Heritage Malta

This article examines the critical role of archival exploration in decoding the painting practice of a modern Singaporean artist Liu Kang (1911–2004). Given Liu Kang’s undocumented artistic process and the absence of preserved paint tubes or technical notes, the research methodology combined a wide range of primary and secondary archival records with previous analytical investigations of his paintings. By examining works from the National Gallery Singapore and the Liu family collections created between 1927 and 1999, the research deduced the brands and types of materials he used. Hence, this article highlights the crucial and complementary role of diverse archival sources in technical art research. Consequently, primary archival sources, such as interviews with the artist, studio photographs and a TV documentary, provided evidence of his tools and methods. These were cross-referenced with secondary sources, including colourmen printed advertisements, trade directories and colourmen catalogues, which established the availability of art supplies in Shanghai, Paris, and Singapore throughout his career. Ultimately, these diverse archival sources enriched our understanding of Liu Kang’s painting practice. They connected the historical context of his artistic activities with the technical data, allowing the research to piece together narratives that might otherwise have remained obscured.

The assessment of the dynamic mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced composites has gained importance in specific high-tech applications like aerospace and automobiles. However, three dimensional (3D) auxetic reinforcements offering viable performance have remained unexplored. Hence, this study investigates the energy absorption capabilities and high strain impact behaviors of 3D woven fabric-reinforced composites. Three different types of 3D woven reinforcements i.e., warp interlock (Wp), weft interlock (Wt), and bidirectional interlock (Bi) were developed from jute yarn, and their corresponding composites were fabricated using polycarbonate (PC) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Out-of-plane auxeticity was measured for reinforcements while composites were analyzed under dynamic tests. Wp exhibited the highest auxeticity with a value of −1.29, Bi showed the least auxeticity with a value of −0.31, while Wt entailed an intermediate value of −0.46 owing to variable interlacement patterns. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results revealed that composite samples developed with PC resin showed a higher storage modulus with the least tan delta values less than 0.2, while PVB-based samples exhibited higher loss modulus with tan delta values of 0.6. Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) results showed that, under 2 and 4 bar pressure tests, PVB-based composites exhibited the highest maximum load while PC-based composites exhibited the least. Warp interlock-based composites with higher auxeticity showed better energy absorption when compared with the bidirectional interlock reinforcement based (with lower auxeticity) composites that exhibited lower peak load and energy dissipation.

New evidence suggests that Sars-CoV2 infection during pregnancy may result in complications such as hypertension, nephropathy, thrombocytopenia, and liver damage. A pre-eclampsia-like syndrome has also been proposed in pregnant women with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, which meets the pre-eclampsia criteria but resolves without delivery, with improvement in respiratory symptoms. 31-year-old, second pregnancy, in Emergency Room for PROM (premature rupture of membranes), has Sars-CoV2 infection and has not been vaccinated. Normal examinations and mild hypertension were present upon admission, but no treatment was administered. Vaginal Leukocytic Delivery 12 hours after admission, newborn Apgar score 9/10, weight 3.250 kg. At 20 hours after delivery, epigastric pain VAS 8-9 for 20 minutes, systolic/diastolic hypertension peak, increase in transaminases, LDH, ALP, Bilirubin, Dimer, platelet and fibrinogen drop. Neurological and respiratory objectivity were negative, and renal indices were within normal limits, so nifedipine 30mgx2/day + methyldopa 500 mgx2/day was started. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a thin perihepatic fluid stratum. A prophilaxis of dexamethasone 12mg twice a day and magnesium sulfate was introduced. At 32 hours after delivery, the laboratory detected an increase in transaminases, LDH, and worsening of thrombocytopenia. The patient is always eupnoic, and the diuresis is adequate. Blood tests improved gradually after 56 hours postpartum. Methyldopa and steroids are escalating. On day 7, discharge with normalized platelet and bilirubin counts and a decreasing trend in transaminases, LDH, and PAL. At the one-week follow-up, liver enzymes and coagulation were completely normal, and blood pressure was well controlled with methyldopa. We conclude that the simultaneous presence of the two diseases could have had a synergistic or opportunistic effect, resulting in severe clinical manifestations via interaction with the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system.

