Research activities in the first two cycles of biosystems engineering university studies in Malta

The University of Malta is harmonising all programme offer to be compliant with the Bologna process which envisages the establishment of the European Higher Education Area by 2010. Research activities at the University of Malta date back to the seventies and were mainly carried out by the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry of the Faculty of Medicine. Following accession within the European Union, significant investment has been committed to structure and support research, in particularly in areas that provide value-added to the country's economy. Consequently; thematic, project-based funding prevails over bottom-up, openended research programmes and measures, giving priority to academia-industry collaboration.peer-reviewe

Enhancing the attractiveness of European study programs in biosystems engineering in Malta

The National Strategy for Research and Innovation for 2007-2010, entitled 'Building and Sustaining the Research and Innovation Enabling Framework' is the pivot on which the Maltese efforts to enhance the attractiveness of Science and Technology is based. Four main entities, namely The Malta Council for Science and Technology, University of Malta, Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment and National Student Travel Foundation come together to complement each other and the national educational system through a variety of different but complementary activities. Information is freely available to students from the websites of the various entities.peer-reviewe

Landscape Features Impact on Soil Available Water, Corn Biomass, and Gene Expression during the Late Vegetative Stage

Crop yields at summit positions of rolling landscapes often are lower than backslope yields. The differences in plant response may be the result of many different factors. We examined corn (Zea mays L.) plant productivity, gene expression, soil water, and nutrient availability in two landscape positions located in historically high (backslope) and moderate (summit and shoulder) yielding zones to gain insight into plant response differences. Growth characteristics, gene expression, and soil parameters (water and N and P content) were determined at the V12 growth stage of corn. At tassel, plant biomass, N content, 13C isotope discrimination (Δ), and soil water was measured. Soil water was 35% lower in the summit and shoulder compared with the lower backslope plots. Plants at the summit had 16% less leaf area, biomass, and N and P uptake at V12 and 30% less biomass at tassel compared with plants from the lower backslope. Transcriptome analysis at V12 indicated that summit and shoulder-grown plants had 496 downregulated and 341 upregulated genes compared with backslope-grown plants. Gene set and subnetwork enrichment analyses indicated alterations in growth and circadian response and lowered nutrient uptake, wound recovery, pest resistance, and photosynthetic capacity in summit and shoulder-grown plants. Reducing plant populations, to lessen demands on available soil water, and applying pesticides, to limit biotic stress, may ameliorate negative water stress responses

Molecular genetic identification of skeletal remains from the Second World War Konfin I mass grave in Slovenia

This paper describes molecular genetic identification of one third of the skeletal remains of 88 victims of postwar (June 1945) killings found in the Konfin I mass grave in Slovenia. Living relatives were traced for 36 victims. We analyzed 84 right femurs and compared their genetic profiles to the genetic material of living relatives. We cleaned the bones, removed surface contamination, and ground the bones into powder. Prior to DNA isolation using Biorobot EZ1 (Qiagen), the powder was decalcified. The nuclear DNA of the samples was quantified using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. We extracted 0.8 to 100 ng DNA/g of bone powder from 82 bones. Autosomal genetic profiles and Y-chromosome haplotypes were obtained from 98% of the bones, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes from 95% of the bones for the HVI region and from 98% of the bones for the HVII region. Genetic profiles of the nuclear and mtDNA were determined for reference persons. For traceability in the event of contamination, we created an elimination database including genetic profiles of the nuclear and mtDNA of all persons that had been in contact with the skeletal remains. When comparing genetic profiles, we matched 28 of the 84 bones analyzed with living relatives (brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, nephews, or cousins). The statistical analyses showed a high confidence of correct identification for all 28 victims in the Konfin I mass grave (posterior probability ranged from 99.9% to more than 99.999999%)

ENGINEERING AND GINNING Cyclone Robber System Total Particulate Emission Factors and Rates for Cotton Gins: Method 17

