OAR@UM Collection:https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/336132024-03-29T00:03:08Z2024-03-29T00:03:08Z6th Annual Science in the House exhibitionhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/256232020-05-21T13:52:08Z2017-12-01T00:00:00ZTitle: 6th Annual Science in the House exhibition
Abstract: The Science in the House media exhibition was held on Friday 29th September 2017 at 5:00 pm in the main foyer of the Parliament Building in Valletta. The event opened with a personal brief welcome followed by an opening address by Prof. Alex Felice, Chairman of the Science in the City/European Researchers’ Night consortium and followed by Prof. Joseph Cilia, Rector’s Delegate of the University of Malta. This year short oral speeches were also contributed from four researchers: Dr Maria Briguglio, Dr Ruben Gatt, Prof. Ing. Cyril Spiteri Staines and Prof. Neville Vassallo. They presented an overview of research they will be conducting with funds awarded by the University of Malta. The inauguration closed with an address by the Hon. An ̇glu Farrugia M.P., Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta. After 6:00 pm the Parliament Building was opened to the general public for viewing until midnight. An interactive exhibition allowing the general public to use microscopes was also on display.2017-12-01T00:00:00ZElectrical impedance mammography : the key to low-cost, portable and non-invasive breast cancer screening?Sebu, Cristianahttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/256222018-01-11T02:27:42Z2017-12-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Electrical impedance mammography : the key to low-cost, portable and non-invasive breast cancer screening?
Authors: Sebu, Cristiana
Abstract: Breast cancer is a major public health problem with 1.7 million cases diagnosed per year and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide (Siegel, Miller & Jemal, 2016). The two main determinants of survival are early detection and optimal treatment. Despite the advances in medicine, breast cancer is detected at advanced stages in developing countries (DCs) because early detection, diagnosis and treatment cannot be efficiently promoted. Thus, disease burden is particularly high in DCs, where more than half of breast cancer cases and 62% of the deaths now occur. The “Breast Health Global Initiative” (BHGI) evaluated the complexity of healthcare systems in relation to breast cancer. Specifically, at the basic level, breast self- examination is encouraged, whereas diagnostic ultrasound and X-ray mammography are available at a limited level. At the increased level, patients have access to diagnostic mammography with opportunistic breast screening, and at a maximum level, the population undergoes organized screening for breast cancer (Anderson et al., 2006).2017-12-01T00:00:00ZAlcohol, Cannabinoids and Nicotine in liver pathophysiologyRadic, ManuelaRappa, FrancescaBarone, RosarioCappello, FrancescoCrescimanno, GiuseppeCasarrubea, MaurizioPerucci, MassimoMarino Gammazza, AntonellaDi Giovanni, Giuseppehttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/255852022-03-03T06:00:23Z2017-12-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Alcohol, Cannabinoids and Nicotine in liver pathophysiology
Authors: Radic, Manuela; Rappa, Francesca; Barone, Rosario; Cappello, Francesco; Crescimanno, Giuseppe; Casarrubea, Maurizio; Perucci, Massimo; Marino Gammazza, Antonella; Di Giovanni, Giuseppe
Abstract: The liver can be affected by a wide range of therapeutic and environmental chemicals and here we want to provide a summary of the complex effects of alcohol, cannabinoids and nicotine on liver function. Alcohol is the most important agent that produces liver injury, manifesting as alcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, it is one of the main etiologic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma development. Studies reviewed in this article regarding cannabinoids, show that Δ9-THC does not produce any harmful effects on the liver, while cannabidiol has hepatoprotective effects in ischemia/reperfusion and alcohol-induced liver injuries. The liver is negatively affected by nicotine exposure, but surprisingly nicotine was shown to have a positive effect on the liver in the diet-induced obese animal model, which should be confirmed by future research.2017-12-01T00:00:00ZInvestigating the use of UAV systems for photogrammetric applications : a case study of Ramla Bay (Gozo, Malta)Colica, EmanueleMicallef, AntonD'Amico, SebastianoCassar, Louis F.Galdies, Charleshttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/255842023-07-04T10:24:26Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Investigating the use of UAV systems for photogrammetric applications : a case study of Ramla Bay (Gozo, Malta)
Authors: Colica, Emanuele; Micallef, Anton; D'Amico, Sebastiano; Cassar, Louis F.; Galdies, Charles
Abstract: In this study, we present the 3D digital model of Ramla Bay (Gozo) obtained by using photograms taken from drones. The high-resolution 3D model of Ramla Bay allowed the construction of a detailed Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Comparison of an earlier LIDAR data derived DEM (ERDF 156 Data, 2013) and the photogrammetric DEM developed in this study allowed to make preliminary observations regarding the potential evolution of the coastal area over the last 5 years. This study serves as a proof of concept to demonstrate that coastal evolution can be quantitatively analysed in terms of changes of the sand dune systems. Furthermore, the technique used in this paper represents a good compromise in terms of cost effectiveness and a valid substitute for laser scanner survey. It is also useful for monitoring the dynamics of the beach-dune system and the characterization of the coast for the mitigation of coastal erosion.2017-01-01T00:00:00Z