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.
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.
OBJECTIVE:This study aims to 1) explore experiences of ethnic minority patients and their relatives regarding shared decision making (SDM) in oncological hospital care, alongside healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of engaging in SDM with ethnic minority patients; 2) identify opportunities to improve SDM for ethnic minorities in oncology, if needed, by linking the findings to a previously developed value structure. METHODS:For this purpose, we interviewed ethnic minority patients (n = 22), relatives (n = 11), and HCPs (n = 14). Using reflexive thematic analysis, we applied Schwartz's value theory, adapted to the context of SDM, to code and analyze the interviews. RESULTS:From the data, we developed three themes: 1) Factors that empower(ed) and disempower(ed) patients in SDM. Knowledge, skills, and competences of both HCP and patient [i.e. Achievement], support [i.e. Benevolence], and a good HCP-patient relationship [i.e. Security] empower patients. A lack of these three disempowers them; 2) Individualizing treatment decisions. Participants individualized treatment decisions through deliberation, negotiation, and choosing; 3) HCPs' limited insight into patients' context. HCPs experienced this due to a lack of cultural competences and perceived cultural differences. CONCLUSION:SDM for ethnic minorities can be enhanced by strengthening HCPs' cultural competencies, increasing the availability of culturally and linguistically tailored information and support, and fostering ongoing relationship-building efforts. These strategies empower patients, enhance HCPs' insight into ethnic minority patients' context, and contribute to more individualized treatment decisions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:We recommend educational programs to increase HCPs' cultural sensitivity in SDM, developing campaigns to focus more on the needs of ethnic minority populations, and incorporating culturally and linguistically tailored support within hospital systems. Importantly, efforts should avoid overemphasizing cultural differences, as many empowering and disempowering factors also apply to the general population, but should be responsive to cultural aspects where relevant.
