Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmental intelligibility of four currently used text-to-speech synthesis methods.

The study investigated the segmental intelligibility of four currently available text-to-speech (TTS) products under 0-dB and 5-dB signal-to-noise ratios. The products were IBM ViaVoice version 5.1, which uses formant coding, Festival version 1.4. 2, a diphone-based LPC TTS product, AT&T Next-Gen, a half-phone-based TTS product that uses harmonic-plus-noise method for synthesis, and FlexVoice2, a hybrid TTS product that combines concatenative and formant coding techniques. Overall, concatenative techniques were more intelligible than formant or hybrid techniques, with formant coding slightly better at modeling vowels and concatenative techniques marginally better at synthesizing consonants. No TTS product was better at resisting noise interference than others, although all were more intelligible at 5 dB than at 0-dB SNR. The better TTS products in this study were, on the average, 22% less intelligible and had about 3 times more phoneme errors than human voice under comparable listening conditions. The hybrid TTS technology of FlexVoice had the lowest intelligibility and highest error rates. There were discernible patterns of errors for stops, fricatives, and nasals. Unrestricted TTS output--e-mail messages, news reports, and so on--under high noise conditions prevalent in automobiles, airports, etc. will likely challenge the listeners.
SNAP‐25 is present on the Golgi apparatus of retinal neurons

SNAP-25 is a neuronal SNARE protein required for synaptic vesicle exocytosis and neurite outgrowth. Here we show that in addition to synaptic staining, SNAP-25 immunoreactivity is also localized to an intracellular, perinuclear compartment of retinal neurons. Double-labeling with an antibody against the 58 kD resident protein of the trans-golgi network indicates that the intracellular SNAP-25 is localized to the Golgi complex. Immuno-electron microscopic localization of SNAP-25 confirmed its presence on the Golgi apparatus of photoreceptors, bipolar cells, amacrine cells and ganglion cells in the retina. These data implicate SNAP-25 in the trafficking of Golgi-derived vesicles in neurons in addition to the synaptic vesicle cycle.
Trauma epidemiology and outcome in a developing country: perspectives from a university teaching hospital in Beirut

This study aims at evaluating trauma care at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre (AUB-MC) and comparing it to the norms established by the Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS). From January 2001 until January 2003, data necessary to calculate probability of survival using the Trauma Injury Severity Score methodology were collected. M, W, Z, Ws and Zs statistics were calculated to compare outcome at AUB-MC to the MTOS dataset. A total of 873 patients were included in the study. W statistics was calculated at 0.35 with Z score for the overall sample of 0.081 indicating that there was no statistically significant difference in survival between this group and the MTOS group. In a developing country a hospital achieves trauma outcomes similar to the MTOS dataset. Further studies looking at trauma care in Lebanon as a whole are needed.
Factors influencing the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination: a case study of Penang, Malaysia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors of environmental attitude, motivation, destination image, word-of-mouth, and perceived service quality to predict the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourist destination. It also aims to investigate the moderating effect of knowledge on the relationship between environmental attitude and the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourist destination. Design/methodology/approach Using survey design, 300 self-administrated questionnaires (both online/hard copy) were distributed to both local and international tourists at different tourism locations in Penang state in Malaysia. A total of 161 questionnaires were returned and analysed by using SPSS and smart PLS software. Findings The findings found that environmental attitude, motivation, and word-of-mouth significantly influenced the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination, while destination image and perceived service quality have not a significant influence in this study. Furthermore, this study proved that knowledge negatively moderates the positive effect of the environmental attitude on tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination. Research limitations/implications The findings offer important managerial implications for managers of tourism destinations and decision makers in understanding what motivates influence tourists’ intention in selecting sustainable tourism destination. The research scope was limited to convenient sampling and one city (Penang). Thus, the results could not be generalised to all Malaysia or other countries. Originality/value This research contributes to extending knowledge in sustainable tourism destination in the context of emerging markets, especially Malaysia. Moreover, this study found a way to examine the relationship between the environmental attitude and tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination.
Website Marketing Communication in Health Tourism: A Content Analysis of Website Attributes of Thermal Tourism Facilities in Turkey

