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Three soft rock facies of the Middle Globigerina Limestone (MGL) from Malta, of mineralogical composition and index properties similar to some medium-high density Chalk facies, are disaggregated through prolonged agitation in water to create reconstituted samples. The significant activity of their clay-sized calcite grains can impart a medium-high plasticity. Scanning electron microscopy analyses of natural and reconstituted samples show the natural bonding as interlock, possibly induced by cohesive clay-sized calcite grains during the sediment compaction. Micro-analyses and compression test data also show that local calcite crystal overgrowth under burial has reduced further the soft rock porosity, making it lower than that of the reconstituted material one-dimensionally compressed to the geological preconsolidation pressure. Nonetheless, the low stress sensitivity of natural MGL suggests that this interlock bonding does not strengthen much the material with respect to the highly compressed reconstituted soil. The natural MGL is of very low permeability, which reduces further with compression. Concurrently, the soft rock creep coefficient increases, reaching values far above those typical for clays. The microstructural features and the mechanical properties of the different MGL facies are shown to be sensitive to clay mineral content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tasmanian populations of the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) represent the last wild stronghold of this species after its extirpation from the Australian mainland, but they have experienced declines of more than 50% over the past three decades. We investigated the feasibility of supplementing wild populations with captive-bred individuals in attempts to halt and reverse observed declines in Tasmanian populations. We released 20 captive-bred eastern quolls into an extant wild population in the Tasmanian central plateau, and monitored their short-term survival, dispersal and body condition. We recorded high initial survival and low initial dispersal of captive-bred individuals relative to previous release attempts in unfenced areas of mainland Australia. Further work to determine long-term survival of released individuals, and the genetic and population-level impacts on local populations is ongoing. Our preliminary results support the use of population supplementation as an effective conservation action, which allows for early intervention to address species declines while testing hypotheses about their underlying causes. Tasmanian populations of the eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus , which represent the last wild stronghold of this species after its extirpation from the Australian mainland, have experienced declines of more than 50% over the past three decades. We investigate the feasibility of releasing captive-bred individuals to supplement wild populations, and show that released animals survive longer and disperse less relative to reintroduction attempts on the Australian mainland. Our preliminary results support the use of population supplementation early in the trajectory of species decline. Photograph by Rowena Hamer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review the results of the Moorfields Safer Surgery System (MSSS) for trabeculectomy, recently introduced in Malta. Methods: Patient files were reviewed from data collected over an 18 month period, from Mater Dei Hospital. Files of all patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy with a minimum of 12 months follow up data available were reviewed. Primary outcome measure of success was defined as a 30% drop in final post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) at 1 year. The secondary outcome measure of success was a final post-op IOP of less than 21mmHg. Unqualified success was defined as a satisfactory IOP without the need of anti-glaucoma medication, while qualified success was defined as a satisfactory IOP in those patients requiring antiglaucoma medication. Results: 43 eyes (mean age = 66.2 yrs ± 11.7) were analysed. The mean pre-operative IOP was 27.0mmHg ± 4.6. The mean post-op IOP at one year was 15.3mmHg ±2.7. Unqualified success for the primary outcome measure was achieved in 64.1% of patients while the qualified success was achieved in 82.1%. Unqualified success for the secondary outcome measure was achieved in 72.7%, while a qualified success of 94.8% was obtained. There was a 6.8% failure rate. Conclusions: The results from this first review using the Moorfields safe surgery system for Trabeculectomy surgery in the Maltese islands compares well to the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]