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Detection and localization for watermarking technique using LSB encryption for DICOM Image
Watermarking is an effective way of transferring hidden data from one place to another, or proving ownership of digital content. The hidden data can be text, audio, images GIF etc., the data is embedded in a cover object usually an image or a video sequence. Usually the watermarking system(s) rely on their hidden aspect, as their primary security measure, once this is established that the cover object is counting some hidden data, then it is generally possible to recover the hidden information. The author proposed an in-genuine technique for DICOM color image water marking by combining Multi Quadrant LSB with truly random mixed key cryptography. This system provides a high level of security by just the water marking technique, as it breaks the cover image into up to four quadrants, & does LSB replacement of two bytes each quadrant. The bit sequence as the quadrant sequence can be randomized to increase the randomness, use of truly random mixed key cryptography, by using a pre shared, variable length, truly random, private key, turns hidden data into noise, which can only be recovered by having the private key. Thus, the proposed technique truly diminishes the probability of recovering hidden data, even if it is detected that something is hidden in cover object. 2022 Taru Publications. -
Sustainability of Indian tourism in backdrop of COVID-19
The Indian tourism and travel industry is one of the fastest growing industry. According to WTTC (2019), India ranked 10th among 185 countries in terms of travel & tourism's having a total contribution to GDP of 6.8% of the total economy, Rs. 13,68,100 crores (US$ 194.30 billion) (www.ibef.org). In the year 2017, The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has declared 2017 as the 'International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development', which underscores tourism's critical role in fostering inclusive growth. Hence, the efforts to achieve sustainability got an impetus and gained much wanted attention. However, everything came to standstill with the onset of Corona Virus Pandemic in November 2019, questioning the survival of the industry itself. The present crisis caused tremendous losses which have resulted in large scale job losses bringing the sustainability in question. This study aims to investigate the state of sustainability of Indian tourism through infrastructure development, environmental degradation, social, economic and cultural impacts on destinations due to this growth in the backdrop of the present COVID pandemic. It is an empirical study of perceptions of tourists to Indian destinations. The data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and interviews. A total of 520 valid responses were analyzed and results revealed a different scenario. The study concludes with a discussion of the findings and providing a few recommendations to rectify the situation for a sustainable industry and future. 2021 Ecological Society of India. All rights reserved. -
Pure and suggestive impulse buying in mobile shopping app: shopping pattern of young consumers
Purpose: This study differentiates pure impulse buying behaviour from suggestive impulse buying behaviour in using mobile shopping applications (apps). This study aims to assess the moderating effects of instant discount and cashback promotional offers along with the mediating effects of impulse buying intention (IBI) and user satisfaction (US), using the app stimuli (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, layout, atmosphere, privacy and security). Design/methodology/approach: The study was done in three stages: analysis of variance, followed by structural equation modelling (SEM) and paired t-tests. Findings: The results showed that instant discounts and cashback offers are different from each other for the mediating variable IBI. The SEM results for pure impulse buying showed that, except for layout, the remaining variables have a positive relationship with IBI. For suggestive impulse buying, effort expectancy and layout were significantly related to both the mediating variables. Finally, pure and suggestive impulse buying behaviour showed significant differences. Originality/value: Previous studies have looked into impulse buying in its generic sense and not through the types of impulse buying they were measuring. As impulse buying behaviour is a predominant theme for discussion today, marketing professionals and researchers must comprehend the impact of app stimuli in the context of select types of impulse buying behaviour. 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Impact of video product presentation and scarcity claim on mobile-based impulse buying
The introduction of mobile shopping apps has resulted in the growth of impulse buying or excessive compulsion, especially in the fashion industry. This paper aims to establish a relationship between app stimuli (including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, atmosphere, layout, and privacy and security) and impulse buying behaviour. Besides this, it also examines the moderating effects of the video product presentation and product scarcity claim and the mediating effects of impulse buying intention and user satisfaction. The study was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, a paired t-test analysis was carried out to compare the mean of each set. This was followed by multi-group structural equation modelling to check the models validity. The results show that while video product presentation produced a significant difference between impulse buying intention and impulse buying behaviour for both the male and female respondents, scarcity claims achieved positive results only for male participants. The SEM results, meanwhile, demonstrated that both the mediating variables bear a relationship to performance expectancy, privacy and security, and impulse buying behaviour. However, effort expectancy was only related to impulse buying intention, while atmosphere and layout were exclusively associated with user satisfaction. Based on the findings of the study, theoretical and managerial implications are presented. 2023 Korean Scholars of Marketing Science. -