The aim of this exploratory study is to analyze the effectiveness of website communications regarding thermal tourism and to evaluate the website attributes of thermal tourism facilities in Turkey. In order to achieve this aim, seven main categories (contact information, general information, facility information, thermal/medical and wellness services information, surrounding area information, booking and external contracts information, and technical items) and 55 sub-items are identified. Then websites are analyzed with a content analysis method. One hundred and sixty four thermal facilities in Turkey could be listed and accepted as the population. Systematic sampling method was used with a sample size of 33 thermal facilities. After the frequency analysis, results showed that most of the thermal facilities do not have an efficient website management in Turkey. Although official websites are very critical tools for effective marketing communication, thermal facilities are utilizing only a small potential of their websites.
THE INFLUENCE OF GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICE ON THE STOCK PRICE (Study on Company of LQ45 Index in Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2012-2016)

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengaruh secara parsial dari praktik good corporate governance (GCG) terhadap harga saham. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian eksplanatori dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Data yang digunakan adalah data perusahaan LQ45 melalui laporan tahunan perusahaan LQ45 yang terdaftar di BEI dengan jumlah observasi data masing-masing adalah 115 untuk setiap indikator dari tahun 2012 hingga tahun 2016. Hasil penelitian ini menjelaskan bahwa: 1) Indikator dewan komisaris berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap harga saham; 2) Indikator komisaris independen berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap harga saham; 3) Indikator komite audit berpengaruh positif namun tidak signifikan terhadap harga saham; 4) Indikator kinerja keuangan berpengaruh positif namun tidak signifikan terhadap harga saham; 5) Indikator kepemilikan manajerial berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap harga saham; 6) Indikator direktur independen berpengaruh positif namun tidak signifikan terhadap harga saham. Penelitian ini dapat memberikan informasi dan rekomendasi kepada perusahaan, investor, analis dan lembaga investasi dalam membuat keputusan investasi pada saham perusahaan di perusahaan indeks LQ45. Hasil penelitian ini agar pemerintah mengevaluasi atau memperbaiki indikator yang tidak signifikan yaitu komite audit, kinerja keuangan, dan direktur independen melalui pertimbangan yang berkaitan dengan kebijakan tata kelola perusahaan yang baik. Kata kunci: Good Corporate Governance, Harga Saham, LQ45 ABSTRACT The purpose of this study to analyze partially of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) practice on the stock price. This study used explanatory research with quantitative approach. Data used was data of LQ45 companies through the annual report that listed in IDX with number of data observation were 23 companies as sample of study during 2012 until 2016. The results of this study explained that: 1) The board of commissioner indicator had positive and significant influence on the stock price; 2) Independent commissioner indicator had positive and significant influence on the stock price; 3) Audit committee indicator had positive influence but not significant on stock price; 4) Financial performance indicator had positive influence but not significant on stock price; 5) Managerial ownership indicator had positive and significant influence on the stock price; 6) Independent director had positive influence but not significant on stock price. This study provided recommendation to companies, investors, analysts and investment institutions in making investment decisions on the company stock in LQ45 company. The result of this study for government should try to re-evaluate the indicator that not significant namely audit committee, financial performance, and independent director through consideration that related to the GCG policy. Keywords: Good Corporate Governance, Stock Price, LQ45
The effects of loyalty programs in services – a double-edged sword?

