bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BaTonga Culture: A Rich Heritage
Authors:   Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, Saidi Umali
Published: April 2021

There is a tendency in which so called ‘developed’ ethnic groups, given their economic, political and social advantage placing them at the ‘center’, are the chanters of development even for the groups considered to be at the periphery. Ironically, in heritage terms, so called marginalized groups have had much of their heritage less contaminated by forces of modernity as has been the case with much of the BaTonga culture. This article explores the BaTonga culture and heritage as the Zimbabwean aquaculture from which its consumption, preservation and use can benefit other ethical groups in the country. Using results from studies by Saidi (2016a) as well as complementary studies by Mashingaidze (2013) and Ndlovu (2013), this article establishes the richness of BaTonga culture which subsequently feeds the rich Zimbabwe multicultural heritage. The article argues that heritage utilization reflects the active participation of its owners pointing to the character of the culture making heritage management a priority for any African country seeking its true identity. Further, the article argues that a rich heritage is a shared commodity regardless of ethnic-specific dichotomies in oriented communities like Zimbabwe. Given this basis, the article shows that public spaces, media and the education curriculum are expected to uphold and incorporate all aspects of heritage such as BaTonga cultural realities in order to foster tolerance, acceptance as well as visibility and ultimately cultural and economic development of all ethnic groups in nation building.
Editorial: Special Issue on Womanism & Culture
Authors:   Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, Saidi Umali , Pfukwa Charles ,   Faculty of Social SciencesBindura University of Science EducationAtherstone Road, Bindura, Zimbabwe
Published: April 2021

Articles in this Issue celebratewomanhood, aspects that characterize it and directs our attention to gendered discourses that seek to unearth the idea that women have always fought for their rights and actively participated in various ways in the sustainable development of African societies. Articles approach the concept of ‘Womanhood’ or ‘Womanism’ in its localized and broadest sense drawing on key cultural issues on which power struggles or otherwise emanate from. They point out areas of success showing what African societies can achieve through womanhood or other cultural dynamics. As womanhood seeks to maintain an inclusive culture in African societies, some aspects of sustainable development are addressed. Drawing much from the Zimbabwean realities and the region, these articles reveal, in a subtle way, efforts by women actively participating in discourses of nationhood as well as recommending in considerable ways how on one hand women make significant contributionsin national culture; on the other hand,aspects of healing and reconciliation are also subtlety addressed. The articles augment voices on gender discourses, culture and nation building, however, in a very unique way.
Women and National Reconciliation: Resolving the legacies of violence in post-colonial Zimbabwe
Authors:   Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, Moyo Mpumelelo
Published: April 2021

Women and their experiences are essential to the spirituality and ministry of reconciliation. The seemingly endless domination of women by men has forced them to think about alternatives and create communities of reconciliation outside of the usual paths of power and domination. Women exude the power to go beyond the hurts, the violence, rape and humiliation to build a nation and transform societies against a country’sendemic culture of violence. The article exploresthe culture of violence in post-independent Zimbabwe and the role that women can play in creating communities of reconciliation.It is argued that in most crisis or conflict situations, women remain behind to pick up the pieces in the wake of the tornado of violence. Women can thus help communities move forward from the trap of trauma and experience the resurrection. As mothers,women offer a way of reincorporating wrongdoers and deviants back into their communities through nation building processes. This article maps a way forward for national healing and reconciliation and argues that women when empowered will play an integral part in championing the cause of good citizenry, unity and justice.
Re-thinking the feminist agenda in selected female authored Zimbabwean literature
Authors:   Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe, Naidoo Salachi
Published: April 2021

This article investigates the feminist agenda in female authored Zimbabwean literature, with emphasis on the novel. It focuses largely on Virginia Phiri's Destiny and Highway Queen as well as Violet Masilo's The African Tea Cosy. The paper argues that Zimbabwean female authorship is flavoured with precepts of African feminism(s) in its representations of African women's agency in gender adversities. Framed within African feminism, women's agency derives from and gives meaning to an inescapable African-ness that needs to be accepted in the fight for emancipation. In light of this, the study analyses Zimbabwean women writers’ literary contributions to discourses on gender based violence and it explores how female characters have embraced the concept of agency to recreate their identities and to introduce a new gender ethos in the context of lives that are often shaped by severe restrictions and oppression. Although largely women focused, the African feminist text is concerned about the survival of both men and women.
The perceptions and attitudes of adolescent street girls on the use of traditional medicine and commercial sex work in Harare Central Business District
Authors:   Department of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, Chikoko Witness , Muzvidziwa Victor N. ,   Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, Ruparanganda Watch ,   Department of Sociology, University of Zimbabwe, Chikoko Emelia ,   Department of Social Services, Ministry of Public Services Labour and Social Welfare
Published: April 2021

