Article Living in the era of multiple epidemics – A Malta perspective Sarah Cuschieri Pages: 4 - 9 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have long been a global epidemic way before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2016, it was estimated that 6.55% of the adult population in Malta suffered from at least one NCD, with type 2 diabetes, obesity and low back pain dominating the NCD scene. The onset of COVID-19 challenged the healthcare systems, as well as the wellbeing of the population. Restrictions instituted to control COVID-19 led to negative repercussions on those suffering from NCDs apart from bringing to the fore specific NCDs such as mental illness, obesity, and back pain. Furthermore COVID-19 increased the population burden through enhanced morbidity and mortality. However, the COVID-19 vaccination was observed to have helped dampen this burden. Yet, it is important that a syndemic approach is adopted to ensure that all epidemics are simultaneously given the appropriate attention and timely action is provided to safeguard the population health and wellbeing.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.01
Article Clinical vaccine research in children in Malta David Pace Pages: 10 - 18 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Clinical vaccine trials in children are extremely important for the investigation of new vaccines as well as for studying different ways of scheduling vaccines that are currently in use. Data from such trials, in addition to epidemiological data on the infectious disease the vaccines are trying to prevent, can be used to introduce vaccines as well as to improve the current immunisation schedules. The purpose of this review is to showcase the clinical vaccine research on meningococcal C vaccines in children that was carried out in Malta in collaboration with the UK from 2010 to 2013, data from which have already been presented and published in peer reviewed journals. This review gives a synopsis of the immunogenicity of reduced dose meningococcal C vaccine schedules in infants as well as the immune kinetics of the antibodies induced following a booster dose at 12 months of age. The practicality of the study findings are discussed, including their relevance to the meningococcal vaccines that were recently introduced on the national immunisation schedule in Malta. Hopefully this research will encourage doctors to show interest in leading future research in children in Malta with appropriate support from our clinical and academic institutions.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.02
Article Research on Microgrids at the University of Malta Alexander Micallef Pages: 19 - 27 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: This article presents some of the work done in recent years by the microgrids research team at the Department of Industrial Electrical Power Conversion (IEPC). Research activities are dedicated towards enabling secure, reliable, and carbon free electricity systems. To date, the main contributions by the department were made to the operation, control and management of microgrids in low voltage (LV) distribution networks, ship electrification (shipboard microgrids) and low voltage DC microgrids. The paper also presents a few of the significant results achieved by the department to date including a hierarchical control architecture for single phase microgrids, control algorithms of power electronic converters for AC and DC microgrids, energy and power management strategies, power quality improvement algorithms and technologies, demand response strategies and devices, and the effective integration of renewables and energy storage systems.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.03
Article Quality education, social cohesion and active labour market policies: A comparative analysis of two European island states Camilleri Mark Anthony, Adriana Caterina Camilleri Pages: 28 - 39 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Societies benefit from the delivery of inclusive education, lifelong learning and from active labour market policies. Therefore, this research presents a critical review of the relevant literature. It features a comparative analysis on the latest socio-economic policies that are currently being implemented in the Mediterranean island states of Malta and Cyprus. The findings suggest that both countries need to attract more students to vocational and higher education in order to improve their employment prospects. The latest European reports indicate that their labour market policies are increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals, including women, single parents, older adults and migrant workers, among others, who are not in employment, education or training. In conclusion, this contribution implies that the pursuit of continuous improvements in quality education and social cohesion can create a virtuous cycle of productivity outcomes, including job creation and societal well-being.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.04
Article Cannabinoids For Fibromyalgia: An Updated Systematic Review Jean Claude Scicluna, Giuseppe Di Giovanni Pages: 40 - 48 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Fibromyalgia is an increasingly prevalent condition resulting in high morbidity and economic burden for sufferers. Minimal to modest benefit has been achieved by pharmacotherapies, creating a strong rationale for novel therapies. Substantial evidence has implicated the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of fibromyalgia symptoms. However, the therapeutic potential and potential adverse effects of cannabis-based therapy in fibromyalgia are still under-reported, leading to clinicians’ hesitation to opt for such therapy. This systematic review examined the literature and provided a critical review of the safety and efficacy of cannabis-based therapy in fibromyalgia. It resulted that medical cannabis is a safe and effective treatment option for fibromyalgia, whilst further research in this area is needed.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.05
Article Interferometric phase denoising and unwrapping: a literature review Gianluca Valentino, Johann Briffa, Reuben Farrugia, Asma Fejjari Pages: 49 - 58 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Interferometric SAR (InSAR) phase denoising and phase unwrapping are two key steps of the InSAR pipeline, leading to estimated deformation maps. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the recent literature in the field of InSAR phase denoising and unwrapping, and identify the most promising techniques, as well as benchmarks for performance comparison. Summaries of the performance metrics of the various methods are also provided. An example use case of InSAR techniques, including phase denoising and unwrapping, to estimate deformation following a volcanic eruption is provided.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.06
Article AI and Games: The Remarkable Case of Malta Georgios N. Yannakakis Pages: 59 - 66 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: We currently witness a technological revolution that is attributed primarily to artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. Even before this AI Spring, however, the plethora of machine learning, search and optimization breakthroughs have been made possible through the direct applications of AI algorithms in digital games. As AI advances, games also advance since AI can continuously test, improve, design and complexify the environments it is engaged in. This symbiotic relationship between AI and games is currently shaping the research frontier of AI and boosts the innovation potential of games across multiple domains.
