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Profiles the landscape of the North End of Winnipeg, Canada. The poverty-stricken area; The classic example of the ecological processes of invasion and succession; The ethnic other; Self-help and political action; Landscape and internal diversity.

Canada is one of the largest wheat producers in the world, and wheat is grown over an area spanning most of the southern latitudes, with the prairie region (provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba) being the main producer. Several pathogens and pests attack wheat, but at present fusarium head blight (FHB), stripe rust, and leaf spots are the most damaging diseases to wheat production in Canada. Historically, smuts, stem rust, and leaf rust caused major crop losses in Canada and can still pose serious threat if management practices are relaxed. Cropping practices used by Canadian farmers to grow and harvest wheat over the last century have influenced disease development and pathogen biology, affecting the severity, incidence, and prevalence of crop diseases over time. Changes such as reduced tillage coincide with emergence of residue‐borne diseases, such as FHB and leaf spots, while the deployment of resistant cultivars and increased fungicide use has resulted in the reduction of common bunt, stem, and leaf rust. This review will discuss the influence of long‐term cropping practices, alone or in combination, on the biology, emergence, and prevalence of wheat diseases in Canada over the last century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term weather (1990–2013), streamflow (1990–2013; excluding 7 years with no or poor data), and water chemistry (2009–2013) datasets for hydrological modelling applications were developed using simple methods for the upper La Salle River watershed, in Canada, to address the lack of such datasets in the northern Red River Basin. Weather variables consist of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and precipitation disaggregated to an hourly time‐step. The only hydrometric variable included in the dataset is stream discharge in a daily time‐step. Water chemistry data consisted of total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), total phosphorus (TP), and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP). Samples were collected weekly during the open water season at the same site as the hydrometric gauging station from August 2009 to October 2012 with some gaps (i.e. Fall 2011, Spring 2012, September 2012). In 2013 the sampling frequency was increased to daily or sub‐daily during high stream discharge and weekly during low stream discharge. A data overview indicates values within ranges reported for the area. Mean annual, winter, and summer temperatures were 3.5, −10.7, and 17.2°C, respectively. Annual relative humidity averaged 73.1% but was higher and more homogenous in cold seasons. Wind speed was similar over the year with annual average of 4.3 m/s. Solar radiation followed the typical curve reported for western Canada, with peak daily average values around 250 W/m2 in July. Precipitation records were mostly comprised of dry hours with 75.3% of the events being equal or less than 2 mm/h. Stream discharge was typical of the Canadian Prairies; the average peak discharge over the entire period was larger in April (2.3 m3/s) due to large amounts of snowmelt runoff. Average concentrations of TN, TDN, TP, and TDP of 1.54, 1.35, 0.56, and 0.49 mg/L, respectively, were in agreement with values found in previous studies at the site. Open Practices: This article has earned an Open Data badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://doi.org/10.23684/odi-2017-00957. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim To determine the epidemiology of chronic ataxia in children in Manitoba, Canada. Method A retrospective study using multiple sources and disease codes identified children (age 0-16y) with chronic ataxia (>2mo duration or recurrent episodes of ataxia) seen at Winnipeg Children's Hospital from 1991 to 2008. Patients with isolated peripheral nerve diseases, vestibular disorders, or brain tumors were excluded. Results We identified 184 patients (males=females; mean age 15y, SD 7y 8mo) with chronic ataxia. Median age at the presenting symptom onset was 1 year 3 months and at ataxia onset 3 years 1 month. Median duration of follow-up was 6 years 5 months. During the study period, the crude incidence rate was 5.77 in 10 000; the crude prevalence rate was 6.59 in 10 000; and the crude mortality rate 0.446 in 10 000. The most common presenting symptoms were developmental delay, ataxia, or seizures. The most common diagnoses (known in 129) were Angelman syndrome ( n=16), ataxia telangiectasia ( n=13), mitochondrial disease ( n=9), Friedreich ataxia ( n=7), stroke ( n=7), and familial/genetic episodic ataxia ( n=7). Interpretation Chronic ataxia is a relatively common early-presenting symptom in childhood. A specific diagnosis is possible in 70% of patients after extensive investigations. The mortality rate is relatively low and the disease burden is high with significant comorbidities including developmental delay and epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overwater nesting structures for ducks have been used primarily to increase mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) production where success of ground-nesting hens was low (<1 5%), such as in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in North America. However, managers have inquired