Discovering Class-Specific GAN Controls for Semantic Image Synthesis

Prior work has extensively studied the latent space structure of GANs forunconditional image synthesis, enabling global editing of generated images bythe unsupervised discovery of interpretable latent directions. However, thediscovery of latent directions for conditional GANs for semantic imagesynthesis (SIS) has remained unexplored. In this work, we specifically focus onaddressing this gap. We propose a novel optimization method for findingspatially disentangled class-specific directions in the latent space ofpretrained SIS models. We show that the latent directions found by our methodcan effectively control the local appearance of semantic classes, e.g.,changing their internal structure, texture or color independently from eachother. Visual inspection and quantitative evaluation of the discovered GANcontrols on various datasets demonstrate that our method discovers a diverseset of unique and semantically meaningful latent directions for class-specificedits.<br

Role of cytokines in hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer ranks No. 5 in the world among all types of cancer and takes 3rd position among cancer-related deaths. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy which does not include liver metastases from other sites. It is the most common form of liver cancers, and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC includes genetically and morphologically heterogeneous group of malignant tumors. HCC is characterized by a gender predisposition, namely, it occurs in men 1.5-fold more often, than in women. Viral infections such as hepatitis B and C are major risk factors for HCC. Moreover, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes also becomes an increasingly common risk factor in developed countries. The mechanisms underlying the development of HCC are based on genetic changes in tumor cells and their microenvironment. Recently, the role of changes in the tumor microenvironment has drawn more attention, thus becoming the key characteristic in the HCC pathogenesis at all stages of the malignant process. Hepatocytes have a close relationship with immune cells, since in the liver, in addition to hepatocytes, there are Kupffer cells, myeloid cells (dendritic cells, monocytes and neutrophils) and other types of immune cells (T and B lymphocytes, NK and NKT, etc.). Cytokines released by various immune cells in the liver may influence liver processes, e.g., inflammation and carcinogenesis. Chronic inflammation results from persistent stimulation, or deficiencies of anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Its key features include immune cell infiltration, presence of inflammatory mediators, and imbalance of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines leading to aggressive angiogenesis and tissue remodeling which, in turn, promotes the malignant process. Currently, there are several approaches to the HCC treatment which depend on the stage of the disease. Immunotherapy and its combinations have shown positive advances, and further research in this area will provide therapeutic options at the terminal stages of HCC. A variety of cytokines and their functions in HCC development are discussed in the present review article

Input of Congress-Exhibition Services to the Economy of a Destination: Development of Assessment Methodology

Quantitative indicators of tourism development are presented: direct and common input of tourism to the global GDP, influence of the touristic sphere on employment and investment activity in 2015–2017. General approaches of tourism contribution evaluation to the destination’s economy are systematized. They are analyzed in the context of applicability in the meetings industry. In order to develop methodological system of evaluation of the congress-exhibition contribution to the destination development, set of indicators is proposed. It includes four basic groups with certain valuation factors: group of economical and social factors, group of connected with destination promotion to the national and world markets, group of business-factors, and group of research intensity factors of a destination’s industry sectors

