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Conclusion: Future Directions
No full textThe Routledge Handbook on Sports Law and Governance provides a definitive guide to the regulation of international and national sport through the lens of both regulatory, governance and legal frameworks.Over the past several decades, law, regulation, and governance associated with international and national sport has grown exponentially, aligned with professional and elite level sport development. The organisation and sophistication of international and national sporting competitions creates an environment where pressures such as the sports ethic and strong incentives to win give rise to both novel problems and reoccurring themes. Exploring a wide range of perspectives across disciplines and transcending jurisdictional boundaries, the handbook analyses complex international and national sports challenges. Taking a nuanced approach to traditional themes, it recognises the context and sport as a regulatory domain when applying law and legal frameworks.This book is an essential resource for students and academics exploring issues in international and national sports law, sports regulation and sport governance.<br/
Using data analytics to distinguish legitimate and illegitimate shell companies
Get PDFShell companies can be a legitimate entity but can also been used for illicit activities such as money laundering. Users of shell companies have included illegal arms dealers, drug cartels, terrorists and cyber-criminals, as well as legitimate businesses. To assist in distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate uses of shell companies, we develop a data-driven model to detect shell companies that are being used for money laundering. We use a hybrid approach combining graph analytics and supervised machine learning. The resulting detection models have an impressive classification accuracy ranging between 88.17 % and 97.85 %. We found no prior study that developed such models to detect illicit shell companies using publicly available information as done with our models. Beneficiaries of this work include government officials and compliance professionals, particularly accountants, tax officials and anti-corruption agencies
Unravelling The Metaverse Matrix: Navigating Privacy Protection within Modelling and Simulation Platforms
No full textThis article examines how personal data are regulated in emerging modelling and simulation environments, including computer games, mobile apps, and digital twin platforms. This article centers on a specific type of simulated and modelling environment, namely the metaverse. This article considers the privacy issues that arise when people subscribe to and participate in modelling and simulation platforms where vast amounts of data are collected, disclosed and stored. Such data may be vulnerable to misuse by the platform and third parties. This article considers Meta’s “horizons metaverse” platform as a case study for an immersive modelling and simulation platform. It examines the way in which personal data is used in the context of the metaverse and the mechanisms by which the United States and the European Union regulate such data. This article sheds light on the adequacies and inadequacies of existing legal protections and considers the way in which privacy by design may assist in filling the gaps in the current regulatory framework
Platform Suspension Orders: Excessive or a Way Forward? A Closer Look at the Supreme Court of Brazil v X
No full textThe decision of Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court of Brazil to suspend the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) in late August this year was at the heart of yet another feud over freedom of speech between Elon Musk and public authorities.Although the measures taken by Justice de Moraes might be viewed as excessive, the case illustrates the difficulty of regulating platforms particularly while attempting to balance the protection of freedom of speech with the need to combat the sharing of harmful content online. The decision may have implications for Australia as we are facing the same issues here
A randomized clinical trial of emotional freedom techniques for chronic pain: Live versus self-paced delivery with 6-month follow-up
No full textBackground: Chronic pain represents a major global healthcare crisis, and current treatments are limited in effectiveness and safety. Emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) show promise as a potential psychological treatment. Methods: The current study investigated the effect of a randomized clinical trial of EFT for chronic pain in a sample of 147 adult chronic pain sufferers (89.9% female; mean 54.63 years). Participants engaged in a 6-week EFT programme (either online self-paced or in-person). Results:The per-protocol analysis indicated pain severity and interference scores were significantly lower at the end of treatment for the EFT group compared to waitlist, and these were sustained at follow-up. There were no differences between the in-person or self-paced programmes at follow-up for pain severity and interference. Somatic symptoms were significantly lower after EFT, although no further differences at follow-up. Quality of life scores were significantly higher after EFT, which were sustained at follow-up, and no differences between two styles of programme. No significant effects were found for anxiety, depression, happiness or satisfaction with life across the 6-week programmes for either style of delivery or at follow-up. These are discussed in terms of clinical score meanings. Intent-to-treat analysis was consistent with the per-protocol analyses. Limitations of the study are identified and future directions are discussed. Conclusions: Findings offer early promise for EFT as a potentially effective pain management strategy, as well as support for online intervention without compromising treatment outcomes. Significance Statement: An emerging body-based intervention for chronic pain may be a possible solution for remote clients who cannot attend in-person sessions. In this clinical trial Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) significantly reduced chronic pain severity and interference, and there were no differences between and online self-paced program toan online in-person EFT intervention. Both were equally effective, also enhancing quality of life without compromising outcomes. The results were significant at 6-month follow-up/. These findings highlight a body-based approach as a promising, accessible pain management strategy, and highlights that online programs may be part of the solution for chronic pain patients
