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Health Expectations : An International... Oct 2023Young adulthood is a period of prosperity and freshness characterized by developmental achievement, which can be inhibited by various diseases such as cancer. Typically...
INTRODUCTION
Young adulthood is a period of prosperity and freshness characterized by developmental achievement, which can be inhibited by various diseases such as cancer. Typically considered a terminal disease, if diagnosed in young adulthood, cancer may trigger a tremendous psychosomatic shock. The nature of facing a recent cancer diagnosis affects the whole coping process. Addressing young adults' experiences at the confirmation point of cancer diagnosis will facilitate supporting them through the early recognition of probable problems in the future. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyse the lived experiences of young adults facing a recent cancer diagnosis.
METHODS
This qualitative study adopted an interpretive phenomenology design. In this study, 12 patients (with an age range of 20-40) were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data collection was done through in-depth, semistructured interviews. The data were analysed following the method proposed by Diekelmann et al. FINDINGS: Three main themes and nine subthemes were extracted from the data: (1) spiritual detachment and then acceptance through spirituality in the form of denial and then forced acceptance, sense of guilt and spiritual help-seeking, and anger towards God and then humbleness, (2) the shock of facing an extraordinary life shaped by disturbed role-play and unusual lifestyle, (3) anticipatory anxiety concerning the sense of rejection, negative perspective towards future, inability to afford the costs and worries about the future of the family members.
CONCLUSION
This was the first study providing significant insights into the experiences of young adults facing a recent cancer diagnosis. The diagnosis of cancer can shadow all aspects of young adults' lives. The findings of the present study empower healthcare professionals to provide newly diagnosed young adults with appropriate health services.
PATIENT CONTRIBUTIONS
To identify and recruit the participants, we explained the objectives of the present study to the unit managers either by phone or in person. The participants were approached and interviewed by three authors. Participation was voluntary and the participants received no financial contribution for their time.
Topics: Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Family; Adaptation, Psychological; Neoplasms; Spirituality; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 37332133
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13793 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), the frequency of attackers using botnets to control IoT devices in order to perform distributed...
With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), the frequency of attackers using botnets to control IoT devices in order to perform distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) and other cyber attacks on the internet has significantly increased. In the actual attack process, the small percentage of attack packets in IoT leads to low accuracy of intrusion detection. Based on this problem, the paper proposes an oversampling algorithm, KG-SMOTE, based on Gaussian distribution and K-means clustering, which inserts synthetic samples through Gaussian probability distribution, extends the clustering nodes in minority class samples in the same proportion, increases the density of minority class samples, and improves the amount of minority class sample data in order to provide data support for IoT-based DDoS attack detection. Experiments show that the balanced dataset generated by this method effectively improves the intrusion detection accuracy in each category and effectively solves the data imbalance problem.
PubMed: 37687952
DOI: 10.3390/s23177496 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The Internet of Things (IoT), projected to exceed 30 billion active device connections globally by 2025, presents an expansive attack surface. The frequent collection...
The Internet of Things (IoT), projected to exceed 30 billion active device connections globally by 2025, presents an expansive attack surface. The frequent collection and dissemination of confidential data on these devices exposes them to significant security risks, including user information theft and denial-of-service attacks. This paper introduces a smart, network-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) designed to protect IoT networks from distributed denial-of-service attacks. Our methodology involves generating synthetic images from flow-level traffic data of the Bot-IoT and the LATAM-DDoS-IoT datasets and conducting experiments within both supervised and self-supervised learning paradigms. Self-supervised learning is identified in the state of the art as a promising solution to replace the need for massive amounts of manually labeled data, as well as providing robust generalization. Our results showcase that self-supervised learning surpassed supervised learning in terms of classification performance for certain tests. Specifically, it exceeded the F1 score of supervised learning for attack detection by 4.83% and by 14.61% in accuracy for the multiclass task of protocol classification. Drawing from extensive ablation studies presented in our research, we recommend an optimal training framework for upcoming contrastive learning experiments that emphasize visual representations in the cybersecurity realm. This training approach has enabled us to highlight the broader applicability of self-supervised learning, which, in some instances, outperformed supervised learning transferability by over 5% in precision and nearly 1% in F1 score.
