Safe Space Research Articles

Facilitating conversations about race: staff views on the importance of accountability and trust in a student-led project

ABSTRACT Significant conversations provide a private and safe space for teachers to develop their thinking about teaching and learning. These conversations are important to academic development but may be limited by their privacy, although Roxå & Mårtensson noted that it was possible to create a culture which led to extended networks. This study explores how the concept of such conversations can be developed further to contribute to institutional change and the development of inclusive learning communities. Led by students of colour, a project, ‘The Big Change’, was designed to provide an empowering space for open and non-judgemental conversations between students and staff about the experiences of student of colour in a modern university. The paper explores the experiences of the staff (N = 15) who participated in online focus groups in which they explored their experiences of the project and the complexities of vulnerability and public discourses. Within these focus groups we provided a space for conversations in which trust and accountability were identified as key factors for meaningful change, particularly in a sensitive area of work such as anti-racism. This approach, based on student-led interventions plus safe conversations, provides a model for facilitating cultural change within higher education.

Digital Mirrors: AI Companions and the Self

This exploratory study examines the socio-technical dynamics of Artificial Intelligence Companions (AICs), focusing on user interactions with AI platforms like Replika 9.35.1. Through qualitative analysis, including user interviews and digital ethnography, we explored the nuanced roles played by these AIs in social interactions. Findings revealed that users often form emotional attachments to their AICs, viewing them as empathetic and supportive, thus enhancing emotional well-being. This study highlights how AI companions provide a safe space for self-expression and identity exploration, often without fear of judgment, offering a backstage setting in Goffmanian terms. This research contributes to the discourse on AI’s societal integration, emphasizing how, in interactions with AICs, users often craft and experiment with their identities by acting in ways they would avoid in face-to-face or human-human online interactions due to fear of judgment. This reflects front-stage behavior, in which users manage audience perceptions. Conversely, the backstage, typically hidden, is somewhat disclosed to AICs, revealing deeper aspects of the self.

A critical review on approaches to generate and validate virtual population for physiologically based pharmacokinetic models: Methodologies, case studies and way forward.

In silico modeling and simulation techniques such as physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) and physiologically based biopharmaceutics modeling (PBBM) have demonstrated various applications in drug discovery and development. Virtual bioequivalence leverages these computation tools to predict bioequivalence between reference and test formulations thereby demonstrating possibilities to reduce human studies. A pre-requisite for virtual bioequivalence is development of validated virtual population that depicts the same variability as that of observed in clinic. This development, validation and optimization of virtual population is a key attribute of virtual bioequivalence based on which conclusion of bioequivalence is made. Various strategies for optimization of virtual population based on appropriate considerations of physicochemical, physiological and disposition aspects are demonstrated with the help of six diverse case studies of immediate and modified release formulations. Once the virtual population is optimized to match in vivo variability, it can be used for various applications such as biowaivers, dissolution specification justification, f2 mismatch, establishing dissolution safe space, etc. In this review article, we attempted to describe various methodologies and approaches for optimization of virtual population using Gastroplus. Strategies based on optimization of virtual population with emphasis on specific and sensitive parameters were portrayed. We have further elucidated considerations related to study design, in vivo variability, sample size for optimization of virtual population from Gastroplus perspective. We believe that this review article provides a step-by-step process for virtual population optimization for interest of biopharmaceutics modeling scientists in order to ensure reliable and credible physiological models.

Norwegian pre-service teachers’ understanding of reflective rehearsals and democratic citizenship education: opportunities and challenges

AbstractImplementing democratic citizenship across disciplines in education requires careful consideration of how pre-service teachers are prepared to translate this concept into classroom practice. This study investigates Norwegian pre-service teachers’ understanding of reflective rehearsals as a model in teacher education for enhancing awareness of democratic citizenship education. Findings from focus group interviews with 24 participants reveal some opportunities offered by reflective rehearsals as a model for bridging theory and practice in teacher education. Reflective rehearsals are understood as a safe space for making fruitful errors, attempting change and developing professional judgement. Pre-service teachers express an increasing sense of ownership over their formation as becoming teachers. However, certain challenges are also discussed. Firstly, understanding democratic citizenship primarily as individual knowledge is problematic in teacher education, as it may separate pre-service teachers’ knowledge from their experience. Secondly, explicit dialogue concerning the connection between practice and educational purposes is needed. This article argues that reflective rehearsals could become a foundation for exploring the intersection of practice, theory and purpose, if this connection is made explicit and framed critically in teacher education.

