bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary study of Japanese co-workers’ attitudes towards migrant workers’ Japanese language skills in blue-collar workplaces
Authors: Morita Liang 
Published: June 2021

Background: This is a preliminary study of Japanese co-workers’ attitudes towards migrant workers’ Japanese language skills in blue-collar workplaces. This is an important topic, seeing as Japanese co-workers’ attitudes can result in inequalities at the workplace, directly impacting migrant workers’ everyday lives. Understanding these attitudes and addressing them can improve migrant workers’ experiences. Methods: The study is based on content analysis of documents taken from English-language sources. Results: The author found that Japanese co-workers and employers assume ownership of the means of communication, expecting only Japanese to be used at the workplace. They also underrate migrant workers’ Japanese proficiency. Conclusions: Although the data has its limitations, the study provides some insight and can potentially serve as a base for further research.
Fabrication of nanogap structures through spatially shaped femtosecond laser modification with the assistance of wet chemical etching
Authors: Zhou Shipeng , Li Xiaowei , Huang Ji , Wang Zhipeng , Liu Yang , Gao Shuai , Xu Zhijie , Jiang Lan 
Published: June 2021

Fabricating nanostructures with an extremely small feature size through a near-infrared femtosecond laser is a considerable challenge. In this Letter, we report a flexible, facile, and mask-free method that enables the formation of nanogap structures with a controllable size on silicon. This method involves spatially shaped femtosecond laser single-pulse modification assisted with chemical etching. Nanogaps obtained after etching can be divided into two categories, namely a ring dimer with a nanogap (type I) and Crack-nanogap (type II). The nanogap between the ring dimer could be reduced to 68 nm with a gradual increase in the laser fluence. For the Crack-nanogap obtained through crack propagation induced by stress release during a wet etching process, the smallest gap size is approximately 9 nm.
Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and bacterial diversity in the lower respiratory tract of children
Authors: Niemeier-Walsh Christine , Ryan Patrick H. , Meller Jaroslaw , Ollberding Nicholas J. , Adhikari Atin , Reponen Tiina 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundExposure to particulate matter has been shown to increase the adhesion of bacteria to human airway epithelial cells. However, the impact of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on the respiratory microbiome is unknown.MethodsForty children were recruited through the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study, a longitudinal cohort followed from birth through early adolescence. Saliva and induced sputum were collected at age 14 years. Exposure to TRAP was characterized from birth through the time of sample collection using a previously validated land-use regression model. Sequencing of the bacterial 16S and ITS fungal rRNA genes was performed on sputum and saliva samples. The relative abundance of bacterial taxa and diversity indices were compared in children with exposure to high and low TRAP. We also used multiple linear regression to assess the effect of TRAP exposure, gender, asthma status, and socioeconomic status on the alpha diversity of bacteria in sputum.ResultsWe observed higher bacterial alpha diversity indices in sputum than in saliva. The diversity indices for bacteria were greater in the high TRAP exposure group than the low exposure group. These differences remained after adjusting for asthma status, gender, and mother’s education. No differences were observed in the fungal microbiome between TRAP exposure groups.ConclusionOur findings indicate that exposure to TRAP in early childhood and adolescence may be associated with greater bacterial diversity in the lower respiratory tract. Asthma status does not appear to confound the observed differences in diversity. These results demonstrate that there may be a TRAP-exposure related change in the lower respiratory microbiota that is independent of asthma status.
Comparison of the effect of hyaluronic acid injection versus extracorporeal shockwave therapy on chronic plantar fasciitis: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ferreira Gabriel Ferraz , Sevilla Davy , Oliveira Carolinne Nascimento , Junior Luiz Carlos Nogueira , Arliani Gustavo Gonçalves , Oliveira Victor Otávio , Pereira Filho Miguel Viana 
Published: June 2021

Background
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain in the plantar region of the heel, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is an option used in cases where conservative treatment fails. Hyaluronic acid (HA), initially used for osteoarthrosis, is a treatment option because it has been applied to extra-articular regions, such as tendons, ligaments, and fascia. The aim of the present study will be to evaluate the outcomes of pain, function, and personal satisfaction after a single injection of HA and to compare the results with those of ESWT in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

Methods
The study will include 80 patients who will be randomized to receive three sessions of ESWT (n = 40) or a single ultrasound-guided HA injection in the plantar fascia (n = 40). The outcomes will include the visual analog pain scale score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). All of the assessments will be performed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Statistical analysis will be performed using the repeated measures ANOVA (analysis of variance test) for primary and secondary outcomes and also Fisher’s Least Significant Difference, a Post-Hoc test. We will use R software for statistical analysis, randomization, and sample size calculation.

