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Naphthalimide-organometallic- hybrids as multi-targeted anticancer and luminescent cellular imaging agents
Get PDF1,8-Naphthalimides with an organometallic moiety with anticancer and luminescent or
photoactive properties are reviewed. Primarily highlighted are 1,8-naphthalimide complexes
with iron, platinum, and ruthenium, while honourable mentions are made to iridium, rhenium
and rhodium complexes. The cytotoxicity, mechanism of action and cell selectivity of the
compounds are discussed alongside their photophysical properties for monitoring interactions
with biomolecules, most notably DNA, by absorbance, fluorescence and dichroism
spectroscopy. The luminescent properties provide additional insight regarding the cellular
uptake and location of the intelligent agents within both cancer and healthy cells. The versatility
of this emerging hybrid class of molecule earmarks them as multi-functional therapeutic and
cellular imaging agents. The review concludes with suggestions for designing more effective
multi-targeting cytotoxic agents with improved biocompatibility and imaging in hopes of enhancing their clinical potential.peer-reviewe
The fear of missing out (FOMO) effect in cryptocurrency trading : analyses of mass behavior and its consequences in the era of unpredictable extreme phenomena
Get PDFPURPOSE: This study aims to investigate psychological and behavioral mechanisms and their
impact on the cryptocurrency market. The analysis is carried out through the prism of
studying the FOMO phenomenon.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The author describes the research methods used, including
analysis of market data from major cryptocurrency platforms (e.g., Binance, Coinbase),
sentiment analysis on social media (e.g., Twitter, Reddit), as well as surveys and interviews
with individual investors. Statistical tools and econometric modeling were used to identify
correlations between investor emotions and cryptocurrency price movements.FINDINGS: It was noted that sudden increases in cryptocurrency prices often trigger the
FOMO effect, which leads to mass purchases and further price drive. A clear correlation was
shown between the FOMO effect and the so-called unforeseen extreme phenomena,
manifested by an increase in FOMO intensity during periods of dynamic price changes.
Sentiment analysis indicates a strong correlation between positive media messages and price
increases. In addition, survey studies confirm that it is mainly individual investors who make
decisions under the influence of emotions, not guided by rational analysis.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The FOMO effect contributes to the creation of speculative bubbles
that can end in violent crashes, ultimately causing significant losses for investors. However,
in the short term, i.e., before the potential bubble bursts, the FOMO effect stimulates growth
by encouraging investors to make behavioral decisions. The analysis also shows that mass
impulsive decisions can lead to unpredictable and not always unfavorable financial
consequences for investors.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research contributes to the growing body of literature on behavioral
behavior in one of the most emotion-prone markets, cryptocurrencies.peer-reviewe
wrack intercepts plastic debris : first evaluated evidence on Maltese beaches
Get PDFPlastic debris constitutes a major solid waste pollutant, endangering the marine ecosystem and contributing to
sediment accumulation. The presence of plastics in Posidonia oceanica banquettes poses risks for organisms that
rely on this habitat type for shelter and food. P. oceanica meadows offer vital ecosystem services, including
habitat provision for marine organisms, oxygen production, CO2 absorption, climate change mitigation, and
seawater filtration. At the end of their life cycle, leaves from this seagrass dislodge and accumulate on shorelines
as seagrass ‘banquettes’, i.e. wrack. Inasmuch, P. oceanica banquettes on Mediterranean beaches may serve as
indicators for plastic debris pollution in the coastal ecosystem. This study for the first time quantified and
evaluated the abundance of plastic debris intercepted by the deposits of P. oceanica banquettes on three Maltese
beaches at Qalet Marku, Xemxija, and Ramla tal-Qortin. The highest volume of beached P. oceanica wrack was
recorded at Qalet Marku (730.71 m³
), which included a mean content of plastic items at 24.75 items/m². At
Xemxija, the mean content of plastic items was 102.42 items/m²
, while the mean content at Ramla tal-Qortin
was 32.25 items/m²
. Therefore, the most polluted beach in terms of plastic pollution was Xemxija, where a
