Building connections among participatory creative music practitioners in Canada

Supportive school and community resources are associated with reduced risk of suicidality among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ +) adolescents as well as their cisgender, heterosexual peers. This study examined whether adolescents attending schools and living in communities with more versus fewer LGBTQ +-supportive resources were at lower risk of a past-year suicide attempt. Data on sexual orientation and past-year suicide attempt were obtained from student surveys administered in 30 Massachusetts public high schools between 2014 and 2017 (N = 20,790). Data on school resources were obtained from a questionnaire administered to school officials, and community resources were assessed through internet searching. Modified Poisson generalized estimating equations tested associations between school and community LGBTQ +-supports and suicide attempt separately by sex/gender, adjusting for student, school, and community covariates. Several school resources and the availability of community-wide LGBTQ +-supportive resources were associated with lower risk of a suicide attempt among several subgroups of students, even after controlling for the presence of multiple school and community resources and covariates. For example, the risk of a suicide attempt among gay, bisexual and questioning boys in schools with a gender-neutral restroom was approximately half compared to gay, bisexual and questioning boys in schools without this resource. Past year suicide attempts were also significantly lower among questioning, RR = 0.56, CI [0.37-0.86], and heterosexual, RR = 0.59, CI [0.50-0.68], girls living in communities with more supportive resources compared to those in communities with fewer resources. LGBTQ +-supportive resources in schools and communities may be beneficial for all adolescents regardless of sexual orientation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

“A lot of moving parts”: Recovery home challenges linking and housing individuals with criminal legal system involvement

Exploring The Effectiveness of Digital Learning Platforms for Improving Financial Skills: The Case of YouTube. Objective: YouTube is a digital platform that can be used for formal and informal education. Very little research still reveals the use of YouTube as a learning resource in schools for financial management material. Therefore, this research aims to explore using YouTube as a digital learning resource for improving financial ability. Methods: This research uses qualitative and quantitative methods with descriptive statistics. The subjects in this research were teachers and students. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires and interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of user perceptions and learning outcomes. Findings: Research found that 84% of respondents agreed to use YouTube as a digital learning resource in learning Financial Management material, and 77% believe they can learn more by watching subject-related videos on YouTube than by reading books. In addition, students' responses strongly agreed with using YouTube as a digital learning resource for learning financial management. YouTube stores material in long-term memory, making it easier for students to review the material, so that student understanding increases. The visual and auditory elements of YouTube videos enhance engagement and retention. YouTube is also effective as a digital learning platform for improving financial skills. Teachers also acknowledged that YouTube helps make abstract financial concepts more concrete through visual explanations. Conclusion: So, YouTube has the potential to become an effective digital platform used for learning, particularly in improving students' financial skills. The accessibility, diversity of content, and user-friendly nature of YouTube make it a valuable supplement to traditional learning resources in the digital age. Future research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts of YouTube-based learning on students' financial behaviour. Keywords: digital learning platform, financial ability, youtube.

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the involvement of mental healthcare professionals in a co-design process of a digital healthcare platform. Many people with severe mental disorders need constant support and monitoring, and with long waiting lists and scarce resources in mental healthcare, there is a dire need for innovative digital solutions to counteract those issues. This paper elaborates on a co-design process of a digital platform and mobile app designed for people with mental disorders. The platform primarily considers two perspectives: i) the patients and ii) the healthcare professionals. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on canonical action research, where the co-design involvement with 13 healthcare professionals is analyzed and their interactions with three primary scenarios are focused. Findings The main contribution of this paper is three co-design principles: i) clarity and information accessibility regarding the patient's side, ii) efficiency and flexibility when it comes to the healthcare professional's side and iii) a notification function in the mobile application. Originality/value The theoretical contribution is the conceptualization of the three co-design principles that others can use when designing digital platforms in healthcare in general and psychiatric care in particular. The practical contributions are firstly outlined through the co-design process itself, where scenarios to guide the work are used, and secondly, the improvements made in the digital platform derived from the results of the co-design process.

