Research Papers (RP)

Permanent URI for this community

https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1282

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 9481

1,8-Cineole: An attractant for the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus
(Elsevier, 1996-07) Hassanali, Ahmed; Ndiege, I. O.; Budenberg, W. J.; Otieno, D. O.
1,8-Cineole was identified as one of the electrophysiologically active components of the volatiles from banana cultivars susceptible to the banana weevil. It was also shown to be an attractant for the banana weevil Comopolites sordidus in laboratory behavioural bioassays. The resistant cultivar did not contain 1,8-cineole. β-Phellandrene, which exhibited electrophysiological activity, but did not show any attraction to the banana weevil, was found only in the resistant banana cultivar.
105 - Biocontrol of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Kenyan tomato varieties using habitat-adapted endophytes
(Deutsche Pflanzenschutztagung, 2014-09) Schouten, Alexander; Grundler, Florian M. W.; Kuska, Matheus; Kariuki, George M.; Bogner, Catherine Wanja
Plant parasitic nematodes, especially root-knot nematodes, pose a major threat to the increasingly important tomato production in the coastal humid tropics of East Africa. Tomato endophytes collected from Kenya were identified and screened for their biocontrol activities in the tomato cultivar moneymaker, various local Kenyan varieties and AVRDC accessions. In particular, Trichoderma and Fusarium oxysporum isolates could significantly reduce root-knot nematode egg densities when compared to the non-inoculated control. Split-root experiments and synchronized infection studies have shown that the fungus initiates certain systemic plant defense responses that affect both penetration and overall development of the nematode. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the induced defense responses leading to this reduction in nematode infection, specific tomato mutants that are impaired in particular defense pathways are analyzed with respect to root-knot nematode colonization in the presence and absence of the beneficial endophytes. At the same time, the expression of several marker genes and the activity of certain enzymes, all involved in the various induced defense responses, are being monitored. In addition, the effects of fungal metabolites on M. incognita and the initiation of defense responses is being studied. The use of habitat-adapted endophytic fungi may provide a safe, efficient, reliable and affordable approach to control root-knot nematodes.
12-Month Substance Use Disorders among First-Year University Students in Kenya
(PLOS ONE, 2023-11) Jaguga, Florence; Mathai, Muthoni; Ayuya, Caroline; Francisca, Ongecha; Musyoka, Catherine Mawia; Shah, Jasmit; Atwoli, Lukoye
Objectives The period of entry into university represents one of vulnerability to substance use for university students. The goal of this study is to document the 12-month prevalence of substance use disorders among first year university students in Kenya, and to test whether there is an association between substance use disorders and mental disorders. Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 2019 and 2020 as part of the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) survey initiative. A total of 334 university students completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between substance use disorder and mental disorders after adjusting for age and gender. Results The 12-month prevalence for alcohol use disorder was 3.3%, while the 12-month prevalence for other substance use disorder was 6.9%. Adjusting for age and gender, there was an association between any substance use disorder and major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar 1 disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, social anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and non-suicidal self-injury. Conclusion These findings highlight the need to institute policies and interventions in universities in Kenya that address substance use disorders and comorbid mental disorders among firstyear students
16S rRNA Gene Profiling of Bacterial Communities Mediating Production of Tsetse Attractive Phenols in Mammalian Urine
(OASIS, 2019) Musonye, Harry; Njeru, Ezekiel; Hassanali, Ahmed; Langata, Lydia; Mijele, Dominic; Kaitho, Titus; King’ori, Edward; Nonoh, James
Several types of odours are involved in the location of host animals by tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae), a vector of animal African trypanosomiasis. Host animals' ageing urine has been shown to be the source of a phenolic blend attractive to the tsetse. Nevertheless, limited research has been performed on the microbial communities' role in the production of phenols. This study aimed at profiling bacterial communities mediating the production of tsetse attractive phenols in mammalian urine. Urine samples were collected from African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), cattle (Bos taurus) and eland (Taurotragus oryx) at Kongoni Game Valley Ranch and Kenyatta University in Kenya. Urine samples, of each animal species, were pooled and left open to age in ambient conditions. Bacteriological and phenols analyses were then carried out, at 4 days ageing intervals, for 24 days. Phenols analysis revealed nine volatile phenols: 4-cresol, ortho-cresol, 3-cresol, phenol, 3-ethylphenol, 3-propylphenol, 2-methyloxyphenol, 4-ethylphenol and 4-propylphenol. Eight out of 19 bacterial isolates from the ageing urine revealed the potential to mediate production of phenols. 16S rRNA gene characterisation of the isolates closely resembled Enterococcus faecalis KUB3006, Psychrobacter alimentarius PAMC 27887, Streptococcus agalactiae 2603V, Morganella morganii sub.sp. morganii KT, Micrococcus luteus NCTC2665, Planococcus massiliensis strain ES2, Ochrobactrum pituitosum AA2 and Enterococcus faecalis OGIRF. This study established that some of the phenols emitted from mammalian urine, which influence the tsetse's host-seeking behaviour, are well characterised by certain bacteria. These results may allow the development of biotechnological models in vector control that combines the use of these bacteria in the controlled release of semiochemicals.
