Consensus guidelines for the use and interpretation of angiogenesis assays

The formation of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis, is a complex process that plays important roles in growth and development, tissue and organ regeneration, as well as numerous pathological conditions. Angiogenesis undergoes multiple discrete steps that can be individually evaluated and quantified by a large number of bioassays. These independent assessments hold advantages but also have limitations. This article describes in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro bioassays that are available for the evaluation of angiogenesis and highlights critical aspects that are relevant for their execution and proper interpretation. As such, this collaborative work is the first edition of consensus guidelines on angiogenesis bioassays to serve for current and future reference

Neptune Odyssey: A Flagship Concept for the Exploration of the Neptune–Triton System

The Neptune Odyssey mission concept is a Flagship-class orbiter and atmospheric probe to the Neptune-Triton system. This bold mission of exploration would orbit an ice-giant planet to study the planet, its rings, small satellites, space environment, and the planet-sized moon Triton. Triton is a captured dwarf planet from the Kuiper Belt, twin of Pluto, and likely ocean world. Odyssey addresses Neptune system-level science, with equal priorities placed on Neptune, its rings, moons, space environment, and Triton. Between Uranus and Neptune, the latter is unique in providing simultaneous access to both an ice giant and a Kuiper Belt dwarf planet. The spacecraft - in a class equivalent to the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini spacecraft - would launch by 2031 on a Space Launch System or equivalent launch vehicle and utilize a Jupiter gravity assist for a 12 yr cruise to Neptune and a 4 yr prime orbital mission; alternatively a launch after 2031 would have a 16 yr direct-to-Neptune cruise phase. Our solution provides annual launch opportunities and allows for an easy upgrade to the shorter (12 yr) cruise. Odyssey would orbit Neptune retrograde (prograde with respect to Triton), using the moon's gravity to shape the orbital tour and allow coverage of Triton, Neptune, and the space environment. The atmospheric entry probe would descend in ~37 minutes to the 10 bar pressure level in Neptune's atmosphere just before Odyssey's orbit-insertion engine burn. Odyssey's mission would end by conducting a Cassini-like "Grand Finale,"passing inside the rings and ultimately taking a final great plunge into Neptune's atmosphere

MillionConcepts/marslab: v0.9.13

<h3>Added</h3> <ul> <li>Timeout for <code>poolutils.wait_for_it</code> and a hook for it in <code>bandset.bandset.make_look_set</code></li> </ul> <h3>Changed</h3> <ul> <li>Now permits <code>int</code> tick labels in <code>imgops.render.colormapped_plot</code></li> <li>Improvements to <code>imgops.imgstats.fhplot</code></li> </ul> <h3>Fixed</h3> <ul> <li>Index column in m3 target wavelengths in <code>marslab.compat.data.m3_target_wavelengths.csv</code></li> </ul> <h3>Removed</h3> <ul> <li><code>clize</code> dependency</li> </ul> <p><strong>Full Changelog</strong>: https://github.com/MillionConcepts/marslab/compare/v0.9.12...v0.9.13</p&gt

LITHOFACIES, FLOW DIRECTIONS, AND PRELIMINARY DEPOSITIONAL INTERPRETATIONS OF LEDGE-FORMING SANDSTONES AT ALAGNAK, JEZERO CRATER, MARS

International audienceThe Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is exploring a sedimentary deposit interpreted to be theremnants of a delta within Jezero crater, a 45 km diameter Late Noachian-aged crater. During itsexploration of the “lower delta” exposure of the western delta/fan in Jezero crater, Mars (Fig. 1), Perseveranceacquired image and composition data from Alagnak, a ~2 m thick, well-exposed outcrop of clastic sedimentaryrock located at Cape Nukshak (Fig. 1).This outcrop was thoroughly documented from multiple angles at a cm-scale by the Mastcam-Z camerasystem [1] and the Supercam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) [2] on the Perseverance rover. Dip and strikemeasurements of sedimentary beds were collected from 3D reconstructions of Mastcam-Z stereo-imagescollected using the Planetary Robotics software tools PRoViP and PRo3D [3].In this study, we examine the physical sedimentology and stratigraphic context of the Alagnakoutcrop. The preliminary depositional interpretation of Alagnak is as a prograding, subaqueous fan builtthrough the deposition of many, meter-scale, gravity driven, sediment-rich flows. Flow directions rangedbetween NNE and SW, with principal directions toward SE and E