about recommended numbers of nest structures for small wetlands (i.e., <2 ha) based on duck-production and benefit-cost evaluations, but such data were not avail- able. Therefore, we conducted an experiment in the PPR in Manitoba, Canada, in 2001 and 2002 to test the effects of different treatment numbers of nest structures/wetland (1, 2, or 4) and wetland area (≤0.4 or 0.45-1.5 ha) on use of structures by nesting ducks, nest success, and number of ducklings produced, as well as to evaluate cost-benefits of the structures. Across duck species, mean use of structures by nesting hens increased 56% between years (F1,107=14.29, P<0.001); however, by year 2 use did not differ among treatment numbers of structures and averaged 78% (t157=-0.15-1.08, P#x2265;0.28). Apparent nest success averaged 99% across treatment numbers of structures in 2001, but it did not differ among treatments (F2,72 = 0.93, P=0.40) and decreased to an overall 48% in 2002, largely due to egg predation by corvids. Mean number of ducklings departing structures did not vary between years (F1,54 = 2.38, P = 0.13), but treatment number of structures influenced mean number of ducklings (pooled over 2001 and 2002) exiting structures (F2,54=4.54, P = 0.02). Mean numbers of ducklings departing 1 and 2 structures/wetland did not differ (t54=0.29, P=0.77; pooled X...=4.61 ducklings), but each respective mean was nearly twice that from 4 structures/wetland (t54 = 2.26-2.51, P≤0.03). Neither wetland area nor any interactions influenced any analysis (F1-2,54-157=0-1.11, P≥0.33). We concluded that 2 structures/wetland was cost-effective ($2.16/fledged duc < [U.S.]) for consideration among other management strategies to increase nest success of mallards in the PPR; however, managers should monitor duckling production from structures to determine whether our initial recommendation from a single study area warrants change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary 1. Terrestrial predators in coastal areas are often subsidized by marine foods. In order to determine the potential impact on terrestrial prey, the numerical response of predators to each food source must be determined. 2. In winter, arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus ) may forage on the frozen Arctic ocean and scavenge carcasses of seals killed by polar bears (Ursus maritimus ), but the importance of this food source and its effect on the population cycles of arctic foxes and lemmings (their primary prey) are unclear. 3. I estimated the marine component of the late winter diet of arctic foxes near Churchill, Manitoba, using stable-carbon isotope analysis, and compared these estimates to abundance of arctic foxes and collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx richardsoni ). 4. From 1994 to 1997, fox density varied with lemming abundance, but following a decline, fox abundance began increasing before lemmings. During this increase marine foods were consumed more than in other years, with over two-thirds of food intake from marine sources. 5. Arctic and red fox (Vulpes vulpes ) harvests in the 1980s to 1990s were correlated with published estimates of polar bear body mass, which varies with seal productivity. However, this relationship disappeared during high lemming years. 6. Thus, variation in marine productivity affects arctic fox abundance, especially when their primary prey are scarce, and this numerical response of arctic foxes to marine resources and lemmings suggests that increased predation by arctic foxes subsidized by seal carrion may delay the recovery of low lemming populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the ability of an Adjusted Clinical Group (ACG)-based morbidity measure to assess the overall health service needs of populations. Data Sources/Study Setting. Three population-based secondary data sources: registration and health service utilization data from fiscal year 1995-1996; mortality data from vital statistics reports from 1996-1999; and Canadian census data. The study included all continuously enrolled residents in the universal health care plan in Manitoba.Study Design: Using 60 small geographic areas as the units of analysis, we compared a population-based "ACG morbidity index," derived from individual ACG assignments in fiscal year 1995-1996, with the standardized mortality ratio (ages < 75 years) for 1996-1999. Key variables included a population-based socioeconomic status measure and age- and sex-standardized physician utilization ratios.Data Extraction Methods: The ACGs were assigned based on the complement of diagnoses assigned to persons on physician claims and hospital separation abstracts. The ACG index was created by weighting the ACGs using average health care expenditures.Principal Findings: The ACG morbidity index had a strong positive linear relationship with the subsequent rate of premature death in the small areas of Manitoba. The ACG index was able to explain the majority of the relationships between mortality and both socioeconomic status and physician utilization.Conclusions: In Manitoba, ACGs are closely related to premature mortality, commonly accepted as the best single indicator for health service need in populations. Issues in applying ACGs in settings where needs adjustment is a primary objective are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on developments related to the economic policy in Brandon, Manitoba. Construction of the Downtown Mall; Improvement of the commercial building Central Business District; Redevelopment of lands.

