Present Paper Research Articles

Explicit knowledge transfer of graph-based correlation distillation and diversity data hallucination for few-shot object detection

The performance of few-shot object detection has seen marked improvement through fine-tuning paradigms. However, existing methods often depend on shared parameters to implicitly transfer knowledge without explicit induction. This results in novel-class representations that are easily confused with similar base classes and poorly suited to diverse patterns of variation in the truth distribution. In view of this, the present paper focuses on mining transferable base-class knowledge, which is further subdivided into inter-class correlation and intra-class diversity. First, we design a graph to dynamically capture the relationship between base and novel class representations, and then introduce distillation techniques to tackle the shortage of correlation knowledge in few-shot labels. Furthermore, an efficient diversity knowledge transfer module based on the data hallucination is proposed, which can adaptively disentangle class-independent variation patterns from base-class features and generate additional trainable hallucinated instances for novel classes. Experiments on VOC and COCO datasets confirmed that our proposed method effectively reduces the reliance on novel-class samples and demonstrates superior performance compared to other state-of-the-art baseline methods.

The Limits of the Postcolonial Theory in the Caribbean Context: “Nearing Forty” as a Case Study

The present paper examines the limits of the postcolonial theory as a critical and historical approach to the Caribbean: its history, its literary and cultural products. To contextualize this examination, the paper starts by comparing the approaches of two contemporary historians to the region’s history, namely, B. W. Higman and Carrie Gibson who traversed and chronicled the region’s checkered past. The comparison aims to isolate the exclusivist-inclusivist dynamics at work in Higman’s linear approach in A Concise History of the Caribbean and Gibson’s episodic approach in Empire’s Crossroads: A History of the Caribbean from Columbus to the Present Day. The paper, then, addresses the analogous manifestations of these dynamics in literary criticism. Concretely, the dynamics are traced in the postcolonial critical approach to Caribbean literature via conducting a close reading of Derek Walcott’s “Nearing Forty” and a critical assessment of John Lennard’s ‘postcolonial’ reading thereof as a case study. The paper concludes with a call for similar reevaluations of the corpora of Caribbean writers and a critical (re)assessment of the attendant postcolonial readings that framed them for long. Being mainly library-based, this paper relies on books, articles, reviews, and interviews.

Study of cytotoxic performance of green-synthesized Co doped NiO nanoparticles over human breast cancer cells

The present paper presents a green method for the synthesis of pure and 1, 3, and 5% Co doped NiO nanoparticles (Co-NiO-NP) by using the aqueous extract of Salvadora persica. The synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed through PXRD, UV–Vis, FESEM, EDX, and Raman analyses. The results of PXRD, EDX, and UV–Vis affirmed the existence of well doped cobalt within the nickel oxide structure, which caused an increase in its particle size. According to PXRD finding, NiO have a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. FESEM images showed pseudo-cubic form for nickel oxide nanoparticles which this morphology changes with doped process. Raman outcome were assigned to the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon mode of NiO. UV–Vis outcomes presented a blue shift in the adsorption peak of NiONP after the doping of cobalt ions into nickel oxide structure. According to the performed MTT test on the toxicity effect of synthesized nanoparticles on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells, cobalt doped nanoparticles displayed a higher cytotoxic activity than pure nanoparticles. Therefore, we can approve the applicability of our synthesized nanoparticles in biological implementations and cancer treatment.

Эффективность ибрутиниба в первой линии терапии у пациентов из группы высокого риска и во второй, третьей линиях при резистентном течении хронического лимфоцитарного лейкоза

Risk stratification appears to be the most valid criterion in decision-making regarding optimal specific therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL International Prognostic Index takes account of unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities (del(17p)/del(11q) and/or TP53 gene mutations) as well as the mutation status of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) region genes. Unmutated V(H)-status is commonly associated with such prognostically unfavorable genetic markers as del(17p)/del(11q), trisomy 12, and TP53 mutation. The combination of unmutated V(H)-status with unfavorable karyotype abnormalities (del(17p)/del(11q)) negatively affects the prognosis and overall survival rate. Besides, in high-risk CLL, the efficacy of therapy is rather low, and the development of refractoriness is possible. Targeted therapy (Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors) both in first line and in resistant CLL considerably increases the probability of achieving long-term remission. The present paper provides the comparative analysis of clinical and hematological efficacy and tolerability of ibrutinib in first-line CLL therapy of high-risk patients as well as second- and third-line therapies of resistant CLL. Ibrutinib shows high efficacy and low toxicity. First-line ibrutinib treatment results in a faster response and effectively reduces the probability of CLL progression. Second- and third-line ibrutinib treatment allows to overcome CLL resistance without impairing patients’ quality of life.

