Universal Adversarial Perturbation Attack on the Inception-Resnet-v1 model and the Effectiveness of Adversarial Retraining as a Suitable Defense Mechanism

In this study, we analyse the impact of the Universal Adversarial Perturbation Attack on the Inception-ResNet-v1 model using the lung CT scan dataset for COVID-19 classification and the retinal OCT scan dataset for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) classification. The effectiveness of adversarial retraining as a suitable defense mechanism against this attack is examined. This study is categorised into three sections-The implementation of the Inception-ResNet-v1 model, the effect of the attack and the adversarial retraining. © 2023 IEEE.

An IoT Based Smart Vault Security and Monitoring System with Zero UI

Recent advances have introduced IoT as one of the key technologies globally. As safety remains a critical issue for those who spend much time outside. Automated security systems are very useful where safety is an important issue. With a prospect of a Zero User Interface (UI) model this work represents a novel IoT based smart vault security system. The system is built and designed based on IoT combining with Arduino-Uno and Bluetooth module. This system involves LDR sensor, IR sensor and Sonar sensor for monitoring. The vault provides security on three levels. Password protected entry to connect with the smartphone using Bluetooth module, IR sensor array to use 'secret gesture pattern' to unlock the door, tracking number of transactions from the vault using Sonar sensor and LDR was used as a switch. To avoid the replication of physical unlocking of objects IR sensor array was used to introduce 'secret gesture pattern' unlocking system through touchless interfaces for the avoidance of transmissive diseases like COVID-19. This novel system has substantial possibility as a security vault system for industrial and residential use in a contactless manner. © 2023 IEEE.

Does pandemic denial help or harm? Belief in and experience of COVID-19 as factors affecting psychological consequences of using neurotic defence mechanisms

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic may activate thoughts of death, leading to aversive psychological states. In such situations, defence mechanisms emerge;however, their adaptability depends on many factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between neurotic defence style and depressive symptoms. We assumed that the sense of coherence underlies this correlation and investigated how both believing (or not) in COVID-19 and having (or not) experience of this disease differentiate this mechanism. Methods: This cross-sectional study (N = 720) was conducted through an online panel. Results: For COVID-19 believers who had no experience of the disease, the higher their neurotic defence style, the lower their sense of coherence, which was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. The same pattern was found for non-believers who have experienced COVID-19. In the group of individuals who believed and experienced COVID-19, the relationship between neurotic defence style and sense of coherence was non-significant. In turn, respondents who neither believed in nor have experienced COVID-19 displayed a positive relationship between neurotic defence style and sense of coherence. Discussion: Although self-deception strategies might be adaptive, they contribute to increased distress, if continued to be used once an individual confronts reality.

Countermeasures against COVID-19 from the viewpoints of dental diseases: strengthening innate immunity with the toothpick method of brushing. (Special Issue: COVID-19 and historical pandemics part 2.)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients with periodontal disease have an 8.8-fold higher mortality rate than those in the patients without periodontal diseases. This was higher than the odds ratio for patients with diabetes. Periodontal disease is associated with ulcers in the periodontal pocket, and gram-negative bacteria called periodontal pathogens invade the tissue through ulcers. Bacteria in the ulcer site are phagocytosed and sterilized by leukocytes. Following the autolysis of leukocytes, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the bacterial cell wall spread throughout the body, which is a major cause of multiple organ failure. Thus, periodontal disease is considered to contribute to the mortality rate of COVID-19. Ulcers in the periodontal pocket can be repaired using by a new developed brushing method called the toothpick method. The toothpick method can significantly improve gingival bleeding in one week, which is quicker than conventional periodontal treatment methods. Mechanical stimulation by the toothbrush causes gingival basal cells, fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells and osteoblasts to proliferate and repair the tissue. However, these cell proliferations cease to occur 0.5 mm away from where the toothbrush bristles make contact with the gingiva. The toothpick method of brushing is characterized by its ability to stimulate the interdental gingiva, which is the initial site of periodontitis. As the toothpick method can repair periodontal ulcers, it will strengthen biological defense mechanisms against chronic degenerative and infectious diseases.

Psychological defence mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case series.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has had a negative effect on mental health across the world's population. Healthcare workers in particular have experienced increased levels of psychological distress, depression and anxiety. Any perceived stress to an individual can provoke psychological defence mechanisms. Using psychoanalytic theory, a defence mechanism is described as an unconscious psychological strategy, with or without resulting behaviour, which aims to reduce or eliminate anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli. This paper aims to describe a range of psychological defence mechanisms encountered within colleagues in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using the methodology of a case series, specific defence mechanisms are explored with reference to further literature in the field. RESULTS: The author has encountered varying psychological defence mechanisms, both within himself and in other members of the multidisciplinary team. These have been illustrated in the attached clinical vignettes, relating to the specific psychological coping mechanisms of; denial, hypochondriasis, altruism, sublimation and humour. CONCLUSION: We encourage acknowledgement of psychological defence mechanisms and their implications on day to day practice. Whilst defence mechanisms can have a number of negative consequences as described in this article, they also have an important role, particularly in the case of mature defence mechanisms, as protective factors against psychological distress and symptom formation. Deeper understanding of the gold-standard hierarchical organisation of defence mechanisms could help increase utilisation of specific therapeutic interventions for enhancing changes from immature to mature defensive responses to stressful experiences as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.