Japanese Model Research Articles

Investigation of Japanese PnG BERT Language Model in Text-to-Speech Synthesis for Pitch Accent Language

End-to-end text-to-speech synthesis (TTS) can generate highly natural synthetic speech from raw text. However, rendering the correct pitch accents is still a challenging problem for end-to-end TTS. To tackle the challenge of rendering correct pitch accent in Japanese end-to-end TTS, we adopt PnG~BERT, a self-supervised pretrained model in the character and phoneme domain for TTS. We investigate the effects of features captured by PnG~BERT on Japanese TTS by modifying the fine-tuning condition to determine the conditions helpful inferring pitch accents. We manipulate content of PnG~BERT features from being text-oriented to speech-oriented by changing the number of fine-tuned layers during TTS. In addition, we teach PnG~BERT pitch accent information by fine-tuning with tone prediction as an additional downstream task. Our experimental results show that the features of PnG~BERT captured by pretraining contain information helpful inferring pitch accent, and PnG~BERT outperforms baseline Tacotron on accent correctness in a listening test.

Dominance and societal effects in HR practice transfer: the role of meso-level actors in diffusing and adapting the Japanese model in Indonesia

This article investigates how meso-level actors (MeLAs) contribute to HR practice transfer in diffusion and adaptation processes, drawing on the System-Society-Dominance-Corporate Effects (SSDC) framework to interpret the role of MeLAs in the transfer of the Japanese management model to the Indonesian automotive industry. We focus on two issues: i) the way Japanese MeLAs’ training regimes in Japan affect the diffusion of the model and ii) the coordinated Japanese and Indonesian MeLAs strategy in seeking procedural influence through knowledge-sharing and in facilitating transfer activities over how the Japanese model is adapted in Indonesia. Our research adds to our limited understanding of the significance of MeLAs in processes of diffusion-adaptation in emerging market economies characterized by weak regulatory regimes and asymmetric socioeconomic power relations. Drawing on interviews with 75 key informants across Japan and Indonesia, we explore the significance of MeLAs from corporate and labor spheres alongside those of non-corporate MeLAs. Theoretically, this study extends the SSDC framework by highlighting MeLAs’ influence in both diffusing conceptions of dominant management ‘best practice’ (dominance effects) and their role – and that of dominance effects – in shaping societal effects that inform how the model is adapted. We theorize the complex processes through which the effects identified in the SSDC framework are experienced by local actors, showing that they are neither monolithic nor mechanical in nature and thereby elaborating the inter-relationship in how dominance effects inform societal effects.

Nationalism in Japanese Historiography of the 1990-2010s

The object of the study is the phenomenon of Japanese nationalism in foreign historiography of the 1990-2010's. The subject of the study are the factors that historically formed the concept of Japanese nationalism and its modern perception by researchers. The Japanese political model and its components, including nationalism, are often subject to biased interpretation. Western approaches to Japanese nationalism almost always boil down to the fact that Japanese individualism is considered not as a kind of individualism, but as nationalism. The author examines the works of nationalism researchers who have used various methods and approaches to the analysis of this topic in order to compare the main models of nationalism in Japan and Western states. The author uses problem-chronological and comparative research methods. The novelty of the research lies in the author's comparison and study of the concepts of national identity and nationalism used in Japan by political elites to solve the problem of consolidating power, establishing state control over all aspects of the life of Japanese society, as well as combating external threats. The study of a country with a non-Western political culture demonstrates that if in Western approaches "nationalism" is usually defined as a phenomenon, a sense of solidarity arising from a common historical experience, then nationalism in the Japanese sense is an ideological mixture of militaristic, industrial and reformist aspects of the national idea and contains many complex factors. In addition to Japanese researchers, the author also studied the works of Russian and Western researchers.

Performance and reliability of exhaust gas recovery units for marine engines

Although the marine diesel engine market is dominated by slow-coupled two-stroke engines with a direct coupling system and a crossover system or four-stroke engines with medium or high speeds, equipped with a reversing system, there is a hybrid variant that has always been used by the market in Japan and East Asia, especially by coastal or fishing operators. These are four-stroke slow engines. These types of engines are a specialty specific to the Japanese profile industry, being characterized by a simple and robust construction and fairly long piston strokes. The rated speeds of these motors do not exceed 200 rpm, which allows direct coupling to the propeller, eliminating the need for a reduction system. Compared to equivalent engines on the US or EU market, where medium or high speed four-stroke engines are preferred, the Japanese model has 6-cylinder in-line configurations, and the piston diameters of these engines may vary depending on the need for on market. For example, Akasaka Diesel built engines of the same type using piston diameters ranging from 220 mm to 510 mm, all with in-line 6-cylinder configuration.

