National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.publishedVersio

Full-length and partial Agaricus bisporus exo-ß1,3-glucanase genes AbEXG1,2

EMBL Database submission X92961, November 1

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

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

Ageing and bilingualism: Absence of a “bilingual advantage” in Stroop interference in a nonimmigrant sample

Previous research has found an advantage for bilinguals relative to monolinguals on tasks of attentional control. This advantage has been found to be larger in older adults than in young adults, suggesting that bilingualism provides a buffer against age-related declines in executive functioning. Using a computerized Stroop task in a nonimmigrant sample of young and older monolinguals and bilinguals, the current investigation tried to replicate previous findings of a bilingual advantage. A bilingual advantage would have been demonstrated by smaller Stroop interference (i.e., smaller increases in response time for incongruent than for neutral trials) for bilinguals than for monolinguals. The results showed that bilingual young adults showed a general speed advantage relative to their monolingual counterparts, but this was not associated with smaller Stroop interference. Older adults showed no effect of bilingualism. Thus, the present investigation does not find evidence of a bilingual advantage in young or older adults and suggests limits to the robustness and/or specificity of previous findings