bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A learning-based framework for miRNA-disease association identification using neural networks
Authors: Peng Jiajie , Hui Weiwei , Li Qianqian , Chen Bolin , Jiang Qinghua , Shang Xuequn , Wei Zhongyu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMotivationA microRNA (miRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA, which plays important roles in many biological processes. Lots of studies have shown that miRNAs are implicated in human diseases, indicating that miRNAs might be potential biomarkers for various types of diseases. Therefore, it is important to reveal the relationships between miRNAs and diseases/phenotypes.ResultsWe propose a novel learning-based framework, MDA-CNN, for miRNA-disease association identification. The model first captures richer interaction features between diseases and miRNAs based on a three-layer network with an additional gene layer. Then, it employs an auto-encoder to identify the essential feature combination for each pair of miRNA and disease automatically. Finally, taking the reduced feature representation as input, it uses a convolutional neural network to predict the final label. The evaluation results show that the proposed framework outperforms some state-of-the-art approaches in a large margin on both tasks of miRNA-disease association prediction and miRNA-phenotype association prediction.AvailabilityThe source code and data are available athttps://github.com/Issingjessica/MDA-CNN.Contactjiajiepeng@nwpu.edu.cn;shang@nwpu.edu.cn;zywei@fudan.edu.cnSupplementary informationSupplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
Fostering the next generation of sustainability leadership
Authors: Feagan Mathieu Lawrence 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to explore graduate student experiences of ecohealth communities of practice in Canada, West and Central Africa and Central America, to better understand the role of student knowledge in advancing innovative practices in transdisciplinary, participatory and equitable research approaches.

Design/methodology/approach
This ethnographic analysis builds on observations of graduate student participants in ecohealth communities of practice activities, along with 26 in-depth interviews conducted in 2011 with graduate students and professionals trained in ecosystem approaches to health. Interviews are transcribed by the author, and coded and analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

Findings
Although ecohealth communities of practice open new space for students to experiment with innovative practices in transdisciplinary, participatory and equitable research approaches, the surrounding disciplinary, top-down structure of academic and professional careers continue to pose significant obstacles to how students can take up the principles of ecohealth in practice. Through their collective experiences of these obstacles, students have considerable knowledge about the opportunities and constraints that the ecohealth communities of practice afford; however, this student knowledge has not yet been systematized or adequately mobilized.

Practical implications
Student knowledge gained through shared experiences of ecohealth communities of practice appears to be a critical, necessary and underused component in working on systemic change in the structure of sustainability leadership in higher education. However, more research is needed to understand how greater emphasis could be placed on putting students in charge of confronting the conditions of their own training, to collectively produce alternatives that challenge dominant structural norms.

Originality/value
The ethnographic approach re-centers student voices within debates about the relevance of ecohealth communities of practice for realizing the aims of transdisciplinary, participatory and equitable research approaches within the context of international sustainability challenges and graduate training.
Selection of optimal noise filtering technique for guided waves in diagnosis of structural cracks
Authors: Sharma Ambuj , Kumar Sandeep , Tyagi Amit 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The presence of random noise as well as narrow band coherent noise makes the structural health monitoring a really challenging issue and to achieve efficient structural health assessment methodology, very good extraction of noise and analysis of the signals are essential. The purpose of this paper is to provide optimal noise filtering technique for Lamb waves in the diagnosis of structural singularities.

Design/methodology/approach
Filtration of time-frequency information of multimode Lamb waves through the noisy signal is investigated in the present analysis using matched filtering technique and wavelet denoising methods. Using Shannon’s entropy criterion, the optimal wavelet function is selected and verification is made via the analysis of root mean square error of filtered signal.

Findings
The authors propose wavelet matched filter method, a combination of the wavelet transform and matched filtering method, which can significantly improve the accuracy of the filtered signal and identify relatively small damage, especially in enormously noisy data. Correlation coefficient and root mean square error are additionally computed for performance evaluation of the filters.