In order to overcome the current challenges facing the mathematical and methodical educational community, there is a need to study and analyze the existing domestic experience in using digital educational platforms in the education of mathematics students. This article examines certain aspects of the Ukrainian experience of using educational platforms in education and analyzes the results of research on the impact of digital educational platforms on the quality of mathematics education at school. By applying digital learning platforms in the learning process, the mathematics teacher acquires a new role and meaning: he becomes the coordinator of the effective continuous and comprehensive development of the student. The student, using digital resources during lessons, as well as during homework, engages in active and dynamic mental activity. We believe that the educational process needs and undergoes such changes due to the use of digital educational platforms. According to the teachers of Vinnytsia, the use of digital resources in the process of teaching mathematics is necessary and useful, first of all, in order to present abstract mathematical concepts more clearly for students. Accompanying educational texts with new information technologies within a certain digital platform contributes to the student's interest in learning mathematics, and also helps to activate the educational and cognitive, project and research activities of students and strengthen their independence in mastering mathematical and digital competencies. The article clarifies the level of readiness of mathematics teachers in a particular region to actively use digital platforms in educational and methodological activities.

To examine the effects of a telephone-delivered intervention, Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking-Caregiver (FITT-C), on community support and healthcare use by dementia caregivers. Randomized, controlled trial. Academic medical center. Dyads (n=250) of distressed informal dementia caregivers and care recipients. Caregivers were randomly assigned to receive the FITT-C (n=133) or telephone support (TS; n=117). Both groups received 16 telephone contacts from a master's-level therapist over 6months. The FITT-C intervention provided psychoeducation, problem solving, and other directive approaches based on assessment of critical areas (e.g., mood, behavior, family functioning, social support). TS provided supportive therapeutic strategies. Outcome variables were caregiver report of community support service use, number of visits to the emergency department (ED) for caregivers and care recipients, and hospital stays for caregivers during the interventions. Intervention groups did not differ in demographic characteristics, use of support services, or use of healthcare resources at baseline. Caregivers who received the FITT-C used community support services at end of treatment significantly more than those receiving TS (P=.02). FITT-C caregivers had a significantly lower rate of ED visits (rate difference 9.5%, P=.048) and hospital stays (rate difference 11.4%, P=.01) over the 6-month course of the intervention than TS caregivers. Care recipient use of community or medical resources did not differ according to group. An entirely telephone-delivered intervention was effective in increasing caregiver engagement in community resources and reducing caregiver use of hospital-based healthcare resources. Results highlight the potential effect of FITT-C on healthcare use.

IntroductionApproximately five million people live with diabetes in the UK. The cost of this is approximately 10 percent of the National Health Service (NHS) budget. Wales has the highest prevalence of diabetes of any country in the UK. Educating people on how to best manage their condition can minimize associated complications. Digital platforms can aid self-management and improve risk factors.MethodsThis rapid review aimed to address the following research question: What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of digital platforms for personalized diabetes management to inform decision-making and guidance in the NHS? Digital platforms for this rapid review can be driven using artificial intelligence, machine learning, or through the application of data rules. Clinical evidence published since 2008 on health economics and patient, carer, and family perspectives relevant to Wales was identified by searching relevant databases such as MEDLINE. One relevant economic analysis was conducted using the UK Prospective Diabetes Study Outcomes Model 2.ResultsOutcomes included improvements in glycemic control, healthcare resource use (e.g., number of total general practitioner and emergency department visits per year), reduction in body weight among participants, reduction in cholesterol levels, and positive patient-reported outcome measures. An economic analysis identified in the literature review found that a digital platform was more effective and less costly than routine diabetes care and was, therefore, dominant. The analysis was based on observed reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin levels from a database of people with diabetes in NHS Scotland.ConclusionsThe evidence suggests there are benefits in using digital platforms to aid self-management among people with diabetes. Studies reporting on glycosylated hemoglobin levels found statistically significant and clinically important benefits from using digital platforms. Digital platforms also have the potential to be more effective and less costly than routine diabetes care in Wales and the UK.

