129,093 research outputs found
Adult education in Malta
No full textThis book provides a historical overview and critical analysis of adult education provision in Malta and Gozo till 2006. It should b of interest to students of education and specifically the history, philosophy and sociology of education and adult education in particular. It analyses contemporary issues and provides a comprehensive list of references on adult education in Malta and Gozo till 2006. It concludes with a chronology of significant events and landmarks in adult education and a list of agencies in the field.peer-reviewe
Tuberculosis in Malta : thirty-five years of epidemiological trends in the native population
No full textMalta, the smallest island state in Europe, with an approximate population of 400,000, has one of the lowest reported incidence rates for tuberculosis (TB) in its native-born population.1 Long- term trends for TB among this population were investigated.
A period of 35 years (1979-2013) for the Malta-born population was investigated using single-age population numbers for each year, retrospective, and partly prospective analysis of notified TB cases. Mean five-yearly populations were then used to calculate 5- yearly incidence rates for birth-cohorts, age-groups, major site and gender. Annual reported TB incidence rates were also calculated.
In the Malta-born population, over the 35- year period, reported yearly TB incidence shows a downward, albeit decelerating trend. Consecutive follow-up of 5-year age-cohorts and 5-year age-groups confirms that incidence has fallen, with the highest rates being observed in progressively older age-groups. A falling trend in TB incidence according major site and gender was also observed.
TB is being successfully controlled among the Malta-born population, and confirmed to be slowly approaching the elimination phase.peer-reviewe
Child health
No full textContents: President’s address
at the MMCFD graduation
of vocational trainees, 25 March 2014 - Pierre Mallia; MMCFD Graduation Photos 25 March 2014The mission of the Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors
(JMCFD) is to deliver accurate, relevant and inspiring research, continued
medical education and debate in family medicine with the aim of
encouraging improved patient care through academic development of
the discipline. The JMCFD strives to achieve its role to disseminate
information on the objectives and activities of the College.peer-reviewe
First record of the sawfly family Xyelidae (Hymenoptera) from Malta
No full textXyela cf. altenhoferi Blank, 2013 is recorded from Buskett (Malta). Its host is Pinus halepensis. This is the first species of the sawfly family Xyelidae to be found in the Maltese Islands.peer-reviewe
Valleys : discovering Malta & Gozo's watercourses their value to society
No full textContents : 1/ Introduction -- 2/ LANFRANCO, S. & BELLIA, A. F. - Hotspot of vegetation diversity in the Maltese Islands -- 3/ FENECH, N. - The importance of Malta's valleys for birds -- 4/ BUHAGIAR, K. - Transformation of the cultural landscape in the valleys of northern Malta -- 5/ FELIX, I & PORTELLI, E. - Mapping valleys for sustainable planning and management -- 6/ DEIDUN, A., SCIBBERRAS, A. & SCIBERRAS, J. - The challenge of non-indigenous species -- 7/ GAMBIN, B. & PATISSIER, R. - Influence of environmental conditions on the Great Reed invasion -- 8/ CALLEJA, E., SAPIANO, M. & CUTAJAR, A. - Strengthening the climate resilience of Wied il-Fiddien through ecological restoration -- 9/ VELLA, S. - Rehabilitation and regeneration of Wied Għajn Żejtuna -- 10/ GlossaryAn interconnected labyrinth of valleys, referred to locally as ‘widien’, meander their way through the Maltese Islands. They vary from broad, gently sloping formations, born out of tectonic movements, to narrow, deep, and steep-sided ravines that largely result from erosion. The widien are essentially seasonal watercourses, fed by runoff during the wet season and lying dry for most of the summer. There are a few exceptions, such as Wied il-Baħrija, where spring-flow supports a trickle of freshwater all year round. These valleys provide a home for different species of fauna and communities of vegetation that are found only within watercourses and their immediate vicinity. These plant communities are known as riparian flora. There are two major types of riparian flora: hydrophytes, which are species that need to be fully or partially submerged in water, and non-submerged littoral flora, which grow mainly on the banks of the watercourses. Maltese valleys also host a number of other specialist plant species, such as those that thrive in rocky environments. Throughout history, water in valley beds has attracted human settlement and agricultural activity. Malta’s valleys have long been used as a source of irrigation and drinking water, as well as convenient waste disposal sites. Other common uses include transport routes, grazing and recreation. The publication of this book, co-financed through the LIFE IP Project Optimising the Implementation of the 2nd RBMP in the Malta River Basin District (LIFE 16 IPE MT 008)1, is
