University Of Malta Research Articles

Mass population vaccination for COVID-19 in Malta

Introduction COVID-19 remains pandemic with countries scrambling to mass vaccinate populations, prioritising health-care workers, the elderly and the vulnerable. Malta is a small Mediterranean country with a population of circa half a million with free healthcare at point-of-care. This paper reviews the adaptations made to cope with mass vaccination. Methods Permission was obtained to tour hospital facilities. Photographs were taken with and edited on a mobile phone, a previously utilised methodology. Results Vaccination commenced on 27/12/20 with priorities as above. Malta Medical School lecture halls were initially used, followed by outpatients at the country’s regional hospital, as well as other lecture halls, and National Health Service clinics. Virtually all medically vulnerable individuals have had their first doses as well as most individuals ≥60 years of age, with the 55–60 year age group currently targeted. Malta is well ahead of the European Union average. Discussion Exacting logistics and cooperation by all local authorities (such as the University of Malta) has resulted in a highly successful vaccine rollout. The eventual licencing of vaccination for children and the availability of booster dose/s will further facilitate the eventual attainment of herd immunity. This must be a global effort lest escape variants render these efforts futile.

A First National Seismic Network for the Maltese Islands—The Malta Seismic Network

AbstractThe Sicily Channel, situated on the leading edge of the African plate as it collides with Europe, presents a range of interesting and complex tectonic processes that have developed in response to various regional stress fields. The characterization and interpretation of the seismic activity, however, still presents a challenge. The Maltese islands, lying approximately 100 km to the south of Sicily, are known to have been affected by a number of earthquakes in the Channel, with some of these events estimated to be very close to the islands. Yet, in the absence of nearby seismic instruments, an accurate evaluation and mapping of small magnitude seismicity, and, hence, the identification of unmapped active faults in the region, remains a challenge. This situation is being partially addressed through the deployment of more seismic stations on the Maltese archipelago. The Malta Seismic Network (MSN; International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks code ML, see Data and Resources), managed by the Seismic Monitoring and Research Group, within the Department of Geosciences, University of Malta, currently comprises eight broadband, three-component stations covering an area of, approximately, 315 km2. Continuous seismic monitoring is possible following upgrades to real-time data transmission and automated epicenter location, coupled with a virtual seismic network established through SeisComP3, and focused mainly on the Mediterranean region. Such a dense national network, besides improving epicentral location in the Sicily Channel, will provide valuable information on microearthquake activity known to occur in close proximity to the islands, which has been very difficult to study in the past. It will also provide opportunities to study shallow crustal structure, site response on different geological substrates, microseismic noise propagation, and effects of anthropogenic activities. Here, we give a technical description of the MSN and an appraisal of its potential.

Teachers' learning in extraordinary times: shifting to a digitally facilitated approach to lesson study

PurposeThe research reported in this paper brings forth the experiences of three teachers working in different schools. These teachers learned about lesson study through a course offered at the University of Malta while, at the same time, leading a lesson study with colleagues at their school. With the COVID-19 outbreak, these teachers had, out of necessity, to adopt and accommodate for their lesson study to an exclusive online approach. This paper, hence, focuses on teachers' learning as they shifted their lesson study online.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a case study that delves into the experiences and perceptual insights that these teachers manifested in shifting to an exclusive online lesson study situation. Data collection is derived from a focus group discussion, teacher reflective entries and detailed reports documenting the lesson study process and experiences. Employing technological frames as the theoretical lens, a description-analysis-interpretation approach was employed to analyse and interpret reflections and grounded experiential perceptions that the respondents disclosed during their lesson study journey.FindingsNotwithstanding their initial discerned sense of loss and unpreparedness of being constrained to migrate lesson study to exclusive online means, teachers eventually recognised that digitally mediated collaborative practices enhanced self-reflection about the lesson study process. Therefore, the extraordinary situation that the teachers in this study experienced not only disrupted their modus operandi but also allowed them to discern new opportunities for learning about digital technology use in lesson study.Practical implicationsDisruption, brought about by unforeseen circumstances, takes teachers and professional development facilitators out of their comfort zones, invariably helping them grow out of their limitations and rethink lesson study practices.Originality/valueIntentionally driven disruptions prompt teachers to resolve their dissatisfactory situations by thinking out of the box, eventually helping them to improve their professional practices.

