Efficacy of speech intervention using electropalatography with a cochlear implant user

Electropalatography (EPG) has become relatively well established as a safe and convenient technique for use in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with articulation disorders. EPG's wide applicability is reflected in the range of different cases that has been researched in recent years. Some research has been carried out using EPG therapy for deaf individuals who use hearing aids, however there are no similar studies for cochlear implant users. The purpose of this single case study is to explore the technique of EPG as a therapeutic intervention to treat voiceless velar stop consonant sound production in a deaf child cochlear implant user. EPG therapy was offered as a last resort when traditional therapy failed to achieve specific changes. During therapy, a list of familiar words was practised, using the visual feedback provided by EPG. The client's articulation was assessed using objective (EPG printouts) and subjective (listener ratings) measures at four assessment points. Changes were found to be statistically significant. Generalization of the newly‐acquired skills to untaught words containing voiceless velars was also observed. The results are discussed in the broader context of implications of this type of therapy with deaf clients

Probing subtle fluorescence dynamics in cellular proteins by streak camera based Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

We report the cell biological applications of a recently developed multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy system using a streak camera (StreakFLIM). The system was calibrated with standard fluorophore specimens and was shown to have high accuracy and reproducibility. We demonstrate the applicability of this instrument in living cells for measuring the effects of protein targeting and point mutations in the protein sequence which are not obtainable in conventional intensity based fluorescence microscopy methods. We discuss the relevance of such time resolved information in quantitative energy transfer microscopy and in measurement of the parameters characterizing intracellular physiology

Exercises with the universal R-matrix

Using the formula for the universal $R$-matrix proposed by Khoroshkin and Tolstoy, we give a detailed derivation of $L$-operators for the quantum groups associated with the generalized Cartan matrices $A_1^{(1)}$ and $A_2^{(1)}$.Comment: 36 page

Conceptualizing age-friendly communities for Saskatoon's Chinese-Canadian older adults

With the demographic composition of Canadian cities in constant motion in terms of both the age and ethnicity of their residents, urban geographers must create frameworks of inclusion that recognize the intersecting needs of these postmodern landscapes. While the social and environmental necessities of older adults in urban centres are increasingly met through the production and maintenance of age-friendly communities, urban geographers must question whether these models are accessible and beneficial to older adult members of the visible- minority population. The Chinese-Canadian community, which has faced extensive discrimination and racism across history and within current social and institutional platforms, hosts an older adult cohort at particular risk of exclusion from health and social services, housing, economic stability and social inclusion. The intent of this research is to determine whether age-friendly community initiatives are indeed accessible to Chinese-Canadian older adults, while helping to re-conceptualize more ethnically-inclusive age-friendly paradigms. Through a series of semi-structured interviews within Saskatoon’s Chinese-Canadian community, this work highlights sources of spatial, social and generational exclusion, recognizes the positive attributes of culturally homogenous housing and recreational organizations, and identifies barriers to the effectiveness of existing age-friendly community models surrounding both transportation and healthcare needs. Following a thorough examination of Saskatoon’s Chinese-Canadian community, this research theorizes new frameworks that enable more inclusive and equitable approaches, highlighting the importance of cultural and linguistic inclusivity in existing age-related programs, the benefits of institutional recognition and support of culturally-catered organizations, and the need for broader social and historic inclusion of Chinese-Canadian older adults within the Saskatoon community. In doing so, this research not only informs the manner whereby age-friendly communities are conceptualized, but helps to bring the needs of Saskatoon’s Chinese-Canadian demographic to the forefront of community development practice and application

Cloud and ice in the planetary scale circulation and in climate

The roles of the cryosphere, and of cloud-radiative interactions are investigated. The effects clouds and ice have in the climate system are examined. The cloud radiation research attempts explain the modes of interaction (feedback) between raditive transfer, cloud formation, and atmospheric dynamics. The role of sea ice in weather and climate is also discussed. Models are used to describe the ice and atmospheric dynamics under study