Dominance and Societal Effects in Human Resource Practice Transfer

This paper investigates how meso-level actors (MeLAs) contribute to human resources (HR) practice transfer in diffusion and adaptation processes, drawing on the System-Society-Dominance-Corporate Effects (SSDC) theoretical framework to interpret the role of MeLAs in the transfer of the Japanese management model to the Indonesian automotive industry. We focus on two issues: i) the way Japanese MeLAs’ training regimes in Japan contribute to the understanding and diffusion of the model and ii) the coordinated strategy of both Japanese and Indonesian MeLAs in seeking procedural influence through intelligence-sharing and lobbying activities over how the Japanese model is adapted in Indonesia. Our research adds to our limited understanding of the significance of MeLAs in processes of diffusion-adaptation in emerging market economies characterized by weak regulatory regimes and asymmetric economic power relations. Drawing on interviews with 75 key informants in Japan and Indonesia, we explore the significance of MeLAs from corporate and labor spheres alongside those of non-corporate MeLAs such as non-governmental and quasi-governmental organizations. The study elaborates the SSDC framework by highlighting MeLAs’ influence in both diffusing conceptions of dominant management ‘best practice’ (dominance effects) and their role – and that of dominance effects – in shaping societal effects that inform how the model is adapted. We theorize the complex processes through which the effects identified in the SSDC framework are experienced by local actors, showing that they are neither monolithic nor mechanical in nature and thereby elaborating the inter-relationship in how dominance effects inform societal effects.

Before localization: the story of the electric rice cooker in South Korea

ABSTRACT The commonplace way to tell the global history of the electric rice cooker is to begin with its invention in Japan, then trace its adaptation and localization as it spread through the Asian region. This article focuses on the period before the 1990s, when rice cookers in South Korea remained inferior imitations of the Japanese models. After the introduction of the rice cooker in 1965, the South Korean engineers continued to see the Japanese rice cookers as a preferred goal that they should strive to imitate. Even the national project to overcome South Korea’s reliance on Japanese rice cookers consciously aimed to copy the Japanese rice cooker as closely as possible. This episode will show that there are interesting stories to tell about imitation and replication, which required a lot more planning and technological expertise than one might expect. Thus, conscious efforts to copy foreign technologies can serve as a useful site of historical inquiry.

The ‘Japanization’ debate from 1980 to 2000

The industrial success of Japan in the latter half of the twentieth century led to great interest in the Japanese management model and its associated concepts such as kaizen, JIT, and satei. When Japanese companies began expanding into the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries, a debate ensued about whether the Japanese management model could be successfully transferred to Western firms. This transference was often termed the Japanization of the West. The debate was at its prime from 1980 to 2000. After outlining the key features of the Japanese model, this paper reviews relevant literature from the period to determine the prominent positions and arguments presented in the debate. The paper concludes by identifying several main themes reflected in the controversy and questioning the usefulness of the blanket term Japanization in examining the transference of the Japanese model to the West.

Comparisons between US norm-based two-component and Japanese norm-based three-component SF-36 summary scores in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

We compared the US norm-based two-component vs. Japanese norm-based three-component summary scores of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One hundred fourteen Japanese SLE patients were studied. SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were computed by the US norm-based two-component (US2) and Japanese norm-based three-component (JP3) models, respectively, and compared. Their association with demographics and disease characteristics was also analysed. The US2-PCS scores were significantly higher than the JP3-PCS scores (p < .001); however, the US2-MCS and JP3-MCS scores were not significantly different (p = .16). Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated that the US2-PCS scores were generally higher than the JP3-PCS scores, and their difference was larger in the subjects with lower PCS scores. However, the multiple linear regression analyses for the PCS and MCS scores computed by the different models demonstrated mostly equivalent standardized regression coefficients with the variables. Although the agreement between the US norm-based two-component and Japanese norm-based three-component models of the SF-36 was insufficient, their scores demonstrated similar associations with other variables. The application of the US original version could be acceptable in certain studies depending on the research question.

