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Anthropometric and biochemical correlations of insulin resistance in a middle-aged Maltese Caucasian population
Get PDFBackground. Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, and with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. A number of surrogate markers are used in clinical practice to diagnose IR. The aim of this study was to investigate the discriminatory power of a number of routinely available anthropometric and biochemical variables in predicting IR and to determine their optimal cutoffs. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of middle-aged individuals. We used receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analyses in order to determine the discriminatory power of parameters of interest in detecting IR, which was defined as homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance ≥2.5. Results. Both the lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) exhibited good discriminatory power to detect IR in both males and females. The optimal cutoffs were 42.5 and 1.44, respectively, in males and 36.2 and 1.41, respectively, in females. Serum triglycerides (TG) and waist circumference (WC) similarly demonstrated good discriminatory power in detecting IR in both sexes. The optimal cutoffs for serum TG and WC were 1.35 mmol/L and 96.5 cm, respectively, in men and 1.33 mmol/L and 82 cm, respectively, in women. On the other hand, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, liver transaminases, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum uric acid, ferritin, waist-hip ratio, “A” body shape, thigh circumference, and weight-adjusted thigh circumference all had poor discriminatory power. Conclusions. Our data show that LAP, VAI, TG, and WC all have good discriminatory power in detecting IR in both men and women. The optimal cutoffs for TG and WC were lower than those currently recommended in both sexes. Replication studies are required in different subpopulations and different ethnicities in order to be able to update the current cut points to ones which reflect the contemporary population as well as to evaluate their longitudinal relationship with longer-term cardiometabolic outcomespeer-reviewe
L-ilsien Malti għal qalbi
No full textJien Adam Young. Twelidt l-Ungerija, għandi ċittadinanza
Ingliża u ngħix l-Ingilterra, u għandi passjoni kbira għal-lingwi. Lingwa waħda li għandi passjoni immensa għaliha
hija l-Malti.peer-reviewe
Conservation genetics of the Loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, from the central Mediterranean : an insight into the species’ reproductive behaviour in Maltese waters
Get PDFLoggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758), nestlings were investigated through
specimens found dead either after hatching or unhatched (n = 120) from eight nests around the
Maltese islands (Central Mediterranean). Molecular genetics was used to conduct maternity and
paternity tests of the collected specimens utilizing expanded mitochondrial DNA sequences from the
control region (858 bp) and 25 microsatellite loci (12 dinucleotide loci and 13 tetranucleotide
loci). Mitochondrial data produced two haplotypes, CC-A2.1 and CC-A3.1, with the most common
haplotype being present in seven nests. Microsatellite data revealed the identity of six different
females that were involved in the deposition of the eggs in the eight turtle nests analysed. This
confirms that two females laid multiple nests. Additionally, microsatellite data allowed for the
determination of multiple paternity, with one clutch being sired by two fathers. These
results are useful for monitoring the genetic diversity of loggerhead sea turtle nestlings and of
the turtle mothers and fathers contributing to future turtle offspring, which rely on Maltese sandy
beaches for their successful start to life. Effective conservation management benefits from merging
scientific knowledge with effective measures at potential nesting sites to avoid losses of
nestlings caused by
human negligence.peer-reviewe
Educational leadership : reducing offending amongst incarcerated juveniles in Antigua and Barbuda
Get PDFThis paper draws on interviews and focus groups conducted with fourteen
juvenile students and three principals at a residential correctional institution in Antigua and
Barbuda. The study demonstrates the extent to which inadequate educational leadership
practices impact young male offenders’ educational performance and in turn increase their
likelihood of reoffending. Rooted in the conceptual frameworks of reducing the risk of
offending through transformational, servitude and spiritual leadership, we determine the most
prominent educational leadership factors that influence reoffending and how leadership
perceptions of young male offenders impact their educational performance. The findings
indicate that without a deeper awareness of the experiences of young persons in correctional
institutions, the system does more harm than good. The paper argues that an educational combo
Servant Leadership style (cSLS) increases the likelihood that young offenders will
acknowledge their unacceptable behaviour and therefore desist from engagement in crime.peer-reviewe
L-ilsien Malti għal qalbi
No full text“Li l-kultura kienet dar, l-ilsien muftieħ
għall-bieb ta’ barra, għall-kmamar kollha ta’ ġewwa.”
