Use Of Appliances Research Articles

Analysis of user behavior and energy-saving potential of electric water heaters

As global energy resources get more limited and environmental problems worsen, it is crucial to enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption in end-use products. This research focuses on electric water heaters, a significant household energy consumer, and collects a large amount of data through questionnaires and analyzes the current usage patterns of water heater use, as well as the impact of the users’ personal characteristics and energy-saving consciousness on usage behaviors. It also evaluates the energy-saving potential under different scenarios, considering both consumer behaviors and product efficiency levels. Results indicate that a substantial number of users still purchase high-energy-consuming water heaters and fail to adjust temperatures according to their specific needs, resulting in considerable energy waste. Electric water heaters exhibit significant potential for energy savings, with the efficiency of the product and user behaviors identified as key factors influencing overall energy consumption. The study provides important insights into the usage behavior of electric water heaters and offers actionable recommendations for manufacturers and government agencies: advocating the use of certified energy-efficient water heaters, raising public awareness of energy efficiency in appliance use, etc., which is in line with the country’s goals of energy conservation and environmental sustainability.

Clinical assessment of the abutment teeth of children undergoing space maintainer therapy: A randomised controlled trial

Introduction: The band and loop space maintainer are one of the most commonly used fixed space maintainers in children. However, prolonged use of appliances in the oral cavity may lead to changes in gingival health and an increased risk of caries. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical parameters of the abutment teeth, specifically the banded teeth and the tooth to which the loop is extended. Methods: This prospective clinical study included 35 children between the age group of 5 to 9 years. The children were examined at baseline and 6-month follow-up. The abutment teeth were evaluated on bleeding on probing, pocket depth, gingival index, and occurrence of primary/ secondary caries. Results: There was a significant difference in the bleeding on probing, pocket depth, gingival index, and occurrence of primary/ secondary caries (p<0.05). Conclusion: Precautions and thorough knowledge about the consequences of the delivery of appliances can prevent and overcome the causes. Oral health education and constant motivation should be provided to the children on dental hygiene and regular follow-ups to avoid any extensive invasive management.

Management Of Skeletal Class Ii Malocclusion With Twin Block And Headgear: A Case Report

Background. The main concern of patients and their parents seeking orthodontic treatment has always been the sagittal relationship between the jaws and dentition. The most commonly observed sagittal problems are skeletal class II maxillomandibular relationship which affects about one-third of the examined patients who seek orthodontic treatment. This case report demonstrates the use of the Twinblock appliance and high-pull headgear in a skeletal Class II Division 1 patient with a prognathic maxilla and a retrognathic mandible. A 9 year old male patient reported to Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry with a chief complaint of forwardly placed upper front teeth. On extraoral examination, it was found that the patient had a convex profile, incompetent lips, increased maxillary anterior teeth visibility, acute nasolabial angle, receded chin and deep mento labial sulcus. Superimposition of Post treatment with pre-treatment lateral cephalograms showed a reduction in the sagittal discrepancy. With the retraction and intrusion of maxillary anteriors by the use of head gear along with mandibular advancement by the use of twinblock gave the desired result.

Green means go: The effect of a visualization tool towards increased use of renewable energy in households

There is a need to further develop digital and hardware tools to support consumers in the adaptation of their energy use to, for example, integrate renewable sources into it and/or reduce expenses. This paper presents an evaluation study of a tool, including its hardware and software versions, that supports consumers in their electricity consumption optimization, most notably concerning renewable energies for specific devices. We conducted a six-week study in Oldenburg, Germany involving 43 participants divided into three groups: one hardware and one digital variant each of an energy visualization tool, as well as a control group. We furthermore collected quantitative data on energy usage patterns and qualitative insights through semi-structured interviews. Here the participants received information about the percentage of renewable energy currently in the grid, and were asked to document their washing machine and dishwasher use. This paper provides insights into the perception of the proposed visualization tools achieved through semi-structured interviews, comparing the digital and hardware versions, while outlining the challenges of and possibilities for changing energy use behavior, especially regarding the time of day of an appliance's use. Even though the measurable influences of the tool were limited due to thresholds being reached too easily as a result of e.g. high wind levels generating higher-than-anticipated amounts of renewable energy, in terms of the amount of renewable energy use, slight improvements in the two test groups were observed compared to the control group. Regarding consumer behavior, changes in the appliances' use time show slightly higher improvement compared to the control group.

