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Understanding plant responses to developmental and environmental cues is crucial for studying morphological divergence and local adaptation. Gene expression changes, governed by cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) including enhancers, are a major source of plant phenotypic variation. However, while genome-wide approaches have revealed thousands of putative enhancers in mammals, far fewer have been identified and functionally characterized in plants. This review provides an overview of how enhancers function to control gene regulation, methods to predict DNA sequences that may have enhancer activity, methods utilized to functionally validate enhancers, and the current knowledge of enhancers in plants, including how they impact plant development, response to environment, and evolutionary adaptation.

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of all factors influencing fish reproduction in large rivers is vital for proposing improved river discharge management practices and estimating the impact of hydroclimatic changes, thereby supporting fish conservation efforts. However, the role of environmental variables as proximal cues for fish reproduction in tropical regions remains unclear. This study assesses the relative importance of discharge, the monthly rate of discharge change, dissolved oxygen, temperature, electric conductivity, water transparency, and depth in final gonadal preparation of fish in the Madeira River. Over approximately 500 km, we conducted a year-long monthly survey at 11 sampling sites near the mouths of eight tributaries. We determined the reproductive status of each captured fish for both migratory and non-migratory species. An index of reproductive intensity and species beta diversity was used to estimate the synchronism of fish reproduction. We found that the rate of monthly discharge change plays a pivotal role in explaining synchronism in final gonadal maturation. We observed a higher value of reproductive activity for both migratory and non-migratory fish assemblages during periods of significant increases in water flow, despite low overall discharge values. During this period, beta diversity was lower for migratory fish, suggesting a synchronized response among most species, while no clear pattern was observed for non-migratory species. This study provides compelling evidence that a significant and consistent surge in discharge, still during the lower discharge stages of the hydrometric cycle, serves as the primary proximal cue synchronizing the reproduction of rising-water spawner fishes in the Madeira River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the increase of sedentary jobs and the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, finding novel methods to increase physical activity should be a priority. Environmental cues within the workplace can serve as cues to action for initiating light physical activity. Aim: To qualitatively explore the environmental cues that can instigate light physical activity within an office workplace context. Identification of these cues can inform behaviour change programmes designed to promote habitual physical movement within the workplace. Method: Purposive sampling was used to recruit full-time sedentary office workers who self-report as having a highly sedentary job. Interviews followed a semi-structured design and thematic analysis was used to explore environmental cues within commercial, home, and mixed office settings. Results: Forty-three office workers were interviewed, 16 from a commercial office, 12 from a home office, and 15 with a flexible work arrangement whereby they worked from both a commercial and home office. The findings of this study indicate that across all three groups the main instigator of movement was influenced by office layout (e.g. getting up for beverages and taking bathroom breaks), social environment (e.g. informal and formal meetings), and taking active breaks, both job-related (e.g. printing and filing) and non-job-related (e.g. household chores). Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insight for behaviour change programmes utilising environmental cues to inform habit-based interventions designed to instigate movement within the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractVirtual reality exergames can create novel, ever-changing environments to encourage consistent exercise. This strength, however, has been underexplored in literature, which primarily focuses on three debates: indoor vs. outdoor, natural vs. artificial, and exercise-cued vs. non-exercise-cued environments. Existing studies mainly examine actual exercise outcomes, overlooking psychological and motivational aspects. This study bridges the gap by comparing all three environment types and measuring both psychological and exercise outcomes. A total of 167 university students participated in a 2 (number of players: single or multiple) by 3 (exercise environments: natural, artificial non-exercise-cued, artificial exercise-cued) experiment. Moderated mediation models show that highly biodiverse (i.e., virtual natural) and exercise-cued environments increase players’ vitality, self-efficacy, and future play intention more than virtual artificial settings through obligation to workout, particularly in the single-player condition. The same pattern occurred for players’ self-efficacy through pleasure in single-player conditions. Single player conditions allow environmental cues to be salient for increasing exercise motivation. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental conditions have a significant influence on the physiological processes that regulate the reproduction of fish. However, there is less information on this subject for chondrichthyans, and particularly for males. This study describes the spermatogenic cycle of the narrownose smooth hound shark Mustelus schmitti related to sex steroid plasma levels and the potential influences of photoperiod and temperature as reproductive cues. A total of 70 males were caught bi-monthly for over a year in the coastal waters of Argentina. Testicular samples were taken for histological characterization and blood samples were taken for the measurement of testosterone (T) and progesterone (P4) plasma levels from each male. Bottom temperature was recorded at each sampling point and the daily photoperiod was estimated from Julian Day Calendar. Histological assessment revealed that the complete cycle of spermatogenesis in M. schmitti lasts just over a year, with the onset of the new spermatogenic cycle (spermatocyte formation) overlapping with the end (spermiation and filling of the seminiferous ducts) of the previous cycle. This particular phase was associated with the peak in T plasma levels, which was found to be significantly explained by the increase in photoperiod in spring. The rise in temperature above 15–16 °C at the end of spring was significantly associated with a reduction in T plasma levels. Additionally, an elevation in P4 plasma levels was observed after the photoperiod increase phase. Males would be ready to mate from mid-spring, following female parturition and just before ovulation/pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As spring phenology advances with climate change, so too must the timing of life cycle events. Breeding at the right time is critical in many species as it maximizes fitness. For long‐distance migratory birds, flexibility in the duration of the arrival‐breeding interval (pre‐breeding period) may allow populations to adjust their timing of breeding. However, whether first egg‐lay dates are flexible to local environmental conditions after arrival, and if they are constrained by the time needed to replenish energy lost during migration, remains unclear.We investigated the regional flexibility of the arrival‐breeding interval in an avian migrant, the purple martin, Progne subis, across their breeding range. We evaluated whether the duration of the arrival‐breeding interval was flexible to temperature and precipitation at breeding sites, and if timing was limited by migration rate and stopover duration. We also tested if longer interval durations were associated with higher fledging success.To address our hypotheses, we used a combination of migration tracking, weather and breeding data collected from four regions across eastern North America (26.1° N to 52.4° N latitude).We