Due to the retrognathic mandible, an orthodontist frequently observes skeletal class II malocclusion in growing patients. The preferred technique for analyzing and monitoring the temporomandibular joint alterations caused by the functional device is magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. The study aimed to assess and compare changes in the articular disc's dimension and location before and following the use of various class II correctors to correct the class II molar relation using MRI technology. Methods: 39 adolescent patients aged 15-23 years old [24 girls and 15 boys] who were diagnosed with skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion based on clearly defined criteria underwent treatment with either the power scope II [PS], Sabbagh Advanced Repositioning Appliance [SARA] and or Dynaflex [DF] with fixed appliances. For fixed functional treatment, the average length of treatment was 5-7 months. The changes in the articular disc dimension and position and condylar position were assessed. The study was done at the Department of Orthodontics at the College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University in Erbil City. Results: Group DF has a significant effect on the condylar position index and posterior joint space on the closed mouth and disc length on both open and close mouth techniques, and in the group SARA, disc position, and condylar position index on closed mouth technique have shown that significant differences were observed. Conclusion: Class II malocclusions can be effectively corrected by fixed functional appliances. The statistical significance forward movement of the condyle in the glenoid fossa and the posterior movement of the articular disc concerning the condylar head was observed. The mechanism of action of functional appliances appears to include the forward migration of the C-GF complex.

Load shifting is one of the demand side management (DSM) strategies to support the efficiency in the electricity grid during the peak hours demand. Load shifting at the appliance level is interesting to review since the appliance usage is one of the main inputs in the load profile analysis. More review studies in load shifting at the appliance level are required as it is a specific issue of load profile research body, and still limited studies are available at this moment. It is also essential to focus on the appliance usage patterns to better understand the impacts and characteristics of the individual appliance. The existing studies in load shifting have applied common structured literature reviews, and our study addresses the transparency of each stage and sub-stage of the selection of the final list studies. The finding shows that efficiency has been achieved in the installed capacity reduction, cost including emission reductions, and peak consumption reduction. The most applied method in the load shifting at the appliance level is by developing the load shifting optimisation algorithms. This work contributes to provide a transparent process of applying a systematicity literature review, where it becomes a source of knowledge and grounded theory. It contributes to a limited and specific research of load shifting at the appliance level by highlighting and discussing the key findings for the readers. In specific, it contributes to improve energy efficiency by presenting the load shifting methods at the appliance level and identifying the controllable and uncontrollable appliances. This detail review study at the appliance level can make valuable contributions to support decision and policy-making by illuminating new dynamic system in load shifting area in specific, and demand side management in general for energy efficiency.

The aim of this study is to study the effect of aging in different media (deionized water and artificial saliva) on the force/torque generation by thermoplastic orthodontic aligners. Ten thermoformed aligners made of Essix ACE® thermoplastic sheets were aged in deionized water and in artificial saliva over two weeks at 37 C, five in each medium. The force/torque generated on upper second premolar (Tooth 25) of a resin model was measured at day 0 (before aging), 2, 4, 6, 10, and 14, using a biomechanical test set-up. The results showed that the thermocycling of aligners has no significant impact on their force/torque decay. No significant differences were also found in force/torque between the aligners stored in deionized water nor artificial saliva. The vertical extrusion-intrusion forces were measured in the range of 1.4 to 4.6 N, the horizontal oro-vestibular forces were 1.3 to 2.5 N, while the torques on mesio-distal rotation were 5.4 to 41.7 Nmm. It could be concluded that the influence of saliva on the mechanical properties can be classified as insignificant, and no significant difference between artificial aging in deionized water or artificial saliva was observed.

Robin sequence is a congenital anomaly characterized by a triad of features that include micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. This comprehensive historical review maps the evolution of approaches and appliances for its treatment from the past until current modern possibilities of interdisciplinary combination of modern engineering, medicine, materials, and computer science combined approach with emphasis to design appliances inspired by nature - individual human anatomy. Current biomimetic designs are clinically applied resulting in appliances that are more efficient, comfortable, sustainable, and safer than legacy traditional designs. Review maps the treatment modalities that have been used for patients with Robin sequence over the years. Early management of Robin sequence focused primarily on airway maintenance and feeding support, while current management strategies involve both nonsurgical and surgical interventions and biomimetic biocompatible personalized appliances. The goal of this paper was to provide a review of the evolution of management strategies for patients with Robin sequence that led to the current interdisciplinary biomimetic approaches impacting the future of Robin Sequence treatment with biomimetics at the forefront.

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of artificial aging by thermocycling and mechanical loading on force/torque delivery by thermoplastic orthodontic aligners. Ten thermoformed aligners made of Zendura™ thermoplastic polyurethane sheets were aged over two weeks in deionized water by thermocycling alone (n=5) and by both thermocycling and mechanical loading (n=5). The force/torque generated on upper second premolar (Tooth 25) of a plastic model was measured before aging (as control), and after 2, 4, 6, 10, and 14 days of aging, using a biomechanical set-up. Before aging, the extrusion-intrusion forces were in the range of 2.4 to 3.0 N, the oro-vestibular forces were 1.8 to 2.0 N, and the torques on mesio-distal rotation were 13.6 to 40.0 Nmm. Pure thermocycling had no significant effect on the force decay of the aligners. However, there was a significant decrease in force/torque after 2 days of aging for both thermocycling and mechanical loading aging group, which is no longer significant over 14 days of aging. In conclusion, artificial aging of aligners in deionized water with thermocycling and mechanical loading results in a significant decrease in force/torque generation. However, the mechanical loading of aligners has a greater impact than thermocycling alone.