Practical seismic fragility estimation of Japanese railway embankments using three seismic intensity measures

This study proposes a practical fragility estimation equation for Japanese standard models of railway embankments using the peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and Arias intensity. The analytical models were implemented as unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced embankment models. A sensitivity analysis of the seismic fragility estimation of the embankment models was conducted on various embankment heights, average values of friction angles in the backfill soil, and tensile strengths of the primary reinforcement. Consequently, a unique formula for the fragility function in the presence of different seismic intensities was successfully presented. The parameters of the fragility function were successfully estimated using commonly used design parameters, such as the embankment height, average value of the friction angle of the backfill soil, and average value of the tensile strength. Additionally, another sensitivity analysis using different seismic databases was conducted to explore the effect of the seismic database on the fragility curve estimation of railway embankments. As a result, using different seismic databases, different fragility curves were obtained. These results highlight the importance of checking the sensitivity of the seismic database when developing the fragility curve.

320-OR: Maternal Overnutrition Confers Increased Spare Respiratory Capacity and Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Nonhuman Primate Offspring Islets

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis states that the intrauterine environment influences postnatal health and adult disease susceptibility. In the United States, over 30% of women of childbearing age are obese, in part due to Western Style Diet (WSD) consumption. Previous data from our group using a Japanese macaque model, revealed that maternal overnutrition increases the β:α cell ratio in the islets of offspring. WSD-exposed offspring islets also exhibit inappropriate hypersecretion of insulin in response to glucose at 1 and 3 years of age. We hypothesize that fetal exposure to WSD induces a compensatory increase in β-cell fuel metabolism resulting in an inappropriate increase in insulin secretion by offspring islets. When we assessed the effect of maternal diet on mitochondrial respiration in offspring islets, we found that spare respiratory capacity is increased in islets of one year old WSD-exposed male offspring, suggesting an increased capacity to adapt to increased metabolic demand. This could be due to increased mitochondrial abundance; however, maternal overnutrition does not appear to increase β cell mitochondrial density when analyzed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) . Insulin granule density is increased in male offspring islets in TEM micrographs, implying that insulin production is increased in response to intrauterine WSD exposure. Transcripts for CACNA1C (voltage gated calcium channel subunit) , ABCC8 (ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit) , and VAMP2 (vesicle fusion) are increased in response to maternal WSD exposure in offspring islets. Thus, our data suggest that increases in insulin secretion in offspring exposed to maternal overnutrition result from changes in metabolic and secretion pathways. Importantly, these mechanisms could potentiate hyperinsulinism which may predispose offspring to insulin resistance and beta cell failure in adulthood. Disclosure D.T. Carroll: None. V.F. Ricciardi: None. J.C. Dunn: None. S.R. Lindsley: None. T. Dean: None. M. Kirigiti: None. S.R. Wesolowski: None. C.E. McCurdy: None. P. Kievit: Research Support; Novo Nordisk A/S. J.E. Friedman: None. M. Gannon: None. Funding NIH-NIDDK (5T32 DK7563-30, R24DK090964-06, 1R01DK128187)

Recent improvements of probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis code PASCAL for reactor pressure vessels

A probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis code PASCAL was developed in Japan for probabilistic integrity assessment of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) considering neutron irradiation embrittlement and pressurized thermal shock (PTS) transients. To strengthen the practical applications of PFM methodology in Japan, PASCAL has been upgraded to a new version, PASCAL5, which enables PFM analyses of RPVs in both PWRs and boiling water reactors (BWRs) subjected to a broad range of transients, including PTS and normal operational transients. In this paper, the recent improvements in PASCAL5 are described such as the incorporated stress intensity factor solutions and corresponding calculation methods for external surface cracks and embedded cracks near the RPV outer surface. In addition, the analysis conditions and evaluation models recommended for PFM analyses of Japanese RPVs in BWRs are investigated. Finally, PFM analysis examples for core region of a Japanese BWR-type model RPV subjected to two transients (i.e., low-temperature over pressure and heat-up transients) are presented using PASCAL5.

Development and evaluation of a Japanese prediction model for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery

BackgroundLow anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is the most common complication after rectal cancer resection. We aimed to identify LARS' predictive factors and construct and evaluate a predictive model for LARS.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with rectal cancer more than 1 year after laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. We administered a questionnaire to evaluate the degree of LARS. In addition, we examined clinical characteristics with univariate and multivariate analysis to identify predictive factors for major LARS. Finally, we divided the obtained data into a learning set and a validation set. We constructed a predictive model for major LARS using the learning set and assessed the predictive accuracy of the validation set.ResultsWe reviewed 160 patients with rectal cancer and divided them into a learning set (n = 115) and a validation set (n = 45). Univariate and multivariate analyses in the learning set showed that male (odds ratio [OR]: 2.88, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.11–8.09, p = 0.03), age < 75 years (OR: 5.87, 95%CI 1.14–47.25, p = 0.03) and tumors located < 8.5 cm from the AV (OR: 7.20, 95%CI 2.86–19.49, p < 0.01) were significantly related to major LARS. A prediction model based on the patients in the learning set was well-calibrated.ConclusionsWe found that sex, age, and tumor location were independent predictors of major LARS in Japanese patients that underwent rectal cancer surgery. Our predictive model for major LARS could aid medical staff in educating and treating patients with rectal cancer before and after surgery.

