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Sparse dynamic principal components analysis in the frequency domain
Get PDFThe main focus of this paper will be the sparsity treatment of dynamic
principal components analysis (DPCA), which is an extension of principal
components analysis (PCA) in a time series setting. Several sparse extensions for
the high-dimensional data setting have been introduced in the past two decades.
However, peer-reviewed literature addressing high-dimensionality in the DPCA
setting remains scarce. This study addresses the high-dimensionality problem
on the frequency-domain variant of DPCA, which replicates the classical dynamic
approach on cross-spectra, the frequency domain analogue of the variancecovariance
matrix. Taking cue from literature in sparse PCA, this research seeks
to extend these methods on the frequency-domain DPCA via the cross-spectrum.
The method being proposed is based on sparse eigenvector extraction from cross-spectral
matrices with the la-penalty. Some preliminary results based on simulated
data will be presented, and future research considerations set out.peer-reviewe
Opportunities for learning design and technology skills and values in the Maltese curriculum
Get PDFThis research was motivated by the changing nature of technologies and the idea that despite constant change, the skills and values required to harness these new technologies may have some underpinning commonalities. The rationale of the study revolves around the fact that new technologies are emerging at very fast rates and a comprehensive updated curriculum would include skills and values which are relevant to the design and operation of future technologies. It is therefore important to research what skills and values are required and also if a country’s current curriculum documents are up to date. The context of the Maltese curriculum was chosen to identify whether opportunities are present for learning advanced skills and values within the context of the curricular subject of Design and Technology. The methodology of the research includes a narrative thematic literature review which was carried out to identify the common features of new technologies as well as the skills and values required to harness them. This was then followed by semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of six key experts coming from different professional backgrounds. A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was carried out. The results of the narrative thematic literature review showed that with regards to new technologies, they would be digital or supporting automation of processes, and related to or supporting a view to sustainability. The results from the thematic analysis of the interviews revealed eight themes which the experts believed were important: (a) access and cost of technology, (b) knowing your basics, (c) technology and communities, (d) cross-curricular learning, (e) constructivism, (f) mindsets (ways of thinking), (g) types of knowledge, and the (h) digital nature of new technologies. A list of skills and values required to harness new technologies was assembled by compiling a matrix relating the results from the literature, and the thematic analysis of the interviews. From this matrix it was concluded that while the Maltese National Curriculum Framework (NCF) presents many of the ingredients that are required for a sound conceptualization of technology, the links to an up to date definition of technology education are not sufficiently made due to the narrow view of technology that the NCF holds. The latter’s view sees technology as the application of science and as being composed principally of artifact design-and-make activities only. While the NCF presents opportunities for the conceptualization of technology as artifacts, it lacks, to differing degrees, in presenting opportunities for the conceptualization of technology as knowledge, processes, and volition in accordance with a more recent philosophy of technology and futuristic requirements of technological skills
and values. It is recommended that a new National Curriculum Framework aligns itself
more with research in design and technology philosophical and educational trends.peer-reviewe
Exploring the representation and interpretation of migration in museums with a focus on objects, displays, and narratives
Get PDFMigration is one of the most significant phenomena shaping contemporary societies, yet its representation in museums often raises complex questions about historical memory, identity, and power. With an analysis of two grassroots museums in the central Mediterranean, this paper explores how two different museums - the Musée de la Mémoire de la Mer et de l’Homme in Zarzis, Tunisia, and PortoM in Lampedusa, Sicily- interpret and represent migration, focusing on the role of objects, displays, and narratives in conveying the experiences of migrants and migrations. The research did not entail any primary data collection like interviews or surveys, but relied on secondary data, such as textual and visual material already published on the web. By critically examining these case studies from various cultural and historical contexts, this research investigates how museums create meaning around migration, the ethical implications of representation, and the potential for museums to foster inclusive, diverse, and critical discourses. Through an analysis of curatorial practices, the paper highlights the tensions between preserving migrant histories, addressing contemporary migration crises, and challenging hegemonic national narratives. In conclusion, it calls for collaboration between museums as they can facilitate understanding and compassion.peer-reviewe
Competitiveness and development of EU countries in the face of global economic, social and environmental challenges
Get PDFPURPOSE: The third decade of the twenty-first century brought completely new economic and
social challenges for the whole world. The pandemic, armed conflicts, unstable
macroeconomic conditions, and disrupted supply chains are just a few examples of
contemporary threats. Undoubtedly, an important aspect of these considerations and at the
same time the aim of the publication is to attempt an objective assessment of the
opportunities and threats for EU countries in this dynamically changing reality.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The methodology used in the publication is based on the
analysis of literature and statistical sources, the presentation of available international
reports on the role and importance of EU countries in the modern world. This topic is
expanded by statistical and descriptive analyses of presented economic, social and
environmental problems.FINDINGS: These challenges and threats are global in nature, but they also have a significant
impact on the development and competitiveness of EU countries. These countries, by
implementing a number of very progressive programmes related to sustainable development
and environmental protection, incur high transformation costs, thereby putting themselves at
risk of a decline in international competitiveness/ Thus, a fundamental question arises about
the ideal compromise between the requirements related to sustainable development and the
competitive position in the modern world.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The reflections contained in the publication have clear practical
implications for the future development of economic and social policies for the Community
as a whole. Considerations on environmental aspects are also of great importance, which,
despite being a global challenge by many countries, are completely ignored.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The publication refers to the question of the competitiveness of EU
countries and their ability to develop in conditions of strong international competition, which
does not always respect the same economic, political and environmental values and
standards. Thus, they refer to very topical and potentially important practical analytical
research.peer-reviewe
Longitudinal assessment of cultural competencies in nursing education : insights from students and nurse educators
Get PDFAim: This study aims to evaluate the cultural competencies of undergraduate nursing students and nurse educators and identify
associated factors.
