Using Fuzzy Control Methods for Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Buildings

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassiliki Mpelogianni ◽  
Peter P. Groumpos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Building Energy Management ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
First Time

The energy sector worldwide faces significant challenges that everyday become even more acute. Innovative technologies and energy efficiency measures are nowadays well known and widely spread, and the main issue is to identify the more effective and reliable in the long term. In order to do so the decision maker has to compensate many factors. This article investigates the feasibility of the application of new intelligent control methods in modeling and controlling the performance of a building. For the first time a performance comparison of Fuzzy Logic vs Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) theories is performed and interesting results are presented. Multi-level intelligent controllers to manage the various parts of a building's automation and increase its energy efficiency are presented. For the first time the Building Energy Management System has been modeled using FCMs. Simulation studies with real environmental data have been performed and useful results have been obtained and discussed. Challenging future research topics are provided.

Using Fuzzy Control Methods for Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Buildings

2017 ◽  
pp. 1256-1277
Author(s):  
Vassiliki Mpelogianni ◽  
Peter Groumpos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Building Energy Management ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
First Time

The energy sector worldwide faces significant challenges that everyday become even more acute. Innovative technologies and energy efficiency measures are nowadays well known and widely spread, and the main issue is to identify the more effective and reliable in the long term. In order to do so the decision maker has to compensate many factors. This article investigates the feasibility of the application of new intelligent control methods in modeling and controlling the performance of a building. For the first time a performance comparison of Fuzzy Logic vs Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) theories is performed and interesting results are presented. Multi-level intelligent controllers to manage the various parts of a building's automation and increase its energy efficiency are presented. For the first time the Building Energy Management System has been modeled using FCMs. Simulation studies with real environmental data have been performed and useful results have been obtained and discussed. Challenging future research topics are provided.

Using Fuzzy Control Methods for Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Buildings

2018 ◽  
pp. 1244-1265
Author(s):  
Vassiliki Mpelogianni ◽  
Peter Groumpos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Building Energy Management ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
First Time

The energy sector worldwide faces significant challenges that everyday become even more acute. Innovative technologies and energy efficiency measures are nowadays well known and widely spread, and the main issue is to identify the more effective and reliable in the long term. In order to do so the decision maker has to compensate many factors. This article investigates the feasibility of the application of new intelligent control methods in modeling and controlling the performance of a building. For the first time a performance comparison of Fuzzy Logic vs Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) theories is performed and interesting results are presented. Multi-level intelligent controllers to manage the various parts of a building's automation and increase its energy efficiency are presented. For the first time the Building Energy Management System has been modeled using FCMs. Simulation studies with real environmental data have been performed and useful results have been obtained and discussed. Challenging future research topics are provided.

scholarly journals Primary mesenchymal stromal cells in co-culture with leukaemic HL-60 cells are sensitised to cytarabine-induced genotoxicity, while leukaemic cells are protected

Mutagenesis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana E Gynn ◽  
Elizabeth Anderson ◽  
Gareth Robinson ◽  
Sarah A Wexler ◽  
Gillian Upstill-Goddard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Malignant Cell ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Leukaemic Cells ◽  
Physiological Dose ◽  
First Time

