Signatures of Life Detected in Images of Rocks Using Neural Network Analysis Demonstrate New Potential for Searching for Biosignatures on the Surface of Mars.

Microorganisms play a role in the construction or modulation of various types of landforms. They are especially notable for forming microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS). Such microbial structures have been considered to be among the most likely biosignatures that might be encountered on the martian surface.

Development and evaluation of a novel topically applied sildenafil citrate hydrogel and its influence on wound healing in dogs.

Objective: To develop a topical sildenafil hydrogel and evaluate its effect on wound healing in dogs.

Animals: 6 purpose-bred, sexually intact, adult Beagles.

Procedures: Hydrogels containing sildenafil citrate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol, and poloxamer 407 were developed.

DILS: Demographic inferences with linked selection by using ABC.

We present DILS, a deployable statistical analysis platform for conducting demographic inferences with linked selection from population genomic data using an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework. DILS takes as input single-population or two-population data sets (multilocus fasta sequences) and performs three types of analyses in a hierarchical manner, identifying: (a) the best demographic model to study the importance of gene flow and population size change on the genetic patterns of polymorphism and divergence, (b) the best genomic model to determine whether the effective size Ne and migration rate N, m are heterogeneously distributed along the genome (implying linked selection) and (c) loci in genomic regions most associated with barriers to gene flow. Also available via a Web interface, an objective of DILS is to facilitate collaborative research in speciation genomics.

An artificial neural network-based model to predict chronic kidney disease in aged cats.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently causes death in older cats; its early detection is challenging.

Objectives: To build a sensitive and specific model for early prediction of CKD in cats using artificial neural network (ANN) techniques applied to routine health screening data.

Animals: Data from 218 healthy cats ≥7 years of age screened at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) were used for model building.

Source of Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret planthopper (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) in southern France and potential effects of landscape.

Cixiid planthoppers are considered of major economic importance, as they can transmit phytoplasmas responsible for many plant diseases. While thorougly studied in vineyards, the epidemiology of stolbur phytoplasma, transmitted by Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret, was rarely investigated on minor crops as lavender, where it leads to 'yellow decline' disease and large economic losses. The objective of this paper is to understand the effect of the local landscape characteristics on the presence and density of H.