24762 research outputs found
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A land’s sacredness in war and peace : 3,5 and 5,15
No full textYHWH sottolinea la sacralità della terra chiamando Mosè a
liberare Israele, simboleggiata dal togliersi le scarpe su terreno
sacro (Esodo 3,5.7-8). Questa santità si estende alla conquista
di Canaan da parte di Giosuè, esemplificata quando
gli viene dato lo stesso ordine prima dell’assedio di Gerico
(Giosuè 5,10-15; 6,17). Nonostante il contesto di conflitto, le
chiamate divine impreziosiscono le azioni con la santità, arricchendo
la terra. Questo studio suggerisce che le chiamate
divine nella vita permettano di partecipare alla sacralità
nonostante le avversità storiche come schiavitù e guerre. Si
propone di educare e formare gli individui sul significato della
propria vita come arricchimento profondo.YHWH emphasises the sacredness of land in calling Moses to
free Israel, symbolised by removing his sandals on holy ground
(Exodus 3,5.7-8). This sanctity extends to Joshua’s conquest of
Canaan, exemplified when he is instructed likewise before besieging
Jericho (Joshua 5,10-15; 6,17). Despite the context of
conflict, divine calls imbue actions with holiness, enriching the
land. This study suggests life’s divine callings enable participation
in sacredness despite historical adversities like slavery
and warfare. It advocates forming individuals on their life’s purpose
as profoundly enriching.peer-reviewe
Beyond hummus — an up-to-date scientific review of chickpeas, health, and environmental impact
Get PDFChickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.), form part of the pulses group and have been
cultivated and consumed for many years, providing beneficial nutritional properties,
whilst also being considered as sustainable foods. The global market for chickpeas
is expected to continue growing because of increased consumer acceptability
and growing needs for foods that support nutritional health and demand for
alternative plant-based protein sources. Furthermore, these crops contribute
to nitrogen fixation in soils and are therefore utilized for crop rotation systems,
important in today’s need to cope with sustainability demands. Food security is
a major concern, with increasing pressure to supply affordable, accessible and
nutritious foods to the world’s growing population. On the other hand, challenges
for chickpea consumption exist and may be in part explained by various sociocultural
and economic factors, such as lack of knowledge and long preparation times,
as well as the current global nutrition transition marked by increasing fast food
availability and preferences. Crops like chickpeas therefore have an important
role in addressing many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 2
(Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Chickpeas’ nutritional profile includes protein quality, fiber, micronutrients and bioactive compound content. Antinutrients are also present, reducing nutrient bioavailability and provoking digestive health issues with some allergenic potential also observed. Mitigation techniques range from pre-cooking methods such as soaking and dehulling, as well as various cooking processes and fermentation. The latter process has been shown to improve probiotic activity and reduce phytate levels, in particular. The aim of this review is therefore to re-examine the nutritional profile for the two main chickpea types, the ‘kabuli’ and ‘desi’ types, the limitations of the antinutritional factors present, and explore techniques to mitigate these compounds. Socio-cultural and economic limitations faced by farmers will be addressed, a concern since it could further exacerbate poverty and food insecurity. Successful strategies that have improved yields will also be presented. The review will therefore present the integration of nutritional health with environmental considerations so as to deliver an updated picture for the chickpea crop and provide actionable recommendations to address the growing global population’s future needs.peer-reviewe
Ngugi and I : a personal tribute
Get PDFThe great Ngugi wa Thiong'o has passed https://lnkd.in/gecNjFKx
https://lnkd.in/gt5U3VaX As a student in my native Sierra Leone, at a time
when the literature curriculum was decidedly Anglocentric, crowded with the
British canon, with only a smattering of African texts and writers, Ngugi is
one of the figures who made me fall in love with African literature. I avidly
read his early novels in secondary school in Freetown and it was from Weep
Not Child (1964), The River Between (1965) and A Grain of Wheat (1967) that
I first learned about Kenya (rural life and culture, traditional and western
education, colonization, the Mau-Mau and anti-colonial struggle).peer-reviewe
Exploring access and usage patterns of e-government services in a SIDS : focus on Maldives
