Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail

Biomphalaria snails are instrumental in transmission of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. With the World Health Organization's goal to eliminate schistosomiasis as a global health problem by 2025, there is now renewed emphasis on snail control. Here, we characterize the genome of Biomphalaria glabrata, a lophotrochozoan protostome, and provide timely and important information on snail biology. We describe aspects of phero-perception, stress responses, immune function and regulation of gene expression that support the persistence of B. glabrata in the field and may define this species as a suitable snail host for S. mansoni. We identify several potential targets for developing novel control measures aimed at reducing snail-mediated transmission of schistosomiasis

THE RATE OF BINARY BLACK HOLE MERGERS INFERRED FROM ADVANCED LIGO OBSERVATIONS SURROUNDING GW150914

A transient gravitational-wave signal, GW150914, was identi fi ed in the twin Advanced LIGO detectors on 2015 September 2015 at 09:50:45 UTC. To asse ss the implications of this discovery, the detectors remained in operation with unchanged con fi gurations over a period of 39 days around the time of t he signal. At the detection statistic threshold corresponding to that observed for GW150914, our search of the 16 days of simultaneous two-detector observational data is estimated to have a false-alarm rate ( FAR ) of < ́ -- 4.9 10 yr 61 , yielding a p -value for GW150914 of < ́ - 210 7 . Parameter estimation follo w-up on this trigger identi fi es its source as a binary black hole ( BBH ) merger with component masses ( )( ) = - + - + mm M ,36,29 12 4 5 4 4 at redshift = - + z 0.09 0.04 0.03 ( median and 90% credible range ) . Here, we report on the constraints these observations place on the rate of BBH coalescences. Considering only GW150914, assuming that all BBHs in the universe have the same masses and spins as this event, imposing a search FAR threshold of 1 per 100 years, and assuming that the BBH merger rate is constant in the comoving frame, we infer a 90% credible range of merger rates between – -- 2 53 Gpc yr 31 ( comoving frame ) . Incorporating all search triggers that pass a much lower threshold while accounting for the uncerta inty in the astrophysical origin of each trigger, we estimate a higher rate, ranging from – -- 13 600 Gpc yr 31 depending on assumptions about the BBH mass distribution. All together, our various rate estimat es fall in the conservative range – -- 2 600 Gpc yr 31

Mindfulness-based therapies for men and women with sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mindfulness based interventions (MBI) may be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction among men and women. A literature review identified seven trials for sexual dysfunction and MBI. Of these, four trials were Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) including a control-group wait list and three studies used within-subjects design. A meta-analysis synthesized the results across these trials which demonstrated an overall low to moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.55). Moderate heterogeneity between studies was evident with possible publication bias. Sub-group analysis revealed differences between study weights, where overall higher effect sizes were found among RCTs (d = 0.65) than within subject design studies (d = 0.27). However, within subject design studies tended to include pre and post-physiological measurements (e.g. vaginal photoplethysmography), which may provide a more precise evaluation of the benefits of MBI, rather than studies based on self-report measures only. This review identified a gender inequality in which clinical trials predominated among women compared to men with a 6:1 ratio. Whilst MBI looks promising, significantly more research is needed, particularly among men, so that science, practice and policy can develop an understanding of the potential benefits of non-prescription intervention alternatives, or as a biopsychosocial adjunct, such as MBI, in support of those experiencing sexual dysfunction