Card Reader Research Articles

8 - The Role of ICT in Curtailing Electoral Fraud and Violence in Nigeria: A Study of the 2019 General Election in Lagos State

Elections can be described as the hallmark of democracy and integral for a democratic society to remain stable. However, electoral process in Nigeria has been marred with fraud and violence. Electoral violence and fraud remain a major threat to the stability of democracy in Nigeria. To reduce the occurrence of violence and fraud, INEC introduced the Smart Card Reader (SCR) which was used to verify the authenticity of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC). The use of ICT during the 2019 elections limited the extent to which political actors can intimidate or harass INEC officials to commit electoral fraud, it also reduced the number of electoral petitions and in Lagos State, there was a reduction in violence experienced during the elections. Ifeanyi .U. Chukwuma, Researcher, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: ify.chukwuma@yahoo.com

The smart card Authentication system

This paper provides details on smart card authentication software. The software uses the smart card, smart card reader/writer device, NFC (Near Field Communication), data card printer, and web application. The data collected from the user through the web application will be stored in the smart card in encrypted format using a smart card writer during registration and also basic details of the user will be printed on the smart card using the data card printer. When the user produces the card for authentication the smart card reader, reads and decrypts the details stored in the smart card. Keywords: NFC, Data card printer, Encryption, Decryption, ACR122U, APDU.

ASSESSMENT OF EFFICIENCY IN DIGITAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT IN TUNISIA: A REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Aim of the study: From 2009 to 2017, this study examines the impact of information and communication technology on economic growth in 24 Tunisian regions. Methodology: The DEA model and the Malmquist index (MI) were used to evaluate trends in the efficiency of digital economy growth and ICT application in 24 Tunisian regions from 2009 to 2017. Finding: The findings imply that the efficacy of ICT will eventually lead to Tunisia's economic growth. Furthermore, policymakers should focus on promoting monetary policy and distributing resources efficiently for the country's long-term growth. Practical implications: From 2009 to 2017, the DEA model and the Malmquist index were used to assess trends in the efficiency of digital economy growth and ICT use in 24 Tunisian regions. (MI). The successful approach might show Tunisian economic leaders the flaws and strengths of their national goals for digital economy growth, as well as the factors that are driving the digital divide to widen with other growing nations. Originality/value: We use the Malmquist productivity index and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to track trends in the efficacy of digital economy growth in Tunisian regions. Keywords: Economic growth, Data envelopment analysis, Digital economy, ICT Paper type: Research paper

Secure forensic data transmission system in cloud database using fuzzy based butterfly optimization and modified ECC

AbstractData forensic is the investigation of digital data which illustrates how it is created and utilized. It is composed of detection, preservation, retrieval, and analyzing digital information. These data are stored in different domains. When storing the data in a cloud database it is ineluctable to circumvent the data leakage. Several deep learning approaches were conducted to resist data leakage. However, optimized security was not obtained. To address the aforementioned issues we have proposed a novel modified elliptic curve cryptography based secure forensic data transmission system (MESFDT) in the cloud database. The conventional ECC selects the keys used for the encryption and decryption process randomly. This might cause the generation of countless keys and can be easily hacked by a malicious user. Therefore we adopted fuzzy based butterfly optimization algorithm (FBOA) for the generation of keys. Thus the ECC is modified to form modified elliptic curve cryptography (MECC). The proposed method is comprised of a MECC integration unit, wireless transceiver, USB interface, MECC unit, smart card reader. This helps to transfer the forensic data from the user to the cloud database securely and also circumvent the duplication of data. The experimental study depicts that the proposed method increases the security of forensic data and mitigates the encryption and decryption time more gently than the other existing approaches.

