One-step synthesis of a highly homogeneous SBA-NHC hybrid material: En route to single-site NHC-metal heterogeneous catalysts with high loadings

The one-step synthesis of a mesoporous silica of SBA type, functionalized with a 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-propyl-imidazolium (iPr2Ar-NHC-propyl) cation located in the pore channels, is described. This material was obtained by the direct hydrolysis and co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]-imidazolium iodide in the presence of Pluronic P123 as a non-ionic structure-directing agent and aqueous HCl (37%) as an acid catalyst. Small-angle X-ray diffraction measurements, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, as well as dinitrogen sorption analyses revealed that the synthesized material is highly mesoporous with a 2D hexagonal arrangement of the porous network. 13C and 29Si CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the material contains intact iPr2Ar-NHC-propyl cations, which are covalently anchored via silicon atoms fused into the silica matrix. Moreover, comparison of the latter data with those of an analogous post-synthetic grafted SBA–NHC material allowed us to establish that, as expected, (i) it is most probably more homogeneous and (ii) it shows a more robust anchoring of the organic units. Finally, elemental mapping by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in the scanning electron microscope demonstrated a very homogeneous distribution of the imidazolium units within the one-pot material, moreover with a high content. This study thus demonstrates that a relatively bulky and hydrophilic imidazolium unit can be directly co-condensed with TEOS in the presence of a structure-directing agent to provide in a single step a highly ordered and homogeneous mesoporous hybrid SBA–NHC material, possessing a significant number of cationic NHC sites

Achieving a PhD degree : what examiner reports tell us about the doctoral examination process

Achieving a PhD degree is viewed by academic institutions as a major landmark of success and achievement. It gives recognition to researchers and provides entry into academia. Considering its significance, a PhD degree is not awarded lightly and doctoral candidates undergo a rigorous examination process that involves the evaluation of a written thesis and the viva voce defence of this thesis. This study seeks to gain a better understanding of the way in which examiners go about assessing doctoral work with the aim of providing more transparent and clear guidelines for examiners. Data for the study included 50 written examiner reports for twelve doctoral candidates who submitted their thesis to the Faculty of Arts at the University of Malta, for the years 2017-2018. The findings suggest that examiners in their reports include summative comments about the quality of the work. They are impressed by work that makes a contribution to knowledge, is critical and analytical and is not marred by typographical or grammatical errors. At the same time, examiners provide extensive feedback to help students improve their work. This suggests a shift in the doctoral examination process from the traditional role of summative gate-keeping to a more formative learning experience.peer-reviewe

Spatio-temporal analysis of air pollution data in Malta

Air pollution measurements display patterns over space and time allowing for spatio-temporal modelling, through which pollution concentrations and trends can be analysed. In Malta, the MEPA (Malta Environment and Planning Authority) collects monthly averaged data for various pollutants from a network of 123 diffusion tubes located around the Islands (Figure 1). This preliminary study uses data associated with traffic, that is nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and benzene, collected monthly between the period 2004 and 2010 with the objectives to i) develop a computationally efficient method that best describes the data; ii) determine the level of dependency of each site on neighbouring ones and iii) identify any factors that affect the behaviour and patterns of pollution. Results will show that generally there is a low spatial dependency between close sites, thus implying that local sources, rather than diffusion, have a predominant effect on the measurements. This analysis will prove valuable in MEPA’s redistribution exercise of the diffusion tube network to determine which sites are necessary to retain and which sites can be removed without significantly affecting the information gathered.peer-reviewe

Qalb ta’ Tifel

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Lil Malta ta’ Dun Karm – Fuq il-Fruntiera ta’ Dun Karm – Jum li jibqa’ jissemma ta’ Ġużè Chetcuti – Xbihet Malta ta’ Arthur V. Vassallo – Għanja ta’ Mħabba ta’ Ġużè Chetcuti – Żewġ Poeżijiet tal-kittieb Malti Antonio Calleja ta’ A. C. – Twettiqa ta’ Calleja – Lil Ħabib Għeluq Sninu ta’ Calleja – Taħt is-Salib ta’ R. M. B. – Lil Dun Karm ta’ Fran. Camilleri – Frak mill-weraq ta’ Byron ta’ A. C. – Irrid Immur Ta’ Xbiex ta’ Fran. Camilleri – Il-Cottonera fil-Ħamrun ta’ N. Biancardi – Qalb ta’ Tifel ta’ R. M. B.N/

Suldat

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Sursum Corda! ta’ R. M. B. – Tal-Qali ta’ Ġużè Ellul – Tfajla ta’ Dun Karm – Meta mort Għawdex bid-dawra ta’ Ġ. Cassar-Pullicino – Il-Maqdes tal-Mulej ta’ A. Buttigieg – Il-Barrakka ta’ Katrin ta’ P. Pawl Tabone – Ġlieġel ta’ Mary Meylak – Is-Suldat ta’ Ġużè Chetcuti.N/

