Paediatric wheezy admissions at and around school holiday periods

Objective: To study the influence of school holidays on paediatric admissions with wheezing. Design, setting and patients: Retrospective analysis of all admissions due to wheeze in the paediatric age group. Regional hospital catering for all such admissions, subdivided by age group. Outcome measures: Comparison of hospitalisations due to wheezing before, during and after school holiday periods. Results: Summated admissions showed an increase in admissions over the Christmas period for preschool children, and a decrease for school age children. In Easter and at the start of the summer holidays, admissions decreased in all age groups, except for the late school age group which showed increased admissions in April-May. After the summer holidays, a rise in admissions was noted for all ages. Conclusions: Our findings support the multiphenotypic theory for the precipitation of wheezy attacks, with a changeover from a predominantly viral respiratory trigger to a more atopic form of the disease at around 10 years of age. Prophylaxis during school periods is especially important, and advice leading to prophylaxis dose reduction in the benign summer months should be accompanied by advice to restart adequate prophylaxis medication prior to restarting school.peer-reviewe

Pre-operative fasting times in paediatric patients admitted to the orthopaedic department

Background: Recent research has shown that children are often fasted for unnecessarily long intervals and prolonged fasting could have detrimental metabolic and behavioural effects in small children. In 2011, the European Society of Anaesthesiology proposed the 6-4-2 regimen for pre-operative fasting in paediatric patients. Solids, including semi-solid food and milk-containing products should be avoided 6 hours, breast milk, 4 hours and clear fluids 2 hours before anaesthesia induction respectively.Methods: Patients aged 16 years and younger requiring emergency surgery within the Orthopaedics department were included in this audit over a three-month period. 49 patients were identified from the trauma lists issued daily by the Orthopoedics Department. Data was collected from patient's case notes.Results: Out of 41 patients, 22 patients (54%) were advised to remain starved from fluids and solids from 2 am in the morning. On the other hand, 37% of the patients (15 patients) were advised to remain starved from midnight.Conclusion: The majority of doctors that admit paediatric patients within the Orthopaedics Department seem to be unaware of the guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology regarding pre-operative fasting times in children. As a result, these patients are fasted for unnecessarily long intervals leading to detrimental metabolic and behavioural effects.peer-reviewe

Increasing PV module output with flat reflectors – a scenario in Malta

The output of photovoltaic (PV) modules is related to the solar radiation incident on their surface. The immediate surroundings of the modules may reflect a considerable amount of radiation on to them, thus affecting their performance and output. This paper explores ways of improving the output of PV modules installed in Malta, with the aid of flat plate reflectors installed in front of the modules. This study focused on the effect that different types of reflective materials have on the PV modules’ output. Two sets of reflectors were studied. The first set consisted of reflectors that can be set at an angle to the horizontal, while the second set emulates different flat roof surfaces. The output of PV modules was measured and compared for each case. Measurements started in October 2012 and are still ongoing. The aim is to study the effect of reflecting surfaces and the PV modules output, and to determine the effect of the inclination of reflector. Results have so far shown that a potential increase of up to 15% maybe achieved by aluminium reflectors during the winter seasons.Alternative Technologies Ltd., Energy Investment Ltd, JMV Vibro Blocks Ltd., Solar Engineering Ltd. and Solar Solutions Ltd.peer-reviewe

Synodic period determination of seven main-belt asteroids from Maltese observatories

Photometric observations of seven asteroids were acquired from four Maltese observatories in order to derive or update published synodic periods and lightcurve amplitudes of the asteroids: 1461 Jean-Jacques, 2030 Belyaev, 2149 Schwambraniya, 3114 Ercilla, (7357) 1995 UJ7, 12919 Tomjohnson, and (20895) 2000 WU106.peer-reviewe

A European perspective on auditory processing disorder-current knowledge and future research focus

