A Framework for Verification in Contactless Secure Physical Access Control and Authentication Systems

Biometrics is one of the very popular techniques in user identification for accessing institutions and logging into attendance systems. Currently, some of the existing biometric techniques such as the use of fingerprints are unpopular due to COVID-19 challenges. This paper identifies the components of a framework for secure contactless access authentication. The researcher selected 50 journals from Google scholar which were used to analyze the various components used in a secure contactless access authentication framework. The methodology used for research was based on the scientific approach of research methodology that mainly includes data collection from the 50 selected journals, analysis of the data and assessment of results. The following components were identified: database, sensor camera, feature extraction methods, matching and decision algorithm. Out of the considered journals the most used is CASIA database at 40%, CCD Sensor camera with 56%, Gabor feature extraction method at 44%, Hamming distance for matching at 100% and PCA at 100% was used for decision making. These findings will assist the researcher in providing a guide on the best suitable components. Various researchers have proposed an improvement in the current security systems due to integrity and security problems

Analysis of designed and emergent consequences of mobile banking usage by SME’s in Kenya using ethnographic decision tree modeling

Includes bibliographical references.Evaluating the impact of Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D) has been a challenge both in terms of theoretical and methodological approaches. It has been pointed out in extant literature that ICT4D impact studies are few compared to those that investigate determinants of adoption. Knowledge of this scarcity and the theoretical and methodological limitations led to the conception of this study. This study set out to investigate the decision criteria evaluated by Kenyan micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) when making the initial mobile banking adoption and usage decisions with a view to unearth the designed and emergent consequences. Ethnographic decision tree modelling (EDTM) which is a cognitive research methodology was feasibly employed to obtain the adoption and usage decision criteria from which quantifiable and non-quantifiable consequences were then inferred. Structuration theory was used as a theoretical lens to view the complex context in which mobile banking is embedded and adopted by MSMEs. The analysis of the empirical data obtained from the MSMEs led to the construction and testing of three decision models from which the study’s theory was developed. The derived theory demonstrates the existence of structurational interactions among decision criteria, antecedents of technology adoption, behavioural intention to adopt, and the designed and emergent consequences of actual usage. The study further reveals that contrary to popular belief and argument that adoption of mobile banking technology lowers financial services cost, Kenyan MSMEs adopt the technology not because of its affordability but because of other factors such as perceived usefulness, accessibility, safe custody of daily income, limited organizational capabilities, perceived ease of use, social capital and trust structures. The derived explanatory-predictive theory provides findings that may have significant implications for fiscal and monetary policymakers, development experts and mobile banking technology designers

Effect of Technology Based Financial Innovations on Non-Interest Income of Commercial Banks in Kenya

Technology based financial innovation has had a great impact on the financial industry as a whole over the past few decades. It has presented the banking sector with an opportunity to increase the revenue base. This study intended to identify the impact of technology based financial innovation on non-interest income in Kenyan commercial banks. The study investigated how the adoption of ATMs and Cards, Internet and Mobile Banking and use of Funds Transfer Systems such as RTGS and EFT has impacted the non-interest income of commercial banks in Kenya. Descriptive research design was utilised. The study found that technology based financial innovation has significant effect on the non-interest income earned by commercial banks in Kenya. It recommends all stakeholders in commercial banks to take any investments made towards technology based financial innovation products as a strategy to improve non-interest incom

Assessing Smallholder Farmer's Participation in the Wheat Value Chain in North-West Mt. Kenya

