bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Retrospective, Population-Based Case-Control Study
Authors: Chen Yan , Guo Jeff J. , Steinbuch Michael , Buckley Peter F. , Patel Nick C.
Published: February 2010

Introduction:

Current data regarding risk factors of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) are limited. This study aims to examine factors associated with increased risk of NMS in patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods:

A retrospective, population-based, case-control study was performed using a medical claims database covering January 1998 to December 2002. Fifty cases with a diagnosis of NMS were identified and matched with 800 controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of risk of NMS.

Results:

Antipsychotic use was associated with an increased risk of NMS after controlling for other pharmacologic and clinical factors (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.08–5.19). Other factors associated with an increased risk of NMS included being male (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.07–4.02), confusion (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.17–7.28), dehydration (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.50–10.57), delirium (OR = 4.93, 95% CI = 2.07–11.72), and extrapyramidal symptoms (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.10–11.09).

Conclusions:

Given the widespread use of antipsychotics for the treatment of bipolar disorder, clinicians should be vigilant of the potential pharmacologic and clinical factors associated with increased risk of NMS in patients with bipolar disorder.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among an Iranian Cohort of Inpatients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Rezaei Omid , Khodaie-Ardakani Mohammad-Reza , Mandegar Mohammad Hossein , Dogmehchi Ensyeh , Goodarzynejad Hamidreza
Published: February 2010

Background:

Cardiovascular disease is an important cause among natural causes of death in schizophrenic patients. The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease. There are limited if any data on prevalence of MetS in Iranian patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

Between December 2007 and May 2008, all consecutive patients with schizophrenia hospitalized at our university psychiatry hospital were entered in the study. The prevalence of MetS was evaluated based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III), the adapted ATP-III guidelines (ATP-III A), and the recently suggested criteria by International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Results:

Of the study participants, 223 were men (59.9%) and 149 women (40.1%). Overall prevalence of the MetS according to the different definitions were 27.4% (ATP-III), 37.6% (ATP-III A), and 38.7% (IDF), which was over 30% more than the prevalence of MetS in the Iranian general population. The MetS was much more prevalent in women which mainly related to the fact that women had central obesity more frequently.
Does State Merit-Based Aid Stem Brain Drain?
Authors: Zhang Liang , Ness Erik C.
Published: February 2010

In this study, the authors use college enrollment and migration data to test the brain drain hypothesis. Their results suggest that state merit scholarship programs do indeed stanch the migration of “best and brightest” students to other states. In the aggregate and on average, the implementation of state merit aid programs both increases the total 1st-year student enrollment in merit aid states and boosts resident college enrollment in these states significantly. The gross enrollment increase is a function of increased total student enrollment from these states and, perhaps more important, decreased emigration from these states. In addition to these overall effects, variations across states and across types of institutions exist due to scholarship eligibility criteria and award amount across states.
A new Tertiary Ginkgo (Ginkgoaceae) from the Wuyun Formation of Jiayin, Heilongjiang, northeastern China and its paleoenvironmental implications
Authors: Quan Cheng , Sun Ge , Zhou Zhiyan
Published: February 2010

The living fossil Ginkgo, a relict of a once dominant gymnosperm, existed and flourished early in the Mesozoic, but only a vague outline of its evolutionary history in the Tertiary has been unveiled. Here we describe a new species, Ginkgo jiayinensis sp. nov., from the Wuyun Formation of Jiayin, China, which is another well‐established Tertiary species based on leaf fossils besides G. adiantoides. The most remarkable feature of the new species is the amphistomatic leaves, likely representing a distinct evolutionary line of the genus in this time interval. Ginkgo jiayinensis is similar to the co‐occurring G. adiantoides and extant G. biloba in the lower cuticle, but the two latter species clearly differ in having hypostomatic leaves. Ginkgo biloba is used as the nearest living equivalent (NLE) species for both G. adiantoides and G. jiayinensis in reconstructing paleo‐CO2, as it has been used for other fossil species with either hypostomatic or amphistomatic leaves. The two Tertiary species are almost identical in stomatal index in abaxial cuticles (8.4 and 8.5, respectively), showing no strong differences in response to atmospheric CO2. Amphistomatic G. jiayinensis would therefore have used a different ecological strategy from that of G. adiantoides of the same bed.
Leaf economic traits from fossils support a weedy habit for early angiosperms
Authors: Royer Dana L. , Miller Ian M. , Peppe Daniel J. , Hickey Leo J.
Published: February 2010