Vertical Dimension Control in Two Different Treatment Protocols: Invisalign First and Bite Block-A Retrospective Study.

The aim of the present study was to compare the vertical dimension changes, before and after treatment, in two groups of growing patients, one group treated with clear aligner therapy versus a group treated with Quad-helix and bite-block therapy. The studied sample was composed of n. 40 patients (20 females and 20 males with a mean age of 8.6 ± 1.8 years), enrolled from the Department of Orthodontics at Policlinico of Rome Tor Vergata. The original sample was randomly divided into two groups: Group IF (Invisalign First) and Group BB (Quad-helix and bite block). Pre- (T0) and post-treatment (T1 after 12 months) lateral cephalograms were collected from all the selected patients. Nine cephalometric parameters, both angular and linear, were measured and recorded for each cephalogram. No statistically significant changes were found between both the IF and BB groups at T0, while statistically significant changes were observed in both groups (BB and IF) between T0 and T1 (after 12 months of active therapy), p < 0.005. Both therapies were able to control the patient's vertical condition. To date, the use of conventional appliances seems to have slightly better efficacy in controlling the vertical dimension than aligner therapy.

Importance of an Evaluation Phase When Increasing the Occlusal Vertical Dimension: A Systematic Review.

To assess whether an evaluation period is necessary for patient and clinical success when increasing the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) for a full mouth rehabilitation. A systematic search was conducted in six databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, VHL, and EMBASE. The eligibility criteria of this systematic review used the PICO framework to address the following research question: "In dentate adults requiring an increase in occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) (P), is an evaluation period of the new OVD (I) superior to no evaluation period (C) in terms of success (O)?" Study characteristics, survival, and success rates were extracted from each article. No language restrictions were applied. Study quality was appraised using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) according to the study design. The electronic search yielded 1188 titles after duplicates were removed. One RCT and 103 non-comparative articles were found relevant to the search question. Out of the 103 articles, 80 had an evaluation phase and 23 did not. The included RCT revealed that removable devices tended to cause chewing difficulties, unclear speech, and esthetic discomfort. Therefore, the use of a removable appliance to functionally or esthetically evaluate OVD was not indicated prior to the definitive treatment. Esthetics was the highest reported parameter preoperatively for the non-comparative studies, at 85% with an evaluation and 86% without. At present, there is lack of evidence that an evaluation period improves clinical and patient-reported outcomes when increasing OVD for full mouth rehabilitations. Thus, an increase in OVD can be successful with or without an evaluation phase. The evaluation phase helps the clinician manage patient expectations and assist with the treatment sequencing. This phase is most effective with fixed restoration, such as temporary crowns or adhesive restorations. However, there is limited evidence that this phase improves clinical or patient-reported outcomes.

Three-Dimensional Assessment of the Effects of Kinesio Taping on Mandibular Condylar Volume with Skeletal Class II Malocclusions

This study aimed to perform a three-dimensional assessment of the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on mandibular condylar volume during Twin Block (TB) appliance therapy in individuals with skeletal Class II malocclusions. Thirty children (16 female, 14 male) aged between 10 and 15 years (12.80 ± 1.08) who were scheduled for TB therapy were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 patients each. One group (Group 1) received KT on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with TB therapy while the other group (Group 2) only received the TB. KT was applied in cycles of 3 days, followed by 1 day off for 3 months. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning before KT and TB therapy (T0) and 3 months later (T1). Changes in right and left condylar volumes were measured (cm3) using a GE Advantage Workstation (General Electric Medical Systems, USA) and compared between the two groups using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The KT group showed a significant differences in condylar volumes for both right (mean 0.13; p = 0.015; [0.04: 0.22]) and left condyle (0.30; p = 0.001; [0.18: 0.42]) from baseline (T0) to 3 months (T1). The comparisons between Group 1 and Group 2 revealed no statistically significant difference in initial and final condylar volumes for both the right (0.13; p &gt; 0.05; [−0.16: 0.09]) and the left condyle (0.30; p &gt; 0.05; [−0.04: 0.42]). Kinesio taping, which demonstrated a relative and slight increase on condylar volume, may provide clinical benefits such as a reduction in the duration of functional appliance use, decreased risk of relapse, and effective correction of overjet.

