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Multilingual advantage for adult acquisition of morphosyntax
No full textBilingual and multilingual speakers have an empirically-demonstrated advantage when it comes to the task of learning a third or additional language in lexical, phonological, phonetic, and syntactic domains. However, the present study is motivated by a notable lack in previous research that examines the effect of multilingualism on acquiring a specific grammatical structure, particularly in the domain of morphosyntax. This study, therefore, aims to examine how knowledge of an additional language beyond L1 English and L2/L3 Spanish may affect accuracy scores with grammatical gender as a problematic feature for the late acquisition of morphosyntax. Participants consisted of two groups of adult learners (N = 24) in the instructed context: 1. those with bilingual experience (n = 12) in L1 English and L2 Spanish; and 2. those with multilingual experience (n = 12) in L1 English, L2 other language (e.g. French, Arabic, Mandarin, German), and L3 Spanish. The effect of language processing modality was investigated via two task types: 1. a self-paced (planning time) written task to examine performance during the ‘offline’ modality; and 2. a speeded (no planning time) oral picture description task to examine the ‘online’ modality. These varied task demands were designed to investigate to what extent processing modality may modulate the effect of multilingual experience on grammatical performance. The effect of three linguistic variables inherent to grammatical gender is also investigated by comparing scores across both categories on the following binary variables: gender class (masculine or feminine), domain of agreement (determiner, adjective), and noun morphology (overt or non-overt gender marking). Results demonstrate a positive and significant effect of multilingual experience thus suggesting that even novice-level multilingual exposure beyond the native language and the current target language affords a significant advantage in performance with a problematic feature for adult learning of morphosyntax. Moreover, this advantage produces a significant effect only during online/speeded processing. The observed multilingual advantage cannot be directly related to other language typology since multilingual participants both with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) binary grammatical gender instantiated in their additional language were not significantly different in their performance. Furthermore, no significant difference was detected in Spanish proficiency nor metacognitive awareness scores between bilingual and multilingual participants. Therefore, we argue that the multilingual advantage observed here may be attributable to differentiated processing cues and language representation such that learners with multilingual exposure demonstrate enhanced use of overt noun morphology as a processing cue, are less dependent on the masculine class default form as a compensatory strategy as demonstrated in higher accuracy rates with feminine nouns, and have potentially more developed procedural/implicit linguistic competence, as reflected in higher accuracy scores with online processing during the speeded oral production task. The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the effect of multilingualism on the late acquisition of morphosyntax and further relate this multilingual effect to specific features of the target structure and language processing modality
Patients Awake During Neurosurgery? : The Awake Craniotomy and the Role of the Patient as Innovative 20th Century Surgery
No full textAn awake craniotomy is a type of brain surgery that is performed on patients who are conscious during the operation. This article will focus on the history of the development of the awake craniotomy and the importance of the patient’s role during the operation. Going back to ancient history, archaeological records demonstrated that trepanation of the skull occurred thousands of years ago, before the discovery of general anesthesia. Moving on to the modern awake craniotomy, Dr. Wilder Penfield, the American-Canadian neurosurgeon, sparked the modern era of awake craniotomies through his work in neural stimulation during the 1920s to 60s. During the Montreal Procedure, Dr. Penfield interacted with his patient’s during surgery using only local anesthetic. By probing specific parts of the brain, patients were able to provide Dr. Penfield with immediate feedback. Dr. Penfield stated that his patients were fellow explorers of the unknown brain and together they built the maps which he is famous for. Dr. Penfield’s patients were not just important during the operation, they had an important role afterwards. Patients’ self reports were vital, and Dr. Penfield was the one who interpreted the answers from them. The modern era of the awake craniotomy was established almost 70 years ago, and it revolutionized the field of neurosurgery. Today, awake craniotomies continue to demonstrate the importance of the patient’s role in their own care and help us further understand the complexities of the brain
Organization and client perspectives on homelessness in Boston, MA during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A descriptive qualitative study
No full textThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed a magnifying glass on what we have been seeing for a long time. With large-scale impacts across the globe, an increased burden has been placed on people experiencing homelessness who already face barriers to necessities such as housing, food, and quality health care. This qualitative descriptive study explored the experiences of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic and of those working for supporting organizations in the Greater Boston Area between July-November 2020. Additionally, the study identified key recommendations for policymakers or service providers to use in creating inclusive policies and emergency response plans that consider the needs of the homeless community. The study comprised individual interviews and focus group discussions from two groups: 1) employees from supporting organizations (medical organizations, shelters, universities, and housing organizations) and 2) people experiencing homelessness. An inductive content analysis of interview transcripts was conducted to identify emerging themes and recommendations. Community dialogues were held with participants to confirm results and explore any new potential topics or recommendations. Four key themes were identified from interviews: 1) Social inclusion, 2) Services and resources, 3) Community support and collaboration, and 4) Government response and policy. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted major gaps in existing support for people experiencing homelessness on the state and federal levels while also emphasizing the importance of community support and collaboration for this vulnerable population. Further work must be conducted to develop and implement more inclusive policies and regulations to support this community
The Proceedings of the Maple Conference 2021
No full textThe Maple Conference took place in November 2021, online. We describe the contents of this issue of Maple Transactions, which serves as the Proceedings for that conference
Factores de Riesgo Y Protección de la Infección por COVID-19 en Personas en Situación de Sinhogarismo de la Ciudad de Girona (Cataluña, España): FACTORES DE RIESGO COVID-19
No full textObjetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de casos COVID-19, entre las personas en situación de sinhogarismo (PSH) de la ciudad de Girona (Cataluña, España) y analizar las variables que incidieron en su contagio durante la primera ola de la pandemia de 2020.
