Threat Construction and Framing of Cyberterrorism in the U.S. News Media

This research aims to explore the influence of news media on the fear of cyberterrorism and how cyberterrorism is framed in the media. Using a mixed-method approach as a research strategy, this paper reports on two studies that explore the influence of news reading on the fear of cyberterrorism. The first study analyzed survey responses from 1,190 participants and found that increased exposure to reading news media was associated with increased fear of cyberterrorism. The second study, built on the first, sought to investigate how cyberterrorism is framed and constructed as a threat by the US local and national newspapers. The framing and portrayal of cyberterrorism in US newspapers are discussed

Giant endometrial polyp protruding from the external cervical os in a postmenopausal woman: magnetic resonance imaging and hysteroscopic findings

Endometrial polyps are most commonly seen in the postmenopausal women with uterine bleeding, although the giant polyps which originate from the uterine cavity and protruding from the cervical os are rare. Several cases which have been described in the literature are usually developed secondary to tamoxifen use, and the polyps do not extend or protrude from the external cervical os. Most of the polyps protruded from the cervical os can mimic a cervical neoplasia or endocervical polyp. We report the case of a giant endometrial polyp (8x4x3 cm in size) which was protruding from the external cervical os and that developed spontaneously without tamoxifen use in a multiparous 73 -year-old woman presenting with vaginal bleeding. Hysteroscopic polypectomy was performed and no recurrence was seen at 6 months after surgery. Diagnosis, management and outcome of this rare entity have been discussed according to the literature

Metal-free restorations: esthetic considerations, treatment planning, preparation, manufacturing, luting, and followup

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The association of functional mitral regurgitation and anemia in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: We investigated the association between anemia and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with sinus rhythm and normal renal function. Methods: Sixty non-ischemic DCM patients with sinus rhythm and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% were recruited. Functional MR was quantified with the proximal isovelocity surface area method. MR was graded according to the mitral regurgitant volume (Reg Vol) or effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) area. The clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic correlates of functional MR severity were investigated in patients with DCM. Results: Hemoglobin degrees were significantly different between various MR levels (mild MR 13.9 &#177; 1.7 mg/dL, moderate MR 12.3 &#177; 1.5 mg/dL, moderate to severe MR 10.8 &#177; 0.9 mg/dL). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the utility of hemoglobin levels to predict moderate or severe functional MR. A hemoglobin level less than 12.5 mg/dL predicted moderate or high MR with 80% sensitivity and 58% specificity (AUC: 0.789, 95% CI: 0.676&#8211;0.901, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of moderate or severe levels of MR. The left atrium diameter (OR: 19.3, 95% CI: 1.4-27.1, p = 0.028) and presence of anemia (OR: 11.9, 95% CI: 1.22-42.5, p = 0.0045) were independent predictors of moderate or severe functional MR. Conclusions: The presence of anemia and enlarged left atrium are independent predictors of moderate or severe functional MR in non-ischemic DCM patients with normal renal function. Hemoglobin levels less than 12.5 mg/dL should alert the physician for the presence of moderate or severe MR in patients with DCM. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 3: 274-280

THE EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON THE MICROSTRUCTURAL BEHAVIOUR ON SnO 2 THIN FILMS DEPOSITED BY RF SPUTTERING

ABSTRACT Tin oxide has multiple technological applications including Li-ion batteries, gas sensors, optoelectronic devices, transparent conductors and solar cells. In this study tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by RF sputtering process in the oxygen (O 2 ) and argon (Ar) plasma medium. The deposition of the thin SnO 2 films was carried out by RF sputtering from SnO 2 targets. Before deposition the system was evacuated to 10 -4 torr vacuum level and backfilled with Ar. The deposition of the nano structured thin SnO 2 films have been performed at different gas pressures. The deposition of the SnO 2 was both carried out at different pure argon gas pressures and argon/oxygen mediums with varying oxygen partial pressures. The effect of argon and argon/oxygen partial gas pressures on the grain structure and film thickness were analyzed in the resultant thin films. The deposited thin films both on glass and stainless steel substrates were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry equipped with multi purpose attachment. The grain size of the deposited layer was determined by X-ray analysis. The Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) technique was also conducted on the some selected coatings to reveal grain structure and growth behaviors

The relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and poor response to ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization women with infertility