The paper argues that there is a close relationship between use of traditional medicine and commercial sex work among adolescent street girls in Harare Central Business District. As a result of using the traditional medicine one could argue that this demonstrates agency of these young adults. The agency is demonstrated when these adolescent girls use the medicine to facilitate commercial sex work. On the other hand one could argue that, use of traditional medicine in commercial sex work illustrates huge rights violations prevalent on the streets of Harare Central Business District. The behaviours associated with commercial sex work and use of traditional medicine could be viewed as contravening some provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) (1989), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACRWC) (1999). Included are violations of some of the national child rights laws and policies such as the Children’s Act (5.06), Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (9.23) and the National Action Plan for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (NAP for OVCs) (2011-2015). This study is part of the researcher’s doctoral study which used street ethnography and qualitative research methodology.
Enhancing Oral Communication Skills in Mathematics Teaching: Lessons from Research
Authors:   Bindura University of Science Education, Zuvalinyenga Dorcas
Published: April 2021

This paper explores research on the enhancement of oral communication skills in mathematics teachers. The author reviewed four articles on the improvement of teaching and learning of mathematics. Research in this area is expanding rapidly. However, to date, few studies have critically investigated this body of work. The author reviewed key findings from influential studies. The author's analysis revealed that although these studies are subject to limitations, mathematics teachers' oral communication skills can be enhanced to improve the teaching and learning of the subject. Contemporary literature on the issue hypothesizes that the enhancement of oral communication skills promotes effective teaching and learning of the subject. The article concludes by identifying potential areas for further research.
Wpływ wprowadzenia międzynarodowych standardów badania w Polsce na małe i średnie firmy audytorskie
Authors: Wielgórska-Leszczyńska Joanna , Zakrzewska Justyna Beata
Published: April 2021

Objective: The study seeks to determine the impact of introducing the mandatory application of the International Audit Standards (IAS) to the audit market in Poland and the scope of procedures in the auditing of simplified financial statements.Research Design & Methods: To achieve the objective, the following are used: analysis of the literature, legal acts, and empirical evidence received from surveys and statistics.Findings: The study showed that the mandatory introduction of IAS in Poland led to a decrease in the number of statutory auditors and audit firms, but no corresponding decrease in the scope of audit procedures of simplified financial statements.Implications / Recommendations: Analysis of surveys has shown that simplifications made to financial reporting do not reduce the scope of the audit procedures despite the scalability of IAS.Contribution: Beyond the present work, no studies on the impact of IAS on the auditing of simplified financial statements have been done. However, the present work allows for the conclusion that the scope of procedures are not reduced and they are useful for assessing the simplifications used and changes in the audit market.
Analiza komparatywna wartości wyniku netto oraz innych całkowitych dochodów największych grup kapitałowych notowanych na giełdach w Paryżu, Frankfurcie i Warszawie
Authors: Prewysz-Kwinto Piotr
Published: April 2021

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the net income and other comprehensive income of the hundred largest capital groups listed on the Paris, Frankfurt and Warsaw stock exchanges.Research Design & Methods: The value of net income and other comprehensive income presented in the consolidated financial statements prepared according to international accounting standards and for the period 2016–2018 were analysed. Descriptive statistics methods, correlation analysis and statistical significance tests were used in the quantitative data analysis.Findings: The statistical analysis carried out showed significant differences in the value of other comprehensive income in relation to the net income, as well as the existence of statistically significant correlations between these parameters.Implications / Recommendations: The results verify the research hypotheses set out in the introduction. The hypotheses address the differentiation of the net income and other comprehensive income and the significant impact of other comprehensive income on the value of comprehensive income.Contribution: A detailed comparative analysis of the net income and other comprehensive income in geographical and temporal terms and using statistical methods had not been carried out prior to the present study. The results presented are part of a wider stream of research into the usefulness of information presented in financial statements.
The Relationship between Debt Capacity Base and Structural Risk: Evidence from the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors: Cirin Piotr
Published: April 2021

