/library/oar/handle/123456789/74310 2025-12-26T22:02:28Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/74116 Title: Keeping up the hope Abstract: Dear readers and authors of Xjenza Online, as Editorin-Chief, I am very pleased to announce the release of the second issue of 2020 of Xjenza Online. For the past year, the world has been through a terrible crisis which impacted on every aspect of our lives and work. In the higher education sector, in-person teaching, learning and research have faced severe disruptions or have been stopped altogether in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. Academic and student mobility has been reduced to the point that international research collaborations, conferences, visiting scholar and student exchange programmes were put on halt. Many research activities have also been threatened by the discontinuation of lab and field work. These interruptions have resulted not only in delayed or missed scholarship, but also in the loss of professional advancement and training for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers, not to mention the overall loss of human interaction from excess digitization. Nevertheless, this issue of Xjenza Online demonstrates once more the continuity of the scientific endeavour in the Maltese Islands, particularly the one drawn on the local research expertise. [excerpt] 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/74115 Title: Mask-wearing during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Maltese context : attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and behaviour Authors: Martin, Gillian M.; Desira, Maria; Zarb, Christina Abstract: The efficacy of any public health campaign is impacted in important ways by the level of public understanding and cooperation. The measures put in place to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in Malta have had important influence on societal relations, with the use of face coverings arguably having the most impact. The aim of our study was to empirically explore the lived experience of wearing a mask - the perceptions, beliefs and attitudes related to the use of face- coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Maltese Islands. A mixed methods research design was used to collect data via an online survey with a convenience, non-probability sample made up of 990 respondents. Quantitative data were collected via closed ended questions supplemented by qualitative data in open text boxes. Our data, collected before the wearing of face coverings was mandatory in all public places, showed how the vast majority of participants chose to wear them, with the predominant choice being facemasks. The vast majority of respondents claimed that the wearing of face masks while interacting in public spaces (both indoor and outdoor) leads to a sense of security, with increased sense of confidence in public safety measures. Data on beliefs and knowledge are significantly associated with level of education and include the mistaken belief that a visor offers as much protection as a facemask, and that wearing a facemask reduces the amount of oxygen available to breathe. Qualitative data highlighted challenges linked to communication, heat, discomfort, anxiety about lack of oxygen, and finding it harder to breathe, besides issues related to condensation on spectacles. The negative impact at work was also flagged, with increased level of irritability, reduced levels of concentration and reduced quality of service described in the data. Though compliance to public health directives was clearly dominant within our sample, the particular challenges highlighted within the study identify areas of potential breakdown of safe practices where focused science communication on a national level would be beneficial. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/74114 Title: The effectiveness of tooth whitening products in the Maltese market : a clinical study Authors: Alzoubi, Emad Eddin; Elgaroushi, Fares; McBerry, Ikechi; Gatt, Gabriella; Attard, Nikolai J. Abstract: Background: Tooth whitening has gained popularity in recent years, with many products emerging on the market.; Aim: To assess the effectiveness of different tooth whitening products, highlight any undesirable effects of whitening on the oral soft tissues, and evaluate if tooth whitening can serve as a motivational tool for patients to improve their oral hygiene.; Method: 127 participants were invited to join the study and 77 were enrolled in the study according to the selection criteria. They were randomly divided into 8 groups, each group receiving a different tooth-bleaching product. Data collection was performed at 4 different time-points.; Results: 39% of participants were excluded due to suboptimal oral health, thus emphasizing the need for a routine check-up before treatment. Only professional tooth whitening provided by dental professionals showed significant tooth shade improvements (Kruskal–Wallis tests p < 0.05). Tooth whitening had no significant impact on oral soft tissues (Kruskal–Wallis test p > 0.05). Tooth whitening can serve as a motivating tool to improve patients’ oral health.; Conclusions: Tooth whitening procedures should be carried out by dental professionals. Only non-over the counter (OTC) products showed significant colorimetric shade improvement. Whitening treatment had no significant impact on oral soft tissues. The achieved tooth whitening directly improved oral health. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/73494 Title: The control of developmental global gene expression Authors: Anilal, P.; Calleja-Agius, Jean; Felice, Alex E. Abstract: The complex interplay of a myriad of protein factors in embryonic development encapsulates the importance of accuracy in the control of gene expression, regulation and physical factors including cellenvironment contact. C. elegans has an extremely similar gene interplay and hence its study has paved way a greater understanding. This review will explore cell lineage specification, mutual regulation, the consequences of mutations, and how gene regulatory networks utilise spatio-temporal triggers. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z