A farewell to Neo-Punic: Tac-Caghqi revisited

The alleged inscriptions in the south-east hypogeum of Tac-Caghqi (within the premises of St Nicholas College in Rabat, Malta) were discussed in depth by Mons. Benedetto Rocco in 1972. Rocco interpreted the glyphs as Neo-Punic, with a long 'Inscription' supposedly consisting of a prayer to appease the deceased through the offering of a gift, and an alleged minor 'Inscription' addressing the dead to 'rise'. These readings were discussed against the notion of possible libation rites that may have been a custom within the hypogeum, as suggested by the tomb furniture in situ. Rocco based his readings of the script and types of letters on his previous study of further alleged Punic and Neo-Punic inscriptions within cave sites in Palermo and Favignana (Sicily), in combination with semantic analysis of Biblical Hebrew. Nevertheless, the supposed Tac-Caghqi inscriptions come across as ambiguous sets of glyphs that are illegible, and actually cannot be deemed Punic or Neo-Punic script.peer-reviewe

The application of psychological theory to enrich the experience of online learners on a developmental psychology module?

This article outlines the design of a module introducing Developmental Psychology to distance learners undertaking a two-year part-time BPS accredited MSc Psychology (Conversion) degree. The module was redesigned to accommodate increased student numbers. Online learners differ significantly from those in face-to-face learning environments, in terms of both student characteristics and patterns of engagement. We applied psychological principles to the delivery of this asynchronous online module. Our aims in this module were (1) to create engaging, informative content, (2) to develop students’ critical thinking skills, and (3) to develop their ability to apply developmental psychological theory to the real world. We enacted five key principles in our module design: Naturalistic/warm delivery style; Collaborative teaching; Scaffolding; Reducing cognitive load; and Engaging activities to enhance learning. This article aims to prompt discussion from other practitioners who are involved in remote delivery about their experiences in adapting to a remote learning environment

Defining and Identifying Satellite Cell-opathies within Muscular Dystrophies and Myopathies

Muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies arise from specific genetic mutations causing skeletal muscle weakness that reduces quality of life. Muscle health relies on resident muscle stem cells called satellite cells, which enable life-course muscle growth, maintenance, repair and regeneration. Such tuned plasticity gradually diminishes in muscle diseases, suggesting compromised satellite cell function. A central issue however, is whether the pathogenic mutation perturbs satellite cell function directly and/or indirectly via an increasingly hostile microenvironment as disease progresses. Here, we explore the effects on satellite cell function of pathogenic mutations in genes (myopathogenes) that associate with muscle disorders, to evaluate muscle pathological hallmarks that define dysfunctional satellite cells. We deploy transcriptomic analysis and comparison between muscular dystrophies and myopathies to determine the contribution of satellite cell dysfunction using literature, expression dynamics of myopathogenes and correlation with expression of the satellite cell marker PAX7. Our multimodal approach extends current pathological classifications to define Satellite Cell-opathies: muscle disorders in which satellite cell dysfunction contributes to pathology. Primary Satellite Cell-opathies are conditions where mutations in a myopathogene directly affect satellite cell function, such as in Progressive Congenital Myopathy with Scoliosis (MYOSCO) and Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome (CFZS). Primary satellite cell-opathies are generally characterised as being congenital with general hypotonia, and specific involvement of respiratory, trunk and facial muscles, although serum CK levels are usually within the normal range. Secondary Satellite Cell-opathies have mutations in myopathogene that affect both satellite cells and muscle fibres. Such classification aids diagnosis and predicting probable disease course, as well as informing on treatment and therapeutic development

The school community’s role in educating for responsibility for inclusion

This study explores responsibility for inclusion, a notion rooted in the belief and practices of various religions. It draws on the thoughts of Emmanuel Levinas, Hannah Arendt and Paolo Freire, all of whom were greatly influenced by their religious tradition. Ten qualitative interviews were performed with senior school leaders. Data were interpreted through thematic analysis, and the results show that inclusion starts from the self who welcomes the other. Inclusion of students with severe disabilities, especially with severe autism, remains problematic at schools in Malta, and headteachers seem to struggle to implement inclusive values and attitudes. Successful methods for better inclusion include collaboration of all school community members, the involvement of students in decision making, participation of all students in school events without any discrimination, the Peer Preparation Programme and the buddy system.peer-reviewe

Exposing knowledge: providing a real-time view of the domain under study for students

With the amount of information that exists online, it is impossible for a student to find relevant information or stay focused on the domain under study. Research showed that search engines have deficiencies that might prevent students from finding relevant information. To this end, this research proposes a technical solution that takes the personal search history of a student into consideration and provides a holistic view of the domain under study. Based on algorithmic approaches to assert semantic similarity, the proposed framework makes use of a user interface to dynamically assist students through aggregated results and wordcloud visualizations. The effectiveness of our approach is finally evaluated through the use of commonly used datasets and compared in line with existing research

Calculations of electron and positron scattering from vibrationally excited H2+ and H2

© Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. Electron and positron scattering from the vibrationally excited H2 + and H2 molecules were investigated using the adiabatic-nuclei convergent close-coupling method. Converged results are presented for a range of vibrationally excited states

Airborne laser systems for atmospheric sounding in the near infrared

This paper presents new techniques for atmospheric sounding using Near Infrared (NIR) laser sources, direct detection electro-optics and passive infrared imaging systems. These techniques allow a direct determination of atmospheric extinction and, through the adoption of suitable inversion algorithms, the indirect measurement of some important natural and man-made atmospheric constituents, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The proposed techniques are suitable for remote sensing missions performed by using aircraft, satellites, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), parachute/gliding vehicles, Roving Surface Vehicles (RSV), or Permanent Surface Installations (PSI). The various techniques proposed offer relative advantages in different scenarios. All are based on measurements of the laser energy/power incident on target surfaces of known geometric and reflective characteristics, by means of infrared detectors and/or infrared cameras calibrated for radiance. (cont.

The effects of Anabasine and the alkaloid extract of Nicotiana glauca on Lepidopterous Larvae

For several decades, Nicotiana glauca has been known for its content of the pyridine alkaloid, anabasine. The toxicological effects of this metabolite have been extensively studied, as opposed to its potential insecticidal activity. The anabasine content of leaves of N. glauca, collected from Malta, was 0.258 ± 0.0042% as determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. In the Pieris rapae larval bioassay, the median effective concentrations of anabasine and the alkaloid extract were 0.572 and 1.202 mg per larva, respectively. The presence of other interfering metabolites may have resulted in this elevated EC50 for the crude extract. Anabasine is quoted to be a very toxic alkaloid not solely to insects, but also to other animals, and its use in minute concentrations in insect traps may well prove it to be an effective natural insecticide.peer-reviewe