scholarly journals The Role of Occupants in Buildings’ Energy Performance Gap: Myth or Reality?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3146
Author(s):  
Ardeshir Mahdavi ◽  
Christiane Berger ◽  
Hadeer Amin ◽  
Eleni Ampatzi ◽  
Rune Korsholm Andersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Search ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Occupant Behavior ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Present Effort

Buildings’ expected (projected, simulated) energy use frequently does not match actual observations. This is commonly referred to as the energy performance gap. As such, many factors can contribute to the disagreement between expectations and observations. These include, for instance, uncertainty about buildings’ geometry, construction, systems, and weather conditions. However, the role of occupants in the energy performance gap has recently attracted much attention. It has even been suggested that occupants are the main cause of the energy performance gap. This, in turn, has led to suggestions that better models of occupant behavior can reduce the energy performance gap. The present effort aims at the review and evaluation of the evidence for such claims. To this end, a systematic literature search was conducted and relevant publications were identified and reviewed in detail. The review entailed the categorization of the studies according to the scope and strength of the evidence for occupants’ role in the energy performance gap. Moreover, deployed calculation and monitoring methods, normalization procedures, and reported causes and magnitudes of the energy performance gap were documented and evaluated. The results suggest that the role of occupants as significant or exclusive contributors to the energy performance gap is not sufficiently substantiated by evidence.

scholarly journals The Performance Gap in Energy-Efficient Office Buildings: How the Occupants Can Help?

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qadeer Ali ◽  
Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem ◽  
Fahim Ullah ◽  
Samad M. E. Sepasgozar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Occupant Behavior ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings

Rising demand and limited production of electricity are instrumental in spreading the awareness of cautious energy use, leading to the global demand for energy-efficient buildings. This compels the construction industry to smartly design and effectively construct these buildings to ensure energy performance as per design expectations. However, the research tells a different tale: energy-efficient buildings have performance issues. Among several reasons behind the energy performance gap, occupant behavior is critical. The occupant behavior is dynamic and changes over time under formal and informal influences, but the traditional energy simulation programs assume it as static throughout the occupancy. Effective behavioral interventions can lead to optimized energy use. To find out the energy-saving potential based on simulated modified behavior, this study gathers primary building and occupant data from three energy-efficient office buildings in major cities of Pakistan and categorizes the occupants into high, medium, and low energy consumers. Additionally, agent-based modeling simulates the change in occupant behavior under the direct and indirect interventions over a three-year period. Finally, energy savings are quantified to highlight a 25.4% potential over the simulation period. This is a unique attempt at quantifying the potential impact on energy usage due to behavior modification which will help facility managers to plan and execute necessary interventions and software experts to develop effective tools to model the dynamic usage behavior. This will also help policymakers in devising subtle but effective behavior training strategies to reduce energy usage. Such behavioral retrofitting comes at a much lower cost than the physical or technological retrofit options to achieve the same purpose and this study establishes the foundation for it.

scholarly journals The Role of Chemotherapy in Management of Inoperable, Metastatic and/or Recurrent Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy—Own Experience and Systematic Review

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3872
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Styczewska ◽  
Małgorzata A. Krawczyk ◽  
Ines B. Brecht ◽  
Konrad Haug ◽  
Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Neuroectodermal Tumor ◽  
Incomplete Resection ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Neural Crest Origin

Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI) is a very rare pediatric neoplasm of neural crest origin. In most cases, it develops in infants as a localized tumor of the maxilla, and surgery is usually curative. In less than 10% of patients with inoperable, metastatic or persistently recurring MNTI, chemotherapy (CHT) may be considered; however, its role is still unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of CHT in children with large, inoperable, metastatic and/or recurrent MNTI. Four such infants, treated with CHT in Polish and German centers of pediatric oncology, were presented. Additionally, a systematic literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed, yielding 38 similar cases within the last 42 years. Neoadjuvant CHT, based mainly on the protocols for neuroblastoma, was often effective, allowing for complete delayed surgery in most cases. However, the role of adjuvant CHT in preventing recurrences after incomplete resection of MNTI remains unclear. Disseminated inoperable MNTI was almost universally associated with poor response to CHT and unfavorable outcome. Further investigations to elaborate standards of management in patients with inoperable, metastatic or persistently recurring MNTIs are necessary to improve outcomes.