Originality/value
The present study provides detailed information about various noise filtering methods and a first attempt to apply the combination of the different techniques in signal processing for the structural health monitoring application. A comparative study is performed using the statistical tool to know whether filtered signals obtained through three different methods are acceptable and practicable for guided wave application or not.
Calculation on the flexural stiffness of the section of PC hollow slab beam in the life cycle
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Jia Yanmin , Zhang Guanhua , Wang Jiawei 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
During service period, due to the overload or other non-load factors, cracks of the pre-stressed concrete beam are seriously affecting the safety of the bridge structure. The purpose of this paper is to quickly realize the bearing capacity and the loss of the section stiffness through fracture characteristics and make correct judgments.

Design/methodology/approach
Through the flexural failure test of two test beams: collecting data of fracture characteristics and section stiffness loss value. According to the fracture characteristic data, the flexural stiffness of the section is obtained by the nonlinear calculation method, and the results are verified by test data. Data regression method is used to establish the section flexural stiffness loss ratio calculation formula, nominal tensile strain at the bottom edge of the cross-section used as a variable factor, and the accuracy of this formula is verified by comparing the flexural failure test results of pre-stressed hollow plates.

Findings
The loss of the flexural stiffness of section shows the decrease trend of first-fast-then-slow and the structural stiffness is sensitive to the initial cracking of beam. The calculation formula on the loss ratio of the flexural stiffness of section established with the nominal tensile stress at the bottom edge of beam as a variable is accurate and feasible, it realizes the possibility of assessing the stiffness loss of pre-stressed concrete structure by adopting the statistic parameters on crack characteristics.

Originality/value
A method for quickly determine the stiffness loss of structures by using fracture characteristics is established, and using this method, engineers can quickly determine whether a bridge is a dangerous bridge, without loading test. So, this method not only ensures the safety of human life, but also saves money.
Elastic wave dispersion and attenuation caused by multiple types of disc-shaped inclusions
Authors: Mykhas’kiv Victor , Kunets Yaroslav , Matus Valeriy , Khay Oksana 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate time-harmonic elastic wave propagation with the analysis of effective wave velocities and attenuation coefficients in a three-dimensional elastic composite consisting of infinite matrix and uniformly distributed soft, low-contrast and absolutely rigid disc-shaped micro-inclusions.

Design/methodology/approach
Within the assumptions of longitudinal mode of a propagating wave as well as dilute concentration and parallel orientation of inclusions in an infinite elastic matrix, Foldy’s dispersion relation is applied for introducing a complex and frequency-dependent wavenumber of homogenized structure. Then, the effective wave velocities and attenuation coefficients are directly defined from the real and imaginary parts of wavenumber, respectively. Included there a far-field forward scattering amplitude by a single low-contrast inclusion given in an analytical form, while for the other types of single scatterers it is determined from the numerical solution of boundary integral equations relative to the displacement jumps across the surfaces of soft inclusion and the stress jumps across the surfaces of rigid inclusion.

Findings
On the frequency dependencies, characteristic extremes of the effective wave velocities and attenuation coefficients are revealed and analyzed for different combinations of the filling ratios of involved types of inclusions. Anisotropic dynamic behavior of composite is demonstrated by the consideration of wave propagation in perpendicular and tangential directions relatively to the plane of inclusions. Specific frequencies are revealed for the first case of wave propagation, at which inclusion rigidities do not affect the effective wave parameters.

Originality/value
This paper develops a micromechanical study that provides a deeper understanding of the effect of thin-walled inclusions of diversified rigidities on elastic wave propagation in a three-dimensional composite. Described wave dispersion and attenuation regularities are important for the non-destructive testing of composite materials by ultrasonics.
Design and development of a test rig to investigate the load-deflection characteristics of helical spring lock washers
Authors: Wagh Hemant Krishnarao , Desale Girish R. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The helical spring lock washer (HSLW) is a part of nut bolt joint assembly used in different industries like automobile, aerospace, mechanical, chemical, electrical, electronics, etc. It works as a part of temporary joint and plays important role in loosening behavior of assembly under dynamic (vibrations) conditions. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of HSLW under different controlled operating conditions in order to satisfy its functional requirement.

Design/methodology/approach
In the present investigation, a novel test rig is designed and developed to determine the load-deflection characteristics of HSLWs. The test rig facilitates the controlled linear displacement of the HSLW with predetermined angular rotation of the handle gives the corresponding reaction load on the display. Additionally, the repeatability and reproducibility of the test rig was carried out.

