Nonsingular Promises from Born-Infeld Gravity

Born-Infeld determinantal gravity formulated in Weitzenbock spacetime is discussed in the context of Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) cosmologies. It is shown how the standard model big bang singularity is absent in certain spatially flat FRW spacetimes, where the high energy regime is characterized by a de Sitter inflationary stage of geometrical character, i.e., without the presence of the inflaton field. This taming of the initial singularity is also achieved for some spatially curved FRW manifolds where the singularity is replaced by a de Sitter stage or a big bounce of the scale factor depending on certain combinations of free parameters appearing in the action. Unlike other Born-Infeld-like theories in vogue, the one here presented is also capable of deforming vacuum general relativistic solutions.Comment: 5 pages, no figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

The specialty of geriatric medicine in Malta : at a crossroads

Till 1991, the practice of geriatric medicine as a specialty in Malta was associated solely with long-stay care at St. Vincent de Paule Hospital. Then Zammit Clapp Hospital started providing a specialised geriatric service, by catering for elderly people with acute medical problems requiring urgent care and rehabilitation which normally would be referred to St. Luke’s Hospital.peer-reviewe

The fortification and the defence of Gozo down to 1551

Although the sources that have come down to us for Gozo's medieval history are sparse. one can glean therefrom sufficient information on how the smaller islands defence and fortification was organized before the coming of the knights. Like Malta, Gozo had its own string of coastal watches which gave sufficient warning of impending invasions, but the walls of the citadel constituted the ultimate bulwark against the enemy. One document in particular yields some new insights into the problem of balancing personal interests against the public good involved in the maintenance o/these walls. We are left in the dark as to how effective these walls were throughout the centuries before 1551, bur unfortunately, very little doubt remains on the outcome of the disastrous onslaught ofthat year.peer-reviewe

Social aspects of Siggiewi : 1530-1798

This paper presents an overview of developments in the life of the village of Siggiewi - a typical Maltese village - during the Knights' period with special emphasis on how the villagers' life is affected. It places these developments in the context of the principal events that moulded the islands' history- the arrival of the Order, the Great Siege, visitations of plague, improved economic conditions - and how these left their mark and were reflected in village life.peer-reviewe

Primordial brusque bounce in Born-Infeld determinantal gravity

We study a particular exact solution to the Born-Infeld determinantal gravity consisting of a cosmological model which undergoes a brusque bounce. The latter consists of an event characterized by a non-null (but finite) value of the squared Hubble rate occurring at a minimum (non-null) scale factor. The energy density and pressure of the fluid covering the whole manifold are perfectly well behaved in such an event, but the curvature invariants turn out to be undefined there because of the undefined character of the time derivative of H. It is shown that the spacetime results geodesically complete and singularity free, and that it corresponds to a picture of an eternal Universe in which a (somewhat unconventional) bounce replaces the standard Big Bang singularity. This example tends to emphasize that, beyond Einstein's theory of General Relativity, and in the context of extended theories of gravity formulated by purely torsional means, the criterion of a singularity based on pathologies of scalars constructed upon the Riemann curvature tensor, becomes objectionable.Comment: 8 pages, one figure. Typos corrected, some references added and updated. Final version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Monitoring thyroid function status in elderly patients on amiodarone

Objectives: To evaluate whether elderly patients on amiodarone were having their thyroid function status monitored as recommended in the literature and to identify the frequency and type of thyroid function test abnormalities noted. Methods: Patients on amiodarone were identified by examining the prescription charts and medical files of consecutive admissions into Zammit Clapp Hospital (ZCH) and residents at St Vincent de Paul Residence (SVPR). Data was obtained on whether thyroid function tests had been checked at the start of the medication and every six months; the results of such tests carried out over the previous year; the clinical indication to prescribe the medication; and the course of action followed when results were abnormal. Results: 1334 prescription charts were examined. 69 patients (5.2%) were on amiodarone. The most common clinical indication for the medication was atrial fibrillation (68.1%). As regards thyroid status, 39.1% of subjects had blood tests checked at the start of the medication but only 2.9% every 6 months. Although 75.4% had had their thyroid status checked over the previous year, 8.7% never had any thyroid function tests carried out whilst they were on the medication. In all 27.5% of subjects had thyroid gland dysfunction of which 13% had subclinical hypothyroidism, 11.6% clinical hypothyroidism and 2.9% clinical hyperthyroidism. All patients with abnormal results had been kept on amiodarone even when the arrhythmia had abated. Conclusions: Thyroid dysfunction is a common side effect of amiodarone medication. The regular measurement of thyroid function tests, as recommended, should be adhered to in a stricter manner.peer-reviewe

St Lawrence of Birgu before 1530

This paper focuses on the medieval cult of St Lawrence in the Maltese Islands and investigates the documented origins of the parish dedicated to the saint in Birgu. In particular, it considers the relationship that may have existed between this parish and the chaplaincy of the Castrum Maris. It is concluded that the two entities were quite separate and, indeed at times, at variance with each other.peer-reviewe

A prescriptions list of 1546

A prescriptions list for Santo Spirito patients dated 1546, the earliest of its nature found to date, is discussed. Light is thrown on the activities of the hospital, its medical staff, the patients, and the state of the art of medicine in Malta at the time. The document is transcribed in toto.peer-reviewe