Private Space Research Articles

Slip Resistance (Friction) and Safe Walk Characteristics of Selected Shoe Soles on Floor Tiles in Nigeria

Slip-related accidents represent a significant public safety concern, particularly in environments where flooring may be exposed to various contaminants. This research investigates the slip resistance characteristics of selected shoe soles on different types of local floor tiles, employing the British Pendulum Tester (BPT) under diverse conditions, including: dry, sandy, wet, soapy, and oily surfaces. The study aims to provide quantitative data on friction coefficients to comprehensively assess the performance of different shoe sole and tile combinations. The results indicate varying levels of slip resistance across the tested combinations, with some shoe soles demonstrating superior performance under specific conditions. For instance, Poly-Urethane soles consistently showed higher friction coefficients in both dry and contaminated conditions, suggesting their suitability for environments prone to slip hazards. Conversely, certain tiles exhibited lower slip resistance when exposed to water and oily substances, highlighting the need for careful selection of both footwear and flooring materials in safety-critical applications. The findings underscore the importance of considering environmental factors in evaluating footwear performance, providing practical implications for improving safety standards in public and private spaces. The data generated from this research can inform recommendations for better footwear design, floor tile selection, and maintenance practices to mitigate slip hazards effectively. This study emphasizes the significance of evidence-based approaches in enhancing slip resistance standards, advocating for ongoing research and industry collaboration to ensure continuous improvement in safety protocols.

Conversational Agents to Facilitate Deliberation on Harmful Content in WhatsApp Groups

WhatsApp groups have become a hotbed for the propagation of harmful content including misinformation, hate speech, polarizing content, and rumors, especially in Global South countries. Given the platform's end-to-end encryption, moderation responsibilities lie on group admins and members, who rarely contest such content. Another approach is fact-checking, which is unscalable, and can only contest factual content (e.g., misinformation) but not subjective content (e.g., hate speech). Drawing on recent literature, we explore deliberation---open and inclusive discussion---as an alternative. We investigate the role of a conversational agent in facilitating deliberation on harmful content in WhatsApp groups. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 Indian WhatsApp users, employing a design probe to showcase an example agent. Participants expressed the need for anonymity and recommended AI assistance to reduce the effort required in deliberation. They appreciated the agent's neutrality but pointed out the futility of deliberation in echo chamber groups. Our findings highlight design tensions for such an agent, including privacy versus group dynamics and freedom of speech in private spaces. We discuss the efficacy of deliberation using deliberative theory as a lens, compare deliberation with moderation and fact-checking, and provide design recommendations for future such systems. Ultimately, this work advances CSCW by offering insights into designing deliberative systems for combating harmful content in private group chats on social media.

IRIS2: Asserting Autonomy in the New Space Age

In the burgeoning space-scape of the New Space Age, the European Union (EU) has embarked on a quest to fortify its dominion over space communication systems through the ‘Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite’ (IRIS2) constellation, under the auspices of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme. This paper explores the sovereignty motivations of the EU, the precipitated legal issues arising from participation of European private space actors and the exclusion of non-European competitors in the building and operation of the IRIS2 constellation, and ramifications on the EU’s sovereignty prerogative. By addressing these complexities, this paper seeks to enrich the understanding of the interplay between commercial actors, sovereignty of space systems, the operational legal and contractual approaches to liability, and provide a glimpse into how the EU has embarked on asserting autonomy in these challenging circumstances.

Reframing Higher Ed Spaces and Belonging

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in changes to higher education, including how campus spaces are used and defined. Institutional pivots to meet health and safety protections impacted the way we think about public and private spaces in lasting ways. The end of the acute emergency presents an opportunity for colleges and universities to reflect about the physical and virtual student experience to cultivate a renewed sense of place and belonging. Campus spaces have historically been linked to students’ sense of belonging, which correlates with student engagement and academic success. Over generations, higher education has been shaped by social factors, evolving to become more equitable and inclusive. Campus spaces are now physical and virtual, and the COVID-19 endemic period presents an opening for higher education to recenter a student’s sense of belonging in community-based locations, physical campus spaces, and virtual learning environments.