Many key aspects of early angiosperms are poorly known, including their ecophysiology and associated habitats. Evidence for fast‐growing, weedy angiosperms comes from the Early Cretaceous Potomac Group, where angiosperm fossils, some of them putative herbs, are found in riparian depositional settings. However, inferences of growth rate from sedimentology and growth habit are somewhat indirect; also, the geographic extent of a weedy habit in early angiosperms is poorly constrained. Using a power law between petiole width and leaf mass, we estimated the leaf mass per area (LMA) of species from three Albian (110–105 Ma) fossil floras from North America (Winthrop Formation, Patapsco Formation of the Potomac Group, and the Aspen Shale). All LMAs for angiosperm species are low (<125 g/m2; mean = 76 g/m2) but are high for gymnosperm species (>240 g/m2; mean = 291 g/m2). On the basis of extant relationships between LMA and other leaf economic traits such as photosynthetic rate and leaf lifespan, we conclude that these Early Cretaceous landscapes were populated with weedy angiosperms with short‐lived leaves (<12 mo). The unrivalled capacity for fast growth observed today in many angiosperms was in place by no later than the Albian and likely played an important role in their subsequent ecological success.
The Optimization of Building Deconstruction for Department of Defense Facilities: Ft. McClellan Deconstruction Project
Authors: Guy Bradley
Published: February 2010

Deconstruction is the selective dismantling of building structures to recover the maximum amount of primarily reusable and secondarily recyclable materials in a safe and cost-effective manner. Deconstruction is a labor intensive process and can be difficult to achieve in a time-efficient and economical manner for light wood-framed buildings. Deconstruction techniques that balance hand and mechanical labor must be developed to maintain the integrity of materials for reuse and obtain maximum salvage value per unit of cost and time-on-site. This project entailed the removal of three identical WWII-era two-story wood-framed barracks buildings at Ft. McClellan Army Base, Anniston, AL, using hand deconstruction, combined mechanical and hand deconstruction techniques, and a traditional demolition method, i.e., mechanical reduction and disposal, in order to determine “optimal” deconstruction techniques based on salvage value per unit of cost. The maximum practical materials salvage from the study buildings using 100% hand deconstruction techniques was 39% of the mass by weight. A combination of hand and mechanical techniques was discovered to have approximately the same economic efficiency as 100% hand deconstruction, measured as a ratio of gross cost per salvage value, with a 44.6% reduction in total labor-hours, and a reduction of only 7% of salvage materials by weight. These findings indicate the potential for greatly increasing wood-framed building deconstruction practice relative to the additional time-on-site and labor that is required, compared to demolition, while optimizing economic benefits. This paper describes the research methods and deconstruction techniques employed, and lessons learned to advance the practice of deconstruction to be more economically competitive and time-efficient.
Delivering Green Buildings: Process Improvements for Sustainable Construction
Authors: Horman Michael J , Riley David R , Lapinski Anthony R , Korkmaz Sinem , Pulaski Michael H , Magent Christopher S , Luo Yupeng , Harding Nevienne , Dahl Peter K
Published: February 2010

The demand for high performance “green” or “sustainable” buildings is rapidly becoming the most significant trend in the building industry. As the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry develops the strategies and technologies for these projects, an increased emphasis must be placed on the processes and competencies required to deliver high performance buildings. This paper defines an emerging research and education program at Penn State called the Lean and Green Initiative. Focused on understanding all aspects of the delivery of high performance projects, this program is underpinned by established process-based theories and structured around a systematic methodology designed to minimize waste, maximize value, and reduce cost. Current research and educational activities are described in the paper including nine primary research thrusts and their respective goals. Initial results of each research thrust are also provided, providing an early look at the benefits of a process improvement approach to the delivery of high performance buildings.
Developing Market-Based Incentives for Green Building Alternatives
Authors: Grosskopf K. R , Kibert C. J
Published: February 2010

As the 4th most populous and 2nd fastest growing region of the U.S., 70% of Florida's 16-million citizens reside along the coastline in areas served by shallow, fragile aquifers that have largely been destroyed by over-pumping and saltwater intrusion. Resulting wastewater discharge and runoff have contaminated natural waterways and aquifer recharge basins. A case study from the Tampa Bay, Florida (U.S.) region reveals that water suppliers are providing conservation incentives to consumers as a cost-effective alternative to expanding infrastructure capacity to meet the demands of population and economic growth. Research at the University of Florida shows the benefit-cost of several water saving alternatives and the corresponding “willingness-to-pay” for several consumer markets. Together, a methodology is introduced wherein the water supplier can create “optimal” market-based incentives for consumer investment in water saving measures that maximize water use reductions and minimize conservation program costs. The indirect costs of water use such as energy emissions and watershed destruction (externalities) is also addressed.
Fossil Ridge High School
Authors: Bradley Corky , Dunbar Brian , Plaut Josie
Published: February 2010

