Digital Community Research Articles

Thread: Social Media Revolutionary App

The Threads App merges Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit features, redefining social media. This abstract delves into its architecture, functions, and transformative potential. It seamlessly integrates Twitter's rapid communication, Instagram's visual storytelling, and Reddit's community focus. Unique features include Communities for discussions, a voting system for content curation, and Organization-based Threads for collaboration. By combining these elements, Threads fosters diverse interactions, enriching digital engagement and community building on a groundbreaking scale.

Metadata Management in Data Lake Environments: A Survey

Data lakes are storage repositories that contain large amounts of data in its native format; either structured ssemi-structured or unstructured, to be used when needed. Data lakes are open to a wide range of use cases such as carrying out advanced analytics, extracting knowledge patterns, etc. However, simply dumping all the data into a data lake would only lead to a so-called data swamp. To prevent such a situation, enterprises can adopt best practices among which to build and maintain metadata. In recent years there has been a growing body of research about managing metadata in data lake environments. Existing research efforts deal separately with different activities such as metadata modeling, metadata capture and extraction, metadata usage, etc. Nevertheless, despite its importance, a global view about the research landscape about metadata management for data lakes is still missing. This survey congregates different facets of metadata management in data lakes and presents a global view along with the technological implications and the required features for building successful metadata management systems. Besides, this survey summarizes and discusses research gaps, open problems and main challenges facing both industrialists and academics. This survey pertains to the broader field of Big Data and especially to the data platforms that manage enterprise big data assets. Furthermore, considering the parallels between data lakes and digital libraries regarding their dependence on metadata for content management, this study could offer valuable insights to the digital library community, offering them a technological outlook on metadata management.

CHATogether Skit Development and Healing of Asian American Generation Z’s Unspoken Agonies: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Generation Z (Gen Z) has experienced unprecedented psychological challenges in recent history, and Asian American Gen Zers, in particular, bear a distinct mental health burden. This pilot study introduces Compassionate Home, Action Together (CHATogether)’s novel digital community program that promotes Asian American mental health through interactive theater and explores the impacts of theater skit development on Gen Zers’ mental health and family relationships. Here, we guide participants to develop skits using these stages: 1) identifying topics and collaborators; 2) planning the scene; 3) improvisation; 4) writing; 5) community engagement. We then explore the impact of the skit production process on participants’ emotional health through interviewing nine individuals and using thematic analysis of those anonymized transcripts. Results suggest that narrative writing, improvisation, and acting may hold a future for culturally adaptive and family-centered interventions for Asian American Gen Zers. A larger study scale is warranted for validity of potential clinical applications.

Analysis of Media Discourse on Intellectual Property Rights Related to Metaverse in Korea

This study examines the evolving discourse on intellectual property rights (IPR) within the metaverse's Korean context, facilitated by the BIGKinds analytics program. As the metaverse transitions from a nascent concept to a complex reality, it reshapes digital interactions and poses new challenges for IPR, necessitating a comprehensive investigation into societal interest and legal discourse. The findings reveal a significant surge in metaverse-related IPR engagement over the past three years, aligning with the broader digital shift amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This pattern suggests an increasing need for nuanced legal approaches to copyright, trademark, and design patent protection in virtual environments. Thus, the urgency for legal reform to accommodate the metaverse's unique characteristics, the necessity for international collaboration on IPR in a borderless digital domain, and the intersection of technological advances, like NFTs and blockchain, with legal frameworks impacting creators' rights. As a result, this study provides policymakers and the digital community with real-time guidance on protecting intellectual property amid the transformative growth of the metaverse.

Roles of Parents and Adolescent Learners in the Use of Technology in Homeschooling

This exploratory phenomenographic research examines the varied ICT utilization experiences of Filipino homeschooling parents and their adolescents. Learning from those who have been using technology in homeschooling in light of the extensive use of blended learning in current learning delivery modes. The participants were parents and adolescents, purposively selected for their varied approaches to homeschooling to provide a rich outcome space. Data gathering ensued over five months, using open-ended phenomenographic interviews and making concept/mind maps. Transcription of data used intelligent verbatim and analysis and an iterative approach generated varied categories of description. Categories qualitatively represent different ways or roles of experiencing a phenomenon. Findings revealed that parents are consumers, filters, and instillers of values in using technology in the themes of expanding awareness on communication, facility for learning, and monitoring the consumption of the adolescent. Adolescents are consumers, learners, and seekers of their own potential with themes in communication, entertainment and gaming, access and restrictions, and homeschooling. Family dynamics categories are consumers, learners, and managers of technology with themes in communication, digital literacy, and character building. The study recommends that institutions promote digital literacy and capacity building for independent learning, that adolescents communicate their ICT needs with their parents, and that parents prepare adolescents to participate in the digital community. Keywords: ICT, education, adolescents, homeschooling, phenomenography

