Högskolan i Skövde

Public Wi-Fi has become prevalent in many public spaces such as malls, airports, and cafes because it provides wireless internet access. While we enjoy using public Wi-Fi for its convenience, the process linking users to the Wi-Fi experience and the collection of personal information can raise usability and privacy issues. This study looks at how the design of public Wi-Fi login systems affects users’ willingness to give their personal details and what privacy worries they may have. The study was done through twenty interviews with people using public Wi-Fi in Dubai. Thematic analysis showed four main themes: reasons for using public Wi-Fi, why users choose to connect, how they experience the login process, and their views about privacy. The results show that most users value convenience and saving mobile data more than thinking about privacy. Many were willing to give personal information to get quick access and were not always aware of what hap-pens to their data. Some users faced problems with usability, such as slow one-time passwords or having to repeat the same steps when connecting, but this did not always make them more aware of privacy risks. The findings suggest that public Wi-Fi systems should be designed to be simple to use while also giving clear information about privacy, so users can make more informed choices.

Background: Organizations only have the potential of the people working within the organization, making the recruitment process one of the most important processes in an organization. At the same time, the use of AI-tools has changed the way organizations recruit and digitalization has made it more difficult for organizations to retain and find new talent due to the competition in the job market. AI has had a significant impact on recruitment which has led to the recruitment process constantly needing to evolve and adapt to the development. The implementation of AI can therefore change the tasks for recruiters and create new opportunities and challenges in the recruitment process. 

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to increase understanding of the impact that the implementation of AI has had and will have on recruiters’ tasks, as well as to gain deeper insight into the opportunities and challenges that AI may create in the work of recruiting new talent. 

Method: A qualitative method was used to conduct the study. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews with 12 respondents and all of whom work as recruiters. 

Conclusion: The study's results show that there are several opportunities and challenges resulting from the implementation of AI that are connected to recruiters' tasks in the recruitment process. One opportunity that emerged is that recruiters can spend more time on value creating work while a challenge is that the recruitment process becomes impersonal.  

Introduction: Businesses strive to keep their highly competent employees. The engagement has been lowered, and resignation has increased. This has been clear in the consultant industry where employee turnover has approximately 20% resignation which causes costs for recruitment and training. To retain employees, more than just an attractive salary is required, it’s the intangible factors that's crucial to determine if the employees stay in the organisation. The IT-consulting industry needs to identify the intangible factors, because of the digital transformation becoming more noticeable and the competition of competent employees increases.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of the impact of intangible factors on the well-being, motivation and meaningfulness for consultants in the IT-consulting industry.

Method: This study used a qualitative method. During the selection of respondents, a structural selection was first made, which became a snowball sample. Semi-structured interview was used to collect the data that was analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis to reach a deeper result.

Results and analysis: The method resulted in advanced knowledge about the intangible factors affecting consultants’ motivation, meaningfulness and well-being. The empiric material is presented and analysed based on the thematization that laid the foundation for discussion and conclusion.

Discussion and conclusion: The result of this study shows that the most significant intangible factors are collegial relationships, meaningful work, breadth before specialization, valued as an employee. As well as further findings that contribute negatively to well-being, which is the mandate as a consultant and unequal conditions.

Background: The negative outcome of acting out behavior can affect students’ health, school performance, and social situation. School nurses' health promotion work is an important part of the collaboration needed to support students with acting out behavior. School nurses can support students by giving students the opportunity to reflect on their own circumstances and their unique situation.

Aim: To describe school nurses' experiences of supporting students with acting out behavior.

Method: A qualitative survey with 20 informants. The data analysis was conducted using qualitative content analysis, with an inductive approach.

Findings: The school nurses describe the importance of being available by being visible in school, through drop-in sessions, and by acting on incidents. The school nurses can support students through a good treatment and by dialogue and reflection on consequences, feelings, and thoughts, and also through collaboration with other professions. Lack of time is described as a challenge in supporting students with acting out behavior.

Conclusion: The main results of the study show that the availability of school nurses is central to support students. The factor that affects availability the most is lack of time. By involving students and parents and collaborating with other professions, school nurses have a good opportunity to support students with acting out behavior.

Introduction: Digitalization has brought about major changes in adolescents’ everyday lives and behaviour, especially regarding social media and screen use. Increased availability and use of social media in the evening have raised concerns in public health science, as sleep deprivation can affect adolescents’ development and well-being.

Aim: The aim of this structured literature review was to explore how adolescents aged 11 to 19 experienced that their use of social media and screens affected their sleep quality, and to identify the behaviors that contributed to this impact.

Method: This study was based on a structured literature review and inductive thematic analysis of 10 scientific articles, both qualitative and quantitative. The articles were retrieved from Wiley Online Library, PubMed and Taylor & Francis Online. A structured selection process was applied using defined inclusion and exclusion criterias. Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis were used to identify patterns and connections in the material.

Results: Three main themes with related subthemes were identified: (1) Evening screen time impaired sleep quality, (2) Psychological factors that drove late use, and (3) Strategies for improving sleep. The themes were analyzed using the biopsychosocial model and its key factors.

Conclusion: Adolescents’ sleep quality was influenced by a complex interaction of psychological, biological, interpersonal and contextual factors. Despite being aware of the negative effects, many adolescents continued their screen use in the evening, which worsened their sleep quality. However, there was also an awareness and willingness to change. Future research should examine long-term effects on adolescents’ sleep and digital habits. 

In recent years, influencer marketing has emerged as a central strategy within digital marketing, particularly on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. The aim of this study is to explore how perceived credibility of influencers affects consumers’ purchase intentions and their perceptions of the companies that collaborate with those influencers. Grounded in theories of credibility, electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the study adopts a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with young adults aged 18–30.

The findings reveal that credibility understood through the dimensions of expertise, trustworthiness, attractiveness, and authenticity plays a critical role in shaping consumers willingness to engage with influencer content and consider purchasing recommended products. Influencers perceived as genuine, knowledgeable, and transparent are more likely to influence consumer behavior positively. Moreover, the study highlights that these factors not only impact purchase intentions but also affect how consumers perceive the brands behind the collaborations. Authentic and long-term partnerships tend to enhance brand image, whereas lack of credibility can damage both product appeal and trust in the company.

The study concludes that credibility is a dynamic and multifaceted factor that should be central to the design of influencer marketing strategies. For companies, this means carefully selecting influencers whose values and communication styles align with their brand identity 

In this study, an immersive, story-driven game called Blender Start Here was used. This study investigates the impact of narrative-driven elements on contemporary art education, as well as the influence of task-driven structures and a sense of game control on learners’ engagement. Employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, the research analyses the application of immersive game-based experiences within 3D modelling courses, identifying key game elements and using questionnaires to assess the effects of immersive gamified teaching.

Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of personalised learning experiences tailored to the needs of individual learners. All of these insights aim to offer recommendations for the advancement of modern art education. The findings suggest that gamified teaching has a positive influence on 3D modelling instruction, providing a strong theoretical foundation for its application in the wider field of art education. Immersive gamification plays a pivotal role in enhancing educational practices. 

Denna studie undersöker hur implementering av beslutsstöd påverkar och förbättrar beslutsprocesser och beslut inom offentlig sektor. Fokus ligger på att förstå hur beslutsfattare inom offentliga verksamheter ser på besluten, hur det fattas och hur processen ser ut, vilka utmaningar som finns för att få en lyckad och lönsam implementation av beslutsstöd. Även se på vilka faktorer som påverkar ett framgångsrikt datadrivet beslutsfattande.

Undersökningen är en fallstudie med en kvalitativ ansats och bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med beslutsfattare inom offentliga verksamheter. Syftet är att få en djupare förståelse för hur datadrivna beslut tas i praktiken och hur olika faktorer påverkar organisationens effektivitet. Efter intervjuerna har genomförts kommer analysen att göras genom en tematisk analys.

Resultatet visar att en lyckad implementation av beslutsstöd ofta leder till ökad effektivitet, inte bara i själva beslutsfattandet utan även i andra delar av organisationen. Samtidigt framkommer det vissa oväntade utmaningar och resultat som inte var helt förutsedda från början.

Background: Hybrid work has become a common working model within the IT sector, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. This model offers increased flexibility and autonomy but can potentially lead to challenges related to social affinity, work structure, and technical support. Previous research has primarily focused on organizational and technical aspects, while employees’ subjective experiences of motivation and productivity in hybrid work remain relatively underexplored.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore how hybrid work affects IT employees’ perceived motivation and productivity, and to identify organizational strategies that may support these factors in a hybrid work environment.

Method: The study is based on a qualitative research design, involving eight semi-structured interviews with employees from one public and one private organization, both with IT-related roles. Six interviews formed the basis of the initial analysis, while two additional interviews were conducted to ensure theoretical saturation. The data were analyzed thematically using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model as analytical frameworks.

Conclusion: The findings show that hybrid work is generally perceived positively, particularly in relation to increased autonomy and flexibility. However, challenges were also identified, such as weakened social affinity, difficulties with work-life boundaries, and limited access to informal support. The study highlights that organizational strategies involving clear structures, functional digital tools, and an active, supportive leadership are essential for fostering motivation and productivity. For hybrid work to be sustainable over time, a conscious balance between individual needs and organizational responsibilities is required.

Introduction: Loneliness is a growing public health issue with serious consequences for both individuals and society. It arises when there is a gap between desired and actual social contact. However, social support has been shown to be a key protective factor that can mitigate negative health outcomes. Despite this, there are still gaps in knowledge regarding how older adults experience different forms of social support that promote mental health. Aim: The aim of this qualitative literature review is to explore older adults’ experiences of social support in relation to involuntary loneliness, with a focus on mental health. Method: This structured literature review includes 20 peer-reviewed original articles with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE EBSCO, and PsycINFO. A inductive thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes. Results: The analysis generated six main themes: technology as social support, social support as a protective factor, social support from cultural elements, health-promoting activities as social support, relationships with others, and shared interests. Four subthemes were also identified: digital contact with close relatives, the experience of online interventions, religion and faith, and the role of art and music. Conclusion: Social support strongly protects older adults’ mental health and sense of connection, whether through digital tools, physical activities, or cultural and religious involvement. It plays a vital role in reducing involuntary loneliness. Future efforts must address barriers such as stigma and negative stereotypes to ensure inclusive support.

The evolution of mobile technology is always persistent since the beginning of 1G in 1979 by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone in Tokyo till now with 5G which became available in 2019 in Spain and next would be 6G in coming years. Each G phase in mobile world had introduced modification in network architecture and use cases which prominently created new security and privacy concerns. This next generation mobile networks are designed to run in a virtualized environment, enabling rapid infrastructure deployment and high flexibility for coping with increasing traffic demands and new service requirements. 

This thesis work investigates and analyses security and privacy concerns for 5G networks that have been created by exposing 5G network based on its programmable principle in which 5G APIs (Application Programming Interface) are key enablers for it. One aspect of these APIs is that the developers will create applications which will underneath use network platform provided by mobile operators and 5G network would act as Network as a Service (NaaS) provider, which is kind of similar approach as platform as a service in cloud infrastructure. Other aspect of these APIs is exposer 0f 5G capabilities via these APIs to the external communication service providers (CSPs) which has created usecases for communication platform as a service (CPaaS). 

The term "419" originates from the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud, yet its implications vary widely across different audiences: it may be unfamiliar or insignificant to some, carry technical connotations within IT security circles, and possess a deeply negative resonance in African communities, especially in Nigeria. These scams, characterised by the fraudulent solicitation of advance fees with the promise of lucrative returns, have adeptly harnessed digital platforms to penetrate diverse sectors globally. Through a thorough analysis of contemporary literature and mixed methods research consisting of interviews of key cybersecurity professionals from different industries in addition to wide distributed surveys, this research sheds light on the sophisticated tactics employed by fraudsters, including advanced phishing, social engineering, and the manipulation of business email communications. It highlights the extensive financial and reputational repercussions for entities ensnared by such schemes. By evaluating the effectiveness of current deterrents, the paper proposes a holistic strategy for mitigating risks, advocating for the integration of cutting-edge cybersecurity measures, comprehensive employee training programs, and stringent legal frameworks. The aim of this research is to understand how and why 419 scams have transitioned from simple scams into international cybercrime networks and what it means for corporate security. 

Background: The use of e-cigarettes among adolescents has increased despite existing legislation regulating marketing and sales. These products contain nicotine and other substances that may negatively affect adolescents physical and mental health. E-cigarettes are often perceived as less harmful than traditional cigarettes and are presented through appealing flavors, sleek designs, and marketing on social media in ways that attract young users. Aim: The aim of this literature review is to highlight the underlying causes that lead adolescents to choose to use e-cigarettes. Method: A systematic literature review with a qualitative approach was conducted. Eleven peer-reviewed studies were included and analyzed using latent content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Six themes were identified: influence from family, peers, and school, psychological motives, adolescent behaviors and attitudes, appealing product features, lack of knowledge, and perceived accessibility. E-cigarette use is influenced by social norms, emotional regulation, insufficient awareness of health risks, and ease of access through both digital platforms and peer networks. Conclusion: E-cigarette use among adolescents is a complex issue involving the interplay of psychosocial, structural, and individual factors. The school nurse plays a central role in preventing e-cigarette use through health-promoting conversations, knowledge dissemination, and norm-aware work within the school environment. Based on the results, it can be concluded that there is a need for further research on how the school nurse's interventions can be adapted to the perspectives and needs of young people.

