University of Malta

Synthesizer is a fast, flexible, modular, and extensible Python package that empowers astronomers to turn theoretical galaxy models into realistic synthetic observations-including spectra, photometry, images, and spectral cubes-with a focus on interchangeable modelling assumptions.By offloading computationally intensive tasks to threaded C++ extensions, Synthesizer delivers both simplicity and speed, enabling rapid forward-modelling workflows without requiring users to manage low-level data processing and computational details.

Submarine regions remain sparsely instrumented, limiting the spatial coverage of seismic monitoring in offshore environments. Recent studies have shown that optical fibers, including those actively used for telecommunications, can detect ground motion through laser interferometry. We present an ongoing evaluation of the seismic sensitivity of a 260 km optical fiber link between Malta and Catania, predominantly submerged in the Ionian Sea and continuously carrying internet traffic.The optical-fiber recordings were analysed for signals corresponding to the arrival times of ~1500 earthquakes listed in the INGV catalogue between January 2023 and March 2025. The waveforms were manually inspected for seismic arrivals and compared to seismic data recorded on nearby land stations on Malta and Sicily. Earthquakes ranging from magnitude 1.4 to 7.9 originating from distance of 3 to 16,000 km were successfully observed. Each event was assigned a category according to signal clarity and confidence, ranging from clearly visible arrivals (category A) to non-detectable signals (category E). Preliminary results indicate that 30% in category E, providing an initial characterisation of the optical-fiber cable’s sensitivity. While a majority of observations fall within lower quality categories (D-E), at least 35% of the analysed events remain robustly identifiable, highlighting the contribution of the submarine fiber to existing land-based seismic networks and extending observational coverage in submarine regions. The sensitivity of the fiber strongly depends on the earthquake magnitude-distance relationship, as expected. We compare our results with previously reported measurements on terrestrial fibers (Donadello, et al., 2024), and show that the Malta-Catania submarine cable can be a reliable new seismic tool for a submarine environment, although recording fewer high-confidence events than onshore systems.Noise in the fiber exhibits correlations with wind and with daytime anthropogenic activity. This reduces the signal-to-noise ratio and limits the detectability of earthquakes with M

Sicily (Italy) is among the regions most vulnerable to drought, with conditions expected to worsen under climate change, underscoring the need for sustainable water management and the exploration of unconventional water resources. This study investigates the Ragusa Oligo-Miocene Formation, a karstified and fractured carbonate aquifer with medium to high porosity, which outcrops across the Hyblean Plateau in southern Sicily. The primary objective was to assess and quantify the potential presence of fresh groundwater in the deeper and offshore extension of this carbonate aquifer along the southeastern coast of Sicily, where it is sealed beneath more recent deposits. To reconstruct its subsurface structure, data from 90 deep oil and gas wells, both onshore and offshore, were analysed. Geophysical logs were examined using advanced petrophysical methods, while hydrogeological data from onshore wells were integrated to refine the understanding of the regional aquifer system. The results provide clear evidence of freshened groundwater within the Ragusa regional aquifer, extending deeper than previously known, onshore and continuing offshore up to 10 km from the coastline. A preliminary, conservative volumetric estimate suggests approximately 3 km3 of fresh groundwater preserved in the offshore region of the study area, at depths between 500 and 1200 m below sea level. This discovery demonstrates the untapped potential of unconventional groundwater in both the deep onshore and offshore areas of southeastern Sicily, offering an additional solution to water shortage problems, and has significant implications for other countries along Mediterranean coastlines.

The dislodgement and transportation of boulders on rocky coasts by storm waves has been the subject of an increasing number of studies in the last decade. Research has been approached from different perspectives, such as numerical models that hindcast wave heights that produce movement, structural control on boulder production, and innovative monitoring and change detection techniques. However, the complex dynamics between boulders and wave forces that determine boulder mobility remain insufficiently understood.This ongoing study aims to document instances of boulder displacement and quantify their frequency over a two-year observation period. Monitoring is being conducted at three coastal sites across the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean): one in Qawra (northern coast) and two in Marsascala (southern coast). Data acquisition is conducted periodically using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with subsequent 3D model reconstruction performed using Agisoft Metashape. Each newly generated model is compared to its predecessor to detect changes in boulder positions.Observed boulder movement is evaluated based on key parameters including size, morphology, initial location, displacement distance, and direction of transport. These transport events are then correlated with wave conditions recorded during the interval between successive UAV surveys.Preliminary findings from the first six-month monitoring phase at Qawra are being presented here. These results suggest that boulder mobility is influenced by a combination of factors, including boulder morphometry and location, coastal topography, wave energy, and wave direction relative to shoreline orientation.