Results
Recruitment and data collection will begin in November 2020, with completion scheduled for November 2022 and final publication available in March 2023.

Conclusion
This trial will evaluate the effects of a single ultrasound-guided HA injection for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Trial registration
Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (Register Number: RBR-97vkx4) http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-97vkx4/.
Estimating ventilation rates in rooms with varying occupancy levels: Relevance for reducing transmission risk of airborne pathogens
Authors: Deol Arminder K. , Scarponi Danny , Beckwith Peter , Yates Tom A. , Karat Aaron S. , Yan Ada W. C. , Baisley Kathy S. , Grant Alison D. , White Richard G. , McCreesh Nicky 
Published: June 2021

Background
In light of the role that airborne transmission plays in the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the ongoing high global mortality from well-known airborne diseases such as tuberculosis and measles, there is an urgent need for practical ways of identifying congregate spaces where low ventilation levels contribute to high transmission risk. Poorly ventilated clinic spaces in particular may be high risk, due to the presence of both infectious and susceptible people. While relatively simple approaches to estimating ventilation rates exist, the approaches most frequently used in epidemiology cannot be used where occupancy varies, and so cannot be reliably applied in many of the types of spaces where they are most needed.

Methods
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the use of a non-steady state method to estimate the absolute ventilation rate, which can be applied in rooms where occupancy levels vary. We used data from a room in a primary healthcare clinic in a high TB and HIV prevalence setting, comprising indoor and outdoor carbon dioxide measurements and head counts (by age), taken over time. Two approaches were compared: approach 1 using a simple linear regression model and approach 2 using an ordinary differential equation model.

Results
The absolute ventilation rate, Q, using approach 1 was 2407 l/s [95% CI: 1632–3181] and Q from approach 2 was 2743 l/s [95% CI: 2139–4429].

Conclusions
We demonstrate two methods that can be used to estimate ventilation rate in busy congregate settings, such as clinic waiting rooms. Both approaches produced comparable results, however the simple linear regression method has the advantage of not requiring room volume measurements. These methods can be used to identify poorly-ventilated spaces, allowing measures to be taken to reduce the airborne transmission of pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, measles, and SARS-CoV-2.
Diagnostic accuracy of Panbio rapid antigen tests on oropharyngeal swabs for detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ngo Nsoga Marie Thérèse , Kronig Ilona , Perez Rodriguez Francisco Javier , Sattonnet-Roche Pascale , Da Silva Diogo , Helbling Javan , Sacks Jilian A. , de Vos Margaretha , Boehm Erik , Gayet- Ageron Angèle , Berger Alice , Jacquerioz-Bausch Frédérique , Chappuis François , Kaiser Laurent , Schibler Manuel , Renzoni Adriana , Eckerle Isabella 
Published: June 2021

Background
Antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 offer new opportunities for testing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) are the reference sample type, but oropharyngeal swabs (OPS) may be a more acceptable sample type in some patients.

Methods
We conducted a prospective study in a single screening center to assess the diagnostic performance of the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test (Abbott) on OPS compared with reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) using NPS during the second pandemic wave in Switzerland.

Results
402 outpatients were enrolled in a COVID-19 screening center, of whom 168 (41.8%) had a positive RT-qPCR test. The oropharyngeal Ag-RDT clinical sensitivity compared to nasopharyngeal RT-qPCR was 81% (95%CI: 74.2–86.6). Two false positives were noted out of the 234 RT-qPCR negative individuals, which resulted in a clinical specificity of 99.1% (95%CI: 96.9–99.9) for the Ag-RDT. For cycle threshold values ≤ 26.7 (≥ 1E6 SARS-CoV-2 genomes copies/mL, a presumed cut-off for infectious virus), 96.3% sensitivity (95%CI: 90.7–99.0%) was obtained with the Ag-RDT using OPS.