Digital and Culture: Towards More Resilient Urban Community Governance

Urban communities are characterized by significant population size, high density, and strong mobility. While we might enjoy the dividends of rapid modernization, there are nonetheless variable and frequent public crises that occur. Modernization’s problems are gradually emerging, and the traditional risk prevention logic that relies on administrative “rigidity” has begun to be widely challenged. Traditional urban communities depend on institutional, structural, and spatial aspects to improve community resilience. Because big data has become popular, attention has begun to be paid to digital empowerment and community resilience. However, the emergence of problems such as “digital paradox” and “digital ethics” in the digital realm itself has prompted calls for cultural resilience to continue to rise. Therefore, urgently needed resolutions are required to questions regarding the resilience of traditional communities, the construction of digital and cultural resilience, the relationship between digital and cultural resilience, and the manner in which cultural resilience is coordinated to solve the problem of digital resilience. A quantitative analysis of 350 questionnaires from five urban communities found that these communities’ institutional, spatial, and structural dimensions are the driving factors for improving resilience. In contrast, the cultural and digital dimensions are constraints. Therefore, the question of how to coordinate the cultural and digital factors represented by traditional and modern societies in order to compensate for the shortcomings in resilience construction is that which future urban communities must consider. The authors of this study believe that digital empowerment is needed to open up the “first mile” of resilient communities, that cultural empowerment is required to break down the “blocks in the middle” of resilient communities, and that digital and cultural coupling is needed to link the “last mile” of resilient communities. One must use culture to compensate for the shortcomings of digital resilience and digital to pay for the failures of cultural resilience before one can move towards more resilient urban community governance.

Mapping the terrain of hate: identifying and analyzing online communities and political parties engaged in hate speech against Muslims and LGBTQ+ communities

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of X on political discourse and hate speech in Finland, focusing on Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities from 2018 to 2023. During this period, these groups have experienced increased hate speech and a concerning surge in hate crimes. Utilizing network analysis methods, we identified online communities and examined the interactions between Finnish MPs and these communities. Our investigation centered on uncovering the emergence of networks propagating hate speech, assessing the involvement of political figures, and exploring the formation dynamics of digital communities. Employing agenda-setting theory and methodologies including text classification, topic modeling, network analysis, and correspondence analysis, the research uncovers varied communication patterns in retweet and mention networks. Retweet networks tend to be more fragmented and smaller, with participation primarily from far-right Finns Party MPs, whereas mention networks exhibit wider political representation, including members from all parties. Findings highlight the Finns Party MPs' significant role in fostering divisive, emotionally charged communications within politically segregated retweet communities, contrasting with their broader engagement in mention networks. The study underscores the necessity for cross-party efforts to combat hate speech, promote inclusive dialogue, and mitigate political polarization.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Combined Digital Platform and Community Health Worker Intervention for Patients With Heart Failure: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Heart failure (HF) is a burdensome condition and a leading cause of 30-day hospital readmissions in the United States. Clinical and social factors are key drivers of hospitalization. These 2 strategies, digital platforms and home-based social needs care, have shown preliminary effectiveness in improving adherence to clinical care plans and reducing acute care use in HF. Few studies, if any, have tested combining these 2 strategies in a single intervention. This study aims to perform a pilot randomized controlled trial assessing the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a 30-day digitally-enabled community health worker (CHW) intervention in HF. Adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of HF at an academic hospital were randomly assigned to receive digitally-enabled CHW care (intervention; digital platform +CHW) or CHW-enhanced usual care (control; CHW only) for 30 days after hospital discharge. Primary outcomes were feasibility (use of the platform) and acceptability (willingness to use the platform in the future). Secondary outcomes assessed preliminary effectiveness (30-day readmissions, emergency department visits, and missed clinic appointments). A total of 56 participants were randomized (control: n=31; intervention: n=25) and 47 participants (control: n=28; intervention: n=19) completed all trial activities. Intervention participants who completed trial activities wore the digital sensor on 78% of study days with mean use of 11.4 (SD 4.6) hours/day, completed symptom questionnaires on 75% of study days, used the blood pressure monitor 1.1 (SD 0.19) times/day, and used the digital weight scale 1 (SD 0.13) time/day. Of intervention participants, 100% responded very or somewhat true to the statement "If I have access to the [platform] moving forward, I will use it." Some (n=9, 47%) intervention participants indicated they required support to use the digital platform. A total of 19 (100%) intervention participants and 25 (89%) control participants had ≥5 CHW interactions during the 30-day study period. All intervention (n=19, 100%) and control (n=26, 93%) participants who completed trial activities indicated their CHW interactions were "very satisfying." In the full sample (N=56), fewer participants in the intervention group were readmitted 30 days after hospital discharge compared to the control group (n=3, 12% vs n=8, 26%; P=.12). Both arms had similar rates of missed clinic appointments and emergency department visits. This pilot trial of a digitally-enabled CHW intervention for HF demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and a clinically relevant reduction in 30-day readmissions among participants who received the intervention. Additional investigation is needed in a larger trial to determine the effect of this intervention on HF home management and clinical outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05130008; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05130008. RR2-10.2196/55687.