A typical high school in Colorado costs about $1.00 per square foot per year to heat. Could a comparable school be designed and built that could be heated and cooled for half the typical cost? Could such a school also become an outstanding place for teaching and learning? These questions were among the significant challenges given to the design team for Poudre School District's recently completed Fossil Ridge High School, the fifth public high school in Ft. Collins. This article examines the major steps, features, and results that have gone into this LEED Silver Certified school.
Compressive Testing and Analysis of Plastered Straw Bales
Authors: Vardy Stephen , MacDougall Colin
Published: February 2010

The structural performance of plastered straw bales under compressive loading is extremely important when considering the suitability of plastered straw bales as a construction material. Most currently available results do not investigate how different construction methods and practices can affect the strength of a plastered bale. The experiments discussed in this paper illustrate how the strength of the plaster, the thickness of the plaster and the orientation of the bale itself can affect the strength of the plastered bale. It was found that the bales plastered flat were 36% stronger than those plastered on edge. In addition it was found that although the plaster strength does affect the strength of the plastered bale, it does not have as significant an impact as the plaster thickness. It was also found that nearly all plastered bales tested had higher strengths than would be required in typical residential construction. The strengths were found to be in the same range as the values reported in the existing literature. The plastered bale modulus was found to be highly variable and un-predictable.
Beyond Payback: A Comparison of Financial Methods for Investments in Green Building
Authors: Wolff Gary
Published: February 2010

The green building movement is growing rapidly. Economic analysis of financial, other tangible, and intangible costs and benefits can help to sustain the movement over time. This purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast four methods of economic analysis to support green building decisions, and to identify the strengths, weaknesses, data requirements, and research needs associated with each. Five green features from a project in California are used to illustrate the methods and issues. The features are representative of the types of challenges building developers and designers face. The specific data used is illustrative, and the pattern of results across methods and examples is generally applicable. The more advanced financial calculations provide essential information for overcoming financial obstacles such as split incentives or excessively high hurdle rates for green investments.
Green Construction: Contractor Motivation and Trends in Austin, Texas
Authors: Tinker Audrey , Kreuter Urs , Burt Richard , Bame Sherry
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this paper is to describe and assess one of the first comprehensive residential green-builder programs in the U.S. It compares trends of items used in residential construction during the past five years and reports why participating builders chose to incorporate specific items and their level of commitment to the program. This description provides a baseline of strategies to investigate the effect of this program in developing sustainable communities. The builder study population was derived from a database of registered “green” residences built during 1998-2002 in greater Austin, Texas (2,335 homes and 73 listed builders). Almost half the builders constructed just one “green” home, whereas two builders built almost 75% of the green homes during the 5-year study period. Less than 1% of the homes received a perfect 5-star rating, whereas 87% were rated 1 or 2 stars. The frequency of implementing the 122 green features were compared over time and analyzed for correlation with cost and their associated star-value. Cost was the primary factor determining item use frequency. Participating builders generally concurred that the program was successful and beneficial to homeowners but that the additional work required for participation provided little financial reward for builders. While much can be done with low-cost interventions to reduce the negative environmental impacts of residential construction, builder participation may be enhanced by promotion of some of the higher cost features. In addition, public education about the long-term benefits of green homes is needed to increase homeowner participation, and encourage builders to incorporate more environmentally friendly features in the homes they construct.
Sustainability Issues of Functionally Obsolete Bridges
Authors: Farhey Daniel N
Published: February 2010

Interest in long-term durability and sustainability of bridges has challenged the development of modern bridge management. The structural condition and performance of bridges have drawn much economic and engineering attention. In comparison, the effective functionality of bridges is another major sustainability concern, affecting their safety, mobility, and life span. To reach cost-effective planning and systematic management, consideration of functionally obsolete bridges is essential. This article discusses the critical aspects of evaluation, traffic mobility, and congestion cost of functionally obsolete bridges. A methodology was developed for bridge functional obsolescence evaluation. Actual bridge inventory and conditions databases were studied to compile practical data that generates focused insight for decision-making. A forecast was developed to predict the number of functionally obsolete bridges in the future. Practical cost components of traffic congestion were discussed to facilitate consideration of better original design and construction versus reassignment design and work. The resulting study is practical for transportation agencies, officials, and researchers to support sustainable bridges by planning financial resources, management policies and strategies, design methods, and implementation practices.
Demolition Contractors' Perceptions of Impediments to Salvage and Reuse of Wood Structural Components
Authors: Shaurette Mark
Published: February 2010