Background/Significance: African American/Black (AA/B) women experience a 46 percent higher mortality rate from reproductive cancers compared to White women. While dietary interventions have shown effectiveness in improving survivorship, barriers such as limited access to culturally and linguistically relevant nutrition information hinder healthy dietary behaviors. Digital platforms are key sources of cancer nutrition information for AA/B women, yet algorithmic biases often limit the visibility of culturally relevant, reliable resources in underserved communities. Optimizing algorithmic frameworks to prioritize culturally tailored content could enhance survivorship outcomes for AA/B women. Methods: An environmental scan of 25 sources evaluated the accessibility and cultural alignment of online cancer nutrition information for AA/B women. Focus groups with reproductive cancer survivors explored trust in digital health platforms and barriers to accessing culturally adapted nutrition resources. Interviews with SEO specialists, bio-nutritionists, and food industry leaders examined how algorithms impact access to culturally specific cancer nutrition information. Results: The environmental scan revealed a gap in culturally adapted cancer nutrition content for AA/B women in national guidelines. Focus groups emphasized the reliance on digital platforms for dietary guidance but noted challenges in accessing trustworthy, culturally relevant information. Interviews revealed algorithmic biases that limit visibility of culturally tailored content, particularly in underserved areas. These findings stress the need for culturally competent nutrition education to address disparities and improve cancer survivorship outcomes. Conclusion: Optimizing search engine algorithms and integrating trustworthy, credible, and culturally relevant nutrition content into digital platforms are essential to addressing access barriers for AA/B cancer survivors. By advancing algorithmic design and promoting reliable, culturally tailored online resources, technology can build trust and improve survivorship outcomes. This research stresses the critical role of digital innovation and health equity-focused strategies in promoting equitable access to cancer nutrition information, supporting the continuum of innovation in cancer care. Acknowledgement of Funding: The project described was supported by Award Number CHERC-MSI-21-166-01-CHERC-MSI. from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the ACS. Citation Format: Zakirah L. Abdul-Hameed, Gabrielle Ford, Amirah Burton-Obanla, Desiree Rivers. Exploring the role of algorithms in accessing culturally tailored nutrition information to improve survivorship in women with reproductive cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4908.

PurposeGlobally, cancer represents an increasing proportion of child mortality as progress against infectious causes is made. Approximately 400,000 children will develop cancer, each year, around the world. Only about half of these cancers will ever be diagnosed. In high-resource settings, 80% of children will survive, but only about 30% will survive in low-resource settings. Digital solutions have a valuable role in increasing health professional knowledge, skills and empowerment to diagnose, treat and otherwise care for children and adolescents with cancer. This review sought to identify digital resources that support the training and development of the paediatric oncology workforce in resource -poor settings.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a narrative descriptive review of peer-reviewed publications and digital platforms that contribute to health professionals' education and training regarding paediatric oncology, particularly in rural and other low-resource settings.FindingsDigital solutions were identified for building communities of practice, facilitating access to information and support and providing access to training, education and supervision specifically for paediatric oncology health professionals. A total of 33 resources are discussed in depth. A quality assessment of the digital resources is provided using the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose (CRAAP) tool and suggestions to improve the quality of resources are discussed.Practical implicationsThe authors anticipate that this summary of digital resources for the global paediatric oncology professional community will inform digital health investments and design of digital innovations to meet emerging needs and will have an impact on the workforce in the real world. Ultimately, this work will contribute to an improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with cancer in resource-poor settings.Originality/valueThis is the first discussion and summary of digital education platforms which educate, train and offer support to health professionals with respect to paediatric oncology. These digital platforms are often aimed at, and are essential for, health professionals in rural and other low-resource settings.

Introduction: the paper analyzes the prospects for creating a regulatory framework for the digital platforms in Russia. The paper examines the existing approaches to the definition of “digital platform” in the legislation and legal doctrine, determines their role in the implementation of the state policy on building a digital economy, as well as the factors that led to their accelerated implementation in public administration. A critical analysis of the actions planned in the National plan that ensure the restoration of employment and income of the population, economic growth and long-term structural changes in the economy associated with digital platformization is carried out. The paper reveals the existing problems in the domestic law enforcement practice related to the functioning of the digital platforms in the context of legal uncertainty. The paper examines the foreign experience of the legislative regulation of digital platforms. Methods: in the study, the authors used both the general scientific methods (dialectical method of cognition, analysis, synthesis, formal logical method, prognostic method, etc.) and the specific scientific methods (formal legal method, method of legal interpretation, etc.). Results: the need to create a regulatory framework for the digital platforms in order to eliminate the identified problems of the law enforcement practice is justified. Conclusions: based on the results of the study and taking into account the analysis of the positive foreign experience, the authors’ definition of the concept of digital (online) platform is formulated, and the main directions for improving the domestic legislation regulating the activities of the digital platforms in Russia are determined.