Findings
The newly designed and developed test rig is capable enough to differentiate the load-deflection characteristics during compressive loading and unloading of HSLWs. Additionally, the loss of strain energy can be determined from the load-deflection characteristics of HSLW.

Originality/value
The present test rig is designed and developed to investigate the load-deflection characteristics under compressive loading and unloading of HSLW. The test rig has least count of 0.4905 N for load measurement and 0.01389 mm for linear displacement.
Tackling fraud effectively in central government departments
Authors: Gilbert Michael , Wakefield Alison 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
Fraud has a significant effect on society. It has been estimated to cost the UK economy more than £50bn annually. The Government have signalled their determination to tackle these losses through a range of preventative, enforcement and collaborative activities. Diminishing police resources allocated to fraud means that this activity will need to be delivered by both law enforcement and civilian counter fraud teams. This paper aims to establish whether UK central government organisations have the legal powers, skills and regulation needed to tackle fraud effectively.

Design/methodology/approach
This research was based upon a literature review, which included academic and other material, a semi-structured interview programme and a survey of counter fraud champions.

Findings
Empirical data suggested that the effectiveness of central government civilian counter fraud teams is hampered by a fragmented legal landscape and a lack of skills, and that further professionalisation and regulation is needed to protect professional standards and individual legal rights.

Research limitations/implications
Postal survey had 50 per cent response rate – below gold standard of 70 per cent.

Practical implications
There are no practical implications, as this is a topical research area which is intended to inform counter fraud practice and development.

Social implications
This research highlights limitations on the UK central government’s ability to tackle fraud. There is therefore a low risk that, when published, this research could inform those considering fraudulent actions.

Originality/value
This research was undertaken for a professional doctorate and has been sent to the Cabinet Office to inform their professionalisation programme. It filled a potential gap in the academic literature by looking at the perceived powers, skills and regulatory pressures in place within the UK central government and the extent of the current gap between current practice and the delivery of a fully professionalised service.
Fraud prevention initiatives in the Nigerian public sector
Authors: Abdullahi Rabiu , Mansor Noorhayati 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
Detecting and preventing fraud are challenging and risky tasks, especially in a fast developing economy such as Nigeria. The efforts become crucial in the government sectors, as they involve public’s trust and resources. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between the fraud incidence and the elements of fraud triangle theory (FTT) with the aim of combating current fraud outrages in the Nigerian public sector.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted and 302 questionnaires were distributed to the staff of the departments of accounting, internal auditing and investigation of ten selected ministries, departments and agencies of Kano State, Nigeria. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.

Findings
The study reveals a significant relationship between three elements of FTT and fraud incidences in the Nigerian public sectors (p-value < 0.001 for pressure and opportunity and p-value = 0.024 for rationalization).

Practical implications
The findings of the study are useful for forensic accountants and the Nigerian anti-graft bodies to enhance existing control mechanisms in fraud prevention initiatives. The research also contributes to bridge the gap in academic theory and empirical study related to FTT.

Social implications
Fraud scandals can cause public’s frustration, damage the reputation and integrity of the ruling government and result in negative image of the public sector.

Originality/value
Accordingly, the study suggests a salary scale reform (SSR) in the Nigerian public sector and improvement in fringe benefits to increase employees’ standard of living. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance fraud awareness and training programs to the government employees.
Madoff’s Ponzi investment fraud: a social capital analysis
Authors: Manning Paul 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The social network analysis of criminal networks at both the ego and socio-centric level is well established. This purpose of this study is to expand this literature with a social capital analysis of a criminal network. The focus of the analysis will be the recent egregious investment fraud of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities (BLMIS).

Design/methodology/approach
This research involves a case study of the BLMIS financial fraud. The article uses a social capital theoretical lens, with archival sources taken from the court records of Madoff v. NY to include victim impact statements and the defendant’s Plea Allocution.

Findings
Financial crime literature can be expanded with a social capital analysis which facilitates a socio-economic analysis of ego-centric criminal networks.

Research limitations/implications
Each financial crime is of its time; however, there are recurring socio-economic network characteristics that could be applied to develop an understanding of criminal networks.