2-Chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxamide and 2-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxamide as precursors of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one: resolution, absolute configuration and hydrogen-bonding properties
(Elsevier, 2005-08-15) Thuo, M. M.; Plettner, Erika; Mohle, Ashley; Griscti, Johanna; Patrick, Brian O.; Nair, R; Batchelor, R. J.; Einstein, F
The absolute configuration of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one has not been correlated with a crystal structure of a chemical precursor. The only chemical correlation available had an ambiguity, which could have reversed the assignment. Herein, we report the resolution of 2- hlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-carboxamide on a cellulose triacetate column and the crystal structures of the enantiomerically pure and racemic a-chloroamide. We found the absolute configuration (1R,2R,4R) for the (+)-enantiomer of the a-chloroamide. This compound was converted to (+)-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-one by base hydrolysis, and the 5,6-unsaturated compounds converted to the saturated congeners. This is the first unambiguous experimental determination of the absolute configuration of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one and of cyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-one. The three crystal structures of 2-chlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-carboxamide reported herein reveal H-bonded dimers, with two distinct orientations of the bicyclic portion relative to the carboxamide dimer. In the racemic crystal, each dimer is composed of two enantiomers, and the bicyclic portions have their bridge carbon atom (C-7) on opposite sides of the H-bonded carboxamide dimer moiety. In the enantiomerically pure crystals, the major dimer had both C-7 atoms on the same side of the carboxamide dimer moiety while the minor dimer had the C-7 atoms on opposite sides. The dimers are present in solution, and can be easily monitored.
2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzaldehyde: Larvicidal Structure-Activity Studies
(2005) Ndiege, Isaiah O; Lwande, Wilber; Akenga, Teresa O; Mahanga, Geoffrey M.
2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (1), a compound isolated from Mondia whytei (Hook) Skeels (Asclepiaceae) roots exhibited larvicidal activity (LD5022 mg/mL). A total of 18 other derivatives and closely related congeners revealed varying levels of larvicidal activity. Several closely related congeners, like 2-benzyloxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (2), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (12), 2-benzyloxybenzaldehyde (3) and benzylphenyl ether (4), showed marked improvement in activity (LD5010, 9, 4.8, 1.2 mg/mL, respectively) against Anopheles gambiae larvae. 2-Benzoyloxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (5) exhibited similar activity level (LD50 28 mg/mL) as 1.
The 2008 Global Economic Crisis and Public Expenditure: A Critical Review of the Literature
(Advances in Management & Applied Economics, 2014-04-10) Gatauwa, James M.
The United States of America subprime mortgage market precipitated the occurrence of the 2008 global economic crisis that has made financial disruptions the world over. Therefore there has been the need to evaluate the extent to which this crisis affected economies globally. Hence, the effect of the 2008 global economic crisis on public expenditure was reviewed. The paper concludes that economies whose public expenditures were significantly affected by the crisis were those closely integrated to the US financial markets, those with imprudent macroeconomic measures at the pre-crisis period and those with a high level of export dependence. Also the interrelation between macroeconomic factors and public expenditure as influenced by economic policy indicates that the crisis caused the macroeconomic factors to deteriorate. Hence this led to governments adopting economic policy measures that could curtail the crisis effect on public expenditure.