Perception of Hidden Confidence in Neutral Expressions: Interactions of Facial Attractiveness, Self-Esteem, and Names to Be Addressed by

Even when a person is portraying a neutral expression, their internal feelings can be reflected subtly on their face, and observers can perceive them. A previous study took facial photographs of female models while wearing attractive and unattractive clothing. Although the models displayed neutral expressions for both cases, their faces while wearing attractive clothing were perceived as more attractive because, it was argued, the attractive clothing raised their confidence, which was observable on the neutral faces. The present study aimed to replicate this. Envisaging being addressed by a specific name (given name, nickname, and formal title) are used to alter the models’ internal states instead of clothing. Twenty-one Japanese models took three photographs of their faces while imagining (1) being addressed by names they like, (2) being addressed by names they dislike, and (3) being addressed by their surnames with titles. A number of Japanese observers viewed three images of the same model at once and ordered them according to their attractiveness (Study 1) and confidence (Study 2). The images in condition (1) were perceived as more attractive/confident than other images. This suggests that being addressed by the name we like can raise our confidence momentarily, and it reflects subtly in neutral expressions.

THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES AND PROSPECTS OF USING MODELS OF FUNCTIONING OF SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

The article considers the features, disadvantages and advantages of existing models of socially responsible business. The state of socially responsible business in Ukraine is also analyzed, the main obstacles to development are identified. Based on the results obtained, ways to overcome obstacles and prospects for dissemination are proposed. The main incentives for the implementation of CSR would be the introduction of preferential taxation, reducing administrative pressure on local authorities and providing them with proposals for social development programs in the region. In the context of globalization of the modern market, an increasing number of large enterprises in developed countries are paying attention to issues of socially oriented business. Corporate citizens, along with their core business activities, carry out activities aimed at solving social, environmental and other problems in the community. Corporate social responsibility is beginning to be used as one of the indicators of ensuring the competitiveness of the enterprise. Such changes in the socio-economic environment require a more detailed analysis of the criteria of socially responsible and socially oriented business to build an effective model of operation of the entity. In world practice, there are several models of socially responsible business, due to national and cultural characteristics of doing business. They correspond to three models of corporate governance. These are American, European and Japanese models. These models of CSR are quite common and are based on the cultural traditions of countries, economic and environmental situation. As for Ukrainian enterprises, companies do not perceive CSR as a policy that is integrated into the company's business strategy and is a factor of competitive advantage in the market. To develop CSR, it is necessary to develop a legal framework that would promote these activities, raise awareness of responsible business behavior, introduce CSR courses in university programs and increase the participation of business associations in promoting practices.

The Influence of Japanese Colonialism on Post-Independence Indonesian Radio

This paper revisits the history of Indonesian broadcasting, focusing particularly on the broadcasting model implemented during the Japanese occupation (1942–1945) and its influence on broadcast organizations in the post-independence era. Taking into consideration four elements of broadcast governance—remit, structure, ownership, and funding—this study examines how the Japanese colonial model of radio became the model used by the Radio of the Republic of Indonesia. Examining the broadcast policies of colonial Japan and post-independence Indonesia, this paper finds policy connections between these countries’ broadcast systems. Japanese colonial policy remained evident in the management of Indonesia’s radio in the early independence era, particularly in the use of autocratic political propaganda and centralized control of media content. Even today, the military media of colonial Japan continues to influence how broadcasters serve Indonesia’s national interests. This paper fills the gap in the literature on how Japanese colonialism has affected broadcast systems of Asia.