Objective: The objective of this paper is to verify the hypothesis that there is a statistically significant correlation between the risk level determined on the basis of structural models and the value of the of debt capacity base, and that the value of a company’s debt capacity is determined primarily by the type and properties of its financing.Research Design & Methods: The methodology was based on the analysis of the determination of the linear regression function using the least squares method and study of the correlation between the values of the debt capacity base and the net value of enterprises (determined on the basis of the approach used in structural risk models) based on accounting data of 511 companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2018–2019. This includes an analysis of the level of debt capacity in the context of selected forms of financing.Findings: There is a strong and statistically significant correlation between the debt capacity base determined on the basis of book values and the determined net value of enterprises, representing the level of structural risk (constituting the difference between the value of assets and liabilities). A USD 1 bn change in the average debt capacity base leads to a USD 0.49 bn change in the average net worth of enterprises.Implications / Recommendations: The designated regression function enables forecasting, within the scope of banking practice, the value of the structural risk and the debt capacity base in terms of granting short- and long-term liabilities.Contribution: The study confirms the thesis that there is a statistically significant correlation between structural risk and the debt capacity base. It presents an approach that enables the determination of the debt capacity base, the value of structural risk, and the value of debt capacity for selected forms of financing.
Influence of different orientations and rates of bidirectional distraction osteogenesis of the mandibular corpus: a three-dimensional study
Authors:   Department of Pedodontics, Orthodontics and Preventive Dentistry College of Dentistry, Mosul University, Iraq., Hasan Lamiaa A. , Al-Sayagh Nada M. ,   Department of Pedodontics, Orthodontics and Preventive Dentistry College of Dentistry, Mosul University, Iraq., Al-Banaa Lara R. ,   Department of Pedodontics, Orthodontics and Preventive Dentistry College of Dentistry, Mosul University, Iraq.
Published: April 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effect of mandibular corpus distraction osteogenesis with different orientations and rates. Materials and Methods: A three-dimensional model of the mandible was created. The vertical surgical cut was made, the force was applied horizontally in a bidirectional manner within two orientations: parallel to the occlusal plane and parallel to the inferior border of the mandible with three rates (0.5mm, 1mm and 1.5mm). Results: The maximum values for von Mises stress when the force was applied parallel to the inferior border of the mandible with all three rates were smaller than those with force direction parallel to the occlusal plane. The displacement in all three directions x, y, and z were not parallel and prominent in the anterior part of the mandible, while the movement at the posterior part is negligible, x and z displacement were bigger when force was applied parallel to the inferior border of the mandible, z displacement was more prominent than x and y displacement, both directions produced upward rotation of the mandible, this rotation was more noticeable when the force was applied parallel to the inferior border of the mandible. Conclusions: A vertical cut can be used in the patient with a long anterior face. This site of distraction achieves more lengthening of mandible than expansion.
Antibacterial activity and effects of aromatic derivatives on denture base polymerization
Authors:   Dept. of Dental Basic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Mosul, Iraq., Alhamdani Ammar AG. , Shuker Arjwan M. ,   Dept. of Dental Basic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Mosul, Iraq., Jawad Inas A. ,   Dept. of Prosthetics, College of Dentistry, University of Mosul, Iraq.
Published: April 2021

This study assessed the effect of copolymerization on the microbiota of the oral cavity. The plant extraction was converted into aromatic derivatives, which were added to methyl methacrylate monomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra showed no negative effects of these additives on the polymerization process. All the assayed derivatives displayed some degree of antibacterial activity.
Quantitative evaluation of debris extruded apically using reciprocating versus continuous rotation single file with rotary and hand glide path file
Authors:   Dept. of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Univer-sity of Mosul, Iraq., Yahya Eman M. , Al Naimi Ali M. ,   Dept. of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Univer-sity of Mosul, Iraq., Sulaiman Abduladheem R. ,   Dept. of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Univer-sity of Mosul, Iraq.
Published: April 2021

Chemomechanical root canal preparation (CMRCP) is an important step in root canal treatment. However, one of its negative consequences is apical extrusion of debris of the root canal system contributing to treatment failure and flare-ups. Glide path preparation (GPP) is the initial phase of CMRCP and is crucial for assessing root canal anatomy and establishing unobstructed access to the apical part of the canal. Materials and methods: Forty human mandibular permanent central and lateral incisors were selected; the debris collection apparatus was prepared and the teeth were then divided into four groups: Group 1: Rotary glide path preparation with ProGlider followed by instrumentation with Wave One files. Group 2: Rotary glide path preparation with ProGlider followed by instrumentation with One Shape files. Group 3: Hand glide path preparation with K-file followed by instrumentation with Wave One files. Group 4: Hand glide path preparation with K-file followed by instrumentation with One Shape files. The collected debris was weighed in an analytical digital balance and the collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: No significant difference was present between groups with the same method of glide path preparation or between Wave One and One Shape files. Rotary glide path preparation produced less debris than hand preparation (p≤0.05). Conclusions: Extrusion of debris was observed in all test groups. Rotary glide path preparation could be preferred in clinical practice as it is associated with less debris extrusion than the manual method.
Ultimate tensile strength of total and self-etch adhesives: Effect of light irradiation distance
Authors:   Department of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Mosul University, Mosul, Iraq., Nayif Maan M.
Published: April 2021