A Waste Segregation Bin

Abstract: The primary idea of this project is to create a waste segregation bin which is equipped with a number of sensors to effectively sense the nature of waste and place it in the correct bin. We are also using a LIDAR system so that it can traverse autonomously from house to house in order to collect the waste sample. The system is also equipped with a RFID module so that it can reward the person who uses it. The waste bin would also be attached with an ultrasound sensor connected to a web application using NodeMCU so that the authorities can monitor the level of waste present in the bin. This would save fuel for them and it would also help the companies requiring those waste products to know beforehand how much waste they will get on a particular day. The companies will pay the authorities some amount for the waste product. The authorities will keep some amount for maintaining the equipment and building more such items and pay the rest to the persons who provide the waste as the data is already available through the RFID card reader. It would be a benefit for the companies as they are getting the waste at a lower cost, the citizens would get a reward for throwing the waste in the proper bin. We are also planning to use aluminum instead of plastic as it is more durable so less cost of maintenance. Keywords: Autonomous traversal, Solidworks designing, Electrical,

Smart Office System Based Internet of Things

A smart office system is a complex system. The system consists of software and hardware that are interconnected with existing equipment in the office. With the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, it can facilitate the smart office system in the process of data communication through the internet network. The research was conducted at PT. Media Facilities Data Area NTB. The company is an internet service company headquartered in the Denpasar, Bali regional office. The company has a complaint about the lack of facilities to monitor and control facilities located in area offices throughout the province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The complaint occurs because the service area is growing, there will be more branch offices in the area to accommodate the teams and services in each branch so that it will be increasingly difficult to monitor and control each of these offices. The method used in designing the smart office system is the research and development (R&D) method. Smart office system aims to make it easier to monitor and control equipment and assets in the office. The result of this research is that the design and implementation of the smart office system have been successfully built. The system can facilitate the HRGA (Human Resource and General Affairs) department in managing and monitoring employees, internet networks and office facilities. The system design that has been built has been successfully tested with a success rate of 100% RFID card reading, 90% control over office facilities, and 80% attendance data.

Subsewershed SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance and COVID-19 Epidemiology Using Building-Specific Occupancy and Case Data.

To evaluate the use of wastewater-based surveillance and epidemiology to monitor and predict SARS-CoV-2 virus trends, over the 2020–2021 academic year we collected wastewater samples twice weekly from 17 manholes across Virginia Tech’s main campus. We used data from external door swipe card readers and student isolation/quarantine status to estimate building-specific occupancy and COVID-19 case counts at a daily resolution. After analyzing 673 wastewater samples using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), we reanalyzed 329 samples from isolation and nonisolation dormitories and the campus sewage outflow using reverse transcription digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR). Population-adjusted viral copy means from isolation dormitory wastewater were 48% and 66% higher than unadjusted viral copy means for N and E genes (1846/100 mL to 2733/100 mL/100 people and 2312/100 mL to 3828/100 mL/100 people, respectively; n = 46). Prespecified analyses with random-effects Poisson regression and dormitory/cluster-robust standard errors showed that the detection of N and E genes were associated with increases of 85% and 99% in the likelihood of COVID-19 cases 8 days later (incident–rate ratio (IRR) = 1.845, p = 0.013 and IRR = 1.994, p = 0.007, respectively; n = 215), and one-log increases in swipe card normalized viral copies (copies/100 mL/100 people) for N and E were associated with increases of 21% and 27% in the likelihood of observing COVID-19 cases 8 days following sample collection (IRR = 1.206, p < 0.001, n = 211 for N; IRR = 1.265, p < 0.001, n = 211 for E). One-log increases in swipe normalized copies were also associated with 40% and 43% increases in the likelihood of observing COVID-19 cases 5 days after sample collection (IRR = 1.403, p = 0.002, n = 212 for N; IRR = 1.426, p < 0.001, n = 212 for E). Our findings highlight the use of building-specific occupancy data and add to the evidence for the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology to predict COVID-19 trends at subsewershed scales.

Hardware RFID Security for Preventing Far-Field Attacks

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a widely used approach for a short-range contactless data exchange, i.e., employed in billing systems. During the last years, unauthorized access has become an issue, as it has been proven on numerous unpleasant occasions. A typical theft scheme is based on approaching a victim with a card reader. However, a straightforward adaptation of the reader’s antenna elements allows performing the attack from a distance, opening a severe security loophole. Here, we propose and demonstrate hardware-based protection capable of preventing a far-field attack of this kind. Our solution is based on an RFID chip shielding with an opaque metal. The Faraday type of the enclosure has a small aperture, which suppresses electromagnetic field leakage from the device. This property affects both up and down interrogation links, virtually making the far-field attack impossible. Activation of the card is done by holding it in hand–this way, it is made accessible to an authorized readout, which still remains wireless. The physical principle of the operation is placing a high-index dielectric structure next to a subwavelength aperture, making it electromagnetically larger and, as a result, supporting the field leakage. Our experimental prototype, validated by several different users, shows the capability to diminish far-field attacks on ultrahigh frequency (UHF) RFID tags. This hardware security solution can find usage in numerous applications, such as biometric passports, credit cards, and many others, where unauthorized access to sensitive data is highly undesirable.

