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

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

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

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

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

Menstrual function and mental health of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a continuous cross-sectional study

Aim. To assess the impact of new coronavirus infection (NCI) and COVID-19 vaccination on menstrual function in comparison with the frequency of depressive disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic among female students of a medical university. Materials and methods. Data for a continuous transverse (cross-sectional) study were obtained using an online survey. The questions included demographics, characteristics of menstrual function, the history of COVID-19 and vaccinations against it, and the standard CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) questionnaire. The survey included 1.879 female medical students. The exclusion criteria were age under 18 and over 25 years, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, childbirth during the last year, and vaccination after COVID-19. After applying the exclusion criteria, three study groups were formed. Group 1 included female students with a history of NCI (n=140), group 2 included students with no history of NCI, who were initially vaccinated against COVID-19 (n=647), group 3 (control group) included unvaccinated students with no history of NCI (n=55). Results. There were no differences in the prevalence of changes in menstrual function in female students after the NCI (49.3%) and after COVID-19 vaccination (39.6%) compared to the control group (43.6%); p=0.477. The rate of depression in the overall study cohort was 43.3%, without any significant differences between the study groups. Significant predictors of changes in menstrual function during the pandemic were marriage (odds ratio OR 2.33 [1.513.61]), depression (OR 1.72 [1.282.3]), a history of menstrual dysfunction (OR 1.5 [0.121.99]), and later menarche (OR 1.76 [1.023.04]). Multivariate analysis did not show the significance of the history of NCI and vaccination as factors of menstrual dysfunction (OR 1.61 [0.892.90] and OR 0.91 [0.591.41], respectively). Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, female medical students reported frequent changes in menstrual function and depressive disorders. During the pandemic, the most significant predictors of menstrual disorders in female students were depression, a history of menstrual dysfunction, and marriage. A multicenter prospective study is necessary to clarify the mechanisms of the pandemic's impact on menstrual function

Assessment of oat varieties with different levels of breeding refinement from the Vavilov Institute’s collection applying the method of metabolomic profiling

Metabolomic profiling data obtained through gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry are presented. Thirty oat accessions from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic resources (VIR) served as the material for the research. Those accessions of Russian and French origin showed different degrees of breeding refinement: from local landraces (the early 1920s) and primitive cultigens (1920–1930s) to modern improved cultivars. Twenty-seven hulled and three naked oat varieties were selected for the study.The main objective of the work was to identify differences among common oat varieties with different degrees of breeding refinement at the level of metabolomic profiles. The resulting data reflected the metabolic state of oat genotypes with different ecogeographic backgrounds. They were compared to assess the content of main metabolite groups important for the formation of the crop’s stress resistance traits as well as nutritional, medicinal and dietary properties of oat grain products. The most informative indicators were identified (fucosterol, chiro-inositol, xylitol; undecylic, threonic, glutamic, ribonic and phosphoric acids; sorbose, fructose, glucose-3-phosphate, and myo-inositol), which helped to make statistically significant differentiation among oat accessions of different origin with various degrees of breeding refinement. Comparing metabolomic profiles of different oat variety groups (landraces, primitive cultigens, and modern cultivars, developed by Russian and French breeders) mirrored distinctive features of the trends followed by different plant breeding schools.This study showed that breeding efforts to improve biochemical indicators in oat grain would require the use of the genetic diversity found in landraces and primitive cultigens collected or developed in the 1920–1930s. This diversity is still preserved and maintained in the global germplasm collection at VIR