Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent self-limited attacks of fever accompanied by peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis. The disease is predominantly seen in Mediterranean populations (Jews, Armenians, Arabs, Turks). Several types of vasculitis are associated with FMF: Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) and Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) are th...

In order to determine the origin of image contrast in piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), analytical descriptions of the complex interactions between a small tip and ferroelectric surface are derived for several sets of limiting conditions. Image charge calculations are used to determine potential and field distributions at the tip-surface junction between a spherical tip and an anisotropic d...

Scientists, engineers, knowledge workers and others need help managing their personal data files and the programs that manipulate their data. The current generation of software for supporting their needs, which we call Personal File Managers (PFMs), is not adequate. We propose five requirements that a next generation PFM should satisfy. We have created a mockup of a PFM which satisfies these re...

OBJECTIVES In physiotherapeutic practice, special attention is being given to the reciprocal anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical relationship of the pelvis and the structures connected to it. However, the scientific literature shows mainly the theoretical information about their mutual connections. The lack of information about these relations from a practical aspect coupled with the p...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the influence of protraction facemask (PFM) on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of skeletal Class III malocclusion patients. METHOD Literature searches were carried out electronically in five English and three Chinese databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE (via ...

Women’s health physiotherapists employ various techniques to treat urinary incontinence (UI) in patients who are attempting to restore function by improving the strength, stamina and coordination of their pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). Urinary incontinence can be subdivided into stress UI (SUI), urge UI (UUI) or mixed UI (MUI). Both the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and the National Institu...

In this paper, we propose and discuss an application of a CMOS vision chip using pulse frequency modulation to sub-retinal implantation to partially recover human vision. In sub-retinal approaches, a photo-sensor buried underneath the retina converts light distribution of the image projected on a retina surface to electric signals, and stimulates the horizontal cells or neurons behind them [1],...

The peak flow meter (PFM) is a useful device in asthma monitoring and in determining the severity of symptoms. Against the background of reported underutilisation of PFMs in the management of asthma and prescription for home use, and the paucity of such data in developing countries, this study was carried out to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of physicians on the use of PFMs in t...

Understanding the perceptions of local communities towards participatory forest management (PFM) is essential for successful improvements PFM regarding conservation and livelihood improvement. However, there a lack research evidence on perception intervention. To better understand communities’ PFM, 131 households were surveyed. Data collected through household survey; key informant interviews (...

BACKGROUND The measurements of body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat are used in many clinical situations. However, special tools are required to measure body fat. Many formulas are proposed for estimation but these use constant coefficients of age. Age spectrum might affect the predicted value of the body composition due to body component alterations, and the coefficient of age for ...