collaborative workstations
Get PDFHuman-centred design of collaborative human–robot (HRC) workspaces is central to Industry 5.0. While proximity with collaborative robots offers productivity and flexibility gains, it also raises concerns for both physical safety and cognitive ergonomics. Although physical safety is well addressed, few studies integrate cognitive and physical well-being into workstation design. This research presents a novel approach that combines Kansei Engineering (KE) with Suh’s Axiomatic Design (AD) to support physically and cognitively safe HRC workstations. Unlike existing studies that rely solely on Suh’s Axiom 1 (maintain independence), this work also takes into account Axiom 2 (minimise information) to select between equally independent physical and cognitive design parameters. The approach is demonstrated through a case-study workstation, visually illustrating the relationship between functional and physical metrics. This study advances the field by providing a novel replicable, humancentred approach that unites cognitive and physical ergonomics, bridging theory and practical application for both academic and industrial contexts.peer-reviewe
Exploring delayed discharges in an acute hospital setting in a small European member state
Get PDFHealthcare is a dynamic and ever-changing phenomenon and is subject to multiple challenges,
particularly concerning sustainability and cost issues. The literature identifies
bed space and problems related to the lack of hospital beds as being directly or indirectly
related to both admission and discharge processes, with delays in in-patient discharges
being identified as a variable of significance when it comes to a health system’s overall
performance. In this respect, the aim of this research was to explore factors related to
delayed discharges in an acute hospital setting in Malta, a small European member state,
through the perspectives of health professionals. This study followed a qualitative approach.
Semi-structured interviews (n = 8) and focus groups (n = 2) were conducted with a
diverse group of experienced health professionals. Informed consent was obtained from all
participants, and all data were treated with strict confidentiality throughout the study. The
sample was limited to professionals working in adult, non-specialized healthcare settings.
Manual thematic analysis was carried out. Codes were grouped to derive seven main
themes, which were identified after carrying out the thematic analysis process on the transcripts
of the interviews/focus groups. The derived themes are the following: (a) a faulty
system, which is open to abuse and inefficiency, (b) procedural delays directly impacting
delayed discharges, (c) long-term care/social cases as a major cause of delayed discharges,
(d) the impact of external factors on delayed discharges, (e) stakeholder suggestions to
management to counteract delayed discharges, (f) the impact of COVID-19 on delayed
discharges, and (g) inter-professional relationships. Factors related to delayed discharges
and the effects of delayed discharges on the hospital emerged from the main findings,
together with specific potential interventions to minimise delays in discharge. Health professional
interactions and the effects of inter-professional relationship setbacks on delayed
discharges were explored, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital dynamics
and additional delays were also addressed. This information is intended to provide hospital
administrators with data-driven internal organisational evidence to guide them through
changes and to inform future decisions regarding hospital performance and efficiency from
a discharge delay perspective.peer-reviewe
Climate resilient Mediterranean cities : the ReMED framework
Get PDFBuildings and urban areas are especially at risk from the impacts of climate change. The objective of the ReMED project (Interreg Euro-MED Programme) is to support Mediterranean Cities in their climate adaptation efforts. It aims to develop an innovative set of assessment tools along with an overarching decision support framework to assess the level of climate risk at small urban and building scale; design optimal climate adaptation measures in relation to local conditions; implement climate adaptation measures through the most suitable policy instruments; monitor and evaluate the results of adaptation measures over time. ReMED will help Mediterranean Cities in localising the adaptation measures outlined at strategic level in SECAPs. A review of different methodologies for the assessment of building and urban resilience was conducted serving as a baseline to establish the ReMED solutions, organised within the ReMED Platform, a web tool designed to facilitate end users’ application of project’s results. ReMED provides capacity-building measures for public authorities through an e-learning platform, studying the application of the ReMED Platform in relation to key policy instruments.peer-reviewe
Assessing the performance of a point-of-need diagnostic algorithm in rapid detection of peripheral lymph node tuberculosis (Mobile-TB-Lab): a diagnostic evaluation study protocol
Get PDFIntroduction: Early and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis
(TB) is central to ensuring the proper treatment and
curbing the transmission of the disease. Despite the
significant burden, the diagnosis of peripheral lymph
node(LN)TB, the most prevalent form of extra pulmonary
tuberculosis (EPTB), has been challenging in low resource
settings. To meet the existing needs, the Mobile-TB-Lab
study set out to evaluate two innovative approaches,
including thermal imaging and recombinase-aided
amplification assay (RAA) in Minoo for point-of-need
diagnosis of LNTB. The synergy of these index tests is
expected to pave the way for rapid detection of EPTB in
resource-constrained settings.Methods and analysis: Mobile-TB-Lab is a multicountry
diagnostic evaluation study to be performed in Bangladesh
and Uganda. Under this protocol, a total of 200 suspected
EPTB patients with cervical lymphadenitis will be enrolled
from tertiary healthcare facilities in Bangladesh and
Uganda. Each participant will be subjected to laboratory
investigations including microscopy, real-time PCR,
cytology, culture and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra with the tissue
sample following fine-needle aspiration (FNA). As the index
tests, thermal imaging will be performed before performing
the FNA, and the leftover aspirate will be used to perform
RAA in the Minoo device. The diagnostic efficiency of
the index tests will be determined against a composite
reference standard based on the laboratory methods.