Ординарные математические модели в задачах расчета параметров авиационных ГТД

The paper presents the analytical review results of the ordinary mathematical models of the operating process used to study aviation GTE parameters and characteristics at all stages of its creation and operation. Considers the mathematical models of the zero and the first level, which are mostly used when solving typical problems in calculating parameters and characteristics of engines.Presents a number of practical problems arising in designing aviation GTE for various applications.The application of mathematical models of the zero-level engine can be quite appropriate when the engine is considered as a component in the aircraft system to estimate its calculated individual flight performance or when modeling the flight cycle of the aircrafts of different purpose.The paper demonstrates that introduction of correction functions into the first-level mathematical models in solving typical problems (influence of the Reynolds number, characteristics deterioration of the units during the overhaul period of engine, as well as influence of the flow inhomogeneity at the inlet because of manufacturing tolerance, etc.) enables providing a sufficient engineering estimate accuracy to reflect a realistic operating process in the engine and its elements.Приведены результаты аналитического обзора ординарных математических моделей рабочего процесса, применяемых для исследования параметров и характеристик авиационных ГТД на всех этапах его создания и эксплуатации. Рассмотрены математические модели нулевого и первого уровня, нашедшие наибольшее применение при решении типовых задач расчета параметров и характеристик двигателей.Показано, что хотя используемые в ММД первого уровня подходы в своем классическом варианте и используют определенные допущения, характерные для одномерного идеализированного подхода (прежде всего, о неизменности характеристик узлов во всем диапазоне эксплуатационных режимов и условий на входе в двигатель), с помощью определенных дополнительных доработок они могут быть использованы и для расчетных оценок параметров и характеристик в реальных условиях работы двигателя.Продемонстрировано, что при использовании математических моделей двигателя первого уровня могут возникать ситуации, когда даже путем введения поправочных функций не удается с достаточной степенью точности отразить реальный рабочий процесс в двигателе и его элементах. В этих случаях следует использовать математические модели двигателя более высокого уровня

Математические модели высокого уровня в задачах расчета параметров авиационных ГТД

The article describes high-level mathematical models developed to solve special problems arising at later stages of design with regard to calculation of the aircraft gas turbine engine (GTE) under real operating conditions. The use of blade row mathematics models, as well as mathematical models of a higher level, including 2D and 3D description of the working process in the engine units and components, makes it possible to determine parameters and characteristics of the aircraft engine under conditions significantly different from the calculated ones.The paper considers application of mathematical modelling methods (MMM) for solving a wide range of practical problems, such as forcing the engine by injection of water into the flowing part, estimate of the thermal instability effect on the GTE characteristics, simulation of engine start-up and windmill starting condition, etc. It shows that the MMM use, when optimizing the laws of the compressor stator control, as well as supplying cooling air to the hot turbine components in the motor system, can significantly improve the integral traction and economic characteristics of the engine in terms of its gas-dynamic stability, reliability and resource.It ought to bear in mind that blade row mathematical models of the engine are designed to solve purely "motor" problems and do not replace the existing models of various complexity levels used in calculation and design of compressors and turbines, because in “quality” a description of the working processes in these units is inevitably inferior to such specialized models.It is shown that the choice of the mathematical modelling level of an aircraft engine for solving a particular problem arising in its designing and computational study is to a large extent a compromise problem. Despite the significantly higher "resolution" and information ability the motor mathematical models containing 2D and 3D approaches to the calculation of flow in blade machine components have found quite a limited application in practice of computational studies of the aircraft engines and are mainly used in designing the fans, compressors and turbines, as well as in verifying autonomous calculations of these units.В статье описаны математические модели высокого уровня, предназначенные для решения специальных задач, возникающих на более поздних стадиях проектирования и связанных с расчетом авиационного ГТД в реальных условиях эксплуатации. Применение повенцовых математических моделей, а также математических моделей более высокого уровня, включающих 2D и 3D описание рабочего процесса в узлах и элементах двигателя, позволяет определять параметры и характеристики авиационного двигателя в условиях, значительно отличающихся от расчетных.Рассмотрено применения методов математического моделирования (МММ) при решении широкого ряда практических задач, таких как форсирование двигателя впрыском воды в проточную часть, оценка влияния тепловой нестационарности на характеристики ГТД, моделирование режимов запуска и авторотации двигателя и другие. Показано, что применение МММ при оптимизации в системе двигателя законов регулирования направляющих аппаратов компрессора, а также подачи охлаждающего воздуха в горячие элементы турбины может позволить значительно улучшить интегральные тягово-экономические характеристики двигателя с учетом сохранения его газодинамической устойчивости, надежности и ресурса.Следует иметь в виду, что повенцовые математические модели двигателя предназначены для решения чисто «двигательных» задач и не подменяют существующие модели различного уровня сложности, применяемые при расчете и проектировании компрессоров и турбин, так как по «качеству» описания рабочих процессов в этих узлах неизбежно уступают таким специализированным моделям.Показано, что выбор уровня математического моделирования авиационного двигателя для решения той или иной задачи, возникающей при его проектировании и расчетном исследовании, является в значительной степени компромиссной задачей. Несмотря на существенно более высокую «разрешающая способность» и информативность двигательные математические модели, содержащие 2D и 3D подходы к расчету течения в элементах лопаточных машин, нашли достаточно ограниченное применение в практике расчетных исследований авиационных двигателей, а применяются, в основном, при проектировании вентиляторов, компрессоров и турбин, а также поверочных автономных расчетах этих узлов

