Global Spread and Socio-Economic Determinants of Covid-19 Pandemic

Varinder Jain,Lakhwinder Singh 서울대학교 경제연구소 2020 Seoul journal of economics Vol.33 No.4

Covid-19 pandemic being highly lethal has spread so swiftly across the globe that it has infected more than three million persons across 209 countries within a short time-span of 107 days since January 13, 2020. Given such situation, this paper examines differences across countries in terms of Covid-19 infections, testing and deaths. A novel approach has been developed to examine socio-economic variables that determine a nation’s exposure to Covid-19 infections and deaths. The most important methodological contribution has been to devise an objective criterion for identifying the best and worst performing nations in terms of controlling infection and mortality of human beings. An important finding emerging from the regression analysis establishes the fact that democracy and good governance plays significant role in curtailing mortality rates. But, at the same time, there also takes place a rise in infected patients in the presence of democracy and higher per capita income. These inferences are found to be robust and replicated on subsequent regression analysis of 24.33 million infections by August 27, 2020. The policy implication that results from the analysis is that in the absence of definite treatment (like vaccine), physical / social distancing, masks and hand-hygiene etc. can save humans from infections and mortality.

Dual Layer Security of data using LSB Image Steganography Method and AES Encryption Algorithm

Satwinder Singh,Varinder Kaur Attri 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.8 No.5

In today’s scenario security of data is very big challenge in any communication. Numerous data security and hiding algorithms have been developed in the last decade. The Digital image Steganography is science of hiding sensitive information in another transmission medium to achieve secure and secret communication. In this paper we present the dual layer of security to the data, in which first layer is to encode data using Least Significant Bit image steganography method and in the second layer encrypt the data using Advance Encryption Standard Algorithm. Steganography does not replace the encryption of data, instead it provides extra security feature to it. In our work secret text message is hiding behind the digital image file and this image file is then encrypted using AES encryption algorithm.

State-of-the-art Review on Steganographic Techniques

Satwinder Singh,Varinder Kaur Attri 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.8 No.7

Information security is one of most important concern in any communication. There are number of security attacks related to information security and number of techniques has been implemented to prevent these attacks. Data hiding is related field to information security. Data hiding can be achieved be using Digital Steganography. Digital Steganography is art of hiding secret messages behind the innocent looking digital media. In this paper we have done state-of-the-art survey on image steganographic techniques and steganographic techniques used with different cryptographic algorithms, to provide extra layer of Security.

Assessment of the feasibility of 1-min sit-to-stand test in evaluating functional exercise capacity in interstitial lung disease patients

Ravi Singh,Deepak Aggarwal,Kashish Dutta,Surabhi Jaggi,Mandeep Kaur Sodhi,Varinder Saini 한국운동재활학회 2023 JER Vol.19 No.6

Six-min walk test (6MWT) is widely used exercise test for the evalua-tion of interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, the long test duration and need for long and flat surface hinder its routine use. One-min sit-to-stand test (1-STST) is devoid of such limitations, but has been scarcely evaluated. The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of 1-STST by correlating it with 6MWT in ILD patients. Stable ILD patients were prospectively enrolled. After initial spirometry, all patients per-formed 6MWT and 1-STST following the standard recommendations. Exercise capacity and physiological parameters (heart rate, pulse oxy-gen saturation, blood pressure and dyspnea [modified Borg scale]) in-cluding peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were correlated after the tests using Pearson correlation, Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa (κ) coefficient. The results showed that the mean age of the patients (n=60) was 58.8±11.5 years (male:female=1:1). Repetitions af-ter 1-STST showed significant correlation with 6MWT (r=0.48; P<0.001). Changes in the physiological variables were similar (P>0.05) with good consistency (ICC=0.68–0.95) between 6MWT and 1-STST. Both lowest SpO2 and difference in SpO2 also showed good agreement (ICC=0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77–0.92 and ICC=0.68; 95% CI, 0.47–0.81 respectively) and significant correlation (r=0.76 and r=0.52, respectively). 1-STST and 6MWT were consistent in identifying patients having oxygen desaturation ≥4% (κ=0.56; 96% CI, 0.30–0.82). The results demonstrated that the performance of 1-STST was consis-tent with 6MWT in terms of exercise capacity and change in physiolog-ical parameters. 1-STST can be a valid alternative to 6MWT in the as-sessment of ILD patients, especially in peripheral health centers.

Tin Layer as a Solid Lubricant for Cold Tube Drawing Processes

Mahesh Patil,Varinder Singh,Amit Kumar Gupta,Srinivasa Prakash Regalla,Tufan Chandra Bera,Bade Simhachalam,Krishna Srinivas 한국정밀공학회 2022 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.9 No.2

This paper reports an investigation into the deployment of a thin layer of tin as a lubricant on low carbon steel tube for tube drawing process. The layer was deposited using electro-deposition technique using a green technology of citric acid based electrolyte bath. Coating layer is characterized using SEM, EDS and 3D digital microscopy technique before and after drawing processes. Experimental trials of drawing operation were conducted and promising results were observed with respect to drawing load and surface quality. The observed drawing load is comparable to that with the conventional lubrication system thereby proving the effectiveness of the new proposed lubrication system. The use of proposed lubrication resulted in greatly improved finish as well as better corrosion resistance yielding an additional promise for better value in service life, better market potential as well as a gain on environment front as the proposed method has the potential to eliminate some after operations after drawing as the drawn tube is ready to use after drawing operation.

Utility of Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography as an Alternative to Transesophageal Echocardiogram for Preoperative Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Planning

Craig Basman,Caroline Ong,Tikal Kansara,Zain Kassam,Caleb Wutawunashe,Jennifer Conroy,Arber Kodra,Biana Trost,Priti Mehla,Luigi Pirelli,Jacob Scheinerman,Varinder P Singh,Chad A Kliger 한국심초음파학회 2023 Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (J Cardiovasc Im Vol.31 No.1

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of degenerative mitral regurgitation (dMR) and preoperative planning for transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr). TEE is an invasive modality requiring anesthesia and esophageal intubation. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has limited the number of elective invasive procedures. Multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCT) provides high-resolution images and 3D reconstructions to assess complex mitral anatomy. We hypothesized that MDCT would reveal similar information to TEE relevant to TMVr, thus deferring the need for a preoperative TEE in certain situations like during a pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data on patients who underwent or were evaluated for TMVr for dMR with preoperative MDCT and TEE between 2017 and 2019. Two TEE and 2 MDCT readers, blinded to patient outcome, analyzed: leaflet pathology (flail, degenerative, mixed), leaflet location, mitral valve area (MVA), flail width/gap, anterior-posterior (AP) and commissural diameters, posterior leaflet length, leaflet thickness, presence of mitral valve cleft and degree of mitral annular calcification (MAC). RESULTS: A total of 22 (out of 87) patients had preoperative MDCT. MDCT correctly identified the leaflet pathology in 77% (17/22), flail leaflet in 91% (10/11), MAC degree in 91% (10/11) and the dysfunctional leaflet location in 95% (21/22) of patients. There were no differences in the measurements for MVA, flail width, commissural or AP diameter, posterior leaflet length, and leaflet thickness. MDCT overestimated the measurements of flail gap. CONCLUSIONS: For preoperative TMVr planning, MDCT provided similar measurements to TEE in our study.