This paper aims to demonstrate both the positive and negative effects of loyalty programs. The study proposes a model to demonstrate why and how loyalty program strategies can result in good customer relationships and customer entitlement behaviors. Various configurations of three different loyalty program strategies are analyzed – tangible rewards, preferential treatment and perceived status. ,The authors’ hypotheses were tested by analyzing the survey data of 152 frequent flyer program members in China through partial least squares-structural equation modeling. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to test different configurations of the three loyalty program strategies. ,A net effects analysis demonstrates that loyalty programs are a double-edged sword. While loyalty programs can improve customer relationships, strategies based on perceived status have a positive relationship to customer entitlement, which may lead customers to expect extraordinary efforts from companies, such as greater discounts and extra privileges. Using fsQCA, the authors determined four sufficient configurations of high level of relationship quality and high level of customer entitlement, which also support their findings. ,First, this study expands the research on loyalty programs by providing an examination of their positive and negative consequences. Second, by proposing the configuration paths that lead to high level of relationship quality and high level of customer entitlement using fsQCA, this research enriches research on the net effects of loyalty programs, providing researchers and practitioners with a more comprehensive understanding of loyalty programs. Third, this research extends the concept of customer entitlement to the context of buyer–seller relationships by introducing perceived status as an important antecedent of customer entitlement and by identifying four sufficient configurations.
Angiographic embolization for liver injuries: low mortality, high morbidity.

OBJECTIVE Angiographic embolization (AE) is a safe and effective method for controlling hemorrhage in both blunt and penetrating liver injuries. Improved survival after hepatic injuries has been documented using a multimodality approach; however, patients still have significant long-term morbidity. This study examines further the role of AE in both blunt and penetrating liver injuries and the outcomes of its use. METHODS The medical records of 37 consecutive patients admitted from 1995 to 2002 to a Level I trauma center who underwent hepatic angiography with the intent to embolize were reviewed. Demographic and clinical information including Injury Severity Score, length of stay, mortality, intra-abdominal complications, admission physiologic variables, and the number and type of abdominal operations performed were collected. RESULTS Thirty-seven patients underwent hepatic angiography and 26 patients had hepatic embolization performed. Eleven patients underwent early-AE, immediately after computed tomographic scanning, and 15 underwent late-AE, after liver-related operations or later in their hospital course. There was a 27% mortality rate overall. There were 11 liver-related complications in the 26 embolizations. Excluding the early deaths, the associated morbidity was 58%, which included hepatic necrosis, hepatic abscesses, and bile leaks. CONCLUSION There is increasing adjunctive use of AE in patients managed both operatively and nonoperatively. Intra-abdominal complications are common in these salvaged patients with severe liver injuries. Those patients that underwent early-AE received significantly fewer blood transfusions and more commonly had sterile hepatic collections. Only 26% of patients required liver-related surgery after AE. Therefore, the integration of AE as an adjunctive modality for patients with high-grade liver injuries is a safe and effective therapeutic option.
Cloning and characterization of a gene whose product is a trans-activator of anthrax toxin synthesis

The 184-kb Bacillus anthracis plasmid pXO1, which is required for virulence, contains three genes encoding the protein components of anthrax toxin, cya (edema factor gene), lef (lethal factor gene), and pag (protective antigen gene). Expression of the three proteins is induced by bicarbonate or serum. Using a pag-lacZ transcriptional construct to measure pag promoter activity, we cloned in Bacillus subtilis a gene (atxA) whose product acts in trans to stimulate anthrax toxin expression. Deletion analysis located atxA on a 2.0-kb fragment between cya and pag. DNA sequencing identified one open reading frame encoding 476 amino acids with a predicted M(r) of 55,673, in good agreement with the value of 53 kDa obtained by in vitro transcription-translation analysis. The cloned atxA gene complemented previously characterized Tn917 insertion mutants UM23 tp29 and UM23 tp32 (J. M. Hornung and C. B. Thorne, Abstr. 91st Gen. Meet. Am. Soc. Microbiol. 1991, abstr. D-121, p. 98), which are deficient in synthesis of all three toxin proteins. These results demonstrate that the atxA product activates not only transcription of pag but also that of cya and lef. beta-Galactosidase synthesis from the pag-lacZ transcriptional fusion construct introduced into an insertion mutant (UM23 tp62) which does not require bicarbonate for toxin synthesis indicated that additional regulatory genes other than atxA play a role in the induction of anthrax toxin gene expression by bicarbonate.
Complex Permittivity and Permeability of Low-Temperature Sintered M-Type Barium Hexaferrite in Ka-Band Frequency Range