The study was conducted to ascertain demolition contractors' perceptions of the primary impediments to the widespread salvage of wood structural components for reuse or recycling. Assessment of the attitudes of demolition contractors was chosen since their participation in the salvage and reuse of materials is a key component necessary for any program to reduce the waste disposal rate of demolition debris. The insights obtained from the study can be used to facilitate future planning and design of programs and research that advance the recycling of demolition debris. A sample of contractor members of the National Demolition Association was surveyed for the study. In addition to demolition contractors' perception of impediments to salvage of wood structural components, the survey instrument provided a significant volume of descriptive information about demolition companies operating in the continental United States.
Flexural Performance of Rubberized Concrete Panels Reinforced with Polymer Grid
Authors: Ghaly Ashraf M
Published: February 2010

The disposal of discarded tires is a problem of significant proportion. In the present experimental study, rubber produced from the granulation of discarded tires was used as an additive to replace certain portions of mineral aggregates in concrete. This rubberized concrete was used in making thin panels. A layer of polymer grid was used to reinforce the rubberized concrete panels. These panels were developed to study their performance in applications where the concrete could be subjected to flexure. Buildings constructed in areas with extreme wind pressures resulting from hurricanes or tornadoes are examples of structures that require concrete that can handle considerable deformation without failing catastrophically. Three different panel thicknesses, three different water-cement ratios, and three different rubber contents were the parameters evaluated in this study. All panels were loaded in bending with two equal loads applied at two equal distances from the supports. Test results showed that the flexural resistance of the panel increases with an increase in the thickness of the section, and with a reduction in the water-cement ratio of the concrete. The panels behaved in a ductile manner and there were no signs of brittle failure. Considerable deformation was measured during load application where loaded panels fractured but remained intact relying on the elongating polymer reinforcement. In addition to the lightweight properties, it was concluded that rubber concrete and polymer grid could be used as effective tools to impart ductility to the concrete and to control the mode and nature of the brittle failure of conventional concrete.
The Adoption of an Innovation: Barriers to Use of Green Roofs Experienced by Midwest Architects and Building Owners
Authors: Hendricks Jennifer Strauss , Calkins Meg
Published: February 2010

While green roof technologies are increasingly employed in Northern European countries, adoption is progressing at a much slower rate in the US. This manuscript discusses results of a survey that quantified knowledge, barriers, and perceived costs and benefits to use of green roof technology among a sample of architects and building owners in the Midwest. The survey also examined conditions that may encourage use of this technology among the respondents. Results show that many respondents do not fully recognize the economic or performance advantages offered by green roof technologies. The payback period for economic advantage is longer than owners are willing to consider. Both owners and architects possess a wide range of misconceptions about the performance advantages of green roofs. While green roof technology offers clear environmental advantages such as reduced stormwater runoff, increased habitat, and cooler temperatures that mitigate heat island effects, many building owner respondents either do not know about or value these advantages. This research quantified potential adopters' perceptions of an innovative technology and the survey results are interpreted and discussed within the conceptual framework of innovation diffusion literature. Strategies to hasten the adoption of green roof technology are suggested.
Case Study Validation of the Continuous Value Enhancement Process
Authors: Pulaski Michael H , Horman Michael J , Chandra M. Jeya
Published: February 2010

Sustainable building projects have levels of complexity over conventional building projects that challenge current project management tools at efficiently managing the rigors of sustainable projects. The Continuous Value Enhancement Process (CVEP) is a recently developed tool designed specifically for sustainable building projects. This project management tool enables project teams to systematically generate and evaluate project alternatives for meeting sustainable goals. The goal of this tool is to identify high performance solutions that increase levels of sustainability and improve project performance. CVEP was experimentally implemented and tested on four case study projects to evaluate its ability to support project management decision making in ways that elevate sustainability and project performance. Reported in this paper, the results show CVEP produced first cost and life cycle cost savings. In particular, the study confirms that CVEP has the capability to: 1.) Provide a systematic evaluation process, 2.) Collect high performance building solutions, and 3.) Be applicable to different project types. These results show that it is possible to employ targeted project management techniques, like CVEP, to improve the cost-effective provision of sustainable buildings.
Air Conditioning—A Luxury or a Necessity in Green Buildings?
Authors: Murphy William E
Published: February 2010

