Traditional Support Systems Research Articles

Chatbots Implementation for Students Admision

The growing need for accessible and responsive information services in higher education has highlighted limitations in traditional admission support systems. This study aims to enhance the new student admission process at Universitas Stikubank through the development and implementation of a chatbot based on the RASA framework. The chatbot addresses several key issues: limited availability of staff, the necessity for 24/7 access to information, and the demand for immediate responses to prospective students’ queries. By simulating human interactions, the chatbot provides real-time, accurate information about university programs, admission requirements, campus facilities, and more. The development process involved data collection through interviews, observations, and literature review, followed by a structured methodology for conversation modeling and system design. Testing results indicate that the chatbot effectively supports the admission process, reducing administrative workload and enhancing the applicant experience by offering uninterrupted service. This study demonstrates the potential of chatbot technology to streamline administrative processes and improve service quality in the educational sector, particularly in university admissions.

Psychosocial Causes of Crime; Offender as Victim. Post-Soviet Georgian Perspective

This study explores the psychosocial causes of crime, particularly focusing on the unique socio-cultural context of post-Soviet Georgia. It examines how offenders can be both perpetrators and victims due to tough environments. It shows how socio-economic issues and the breakdown of traditional support systems influence criminal behavior. This study explores the experiences and motivations behind criminal behavior among older individuals in post-Soviet Georgia. It aims to understand how the collapse of socio-economic structures and the influence of criminal subcultures contributed to the rise in crime during this period. Using mixed approache, the study combines a thorough literature review with in-depth interviews of 12 men aged 35 to 50, who were convicted of violent crimes in Georgia during and shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The findings suggest that economic hardship, social stigmatization, and the appeal of criminal subcultures were major drivers of criminal behavior. Many participants pointed to tough economic conditions, societal pressures, and a feeling of learned helplessness as key factors behind their actions. The study also highlights the long-lasting effects of early stigmatization and the socio-economic challenges faced during the post-Soviet era. The study concludes that to effectively address criminal behavior, it’s essential to create comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programs. These programs should address both psychological and biological factors, provide economic support, build social networks, and offer trauma-informed care. There’s a clear need for targeted interventions that not only prevent crime but also help former offenders reintegrate into society.

Optimisation of Parameters and Application of Green Recyclable Precast Hollow Steel Pipe Concrete Supports

Underground space development is a crucial approach to addressing traffic congestion in China’s cities, especially through underground construction. However, the traditional pit internal support system, particularly the concrete internal support system, has significant drawbacks. These include high energy consumption and carbon emissions, which are increasingly prominent issues. In this paper, a hollow precast concrete-filled steel tube (H-CFST) internal support system is proposed and a node connection scheme is designed. Through numerical simulation, the load-bearing characteristics of H-CFST with different aspect ratios, hollow ratios, hoop thicknesses, and hoop lengths are investigated, and the optimal design parameters are obtained. Finally, following a field application, monitoring data reveal that the precast H-CFST internal support demonstrates superior load-bearing capacity compared to the concrete internal support, successfully meeting the criteria for replacement of the concrete support.

Effect of Rural-to-Urban Migration on Family Dynamics in Mexico

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of rural-to-urban migration on family dynamics in Mexico. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Rural - urban migration in Mexico has significantly impacted family dynamics, leading to changes in family structure, economic conditions, and social relationships. Migrants often shift from extended family networks to more nuclear family setups, which can alter traditional family roles and support systems. While migration typically improves economic opportunities and educational access, it also introduces challenges such as emotional stress from separation, difficulties in maintaining family ties, and adapting to urban cultural norms. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Family systems theory, ecological systems theory & social exchange theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the effect of rural-to-urban migration on family dynamics in Mexico. Practitioners should develop and implement targeted support programs that address the specific needs of migrant families, such as counseling services, role-specific training, and digital communication tools. Policymakers should create inclusive urban policies that address the challenges faced by migrant families, such as housing affordability, access to education, and social services.