The Infringement of Deepfake Technology on Personal Privacy and Legal Protection: A Discussion Based on Article 1032 of the Civil Code

The rapid development of deepfake technology has infringed upon personal privacy in the form of the disclosure and misuse of personal information, infringement upon the peace of people's life, and damage to personal image and reputation. The disclosure and misuse of personal information should be analysed from the perspectives of personal use and commercial use of information data; infringement upon the peace of people's life should be examined from the perspectives of fraud and harassment, and malicious pursuit using deepfake technology; and damage to personal image and reputation should be discussed from the two levels of initial damage to personal image and reputation and aggravated damage to personal reputation after dissemination through the media. Article 1032 of the Civil Code clearly defines the scope of privacy protection as the peace of people's private life, private space, private activities and private information, as well as the infringement of privacy rights through means such as spying, intrusion, disclosure and publication, which reflects the legislative inertia to strengthen the protection of privacy and personal information. Article 1032 of the Civil Code, the Personal Information Protection Law, the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet-based Information Services, and other laws and regulations together form the current personal privacy protection system. However, existing laws do not provide specific explanations for key terms such as 'leakage', 'intrusion' and 'damage', which leads to uncertainty in the application of the law and makes it difficult to effectively protect personal privacy in actual operations. At the same time, there is a lack of clear definitions of the scenarios and specific standards of behaviour that the technology may involve, which has exacerbated public concerns about personal privacy security. Strengthening legal protection against deepfake technology requires refining legal concepts and drawing on knowledge from comparative law: 'leakage' can be considered the illegal acquisition and dissemination of unauthorised data and information, 'intrusion' can be defined as behaviour that disrupts the normal order of others and causes mental distress, and 'damage' can be understood as behaviour that causes negative evaluation or loss to the image, reputation or property of others. The legislative department should take the lead and cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in formulating specific standards for evaluating behaviour. The deterrent effect of the law should be strengthened by refining relevant legal provisions in the Civil Code and the Personal Information Protection Law and increasing the penalties for violations of the law. This will better balance technological development and personal privacy protection and improve China's personal privacy protection system.

Scent and Space: Navigating Smell Interactions in Public, Private, and Virtual Spaces

Scent and Space: Navigating Smell Interactions in Public, Private, and Virtual Spaces

Integration of an IoT sensor with angle-of-arrival-based angle measurement in AGV navigation: A reliability study

Automated guided vehicle (AGV), which was initially designed for indoor operations in industry, has been increasingly applied in outdoor heavy-duty logistics tasks. In typical navigation tasks, such as the autonomous tracking of a designated object or a person, relative angle and relative distance between AGV and the target is required. To obtain the necessary information, various on-board sensors are extensively integrated. In this paper, the reliability of measuring the relative angle with the Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) method with two different Internet of Things (IoT) sensor sets from Texas Instrument (TI) and u-blox, according to Bluetooth 5.1 was investigated. The performance of IoT sensors was validated with angle accuracy parameters and received signal strength indicator (RSSI). The better IoT sensor was then integrated into the AGV navigation system, and the information gathered from IoT sensor enabled the AGV to turn toward the direction of the target. The process of AGV turning to the targeted direction based on IoT sensor information was respectively tested in the simulation and actual environment and evaluated by the disparity between the real relative angle and the rotation angle of the AGV. The results showed that this disparity was within ±5° in both simulated and actual environments, and methods for higher accuracy were proposed. In this way, the reliability and performance of Angle of Arrival (AoA) sensors in measuring the relative angle, which remains unexplored by other researchers, was systematically assessed contributing to extending the usability of AoA sensors in complex, real-world applications.