Objective: To evaluate the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of total and self- etch adhesives irradiated at different distances. Materials and Methods: Sixty cylindrical specimens of 0.78mm diameter and 10 mm length were prepared of two types of adhesive systems total etch Excite DSC (EX – Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and one-step self-etch Clearfil S3 Bond (S3, Kuraray Medical Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Specimens of each adhesive were divided into three groups according to the light irradiation distance (0, 2, 4mm) (n=10). Each specimen was attached to universal testing machine (Digital Force Gauge, IMADA CO., LTD, Japan) and loaded at cross head speed of 1mm/min until failure. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Independent Student t-test at p< 0.05. Results: Mean UTS for total etch (24.63, 18.19, 17.26 Mpa) and for self-etch (12.68, 8.53, 7.58Mpa) at (0, 2, 4mm) distances. Specimens irradiated directly show significantly the highest UTS while those irradiated at 4mm show the lowest values (p<0.05). Excite DSC total etch adhesive have higher UTS than Clearfil S3 self-etch adhesive regardless of irradiation distance (p<0.05).Conclusions: The UTS of the evaluated adhesives was light irradiation distance and adhesive system dependant.
Modello di riabilitazione cardiologica teleguidata durante pandemia da COVID-19
Authors: Pasanisi Giovanni , Sassone Biagio , Myers Jonathan , Chiaranda Giorgio , Raisi Andrea , Lordi Rosario , Mandini Simona , Mazzoni Gianni , Grazzi Giovanni
Published: April 2021

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has induced many governments to promote national lockdowns. Despite a period of quarantine is the best option and recommendation to stop the rapid spread of infections, this may have collateral effects on other dimensions of the isolated patients’ physical and mental health. Physical activity is the major component of cardiac rehabilitation programs that have been abruptly discontinued. Aims. To counteract physical inactivity during the COVID-19 outbreak we propose an home cardiac rehabilitation program under telemonitoring guidance, the home-bAsed physiCal acTivity Intervention during cOvid-19 quaraNtine (ACTION) study, testing its feasibility. Methods and results. ACTION is an observational study in cardiac outpatients referred to an exercise-based cardiac rehabilita-tion program. A program consisting of aerobic recommendations combined with a selection of strength and balance exercises is recommended. Video tutorials providing details of the workouts will be sent to patients. Selected patients can be followed during the home-sessions via video connection using current smartphone applications. Conclusions. The ACTION study could provide applicable results for safe and effective exercise therapy in outpatients with car-diovascular disease, while preventing the COVID-19 outbreak from generating adverse health consequences due to acute cessa-tion of physical activity. Findings from the ACTION study can also be useful after the end of COVID-19 outbreak for patients who cannot participate in traditional center- or home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Waimea Field Sampling v1
Authors: Amend Anthony
Published: April 2021

Detailed Sampling Methods for Waimea Watershed Sampling Project
SARS Direct Saliva Protocol Takarabio v2
Authors: Hamerly Timothy , J Stephenson Caroline , Lopez-Gutierrez Borja , R Dinglasan Rhoel
Published: April 2021

Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR has steadily increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began, resulting in the development of protocols for testing from a variety of biological matrices. Initial testing focused on nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, which are invasive and require trained health care professionals to perform the sample collection, resulting in a bottleneck in testing. Saliva has emerged as a viable sample specimen for virus detection and can be self-collected with little instruction. Further, it has been demonstrated that virus detection is possible without the need for complex extraction protocols, including commercially available kits. However, a potential pitfall of available kits is the lack of comprehensive testing during development using contrived biological samples containing intact, heat inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus in the appropriate matrix (e.g., saliva). We have found the Takara Direct One-Step RT-qPCR Mix for SARS-CoV-2 kit to be a cost-effective alternative for testing the direct detection of virus in saliva when compared with magnetic bead-assisted extraction systems, with minimal modifications from the manufacturers protocol. We have found that successful detection of virus requires the addition of a proteinase K digestion step, an increase of the reverse transcriptase time, and 3-step cycle (compared with a 2-step cycle in the manufacturers documentation). These changes allow for the successful detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus with a minimal increase in Ct values for RNase P and viral N-gene transcripts when compared with magnetic bead-assisted extractions kits. Implementing these critical steps will help end-users avoid false negatives.
Framing Nuclearity: Online Media Discourses in Lithuania
Authors: Mažeikienė Natalija , Kasperiūnienė Judita , Tandzegolskienė Ilona
Published: April 2021

