Favour Of Repair Research Articles

Economic consequences of consumer repair strategies for electrical household devices

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent a consumer’s repair strategy impacts the annual costs of ownership of a washing machine and two types of vacuum cleaner.Design/methodology/approachThe annual cost of ownership is determined by calculating the annual life cycle cost (LCC) for the respective devices. The annual LCCs of the different scenarios allow a comparison of the different repair strategy options. A Monte Carlo simulation is run to introduce parameter variability. The device’s failure rate is estimated by a combination of data sets on the devices’ performance.FindingsResults demonstrate that the repair of the devices considered is a more favourable option over replacement. A consumer who aims for the lowest annual LCC should allow for a high number of repairs per device, without putting a maximum on the cost per repair. However, the consumer should become more cautious when a device approaches the end of its expected lifetime. Finally, the purchase of warranty can be interesting when the warranty covers a sufficiently long proportion of the device’s (expected) lifetime and when its cost does not exceed a threshold proportion of the initial purchase price.Research limitations/implicationsThe costs for repair might be overestimated. Future research can focus on the reduction of repair costs following self-repair.Practical implicationsThe results provide strong arguments in favour of repair instead of replacement of broken devices.Originality/valueThis is the first research to quantify the influence of consumer behaviour in the context of repair of devices on the ownership costs of these devices.

Valvular heart surgery: evaluating the past to enlighten the future

Valvular heart surgery: evaluating the past to enlighten the future

The Opinions of Manufacturers of Resin-Based Composite Materials towards the Repair of Failing Composite Restorations

To investigate the opinions of manufacturers of resin-based composite (RBC) towards the repair of their materials. Representatives of 20 manufacturers of RBC were electronically mailed a questionnaire seeking information on aspects of the repair of direct composite restorations. The response rate was 100%. The findings indicated that although the majority of respondents regarded repair as a viable option for managing failing direct RBC restorations, marked variations were found to exist regarding recommendations for and contra-indications to performing repairs of RBC restorations. Within the limitations of the current study, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) the majority of manufacturers of RBC materials are aware and in favour of repair as opposed to replacement of defective composite restorations; (2) there is a need for manufacturers to produce guidelines for repair of their materials; and (3) there is a need for robust randomised controlled dental practice-based clinical studies in the field of repair of composite restorations.

Review Management of nonunion in trauma

Treatment of nonunion has radically changed in recent years. We define nonunion as a fracture of bone induced either by trauma or surgery which does not show clinical or radiographic signs of progression to healing within a reasonable time span. The reparative processes are present but inadequate. Fracture healing may be considered to be a balance between repair and breakdown processes at the fracture site. When breakdown exceeds repair, nonunion is the result. Altering the conditions at the fracture site even marginally in favour of repair will eventually lead to bony continuity being restored. Nonunion treatment should follow three principles: a) realignment; b) stabilization; and c) stimulation. Any surgical proce dure should address one or all of these areas. In this article the principles of nonunion management are explained, together with different bone healing stimulation techniques and our clinical results.