This paper examines the involvement process of youth in financial cybercrime, focusing on preexisting ties and offender convergence settings. Based on interviews with 25 experts, and analysis of five criminal cases, we find that preexisting offline ties remain the most crucial, especially for core group members and money mules. This persistence is likely because such ties foster trust, reducing perceived risks in co-offending. At the same time, virtual offender convergence settings—particularly social media platforms like Telegram groups—appear to be gaining significance. These virtual settings may lower the barrier to entry for financial cybercrime, enabling individuals with limited cybercrime knowledge to engage in illicit activities. In the end, this development may expand the offender pool, enabling more people to enter the cybercriminal world, emphasizing the need for interventions. We discuss theoretical implications, including the need to reconsider how offender convergence settings are conceptualized in digital contexts, and practical strategies to disrupt youth involvement in financial cybercrime.
Sustainable finance has become a central issue across many sectors, including higher education, where universities must balance fiscal responsibility with environmental, social and governance (ESG) imperatives. In this paper, sustainable finance is defined as the systematic integration of ESG criteria into budgeting, investment, procurement and asset management decisions within academic institutions. At the same time, students increasingly demand that universities translate sustainability pledges into ethical and transparent financial practices. The aim of the study is to assess students’ familiarity with sustainable finance concepts and to identify the main educational barriers limiting competence development in this field. A quantitative Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) survey was conducted among students in Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia and the Netherlands. Findings reveal strong student interest in ESG and sustainable finance topics, yet significant shortcomings remain. Respondents observed that ESG content is rarely integrated into curricula, that opportunities for interdisciplinary and practical learning are limited, and that qualified teaching staff are insufficient. These gaps reduce student engagement and represent a missed opportunity for universities to use education as a driver of sustainability. The paper concludes with recommendations to enrich curricula, foster experiential and interdisciplinary learning, and strengthen faculty expertise in order to better align higher education practices with the principles of sustainable finance.
The goal of this study was to better understand pathways into cybercrime and the various stages that young people move through before engaging in criminal hacking behaviors. The study draws on unique data resulting from interviews with 22 criminal hackers from the Netherlands and the UK, of which 15 were caught by the police, and 7 were self-identified criminal hackers. Qualitative analysis revealed that young hackers tend to have early experiences with information technology and remain preoccupied with computers throughout early adolescence. Here, we identified two primary trajectories: one shaped by exposure to online peers via gaming communities, and another characterized by self-directed exploration of computer skills in relative social isolation. Driven by curiosity and intrinsic motivations, young people use readily available information on YouTube, Google and forums to obtain information and develop skills in the field of computers and technology. By means of experimenting and trying out newly acquired knowledge in practice, lines between legal and illegal behaviors blur and young people risk to become involved in crime. Offending behaviors seem to be influenced by various mechanisms, including parental oversight, cognitions and perceptions about ethics, and encouragements from both online and offline peers. They possibly form critical points for intervention and prevention purposes. Over time, offending behaviors can escalate as they contribute to increased reputation among peers or evolve into more materialistic oriented hacking. We encourage quantitative assessments of risk factors and involvement mechanisms for cybercrime offending to validate the underlying patterns identified in the current analysis.
Abstract Wearable light loggers and optical radiation dosimeters are increasingly used in chronobiology and circadian health research, yet their data often lack contextual information (e.g., sleep, activity, environmental conditions) and may be compromised by non-wear periods, compliance issues, or technical faults. To address these limitations, we conducted interviews (n = 21) and a survey (n = 16) with domain experts to distil and iteratively develop auxiliary data and quality-control strategies aimed at improving the accuracy and interpretability of wearable light measurements. From this process, we established a six-domain auxiliary data framework encompassing wear/non-wear logging, sleep monitoring, light-source context, participant behaviour, user experience, and environmental light levels. Survey responses showed strong consensus on the value of auxiliary information (importance 4.0/5), with sleep and wear-time tracking rated as the most essential additions. To support practical adoption, we provide implementation tools, including extensions to the open-source R package LightLogR, enabling streamlined integration of wearable and auxiliary data as well as systematic quality assurance and control. Experts agreed that combining contextual records with rigorous QA/QC procedures substantially improves the reliability of field-collected light-exposure data. These recommendations and tools aim to help researchers in chronobiology, wearable sensing, and health sciences maximise data quality and enhance interpretation in real-world light-exposure studies.
Introduction:Classification in Paralympic sport aims to create a competitive and fair environment by reducing the impact of impairment on the ability to perform sport-specific activities. In wheelchair tennis (WT), current classification criteria largely rely on expert opinion rather than empirical evidence, particularly regarding trunk function. This study investigated the relationship between upper-body strength (arm, trunk) and wheelchair mobility performance in elite WT players to attain evidence-informed classification. Methods:Fifty-one WT players (men, women, and quad division) were assessed during standardized field tests and match play. Upper-body strength was measured using isometric arm and trunk-related force tests, while mobility performance was quantified using inertial sensors, capturing speed, acceleration, and rotational metrics. Associations between strength and mobility performance outcomes were assessed using Pearson/Spearman correlations. Differences between classification-based trunk function groups (0, 1, 2) were explored using T-tests and effect sizes. Results:Correlations between strength and mobility performance were modest (r = 0.26-0.62). Push and pull forces showed the highest associations with sprint and rotational performance (push up to r = 0.54; pull up to r = 0.62). Comparisons between trunk function groups revealed substantial differences, particularly in acceleration and rotation, with large effect sizes (ES = 1.18-2.43) between athletes with full vs. minimal trunk control. Discussion:Trunk function plays a critical role in WT mobility and is underrepresented in the current classification system. Future classification systems should include functional measures that reflect the impact of impairment on sport-specific activities. Particular attention should be given to dynamic trunk movements during acceleration and rotation to ensure a more evidence-based and functionally relevant approach.