The magnetic permeability and dielectric permittivity of M-type barium hexaferrites (BaM) sintered at 920 °C with different additive amount of Bi2O3 are studied in Ka-band frequencies (26.5 ~ 40 GHz). The permeability and permittivity spectra of these low-temperature sintered BaM are determined for the first time in the millimeter-wave range due to their potential application in various millimeter-wave devices. The phases, microstructures and density have been also analyzed. The results show that there is not much difference in the permeability values, but the dielectric constant ε' is improved from ~9 to ~18, with the increasing Bi2O3 amount from 0 to 5 wt%. Besides, much lower dielectric loss can be obtained with Bi2O3 content in the range of 2-3 wt%. These low-temperature sintered BaM exhibit lower dielectric loss at Ka-band frequencies compared with that sintered at high temperature.
Curcumin (Diferuloylmethane) Inhibits Constitutive and IL-6-Inducible STAT3 Phosphorylation in Human Multiple Myeloma Cells 1

Numerous reports suggest that IL-6 promotes survival and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells through the phosphorylation of a cell signaling protein, STAT3. Thus, agents that suppress STAT3 phosphorylation have potential for the treatment of MM. In the present report, we demonstrate that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a pharmacologically safe agent in humans, inhibited IL-6–induced STAT3 phosphorylation and consequent STAT3 nuclear translocation. Curcumin had no effect on STAT5 phosphorylation, but inhibited the IFN-α-induced STAT1 phosphorylation. The constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 found in certain MM cells was also abrogated by treatment with curcumin. Curcumin-induced inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation was reversible. Compared with AG490, a well-characterized Janus kinase 2 inhibitor, curcumin was a more rapid (30 min vs 8 h) and more potent (10 μM vs 100 μM) inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation. In a similar manner, the dose of curcumin completely suppressed proliferation of MM cells; the same dose of AG490 had no effect. In contrast, a cell-permeable STAT3 inhibitor peptide that can inhibit the STAT3 phosphorylation mediated by Src blocked the constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 and also suppressed the growth of myeloma cells. TNF-α and lymphotoxin also induced the proliferation of MM cells, but through a mechanism independent of STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, dexamethasone-resistant MM cells were found to be sensitive to curcumin. Overall, our results demonstrated that curcumin was a potent inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation, and this plays a role in the suppression of MM proliferation.
A Study of Marketing Generalizations

This paper deals with what is known as opposed to what is thought about marketing. The distinction is not subtle. The knowledge of a field is defined in terms of scientific generalizations, whereas theory or thought is necessarily speculative. We argue that marketing generalizations logically precede marketing theories and that marketing generalizations are marketing knowledge.
Genetic homologies among nocardiae and other actinomycetes.

The extent of association between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from various actinomycetes with reference DNA samples from two strains of Nocardia erythropolis has been used as an index of relatedness. N. erythropolis, N. canicruria, and particular cultures designated as N. corallina and N. opaca constitute a genospecies, on the bases of ability to form DNA hybrid molecules and ability to participate in genetic recombination. The lack of reciprocity in the DNA reassociation assays involving selected strains of N. erythropolis indicates that the DNA from particular lineages possesses unique nucleotide sequences. The taxon Mycobacterium rhodochrous is heterogeneous and contains at least two discrete populations. The present results do not clarify the relationships of the N. erythropolis genospecies to the other nocardiae, streptomycetes, or mycobacteria. The differences in extent of hybrid DNA duplex formation at exacting and non-exacting incubation temperatures reflect the degree of matching between the comp.
Effects of exercise and steroid on skeletal muscle apoptosis in the mdx mouse