This article refers to the concept of nuclearity as a broader technopolitical phenomenon that implies a political and cultural configuration of technical and scientific matters. The nuclear media discourses become a site of tensions, struggles, and power relations between various institutions, social groups, and agents who seek to frame nuclear issues. The Bourdieusian concept of a field as a domain of social interaction is employed by the authors of this article seeking to reveal interactions and power configurations within and between several fields: journalism and media, economy, politics, and cultural production fields (cinematography, literature, and art). Commercial and political pressures on media raise a question about the autonomy of this field. Media coverage of nuclear issues in Lithuania during the period 2018–2020, includes media framing produced by different sponsors of the nuclear media discourses and agents from the above-mentioned fields of journalism, nuclear industry, politics, cinematography or arts. The media coverage includes the news and press releases produced within PR and public communication of the atomic energy industry by representing the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, articles written by journalists about the atomic city Visaginas, and challenges faced by the local community due to the closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. The nuclear discourse includes debates by politicians around the topic of the lack of safety of the construction of the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant in Belarus, and media coverage of the HBO series Chernobyl representing a strong antinuclear narrative by portraying the Chernobyl disaster crisis and expressing strong criticism of communism. The authors of this article carried out a qualitative content analysis of media coverage on nuclear issues and revealed features of the discourse: interpretative packages, frames, framing devices (Gamson & Modigliani, 1989), and dominating actors and institutions supporting the discourse.
The Use of Blockchain Technology in the Implementation of Monopolistic Activities
Authors: Churilov A. Yu.
Published: April 2021

The paper analyzes the possibility of using blockchain technology by economic entities in order to violate the norms of competition law, in particular the implementation of monopolistic activities. The author classifies blockchain systems into 4 main groups—public systems, limited access systems, private systems, and consolidated systems. The author considers the main types of monopolistic activity: the abuse of dominant position, coordinated actions of economic entities and anti-competitive agreements. The paper proposes a mechanism for assessing competition in commodity markets to identify the participant occupying a dominant position with due regard to the peculiarities of blockchain technology. The author evaluates some types of abuse of dominant position by using the blockchain technology. It is proposed to divide anti-competitive agreements and coordinated actions into two groups: actions undertaken against blockchain networks and actions undertaken using blockchain networks. The author concludes that the use of the public blockchain system to exchange information by competing business entities under the general rule will not constitute a violation of competition law.
Non-State Regulation in the Field of Cross-Border Agency Relations
Authors: Mikhaylova L. A.
Published: April 2021

The choice of acts of non-governmental regulation as the applicable law in international commercial contracts has become a common practice. When resolving disputes between the parties, international commercial arbitration refers to non-national sources and resolves the dispute on their basis, in contrast to state courts, which excluded the application of non-state regulation as applicable law. The paper discusses the approach on the admissibility of choosing non-national sources as the applicable law in an international commercial agreement, set out in the resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated 09.07.2019 No. 24 "On the application of the norms of private international law by the courts of the Russian Federation." The question of the validity of expanding the principle of autonomy of the will of the parties is investigated. The author analyzes the choice-of-law clauses used in the ICC Model Commercial Agency Contract and the ITC Model Contract for an International Commercial Agency. The author concludes that there is a shift in the regulation of cross-border private law relations towards the application of non-state norms and rules when resolving disputes by state courts and the possibility of the emergence of contracts that are not subject to any legal system.
Radiation diagnostics of cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: Girya Elena N. , Sinitsyn Valentin E. , Tokarev Alexey S.
Published: April 2021

Cerebral cavernous malformations are a fairly common vascular pathology at the moment, with the number of detected cases increasing dramatically in recent years. This is because modern neuroimaging methods such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been introduced into clinical practice and are widely available. Prior to the advent of CT and MRI technologies, it was extremely difficult to diagnose this pathology, and the diagnosis was usually made intraoperatively or based on autopsy data. Further, the literature review is devoted to the radiological diagnosis of cerebral cavernous malformations (CM). The role of neuroimaging methods in the diagnosis of cavernous malformations, as well as the use of MRI for CM visualization, was analyzed. The advantages of MRI over other neuroimaging methods for this pathology have been demonstrated. Pulse sequences of MRI and signaling characteristics of various foci were characterized, depending on the morphological substrate. The significance of the susceptibility-weighted imaging sequence was also evaluated for the detection of multifocal lesions in cases of familial CM. The study of the main pulse sequences of MRI for visualization of CM will improve the protocol algorithm for the timely diagnosis of this pathology and the selection of therapeutic approach.
Outpatient management of endocrine conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ziganshina A P , Gosmanov A R
Published: April 2021