Get PDFThe expansion of digital governance has transformed public service delivery, offering opportunities to reduce inefficiencies, promote transparency, and enhance inclusivity. In the Maldives, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with dispersed geography and centralized governance, notable progress has been made in advancing e-government services over the past decade. Yet, persistent digital divides remain. This study examines access and usage patterns through administrative data and survey responses, employing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to identify barriers such as information scarcity, configuration difficulties, technical glitches, and unreliable internet. No consistent demographic predictors of use emerge, though motivations cluster around accessing documents and applications. While services are often deemed easy to use, low trust and limited frequency of engagement signal gaps in regulation and outreach. The study underscores the need for user-centred design, coherent policies, and improved communication, highlighting tensions between service provision and citizen engagement in high-EGDI but low-EPI contexts.peer-reviewe
Challenges of performing clinical trials in Malta
Get PDFIntroduction: Trials performed in small communities like Malta pose challenges
due to the number of participants and facilities. In the European
Union, the guidelines which came into effect in January 2022,
outline requirements including the use of CITS, which is a system
that must be used to upload all documentation needed for a
clinical trial. The setting up of a user friendly platform accessible
to stakeholders so as to support them in meeting the regulatory
requirements, may encourage conduction of trials in small states.Aims: •
To investigate impact of the new EU regulations for clinical trials
•
To create a template for clinical trial planning
•
To outline steps involved in setting up clinical trials
•
To identify tools and personnel, possible sources of funds,
premises, and facilities where trials could be conducted.
Objective:
•
To develop a template that serves as a platform which outlines
procedures and obligations required so as to support interested
entities.peer-reviewe
From colonised to coloniser : Malta’s migrant detention practices as a manifestation of State violence
Get PDFThis paper examines the role of the Maltese government in detaining irregular migrants. This includes new arrivals who are de facto detained under public health legislation, those issued with detention orders under the Reception Regulations to verify identity or nationality and the risk of absconding (the two main reasons given by the Maltese government for detaining individuals), and those issued with removal orders pending deportation. International and national human rights law obligations and various commitments contrast heavily with State practice, as has been demonstrated by a number of recent habeas corpus cases in the Maltese courts and cases in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which reflect policies and practices that create a punitive environment for asylum seekers and other detained migrants. These cases, alongside external visits and reports, have consistently deplored conditions in the detention centres, ruled lengths of internment illegal, spotlighted the detention of highly vulnerable individuals, and, in some instances, highlighted torture and degrading treatment in violation of international law. This paper posits that such practices amount to State violence, amounting to disciplinary power and neocolonial means of controlling a racialised group of people. A postcolonial analysis will be employed, bringing into light Malta’s unique situation as a former colony, now a reception state for asylum seekers on the borders of the EU, taking on the coloniser role within its own borders.peer-reviewe
Unified text segmentation (TSEG) deep learning function for legal text recovery : enhancing generative-NLP and AI-driven regulatory operations in industry 5.0
Get PDFPURPOSE: The emergence of Industry 5.0 demands intelligent systems that not only automate
tasks but also collaborate meaningfully with humans, especially in highly regulated fields
like law and governance. This study addresses the challenges of fragmented, redacted, and
corrupted legal documents, which hinder compliance, auditing, and interpretability.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This research introduces a Unified Tseg Deep Learning
Function—a multi-layered framework combining legal text segmentation (Tseg), generative
NLP techniques, and legal ontology alignment. The model incorporates transformer
architectures, attention mechanisms, and recursive state modeling to enable dynamic content
recovery, contextual classification, and visibility-based annotation based on age and
jurisdiction.FINDINGS: The proposed system effectively recovers missing or corrupted legal content,
categorizes segments by legal domain, and applies jurisdiction-specific and age-based
visibility rules. It demonstrates strong potential in automating and enhancing interpretability
within legal workflows and regulatory compliance systems.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This framework can support digital governance platforms, legal
information retrieval systems, and compliance monitoring tools by enabling more accurate
and automated reconstruction and classification of legal documents, thus improving
transparency and accountability in legal processes.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study offers a novel integration of Tseg, generative NLP, and legal
ontologies tailored for Industry 5.0. Its unique contribution lies in bridging technical deep