Air conditioning is firmly entrenched in modern U.S. lifestyles, with over 80% of all new houses being centrally heated and cooled. This trend will likely remain in place even as energy prices increase along with pressure to reduce global carbon emissions. Air conditioning has been the major factor behind the explosive growth of the Sunbelt in the south and southwest. Las Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, Miami and many other cities would be only small regional centers if not for the availability of air conditioning for businesses and residences. Air conditioning is becoming more accepted even in areas where it was previously shunned, such as parts of Europe which experienced the severe heat wave in 2002 that was responsible for the deaths of thousands. Given its prominence in our modern society, we must learn to use air conditioning in an intelligent and efficient manner so we can benefit from the quality of life it provides, but without bankrupting our energy resources and permanently altering our global environment.
Adaptive Low-e Double Glazing Window
Authors: Abaza Hussein , Sa'ad Ihab
Published: February 2010

This paper investigates the thermal performance of a new adaptive window which is seasonally reversible. The new window is similar in construction to the regular double-hung low-e windows, but can reverse its properties. In this window, the low-e coating faces the inside during the heating season, which reflects the infrared radiation to the inside. During the cooling season, the low-e coating faces the outside to reflect the outside heat. This window was tested in two test cells to evaluate its thermal performance. WINDOW5.2a software was used to predict the window thermal properties and BEANS building simulation software was used to predict the energy savings of the new window design. The simulation results showed an increase in the heat gain through the new window of up to 38% over the conventional double-glazing low-e window during the heating period for heavy thermal mass buildings, and 14% for light weight thermal mass buildings. At the same time, the window maintained its low heat gain properties in the cooling season. When used in moderate climates, the new adaptive window will significantly reduce energy consumption in buildings during both the heating and the cooling seasons.
Design Strategies for Green Practice
Authors: Scott Andrew
Published: February 2010

Should green buildings not only work differently, but also look, feel, and be conceived differently? The emergence of LEED accreditation as the leading form of environmental performance monitoring and its associated points and checklist format can mask the necessity for architectural projects to have focused and effective design strategies that integrate sustainability with the design process. Green accountability does not always go hand in hand with architectural quality: a good building is certainly not necessarily a green building, while a green building is not always a good work of architecture. So it becomes important to recognize the unique character and possibilities in each project and then to develop environmentally responsive concepts that support and enhance the form of the architecture. This article discusses the current context for “Green Design Practice” through a series of quite different design assignments where the focus is upon enabling the design to emerge from the recognition of the “environmental and sustainability potential.”
AWARE@home: A Case Study in Technological Design to Promote Environmental Conservation in the American Home
Authors: Clarens Andres , Vittorini Antonio , Lamiman Brad , Boukouris Konstantinos , Pariseau John , Pandian Prashanth , Skerlos Steven
Published: February 2010

This paper describes an inexpensive technology called AWARE@home that was designed for households to receive information regarding their utility consumption patterns through at-home wireless networks. Utility information devices have been proposed or developed in the past but to the authors' knowledge this is the first to be: 1) designed specifically for homeowners to facilitate choices regarding consumption 2) built on existing home wireless “WiFi” networks and 3) developed with retrofit sensors that do not require meter replacement. Given that AWARE@home is designed to empower consumers to save money and conserve resources, the technology was selected as a winner of the inaugural EPA P3 competition in 2005. The system is designed for minimal effort by consumers: first, a service professional installs the AWARE@home retrofit device onto the existing meters in a process that takes approximately 30 minutes. Then the consumer receives a startup kit that includes a CD and, if needed, a USB wireless antenna for the computer. After loading software from the CD onto the computer, the homeowner is asked basic questions about utility rates, billing cycles and how much he or she wants to spend on utilities each month. At any point in the month that the desired expenditure on utilities set by the consumer is likely to be exceeded, AWARE@home will send an e-mail message or pop-up window message providing a warning about this predicted over-spending on utilities. This paper describes the prototype AWARE@home system that was produced for the EPA P3 competition and later installed in the home of an author for further testing. The AWARE@home prototype meets a number of design specifications related to simplicity, reliability, and cost. It includes both hardware and software components for “Wi-Fi” monitoring and alerting of home water, gas, and electricity consumption. The prototype for electricity monitoring has been operating continuously for over eight months at a home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it has consistently and securely relayed usage rates to the local utility, and it has reliably predicted, notified, and helped the consumers to avoid excess expenditures on electricity. Preliminary research conducted during this project has shown that a majority of homeowners responding to a marketing survey would be interested in owning AWARE@home to reduce monthly expenditures and/or environmental emissions.
Recommended Mesh Anchorage Details for Straw Bale Walls
Authors: Parker A , Aschheim M , Mar D , Hammer M , King B
Published: February 2010