Método: Se llevaron a cabo las pruebas Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) y se registraron las variables sociodemográficas, la presencia de trastorno mental severo y de trastorno por uso de sustancias y el tipo de instalación donde se albergaron durante el confinamiento (albergue específico, macro-instalación, intemperie) de 233 PSH de la ciudad de Girona.
Resultados: De las 233 PSH el 23,6% (n = 55) se alojó en el albergue, el 29,6% (n = 69) en el pabellón y el 56,8% (n = 109) a la intemperie. Se realizaron 67 PCR de las que el 91,2% fueron negativas. De los 6 casos positivos, 1 fue del albergue (c2 = 11,9; gl=1; p<0,001). Las variables predictoras de riesgo de infección fueron: el tipo de instalación donde se albergaron durante el confinamiento, tener más edad, haber inmigrado y estar diagnosticado de un trastorno por consumo de substancias.
Conclusiones: Las PSH son más vulnerables al contagio de COVID-19 que la población general. La edad (ser más jóvenes), haber realizado un proceso migratorio, padecer un trastorno por consumo de sustancias y no haberse podido alojar en el albergue fueron las variables predictoras de infección por COVID-19
Identification of Housing Stabilization Models for Youth Exiting Homelessness: A grey literature review
No full textThis systematic review describes the international grey literature addressing housing stabilization support models for youth. The review yielded 15 reports with a range of information on preventative activities that focus on well-being embedded within the various form of housing stabilization. These approaches build on the premise that housing alone does not provide an effective solution to youth homelessness. Analyses of the content of these reports revealed both cross-cutting, process-oriented themes, alongside descriptions of the outcomes associated with specific intervention models. These findings emphasized the importance of intersectoral collaboration, early intervention coupled with intensive case management, and applying an attachment-oriented theoretical framework in guiding model implementation. Other highlighted results include specific models of housing stabilization with a particular concentration on housing intervention programs that address the interdependency between housing, income, and education. These stabilization supports, practices, and policies offered by organizations were associated with improved outcomes. This review, however, was limited by a lack of controlled studies amongst the reports and, in many instances, a lack of clarity regarding the service models delivered. Despite these limitations, this review provides an overall view of the grey literature evidence regarding the strategies to support young people in transition out of homelessness that complements and expands upon the academic literature in this area. Further research is needed with clearer and more rigorous methods, more detailed intervention descriptions, as well as data on applicability for visible minorities and specific employment interventions tied with housing supports
Expériences d’étudiantes et étudiants internationaux chinois dans les universités avant et pendant la COVID-19 : frontières et racisme ordinaire vis-à-vis une « majorité fragile » québécoise
No full textCette étude qualitative documente les expériences vécues à l’université dans des universités francophones à Montréal par des étudiantes et étudiants internationaux chinois. Les résultats révèlent que ces étudiantes et étudiants doivent non seulement vivre du racisme exacerbé par la pandémie dans l’espace urbain et, plus spécifiquement, dans les universités, mais aussi faire face à une frontière vis-à-vis du groupe majoritaire québécois francophone, une frontière s’articulant autour d’une « face externe » construite autour de marqueurs linguistiques et raciaux. L’analyse des données met également en exergue une tendance, pour ces étudiantes et étudiants, à minimiser leurs expériences de racisme ordinaire et de microagressions. Nous concluons en indiquant que le personnel et les étudiantes et étudiants francophones québécois, du groupe racialement majoritaire (i.e., Blanc), dans les universités demandent à être davantage conscientisés et formés à l’existence du racisme ordinaire et des microagressions.Cette étude qualitative documente les expériences vécues à l’université dans des universités francophones à Montréal par des étudiantes et étudiants internationaux chinois. Les résultats révèlent que ces étudiantes et étudiants doivent gérer non seulement du racisme lié à la pandémie dans l’espace urbain et, plus spécifiquement, dans les universités, mais aussi des frontières vis-à-vis du groupe majoritaire québécois francophone, des frontières s’articulant autour des marqueurs linguistiques, raciaux et ethnoculturels. L’analyse des données met également en exergue une tendance, pour ces étudiantes et étudiants, à minimiser leurs expériences de racisme ordinaire. Nous concluons avec des pistes encourageant l’autoréflexion chez les membres du groupe dominant francophone au sujet des frontières à l’université et ce, afin qu’ultimement des pratiques d’équité et de justice sociale soient déployées envers les étudiantes et étudiants internationaux fréquentant des universités montréalaises
COVID-19 and the Homelessness Support Sector: Perspectives on a Small Community’s Early Response to a Public Health Crisis
No full textThis exploratory study sought to uncover service provider perspectives on the early response to COVID-19 in a small community in an advanced industrialized country - the homelessness support sector of the Central Okanagan, British Columbia. Following a case study approach, snowball sampling was utilized in May and June 2020 to achieve a sample size of 30 through a mix of one-on-one interviews and open-ended surveys. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to uncover commonalities among interview responses. Common themes are discussed in relation to three areas of questioning including challenges, successes, and mitigations/areas for future support. While the community came together to support the response, there were challenges and concerns regarding safety and personal protective equipment supplies, social distancing and knowledge transmission within the homeless community, access to food and water, and lack of space for isolating positive cases. The findings illustrate possible research, practice, public health policy, and emergency planning considerations within smaller communities
An Overview of Vaccine Hesitancy
No full textVaccine hesitancy can be defined as “the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccinations despite availability of vaccination services” and is a complex and multi-faceted threat to global health. This article examines the determinants of vaccine hesitancy and its impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore current Canadian law surrounding vaccines and various ethical and empirical arguments for and against mandatory vaccination policies. While vaccine hesitancy can be addressed through coercive measures or mandatory policies, we discuss how vaccine hesitancy is built upon mistrust and the importance of bridging perspectives between vaccine hesitant individuals and healthcare professionals