Laura Bowler and Cordelia Lynn, Houses Slide. London Sinfonietta, Aszodi, Edwards, Mitchell. Royal Festival Hall.

At its beginning Houses Slide is raised from complete darkness by 16 cyclists. Their pedalling powers the show; its constant woosh is the pedal point against which Laura Bowler's music is played. Both impressive and absurd, pedalling fast but getting nowhere, these cyclists are an apt symbol for the questions that Houses Slide raises. This London Sinfonietta commission explores the consciousness of the ecologically conscious. At the heart of the piece lies a paradox that has become part of our collective and personal anxiety. We are repeatedly told two contradictory things: that our actions are utterly disastrous (for example, heating the world, killing the whales) and, at the same time, that they are too insignificant to create positive change. How can we be simultaneously so dangerous and so ineffective? And what can we (guilty yet useless creatures as we are) do? These are the questions that come to mind as we listen to the recorded text that accompanies the piece throughout. This text is a verbatim record of personal testimonies gathered through the artists' call out to the public to submit answers to questions about how they've experienced the climate changing and what it makes them feel. Some speak of the disappearance of moths and hedgehogs, others of unseasonal snow or floods, and one voice candidly says that they haven't experienced any change at all, but they believe the scientists who tell them that change, the crisis, is happening.

Limits of cross-modal plasticity? Short-term visual deprivation does not enhance cardiac interoception, thermosensation, or tactile spatial acuity

In the present study, we investigated the effect of short-term visual deprivation on discriminative touch, cardiac interoception, and thermosensation by asking 64 healthy volunteers to perform four behavioral tasks. The experimental group contained 32 subjects who were blindfolded and kept in complete darkness for 110 minutes, while the control group consisted of 32 volunteers who were not blindfolded but were otherwise kept under identical experimental conditions. Both groups performed the required tasks three times: before and directly after deprivation (or control) and after an additional washout period of 40 minutes, in which all participants were exposed to normal light conditions. Our results showed that short-term visual deprivation had no effect on any of the senses tested. This finding suggests that short-term visual deprivation does not modulate basic bodily senses and extends this principle beyond tactile processing to the interoceptive modalities of cardiac and thermal sensations.

In addition to cryptochrome 2, magnetic particles with olfactory co-receptor are important for magnetic orientation in termites

The volatile trail pheromone is an ephemeral chemical cue, whereas the geomagnetic field (GMF) provides a stable positional reference. However, it is unclear whether and how the cryptic termites perceive the GMF for orientation in light or darkness until now. Here, we found that the two termite species, Reticulitermes chinensis and Odontotermes formosanus, use the GMF for orientation. Our silencing cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) impaired magnetic orientation in white light but had no significant impact in complete darkness, suggesting that Cry2 can mediate magnetic orientation in termites only under light. Coincidentally, the presence of magnetic particles enabled the magnetic orientation of termites in darkness. When knock-downing the olfactory co-receptor (Orco) to exclude the effect of trail pheromone, unexpectedly, we found that the Orco participated in termite magnetic orientation under both light and darkness. Our findings revealed a novel magnetoreception model depending on the joint action of radical pair, magnetic particle, and olfactory co-receptor.

Glucose Induces Thylakoid Formation and Upregulates Green Pigment Contents in Complete Dark Culture of the Angiosperm Pachiramacrocarpa

In addition to angiosperms, most plants are able to synthesize chlorophyll (Chl)-generating green tissues in total darkness. In this study, 140 plants of the angiosperm Pachira macrocarpa were divided into five groups. Among them, one group was grown for 2 weeks under natural light conditions, whereas the others were grown in complete darkness (0 μmol m−2 s−1). Dark-grown plants were then treated with 0~6% glucose for another 8 weeks. The budding and greening ratios, ultrastructure of chloroplasts (ChlPs) of newly developed leaves, and green pigment contents of pre-illuminated mature and young leaves, and totally dark-grown newly developed leaves were measured. Results showed that glucose inhibited the budding and promoted the greening of newly developed leaves. Pre-illuminated mature and young leaves were able to synthesize green pigments during the 2 weeks of dark adaption. Dark-grown newly developed leaves contained high levels of green pigments at 2 and 3 weeks after budding. Green pigments of glucose-fed newly developed leaves had increased, whereas they had decreased in control leaves. In addition, ChlPs of dark-grown glucose-fed newly developed leaves contained both giant grana and prolamellar bodies (PLBs), usually found in shade plants and etiolated seedlings, respectively. The higher the glucose concentration was, the greater the numbers of grana, thylakoids, and PLBs. Glucose increased the green pigment contents and grana formation in newly developed leaves in a dark condition, and the mechanisms are discussed.