Experimental studies on full-scale straw-bale walls have demonstrated the adequacy of straw-bale wall systems for resisting lateral loads from wind or seismic actions. Critical to the performance of the wall system is the anchorage of mesh reinforcement to the bottom plate and to the roof bearing assembly or top plate. Reported in this paper are the results of experiments examining mesh strength, anchorage strength, and failure mode for a variety of reinforcement meshes (steel, plastic, and hemp) and anchorage details. Because of the potential for new wood preservative pressure treatments to cause corrosion, stainless steel staples driven pneumatically into pressure-treated sill plates were tested in addition to electro-galvanized staples driven pneumatically into untreated sill plates and a heavier gauge staple driven manually into an untreated sill plate. Recommended anchorage details are identified, considering not only the test results but also the many other factors that must be considered in developing reliable, economical, and constructible details.
Unintended Consequences: How the Use of LEED Can Inadvertently Fail to Benefit the Environment
Authors: Bray Jeremy , McCurry Natasha
Published: February 2010

Unintended consequences invariably accompany regulations and standards. This study examined whether the LEED rating system creates any negative inadvertent environmental effects and, if so, what they are. In effect, can doing something that is not sustainable ever help a project get a higher score? The research tool consisted of semi-structured interviews with construction management personnel responsible for the LEED aspects of projects. The study looked at specific LEED certified projects around the southeastern United States. These interviews gathered project specific information about the company responsible for building, the interviewee's experience and views, and the general project. Most importantly, the interviews collected data on any instances of negative unintended environmental effects. Of the 16 projects considered, two included cases of unintended effects. Both cases resulted from situations in which the project location made the otherwise beneficial LEED requirement inappropriate. The study recommends ways to help prevent other similar instances of negative unintended effects. Ultimately, sustainability is best advanced by using LEED certification as an aid not an objective in the journey towards environmentally friendly buildings.
Life Cycle Analysis of the Deconstruction of Military Barracks: Ft. McClellan, Anniston, AL
Authors: O'Brien Elizabeth , Guy Bradley , Lindner Angela Stephenson
Published: February 2010

Nearly 2.5 million ft2 of barracks must be removed from military facilities throughout the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4. While integration of manual deconstruction with traditional mechanical demolition methods has been shown to be comparable to traditional demolition methods in terms of cost and time requirements, the life cycle impacts of manual deconstruction on the environment and public health are unknown. To this end, life cycle assessment was applied to extend previous deconstruction studies of barracks at Ft. McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. Four scenarios were compared with varying degrees of time required for manual deconstruction of the barracks—100% Manual, 44% Manual, 26% Manual, and 100% Mechanical. Data were collected directly from the site and applied using SimaPro modeling software (Pré Associates, The Netherlands), considering two post-deconstruction options. Materials salvaged using either 100% or 44% Manual deconstruction and reused within a 20-mile radius of the deconstruction site yielded the most favorable environmental and health impacts. The significant impacts involved in the life cycle of diesel fuel required for transportation emphasize the need for developing reuse strategies for deconstructed materials at the regional level.
Performance Evaluation of Three Different Façade Models for Sustainable Office Buildings
Authors: Haase Matthias , Amato Alex
Published: February 2010

Sustainable development issues are currently the driving forces of many building projects. The building façade is critical for the architectural expression and has a large affect upon large parts of the building's environmental performance. This study investigates the advantages of using multidimensional computer aided modeling and simulation to produce a sustainable façade design. A first step towards green building design is to establish a list of parameters which can then be used as design criteria, e.g. environmental performance, thermal visual and acoustic comfort, etc. Computer simulation and an analysis of recent projects in Hong Kong can help to determine the performance according to these design parameters whilst environmental impacts due to energy consumption are considered to be an important design parameter, it is also important for comfort criteria to be considered.
Design for Social Sustainability at Seattle's Central Library
Authors: Athens Lucia
Published: February 2010

