/library/oar/handle/123456789/3200 2025-12-21T10:44:48Z 2025-12-21T10:44:48Z Azzopardi, Ernest A. Camilleri, Liberato Moseley, Ryan Thomas, David W. Ferguson, Elaine L. /library/oar/handle/123456789/18961 2019-12-19T08:54:39Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Statistical characterization of succinoylated dextrin degradation behavior in human α-amylase Authors: Azzopardi, Ernest A.; Camilleri, Liberato; Moseley, Ryan; Thomas, David W.; Ferguson, Elaine L. Abstract: Dextrin is a biomedically well-established, water-soluble polymer that has recently attracted considerable interest for conjugation to bioactive payloads. Succinoylation functionalizes dextrin and alters the rate at which it is degraded by human amylase, providing the bases for a convenient, controlled drug release technology. To date, the choice of a succinoylated dextrin intermediate requires laborious physicochemical char- acterization of entire libraries of succinoylated dextrin intermediates. We report the governance of dextrin degradation as a function of initial polymer molecular weight and degree of succinoylation through statistical analysis of a library of succinoylated dex- trins relevant to acute disease (parent-dextrin molecular weight: 8,100 to 28,900 g/mol; 0 to 14.5 mol% succinoylation) at a typical physiologic concentration of human amy- lase (100 IU/L). Within these parameters, the rate of degradation of all succinoylated dextrins was best predicted by logarithmic regression. The contribution of degree of succinoylation to the variance in the degradation rate increased progressively and substantially with decreasing initial polymer weight (4.19% to 21.33%). These re- sults facilitate the choice of succinoylated dextrin intermediates in the construction of controlled-release constructs, increase relevance to clinical scenarios requiring spe- cific controlled-release rates, and contribute to the adoption of succinoylated dextrin as a versatile polymer for conjugation in controlled-release therapeutics. Description: The research work disclosed in this publication is partially funded by the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship (Malta). The scholarship is part-financed by the European Union. Work from this manuscript has been presented at the Society for Academic Research Surgery, Royal Society of Medicine, London, 2013. (Recipient, Jackson Award for Burn Surgery Research.)

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Sammut, Vince /library/oar/handle/123456789/3084 2018-02-19T12:58:13Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The global food crisis : supply and demand revisited Authors: Sammut, Vince Abstract: This study aims to show that the volatility in food prices between 2008 and 2011 cannot be explained merely by the market fundamentals of demand and supply. While global changes in demand and supply are bringing about radical changes to the food equation, evidence shows that market failure in the world grain market aggravated the problem. Excess liquidity, brought about by monetary growth policies after the subprime crises and financial meltdown in 2008, has stimulated speculation and hoarding. Strong incentives for financial operators to find better returns in places like the commodities market is attested by the six-fold increase in the number of ‘derivatives’ contracts made between 2002 and 2008. Furthermore, agriculture is one of the most heavily subsidized, protected, and distorted markets in the world. This is a key reason behind a decade long lack of progress in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This study investigates the hypothesis that speculative activities are a major source of volatility in the agricultural commodities market and that this has significantly contributed to price inflation. It also explores Malta’s possible involvement in food commodity speculation, albeit on a small scale.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Brincat, Andrew /library/oar/handle/123456789/3073 2017-07-25T07:39:28Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Bilateral oligopoly : countervailing market power Authors: Brincat, Andrew Abstract: Malta’s economy, minute by any standard, makes for imperfectly competitive market structures. The degree of this competition is quite interesting since many firms, in the wholesale, retail, as well as in other sectors, tend to form part of oligopolistic structures, such as banking, mobile phone service provision, internet service providers, bottled-water manufacturers, insurance, food importers, supermarkets, and new and used car importers. Oligopsony, or the concentration of market power in the hands of a few buyers, may be considered as the other side of the coin. Many studies of oligopsony have focused on retailers who manage to extract prices and conditions from providers or manufacturers that are beneficial to them, but not necessarily to consumers. This paper discusses the degree of oligopoly power and how the firm tends to wield this power. It also discusses the conceptual basis of bilateral oligopoly (oligopoly and oligopsony) and some of its economic and welfare effects.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z