How Can We Record Reliable Information on Animal Colouration in the Wild?

Animal colouration is a phenotypic trait that can provide important information on species ecology and adaptation. Describing animal colours can be very challenging, and digital images may help in this difficult task. Obtaining an image with colours similar to those observed in nature is not trivial, as many factors can alter the final result. Some studies highlighted the importance of a proper post-production and analysis of the images to obtain the best results, but unfortunately very little attention has been paid to how to obtain standardised images suitable to be employed in zoological and ecological studies. This study aims to give evidence about the importance of shooting pictures in standardised condition to obtain reliable data on animal colourations. We provide a method that allows to obtain standardised pictures with colours that are comparable to those observed on wild animals. We used a method that creates an in situ standardised environment to shoot photos of relatively small animals. Our method allows to fully control lights, the factor that affect pictures the most. We also provided a test on the efficiency of this method. Using a colour checker card as reference, we compared the divergence of the Red-Green-Blue channel values obtained from pictures shot in complete darkness with those read by a colorimeter. The average divergence in RGB values between the colorimeter and the RAW images was about 4%. This divergence increased when light disturbance occurred. Our method highlighted the importance of the moment in which pictures are taken, and demonstrated that a fully controlled method is essential for obtaining reliable information on animal colourations, data that can be employed in ecological and evolutionary studies.

Dynamics of dormancy regulation in ‘Sonata’ strawberry and its relation to flowering and runnering

Background Dormancy regulation in strawberry is a dynamic process that is causally interrelated with regulation of flowering. Interference between the two processes is therefore possible. Methods We studied dormancy control and its relation to flowering and runner formation in ‘Sonata’ strawberry under daylight phytotron conditions. Growth and flowering were observed in plants pretreated for 5 or 10 weeks at 10-h SD and 18-h LD at 6 and 18 ℃ and subsequently forced in a greenhouse in LD at 20 ℃ with and without previous chilling for 6 weeks at 2 ℃ in darkness. Results SD induced constrained leaf and inflorescence growth at both 6 and 18 ℃, while the typical strawberry semi-dormant condition was attained only by exposure to SD at 18 ℃ for 10 weeks, which also completely blocked runner formation. The constrained leaf and inflorescence growth observed in plants grown in SD at 18 ℃ were partially reversed by 6 weeks of chilling and gradually overcome in successively emerging leaves. While plants grown in LD at 18 ℃ for 10 weeks remained vegetative under subsequent forcing, they unexpectedly initiated flowers when subjected to chilling in darkness for 6 weeks before the forcing. Conclusions SD exposure at 18 ℃ constrained leaf and inflorescence growth in ‘Sonata’ strawberry, and when applied for 10 weeks, it induced the persistent semi-dormant state that is typical for strawberry. Transient growth constraints were also induced at 6 ℃ in both SD and LD, while the semi-dormant state was only attained by SD at the higher temperature. Flowering in complete darkness, which is known in both SD and LD plants, did also take place in ‘Sonata’ strawberry in response to chilling in the dark at 2 ℃ for 6 weeks. While the potential impact of the phenomenon seems limited for regulation of flowering in strawberry, we conclude that chilling in the dark at near-freezing temperature may substantially enhance flowering in marginally induced strawberry plants.

The Divider Assay is a high-throughput pipeline for aggression analysis in Drosophila

Aggression is a complex social behavior that remains poorly understood. Drosophila has become a powerful model system to study the underlying biology of aggression but lack of high throughput screening and analysis continues to be a barrier for comprehensive mutant and circuit discovery. Here we developed the Divider Assay, a simplified experimental procedure to make aggression analysis in Drosophila fast and accurate. In contrast to existing methods, we can analyze aggression over long time intervals and in complete darkness. While aggression is reduced in the dark, flies are capable of intense fighting without seeing their opponent. Twenty-four-hour behavioral analysis showed a peak in fighting during the middle of the day, a drastic drop at night, followed by re-engagement with a further increase in aggression in anticipation of the next day. Our pipeline is easy to implement and will facilitate high throughput screening for mechanistic dissection of aggression.

