The Ta'arof Tournament: cultural performances of ethno-national identity at a diasporic summer camp

Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork, interviews and audio recordings at a US summer camp by and for Iranian-heritaged youth, this paper analyses the construction of ethno-national identity during the ‘Ta'arof Tournament’, a popular camp activity that literally makes sport of the Iranian custom of self-effacement, politeness and hospitality. A repertoire of six ta'arof strategies is identified: (a) reliance on pre-existing, commonly used ta'arof phrases, (b) ‘code-switching’ between English and Persian, (c) body gestures, (d) novel, hyperbolic ‘ta'arof-style’ phrases, (e) exaggerated ‘Iranian’ accents and (f) subversive and humorous re-enactments of life in immigrant households. Camp participants embrace, renew and transform the quintessentially ‘Iranian’ custom of ta'arof while self-consciously performing for one another. Despite scholarship that relies on ‘cultural trauma’ and ‘stigma’ to explain identity ‘loss’ among immigrant groups, these findings reveal that the ironic, tender cultural performance of ‘rituals’ like ta'arof serve as powerful source material for group affinity and belonging in diaspora.     

Canada and Arctic Politics: The Continental Shelf Extension

This article challenges the validity of the commonly held assumption that Canada and other Arctic countries are engaged in a highly competitive scramble to stake claims for extensions to their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles, and that Canada may lose out because it is lagging behind in this race to claim as many seabed resources as possible. It argues that the process is orderly; that, under international law, Canada already has sovereign rights over the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles; that the process is generally characterized by cooperation; and that the timing of various countries’ submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf will not be a key determinant of success.     

Diaspora and its discontents: A Caribbean fragment in Toronto in quest of cultural recognition and political empowerment

The essay examines the role of The Ontario Society for Services to the Indo-Caribbean Community [OSSICC], a historic organization that sought to assert the dignity and re-discover the identity of Indo-Caribbean persons as a fragment of the Caribbean diaspora in Toronto, Canada. While it points to the achievement in representing the interests of its members for symbolic cultural recognition, it underscored the limitations in the political arena for empowerment, power sharing, and equality in employment opportunities and for an equitable share of the resources of the state. Further, it describes how the ethnic conflict in the homeland persisted in the new site of the diaspora, about lost opportunities for healing, and about inter-generational discontinuities in the reconstruction of the Caribbean self. On a larger scale, the article is about membership and citizenship in the new homeland of the diaspora, its seductions and betrayals in the new frontier of Canadian multiculturalism.     

The distribution of chydorid Cladocera in Canada

The distribution of chydorid Cladocera in Canada is given based on the examination of 584 samples collected from all the provinces and territories from 1978 through to 1984. Some species show regional distributions, while others are widely distributed. The preferences shown by some species to particular substrates are discussed. Further evidence is presented to show that some taxa previously claimed to be conspecific in Europe and North America may be different. In some instances the adult males tend to be more highly differentiated than the females, particularly in the structure of the postabdomen. The importance of taxonomic and distributional studies in understanding the biogeography of North American chydorids is discussed.     

Comparison of carbon dioxide fluxes over three boreal black spruce forests in Canada

Although mature black spruce forests are a dominant cover type in the boreal forest of North America, it is not clear how their carbon (C) budgets vary across the continent. The installation of an eddy covariance flux tower on an Old Black Spruce (OBS) site in eastern Canada (EOBS, Québec) provided a first opportunity to compare and contrast its annual (2004) and seasonal C exchange with two other pre-existing OBS flux sites from different climatic regions located in Saskatchewan [Southern OBS (SOBS)] and Manitoba [Northern OBS (NOBS)]. Although there was a relatively uniform seasonal pattern of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) among sites, EOBS had a lower total annual NEP than the other two sites. This was primarily because warmer soil under a thicker snowpack at EOBS appeared to increase winter C losses and low light suppressed both NEP and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) in June. Across sites, greater total annual GEP and ecosystem respiration ( R ) were associated with greater mean annual air temperatures and an earlier beginning of the growing season. Also, GEP at all three sites showed a stronger relationship with air temperature in spring and early summer compared with later in the growing season, highlighting the importance of springtime conditions to the C budget of these boreal ecosystems. The three sites had different parameter estimates describing the responses of R and GEP at the half hour time scale to near surface temperature and light, respectively. On the other hand, the responses of both R and GEP to temperature at the monthly scale did not differ among sites. These results suggest that a general parameterization could be sufficient at coarse time resolutions to model the response of C exchange to environmental factors of mature black spruce forests from different climatic regions.     