high level of anthropogenic activities was noted in the vicinity of the beach. The present study provides a
baseline for macro (>25 mm)-, meso (5 − 25 mm)-, and micro (<5 mm)-plastics trapped within the banquette of
P. oceanica on Maltese beaches.peer-reviewe
Pharmacists’ contributions towards antimicrobial therapy in an intensive care setting
Get PDFAims: To explore clinical interventions related to antimicrobial therapy carried out by pharmacists in an intensive care unit (ICU) and assess significance of such interventions to prevent potential ADEs.Introduction: Antimicrobials are among the most commonly used medications in intensive care where infections are frequently prevalent among critically ill patients. Management of antimicrobials in critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock can be challenging due to physiological changes that affect drug pharmacokinetics, as well as interpatient variability. The importance of optimising antimicrobial therapy is underscored by variations in both efficacy and toxicity of these medications in critically ill patients. Pharmacist s, being part of the multidisciplinary team, can contribute significantly in optimising antimicrobial therapy by selecting the most appropriate drug dosage, frequency, and method of administration to match patient clinical needs and monitor for risk of adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with these medications. This study aimed to explore clinical interventions related to antimicrobial therapy carried out by pharmacists in an intensive care unit (ICU) and assess t he significance of such interventions in preventing potential ADEs.peer-reviewe
silenzji li nduqu u metafori sinestetiċi oħra f’Nadia Mifsud
No full textIt-teżina tesplora r-relazzjoni bejn il-kunċetti poetiċi u
l-esperjenzi sinestetiċi waqt li tistabbilixxi r-relevanza
tal-metafora sinestetika, l-immaġni sensorji u
s-simboliżmu tal-ħoss fil-poeżija Maltija, b’ħarsa mill-viċin lejn il-poeżija ta’ Nadia Mifsud. Is-sinestesija hi
kundizzjoni nevroloġika b’taħlita anomala tas-sensi
li fiha l-istimulazzjoni ta’ modalità waħda tipproduċi
sensazzjoni simultanja f ’modalità oħra. Meta
l-qarrejja jaqraw letteratura miżgħuda bis-sinestesija,
spiss ikunu impressjonati mill-valur poetiku tas-sensazzjonijiet irrappurtati. Il-poeżija ta’ Nadia Mifsud
hi miżgħuda bil-kitba sinestetika u l-esplorazzjoni tal-ispazji, il-kuluri, it-togħmiet u l-irwejjaħ f ’Kantuniera
’l Bogħod jimplikaw id-determinazzjoni tal-mara
f ’soċjetà patrijarkali u n-nostalġija tal-Maltija-mhux-Maltija. F’Varjazzjonijiet tas-Skiet tirrakkonta skiet
artab, skiet “oħxon,” u l-“vojt iswed dagħwa” ta’ meta
kollettivament inqbadna ġewwa waqt il-pandemija
tal-2020. Mifsud tirrakkonta l-mara kif tgħixha l-mara,
fl-esperjenzi u l-forom kollha tagħha, u allura tagħmel
użu mill-metafora sinestetika biex tartikola b’mod
aktar sħiħ l-esperjenza tal-jien poetiku lill-qarrejja
ħalli, jekk ma jirnexxilhomx jarawha, jisimgħuha, u
jekk ma jisimgħuhiex, iħossuha jew ixommuha.peer-reviewe
Imagining, designing and teaching regenerative futures : art-science approaches and inspirations from around the world
Get PDFThis method aims to enhance agency in the climate crisis, to motivate (collective)
action, and to foster critical thinking on dominant climate narratives. It is designed
for anyone seeking hopeful stories and visions of the future. It is based on the observation that current climate narratives are predominantly scary and apocalyptic
(Toivonen 2022). While it is important to be informed about the dramatic consequences of climate change, these stories often lead to feelings of guilt, grief, apathy,
and frustration, which hinders climate action (Meffert 2023; Wamsler et al. 2022).peer-reviewe
Recurrent humid phases in Arabia over the past 8 million years
No full textThe Saharo-Arabian Desert is one of the largest biogeographical barriers on Earth,
impeding dispersals between Africa and Eurasia, including movements of past
hominins. Recent research suggests that this barrier has been in place since at least
11 million years ago. In contrast, fossil evidence from the late Miocene epoch and the
Pleistocene epoch suggests the episodic presence within the Saharo-Arabian Desert
interior of water-dependent fauna (for example, crocodiles, equids, hippopotamids
and proboscideans), sustained by rivers and lakes, that are largely absent from
today’s arid landscape. Although numerous humid phases occurred in southern
Arabia during the past 1.1 million years, little is known about Arabia’s palaeoclimate
before this time. Here, based on a climatic record from desert speleothems, we show
recurrent humid intervals in the central Arabian interior over the past 8 million years.