And the Mountains Echoed, Khaled Hosseini
Ftuħ
Eċċellenza, Sinjura Vella, Onorevoli, kollegi, u ħbieb, għal
qalbi ħafna li qegħdin naqsmu dan l-ispazju fejn nimirħu
fl-iskambju għall-kura sewwa u xierqa tal-Malti – proċess
li jitlob sensittività u ħsieb kritiku, għożża u reqqa, u
awtentiċità.
Fil-qosor, se niffoka fuq ir-rabtiet bejn il-lingwa, il-ħsieb, il-kultura, u l-kreattività.peer-reviewe
A historical landscape under threat : contestation and preservation of Malta’s pastoral droveways
Get PDFLandscapes have been shaped and reshaped by humans to meet the changing needs of
shifting subsistence strategies and demographic patterns. In the Mediterranean region, a widespread
subsistence strategy that has left a major imprint is pastoralism, often tied with transhumance. Pastoralism and the associated tensions between pastoralists and settled agriculturalists have political
and legal dimensions which are sometimes overlooked in mainstream accounts of national “patrimony”. The rapid transformations of subsistence strategies witnessed in the twentieth century have
changed pastoral landscapes in diverse ways. This paper focusses on the central Mediterranean
archipelago of Malta to explore how the values and management of such landscapes require holistic
assessment, taking into account the intangible practices and embedded legal rights and obligations
that maintained these systems. While in Malta pastoralism has practically disappeared, its physical
imprint persists in the form of a network of droveways, which was once a carefully regulated form
of commons. Burgeoning demographic growth is erasing large tracts of the historic environment.
Against this backdrop of contestation, this paper draws on interdisciplinary approaches to interrogate
the shifting legal and historical narratives through which pastoral landscapes have been managed, in
the process revealing how dominant epistemological and legal frameworks are also implicated in the
erasure of these landscapes.peer-reviewe
Exploring the diabesity characteristics and associated all‑cause mortality at a population level : results from a small European island state
Get PDFAim: Diabesity, the co-occurrence of diabetes and obesity, presents a global health crisis. Understanding its prevalence, associated
risk factors, and mortality outcomes is crucial for effective public health interventions. This study aims to investigate
the prevalence of diabesity and diabetes, assess associated risk factors, and analyze mortality outcomes over a 7-year period
in the diabetogenic country of Malta.
Subject and methods: A nationwide health examination survey (2014–16) was conducted involving 3947 adults aged
18–70 years. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected. Relationships
between different adiposity indices were explored. Mortality data was obtained by cross-referencing with the national
mortality register. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard models.
Results: Prevalence of obesity was 34.08%, diabetes 10.31%, and diabesity 5.78%. Sociodemographic characteristics were
similar across all three cohorts. Multivariable regression identified increasing age (OR 1.10 CI95% 1.07–1.12; p≤ 0.001),
male gender (OR 0.53 CI95% 0.30–0.93; p = 0.03), and low educational level (OR 2.19 CI95% 1.39–3.45; p = 0.001) as
significant predictors of diabesity. Only diabetes showed a significant increase in mortality risk (HR 3.15 CI95% 1.31–7.62;
p = 0.02) after adjustment, with gender (HR 3.17 CI95% 1.20–8.37) and body adiposity index (HR 1.08 CI95% 1.01–1.16)
also significant (p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: Diabesity represents a substantial public health challenge in Malta, with implications for mortality outcomes.