Still very active COVID-19 pandemic demands continuous adjustment of our regular practices of delivering patient care. The aim of this manuscript is to provide practical suggestions for the management of the most common endocrinological conditions during ongoing COVID-19/SARS-CoV2 pandemic. We have conducted a literature review and present our own experience of treating endocrinology patients during the months of full COVID-19 lockdown and then phased partial reopening. The results of the literature review have demonstrated the utmost importance of excelling in a challenging task of maintaining the best possible control of such endocrinological conditions as diabetes mellitus and adrenal insufficiency, while also maintaining the universal social distancing and isolation. In the patients with diabetes mellitus Hemoglobin A1C level correlates with the risk of unfavorable outcomes of COVID-19 which makes optimization of diabetes mellitus control an even more significant during the pandemic. It is important to provide the patients with the specific instructions on self-titration of insulin and on the use of non-insulin antidiabetic medications, examples of which are shown in the manuscript. For the patients with adrenal insufficiency, it is essential to discuss the rules of dose increase of the glucocorticosteroids in case of development of COVID-19 or any other acute illness. The diagnosis and management of other endocrinological conditions as for example thyroid nodules and osteoporosis (with the exclusion of secondary osteoporosis associated with diseases requiring timely treatment) can be delayed for the sake of everybodys safety and partially also for prioritization of healthcare recourses utilization during these uneasy times. Since the beginning of the pandemic a considerable amount of new information regarding theoretical and practical aspects of connection of SARS-CoV2 and endocrinology is emerging almost weekly. In this manuscript, we have tried to gather the most clinically relevant data on the outpatient management of the patients with endocrine pathology.
Anti-vegf therapy in treatment of vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Galimova Aysylu B. , Galimova Venera U.
Published: April 2021

Purpose.To investigate the possibility of anti-VEGF therapy use in treatment of vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy without signs of vitreoretinal traction.
Materials and methods.In this case series study, 8 patients with severe vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy without signs of vitreoretinal traction were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections using treat-and-extend regimen. Patients were followed for 1254 months.
Results.. Intravitreal ranibizumab injections using treat-and-extend regimen promoted a complete resolution of vitreous hemorrhage in one month after the 2ndor the 3rdmonthly ranibizumab injection, followed by a significant visual acuity improvement.
Conclusion.Anti-VEGF therapy using treat-and-extend regimen could be recommended for treatment of vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy without signs of vitreoretinal traction.
Predictors of functional outcome of antiangiogenic therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Kharakozov Alexandr S. , Kulikov Alexey N. , Maltsev Dmitrii S.
Published: April 2021

Aim.To study predictive factors for functional outcome of aflibercept intravitreal antiangiogenic therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
Material and methods.Thirty-six treatment naive nAMD patients (45 eyes, 26 females and 10 males, with a mean age of 74.4 10.9 years) were included in this study. All patients received 3 monthly aflibercept injections followed by 4 bimonthly aflibercept injections. Demographic characteristics, baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and structural retinal changes on optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were evaluated for the correlation with BCVA after 10 months follow-up.
Results.At the end of the follow-up period, the mean BCVA increased statistically significantly from 31 15 (~0.32) letters at baseline to 37 14 (~0.4) letters (p= 0.003). CRT at baseline and at the end of follow-up was 357 110 and 269 70 m (p 0.001), respectively. Final BCVA correlated statistically significantly with baseline BCVA (r= 0.62,p 0.0001), baseline CRT (r= 0.48,p= 0.001), and disease duration from the appearance of complaints until the therapy start (r= 0.32,p= 0.03). Structural macular changes on the OCT scans were not related to final BCVA (p 0.05) apart from the status of the ellipsoid zone (p 0.001). Final BCVA was statistically significantly lower in males than in females (34.7 14.0 (~0.4) and 45.0 9.2 (~0.63) letters, respectively,p= 0.03).
Conclusion.Baseline visual acuity, gender, CRT, disease duration from the appearance of complaints until the therapy start, and status of the ellipsoid zone are predictive for the functional outcome in wet AMD patients.
Explosion Discrimination Using Seismic Gradiometry and Spectral Filtering of Data
Authors: Challu Cristian , Poppeliers Christian , Punoševac Predrag , Dubrawski Artur
Published: April 2021

We present a new method to discriminate between earthquakes and buried explosions using observed seismic data. The method is different from previous seismic discrimination algorithms in two main ways. First, we use seismic spatial gradients, as well as the wave attributes estimated from them (referred to as gradiometric attributes), rather than the conventional three-component seismograms recorded on a distributed array. The primary advantage of this is that a gradiometer is only a fraction of a wavelength in aperture compared with a conventional seismic array or network. Second, we use the gradiometric attributes as input data into a machine learning algorithm. The resulting discrimination algorithm uses the norms of truncated principal components obtained from the gradiometric data to distinguish the two classes of seismic events. Using high-fidelity synthetic data, we show that the data and gradiometric attributes recorded by a single seismic gradiometer performs as well as a conventional distributed array at the event type discrimination task.
Source Separation and Medium Change of Contained Chemical Explosions from Coda Wave Interferometry
Authors: Ford Sean R. , Walter William R.
Published: April 2021