#Studytalk in marketised higher education: student influencers as emerging support providers

ABSTRACT Within the marketised higher education context, where traditional support systems are strained, student influencers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have emerged as unexpected providers of academic and emotional support for their peers. Utilising a Foucauldian framework and drawing on 13 in-depth interviews with UK-based #studytalk creators, this study investigates the construction of student influencer subjectivity and their strategies for navigating this complex space. Findings reveal how these individuals leverage their success as academically high-achieving students and digital acumen to build legitimacy, negotiate ethical boundaries within the influencer market, and even resist the pervasive toxicity of certain study cultures. We show that these students do not just thrive to be influencers, but they engage with forms of ethical reflection to set certain parameters for their practice. Through this analysis, we contribute to a nuanced understanding of how students negotiate support and self-making in a marketised context while offering theoretical insights into the subjectification processes within the burgeoning influencer economy. By doing so, the article extends the dominant scholarly understandings of student support that often position support provision as the domain of universities. Instead, the findings show that students themselves are highly resourceful in developing and delivering peer support, and their practices intersect with wider student and youth experiences in the digital age.

Empowering Mental Well-being: AI-guided Self-Recognition and Support

In an era marked by the convergence of technology and mental health, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for revolutionizing how individuals engage with their own well-being. This abstract explores the concept of AI-guided self-recognition and support as a transformative approach to empower mental wellness. Through sophisticated algorithms, AI can analyze diverse data streams, including digital behaviors and physiological markers, to detect subtle shifts indicative of mental health challenges. Leveraging this capability, AI becomes a proactive companion in individuals' journeys toward self-awareness. Furthermore, AI augments traditional support systems by offering personalized interventions tailored to individual needs and preferences. From empathetic chatbots providing emotional solace to curated resources and mindfulness exercises promoting resilience, the AI ecosystem becomes a versatile toolkit for mental health enhancement. Importantly, this paradigm shift emphasizes continuous learning and refinement, ensuring that interventions evolve in tandem with users' experiences and feedback. However, the implementation of AI-guided mental wellness initiatives necessitates careful consideration of privacy and ethical principles. Striking a balance between data utilization and user confidentiality remains paramount to fostering trust and engagement. Moreover, transparency in AI algorithms' functioning and accountability in decision-making processes are imperative to uphold ethical standards.

Hypoglycemic TCM formulas (Huangqi-Gegen drug pair) have the potential as an Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder. There is a considerable unmet medical need among those suffering from it. Hypothesis and purposeGiven the link between type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and AD, hypoglycemic traditional Chinese medicine formulas (TCMFs) may be a treatment for AD. We investigated the possibility of identifying anti-AD medicines in hypoglycemic TCMFs and presented another option for the screening of AD medications. Study design and methodsParalysis of the transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) strain CL4176 (caused by amyloid beta (Aβ)1–42 aggregates) was used to evaluate the anti-AD effect. The toxicity and neurodegeneration induced by neuronal expression of Aβ in the transgenic C. elegans strain CL2355 were determined using a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) assay. The transgenic Aβ-expressing strain CL 2006 and transgenic tau-expressing strain BR5270 were used to explore the effect of TCMFs on protein expression in C. elegans using ELISAs. Then, network pharmacology was used to determine the mechanism of action. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System platform was used to investigate prescription patterns, core drugs, and optimum combinations of hypoglycemic TCMFs for AD. ResultsSixteen hypoglycemic TCMFs prolonged the PT50 (half paralysis time) of the CL4176 strain of C. elegans, reduced the percentage of worms paralyzed. The results of network pharmacology showed that prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) are main targets of hypoglycemic TCMFs. Enriched pathway analysis showed that the cholinergic receptor-related pathway was the core pathway of hypoglycemic TCMFs. According to the “four qi and five flavors” system of TCM theory, the main pharmacological qualities were “cold” and “sweet.” Through the analysis by TCMISS, we found that Huangqi-Gegen drug pair as the significant Chinese herbs of hypoglycemic TCMFs. The Huangqi–Gegen pairing had the most robust therapeutic effect when delivered at a 2:1 (v/v) ratio. It reduced the paralysis caused by 5-HT, decreased protein expression of AChE and PTGS2, and reduced Aβ deposition in the brain of the CL2006 strain of C. elegans. ConclusionsHuangqi–Gegen is a promising treatment of AD, and its mechanism may be induced by suppressing the protein production of AChE and PTGS2, reducing 5-HT intake, and then decreasing Aβ deposition.

Family Medicine Implementation to Maternal and Child Health in Rural Japan: A Narrative Review.

