bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
University faculty perceptions of the health risks related to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
Authors: PEIPER NICHOLAS , STONE RAMONA , VAN ZYL RIAAN , RODU BRAD
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. It is now widely understood by tobacco research and policy experts that smokeless tobacco (ST) use confers significantly less risk than smoking, but no studies have assessed tobacco risk perceptions in highly educated populations. The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of risks related to smoking and ST use among full‐time faculty on two campuses at the University of Louisville. Design and Methods. In October 2007, a survey that quantified risk perceptions of cigarette smoking and ST use with respect to four health domains (general health, heart attack/stroke, all cancer, oral cancer) was sent to 1610 full‐time faculty at the Belknap and the Health Sciences Center (HSC) campuses of the University of Louisville, and 597 (37%) returned a completed survey. Results. Overall, cigarettes were considered as high risk for all health domains by large majorities (75–97%). Except for heart attack/stroke, ST was also considered as high risk by the majority of faculty (69–87%), and at least half perceived cigarettes and ST to be equally harmful across all domains. HSC faculty had somewhat more accurate risk perceptions than Belknap faculty for ST, but both groups overestimated the risks, especially for oral cancer. Discussion and Conclusions. This study found that the risks of ST use are overestimated and conflated to that of cigarettes among highly educated professionals, demonstrating the need for better education about the risks of tobacco use and for communication of accurate information by health organisations and agencies.[Peiper N, Stone R, Van Zyl R & Rodu B. University faculty perceptions of the health risks related to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Assessing community support for harm reduction services: Comparing two measures
Authors: HOPWOOD MAX , BRENER LOREN , FRANKLAND ANDREW , TRELOAR CARLA
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. Previous attitudinal research has found that the way survey questions are asked can influence respondents’ answers regarding their support for sensitive issues. This study aimed to explore whether findings regarding community support for harm reduction services could be manipulated through priming of language and information contained within survey items. Design and Method. A convenience sample of 260 university students from Sydney Australia were surveyed during late 2008 about their attitudes towards harm reduction services. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: one received a questionnaire that provided factual information about harm reduction services (Survey 1), while a second group received a questionnaire that contained no information about harm reduction services and framed heroin use as problematic (Survey 2). Results. Participants who completed Survey 1 expressed significantly higher levels of support for harm reduction services overall than participants who completed Survey 2 (t(249) = −5.8, P < 0.001). Regression analysis indicated that overall support for harm reduction services was associated with the survey version that participants received and participants’ political affiliations. These two factors accounted for 17.5% of the variance in the data. Discussion and Conclusions. Research findings regarding community support for harm reduction services are influenced by questionnaire design. This has implications for the development and expansion of harm reduction services and policy.[Hopwood M, Brener L, Frankland A, Treloar C. Assessing community support for harm reduction services: Comparing two measures. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Is point of access to needles and syringes related to needle sharing? Comparing data collected from pharmacies and needle and syringe programs in south‐east Sydney
Authors: BRYANT JOANNE , TOPP LIBBY , HOPWOOD MAX , IVERSEN JENNY , TRELOAR CARLA , MAHER LISA
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. The comprehensive needle and syringe distribution system in New South Wales is partly based on the premise that different points of access to injecting equipment may attract different groups of injecting drug users. This paper examines patterns of equipment acquisition and risk for blood‐borne virus transmission among injecting drug users who use pharmacies and needle and syringe programs (NSP) in south‐east Sydney. Design and Methods. Clients obtaining injecting equipment from four NSP (n = 147) and eight pharmacies (n = 227) in 2006 voluntarily completed a self‐administered questionnaire. Respondents were grouped into three categories based on their needle and syringe acquisition patterns: exclusive use of NSP, exclusive use of pharmacies and use of both. Results. Although it was common for respondents to report using both pharmacies and NSP to obtain needles and syringes (57%), a proportion reported exclusive use of pharmacies (17%) and NSP (14%). Exclusive pharmacy users were more likely to have never received treatment for their drug use and the least likely to have had a recent test for hepatitis C. Compared with respondents who exclusively used NSP, respondents who exclusively used pharmacies were more likely to report receptive sharing of injecting equipment (adjusted odds ratio 5.9, 95% confidence interval 2.02–17.14), as were respondents who reported using both sources (adjusted odds ratio 5.8, 95% confidence interval 2.35–14.40). Discussion and Conclusions. The high prevalence of receptive equipment sharing among pharmacy clients indicates a need to improve access to needles and syringes and ancillary equipment, possibly by including ancillary equipment at no cost in existing pre‐packaged pharmacy products.[Bryant J, Topp L, Hopwood M, Iversen J, Treloar C, Maher L. Is point of access to needles and syringes related to needle sharing? Comparing data collected from pharmacies and needle and syringe programs in south‐east Sydney. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Cardiovascular disease risk factors and symptoms among regular psychostimulant users
Authors: DARKE SHANE , TOROK MICHELLE , KAYE SHARLENE , DUFLOU JOHAN
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of risk factors and possible symptoms of cardiovascular disease among regular psychostimulant users. Design and Methods. A total of 239 regular psychostimulant users were administered a structured interview on health and cardiovascular disease symptoms. Results. Thirty per cent had a family history of cardiovascular disease, 37% had sought treatment for possible symptoms of cardiovascular disease and 14% had been prescribed medications for symptoms of possible cardiovascular problems. The most commonly reported severe symptoms were: chronic shortness of breath (17%), chest pains (15%), palpitations (14%), chronic fatigue (13%) and dizziness/loss of consciousness (11%). Chest pains had been experienced on at least a weekly basis in the past 12 months by 13%. All symptoms occurred at significantly higher levels after the initiation of psychostimulant use. Higher levels of psychostimulant dependence were positively correlated with the number of frequently occurring symptoms (r = 0.23). Independent correlates of higher levels of frequently occurring symptoms were higher level of psychostimulant dependence, higher levels of alcohol dependence, a family history of cardiovascular disease and a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Discussion and Conclusions. While a great deal of clinical attention has been given to the sequelae of psychostimulant use, such as psychosis, the potential effects upon the cardiovascular systems of users are worthy of specific public health attention.[Darke S, Torok M, Kaye S, Duflou J. Cardiovascular disease risk factors and symptoms among regular psychostimulant users. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Reports of alcohol‐related problems and alcohol dependence for demographic subgroups using interactive voice response versus telephone surveys: The 2005 US National Alcohol Survey
