Fraud detection in the banking sector : a multi-agent approach

Fraud is an increasing phenomenon as shown in many surveys carried out by leading international consulting companies in the last years. Despite the evolution of electronic payments and hacking techniques there is still a strong human component in fraud schemes. Conflict of interest in particular is the main contributing factor to the success of internal fraud. In such cases anomaly detection tools are not always the best instruments, since the fraud schemes are based on faking documents in a context dominated by lack of controls, and the perpetrators are those ones who should control possible irregularities. In the banking sector audit team experts can count only on their experience, whistle blowing and the reports sent by their inspectors. The Fraud Interactive Decision Expert System (FIDES), which is the core of this research, is a multi-agent system built to support auditors in evaluating suspicious behaviours and to speed up the evaluation process in order to detect or prevent fraud schemes. The system combines Think-map, Delphi method and Attack trees and it has been built around audit team experts and their needs. The output of FIDES is an attack tree, a tree-based diagram to ”systematically categorize the different ways in which a system can be attacked”. Once the attack tree is built, auditors can choose the path they perceive as more suitable and decide whether or not to start the investigation. The system is meant for use in the future to retrieve old cases in order to match them with new ones and find similarities. The retrieving features of the system will be useful to simplify the risk management phase, since similar countermeasures adopted for past cases might be useful for present ones. Even though FIDES has been built with the banking sector in mind, it can be applied in all those organisations, like insurance companies or public organizations, where anti-fraud activity is based on a central anti-fraud unit and a reporting system.

Whistleblowing process in Finnish health care

Wrongdoing in health care is harmful action that jeopardizes patient safety and can be targeted at the patient or employees. Wrongdoing can vary from illegal, unethical or unprofessional action to inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Whistleblowing can be considered as a process where wrongdoing is suspected or oberved in health care by health care professionals and disclosed to the party that can influence the wrongful action. Whistleblowing causes severe harm to the whistleblower and to the object of whistleblowing complaint, to their personnel life and working community. The aim of this study was to analyze whistleblowing process in Finnish health care. The overall goal is to raise concern about wrongdoing and whistleblowing in Finnish health care. In this cross-sectional descriptive study the data were collected (n = 397) with probability sampling from health care professionals and members of The Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland Tehy. The data were collected with questionnaire: “Whistleblowing -väärinkäytösten paljastaminen terveydenhuollossa” developed for this study and by using Webropol questionnaire -software during 26.6.-17.7.2015. The data were analyzed statistically. According to the results of this study health care professionals had suspected (67 %) and observed (66 %) wrongdoing in health care, more often than once a month (30%). Mostly were suspected (37 %) and observed (36%) inadequacy of the personnel and least violence toward the patient (3 %). Wrongdoing was whistle blown (suspected 29 %, observed 40 %) primarily inside the organization to the closest supervisor (76 %), face-to-face (88 %). Mostly the whistle was blown on nurses’ wrongdoing (58 %). Whistleblowing act didn’t end the wrongdoing (52 %) and whistleblowing had negative consequences to the whistleblower such as discrimination by the manager (35 %). Respondents with work experience less than ten years (62 %), working in temporary position (75 %) or in management position (88 %) were, more unwilling to blow the whistle. Whistleblowing should be conducted internally, to the closest manager in writing and anonymously. Wrongdoing should be dealt between the parties involved, and written warning should ensue from wrongdoing. According to the results of this study whistleblowing on wrongdoing in health care causes negative consequences to the whistleblower. In future, attention in health care should be paid to preventing wrongdoing and enhancing whistleblowing in order to decrease wrongdoing and lessen the consequences that whistleblowers face after blowing the whistle.

Whistleblowing process in Finnish health care

Wrongdoing in health care is harmful action that jeopardizes patient safety and can be targeted at the patient or employees. Wrongdoing can vary from illegal, unethical or unprofessional action to inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Whistleblowing can be considered as a process where wrongdoing is suspected or oberved in health care by health care professionals and disclosed to the party that can influence the wrongful action. Whistleblowing causes severe harm to the whistleblower and to the object of whistleblowing complaint, to their personnel life and working community. The aim of this study was to analyze whistleblowing process in Finnish health care. The overall goal is to raise concern about wrongdoing and whistleblowing in Finnish health care. In this cross-sectional descriptive study the data were collected (n = 397) with probability sampling from health care professionals and members of The Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland Tehy. The data were collected with questionnaire: “Whistleblowing -väärinkäytösten paljastaminen terveydenhuollossa” developed for this study and by using Webropol questionnaire -software during 26.6.-17.7.2015. The data were analyzed statistically. According to the results of this study health care professionals had suspected (67 %) and observed (66 %) wrongdoing in health care, more often than once a month (30%). Mostly were suspected (37 %) and observed (36%) inadequacy of the personnel and least violence toward the patient (3 %). Wrongdoing was whistle blown (suspected 29 %, observed 40 %) primarily inside the organization to the closest supervisor (76 %), face-to-face (88 %). Mostly the whistle was blown on nurses’ wrongdoing (58 %). Whistleblowing act didn’t end the wrongdoing (52 %) and whistleblowing had negative consequences to the whistleblower such as discrimination by the manager (35 %). Respondents with work experience less than ten years (62 %), working in temporary position (75 %) or in management position (88 %) were, more unwilling to blow the whistle. Whistleblowing should be conducted internally, to the closest manager in writing and anonymously. Wrongdoing should be dealt between the parties involved, and written warning should ensue from wrongdoing. According to the results of this study whistleblowing on wrongdoing in health care causes negative consequences to the whistleblower. In future, attention in health care should be paid to preventing wrongdoing and enhancing whistleblowing in order to decrease wrongdoing and lessen the consequences that whistleblowers face after blowing the whistle.