2520-0461
(AJPO, 2018) Jumanne, Andrew Shangarai; Njoroge, Jane
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of structural change management on employee performance in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PARLSCOM) and it was undertaken through descriptive research design. Methodology: The study targeted all the nine hundred and fourteen employees of PARLSCOM. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample of ninety one participants from the target population. Self-administered questionnaire and interview guides were used to collect primary. Secondary data was obtained from PARLSCOM’s annual reports, government publications and earlier research. Reliability of the instruments was tested using Cronbach’s alpha reliability. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple linear regression analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2013 Analysis ToolPak and output used to test study hypotheses. Results: The results indicated that structural change management had a positive significant effect on performance of employees in PARLSCOM. Unique contribution to the theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that structural change management is a critical factor in increasing employee performance, therefore HR managers should ensure clarity and stability in the organization’s structure during change management in order to enhance employee performance. Finally, the study recommends further research be done by replicating the same study in other organizations and also using other independent variables other than the ones used in this study.
2D-Euler Deconvolution and Forward Modeling of Gravity Data of Homa-Hills Geothermal Prospect, Kenya
(2014-02-25) Ambusso, W.; Odek, A.B.; Odek, A.; Githiri, J.G.
In order to fully assess the potential of Homa Hills Geothermal prospect, the heat source which is one of the main features of a geothermal system had to be located based on its perturbation on the gravity field. Ground gravity survey was conducted in an area covering about 76 km2 and the data processed to remove all other effects which are not of geological interest. Qualitative interpretation was attempted and cross sections drawn across the anomalous areas on the complete Bouguer anomaly map. Quantitative interpretation attempted involved both Euler Deconvolution and 2‐D Forward modelling. The parameters obtained from Euler Deconvolution were used as the start up parameters for 2‐D Forward modeling. Well clustered Euler solutions were obtained at a shallow depth of approximately 200‐750 m which is consistent with the modeled shallow dike like intrusive probably of carbonatite origin.
2D-Forward Modeling of Ground Magnetic Data of Homa-Hills Geothermal Prospect Area, Kenya
(SAGE Publications, 2014) Ambusso, W.; Githiri, J.; Abuga, V.; Odek, A.; Adero, B.
Two dimensional (2D) Euler de-convolution techniques was applied on the selected profiles of reduced ground magnetic data collected in Homa Hills area. Depth estimates of causative bodies were quantitatively analysed in the an omalous areas on the residual magnetic intensity map. These depth estimates were later used as start up parameters for 2D-forward modelling using “mag2DC” software. Results of the analyses show that the magnetic anomalies in the region are caused by shallow-seated thermal intrusive structures of carbonatite origin. 2D-Euler solutions revealed subsurface faulting activities up to a depth of 250m and the presence of fluid-filled zones within the survey area which are marked by absence of magnetic sources. It is postulated from 2D-forward modelling that the heat sources are shallow intrusive bodies such as dykes, plugs and sills taping from a deeper magmatic body and that the thermal intrusive structures form along fracture zones
The 3rd Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) Biennial Congress: Lessons Learnt to Advance Lung Health in Africa
(PATS, 2024-03) Kagima, Jacqueline; Irungu, Anne; Ongaya, Asiko; Miheso, Barbara; Chakaya, Jeremiah; Masekela, Refiloe
Lung health in Africa is of great public health concern. To exchange knowledge, communicate the latest scientific advances in lung health, build the capacity of young researchers, and provide a platform for networking of lung health stakeholders in Africa, the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), in partnership with the Respiratory Society of Kenya organized and held the 3rd Biennial PATS congress, from June 7–10, 2023 in Mombasa, Kenya. There were a total of 30 conference sessions, which included six skills building workshops, two research dissemination workshops, six plenary sessions, and five each of pediatric, adult, and thoracic surgery symposia. A total of 60 abstracts were presented, including 27 oral abstracts and 33 posters. A wide range of issues for lung health in Africa emerged. These include the emerging role of the environment, especially climate change and global warming, on lung health, the threat posed by the use of tobacco and other nicotine products in Africa, the high burden of lung infections, insecurity of medical oxygen supply systems, and high burden of chronic respiratory disease. In this paper, we summarize the proceedings of this conference and draw lessons that can be used to advance lung health in the African continent.