Orthodontists' Knowledge and Perception of the Prolonged Use of Rapid Palatal Expanders (RPEs) in the Saudi Arabian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Orthodontic expansion using a rapid palatal expander (RPE), initiated early in life, is one approach to treating malocclusions. However, prolonged RPE use leads to negative consequences. The study aims to determine the perception and experience of orthodontists related to the prolonged use of RPEand their management. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among orthodontists (n = 1,125) in Saudi Arabia using an online survey. The questionnaire consisted of two sections. Section A included personal and demographic details, while Section B contained questions regarding participants' perception, knowledge, and experience related to the prolonged use of RPEand their management protocols among children aged 6 to 14 years. To assess differences in participants' perceptions and work experiences, including their approach toward tele-dentistry, the Chi-Square test was employed. Results The most prevalent reason for patients' prolonged usage of RPE was missing appointments due to multiple reasons, such as negligence, traveling (13.6%), or COVID-19 (9.6%). Among the types, the banded RPE was the most used (68.8%). The most common complications included buccal tipping of posterior teeth (72%), over-expansion (39.2%), and extrusion (25.6%). Conclusions Most orthodontists used a banded type of RPE, and the most common complication was buccal tipping of posterior teeth. There were no significant differences in complications when banded or bonded RPEs were used. The use of tele-dentistry and additional appliances to treat complications was reported by half of the participating orthodontists.

Modeling daily energy use in British homes amidst the electricity market crisis: Insights from smart meter and socio-technical data

This study examines the factors influencing daily electricity use in UK homes during the electricity market crisis. Using data from smart meters and socio-technical sources, the research identifies key drivers of electricity consumption, such as household size, weather conditions, and appliance use. Results from a sample of British homes, analyzed through linear mixed effects modeling, show that households with more occupants, greater number of adults, higher heating settings, and fewer energy-saving efforts consume more energy. Weather, housing type, and air conditioning also play significant roles. The findings highlight the importance of integrating smart meter data with other sources to develop effective energy-saving strategies and inform targeted conservation policies.

Orthodontic perspectives of obstructive sleep apnea

OSA is defined as a condition in which there is repetitive partial or complete collapse of the pharynx during sleep. An apnea is defined as an almost complete (at least 90%) cessation of airflow, and hypopnea is defined as a reduction in nasal pressure amplitude of at least 50% and/ or a reduction in thoracoabdominal movement of 50% or more for a minimum of 10 seconds. Often, patients first seek an otorhinolaryngologic (ENT) evaluation rather than presenting to a sleep center. Normal sleep involves air passing through and going directly down to the lungs. With an obstructed airway, the structures in the back of the throat (the tongue, the tonsils, and/or adenoids) occlude the airway due to an inadequate motor tone of the tongue and/or airway dilator muscles, and thus, prevent the air from passing. The aetiology is multifactorial, and the main risk factors in children include adenotonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, neuromuscular disorders and craniofacial anomalies. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most commonly reported aetiological factor. Therefore, the treatment of choice for paediatric OSA is adenotonsillectomy. In adulthood, the use of oral appliances is a treatment option in the management of OSA

ASSESSMENT OF WATER REQUIREMENT THROUGH STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING AND DECISION TREES IN URBAN HOUSEHOLDS