The flexibility during the juxtaposition of reacting groups and the upper limits of enzyme reactions

The combinations between enzymes and substrates occur only after their reacting groups are in juxtaposition with each other. This will greatly reduce the probability of their effective encounters. However, the results calculated with the finite element method show that the reaction limits will not decrease substantially if van der Waal's forces and a reasonable flexibility during such a juxtaposition are taken into account.     

Everything and nothing: regulating embryo research in Canada

This article examines how medical and scientific professionals experience and engage with the governance of embryo research in Canada. Drawing on the history of embryo regulation in Canada and the findings of a survey conducted with lab directors in Canadian fertility clinics, we identify a disjuncture between the rules established by legislation, regulations, and research ethics guidelines and the real-life experiences of professionals in the field. This disjuncture, we argue, is the result of both the absence of implementation mechanisms that would give substance to the governing framework, as well as an inability on the part of medical and scientific professionals to engage in robust self-regulation. Overall, we demonstrate that in an ethically charged and highly technical area of policy-making like embryonic research, clarity about the roles and responsibilities of government and professionals in policy-making and implementation is critical to effective governance.     

Politics,Pride, and Precedent: The United States and Canada in the Northwest Passage

The issue of the status of the Northwest Passage has ebbed and flowed in U.S.-Canada relations for decades, but the effect of global warming in the Arctic has moved this issue from the largely academic and legalistic realms to the forefront of bilateral (and international) relations. Intimately linked to Canadian nationalism, U.S. adherence to the doctrine of freedom of the seas, and to politics in both nations, the opposing positions held by the two states can no longer afford to be implacably held. Rather, it is time to put pride and politics aside and return to the “special relationship” between Canada and the United States in order to effect meaningful and mutually beneficial continental security.     

Analysis of mixed leucocyte culture (MLC) reactive cells after in vitro priming. Changes in avidity of T cell receptors.

Mixed leucocyte cultures were examined for populations of T cells responding to secondary stimulation with the priming antigen. Two such populations are described, one of which is stimulated optimally by low, the other by high doses of antigen. Both cell populations are sensitive to anti brain θ serum and complement, but are physically separable by size and by adherence on macrophage monolayers. The anti-brain θ-sensitive population stimulated by low antigen doses consists of larger cells with immunoglobulin-moieties on their surfaces.     

The dilemma posed by minority medical traditions in pluralistic societies: The case of China and Canada

Pluralistic societies such as China and Canada frequently find themselves pursuing potentially contradictory goals. China's contradiction results from a desire to preserve cultural diversity while eliminating ‘backward tendencies’ which work against the economic and social development of the country as a whole. Canada's contradiction results from a desire to preserve cultural diversity while maintaining an emphasis upon equality of rights and responsibilities for all Canadians. Behind these differences in ideology, however, is a more basic structural contradiction ‐ namely, that cultural pluralism, while considered an asset as long as it is restricted to preserving unique cultural traditions, is nevertheless a threat to a strong central government if interpreted to imply the power to set policy at the local level. To explore this issue, this article compares China and Canada in terms of three related topics. First, it briefly examines the multicultural policy of China and Canada. This is followed by a discussion of medical pluralism in China and Canada, with an emphasis upon the health of minority groups and the status of minority healing traditions. Finally, common perceptions of shamanic healing traditions in both China and Canada are considered. It is in relation to shamanism that the dilemma posed by cultural pluralism is most clearly delimited.     