Background: By 2025, Generation Z is expected to constitute a substantial share of the global workforce. As a result, leaders will increasingly be confronted with this generation. Given Generation Z’s distinct expectations and needs, questions arise as to how leaders respond to and experience this generation in practice. Moreover, the industrial sector is rarely associated with the expectations and traits typically linked to Generation Z, which further increases the relevance and timeliness of this topic. 

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand how leaders within industrial companies adapt their leadership to meet the needs of Generation Z. The aim is to provide insight into how leaders approach and lead this new generation. The study investigates leadership in relation to Generation Z and how leadership practices are applied in order to address the generation’s expectations and needs. By highlighting the perspectives of leaders, the intention is to contribute with knowledge that can serve as a foundation for industrial companies in their ongoing efforts to develop leadership practices and integrate a new generation into the workplace. 

Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework encompasses leadership and leadership styles; Generation Z; motivation and work-life balance; communication and technology. The leadership styles discussed include transformational, situational, and relationship-oriented leadership. 

Method: A qualitative method in the form of semi-structured interviews was used in this study. An abductive approach was applied, meaning that empirical data influenced theory development and vice versa. The theoretical framework was thus partly developed based on the collected empirical material, through which relevant theories emerged. In the study, leaders within the industrial sector were interviewed. 

Conclusion: The study shows that leaders in the industrial companies adapt their leadership to Generation Z through a situational- and relationship-oriented approach. While adaptations are primarily made on an individual basis, common patterns in communication, motivation, and relationship-building indicate that Generation Z’s values do influence leadership practices. The leadership role is increasingly characterised by empathy, clarity, and meaningful communication, yet remains shaped by organizational frameworks that require a pragmatic balance. Generation Z’s expectations thus challenge established structures and drive the development toward a more inclusive and dynamic form of leadership.

Introduktion: Sveriges befolkning åldras snabbt, med en växande andel äldre över 65 år, vilket ställer ökade krav på hälso- och sjukvården. Samtidigt står många äldre utanför det digitala samhället och saknar tillgång eller kompetens för att använda digitala vårdtjänster. Digitalisering kan bidra till bättre vårdtillgång, men medför också risk för ökad ojämlikhet. För att uppnå målen om jämlik vård krävs individanpassade och inkluderande lösningar. Äldre behöver både tekniskt stöd och uppmuntran för att känna trygghet och meningsfullhet i sin användning. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att identifiera hinder och möjligheter som äldre i Sverige upplever vid användning av digitala vårdkontakter. Metod: Studien genomfördes som en strukturerad litteraturstudie med induktiv tematisk analys. Elva vetenskapligt granskade artiklar analyserades med stöd av CASP-checklistor för att identifiera centrala teman kring äldre personers erfarenheter av digital vård. Resultat: Fyra huvudsakliga teman identifierades: Digital tillgänglighet och åtkomst, Bemötande och emotionellt stöd, Digital kompetens och lärande samt Självständighet och preferenser. Resultaten visade att digital vård kan förbättra vårdtillgängligheten och stärka äldres autonomi, men också att tekniska, språkliga och emotionella hinder kan begränsa användningen. Slutsats: Studien understryker vikten av att digitala vårdtjänster utvecklas på ett inkluderande sätt med särskilt stöd till äldre användare. För att digital vård ska vara jämlik krävs att vården anpassas till individens behov och förutsättningar. Digital vård kan förbättra tillgänglighet och självständighet för äldre, särskilt när den kompletterar fysisk vård. Dock krävs tekniskt stöd, empatiskt bemötande och individanpassning för att övervinna hinder som låg digital kompetens. 

In medical education, the development of clinical reasoning skills is crucial, and simulation-based learning has become an essential tool for enhancing medical diagnostic decision-making. Project Hospital is an entertainment-focused hospital management simulation game available on Steam. Although it is primarily designed for entertainment, its diagnostic system is highly structured, allowing players to engage in key medical practices such as final diagnosis evaluation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment options. 

While designed for entertainment, its diagnostic fidelity remains uncertain in supporting medical students’ clinical reasoning training. This study evaluates its cognitive, psychological, and graphical & functional fidelity to assess its potential educational usefulness. 

Using a survey-based approach, the study examines medical students’ perceptions of the game’s diagnostic realism and the fidelity factors most influential in clinical reasoning development. Findings suggest that Project Hospital offers moderate diagnostic fidelity, aiding clinical reasoning development. However, limitations in psychological fidelity indicate it should complement, not replace, traditional medical training. 

This study focuses on the impact of the integration of digital museums and serious games on the dissemination of Chinese ceramic culture, aiming to explore how to transform digital ceramic museums into serious games for cultural education by incorporating game mechanisms, thereby more effectively spreading Chinese ceramic culture. Taking the light adventure exploration serious game Museum No. 9 as a reference case, the study combines the technological advantages of digital museums with game mechanisms to analyze the dissemination effect of digital ceramic museums. The study adopts the questionnaire survey method, showing the game demonstration video and collecting 21 valid questionnaires from participants, to analyze the preferences of respondents for mechanisms such as game-based exhibition operation, free exploration, and historical story narration. The results show that 95% of the participants' interest in museum exhibits increased after watching the game, and more than 75% of the participants support the dissemination of Chinese ceramic culture through game-based methods. The research indicates that integrating immersive interaction, role-playing, and free exploration and other game elements into digital ceramic museums can enhance the dissemination effect and user engagement. This study provides practical references for the digital transformation and interactive dissemination of traditional culture and reveals the design potential of integrating game mechanisms with cultural education goals.

In recent years, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have found their way into many commercially available vehicles. Research has shown that many drivers still lack knowledge regarding these systems, resulting in over-reliance or underutilization on either extreme. This thesis highlights the need to allow users of these systems an easy way of becoming familiar with the distinctive characteristics of these systems without operating a vehicle at speed. Many traditional methods of learning, like reading manuals or test driving compromise either on lack of feedback fidelity or ease of use, causing many people to avoid using the systems altogether or incorrectly. In order to tackle this obstacle, an in-car driving simulator game is created aiming to guide the learning of ADAS features. To test its effectiveness, drivers’ change in mental model score is compared before and after the learning intervention in the simulator game. The mental model score is calculated using metrics from signal detection theory: sensitivity(d’) and bias (c), which are measures for objective understanding and bias towards distrusting and over-confidence. Participants showed a small significant increase in understanding of the system after the intervention. 

The aim of this study is to explore how consumer loyalty is affected when a brand with an ethical image faces negative media attention. The focus is on young adults in Generation Z, a group often described as motivated by value and active on social media. The study is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and uses qualitative semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis identified three main behavior patterns: continued loyalty, selective loyalty and distancing.

The results show that changing attitudes, social norms and perceived control together influence how consumers respond to a brand after negative media exposure related to its values. In some cases, consumers kept using products they had already bought but avoided buying new ones. This behavior is labelled selective loyalty in the study. The findings indicate that brand loyalty in a value-focused consumer culture is not just yes or no, but something that can change depending on emotional, social and moral factors.