Reports concerning the influence of exercise loading and steroid administration on dystrophinopathy are inconsistent. To investigate the effect of muscle exercise in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), 15 control and 15 mdx mice, an animal model of DMD, were divided into free‐living (n = 6), exercise (n = 6), and immobilization (n = 3) groups. Free‐living and exercise groups were further divided into steroid‐treated and sham‐treated groups to evaluate the effect of steroid administration. We measured apoptotic changes by in situ DNA nick‐end labeling (TUNEL), DNA fragmentation assay, and Western blotting for Bcl‐2 and BAX. Apoptosis was most prominent in the sham‐treated exercise group, and it was significantly reduced in the steroid‐treated exercise group. The steroid‐treated free‐living group showed a higher rate of apoptotic change than the sham‐treated free‐living group. Apoptosis was minimized in the free‐living condition, whereas exercise loading and immobilization caused apoptotic change in this muscular dystrophy animal model. Steroid administration induced apoptosis in muscle of free‐living mice, but alleviated the apoptotic damage caused by exercise loading in mdx mice. These findings suggest that steroid administration may be effective in preventing a postexercise deterioration of skeletal muscle in animal models of DMD. Muscle Nerve 30: 456–462 2004
Reliability and validity of the soccer specific INTER field test

Abstract The aims of this study were to explain how the Intermittent Endurance Running (INTER) test is executed, describe physiological responses during testing, and evaluate reliability and content validity in this new soccer specific test. The test consists of 20 m shuttle running, interspersed with straight sprints, agility sprints, walking and resting. Shuttle run speed is increased at each level until exhaustion. Thirteen male professional players participated in the present study. Exercise tolerance time, distance covered, mean blood lactate and mean heart rate were 25:51 ± 2:41 min, 2892 ± 324 m, 5.5 ± 1.2 mmol · L−1 and 161 ± 11 beats · min−1, respectively, during the INTER test. Sprint and agility performance decreased significantly at higher levels. Eight of the players performed a retest for reliability evaluations. Mean difference ± 95% limits of agreement, coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for exercise tolerance time between test and retest were -00:41 ± 02:25 min, 2.5% and 0.75, respectively. The CV for sprint and agility performance between test and retest was <1%. The INTER test mimics soccer games on distance/time ratio, frequency of sprints, heart rate and blood lactate values, and could be an alternative field test for evaluating essential physical performance aspects in soccer players.
Practitioners perspectives on cultural sensitivity in Latina/o teen pregnancy prevention.

This study examined practitioners' understandings of cultural sensitivity in the context of pregnancy pre- vention programs for Latina teens. Fifty-eight practitioners from teen pregnancy prevention programs in California were interviewed in a guided conversation format. Three themes emerged in our analysis. First, practitioners' defini- tions of cultural sensitivity were consistent with existing models in the published research literature and focused largely on reinforcing the cultural strengths of Latino youth and families. Second, strategies for cultural sensitivity were complicated by tension between traditional Latino culture and the culture of pregnancy prevention programs. Third, practitioners identified a blend of personal and professional characteristics associated with cultural sensitivity among staff. We discussed policy and practice implications for Latino pregnancy prevention.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SATISFACTION WITH LIFE AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Modern organizations need dedicated employees who are engaged with their work. The theme of employee engagement has generated a great deal of attention among many human resource practitioners and academic researchers across the world. In this paper we present an analysis the relationship between satisfaction with life and employee engagement in a casual sample of 1006 respondents in Slovenia. Based on multipla linear regression analysis, we found that relation between satisfaction with life and employee engagement is statistically significant (F: 381.80, Sig.: 0.000). Among two evaluated multiple regression models, as the most appropriate, the multiple linear regression model with one regressors (satisfaction with life) and sample size of 1006. We found out that the engagement of employee would increase if the satisfaction with life increase.