https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/35691 2026-04-11T07:43:20Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6892 Title: An evaluation of the perceptions of products derived from gene technology among undergraduates at the University of Malta Authors: Zammit-Mangion, Marion Abstract: A pilot study on the perceptions of genetically engineered-derived produce was carried out among undergraduates in their final year of study at the University of Malta. 68% of the students interviewed accepted the idea of genetically modifying plants (GM) but the idea of creating GM animals was not acceptable to the same cohort with approval falling to 30.2% of the group. Gender was found to be important in influencing choices made by students. Females were less accepting of GM organisms and they were significantly less likely to buy GM produce, such as GM derived milk (p<0.001), tomatoes (p<0.05), and beef (p<0.01) than males. Subject background was also found to influence student opinions. Students with a strong background in biology were less likely to have faith in statements concerning GM products made by the farming community (p<0.05). However, the same students were more willing to accept statements about GM products by government organisations (p<0.01) and environmental groups (p<0.05) than those who had minimal or no biology in their background. The study is interesting, as it shows that at a fundamental level, complex factors are influencing the individual's choices on biotech derived products. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6889 Title: The names of the town and villages of Gozo (Malta) Authors: Zammit Ciantar, Joe Abstract: The Maltese islands have been dominated by various rulers who left an imprint on the life, customs, and language of the inhabitants. This is evident also in the toponymy of the archipelago. The names of places, towns, and villages of the larger island, Malta, provide interesting samples of these admixtures. The names of the town and villages of Gozo are no exception. The legal name of the capital, Victoria, reflects the very recent history of the islands; Malta under British rule. However, its older one, Rabat, and most of the names of the villages and smaller inhabited areas, corroborate the dominating Semitic element in the Maltese language, and the mixed history of the islands and their people. This paper gives a hypothetical etymology, together with a descriptive linguistic picture, of each of the names, and discusses the relationship each has within the prismatic context of the Maltese language, but especially toponymy. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6888 Title: Towards a new paradigm for linguistic diversity in the Russian Federation Authors: Ó Riagáin, Dónall Abstract: Russia is a land of many languages - over 150 of them. All in all, Russia has had a relatively good record on accommodating linguistic diversity although matters deteriorated from the 60s onwards under the more 'liberal' leaders. The Russian Federation signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2001 but has yet to ratify it. Linguistic minorities should press for its ratification and facilitate this by taking a number of practical measures -setting up a web-site to facilitate and exchange of ideas and expertise, establish a network of linguistic minorities, engage in a linguistic community twinning arrangement with small linguistic communities in other countries. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6887 Title: II-muskolu kollu demm ta' 'II-jien u lilhinn minnu' Authors: Mifsud, Immanuel Abstract: Dan I-artiklu jaghti harsa Iejn l-istorja tad-dikotomija bejn il-qalb u I-mohh, dikotomija Ii tikkaratterizza l-poema 'II-Jien u Lilhinn Minnu' ta' Dun Karm Psaila. Din il-harsa storika turi lj I-ghazliet li ghamel Dun Karm jirriflettu qaghdiet politici Ii l-gheruq taghhom imorru lura sekli shah. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z