Determinants for walking and cycling to a university campus: insights from a participatory Active Travel workshop in Malta

Malta is a small island state in the Mediterranean, with one of the highest population densities and per capita car ownership rates in the European Union. University campuses located in urban areas have a substantial role to play in transport planning and policies since they are amongst the largest generators and attractors of commuters. However, at the University of Malta, mobility to and from the work and study place is still characterised by high levels of private car use, resulting in traffic congestion, parking constraint and land use uptake. The current transport system is discriminatory towards those outside the car, who cannot or do not want to drive. These people find themselves struggling for space to walk and cycle, whilst bus users have to withstand long journey times due to car traffic and limited priority. A participatory Active Travel workshop was organised at the university in order to better understand the determinants of pedestrian and cyclist mobility to and from the university campus. Participants included people from the university community as well as other interested stakeholders. Four different guided walks or cycles led participants along predefined paths in the surroundings of the university, to assess the environment from the perspective of a pedestrian or cyclist. Information on the active travelers’ experiences allows the assessment and spatial distribution of perceived walkability and bikeability around campus. These outputs are then presented in a participatory web map that has evident potential to assist in the design and improvement of public space for promoting active travel. Contributions from the workshop are used to identify barriers and opportunities for walking and cycling and to construct tangible policy recommendations for promoting active travel in the vicinity of the university and the wider urban environment in Malta.

A three-year post-graduate Doctorate in Pharmacy course incorporating professional, experiential and research activities: A collaborative innovative approach.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background A three-year post-graduate international Doctorate in Pharmacy collaborative course, was launched by the Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Aim and rationale To demonstrate that the professional Doctorate in Pharmacy (i) fits the requirements of a Level 8 degree according to the Bologna process, (ii) helps graduates develop competencies and attributes in proficiency in clinical and professional aspects, (iii) has a research component that provides the right level of abilities to participate in research initiatives and to interpret research outcomes, (iv) enables graduates to obtain leadership characteristics. Approach The unique characteristics of the course were evaluated through an outcomes result-oriented measurement. Leadership aspects were measured through policies and strategies presented by students and graduates. Outcomes i) course is in line with the Bologna declaration, ii) research work shown in the dissertation satisfied competencies required iii) research abilities have been examined through a third party and found to be compliant with acquiring of concepts in the design, carrying out, assessment of outcomes and interpretation of results of the research study carried out by each student, and iv) leadership characteristics were shown by the positions taken up by the graduates and early outcomes from these positions. Conclusion Learning activities enable development of professionals able to merge scientific and practice aspects in the evaluation of innovative therapies, the use of medicines and patient monitoring, and in pharmaceutical policy development and regulation. Leadership positions taken up by graduates point to the acquisition of leadership skills by graduates. Next Steps The authors are happy to extend collaboration for this model to be adapted by other institutions for the curricular development entailed in this programme to enhance and improve an innovative aspect in the evolvement of the pharmacy profession on the international scenario.

Sierra Leone's Health Facilities’ Electricity, Computing-Hardware, and Internet Infrastructures

Background: Years of health information (HIS) investment in many countries has facilitated service delivery surveillance, reporting, and monitoring. Electricity, computing hardware, and internet network are vital for health facility-based information systems. Availability of these infrastructures at health facilities are crucial for achieving the national digital health vision. Objectives: The objective of this study was to gain insight into the state of computing hardware, electricity, and connectivity infrastructure at health facilities in Sierra Leone using a representative sample. Method: We sampled Seventy-two health facilities distributed in all the districts in Sierra Leone, factoring in rural-urban divide, digital health activity, health facility type, and health facility ownership. Enumerators visited each health facility over two weeks period. Result: We found that 82% of surveyed health facilities do not have institutionally provided internet. The maternal and child health posts (MCHP) one type of primary healthcare unit (PHU) reported 60% have solar as their only electricity source, and the other 40% had no electricity source. Similarly, 38% of hospitals use generator as a primary electricity source, while 46% use national utility. All hospitals have at least one functional computer, though only seven of the 13 hospitals have four or more functional computers. Similarly, only two of the 59 PHUs had one computer each, and 37 of the PHUs have one tablet device. Discussions: This healthcare infrastructure mapping provides the current state of internet connectivity, electricity, and computing hardware at health facilities in Sierra Leone. We can say with a 95% confidence level that alternative and non-traditional internet, electricity, and computing hardware are emerging as preferred options for health facility digital health coverage. Conclusion: Electricity provision for off-electricity-grid health facilities using alternative and renewable energy sources is emerging. Forty-three percent of surveyed health facilities believe inadequate electricity is the biggest threat to digitization. The current trend where all health facility internets are provided by GSM service providers can be changed to other promising alternatives. This study has shown evidence of the critical gap necessary to achieve this result. Funding Information: The Ministry of Health and Sanitation was supported for this study by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The University of Malta also supported this research. Declaration of Interests: None to declare.

A Functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Aγ Globin Gene Promoter Affects Globin Chain Synthesis

Beta Thalassemia and related hemoglobinopathies (such as sickle cell disease), are usually characterized by high levels of HbF since this compensates for the lack of, or abnormal HbA that is expressed in vivo. Further insight on how the hemoglobin switch is controlled and regulated can become crucial in the treatment of hemoglobin disorders. The present treatment options currently include routine blood transfusions with the occasional complications attributed to iron overload in major organs. Human stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplantation are some other options that are very risky and not without complications. Previous studies have shown that HbF levels differ in adults and that at least three loci independent of the β globin locus are responsible including XMN1, the HBS1L-MYB intergenic interval, and BCL11A. In another study conducted on an extended Maltese family, revealed that KLF1 also controls HbF levels in vivo. This study also suggested that other genes in conjunction with KLF1, play a part in activating the HbF switch upon birth. To date, the complete mechanism of how globin gene switching works is still elusive. A total of 355 DNA samples were tested. The majority of the DNA samples were obtained from an existing collection of normal to borderline HbA2 and HbF cases, while other samples were collected along the course of the study. Data from anonymous and randomized cord blood DNA samples were also used and obtained from the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Malta. These were tested for the rs368698783 polymorphism under study and were used for reference purposes. The SNP rs368698783 was amplified by PCR and checked by agarose gel electrophoresis using a 1.5% agarose gel. Restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism analysis was then performed using Mnl1 restriction enzyme. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed again in order to separate the Mnl1- incubated products according to size and thus determine the frequency of the mutation identified. Some samples were chosen at random and were genotyped by DNA sequencing. Amongst the total study population (~355 individuals), the frequency of the mutant allele was 0.14 and close to 0.25 for the random newborn cord blood DNA analyzed in a previous study. The total study population was divided into 125 healthy adults and 193 into borderline HbF/HbA2 The mean fetal hemoglobin and HbA2 for the normal sub-population were 0.39± 0.034 and 2.68± 0.02 respectively. The mean levels in the borderline population were slightly higher with a mean of 0.6± 0.04 for fetal hemoglobin and 3.7±0.04 for HbA2 The effects of rs368698783 A allele on HbF levels examined in the total population and furthermore in the two sub populations of (i) normal healthy adults and (ii) adults with borderline levels of HbF/HbA2 showed that the mutant A allele of HBG1-rs368698783 exhibited a significantly elevated level of HbF (p < 0.05) compared with the wildtype G allele in each of the cohorts from Malta. Intriguingly no association was determined between this point mutation and HbA2 levels. The data is suggestive that the variant HBG1-rs368698783 could act as a modifier associated with elevated levels of HbF in human adults. The SNP is located within the LYAR binding motif. The LYAR is a transcriptive factor which is said to silence the expression of fetal hemoglobin. thus, the G to A polymorphism reduces the DNA binding affinity increasing HbF levels invivo. Figure Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Spotlight on the Shift to Remote Anatomical Teaching During Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives and Experiences from the University of Malta.