The study provides new insights into consumer behavior in relation to negative media attention and suggests that TPB could be developed further to better understand these complex reactions.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is becoming rapidly more popular and used in game development due to its promises of increased efficiency and reduced costs. However, this also raises some ethical concerns about creativity, fairness, and trust in companies. This study explores how two main groups, producers and consumers, perceive these ethical concerns. In this study, producers are represented by game development students, and consumers are represented by gamers. Through semi-structured interviews, participants reflected on their subjective experiences and concerns. Transcripts were then analyzed using thematic analysis, centered around themes such as creativity, fairness, and trust in companies of GenAI usage, with the possibility of risks as an additional theme.

Key findings reveal that there is a difference between the consumers and the producers. Game development students focus on how humans are central in creativity, and GenAI cannot properly replicate passion and intent. They warn about how overreliance on GenAI could lead to degrading artistic values. Game development students see fairness as rightfully, ethical labor, and ensuring the GenAI will not replace workers, as well as being trained responsibly with consent from artists. However, gamers evaluate GenAI mainly by its outcome. They are willing to accept GenAI content if it enhances gameplay, creates content faster, and remains unseen. Trust for game development students depends on transparency from companies around GenAI usage, while gamers focus more on the company's communication and engagement.

Ultimately, this study should be seen as a reminder that creators are not the consumers, and game developers should take extra care to understand how GenAI is being experienced and perceived from both angles. Consumers still care about authenticity, emotional engagement, and fairness in labor, even if their perception is different. Bridging this gap in perspectives could be essential for a further understanding of how to ultimately create a responsible GenAI practice. 

This study explores the impact of immersive elements in language learning games on English learning motivation. The study adopts a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze popular language learning games, identify important game elements, and evaluate their impact on game immersion through questionnaire surveys, in order to further assess their influence on language learning motivation. 

In addition, the study suggests that six elements - customization, environment, goals, feedback, gameplay diversity, and points and progress - play important roles in enhancing immersion and learning motivation in language learning games. 

Youth crime is a major societal issue that is becoming increasingly widespread and gradually escalating in Sweden. Young people are becoming more and more involved in criminal activities, which can include everything from drug dealing to deadly violence with firearms, and everything in between. The role of identity-seeking among criminal youth is a sparsely researched perspective. This makes this angel both meaningful and interesting to explore. 

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of young adults identity-seeking processes in the emergence of criminal behaviour in individuals. The study is based on qualitative interviews with people who have experience with youth crime through their own involvement. By analyzing these interviews, we aim to understand how identity-seeking can influence the decision to engage in criminal activities.

By highlighting these issues, we hope to contribute valuable insights that can be used to develop more effective strategies to prevent youth crime and support young people in their identity formation in a positive way.

Objective: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of novel nanoparticle immunoassays across different histotypes of tubo-ovarian carcinoma (TOC) at diagnosis.

Method: This multicenter observational study consisted of consecutive patients (n = 1,312) having surgery due to suspected ovarian pathology. Serum were analyzed with Sialyl-Thomsen-nouveau (STn) antibody and Macrophage-Galactose-Lectin (MGL) for the detection of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and 15-3 (CA15-3) glycoforms using CA125 enzyme immunoassay (EIA), CA15-3^EIA and HE4^EIA as references. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were applied and sensitivity at 75 % and 98 % specificity were calculated across histotypes.

Result: TOC was present in 596 patients and 716 had benign disease. CA125^STn showed higher sensitivity at 98 % specificity compared with CA125^EIA for high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) (0.85 vs 0.62, p < 0.001), HGSC early-stage (0.66 vs 0.24, p = 0.003), and HGSC late-stage (0.90 vs 0.69, p < 0.001). CA15-3^STn showed higher sensitivity at 98 % specificity compared to CA125^EIA for mucinous ovarian carcinoma (0.50 vs 0.16, p = 0.038). No improvements were found for low grade serous carcinoma (LGSC), endometrioid and clear cell histotypes. The best performing combined biomarker test was CA125STn + HE4^EIA with higher sensitivity at 98 % specificity for HGSC (0.93 vs 0.86, p < 0.001) and HGSC late-stage (0.97 vs 0.91p < 0.001) compared with CA125^EIA + HE4^EIA.

Conclusion: The STn glycovariants of CA125 and CA15-3 have improved sensitivity at high specificity for high grade serous and mucinous ovarian carcinoma and often perform better than the commonly used biomarker CA125^EIA. 

Background: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are readily available potent drugs that act as central depressants. These drugs are widely used, misused, and abused. For patients with BZD use disorder, the traditional sobriety monitoring method is periodic urine tests.

Methods: The utility of eye-scanning data related to non-convergence (the ability to cross eyes) collected using smartphones with the Previct Drugs app before and after ingestion of the BZD lorazepam for detecting BZD-driven effects was evaluated using data from 12 individuals from a historic clinical study (NCT05731999). Using a novel metric that represents the change in distance between irises when converging eyes, either in absolute terms (NCdiff) or individualized (NCdiffInd), classifiers were built using logistic regression.

Results: The ability to converge eyes is a strongly individual and acquired skill that is impaired after ingesting lorazepam. The maximum NCdiff for a BZD-sober individual may be smaller than the impaired NCdiff for another individual. Using the NCdiff measured in a sober condition after approximately 1 week of regular eye-scanning as the individual baseline to form NCdiffInd produced a highly functional classifier with an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.88, which was superior to a classifier based on NCdiff with an AUC = 0.79.

Conclusions: The loss of eye convergence induced by lorazepam is continuous, individual, and can be partial. Smartphone-based eye-scanning technology combined with a classifier adapted to the ability of eye convergence of individuals shows promising performance in detecting ingestion of lorazepam.

Youth crime is a growing social problem that is most often linked to socioeconomic vulnerability and social factors. The purpose of the study is to investigate how former criminals and professionals perceive the connection between socioeconomic factors and young people's involvement in crime and the role criminal resources play. The study has a qualitative approach and is based on a total of ten semistructured interviews with five former criminal youth and five professionals in the areas of police, social workers, leisure activities and sheltered housing. A thematic analysis has been carried out using a social psychological approach. The results have been interpreted based on theories of stigma, social identity, strain theory, Burgess zone model and socioeconomic impact. The results show that socioeconomic vulnerability, stigmatization and lack of opportunity are central factors that drive young people towards crime. Criminal networks are considered to be the alternative route to resources and social affirmation. Professionals emphasize the importance of preventive work to counteract negative developments in society. The study provides a deeper understanding of young people´s path into crime and the importance of individual measures that can create a sustainable alternative for young people in vulnerable environments.

