Event generation and statistical sampling for physics with deep generative models and a density information buffer.

Simulating nature and in particular processes in particle physics require expensive computations and sometimes would take much longer than scientists can afford. Here, we explore ways to a solution for this problem by investigating recent advances in generative modeling and present a study for the generation of events from a physical process with deep generative models. The simulation of physical processes requires not only the production of physical events, but to also ensure that these events occur with the correct frequencies.

Early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in families with BRCA mutations.

Women at risk of breast and ovarian cancer due to a genetic predisposition may opt for preventive surgery or surveillance. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of surveillance in families with a BRCA mutation. Sixty-eight BRCA-families underwent surveillance using annual mammography, transvaginal ultrasound, and estimation of CA125.

Comparative study on the in vitro/in vivo estrogenic potencies of 17beta-estradiol, estrone, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol and nonylphenol.

The estrogenic activity of compounds was evaluated in a comparative approach both with in vitro and in vivo assays. By comparing simultaneously obtained experimental data, we evaluated the differences in response sensitivity (by EC10) and concentration-response relationships (including EC50) in order to get an idea about the predictive value of in vitro assays for in vivo estrogenic potencies or effects in fish. Two human estrogen receptor-based assays, the MVLN-assay (transformed MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line) and the yeast estrogen screen (YES-screen) were used for the in vitro evaluation of the estrogenic potencies.

Comparison of vitellogenin responses in zebrafish and rainbow trout following exposure to environmental estrogens.

In this comparative study, the suitability of the commonly used in vivo biomarker for estrogenicity, vitellogenin (VTG), upon waterborne exposure to known environmental estrogens is evaluated in both male zebrafish (Danio rerio) and juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The results from initial experiments in which both species were exposed to 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) or 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol under semistatic conditions for 3 weeks demonstrated a difference in species sensitivity for OP exposure. Additional dose-response studies (semistatic, 3 weeks) with 4-nonylphenol (20, 100, and 500 microg/L), bisphenol A (40, 200, and 1000 microg/L), dibutylphthalate (40, 200, and 1000 microg/L DBP), and 17beta-estradiol (20 and 100 ng/L E2) were conducted.

Effects of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol in a partial life-cycle test with zebrafish (Danio rerio): effects on growth, gonads and female reproductive success.

In this study, the impact of an exposure of zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) until 3 months post fertilization to 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2: 0; 0,1; 1; 10; 25 ng/l) was evaluated for growth and development, gonad development and body vitellogenin (VTG) content. After a recovery period of 5 months, the female reproductive success was evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in total body length, body weight, whole body Ca and P content and an increase in morphological abnormalities for fish exposed to 25 ng/l EE2 as a function of exposure time.

Effects of ethynylestradiol on the reproductive physiology in zebrafish (Danio rerio): time dependency and reversibility.

Environmental pollution with natural or synthetic estrogens may pose a serious threat to reproduction of wildlife species. This study describes the effects of 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) on fish reproductive organs in a laboratory model. Adult zebrafish were semistatically exposed to nominal concentrations of 0, 10, and 25 ng/L EE2 for 24 d and then transferred to EE2-free medium.

Reproductive effects of ethynylestradiol and 4t-octylphenol on the zebrafish (Danio rerio).

In this study, the impact of ethynylestradiol (EE2) and 4t-octylphenol (OP) on reproduction in zebrafish (Danio rerio) was evaluated using spawning and fertilization success, gonadosomatic index, and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels as endpoints. Adult male and female zebrafish were exposed under semi-static conditions to 5, 10, 25 and 50 ng/L EE2 and to 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 microg/L OP for 3 weeks.

Accumulation of metals in the tissues of three spined stickelback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from natural fresh waters.

Three spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were sampled from five different watercourses in Flanders (Belgium). Concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc were measured in water, sediment, food, and fish tissues. Considered as food was the taxonomic groups of macroinvertebrates predominately present in the stomach of the sticklebacks at the different sites.

Great and blue tits as indicators of heavy metal contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.

Although there are abundant data on heavy metal contamination in the feathers of seabird species and birds of prey, relatively few studies have addressed the use of passerine birds as indicators of point-source contamination. Concentrations of three essential elements (Al, Zn, and Cu) and two toxic metals (Cd and Pb) were determined in the outer tail feathers of great and blue tits (Parus major and Parus caeruleus), two small insectivorous passerines, at a presumed polluted site (in an urban area close to household waste incinerators) and at a reference site (in a nature reserve). For the great tit, both Cd and Cu levels were significantly higher at the polluted site than in the nature reserve.