ABSTRACT This report is part of a project to characterize cotton gin emissions from the standpoint of stack sampling. The impetus behind this project was the urgent need to collect additional cotton gin emissions data to address current regulatory issues. A key component of this study was focused on Environmental Proctection Agency (EPA) total particulate emission factors. EPA AP-42 emission factors generally are assigned a rating, from A (excellent) to E (poor), to assess the quality of the data being referenced. Current EPA total particulate emission factor ratings for cotton gins are extremely low. Cotton gin data received these low ratings because the data were collected almost exclusively from a single geographical region. The objective of this study was to collect additional total particulate emission factor data for cyclone robber systems from cotton gins located in regions across the cotton belt using EPA-approved stack sampling methodology. The project plan included sampling seven cotton gins. Key factors for selecting specific cotton gins included: 1) facility location, 2) production capacity, 3) processing systems, and 4) abatement technologies. Three gins with cyclone robber system exhausts were sampled. The average production rate during testing for the three gins was 27.5 bales/h. The average cyclone robber system total particulate emission factor based on the three gins (12 total test runs) was 0.020 kg/227-kg bale (0.045 lb/500-lb bale). This average total particulate emission factor was less than that currently published in 1996 EPA AP-42, which was 0.083 kg/bale (0.18 lb/bale). The cyclone robber system test average emission rates ranged from 0.31 to 0.67 kg/h (0.69-1.48 lb/h)

ENGINEERING AND GINNING Battery Condenser System PM 10 Emission Factors and Rates for Cotton Gins: Method 201A PM 10 Sizing Cyclones

ABSTRACT This report is part of a project to characterize cotton gin emissions from the standpoint of stack sampling. The impetus behind this project was the urgent need to collect additional cotton gin emissions data to address current regulatory issues. A key component of this study was focused on EPA emission factors for particulate matter with a particle diameter nominally less than or equal to 10 µm (PM 10 ). The 1996 EPA AP-42 emission factors were assigned quality ratings, from A (Excellent) to E (Poor), to assess the quality of the data being referenced. Emission factor quality ratings for cotton gins were extremely low. Cotton gin data received these low ratings because they were collected almost exclusively from a single geographical region. The objective of this study was to collect additional PM 10 emission factor data for battery condenser systems at cotton gins located in regions across the cotton belt based on EPAapproved stack sampling methodology, Method 201A. The project plan included sampling seven cotton gins across the cotton belt. Key factors for selecting specific cotton gins included: 1) facility location, 2) production capacity, 3) processing systems and 4) abatement technologies. Six of the seven gins were equipped with battery condensers with cyclones on the system exhausts. In terms of capacity, the six gins were typical of the industry, averaging 31.6 bales/h during testing. The battery condenser system average emission factors for PM 10 and total particulate were 0.017 kg/227-kg bale (0.036 lb/500-lb bale) and 0.034 kg/bale (0.075 lb/ bale), respectively. System average PM 10 and total particulate emission factors were higher than those currently published in EPA AP-42. The battery condenser system PM 10 emission rate test averages ranged from 0.17 to 1.16 kg/h (0.37-2.57 lb/h). The ratio of battery condenser system PM 10 to total particulate was 48.3%

Decreased interferon-β induced STAT-4 activation in immune cells and clinical outcome in multiple sclerosis

Objectives. Interferon-β (IFN-β) is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). IFN-β activation of signal transduction and activation of transcription (STAT)-4 is linked to its immunomodulatory effects. Previous studies suggest a type I IFN deficit in immune cells of MS patients, but data on interferon-α/β receptor (IFNAR) expression and the relationship with treatment response are conflicting. Here we compare IFN-β-mediated STAT4 activation in immune cells of untreated MS patients and controls. Materials & methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 27 untreated patients with relapsing MS, obtained before the initiation of IFN-β treatment, and 12 matched controls were treated in vitro with IFN-β. Total and phosphorylated STAT4 (pSTAT4) and IFNAR were measured by flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. The patients were followed-up for 5 years. Results. pSTAT4 induction by IFN-β was lower in MS patients than in controls, as was expression of IFNAR. pSTAT4 expression did not correlate with the clinical outcome at five years, measured by EDSS change. There was a negative correlation between the baseline IFNAR1 mRNA levels and relapse rate. Conclusions. The results suggest decreased IFN-β responsiveness in MS patients, associated with reduced STAT4 activation and reduced IFNAR expression. This reduced responsiveness does not appear to affect the long term clinical outcome of IFN-β treatment