Differences in the seismic coda of neighboring events can be used to investigate source location offsets and medium change with coda wave interferometry (CWI). We employ CWI to infer the known relative location between two chemical explosions in Phase I of the Source Physics Experiment (SPE). The inferred displacement between the first, SPE-1, and second, SPE-2, chemical explosion is between 6 and 18 m, with an expectation of 9.2 m, where the known separation is close to 9.4 m. We also employ CWI to find any velocity perturbation due to damage from SPE-2, by comparing its coda with the collocated third SPE chemical explosion, SPE-3. We find that damage due to SPE-2 must be confined to a spherical region with radius less than 10 m and velocity perturbation less than 25%.
COVID-19 Salgınında Sağlık Çalışanlarının Stres Algı Düzeyinin Kas İskelet Sistemi Ağrılarına Etkisi
Authors: ARSLAN Mesut , GAYRETLİ ATAN Sibel , PALALI İsmail
Published: April 2021

Amaç: Bu araştırma, COVID-19 salgınında sağlık çalışanlarının stres algı düzeyinin kas iskelet sistemi ağrılarına etkisinin değerlendirilmesi amacıyla planlandı.Yöntem: Araştırmaya COVID-19 sürecinde sağlık alanında çalışan ve çalışmaya gönüllü olarak katılan 232 birey alındı. Çalışmaya katılan bireyler, Demografik Bilgi Formu, Algılanan Stres Ölçeği ve Nordic Kas İskelet Sistemi Anketinden oluşan bir değerlendirme formu ile değerlendirildi. Değerlendirme formu Google formlar uygulaması üzerinden oluşturuldu. Veriler internet üzerinden Whatsapp ve e-posta yoluyla toplandı. Nicel bağımsız verilerin analizi için Ki Kare test ve T test kullanıldı. Tüm analizler için anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 olarak kabul edildi.Bulgular: Çalışmaya 96 erkek (%53,4) ve 110 kadın (%46,6) olmak üzere 206 kişi dahil edildi. Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 32,71± 7,55 yıl idi. Katılımcıların 85’i (%41,3) Hekim, 56’sı (%27,2) Fizyoterapist, 26’sı (%12,6) Hemşire/Ebe ve 30’u (%14,6) Sağlık Teknikeri idi. Algılanan stres düzeyi ile son 12 ay ağrı, son 12 ay ağrıdan kaynaklı iş engeli ve son 7 gün ağrı varlığı karşılaştırıldığında sadece son 12 ay ve son 7 gün bel ağrısı ve son 7 gün el bilekleri/eller ağrısı ile algılanan stres düzeyi arasında anlamlı ilişki bulundu (sırasıyla p=0,039, p=0,013, p=0,047). Algılanan stres düzeyi ile tanımlayıcı parametreler arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmadı. Son 7 gün el bilekleri/eller ağrısı ile tanımlayıcı parametreler karşılaştırıldığında sadece cinsiyet ile anlamlı bir ilişki bulundu (p=0,023).Sonuç: Bu çalışmada COVID-19 ortamında çalışan sağlık personellerinde el/ el bileği ve bel ağrısının stresle ilişkili olduğuna dair bulunan sonuçlar literatüre katkı sağlayacaktır. Bu konuda yapılan çalışmaların sayısı oldukça azdır. Gelecekte popülasyonu yüksek olan çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.
Mentoring Beyond Homophobia: Reauthoring for Cultural Competence
Authors: Saltzburg Susan
Published: April 2021

Using the narrative paradigm for teaching about cultural competence in the context of prejudice, this paper presents a conceptual framework for helping students reach beyond homophobia and heterosexist bias to integrate the ethics of the profession into their practices with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations. Drawing from the theoretical writings of Michael White's narrative approach to therapeutic practice, the model organizes around the constructs of mentorship, story deconstruction, and "reauthoring." Designed to reach out to undergraduate students through examining prejudice (homophobia) and the concept of privilege as a derivative of power (heterosexism), this pedagogical approach uses the structures of dialogue in the form of a reauthoring journal and parallel self-examination as the tools for mentorship.
Debt Burdens Among BSW Graduates: A National Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yoon Intae
Published: April 2021

Cross-sectional data reveal a dire financial picture for 2009 BSW graduates that can be attributed in part to loan decisions (n=300). More than 10.1% have accrued a minimum of $55,000 in educational debt at graduation. Following private educational loans, credit cards are the second most reported private loans to finance respondents' BSW education (27.1%). Among those who used credit cards to fund their BSW education, 42% indicate that the availability of credit cards was "very" or "extremely" important to cover their educational expenses, and 11.1% have more than $10,000 in credit card debt. An ordinal regression model identifies predictors of high educational loan borrowers: the number of federal loans, perceived non-educational debt burden, importance of educational loan availability to attend a higher education institution, use of private educational loans, annual tuition, and total credit card debt. Individual, discipline-specific, and public interventions are presented to promote the financial well-being of these individuals.
Bridging the Explicit and Implicit Curricula: Critically Thoughtful Critical Thinking
Authors: Miller Shari , Tice Carolyn , Harnek Hall Diane
Published: April 2021