Relationships between river sediment characteristics and trace metal concentrations in tubificid worms and chironomid larvae.

Surficial sediments, midge larvae (Chironomidae, Diptera) and tubificid worms (Tubificidae, Oligochaeta) were collected at 65 sampling sites located in four different river basins in Flanders (Belgium). Concentrations of the trace metals Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured in organisms and sediments by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sediments were subjected to a simultaneous extraction scheme to identify trace metal partitioning among various geochemical phases.

Effect of temperature on cadmium and zinc uptake by the midge larvae Chironomus riparius.

The effect of temperature (5 to 25 degrees C) was studied on the uptake of cadmium and zinc by larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius, using artificial chemically defined solutions. The influence of prior acclimation of midge larvae at five temperatures on metal uptake was examined. At all acclimation temperatures metal uptake in organisms increased with increasing exposure temperature.

Evaluation of effluent toxicity and ambient toxicity in a polluted lowland river.

The impact of an industrial effluent containing high loads of calcium, cadmium, lead chloride and sulphate, on a river ecosystem was assessed using a combination of an effluent toxicity test, an ambient toxicity test and an ecological survey. Only this combination of techniques made it possible to discriminate between the effects of the discharge and those of the background pollution. Each of the individual techniques detected essential effects which the other failed to reveal.

The risk of seclusion and the menstrual cycle in female psychiatric patients.

The alleged clinically observed association between the use of seclusion and the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle was studied in 113 consecutively admitted female psychiatric patients by means of a monitoring of oestrogen and progesterone levels, the use of seclusion, age, drug use, regularity of menses, and a history of hysterectomy. Twenty-one patients (18.6%) were in the luteal phase.

Effect of posture on hand preferences during experimental food reaching in bonobos (Pan paniscus).

The effect of posture on hand preferences was examined in an experiment with 5 bonobos (Pan paniscus). To obtain a food reward, the animals had to adopt 1 out of 7 different postures. These postures represented an increasing problem to the maintenance of body equilibrium.

Maternal differences in infant carriage in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas).

Infant-carrying behaviour was observed in two families of captive golden-headed lion tamarins. Although the young were raised in almost identical social situations, we found a reversed involvement of mother-father pairs in the amount of time they carried their offspring. In one case, the parental division of carrying behaviour was consistent with the standard description for callitrichids in that the adult male was the primary carrier.

Altitudinal variation of the thermal biology and running performance in the lizard Podarcis tiliguerta.

We studied, in the field and laboratory, aspects of the thermal biology in two populations of the lizard Podarcis tiliguerta along a 1450 m altitudinal gradient. Body temperatures (T) at high altitudes average lower, are more variable, but are more elevated above environmental temperatures than at sea level. Lizards partially reduced the impact of altitudinal changes in thermal loads through presumable subtle behavioural adjustments.

Monoclonal antibody against human ovarian tumor-associated antigens.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (OV-TL 3) were raised against human ovarian tumor-associated antigens for diagnostic purposes. A cloned hybridoma cell line was obtained by fusion of murine myeloma cells with spleen lymphocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with a tumor cell suspension prepared from an ovarian endometrioid carcinoma. The antibodies were initially screened for their ability to bind on frozen sections of human ovarian carcinoma tissue and a negative reaction on gastric carcinoma tissue by indirect immunofluorescence.

Dynamics of human renal tumor colony growth in vitro.

Two-layer soft agar cultures from 26 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 21 renal primary lesions and 5 metastatic lesions, were evaluated for tumor colony formation using both dynamic growth curves and static single time point colony counting. Dynamic growth curves markedly increased the number of evaluable tumor cultures. There was no relationship between colony formation and TNM stage of the tumor or renal vein invasion.

Cytopress: automated slide preparation of cytologic material from suspension.

This paper describes a new automated system to prepare slides of cytological material from suspension. The system collects material on a filter tape by filtration and transfers it to glass slides by means of pressure-fixation. Using cervical cells as a model, results show that a well-defined cell number is evenly deposited over a standardized area, while a small number of cells is retained on the tape and a negligible number lost in the filtrate.