Woolworths' dilemma: Performance management through engineered standards
No full textIn early 2024, a Coaching and Productivity Framework aimed at increasing efficiency was introduced at Woolworths Group Limited (Woolworth’s) distribution centres in Australia. Based on engineered standards, staff were expected to perform at 100 per cent during their shift to a speed-related metric, commonly referred to as a pick-rate. A headset worn by warehouse employees told them where to go, what items to take from the shelves and pack, and how long this should take. If a worker did not meet the predefined 100 per cent standard, they were placed on a twelve-week coaching program. Primary Connect (the distribution arm of Woolworths) managed the distribution centres and helped move products across the country to support retail operations. They sent a memo to staff on May 27, 2024, which advised:The introduction of the Framework is intended to standardize our approach to managing performance across all of our distribution centres. Importantly, the Framework does not change the performance standards or minimum performance expectations that have been applied across our supply chain business for over 10 years. Since the introduction of the Framework, there had been widespread worker disputes, including one filed with the Fair Work Commission in April 2024, in which the respondent advised of approximately 1100 separate individual disputes across nine distribution centres within Australia. In June 2024, ongoing employee concerns led the United Workers Union (UWU) to claim that “engineered standards are a weaponized tool of workplace control and discipline, hidden behind a veneer of technological objectivity” and treat warehouse employees like robots. Strike action commenced on November 21, 2024, with more than 1500 UWU members demanding Woolworths remove the productivity rules that would discipline staff for not working fast enough. Woolworths claimed this strike action caused a decrease of over $50million AUD in sales and disrupted other retailers including Dan Murphy’s and BWS bottle shops. Leading into the busy Christmas season, the Framework was temporarily paused while Woolworths grappled with whether to abolish the Framework or make changes to address concerns?<br/
Investigating the impact of trial retractions on the healthcare evidence ecosystem (VITALITY Study I): retrospective cohort study
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of retracted trials on the production and use of healthcare evidence in the evidence ecosystem.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study based on forward citation searching.DATA SOURCES: Retraction Watch up to 5 November 2024.STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials in humans that were retracted for any reason.METHODS: Forward citation searching via Google Scholar and Scopus was used to identify evidence synthesis research (21 November 2024) that quantitatively incorporated retracted trials. Data were independently extracted by two groups of researchers. The results of meta-analyses were updated after exclusion of the retracted trials. The proportions of meta-analyses that changed direction of the pooled effect and/or the significance of the P value were estimated. A generalised linear mixed model was used to investigate the association between the number of included studies and the impact, measured by odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI). The impact of distorted evidence on clinical practice guidelines was also investigated on the basis of citation searching.RESULTS: The searches identified 1330 retracted trials and 847 systematic reviews that quantitatively synthesised retracted trials, with a total of 3902 meta-analyses that could be replicated. After the potential clustering effects were accounted for, the exclusion of the retracted trials led to a change in the direction of the pooled effect in 8.4% (95% CI 6.8% to 10.1%), in its statistical significance in 16.0% (14.2% to 17.9%), and in both direction and significance in 3.9% (2.5% to 5.2%) and a >50% change in the magnitude of the effect in 15.7% (13.5% to 17.9%). An obvious non-linear association existed between the number of included studies and the impact on the results, with a lower number of studies having higher impact (eg, for 10 studies versus ≥20 studies, change of direction: odds ratio 2.63, 95% CI 1.29 to 5.38; P<0.001). Evidence from 68 systematic reviews with conclusions distorted by retracted trials was used in 157 guideline documents.CONCLUSION:Retracted trials have a substantial impact on the evidence ecosystem, including evidence synthesis, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence based clinical practice. Evidence generators, synthesisers, and users must pay attention to this problem, and feasible approaches that assist with easier identification and correction of such potential contamination are needed.STUDY REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/7eazq/)
CONSORT 2025 Statement: Updated Guideline for Reporting Randomized Trials