The study conducts exhaustive field surveys in 67 wards in Bhubaneswar city, Odisha. 29 factors under 10 aspects have been considered for the study to assess the water requirement per household per day. SEM and CART modeling have been used to estimate the water requirement. The SEM model predicts that 4 aspects, namely, expenses, governance, possession, and resources are the major aspects that decide the water requirement of a household. Similarly, construction and repair costs, energy consumption, reinforcement practices, awareness, presence of a garden, presence of washing machine, presence of other appliances, water charges, and the type of storage majorly affect the water requirement. CART predicts energy consumption, storage, construction and repair, and washing machines to be important estimators with MAPE &lt; 1% for the prediction of water requirement. The study reveals that with proper governance and proper use of water-intensive appliances, the required quantity of water can be decreased in any household. Secondly, by abiding by certain rules while using washing machines, like using them daily or weekly two times, etc., the inequity of water among households can be reduced.

Contributions of jaw functional orthopedics in temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMA) – clinical case report

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is one of the most disabling pathological conditions that can occur in the maxillofacial region, often occurring at an early age, limiting growth and causing facial deformity, which significantly affects the quality of life of the individual. The objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of Jaw Functional Orthopedics (JFO) in TMJ ankylosis after the surgical phase. The case of a 7-year-old female patient diagnosed with bilateral condylar ankylosis (fibrous ankylosis on the right side and bony ankylosis on the left side) is presented. On clinical examination, facial asymmetry, retrognathia, muscle contraction and opening limitation were observed. Treatment consisted of temporalis muscle flap rotation surgery with condylectomy and coronoidectomy, physical therapy, and functional therapy with OFM. The clinical results at 4 months of follow-up suggest significant progress in oral opening and protrusion. The patient showed a high degree of satisfaction with the results obtained. She is currently continuing with the use of orthopedic appliances to correct the sequelae of ankylosis and improve mandibular kinematics.

Prediction on the chin advancement of the twin block functional appliance in growing Chinese patients using the cephalometric markers: a retrospective study.

In spite of the widespread use of functional appliances, broad variations were applied the treatment response. The aim of this study is to investigate the pre-treatment cephalometric predictors on the chin advancement of twin-block in growing Chinese patients with class II malocclusion. After screening, 90 patients treated by twin-block were included in the study. The treatment outcome was assessed by the alterations in the distance of skeletal pogonion (Pog) to the vertical reference plane perpendicular to the Frankfurt plane (ΔPog-VRP). Moreover, ΔPog-VRP was divided by the cranial growth indicated by the Nasion to Basion changes (ΔN-Ba) to minimize the growth discrepancy among individuals (adjΔPog-VRP). Patients with ΔPog-VRP/adjΔPog-VRP above the median value were categorized into good response group (GRG/adjGRG, N = 45), while the rest were poor response group (PRG/adjPRG, N = 45). Independent t-test was used to compare the pre-treatment cephalometric measurements between GRG/adjGRG and PRG/adjPRG. Stepwise multivariate regression models were used to determine the pre-treatment cephalometric predictors for the chin advancement. Generally, there were not any significant differences between GRG/adjGRG and PRG/adjPRG regarding age, gender and cervical stage before twin-block treatment. Patients from GRG had significantly reduced cephalometric measurements in the vertical dimensions, including ∠N-Go-Me, ∠Mandibular plane-Occlusal plane (∠MP-OP) and the sum of angles (p < 0.05) in comparison to PRG. When the individual growth was taken account, similar findings were observed. The patients from adjGRG had a significantly lower ∠Sella Nasion line-MP (∠SN-MP), ∠Ar-Go-Me and ∠N-Go-Me, as well as an increased Posterior facial height (PFH)/Anterior facial height (AFH) (p < 0.05) compared with their counterparts. ∠N-Go-Me variable was the independent predictor on Pog advancement with (β = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.06 to -0.01, p = 0.01) and without (β = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.06 to -0.01, p < 0.01) adjustments on individual growth. The results of this study showed that patients with a reduced N-Go-Me angle are more likely to experience a greater chin advancement following twin-block treatment.