This research provides a critical narrative review of maternal and child health (MCH) in rural Japan, reflecting broader challenges faced by aging societies globally. The study explores the intertwined roles of professional and lay care in sustaining rural communities, emphasizing the unique position of family medicine and primary care in enhancing MCH services. The scarcity of healthcare resources, particularly the shortage of obstetricians and the weakening of traditional community support systems, underscores the challenges in these areas. Our review method involved a comprehensive search of PubMed for articles published from April 2000 to August 2024, focusing on MCH issues in rural Japan. This study highlights several critical gaps in rural MCH provision: the migration of medical professionals to urban centers, the transformation of social structures affecting traditional caregiving, and the lack of specialized MCH training among primary care physicians. We discuss potential solutions such as incentivizing obstetric care in rural areas, integrating MCH education within family medicine curricula, and revitalizing community-based support systems. By addressing these issues, the research aims to formulate actionable strategies to bolster MCH services, thus ensuring better health outcomes and sustainability of rural communities in Japan and similar settings worldwide.

Managing the Needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Mainstream Rural Schools: An Ethnopsychology Informed Approach

Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in mainstream rural schools encounter unique challenges stemming from loss, economic instability, and disrupted familial structures. Addressing their needs demands a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach. This paper thus explored the use of an ethnopsychology framework to understand and address the diverse needs of rural children, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive interventions in mainstream schools. It also evaluated the effectiveness of ethnopsychological interventions and the role of community collaboration. This article used secondary data sources to understand how the ethnopsychology approach can be utilized as a potential sustainable intervention strategy for the needs of OVC in mainstream rural schools. The results show that OVC are well-served by the cultural resources that rural schools have in abundance from a cultural perspective. The study also emphasized the significance of cultural practices and beliefs in influencing community responses and developing resilience in assisting OVC. The study supported the care, protection, and psychosocial support to OVC as significantly influenced by family and relationship networks, community-based organizations, and traditional support systems. The paper made recommendations for improving rural schools’ response to OVC needs in light of cultural sensitivity. These include boosting collaboration between formal and informal support systems, creating community networks, fostering cultural adaptation and preservation, and giving community members more agency through programs that increase their knowledge and skills. This study underscored the significance of ethnopsychology principles of community and social connection in leveraging cultural resources, context-based and responsive interventions, and appreciating and sustaining existing indigenous knowledge systems in understanding and addressing the needs of OVC in mainstream rural schools. Understanding and supporting OVC contributes towards cultivating meaningful collaborations and transformative care of OVC in the Global South. Keywords: Ethnopsychology, Cultural Sensitivity, Rural Community, Mainstream Rural Schools, Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Importance and challenges of integrating BLSS into ECLSS

Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) are a key facet of plans for long term habitats on other celestial bodies. With the Artemis program headed to the moon and SpaceX pushing towards Mars the roadmap is about 10–20 years. Therefore it is vital to consider how BLSS will work with the traditional physicochemical Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). Biological systems are complicated. Their inputs and outputs cannot be turned on and off the way physicochemical systems can. Therefore the accurate monitoring and prediction of these systems is fundamental to integrating the BLSS into the life support system as a whole. This paper will summarize the history of BLSS research, the system requirements for integrating a BLSS into the ECLSS, and the research needed to meet these requirements. As the world looks towards the future of humans living on other celestial bodies, there is a lot of work to do to support keeping them safe and healthy. Bioregenerative Life Support Systems have potential to provide massive support, if they are effectively integrated with the physicochemical systems.

Донорское движение в Москве в 1950–1970-е гг.: по документам Центрального государственного архива города Москвы

The article is devoted to a little-studied topic in Russian research circles - the history of gratuitous blood donation in the capital under the auspices of the Moscow City Committee of the Red Cross Society (MCC RCRS) in 1950-1970s. The donor movement for several decades has come a long way from spontaneously initiated events to the formation of a sustainable community of donors with its traditional actions, support and motivation system. The work actualizes the problem of development of the sectoral sphere of volunteer efforts application - gratuitous blood donation - from the historical point of view. The systematic and planned development of the donor movement of the MCC RCRS allowed to increase the donor activity of the capital's population, to form the ideology of socially significant practice with its key principles and the culture of responsible behavior of citizens. The MCC RCRS used a wide arsenal of organizational forms of social mobilization of citizens on a voluntary basis to attract the attention of the capital's residents to the problems of regularity and gratuitousness of donations. The article describes the measures of social support of donors that proved their effectiveness in practice. The joint activity of the MCC RCRS, district committees and primary branches with blood services, health care institutions in close contact with the authorities was the key to the successful fulfillment of the planned obligations to involve Soviet citizens in the ranks of gratuitous donors of the capital in the 1950-1970s. The empirical basis of the study was formed by the archival materials of the Central State Archive of Moscow, many of which the author introduces into scientific circulation for the first time. Of particular interest is the office work documentation of the MCC RCRS (transcripts, reports, annual activity reports, orders, circulars, decisions and resolutions), diverse in nature and content. The methodological basis for a comprehensive study was the principles of systematicity, historicism, objectivity, as well as the integrated use of a wide range of sources, generally accepted in historical science, which allowed us to consider the development of the gratuitous donor movement in Moscow in the conditions of specific-historical determinism, social conditionality and consistency of its design. Taking into account the historical experience of development of gratuitous donation is relevant nowadays in the process of solving both modern and prospective problems of the Russian health care system. Besides, it is in demand by the All-Russian public movement "Medical Volunteers" and the Russian Red Cross in the conditions of implementation of volunteer programs, volunteer initiatives and projects of development of the domestic blood service.