Obesity Research in Canada: Literature Overview of the Last 3 Decades

Objective: To identify research published on obesity in Canada, to explore the range of areas studied, and to identify gaps and areas that merit future research attention. Research Methods and Procedures: Medline and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases were searched from 1970 onwards. Original articles were identified and categorized by areas of interest. Results: A total of 1186 relevant articles were identified: 17, 136, 687, and 346 articles during the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000 to 2003, respectively. Of the articles, 816 were considered original studies and accepted for this analysis. Twelve research areas were identified: basic science involving animal experiments (29%), human experiments (16%), populations surveys (14%), obesity‐related comorbidities (13%), diagnostic/surgical issues (11%), nonpharmacological approaches (7%), drug‐related issues (4%), anthropometrics (2%), impact of weight loss (2%), cost/healthcare use (1%), attitudes/perceptions (0.9%), and models/procedures (0.5%). Two‐thirds of all research was conducted in Quebec (34%) and Ontario (33%). Discussion: Given the multifactorial nature of obesity, Canadian obesity research covers a broad range of areas with a predominance of basic science but lesser emphasis on community and primary care studies. Furthermore, there was a paucity of research on either clinical management of medical conditions in obese patients or clinical aspects that go beyond weight loss. Thus, although Canada appears well represented in basic research, more attention to exploration of clinical issues and healthcare delivery for obese patients appears warranted.     

Marine Species at Risk Protection in Australia and Canada: Paper Promises,Paltry Progressions

This article compares the law and policy frameworks for protecting marine species at risk in Australia and Canada. The sea of practical challenges is examined, including achieving listing of threatened commercial species; attaining timely and effective recovery planning; and identifying and protecting critical habitats.     

加拿大自然保护区规划的启迪

为了更好地国际接轨,搞好自然保护区的管理工作,我们需要学习其他国家的先进经验,本文重点介绍加拿大自然保护区规划方面的典型经验,包括系统规划,综合管理规划,资源管理规划,服务规划,行动规划,以及各种规划之间的关系,并提出了对我们的启迪与可借鉴之处。     

Regulation of Bt crops in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates environmental releases of plants with novel traits, which include transgenic plants such as Bt crops. Bt crops are regulated in Canada because they express insect resistance novel to their species. Commercialization of crops with novel traits such as the production of insecticidal Bt proteins requires an approval for environmental release, as well as approvals for use as feed and food. Environmental factors such as potential impacts on non-target species are considered. Insect resistance management (IRM) may be imposed as a condition for environmental release of Bt crops to delay the development of resistance in the target insect. Bt potato and European corn borer-resistant Bt corn have been released with mandatory IRM. The CFIA imposes an IRM plan consisting of appropriate refugia, education of farmers and seed dealers, and monitoring and mitigation. Industry, regulators, government extension staff and public researchers provide expert advice on IRM.     

The great transformation: A long-run perspective on physical well-being in Canada

During the 19th century the physical stature of the Canadian-born stagnated or declined slightly in spite of a substantial increase in income. Stature varied regionally within Canada. The Quebec population was especially short; men in the Atlantic coastal region were taller than their low incomes would lead us to expect. Heights increased dramatically in the 20th Century. The pattern of long-run change is consistent with evidence of age-specific mortality and with the relationship between income and physical well-being envisaged by Preston [Preston, S., 1975. The changing relationship between mortality and the level of economic development. Popul. Stud. 29, 231-248]. The transition from stagnant or declining stature to secular increase points to a dramatic shift ca. 1900 in the evolution of the physical standard of living in Canada.     

Religious expression in public schools: Kirpans in Canada,hijab in France

The present study analyses the status of the Arab minority in Israel, as revealed in Project Renewal, one of the largest and most ambitious programmes implemented in the country during the 1980s. The analysis discloses how conflicts over symbolic issues, such as the definition of the collective's boundaries, found their way on to the Project Renewal agenda, and how they affected the project's dynamics. The article analyses the intensity of the conflicts evoked by the issue of citizen participation in the neighbourhood. It interprets the clashes over neighbourhood representation as essentially resulting from a core conflict, one in which the very boundaries of Israel's moral community appeared to be at stake. The conclusions are based on an analytical distinction between those components of the programme that may be viewed as related to liberal citizenship rights, and those pertaining to republican citizenship rights, that is, elements touching upon the definition of the boundaries of the social collective and the moral community.     