General Education in University of Korea and Korean History

With the so-called 4&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; Industrial Revolution, the speed of technology development is getting faster, while at rhe same time the polarization of labor market is getting worse. Therefore mid-skilled management layer is disappearing and the middle class is collapsing. There is no place to which humanities graduates to go and on the whole the humanities finds itself in crisis at university. After the modern university was established in Europe, general education had been understood as a essential device to secure criticism and universalities of university education. But with the crisis of humanities, the status of general education now stands on shaky ground. After the Korean liberation from Japan, value neutrality and marginality was strengthened and deepened in general education at university of Korea as the Japanese and American general education model was mixing together. The study of Korean history expanded tremendously in general education, when it was designated as a legal general education subject in 1974. For that reason, nationalistic nature of Korean history was strengthened and to some degree maintained after it was released from the legal ties in 1989. However the foundation of modern historiography is now fundamentally shaky. Thus we are in desperate need to seek a Korean history general education that can cultivate criticism, universality and imagination.

Corporate social responsibility in banking institutions: foreign experience

Abstract. Introduction. The study examines the development of corporate social responsibility in banking institutions around the world. It is established that the foreign experience of corporate social responsibility is diverse, as it is related to the historical conditions of development and the peculiarities of the country's mentality. It has been found that in continental European countries, the concept of CSR has been more widely interpreted in the relationship between society and business; the American model of social responsibility implies greater independence of corporations; in continental Europe, there is a hidden form of corporate social responsibility; The Chinese model of corporate social responsibility is a hybrid of continental and American models; the Japanese model of corporate social responsibility is focused on the internal environment of the city's enterprise and assumes that the company has a solidary reputation. The analysis of the directions of development of corporate social responsibility of foreign banking institutions is carried out. As for Ukraine, the most common areas of CSR, including in the banking sector, are: conscientious payment of taxes, compliance with the law, charity. While enterprises of foreign origin, in addition to the above aspects, also see compliance with civil society, care for the environment, care for employees and more.It is proved that all these models of corporate social responsibility describe a different conceptual understanding of the goals of the organization, its society, the relationship of the organization with its internal and external environment. Based on this understanding, the organization can use various tools of corporate social responsibility to achieve its strategic goals.

Impact of climate change on forest resources: Case of Quercus rotundifolia, Tetraclinis articulata, Juniperus phoenicea, J. oxycedrus, J. thurifera and Pinus halepensis

Forest resources in the Ourika watershed are subject to several anthropogenic and climatic degradation factors. As for the human factor, this degradation of forest resources is explained by the bad practices exercised by the local population expressed by the cutting of live wood, carbonization, and overgrazing. In terms of the climatic factor, the decrease in the amount of rainfall and the increase in temperature contribute to the exacerbation of the degradation of these resources. In order to better understand the evolution of plant cover in a changing climate context, this study highlights an assessment of the impact of climate change on forest dynamics based on a process-based model at the forest landscape scale which makes it possible to simulate the changes according to growth, succession, disturbances (fire, wind, insects, etc), forest management, and land use change. This analysis is based on the use of the LANDIS-II model and the PnET-succession extension. Projections of the dynamics of forest communities are made using climate projections from the Japanese global circulation model adopted by Morocco (model for interdisciplinary research on climate – earth system models) and this by adopting the two climate scenarios , representative concentration pathways 4.5 and 8.5. The results obtained highlight the spatial distribution of the ecosystems studied after 100 years with a quantitative evaluation of the total average biomass of these resources as a function of climatic disturbances. In general, the estimated total biomass will decline over the coming years under the joint effect of the climate change and the aging of forest stands, while on the other hand, the distribution of potential areas for species settlement remains independent of the effect of these climate changes.

АНАЛІЗ ЦІЛЕЙ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ В КОНТЕКСТІ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ МІЖНАРОДНИХ КОРПОРАТИВНИХ МОДЕЛЕЙ

АНАЛІЗ ЦІЛЕЙ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ В КОНТЕКСТІ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ МІЖНАРОДНИХ КОРПОРАТИВНИХ МОДЕЛЕЙ

VẬN DỤNG MÔ HÌNH SÁCH GIÁO KHOA NHẬT BẢN VÀO BIÊN SOẠN SÁCH GIÁO KHOA MÔN TỰ NHIÊN VÀ XÃ HỘI Ở VIỆT NAM

This article is a follow-up study in a series of articles on applying the Japanese textbook model. Previous studies have only mentioned theoretically on the textbook model of subject equivalent to our country's Nature and Society subject in Japanese elementary schools. In this article, we have creatively applied the Japanese textbook model to the practice of compiling textbooks on Nature and Society in Vietnam. The article mentions how to structure the book, how to build a lesson, how to design activities in the direction of enhancing students' experience and application in real life, and an integrated perspective in compiling textbook of Nature and Society subject.