Community Engagement in the Management of Urban Green Spaces: Prospects from a Case Study in an Emerging Economy

Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in cities, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions such as the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP). However, significant challenges related to equitable management and access persist, often exacerbated by socio-environmental inequalities. While much of the existing literature on UGS management focuses on developed economies, there is a gap in our understanding of how community engagement influences UGS outcomes in emerging economies, which face unique socio-economic and infrastructural constraints. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of community engagement on UGS management in the MRSP, specifically examining how increased participation correlates with improved UGS access and reduced socio-environmental inequality. Utilizing survey data from 33 municipal environmental departments across the MRSP, this research applied correlation tests, generalized linear models, and a non-parametric analysis of variance to evaluate the relationships between community engagement, UGS coverage, and inequality. The findings reveal a moderate positive correlation between community engagement and UGS coverage, alongside a negative correlation with socio-environmental inequality. Increased levels of community participation were associated with greater access to UGSs and a reduction in disparities across socio-economic groups. These results underscore the potential of fostering community involvement in UGS management to promote urban equity and environmental sustainability in emerging economies, particularly through institutional support and transparent information sharing. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term effects of sustained community engagement and incorporate qualitative data from community members to provide a more comprehensive analysis of participatory processes. Additionally, expanding the scope of analysis to include informal and private green spaces will offer a more holistic understanding of urban greening dynamics.

Idaho libraries to provide private spaces for SUD telehealth treatment

Called the “Third Space Project,” Idaho libraries will provide space for telehealth treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), with an emphasis on serving rural and high‐need communities. The state Division of Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder Unit is leading the project in partnership with the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL), with funding by a $500,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act's 2021 Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant supplemental.

Communicative Skills in Medical Students

Positive interaction between the doctor and the patient affects the treatment outcome, as well as the level of satisfaction with healthcare services. Many young doctors experience communicative issues that can lead to negative consequences for all stakeholders. The research featured various problems in shaping communicative skills in medical students. It involved a review of scientific publications, a survey of first-year medical students (n = 20), and an analysis of 40 negative feedbacks from patients. The communicative issues included: lack of eye contact / active listening, misleading mimics, inappropriate intonation / voice volume, violation of private space, insufficient or excessive amount of information, lack of bedside manners / respect for patients. The list of communication skills to be mastered by medical students in order to improve the quality of medical care included: eye contact, self-presentation, active listening, conflict management, strategies of delivering bad news, and conclusion phrases. The data obtained make it possible to identify key aspects that affect the formation of communicative skills in future doctors, as well as to propose methods for its improvement at university level. The authors emphasize the importance of developing communicative skills in future doctors to provide high-quality medical care and prevent emotional burnout in young professionals.

Private spaces in public places: Comfort stations, fitting rooms, public baths, and locker rooms in America, 1880–1930 By Laura WalikainenRouleau, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. 2023. pp. 136. ISBN: 978‐1‐4214‐4999‐9

Private spaces in public places: Comfort stations, fitting rooms, public baths, and locker rooms in America, 1880–1930 By Laura WalikainenRouleau, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. 2023. pp. 136. ISBN: 978‐1‐4214‐4999‐9

Dual-Use “New Space”: US Experience

The article explores the growing involvement of private space companies in military activities, with a primary focus on the United States. It delves into the specific contributions of private entities to national defense missions, particularly in the militarization of outer space. The authors analyze the strategic interests of government agencies in integrating non-state actors to enhance space capabilities, such as communication, Earth observation, situational awareness, and in-orbit servicing. The paper also assesses the potential implications of these trends for international security, highlighting the complexities that arise from the blurred lines between civil and military space operations. It points to the creation of the U.S. Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR), an initiative aimed at enhancing defense through commercial space partnerships, and discusses the operational and strategic challenges of managing vast satellite constellations. Additionally, the article reflects on the security risks posed by the militarization of commercial space infrastructure, examining the potential consequences for geopolitical stability and the future of space conflict management. Finally, it suggests that further research and regulatory measures are necessary to mitigate the military threats linked to the New Space

Muslim Tatars in the Kama area sketches by K.F. Goon

The subject of the research in the article is the visual materials of the 1862-1863, reflecting the features of the costume complex of the Volga-Ural Tatars and its images depending on the time, theoretical and practical knowledge about the peoples living in a certain region and the representation of material heritage, through the socio-cultural perception of the artist K.F. Gun. Based on the results of the work, it was revealed that the artist executed the images in urban and rural settlements, designated class differences through the features of the costume complex - the materials used, multi-part headdresses and their differences from each other, decorative elements and ornaments. He was the first to distinguish between the differences in clothing that existed in private and public spaces, and actualized it in the images he created where the characteristic features of gender and age differences were revealed by the pictures of the costumes. However, it is necessary to highlight the controversial points in the images that were found in the works of K.F. Gun – atypical headdresses, analogues of which have not survived in museums or private collections; errors in administrative-territorial division, when the artist sketched the same people in different provinces, according to his signatures; confusion in peoples, for example - the ambiguous costume complex of the starokryashen Tatars (the Baptized Tatars), closer to the clothing of the Votyaks (Udmurts).

