Search Results (32)

This paper presents an overall concept developed by ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) in the Italian framework of renewable energy communities (RECs). The proposed work is driven by the idea that RECs are part of a long-term vision aimed at achieving the broader concept of smart communities (SCs) through smart energy communities (SECs). SECs are, therefore, the evolution of RECs toward SCs, where ICT (information and communications technology) and digitalization play a pivotal role in fostering and boosting the energy transition and addressing societal challenge goals by 2050. In this scenario, the proposed approach is based on three dimensions, as follows: digital tools, use cases, and the observatory. Digital tools can be utilized at different stages of the creation of RECs, ranging from the design and engagement phase to evaluation, analysis, and the token economy. The second dimension refers to some selected different business cases that are used to test and demonstrate the proposed tools and provide support to specific RECs in the different phases of their creation. Lastly, the EC observatory was created by ENEA to provide necessary support to the market and stakeholders on different aspects, such as data management, economics, legal issues, communication, and regional governance. Full article

Mitochondria possess a double-membrane envelope which is susceptible to insult by pathogenic intracellular aggregates of amyloid-forming peptides, such as the amyloid-beta (1-42) (Aβ42) peptide and the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP). The molecular composition of membranes plays a pivotal role in regulating peptide aggregation and cytotoxicity. Therefore, we hypothesized that modifying the physicochemical properties of mitochondrial model membranes with a small molecule might act as a countermeasure against the formation of, and damage by, membrane-active amyloid peptides. To investigate this, we inserted the natural ubiquinone Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in model mito-mimetic lipid vesicles, and studied how they interacted with Aβ42 and hIAPP peptide monomers and oligomers. Our results demonstrate that the membrane incorporation of CoQ10 significantly attenuated fibrillization of the peptides, whilst also making the membranes more resilient against peptide-induced permeabilization. Furthermore, these protective effects were linked with the ability of CoQ10 to enhance membrane packing in the inner acyl chain region, which increased the mechanical stability of the vesicle membranes. Based on our collective observations, we propose that mitochondrial resilience against toxic biomolecules implicit in protein misfolding disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and type-2 diabetes, could potentially be enhanced by increasing CoQ10 levels within mitochondria. Full article

Measurements of concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) were collected over a period of thirteen years (2011–2023). The data were collected at Giordan Lighthouse atmospheric monitoring and research station on the Island of Gozo, forming part of the Maltese Archipelago, in the Central Mediterranean. Trend analysis shows that NO_x concentrations are decreasing at an annual rate of 0.15 ppbv per year. This is in comparison to what has been recorded across Europe due to stricter regulations and improvements in vehicle technologies. Significant reductions were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the implementation of lockdowns and restrictions on mobility. NO_x concentrations also exhibit an amplitude seasonal variability of 35% with a maximum in October and a minimum in December, while the nitric oxide (NO) component of NO_x presents a broad maximum in May/June and a minimum in February. NO_x concentrations also show a strong diurnal variability with a maximum in the morning and a minimum in the afternoon. The diurnal amplitude of NO_x and NO is 44% and 148%, respectively. With respect to wind direction, the NO_x concentrations exhibit a maximum when the prevailing wind is from the South-East sector and a minimum when the wind is blowing from the West sector. Full article

This paper presents the findings of a 12-year study on radon conducted from January 2011 to December 2022 at the Giordan Lighthouse station on the island of Gozo, Malta. Located in the Central Mediterranean, Gozo’s strategic position enables effective monitoring of air mass movements between Africa and Europe (from south to north) and between Europe and Central Asia (from west to east). Our research involves an analysis of seasonal and diurnal variations in radon levels, alongside analysis of relevant meteorological variables, clustering of air mass back trajectories, and assessment of local and remote radon production. The findings provide critical insights into the dynamics of atmospheric radon, which are significant not only for the Maltese islands, but also for enhancing our understanding of transcontinental radon transport in the Central Mediterranean, a region that has remained largely unexplored. Full article