This short paper has a dual purpose and corresponding parts. Throughout the first general part of the paper, I survey briefly the current state of the art in the AI and games field. Then I outline the critical role of games in AI research, the importance of AI for game development, and the impact their relationship has on current and future scientific breakthroughs. In the second specific part of this paper, I focus on the Institute of Digital Games of the University of Malta as a successful centre of excellence on AI and games research, education, and innovation. Specifically, I provide evidence suggesting that a national focus and targeted investment in AI and video game development has managed to place a small island country like Malta — in just under a decade — among the leading players of AI and games research, education and innovation globally.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.07
Article Precision Medicine and Enrichment in Sepsis Brendon Scicluna Pages: 67 - 77 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Sepsis is defined as a dysregulated host response to infection leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. While this recent iteration of the sepsis definition rightly centralizes organ dysfunction, it does not reflect on the extensive heterogeneity in the host response observed in sepsis patient populations. Heterogeneity in sepsis has hindered the identification of effective therapeutic targets, with current treatment consisting of antimicrobials and supportive care. In order to address the shortcomings in identifying specific therapeutics for sepsis, the focus of various research activities turned towards developing precision medicine approaches. In particular, efforts aimed at stratifying patients into more homogenous subgroups having common dominant pathophysiological features and outcome trajectories, in turn facilitating the delineation of specific therapies. Here, I review current initiatives in prognostic and predictive enrichment strategies in sepsis patient populations, which will be key to identify patients who would benefit, or be harmed, from specific therapeutic interventions.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.08
Article Impacts of local and landscape habitat variables and honeybee visitation on wild bee diversity in the Maltese Islands Balzan Mario V , Leticia De Santis Pages: 78 - 94 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: Bees are important pollinators in several ecosystems, and losses of bee diversity can impact on crop and wild plants pollination, and associated ecosystem services. Here, we explore how landscape and local habitat variables influence honeybee and wild bee functional group abundance and richness. Within the context of high hive densities in the Maltese Islands, we explore how high honeybee visitation impacts on wild bee functional richness and abundance using a dataset of plant-bee networks from 78 sites surveyed in spring 2019. Honeybees were strongly associated with agricultural habitats and used a wide range of floral resources that overlapped with those used by wild bees. While no significant impact of local habitat type on functional group richness was recorded, different functional groups were associated with different local habitat types, with agricultural, garden and roadside vegetation habitats being the most important habitats. We assessed the influence of landscape context on wild bees in two radii (250 and 500m). At these scales, the land cover that influenced wild bee abundance positively were arable, garrigue and grassland, orchard and urban, and the abundance of different bee groups was influenced differently by landscape parameters. High honeybee visitation rate had a negative impact on wild bee abundance but no significant impact on functional group richness was recorded in this study. These results are used to provide recommendations for habitat management for bee conservation, as we stress the need for a more holistic approach that considers the effect of local and landscape habitat characteristics, and interspecific interactions when planning measures for the conservation of bee diversity and pollination ecosystem services in the Maltese Islands.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.09
Article From Click Chemistry to Fluorescent Molecular Logic Gates David Magri Pages: 95 - 101 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: The 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the inventions of click chemistry and biorthogonal chemistry, which culminated from trans-disciplinary research in the areas of organic synthesis, fluorescence imaging and chemical biology. In this mini-review, the inventions of the Pourbaix sensor and the Lab-on-a-Molecule, both examples of purposely designed and synthesised functional molecules with fluorescence properties, are discussed. These intelligent molecules operate on the premise of a competitive tension between non-radiative photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and radiative fluorescence. Redox, acid-base and ion-binding equilibrium modulate the states of these molecular devices. Potential applications of these inventions in corrosion detection, cell imaging and health diagnostics for the benefit of society are presented.
Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.10
Article The Beautiful World of Human Haemoglobin; Revisited Alex Felice Pages: 102 - 119 Read Abstract | View full article |
PDF Abstract: When the Editor of XJENZA-ON-LINE asked me to contribute to this special edition to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the Malta Chamber of Scientists, I thought of reviewing my research on the genetics and pathophysiology of human Haemoglobin (Hb) largely from a personal perspective. The journal first known as XJENZA was, of course, close to my heart since it was published by the Chamber soon after we had founded it in 1992 (Fig 1) and I was President (Felice A.E., & Muscat R. 1996) Patrick Schembri had taken the initiative on the Council, and Angela Xuereb was the first editor (Xuereb A., 1996) XJENZA-ON-LINE succeeded the printed XJENZA. Giuseppe de Giovanni was the first editor.
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