found the arrival‐breeding interval to be shortest in the north and longest in the south. Across all regions, warmer temperatures encountered at breeding grounds were associated with shorter intervals, and faster migration rates led to longer intervals. The length of the interval was not influenced by precipitation or stopover duration. Finally, longer intervals were not associated with higher fledge success.Currently, the longer arrival‐breeding intervals in this study system, on average 28.3 days, may provide both early and late‐arriving birds with ample time for recovery so birds can lay eggs according to temperature. Any negative effects of faster migration may have been buffered by longer arrival‐breeding intervals, as interval length did not determine fledge success. With ongoing climate change, further research is needed to examine if arrival‐breeding intervals become constrained by migration timing, which may limit opportunities for migrants to match the timing of breeding with key resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration is a high‐risk behavior. For the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, migrating from its river nursery area to marine feeding grounds, the magnitude of risk varies with habitat type. Passage through lakes, in particular, is associated with low rates of migration success. Downstream migrating salmon smolts are rheotactic when migrating in rivers, but lakes typically provide poorer directional currents for migrating salmon. In this study we tested if, in the absence of clear navigational cues in lakes, Atlantic salmon smolts switch to a random search strategy to find the outflowing river. We constructed random search simulations to test if lake basin shape has an effect on migration success. We also compared simulated migration characteristics with migrations of salmon smolts through five real lakes for which there are telemetry data for migrating salmon. Correlated random walk simulations showed that a random search strategy could be successful for all lake shapes tested but was more successful in curved (round and elliptical) than rectangular basin shapes. Rectangular basins with the migration start and stop points at the ends of the lake had a higher success than those where these points were perpendicular to the axis of the lake. In general, a random walk model predicted the migration success rate of fish tracked through real lakes. However, for two lakes the simulated migration success exceeded that of actual success, suggesting that fish passing through these lakes were not adopting a random search strategy. We speculate that this is the result of either conflicting navigational cues which inhibit smolts from finding the lake outlet or that they temporarily suspend migration (e.g., to feed). Modelling predicted that for small lakes, directional swimming in short steps (ca. 100 m) followed by turns with very low variation from the direction of travel resulted in the highest migration success. For larger lakes, longer step lengths but also with low turn variation (simulated turning angle drawn from distributions of standard deviation 2° and 5° around a mean of 0°) resulted in the highest migration success. We conclude that navigation in downstream migrating salmon smolts switches from rheotaxis in rivers to a random search tactic in lakes except where residual flow cues in some lakes prevent this, at times resulting in suboptimal navigation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms can react to environmental variation by altering their phenotype, and such phenotypic plasticity is often adaptive. This plasticity contributes to the diversity of phenotypes across the tree of life. Generally, the production of these phenotypes must be preceded by assessment, where the individual acquires information about its environment and phenotype relative to that environment, and then determines if and how to respond with an alternative phenotype. The role of assessment in adaptive plasticity is, therefore, crucial. In this Review, we (1) highlight the need for explicitly considering the role of assessment in plasticity; (2) present two different models for how assessment and the facultative production of phenotypes are related; and (3) describe an overarching framework for how assessment evolves. In doing so, we articulate avenues of future work and suggest that explicitly considering the role of assessment in the evolution of plasticity is key to explaining how and when plasticity occurs. Moreover, we emphasize the need to understand the role of assessment in adaptive versus maladaptive plasticity, which is an issue that will become increasingly important in a rapidly changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seeds of woody plant species, such as those in the Acer genus like Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), exhibit unique physiological traits and responses to environmental stress. Thioredoxins (Trxs) play a central role in the redox regulation of cells, interacting with other redox-active proteins such as peroxiredoxins (Prxs), and contributing to plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, there is limited understanding of potential variations in this system between seeds categorized as recalcitrant and orthodox, which could provide insights into adaptive strategies. Methods: Using proteomic analysis and DDA methods we investigated the Trx-h1 target proteins in seed axes. We complemented the results of the proteomic analysis with gene expression analysis of the Trx-h1, 1-Cys-Prx, and TrxR NTRA genes in the embryonic axes of maturing, mature, and stored seeds from two Acer species. Results and discussion: The expression of Trx-h1 and TrxR NTRA throughout seed maturation in both species was low. The expression of 1-Cys-Prx remained relatively stable throughout seed maturation. In stored seeds, the expression levels were minimal, with slightly higher levels in sycamore seeds, which may confirm that recalcitrant seeds remain metabolically active during storage. A library of 289 proteins interacting with Trx-h1 was constructed, comprising 68 from Norway maple and 221 from sycamore, with distinct profiles in each seed category. Recalcitrant seed axes displayed a wide array of metabolic, stress response, and signaling proteins, suggesting sustained metabolic activity during storage and the need to address oxidative stress. Conversely, the orthodox seed axes presented a protein profile, reflecting efficient metabolic shutdown, which contributes to their extended viability. The results of the study provide new insights into seed viability and storage longevity mechanisms. They enhance the understanding of seed biology and lay the foundation for further evolutionary research on seeds of different categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background With the increase of sedentary jobs and the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, finding novel methods to increase physical activity should be a priority. Environmental cues within the workplace can serve as cues to action for initiating light physical activity.Aim To qualitatively explore the environmental cues that can instigate light physical activity within an office workplace context. Identification of these cues can inform behaviour change programmes designed to promote habitual physical movement within the workplace.Method Purposive sampling was used to recruit full-time sedentary office workers who self-report as having a highly sedentary job. Interviews followed a semi-structured design and thematic analysis was used to explore environmental cues within commercial, home, and mixed office settings.Results Forty-three office workers were interviewed, 16 from a commercial office, 12 from a home office, and 15 with a flexible work arrangement whereby they worked from both a commercial and home office. The findings of this study indicate that across all three groups the main instigator of movement was influenced by office layout (e.g. getting up for beverages and taking bathroom breaks), social environment (e.g. informal and formal meetings), and taking active breaks, both job-related (e.g. printing and filing) and non-job-related (e.g. household chores).Conclusions These findings provide valuable insight for behaviour change programmes utilising environmental cues to inform habit-based interventions designed to instigate movement within the workplace.

