Social media data analytics for the NSW construction industry : a study on Twitter

The primary aim of this dissertation is to explore the social interaction and relationship of people within the NSW construction industry through social media data analytics. The research objective is to perform social media data analytics through Twitter and explore the social interactions between different stakeholders in the construction industry to understand the real-world situations better. The data analytics was performed on Twitter tweets, retweets, and hashtags that were collected from four clusters on construction stakeholders in NSW, namely construction workers, companies, media, and union. Tweets, retweets, and hashtags that were collected from four clusters on construction stakeholders in NSW, namely construction workers, companies, media, and unions. The thesis seeks to perform social media data analytics in order to explore and investigate the social interactions and links between the different stakeholders that are present in the construction industry. Investigating these interactions will help reveal a multitude of other related social aspects about the stakeholders, e.g., their genuine attitudes about the construction industry and how they feel being involved in this field of work. In order to facilitate this research, a social media data analytics study was carried out to find out the links and associations that are present between the construction workers, companies, unions, and media group entities. Five types of analyses were performed, namely sentiment analysis, link analysis, topic modelling, geo-location analysis, and timeline analysis. The results indicated that there are minimal social interactions between the construction workers and the other three clusters (i.e., companies, unions, and the media). The main reason that has been attributed to this observation is the way workers operate in a rather informal and casual manner. The construction companies, unions, and the media define their behavior in a much more formal and corporate attitude, hence they tend to relate to one another more than they do with workers. A number of counteractive approaches may be enforced in an effort to restore healthy social relations between workers and the other three clusters. For example, the company management teams should endeavor to develop stronger interactions with the workers and improve the working conditions, in overall

Neuroblastoma : understanding current treatments and investigating novel strategies

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A GREEN APPROACH FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM, MESOPOROUS SILICA GRAFTED ACRYLAMIDE –β- CYCLODEXTRIN COMPOSITE, FOR THE CONTROLLED RELEASE OF CURCUMIN

Objective: The scope of the present study was the preparation and characterization of a novel composite acrylamide β-cyclodextrin grafted 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane bentonite (AMCD-g-APSB), for the controlled delivery of curcumin (CUR).Methods: AMCD-g-APSB, was synthesized by solvent-free conditions using microwave irradiation. The structure and surface morphology of the composite was established using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, etc.Results: The swelling percentage of the composite depends on both time and pH of the medium. The maximum swelling of the composite occurred at a pH of 7.4. The maximum drug encapsulation was occurring at a pH 3. About 96.5% of drug was loaded at pH 3. In vitro biocompatibility study was performed, and the result showed good biocompatibility of the composite in the concentration range 2.5–50 μg/ml.Conclusions: Drug delivery study of the composite proved that CUR could be successfully released in a controlled manner in the colon without much loses of the drug in the stomach

Development of a core outcome set for congenital pulmonary airway malformations: study protocol of an international Delphi survey

Neonatologia; Cirurgia pediàtrica; Medicina toràcica pediàtricaNeonatología; Cirugía pediátrica; Medicina torácica pediátricaNeonatology; Paediatric surgery; Paediatric thoracic medicineIntroduction A worldwide lack of consensus exists on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) even though the incidence is increasing. Either a surgical resection is performed or a wait-and-see policy is employed, depending on the treating physician. Management is largely based on expert opinion and scientific evidence is scarce. Wide variations in outcome measures are seen between studies making comparison difficult thus highlighting the lack of universal consensus in outcome measures as well. We aim to define a core outcome set which will include the most important core outcome parameters for paediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM. Methods and analysis This study will include a critical appraisal of the current literature followed by a three-stage Delphi process with two stakeholder groups. One surgical group including paediatric as well as thoracic surgeons, and a non-surgeon group including paediatric pulmonologists, intensive care and neonatal specialists. All participants will score outcome parameters according to their level of importance and the most important parameters will be determined by consensus. Ethics and dissemination Electronic informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Ethical approval is not required. After the core outcome set has been defined, we intend to design an international randomised controlled trial: the COllaborative Neonatal NEtwork for the first CPAM Trial, which will be aimed at determining the optimal management of patients with asymptomatic CPAM.The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors

Single live-cell imaging for systems biology

Understanding how mammalian cells function requires a dynamic perspective. However, due to the complexity of signalling networks these non-linear systems can easily elude human intuition. The central aim of systems biology is to improve our understanding of the temporal complexity of cell signalling pathways, using a combination of experimental and computational approaches. Live cell imaging and computational modelling are compatible techniques which allow quantitative analysis of cell signalling pathway dynamics. Non-invasive imaging techniques, based on the use of various luciferases and fluorescent proteins, trace cellular events such as gene expression, protein-protein interactions and protein localisation in cells. By employing a number of markers in a single assay, multiple parameters can be measured simultaneously in the same cell. Following acquisition using specialised microscopy, analysis of multi-parameter time-lapse images facilitates the identification of important qualitative and quantitative relationships – linking intracellular signalling, gene expression and cell fate. Improvements in reporter genes coupled with significant advances in detector technologies, are now allowing us to image gene expression non-invasively in individual living cells. These methods are providing remarkable insights into the dynamics of gene expression during complex processes, such as the cell cycle and the responses of cells to hormones, growth factors and nutrients. On a larger scale, dynamics of gene expression may also be monitored in living organisms. This new technology will greatly assist attempts to decipher the complex behaviours exhibited by biological signalling networks, for instance the ability to integrate multiple input signals over time, and generate specific outputs

The Management of Asymptomatic Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation: Results of a European Delphi Survey