The constrained formative feedback in doctoral examiner reports

The award of a PhD degree is based on a rigorous examination process which is unique in that examiners can recommend that the degree is awarded subject to minor or major amendments to the thesis. In their examiner reports, examiners also include formative feedback that is intended to help the doctoral researchers improve their work. Using data from examiner reports from two faculties at the University of Malta (Arts and Science) for the years 2017-2018, the study looks at the formative feedback comments provided by doctoral examiners. Results suggest that the feedback comments provided can be described as editorial, instructional and reflective, with the most common type of feedback comments being editorial and instructional. This indicates that the focus of doctoral examiner reports is on giving advice to doctoral researchers so that it reaches the expected doctoral standards. This study points to: the need for a rethinking of the way in which feedback is provided in doctoral examiner reports so that the focus is shifted to reflective comments that lead to in-depth learning; and for more professional development for doctoral examiners to that they can make this shift in their provision of formative feedback.peer-reviewe

What is the role of small bowel capsule endoscopy in established coeliac disease?

Introduction Patients with established coeliac disease (CD) can present with signs and symptoms requiring small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) to assess for persistent disease beyond the duodenum and to rule out complications. There is paucity of data on extent of disease on SBCE in relation to histology, clinical and serological parameters. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between symptoms, CD serology and Marsh classification of disease and extent of disease on SBCE in patients with established CD. Methods Hundred patients with established CD and 200 controls underwent a SBCE. SBCEs were reviewed by expert reviewers. Extent of disease on SBCE, CD findings and small bowel transit were recorded. Results Considering duodenal histology (D2; Marsh 3a or above) as the gold standard for diagnosing CD activity, the sensitivity of SBCE to delineate active disease was 87.2%. The specificity was 89.0%. Age at SBCE (P = 0.006), albumin (P = 0.004) and haemoglobin (P = 0.0001), Marsh score of histology from the duodenal bulb (D1) (P = 0.0001) and the second part of the duodenum (P = 0.0001), refractory CD (P = 0.007) on histology correlated with extent of affected small bowel (SB) mucosa on univariate analysis. On multiple regression analysis, albumin (P = 0.036) and Marsh score of histology (D1) (P = 0.019), vitamin B12 (P = 0.001) and folate levels (P = 0.008) were statistically significant. Extent of affected SB mucosa (11.0% vs 1.35%) was greater in patients with complications including those with refractory CD (P = 0.008). Conclusions This is the first study showing correlation between extent of disease and severity of duodenal histology, markers of malabsorption such as folate levels and vitamin B12 and complications of CD

Pape satan aleppe

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Qniepen idoqqu ta’ W. Gulia – Wara l-laqgħa ta’ Dun Abbondju mal-bravi ta’ Dun Pawl – Il-poeżija tiegħi ta’ Ġużè Chetcuti – Tfajjel sajjied ta’ Vincent Caruana – Huma kollox! ta’ Ġer. Azzopardi – Dun Mikiel Xerri ta’ Ġino Muscat-Azzopardi – Quddiem għalqa tal-bittieħ ta’ A. Buttigieg – Montecatini ta’ A. Cremona – Bluha ta’ mument ta’ Jos. Cassar Pullicino – Pape satan aleppe ta’ Albert M. Cassola.N/

New Universal Strain Software Accurately Assesses Cardiac Systolic and Diastolic Function Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108658/1/echo12512.pd

Evaluation of a chest radiograph reading and recording system for tuberculosis in a HIV-positive cohort.

Aim To assess the impact of introducing a chest radiograph reading and recording system (CRRS) with a short training session, on the accuracy and inter-reader variability of tuberculosis (TB) interpretation of chest radiographs (CXRs) by a group of non-expert readers in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive cohort. Materials and methods A set of 139 CXRs was reviewed by a group of eight physicians pre- and post-intervention at two clinics in Shan State, Myanmar, providing HIV/TB diagnosis and treatment services. The results were compared against the consensus of expert radiologists for accuracy. Results Overall accuracy was similar pre- and post-intervention for most physicians with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve difference of 0.02 (95% confidence interval: –0.03, 0.07). The overall agreement among physicians was poor pre- and post-intervention (Fleiss κ=0.35 and κ=0.29 respectively). The assessment of agreement for specific disease patterns associated with active TB in HIV-infected patients showed that for intrinsically subtle findings, the agreement was generally poor but better for the more intrinsically obvious disease patterns: pleural effusion (Cohen’s kappa range = 0.37–0.67) and milliary nodular pattern (Cohen’s kappa range = 0.25–0.52). Conclusion This study demonstrated limited impact of the introduction of a CRRS on CXR accuracy and agreement amongst non-expert readers. The role in which CXRs are used for TB diagnosis in a HIV-positive cohort in similar clinical contexts should be reviewed