Precipitation during humid intervals decreased and became more variable over time,
as the monsoon’s influence weakened, coinciding with enhanced Northern Hemisphere
polar ice cover during the Pleistocene. Wetter conditions likely facilitated mammalian
dispersals between Africa and Eurasia, with Arabia acting as a key crossroads for
continental-scale biogeographic exchanges.peer-reviewe
Current status and challenges of multi-omics research using animal models of atherosclerosis
Get PDFAtherosclerosis is an underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which account for most deaths worldwide. Use of diverse preclinical models of atherosclerosis has been implemental in understanding the underlying mechanisms, the implicated cell types, the genes and the molecules at play in the onset and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Although significant research advancements have been made, further research is necessary to delve into factors influencing plaque types, site preference within the vasculature, interactions with adjacent tissues (liver, pancreas and perivascular adipose tissue), inflammation and sex-based disparities, among others. The conventional low throughput methodologies which concentrate on individual cells, genes or metabolites are inadequate to tackle the complex and heterogeneous nature of atherosclerosis. With recent advancement in multi-omics and bioinformatics, research approaches have illuminated a clearer understanding of atherosclerosis. Consequently, these advancements pave the path to design novel therapeutics to complement currently approved lipid-lowering and other effective treatments. In this article, we summarize and critically evaluate the findings derived from recent high throughput single- or multi-omic studies conducted in animal models of atherosclerosis. We also delve into the challenges associated with using experimental animals to model human atherosclerosis and contemplate the essential enhancements needed to better mimic human conditions. We further discuss the requirement of establishing a structured multi-omic database for atherosclerosis research, enabling broader access and utilisation within the scientific community.peer-reviewe
The leader in ESG change management : the transformation of the chief financial officer’s role in organization
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of the paper is to present the impact of the CSRD Directive on the
activities of the organization, with particular emphasis on the impact it will have on the role
of Chief Financial Officer. CFO’s will have to implement a global change in reporting
imposed by the CSR Directive. Their role in organizations will be transformed. They are
going to become leaders of ESG green strategic change and reporting Guards.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The approach to the topic of the paper is theoretical and
practical. The changing role of the CFO in the context of organization and strategic change
management is being analyzed.FINDINGS: As a result of the determinant of the change, which is CSRD, organizations will
have to implement new non-financial reporting. A key role in the process of implementing
this change in the organizations will be dedicated to CFO. There will be a transformation of
CFO’s function to the role of a multi-dimensional strategic leader of change management
in organization.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The paper has practical impact. The general review characterizes
the areas in which the CFO's knowledge and competences should be transformed so that they
can effectively become leaders of ESG change.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: We are able currently observing the transformation of the entire market.
The occurrence of an external factor, which is a change in financial law (CSRD), determines
changes in all organizations in the world. The paper is a summary of observations of the
evolution of the scope of CFO’s role and responsibilities to a strategic one.peer-reviewe
Predicting hospital readmission from electronic health records in heart failure patients : a machine learning approach
Get PDFIntroduction: Unplanned hospital readmissions pose a burden on both patients and healthcare organisations, leading to adverse health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Heart failure is associated with high unplanned readmission rates. The prediction of hospital readmission can therefore help healthcare providers identify patients with the highest risk of readmission and ensure closer follow-up monitoring and care coordination to prevent readmission. This study utilised a Machine Learning (ML) approach to develop and validate a readmission risk prediction model predicting thirty-day hospital readmission, focusing on patients with heart failure. Methods: Two Electronic Health Record datasets were utilised in this study: the open-access Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) and a Public Hospitals dataset, sourced from the Directorate of Health Information and Research (DHIR) in Malta. Exploratory Data Analysis of these datasets indicated that the thirty-day hospital readmission rate of heart failure patients was 21% (MIMIC-IV) and 27% (local Public Hospitals). Predictive risk variables were extracted from the datasets and four Supervised Learning models were developed in RapidMiner Studio: Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosted Trees (GBT) and EXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The models were trained and validated on data from MIMIC-IV, using ten-fold cross-validation. Results: The highest performing model for predicting thirty-day hospital readmission was the XGBoost model, which achieved performance metrics: F1 Score 77.8 and Area Under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUROC) 0.87, when trained on the MIMIC-IV Heart Failure cohort. The RF and GBT algorithms also performed well (RF: F1-Score 67.6, AUROC 0.73; GBT: F1 Score 68.9, AUROC 0.70) while the DT algorithm performed poorly possibly due to overfitting (F1 Score 37.5, AUROC 0.50). Lower performance was also observed when the model was tested on the local Public Hospitals dataset (AUROC 0.51). This was mainly attributed to an imbalanced class distribution and a lack of predictive features in the test dataset. Conclusion: Results compare well with other studies applying similar models utilising MIMIC data. This demonstrated that the proposed Machine Learning approach can be used to predict thirty-day hospital readmission through Electronic Health Record data. Since relatively high readmission rates were observed in the first week post-discharge, further studies investigating the prediction of hospital readmission in the early post-discharge period, may provide additional insights on the observed high readmission rates in heart failure patients. Disclosures: Funded in part by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), as part of the Pathfinder MDIA Digital Scholarship scheme.peer-reviewe