Interpretation
Based on our findings, the diagnostic performance of the Panbio™ Covid-19 RDT with OPS samples, if taken by a trained person and high requirements regarding quality of the specimen, meet the criteria required by the WHO for Ag-RDTs (sensitivity ≥80% and specificity ≥97%) in a high incidence setting in symptomatic individuals.
Asthma increased in young adults from 2008–2016 despite stable allergic rhinitis and reduced smoking
Authors: Vasileiadou Styliana , Ekerljung Linda , Bjerg Anders , Goksör Emma 
Published: June 2021

Background
Studies have produced inconsistent results on prevalence trends in asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). We surveyed young adults about asthma in 2008 and 2016 and examined the impact of gender, AR and smoking.

Methods
Thirty-thousand randomly selected subjects aged 16–75 years in Western Sweden received postal questionnaires in 2008 and 50,000 in 2016. This study is based on responders aged 16–25 years, 2,143 in 2008 and 2,484 in 2016.

Results
From 2008–2016 current asthma increased from 9.3% to 11.5% (p = 0.014) and was significant in males without AR (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.09–3.07) and male smokers (aOR 3.02, 95% CI 1.12–8.13). In both years the risk of current asthma was reduced by growing up on a farm (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.81–0.84 and aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.996), independent of a family history of asthma or allergy. AR did not differ significantly from 2008–2016 (22.5% vs 24.4%, p = 0.144). Current smoking decreased from 20.3% to 15.2% (p<0.001), especially in females (23.5% to 16.2%, p<0.001). Female smokers started smoking later and smoked fewer cigarettes in 2016 than 2008. In 2016, 4.8% of the cohort reported using electronic cigarettes. Of those, 60.7% also smoked tobacco and more than two-thirds who used both (67.2%) were heavy smokers.

Conclusion
Current asthma increased in respondents aged 16–25 from 2008–2016, mainly among males without AR and male smokers. Current AR levelled off in this young population, while current smoking decreased among females.
Prioritising topics for developing e-learning resources in healthcare curricula: A comparison between students and educators using a modified Delphi survey
Authors: Lim Hooi Min , Ng Chirk Jenn , Teo Chin Hai , Lee Ping Yein , Kassim Puteri Shanaz Jahn , Nasharuddin Nurul Amelina , Yong Phelim Voon Chen , Sellappans Renukha , Yap Wei Hsum , Lee Yew Kong , Abu Hassan Zahiruddin Fitri , Krishnan Kuhan , Ghazali Sazlina Shariff , Idris Faridah , Hassan Nurhanim , Ayub Enna , Konstantinidis Stathis , Taylor Michael , Poussa Cherry , Karlgren Klas , Stathakarou Natalia , Mordt Petter , Nilsen Arne Thomas , Wharrad Heather 
Published: June 2021

Background
Engaging students in the e-learning development process enhances the effective implementation of e-learning, however, students’ priority on the topics for e-learning may differ from that of the educators. This study aims to compare the differences between the students and their educators in prioritising the topics in three healthcare curricula for reusable e-learning object (RLO) development.

Method
A modified Delphi study was conducted among students and educators from University Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Taylor’s University (TU) on three undergraduate programmes. In Round 1, participants were asked to select the topics from the respective syllabi to be developed into RLOs. Priority ranking was determined by using frequencies and proportions. The first quartile of the prioritised topics was included in Round 2 survey, which the participants were asked to rate the level of priority of each topic using a 5-point Likert scale. The mean score of the topics was compared between students and educators.

Result
A total of 43 educators and 377 students participated in this study. For UM and TU Pharmacy, there was a mismatch in the prioritised topics between the students and educators. For UPM, both the educators and students have prioritised the same topics in both rounds. To harmonise the prioritisation of topics between students and educators for UM and TU Pharmacy, the topics with a higher mean score by both the students and educators were prioritised.