LITHOFACIES, FLOW DIRECTIONS, AND PRELIMINARY DEPOSITIONAL INTERPRETATIONS OF LEDGE-FORMING SANDSTONES AT ALAGNAK, JEZERO CRATER, MARS

International audienceThe Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is exploring a sedimentary deposit interpreted to be theremnants of a delta within Jezero crater, a 45 km diameter Late Noachian-aged crater. During itsexploration of the “lower delta” exposure of the western delta/fan in Jezero crater, Mars (Fig. 1), Perseveranceacquired image and composition data from Alagnak, a ~2 m thick, well-exposed outcrop of clastic sedimentaryrock located at Cape Nukshak (Fig. 1).This outcrop was thoroughly documented from multiple angles at a cm-scale by the Mastcam-Z camerasystem [1] and the Supercam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) [2] on the Perseverance rover. Dip and strikemeasurements of sedimentary beds were collected from 3D reconstructions of Mastcam-Z stereo-imagescollected using the Planetary Robotics software tools PRoViP and PRo3D [3].In this study, we examine the physical sedimentology and stratigraphic context of the Alagnakoutcrop. The preliminary depositional interpretation of Alagnak is as a prograding, subaqueous fan builtthrough the deposition of many, meter-scale, gravity driven, sediment-rich flows. Flow directions rangedbetween NNE and SW, with principal directions toward SE and E

The formation of the fluvio-deltaic deposits of the western fan of Jezero crater, Mars, during lake-level fall

International audienceImages obtained using the SuperCam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) and the Mastcam-Z camera of the Perseverance rover provide in-situ observations of Jezero crater western fan in various locations along the traverse. At the current front of the fan, the most striking features observed are steeply dipping strata, with dips from 15 to 35°. They are composed of packages of planar beds of sandstones and conglomerates, 15 to 25 m in thickness, and 50 to 100 m in lateral extension. In two cases, we were able to observe from the ground conical forms with variations of dip azimuth from one side to the opposite side. These steeply dipping beds are capped by subhorizontal beds, composed of sandstones that are locally conglomeratic and cross-bedded. This architecture is interpreted as foresets (dipping beds) and topsets (fluvial beds) of a deltaic sequence, similarly as it has been observed at Kodiak from the landing site. In deltaic deposits, the topset-foresets transition marks the lake level at the time of deposition. We observe several of these transitions at various places and elevations, from the topmost location north of the Belva crater (-2410 m) to the lowermost elevations at Kodiak (-2500 m). In cross-section, these locations are located further away from the fan apex such as that they are interpreted as an advance of the delta on the crater floor by progradation during falls of the lake level (forced regressions). At the top of the whole sequence, boulder-rich conglomerates truncate the deltaic sequence, and may have formed by late-stage floods of uncertain origin (glacial melting, lake dam break, etc.), potentially disconnected from the lake activity. In summary, the visible part of the western fan records deposits predominantly related to the last stages of lake activity, rather than formed during the initial lake filling. Deposits from the latter may be buried, although some of them may be found in the Shenandoah formation that underlies the deltaic sequence

The formation of the fluvio-deltaic deposits of the western fan of Jezero crater, Mars, during lake-level fall

International audienceImages obtained using the SuperCam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) and the Mastcam-Z camera of the Perseverance rover provide in-situ observations of Jezero crater western fan in various locations along the traverse. At the current front of the fan, the most striking features observed are steeply dipping strata, with dips from 15 to 35°. They are composed of packages of planar beds of sandstones and conglomerates, 15 to 25 m in thickness, and 50 to 100 m in lateral extension. In two cases, we were able to observe from the ground conical forms with variations of dip azimuth from one side to the opposite side. These steeply dipping beds are capped by subhorizontal beds, composed of sandstones that are locally conglomeratic and cross-bedded. This architecture is interpreted as foresets (dipping beds) and topsets (fluvial beds) of a deltaic sequence, similarly as it has been observed at Kodiak from the landing site. In deltaic deposits, the topset-foresets transition marks the lake level at the time of deposition. We observe several of these transitions at various places and elevations, from the topmost location north of the Belva crater (-2410 m) to the lowermost elevations at Kodiak (-2500 m). In cross-section, these locations are located further away from the fan apex such as that they are interpreted as an advance of the delta on the crater floor by progradation during falls of the lake level (forced regressions). At the top of the whole sequence, boulder-rich conglomerates truncate the deltaic sequence, and may have formed by late-stage floods of uncertain origin (glacial melting, lake dam break, etc.), potentially disconnected from the lake activity. In summary, the visible part of the western fan records deposits predominantly related to the last stages of lake activity, rather than formed during the initial lake filling. Deposits from the latter may be buried, although some of them may be found in the Shenandoah formation that underlies the deltaic sequence