Social Media Archiving in Practice: A Troubled Landscape in Review

ABSTRACT The following article provides a brief overview on the current state of institutional archival practices of social media content and explores some of the key challenges the field continues to face. Social media use has developed into the leading means of human communication in the world, with billions of people utilizing multiple platforms on a daily basis to both document their individual lives and forge digital communities around various interests. Users generate exorbitant amounts of ephemeral content in the form of text, photos, videos and more across multiple platforms which are, by design, unarchivable. As a result, libraries, archives, and other cultural preservation institutions have struggled to find the proper technological tools to capture the sheer amount of data being generated, while also grappling with a variety of methodological, ethical and legal questions that the practice raises. All the while, the amount of social media data containing potentially important cultural heritage artifacts of our time continues to grow and remain at risk of being forever lost, altered or altogether erased. This article looks at several notable examples of major social media data loss that have already taken place in recent history and examines one of the largest institutional attempts to preserve social media thus far in the Library of Congress’ Twitter Archive. By exploring some of the key challenges that arose during this attempt which ultimately grounded the project, this article aims to better understand what continues to keep the practice of social media archiving at bay, and what large scale changes might be necessary to make any further progress in the field.

A Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Case Insight: The Convergence of Social Media and Epidemiology

This study explores the role of social media in public health through a case of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning prevented and subsequently overlooked, as influenced by digital community interaction. A TikTok influencer shared an experience with a coal stove, leading to followers advising against its use due to CO poisoning risks. This advice was heeded, yet a family member, unaware of these risks, experienced CO poisoning. This incident illuminates social media’s potential in disseminating life-saving health information and influencing behavior, forming the basis of “Media Epidemiology.” This new field studies how digital communication impacts health-related behaviors and outcomes. Our analysis highlights social media as a tool for rapid health information dissemination and preventive action. It underscores the need for integrating digital platform dynamics into public health strategies, emphasizing education on hazards like CO poisoning. This study advocates for leveraging social media in public health, exemplifying its role in disease prevention and health promotion, and marking a significant stride in contemporary epidemiological research.

(Re)claiming subversive spaces on TikTok: the complexities of body activisms within physical activity cultures

ABSTRACT Feminist organising in digital spaces, such as social media, has the potential for activism, resistance, and visibility; yet these spaces continue to be dominated by narrow body representations and shaped by unequal power dynamics. We propose that bodies of difference may find vibrant and difference-affirming homes within their digital communities via innovative algorithm-based social media spheres, such as TikTok. Using a creative methodological mashup that we call a ‘collaborative digital autoethnography’, we explored our experiences of difference-affirming hashtags (e.g. #CurvyGym, #DisabledFitness, #QueerFitness) and creators who shared explicitly inclusive and/or subversive content (e.g. #ThickTocker). Using reflexive thematic analysis and thinking with/through Safiya Noble’s work on algorithms of oppression, we developed four themes: #TheFringe, #(Re)claimingFlesh, #CircleOfSurveillance, and #TheWrongSideOfTikTok. In #TheFringe, we found normatively embodied creators who used TikTok as a space to question normative fitness trends – content that helped build our difference-affirming algorithmic space. In #(Re)claimingFlesh, fat-positive creators used TikTok to unapologetically reveal or grab body fat/flesh, and TikTokkers re-storied their body-related journeys by flipping the script of harmful body surveillance (i.e. #CircleOfSurveillance). Lastly, some creators shared grievances about the (oppressive) algorithms of TikTok that banished them to #TheWrongSideOfTikTok. We provide reflexive accounts of our own embodied differences while exploring the TikTok platform, searching for spaces that affirm our bodies while contending with algorithmic oppression. We conclude by discussing TikTok as a platform where powerful collective activism and revolution can form, yet always in contention with trolling, hate, and harmful algorithms that constrain activist movements within sport, exercise, and health contexts.