As a culture we hold dear social values such as public good, health and well-being, quality of life, diversity, and equity. The focus of this article is how Seattle's Central Library, a Silver LEED™ project, integrates social benefit into its design. While LEED provides credit opportunities for some social issues, many are not addressed by the LEED System. The Seattle project provides a rich example of how to integrate a broader range of social sustainability into green design thinking. Issues for consideration include: design to encourage social interaction, accessibility, economic development, cultural arts, and improved staff efficiency and ergonomics. This discussion searches for lessons learned that might inspire the emergence of new LEED credits.
Multi-Storey Residential Timber Construction: Current Developments in Europe
Authors: Lattke Frank , Lehmann Steffen
Published: February 2010

This is a research paper with a focus on technical aspects of timber and on recent case studies, discussing the use of timber as multi-frame for multi-level residential buildings in Europe. The authors see this as a relevant topic within the context of the current environmental debate and the use of sustainable materials and construction methods. The conclusion suggests that timber is a high performance construction material adequate for multi-storey residential buildings, even in an urban context.
What Is Affordable Green Housing? Analysis of a Competition
Authors: Mercer Thomas , Tuan Natasha Bentkowska , Radford Antony
Published: February 2010

The range and invention of architects' proposals for more ‘sustainable’ modes of medium-density urban housing can be seen in entries to a design competition for ‘affordable green housing’. The paper examines the attitudes and judgments about design that they represent, and how the winning entry has been modified for construction. An appendix provides a list of features claimed to promote the ‘sustainability’ of entries. The results present a picture of current thinking on the nature of affordable green housing, and provide a useful comparison for architects approaching their own projects and competition entries.
Predicting Environmental Performance of Construction Projects by Using Least-Squares Fitting Method and Robust Method
Authors: Tam Vivian W. Y , Le Khoa N
Published: February 2010

Recently, an Environmental Management System (EMS) has been used to promote effective environmental protection. Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) is a critical tool of the EMS in checking, reviewing, monitoring and evaluating environmental performance of organizations. To implement EPA, the relations between Environmental Operational Indicators (EOIs) used in EPA and Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIs) are required, which, however, are lacking in the construction industry. This paper attempts to develop a series of EOIs and EPIs of individual construction projects for EPA and to measure their relations by using least-squares fitting and robust fitting methods. The results show that the defined EOIs correlate strongly with EPIs. Therefore, EPA can be used to identify areas for continuous improvement, and also can provide an early indication of the environmental performance for an organization.
Green Building Policy Options for the Public Sector
Authors: Pearce Annie R , DuBose Jennifer R , Bosch Sheila J
Published: February 2010

Green building is receiving increased attention in the public sector in the United States. Over the past ten years, public sector organizations have gone from “testing the waters” with green building pilot projects to developing wide-reaching policies that incorporate green building practices and standards as a formal part of capital project decision processes. A variety of approaches have been employed at the federal, state, and local levels that encourage or require green building practices on public sector projects. To date, however, there has been no systematic evaluation of the pros and cons of these policy options to provide a basis for organizations considering how best to construct a program to meet the needs of its specific context. This paper identifies, compares, and contrasts options that have been incorporated as part of green building programs for states and other public sector organization seeking to motivate green building practices in their capital projects and facilities. Three categories of options are considered: Policy, Program, and Evaluation options. The paper evaluates alternatives within each of these categories according to their potential social, environmental, and economic impacts as well as their likelihood of implementation success within the context of public agencies. The findings of this paper contribute a palette of options for policymakers to consider when drafting policies for their organizations, along with program options to be considered by those who must implement the policies. This work contributes a foundation for future research to further understand the relative effectiveness and impacts of policy elements on green building practice within public sector organizations.
Teaching Sustainability in Building Design and Engineering
Authors: Riley David R , Grommes Amy V , Thatcher Corinne E
Published: February 2010

Engineers and building designers make decisions that have critical impacts on the environment and society, making sensitivity to environmental and social concerns a must in the building profession. Limited pedagogical research has been conducted to develop and assess techniques for integrating sustainability into building design and engineering education. This paper describes an undergraduate course geared toward instilling concepts of sustainability in students of building-related disciplines and presents the findings of a case study and literature review conducted to identify the key features that made the course successful. The features are outlined in the form of an easy-to-use Sustainability in Higher Education Assessment Rubric (SHEAR) that faculty members can consult to shape effective programs and courses of their own to teach concepts of sustainability to their students. Two examples of this application are included, and recommendations for advancements in sustainability education are provided.
Rainwater Management to Mitigate the Effects of Development on the Urban Hydrologic Cycle
Authors: Bradford Andrea , Denich Chris
Published: February 2010