Germination biology of four climatically varied populations of the invasive species African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)

African lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees] is a highly invasive C4 perennial grass that threatens global biodiversity. Appropriate management of this species has been hampered by a lack of knowledge concerning its seed ecology, resulting in significant economic and environmental impacts within various environments. Consequently, this study explored the effects of a selection of environmental factors (photoperiod, alternating temperature, pH, and salinity) by analyzing several measures of germination on four geographically distinct populations of E. curvula to assist in its extirpation from infested sites. Seeds were collected in Australia from Maffra and Shepparton, VIC; Tenterfield, NSW; and Midvale, WA. Key results showed that seeds from Maffra (54% vs. 79%), Tenterfield (38% vs. 61%), and Shepparton (34% vs. 71%) had significantly reduced germination in complete darkness compared with an alternating 12-h light and 12-h dark photoperiod, whereas Midvale had consistent germination (91% vs. 99%). Temperatures between 17/7 C reduced germination for Maffra (42% vs. 73%), Tenterfield (34% vs. 55%), and Shepparton (33% vs. 59%) compared with the mean of all other temperature combinations, whereas Midvale had consistent germination. Furthermore, germination for all populations was consistent between pH 4 and 9. For salinity, germination was significantly reduced at ≥100 mM for Maffra (29% vs. 67%), ≥150 mM for Tenterfield (29% vs. 94%) and Shepparton (39.5% vs. 81.5%), and 250 mM for Midvale (39% vs. 82%) compared with the mean of all other concentrations. Although each trial was conducted independently, the data can be used to generate species-targeted management. Such strategies include maintaining high levels of quarantine and hygiene programs to avoid future spread; where practical, applying light-limiting strategies (mulching, tilling, or scraping) for the Maffra, Tenterfield, and Shepparton populations; and maintaining management efforts year-round, as the species can germinate under a wide range of conditions.

Possibilities of digital night vision devices during an operational-search action «observation» in the penal system institutions of the Russian Federation

The article presents the results of an experimental study of the possibilities of using digital night vision binoculars with a Bushnell video recorder, centrally supplied as part of Berkut special set for search, with the necessary technical support for an operational-search activity «observation» in conditions of insufficient illumination and complete darkness. In the course of the research, visual photographic images of objects of observation at a distance of 20–40 meters from the observer were obtained under various lighting scenes, including complete darkness, a dim point light source, and a bright backlight source of scattered light. As a result of the work carried out, the principles and modes of operation of the presented model of a night-vision device are described. Recommendations are formulated for its use in the implemen tation of photographic and video recording in the course of the operational-search action «observation » in conditions of insufficient illumination. The proposed solutions will allow operatives of the penal system of the Russian Federation to increase their efficiency and achieve additional positive results in the use of modern digital technical means of operational surveillance in their official activities. Key words: night-vision device, observation conditions, object of observation, operationalsearch action, operational officer.

An Asymmetric Genetic Signal Associated with Mechanosensory Expansion in Cave-Adapted Fish

A key challenge in contemporary biology is connecting genotypic variation to phenotypic diversity. Quantitative genetics provides a powerful technique for identifying regions of the genome that covary with phenotypic variation. Here, we present a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of a natural freshwater fish system, Astyanax mexicanus, that harbors two morphs corresponding to a cave and surface fish. Following their divergence ~500 Kya, cavefish have adapted to the extreme pressures of the subterranean biome. As a consequence, cavefish have lost numerous features, but evolved gains for a variety of constructive features including behavior. Prior work found that sensory tissues (neuromasts) present in the “eye orbit” region of the skull associate with sensitivity to vibrations in water. This augmented sensation is believed to facilitate foraging behavior in the complete darkness of a cave, and may impact on evolved lateral swimming preference. To this point, however, it has remained unclear how morphological variation integrates with behavioral variation through heritable factors. Using a QTL approach, we discovered the genetic architecture of neuromasts present in the eye orbit region, demonstrating that this feature is under genetic control. Interestingly, linked loci were asymmetric–signals were detected using only data collected from the right, but not left, side of the face. This finding may explain enhanced sensitivity and/or feedback of water movements mediating a lateral swimming preference. The locus we discovered based on neuromast position maps near established QTL for eye size and a facial bone morphology, raising the intriguing possibility that eye loss, sensory expansion, and the cranial skeleton may be integrated for evolving adaptive behaviors. Thus, this work will further our understanding of the functional consequence of key loci that influence the evolutionary origin of changes impacting morphology, behavior, and adaptation.