Raman spectra from laser-processed lead zirconate titanate (PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3) prepared by a sol-gel process

We report on investigations of laser-induced crystallization of PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3 (PZT) gel-powder. By means of micro-Raman spectroscopy, and of optical and scanning electron micrography (SEM), we show that, upon laser irradiation, amorphous PZT material is transformed into microcrystals of the perovskite structure. It was found that the laser-induced crystallization is much faster than crystallization through calcination in a conventional oven

Axial condyle morphology and horizontal condylar angle in patients with internal derangement compared to asymptomatic volunteers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible structural variations of axial condyle morphology and horizontal condylar angle between patients with internal derangement and asymptomatic volunteers. Forty-five symptomatic patients and 31 asymptomatic volunteers (AV) were included in this study. All subjects had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans. Axial condyle morphology was evaluated using these images and classified into four diagnostic groups: convex, flat, and concave anterior surfaces, and tapered form. The angulation between the condylar long axis and the transversal plane was then measured. A Wilcoxon-Whitney-Mann-U-test demonstrated no significant differences in the horizontal angulation of the patients with disk displacement with reduction (DDR) (24.35 +/- 9.31) as compared to patients with displacement without reduction (DDN) (25.61 +/- 10.11) and asymptomatic volunteers (25.68 +/- 9.31) (AV). Eighty percent of the flat type condyles and 73.3% of the tapered type condyles belonged to the symptomatic patients with disk displacement with reduction (DDR) and without reduction (DDN). Chi-square test demonstrated significant differences between the diagnostic groups of condyle types (p < 0.01). A comparison of the angular difference of right and left joints of asymptomatic volunteers and patients using the Wilcoxon-Whitney-Mann-U-test showed that the results of the asymptomatic volunteers were significantly lower (p = 0.05). The conclusion that an increase in the horizontal condylar angle is a predisposing factor for the development of internal derangement or that the derangement develops during the prognosis of the disorder could not be clearly stated based on the results of this study. It is proposed that the difference between condyle morphology in patients with disk displacement and asymptomatic volunteers may be a result of the remodeling or degeneration caused by the disorder

Morphology of the mandibular fossa and inclination of the articular eminence in patients with internal derangement and in symptom-free volunteers

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate temporomandibular joint morphology and to compare possible structural variations in the temporomandibular joint anatomy of symptomatic anterior disk displacement patients with possible structural variations in the temporomandibular joint anatomy of symptom-free volunteers