Covid‐19 has spread globally, affecting all nations. Preventive measures were implemented by governments including the closure of universities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the student's perspectives and experiences on the shift to remote preclinical medical education while inquiring whether there has been any psychological impact on the students. A customized questionnaire utilizing Likert‐scale‐based questions and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 assessment tool was distributed online to enrolled preclinical medical students at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data gathered was carried out. Multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed to establish independent variables associated with anxiety symptoms. A total of 172 responded out of a cohort of 299 preclinical students (58%). The majority perceived a positive learning experience following the shift to remote lectures, however, it was not the case for small group teaching including dissection sessions. Nonetheless students reported concerns about their education, examinations, progression to next academic year and wellbeing. Less than half the students exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Students exhibiting “moderate” worry (OR:7.6; CI 95%:1.98–29.31; P < 0.01) and “severe” worry (OR: 2.0; CI 95%: 5.0–80.5; P < 0.01) on their mental, emotional, and wellbeing due to Covid‐19 were associated with anxiety symptoms after adjusting for cofounders. Apart from the short‐term effects, the Covid‐19 pandemic may have a long‐term impact on both the medical education and the students' future careers. It is important that the implemented changes in medical education are recorded and studied since such data will be essential on how to proceed post‐Covid‐19 pandemic.

Self-reported dental student stressors and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To compare the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the student reported outcomes among dental students reading/studying different courses offered in the only dental school in Malta. An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 13 closed-ended and open-ended questions was sent to all students (n=97) at the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the University of Malta. Emergent themes from open-ended questions were identified and tallied. Since data were classified as categorical ranks, nonparametric tests were used to compare variables among the different courses, years of study, preclinical/clinical students, and gender categories. Dental technology students were significantly less stressed about contracting COVID-19 (P=0.005) and regarding lack of preparation due to inability to physically go to the library (P=0.019). Female students reported significantly more anxiety for the following factors: "feeling anxious all the time" (P=0.033), "worried about contracting COVID-19'" (P=0.012), "worried that a family member may contract COVID-19'" (P=0.048), "more anxious about exams this year because of the challenges we are facing" (P=0.029), and "concern about losing manual dexterity skills" (P=0.038). Qualitative data gathered show considerable stress reported by students regarding changes in examination processes and formats and lack of timely communication. Students were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and this caused fear of losing their manual dexterity skills, anxiety related to its consequences on their long-term plans, and anxiety related to the examinations. Dental schools in turn should adapt rapidly and customize changes that are specific to the individual student cohort and their stage of training.

Health inequalities within professional health education at the University of Malta

Abstract Background Addressing health inequalities is a crucial public health issue. It is thus imperative that health professionals are equipped with explicit competences to recognise and address health inequalities. Methods This is a multi-phase mixed-methods study exploring health inequalities and training within professional health curricula at the University of Malta. Phase One consists of a scoping study which explores whether and how health inequalities feature within the health professions' undergraduate curricula. This involved a systematic search of undergraduate health professional curricula, including competency profiles in each programme of study, using information available in the public domain. Academic year reviewed was 2019-2020. To ensure harmonisation, the two independent reviewers used the following search strategy: a) using a keyword descriptive approach (MeSH terms divided into two levels: direct, level one, and more general keywords, level two) and b) a more subjective approach to assess wider topic elements. Results Preliminary results emanating from mapping of 19 different programmes of study will be presented. A wide range of occurrences, from zero occurrences in some programmes to a maximum of one occurrence for level one and 12 for level two keywords in other programmes, was observed. Conclusions There is a wide disparity between the awareness of and training of inequalities across different professional training programmes. This provides the groundwork for Phase Two of this research during which public health stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions on health professional training and current practices will be explored. Findings from this study will provide the evidence and the impetus for possible interdisciplinary modules and/or continuous professional development programmes in health inequalities. Key messages The need for developing short courses/reviewing health curricula to incorporate health inequalities is encouraged. Public health professionals have a responsibility to address health inequalities in their professional practice.