Electricity Consumption Profile of Urban Households in Nsukka, Enugu State

In recent times, the uncontrollably rising global energy consumption has become a global problem with its attendant socio-economic and environmental consequences. Hence, this study utilized linear regression model to examine how households’ socio-economic attributes and use of appliances together determine electricity consumption and savings in Nsukka metropolis, Enugu state, Nigeria. Socio-economic variables found to have positive and significant effect on electricity consumption were age of working-class respondents, being married, household size, household active members, unemployed household members, prepaid and estimated electricity billing system, monthly income and high electricity supply hours. In terms of electrical appliances, high hours of electronics’ use per week, incandescent and LED bulbs usage, high number of bulbs, cooling hours of 9 and above per week, lighting hours of 16 and above and weekly heating hours were positively related to electricity consumption and statistically significant. We suggest that the creation of energy efficiency awareness at the household and educational institution levels should be vigorously pursued. Government should subsidize the prices of energy efficient appliances to encourage purchases by low-income earners. Constant overbilling of estimated and postpaid electricity users, as lamented by respondents in the survey, should be discouraged by electricity users. This will enable users to conserve energy and not waste energy as revenge tactics for overbilling. The promotion and full deployment of prepaid meters in the study area by electricity providers would go a long way in complementing the efforts for clean development mechanism in Nigeria.

Modelling and Simulation of a Budget-Friendly, Secured and Intelligent Home Automation System Using Internet of Things for the Aged and Disabled

Intelligent Home Automation System is one of the subjects that is gaining traction and popularity due to its numerous benefits across the globe today. Home automation is the process of remotely monitoring and controlling household appliances and devices. With the Internet's and its applications' never-ending growth, there is a lot of promise and scope for remote access, control, and monitoring of network-enabled appliances and devices. This paper developed an easy-to-use, secured and intelligent home automation system; capable of remotely monitoring and controlling appliances in the home, by integrating it with an affordable, flexible, versatile, open-sourced, single-board microprocessor and yet scalable Arduino Uno. The work was carried out in the following stages; First, the Arduino Uno was set up with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, and Android device interfacing. Secondly, upon successful connection and configurations, the system successfully worked with the home model developed. Lastly, a unique yet simple user interface was created using the Android MIT App inventor, thereby completing the system design. The intelligent home automation system was fully simulated given the above steps, ensuring that everyday use of home appliances is monitored and controlled for a more secure, seamless and intuitive user experience. The paper also examined a number of intelligent home automation systems and technologies from a variety of defined perspectives. It focused on the home automation idea, in which smart devices are used to integrate home automation systems and technologies with a central single-board – microprocessor (Arduino Uno); Life is becoming simpler and easier in all aspects due to advancements in automation technologies, particularly in homes and working environments.

Beyond efficiency: Evaluation of the electricity saving potential of green residential buildings

While green building standards are widely promoted for their energy-saving potential, limited research has explored their actual impact on electricity consumption in residential buildings. This study addresses this gap, comparing certified green buildings to standard ones using a multifaceted approach that combines high-frequency smart meter data with comprehensive socio-demographic data and detailed descriptions of building properties. Metrics investigated included total household consumption, energy use intensity (EUI), and per capita consumption, in each case differentiating between overall appliance use and dedicated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) consumption. While green buildings achieved a 16% reduction in EUI for HVAC compared to standard buildings and thus lowered peak electricity demand, total annual household electricity consumption remained similar. The variance in electricity consumption among households in the sample indicates that occupant behaviour is a significant factor. Counter-intuitively, the research found that occupants of green buildings did not exhibit greater environmental awareness or report more energy-efficient appliance use habits compared to those in standard buildings. It also highlights limitations of EUI as the primary metric for ’efficiency’, rather than total consumption. Furthermore, because consumption is normalized by floor area, this metric may in fact inadvertently incentivize larger apartments that might require even more energy overall. These findings demonstrate the need for a modified area-normalized EUI target incorporated in the building codes as well as a more comprehensive approach to develop complementary policy measures.