Safe sites in the mandibular buccal shelf for orthodontic mini-screws: Tomographic study in different facial types

Objectives: The objective of this study was to verify safe sites on the mandibular buccal shelf (MBS) for extra-alveolar mini-screw insertion according to facial type. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, 84 cone-beam computed tomography scans were equally divided into three groups according to the patient’s facial type: Group 1, hyperdivergent; Group 2, neutral; and Group 3, hypodivergent. The total buccal alveolar bone thickness was measured in five zones between the mesial root of the first molar and the distal root of the second molar, 3, 6, and 9 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Results: MBS areas with adequate thickness for temporary anchorage device (TAD) insertion were as follows: Group 1, second molar distal root 9 mm from the CEJ; Group 2, second molar distal root 6 and 9 mm from the CEJ; and Group 3, second molar mesial root 9 mm from the CEJ and second molar distal root 6 and 9 mm from the CEJ. Conclusion: The safe zones on the MBS for TAD insertion were located on the distal root of the second molar, 9 mm from the CEJ, for all facial types. For neutral and hypodivergent patients, the site located on the second molar distal root, 6 mm from CEJ, was included; for hypodivergent patients, the site located on the second molar mesial root, 9 mm from the CEJ, was included.

Boundary Conditions for Organizations in the Anthropocene: A Review of the Planetary Boundaries Framework 10 Years On

AbstractWe systematically review business research concerning the planetary boundaries framework: A natural science framework that identifies nine Earth system boundaries that govern the safe operating space for humanity. Ten years after the introduction of the planetary boundaries in business studies, we pose two critical questions: How has the planetary boundaries concept been integrated into business studies and how has research on each of the nine boundaries advanced? Our review demonstrates growing scholarly interest in both questions. However, the topic remains niche with critical gaps, with most studies published in sustainability‐focused journals and only occasionally in mainstream journals. Theoretical development remains fragmented and of greater concern, a systems perspective is lacking in empirical studies: Most articles focus solely on one issue – climate change – and there is almost no cross‐analysis between boundaries. We contrast this with evidence that the planetary pressures of the Anthropocene are approaching dangerous thresholds and make the provocative assertion that planetary boundaries are not simply the foundation for specialized research on corporate sustainability but rather are the necessary boundary conditions for all business studies in the Anthropocene. We call for a transformation in how business scholars theorize, measure and engage.

Tests of pulse interference from lightning discharges occurring in unmanned aerial vehicle housings made of carbon fibers.

The Aim of the study was to determine the effect of a carbon fiber enclosure on overvoltages induced in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) circuits. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is characterized by a heterogeneous structure and a thorough analysis of its impact on the LEMP (Lightning ElectroMagnetic Pulse) protection of UAVs is crucial for the further development of such machines. The shorter the distance, the greater the amplitude of the EMP, the greater the value of the surges. Their maximum value determines the safe zone. This distance can be reduced by using an enclosure that can absorb or dissipate EMP. The tested object was placed between a large capacitor plates, which ensured the uniformity of the field. This article presents new results of tests on the CFRP shielding effectiveness against the electrical component of atmospheric discharge. Using described below method, an increase in the signal amplitude inside the box was achieved in relation to the input signal, thus strengthening it instead of suppressing it.

Falling Detection of Toddlers Based on Improved YOLOv8 Models.

