https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104567 2026-04-15T05:24:30Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/89994 Title: Green organic synthesis via multicomponent reactions Authors: Bosica, Giovanna; Baldacchino, K.; Abdilla, R.; De Nittis, Riccardo Abstract: The success of the modern pharmaceutical industry is largely due to the remarkable achievements of organic synthesis over the last century. However, many of these reactions were developed at a time when the toxic properties of many reagents and solvents were not known and waste minimisation and sustainability were not significant issues. By the latter half of the 1980s, the worldwide chemical industry knew that it had to clean up its act: its environmental reputation was terrible. In the past two decades, the Green Chemistry movement has helped industry become much cleaner. Green chemistry efficiently utilises (preferably renewable) raw materials, eliminates waste, and avoids the use of toxic and/or hazardous reagents and solvents in the manufacture and application of chemical products. There are several ways in which organic synthesis can be carried out in line with the Green Chemistry principles and, among these, multicomponent reactions under green conditions prove to be useful and versatile tools. Recent examples of applications will demonstrate the molecular diversity that can be obtained from this green synthetic approach. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/89992 Title: The role of orthography in learning a second language : evidence from Maltese English Authors: Mitterer, Holger Abstract: Research has indicated that the acquisition of a second language (L2), in particular of its phonology, is influenced by orthography. For instance, Bassetti (2017) found that Italian learners of English produce the /p/ in words with a double letter 〈p〉 (such as pepper) with a longer [p] than the /p/ in words with a single letter 〈p〉 (such as weapon). This indicates that Italian learners are influenced by their first language (L1) orthographyto- phonology rules, where a phonological quantity contrast between short and long consonants is cued as such in orthography. We tested whether this pattern is due to a focus on orthography in most formal L2 education by testing Maltese learners of English. Just as Italian learners, Maltese learners have a quantity distinction in their native language that is coded by single versus double letters. However, unlike Italian learners, the English L2 is used spontaneously outside the classroom, so that acquisition is based less on orthography. The results show that Maltese learners do not make a quantity distinction in English words with single versus double letters. This indicates that earlier results are due to the focus on orthography in formal education rather than an automatic use of orthography in speech processing. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/89990 Title: Students’ attitude towards academic misconduct scenarios : a review and pilot study Authors: Grech, A.; Hackenbruch, S.; Stabile, Isabel Abstract: To determine the prevalence of academic misconduct among medical students in a predominantly Catholic EU country. Medical students at the University of Malta (UM) responded to an online questionnaire about academic misconduct scenarios. Results were analysed by the Chi-squared and unpaired t-tests. The response rate was 10% (n = 75; 57% female; 8% locals; 89% under 25). Significantly more females considered threats upon students, abuse of alcohol/drugs, and inappropriate language as serious offenses. Fewer than 20% agreed that writing a piece of work for another student or lending own work to be copied, were serious offenses; 30% would not inform faculty of serious misconduct and 41% were unsure whether they should. Forging signatures, cheating during exams, damaging property, lying about their CV and threatening others topped the list of offenses considered wrong. 38% of all students and 15% of Year 5 students reported that it was not wrong to inform others about a just completed OSCE (p = 0.0004); 10% admitted having done it (p = 0.001. Significantly more Year 2 students agreed that failure to inform the University of a previous conviction for theft was wrong (p = 0.04); 8– 10% of students admitted copying during exams, copying others word-for-word or writing work for other students; 18% had/would forge signatures on official records. Medical students at UM behave similarly to those elsewhere in terms of academic dishonesty. Utilizing only assessment of knowledge to determine academic progression may not adequately equip students with those characteristics that would be expected of them as junior doctors. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/89989 Title: Origins and destinations : the career paths of male and female academics at the University of Malta Authors: Baldacchino, Godfrey Abstract: 35 individuals (23 men and 12 women) were recruited as full-time assistant lecturers at the University of Malta around thirty years ago. By looking at their administrative responsibilities, by following their career progression, as well as by exploring publically available metrics about the quantity and quality of their scholarship, it can be argued that there is no significant difference among this cohort based on gender. This suggests that men and women in Malta can today achieve similar career destinations in academia; and existing gender gaps are therefore likely to close with the passage of time, on the basis of existing policies. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z