Di Giovanni, G. (2016).Xjenza Online, 4:97–99.

Xjenza Online - Journal of The Malta Chamber of Scientistswww.xjenza.org

Editorial

Twenty Years of Xjenza: Celebration of a Long Journey (1996–2016)

Giuseppe Di Giovanni∗11Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

This year, Xjenza Online, one of the first Maltesejournals covering all the branches of science, celebratesits twentieth anniversary. During the past two decades -since the first issues of artisanal workmanship until now- the journal has gone through many phases, has over-come challenges, has undergone changes in format andeditorial policy, but it has remained true to its originalpurpose of being a prestigious means of disseminationof studies on science and, in particular, a critical obser-vatory of the Maltese scientific reality.

The celebration of this important anniversary invitesreflection and thus inescapable findings. In this regard,the readers find reproduced here pertinent speechesgiven by Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, CEO of MCST,Mr Kevin J. Ellul, University of Malta Director Lib-rary Services, University of Malta and Professor AlfredJ. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta, on the oc-casion of the Celebration of Xjenza 20 on the 23rd ofSeptember 2016 at the Aula Magna, University of Malta,Valletta Campus. These speeches highlight the import-ance of Xjenza and scientific publications in Science andTechnology for national development (Figs. 1, 2, 3).

Figure 1: From the left, Rector Professor Alfred J. Vella, Presid-ent of the Malta Chamber of Scientists Professor Alex Felice andE-i-C of Xjenza Professor Giuseppe Di Giovanni, at CelebratingXjenza 20th Anniversary ceremony Aula Magna, Old Universityin Valletta on the 23rd of September 2016.

Figure 2: From the left, Joseph Grima (Xjenza Editor 2003–2007), current associate editors Joseph Galea (Medical Sciences),Liberato Camilleri (Mathematical and Statistical Science), AngelaA. Xuereb Anastasi (Xjenza Editor 1996–2003), current associateeditors Ian Thornton (Cognitive and Social Sciences), GiuseppeDi Giovanni (current Xjenza Editor), Philip Farrugia (Engineer-ing Science), David Magri (Physics and Chemical Science), IanCassar (Economics), Mauro Pessia (Editorial Board member) atthe Celebrating Xjenza 20th Anniversary ceremony on the 23rd ofSeptember 2016, Valletta.

The Xjenza team also includes: Sebastiano D’Amico (Geoscieces),David Mifsud (Life Science), Nicholas Sammut (Information andCommunication Technologies), Carmel Cefai (Psychological Sci-ence), Godfrey Baldacchino (Social Sciences), the Copy EditorJackson Said, the Editorial Assistants Katie Haywood and AmberCrews-Rees, Copy Editor Gabriel Farrugia and the Web Admin-istrator John Gabarretta.

It must be recognized that in the past twenty yearsXjenza has made significant efforts to achieve genuineinternationalization. With this, we mean that, on theone hand, since its inception, Xjenza has stood out forthe strong presence of international authors in its edi-tions, not only in its editorial committee, but also inthe authorship of articles or participation in interviews.On the other hand, in recent years, it has undertakennumerous efforts to ensure that Maltese research andproduction is disseminated and recognized. This is ourcommitment to the academic community, and our peers.

*Correspondence to: Giuseppe Di Giovanni (giuseppe.digiovanni@um.edu.mt)

c© 2016 Xjenza Online

98 Twenty Years of Xjenza

Figure 3: From the left, E-i-C of Xjenza Professor GiuseppeDi Giovanni and President of the Malta Chamber of ScientistsProfessor Alex Felice at Celebrating Xjenza 20th Anniversary ce-remony on the 23rd of September 2016, Valletta.

This time, to mark the twentieth anniversary ofXjenza, its editorial board has planned this second com-memorative issue of volume 4, which clearly expressesits desire for internationalization.