SIMULATION INTELLECTUAL SIGN #Aniespresiden2024 IN SOCIAL MEDIA BIGDATA ANALYSIS

Talking about 2024 is of course talking about the political year in Indonesia. 2024 is the year when legislative candidates and of course presidential and vice presidential candidates will begin to fight. Currently, one of the presidential candidates from the party that is the current government party is Anies Baswedan. Based on what has been regulated in political ethics and election ethics, it is certainly not allowed to campaign by presidential candidates before the campaign period is carried out, but what happened was the emergence of social media content from Anies Baswedan containing campaigns with disguised signs and also camouflaged content so that what the public eye sees presented in cyberspace is only the content of his daily activities. This study aims to determine how Anies Baswedan’s political branding simulation in preparation for the 2024 Presidential Election. This research uses simulation analysis on Jean Baudrillarde’s theory based on big data analysis on Tiktok social media through content related to Anies’ candidacy as a 2024 Presidential candidate. The focus of the research is the arrangement and meaning of #aniesPresiden2024 signs and messages on mainstream social media received by the digital community and then forming a simulation of Anies Baswedan’s political branding which is the result of the digital communication process towards Anies’ political representation as a 2024 presidential candidate. The results of this study found that tiktok social media has a huge influence on the political branding of anies baswedan, digital society widely receives and consumes information related to the intellectual sign of anies baswedan.

“I go back to it every f**king time”: the normalization of problematic Trenbolone use in online anabolic-androgenic steroid communities

Introduction This study addresses the dearth of research on specific anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), focusing on the contentious substance Trenbolone. With increased potency and risks, Trenbolone’s effects, both in animal studies and among human users, raise concerns for neurodegeneration, genotoxicity, and significant social harms. Despite these risks, people persist using Trenbolone and other AAS, navigating the harm-to-benefit ratio. The study explores the representation of Trenbolone in online AAS forums, to gain nuanced insight into dynamics of identity and behavior specific to the Trenbolone context. Methods We employed a digital ethnographical approach to collect data from four Australian AAS forums. Grounded in a social constructivist framework and recognizing the influential role of identity and social categorization in shaping behaviors within these digital communities, we utilized inductive thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes from user discussions about Trenbolone. Results Three key themes were developed: shared cultural language and beliefs, experienced users’ perceptions of Trenbolone mastery and risk avoidance, and the normalization of problematic use of Trenbolone and signs of dependence within the community. The findings reveal a nuanced interplay of language, beliefs, and behaviors, providing insights into how the community navigates its cultural norms, showcases expertise, and collectively grapples with usage patterns. Conclusions We delineate the emergence of a 'Trenbolone prototype’ within online AAS-using communities. The findings point to a potential disconnect between community beliefs and empirical evidence on Trenbolone’s health effects. Addressing these disparities, public health campaigns should align with the community’s language and norms for effective harm reduction.

Digital Communities as Online 'Gardens' for Memes: Metamorphic Narratives of Two Filipino 'Memeifiers' as Cultural Pollinators

The increasingly ubiquitous digital communities have become dynamic online social hubs for netizens to proliferate internet memes. While there have been an abundance of studies of memes, a dearth of investigations have examined how an internet user becomes an active producer of memes. Hence, we explored the narratives of two Filipino netizens, whom we call “memeifiers,” as we identified them as constant generators of memes. Based on the semi-structured interview data and analysis of their memes, we metaphorically posit that digital communities can be likened to online gardens where butterflies (memeifiers) dynamically engage in producing and pollinating memes. Using narrative configuration, we labelled their experiences into metamorphic narratives with three stages: (1) the cocoon stage, in which meme literacy is formed through active memes consumption; (2) the metamorphosis stage, in which meme-literate netizens vigorously generate memes then metamorphose into memeifiers; and finally, (3) the pollination stage, when memeifiers, akin to butterflies, continuously become cultural pollinators as they spread cultural artifacts through memes in various online communities. With these findings, we lay down some recommendations for future meme studies, such as that the metamorphic narrative of memeifiers be investigated in other geographical contexts since a memeifier’s story may vary due to cultural differences. Moreover, we recommend that the scope of participants be broadened, employing similar or other qualitative research designs and even quantitative perspectives to further scrutinize the metamorphosis of memeifiers and their roles as cultural pollinators. Keywords: digital communities, memes, narrative study, online communities