Convergence of retail banking interest rates to households in euro area: time-varying measurement and determinants
This study measures time-varying progress of retail banking (to households) interest rates convergence and examines its determinants for twelve countries of the euro area, between 2003 and 2014. First, we measure convergence of interest rates using five different time-varying indicators, namely asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation (ADCC), beta convergence, sigma convergence, variance ratio, and dynamic cointegration. We then estimate panel regressions for each type of interest rate to identify the determinants of convergence over pre-crisis and crisis periods. The estimated ADCC is employed as the dependent variable and explanatory variables measure potential macroeconomic, external linkages, industry-specific, institutional and sociological determinants. The results reveal that convergence is weak and heterogeneous across sub-periods (pre-crisis and crisis), economic groups (core and periphery), product type (savings and credit) and products maturities (short, medium and long). Among the fundamental determinants, inflation, output correlation, and sociological factors strongly impact convergence, however, the explanatory power of determinants weakens during the crisis period. 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. -
Asymmetric dynamic conditional copula correlation and fundamental determinants of interest rate comovement
We study time-varying interest rate comovement and its determinants for the retail banking sector in the euro area over pre-crisis and during crisis, between 2003 and 2018. The analysis is conducted for 11 euro area countries, each classified as either core or periphery. Copula Asymmetric DCC-GARCH is estimated for each country-pair to measure the dynamic interest rate correlations for deposits and loans to households. We then examine the determinants by regressing quarterly correlations on macroeconomic and cross-border linkages, banking, and sociological variables. We also assess the impact of the two crises and of policy initiatives, including negative interest rate, Single Supervisory Mechanism, and Single Regulatory Mechanism. Different panel regressions reveal limited, although varied, influence of determinants on correlations across different products, maturities, and country groups. We conclude that the intrinsic features of the retail banking industry, such as customers' trust, information asymmetry, and political influence, hinder strong interest rate convergence in the euro area. 2019-Center for Economic Integration, Sejong Institution, Sejong University, All Rights Reserved. -
Exploring the Plausibility of Pre-Purchase Decision Process in User Acceptance of Smart Wearable Technology Devices
The market for smart wearable technology products is growing rapidly. Although wearable technology is still in its early stages, a longer-term outlook is required. This study inspected the existence of consumers pre-purchase stage for smart wearable technology devices. It further analyzed the factors that influenced customers decisions in the pre-purchase phase. The methodology adopted was quantitative, using which 240 users of smart wearables were given a structured questionnaire to fill up. The Smart PLS 3.0 software was used for structural equation modeling and path analysis. The results indicated that customers go through a pre-purchase decision journey. Their decisions are influenced by individual characteristics, product description, information source utility, data usefulness, trust, visibility of the product, and demonstrability. Together, these factors resulted in the customers successful transition from the pre-purchase stage to the purchase decision stage. 2022, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved. -
AI Diagnosis: Rise of AI-Powered Assessments in Modern Education Systems
The literature on the limitations on the current archaic education system is limitless, the consequences of which have only been exacerbated in the current lockdown scenario. The timed evaluations have not only failed as an assessment tool during these times but research has shown there are increased rates of using unfair means and proctoring as a result. Not only was the system faulty to begin with, it is failing miserably under current lockdown situations. Simultaneously the current literature keeps positing that since technology has become an integral part of our life already, it would not be long before technology integrates with education and assessments. Taking into consideration the need and potential of an integrative system, this paper aims to explore how artificial intelligence can be effectively introduced into education and improve learning outcomes. The paper performs a Comprehensive Literature Review (CLR), and analyses data based on the framework developed by Onwuegbuzie and Frels (2015). The paper thus reviews literature with the aim to explore current models of AIEd and relevant psychological concepts relating to learning and career outcomes. The evidence is consistence with the rationale for research problem: current AI methodologies in education focus only on delivering learning material, using AI as a means, instead of taking into other factors improving learning and education outcomes. The subsequent literature review on the factors influencing learning outcomes establish that there are two main thematic influences on students learning and behavioral outcomes: inside-school and out of school factors, which have been further implored in context of technological advancements. 2021. Transnational Press London. All Rights Reserved. -