RFID Occupied Advanced Framework for Specialized Vehicle Access, Operating System, and Wireless Data Transmission Without Human Intervention

RFID tags are tiny electronic devices that include a distinctive code that can be detected by a reader that supports RFID. The string of characters is used for recognizing and monitoring the object to which the tag is connected. RFID tags interact with RFID readers using radio frequency. While the tag comes into close proximity to the scanner, that device sends a radio signal that triggers the tag. The tag then responds by sending its unique identity. RFID pinpointing ability is verified experimentally in two different techniques, one utilizing radar and the other a photosensitive transition. The initial phase is intended to test if the continuously changing location provided from RFID tags equals the precise position recorded by sonar. It is also excellent for getting into parking lots, private spaces, professional parking spots, and offices quickly and easily. The implementation of RFID will bring a revolutionary transformation in the authorization, administration, correspondence, computerization, and security systems for specialized vehicle Access, Operating System, and Wireless Data Transmission without Human Intervention using an internet based wireless communication system. RFID vehicular registration is an authentication system which employs RFID readers to give authorization for automobiles. The technique normally consists of installing a reader with RFID technology at the entrance/exit entrance to an enclosed or a limited region. RFID scanning can deliver efficient techniques for transportation administration, making the process straightforward, dependable, as well as secure.

Assessing the Principle of Equitable Access versus Non-Appropriation in the Era of Mega-Constellations

In the 21st century, mega-constellations and interconnected satellite constellations deployed at various orbital altitudes, such as LEO, MEO, and GEO, with low Earth orbits (LEOs) being the most commonly used, have emerged as a trend, aiming to enhance the productivity and reduce the costs in space service delivery. The UNOOSA has noted the uncertainty in the exact number of satellites but conducted simulations based on a substantial sample, projecting a significant increase from the 2075 satellites recorded in orbit in 2018. This surge in the launch of mega-constellations poses profound challenges to existing international space laws, originally formulated with limited consideration for private space actors, who are increasingly engaging in space activities, particularly with the cost-effective utilization of mega-constellations. This study critically analyzes the compatibility of mega-constellations with the current international space laws by examining the applicability of mega-constellations concerning equitable access and the non-appropriation principle, addressing their potential occupation of substantial orbital spaces during activities, and analyzing whether the acquisition of orbital slot licenses violates these two principles. Following an in-depth analysis, this study proposes recommendations to amend the existing laws, aiming to resolve ambiguities and address emerging challenges. Recognizing the time-consuming process of amending international space laws, this study suggests practical recommendations for supplementary rules of the road, prompting reflection on the potential obsolescence of the current international space laws in the face of evolving space activities.

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.

Sociodemographic factors associated with the level of citizen insecurity in the Peruvian population

Introduction: Citizen insecurity is a complex, multidimensional and multi-causal social problem, defined as the spaces where people feel insecure mainly due to organized crime in all nations that suffer from it. Objective: To analyzes the sociodemographic factors associated with public insecurity in a Peruvian population. Methodology: The research employed a non-experimental, quantitative design with a descriptive and cross-sectional approach. A total of 11,116, citizens participated, ranging from 18 to 85 years old (young adults, adults, and the elderly), of both sexes, and with any occupation, education level, and marital status. The study employed purposive non-probability sampling to select the participants. Results: More than 50% of the population feels unsafe, in public and private spaces. All analyzed sociodemographic variables (p < 0.05), showing distinctions in the perception of citizen insecurity based on age, gender, marital status, occupation, area of residence, and education level. It was determined that young, single students, who had not experienced a criminal event and reside in urban areas, regardless of gender, perceive a greater sense of insecurity. Contribution: The study is relevant due to the generality of the results in a significant sample, demonstrating that the study contributes to understanding how various elements of the socioeconomic and demographic context can influence the way in which individuals perceive insecurity in their communities, likewise, the perception of citizen insecurity directly affects the general well-being and quality of life of residents, influencing their behaviors and attitudes towards coexistence and public policies; which will help implement more effective actions in the sector to reduce crime rates.