Summary Leaf thickness, the leaf growth in the third dimension as quantified by the distance between the adaxial and abaxial surface, is an indispensable aspect of leaf development. The fitness of a plant is strongly influenced by leaf thickness via modulation of major physiological processes, including photosynthesis and water use efficiency. The cellular basis of leaf thickness by alterations in either cell size or the number of cell layers is envisaged using Arabidopsis leaf thickness mutants, such as angustifolia (an) and rotundifolia (rot). Environmental factors coordinate with endogenous signaling mechanisms to exhibit leaf thickness plasticity. Plants growing in different ecological and environmental regimes show different leaf thickness attributes. However, genetic and molecular understandings of leaf thickness regulation remain largely limited. In this review, we highlight how cellular growth is transposed to fine‐tune the leaf thickness via the integration of potential cues and molecular players. We further discuss the physiological significance of leaf thickness plasticity to the environmental cues that might serve as ecological adaptation enabling the plants to withstand future climatic conditions. Taken together, we seek to bridge the genetics and molecular biology of leaf thickness to its physiological significance so that leaf thickness can be systemically targeted in crop improvement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf angle (LA) is a major agronomic trait of rice plant architecture, which is determined by the development of the leaf lamina joint (LJ) and closely related to plant yield. The LJ is formed by the leaf collar belt (ligule band), leaf tongue (ligule) and leaf ear (auricle). Parenchyma cells (PCs), sclerenchyma cells (SCs), vascular bundles (VBs), and arenchyma tissue (Ac) are present in the cross sections of LJ. The genetic and molecular regulation of rice leaf angle and LJ development has been well investigated in recent years. However, the underlying complex regulatory network still requires further elucidation and comprehensive discussion. In this review, we briefly describe the cellular characteristics of four typical stages of LJ development, and systematically summarize the genes regulating rice leaf inclination based on their roles in PC proliferation and elongation, as well as SC proliferation and differentiation. We also introduce the emerging regulatory pathways of phytohormones and transcription factors (TFs), environmental cues that are involved in rice LJ development, discussing the relevant intricate signal network that is relevant to provide further insights into the genetic improvement of leaf angle traits in rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have an incredible ability to sustain root and vascular growth after initiation of the embryonic root and the specification of vascular tissue in early embryos. Microarray assays have revealed that a group of transcription factors, TARGET OF MONOPTEROS (TMO), are important for embryonic root initiation in Arabidopsis. Despite the discovery of their auxin responsiveness early on, their function and mode of action remained unknown for many years. The advent of genome editing has accelerated the study of TMO transcription factors, revealing novel functions for biological processes such as vascular development, root system architecture, and response to environmental cues. This review covers recent achievements in understanding the developmental function and the genetic mode of action of TMO transcription factors in Arabidopsis and other plant species. We highlight the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of TMO transcription factors in relation to their function, mainly in Arabidopsis. Finally, we provide suggestions for further research and potential applications in plant genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animals rely on photoperiodic and non-photoperiodic environmental cues to gather information and appropriately time life-history stages across the annual cycle, such as reproduction, molt, and migration. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that the reproductive physiology, but not migratory behavior, of captive Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) responds to both food and social cues during the spring migratory-breeding period. Pine Siskins are a nomadic finch with a highly flexible breeding schedule and, in the spring, free-living Pine Siskins can wander large geographic areas and opportunistically breed. To understand the importance of non-photoperiodic cues to the migratory-breeding transition, we maintained individually housed birds on either a standard or enriched diet in the presence of group-housed heterospecifics or conspecifics experiencing either the standard or enriched diet type. We measured body condition and reproductive development of all Pine Siskins and, among individually housed Pine Siskins, quantified nocturnal migratory restlessness. In group-housed birds, the enriched diet caused increases in body condition and, among females, promoted reproductive development. Among individually housed birds, female reproductive development differed between treatment groups, whereas male reproductive development did not. Specifically, individually housed females showed greater reproductive development when presented with conspecifics compared to heterospecifics. The highest rate of female reproductive development, however, was observed among individually housed females provided the enriched diet and maintained with group-housed conspecifics on an enriched diet. Changes in nocturnal migratory restlessness did not vary by treatment group or sex. By manipulating both the physical and social environment, this study demonstrates how multiple environmental cues can affect the timing of transitions between life-history stages with differential responses between sexes and between migratory and reproductive systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ageing is a malleable process influenced by the environment. Recent research reveals that neurons interact with peripheral organs to regulate metabolism and longevity by responding to olfactory cues through specific pathways, such as the unfolded protein response (UPR) and microRNAs. Here, we examine the significance of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause severe infections in immunocompromized people or cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Because of its remarkable ability to invade the host and withstand the bacteriocidal effect of most conventional antibiotics, the infection caused by P. aeruginosa has become a major concern for human health. The switch from acute to chronic infection is governed by the second messenger bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine mono-phosphate (c-di-GMP) in P. aeruginosa, and c-di-GMP is now recognized to regulate many important biological processes in pathogenesis. The c-di-GMP signalling mechanisms in P. aeruginosa have been studied extensively in the past decade, revealing complicated c-di-GMP metabolism and signalling network. In this review, the underlying mechanisms of this signalling network will be discussed, mainly focussing on how environmental cues regulate c-di-GMP signalling, protein–protein interaction mediated functional regulation, heterogeneity of c-di-GMP and cross talk between c-di-GMP signalling and other signalling systems. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the complex c-di-GMP signalling network would be beneficial for developing therapeutic approaches and antibacterial agents to combat the threat from P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSeeds of woody plant species, such as those in the Acer genus like Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), exhibit unique physiological traits and responses to environmental stress. Thioredoxins (Trxs) play a central role in the redox regulation of cells, interacting with other redox-active proteins such as peroxiredoxins (Prxs), and contributing to plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, there is limited understanding of potential variations in this system between seeds categorized as recalcitrant and orthodox, which could provide insights into adaptive strategies.MethodsUsing proteomic analysis and DDA methods we investigated the Trx-h1 target proteins in seed axes. We complemented the results of the proteomic analysis with gene expression analysis of the Trx-h1, 1-Cys-Prx, and TrxR NTRA genes in the embryonic axes of maturing, mature, and stored seeds from two Acer species.Results and discussionThe expression of Trx-h1 and TrxR NTRA throughout seed maturation in both species was low. The expression of 1-Cys-Prx remained relatively stable throughout seed maturation. In stored seeds, the expression levels were minimal, with slightly higher levels in sycamore seeds, which may confirm that recalcitrant seeds remain metabolically active during storage. A library of 289 proteins interacting with Trx-h1 was constructed, comprising 68 from Norway maple and 221 from sycamore, with distinct profiles in each seed category. Recalcitrant seed axes displayed a wide array of metabolic, stress response, and signaling proteins, suggesting sustained metabolic activity during storage and the need to address oxidative stress. Conversely, the orthodox seed axes presented a protein profile, reflecting efficient metabolic shutdown, which contributes to their extended viability. The results of the study provide new insights into seed viability and storage longevity mechanisms. They enhance the understanding of seed biology and lay the foundation for further evolutionary research on seeds of different categories.