The general increase in awareness of environmental pollutants and typical sources reflects the application of sustainability and development goals. Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis has been used to analyse sand samples collected from five different beaches located on the east and north-eastern coasts of Malta and Gozo during two summers and two winters. Samples were collected along linear transects perpendicular to the shoreline at three different depths. Chemometrics were used to discriminate between four latent variables, including season, location, depth, and distance from shoreline. The highest concentrations were attributed to Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, SrO, and SnO₂. Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis classified distributions of Fe₂O₃, CoO, As₂O₃, MnO, SrO, SeO₂, and CaCO₃ under Principal Component 1. However, since no loading value dominance was observed, such distributions most likely represent a combination of lithogenic and anthropogenic natures. Discrimination using Stepwise Linear Canonical Discriminant Analysis (SLC-DA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) using Leave-One-Out-Cross-Validation with Variance Importance Plots proved highly effective in classifying data by location, followed by seasonal variability. It follows that concentrations are not affected by depth and distance from shoreline variability, proving that accumulation and anthropogenic effects from land are not concentrated in specific zones but are spatially spread out along the bays and do not increase with depth. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adipophilin (ADP) is a protein associated with lipid droplets, and its expression is related to poor prognosis in certain cancers. However, its impact on the survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of ADP expression on long-term survival following hepatectomy in patients with CRLM. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 102 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2006 and 2022. ADP expression was examined in resected specimens through immunohistochemical staining using tissue microarrays. Long-term outcomes for ADP-positive (n = 51) and ADP-negative (n = 51) groups were compared with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: We found significantly decreased 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for ADP-positive patients relative to ADP-negative patients (29.4% versus 52.1%, respectively; p = 0.001 and 43.7% versus 72.2%, respectively; p = 0.003). Moreover, multivariate Cox hazards analysis demonstrated that patients with ADP-positive CRLM had a worse prognosis after hepatectomy than those with ADP-negative CRLM, as reflected by both RFS (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.39–4.36, p = 0.002) and OS (HR: 2.89, 95% CI 1.43–5.85, p = 0.003). Conclusions: ADP expression had a significant prognostic impact on the survival of patients with CRLM following liver resection and may aid in optimal treatment planning. Full article

Plastic surgery is a diverse speciality relevant to non-plastic doctors, as plastic surgeons frequently collaborate with other specialities and its basic principles are transferable across multiple specialities. Foundation-year (FY) doctors are the most junior doctors in the workforce and may need to apply plastic surgery knowledge and principles during their clinical duties. Despite this, formal plastic surgery education for junior doctors is limited, resulting in an educational gap. This study gains insight into the perceived confidence, knowledge gaps, skills, educational activities and needs related to plastic surgery. This qualitative study uses phenomenology through semi-structured individual interviews with eight FY doctors. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. This study revealed that plastic surgery features diversely in the work life of FYs, who often manage patients with a lack of knowledge and confidence, influencing patient care and FY wellbeing. FYs primarily acquire knowledge and confidence through experiential learning and individual initiative. A need for curriculum improvements was expressed. FYs are an essential part of the workforce who exhibited educational gaps and a lack of confidence in plastic surgery knowledge. We suggest improved integration of plastic surgery into the FY curriculum for improved FY knowledge and patient care. Full article

The Maltese archipelago is renowned for its spectacular coasts, characterized by vertical cliffs and scree slopes. In the western sector of Malta and the eastern region of Gozo, a marly clay formation with ductile properties underlying a stiff limestone unit has led to relevant lateral spreading. Utilizing drone aerial photogrammetry, digital elevation models, and satellite imagery, we analyzed the ongoing geomorphological processes across five promontories, selected as case studies. Our analysis reveals a complex interaction between geological structures, Quaternary sea level fluctuations, and lateral spreading processes. Photogrammetric models show that once detached, blocks from the plateaus tend to topple and fall or experience subsidence and backtilting. At Rdum il-Qammieħ, fractures up to 250 m long and openings of up to 2 m were observed, while at Sopu, detached blocks exhibit subsidence of up to 50% and rotations nearing 60°. In all the studied promontories, rotational slides predominantly occur at the frontal sectors, while toppling mechanisms are more common along scarp-edged plateaus. The thickness ratio between the stiff and the ductile formation, ranging from 0.13 to 1.12, along with slope gradients between 10° and 41°, further influence the stability of these coastal features. We discuss the structural and sea level influences on Maltese coastal cliff development over the last 125 ky. We propose a conceptual model outlining the evolution of the Malta Graben promontories through a three-stage evolutionary model: proto-promontories, cliff demolition, and isolation. This model emphasizes the significant role of predisposing, preparatory, and triggering factors in the geomorphological evolution of the Maltese coastline. Our findings provide essential insights into the landscape changes in the Maltese archipelago and represent a useful tool for coastal management and hazard mitigation strategies. Full article

