A Meta-Model for Real-Time Fraud Detection in ERP Systems

Fraud is a worldwide issue affecting almost every organization once in a time. Recent studies have shown that fraudulent behavior impacts up to 5 % of a companies annual revenue. Information systems (IS) have become an integral part of every modern organization. They contain the data foundation of the entire company and thereby supporting business processes and day-to-day transactions. Although an IS usually contains control mechanisms to prevent different kinds of fraud, these mechanisms look insufficient, considering the role of IS in many fraud cases. Since many cases from different companies have shown the need for an appropriate countermeasure, we want to develop an application that efficiently detects fraud and fraudulent behavior. Therefore, we conducted a structured literature review and a qualitative survey to apply the design science research (DSR) methodology and derive requirements for a fraud detection system (FDS). As a result, we present a meta-model for a FDS for enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. We also provide application requirements, principles, and features that define areas for further research

Unemployed, uneducated and sick: the effects of socioeconomic status on health duration in the European Union

This paper employs a logistic model to measure the effect of socioeconomic and individual characteristics on the length of time an individual remains in good health. It employs an objective measure of physical health, the Physical and Mental Health Problems, Illnesses and Disabilities (PMID) measure in the ECHP dataset, for 13 European countries, for the years 1994-2002. The results show that socioeconomic status does affect the likelihood of individuals entering bad health. In particular, unemployment increases and education decreases the probability of a person ceasing to enjoy good health. Income effects, are however, somewhat weaker, being confined to a small number of countries and being mainly observed only for the highest income quartile. Interesting age and gender effects are also found

Di-Electron Bremsstrahlung in Intermediate-Energy pn and Dp Collisions

Invariant mass spectra of di-electrons stemming from bremsstrahlung processes are calculated in a covariant diagrammatical approach for the exclusive reaction D p \to p_{\rm sp} n p e^+ e^- with detection of a forward spectator proton, p_{sp}. We employ an effective nucleon-meson theory for parameterizing the sub-reaction n p \to n p e^+ e^- and, within the Bethe-Salpeter formalism, derive a factorization of the cross section in the form {d\sigma_{D p \to p_{\rm sp} n p e^+ e^-}}/{dM}= {d\sigma_{n p \to n p e^+ e^-}}/{dM} \times kinematical factor related solely to the deuteron (M is the e^+ e^- invariant mass). The effective nucleon-meson interactions, including the exchange mesons \pi, \sigma, \omega and \rho as well as excitation and radiative decay of \Delta(1232), have been adjusted to the process pp \to pp e^+ e^- at energies below the vector meson production threshold. At higher energies, contributions from \omega and \rho meson excitations are analyzed in both, NN and Dp collisions. A relation to two-step models is discussed. Subthreshold di-electron production in Dp collisions at low spectator momenta is investigated as well. Calculations have been performed for kinematical conditions envisaged for forthcoming experiments at HADES

Towards Predictive Energy Management in Information Systems: A Research Proposal

The progressive energy transition, driven by the growing number of renewable energies, the increasing social importance of sustainable actions, as well as new technologies, causes major challenges for enterprises and power supply companies (PSCs). While the electricity price fluctuations will continue to increase in the future, the installation of smart meters and smart meter gateways is aimed to ensure grid stability. They provide the basis for communication between companies and PSCs. In order to make companies energy consumption predictable even before the energy is needed, an automated data exchange between an energy management system (EnMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is essential. Therefore, we address this problem by following five research steps to develop a prototype for predictive energy management in information systems

Osseous hemangioma of the seventh cervical vertebra with osteoid formation mimicking metastasis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We report the case of an osseous hemangioma located in the seventh cervical vertebra with reactive osteoid formation and non-typical findings in the radiological and the histopathological examination, mimicking metastasis of a malignant tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first description of such a case in the literature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 44-year-old otherwise healthy Caucasian German woman presented with a discrete sensorimotor loss of both upper limbs. Radiologically, an osteolysis in the seventh cervical vertebra suggestive of metastasis of a malignant neoplasm was diagnosed. After performing corporectomy and cage implantation of C7 on the patient, the histopathological examination was complicated by marked osteoid formation obscuring the true diagnosis of an osseous hemangioma with reactive osteoid formation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Though hemangioma of the bone is a rare tumorous lesion in the cervical spine, it has to be taken into consideration as a reason for neck pain and sensomotoric loss of the upper limbs. Atypical radiological and histopathological presentations may hinder determination of the correct diagnosis. The treatment of such lesions must follow clinical guidelines but may be difficult to define in some cases when the correct diagnosis is not known at the time when therapy starts.</p

Team-basiertes Lernen im Vergleich zum ärztlichen Dozentenunterricht für den Erwerb von praktischem und theoretischem Wissen