A 4-Alkyl-substituted Analogue Of Guaiacol Shows Greater Repellency To Savannah Tsetse (Glossina spp.)
(Springer-Verlag, 2007-05) Hassanali, Ahmed; Saini, R. K.
The responses of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood to guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol), a mild repellent constituent of bovid odors, and seven analogues comprising 2-methoxyfuran, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (4-methylguaiacol), 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (4-ethylguaiacol), 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (4-allylguaiacol; eugenol), 3,4-methylenedioxytoluene, and 3,4-dimethoxystyrene were compared in a two-choice wind tunnel. The 4-methyl-substituted derivative (2-methoxy-4-methylphenol) was found to elicit stronger repellent responses from the flies compared with guaiacol. None of the other analogues showed significant repellent effects on flies. 4-Methylguaiacol, guaiacol, and eugenol (which was included because of previous reports of its repellency against a number of arthropods) were further evaluated in the field with wild populations of predominantly Glossina pallidipes Austen. The presence of guaiacol or eugenol near odor-baited traps caused some nonsignificant reduction in the number of tsetse catches at relatively high release rates (∼50 mg/hr). In contrast, the 4-methyl derivative at three different release rates (2.2, 4.5, and 9.0 mg/hr) reduced trap catches of baited traps in a dose-response manner. At 10 mg/hr release rate, it reduced the catches of baited and unbaited traps by ∼80 and ∼70%, respectively. In addition, the compound not only reduced the number of tsetse attracted to natural ox odor (∼ 80%), but also had an effect on their feeding responses, reducing the proportion that fed on an ox by more than 80%. Our study shows that the presence of a methyl substituent at the 4-position of guaiacol enhances the repellency of the molecule to savannah tsetse and suggests that 4-methylguaiacol may represent a promising additional tool in the arsenal of techniques in trypanosomiasis control.
A Case of Public Debt Liquidation Using Inflation in Kenya
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2025-05) Buhere, V. Amayoka; Korir, Julius
Kenya adopted Medium Term Debt Strategies in 2001 to reduce external borrowing, prioritise concessional debt, slow domestic debt accumulation, extend maturities, and set debt ceilings. Despite these efforts, concerns about debt sustainability persist. Inflation has been demonstrated to liquidate debt in advanced economies but remains unexplored in Kenya. This study used 1983-2022 data and time series analysis to assess inflation’s potential to liquidate public debt, distinguishing domestic from external debt. The results indicated that a 2% shock inflation had a minimal impact on domestic debt, reducing the ratio by just 0.024% in ten years. Conversely, external debt to GDP increased by three and a half percent in five years but decreased by 282% in ten years, aligning with global findings that longer-term debt is more responsive to persistent inflation shocks. This study informs fiscal policy on inflation’s role in managing public debt.
A Comparative Analysis of Early Language Competencies between Boys and Girls in Pre-Primary Schools in Busia County, Kenya
(European Journal of Special Education Research, 2024) Onyango, Consolata Nabwire; Begi, Nyakwara; Mugo, Juliet W.