Abstract Tumour microenvironments are hallmarked in many cancer types. In haematological malignancies, bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) protect malignant cells from drug-induced cytotoxicity. However, less is known about malignant impact on supportive stroma. Notably, it is unknown whether these interactions alter long-term genotoxic damage in either direction. The nucleoside analogue cytarabine (ara-C), common in haematological therapies, remains the most effective agent for acute myeloid leukaemia, yet one-third of patients develop resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the bidirectional effect of MSC and malignant cell co-culture on ara-C genotoxicity modulation. Primary MSC, isolated from patient BM aspirates for haematological investigations, and malignant haematopoietic cells (leukaemic HL-60) were co-cultured using trans-well inserts, prior to treatment with physiological dose ara-C. Co-culture genotoxic effects were assessed by micronucleus and alkaline comet assays. Patient BM cells from chemotherapy-treated patients had reduced ex vivo survival (P = 0.0049) and increased genotoxicity (P = 0.3172) than untreated patients. It was shown for the first time that HL-60 were protected by MSC from ara-C-induced genotoxicity, with reduced MN incidence in co-culture as compared to mono-culture (P = 0.0068). Comet tail intensity also significantly increased in ara-C-treated MSC with HL-60 influence (P = 0.0308). MSC sensitisation to ara-C genotoxicity was also demonstrated following co-culture with HL60 (P = 0.0116), which showed significantly greater sensitisation when MSC-HL-60 co-cultures were exposed to ara-C (P = 0.0409). This study shows for the first time that malignant HSC and MSC bidirectionally modulate genotoxicity, providing grounding for future research identifying mechanisms of altered genotoxicity in leukaemic microenvironments. MSC retain long-term genotoxic and functional damage following chemotherapy exposure. Understanding the interactions perpetuating such damage may inform modifications to reduce therapy-related complications, such as secondary malignancies and BM failure.

Sustainable Preservation of Historic Buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Edīte Biseniece
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
In Situ Measurements ◽  
Simulation Program ◽  
Historic Buildings ◽  
Energy Efficiency Measures ◽  
Efficiency Measures

Legal requirements as well as life quality requirements demand to increase energy efficiency of existing buildings, that has been seen to represent a huge potential in energy savings, based on the size of the segment and the individual potential. The biggest challenges during the renovation of buildings occur when it comes to historic buildings where the facade cannot be modified to maintain its unique architectural appearance and integrity. Policy makers and building owners are facing “building energy efficiency versus heritage value” dilemma when on the one hand it is important to preserve a building’s architectural value and on the other hand, energy consumption should be reduced significantly. Internal insulation is one of the energy efficiency measures that can be applied. However, this is one of the most challenging and complex energy efficiency measures due to changes in boundary conditions and hygrothermal behaviour of walls, especially for buildings in cold climate Applying of interior insulation significantly modifies the hygrothermal performance of walls and, as a consequence, may induce a risk on interstitial condensation, frost damage, mould growth and other damage patterns. The behaviour of internally insulated wall strongly depends on the properties of the used materials. There is a need to develop new methods and guidelines for decision makers on how to implement energy efficiency measures in historic buildings. The aim of this Thesis is to offer safe and effective solutions for internal insulation systems of historic masonry buildings. To achieve this goal, the following tasks have been set: to perform historic construction material testing and analyse the test wall in a laboratory environment to determine the factors influencing the accumulation of moisture and the risks associated with it; to predict hygrothermal conditions of internally insulated masonry building using dynamic simulation program and to validate said models based on long term in-situ measurements in internally insulated case buildings; to estimate potential energy savings using dynamic simulation program. Several methods are combined within the research, including regression analysis, sensitivity analysis and heat and moisture transfer simulation validated by long-term in situ measurements.

scholarly journals A Software Tool for a Stochastic Life Cycle Assessment and Costing of Buildings’ Energy Efficiency Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7975
Author(s):  
Edoardo Baldoni ◽  
Silvia Coderoni ◽  
Elisa Di Giuseppe ◽  
Marco D’Orazio ◽  
Roberto Esposti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Support Decision Making

This article presents a novel software tool for the assessments of life-cycle environmental impacts and costs, which is aimed to support decision-making in the design phase of retrofit interventions in the building sector. By combining Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculations and functionalities, this tool allows evaluating the long-term trade-offs between economic and environmental performance of investment projects in energy efficiency for buildings, while accounting for uncertainties in input parameters and economic scenarios. A major novelty of the software tool is the stochastic nature of both the LCC and LCA dimensions. The LCA is implemented with Monte-Carlo methods, while the LCC accounts for the probabilistic interdependence of macroeconomic variables over time. The software also includes advanced specific tools for parametrization and sensitivity analysis. Exemplary applications are presented in order to illustrate the novelty and the functionalities of the software tool.