Conclusion
The mismatch in prioritised topics between students and educators uncovered factors that might influence the prioritisation process. This study highlighted the importance of conducting needs assessment at the beginning of eLearning resources development.
A new sensitive and fast assay for the detection of EGFR mutations in liquid biopsies
Authors: Jensen Steffen Grann , Epistolio Samantha , Madsen Cesilie Lind , Kyneb Majbritt Hauge , Riva Alice , Paganotti Alessia , Barizzi Jessica , Petersen Rasmus Koefoed , Børgesen Michael , Molinari Francesca , Boldorini Renzo , Lorenzen Jan , Sørensen Erik , Christensen Ulf Bech , Høgdall Estrid , Frattini Milo 
Published: June 2021

Background
A major perspective for the use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the clinical setting of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is expected as predictive factor for resistance and response to EGFR TKI therapy and, especially, as a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsy. However, ctDNA is both highly fragmented and mostly low concentrated in plasma and serum. On this basis, it is important to use a platform characterized by high sensitivity and linear performance in the low concentration range. This motivated us to evaluate the newly developed and commercially available SensiScreen® EGFR Liquid assay platform (PentaBase) with regard to sensitivity, linearity, repeatability and accuracy and finally to compare it to our already implemented methods. The validation was made in three independent European laboratories using two cohorts on a total of 68 unique liquid biopsies.

Results
Using artificial samples containing 1600 copies of WT DNA spiked with 50% - 0.1% of mutant copies across a seven—log dilution scale, we assessed the sensitivity, linearity, repeatability and accuracy for the p.T790M, p.L858R and exon 19 deletion assays of the SensiScreen® EGFR Liquid assay platform. The lowest value detectable ranged from 0.5% to 0.1% with R2≥0,97 indicating good linearity. High PCR efficiency was shown for all three assays. In 102 single PCRs each containing theoretical one copy of the mutant at initiating, assays showed repeatable positivity in 75.5% - 80.4% of reactions. At low ctDNA levels, as in plasma, the SensiScreen® EGFR Liquid assay platform showed better sensitivity than the Therascreen® EGFR platform (Qiagen) and equal performance to the ctEGFR Mutation Detection Kit (EntroGen) and the IOT® Oncomine cell-free nucleic acids assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific) with 100% concordance at the sequence level.

Conclusion
For profiling clinical plasma samples, characterized by low ctDNA abundance, the SensiScreen® EGFR Liquid assay is able to identify down to 1 copy of mutant alleles and with its high sensitivity, linearity and accuracy it may be a competitive platform of choice.
Knowledge and intentions regarding the Pap smear test among Saudi Arabian women
Authors: Alissa Nawal A. 
Published: June 2021

Background
The knowledge of Pap smear and uptake of preventive behaviors to prevent cervical cancer are the most important contributors to the advanced stage of the disease. Knowledge is one of the most leading factors to predict the health behaviors and a helpful factor in performing screening procedures. This study aimed to investigate Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap testing in relation to their intention to undergo the test.

Methods
An online survey including demographic characteristics (3 questions), knowledge (13 questions), and intentions (3 questions) towards Pap smear was completed by 467 Saudi Arabian women. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 22, using descriptive statistics and correlation to measure the relationship between knowledge, demographic factors, and intention.

Results
The study found that average level of knowledge was 1.3 which is between high and moderate knowledge, and the average score for the intention was 2.88, to indicate that the intentions to uptake Pap smear among the participants were above the average. The study revealed a significant correlation between demographic factors and intention (p<0.01).

Conclusion
Findings from the current study can inform health care providers about Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap smear and the intention to uptake the test. Strategies to motivate women to undergo Pap screening should be introduced.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis–derived circulating cell-free DNA in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and persons with latent tuberculosis infection
Authors: Pan Sheng-Wei , Su Wei-Juin , Chan Yu-Jiun , Chuang Fan-Yi , Feng Jia-Yih , Chen Yuh-Min 
Published: June 2021

Objectives
The timely diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is challenging. Although pathogen-derived circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been detected in humans, the significance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-cfDNA detection in patients with PTB remains unclear.

