Existing Building Commissioning: Exploration of Use and Impacts

Existing building commissioning (EBCx) is often considered a cost-effective method for reducing the energy consumption of a building while also driving improvements in occupant comfort and cost savings for the owner or operator. The commissioning of buildings can involve a significant number of measures and approaches, many of which depend on the specific systems and condition of each building. Generally, however, both existing building commissioning and new construction commissioning can provide an avenue for significant energy and cost savings in commercial buildings, and when applied at the national level, can have a measurable impact on the overall energy consumption of the commercial sector. Many of the previous studies on building commissioning contain key median project-level and normalized values, such as project costs and cost savings per unit area, annual percent energy savings, and simple payback periods. However, these studies contained data that was often regionally focused and had an emphasis on individual project-level and measure-level savings, trends, and values, rather than a holistic look at the entire building commissioning market in the United States. Thus, the aim of this project is to provide an estimated quantification of the implementation and impact of existing building commissioning, as well as the broader building commissioning, in terms of total cost and energy savings generated based on a selection of 198 Building Commissioning Association (BCxA) member companies and estimated annual revenue values. The calculations performed in this study have successfully generated approximate values that can be useful in understanding the magnitude of both the existing building commissioning and the general building commissioning for the sample of companies. The key calculated estimates for both existing building commissioning and building commissioning can be seen below: - Existing Building Commissioning o Total Estimated Annual Revenue: $270 million per year o Total Estimated Annual Floor Area Commissioned: 780 million ft2 per year o Total Estimated Annual Cost Savings:$290 million per year o Total Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 22 billion kBtu per year iii - Total Building Commissioning (EBCx and NCCx) o Total Estimated Annual Revenue: $1.8 billion per year o Total Estimated Annual Floor Area Commissioned: 2.0 billion ft2 per year o Total Estimated Annual Cost Savings:$540 million per year o Total Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 50 billion kBtu per year These values are based on a portion of the building commissioning market, but adequately approximate the scale of revenue and savings for the sample. The values suggest a sizeable impact from existing building commissioning in terms of general scale, however further updating and refining the methodology, particularly with regard to the commissioning constants and revenue percentages, may lead to improved results, while a more expansive selection of companies may be able to approximate the implementation and impact of the entire U.S. market

Improving Bird Watching at the Ohio State University Wetlands: Columbus, OH

Course Code: ENR 2367We propose that the Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park install six birdhouses designed to attract bluebirds, black-capped chickadees, and wood ducks. Three of these birdhouses will have live streaming video cameras installed, and the video feed will be displayed in the wetlands lobby. This feature will add renewed interest in the wetlands and will attract new visitors.Academic Major: Environmental ScienceAcademic Major: Forestry, Fisheries, and WildlifeAcademic Major: Zoolog

A discrete choice experiment of preferences for genetic counselling among Jewish women seeking cancer genetics services

To determine which aspects of breast cancer genetic counselling are important to Ashkenazi Jewish women, a discrete choice experiment was conducted. Participants consisted of 339 Australian Ashkenazi Jewish women who provided a blood sample for research used to test for Ashkenazi Jewish ancestral mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, and were offered their genetic test result through a cancer genetics service. Main outcome measures were women's preferences for, and trade-offs between, the genetic counselling aspects of providing cancer, gene, and risk information (information); giving advice about cancer surveillance (surveillance); preparing for genetic testing (preparation); and, assistance with decision-making (direction). Respondents most valued information, about twice as much as advice about surveillance, four times as much as preparation for testing, and nine times as much as assistance with decision-making, which was least valued. Women's preferences were consistent with the major goals of genetic counselling, which include providing information and surveillance advice, and avoiding direction by facilitating autonomous decision-making. There were differences between the women in which aspects they most favoured, suggesting that counselling that elicits and responds to clients' preferences is more likely to meet clients' needs

Wexner Medical Center Waste Reduction Proposal

Course Code: ENR/AEDE 4567The main task of this project was to research and develop a plan that created a pathway for the Ohio State University Medical Center (OSUMC) to reduce facility generated waste and improve sustainable operation through recycling, education, and reprocessing single-use medical devices. The project goal is to help OSUMC achieve a goal of minimizing waste in the near future.Academic Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainabilit

How do genetically disabled adults view selective reproduction? : impairment, identity and genetic screening

Background: Genomic medicine is rapidly evolving, particularly in the domain of reproduction. Population carrier screening for a range of disorders is becoming possible using whole genome/exome sequencing. However, very little is known about the views of genetically disabled attitudes towards selective reproduction. Methods: Forty-three in-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with adults living with different types of genetic condition, recruited through support groups and clinics. Interviews covered participants’ experiences of their condition and their views towards genetic intervention in reproduction. Thematic analysis of the data using Nvivo 11 was undertaken and participants were assigned categorises as either supporting, not-supporting, or having ambivalent views. Results: The majority of participants (65%) expressed either disapproval of, or held ambivalent views towards, selective reproduction. Key reasons for non-support included regarding genetic impairment as part of personal identity and the prioritisation of social and environmental barrier removal. Key reasons for support of selective reproduction included negative and externalising attitudes towards genetic impairment and a belief in the importance of informed reproductive decision-making. Conclusion: The degree to which participants identified with their impairment, more so than how they valued it, was significant in determining attitudes towards selective reproduction. Those who supported genetic screening viewed their impairment as separate to themselves, whilst participants who considered their impairment as integral to their identity were most likely to report ambivalence or negative attitudes. Policy makers and stakeholders considering the role of genetic carrier screening panels might usefully engage with adults affected by heritable disease as well as disability identity politics when considering the acceptability and social impact of genetic screening programmes

Recommendations for management of equine athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities

Murmurs and arrhythmias are commonly detected in equine athletes. Assessing the relevance of these cardiovascular abnormalities in the performance horse can be challenging. Determining the impact of a cardiovascular disorder on performance, life expectancy, horse and rider or driver safety relative to the owner's future expectations is paramount. A comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular abnormality detected is essential to determine its severity and achieve these aims. This consensus statement presents a general approach to the assessment of cardiovascular abnormalities, followed by a discussion of the common murmurs and arrhythmias. The description, diagnosis, evaluation, and prognosis are considered for each cardiovascular abnormality. The recommendations presented herein are based on available literature and a consensus of the panelists. While the majority of horses with cardiovascular abnormalities have a useful performance life, periodic reexaminations are indicated for those with clinically relevant cardiovascular disease. Horses with pulmonary hypertension, CHF, or complex ventricular arrhythmias should not be ridden or driven