A study of factors affecting consumer behavioural intentions towards adoption of gamification
Advanced technology with a high degree of accessibility of the Internet across countries has led to the emergence of e-commerce and m-commerce. The global brands and the start-ups are equally attracted to this change in the way the goods and services can be marketed, making market access through the Internet a core part of the strategy for marketers. The same has led to various digital promotional techniques for customer engagement. Among various digital promotional techniques, gamification is one technique where customers are expected to play online games to win the reward points for getting discounts for their purchases. An attempt was made to identify various factors influencing the consumer behavioural intentions towards adoption of gamification as one of the means to get products at discounted prices. In this study, factor analysis was used to find the major factors that influence the consumer behavioural intentions to adopt gamification as one of the digital promotional techniques. The study found eight major factors that influence the adoption of gamification, they are Personal Perspective, Usefulness, Easy to Use, Price Consciousness, Perceived Critical Mass, Flow Experience, Awareness, and Personal Innovativeness. This study brought in a different perspective by exploring the role of possible factors influencing gamification adoption in the Indian market, helping marketers, the major factors, and their influence on the consumer's behavioural intentions of adoption of gamification as one of the digital promotion techniques. -
After-sale service experiences and customer satisfaction: An empirical study from the Indian automobile industry
For the growth of any industry, services play an essential role. Customers are more aware of the type of services they receive, and the expectations from the service providers are very high. Twenty-two percent total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country is generated through the automotive industry. Global automotive majors have entered India and have dramatically changed the country's car production scenario. Changes to international technology design and adaptation have helped Indian car manufacturing compete globally, facing worldwide challenges. Considering services' high significance and essential role in the automobile industry, this study examined customer satisfaction with after-sales service experiences in the automobile sectorthis paper analyses customer satisfaction concerning automotive service interactions. The conceptual framework explains the impact on customer satisfaction in various car industries from various experiences, including employee behaviour, service lead time, service quality, service processes, and service costs. The respondents from Bangalore were selected. The data collection sampling approach used was convenience sampling. In a standardized questionnaire, data is collected from 400 respondents. The results demonstrate the substantial influence of service interactions on customer satisfaction. 2022 Elsevier Ltd -
Sustainable after sale services: The effect of perceived value on customers behavioural intention
There is an increasing beleive that the biggest show stopper in any industry will no longer be technology or capital, but the environment (Sheth & Sinha, 2015). It evidently defines the main problem of our world today, and the concern, regarding our future generations. Ensuring that our action today do not limit the range of economic, social, and environmental options to future generation, the fundamental principle of sustainability has emerged (Trevena, Kaldor & Downs, 2014).In light of the same concern, Recently, sustainability management has developed in the service industry. Green/sustainable after sale services in customer durables have been progressively joining the service industry. Customersupport determinesthe sustainable development of the consumer durable industry for their services. This paper aims to explore relationships among perceived values viz. hedonic and utilitarian values, and behaviour intentions of the customer. A total of 360valid questionnaires were collected, and regression method was used to measure and test the research hypotheses. Thestudy presents empirical evidence of impact of hedonic and utilitarian values on customersbehavioural intentions. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided. 2019 SERSC. -
Indias roadmap of convergence to international financial reporting standards (IFRS)
[No abstract available] -
Decision making framework for foreign direct investment: Analytic hierarchy process and weighted aggregated sum product assessment integrated approach
Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a paramount role in economic and social growth of every country. FDI acts as a source of external capital and helps in economic growth of the host country. Making decision for FDI during uncertain business environment is a challenge for all stakeholders. Therefore, in this study, we are proposing a decision making framework for FDI. Through literature review, we have identified the factors, on which FDI depends. A process-based, multi-criterion, integrated hierarchical approach for deciding about FDI, has been illustrated. In this study, five sectors are considered, that is, petroleum and natural resource, retailing and e-commerce, healthcare, information technology, and road and highways for illustrating the proposed framework. It is observed that information technology sector has got top priority for FDI followed by retailing and e-commerce and health care sector. Findings will help in taking appropriate decision by stakeholders for FDI. Ultimately it will also help in creating employment, economic growth, and welfare of society at large in the host country. 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. -