Authors: MIDANIK LORRAINE T. , GREENFIELD THOMAS K.
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. Interactive voice response (IVR), a computer‐based interviewing technique, can be used within a computer‐assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey to increase privacy and the accuracy of reports of sensitive attitudes and behaviours. Previous research using the 2005 National Alcohol Survey indicated no overall significant differences between IVR and CATI responses to alcohol‐related problems and alcohol dependence. To determine if this result holds for demographic subgroups that could respond differently to modes of data collection, this study compares the prevalence rates of lifetime and last‐year alcohol‐related problems by gender, ethnicity, age and income subgroups obtained by IVR versus continuous CATI interviewing. Design and Methods. As part of the 2005 National Alcohol Survey, subsamples of English‐speaking respondents were randomly assigned to an IVR group that received an embedded IVR module on alcohol‐related problems (n = 450 lifetime drinkers) and a control group that were asked identical alcohol‐related problem items using continuous CATI (n = 432 lifetime drinkers). Results. Overall, there were few significant associations. Among lifetime drinkers, higher rates of legal problems were found for white and higher income respondents in the IVR group. For last‐year drinkers, a higher percentage of indicators of alcohol dependence was found for Hispanic respondents and women respondents in the CATI group. Discussion and Conclusion. Data on alcohol problems collected by CATI provide largely comparable results to those from an embedded IVR module. Thus, incorporation of IVR technology in a CATI interview does not appear strongly indicated even for several key subgroups.[Midanik LT, Greenfield TK. Reports of alcohol‐related problems and alcohol dependence for demographic subgroups using interactive voice response versus telephone surveys: The 2005 US National Alcohol Survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Energy drink co‐administration is associated with increased reported alcohol ingestion
Authors: PRICE STEPHEN R. , HILCHEY CATHERINE A. , DARREDEAU CHRISTINE , FULTON HEATHER G. , BARRETT SEAN P.
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. While energy drinks (EDs) and alcohol have been reported to be frequently co‐administered, little is known about the effect of this co‐administration on alcohol drinking patterns. The purpose of the present research was to characterise patterns of ED and alcohol co‐administration. Design and Methods. Seventy‐two ED users were recruited from the Halifax university community. Participants provided information about their lifetime ED and other substance use, in addition to detailing instances of their ED and alcohol use during the previous week using a timeline follow‐back interview. Results. Seventy‐six per cent of participants reported ever deliberately mixing alcohol with EDs and 19% reported doing so during the previous week. Relative to alcohol drinking sessions in which EDs were not used, participants reported drinking significantly more alcohol when it was co‐administered with EDs. Discussion and Conclusions. Alcohol and ED co‐administration is relatively common among ED users and seems to be associated with increased alcohol ingestion. It is recommended that this matter receive more clinical and research attention. [Price SR, Hilchey CA, Darredeau C, Fulton HG, Barrett SP. Energy drink co‐administration is associated with increased reported alcohol ingestion. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Combined effects of law enforcement and substitution treatment on heroin mortality
Authors: NORDT CARLOS , STOHLER RUDOLF
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. To explore the combined effects of street‐level law enforcement and substitution treatment programs on drug‐related mortality, taking into account prevalence of heroin use and changes in injecting behaviour. Design and Methods. Time trend analysis using annual police reports and case register data of opioid substitution treatments in Switzerland, 1975–2007. Results. Drug‐related mortality increased during times of more intense street‐level law enforcement [odds ratio (OR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15–1.51], and the number of drug‐related deaths predicted the number of heroin possession offences 2 years later (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). Substitution treatment had a protective effect on drug‐related mortality (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.18–0.30). Surprisingly, the number of drug‐related deaths was substantially biased by an oscillation period of 14 years (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.17–1.32). Discussion and Conclusions. Our analysis revealed that the amount of police resources allocated to law enforcement was determined rationally, however, on biased grounds and with untoward consequences. Substitution treatment of heroin users reduced drug‐related mortality in the long run, but different factors masked its impact for several years. Therefore, the introduction—or the expansion—of opioid substitution treatment programs should not be promoted with the argument of an immediate reduction of drug‐related deaths in a country.[Nordt C, Stohler R. Combined effects of law enforcement and substitution treatment on heroin mortality. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Main reasons for hospital admissions by women with a history of methadone maintenance
Authors: BURNS LUCY , CONROY ELIZABETH , MATTICK RICHARD P.
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims. Although clinical studies have noted that women with opioid use disorders use have high levels of mental and physical health disorders and are exposed to high levels of violence, it is not known whether this occurs at a level of severity that warrants hospital admission. Design and Methods. Administrative data from a jurisdictional methadone program were linked with hospital inpatient records from 1998 to 2002 to determine the main reasons for hospital admission for a cohort of women with a prior or ongoing history of methadone maintenance. Rates of hospital admissions by the cohort were compared with hospitalisations by all women without an opioid‐related hospital diagnosis from 1998 to 2002. Results. After controlling for age, country of birth and marital status, women with a history of methadone maintenance had more frequent hospital admissions for the mental and behavioural disorders [relative risk (RR) 3.9 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 3.7, 4.0)], diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue [RR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.9, 2.3)]; injuries and poisonings [RR 2.0 (95% CI: 1.9, 2.1)] and infectious and parasitic diseases [RR 1.4 (95% CI: 1.2, 1.6)]. At a more detailed level of diagnostic specificity, the methadone cohort was admitted more often for hepatitis C, septicaemia and head injuries. Discussion and Conclusion. The elevated risk of hospital admission for a number of disorders suggests that women with a history of methadone maintenance experience these health events at a level of severity warranting hospital admission. Further contextual work is necessary to determine the effective preventive and management strategies.[Burns L, Conroy E, Mattick RP. Main reasons for hospital admissions by women with a history of methadone maintenance. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010;29;669–675]
Factors affecting criminal recidivism among participants in the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: LARNEY SARAH , MARTIRE KRISTY A.
Published: August 2010

