Biocontrol in practice in Canadian floricultural greenhouses

The environment inside Canadian prairie greenhouses differs from greenhouses built in other northern latitude locations in terms of lighting, temperature, humidity, and photoperiod. Since the performance of biocontrol agents depends upon several interactive environmental variables, their effectiveness to control pests in a particular crop growing under certain climatic conditions does not directly translate to another crop or location. So, we analyzed research trials assessing the efficacy and compatibility of various biocontrol agents (Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius cucumeris, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Encarsia formosa, Aphidius colemani, Aphidius ervi, and Steinernema feltiae) on key pests (Western flower thrips, two-spotted spider mites, greenhouse whiteflies, and aphids) of spring bedding plants grown in a commercial floricultural greenhouse. Were analyzed several compatible combinations of biocontrol agents and observed a significant reduction in pest densities and plant damage symptoms as compared to untreated control plants. The results demonstrate that P. persimilis controlled two-spotted spider mites successfully in calibrachoa crop. The combination of Amblyseius cucumeris and S. feltiae resulted in significantly better control of Western flower thrips than the use of Amblyseius cucumeris alone in sweet potato vine plants. The application of E. formosa and Amblyseius cucumeris individually reduced greenhouse whiteflies on calibrachoa plants as compared to control, but their combination performed better resulting in a significantly lower number of whiteflies on plants. Another combination of Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi controlled green peach aphids and foxglove aphids effectively on the pansy crop. The biocontrol agents were effective for managing a variety of pests in a commercial greenhouse setting.

Dynamical Downscaling of Temperature Variations over the Canadian Prairie Provinces under Climate Change

In this study, variations of daily mean, maximum, and minimum temperature (expressed as Tmean, Tmax, and Tmin) over the Canadian Prairie Provinces were dynamically downscaled through regional climate simulations. How the regional climate would increase in response to global warming was subsequently revealed. Specifically, the Regional Climatic Model (RegCM) was undertaken to downscale the boundary conditions of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model Version 2M (GFDL-ESM2M) over the Prairie Provinces. Daily temperatures (i.e., Tmean, Tmax, and Tmin) were subsequently extracted from the historical and future climate simulations. Temperature variations in the two future periods (i.e., 2036 to 2065 and 2065 to 2095) are then investigated relative to the baseline period (i.e., 1985 to 2004). The spatial distributions of temperatures were analyzed to reveal the regional impacts of global warming on the provinces. The results indicated that the projected changes in the annual averages of daily temperatures would be amplified from the southwest in the Rocky Mountain area to the northeast in the prairie region. It was also suggested that the projected temperature averages would be significantly intensified under RCP8.5. The projected temperature variations could provide scientific bases for adaptation and mitigation initiatives on multiple sectors, such as agriculture and economic sectors over the Canadian Prairies.

Under Reporting of Abuse of Older Adults in the Canadian Prairie Provinces

This tri-provincial mixed methods study explores the reasons for under reporting abuse of older adults in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Abuse of community-residing older adults, and specifically the reasons for not reporting such abuse, is poorly understood. This paper discusses the findings of the qualitative arm of the study that collected data through interviews with older adults having histories of abuse, their family members and service providers from related sectors. Content analysis was employed to identify three key themes: (1) recognizing and naming abuse; (2) barriers to disclosure; and (3) facilitators of reporting. Recommendations are made to improve awareness, education, and service provision in prevention and treatment of the abuse of community-residing older adults.

Connecting plant species and natural products from the Canadian prairie ecological zone to biomedical knowledge

Natural products from plants in Canadian ecological zones are understudied. There are, however, sound scientific arguments to justify investigation of natural products from plant species found within these zones. We review a broad range of scientific and local literature describing the features of the Canadian prairie ecological zone and the Asteraceae taxonomical family. Species from Asteraceae are well represented in the prairie ecological system, although very few have been investigated for natural products with bio-medical properties. Data from a range of sources that address ecological interactions, abiotic features, and Traditional Knowledge provide a foundation for future scientific studies of plant natural products found within Canadian borders. We draw from discoveries of the Asteraceae family and one of its major classes of secondary metabolites, sesquiterpenes, to stimulate research of Asteraceae species in Canada.

Predictive Properties of the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) in a Northern Canadian Prairie Sample

This study examined the predictive properties of the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) in a large Canadian, predominantly Indigenous, sample from a geographic region with the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the country. A random stratified sample of 300 men (92.7% Indigenous) court adjudicated for an IPV offense was drawn from six Northern Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment regions. The ODARA was rated from police records and recidivism data were obtained via official criminal records over a mean 4.7-year follow-up. ODARA scores had small to moderate predictive accuracy (AUC/C = .58–.67) for IPV and other recidivism outcomes in the aggregate sample and Indigenous subsample. E/O index analyses demonstrated that the ODARA Ontario norms overpredicted IPV recidivism at high scores but underpredicted it at lower mid-range scores. Implications for use of the ODARA to assist frontline police personnel in IPV risk assessment and management are discussed.

Muslim Syrian refugee women’s exploration of breast cancer preventative care in a Western Canadian prairie city

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the barriers to preventative breast cancer screening (BCS) among Muslim Syrian refugee women in a Western Canadian Prairie city. Design/methodology/approach Situated within a larger mixed-method study aimed at identifying barriers and facilitators to breast cancer (BC) preventative practices, the authors interviewed three key informants to get an in-depth understanding of the cultural, religious and social factors affecting knowledge of BC and BCS practices among Muslim Syrian refugee women. Findings Qualitative findings confirm quantitative results revealing that knowledge about BC and cultural and religious barriers on gender might translate into poor health outcomes for Muslim Syrian refugee women in a Western Canadian city. Research limitations/implications This research has limitations related to the sample size and the lack of generalizability to all refugee women. Results indicate the need to develop culturally tailored intervention programs to increase breast awareness and participation in breast-self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography. The study has implications for health-care policy. Muslim Syrian refugee women need to be educated about BC upon arrival in Canada to counteract low participation rates, promote positive health outcomes and decrease potential costs to the health-care system. Originality/value Evidence on Muslim Syrian refugee women’s knowledge and beliefs on BC is sparse. This study addressed this gap by documenting a lack of knowledge and barriers to BCS among Muslim Syrian refugee women.