Plant genotype influences aquatic-terrestrial ecosystem linkages through timing and composition of insect emergence

Terrestrial leaf litter provides aquatic insects with an energy source and habitat structure,and species differences in litter can influence aquatic insect emergence. Emerging insects also provide energy to riparian predators. We hypothesized that plant genetics would influence the composition and timing of emerging insect communities among individual genotypes of Populus angustifolia varying in litter traits. We also compared the composition and timing of emerging insect communities on litter from mixed genotypes of three cross types of a hybridizing cottonwood complex: P. angustifolia, P. fremontii, and their F1 hybrids. Using litter harvested from an experimental common garden, we measured emerging insect community composition, abundance, and production for 12 weeks in large litter packs affixed with emergence traps. Five major findings emerged. (1) In support of the genetic similarity hypothesis, we found that, among P. angustifolia tree genotypes, litter from more closely related genotypes had more similar litter thickness, nitrogen concentrations, decomposition rates, and emerging insect communities. (2) Genetic similarity was not correlated with other litter traits, although the litter fungal community was a strong predictor of emerging insect communities. (3) Litter decomposition rate, which was the strongest predictor of emerging aquatic insect communities, was influenced by litter thickness, litter N, and the litter fungal community. (4) In contrast to strong community composition differences among P. angustifolia genotypes, differences in community composition between P. fremontii and P. angustifolia were only marginally significant, and communities on F1 hybrids were indistinguishable from P. angustifolia despite genetic and litter trait differences. (5) Mixed litter packs muted the genetic effects observed in litter packs con- sisting of single genotypes. These results demonstrate that the genetic structure of riparian forests can affect the composition and timing of aquatic insect emergence. Because many riparian trees are clonal, including P. angustifolia, large clone size is likely to result in patches of genetically structured leaf litter that may influence the timing and composition of insect emergence within watersheds. Riparian restoration efforts incorporating different tree genotypes could also influence the biodiversity of emerging aquatic insects. Our work illustrates the importance of plant genes for community and ecosystem processes in riparian corridors

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Replicon Particles Can Induce Rapid Protection against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

We have previously shown that delivery of the porcine type I interferon gene (poIFN-α/β) with a replication-defective human adenovirus vector (adenovirus 5 [Ad5]) can sterilely protect swine challenged with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 1 day later. However, the need of relatively high doses of Ad5 limits the applicability of such a control strategy in the livestock industry. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) empty replicon particles (VRPs) can induce rapid protection of mice against either homologous or, in some cases, heterologous virus challenge. As an alternative approach to induce rapid protection against FMDV, we have examined the ability of VRPs containing either the gene for green fluorescent protein (VRP-GFP) or poIFN-α (VRP-poIFN- α) to block FMDV replication in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment of swine or bovine cell lines with either VRP significantly inhibited subsequent infection with FMDV as early as 6 h after treatment and for at least 120 h posttreatment. Furthermore, mice pretreated with either 107 or 108 infectious units of VRP-GFP and challenged with a lethal dose of FMDV 24 h later were protected from death. Protection was induced as early as 6 h after treatment and lasted for at least 48 h and correlated with induction of an antiviral response and production of IFN- α. By 6 h after treatment several genes were upregulated, and the number of genes and the level of induction increased at 24 h. Finally, we demonstrated that the chemokine IP-10, which is induced by IFN- α and VRP-GFP, is directly involved in protection against FMDV