A biosecurity perspective on urban trees in public and private spaces and trees available from nurseries

Urban trees are of high importance for healthy urban ecosystems. However, some trees are invasive plants that may ‘escape’ from urban areas into natural environments. Furthermore, invasive forest pests often arrive and establish in urban environments before they spread to forest ecosystems. Therefore, knowledge of tree species composition in urban areas is important for the biosecurity of cities and surrounding forests. Despite this, urban tree inventories often lack information on trees on private properties. To assess the potential role of urban areas as a source of invasive trees as well as invasive pests of trees, we compared the species composition of urban trees in public and private spaces in several Swiss cities and in tree nurseries (henceforth: ‘nurseries’) in Switzerland. We analysed the various data sets we compiled regarding invasive tree species, and examined how many trees are potential hosts for invasive quarantine pests of trees. We found no statistically significant difference in tree species composition in public and private urban areas, but the proportion of non-native trees was higher in private than in public spaces. Tree species available in nurseries and those present in cities were not significantly different, with larger urban tree inventories having a greater overlap with the species available in nurseries. Five of eight tree species considered invasive whose sale was banned since September 2024 were still on sale ten months before the ban came into force. All eight tree species were present in urban tree inventories. Importantly, between 91 % and 97 % of all urban trees in public and private spaces were suitable hosts for at least one quarantine forest pest. Given the pivotal role that urban trees play for the health of urban and peri-urban ecosystems, knowledge of tree species composition is essential from a biosecurity perspective. Our findings suggest that the combination of public urban tree inventories and trees available from nurseries can provide an estimate of the composition of private urban trees and can be useful for invasive species monitoring.

Beyond the screen: student experiences of social connection in a hybrid university learning environment

ABSTRACT Social connection is hard to measure but significant in the learning process. With universities adopting digitally-orientated approaches, new approaches are required to manage student social connection in university campuses on-site and online. Employing placemaking theories to address people-place-technology relations, this article presents a multi-methods qualitative study of a hybrid-style master’s class in Switzerland. It examines how students build or maintain social connections through three indicators: socialising, support, and belonging. Data from questionnaires, observations, focus groups, and interviews were collected over one semester. Findings indicate that informal and private spaces, both physical and virtual, influence social connections. While students preferred in-person interaction, technology helped sustain networks when face-to-face meetings were less feasible. This highlights the importance of integrating communication technologies in universities and offering informal and private spaces on physical and digital campuses. Through these findings, this research enhances understanding of digital university cultures for an increasingly online student population.

Online Abuse, Emotion Work and Sports Journalism

ABSTRACT This article generates new insights into the changing profession of journalism. Empirically, we present the findings of 21 interviews with journalists working in the Irish and UK sports beats on their experiences of online abuse. Conceptually, we address the under-theorising of emotions in journalism by extending the utility and entanglement of emotion work and emotional labour. In doing so, we posit future lines of theoretical enquiry about individual and social regulation. Several key discoveries are presented. First, sports journalism is a distinctive profession because significant authentic emotional work is undertaken. This is only accentuated when online abuse occurs. Journalists are deeply affected by this abuse, personally and professionally. Second, online abuse towards sports journalists is now so ubiquitous as to be habitually accepted, and it has obscured the distinction between public and private spaces. Third, in response, sports journalists have been compelled to develop their own emotional strategies, including self-censorship, to cope with and manage online abuse. The findings presented here also pose practical and existential questions about the sustainability of the profession, especially in the absence of formal institutional supports or even an informal code of practice about how to cope with and respond to online abuse.