Stanislavski and The Theatre of The Absurd

ABSTRACT This paper is based on a lecture/workshop I gave at the S-Word Symposium, held at the University of Malta in April 2019. The original lecture comprised of a PowerPoint presentation, outlining some of the most common problems faced by my BA Hons Acting and Actor Musician students at Rose Bruford College at the beginning of their second year of training. During this initial block of work in semester one they find themselves grappling with a variety of texts written by those playwrights, grouped together by Martin Esslin in his seminal study of 1961, as the key representatives of what he famously termed The Theatre of The Absurd. 1 Opening with an introductory summation of my developing practice at RBC, followed by an outline of some of the theory involved – and some contextual framing relating to the philosophical underpinning that runs through Esslin’s interpretation of these plays 2 – I worked with a trio of Theatre Studies students from the University of Malta, in an attempt to demonstrate some of the key ideas I have been exploring in practice over the past few years. My premise is that, while an attempt to apply certain foundational aspects of Stanislavski’s “system” to these Absurdist texts is clearly problematic – particularly any attempt to create a psychologically coherent through-line-of-action, rooted in a detailed backstory or character biography – other Stanislavskian concepts, such as the magic if for example, when utilized discretely, can still prove useful. Key terminology is written in italics.

Response to Enders' Comment on "Discussion on Spatial and Time Averaging Restrictions Within the Electromagnetic Exposure Safety Framework in the Frequency Range Above 6 GHz for Pulsed and Localized Exposures".

BioelectromagneticsVolume 41, Issue 6 p. 483-484 Response Response to Enders’ Comment on “Discussion on Spatial and Time Averaging Restrictions Within the Electromagnetic Exposure Safety Framework in the Frequency Range Above 6 GHz for Pulsed and Localized Exposures” Esra Neufeld, Esra Neufeld orcid.org/0000-0001-5528-6147 Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS Foundation), Zurich, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorTheodoros Samaras, Corresponding Author Theodoros Samaras theosama@auth.gr orcid.org/0000-0003-0170-4520 Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Department of Physics, University of Malta, Msida, Malta Correspondence to: Theodoros Samaras, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. E-mail: theosama@auth.grSearch for more papers by this authorNiels Kuster, Niels Kuster Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS Foundation), Zurich, Switzerland Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author Esra Neufeld, Esra Neufeld orcid.org/0000-0001-5528-6147 Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS Foundation), Zurich, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorTheodoros Samaras, Corresponding Author Theodoros Samaras theosama@auth.gr orcid.org/0000-0003-0170-4520 Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Department of Physics, University of Malta, Msida, Malta Correspondence to: Theodoros Samaras, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. E-mail: theosama@auth.grSearch for more papers by this authorNiels Kuster, Niels Kuster Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS Foundation), Zurich, Switzerland Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author First published: 26 June 2020 https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22279Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume41, Issue6September 2020Pages 483-484 RelatedInformation

Clinical pharmacy education and practice evolvement in Malta

AbstractIntroductionMalta, a member state in the European Union, provides an education in line with the requirements for professional registration in Europe including a unique pharmacy education program with patient‐focused practice and synergism between practice, research, and education. A postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy program, which runs in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago provides an opportunity for advanced clinical pharmacy practice and innovative practice research.ObjectiveThis paper discusses how outcomes of pharmacy education developments have impacted pharmacy practice in Malta.MethodsPharmacy education at the University of Malta is examined through an analysis of the facilitators of change, the positiveness of this transformation in pharmacy education, and a critical description of the evolving pharmacy course changes. Objectives and strengths of the changes and how practice research influenced the development of collaborative clinical pharmacy services are described. The uniqueness of clinical pharmacy aspects in community pharmacy, as prompted through educational models, is highlighted. Inspirational aspects through international collaborations, including the establishment of a postgraduate doctorate in pharmacy, are described.ResultsThe leveraging of education, practice, and research provided synergism for advancing pharmacy practice which puts the patient in the center. Transformative education models focusing on empowering graduates were developed and practice research was used to advance practice within health systems. Facilitators included particular settings such as the closeness of the family doctors in community pharmacies, the participation of academics in regulatory sciences leadership, and in international collaborations. The postgraduate professional doctorate in pharmacy program that was developed contributes to the advancement of clinical pharmacy both locally and internationally.ConclusionThe characteristics of pharmacy education in Malta involve the absorption of change in a transformative process that produced positive pharmacy education outcomes and an impact on clinical pharmacy evolvements in both hospital and community practice.