Introduction: Problematic school absenteeism is a growing public health issue that negatively affects the health and prospects of children and adolescents. Despite increased attention, students’ own perspectives are often missing in the research. Aim: To examine the causes of problematic school absenteeism based on students’ own experiences, and to identify factors that promote school attendance. Method: A structured literature review based on 20 original scientific articles was conducted. The articles were selected through systematic searches in SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Academic Search Premier, which cover both health and educational sciences. The search terms used were: "school absentee" AND "student" AND "factor"*. Systematic text condensation was used to analyze empirical material. Results: Students’ perspectives describe emotional difficulties such as mental health issues, social isolation, and a lack of motivation toward school as central causes of absenteeism. Additionally, risk factors such as an unsafe school environment and problems at home are highlighted as significant obstacles preventing students from participating in education. Feelings of exclusion and difficulties in social relationships contribute to students avoiding school. At the same time, students express those protective factors, such as relationships with trusted adults and adjustments in teaching, can make school more manageable and meaningful. Conclusion: Problematic school absenteeism is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors. A safe and supportive school environment with meaningful instruction and strong teacher relationships can help prevent absenteeism. The student’s own perspective should be integrated into the design of interventions to create more effective and relevant support measures. Finally, school absenteeism can be viewed as a public health issue in society that requires continued research and cross-sector collaboration among various societal actors.

Introduction: Existential health is a concept that the World Health Organization describes as a fourth dimension of health, where factors such as faith, religion, spirituality, meaning and life satisfaction are included. The existential health and socioeconomic factors, can provide new insights into which factors influence mental health. Mental health problems among adolescents motivate the search for new factors, and strengthening already identified protective and risk factors. Existential health as a resource for mental well-being in youth is a relatively unexplored area but relevant from both international and national perspectives.

The aim: The aim of the study is to investigate how existential health affects mental well-being in young people linked to socioeconomic factors.

Method: The study has been conducted as a structured literature study that has been analyzed based on a thematic analysis with an inductive approach.

Results: The results highlight how existential health constitutes a potentially significant resource for adolescence mental well-being. These main themes were analyzed: Existential health and socioeconomic conditions as resources for mental well-being, Existential vulnerability in the face of loss, change, and inequality, and Existential conflict and mental illness.

Summary: This thesis shows that existential health plays an important protective role for youth's mental well-being. At the same time, it emerges that these resources are not evenly distributed. Young people in socioeconomically vulnerable situations often have poorer conditions to develop existential health, which can increase their vulnerability to mental illness and suicide. The study emphasizes the need to include existential perspectives in preventive work.

Games are voluntary activities that provide enjoyable experiences for many people around the world. It has been proven necessary for the first hour of play, referred to as the onboarding phase, to be able to provide a positive experience in order to prevent players from prematurely leaving the game permanently. This study explores the use of heuristic evaluation as a tool for assessing the onboarding phase while aiming to improve current practice by considering the onboarding phase as a learning experience in addition to its connection with enjoyability and engagement. To find answers, pre-existing onboarding heuristics was evaluated through practical use during heuristic evaluation of 10 different games and reformulated by comparing evaluation findings and literary review discoveries. This resulted in a set of onboarding heuristics with a more supportive and coherent sense that could be considered a more suitable tool for heuristic evaluation of the onboarding phase.

This study aims to identify and analyze the factors that influence employee engagement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts in franchise companies. The background of the study is that CSR has become a central aspect of business operations, where employee engagement is essential to the success of an organization’s CSR-effort and strategies. In order to understand this influence, it is relevant to analyze employee engagement and how it is affected by individual and organizational conditions. The purpose of the study is to explore whether social exchanges and identification with the organizations can encourage or hinder employee engagement.

The theoretical framework is based on theories that explain how engagement can be promoted and influenced by the feeling of identification with the organization, as well as how engagement can be influenced by the social exchange between management and employees. The framework also presents theories regarding factors that influence employee engagement. To explore employees experiences of their engagement in CSR, a qualitative method was chosen for this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which enabled open dialogue with the ten respondents and created space to capture unexpected insights that might have been overlooked otherwise. Through the thematic analysis, recurring themes were identified in both the respondents accounts and the theoretical framework.

The results of the study reveal several promoting factors, such as: participation and influence, reward, recognition and visible outcomes, and communication. The study also identified hindering factors including: lack of knowledge, time of time, lack of feedback and limited scope of action. The study shows that the promoting factors and the hindering factors that emerged become part of the organizational exchange and also influence the individual’s organizational identification. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that management should focus on identifying these factors in order to increase employee engagement in CSR in the organizations, and thereby making sustainability efforts more effective.

Background: Sexual health is a human right. Adolescents' sexual health is influenced by identity, relationships, norms, and societal factors such as pornography and gender roles. School nurses meet all students and therefore play a key role in promoting sexual health through individualized conversations and collaboration.

Aim: The aim was to explore school nurses' health-promoting work concerning sexual health, consent, and relationships among adolescents.

Method: The study was conducted as a systematic literature review with an inductive approach, based on Polit and Beck’s nine-step model. Eleven articles were included after quality assessment. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns in school nurses’ health-promoting work with sexual health.

Findings: Three themes emerged: Organizational support, leadership, and collaboration - were vital for enabling school nurses' work. Continuous presence in the school environment and trust-based communication created safety for discussing sensitive topics. Digital tools and personalized conversations were important for addressing adolescents’ individual needs.

Conclusion: The conclusion highlights the need for interprofessional support, supervision and evidence-based methods to strengthen school nurses’ work. Clear guidelines, digital tools, and attention to diversity are crucial for promoting equitable sexual health. Further research is needed, especially regarding pornography's influence on young people's views of consent and relationships.

According to previous research and reports, violence against emergency medical personnel is a growing problem that indicates inadequate safety measures. Healthcare personnel in psychiatry and emergency care, especially those with less experience, are the most vulnerable. Emergency medical personnel are particularly vulnerable due to stress and a lack of prior information. The purpose of the study is to investigate how emergency care personnel make risk assessments regarding threats and violence and what these assessments are based on. The research questions are linked to social psychological theories such as social cognition, perceived self-efficacy, attribution, and normalization. The analysis is based on a hermeneutic scientific approach to achieve a deeper understanding of how individual assessment processes are characterized by the environment and culture within the workplace. A thematic analysis has been conducted using a qualitative inductive method, where semi-structured questions have been used as instruments for personal interviews. The results show that experience, intuition, information exchange, and norms influence the assessment, where experience is crucial for early identification of risks, but can also lead to desensitization and normalization of violence. Reflection and communication are therefore important to raise awareness of handling and counteract desensitization. The study discusses measures and strategies to reduce violence and create a safer work environment, which can improve both working conditions and patient safety.