Methods
This study enrolled patients with PTB and persons with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as the study and control groups, respectively, from 2018 to 2020. We measured interferon-γ levels and calculated blood monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR). We conducted plasma cfDNA extraction, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and droplet digital PCR targeting the IS6110 gene of MTB. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of using MTB-cfDNA to identify PTB and analyzed the factors associated with PTB diagnosis and MTB-cfDNA positivity.

Results
We enrolled 24 patients with PTB and 57 LTBI controls. The sensitivity of using MTB-cfDNA to identify PTB was 54.2%(13/24) in total and 46.2%(6/13) in smear-negative cases. Two LTBI controls (3.5%) tested positive for MTB-cfDNA, indicating a specificity of 96.5%(55/57). By using MTB-cfDNA positivity and an MLR ≥0.42 to identify PTB, sensitivity increased to 79.2%(19/24). Among patients with PTB, MTB-specific interferon-γ levels were higher in MTB-cfDNA positive participants than in those who tested negative (7.0 ±2.7 vs 2.7±3.0 IU/mL, p<0.001). MTB-cfDNA levels declined after 2 months of anti-tuberculosis therapy (p<0.001).

Conclusion
The sensitivity of using MTB-cfDNA to identify PTB in participants was 54.2%, which increased to 79.2% after incorporating an MLR ≥0.42 into the analysis. MTB-cfDNA positivity was associated with MTB-specific immune response, and MTB-cfDNA levels declined after treatment. The clinical value of MTB-cfDNA in PTB management necessitates further investigation.
Współczesne uwarunkowania prawne rynku nieruchomości rolnych – główne płaszczyzny regulacyjne
Authors: Czechowski Paweł , Marciniuk Konrad 
Published: June 2021

Celem rozważań jest analiza głównych obszarów współczesnej regulacji prawnej obrotu nieruchomościami rolnymi, wpływającej zarówno na sytuację prawną właściciela nieruchomości rolnej, jak i na współczesny kształt rynku rolnego. W konkluzji autorzy stwierdzają między innymi, że władcza ingerencja państwa zwłaszcza w sferze ingerencji publicznoprawnej narusza konstytucyjne granice ochrony własności poprzez istotne uszczuplenie prawa swobody działania właściciela. Występujące ograniczenia regulacyjne wyraźnie naruszają równowagę w regulacji własności rolniczej pojmowanej jako kompleks praw i obowiązków . Tworzący się normatywny prymat i dominacja administracyjnoprawnych instrumentów interwencji w rynek nieruchomości rolnych ogranicza występowanie instrumentów cywilnoprawnych na rzecz instrumentów administracyjnoprawnych.
Prawne pojęcie osobistego prowadzenia gospodarstwa domowego
Authors: Łobos-Kotowska Dorota 
Published: June 2021

Problematyka podjęta w artykule dotyczy pojęcia osobistego prowadzenia gospodarstwa rolnego. Zostało ono użyte na potrzeby przewidzianych w ustawie o kształtowaniu ustroju rolnego ograniczeń w obrocie nieruchomościami rolnymi. Przesłanka osobistego prowadzenia gospodarstwa rolnego jest niezwykle restrykcyjna i budzi wiele wątpliwości, także konstytucyjnych, które zostały podniesione przez doktrynę i judykaturę. Ponadto wydaje się nieproporcjonalną ingerencją w sposób wykonywania własności rolniczej w działalność gospodarczą, także rolniczą działalność gospodarczą. Wszelkie ograniczenia wolności gospodarczej i prawa własności powinny być rozpatrywane przez pryzmat zasady proporcjonalności. Dla zapewnienia realizacji celów ustawy o kształtowaniu ustroju rolnego, tj. właściwego zagospodarowania ziemi rolnej, wystarczające wydaje się wprowadzenie obowiązku zachowania rolnego charakteru nieruchomości, przy realizacji zasady, że są to obszary utrzymywane naturalnie w stanie nadającym się do wypasu lub uprawy, przy zachowaniu norm minimalnych. Takie podejście odpowiada modelowi rolnictwa przyjętemu we Wspólnej Polityce Rolnej.