learning methods with domain-specific legal compliance requirements, supporting the
evolution of intelligent, human-centric regulatory technologies.peer-reviewe
Impact of a weight loss programme on psychological wellbeing and quality of life
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Prevalent conditions nowadays include mental disorders such as depression and anxiety as well as obesity which often co-exist together. Mental disorders may predispose individuals to gain weight through less exercise, increased stress hormones and binge-eating, whilst inversely obesity may lead to mental disorders through increased stress, low support and less independent functioning in everyday life. The aim of this study was to measure different parameters reflecting the psychological and mental wellbeing of individuals before and after completing a weight loss residential program at ‘Dar Kenn Ghal Sahhtek’.METHOD: A study was conducted on 36 individuals who enrolled into an 8-week program at ‘Dar Kenn Ghal Sahhtek’. Parameters including age, gender, body mass index, levels of quality of life, depression and anxiety were collected upon admission and discharge. Statistical analysis was carried out on the data collected to compare the before and after data as well as check for any correlations between different parameters.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: From this study it was concluded that there is a statistical difference between the before and after data and that a significant decrease in all parameters was recorded upon completion of the program. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between Beck’s Depression scale and other parameters which confirms simultaneous causality between the different parameters.peer-reviewe
Adaptation of gastronomy companies to the requirements of economy 5.0 : a case study
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of Economy 5.0 on the functioning of
catering companies, with particular emphasis on the role of digital technologies,
robotization, pro-ecological solutions and a human-centric approach to the customer. The
study focuses on the identification of activities implemented by Chata Polaka in the context
of adaptation to the challenges of the new economic paradigm.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was based on the method of a qualitative
interview conducted in July 2025 with the manager of Chata Polaka. On the basis of the
answers obtained, an original qualitative inventory was developed, which enabled the
categorization and analysis of initiatives implemented in areas important for Economy 5.0.FINDINGS: The results of the survey indicate that the surveyed company is implementing
integrated digital solutions, analytical tools, elements of robotization and sustainability
practices, while strengthening relationships with customers and suppliers. The analysis
confirms that the synergy of technology and human-centric values can support operational
efficiency and build a sustainable competitive advantage in the catering sector.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results obtained can be the basis for developing a digital
transformation strategy for catering companies that want to adapt to the requirements of
Economy 5.0. The presented solutions are universal and can be adapted in various industry
segments.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The added value of the article is the presentation of an empirical case
study showing the practical implementation of the assumptions of Economy 5.0 in the
catering sector. The combination of technological, pro-ecological and human-centric
perspectives is a unique contribution to related literature.Co-financed by the Minister of Science under the “Regional Initiative of
Excellence” program.peer-reviewe
Short- and long-term economic cycles in the renter-occupied housing market : a conceptual framework
Get PDFPURPOSE: The main objective of the study is to diagnose and describe economic cycles in the
renter-occupied housing (ROH) market.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research is based on the classic DiPasquale-Wheaton
model, adapted to the specific characteristics of this housing rental market. The model
distinguishes between two key components: the housing asset market and the rental space
market. The former is controlled by owner-investors, and the latter by renter-users.FINDINGS: The paper describes the most important market interdependencies. However, the
most important findings relate to economic cycles. The use of the ROH market model made it
possible to diagnose and describe these cycles in both the short and long term.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings may be useful for further research and analysis of the
housing rental market. The general framework of the model presented can also serve as a
basis for understanding the detailed relationships and mechanisms operating in this market.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It can be concluded that the described ROH market model is provides a
new approach to analysing the residential property market. It is a concept that clearly
accentuates the specificity of the housing rental market and emphasises its distinctive
characteristics.peer-reviewe