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As climate variability intensifies, retailers increasingly face the challenge of managing in-store temperature to support consumer comfort. While indoor temperature is a powerful and controllable element of the retail environment, the pathways through which it shapes consumer behavior remain underexamined. Prior research has often assumed that simply cooling or warming a store helps consumers thermoregulate. Yet, thermoregulation is an individual, dynamic process that depends on whether a consumer feels discomfort, engages in regulatory action, and achieves relief. In this paper, we review and reframe existing work on temperature and consumer behavior, highlighting both what has been learned and what has been overlooked. We clarify the distinction between environmental temperature strategies and actual thermoregulatory processes, and we show how this distinction influences study design, interpretation, and practical implications. Building on this foundation, we propose a consumer journey framework that identifies specific stages where thermoregulation may occur, how it might be measured, and when retailers can effectively intervene. This framework opens new avenues for research on temperature as a strategic design element and thermoregulation as a physiological and psychological mechanism. Together, these contributions provide a roadmap for understanding how, when, and for whom temperature-based interventions support sustainable, consumer-centric retail experiences.

Background Special Operations Forces operate in hot conditions under heavy loads, which impairs thermoregulation and performance and risks mission success. Exogenous ketone monoesters, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), may enhance cerebral blood flow and metabolism and mitigate fatigue. Therefore, this study compared the effects of BHB or carbohydrate (CHO), both combined with caffeine, on a time to exhaustion (TTE) trial following prolonged loaded exercise in the heat.Methods Using a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design, 17male endurance-trained participants (age = 23.8 ± 5.2 y; VO2max = 58.6 ± 3.2 ml/kg/min) completed two experimental trials. Exercise was performed in an environmental heat chamber (34°C, 45%RH) and included two 45-min treadmill bouts at 50% velocity at VO2max; (speed = 4.4 ± 0.4 mph; 5% grade) while wearing a weighted vest loaded with 20% of body mass (BM). Participants consumed 4 mg/kg BM of caffeine at the start of each experimental visit. Before each 45-min bout of exercise, participants ingested either 25 g of BHB or 25 g of CHO (Cluster DextrinTM). Following the second 45-min bout of exercise, participants completed an unloaded TTE trial at 90% velocity at VO₂max. Heart rate and core body temperature were measured continuously using a chest strap (Polar H10, Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) and a rectal thermistor, respectively. Experimental visits were separated by 7–14 days. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests (α = 0.05). Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d.Results TTE duration was longer in the BHB condition (9.0 ± 4.4 min) compared to CHO (7.1 ± 2.2 min; p = 0.03, d = 0.6). No differences were observed in average heart rates or core body temperatures between conditions (BHB: 38.72 ± 0.48°C, 186.3 ± 7.4 bpm; CHO: 38.8 ± 0.4°C, 187.7 ± 8.5 bpm; p > 0.05).Conclusions BHB ingestion with caffeine improved TTE running performance in the heat compared to carbohydrate with caffeine following loaded exercise without differences in heart rate or core temperature. BHB may act as an alternative oxidative fuel, reducing glycogen reliance. Further, BHB yields more ATP per unit of oxygen than carbohydrate, which could improve energetic efficiency. These findings support the potential use of BHB as a countermeasure to fatigue during prolonged exertion in austere hot environments commonly faced by SOF personnel. Given the established ergogenic benefit of carbohydrate supplementation during exercise-heat stress, future studies should examine carbohydrate-BHB coingestion under similar conditions to explore potential synergistic effects.

