Automated Cybersecurity Compliance and Threat Response Using AI, Blockchain & Smart Contracts

To address the challenges of internal security policy compliance and dynamic threat response in organizations, we present a novel framework that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and smart contracts. We propose a system that automates the enforcement of security policies, reducing manual effort and potential human error. Utilizing AI, we can analyse cyber threat intelligence rapidly, identify non-compliances and automatically adjust cyber defence mechanisms. Blockchain technology provides an immutable ledger for transparent logging of compliance actions, while smart contracts ensure uniform application of security measures. The framework's effectiveness is demonstrated through simulations, showing improvements in compliance enforcement rates and response times compared to traditional methods. Ultimately, our approach provides for a scalable solution for managing complex security policies, reducing costs and enhancing the efficiency while achieving compliance. Finally, we discuss practical implications and propose future research directions to further refine the system and address implementation challenges

A discussion of co-offending behaviours, social bonds and implications for auditing practice, research and pedagogy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide the discussion about the underlying reasons for predicting someone’s willingness to co-offend in fraud. In doing so, as a main question is how are group-based fraudulent activities initiated, and what rationales and motivations do individuals have for engaging in them? Design/methodology/approach The authors collected data through semi-structured interviews. They discussed with several civil servants, in a regional government in Indonesia, about the ways Indonesian civil servants made decisions when they were in normalised fraudulent behaviours. They shared their perspectives and opinions on the pressures and incentives that drive fraudulent actions, as well as the mechanisms through which these behaviours are rationalised and perpetuated within the institutional context. The interviews highlighted the complexity of the issue in Indonesian local governments in general. Findings In the context of co-offending behaviour, the findings suggest that neither reinforcements nor associations, even in combination, are adequate predictors of these behaviours. These factors act as initial triggers in situations that provoke cognitive dissonance, but one’s attitudes towards fraud do not independently motivate law-breaking. The predictive power of individual or social enablers is intertwined with the process of definition or rationalisation. Co-offending behaviours tend to occur and recur in contexts where rationalisations have already been learned and applied. Moreover, the adherence to or rejection of rationalisations favourable to fraud is influenced not just by the consequences of the act but significantly by one’s moral and cognitive readiness to imitate observed behaviours. Therefore, while favourable opportunities may increase the likelihood of co-offending acts, these acts do not inevitably occur without consideration of their moral implications. Originality/value This research significantly contributes to the expansion of fraud theories and models, and managerial/practice for instance by complementing the effectiveness of SAS No. 99 and the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission internal control framework

The Value of Whole‐Face Procedures for the Construction and Naming of Identifiable Likenesses for Recall‐Based Methods of Facial‐Composite Construction

Traditional methods of facial-composite construction rely on a witness recalling features of an offender’s face. We assess the value of (1) the addition of a trait-recall mnemonic to a Cognitive-type Interview, and (2) perceptually stretching presented composites, to aid image recognition. Participant-constructors intentionally or incidentally encoded a target face, were interviewed about its facial features 3-4 hours or 2 days later, made a series of trait attributions (or not) about the face and constructed a feature-based composite. Regardless of encoding manipulation, faces constructed after 3-4 hours were twice as likely to be correctly named (cf. after two days) both when the trait-recall mnemonic was applied and composites were viewed stretched. Thus, the research indicates that benefit should be afforded when trait-recall mnemonics are employed for feature composites constructed on the same day as the crime, and composites are presented to potential recognisers with an instruction to view the face side-on

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Outcomes With Drug‐Coated Balloons Versus Drug‐Eluting Stents: Insights From the REC‐CAGEFREE I Trial

Background Data regarding the efficacy and safety of drug‐coated balloons (DCBs) versus drug‐eluting stents (DES) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains limited. Aims To assess the prognosis of DCB versus DES in patients with and without CKD. Methods REC‐CAGEFREE I was an investigator‐initiated, non‐inferiority trial conducted at 43 sites in China, which randomized 2272 patients to paclitaxel‐coated balloons with the option of rescue stenting (DCB group) or second‐generation sirolimus‐eluting stents (DES group) for treating de novo lesions, regardless of vessel diameter. In this pre‐specified subgroup analysis, patients were stratified based on the presence of CKD (kidney damage or estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m²) at baseline. The primary outcome was the device‐oriented composite endpoint (DoCE; including cardiovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically and physiologically‐indicated target lesion revascularization) at 2 years. Results Of 2272 patients enrolled, 203 (8.9%) had CKD, with 95 and 108 treated with DCB and DES, respectively. At 2 years, the risk of DoCE was significantly higher in CKD versus non‐CKD patients (22/203 [10.9%] vs . 88/2069 [4.3%], HR IPTW : 2.14, 95% CI: 1.13−4.07, p = 0.022). There was no significant interaction between CKD and treatment allocation ( p interaction = 0.352). Among CKD patients, DoCE occurred in 12/95 (12.7%) and 10/108 (9.3%) patients in the DCB and DES groups (HR IPTW : 1.57, 95% CI: 0.66−3.71, p = 0.317), respectively. Among non‐CKD patients, DoCE occurred in 60/1038 (5.8%) versus 28/1031 (2.7%) patients in the DCB and DES groups (HR IPTW : 2.27, 95% CI: 1.38−3.72, p = 0.002), respectively. Conclusion Patients with CKD had worse outcomes compared to those without. DCBs were associated with a higher risk of DoCE than DES, irrespective of CKD status. Trial Registration Unique Identifier: NCT04561739; URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov

Effects of the FIFA 11 + Program on Physical Fitness in Youth and Adult Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Soccer is a high-intensity sport that requires high levels of physical fitness, including balance, change of direction (CoD), speed and power. The FIFA 11 + program has been widely promoted to enhance physical fitness and reduce injury occurrence. Objective This meta-analysis set out to examine how the FIFA 11 + program, implemented as a warm-up versus conventional warm-up (soccer-specific and alternative warm-ups), impacts physical fitness attributes in youth and adult soccer players. Methods After a priori defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 intervention studies with 611 male and female soccer players (Tier 2–4) aged 9–29 years were eligible to be included. The FIFA 11 + program implemented in the warm-up was contrasted with conventional warm-up programs (control) on outcome measures such as dynamic balance, CoD speed, linear sprint and proxies of muscle power (vertical jump height). The influence of potential moderators (e.g., training duration, frequency, session duration, age, sex, training and performance calibre) on study outcome measures was examined using subgroup analyses with the median split method. Results Findings demonstrated small-to-moderate improvements in favour of FIFA 11 + compared with conventional warm-ups on dynamic balance (small standardized mean differences [SMDs] = 0.37, p < 0.001, heterogeneity [ I 2 ] = 7), CoD speed (moderate SMDs = − 0.65, p = 0.005, I 2 = 84), and vertical jump height (small SMDs = 0.56, p < 0.001, I 2 = 71). Results from the sub-analyses showed that, for dynamic balance, shorter training durations (< 9 weeks) produced larger effects than longer durations (≥ 9 weeks) (SMDs = 0.62 versus SMDs = 0.17). For vertical jump height, < 9 weeks also yielded greater improvements (SMDs = 0.79 versus SMDs = 0.26). In terms of weekly training frequency, ≥ 3 sessions/week elicited larger gains in change-of-direction speed (SMDs = − 1.05 versus SMDs = − 0.12) and vertical jump height (SMDs = 0.73 versus SMDs = 0.01) compared with < 3 sessions/week. Regarding participant characteristics, players aged ≥ 18 years showed greater improvements than those < 18 years in change-of-direction speed (SMDs = − 1.45 versus SMDs = − 0.06) and vertical jump height (SMDs = 0.64 versus SMDs = 0.22). For sex differences, males experienced greater benefits than females in change-of-direction speed (SMDs = − 0.79 versus SMDs = − 0.04) and vertical jump height (SMDs = 0.54 versus SMDs = 0.09). Finally, higher-level players (≥ tier 3) demonstrated greater improvements in vertical jump height than lower-tier players (< Tier 3) (SMDs = 0.75 versus SMDs = 0.01). The observed benefits were statistically significant but generally of small-to-moderate magnitude and affected by study heterogeneity and program implementation differences. Most studies included male participants, limiting generalizability to female and underrepresented populations. Several studies also lacked rigorous methodological design, particularly in allocation, concealment and blinding. Reporting of training and demographic variables was often incomplete. These limitations highlight the necessity for rigorously designed, low-bias randomized controlled trials with standardized implementation of the FIFA 11 + program and thorough reporting to enhance the reliability of causal conclusions and improve clinical interpretation. Conclusion The FIFA 11 + program was more effective than conventional soccer warm-up programs to enhance soccer players’ physical fitness (i.e., dynamic balance, CoD speed, vertical jump height). A shorter training duration (< 9 weeks) and more weekly training sessions (≥ 3 sessions/week) induced larger performance effects. FIFA 11 + was more effective in older (≥ 18 years) and male players and in players of higher performance calibre (≥ Tier 3). These findings underscore the versatility of the FIFA 11 + program to improve soccer players’ physical fitness, supporting its integration into the warm-up of regular soccer training sessions. Protocol Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025633810 , PROSPERO: CRD42025633810

Navigating shame to negotiate sexual agency among British-born South Asian women: A grounded theory study.