Traditional stormwater management approaches that rely on rapid conveyance and end-of-pipe detention have not adequately mitigated the effects of urbanization on water resources and the aquatic and human communities that rely upon them. Low-impact development techniques that can support a shift to management of the post-development hydrologic cycle and runoff volumes offer better opportunities to prevent stream erosion and protect groundwater recharge, characteristics of the flow regime and water quality. The application and design of four techniques—porous pavement, bioretention cells, green roofs and rainwater harvesting— in the management of the post-development water balance are presented.
Modeling the Private Financial Returns from Green Building Investments
Authors: Ross Brian , López-Alcalá Mario , Small Arthur A
Published: February 2010

We analyze the financial returns to a green building renovation project for a small commercial office building in the urban Midwest. Compared with a comparable conventional renovation, the LEED renovation required additional building costs of approximately $7.41 per square foot. This additional up-front investment, or “green premium,” promises to generate an estimated $1.38 per square foot in annual savings, mostly from reduced energy expenditures. Viewed strictly in financial terms as an investment opportunity, the LEED renovation offered an expected Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of approximately 12%. A sensitivity analysis suggests that this estimate is relatively robust across a range of alternative model assumptions. The findings suggest that LEED renovations could be very attractive to organizations with relatively low capital costs, such as government agencies, but might prove marginal or unattractive to smaller private firms with high costs of capital.
The Construction Specification Institute's Sustainable Reporting Data Format: GreenFormat
Authors: Hooper Pat A
Published: February 2010

The increased utilization of green building rating systems, federal and state sustainable building programs, and the interest in green building by private commercial and residential builders has generated a wide range of building product manufacturer claims about the sustainable attributes of their products. Evaluating those manufacturer claims, which range from “environmentally friendly,” “low VOC,” “all natural,” to “100% recycled,” is a major challenge to specifiers, professional designers, and others who must make product selections to meet the rating system requirements. While there are independent third party certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council, Scientific Certification System (SCS), and Green Guard, the majority of the rating systems use a descriptor as a requirement such as “rapidly renewable,” for which there is no current certification. Some professional designers want information on material transportation and extraction, or product deconstruction or recycling. Some large design firms have created environmental questionnaires for manufacturers to complete; however, the questionnaires are not standardized. Manufacturers are faced with completing different questionnaires from a variety of major design firms. The Construction Specification Institute (CSI), the publisher of MasterFormat, has created a sustainable reporting data guide named GreenFormat©. The intent of this article is to describe GreenFormat, its data categories, and to provide background on the informational transparency.
Modeling Graywater in Residences: Using Shower Effluent in the Toilet Reservoir
Authors: Wu Xing , Akinci Burcu , Davidson Cliff I
Published: February 2010

Use of municipal water in residences can be decreased substantially by allowing “graywater” effluent from showering and other activities to fill the toilet reservoir. This paper considers a system developed in Germany for treatment and storage of shower wastewater for use in flushing the toilet. Based on literature data for distributions of shower duration and water flow rate, the volume of municipal water saved using the German system has been estimated for several usage scenarios. Results show significant savings of water that depend on the size of the treatment and storage tanks used in the graywater system as well as the number of toilet flushes per day. For example, a scenario with four residents each flushing nine times per day with 80 liter treatment and storage tanks shows a 50% chance that the savings in municipal water use for the toilet will exceed 73%. Because the timing of showers and toilet flushes is assumed to follow a uniform distribution throughout the day, the calculated tank sizes may be underestimates.
Impact of Pavement Thickness on Surface Diurnal Temperatures
Authors: Gui Jooseng (Gavin) , Carlson Joby , Phelan Patrick E , Kaloush Kamil E , Golden Jay S
Published: February 2010

Simulations of pavement surface temperature were carried out using a one-dimensional mathematical model developed previously based on a fundamental energy balance. By altering the parameters input to the model, an analysis was conducted to study the effects on the diurnal pavement temperatures caused by varying paving material and thicknesses. Such study offers an understanding of the optimum thicknesses for the materials to yield cooler surface temperatures by reducing heat absorption. This model can assist in determining appropriate mitigation strategies for the Urban Heat Island effect and human discomfort. The results indicated that there exists a critical layer thickness at which the maximum surface temperature is minimized. Further increase beyond the critical thickness results in adverse maximum and minimum surface temperatures. The study also shows that high albedo concrete cement surfaces have cooler surface temperatures as compared to lower-albedo asphalt-based surface pavements.