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Process parameter optimization for sustainable manufacturing of elastomeric components used in water treatment systems
No full textThe demand for water treatment systems is increasing, urging industries to deliver quick and sustainable solutions. This study focuses on the sustainable manufacturing of elastomeric components used in water treatment systems and adopts an Integrated Product Development approach. Diaphragms, produced by compression molding of a thermoset elastomer (EPDM), were selected as case study components. The study aimed to optimize the process parameters by reducing the cycle time of the molding process while maintaining or improving product quality. Data collection involved preliminary rheology testing of the elastomer across various time and temperature conditions, followed by mechanical testing. During production trials, energy consumption and product quality were closely monitored under different cycle conditions. The produced diaphragms underwent functionality and quality assessments through a 150-day accelerated aging test to simulate their service life. The study concluded that the optimization process significantly enhanced production efficiency, increasing output by 172%, while halving the carbon footprint and energy consumption. This demonstrates the potential for sustainable manufacturing practices to effectively meet the rising demands of the water treatment industrypeer-reviewe
Epidemiology, presentation and outcomes in pituitary apoplexy : a population-based study in Malta
No full textAims and objectives: To determine the prevalence, incidence, and outcomes of pituitary apoplexy patients presenting
acutely in Malta.Methodology: Twenty-nine patients presenting with pituitary apoplexy between 1980 and 2023 were retrospectively
identified. The prevalence and incidence rates were calculated. The clinical presentation, endocrinological and
radiological findings, and outcomes of all patients with pituitary apoplexy were analysed and compared between the
two cohorts who were treated conservatively or with early surgical intervention, taking into consideration serum
prolactin levels at diagnosis. The pituitary apoplexy score was applied retrospectively.Results: Five of the 29 patients had a known pituitary adenoma. The prevalence for pituitary apoplexy was 4.61/100,000
individuals (NFPA 3.69/100,000; functional adenoma 0.92/100,000), and the overall SIR was 0.189/100,000/year
(NFPA 0.144/100,000/year; functional adenoma 0.047/100,000/year). Prevalence rates and SIR were higher among males
(prevalence 8.08/100,000 in males vs 0.78/100,000 in females). Ninety-two percent of the patients who presented with
apoplexy were macroadenomas, while 8% were microadenomas. The median age for apoplexy was found to be 51 years
(42–58); higher in the NFPA subtype, 55 (49.5–63) when compared to 43 (38.5–45.25) in the functional group. Visual field
defects were more prevalent when baseline prolactin levels were less than 5 ng/mL, 68.75 vs 42.86% (P = 0.014). There
was no difference in terms of endocrinological outcome at 3 or 12 months between the surgically and conservatively
treated groups.Conclusion: Through thorough case identification, this study provides both prevalence and incidence rates of pituitary
apoplexy in a well-defined population in Malta. Clinical sequelae and various treatment modalities have been studied to
better understand this rare condition.peer-reviewe
Digital diplomacy : reskilling and upskilling efforts in small island developing states
No full textThis work evaluates the reskilling and upskilling efforts from the operational perspectives and strategic perspectives of digital diplomacy in the permanent missions of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Two research questions and two hypotheses are raised. Dependency Theory, Elite Theory and the Global South Perspective are used to build the theoretical support for this study. This study examines the impact of digital diplomacy from an operational perspective based on the technological capacity of personnel in SIDS permanent missions in using digital diplomacy. It also investigates the United Nations (UN) system's support in strengthening policy and partnerships, including the creation of a Tech Ambassador position as part of strategic perspective in digital diplomacy. A mixed-methods approach is used, combining quantitative data from online surveys of 22 participants from permanent missions of SIDS, with qualitative analysis of UN policy documents and reports, high-level statements, and strategic plans from selected UN agencies. Quantitative data from a diverse sample of participants are analyzed using t-test, while qualitative data is obtained through document analysis and thematic analysis of interview transcripts. The findings indicate that reskilling and upskilling are crucial for ambassadors and foreign affairs personnel in SIDS missions to keep up with technological advancements. The UN system plays a significant role in these efforts by creating quality policies and collaborating with specialized agencies, funds, and programs. This study provides practical insights for capacity building and highlights the UN’s role in boosting SIDS’ institutional and technological capacities, including the potential creation of a Tech Ambassador position in SIDS that will have a long-term strategic impact in international diplomacy and relations.peer-reviewe