Fostering Digital Communities

As online education expands, fostering digital communities that support networked learning becomes imperative. However, many universities lack comprehensive digital strategies to facilitate engagement and connections in distributed environments. This research examines the development of an inaugural digital master plan at a university where half of the student population is online. Guided by Moore's theory of interactions (1989) and Garrison's Community of Inquiry framework (2017), the plan aimed to enable meaningful student-to-content, student-to-instructor, and student-to-student interactions. The digital master plan was designed to provide high-level guidance on the intentional and purposeful use of the educational technologies, tools, platforms, and systems necessary for a robust online learning experience. It creates a cohesive vision and strategy for the digital learning experience, just as a campus master plan aligns the physical learning spaces. The digital master plan leverages the Community of Inquiry framework as a key reference point in its comprehensive gap analysis. The collaborative process involved multiple methods to assess gaps in the university’s infrastructure including: National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) data, three internal surveys, an external diagnostic analysis and plan, and audits of the learning management system's tools and usage. Quantitative data provided insights into student perceptions, while qualitative findings explored the depth of social relationships and learning networks enabled through digital platforms. Throughout the process, the research team aimed to understand the social learning processes that support how learners develop and utilize technology to learn and foster a sense of belonging (Garrison, 2017). The process harnesses the natural motivations underpinning social network formation - namely information sharing, support seeking, and sense of belonging. Further, it operationalizes these motivations to achieve CoI's high-order learning community goals. Analysis revealed key gaps related to: clearly defining and measuring online student success, expanding engagement opportunities in courses, leveraging technologies to facilitate connections, building a collaborative faculty culture, and improving communication. In response, the final digital master plan put forth five recommendations focused on these priority areas. Implementation and evaluation of digital platforms aligned to the recommendations indicate positive impacts on online students' sense of connectedness, learning experience, and academic performance. This research makes important theoretical and practical contributions by developing a replicable institutional process for assessing and strategically enhancing a digital ecosystem to foster networked learning. The digital master plan provides guidance for the adoption of social technologies and pedagogies to increase community, connectivity, and collaboration. As online education continues to expand, insights from this case study can inform strategic digital planning efforts at other universities striving to overcome transactional distance and cultivate impactful virtual learning communities.

ACTOR SYNERGITYTRIPLE HELIX IN SMART TOURISM: THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SMART VILLAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT POLICY OF TOURIST VILLAGES IN LAMPUNG PROVINCE

Purpose: The development of digital era tourism has become the main trend related to the development of tourism based on smart tourism. The synergy of the triple helix actors, namely the Government, the community and young people (millennials) in order to support the successful implementation of smart tourism is the main key apart from infrastructure issues and qualified technological support. Theoretical Framework: The hope of conducting this research is to map out in detail the smart village from the point of view of the functions of the government, society, and the millennial generation in smart tourism in Trimulyo Village, West Lampung Regency. The smart village concept is a collaborative use of digital technology, community empowerment and sustainable development in the context of development in rural areas. Within this framework, the Triplehelix actors who are the main subjects of this research are actively involved in decision making, developing a creative economy based on local wisdom, and developing sustainable resources. Methods: This research is supported and studied with a descriptive qualitative method. All information is collected from the results of interviews, field observations and document analysis. Results: This research presents important documents from a smart village, including education and training, digital-based infrastructure, local economic development and sustainable resource management. The results of this study are the involvement of Triplehelix actors in smart villages showing positive results, including the creation of sustainable, smart and empowering tourist destinations. Conclusions: This research makes an important contribution to understanding how the smart village framework increases the participation of Triplehelix actors in smart tourism in Trimulyo Village, Gedung Surian District, West Lampung Regency.