Introduction and Aims.The Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program is a diversionary program for people with substance use (primarily illicit drug) problems, based in New South Wales, Australia. The aim of this study was to assess factors relevant to recidivism among MERIT participants.Design and Methods.A longitudinal study utilising administrative data was conducted. MERIT participants entering the program after 1 August 2004 and with a finalisation date of prior to 31 December 2005 were included in the study. Recidivism records for this cohort were obtained for the period 1 August 2004 and 31 December 2007 and linked to MERIT administrative data. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to identify predictors of recidivism.Results.A total of 1160 MERIT participants were included in the analysis. Compared to non‐completers, completion of the MERIT program was associated with a 30% reduction in risk of recidivism. Factors associated with increased risk of recidivism following MERIT included principal drug other than cannabis and higher number of prior convictions.Discussion and Conclusions.Although the design of this study does not permit causal conclusions, these results suggest the MERIT program may be associated with reduced criminal offending. The identification of factors associated with increased risk of recidivism may be helpful in identifying participants in need of higher intensity interventions.[Larney S, Martire KA. Factors affecting criminal recidivism among participants in the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program in New South Wales, Australia.Drug Alcohol Rev2010;29;684–688]
A multiple additive regression tree analysis of three exposure measures during Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Curtis Andrew , Li Bin , Marx Brian D. , Mills Jacqueline W. , Pine John
Published: August 2010

