Contributions to the malacology of Malta, 2 : on the second record of Otala punctata (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda : Helicidae) from Malta

Otala punctata is recorded for the second time in a locality different from that of the original record. Details of the snail’s ecology and habits are given.peer-reviewe

Contributions to the malacology of Malta, 1 : a new location for subfossil Oxyloma elegans (Risso, 1826) (Pulmonata : Succineidae) from the Salini Holocene deposits in Malta

A shell of Oxyloma elegans (Risso, 1826) is reported from the Holocene deposits at the Salini watercourse.peer-reviewe

Branching out : mapping the spatial expansion of the Lessepsian invader mytilid Brachidontes pharaonis around the Maltese Islands

One of the several lessepsian species colonizing areas of the Mediterranean is Brachidontes pharaonis, a bivalve with the ability to form dense mytilid mats over a range of different mediolittoral substrata. Since its initial observation from the Maltese Islands in the early 1970s, the species has consolidated its presence all over the archipelago. Close examination of the entire length of the Maltese shoreline was conducted to collect quantitative and qualitative data on the mytilid and on dominant accompanying macrofaunal and macrofloral species, in what represents the first comprehensive mapping of an allochthonous species within an island territory. Brachidontes pharaonis was found to have colonized most of the northern and eastern coastal stretches of the island of Malta, preferring limestone substrata in inlets with limited wave exposure and affected by high marine concentrations of hydrocarbons and other pollutants, where it reached individual abundances exceeding 1000 individuals per square metre.peer-reviewe

Morphometric analyses of a Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814)(Bivalvia : Pteriidae) population in the Maltese Islands

Five biometric parameters (shell height, shell length, nacreous height, nacreous width and hinge length) were measured for two populations of Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) within shallow coastal waters of the Maltese Islands, in the central Mediterranean Sea, as part of a demographic study of the species. In terms of shell height, both populations consisted mainly of small to moderate individuals. Regression analyses between these parameters were carried out, resulting in moderate to high correlations between all parameters except for hinge length. The study represents the first attempt at morphometric characterization of populations of a non-indigenous bivalve in Maltese coastal waters.peer-reviewe

First data on genetic diversity of the small pearl oyster Pinctada Radiata (Leach, 1814) in Mediterranean populations by means of the mitochondrial COX1 marker

This study gives a first molecular insight into the genetic structure of Pinctada radiata by analysing a mitochondrial DNA marker in four South -Central Mediterranean populations of this lessepsian bivalve. Specimens were collected from four central Mediterranean locations. Six polymorphic sites were found, defining seven haplotypes. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity values were low to moderate. The low levels of within -population genetic diversity detected in the present study are consistent with a scenario of founder effect, as expected for an invasive species. The shallow genetic structuring among the sampled populations may result from two factors – long larval duration which promotes the homogenization of the genetic pool through an effective gene flow or the current populations may not have had enough time to differentiate.peer-reviewe

Molecular studies on the genus Muticaria (Pulmonata: Clausiliidae) from the Maltese Islands

The genus Muticaria Lindholm, 1925 (Pulmonata: Clausiliidae) represent xerotolerant and calcicolous mollusks, widespread in central-eastern and southern-eastern parts of Sicily and the Maltese Islands with eight taxa of species or sub-species rank. The present work shows a considerable diversification, even at species level, in populations of Muticaria from Sicily and Malta.peer-reviewe