A Critical Overview of Net Zero Energy Buildings and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

2019 ◽  
pp. 537-559
Author(s):  
Eleni S. Vergini ◽  
Peter P. Groumpos
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Low Energy Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

ZEBs (zero energy buildings) and more specifically “net Zero Energy Building” (nZEB) have become a prominent wording to describe the synergy of energy efficient building and renewable energy utilization to reach a balanced energy budget over a yearly cycle. The lack of a common and accepted definition or even a good understanding of ZEB makes the approach of this problem very challenging. In this paper there is an evaluation of the criteria in the definition framework and selection of the related options. Also a methodology is approached, to set nZEB definitions in a systematic way. Today's different ZEB technologies, challenges and problems are identified and analyzed. For the first time the overall operation of nZEB and its performance is investigated and modeled using FCMs and learning algorithms. A set of low energy buildings using extensive energy and environmental data are simulated for all four seasons of a year. Interesting results are obtained, presented and discussed. Useful conclusions are drawn and future research challenging topics are presented.

A Critical Overview of Net Zero Energy Buildings and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni S. Vergini ◽  
Peter P. Groumpos
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Low Energy Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

ZEBs (zero energy buildings) and more specifically “net Zero Energy Building” (nZEB) have become a prominent wording to describe the synergy of energy efficient building and renewable energy utilization to reach a balanced energy budget over a yearly cycle. The lack of a common and accepted definition or even a good understanding of ZEB makes the approach of this problem very challenging. In this paper there is an evaluation of the criteria in the definition framework and selection of the related options. Also a methodology is approached, to set nZEB definitions in a systematic way. Today's different ZEB technologies, challenges and problems are identified and analyzed. For the first time the overall operation of nZEB and its performance is investigated and modeled using FCMs and learning algorithms. A set of low energy buildings using extensive energy and environmental data are simulated for all four seasons of a year. Interesting results are obtained, presented and discussed. Useful conclusions are drown and future research challenging topics are presented.

scholarly journals ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF BANK CUSTOMER LOYALTY USING FUZZY COGNITIVE MAPS

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 860-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando A. F. FERREIRA ◽  
João J. M. FERREIRA ◽  
Cristina I. M. A. S. FERNANDES ◽  
Ieva MEIDUTĖ-KAVALIAUSKIENĖ ◽  
Marjan S. JALALI
Keyword(s):  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Mapping Techniques

Understanding customer loyalty has been a growing concern for the services industry. In a context of increasing competitive pressures, such loyalty is seen as a key element in service companies’ success. Maintaining customer loyalty and identifying its underlying factors, however, are recognizably difficult to do. Grounded on the use of cognitive mapping techniques, this paper proposes a knowledge-based framework for the identification of the key determinants of customer loyalty, and the relationships among them. A step-by-step guide to the development of such a framework is presented, and illustrated through a practical application in the banking context. The resulting findings are supportive of the applicability of such methods for understanding customer loyalty, and the improvement of long-term relationships with customers. They are furthermore indicative of new ways in which knowledge can be incorporated into management activities to improve service outcomes. Some managerial implications of our contribution and avenues for future research are also reported.

scholarly journals Environmental sound recognition: a survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin Chachada ◽  
C.-C. Jay Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Sound Recognition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Sound ◽  
Environmental Sounds ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Music Signals ◽  
Environmental Sound Recognition

Although research in audio recognition has traditionally focused on speech and music signals, the problem of environmental sound recognition (ESR) has received more attention in recent years. Research on ESR has significantly increased in the past decade. Recent work has focused on the appraisal of non-stationary aspects of environmental sounds, and several new features predicated on non-stationary characteristics have been proposed. These features strive to maximize their information content pertaining to signal's temporal and spectral characteristics. Furthermore, sequential learning methods have been used to capture the long-term variation of environmental sounds. In this survey, we will offer a qualitative and elucidatory survey on recent developments. It includes four parts: (i) basic environmental sound-processing schemes, (ii) stationary ESR techniques, (iii) non-stationary ESR techniques, and (iv) performance comparison of selected methods. Finally, concluding remarks and future research and development trends in the ESR field will be given.

Physical and Psychological Benefits of Written Emotional Expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.

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