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In this paper, the topography properties as layer thickness, porosity, and shape are studied for porous silicon prepared by using electro‐chemical etching method from p‐type bulk silicon like one side mirror with hydrofluoric acid (39%–43%) and ethanol (99.9%) (2:1), the etching time is (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) min, with potential (6 V DC), the porosity and layer thickness can determine by using gravimetric method and SEM image to study the comparison between the image for different etching time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-management ( SM) programmes are commonly used for initial treatment of patients with temporomandibular disorders ( TMD). The programmes described in the literature, however, vary widely with no consistency in terminology used, components of care or their definitions. The aims of this study were therefore to construct an operationalised definition of self-management appropriate for the treatment of patients with TMD, identify the components of that self-management currently being used and create sufficiently clear and non-overlapping standardised definitions for each of those components. A four-round Delphi process with eleven international experts in the field of TMD was conducted to achieve these aims. In the first round, the participants agreed upon six principal concepts of self-management. In the remaining three rounds, consensus was achieved upon the definition and the six components of self-management. The main components identified and agreed upon by the participants to constitute the core of a SM programme for TMD were as follows: education; jaw exercises; massage; thermal therapy; dietary advice and nutrition; and parafunctional behaviour identification, monitoring and avoidance. This Delphi process has established the principal concepts of self-management, and a standardised definition has been agreed with the following components for use in clinical practice: education; self-exercise; self-massage; thermal therapy; dietary advice and nutrition; and parafunctional behaviour identification, monitoring and avoidance. The consensus-derived concepts, definitions and components of SM offer a starting point for further research to advance the evidence base for, and clinical utility of, TMD SM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to identify the behaviour change techniques most frequently employed in published temporomandibular disorder (TMD) self-management (SM) programmes. The reviewers matched the components of SM programmes into the relevant behaviour change technique domains according to the definitions of the behaviour change taxonomy (version 1). Electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials assessing an SM programme for TMD. Manual searches were also conducted for potentially important journals. Eligibility criteria for the review included: the type of study, the participants, the intervention utilised and the comparators/control. Fifteen randomised controlled trials with 554 patients were included in this review. The review concludes a minority of the available behaviour change techniques are currently employed in SM programmes. Other behaviour change techniques should be examined to see whether there is a theoretical underpinning that might support their inclusion in self-management programmes in TMD. Further trials are required to conclude that SM programmes are more effective than no treatment at all and or placebo. With more structured SM programmes, greater therapeutic benefits might be achieved, and certainly if SM programmes published in the literature define their components through use of the behaviour change taxonomy, it would be easier for clinicians to replicate efficacious programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporomandibular joint ( TMJ) 'closed lock' ( CL) is a clinical condition causing TMJ pain and limited mouth opening (painful locking) that is mostly attributed to disc displacement without reduction ( DDwoR), or less commonly to anchored disc phenomenon ( ADP). Both conditions are described clinically as CL that can be 'acute' or 'chronic' depending on the duration of locking. There is, however, no consensus about the duration of locking that defines the acute state and its effect on the success of interventions. This review paper, therefore, aims to provide: (i) a narrative review of the pathophysiological need for early intervention in DDwoR and the clinical implications of acute/chronic CL stages on the management pathway; (ii) a systematic review investigating the effects of locking duration on the success of interventions for CL management. Electronic and manual searches until mid-August 2013 were conducted for English-language studies of any design investigating the effects of non-surgical and surgical interventions for acute or chronic CL ( DDwoR or ADP). A total of 626 records were identified, and 113 studies were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were completed for all included studies. Included studies were, however, heterogeneous and mostly of poor-quality leading to contradictory and inconsistent evidence on the effect of the duration of locking on treatment outcomes. Future high-quality trials investigating the effect of CL duration on treatment outcome are needed. At present, early intervention by 'unlock' mandibular manipulation seems to be the most practical and realistic approach that can be attempted first in every CL patient as an initial diagnostic/therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping the human plantar (sole) surface during movement using an optical imaging technique often necessitates the use of a stage made of transparent material so that the human subject's gait can be imaged in a natural way, without obstruction. This research investigates a technique to reduce glass refraction distortion in the captured 3D spatial data. Impurities in the glass produce outliers in the calculated distortion values which were detected using an automated slope gradient technique. A point-based moving averaging technique was utilised to determine the most appropriate distortion correction to replace the removed outliers. The results show that the empirical methods developed provide accurate glass refraction corrections for photogrammetric measurements, highlighted using the 3D foot plantar surface captured during various phases of a person's gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]