The Maltese Temples, built between 3800 and 2400 BC, are unique structures among the prehistoric monuments of Europe. Their consistent architectural style is characterised by straight entrance corridors leading to open courtyards. This led scholars to ask whether there may have been some intention to orientate their entrances in specific, meaningful ways. Previous attempts to answer this question have either proposed explanations without any formal analysis, only looking to disprove randomness, or have jumped to celestial interpretations without first exploring topographical ones. By contrast, we here deploy a single statistical framework to test the orientation of the Maltese temples against a variety of hypotheses, both terrestrial and celestial. Using a new set of orientation measurements for 32 structures (the largest sample ever analysed) the statistical analysis indicates that despite most temples having orientations that can be explained either by chance, terrain aspect, protection from wind or winter sunlight, there are some patterns of orientation that cannot be explained by any of these hypotheses. These patterns are only statistically significant for temples of the earlier, Ġgantija phase of construction and they match the rising or setting of neighbouring stars of the southern celestial hemisphere. It is argued that these stellar matches were unlikely to be coincidences in that they probably were important stars for astronavigation (as they still are today) in the central Mediterranean. Finally, we suggest that the temples, in addition to other symbolic or social purposes may have been places of instruction for young seafarers to learn these important navigational stars.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic organofluorine compounds used in various products, which are highly durable in the environment and may pose risks to wildlife health. We investigated the blood cell concentrations of PFAS in breeding Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) from three different colonies in the central and southern Mediterranean (Linosa, Malta, and La Maddalena). Shearwaters are flexible, high trophic level foragers, and foraging areas may differ according to sex and breeding stage. We examined inter- and intracolony differences in PFAS blood concentrations and compared them with exploited foraging areas and dietary tracers. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were detected in all samples, with the major congeners detected in descending order being perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFuNA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriDA). The mean sum of PFAS during the chick-rearing phase was highest in the birds from Malta (145.1 ng/g dry wt, 95% confidence interval [CI] of the mean 106.8, 183.5) compared with Linosa (91.5 ng/g dry wt, 95% CI 72.9, 110.1) and La Maddalena (84.5 ng/g dry wt, 95% CI 61.7, 107.3), and the PFAS blood composition of shearwaters from La Maddalena and Malta differed. The PFAS concentrations in shearwaters from Linosa were higher during incubation than during chick-rearing, and males had higher PFAS concentrations than females during incubation. Some PFAS were associated with carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values. After baseline adjustment of stable isotope values, no differences were observed for adjusted δ15N and δ13C between the three colonies, suggesting that differences in PFAS levels attributed to diet were minor compared with regional differences. Our study highlights that shearwaters are useful biomonitors of PFAS exposure in remote marine areas.

Abstract The digitisation of cultural heritage, particularly within national collections such as those of Heritage Malta, presents a blend of opportunities and challenges. The establishment of the Digitisation Unit has been pivotal in adopting 3D digitisation technology, which enhances the preservation and accessibility of the National Collection. However, the lack of common international standardised methodologies and procedures has led to inconsistencies in the quality and interoperability of 3D models.This paper explores the critical differences between 2D and 3D digitisation, highlighting the advanced equipment and methodological complexities involved in 3D processes. It discusses the experiences faced during the digitisation of the National Collection, with a focus on item prioritisation and the need for robust strategies and standards. The importance of metadata and paradata, along with equipment and methodological challenges, are examined to illustrate the multifaceted nature of 3D digitisation. Despite these challenges, strategic actions such as developing internal guidelines, investing in storage solutions, and participating in initiatives like TwinIt! are identified as crucial for overcoming current barriers. The paper concludes that while the field of 3D digitisation is still evolving, the concerted efforts of institutions like Heritage Malta, coupled with ongoing innovations and standardisation efforts, hold promise for preserving and sharing cultural heritage with future generations, ensuring its accessibility and integrity in the digital age.

The anthropogenic influences of historical shipwrecks on the marine environment remain largely uncharacterized, particularly for wrecks located at depths of ~50 meters and lost over 80 years ago. Below 50 meters, the marine environment transitions from the euphotic to the mesophotic zone, where reduced light, significant changes in oxygen levels, and increased pressure may alter microbial communities and metabolic pathways. Understanding these shifts can provide insights into the adaptation and evolution of microorganisms. Sediment samples were collected by a team of divers from nine wreck sites off the coast of Malta, varying in depth from 5 to 100 meters. All sampling was conducted with the consent and authorization of the Government of Malta for the collection of marine genetic resources. Chemical analyses and metabarcoding techniques were employed to assess how shipwrecks influence microbial diversity and community composition in the surrounding sediments. Alpha (α) diversity of microbial communities was higher in sediments adjacent to the shipwrecks compared to those collected over 100 meters away from any wreck site. Across all nine wreck sites, sediment size emerged as the most significant driver of microbial diversity, followed by frame type and the presence of oil leaks. This study demonstrates that shipwrecks, varying in depth, frame type, and country of origin, significantly influence the microbial ecosystems and sediment chemistry of their surrounding environment. The findings suggest that shipwrecks act as focal points for ecological and chemical changes, contributing to the dynamic interactions between historical artifacts and marine ecosystems.

During the 2020 Mars opposition, we observe from Earth the occurrence of a non-typical large-scale high-altitude clouds system, extending over thousands of km from the equator to 50°S. Over 3 hours, they emerge from the night side at an altitude of 90 (-15/+30) km and progressively dissipate in the dayside. They occur at a solar longitude of 316°, west of the magnetic anomaly and concomitantly to a regional dust storm. Despite their high altitude, they are composed of relatively large particles, suggesting a probable CO2 ice composition, although H2O cannot be totally excluded. Such ice clouds were not reported previously. We discuss the formation of this new type of clouds and suggest a possible nucleation from cosmic particle precipitation.