Giovanni Franzoni’s non-teleological interpretation of the Kingdom of God and Jean-François Lyotard’s critique of grand narratives
No full textA key aspect of Jesus’ teaching is the announcement of the Kingdom of God, a
Kingdom which has a worldly and a transcendental dimension. The article
considers whether the worldly aspect of the Kingdom of God as interpreted
by the Italian Theologian Giovanni Franzoni fits within a Grand Narrative as
its teleological crowning point. The first two sections expound Jean-François
Lyotard’s characterisation and criticism of Grand Narratives. The focus will
be on works that follow Lyotrad’s “linguistic turn,” especially the seminal The
Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Artificial media : emerging trends in narratives, education and creative practice
No full textThis chapter examines the conceptual tensions in understanding artificial intelligence (AI) agents’ role in creative processes, particularly focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). Building upon Schmidt’s 1954 categorization of human-technology relationships and the classical definition of “author,” this chapter proposes to understand AI agency as existing somewhere between that of an inanimate puppet and a performing actor. While AI agents demonstrate a degree of creative autonomy, including the ability to improvise and construct complex narrative content in interactive storytelling, they cannot be considered authors in the classical sense of the term. This chapter thus suggests that AI agents exist in a dynamic state between human-controlled puppets and semi-autonomous actors. This conceptual positioning reflects how AI agents, while they can certainly contribute to creative work, remain bound to human direction. We also argue that existing conceptual frames concerning authorship should evolve and adapt to capture these new relationships.peer-reviewe
“dirgħajk rotob dejjem wennsuni” : l-esperjenza materna skont poetessi Maltin
No full textLokalment, sa ftit taż-żmien ilu, fil-letteratura
konna naraw lill-mara kif ukoll ’il-omm bħala
karattru miktub mir-Raġel. Il-kitbiet b’xeħta
patrijarkali ma jiqfux biss mal-fantasiji romantiċi
u sesswali maskili iżda jfittxu li jirreġistraw ukoll
l-esperjenzi femminili u materni ta’ mara. Ħafna
drabi, iżda, din il-kitba twassal biex jitneħħa
t-tiġrib kollu mentali, emozzjonali u fiżiku tal-omm. Għalhekk, dawn in-narrazzjonijiet tal-esperjenzi tal-mara u l-omm, mgħoddija mill-pinna maskili, mhumiex veritieri. F’dan l-artiklu
se nagħti ħarsa lejn il-Femministi tat-Tieni u
t-Tielet mewġa, u kif għenu biex in-nisa jieħdu
lura l-kitba dwar il-mara u jagħmluha tagħhom
bit-tajjeb u l-ħażin kollu tal-esperjenza femminili.
L-osservazzjonijiet tiegħi joħorġu mill-qari ta’
tliet poetessi Maltin, Simone Galea, Nadia Mifsud
u Claudia Gauci, li jiktbu l-esperjenza tagħhom
kemm bħala nisa u bħala ommijiet.peer-reviewe
Tourism, real estate, and urban pressures : the case of Marsascala, Malta
No full textThis paper examines the urban transformation of Marsascala, a coastal town in Malta, through the lens of tourism development and its social repercussions. Engaging with Young’s (1983) model of touristization and landscape change, and drawing from qualitative interviews, field observations, orthophoto analysis, and secondary data, the study traces the town’s evolution from a fishing village to a site of intensive tourism consolidation. Findings reveal how population growth—driven by tourism and foreign labour—has led to overdevelopment, infrastructural strain, and a declining quality of life. Building on empirical insights, the authors propose a novel seventh stage in Young’s model: real estateisation, wherein real estate speculation and short-term rentals reconfigure coastal localities beyond tourism. Marsascala thus becomes a case study in understanding the entanglements between tourism, migration, housing, and urban change. The paper contributes to debates on sustainable tourism, the Blue Economy, and the need for integrated social impact assessments in coastal governance. This paper is linked to the EU Cost Action CA221222 Rethinking the Blue Economy: Socio-Ecological Impacts and Opportunities (RethinkBlue), in relation to the themes covered by Working Group 3 - Port cities & coastal communities.RethinkBlue Cost Action CA22122peer-reviewe
The visual Gospel : the role of sacred art in re-evangelization
No full textI have already had the privilege and honour of delivering the welcome address of this prestigious
European conference on sacred art conservation as a vehicle for evangelization. It is now my
task to return to this podium and offer some concluding reflections on the breadth of scholarly
presentations which we have followed - presentations that have explored not only the authentic
purpose of sacred art but also the true identity of cathedrals.