If toddlers are not promptly checked and rescued after falling from relatively high locations at homes, they are at risk of severe health complications. We present a toddler target extraction method and real-time falling alarm. The procedure is executed in two stages: In stage I, a GELAN-integrated YOLOv8 model is used to extract the body features. Based on this, a head capture technique is developed to obtain the head features. In stage II, the "safe zone" is calculated through Generalized Hough Transform (GHT). The spatial location is compared to the preceding stage's two centers of mass points, K for the toddler's body and H for the head. Position status detection is performed on the extracted data. We gathered 230 RGB-captured daily videos of toddlers aged 13 to 30 months playing and experiencing upside-down falls. We split 500 video clips (×30 FPS) from 200 videos into 8:2 training and validation sets. A test set of 100 clips (×30 FPS) was cut from another 30 videos. The experimental results suggested that the framework has higher precision and recall in detection, as well as improved mean average precision and F1 scores compared to YOLOv3, v5, v6, and v8. It meets the standard FPS requirement for surveillance cameras and has an accuracy of 96.33 percent.

Developing a Supportive Community of Practice

This paper employs a qualitative case study to suggest how the research journey of doctoral students can be improved in educational institutions by encouraging the formation of small and informal Communities of Practice (CoP). It examines themes emerging from the feelings and opinions of four part-time professional doctorate students about their study experience and participation in their emergent CoP. A peer group developed where the students share their experience, expertise, insight, and knowledge in a caring and supportive, but informal, forum. CoP could become an effective tool to aid retention, identity development and wellbeing of postgraduate level students, factors which have been previously identified as key areas of risk. An autoethnographic approach was used to review the feelings, perceptions, and opinions of the four case study group members about their experiences of the informal CoP to date. Thematic analysis of transcripts and WhatsApp communications was used to reveal the perceived common benefits and gains from participation in the informal CoP such as joy, safe spaces, and identity development, aligning members experiences to a CoP lifecycle. The study found small group formation at doctoral programme induction, and encouragement for students to organise their own regular study days using of social channels, may impact overall success. Application and adaptation of this doctoral CoP model could form the basis for future research and a model for academic institutions to suggest to new and existing students

7467 Supplement Use Among Transgender Patients: Case Reports and Literature Review

Abstract Disclosure: H. Cunningham: None. Q. Jones: None. C. Kelley: None. The barriers to initiating gender affirming medical treatment are innumerable and increasing in the wake of wide-sweeping anti-trans legislation, leading many transgender individuals to utilize more accessible means of transitioning. We provide examples of patient-initiated supplement use at a gender medicine clinic in the Southeast. We describe a 60-year-old transgender woman who was unable to establish care due to lack of affirming providers in her region and insurance approval delays. She began taking Pueraria mirifica, along with saw palmetto and fenugreek, for feminization. Subsequently, her breast size increased from an A to B cup, and she noticed fat redistribution to her hips. When finally seen one year later, labs demonstrated suppressed luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones and increased sex hormone binding globulin, with an associated decrease in estradiol and testosterone levels. Cessation of supplements resulted in lab normalization. Our second case describes masculinizing effects, including voice deepening, experienced by a transgender man using a supplement that contained "orchic extract.” Supplements used for gender affirmation can also have more adverse effects, including polycythemia in the setting of trenbolone, an illicit steroidogenic performance enhancing supplement used for masculinization by some patients assigned female at birth. Patients without access to gender affirming hormones through a medical provider, or who do not feel comfortable accessing health care, may be more likely to use supplements purchased online without a prescription. Considering this, we must create more safe spaces for gender affirming care and ask all transgender patients about supplement use. Providers should consider supplement use as a possible explanation for unexpected lab results. The literature on supplement use for gender-affirming effects is sparse; this presentation provides a summary of and contributes to the current literature on this topic. Presentation: 6/2/2024

The effect of organizational silence on the relationship between workplace ostracism and nurses' procrastination behavior: A structural equation modeling.