This paper analyses structural and personal exposure to Hurricane Katrina. Structural exposure is measured by flood height and building damage; personal exposure is measured by the locations of 911 calls made during the response. Using these variables, this paper characterises the geography of exposure and also demonstrates the utility of a robust analytical approach in understanding health‐related challenges to disadvantaged populations during recovery. Analysis is conducted using a contemporary statistical approach, a multiple additive regression tree (MART), which displays considerable improvement over traditional regression analysis. By using MART, the percentage of improvement in R‐squares over standard multiple linear regression ranges from about 62 to more than 100 per cent. The most revealing finding is the modelled verification that African Americans experienced disproportionate exposure in both structural and personal contexts. Given the impact of exposure to health outcomes, this finding has implications for understanding the long‐term health challenges facing this population.
THE CO‐OPERATIVE REFORM PROCESS IN TANZANIA AND SRI LANKA
Authors: Birchall Johnston , Simmons Richard
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT**:  This article reports on findings from a three year study of co‐operatives in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. The article asks three questions: why do co‐operative sectors need reforming; what is the co‐operative reform process; and why has reform succeeded in some countries but not others? It provides a short history of co‐operatives in three phases: the colonial period, the post‐colonial nationalist period and the period of market liberalisation. It shows that the control exercised by colonial governments was deepened under nationalist governments, with co‐operatives becoming parastatals. Liberalisation brought a sustained attempt by international agencies to reassert the distinctive nature of co‐operatives as member‐owned businesses. However, co‐ops were ill‐prepared to adjust to a competitive market and the lifting of government regulation; many failed, some were corrupted, while a few became truly member‐controlled. The article draws on documentary analysis and key informant interviews to provide accounts of the reform process in Tanzania and Sri Lanka. It finds that the process is incomplete and often contested.
Constituting Corporate Europe: A Study of Elite Social Organization
Authors: Carroll William K. , Fennema Meindert , Heemskerk Eelke M.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This article explores the emerging shape and form of the European corporate community since 1996. We examine the cohesion of corporate Europe through the network of interlocking corporate directorates and memberships in the European Round Table of Industrialists. We focus on the unequal structure of representation; the interplay of national and transnational aspects of the network; the role of finance capitalists as a signpost of a regime of internationalized finance capital; and the embeddedness of corporate Europe in the global corporate network. Although the transnational European network gained in strength while national networks eroded, expansion of the European network did not negate a structure of representation favoring the northwest. Bankers became less dominant, yet industrialists with financial connections formed the core of the European corporate community, signaling a departure from national corporate communities centered upon banks. At the threshold of the current economic crisis, corporate Europe comprised the most integrated segment of the global corporate elite.
Nowtopia: Strategic Exodus?
Authors: Carlsson Chris , Manning Francesca
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  Nowtopia identifies a new basis for a shared experience of class. Specifically, the exodus from wage labor on one side, and the embrace of meaningful, freely chosen and “free” (unpaid) work on the other. A product of three decades of decomposition of the working class, nowtopians are different from “drop‐outs” in general, or surplus populations that constitute the necessary “outside” to capital, in their conscious withdrawal from capitalist culture and concerted rejection of the value form. In emergent convivial “nowtopian” communities, largely grounded in unpaid practical work which creatively meets needs such as transportation (the bicycling subculture), food (urban gardening/agriculture), and communication (open‐source communities), we see a gradual reversal of the extreme atomization of modern life. While facing the threat of corruption via re‐integration into the system, this constellation of practices, if taken together, is an elaborate, decentralized, uncoordinated collective research and development effort exploring a potentially post‐capitalist, post‐petroleum future.
The Production of Commons and the “Explosion” of the Middle Class
Authors: De Angelis Massimo
Published: August 2010