Prof. Alexey V. Konarev (celebrating the 75th birthday)

On January 16, 2023 we celebrated the 75th birthday of Professor Alexey V. Konarev, Doctor of Biological Sciences, a renowned scientist in the sphere of plant biochemistry and molecular biology, one of the eldest staff members of VIR

Study of economically valuable traits and technological properties in maize from the Zea mays L. collection of VIR

Background. Innovative technologies for deep processing of grain are widely used in maize grain processing with the release of the grain germ for subsequent extraction of oil and starch from it or production of sugar substitutes in the form of fructose syrup and alcohol, bakery or feed protein. A search for economically valuable sources of maize starch, useful byproducts of its processing, and natural modification of starch for deep processing is vital.Materials and methods. Ten high-starch maize accessions from the VIR collection, isolated by IR spectrometry, were studied. Starch content was measured according to GOST 10845-98, GOST 13586.5-93, GOST 10847-74 and GOST ISO 6647-1-2015 standards. Processing of grain into starch and assessment of the content of amylose and byproducts were carried out at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Starch Products in 2018 according to L. P. Nosovskaya et al. The actual content of starch and its byproducts during deep grain processing was determined. The values of the actual percentage of dry matter (DM, %) in grain, mass fraction of starch, ash content, as well as the yield of extract, pulp, embryo, gluten, process water and starch were determined.Results. Accessions with a high yield of starch (k-4520, k-9301 and k-24730), germ (k-4520. k-8785 and k-24731), pulp (k-4520, k-8785, k-9991 and k-24732) and protein (k8785) were identified as well as those with a percentage of amylopectin in starch above 82% (k-24730 and k-24733) and 100% (k-5461 and k-9991), and amylose above 30% (k4520 and k-9301).Conclusion. Of practical interest in terms of the actual yield of starch (% DM in grain) are accessions k-4520, k-9301, k-24730, k-9991, k-5461 and k-4520. According to the results of breeding tests, accessions k-24730, k-24732 and k-24733 had the following values of starch harvest calculated for grain yield: 4.66, 4.41 and 4.18 t/ha, respectively

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition and size of starch granules in grain between diploid and tetraploid sweetcorn cultivars

Background. Improving the taste and nutritional value of sweetcorn using genetic selection techniques is an important trend. The tetraploid sugary maize cultivar ‘Baksanskaya sakharnaya’ (k-23426) has a number of advantages in terms of taste and marketability over traditional diploid varieties.The purpose of the research was to identify the distinctive biochemical characteristics that affect the taste of this cultivar in comparison with the diploid reference (cv. ‘Rannyaya Lakomka’, с-1775).Materials and methods. The differences in phenotypic traits between diploid (2n) and tetraploid (4n) maize plants were assessed. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the difference in the biochemical composition of kernels in terms of protein, starch and oil content. Accumulation of metabolites in a dry kernel was studied using gas–liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.Results. Comparison of the phenotypic traits in 2n and 4n sweetcorn plants showed that 4n had a better ear structure, protein and oil content. Analysis of metabolites showed that quantitative indicators of chemical components changed in kernels of the 4n sweetcorn without changing the qualitative composition. The chemical composition of the metabolites in 4n sweetcorn grain was characterized by an increase in the synthesis of most organic acids and protein amino acids, phosphoric acid, fatty acids, some monosaccharides, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. A decrease in the content of most polyhydric alcohols, disaccharides, trisaccharides, some monosaccharides, and phenolic compounds was observed. An inhibitory effect of a su2 gene dose on the size of starch granules was found. Conclusion. The studies showed the advantage of the 4n sweetcorn over the 2n one due to its improved ear structure and biochemical composition, which positively affected the taste qualities