Hintergrund Das Erlernen von praktischen klinischen Fertigkeiten unter Einsatz neuer Medien und mit modernen Unterrichtsmethoden gewinnt in der medizinischen Ausbildung immer mehr an Bedeutung. Besonders zu benennen ist hier das Lernen durch Videos im Rahmen von ELearning- Einheiten. Dafür bedarf es neben einer hohen Qualität der eingesetzten Materialien einer geeigneten Unterrichtsmethode, damit die Anwender von deren Einsatz profitieren. Eine mögliche Methode zur Integration von E-Learning-Einheiten in die Lehre ist das Teambasierte- Lernen. Die o.g. Studie untersucht die Effekte dieser Methode in Bezug auf die Präsenz von theoretischem Wissen und die Qualität der praktischen klinischen Untersuchung am Beispiel der Basisfunktionsuntersuchung des Schultergelenks. Material und Methode Während des studentischen Tutoriums zum integrierten Untersuchungskurs des Studienganges Medizin werden zwei Lehrmethoden miteinander verglichen: eine für die Studie entwickelte Variante des Team-basierten-Lernens (Interventionsgruppe, IG) und eine dozentenzentrierte Unterrichtsmethode (Kontrollgruppe, KG). Als Outcome der Studie werden das erworbene theoretische Wissen und die Qualität der körperlichen Untersuchung gemessen. Beide Gruppen erhalten zunächst ärztlichen Unterricht zur körperlichen klinischen Untersuchung des Schultergelenks nach dem marburger Standard. Während des begleitenden studentischen Tutoriums erhält die IG Zugang zu einem E-Learning-Modul und wird mit einer Variante des Team-basierten-Lernens unterrichtet. Die KG erhält eine dozentenzentrierte Unterrichtsform, wie sie schon vorher im studentischen Tutorium eingesetzt wird. Das theoretische Wissen wird zu zwei Zeitpunkten, einmal im Anschluss an das Tutorium (t1) und einmal zum OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination, t2) durch entwickelte Fragen gemessen. Die Qualität der körperlichen Untersuchung wird durch eine spezifische Station zur Schulteruntersuchung im OSCE erhoben. Als statistisches Verfahren zur Untersuchung des theoretischen Wissenserwerbs werden ein Chi-Quadrat-Test, zur Untersuchung der Qualität der körperlichen Untersuchung ein t-Test für unverbundene Stichproben verwendet. Ergebnisse Zum Zeitpunkt t1 zeigt die Interventionsgruppe (n = 35) gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe (n= 46) mit r = 0 einen signifikanten Unterschied beim Erwerb von theoretischem Wissen. Die gestellten Fragen wurden zu 61,71% richtig beantwortet im Gegensatz zur Kontrollgruppe mit 47,61%. Diese Signifikanz ist auch zum Zeitpunkt t2 mit r = 0,011 noch messbar. Die Interventionsgruppe (n = 51) konnte in 51,57% der Fälle die Fragen richtig beantworten, die Kontrollgruppe (n = 61) mit 47,67%. Die Analyse der Gesamtpunktzahlen des OSCEs zeigt ebenfalls, dass die Interventionsgruppe (n = 56) mit 19,55 Punkten im Schnitt gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe (n = 72) mit 12,76 Punkten signifikant (t = 0,004) besser abschneidet. Schlussfolgerung Die genutzte Variante des Team-basierten-Lernens bietet einen Vorteil in Bezug auf den Erwerb von Wissen und die Qualität der körperlichen Untersuchung gegenüber einer dozentinnenzentrierten Unterrichtsform

Liposarcoma of the forearm in a man with type 1 neurofibromatosis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The combination of neurofibromatosis and liposarcoma is very rare. We present a case of a dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the forearm, as a complication in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A Caucasian man with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented at our clinic complaining of a slow growing swelling on his left forearm over a period of one and a half years. Clinical examination and history pointed to malignancy. Radiological examination inclusive of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography confirmed our suspicion. A final diagnosis of dedifferentiated high-grade liposarcoma with axillary lymph node metastases was established after a pathological examination of a tumour biopsy. The consulting tumour board recommended either an elbow exarticulation or an accurate radical local resection including the metastatic axillary lymph nodes. Fortunately, we were able to perform an R-zero resection and the forearm could be saved. The treatment was completed with postoperative radiotherapy of the left forearm's operative bed, the left axillary and the supraclavicular regions. The patient decided against adjuvant chemotherapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Liposarcoma complicating neurofibromatosis type 1 is a very rare combination. Up to now, only five cases have been reported in the literature. We are adding a new case to this short list to stress the importance of early recognition. It is the first known case with this disease combination in an upper extremity. Liposarcoma is usually treated by surgery followed by radiotherapy. The role of chemotherapy is controversial and should be based on a decision made on a case-by-case basis.</p