This study aims to assess the relationship between workplace ostracism and the procrastination behavior of nurses, as well as examine the effect of organizational silence on this relationship. Controlling workplace ostracism and eradicating time wasters, especially procrastination behavior among nurses, are key strategies that add value to organizational effectiveness. In addition, remaining silent about significant issues facing nurses is a devastating approach to the success of both healthcare organizations and the nursing profession. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational exploratory research design was used to conduct the study. Data were collected from 352 nurses recruited from three large university hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt. Four instruments, namely, the Workplace Ostracism Questionnaire, the Organizational Silence Scale, the Active Procrastination Scale, and the Unintentional Procrastination Scale, were used. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships among the variables. The findings demonstrated a significant positive and moderate association between workplace ostracism and both active and passive procrastination behaviors among nurses. Moreover, there was a strong positive and significant correlation between organizational silence and workplace ostracism. The results of mediation revealed that the indirect effect of workplace ostracism on both active and passive procrastination behavior through organizational silence was statistically significant, suggesting that organizational silence partially mediated this relationship. The study highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by toxic workplace issues, such as organizational ostracism and silence, as significant factors contributing to nurses' procrastination behaviors. Not only do these factors directly impact nurses' productivity, but they also interact to exacerbate negative outcomes in nursing care. Addressing these toxic dynamics is critical to improving nurse performance and ensuring quality care in healthcare settings. This study offers new insights for navigating toxicity and upgrading nursing productivity in healthcare organizations through fostering a more inclusive and communicative work environment. Promoting team cohesion and ensuring that all staff members feel valued and included can reduce feelings of isolation that may lead to procrastination. Also, creating safe spaces for nurses to voice concerns without fear of reprisal could significantly diminish passive procrastination, which ultimately enhances overall patient care quality and organizational efficiency.

Synthesis of dynamic modelling framework and optimal control strategy for virtually coupled train sets with guaranteed safety

Virtual coupling represents a novel railway operational mechanism, wherein several trains share state information and adjust their behaviours based on control objectives, which include safety (collision avoidance) assurance and stability (uniform velocity and constant spacing between trains) maintenance. However, the conflict between safety and stability requirements becomes more apparent, as the closer spacing between trains. Moreover, the hybrid nature of the train platoon operation, which involves both discrete events and continuous dynamics, also poses a significant barrier to the control strategy synthesis. This paper presents the Virtually Coupled Train Sets (VCTS) dynamic modelling framework and strategy synthesis approach to address these problems. A Hybrid Markov Decision Process (HMDP) is adopted for relative longitudinal dynamics modelling of trains, considering the influence of the uncertainty dynamic of trains ahead. A Stackelberg game-based strategy synthesis algorithm is applied for the safe guarantee by overcoming the uncertainty, and a Q-learning method is used for stability strategy selection from the safe strategy. The results showed a 17.95% expansion in the safe state space when compared to the general relative braking scheme (which assumes maximal acceleration during the delay horizon). In a four-train tracking operation scenario, compared with Q-learning without safe constraints, our approach gives similar stability performance; compared with Q-learning with general relative braking safe constraints, our approach not only assurance safety but has a better stability performance.

Multicriteria risk assessment of water inrush in underground mines with large-scale curtain grouting: a mine disaster risk reduction strategy

This paper presents a synthetic method to assess the risk of mine water inrush before and after large scale curtain grouting based on GIS platform. Firstly, nine factors were selected from three aspects: geological conditions, hydrogeological conditions and curtain grouting parameters, to construct a multi factor assessment model. The combined weight of every factor was determined using the minimum deviation comprehensive weighting method, which can reduce the polarization effect of various assessment methods in multicriteria decision. Then, the effectiveness of the synthetic method was validated through the Maoping lead–zinc mine in Southwest China. The mining area was divided into five zones, namely safe zone, relatively safe zone, transitional zone, relatively dangerous zone, and dangerous zone. The assessment results show that the relatively dangerous and dangerous zones were significantly reduced, while the safe, relatively safe and transitional zones were significantly increased after large scale curtain grouting. Finally, we analyze the impact of curtain grouting on the risk of mine water inrush and the mechanism of zoning evolution from three aspects: water source control, pathway sealing, drainage, and pressure reduction. This work provides an effective strategy for mine disaster risk reduction.