The role of individual preferences in explaining the energy performance gap

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 105611
Author(s):  
Salomé Bakaloglou ◽  
Dorothée Charlier
Keyword(s):  
Energy Performance ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Individual Preferences

scholarly journals Managing the risk of the energy performance gap in non-domestic buildings

2021 ◽  
pp. 014362442110083
Author(s):  
David Thompson ◽  
Esfand Burman ◽  
Dejan Mumovic ◽  
Mike Davies
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Construction Operation

Energy use in buildings accounts for one-third of the overall global energy consumption and total building floor area continues to increase each year as new developments are constructed and delivered. If stringent climate goals are to be met, these buildings will need to consume less energy and emit less carbon. However, design intentions for energy efficient buildings are not always met in practice. This performance gap between calculated and measured energy use in buildings threatens the progress necessary to meet these energy targets. The aim of this paper is to identify the factors that contribute to the performance gap and propose solutions for reducing the gap in practice. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of two research programmes completed in the past few years was utilized for an in-depth look at the performance of around 50 non-domestic buildings in the United Kingdom. While no direct links were found between any one variable and the performance gap, several correlations exist between contributing factors indicating a complex, entangled web of interrelated problems. The multitude of the variables involved presents a formidable challenge in finding practical solutions. However, the results indicate that the combination of the ventilation strategy of a building and the building services control strategy during partial occupancy is a key determinant of the performance gap. A more straightforward procurement approach with clearly delineated targets and responsibilities, along with advanced and seasonal commissioning instituted at the beginning of a project and implemented after building completion can also be very effective in reducing the gap. Finally, mandatory requirements or an appropriate system of incentives for monitoring and disclosure of performance data can help identify many of the underlying issues affecting performance in-use and untangle some of the web of complex issues across the building sector. Awareness of the performance gap and knowledge of the factors contributing to its impact on the building industry is important for all stakeholders involved in the design, construction, operation and occupation of non-domestic buildings. Understanding potential solutions to mitigate these risks may help to reduce the prevalence and magnitude of the performance gap.

The effects of family-witnessed resuscitation on health professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (15) ◽  
pp. 892-896
Author(s):  
Cathy Grimes
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Injured Patient ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Educational Programmes ◽  
The Subject

Aim: To gain an understanding of the effects of family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR) on health professionals. Background: FWR has been the subject of an ongoing debate for almost 30 years. Historically, emergency departments (EDs) have excluded family members of a critically ill or injured patient from the treatment area during resuscitation. Methodology: A systematic literature search of six nursing-focused databases was undertaken using pertinent keywords. Only studies published in English, focused on ED staff and undertaken after 2007 (published up to 2017) were included. Findings: FWR is not commonly practised by health professionals. The four themes identified were: fear of adverse litigation; the importance of the role of the facilitator; lack of FWR policies in the workplace; and staff lack of knowledge and education regarding FWR, resulting in fear and stress. Conclusion: By implementing policies in the workplace, and having a facilitator to provide support and guidance to families, stress and anxiety can be greatly reduced. The implementation of educational programmes can increase staff awareness and knowledge surrounding the benefits of FWR

scholarly journals Toward efficient energy consumption in middle income housing buildings in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-189
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Rizk Hegazy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Analysis ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Efficient Energy ◽  
Hot Weather ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Current research pays special attention to the application of approaches that promote sustainable design in a built environment and ensure energy efficiency. In this context, the form of housing buildings is an important parameter that has a meaningful impact on the use of energy in housing buildings. Hence, this research attempts to study the impact of the form of housing buildings on energy efficiency taking into account the mid-hot weather conditions in one of the middle-income housing buildings in new communities in Egypt. To achieve the research aim, a comparative analysis is carried out using parametric numerical analysis—DesignBuilder energy analysis—to compare the various hypothetical proposals for different building configurations. The study determines that the efficiency of energy use in buildings depends to a large extent on their forms that will help urban designers and planners to propose the best energy performance in the form of housing buildings in the stage of conceptual design suitable for other environmental, social and economic urban planning issues. These results should be incorporated into the building codes adopted in Egypt’s new cities in order to reach more energy-efficient housing buildings in Egypt.

scholarly journals Biotic analogies for self-organising cities

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L Narraway ◽  
Oliver SP Davis ◽  
Sally Lowell ◽  
Katrina A Lythgoe ◽  
J Scott Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Design ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Biological Basis ◽  
Urban Research ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
The Relationship