Anomalías pulmonares congénitas; Consenso; Parámetros de resultadoAnomalies pulmonars congènites; Consens; Paràmetres de resultatCongenital lung abnormalities; Consensus; Outcome parametersConsensus on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is lacking, and comparison between studies remains difficult due to a large variety in outcome measures. We aimed to define a core outcome set (COS) for pediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM. An online, three-round Delphi survey was conducted in two stakeholder groups of specialized caregivers (surgeons and non-surgeons) in various European centers. Proposed outcome parameters were scored according to level of importance, and the final COS was established through consensus. A total of 55 participants (33 surgeons, 22 non-surgeons) from 28 centers in 13 European countries completed the three rounds and rated 43 outcome parameters. The final COS comprises seven outcome parameters: respiratory insufficiency, surgical complications, mass effect/mediastinal shift (at three time-points) and multifocal disease (at two time-points). The seven outcome parameters included in the final COS reflect the diversity in priorities among this large group of European participants. However, we recommend the incorporation of these outcome parameters in the design of future studies, as they describe measurable and validated outcomes as well as the accepted age at measurement

Development of a core outcome set for congenital pulmonary airway malformations : study protocol of an international Delphi survey

Introduction A worldwide lack of consensus exists on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) even though the incidence is increasing. Either a surgical resection is performed or a wait-and-see policy is employed, depending on the treating physician. Management is largely based on expert opinion and scientific evidence is scarce. Wide variations in outcome measures are seen between studies making comparison difficult thus highlighting the lack of universal consensus in outcome measures as well. We aim to define a core outcome set which will include the most important core outcome parameters for paediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM. Methods and analysis This study will include a critical appraisal of the current literature followed by a three-stage Delphi process with two stakeholder groups. One surgical group including paediatric as well as thoracic surgeons, and a non-surgeon group including paediatric pulmonologists, intensive care and neonatal specialists. All participants will score outcome parameters according to their level of importance and the most important parameters will be determined by consensus. Ethics and dissemination Electronic informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Ethical approval is not required. After the core outcome set has been defined, we intend to design an international randomised controlled trial: the COllaborative Neonatal NEtwork for the first CPAM Trial, which will be aimed at determining the optimal management of patients with asymptomatic CPAM.Peer reviewe

Thoracoscopic oesophageal atresia/tracheo-oesophageal fistula (OA/TOF) repair is associated with a higher stricture rate: a single institution’s experience

Purpose: Thoracoscopic OA/TOF repair was first described in 1999. Currently, less than 10% of surgeons routinely employ minimally access surgery. Our primary aim was to review our immediate-, early- and long-term outcomes with this technique compared with the open approach. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing primary OA/TOF (Type C) repair at our institution from 2009 was conducted. Outcome measures included length of surgery, conversion rate from thoracoscopy, early complications such as anastomotic leak and post-operative complications such as anastomotic strictures needing dilatations. Fisher’s exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: 95 patients in total underwent OA/TOF repair during the study period of which 61 (64%) were completed via an open approach. 34 were attempted thoracoscopically of which 11 (33%) were converted. There was only one clinically significant anastomotic leak in our series that took place in the thoracoscopic group. We identified a significantly higher stricture rate in our thoracoscopic cohort (72%) versus open surgery (43%, P < 0.05). However, the median number of dilations (3) performed was not significantly different between the groups. There was one recurrent fistula in the thoracoscopic converted to open group. Our median follow-up was 60 months across the groups. Conclusion: In our experience, the clinically significant leak rate for both open and thoracoscopic repair as well as recurrent fistula is much lower than has been reported in the literature. We do not routinely perform contrast studies and are, thus, reporting clinically significant leaks only. The use of post-operative neck flexion, ventilation and paralysis is likely to be protective towards a leak. Thoracoscopic OA/TOF repair is associated with a higher stricture rate compared with open surgery; however, these strictures respond to a similar number of dilatations and are no more refractory. Larger, multicentre studies may be useful to investigate these finding further

Loop colostomies are safe in anorectal malformations

Aim of the study: Divided colostomy (DC) has been recommended in anorectal malformations (ARMs) with previously reported advantages of decreasing overflow into the distal limb and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Skin bridge loop colostomy (LC) is a technically easier alternative without an increase in these complications. We report our institutional experience of LC in ARM. Methods: Retrospective study (Institution-approved Clinical Audit) reviewing the clinical records of all patients with ARM undergoing stoma formation in a single UK tertiary pediatric surgical center (2000–2015). Data collected included type of ARM, associated anomalies, type and level of colostomy, time to stoma closure, complications and UTIs. Results: One hundred and eighty-two (95 female) patients underwent colostomy formation for ARM. The vast majority (171/ 94%) underwent LC; 9 (5%) had a divided colostomy (DC) and 2 (1%) had no available data. The spectrum of defects in girls included rectovestibular (62/65%), rectovaginal (4/4%) and cloaca (29/31%). In boys, 71 (82%) had a fistula to the urinary tract and 16 (18%) presented with a perineal fistula. Urological abnormalities coexisted in 87 (47.8%) patients. Thirty five (21%) patients developed UTIs. Among the 19 girls who developed UTI, 8 had rectovestibular fistula and 11 had cloaca. Of the 16 boys who developed UTI, 14 had a fistula to the urinary tract and 11 had an independent urological abnormality. The mean time from stoma formation to stoma closure was 10 (3–52) months. Complications were reported in 22 (12%) LCs. Fifteen patients (9%) developed a stoma prolapse following LC with 10 (6%) requiring surgical revision. Conclusions: This is the largest reported series of outcomes following LC for ARM. LC is easier to perform and to close, requiring minimal surgical access, with comparable complications and outcomes to those published for DC. Type of study: Retrospective comparative study. Level of evidence: III