Examines the geomorphology of the Red River to provide a context for flood hazard in Manitoba. Construction of flood protection infrastructure; Formation of physical barriers by a network of dikes with in the Red River Valley; Prevention of erosion in the landscape.

Investigates how a universally insured health care system delivers care that are related to health status. Characteristics of residents in Winnipeg, Canada, by relative affluence of neighborhood; Differences in age and sex-standardized death rates across the population; Hospital use by relative affluence of neighborhood, using Winnipeg's type of hospitalization.

1. The response of different salt-marsh plant communities to grazing by lesser snow geese and isostatic uplift was examined at La Pérouse Bay. Manitoba on the Hudson Bay coast. Results are based on direct experimental manipulation of swards and previously published floristic and biomass data. 2. At the seaward end of the salt-marsh the vegetation is composed of Puccinellia phryganodes and carex subspathaeca. This assemblage of species is also present in the upper marsh. but only as a consequence of intense grazing by geese. Grazed swards of these species persist over a period of at least 10 years. 3. When swards are protected from grazing in the upper marsh, rapid changes in floristic composition of vegetation occur. There is a substantial increase in above-ground biomass and the vegetation is dominated by Calamagrossis deseiwnipsiodes. Festuca rubra and dicotyledonous plants. When these swards are grazed the species composition does not revert to the Puccinellia-Carex assemblage. 4. In the presence of grazing this change from the Pueccinellia-Carex assemblage to the Calamagrostis-Festuca assemblage occurs gradually as a consequence of changes in edaphic conditions associated with isostatic uplift. The geese delay the rate of vegetational development associated with the effects of isostatic uplift but they cannot arrest it. 5. Both types of plant assemblage may become extinct locally as a result of grubbing by the geese for roots and rhizomes of graminoid species. Habitat conditions are sufficiently altered following grubbing that the process of succession recommences from hare sediment. 6. The results of changes in floristic composition. above-ground biomass and replacement rates of vegetation are examined in relation to predictions of multiple- state models which emphasize the directional asymmetry in the development of plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opinion. Focuses on geography, while discussing some of the myths and attempting to expose the truth about Manitoba. How the data was collected for the discussion; Information on the myths and realities of Manitoba; Geographical information on Manitoba; Examination of the myths about Manitoba; Presentation of factual information on Manitoba.

Studies the effects of feces of lesser snow geese on salt-marsh vegetation at La Perouse Bay, Manitoba, together with the processes of fecal decay. Goal of determining how goose grazing significantly increased the net above-ground primary production of forage species, Puccinellia phryganodes and Carex subspathacea; Role of lesser snow geese in accelerating the transfer of mobile nitrogen, which results in higher production of the forage species.

The scrub layer was studied in eleven selected areas of Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, which are used as winter range by wapiti (Cervus Canadensis manitobensis) and moose (Alces alces). Twenty-three shrub species were identified and fifteen were sufficiently abundant to be included in analyses. The number, frequency, constancy, importance value, cover value and height of each species were measured using a line transect method. Browsing was assessed by presence or absence of browsing, and by a numerical browse index. There was no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between the number of plants of a particular shrub species present and its use as browse, but plant height was significantly (P > 0.01) correlated with use. Plants within the height range 1–2 m were generally preferred; use as browse decreased rapidly outside these limits. Although there were some differences in browse use among species, in any given height range, such differences were few and inconsistent. Height appeared to be the most important factor determining use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that evaluates the preferences of cattle producers in Manitoba, Canada, for different cattle characteristics using the conjoint analysis methodology. Two empirical advantages of approaching the valuation of beef genetic characteristics from consumer demand; Estimation technique and the econometric model; Steps in the development of a survey instrument for data collection; Results of the ordered probit models.

This article highlights a conference on family life education to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 4 and 5, 1966, under the auspices of the Winnipeg Interprofessional Study Committee on Family Life Education.