Wheat is the second most important carbohydrate staple in Kenya and is produced by both smallholder and large-scale farmers. Smallholders are the majority, but produce <20% of the total national production. Compared to large-scale farmers, they have been considered to be less efficient producers and thus fail to benefit fully from their participation in the wheat value chain. This study aims at establishing the value accruing to smallholder and large-scale farmers participating in wheat production in north-westMt. Kenya. For comparative purposes and to explore the potential of smallholder farmers, a sample of 58 smallholder and seven large-scale farmers was selected for the study. We use budget analysis to determine the gross output, cost of production and gross margins attained by the smallholder and large-scale farmers. Further, an analysis of constraints to productivity is done to establish the factors hindering farmers from reaching high yield potential. Results of the study show that smallholder farmers obtain lower yields, have higher costs of production per bag of wheat and lower gross margins compared to large-scale farmers. High cost of inputs, low market prices, low bargaining power, high cost of machinery services, diseases and weeds were among factors excluding smallholder farmers from benefitting from their participation in the value chain. However, results also show that smallholder farmers can produce wheat profitably albeit with necessary support. Thus, interventions should consider these constraints and aim at improving smallholder farmers’ horizontal and vertical integration in the value chain. We recommend continued investment in research and development on wheat, adoption of climate resilient agricultural practices, improvements in the fertilizer subsidy programme and creating or increasing participation in producer groups that will provide possibilities of increased bargaining power and reduction of costs through improved access to machinery services, markets and credit

Effect of Financial Transparency on Financial Performance of Companies Listed in East Africa Securities Exchanges

Financial performance is normally viewed as how best managers have been able to utilize the resources available to the firm to enhance value. The main goal of shareholders in any company is to maximize their wealth which is enabling when a firm is performing well from time to time. The current sought to examine the effect of financial transparency on financial performance of companies listed in East Africa. Specifically, the study sought to find out the effect of financial policy, investment policy and liquidity disclosures on financial performance. Correlation research design and purposive sampling was used to select 73 which were listed from 2006 to 2015. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse secondary data. Results of the study revealed positive and significant relationship between financial policy, investment policy, financial liquidity and financial performance. Keywords: Financial Transparency, Financial Policy, Investment Policy, Financial Liquidity, Financial Performance

Determinants of Girls Low Enrollment in Physics in Secondary Schools: Case of Kajiado North District, Kajiado County, Kenya.

Women and girls in Kenya constitute more than 50% of the country’s population (KNBS, 2012). Their full participation in science and technology at the leadership levels is crucial for realization of Kenya Development Vision 2030. In view of this, girls low enrollment in physics nationally and in particular Kajiado county, is of great concern since many of them will be technically not eligible for many university and polytechnic science courses where physics is a requirement. The purpose of this study was to find out the determinants of girls low enrollment in physics in Kajiado North district. The study also examined implications of girls’ absence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to achievement of gender equality and equity in education and employment by 2015 being one of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The researcher sampled 12 public and private secondary schools which constitute 30% of all secondary schools in the district. Eight schools and four girls’ only schools took part in the study. The target population was the head-teachers, physics’ teachers, form three girls and career guidance counselors. The sample attracted twelve head-teachers, twelve physics teachers, twelve career counselors and two hundred and forty students. Purposive sampling was used to get head-teachers and physics teachers. Students were put into two strata (those who enrolled in physics and those who did not). From each group, ten students were picked using simple random technique. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, physical facilities checklist and lesson observation guide. Both descriptive and influential statistics were used to analyze the data, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 11.5). The study revealed that girls attitude towards physics is just positive. However, most schools lack a particular trained career master. Gender stereotype and peer pressure influenced many girls in science subjects selection. Physics’ teachers’ lack of support and concern to girls during practical lessons discouraged many girls to proceed with physics beyond form two. The study recommends that each school should have a fully pledged career department, managed by a trained career masters. Head-teachers need to take charge and demonstrate prudent leadership by supervising subjects’ selection exercise as part of curriculum implementation. Key Words: Girls Low Enrollment In Physics In Secondary Schools, Kajiado County, Keny

Gastro-protective and anti-acidic effects of Corchorus trilocularis Linn against diclofenac-induced gastric ulcers.