Abstract Background Seasonal changes in resource availability are known to influence the migratory behaviour of animals, including both timing and distance. While the influence of environmental cues on migratory behaviour has been widely studied at the population level, it has rarely been examined at the spatial scale at which individuals experience their environment. Here, we test the hypothesis that individuals exposed to similar large-scale environmental cues may vary in migratory behaviour in response to the different microclimate conditions they experience at fine scales. Methods We combine high-spatial and temporal resolution microclimate and habitat information with GPS tracking data for a partially migratory threatened grassland bird. Data from 47 little bustards (Tetrax tetrax; 67 breeding events) tracked between 2009 and 2019 was used to (i) evaluate individual consistency in migratory behaviour (timing and distance) and (ii) assess whether the local environmental characteristics experienced by individuals – and in particular their use of microclimate refugia - influence distance and timing of migration, from and to the breeding sites. Results Migratory distance was consistent for birds tracked over multiple years, while the timing of migration showed high variability among individuals. Departures from breeding areas spanned from May to August, with a few birds remaining in their breeding areas. Vegetation greenness (a proxy for food availability) was positively associated with the time birds spent in the breeding area. The best model also included a positive effect of microclimate refugia availability on breeding season length, although an interaction with temperature suggested that this effect did not occur at the highest relative temperatures. The return date to breeding grounds, although spanning from September to April, was not influenced by the environmental conditions or food availability. Conclusions Food availability, measured by a vegetation greenness proxy, was associated with later migration at the end of the breeding season. Availability of cooler microclimate refugia may also allow for later departures from the breeding sites in all but the hottest conditions. Management measures that increase microclimate refugia availability and provide foraging resources can thus potentially increase the length of the breeding season for this species.

This review article discusses the epigenetic regulation of quiescent stem cells. Quiescent stem cells are a rare population of stem cells that remain in a state of cell cycle arrest until activated to proliferate and differentiate. The molecular signature of quiescent stem cells is characterized by unique epigenetic modifications, including histone modifications and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation. These modifications play critical roles in regulating stem cell behavior, including maintenance of quiescence, proliferation, and differentiation. The article specifically focuses on the role of histone modifications and DNA methylation in quiescent stem cells, and how these modifications can be dynamically regulated by environmental cues. The future perspectives of quiescent stem cell research are also discussed, including their potential for tissue repair and regeneration, their role in aging and age-related diseases, and their implications for cancer research. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the epigenetic regulation of quiescent stem cells and highlights the potential of this research for the development of new therapies in regenerative medicine, aging research, and cancer biology.

Background: Heading is an important agronomic feature for Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and lettuce. The heading leaves function as nutrition storage organs, which contribute to the high quality and economic worth of leafy heads. Leaf development is crucial during the heading stage, most genes previously predicted to be involved in the heading process are based on Arabidopsis leaf development studies. Aim of review: Till date, there is no published review article that demonstrated a complete layout of all the identified regulators of leaf curvature and heading. In this review, we have summarized all the identified physiological and genetic regulators that are directly or indirectly involved in leaf curvature and heading in Brassica crops. By integrating all identified regulators that provide a coherent logic of leaf incurvature and heading, we proposed a molecular mechanism in Brassica crops with graphical illustrations. This review adds value to future breeding of distinct heading kinds of cabbage and Chinese cabbage by providing unique insights into leaf development. Key scientific concepts of review: Leaf curvature and heading are established by synergistic interactions among genes, transcription factors, microRNAs, phytohormones, and environmental stimuli that regulate primary and secondary morphogenesis. Various genes have been identified using transformation and genome editing that are responsible for the formation of leaf curvature and heading in Brassica crops. A range of leaf morphologies have been observed in Brassica, which are established because of the mutated determinants that are responsible for cell division and leaf polarity.

Research shows that stimuli in the environment can trigger behavior via the activation of goal representations. This process can be tested in the Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) paradigm, where stimuli can only affect behavior through the activation of the representation of its desired outcome (i.e., the PIT effect). Previous research has demonstrated that the PIT effect is stronger when the goal is more desirable. While this research only looked at actions that have single outcomes (e.g., obtaining a snack to satisfy appetite), in the present paper, we reason that actions that are instrumental in obtaining outcomes that are desirable in multiple ways (e.g., obtaining a snack to satisfy one's appetite, giving it to a friend, trading it for money) should produce stronger PIT effects. In two experiments, participants learned to perform left and right key presses to earn a snack, either framed as having a single function or multiple functions. Participants also learned to associate the two differently framed snacks with two cues. In a PIT test, they were required to press the keys as fast as possible upon exposure to the cues (i.e., the PIT effect). We found that cues associated with the multi-functional snack facilitated the actions that earned those snacks before, while cues associated with the single-functional snack did not facilitate such actions. We discuss these findings in the context of research on free choice and personal autonomy and how people appreciate the multi-functional nature of their goal-directed behavior in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the southern Kalahari Desert, cooperatively breeding Southern Pied Babblers Turdoides bicolor frequently build their nests and forage in camelthorn trees Vachellia erioloba, a keystone species in the region, and blackthorn trees Senegalia mellifera, a widespread early successional shrub. Using Ivlev's electivity indices (Ei), we show that Southern Pied Babblers preferentially nest in camelthorn trees and preferentially forage in or under camelthorn and blackthorn trees. Southern Pied Babblers primarily forage on the ground; however, they will make use of arboreal resources when these are available. We observed the birds spending the highest proportion of foraging time off the ground during October, when breeding is also most common, compared with all other months within the austral summer breeding season. They are most likely to be observed foraging in camelthorn trees earlier in the breeding season and blackthorn trees later in the breeding season. We demonstrate that Southern Pied Babblers have a strong relationship with camelthorn trees, in which they prefer to both nest and forage. We highlight the importance of protecting camelthorn trees, a keystone species in the region, as part of the conservation and management of endemic Kalahari fauna