Nature has inspired generations of urban designers and planners in pursuit of harmonious and functional built environments. Research regarding self-organisation has encouraged urbanists to consider the role of bottom-up approaches in generating urban order. However, the extent to which self-organisation-inspired approaches draw directly from nature is not always clear. Here, we examined the biological basis of urban research, focusing on self-organisation. We conducted a systematic literature search of self-organisation in urban design and biology, mapped the relationship between key biological terms across the two fields and assessed the quality and validity of biological comparisons in the urban design literature. Finding deep inconsistencies in the mapping of central terms between the two fields, a preponderance for cross-level analogies and comparisons that spanned molecules to ecosystems, we developed a biotic framework to visualise the analogical space and elucidate areas where new inspiration may be sought.

scholarly journals How Smart Meter Data Analysis Can Support Understanding the Impact of Occupant Behavior on Building Energy Performance: A Comprehensive Review

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2502
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Nicole Adams ◽  
Zsófia Deme Bélafi ◽  
Miklós Horváth ◽  
János Balázs Kocsis ◽  
Tamás Csoknyai
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Smart Meter ◽  
Occupant Behavior ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Data Limitations ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The Impact

The goal of this literature review was to outline the research currently conducted on smart meter (SM) adoption and its connection to building occupant behavior to better understand both SM technology and SM customers. We compiled our findings from the existing literature and developed a holistic understanding of the socio-demographic factors that lead to more or less energy use, the methods used to group and cluster occupants on the basis of energy use, how occupant energy use profiles are developed, and which socio-psychological determinants may influence SM adoption. Our results highlight 11 demographic variables that impact building energy use, find 9 methods commonly used to profile occupants on the basis of energy usage, and highlight 13 socio-psychological variables than can be utilized to better understand SM adoption intentions. The review findings two major deficiencies in the existing literature. First, this review highlights the lack of existing interdisciplinary research that combines occupant behavior with SM data and a clear socio-psychological framework. Second, this review underscores certain data limitations in existing SM research, with most research being conducted only on residential or office buildings and geographically in North America or Western Europe. Final policy recommendations center on increased need for interdisciplinary SM research and the need for an expanded understanding of occupant behavior and SM research across different geographies.

scholarly journals The role of cytokines in bone remodeling and the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-18
Author(s):  
G. A. Ignatenko ◽  
I. G. Nemsadze ◽  
E. D. Mirovich ◽  
A. V. Churilov ◽  
E. A. Maylyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis ◽  
Bone Remodeling ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Pathological Conditions

About 20 years ago osteoimmunology was identified as new field of scientific knowledge. It studies patterns of immune and bone system interactions in normal and pathological conditions. The osteoimmunology achievements have fundamentally changed our ideas about the pathogenesis of human skeleton diseases, including osteoporosis. This review presents cytokines key role in physiological and pathological bone remodeling. The issues of interaction between cytokines, osteoblasts and osteoclasts are described in detail. The crucial role of proinflammatory cytokines increased production by immunocompetent cells in the postmenopausal osteoporosis development has been characterized. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, eLIBRARY.RU databases were used for systematic literature search.

scholarly journals Coagulopathy in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Zhang ◽  
Xue Yang ◽  
Hongmei Jiao ◽  
Xinmin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Analyses ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
Coagulation Parameters ◽  
Coagulation Abnormalities ◽  
D Dimer

Patients with COVID-19 frequently manifest coagulation abnormalities and thrombotic events. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to explore the role of coagulopathy on the severity differences in patients with COVID-19. We conducted systematic literature search via Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, WanFang Database, CNKI, and medRxiv from December 1, 2019 to May 1, 2020, to identify all original studies that reports on coagulation parameters (D-dimer, PLT, PT, APTT, and FIB) during COVID-19 infection. Thereafter, we compared the coagulation parameters between less severe and more severe cases. All Statistical analyses were performed via Stata14.0 software. A total of 3,952 confirmed COVID-19 infected patients were included from 25 studies. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection exhibited significantly higher levels of D-dimer, PT, and FIB (SMD 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.97, I2 56.9%; SMD 0.39, 95% CI: 0.14-0.64, I2 77.9%; SMD 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17-0.53, I2 42.4% respectively). However, difference in PLT and APTT levels between less severe and more severe patients was not statistically significant (SMD-0.26, 95% CI: -0.56-0.05, I2 82.2%; SMD-0.14,95% CI: -0.45-0.18, I2 75.5% respectively) This meta-analysis revealed coagulopathy is associated with the severity of COVID-19. Notably, D-dimer, PT, and FIB are the dominant parameters that should be considered in evaluating coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients.

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