OAR@UM Collection:
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46965
2024-03-28T20:13:39ZThe use of cannabinoids in Parkinson’s disease
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46959
Title: The use of cannabinoids in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Borg, Francesca; Di Giovanni, Giuseppe
Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a very common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly for which there is no current cure. The neuropathological hallmark is the loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Current treatments use L-DOPA and dopamine agonists to replace the lack of dopamine, however such treatments have significant limitations and side effects, thus, the need for more effective therapeutics is critical. Cannabinoids (CBs), which include 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and 9-tetrahydrocannabivarin, target the endocannabinoid (ECB) system, which is highly involved in dopaminergic functions. The endocannabinoid system undergoes extensive changes in PD such as upregulation of the ECB anandamide, in addition to variations in the concentration of CB receptors. These changes can be modified and corrected using CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands and by modulating the levels of the ECB catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), in order to increase endogenous anandamide (AEA) levels. Therefore, CBs may represent a valid therapeutic alternative to treat PD. CB drugs may not only treat the symptoms of the disease, but may also help slow down disease progression. Nevertheless, with regards to motor symptoms of PD such as rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, resting tremors and levodopa-induced dyskinesia, evidence of the therapeutic effect of CBs is somewhat inconsistent. Although only evidence in the preclinical phase, more promising results have been seen in general regarding the neuroprotective effect of CBs, as well as in relation to sleep, depression and pain.2019-09-01T00:00:00ZMalta’s science and arts festival focuses on the science of YOU
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46958
Title: Malta’s science and arts festival focuses on the science of YOU
Abstract: Malta organises one of the largest celebrations of researchers around Europe. As part of the EU-wide European Researchers Night (ERN; Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions of the Horizon 2020 Program (H2020, 2014–2020)), Science in the City is Malta’s platform to engage citizens with the latest research and scientific projects happening around the Maltese Islands. From 2018–2019, 55 ERN projects ran in 371 cities across Europe, Turkey, Israel and other countries. During the 2018 ERN, over 1.5 million visitors attended. The Maltese ERN ranked 7th from 128 applications and began in 2012, attracting just over 10,000 visitors. It has now grown into a science and arts festival that attracts 30,000 people, around 6% of the Maltese Islands’ population.2019-09-01T00:00:00ZIron and its alloys for bone regeneration scaffolds : a review
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46932
Title: Iron and its alloys for bone regeneration scaffolds : a review
Authors: Tonna, Christabelle; Saliba, Luke
Abstract: Permanent implants and bone grafts have been used successfully to repair bone defects for a number of years. However, there are significant limitations, for example patients requiring revision surgery for implant removal, inadequate mechanical properties leading to stress-shielding and osteoporosis, as well as restricted bone development, particularly in paediatric patients. As a result, those implants with a more active involvement in the healing process than the original inert implants, were favoured. Biodegradable scaffolds are porous implants which are incorporated into sizeable bone defects in order to support the damaged area while the bone regenerates. In response to bone healing, the structure is expected to degrade at a controlled rate in vivo. Following the promising research published in relation to magnesium-based alloys for cardiovascular stents, iron and its alloys have recently been proposed for this application. An in vivo study published in 2001 showed that pure iron exhibited an inadequately slow degradation rate. Since then, research efforts have been focused on accelerating the corrosion rate by implementing various material design strategies. This review presents an overview of notable research work treating the tailoring of corrosion, mechanical and cytotoxic response as well as promising processing methods for the production of iron-based foam structures. To conclude, based on current research, the clinical potential for these materials will be analysed.2019-09-01T00:00:00ZAxial flux permanent magnet motor design and optimisation by using artificial neural networks
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46927
Title: Axial flux permanent magnet motor design and optimisation by using artificial neural networks
Authors: Talay, Tugce; Erkan, Kadir
Abstract: In this study, the necessary steps for the design of axial flux permanent magnet motors are shown. The design and analysis of the engine were carried out based on ANSYS Maxwell program. The design parameters of the ANSYS Maxwell program and the artificial neural network system were established in MATLAB, and the most efficient design parameters were found with the trained neural network. The results of the Maxwell program were compared with the results of the artificial neural networks, and optimal working design parameters were found. The most efficient design parameters were submitted to the ANSYS Maxwell 3D design, the cogging torque was subsequently examined and design studies were carried out to reduce the cogging torque.2019-09-01T00:00:00Z