Targeted interventions addressing sociodemographic disparities and promoting healthy lifestyles are essential to mitigate its
impact. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies and policy initiatives to combat diabesity
and reduce associated mortality rates.peer-reviewe
Methods for assessing the economic efficiency of IT projects
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of this article is to classify the methods of assessing the economic
efficiency of all types of IT projects.APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The main research method is a review of national and
world scientific and practical literature.FINDINGS: The growing importance of IT systems requires methods that will determine their
economic efficiency in enterprises and allow for practical comparison of the obtained
economic and financial results.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The practical implications of the research results included in the
article will constitute recommendations for activities in managing companies that can be
used in business practice. The pace of scientific and technological progress forces the
development of IT systems for the optimal efficiency of economic entities.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The original value of the article is the classification of the method for
assessing the effectiveness of IT innovations and the development of a process for an
appropriate approach to the overall assessment of such projects.peer-reviewe
Living the arts in the 21st century
Get PDFOver the centuries, changes in technology and education have transformed
people's attitudes towards the arts, making them more accessible.
Bohemianism and modern art in the 18th century challenged the elitist
perception of the arts, democratizing access. Digital tools and online
resources have further opened doors to creating and experiencing visual
and performing arts. However, despite this accessibility, society is
increasingly moving away from the arts due to a focus on technology,
capitalism, individualism, materialism, and instant gratification, leading to
rising mental health issues. Engaging in the arts, which connect us to the
physical world through our senses, can counteract these issues by
promoting self-fulfilled artistic experiences. The 20th and 21st centuries
have brought new ideologies to the arts, emphasizing discovery and
inquiry. Yet, these values can sometimes be overshadowed by past
knowledge. Striking a balance between traditional prestige and modern
experimentation is crucial. Making art experiences accessible to all,
fosters sensitivity, interpretation, critical thinking, feeling, and
expression—essential qualities in the current generation. For instance,
Michael D. Higgins has highlighted the role of creativity in fostering an
engaged and innovative society. In one of his addresses, he mentioned “the
Arts have clear economic potential but, even more important, they are vital
indicators of the spirit of the times as well as being enablers of positive change” (Higgins, 2012). The art of our time reflects our current selfperception and creative language, shaping our cultural identity. Individual
creative expression today can define tomorrow's national cultural identity.
The arts continue to evolve as a mirror of our society's values and beliefs.
All this will be explored through two artistic projects, one focusing on
music composition and performance, while the other focusing on visual
art. Both projects have a strong element of community practice, which give
the opportunity for further investigation into hands-on workshops.peer-reviewe
Current state of knowledge and research needs of intralogistics
Get PDFPURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to systematize the results of research in the field of
intralogistics as a result of a systematic review of the literature based on data from Web of
Science and Scopus databases from 2007-2023. The article answers the research questions
posed: what is the current state of knowledge about intralogistics, how is the issue of
intralogistics developing, what are the main areas and research topics in this subject area,
and what are the research needs in the field of intralogistics?DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The undertaken research issues and the set goal
determined the choice of research methods, such as critical literature review, analysis and
synthesis methods. VOSwiever and Bibliometrix software were used to visualize the
research results.FINDINGS: The widespread digitization and automation of businesses is a topic often
discussed in the literature. A key aspect is intralogistics - responsible for the implementation
of internal processes based on the efficient flow of information. As a result of the analysis,
nine areas of research on intralogistics were identified, which indicate a great diversity of
topics. Taking into account the degree of development and importance of intralogistics, four
thematic areas were identified.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Current issues being addressed in the field of intralogistics were
identified, and topics requiring future research were identified. As a result, the article
identifying the state of the art of intralogistics provides theoretical foundations and
important information on intralogistics.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper addresses a gap in the literature o systematize the existing
body of scientific work, indicating the rationale, scope and importance of intralogistics in the
enterprise. Systematization of knowledge in the field of intralogistics can be helpful in the
exchange of experiences of applied solutions, especially for the small and medium-sized
enterprise sector. The article can serve as a basis for further scientific research.peer-reviewe