Besides, latent class analysis will be performed to assess
the diagnostic accuracy of the index tests. Finally, health
economic evaluation will be performed to determine the
cost-effectiveness of the investigative methods.Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol (PR-23031)
has been approved by the research review committee
(RRC) and the ethical review committee (ERC) under the
institutional review board (IRB) of icddr,b in Bangladesh.
In Uganda, the study protocol has been approved by the
Research Ethics Committee of the Infectious Diseases
Institute of Makerere University under reference number
IDI-REC-2023–62 and approval from the Uganda National
Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) under
reference number HS3494ES. All the study materials and
procedures to be used for the enrolment of the participants
have been approved by the ethical review committee. The
study will be performed according to the declaration of
Helsinki and the International Council for Harmonisation–
Good Clinical Practice to ensure the participants’ rights,
safety and well-being. The findings from this study will
be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and presented at
relevant national and international meetings.peer-reviewe
L-isfidi biex nippromwovu l-paċi f’sitwazzjoni ta’ kunflitti vjolenti
No full textQed ngħixu f’sitwazzjoni fejn il-vjolenza u l-kunflitti qed jinbtu ma’
kullimkien fuq diversi livelli u għal raġunijiet varji, mhux biss bejn
Stati, popli, jew alleanzi internazzjonali u militari differenti, iżda wkoll
fit-triq, bejn familji, ġirien, partiti u gruppi oħra. F’dawn il-paragrafi
se naqsam magħkom xi riflessjonijiet tiegħi dwar dan is-suġġett, u se
niffoka primarjament – u mhux biss – fuq il-kunflitti tipiċi li jinqalgħu
bejn il-popli. Se nipprova nwieġeb għal dawn il-mistoqsijiet: X’jistgħu
jkunu l-kawżi tal-vjolenzi, kunflitti u antipatiji bejn il-popli? X’nistgħu
nagħmlu biex nippromwovu l-paċi u l-ġustizzja f’sitwazzjonijiet ta’
tensjoni?
Jeħtieġ nagħrfu li kull kunflitt għandu l-istorja tiegħu u għalhekk
għandu jiġi kkunsidrat għalih. Huwa diffiċli ħafna li wieħed jifhem
il-kumplessità tar-raġunijiet li jwasslu għal vjolenzi u ġlied armat.
Għaldaqstant se nispjega fil-qosor ħafna it-tema tan-narrativi li
l-mexxejja politiċi jiżviluppaw biex jispjegaw ir-raġunijiet ewlenin
għaliex jinsabu f’kunflitt ma’ poplu jew popli oħra. Barra minn hekk,
se nipproponi xi għodod li toffrilna l-Knisja Kattolika biex nimxu fit-triq li tiggarantixxi l-ġustizzja, l-iżvilupp sħiħ tal-bniedem u l-ġid
komuni, li huma meħtieġa sabiex tinbena l-paċi vera.peer-reviewe
‘Silenced voices’ : exploring the experiences of Maltese learning support educators working in state schools
Get PDFThis paper examines the roles, challenges, and lived experiences of three Learning Support Educators (LSEs) working in Maltese state schools, with a particular focus on the impact of socio-economic deprivation and systemic constraints. Two of the participants are based in primary schools. One supports a student in a socially deprived area who faces neglect and multiple life challenges. The other works as a Nurture LSE, offering essential emotional and behavioural support to children struggling with issues such as poverty, neglect, abuse, and poor hygiene. She reflects on the transformative potential of nurture groups in equipping students with coping mechanisms; while also highlighting the stigma such groups face from other educators, as well as the chronic underfunding that limits their impact. The third participant is based in a Learning Support Zone (LSZ) in a state secondary school, where she supports students dealing with complex issues including low self-esteem, family trauma, parental separation, and economic hardship. Despite holding qualifications equivalent to those of a teacher, she describes the persistent lack of recognition for her role, noting how LSEs are systematically viewed as subordinate within the educational hierarchy. Using a narrative research methodology, this study foregrounds the authentic voices of LSEs, providing insight into the often-invisible labour they perform. Their testimonies reveal the silencing and marginalisation they endure within a rigid system that undervalues their work. Bound by institutional hierarchies, resource limitations, and social stigma, these educators struggle to advocate for themselves—even as they play a crucial role in supporting some of the most vulnerable students. The findings call for urgent recognition, structural support, and a re-evaluation of the systemic positioning of LSEs within the education sector.peer-reviewe
Exploring consumer acceptance of advanced services for domestic appliances
Get PDFIn search of productivity and sustainability, UK policy and industrial strategy have sought to increase
manufacturers’ adoption of digital technologies such as Internet of Things, big data and Artificial
Intelligence. These technologies can improve energy and resource efficiency as well as
competitiveness but adoption among UK manufacturers is not as high as it could be. One possible
explanation is a lack of demand from consumers, which in turn can be due to the high cost of smart
products that apply digital technology. Meanwhile servitization is considered a route to sustainability
through dematerialisation and product life extension as well as profitability by creating more value
for customers. Yet uptake of Advanced Services (AS) by manufacturers is low, which may also be
partly explained by lack of consumer awareness and acceptance. This research therefore set out to
understand consumers’ attitudes towards digital technology and AS business models.peer-reviewe