A Ranking Analysis of Geological and Engineering Factors of Historical Monuments’ Stability Response: A Case Study of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine

The historical monuments of the National Preserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” play an important role in the context of preserving the UNESCO World Heritage. The scientific understanding of the buildings and structures safety management the priority of conducting repair and restoration works, the organization of their technical condition monitoring, and changes in the components of the geological environment in their locations is crucial. The purpose of this study is to identify potentially hazardous areas on the territory of the Lavra for the operation of structures by conducting a point-based integral assessment of the stability potential of the natural and technogenic system with the integration of geospatial methods and to rank the structures using the analytical hierarchy process. According to the modeling results by 17 stability factors and using ArcGIS, 37% (8.7 ha) of the Lavra territory is located in the zone of moderate hazard, 23% (5.4 ha) in the zone of potential hazard, where the manifestation and conditions of more than five dangerous engineering and geological processes intersect, and 40% (9.4 ha) in the zone of relative safety. In each zone, 10 representative structures were selected for ranking according to the stability of natural and technogenic operating conditions and their current technical condition, which is determined by nine criteria. The analysis using two methods identified the areas most at risk from seasonal fluctuations and possible military impacts and allowed us to scientifically substantiate the priority of repair and restoration work and the possibility of properly planning management measures for the selected structures, as well as to offer recommendations for improving the monitoring of the geological environment of the Lavra.

Learning from innovative staff practices that led to virtual disability services using the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems

This paper draws on a Complex Adaptive Systems lens to develop an understanding of the staff practices that supported the development of Virtual Disability Services in Ireland amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved twelve interviews with service providers, which were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, leading to two overarching themes. The first theme focuses on the logistics of constructing the response. This includes dynamic adaptiveness, technological readiness, a positive attitude towards technology, resource availability, digital skills, and the level of take-up. The second theme centres on the enacted response, which encompasses sensemaking, developing technological expertise, managing upward, fostering creative innovation, cultivating a systems sensibility, and creating conditions for psychological safety and authentic engagement. We conclude that staff practices are key for creating conditions conducive to safe spaces, sustaining well-being, and reshaping power dynamics and emphasise the importance of embracing technology as a tool for innovation within complex operating environments. POINTS OF INTEREST Virtual Services offered a good alternative to face-to-face services for some disabled people during COVID-19: they supported people to stay connected while self-isolating. Even though some staff and disabled people did not have many technology skills before COVID-19, they learned in real-time, using the resources available to them. Online relationships were seen as more equal as everyone was learning as they went. People with disabilities developed new skills and sometimes co-facilitated sessions. This gave them greater choice and control over how they interacted with services and changed power relationships within services. Having choices about how to access services is in line with enhancing rights and choice under the Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities. Promoting digital inclusion may protect people against future societal disruptions.

The Role of the Practitioner in Curating LGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces in Libraries

ABSTRACTThe LGBTQIA+ community has come under increasing hostility in the North America through policy and challenges to library holdings and funding. These challenges to professional jurisdiction have prompted renewed scrutiny of the library‐as‐institution's responsibility toward society and the LGBTQIA+ community specifically. Safe spaces for this community remains a nebulous and contested concept. This paper reports preliminary findings of conceptualizations of LGBTQIA+ safe spaces in scholarly and practitioner literature in library and information science. Undertaking a critical literature review, this work outlines conceptualizations of the librarian's role in cultivating safe spaces and contrasts the theme of safe spaces as consisting of in‐group safe spaces. This paper collocates discussions of sociocultural contexts informing the ideas within literature alongside critical appraisals of and tensions with lived experience of queer folks. Surfaced is the gap between the two bodies of knowledge and conceptual and practice‐oriented approaches to reduce this gap.