Current notions of \u201chearing impairment,\u201d as reflected in clinical audiological practice, do not acknowledge the needs of individuals who have normal hearing pure tone sensitivity but who experience auditory processing difficulties in everyday life that are indexed by reduced performance in other more sophisticated audiometric tests such as speech audiometry in noise or complex non-speech sound perception. This disorder, defined as \u201cAuditory Processing Disorder\u201d (APD) or \u201cCentral Auditory Processing Disorder\u201d is classified in the current tenth version of the International Classification of diseases as H93.25 and in the forthcoming beta eleventh version. APDs may have detrimental effects on the affected individual, with low esteem, anxiety, and depression, and symptoms may remain into adulthood. These disorders may interfere with learning per se and with communication, social, emotional, and academic-work aspects of life. The objective of the present paper is to define a baseline European APD consensus formulated by experienced clinicians and researchers in this specific field of human auditory science. A secondary aim is to identify issues that future research needs to address in order to further clarify the nature of APD and thus assist in optimumdiagnosis and evidence-based management. This European consensus presents the main symptoms, conditions, and specific medical history elements that should lead to auditory processing evaluation. Consensus on definition of the disorder, optimum diagnostic pathway, and appropriate management are highlighted alongside a perspective on future research focus

A systematic review and metanalysis of questionnaires used for auditory processing screening and evaluation

The recognition of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) as a distinct clinical condition that impacts hearing capacity and mental health has gained attention. Although pure tone audiometry is the gold standard for assessing hearing, it inadequately reflects everyday hearing abilities, especially in challenging acoustic environments. Deficits in speech perception in noise, a key aspect of APD, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for evaluating central auditory function in cases of mild hearing loss and normal audiometry results. Specific questionnaires play a crucial role in documenting and quantifying the difficulties faced by individuals with APD. Validated questionnaires such as the Children's Auditory Processing Performance Scale, the Fisher's Auditory Problems Checklist, and the Auditory Processing Domains Questionnaire are available for children, while questionnaires for adults include items related to auditory functions associated with APD. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified six questionnaires used for screening and evaluating APD with a total of 783 participants across 12 studies. The questionnaires exhibited differences in domains evaluated, scoring methods, and evaluation of listening in quiet and noise. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that individuals with APD consistently exhibited worse scores compared to healthy controls across all questionnaires. Additionally, comparisons with clinical control groups showed varying results. The study highlights (i) the importance of standardized questionnaires in identifying and assessing APD, aiding in its diagnosis and management, and (ii) the need to use sub-scores as well as overall scores of questionnaires to elaborate on specific hearing and listening situations. There is a need to develop more APD specific questionnaires for the adult population as well as for more focused research on APD diagnosed individuals to further establish the validity and reliability of these questionnaires

Chemical and physical modifications of the surface of sisal agave fibre used as a reinforcement in epoxy resin : a review

A combination of sisal fibers and bio-based epoxy resin offers good potential for producing environmentally friendly bio-composites with improved or equivalent mechanical properties compared to those obtained using 100% synthetic resins. However, the poor interaction between the two materials caused by the different distribution of electrical charge over the atoms joined by the bond in the functional groups of the chemical structure (polarity) necessitates the modification of one of the surfaces of the constituents through various techniques. The paper discusses available literature on several treatments to improve the adhesion between sisal fibres and thermoset epoxy matrices by achieving favorable wettability, mechanical interlocking, and improved interaction through chemical bonding. It is shown that fiber washing in an NaOH solution followed by rinsing and drying is the prevalent chemical treatment. With NaOH treatments, researchers observed cleaner fibres and this promoted better adhesion with the epoxy matrix. Coupling agents such as silane treatments showed an improved resistance to fiber moisture absorption. Thermal treatments affect the fiber’s morphology by increasing the crystallinity of the cellulose leading to stiffer composites. It was also observed that the improvement in fiber-matrix adhesion had an adverse effect on the impact strength of the composite.peer-reviewe

Interactions between a Trawl Fishery and Spatial Closures for Biodiversity Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Australia

