Replicability of simulation studies for the investigation of statistical methods: The RepliSims project

Results of simulation studies evaluating the performance of statistical methods can have a major impact on the way empirical research is implemented. However, so far there is limited evidence of the replicability of simulation studies. Eight highly cited statistical simulation studies were selected, and their replicability was assessed by teams of replicators with formal training in quantitative methodology. The teams used information in the original publications to write simulation code with the aim of replicating the results. The primary outcome was to determine the feasibility of replicability based on reported information in the original publications and supplementary materials. Replicasility varied greatly: some original studies provided detailed information leading to almost perfect replication of results, whereas other studies did not provide enough information to implement any of the reported simulations. Factors facilitating replication included availability of code, detailed reporting or visualization of data-generating procedures and methods, and replicator expertise. Replicability of statistical simulation studies was mainly impeded by lack of information and sustainability of information sources. We encourage researchers publishing simulation studies to transparently report all relevant implementation details either in the research paper itself or in easily accessible supplementary material and to make their simulation code publicly available using permanent links

Production and application of transgenic mushroom mycelium and fruitbodies

The invention involves different methods to modify genetic characteristics of homobasidiomycetes in particular commercial homobasidiomycetes such as the common or button mushroom Agaricus bisporus via treatment with donor DNA or fusions using protoplasts and via matings between strains. The methods may be used for the improvement of commercial characteristics and for the commercial production of enzymes and metabolites. The invention is in particular directed at a method for obtaining a selectable stable transformant of a homobasidiomycete capable of expressing integrated donor DNA comprising at least a dominant selectable marker at a detectable level, wherein said host is optionally non-auxotrophic and can be transformed without cotransformation with said dominant selectable marker and is transformed with said donor DNA. The invention is also directed at a method for production of stable transgenic fruitbodies directly from transformed heterokaryons or indirectly through mating or protoplast fusion of transformants obtained through mating of transformants obtained. A method for provinding a genetic fingerprint of both homokaryotic and heterokaryotic material obtained through transformation is also described as well as a method for producing homokaryotic, material from transformed heterokaryotic material. A specific vector for use in transformation is described as is a method for producing such a vector

Transformation of the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus to hygromycin B resistance

Application of biotechnology to the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, has been hampered thus far by the lack of a transformation system. Here, transformation of both a home- and a heterokaryotic strain of A. bisporus to hygromycin B resistance is described. Transforming DNA was integrated into the A. bisporus genome and stably maintained throughout vegetative growth. Transformants of the heterokaryotic strain formed transgenic fruiting bodies. Promoters derived from the unrelated ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans and from A. bisporus itself, were able to drive expression of the hygromycin B resistance gene. Expression controlled by a fragment of 265 bp from the A. bisporus GPD promoter was sufficient to generate transformants. However, transformation efficiency was not enhanced by using this homologous promoter

Production and application of transgenic mushroom mycelium and fruitbodies

The invention involves different methods to modify genetic characteristics of homobasidiomycetes in particular commercial homobasidiomycetes such as the common or button mushroom Agaricus bisporus via treatment with donor DNA or fusions using protoplasts and via matings between strains. The methods may be used for the improvement of commercial characteristics and for the commercial production of enzymes and metabolites. The invention is in particular directed at a method for obtaining a selectable stable transformant of a homobasidiomycete capable of expressing integrated donor DNA comprising at least a dominant selectable marker at a detectable level, wherein said host is optionally non-auxotrophic and can be transformed without cotransformation with said dominant selectable marker and is transformed with said donor DNA. The invention is also directed at a method for production of stable transgenic fruitbodies directly from transformed heterokaryons or indirectly through mating or protoplast fusion of transformants obtained through mating of transformants obtained. A method for provinding a genetic fingerprint of both homokaryotic and heterokaryotic material obtained through transformation is also described as well as a method for producing homokaryotic, material from transformed heterokaryotic material. A specific vector for use in transformation is described as is a method for producing such a vector

Transformation of the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus to hygromycin B resistance

Application of biotechnology to the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, has been hampered thus far by the lack of a transformation system. Here, transformation of both a home- and a heterokaryotic strain of A. bisporus to hygromycin B resistance is described. Transforming DNA was integrated into the A. bisporus genome and stably maintained throughout vegetative growth. Transformants of the heterokaryotic strain formed transgenic fruiting bodies. Promoters derived from the unrelated ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans and from A. bisporus itself, were able to drive expression of the hygromycin B resistance gene. Expression controlled by a fragment of 265 bp from the A. bisporus GPD promoter was sufficient to generate transformants. However, transformation efficiency was not enhanced by using this homologous promoter

A Structured Design Methodology for Concurrent Programming

Learning how to design and implement a concurrent program is hard. Most textbooks on Java programming only treat concurrency in terms of syntax and examples. They pay little attention to systematically designing concurrent programs. As a result, design experience is to be acquired in a master-apprentice setup of supervised lab classes with immediate, personal feedback. In this paper, we describe a systematic design method in which the development of a concurrent program is divided into a sequence of explicit, manageable steps which scaolds students’ learning of concurrency concepts and their application. This methodology is intended to improve the procedural development skills of students, providing them with the necessary knowledge and self-ecacy to tackle the problem at hand. Furthermore, current education moves towards more independent learning. In distance education, for example, immediate feedback on how to proceed in case of problems is often absent. Additionally, enrollment in university courses increased steadily over the last decade which forces educators to spend less time on individual support: students often have to solve problems on their own. To make such independent learning feasible, also as regards providing feedback, a systematic approach is indispensable