https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19049 2026-05-07T12:49:15Z 2026-05-07T12:49:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101549 2022-09-12T05:31:29Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Using ENERGY STAR portfolio manager as a tool for hospitals Abstract: Across the globe, people are becoming concerned with the state of the environment and their own environmental impact. In the United States, many industries have yet to undergo significant changes towards greener operations. One such industry, the healthcare industry, has a disproportionately large environmental impact considering their size. In this project, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager will be investigated for its ability to fully monitor the diverse universe of healthcare facilities and to address the goals, needs, and desires of their core healthcare stakeholders. Through using Carilion Clinic, a non-profit healthcare organization based out of Roanoke, Virginia, as a single case study, the attributes and abilities of Portfolio Manager will be investigated and evaluated. Carilion Clinic operates 7 major hospitals in Western Virginia; in this report, 3 of their largest hospitals will be set up in Portfolio Manager. By working closely with Carilion, their core regional stakeholders will be identified and their goals for Portfolio Manager articulated. Based on the experiences with using Portfolio Manager for these 3 hospitals, the software package was found to be able to account for most of the specifications inherent to Carilion's facilities. Additionally, Portfolio Manager served as a capable tool that fulfilled the majority of the stakeholder goals. In implementing the Portfolio Manager software package, it was realized that the program, as currently configured, does have limitations and may benefit from the use of a supplemental software package. For Carilion, GoRPM has been shown to complement Portfolio Manager and together they provide an encompassing solution to online facilities management. Description: MSC.ENV.MANGT.&SUS.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101548 2022-09-12T05:29:14Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An evidence-based literature review : Masters dissertation in acupuncture and depression Abstract: Acupuncture which is a branch of the Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating conditions related to emotional dysfunctions such as depression from time immemorial. Only recently depression became the subject of various studies based on randomized control trials formulas aimed to prove the efficacy of this mode of treatment. It was the objective of this overview to analyse some of these randomized control trials in order to evaluate various acupuncture treatment modalities and report the strengths and limits of such modalities. Although the search for such trials was extensive 21 randomized control trials were selected to be included in this overview. In reviewing these trials data was collected regarding subjects, intervention modalities, outcome measures and results. The heterogeneity of the studies reviewed was such that there was quite a big diversity in study populations, treatment interventions and the control arm used. The majority of the trials under consideration came out with a positive outcome reporting that acupuncture had significantly decreased the severity of depression. This overview however found out also that most of the trials presented certain limitations in the control aspect, in their overall quality and in the number of samples selected. In those trials were acupuncture was compared to antidepressants the results showed that both modalities had similar effects. The picture proved to be shadier in those trials were acupuncture was compared to control interventions. Notwithstanding this the reviewed trials can serve as an impetus for future researchers to embark on more research adopting better tools thus ensuring more reliable randomized control trials. Description: M.CHINESE MED.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101403 2022-09-06T05:59:24Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Examining Sweden's integration strategy of self-identifying Muslim asylum-seekers from the Middle East North Africa region and identifying the primary factors needed to facilitate their integration into Swedish society Abstract: This thesis examines the nationwide past and present integration strategy of immigrants that Sweden uses, focusing specifically on the integration of self-identifying Muslim asylum-seekers from the Middle East North Africa region. Over the centuries, people have immigrated to Sweden for a variety of reasons, seeking asylum being among the motivations. Many of the immigrants originated from the MENA region and former Yugoslavia. Over the last fifteen years, the majority of the immigrants coming to Sweden have been done so on humanitarian grounds, and came to Sweden to seek asylum. Sweden has generally been characterized as a generous and tolerant country, and has frequently been a destination country, with many asylum-seekers traveling across much of Europe to reach Sweden. Recently, however, with the immense wave of asylum seekers who came to Sweden in 2015, most of them originating from the MENA region and being self-identifying Muslims, there is concern about how to integrate so many people, as well as regarding religious beliefs and culture, which seems to be on the rise in Sweden, as well as throughout much of Europe. This thesis explores Sweden's integration strategy and has identified what have emerged from this research as the key components to integration of self-identifying Muslim asylum-seekers from the MENA region, into Swedish society. Description: Dual Masters; M.SC.CONFLICT ANALYSIS&RES.; M.A.CONFLICT RES.&MED.STUD.

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100983 2022-08-26T05:28:21Z 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Are nature conservation laws adapted to climate change? : towards integrated spatial planning and land use instruments to implement biodiversity conservation objectives Abstract: Despite the fact that many policy measures and legislation were taken in order to implement conservation objectives and real protected areas networks such as the European Natura 2000 network, they do not succeed to reverse the current biodiversity decline. Some scholars suggest that conservation laws are insufficiently implemented or protected areas and legislation are badly-suited to face climate change. Can we therefore consider that conservation legislation is no more adapted to today's global threat? Indeed, they were drafted when climate change was not placed on the top of international agendas and they were more flag-species and specific habitats-focussed without facilitating species movement, the condition sine qua non for adaptation. In order to meet conservation targets, climate change adaptation needs a particular policy attention to help species adapt in this conservation threat context. As part of numerous biodiversity adaptation measures, connectivity conservation is known as a potential and verified scientific solution to enhance the ability of species to adapt to the impacts of climate change by building natural resilience and therefore, to reverse the increasing biodiversity decline. This concept aims at halting the changes being made in natural connectivity and ruptures of conservation plans by preserving or restoring linkages between and outside protected areas, protecting habitats, maintain critical ecological processes and facilitating natural migration through natural landscapes. This paper discusses the potential and shortcomings of these nature conservation laws to addressing terrestrial connectivity conservation in the context of Climate Change. Description: LL.M.ENERGY ENV.CLIMATE

2016-01-01T00:00:00Z