A branch-and-price-and-cut algorithm for the unmanned aerial vehicle delivery with battery swapping

In the UAV-based urban delivery setting, the battery capacity serves as one of the key factors affecting the delivery range of drones. For a typical multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the maximum effective working range of a lithium battery for a single flight leg is approximately 20 km. In practice, the lithium battery is replaced each time the UAV completes a delivery, even though the remaining power of the replaced lithium battery is still capable of supporting the following flight legs. Therefore, the one-order-one-swapping strategy significantly brings down the battery utilisation as well as the efficiency of the delivery system. In the present paper, the UAV-based delivery problem with battery swapping decision is considered, where multiple en route pickup and deliveries are allowed. To obtain optimal decisions in terms of flight route, time and location of each battery swapping, a branch-and-price-and-cut algorithm is introduced. First we formulate this problem as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, and then decompose it into a master problem and a pricing sub-problem, where the master problem is considered as a set covering model, and the sub-problem as an elementary shortest path problem with resource constraints (ESPPRC). To speed up the process of column generation, efficient heuristics are also integrated to provide basic feasible solutions. In the pricing sub-problem, a combination of heuristic algorithm and dynamic programming is implemented to improve the computational efficiency. In the numerical experiments, the proposed algorithm is tested on various scales of UAV-based urban delivery instances, the performance of which is analysed and compared with the off-the-shelf commercial solver.

On matched asymptotic expansion solutions of a bucklewave propagation problem

AbstractIn the present paper, the method of matched asymptotic expansions is used to derive approximate analytical solutions to a model problem related to bucklewave propagation in undersea pipelines. The model problem, introduced by Chater, Hutchinson and Neale (in: Collapse – The Buckling of Structures in Theory and Practice (Thompson, J.M.T., Hunt, G.W., eds.) Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1983), consists of a linear elastic beam resting on a nonlinear elastic foundation, with inclusion of axial tension and inertia, related to a propagating buckle. When tension dominates over inertia, it is found that the asymptotic solution describing a propagating buckle has the character of nonoscillatory motion. When tension and inertia forces are of equal magnitude, or when inertia forces dominate over tension, the solutions are found to be oscillatory, but still localized around the bucklewave front. Finally, it is shown that when the propagation speed of the buckle exceeds a critical value, a spatial instability sets in, with exponentially growing amplitude of the beam deflection.

Гилтеритиниб — новая возможность в лечении рецидивов и рефрактерных острых миелоидных лейкозов с мутацией в гене FLT3: обзор литературы и описание трех собственных клинических наблюдений

Acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are the most ubiquitous of all adult leukemias. The prognosis of the disease depends on its genetic profile. The mutation in FLT3 gene, which codes FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3, is observed in 1/3 of patients and is responsible for a high rate of relapses. The prognosis of relapsed/refractory FLT3-positive AML is extremely poor. The standard intensive therapy rarely yields long-term responses. The new first- and second-generation FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors enriched treatment opportunities for patients with this mutation. Gilteritinib, a potent second-generation FLT3-ITD/TKD inhibitor, is a new effective and well tolerated drug for the treatment of relapsed/refractory FLT3-positive AML. Due to its efficacy, low toxicity, and good manageability, this drug can be administered to all patients, including the elderly or those with severe comorbidities and complications of previous therapy. Besides, this drug can be used in outpatient units. The present paper contains three case reports dealing with different clinical situations in patients with FLT3-positive AML treated with gilteritinib in real-world clinical practice.