Abstract:  This paper builds on the author's previous theoretical work on the role of processes such as enclosures, market discipline and governance. It discusses the middle class in terms of a stratified field of subjectivity within the planetary wage hierarchy produced by these processes. It discusses the thesis that the middle class, qua middle class, will never be able to contribute to bring about a fundamental change in the capitalist system of livelihood reproduction. The production in common centered on middle class values—however historically and culturally specific they are—is always production in common within the system. Our common action as middle class action, whether as consumers, workers, or citizens, reproduces the system of value and value hierarchy that is the benchmark, the referent point for our cooperation. The paper then discusses some of the implications of the conundrum faced by those who seek alternatives: there will be no “beginning of history” without the middle class, nor there will be one with the middle class.
A Regional Multilayered Aquifer Model for Microcomputers
Authors: ARAL MUSTAFA M.
Published: August 2010

Evaluation of the performance of a multilayer aquifer system in a regional study is a problem frequently encountered in ground water studies. In this study a finite element Galerkin formulation is presented for the solution of steady state ground water seepage problem in a multilayer aquifer system for microcomputer environments. The computer code which is originally developed on CDC‐CYBER‐855 system is then adopted to an IBMPC system with 256 K core memory capacity using Microsoft version 3.2 FORTRAN Compiler (MS‐FORTRAN Compiler) which runs under version 1.25 of the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS‐DOS). For fast numeric processing a 8087 processing environment is suggested but such a processor is not necessary for proper execution. In order to verify the validity of the numerical procedure proposed, several numerical experiments are performed and the results obtained are compared with the analytical solutions. The computer code generated is identified as MSGF1 (Multilayer‐Steady‐Groundwater‐Flow) model and it is supported and maintained by the author.
Development of an Expert System/Intelligent Interface for Acid Rain Analysis
Authors: SWAYNE D. A. , FRASER A. S.
Published: August 2010

This article describes the development (current and proposed) of a user workstation for the analysis of acid rain data. The query language is map‐based, and the analysis package uses a spreadsheet paradigm. Automatic decoding and transcription of data descriptions, a sophisticated special purpose programmable function library, and simultaneous manipulation of several large databases are all special features of the system.
A Text Creation Routine for Graphics on a Microcomputer
Authors: MILLER MICHAEL J.
Published: August 2010

Placing text on the graphics screen in any size any angle is an important function of a graphics program. Some microcomputers, however, will not print characters on the graphics screen, and others have very limited ability, such as printing only in 40‐character or 80‐character mode. Characters are needed for dimensions and notes on the drawing as well as for prompts and messages. Alternate fonts, rotation of the text, and different sizes of text are needed for many applications, not to mention text that is scaled up and down as the user zooms in or out to magnify or reduce the size of the image. This article examines available techniques and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. A method is presented for producing stroke generated text by designing each character as a matrix of dots on a standard grid and storing the coordinates of the dots as endpoints of vectors to be used to draw the character. The standard grid is assumed to have its origin in the lower left corner and each coordinate is defined relative to that origin.
Flood Flow Forecasting Using Microcomputer Graphics and Radar Imagery
Authors: Johnson Lynn E. , Dallmann John L.
Published: August 2010

Components of a new generation flash flood forecasting system have been developed which utilize interactive computer graphics on a microcomputer, radar estimates of rainfall, and a time—area hydrologic response function. New generation radars in concert with ground‐truthing rain gages, provide a high‐resolution and timely capability for sensing rainfall amounts and distribution. Microcomputer graphics software and hardware aid the processes of rainfall and watershed spatial data management and interactive modeling of flood runoff on a local scale. Merging of radar‐rainfall data sets with computerized maps of an application watershed is demonstrated and selected simulation experiments of flood runoff conducted. The microcomputer graphics system provides advanced capabilities for data entry, editing, and display on lowcost workstation, thus greatly aiding the hydrologic modeling and testing process. Hydrologic simulations were conducted to contrast the effects of radar sensing of rainfall as compared to standard areal averaging techniques. Storm movement and areal resolution simulations were also conducted and the results summarized. Radar estimates of rainfall were found to provide a more accurate representation of the spatial distribution of rainfall than basin averaging techniques.
An Unsteady Regional Multilayered Aquifer Model for Microcomputers
Authors: ARAL MUSTAFA M. , HADDAD ELIE H.
Published: August 2010

Groundwater quality and quantity modeling in regional aquifer systems has developed very rapidly within the last twenty years. The new computational methods introduced to this field offer flexible tools to practicing engineers to analyze complex problems that otherwise would have been unfeasible to solve. Recent advances made in microcomputer technology introduce a new phase to this progress since such computational facilities are now readily available to most engineers, and the existing groundwater models can be implemented on these computers for efficient and reliable simulation. The study summarized here is an extension of an earlier steady‐state groundwater Now model developed by the first author. The numerical model discussed here is developed for an IBM‐AT or compatible system with 640K core memory capacity. The FORTRAN code is compiled using the Microsoft version 3.2 FORTUNE Compiler (MS‐FORTRAN Compiler) which runs under version 1.25 of the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS‐DOS). For fast numeric processing an 8087 coprocessing environment is suggested but such a processor is not necessary for proper execution. The unsteady multilayer aquifer model developed here is verified based on analytical solutions for multilayer aquifers available in the literature. The computer code generated is identified as MUCF1 (Multilayer‐Unsteady‐Groundwater‐Flow) model.
Basic Pre‐ and Post‐processors for fortran Programs
Authors: VANDERBILT M. DANIEL
Published: August 2010

The BASIC language, available on almost all personal computers in interpreter form, has a number of strengths and some major weaknesses. It is a powerful language in its ability to read to and from the monitor screen, to manipulate strings, and to perform simple graphics. It is a weak language for use in computationally intensive programming, and, in the form usually provided with microcomputers, cannot access the math coprocessor. The FORTRAN language is good for working with large arrays and for performing extensive computations with high precision numbers, but is weak in the areas where BASIC is strong.

