A model for describing and maximising Security Knowledge Sharing to enhance security awareness

Employees play a crucial role in enhancing information security in the workplace, and this requires everyone having the requisite security knowledge and know-how. To maximise knowledge levels, organisations should encourage and facilitate Security Knowledge Sharing (SKS) between employees. To maximise sharing, we need first to understand the mechanisms whereby such sharing takes place and then to encourage and engender such sharing. A study was carried out to test the applicability of Transactive Memory Systems Theory in describing knowledge sharing in this context, which confirmed its applicability in this domain. To encourage security knowledge sharing, the harnessing of Self-Determination Theory was proposed— satisfying employee autonomy, relatedness and competence needs to maximise sharing. Such sharing is required to improve and enhance employee security awareness across organisations. We propose a model to describe the mechanisms for such sharing as well as the means by which it can be encouraged

Reflections and Future Directions for Multi-Hazard Risk in the Context of the Sendai Framework and Discussions Beyond

Multi-hazard events pose increasingly complex challenges to societies worldwide, as natural hazards interact in cascading and compounding ways that amplify risks beyond individual hazards. Understanding these complex interactions is critical for effective disaster risk management, preparedness, and response strategies. National and international frameworks have increasingly recognised these risk dynamics, most notably the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. With the Sendai Framework approaching its conclusion, there is a pressing need to address current shortcomings and contribute meaningfully to shaping the next generation of global disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks. Acknowledging this need, the 3rd International Conference on Natural Hazards and Risks in a Changing World took place on June 12–13, 2024, with the objective of strengthening the integration of multi-hazard risk into scientific research and policy practice in support of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Here, we document the arc of the scientific discussions held at the conference, synthesise the main findings from sessions, and set forth expert knowledge on how state-of-the-art science can fill gaps outlined by the Sendai Framework Mid Term Review by identifying four perspective themes: (1) assessments and tools for risk understanding and decision-making; (2) complex risk landscapes; (3) emerging technologies for risk and resilience; and (4) multi-level governance for coordinated risk management. Ultimately, there was a strong call from the conference for moving beyond siloed thinking toward greater integration of multi-hazards, vulnerability dynamics, multi-level governance, stakeholder engagement, and scientific disciplines across spatial and temporal dimensions, while recognising that the challenge ahead lies in finding the optimal balance between sufficient integration and manageable complexity. This perspective emphasises that effective DRR must initiate transformative processes to build resilience against increasing global challenges while informing the development of post-2030 frameworks and supporting broader Sustainable Development Goals

Increased CaMKII-dependent pro-arrhythmic activity in a novel mouse model of obstructive sleep apnoea

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is frequently associated with atrial arrhythmias, but detailed mechanisms remain elusive. Most recently, we found an increased CaMKII-dependent pro-arrhythmic activity in patients with sleep apnoea. Since patients suffer from various confounding comorbidities, we have developed a novel mouse model of OSA by tongue enlargement. Purpose We tested if mice with OSA exhibit increased atrial CaMKII-dependent pro-arrhythmic activity. Methods Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) was injected into the tongue of 12 wild-type (WT) and 10 CaMKII knock-out (CKO) mice. 9 WT and 9 CKO mice were used as control without PTFE injection. Inspiratory flow limitations and apnoeas were monitored during murine sleep phases by whole-body plethysmography (Buxco). After eight weeks, isolated atrial cardiomyocytes were incubated with the Ca-sensitive dye FURA-2 AM for 15 min. Regular Ca transients were elicited by electrical field stimulation (1 Hz, 20 V for 4 ms) using epifluorescence microscopy. Pro-arrhythmic non-stimulated events were defined as deviations from diastolic Ca baseline between two stimulated Ca transients. Results Sonographic measurements revealed a significant increase in mean tongue diameter from (in mm) 3.7±0.1 to 5.1±0.1 after PTFE injection (n=23, p&amp;lt;0.0001). There was a significant correlation between magnitude of tongue diameter and frequency of apnoeas in OSA mice (p=0.046, r2=0.19, Fig. 1A). Interestingly, we observed a significantly increased frequency of pro-arrhythmic events of (in s–1) 0.06±0.01 in WT OSA mice compared to 0.02±0.01 in WT control mice (p=0.047, Fig. 1B). Similar results were observed at higher stimulation frequencies (2 and 4 Hz). There was a significant correlation of pro-arrhythmic events with inspiratory flow limitations (p=0.03, r2=0.24, Fig. 1C) and with the frequency of apnoeas by strong trend (p=0.06, r2=0.18). In contrast, no increase in atrial pro-arrhythmic events was observed in CKO mice after PTFE injection (for CKO mice after PTFE vs. CKO mice without PTFE, 0.03±0.01 s–1 vs. 0.03±0.01 s–1, p=0.89, Fig. 1B). Accordingly, the correlations between pro-arrhythmic events and both inspiratory flow limitations (p=0.36, r2=0.05, Fig. 1C) and apnoeas (p=0.82, r2=0.004) were completely abolished in CKO mice. Conclusion In a novel mouse model of obstructive sleep apnoea, atrial pro-arrhythmic activity was increased in a CaMKII-dependent fashion, which may have therapeutic implications. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Benedikt Schaner / Mr., this work is supported by a research grant of the German Cardiac Society (DGK); Stefan Wagner / Professor, was funded by DFG grants Figure 1 </jats:sec