Photothermal card reader assay using the commercial colloidal gold test strip for the rapid quantitative detection of food hazards.

The simple and rapid commercial colloidal gold test strip can only be used for qualitative or semi-quantitative detection, accompanied by weak detectability and false negative experimental results. Herein, a photothermal test strip assay which combined test strip with aportable photothermal card reader was established to achieve quantitative detection with excellent detectability. According to thephotothermal effect produced by gold nanoparticles (GNPs) captured on the test line, the signal could be recorded by the reader. Thirteen food hazards including veterinary drug residues and pesticide residues were tested; the photothermal detectability in actual samples were about 23 (methyl parathion), 7 (enrofloxacin), 6 (sarafloxacin), 8 (sulfadiazine), 12 (sulfamethazine), 7 (paraquat), 6 (malachite green), 11 (amantadine), 13 (nitrofurazone), 6 (diethylstilbestrol), 12 (estriol), 21 (estrone), and 26 (17β-estradiol) times better than the visual detectability. Our results demonstrated that the photothermal test strip assay could be used for sensitive, rapid, and quantitative detection of residues of food hazards.

Usable and secure? User perception of four authentication methods for mobile banking

Smartphone authentication is becoming a cornerstone security component, so it is necessary to have methods that are usable and secure to ensure adequate protection, especially for mobile banking. Though biometric authentication seems to be perceived as very usable by users, there is a lack of research to compare smartphone-based fingerprint verification to other authentication methods for mobile banking in terms of usability and perceived security. Using two independent samples, we conducted a study for a younger group aged 26–54 (N = 229) and an older group aged 55+ (N = 239) about their perceptions of the usability and security of four authentication methods: fingerprint, PIN, token, and card reader. All four methods were evaluated positively for both usability and security, with fingerprint verification evaluated as the most usable and the most secure method for mobile banking. Interestingly, none of our hypothesized predictors (i.e., age, gender, education, smartphone self-efficacy, smartphone security behaviour, knowledge of secure smartphone behaviour) was consistently related to how users perceive the usability and security of the examined methods. This suggests that smartphone users would be able to successfully adopt, and be quite satisfied with, any of the tested methods, regardless of demography or smartphone skills.

Elections and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria. An Appraisal of the 2019 General Elections

This article presents a detailed appraisal of the administration of the 2019 general elections with a special focus on polling station information, set up, the voting and counting process, conduct of security officials and declaration of results. Findings show an improvement in the conduct of elections and hence a deepening of democracy in Nigeria. These improvements include the use of card readers and greater participation by stakeholders including observer groups, CSOs and the media. Some of the challenges include disruptions occasioned by the postponement of the general elections, low voter turnouts, logistical challenges, late arrivals of materials and officials, the cumbersome voting process for uneducated and rural voters, weak capacity of ad-hoc staff, voter inducement, shortage of materials and personnel, and challenges with smart card readers. Others are lack of special provisions for people with disabilities, inadequate security in some cases, too many political parties listed on the ballot paper, high number of invalid votes, non-adherence to electoral guidelines, uneven distribution of voters and underage voting. Recommendations arising from the paper include reform of the Electoral Act to improve transparency and efficiency through the use of ICT tools, continuing voter education, capacity development for INEC/ad-hoc staff and security officials, improving elections logistics and smart card reader functionality. Similarly recommended are enhanced funding for INEC, ensuring strict adherence to guidelines, continuous civic and voter registration, adequate provision for people living with disabilities and effective security planning. Keywords : Elections administration, Electoral Management Body, Democracy, Governance, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