Purpose Digital technology has been widely applied in zakat collection. Millennials, who are now dominating the productive phase and at their peak carrier path, are the potential target for zakat collection as their number reached 31.3% of the Indonesian population. On the other hand, public and private zakat institutions have attempted to optimize the country’s zakat potential, reaching 233.6tn rupiahs, through development of a digital platform for zakat collection. However, the gap between the actual collection of zakat with its potential is still large. This study aims to analyse the factors affecting millennials in paying zakat through direct payment or through digital platform of private or public zakat institutions. Design/methodology/approach Multinomial logistic regression method, which signifies the contribution of this study, is used to analyse factors influencing millennials in their zakat payment. In addition, cross-tabulation is used to classify the characteristics of respondents. Respondents are selected conveniently through a digital questionnaire distributed in February–March 2021. Respondents are also selected purposively based on their experience in paying zakat through direct, private or public zakat institutions, which are consisted of 50 respondents per each category; thus, the total becomes 150 respondents. Findings Based on the results, three variables, namely, education, accessibility and age, are found to have a significant influence on zakat payment through online platforms provided by private zakat institutions. Meanwhile, variables that influence zakat payment through online platforms provided by public zakat institutions are education, accessibility and income. This study also finds that millennials have the highest probability to select online platforms provided by private zakat institutions as a channel of their zakat payment. However, the overall result shows that millennials tend to pay directly to the mustahik (zakat recipients) rather than via online platforms, presumably because of their limited zakat literacy. Research limitations/implications The purposive sampling technique used to determine the research samples limits the generalization of the study. Practical implications This paper establishes a new approach in analysing millennials preference in their zakat payment with digital inclusiveness. The use of a multinomial logistic approach, which has not been widely applied in such research, strengthens the analysis that is relevant to the need of both private and public zakat institutions to analyse determinants of millennials in paying their zakat through online platform. This study can be used as a reference to formulate a more effective marketing strategy for zakat collection. This paper also serves as an estimate of the preference with some selected typical characteristics of millennials by using a multinomial logistic approach. Social implications Formal payment through the zakat institution theoretically is more preferable than direct payment to mustahik (zakat recipients) in the zakat campaign. However, based on this research, despite digital marketing and platforms having been well-used by both private and public zakat institutions, the millennials still prefer direct zakat payment than through online platforms. The findings of this research suggest the importance of strengthening zakat literacy through a more effective digital marketing strategy of zakat institutions which target the millennials. Originality/value This study fills the gap in the literature on how millennials choose their zakat payment method, whether through digital platforms developed by private and public zakat institutions or directly to the targeted zakat recipients. The use of multinomial logistic regression approach adds the novelty of this research.