The formation of the fluvio-deltaic deposits of the western fan of Jezero crater, Mars, during lake-level fall

International audienceImages obtained using the SuperCam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) and the Mastcam-Z camera of the Perseverance rover provide in-situ observations of Jezero crater western fan in various locations along the traverse. At the current front of the fan, the most striking features observed are steeply dipping strata, with dips from 15 to 35°. They are composed of packages of planar beds of sandstones and conglomerates, 15 to 25 m in thickness, and 50 to 100 m in lateral extension. In two cases, we were able to observe from the ground conical forms with variations of dip azimuth from one side to the opposite side. These steeply dipping beds are capped by subhorizontal beds, composed of sandstones that are locally conglomeratic and cross-bedded. This architecture is interpreted as foresets (dipping beds) and topsets (fluvial beds) of a deltaic sequence, similarly as it has been observed at Kodiak from the landing site. In deltaic deposits, the topset-foresets transition marks the lake level at the time of deposition. We observe several of these transitions at various places and elevations, from the topmost location north of the Belva crater (-2410 m) to the lowermost elevations at Kodiak (-2500 m). In cross-section, these locations are located further away from the fan apex such as that they are interpreted as an advance of the delta on the crater floor by progradation during falls of the lake level (forced regressions). At the top of the whole sequence, boulder-rich conglomerates truncate the deltaic sequence, and may have formed by late-stage floods of uncertain origin (glacial melting, lake dam break, etc.), potentially disconnected from the lake activity. In summary, the visible part of the western fan records deposits predominantly related to the last stages of lake activity, rather than formed during the initial lake filling. Deposits from the latter may be buried, although some of them may be found in the Shenandoah formation that underlies the deltaic sequence

Three‐Dimensional Data Preparation and Immersive Mission‐Spanning Visualization and Analysis of Mars 2020 Mastcam‐Z Stereo Image Sequences

Abstract The Mars 2020 Mastcam‐Z stereo camera investigation enables the generation of three dimension (3D) data products needed to visualize and analyze rocks, outcrops, and other geological and aeolian features. The Planetary Robotics Vision Processing framework “PRoViP” as well as the Instrument Data System on a tactical—sol‐by‐sol—timeframe generate 3D vision products, such as panoramas, distance maps, and textured meshes. Structure‐from‐motion used by the Advanced Science Targeting Toolkit for Robotic Operations (ASTTRO) “Landform” tool and long baseline stereo pipelines add to the 3D vision products' suite on various scales. Data fusion with textured meshes from satellite imagery and 3D data analysis and interpretation of the resulting large 3D data sets is realized by visualization assets like the Planetary Robotics Vision 3D Viewer PRo3D, the 3D Geographical Information System GIS CAMP (Campaign Analysis Mapping and Planning tool), the ASTTRO 3D data presentation and targeting tool, and the Mastcam‐Z planning tool Viewpoint. The pipelines' workflows and the user‐oriented features of the visualization assets, shared across the Mars 2020 mission, are reported. The individual role and interplay, complements and synergies of the individual frameworks are explained. Emphasis is laid on publicly available 3D vision data products and tools. A representative set of scientific use cases from planetary geology, aeolian activity, soil analysis and impact science illustrates the scientific workflow, and public data deployment modes are briefly outlined, demonstrating that 3D vision processing and visualization is an essential mission‐wide asset to solve important planetary science questions such as prevailing wind direction, soil composition, or geologic origin

OVERVIEW OF THE MARS 2020 MISSION PERSEVERANCE ROVER THIRD SCIENCE CAMPAIGN: EXPLORING JEZERO CRATER’S UPPER FAN

International audienceThe objective of the Mars 2020 mission is to characterize the geologic history and astrobiological potential of Jezero crater, as well as to collect and document a suite of samples for potential future return to Earth [1]. Jezero crater was selected as the landing site for the Perseverance rover in part due to the presence of the exceptionally well-preserved “western fan” (Fig. 1). This fan was interpreted from orbiter images to be a river delta, formed in the late Noachian to early Hesperian in a lake that was once present inside the crater [2-5]. The Upper Fan Campaign is the third campaign of the Mars 2020 mission. It began in February 2023 (sol 708) with the rover’s arrival at the top of the fan front and ended in September 2023 (~sol 910) when the rover crossed into the Margin unit lining the inner crater rim (Fig. 1)