ФАКТОРЫ СОХРАНЕНИЯ ЧИТАТЕЛЬСКИХ КАРТОЧНЫХ КАТАЛОГОВ МУНИЦИПАЛЬНЫХ БИБЛИОТЕК В ЭКСПЕРТНЫХ ОЦЕНКАХ

The article gives a comparative analysis of electronic and card library readers’ catalogues, characterizes the functions of the paper catalogue as an important component of the reference search apparatus of the library infor-mation institution and the source of reference library servicing of different cat-egories of information consumers. The views of the prominent theorists of the modern Russian library science (E.R. Sukiasyan, L.B. Zuparova, etc.) concern-ing the usefulness of parallel introduction of traditional catalogues and their digital versions have been analyzed. The key factors that condition the librar-ies’ decision in favor of maintaining paper catalogues in actual condition are considered. In the author’s conclusion, keeping card catalogues in the epoch of digital transformation of information environment is guaranteed by the set of conditions the basic of which is the demand from the library readers.

A Multiple Badge Architectures Open Source RFID Reader with Insight Regarding Room Occupants

The preferred architecture and the source company for radio frequency identification (RFID) badge access cards can vary over time within the same company, depending on what management may envision for the future of working. Additionally, the preferred badge architecture and the company that makes those badges can vary from company to company, and from original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to their supplier partners. These circumstances create some inefficiencies amongst the workforce. Within the same engineering campus of a large OEM, many employees may still have the old key ring style badge, but some of the new RFID device readers may no longer accept this outdated badge architecture, which means these employees may not have access to certain areas until they get their new smart badge ID card. This makes doing their job much more difficult, potentially forcing them to find new ways to access the room or area that they need. Additionally, due to differences in badge architecture, an OEM’s supplier partners do not have access to areas of the OEM’s testing site or offices, even ones in which the OEM would prefer that they have permission to access in order to increase work efficiency (including test tracks and special laboratories). This paper presents a new open sourced RFID card reader which is designed, tested and implemented to read both of the most popular badge architectures (key ring badges and smart cards). The new proposed system also includes a unique function which shows the employee more information about the occupants inside of the room that they are trying to access. After reflecting on the state-of-the-art, the main selling point of the proposed system is that it recognizes multiple different badge architectures, and it doesn’t require the end user to source their RFID devices from a certain company. It provides other benefits including allowing suppliers and OEMs to seamlessly share collaborative spaces, and ensuring older versions of badges don’t become obsolete.

“Tarot Card Reading in The Waste Land and Its Korean Translation.”

“Tarot Card Reading in The Waste Land and Its Korean Translation.”

Phospholipid Scrambling by G Protein-Coupled Receptors.

Rapid flip-flop of phospholipids across the two leaflets of biological membranes is crucial for many aspects of cellular life. The transport proteins that facilitate this process are classified as pump-like flippases and floppases and channel-like scramblases. Unexpectedly, Class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large class of signaling proteins exemplified by the visual receptor rhodopsin and its apoprotein opsin, are constitutively active as scramblases in vitro. In liposomes, opsin scrambles lipids at a unitary rate of >100,000 per second. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of opsin in a lipid membrane reveal conformational transitions that expose a polar groove between transmembrane helices 6 and 7. This groove enables transbilayer lipid movement, conceptualized as the swiping of a credit card (lipid) through a card reader (GPCR). Conformational changes that facilitate scrambling are distinct from those associated with GPCR signaling. In this review, we discuss the physiological significance of GPCR scramblase activity and the modes of its regulation in cells.

Using a natural experiment in the taxicab industry to analyze the effects of third-party income reporting

This paper uses confidential tax returns data from sole proprietor businesses to estimate behavioral responses to the introduction of Form 1099-K, a third-party income reporting law that requires credit and debit card companies to report to the Internal Revenue Service gross of payment transactions that businesses receive through their payment systems. We estimate the causal impact of Form 1099-K on business reporting by exploiting a natural experiment in which some cities in the U.S. passed ordinances requiring taxicabs to install credit card readers in their vehicles, while other cities did not pass such ordinances, creating plausibly exogenous variation in the share of receipts reported on Form 1099-K. We find that taxpayers respond to third-party information reporting in offsetting ways. In particular, we find that businesses from cities with mandatory credit card in taxicab ordinances reported more receipts after the introduction of Form 1099-K compared to similar businesses from cities without mandatory credit card in taxicab ordinances, but they also reported an increase in expenses of similar magnitude. On net, third-party information reporting led to small and statistically insignificant changes in taxable income, profit, and tax liability. These results are robust to a variety of alternative specifications and placebo tests.