HighlightsThis review delves into the intricate relationship between thermal models, function-oriented design principles, and practical applications in personal radiative thermal management (PRTM).It provides an in-depth discussion on design strategies for radiative cooling, heating, and dual-mode modulating textiles, offering practical insights for application.It offers a thorough examination of the prospects and challenges of PRTM textiles, proposing potential solutions and future directions for the field.Maintaining thermal comfort within the human body is crucial for optimal health and overall well-being. By merely broadening the set-point of indoor temperatures, we could significantly slash energy usage in building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. In recent years, there has been a surge in advancements in personal thermal management (PTM), aiming to regulate heat and moisture transfer within our immediate surroundings, clothing, and skin. The advent of PTM is driven by the rapid development in nano/micro-materials and energy science and engineering. An emerging research area in PTM is personal radiative thermal management (PRTM), which demonstrates immense potential with its high radiative heat transfer efficiency and ease of regulation. However, it is less taken into account in traditional textiles, and there currently lies a gap in our knowledge and understanding of PRTM. In this review, we aim to present a thorough analysis of advanced textile materials and technologies for PRTM. Specifically, we will introduce and discuss the underlying radiation heat transfer mechanisms, fabrication methods of textiles, and various indoor/outdoor applications in light of their different regulation functionalities, including radiative cooling, radiative heating, and dual-mode thermoregulation. Furthermore, we will shine a light on the current hurdles, propose potential strategies, and delve into future technology trends for PRTM with an emphasis on functionalities and applications.

Anhidrosis, characterized by the partial or total reduction in sweat production, is a relevant condition in equines living in tropical climates, particularly those engaged in physical activity. This study evaluated the prevalence of anhidrosis in Quarter Horses used in the vaquejada sport, utilizing the semi-quantitative sweat test with terbutaline sulfate. Sixty Quarter Horses of both sexes, actively competing, were included in the study. The experimental procedure involved the intradermal application of a saline control solution and seven serial dilutions of terbutaline sulfate, ranging from 100 mg/L to 10-6 mg/L, at predefined points in the cervical region. After solution application, the injection sites were assessed over a minimum of 20 minutes to observe the response to the test. The analysis criterion was based on the intensity of sweating at each concentration, enabling the classification of animals as healthy, partially anhidrotic, or completely anhidrotic. The study revealed a significant prevalence (75%) of partial anhidrosis among Quarter Horses. The results underscore the importance of accurate diagnosis of partial anhidrosis to understand its impact on equine health and performance. RESUMO: A anidrose, caracterizada pela redução parcial ou total da produção de suor é uma condição relevante em equinos em clima tropical, especialmente naqueles sob atividade física. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de anidrose em equinos da raça Quarto de Milha utilizados na modalidade vaquejada, utilizando o teste semiquantitativo de sudorese com sulfato de terbutalina. Foram utilizados 60 equinos da raça Quarto de Milha, de ambos os sexos, em plena atividade fisíca. O procedimento experimental consistiu na aplicação intradérmica de uma solução salina controle e sete diluições seriadas de sulfato de terbutalina, variando de 100 mg/L a 10-6 mg/L, em pontos previamente definidos na região cervical. Após a aplicação das soluções, os pontos de injeção foram avaliados durante um período mínimo de 20 minutos para verificar a resposta ao teste. O critério de análise baseou-se na intensidade da sudorese em cada concentração, permitindo a classificação dos animais como saudáveis, com anidrose parcial ou com anidrose completa. O estudo mostrou uma prevalência significativa (75%) de anidrose parcial em equinos da raça Quarto de Milha. Os resultados reforçam a importância de um diagnóstico preciso da anidrose parcial para compreender seus impactos na saúde e desempenho dos equinos.

Temperature is a fundamental parameter for all forms of lives. Natural evolution has resulted in organisms which have excellent thermoregulation capabilities in extreme climates. Bioinspired materials that mimic biological solution for thermoregulation have proven promising for passive radiative cooling. However, scalable production of artificial photonic radiators with complex structures, outstanding properties, high throughput, and low cost is still challenging. Herein, we design and demonstrate biologically inspired photonic materials for passive radiative cooling, after discovery of longicorn beetles’ excellent thermoregulatory function with their dual-scale fluffs. The natural fluffs exhibit a finely structured triangular cross-section with two thermoregulatory effects which effectively reflects sunlight and emits thermal radiation, thereby decreasing the beetles’ body temperature. Inspired by the finding, a photonic film consisting of a micropyramid-arrayed polymer matrix with random ceramic particles is fabricated with high throughput. The film reflects ∼95% of solar irradiance and exhibits an infrared emissivity >0.96. The effective cooling power is found to be ∼90.8 W·m−2 and a temperature decrease of up to 5.1 °C is recorded under direct sunlight. Additionally, the film exhibits hydrophobicity, superior flexibility, and strong mechanical strength, which is promising for thermal management in various electronic devices and wearable products. Our work paves the way for designing and fabrication of high-performance thermal regulation materials.