Primääri-sekundäärivuodon tunnistaminen aktiivisuusmittauksin Loviisan voimalaitoksella

Diplomityössä tutkittiin Loviisan voimalaitoksen primääri- ja sekundääripiirin aktiivisuusmittausten kykyä tunnistaa pienet primääri-sekundäärivuodot. Tarkasteltavat primääri-sekundäärivuotojen suuruudet valittiin laitoksen hätätilanne- ja häiriönselvitysohjeiden mukaisesti. Vuodon vaikutuksia arvioitiin erilaisilla primäärijäähdytteen ominaisaktiivisuuksilla. Ominaisaktiivisuudet primääripiirissä määritettiin nuklidikohtaisesti erilaisille polttoainevuototapauksille. Työssä huomioitiin myös transienteissa mahdollisesti esiintyvä primääripiirin aktiivisuustasoa nostava spiking-ilmiö. Vuodon tarkempaa tunnistamista varten työssä laskettiin tarkasteltaville mittareille kalibrointikertoimet. Primääri-sekundäärivuoto mallinnettiin APROS-simulointiohjelmalla laitoksen eri käyttötiloissa ja kahdella eri vuotokoolla. Varsinainen aktiivisuuslaskenta suoritettiin SEKUN-ohjelmalla. Työssä tätä aktiivisuus- ja päästölaskentaohjelmaa muokattiin ohjelmoimalla siihen tarkasteltavat aktiivisuusmittaukset sekä primääripiirin puhdistus ja ulospuhallus. Laskelmien tuloksena saatiin arviot kunkin tarkasteltavana olleen aktiivisuusmittauksen soveltuvuudesta primääri-sekundäärivuodon tunnistamiseen erilaisissa polttoainevuototapauksissa ja reaktorin eri tehotasoilla. Häiriönselvitysohje I3:n käyttöönottoa edellyttävät vuotokoot määritettiin aktiivisuusmittausten havaitseman perusteella. Erityisesti kuumavalmiustilassa tapauksissa, joissa reaktorisydämessä oletetaan olevan tiiveytensä menettäneitä polttoainesauvoja, spikingin vaikutus jäähdytteiden aktiivisuuspitoisuuksiin ja mittaustuloksiin oli merkittävä. Niiltä osin, kuin tulokset käsittelevät ohjeissa vuodon tunnistamiseen käytettyjä aktiivisuusrajoja, tulokset osoittivat aktiivisuusrajat oikeiksi. Kuumavalmiudessa aktiivisuusmittausten mittausalueet saattavat joissakin tapauksissa rajoittaa primääri-sekundäärivuodon tunnistamista.

Puupolttoaineiden kuivausmenetelmien kartoitus

Työssä kartoitetaan käytössä olevia pilkkeen ja hakkeen keinokuivausmenetelmiä. Lisäksi arvioidaan menetelmien energiankulutusta ja kustannuksia, sekä käydään läpi kuivaajan suunnittelussa huomioon otettavia seikkoja. Työn ohessa on tehty Excel-laskentataulukko, jonka avulla voidaan arvioida lämpöyrittäjyyden kannattavuutta koko tuotantoketju huomioon ottaen. Lopussa tutkitaan kolmen erityyppisen pilkekuivurin käyttöä ja arvioidaan laskentataulukon avulla niiden vaikutuksia pilkeyrittäjän talouteen. Yleisin puupolttoaineiden keinokuivausmenetelmä on kylmäilmakuivaus. Sääriippuvuudesta ja usein epätasaisesta kuivauslaadusta johtuen se soveltuu vain pienimuotoiseen ja sivutoimiseen polttoainetuotantoon. Lisälämmityksellä parannetaan ilman kuivauskykyä, jolloin kuivaus on nopeampaa, loppukosteudet alhaisempia ja vuotuinen käyttöaika pitempi. Lämmitysratkaisun valinta riippuu kuivurin halutusta vuotuisesta käyttöajasta ja tuotantomääristä. Ammattimaiseen ja ympärivuotiseen pilketuotantoon soveltuu parhaiten korkeita, 70 - 90 °C lämpötiloja käyttävä kuivuri. Korkealämpötila-kuivurissa on tärkeää huolehtia riittävästä eristyksestä ja säädellystä ilmanvaihdosta. Suurilla polttopuun tuotantomäärillä kuljetuskustannukset korostuvat. Samalla kasvaa markkinoinnin tarve. Mainonnassa voidaan hyödyntää tehokasta kuivausmenetelmää.