Practical implications
Any understanding of financial crime, including contemporary instances of criminal innovation, such as cyber-crime, can be enhanced with a social capital analysis of criminal networks.

Originality/value
A social capital analysis of financial crime draws attention to “human factors” in criminal networks that are integral to this form of crime.
Moving in the right direction to fight financial crime: prevention and detection
Authors: Fauzi Fitriya , Szulczyk Kenneth , Basyith Abdul 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify current measures taken for financial crime’s prevention and detection in the context of Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on data from articles in Indonesian newspapers relating to the current financial crimes, current measures of preventing financial crimes in Indonesia and based on the literature review.

Findings
There are some attempts to combat financial crimes in Indonesia, both internally and externally. The attempts that have been made for the internal scope are the enactment of anti-money laundering law, the new monitoring system of financial institutions and the formation of a superintendent institution. The attempts that have been made for the external scope are the agreement between Indonesia’ financial intelligence unit Pusat Pelaporan dan Analisis Transaksi Keuangan (PPATK), and other countries’s financial intelligence unit, the affiliation member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) to combat financial crimes through strengthening its anti-money laundering and terror financing capabilities.

Originality/value
This paper presents an overview of current prevention and detection measures in the context of Indonesia, and it is hoped that this paper will contribute to the current discussion of eliminating financial crimes.
A public perception study on bribery as a crime in Turkey
Authors: Benk Serkan , McGee Robert W. , Budak Tamer 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the perception of Turkish citizens of the severity of bribery relative to other crimes and violations.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was administered to 545 Turkish people respondents. A five-point Likert scale that measures attitudes and behaviors using answer choices was used to categorize the degree of seriousness of each crime for data analysis.FindingsThe results of the study show that bribery ranked 16th among the 33 offences surveyed, that is, it lies in the middle in terms of seriousness. The results also indicate that the average person views bribery as not a very serious crime. When compared to violent crimes, bribery is significantly less serious. As for the property crimes, bribery is significantly less serious than arson and carjacking, but it significantly more serious than damage to public property, shoplifting and bike theft. When compared to white-collar crimes, bribery is remarkably less serious than embezzlement and appreciably more serious than welfare fraud, insider trading, child labor, minimum wage and insurance fraud. The results of this study are substantial; general public do not perceive bribe as a serious crime.Originality/valueThis is an important study in relation to Turkey. This is as a pioneer study that indicates the relationship between bribery as a crime and other offences in Turkey. The results of this study should be useful to policy-makers in Turkey and elsewhere. Another important sight of this study is the fact that the results show different correlations with similar studies put through in the other countries. According to the studies, bribery was the least serious crime in Australia and New Zealand; it ranked in the middle in terms of seriousness in Mexico, similar to Turkey; and it was also less serious than the average offense in the USA.
Greed of the elite; capital flight from a fragile country: case of Burundi
Authors: Ndoricimpa Arcade 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThis study aims to undertake an institutional analysis of capital flight and examine the drivers of capital flight from Burundi.Design/methodology/approachGiven the episodes of political instability and poor governance which have characterized Burundi’s landscape in the past decades, coupled with macroeconomic instability which has been prevailing, political, economic and institutional factors are used to explain the trend and magnitude of capital flight which were recorded. An econometric analysis using robust least squares is also used to examine the determinants of capital flight from Burundi.FindingsThe estimation results seem to be sensitive to capital flight measurement used, but in general, they suggest that external debt, political instability and wars, as well as exports, are the main drivers of capital flight from Burundi.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study imply that to discourage capital flight, the government of Burundi should promote peace and political stability. In addition, more responsibility, more transparency and accountability are required from the government of Burundi in managing resources from external debt. Moreover, some actions are needed to fight trade misinvoicing, which was seen to be a major channel of capital flight from Burundi. It is however to be acknowledged that our econometric analysis results might not be robust because of data limitations related to data availability on capital flight for only the period 1985-2013.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing capital flight literature in two ways. First, by undertaking the first ever country-specific study focusing on Burundi, and second, by undertaking an institutional analysis of capital flight to understand the political, economic and institutional issues behind capital flight from Burundi. The focus in this study is on Burundi because of the burden that capital flight imposes on the country already impoverished.