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the theoretical, methodological, and practical foundations for developing students’ design (project) competencies within a rapidly evolving digital educational environment. As digital technologies increasingly permeate higher education, students are expected not only to manage information but also to engage in complex project design, creative problem solving, data-driven analysis, and digital content creation. The study highlights the complementary roles of the TPACK framework, DigComp 2.2, and Project-Based Learning (PBL), demonstrating how their integration forms a robust foundation for competence development. The article emphasises four core components of design competence: analytical, creative, technological, and reflective. It situates them within the broader context of global educational trends and the digital transformation of higher education in Uzbekistan. A conceptual model titled “HEI - student - digital platform - mentor” is proposed, outlining a systemic approach to supporting students’ project activities in digital environments. Furthermore, the article presents empirical results from an experiment involving 120 university students, showing a statistically significant improvement in competence levels following the implementation of the proposed methodology. The study concludes that the most effective development of design competences occurs when project tasks involve precise problem framing, idea generation, digital prototyping, testing, and structured reflection. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, educational technologists, and curriculum developers seeking to enhance project-based learning through digital ecosystems.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of digital platforms on the contemporary visual art market. Drawing on the theoretical insights of the technology acceptance model, the meaning transfer model and arts marketing literature, the authors conceptualise the role of user participation in creating the meaning and value of contemporary artworks in the online art market.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct a qualitative study of Saatchi Art as an instrumental case for theorising. It is an online platform for trading visual artworks created by young and emerging artists. The data for this study were collected through direct observation and documentary reviews, as well as user comments and buyer reviews from Saatchi Art. The authors reviewed 319 buyer comments Art and 30 user comments. The collected data are supplemented with various secondary sources such as newspapers, magazines, social media texts and videos.FindingsThe growth of digital art platforms such as Saatchi Art provides efficiency and accessibility of information to users while helping them overcome the impediments of physical galleries such as geographical constraints and intimidating psychological environments, thereby attracting novice collectors. However, users’ involvement in the process of valuing artworks is limited and still guided by curatorial direction.Research limitations/implicationsThe first limitation of this research is that the data in this research cannot capture interactions between users, though users’ intention to use Saatchi Art is affected by the social influence of other users. Second, this research has not examined artists as users of digital art platforms and their interactions with other types of users. Artists’ intention to use the online platform might be underlined by enhancing their status in the peer group or seeking legitimacy in the field by following other artists and getting recommendations from important referents.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of this research suggest that newcomers in the online art market should acknowledge that users’ intention to use the online art platform is determined by not only technological usefulness of the website but also the symbolic capital of the information provider.Originality/valueUser participation in the online art market is guided by curatorial direction rather than social influence. This confirms re-intermediation of marketing relationships, highlighting the role of new intermediaries such as digital platforms in arts marketing.

UNSTRUCTURED The article delves into the innovative transformation of rural primary healthcare through digital platforms. Focusing on the unique landscape of China, the article unveils the profound impact of digital technologies in overcoming geographical constraints and providing enhanced medical services to rural populations. It analyzes how these platforms act as a bridge, connecting remote areas to quality healthcare services, which were previously challenging to access due to various barriers. The article emphasizes the significance of digital platforms, which, through telemedicine and online consultations, offer expert medical opinions to individuals residing in areas with limited healthcare resources. By breaking down the geographical barriers, these digital platforms play a vital role in addressing the disparity in healthcare accessibility between urban and rural areas. The article sheds light on the efficiency and ease of use these platforms bring, promoting preventive care, regular health monitoring, and disease management without the need for physical visits to medical centers. The article underscores the immense potential of digital healthcare platforms in revolutionizing rural healthcare, establishing a more inclusive, efficient, and patient-oriented approach to address the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas in China.

The One Health Clinic (OHC) is a transdisciplinary approach to healthcare services delivery, providing low-barrier healthcare and community services for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and their companion animals that integrate human, animal, and environmental health. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an OHC model in a youth and young adult shelter on access to healthcare, housing, and community resources. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with six OHC client participants and three provider participants, and a thematic analysis was used to study the effects of the OHC model on two key outcomes: overall health for humans and their companion animal(s), and access to public services for humans and their companion animal(s). Results showed that the OHC model provides multiple services in one place which reduces barriers to accessing health services, housing, and community resources. The integrated healthcare services promote positive interactions with providers and facilitate access to healthcare, housing, and community resources for PEH and their companion animals. Settings with similar goals of client health and access to healthcare, as well as housing services and community resources, can utilize the OHC care model to integrate services for lower barrier access to healthcare and community services to promote health on an individual level and from a One Health perspective. One Health impact statement Our study on the OHC model demonstrates the tangible impact of integrating healthcare services for homeless young adults and their companion animals. In the One Health context, our work addresses the complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental well-being. By bridging healthcare, housing, and community resources, the OHC model enhances access and reduces barriers. The One Health approach enriches impact, as collaboration across sectors yields multifaceted benefits. The transdisciplinary nature of our research fuses academic and non-academic knowledge, ensuring a holistic perspective. Practical solutions emerge from diverse insights, transcending traditional boundaries. This co-produced transformational knowledge facilitates real-world change, impacting lives, promoting resilience, and fostering sustainability. The OHC model exemplifies how cooperative, transdisciplinary efforts yield breakthroughs that elevate health, save lives, and nurture the optimal environment for people and their companion animals to live, work, and play.