Background\ud The Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) for penaeid shrimp fishes within Australia's Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). The past decade has seen the implementation of conservation and fisheries management strategies to reduce the impact of the ECOTF on the seabed and improve biodiversity conservation. New information from electronic vessel location monitoring systems (VMS) provides an opportunity to review the interactions between the ECOTF and spatial closures for biodiversity conservation.\ud \ud Methodology and Results\ud We used fishing metrics and spatial information on the distribution of closures and modelled VMS data in a geographical information system (GIS) to assess change in effort of the trawl fishery from 2001–2009 and to quantify the exposure of 70 reef, non-reef and deep water bioregions to trawl fishing. The number of trawlers and the number of days fished almost halved between 2001 and 2009 and new spatial closures introduced in 2004 reduced the area zoned available for trawl fishing by 33%. However, we found that there was only a relatively minor change in the spatial footprint of the fishery as a result of new spatial closures. Non-reef bioregions benefited the most from new spatial closures followed by deep and reef bioregions.\ud \ud Conclusions/Significance\ud Although the catch of non target species remains an issue of concern for fisheries management, the small spatial footprint of the ECOTF relative to the size of the GBRWHA means that the impact on benthic habitats is likely to be negligible. The decline in effort as a result of fishing industry structural adjustment, increasing variable costs and business decisions of fishers is likely to continue a trend to fish only in the most productive areas. This will provide protection for most benthic habitats without any further legislative or management intervention

Global significance of seagrass fishery activity

Seagrass meadows support fisheries through provision of nursery areas and trophic subsidies to adjacent habitats. As shallow coastal habitats, they also provide key fishing grounds; however, the nature and extent of such exploitation are poorly understood. These productive meadows are being degraded globally at rapid rates. For degradation to cease, there needs to be better appreciation for the value of these habitats in supporting global fisheries. Here, we provide the first global scale study demonstrating the extent, importance and nature of fisheries exploitation of seagrass meadows. Due to a paucity of available data, the study used a global expert survey to demonstrate the widespread significance of seagrass-based fishing activity. Our study finds that seagrass-based fisheries are globally important and present virtually wherever seagrass exists, supporting subsistence, commercial and recreational activity. A wide range of fishing methods and gear is used reflecting the spatial distribution patterns of seagrass meadows, and their depth ranges from intertidal (accessible by foot) to relatively deep water (where commercial trawls can operate). Seagrass meadows are multispecies fishing grounds targeted by fishers for any fish or invertebrate species that can be eaten, sold or used as bait. In the coastal communities of developing countries, the importance of the nearshore seagrass fishery for livelihoods and well-being is irrefutable. In developed countries, the seagrass fishery is often recreational and/or more target species specific. Regardless of location, this study is the first to highlight collectively the indiscriminate nature and global scale of seagrass fisheries and the diversity of exploitative methods employed to extract seagrass-associated resources. Evidence presented emphasizes the need for targeted management to support continued viability of seagrass meadows as a global ecosystem service provider

A systematic review and metanalysis of questionnaires used for auditory processing screening and evaluation

The recognition of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) as a distinct clinical condition that impacts hearing capacity and mental health has gained attention. Although pure tone audiometry is the gold standard for assessing hearing, it inadequately reflects everyday hearing abilities, especially in challenging acoustic environments. Deficits in speech perception in noise, a key aspect of APD, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The World Health Organization emphasizes the need for evaluating central auditory function in cases of mild hearing loss and normal audiometry results. Specific questionnaires play a crucial role in documenting and quantifying the difficulties faced by individuals with APD. Validated questionnaires such as the Children’s Auditory Processing Performance Scale, the Fisher’s Auditory Problems Checklist, and the Auditory Processing Domains Questionnaire are available for children, while questionnaires for adults include items related to auditory functions associated with APD. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified six questionnaires used for screening and evaluating APD with a total of 783 participants across 12 studies. The questionnaires exhibited differences in domains evaluated, scoring methods, and evaluation of listening in quiet and noise. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that individuals with APD consistently exhibited worse scores compared to healthy controls across all questionnaires. Additionally, comparisons with clinical control groups showed varying results. The study highlights (i) the importance of standardized questionnaires in identifying and assessing APD, aiding in its diagnosis and management, and (ii) the need to use sub-scores as well as overall scores of questionnaires to elaborate on specific hearing and listening situations. There is a need to develop more APD specific questionnaires for the adult population as well as for more focused research on APD diagnosed individuals to further establish the validity and reliability of these questionnaires