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In response to the crisis of confidence in psychology, a plethora of solutions have been proposed to improve the way research is conducted (e.g., increasing statistical power, focusing on confidence intervals, enhancing the disclosure of methods). One area that has received little attention is the reliability of data. We note that while it is well understood that reliability of measures is essential to replicability, there is a failure to apply some measure of data reliability consistently, or to correct for chance when assessing agreement. We discuss the problem of relying on Percent Agreement between observers as a measure of reliability and describe a dilemma that researchers encounter when assessing contradictory indicators of reliability. We conclude with some pedagogical strategies that might make the need for reliability measures and chance correction more likely to be understood and implemented. By so doing, researchers can contribute to solving some aspects of the crisis of confidence in psychological research.

Despite success in treating some hematological malignancies, CAR-T cells have not yet produced similar outcomes in solid tumors due, in part, to the tumor microenvironment, poor persistence, and a paucity of suitable target antigens. Importantly, the impact of the CAR components on these challenges remains focused on the intracellular signaling and antigen-binding domains. In contrast, the flexible hinge and transmembrane domains have been commoditized and are the least studied components of the CAR. Here, we compared the hinge and transmembrane domains derived from either the CD8ɑ or CD28 molecule in identical GUCY2C-targeted third-generation designs for colorectal cancer. While these structural domains do not contribute to differences in antigen-independent contexts, such as CAR expression and differentiation and exhaustion phenotypes, the CD8ɑ structural domain CAR has a greater affinity for GUCY2C. This results in increased production of inflammatory cytokines and granzyme B, improved cytolytic effector function with low antigen-expressing tumor cells, and robust anti-tumor efficacy in vivo compared with the CD28 structural domain CAR. This suggests that CD8α structural domains should be considered in the design of all CARs for the generation of high-affinity CARs and optimally effective CAR-T cells in solid tumor immunotherapy.

Background: As a global public health issue, childhood maltreatment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between childhood maltreatment and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs). Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched open cohort study using a UK primary care database between January 1, 1995 and January 31, 2021. Clinical codes were used to identify patients exposed to childhood maltreatment who were matched by general practice (GP), age, and sex to up to four unexposed patients. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk of developing IMIDs (inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus) during follow-up in the exposed versus unexposed groups. Results: 256,130 exposed patients were matched to 712,478 unexposed patients. Those exposed to childhood maltreatment were 1) at an increased risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis (aHR 1·39; 95 % CI 1·12-1·74) and Psoriasis (aHR 1·16; 95 % CI 1·10-1·23), 2) not statistically significantly at risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (aHR 0·87; 95 % CI 0·75-1·00), multiple sclerosis (aHR 1·07; 95 % CI 0·77-1·49) and systemic lupus erythematosus (aHR 1·28; 95 % CI 0·89-1·85) and 3) at a reduced risk of coeliac disease (aHR 0·74; 95 % CI 0·62-0·88) compared to the unexposed group. Interpretations: Childhood maltreatment is estimated to affect one in three children globally; therefore, an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis represents a substantial contribution to the burden of IMIDs. Implementation of broad public health approaches to prevent and detect childhood maltreatment and its negative downstream consequences, such as, IMID development, is essential.

Abstract Heat waves, brief periods of unusually high temperatures, are damaging to agroecosystems and are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. Despite growing appreciation for the threat that heat waves pose to agricultural sustainability, we have a poor understanding of what determines their impact on agroecological interactions in the field. Here, we report the results of a field experiment that examined how heat waves and their timing interact with crop pest resistance to influence the interactions between potato (Solanum tuberosum) and its most damaging pest, the Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Leptinotarsa decemlineata). We used open‐top chambers and ceramic heaters to generate heat wave conditions in field plots with pest‐resistant and pest‐susceptible potato varieties at four CPB developmental stages. We then assessed CPB performance, leaf herbivory, and tuber yield. The neonate‐stage heat wave reduced larval survival by 10%, but the surviving larvae were 18% larger and developed 15% faster. However, these effects occurred only on the susceptible variety; both larval survival and growth were unaffected by the heat wave in the pest‐resistant variety. Moreover, the neonate‐stage heat wave reduced adult survival by 15%, suggesting negative carry‐over effects of early‐life heat exposure. Heat wave events after the neonate stage had no effects on CPB performance, crop damage, or tuber yield. Our results indicate that timing and pest resistance in crops are essential for understanding the impacts of extreme heat events on crop‐pest dynamics. Agroecological pest management in an increasingly variable and extreme climate will likely benefit from the development of strategies that account for the seasonal timing of potential heat events and from the continued use of crop varieties bred for pest resistance, which our results suggest may dampen the impacts of extreme temperatures on crop‐pest interactions.

Frequent and extreme temperatures associated with climate change pose a major threat to biodiversity, particularly for organisms whose metabolism is strictly linked to ambient temperatures. Many studies have explored thermal effects on survival, but heat-induced fertility loss is emerging as a greater threat to population persistence. However, while evidence is accumulating that both juvenile and adult stages heat exposure can impair fertility in their own ways, much less is known about the immediate and longer-term fitness consequences of repeated heat stress across life stages. To address this knowledge gap, we used male Drosophila melanogaster to investigate (i) the cumulative fitness effects of repeated heat stress across life stages, (ii) the potential of recovery from these heat exposures, and (iii) the underlying mechanisms. We found individual and combined effects of chronic juvenile and acute adult heat stress on male fitness traits. These effects tended to exacerbate over several days after brief heat exposure, indicating a substantial fertility loss for these short-lived organisms. Our findings highlight the cumulative and persistent effects of heat stress on fitness. Such combined effects could accelerate population declines, particularly in more vulnerable species, emphasizing the importance of considering reproduction and its recovery for more accurate models of species persistence.

Sylvicultural and Cultural Practices in Agroforestry Parklands According to a North-South Rainfall Gradient in Maradi Region, Niger. A study on sylvicultural and cultural practices in the parklands was conducted in three village territories of Maradi region following a rainfall gradient. Surveys conducted with farmers coupled with sylvicultural data collection are used as the methodological tools. The results showed that farmers` managed natural regeneration in the village territories has lasted at least 10 years. It is practiced by imitating relatives and neighbors or initiated by development projects or extension services. The reasons that guided farmers to care and protect trees are wood provision to households, soil fertilization, fodder, and pharmacopeia and erosion control. Plant diversity is more important in Moulmouchi than Batchaka and Koda. Also, species with high agronomic, economic and food values are preferred by farmers. The different sylvicultural operations carried out in the village territories indicate that farmers pay attention to the protection and management of trees in their farms. Some species like Acacia senegal, Azadirachta indica and Adansonia digitata inventoried in the farms have been planted and conserved with others from natural regeneration. Sylvicultural and cultural operations used by farmers for tree management in the fields are many and diverse. The more used operations are improved clearing, pruning and by staking plant. Nevertheless, farmers use some practices which do not favour the preservation of trees in the farms. Some of them are abusive cutting, groundnut growing, bark removal, use of animals for plowing and illegal cutting of trees by transhumant herders. Pharmacopeia, construction and energy, fodder, human food are the principal uses of tree species in this region. The most harvested tree organs are wood, leaves, fruits and barks. Benefits derived from trees are what make farmers to manage and protect trees in their farms without external intervention.