Demand for “Safe Space”: Avoiding harassment and complying with norms

We crowdsource information on ≈22,000 train rides undertaken by 363 women commuters in Rio de Janeiro to study sexual harassment in the public space and its effects on demand for a women-reserved space. Women traveling in the public space experience harassment on average once a week; randomly tasking them to ride in the reserved space reduces harassment by 50%. A revealed preference exercise shows that demand for the reserved space is heterogeneous, with top-tercile users making up 80% of the demand. These users experience half of the harassment in our sample. Data on commuters’ attitudes and use of the reserved space show perceptions of norms around the reserved space may limit women’s agency. Over half of men and women commuters associate women in the public space with more sexual openness and women who perceive this attitude to be the prevailing norm are 79% more likely to report using the reserved space.

“Different New Music in Yugoslavia”: The Earliest Minimalist Manifestations

Some of Yugoslavia’s most radical musical manifestations unfolded during the 1970s and 1980s. Aided by postwar Yugoslav cultural programs, the iconic Student Cultural Center (SKC) in Belgrade – a student-managed “safe space” for free expression and creativity – opened its doors in 1971 and instantly became a magnet for experimental musicians throughout the Western and Eastern Blocs. A group of rebellious composers and performers – Opus 4 and the Ensemble for Different New Music made some of the largest strides in Yugoslav music history and defined a new era of avant-garde and a unique brand of minimalism, influenced by performance and conceptual art, Cage-style experimentalism, Fluxus, and the use of multimedia. This study briefly illustrates their robust vision that connected the East with the West in a fruitful exchange of ideas, despite the geo-political division of the world at the time.

Fostering collective action for adolescent well-being: citizen science in a Colombian semi-rural area.

We present findings from the Our Voice in Barú project, examining adolescent engagement in citizen science to address environmental and social factors affecting well-being in a semi-rural Afro-descendant community in Latin America. The project aimed to identify barriers and enablers of well-being, informing adolescent-led actions for sustainable environmental changes relevant to adolescent health. Utilizing the Our Voice citizen science method, which involved technology-enabled walks, participatory cartography workshops and community meetings, we engaged adolescents and other community members. Complex systems framework was employed to analyze results and assess the promotion of collective action and local change. Local enablers of well-being included availability of quality sports and recreational venues as safe spaces, educational settings and cultural aspects, fostering safety, community pride, and personal growth. Conversely, barriers included environmental contamination, deteriorated sports venues and drug addiction, indicating the community's limited access to services and exposure to harmful substances. Adolescent citizen scientists, in partnership with the research team and relevant community decision-makers, successfully achieved changes aimed at identified barriers, including infrastructural enhancements like the repair of pumps to remove stagnant water, improvements in the quality and safety of recreational venues, and the implementation of community-led initiatives to address substance abuse and promote healthier behaviors. The Our Voice in Barú project empowered adolescents to advocate for change and promoted collective action to tackle barriers identified as significant to their well-being.

Research on water droplet interception mechanism of sheet-type drift eliminator based on three-dimensional transient numerical simulation

A three-dimensional transient numerical study was conducted on the sheet-type drift eliminator single-channel to reveal the droplet interception mechanism, using a mechanical draft wet cooling tower (MDWCT) as a typical operating environment. The droplet-air, droplet-droplet, droplet-film, and film-air interactions were considered comprehensively from the aerodynamics and heat transfer. The results indicate the existence of two distinct types of droplet escape: primary escape and secondary escape. The Stokes number (St) ≤ 1 for the vast majority of primary escaped droplets, whereas the secondary escaped droplets exhibit a considerable range of St. The correlation curves between the escape rate and the Stokes number (Stin) is similar under different inlet velocities (vin). The escape rate first decreases and then increases as Stin increases. There is a safety zone (Stin from 0.83 to 18.62) where the escape rate is near zero. For the studied eliminator, the specific safety zone is 65∼190 μm. The mass flow rate of escaped droplets first decreases and then increases as vin increases. The secondary escape dominates instead of primary escape when vin ≥ 7 m/s. This paper provides theoretical support for improving interception efficiency of eliminator while extending the methods for drift reduction and water savings.