PubMed: 37960401
DOI: 10.3390/s23218701 -
Appetite Nov 2023A largescale shift towards plant-based diets is considered a critical requirement for tackling ethical, environmental, and global health issues associated with animal...
A largescale shift towards plant-based diets is considered a critical requirement for tackling ethical, environmental, and global health issues associated with animal food production and consumption. Although previous research has identified psychological strategies that enable meat-eaters to justify and continue meat consumption and feel less morally conflicted about it, research on the psychological strategies that enable consumers to continue dairy, egg, and fish consumption is scarce. We conducted an online survey study using an adjusted version of the Meat-Eating Justification Scale to investigate the use of psychological strategies to cope with cognitive dissonance related to meat, dairy, egg, and fish consumption in omnivores (n = 186), pescatarians (n = 106), vegetarians (n = 143), vegans (n = 203), and flexitarians (n = 63). Results indicated greater use of meat-related dissonance reduction strategies among omnivores as compared to other dietary groups, greater use of fish-related dissonance reduction strategies among fish consumers (omnivores, flexitarians and pescatarians) compared to vegetarians and vegans, and greater use of dairy and egg-related dissonance reduction strategies among dairy and egg consumers (omnivores, flexitarians, pescatarians, and vegetarians) as compared to vegans. This pattern was particularly clear for justifications used to defend animal product consumption, denial of animal suffering, and use of dichotomization when considering meat and fish consumption. These findings highlight the importance of extending the research on dissonance reduction strategies beyond meat consumption and studying the consumption of a range of animal products. This can help in identifying the psychological barriers to adopting a plant-based diet and informing interventions for behaviour change.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Diet; Meat; Vegetarians; Vegans; Diet, Vegan; Surveys and Questionnaires; Diet, Vegetarian
PubMed: 37673128
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107024 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024While much research has examined the correlates of climate change beliefs from an alarmist perspective, less work has systematically measured climate change skepticism....
While much research has examined the correlates of climate change beliefs from an alarmist perspective, less work has systematically measured climate change skepticism. This study aims to create a comprehensive tool capturing climate skeptics' beliefs and test its association with individual difference variables. 502 European adults completed a 22-item questionnaire on climate change (CC) skepticism as well as measures of ambiguity tolerance, belief in a just world (BJW), dark-side personality traits, and self-esteem. Principal components analysis revealed a four dimension structure of CC. Political ideology was the most consistent and significant predictor across the climate change skepticism factors. Dark-side traits, also played a role. Future research should further validate this measure and explore how climate change information could be tailored to different audiences. Understanding the nuances and causes of climate skepticism can enable more effective communication to promote sustainability.
PubMed: 38721315
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1328307 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Muslim women are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STI) and are at higher risk of under-detection. Evidence on the unique barriers to STI testing...
BACKGROUND
Muslim women are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STI) and are at higher risk of under-detection. Evidence on the unique barriers to STI testing and diagnosis among Muslim communities is severely lacking. Understanding the complexity of accessing STI testing and diagnosis in Muslim communities is an area that requires further exploration. We aimed to explore the multilevel barriers to STI testing and diagnosis among Muslim women.
METHODS
We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews informed by the ecological model of health. This study took place in Riyadh Saudi Arabia in 2019 with women aged over 18. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight women were interviewed from different ages, marital status, employment, and educational levels. Muslim women's perceived barriers to STI testing and diagnosis included personal, socio-cultural, and service-level barriers. Lack of knowledge about STIs, denial, and underestimating the seriousness of infection and symptoms were among the many individual barriers to STIs testing and diagnosis. Religious views towards extramarital sex and negative views of people with STIs is a significant barrier to STI testing and diagnosis. Lack of patient confidentiality and providers' judgement and mistreatment were also cited as barriers to seeking healthcare.
