Analysis of Input (Supply) Multipliers for the Maltese Economy on the Basis of the SIOTs for 2010 and 2015

The goal of this study is to present and assess estimates of input (supply) multipliers within the context of the Maltese economy to identify in which economic sectors it is the most beneficial to allocate primary resources with the aim to support economic growth. Via the application of the Ghoshian Supply-Driven Model, this study presents the first highly disaggregated input (supply) multiplier estimates for the Maltese economy based on the 2010 and 2015 Symmetric Input-Output Tables. This study also includes a comparative analysis between the years 2010 and 2015 to assess changes in the input (supply) multipliers ranking across economic sectors. Based on the 2015 Symmetric Input-Output Table, potential output is mostly increased following the additional allocation of primary inputs to the Manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products sector following the highest input (supply) multiplier estimate, keeping all else constant. Furthermore, based on the 2010 Symmetric Input-Output Table, the Advertising and market research sector registered the highest input (supply) multiplier. The input (supply) multipliers are subject to the traditional input-output framework and the supply-side modelling assumptions. However, they do provide estimates on the potential change in economy-wide output following exogenous primary input shocks in every sector. In other words, the input (supply) multipliers provide policy makers a guide in which economic sector it is most beneficial to allocate primary inputs, such as labour supply, with the aim of supporting economic growth. The derived input (supply) multipliers may be utilised to aid in the formation of industry specific labour market policies with the aim of supporting overall economic expansion

Bużbieża

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Moħħ miftuħ! ta’ Joseph Sciberras – Xenqiet il-qalb ta’ Pawlu Mifsud – Il-gallozz ta’ Kilin – Qabel tagħfas il-ħabel ta’ Oliver Friggieri – Realtà ta’ Ġ. Abela – Id-daħk ta’ Pawlu Mifsud – Il-bużbieża ta’ P. P. Theuma.peer-reviewe

Lill-Patri Ġużeppi Delia, S.J.

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Ir-rebbiegħa ta’ Bro. Henry – Il-filosofija fil-ħanut tal-kafè ta’ Albert M. Cassola – Lil Malta ta’ Ġużepp Abela – Waħda minn tagħhom ta’ Pawlu Mifsud – Nawfraġju ta’ Ġużepp Abela – Għadira ta’ V. M. Pellegrini – Din tassew ta’ V. M. Pellegrini – Memento ta’ V. M. Pellegrini – Nofs in-nhar ta’ Joe Mejlak – Żewġt erwieħ ta’ P. P. Theuma – Nieqa mqaddsa ta’ Ġużè Galea – Il-kelb tas-Sur Manifk ta’ Pawlu Cachia – Lill-Patri Ġużeppi Delia, S.J. ta’ Ġużè Cardona.peer-reviewe

Twelid ta’ poeżija

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Mhux hekk? ta’ E. Attard – Il-ħarufa ta’ l-Għid ta’ Pawlu Mifsud – Fl-għaxija ta’ P. P. Theuma – Fariżina ta’ Charles Coleiro – Bott vojt ta’ E. Attard – Lill-poeti ta’ Albert M. Cassola – Daqsxejn ta’ annimal.....imbagħad tgħid! ta’ Manwel F. Attard – Relatività ta’ Wallace Ph. Gulia – Fantasija u realtà ta’ Spiro Buhagiar – Twelid ta’ poeżija ta’ Manwel Nicholas Borg.peer-reviewe

Epigrammi

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Bandiera Maltija ta’ Karmenu Ellul Galea – Il-ħares tad-dar tagħna ta’ Tarcisio L. Xerri – Iżjed mill-għoli ta’ Dun Frans Camilleri – Il-kaċċatur ta’ P. P. Theuma – Siġra tal-ħawħ ta’ P. P. Theuma – Riflessjoni ta’ Ġużi Abela – Nawfraġju ta’ Ġużi Abela – Lill-Prof. Ġużè Galea fostna ta’ Ġużè Cardona – Poeta ta’ Wallace Ph. Gulia – Inti mifdija wkoll...! ta’ Pawlu Aquilina – Epigrammi ta’ Anton Buttigieg.peer-reviewe

Daħla

Ġabra ta’ poeżiji u proża li tinkludi: Iva le ta’ Charles Coleiro – Dak li Alla jrid għalih ta’ G. Z. A. – L-univers ta’ P. P. Theuma – Għaddej iż-żmien ta’ Wallace Ph. Gulia – Dawl ċkejken ta’ Dun Frans Camilleri – Meta l-qalb ma tweġibx ta’ A. Cremona – Ħerba ta’ Oliver Friggieri – Is-siġar ta’ Albert M. Cassola – Lill-bandiera Maltija ta’ Mario Agius – Daħla ta’ Emanuele Attard.peer-reviewe

Sarcopenia Exacerbates Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance and Dysglycemia: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

