Separation Or Integration? The Russian Mennonite Immigrant Community In Ontario, 1924-45

How do ethnic groups survive and maintain their identity when transplanted into an alien cultural environment? That question is one of the major issues in the study of ethnicity. Both historians and sociologists have, in recent years, attempted to understand more clearly and explain more fully the nature and dynamics of ethnic group cohesion and survival. While there is general agreement on the strength and persistence of ethnic peculiarities, there is considerable debate over whether this is due primarily to factors and forces internal or external to the group. What current models and theories designed to understand and explain this phenomenon disregard, moreover, are the religious beliefs and values which are a central component in the identity of some ethnoreligious groups like the Mennonites.;The traditional Russian Mennonite ethnoreligious identity consisted primarily of three elements: (1) a separatist, pacifist religious faith, (2) the German language and culture which came to embody it, and (3) a predominantly agrarian lifestyle. These values came into direct conflict with an increasingly urbanized and predominantly Anglo-Canadian society which expected conformity to its socio-economic, cultural, and political, if not religious, values. This thesis investigates some of the dimensions of that conflict as reflected in the settlement of Russian Mennonite immigrants in Ontario after World War I. It sets out to test a number of presently-held theories regarding ethnic group survival. It also challenges some of the generalizations and assumptions about Russian Mennonites which have characterized the historical and sociological literature to date.;The study concludes that although the Russian Mennonites in Ontario behaved much like other immigrants, their survival as an ethnic group cannot be understood apart from the persistence of their peculiar religious beliefs and practices. The New World environment challenged the traditional coalescence of cultural and religious values, however, prompting the search for a redefinition of that Old World identity. Still, the Russian Mennonites have survived as a distinct ethnoreligious group in Canada

A model for generating circadian rhythm by coupling ultradian oscillators

BACKGROUND: Organisms ranging from humans to cyanobacteria undergo circadian rhythm, that is, variations in behavior that cycle over a period about 24 hours in length. A fundamental property of circadian rhythm is that it is free-running, and continues with a period close to 24 hours in the absence of light cycles or other external cues. Regulatory networks involving feedback inhibition and feedforward stimulation of mRNA transcription and translation are thought to be critical for many circadian mechanisms, and genes coding for essential components of circadian rhythm have been identified in several organisms. However, it is not clear how such components are organized to generate a circadian oscillation. RESULTS: We propose a model in which two independent transcriptional-translational oscillators with periods much shorter than 24 hours are coupled to drive a forced oscillator that has a circadian period, using mechanisms and parameters of conventional molecular biology. Furthermore, the resulting circadian oscillator can be entrained by an external light-dark cycle through known mechanisms. We rationalize the mathematical basis for the observed behavior of the model, and show that the behavior is not dependent on the details of the component ultradian oscillators but occurs even if quite generalized basic oscillators are used. CONCLUSION: We conclude that coupled, independent, transcriptional-translational oscillators with relatively short periods can be the basis for circadian oscillators. The resulting circadian oscillator can be entrained by 24-hour light-dark cycles, and the model suggests a mechanism for its evolution

Genetic Tagging Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer Using Hair Snares

Author Institution: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Science CenterAuthor Institution: Dept of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research CenterAuthor Institution: Wildlife Genetics InternationalUse of noninvasive DNA-based tissue sampling (e.g., hair, scats) for individual identification in wildlife studies has increased markedly in recent years. Although field techniques for collecting hair samples have been developed for several species, we are unaware of their use with free-ranging ungulates. From December 2004 to August 2005 we evaluated the efficacy of barbed wire for snaring hair samples suitable for genetic analyses from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on trails and at baited sites. During initial trials on a semi-captive deer herd in northern Ohio, deer demonstrated avoidance of barbed wire positioned on game trails through four weeks but entered baited sites with barbed wire in <3 days. Field trials on free-ranging deer in Michigan using two snare configurations at baited sites checked at one-or-two-week intervals also were successful in obtaining hair samples suitable for extracting DNA. Number of hair samples appeared to increase with deer activity. Number of hair samples and amount of hair in individual samples were greater during winter and spring than during summer. Adequate genetic material was present in 98% (n = 53) of samples collected during winter. Obtaining hair samples noninvasively from white-tailed deer has numerous applications including determining natal origin, population monitoring, and density estimates. We recommend use of baited sites encircled with a single strand of 15.5 gauge, four-point, barbed wire 80 cm above ground attached to >3 trees. In treeless areas, metal or wood posts could be substituted. Hair snare height and configuration could be adapted for other ungulate species