The northern limit of Pinus banksiana Lamb. in Canada: explaining the difference between the eastern and western distributions

Aim Present northern distribution limit of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) follows the northern limit of continuous open boreal forest in western Canada, but not in eastern Canada where it is located further south. We tested the hypothesis that fire plays a more important role than climate in explaining the present position of the northern distribution limit of jack pine. Location An experimental jack pine plantation was set up in 1992, c. 300 km north of the present distribution limit of the species, in the Boniface river area of northern Québec (57°43′ N, 76°05′ W). Methods Climate and fire data were used to compare sites at and north of the present distribution limit of jack pine. In 2001, surviving individuals from the plantation were measured (total height, annual shoot elongation, basal diameter, and presence/absence of cones). Results Climate data from the ten weather stations used in this study did not show major differences. The northern limit of jack pine distribution is closely associated with the occurrence of fires larger than 200 ha. Survival of the planted jack pines was 31%. About 25% of the surviving pines qualified as normal, single‐stem individuals; the others were slightly uprooted and/or showed marks of erosion or foraging. Cones were produced, although no viable seeds were found. Main conclusions The low number of degree‐days above 5 °C at the plantation site could explain why the seeds were not viable. However, such climate conditions are not sufficient to prevent growth, as was shown by annual shoot elongation measurements. Most of the surviving jack pines from the Boniface river plantation are relatively healthy and follow a normal developmental programme. Low fire frequency and small fire size are amongst the main factors that prevented P. banksiana from migrating further north or east following deglaciation in northern Québec and Labrador.     

The potential and realized spread of wildfires across Canada

Given that they can burn for weeks or months, wildfires in temperate and boreal forests may become immense (eg., 10⁰ – 10⁴ km²). However, during the period within which a large fire is ‘active’, not all days experience weather that is conducive to fire spread; indeed most of the spread occurs on a small proportion (e.g., 1 – 15 days) of not necessarily consecutive days during the active period. This study examines and compares the Canada‐wide patterns in fire‐conducive weather (‘potential’ spread) and the spread that occurs on the ground (‘realized’ spread). Results show substantial variability in distributions of potential and realized spread days across Canada. Both potential and realized spread are higher in western than in eastern Canada; however, whereas potential spread generally decreases from south to north, there is no such pattern with realized spread. The realized‐to‐potential fire‐spread ratio is considerably higher in northern Canada than in the south, indicating that proportionally more fire‐conducive days translate into fire progression. An exploration of environmental correlates to spread show that there may be a few factors compensating for the lower potential spread in northern Canada: a greater proportion of coniferous (i.e., more flammable) vegetation, lesser human impacts (i.e., less fragmented landscapes), sufficient fire ignitions, and intense droughts. Because a linear relationship exists between the frequency distributions of potential spread days and realized spread days in a fire zone, it is possible to obtain one from the other using a simple conversion factor. Our methodology thus provides a means to estimate realized fire spread from weather‐based data in regions where fire databases are poor, which may improve our ability to predict future fire activity.     

Gender identity and integration: second-generation Somali immigrants navigating gender in Canada

Many right-leaning politicians claim that normative Islamic perspectives on gender are at odds with the Western values and act as barriers to immigrant integration. Our interviews with 256 second-generation Somali-Canadians, however, suggest that gender-egalitarian identities are achieved – they are constructed and deployed by our participants to practice integration and express belonging in Canada. In this study, we move beyond analysis of attaining gender-egalitarian roles as a result of immigration and propose an understanding of gender as a form of Bourdieusian cultural capital that, depending on social values, functions as symbolic capital rendering individuals and groups as advantaged or disadvantaged. We, therefore, analyse modalities of “doing” gender as potential strategies of accumulating capital in furthering successful integration. Our study contributes to the emergent literature in migration studies that examines gender in relation to ethnic and national identities, and the extent to which it may impact integration experiences of second-generation Muslim immigrants.     

The exchange hypothesis for the formation of chromatid aberrations: an experimental test using bleomycin

The association between bleomycin-induced chromatid aberrations and BUdR-label exchange between sister chromatids was investigated in order to evaluate Revell's exchange hypothesis for the formation of chromatid aberrations. The results of this study indicate that a larger than expected proportion of chromatid breaks can be accounted for by the exchange hypothesis though not all breaks are the result of incomplete exchange.