I must confess that my delivering yesterday's opening remarks was for me a far easier task. I had
the benefit of a carefully prepared script, the product of several days of thoughtful reflection
on the theme of this gathering. Today, however, I find the responsibility of concluding this
conference more daunting. It is no small task to coherently weave together and distill the
richness and creativity of ideas, the diversity of outstanding case studies, and the multitude of
ethical frameworks and holistic conservation practices that have been presented and discussed
over the past days at this high-level European forum. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Guidelines and recommendations for radiographer education from the EU-REST project
No full textAdvancements in medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy have significantly improved patient care, while also requiring responsive education and training programmes and continuing professional development (CPD) for radiographers who work across medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy. This article presents findings from the EU-REST (European Union Radiation, Education, Staffing and Training) project with a focus on the evaluation of education and training requirements for radiographers across EU Member States. Evidence-based guidelines to harmonise radiographer education and training and improve safety and quality in medical settings are proposed. The findings highlight the need for standardised, competency-based curricula that align with evolving technologies, safety regulations, and professional responsibilities, together with the importance of integrating radiation safety, quality management, and patient-centred care into curricula. To address accessibility and workforce needs, diverse entry pathways, flexible learning models, and equitable financial support for student radiographers are recommended. Harmonisation of training content, structured clinical placements, and mandatory CPD are also proposed to ensure radiographers remain proficient in emerging technologies such as AI and automation. The findings also underscore the necessity of national accreditation, certification, and licensing systems to maintain high professional standards. Establishing a unified core curriculum at the European level would enhance education quality and ensure compliance with the basic safety standards directive (BSSD). Additionally, postgraduate training opportunities should be expanded to support specialisation and career advancement. By adopting these recommendations, the radiographer profession can cultivate a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering safe, effective, and innovative patient care, ensuring alignment with the future demands of healthcare and technological progress.peer-reviewe
Defect visualization in the bridge underpass arch structure : a photogrammetry assessment using UAV-captured imagery
No full textConcrete structures develop several defects as the structure ages. One of the common
concerns in structural integrity is the formation of cracks, which demands regular inspection
with precision. In this study, a bridge underpass arch structure was inspected with the
help of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in a coastal region of the Mediterranean Sea,
where 2D captured images were transferred into a 3D model for better visualisation from a
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) perspective. The images with cracks were manually
annotated, using the VGG tool, by an expert. Using the 3DF Zephyr software, from
sparse to dense point clouds, and 3D mesh to orthophoto, all 3D models were constructed
from the annotated and unannotated images of the structure. The 3D model achieved a
Ground Sampling Distance of 0.0046 m/pixel, with an image alignment of 60%. The Bundle
Adjustment Mean Reprojection Error confirmed satisfactory internal model accuracy. The
final assessment through the orthophoto, where a resolution of 4531 × 2433 pixels was
achieved, revealed that the images were of sufficient quality to capture the details and the
defects present, and better visualisation could be made. This output demonstrates that
UAV-based photogrammetry is time- and cost-efficient and surpasses the traditional visual
inspection of confined structures.peer-reviewe