Constructivist grounded theory was used to explore perceptions and experiences of sexual health among British-born South Asian women, aged 18-25 who lived in North-West England. We aimed to explore whether and how women were influenced by religion and socio-cultural factors. Participants (n=16) took part in either interviews or focus groups. A theoretical framework focusing on how women navigated shame to negotiate sexual agency was developed. Culture and religious values prohibited sex-based relationships before marriage, which meant accessing support could prove problematic. Women demonstrated different levels of agency through finding ways to maintain secret relationships and to navigate access to healthcare services

Balancing Generative AI and Critical Thinking to Develop Written Communication Skills in Cybersecurity

As cybersecurity education continues to evolve, the need for curricula that effectively balance the capabilities of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools with the development of critical thinking and active learning skills has become increasingly urgent. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a curriculum for postgraduate cybersecurity education that focuses on developing transferable skills, particularly critical thinking and written communication. These skills are essential for cybersecurity professionals to excel in both their technical and communicationoriented responsibilities, meeting the growing demand of the cybersecurity industry in the age of AI. The proposed curriculum emphasizes the integration of constructivist learning principles and Bloom's taxonomy, two widely applied pedagogical models, to enhance learners' critical thinking and written communication skills. Designed for a penetration testing module, the curriculum follows a structured, step-by-step approach to build the necessary competences and empower aspiring cybersecurity professionals to meet the expectations of the cybersecurity industry. Through targeted activities, learners develop foundational knowledge while refining advanced written communication skills, equipping them to produce professional-level documentation, such as penetration testing reports. Generative AI is incorporated in the curriculum, providing opportunities for learners to experiment with AIgenerated content while fostering the cognitive skills needed to critically assess its accuracy, relevance, and alignment with professional standards. This study contributes to cybersecurity education by presenting a replicable curriculum model that equips learners with vital skills, preparing them to navigate the complexities of written communication responsibilities in cybersecurity roles and adapt to the evolving demands of the AI era

‘Empowering connections’: developing a coach mentoring framework

Mentoring has often been advocated as a method of harnessing the influential power of experience through guidance, observation, and reflective practice, allowing coaches to become better equipped to deal with the uncertain nature of coaching. Although much of the discourse on mentoring is set in a positive light, it continues to lack conceptual clarity, with no current universal definition available. Aligned to this, specific research into the programme at the heart of this study, also highlights the need for both wider, and more contextual research. Therefore, with this research being conducted into an established programme, broadly pragmatic research methods were adopted to ensure the research was sensitive to the social, historical and political context of the enquiry. The purpose of study one was to investigate the mentoring process from the mentee’s perspective. Employing a questionnaire, the results of the study indicated a lack of clarity and understanding of the role of the mentor/mentee relationship in supporting coaching practice. Hence, building on the outcome of study one, study two interviewed four key managers within The FA with responsibility for mentoring to explore how they conceptualized the role of mentors in supporting coach development. The outcome of this study indicated an emphasis on ensuring mentors build healthy rapport with mentees to help provide clarity and understanding of the mentors role in supporting the grassroots coach. Clearly, a conceptual gap appeared to exist between what mentees were experiencing and what The FA were aiming to deliver. Consequently, study three created and presented an applied mentoring framework to support mentors in defining their role and help mentees understand the mentor/mentee relationship. Using a Delphi Study approach, the mentoring framework was shared with an independent panel of mentoring experts who provided constructive critical feedback to shape and help develop the mentoring process in context. As a consequence of this research, the mentoring framework is now employed by the FA to support the delivery of the national FA mentoring programme. To support the research and findings further, a reflexive thread, and my own personal narrative is highlighted via the text, sketches and doodles to help the reader navigate my thoughts, reflections, and experiences on this research journey

Cooperatives and Business Schools: Why the Disconnect?

Business schools are not neutral purveyors of teaching and research about how to organise. More often than not, they sell a very particular form of knowledge and act as outlets for a form of life in which a cooperative economy is ignored. Using international evidence, our paper shows that cooperatives lack adequate intellectual support from academia in terms of research or education. We explore the disconnect between academia and the cooperative economy in a search for explanations and justifications. Our analysis suggests that this state of affairs denies the cooperative sector an opportunity to both address its skill shortages and acquire the organisational capabilities needed to boost the impact of cooperative enterprises. Equally important, this normalises the situation where business schools can continue to ignore alternative business models. We conclude by suggesting that there would be societal and scholarly gains from accepting the cooperative sector as a legitimate and valuable constituent of any modern economy, and that this should be reflected in the teaching and research of business schools

Thermodynamic properties of hydrogen containing systems and calculation of gas critical flow factor

Sonic nozzles are emerging as crucial reference devices in the calibration of flow meters designed for hydrogen service. In this research study we aim to investigate existing equations governing the critical flow factor (C∗) for hydrogen and assess the achievable uncertainty in determining this vital property. An examination of the literature has been undertaken to target experimental measurements related to hydrogen mixtures, setting the stage for a comprehensive gap analysis. We introduced C∗ values and validated our calculations with two calibration gases: nitrogen, and methane and their standardised C∗ values. Then, the verified methodology has been utilised for generating C∗ values for hydrogen. This study concluded that the integration of precise experimental data and the utilisation of representative equations and optimised thermodynamic models is essential for enhancing the accuracy of C∗ calculations, particularly in the context of the expanding role of sonic nozzles in hydrogen flow meter calibration