Hiking trails shift plant species' realized climatic niches and locally increase species richness

Aim The presence and use of trails may change plant species' realized climatic niches via modified abiotic and biotic conditions including propagule transport, allowing competition-pressed alpine species to expand their rear edges towards warmer locations and lowland species to extend their leading edges towards cooler locations. We investigated whether mountain trails indeed act as corridors for colonization and shift species' realized climatic niches, resulting in higher species richness in trailsides. Location Dovrefjell and Abisko area in the Scandes mountains of Norway and Sweden. Methods We surveyed plant community composition and disturbances along 16 hiking trails in summer 2018 (Dovrefjell) and 2019 (Abisko). We linked changes in species' realized climatic niches to their climatic optimum and variation in species richness to climate, trail effects and resident plant community characteristics. Results Plant species richness was on average 24% greater in trailside than in interior vegetation plots. Proximity to trails accounted for 9% and climatic harshness for 55% of variation in species richness explained in our model. Trailsides increased in richness, especially in relatively species-poor sites and close to introduction points (each accounting for 24% of variation in our model of species gains). Shifts in rear edges and optima of realized climatic niches along trails related to species' undisturbed climatic optimum, with alpine species being more likely to move into warmer locations. While some disturbance-associated species shifted their leading edges towards colder locations, contrary to expectations this was not the case for lowland species. Overall, shifts in climatic niches resulted in more species' niches overlapping in trailsides than in the interior vegetation. Main conclusion Trails can locally increase species richness by creating opportunities for colonizing species and weaker competitors. Because of prevailing disturbance, they may even provide opportunities for persistence and downward expansion of alpine species, aiding conservation efforts

The effect of background noise on microsaccades generation in humans

International audienc

Outcomes Definitions and Statistical Tests in Oncology Studies: A Systematic Review of the Reporting Consistency.

Quality of reporting for Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) in oncology was analyzed in several systematic reviews, but, in this setting, there is paucity of data for the outcomes definitions and consistency of reporting for statistical tests in RCTs and Observational Studies (OBS). The objective of this review was to describe those two reporting aspects, for OBS and RCTs in oncology.From a list of 19 medical journals, three were retained for analysis, after a random selection: British Medical Journal (BMJ), Annals of Oncology (AoO) and British Journal of Cancer (BJC). All original articles published between March 2009 and March 2014 were screened. Only studies whose main outcome was accompanied by a corresponding statistical test were included in the analysis. Studies based on censored data were excluded. Primary outcome was to assess quality of reporting for description of primary outcome measure in RCTs and of variables of interest in OBS. A logistic regression was performed to identify covariates of studies potentially associated with concordance of tests between Methods and Results parts.826 studies were included in the review, and 698 were OBS. Variables were described in Methods section for all OBS studies and primary endpoint was clearly detailed in Methods section for 109 RCTs (85.2%). 295 OBS (42.2%) and 43 RCTs (33.6%) had perfect agreement for reported statistical test between Methods and Results parts. In multivariable analysis, variable "number of included patients in study" was associated with test consistency: aOR (adjusted Odds Ratio) for third group compared to first group was equal to: aOR Grp3 = 0.52 [0.31-0.89] (P value = 0.009).Variables in OBS and primary endpoint in RCTs are reported and described with a high frequency. However, statistical tests consistency between methods and Results sections of OBS is not always noted. Therefore, we encourage authors and peer reviewers to verify consistency of statistical tests in oncology studies

Flow chart: selection of studies process.

<p>Flow chart: selection of studies process.</p

Description of causes of discrepancy for statistical tests in observational studies (N = 18).

<p>Description of causes of discrepancy for statistical tests in observational studies (N = 18).</p

Analysis by univariable logistic regression of perfect statistical tests consistency for selected variables.

<p>Analysis by univariable logistic regression of perfect statistical tests consistency for selected variables.</p

Analysis by multivariate logistic regression of perfect statistical tests consistency.

<p>Analysis by multivariate logistic regression of perfect statistical tests consistency.</p

Reporting of variables and statistical test in observational studies (N = 698).

<p>Reporting of variables and statistical test in observational studies (N = 698).</p

Impacts of Confinement on Mental Health and Health Behaviours of Individuals with Multimorbidity during Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: Confinement and its possible impact on lifestyle make people with multimorbidity more vulnerable to modifications of their mental health and health behaviours that could persist beyond confinement. Objective: To understand the mental health status and health behaviour modifications among individuals with multimorbidity during and post COVID-19 confinement. Methods: Longitudinal multinational cohort study consisting of two online questionnaires with its first wave taken place during the first COVID-19 confinement (May 2020) and its second wave post-deconfinement (November 2020). Including 559 (wave 1) and 144 (wave 2) participants with an average age of 34.30±12.35 and 36.21±13.07 years old. Mostly females living in Canada, France, India and Lebanon. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 27.68%. During confinement, people with multimorbidity were 2 to 3 times more likely to experience psychological distress, depressive symptoms, increased stress or isolation, and the prevalence of stress and psychological distress increased post-deconfinement. Health behaviours were also modified during confinement with people with multimorbidity being more likely to reduce their physical activity and increased their fruit and vegetable consumption. Post-deconfinement, people with multimorbidity had increased sleep problems. Also, regardless of multimorbidity status, sexual desire continuously decreased post-deconfinement. Conclusion: Mental health and health behaviours modifications occurred during the COVID-19 confinement period and people with multimorbidity were more severely impacted on these two outcomes than those without multimorbidity, indicating a need for a more adapted approach of care to future confinement periods or pandemic for this population