This study aimed to find out the difference in early language competencies between boys and girls in pre-primary schools. This study used Joyce Epstein's parental involvement model to inform the study, while correlation design was used to guide the study. The target population was pre-primary school children plus their teachers and parents in 67 public schools and 40 private schools. Out of these schools, 7 public schools and 4 private schools were sampled. Early language skills checklist, questionnaire, and interview schedules were used for data collection. A pilot study was conducted in two primary schools. Content validity was used to determine the research tools' validity, whereas the reliability of the instruments was established using the test-retest method. When analyzing qualitative data, thematic analysis was used, while quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics, where frequencies, percentages, and means were generated. A t-test and correlation were used to test null hypotheses. Results revealed that female pupils were better in early language competencies, with a mean score of 2.35, as compared to boys, who had a mean score of 2.28 with a mean difference of 0.07. This outcome implies that the mean performance for female children was a bit higher than that of boys. The average language competency of both boys and girls was 2.32. The results were not significant at 0.05 level of significance and, therefore, were rejected, meaning that there was no significant difference in early language competency between boys and girls. Therefore, these results imply that gender did not influence children's early language competencies. The differences in language acquisition competencies between boys (M = 2.30; SD = .843) and children in private school (M = 2.34; SD = 1.060); t (252) = -.639, p = .523, two-tailed) was considered not significant, indicating no significant difference in children’s early language competencies between boys and girls. The study concluded that female learners acquired higher early language competencies than male learners. Female learners had an advantage over males in the acquisition of early language competencies. The study recommended that Public school administrators and managers should encourage parents to offer voluntary services that enhance the acquisition of language competencies, encourage parents to make frequent calls to the school to inquire about their children's acquisition of language skills and attend organized language functions. The Ministry of Education needs to begin programs in schools where parents are encouraged to be actively involved in the acquisition of their children's language competencies
A Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Metallic Nanoparticle Formulations Synthesized Using a Poly(amic) Acid
(sage journal, 2025-11-06) Obumba, Maxwell; Naumih Noah; Nawiri,Mildred
Water is considered one of the most abundant natural resources, covering the largest proportion of the Earth’s total surface. The availability of clean and safe water for domestic use, however, remains the most important scientific and technological challenge facing humanity presently. Disposal of human organic waste containing large volumes of deadly microbes, including Streptococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, has been cited as the major cause of water pollution and contamination. The increasing prevalence of these antibiotic-resistant pathogens in major water sources presents a critical challenge to public and environmental sustainability. Addressing this challenge calls for the development of novel, effective antimicrobial agents. This study reports the effect of synthesis temperature on the particle size and dispersion, which in turn influence the antimicrobial activity of silver (Ag), gold (Au), and bimetallic silver/gold (Ag/Au) nanoparticles synthesized and stabilized with a biodegradable poly(amic) acid PAA-polymer against S. aureus and E. coli. The synthesis of the different nanoparticle formulations was carried out in two different sets of temperatures: ambient (25 °C) and elevated temperatures (70 °C). The elevated temperature was kept at 70 °C to minimize imidization of PAA to polyimides, a process which occurs at temperatures above 100 °C. This ensured that the stability and structural integrity of PAA were preserved throughout the synthesis process. Nanoparticles synthesized at both ambient and elevated temperatures were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed spherical particles sized between 25 and 58 nm, with elevated temperatures yielding smaller, more uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. Elevated temperatures exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus using disk diffusion assays. A higher antimicrobial activity exhibited by the bimetallic Ag/Au nanoparticles synthesized at elevated temperatures (Ag/Au NPs-HT) showed superior inhibition zone against E. coli (27.67 ± 1.53 mm) and S. aureus (23.67 ± 0.58 mm), outperforming their counterparts synthesized at ambient temperature (p = 0.0088; for E. coli) and all monometallic nanoparticles (p < 0.0001 for both S. aureus and E. coli). Statistically, Ag/Au NPs-HT exhibited a stronger antimicrobial activity as compared to Vancomycin, a commercial clinical antibiotic against both S. aureus (p < 0.0007) and E. coli (p < 0.0007). These findings highlight a synergistic effect when combining silver and gold and underscore synthesis temperatures as a crucial factor in optimizing the antimicrobial performance of Nobel metal nanoparticles, with potential application in environmentally sustainable and cost-effective water purification systems.
A Comparison of Mathematics Achievement of Learners Who Learned Using Peer Tutoring Strategy and Those Who Learned Without Using Peer Tutoring.
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2025-01-08) Iyamuremye, Regis; Nyamu, Florence K.; Wambasi, Aineah W.
