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Abstract: Although there have been multiple studies on window thermal properties in energy-efficient fenestration design, the effects of building geometry factors have been studied much less. The study presented in this paper evaluated the role of geometry factors, such as window orientation, window to wall ratio, and room width to depth ratio, on building energy performance in a commercial office building. A series of energy simulations were performed for six climate zones in the United States using a model of a room in a typical office building created in Design Builder, an energy analysis program, to evaluate total annual energy consumption. The simulation results were analyzed to find the combination of parameters yielding the lowest energy consumption and to define potential energy savings for office buildings located in various climate zones. The study showed that geometry factors affect energy consumption significantly in hot climates (Zones 2 and 3) and cold climates (Zones 6 and 7) but only marginally in temperate climates (Zones 4 and 5). Energy savings were on average 3% and 6% reaching a maximum of 10% and 14% in hot climates (Zones 2 and 3) and 1% in temperate and cold climates (Zones 4–7). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There are several studies done to show the comparability of laser scaling and root planing with routine methods. The most suitable wavelengths for such an application are reported as 2,940 and 2,780 nm. The superficial interactions of the current wavelength with root surface is investigated in this study to compare the crater and crack formation during the procedures between ultrasound and Er,Cr:yttrium–scandium–gallium garnet (YSGG; 2,780 nm) laser-treated teeth. Thirty human teeth with calculus on their root surface, which were extracted because of the severe periodontitis, were selected for this interventional in vitro study. Calculus area were divided into two equal parts: One of them was prepared for Er,Cr:YSGG (Biolase, Waterlase, USA) laser irradiation and the other one for ultrasound treatment (Dentsply cavitron, DENTSPLY International, USA). The Er,Cr:YSGG laser was specified as follows: pulse energy = 50 mJ, power = 1 W, wavelength = 2,780 nm, pulse repetition rate = 20 pulse per seconds, tip length = 6 mm, and tip diameter = 600 μm. Nineteen of the laser samples (95%) and eight of ultrasound ones (40%) out of 20 samples in each group had craters showing a statistical significant difference ( p < 0.001). The number and depth of these craters are also evaluated. Thirteen samples of the laser cases (65%) and all samples of the ultrasound group showed cracks with significant differences ( p = 0.008). In addition, the number and width of cracks in both groups are reported. As a general conclusion, the laser-treated samples show more craters but less cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]