An Evaluation of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Perceptions of Behaviour and Lifestyle Change as Fraud Indicators

This is an exploratory and descriptive study that sought to investigate the perception of certified fraud examiners (CFEs) on the suitability of using red flag behaviour indicators to detect and investigate crime in Kenya. This was necessitated by the continued prevalence of fraud cases in government and private offices despite established mechanism for fraud detection and deterrence. The study used random sampling procedure to select 90 CFEs out of 150 CFEs who were ready to participate in this research. The study is anchored on social learning theory and self control theory.  The study findings revealed that CFEs had an optimistic and positive perception towards the use of behavioral red flags as indicators for detecting fraud. Findings also showed that the CFEs believed that the indicators of lifestyle and behavior change can be used successfully for fraud identification in all the industries and occupations explored in the study. The study concluded that there is a need for further study on emerging trends of behavioural and lifestyle changes related to fraud commission. It also recommended that CFEs be proactive in monitoring and surveillance of suspect employees for tips on fraud. Keywords: Fraud, Fraud detection, Fraud investigation, Behavioural change, Keny

HIV and AIDs Stigma and its Influence on Coping Mechanisms: A Case of People Living with HIV and AIDS within a Rural Set up in Maragua District, Kenya

This paper explores how HIV and AIDs stigma is experienced in rural communities and the mechanisms exercised to cope with it. The research explores the experiences of HIV positive persons within the communities they live in, focusing on the influence of socio economic factors on HIV stigma, ways of coping with the stigma and influence of stigma on coping mechanisms embraced by HIV positive persons. The research interviewed 60 persons living with HIV and AIDS enrolled in support groups in Maragua district in Central Kenya. Ten key informants including nurses, clinicians, professional social workers, and counselors were purposively selected from within the health care facilities HIV and AIDS in the area. Raw data was collected through face to face interviews with the 60 respondents using questionnaires that contained open and close ended questions while an interview guide was used on the key informants. The data was analyzed by the use of statistical package for social scientists (SPSS). The study found that HIV and Aids stigma impact negatively on the health seeking behavior among the HIV positive, and also on their social, political and economic advancement. The study also found that in spite of stigma being complex it is also dynamic in the sense that as people learn more about HIV and AIDS their attitudes change. The paper recommends concerted efforts from key players including people living with HIV and AIDS, the government, local leaders, community and health care providers to ensure raising HIV and AIDS awareness levels and prevention care. Keywords: HIV and AIDS Stigma, Coping Mechanisms, HIV and AIDS Management, Rural Areas, Murang’a -Keny

An Evaluation of the Motives behind Volunteering and Existing Motivational Strategies among Voluntary Organizations in Kenya

Given that volunteers offer their services without compensation, it is widely assumed that the presence or absence of any form of motivation cannot deter their desire to volunteer. This study used 120 purposively selected respondents comprising 90 volunteers and 30 non volunteers to identify the factors that make people volunteer and the explore existing motivational strategies in three voluntary organizations in Kenya - Kenya Red Cross Society, the United Nations Volunteers and the St. Johns Ambulance Kenya. The research grouped the strategies into intrinsic and extrinsic factors as categorized by Herzberg (1959) theory to try and understand if both motivational and hygienic factors play a role in making people to volunteer. The research also utilised the Social Exchange Theory to establish whether volunteers expect social rewards to continue volunteering. The research established that people volunteer to obtain learning opportunities and gain experience (51.1%), due to encouragement from peers (18.8%), so as to complete school projects (16.7%) and due to lack of employment (13.3%). The study also established that though the voluntary companies employed both the intrinsic and extrinsic motivational strategies, they did not properly communicate the strategies to the respondents. Some 44.4% volunteers continued volunteering because they felt that motivational strategies geared towards personal growth and development (intrinsic) were present, while 33.3% non volunteers said organizational motivational strategies (extrinsic) created conducive work environment. The study concluded that any voluntary organization should ensure that it has aligned its volunteer management processes of recruitment, induction, training and motivation to reap maximum benefits from volunteers. Keywords: Volunteers, Motivation Strategies, Intrinsic Factors, Extrinsic Factors, Keny

Life history differences across a latitudinal gradient in side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana)

Latitudinal variation has long been known to affect life history. Bergmann and Allen made latitudinal “rules” for mammalian anatomy and Lack, Skutch, and Moreau described differences in life history in birds. Trade-offs occur between important life history processes, like self maintenance (immunity) and other expensive but necessary processes. It is likely that trade-offs occur mostly when resources are limited. Side-blotched lizards have a wide geographic range, and more northerly lizards have been observed to have longer lifespans than their southern conspecifics. We hypothesized that northern sideblotched lizards would invest more energy into self-maintenance compared to shorter-lived southern animals