This thesis compares response time differences between PostgreSQL and Elasticsearch in two types of search queries: full-text search and keyword search. The study was conducted as an experiment using PHP-based web applications and a shared dataset containing information about songs and artists. The goal was to determine which database is best suited for different types of searches. The results showed that Elasticsearch was clearly faster in full-text searches, which was expected since the database is optimized for text-based queries through inverted indexing. More unexpectedly, Elasticsearch also performed better in keyword searches, despite PostgreSQL being a structured relational database that supports techniques like B-tree and GIN indexing. The difference in response times was most noticeable in full-text searches (144–181 ms), but also evident in keyword searches (47–51 ms). The conclusion is that Elasticsearch provides consistent and fast performance across both search types, while PostgreSQL shows a greater variance across the two.

Detta är en komparativ studie gällande karaktärsanknytning mellan Journey och Undertale. Frågan som undersöks i detta arbete är, vilka skillnader och likheter finns det mellan Journey och Undertale gällande karaktärsanknytning? Resultaten var att karaktärerna i Journey visade på högre parasocial interaktion medan karaktärerna Undertale visade på högre parasocial interaktion samt CA. När de kom till spelens, spelar avatar relation, så var Journeys avatar, ”Avatar som objekt” med drag av ”avatar som annan” person och Undertales avatar var ”Avatar som annan” med motsägande drag av ”avatar som objekt” och ”avatar som symbiot”. Arbetet kommer vidare fram till vikten av att särskilja karaktärsanknytning i stunden (parasocial interaktion) och karaktärsanknytning över tid (parasocial relation). En intressant studie i framtiden skulle vara att studera effekten av negativ parasocialitet.

The physical and mental health of young people is worse now than it used to be. This also happens in sports in different ways. In football, the majority of young players experience a low level of mental health because they have high demands on themselves or that others make demands on them. The coach's leadership in football is of central importance for both the team's results and the players' individual well-being. This qualitative study explores how different leadership strategies affect cohesion and motivation within the team, with a particular focus on a salutogenic perspective. This is done by interviewing 5 players aged 17-19 and 5 coaches who train in division 3 of Allsvenskan. To explore the respondents' experiences, semi-structured interviews were used with an inductive approach, focusing on theories such as transformative leadership, authentic leadership, authoritarian leadership, self-determination theory and a salutogenic holistic perspective, and identified theories that by analyzing the coaches' methods in relation to the players' physical and mental health, the study aims to identify sustainable and inclusive training environments that promote both performance and well-being. The study found that authentic and transformative leadership promotes motivation and improves the mental health of young football players, which contributes to sustainable sports environments. By filling a knowledge gap in sports research, this study has the potential to provide new insights into the role of leadership in sports and its application in other areas of society.

This study investigates how dark design patterns affect user experience. Dark design patterns is a strategy where designers exploit their knowledge of psychological mechanisms to influence users to make decisions beneficial to companies, often at the expense of users autonomy, integrity or well-being. The study focused on three main categories of dark patterns: Asymmetrical, deceptive and hidden information. Asymmetrical design patterns are when alternatives beneficial to the company are highlighted, whilst less profitable alternatives get less attention. The function of deceptive dark patterns is to create false impressions. Hidden information is when information is either partly or fully obscured from the user. The study aims to examine 1) how dark design patterns affect the user experience, 2) which category has the most negative impact, and 3) whether asymmetrical dark design patterns are more beneficial for the company. Data were collected through surveys, observations regarding participants behavior and interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Chi²-tests and Spearman’s rank correlation, while qualitative data was processed using thematic coding. The results showed dark design patterns lead to significantly higher levels of stress and perceived manipulation. Deceptive dark design patterns, specifically a countdown timer, was identified to have a particularly negative impact on the user experience. However, no results showed that asymmetrical design was more effective, but a negative correlation was found between one asymmetrical pattern and the user experience. These findings suggest that dark design patterns are not necessarily more effective than ethical alternatives and may even impair the overall user experience. Based on these results, design recommendations will be presented for more ethical and user centered design. Thus the study contributes to new insights regarding the practical and ethical implications of dark design patterns in e-commerce

In this article we make a case for a shift in health education practice away from teaching young people to be healthy to an understanding of the ways young people learn health. Initially, we illustrate ways in which health education curricula have developed in Sweden and New Zealand, two countries ostensibly leaning towards a process related health concept in contemporary school curriculum. With a point of departure in socio-cultural learning theory, we then critique the individualistic approach to health education, which characterizes much health policy today, and instead argue for an ap-proach to health education that takes as its starting point the learning that occurs in the lives of young people. Finally, we outline some implications of this approach for health education research and practice.

The article focuses on how aesthetic aspects of experience are involved in meaning making within an educational setting of body movement practice. The study explores stories of how physical education student teachers feel when participating in a dance lesson, with attention given to aesthetic aspects of embodied experiences in relation to meaning making. The study draws on Dewey’s theory of experimental learning. Aesthetic experience is defined as the feeling of wholeness or fulfilment in the transaction taking place. The categorical analysis of content, inspired by pragmatic epistemology analyses, uses the operational concepts of gaps, encounters, and relations. Three categories of stories emerge linked by the resemblance of positive or negative feelings expressed. The aesthetic experiences seem to inform the students of the purpose of what is undertaken, how to value the experience, and how the meaning of the embodied experience is perceived.

HIV and malaria co-infection is a major public health issue as both diseases affect mostly the sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at establishing the magnitude of the impact of HIV on the severity of malaria. An electronic search was conducted in Google Scholar and PubMed to find 10 relevant articles with 10,055 participants from five African countries. The following criteria were used to select the studies: The studies must be prospective cohort, used effect size must be odds ratio (OR) and the studies had to compare HIV and malaria severity.The pooled analysis, using a fixed-effect model, revealed that HIV-positive individuals have significantly higher odds of experiencing severe malaria outcomes compared to HIV-negative individuals (pooled OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.54-1.87; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses further elucidated this relationship, showing nearly doubled odds of severe malaria (OR: 1. Malaria incidence was 1.88 times higher (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.46-2.42), Malaria-related mortality risk was 2.32 times higher (OR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.68-3.21) and severe clinical manifestations were 1.72 times more likely to occur among HIV-positive patients.The results of this study support the provision of HIV and malaria interventions in co-endemic areas. Clinicians should always consider severe malaria in HIV-positive patients. This meta-analysis offers strong evidence on the negative impact of HIV on malaria outcomes and highlights the need for a new approach to these diseases. More research should be conducted on how to manage co-infected individuals while preventing increased risk of malaria in HIV positive people.

