University of Winnipeg

About: University of Winnipeg is a education organization based out in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3235 authors who have published 6413 publications receiving 150564 citations. The organization is also known as: U of W.

Hibernation phenology of Myotis lucifugus

Abstract: Hibernating animals must time immergence and emergence carefully to maximize reproductive success and reduce the risk of encountering inclement weather or predators. Few studies of phenology exist for any hibernating species and those that do address species which mate during spring. We used passive transponders (PIT tags) to study hibernation phenology of little brown bats Myotis lucifugus, a species that mates prior to hibernation in the fall. We expected that adult females would emerge earliest as early parturition increases juvenile survival. We predicted that females with large fat stores should emerge earliest because of their ability to tolerate inclement spring weather at the maternity roost. We also predicted that adult males would remain active later than females to maximize mating opportunities and compensate for body mass decline during the mating period. We implanted 475 bats with PIT tags and remotely recorded immergence and emergence timing at a hibernaculum in central Canada. As expected, adult males were active significantly later (median immergence date = 16 September 2011) than adult females (11 September 2011) and adult females emerged earlier (median emergence date = 6 May 2012) than both adult males (25 May 2012) and subadults (13 May 2012). Emergence timing was correlated with fall body condition in adult females, with fatter females emerging earlier, but not males. Our results highlight the importance of reproductive timing as an influence on hibernation phenology of mammals.

The Social Dimensions of Gift Behaviour

Abstract: This article describes in general terms the social dimensions of valuable interpersonal gifts at Christmas, and draws certain comparisons with giving to community organizations. The data are drawn from a random sample survey of 573 adult respondents in Winnipeg, Canada. Three classes of factors that structure gift behaviour are identified. They are: interaction processes within personal relationships; economic resources; and social statuses. The relational significance of gifts is particularly evident where one gift is matched by a return gift in a process of gift exchange or reciprocity. It is shown that reciprocal giving is a prominent feature of valuable Christmas gift transactions. As expected, personal income, household income, and the proportion of household income spent on housing all have some effect on the level of gift expenditure. However, no evidence is found to support the hypothesis from the functionalist theory of the extended family that valuable Christmas gifts are used for the intergener...

Factors that predict scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale.

Abstract: Bernstein and Putnam (1986) recently developed the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), a reliable and valid measure of dissociative experiences. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of the DES to other measures of psychopathology and cognitive functioning. Seventy-six female and 43 male university students were administered the DES, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-90), the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), and the Barnes-Vulcano Rationality Test (BVRT). A standard multiple regression was computed that used the DES as the criterion variable and the HSCL-90, MOCI, TAS, and BVRT as predictor variables. The results showed that 61% of the variance for DES scores could be predicted by three subscales of the HSCL-90 (Phobic Anxiety, Anger-Hostility, Somatization) and the TAS and BVRT. The importance of the relationship between the predictor variables and the DES for understanding dissociative disorders, especially multiple personality disorder, was discussed.

An Assessment of Stakeholder Advisory Committees in Forest Management: Case Studies from Manitoba, Canada

Abstract: Forest management in Canada is evolving from being largely bilateral and closed to being more inclusive and open. In an effort to test new approaches to public participation, many forest products companies have established advisory committees. Since there is little empirical evidence documenting advisory committee processes, our purpose was to determine the strengths and weaknesses of such processes. This was achieved by assessing the advisory committees of three major forest products companies in Manitoba, Canada, responsible for managing over 5 million hectares of productive forest. Our approach was inductive and qualitative, involving standardized, semistructured interviews with committee members. Results coalesce around both process and outcome strengths and weaknesses, such as multiple involvement techniques, information sharing and communication, and breadth of participant learning. While the results are mixed, the study confirms that advisory committees have promise as a method of actively involvin...