Characteristic Features of the Novel Coronavirus Infection COVID-19 in Oncohematological Patients

Background. The novel coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is one of high-threat respiratory diseases, characterized by multiple organ disorders with primary respiratory failure and population mortality of 2–5 %. However, the mortality of oncohematological patients treated with chemotherapy is considerably higher.
 Aim. To analyze the COVID-19 treatment outcomes in hematological malignancy patients who received drug chemotherapy.
 Materials & Methods. The clinical course of COVID-19 was analyzed in 32 hematological malignancy patients aged 31–81 years (median 62 years). The disease onset was the date of the first positive COVID-19 PCR test. These patients were transferred to an infectious hospital specialized in the therapy of the novel coronavirus infection. Pneumonia was confirmed by standard radiography and CT. Blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, ECG, and respiratory rate were monitored. Moderate and severe COVID-19 was observed in 17 (53.1 %) of 32 patients. The condition of 15 (46.9 %) patients was described as good. For comparison, a control group was collected from 32- to 79-year-old (median 63 years) patients (n = 28) having hematological malignancies but no COVID-19.
 Results. Nine (28.1 %) of 32 patients under analysis died upon increasing respiratory and multiple organ insufficiency on Day 3–17 (mean 8,6 ± 4,6 days) from the first positive COVID-19 PCR test. Death was predominantly reported in multiple myeloma patients (n = 5) as well as in a patient with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. In the control group (n = 28) with similar hematological tumors but without COVID-19, three (10.7 %) patients died throughout the 12-month follow-up period. The present paper contains a case report illustrating the clinical features of coronavirus infection in a patient with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, a monoclonal gammopathy with primary bone marrow lesions.
 Conclusion. COVID-19 is a life-threatening viral disease with high mortality in patients with hematological malignancies, especially those with plasma cell dyscrasias.

Two Families of m-fold Symmetric Bi-univalent Functions Involving a Linear Combination of Bazilevic Starlike and Convex Functions

In the present paper, we define two new families $K M_{\Sigma_m}(\lambda, \gamma, \delta ; \alpha)$ and $K M_{\Sigma_m}^*(\lambda, \gamma, \delta ; \beta)$ of holomorphic and m-fold symmetric bi-univalent functions associated with the Bazilevic starlike and convex functions in the open unit disk U. We find upper bounds for the first two Taylor-Maclaurin $\left|a_{m+1}\right|$ and $\left|a_{2 m+1}\right|$ for functions in these families. Further, we point out several special cases for our results.

Beam theory of cellular microfilaments based on coarse-grained molecular force field

Microfilaments are the main component of the cell cytoskeleton and have a crucial influence on the morphology of living cells. The microfilaments provide mechanical support against applied loads and overcome competing forces that arise from various mechanisms, such as the elasticity of the cell membrane, binding reactions, and surface tension. However, modeling the mechanical properties of microfilaments is an open problem. In the present paper, we proposed a new continuum deformation energy density of microfilaments using the coarse-grained molecular force field and the local differential geometry of curves. In the new theory, the deformation energy density is a function of the microfilament’s strain and the curvature. This theory also unfolded the connections between the mechanical parameters and the coarse-grained force field. We found that the stretching stiffness and the bending stiffness are independent of the section of microfilaments. Microfilaments have a nonlinear stretching-bending term different from the classical beam theory. This means the classical beam theory cannot be directly applied to microfilaments with large deformations. Our theory provides the basis that the modified classical beam theory applies to the nonlinear mechanical behavior of cellular microfilaments.

The Role of Catestatin in Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a unique pregnancy disorder affecting women across the world. It is characterized by the new onset of hypertension with coexisting end-organ damage. Although the disease has been known for centuries, its exact pathophysiology and, most importantly, its prevention remain elusive. The basis of its associated molecular changes has been attributed to the placenta and the hormones regulating its function. One such hormone is chromogranin A (CgA). In the placenta, CgA is cleaved to form a variety of biologically active peptides, including catestatin (CST), known inter alia for its vasodilatory effects. Recent studies indicate that the CST protein level is diminished both in patients with hypertension and those with PE. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to review the most recent and most relevant in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies to provide an overview of the proposed impact of CST on the molecular processes of PE and to consider the possibilities for future experiments in this area.