intended to guide the reader to discover the Maltese islands’ watercourses and their value and contribution to society. The information provided is not only to create awareness of the rich diversity of flora and fauna but also on their vulnerability, and will hopefully raise awareness to reverse negative trends. Only through education and awareness to the greater public in hand with the authorities could such gems be preserved for future generations to enjoy.peer-reviewe
Fenugreek : a natural prototype oral hypoglycaemic agent used in Malta
No full textBefore the discovery of insulin therapy in 1921 and the development of effective oral hypoglycaemic therapy in 1926, pharmacological management of diabetes mellitus was restricted to empirical treatment often based on plant products and relegated to folklore medicine. One therapy reputed in Malta as useful for the management of diabetes mellitus in 1927 was Fenugreek. This has now been shown to have definite pharmacological properties that controls blood glucose levels in diabetic subjects.peer-reviewe
The Scarabaeoidea of the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean) (Coleoptera)
No full textThe Scarabaeoidea of the families Trogidae, Geotrupidae,
Hybosoridae and Scarabaeidae from the Maltese islands are reviewed. A total of
54 species are included of which the following eight species represent new records
for this archipelago: Trox fabricii and T. scaber in Trogidae; Aphodius beduinus,
A. algiricus, Amphimallon (?) scutellare, Aplidia hirticollis, Protaetia opaca and
Lasiotrichius succinctus in Scarabaeidae. Of these, the record of Aplidia hirticollis,
previously endemic to southern Italy, extends its distributional range further south
and that of Lasiotrichius succinctus is based on intercepted material and its local
establishment is not confi rmed. A number of species are based on old records and
were not collected again recently pointing out to the possible extinction of these
species from Malta. The almost complete absence of grazing animals in Malta may
have contributed substantially for the disappearance of species associated with
animal dung. Thirteen previously recorded species of Scarabaeoidea from Malta are
being excluded from the Maltese fauna.peer-reviewe
The impact of global environmental change on transport in Malta
No full textThis study addresses the impact of global
environmental change, speci fically on transport in the
Maltese Islands, with special attention to the economic
implications of changes on: (i) employment, (ii) product
or service growth/decline, (iii) capital investment, (iv)
competitiveness and (v) skills/educational development
and upgrade. Geographic and economic data from secondary sources are used to support the study. The paper addresses the concerns of environmental change on
the islands of Malta and attempts to map the extent
of potential damage to the islands' transport system,
namely the impact of sea level rise and extreme weather
events. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used
to build a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the islands
and simulate the eff ects on the road network, maritime
installations and air transport infrastructures that are
critical for Malta's economy and sustainability. The
paper also describes the implications of such impacts.
Results show that a
significant share of the islands' infrastructure could be heavily damaged and the trans-
port systems easily disrupted from predicted impacts of
global environment change. The paper concludes with a
call for the adoption of sustainable transport measures
which address not only mitigation but also adaptation
to global environmental change.peer-reviewe
Further contributions to the tritrophic plant-aphid-parasitoid associations in Malta with special reference to Aphis nerii (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) as a prevalent refugium of Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)
No full textFour species of aphid parasitoids, namely Aphidius colemani, Binodoxys angelicae, Lysiphlebus fabarum and Lysiphlebus testaceipes were reared from Aphis nerii on Nerium oleander and/or Stephanotis floribunda in Malta. Aphidius colemani was the most abundant, occurring in different habitat types. Binodoxys angelicae represents a confirmation of a doubtful past record, while Lysiphlebus testaceipes is a new record for Malta. Aphis nerii is evaluated as a refugium of several aphid parasitoids in Malta. Praon yomenae, another new record for Malta is also included in the present work.peer-reviewe
Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) aphid parasitoids of Malta : review and key to species
No full textThis paper brings an annotated list of the 16 aphid parasitoids
detected up to 2015 in Malta. All the species were reared from identified aphid-plant
associations. An illustrated key to the identification of the recorded species from
Malta is provided. Taxonomy and peculiarities of the individual taxa are discussed
and research outlines are also presented. Two species, Aphidius absinthii and Trioxys
pallidus are newly recorded for the Maltese fauna, in association with Uroleucon
inulae and Hoplocallis picta, respectively. The first host association has never been
reported so far. The documented aphid fauna of the Maltese Islands indicates the
probable existence of other species of aphid parasitoids that may be present in the
archipelago, especially those already known in nearby Mediterranean territories.peer-reviewe
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