New insights of red light-induced development:Novel molecular aspects of phytochrome B action

The red/far-red light absorbing photoreceptors phytochromes regulate development and growth and thus play an essential role in optimizing adaptation of the sessile plants to the ever-changing environment. Our understanding of how absorption of a red/far-red photon by phytochromes initiates/modifies diverse physiological responses has been steadily improving. Research performed in the last 5 years has been especially productive and led to significant conceptual changes about the mode of action of these photoreceptors. In this review, we focus on the phytochrome B photoreceptor, the major phytochrome species active in light-grown plants. We discuss how its light-independent inactivation (termed dark/thermal reversion), post-translational modification, including ubiquitination, phosphorylation and sumoylation, as well as heterodimerization with other phytochrome species modify red light-controlled physiological responses. Finally, we discuss how photobiological properties of phytochrome B enable this photoreceptor to function also as a thermosensor

Do wage cuts damage work morale? Evidence from a natural field experiment

Employment contracts are often incomplete, leaving many responsibilitiessubject to workers’ discretion. High work morale is thereforeessential for sustaining voluntary cooperation and high productivity infirms. We conducted a field experiment to test whether workers reciprocatewage cuts and raises with low or high work productivity. Wagecuts had a detrimental and persistent impact on productivity, reducingaverage output by more than 20 percent. An equivalent wage increase,however, did not result in any productivity gains. The results from anadditional control experiment with high monetary performance incentivesdemonstrate that workers could still produce substantially moreoutput, leaving enough room for positive reactions. Altogether, theseresults provide evidence consistent with a model of reciprocity, as opposedto inequality aversion