Introduction: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is the most common autoimmune disorder. Patients with TAI are usually euthyroid, and the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) in patients with or without thyroid dysfunction is associated with infertility, recurrent embryo implantation failure, and early pregnancy loss. We aimed to investigate the relationship between low ovarian reserve, pregnancy outcomes, and TAI. Material and methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) patients between 2010 and 2018. All patients (n = 1400) for whom thyroid autoantibody testing was requested were detected. A study group was formed from patients with anti-TPO positivity (n = 363). The control group (n = 555) comprised euthyroid anti-TPO negative patients matched to the study group regarding age and body mass index (BMI). Results: Mean serum TSH value was 2.35 ± 1.70 mIU/mL in anti-TPO-positive patients and 1.81 ± 1.2 mIU/mL in controls, and the difference was significant (p &lt; 0.05). Total dose of gonadotropins used in ovulation induction in anti-TPO-positive and control patients were 3000 IU and 2700 IU, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). The number of metaphase 2 oocytes was significantly lower in the anti-TPO-positive group (p &lt; 0.05). Embryo transfer number and embryo grade were significantly lower in the anti-TPO-positive group (p &lt; 0.01). Poor ovarian response was significantly higher in anti-TPO-positive patients (40%) as compared to anti-TPO-negative controls (30%) (p &lt; 0.01). Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the anti-TPO-positive group (29.2%), as compared to the antibody-negative group (38.4%) (p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: There are controversial data regarding the impact of antithyroid antibodies on ovarian reserve and pregnancy outcome after IVF treatment. The results of this study indicate that there was a relationship between TAI and poor ovarian response, and that TAI adversely affects IVF outcomes. Further investigations are required to explore the mechanism behind these effects

Supramolecular peptide nanofiber morphology affects mechanotransduction of stem cells

Chirality and morphology are essential factors for protein function and interactions with other biomacromolecules. Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are also similar to other proteins in this sense; however, the complexity of the natural ECM makes it difficult to study these factors at the cellular level. The synthetic peptide nanomaterials harbor great promise in mimicking specific ECM molecules as model systems. In this work, we demonstrate that mechanosensory responses of stem cells are directly regulated by the chirality and morphology of ECM-mimetic peptide nanofibers with strictly controlled characteristics. Structural signals presented on l-amino acid containing cylindrical nanofibers (l-VV) favored the formation of integrin β1-based focal adhesion complexes, which increased the osteogenic potential of stem cells through the activation of nuclear YAP. On the other hand, twisted ribbon-like nanofibers (l-FF and d-FF) guided the cells into round shapes and decreased the formation of focal adhesion complexes, which resulted in the confinement of YAP proteins in the cytosol and a corresponding decrease in osteogenic potential. Interestingly, the d-form of twisted-ribbon like nanofibers (d-FF) increased the chondrogenic potential of stem cells more than their l-form (l-FF). Our results provide new insights into the importance and relevance of morphology and chirality of nanomaterials in their interactions with cells and reveal that precise control over the chemical and physical properties of nanostructures can affect stem cell fate even without the incorporation of specific epitopes

A novel modified PAIR technique using a trocar catheter for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: a six-year experience

PURPOSEWe aimed to demonstrate the success and reliability of a novel puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique in liver hydatid cysts.METHODSPercutaneous treatment with ultrasonographic guidance was performed in 493 hepatic hydatid cysts in 374 patients. Patients were treated with a new PAIR technique by single puncture method using a 6F trocar catheter. The results of this novel technique were evaluated with regards to efficacy and safety of the procedure and complication rates.RESULTSOut of 493 cysts, 317 were Gharbi type I (WHO CE 1) and 176 were Gharbi type II (WHO CE 3A). Of all cysts, 13 were referred to surgery because of cystobiliary fistulization. Recurrence was observed in 11 cysts one month later. Therefore, the success rate of the PAIR technique was 97.7% (469/480). Minor complications (fever, urticaria-like reactions, biliary fistula) were seen in 44 treated patients (12%, 44/374); the only major complication was reversible anaphylactic shock which was observed in two patients (0.5%, 2/374).CONCLUSIONThis novel modified PAIR technique may be superior to catheterization by Seldinger technique due to its efficiency, easier application, lower severe complication rate, and lower cost. Further comparative studies are required to confirm our observations