Perechi accentuale în română și în engleză. Dificultăți în utilizarea lor de către studenții străini

The present paper aims to highlight distinctive characteristics related to teaching and learning Romanian as a foreign language, specifically focusing on two categories of words: false-friends and identical-meaning pairs, where primary stress shifts between Romanian and English. We focus on describing the stress system in these two languages, with both differences and similarities. The proposal presents an analysis of words falling into these two categories and illustrates the nuances of stress variation. Being aware of the difficulties experienced by foreign students while learning Romanian, we suggest a series of didactic methods and activities that can be integrated into Romanian as a foreign language course.

WHIM-синдром: обзор литературы и описание двух собственных клинических наблюдений в одной семье

WHIM syndrome (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis) is a rare genetic disease associated with activating germline mutations in the gene encoding chemokine receptor CXCR4. WHIM syndrome is manifested by neutropenia, lymphopenia, infections, and degenerative changes of mature neutrophils with bone marrow myeloid hyperplasia (myelokathexis). Some patients show hypogammaglobulinemia, persistent cutaneous, genital, or elsewhere localized warts. There are also cases of congenital heart defects. The present paper extensively analyzes genetic basis, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of WHIM syndrome as well as its treatment options. The paper reports two cases in one family.

СHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN METAL ANTIQUITIES FROM THE EXCAVATIONS AT MEDIEVAL NOVGOROD ON THE BASE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

The present paper focuses on the new results of elemental analysis of 94 metal objects attributed to the Christian and pagan artifacts. They have been found at the excavation of Medieval Novgorod and the Novgorod region. The analytical data obtained by EDXRF in the frame of interdisciplinary research project. It includes mostly pendant-crosses as well as the round pendants and mounts with Saints, fragments of the church polycandelons and the pagan pendant-amulets. Obtained results have been examined statistically. Tin-lead bronzes clearly dominate the selection. There are also mixed copper alloys (gunmetal) with tin, zinc, and lead and lead brass. The proportions of silver and pewter alloys as well as pure tin and lead are modest. Obtained data supplemented by further research on the base of Pb-isotope methods and ICP MS results and their geological interpretation will allow to trace the ore sources of the metal objects from Novgorod.

Breaking Barriers: The Role of 'Professional English and Communication' Courses in Medical Education

The present paper explores the significant role of effective English communication in enhancing the physician-patient relationship in multicultural healthcare settings. The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of a specialized "Professional English and Communication" course on the communication skills of medical students at East-West Teaching University in Tbilisi, Georgia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study included a quantitative survey and qualitative feedback from a cohort of 11 students, both native and non-native speakers, enrolled in the Medical Doctor One-Cycle Educational Program. During the 13-week course, students engaged in role-plays and discussions based on structured scenarios. Findings indicated the high effectiveness of the course, with students rating it as significantly impactful in improving their professional English and communication skills. Notably, students reported increased engagement and comfort in participating in class activities following the implementation of structured guidelines for role-plays. The study concludes by affirming the value of targeted communication skills training in medical education, particularly through practical activities such as role-plays. Feedback also highlighted the importance of a supportive and inclusive learning environment in promoting engagement and overcoming challenges. These findings have implications for designing similar courses to cater to diverse student populations in the medical field. Further research should explore the long-term impact of such courses on students' professional practices and patient outcomes.

Dynamic in situ measurement of axial segregation of E-CAT particles in a bubbling fluidized bed

The present paper summarizes comprehensive in situ measurements of the temporal segregation/mixing behavior of the non-spherical Geldart B and D E-CAT particles mixture in a bubbling fluidized bed. The experiments are performed for both unsieved and sieved E-CAT particles with varying particle size distribution width and at the fluidization velocity ranging from 1.3 to 5Umf. The high-speed pressure and image data were used to provide time-resolved quantification of dynamic expanded bed height and pressure drop during the experiment. In parallel, a hybrid machine learning-aided image processing algorithm has been developed for quantifying the instantaneous particle size distribution at varying axial locations. Results reveal that the segregation exists only at low fluidization velocities (1.3 and 1.6Umf) for unsieved cases with a wider size distribution. In contrast, particles with a narrower distribution exhibited well-mixed behavior for the full range of tested gas velocities. The segregation intensity and spatial extent were found to correlate with particle size distribution width and fluidization velocity, respectively. In addition, by analyzing pressure, expanded bed height, particle size and motion, and bubble characteristics, we provided a comprehensive multi-scale dynamic view of the segregation process. This in-depth understanding of the process, coupled with the time-resolved datasets obtained, can be instrumental for benchmarking numerical models in solid–gas multiphase flows and for optimizing the design of fluidized beds.