5- AKSELISEN CNC- TYÖSTÖKESKUKSEN PURUN- JA PÖLYNPOISTON TOIMIVUUDEN ANALYSOINTI JA KEHITTÄMINEN

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää Teknologiakeskus KOIVUn 5- akselisen CNC- työstökeskuksen pölyn- ja purunpoiston toimivuus ja hengittyvän pölyn taso operaattorin hengitysvyöhykkeellä eri materiaaleilla. Toisena tavoitteena oli pyrkiä alentamaan pölypitoisuuksia asettamalla reunaehtoja ja hakemalla kehittämisvaihtoehtoja huuvan ja pölynpoiston uudelleensuunnitteluun. Työssä selvitettiin Teknologiakeskus KOIVUn 5- akselisen CNC- työstökeskuksen purun ja pölynpoiston toimivuutta työhygieenisin ja ilmateknisin mittauksin. Työssä tehtiin myös vierailukierros neljään ulkopuoliseen kohteeseen ja tutustuttiin niiden 5- akseliseen CNC- työstökeskuksiin ja kohdepoistoratkaisuihin. Samalla arvioitiin niiden toimivuutta. Aineistoa koottiin alan kirjallisuudesta, tutkimuksista ja haastatteluista. Työhygieenisiin mittauksiin konsultoitiin Lappeenrannan aluetyöterveyslaitosta. Mittaustulokset osoittivat hengittyvän pölyn pitoisuudeksi operaattorin hengitysvyöhykkeellä MDF:n työstössä 0,51 mg/m3 ja koivun työstössä 0,33 mg/m3. Kohdepoisto toimii tyydyttävästi pölyn osalta, mutta karkeampi materiaali on poistettava joko puhaltamalla tai imuroimalla. Saatuja tuloksia vertailtiin kirjallisuudessa esille tulleisiin arvoihin ja todettiin mitattujen pölypitoisuuksien jäävän keskimääräisen tason alapuolelle. Pölynpoiston parantamiseksi tehtiin kehitysehdotuksia nykyiseen huuvarakenteeseen. Lisäksi suositeltiin palautusilman käyttöä purun ja pölyn kuljetukseen.

Investigation of Oxygen Cutting Process in Solid-State Welding

The oxygen cutting is a thermal cutting process, in which metal is heated locally up to its ignition temperature and burnt off by oxygen blast. Oxygen cutting can be used to remove upset metal of a hollow bar occurred due to solid-state welding process. The main goal of this research was to establish a connection between oxygen blasts and mass of metal removed and relate findings to production to suggest improvements to the current process. This master´s thesis describes the designing and building of a test rig for oxygen blowing measurements. It also contains all executed tests and test results, which were carried out. There are different cutting parameters which were studied as well as their effect on cutting process. The oxygen cutting process, used in solid-state welding process, can be improved by the test results.

Soodakattilan lentotuhkan uudentyyppisen analysaattorin arviointi

RBDA (Recovery Boiler Dust Analyzer) on soodakattilan savukaasujen hiukkasten määrää mittaava laite. Yksi laitteen mahdollisista sovelluskohteista on soodakattilan nuohouksen optimointi. Tämän työn tarkoituksena oli parantaa RBD-analysaattorin toimintaa ja erityisesti tutkia laitteen toimivuutta soodakattilan nuohouksen optimoinnis-sa. Soodakattilan nuohouksen optimoinnilla voidaan vähentää nuohoukseen kuluneen höyryn määrää ja näin saavuttaa taloudellisia säästöjä. RBD-analysaattorin toimivuutta testattiin toimivan soodakattilan avulla. Tutkimuksen tueksi testeissä käytetyn soodakattilan savukaasujen lämpötilat ja tuhkan tarttumisomi-naisuudet selvitettiin. Laitteen toimivuutta testattiin vertaamalla RBDA:n mittaustulosta standardin mukaiseen savukaasujen hiukkasmittausmenetelmään. Mittajärjestelmän soveltuvuutta soodakattilan nuohouksen optimointiin tutkittiin ajamalla nuohoimia käsin eri seisonta-aikojen jälkeen sekä mittaamalla soodakattilan normaalia nuohousjärjes-tystä. Mittausten perusteella todettiin, että RBDA havaitsee savukaasujen pölypitoisuuden ja sen muutokset luotettavasti. Nuohouksen optimointiin RBDA:n todettiin soveltuvan ny-kyisessä mallissaan vain vedenesilämmittimien osalta. Keittopinnan ja tulistimien nuo-hointen optimointiin ei saatu riittävän luotettavia mittaustuloksia. RBDA:n kehittäminen jatkotutkimuksilla todettiin mahdolliseksi.