Durham University and its role in Malta's development planning during the 1950s through applied research

In the 1950s the University of Durham was involved in a number of separate externally-funded projects that were aimed at assessing Malta's potential for development after it became independent from the United Kingdom. Following a pilot study, a group led by W.B. Fisher of the Department of Geography together with a team from the University of Malta, obtained what at the time were substantial funds from the Colonial Office's Colonial Economic Research Committee (CERC). Concurrently K.C. Dunham, Head of the Department of Geology, successfully obtained support from British Petroleum to carry out a geological survey, while a soil survey was separately commissioned. As well as marking the first of what was to become an established tradition of applied development projects in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, the Durham Geography Department also used its growing profile of external funding to stimulate an expansion of both its teaching and its research, so as to become one of the largest departments in the United Kingdom. Reflecting the zeitgeist of the time, Fisher and his colleagues viewed applied research, not only as an academic exercise but also as a route to human betterment, and perceived the researchers' task as providing information and policy options upon which decisions makers may formulate policy. They eschewed any attempt to fully consider different development strategies. However, some younger researchers in their later outputs and doctoral theses adopted a more critical approach about the options for Malta's future. The principal issue raised by Durham team was a concern that post-independence Malta was facing a Malthusian trap in which the islands would not have a sufficiently productive resource base to support its growing population. Over the past six decades the trap has been avoided because of a growing economy, but today pressures of people on resources are once more acute and a case is made for a second land-use survey.

The technology behind a shared demand responsive transport system for a university campus

Shared Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services are flexible services increasingly regarded as one of the solutions able to respond to changing mobility demands. Research provides ample evidence from a number of case studies, as well as technological innovations that support such services. Previous research conducted in Malta showed how shared DRT services would be able to provide a mid-market alternative to the private car. Concerns however were raised about the extent of the service area and the resulting travel time. This study looks at focusing the services around a university campus situated within the urban agglomeration on the island of Malta. The University of Malta is the state funded higher education institution and has a population of 15,000 people between students and staff, similar in size to any large town in the islands. Complex travel patterns, aggregated in a relatively small area, and restrictions on provision of car parking provide an opportunity for the team to develop the technology for a DRT system which is tailor-made to the mobility needs of the University. This paper provides the motivation and background to the case study and describes the development of the technology. Field trials carried out around campus are presented using key service level parameters. The study found that the cost of service is approximately double the cost of local buses. Further engagement with local private and public stakeholders support the discussion on the way forward for the technology and implementation. Overall the project demonstrates that ICT enabled DRT systems are feasible from both a technological and business point of view, where trading off quality of service with cost. Such systems promise to deliver mobility solutions that support the deployment of green solutions for sustainable campuses.

The Impact of the General Data Protection Regulation on the Financial Services’ Industry of Small European States*

This paper is based on the unpublished Thesis by Magri, A. (2018). An Evaluation of the Impact of GDPR on the Local Financial Services Industry. Banking and Finance, Department of Banking and Finance, Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, University of Malta, supervised by Dr. Simon Grima

1102P - Efficacy endpoints studied in clinical trials for early-onset leukaemia

BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is associated with high survival rates in paediatrics and young adults and less favourable outcomes in older adults. Clinical trials (CTs) studying survival-based endpoints in ALL lead to significantly prolonged trial durations, resulting in delays to medicines access. Biomarkers in ALL have been correlated with longer-term outcomes, potentially accelerating the clinical development of novel treatments. The aim of this study was to characterise efficacy measures investigated in ALL CTs conducted in the European Union (EU)/Economic Area (EEA). MethodsInterventional Phase II to Phase IV ALL CTs registered in the EU Clinical Trials Register over an 11-year period (2007-2017) were identified. Therapeutic CTs reporting efficacy data in the English language for investigational medicinal products of chemical, biological and biotechnological origin were included in the study. A protocol design or age filter was not applied to avoid limiting the scope of outcomes identified. Primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were extracted from the selected CTs and categorised according to type of measurement. A data mining process was performed to detect trends in outcomes studied. ResultsThe data set comprised 68 CTs representing about 20,000 patients. The majority of trials (69%, n=47) recruited patients from the adult population (18-64 years) and conducted only Phase II studies (62%, n=42). Twenty-three unique efficacy endpoints were identified and stratified into the clusters of survival (n=4), time-to-event (n=3), response rates and biomarkers (n=11) and other (n=5). Fifty-three per cent (n=36) of the trials reported 4-10 outcomes, with a mean of 4 outcomes per CT (range 1-10). The principal endpoints evaluated in CTs consisted of overall survival (CTs: 63%, n=43), minimal residual disease (CTs: 50%, n=34), event-free survival (CTs: 40%, n=27) and disease-free survival (CTs: 40%, n=27). ConclusionsThe high uptake of minimal residual disease as an efficacy parameter in ALL CTs is in line with reported findings confirming the prognostic value of this marker on clinical outcomes. Heterogeneity in the selection of efficacy endpoints was observed which warrants future work on the standardisation of efficacy outcomes in ALL CTs. Editorial acknowledgementThe Malta Medicines Authority. The Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta. Legal entity responsible for the studyDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta. FundingGovernment of Malta, Endeavour Scholarship Scheme 2017. DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Clinical Legal Education in Malta: Learning from experience and identifying the challenges