CONCLUSION
Barriers to STI testing and diagnosis exist on many levels including personal, socio-cultural, religious, and healthcare services, and at policy level. Multilevel interventions are needed to reduce the stigma of STIs and facilitate access to sexual health services among Muslims. It is our recommendation that policy and research efforts are directed to enhance trust in the doctor-patient relationship through better clinical training as well as implementing stricter regulations to protect patients' confidentiality in healthcare settings.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adolescent; Adult; Islam; Physician-Patient Relations; Saudi Arabia; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Social Stigma
PubMed: 37881344
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1248695 -
Blood Advances Mar 2024Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) must cope with physical and psychological symptoms. Yet, studies examining pre-HCT coping are limited. We...
Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) must cope with physical and psychological symptoms. Yet, studies examining pre-HCT coping are limited. We aimed to characterize pre-HCT coping, evaluate the association of coping with baseline quality of life (QOL) and psychological distress, and identify sociodemographic factors associated with pre-HCT coping. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a multisite randomized supportive care intervention trial among patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic or autologous HCT. We assessed patient-reported QOL, psychological distress, and coping within 72 hours of admission for HCT. We used the median split method to dichotomize coping and multivariate regression analyses to characterize the association of coping with psychological distress and QOL. Of patients awaiting HCT (n = 360; mean age, 55.4 years; 49.7% autologous), 43.5% were high users of approach-oriented coping, whereas 31.3% were high users of avoidant coping. Patients reported high use of emotional support (60.9%), acceptance (51.2%), self-blame (33%), and denial (31.3%). Older age (≥65 years) was associated with less frequent use of avoidant coping (odds ratio, 0.5; P = .01). Approach-oriented coping was associated with better pre-HCT QOL (Beta(B) = 6.7; P = .001), and lower depression (B = -1.1; P = .001) and anxiety (B = -0.9; P = .02) symptoms. Avoidant coping was associated with worse pre-HCT QOL (B = -13.3; P < .001) and symptoms of depression (B = 1.9; P < .001), anxiety (B = 3.1; P < .001), and posttraumatic stress disorder (B = 8.1; P < .001). Pre-HCT coping is strongly associated with psychological distress and QOL. These data support the need for interventions to address coping during HCT hospitalization. This clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03641378.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Hematologic Neoplasms; Coping Skills; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 38181820
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011081 -
BMJ Open Dec 2023Patients with breast cancer and endocrine therapy-related symptoms often experience pain, self-denial, anxiety, fear of recurrence and despair, which can be extremely...
INTRODUCTION
Patients with breast cancer and endocrine therapy-related symptoms often experience pain, self-denial, anxiety, fear of recurrence and despair, which can be extremely physically and psychologically traumatising for the patients. Failure to receive effective support and management reduces adherence to medications, leading to a higher risk of relapse and mortality. Clearly, it is paramount to identify what support these patients may need and how to meet their symptom management needs. This paper outlines a protocol to synthesise qualitative evidence on endocrine therapy symptom experiences, management expectations and preferences of patients with breast cancer.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
The following databases were searched in November 2023 with no date restriction applied: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and OpenGrey. Published studies on qualitative or mixed-method on symptom experiences and management needs during endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer will be retrieved. We will also search for reference lists and perform a forward citation search. Before inclusion in this review, two reviewers will independently apply the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research to ensure methodological validity. Any disagreements regarding the evaluation of the articles will be resolved through discussion with or by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using the standardised data extraction tool EndNote20 for unified management, assessment, and review of information. The common sense model of self-regulation will guide data extraction and synthesis. The final synthesised findings will be graded according to the GRADE-CERQual approach to establish confidence.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This systematic review addressed previously published studies without personally identifiable participant information. Ethical approval from the research committee was not required. The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated to various key stakeholders and published in peer-reviewed journals.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42023406987.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Mental Processes; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Palliative Care; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 38149416
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073915 -
Journal of Behavioral Medicine Dec 2023Discrimination is associated with antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and reduced well-being among people with HIV. We examined the potential for coping to mediate the...