OpenOBS: Open‐source, low‐cost optical backscatter sensors for water quality and sediment‐transport research

AbstractOptical backscatter sensors (OBSs) are commonly used to measure the turbidity, or light obscuration, of water in fresh and marine environments and various industrial applications. These turbidity data are commonly calibrated to yield total suspended solids (TSS) or suspended sediment concentration (SSC) measurements for water quality, sediment transport, and diverse other research and environmental management applications. Commercial sensors generally cost &gt; $1000–3000. Here we leveraged simple, low‐cost microprocessors, electronics, and housing components to design and construct open‐source OBSs for &lt; $150 per unit. The circuit relies on a photodiode to sense backscattered light, two stages of signal amplification, and a high‐resolution analog‐to‐digital converter to read the detected signal. The instrument and logger utilize inexpensive, custom‐printed circuit boards with through‐hole soldering mounts; micro‐SD card reader and real‐time clock modules; and PVC housings with commercial end caps and epoxy‐potted diode emitter and receiver. All parts are readily and publicly available, and minimal experience in soldering and coding is required to build and deploy the sensor. In lab and field tests, standard deviations were comparable to those measured by commercial sensors (~ 2–3% of the mean for suspended muds and 20–30% for suspended sands). These open‐source sensors represent a useful advance in inexpensive sensing technology with broad applications across scientific and environmental management disciplines.

Secure and Flexible Key Protected Identity Framework for Mobile Devices

Mobile or IOT based applications are emerging rapidly across the globe and there is a massive digital transformation happening within each country. It is a need of an hour to improve and protect digital identity during online transactions through handheld devices. This paper proposes a Mobile ID solution based on Mobile-originated PKI without the need for the actual identity card or a card reader. The solution proposed focuses on security, privacy, and usability using open standards which will protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) over handheld devices. The proposed mobile ID solution has better cost-efficacy and privacy than today’s scenario. It also explicates the Mobile ID solution with established secure identity among users, authorities, other organizations of public, and private sectors.

Set-Based Concurrent Engineering Process Model and Systematic Application on an Electronic Card Reader

Set-based concurrent engineering (SBCE), also known as set-based design, is a state-of-the-art approach to the new product development process. SBCE, simply, provides an environment where designers explore a wide range of alternative solutions in the early stages of product development. After gaining knowledge, solutions are narrowed down until the optimal solution is ensured. Such an environment saves considerable amount of cost and time while reaching innovation and high quality in the products. However, industrial practitioners seek a clear and systematic application throughout an SBCE process. This paper demonstrates a well-structured SBCE process model and its step-by-step application on a product called “electronic card reader”. Real data is used in the industrial case study. Results showed the benefits of applying SBCE in both the product, and the process of new product development.

Sistem Pintu Otomatis Menggunakan E-KTP Berbasis Internet of Things (IoT) pada Kamar Hotel

The system of opening and closing the hotel room doors is already using RFID but its use is still not optimal because the card used is very expensive and the card used can only be one card for each room, so if the card is lost, you have to re-enter the card id. Therefore, digital electronic technology systems and devices are needed to make it easier to open the door and close the hotel room so that it can facilitate the hotel security system with automatic locks. This system and device uses an E-KTP and an Internet of Thing (IoT)-based Keypad and which functions to control the device using a NodeMCU while for a card reader with an RFID engine. The research method uses a model, namely with a prototype model for making systems and automatic room door locking system tools. The results and conclusions of the manufacture of hotel room automatic door locking systems and devices using an Internet of Thing (IoT)-based E-KTP equipped with a message LCD and keypad as a door opening solution if the RFID machine does not work. The security of hotel guests who stay is more guaranteed and can also make it easier for guests and hotel staff with an automatic hotel room door lock system. The results of the user's assessment of the work of a series of systems and tools to open and lock this automatic hotel room door are very good with a value of 88.7%.