such as the Southern Pied Babbler. In addition to contributing to the literature on keystone species, our observations raise questions about the ways in which avian reproduction in the arid zone could be decoupled from rainfall via the phenology of deep‐rooted tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: We established silver birch phenology in the Pyrenees. We highlight actual evapotranspiration as the main driver and the altitudinal effect within a north–south phenological pattern. Research into the phenology of trees is one of the most important issues in making reliable predictions of possible range shifts due to current climate change. Under the current climate change, warming and water stress can threaten tree performance by altering phenological events, specially at the edge of the southern especies distribution. We aimed at establishing bud burst, leaf and stem growth phenology of the Betula pendula in the Spanish Pyrenees, to determine the environmental cues triggering phenological events and to assess the effect of climate and soil water balance on annual growth cycle. The most important cues for bud burst are heat accumulation and long days that reduced the thermal time to bud burst. Leaf unfolding, the period of stem cambial activity, and the variation of the stem radial growth rates throughout the year are mainly regulated by the actual evapotranspiration. Leaf yellowing and abscission are advanced when hydric stress is pronounced shortening leaf longevity. The increase in spring temperatures brings forward the date of bud burst and the start of stem growth. However, the increase in the duration of hotter droughts causes an advance in the date of cessation of birch growth. From the southern Pyrenees to the boreal birch populations, there is a marked latitudinal gradient of phenological events, which are not linear except for the maximum stem growth rate. In the Pyrenees, the growing season is longer than in the boreal forests, but ring thickness is similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spawning phenology and associated migrations of fishes are often regulated by factors such as temperature and stream discharge, but flow regulation of mainstem rivers coupled with climate change might disrupt these cues and affect fitness. Flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) persisting in heavily modified river networks are known to spawn in tributaries that might provide better spawning habitat than neighboring mainstem rivers subject to habitat degradation (e.g., embedded sediments, altered thermal regimes, and disconnected floodplains). PIT tag data and radio telemetry were used to quantify the timing and duration of flannelmouth sucker tributary spawning migrations in relation to environmental cues in McElmo Creek, a tributary of the San Juan River in the American Southwest. We also tested the extent of the tributary migration and assessed mainstem movements prior to and after tributary migrations. Additionally, multiyear data sets of PIT detections from other tributaries in the Colorado River basin were used to quantify interannual and cross‐site variation in the timing of flannelmouth sucker spawning migrations in relation to environmental cues. The arrival and residence times of fish spawning in McElmo Creek varied among years, with earlier migration and a 3‐week increase in residence time in relatively wet years compared to drier years. Classification tree analysis suggested a combination of discharge‐ and temperature‐determined arrival timing. Of fish PIT tagged in the fall, 56% tagged within 10 km of McElmo Creek spawned in the tributary the following spring, as did 60% of radio‐tagged fish, with a decline in its use corresponding to increased distance of tagging location. A broader analysis of four tributaries in the Colorado River basin, including McElmo Creek, found photoperiod and temperature of tributary and mainstem rivers were the most important variables in determining migration timing, but tributary and mainstem discharge also aided in classification success. The largest tributary, the Little Colorado River, had more residential fish or fish that stayed for longer periods (median = 30 days), whereas McElmo Creek fish stayed an average of just 10 days in 2022. Our results generally suggest that higher discharge, across years or across sites, results in extended use of tributaries by flannelmouth suckers. Conservation actions that limit water extraction and maintain natural flow regimes in tributaries, while maintaining open connection with mainstem rivers, may benefit migratory species, including flannelmouth suckers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The heading leaves play an important role as nutrient storage organs, enhancing the high quality and commercial benefit of leafy heads. • Primary and secondary morphogenesis determines leaf shape. • Leaf incurvature is established by downregulation or knockdown of abaxial regulators and upregulation of adaxial regulators. • In heading vegetables, leaf incurvature is prerequisite for the development of leaf heads. • Understanding Arabidopsis leaf development enables us to predict the important regulators of leafy head formation in Brassica crops like Chinese cabbage and cabbage. Heading is an important agronomic feature for Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and lettuce. The heading leaves function as nutrition storage organs, which contribute to the high quality and economic worth of leafy heads. Leaf development is crucial during the heading stage, most genes previously predicted to be involved in the heading process are based on Arabidopsis leaf development studies. Till date, there is no published review article that demonstrated a complete layout of all the identified regulators of leaf curvature and heading. In this review, we have summarized all the identified physiological and genetic regulators that are directly or indirectly involved in leaf curvature and heading in Brassica crops. By integrating all identified regulators that provide a coherent logic of leaf incurvature and heading, we proposed a molecular mechanism in Brassica crops with graphical illustrations. This review adds value to future breeding of distinct heading kinds of cabbage and Chinese cabbage by providing unique insights into leaf development. Leaf curvature and heading are established by synergistic interactions among genes, transcription factors, microRNAs, phytohormones, and environmental stimuli that regulate primary and secondary morphogenesis. Various genes have been identified using transformation and genome editing that are responsible for the formation of leaf curvature and heading in Brassica crops. A range of leaf morphologies have been observed in Brassica, which are established because of the mutated determinants that are responsible for cell division and leaf polarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf angle (LA) is a major agronomic trait of rice plant architecture, which is determined by the development of the leaf lamina joint (LJ) and closely related to plant yield. The LJ is formed by the leaf collar belt (ligule band), leaf tongue (ligule) and leaf ear (auricle). Parenchyma cells (PCs), sclerenchyma cells (SCs), vascular bundles (VBs), and arenchyma tissue (Ac) are present in the cross sections of LJ. The genetic and molecular regulation of rice leaf angle and LJ development has been well investigated in recent years. However, the underlying complex regulatory network still requires further elucidation and comprehensive discussion. In this review, we briefly describe the cellular characteristics of four typical stages of LJ development, and systematically summarize the genes regulating rice leaf inclination based on their roles in PC proliferation and elongation, as well as SC proliferation and differentiation. We also introduce the emerging regulatory pathways of phytohormones and transcription factors (TFs), environmental cues that are involved in rice LJ development, discussing the relevant intricate signal network that is relevant to provide further insights into the genetic improvement of leaf angle traits in rice breeding.