Discrimination and adherence in a cross-sectional study of Latino sexual minority men with HIV: Coping with discrimination as a mediator and coping self-efficacy as a moderator.
Discrimination is associated with antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and reduced well-being among people with HIV. We examined the potential for coping to mediate the associations between intersectional discrimination and non-adherence and coping self-efficacy (confidence in one's ability to cope with discrimination) as a moderator that may buffer the negative effects of discrimination on non-adherence in a cross-sectional convenience sample of 82 Latino sexual minority men with HIV. In bivariate linear regressions, discrimination targeting Latino ethnic origin, undocumented residency status, and sexual orientation were each significantly associated with lower self-reported antiretroviral therapy non-adherence (percentage of prescribed doses taken in the last month) and greater use of disengagement coping (denial, substance use, venting, self-blame, behavioral disengagement). Associations between discrimination targeting Latino ethnicity and non-adherence, and discrimination targeting undocumented residency status and non-adherence, were each mediated by disengagement coping responses. Moderation analyses highlighted significant discrimination by coping self-efficacy interaction effects-both coping self-efficacy for problem solving and stopping unpleasant emotions/thoughts each moderated the associations between Latino discrimination and adherence, between undocumented residency status discrimination and adherence, and between HIV discrimination and adherence. Coping self-efficacy for getting social support moderated the association between undocumented residency status discrimination and adherence. Further, the interaction coefficients across models indicated that the negative effects of discrimination on adherence were attenuated at higher levels of coping self-efficacy. Findings highlight the need for structural interventions that reduce-and ultimately eliminate-discrimination, and interventions that address the harmful effects of discrimination and adherence improvement interventions to enhance coping skills among people faced with intersectional discrimination.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adaptation, Psychological; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hispanic or Latino; HIV Infections; Self Efficacy; Social Discrimination; Medication Adherence; Anti-HIV Agents; Psychological Well-Being; Sexual and Gender Minorities; United States
PubMed: 37392342
DOI: 10.1007/s10865-023-00426-6 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024The Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol stands out as one of the foremost and widely recognized messaging protocols in the field. It is often used to...
The Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol stands out as one of the foremost and widely recognized messaging protocols in the field. It is often used to transfer and manage data between devices and is extensively employed for applications ranging from smart homes and industrial automation to healthcare and transportation systems. However, it lacks built-in security features, thereby making it vulnerable to many types of attacks such as man-in-the-middle (MitM), buffer overflow, pre-shared key, brute force authentication, malformed data, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and MQTT publish flood attacks. Traditional methods for detecting MQTT attacks, such as deep neural networks (DNNs), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and fuzzy logic, may exist. The increasing prevalence of device connectivity, sensor usage, and environmental scalability become the most challenging aspects that novel detection approaches need to address. This paper presents a new solution that leverages an H2O-based distributed machine learning (ML) framework to improve the security of the MQTT protocol in networks, particularly in IoT environments. The proposed approach leverages the strengths of the H2O algorithm and architecture to enable real-time monitoring and distributed detection and classification of anomalous behavior (deviations from expected activity patterns). By harnessing H2O's algorithms, the identification and timely mitigation of potential security threats are achieved. Various H2O algorithms, including random forests, generalized linear models (GLMs), gradient boosting machine (GBM), XGBoost, and the deep learning (DL) algorithm, have been assessed to determine the most reliable algorithm in terms of detection performance. This study encompasses the development of the proposed algorithm, including implementation details and evaluation results. To assess the proposed model, various evaluation metrics such as mean squared error (MSE), root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean per class error (MCE), and log loss are employed. The results obtained indicate that the H2OXGBoost algorithm outperforms other H2O models in terms of accuracy. This research contributes to the advancement of secure IoT networks and offers a practical approach to enhancing the security of MQTT communication channels through distributed detection and classification techniques.
PubMed: 38475174
DOI: 10.3390/s24051638