A typical engineering program consists of three phases, data input, computation, and data output. The user of a microcomputer program expects to be offered easy interactive data entry and correction, fast computation, graphical review of results where applicable, and foolproof program operation including graceful recovery from errors accompanied by meaningful error messages. Satisfying these desires can be accomplished by the programmer who properly meshes the complementary strengths of BASIC and FORTRAN. This paper describes how to write an engineering program package which uses BASIC in accomplishing data input through data‐entry screens, FORTRAN in the number crunching phase, and BASIC in the post‐processing graphical display phase. Associated problems of formatting files for use by both BASIC and FORTRAN programs, entry of default values during initial data input or data change, and data base management are discussed.

The BASIC discussed herein is a Microsoft product available on IBM machines as IBM BASIC and on many compatible machines as GW BASIC. In either case the version must be recent enough that the SHELL command is available. The FORTRAN compiler used in writing the example program discussed later is the Microsoft Optimizing Compiler, version 4.0.
Interactive Microcomputer Graphics Environment for Integrated Analysis and Design of 2‐D Framed Structures
Authors: HILMY SAID I. , MORROW KENNETH E.
Published: August 2010

An interactive graphics microcomputer program for the analysis and design of 2‐D framed structures is described in this paper. The system is designed to utilize the full power of microcomputer graphics technology and recent advances in computer science. The interaction between the user and the machine is provided by the mouse as an input device which allows engineers to create and load a structure visually as well as to select options rapidly from the mouse oriented menu system. The paper shows the capabilities of this new system and describes the methodology used in its development.
Interfacing Data Bases With Expert Systems: A Retaining Wall Management Application
Authors: CHAHINE JACQUES R. , JANSON BRUCE N.
Published: August 2010

This paper presents the development of an interface between an expert system and a data base management system. The flexibility provided by such interface is shown to be very useful for civil engineering applications. An example application is developed in this paper that applies this interface to the management of retaining walls. The different relational data bases store most of the required information. The inventory data base stores identification information, the inspection data base stores historical condition data gathered by inspections, and the replacement data base stores information needed to perform a replacement cost analysis for a retaining wall. The expert system, on the other hand, is used to diagnose the possible reasons for the failure of a retaining wall. The development of the data base management system, the expert system, and the interface between them is discussed, along with the restrictions imposed by the software chosen for this example application.
Landfill Site Selection: A Microcomputer Expert System
Authors: ROUHANI SHAHROKH , KANGARI ROOZBEH
Published: August 2010

Sanitary landfills are common facilities for waste disposal. The process of designating a location as a landfill requires extensive studies of biogeochemical and hydrologic characteristics of all potential sites. This process demands a considerable amount of empirical inputs, expert opinions, and heuristic rules. A site selection process can be modeled only by incorporating the available empirical and expert rules into our decision making process. This task can be accomplished in the framework of knowledge‐based expert systems. A prototype expert system for site selection is presented. The rules are based on U.S. EPA documents for ranking of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites for remedial actions. They include rules concerning ground water routes, local climate, waste characteristics, planned features of the proposed landfill facility, and targets at risk. The above model is programmed with the aid of Insight 2+, which is a microcomputer shell program.
A Simple Efficient Engineering Data Input System
Authors: VANLUCHENE R. O. , LEE R. H. , MEYERS V. J.
Published: August 2010

An input system is presented which has been tailored for engineering data. The system makes use of a problem‐oriented language organized as a tree structure. Input data is parsed line by line and placed in appropriate queues. The application program then extracts this queued data using logical functions. A sample finite element problem is included to demonstrate the use of the input system. The input system requires only 17 Kb of memory and operates very efficiently. The system is ideal for microcomputer applications and provides input methods that were once only available in extremely large applications programs.
A Production System Model for Terrain Analysis Knowledge Representation
Authors: ARGIALAS DEMETRE P. , NARASIMHAN RAVI
Published: August 2010

A production system model has been developed for terrain analysis problem solving. The working memory of the production system is used to store specific domain knowledge about landforms. This involved the description of landforms in terms of their pattern elements, including their likelihood of occurrence. The production memory was used to store the rules of inferencing. These rules were general rules and were applicable to all landforms. Thus, the domain knowledge about terrain analysis was separated into two components: one component consisting of specific knowledge about landforms, stored as facts in the working memory; and the other component consisting of the general methodology for inferencing, stored as rules in the production memory. Such a separation of knowledge enables additions to the knowledge base fairly easily. The knowledge base can be extended to encompass more landforms simply by creating more working‐memory elements. The present version of the prototype expert system has been implemented using OPSS, a production system language. Uncertainty calculations were performed by invoking LISP functions from OPS5. The results indicated that the production system model was appropriate for designing the prototype expert system for terrain analysis.
Development of A Decision Support System Using Fuzzy Sets
Authors: JUANG C. H.
Published: August 2010