Recent developments in orthodontic treatment-an overview

Background: Recent developments in orthodontic treatment have significantly impacted the management of various dental and skeletal issues in preadolescent patients. These advancements encompass a wide range of approaches aimed at addressing problems during the mixed-dentition phase, particularly skeletal discrepancies. Growth modification, camouflage, and orthognathic surgery are primary strategies used to correct these discrepancies. Aim: The aim of this overview is to present a comprehensive summary of recent developments in orthodontic treatment, focusing on growth modification strategies applied to address skeletal and dental issues in preadolescent patients. Methods: This overview examines various orthodontic treatment methods, including growth modification techniques such as the use of headgear, functional appliances, and orthognathic surgery. The discussion also explores the application of these methods to different types of malocclusions and skeletal discrepancies, particularly anteroposterior, transverse, and vertical problems.

Ownership, Patterns of Use and Electricity Consumption of Domestic Appliances in Urban Households of the West African Monetary and Economic Union: A Case Study of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso

Ownership, Patterns of Use and Electricity Consumption of Domestic Appliances in Urban Households of the West African Monetary and Economic Union: A Case Study of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso

Planning with the electricity market One day ahead for a smart home connected to the RES by the MILP method

This study proposes a novel framework for smart homes to optimize energy consumption and production, leading to reduced costs and a more reliable grid. The framework schedules the use of controllable appliances and renewable energy sources while considering uncertainties in production, real-time market prices, and uncontrollable household loads. By incorporating both incremental and real-time pricing models, the system discourages excessive consumption during peak hours. The core innovation lies in a two-stage scheduling approach implemented using GAMS software. This method minimizes the expected total cost while accounting for limitations on controllable loads, power supply, production resources, battery performance, and overall home energy balance. Additionally, the framework leverages the previous day’s bilateral contract and allows residents to adjust desired lighting levels based on current market fluctuations. Simulations demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in reducing both net energy costs and peak load on the electricity grid.

Forecasting changes in oral hygiene levels using the API index with different orthodontic appliances

Relevance. The prevalence of various types of orthodontic pathology among the Russian population is quite high. Depending on the region, malocclusion are registered in 30.9% to 76.5% of cases. The high prevalence of orthodontic pathology and the unresolved issues related to both the pathology itself and the presence of concomitant diseases indicate the necessity for personalized methods of prevention and treatment of malocclusion during both the primary and mixed dentitions, which in 70-84% of cases are treated using both removable and fixed orthodontic appliances.Materials and methods. An observational study was conducted to identify factors contributing to the increased intensity of caries among children aged 6 to 11 with orthodontic pathology. The study evaluated the characteristics of hygiene knowledge and skills, as well as the Approximal Plaque Index (API), in children using various orthodontic appliances. To assess hygiene knowledge levels, a survey was administered to two groups of children aged 6-11: those undergoing orthodontic treatment and those who visited the dental clinic for a routine check-up and were diagnosed with orthodontic pathology. The questionnaire included questions about the primary and supplementary tools and practices for daily oral hygiene, the frequency of hygiene activities, and the patients' awareness of the importance of professional oral hygiene.Results. Factors that statistically significantly influence the level of hygiene and the Approximal Plaque Index (API) were identified. A computer program was developed to forecast the dynamics of oral hygiene levels (based on the API index) when using different orthodontic appliances. An algorithm for predicting changes in the API hygiene index was created, considering the use of orthodontic appliances, oral status, adherence to hygiene procedures, presence of harmful habits, and dietary behaviors. Negative factors significantly impacting hygiene levels include bruxism and daily consumption of sweets, while positive factors include adherence to the recommended frequency and duration of tooth brushing (at least twice a day) and the use of a medium-hard toothbrush when permanent teeth are erupting. During orthodontic treatment, additional negative factors impacting hygiene status include gingival bleeding (gingivitis), lack of lip closure, and harmful habits. The study of changes in hygiene levels over one year of treatment with various orthodontic appliances (braces, Haas appliance, SPA) showed that the fixed Haas appliance for treating dental and maxillofacial anomalies is the most favorable orthodontic design for mixed dentition.Conclusion. Factors significantly affecting the level of oral hygiene have been identified. The dynamics of the API hygiene index with various orthodontic appliances have been established. The most favorable appliance for mixed dentition is the HAAS appliance for rapid palatal expansion.