Numerical modeling of bifacial PV string performance: Perimeter effect and influence of uniaxial solar trackers

The bifacial photovoltaic (PV) systems have recently met large interest. The performance of such systems heavily depends on the installation conditions and, in particular, on the albedo radiation collected by the module rear side. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to have an accurate performance model. To date, in the scientific literature, numerous models have been proposed and experimental data collected to study and optimize bifacial PV system performance. Currently, 3D and 2D models of bifacial PV devices exist. Though the former are more mathematically complex, they can lead to more accurate results, since they generally allow to fully consider the main aspects influencing a bifacial PV system performance. Recently, we have proposed and validated through experimental data a 3D model tested as a function of module height, tilt angle, and ground albedo. In this work, through such a model, we studied the role played by the perimeter zones surrounding the PV string, by considering PV strings of 30 or 60 modules. We considered the cases of fixed installation with optimal PV module tilt and of installation with uniaxial horizontal solar tracker. We evaluated the PV energy yield as a function of the size of the perimeter zones for the two cases, i.e., both with and without the solar tracker. In optimal perimeter conditions, we then studied the behavior of bifacial and mono-facial PV strings by varying the geographical location in a large latitude range

Contribution of red blood cells to the compensation for hypocapnic alkalosis through plasmatic strong ion difference variations

Introduction Chloride shift is the movement of chloride between red blood cells (RBC) and plasma (and vice versa) caused by variations in pCO2. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in plasmatic strong ion diff erence (SID) during acute variations in pCO2 and their possible role in the compensation for hypocapnic alkalosis.Methods Patients admitted in this year to our ICU requiring extracorporeal CO2 removal were enrolled. Couples of measurements of gases and electrolytes on blood entering (v) and leaving (a) the respiratory membrane were analyzed. SID was calculated as [Na+] + [K+] + 2[Ca2+] \u2013 [Cl\u2013] \u2013 [Lac\u2013]. Percentage variations in SID (SID%) were calculated as (SIDv \u2013 SIDa) x 100 / SIDv. The same calculation was performed for pCO2 (pCO2%). Comparison between v and a values was performed by paired t test or the signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results Analysis was conducted on 205 sample-couples of six enrolled patients. A signifi cant diff erence (P <0.001) between mean values of v\u2013a samples was observed for pH (7.41 \ub1 0.05 vs. 7.51 \ub1 0.06), pCO2 (48 \ub1 6 vs. 35 \ub1 7 mmHg), [Na+] (136.3 \ub1 4.0 vs. 135.2 \ub1 4.0 mEq/l), [Cl\u2013] (101.5 \ub1 5.3 vs. 102.8 \ub1 5.2 mEq/l) and therefore SID (39.5 \ub1 4.0 vs. 36.9 \ub1 4.1 mEq/l). pCO2% and SID% signifi cantly correlated (r2 = 0.28, P <0.001). Graphical representation by quartiles of pCO2% is shown in Figure 1. Conclusions As a reduction in SID decreases pH, the observed movement of anions and cations probably limited the alkalinization caused by hypocapnia. In this model, the only source of electrolytes are blood cells (that is, no interstitium and no infl uence of the kidney is present); it is therefore conceivable to consider the observed phenomenon as the contribution of RBC for the compensation of acute hypocapnic alkalosi

A GEO-DATABASE FOR 3D-AIDED MULTI-EPOCH DOCUMENTATION OF BRIDGE INSPECTIONS

The recent collapse of bridges in Italy has prompted numerous studies on monitoring and maintenance. Many structures in Italy have been in service for over 50 years, necessitating new approaches to ensure their safety. To address this issue, Italy's Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori Pubblici (Superior Council of Public Works) has developed the Guidelines for Risk Classification and Management, proposing a multi-level approach to bridge management within a complex geomorphological environment. The guidelines outline a multi-level process that includes surveying the structures, conducting detailed inspections, and assigning risk classes based on hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Current inspection processes are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, alternative monitoring technologies are crucial. Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras, laser technologies, and GPS systems offer flexible and cost-effective solutions for visual inspection. These technologies enable the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data, such as size, material properties, and overall condition. In this context, efficient data management and exploration systems are necessary to handle the vast amount of geo-referenced information. Multi-epoch databases play a crucial role in documenting the conditions of bridges and supporting a maintenance and structural health monitoring workflow. These databases can be utilized within a Bridge Management System to aid road managers in decision-making processes. Additionally, 3D exploration platforms provide visual analysis and highlight areas of interest within the structure. This work presents a multi-epoch geo-database that adheres to the Italian guidelines, offering optimized data management and queryability for 2D and 3D information. The entire process is designed using open-source and reproducible solutions