Variability in Chemical Composition and Biochemical Activities of Mentha x piperita L. Essential Oil, in Response to Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Heavy Metal Stress.

The present paper highlights the effect of Pb/Cd-stress and/or mycorrhizal colonization by Glomus Intraradices on yield, chemical composition, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of Mentha x piperita L. essential oil. Our findings showed that mycorrhizal colonization could be used to improve the essential oil yield of M. x piperita, either in non-stressed or Pb/Cd-stressed plants. GC-MS analysis revealed three chemotypes: linalool/pulegone (32.6/30.8 %) chemotype in essential oils of non-mycorrhizal Pb-stressed plants, menthone/menthyl acetate (30.3/25.1 %) chemotype in essential oils of non-mycorrhizal Cd-stressed plants and menthol (44.6 %) chemotype in essential oils of non-mycorrhizal non-stressed plants, mycorrhizal non-stressed plants and mycorrhizal Pb/Cd-stressed plants. The cytotoxicity of M. x piperita essential oil, evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay, was increased in presence of Pb/Cd-stress (from 379.58 to 72.84 μm/mL) and decreased in mycorrhizal plants (from 379.58 to 482.32 μm/mL). The antimicrobial activity of M. x piperita essential oil, evaluated by disc diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration against ten microorganisms, was enhanced by the mycorrhizal colonization and deceased by the Pb/Cd-stress. In conclusion, the inoculation of medicinal plants with mycorrhizal fungi is a real avenue for alleviating abiotic stress and/or increasing the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites in terms of biological activities.

Assessment of Financial Information Quality: Evidence from Tunisian Context

The present paper aims at assessing the financial information quality within Tunisian firms. We analyzed a sample annual data of 78 financial and non-financial Tunisian listed companies. We use the level of discretionary accruals and if the firm restate its financial statement or not as proxies of financial information quality. Our main results show that the financial information quality is globally low. We note a high level of discretionary accruals within financial firms compared to non-financial pears. We also find that financial firms are less likely to restate their financial statements compared to those of non-financial firms.

On perturbation of continuous frames in Hilbert C *-modules

Abstract In the present paper, we examine the perturbation of continuous frames and Riesz-type frames in Hilbert C * {C^{*}} -modules. We extend the Casazza–Christensen general perturbation theorem for Hilbert space frames to continuous frames in Hilbert C * {C^{*}} -modules. We obtain a necessary condition under which the perturbation of a Riesz-type frame of Hilbert C * {C^{*}} -modules remains to be a Riesz-type frame. Also, we examine the effect of duality on the perturbation of continuous frames in Hilbert C * {C^{*}} -modules, and we prove that if the operator frame of a continuous frame F is near to the combination of the synthesis operator of a continuous Bessel mapping G and the analysis operator of F, then G is a continuous frame.

Outlier detection using flexible categorization and interrogative agendas

Categorization is one of the basic tasks in machine learning and data analysis. Building on formal concept analysis (FCA), the starting point of the present work is that different ways to categorize a given set of objects exist, which depend on the choice of the sets of features used to classify them, and different such sets of features may yield better or worse categorizations, relative to the task at hand. In their turn, the (a priori) choice of a particular set of features over another might be subjective and express a certain epistemic stance (e.g. interests, relevance, preferences) of an agent or a group of agents, namely, their interrogative agenda. In the present paper, we represent interrogative agendas as sets of features, and explore and compare different ways to categorize objects w.r.t. different sets of features (agendas). We first develop a simple unsupervised FCA-based algorithm for outlier detection which uses categorizations arising from different agendas. We then present a supervised meta-learning algorithm to learn suitable (fuzzy) agendas for categorization as sets of features with different weights or masses. We combine this meta-learning algorithm with the unsupervised outlier detection algorithm to obtain a supervised outlier detection algorithm. We show that these algorithms perform at par with commonly used algorithms for outlier detection on commonly used datasets in outlier detection. These algorithms provide both local and global explanations of their results.