Multi-omics data integration has become a powerful approach for understanding complex diseases, such as cancer, and enables researchers to uncover biological mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and improve patient stratification. In this study, two supervised multi-omics integration methods were systematically compared, DIABLO (Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker Discovery using Latent variable approaches for Omics studies) and NOLAS (Noise-reduced Latent Structure), to predict breast cancer survival status (Alive/Deceased) using matched RNA-Seq, RPPA, and miRNA data from the TCGA-BRCA cohort. DIABLO, a multivariate block-integration method, was optimized for joint feature selection and classification, while NOLAS employed matrix factorization to reduce noise and extract latent structures. Both models were evaluated using stratified 50 train-50% test split, with performance assessed via AUC, F1-score and McNemar’s test (p< 0.001). Stability analysis (50 iterations with 80% subsampling) quantified feature selection consistency, followed by KEGG pathway enrichment to assess biological relevance. Results showed that DIABLO demonstrated slightly better classification performance than NOLAS in classification (AUC: 0.632 vs. 0.549), with McNemar’s test confirming significant differences (χ² = 71.63, p < 2.2×10⁻¹⁶). However, NOLAS showed higher feature stability in miRNA/RPPA layers (stability scores: 58.8% and 53.1% vs. DIABLO’s 51.28% and 38.46%). Enrichment analysis revealed DIABLO’s selected genes were linked to PI3K-Akt signaling, while NOLAS prioritized ECM-receptor interactions, highlighting distinct biological insights. These findings highlight the trade-offs between predictive accuracy and interpretability in multi-omics integration and offer insights relevant to decision making in precision oncology. The aim of this study is to systematically compare the supervised multi-omics integration methods DIABLO and NOLAS in predicting breast cancer survival. The comparison includes performance evaluation using multiple metrics, assessment of feature selection stability across RNA-Seq, RPPA, and miRNA data, and analysis of the biological relevance of stable features through KEGG pathway enrichment.

This project presents the design and implementation of a digital twin-based user interface for the real-time control of a UR10e robotic arm in an industrial assembly context, specifically targeting robotic cell box assembly and disassembly. The user interface, developed using the PyQt6 framework and integrated through RoboDK, enables manual and automated control, speed and gripper adjustments, and visual feedback of the robotic process. This work aims to show the benefits of the implementation of digital twins, and ultimately demonstrates a practical and flexible solution for enhancing human-robot interaction in smart manufacturing, bringing the feasibility and effectiveness of combining digital twins with the industry, ensuring optimal control, advanced user interface design, and the ability to control complex systems.

Background: Self-harm behavior among children is becoming increasingly common in society and is believed to rise further in the future. Deteriorating mental health, diminished hope for the future, and anxiety are factors that risk triggering self-harming behavior in children. Recognizing, identifying, educating, and providing interventions for children who have a self-harm behavior are part of the school nurse's health-promoting care work. Collaboration with student health services, colleagues, and external organizations enhances the chances of providing early interventions for the child.

Aim: The purpose of the interview study was to describe school nurses' experiences of working with children who engage in self-harm behavior.

Method: The study was conducted using a qualitative method and an inductive approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine practicing school nurses. The collected material was analyzed using content analysis.

Findings: The results culminated in four main categories and thirteen subcategories. The findings describe school nurses' experiences in working with self-harm behavior.

Conclusion: The results show that school nurses' ability to collaborate, communicate, and educate is important in the preventive work against self-harm behaviors among children. Communication is emphasized as a valuable tool to strengthen children's protective factors and prevent the development of extensive self-harm behaviors.

This study explores how location-based audio games can foster historical empathy by connecting museum narratives with real-world heritage sites. Developed in collaboration with the Västergötland Museum in Skara, the prototype guides players through the city using GPS-triggered audio, encouraging spatial imagination and emotional engagement. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research combines narrative co-design, iterative prototyping, and empirical testing with ten participants. Data were collected through observations, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews informed by the VALERIE framework (Carneiro, Viana and Darin, 2021) and the Historical Empathy Measurement Tool (HEMT) (Crompton et al., 2023). Results indicate that audio-first design enables immersion without visual distraction and supports affective engagement with historical content. While most participants reached mid-level historical reflection, deeper contextual understanding was less frequent, suggesting further potential for design refinement. This study offers practical insights into the design of non-visual, site-specific games for cultural heritage, and contributes to ongoing discussions on empathy, narrative, and place-based interaction in serious game research. 

Virtual reality has evolved significantly in recent decades, encompassing the gaming industry significantly. This has driven the development of more authentic experiences using a range of techniques to improve the overall quality of virtual reality video games. Technologies such as haptic vests and gloves have been able to occupy this niche and enhance these experiences with a novel approach. This outlook is the investigation of body manipulation within a virtual setting. This research concentrates on reimagining the phantasmagoria performance art of old and developing a similar experience with modern virtual and haptic technologies, followed by an analysis of the competition and collaboration between visual and haptic stimuli within virtual reality games. The study did not yield conclusive evidence regarding whether the stimuli compete or collaborate. The inconclusive result opened up possibilities for future research to better understand this study's complexities and apply different methods to similar research.

Background: Communication is a central part of today's working life, essential for creating a good work environment and a well-functioning organization. Leadership and employee participation are mutually dependent on each other, and the leader’s communication can play a crucial role in employees' satisfaction, motivation, and well-being. Communication can help prevent stress and contribute to better well-being, but the right conditions are required for it to be effective.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze how employees in the grocery retail sector perceive the leader’s communication and its impact on their psychosocial work environment. The study focuses on analyzing these experiences using the demand-control-support model.

Method: A qualitative method was used to analyze and address the study’s purpose. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 11 employees, all of whom worked in teams and had overarching store responsibilities, in order to capture their experiences of the leader’s communication. The collected data was analyzed using a thematic analysis, where overarching themes and patterns were gathered and then categorized.

Conclusion: The results of the study show that employees have a strong need for support and feedback from their leader. This is because the leader’s communication plays a significant role in how employees perceive the work environment, collaboration, and job satisfaction. When the leader communicates clearly, provides feedback, and offers support, it increases employee motivation and sense of security. In contrast, poor communication leads to feelings of stress, uncertainty, and a deteriorated psychosocial work environment. Communication is not merely the transfer of information, it is essential for building relationships and promoting well-being in the workplace.

Carnivore diet is a high-protein ketogenic diet in which only animal-derived food is consumed. Unhealthy dietary patterns and obesity are linked with systemic chronic inflammation, which can increase disease burden and decrease longevity. Despite the limited research, the carnivore diet has the potential to decrease systemic chronic inflammation through a reduction in weight, ketone body signaling, alterations in gut microbiota, and avoidance of ultra-processed food. The current study aimed to evaluate the changes in anthropometric measurements and various clinical and serum marker measurements, with a focus on inflammation. The study consisted of four healthy young adults, all of whom consumed a high-carbohydrate diet, and underwent a three-week dietary intervention of ad libitum unprocessed beef, unprocessed chicken, and egg consumption. After the dietary intervention, participants experienced significant weight loss (-4 kg; p=0.032). The relative expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was significantly lower (p=0.006) after the diet, with non-significant changes (p>0.05) in all other inflammatory markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine, interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 10 (IL10), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), and white blood cell count (WBCC). Systolic (p=0.039) and diastolic (p=0.005) blood pressure were significantly reduced. Branched-chain amino acids were all elevated, with isoleucine (p=0.031) being significant. Sarcosine was also significantly elevated (p=0.013). The study provides preliminary findings that inflammatory markers remain relatively unchanged or lower in healthy participants after the carnivore diet, but might be more significant with a higher sample size and in individuals with obesity and inflammatory diseases. 