Most Northerly Observation of a Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) in Canada: Photographic and DNA Evidence from Melville Island, Northwest Territories

During geological studies in 2003 and 2004 on Melville Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, field parties photographed and gathered genetic information on one or more grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). To our knowledge, these data constitute the most northerly observations made of this species in North America. The DNA of a hair sample collected on Melville Island in 2004 is genetically indistinguishable from DNA collected from a population of grizzly bears around Paulatuk, Northwest Territories, along the northern mainland coast. It is also distinct from the DNA of the Viscount Melville polar bear (Ursus maritimus) population. Our evidence and review suggest that, at a minimum, transient grizzly bears are now regular visitors to the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. More research will be required to understand the significance of these observations, but a small viable population of grizzly bears may now be using areas in or around Melville Island.Dans le cadre d’études géologiques réalisées en 2003 et en 2004 sur l’île Melville, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest, au Canada, des chercheurs sur le terrain ont photographié et recueilli de l’information génétique sur un ou plusieurs grizzlys (Ursus arctos). À notre connaissance, il s’agit des données représentant les observations sur cette espèce qui ont été recueillies les plus au nord de l’Amérique du Nord. L’ADN d’un échantillon de poil prélevé sur l’île Melville en 2004 est indifférenciable, du point de vue génétique, de l’ADN prélevé au sein d’une population de grizzlys de la région de Paulatuk, Territoires du Nord-Ouest, le long de la côte nord. Par ailleurs, il est distinct de l’ADN de la population d’ours polaires du Vicomte de Melville (Ursus maritimus). D’après les preuves que nous avons recueillies et notre analyse, à tout le moins, les grizzlys de passage sont maintenant des visiteurs habituels dans l’archipel Arctique canadien. D’autres recherches devront être effectuées afin de comprendre l’importance de ces observations, mais une population petite, bien que viable, de grizzlys pourrait maintenant utiliser les régions de l’île Melville ou situées tout près

Genetic Tagging Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer Using Hair Snares

Use of noninvasive DNA-based tissue sampling (e.g., hair, scats) for individual identification in wildlife studies has increased markedly in recent years. Although field techniques for collecting hair samples have been developed for several species, we are unaware of their use with free-ranging ungulates. From December 2004 to August 2005 we evaluated the efficacy of barbed wire for snaring hair samples suitable for genetic analyses from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on trails and at baited sites. During initial trials on a semi-captive deer herd in northern Ohio, deer demonstrated avoidance of barbed wire positioned on game trails through four weeks but entered baited sites with barbed wire in \u3c3 days. Field trials on free-ranging deer in Michigan using two snare configurations at baited sites checked at one-or-two-week intervals also were successful in obtaining hair samples suitable for extracting DNA. Number of hair samples appeared to increase with deer activity. Number of hair samples and amount of hair in individual samples were greater during winter and spring than during summer. Adequate genetic material was present in 98% (n = 53) of samples collected during winter. Obtaining hair samples non-invasively from white-tailed deer has numerous applications including determining natal origin, population monitoring, and density estimates. We recommend use of baited sites encircled with a single strand of 15.5 gauge, four-point, barbed wire 80 cm above ground attached to \u3e3 trees. In treeless areas, metal or wood posts could be substituted. Hair snare height and configuration could be adapted for other ungulate species

Recent Hybridization between a Polar Bear and Grizzly Bears in the Canadian Arctic

