Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is one of the most established techniques for the observation and local modification of ferroelectric domain structures on the submicron level. Both electrostatic and electromechanical interactions contribute at the tip-surface junction in a complex manner, which has resulted in multiple controversies in the interpretation of PFM. Here we analyze the influen...

The phase-field microelasticity (PFM) is adapted into a homogenization process to predict all the effective elastic constants of three-dimensional heterogeneous materials with complex microstructures. Comparison between the PFM approach and the Hashin–Shtrikman variational approach is also given. Using 3D images of two-phase heterogeneous media with regular and irregular microstructures, result...

OBJECTIVES Evaluation of resting and functional bioelectrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and the synergistic muscles, depending on the orientation of the pelvis, in anterior (P1) and posterior (P2) pelvic tilt. DESIGN Preliminary, prospective observational study. SETTING Department and Clinic of Urology, University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-two menop...

The aim of the study was an assessment of isometric torque (IT) values under static conditions and relative torque (RT) for the plantar flexion muscles (PFM) and dorsal flexion muscles (DFM) and their mutual relations in males 5 years after talocrural joint sprain. IT measurements in PFM and DFM were performed using Biodex System 3. Group I consisted of 20 males on average 5 years after the spr...

OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of success for physiotherapy treatment in women with persistent postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI). DESIGN Secondary analysis of data from a single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing 2 physiotherapy intervention programs for persistent SUI in postpartum women. SETTING Obstetric clinic of a mother and children's university hospital. PARTI...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the electromyogram (EMG) response of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) to whole-body vibration (WBV) while using different body posture and vibration frequencies. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirteen healthy adults (7 men, 6 women) voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study in which EMG data from PFM were collected in a total of 12 trials for eac...

High-resolution studies of dental tissues are of considerable interest for biomedical engineering and clinical applications. In this paper, we demonstrate the application of piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) to nanoscale imaging of internal structure of human teeth by monitoring the local mechanical response to an electrical bias applied via a conductive tip. It is shown that PFM is capable ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI) often compromises a woman's ability to participate in normal daily routines or physical activities. Pelvic-floor muscle (PFM) training has been shown to be effective in improving urinary incontinence. Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) imaging is a new, noninvasive method for assessing the function of the PFMs. This case report d...

Endodontic diagnosis often requires thermal testing through porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM) and all-ceramic restorations. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the temperature change during thermal testing by three commonly used methods occurring at the pulp-dentin junction (PDJ) of nonrestored teeth and teeth restored with full coverage restorations made of PFM, all-porcelain, or...

This paper asks how strong African Public Financial Management (PFM) has become, after a decade and more of reform. How well do African PFM systems in place now facilitate effective public financial management? Where are the next challenges and how can they be met? It analyzes recent PFM assessments in 31 governments to answer these questions, identifying patterns of strengths and weaknesses ac...