No full textIMPORTANCE: Well-designed and properly executed randomized trials are considered the most reliable evidence on the benefits of health care interventions. However, there is overwhelming evidence that the quality of reporting is not optimal. The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement was designed to improve the quality of reporting and provides a minimum set of items to be included in a report of a randomized trial. CONSORT was first published in 1996, then updated in 2001 and 2010. Herein, we present the updated CONSORT 2025 statement, which aims to account for recent methodological advancements and feedback from end users.OBSERVATIONS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature and developed a project-specific database of empirical and theoretical evidence related to CONSORT to generate a list of potential changes to the checklist. The list was enriched with recommendations provided by the lead authors of existing CONSORT extensions (harms, outcomes, nonpharmacological treatment), other related reporting guidelines (Template for Intervention Description and Replication [TIDieR]), and recommendations from other sources (eg, personal communications). The list of potential changes to the checklist was assessed in a large, international, online, 3-round Delphi survey involving 317 participants and discussed at a 2-day online expert consensus meeting of 30 invited international experts. We have made substantive changes to the CONSORT checklist. We added 7 new checklist items, revised 3 items, deleted 1 item, and integrated several items from key CONSORT extensions. We also restructured the CONSORT checklist, with a new section on open science. The CONSORT 2025 statement consists of a 30-item checklist of essential items that should be included when reporting the results of a randomized trial and a diagram for documenting the flow of participants through the trial. To facilitate implementation of CONSORT 2025, we have also developed an expanded version of the CONSORT 2025 checklist, with bullet points eliciting critical elements of each item.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Authors, editors, reviewers, and other potential users should use CONSORT 2025 when writing and evaluating manuscripts of randomized trials to ensure that trial reports are clear and transparent.</p
CONSORT 2025 statement: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials
No full textWell designed and properly executed randomised trials are considered the most reliable evidence on the benefits of healthcare interventions. However, there is overwhelming evidence that the quality of reporting is not optimal. The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement was designed to improve the quality of reporting and provides a minimum set of items to be included in a report of a randomised trial. CONSORT was first published in 1996, then updated in 2001 and 2010. Here, we present the updated CONSORT 2025 statement, which aims to account for recent methodological advancements and feedback from end users. We conducted a scoping review of the literature and developed a project-specific database of empirical and theoretical evidence related to CONSORT, to generate a list of potential changes to the checklist. The list was enriched with recommendations provided by the lead authors of existing CONSORT extensions (Harms, Outcomes, Non-pharmacological Treatment), other related reporting guidelines (TIDieR) and recommendations from other sources (eg, personal communications). The list of potential changes to the checklist was assessed in a large, international, online, three-round Delphi survey involving 317 participants and discussed at a two-day online expert consensus meeting of 30 invited international experts. We have made substantive changes to the CONSORT checklist. We added seven new checklist items, revised three items, deleted one item, and integrated several items from key CONSORT extensions. We also restructured the CONSORT checklist, with a new section on open science. The CONSORT 2025 statement consists of a 30-item checklist of essential items that should be included when reporting the results of a randomised trial and a diagram for documenting the flow of participants through the trial. To facilitate implementation of CONSORT 2025, we have also developed an expanded version of the CONSORT 2025 checklist, with bullet points eliciting critical elements of each item. Authors, editors, reviewers, and other potential users should use CONSORT 2025 when writing and evaluating manuscripts of randomised trials to ensure that trial reports are clear and transparent.</p
The relationships between Dark Tetrad traits and adolescent cyberbullying and cybertrolling with online time and life satisfaction as moderators
Get PDFCyberbullying and cybertrolling on social media have significant implications for mental health. The Dark Tetrad traits are associated with antisocial online behaviours. However, the influence of time spent social media and life satisfaction on these relationships is not fully understood. This study investigated the relationships of Dark Tetrad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) with cyberbullying and cybertrolling in 189 Australian adolescents (aged 16–19; M = 17.29, SD = 0.89). Using purposive sampling, data were collected via an online survey with self-report questionnaires, including the Short Dark Tetrad Scale, Cyber-Aggression Scale, Global Assessment of Internet Trolling, and Brief Multidimensional Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale. Multiple regression analyses indicated that psychopathy and sadism were significant predictors of antisocial online behaviours, while Machiavellianism and narcissism were not significant predictors. Time spent online and life satisfaction did not moderate the relationships between Dark Tetrad traits and these behaviours. These findings can inform early assessments and educational interventions while highlighting the importance of parental awareness of personality traits and online risks. Implementing these recommendations can help reduce maladaptive online behaviours among adolescents, fostering a safe online environment and mitigating the impacts of cyberbullying and cybertrolling.Keywords Antisocial online behaviours · Dark Tetrad · Personality · Time spent online · Life satisfactio