Design: Observational, descriptive, longitudinal study conducted in Malta.
Method: Online questionnaires, based on the Cultural Competence Assessment Scale measuring self-perceived competence and
reflections on international experiences, were administered to students during each of the 3 years of an undergraduate nursing
programme and once to nurse educators. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to examine cultural competence levels and their associations with demographic and experiential factors.
Results: A total of 43, 38 and 34 students participated across the three programme years, respectively, alongside 19 nurse educators (response rates: 51.8% and 70.4%, respectively). Third-year students demonstrated very good cultural competence with
a mean score of 78.24 (out of 100), while educators recorded a slightly lower mean of 73.26. Leisure time abroad before higher
education significantly influenced cultural awareness in both first- and third-year students, while age was positively correlated
with cultural awareness among final-year students. For educators, doctoral qualifications were associated with higher cultural
awareness, and greater teaching experience correlated with more competent behaviours. Cultural competence improved progressively across the programme, suggesting clinical exposure and maturity play important roles. The inclusion of educators provided a broader perspective, showing that while awareness was strong, behaviour-based competencies require further support.
Patient or Public Contribution: Developing cultural competence is expected to improve patient care, safety and communication in increasingly diverse healthcare contexts.peer-reviewe
Students with disabilities in higher education call for personal empowerment, equitable inclusive systems, and individualized accommodations
Get PDFIntroduction: The number of students with disabilities in higher education is increasing, but research shows that they continue to face significant challenges for equitable participation. This study aims to deepen our understanding of these challenges through the perceptions of students with disabilities themselves. Methods: Participants were students with disabilities enrolled at the University of Malta. Data was collected through a student survey with quantitative and open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews with students on their aspirations, on how far they felt enabled to participate in the university academic and social environments, and on how useful were the individual accommodations provided for their equitable participation. The online questionnaire was completed by 51 students constituting 21% of the total relevant population, while four semi-structured interviews were held with autistic students. Results: The findings firstly showed that these students considered the university as mainly an opportunity for self-development but experienced significant difficulties during their transition to and at the university for developing a healthy self-identity in the ableist university environment. Secondly, students called for the teaching system to be more pedagogically effective and sensitive to diverse student needs and for their involvement in the development of appropriate facilities for students. Thirdly, they reported that individual accommodations were necessary for their equitable participation and called for less bureaucratic processing of applications, individual negotiation of accommodations, and a system for informing lecturers of students’ needs. Discussion: The study suggests that higher education institutions should listen to the concerns of students with disabilities and involve them in curricular and environmental planning. They need to create a diversity respectful ethos and socio-emotional support that promotes everyone’s membership in the university community, while adopting a universal design for learning mindset that is open to the diverse needs of students and providing a smooth system of accommodations for other individual needs.peer-reviewe
Enacting efficient markets : the performativity of quantitative easing
Get PDFQuantitative easing (QE) has been a favourite tool of central banks in their post-financial crisis
monetary policy apparatus. Social science literature has interpreted QE as a shift away from
performative governance characterising pre-crisis monetary policy. With reference to the Bank of
England’s experience, I offer a reinterpretation of QE as a performative intervention in the
conditions of financial markets, as an attempt to alter the state of financial markets away from
dysfunctionality and towards efficiency. I claim that, following the financial crisis, the model of
complete and efficient markets – a mainstay in central banking prior to the crisis – was transformed
from a real-world approximation to a ‘performative object’ to be achieved. In deploying the balance
sheet, central banks attempt to performatively enact complete and efficient markets. The article
rejects the claim of discontinuity between pre-crisis and post-crisis monetary policy, arguing that QE
is a continuation of inflation targeting though with important innovations. While pre-crisis
performativity relied on central bankers’ communicative framing of market expectations, QE is
performative via the ontological shaping of financial markets, driven by epistemic models. The
article relies on a set of 51 interviews with central bankers and financial market participants and a
corpus of documents.peer-reviewe
Predicting first-trimester pregnancy outcome in threatened miscarriage : a comparison of a multivariate logistic regression and machine learning models
Get PDFIntroduction: Threatened miscarriage (TM), defined as first-trimester vaginal bleeding with a closed
cervix and detectable fetal cardiac activity, affects up to 30 % of clinically recognised pregnancies and is
linked to increased risk of adverse outcomes. This study evaluates the predictive value of first-trimester
ultrasound (US) and biochemical (BC) markers in determining outcomes among women with TM
symptoms.
Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 118 women with viable singleton pregnancies (5+0 to
12+6 weeks' gestation) from Malta's national public hospital between January 2023 and June 2024.
Participants underwent US and BC assessment, along with collection of clinical and sociodemographic
data. Pregnancy outcomes were followed to term and classified as live birth or loss. Univariate logistic
regression identified individual predictors. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) and random forest
(RF) modelling assessed combined predictive performance.
Results: Among 118 TM cases, 77 % resulted in live birth, 23 % in loss. MLR identified progesterone,
cervical length, mean gestational sac diameter (MGSD), trophoblast thickness, sFlt-1:PlGF ratio, and
maternal age as significant predictors. Higher progesterone, cervical length, MGSD, and sFlt-1:PlGF ratio
reduced risk, while maternal age over 35 increased it. MLR achieved 82.7 % accuracy (AUC = 0.89). RF
improved accuracy to 93.1 % (AUC = 0.97), confirming the combined predictive value of US and BC
markers.
Conclusion: US and BC markers hold predictive value in TM. Machine learning, particularly RF, may
improve early clinical risk stratification.
Implications for practice: This tool may support timely decision-making and personalised monitoring,
intervention, and counselling for women with TM.peer-reviewe
Remote work and work efficiency
Get PDFPURPOSE: The main objective of this article is to analyze the relationship between remote
work and work efficiency, including both productivity and work-life balance dimensions. In
light of the structural shift toward hybrid and remote models triggered by the COVID-19
pandemic, the study investigates how telework affects task performance, autonomy,
motivation, and stress levels. The analysis incorporates both theoretical frameworks (agency
theory, human capital theory, transaction cost theory) and empirical data. The article also
presents two research hypotheses: H1: Employees working remotely perceive a higher level
of work efficiency than those working in a traditional office setting; H2: Remote work
contributes positively to employees’ work-life balance, reducing perceived stress and
increasing job satisfaction.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The article combines a theoretical review with empirical
research based on a structured survey. The questionnaire included 15 diagnostic variables
assessing subjective perceptions of remote work’s impact on productivity, autonomy,
communication, and work-life balance (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). The
sample consisted of 100 respondents and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and
measures of variation.FINDINGS: Preliminary results suggest that remote work is associated with enhanced
concentration, greater autonomy, improved task prioritization, and higher motivation.
Respondents reported better time management and work-life integration, though some
challenges—such as social isolation or ineffective communication—were also noted. Hybrid
work emerged as a preferred model that optimally balances productivity and employee wellbeing.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings offer valuable insights for organizations designing
post-pandemic work strategies. Emphasis should be placed on flexible structures, digital
support, and the development of soft competencies such as time management and self-regulation.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This article contributes to the ongoing discourse on the future of work by
empirically grounding discussions of remote productivity and well-being. By integrating
behavioral and organizational perspectives, it highlights the dual impact of remote work on
performance and personal balance.peer-reviewe
Acanthocybium solandri (Actinopterygii, Scombriformes, Scombridae) first record from Malta with notes on using its parasites as biological tags
Get PDFThe wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri (Cuvier, 1832), an uncommon scombrid species for the Mediterranean, is hereby reported for the first time from Maltese waters. Details of this unusual capture, and characteristics of the specimens recovered are provided, as well as a brief discussion on dynamics of its introduction in the Mediterranean Sea, and its distribution in this area. In addition, two individuals of the parasitic nematode Anisakis pegreffii Campana-Rouget et Biocca, 1955 (Anisakidae) were found from the stomach of one of the specimens.peer-reviewe