Abstract PO5-19-04: EVOLVE: An Ambispective, Patient-Centered, Real-World Early-Stage Breast Cancer Study in the United States

Abstract Background: While survival for patients with early breast cancer (eBC) has greatly improved with earlier detection and modern treatments, the risk of recurrence and long-term/late treatment-related adverse events (AEs) remain concerns for many patients. Contemporary real-world data are needed to understand current diagnostic pathways, treatment patterns and toxicities, quality of life, and patient experience to better characterize eBC care and knowledge gaps and establish important hypotheses to test in prospective trials, with the ultimate goal to improve both treatment and outcomes for patients with eBC. Study design: PicnicHealth and AstraZeneca are collaborating to build a real-world observational eBC cohort composed of de-identified medical records data supplemented with patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including patient-reported social determinants of health (SDoH). Patients recruited from multiple channels, such as digital marketing and community partnerships, will consent to participate and sign HIPAA authorization for PicnicHealth to collect their medical records from all providers and sites of care in the United States. All available retrospective medical records in any format will be retrieved, and records will continue to be collected for patients prospectively following enrollment. Disease-specific information will be abstracted using PicnicHealth’s human-in-the-loop machine learning abstraction platform. Patients will have access to their records in the form of a searchable and shareable digital timeline. Additional data, including but not limited to symptoms, quality of life and treatment experience will be collected through surveys. The first patient was enrolled in May 2023. Patients will be followed for ≥8 years or until withdrawal or death, whichever occurs first. Eligibility criteria: Patients with stage I-III breast cancer diagnosed ≤3 years before enrollment, who onboard to the PicnicHealth platform, consent to participate, sign HIPAA authorization for medical record collection, and provide ≥1 provider/care site for record retrieval will be included in the cohort. Specific aims: The cohort aims to generate contemporary real-world data relevant to understanding demographic and clinical characteristics, SDoH, diagnostic/testing pathways, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes, including AEs and AE management. Specifically, demographic and SDoH differences in management, outcomes, and the patient experience during and following eBC diagnosis and treatment will be evaluated. The cohort design and the data collected will evolve as the eBC landscape evolves to continuously address new research questions around diagnosis, management, outcomes, and patient experience. Statistical methods: The demographics, SDoH, clinical characteristics, treatments, healthcare resource utilization, eBC outcomes, such as recurrence and progression, and patient experience will be summarized for the cohort overall and by pre-determined subgroups using descriptive statistics. Additional analyses include, but are not limited to, evaluating the impact of key exposures, such as SDoH, on treatment and diagnostic pathways, treatment compliance, clinical outcomes, and PROs. All analyses will be prespecified in study-specific statistical analysis plans. Present accrual and target accrual: At least 3,000 patients will be enrolled in the PicnicHealth eBC Cohort. As of July 2023, 843 patients have onboarded to the PicnicHealth platform and will be screened for eligibility into the eBC registry cohort. Contact information for people with a specific interest in the study: For additional information, please contact breastcancer@picnichealth.com. Citation Format: Haley Friedler, Meghan Tierney, Melinda Baker, Gillian Hanson, Josefa Briceno, Karen Smith, Michele Baber, Kara Glover, Xiaoqing Xu, Kellie Ryan, Zulikhat Segunmaru, Clara Lam, Maryam Lustberg, N. Lynn Henry, Rachel Greenup, Marianna Chavez, Joseph Unger, Alice Ho, Deborah Collyar. EVOLVE: An Ambispective, Patient-Centered, Real-World Early-Stage Breast Cancer Study in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-19-04.

21st-Century Digital Literacy: Using Information Technology to Empower People

Abstract: A vital skill set for people to survive and prosper in an increasingly digital environment, digital literacy has arisen in the quickly changing 21st century. This abstract examines the value of digital literacy by looking at information technology (IT) and how it has affected modern society. It explores the complexity of digital literacy, including not just the technical know-how to utilize digital tools and technology but also the social, ethical, and intellectual aspects that are essential for productive digital participation. The elements of digital literacy, such as media literacy, information literacy, communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, are examined in this abstract, which draws on theoretical frameworks and actual studies. In addition to giving people access to a wealth of materials, communication channels, and chances for learning and cooperation, it also examines how information technology might be used as a facilitator to improve digital literacy. This abstract also discusses the difficulties and obstacles that hinder the adoption of digital literacy, including the digital gap, unequal access to technology, and concerns of digital inequality. It highlights how crucial it is for everyone to have equal access to digital resources and how important it is for governments, schools, and community groups to work together to promote digital inclusion and close the digital gap. Furthermore, the revolutionary power of digital literacy is highlighted in this abstract across a number of fields, such as political participation, job placement, schooling, and medical services. In order to promote lifelong learning and empowerment, it addresses cutting-edge strategies and best practices for incorporating digital literacy into seminars and workshops, community initiatives, and school curriculum. As a conclusion, this abstract emphasizes how critical digital literacy is in the twenty-first century and how it shapes people's ability to prosper in a society that is becoming more technologically advanced and linked. The statement highlights the need of coordinating endeavors to advance digital literacy programs and provide fair access to digital assets, ultimately enabling people to engage completely in the digital community.