The well-known Gaussian plume model has proven to be very useful in simulating the atmospheric dispersion of air pollutants (both gaseous and particulates). Nevertheless, the nature of the model presents problems in the actual computation of concentrations when the plume is confined between two parallel boundaries due to the occurrence of multiple reflections. The ground and temperature inversion lid (especially, when the inversion layer is at low levels in the atmosphere) with a chimney stack releasing the effluent below the latter, is one contextual example of horizontal parallel reflecting boundaries. A second example is buildings confining a roadway on either side, with motor vehicles emitting pollution within the street canyon (or urban notch). In such cases, multiple reflections should be accounted for, otherwise the model underpredicts the resulting concentration. This paper presents a mathematical rewriting of the Gaussian plume model equation corrected for multiple reflections when the pollution source is confined between parallel boundaries. The obtained result is most appropriate when the parallel boundaries are rigid, and near-complete reflection is achieved, e.g., street canyon environment (second quoted example). It is worth noting that the relevant mathematical derivations and definitions are all included in the paper to facilitate reading and to ensure comprehensiveness in the presentation. Additionally, the outcome of some preliminary numerical testing is presented. The latter indicates that the new formulation is mathematically stable and yields interesting results. Further numerical investigation and experimental evaluation are merited. Full article

Preliminary monitoring campaigns in three (nonindustrial) indoor environments (a corridor, a coffee room with a kitchenette, and a single-occupancy office, all located in the same public building) were carried out, in which the vertical concentration profiles of airborne particulate matter (inhalable, thoracic, and alveolic fractions, as well as PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and carbon dioxide were determined using two distinct, purpose-built sequential sampling systems. One of the systems was specifically built for use with gas monitors and is based on the organ-pipe sequential air sampling technique. The second system better suited the sequential air sampling of particulate matter. Both systems were electronically controlled. Six receptor levels at heights of 0.25, 0.95, 1.25, 1.65, 2.15, and 2.75 m above the ground/floor were considered. The outcomes of the campaigns are presented. The larger-size particle fractions exhibited the most vertical variation in concentration. With respect to measurements at a height of 1.25 m above the floor, percentage differences as high as 80% were recorded. Given the appreciable measured variation in concentration over a height of approximately three meters, further investigation is warranted, especially in view of the exposure of humans of different heights, e.g., adults and children, and possibly different circumstances, e.g., standing and sitting. Full article

A previous study of Narcissus species on the Maltese Islands had suggested the existence of a natural hybridogenous species. A fresh study on Narcissus in Malta was conducted in 2021 and 2023 with the primary aim of studying the previously reported populations of intermediate forms and to update the taxonomy of Narcissus in Malta. Four main taxa of native species were identified: N. deficiens, two distinct morphotypes of N. tazetta, and a new hybrid species. The species identified as N. deficiens replaces records of N. serotinus and N. obsoletus. One of the two morphotypes (“autumn-flowering”) is now combined as subsp. aequilimbus (previously described from Maltese material as Hermione aequilimba) and the other one (“spring-flowering”) corresponds to subsp. tazetta. The new hybrid is derived from N. deficiens and N. tazetta and is named N × briffae. This hybrid was previously incorrectly reported as N. elegans. Detailed morphometric analysis and ecological data justify these new taxonomic appraisals. A dichotomous identification key for eight Narcissus taxa (including non-native ones) is provided to facilitate the identification of the occurring and doubtful species recorded on the Maltese Islands. Full article