New Patterns for Low-income Families - A model for comprehensive and coordinated efforts.

Background: In Norway, more than one out of ten children grow up in poverty. Poverty and its consequences are often transferred across generations. Services to these families are seldom integrated and coordinated. We lack knowledge about the complexity they face and how measures should be organized to reach all family members. “New patterns” is a model for comprehensive and coordinated efforts for families with children who struggle with persistent low income and where the family experiences complex challenges.
 Aims: The aim was to develop a cross-sectoral service model to coordinate services for integrated health and social carefor poor families, to prevent transfer of low income and the accompanying social, economic, and health-related consequences across generations. 
 Methods: In New Patterns a multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners/social workers has searched for best practice and included findings from a pilot study where families expressed frustration and powerlessness because no one addressed the “whole picture” of their situation. Based on these findings the New patterns-model was developed. 
 We have employed a project design where evaluation and implementation function as simultaneous and reinforcing processes, inspired by the framework Effectiveness-implementation Hybrid Designs (1). The model has continuously been developed based on the experiences and feedbacks from participating families and practitioners. Dialogue with local and national policymakers and professionals has been an important part of the implementation process. 
 Results: In New Patterns a family coordinator is responsible for close follow-up of children and adults in 10 families over a period of 5 years. Follow-up includes services from different sectors, i.e., culture, education, health- and social services, and volunteer organizations. The family coordinator preforms a detailed mapping of the family`s needs, and together with the family develop a family plan enabling appropriate help and needed services. Through systematic mapping, close follow-up over time, practical and social support, and coordinator skills, the family coordinator develops trust-based relationships that provide new insight into the challenges and optimize the use of instruments in the traditional support system. 
 We have identified 10 effective elements in the family coordinator's follow-up of the participating families. These elements are illustrated in a Logic map, which shows the connection between follow-up and goal achievement, in short and long term, and the elements that must be present to succeed. The model enables integrated health care and social care to families with complex challenges. New Patterns is implemented in 10 municipalities in Norway, including 200 families.
 Conclusion: The family coordinator works with the family in the family’s everyday life, including home visits and accompanying the family members to meetings with relevant collaborating services. The intervention does not introduce new services but coordinates optimal use of existing municipal welfare services. The New Patterns model is relevant for other target groups with complex challenges and were the health and welfare systems struggle to provide integrated care to all family members.
 1.Curran GM,Bauer M,Mittman B,Pyne JM,Stetler C. Effectiveness-implementation Hybrid Designs: Combining Elements of Clinical Effectiveness and Implementation Research to Enhance Public Health Impact. Med Care. 2012;50(3):217-26. DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e3182408812 

Justice metamorphosis: Moving from reactive to proactive strategies to remotely protect families from intimate partner violence

AbstractThe pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote access to courts through e‐filing and virtual hearings. Concurrently, courts experienced an increase in intimate partner violence cases due in part to heightened stress during the pandemic. Virtual technology became crucial for individuals seeking relief from harm when traditional support systems were limited. However, remote proceedings lack the personal connection found in‐person, making it challenging to handle complex cases involving parenting and intimate partner violence. Courts must strike a balance between protecting parents and children from abuse and ensuring due process and appropriate parenting time for the accused party. Some courts have considered the user experience in intimate partner violence and parenting cases, but as remote justice become the norm, it is essential for all courts to evaluate and refine the tools, policies, and procedures put in place during the emergency response to the pandemic to be more proactive in supporting court users. State courts in Kansas, North Carolina, and Arizona are cited as examples for efforts to enhance remote justice efficiency and quality in these cases involving intimate partner violence and parenting. Further research is recommended to explore the challenges and possibilities of using virtual technology in these situations.

Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities: A Multifaceted Study on the Experiences of Senior Citizen Migrants in Urban Areas of Punjab, Pakistan

This comprehensive research explores the urban experiences of elderly migrants in Punjab, Pakistan, providing insights into the obstacles and possibilities they face. The study employs a comprehensive approach to investigate various aspects of the mobility of elderly individuals, taking into account social, economic, and cultural factors. Its objective is to uncover the challenges that seniors encounter when adjusting to urban life while acknowledging the potential benefits and opportunities associated with their relocation. This is achieved by examining the perspectives of senior citizens. The research utilized qualitative research design and case study methodology for data collection. The results reveal that senior citizen migrants in urban Punjab face significant obstacles, including social isolation, limited healthcare access, and financial difficulties. Navigating unfamiliar urban environments, these individuals often face with social isolation, leading to a sense of alienation. The challenges are compounded by restricted access to high-quality healthcare, impacting their overall well-being. Furthermore, in urban settings, traditional support systems may weaken, potentially affecting financial stability and exacerbating economic constraints. The insights from the study can guide the development of policies and interventions aimed at improving the welfare of this demographic in urban areas.

Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on financial health and food security in Nigeria: A survey‐based analysis

This study investigates the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on the health, food security and financial lives of Nigerian households. The data for the study were collected from 813 households from the six geo‐political zones in Nigeria using a questionnaire and the results were analysed using descriptive statistics and andordinal logistic regression model. The ordinal regression model is appropriate for regression results with ordinal scales as the dependent variable. The findings reveal that the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected households' personal savings significantly. The majority of the households' healthcare financing is borne out of their personal income and savings in the absence of a health insurance scheme. Households experiencing worsening financial status largely did not have food during the pandemic. Many households have a positive expectation that they will recover from the unfavourable financial condition they are currently experiencing and there is a strong traditional support system existing in the localities during the study period. Furthermore, food insecurity during the pandemic was significantly occasioned by an increase in prices, a fall in income, adverse financial well‐being and insufficient welfare benefit provisions. The study recommends, amongst others, the need to urgently enhance the economic and financial well‐being of the Nigerian populace to guide against the devastating impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on food security in Nigerian households.This can be achieved through robust fiscal and monetary policy mix in ensuring sustained development trajectory.

Study on cultural representations in mental health and psychosocial support in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo

IntroductionIn the Ituri region of eastern DRC, Djugu territory has been the epicenter of violent clashes in 2020 and significant displacement since 2017. An initial assessment conducted by Action Contre la Faim (ACF) in January 2021 showed a significant level of psychological distress among 85% of respondents. Following this finding, an emergency response was proposed with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the psychological state of men, women, boys and girls affected by displacement and conflict while strengthening their psychological resilience. As part of this response, prior to the intervention, the NGO conducted a study on the representations of mental health and psychosocial needs as well as locally existing support mechanisms.ObjectivesThe study aimed to better understand the cultural dimension of the perception of mental health and psychological suffering as well as the use of traditional care or support systems. This will allow for better adaptation of clinical approaches to psychosocial intervention as well as the identification of risks incurred by communities in the context of mental health programming, in a context of inter-community tensions, and the development of mitigation measures, co-constructed with the targeted communities.MethodsAn analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to the local perception of mental health issues and pre-existing community support mechanisms was conducted using a mixed methodology. A quantitative approach was used to estimate the prevalence of psychological/psychiatric pathologies present in the intervention area and relate it to known data in the country. This was complemented by qualitative data collection including semi-structured interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with community members (adult men and women) as well as health workers, legal and customary authorities, religious leaders, community leaders, traditional practitioners, humanitarian actors, etc.Results12 interviews, 8 focus group discussions and 316 questionnaires confirmed the high rates of distress in the community surveyed.The cultural representations of mental suffering were better understood (i.e. the origin of suffering and mental illness is exogenous and a spiritual cause is often evoked: witchcraft, curse, divine punishment). Resilience factors (the most resilient would be children and women) and local support mechanisms have been identified, notably in religious leaders.A very strong group cohesion and solidarity was highlighted.ConclusionsThis study helped to understand the issues related to a mental health care and psychosocial support proposal. This type of study is fundamental to culturally adapting care in humanitarian aid contexts. Concrete details of adaptation will be presented as an example.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Arctic Uluses of Yakutia in Natural Emergencies: Social Challenges and Experience of Confrontation