Many species of insects show phenotypically plastic dispersal traits in response to suboptimal environmental conditions. These polyphenetic traits can have large impacts on the population dynamics of the dispersing insects. Therefore, it is important to understand what environmental factors affect the development of dispersal traits and how these factors affect population dynamics via immigration/emigration.Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) exhibit a polyphenetic wing dimorphism in which individuals are either winged (alate) or not (apterous). The production of alate offspring is determined by environmental cues experienced by the mother. Environmental factors associated with these cues have been intensively studied, with crowding, host plant quality, natural enemies, fungal infection, and viral infection being shown to affect the production of pea aphid alates under controlled laboratory conditions. Nonetheless, environmental factors affecting alate production have rarely been studied in field populations of pea aphids.Using data from a three‐year study of alate production in 5–9 alfalfa (lucerne) fields, we examined the effects of (i) pea aphid abundance, (ii) host plant maturity, (iii) temperature, (iv) predator and herbivore abundance, (v) parasitism, and (vi) entomopathic fungal incidence. In twice‐weekly samples taken over the growing season, alate production ranged from 0% to 83% of the nymphal population.Pea aphid abundance, temperature, and alfalfa maturity together explained 67% of the variation in alate production. The other factors we investigated explained little variation. These results suggest there is a limited number of key environmental factors that consistently predict changes in alate production in field populations, while many factors identified in lab studies may be unimportant. Our results highlight the value of investigating factors affecting the expression of plastic traits in insect species at a broad spatiotemporal scale and under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory behaviour allows individuals to inhabit areas with optimal environmental conditions throughout the year. To reduce energy expenditure and the risk of mortality while migrating, birds may schedule their departures basing on environmental cues that provide seasonal and/or local information. In this study, we aimed to identify the possible effect of environmental factors on the spring migration of 30 Eurasian teal Anas crecca tracked between 2014 and 2018 from Italian wintering areas. We used Cox proportional hazard and generalized estimating equation models to evaluate the environmental cues that affect teal's decision to start migratory movements from the wintering grounds and continue migration from stopover sites. Apart from the anticipated effect of photoperiod, the onset of spring migration was not substantially influenced by environmental variables, whereas the speed of migration seemed to be influenced by both seasonal (increased ground temperature, an indicator of spring advancement) and local (low cloud cover and northward blowing winds, which support migratory flight) environmental cues. The slow migration observed in teal may favour a strategy in which migratory timing is modulated mainly by the conditions encountered during the journey rather than at the start of the migration. This suggested low impact of local environmental variables on the onset of spring migration could have important consequences both for the management of this species for hunting purposes and for the way the species might respond to the ongoing climatic change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Males and females often desynchronise their mating activity during the breeding season (intersexual phenological asynchrony). This suggests that the two sexes differentially use environmental cues to initiate seasonal reproduction, and climate change may cause phenological shifts in a sex‐specific manner, subsequently altering frequency distribution of mating attempts over time and influencing the emergence timing and recruitment success of juveniles. In this article, we tested these hypotheses through literature reviews and theoretical modelling. We found that the sex specificity of environmental cues and phenological shifts remain poorly understood in most sexually reproducing animal taxa because of sex‐specific publication bias and data limitations. Meanwhile, our theoretical model predicted that the ecological consequences of phenological shifts are sexually asymmetric, with earlier mating onset of males having generally greater negative effects on population growth than that of females. We therefore suggest that further research is necessary to collect and incorporate sex‐specific information on seasonal reproduction into the theory of phenological mismatch, for which previous work has mostly focused on interspecific trophic asynchrony. We also outline a future research agenda to better understand the consequences of sex‐specific phenological shifts on seasonal population dynamics and long‐term persistence of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of a bacterium to successfully colonize its host is dependent on proper adaptation to its local environment. Environmental cues are diverse in nature, ranging from ions to bacterial‐produced signals, and to host immune responses that can also be exploited by the bacteria as cues. Simultaneously, bacterial metabolism must be matched to the carbon and nitrogen sources available at a given time and location. While initial characterization of a bacterium's response to a given environmental cue or its ability to utilize a particular carbon/nitrogen source requires study of the signal in question in isolation, actual infection poses a situation where multiple signals are present concurrently. This perspective focuses on the untapped potential in uncovering and understanding how bacteria integrate their response to multiple concurrent environmental cues, and in elucidating the possible intrinsic coordination of bacterial environmental response with its metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation is key to the generation of creative ideas, intrinsic motivation is the core driving force of creativity. Researchers believe that individuals with higher intrinsic motivation will produce higher novelty and flexibility. Creativity may also be influenced by environmental cues, which are objects in the environment that individuals can use to solve problems. This study investigated the influence of intrinsic motivation and environmental cues on social creativity and whether there is an interaction effect of intrinsic motivation and environmental cues on the process of electronic brainstorming (EBS). The results showed that individuals generated more ideas (both in quantity and type) when presented with more cues. In this process, the influence of the number of cues on the fluency and flexibility of social creativity was regulated by intrinsic motivation. The more novel the cues, the higher the overall level of originality of the ideas generated by participants. In this process, the influence of the novelty of cues on the effectiveness and fluency of social creativity was regulated by intrinsic motivation. This study offers a fresh theoretical perspective on the complicated relationship between intrinsic motivation and creativity. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence to inform training on social creativity for university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory behaviour allows individuals to inhabit areas with optimal environmental conditions throughout the year. To reduce energy expenditure and the risk of mortality while migrating, birds may schedule their departures basing on environmental cues that provide seasonal and/or local information. In this study, we aimed to identify the possible effect of environmental factors on the spring migration of 30 Eurasian teal Anas crecca tracked between 2014 and 2018 from Italian wintering areas. We used Cox proportional hazard and generalized estimating equation models to evaluate the environmental cues that affect teal's decision to start migratory movements from the wintering grounds and continue migration from stopover sites. Apart from the anticipated effect of photoperiod, the onset of spring migration was not substantially influenced by environmental variables, whereas the speed of migration seemed to be influenced by both seasonal (increased ground temperature, an indicator of spring advancement) and local (low cloud cover and northward blowing winds, which support migratory flight) environmental cues. The slow migration observed in teal may favour a strategy in which migratory timing is modulated mainly by the conditions encountered during the journey rather than at the start of the migration. This suggested low impact of local environmental variables on the onset of spring migration could have important consequences both for the management of this species for hunting purposes and for the way the species might respond to the ongoing climatic change.