The nexus of Family Language Policy

Three decades of research on reversing language shift, bi- and multilingual parenting, and Family Language Policy (FLP) have demonstrated that, while parental language practices and ideologies are important factors in determining children’s language competencies and outcomes, parents do not exist in a vacuum. Family language policies are influenced by a myriad of sociohistorical and relational processes that are examined in depth in this special issue. The articles here capture the reality of the complexities of FLP by examining family-external factors such as the COVID-19 lockdown, access to digital communication, geography and community, migration histories, national language policies, and family structures among others, to explain the particular family language policies present in communities around the world (from Iran to Cyprus to Northern Ireland) and their effects on children’s language outcomes and family members’ linguistic experiences.

A qualitative study exploring the opportunities and challenges of providing digital community pharmacy services for older people in England

Abstract Introduction Digital healthcare can be an innovative, cost-effective solution for the growing healthcare needs of an ageing population, enhancing service accessibility.[1] Older individuals tend to rely more on community pharmacy services, supported by research indicating positive health outcomes.[2] However, scant evidence exists regarding the impact of digital community pharmacy services on this demographic, emphasising the need for crucial investigations into their effectiveness. Aim Identify challenges and opportunities in delivering digital pharmacy services for older population in community pharmacies in England, from perspectives of policymakers and pharmacy service providers. Methods Between November 2022 and May 2023, online/telephone interviews were conducted with stakeholders including policymakers/commissioners and pharmacy service providers. Recruitment involved purposive and convenience sampling, with commissioners sourced through networks and pharmacy providers via gatekeepers in industry associations. Topics covered the current state of digital pharmacy services in England, implementation opportunities and challenges, and suggestions for enhancement. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using both inductive and deductive thematic approaches, assisted by NVivo 12 Plus. Themes comprised challenges and solutions in digital pharmacy service delivery and factors influencing user acceptance. Deductive analysis shaped the coding framework based on Davis’s Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Results Twelve interviews (three policy makers/commissioners [PM], four senior managers of community pharmacy [SM], five front-line community pharmacists [CP]) were completed. One of the interviewees was a female and all others were male. Their length of relevant employment in the field of community pharmacy ranged from three to seventeen years. The key findings indicated challenges in implementing digital pharmacy services to older populations may be due to unclear health policies and limited financial support for digital reforms to community pharmacy: “as a pharmacy we’ll take care of that, but we need to know that there will be funding for that before we go and do it all. I think there’s amazing things that can be done, but at local, small level, like a little community pharmacy, they just can’t afford to do the development” [SM1], and “so the majority of independent pharmacies, … they have paper prescriptions, so they’re not as technology based. I believe one, that’s because it’s money, so it’s funding. They get less funding” [CP4]. Interviewees highlighted that community pharmacists facing high workloads and time constraints, often prioritise other responsibilities over adopting new technologies: “unfortunately, there are a fair few demands on pharmacy team’s time at the moment, so where does promoting a digital priority fit on that long list of priorities and probably quite low down” [PM3]. They also expressed a need for additional technical training to effectively navigate digital pharmacy services. Conclusion This study provides insights into challenges in implementing digital pharmacy services for older people through diverse stakeholder perspectives, offering practical considerations for policy decisions, service design, and implementation strategies. Nevertheless, this study observes a deficient emphasis on deploying digital pharmacy services for older people. It is orientated towards a broader demographic, while those with specific medical conditions may receive pharmacy services more precisely. The applicability of this study may be limited, requiring region-specific research. Further research would be focusing on those over 50 in Greater Manchester aligns with the local community’s emphasis on ageing-related research, technology, and innovative ideas supported by academic institutions.