Sarcopenia often co-exists with obesity, and may have additive effects on insulin resistance. Sarcopenic obese individuals could be at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. We performed a study to determine whether sarcopenia is associated with impairment in insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in obese and non-obese individuals.We performed a cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III data utilizing subjects of 20 years or older, non-pregnant (N = 14,528). Sarcopenia was identified from bioelectrical impedance measurement of muscle mass. Obesity was identified from body mass index. Outcomes were homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR), glycosylated hemoglobin level (HbA1C), and prevalence of pre-diabetes (6.0≤ HbA1C<6.5 and not on medication) and type 2 diabetes. Covariates in multiple regression were age, educational level, ethnicity and sex.Sarcopenia was associated with insulin resistance in non-obese (HOMA IR ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 1.52) and obese individuals (HOMA-IR ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.18). Sarcopenia was associated with dysglycemia in obese individuals (HbA1C ratio 1.021, 95% CI 1.011 to 1.043) but not in non-obese individuals. Associations were stronger in those under 60 years of age. We acknowledge that the cross-sectional study design limits our ability to draw causal inferences.Sarcopenia, independent of obesity, is associated with adverse glucose metabolism, and the association is strongest in individuals under 60 years of age, which suggests that low muscle mass may be an early predictor of diabetes susceptibility. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, further research is urgently needed to develop interventions to prevent sarcopenic obesity and its metabolic consequences

Changes in Inflammatory Biomarkers Across Weight Classes in a Representative US Population: A Link Between Obesity and Inflammation

Obesity has been linked with a chronic state of inflammation which may be involved in the development of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and even cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the association between obesity class and levels of inflammatory biomarkers from men and women who participated in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were measured among US participants of the 1999–2004 NHANES. We examined biomarker levels across different weight classes with normal weight, overweight, and obesity classes 1, 2, and 3 were defined as BMI of &lt;25.0, 25.0–29.9, 30.0–34.9, 35.0–39.9, and ≥40.0, respectively. With CRP levels for normal weight individuals as a reference, CRP levels nearly doubled with each increase in weight class: +0.11 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.06–0.16) for overweight, +0.21 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.16–0.27) for obesity class 1, +0.43 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.26–0.61) for obesity class 2, and +0.73 mg/dl (95% CI, 0.55–0.90) for obesity class 3. With normal weight individuals as a reference, fibrinogen levels increase with increasing weight class and were highest for obesity class 3 individuals, +93.5 mg/dl (95% CI, 72.9–114.1). Individuals with hypertension or diabetes have higher levels of CRP and fibrinogen levels compared to individuals without hypertension or diabetes, even when stratified according to BMI. There is a direct association between increasing obesity class and the presence of obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension with high levels of inflammatory biomarkers

The Acute Phase Protein Serum Amyloid A Induces Lipolysis and Inflammation in Human Adipocytes through Distinct Pathways

Background: The acute phase response (APR) is characterized by alterations in lipid and glucose metabolism leading to an increased delivery of energy substrates. In adipocytes, there is a coordinated decrease in Free Fatty acids (FFAs) and glucose storage, in addition to an increase in FFAs mobilization. Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase protein mainly associated with High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). We hypothesized that enrichment of HDL with SAA, during the APR, could be implicated in the metabolic changes occurring in adipocytes. Methodology/Principal Findings: In vitro differentiated human adipocytes (hMADS) were treated with SAA enriched HDL or recombinant SAA and the metabolic phenotype of the cells analyzed. In hMADS, SAA induces an increased lipolysis through an ERK dependent pathway. At the molecular level, SAA represses PPARc2, C/EBPa and SREBP-1c gene expression, three transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation or lipid synthesis. In addition, the activation of the NF-kB pathway by SAA leads to the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as in the case of immune cells. These latter findings were replicated in freshly isolated mature human adipocytes. Conclusions/Significance: Besides its well-characterized role in cholesterol metabolism, SAA has direct metabolic effects on human adipocytes. These metabolic changes could be at least partly responsible for alterations of adipocyte metabolism observed during the APR as well as during pathophysiological conditions such as obesity and conditions leading to insuli

How landscapes remember

This paper considers the possibility that as subject or agent, the landscape might have the potential to contain, store or transmit memories of their past, which are engaged experientially as uncanny. In a simple sense it asks why there are some landscapes – or landscape features – that are regarded as spiritually animated by different social groups, at different times. The paper focuses on the Neolithic temple site of Borġ-in-Nadur, in Southern Malta, which as well as having been a site of prehistoric ritual activity has more recently been the site of a significant devotion to the Virgin Mary, who graced the site with regular apparitions, and a focus for national and transnational Goddess pilgrimage. The paper suggests that sites such as Borġ-in-Nadur can be seen as palimpsest landscapes, in which memory is layered such that experiential engagements with them draw the past in to the present, and forwards into the future. The paper examines the intertwining of prehistoric, Catholic and Neo-pagan engagements with Borġ-in-Nadur, extending Pierre Nora’s concept of lieux de memoire (sites of memory) to encompass the milieux de memoire, or memorial environments, which are themselves also context of, and for, the uncanny