This paper introduces the reader to clinical legal education in Malta by: 1) outlining how the internal hybridity of the Maltese legal system and the juxtaposition of English and Continental models in Maltese legal education have influenced the development of the Law Clinic at the University of Malta; 2) describing how the Maltese clinical model operates currently; 3) reviewing the experiences of students involved in clinical work.

Student Perspectives on a Collaborative International Doctorate of Pharmacy Program.

Objectives: To evaluate the educational experience and teaching methods of the collaborative Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) program between the University of Malta (UM) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Methods: A 41-question survey was developed to identify student demographics, satisfaction with the PharmD program and the utility of the current curricular components. Students who enrolled in the program in May 2017 were invited to participate. The survey contained open-ended, 5-point Likert, and multiple-choice type questions. The primary outcomes were the overall satisfaction and student motivations for pursuing the program. Secondary outcomes included the level of difficulty of courses, evaluation of assessment methods, and confidence in an interdisciplinary team. Results: Thirty-six students completed the survey (a response rate of 83.7%). The mean age was 30.1 ± 7.9 years. The majority of the students pursued the PharmD program to improve their knowledge, skills, and opportunity for obtaining a clinical position. The mean overall satisfaction of the program was 3.81 ± 1.1 (5 = very satisfied). Among the core courses, Pharmacotherapeutics had the highest overall satisfaction (4.45 ± 0.91) and level of difficulty (3.84 ± 0.51). Students felt that the tutorials/recitation case discussion sessions were the most effective teaching method (48.4%) and ranked faculties conducting case-based lectures highest for overall performance. Most students felt somewhat confident (54.8%) for participating in a multidisciplinary team. Conclusions: The UM/UIC PharmD Program is a unique program, utilizing a hybrid model of teaching, including distance education, to expose students to a broad and challenging curriculum in clinical pharmacy practice. Students are satisfied with this collaborative, international postgraduate PharmD program.

Small-scale Experimental Testing of a Novel Marine Floating Platform with Integrated Hydro-pneumatic Energy Storage

Co-locating energy storage within the floating platform of offshore renewable energy systems is an effective way of reducing the cost and environmental footprint of marine energy storage devices. However, the development of suitable, non-hazardous technologies, and the influence of the marine environment on their efficiency remains an open problem. Research at the University of Malta has culminated in the Floating Liquid-piston Accumulator using Seawater under Compression (FLASC) concept, a solution involving hydro-pneumatic energy storage tailored for offshore renewables. A small-scale prototype was deployed at a sheltered marine location in the Maltese Islands, in the central Mediterranean Sea. The aim of the experimental campaign was to measure the performance of the energy storage system, and to quantify the effects of different system parameters along with the surrounding meteorological conditions. Results from selected charging-discharging cycles are presented, these include different scheduling schemes and pressure ranges. Overall, results indicate that the experimental system consistently demonstrated a high thermal efficiency (> 93%) across hundreds of charging cycles. Operating pressure range and charging schedule play a limited role on the hydro-pneumatic process, whereas seasonal temperature changes play a more significant role, in that such changes can slightly alter the effective storage capacity of the system. Results from this experimental work provide a practical proof-of-concept for hydro-pneumatic marine energy storage, and can enable key conclusions to be drawn providing a basis to numerous ongoing developments in fluid-based energy storage systems for offshore implementation.