This research study analyzes the challenges of Sweden's recent digital landscape. Sweden faced multiple digital challenges over the last few years. The research study focuses on the role of leadership and crisis communication strategies for the management of ABC and XYZ Companies, located in Sweden, for the challenges of data breaches and data threats. The research study conducts a detailed analysis of the challenges that security elements face due to cyber threats. Different sources are selected to recognize the factors contributing to enhancing the level of cyber threats. Along with this, the study includes the use of mixed methods to achieve an in-depth understanding of the selected research topic. The survey questions are organized to understand participants' perspectives regarding cyber threats and security challenges. Conversely, credible sources are selected to enhance the explanation of cybersecurity and data threats. Recent journals and articles were selected to gain insight into information for the selected topic.

In addition to this, the right strategy is selected for the data analysis procedure. It better explains the valuable information associated with the research topic. The research focuses on the correct information associated with cyber threats and data breaches. The anticipation of mixed methodology is gaining the level of a positive analysis procedure. The chart and diagrams are also there to present the information better. It can generate a positive understanding of the aspects that play a significant role in data threats. The study also includes the recommended actions to reduce organizations' cyber threats and data breaches. The study includes various leadership models that can be implemented in different industries during cybersecurity management.

This research examines human behaviour leading to breaches in cybersecurity, specifically phishing exploitation and weak passwords, as they exist in organizations. The study considers the role of cybersecurity awareness and training on employee behaviours. Analysis of a self-reported survey shows that while employees generally showed awareness of cyber risks, some lacked the skills to act securely at work, such as not reporting phishing emails or mishandling sensitive email content. The research highlights the importance of ongoing cybersecurity training as well as actions of the organizations to clarify a security policy to guide employee behaviour. The data used to support the findings were self-reported, and recognizing the limited sample size prior to developing firm conclusions about the results is necessary. Future research questions could explore the influence of individual psychological and social factors (for example, depression, optimism, and overconfidence) on employee behaviour, or influence the development of secure practices within workplace behaviour. 

Virtual sizing platforms offer convenience in online retail, but they rely on sensitive biometric data such as facial scans and body meas-urements data that, once exposed, cannot be revoked. This thesis pro-poses a layered cybersecurity framework that protects biometric data across its entire lifecycle, from acquisition to storae, access, and machine learning inference. Using SizeWall as a case study, the frame-work addresses five critical areas: secure data capture, encryption at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication, model protection, and real-time monitoring. Each layer is designed to minimize attack surfaces while preserving user privacy and system usability. 

The solution incorporates industry-standard cryptography (e.g., AES-256, TLS 1.3), privacy-preserving techniques (differential privacy, anti-spoofing), and continuous behavioral analytics to detect threats such as spoofing, model inversion, and unauthorized access. It is cost-effective, scalable to users, and compliant with regulatory standards. Evaluation criteria include privacy assurance, system speed, and adaptability to evolving threats. This research demonstrates how a defense-in-depth approach can be practically implemented in consumer-facing applications, offering a blueprint for secure biometric systems that are privacy-aware, performance-ready, and future-proof. The framework’s architecture is supported by academic literature and in-formed by real-world deployment constraints, making it relevant to both researchers and practitioners aiming to secure biometric technol-ogies in high-risk, data-driven environments.

Malware poses a persistent threat to every digitalized entity in cyberspace. As software becomes ubiquitous in essential functions and critical infrastructure, malicious code becomes a risk even to societal continuity. It is a threat that is constantly expanding and evolving in lockstep with other technological advancements. Malware analysis is a practice that seeks to derive valuable insights regarding the threat’s semantics and semiotics. Such intelligence is vital to countering the proliferation of malicious software. However, manual analysis is not scalable with the exponential growth of software-based utilities. Consequently, the demand for automation has become more prevalent, and Machine Learning (ML) solutions have demonstrated promising performance. Likewise, the development of Large Language Models (LLMs) and their advanced capabilities has recently garnered significant interest. 

Nevertheless, many contemporary models are only accessible through their prompt, referred to as prompt-driven LLMs. Interactions with these models involve submitting and receiving messages in natural language. This characteristic renders the performance evaluation more intricate because their responses are neither naturally nor easily quantifiable. Nonetheless, this study presents a fully automated framework for prompt-driven LLM evaluation, including automatic response quantification. Due to the lack of available quality data in malware analysis research, the framework also includes automated dataset development. It provides the study with high-quality contemporary data aggregated using real-world malware and state-of-the-art threat intelligence. This dataset is then used with the framework to evaluate four lightweight LLMs’ performance in static malware analyses. 

The result is a malware classification correctness of 97.6% with the average response time of 4.7 seconds and negligible 0.4‰ invalid responses. Additionally, framework conformity regarding three out of four evaluated models is on average 99.6%. Thus, solidifying the presented framework as a valid evaluation tool for prompt-driven LLMs. These results provide valuable insight into the possibilities of LLMs in cybersecurity. Meanwhile, it provides an extensive automated framework enabling future threat intelligence and protection research. Furthermore, this study presents a novel approach to performance quantification of prompt-driven LLMs. Indeed, a fully automated framework for static malware analysis and a proposal for a standardized testbed. 

The internet’s original design emphasized communication over security, leaving protocols like TCP/IP and DNS inherently vulnerable to modern threats. As global networks scale, signaturebased Intrusion Detection System (IDS) increasingly fail to detect sophisticated attacks such as zero-day exploits, botnets, and APTs. The rise of encrypted traffic further impairs visibility, underscoring the need for adaptive, learning-based detection. This study investigates the use of Deep Learning (DL), specifically Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, to improve real-time anomaly detection in network traffic. The proposed model leverages temporal dependencies in flow-level features (notably, flow bytes per second) from the CIC-UNSW NB15 dataset to identify sequence-level anomalies often missed by rule-based systems or shallow classifiers. An experimental evaluation compares the Long Short-Term Memory-Variational Autoencoder (LSTM-VAE) model against traditional IDS solutions, assessing its performance in terms of accuracy, false positives, scalability, and generalization. Baseline comparisons reference prior work (Hesford et al., 2024), where traditional models such as Slip and Kitsune achieved F1 scores of 0.13 and 0.56 respectively, versus 0.85 from a DNN-based IDS. This research builds on those results by integrating temporal modeling and explainability, aiming to reduce false positives and improve detection of evolving threats. Ultimately, the study examines whether Deep Learning-driven IDS represent a fundamental shift in cybersecurity or merely an enhancement to existing frameworks. Results suggest that while not a complete replacement, Deep Learningbased anomaly detection offers significant advantages in coverage, adaptability, and early-stage detection, particularly when combined with hybrid architectures.