Soodakattilalaitosten energiantuotannon lisääminen

The aim of this thesis is to study different methods to increase the energy production of recovery boilers. This improvement is encouraged by the current energy policy and the rapid rise in energy prices, especially in electricity. In addition, the energy efficiency of the power plants is intended to be improved. There are several methods to increase the energy production. The methods taken into more accurate study are lower pressure steam for soot blowing and flue gas coolers. Energy balances are made for these two cases to check a plausible addition of power generation of turbo-generator of the steam turbine. Also, the viability issues are studied. Solvo Power Plant Simulation program is used for the energy balance research. Two case power plants are simulated to solve the balances. To solve the addition of power generation with the flue gas coolers, basic balance calculation is performed. The viabilities are also taken into account, especially the payback times of these alternatives. On the basis of the results, installing the system to the process is viable in both cases. By installing the lowest possible pressure steam system for the soot blowing, the advantages are the most significant. The investment costs are the highest but the payback time is less than 1,5 years and the profit in the next 20 years is the greatest. In the case of flue gas coolers, the results did not entirely agree with past studies. Nevertheless, installing the flue gas coolers into the process also seems to be significant and profitable.

PROTECTING TRADE SECRETS IN LITIGATION - THE IMPACT OF ARTICLE 9 OF THE EU TRADE SECRET DIRECTIVE ESPECIALLY ON FINNISH LAW

In November 2013 the European Commission issued the “Proposal for a Directive on the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure” (referred to as “TSD”). The TSD offers minimum harmonisation and aims at promoting sharing of knowledge, and the exploitation of innovations on the Internal Market. The European Parliament adopted the TSD on April 14, 2016 and the EU Member States will have two years to implement it. The TSD includes a harmonised definition of a trade secret that builds on the definition provided in Article 39 of the TRIPS Agreement. Moreover, it also ensures the freedom of expression and information and the protection of whistle-blowers. Appropriate means of actions and remedies against unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure of trade secrets are also included, such as provisional and pecuniary measures, injunctions and corrective measures or allocation of damages. This study examines the protection of trade secrets in the course of litigation regulated in Article 9 of the TSD. Currently, the protection of trade secrets within the EU is fragmented especially in this regard, which makes companies reluctant to resort to litigation when a trade secret has unlawfully been misappropriated or it is suspected that a trade secret is being misused. The regulations in Article 9 expand only to the hearing in court. Such protection is welcomed and a step in the right direction. However, in my study I have found that in order for the protection to be sufficient there is a need to further establish measures to protect trade secrets during the entire process, from the filing of the claim to the end when the judgement is given. Consequently, I also discuss different measures that could be used to strengthen the protection of trade secrets before the hearing in court, as evidence are gathered.

Protecting Trade Secrets In Litigation The Impact of Article 9 of The EU Trade Secret Directive Especially on Finnish Law

In November 2013 the European Commission issued the “Proposal for a Directive on the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure” (referred to as “TSD”). The TSD offers minimum harmonisation and aims at promoting sharing of knowledge, and the exploitation of innovations on the Internal Market. The European Parliament adopted the TSD on April 14, 2016 and the EU Member States will have two years to implement it. The TSD includes a harmonised definition of a trade secret that builds on the definition provided in Article 39 of the TRIPS Agreement. Moreover, it also ensures the freedom of expression and information and the protection of whistle-blowers. Appropriate means of actions and remedies against unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure of trade secrets are also included, such as provisional and pecuniary measures, injunctions and corrective measures or allocation of damages. This study examines the protection of trade secrets in the course of litigation regulated in Article 9 of the TSD. Currently, the protection of trade secrets within the EU is fragmented especially in this regard, which makes companies reluctant to resort to litigation when a trade secret has unlawfully been misappropriated or it is suspected that a trade secret is being misused. The regulations in Article 9 expand only to the hearing in court. Such protection is welcomed and a step in the right direction. However, in my study I have found that in order for the protection to be sufficient there is a need to further establish measures to protect trade secrets during the entire process, from the filing of the claim to the end when the judgement is given. Consequently, I also discuss different measures that could be used to strengthen the protection of trade secrets before the hearing in court, as evidence are gathered.