Moreover, in this volume, we present 3 commentarieson various hot issues in science. This is a new type ofarticle that we have introduced in this issue, under ed-itor invitation. The authors of these commentaries havein-depth knowledge of the topic and are eager to presenta new and/or unique viewpoint on existing problems,fundamental concepts, or prevalent notions, or want todiscuss the implications of a newly implemented innova-tion. We hope, in this way, to advance the research fieldby providing a forum for varying perspectives on a cer-tain topic under consideration in the journal. The firstof them, brings together 4 researchers from the Instituteof Space Sciences and Astronomy, outlining the researchprojects of the Gravity Research Group at the Univer-sity of Malta. The second commentary, written by DrRoberto Frau, a new member of our editorial board fromItaly, focuses on a new treatment for Tourette syndrome.Over the years, Frau and colleagues have demonstratedthat the pharmacological inhibition, by drugs such asfinasteride, of rate-limiting enzyme in androgens andneurosteroids synthesis, 5-alpha reductase, elicits thera-peutic effects in animal models of TS. Unfortunately, theclinical applications of this drug on Tourette syndrometherapy remain limited; in fact, finasteride cannot beprescribed in children, who represent the broadest tar-get population in this disorder; moreover it has beenshown to possibly induce depression and reduction of li-bido. Dr Frau, for these reasons, stresses the importanceof identification of the neurobiological bases and molecu-lar mechanisms underlying the effects of finasteride and

other similar drugs to overcome their limitations. Thelast commentary is authored by Dr Maurizio Casarru-bea, another Italian member of our editorial team, oncritical review of anxiety and anxiety-related behaviouranalysis and the importance of T-pattern analysis, as anew technique able to evaluate the temporal character-istics of sequences of events of behaviours.

This issue includes three research articles. Liberatoand colleagues recommend using the strengths and dif-ficulties questionnaire (SDQ), proposed by Goodman in1997, to measure social, emotional and behaviour, toadopt i) a multilevel structural equation model that ac-commodates both the hierarchical nested structure ofthe data, but also caters for the latent factor struc-ture in the data and ii) to include student, classroom,school and home predictors in the model. The art-icle by Carveni and colleagues from Italy describes thegeological, geomorphological and archaeological sites inPachino and Portopalo di Capo Passero areas in Si-cily. Finally, Mifsud et al., focus their research on theflora of Selmunett (St. Paul’s Island) including mossesand lichens. These are examined critically, identifyingpossible misidentifications as well as establishing theirstatus, thus producing a final update of the florula ofSelmunett.

Two interesting reviews on biomedical subjects com-plete the issue. The front cover is dedicated to the veryinteresting review written by Joseph Galea on the patho-biology of Saphenous vein grafts; the commonest con-duit used for coronary artery bypass surgery, and thesecond by Bonetta and colleagues on protein structure-based approaches to drug discovery.

This second issue of the Jubilee volume (4) ends asusual with the News section. The last six months of 2016have been very rich in scientific events in which Xjenzahas played a major role. First, you will find the talksgiven at the Celebration of Xjenza 20 by eminent speak-ers, followed by a piece by David Magri, the curator ofScience in the House, organised by the Malta Chamberof Scientists, the University Research Trust (RIDT) andthe Science in the City/European Researchers’ Nightconsortium. Science in the City, European Research-ers’ Night is funded by the EU Marie Sklodowska-CurieAction of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programme.

We have continued the traditional and important aimof Xjenza Online to offer training in the art of sci-entific publishing in a peer-reviewed environment foryoung and more experienced researchers. With this aim,Xjenza, with ELSEVIER and the Library of Universityof Malt, was involved in the organization of a work-shop on how to publish on the 23rd of October. Thiswas very successful and drew in significant interest fromthe general public. Indeed, this will be repeated nextyear during the 6th Mediterranean Neuroscience Con-

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ference that the Malta Chamber of Scientists and theMalta Neuroscience Network is organizing for the Medi-terranean Neuroscience Society in June 12th–15th, 2017at the Radisson in St Julian’s. For Xjenza Online andneuroscience in Malta, this will be a fantastic showcase,indeed Xjenza Online will have a Special Issue for theProceedings of the conference and a print copy will bedistributed to all the attendees.

Publishing this special issue was the way in which theeditorial board has chosen to celebrate the anniversaryof Xjenza Online together with readers. And, finally,

we expect this issue to fully demonstrate our convictionthat scientific journals are important sources of inform-ation for teaching and research activities, and thusconstitute an input for research and the developmentof science. On this anniversary, besides celebrating thematurity of Xjenza, we would like to congratulate andthank all those who daily make great efforts to ensurethis important journal continues to exist.

Giuseppe Di GiovanniEditor in Chief

www.xjenza.org