Diagnóstico financiero de la empresa the walt disney

El presente trabajo de investigación consiste en realizar un análisis financiero a la compañía Walt Disney a través de la revelación de la información financiera de los años 2019,2020 y 2021 con el propósito de identificar las principales variaciones de la compañía. El problema de investigación es interpretar cuál es la situación financiera en cuanta liquidez, endeudamiento, rentabilidad y la destinación de los recursos por lo que su estudio es principalmente cuantitativo obteniendo información de distintas fuentes como documentos internos, tesis y otra información de alcance cualitativo con el fin desarrollar un diagnostico global, teniendo como base los elementos para identificar algunas variables claves para su comprensión. Finalmente se proponen las recomendaciones pertinentes en aras de obtener mejores beneficios.The present research work consists of carrying out a financial analysis of the Walt Disney Company through the disclosure of financial information for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 with the purpose of identifying the main variations of the company. The research problem is to interpret what the financial situation is in terms of liquidity, indebtedness, profitability and the allocation of resources, so its study is mainly quantitative, obtaining information from different sources such as internal documents, these and other qualitative information with the in order to develop a global diagnosis, based on the elements to identify some key variables for its understanding. Finally, the pertinent recommendations are proposed in order to obtain better benefits

Reduction in Phencyclidine Induced Sensorimotor Gating Deficits in the Rat Following Increased System Xc − Activity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Rationale: Aspects of schizophrenia, including deficits in sensorimotor gating, have been linked to glutamate dysfunction and/or oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex. System xc −, a cystine–glutamate antiporter, is a poorly understood mechanism that contributes to both cellular antioxidant capacity and glutamate homeostasis. Objectives: Our goal was to determine whether increased system xc − activity within the prefrontal cortex would normalize a rodent measure of sensorimotor gating. Methods: In situ hybridization was used to map messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of xCT, the active subunit of system xc −, in the prefrontal cortex. Prepulse inhibition was used to measure sensorimotor gating; deficits in prepulse inhibition were produced using phencyclidine (0.3–3 mg/kg, sc). N-Acetylcysteine (10–100 μM) and the system xc − inhibitor (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (CPG, 0.5 μM) were used to increase and decrease system xc − activity, respectively. The uptake of 14C-cystine into tissue punches obtained from the prefrontal cortex was used to assay system xc − activity. Results: The expression of xCT mRNA in the prefrontal cortex was most prominent in a lateral band spanning primarily the prelimbic cortex. Although phencyclidine did not alter the uptake of 14C-cystine in prefrontal cortical tissue punches, intraprefrontal cortical infusion of N-acetylcysteine (10–100 μM) significantly reduced phencyclidine- (1.5 mg/kg, sc) induced deficits in prepulse inhibition. N-Acetylcysteine was without effect when coinfused with CPG (0.5 μM), indicating an involvement of system xc −. Conclusions: These results indicate that phencyclidine disrupts sensorimotor gating through system xc − independent mechanisms, but that increasing cystine–glutamate exchange in the prefrontal cortex is sufficient to reduce behavioral deficits produced by phencyclidine

Decision making in child protection:An international comparative study on maltreatment substantiation, risk assessment and interventions recommendations, and the role of professionals’ child welfare attitudes

Item does not contain fulltextChild welfare professionals regularly make crucial decisions that have a significant impact on children and their families. The present study presents the Judgments and Decision Processes in Context model (JUDPIC) and uses it to examine the relationships between three independent domains: case characteristic (mother's wish with regard to removal), practitioner characteristic (child welfare attitudes), and protective system context (four countries: Israel, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Spain); and three dependent factors: substantiation of maltreatment, risk assessment, and intervention recommendation. The sample consisted of 828 practitioners from four countries. Participants were presented with a vignette of a case of alleged child maltreatment and were asked to determine whether maltreatment was substantiated, assess risk and recommend an intervention using structured instruments. Participants’ child welfare attitudes were assessed. The case characteristic of mother's wish with regard to removal had no impact on judgments and decisions. In contrast, practitioners’ child welfare attitudes were associated with substantiation, risk assessments and recommendations. There were significant country differences on most measures. The findings support most of the predictions derived from the JUDPIC model. The significant differences between practitioners from different countries underscore the importance of context in child protection decision making. Training should enhance practitioners’ awareness of the impact that their attitudes and the context in which they are embedded have on their judgments and decisions