Recent Expansion of Spiranthes cernua (Orchidaceae) into Northern Ontario due to Climate Change?

The expansion northward since 1980 of the native orchid Nodding Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes cernua) in Ontario is described and assessed with respect to the possibility of the expansion being a recent response to climate change. Based on evidence of the extent of the orchid's distribution from prior botanical surveys, it is considered to be a recent arrival in a previously unoccupied area of northern Ontario. Second-order polynomial regression revealed a significant increase in mean yearly temperature of 1 Celsius degree in parts of northern Ontario since 1980. Based on close association with limits of yearly temperature, this is considered sufficient to explain the expansion, and the individual extensions of range fit well into the anticipated newly available territory. Based on a consideration of the location of extensions with respect to plant hardiness zones, the landscape that has become available since 1980 is 160 000 km2, in a band approximately 200 km wide across the southern part of northern Ontario. Assuming further temperature increases, this band is expected to expand to a width of approximately 300 km by 2040, providing 360 000 km2 of newly available landscape over six decades. Spiranthes cernua produces thousands of seeds per flower by adventitious embryony, allowing single individuals to establish populations through long-distance wind dispersal with no reliance on pollination. Spiranthes cernua is therefore well adapted to quickly colonize new territory that becomes available through climate warming

The Effect of Wearing an Obese Body Suit on Snack Food Consumption and Alcohol Consumption

A previous study showed that wearing an obese body suit results in increased snack food consumption. The aim of this study was to explore mechanisms that may explain the effect that wearing an obese body suit has on snack food consumption. We examined two potential explanations; that the psychosocial experience of being overweight resulted in stereotype consistent behaviour (overeating) or in impairments to self-control. Ninety-four women participated in a laboratory study in which they were asked to wear an obese body suit or control clothing in a public setting, before being given access to snack food and alcohol. Clothing condition had no effect on snack food or alcohol consumption. It is possible that the presence of alcohol in the taste test removed the previously observed effect of the obese body suit on snack food consumption

Fetid Dogweed (Dyssodia papposa; Asteraceae) and Slender Russian Thistle (Salsola collina; Amaranthaceae), New to Alberta, Canada

Two non-native vascular plants, Fetid Dogweed (Dyssodia papposa; Asteraceae) and Slender Russian Thistle (Salsola collina; Amaranthaceae), are added to the flora of Alberta, Canada, based on collections and sight records made in 2011. Fetid Dogweed was found along roadsides at eight sites in southern Alberta, and Slender Russian Thistle was found along a hiking trail in Dinosaur Provincial Park near Drumheller. Both species are weedy and are probably expanding their range in North America

Grazing Management of Tagasaste (Chamaecytisus Proliferus) for Sheep and Cattle Production in Southern Australia

Direct grazing of hedgerows of tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus) by sheep or cattle appear to be very robust systems. Tagasaste persists under a continuous grazing regime with cattle such that plant regrowth maintained between 5 and 10 cm in length produces in excess of 215 kg of animal liveweight/ha/year. This level of production is also sustained within a rotational grazing regime. Under both grazing systems cattle production within a year is highly seasonal, with liveweight gains from young cattle peaking at 1.0-1.5 kg/head/day in winter and spring, but dropping to maintenance only by late summer-autumn. Sheep, like cattle, can be grazed on tagasaste at any time of the year, however their different grazing habits demand sheep be used in an intensive, short-term grazing system for approximately 30 days at a time on any one stand of tagasaste

Children in military custody

A report written by a delegation of British lawyers on the treatment of Palestinian children under Israeli military law

Slender False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum, Poaceae), an Invasive Grass New to Ontario, Canada

Brachypodium sylvaticum, Slender False Brome, an invasive Eurasian grass, is reported for the first time in Ontario and eastern Canada from Grey County, southern Ontario. The only previous Canadian record is from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The species is widespread in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, where it is spreading aggressively throughout much of western Oregon. In the eastern U.S.A., known populations are few and localized, although the species will likely spread

Association of the Covid-19 lockdown with smoking, drinking, and attempts to quit in England: an analysis of 2019-2020 data

Aim: To examine changes in smoking, drinking and quitting/reduction behaviour following the COVID‐19 lockdown in England. Design/setting: Monthly cross‐sectional surveys representative of the adult population in England, aggregated before (April 2019–February 2020) versus after (April 2020) lockdown. Participants: A total of 20 558 adults (≥ 16 years). Measurements: The independent variable was the timing of the COVID‐19 lockdown (before versus after March 2020). Dependent variables were: prevalence of smoking and high‐risk drinking, past‐year cessation and quit attempts (among past‐year smokers), past‐year attempts to reduce alcohol consumption (among high‐risk drinkers) and use of evidence‐based (e.g. prescription medication/face‐to‐face behavioural support) and remote support [telephone support/websites/applications (apps)] for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction (among smokers/high‐risk drinkers who made a quit/reduction attempt). Covariates included age, sex, social grade, region and level of nicotine and alcohol dependence (as relevant). Findings: The COVID‐19 lockdown was not associated with a significant change in smoking prevalence [17.0% (after) versus 15.9% (before), odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.95–1.24], but was associated with increases in quit attempts [39.6 versus 29.1%, adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.23–1.98], quit success (21.3 versus 13.9%, ORadj = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.22–3.33) and cessation (8.8 versus 4.1%, ORadj = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.69–4.09) among past‐year smokers. Among smokers who tried to quit, there was no significant change in use of evidence‐based support (50.0 versus 51.5%, ORadj = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.72–1.68) but use of remote support increased (10.9 versus 2.7%, ORadj = 3.59, 95% CI = 1.56–8.23). Lockdown was associated with increases in high‐risk drinking (38.3 versus 25.1%, OR = 1.85, CI = 1.67–2.06), but also alcohol reduction attempts by high‐risk drinkers (28.5 versus 15.3%, ORadj = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.77–2.64). Among high‐risk drinkers who made a reduction attempt, use of evidence‐based support decreased (1.2 versus 4.0%, ORadj = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.05–0.97) and there was no significant change in use of remote support (6.9 versus 6.1%, ORadj = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.64–2.75). Conclusions: Following the March 2020 COVID‐19 lockdown, smokers and high‐risk drinkers in England were more likely than before lockdown to report trying to quit smoking or reduce alcohol consumption and rates of smoking cessation and use of remote cessation support were higher. However, high‐risk drinking prevalence increased post‐lockdown and use of evidence‐based support for alcohol reduction by high‐risk drinkers decreased with no compensatory increase in use of remote support