Bismuth silicate (Bi2SiO5) was recently suggested as a potential silicate based lead-free ferroelectric material. Here, we show the existence of ferroelectricity and explore the strong anisotropy of local ferroelectricity using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Domain structures are reconstructed using angle-resolved PFM. Furthermore, piezoresponse hysteresis loops and piezoelectric coeffic...

Background and Objectives: Surgical cancelation is a significant source of time and resource waste, patient safety risk, and stress for patients and their families. In this study, a risk management-based approach is developed to prioritize factors contributing to surgical cancellation. Methods: Factors leading to surgical cancellation were comprehensively classified based on literature review...

For interface-tracking simulation of two-phase flows, we propose a new computational method, NS-PFM, combining Navier-Stokes (NS) equations with phase-field model (PFM). Based on the free energy theory, PFM describes an interface as a volumetric zone across which physical properties vary continuously. Surface tension is defined as an excessive free energy per unit area induced by density gradie...

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training has received Level-A evidence rating in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, based on meta-analysis of numerous randomized control trials (RCTs) and is recommended in many published guidelines. However, the actual regimen of PFM training used varies widely in these RCTs. Hence, to date, the optimal PFM training regimen for achieving con...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength in different body positions in nulliparous healthy women and its correlation with sexual activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty healthy nulliparous women with mean age of 23 years were prospectively studied. Subjective evaluation of PFM was assessed by transvaginal digital palpation (TDP) of anterior and posterior...

OBJECTIVE To assess the discrepancies in marginal integrity and contact points of Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) crowns and its association with caries in adjacent teeth. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Dental Section of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to August 2009. METHODOLOGY Ninety six (96) patients with PFM crowns on maxillary ...

background: the reliability and safety of gas refineries are strongly associated with the reliability of other parts of the system. defect and failure in one part of a system can cause total system breakdown or accident. the failure and damage in these equipment such as transformers and boilers results in not only the equipment damage and human injuries but also productivity reduction. the purp...

Piezoresponse force-microscopy (PFM) has become the standard tool to investigate ferroelectrics on the micro- and nanoscale. However, reliability of PFM signals is often problematic and their quantification is challenging and thus not widely applied. Here, we present a study of the reproducibility of PFM signals and of the so-called PFM background signal which has been reported in the literatur...

The mechanism of uptake and efflux of porfiromycin (PFM) by HCT 116 human colon carcinoma cells or freshly obtained human RBC was investigated. The time course of uptake of radioactivity upon exposure of HCT 116 cells to [14C]PFM showed one fast and one slow phase of linear increase. The initial phase of PFM uptake was not saturable with external drug concentrations from 2 to 100 microM. PFM ac...