Search for brown dwarfs in IC 1396 with Subaru HSC: interpreting the impact of environmental factors on substellar population
Young stellar clusters are predominantly the hub of star formation and hence, ideal to perform comprehensive studies over the least explored substellar regime. Various unanswered questions like the mass distribution in brown dwarf regime and the effect of diverse cluster environment on brown dwarf formation efficiency still plague the scientific community. The nearby young cluster, IC 1396 with its feedback-driven environment, is ideal to conduct such study. In this paper, we adopt a multiwavelength approach, using deep Subaru HSC along with other data sets and machine learning techniques to identify the cluster members complete down to ? 0.03 M? in the central 22 arcmin area of IC 1396. We identify 458 cluster members including 62 brown dwarfs which are used to determine mass distribution in the region. We obtain a star-to-brown dwarf ratio of ? 6 for a stellar mass range 0.03-1 M? in the studied cluster. The brown dwarf fraction is observed to increase across the cluster as radial distance from the central OB-stars increases. This study also compiles 15 young stellar clusters to check the variation of star-to-brown dwarf ratio relative to stellar density and ultraviolet (UV) flux ranging within 4-2500 stars pc?2 and 0.7-7.3 G0, respectively. The brown dwarf fraction is observed to increase with stellar density but the results about the influence of incident UV flux are inconclusive within this range. This is the deepest study of IC 1396 as of yet and it will pave the way to understand various aspects of brown dwarfs using spectroscopic observations in future. 2024 The Author(s). -
Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey of Cygnus OB2 Complex - I. Introduction, photometry, and source catalogue
Low-mass star formation inside massive clusters is crucial to understand the effect of cluster environment on processes like circumstellar disc evolution, planet, and brown dwarf formation. The young massive association of Cygnus OB2, with a strong feedback from massive stars, is an ideal target to study the effect of extreme environmental conditions on its extensive low-mass population. We aim to perform deep multiwavelength studies to understand the role of stellar feedback on the IMF, brown dwarf fraction and circumstellar disc properties in the region. We introduce here, the deepest and widest optical photometry of 1. diameter region centred at Cygnus OB2 in r2, i2, z, and Y-filters, using Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC). This work presents the data reduction, source catalogue generation, data quality checks, and preliminary results about the pre-main sequence sources. We obtain 713 529 sources in total, with detection down to ?28, 27, 25.5, and 24.5 mag in r2, i2, z, and Y-band, respectively, which is ?3 - 5 mag deeper than the existing Pan-STARRS and GTC/OSIRIS photometry. We confirm the presence of a distinct pre-main sequence branch by statistical field subtraction of the central 18 arcmin region. We find the median age of the region as ?5 2 Myr with an average disc fraction of ?9 per cent. At this age, combined with A $ 6 - 8 mag, we detect sources down to a mass range of ?0.01-0.17 M. The deep HSC catalogue will serve as the groundwork for further studies on this prominent active young cluster. 2021 The Author(s). -
Psychological health among armed forces doctors during COVID-19 pandemic in India
Background: A pandemic poses a significant challenge to the healthcare staff and infrastructure. We studied the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among armed forces doctors in India during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that contribute to these symptoms. Methods: The study was conducted from March 30, 2020, to April 2, 2020, using a self-administered questionnaire questionnaire using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), which was sent through Google Forms. Responses were received from 769 respondents. Data were analyzed for demographic details and HADS scores using the chi-square test and backward logistic regression. Results: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were seen in 35.2% and 28.2% of the doctors, respectively. In doctors with anxiety symptoms, significant associations were observed with age (2035 years, 39.4%, P = 0.01), gender (females, 44.6%, P < 0.001), duration of service (010 years, 38%, P = 0.03), and clinical versus non-clinical specialties (non-clinical, 41.3%, P < 0.001) as opposed to marital status, education level, and current department of work. In doctors with depressive symptoms, significant associations were observed with age (P = 0.04), clinical versus non-clinical specialties (P < 0.001), duration of service (010 years, 30.1%, P = 0.03), and doctoral degree (P = 0.04) as opposed to gender, marital status, education level, and current working department. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among armed forces doctors. The main contributing factors are female gender, young age group, non-clinical specialties, and having a doctoral degree. Copyright 2020 Indian Psychiatric Society - South Zonal Branch. -
The mediating role of positive perceptions on coping strategies and psychological well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities
Purpose: Research on caregiving has been considering the positive effects experienced by the mothers of children with disabilities. This paper aims to examine whether positive perceptions mediate the relationships between coping strategies used and psychological well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The study opted for a quantitative approach that includes a correlation research design to examine the relationships between the variables of coping, positive perceptions and well-being among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities attending special schools in the metropolitan city Bengaluru, India. The four-factor structure of Brief COPE examined were active avoidance coping, problem-focussed coping, positive coping and religious-denial coping. Positive perceptions refer to the positive contributions for the mother from the experiences of raising a child with intellectual disability. Mediation analysis explored the relationship between the variables. Findings: Problem-focussed coping was the most commonly reported coping factor and was associated with higher levels of well-being. Active-avoidance coping was the least commonly reported coping strategy. Positive perceptions partially mediated the relationship between the four coping factors and maternal well-being. These findings indicate that positive maternal perceptions have important implications for the employment of effective coping strategies that are associated with enhancement of psychological well-being. Originality/value: The focus on positive perceptions would help in understanding the use of coping strategies and planning of support services or interventions. The positive mental health of mothers paves the way for positive developments in the childs physical and psychological health. 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
Empirical analysis of borrowers' motivation to use online peer-to-peer lending platforms in India
Established on the technology acceptance model, this paper puts forward a model to understand the borrowers' motivation to use (MU) peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms. Data from 362 Indian users were employed to test the research model by applying structural equation modelling. The results show that perceived intention, ease of use, and usefulness have significant relation in motivating borrowers to use P2P lending platforms. However, borrowers' perceptions of trust had an insignificant impact on MU the P2P lending platform. When compared to the individual technology acceptance model, the integrated model provides further explanation regarding the motivation of borrowers to use P2P lending platforms. The study contributes to the theoretical area by identifying the factors that motivate borrowers to use P2P lending platforms for their short-term financial requirements, from a unified perspective. In addition, this research provides insights about borrowers' MU P2P lending platforms in India. Copyright 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. -
Promoting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates in layered graphitic carbon nitride through integrated non-noble CoB co-catalyst
Despite being one of the most widely studied metal-free semiconductors, graphitic carbon-nitride (gC3N4) shows meaningful photocatalytic activities only when loaded with noble-metal co-catalysts. The present work reports an alternative to noble metals in the form of cobalt boride (CoB) co-catalyst that can be easily integrated within the gC3N4 framework with facile fabrication strategies. The optimized CoB-gC3N4 composite showed ?60 times higher hydrogen generation rate compared to bare gC3N4 nanosheets, with good stability. Detailed morphological, structural, chemical, electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations revealed the key aspects of CoB-gC3N4 composite that unanimously led to higher photocatalytic activity. Computational investigations not only corroborated the experimental results but also established that the surface Co and B sites in CoB provided the most energetically favoured sites for hydrogen evolution reaction. Based on the experimental and computational investigations, a generic reaction mechanism was formulated that will prove as a guiding light for future studies on similar photocatalytic systems. 2024 The Authors -
Survey of prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among 1124 healthcare workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic across India
Background: A prospective study was conducted during the second phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in India to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) and factors that influence the outcome. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 1124 HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 30, 2020, to April 2, 2020). Demographic data, questions on COVID-19 and scores of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were analysed using the chi-square test (Bonferroni correction) and binary logistic regression. Results: The study consists of 1124 HCWs, including 749 doctors, 207 nurses, 135 paramedics, 23 administrators and ten supporting staff members. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were reported as 37.2% and 31.4%, respectively. The risk factors for anxiety were female gender (30.6% vs 45.5%), age group (2035 years) (50.4% vs 61.2%), unmarried (21.2% vs 30.6%) and job profile (nurse) (14.7% vs 26.4%). The protective factor was having service of more than 20 years (23.4% vs 14.8%). The risk factors for depression were age group (20-35 years) (51.3% vs 61.3%) and employed at a primary care hospital (16.2% vs 23.4%). The protective factors were job profile (doctor) (69.9% vs 59.6%) and having service of more than 20 years (22.3% vs 15.5%). Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the HCWs reported anxiety and depressive symptoms. The risk factors for anxiety symptoms were female gender, younger age and job profile (nurse) and for depressive symptoms were younger age and working at a primary care hospital. Future research studies should identify strategies for providing a safer and supportive work environment for HCWs to face epidemics/pandemics. 2020