We value comments on our research paper in a Commentary in this issue (Simpson, S Afr J Sci. 2024;120(1/2), Art. #16445). Acknowledging the Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI)'s limitations in capturing individual physiological responses remains important; however, we argue for its appropriateness based on recent thermophysiology and heat exchange advancements during its development and broader alignment with standardised indexing efforts. Our original research paper set out with these considerations in mind, and our conclusions remain valid. We further argue for refinement of the UTCI for specific activities instead of using the PET. Finally, future efforts should focus on monitoring data in real-world scenarios to validate and improve thermal indices.

An article in the July/August 2022 issue (Havenga et al., S Afr J Sci. 2022;118(7/8), Art. #13118) argued that changing the date of the Comrades Marathon from May to August would result in increased heat stress for participants. Heat stress was estimated using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), which is designed to represent a person walking, not running. In this Commentary, I argue that using the UTCI may lead to an underestimation of heat stress for the Comrades Marathon, and that the conclusion that August has worse heat stress than May depends on the assumptions in the estimation of heat stress.

The main aim of this study is to validate the Joint system thermoregulation model (JOS-3 model) for the male population living in tropical climates and to analyze the effect of environmental conditions and physical activities on human thermal comfort. For this, a MATLAB code of the JOS-3 thermoregulation model was developed and verified with experimental data available in the literature. Further, the human trials were conducted in the study under three different scenarios with Indian participants to check the validity of the JOS-3 model for the population living in tropical climates. It was observed that the JOS-3 model could appropriately predict the physiological responses of people living in tropical climates. Additionally, findings from the parametric study show that the mean skin and core temperatures increase as the ambient temperature, relative humidity (RH), and physical activity increase. Besides, the skin temperature is most affected by the ambient temperature, followed by physical activity and RH. On the other hand, the core temperature is most affected by physical activity, followed by the ambient temperature and RH. When physical activity increased from 1.2 to 3.8 MET, mean skin and core temperatures increased by 6.6% and 4.5%, respectively, after 60 min at 38°C, 70% RH, and 0.31 clo.

Behavior is one of the major architects of evolution: by behaviorally modifying how they interact with their environments, organisms can influence natural selection, amplifying it in some cases and dampening it in others. In one of the earliest issues of Evolution, Charles Bogert proposed that regulatory behaviors (namely thermoregulation) shield organisms from selection and limit physiological evolution. Here, I trace the history surrounding the origin of this concept (now known as the “Bogert effect” or “behavioral inertia”), and its implications for physiological and evolutionary research throughout the 20th century. A key follow-up study in the early 21st century galvanized renewed interest in Bogert’s classic ideas, and established a focus on slowdowns in the rate of evolution in response to regulatory behaviors. I illustrate recent progress on the Bogert effect in evolutionary research, and discuss the ecological variables that predict whether and how strongly the phenomenon unfolds. Based on these discoveries, I provide hypotheses for the Bogert effect across several scales: patterns of trait evolution within and among groups of species, spatial effects on the phenomenon, and its importance for speciation. I also discuss the inherent link between behavioral inertia and behavioral drive through an empirical case study linking the phenomena. Modern comparative approaches can help put the macroevolutionary implications of behavioral buffering to the test: I describe progress to date, and areas ripe for future investigation. Despite many advances, bridging microevolutionary processes with macroevolutionary patterns remains a persistent gap in our understanding of the Bogert effect, leaving wide open many avenues for deeper exploration.

Although most organisms thermoregulate behaviorally, biologists still cannot easily predict whether mobile animals will thermoregulate in natural environments. Current models fail because they ignore how the spatial distribution of thermal resources constrains thermoregulatory performance over space and time. To overcome this limitation, we modeled the spatially explicit movements of animals constrained by access to thermal resources. Our models predict that ectotherms thermoregulate more accurately when thermal resources are dispersed throughout space than when these resources are clumped. This prediction was supported by thermoregulatory behaviors of lizards in outdoor arenas with known distributions of environmental temperatures. Further, simulations showed how the spatial structure of the landscape qualitatively affects responses of animals to climate. Biologists will need spatially explicit models to predict impacts of climate change on local scales.