Critical thinking lies at the core of social work practice given that decision making often is swift and occurs in a climate of uncertainty. The recent changes to the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards developed by the Council on Social Work Education emphasize critical thinking by promoting an integrative curriculum design that distinguishes between explicit and implicit elements. This article presents critical thinking, embedded in critical theory, as a discipline-specific construct central to effective social work education and practice that links the explicit and implicit curricula. Definitions of critical thinking and their relationship to critical theory are discussed. The article argues that a critical theory framework can be applied to social work education via service learning to enhance critical thinking skills among undergraduates.
Promoting Cultural Competencies Through Use of Growth Groups in Predominantly White Classrooms
Authors: Phillips Amy , Peterson Sue , Bakko Matthew , Clark Tracy
Published: April 2021

The Council on Social Work Education's 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set forth several core competencies describing student abilities and practice behaviors related to cultural competence. This article discusses a growth-group approach to developing these abilities and behaviors, particularly in reference to EPAS 2.1.1, 2.1.2, and 2.1.4. Growth groups of students were formed in a group work course at a predominantly White university to develop competencies related to self-awareness, prejudice reduction, and the ability to discuss and confront prejudice in others. Findings from a presurvey and postsurvey showed significant change in student outcomes in these areas. A description of the growth-group method and recommendations on the use of growth groups, particularly in predominantly White classrooms, are provided.
E-Portfolios in Social Work Curriculum: Demonstrating Integrative and Reflective Learning
Authors: Fitch Dale , Benner Kalea , Freelin Tammy , Cary Suzanne
Published: April 2021

Social work educators have used portfolios to evaluate learning over the past 3 decades. With student learning needs changing in response to technological learning opportunities, social work programs are starting a transition from the traditional, paper-based portfolio to an electronic one. The authors describe one program's formative evaluation of e-portfolios and how it led from a focus on the product, the portfolio, to a refocus on the portfolio creation process. Both the program and students gained from the e-portfolio through curriculum review and subsequent curriculum development and through student demonstration of integrative and reflective learning. Students who successfully articulate and demonstrate professional growth through the e-portfolio are likely to use that information in job interviews and graduate school applications. Thus, the e-portfolio can be an effective tool for using today's technology to meet student learner needs.
From the Guest Editor
Authors: Theriot Matthew
Published: April 2021

Welcome to this special issue, Educating Millennial BSW Students: Innovative Teaching for the New Generation of Social Workers. It has been an honor to serve as the guest editor, and the experience has been both exciting and rewarding. The idea for this special issue evolved from my own experiences and observations in the classroom. The past 10 years have been a time of tremendous change for higher education. Students have changed, the learning environment has changed, and social work educators need to change, too. Our approaches to social work education need to be responsive to the changes around us so we can continue to effectively and meaningfully train the next generation of professional social workers.
E-Portfolios: Product and Process in Assessing Competencies for Social Work Education
Authors: McGuire Lisa , Gentle-Genitty Carolyn , Galyean Erika
Published: April 2021

Electronic portfolios are being used in many disciplines to demonstrate student- and program-level competence. This article presents a case study of a BSW program that implemented an e-portfolio project in the multiple contexts of developing pedagogy to meet the needs of millennial students, emphasizing evidence-based practice, and preparing for reaffirmation under the new Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of competency-based education. Information about the basic structure, response rates, and assessment data are presented. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed from students and faculty liaisons. Product dimensions of the e-portfolio were identified as well as the learning processes that may be facilitated, including critical thinking, reflection, metacognition, and self-directed and collaborative learning. Challenges were also identified. Although preliminary findings are promising, additional research is necessary to determine the benefits of the e-portfolio as a tool for social work education in the 21st century.
A Study of the Relevance of Social Network Sites and Ethics Involving Undergraduate Students
Authors: Daly Mary , Mansfield John
Published: April 2021

The use of social networking sites (SNSs) has evolved rapidly this past decade with little concern for privacy. This study examines undergraduate students’ use of SNSs and online privacy preferences. Eighty-five students in social work classes were surveyed to determine the frequency of SNS access and privacy control usage. Student participants accessed SNSs (97.6%) more than the general population (72%) surveyed by the Pew Research Internet Project (Brenner & Smith, 2013). Most students restricted access to their profiles through friends-only privacy settings and took steps to eliminate unwanted posts. However, regrets over personal posts were still commonplace. The 2005 National Association of Social Workers and Association of Social Work Boards ethical standards suggest establishing professional boundaries and safeguarding personal information as part of technologically proficient practice. Social work educational programs should provide training on privacy risk management to protect students from unwanted and potentially career damaging disclosures on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other Internet sites.