This paper presents the theoretical basis for the development of a fuzzy decision support system and its implementation on microcomputers. The system utilizes a fuzzy set arithmetic, called fuzzy weighted average (FWA), to evaluate a group of alternatives. The system allows the user to select the criteria (and sub‐criteria if needed) on which the evaluation is to be based. Once the criteria are selected, the user is prompted for ratings (in terms of natural language) of each alternative. The ratings are represented by fuzzy sets in the system. The FWA operation is used to combine all ratings in different stages. For each alternative a final fuzzy set that represents an overall evaluation would be obtained. A simple ranking index model is adopted in the system to select the best alternative. The process is implemented in FORTRAN 77 on a microcomputer. The solution to a selected example problem is presented and discussed.
Verification Tests for Computer‐Aided Structural Analysis
Authors: MELOSH R. J. , UTKU SENOL
Published: August 2010

This paper proposes a sequence of independent analyses for verifying the accuracy of the numerical analysis of a structure. The tests separately assay the approximations of round‐off logic, discretization, and idealization on a quality‐assurance basis. Because these tests require no special simulation logic, they are suitable for use with public domain software.

The tests provide necessary checks of the accuracy of response predictions for the structure of immediate interest. Most tests are self‐consistency checks which detect the sensitivity of results to changes in the problem definition and hence for changes of computer precision, computer logic, grid size, and idealization parameters. Some of the tests simply involve scaling responses.

Use of the tests for a simple problem illustrates the verification process and interpretation of test results. Comparisons with exact analysis results suggest that the tests can play an important role in increasing the reliability of numerical structural analyses.
Combining Expert Systems and Cad Techniques
Authors: JAIN DEEPAK , MAHER MARY LOU
Published: August 2010

Drawings provide a medium for communicating design decisions. The dtask of preparing and changing design drawings has been simplified by various packages available for computer aided drafting (CAD). Recently, expert‐systems techniques are being used to aid the design process by monitoring and refining design decisions. Combining expert systems and CAD techniques raises issues concerning representation of the design. An expert system for evaluation of the design. An expert system for evaluation of preliminary structural designs has been implemented using an expert system shell and a CAD package. This and other similar implementations illustrate different approaces to the integration problems
Knowledge‐Based System Development Tools for Processing Design Specifications
Authors: FAZIO P. , BEDARD C. , GOWRI K.
Published: August 2010

Code‐compliance checking in any engineering design process is typically a nonsequential activity that requires extensive data managmenkt and decision making. Knowledge‐based system methodology can be applied to solve some of the problems in processing code specifications that could not be addressed by traditional procedural programming languages. Many software development tools are currently available to assist in the development of knowledgte‐based systems for specific applications. The characteristics of each tool vary with the knowledge representation and inference methodologies, and differ with the user interface and other features for development. An evaluation of seven knowledge‐based system development tools is presented in this paper. The suitability of each development enviornment for design assistance by processing code specifications is investigated by means of prototype design applications. A brief descrioption of the features of each development too, implementation details of prototype applications, and a qualitative comparison of the tools on the basis of suitability to process design code spacifications are presented.
A Knowledge‐Based System for Planning a Construction Operation
Authors: WILLIAMS TREFOR P. , KANGARI ROOZBEH
Published: August 2010

Knowledge‐based systems can be developed as an educational tool for inexperienced construction managers and students. Microcomputer expert‐system shell programs can allow knowledgebased systems to be developed and used on the construction site. Construction experts can provide knowledge which can define the best crew size, expected productivity, and the effects of production bottlenecks. This information can be incorporated in a knowledge‐base and used as an aid in determining when production problems are occurring in the field. This information can also be used in the pre‐construction period by providing managers and estimators with expert knowledge of expected productivity and required crew size. A prototype expert system was developed for the construction of precast concrete structures. The rules were obtained from construction experts with extensive experience in this type of construction. The system provided advice concerning the best crew size to use based upon the construction site characteristics. The system also provided advice concerning expected productivity and the effects of production problems on productivity. The prototype model was developed using the INSIGHT 2 microcomputer expert‐system shell program.
A Microcomputer‐Controlled Probe Traversing Mechanism and Data Acquisition System for Wind‐Tunnel Studies
Authors: SAVORY E. , TOY N.
Published: August 2010