Tidal notches, long regarded as reliable indicators of mean sea level, have been extensively studied along carbonate coasts in the central Mediterranean Sea. Previous studies revealed a correlation between the genesis of tidal notches and tidal range, lithology, cliff foot depth, and wave energy. In the 2020 Geoswim campaigns at Lampedusa, the southernmost island of the Pelagie archipelago (Italy), and in Gozo Island (Malta), ‘anomalous’ tidal notches were identified. Unlike normal notches observed elsewhere, those in Lampedusa’s southern bays exhibited a particular behaviour—constantly deepening in the inner part of the bays, reaching a maximum depth of approximately 30 cm below sea level and narrowing inwards. Similar phenomena were previously observed near Marseille (France). As confirmed by the literature, all these areas are tectonically stable. Time-lapse images, alongside measurements of morphometric parameters, were collected during the survey. Our hypothesis indicates that a combination of marine factors influenced by local marine conditions driven by the local morphology of the small bays exposed to southern quadrants contribute to the formation of these unique landforms. The latter manifests higher lowering erosion rates slightly below the mean sea level in sheltered areas, challenging conventional notions about tidal notch formation. Full article

Different engineering geological and geophysical investigations were performed at the Sopu promontory in the island of Gozo (Malta), involved in an impressive lateral spreading process due to the superimposition of a stiff limestone (ULC) on a ductile clay (BC). The applied techniques include: traditional geological and engineering geological surveys, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) survey, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigations, single-station seismic ambient noise measurements, and array seismic ambient noise measurements. The integration of the obtained results allowed us to reconstruct a subsoil model of the promontory that includes features related to the local geology of the slope and to the landslide process, as well as to define a conceptual model that describes the main evolution phases of the expansion process. The presence of back-tilted rock blocks with no features of polarization of Rayleigh waves evidenced the different failure mechanism of the rigid UCL plateau at the Sopu promontory with respect to the Selmun promontory, located in the close island of Malta, where the lateral spreading due to the same geological setting tends to produce unstable rock blocks with a toppling mechanism. This result encourages further future observations and analyses of this topic. Full article

Dancers are considered aesthetic athletes due to the great emphasis directed towards maintaining svelte figures with the aim of enhancing the aesthetic of performance. Ballerinas are consistently found 10–12% below their ideal body weight and are susceptible to the female athlete triad. Still, while the dietary intake of several sports populations has been extensively studied worldwide, in the dance arts data are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of adult female dancers on a small Mediterranean island. All dance schools in Gozo (n = 7) were invited to participate via email. A 4 day food and beverage diary recorded between Thursday and Sunday was used to assess the dietary intake of eligible students and teachers of dance schools. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess demographic data and exercise energy expenditure, adapted from the ‘International Physical Activity Questionnaire’. Participants’ energy and macronutrient intakes were compared to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) using the one sample t-test. The paired samples t-test was used to determine any significant differences in dietary intake between weekdays and the weekend. Of a potential 25 eligible participants, 14 engaged in the study yielding a 56% response rate. The majority of participants were recreational dancers (n = 11). The mean energy intake was 1306 kcal/day with 34.7% derived from fat. The mean carbohydrate and protein intakes were 2.4 g/kg bodyweight and 1.1 g/kg bodyweight, respectively. The mean total energy expenditure was 2034 kcal/day. The daily mean energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes were lower than the RDA, while mean fat intake was higher. There was no evidence of a significant difference in dietary intake between weekdays and the weekend (p = 0.309 carbohydrates, p = 0.596 fat, p = 0.956 protein). Professional dancers failed to meet energy, carbohydrates and protein recommendations for athletic populations, whereas, recreational dancers were likely to consume sufficient energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes. Dietary fat recommendations were met by half of the participants and exceeded by the rest. This study was the first to assess the dietary intake of a dance population in the Maltese Islands. Further research in a larger cohort of local dancers is merited. Full article

A simple and easily implementable model and the associated computer code for predicting the solar irradiance at the earth’s surface have been developed. The input requirements of the model include Julian day, time, geographical latitude, atmospheric pressure and cloud cover. If the latter is not available, then the program user has the option of entering either the daily global solar flux or the duration of sunshine, from which the average cloud cover is estimated. Preliminary model evaluation has been carried out using data from two meteorological stations situated in rural and semi-rural areas of the East Midlands, United Kingdom. The scatter plots of predicted versus observed solar irradiance gave correlation coefficients approximately equal to 0.6 and slopes in the range of 0.80–0.93. The model is being implemented as a submodule within an urban air quality model. This specific application of the solar radiation model is discussed as a typical implementation. This work shows that by adopting relatively simple ‘textbook’ material, i.e., basic theory/information, one can achieve reasonably good solar radiation modelling, with outcomes that can be used for applications where accuracy is not a major requirement. Full article