Recent psychological research on deception has focused on environmental cues—features of the physical and temporal environment (e.g., money, mirrors) that can influence an individual's decision to deceive. Although research on the social situation of negotiation has examined numerous reasons why negotiators deceive, it has not often explored the role of environmental cues. The current paper seeks to draw greater attention to environmental cues in the literature on deception in negotiation. After synthesizing the psychological evidence on environmental cues and deception in individual decision-making situations, I translate that evidence for the social decision-making situation of negotiation and the more general set of social decision-making situations in organizations (using mergers and acquisitions as an example). Ultimately, theoretical overlap between the deception and negotiation literatures leads me to conclude that environmental cues could have an even greater influence on deception in social decision-making situations, suggesting that scholars of negotiation and several other management topics would benefit by considering the surrounding physical and temporal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Bacterial conjugation is one of the most abundant horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mechanisms, playing a fundamental role in prokaryote evolution. A better understanding of bacterial conjugation and its cross talk with the environment is needed for a more complete understanding of HGT mechanisms and to fight the dissemination of malicious genes between bacteria. Here, we studied the effect of outer space, microgravity, and additional key environmental cues on transfer (tra) gene expression and conjugation efficiency, using the under studied broad-host range plasmid pN3, as a model. High resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the pN3 conjugative pili and mating pair formation during conjugation. Using a nanosatellite carrying a miniaturized lab, we studied pN3 conjugation in outer space, and used qRT-PCR, Western blotting and mating assays to determine the effect of ground physicochemical parameters on tra gene expression and conjugation. We showed for the first time that bacterial conjugation can occur in outer space and on the ground, under microgravity-simulated conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microgravity, liquid media, elevated temperature, nutrient depletion, high osmolarity and low oxygen significantly reduce pN3 conjugation. Interestingly, under some of these conditions we observed an inverse correlation between tra gene transcription and conjugation frequency and found that induction of at least traK and traL can negatively affect pN3 conjugation frequency in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, these results uncover pN3 regulation by various environmental cues and highlight the diversity of conjugation systems and the different ways in which they may be regulated in response to abiotic signals. IMPORTANCE Bacterial conjugation is a highly ubiquitous and promiscuous process, by which a donor bacterium transfers a large portion of genetic material to a recipient cell. This mechanism of horizontal gene transfer plays an important role in bacterial evolution and in the ability of bacteria to acquire resistance to antimicrobial drugs and disinfectants. Bacterial conjugation is a complex and energy-consuming process, that is tightly regulated and largely affected by various environmental signals sensed by the bacterial cell. Comprehensive knowledge about bacterial conjugation and the ways it is affected by environmental cues is required to better understand bacterial ecology and evolution and to find new effective ways to counteract the threating dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes between bacterial populations. Moreover, characterizing this process under stress or suboptimal growth conditions such as elevated temperatures, high salinity or in the outer space, may provide insights relevant to future habitat environmental conditions.

Animals use climate-related environmental cues to fine-tune breeding timing and investment to match peak food availability. In birds, spring temperature is a commonly documented cue used to initiate breeding, but with global climate change, organisms are experiencing both directional changes in ambient temperatures and extreme year-to-year precipitation fluctuations. Montane environments exhibit complex climate patterns where temperatures and precipitation change along elevational gradients, and where exacerbated annual variation in precipitation has resulted in extreme swings between heavy snow and drought. We used 10 years of data to investigate how annual variation in climatic conditions is associated with differences in breeding phenology and reproductive performance in resident mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli) at two elevations in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains, USA. Variation in spring temperature was not associated with differences in breeding phenology across elevations in our system. Greater snow accumulation was associated with later breeding initiation at high, but not low, elevation. Brood size was reduced under drought, but only at low elevation. Our data suggest complex relationships between climate and avian reproduction and point to autumn climate as important for reproductive performance, likely via its effect on phenology and abundance of invertebrates.

Much research on brainstorming has found that the power of a team can stimulate individual creativity, and that this influence is more prominent in computer-mediated online interactions. However, creativity appears to depend on the outcome of combining certain environmental factors with certain kinds of Individual characteristics. Two experiments using electronic brainstorming were conducted in this study to examine the creative performance of individuals with different cognitive styles in several creative fields and with various environmental cues. Overall, it was found that cognitive styles significantly affected the creativity of individuals. Creative performances of individuals with field-independent cognitive styles were more stable than those of individuals with field-dependent cognitive styles. However, the appearance of environmental cues reversed this particular effect. When cues were present, there were no significant differences between the creativity of field-dependent and field-independent individuals. The findings provide empirical evidence for improving the creativity of field-dependent individuals and have significant implications for education and talent cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is one of the main barriers to increasing global food production as it reduces crop growth and productivity. While irrigated lands in arid climates (about 20% of total affected) are more prone to salinization, many other natural and anthropogenic factors contribute to an increase in salinity in arable lands that currently affects over 100 countries and more than one billion ha. Management of agro-ecosystems at every level, including soil, water, and the plant itself, is important in mitigating the effects of salinity. Plant hormones control cellular metabolism, and mediate plant defense response mechanisms against abiotic and biotic stresses. Foliar fertigation with plant growth regulators has been shown to improve growth and metabolism under stress conditions. Strigolactones (SLs) have emerged as a group of novel phytohormones with several functions in plant interactions with microorganisms, plant metabolism, development, and in responding to many environmental cues. The present research addressed SL (GR24) effects on growth, photosynthetic parameters, and oxidative stress in Solanum lycopersicum under salinity stress. Growth indices, photosynthesis and related attributes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and malondialdehyde (a product of lipid peroxidation) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were compared in unstressed and salt-stressed (NaCl; 150 mM) S. lycopersicum seedlings untreated or treated with GR24 (2 µM). Improved antioxidant enzyme activity, proline (8%) and protein (14%) contents, and photosynthetic (33%) and transpiration (34%) parameters under GR24 treatment result in a significant increase in plant growth parameters, viz., shoot length (29%), root length (21%), shoot fresh weight (31%), root fresh weight (23%), shoot dry weight (26%), and root dry weight (19%). Increased chlorophyll index (14%) and stomatal conductance (16%) in GR24-applied plants under salinity stress results in improved growth and photosynthetic efficiency of S. lycopersicum. Our results add to the existing knowledge of the relatively new function of SLs in mitigating abiotic stress, particularly that of salinity stress in crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal phenology is expressed in the annual rhythms of growth and quiescence, which may range from being sharply defined to weakly quantitative. These rhythms, both vegetative and reproductive, are a key aspect of a plant's survival strategy. They enable the plant to both survive seasonal stresses and take advantage of favourable conditions, while making pollination efficient through synchronised flowering. Maturation in woody perennials causes some ontogenetic modulation of seasonal phenology. Shoot phenology is driven by various environmental cues, notably temperatures and daylength, with shoot extremities often being prime receptors. The phenology of shoot extremities is in turn seen as a strong driver of cambial activity, which itself is an aspect of shoot phenology and the basis of stem diameter growth. The aspects of cambial activity reflecting hoot–tip phenology primarily involve the timing of xylem formation and the anatomical and physical properties of xylem cells. The actual amount of diameter growth, however, is governed much more by other factors, notably the growth potential of the species, the space for the tree to grow in, and how favourable local conditions are for growth. Somehow, all tree species allocate resources to shoot extension and diameter growth to represent viable adaptive strategies, although there is no identified role of phenology per se in such allocation. Among species, Pinus radiata is extremely important commercially, largely through a high growth potential that reflects distinctive phenology. Much research on the species provides a basis for linking its phenology and shoot–tip architecture to seasonal timing of diameter growth and fine details of within-ring variation in xylem cell properties. This provides a baseline for comparison with many other tree species, conifers and hardwoods. Selected examples are considered to illustrate the range of adaptive strategies. Regulation of diameter growth and internal variation in wood properties reflects the response to competitive pressures. Modifying the regulation to optimise wood production and quality poses a great challenge for future domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory T cells play an essential role in protecting against infectious diseases and cancer and contribute to autoimmunity and transplant rejection. Understanding how they are generated and maintained in the context of infection or vaccination holds promise to improve current immune-based therapies. At the beginning of any immune response, naïve T cells are activated and differentiate into cells with effector function capabilities. In the context of infection, most of these cells die once the pathogenic antigen has been cleared. Only a few of them persist and differentiate into memory T cells. These memory T cells are essential to host immunity because they are long-lived and can perform effector functions immediately upon re-infection. How a cell becomes a memory T cell and continues being one for months and even years past the initial infection is still not fully understood. Recent reviews have thoroughly discussed the transcriptional, epigenomic, and metabolic mechanisms that govern T cell memory differentiation. Yet much less is known of how signaling pathways that are common circuitries of multiple environmental signals regulate T cell outcome and, precisely, T cell memory. The function of the NFκB signaling system is perhaps best understood in innate cells. Recent findings suggest that NFκB signaling plays an essential and unique role in generating and maintaining CD8 T cell memory. This review aims to summarize these findings and discuss the remaining questions in the field.