Peer tutoring is an instructional strategy where learners take responsibility for teaching other learners, either of the same age or different. The process can be face-to-face interaction or with teachers guiding the learning. The study's objective was to establish the difference in Mathematics achievement between learners who learned using a peer tutoring strategy and those who learned without peer tutoring. The study was guided by the Social Constructivism theory developed by Vygotsky (1978). A quasi-experimental research design was adopted. The target population was Form II learners and Mathematics Teachers from public secondary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. A stratified random sampling was used to form a sample of four (4) public secondary schools two (2) single schools and two (2) mixed schools. The sampled schools were grouped into two (2) groups, a control group and an experimental group. Data was collected using Mathematics achievement tests, a pretest and a post-test. To ensure the validity of the instruments, two (2) senior examiners and four (4) Mathematics educators in the County reviewed a pretest and a post-test. Quantitative data from Mathematics achievement tests was analyzed using the independent samples t-test and interpreted using the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS version. 27). The findings of the study revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in Mathematics achievement tests between Form II learners who learned Mathematics through peer tutoring strategy and those who learned Mathematics without the peer tutoring strategy. The hypothesis was examined at a significance level set at α = .05. The mean score for the control group was 37.31 and a standard deviation of 4.482 which differed significantly from those in the experimental group, which had a mean score of 43.09, and the standard deviation of 5.229. The results indicated a significant statistical difference [ t(158) = 7.500, p-value = .000 < .05 ]. From the results, it is concluded that learners using peer tutoring find that, it is easier to understand the Mathematical concepts and able to complete the task given by the teachers than those colleagues who learned without using peer tutoring. It suggested that Mathematics teachers should use peer tutoring strategy in secondary schools as a way of enhancing learners' achievement in Mathematics
A Cross-Sectional Study on Interprofessional Practice of Health Professionals in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Management among Acute-Care Inpatients in a Kenyan Level – Six, Research Hospital
(International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), 2025-08) Ndiema, Dalphine C.; Abuom, T.; Karia, M.; F., Robinson
Introduction: An Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) practice approach to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) management is vital to enhance the outcomes of patients with this condition. Effective practice requires health professionals (HPs) from different specialties to be involved in OPD management. This study assessed HPs’ involvement in OPD management in the acute-care facility (ACF) of a level-six research hospital in Kenya. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The target population comprised HPs from different work units (medical officers and specialists, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and Speech therapists-SLP/Ts) attending to inpatients in the hospital’s medical and surgical wards (ACF). A previously validated multiple-choice questionnaire was adapted and administered to a purposive sample of 16 HPs. The questionnaire assessed respondents in three involvement aspects: level of involvement, management considerations, and OPD traits for bedside swallowing safety. Responses to the questionnaires were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and then coded into quantitative values using appropriate scales. Frequencies, percentages, and means were used to summarize patterns in the dataset, while the independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare participants’ OPD involvement by their demographic and general characteristics. Tests of significance were at the 95% confidence level. Results: The majority (87.5%, n = 14) generally managed adult OPD inpatients, 75.0% (n = 12) had been in an OPD management team, and 81.3% (n = 13) referred inpatients with swallowing issues. The mean correctly matched management consideration items was 61.3% (SD = 17.08), showing moderate appropriate selection of OPD management considerations during practice. None of the selected demographic and general characteristics significantly influenced their choice of OPD management considerations (p > 0.05). On average, each participant matched 60.8% (SD = 16.12) of the bedside swallowing safety items correctly, suggesting that the sample had, on average, moderate appropriate considerations for bedside swallowing safety among OPD patients. None of these selected characteristics significantly influence the levels of bedside swallowing safety considerations among HPs. On a high positive, almost all HPs (93.8%, n = 15) demonstrated interest in further involvement in the care of OPD patients in their ACF. Recommendations: The hospital’s management should develop strategies to increase inter-professional collaboration among all HPs who should be involved in OPD management. Training programs to increase dysphagia awareness among the hospital’s HPs could help enhance their involvement in its management.