Abstract On 8 April 2014, the Court of Justice of the European Union ( CJEU ) declared the Data Retention Directive invalid for violating fundamental rights, primarily the rights to privacy and to personal data protection. At a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council that took place soon thereafter, it has been stated that the CJEU ’s ruling “suggests that general and blanket data retention is no longer possible”. Civil society breathed a sigh of relief and has paid attention mostly to corporate surveillance ever since. Now, ten years later, it is obvious that it was too early to celebrate victory. According to the survey conducted by the author, most of the EU member states have legislation providing for general and indiscriminate communications data retention. In its subsequent decisions, the CJEU identified certain situations where such retention would be permissible. Moreover, the idea of a new EU instrument on communications data retention seems to be gaining momentum. This paper analyses the reasons why this governments’ offensive against fundamental rights has been successful so far and discusses what can be done, particularly by academia, to stop it.

Halogens, particularly fluorine, chlorine, and bromine, play a pivotal role in modern drug discovery and development. Their incorporation into drug molecules significantly influences physicochemical properties, including lipophilicity, metabolic stability, and target binding affinity. Fluorine, the most commonly used halogen, enhances bioavailability and receptor interactions, as seen in several blockbuster drugs. Chlorine and bromine contribute to hydrophobic interactions and modulate pharmacokinetics, while iodine is less frequently utilized due to its larger atomic size and reactivity. The strategic placement of halogens in drug scaffolds has led to the success of numerous FDA-approved pharmaceuticals across therapeutic areas, including oncology, infectious diseases, and central nervous system disorders. This review explores the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of halogen-containing drugs, highlighting recent approvals (2025), their synthesis (with yields, when available), therapeutic use, and, when experimentally available, the interaction with their biological target macromolecules.

Introduction: Septic shock is managed in intensive care units (ICU) with markedly high mortality rates despite adequate management. Vasopressors are the cornerstone of management, yet evidence comparing outcomes, by specific agent, is still limited. This study aims to evaluate the impact of vasopressors on mortality, survival and hospital length of stay in septic shock patients admitted to the ICU. Methods: The eICU-CRD database, a publicly available de-identified database, was used for statistical analysis. 1,606 patients admitted for suspected or confirmed septic shock were isolated and stratified by vasopressor type including: dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, milrinone, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, vasopressin and non-vasopressors. Demographic data, mortality, survival and ICU length of stay were then quantitatively analyzed by vasopressor administration groups. Analysis included Kaplan Meier survival curves and chi squared analysis for mortality and overall clinical outcomes. Results: Mortality, survival and ICU Length of Stay were statistically different among all groups. Mortality was greatest in the patients receiving Epinephrine (75%) and Milrinone (66.7%) and lowest in the patients receiving Dopamine (12.8%, p< 0.001). Survival was greatest in the dopamine and dobutamine groups and lowest in the epinephrine group (p< 0.001). Length of stay was greatest in the patients receiving milrinone and shortest in the patients receiving epinephrine and phenylephrine (p< 0.001). Overall, norepinephrine had modest reductions in mortality and length of stay and increases in overall survival. Increased survival rates associated with dobutamine over epinephrine suggest that there could be stronger evidence supporting its use in septic shock management. Conclusions: Dobutamine historically has had weak evidence to support its use in septic shock management but the increased survival rates in this study suggests that it should be further considered in the sepsis hour-1 bundle. Future studies should evaluate the inclusion of drugs such as milrinone and phenylephrine in improving outcomes of septic shock patients.

Abstract Litter pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, motivating the search for automated monitoring methods that can scale effectively. The problem is heightened by the difficulty of detecting small and diverse litter objects across wide areas, prompting interest in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and deep learning as viable solutions. We conducted a systematic literature review by initially using Google Scholar, and then iteratively expanding our search through bibliographic references to identify relevant studies and datasets. In this review, we: synthesize the applicability of nine publicly available litter datasets; compile and analyze computer vision integrations with Litter Management Systems, with a particular emphasis towards UAV-based solutions; and review relevant literature addressing this issue; among others. Our analysis includes four UAV-based datasets (BDW, UAVVaste, HAIDA, SODA) and five non-UAV datasets (TrashNet, TACO, MJU-Waste, PlastOPol, ZeroWaste), examining dataset characteristics, preprocessing techniques, model architectures, and evaluation metrics across studies. Our synthesis of the literature highlights the varied approaches different studies undertake, reflecting the complexity of the task and the absence of standardised protocols. We conclude by discussing priorities for future work, notably the need for more publicly available in-the-wild UAV-acquired datasets and the potential of newer model architectures to address current limitations in automated litter detection.