Grizzly bears have recently become more common on the Arctic Islands in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, concurrently with a period of environmental change. Over the last decade, grizzly bear – polar bear hybrids have been confirmed within this region, triggering extensive discussion and speculation regarding the impact of hybridization on the parent species. Through harvests, sightings, and captures, we document an increase in the presence of grizzly bears and combine field observations of hybrids with genetic analysis and parentage analysis to identify four first-generation (F1) hybrids and four offspring of F1 hybrids and grizzly bears (backcross-to-grizzly-bear individuals). We trace these eight hybrid individuals to a single female polar bear who mated with two grizzly bears. We sampled one of her mates on the sea ice in the High Arctic and deduced the genotype of the other from his five offspring. The two male grizzly bears are sires of both the F1 generation and the backcross-to-grizzly-bear generation. So what initially appeared to be a sudden spate of hybridization in the western Canadian Arctic originated with the unusual mating between three non-hybrid parents. The breakdown of species barriers may start with atypical mating preferences of select individuals; however, the story we present can be traced to a single female polar bear who, along with three of her known F1 offspring, has been killed.La présence du grizzli se fait plus courante dans l’archipel Arctique de la région désignée des Inuvialuit depuis un certain temps, ce qui coïncide avec une période de changement environnemental. Ces dix dernières années, la présence d’ours polaires-grizzlis hybrides a été confirmée dans cette région, ce qui a déclenché d’importantes discussions et hypothèses relativement aux incidences de l’hybridation sur les espèces apparentées. Au moyen de récoltes, d’observations et de captures, nous avons documenté l’augmentation de la présence de grizzlis, alliées à des observations d’hybrides sur le terrain avec analyse génétique et analyse de parenté afin d’identifier quatre hybrides de première génération (F1) et quatre descendants d’hybrides F1 et de grizzlis (individus issus de rétrocroisements avec un grizzli). Nous faisons remonter ces huit hybrides à une seule ourse polaire qui s’est accouplée avec deux grizzlis. Nous avons prélevé un échantillon d’un de ses compagnons sur la glace de mer de l’Extrême-Arctique et avons déduit le génotype de l’autre à partir de ses cinq descendants. Les deux grizzlis mâles sont des géniteurs de la génération F1 et de la génération du rétrocroisement avec un grizzli. Donc, ce qui semblait être, au début, une montée soudaine d’hybridation dans l’ouest de l’Arctique canadien est attribuable à l’accouplement inhabituel de trois parents non hybrides. La rupture des obstacles auxquels les espèces font face pourrait commencer par les préférences d’accouplement atypiques de certains individus. Toutefois, la situation dont il est ici question remonte à une seule ourse polaire qui a été tuée, avec trois de ses descendants connus de la génération F1

The memory space: Exploring future uses of Web 2.0 and mobile internet through design interventions.

The QuVis Quantum Mechanics Visualization project aims to address challenges of quantum mechanics instruction through the development of interactive simulations for the learning and teaching of quantum mechanics. In this article, we describe evaluation of simulations focusing on two-level systems developed as part of the Institute of Physics Quantum Physics resources. Simulations are research-based and have been iteratively refined using student feedback in individual observation sessions and in-class trials. We give evidence that these simulations are helping students learn quantum mechanics concepts at both the introductory and advanced undergraduate level, and that students perceive simulations to be beneficial to their learning.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in the American Journal of Physic

Reliability assessment of null allele detection: inconsistencies between and within different methods

Microsatellite loci are widely used in population genetic studies, but the presence of null alleles may lead to biased results. Here we assessed five methods that indirectly detect null alleles, and found large inconsistencies among them. Our analysis was based on 20 microsatellite loci genotyped in a natural population of Microtus oeconomus sampled during 8 years, together with 1200 simulated populations without null alleles, but experiencing bottlenecks of varying duration and intensity, and 120 simulated populations with known null alleles. In the natural population, 29% of positive results were consistent between the methods in pairwise comparisons, and in the simulated dataset this proportion was 14%. The positive results were also inconsistent between different years in the natural population. In the null-allele-free simulated dataset, the number of false positives increased with increased bottleneck intensity and duration. We also found a low concordance in null allele detection between the original simulated populations and their 20% random subsets. In the populations simulated to include null alleles, between 22% and 42% of true null alleles remained undetected, which highlighted that detection errors are not restricted to false positives. None of the evaluated methods clearly outperformed the others when both false positive and false negative rates were considered. Accepting only the positive results consistent between at least two methods should considerably reduce the false positive rate, but this approach may increase the false negative rate. Our study demonstrates the need for novel null allele detection methods that could be reliably applied to natural population

The difference between a probability and a probability density

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Interactive simulations to support quantum mechanics instruction for chemistry students

We gratefully acknowledge funding from the UK Higher Education Academy, the UK Institute of Physics and the University of St Andrews for simulation development and evaluation.The QuVis Quantum Mechanics Visualization Project provides freely-available research based interactive simulations with accompanying activities for the teaching and learning of quantum mechanics across a wide range of topics and levels. This article gives an overview of some of the simulations and describes their use in an introductory physical chemistry university course, where simulations were implemented as a pre-lab assignment, as lecture demonstrations, and as homework problems.PostprintPostprintPeer reviewe