This paper describes an experimental facility for use in wind‐tunnel studies of highly threedimensional flows. The system is microcomputer controlled, incorporating a precision probe‐traversing mechanism with five degrees of freedom and pressure‐measuring apparatus with on‐line data acquisition and analysis. The experimental setup is illustrated and discussed in detail, together with examples of practical applications of the facility.
Innovative Engineering Design
Authors: CHEHAYEB F. S. , CONNOR J. J. , NIEDSWECKI J. M.
Published: August 2010

This paper examines issues involved in the automation of the engineering design process. The different generic design processes are categorized, and a design methodology based on generating innovative combinations is described. This methodology is applied to the structural design problem, and a number of example problems are solved. The first part of this paper introduces the issues involved in designing engineering systems, and describes a generalized method that can be used to describe and solve problems of design. The second part presents a general and consistent methodology for the representation of engineering knowledge, which can be used to solve a wide variety of problems. In the third part, the implementation of a design program is described, a structural design problem is solved, and an analysis of the performance of the design methodology is made. Finally, the authors reflect on the future of engineering design through Al techniques, and on the practical applications of these developments.
The p‐Adaptive Biem Approach for Two‐Dimensional Elasticity Analysis
Authors: CERROLAZA M. , ALARCON E.
Published: August 2010

This paper presents the development and application of the p‐adaptive BIEM version in elastostatics. The basic concepts underlying the p‐adaptive technique are summarized and discussed. Some Pascal pseudocodes which show the way how such a technique can be implemented easily in microcomputers are also provided. Both the applicability and the accuracy of the method proposed here are illustrated through a numerical example.
A User‐Friendly Hydrological Data‐Management and Reporting System
Authors: LAMBOURNE JEFFREY J.
Published: August 2010

This article describes the development and implementation of an integrated hydrological management and reporting system on a microcomputer. The system involves the use of peripherals for digitizing, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or RAM downloading, storage, reporting, and archiving of hydrological data. Hydrological information is stored on hard disk in compact formats according to the type of data. Self‐correcting data routines coupled with simple screen drivers for user interfacing allow semiskilled operators to use the system. An on‐line help facility is an integral part of the user interface. Both pattern and color recognition by the operator are used to detect discrepancies in the data.
Frontal Solver in C Part 2: Dynamics
Authors: LEUNG A. Y. T. , LEUNG Y. W.
Published: August 2010

This paper presents a Frontal solver for structural dynamic analysis on IBM PC/XT or PC/ AT microcomputers. The program is coded in C. Subspace iteration is used for solving the eigenvalue problem. Various aspects on the design and the implementation of the program in a C environment are discussed in detail. A full listing of the program modules and a driver program are also provided.
Hermitian Subspace Iteration
Authors: LEUNG A. Y. T.
Published: August 2010

The subspace iteration for symmetric real matrices is extended to the partial eigensolutions for Hermitian matrices. Only the lower triangle of the Hermitian matrix in variable band form is required and processed. Efficient and compact fortran subroutines are developed for computing the lowest modes in ascending order of absolute eigenvalues. The method is suitable for incore microcomputer solution of the sparse Hermitian eigenvalue problem.
Solid Modeling in Structural Engineering
Authors: MUFTI AFTAB A. , HSIUNG BERNARD
Published: August 2010

The importance of using a solid‐modeling system in the computer‐aided design of three‐dimensional objects has been widely recognized. In Structural Engineering applications, solid‐modeling systems that represent a structure are much more useful than conventional three‐dimensional wire‐frame models of that structure. Although the realistic, color‐shaded display produced by solid‐modeling systems are often thought to be its focus, graphic rendering is just one of the applications drawing from the central computerized model. In this article, we will briefly review solid‐modeling concepts, components, terminology, and look at the role played by computer graphics.
A Schematic Urban Street Network‐Display Algorithm
Authors: CHIN SHIH‐MIAO
Published: August 2010

The link‐node network is the most commonly used model for representing a large‐scale urban street system. It is easy to formulate a mathematical model which describes the complicated spatial and temporal urban‐street‐related problems on such a simplified network representation. However, recently developed microscopic network traffic models contain important details which cannot be depicted on the link‐node diagram. This paper describes a computer‐graphics algorithm which can generate a lane‐detailed schematic urban street network display. The algorithm is very comprehensive, and it can accommodate various types of urban street configurations. The regular four‐approach, right‐angle intersection can be displayed most accurately. However, intersections with more or less than four approaches and/or links intersecting at an angle other than 90‐deg can be generated satisfactorily. One‐way streets intersecting two‐way or one‐way streets can also be depicted. Furthermore, roadways where the number of lanes changes (for example, from two lanes to three lanes, or from two lanes to one lane) can also be plotted. The overall quality of the display generated by this algorithm is satisfactory. The required input data is relatively simple, although the time associated with the input data preparation is short. In addition, applications using this algorithm are also discussed.