A Hybrid Machine Learning Model for Detection of Fake Profile Accounts on Social Media Networks
(International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), 2024-11) Karamu, Morris Bosire; Araka, Eric Nyambariga
Most of us nowadays are drawn and motivated to adamantly adopt and get obsessed in every new tech-trend emerging within the social media culture that is mostly virtual, through this there is fast worldwide communication out-reach; on-screen relationships and mediated reality scenarios all over, receiving and sending everything is digital and easy to access. This has drawn the attention and motivation for this research. For instance, this massive interconnection comes with a critical challenge: the ever-growing problem of fashioning fake profile accounts. These dishonest entities, falsely reflecting themselves in auto-scripts, human imitation accounts running on bots and automatically hiding behind a masked user-identity of genuine users, can bring a substantial damage to a wide-range of connections on the internet. This encompass spam and unwanted messages to creation of fake profile accounts that lead to a variety of negative penalties such as internet being used for immoral political agendas, manipulative and misleading information to interrupt the public communication changing public opinion and subverting online communication, political processes, public health initiatives or even financial markets. Social media platforms have become breeding ground for counterfeit profiles, calling for the need for improved and reliable detection and mitigation techniques of fake profiles. This research involves the assessment and development Machine Learning model which in-turn can reveal accurately bogus social media accounts with possible mitigation methods.
A Hybrid Model for Detecting Insurance Fraud Using K-Means and Support Vector Machine Algorithms
(Open Journal for Information Technology, 2023) Muthura, Brian Ndirangu; Matheka, Abraham
Private stakeholders and governments across the globe are striving to improve the quality and access of healthcare services to citizens. The need to improve healthcare services, coupled with the increase in social awareness and improvement of people’s living standards, has seen an increase in medical policyholders in the insurance industry. Even so, the healthcare sector is grappled with increased costs every other year, leading to revision of premiums and increased costs for the policyholders. One of the main factors contributing to the increased costs is fraudulent claims raised by the service providers and the policyholders, leading to unprecedented risks and losses for insurance firms. The insurance industry has set up fraud detection and mitigation systems to mitigate losses brought about by fraudulent claims, which come in two flavors: rule-based systems and expert claims analysis. With rule-based systems, conditions such as missing details, location of the claim vis a vis the location of the policyholder, among other rules, are evaluated by systems to assess the validity of the claims. On the other hand, insurance firms rely on the human intervention of experts using statistical analyses and artificial rules to detect fraudulent claims. The rule-based and expert analysis methods fail to detect patterns or anomalies in claims, which is central to efficient fraud detection. Data mining and machine learning techniques are being leveraged to detect fraud. This automation presents enormous opportunities for identifying hidden patterns for further analysis by insurance firms. This research aims to analyze a hybrid approach to detect medical insurance fraud using both K Means (unsupervised) and Support Vector Machines (supervised) machine learning algorithms.
A Machine Learning Model to Detect Phishing Emails using Ensemble Technique
(Kenyatta University, 2024-11) Murangiri, Fredrick Nthurima
The majority of phishing attacks prey on behavioral flaws in users. Phishing links are included in an email that an attacker sends to the recipient that looks and feels authentic. The attacker can obtain sensitive data, like as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by having the receiver click on the embedded links and access the hacked account. With the increasing case of cyber-attacks, organizations are looking for safer ways of protecting data and preventing getting hacked or getting hacked again. Design and technology should be greatly improved to prevent hackers from infiltrating networks. Phishing attacks, which mostly target financial organizations, have been identified as the most common online content attack according to surveys. A 2017 Ponemon Institute LLC survey estimated that the yearly loss from phishing attempts is almost $1.5 billion. The Internet of Things (IoT) is contributing to the global danger to information security; hence, a more effective phishing detection system is needed to reduce these losses and reputation injury. In order to increase the accuracy of phishing detection and prevention, this research study investigates and reports the use of several machine-learning models by utilizing more phishing email features and the random forest algorithm. To detect and prevent phishing attacks, this project examined current phishing techniques, examined the impact of using an ensemble model, designed and created a supervised classifier to identify and stop phishing emails, and tested the model using available data. The model was learned under supervision using a dataset of legitimate and fraudulent emails. With a rate of less than 0.1% for False Positives (FP) and False Negatives (FN), the expected accuracy is 99.9% which will be higher than the already existing models therefore better detection of fraudulent emails.

Browse

Browsing Research Papers (RP) by Title

Results Per Page

Sort Options