Wavenet based low rate speech coding

Traditional parametric coding of speech facilitates low rate but provides poor reconstruction quality because of the inadequacy of the model used. We describe how a WaveNet generative speech model can be used to generate high quality speech from the bit stream of a standard parametric coder operating at 2.4 kb/s. We compare this parametric coder with a waveform coder based on the same generative model and show that approximating the signal waveform incurs a large rate penalty. Our experiments confirm the high performance of the WaveNet based coder and show that the speech produced by the system is able to additionally perform implicit bandwidth extension and does not significantly impair recognition of the original speaker for the human listener, even when that speaker has not been used during the training of the generative model.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

One-pot, microwave-assisted synthesis of polymethylene-bridged bis(1H-1,2,4triazol-5(3)-amines) and their tautomerism

A highly selective and efficient method for the synthesis of 3,3’(5,5’)-polymethylene-bis(1H1,2,4-triazol-5(3)-amines) was developed using the reaction of dicarboxylic acids and aminoguanidine in an aqueous medium. This one-pot, microwave-promoted method was proved to be scalable affording the desired products in good yields and purity. The scope of the method was successfully explored by the preparation of a small library of polymethylene-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(3)-amines) with different alkyl chain linkers. The annular prototropic tautomerism in the prepared compounds was studied using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography

Benchmarking Metaheuristic Algorithms Against Optimization Techniques for Transportation Problem in Supply Chain Management

The optimization of transportation problems plays a significant role in supply chain management (SCM), where minimizing costs and improving efficiency are mandatory. The transition from manual methods to advanced computational approaches, such as metaheuristic algorithms, enhances decision-making and consolidates operations within SCM. Malaysia's transportation system has been confronting crucial challenges, characterized by congested roadways, limited rail connectivity and inefficient port operations, which interfere with the fluidity of goods and supply chain efficiency. This highlights the critical need for optimization techniques to enhance competitiveness and efficiency in the evolving SCM landscape. The research aims to explore the application of metaheuristic algorithms, with the Modified Distribution (MODI) method as the benchmark while employing the NorthWest Corner Method (NWCM) to obtain an initial feasible solution, to evaluate their performance in optimizing transportation problems. Metaheuristic algorithms, specifically Simulated Annealing (SA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), are implemented to explore alternative near-optimal solutions and assess the performance in terms of cost accuracy and computational efficiency. The results indicate that SA achieves a deviation of 12.92% in cost accuracy compared to the optimal MODI method, making it suitable for scenarios where precision is critical, whereas PSO which is 296.92 seconds faster, is ideal for time-sensitive applications. Finally, this study encourages future studies to explore additional algorithms, external factors and broader applications for enhanced real-world relevance and scalability to accentuate the potential of metaheuristic algorithms

Jerantinine A induces tumor-specific cell death through modulation of splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1)

Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is catalyzed by a large ribonucleoprotein complex known as the spliceosome. Numerous studies have indicated that aberrant splicing patterns or mutations in spliceosome components, including the splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1), are associated with hallmark cancer phenotypes. This has led to the identification and development of small molecules with spliceosome-modulating activity as potential anticancer agents. Jerantinine A (JA) is a novel indole alkaloid which displays potent anti-proliferative activities against human cancer cell lines by inhibiting tubulin polymerization and inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest. Using a combined pooled-genome wide shRNA library screen and global proteomic profiling, we showed that JA targets the spliceosome by up-regulating SF3B1 and SF3B3 protein in breast cancer cells. Notably, JA induced significant tumor-specific cell death and a significant increase in unspliced pre-mRNAs. In contrast, depletion of endogenous SF3B1 abrogated the apoptotic effects, but not the G2/M cell cycle arrest induced by JA. Further analyses showed that JA stabilizes endogenous SF3B1 protein in breast cancer cells and induced dissociation of the protein from the nucleosome complex. Together, these results demonstrate that JA exerts its antitumor activity by targeting SF3B1 and SF3B3 in addition to its reported targeting of tubulin polymerization

A one-pot, three-component aminotriazine annulation onto 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitriles under microwave irradiation

A one-pot, three-component, microwave-assisted reaction of 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitriles, triethyl orthoformate and cyanamide afforded novel 7-arylamino-substituted 4-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine-8-carbonitriles. The reaction proceeded in a chemo- and regioselective manner resulting in the successful amino-1,3,5-triazine annulation onto 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitriles to give 4-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine-8-carbonitriles. The operational simplicity of the method and high purity of the products, which can be isolated via simple filtration, make this approach attractive for the preparation of a library of compounds for drug discovery processes

Conflicts of Interest in Sell-side Research and The Moderating Role of Institutional Investors

Because sell-side analysts are dependent on institutional investors for performance ratings and trading commissions, we argue that analysts are less likely to succumb to investment banking or brokerage pressure in stocks highly visible to institutional investors. Examining a comprehensive sample of analyst recommendations over the 1994-2000 period, we find that analysts’ recommendations relative to consensus are positively associated with investment banking relationships and brokerage pressure, but negatively associated with the presence of institutional investor owners. The presence of institutional investors is also associated with more accurate earnings forecasts and more timely re-ratings following severe share price falls

Political transition and emergent forest-conservation issues in Myanmar.

Political and economic transitions have had substantial impacts on forest conservation. Where transitions are underway or anticipated, historical precedent and methods for systematically assessing future trends should be used to anticipate likely threats to forest conservation and design appropriate and prescient policy measures to counteract them. Myanmar is transitioning from an authoritarian, centralized state with a highly regulated economy to a more decentralized and economically liberal democracy and is working to end a long-running civil war. With these transitions in mind, we used a horizon-scanning approach to assess the 40 emerging issues most affecting Myanmar's forests, including internal conflict, land-tenure insecurity, large-scale agricultural development, demise of state timber enterprises, shortfalls in government revenue and capacity, and opening of new deforestation frontiers with new roads, mines, and hydroelectric dams. Averting these threats will require, for example, overhauling governance models, building capacity, improving infrastructure- and energy-project planning, and reforming land-tenure and environmental-protection laws. Although challenges to conservation in Myanmar are daunting, the political transition offers an opportunity for conservationists and researchers to help shape a future that enhances Myanmar's social, economic, and environmental potential while learning and applying lessons from other countries. Our approach and results are relevant to other countries undergoing similar transitions