Ethnopharmacological RelevanceCorchorus trilocularis Linn leaves are consumed as green leafy vegetables that are boiled and used as relish, or potherb by some rural communities in Eastern Africa for the treatment of stomach ulcers.Aim: This study investigated the gastro-protective effects of Corchorus trilocularis Linn (local name ‘mrenda’), a popularly consumed vegetable in Kenya, on diclofenac-induced gastric ulcers and established its possible mechanisms of action.Methods: In the in-vivo study, thirty six Sprague dawley rats of either sex weighing 150-200 grams were randomly assigned into a normal control (distilled water), negative control (distilled water plus diclofenac sodium), treatment (200 and 400 mg/kg Corchorus trilocularis Linn plus diclofenac sodium), positive control group (omeprazole plus diclofenac sodium), or comparison group (400 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of spinach). The ulcer index, total acidity, volume, pH of gastric secretions, and gastric morphology were assessed. In the in-vitro anti-acidity study, a rat stomach was perfused with Kreb’s solution and the pH of the mucosal perfusate measured using a digital pH meter for 1 hour after exposure to histamine, acetylcholine, or pre-treatment with 400 mg/kg of the extract prior to addition the acid secretagogues.Results: The extract, significantly reduced the ulcer index and total acidity in comparison to the diclofenac group. The high dose extract also increased the gastric pH and had cytoprotective effects. However, it did not significantly affect the volume of gastric secretions. In the in-vitro study, the extract significantly inhibited histamine and acetylcholine stimulated gastric acid secretions as analyzed by the areas under curve for pH against time.Conclusions. The gastro-protective effects of Corchorus trilocularis Linn against diclofenac induced gastric ulcers are; therefore, mediated through preservation of the gastric mucosal barrier, increase in gastric pH, and inhibition of gastric acid secretion through the histamine H2 and acetylcholine M3 extracellular pathways on the parietal cell

Linking Household Food Security and Food Value Chains in North West Mt. Kenya

Smallholder farmers and pastoralists produce the largest proportion of food consumed in sub-Saharan Africa. However, they remain among the food insecure populations. This paper explores the food (in)security among smallholder farmers and pastoralists using a sample of 175 households in three agro-food value chains of wheat, dairy, and beef in the north-west Mt. Kenya region. The study seeks to answer if a farmer’s participation in a particular agro-food value chain determines his/her food security situation. We use the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and two Poisson regression models, parsimonious and full, to assess the household food security status and determinants of food security among the smallholder farmers and pastoralists. The results show that 61% of the households were either mildly, moderately, or severely food insecure. Households in the beef value chain experienced relatively higher incidences of food insecurity compared to households in the wheat and dairy value chains. The HFIAS scores revealed a wide gap between households with minimum and maximum score. Household size, income and income-related variables (ability to save and borrow to meet family needs), transport assets, membership in farmers’ associations, and household energy were significant in determining household food security, while access to credit and to extension services was not. Strategies that focus on boosting smallholder farmers’ incomes, building strong and resilient farmers associations to improve inclusive and equitable value chains have the potential to get smallholder farmers out of recurrent food insecurity.ISSN:2071-105

The antispasmodic effect of aqueous root bark extract of Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl on isolated rabbit jejunum is mediated through blockade of calcium channels

BackgroundSpasms of the gut underlie hyperactive gut disorders. These conditions are highly prevalent and impart greater health care cost. Herbal antispasmodic remedies form a source of affordable, safe and easily available treatments in low resource areas. There is, therefore, a need to scientifically evaluate the therapeutic potential of these remedies. This study investigated the antispasmodic effect of aqueous root bark extract of Carissa edulis, herb used to manage hyperactive gut disorders such as abdominal colic and diarrhea.Materials and methodsPieces of jejunum were isolated from adult New Zealand White rabbits. They were mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode’s solution. The rate and force of contraction were recorded using Powerlab coupled to Chart5 Software. The effects of the extract (0.1-10.0 mg/ml) on spontaneous jejunal contraction were investigated. The effect of 1.0 and 3.0 mg/ml extract was investigated on acetylcholine, KCl and CaCl2 induced contraction.ResultsCarissa edulis extract dose-dependently (0.1-10 mg/ml) significantly decreased the force but not the rate of spontaneous jejunal contraction. Extract (1 and 3 mg/) significantly decreased the magnitude of acetylcholine, KCl and CaCl2 induced contraction.Conclusions Aqueous root bark extracts of Carissa edulis possess a significant antispasmodic effect on rabbit jejunum. This appears to be through calcium channel blockade. These results validate its use as a remedy for hyperactive gut disorders.Â