Pavlovian conditioning holds the potential to incentivize environmental cues, leading to approach behavior toward them, even outside our awareness. Animal models suggest that this is particularly true for the so-called sign-tracker (ST) phenotype, which is considered to reflect a predisposition toward developing addiction-related behaviours. Despite its potential clinical relevance, few studies have demonstrated the translational validity of this model, likely due to difficulties in studying Pavlovian processes in humans. To fill this gap, we combined an ecological momentary assessment with ambulatory peripheral autonomic monitoring to test the hypothesis that traits associated with ST in preclinical studies would be associated with attribution of high incentive salience to reward-related cues. Several times for 2 days, participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of several preselected ecological rewards (e.g., coffee) and the preceding cues (the smell of coffee) while their electrocardiogram was recorded. While no absolute difference in subjective and physiological measures of motivational approach to daily cues compared with rewards emerged, individuals with high levels of impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive, and addiction-prone behaviors rated as more attractive and showed a greater increase in sympathetic arousal to cues versus rewards. The opposite pattern emerged for those with low levels in those dispositional traits, who responded more (both subjectively and physiologically) to rewards compared with their preceding cues. This study represents an attempt to answer the call to parcel complex behaviors into smaller constructs, improving the early detection of those who are vulnerable to develop psychopathological disorders, particularly in the domain of impulse control such as addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between water temperature and gonadal maturation of a landlocked ecophenotype of marine pejerrey (Odontesthes argentinensis) in La Salada de Pedro Luro lake was analysed during three spawning seasons. Mainly vitellogenic females were found in August (winter), some ovulating in October (mid-spring) and with atretic oocytes in December (end of spring). In accordance with this, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and estradiol plasma levels showed maximum values in October (7.6 ± 0.7%; 1631.7 ± 256.1 pg/mL) and minimum values in December (1.2 ± 0.3%; 230,33 ± 8,74 pg/mL). Spermiating males were found during the whole spawning season and only arrested in December. The highest GSI values were recorded in October (4.6 ± 0.2%) and for testosterone (T) in August (1113.2 ± 503.8 pg/mL). Meanwhile, in December the minimum GSI and T plasma values (1.3 ± 0.6%, 323.8 ± 5.3 pg/mL) were observed. According to the Fourier fitted models, temperature explains more than 70% of the observed variation in GSI in both sexes. Moreover, the total GSI variation range was positively related to the total temperature range variation experienced during the reproductive seasons demonstrating the influence of this environmental variable on maturation intensity and dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaves, the primary carbon fixers in autotrophic plants, undergo a complex senescence process, which is critical for the redistribution of nutrients and supports ongoing growth and development. This natural aging phenomenon, often triggered at the end of a plant's life cycle or during the autumn season in perennial species, is finely regulated at multiple levels. Premature senescence can disrupt normal plant development, while the timing and pace of senescence significantly impact crop yield and quality. Notably, accelerated senescence under stress conditions may enhance the survival of future generations, suggesting an evolutionary strategy for plants to cope with harsh environments. Our review focuses on the molecular regulation of leaf senescence in woody plants, emphasizing the intricate determinants and regulatory mechanisms involved, including the role of phytohormones, environmental cues and genetic factors. We highlight recent advances in understanding the regulation of leaf senescence in woody plants, integrating insights from multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permission@oup.com.)

Abstract Background Many birds species range over vast geographic regions and migrate seasonally between their breeding and overwintering sites. Deciding when to depart for migration is one of the most consequential life-history decisions an individual may make. However, it is still not fully understood which environmental cues are used to time the onset of migration and to what extent their relative importance differs across a range of migratory strategies. We focus on departure decisions of a songbird, the Eurasian blackbird Turdus merula, in which selected Russian and Polish populations are full migrants which travel relatively long-distances, whereas Finnish and German populations exhibit partial migration with shorter migration distances. Methods We used telemetry data from the four populations (610 individuals) to determine which environmental cues individuals from each population use to initiate their autumn migration. Results When departing, individuals in all populations selected nights with high atmospheric pressure and minimal cloud cover. Fully migratory populations departed earlier in autumn, at longer day length, at higher ambient temperatures, and during nights with higher relative atmospheric pressure and more supportive winds than partial migrants; however, they did not depart in higher synchrony. Thus, while all studied populations used the same environmental cues, they used population-specific and locally tuned thresholds to determine the day of departure. Conclusions Our data support the idea that migratory timing is controlled by general, species-wide mechanisms, but fine-tuned thresholds in response to local conditions.

Since retailers control the space where consumers tend to make the vast majority of their food purchase decisions, they can take measures to promote healthy living. Increasing relative sales of healthy food can contribute to the ongoing battle against preventable lifestyle diseases. We show how retailers can use impression management and environmental cues in their stores to influence consumers' sales responses to healthy food. This paper advocates in-store research in this realm and introduces three consumer behavior levels - reaching, stopping/holding, and closing the sale - as micro-conversions when retailers use impression management on their consumers. We showcase impression management at each conversion level by testing the effects of placing healthy and unhealthy food items on a floor display in the store area with the most traffic, with or without background music and an advertisement. The results demonstrate that a healthy food product can outperform the sales of popular unhealthy foods. The floor display, for example, increased the sales of the targeted “healthy product” by 570% on average during the intervention periods, compared with the baseline. We discuss the importance of in-store research into three conversions to enable further development of impression management and the use of environmental cues for healthy food promotion.