The subject of the study is to identify the social aspects of the impact of global climate change on the safety of life and life support of the population of the Arctic zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The article examines the dangerous hydrological, meteorological, agrometeorological and geophysical phenomena caused by these changes, which caused natural emergencies that occurred in the Arctic uluses (districts) of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) over the past ten years. Special attention is paid to the dangerous hydrological phenomena that had the character of catastrophic floods in the studied chronological period. General scientific methods of dialectical, comparative-system, structural-level analysis were used. State reports on the state and environmental protection of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for 2010-2020, documents of the republican departmental and municipal archives, statistical data are used as sources. The social risks, impact, and economic damage caused by extreme flood processes, forest fires, heavy snowfall, and other natural disasters to settlements and residents of the Arctic have been identified. It is emphasized that natural and climatic changes and related emergencies multiply and exacerbate the existing social, economic and environmental problems of the indigenous peoples of the North and, thus, can be recognized as a threat to the safety of their livelihoods. A set of measures is proposed to reduce the impact of the negative consequences of climate change and, above all, the occurrence of natural emergencies, on the socio-economic development, health and traditional life support systems of the population of the Yakut Arctic.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Children Safe Spaces (Children's Corners) on the Lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: A Case of Chanyungu Children's Corner in Machinga District

The HIV and AIDS epidemic is exerting the pressure on the immediate and extended family that the traditional care and support system has been stretched to the limit. Despite this, the family and the community are still the best providers of care and support to children. In response to the negative effects that children are facing, Government of Malawi introduced children’s corners as a community-based structure that, if properly implemented, can offer community parenting to address some of the children’s challenges. 
 In exploring the effectiveness of these child safe spaces (children’s corners) on the psychosocial lives of orphans and vulnerable children, this study will be carried out in Chanyungu Village in Machinga District - Malawi. The researcher has an assumption of that children’s corners help to bring change in the lives of children such that if the programs are more targeted on the vulnerable children they can help to reverse the impact of vulnerability.
 This research will try to establish that vulnerable children acquire adequate information from children’s corners and it is this information that will help them change behaviour because they interact with their peers and share experiences. Previous studies done in other countries has also found that effective interventions such as peer education, resilience building are needed to help the vulnerable children maintain coping skills on challenges of life.

Moving Together

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent floods in New Orleans, traditional community networks and support systems were in shambles. As neo-liberal forces moved in to privatize vast swaths of society, a clash over gentrification within the city quickly set in. Newcomers to the city pushed former residents – especially Black citizens – out of their traditional neighbourhoods and simultaneously instigated cultural battles locals viewed as anathema to their understanding of home. Amid these disputes, Junebug Theatre company, the oldest Black theatre company in the city, launched a series of solidarity building artistic engagement programmes entitled Homecoming Project to educate the public on local histories. Using Black feminist theories of solidarity, I theorize this project as embodied ‘rememory’ work, utilizing Toni Morrison’s conception of rememory ‘as in recollecting and remembering as in reassembling.’ In working with community members to collect memories and then instilling audiences with these experiences through a neighbourhood-based second-line (a traditional New Orleans roaming dance and music performance that has roots in the city’s jazz funeral tradition), Homecoming Project works as an embodied memory machine. Across the Homecoming Project performances, I articulate how the project built a ‘spirit of solidarity’: a frame I develop to articulate the process of ritual-based group solidarity that acknowledges inter-group tensions while uniting allies through shared experiences of place.

Primary support optimization of large-span and shallow buried hard rock tunnels based on the active support concept

Considering the large-span underground excavation subway station of Qingdao Metro Line 6 of China for analysis, it is necessary to optimize the traditional support system by investigating relevant codes and other tunnel projects. Based on the active support concept, a high prestressed rock bolt support system is proposed, and the optimization direction is defined to apply a high prestress force to rock bolts, increasing the appropriate spacing between supporting arches and strengthening support at key parts such as the large arch foot area, sidewalls and junctions. Numerical calculations and field monitoring are performed to analyze and evaluate the new support system. Numerical simulation results show that the new support system can effectively improve the stress state of the surrounding rock; the tensile stress area markedly decreases in size or disappears; and the plastic area also decreases in size. Field monitoring results show that the settlement of the arch crown is concentrated at 2–5 mm and the deformation rates are less than 0.5 mm/day. The supporting arches, shotcrete and rock bolts are all less than the yield strength and a high safety reserve. These results verify the safety and rationality of the proposed support system, which can be used as a reference for similar projects.